I have loved a criminal.
But that's not a crime.
Kiss me, my girl. Kiss me now
Kiss me, and look me in the eyes
No one can resist your beauty
I like you so much. Can't you tell?
Kiss me, my girl. Kiss me now
Kiss me. Do not shun love
Your eyes are so seductive
Come here, girl. Come closer to me
Well this here is Adina.
Adina Mandlová.
And this is me.
And this here is Ljuba Hermanová.
I don't know, but I think this is going to be the last conversation
I will ever have. I'm not sure why I agreed to it.
Maybe you have a yearning for the Czech language.
Are you in touch with any fellow countrymen at all?
Well, there are plenty of Czechs here in Salzburg, but...
I don't really go out anymore.
Right. Let's start.
In Czechoslovakia you were already famous in the 1930s.
You were young, beautiful and idolized by men.
You had a brilliant career ahead of you.
But in 1934 everything changed dramatically, didn't it?
Responsible for that was Miloš Havel, proprietor of the Barrandov Studios.
My mother wanted to realize her unfilled desire of being an actress through me.
That's why she was thrilled when Havel finally invited us into his office.
The day after tomorrow you'll be expected at the UFA Studios.
In Babelsberg.
So we did it.
Miloš.
Your partner will be either Rolf Wanka or Gustav Fröhlich.
Gustav Fröhlich?
All of Prague is at your feet.
Now you can take Berlin by storm.
I want to go to the academy of music too, but I'll never be as good as you.
Zorka, you could be better than me.
But you have to work at it and not let anyone push you aside.
Being successful is a struggle.
It's a struggle?
A struggle.
Girls, go to sleep.
What is it, Papa?
What is it'?
When did you grow so tall'?
Not long ago we were pushing you around in a baby carriage.
I will miss you. Do you know that?
Mama wants you to be successful so badly, but...
I'm not so sure it's a good thing you're going there.
Ah Well...
In Czechoslovakia you're a movie star, Líduška.
Behave accordingly.
I never managed to have a career,
as you know.
So now you will make my dream come true.
Right. Bye.
The lighting's set. Make-up, get over here!
Last preparations!
Set camera! Get out of the frame!
I beg you, please get out of the frame.
Director! Yes, Lída?
I thought my partner was going to be Gustav Fröhlich?
You don't approve of Rolf Wanka? No, that's not what I meant.
We're getting started. It's just...
Quiet!
Quiet please, we're rolling.
Everyone ready?
Roll camera!
Mark it. Rehearsal "Barcarole", take one!
Action!
What?
Please answer me! That
there was nothing until now but bleak, barren nothingness.
In for a penny,
in for a pound.
Pound.
Fund'?
Cut!
"Pound", you see? Miss, try and get it right. "Pound".
That's Lída Baarová. Try to give it a wider sound. "Pound".
Pound. There, you see?
Let's take it from the top, okay?
Pound? Roll camera!
Rehearsal "Barcarole", take two.
And action! In for a penny,
in for a pound.
Pund.
Pound. Cut!
Once more. And please try to pronounce it right. "Pound".
Okay?
So, once more. Quiet, please!
"Pound." - Roll camera. Rehearsal "Barcarole", take three.
And action! In for a penny, in for a pound.
Pond. Pond?
Cut! If she concentrates on the pronunciation, she forgets to act.
It's useless. She's too distraught now.
Mama, they're laughing at me.
They may be laughing at you now,
but one day they will bow down before you.
Come on.
Good day.
Miloš Havel ensured me Baarová could speak German.
The little doe is absolutely enchanting, Correll.
Who's idea was it anyway to cast Wanka as "Count Colloredo"?
He speaks with a Viennese accent!
Originally we wanted Gustav Fröhlich, but his financial demands were...
Fröhlich is a star. Pay him!
It'll be worth our while. So what about Baarová?
You got her over here, Mr. Correll. Don't ask me.
According to the script "Giacinta" is Italian.
It demands a dark-haired type. Miss Baarová would be perfect for it.
But I don't know if she can manage with the lines. - What do you say, Miss Hahn?
Miss Baarová speaks German with a typical Prague accent.
She has to get rid of the accent and learn the proper intonation.
It can be done.
The hat.
Hat.
My hat,
it is three-cornered.
Three-cornered is my hat.
And if it isn't three-cornered, it cannot be my hat.
Would he come from Oberammergau, or would he come from Unterammergau,
or would he come at all? It was uncertain.
Please. My hat, it is threecornered.
Three-cornered is my hat. And if it isn't three-cornered,
it cannot be my hat.
Faster! Hans is coming home, Lies is happy...
Would he come from Oberammergau, or would he come from Unterammergau,
or... Faster, faster!
If Elisabeth's legs weren't as pretty...
Faster still!
A pug spotted a bowl of milk and took an enormous gulp.
The cook grabbed himself a ladle and beat it to a pulp.
Now that's a great start.
Her German is okay. Now have her sing and dance.
Now please sing something for us and dance with it.
What makes the Rhine so beautiful?
The Rhine so beautiful?
Because the girls are so trusty
And the boys are so thirsty
Because the girls are so trusty And the boys are so thirsty
That makes the Rhine so beautiful
The Rhine
SO
beautiful!
Bravo! Very good!
Beautiful. Beautiful!
They engaged me.
Barcarole...
We start at 7:37 in studio 4.
Mr. Fröhlich?
Ah, Miss Baarová, at last! It is an honor.
I've seen all your movies.
I'm looking forward to working with you.
So do I.
You look wonderful there.
But a little tame for a lover, don't you think?
Ah, you've already met!
Our young actress is very talented
and extraordinarily observant. A good choice.
Congratulations! Thank you.
Lída is the best of all Czech actresses. This will be her first German movie.
Lída, please get ready.
Shall we go?
Take two identical ones, okay?
Suddenly my girlhood dream came true.
I was in front of the camera with Gustav Fröhlich.
And action!
It was beautiful, wasn't it?
Giacinta,
aren't you afraid it will never again be this beautiful?
No.
It will always be increasingly beautiful.
Increasingly beautiful. Yes.
I'm just a little tired, you know? Cut.
We're doing this scene for the 5th time.
There's really no other way to tell you this, Miss Baarová, but your accent...
Don't you think you're overreacting?
She plays an Italian. She can have a small accent. Just let her talk.
It sounds unnatural. But most charming.
If it doesn't bother you...
Once more from the top.
Thank you. There's no need to thank me.
I have reasons of my own.
[So this was the man of my dreams: Gust].
I had come to take Berlin by storm, and soon Gustav Fröhlich,
film star and idol of all German women,
invited me to dinner. That was my first triumph.
At the time everyone admired Fröhlich.
It did me a lot of good to be by his side.
Please.
I'm Gustl.
Lída.
Is everything to your satisfaction, Sir?
As always, Mr. Katz. As always. But please tell me,
where did you find this wonderful Negro?
Her singing is absolutely wonderful. Made in USA. New Orleans.
But I fear I'm going to have to send her back soon.
Why? Well, a Negro
in a Jew's establishment... But what kind of Jew am I, Mr. Fröhlich?
A paper one.
We live in strange times.
I wish you both a wonderful evening.
That's my wife... thinking about me. She always does this, when I'm...
Alone with another woman?
My...
My... wife is an Hungarian Jew.
She doesn't feel safe... in Germany.
She's always trying to talk me into coming to Budapest.
But what am I going to do in Budapest? Dance... the Csárdás?
I'd sooner have a... divorce.
Rilke... Rilke lived in Prague.
"She had no back-story whatsoever.
Uneventful the years passed by.
Suddenly it appeared in bright light,
Love, or whatever it was."
With Gustl I had
my first deeply-felt relationship.
One of which a 20-year old believes it will last a lifetime.
We spent all our spare time together.
We belonged to each other.
The film ball at the Palasthotel am Zoo was a big yearly event.
Gustl always looked forward to.
That ball was far more important to me than anything happening in Germany.
You're probably going to ask me now when I first met Hitler and Goebbels.
Everyone does.
Heil Hitler! Heil Hitler!
The film's director, Mr. Lamprecht.
My Führer.
I recognize Venice. That's where the play's set.
Would you like to take a look through the camera?
An excellent idea. Nothing eludes
the Führer's keen eye.
We live in great times, friends.
Destiny is merciful and offers us the opportunity to help shape this era.
A young, new Germany is emerging.
The people want films that show them the way into our future.
We do everything we can for the well being of the people.
"Barcarole" features the best actors and actresses, who are loved by the people,
like Mr. Fröhlich for example.
Herr Fröhlich is the darling
of our German women. I'm honored.
Mr. Fröhlich, my pleasure. Minister.
And who is the lady over there?
Allow me to introduce you to Lída Baarová,
a Czech actress. She plays the female lead.
You must be outstanding,
when the director chose not one of the dozens of great German actresses,
but you, instead. I think I understand the director.
Heil Hitler!
"L think I understand the director." Miss Baarová!
Miss Baarová! Excuse me.
We just received a call from the Reich Chancellery.
The Führer invites you to tea, tomorrow afternoon at 5.
But... we're shooting tomorrow, Hans.
The schedule will be altered of course.
The director has already been informed.
Please excuse the interruption.
What can he possibly want?
He either wants to discuss the burning of the Reichstag,
or he's fallen in love with you. That'd be all I need!
I don't feel like going there.
It's not a matter of you wanting to go or not. You have to go.
I'm certainly not one of those people who like to hug Nazi bigwigs,
but this is an invitation you cannot possibly refuse.
Break a leg.
L let on to Fröhlich that I didn't feel like going,
but in truth I felt very honored
The invitation meant that my star was rising on the Berlin-cinema sky.
The Führer will be here presently.
Good afternoon.
That's a pretty hat you're wearing.
Thank you.
Please.
It suits you when you smile.
Thank you.
Are you satisfied with your film part?
It's a wonderful part.
You could acquire German citizenship.
Thank you, but...
I'm Czech.
You will now become a German star.
It would please me, if you became a German citizen.
Do you know why I invited you here?
When I saw you at the studio you reminded me of a woman,
who played a big part in my life.
All of a sudden she was standing before me again.
Then I looked at her picture in my study.
It was as if this woman had come back to life. Thanks to you!
Her death made me very sad at the time.
I'm sorry.
Do you like Richard Wagner?
Yes.
Thank you for your visit.
Your new car, Miss Baarová. What did I do to deserve it?
We want you to represent us.
You can't pull up in front of the Reich Chancellery in your old Prague clunker.
Right.
I see.
You're a real star now.
One or two more visits to the Führer and he'll have a villa built for you.
You see? One visit to the Reich Chancellery,
and miracles happen.
She was the only one.
The first
and the last.
And tell her,
I am at easy,
Giacinta.
I've bought a villa.
For us.
It was a luxury villa on the Schwanenwerder peninsula.
We moved in and tried to live together.
At the time we never suspected that our neighbor was Josef Goebbels.
And a brand new tennis court!
For the purposes of keeping up good-neighborly relations
Gustl invited Goebbels to show him round our villa one day.
His presence made us uneasy.
Filled with pride Fröhlich showed him the villa,
but Goebbels 's looks were aimed more at me
rather than the architecture.
He pierced me with his gaze.
You know this view already.
Yes, beautiful, beautiful.
Really very beautiful.
Many thanks for this little tour.
Oh right, I almost forgot to ask you,
if you'd like to come to a little party
I'm throwing at my house by the Wannsee tomorrow evening.
I'm sorry, Minister, but I have a shoot tomorrow evening. - No problem.
I will order the schedule to be altered.
Careful around Goebbels, my darling. They call him the Babelsberg Stud.
No pretty woman is safe from him. It is well known.
Short, with a limp, but highly intelligent.
He's Nazism's chief ideologist and big shot of the German film industry.
If a woman wants to make a career in film, she should be aware of that.
Come on.
In Russia Stalin had 42,000 priests killed, while the world was silent.
But if a Jew gets clipped round the ear in Germany with good reason,
everyone sits up.
The fact that Jews control the film industry and the banks,
is taken for granted.
But luckily we have the Nuremberg Laws. Cheers!
The actress Hoppe came to me a while ago.
Her fiancée is a Jew.
In the present times she considers this a serious problem.
We discussed it at length,
until she finally promised me to leave him.
We all have to start with ourselves.
That's my resolution for the new year:
no more contact with Jews.
That would please you too, wouldn't it,
Dear? Oh? You're an antiSemite too?
Lída especially dislikes Hungarian Jews. Really?
So what did they do to you? Well,
we just make life hard for each other.
Cheers!
Unfortunately I have to say goodbye. I'm expected at the studios.
Your car is waiting. Thank you, Minister.
Mrs. Goebbels, thank you for inviting us.
Allow me to say goodbye too. It's been a pleasure.
Please, Miss Baarová, the evening's just begun. Why the hurry?
You're not shooting today.
I always accompany Gustl to the studio. To keep an eye on him?
Honestly, Mr. Fröhlich, you are to be congratulated with such a wife,
but you could make an exception for once. Please!
Please let Miss Baarová stay with us a little longer.
My driver will take her to you at the studios later on.
Why certainly! Thank you.
Magda, come and join us.
Yes, Gerta, I'd love to.
So...
do you enjoy your new work? Are you content?
Certainly.
In the German film industry you will find the very best conditions.
I will see to it personally.
What did I do to deserve this goodwill?
Love is the yearning for beauty...
Thank you.
I couldn't get away earlier.
Sorry. They wouldn't let me leave.
You must've made an enormous impression on the minister.
Please! He asked me, if I was satisfied with the parts I was offered.
He always does when he wants to get an actress into his bed.
I takes two for that to happen, right?
I'm off to London the day after tomorrow.
To see your wife? No, my daughter.
I haven't see her for ages.
I was hoping we could go to the premiere of "The Traitor" together.
Is this your revenge? Because I stayed a while longer?
It's hard to resist the admiration of one of the most powerful men in the Reich.
I must confess, I was surprised to hear you're living with Mr. Fröhlich
even though you're not married to each other.
Why not get married?
Gustl's having trouble with Ms. Alpár.
She's still his wife. She lives in Hungary.
Is she a Jew or not?
I don't know anything about that. Yes, you do!
After all, you don't like Hungarian Jews.
I remember Fröhlich's insinuation.
Now I finally understand it.
I'm giving a speech at the Palace of Congress tomorrow.
I've seen you on stage many times.
Don't you want to see me for a change?
Promise me you'll come.
Swear to it.
Every time I touch my mouth with this handkerchief during my speech,
I'll be thinking of you. You understand?
One has to rule well.
And to rule well you need good propaganda.
They have to complement each other.
And if the Jewish press naively thinks,
its hidden threats can...
I only had a notion of who the National Socialists were and what they wanted.
Goebbels was a great speaker and actor,
who quickly won over the audience.
Sometimes it was as if he was just talking to me.
I do confess, he fascinated me.
They should be on their guard,
for at some point our patience will run out,
and then we will shut these lying Jews up for good!
Sieg Heil! Sieg Heil! Sieg Heil!
Good day, Mr. Fröhlich. Good day, Maria.
So tell me!
How was it? How's London?
Still standing.
Did you see Buckingham Palace?
The Tower? Big Ben?
Yes, yes and yes.
You probably don't feel the need to talk to me, seeing as you didn't call once.
Oh, I'm sorry. Just leave me be. I'm tired.
And I'm tired
of eternally waiting for you to decide.
Leaving in 5 minutes from platform 2 is the express train...
Here you are.
Miss Baarová.
Minister Goebbels wishes you a good journey,
and begs you for a reply to his letter.
It said,
"If you agree to us seeing each other again,
let me know through Mr. Wedel that you accept the part."
Please tell Minister Goebbels that I accept the part.
You can rely on me, Madam.
I take my leave.
All the way to the border I tried to convince myself
that I only loved Fröhlich.
Then, suddenly, something in me said,
"Goebbels, Goebbels,
Goebbels."
You always dreamed of a villa in Hanspaulka.
Here it is, Papa.
My child, this isn't a villa, it's a ship.
Where are we to get the money? Well...
Lída...
I did it.
I have a rich and famous daughter.
We did it!
My little girl,
I'm so proud of you!
Right, I Will build it then.
For all of us.
You must come and see me. I play a guest role in the Pardobice theater.
I'm so glad to be home again.
My God, this is so beautiful!
Hard to say what's in store for us when Hitler starts spreading himself like this.
I hope he won't invite you to tea again.
I'm now being invited by Minister Goebbels instead.
My girl, you don't know what you're doing.
Leave her be.
If it was up to you the girl would still be at home.
Maybe that'd be better.
Typically Papa!
Sitting at home as a housewife, never having a career.
So how's the handsome guy'?
Mr. Fröhlich?
He's jealous. We'll see.
He's jealous! You've come a long way, my child.
Minister Goebbels,
Mr. Fröhlich...
But it's true. Papa is right. You have to be careful.
We will not interfere.
Then don't.
Just don't turn a blind eye to what's happening over there.
Everything could go to dust.
Enjoy your meal.
Líduška, allow me to introduce you.
Mr. Ritchie is in Europe to find new talent.
He would like to discuss your career across the pond.
Miloš, you've always been a good adviser to me.
I can give you my advice,
but you have to decide for yourself.
Go to London.
I met many old friends in the Lucerna Bar.
Several of them envied me for establishing myself in Germany,
and didn't hide the fact.
A Mattoni, please!
Why do you always choose German men?
Aren't Czech boys good enough for you?
It's hard, Ljuba.
You won't find anyone here as handsome as Fröhlich
or as clever as Goebbels.
But don't come crying later on.
Is that jealousy speaking, Ljuba?
Ladies. What's wrong? Aren't you feeling well?
This thing with Goebbels is more serious than I thought.
But you've got it under control? Not entirely.
Get as much out of it as you can, then bail out.
I don't know if I still can.
For God's sake, you haven't fallen in love with the limping dwarf?
No. I don't know.
I'll take you home. Take a cold shower and forget about it.
You're playing with fire, girl. You could get terribly burned.
You're better at it, right? I do it in such a way no one notices.
Thank you.
Miss Baarová!
Minister Goebbels! Miss Baarová.
I'm so glad of your positive reaction to my letter.
I'm ha Yes? you again.
Would you accompany me to my car?
I would like to invite you to my home at Krumme Lanke.
What would you say, if we drove out there right now?
The journey's worn me out. Please excuse me, Minister.
Certainly. You're in a hurry to get home. I understand.
But Mr. Fröhlich isn't at home, as far as I know.
You're welcome to pick up the phone and convince yourself.
Hoenig, please stop at the next phone booth.
Maria, is Gustl home?
Mr. Fröhlich called from the studio a few minutes ago.
He will be shooting all night.
Madam?
Heil Hitler! Heil Hitler!
Would you please give us an autograph?
You play beautifully.
Because I'm playing for you.
When Gustl is away, I feel very lonely in Germany.
And I'm slowly becoming afraid too.
Of me?
There's talk of war.
Maybe we weren't summoned by history after all.
Maybe we've only been talking ourselves into believing our destiny.
If so, then sooner or later we will disappear from this life.
And nobody will shed a single tear over us.
But you're not going to war, are you?
There's no reason to fear war, Miss Baarová.
You're on the right side!
War is the most shameful thing on earth, whichever side one is on.
The shame will be forgotten. What remains is the victory.
It is the duty of the great German people to conquer the world.
That is our destiny.
I don't understand that, and I don't want to understand it.
Well...
you want the same thing.
To conquer the world. Isn't that right?
No, please don't.
Forgive me, Minister.
I will wait.
You're worth it.
You keep telling me how much you loved Fröhlich,
yet you start a relationship with...
I do not need to defend myself! The advantage of old age, dear girl!
I don't know why I'm talking to you anyway.
Why I agreed to have this conversation. Pack up your things and leave.
Miss Baarová, I apologize. I didn't mean to hurt you.
I'm over 80 years old. I don't care what you think of me.
I just don't understand why you got involved with him. You were so famous.
You were a celebrity in Germany. You didn't need Goebbels.
Goebbels was special. I was enchanted by him, above all by his intellect.
And his power, a very strong aphrodisiac.
Love wants to be blind. It doesn't see what it doesn't want to.
What's going on here?
Nothing. It's just that Jew, Katz,
getting "clipped round the ear," as your friend Mr. Goebbels calls it.
They'll send him to a concentration camp, but apart from that everything's fine.
But...
we have to do something!
Yes, certainly.
So call your Dr. Goebbels. Tell him we're hungry,
and want to eat at Katz's. Tell him to stop this madness!
Are you insane? Keep out of it!
You can take off your costume. We're not shooting today.
What's happened? - There was an order from the Ministry of Propaganda.
Friedl Czepa is not allowed to take part in the film.
But why not? Allegedly because she's Austrian.
But we've shot so many scenes with her already, and we've run out of money.
The amount put at our disposal for making such a lavish film is ridiculous.
Please wait.
I'm going to try something.
Come in.
Miss Baarová.
Thank you.
Good day, Minister.
Miss Baarová, I bid you welcome!
I apologize for urging you to see me on such short notice.
Granting you a request is a great pleasure to me.
Here's to you visiting me more often.
You don't know why I came yet.
I'll just persuade myself that you wanted to see me, Miss Baarová.
But I'm all ears.
I'm shooting the film version of Strauss's operetta "Die Fledermaus"
with director Verhoeven. I know. You play "Rosalinde".
Yes, and Friedl Czepa plays "Adele".
That is, until recently.
Allegedly, because she is Austrian she can no longer take part in the film.
Austrian? You mean, Jewish, right?
Possibly, I don't know. Listen, my dear,
that's a relatively complicated issue.
Why?
"Jews are parasites, and where they nest people often die."
That's usually the opening line at most SS instruction courses.
This isn't an instruction course, but still...
Do you have a personal interest in this affair?
I don't know anyone more suited to play "Adele" than Friedl Czepa.
I often think of you.
I keep seeing you before me.
If I haven't seen you for some time,
I start to doubt, if you really are as beautiful
as you are in my dreams.
And then, when we meet again, I see...
you're even more beautiful!
The ban is rescinded. Friedl Czepa can continue filming.
Thank you, Minister.
Ah yes, one more small matter. I almost forgot.
"Die Fledermaus" is a very expensive movie.
The entire budget has been spent.
If no way can be found to refinance the movie,
shooting ends this very day.
American movies are better than ours. Why is that?
Do they have more money or better actors?
They have Greta Garbo.
We have you.
You overestimate me, Minister.
One day you'll be far better than Greta Garbo.
I promise you that.
Verhoeven can count himself lucky to have you in his movie.
Otherwise he wouldn't get another cent out of me.
The most beautiful woman of Europe and that limping dwarf. It's perverse!
It's all over town! You believe these tabloids?
I believe what I see. Here!
Who's that, huh? And here, who's that? ls that you, or not?
There's nothing going on with us. Get out, Lída.
Get out of my house, you whore!
Lída!
Lída, wait!
I don't want us to separate, but I can't bear your cheating and lying.
You lied to me! You swore you'd get a divorce! And did you? No!
I know, but I'll do whatever I can to keep you. Lída, please!
I'll get a divorce. I'll see a lawyer tomorrow. - It's too late, Gustl.
Lída! Let me go!
I gave you everything, and what did you do?
After my miscarriage I can't even have babies anymore.
Lída!
Lída, being Goebbels's mistress is like playing with fire!
It can't end well.
You can see for yourself what's going on in Germany.
Miss Baarová, what are you doing outside in this awful weather?
Come on, get in!
In you come!
Come on, you'll catch your death.
It's over.
I don't want to see him again.
So now you finally you're all mine.
I wish it could stay that way forever.
Are you still cold?
Everything we do for love involves Good and Evil.
And there's a little madness in every love.
Never in my life have I loved a woman like I love you.
I gave Goebbels everything. My body and my soul.
Please get ready. We'll do that once more.
Right, Hans. Well, Gentlemen, are you ready?
Lída!
Mr. Correll! How nice of you to come and watch us.
Not just to watch you. I've got a new contract for you.
But I never asked for a raise in salary.
That way you can see how much we appreciate you.
Excuse me, Director! All right.
Quiet, please!
We're rolling.
After my separation from Gustav Fröhlich I moved into a new apartment.
That morning, when I had to decide whether or not I'd accept the Hollywood offer,
I wandered round that place like a body without a soul.
I didn't suspect at the time
how fateful this decision was going to prove for my entire life.
I have invited all of you German actors and actresses to the Kroll opera,
to say to all of those among you who have their eye on Hollywood,
even though the German cinema offers them the very best of conditions,
in a loud and clear voice:
Go! Please do! Go to America!
But if you do not succeed in Hollywood,
don't think we'll be welcoming you back with open arms here in Germany.
We don't need failed Hollywood stars here!
He means Marlene Dietrich and Fritz Lang. They will not get any more parts here.
No, he means me.
I hope I made myself clear.
Thank you for coming. I wish you a pleasant day of work. Heil Hitler!
Heil Hitler!
Magda, I'm having an affair with her.
Hardly a surprise. It's all over the papers.
A husbands infidelity is just one among many of life's banalities.
I've fallen in love.
How many times have I heard that?
This time it's serious.
Does the Führer know about Baarová?
Are you threatening me?
I can't live without her!
Never fear, Joseph.
It's about your happiness and the happiness of the entire Reich.
It pleases me that you've accepted my invitation, Miss.
Thank you, Mrs. Goebbels.
Please have a seat.
Mama, who is that?
Children, leave.
May I offer you some schnapps?
Thank you.
I love my husband, but he loves you.
He wants me as a mother to his children, and you as his mistress. You see?
No.
The angel was given the task to build a new Germany.
In order to accomplish this task he'll need us both. We have to support him.
In the name of all higher goals.
I have my own career and my own life.
As the angel's mistress you no longer have a right to a life of your own.
You have to sacrifice it for him.
It is your duty. One moment! Everyone has the right...
I want us to come to an arrangement. I can be very tolerant.
Let us be on first-name terms.
It would delight the angel. Please.
Call me Magda.
Lída.
But you can never have a child with him.
I know how hard this is on you.
But between the two of us we'll find a way.
I beg you.
If you like, Magda, I will refuse to see him ever again.
Wait!
You mustn't! He'd leave me and go with you.
I need the father of my children.
I will not take him from you!
A wonderful afternoon, Ladies. How are things?
We've been getting on wonderfully.
We're even on first-name terms already. Everything's fine.
That's nice.
I've brought you both a small present.
This is for you, my dear.
And this is for our new friend.
Thank you, it's beautiful.
Thank you.
What would you say, if I were to organize a small party by our lake?
To celebrate our friendship.
Lída, wait for me! You're too fast.
What are you doing?
Don't swim out so far. You could have a cramp and drown.
At least it'd solve everything.
What, aren't you happy?
We're doing our best to make you feel comfortable.
We agreed. So what's wrong?
Say something! Let me go!
A short while ago we arrested a Jewish clairvoyant.
And do you know what the amazing thing about it was?
He didn't see it coming!
It's not a joke.
I see you're not one of those women
who are so afraid to ruin their hairdo
that they go to great lengths to keep their head above the water.
We've been diving a little.
You too, Magda?
Just trying to keep up with the young.
Well don't overdo it...
at your age.
If it wasn't for you, I'd have no reason to dive. - How do you mean?
In some situations it's hard for me to keep my head above the water.
Contain yourself, please!
No harm done!
Our marriage is a shambles.
This time he can't control himself. Who is this woman?
Lída Baarová, my Führer.
I just saw her new movie "Der Spieler".
A remarkable film.
It's her fault.
She's been driving him crazy.
It can't have been hard for her. She's very beautiful.
I need help.
I have summoned you
to put an end to this affair for good.
It has gone much too far already!
My Führer, I beg you, relieve me of all State and Party offices,
approve of my divorce and send me to Japan.
All that just because of one woman?
The position of ambassador is vacant.
Have you forgotten your duty towards the German people?
Do you realize what the people would say about that?
I don't have to tell you
that all contact with a citizen of an enemy country is dangerous.
Especially if this person is under suspicion,
because she keeps traveling between Prague and Berlin.
Himmler! Are you telling me this as Chief of the German Police
or as a marriage counselor?
I'm telling you as a friend. I allow myself to point out
that Miss Baarová maintains no suspicious relationships whatsoever
and has no interest in politics. I have always carried out my duties,
and I'm prepared to sacrifice my life for the Party and the German Empire.
All the more reason to grant me the right to decide for myself
whom I want to live with, my Führer.
Those who want to write history have no right to a private life!
My Führer, I'm prepared to serve the German people, not be its slave!
Your family has always served as a model to the German people.
Now you want my blessing to destroy it? I will not allow it!
I hereby lay down all State and Party offices.
I do not accept your resignation!
We have an historic duty to accomplish!
And all personal hopes and desires are of secondary importance to that!
Schaub, call Lady Magda, the children and the photographer onto the terrace.
Yes?
My wife went to see the Führer.
She's a devil.
She betrayed us.
Lída?
Are you still there?
Yes.
Hitler called me to him.
He roared at me in a terrible way.
I had to give him my word of honor never to see you again.
This is the end, Lída.
You hear?
There's no desert island for us where we could live out our life together.
You must be strong now.
Lída, I love you.
I love you! Farewell!
Joseph'?
The pig!
This broken mirror didn't bring just seven but ten years of bad luck.
Miss Baarová,
we have a small problem.
What's happened, Hans?
The producer has decided to recast your part.
I'm sorry.
My world crashed in on me.
All of a sudden I noticed how much I missed Goebbels.
Not just as someone who'd paved the way to success for me,
I missed his love.
Shortly after that fateful meeting at Obersalzberg
I was summoned to appear before the Chief of Police, Graf von Helldorf.
"You are banned from appearing on film and in the theater
and from taking part in society.
You may not leave the German Empire."
Why can't I shoot? The people don't want you to.
When did the minister's wife start calling herself "The People"?
Miss Baarová,
you have been playing with high stakes.
But you only had a single trump card: your beauty.
You were beaten by another trump card: duty. You lost.
Now you have to pay.
I want to speak to the minister.
I have a right to know what he says.
The powers-that-be decide on people's rights. As well you know.
Have you seen today's newspaper?
Minister Goebbels wanted to sacrifice his career for you.
He fought for you like a lion.
He asked for permission to get a divorce. This is the result.
Führer directive is Führer directive.
I'm sorry.
FAMILY IDYLL IN THE ALPS
just stand there and...
Excuse me!
Miss Baarová!
You mustn't do that, Miss Baarová.
Why did you do that?
The person who saved my life at the station that day was Hans Fischer,
the assistant director who was secretly in love with me.
I'm under observation day and night.
All the same...
I'll still get you out of Germany. I'd never paid any attention to him,
but now I was grateful for his paying attention to me.
We have to be quiet. Come on! Why risk your life for me, Hans?
What else can you do when you're in love with the most beautiful woman in Europe?
Come on!
Come on, quick!
You're taking advantage of the situation to touch my bottom!
Allow me to indulge myself.
Technically, I wanted to catch you, like in the movie. - Technically!
Come on!
I'd best take the wheel, okay?
Jewish pigs!
Damned Jews!
Move, move!
What in God's name is going on?
The Nuremburg Laws in practice, Miss Baarová.
JEW
I left Berlin at one minute past 12.
This fascist frenzy later became known as "The Reichskristallnacht".
The biggest pogrom against Jews in Germany before the war started.
Where are you taking us, Hans? We should've reached the border ages ago.
When the Sudentenland was taken the old border vanished. There's no new one yet.
The trains to Berlin pass through here. I'll take the first train back.
You drive to Prague in the car. Okay.
Thank you very much, Hans.
I don't want any money.
Then how can I show my gratitude?
If you'd allow me to... Just once...
Kiss me?
Stroke your breasts?
Now I can die in peace.
Thank you.
A wonderful villa, Papa.
That was the living room, and this here is my study.
It's beautiful here. Thanks to you.
Let me show you the kitchen.
Come on, Mama and Zorka have prepared us a meal. - Papa.
Please put a record on.
But nothing by Wagner.
Sure.
A celebrated star
of the film world,
and you flee like a thief.
I don't understand.
You did nothing wrong.
She was seeing Goebbels, that's all. He got her into this. - Be quiet!
You don't understand a thing.
Zorka's right, Mama.
That's how it was. No,
so many people worship you!
They can't just erase you.
They will occupy our border territories
and liquidate the Jews.
They want to conquer the whole world. They can do anything they want.
Didn't you know of it before?
I'd never go with a Nazi.
Be quiet. Never. Be quiet!
So how about your latest film?
"A Prussian Love Story?"
It was the first to be banned.
Because of you?
They had no other reason to. We can't just put up with this.
We have to defend ourselves. You have to defend yourself.
Mama, the order came directly from the Führer.
You don't like it.
Yet I made every effort. You're so careless, Lída.
Bringing only a single case.
Were you going to leave everything in Berlin?
She barely manage to save her skin.
All right, but...
she could've worn
the silver-fox jacket! Silverfox jacket?
That's all you care about.
You go and get it!
How could you have a relationship with such a man, Lída?
I just fell in love.
I have no other explanation.
No one will believe you here.
This is Czechoslovakia.
Envy rules all, and success is inexcusable.
If I'd been in your shoes, I'd never have done such a thing.
And you didn't need it.
Are you condemning me too, Zorka?
Hello, girls! Hello. Listen,
you know the difference between Goebbels and a horse? - Cut it out, Ljuba!
There is none.
Both have hooves and stupid ideas.
What brings you to the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, Líduška?
Your stupid jokes, Ljuba. I missed them so much.
My jokes may be stupid, but unlike you, I don't hang out with Nazis!
Apparently no one is as handsome as Fröhlich or as clever as Goebbels.
Remember? Didn't I warn you: "Don't come crying later on."
I'm not crying, my dear.
In Czechoslovakia I felt like a stranger.
Luckily my friend Miloš Havel helped me again.
He'd made it possible for me to play in a few Czech movies.
After that I shot some films in Italy.
Unfortunately, at the end of the war I returned to Czechoslovakia.
In September of 1945 I was charged with treason.
Miss Baarová,
I regard you very highly as an actress, and I really like your films.
I like "The Masked Lover" best.
A fitting title.
It is befitting of you.
Cigarette?
Thank you.
You cannot deny your relationships with some famous Nazis.
I came home before the end of the war.
That put an end to it all. I see.
They sent you to Czechoslovakia as a secret agent.
Rubbish.
I'd like to know what you're accusing me of?
Me?
Nothing.
You'll learn all the charges when you appear before the people's court.
I hate to say it,
but I fear the worst.
Which is?
The gallows.
You lied to us.
We found all of your jewelry with the family of director Svitak.
How did it get there?
We... I hid it With them.
I was afraid it might be taken from us.
Could I have some water, please?
The property of all traitors and collaborators will be confiscated.
Including that of your darling daughter who did so well for herself.
Lídunka never betrayed anyone. You're right there.
She's remained faithful.
To Goebbels.
Tell us! What was it like?
Please, just a little water.
So which of these jewels did your daughter get from him?
You know they were all stolen from Jews? I need something to drink.
You're not in a café here.
Talk.
Your little Nazi daughter will end up at the gallows anyway.
You know what happens next.
You old comedic whore!
Not the gallows.
Stop putting on an act. We'll get it out of you anyway.
Damn.
How do you feel?
There's a tuberculous inflammation in your ankle.
You'll have to stay in bed for three months. Maybe longer.
We will try to save your foot.
I can't afford to lie here for three months, Doctor.
My daughter needs me. She's in prison.
If you're not patient,
you will lose your leg.
Nurse. Doctor, could you come here, please?
Baarová, your mother just died.
Nurse! Doctor!
What are you running around for? You should be lying down!
I want you to solve my problem radically. Excuse me?
My wife died yesterday.
Now it's up to me to get my daughter out of prison.
I have to get out of here as quickly as possible or she'll be convicted.
I'd been in prison for almost a year when my sister visited me in the spring.
Zorka was very frail and mentally unstable.
I could see that the horror was beyond her strength.
At times she seemed rather confused.
They mustn't execute you. It's spring again outside.
Zorka.
I fear the longing is driving me mad. What?
What are you talking about?
I met František.
Apparently...
he doesn't love me anymore. Wait, dear, how is Father?
I'm burning up.
This shouldn't have happened, Lída.
No one talks to me at the theater.
During rehearsals they all turn their back on me or say nothing.
Because I'm your sister. Visiting time's over.
Wait... Enough!
God protect you.
Wait...
What shouldn't have happened?
Zorka.
"And I, of ladies most deject
and wretched..."
Like sweet bells jangled out of tune and harsh.
That unmatched form and feature of blown youth blasted with ecstasy."
Ecstasy...
Miss, stop looking for the verse. You will no longer play Ophelia.
Am I right, Comrade Director?
Excuse me, I just forget two words. It won't happen again.
Lída Baarová's sister has no place among Czech artists.
It's the end of the line for you.
We, actors and members of the Communist Party,
forbid you to set foot in the theater again.
Please, Mr. Vydra!
What are you looking at? Leave here
and never come back.
Please.
And we will continue, am I right, Comrade Director?
Papa.
Why did you do that?
How are they treating you here?
I went to the Ministry of Justice.
Minister Drtina will review your case.
He promised me. I can't go on, Papa.
Let them execute me. I just want
to put it all behind me. For God's sake, what are you saying?
You mustn't!
Lída!
You're all I have left!
No touching the prisoner.
I'm sorry.
Right, Baarová. Step up!
Blanka Coufalová.
Františka Černiková.
Erika Meyer.
Lída Baarová.
Major!
From the Ministry.
You have been pardoned.
Thank you, Papa.
The way things continued
isn't worth mentioning.
Why did you ask me about all this? What do you need it for?
For my thesis in Journalism.
About how our most famous actress could love a person
who sent my grandparents to the gas chambers.
So that's why.
I wanted to meet and condemn you, but it's more complicated than that.
Things are not what they look like at first glance.
Well, you think everything over,
and come back tomorrow.
I'm terribly tired today.
And don't bother your head about me.
Stories are never told truthfully.
Things are always added or left out.
What are you implying?
Maybe this conversation was my very last part.
Still, I think your punishment will always outweigh your guilt.
I'll be back at three tomorrow. May I?
Yes. Here, take my keys, girl.
So I won't have to open the door for you.
Thank you. You're welcome.
See you tomorrow?
Do you need anything from the store?
Good bye.
Lída Baarová's rich film career continued even after 1948.
She shot many films in Italy, and later also in Spain.
In 1958, she quit her film career and focused solely on theater.
She died lonely, bitter and deprived of legal capacity
in Salzburg on October 27th 2000.
On May 1st 1945, together with his wife,
Dr. Joseph Goebbels commited suicide in front of Hitler's bunker.
Shortly beforehand, Magda let poison their six children. Five girls and one boy.
DIRECTED BY
SCREENPLAY BY
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
EDITED BY
SET DESIGN BY
MUSIC BY
COSTUME DESIGN BY
MAKE-UP BY
SOUND DESIGN BY
VISUAL EFFECTS SUPERVISOR
1st ASSISTENT DIRECTOR
PRODUCTION MANAGER
CONSULTING PRODUCERS
CREATIVE PRODUCER
DELEGATE PRODUCER
(IO-PRODUCED BY
PRODUCED BY
STARING
THE MOVIE WAS SUPPORTED BY THE STATE CINEMATOGRAPHY FUND
AND THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC