Original subtitles

Good afternoon. I was just looking for something of my son's.

You haven't by chance seen a little green book?

- It's his tradesman's certificate. - No.

It must be somewhere else then.

- A young man was looking for you. - When?

- Not long ago. - Was it the lieutenant?

No, he wasn't in uniform. He didn't say anything and just left.

What to do if someone's going through one's things?

I won't tell János yet, he gets so nervous,

but I'll watch them from now on.

Why shouldn't she look for her son's certificate?

This is his room, his cupboard, I'm losing my wits.

The old lady said a man called for us.

- Pali? - No. He wasn't in uniform.

- What did he want? - There was no message.

- What did he look like? - He was young.

- When did he come? - Just this afternoon.

- He might have been out of uniform. - She knows Pali!

She's only ever seen him once, in the dark and in uniform!

Perhaps you have some questions for me?

- Are you listening? - Yes.

That lieutenant was in my year when I studied in Germany.

We were very close then. Student friendship.

- We went everywhere together. - Why did you send him to the center?

Should I have invited a German officer here?

- He was nice. - He's vermin!

- Who the hell could have called? - Ask the old lady.

- I won't. - Could anyone still betray you?

Do you trust anyone to that extent?

This country is like a dirty river.

You stir it up a bit and up comes the filth.

You could see that today.

The only possibility of existence and safety, is not to believe.

The only defense is not to talk.

The only strength is not to trust anyone.

And me, do I mean anything at all to you?

It's not that I don't trust people, I don't trust the times we live in.

Man wasn't born to live on the limits of his moral proclivity. Understand?

I don't know what you mean by "moral proclivity".

Can I lie down next to you?

Why can't you love? I imagined you to be someone quite different.

Why are you afraid for yourself?

At times your eyes have a glimmer of warmth in them

but you yourself are much colder.

She's learning my soul. I don't consider myself that.

As if you had no feelings at all.

You don't even know how your child and husband are.

You don't think of them anymore.

Just because I put a brave face on, doesn't mean it's easy for me.

How can I explain to you that I'm scared of you,

how much I loved Elza in Germany?

She spent nights with me secretly coming through the balcony.

She reported me to the Gestapo in '33.

Anyone and everyone can be their man.

What can I say, you are stupid.

I hate people without a sense of decency.

Then you hate me too?

Because I feel no shame before you.

I wouldn't even mind going to the loo in front of you.

Would you mind?

You fool, you embarrassed, ice-cold, fool!

What shall I do to make you love me?

It would be dreadful if she was working for the Gestapo.

I'm at my wits' end, I see an enemy in everyone.

Why do these images appear to me now?

- What did you say? - Nothing.

Who's that? Are the old people eavesdropping?

I've come to like doing this with you.

I love the smell of your skin too, it's nice.

Tell me, do you like me?

Are you in love just a little bit? Because I am, terribly.

Pali said, you were a womanizer. Are you ashamed?

Naked like this, you seem to be quite another man, a much more normal man.

Am I a good lover? You can tell me.

Very good.

Are you looking at that scar on my arm?

I fell while skiing and broke it badly.

And this scar?

I fell off a tree on the beach when I was a child.

- Were you a naughty boy? - I still am.

You see, right up till now I've always been very good...

And beautiful. You can't imagine how everything has exhausted me.

At times I want to leave everything behind in this terrible country

- and 90 off to Africa even. - Australia.

- I'd open a small chemist's. - I'd work behind the counter.

- We'll find a town by the seaside. - Melbourne or Sydney...

They're too big, a small village where it's warm

and we can lie in the sun when we want.

It doesn't even have any roads and the train only comes once a week.

My friends from my student days - chemists, doctors, physicists.

They're in America, Canada, Australia.

They only flirted once with revolution, in 1919.

They got scared and realized that they only had one life.

- In any case, they were talented. - Aren't you talented?

I don't know what I am.

A girl once told me that I was a second class revolutionary.

- I think she was right. - Who's first class?

Those who are braver.

My dear, you'll probably be surprised to receive a letter from me.

It must be ten years since I wrote you a letter, well before our marriage.

Maybe you'll be angry for me sending you this

but I couldn't wait any longer.

The last time we spoke, you were dry and calculated.

I know how much you're influenced

by the situation of the moment, the mood you are in,

but nevertheless I was surprised and hurt.

Then, please don't start raving, I had a terrible dream about you.

You were walking down the street with a woman, towards me. You ignored me.

I went after you, you turned your head away.

Later you said you didn't want to see me anymore.

Why can't I understand?

You've had enough of me, you don't need me anymore.

I know that it was just a stupid dream but still, it shook me up.

I'm jealous. This isn't based on anything concrete

but an indefinable stress which has been pressing down on me.

I can't forget one phrase from my dream -

that you don't need me anymore. That doesn't mean you don't love me,

just that you don't need to discuss your thoughts and feelings with me.

I understand this but I find it difficult to accept.

I wait for you to contact me.

You can't imagine how dreadful it is to be waiting for you all the time.

You haven't touched me in so long. I miss it so much that it surprises me.

I wake up sweating from shameful dreams. I miss you very much.

I love you, not only with a love of friendship,

as we used to call it so often.

My tie with you is much stronger than it was in the first years of our marriage.

I now feel that my life has become uncertain.

I feel a dreadful void beneath me,

and a certain pressure weighing down on me.

Forgive your wife who has gone a little mad.

Look after yourself. With love.

Hello! How are you? Can you hear me? Hello!

Suddenly I felt I was missing you. That's all I wanted to say.

I think I dreamt of you too but I've forgotten it.

It must have been something silly, like all dreams.

That's the only reason why I rang you.

Where have you been?

Outside. Go back to sleep.

I had a dream about you.

I dreamt that you told me your name.

It was a short name. You said all sorts of things.

I don't want you to misunderstand me.

All right.

I want to apologize, last night I behaved abominably.

It must be nervous exhaustion.

- You were very nice. - I was completely mixed up.

I was talking nonsense, I had no right to say those things.

I was so in love with you in the night that I just lost my head.

I can't allow myself to be like that.

Our circumstances are quite different.

There's something else I'd like to tell you.

I'm listening.

I love you very much now.

But I also love my wife.

Yes. But why are you telling me this now?

I don't want to deceive you, but she is a very good friend to me.

You haven't deceived me...

It was dreadful already on the first night

when you started to say how you were married.

And what about me? Don't I have a husband, a child?

I don't want anything from you. Go to hell with your wife!

Do you think my husband and I don't have a friendship?

I'm deceitful but you're honest because you were the first to talk?

The fact you're a coward is your problem!

I don't want anything from you. It won't work between us.

-I knew it the first night. - Stop it, can't you!

How dare you talk like this! Who do you think I am?

- A whore... You're a coward. - Kata!

We can't help the fact the child can't be with us.

How could we have brought her with us?

You've gone mad, our child is fine and safe.

Congratulations! Happy birthday!

- Me? Today? - Yes.

- Where do you get that idea from? - 11 December, you're 29 today.

Of course, 11 December 1915, Kolozsvár.

- 29 years old. - You're catching up with me slowly.

I am already 30, in fact I was 30 last February.

I'd like to celebrate your birthday! I don't care when it is.

Whenever you leave home, I'm scared

it's the last time I'll see you.

- Crazy! -I even think you've gone to your wife.

What about your child? We haven't even talked about it!

- Is it a girl or boy? - Don't, not now.

Don't you think that we'd have a beautiful child?

Yes, beautiful.

I think so too. If I get pregnant from you, shall I keep the child?

Whatever made you think of that now?

I've been feeling a bit funny for the past two days.

That's impossible.

Why? Don't get scared, it isn't certain yet.

Why are you crying?

It's nothing.

Tell me.

It's my daughter's birthday.

Things will turn out all right.

I hate the wild field

where we held each other's hand

I hate remembering you What did those few days mean to you

Who are you answerable to, who did you sin for...?

I shall always hate, for the rest of my life

The heavy chains of your gentle gaze...

Don't be angry with me. It was good to hold you.

I always wanted a brother, I'm sorry.

- It was my fault. - You must forgive me!

Let's not be silly, come and dance again.

How handsome you are in this officer's uniform!

I bet all the girls are after you!

I look good in many costumes. I think I'll be an actor.

I'll dress up in all kinds of dresses and say everything that I want to say.

However beautiful it was

The trouble started with those two kisses

That's where all the pain begins

Pali brought us a gramophone. Will you dance with me too?

What do you mean by this stupidity?

Someone gave me it yesterday as thanks for a travel warrant.

- I thought I'd bring it for you two. - Have you gone mad?

You'" have time for dancing lessons.

I have orders for you not to leave the house.

Tomorrow, Kata has to go to Liliom Street alone.

- Why? -I don't know. Tomorrow at 4:00pm.

- 34 Liliom Street, second floor, flat 1. - What's happened?

There's another manhunt on due to the fire at the Wehrmacht villa.

- Who did it? - I don't know. A man called me

to help hiim blow up the Nazi house at Ujpest with grenades.

You don't know him, he's a good man.

You mustn't get mixed up in things like that now.

You can't risk everything.

It would be a brave thing to do though.

-I see you like this boy. - Me?

- That's how you were looking at him. - Do you think so?

Tell me! Has he bewitched you with his black eyes?

I won't say that he doesn't fancy me.

Did he make any passes at you too? Well, out with it!

Tamás!

My little teddy bear!

The little one is all right, I had news.

You've got a new hairstyle.

Let's go in, we can stay here today.

There's a curfew. I have to return by 6:00.

We'll stay till the morning.

- Whose flat is this? - You don't know them.

- Were you here all the time? - I only came here today.

- There's nobody here, only us. - Where have you been?

In different places, all over town.

Come here!

- Did you know where I was? - Yes, you were in a safe place.

- Why did you do this to me? - Do what, teddy bear?

- That I didn't know anything? - Know about what?

That you were part of some kind of organization

that you knew people, friends whom I never even heard of.

You never said where you were going, or you lied,

since when have you been keeping secrets from me?

A stupid little thing is what you took

me for, so why did you live with me?

I was afraid for you. If I got into trouble

you might not be able to look after yourself.

You're still a child. A little teddy bear.

Teddy bear! What do you need me for?

I would have told you about it afterwards,

when there was nothing more to fear.

I missed you so much.

Another two weeks and maybe we can be together. You must be strong.

Please don't leave me alone again. I'll go with you.

- It's impossible, you know that. - Come with me, it's safe.

- The old people won't mind. - I'll come for you when I can.

"I'll come for you when I can. Take the pullover, it's warm.

"Close the door when you leave. Love you, T."

- Have you eaten? Do you want tea? - No, thank you.

- Shall I run you a bath? - That might do me good.

-I met my husband. - Really?

I love you. Maybe I shouldn't have told you.

I'm a fool, I shouldn't have told you.

The next time you find yourself in such a situation don't say anything.

One doesn't have to tell the truth all of the time.

- In any case, nothing's wrong... - That's enough.

A lover always has to contend with the fact of a husband around.

It's not nice to hear, or come to terms with that fact.

Perhaps you think it was better with him.

You'll compare us to see if I'll do.

You were right, you did what came naturally.

Don't be cross with me.

-I hope there's nothing wrong? - No.

Your husband was walking up and down all night. Is it your child?

Men can be so difficult.

At my stage in life, I wish I could sleep in a separate bed.

My brother has come back.

- Escaped? Be happy! - Yes.

- You've come! - What happened? The water's ice cold.

I don't know.

I felt such anguish in the night. I thought it would pass if I had a bath.

- Where were you? -I had some things to do.

Why did you do this to me?

What? We have to accept quite clearly why we are here

and the limits of our relationship.

These are difficult days we live in, Kata.

What do I have to accept? That you leave me alone all night?

You, who are such a great humanist.

You humiliate me and scorn me?

I even need your permission to breathe.

- Water is dripping down you. - I'll wipe it up.

I've never asked you to clean up after me.

You're just like my husband!

Only he did it more kindly! What a fool I've been!

You just used me, fucked me, both of you.

- Look at the way you're talking. - So what! It's horrible.

I've never used that word before in my life.

But I've said it now, and you want me to be ashamed of myself?

- You are pitiable! - Pitiable! There's no pity in you!

For yourself!

Now I think I am definitely in love with you.

I don't know when you think what, anymore.

I'm talented, a good pupil of yours.

What did you say to your husband?

Nothing, I came away.

I made a mistake the other day. I'm not pregnant.

I've never been as happy as I am with you now.

I'd like you to give me a boy, I have a girl already.

I'd rather have a girl. Would you really give me a child?

I have no children.

I'd give anything to be told: now you will have a child.

But then when you're 50 it's over. I'd accept it.

I was 19 when a girl said that I'd got her pregnant.

I prayed to God for her not be pregnant.

I'll never forget walking on the pavement,

hand in hand, when I prayed for myself.

That's when I cursed myself.

That child would have been 20 now, at university.

Of course he may have been born sick, or something may have happened later.

He could have died and what then?

One mustn't think of such things. What is so dear as a child?

This constant battle against insecurity destroys everything.

Maybe suspicion is already in my blood?

You cannot imagine how much I loathe myself.

What will happen when we resurface?

Will we be just as we were underground?

How will we drive back the dreadful things we've seen?

Will I still be all right?

I had a well-to-do family, but someone advised me

not to tell the workers where I had come from

because they'd trust me less.

I denied my family, if anyone asked me about them.

I said they were tradesmen or clerks, fifty-fifty.

I'm so used to this now that I automatically say it.

I just wait for someone to spit in my face

and say it's not true, and then you'" be suspicious.

I know one day I must gather my strength and break through this wall.

But what will those who know me say?

I remember my father did exactly the same.

He was from a Serbian family and always denied it.

He said he was aboriginal Hungarian because he needed to at the time.

So it's in my blood.

Happy are those who believe.

I've reached a stage whereby I even pray.

Please love me.

Shepherds are happy and hurry to see Jesus in Bethlehem

They greet the babe and thank Him for bringing prayer to man

They greet the babe and thank...

Don't be sad about the little girl.

She's in a safer place than we are in at the moment.

Open your presents, you're the young ones.

- Where's this from? - I knitted it.

When? Where?

- Thank you. - You still have something here.

You'll need it as we've hardly any firewood left.

- I can't accept this. - Wear it in good health.

But don't ask me what we'" have for food.

We've only half a sackful of peas and a few kilos of beans.

One never knows when it's one's last Christmas.

- Please, don't, I don't want to. - Why?

I don't want to now. Please leave me alone.

- Why, what's happened? - Nothing. I just don't want to.

Thank you. You aren't cross, are you?

It has started! It will be over soon!

They're looting shops, shooting people in broad daylight on the streets.

It's not the Germans, but uniformed tram conductors with machine guns.

On Rákóczi Street, they've hung up a boy.

People are stealing from houses, women taking furs, hats, velvet coats.

They're shooting people, right into the Danube

as people watch on the other side.

With a single armband they've won the right to ransack the streets.

I watch their faces with their deceitful eyes.

I don't want to live here anymore, that's

if I don't die like a dog before it's over.

How do you think it will be afterwards, where will those people go?

They'll be tram conductors, housekeepers again. This will never end.

- What's happened? - Nothing. I've had enough!

You were always brave and cheerful.

I was never anything, your child is all right.

-I have news, she's in Tatabánya. - Thank you. Is that why you came?

No, I came to visit friends who are on their honeymoon.

It's easy for you, at least you can sleep with each other.

What are you talking about? It's not true.

- I think I'd better shove off. - You'll stay here.

I'd like to take a photo of you here, as a memento.

Have you gone mad?

Don't worry boys! It will all come to an end!

You're right, we do love each other. We love you very much too, Pali.

Do you have a temperature? You seem hot, you've caught a chill.

You must stay here tonight.

- Take it! - I won't!

- Take it! - I don't want to.

You must learn to use it, anything might happen to us.

If I'm wounded this may be the only way you can save me.

You must learn to shoot back. Compassion is worth nothing. Hold it!

Pull this trigger up, now aim it at me. Aim it!

Now you can shoot!

Why are you doing this to me?

All right, I'm not afraid of you. And you? Are you afraid?

No. We should find Pali.

- Where is he? - You should know.

I don't know. Where should I look? I can't go after a madman.

And if he's in danger?

- What are you doing now? - I'm picking my teeth, it hurts.

Why are you picking it? You pick your teeth, your nose,

you scratch your head, your stomach!

- So that's what's the matter! - It's dreadful!

And you bite your nails, pick skin off your fingers,

pluck your eyebrows, it's unbearable!

Aren't you just a great big idiot!

So are you!

What are you thinking?

- Nothing. - Nothing?

- About you. - That's all right.

I always have the feeling that this is our last day.

- I always just live from day to day. - What do you mean?

And then, what will happen?

- The future? What do you want to hear? - What will happen when the war's over?

- Do you know? - No, I don't.

I am in a very bad mood now. Because I hate you.

The trouble is that my demands have changed.

When I came here I prayed that all might be just as it was then.

And now I feel as if I had come to the end of a holiday...

A friend of mine always met a man,

a friend of my husband's, in a rented flat where they made love.

They discussed their problems and then went home

and continued to love their families.

I could never imagine it until now.

My God, how I'd like this hiding to go on for a bit longer.

- I'm dreadful, aren't I? - No, no.

Are you cold too?

Put this jumper on, I'll put the old lady's jacket on.

- No, thank you. - Oh, please!

- It will be midnight in a second. - I'm so afraid.

- Of what? -I don't know, I fear death.

Now!

It doesn't matter where you are or how you are

so long as you feel free inside yourself.

Have just a little feeling of security.

- What did you say? - Happy New Year!

I was just saying that the important thing is to be healthy,

the rest will come somehow.

Happy New Year!

What would you like now?

To work, make children, go among people.

- You frightened me! - I just came through the door!

Why are you so nervous?

You shouted at me for giving you a fright. I just came in!

-I don't know why you have to shout. - Me? You're panicky! It's madness.

Where have you been?

My dear Kata! Can't I leave the room when I want to

or take one step without your permission?

Mine? I have to ask your permission just to sigh.

Please tell me that you love me. Did you hear me?

Why can't you do this much for me?

Do you love me? Do you love me?!

You see how dreadful it is?

You're not nice to me anymore.

Don't touch me! Don't worry, I can't denounce you anymore!

If Pali is dead, then it's as though nothing happened between us.

As though we'd just made it up.

You want me to leave you alone?

Can't I at least be alone in the bathroom?

- When can I live the way I want to? - It's up to you!

You could be a great man if you weren't afraid of everything.

You'd be the best man I've ever known! You'd do great things.

Mr. Biró! Come and see what my husband is doing.

What's happened?

They're going to take me away, I know. They must be on their way now.

Come with me, let's go into the room.

No, it's not worth it!

I'm sure they're going to take me away,

although it would be nice to sit out in the sunshine just once more.

Just once more!

Don't leave me alone.

Over there, she came after me and she's jumped the queue!

They've come for me, if I can't come back, you'll hear from me in a few days.

Bye!

So, you say all your original papers were handed over

to this certain Dr. Czakó, who has disappeared.

- Yes. - When was this?

- 10 November. - 10 November, last year?

- Where've you been living since then? - 5 Erdősor Street.

- In what capacity? - As János Biró's wife.

- Mrs. János Biró, Katalin Simó. - In János Biró's flat?

No, János Biró's papers were false too.

- Your husband's? - János Biró's.

- He got his papers from Dr. Czakó too. - So his papers must be missing too?

- I don't know. - You want us to fill out

new papers for you both on the basis of what you tell us,

- without proof? - Just for myself, please.

What did you do between 10 November and now?

- I waited. - For what?

- The end. - But what kind of end? Whose victory?

Did you leave the house at all?

- Did you go out? - We went out sometimes.

- Where to? - To the café.

Do you remember by chance what the British radio's signal tune was?

- I think it was Beethoven's Fifth. - And that of Moscow?

I don't know.

What do you say to the fact that hundreds of people were shot down

- into the Danube? - I found it dreadful. I was afraid.

- Do you have any children? - A little girl, aged six.

- What are your plans for her? - She'll start school now.

Where will you enroll her, in a state school or a church one?

- State. - What was János Biró's real name?

I don't know.

His job? And what did he do under the Nazi occupation?

- We were together. - Which newspaper did János Biró read?

And do you know which party he belonged to?

- No. - Where did his sympathies lie?

- On the left. - How do you know?

- That's why he was in hiding. - Was he ever interned

in a forced labor camp, or prosecuted by law or by the police?

Did he have any connections with the resistance?

- Yes. - How and with who?

A young man often came.

What was his name? What did he look like?

What does János Biró look like? Tall? Short?

What were his connections?

Who came to see him while you were together?

Who were his close friends? Where do his relatives live?

Do you know them?

If you don't answer we can't help you.

Bring some evidence or someone who can identify you.

Thank you.

A young man is looking for you, I think it's your brother.

He's the one who came here before.

Mrs. Biró János! Where are you? Mrs. János Biró! Where are you?

Mrs. János Biró! Mrs. János Biró!

Mrs. János Biró!

Where are you?

subtitles OCR read from disc (moviesbyrizzo)