FILMTEAM presents
funded by the Hungarian National Film Fund
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featuring
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written by
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MEGYER, HUNGARY
Here's the letter. Here you are.
It looks like Russian.
Do you speak Russian?
- Bye, Mária. - Bye.
Take care.
Russia... Moscow...
VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Olga, it's your mother. She says it's very important.
Thank you. Tell her I'll call her back.
Alright.
Hello?!
Mária, where are you?
Hey!
Jesus!
Mária!
Mária! What happened?
Mária! Mária!
Letter...
Olga!
Hello, ambulance? Hello...
Robert, Mária’s in hospital!
Come to the office ASAP!
It feels like we’re never get there.
Don’t drive so fast.
Have you called Dad?
Why doesn’t he come more often?
You should ask him.
Isn’t because you don't call him?
Yes, maybe.
She shouldn't have come back to Hungary.
- Are you relatives of Mária Pogány? - I'm her daughter.
Your mother’s in coma.
We’re controlling her vital life functions.
- Can I see her? - Of course.
This is your mother’s.
Well.
We can go!
You can still catch your train!
Aren't you taking me back to Vienna?
I'm staying.
I've never seen that before.
Let's go, we need to hurry.
Come on!
Why does Grandma make those dolls?
No idea.
They scare me.
Take care of yourself.
I begging you, Mum, call Dad. Call him now!
EDITH, ANTON.
Mother...
Who are these people?
Mother.
This is my home number in Vienna,
this is my mobile and my office number.
We'll call if anything happens.
Doctor!
Please be frank.
Will she come around?
I don’t know.
Madam...
There’s one thing a person can't do...
...touch their nose with their own tongue.
But apart from that, almost anything could happen to her.
I once waited for him for two and a half hours in Barcelona.
At the church they never finished building.
The Sagrada Familia?
You know what's so funny about the whole thing?
He actually made it in the end.
Almost three hours late
and smiling.
And I just waited.
True love only comes
once in a lifetime...
How is she?
Look!
This is the boat?
Cool!
Come up!
Stay with her!
She'll be okay now.
Okay, Dad. I'll call you tomorrow.
Yes, doctor. Thank you.
I'll call you.
Goodbye.
There’s no change.
I really miss Grandpa now.
Robert...
He wasn't your grandfather.
What?
Stefan wasn’t your real grandfather.
I guess it soon won't matter.
That photo, next to Stefan's...
Grandma’s brother who died in the war.
He's not her brother but the love of her life.
He’s my biological father. Your grandfather.
He’s my grandfather?
Why didn't you ever tell me?
Mária never let me.
She always said, we can’t let the past destroy our lives.
What happened to him?
His name was Ákos.
He was an aristocrat.
The communists deported him to a village.
That's where he met Mária.
MEGYER, HUNGARY - 1953
Hop!
Thank you, István. I'll brush him down in a minute.
Leave it to me. I'll do it.
They came this way.
Let them!
I love you.
You have to practice German, too!
Yes, sir!
Come in!
No!
I’m only yours!
This is my first time...
What were you two doing by the horses?
Just looking at them.
What for?
To memorise them.
Why do you want to memorise horses?
So I can draw them later.
I think you shouldn’t be here.
What makes you say that?
I think you can’t even leave the village.
If I weren’t allowed to, I wouldn’t be here.
We’ll discuss this at the station.
Let’s take a walk!
Don’t argue!
You, young lady, can walk home!
You see, Your Grace,
it's always the peasant who does the dirty work.
Father, Mother... forgive me!
We’ve got to leave this place.
And what happens if we die?
We’ll live!
Frau Zimmerer.
My aunt. They’ve got a lovely apartment in Vienna.
Prokopius Gasse 5.
We can stay there until we find work.
Frau Zimmerer.
Prokopius Gasse 5.
- Repeat it after me. - I already know it.
Just say it!
Hug me.
Hug me!
I can’t hug you any tighter.
Tighter!
So I can’t breathe.
Father, I’m sleeping at Ica's tonight.
Mother said I can.
Can I go?
If your mother agreed, so do I.
Hurry home!
Do you want something?
No.
It’s just been so long since I hugged my father.
You’re a big girl now.
Yes.
I’m a big girl.
Hurry home tomorrow!
There’s so much to do here.
I’ll hurry.
Go in that direction. There aren't any mines in the forest.
That's Austria over there.
But wait until it gets dark.
Good luck!
It was my grandmother’s. It brings luck.
Stop!
- Stop! - Go, go!
- Stop! - Run!
Run!
- Run! - Stop!
Go!
How long have you known?
When I gave birth to you
and I took you home from Barcelona.
That's when Mária told me.
That's when she told me I was born in a convent.
- Didn't you ask her about it later? - She always changed the subject.
You shouldn't have let her!
Didn't you even try to track him down?!
No.
Don't you even know where he’s buried?
He died before I was born!
Stefan was my father!
Is there anything else, she hasn't told you?
I don't know and I don't care!
For once in your life, don't run away! You always do this!
So, you'd rather go to Japan or Korea as long as it's far away!
- And you run to your father. - That's different.
You don't want to face things.
You didn't dare live with Dad...
What’s that supposed to mean?!
You’ve always had everything!
I'm still paying your university and just do whatever you feel like!
You're changing the subject again!
The four-power occupation of Vienna lasted from 1945 to 1955,
the largest contingent was the Soviet army.
The Soviet headquarters operated here,
in the baroque mansion built by the banker Gustav Epstein.
Its basement became the scene of terrible torture during the occupation.
During the occupation, approximately 40,000 children were born
to Soviet soldiers...
Young men, officers...
After the war... Spring,
May, girls...
the Austrian girls were so beautiful...
My mother told me the entire story, when I was 9.
In Vienna and Lower Austria,
nearly 240,000 rapes took place...
Excuse me,
could you help me?
My name’s Olga Kunz.
I was born here...
...on 14th August 1954.
Do you have archives here?
Or any sort of registry?
Yes, of course.
Can I take a look?
You have to submit a written request.
Provide the name of your mother and father.
Is there something wrong?
No, nothing.
Thank you.
Do you know your name?
Mária Pogány.
That's right.
Do you remember how you got here? Or what happened?
The...
letter.
What letter?
Doctor...
can I go home now?
I’ve never seen that happen before.
Prepare her for examinations.
Why didn’t you answer the phone?!
Mother...
"Dear Mária,
I know how painful everything is for you right now.
All alone without Ákos.
But that child is innocent.
You can't kill it!
It's yours, too.
Edith."
Anna!
Annie!
Mother...
Who’s Annie?
And who’s Edith?
Mother!
Who’s Annie?
Oh, my hand hurts so much, look!
It’s all twisted.
The Doctor says that, after my clinical death,
a part of my brain stayed dead.
It really hurts.
And who’s Edith?
I’m tired.
You go!
I'm sure you’ve got lots to do.
Go!
Go, just go!
I can’t do this now!
My mother’s sick!
Olga!
Do you know what you’re risking?
Absolutely!
Hello! What are you doing here?
You're not allowed in here during the reconstruction. There's a sign!
Excuse me, I'm just looking for some old acquaintances.
It's important.
The Zimmerer family used to live here.
But I seem to be late.
I grew up here, too.
Their name’s familiar.
Frau Zimmerer lived alone and hardly ever left the apartment
after her husband died.
Do you remember an Edith?
Edith Zimmerer?
Yes.
She got together with a Russian and had a Russkie kid!
Poor Frau Zimmerer...
She waited for her daughter until the day she died.
So, Edith had a child.
What happened to it?
Who knows?!
Disappeared like her mother.
Mother.
Who’s Edith?
Not again...
Who’s Anton?
I should have never come back.
Mother...
Hey, you!
Grandma, why don’t you talk to Mum?
I used to love to sing.
When we’ve put the boat on water, I'll come back.
It's time.
Your ticket!
Tell your father that...
I'll tell him.
Come in!
A lot of women...
gave birth here back then.
They were afraid.
Of what?
The Soviets.
Whoever's papers weren't in order in the Soviet zone
could be taken away at any time.
My mother was also a refugee...
from Hungary.
We often came here when I was a child.
There’s a page missing!
Births in August.
It's been torn out.
Who could have done it?
I don't know.
I can’t help you with this.
Are you saying I don’t even exist?
It would be better if you left.
God bless you!
God, forgive me!
- Where’s my mother? - Good afternoon.
- Mária Pogány. - Everything’s alright.
- Your mother’s alright. - But where is she?
Mária discharged herself.
And you just let her leave?
Mária’s a very stubborn woman.
She is. She always has been.
Thank you for everything, Doctor!
- Thank you, Tibor. - My pleasure.
Your mother did manage to touch her nose with her tongue!
Mother!
You escaped from hospital!
I cancelled my trip to Japan,
put my job on the line, and you don't even answer the phone!
You don't answer it much either.
I’m fine!
- Were you going through my things? - Yes.
Who's this?
So, you don’t want to tell me.
I went to the convent.
Someone tore out my birth record!
I want to lie down. Help me.
She won’t talk to me!
She’s gone to bed!
Be patient.
She came back from very far away.
I never quite understood
why she didn't stay in Vienna with us after Father died.
Maybe she wanted it to end where it all began.
Olga, come inside!
Here.
Mother...
Please...
It’s hard.
It's...
It's so hard.
Stop, stop!
Hey! Stand up!
Stand up!
- Come on! - Get up!
Nice watch...
Look at me!
Look into my eyes!
You beauty!
Let’s go, beautiful!
Carry on, I can handle it.
- Mother... - It's going to hurt me.
And...
you, too.
VIENNA, AUSTRIA - SOVIET ZONE - 1953
- Don’t give me orders! - We’ll sort it later...
- Filthy American! - Calm down!
- Stupid, little cowboy! - What are you doing, bastard commies?
- Get out of here! - Hey!
Listen here!
Let’s get out of here!
Come on, let’s go!
I’m Stefan, Stefan Kunz.
Everything’s fine.
Prokopius Gasse 5...
Prokopius Gasse 5.
Goodbye!
- I'm sorry... - Who are you looking for?
Sorry.
My name’s Mária Pogány.
I'm...
Ákos’s fiancée.
At...
At the border...
the Russians...
Ákos...
Ákos got shot!
What’s happening, dear?
This girl says she’s Ákos's fiancée.
Drink!
She can't stay here.
Especially not now.
Hansi, take a look at this!
It's Henriette's necklace.
You must have been through so much.
Mária!
Mária?
Mária, can you hear me?
We'll make the bed in the maid's room.
Do you have any papers?
Documents?
My husband’s nerves are weak nowadays.
Who was Edith?
She was my best friend.
I’m Edith.
I’m Ákos's cousin.
- She can’t stay here! - I know.
Get rid of her!
She belongs to Ákos.
She's my sister.
You urgently need papers.
It's very dangerous to walk around without any papers.
In the meantime, I'll take you to a convent.
The mother superior is a good friend of mine.
Sister Beata will show you your room.
She also had to escape. She came from Poland.
You can stay here until your papers arrive.
I've heard what happened to you, my child.
War’s a terrible thing.
The war’s over now.
The war’s never over.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures:
he leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul:
he leads me in the paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Mária!
Here!
Your papers are ready!
Open it!
You can come home with me!
We have a lot of blackouts,
but the evenings are pleasant by candlelight.
This is your room.
This is also for you.
Make yourself at home.
Thank you.
Come!
This is the bathroom.
With a huge bathtub.
Sometimes we even have hot water.
Close the door
and don't open it to anyone.
That’s is our special sign. If you hear it,
don’t hesitate to open, it’ll be me.
And bolt the door. It's very important.
- I’m going to try and find bread. - Have you found any yet?
No, I don't believe it.
Sure, but... Why not?
Hello!
I know who you are! Mária!
Mária!
My name’s Anton! Anton Mihailovitch Svetlov! Don't be afraid!
Anton Mihailovitch Svetlov!
Don't be... Don't be afraid!
I’m Edith’s friend.
Who's he?!
This is Anton.
The love of my life.
Look at him. He’s a good man.
This is Anton.
This is Mária.
You have to love each other!
Anton organised your papers!
Anton’s a doctor!
He cured me of pneumonia.
The colonel’s also a good man.
You’re safest here. You have to trust me!
No! Leave me alone!
I hate you both!
Thanks.
I love you.
- I love you. - I love you, too.
Please don't hate him.
Please.
I’ll trying not to.
Hi. This is a good morning message.
Mum, say hello to Grandma.
Good morning, my love.
My breasts hurt.
They’re tense.
You're pregnant.
What?
I can tell.
What?
I know, because...
I am, too.
We’ll have our babies at the same time.
I don't...
What’s wrong?
What if...
...it's not Ákos’s?
If Ákos isn’t the father?
Mária, my dear.
I’m sorry.
I’m so sorry.
Attention! Attention!
Bombs have been found!
Excuse me!
Do you remember me? My name’s Stefan. Stefan Kunz.
I remember.
It was an odd evening.
What were you doing in the street so late?
I teach at the academy. You should come and see me there.
Thank you!
- Goodbye! - Goodbye!
What was he doing there at night?
His wife and child...
That's where they died during the war.
In an air raid.
He never...
He could never forget them.
And you?
I could never forget Ákos.
How do you know that Ákos is my father and not a Russian soldier?
Mária!
Mária?
What are you doing?!
- Mária! - Leave me alone! Leave me alone!
You can’t do this!
I’m here with you.
"Dear Mária,
I know how painful everything is for you right now.
All alone without Ákos.
But that child is innocent.
You can't kill it!
It’s yours, too.
Edith."
Those nine months were terrible!
An enemy growing inside you...
Squirming...
constantly signalling that it was alive!
If you didn't want me, how come I’m here now?
- Greetings, Comrade Colonel. - What’s this circus?
He plays here every day. He was here yesterday, too.
Hello!
Look!
It’s snowing!
We can't get married.
We didn't get permission.
We’re afraid that Anton will be ordered back to the Soviet Union.
We have to escape.
Where to?
France.
I’d love to go back to my mother.
You can’t.
There’s no going back.
I’d love to go home, too, to the north.
We always waited for the lights as soon as autumn came.
The Northern Lights. A colourful spectacle in the sky.
Really. You should see it!
Turn the lights off!
Dear listeners!
So!
This is the Vienna section of Soviet state radio.
Green...
Dear comrades...
...the new year has already come to Moscow and...
And red.
...in a couple of minutes our courageous soldiers...
Beams of light appear in the sky
like dancing fairies.
It’s called Aurora Borealis,
named after the Roman goddess of dawn.
...we wish them and their families a happy new year!
Three... two... one...
Come on girls...
To our new life!
And to our children!
Happy New Year!
...of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Blessed are thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Attention! Attention!
Bombs have been found at 20-24 Prater Strasse.
The block is under emergency evacuation.
Everyone has to leave the area immediately!
Attention! Attention!
Risk of explosion!
Anton would never leave without saying goodbye!
Impossible!
I’ve got to find Anton.
Mária! Pull yourself together!
I need you!
I'm tired.
I’m going now...
to find Daddy.
Look after of my little girl!
You stay there.
We’ve come for the child...
Miss Zimmerer’s child.
Do you understand what I’m saying?
Where’s the child?
Please wait.
Check on her!
Where’s Edith?
Only we ask the questions.
But Edith... She didn't do anything.
Excellent! Let’s go!
Please wait!
Oh, a little teddy bear. The teddy can come!
Goodbye.
This was what you were looking for in the convent.
"Born 14 August 1954.
Olga Svetlova,
mother’s name: Edith Zimmerer,
father’s name: Anton Mihailovitch Svetlov."
"Born 14 August 1954.
Anna Pogány,
mother’s name: Mária Pogány,
father’s name: unknown."
What a beautiful baby!
Come!
How is your friend Edith and...
the other baby?
Where are they?
Don’t say anything.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!
How could I live with so much sin?
I'm sorry for...
not saying anything.
I promised Edith,
that I’d save you.
And when they arrived,
I didn’t give you away.
You are...
...my daughter.
The letter...
The Soviets took your mother away,
convicted her of spying and sent her to the gulag.
That's where she died.
I’ve been searching for her all my life.
Through the Red Cross, the Soviet and Russian authorities.
I only found out the truth recently.
I thought I’d die.
And I almost did!
Find my daughter.
Annie’s innocent.
She's not to blame.
I can sense it...
I know she's alive.
Please try to find her.
I know she’s alive.
MURMANSK DISTRICT, RUSSIA
Anton Mihailovitch Svetlov.
Born in Murmansk on 23 November 1919.
Unmarried, no children.
Served as a medical officer in the Red Army.
Arrested in the Soviet zone of Vienna.
Convicted on 12 October 1954
of subversive activities and attempting to escape.
Deported to Camp 612 in Siberia.
Freed in 1976
and worked as a labourer.
Last place of residence: Murmansk,
Severomorsk District, Yuzhnaya Street 17.
Stop the car!
Still no news?
Hello!
- Hello! - Greetings!
- I’m Olga Kunz. - Pleased to meet you!
- Artyom. - Antonio.
- Come this way. - Thanks.
This is my mother.
- Anna? - No.
Of course.
We’ve had the message from Mum.
Anna...
Annie...
I'm going out for a bit.
Grandma...
Grandma!