STUDIO 3 PRESENTS
FATHER (DIARY OF A FAITH)
STARRING
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOORAPHY: SANDOR SARA SOUND: GYORGY PINTER
STORY EDITOR: JANos HERSKO FILM EDITOR: JANOS ROZSA
VVRl-l-FEN AND DIRECTED BY IS I VAN SZABD
“...and look you boldly in the eye, you empty, human-faced unbeing!”
Having survived everything and just as life was starting anew,
a sudden illness made his fathers hear? stop beating.
He was working and said, he felt tired. He died unexpectedly.
For years he felt proud because that day everyone mourned his father.
Freedom. Just out! With a report on President Roosevelts funeral.
Freedom just out! USA president Roosevelt dead. Freedom!
With a report on President Roosevelfs funeral.
THREE MEMORIES OF HIS FATHER.
He had three memories of his father.
FATHER'S BELONGINGS
For heaven's sake, what are you doing'?
If your poor father were alive...
Put everything back in its place.
The watch! Give it to me!
For heaven's sake, what are you doing'? If your father had seen this...
I your father were alive, If I were your father...
If your father knew this, if he had lived to see this...
If you had a father, he'd teach you for a lifetime...
Come here, my boy.
Why aren't you working properly'?
Your poor father is looking down from Heaven with sorrow,
and can't be happy if you're such a bad boy.
His birthday.
After much pleading he was allowed to wear his fathers watch.
But he wasn't allowed to wind it up.
JUDGMENT WAR CRIMINALS EXECUTED
The fate of the gravediggers of the country was sealed.
The leaders of the arrowcross regime had to answer for their murders.
Their irresponsible activities brought death to the nation.
Their “heroism” lasted only as long as they could send thousands to death.
How much blood stain the hands of those inhuman murderers!
Orphans, widows, ruined families, a whole nation accuses them!
Don't look, my son.
Why are they hanged'?
They are bad people, they made the war.
When the rope is pulled, do they feel anything'?
I don't know. Don't bother about it.
Or are they still alive aften/vards'?
They killed lots of people. They wanted to kill us, too.
They dragged Father away, but he escaped...
- How'? - He jumped off the tram.
And they didn't realize it!
Pet6fi recited his poem and everyone listened to him.
The barman stopped serving wine.
At the end they applauded and cheered.
A man with a big moustache rose from his seat and said:
“Your father is Petrovics, the Serbian inn-keeper.
You can say what you like, you're a Serb and not Hungarian.”
Pet6fi stood up laughing and said:
“You're right. My father is Petrovics, the Serbian inn-keeper.
Still, I'm Séndor Pet6fi, the Hungarian poet.”
“Pet6fi Séndor dances in pants...”
- Good morning. - Good morning.
The school's received gift parcels. Cocoa, canned milk. Want some'?
- Yes! I do! - Me.
Sorry, we haven't got that much.
Only those whose parents are dead remain standing.
Balogh, Csermék, why did you sit down'?
My father's just missing. He must be a POW somewhere.
Yes, of course, sorry.
Stand up those whose father is dead.
Také, stand up, your father is also dead.
- Why didn't you stand up'? - Lying again'? - Catch him. - Tie his hands. - He's kicking.
Idiots! The Teacher was my father's best friend. He'll teach you something.
He's telling lies.
Stop lying or you'll get one.
They were at school together. They fought together in the war.
Every night they rode a motorbike together.
They were partisans...
Watch out! They're coming.
Let's say your thigh-bone is fractured because you fell off the steps.
I'll put it in plaster and I'll write some other name on the case-sheet.
Order!
- Get moving. - Go on!
Suddenly he got scared, what if someone asks the teacher and finds out
that what he said about Father wasn't true.
STATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The school was nationalized, they never saw the teacher again.
He felt relieved, he had nothing to be afraid of any more.
We'll discuss everything together. We'll go on excursions,
and you can choose your leader. That's called self-government.
Who do you want for leader'? He'll keep order.
He'll tell me if you want something or you need my help.
He'll lead the class as a commander leads his soldiers.
Well, who do you want'?
Let Také be the leader His father was a partisan.
That's not true.
Was your father a partisan?
Yes.
Then, you'll be the leader.
- Swell, isn't it'? - Yeah.
Over there... that's North... That's South.
Let me see!
Take care, don't break it.
Give it to me. I must put it away.
North, East, West, South...
Give it to me.
What did your father need it for'?
- Do you want me to show you some medical books? - Yes.
Come.
- What language is this? - Latin.
- Did your father speak Latin'? - Of course, he did.
He travelled a lot. Doctors speak Latin all over the world.
As a student he rode around Germany on a bike with his friends.
In the summer they just got on their bikes and off they went!
I'll show you. I still have a bit of the tyre.
That's where we slept. We'll travel on tomorrow.
The sea at last.
BIKES TO RENT
- Want some cigarette paper'? - Yeah.
It belonged to my father.
Thanks.
I'd like to know why you used some queer signs instead of letters.
Go over to the blackboard and show us how you write the letter
Not that way. The way you wrote it in your homework.
We had a swim here, it was wonderful.
You still awake'?
Where have you been'?
- I had a chat with someone. - Who'?
- A man. You don't know him. - The one who saw you home'?
- Yes. - Why did he kiss your hand'?
That's the custom. Out of kindness.
- Is he courting you'? - Oh dear. Yes.
Will you marry him'?
I don't know. I don't know yet.
He would like me to, very much.
Hello.
Hello, Nédasdy.
Hello.
- What are you doing'? - Nothing.
- Come down. - I can't.
- Why not'? - My sistefis ill. I have to look after her.
- What's wrong with her'? - She's got high temperature. You come up here!
- Shall we'? - If you think so.
- Now'? - Now.
Let's go.
- Have you been to their place before'? - Never.
- Nor have I. - They are counts. Did you know that'?
- Yes. Shouldn't we go then'? - He asked us.
- Hello. - Hello. - Hello.
This way. Not there.
Let's go out to the balcony.
- Is this rocking chair yours? - It was my grandmothefis.
We had one like that, too. Exactly like that.
How are you supposed to sit on it'?
- You never saw one before'? - Never.
You just sit on it and keep rocking.
- Well, how do you like it'? - Now let me!
Have you gone mad'?
- You are counts, aren't you'? - Yes.
- And who are barons'? - My mother's relatives.
She used to be a baroness.
And since when has she been a countess?
- Since she married my father. - And your father?
He was born a count. He inherited it from my grandfather.
- And your grandfather'? - He, too, inherited it. They were all born counts.
But how did they become counts'?
I don't know. They were appointed by the king.
Why'?
They must have been on good terms with him.
Is your sister a count, too'?
A countess.
Yes, a countess.
- Did you have servants? - Yes.
Did they fulfil your wishes?
Heaven knows. I was a baby then.
Wherever you went people bowed, and your wishes were regarded as commands'?
- Maybe. - Were you despots'? - Oh no!
- And now everything's been taken away from you'? - Yes.
- Don't you regret it'? - No.
- Don't you feel sorry you aren't counts any more'? - No.
- I want to be an engineer. - You father was just a count'? - Yeah.
What is he doing now'?
I don't know. He ran away with a German woman during the war.
- Where to'? - Germany.
- He ran away just like that'? - Yeah.
- And left your mother and you'? - Yes.
- But why'? - He was fed up with us, I suppose.
He cheated on my mother and they quarreled a lot.
Why'? Didn't he love her'?
I don't know.
- Why did he marry her then? - I wasn't there.
Where is your mother working now'?
She's a cashier in the Forum cinema.
That's a good cinema. She can let you in for nothing. They show sexy films.
She never lets me watch anything.
My father never cheated on my mother. Nor did she on him.
- Dr. Také. Do you want to marry this girl'? - I do.
- And do you want to marry this man'? - I do.
- Will you love each other forever'? - Yes. -Yes.
- Won't you ever deceive each other'? - No. - No.
Whatever should happen to one of you, the other won't get married again'?
- No. - Never.
- Swear upon your children's life! - I swear! - I swear!
- God be your witness. - God! - God!
The partisans are communists and they don't believe in God.
Your father was a partisan, so how cold he swear to God'?
Perhaps he was never in church at all.
Nonsense. You're talking absolute nonsense.
Jesus and the communists were exactly the same.
They distribute everything among the poor.
So that everyone should be equal.
They want to help the poor and the oppressed ones.
It's just the same.
Who are the oppressed ones now'?
I think they are.
But you are oppressed now as a punishment.
In the name of the troop council I suggest we let Nédasdy join us.
- Nédasdy is a class alien. - He isn't any more.
He says he wants to be an engineer, not a count or a despot at any cost.
What an idea! No, it's out of the question!
Why'? We know for sure he doesn't' want to be a count!
He knows that counts used to be despots but he was still a baby then.
Why don't you believe us'?
I believe you but it is not as simple as that. Out of the question.
Why'?
I think my father was a class alien, too, before he became a partisan.
Karl Marx's mother was a countess, too.
All right. I'll ask the headmaster.
Miki! Where are you'? I'm so thirsty.
Here you are. But don't drink too much.
I won't run out for water every minute. That's enough.
- Did you take her temperature'? - Yes. Before you came.
- What was it'? - 38.9.
- How long did you take it for'? Ten minutes.
- You idiot. It should be 15! - How do I know'?
I know. My father was a doctor.
- I was told 1O minutes. - Believe me!
Miki! Stay here. I've got a headache. Am I going to die'?
- Where do you feel the pain'? - All over my head.
I know a trick that will soothe it at once. Just keep quiet.
Better, isn't it'?
I learnt it from my father. He was a surgeon. And cured everyone.
He wore white overalls and a hat. Even his shoes were white.
And sometimes he tied a white cloth on his face. Do you believe me'?
He also saved my mother's life.
Though doctors are not allowed to treat members of their family.
- Does it still hurt'? - Not any more.
Come again! Perhaps, I'll marry you.
All right. Look here, I'll show you something.
This is my father.
- Let me see. - You can see it from there.
Dear Kléri, I found this old photo. I think it's your husband operating.
Or is it Laci Wieser'?
Clear lungs.
- Bence Czaké. - No pathological deformations.
- Miklés Nédasdy. - Clear lungs.
- Lészlé Sztané. - No pathological deformations.
- Kéroly Csermék. - Clear lungs.
- Gébor Algécs. - Clear lungs.
Years have passed and he is taller now than Father was.
Fine English cloth!
From this you could make suits to last 30 years.
Look at it. You can hardly take it apart. Look! A badge.
Oh dear! What a famous team!
Halész, Csutak, Dimény, Er6ss, Bélint, Asztalos...
You really could rely on them. How wonderful it was!
These glasses make you look like a martyr.
What sort of martyr?
A martyr of the movement. A hero killed in action.
Why'?
I don't know, but you look like one.
- Are these your glasses'? - Yes.
- Can't you see without them'? - I can.
Then why do you wear them'?
I like them. I don't always wear them.
Take them off a while.
You see, you look much better now.
All Hungarians are with us!
Anni! Anni! Hello!
- Hello. - What's up'?
There's a meeting on. I'll be right there. I just collect my personal file.
Let me see it.
Kértvelyesi told him not to enter the university again. He cried.
His tears were running down his cheeks. Fantastic, isn't it'?
- What was your father'? - My father'? - Yes.
A doctor. A surgeon.
But some high party functionary, wasn't he'?
- My father'? - Yes.
You're crazy. He is dead.
He died in '45.
All right then.
What an idiot!
Boys. Who knows where we can find a flag'?
We couldn't even find one.
- There's one in the porter's room. - it's not there any more.
I now there is one in the hostel. But that's far away.
Never mind. Somebody will fetch it. Well, who is willing to go'? No one'?
My watch stopped. Blast it! It stopped. All that and this, too, damn!
Now I'll cross. The road is empty. Now I'll cross.
- Good morning - Good morning.
- The glass broke and it stopped. - Yes. Let me see.
- It will be ready by the end of the week, all right'? - All right.
- Where have you been'? - At the university.
- What have you been doing'? - Nothing, Mummy.
You drive me crazy! You take the key of the book-case with you...
with the statue in it. In 1O minutes there'll be a meeting with the tenants!
- Why here'? - How should I know'?
- Here you are. - What shall I do with it now'?
I should put it somewhere, but where'?
Tell me, Mother. Did you never want to leave the country'?
Oh yes, we did. In was in '40 or '42...
But it was too late then.
You see, I always wanted to go to Australia,
but your father said it would be a crazy thing to do...
everything will be all right here.
He was a great Hungarian, you know.
And when at last he made up his mind to go, it was already too late.
Sorry, I'd like to see the watchmaker.
He is not at home. He went to the country.
When will he be back'?
I don't know. I really don't.
I left my watch... He said he would fix it by the end of the week.
Would you please see if he didn't leave it here'?
What was it like'?
An angular watch with a brown leather strap.
- Wait a moment. - Thank you.
Come and see for yourself.
- Who died'? - No one. Nobody.
Hello. Well'? What's up'? Everything okay'?
Okay. What are we supposed to do'?
Nothing. Wait here and do what the rest does.
- How much will we get'? - 60 Forints.
We need 80. Couldn't you persuade them to pay us more'?
Attention, please!
You're going to be deported now to a concentration camp.
You are tired and tortured.
A black German car drives across the bridge so you keep to the side.
Get moving! Action! Be serious, let us feel the tragedy and all the tears!
Stop! That's no good! Back to the start. Let's try again.
The gentleman with the black hat. Stop laughing. This is a tragedy.
Rehearsal! Action! Don't laugh! Rehearsal! Action! Go!
Turn! Back to the start.
Come on, hurry up! Come!
Stop!
Back to the start! Hurry up!
Stop!
Stop! I want more arrowcross men there. No! There! There!
Him?
Him'? Take off the star. Quick.
A hat and a gun for the arrowcross man. Quick. Take off the star.
Ready'? Are we ready'? All right!
Gunmen! Get closer to the crowd. Press them together.
Come on. Get closer. That's the spot where you start from, okay'?
Press them back. Be rougher!
Didn't I tell you to get closer to them'?
Don't feel sorry for them. Be rough and rude.
All right. Action. Come on. Hurry up. Run!
Gunmen press the crowd together. All right.
Stop! Stop! Return to the start.
We missed all that. We are lucky we were born later, aren't we'?
Funny. I have no idea what my father was doing in 1944.
He was a soldier,
and had no idea about all that, I suppose.
He just tried to save his skin, I think. It might have been quite a job.
I have only some faint memories of the whole affair...
Dead horses... bombing...
Do you know what I find awful'?
I denied for a long time that my father died in Mauthausen.
I made up some story about him,
so that I shouldn't have to admit that I was a Jew.
But then I found it was all in vain, so I began to face facts.
I even went to Auschwitz with a tourist group to take photos
and show them around when I come home.
But there were only well-dressed tourists on every photo.
Sometimes I still feel ashamed and pretend not to belong to them.
I am a Hungarian, am I not'?
Simply Hungarian. I've decided a hundred times
that there's no past, and no nothing. Nothing!
But then something happens to me again and I want to belong to them.
I want people to see that's why my parents had to die.
Then I feel ashamed again and I simply cannot behave normally,
and I don't know where I belong or where I want to or should belong.
The Pope absolved the Jews saying they have suffered enough for their sin.
That means they were guilty of having allowed Jesus to be crucified.
When will those people be absolved who let 6 million people
be gassed and burnt 20 years ago'?
You see how angry I can get in a moment.
What an idiotic thing, this Auschwitz!
My past, if you like, where my father and my relatives were killed.
But I can't go on referring to that just to get people's sympathy,
because all my relatives were killed and I've had enough of suffering.
And I feel ashamed for belonging to those whose families were killed.
I always have to admit it: my father, because of the persecutions...
I always want to prove. I always feel I have to prove.
My grandmother advised me to have my nose operated.
I've been talking a lot of nonsense...
No. Really. In fact... Believe me...
Bye.
Ann“. Ann“.!
- Where are you running to'? - Nowhere. I'm going home.
- Are you in a hurry'? - Yes.
- Why'? - it's late.
- It isn't. - But it is.
- I'd like to kiss you. -Thank you.
- What for'? - For your sympathy.
You're all so good at being sympathetic.
Did I succeed in making you feel sorry for me'?
- I'll see you home. - Don't.
- Why not'? - I don't want to be seen home.
- Are you afraid somebody will see you'? - I don't care.
From the autumn of '44 he kept people hidden in the hospital.
He put their legs and arms in plaster and indicated such injuries
that the Germans and arrowcross men didn't suspect anything.
He put on an arrowcross armband, went to the ghetto and brought out
as many people as he could and hid them in the hospital.
In the last weeks the cellar of the hospital was crowded with them.
And so was the garden by the time they could come out at last.
They gathered their bandages into a big heap.
Let me have this boy. I'd keep him if nobody claims him.
Give him away'? This boy'?
Not for anything in the world!
- Which way are you going'? - To town.
Just straight ahead. Get on.
Is there anything else to stick it on'? Give it to me.
Freedom! Freedom just out!
Zoltén!
Oh sorry... Freedom! Freedom just out!
Imagine, I've got a date!
Who with'?
With an old suitor of mine. Laci Wieser is his name.
I met him on the tram.
Once upon a time he wanted to marry me.
He carried me over the Chain bridge in his arms.
- When was that'? - Thirty years ago. Or more.
- Is he married'? - No. His wife died a long time ago.
- Does he live alone'? - Yes.
Be clever, Mum, and marry him.
And what if he doesn't want to marry me'?
Then I'll see to that.
- What's he like'? - Old.
Hold it for a moment. Give it to me.
Let me have it, Andris.
Have you got some beer left?
ADORJANPUSZTA
Father...
That's the place where Father was born.
I actually didnT know where this village was.
I just happened to see the sign.
Doctor Ta kc')...
Yes, I remember. We had two doctors of that name.
One was tall, the other smaller, a tough chap.
The smaller one.
He was a nice fellow.
But I can't tell you much.
He often played football with the assistants in the garden.
That's all.
He was a clever little man. What happened to him'? Oh, yes, he died.
Yes, now I remember. He died.
He died in 1945.
His wife came back here. She tried to gather things they lost in the war.
I helped her sometimes.
She was a pretty woman.
I never saw her again.
What do you know about doctor Také'?
He was a nice fellow with specs.
I think he was the first doctor in Hungary to apply Evipan.
- What's that'? - A sleeping drug.
It gives a quiet, sound sleep throughout the operation.
I see.
There's nothing else I can tell you.
I remember his wife better.
She should have married again.
But with a child, it' so difficult.
Who'd have taken her with a child'?
DoctorTaké'? Yes, I remember him.
What was he like'?
A kind... a very kind man.
With smiling eyes.
He called me funny names.
Bunny, and that sort of thing.
But why do you ask me'?
He had a wife and a child.
Do you know anything about them'?
No, I don't. Thank you.
Oh my, why am I crying'?
How ridiculous.
Don't you know what he was doing during the war'?
No, I don't.
That's where Father was hiding.
No, I only made up that story.
Or was he really hiding here?
You see, I still remember his favourite tune.
His patients liked him very much.
Especially the miners. He knew how to talk to them.
On his morning visits he asked them if they'd had a swig from the bottle,
because he never entered the hospital without having a glass of palinka.
Of course, it wasn't true. He just kept talking, like water runs...
That's why they liked him so much.
Every evening he dropped in the wards saying:
“Sleep well, pleasant dreams, wake up in good health.”
You see, I still remember it. He even said it German: Gute Nacht.
Do you know who lived here before'?
It was a doctor, I think.
He left for America, as far as I know.
- When'? -About '48 or so...
Or was it before the war'?
Yes, they left for America before the war.
- Was this your fathefis bag'? - Yes.
Did you go and see his friends? What did they say about him'?
Nothing in particular.
- Still, you got to know something. - No. Nothing new.
- No details? - Some.
- Why don't you tell me'? - it's too long and complicated.
What'?
Never mind.
- Didn't they recognise you'? - Well, yes, they did.
Do you believe in God'?
No.
What do you believe in then'?
- In you, for instance. - Why in me'?
- Why don't you tell me'? - Tell you what'?
What they said about your father.
Who recognised you'?
An old assistant.
Just by your face'?
No, by my fathefis coat.
He saw me in the street in front of the hospital,
came after me and asked if I was Dr. Také's son.
He used to work with Father. He must have been very fond of him.
A nice old chap.
Why do I keep saying things that aren't true I only wish they were?
Why do I keep talking when it makes me feel all the worse
and in the end, ashamed of myself?
Whats this happiness I feel when I see people listening to me
and they like me, believe me and think what I want them to think?
Father gives me such wonderful strength.
But wh y can't I do without him ?
Why don"t I have the courage?
When she first saw me, she thought it was Father.
- Is she pretty'? - Yes.
Thief! He stole the doctor's coat!
The Doctor's coat!
He stole the doctor's coat! Thief!
Catch him. He stole the doctor's coat!
Where's Father'?
Maybe there.
Where's Father'?
In there.
I'm going to have a baby.
What shall I do now'?
Imagine, I dreamt we were going to have a baby.
Did you feel happy about it'?
I really don't know.
I'd like to tell you something.
The things I told you about Father weren't true.
The story about his coat was just made up.
There were some true details but I don't know any more which ones.
I just kept talking and it made me feel easier.
Do you understand'?
I must swim across the Danube.
At last, I must do something on my own, with just my strength.
That takes courage and persistence, that can't be left half done.
Something one can? turn one's back on half way.
I must swim across the Danube alone,
not just tell others that Father used to as if it was I who had done it.
Only weak people keep telling tales.
It's good to swim.
With long, even strokes, like that. Calmly.
I can do it. I'll do it all right. I just have to keep going.
I will keep going. If I get to the other shore I'll feel wonderful.
I must swim across the Danube.
Of course, this is just pretending.
I think I'm just pretending so that my grandchildren can say:
“Grandpa often swam across the Danube. ”
Okay then, but even so, I simply must do it.
I must swim across the Danube on my own strength.
Nobody can help me now. I know I'm quite alone.
Whatever happens, I must keep going.
For once I must fight my way through something alone.
Be careful while crossing. Keep to the crossing.
Cross on the zebra, please.
Let the cars through, please. Let the bus through.
Keep to the crossing, please.
THE END