The Wall
will still stand in 50 and even in 100 years
if the reasons for it have not yet been removed.
Border security is the sovereign right of every country
and therefore also of our German Democratic Republic.
A regime of injustice
has committed another injustice.
A greater injustice than anything committed before.
Daarom ben ik als vrij man trots op de woorden:
Ich bin ein Berliner.
THE MIRACLE OF BERLIN
20. Juni 1988, OST-Berlin
17 Monate Vor Dem Fall Der Mauer
Marco!
Marco?
Mum!
- Hello, my boy. - Not now, I'm in a hurry!
The professor wants to put in a word for you.
- But if he sees you like that... - He'd be helping you, not me.
You're ruining your future out of plain stubbornness!
I could shovel coal in a kindergarten.
I'd be off work in summer and we'd go out dancing.
Stop this now. I'm serious!
You're dead serious, I know. Got a pound?
Buddies and beer!
I wanted a change.
I'll pump Grandpa. He'll give Dad heaps and you'll be stressed all night.
- I'll take it, Kutte. - As you wish, Comrade Colonel.
- Wait a minute! - I'm in a hurry.
- You're not going out like that! - I'm 18 now.
- That's an order! - You can't order me any more.
Your upbringing!
And in front of the driver! Tell him it's not on!
I'm never telling him that again.
Your first rave?
Marco, come on!
Wait, Anja! Where are you going?
Out of here. It's like a hole full of rats.
- It isn't always this heavy. - Well... each to his own.
I didn't understand a word.
"Don't wait for the night to bring you morning."
"Don't wait for the Song of Unity to bring you freedom."
"Don't wait for tomorrow to live today."
"Don't wait..." and so on.
That's good.
You think so?
Don't tell me you wrote it.
Against the wall!
Shut up! No gabbing!
On the double!
Move! Shut up! Legs apart!
Your number is 24/73.
When I call you up, you are to follow the orders.
Strip!
Take it out!
Wipe under your arm and the sac.
Now put it back.
It's for the dogs.
Look straight ahead!
Open your eyes.
You've shirked military service, to which you had committed.
Probably just to get your diploma.
Fraudulently, at the workers' expense.
- Why am I here? - Don't ask stupid questions.
You were arrested at a riotous assembly of enemy elements you initiated.
- Do you want me to believe... - That is your son, sir?
Yes, that is my son.
How do you live? You have no apprenticeship.
I'll tell you something. Dropouts do time in our prisons.
Especially hostile elements like you.
We'll make short work of this.
This isn't the first time the police have caught your son, Comrade.
It casts doubt on your example as a father and a Chekist.
I myself have two sons. I wouldn't allow such a thing.
Comrade Colonel... may I? We haven't yet been introduced, Captain.
Lieutenant Marion Niemann, First Directorate.
Let me glance over the list of goods you requisitioned from us.
- Comrade Kaiser happens to have it. - Yes.
It could be processed more quickly
if the Comrade Colonel didn't have to deal with this matter.
Just as you said... you're of age now.
This means Bautzen instead of uni. You'll get this every day.
It's only what you've made of it.
Have you gone totally crazy? You've had it too good!
Sure. No hunger, no homelessness, full employment...
What is wrong with that? What?
What do you want? You haven't built anything!
- At your age I didn't have a motorbike. - At my age, you built the Wall!
- I'd do it again! - You would too.
- You think fun is dangerous! - You'll see what fun it is in Bautzen.
I've seen people being broken. But suit yourself.
You can stew in your own juice.
We'll get some peace at home. It's your decision.
If you're so tough, my son, why not do three years in the army
and after that, university.
Or do you want to break your mother's heart?
Are you such a complete idiot?
- I won't go to the border. - Pardon?
No border duty and release all my mates!
Do you think you can bargain with me?
At least Anja.
She's not part of it. It was her first time, I invited her.
It's gone that far, has it? You are dangerous.
Yes or no? Or shall we just forget it?
Shake hands on it.
Shake hands!
- I hate you. - The privilege of youth.
My son was with a girl called Anja.
Could you organise her release and see if she has a record?
- Jürgen? - What?
Come here.
- Why? - Don't make such a fuss.
Smell this.
- I don't smell anything. - That's just it.
Marco?
Hi, Mum.
- Been swimming? Fully dressed? - Things were a bit stressful.
I wish you'd say something different. Here! You should read this.
I have to go.
- Will you be seeing the professor? - He comes in almost every day.
I'm joining the army in autumn.
I changed my mind.
I want to go on studying. German literature.
I knew it! Give him time and he'll make the right decision.
I'm so proud of you. This calls for celebrations!
Thanks for telling me first. I'm so proud of you!
- Mum... - I have to go.
Bye.
What did you do to yourself?
You'll give me a heart attack one day, Grandpa.
So you'll do your three years.
I'm going to crash.
- Hello. - Got it for me?
No, I'm sorry. Only five copies have arrived.
What must I do to get to the top of your list?
Plenty of Marx and Lenin but no Gorbachev.
Not even a Sputnik. There used to be so many.
- Maybe next time. - A likely story!
- Professor. - Hello.
- My son has decided on literature. - I'm delighted.
- Leipzig or Humboldt? - 8.50 marks. Thank you.
1.50 change.
- Bye! - Have a good trip!
Hi.
How are you?
I have to take a shower.
I know a great place to wash.
Half an hour from here.
"You fools who search my trunks Will in them nothing find.
"The contraband that I have brought Is all within my mind."
I did Heinrich Heine in school too. You can't impress me.
Nothing much can impress you, then?
- Where did you learn to swim like that? - In the KJS swimming team.
That was it for excitement. I live with a stuffy family.
At least you have parents.
- They're a pain, petit bourgeois. - Are you crazy?
Someone looked after your bleeding knee and blew on it.
Yes, all the time, like a mother hen.
You grew up in luxury, you got a motorbike, and you complain?
You have no idea.
This always happens to me.
- Shit! - What's got into you?
You're another one of those "no future" types.
- Wait! - No responsibility!
Don't make such a fuss.
Anja...
"I thank Lenin and the October Revolution...
..."for what we've become." That's as old as the hills.
- I meant that I met you. - I'm already regretting it.
You're the only one who quotes Heine just like that.
- And what are you doing with it? - Studying.
Three years of dust, then uni. German literature. All organised.
I'll want to keep seeing you.
We'll let it last, as long as it lasts.
Okay.
Comrade Lieutenant-Colonel? Comrade Niemann from HV1.
Yes. Have her come in.
- I've got something for you. - So do I, but you won't like it.
This Anja has a file.
That was to be expected.
My son only gets involved with the wrong people. Disgusting!
- Is she high-profile? - I didn't see the file.
I only spoke with the files chief.
I can't say by whom, but the file is regularly cleared.
He doesn't know who's protecting her.
Why would she be after my son?
- I don't know. - Find out!
I'm no longer your subordinate.
Forgive me, Marion.
I'm sorry. I'm... I'm a bit nervous today.
Why would anyone doctor a high-profile internal file?
You'd need a codename, registry contacts...
- What's going on here? - I'll keep at it.
Marion... Thank you.
I've been waiting all evening. We were to celebrate.
- You could have rung! - I love you, Mum.
Pardon?
Yes!
Give it to her, boy.
More legal exits have not stopped the wave of escapes.
Rather, more departures to the West
often make those left behind want to follow.
A state whose people are slowly abandoning it
is not to be envied.
They'll wake up the whole neighbourhood.
What would you know?
You have a wife in her prime and you're letting her dry up.
At least I'm still talking to her. That's more than you managed.
You didn't go to war.
Breakfast!
Gold for 200m backstroke
Why don't you put this up?
Breakfast.
- A roll? - Thank you.
Try the Hungarian salami.
- We get it out when we have visitors. - Grandpa!
- Sorry. - Thank you.
Could you pass the orange juice?
You're an orphan?
Yes.
My parents died in a traffic accident. I was four.
I'm sorry.
Were you adopted?
- I think no one wanted me. - I can't imagine that, in your case!
- Well? Did you sleep well? - Not that again, Grandpa.
What a party! Come, I'll take you to school.
- What is it you learn there? - Nursing.
- Oh? - Really?
- I'm a nurse too. - Mum! Let's go.
- I practised up to a year ago. - Excuse me...
- Thank you for the nice breakfast. - Come visit us.
Gladly.
She's good for him.
I can feel it.
Joe and Klara are now banned from Berlin.
Speiche and Panther are still in a Stasi prison.
- The others have to report. - Funny...
The one who organised the rave is free.
- It's not my fault. - Krumme's just miffed.
Your bird shows up, and there's a raid.
Marco!
Stop it, Marco!
Marco!
- Marco! - Let him be.
He's in his element. Marco was in the Sports Academy.
I know.
So you know his dad's a Stasi bigwig.
Are you crazy? He's somebody in the ministry.
Marco!
During his trip to Siberia, Gorbachev commented
"Perestroika is not a fried egg that you're served up on a platter.
"Everyone must participate."
He called for change from the bottom up.
The beginning of the end.
Look what's happening in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
Not to mention Poland.
It's your birthday. Stop watching for once.
- Anything ready yet? - Have a sausage.
- She doesn't like them. - Your favourite salad.
- Thank you. - Everyone my age is dead.
I'm just too lazy to drop.
I grew up in Neudorf, near Brandenburg.
I went to school there, got married there...
And if not for World War II, you'd never have left.
That way, at least you went to Stalingrad. And Siberia.
Jürgen was so embarrassed,
he'd rather have had his teacher as a dad than me.
He was a staunch Communist
and before little Jürgen knew it, he was in the Party and the Guards.
Did you organise my release? Are you with the Stasi?
My son doesn't interrogate or spy on anyone.
He just procures the pencils. He didn't make it to the front.
As long as I provide you with beer, you should be happy!
Let's leave it at that.
I have work to do.
That's how it is here...
My mother is happy if they're not at each other's throats.
Any family is better than none.
Listen, Marco. When you leave the army
I'll have finished my apprenticeship.
I can earn the money then and you can study.
And then we can have a family.
So here we go!
You'd be better off with me.
I don't read the revanchist books my father-in-law gets.
A divorce in my position... The views of the Party...
Out of the question.
Forget it.
"He went back to the fox."
The Little Prince
"'Goodbye,' he said. 'Goodbye,' said the fox.
"'Here is my secret. A very simple secret.
"'One sees clearly only with the heart.
"'Anything essential is invisible to the eyes.
"'You must not forget.
"'You become responsible forever for what you've tamed."'
Shoe polish, shaving things, twice. Two bars of soap...
- Why everything twice? - One set into the combat pack.
One set for the locker. Here.
- I don't smoke, Grandpa. - It's the only currency that counts.
Sock and trouser braces are important, and stamps and band-aids.
- And don't take a cheap padlock. - I'm not going to Russia, Grandpa.
Well... the time has come.
Come here.
- I'll make some sandwiches to take. - No, Mum.
- Well? - Hi.
- Where's Anja? - No idea.
Don't go bollocking, you hear?
Don't let the others, either. Promise.
Take care of yourself. Put this on, it's freshly washed.
Drive carefully!
So where's Anja?
She had to study.
Surprise!
Where did you come from?
Stop that!
Off it goes.
Not that much!
Help!
It'll take as long as it takes. But slacking time is over, right?
- Don't go, don't... - I have to. Take care.
Fall in! Two rows. On the double! Move those legs!
Forget that civvy sauntering!
Hands by your side! Eyes straight ahead!
Wipe that smirk off your face!
- What's your name? - Marco Kaiser.
It's Soldier Kaiser!
Even before we're sworn in?
I'll remember you, buddy.
New recruits ready for muster, Lieutenant.
Comrades!
You are now part of the National People's Army
of our socialist fatherland, the German Democratic Republic.
We are here to guard the peace
so your wives and parents can sleep without worry.
- Shoe size? - 43.
- Hat size? - 56.
Step aside.
- Clothes size? - 48.
- Shoe size? - 44.
- Head size? - 60.
Step aside.
Soldier Kaiser.
- Clothes size? - 46.
- Shoe size? - 41.
- Hat size? - 58.
Step aside.
New recruits! Combat alarm! Assemble in the hall in two minutes!
Get lost!
2¹/² minutes!
It has to be faster!
Look at you, Soldier Klee!
Does this meet regulations? It's just thrown on!
Ten from everyone!
One...
two...
three...
four...
five...
six...
It's only been a week and I miss Marco so much.
You can move into his room and help me clean up.
Could I? I wouldn't need to sleep in the hostel any more.
Thank you, thank you!
I don't want to be disturbed.
Not now. Not now!
You've never seen what I'm about to show you.
- Where did you get that? - Doesn't matter.
One good turn deserves another. I need a little gift.
Her mother was riding a bicycle when she was hit by a truck.
The driver was never found.
Anja was five. She was put in an orphanage.
Then why does she say both her parents died?
The certificate says "Father Unknown", but there must be some note.
"'A link to Operation Tango cannot be excluded."
Operation Tango?
The code name for military advisers to the Chilean government.
- Are you crazy? - Look at this.
13 September 1973.
Two days after the fascist military putsch in Chile.
Hanna had her move in with us. She's probably sniffing me out.
I have to take the file back. I might be able to make a copy.
But it will cost you, darling.
- I found this too. - That's lovely.
It will suit you.
Move, comrades! Time is passing.
Get a move on!
Move!
Next!
Move! Next exercise! Hurry up!
Grothe...
Freese... Mail from the home front.
Becker...
This is for another unit.
Right face!
To the barracks, fall out!
- Some clean bedlinen for you. - Thank you.
Marco was 12 and about to join the Sports Academy.
- For the Olympics? - He was to have six years.
- Will you help me with dinner? - Sure.
Jürgen thinks I ruined Marco's career.
Why?
Four years of boarding school. He became totally estranged.
He only spoke of his trainer and pals. He stopped being a child.
Suddenly he developed a high fever.
I took him to hospital.
If I hadn't been a nurse myself...
I'd never have seen his blood count.
His circulation was near collapse. I don't know what they gave him.
I didn't let him go back.
I threatened Jürgen...
that I'd publish the results if he made any difficulties.
Since then, neither of them has talked to me.
It was hell for all of us.
I was protecting him. He thought I was taking his pals away.
Mail from the front!
Letter from Marco!
We're in the kitchen!
I've never told anyone. Please don't say anything.
"My dears, I'm well.
"We get confirmed on 12 December. It would be nice if you came. Marco."
That's all?
He's well.
He says so.
Those are the letters you write
when a pal is freezing to death beside you.
Move, move, move!
Get going!
Take cover!
Advance!
Move!
Fire!
Gas!
Assault! Forward!
Let's hit them with another shell.
Comrade Major, recruits exercising! Nothing to report.
Carry on.
Move!
Squad halt!
Pause! All clear!
Get off your arse and keep standing!
Carry on!
If you keep vomiting we'll lose so many points...
- Hey! - Now get up!
- Hey. Lay off! - Don't get in my way!
Platoon, attention!
Soldier Freese! Take command!
Yes, sir, Comrade Corporal!
Platoon! Route step, march!
Move!
Get up!
What is it, Klee?
Help! Help!
Bite into your strap!
Typical! You arsehole!
Becker! Find two pieces of wood!
- You'll get splints and move on. - He can't!
Shut up, Klee! Pull yourself together, you hear?
- Get the medics! Fire a flare! - Salute first, Comrade Soldier!
Fire a flare!
They're for emergencies. He'll get splints and carry on!
Prison Cell 2. Occupant, Soldier Marco Kaiser.
What is worrying is your stupidity, Comrade Kaiser.
Assault on a superior.
That means court-martial.
You really beat into that lapdog and broke his jaw...
and your knuckles.
You wanted to help a comrade.
That qualifies you as wanting more, being responsible, being special.
An elite.
Carry on.
I am able to declare today
that in the book of German-Soviet history
not only has a new page been turned,
but a new chapter has begun, with, we hope, many new pages.
NATO stability has facilitated the dismantling of the SS-20 missiles.
Only the East German authorities are ignoring the signs of the times.
I swear...
faithfully to serve the German Democratic Republic, my fatherland...
and to protect the Workers' and Peasants' State against every enemy.
I swear it.
Congratulations, my boy.
- Our table? - I said you have to wait.
It's always "wait".
- Did you book a table? - Yes, yes.
- You booked? - I hope it's not gone.
- What name? - Kaiser.
Excuse me, this table has been reserved. There's been a mistake.
- But... - I'm sorry. Please leave.
- I'm with my son. This is appalling! - No fuss, please. We're a respectable place.
I'll go without.
- Wait! It's just been fixed. - Marco!
The way he always does.
- Do you know your unit? - I can't tell you.
- Will you have to go to the border? - They're military secrets.
Here we go!
You don't understand.
They're not as dumb as I thought. There are alternatives.
How's your apprenticeship?
It's coming along.
Your mother is absolutely fantastic.
And your grandpa is so much fun.
I have something for you.
Do you want it?
You had something for me.
Yes...
I almost forgot. You'll like it.
For you.
- Who took these? - Who do you think?
- You undressed in front of Grandpa? - Don't read anything into it.
- He reads Western porno magazines. - Calm down!
There are nudes in our paper too now and then.
Come on, Marco.
- I thought you'd like them. - Sure.
It was harmless.
The Suez Crisis.
Vietnam.
The Falkland Islands.
Chile. If President Allende could have counted on his army
Latin America would be socialist today.
We witness how the Junta raged and oppressed its people
and how capitalist companies exploited a land rich in resources.
An American oil company manager once confessed to me
that for oil, the US would come into any war in the world.
That is the national doctrine of the United States.
West Germany has the world's biggest stockpile of nuclear weapons.
We are in the front line of socialism.
NATO's strongest units are west of that line.
Almost 900,000 troops are stationed in West Germany,
a ratio 26 times greater than that in the USA itself.
In Great Britain's worst air disaster
probably all 259 passengers of a Boeing 747
and some 15 inhabitants of the town of Lockerbie lost their lives.
It always happens before Christmas.
Not being allowed to travel isn't so bad sometimes.
The British government ordered an investigation...
I meant it as a joke.
Come on, Grandpa, why doesn't he get leave?
Sometimes that's how it is in the army, my girl.
You just don't know. A lot is kept secret.
It's Christmas. A year ago, this day's glad message
would not have reached a soul on this spot in Berlin.
Attention!
At ease!
Turn it down a bit, Krüger.
Comrades, some of you may wish to go home to your families,
and your girlfriends. I understand.
But did you know that Nixon ordered the bombing of Hanoi at Christmas?
I won't ask my subordinates to do anything I won't do. So I'm here.
I offer you a choice. Two bottles of beer...
or 5000 metres in the morning
and a day's leave for whoever can beat me.
Take names, Krüger!
Carry on.
- How old is he? - At least 40.
We'll show him tomorrow. Let's live it up and then go running.
There's our little gay couple again.
This is my friend, Juliane.
Dear viewers,
with us is the six-times gold medallist of the last Olympic Games.
We'll shortly show you those feats in a flashback.
Kristen Otto!
She's in Lane 5. She's racing ahead.
Lap time, 26.36. Faster than her own world record!
She's leading! She's in front! Can she make it?
Can she hold on? Can she crown an extraordinary career?
It looks like it! Not far to go. It looks like she'll make it!
She's done it!
She's a six-times gold medallist!
When did you ever see that?
My Marco could have stood there.
Just goes to show, ours is the superior system.
Yes...
Not bad! Maybe next year.
Mr Kaiser?
Merry Christmas, Jürgen.
You too, Martin. Season's greetings.
Oh... thanks, Jürgen.
Thank you.
I wanted to ask... We're running out of microphones.
We can't even ensure surveillance of the Sinus Bar in the Palast Hotel.
- Any concerns? - January.
Economic mission. Prime Minister from the West.
We really can't mourn Strauss's death.
Our objective is two million... or we'll be bankrupt by summer.
I'll see what I can do.
Jürgen...
There's something else.
Here... her.
Is that your wife?
We're working on him and her.
You know what that means.
Yes.
- Well then... thanks again. - Merry Christmas.
Right... there's more.
"Change What Needs Changing.
"The Socialist Unity Party of Germany is still frantically resisting
"Mikhail Gorbachev's transformation bug..."
Jürgen!
"Getting a foothold in the GDR."
That's right. Those old crocks up there...
Not in this house, or you move out. Is that clear?
And I want you out in five minutes!
- If you throw Anja out, I'll move out too. - Where to?
She's part of our family.
Do you know who she is? The poor orphan?
That's a lie. Only her mother died.
You have no idea. She's got it in for Marco and us too.
Wait a moment, girl. Wait.
Maybe he'll calm down again. He's...
All this Western stuff has to go, once and for all.
You know when books were last burned, right?
Yes, well...
Dinner is ready!
We should talk about it.
We shall not talk about it. Just keep out of my family affairs
or find somewhere else to stay, got that?
There! Let's eat now.
Then we'll open presents.
Will you open the wine, Father? Breast or drumstick?
Drumstick.
- Want any dumplings? - No.
- Cabbage? - No.
- Gravy? - Yes.
- See you tomorrow. - All right.
Hanna?
Jürgen wasn't always like that.
When we met, in '66 during the harvest,
we embraced the new spirit and anti-fascism.
Justice for all!
We did achieve something.
That binds people.
I... I always have the feeling
I have to pay for something I didn't do.
I'm not lying.
When Marco gets out, I'll get you your own flat.
Finish your apprenticeship now.
You can always come to visit me when Jürgen isn't here.
The two of us just won't let anything get us down.
You hear?
Ward 2, Voting Booth 19 in Berlin-Pankow.
It's early morning. General Secretary of the SED
and Chairman of the GDR State Council Erich Honecker...
"Spring at last! We fold slips of paper today.
"My first election.
"How do you vote? Fold on command and drop it in the urn?
"I only know the cemetery urns. Do they censor your mail?
"Is it because I gab so that you don't write?
"I can't write what I really yearn for, my prince..."
My dear congregation and friends.
I've just heard of severe clashes in Leipzig
between the security services and demonstrators...
who obviously wanted to protest against vote-counting manipulations.
Walk along here, citizens, and have your IDs handy.
No violence! No violence!
Move along!
No violence! No violence!
How can you beat up your own people? You can't do this!
- Hanna! - Anja!
- I'll take charge of this woman. - Yes, ma'am!
Get out of here! Go on!
The election for the National Front of the German Democratic Republic
produced 12, 182,050 valid votes.
That is 98.85%.
In the name of the Electoral Commission of the Republic
I thank everyone who took part in these local elections.
- They've arrested dozens. - What do you want from me?
You have an Ormig machine. We could copy the Leipzig Proclamation.
That's only for my readings. The paper is allocated.
We'll procure the paper.
Thank goodness you're safe.
- What about you? Where's Walter? - At home.
Things can't go on like this. Something has to happen.
Something will... everywhere.
In Poland, Hungary... even with Big Brother.
And now here.
The wave of East German refugees entering West Germany
via Hungary and Austria is greater than was thought.
"Dear Marco,
"People are fleeing in droves.
"I'm scared you'll be sent to the border, maybe to shoot them."
Stop! Who's there?
Weapons on the ground! Come out!
Against the wall!
Against the wall. On the double!
Legs apart! Password!
Snowball.
Exemplary alertness, Comrade Kaiser.
Action completed!
- Corporal Krüger, take over. Depart! - Yes, sir.
Two columns, route step, march!
Kaiser, wait.
Got a girlfriend?
Then it's time to take leave.
- May I ask a question, Comrade Major? - Go ahead.
Were you really in Latin America once?
Long ago.
In another life.
Since returning, I've probed men to see what they're made of.
I'd like to make you platoon leader.
I expect loyalty.
That's all.
Loyalty to this country and these people.
You look wonderful, my son.
You've lost weight.
Grandpa!
My boy!
- I want to change. - Did you get leave? If you're caught...
- I did, Grandpa. Thanks. - They're tough!
My boy...
I'm going to change.
I always knew the army would suit him.
- Marco! - Come on.
- You didn't tell me! - I have a surprise for you.
Stop.
You don't think I'd let you see your mates first.
Ever screw in the woods?
Marco?
I don't believe this! Marco! Hey, man!
Two got out via Hungary.
Pepe and Knopf have gone too now.
- It's shit, man. - Stay in the country and resist.
Did you get border duty? Will you tell us where?
Why?
Would you shoot us?
Do you want to get out so badly you'd risk your life?
Has the army turned you around?
- You mean he's gay now? - I'll kick your arse!
You've become the arsehole of the system.
- Let's go. Who needs this shit? - Piss off, little Stasi boy.
You always were.
Anyone else?
You don't belong here any more.
- What's got into you? - Me? What about you?
Defend you is okay, but defend myself and I'm an arsehole?
- You don't see what's going on. - What don't I see?
Everything's changing, people are fleeing...
Let them. I don't give a stuff, they're no good to us anyway.
Traitor!
The Chinese People's Liberation Army
cleared Tiananmen Square last night
because counter-revolutionary elements...
In a bloodbath without precedent
the Chinese leadership tried to re-establish order last weekend...
Hi.
What's the matter?
Anja.
Anja, my girl. Come on out.
- What's going on there? - They're defending socialism.
...to stop the military from intervening, but some misjudged the situation.
That there came for you.
"Soldier Marco Kaiser to report at Post 803 for mobilisation."
Their allegedly patriotic actions were thus punished.
Before Tiananmen Square was cleared,
the occupants were called upon to vacate the site immediately.
I have to report to my unit.
You could say you weren't here.
I won't forsake my mates.
And an order is an order.
Good night.
The army fears the students will storm the universities,
those pro-democracy centres. Foreign students...
- Bye, Grandpa. - Take care, my boy.
Keep your chin up.
- Bye. - I won't let you go.
Let the boy go, Hanna. An order is an order.
Can't you see what's happening?
What if they order you to shoot during a demonstration
when we're leaving church?
You can't be serious.
You run to church and get stirred up? Who am I doing all this for?
- You'd be rotting in jail if not for me! - Now it's my fault, is it?
Marco!
Are you crazy? That girl is the best thing ever in your life.
- And you treat her like dirt! - You have no idea, Mum.
Your life is in your books. I won't forsake my mates.
I won't let you take my friends from me any more.
Next!
Heads down! Faster! Keep moving.
We're at the highest state of readiness. No one's to leave the base.
Allocate duties to returnees. Be ready to move out.
Ensure the issue of arms runs smoothly.
And 100% vehicle readiness. Dismissed. Execute.
Faster! Move!
Give it here.
You can do better!
"Dear Marco, I can't believe it's over, even if there was a misunderstanding.
"But I have to write to you.
"I wanted to ask your father if it's true he has people interrogated.
"I went to your house. He wasn't there, nor was your mum.
"It was pure chance I dropped by."
Grandpa! Grandpa!
"I found your grandpa.
"He'd had a heart attack. The ambulance took 45 minutes.
"Did you know 5000 doctors have applied to leave?
"No need to thank me. It was by chance. But remember...
"You need to take care of what you've tamed."
Will he die? Dear God...
Good God!
Anja!
Foreign Minister Genscher at the embassy in Prague.
Over 5000 GDR refugees have sought asylum here.
He announced:
We have come to tell you
that your exit permits were approved today.
What are you doing here?
And with my letters?
Not here.
What?
Want to come for a walk?
Corporal Kaiser! Get the jotter from my office!
Yes, sir!
Anja's 5th birthday
The family together at last!
Your father is alive.
He was on a foreign mission when your mother died.
You're Stasi. You manipulate and betray. I don't believe you!
Do you know what I'm risking by showing you this?
I know.
Nothing is worse than betrayal of trust.
Your father is a Stasi officer.
He was an adviser in Chile.
He disappeared two days after the putsch.
Just when a truck hit your mother on a country road.
I was captured by the junta. Here they thought I caused my wife's...
- What is this shit? - I wasn't allowed to see Anja!
You were put in an orphanage and kept under surveillance.
As a form of pressure against your father.
It took a year to convince the comrades I hadn't been turned!
I proved myself little by little
but they refused me access to my own daughter.
She was pretty wild.
- He's always cut me out? - They wanted something on him.
Whatever you do, you're immune.
Can you see anyone still willing to give his life for socialism,
the only fair way of life?
The alternative? Exploitation, repression. Less wealth at the expense of each.
I saw the corpses in the streets. 5000 political prisoners in a stadium.
If I had to confess that it was all for nothing, I'd...
This file was constantly tampered with.
Marco's father thinks you were planted to inform on him.
- I won't play. - Then you'll never find out.
Why are you doing all this?
Have a look around. I'm not blind.
If things change, don't forget who helped you.
Right.
We'll assemble on Friedrichsstrasse. You'll get flags and torches there.
Stay together. Don't be provocative.
Please don't cheer Comrade Gorbachev.
In a torch-lit procession,
the Free German Youth celebrated 40 years of their socialist homeland.
100,000 boys and girls came from all around the republic.
Are these the signatures of your wife and daughter-in-law?
She's not my daughter-in-law and won't be either.
Sorry, but I have to report it.
- What lists are these? - They both joined New Forum.
"The flags fly high,
"The ranks closed tight..."
- Anja? Grandpa? - "The storm-troopers march..."
Hi, Grandpa. Where's Anja?
In 1933, we marched through that Gate.
- "Comrades..." - Grandpa!
"Shot by Reds and reactionaries..."
Grandpa, where's Anja?
She left something there for you. You can read it.
- Thanks, Grandpa. - Turn the sound back up!
Stop!
Don't use force!
Move along.
All in order, Comrade?
- How do I get to the hostel? - Closed off! What is your unit?
Let me go!
No brutal force! No brutal force!
FREEDOM
You Stasi pig!
The next elections are to be held under UN supervision.
To change our country politically
all must participate and criticism must be allowed.
We call on all citizens of the German Democratic Republic
to contribute to democratic renewal.
Moscow?
- How many do we have, Juliane? - 110.
- We'll need a few more. - We could be arrested for this, right?
- I've asked myself that too. - Right...
According to Article 29, I think...
According to Article 29 of the GDR Constitution
one can found and run an association.
They can't repeal their own laws.
- Who is going to sign this? - They're signing everywhere.
But not here.
"In the current state of society,
"the majority must contribute to the process of reform."
We have to talk.
- You should leave while you can. - You can't stop it.
We'll see about that.
- Her perfume is still all over you. - What does that matter now?
Don't change the subject.
How long has it been going on? Since Marco left the Sport Academy?
- How long do you think I'll take it? - You're risking all we've built!
What will the Party say about my wife supporting New Forum?
We wanted to create a future together. Why abandon me now?
Don't you realise you are abandoning us?
- You've lost all sense of reality. - I have orders!
So did your father.
Don't ever compare Walter with me. Never!
Never speak of us in the same breath!
If we got marching orders, you'd be in Schwedt. Get in!
Come on!
I didn't want to believe my wife was dead.
They showed me a bunch of photos. Of the accident, Anja...
Then I saw her with my own eyes.
I know what's going on inside you.
I know you love her...
but we're under orders.
One little mistake and I'll forget I like you.
- Please go, Anja. - I'm staying till you talk to me.
I've written it all in my letters.
How much I love you... Things you don't know about.
- I know it all! I've read your file. - My file?
- That's not my file! - Military area. Get back!
No, I won't!
It's a file they created about me.
It's the information they use to destroy families!
Corporal, you have your orders!
- Shut the gate! - Get in.
Anja, sweetie.
Do you know which of the Opposition's slogans I like best?
"Stasi into Production."
You've never seen a state-owned enterprise from inside.
It would be a new experience for you.
If only you had croaked in Stalingrad.
If only you had croaked in Stalingrad, Father!
Mother and I got along so well till you showed up
and sat down at the table in your stinking Nazi coat.
You represent everything I hated about Nazi Germany.
Everything I've done here was because of you.
Are you taking off to the West too?
You should know me better. That wouldn't solve anything.
What would I know? My wife's in the New Forum...
she prints smears in her shop, and I face disciplinary action.
I always defended this family!
Yes! So that we'd have everything. Enough to eat.
Why is everyone betraying me? Why me?
Us? Our country? Hasn't it looked after us?
They used batons on women, children, old people...
Beat and arrested them!
You call that looking after them?
Do you know what will happen if we lose? They'll hang us!
What are you afraid of? That the family who once lived here
and could only emigrate by leaving the house to the State
might want their house back?
Stop putting my things back! Out! Get out!
It's ridiculous!
We'll see who ends up ridiculous.
Hanna! Where are you going?
- This is the home we built together! - That's what I thought once.
Hanna!
Get lost!
Combat alarm! Everyone out!
- Honecker has resigned. - Can I stay with you?
Sure, as long as you want.
The 9th Central Committee Congress voted him in this afternoon.
- Come and see, they voted Krenz in! - What?
...and head of the National Defence Council.
Same old! He headed the Electoral Commission.
And he personally congratulated his Chinese counterpart.
Work and more work, but work that makes everyone happy.
Comrades! There's a demonstration in Berlin.
You must be prepared for provocations.
You'll be under the command of the Border Guards.
Once they tell one lie, you can't believe them.
LEGALISE THE OPPOSITION!
In the autumn of 1989 we rise from the ruins
and turn towards the future.
Soon we shall again sing this song...
They're broadcasting this!
Wasn't Comrade Adamek instructed?
And I'm to justify myself to the Party?
This is counter-revolution! And you criticise me!
Only that your wife's in the New Forum, and the results.
Shit!
Kaiser with "ai".
- I'll take that TV set for you. - Hands off!
- We'll bring it to you later. - Hands off! This is my TV!
- I'll visit you as often as I can. - No need. I have my TV.
We meet again.
This is my sector. Clear?
If you screw things up, you're out of here... for good.
Right face!
Route step, march!
We believe
that a party's claim to leadership
must not be decreed by law.
One million! One million, Hanna.
Did you see their placards?
"On May Day, let the leaders parade past the people."
If anyone is left, that is.
15,000 have left the country within two days.
No joy in that. That's why they built the Wall.
Stop it! We can be proud of what we've achieved.
...the principles of this concept
must allow a free and open expression of one's opinion...
With this electoral law,
we aspire to hold free general democratic elections
by secret ballot, with every stage scrutinised...
Hi, Grandpa.
- How are you? - Oh well... good, good...
They rolled one fellow out yesterday. He didn't return.
I'll outlive them all.
I believe you. I came to say goodbye.
I'm leaving.
For good.
If I stay, I'll get sick.
Well...
I'm really sorry.
I'm really sorry, my little one.
It's fine.
Shall I cut it up for you?
Therefore we have decided today
to implement a regulation allowing every citizen of the GDR
to leave the GDR through any border crossing.
Private trips abroad can be made without the requirement
to demonstrate need or prove family relationships.
Effective immediately.
Go now.
Leave.
- Bye, Grandpa. - Get going!
...the reason for, let me put it this way, the fortified state border.
Today's news is again from East Berlin. "Camera Live" reports the following.
Günther Schabowski informed the international media tonight.
He announced a new decision by the Council of Ministers regarding travel.
Citizens can travel abroad without seeking special permission.
Departments are instructed to issue visas without delay.
That's irrevocable.
It's mad!
Permanent exit is possible
via all GDR border crossings, including to West Berlin.
Exit via third countries will effectively cease.
There has been spontaneous reaction by Berliners.
They're yelling, "Open the Gate!"
- We have to see this, Hanna. - Did you want this?
- It's the end. Goodbye, GDR. - We couldn't have wanted this!
What meaning can the Wall still have?
- Hi! - Did you hear?
We have to go and see this!
The Brandenburg Gate tonight.
Hundreds have climbed onto the Wall to glimpse the other side.
Surrounded by cameramen and journalists
an officer of the National People's Army is trying to clear the crowds.
Down with the Wall!
We want to cross!
Hanna!
- What's the matter? Come on! - I can't.
We want to cross!
Forget it! Not here! Not in my sector!
Men! Arms at the ready!
Stop! Shoulder arms!
Without new orders, the old apply. Border protection!
Down with the Wall!
You swore an oath!
To protect our citizens, not to shoot them!
We want to cross!
The border has been opened.
Marco!
The wave of crowds cannot be stopped.
It is a human reunification. The People's Police are being overrun.
Done by (c) dCd / June 2011