Original subtitles

MONTEVIDEO, 1945

Thank God it's all over.

It's finally signed.

What?

Surrender.

I shall have to go over there now.

To Europe?

Why?

I've got this business to attend to.

- Other things I have to see to. - What business?

Everything's been destroyed.

It could be a great deal to do.

Must you go?

Yes, I must.

But I'll be back in time.

Trust me.

POLAND

Do you want me to wait?

No, come back later. Take your time.

I had to go back.

There was something in my past I had to confront.

A guilt I couldn't live with.

Just before the war I had come here to Poland with my first wife, Nina.

Everything was different then.

Nina and I had just got married.

We were happy and in love,

and Poland that autumn seemed a place of haunting and timeless beauty.

A tranquil, fragile, enchanted world filled with echoes and memories of the past.

How could we have known that that world was about to vanish forever?

How could we have guessed in that brief moment of happiness

what was going to happen to us?

Goddamn brats! Get away from the car!

Edward, stop it! They are only children.

Here,

you can give them these.

Thank you.

The other camera's stolen.

When did you last see it?

Just now, but it was the old one, so...

Edward!

I think one of your little friends may have removed madam's camera.

I'm sorry, sir, but madam told me to...

Do you want me to try and find it?

I think it would be pretty hopeless.

We may as well go.

I'm sorry, sir.

A KRZYSZTOF ZANUSSI FILM

WHEREVER YOU ARE

CO-STARRING

ART DIRECTOR

FILM EDITOR

MUSIC

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY BY

IN COLLABORATION WITH

ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS

PRODUCED BY

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

PRODUCED BY

DIRECTED BY

POLAND, 1938

Mother, may I present the consul of Uruguay, Mr. Julian Castor,

and his wife, who have just arrived in Poland.

Though I believe you too, sir, have only recently started your mission.

Yes, but I must make it clear.

My role as a diplomat is only honorary.

Basically I'm a businessman here in Poland, to look after some factories.

There are Uruguayan factories in Poland?

No, these factories used to be German owned,

and now under international control.

But you are German?

My father was, but my mother was Spanish.

I was born in Uruguay, educated in England.

I think of myself as cosmopolitan, like Nina, my wife.

Excuse me.

- You two just got married? - Yes.

Well, in fact, this is our honeymoon.

Julian had to travel immediately after wedding.

That's lovely.

Which is why we're so grateful to you for your hospitality.

And it's a privilege, spending time on people outside our diplomatic circle.

May I ask why don't you diplomats do something?

Can't you see that war is coming?

My cousin always exaggerates.

Memories of the Great War are too fresh for people to start another.

It would be madness.

But there's a new generation.

Look at your own son.

What can he remember of the Great War.

It's been 20 years.

No one of my age is dreaming of war.

But if we have to defend our country, we wouldn't hesitate.

You're an idealist.

Aggression is part of human nature.

That's why there will always be wars.

Part of some people's nature, perhps.

But if one really wants to, one can control one's instincts.

And so Christianity teaches us.

My cousin is on leave from her convent.

She hasn't been well.

Please excuse me.

Excuse me.

Well, I don't believe war is inevitable.

There are some small political problems, but they can be resolved

with a little common sense.

As long as there is some flexibility on all sides.

For a businessman, you certainly have the soul of a diplomat.

No.

No.

Please, don't!

Easy, boy! Easy.

Calm!

I understand, Mr. Castor

that you've taken over a couple of German firms

which were threatened with expropriation,

and saved them from coming under compulsory Polish control.

And that's one way of putting it.

I administer them on behalf of international shareholders

but the capital stock remains in Poland.

I see no conflict of interests.

Business becomes increasingly international.

After all, you sell your horses to anyone who wants to buy them, don't you?

Surely every country is entitled to defend it's interests

against international monopolies.

Poland as well.

If you're set against international capital, I assume you're a socialist.

No, I'm not. I'm just a patriot.

Will there be a war?

Of course there won't.

What if there is?

Don't worry, we'll be all right.

We'll leave Europe and go back to Montevideo.

Not so fast! Slower, slower!

Don't pursue! Don't pursue!

Here, here it is.

Don't move her. There may be broken bones, we need a stretcher.

I sent your chauffeur for the doctor. They should be here soon.

Pray.

You need it.

Pray.

Beg Him.

I'm all right.

I just want to wash myself...

...and change.

Nina's here!

Please, sit down.

It must have been shock.

She was in shock.

Of course.

Still, the doctor should examine her when he arrives.

Yes.

Priest came here for me? For the last rites.

Yes.

Do you feel any dizziness or concussion?

No.

I ache all over, but I'm fine.

Nothing serious.

We'll know more about that when we see the specialist in Warsaw.

We go back tomorrow, don't we?

The doctor said you weren't to travel for at least a week.

But what about your work?

You have to go back, it's important.

I could stay.

You go and you come back for me in a week.

Are you sure?

You wouldn't mind staying?

No.

Do you remember anything about the fall?

Yes.

And even somehow what happened afterwards.

I think I'm just imagining it.

Did you think I was dead?

- I hope we will meet again soon. - I hope so. Bye bye.

I'm sorry.

Stas, if you want to learn more about international business, call me in Warsaw.

I am most grateful to you.

It's my pleasure to do what I can to help.

Thank you. I would think it over.

And don't worry about Nina. We will take good care of her.

You're both being so kind.

Open up.

- Did the police say what they were looking for? - No.

They just wanted to check the shipment of machinery.

Were there no problems with the customs clearance?

No, not at all. All the papers are in order.

It must be a routine procedure.

Yes...

Stas...

Now.

I've never been afraid of horses before.

And now?

I'm starting to notice something...

something elemental about them.

I wish I could capture it with the quality of my pictures.

All these documents must be duplicated.

I want a copy for the factory and one for here.

It's just a precaution.

Yes, Mr. Castor.

Nina!

Thank You.

I was supposed to come for you at the weekend.

What's wrong?

Well, I couldn't bear to be away from you any longer.

I wanted to be with you.

Than you should have let me know.

I wanted to surprise you.

- And I have surprised you. - Yes, you have.

Didn't you miss me?

Yes, of course. I missed you all the time.

Julien, no, wait.

Wait, Julien.

But you shouldn't have traveled alone.

I didn't.

Stas, I'm so glad you came.

Welcome.

So, you still like ballet.

Yes, I do.

You obviously don't.

The girls are not unattractive.

It's not what I meant.

I know, I'm sorry.

It's just that I didn't have very much in common with tutus and plié.

It's all a bit...

...artificial.

Well, it's not meant to be real.

What you call reality is only an illusion.

There must be something beyond that, something...

Something higher, something more perfect.

Nina, that's all false.

This is reality.

Me and you, and our lives. And trying to live decently.

Trying to do good things, not bad things.

This is real.

This is real.

You're not even trying to understand what I'm saying.

That's not true.

Will you please come with me?

Thank you.

Here, all right?

Madame, what happened?

Nothing happened.

Come on, let's go.

Let's go!

Could I have the capacity report for Unit 15, please?

Yes, I have it here, sir.

- There are 13, 7 and 19. - Excellent.

- Unit 17. - Yes, sir.

- Unit 17. - Yes, sir.

22, 40, 60, 70...

Good.

- Unit 15 again, please. - 13, 7 and 19.

What is it, Stas?

Please, come with me.

What on earth for?

It's important.

So important that you have to barge into a board meeting?

Yes.

Now, what is it, Stas? What's the matter?

I can't tell you.

You must see for yourself.

Come.

Please, come.

Now you see

there's no difference between economics and politics.

You were wrong.

I don't know how this could have happened.

So, what can you do?

I shall take care of this, Stas.

Will you go to the police?

I said I'll take care of it.

But do you know what these guns are for?

To murder Polish people!

They will never be used for that purpose, I give you my word.

And let's not alert the suspicions of the rest of the factory.

Just check the rest of this shipment.

Take it to the end of the rushes and then throw this away.

Crap!

Take these.

Go with it to the end.

You can wash and dry off in here.

Nina.

Darling, what's happened?

Well, I can get cleaned up at home, sir.

No, I don't want you to be seen like that.

Lock up when you're finished.

Darling, what's the matter?

I feel that something terrible is going to happen.

To us?

To everyone.

Well, I've told you, we can always go away from here.

We can't.

If people are suffering here, how can we run away?

Do you remember that nun we've met?

Yes.

A miracle has happened.

They've discovered she is stigmatic.

She's what?

Her hands are bleeding

as if she'd been crucified just like Christ.

I would like to see her.

Can I have the car?

Yes, of course.

But keep your coat on.

Oh, no.

The bishop's envoy...

Came to see me and look at my hands.

He said Christ's wounds were here.

This is where the Shroud of Turin shows them.

Painters were wrong to depict them here.

So mine are not true stigmata.

Nothing but hysteria.

For a moment...

I believed I had been chosen.

But it was just my pride.

I'm sorry.

Stas, we're just going out. Would you want?

To talk to You...

- Is it necessary now? - Yes.

All right. Come in.

Stas.

I'm sorry.

- What's the matter? - Nothing. Get dressed, darling. Stas?

What have you done?

What was necessary. It's finished.

Did you tell the police?

No.

Then I will do it.

You mustn't.

You can't forbid me.

I'll go and tell the police now.

You mustn't do that.

- I am going to go. - No, Stas.

But look.

I'm leaving.

You won't force me to stay.

Now listen to me.

You don't understand politics.

What you're doing can only make things a lot worse.

- For you, perhaps. - Not for me, for your country.

Do you realize there was a peace treaty signed in Munich

and now your country and Germany are trying to resolve their differences?

This stupid little episode can only make things worse.

Now, those guns were destroyed. They don't exist.

And this will never happen again in my factories.

- So please, can't you be satisfied? - No!

It should be reported.

Then report it, but where's your proof?

- Where are your witnesses? - They may be found.

Yes, but not by you.

I'm sorry, Stasch, I don't want to see you around the factory again.

You're finished.

I'll explain it later.

- You puzzle me, Herr Castor. - Really?

Yes. You have a reputation of being a fine manager.

But surely, a fine manager doesn't throw away good tools.

That's enough noise.

In a conflict of interest, you have to choose your loyalty.

Sinking of the guns instead of allowing them out of your factory

casts a shadow over your loyalty.

You disappointed us.

So I appreciate the fact you didn't alert the police.

They may still be informed.

I don't think they will.

My dear... Please.

Please, honey.

They're saving us.

Come on.

Stop it.

What is it that you want me to understand?

If my words fail, maybe the facts will help you to grasp what I have in mind.

- Is this a warning or a threat? - It's up to you to decide.

And would your ambassador count in this conversation?

Need you ask?

Than I think my presence here serves no further purpose. Good evening.

Nina.

I'm sorry, but we must leave.

- Now? In the middle of the reception? - Yes, I'm afraid it's rather urgent.

What's the matter?

I don't wish to discuss it.

I'll try and get back as soon as I can, darling.

It won't be long. I'm sorry.

If Edward comes, have him wait in the garage.

Don't let him in the house.

- Has anyone been here tonight? - No, Mr. Castor.

- Are you sure? - Yes.

Where is extinguisher?

Good God, man, can't you keep your eyes open?

Gentlemen!

Help!

Help me, people!

Help!

Let go!

- Already? - Finished.

You told them.

You told them about the rifles,

it had to be you.

There was no one else.

You probably set fire to the factory.

Put that over by the chair.

It's not important why you did these things.

What matters is the fact that you betrayed me.

Now, why did you do that?

Why?

Why?

Heil Hitler!

You bastard.

Oh, Nina, please go back upstairs and wait for me.

Please.

Leave the keys in the car

and pick up your wages from the housekeeper.

He's bleeding.

We need some bandages.

He can get the bandages from the pharmacist.

Why did you do that?

Why your you beat him, why?

You don't know what he's been doing.

I don't care what he's been doing, beating people doesn't change anything.

What does it?

Talk to me.

What's the point in talking to you? You're always dreaming.

You don't know anything about reality, not this reality.

I do know about reality, but I don't want to be part of it.

You are part of it, whether you like it or not.

If you spent less time worrying about salvation,

you'd learn to cope with living.

Don't touch me!

Don't touch me!

I don't want that!

I don't want that!

Come in.

- What is it? - Police.

Do you recognise the deceased?

Yes.

How did it happen?

Suicide.

He was being blackmailed.

He left this with a note, saying you would understand.

Well, this could have been a forgery.

Probably.

- He could have been murdered. - Murdered?

By whom?

German agents.

You know, Mr. Castor

the Germans are arming the minority in Poland.

If only we could prove it.

Is madam awake?

Is she not feeling well?

What's the matter?

- Is she in here? - Yes, sir.

Nina!

Nina, answer me.

Please call Professor Steinback.

Tell him he must come now.

Nina...

Well, what is it? What's happened to her?

Something in her soul, if you use this word.

But in her psyche, if you prefer

less common stock.

We will admit her for observation.

Keep her under sedation.

The condition may be temporary,

but I can't make any promises.

But I want to be with her.

Not now.

In a few days, it would be better.

I want to go in.

Please, open the door.

Nina!

I will take her to Cologne.

Well, perhaps it would be a good idea if you came, too.

- If you were willing. - But...

Don't worry, I can speak to Professor Steinberg.

All right.

It's not true what they told you about your son.

My wife had taken some photographs of him which were stolen,

and then tampered with to make it look as if to compromise him.

I know that the man who stole the photographs was my chauffeur.

He did it for German agents who then killed your son because he discovered

the guns they were smuggling through my factory.

I can't prove it.

Neither can the police.

I'm telling you this because I'm partly to blame for your son's death.

I know that I was stupid and irresponsible.

I'm sorry.

Thank you.

COLOGNE

Let's have a look.

You may walk with us, if you like.

Leave the patient now.

Is this serving any purpose?

As far as your wife's concerned for the moment, no.

We require a longer period of observation.

Some tests.

Jews out!

Here.

Leave nothing behind! Break them!

Smash everything to pieces!

Out with the Jews!

All the stuff out!

Don't let them get away!

Help!

Another one here!

Jew lover!

As you see, ladies and gentlemen,

What is left can be compared to an animal's consciousness.

The patient is deeply disturbed, with no contact.

She has preserved only a limited ability to react.

Basic instincts, so to speak.

Take a look now.

Water, please.

Thank you.

And now, ammonia.

That's enough, thank you.

It might be interesting to know the patient's reaction to perfume.

Because once, as a refined woman,

she must have used some.

We will try this presently.

I am afraid the patient doesn't like your perfume.

Professor, stop.

This woman is sick.

She came here for treatment, not to be humiliated.

This is our patient's husband.

Nina.

Good, let us look at the next patient.

Please.

Please make arrangements for her immediate return to Poland.

POLAND

Nina, we could sit here all night.

Nina.

I wonder if you can hear.

Some food, Nina.

Come on.

Come on!

A little more.

A little more, please.

Nina...

Why did you spit? What's the point?

You shouldn't spit.

Stop it!

Why are you biting?

Nina! You don't bite!

Please, don't bite!

Hello. How do you do?

Hello.

Nice to meet you. Your dance was beautiful.

Please.

Could you call my husband?

I believe he's still here in Poland.

Please untie me.

I'm not dangerous.

Do you... Do you have a comb?

Please.

I have it?

I have the clothes you asked for. A shirt and the shoes.

Yes.

Thank you.

I expect that the doctors told you I would like to leave as soon as possible.

I've already talked to Professor Steinberg and he has no objections.

On the contrary, he said we must indulge the patient's wishes.

I see you didn't have time to shave.

Maybe the doctor could lend you a razor?

Yes, yes, of course.

I'm sorry.

There's nothing to be sorry for.

Still, I'm sorry for everything I did to you.

I don't want to go home.

Can we find

a place where no one knows we are.

How are you feeling?

I'm all right.

I'm just afraid of falling asleep.

I was just thinking of how you stopped that lecture in Germany.

I was very grateful.

I hated it.

Can you remember that?

Yes.

I will move to the tower.

You can stay here as long as you like.

By the way, how long would that be?

I don't know that yet.

Maybe forever.

As you wish.

Nina?

I have a gift for you.

What?

Something I got in Cologne.

A camera.

I'm sorry, I don't want it.

I don't want to take photographs.

It's a Leica.

Did you really buy it when I was in Cologne?

Yes, of course.

Just in case I might recover.

I can't find my pajama tops.

Nina, if you'd rather I slept elsewhere, just say.

You must find me repulsive.

Don't be silly. You are beautiful.

Come on.

Nina?

Nina?

Madame!

- Have you seen my wife? - No.

Is there a problem?

No. No problem.

Excuse me, father.

Can I make my confession?

Pardon me?

Confession?

Confession? All rigt.

I can't confess.

Because I don't know which actions were mine.

I feel no guilt.

I'm sorry.

Nina.

Give me some money.

It is written we should give away all our possessions.

And then what?

God will guide us.

I hope.

No.

It's all right.

Don't change the meetings in Vienna, keep the reservations

and we'll hold it till we can.

It may be possible, we'll see.

No.

Keep that. There's a file in the desk drawer.

Yes, of course.

I'm not sure about the car.

We'll know when we need it. Quite soon.

It depends. A few days possibly.

It is foggy at the moment, but it could get nicer.

This woman is crazy.

- The ladder fell. - How? Where?

The old woman thinks rain.

Take the other one. Quickly.

Nina.

Nina.

I know you can hear me.

And I you can understand that, surely.

Come on.

Let me see, Nina.

Yes.

It's going to be all right.

Are you coming with us?

No, I have a car to take me to Vienna. From there I'll go to Montevideo

and I'll come back as soon as I find a suitable clinic for Nina.

- When will that be? - I don't know.

Not too long. I shall resign my interest in Polish factories

and concentrate business in South America.

Is that because you think war might break out in Europe?

No, I don't believe so.

People are not so foolish. They will always find a compromise.

I admire your optimism.

I still have faith in the power of reason.

I didn't know how to live, what to do.

Sometimes it drove me crazy

thinking one day you might wake up again and find I wasn't there.

Then I heard you were dead.

Something died in me, too, Nina.

You only ever find a love like that once in your life.

God, Nina.

Forgive me.

MONTEVIDEO, 1945

Thank God it's all over.

- They've signed it. - What?

Surrender.

I shall have to go over there now.

To Europe?

Why?

We have business to attend to. I shall have to see.

Just is it safe?

There's talk of another war between Russia and the allies.

There will be no war.

What business is there?

Everything's been destroyed.

It could be a great deal to do.

Must you go?

Yes, I must.

But I'll be back in time.

Trust me.

POLAND

Do you want me to wait?

No, go on. Take your time.

That was in '41.

I still had my arm, then.

I lost it later during the Warsaw rising.

First, we heard rumors

that they were planning to liquidate the mentally ill.

Then one morning they arrived and ordered the staff off the premises.

I hid in one of the toilets

and I watched.

Can you imagine how it feels for a doctor to see his patients

being led away to their deaths?

Executing lunatics is fun.

Is that when Nina was killed?

I can't remember the date on the death certificate.

It arrived late, but I think it was your signature.

No. No, it must have been a German doctor's.

Do you want to know the details?

Only if she's suffered.

No more than the others.

I don't think she realized at first that it was the end.

When they opened fire she wasn't killed at once.

Only wounded.

And then, perhaps it was due to shock, there was a remission.

Like the time before.

She began to behave normally.

In good German, she asked the doctor for a dressing.

He was intrigued.

And after he had ordered her shot,

he dug out the case history

and himself performed an autopsy of the brain here on the spot.

He knew she wasn't Polish nd that she was protected by some law

but then, of course, no one here bothered with the law.

They burried her somewhere around here.

I don't know where.

The others...

The others we'd buried

over here.

But as for your wife...

I'm sorry.

I had hoped you'd know where she was buried.

I would have put up a cross or a stone with some writing.

Fire!

Halt!

Come out.

Come on now. Come!

Come on.

Subtitles: EJSAK COMPANY