The Aryan Papers (2026) Movie Script

1
- Hi. You must be Helga.
I'm Erin.
Part of the documentary crew.
How was your journey?
It's lovely to meet you.
- Let's get this done.
- Yeah. That's good.
- Can I...
Can I get you something?
- No.
- Okay.
I don't think she
likes me very much.
- Ooh.
They, uh, gave you
everything you need.
- Yes. Thank you.
- Uh, we haven't been
formally introduced.
Uri Glou.
True accord consists of not
merely forgetting the past.
- Helga. My name is
Helga Bahlmann.
- All of us who are members
of the Germanic peoples
can be happy and thankful
that once in thousands
of years,
fate has given us, from among
the Germanic peoples,
such a genius, a leader,
our Fhrer, Adolf Hitler
and you should be happy to
be allowed to work with us.
Heinrich Himmler.
- I know who said it.
- We're ready.
- Don't watch the clock.
Just do what it does.
Keep going.
- Why would I be angry
with this child?
Her immaturity shone
through as she was so young.
Or should I not forgive
her childish behaviour?
Could faults be
found in the horror
or the monster she
was becoming
when she realised
but didn't say no?
Curiosity and fate spoke more
directly to her than conscience.
- My feelings can...
perhaps be imagined,
but they can hardly
be described.
- Have I tried to forgive myself
for doing all those things?
Would it have made
any difference?
- Leave your confessional
for others to judge.
- Show her around
- Helga.
- Giselle.
- Where are they going?
- Patrol.
- Let's find you a room.
- Don't look.
- It's the Strasburg's.
- They are not
concerned with us.
We're fine.
They've got three
children William,
maybe I should bring
them some food.
- My love.
We spoke about this.
It does not pay to get
involved with these things.
- The Meyers said
they're building something
in Flossenburg.
Well, perhaps the Meyers
should pay more attention
to their business.
Last time I was in there,
it took me almost ten minutes
to get a loaf of bread.
This is why the soldiers
come in the night.
- It could be like Dachau...
another concentration camp.
Emily, stop,
we do not know these things.
These thoughts are bad for you.
Too many of them voiced out
loud will scare the children.
Look as bad as you.
- Judith, what are you
doing out of bed?
- I heard screaming outside.
- Come on.
See?
Your brother's asleep.
- He's not asleep.
He's just pretending,
trying to get me in trouble.
- Come on.
Don't forget Teddy Scrumpkins.
He needs his sleep, too.
Are you scared, mummy,
because we're Jewish?
- Now what sort of a person
would tell you
something like that?
All right.
As you're a very
clever little girl,
you're forcing me to tell you.
Your grandfather was German,
and now that's all anyone knows
or thinks about when they shop
in your father's store.
We're an essential business.
- But the Stromberg's
are Jewish.
- Well, the Stromberg's
aren't us.
Sleep time now.
- Night, mummy.
- Good night, my baby.
Good night, Teddy Scrumpkins.
Mwah.
- Aunt Janine makes the
best apple strudel.
- Strudel
is only for Passover.
It's a sin to eat it
apart from then.
- Of course it's not a sin.
You couldn't eat it all
before the holiday ended,
unless you were a pig.
- Seven days and eight nights.
Anything left after
that is spoiled.
- Grandmother puts extra
sugar in her strudel,
which is cheating because
it stays better for longer,
and I don't like it,
it's too sweet for me.
- I actually prefer
grandmother's strudel.
All the others are too tart.
- Benjamin, stop using
words I don't understand.
- Um, can we take a break?
- We can't stop yet.
We need to keep walking another
couple of miles at least.
- Miles is a lot of walking.
I have shorter legs than you.
- Um, how much further,
can you guess?
- That's not
important right now.
What is important is that we
get as much distance covered
as we can before dark.
Benjamin, remember, you
need to make it last, okay?
- Why didn't you bring more?
- Come on, let's get going.
- Going where?
Do you even know
where we are going?
- I think, um,
maybe we need to head
down to the river.
We can find a
crossing from there.
- I can't swim.
- Won't the bridge
have checkpoints?
You said to avoid checkpoints.
- Benjamin, look,
I'm trying here.
We'll figure something out,
I promise you.
- I'm not filled with a
lot of confidence, Gisella.
- Be nice to her, Benjamin,
please.
- Ssh.
- I'm scared.
- Are they here for us?
- No. At least I...
I hope not.
- Mr. Stromberg, the baker.
- We know this man.
- Come. We need to hide quickly.
- They have teddy Scrumpkins.
- Don't look.
- Are you okay?
- I'll be fine.
- They took Teddy Scrumpkins.
- I...I'm sorry.
I'll get you another one.
- It won't be the same.
I had Teddy Scrumpkins forever.
- We need to travel quickly.
We're still far too
close to the town.
- They got teddy Scrumpkins.
- Why did you leave him there?
They almost found us.
- I'm sorry.
- We cannot be caught.
Not now, not out here,
do you understand me?
- Yes. I'm sorry.
- Don't be sorry.
It's okay.
You didn't ask for any
of this, Benjamin.
None of us did.
Come with me quickly.
Go!
- A Spanish fraulein.
- A Franco soldier.
- Spain should be on the list.
- Now now, Sergeant.
No need to make
our guest nervous.
You are part of the
program, my little angel.
This is just my way
of instilling in you
the benefits of getting along.
You have no idea the
amount of trouble a bunch
of hormonally charged women
can cause in one place.
- There will be no trouble.
- There'll be no trouble.
- Normal and boring.
That's what suits this program.
I'm sure your
family would agree.
No one cares.
- Look! All sewn in.
I'm officially a
member of the program.
How long, how long do you
think before they do a pairing?
Come on, please tell me.
- Look, I don't know, Helga.
They tell me as
much as they do you.
- Mine will be handsome or rich.
All songs aside, perhaps
from a rich family.
Or maybe both.
Synni, sing me a song?
- I'm not a phonograph, Helga.
- Besides, she only
sings for her friends.
- Are we not friends
in here, Synni?
- It's all right,
Heidi, I don't mind.
I will sing for this lost mulch.
- What did you call me?
- Helga.
Look, not all of us are as
happy to be here as you.
- I know that.
Call me names, Heidi.
But this program is
important to Fhrer.
I am of true German blood,
and they will pair me
with a partner of my choosing.
We are the future of the Reich.
- There is no future, Helga.
- Why are you a believer, Helga?
- Fhrer has commanded it.
We are the entitled ones,
after all.
Oh, not the master race.
Well if you do not agree then
I don't know why you're here.
- I do not agree.
Cadet 1138 ready for duty, sir.
- So it finally arrived?
- Yes. By mail.
My mother is very proud.
- How do you get your
collar so stiff, Helga?
- Hot-iron technique,
my captain.
It takes practice.
Closer. Closer.
You have to follow the seam.
Follow the seam.
- Oh!
- You're not late.
- She apologises, captain.
- No apologies, captain.
- Exemplary uniform, Cadet.
- Thank you, my captain.
- Maybe some of the other girls
could learn from your example.
- Yes, maybe they could.
- Father
would never allow
your boots to be that muddy.
- Well, father's
not here right now,
so my boots can be
as muddy as I choose.
- It's going to take a
long time to clean those boots.
- Somehow I do not
think it will matter.
- Are you frightened?
- Yes I am,
I'm scared.
- Look, when we
get to the border,
your aunt will
buy you new shoes.
- If she's still alive.
- Please don't say things
like that, Benjamin.
- We haven't seen our aunty
for the longest time.
- Our aunt is a Jewish woman
on the German-French border.
If the Nazis haven't got her,
she's long since fled.
- You'd be surprised.
Not many people would abandon
their family so easily.
- You did.
- I...
- These two troublemakers
will push all your buttons just
so they could stay up all night.
Especially this little one.
- Don't worry, professor,
I think I'll be okay.
- You be good, my lovelies.
- What time are
you getting home?
- You don't need to
worry about that.
You just go to bed when
Gisella tells you to.
We shouldn't be too long
after the presentation.
- Now she's banning
drinks and socialising.
- Go and enjoy your evening.
We'll be all right
here, won't we, huh?
- She should have her
bath in the next hour.
- Why can't I go to bed at
the same time as Benjamin?
- Oh, this again?
It's because your
brother is older.
- I hate being the youngest.
- Well, that's just how it is.
- Go enjoy your evening.
I can hold down the fort here.
- Come on, trouble.
- Thanks, Gisella.
- They found me a room.
I mean...sorry. I'll wait.
- What's good in life, cadet?
- Furtherance of the Reich.
Wisdom of our Fhrer.
Subjugation of our enemies.
- Verbatim and correct, cadet.
You nervous, miss home?
- I do not.
- Family, mother perhaps?
- I do not.
My father was
lieutenant in Luftwaffe.
I do not wish to be paired
with anyone of lower rank.
- Ambition is welcomed
and will serve you well.
Were you close to your father?
- He was closer to my brother.
But he did take me hunting
and taught me how to shoot.
- Why here?
So far from home?
- Females aren't
allowed to fight
despite willingness and ability.
Choices are
restricted for women.
Risks escalate,
but reward is the same.
- Our work here is seen as
endeavours of Frankenstein
and madness.
- Yet you know the Fhrer.
- That is the notoriety to
which my firm is associated.
Don't worry about the sergeant.
I had lunch with the Fhrer
once in Berlin with my uncle.
He was commanding officers
on action in Austria.
- A great honour, captain.
- Information you already had
and just wanted to confirm.
- I wish to serve
the Fatherland.
- So young.
Coming so far to join us.
- I believe in destiny and fate.
Both of which have
brought me here.
Furtherance of the Reich.
- What luck for our rulers that
women don't think too much.
- Oh! Shut up!
Christ!
Get rid of them!
- Uncle, it's so
good to see you.
- And you, my girl.
Get dressed.
For your hangover.
- Whatever it is,
the answer is no.
- Shut up, you idiot!
Just shut up.
- I barely got back
from the Austrian front.
I'm taking my ten days' leave.
- Front? Front?
That isn't a front, you
wouldn't know a front if it...
All leave has been cancelled.
- Shit! Really?
They're doing it, aren't they?
Finally!
This is a fight we've been
spoiling for for a long time.
- Frankly, yes.
The Fhrer, in his infinite
wisdom, has decided on Poland.
- Bloody Poland?
- He sees it as poking the bear.
All rank and file at the ready.
- Uncle, but you can't,
you promised.
- Why do you think I'm here?
I've not forgotten.
- How many men?
- He wants everyone.
Everyone.
- So we're all in?
Germany will either be a world
power or will not be at all.
- At least eviscerate
the British.
Uncle was lost to the
first Battle of Aisne.
He'll have his truth.
- It is not the
truth that matters.
We don't have the numbers
to beat the French.
- Whoever lights the
torch of war in Europe
wishes for nothing but chaos.
- We strike first,
deliver the first blow.
- With the kind of numbers
the French have amassed
there will be plenty of fight
left before this is done.
Mark my words.
A shift of focus
within the SS ranks
has seen our family stock rise
and I have been assigned a
number of special projects.
- Special? What is special?
- Ursula, shut up and
let the man speak.
- A project called Lebensborn.
I have taken the lead
role in Stuttgart.
It is part of the
Fhrer's master race plan,
so it will be recognized.
- Don't think me
a coward, Wagner.
- The project's already
been running in Munich
for three years, with
varying degrees of success.
And it comes with a promotion.
- How long?
- The rank of captain
with a year in Stuttgart whilst
the offensive takes place.
- How long?
- One.
Maybe two.
- Two years?
- Ursula can visit as
often as she likes.
These clashes are an
evolutionary possibility,
which will enable us one day
to create a Germanic Reich.
- I'll be fighting sheep by
the time I get to the war.
- Do not be an imbecile.
Our family lost 15
members in the last war.
You lost two uncles, one of
whom died saving my life.
There will be no repeat.
Understand and rejoice in that.
Tomorrow morning, be ready.
If I appear as a revolutionary,
then it is as a revolutionary
against revolution.
Goodbye, Ursula.
- Girls.
This isn't a holiday.
You're part of Lebensborn.
Full uniform when not
in the house is expected.
Try to conduct yourself
with dignity at all times.
Do not bring the
programme into disrepute.
Or the sergeant here
will have to punish you.
I was joking about the sergeant.
Let's get you a uniform.
- What are you doing here,
Margaret?
Where's your grandfather?
- I'm sorry, father.
They arrested Granddad Manns.
They said he was a spy.
- It's okay. It's okay.
You just have to be strong now.
- You've been gone so long.
I don't know what to do.
Please, just tell me what to do.
- Don't say anything
to anyone here.
I'll think of
something, I promise.
You need to go now,
but don't let anyone know.
Just pretend it's normal.
And that we're just strangers.
- Margaret Shultz?
This way.
Daylight's a wasting.
- Helga! Hurry up, there
are others waiting.
- You remind me of when
I was younger, Heidi.
I didn't know as much.
- God damn you, Helga.
You'd make an
exceptional stranger.
- We'll now not all
be ready on time.
- Maybe you should
sing to her, Synni.
Melt the bitch's heart.
- I am more than my singing.
- Helga, it takes four seconds
to get out of the bathroom.
I'll give you two.
- Any woman who relies on
her face is a fool, Helga.
- I can fix that.
- You have not thought
this through.
- Helga has her way out of this
shitty programme, and so do I.
- Forget about Helga.
She's a juck.
Look, to get to the border,
you're going to need transport.
It's too far to walk.
- I have provisions
enough for two days.
We'll get to the French border,
and then I'll call
for resistance.
- Not if you're caught.
- Don't tell.
I plan to go cross country.
Oh, promise you'll be true.
- It's not me that you
need to worry about.
- Helga,
get out of that darn bathroom.
- You don't have to
worry about him.
- Look, just promise me
that you'll reconsider.
- Hmm.
- It's like they do
not wish to be here.
- Every girl comes to
her own story, Helga.
- It is time, captain.
- As you know,
today is a special day.
Your efforts today will be
celebrated and remembered
now and forever.
As a victory over our enemies.
And the betterment of the Reich.
- We are very excited, captain.
- Yes, captain.
Our special day.
- Heidi.
- It is a day for our
nation, captain.
- Correct. Heidi.
You have been chosen to bring
glory to the Fatherland.
Heidi.
Private Lang.
Giselle.
Private Hoffmann.
Well, go to your girl,
Private Hoffmann.
No need to goose-step here.
You too Lang.
- Do you think it's empty?
- I don't know, maybe.
- I'm tired.
- It's getting dark and
we need a place to stay.
We've been walking
for 15 or more hours,
and there's no way that
we're going to the border.
- I know.
- Well do something.
- I know, I'm thinking.
- Great. You're thinking.
- Look, what do you
want me to say, hmm?
This is difficult for me too,
you know.
All right, I'll go check it out.
Just stay here.
What are you doing?
I told you to wait.
- Is it empty?
- I think so, but it's locked.
- You
could break a window.
- And then I was
stationed over in Calais
where I was overlooking
the building of sea defences.
It's your move.
- Sorry?
- Ah, it's your move.
- Oh.
Um.
- Something tells me
you're a bit of a genius.
- What?
- Uh, that move that you just
made is actually a very famous,
documented attack by a Russian
chess master back in 1919.
It was actually called the,
uh, Indian king's attack.
- Oh. Sorry.
- Oh.
Excuse me.
It's not an illegal move.
I was merely just
pointing out that
you seemed to know
the game very well.
- So it appears I'm still
waiting on my beau, captain.
- I'll discipline that
private when he shows up.
He's very rude.
- Private?
How low you think
of my ambition.
- So you consider yourself
to be officer material then,
do you, Helga?
- At the very least.
So what officer did
you have in mind?
Or should I report this
tardiness to my captain?
- The sergeant and I
racked our brains for hours
trying to find a match
suitable for your beauty.
But no, no, we couldn't
find anyone suitable.
A beauty of your calibre does
require someone more deserving.
- Filled with confusion,
captain.
Not to find a match
in this programme?
Oh, woe is me.
- I can assure you
that a lot of thought
has gone into finding you a...
- A match that keeps me waiting.
- I would be frightened
beyond my wits.
- Tonight.
I've been thinking.
And it has to be tonight.
- Please
excuse my friend.
I'll have that water now.
This might be too soon.
- Listen, I do not want to be
with child when I escape from
here.
- If you go missing
the captain,
he'll use the soldiers
to help find you.
- I told her this.
- Helga.
Helga will be my subterfuge.
Men are easily distracted.
- Margaret, please.
- If you wait, I...
There might be.
I might want to help you.
- Sergeant will find you.
- No he won't.
I cannot explain, but
my plans have been made
and my mind is set.
Synni, come with me.
- I'm not that brave.
- So, may I ask, how
long have you been
a part of the
Lebensborn programme.
- Well, this doesn't sound
like small talk, Hans.
- I mean, I don't want
to offend you, I just...
If possible, I'd like
to know more about you
and understand maybe why
you joined the programme.
- Joined?
You make it sound
like it was a choice.
It doesn't matter.
- It all seems a little odd.
I, too am a little nervous,
but I would like to try and
ease any of your worries.
- Look, Hans, you seem sweet.
Come on, you're only
following orders
just like everyone else in here,
including me.
Believe it or not,
not all of us are volunteers.
- I don't...
Maybe we should
change the subject.
Um, so
where abouts in Spain
do you come from?
- Show me.
Show me.
The list they gave you,
the questions
when you were paired with me.
You see.
You were doing so much
better on your own.
- This was going well?
I can never tell.
I don't really know many women.
Well, other than my mother
and my sister and...
- It's fine.
I understand.
- Gisella, wait, please.
Gisella, wait, please, please.
Look, I'm sorry.
I was meant to give
this to you earlier.
I know it's part of the ritual,
I just left it in my coat.
- Hans, you're your own person.
You've done nothing wrong but...
Or maybe you should think that
not all orders
should be followed.
- You have concerns,
I understand that,
but in my defence, we did
get to choose our own flower.
Um, it's a Valencia rose.
I thought you might
miss Spain,
and it would remind
you of better times.
- Well, that was very
thoughtful of you,
but I just believe that
romance is best left in novels.
- I will not be the reason
for you getting shot.
- Don't worry, Margaret.
It's madness here.
- The French will not believe me
when I tell them my story.
- They'll have to.
You have been and will
be missed, father.
- I've missed you, Margaret.
- I will not get caught.
I'm many things, but
not completely stupid.
- Maybe you should get a
second opinion on stupidity,
Margaret.
What is it you want, Helga?
- The scene is all wrong.
It doesn't fit the story you
two portray yourselves in.
- Ignore her,
she's just a bitch.
Go back to your little playpen.
- Tell me, Margaret,
is there an
attraction to old men?
- Go.
- Maybe Margaret's right.
We should try and
make it to the border.
- She has a reason
for an escape.
Don't let that inspire
you to take greater risks.
- What? Are you worried I'll
stop coming back here?
Huh?
- Is that a threat or a promise?
- I'm not to be underestimated.
Look, Hans is an
easily led automaton.
He won't push back too hard,
but they will want a match.
- No matter what we do, the
war's going to end, Gisella.
We must continue our plan.
- Yes, but our plans
are not going to work
if we don't take
decisive actions.
- Anywhere we go, we need money.
I earn next to nothing.
You looking after the
professor's children
is the same.
- But they're kind to me.
They give me what they can.
- I think we may lose our
souls before it's too late.
- Oh, my Isaiah,
you're so sweet,
but possibly quite stupid
and irretrievably deluded.
- You prefer your soldier, Hans.
- Oh, come on, why would
I give up my strong man?
Hmm?
Look at me.
This war will end.
And there will be
a place for us.
- Margaret isn't gonna
make the border.
- She thinks the French
Resistance will take her in.
- She's a prize cow, Gisella.
exalted like the ancient
Egypt's queens and pharaohs.
So what am I to you
a prized cow or maybe
an Egyptian queen?
- What can I possibly
give a queen in this
place and time right now?
- You're mine and that's enough.
Well, it looks like no one's
been here for days now.
I think we're safe.
- I'm hungry.
- Did you find any food?
- No, I couldn't find anything.
- What are we gonna do?
- Um,
maybe I can look at
the surrounding area,
see if there's any
other buildings.
- Any other choices?
- I don't know, Benjamin,
what do you expect me to do?
I'm trying my best here.
- I'm sorry.
- No, don't be sorry.
It's fine.
We have to be a team in
this together, don't we?
- What are you thinking?
- When I knock like this.
You'll know that it's me.
So go inside,
find a place to hide.
If you hear anyone come,
I need you to stay quiet.
Can you do that for me?
- Yes.
- Okay, go on.
- Benjamin.
- No! No!
- Would you care to dance?
- Is that an order?
- May I?
Thank you.
I thought a lot
about what you said.
- What did I say?
- Well, more not what
you didn't say.
But not having to follow
every single order.
- Whilst that's a
gallant gesture, Hans,
If you do not fulfil your
orders, someone else will,
and they may not be so nice.
- A lot of expectations have
been placed on me by my family.
We're from the
Moselle Valley,
and my father was a soldier
and his father before him.
- It's hard to disappoint them.
- Expectations can be
difficult to manage.
But if we can work together,
maybe we can find an
alternative route.
- My family were part
of the Franco exodus.
Many were murdered as
they tried to escape,
but by luck...Well,
if you can call it that,
um, my mother did
have German heritage,
so that gave us access
to the Rhineland.
Then German infantry
brought us here,
and they let me save her,
But only if I joined
the Lebensborn.
- Gisella is falling in love.
- And how come you're not?
- Well, this is unexpected.
- Obviously.
- No doubt handpicked.
- If I'd know you were in town.
- Then I would
have been presented
with a sanitised view
of the operation.
- Please accept my apologies.
- No need.
Very much his fault
and he should know better.
Boys will be boys
attending.
- Conscripted my sergeant?
- Progressing well with
the programme, I see.
It's been noticed.
- It's a work in progress.
Good.
Then you were in the
right place at the right time.
- No. Whatever it is, no.
I'm a little busy here
making babies for the Fhrer.
- High command have issued a
list of a number of combatants
they want questioned.
Interested parties
who have spoken
or acted against the war effort.
- Dealt with those idiots who
are printing the leaflets.
- This new list
are of particular
annoyance to the Reich.
Juden ancestry.
Round them up.
Question them.
- And when I'm done?
- Dachau would be the nearest.
- You can't be...
- Interrogate.
Investigate. Eliminate.
- You come up with that?
There are extra
resources available?
This looks like a highly
questionable military operation.
- You'll have
everything you need.
- Goodbye, Mr. Wonderful.
This is going to take forever.
Bloody Wagner.
- I know that one.
- Have another look.
- No, I don't recognise
any of them, sir.
- That's not true, Gisella.
You looked after the
professor's children.
- I only ever met the
mother and the children
but not him, never him.
It's a pleasure to
meet you, professor.
- Oh, William, please.
We have no formalities
here, Gisella.
Of course, William.
- Gisella, I need you to focus.
- Of course, captain.
- When you visited the house,
did you notice any
Jewish paraphernalia?
- Sorry, what?
- Jewish paintings,
or more other illegal things?
- I'm sorry, Helga, is your
rank suddenly been promoted?
Clearly, the captain's not
keeping your mouth occupied.
- Girls! Girls, girls!
Are we good?
Stop it! Stop!
This is exactly
what we don't need.
Gisella, concentrate.
Did you notice anything
in the professor's house
that made you think that
Jewish people might live there?
- I'm sorry, sir, no,
nothing that I saw.
- She's lying.
- That is all, Gisella,
thank you.
I'll tell him to let you go
if you've calmed down.
- She's lying.
- Why would she lie?
- Could be lovers.
- Oh, Helga, shut up.
He's old enough to
be her grandfather.
- Well, some girls like
older men around here.
I'm telling you,
that Hundin is lying.
- Emily only takes small things.
- Of course I have.
Gisella. how long?
- I don't know, but they
cannot find me here.
- We know Gisella,
and we're very grateful.
- Will you come with us?
- Oh.
I'm so sorry, I can't.
Look, you'll be safe with
your mother and father, okay?
- I'll miss you.
- Oh, darling I'll
miss you, too.
Is there another way out?
- Yes.
Go through the basement.
There's a door that
leads to the back garden.
We'll find a way
to meet you after.
- Wait, what are you
asking me to do?
- Giselle, take the children.
- Please.
- I can't take your children.
Look, the soldiers are here,
they'll know that I've told you.
- Please, there's no time.
- Okay.
- Children, do what
your mother tells you.
- Benjamin, go, go.
- What's the meaning of this?
What's the meaning of this?
- Save your outrage.
Take him.
- No! What have we done?
We're German citizens.
- Well, clearly someone
thinks otherwise.
- I found the door.
Are we going?
It's...It's okay.
It's okay.
Should we fight?
What's happening?
- I can't really see, but...
- Helga. Is this your doing?
- Professor, you lied to us.
You are Jews.
- No, we are German.
Look at our papers.
- Captain, this
is all a mistake.
We are Germans!
It was my grandfather's.
Only a keepsake.
- That is true.
We're German citizens.
We have an essential business.
- We found nothing.
- Well have you checked
under the beds?
- What?
- Shut up, Helga.
- They have children
and houses like this
have a basement.
Find the right door.
- Oh my God, I think they've
arrested your father.
We have to go.
- It's this way.
- You should be
ashamed of yourself.
- My wife does not deserve this.
- What have you done
with your children?
- We are German citizens.
- Enough already!
Take him for questioning.
- No! Please stop!
Stop! Oh!
- No! No!
- No! Please!
No, no!
- We need to leave.
- I got your message.
- Soldiers came and Helga...
Oh my God! Helga, she...
She shot them.
- Helga?
- Who did she shoot?
- I can't.
- I got Teddy Scrumpkins.
- Thank you, Benjamin.
- Gisella,
You need to leave the city,
start on foot.
When I get a chance,
I'll come with the truck.
- I can't do this.
- I warned you, Gisella.
- But I tried...
- You need to go!
- But Helga.
- Forget Helga.
- It's
been a long time.
- She'll be back.
- Do you think so?
- You alright?
We might be on her
own from now on.
- And how will that work out?
- Don't worry.
I will protect you.
- You can't protect me.
You're too scrawny, Benjamin.
Even dad says so.
I'm cold.
- Sorry I took so long.
- Want some food?
- Don't be afraid.
Look, this is Isaiah.
He's a friend.
- The roads are full
of Nazi patrols.
- What trouble I have
brought with them.
- Gisella, you're Lebanese born.
They'll keep you safe.
- I am nothing more than a
prize cow at market to them.
- You're more than a prize cow
and fortunately, you won't
suffer the same fate.
- We need to go cross-country.
We need to avoid
any border markers.
- Avoid people.
When you head over to France,
I'll meet you just
outside Strasbourg.
We'll journey to
Fchain together.
I've heard of a
man called Marlene.
He'll give us shelter.
- I just wish this damn
war would be over.
- Soon.
Then we can be together.
- Please, Margaret.
You have to wait.
- Your clothes,
there's blood on them.
What has happened?
- Something terrible.
- Your hand, it's burnt.
- I caught it on my gun.
- Fenway is helping me.
She is braver than you.
- Your hand.
I can help.
It is clean material and you
need to keep the wound covered.
- You're not a doctor!
- No, she's a nurse.
- I trained as a nurse
in a hospital in Zurich
before the soldiers took me.
- The moment you're
seen with her...
- We understand your concerns
but our minds are
set on this action.
- See.
She knows me better
than my own father.
- Cross country won't be easy.
- And living here will be?
- Gisella may not have
chosen her path,
but she will not
deviate from it.
- Let me help you.
- That time has passed, father.
- She's been gone
since yesterday.
- God damn you, Gisella.
- None of the girls
were close to her,
so they don't know
where she's gone.
And her?
- Killing a Jew is one thing.
Not one of ours is missing
and the other ones
mentally challenged.
Wagner will have my head.
- We could blame the Jews.
- Don't be an idiot.
We can't be outsmarted by Jews.
God damn Jews for Christ's sake,
why did she warn them?
- Gisella knows the difference
between right and wrong.
She knew what she was doing.
- This is Wagner's doing.
He's testing me, I know it.
- What about Helga?
Want me to take
her in the house?
- No, I'll look after her,
one missing is enough.
- Move it out.
- Meet me by the border.
Stay away from the
patrols and towers.
- Please don't leave.
What if they find you?
- I'm just another guy
going about my business.
If they find me with you,
that's a different story.
- I love you.
- I guess we're walking again.
- We can't go by road.
It's too dangerous.
- Will I get shot if
I'm found with you.
- No, no, I won't
let that happen.
- God damn it, roads!
They'll never make
it to the border.
There's too many patrols.
- Farmland,
woods, maybe they could
hide from patrols.
- So you're over your
recent trauma, then?
- Gisella is smart.
She lived through Franco.
She knows that would be her
best chance to stay hidden.
She's not so smart,
otherwise she wouldn't
have joined the program.
Gisella is a survivor.
She'll do whatever it takes
to make it through this.
And the programme is done
for her now, she knows that.
It makes her dangerous.
- Don't go getting ideas, Helga.
That Spanish bitch
is coming back.
What Wagner does with her
afterwards is his concern.
- Well, I imagine that
would be harder to explain
than how you lost one
of your precious Lebensborn.
- God damn it!
You are young and stupid.
You think this is all some
sort of game, don't you?
You think this is
what life is like?
There's more outside than
this war and the Reich.
- Well don't let Wagner hear
you say things like that.
- Wagner is the worst.
My family have
land in Argentina.
When this war is over,
that is where I will be.
- So your big plan
is being a farmer?
- I'll be sitting in my chateau,
drinking wine and
surveying my land
as far as the light touches.
- Do not move.
I am armed.
Who are you?
- My name is Margaret Shulz.
Fenway sent me your location.
- Why are you dressed that way?
Come in quickly.
There are patrols everywhere.
- Should have gone in the truck,
hidden in the back.
- Soldiers patrol the roads.
We can hide if we need to.
- Ssh. Quiet.
- Nothing plus something doesn't
always equal everything.
- Hello, Fraulein.
What are you doing here?
- Nothing.
We're just going for a walk.
-Spanish, huh?
- Yes.
- Papers?
Show me your papers.
You're on a very long walk.
Shut up!
Please excuse me.
If I'd have known who...
But of course,
allow us to escort you.
- It's fine.
Um, we'd much prefer.
- There is an outpost
not far from here.
- Honestly, it's...
- I insist.
- When I'm right, I'm right.
- Captain won't be happy.
- Hmm, captain will be whatever
I instruct him to be.
- She wasn't here by herself.
- Hmm.
Help from a man, but who?
- Radio a patrol to take
you back to the house.
- No reason to go back.
Not now.
- You caused this.
- That black bitch was
nothing of the sort.
Taught your precious
Margaret to read.
Yeah, that's what I thought.
- You have come a long way.
- Yes, my father...
- There is much death here.
It is not a good place.
- Can you help me?
- These things I...
I do not know.
I barely have enough
rations for myself.
It will not be easy to
get across the border.
- You are Resistance.
- My mission is
not to rescue anyone.
- An assassin?
- I have killed
but I didn't take joy in it.
- No, I didn't...
- Rest.
We leave in a couple of hours.
Don't thank me yet.
- Who is in charge here?
- Is your patrol in
need of assistance?
- I'm scared.
- You've got no bullets.
- Yeah.
Found these people
walking in the woods?
- Who are they?
- Lebensborn.
Program in Stuttgart.
- Stuttgart? That's a
long way from here.
- Accompanying the Becker
family of Stuttgart.
- Hmm.
Hoffmann!
- You volunteered Lebensborn.
- You know her?
- Yes, sir, I know her.
And the Becker family?
- If anyone asks, tell them
you're the Becker family.
A well known German family.
Soldiers won't know who is or
who isn't sons and daughters.
- Yes, I know the Becker family.
I had dinner there.
- And?
- Yes, Becker family.
How is your father?
- Y...Yes, my father.
It's been a long time.
- Yes, too long.
- So these red paths all
interlink with checkpoints.
We could radio other checkpoints
and alert the patrols.
- We're not using the radios.
- Don't be embarrassed.
Radio is the most efficient
way of finding Gisella.
Don't let one of your
prized cows escape.
- Why don't you try to escape?
- Survivors don't
think long term,
they react based on instinct,
which works against them.
And when we are married, I will
not be living in Argentina,
We will live in Austria.
- Have you given this
some thought then?
- Yes, of course.
My grandfather was Austrian.
It's a lovely place
to raise children.
- Helga, you're reading from
the wrong script.
- Or would you prefer me with
one of those idiot soldiers?
Do you not want a child
from rank and file?
- Helga, I don't think
you've quite got...
- We are the chosen few.
Our children will
rule the world.
- Helga, I'm married.
- That's not a good joke.
- I'm serious.
I've got a wife.
Her name is Ursula.
You met her.
- That's not a funny joke.
- Don't be naive.
I mean, think about the
women who joined the program.
- Yes, but you chose me.
- It wasn't like that.
- You ate all of it, piggy.
- Sorry.
It's funny how you forget
the things in life
that make you happy.
- I'm worried they
know why I'm here.
- Bad for us then.
- Look, I'll keep you safe,
I promise.
- Why have you come here?
Have you run away?
- Look, it's a long story
and not one of my making.
- Juden?
- What? No.
No, of course not.
- Do not think me
stupid, Gisella.
- Look, Hans, you've
been very kind to help
but please, please do not
complicate matters further.
- You're gonna get me shot.
- What can I say, It's a running
theme with the men in my life.
Can you get us to the border?
- You're pushing your luck.
There's patrols everywhere.
Besides, don't you have
a boyfriend to help?
- Hans, do not judge me.
Come on, you knew
that Lebensborn
was always going
to be entangled.
- Look, there's a guard
changed every four hours.
That'll be your
opportunity to escape.
Provisions?
I don't know.
May be difficult.
- Thank you.
- Not yet.
Save your thanks.
The Becker ruse is not
gonna protect them long.
- Soldiers only see what
they're told to see.
- I'm more concerned about
losing a prized Lebensborn.
- I'm not going back there.
- Can we trust him?
- They still hate and fear us.
It's hard to tell because
he was so polite about it.
- How far to the border.
- We will be there by morning.
- I miss Fenway.
- Do not talk now.
- Benjamin.
Look, we've got the bag.
- Your German friend
has conviction.
- The guard change.
That's our opportunity.
Come on.
- Is there a crossing?
- None that we can use
without being spotted.
- Why are you helping me?
- My family were
rich before the war.
I did not know life.
My father and brother were
shot by German soldiers.
My mother was hanged for
being part of the Resistance.
I was kept safe,
smuggled out to fight
Vite, vite, we must cross.
- Wait!
I cannot swim.
- Merde! Go!
Go!
- Benjamin,
nothing in life can bring you
peace except from yourself.
- I'm so scared, Judith
- We're the Becker family,
like mother said.
- Death twitches in my ear.
Live, he says.
I am coming.
- That will never come again.
It's what makes life so sweet.
- I'm so sorry for everything.
- I'm sorry is waiting.
- Go quickly and hide.
- The guards?
- Look.
- Fuck! I'll come back later.
- Captain, you're one of us.
- Who's in charge here,
Lieutenant?
- Captain.
- Hold that thought.
- We don't run out of dreams.
We just run out of time.
- Wait for the guard change.
- Urgent communication.
- What greater news is there
than urgent communication?
Go on, enthral me.
- Girl in river.
- I'm getting a bad feeling.
- Lebensborn girl.
- Gisella. God damn it!
Location. What's your location?
- Location?
Send location, over.
- Accident.
Tried to cross river.
- Location!
I'm blaming you for this.
Paper's, name on paper's.
- Mar mad.
Margaret.
- Margaret?
- Margaret.
- God damn it!
Bloody women!
- Captain, one of your
Lebensborn is here.
- Here?
Oh, thank God.
- Looked after, of course.
Why, she was just here.
- Captain, search the camp.
- Gisella.
Thank God.
- Greatest comeback
since Lazarus.
- There was...
- Where is the Juden?
- No Juden here.
Only the Becker family.
- Where is the Juden?
- It doesn't matter
what people think.
You know what you did.
- Captain, order your
men into the woods.
- Enough already!
Gisella, get into the truck.
- Wait!
- Spiteful bitch
caused all of this.
- Helga, stop!
One dead Lebensborn
is quite enough.
- What? Who?
- Margaret.
Stupid bitch drowned
in the river.
- Margaret. No!
No, no, no.
- Margaret was too stupid
to think this way.
- What have we done to
each other, Helga, hmm?
Tell me.
Look, tell me what
happens now, huh?
- I killed for you.
Who else can say that?
- Helga, the gun, now!
- Fear of death
is what keeps us alive.
Juden.
- No Juden here.
Only Becker family.
- You are Gisella's man.
Go with him.
Gisella didn't make it.
- What happened?
- Helga.
My hands will wring
her neck, I promise.
- Don't worry, I
will protect you.
- You're too
scrawny, Benjamin.
even Tess said so.
Cold.
Benjamin.
- You should be
ashamed of yourself.
- Take him for questioning.
- No! Please stop.
Stop! Oh!
- No! No!
- No! Please!
No! No!
- I've ordered you a cab.
When you're ready.
- How many children
did you have?
- Three sons.
After the war.
- Do they know?
- No one knows.
You came all this way.
Did you get what you wanted?
- Can I forget?
No.
Can I forgive?
Possibly
true reconciliation
is never cheap, for it's based
on forgiveness, which is costly.
Forgiveness, in turn,
depends on repentance,
which has to be based
on an acknowledgment
of what was done wrong
and therefore on
disclosure of the truth.
You can't forgive
what you don't know.
- If there is to
be reconciliation.
First, there must be truth.