Original subtitles

For several years a group of Roma has been shuttling between their Romanian homeland and Hamburg.

Their home is a Roma settlement near Nămăieşti, a village in the Subcarpathian mountains.

- Cross here! - There?

- Be careful! - I'll be fine.

Push the button!

I better leave the cup outside.

A donation please, madame...

Family problems. Thank you.

Hello. Please help, Mama.

All the best for family.

All the best!

Six, seven, eight, nine...

...eighty, ninety,... one euro.

Ten euros and fifty cents.

How long have you been coming here?

At least... five months.

It's been a year!

- How are you being treated? - Decently.

They have bought me coffee.

Food too...

Very decent.

All the best!

Please. Thank you.

Please. All the best for family.

Do you miss Nămăieşti?

It's better here... A thousand times better.

Here's my cup!

You won't get anything, as long as we're sitting here.

Look at them staring...

- Who? - The old folks.

All the best.

Please.

Nothing yet...

Maria, tell me...

Why did you cry this morning?

Because he doesn't want to take me home.

I miss Ioana, my granddaughter.

He said, we should stay here longer.

I miss my granddaughter.

Because of her.

- Since when has Ioana been with you? - Since she was born.

And how was your childhood?

What can I say...

I was twelve when mother died.

She poisoned herself.

Her life was bad, father beat her.

That's why the poison...

We were six children.

I raised the youngest until she turned four,

then father died.

A few months later, I think it was in...

March, April, May or June... I got married.

Because you had to?

Because of love.

He was...

younger, more sensible more agreeable.

Was Ţîrloi ever sensible?

Yes.

The drinking ruined him.

Only that.

I gave him four children,

spent all those years with him.

We were never apart not even an hour.

That's just the way it is, you love and you fight...

Up until today.

Just look, how beautiful this city is!

- This is Muşavela's spot. - Who? Muşavela.

- At Wandsbeker Chaussee. - At the subway exit?

We get off at the next stop.

Is someone begging there too?

Is anybody there?

We really need to talk about our return trip.

If the agency doesn't give us a ticket,

we'll go on our own.

I've had enough.

I have a headache.

What an ugly beard!

Will you shave it already!

Well.

Such is the artists' lot

funny in the night, in the morning, nought.

How can you be funny,

when you sleep in the dirt.

But at least we're on film!

Ţîrloi's aunt and uncle

- You want me to come in? - Yes.

Dady...

How much for both?

This is chai.

Together...

2,20 .

Give me your change.

10 cents back, thanks.

Is it cold? Do you have firewood?

Then tell him to get firewood for us too.

I'll pay him.

Good... Is Lili awake? Does her foot still hurt?

Is Gigi's boy still coughing?

When will this flu finally pass?

The old man is back.

We're not getting rid of him.

I'm going to stand here a bit.

Over here.

Nina, sit next to the sign.

50 metres away. 50 metres...

He's not allowed to do that here. This is my spot.

I am the Money-Man. I'm allowed to work here.

He's not allowed.

Just keep moving!

Keep moving, okay?

The only spot worth begging, is where the old man is sitting.

I won't get anything here.

He's sitting there like a guard dog.

Hello Boss. Madame. Hello...

Hello, thank you.

He's a beggar too.

- What? - He's begging too.

How was your first time begging?

Terrible.

I felt awful.

I was forced to come here to beg,

due to the hardship and poverty.

I was used to working... not begging.

A labourer.

I feel like a...

failure.

The hard worker of old,

that's how I saw myself then,

became a beggar. It's terrible.

Since the end of communism we've been suffering.

We have to come to Germany to beg.

Had there been enough work, the young ones would have stayed.

They would be employed.

50 metres away.

See how rude the old man is to us.

- Keep moving. 50 metres away. - Okay.

How he chases us off...

Get back to your spot!

Then he'll turn those others on us.

His clique.

One went to the old man earlier.

The one with the white trousers.

The old man pointed at us

and the other went like this.

After the guy left, the old man made this sign.

If I come here again he'll kill me.

We're all related.

Not just us here, elsewhere in Hamburg too.

Cousins, uncles...

This one, sleeping next to us...

Bebe... He's our daughter's brother-in-law.

Ţîrloi is my nephew, Muşavela my cousin.

Everyone's related directly or by marriage.

Is there anyone in Nămăieşti, who takes all your earnings?

Never.

That wouldn't be right.

Not among relatives or neighbours...

He can't grow a beard yet here.

So?

Why can't you find work?

Because of the language.

And because we don't have any papers.

- We have no address. - Right...

To register...

What address am I supposed to give them?

The bridge where the trains thunder past.

- And in Romania everything's going... - A shame for the youth.

All our factories are broken: the Jeep, the textile factory, even the plant.

All the factories in our area closed down.

Only the cement combine Holcim, which belongs to a German.

But only specialists still work there,

who can operate the electronic equipment.

They don't hire anyone like us anymore.

If at least the young people still had work.

You can't even find anything as a day labourer.

- Do your children go to school? - Yes, yes!

They shouldn't end up illiterate like us.

But it's hard for them, being at home alone.

We'd starve without the ten, fifteen euros a day here.

What is he doing?

He's looking for his ticket.

For the subway.

He can't find it.

- Are you from Romania too? - Yes.

- Do you live here? - Yes.

Isn't it too cold to sleep outside?

Yes, we're all sick.

But they turn us away at the emergency shelter.

Some got a referral for a warm room,

but there you're only allowed to sleep sitting up.

They're messing with us.

- We'll come here... - There in the hut.

We want to spend the night there, like we did in the fall.

The owner chased us away.

Let's see what's left.

- The blankets are still here. - This is where I slept.

That was his spot.

What are you doing?

I'm tidying up, so I'll find it again.

You think?

Sure, if I hide it properly.

Stop.

You stop!

- The windows are broken. - The door too.

- Don't cut yourself! - I'll be careful.

Here anyone can overpower and murder you.

The shelter won't take us anymore.

Even though we spent many a winter there.

They're saying, the residents complained,

there were too many beggars.

They say there was a beggar at every street corner.

The main train station was packed, the Jungfernstieg too.

So some of them started a petition against us.

It's raining.

How are things at home?

Many can't find work or employment...

They just squat by the side of the road.

All they need is a beer or schnaps to turn wild.

Then they molest old folks or children.

I'm afraid to send my granddaughter to the store on her own.

I'm afraid, that she'll be molested.

Is poverty to blame for this demoralisation?

Poverty and schnaps.

The alcohol is not to blame, it's the people.

One little glas and they start talking big.

Since when are you dry?

I'm in my fourth month.

Since September.

A buyer is here... Do you have brooms?

Yes.

She has many.

- Thirteen. - Good.

Just that.

Give me money too!

I'll get branches this weekend,

the brooms will be ready next week.

60 cent.

Are you joking, Irina?

Give me your telephone number too.

I've got Irina's number.

I'll let you know.

Then I'll make some this week.

50 brooms.

- Fifty... - Of course.

Very good and beautiful ones.

Last time they were thicker.

50 brooms...

40 cents a piece.

You always bought from me.

Don Andrei, are you coming to our place?

Maria's friend

Summer and winter always the same.

This is all, we can do here.

Do you get unemployment benefits?

Yes, for me and my daughter.

- How much? - 85 euros.

- Together? - Yes.

The last utility bill was so high that my brain exploded.

Electricity, garbage disposal and much more.

You first.

And up.

I live here together with my daughter and my husband.

We do everything in this room.

We don't have a bathroom or any other rooms.

I've always worked hard.

But a day labourer doesn't make millions.

A few euros.

During hay harvest you can make 10 euros a day.

That's enough.

One more.

That was my father's profession.

He was a smith?

No, carpenter.

That's what he was.

We live a day at a time.

If you don't earn anything tomorrow,

there's nothing to eat the day after tomorrow.

It's a shitty life for us here.

None of us learned anything.

Making brooms isn't worth it anymore.

And there's a steep fine for logging now.

It's empty...

Then drink juice!

Come on already!

Shut up!

We'll see what happens

Maybe steady employment.

Ţîrloi's cousins

Or maybe they'll kick us out immediately.

But the agency gave us this list of companies.

Let's just try.

And if they send us to a slaughterhouse again?

We won't do it.

A nursery or forestry work... That would be good.

Demolition too...

But not a slaughterhouse.

What was wrong with the slaughterhouse?

We'd never done anything like that.

And then butchering cattle...

The very first night.

There's no sign.

Not here after all... It's at number 77.

Which floor?

No idea.

Maybe we'll get lucky...

Those idiots at the winter shelter programme.

No work without language abilities or qualifications, my ass.

Damn it.

They wanted to get rid of us.

Especially us Romanians.

They kicked us out of the shelter after one week.

This isn't a hotel, they said.

All they gave us was this list of companies.

And at midnight they kicked us out.

Now we're on the street.

This damned blade...

What happened?

There were no trains, we almost didn't make it.

Her suitcase is heavy.

What's in the suitcase?

All of Germany's garbage...

Let's see where we can fit this stuff?

So much luggage.

Careful with that.

Don't damage all my sweets and my shopping!

Leave some room for my bag.

Careful where you hang about.

- Where? - Sit down with the others!

Eighty for her.

What did he tell?

The policeman?

He told me to move on...

He says sleeping there is not allowed.

We left there that same evening.

- That was Friday? - Yes.

He gave Florina a note.

There...

You see...

- Florina gets things done. - For sure.

Did you read it?

It's in Romanian.

If we haven't found work in one month,

we have to go home.

We need a registered address.

And have to organise the required papers.

That's all it says.

Worse than in Romania.

To chase someone away...

If they catch us sleeping there again, we'll be in trouble.

They'll arrest us.

Look, someone's hung clothes there.

Washed...

My goodness...

Who hangs their washing like that...

This was all we found here.

We've been here since March.

This is not a public spot.

There's no access from the street.

We weren't bothering anyone.

And didn't leave any rubbish.

What's Maria doing at home?

She's taking care of the grandchildren and Ioana.

He doesn't know what else she's up to...

How many grandchildren is she caring for?

Four... or five, with my son's youngest.

Whose children are they?

Three from my daughter...

Ioana has become like a daughter.

And the youngest from our son Alin.

A band of five.

Five all together.

Our gypsies think, we're off to Germany...

With the film team.

We'll reach the border in six weeks.

Pretty cold.

Nine Lei (two euros).

Are the bananas for them?

Yes, give the children some!

Throw the branches on the other bank.

Don't leave that rubbish on my bank.

Can't you see that I'm being filmed?

Here, take this.

The people further upriver throw that in.

I cleaned up at your place too.

- Why do you have to do this? - For the unemployment benefits.

For the unemployment benefits, nine more days.

- Community work? - Yes, for nine more days.

The shared kitchen in downstairs.

- Here you go. - Thank you.

This is the bedroom and living room.

And this is the bathroom.

- It' okay? - Yes, super.

No, not always a kiss on the hand.

You'll sleep fine here, no?

Yes, unbelievable.

You are in violation of established law...

... coercive action.

All this needs to be legalised quickly.

Yes.

The main thing is you've got some peace and quiet here.

Of course, I will pay rent,

as soon as I make some money.

We'll see...

I've had it with sleeping outside.

I'd take in my son Alin, if he came, but just him.

He won't let anyone else sleep here.

Except if his son Alin...

Or Maria.

He should just let us know.

We need to know who's staying here,

since there are a lot of lodgers.

Now would be a good time to smile.

Very sympathetic.

- Alsterdorf. - That's where he'd like to go.

Your've got the train station there.

Then at the Kaufland Helbingtwiete.

A seller told me it wasn't a good spot,

but that's nonsense.

Let me see.

Then it'll be the Kaufland Helbingtwiete.

- I'll pop by again later, okay? - 6409.

This bag cost normaly 1 euro, now it is free.

When you come and get new papers,

- The new ones cost 1,10 . - I know...

Then you sell them for 2,20 .

- Good luck. - Have a nice day.

Great. We'll get along all right.

Bye.

- Hello. - Yes...

Let's see what the others say.

Are you going to stop by today?

I want to get my flip flops.

Of course.

To show off...

Right.

I'll stop by.

Or else they'll think, I'm a backstabber.

There's still stuff lying around.

- Give me a cigarette! - Just a second.

Now he's even scrounging...

- Where are they? - In your bag, where else.

Here you go, boss.

Do the others know, that you've moved?

Everyone knows...

It's better for me.

How's it going with Hinz&Kunzt?

Well...

Not so great.

I need to find another spot.

- Where are you from? - Close to Piteşti.

There's a lot of you around.

Do you have a euro?

Thank you.

Only 30 cents.

This heat...

Why are you so late?

The bus got stuck in traffic.

I have the keys.

Construction sites everywhere.

Have you been waiting long?

A whole while.

You can't film me at work. I'm afraid.

They'll kick me out.

Only on the street.

The packaging hall is swarming with overseers.

We wanted to ask...

Even if you ask,

they'd keep a close eye on me.

I don't even want to speak about work.

Not at all.

- To scared? - For sure.

Let's talk instead about the bad sales spot for Hinz&Kunzt.

Outside the Europa Passage...

Where I sell a newspaper every three hours.

We would like to get our granddaughter to join us.

But this place is small.

At least during school vacation.

If that's possible.

If not, then not.

What does the parish say about that?

I haven't asked yet.

Haven't asked.

It's difficult in a foreign place.

He's gotten used to it and doesn't want to go back home.

I keep returning home and back alone.

The room is too small. It won't work.

I asked Regina.

If it wasn't for the girl, I would stay.

- It is expensive... - Where will I get a big flat?

Always this back and forth...

After a month he gets lonely and calls me back.

Who will cook for him or do the housework?

He also needs someone to talk to.

Hello..., please madame.

Hello, madame, 1 please.

Hello, please, madame.

All the best for your family.

My cellphone.

What did you manage today?

Ah, it's you...

Ioana, what did you do today?

What did you eat?

Did you go to school?

You too?

Enough... The people see me on the phone.

She hung up.

My granddaughter...

Why are you still begging, when he has an income now?

I have to send money to my granddaughter.

She needs to buy food and clothes.

Urgently.

I can't stand being pinned down at home.

I would go crazy and have a stroke.

A stroke, from what?

From doing nothing...

I need to go out. I need it.

Where else should I go?

Happy birthday!

You too...

Neighbors from Nămăieşti

- A glas for a billionaire! - Take it, Nelu.

To a long life!

- May God give you health! - Many happy returns.

After church there wasn't even coffee.

- Such a jostling crowd! - Did you make anything?

On Whit Sunday they're stingy. Only acquaintances gave something.

Especially this one woman who always helps me.

- How much? - 10 euros.

As good as at my mother-in-law's wake!

Can you give me a few spits for the others?

There's enough to go around.

Go ahead.

Yes, Claudia...

We're making a film.

Don Andrei is filming us.

What happened?

Are you all right?

You have to learn to deal with it.

At some point you have to.

Look what's left of my home.

God will help you one day.

Who knows when

- What's wrong? - Give me that.

Sit down and don't play the cook!

Everything's burning.

Florin was almost naked, when we came out.

And barefoot.

Look, Onea is waving his arms.

Thank God, you're still alive.

Houses can be rebuilt.

Who is that screaming?

- We are... - It's your mother's voice.

If your father sees this, he'll be sick.

He won't stomach it.

How long are you staying in Germany?

- Until Christmas. - That long?

- Then we'll stay here at yours, mother. - Yes, stay.

We haven't even finished paying off the tiles.

Do you have money for the return trip?

I'll pay once I make money.

I don't have it.

I don't even have money for the girl.

I have to pay to keep supporting her.

That's why I want to bring her to Hamburg,

and I need an authorisation from her father.

Will Ioana be happy in Hamburg?

I don't know... Whether Ioana will be happy.

Just come around.

This one.

- Here you go. - And coffee.

And coffee.

- Coffee with milk and sugar? - Yes.

Milk? Sugar!

Sugar!

Here, your energy drink.

Let's go outside.

Show me.

Our children at the school, at the graduation ceremony.

- Is that your daughter? - Yes.

Here she is.

The one in blue...

Look, my litte crazy one. All alone...

Oh, thank you. Please.

- Bottle, bottle... - We need them also.

Let's each grab a lady and dance.

I didn't even dance at my own wedding.

Look, how pretty...

Great.

Let's keep going.

The blond one...

We're about to hit the ocean.

Hold on to that boat...

And in you go!

Keep moving with your camera when I'm using soap!

Why?

The people will notice.

How was it?

Not too much.

Enough.

Please!

Should I serve everyone?

Wait for Gigi.

I need to go soon.

- How are you, Cousin? - I need to go to work.

You're shoveling...

Excessive as always!

- Where shall we sit? - Here.

Push a little.

Ow, my leg.

- Cousin, how is it going? - I have to go to work.

Good that you have work.

But it was tough to get.

I got on their nerves for so long, until they took me on.

I'll take some cabbage, no meat.

- Are they still looking for workers? - As if...

They got rid of the third shift.

Give me something spicy. Peperoni?

She doesn't have any.

- Praised be the cook! - Thank you.

- Couldn't they find use for us? - I'll ask.

I don't know... I'll ask the boss.

And if they lay some off?

They've thinned us out already.

There used to be three shifts.

Now there's only one and a half left.

If I take more than two sick days...

- ...I'm out. - And if your mother dies?

That's how it is here.

What if your mother dies?

I won't go.

- Cheers! - See you soon in Romania.

More likely in Germany.

At the River Elbe...

Don't do anything stupid!

Come Gigi, I'll show you the new flat.

First we were in the small room.

Now we're under the roof.

It's bigger...

The bigger bedroom.

Not bad

- Pretty good, no... - Great.

Comfortable...

Another room.

Even a bathroom.

This is our kitchen.

I cooked here earlier and brought it down.

That's it.

- I'll come by to shower. - Yes, do that.

Curious eyes everywhere.

Throw it already!

Is somebody watching?

What did that guy say to you?

- Some bullshit. - He thought you were crazy...

When you were up there.

Hurry up!

The black bag.

Wait until the people are gone.

Should I ask them to keep moving...

Let's go, to the five star hotel!

Others would pay a whole lot of money for this.

Enjoying the comfortable warmth...

- I traveled here just for this. - Exactly.

You've qualified for the job as beggar.

Didn't want to learn anything practical.

Let's get up.

It's seven already.

Shitty weather again.

Money, money, money... always money.

It's not enough to make ends meet.

As if they talked it over beforehand, no one's giving anything.

Maybe others are more lucky.

Sometimes I can't be bothered anymore.

Always this "Hallo please..., Hallo please..."

They're probably fed up.

He used to be able to give me something from time to time.

But with this rent that's no longer possible.

I gave you enough.

- I furnished our house. - Blew my money...

I bought groceries.

Groceries...

I built you a new fence and a bathroom.

And another room.

How long haven't you been at home?

One and half years... almost two.

What was the house like before?

In danger of collapsing.

- You weren't any help for me. - I need to go.

Get dressed, it's ten to.

- Are you going to Aldi? - Yes.

I'll get dressed too.

- Bye! - See you, bye!

Maria and Ţîrloi's granddaughter

Exactly, a bee or bikini...

You can make a line here, and write "bee" next to it.

For D you have dolphin...

Great.

A piece of melon, exactly.

Now, let's remember which words we know.

Summer.

That's our subject.

We're looking for a word that starts with W.

- Water? - Exactly. Great, water.

And 20...

What's number 20?

- Beach chair. - Beach chair, exactly.

- Which one is a beach chair? - This.

Exactly, the last one here.

A chair you can sit and lie on the beach.

A beach chair.

Hello, madame.

Thank you.

All the best. Thank you.

Something that you like.

As if...

I'm sure you'll like it.

Do you know it?

Sing along...

I can't, it's very old music.

My father listened to this.

When he came home drunk, he put on that record.

Two, three times in a row...

After mother died.