Original subtitles

Subtitle: Norddeutscher Rundfunk 2024

♪ Dynamic orchestral music ♪

*snoring*

No, that wasn't the right way.

Max and Felice are not the most important thing,

if you want to understand who he was, really understand:

Then you have to do something completely different start with the child.

This is usually how it all starts, with a child.

♪ Mysterious music ♪

*snoring*

Mom, I'm thirsty.

Franz. What happened?

I'm thirsty.

Hermann, go back to sleep, it's...

I'm thirsty.

Calm down, Hermann. Chill out.

♪ Tense music ♪

*bang*

*clacking and squeaking*

*Pounding* Dad?

Father?

♪ Depressing music ♪

Aaaah!

Uh!

Aaaaaaaah!

*Grumbling*

Come on. Do not fall asleep.

Franz?

* Beat *

* Louder knocking * Franz!

*Loud knocking*

*Knock* Franz!

*Loud knocking*

The Czechs are lazy, I say.

Not as lazy as the Hungarians.

But they lie much more,

although no one lies that much.... like the Poles.

All a rabble!

But the worst rabble, These are the Jews, right?

Yes / Yes. The worst rabble are the Jews.

And then the Germans, they are the worst.

Even worse than the Germans are only the Czechs.

The tramp is so slow. Why?

She tries hard. Don't upset him!

She just doesn't try! Look at her. The food gets cold.

It all tastes so bad anyway. It tastes even worse cold.

Sit closer to the table. - Please calm down, Hermann.

That's not good for your heart.

She has to sit ten meters from the table?

Look at her!

The wide Mad!

Eat nicely!

And you, don't look while you eat.

What does he have, the Lord Son?

What doesn't he like?

I have nothing, father.

You will ... yourself remember Peter Schlemihls,

who used to be with me a few times.

A long-legged fellow, that one clumsy believed because he...

Franz, someone has to go to business. The shop clerk is sick.

Now? Yes, the business must never be alone.

The finery shop Hermann Kafka,

the center of life.

All conversations, all thoughts, everything revolved around business.

The business belonged to the family,

but the family also belonged to the business.

Good day. Good day. Do you have a boot extractor?

Of course.

I don't know. Do you have another? Of course.

Yes. Is difficult. Um... do you have another one?

Of course.

Yes. Yes, fine, I'll take that. Yes?

I have read the elective affinities.

Elective Affinities? Bravo! You can buy something from it.

This is such a rich book.

I'd rather you were rich than your books.

Always the books!

I worked hard with that the young gentleman is having fun with books.

Do you know, what wasn't easy for me?

I really want to know which wasn't easy for you.

When I was a teenager, Everyone in my class knew

everything about things that you needs to be clarified, I don't.

Classmates had to give me explain things.

Why are you not went to the brothel?

There's one over there. You can still do it now.

There is no danger, no children.

You don't get infected learn everything you need.

Valli, what do you have there? - Let me go!

What is that? - Stop it!

Did you take my necklace? - No!

Did you take that? - I said no.

Give them to me! The chain is mine! * Scream *

Yes? - Ottla, someone has to go to the shop.

I can't go to the shop. - But someone has to go.

You go, mom. - Your father needs me.

But I can't either.

(loudly) Nothing in this mess has an order.

Nothing is tidy, nothing is clean!

If I do this...

... find it like this again,

then you can pack your things!

♪ Tense instrumental music ♪

*Dirty laugh*

♪ Disturbing Music ♪

* malicious laughter *

* Beat *

Yes?

Can you come for a moment? What is? The father wants to speak to you.

Karl Hermann, Kafka's brother-in-law. Sister Ellie's husband.

An arranged marriage, but not a bad one.

Nothing against arranged marriages. Most are durable.

It depends, that they are arranged well.

Yes, sit down, Franz. Sit down. Sit down.

That's a very good joke, really.

Franz, you know I was looking for something

that I can produce in Prague.

Something that is not produced here becomes. - Something without competition.

Karl found something there. - Yes. I found something there.

A new material, which protects against fire.

Heat resistant. - Heat resistant.

A future product. - A future product.

Are you paying attention, Franz? A future product. - Yes.

And there is the idea, that I open a factory.

With Ellie's dowry.

That's how it was in middle-class Jewish families:

You get married, you invest.

Also the fancy goods store was founded with Julie's dowry.

Who should you trust? if not the family?

Yes, that is right.

Be quiet, Franz. Now be quiet.

Don't interrupt once. Listen!

Hermann and I discussed that you stay in control.

How? I can't just give it to him provide annual earnings.

Do you understand? - Yes. You can't just...

So I don't give it to him the money, but you.

Me? He's a little slow in the head.

Do you understand, Franz? - Be quiet when men talk.

Yes. Please, Ellie. Let's discuss this, shall we?

I'll give you the money and you become a partner in the factory.

So you always have insight into the books.

And that means I have insight.

You can stop in insurance,

become the silent partner to the active and are...

manufacturer. - Everyone wins. - All!

I ...

I have to ...

...things with...for office... Important! Absolutely!

(screams) You stay there!

* Beat *

No! (Ottla) It's me, Franz. Not now.

Please, Franz!

Then just come in.

All you have to do is sign for Ellie.

I don't want a factory.

It's my father's factory and by Karl Hermann.

You stand in between on paper.

I'm lying in between, on the floor, until someone dumps me.

* Laugh *

Come on, Franz. Nothing changes for you.

Karl Hermann directs, Dad controls,

you don't do anything.

You can do that to Ellie don't refuse. Trust me.

Moment. What's his name because now actually?

The material of the future, that the factory will produce,

the only one in Bohemia and Moravia?

The future product, with which nothing can go wrong?

Asbestos.

Thanks!

♪ Playful instrumental music ♪

*neigh*

This is your factory? Karl's factory. Yes.

That is her. Our factory.

I'm not saying she's beautiful. She doesn't have to be either.

If you don't want it to be beautiful...

What do you want here? I'm Franz's best friend.

I have to see his factory. Watch out!

It's easy to stumble. Stumble I can do it well. Not now, Franz.

My brother in law says things that...

I know. I have known Franz much longer than you.

* Loud rattling *

Good.

They're not there yet.

Who then? The inspectors have announced themselves for today.

And if you already have an expert has in the family...

I'm just pretending to be one. I guess that's called a job.

You are late. I wonder, whether that is a bad sign.

We are here.

We've been here for a long time and can tell you:

The safety of your workers doesn't seem guaranteed.

Your actions are contrary!

I'm sorry, what?

You like...

Who are you?

Dr. Kafka, Workers' Compensation Insurance Corporation.

Pleasant.

Why do companies exist?

if you do this with personal Put inspections into perspective?

Our inspection only helps

to get a picture for ourselves about the risk classification.

You don't need to explain anything to me Colleague.

your questionnaire I have filled it out properly.

It's a danger class at best two at danger percent 60.

Therefore it needs no reassessment of operations.

But according to the hazard catalog...

I know. I co-authored it.

Danger class twelve with danger percent 75

seems completely exaggerated.

should that be the official update,

we would have a lawsuit without a doubt success.

Without a doubt, hardly. At sea and in court?

How can you be sure?

Because I usually complain like that

from the accident insurance company fend off.

But in this case I would have to lay down my weapons.

Your approach is just fine about usurious bonuses. May I?

Are you insinuating something about us?

I left it to something concrete not lacking.

Can I please say something too?

What do you allow yourself? They come here.

They hinder our workers at work.

They act up, make yourself important and at the same time...

I mean ...

How come... How do we get to this?

What do you actually believe?

At least listen to him.

We have found, that a personal inspection

in addition to the questionnaire can have an error-preventing effect.

In workers' compensation insurance

we have rather opposite ones Made experiences.

Dr. Kafka, we know who you are.

We know your work about wood planing machines.

It's not about optimization the hazard criteria catalog,

but about the material itself.

So, also from my side: all respect, gentlemen!

But asbestos applies worldwide as a safe fiber.

Should that be in Prague now the question is?

No, but the last word doesn't seem spoken.

Let's wait for this.

I would regret it to see us in court.

No less than us. - It was a pleasure for us.

You will receive mail from us. We will respond immediately.

When dealing with manufacturers could always speak objectively...

Yes, I wished that too.

Optimize criteria catalog.

* Laugh *

What just happened? Everything OK. Really?

You write to us, we answer. There won't be any problems.

I think so too.

*Suppressed cough*

*Loud cough*

♪ Depressing music ♪

* Stifled cough *

What are you doing? What's going on?

Describe it to me. That's not worth it.

They do this and that.

The father is important but they won't let him.

Is that a description? You don't need to know anything more.

What kind of friends are you? - Brod, what are we doing here?

This is the real thing Jewish theater from the East.

Since Max became a Zionist, I can hardly stand him anymore.

The bubbling springs of our tribe can be seen here.

But do you like it? That's not the point.

What is it about? It is great!

(laughing) Franz, joking aside. Joking aside. Great!

That's the lowest level of sleaze! All of a sudden?

*laugh* I didn't say that is something different.

I said that's not the point.

♪ Moving Violin Melody ♪

* Rhythmic clapping to the music *

* Laugh *

* Laugh *

* Laugh *

♪ Uncomfortable instrumental music ♪

* Laugh *

*laughter in audience*

♪ Hectic string music ♪

*Applause and cheers*

*whistles*

* Rhythmic clapping to the music *

* Applause and cheers * Bravo!

Bravo!

Bravo!

* Stimulating conversations and individual applause *

This is Principal Yitzchak Löwy.

These are my friends Kafka, Weltsch and Baum, the Prague Circle.

What? - He has us again called Prague Circle?

(speaks Yiddish)

Sit with us, dear Mr. Löwy.

Why does he talk like that?

My grandpa always spoke like that.

That was a wonderful piece, full of freedom and life and fun.

Thank you!

I do not understand anything.

Listen, this is the language of our ancestors.

Where is Franz again?

He just works a lot.

What he calls work.

You can do that Don't say that, Dad.

Mine will be in my house prescribed what I can say?

Dear father?

Mother?

This is my friend Yitzchak Löwy. He's having dinner with us today.

(in Yiddish)

♪ Gentle cello melody ♪

would you mind stock up for my friend?

♪ Quiet, depressed string music ♪

There has never been anything like this before.

A guest? With us?

Yes, once.

That was the gentleman... What was his name?

But he quickly left again.

What was Franz thinking?

* Loud door slamming *

♪ Quiet, depressed string music ♪

Where were you born, dear Mr. Löwy?

*Restrained laughter*

At some point you have to... eat like a human.

*smack*

♪ Quiet, depressed string music ♪

♪ Quiet, depressed string music ♪

*Grumbling*

* Laugh *

*Dirty laugh*

Mr Löwy, I'll show you my room.

♪ Depressing music ♪

* Cough *

I am, if anything, a very small poet.

I don't know, ...

For insurance I sometimes have to go to court

but I still have other things never spoken in front of people.

♪ Calm instrumental music ♪

Good. Then I'll do that.

He won't.

He never did and won't start now.

* Laugh *

You sent for me, father?

The factory.

Please? I have yes didn't hire a money-getter.

It costs and we get nothing out. Your factory!

It's brother-in-law Karl's.

Last time I looked, were you co-owner.

So that you stay in control, not really.

I pay for your factory.

Maybe I'll pay "not really"? Where are the ...

In front of you, Hermann.

You asked me. You let yourself be begged!

Now you let them expire. Do you want to be asked again?

Take care of your factory!

Karl says you are Haven't been there for weeks!

Wonderful good day. What can I do for you?

Do you have a lemon squeezer? * breathy laughter *

Do I have a lemon squeezer? Of course.

From Krakow.

* babble of voices *

Zionism is nonsense.

The escape fantasy angry coffee shop visitor.

What do you want in Palestine? Or maybe Uganda?

And what else do you want here?

If everyone wants to emigrate Isn't that exactly what the anti-Semites do?

The real escape fantasy is assimilation,

that we wear their clothes and read their books.

Then maybe they like us. That's the fairy tale.

Palestine is the way out.

But it's not her books, they are ours.

The German language belongs to everyone. Nobody talks like Löwy anymore.

And you, Franz?

Please? Sorry. What?

Franz is nervous because of his lecture.

You are beautiful became half Zionist. I?

No. What do I have in common with Jews?

I hardly have anything in common with myself. It's starting.

*applause*

♪ Lively cello music ♪

* Rhythmic clapping to the music *

♪ Traditional singing ♪

* Rhythmic clapping to the music *

♪ Audience joins in the singing ♪

♪ Singer sing the verse alone ♪

♪ Audience agrees again into the singing ♪

♪ Instrumental part with violin solo ♪

* Rhythmic clapping to the music *

Our Western European ones conditions are,

glanced at, so organized.

Everything goes smoothly.

The jargon is the youngest European language,

only 400 years old.

The suppliers suddenly increase their prices.

The new machine parts coming in three months.

How do we hold on, without increasing the price? We?

Franz, honestly, I can do this Don't read business books very well.

That's not my specialty. This is yours.

It consists of foreign words.

But these do not rest in him, but retain the liveliness,

with which they were taken.

Migrations of peoples go through the Jargon from one end to the other.

You can use jargon do not translate into German.

The connections between jargon and German are too delicate and significant.

They should tear up immediately,

if jargon into German is returned.

(Löwy tells the story in Yiddish)

Deut, for example, is not dead and what blooms is by no means blood.

But if she took up jargon and jargon is everything:

word, Hasidic melody,

the essence of this Eastern Jewish Actor himself:

Then you will regain your former peace don't recognize.

Then you become the true unity feel the jargon,

so strong, that you will be afraid.

But no longer from the jargon, but in front of yourself.

And so Dr. Franz Kafka his first public lecture.

But why does he always say jargon?

Franz never says anything like that like anyone else would say.

His first and only about the Yiddish language

and about the relatives in the East.

Of those wanted the bourgeois Jews of Prague

actually don't know anything anymore.

Enjoy it, as best you can.

If it gets lost, tomorrow and later, I wish you,

that you also fear want to have forgotten.

Because we don't want to punish you.

*applause*

It's ice cold.

Why don't the cattle hurry up? - Please, Hermann.

If I only get cold stuff, How can I not get upset?

Yes, it has to be faster.

* Laugh *

Yitzchak captivated everyone.

I could never speak like a poet.

Franz, we need to talk about the factory.

The factory?

You have to do something.

I?

♪ Depressing Violin Melody ♪

My God!

Hermann!

My God! I beg you! - He should go.

I won't tolerate him in mine anymore House, the dirty guy. - Please!

"He sucks to me... Sucks to me!" You don't talk like that!

Disgusting nonsense! - Please don't make a scandal!

(screams) Who with the dogs Goes to bed, gets up with fleas!

Mr Löwy, it's better if you leave.

"He sucks to me, sucks to me."

♪ Depressing Violin Melody ♪

(in German) You are not here and not there.

Where do you actually belong?

Franz?

Where do you belong?

♪ Depressing Violin Melody ♪

(in Yiddish)

♪ Depressing Violin Melody ♪

Is he gone?

Yes.

Is he.

Please calm down.

Eat now. - Yes Dad, keep eating. - You are quiet.

Sit closer to the table.

Width Mad.

Are you bringing vermin into my house?

Disgusting...

...vermin.

Instead of worrying about the factory.

I am not good. Excuse me. You stay there.

Just a moment, father.

♪ Depressing Violin Melody ♪

*Birds chirping*

A vermin.

A vermin.

A vermin.

* Beat *

(Ottla) It's me, Franz.

Come in.

I'm sorry.

He called him a vermin. Oh, you know father. Yes but ...

Franz, the thing with the factory...

"Your factory" he says, as if I ...

You have to do something, Franz.

Make? Things are going badly the factory, Karl is desperate.

He says you never care. He says I...

You are the expert.

During the inspection you have yourself still cared, but... Cared?

Father says that's Karl not good at accounting.

He also says there have to be new ones workers are employed.

Don't let the family down.

Then you said: "Of your life nothing changes."

And only on paper. But now we need you.

If the factory goes bankrupt, what will happen to Elli?

When will I get to writing then? Oh, writing again, Franz!

You live in our midst, but you act like this

as if you don't at all belong to us. Franz!

I ask you, Franz, take care of the factory.

*Birds chirping*

♪ Uncomfortable instrumental music ♪

Did you ask him why he was me? brought this monkey into the house?

*Resigned exhale*

*Birds chirping*

♪ Thoughtful Music ♪

*Cracking and creaking*

*creaking*

♪ Uncomfortable music ♪

♪ Threatening music ♪

♪ Threatening music ♪

Gregor!- Gregor! - Gregor! - Gregor! - What is?

It's a quarter past seven. Didn't you want to go away?

Wake up! - Gregor? * Beat * - Gregor, do you need anything?

♪ Getting louder threatening music ♪

* chattering and squeaking *

*creaking*

The insurance clerk Dr. Kafka wrote like this

the most famous at 30 years old 20th century narrative.

As Gregor Samsa one morning woke up from troubled dreams,

he found himself in bed transformed into monstrous vermin.

He laid on his armour-like back.

He saw when he head raised a little, his arched,

brown, of arcuate Stiffening divided abdomen.

At its height could the bed cover,

ready to slide down, hardly preserved anymore. Stop it.

Read on.

Its many in comparison to its other scope

his thin legs shimmered helpless before your eyes.

What happened to me? No, I'm begging you, stop.

Read on.

Where is Mr. Rowohlt?

His room, a real one, just a little too small a human room,

lay quietly between the four well-known walls.

Gregor's look turned towards the window

and the cloudy weather made him melancholy.

How about it, if I continued to sleep

and forget all the foolishness, he thought.

But that was impossible because he was used to

to sleep on the right side.

But he could in his condition

don't put yourself in this situation.

With what strength he himself also threw to the right,

He kept rocking back into the supine position.

Dead?

*Dull thumps*

That's what I mean. - Now we can thank God.

Look how skinny he was.

He has too Haven't eaten anything for a long time.

About how this will be taken away, you don't have to worry.

It's OK.

They decided,

the day to rest and walking.

they had deserves this break from work

and even absolutely needed them.

*Reverberating Beat*

*Reverberating hits and crashes*

*Dull, reverberating thuds*

♪ Dissonant, disturbing music ♪

*Dull, reverberating thuds*

♪ Dissonant, disturbing music ♪

♪ Music stops along one final blow ♪

*whirring*

They discussed the prospects for the future and it was found

that these upon closer inspection weren't bad at all.

♪ Sombre, melancholic music♪

But no matter how you start, it ends like this!

Hermann and Julie Kafka are lucky.

They die in time. They die in peace.

Gabriele Kafka, called Elli,

was in the extermination camp in 1942 Chelmno murdered.

Likewise Valeri Kafka, called Valli.

Ottilie Kafka, called Ottla, was Deported to Theresienstadt in 1942.

As a volunteer, to not to leave the children alone,

She drove with one in 1943 Children's transport to Auschwitz.

She was murdered there.

Franz Kafka's friend, the actor Yitzchak Löwy,

was from the Warsaw Ghetto deported to the Treblinka camp.

He was gassed there in 1942.

♪ Uncomfortable music ♪

* chattering *

Copyright subtitles: NDR 2024