Original subtitles

MARTIN'S APARTMENT NOVEMBER 10, 1989.7:58 A.M.

Dad!

Dad, look.

Wake up.

Someone just slid this under the door.

What does it say?

Looks like I have a lunch date.

Oh god. Get dressed.

We have to go.

Yes?

Just calling to remind you

that our driver will pick up Max at 6 p.m.

In case you forgot in last night's frenzy.

Noted.

Let's get going-

Send the bottom ones to the Soviets,

destroy the top ones.

I've increased security around the building.

We have to assume Western forces will attempt to force entry.

Or even our own citizens.

Moscow will have seen it all on TV.

Moscow is still hungover from the October Revolution celebrations.

They're very upset.

I don't see any Soviet tanks outside.

Ambassador Kochemasov still denies

he officially approved the new travel law.

Someone who was close to Krenz yesterday

must've spoken on behalf of Moscow without authorization.

What I'd like to know is:

Who was it?

- Let's go. - Fante's already been to Africa.

And all his friends are huge.

It's really empty today.

I'm happy to see Max came.

I mean, because so many of the other kids are absent today.

Probably out spending the welcome money with their parents.

Last night was unexpected.

You were...

emotional.

I guess I was...

I liked it.

Oh.

In that case...

- Right. - Right.

Miss Zangen?

Could you make sure Max stays inside today?

And only let me or his grandpa pick him up.

I have the feeling

someone might try to pick him up early.

Someone?

- Probably a Russian. - What kind of Russian?

An official one.

Right.

If an official Russian turns up, he'll have to get past me.

And I'm a really tough nut.

Great.

Here comes our super-spy.

You wait here.

November 9, 1989, will go down in history as an example...

You see? It's really happened.

And it was my idea.

...rousing images for those who grew up during the Cold War.

Rauch?

You have a visitor.

I thought you were dead.

Going to the West was too dangerous.

Until the border opened.

I haven't seen my daughter in all this time.

I've even come to see you before her.

Why?

I had to see you first.

Why are you so nervous?

I thought we'd be able to talk openly.

Tell me.

What's the matter?

No touching.

We'll meet again.

I promise.

New reading material.

Hot off the press.

THOMAS POSIMSKl'S APARTMENT WEST BERLIN

Visitor from the East.

It's so nice to see you.

Really nice.

Come in.

So you just...

...walked across the border.

Not a single check.

I don't believe it.

How does it feel?

The best part is I can just come and visit you like this.

Where are the girls?

At school.

Oh yes, of course.

Come in.

I have some new information on Christoph.

Smuggled out from the Ministry of the Interior.

How'd you manage that?

Walter fixed me up with a job there.

I couldn't tell you before on the phone.

It's quite handy.

I hope we find him soon.

Yeah.

Tobias Tischbier has also agreed to help.

Great.

What's that?

Oh, Ingrid.

Thank you.

Krenz is summoning the leadership.

Deploying the Army has been ruled out.

And there will be free elections.

We haven't had free elections since 1933.

If the West invades us...

They have absolutely no interest

in spending a single cent on an invasion.

They're too busy planning how they'll put Coca Cola ads on the TV tower.

There you are.

It didn't escape our notice that Comrade Krenz

is still calling the shots.

And the border's open.

Someone informed him

that Moscow had approved the new travel law.

Any idea who?

No.

I carried out my mission as instructed.

When it emerged how destabilizing the new law would be,

I acted, as ordered.

And do either of you have an explanation

as to why Comrade Krenz is still governing away?

Perhaps he...

didn't drink his coffee.

And you didn't stay to find out?!

He left quickly.

- And you didn't follow him? - We would've looked suspicious.

These are rookie mistakes!

We will conduct a thorough investigation into this.

Go to Robotron

to brief your colleagues.

Any sign of Western interest

will be reported to us immediately.

Of course.

Walter.

Martin, what's the matter?

I need your help.

Annett wants Max in Moscow.

She's sent someone to pick him up at 6 pm.

Where is he now?

At school.

I'll pick him up and take him to the movies.

Or to my mother's.

- They won't look there. - Thanks.

This may be of interest to you.

THE LEGEND OF KOLIBRI

Traffic jams in both directions on the Berlin highway,

as one would normally see at Easter or Christmas.

But despite their weekend getaways being delayed,

West Berliners are relaxed and showing understanding.

Having lived so long in the shadow of the wall,

they are still welcoming the newcomers,

giving out fruit, chocolate and even cash.

Even more important than Robotron...

the State Bank.

It's a goldmine.

We need to protect it against Western takeover attempts.

But how?

We'll take it over ourselves.

First we'll send an agent to Deutsche Bank.

We need an experienced operative who's off the BND's radar.

Someone the Western banks

will accept as one of their own.

An experienced, respectable, older gentleman.

Right, Walter?

I have something important.

What could be so important?

I take my grandson to the movies on Fridays.

They're smashing your wall to pieces out there.

And you're going to the movies?

The new DEFA movie: "Coming Out."

Fritz?

A coffee, please.

I don't know anything about banking.

That's irrelevant.

We've been preparing a backstory for a while now.

A source in their HR department has arranged your appointment.

The Western bankers need a consultant

to explain what makes East German bankers tick.

Which you will do,

as a psychological anthropologist.

As a what?

An anthropologist.

They study, analyze and interpret societies and their behavior.

Just like us.

You'll get a nice house in the country.

And an attractive wife.

You'll enjoy it, Walter.

After last night, we need to brace ourselves.

For hostile takeover attempts from the West.

You are to inform me immediately of any contact. Understood?

- OK. - OK?

- Sure. - Great.

Someone's waiting for you.

In the white room.

Welcome to Robotron.

I'm delighted you're here. You're in good hands.

Always a hit, bit by bit.

We know everything about you, Kolibri.

From your shoe size to the marital status of the NATO secretary

who you buried in a forest near Bonn six years ago.

You received a message from the CIA this morning.

Inviting you to lunch at Ganymed.

The CIA?

We don't care who you work for or how much you earn,

just remember one thing:

You report back to us.

I don't report to anyone anymore.

I've been working here for two years,

and rm very happy-

That secret agent stuff is all over and done with.

But the secret agencies aren't done with you.

You decide:

Either you get arrested, you get killed,

or you get hired.

Your choice.

Your lunch is getting cold.

GANYMED RESTAURANT EAST BERLIN

Would you sign it for me?

Excuse me?

I'm pissed, kid. I'm really pissed.

Schnapps, double.

John Tyler Junior.

U.S. Embassy, West Berlin.

This is gonna be my last posting before retirement.

Three weeks to go, can you imagine?

And now, instead of dinner at the Paris Bar,

and popping through Charlie

to take a stroll down Unter den Linden

and flip the bird at the guards in front of the Soviet Embassy,

I'm about to be crushed in paperwork.

Washington are on the phone and telex 24/7

and no one knows what the fuck they want us to do about East Berlin.

This was the single biggest intel failure in American history.

So this is what I'm looking for:

A senior HVA operative to debrief.

You, Kolibri.

There's 20,000 dollars in there.

I'm the kinda guy who can sign out that kinda money.

So...

Gather whatever files you...

What if I just don't want to work for the CIA?

Mr. Rauch,

I need you to come with me.

Goddammit, Francois.

We agreed CIA had first call on Kolibri.

Tyler, Jean-Luc changed his mind.

The DGSE has unfinished business with him.

Shouldn't you boys be blowing up some Greenpeace boats or something?

Being with you is much more fun.

May |'_>

Fuck, he ran away. Get after him!

Hello, Martin.

Last time I saw you, you made me a promise.

Sit down, buckle up.

For fuck's sake.

This is bullshit.

MINISTRY FOR STATE SECURITY (MfS)

Hello, POS.

Miss Zangen, finally.

Walter Schweppenstette,

Max's grandpa.

Glad to hear from you.

- Hello. - I'm leaving now.

To pick up Max.

- Excellent. - I just have one request.

Could you please make sure

Max waits in a safe room?

Sure, but...

what's the matter?

I'll explain later.

I have to go.

Hello, VPKA Berlin.

Hello, am I speaking to the police? - You are.

I just walked by Friedrichshain POS 39.

Two men in a parked car are...

having sexual intercourse. - They're doing what?

Disgraceful.

Right where the kids are playing.

We will inform your local police.

Your new ID card. Professor Dieter Baumann.

Graduated Leipzig University in 1966.

Fled East Germany in 1980.

Your wife, Beate.

Married since 1983.

Staunch Socialist.

Studied with Lenora Rauch.

They're cast in the same mold.

Oh God.

Here's a list of receptive employees at the State Bank.

It starts this evening at six.

One more thing.

A wireless telephone, state-of-the-art.

You can make encrypted calls from anywhere.

Excellent.

I'll miss you.

Huge queues formed outside West Berlin's banks,

long before opening.

Thousands of East Berliners have come to collect

their welcome money of 100 Deutschmarks.

We assure you, you will all receive your welcome money.

Good day.

The line for welcome money is over there.

How do you know I'm from the East?

Just a hunch.

I don't want welcome money.

I want to apply for a loan.

We don't currently grant loans to East German citizens.

I have a business plan.

Even those with business plans.

Perhaps this will help.

Or this.

Where did you get these?

As I was saying, this is my business plan.

I don't know.

I didn't even make it inside the office.

It's chaos there.

All the foreign buyers canceled their meetings this week.

What if we can't sell computers anymore?

We'll sell something else instead.

What?

Hello.

I need a computer.

You've come to the right place.

I've founded a private company.

Now I need to build the prototype.

My business idea is based on the principles of Treuhand.

Meaning everything is shared equally between everyone.

And everyone is paid the same.

Thus combining the wonders of socialism

with the tolerable side of capitalism.

Is that even allowed?

What is this?

What have you done to me, Rose?

Washington. US President Bush's response to the events...

So how are you?

I'm very fine. Thank you.

Although my career did go a bit shaky for a while, thanks to you.

My husband turning up dead in a bathtub didn't help either.

Now I'm BND liaison on a joint Western intelligence task force.

Valdez here is the CIA's representative.

CIA? I've already talked to the CIA.

- I know. John Tyler? - Yeah.

He's a time-server at the U.S. Mission in West Berlin.

The Embassy in East Berlin - us - we're the people who do the real work.

Is this going to take long?

I'm a single parent, I need to pick up my kid from school.

It might take a while.

- Shit. - You can't say that!

Hello, Grandpa!

Max!

I had a meeting, is everything OK?

No. I tried to hold them up.

Who? Hold this.

Two Russians.

I told the police they were having sex in their car.

Very good.

But they got released and they're coming back.

Hide in here.

Quickly.

Quickly, quickly.

Miss Zangen.

Hello.

We have come to pick up Max Schneider.

He was already picked up.

When exactly?

I guess around 20 minutes ago.

Who picked him up?

I don't know, he also had a Russian accent.

Who were they?

Let's go! - That was close.

You have to go out the back door.

This way, go!

Come on, Max.

Max!

This way.

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

You're still here.

Coffee?

No, thank you, Miss Zangen.

Right.

Goodbye then.

Only eight Deutschmarks.

Eight.

Five? - No, thanks.

Goodbye. - Goodbye.

- The kind of girl my mom would like! - Leave her.

Surprised you even have a mother.

You look like you were dug up somewhere.

Obnoxious bitch.

- Hold on. Don't get angry. - Fuck you.

I'm in a hurry.

- My friend's a peasant from Moldova. - Screw you!

.And you? - Me?

Are you a peasant?

I'm sorry.

Here.

Take this as an apology.

It belonged to Princess Anastasia.

German-Soviet friendship.

Very generous of you.

Pulse 120, blood pressure very low, she hasn't got long.

Hans?

It's not what I wanted.

Rose sent me.

Everything's going to be fine.

Thanks, we've got this now.

Rose?

Meet the Third Sun Collective,

a band slash peace group based out of Prenzlauer Berg.

It's run by Carl and Sabine Baumgarten.

Carl served time for kidnapping a Western industrialist back in the late 70s.

He spent six years in jail.

Sabine started writing to him while he was there.

They met in jail and they conceived their fifteen-year-old son, Cassian...

in jail.

Sabine is one of those women who want to reform men.

And now Carl seems to be reformed.

A peacenik family man.

Doesn't sound like much of a threat to society to me.

Yes, but CIA intel says

someone is using it as cover for a forthcoming terror attack.

Last intel we had

was that the Wall opening made them forward their plans.

And that is where we need your help.

Because we think it's bad.

It's really bad.

They need a new tech guy.

And you've been recommended

with your experience as a radio signaler, piano player...

You're meeting them tonight.

Tonight?

No, I can't. I got plans.

Listen, buddy.

You need a patron saint.

HVA can't protect you anymore.

Never underestimate HVA.

Especially when they got their back against the wall.

Which wall?

You have three options:

You get arrested,

you get killed,

or you get hired.

And hey, you're hired!

'Cause you already stole 20,000 dollars from the CIA today.

You can have it back.

Thanks.

Keep it.

You'll need it.

I want relocation for Max and me,

somewhere well away from Berlin.

Ag reed.

Could you look after these?

It's my life insurance.

Of course.

You can't go to Frankfurt dressed like that, my boy.

And let's get you a hot lunch first.

It's bedlam in here today.

Hi Grandma, is Max here?

I haven't seen you for ages.

I needed a bit of a break from your political musings.

Hey, Max.

Why Frankfurt?

Banking.

- You got a job at a bank? - Yeah.

It's about the State Bank.

You father's entering the lion's den.

How about you?

After all that NATO stuff,

and the Western spies you know,

they must want to talk, right?

Max, clean your plate before you get up!

At least take it into the kitchen.

I've lived through two regime changes already.

1918

and 1945.

I'm telling you,

be as pragmatic and flexible as you can.

The CIA pays the best,

the MI6 is more polite,

and don't even think about Mossad.

Morn!

We have to get moving.

Already?

Where are you going to stay?

At Miss Zangen's. Max's teacher.

Good idea.

Max, say bye to Great-Grandma and Grandpa.

Here...

Here. You can call me on this number.

NICOLE ZANGEN'S APARTMENT EAST BERLIN

Hello, Miss Zangen.

I need to ask you for a massive favor again.

Isn't getting two Soviets arrested enough?

Sure, but...

I don't have anywhere to take Max.

You like waffles, Max?

I'm just about to make some.

Come in.

The kitchen's just around the corner.

I'll be there in a sec.

He's not safe with me or my family.

They really were going to take him.

They were hard to get rid of.

Yeah, I heard.

Want to come in?

No, I have to get to work.

What kind of work?

Long story.

Max?

I'll get you tomorrow morning. Be good, OK?

THIRD SUN COLLECTIVE, EAST BERLIN

Mrs. Baumgarten.

Our new tech guy.

Martin Raasch, nice to meet you.

And you.

Carl?

We have a visitor.

Welcome.

There's a crazy party outside.

A touch of freedom.

And a whole bunch of noise.

No, thanks. I don't smoke.

It's good for the soul.

Maybe later.

Maybe some wine?

Sure.

A C6te de Beaune, pinot noir.

Sounds good.

November nights

So many lights

Wander restless through the streets

You know it?

Yes.

Can you play it?

I thought you're a pianist?

- Yeah... - Play it then.

- Now? - Yeah.

November nights

So many lights

Wander restless through the streets

And the shadows at their feet

They don't know how I feel

I won't forget

How we first met

As we wandered through the streets

PROFESSOR BAUMANN'S VILLA FRANKFURT AM MAIN

And all the dreams are in the air

Thoughts and hopes wander somewhere

They all know they'll be free

One day, you will see

On one of

those long...

Welcome home.

There as cold as always

But not for long

'Cause we all know

This is not just one of those

November nights

Jazz isn't really my specialty.

I usually play more punk.

The guys from the band will like that.

Are you in?

Definitely.

- What weirdos! - Yeah.

We're in.

We're so lucky the last guy managed to plant the listening device

before he got busted.

Why didn't you tell Martin about it?

I don't really trust him.

Do you?

Yes.

I have a feeling you trust people too easily.

Hope you don't get disappointed often.

I have very low expectations of people.

So, he damages your career in '86,

and you still trust him?

With this, yes.

He's got a great work ethic.

Did you get involved with him?

Of course.

It was part of the job.

Sure.

My wife left me a couple of months ago.

I'm sorry.

Yeah...

She felt really caged in by East Berlin.

Sometimes I wonder if Maria had been here for the fall of the wall

that maybe our marriage could have been saved.

Can I have one of those?

I think love is a lot like tradecraft.

It's all about timing.

Don't you think?

You need a lighter?

The whole city is out partying

and we're stuck in this rabbit hole.

I'm happy you're here.

I'll run you a bath.

I got here last night.

I checked everywhere for bugs,

but didn't find any.

We found out recently--

That hair has to go.

...they've developed new technology

that we'd never find: directional mics,

satellite technology, etc.

- So, we can only speak openly here? - That's right.

Thanks.

I'm glad it'll work out.

See you tomorrow then.

Bye.

Bye.

Bye.

Right.

What do you think?

Let's give him a proper test tomorrow.

There's your outfit for tomorrow.

First impressions are the most important.

Your hair...

Thank you, it looks better.

Good night, my dear.

RED NOVEMBER SAFE HOUSE, WEST BERLIN

I need her tomorrow.

Don't worry.

Tomorrow she'll be ready for your project.

I wonder,

will it be self-determination

that stabilizes socialism?

Or will it be the freedom

to sell it off?

Both doors are open.

Socialism finds itself between opportunity and ruin.