Original subtitles

THE SERIES IS INSPIRED BY TRUE EVENTS.

Enough of digressions. Let's get back to my question.

Who do you consider the main figure of his work?

WARSAW, SEPTEMBER 1977

- Come on! - Everyman? Each of us?

- Close. Who else? - A judge?

Or, in general, an official.

Almost.

So?

- A father? - Bingo!

In a letter to his father, Kafka writes explicitly:

"All my writing was about you.

All I did in it was weep those bitter tears

that I couldn't shed in your arms.

So all the officials, judges and investigators represented his father?

Why not?

Father–son.

Official–claimant.

Lord–subject.

These relationships are all based on ancient forms and principles.

What's the consequence of breaking them, Marek?

- Punishment? - Not necessarily.

But certainly a plunge into sin.

Well, that's it for today.

Come in.

- All packed up? - Yes.

I'm not taking much. I got a two-week visa.

They swept the faculty, but they didn't find this.

Each page of this report...

is proof of the lawlessness of the authorities.

Do you really want to do it?

Yes, Professor.

Do you know the penalty?

I'll pass it to the recipient.

Don't come back.

See you, Professor.

DOPPELGÄNGER

EPISODE 2 "FATHER"

Don't you have a private life?

I do, Mr. Director.

What are you working on?

BeE data query.

It's not urgent.

No need to stay after hours.

I know. But I like to finish what I've started.

Let's go, Dad!

Coming.

Impatient youth, wayward youth.

- Don't stay too long. - Good night.

EMINENT PROFESSOR ARRESTED

STEINER FAMILY

Did you include the receipt for the exchange fund?

Yes.

Is something wrong?

I was making sure you're not being tailed.

So you don't trust me?

I double-checked the route.

- Is there an expense report? - Of course.

They say I have nice handwriting.

Anything else?

A Czech refugee, Petr Tichy,

is seeking asylum.

There's a real bomb in his files.

He was very close to Havel.

You're an operational agent, not an analyst.

Focus on your job.

Yes, ma'am!

Quit fooling around, Second Lieutenant.

I was thinking,

Helmut Steiner is a member of the European Parliament.

He often brings home documents. I could copy them.

Unnecessary risk.

No risk at all.

The Steiners treat me like a son and my uncle eats out of my hand.

He's not your uncle.

And the Steiners are not your family.

Remember that, for one.

Secondly, don't foul your own nest.

Protect your cover.

May I ask something?

I've read that Ostoja was busted.

- So my report reached Warsaw? - What do you think?

I'm glad.

The headquarters are happy with you. You'll go on a trip.

A trip?

Where to?

I'm looking for this address.

That is very kind of you.

Hi, honey.

- French? - Yeah.

I'm learning a new language in my old age.

- How's school? - Good.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

Sit down.

Tell me.

- I can't, I promised Jola. - Then how can I help?

Somebody did something.

Something wrong. And someone else was punished for it.

- And I know it. - But you don't know what to do?

Do you know what "vrai" means in French?

"Truth."

I think we should always tell the truth.

Why do you need French?

To...

learn the truth.

What truth?

- Good afternoon, Chief. - Good afternoon.

What about me?

Can you read? The Passport Office closes at one.

- I've been waiting for two hours. - Come on Monday.

I can't take every day off!

I need to know now.

What do you want?

I applied for a passport a month ago and I was denied.

I filed an appeal and it was rejected today, again.

- So? - I need to know why.

- There must be some reasons. - Namely?

You should know best what you have on your conscience.

No criminal record. I don't do politics.

Why can't I get a passport?

- I repeat, we have reasons. - For God's sake, what exactly?

Why so desperate?

You don't want to run off, do you?

Do you?

YUGOSLAVIA, RIJEKA, JUNE 1978

Józio?

Is it really you?

- Good morning, Mum. - My boy!

It's been ages.

- Hi, Dad. - Hello, Son.

Have a seat.

I ordered red wine.

- Yes, please. - Your favourite.

- We can eat something. - We ate at the hotel.

Is your room nice?

Great, very luxurious.

That's good.

- Were you picked up from the station? - By a driver

with our name written on a sign.

Why haven't you called in almost a year? Where do you even live now?

You know he can't tell us.

I do, but he's my son. I have a right to know.

How do you feel? Are you happy?

It's all right, Mum.

And your current job...

Is it very important?

- Do you hear it, Roman? - Of course I do.

But there's still plenty of time until sunset.

Listen.

I have a surprise for you. Let's go.

So tell me.

What?

No details, but overall impressions and opinions.

It was a bit stressful at first,

but I've figured out a method.

It works as expected.

Any difficulties?

None.

Bluff. There are no such prodigies.

Seriously.

Are you bored?

Your job may seem too easy, dull to you.

But don't get into a rut. The French don't fuck around with people like us.

They hang us without blinking an eye.

Your mum.

Beautiful, isn't it?

Are your parents pleased?

Yes.

Delighted.

Thank you, Colonel.

You deserved it. There's a little bonus.

This much?

Thank you.

Keep up the good work.

The case officer will give you new instructions.

She has a soft spot for you.

That's hard to see.

Any questions for me?

No.

Actually...

- I do have one. - Fire away.

On which leg was the scar?

What does it matter now?

Nothing. I'm curious.

Helga Steiner was an ailing woman.

Her heart couldn't take the shock.

Don't dwell on that.

Rest, have fun, and go back to Strasbourg to pursue the operation.

You're doing great.

Come!

Hello!

Good to see you.

Thanks for coming.

I'm glad you're back. How was the trip?

Great.

Engineer!

Mrs. Hania, I'll deliver the papers tomorrow, I promise.

That's not it, Mr. Janek. It's just that...

- they're asking about you. - Who?

The Security Service.

- The Service? - Yes.

About what?

Your attitude towards the directorate, the politics,

if you're ever late, or have overdue tasks.

What did you say?

The truth, what else?

That you're clean.

I'm eternally grateful to you. Honestly.

How are you?

I don't know.

What don't you know?

Who I am.

You are who you are.

Could some phantoms from the past change that?

You don't get it, Olga.

Who I am...

comes from the connection.

To the family, culture. My Mum, Dad...

this country. It's all a lie.

I'm not their son.

Not even Polish. I'm a Kraut bastard.

Janek, look at me!

You're the most wonderful person I know.

The person I love.

Don't ever say that about yourself.

You have to find her.

Or you'll wear yourself out.

- I can't handle it if you go back to... - I won't.

Hey.

I won't start.

All right, I'm sorry.

Hello?

Anybody home?

God!

- You've scared me. - Aren't you too young for this?

May I have one?

You?

Look at you. Everyone thinks you're perfect.

How do you like it here?

Here?

I mean our house and the new country.

I don't know.

It seems like...

How to describe it?

As if I had blurry vision and suddenly got glasses.

What?

What "what"?

Nothing.

Nicely put.

Cinema tonight?

I can't. I need to catch up on work.

Come on! There's a new Bond movie.

What's that?

Are you kidding?

Hans, James Bond!

Why has Poland banned Bond movies?

Isn't that obvious?

A movie with a spy who fights the Russians, in a communist country?

So stupid.

What a movie!

Tell me about your life in Poland.

What could I tell you?

Everything.

- What part? - From the start.

What did you do before coming here?

- You know I worked at a university. - Did you have many friends?

- No. - A girlfriend?

Too strong a word.

What do you mean? Who was she?

A work colleague.

- Did you love her? - I don't know.

Wait!

One knows such things. Did you love her or not?

Hans!

And you?

What?

What do you want to do?

Not paperwork like you or my dad, for sure.

Then what?

I want to study literature at the academy.

Sounds interesting.

Promise not to tell my father.

I promise.

But only if you won't give away who I want to become.

Okay.

A secret agent, like James Bond.

Bad joke.

I know.

History is being made before our eyes.

The Polish government accepted labour unions

independent of the Communist Party,

the right to strike,

and respect for freedom of speech.

A spirit of optimism and freedom swept through the country.

Time will tell if this carnival heralds lasting changes.

That is fantastic.

YOU CAN'T PAINT OVER THE TRUTH

GDAŃSK, AUGUST 1980

And?

Nothing. They'll try, but can't promise anything.

Did you give something to the manager?

No.

Don't be surprised, then.

That's Red Cross, not a department store.

They should help without bribes.

- What? - Nothing.

- And yet something. - Never mind.

You're so busy with the passport and all,

- you missed the sign-ups. - What sign-ups?

I'm sorry.

It's okay, but we're out of the waitlist. A washing machine is a must.

- I promise I'll get one. - Yeah? How?

Don't be mad, my love. Anger detracts from beauty.

I said I'd swing it.

It's not just that.

- But what? - Everything.

You never have time. For me or the girls.

What? Tomorrow I'm going to Marysia's competition.

It was today.

Where is she?

They're both at the neighbours'.

- I'll make it up to you. - When?

Now?

- No way. - Come on.

Not a chance.

Stop it.

Did you go for a checkup?

What did the doctor say?

That it's still beating for you.

What's wrong?

I feel like...

someone's following me.

Who?

I don't know. The Service?

Why would they?

Don't say you got into this Solidarity thing.

Of course not.

Then it's about your trip in search of your mother.

It doesn't make sense.

And once you find her,

- then what? - What?

I mean...

what do you expect her to say?

After 34 years.

I don't know.

How come?

I need to iron my shirt for tomorrow.

I have to be at the Passport Office at eight.

Hey!

I'm on your side.

I know.

- Why was I denied again? - What is this? Calm down.

I'm calm. Just asking why.

Don't shout at a state official.

What kind of state treats a citizen this way?

What do you mean by that?

- You don't like our state? - In this form?

Of course not!

So get the fuck out.

I'd love to. But I need a passport for that.

This conversation is over.

Kiss my ass!

Hello.

Here.

Hans?

- Hans! - Yes?

Hi! Why are you locked up?

- What are you writing? - File reference numbers.

Do you play chess?

Yes.

With whom?

You're always working, cousin.

- Enough! I'm kidnapping you. - Where to?

My friend is throwing a party and I need a date.

- I'm too old for your friends. - Old people are coming too.

I don't like such parties.

Hans...

What's going on?

Tell me or I won't move.

Fine.

I've never been very social.

At home, all that mattered was studying and working.

But now this is your home.

You can do what you want.

Unless you prefer chess.

It's all about balance!

I usually nail it.

You'll learn.

That was very nice.

Give me the money, faggot.

I don't want trouble.

Here.

The bitch stays with us.

Let's go.

Now.

What was that?

You were amazing!

Like Bruce Lee!

I used to practice some martial arts.

No, thanks.

You've drunk too much.

Aren't you bored with this game?

What game?

The pretending.

We both want it.

I've seen the way you look at me for a long time.

Sometimes you peep on me.

We're cousins.

It happens in the best of families.

What if your parents come home?

They won't. You know it.

It took you a long time.

Right.

Close relationships are not my specialty.

Why?

Perhaps because there were none at home.

Because...

I've never missed it, but now I'm starting to understand.

What?

That everything stems from my father's rules.

Mother had no power.

She loved me, but she didn't know how to show it.

You know...

what the weirdest part is?

What?

That I'd have given anything for one smile from that bastard.

Get it?

Not quite.

They were not your real parents.

Aren't you relieved?

It's a blatant violation of procedures.

Why aren't you reporting on your relationship?

- There's no relationship. - Am I a fucking idiot?

It's not about her.

But the whole thing.

Your work is sloppy, you're distracted and reckless.

It's not true.

How many people followed you from Rue de Moulin?

Why would anyone care about me?

I can take everything out of the office, it's worthless.

Like my work for you.

You don't get to decide what the hell is important.

Did you think you were James Bond?

Remember how you got here.

Brush the girl off and get to work.

Otherwise, all bets are off.

Enough funerals in this family, right?

Subtitles: Anna Wolska