Silent Friend (2025) Movie Script
Do you need a break?
Tenth floor.
Doors closing.
Going down.
The Silent Friend
Ginkgo biloba - 1832
- Your beer.
- Cheers!
- Cheers!
Hello.
Sorry I'm late.
I mixed up the restaurants.
Hello. My name is Jules.
I'll be assisting you
and translating if needed.
I'm doing a PhD in neurology,
and decided to explore
your field of research.
My Cantonese isn't great.
Sorry,
I got the job because I claimed
I spoke the language.
But I only speak it
with my grandmother.
I'm sure your Chinese is wonderful.
I'm a huge admirer
of your research.
- Excuse me.
Enjoy your meal.
Hello?
Oh, I forgot.
Tani, don't worry.
I just need a projector.
I've already ordered one.
What? No, don't.
I'll handle it.
Good morning!
Good morning!
The COVID-19 situation
continues to worsen.
Citizens and organisations
are determined to fight the virus
and provide all possible support
to Hong Kong.
We remain in constant contact
with medical...
- Right, let's continue. Bye.
- Bye.
Good morning.
The Linnaean system.
Carl Linnaeus was a Swedish botanist.
- Born in 1707...
- One moment.
First, we'd like to ask you
a few questions.
Forgive me, Professor,
but I understand you received
your higher education
at a prestigious institution
in Switzerland.
Tell me, did they also teach you
Latin there?
Yes, Professor. I graduated
top of my Latin class.
You seem inclined to say
more than necessary.
Am I right?
You clearly come from
a wealthy background,
considering your family could afford
to send you to Switzerland.
That's because, as esteemed professors
such as yourselves know,
Germany still has no institutes
for women.
"Still."
What a bold young woman fighting
for women's rights we have here today.
Well then,
if this prestigious institution
taught you more than housekeeping
and embroidery,
perhaps you can tell us
what Carl Linnaeus
was originally called.
Carl Nilsson Linnaeus.
Is that all?
Nothing more to say about him?
No, that's not all.
I'm simply waiting
for questions on the subject.
You seem rather irritated today,
Fraulein.
Or is this your usual tone?
Professor,
I'm respectfully awaiting questions.
Can you tell us the title
of Linnaeus's second work?
"Species Plantarum."
The full title is:
Correct. Excellent.
And what principle lies at the heart
of the Linnaean system?
What does he base
his plant classification on?
He distinguished plants
according to sex.
Based on this, he assigned species
Greek names.
- Monandria, Diandria, Polyandria.
- Wonderful.
You've prepared very well.
It's refreshing to see such knowledge.
Could you translate
those Greek terms for us?
Well, they refer
to the number of other plants
with which a plant comes into contact.
Could you be more specific?
- Monandria is when a plant...
- What? A plant?
- Actually, the original Greek term...
- Yes.
Are you interested
in the Linnaean system, Professor,
or Greek etymology?
Thomas, would you fetch the book
we're discussing?
Here it is, Professor.
Let's have a look.
I quote Linnaeus's words.
"The petals play no part
in plant reproduction.
They serve as the bridal bed,
so beautifully arranged by the Creator.
It is surrounded by rich curtains
and seductive scents,
so that bride and groom
may celebrate their wedding
with the greatest solemnity.
Once the bed is prepared,
the time will finally come
for the groom
to embrace the bride,
and for the bride
to surrender to the groom."
What?
Am I embarrassing you?
No.
No?
Well...
Since we are at a university,
not having coffee in a cafe,
we have no time for blushing.
Let's try this once again.
Monandria.
One man and one woman.
- Diandria.
- Two men and one woman.
Polyandria.
Twenty or more men
and one woman.
- That does happen, after all.
- Yes...
No doubt, quite an...
extensive experience.
Oh, those ancient Greeks.
So,
what do you think
of Linnaeus's approach?
He created a robust system
that helps us find our way
around the plant world.
Before, only random connections
were shown.
Or rather,
plants were studied in isolation.
Thanks to Linnaeus's approach,
each new species fits into a system.
New species become part
of one complex structure of relations.
"Structure of relations"?
Just listen to her,
esteemed colleagues!
It seems we have
a future scholar before us.
I'm not laughing at you at all.
I am entirely serious.
Take Johann Georg Siegesbeck,
for example.
Linnaeus's teacher
and an undisputed authority.
I quote.
"If eight, nine, ten, twelve,
or even twenty or more men
can be found
in bed with one woman,
while the beds of fallen women
stand all around,
so that married men may copulate,
and so on and so forth,
then it is very hard to believe
that God would allow such fornication
in the plant kingdom.
Who could explain such an indecent system
to our students
without provoking
public outrage?
What do you say,
dear Fraulein?
A future scholar
should have an opinion.
The idea was new,
and new ideas
always meet resistance.
Are you saying you have no objection
to promiscuity?
Perhaps you even practise it?
I'm not a plant.
Yes, you are right there.
You are more attractive.
Well?
Can she really be that clever?
Well, what topic did you get?
Women at university.
Unbelievable.
Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo biloba 1832
Fraulein, over here!
It's me.
- Who are you?
- I'm the assistant.
You were brilliant this morning.
The old man nearly burst
with anger
when his one-man show
failed to have the desired effect.
What are you talking about?
Oh...
You see, the professors
were horrified
that women were being admitted
to the university this year.
Yes, I noticed that too.
Eight girls applied.
Old Winterhalter prepared this topic
for all eight of them. No exceptions.
And what if one of us
had drawn a different topic?
One moment.
I'll show you. Here.
But that's illegal.
No one knows except them and me.
And now you as well.
We won't tell.
- Neither will you.
- Why not?
Because you got in.
Only you.
You're like a queen bee.
Three hundred and seventy subjects
at your disposal.
Why does he do it?
- The professor?
- Yes.
He's a bitter old fool.
His wife openly cheats on him,
and he lacks the courage to leave her.
We even have our own Linnaean system
showing who she's been with,
who she's with now,
and who she'll be with next.
It includes almost every man.
It's no secret.
Nothing for him to celebrate.
And he asked the other girls
to point out on the diagram
the parts corresponding
to female genitals.
You should've seen their faces.
Ginkgo biloba - 1832
Rainer Maria Rilke
"Duino Elegies"
What are you doing?
What does it look like?
This is my garden.
Since when?
I'm conducting botanical experiments.
But no one's forbidden
to lie here, right?
Lie wherever you like.
We'll split the garden later.
Oh, great.
I only plan on lying here.
Will you help me?
I don't feel like it.
No need to be rude.
Oh, really?
How did we get from "leave my garden alone"
to "why don't you help me"?
I was just asking.
And I don't like plants.
I see.
I'm only being polite.
I'm from the countryside.
So?
After school it was always the same:
I had to take care of plants.
And when it rained,
the whole village would rush out
to gather the potatoes,
cover the straw, stack the hay.
I got sick of it.
I also looked after animals.
Actually, I don't like animals either.
I've had enough of all of it.
Especially plants.
They leave me alone,
and I leave them alone.
They can grow
as much as they please.
What is the experiment about?
Breeding something?
See that geranium?
On the window.
It's mine.
A geranium?
That's rather ordinary.
I don't keep it for beauty,
but for science.
There are eighteen criteria.
My task is to understand
what plants perceive
and how they respond.
Something like that.
I want to repeat recent experiments
and see what happens.
Right.
They certainly seem to have a will.
You want
to discover their language?
Exactly.
It won't work.
You don't know the plan,
yet you're sure it won't work?
No, I...
It's just...
we're too different.
No matter how hard you try,
you still can't see ultraviolet light.
Our eyes aren't built for it.
Even if a signal exists,
there's no receiver for it.
So it's as if it doesn't exist.
- It's a good idea...
- Signals can be converted.
You're right.
It would be amazing to know
what clover thinks
before a horse steps on it.
But I doubt it's possible.
Doesn't it bother you?
They're here,
right beside us.
Watching us
and thinking who knows what.
Well, maybe not thinking, but still...
I feel very uneasy
when there's a plant nearby.
Like walking around naked
and suddenly realising people are staring.
Yeah. It's kind of frightening.
Very good.
Well done.
But let me show you something.
There, you see?
Thank you.
So, what do you think
of this assignment? Honestly.
I think it makes sense.
But you don't understand why?
No.
I hated this assignment.
But imagine standing in a forest
and suddenly noticing something incredible
that has never been described before.
You have two options. Rip the plant out,
but destroy the structure.
Or take it with clumps of soil,
and then it might survive
another week.
But thanks to chemicals
and this simple
equipment, you
can perform miracles.
When I worked in the Amazon...
You were there?
Twice.
I want to go to Indonesia.
I think she's interested in him...
"The best student."
Aren't you tired of it yet?
Of what?
Oh, come on!
No.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Touch your chest.
Close your eyes.
Feel yourself
in harmony with nature.
Close your eyes.
Feel the earth beneath your feet.
Step.
Step.
Open your arms.
Your feet touch the ground.
Stretch your chest upward.
Cross your arms.
Jump.
A gentle jump.
Arms and legs rise together.
Step and jump.
Step and jump.
Good.
Well done.
Let joy shine across your faces.
Step and jump.
Again.
Raise your arms to the sky.
Feel the impulse in your chest.
Well done.
See?
Good morning.
May I ask where the young lady
spent the night?
Here, in my room.
I just went for a walk.
Really? Just for a walk?
Yes, I walked in the garden.
But the garden opens in fifteen minutes.
- But I...
- If my daughter did that,
I'd beat her so hard
she'd regret being born.
I'm sorry.
What? What's that?
What's in the bundle?
Look!
A bedsheet. See? Here.
My mother embroidered it for me,
and now some young lady
wanders through the forest with it.
- Frau Mayer...
- A proper lady, mind you.
And behaving worse than a dog.
Enough, Hanna.
There's no need to shout!
No need to shout... She lives with us
and runs into the woods to spread her legs!
Frau Mayer, I didn't...
And what if the police
bring you home, hmm?
Then what? What will I tell your parents?
They entrusted you to me.
And what if you get pregnant, hmm?
Hanna, the children!
Right, out! Get out!
Don't listen.
You too, Klaus, out!
The last thing I need
is for you to learn bad habits.
I'll explain.
It's a terrible misunderstanding.
- I didn't do anything in the park.
- Leave.
Pack your things
and leave.
...always shows...
Excuse me.
Assistant wanted
in exchange for room and board.
Hello?
My dear lady,
please forgive me.
I decided to take a break.
Now, how can I help you?
- Well, actually...
- A portrait?
As a keepsake for someone.
I have very beautiful backdrops.
- But I...
- May I show them to you?
Get down, little one.
We have a visitor, darling.
There we go, don't be afraid.
Yes.
This is not a toy.
Please.
Sit over there, in the chair.
And place one of your lovely legs
on the stool, please.
How did you become a photographer?
Me?
No one has ever asked me that.
Well, I'll tell you the truth.
I had weak lungs,
so I was discharged.
Then I discovered
this craft.
I built my first camera myself.
There.
What are you doing?
Moving the lamp.
- Why? What's the difference?
- Only a photographer would know.
- I doubt you...
- But I'm interested.
Well... if I place
the lamp beside the camera,
everything will be lit evenly.
Your little face will look flat,
as if,
forgive the metaphor,
someone had cut it
out of dough with scissors.
But if...
If, for example...
Come stand by the camera
and I'll sit in the chair.
You see?
See the long shadow
the nose casts?
Yes.
Or this.
There.
Well, you see?
Yes.
Look.
There.
Tell me, what does an assistant do?
Good evening.
Why are you doing here,
dear Frulein,
at this hour?
- I came to...
- Come in. Go ahead.
What do you want?
But I already told you:
I'll be your assistant.
My dear Frulein,
surely you didn't really think I...
How could I possibly hire you
as my assistant? I thought you were joking.
I wasn't joking. Why would I?
We came to an agreement,
didn't we?
This is madness!
Get this idea out of your head.
Go home at once.
It's very late.
I...
If you're working
on a sensitive area,
take a deep breath
and don't breathe again
until you're done.
Appearance matters even to those
who deny it.
Sometimes I can even straighten a nose.
Or make a broad face narrower.
With men it's important
to remove moles
without making the face too smooth.
Like a baby's bottom.
Sorry, I always say that.
Goethe
"The Metamorphosis of Plants"
- And you?
- Biopsychology.
I'm returning it.
- You've read it already?
- Yes.
So, are you going?
Yes. Why not? It'll be warm.
- Well, bye.
- Bye.
- Bye.
- Ciao.
- Hi.
- Hi.
- So?
- So?
What are you doing?
Reading.
Yeah.
Cool.
Well, see you later.
- At home.
- Mm-hm.
- Keep reading. - Bye.
- Bye.
Wait.
Well?
How are things?
- Wonderful. I'm finishing up.
- Good.
We all deceive ourselves,
Frulein Greta,
into believing
that photographs reflect reality.
Rather, they are a tool
that allows us
to study ourselves.
And that tool requires care,
Frulein Greta.
Care for a camera means,
above all, using it.
Otherwise, it's finished.
I wanted to ask you
to take care of it.
Now.
See the lock? You have to open it.
See?
Right. Here we adjust the focus.
This is the shutter.
Then you press.
- Hi.
- Hi.
I put the kettle on.
The filters are up top.
- Where?
- To the right.
Further right.
Further right.
Thanks.
How many spoons?
Well, six.
How much?
Stop.
- So, any progress with the plants?
- Yes.
What?
I found something that might help.
Right.
I'll read it.
"Everything is merely a leaf,
and in that simplicity lies infinite diversity..."
- Goethe?
- Mm-hm.
Goethe... You don't get it, Hannes.
I... I'm working on something new.
And an eighteenth-century poet
has nothing to do with it.
I see. Right.
Yeah.
Want to see the geranium?
My project.
Pretty?
Mm-hm. Very.
And he quoted Goethe too.
Yeah.
- And what...
- Don't touch it.
It's a sensor.
And what does the sensor do?
It converts reactions into a kind of
language that can be read.
Mm-hm.
Full moon.
Cool.
Yeah.
Hey!
Come on, Hannes!
- Watch out!
- Why?
- You...
- What?
Hannes, you're such an idiot.
Yeah...
If they don't meet the demands,
nothing will change.
Hannes, say something.
We simply have no other choice.
- Guys!
- Hi!
Personally, I think we could easily
strike until the end of the year.
There are things far more important
than getting some kind of education.
Exactly.
I can't ignore this.
- This shouldn't be happening.
- Agreed.
Look, an owl.
Hear it?
There it is.
- Where?
- There.
An owl.
An owl? Where's the owl?
Hey, come on!
What's wrong?
I don't want to.
I see.
But why?
Leave him alone. He said he doesn't want to.
So it's not about ideology then?
Are you still going on?
Relax. Feel the freedom.
Don't worry about what
your mummy and daddy might think.
You sound just like a pastor.
What?
You think smoking is cool.
A pastor thinks that about Jesus.
Amen.
- That was great!
- You're unbelievable!
Got one?
You were asking for it.
Want some potatoes?
They're cold.
Here.
Thanks. Yeah.
- Thanks.
- You're welcome.
Oh, it's hitting me.
Let's take a break!
Want to have sex?
Uh... What?
Do you want to?
If you want to,
I don't mind at all.
I don't think I...
Don't you like me?
No... I mean, yes.
- I...
- Are you a virgin?
What are you talking about? I...
- Am I wrong?
- No.
I heard that you...
No.
Pass me the potatoes?
Thanks.
What's wrong?
Nothing.
The wind roars fiercely
Almost stopping time
in your gaze
Oh, poor soul of mine
That finds no peace
except in your gaze
Clear is your still water
Like the sky I gave you
The sky that now turns crimson
That makes the soul break
Don't touch her.
Come in to water her.
As if I'd come into your room.
I'm coming.
Every four days.
That rarely?
You're the expert.
I don't want her getting used to it.
She mustn't become attached.
For the project,
the bond has to be with me.
Alright.
The machine works by itself,
so don't touch it.
And here, do you see the value?
Mm-hm.
Enter it here,
in the correct colour.
And what do the colours mean?
Red is good,
blue isn't so good.
The rest should be clear.
Also, don't smoke.
And don't let anyone in here.
That's it.
Oh, and don't water
when the sun is shining.
The leaves will burn
because of the water.
Check the soil.
If it's dry, water it.
Got it.
Well, that's everything.
Alright.
Bye.
Good luck.
Thanks.
I'll walk you out.
Got everything?
Water the geranium,
water the garden. Got it.
- Well, we're leaving you alone.
- It's fine.
- Bye.
- Bye.
- We have to go. Come on.
- Coming.
- Good luck!
- You too!
Damn it!
Ten pfennigs.
Hello.
Hi.
I just wanted to see how you were.
Maybe you're very lonely
on campus?
Lonely?
Come on.
And you?
Oh, we're all fine, thanks.
You're all alone on campus.
Isn't it hard
being so isolated?
Not really.
Jules... Sorry.
Sorry.
Sorry.
You didn't call
for no reason, did you?
The dean called me this morning. She...
She asked me to say
she's worried about your health.
You can tell her
everything's fine.
I hope I'm not causing
any inconvenience here.
To be honest, she asked me
to talk to you.
About what?
- Good boy.
- What are we eating?
I've prepared a list
of what I need.
Please go to the neurology
and biochemistry labs.
Professor...
I can't help you.
- You have access.
- No.
Students wanted
for an expedition to the East Indies.
- Put it here!
- Yeah!
Stick another one up there.
- Quick!
- Move it!
- Hurry up!
- Put up a few more!
- Hurry!
The Germanists are more involved
than anyone. That's not even debated.
They're already with us.
- Where are you going?
- Out.
Out?
We're on strike here.
What?
Listen, we have to stay here.
We move when our demands
are met.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
This matters.
What's so important at 4 a.m.?
Care to explain?
I have to water the garden.
Before sunrise.
- Water the garden? What?
- What nonsense is this?
Forget it, it doesn't matter.
But I have to go.
Why do you have to water it
before sunrise?
At least do you have beer?
- What an idiot!
- Wait.
Hey, wait!
Where are you going?
- Keep up!
- Come on, hurry up!
Stop! Police!
Easy, easy, calm down!
Cops!
Hey!
Sit here.
We've got a spot for you here,
sit down.
- Beer? - Sure.
- Go offer him one.
Come sit down and relax.
Hannes!
Leave him alone!
Just leave him alone.
- More cider?
- Cider. - Cider.
He's a serious scientist.
What are you doing over there?
Come join us.
Hi!
He's completely lost it.
Out!
- Hey, relax, calm down!
- Come on! - Let me go!
Get out! All of you!
- What's wrong with you? - What's gotten into you?
- Come on, calm down!
Instead of getting angry,
tell us what you're working on!
Out!
- What's the big deal?
- What's wrong?
- Hannes!
- Idiots!
Seriously?
- Hey!
- What got into him?
To hell with the strike!
- What an idiot.
- Hey, what's wrong with you?
- Out!
- Alright, alright, we're going.
Screw you and your flowers!
Easy, easy!
Hi.
Hey, wait! Want to celebrate?
- No.
- Don't worry, it's good.
- I don't want any.
- Plum!
- I don't want any.
- Why not?
Well, what a surprise!
I want to join the expedition.
I've trained in photography,
I could be useful.
Really?
Would you sit with us?
- I came to...
- Oh, come on.
Sit down.
Don't be afraid.
They're even more awkward than you are.
Cheers!
- So you're a photographer?
- Yes.
- Properly trained?
- Mm-hm.
Sorry.
Open - Closed
Hi, Hannes, how's my geranium?
Peter asked me out.
Do you think I should say yes?
Gundula.
You've reached Alice Savage.
Please leave a message.
I'd like to show you something.
Please.
Thank you.
Enjoy your meal.
My favourite dish. Since childhood.
"Heaven and Earth." That's its name.
"Heaven and Earth."
- "Heaven and Earth."
- Heaven and Earth.
Good?
I'm sorry for my behaviour
and for causing you inconvenience.
I assume you understand that scientific
experiments can be strange.
I can explain everything to you.
Eat. It'll get cold otherwise.
From Professor Alice Savage
to Professor Tony Wong.
Good luck with the pollen!
Alice.
We'll have to wait.
We'll have to wait.
Over every mountaintop
there is peace
In all the treetops
you can feel
Hardly a breath
Over every mountaintop
there is peace
In all the treetops
you can feel
Hardly a breath
The little birds are silent in the forest
Just wait, soon
You too shall rest
One and the Same
One and the Same
One and the Same
One and the Same
One and the Same
One and the Same
One and the Same
In loving memory
of Karl Baumgartner
Tenth floor.
Doors closing.
Going down.
The Silent Friend
Ginkgo biloba - 1832
- Your beer.
- Cheers!
- Cheers!
Hello.
Sorry I'm late.
I mixed up the restaurants.
Hello. My name is Jules.
I'll be assisting you
and translating if needed.
I'm doing a PhD in neurology,
and decided to explore
your field of research.
My Cantonese isn't great.
Sorry,
I got the job because I claimed
I spoke the language.
But I only speak it
with my grandmother.
I'm sure your Chinese is wonderful.
I'm a huge admirer
of your research.
- Excuse me.
Enjoy your meal.
Hello?
Oh, I forgot.
Tani, don't worry.
I just need a projector.
I've already ordered one.
What? No, don't.
I'll handle it.
Good morning!
Good morning!
The COVID-19 situation
continues to worsen.
Citizens and organisations
are determined to fight the virus
and provide all possible support
to Hong Kong.
We remain in constant contact
with medical...
- Right, let's continue. Bye.
- Bye.
Good morning.
The Linnaean system.
Carl Linnaeus was a Swedish botanist.
- Born in 1707...
- One moment.
First, we'd like to ask you
a few questions.
Forgive me, Professor,
but I understand you received
your higher education
at a prestigious institution
in Switzerland.
Tell me, did they also teach you
Latin there?
Yes, Professor. I graduated
top of my Latin class.
You seem inclined to say
more than necessary.
Am I right?
You clearly come from
a wealthy background,
considering your family could afford
to send you to Switzerland.
That's because, as esteemed professors
such as yourselves know,
Germany still has no institutes
for women.
"Still."
What a bold young woman fighting
for women's rights we have here today.
Well then,
if this prestigious institution
taught you more than housekeeping
and embroidery,
perhaps you can tell us
what Carl Linnaeus
was originally called.
Carl Nilsson Linnaeus.
Is that all?
Nothing more to say about him?
No, that's not all.
I'm simply waiting
for questions on the subject.
You seem rather irritated today,
Fraulein.
Or is this your usual tone?
Professor,
I'm respectfully awaiting questions.
Can you tell us the title
of Linnaeus's second work?
"Species Plantarum."
The full title is:
Correct. Excellent.
And what principle lies at the heart
of the Linnaean system?
What does he base
his plant classification on?
He distinguished plants
according to sex.
Based on this, he assigned species
Greek names.
- Monandria, Diandria, Polyandria.
- Wonderful.
You've prepared very well.
It's refreshing to see such knowledge.
Could you translate
those Greek terms for us?
Well, they refer
to the number of other plants
with which a plant comes into contact.
Could you be more specific?
- Monandria is when a plant...
- What? A plant?
- Actually, the original Greek term...
- Yes.
Are you interested
in the Linnaean system, Professor,
or Greek etymology?
Thomas, would you fetch the book
we're discussing?
Here it is, Professor.
Let's have a look.
I quote Linnaeus's words.
"The petals play no part
in plant reproduction.
They serve as the bridal bed,
so beautifully arranged by the Creator.
It is surrounded by rich curtains
and seductive scents,
so that bride and groom
may celebrate their wedding
with the greatest solemnity.
Once the bed is prepared,
the time will finally come
for the groom
to embrace the bride,
and for the bride
to surrender to the groom."
What?
Am I embarrassing you?
No.
No?
Well...
Since we are at a university,
not having coffee in a cafe,
we have no time for blushing.
Let's try this once again.
Monandria.
One man and one woman.
- Diandria.
- Two men and one woman.
Polyandria.
Twenty or more men
and one woman.
- That does happen, after all.
- Yes...
No doubt, quite an...
extensive experience.
Oh, those ancient Greeks.
So,
what do you think
of Linnaeus's approach?
He created a robust system
that helps us find our way
around the plant world.
Before, only random connections
were shown.
Or rather,
plants were studied in isolation.
Thanks to Linnaeus's approach,
each new species fits into a system.
New species become part
of one complex structure of relations.
"Structure of relations"?
Just listen to her,
esteemed colleagues!
It seems we have
a future scholar before us.
I'm not laughing at you at all.
I am entirely serious.
Take Johann Georg Siegesbeck,
for example.
Linnaeus's teacher
and an undisputed authority.
I quote.
"If eight, nine, ten, twelve,
or even twenty or more men
can be found
in bed with one woman,
while the beds of fallen women
stand all around,
so that married men may copulate,
and so on and so forth,
then it is very hard to believe
that God would allow such fornication
in the plant kingdom.
Who could explain such an indecent system
to our students
without provoking
public outrage?
What do you say,
dear Fraulein?
A future scholar
should have an opinion.
The idea was new,
and new ideas
always meet resistance.
Are you saying you have no objection
to promiscuity?
Perhaps you even practise it?
I'm not a plant.
Yes, you are right there.
You are more attractive.
Well?
Can she really be that clever?
Well, what topic did you get?
Women at university.
Unbelievable.
Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo biloba 1832
Fraulein, over here!
It's me.
- Who are you?
- I'm the assistant.
You were brilliant this morning.
The old man nearly burst
with anger
when his one-man show
failed to have the desired effect.
What are you talking about?
Oh...
You see, the professors
were horrified
that women were being admitted
to the university this year.
Yes, I noticed that too.
Eight girls applied.
Old Winterhalter prepared this topic
for all eight of them. No exceptions.
And what if one of us
had drawn a different topic?
One moment.
I'll show you. Here.
But that's illegal.
No one knows except them and me.
And now you as well.
We won't tell.
- Neither will you.
- Why not?
Because you got in.
Only you.
You're like a queen bee.
Three hundred and seventy subjects
at your disposal.
Why does he do it?
- The professor?
- Yes.
He's a bitter old fool.
His wife openly cheats on him,
and he lacks the courage to leave her.
We even have our own Linnaean system
showing who she's been with,
who she's with now,
and who she'll be with next.
It includes almost every man.
It's no secret.
Nothing for him to celebrate.
And he asked the other girls
to point out on the diagram
the parts corresponding
to female genitals.
You should've seen their faces.
Ginkgo biloba - 1832
Rainer Maria Rilke
"Duino Elegies"
What are you doing?
What does it look like?
This is my garden.
Since when?
I'm conducting botanical experiments.
But no one's forbidden
to lie here, right?
Lie wherever you like.
We'll split the garden later.
Oh, great.
I only plan on lying here.
Will you help me?
I don't feel like it.
No need to be rude.
Oh, really?
How did we get from "leave my garden alone"
to "why don't you help me"?
I was just asking.
And I don't like plants.
I see.
I'm only being polite.
I'm from the countryside.
So?
After school it was always the same:
I had to take care of plants.
And when it rained,
the whole village would rush out
to gather the potatoes,
cover the straw, stack the hay.
I got sick of it.
I also looked after animals.
Actually, I don't like animals either.
I've had enough of all of it.
Especially plants.
They leave me alone,
and I leave them alone.
They can grow
as much as they please.
What is the experiment about?
Breeding something?
See that geranium?
On the window.
It's mine.
A geranium?
That's rather ordinary.
I don't keep it for beauty,
but for science.
There are eighteen criteria.
My task is to understand
what plants perceive
and how they respond.
Something like that.
I want to repeat recent experiments
and see what happens.
Right.
They certainly seem to have a will.
You want
to discover their language?
Exactly.
It won't work.
You don't know the plan,
yet you're sure it won't work?
No, I...
It's just...
we're too different.
No matter how hard you try,
you still can't see ultraviolet light.
Our eyes aren't built for it.
Even if a signal exists,
there's no receiver for it.
So it's as if it doesn't exist.
- It's a good idea...
- Signals can be converted.
You're right.
It would be amazing to know
what clover thinks
before a horse steps on it.
But I doubt it's possible.
Doesn't it bother you?
They're here,
right beside us.
Watching us
and thinking who knows what.
Well, maybe not thinking, but still...
I feel very uneasy
when there's a plant nearby.
Like walking around naked
and suddenly realising people are staring.
Yeah. It's kind of frightening.
Very good.
Well done.
But let me show you something.
There, you see?
Thank you.
So, what do you think
of this assignment? Honestly.
I think it makes sense.
But you don't understand why?
No.
I hated this assignment.
But imagine standing in a forest
and suddenly noticing something incredible
that has never been described before.
You have two options. Rip the plant out,
but destroy the structure.
Or take it with clumps of soil,
and then it might survive
another week.
But thanks to chemicals
and this simple
equipment, you
can perform miracles.
When I worked in the Amazon...
You were there?
Twice.
I want to go to Indonesia.
I think she's interested in him...
"The best student."
Aren't you tired of it yet?
Of what?
Oh, come on!
No.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Touch your chest.
Close your eyes.
Feel yourself
in harmony with nature.
Close your eyes.
Feel the earth beneath your feet.
Step.
Step.
Open your arms.
Your feet touch the ground.
Stretch your chest upward.
Cross your arms.
Jump.
A gentle jump.
Arms and legs rise together.
Step and jump.
Step and jump.
Good.
Well done.
Let joy shine across your faces.
Step and jump.
Again.
Raise your arms to the sky.
Feel the impulse in your chest.
Well done.
See?
Good morning.
May I ask where the young lady
spent the night?
Here, in my room.
I just went for a walk.
Really? Just for a walk?
Yes, I walked in the garden.
But the garden opens in fifteen minutes.
- But I...
- If my daughter did that,
I'd beat her so hard
she'd regret being born.
I'm sorry.
What? What's that?
What's in the bundle?
Look!
A bedsheet. See? Here.
My mother embroidered it for me,
and now some young lady
wanders through the forest with it.
- Frau Mayer...
- A proper lady, mind you.
And behaving worse than a dog.
Enough, Hanna.
There's no need to shout!
No need to shout... She lives with us
and runs into the woods to spread her legs!
Frau Mayer, I didn't...
And what if the police
bring you home, hmm?
Then what? What will I tell your parents?
They entrusted you to me.
And what if you get pregnant, hmm?
Hanna, the children!
Right, out! Get out!
Don't listen.
You too, Klaus, out!
The last thing I need
is for you to learn bad habits.
I'll explain.
It's a terrible misunderstanding.
- I didn't do anything in the park.
- Leave.
Pack your things
and leave.
...always shows...
Excuse me.
Assistant wanted
in exchange for room and board.
Hello?
My dear lady,
please forgive me.
I decided to take a break.
Now, how can I help you?
- Well, actually...
- A portrait?
As a keepsake for someone.
I have very beautiful backdrops.
- But I...
- May I show them to you?
Get down, little one.
We have a visitor, darling.
There we go, don't be afraid.
Yes.
This is not a toy.
Please.
Sit over there, in the chair.
And place one of your lovely legs
on the stool, please.
How did you become a photographer?
Me?
No one has ever asked me that.
Well, I'll tell you the truth.
I had weak lungs,
so I was discharged.
Then I discovered
this craft.
I built my first camera myself.
There.
What are you doing?
Moving the lamp.
- Why? What's the difference?
- Only a photographer would know.
- I doubt you...
- But I'm interested.
Well... if I place
the lamp beside the camera,
everything will be lit evenly.
Your little face will look flat,
as if,
forgive the metaphor,
someone had cut it
out of dough with scissors.
But if...
If, for example...
Come stand by the camera
and I'll sit in the chair.
You see?
See the long shadow
the nose casts?
Yes.
Or this.
There.
Well, you see?
Yes.
Look.
There.
Tell me, what does an assistant do?
Good evening.
Why are you doing here,
dear Frulein,
at this hour?
- I came to...
- Come in. Go ahead.
What do you want?
But I already told you:
I'll be your assistant.
My dear Frulein,
surely you didn't really think I...
How could I possibly hire you
as my assistant? I thought you were joking.
I wasn't joking. Why would I?
We came to an agreement,
didn't we?
This is madness!
Get this idea out of your head.
Go home at once.
It's very late.
I...
If you're working
on a sensitive area,
take a deep breath
and don't breathe again
until you're done.
Appearance matters even to those
who deny it.
Sometimes I can even straighten a nose.
Or make a broad face narrower.
With men it's important
to remove moles
without making the face too smooth.
Like a baby's bottom.
Sorry, I always say that.
Goethe
"The Metamorphosis of Plants"
- And you?
- Biopsychology.
I'm returning it.
- You've read it already?
- Yes.
So, are you going?
Yes. Why not? It'll be warm.
- Well, bye.
- Bye.
- Bye.
- Ciao.
- Hi.
- Hi.
- So?
- So?
What are you doing?
Reading.
Yeah.
Cool.
Well, see you later.
- At home.
- Mm-hm.
- Keep reading. - Bye.
- Bye.
Wait.
Well?
How are things?
- Wonderful. I'm finishing up.
- Good.
We all deceive ourselves,
Frulein Greta,
into believing
that photographs reflect reality.
Rather, they are a tool
that allows us
to study ourselves.
And that tool requires care,
Frulein Greta.
Care for a camera means,
above all, using it.
Otherwise, it's finished.
I wanted to ask you
to take care of it.
Now.
See the lock? You have to open it.
See?
Right. Here we adjust the focus.
This is the shutter.
Then you press.
- Hi.
- Hi.
I put the kettle on.
The filters are up top.
- Where?
- To the right.
Further right.
Further right.
Thanks.
How many spoons?
Well, six.
How much?
Stop.
- So, any progress with the plants?
- Yes.
What?
I found something that might help.
Right.
I'll read it.
"Everything is merely a leaf,
and in that simplicity lies infinite diversity..."
- Goethe?
- Mm-hm.
Goethe... You don't get it, Hannes.
I... I'm working on something new.
And an eighteenth-century poet
has nothing to do with it.
I see. Right.
Yeah.
Want to see the geranium?
My project.
Pretty?
Mm-hm. Very.
And he quoted Goethe too.
Yeah.
- And what...
- Don't touch it.
It's a sensor.
And what does the sensor do?
It converts reactions into a kind of
language that can be read.
Mm-hm.
Full moon.
Cool.
Yeah.
Hey!
Come on, Hannes!
- Watch out!
- Why?
- You...
- What?
Hannes, you're such an idiot.
Yeah...
If they don't meet the demands,
nothing will change.
Hannes, say something.
We simply have no other choice.
- Guys!
- Hi!
Personally, I think we could easily
strike until the end of the year.
There are things far more important
than getting some kind of education.
Exactly.
I can't ignore this.
- This shouldn't be happening.
- Agreed.
Look, an owl.
Hear it?
There it is.
- Where?
- There.
An owl.
An owl? Where's the owl?
Hey, come on!
What's wrong?
I don't want to.
I see.
But why?
Leave him alone. He said he doesn't want to.
So it's not about ideology then?
Are you still going on?
Relax. Feel the freedom.
Don't worry about what
your mummy and daddy might think.
You sound just like a pastor.
What?
You think smoking is cool.
A pastor thinks that about Jesus.
Amen.
- That was great!
- You're unbelievable!
Got one?
You were asking for it.
Want some potatoes?
They're cold.
Here.
Thanks. Yeah.
- Thanks.
- You're welcome.
Oh, it's hitting me.
Let's take a break!
Want to have sex?
Uh... What?
Do you want to?
If you want to,
I don't mind at all.
I don't think I...
Don't you like me?
No... I mean, yes.
- I...
- Are you a virgin?
What are you talking about? I...
- Am I wrong?
- No.
I heard that you...
No.
Pass me the potatoes?
Thanks.
What's wrong?
Nothing.
The wind roars fiercely
Almost stopping time
in your gaze
Oh, poor soul of mine
That finds no peace
except in your gaze
Clear is your still water
Like the sky I gave you
The sky that now turns crimson
That makes the soul break
Don't touch her.
Come in to water her.
As if I'd come into your room.
I'm coming.
Every four days.
That rarely?
You're the expert.
I don't want her getting used to it.
She mustn't become attached.
For the project,
the bond has to be with me.
Alright.
The machine works by itself,
so don't touch it.
And here, do you see the value?
Mm-hm.
Enter it here,
in the correct colour.
And what do the colours mean?
Red is good,
blue isn't so good.
The rest should be clear.
Also, don't smoke.
And don't let anyone in here.
That's it.
Oh, and don't water
when the sun is shining.
The leaves will burn
because of the water.
Check the soil.
If it's dry, water it.
Got it.
Well, that's everything.
Alright.
Bye.
Good luck.
Thanks.
I'll walk you out.
Got everything?
Water the geranium,
water the garden. Got it.
- Well, we're leaving you alone.
- It's fine.
- Bye.
- Bye.
- We have to go. Come on.
- Coming.
- Good luck!
- You too!
Damn it!
Ten pfennigs.
Hello.
Hi.
I just wanted to see how you were.
Maybe you're very lonely
on campus?
Lonely?
Come on.
And you?
Oh, we're all fine, thanks.
You're all alone on campus.
Isn't it hard
being so isolated?
Not really.
Jules... Sorry.
Sorry.
Sorry.
You didn't call
for no reason, did you?
The dean called me this morning. She...
She asked me to say
she's worried about your health.
You can tell her
everything's fine.
I hope I'm not causing
any inconvenience here.
To be honest, she asked me
to talk to you.
About what?
- Good boy.
- What are we eating?
I've prepared a list
of what I need.
Please go to the neurology
and biochemistry labs.
Professor...
I can't help you.
- You have access.
- No.
Students wanted
for an expedition to the East Indies.
- Put it here!
- Yeah!
Stick another one up there.
- Quick!
- Move it!
- Hurry up!
- Put up a few more!
- Hurry!
The Germanists are more involved
than anyone. That's not even debated.
They're already with us.
- Where are you going?
- Out.
Out?
We're on strike here.
What?
Listen, we have to stay here.
We move when our demands
are met.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
This matters.
What's so important at 4 a.m.?
Care to explain?
I have to water the garden.
Before sunrise.
- Water the garden? What?
- What nonsense is this?
Forget it, it doesn't matter.
But I have to go.
Why do you have to water it
before sunrise?
At least do you have beer?
- What an idiot!
- Wait.
Hey, wait!
Where are you going?
- Keep up!
- Come on, hurry up!
Stop! Police!
Easy, easy, calm down!
Cops!
Hey!
Sit here.
We've got a spot for you here,
sit down.
- Beer? - Sure.
- Go offer him one.
Come sit down and relax.
Hannes!
Leave him alone!
Just leave him alone.
- More cider?
- Cider. - Cider.
He's a serious scientist.
What are you doing over there?
Come join us.
Hi!
He's completely lost it.
Out!
- Hey, relax, calm down!
- Come on! - Let me go!
Get out! All of you!
- What's wrong with you? - What's gotten into you?
- Come on, calm down!
Instead of getting angry,
tell us what you're working on!
Out!
- What's the big deal?
- What's wrong?
- Hannes!
- Idiots!
Seriously?
- Hey!
- What got into him?
To hell with the strike!
- What an idiot.
- Hey, what's wrong with you?
- Out!
- Alright, alright, we're going.
Screw you and your flowers!
Easy, easy!
Hi.
Hey, wait! Want to celebrate?
- No.
- Don't worry, it's good.
- I don't want any.
- Plum!
- I don't want any.
- Why not?
Well, what a surprise!
I want to join the expedition.
I've trained in photography,
I could be useful.
Really?
Would you sit with us?
- I came to...
- Oh, come on.
Sit down.
Don't be afraid.
They're even more awkward than you are.
Cheers!
- So you're a photographer?
- Yes.
- Properly trained?
- Mm-hm.
Sorry.
Open - Closed
Hi, Hannes, how's my geranium?
Peter asked me out.
Do you think I should say yes?
Gundula.
You've reached Alice Savage.
Please leave a message.
I'd like to show you something.
Please.
Thank you.
Enjoy your meal.
My favourite dish. Since childhood.
"Heaven and Earth." That's its name.
"Heaven and Earth."
- "Heaven and Earth."
- Heaven and Earth.
Good?
I'm sorry for my behaviour
and for causing you inconvenience.
I assume you understand that scientific
experiments can be strange.
I can explain everything to you.
Eat. It'll get cold otherwise.
From Professor Alice Savage
to Professor Tony Wong.
Good luck with the pollen!
Alice.
We'll have to wait.
We'll have to wait.
Over every mountaintop
there is peace
In all the treetops
you can feel
Hardly a breath
Over every mountaintop
there is peace
In all the treetops
you can feel
Hardly a breath
The little birds are silent in the forest
Just wait, soon
You too shall rest
One and the Same
One and the Same
One and the Same
One and the Same
One and the Same
One and the Same
One and the Same
In loving memory
of Karl Baumgartner