DIARY FOR MY CHILDREN
Cast
Dear God, don't let us crash now!
- Are you ill grandfather?
You've grown into a bonny girl, Juli.
The film was made by the Hungarian Film Maker Company and the Hungarian Film laboratory.
Directed by Marta Mészaros
Very nice.
This is your room, Juli.
And that room is yours.
- How do you like it? - It's nice.
Everything's lovely.
Mother, wait for me!
What a nice room!
What a beautiful apartment!
Grandfather...
It's all so strange and so different.
As someone was standing behind me.
And Magda...
Oh Magda...
Magda is a very good person.
My straightforward younger sister.
Grandfather, I'm afraid.
No need to be.
Please take it.
- So you don't remember me at all?
- No.
Well, you were very little then.
You ran to open the door for me, but you couldn't reach the knob.
Your mother used to lift you up.
Do you remember?
No, I don't remember you.
I hope you're going to be happy.
Don't worry about grown-up's problems.
That's for me to do.
Was it you who wanted grandfather to bring me back?
Yes.
It would have been silly to have stayed there...
- you have a home here. - Thank you.
"The Red Army is not a conqueror...
Come and eat, Juli.
...but a friend of Hungarian people."
I got ten sausages today.
Those were the words of the first proclamation.
The Soviet administration and the town commandants brought order...
to the liberated villages and towns.
You can take the article.
I must go, Juli. I'll bring some more tomorrow.
"Look and listen to us, you living tree.
I present your real brother...
...little Gergo.
From now on, your life is his, and his is yours.
Let no one raise his hand against you...
and may your days not end before
the appointed time. Amen."
Don't be afraid, the forest loves you.
- What has happened? - He is ill.
I called a doctor because of his cough.
Where have you been?
Stay and change the cold compress.
I'll see the supper.
Grandfather... Dear grandfather.
I'm not dying.
Don't be afraid, I won't leave you.
Here's Magda.
He's vomited blood again.
Are you feeling better Dezso?
Well, how was at school today?
Nothing much. We have lessons.
- Have you got used to the others? - School's all right.
I hope you'll work hard and a credit to me, Juli deer.
I don't know. I might.
Don't know?
It just willpower. Just keep trying.
I will.
- Why do you always turn away? - I don't like being stroked.
Why haven't you a husband?
- I had one, but he divorced me. - When?
Long, long time ago, when I was young.
Didn't he love you?
I don't think so, because he left me.
- Didn't you want a child? - No.
- Why not? - I hadn't the time.
Maybe it's not too late. You can be my child.
I've brought these for you.
Try them on, I hope they fit.
Did you buy them in a shop?
You can't buy such things in shops now.
They're from America.
My secretary brought them to the office. She got a parcel from America.
Lots of people get parcels. The shoes didn't fit her, so I bought them.
Thank you.
- Do you like them? - Yes, I do.
- Can't you see? - Yes.
Then why ask?
Would you like to come out with me tomorrow?
- Where? - To a fashion show.
- What's that? - You'll see.
- Go to sleep now. - Good night.
May I come with you?
Would you like a cigarette?
No, thank you.
What a pleasant place. Would you like to dance?
Very well.
If my wife wishes.
Is that you, Juli? Come in.
- Have you come to see me? - Yes.
I've almost finished.
Put the cinema pass back.
Turn off the lights.
You're silly to think I wouldn't notice.
- May I borrow Juli Kovacs's ruler? - Yes.
I won't give it to you.
- This is beautiful. - Very beautiful.
- How much sugar? - One lump, please.
I worked in a Soyuz furniture factory during the war.
The women there, night and day...
- How much sugar? - No, thanks.
They even slept in the factory if they had to.
- How much sugar, uncle Janos? - Two lumps.
Isn't there any drop of vine?
Isn't there usually a drink first, coffee later?
I forgot that you prefered wine to coffee, Janos.
- I like them both. - Bring some vine.
Janos would like some vine!
Don't shout, I'm not deaf.
Take some glasses!
When I was in the Soviet Union, every political exile had to work in industry.
Our workshop was roofless, rain came in...
the wind froze us, but we fulfilled our quota, like our Soviet comrades.
I was near Tula...
and we had competition with the comrades, it was hard on our meagre diet.
Wasn't their diet as meagre?
True, no one was favoured, there was no difference between us.
Collective spirit, as you might say.
- Who would like another? - Me.
I was at the meeting yesterday.
The women mill-hands work a nine hour shift, then care for their families.
They accept it, they're incredibly aware.
It's only incredible...
if you don't know their faith in the Party and their part in it.
The workers support the party in the present tense international situation.
They support Comrade Rakosi, too, of course.
It gets dark so quickly.
- Shall I put the lights on? - Let me do it...
Look, everybody.
Wonderful!
Juli would like to walk with me. May she?
- Isn't it rather late? - Please let me.
All right, but don't be long.
Good night.
Haven't you a wife?
She's dead. I have only a son living.
I was in France for most of the war.
In Nantes, near a huge factory where I worked.
When there were air-raids, bombing and explosions...
we sheltered in the cellar.
You know...
In the cellar you weren't allowed to smoke.
So one day... during a very long air-raid...
I went outside for a cigarette.
There was a terrible explosion.
I looked back...
and saw that our house had been hit.
My wife and daughter laid dead under the rubble.
My son was rescued and survived.
Like me as you see.
Thanks for walking with me, it was nice to talk to you.
I liked it too.
Alright, run home now.
I don't have to call you Mr., do I?
No. Good Night.
Daddy...
Daddy!
I love you.
Are you in love? With me?
Yes, I love you.
I'm not in love with you.
That's not important. I know I'm in love with you.
What do you mean?
I don't know.
I love my mother and now I love you.
I'm sorry but I must go to the toilet.
- Wait until we get home. - I can't.
There's a toilet at the corner.
But I haven't any money. Grandmother counts out every coin.
I've no money, either. But I've got a nice handkerchief.
You can give that to the attendant.
Thank you.
Goodbye!
Thanks a lot!
- You're beautiful. - Me? Beautiful?
In connection with the hostile attitude...
of the Tito clique towards the Soviet Union and the People's Democracies...
Moscow Radio has stated:
"The Tito clique has betrayed socialism and democracy...
and joined the camps of the enemies socialism.
Now they postulate the theory...
that they can build socialism all on their own.
They quote Lenin's words concerning socialism being created in the U.S.S. R..."
Thank you for the supper.
"...and that the building of socialism is possible for countries standing alone..."
Don't accept the job, Magda. Do you hear?
Stick to the editorial office.
I'm worried about all this.
It's my own business. It's my obligation.
The comrades gave me the job and I accepted.
Don't you know what's happening?
There are enemies everywhere.
They smile, but they're waiting for their chance.
But we're not giving an inch.
You'll regret it.
It will finish you and us, too.
You've always been a coward.
Let's stop this.
I'm exhausted. I'm going to bed.
Whatever you say, I've decided.
Look here, Magda!
Leave me alone!
You can't accept it!
What has Magda done?
I don't know.
I know nothing at all.
Why are you staring at me?
I don't know anything. And you either.
She's your foster-mother.
- You have to respect her. - I do.
- You're supposed to love her. - I don't.
You don't know Magda. She's brave and sincere.
She was in prison more than once, beaten and tortured.
She devoted her life, youth, everything to the revolution.
They tried to break her.
But they failed. She fought them, she escaped.
She fought throughout the war.
And I didn't do anything.
Grandfather, why are you afraid of Magda?
Because she's strong willed.
Much stronger than us.
And she has done so much more for...
Magda has been given a difficult job.
She became a prison governor.
A prison governor... Why?
Well because there's no peace yet.
The enemy is still on the offensive. Don't you understand?
- My father was taken to prison too! - That was different!
How often have I told you not to talk about it?
Do as you're told!
Good evening!
- Have you done your homework yet? - I didn't.
You didn't? Why not?
I didn't go to school.
Where did you go, then?
To the cinema.
What?
You've started going to the cinema instead of school?
How dare you? What are you playing at?
You blockhead! How dare you? Have you no sense of duty?
She's going to the cinema instead of school.
I hate school.
Don't hit her!
Haven't you ever hit anyone?
"Organic life on Earth developed one hundred million years ago..."
Don't be upset with me.
I'm sorry...
but when we were children our father used to hit us whit his belt.
And he soaked it first. He was a carpenter.
If we didn't sweep the workshop properly, or if we spilt the glue...
he came at us with the belt.
And somehow we respected him.
What's wrong with you is that you have no respect.
You're like me. But I'm not afraid of anyone.
That's not very clever, it will make things difficult for you.
You know, if at that time... we hadn't taken care of you...
you might have been hit, or starved to death.
Don't think it was easier for us.
If it hadn't been for Magda we might never have got home.
I'd better have been dead.
How dare you?
You've deceived your mother?
You wicked bastard! Damned brood!
I'll teach you to deceive me!
You sponger!
You lying swine!
Go to the scullery, that's your place!
Good evening!
Pull my boots off.
Where have you been so late?
In the club, seeing a film.
- Who gave you a permission? - No one.
Didn't we agree that you ought to get my permission the day before?
I didn't know until today.
- Who were you with? - Tomi.
For the next week you can't go anywhere at all.
Understand?
And put that light off.
Good night.
The A-bomb will be defeated!
The Peace Camp will win!
The imperialist operators and radios
sing the same song:
All they talk about
are the "signs of decay" in Hungary.
Let them say it and let them believe it!
We know that hungry swine dream of acorns.
We were strong...
when Rajk was in our midst wearing a mask.
And did we grow weaker when we tore his mask off...
and cracked down on his gang?
Is that weakening?
We exposed him, tried him in court
we condemned him and we will liquidate
the Tito imperialist spies.
We shall defend peace!
- Have you filled it out? - I have.
All we know about your father is that he disappeared in 1938.
- That's not true. - It is.
- You're lying. - All right, I'm lying.
Everyone knows everything here, Magda.
Every other person has a relative who disappeared or who is dead.
Does everyone lie, then?
You can't understand, there are feelings and impulses here.
But that's history. Historical necessity, what's more.
Why didn't they arrest you?
- None of your business. - It is.
You're alive and you say nothing. Is there a reason?
There's a reason, as you say. But you wouldn't understand.
I'll understand, if you explain. And you don't say anything.
I'm not writing down lies.
I' m not going to argue. You'll fill it out as I say.
That's an order.
You can't order me to do that!
Do you hate me so much? Why?
I juste feel sorry for you, Magda.
Can you tell me where the Gergelys live?
The engineer? In the third house.
- Are you Juli? - Yes, and you're Andras.
What's Magda to you?
- What's Magda to you? - Nobody.
- I thought she was related. - No...
- So either your grandparents are real? - They are not...
But I like grandfather very much.
I know my father had two brothers.
They live somewhere in the country.
Why not try to find them?
I shall.
What's this?
A prehistoric radio.
- What do you want? - Comrade Gergely.
Are you a relative? Why bother him in working hours?
I'm his daughter. I must tell him my sister is ill.
You can't just go barging in in work hours.
Please let me in!
All right. He'll be at that meeting over there.
It cannot be over-emphasised
that the building of heavy industry is the key to building socialism.
We can't be satisfied.
Our low production is a shortcoming.
Comrades! Much must be done to outdistance capitalism.
We cannot balk at the difficulties with Stalin's statement before us:
"Difficulties are there to be overcome"
Good morning, Juli!
Your son told me where you work.
I'd like to talk to you.
- Why aren't you at school? - I hate school.
That can be a problem.
- That can lead to trouble. - I know.
Now what? Have you had lunch?
No, I'm hungry.
Let's go, then.
How's Magda?
Always out. She doesn't work in the editorial office any more.
I know.
When she is at home she's either yelling or exhausted.
Have you know her long?
About thirty years. We were together in the movement.
Believe it or not, she was a lovely girl then.
Just as we imagined the modern woman: Full of life and all brains.
She was my wife's best friend.
I can picture them now, the way they walked in the forest.
Two strong, young girls...
And how we believed in the future then!
For a long time I couldn't decide between them.
I wasn't yet married to Kati, but in the end I chose her.
Was Magda in love with you?
When I married Kati, Magda disappeared.
She avoided us for a long time.
Then I was arrested in 1929.
So was Magda. We were tried together.
I got six years, Magda got four.
We were both taken to Vac.
Then came the hunger strikes and demonstrations...
She was active in everything.
Our escape was organized in 1932.
We were working on the Danube, we swam the icy water.
They waited for us on the island and we got forged passports.
Then on to Vienna, later we went to Paris.
Magda went to Moscow.
Oh dear, time's flown and you've not said a word.
What did you want?
I wanted to ask you to do something: Put me in a home, if you can.
I don't understand you.
Magda's a great woman, you live well, you have every chance to develop.
I don't like Magda. She can't substitute for my mother.
I don't want her to adopt me.
- Are you afraid of her? - Me, afraid of her?
Grandfather is afraid of her.
Well, I'm not afraid of her.
Will you tell her? Promise?
All right, I'll try.
You little witch.
Thank you.
When I was in service at the Count's I laid the table with such porcelain.
This also belonged to counts, bourgeoisie, bankers.
This silver, paintings and carpets were taken from them and given to us.
Even my tie. Did you know that, Juli?
No one can begrudge it to you, grandfather.
Oh, stop it!
Mind we don't play the gentleman too far.
One easily gets used to the good life and one gets lazy.
What does "play the gentleman" mean?
Stop it, I said.
I don't like this constant grumbling.
I must be off.
It's Sunday. Why are you going?
Life doesn't stop on Sundays.
- When will you be home? - I don't know.
What will you do this afternoon?
Tomi and I may go to the cinema, or have a stroll, or visit a friend.
Be home by nine.
Why? If I'm enjoying myself I might not come home till ten.
If I'm bored I'll be home by six.
Look, we can't live without discipline. Self-discipline and order.
There's seven hours till nine, that's enough.
There's order in this house. I've done my work...
and I want to be with friends, not with tired old people.
Don't argue. Be home by nine, is that clear?
I won't let you!
What's the matter with you? For God's sake, what's wrong?
Juli, come and help me!
Take me to hospital, a psychiatric ward, or anywhere.
I'm afraid!
I joined the Party when I was seventeen.
My father beat me for it. He disowned me.
Yes, grandfather. And you fought in the 1919 revolution.
They caught you, condemned you to death, but you escaped.
You cycled all the way to Fiume, and it rained.
It rained cats and dogs, I caught a cold.
I got pneumonia. My lungs became bad.
Maybe I can persuade her now.
Istvan is nominated as ambassador in Mongolia!
Congratulations, Istvan. As a diplomat you can serve the Party.
The people's cause.
Be worthy of the trust placed in you.
Your Excellency!
It's a great thing for a leather-worker to be appointed an ambassador.
Magda, I'd like a word with you.
I wanted to talk to you too.
About what?
The comrades at the Centre are disappointed by you.
Why didn't you accept the Party post?
My place is in the factory. All we've done is to make repairs.
Now it's a chief engineer's job to get production in full swing.
There's a working class manager there. A good comrade.
Yes, but the poor chap has no idea of the job.
He's a sound comrade, he survived a tough ordeal under the old regime.
He's a great person, but hopeless professionally.
This bourgeois mentality is typical of those who emigrated to the West.
You don't know that ideological commitment is the effective force.
With professional knowledge.
It's not only true for the West.
And an émigré's life in the West was no bed of roses.
But you were out of the limelight, no one's sure what you did there.
- What do you mean by that? - He means that bearing in mind...
...the tense international situation, with traitors among us...
Well, it's a legitimate question.
My dear, we've heard all that before.
I trust Janos, even if I don't approve of his present actions.
All right, maybe we don't agree, but believe me I'm convinced...
I'm more useful in the factory than I would be in a Party post.
Isn't that what I studied for?
I know hard times are ahead, but never mind. Let's have a drink.
Well, now, Juli.
We're among friends.
Well, this girl is very bad at school. Amizingly bad.
She'll fail five subjects.
She skips school.
Last week she did nothing but go to the cinema.
Three films a day - and who knows what else?
Advise me, I don't know what to do with her.
Should I throw her out?
I just hope she'll come to her senses.
Should I take her out of school?
Set her to learn a trade?
What do you expect of her?
She's not studying because she's restless.
What's wrong? Tell us.
It's nothing.
Well, discuss it later.
What answer is that?
I don't want anything from any of you.
Or you, Magda. I asked you to find my parents.
But you didn't.
Yes, I even met them. But they're not our kind of people.
They're behind the times, religious, I couldn't share their vision.
You're an ungrateful girl, Juli.
I don't want to be grateful.
Calm down, Juli. Be patient.
You all want an overnight change.
For the world and everyone in it.
Try to be patient. This girl needs help, not criticism.
This is a witch's trial.
Magda, I must ask if you've ever considered the business of adoption.
Have you asked Juli's opinion?
After all... she's almost an adult.
I want to go to a home.
You don't.
I didn't hear that remark.
You're so understanding Magda.
Yes, "you're so understanding".
But maybe she has something on her conscience.
Janos, that was irresponsible.
You must bear it a little longer.
I wouldn't recommend a home, though.
I made enquiries. They're overcrowded.
They're full of orphans.
We've just had a war.
You'd be taking the place of a child who has no relatives at all.
You're clever. Work hard at school, it's the only thing to do.
The most important thing for you...
is not to be so weak.
So it doesn't matter where I live?
I don't want to hurt Magda...
but I can't forget my parents.
And she wants that, she acts as they never existed.
And I can't forget them.
You're right.
You shouldn't forget them.
I'll neither forget my wife nor my dead daughter.
"The train chugs through mountains and valleys
I choose you from the fairest maidens
Our slogan is: For lasting peace
Join us and fight..."
I'm having a birthday party on Saturday. Would you like to come?
I don't know if they'll let me.
My father will call your mother, I'm sure she'll agree.
Yes, if your father calls Magda, she'll let me go to the end of the world.
Your father's wishes are orders for her.
And yours are mine.
I'll come with Tomi.
All right, you and Tomi come together.
- What's all this nonsense? - Nothing.
I'll come round later.
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine...
There's always hundreds there.
Good night.
Does your mother always go to bed so early?
No, she goes out early and comes home very late.
But she says that she'll sleep for twenty-four hours today.
What was your mother like?
Red hair...
...green eyes... tall...
...sad... happy...
...unlucky... and lovely.
She drew...
...sang, and spoke four languages.
Why are you so quiet?
I was quiet then, too.
I stood by the stream and kept quiet.
Come on! Hurry!
She called me. She shouted.
I started to go.
She stood in front of the house. Her stomach was huge.
She could hardly stand the pain.
We walked. The hospital was far away.
In another village.
You needn't be afraid, little one.
- It seems she's asleep. - She sleeps very deeply.
Mother!
The baby died.
We were always together.
She worked...
I went to school.
Sometimes we went to see a film together.
Don't be afraid, it's only a film, the people won't die really.
They'll go to another film and be someone else.
One day, they took father away at dawn.
I never saw him again.
I'm going away now.
I'll come back in a few days, Juli.
Why don't you say something...
Look after your mother.
Mother became ill, she was taken to the hospital.
I visited her every day and took her soup and black bread.
I didn't go to her funeral. I didn't feel she was dead.
The war came.
Everyone was crying.
Children, women, men.
And so many people died.
I remained alive.
Please come here for a check, comrade.
This way please.
Please come here for a check, comrade.
Do you frisk everyone?
We don't frisk, comrade, we just check.
I couldn't invite the whole class, you know...
Happy birthday.
Thank you. Let me have your coat.
My father sent Péter lots of books.
- What's this? - Bananas.
They grow in the south, let's say in Africa, India.
And how did they get there?
Like it?
I'll have to get used to it.
Do they always frisk everyone here?
Even you when you come home?
It's not frisking. They're taking care of my father.
They have to, with a man in his position.
There are so many reactionaries, saboteurs, spies.
Spies? That's interesting.
It's not a subject for a birthday party.
But I'll tell you when we're alone some time.
That would be nice. I'm interested in most things.
What do you make of it all?
I've not been here before. Have you?
Neither have I.
Welcome, dear comrades. I hope you have a nice time.
Juli? I've heard quite a lot about you.
I talked to your mother.
- Did you know my mother? - I knew her.
- You're talking about Magda. - Yes, a wonderful woman.
- She's my foster-mother. - I know...
I hope you have a nice time.
I hope you all have a nice time.
I'm sorry I must leave you, but some of us must work.
Enjoy yourselves.
You stay.
Well, is it edible?
Yes. Who taught you to cook?
Grandmother. But I've never cooked lunch before.
It's very good, isn't it?
- Would you like some soup, Maria? - Yes.
I'm afraid I must go back to work.
I'll be off soon, too.
How long have you known Magda?
I've met her a couple of times. Father's told me about her.
Production increased dynamically...
when the two shops were completed.
Modernization of the machine-tool stock is still to be done.
I must go now.
Good bye!
Fifty-five percent of the machines were ruined in the war...
I lied, I told them I had to go back to school this afternoon.
Why did you lie?
Magda doesn't like me to visit you.
Why?
Maybe she mistrusts your father.
- Mistrusts?! - Yes, because he's different.
- Are you still here? - Please do what I asked you.
The home idea is silly. I told you to forget about it.
I could also work. Just help me get away from her.
Have a little patience.
I'm up to my neck in work. I can't cope with it at the moment.
- Understand? - Yes, I do.
You're also afraid of Magda.
My God, you're as stubborn as a mule.
You're like a needle stuck in a groove.
I've told you to do as you like. I've finished.
I thought you were different, but you're also a coward and incompetent!
Shut up!
Or I don't know what I'll do.
You miserable ignoramus.
- You're miserable, too! - Now listen!
Sorry, Andras, I'm rather tired.
Look, if you don't want to live with Magda...
...then in the end... oh, never mind.
Behave yourself, Juli.
Don't be cross with father.
He works, day and night, I hardly see him.
Tell him not to be cross with me, either.
Identity papers, please
Julia Kovacs?
- Come with us, please. - I'm not going anywhere.
Your mother's worried about you.
I haven't got a mother.
Don't say such things. Come along, before I loose my temper.
Let me go! I'm not going anywhere!
Comrade Major, we've brought the person.
Thank you, comrades.
Why did you do it to your mother? Aren't you ashamed of yourself?
I'm not.
What she needs is a good beating.
She's never been slapped in her life, that's why she's so impertinent.
You're right.
Istvan, what the hell are you doing?
- Have you gone mad, Janos? - Yes, I'm mad I know!
I won't hit you, don't be afraid.
Dear Juli, please come out.
"21st December, 1949, is the 70th birthday of the great Stalin.
One of the working people's greatest festivities since the liberation.
The young workers of Csepel challenge workers to a Stalin contest.
One of the Csepel iron works Stakhanovities...
...turner Nandor Kmechtl led with a 3,052 per cent achievement.
But he was overtaken...
by Jozsef Vinnyek with an average 3,120 per cent.
The Stalin-led Soviet Union has generously donated trolley buses.
Their route number is 70, in honour of Stalin's 70th birthday.
In the National Museum
workers observe the Stalinist idea
with an exhibition of paintings on the hero's militant life.
The country and the capital commemorate his birthday.
The lovely decorations of factories and houses
depict our love for the Soviet leader.
His genius shows the way to a better future
the freedom of peoples and world peace.
I'd like to go up to my foster-mother.
Freedom's greeting.
Comrade Major, may your daughter come up?
Would you like stew or Wiener Schnitzel?
Thank you I've had lunch.
- Some cake, then. - No thanks.
Wiener Schnitzel.
I'm leaving you.
I may go to my parent's relatives or to a home.
But Janos will help.
When I've found a place, I'll let you know.
I'll come and see you.
Did Janos encourage you in this idea?
I spoke to him, but he didn't persuade me.
Don't send the police after me.
I can't promise not to do that.
As long as you a minor, I'm responsible for you.
To whom? You haven't adopted me. We're not relatives.
Neither is grandfather and grandmother.
I brought you back to Hungary.
I'm responsible for you to the comrades.
I'll ask the comrades for someone else to be responsible for me.
Neither Janos nor your relatives can accept responsibility for you.
Let's not talk about it any more.
Please sign my pass to get out.
Thank you.
I'd like to go in.
Go away. No one can just go in and out.
I'm Janos Gergely's daughter.
I don't know any Janos Gergely's daughter.
You don't know the chief engineer?
I don't know any Janos Gergely.
There's no such person. Go away. - That's not true!
- Go away, I said! - It's not true!
I was afraid I wouldn't see you again.
I've always wanted to sort things out...
but I've never had the time.
Birth certificate, marriage certificate...
my daughter's baptism certificate...
her death certificate...
Party membership cards...
a new one and an old one...
And the passports that saved our lives.
A genuine one and a forged one.
Can I see them?
Of course.
I never think about death.
I want to live and know what is going on.
We've lived through many things.
We'll live through this year, too.
Just be a bit more patient.
And keep your eyes open.
Maybe you'll understand everything some time.
- Can't you escape? - No.
You've escaped before.
That's why.
A drop for the young people.
A drop more for the old.
Here's to Andras, he came top in an exam.
Cheers to Andras!
- Am I disturbing? - Not at all.
- I've brought this. - That's marvellous.
- Smells good. - Strong as the devil.
This is for the young lady.
And for you, Andras.
- What's this? A celebration? - Yes. Good night.
"The good craftsman...
is always a bit tipsy...
but never drunk."
Don't worry, I don't get drunk.
I'll just have one more drink and that's it.
Save the rest for rainy days.
Spirit keeps for a long time.
On more than one occasion I have felt that life is a present.
Our group was arrested near Lyons in the winter of 1942.
They stood us up against a wall.
I was the only one who didn't stop a bullet.
I was saved by bodies falling on me.
Ever since then I have known that I have to live.
To live for those no longer with us.
And I can't give up.
I can't, because my hands are tied.
Now let's go to sleep.
Get up!
Don't worry.
Andras, take care of each other, and the house.
Be strong, my son.
Don't cry...
or I'll be ashamed of myself.
My dear.
Enough of that. Let's go!
Grandfather...
why did they take away Tomi's mother and Janos?
Are they traitors too?
Don't cry, grandfather.
I'll work in the same factory as Janos did.
Put this away.
Thank you very much.
My manuscript.
I'll look after it. May I read it?
Yes, you may.
You're right to leave, Juli. I'd leave too.
Here.
Take this.
And remember, you can always count on me.
Well, conductor, the problem here is that your work is terrible.
It's obsolete, harmful, reactionary.
A musician's job is to delight us...
to make us fuller beings, to give us strength...
to encourage us to work and to fight on...
and show us the beauties and joys of life.
You see, music is a tremendous power.
It was a weapon in your hands...
and it brought gloom and lowered the spirits of the workers.
You abused our confidence...
and our incompetence.
You made us confused and you confused production.
Because you are not just a bad actor, you're an enemy, too.
I can't use your flowery words, i wasn't taught by American professors...
I was taught by Lenin, Stalin and Zhdanov.
- But Comrade Lakatos... - I've finished.
Whoever wants to, can come with me.
National Choir Festival. 17th June, 1950.
Don't start to cry, you'll see him, too.
Can I go in, too?
Hello, father.
Hello, Janos.
Hello.
Tell me about yourselves. How have you been managing?
I get up at five o'clock, for the six o'clock shift.
Afterwards I do the housework.
Tomi comes every afternoon. Then I cook.
Then I go to the school.
I read, I go to the cinema.
- What do you read? - Everything. Dostoïevsky, Krudy.
I've seen The Fall of Berlin.
And you, Andras?
Nothing much. We're waiting for you.
You've gone grey, Janos.