They'll look under the axles, tap the exhaust,
then I'll be across. Paul too.
The border guards aren't very bright. You've got the wrong idea there.
- Which border will you cross? - Heinrich-Heine Street.
Good old Henrich Heine.
They know me and my gold Mercedes.
I'm friends with the guards.
Trust me, I'll call you in 2 hours,
a Schultheiss beer in my hand,
and report the news:
Paul's across.
No! What about Paul's Stasi man?
Rolf! Rolfy, Rolfy... He'll think that Paul's at home.
Okay, I have to go.
We wouldn't want him to suffocate, would we?
Another beer?
Border control, Heinrich-Heine Street.
Who is this?
No reply.
Just this once, my friend.
- Dreyman. - Okay,
Paul's plan worked!
No border control at all?
No, no special checks.
Those boys aren't so bad.
It worked as planned.
Thanks for doing this, Mr. Hauser.
Forget it, it wasn't all that dangerous.
- Yeah, true. - Yeah.
See you soon, and thanks a lot.
Bye.
What do we do if they ask what we're doing together?
Then... we'll say
We'll say we're writing a stage play together.
For the GDR's 40th anniversary.
Yes!
And it's kind of true.
Who'd have thought our State Security
was so incompetent?
Who'd have thought they were such idiots?
Just you wait...
"7.32 p.m. No further noteworthy incidents."
Hello, comrade. Listen to this here!
Sure, in 1967 there were many suicides.
But why in 1977? You must explain.
You must describe the social conditions more clearly.
It should remain literature,
not political agitation.
The text is great.
I just want to be sure people understand it in the West.
It'll cause a sensation either way.
- That's Hauser! - Of course it's Hauser.
He's not in the West!
They're writing a play together.
For the 40th anniversary.
It doesn't sound like a play to me.
No? Then what?
I don't know... but not a play.
You think a lot, Sergeant Leye.
You're not an intellectual, are you?
Me? No... I'm not one of those.
Then don't behave like one.
I chose you because you know the equipment
and don't ask questions.
Leave the thinking to your superiors.
Yes, Captain. I'll be off, then.
Have a nice day...
of work... I mean, I hope you enjoy your work.
Maybe I can re-write this part.
I'll send you
all the material we have.
Can you do it in two weeks?
Then I could run it as a cover story
for the first week in March.
It's Christa.
Georg?
Christa, this is Gregor Hessenstein.
- Christa Sieland. - Of course, I know that!
So, what conspiracy are you cooking up?
Hauser and I are writing a play for the GDR's 40th anniversary.
Together?
The 'Spiegel' may do an article on it.
- And who'll play the lead role? - We planned to ask you.
Christa, who would you rather play:
Lenin or his dear old mother?
You can choose.
I see I'm not welcome here.
I'll go for a nap.
Your caution is praiseworthy.
The fewer people know, the better.
The Stasi is not to be toyed with.
On that note, I brought something for you.
I'd have preferred the whole pie. I already have a typewriter.
The Stasi can identify its typeface.
If they intercepted the text at the border,
for your typewriter using,
you'd end up in Hohenschonhausen.
And that's no fun,
as Paul can confirm, right?
I'm afraid I could only get a red ink ribbon for this model.
Do you mind writing it in red?
That won't be a problem.
Is there somewhere you can hide it?
- Yes, I'll find a place. - Don't take it lightly.
I don't want my next article to be about
your disappearance!
Nobody may know that this typewriter exists!
Is this apartment really safe?
Yes.
It's the only place left in the GDR
where I can say what I want.
Fine, then let's drink to that!
This is the real stuff.
To you! To letting all of Germany see the true face of the GDR!
Cheers. It's better than the Russian stuff!
To your success!
I must see Comrade Grubitz.
Tomorrow at 2.30 p.m...
Tell him that if he blows the cover, we'll shut down the entire parish!
It's easy!
He can call the Pope and complain!
Okay, I've spent enough time on this nonsense.
Wiesler, I'm glad you're here.
I have to show you something.
"Prison Conditions for Subversive Artists Based on Character Profile."
Pretty scientific, eh?
And look at this:
"Dissertation supervisor: A. Grubitz." That's great, isn't it?
I only gave him a B...
They shouldn't think getting a doctorate with me is easy.
But this is first-class.
Did you know that there are just 5 types of artists?
Your guy, Dreyman,
is a type 4. A "hysterical anthropocentrist."
Can't bear being alone,
always talking, needing friends.
That type should never be brought to trial.
They thrive on that.
Temporary detention is the best way
to deal with them.
Complete isolation and no set release date.
No human contact the whole time,
not even with the guards.
Good treatment,
no harassment, no abuse, no scandals...
nothing they could write about later.
After 10 months, we release.
Suddenly.
That guy won't cause us any more trouble.
Know what the best part is?
Most type 4s we've processed in this way
never write anything again! Or paint anything,
or whatever artists do...
And that without any use of force...
Just like that! Kind of...
like a present.
What brings you here? Developments with Dreyman?
That's why I'm here.
I think the time has come...
For what?
For us to slim down the operation.
I don't want to run day and night shifts
for such an uncertain case.
Uncertain, eh?
You don't think we'll find anything
for the Minister?
Maybe if we're more flexible...
If we watch 'Lazlo' outside his own four walls.
Shall I give the case to Udo?
I'd like to continue it myself.
Why?
It could produce results.
I just need to plan more flexibly,
when I come and go, days and nights...
Maybe he's up to something outside.
Something doesn't feel right here.
There's something you're hiding.
Alright, I'll take Udo off the case.
I can use him for this church case.
Give me a request in writing.
Write as a reason:"Lack of suspicious acts."
And, Wiesler!
A piece of advice for you:
We're not at school anymore.
Projects aren't about grades,
but success.
"The state statistics office
counts everything, knows everything.
How many shoes I buy a year: 2.3.
How many books I read a year: 3.2.
And how many pupils graduate with straight A's every year: 6347."
"5 p.m. Lazlo reads the first act of his anniversary play to Hauser and Wallner."
DENTAL PRACTICE
We're not writing a play, Christa.
You don't have to tell me.
But I want to. It's a text...
Don't tell me.
Maybe I am as unreliable as your friends say.
But I... I'm with you now...
No matter what.
Minister Riesenhuber, author of the report,
said there is no quick fix for saving damaged forests.
East-West German relations under strain.
'Spiegel' magazine today published
a text by an unnamed East German author
about suicide in the German Democratic Republic.
This follows a series of suicides by prominent
East-Berlin artists, the latest being Albert Jerska.
After being blacklisted for 7 years,
Jerska committed suicide on January 5th.
In 1977, the GDR ceased publishing any data relating to suicides.
That year, Hungary was the only country in Europe with a higher suicide rate.
Yes, Sir...
But we...
General, our man at the 'Spiegel'
got us a photostat of the original.
Congratulations! So who wrote it?
He doesn't know, but using the typeface, we'll...
You're hopeless! Get me names!
I will, as soon as we get the results.
If not, you'll be put against the wall.
Andrea, where's the graphologist?
Thus I conclude that it is a domestic typewriter produced for export,
most likely a 'Kolibri' travel model,
made by the VEB Groma.
If the ink were black, I could be more precise.
Who owns such a typewriter?
There are none registered in the GDR.
What does that mean? What does Hauser use?
Paul Hauser uses a 'Valentino' typewriter, made by Olivetti.
- That model has a more horizontal... - Yes, yes! And Wallner?
He writes on an Optima 'Elite'.
Georg Dreyman?
He writes his first drafts by hand,
then types them up on a Wanderer 'Torpedo'.
He's never used anything else.
How big is this 'Kolibri' typewriter?
It's one of the smallest available:
19.5cm x 99cm x 19.55cm.
So it's as easy to smuggle as a book.
Thank you. You may go.
Goodbye, comrade.
"The Secret Suicide Statistics"
Andrea, put me through to Wiesler.
"4 p.m. The group is exhausted from so much writing."
- Yes? - Have you heard about this article?
- In the 'Spiegel'? Yes. - How so?
Hauser called Dreyman and told him about it.
Wiesler, this is very important. Both for my career and for yours.
Did he mention who may be behind it? Or do you have any ideas?
I don't think he mentioned anything. No... nothing at all.
A 'Spiegel' editor crossed the border using a false name on the 27th,
and spent four hours here.
Dept. VI followed him to Prenzlauer Berg, then lost his trail.
Did he have contact with Dreyman?
- Wouldn't I have noted it in the report? - Yes, of course.
But I smell a writer behind this text.
I'd be astonished if I'm wrong.
So keep your ears open!
Shit!
Get in.
If one of your staff deceives you, you punish him, right?
Sure, sure!
Even a woman? Right?
But of course!
Isn't everyone who serves a great man part of his staff?
You could see it like that...
Indeed, you'd have to see it like that.
This is where she gets her illegal medication. Christa-Maria Sieland.
You should know this, it's your department.
It's up to you whether you ruin her or not,
but I never want to see her on a German stage again.
Now get out.
Shut the door!
Ms. Sieland? Please follow us. We have some questions.
Come along.
So...
Comrade Sieland, a beautiful career you had, hm?
A pity really. You were good.
You were very good indeed.
Just too short-lived.
Do have a seat.
What do actors do when they can't act anymore?
Please...
Isn't there anything I can do for you?
- For... State Security? - It's a little late for that.
I know nearly all our artists.
I could find out a lot.
I believe you. But it won't help you now.
Maybe there's something else I could do?
Something we might both find agreeable.
Unfortunately,
you've made an enemy of a very powerful man.
Therefore, I have less freedom than would normally be the case.
Is there no way I can save myself?
I'm sorry, madam.
There is one possibility.
Since you spend so much time with writers and artists...
You don't know anything about an article from this week's 'Spiegel', do you?
An article about suicide.
State Security! Open the door!
Open up!
He's turned on the light in his study.
Go in before he destroys any evidence.
Crowbar!
I don't think that'll be necessary.
- What's the matter, comrades? - We have a warrant to search the premises.
Warrant is here.
- What are you looking for? - It's confidential.
Boysen, Muller: bedroom.
Greska: kitchen, bathroom, hall.
Heise and Thomas: living room, study.
Go!
What do you burn in here?
Substandard texts.
A lot of Western literature, eh?
That book was a gift from Margot Honecker.
- Status? - All according to plan.
We found nothing, except Western books and newspapers.
- No trace to be found! - Did you search thoroughly?
Yes, Comrade! What's our next move?
- Comrade? - Pull out your men!
In the unlikely event that damage has occurred, you may claim compensation.
I'm sure everything's in perfect order.
Yes?
Wiesler, I'll be expecting you in Hohenschonhausen at 9 a.m. tomorrow.
Okay, I'll say what we're all thinking:
It was Christa-Maria.
The Stasi got her, and she ratted on you.
It wasn't her.
How can you be so sure?
You yourself said she wasn't home last night.
She knows the hiding place.
Yes, she knows.
So if you're right,
and the search was due to her,
then she's our guardian angel.
I'm here to see Lt. Col. Grubitz.
Captain Wiesler.
Interrogation room 76.
Yes! Come in.
Sit down.
So?
What was that about?
You're asking me what that was about?
What do you suspect Dreyman of?
He wrote the 'Spiegel' article.
Who alleges that?
Come with me!
Here.
I don't know how you could be so sloppy as to miss all of this!
But I know you differently, especially as an interrogator.
So I'm giving you one last chance.
Bring in prisoner 662, now!
Are you still on the right side?
Yes.
Then don't screw it up again.
Shall I restrain the prisoner?
No, she's an informant now. You may go.
So you're my commanding officer?
Write.
Then command me.
In another 10 hours...
No, in 9 and a half,
Mr. Roessing will tell the audience that
you, for health reasons, cannot appear.
And that will be your last mention in the acting world.
Is that what you want?
Tell us where the evidence is hidden.
There is no evidence,
and no typewriter. I made it all up.
I hope not.
If so, we'll have to keep you here.
A false statement is perjury, which carries around 2 years in prison.
Dreyman will go to prison anyway,
on account of your statement...
and the material we've already found in the apartment.
Save yourself, at least.
You have no idea how many people
are in jail here for senseless heroics.
Don't forget your audience.
"Don't forget your audience!" He has some funny ideas!
Don't forget what the state has done for you...
Your whole life long.
Now you can do something for the state.
And it will thank you.
Tell me where the typewriter's hidden.
Dreyman will never find out.
I'll let you go immediately,
and we'll strike only after you're back with him.
You'll manage to feign surprise, I'm sure.
And tonight you'll be back on stage.
In your element.
In front of your audience.
Tell me where the documents are.
Where are they?
They're in the apartment...
Under the doorsill,
between the living room and the hallway.
You can remove it.
Is this where you mean? Mark the exact place with a cross.
You look worn out. Remember, you're an informant now.
That means responsibilities, like conspiracy and confidentiality,
but also privileges...
Guard!
Call Wiesler for me!
Col. Wiesler has left the premises, comrade.
I see!
Alright. Stand down.
What does a rider do when he's thrown?
He gets back on again.
Go inside. Sleep it off.
What happened has nothing to do with the house.
No, but with the whole country.
Christa!
Stop, I was at Kerschner's and they had no water. I need a shower.
You were in a hurry to get here!
- Operation 'Lazlo' is still in progress! - Are they both inside?
Yes.
Here's today's report.
The last report for Operation 'Lazlo'.
Why didn't you call me?
What?
Why didn't you call me?
I was out in the country.
Can you hand me the nail brush?
The Stasi was here. They searched the apartment.
Who was here?
State Security! Open up!
Stay here.
Hello, Comrade Dreyman. I'm Lt. Col. Grubitz from State Security.
I just wanted to make sure they did a thorough job last night.
Your study? We'll start there.
Men, search carefully for notes hidden in the books.
Oh, what do we have here?
This doorsill doesn't look kosher to me.
Could it be... a secret compartment?
Let her go. She's not a suspect.
The actress...
I was too weak.
I can never put right what I've done wrong.
There's nothing to put right! You understand? Nothing.
I moved the ty...
Forgive me, forgive me... Forgive me, forgive me...
Take your men back to headquarters. This mission is over.
I've concluded the mission, Comrade Dreyman. We must have received an erroneous tip-off.
Sorry.
Come on.
There's one thing you should understand, Wiesler.
Your career is over.
Even if you were too smart to leave any traces.
You'll end up in some cellar, steam-opening letters until you retire.
That means the next 20 years.
20 years!
That's a long time.
"Mikhail Gorbachev elected as leader of the Soviet Union's Communist Party."
4 YEARS AND 7 MONTHS LATER
The Wall has come down!
Yes, the Wall has come down!
The border guards have opened the gates. The excitement is enormous!
People are streaming out in thousands! It's unbelievable!
Dear listeners, November 9th, 1989,
will go down in history!
TWO YEARS LATER
What's wrong, my child?
Your Arthur is dead.
Arthur... Can't you be wrong, just this once?
I saw him this morning!
No, sister. Believe me. He fell to his death.
The loyal men surround him, as you do me,
and despite the high sun, cast
seven shadows on his noble dead body.
Crushed by the mighty wheel. I see it,
though I'd rather see any other horror.
Why am I not spared these visions?
Elena! Go home and mourn.
I will finish your shift.
Too many memories, eh?
I couldn't stay in there either.
But what's this I hear?
You've not written since the Wall fell?
That's not good.
After all our country invested in you.
Although I understand you, Dreyman.
What is there to write about in this new Germany?
Nothing to believe in, nothing to rebel against...
Life was good in our little Republic.
Many people only realize that now.
- There is one thing I do need to ask you. - Whatever you want.
Why was I never under surveillance?
Everyone else was. Why not me?
You were under full surveillance!
We knew everything about you.
Full surveillance?
Every inch was bugged. The full program.
Impossible!
Take a look behind your light switches.
We knew everything.
We knew that you couldn't give our little Christa what she needed.
To think that people like you once ruled a country...
RESEARCH SITE AND MEMORIAL
It'll be a moment, there should be more than one file in your case.
I ordered them chronologically.
Old ones at the top, and the newer ones underneath.
My respects!
Operation 'Lazlo'. Operation 'Lazlo', subject: Georg Dreyman, code-name 'Lazlo', is launched.
The lead came from Minister Bruno Hempf.
'Lazlo' takes delivery of a daily Western newspaper without official permission.
I suggest not taking any action
so as not to arouse suspicion of surveillance.
'Lazlo' and CMS unwrap presents,
then presumably have intercourse.
The visitor was Paul Hauser's uncle from West Berlin.
They tell him about a play that Hauser
and 'Lazlo' will write for the GDR's 40th anniversary.
We expect further information on the play,
a plot summary etc.
Contents of act 1:
Lenin is in constant danger.
Despite increasing external pressure, he sticks to his revolutionary plans.
Lenin is exhausted.
HGW...
HGW XX-7...
I, Christa-Maria Sieland,
freely commit myself to work unofficially for State Security.
This decision is the result of my conviction that...
Georg Dreyman
wrote the 'Spiegel' article "One Who Made it to the Other Side."
His accomplices were the journalist Paul Hauser...
Christa Sieland was arrested on March 10th
for drug abuse, on Minister Hempf's indication.
She was released at 1.50 p.m. on March 11th,
having revealed 'Lazlo's hiding place
and signing up as informant 'Marta'.
1.50 p.m...
So when did she...
After the unsuccessful house search of March 11, 1985,
and 'Marta's' fatal accident,
Operation 'Lazlo' was terminated.
Note: HGW's promotion ban takes effect immediately.
Transfer to Dept. M,
with the recommendation not to entrust him with missions under his sole responsibility.
10:50 a.m.: Resume surveillance outside 'Lazlo's' house.
At 3.10 p.m., 'Marta' comes directly from Hohenschonhausen to his apartment.
House search and report to follow.
End of Operation 'Lazlo'. HGW, 3.15 p.m.
Who is HGW XX-7?
Stop.
Back to Hufeland Street.
TWO YEARS LATER
"Georg Dreyman" "Sonata for a Good Man"
"A Novel" "Dedicated to HGW XX-7, in gratitude."
29,80.
Shall I gift-wrap it?
No, it's for me.