This is a record of the measures the StB took against you.
What they describe in here never happened.
PREVIOUSLY
With his background,
Vicktor is potentially the best agent of influence we have in Czechoslovakia.
But we don't have him, do we?
When he turns up, we're going to put the squeeze on the bastard.
This is the end.
But it doesn't matter who runs this place, right?
As long as everything keeps running as it should.
But what about that crazy woman?
That ex-boyfriend of Marie's is going to have the whole StB under his thumb.
And you haven't even thought of going to see him?
I need to get into that Russian military base in Ralsko.
What did you expect to find here, anyway?
This is Smith from the British embassy. I've got some news about Viktor Skála.
THE SLEEPERS
The dead guy you found must be the one
who was supposed to collect me at the gate.
He's a Russian working for the British. Or rather, he was.
- He was supposed to help me get in. - And do what?
I can't tell you.
Please understand. I really shouldn't be telling you anything at all.
In any case the Russians must have found out, killed the guy,
hit us with a car and?
That wasn't Russians or the StB.
- It was two drunks from Tuzex. - How do you know that?
Because I talked to the guy. The one who did it.
It was an accident.
These Russians of yours had nothing to do with it.
And they had nothing to do with your kidnapping either, did they?
I honestly thought you were dead.
That they would kill me too.
Or do something to my sister?
There was always someone following me, I had to hide...
I ended up in a madhouse.
So I would really like to know the truth.
Where were you that whole time, what were you doing,
and who did this to you?
Gerald.
After the accident, I panicked.
Until just now, I was certain the KGB was after me.
I had to vanish before they tried to finish me off, in hospital if needs be.
And when I saw the ambulance, and that you were going to make it...
Gerald made me believe he was taking me to safety,
but there they locked me in a cellar and beat the hell out of me.
But why?
Because he thinks I'm an StB agent.
Why didn't you tell me straight away? Why the tall tales about Russians?
The Russians are the official version.
That's how I am to present it at the press conference, too.
Imagine if people found out right now that the West, our great role model,
can act exactly like the Bolsheviks? People need things laid out clearly.
- Good guys, bad guys. - I'm not "people".
I'm your wife.
- That's why I'm telling you. - Why not tell me from the fucking start?
It was an order.
I had to keep it a secret.
And the fact that when we met you were about to get married...
You had to keep that from me as well?
No.
I didn't.
I was just ashamed to tell you that.
I'm sorry.
We have to start over again.
Differently.
I don't ever want to go through anything like that again.
Are you certain no one saw you there? In Ralsko?
Only afterwards, after the revolution, when I went there again.
I was accompanied by some Russian, from the embassy.
Volkogonov he was called, I think.
No, it's okay.
- Did you talk to Vlach? - He hasn't been picking up.
Some of you might say I should have expected it.
Since they even shot at me at the border. But honestly, after so many years,
I never expected them to go this far, with two KGB agents
abducting me in city center Prague,
taking me to East Germany in the boot of a car,
locking me in a cellar, and interrogating me
with methods straight out of the 1950s.
In any case, I'm not making myself out to be some hero or martyr.
That's my wife, as far as I'm concerned.
And I will never forget what she went through
willingly and unwillingly, because of me.
Hello.
Vlach.
Have you seen it? On TV?
Do you hear me?
He's back.
It's going much better than I could have anticipated.
They sacked the interior minister just a few days ago,
and the word around Prague already is that you're the man to replace him.
There's nobody with the right experience who isn't or wasn't in the StB.
All compromised, all politically objectionable.
So when you don't have anyone with active secret service experience,
you go for passive experience.
Someone who suffered. Like you.
Novák's the deputy. They can just promote him. He suffered too.
Yes, he's a candidate. But you're the heavyweight.
All Novak ever got was a few slaps from the StB, whereas you...
The KGB, Viktor. That's big.
The press keep asking what they questioned me about.
Say you need to talk to the prime minister before you can answer.
- He hasn't asked to see me. - He will. Keep repeating it and he will.
And tell him what?
I've got some ideas. One or two potential options.
Options...
People in this country were dreaming about there being no more lies.
People in this country dream about the same thing everyone else does,
more money in their pocket. Everything else is bullshit.
So we carry on lying.
We carry on working to make your people have more money.
Have you asked for your citizenship to be reinstated?
I have.
I'm sorry, wasn't this your idea all along?
I don't like having to lie to my wife.
Or you don't like it that your wife found out you're lying.
What would you know about it...
There's not a marriage in the world
that can survive without a few well-chosen lies.
Everyone lies, Viktor. Only we do it for a living, it's our job.
- You're obviously not married. - Not any more, thank God.
I don't want a divorce.
Then lie.
Marie?
I'll give you a light.
Thank you.
- Hello. - Hello.
Thanks.
- You work on this floor? - I'm from 2.
I worked under Colonel Vlach, but he resigned.
And I haven't been reassigned yet.
So now I go to the beauty salon during working hours.
That's not good in terms of work ethics, but...
You do look lovely.
I try. I'm getting old too, so I have to.
I'm "old guard".
Well there you go. I'm the new guard.
Anyway, I'm Petr.
Miluska.
Dammit...
Thank you.
They turned the whole thing back on us, the bastards.
The "gentlemen".
Not even our best and brightest in disinformation could do better.
"...who was kidnapped and held captive"
"by two Russian-speaking men, likely officers of the KGB?"
Your foreign office has denied it. As has the KGB chairman.
And who is going to believe them?
They might as well keep their mouths shut, they know fuck all anyway.
Would you like one?
Unfortunately,
this made-up story sits quite perfectly
with what that madman of yours, Patera, did to him back then.
And since that that can be proven, it lends weight to their nonsense.
Did you not want the biggest bastard in the StB on the case? You did.
"Play rough with Skala. Have him pissing blood," you said.
So you got it.
I'm not blaming you for anything, Vaclav.
You're the only one in the country
who has known what we're doing from the outset.
I would have had them give you a medal ages ago.
But then I would've had to explain to our comrades up top,
what they'd be giving it to you for.
And I don't think they'd like that.
That all these years we have been
expecting their downfall, and all of communism going in the shitter.
I don't give a fuck about your medals.
All I want is for you to leave me in peace.
I'm afraid I can't help you with that.
That former secretary of yours,
I hear is getting on quite well with deputy minister Novak.
Either he will be made minister or Skala will.
- I need... - I don't give a shit, do you understand?
You will leave her alone.
- I would expect... - I've had expectations for 20 years!
And now it's too late.
I should have retired ages ago.
I could have devoted the last few years to Vlasticka.
"At least something, if nothing else." That's what she always said.
You're afraid of being alone, Vaclav.
But realize, you were always alone.
That's how it goes in our line of work.
Our wives in reality know nothing about us.
We're the only ones who really know each other.
So if you think I can just leave you alone,
with everything you know...
Well, I can't.
Are you threatening me?
No, Vaclav.
You don't threaten friends, you tell friends the truth.
- May I come in? - Of course.
I see you're really busy.
Yeah.
Hello. A box of Petras, please.
16.
Aren't you Mrs. Skalova?
Please, tell your husband our whole family admires him very much.
What a guy.
The KGB works on him for month and he says, 'My wife is the hero'.
I really liked that. Your average bloke wouldn't say that.
It nearly got a tear out of me, and I'm really not the kind...
- Send him my regards. - Okay.
- Goodbye. - Goodbye.
Get in.
Move it.
So this is what a traitor looks like.
Why did you go over to the British?
Because we are losing at the moment?
Not "for the moment". Definitively.
And no plan B can help you anymore.
So you wouldn't have even showed up for our date in Ralsko?
I got hit by a car. What was I supposed to think
other than that you wanted to eliminate me?
What did you tell them about us?
Did you tell them what you really are?
Look me in the eye.
I know when you're lying, I'm the one who taught you.
Why would I tell them?
So they'd lock me up in isolation like they do with all defectors?
So their brutes could interrogate me until I go mad,
and in the end not believe me anyway?
No. I didn't tell them anything.
So...
They really think a dissident as clean as a whistle
just fell into their lap?
Even the StB ended up believing it.
And they went after you like rabid dogs.
And your getting shot at with blanks on the border?
A powerful life's story.
You think I'll let you hand it all to the British on a silver platter?
If you kill me
then, after that press conference, it will be obvious to everyone who did it.
And if you give me away,
everyone will think it's disinformation meant to smear me.
Even your wife? Is that what she will think?
You fell in love.
I understand.
12 years is 12 years.
"Heaven's gift to us is this: That habit takes the place of bliss."
In any case, your happiness is going to cost you something.
The Brits want their own government minister in you.
The thing is, we want the same for ourselves.
What if I'm not interested?
What if I just turn my back on all of you?
Neither you nor the British would let the truth out anyway.
You'd only damage yourselves.
Well?
Your Marie just might not come home one day.
Maybe she has a weak heart and gets an attack.
That happens.
Go, and think about it.
In any case, you'll eventually realize you have no choice in the matter.
Considering you hardly ever play...
If we stay here a while, you're sure to find an orchestra.
I don't know if they'll be interested. I'm not 20 anymore.
That shouldn't matter for a violinist.
But it matters for a woman.
But you're Skalova, that means something.
Kralova meant something too.
It was the reason they didn't take me back then.
What is it?
Well, what is it?
Nothing.
- Stop here. - Alright.
- I won't be needing you anymore today. - Where do I pick you up tomorrow?
Nowhere, I'll come on my own. Thanks, goodnight.
It's good.
I prefer game meat.
I'm hoping there will be loads of it
once you build us all that democracy and prosperity.
"You".
You weren't exactly destitute before the revolution, were you?
I don't think anyone was exactly destitute.
- If you were always eating game... - Okay, not always.
A guy I knew used to bring me some from time to time.
Who was that? Is he still there?
I hear he legged it to the West. Right before the revolution.
That can hardly have paid off. What's his name?
Berg. Honza.
Doesn't ring any bells.
And it should, if he's a defector.
- I got a list. - A list?
We can put people like that to good use.
If they worked for the West then they're reliable,
and they have experience.
But they'd have to want to come back.
Then I worked for the West, too.
So you could put me to good use, too.
He was put off duty for a while.
I guess they suspected him. But there was a file he really wanted.
So I...
Nice.
He took it from me here.
Then I never saw it again.
And Honza disappeared as well.
What file was it?
A file on a former employee. Named Patera.
I looked through it out of curiosity.
He'd once been put on that Skala bloke, the one all over the papers.
Would you have a contact for this Patera?
He's missing. It was even on TV.
And this Berg of yours worked on Skala too?
I think so.
Vlach would know. My former boss.
People have a tendency to go missing around Skala, don't they?
But don't you know each other?
Not really.
I know his wife a bit.
"A bit"?
We dated a long time ago.
But you're still worried about her.
I don't understand why Skala won't accept a security detail.
After what happened to him. At least for her sake.
Didn't you send your own bodyguard home tonight?
Of course you did.
It's none of anyone's business who you meet up with.
Hi.
- Good morning. - Oh, hi.
- Can I come in for a moment? - Of course.
- Have you had breakfast? - I haven't, thanks.
Come in.
Is Viktor home?
- Good morning. - Good morning.
No. I said it once already and I'll say it again.
The bodyguards are all StB men.
Is the StB supposed to protect me from the KGB?
- I've had my fill of both of them. - Me too.
Though I never went through what you did. Few people did.
But this isn't only about you. It's about Marie too.
Do you think I'm not able to protect my own wife?
Do you feel like you can?
It was me who had to get her out of the madhouse.
Petr...
Sorry.
Did you know the officer assigned to you before you emigrated
recently disappeared?
As did his file.
And another who tried to track you down during the revolution also disappeared.
- Isn't it a bit strange? - What are you trying to tell me?
What does it have to do with me?
Find them then, that's your job.
You've let the StB get too close.
That's why the interior ministry looks the way it does
and the Russians are still acting as if the whole place still belonged to them.
That has to end.
I agree.
Anyway, I'll have to be going.
By the way, does the name Vlach ring any bells with you?
Colonel Vlach, StB?
No.
- Goodbye, then. - Goodbye.
That's a nice suit.
When the PM summons me I have to dress accordingly.
- Nice to see you. - Nice to see you too.
- Bye. - Bye.
Unfortunately there's nothing we can do about it. He's going to be the minister.
But...
As I say, nothing to be done. But don't let it bring you down.
The situation has changed.
You're famous now. I mean really famous. You have plenty of time.
Sorry, I have to go.
Yes?
I've made my choice.
Fine.
Fine, my boy.
There's something strange about it all.
About his behavior.
He's been back a while now,
and still I can't stop thinking about it.
Just recently you'd have given anything to have him back,
and now he's back and you're whinging.
Be glad your husband's home.
I wish I had your problems.
It's better not to know some things. You might not like them.
Just get over it.
I know.
More and more, I wonder if I wouldn't be better off without him.
If I'd manage on my own.
And would you?
Right...
So it's just talk.
I'm very sorry.
That's OK, no problem.
...he was a decent, honest and brave man
who repeatedly proved his courage long before the revolution.
And he was driven by the same principles even now that we are free,
wanting to tame the StB as deputy interior minister.
Unfortunately, he didn't get to see that task through to the end.
Certain powers who want to maintain their former influence in this country
may take pleasure from that. But for the rest of us,
his sudden death is truly a great loss.
You were both considered candidates to lead the Interior Ministry.
Would you accept that position, if offered it?
Forgive me,
but under the circumstances, I don't think that's an appropriate?
Switchboard.
Skalova, hello. I need a contact for a Colonel Vlach.
I'm afraid that's not possible, comrade.
This is the Interior Ministry, not a post office.
I don't think you understood me.
My name is Marie Skalova. My husband is Viktor Skala.
Does that ring any bells, "Comrade"?
Just a moment.
That Skalova?
I told her we couldn't give out that kind of information.
I'll tell her again.
Alright.
Hello, Skalova speaking.
Hello?
Hello?!
33 Rehakova St.
I beg your pardon?
He won't talk to you over the phone.
Vlach, 33 Rehakova St.
Thank you.
And to whom am I speaking?
To no one.
Now all of you just fuck off.
My wife died recently, so?
You know how it goes.
Have a seat.
Can I get you something?
No, thank you.
You still look the same.
I knew your father as well,
he was assigned to me at one point.
Such were the times.
I'm not here because of my father though.
I realize that.
Your father died ten years ago.
And the dead are...
Dead.
American work. The toxin is undetectable in an autopsy.
Just a heart attack.
It's typical of the West: They're able to develop something
then they're scared to use it. We are not.
This isn't at all what I wanted.
What did you want then? The guy never would have let you be.
Did you think I was going to go have coffee with him?
It wasn't necessary. You didn't have to...
What?
So you're actually ashamed to even say the words aloud.
It revolts you. You're one of the decent folk.
"A decent, honest and brave man who repeatedly proved his courage"
"long before the revolution."
That's what you spouted on TV. So tell me:
Were you talking about Novak, or yourself?
Don't overdo it.
It's only a role, don't forget that.
And I think it's good when a person tells the truth out loud once in a while.
Well sure, why not?
If it makes you feel better, then why not?
That's Plumlov.
Viktor was there as a child.
This is Viktor. This is me.
You know each other?
I knew Viktor Skala, yes.
A smart boy.
Good-natured, just a bit weak physically. Lots of them were after the war.
His parents had died during the war.
In the end, he got meningitis and he died too.
They all died, everyone on that photo.
New ones soon arrived, but...
I couldn't do it anymore, care for them.
What's more I was expecting a family of my own,
we needed money, so I applied for the StB.
I was already in the party, so...
But I never forgot those boys.
And later...
When the Russians came needing authentic paperwork for someone,
papers that already had a history,
institutional connections, birth registry, primary school,
just in case anyone went digging around, and so on.
Something already in existence...
I knew where to get it.
I was supposed to destroy that, but...
MEDICAL REPORT
I just decided to keep it.
DEATH CERTIFICATE
When someone doesn't have parents or anyone else, like those boys there,
then he's all alone. And he who is alone is forgotten...
Perfect. Bulletproof.
And of all the boys there, Viktor looked most like him:
The Ukrainian Czech from the Soviet Union.
Your husband.
From the wiretaps in your father's flat
I knew you liked Prokofiev. So I thought
the young man would make a good impression if he brought you Prokofiev.
And I liked the name of the piece.
Not even I know his real name. Your husband's.
I set up the false one for him. And a few other things, too.
It's called a cover story.
So that everything would fit together and his life's story would make sense.
I even picked out a wife for him.
The daughter of a well-known dissident.
That looks good on a resumé.
A person like that looks credible in the West.
Especially now after the revolution.
He still has a great future ahead of him.
The unknown boy.
I don't believe this.
Believe what you want, my dear lady.
You came to me, not the other way around.
I couldn't care less about either of you.
If I'm appointed and I go back to you...
I want a guarantee that nothing will happen to Marie.
That's pretty much up to you.
She ate out of your hand for 12 years, maybe she'll start again.
- "Ate out of my hand"? She trusted me. - Then she'd best keep on trusting you.
Because if she doesn't, then it will be a problem for you.
And your problems are our problems. And we take care of problems.
You can go now.
Forget the wife, I don't even trust him.
In a few days' time he'll be in government.
That's all that's important right now.
And it's important to him, too, even though he pretends it's not.
He's the talk of the town and he wants it to stay that way.
He always did, I know him.
Give me a lift then go do your job.
Why'd you marry him if you thought he's an alcoholic?
And isn't he?
Well now he's the man you have a baby with.
Of course, I have a baby, so my life is over.
It's never too late to start over, mum.
Jesus Christ, do you hear this nonsense?
- Go ahead and get divorced then. - At last we agree.
Please, say something to her.
Hana...
Sorry.
This was supposed to be for baking.
But it doesn't matter now.
- I've never seen you cry before? - Really?
I've cried a million times. But in the shower where it can't be heard.
I can't even cry anymore.
What's wrong now?
I'll tell you some other time, OK?
Sit.
That will be for me.
I was supposed to be at that concert by now.
It started ages ago, where have you been?
I only came to make sure it's true.
- Before I go to the press with it. - What do you mean?
I went to see Colonel Vlach.
What?
I know everything, Viktor.
Or whatever your real name is.
I kind of hoped you would at least defend yourself.
Maybe that you'd say the old StB man made the whole thing up.
- I was only a feature on your resumé. - That's not true.
Yes, it started as an assignment, but that's only how it started.
You really think I was just pretending for all those years?
You have to know it's true.
We've been together for 12 years.
I don't know anything anymore.
I only know I will not be with a man who has lied to me his whole life.
Marie, wait.
I can't just let you go like that.
If it were only about me paying the price, then fine, but...
If you go public with this,
even if you were to keep quiet and just leave me,
they will still see you as a risk.
They have people like me all over the Eastern Bloc,
they won't let you jeopardise it all. You know too much.
They'll kill you, do you understand that?
Like they killed Petr?
What?
You had something to do with that too.
No.
I swear to you. Believe me that if nothing else.
Marie...
We can try to fix this.
To think something up. I'll have opportunities now, influence.
We can try to outplay them together.
I don't even know your name.
PRAGUE, SPRING 1990
...democracy will only have a firm foundation
once we have had our first free election.
We can only trust that our citizens will confirm
that the course we set in November 1989 is the right one,
and the one that I, too, will gradually put in action
so that our country is free again and, most importantly, independent.
Will you open the StB archives?
Do you hope to remain Interior Minister even after elections?
I'm sorry, I have to be going.
Tomorrow at 8 a.m.
Thank you.
It's very good.
It might need more salt.
Just a little.
You're not going to eat, again?
I'm not hungry.
Or do you not feel like eating?
Both.
Will you go with me to Paris for the conference?
What would I do there?
You'd be there with me.
As my wife.
You can do some shopping.
I already have everything.