Original subtitles

[seagulls squawking]

[tense music rising]

[man] Come, come now.

- [men shouting, banging] - You are finished.

What is it? What have I done?

Shut up!

[officer] Maybe we can go this way.

You might see her.

The best I can do.

Come.

[breathing heavily]

[sombre music playing]

Pick that up!

[shouting and clattering]

[dogs barking]

[sombre music playing]

[grunts]

What the fuck?

[poignant music continues]

[baby crying]

[indistinct chattering]

Come on. Don't frighten the children.

Inside.

[ominous music playing]

[music builds]

[birds chirping]

[haunting music playing]

[sighs]

I'm right here.

You know it.

[knocking]

[sighs] Mr Sokolov...

Call me Lali.

Erm, so...

my colleague Rosa,

who plays tennis with Susan,

who went to school with Gary...

She said that, erm, you're looking for someone to...

write your life story?

Yes.

She said you were

in a concentration camp in World War II.

Yes.

In Poland. Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Er, well...

I'm...

Heather Morris. [chuckles uncomfortably]

I'm married, I... I have, erm,

three kids,

almost grown up.

I've worked at the Clayton Hospital

for almost 15 years,

but I've always wanted to write.

I've completed two six-week courses in writing.

The first, "Introduction to Technical Writing,"

and the second,

"Memoir and Biography," so...

D'you want to ask me anything?

Are you Jewish?

No, I...

No, I'm...

Church of England. Sort of.

Perhaps you need someone who is.

No.

No, I don't.

I haven't got long.

Right. Is it an hour today?

Oh, no.

I am old, I haven't got long.

Oh! To live!

[Lali laughs warmly] That's it!

- Okay. - Have a wafer!

Thank you.

Okay.

[Heather clears throat]

It starts in Slovakia.

It's 1942.

You want to write this down?

Mm.

I think I'd just like to listen.

Okay...

So, this is a love story.

["Don't Fence Me In" by Bing Crosby playing]

[singing tipsily] * Let me ride through the wide... *

- Oh. - * Open country that I love *

* Don't fence me in-- *

- [song continues] - [man 1 shouting]

- [man 1 yelling in pain] - [man 2] Stay down!

- [man 1 yelping] - [indistinct shouting]

Wait, wait here.

- [man 1 pleading] - [men shouting angrily]

[shouting continues]

[Young Lali] Hey! Enough!

- [man 1] Please let me go. - [Young Lali] Stop this!

[man 1 whimpering and gasping]

Boris?

You know him?

I went to school with him.

Hey, I...

I'm just here with my girl.

You know there is a curfew for you.

Sorry, sir, we didn't keep track of the time.

Does your father know you're out with a Jewish boy?

[grunts]

[guard] Huh...

You poor fuck.

[Boris] Come on,

he's not worth it.

[guard chuckles ominously]

Let him have his last bit of fun.

[Lali] Everyday there were new laws for us.

Curfew.

You can't ride a bike.

You can't shop here,

can't be on a tram.

[traditional accordion music playing]

I had made this town my home.

Now, if you were Jewish,

it became a place you were not welcome any more.

- Please. - Thank you.

- Take them. - Thank you.

Take them all.

Thanks.

When the war is over,

you will get your jobs back.

We will be here for you.

At Schon.

Good luck.

- [man] Thank you, Mr Pavlic. - [woman] Thank you, sir.

[sighs]

[indistinct shouting]

Thank you.

[indistinct chatter]

No, no.

[chuckles]

Thank you.

[train horn blows]

[sombre music playing]

[gasps]

[chuckles softly]

There's a bar I know, which you enter from the street

and you go down the stairs. It's very smoky,

it's very crowded, but I know the waiter

and he'll take us to a reserved table.

A coffee and a cherry liqueur would be nice.

Mm-hmm.

Is there a show?

Of course,

tonight, for one night only,

Josephine Baker.

[Sarah chuckles]

Was there someone special in the city?

Ah, there were girls, but...

- no one as special as you. - [laughs]

Oh, yes.

Everybody is talking about this.

Sasha said her brother's going

and his wife said she's going, too.

"To aid the war effort

and to provide training for members

of the Slovak Jewish community,

the government of Slovakia has requested

one person from each Jewish household

register for work duty

at their local office."

And it's this Tuesday we have to go.

I'll go. I'm the eldest.

- Papa needs to be here. - No, I'll go.

[Max] Er, Lali, I've decided.

You have a wife and a family.

- And, Papa, you're-- - [Max] Ah!

If I can trust you boys to take the cart,

I will go.

But I think the Prince of Bratislava here

has better things to do.

[laughter]

It'll be good for me.

I've been getting soft living in the city.

I don't want any of you to go.

Lali...

what have you heard?

Just, er...

lots of rumours.

[chuckles softly]

That's all.

[indistinct shouting]

[train engine hissing]

[man] Train is leaving for Poprad now.

If you are travelling, then you must board now.

Read the books first and then my notes about them.

Write to me with your thoughts.

[poignant music playing]

- Hey, it's good to see you. - Good to see you.

Hi. Lali.

[train horn blows]

[sombre music playing]

That's a good place to stop.

[Heather] Thank you.

It's a great love story, isn't it?

[both chuckle softly]

But I have got things to tell you as well.

I believe you.

And good things take time.

That's true.

[exhales heavily] Thursday?

Thursday.

[Heather] Goodnight, Lali.

[exhales heavily]

["Dans Mon Village" by Josephine Baker playing]

[song continues echoing]

Turn around...

Turn around...

[song continues echoing]

[poignant music playing]

What would I say,

if I could say anything to you now?

I will be happy, Mamma.

And I will find love.

Mamma...

[poignant music continues]

Mamma...

[ominous music building]

Oh, you're back!

I said I'd come.

I didn't scare you off?

No, not yet.

Same blouse as before.

Oh, yes, this is my hospital uniform.

I wear it to work.

Ah, come in.

[guard] Papers ready! Stay in line!

Hey.

What you doing?

What's it to you?

[Lali laughs]

What you laughing at?

You.

Late for an appointment?

[guard] Come on, keep moving.

Where are we going?

Poland.

[guard] Keep moving forward!

I hear they'll train you as a mechanic,

fixing cars, engines...

Hey, I know that guy.

[guard] This way.

Come on, move.

Hey, Boris.

Lali.

What are you doing here?

Getting on the train.

Listen to me.

Get out of here. Run as far away as you can.

Run.

He knew.

And he told me.

Did you know

why he was telling you to run?

No.

There were rumours about the work camps, but, er...

who could believe them?

And that day, guards are all around.

I can't run.

Keep moving.

[guard 2] Keep moving forward!

I'm sorry. I cannot travel in this carriage.

There is shit in there.

- [man yells] - [crowd gasping and exclaiming]

Move into the carriages.

Move quickly into the carriages.

Have your papers ready for inspection.

Fill every carriage. Come on.

- Move. - Keep moving.

- There's space in this one here. - Move.

Move forward!

[passengers sobbing]

[sombre music playing]

[coughing and groaning]

- [guard 1] Go, go, go, go, go... - [guard 2] Out!

- [guard 1] Go. Leave it here. - [guard 2] Go, go, go.

- Out of the train. - [guards shouting indistinctly]

[passengers sobbing]

[guard 1] Keep moving, follow the others!

Get in line and leave your luggage here.

Keep moving.

Keep moving!

Out of the train!

Excuse me.

When do we get these back?

[guard 1] Leave your luggage here. Get in line.

[guard 2] All out of the train.

[poignant music playing]

[indistinct commotion]

[guard] Halt!

Welcome to Auschwitz.

The gates you just walked through say...

"Work will make you free."

So, work hard.

You will be processed here,

and then you will be taken to your new home,

Auschwitz Two,

Birkenau.

Women this way, men over here. Thank you.

Move along.

[guard] Clothes off!

Clothes off!

[guard 1] Put your clothes and shoes--

[guard 2] Take your clothes off!

Hurry up!

Keep going. Keep going!

[guard 1] You will be processed and given a uniform.

Take your clothes off.

Keep moving!

Take your clothes off!

Now!

[man winces]

I can't do this.

[guard shouting indistinctly]

It's all right.

[guard 1] Keep going!

[guard 2] Keep moving.

[guard 1] Don't slow down the queue.

Lali...

- Come on. - [guard] Keep the line moving.

[Lali whispering] Go on, Aaron.

Aaron.

[guard] Why are you standing there?

Good man.

[Young Lali breathing heavily]

[sombre music playing]

[men shouting]

[guard] Come on, move!

[coughing and chattering]

[prisoner 1] We treat our cows better than this.

[prisoner 2] Moooo!

[prisoners chuckling softly]

[other prisoners mooing and laughing]

[footsteps clacking]

[gentle chattering]

[guard] Shit! Baretzki! Why did we come this way?

[Baretzki] It was a shortcut, for fuck's sake.

[guard] They fucking stink.

- [gunshots] - [men screaming]

- [gunshot] - Baretzki. Fucking hell.

Night shift sucks.

[stifled whimpering]

[haunting music builds]

[haunting chime]

[haunting chime]

[haunting chime]

He just randomly shot them?

Yes.

Our lives were not important to them.

This is what happened there.

This is part of it...

If you don't want to hear these things...

No, I-I do, I...

I understand.

Lali?

[haunting music playing]

Are you all right, Lali?

I'm all right.

[Baretzki] Hey, old man?

That was me that night?

I'm not so sure you remember it right.

Get fucked.

- [metallic banging] - [block elder] Get up!

- Get to the latrines. - [banging continues]

Line up outside.

[banging continues]

Get up, move it!

[distant shouting]

[Lali] This is what it was,

every morning.

- [block elder] Caps off. - [caps whooshing]

[Lali] It was the hardest part of the day.

Every time I open my eyes...

and I am still there.

At night, you sleep and you forget.

But morning...

- [metallic banging] - Get up!

[Lali] Here again, again.

[block elder] Let's go!

- Get up! - [banging continues]

[caps whooshing]

[block elder] Outside, get to the latrines, line up!

[metallic banging]

- Hurry it up! - [banging continues]

[caps whooshing]

[distant shouting, hammering]

I need nails.

Two packets.

You.

Get them for him.

[hammering and shouting continue]

[haunting music playing]

It's huge.

Here. Hold it steady for me.

Full weight.

You aren't a prisoner?

I'm a builder.

This is a job.

[hammer knocking]

[haunting music playing]

The smoke...

They can't bury the bodies fast enough.

[retches, spits]

[music swells, ends]

Then they lined us up and...

and shot them in front of us...

It was completely random.

It could have been me.

I-I can't die in here, Lali.

I've never had sex, you know.

My... My girlfriend and I, we just kissed.

[Lali breathing shakily]

Are... Are you okay?

Yes,

just cold.

Lali.

Lali...

Shh.

I'll be okay.

Hmm.

He doesn't look well, does he?

Maybe the death cart for you.

I'm fine.

What would it cost you to let him stay in bed today?

You could suck my cock.

I can't remember his name, er...

that block elder...

He was a brute...

in prison for murder... Coo-coo.

Karl, maybe...

So, you were telling me about when you got sick.

Typhus, that's right.

So, Aaron...

Aaron is only 17, right?

What he did for me that day...

[gasping lightly]

- [guard] Back in line! - [men clamouring]

Back in line!

[prisoner] Fuck off!

Animals!

[clamouring and yelling]

[guard] Back in line!

Now!

Get back!

[Aaron breathing shakily]

Is he alive?

Er, yes.

Fight this, Lali.

Fight it.

[distant shouting continues]

[gentle music playing]

Lali...

my boy...

What are you doing in bed?

You have to get up.

Mamma...

[Sarah] Come on.

You need to drink some water and get up.

[panting]

- [grunting softly] - [water splashing]

[indistinct chatter]

You're looking good.

I am Pepan.

I gave you that number.

I saw those boys...

risk themselves to save you.

I know men like you.

There is

more prisoners coming.

A lot more.

I will train you.

You would be away from those...

work gangs.

You would, er...

move out of those filthy bunks,

you'll get more food.

Tattoo people?

Mm-hmm.

That's not something I can do.

[Pepan] Oh.

I'm giving you a chance to survive this place,

not a fucking career opportunity.

- [block elder] Caps off! - [caps whooshing]

- [thunder rumbling] - [rain pattering]

[ominous music playing]

[dog barking in the distance]

Caps on!

[slow, ominous music continues]

[prisoner grunts]

Move!

Get up!

[thunder rumbling]

I was 26.

And I wanted to live.

Pepan offered me a way.

And I took it.

[Baretzki] 32407?

Yes, Block Führer.

The new tattooist.

I am now in charge of you.

If you behave yourself, all will be well.

How old are you?

I'm 26.

How old are you?

[grunts]

Go fuck yourself. That's how old I am.

[exhales]

Follow me, cunt.

[men shouting]

[sombre music playing]

[indistinct shouting]

[gates clang]

I will be here for you at dawn.

Block Führer?

Can I sleep in my old barracks?

You are working for the SS now.

You will need protection. Trust me.

[footsteps receding]

[guard shouting]

Hard and fast, Lali.

Come on.

It's worse if you're gentle.

[guard] Keep the line moving!

I'm sorry.

[heavy breathing]

I need to get back to my old barracks.

Go now.

Be quick.

If you have that bag with you,

it tells anyone you work for the Political Department.

And watch out.

Just 'cos you're working for them

doesn't mean they won't shoot you.

I'm not working for them.

[prisoners chattering]

Is that for me?

Hi, Lali.

Hey.

Bakery is open, boys.

Where's Aaron?

He was taken.

They took him away this afternoon.

His number was on the selection list.

He's gone.

What?

That makes no sense. He wasn't sick.

What happened?

He's gone.

This is the story.

[poignant music playing]

And he didn't come back.

I never saw Aaron again.

He was sent to the gas chamber.

I'm sorry.

He was the same age as my daughter.

Why'd they take him, Lali?

I don't remember.

[men chattering]

Bakery's open, boys!

It's the Nazis' new dog.

I...

Where's Aaron?

They took him away this afternoon.

What?

[haunting music playing]

But he wasn't sick.

What happened?

There was a selection.

Your number was on the list. You weren't here,

and so this block elder changed your number

to Aaron's number and they took Aaron.

Instead of you.

Dog.

[prisoner] This is the story.

We didn't come back.

Aaron...

He didn't come back.

Martin...

He didn't come back.

Lali...

He came back.

[haunting chime]

[haunting chime]

[haunting chime]

Lali came back.

[poignant music playing]

[baby crying]

[indistinct chattering]

What have I done?

I don't understand.

You need a reason?

You think you're special?

[guard] ...very busy day. You will soon have a shower.

And after the shower there will be coffee and rolls.

[prisoner] What about our bags?

Come on. Don't frighten the children.

Inside.

[ominous music playing]

[haunting music playing]

[music swells, fades]

[footsteps approaching]

[Baretzki] Ah,

we got in a little late.

Little job.

Admin-type job.

[laughs] Your face.

Look at these two numbers.

These are the same number.

You did these?

This one is an eight.

The other is a three.

You are now the only Jew

who walked into this place

and also walked out.

[chuckling]

[haunting chime]

[haunting chime]

[haunting chime]

[haunting chime]

[Lali] They murdered millions.

That's what Auschwitz was.

That was its purpose.

[sighs] It was a terrible place, Heather.

Not just for what was done to us, but...

what it made us into.

But I found something there...

someone...

Today, the sky... You see the sky...

Blue...

It was blue like that just when I met her.

[seagulls squawking]

- [footsteps marching] - [guards shouting]

[Pepan] These women need re-doing.

They know what to expect.

Women are strong, Lali.

Think about your mother, how strong she is.

[woman sobbing]

[whispering] I'm sorry.

[guards shouting]

[under his breath] Sorry.

I'm sorry.

- [guard 1] Next. - [guard 2] Move forward! Now!

[woman coughing]

What are you saying

when you are doing this?

Are you praying?

[whispering] I'm saying I'm sorry.

Your eyes...

Are they blue?

[gentle music playing]

[Young Lali] Sometimes...

[Young Lali] Today?

Today they look like the sky.

[guard] Is there a problem?

No. Er...

I'm just getting some more ink.

Can I get mine in pink this time?

[Lali chuckles softly]

I'm sorry.

This'll be over soon.

[woman breathes shakily]

[sombre music playing]

[exhales sharply]

[orchestral music playing]

[woman shouts indistinctly]

[music fades]

[sombre music playing]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music swells, fades]