I couldn't remember Germany.
I only knew there's snow and 4 seasons.
And that our family was there. Everyone, not just mum and dad. Everyone.
And that I liked that.
But I know as well that I was always afraid of something.
Of the other children, of the people on the streets. I was even afraid of dogs.
Oh come on, I'll help you.
Germany is a dark place for me. Not so light and hot as Kenia.
A place with big buildings and gloomy rooms.
Dad says that Germany is our home. I guess he misses his own father.
My grandfather. He's allergic to nuts And was not allowed to eat nut cookies .
He liked Heinrich Heines poems. Especially those about Germany.
I had two aunts there too, I really like them
Aunt Käthe was my mother’s sister. Dad’s sister was called Liesel.
Sometimes they helped out in grandfather’s hotel “Eagle”.
But that was before the Nazis came.
May I help you?
No, thank you!
We have to leave now.
The Nazis didn’t allow my father to work as lawyer.
And they took grandfather’s hotel. So the whole family had no job.
I always got the same answer If I asked my mother why:
Because we are Jews, Regina. That’s the only reason.
Bwana! Bwana! Bwana!
- What’s up? - An urgent message.
Walter.
Walter! Wake up! This is Chinin! It's good.
Bring me the coffee.
Hurry!
God damn it, Walter, wake up!
Walter, open your mouth!
Excuse me, I have to open the door. Hold on!
Aunt Jettel, is there still some apple juice left?
Anna! I’m glad that you came. Rudolf come in.
Good evening, Miss Redlich. You shouldn’t talk to them!
Anna, hello. Hi, Ina.
Hubert, Jürgen! Stop playing with fire! You will light up the whole building.
Sure, Klara.
Here. Bite this You will have to get used to this
The negros eat everything burned. Or raw and bloody!
But they eat dogs! I know that from my geography book.
They eat grasshoppers too. Hold him! What do you want in Africa?
You don’t even dare to touch a dog.
Does this food contain nuts? This was the only thing I could get, Mister Redlich!
But, Klara. There are not that many nuts in it!
Because you have to sneeze, right?
Every god damn time.
I loved the green. Walter bought it on New Year’s Eve.
But actually it doesn’t suit me anymore.
Then take it.
You’re an angel, Jettel. Thank you.
Käthchen. No tears, ok?
Stay to your ass, Liesel. That’s how men like it.
- A letter for you. - For me?
Some glitter is good for you.
Thank you very much!
It’s from Africa.
Rongai, Kenia, December 2nd 1937.
Dear Jettel. I can imagine how excited you are because of this letter
but I beg you to be strong. The Jewish community in Nairobi
will pay the fees for your immigration. Time has come now
In 6 months I can afford letting Regina and you Come here.
Don’t hesitate any longer! Go to Karl Silbermann immediately.
He can I help you with the schedule. Tell him which ferry to take
It doesn’t matter how long he will be traveling It’s most important that you both go.
We definitely need a fridge. If it doesn’t fit in our boxes,
get rid of the Rosenthal-dishes. That doesn’t count there.
And please get some gas lamps, mosquito nets and sturdy shoes!
for you and Regina. Don’t try to take cash or jewels!
You know the Nazis. Talk as little as possible about your plans.
You can’t trust anybody, even those people,
who were our best friends. I’ve heart-rending feelings when I think
you both being in my arms.
It’s hard to imagine how painful this letter will be to you mother.
Walter? Listen to me! You have malaria.
You have to take this! You understand? That’s very important!
I have to go back to the ranch. Owuor will take care of you.
He needs Chinin 3 times a day,
Understood?
Understood
Three times 40 drips.
Max, what’s up? We have to go!
I don’t like railway stations
In one or two years this will be over anyway.
You guys stay close eachother, ok?
Promise that you make it out together.
There’s always the one who loves more than the other one. That’s why it’s so difficult.
The one who loves more can be hurt easily.
My son loves you very much!
I’ll be missing you so much, Max.
Mum!
Say goodbye please!
Eat this.
This will get the bad things out of your body.
Very good!
Do you know “Schlesisches Himmelreich”? (Silesian Heaven)
Meat, potatos, bacon, dried fruits, mixed up together. Mmmh!
I don't understand a single word !
You know? In my first life I was a lawyer.
Kikombe. Kikombe!
Kikombe.
Kiyo la dirisha. Kiyo la dirisha.
Kiko la di...
Dirisha la Kiyo.
Owuor? This is for you.
You give me your coat?
That's not a coat. It's a robe.
I was sick and you took care of me.
Thank you Owuor.
I used to wear this robe at home.
When I was not yet a Bwana but used my brain
And you don't wear it here?
For that robe you have to be smart.
Here in Rongai you are smart. Not me.
"Robe" I'll need to say those words very often
so that i can say them as well as you.
Thanks a lot.
6 weeks we spent together on this steamship and circumnavigated Africa.
On April 20 1938, Hitler’s birthday We arrived in Nairobi.
Regina, hold that for me please.
Mr. Morrison, the owner of the farm where my father worked gave us a ride.
I had to think about chocolate But mum explained me that from this point on we were poor
And there’s no chocolate for for poor kids.
I promised to be brave.
Hey, come here.
How did that cow die?
We don't have enough water.
Shit! Always the same!
You have to dig a well.
A well!
A car is coming!
Where?
Over there.
Now everything is fine.
Welcome.
Welcome, little Memsaab!
Come to me.
Welcome to Rongai!
Regina, my darling! Come here!
And we were in England and Marocco, everywhere at the harbour. I saw dolphins!
Mum danced too the other night!
Bwana, he means water.
Explain him what he has to do.
Yes, Bwana.
There’s little water for the battle
The fee to leave the country was expemsive. We had luck. They just opened 1 box at the border…
filled with clothes. Max gave me this for you.
The books were in the other box. Thanks God!
I know that this is not what you expected.
It’s beautiful.
But we can’t live here.
Everything except those over there.
We wont stay long here anyway.
Memsaab. Plate. One plate.
You have to learn German if you want to talk to me. Plate!
Attention!
Plate!
Jettel? My name is Süßkind.
Walter as well. Everybody calls me Süßkind.
Alright.
Walter shows Regina the farm. They will be right back.
You want to have dinner with us?
I’ve had a 4 hours ride. I can’t go back tonight.
I brought onions, sugar and cigarettes.
Praising God...
Chinin every day makes you blind.
You can still fight against it if you get it. Owuor!
Let’s drink on the arrival of Jettel and Regina. On our second life.
Cheers.
How long have you been away from home?
Sweetie was smart enough to leave Germany in ‘33.
The departure was much easier. You could take all you money with you right?
Especially your books.
And your wife? Weren't you married?
No I wasn’t.
And why not?
Jettel!
I never had luck because I always fell in love with married women
My mother always says that the Nazis wont survive long.
Germany is a nation of culture, the country of Goethe and Schiller.
Dad! I think I heard lions!
Those were monkies
You start talking like a black!
The air is muggy and dusk is breaking,
Smooth is flowing the Rhein.
The summit of the mountain is glimmering.
The most beautiful virgin is up there.
She’s combing her blond hair…
…and is singing a song
…with a beautiful melody
The sailor’s heart has been ached
He doesn’t look at the rocks, He just looks into the sky.
I think the waves will eat the sailor and his boat.
And all that time he’s singing....
Have a good night honey.
You didn’t bring the refrigerator right?
Jettel?
No I didn’t.
There was no space left in the boxes. You know, we were allowed to have just 2...
But there was space left for this crap!
What did you do with all the money?
I just bought this.
It wasn’t expensive, just 4 Mark.
You bought a grown?
Yes I did.
(Goebbels) ... in his name. And the stamp of his peronality
[going on and on...]
Damn, I never thought I would enjoy his voice
I’ll leave the radio here.
We can’ take this gift.
But know I have a reason to come back
to recharge the batteries.
Do you have a rifle?
Since Jettel and Regina are here now...
Good luck with the well!
Come on little Memsaab!
Do you see the holy mouontain?
That's Mount Kenya.
It is holy.
Mount Kenya
Little Memsaab, let's go!
I can’t go any further. Mum told me to stop here!
Could you help me out?
Help!
I am a cook
A cook doesn't dig holes.
The fields are thirsty
You need more water.
Come with me!
Water.
No men?
No, men don't carry water.
Women only.
Help me! It's so heavy.
please help me too!
The water is so heavy...
Help us too!
Please give me the shovel!
Fire.
Yes. Fire.
There is no water, Bwana.
Didn't I tell you.
You were right, Chepoi
I'm sorry.
Go home!
Thank you. Thanks a lot!
I lost my heart in Heidelberg...
6 months later
Why doesn’t Owour slaugter chicken?
That’s how it is arranged with Morrison. Just the eggs.
I can’t stand this garbage. From time to time I need meat!
Thanks, Owuor.
Fire.
You have to look at the fire,
if it has been quiet a while.
Don’t be afraid. It’s just a normal bush fire.
It wont reach the house...
Where do you wanna go? Come on, that’s stupid.
I can’t stand it anymore. That’s what you always say.
But I want to live with people, whose language I can understand!
You don’t earn a single cent here. Every day we eat eggs and semi-solid food!
How could Regina go to school?
Yeah we are alive! And why?
All day long we’re hoping for rain so that the battle doesn’t die
which don’t even belong to us? I’m feeling pretty rotten!
And sometimes I wish I were.
We just could escape in time!
Yesterday the Nazis burned down All the synagogues in Germany
and pillaged all the Jewish shops. They smashed everything to pieces.
People, houses, shops, everything.
Who should have informed you about this on this goddamn farm?
In the morning I could receive the Swiss radio.
For the Nazis we’re no longer human beings for Christ’s sake.
I saw it coming. I always saw it coming!
Do you get it now? It doesn’t matter if Regina doesn’t study?
And mum, Käthe and your dad?
I dont‘ know! I always said they should leave Germany.
November 10th 1938.
Dear dad, I’m very worried about the
news we hear from Germany.
What do you say?
I’d love to know that you guys are alright! If I earned money we could
afford that you leave the country! Isn’t there any way?
Do you really think it’s too late?
Oh dad I tell you that I’m looking
forward to see you.
Here in this foreign country I realize how lucky we were back home
and how i appreciate everything you did for me.
Don’t think that the money you spent is lost.
I’m grateful that you let me study so long.
One day I will be again the lawyer you were so proud of.
Little Memsaab, come here!
It needs you
It's a kid (Toto) like you.
Hold it carefully.
Toto!
Eww that’s cold!
I don’t care.
There are a lot of other kids here. But be careful! They all have malaria.
I don’t want you to be ill.
You can’t change it! A white kid isn’t a black kid.
Never eat anything they give you! Never enter their homes!
So.
Swallow this!
That tastes so nasty. You get blind too!
Bullshit! Open your mouth!
Hey mum? Tonight they want to celebrate for their ancestors.
They want to slaughter a lamb to pray to God Hnai to ask for rain.
He lives on Mount Kenia. And in the trees as well.
That’s going to be a huge party.
They pray for rain. That’s important.
The negros do it like this as well?
Says who?
What shall I do with you?
You know, grandma used to say?
Don’t worry about Regina. She knows what she does!
Exactly.
“She knows what she does”. That’s what grandma used to say.
So, don’t worry ma!
I’m so scared that something happens to you.
Toto? Toto!
Memsaab, Bwana is on killing spree...
with the big gun!
Shoot it to death!
I can’t! You see that I can’t!
I just wanted you to have meat.
You don't want anything of it?
No.
You say you are not hungry
Good night. I don’t mind if you read.
I already read this book 3 times. It doesn’t make any difference
if I read it the 4th time
I didn’t expect that you can hunt, Walter.
I couldn’t do it. You’ve never killed an animal.
I want be able to do it!
I didn’t ask you to hunt.
You treat me like I'm an asshole!
As lawyer I’m you favourite panty remover! And now?
Sweat-stained and unshaved I don’t exist for you!
How come princess! I’m your husband! I can say what I think!
You don’t have the right for a privileged life! Untill now we just had luck!
So stop playing the daughter of a middle class famlily.
you need to understand what’s going on here!
One last thing. The way you treat Owur
remembers me of some people back home in Germany.
I guess you don’t want to be compared to those people!
That's pretty warm.
Yes, warm.
Habari, little dog. Where did you coming from?
Chepoi, whos dog is this?
This dog doesn't have a home.
It's a wild dog.
He is homeless.
Dad, this dog is homeless! Could I keep him? Please!
But you are afraid of dogs!
But I like this one. We’ll keep him.
We call him Rummler!
Rummler is a nice name!
Toto!
Owuor!
The trucks are going fast.
We will all be interned!
Nobody can stay on his farm!
Kids and women will come to Nairobi.
Everything is going to be alright! I promise!
I won't go away!
Owuor! Take care of them!
Yes, Bwana. I will.
Walter!
Regina!
Can I take this too?
Asante.
Let me help you. Don’t forget your ID!
Do you speak German?
No tears little Memsaab!
I'll find you everywhere,
and follow you soon.
You promise?
I promise
I'll follow you and get you a new Toto.
No. I don’t want a new Toto.
I didn't protect it good enough.
Its mother would have taken more care of it.
I am not a good mother...
...for an antelope.
You are smart little Memsaab.
Take care of our stuff!
Good bye, Owuor!
Good bye, Rummler!
Suddenly we were no longer refugees but enemies
We didn’t even know why the British were locking us up.
We were Germans and Germany was in war with Great Britain.
But we were Jews as well and obviously not on Hitler’s side
Get off miladies
That’s a nice prison!
Can you understand that?
Maybe they didn’t know where to keep us
What’s that?
Don't know. Something British.
Excuse me. Still free?
This remembers me of better times.
The chef de la cuisine used to cook on a luxury cruise.
I’m very hungry! This is lobster.
Fish, nice fish! No thanks.
Thank you. What"s wrong with it, ladies?
I Breslau we were never alone. There was always something to do.
What a life!
Oh yeah, before immigation!
Are you done? Thanks.
No message for your husband?
It’s the feeling of being alone. The feeling that you have
anything to say. That you own anything
Some children maybe. Realizing this is very painful!
You know what I am talking about?
Loneliness is a thing I can talk about.
With a wife like Jettel? Such a beautiful woman!
She’s happy and full of life.
Maybe you don’t give her a real chance.
Back home everything was fine. Everyone played his part...
Now you can see.
I don’t want to see reality. But I want a grown up wife,
who I can talk to!
I have to put it past me. My dad, Liesel....
Shut the fuck up!
Oi!
Sometimes I think we are 2 parcels.
Wrapped up together in a train
with unknown destination.
Nobody knows what the other one contains.
You think too much.
Hey!
Soon we started to get used to the hotel. Every day our mothers and us took
a walk in he shadow and thought what we were going to get for lunch.
If we could just spend a couple of hours outside.
Inside you get insane.
Mum, I’m hungry! You are all Jews, aren’t you.
Why don’t you just write a letter To your community in Nairobi!
They still have something to say in this country.
Soon the government figured out that not all the Germans are with Hitler.
2 weeks later we could visit the husbands in the camp.
With the brown uniforms it was hard to see
who was British and who was German.
Dad, got a real friend! She’s called Inge. She already kows how to read!
And mum wrote a letter!
A real letter, so that we could visit you!
You wrote to the British?
Perhaps we can go to Rongai soon!
You were very unhappy in Rongai right? You guys want to drink something?
We all want to get back to the farms!
We can’t go back to Rongai.
I was made redundant. Because of the war. Morrison doesn’t want to hire “Enemy Alien”
So I have no work and we have no home.
No matter what we have to do to get our stuff from the farm.
Maybe he is still waiting for us. Because he thinks that we may come back.
Then grandpa will maybe meet Owuor.
Yeah of course!
May I help you?
I need a special permission. I have to visit Mr. Edward Rubens,
the mayor of the Jewish community. It’s very important that I talk to him.
Here we are. Please help yourself, Mrs. Redlich.
My husband and I we have been at the Olymmpics in Berlin!
My first time in Germany. My God, we were naiv.
Until the end we thought our civilized friends will help us
and stop Hitler.
Where are you now? Where have you been in ‘38?
Hitler didn’t invent anti-Semitism! I don’t think, Mrs Redlich came here
to discuss politics with you! Right? How can we help you my dear?
Mr. Morrison, the owner of our farm doesn’t want “Enemmy Aliens” anymore.
But without work Walter can’t leave the farm
and we don’t know how to find new work. That’s why I beg you for help.
We’d do anything.
Do you think you are the only one who suffers from war?
Or do you think we are responsible?
You are alive! By God, make the best out of it!
Eddie! I’m sorry, I can’t help you! Excuse me.
We have relatives in Poland.
For ages my husband hasn’t heard anything from them.
Sorry about that.
Well, good luck, my dear. Please take these Biscuits for your little girl.
Thanks. Bye.
What are you doing here?
Why, what do you mean?
You are looking for a job for your husband. On a farm
I got a friend here at the army.
He needs somebody.
I could talk to him.
That would be great.
... 6... 7... 8...
You’re very beautiful, Mrs. Redlich.
Where were you? You have mail.
Looks pretty important.
Yesterday...today... what the fuck means “morgen”?
“Tomorrow”! Maybe you can remember this finally!
Tomorrow, there will be rain in Kenia.
Pussycat, pussycat, where have you been?
Pussycat, pussycat, what did you there?
Oh God, Regina!
Walter!
What did I do?
Here we are, Owuor!
Dad! The holy mountain! Looks like a Chinese hat
Hey! Come down here? You’ll brake your neck!
That’s the most beautiful place on Earth!
Thanks.
I am scared.
This place is much further away from your farm than Rongai.
We wont see you often.
You promise?
We will see each other more often than you like!
The damn cattle is out again.
Very good.
I’m your Bwana and I...
want you to undress yourself!
You will get grilled chicken if you do.
And now on the way down there. Like a African woman.
Did you miss me in your hotel?
Good morning.
My name is Walter.
You will need my help.
I live here for 40 years.
I appreciate your offer!
Did Bwana Gibson die?
No.
He doesn't have time to be here.
He is in the Royal Army
He wants me to take care of his farm.
You have to show me everything.
You are not a British Bwana right?
No. I didn't come to become rich in this country.
I came because I was driven out of my country.
Which is your country?
Germany - It's far away.
It is at war.
Somebody steals you an ox,
it will be killed, cooked and eaten.
You will forget that soon.
But if somebody steals your land,
then it's always there.
You can visit it. It will always be there.
You can't forget that.
Daji Jiwan is Indian. He's a good Fundi.
He can help you build the house.
As long as you work for me you'll get your corn.
Firewood, 2 liters milk per day and 12 Schillings per month.
12 Schillings is not much.
I don't make deals. If you don't want to work for me someone else will do it.
These men can't build a house for you.
I'll teach them how to do it.
Bwana, Kania is my brother.
He can tidy up the rooms.
Can he cook as well?
We need a cook!
No, Kania isn't a cook, he can tidy up the rooms.
Kamau can cook for the dog.
For whose dog?
We don't have a dog.