SEPTEMBER, 1942
THE 2ND WORLD WAR HAS BEEN FIGHTED FOR THREE YEARS.
AFTER TAKING WESTERN EUROPE,
THE GERMAN ARMY ADDRESSED TO POLAND AND UKRAINE,
TOWARDS THE SOVIET UNION.
RIO KORCHYK
EAST POLAND, NEAR THE UKRAINE BORDER
Nazi Germany controlled the region for 15 months,
FOLLOWING THE PLAN TO EXTERMINE THE LOCAL JEWISH POPULATION.
THE FEW THAT ESCAPED FROM EXECUTION WANTED FOR SHELTER IN FORESTS,
JOINING THE RESISTANCE, OR TRYING TO SURVIVE ALONE.
BASED ON A REAL STORY
Come this way!
We have to cross.
We won't make it in time. It's too deep for me.
The father said that if we get caught, we have to pray the Shem .
Don't catch us, Moishe.
In a few hours, they will all be dead! The mother, the father, the boys ...
Stop! Stop this!
Get yourself together.
Go to the left!
These mice are hidden around here.
They are still here in the forest.
Come on, single line.
Shem�, Israel...
Look in the bushes and trees.
We have to be at her house before dawn.
Are you okay?
Sara, say something!
Sara!
Say something!
MY NAME SARA
-We have to go. -Is that what she told you?
No, but she is very nervous. I'm sure it will deliver.
It is obvious that I am a Jew, but you are not.
You will have more chances without me.
What are you going to do when you need to cross another river?
Let's go.
Let's wait until night.
You are right.
I'm sorry, my brother.
-Richard, just a little more and it's good. -Okay, I got it!
Ukrainians.
I `m looking for work.
Aren't you from here?
N�o.
- Jewish? -No.
Hope there.
I will take you to my brother's house.
They have two children and just fired the baby.
She's looking for work.
You have no documents.
What's your name?
-Mania. -Mania for qu ?
Romanchuck.
-Where are you from? -From Korets.
-There are many Jews there. -I'm not!
Get out of the car!
She has a Jewish ear.
Make the sign of the cross.
-How old is? -14.
Why aren't you with your family?
My mother died when I was 11 years old.
Last year, my father married a woman from Bogdanovka.
She hit me for no reason and told him lies about me.
In May, she had a baby.
And it only got worse. All.
Will you stay with her or not?
Without pay.
Just food and a roof for sleeping.
You're lucky to have shown up on Sunday.
pork.
Do you love pork or are you just hungry?
Both.
Too bad it was the last one.
Forgive me, Jesus, for your beloved son.
-For the bad I did today. -Mania!
Come here.
... for the harm I did today.
What I did to the world, to myself ...
And to Ti.
I...
So that before sleeping ...
At peace I can be.
Now, go to bed.
A Mania tamb m.
Go to sleep in the barn.
I carry.
Mania!
Go clean up.
The Germans took our animals last month.
I got up early to work, thank God.
And I hid the best animals in the forest.
The rest, I had to leave it to those motherfuckers.
Mania, Mania, hi me!
He will take you to Korets to get your documents.
It's all right.
We will take all day.
I'm sorry.
I left in a hurry.
What are you going to say to your father?
No be.
-I'm worried. -With what?
He will be angry.
You can start an argument and don't let me go back with you.
Keep walking!
Go ahead!
Do you know her?
Of course not.
But this is horrible.
May God help them.
Don't spend your prayers on it.
Don't you have a fan?
F�?
My fan died with my first wife and daughter.
What kind of girl abandons her own family?
Get up!
I don't have a family.
My mother was everything to me.
What am I doing here?
We will go another day.
What are you doing?
waste of time. I can't waste my days.
-Not a waste of time, go back there. - Shut up!
I won't talk about it.
How will I manage to keep my quota if almost all my animals have been taken?
Go cry to him and see if he cares.
Starting next week, bring four more bags of meat.
Just because I asked a question?
You are not that important. Everyone must bring.
Now, get out of here!
V�o.
Maybe we'll make some money today.
The soldiers' pockets over there are full.
Your son is so big.
And he is already a pest.
Our new girl.
Much pleasure.
I'm Vira Ivanenko.
Sou Mania Romanchuck.
Where are you from, Mania?
Choir.
Be welcome.
We always need smart young people. Please.
Thanks.
How much?
For my dear soldier, I'm 20.
Eight.
Ten.
-I'll give you ten ... -It won't give you anything!
Do you think you can bribe us, you filthy Ukrainian?
You can have everything.
But you can ask.
My wife makes the best bread in town!
And we won't be here next week.
You can no longer prove it.
Ten.
Thanks.
I need to see Katya's baby before she leaves.
We are still working.
She's my best friend!
Yes 15 minutes.
Go find her!
Get out of here!
No.
Damn it, Grisha!
Voc is expert.
I realized as soon as Ivan brought you.
My friend Marina just left.
She was here with her aunt who lived in Korets
and knew his family.
They'll be back next week.
What an end!
THOSE WHO OFFER HELP TO JEWS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IMMEDIATELY
There are six more bases.
Six bases for the end of this war drug.
Did you hear about the peasant girl in Morasivka?
She took a coat left by a Jew.
And found nine diamonds inside the fabric.
It is nothing compared to how much these parasites stole from us.
You can't go to church like that.
I don't use it anymore.
You can unsheath the bar.
This man respects nothing.
Even on Sundays, he gets dirty as a pig.
Christ, our true God,
through the prayers of His Most Holy Mother,
of our venerable fathers and bearers of the word of God
and of all the saints,
have mercy and save us,
being kind and forgiving!
Am�m!
Gl ria a ti
God.
Receive the Eucharist, the servant of God ...
-Olga. -Olga,
for the forgiveness of your sins and eternal life.
Receive the Eucharist, the servant of God ...
-Nadya. -Nadya,
for the forgiveness of your sins and eternal life.
Receive the Eucharist, the servant of God ...
Mania.
Mania,
for the forgiveness of your sins and eternal life.
Who are you?
Lydia.
Are you Jewish?
I'm just hungry.
Wait up there.
Thanks.
Where are you from?
Rivne.
But I can't go back.
I am looking for a place to stay.
-I have gold coins. -Don't show it!
For no one.
You will know that you are Jewish.
I'm not Jewish.
Make the sign of the cross.
So, from right to left.
Sim.
Do you know how to pray the Hail Mary?
Need to know.
Repeat with me.
Mother of God and Virgin, rejoice.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Hail Mary, full of grace ...
the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb ...
Blessed or ...
If you want to live, you need to learn.
Everything will be fine! Nobody thinks I'm Jewish.
-Nobody! -You can't stay here.
My name is Mirarra Dubner.
I'm Mania Romanchuck.
Do you have time to see her?
Just say hello. We didn't come for visits.
Marina!
That's Mania.
Thanks for coming.
Tia Katy!
This is Korets' Mania Romanchuck.
N�o.
She was only seven when she left, it changed a lot.
-You don't remember ... -Speak louder!
Don't you remember?
He gave me a doll dress when I turned five.
No dress. No dress!
-I was much smaller. -No!
It only gets worse every day.
You can no longer be alone.
I thought she was going to recognize you.
Shem�, Israel.
Adonai to our Gd, Adonai to One.
Shem , Israel, Adonai is our God, Adonai is One.
How long did I sleep?
No be.
-Let's play hide and seek! -Hide and seek!
It's all right.
They will hide.
One, two, three ...
Soon.
It's cold at night.
You can sleep in the house.
Mania.
What were you talking about in your sleep?
I don't know. It looks Chinese.
DECEMBER, 1942
Infiltration worsened.
Tomorrow I will go to the locksmith shop to buy some tiles.
You should take the boys.
You know how they like it there.
The Germans surrounded Stalingrad. It will be over soon.
So the old locksmith has a radio.
You'll see.
The Germans will find it and kill him.
Maybe krauts aren't as smart as we think.
Everyone out of the house!
Vista-se!
Or let's fire it!
I said get out!
R�pido!
Quick, bitch!
They cry like little girls.
If they spend a month with me, I become real partisans.
Come in! Go, go! Come on!
-Cad the meat? -We only have plantations.
Don't lie to me, you tramp.
We store potatoes and carrots in bags. 40 kilos.
They can take ...
This one-eyed Jew would only love to dig a hole in your head!
I got it!
We're wasting time. You're going to join your dog.
It's true!
Shoot him.
I'll take you!
I knew it!
You two, follow me.
Lying pig!
Leave that bag of shit a . We'll be back.
Let's go.
Thank God that we are not German.
They would have left you with nothing. Let's go.
Stay together.
-In between. -I'm going.
Did you have to open your mouth?
I thought they were going to kill him.
We do not welcome you for this.
N o iam mat -lo.
They want to come back for more food.
I can't even look at you.
It was a less painful death.
I don't like rabbits.
Learn to like it.
N�o d�!
Complain to Mania.
o Ivan.
He can barely stand.
Irm�oz�o!
I found gold!
But he does not forget his own blood.
-Where did you get this? - Where's your vodka?
Show hospitality!
Who took this from?
From the most beautiful Jewish girl you've ever seen.
It wasn't easy to get into it, but ...
It was the best fuck of my life.
Boys, get out!
Get out!
Will you come to my house to talk like that in front of my children?
Sorry for not leaving a little for you.
But she...
She kept screaming!
You son of a bitch!
Skirt! Skirt!
With license.
Do you know what's going on?
I think so.
It happens every month.
Are you in pain?
A little.
This will help.
When it gets better, we need more kindling.
Got me.
We've been looking for this for weeks.
The idiot pilot was unable to locate our signal,
so he just left it here and left.
I'm sorry for your dog.
Why did they shoot her?
Because he's a tramp.
No one supports it.
I don't care. I want to go with you.
He wouldn't.
Ask him.
They say he is leaving to form another partisan group.
You can join them.
Have you killed Germans?
How many?
Not enough.
The eye patch man, is he a Jew?
The bear?
His real name is Kapinski.
I don't think it will last very long.
Why no?
He is full of hate.
It takes many risks.
Are you also a Jew?
Do you need to be a Jew to hate Germans?
It is not easy to kill another human being.
Must be yes.
If not, why is the forest full of bodies?
The rest of the staff are looking for the weapons.
You better go.
JANEIRO, 1943 ANO NOVO "MALANKA"
Welcome!
Whatever happened between you two,
already in the past!
You don't know what he did, what he said in front of my kids!
Not me amount.
Voc�s s�o irm�os!
Pavlo!
Malanka! New Year!
Please, for me!
With the war around us,
we know that this new year will bring us a lot of pain and suffering.
So, this toast
whether to savor the special moments.
Of joy
and pleasure.
Sa�de!
Let's get some fresh air, you and me.
Sit down.
Did you see them together?
She is...
And my nephew?
N�o.
If you lie to me, I'll hang you by the feet and cut your neck.
I never saw them together.
Swear by your mother's soul?
I swear!
Is that how Queen Malanka is treated?
With insults from drunks?
Will show respect to my friends
if you know what is best for you.
And where is the Jew?
Where's the Jew? Where's the Jew?
-Where is the Jew? -Here it is!
-Let's go! -Let's go!
Bless these grains with good health.
And prosperity.
Happy New Year!
He asked me about you and Grisha,
when we were at his parents' house.
What did he want to know?
If I had seen you with him.
What did you say?
That I hadn't seen.
Wouldn't you lie to me?
Never?
Everybody mind.
-To Grisha? -Mostly him.
What are your sins, girl?
You can say.
I...
lied to the man who took me in and ...
E?
What else?
Is that it?
And I...
When we confess, we must open our hearts.
Completely.
Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Now and forever.
KORETS SEPTEMBER 3, 1942
Everything is ready, sir.
Intimate. We will eat manh .
-Remember what you need to do? -L remember.
Just go at night.
Stay away from the roads.
And, if caught ...
Do not forget to say the Shem .
Take care of your little sister.
After you pass the fence, don't forget to rip the stars out.
And don't take it out, but hide it where no one can find it.
Understood?
I will not, I will stay with you.
If the lady refuses to receive you,
remind her that we made a deal.
-I'm not going ... -Your father gave her a lot of money.
You need to survive.
It will be our revenge.
Mam�e...
Do whatever it takes. Can you promise me?
Traffic!
I promise.
Skirt!
Don't think badly of me.
She must have talked about me.
About the girl before you.
N�o...
So why are you afraid of me?
I'm not afraid.
�timo.
Don't let it hit you.
She is jealous because you ...
She's prettier than she is.
N souo sou, n o.
I think.
APRIL, 1943
Which animal am I thinking of?
A cow!
-No. -An owl.
-Owl is not an animal. - yes!
-Mania ... -Danylo, close his eyes!
I hid Jews
Are you okay?
This will lower the fever.
What did you think when you saw them ...
hanging?
It was like a terrible nightmare.
It didn't seem real.
I do everything to protect my children.
All.
I'm not Jewish.
I'm leaving in the morning if that's what you want.
Pavlo would be furious.
And the boys would be very sad.
Did he try anything with you?
N�o.
My mother
said i should marry him
when I turned 15.
My dad died,
we were starving,
and he had a farm.
You don't know anything about me.
I know you're as strong as he is.
No way.
Partisans are made men,
hardened.
We are not girls like you.
Do you think you could kill another human being?
You wouldn't be able to do that.
You don't know what I'm capable of.
You're Jewish, aren't you?
How well do you know our prayers and rituals?
My best friend begged me to stay in religion class
when the British arrived.
We've been sitting together since we were six.
-Your friend to Mania ... -Romanchuck.
Do you realize the danger it is bringing to this family?
For those two little boys?
So I need to join the resistance.
You wouldn't survive, girl.
It would survive, yes.
I need to survive.
I promised my mother.
God bless you. You too, my son.
-God bless you. - Stepan's birthday.
How old are you?
Let me guess. 12?
I have four.
Assurance?
May God bless you, Stepan,
with lots of health, a long life and happiness.
God bless you.
-Mania. -Mania!
-Between! -Between!
I don't know how to swim.
I hold you!
Can go.
Mania, come on!
Between!
Relax, relax.
Trust me, relax.
Relax.
Trust me.
Everyone out!
No! No, please!
Wait! This ...
I need the hoes to finish plowing. Please!
If you get close again, you'll be shot!
Sir.
If you're hungry,
has fresh bread, cheese and ...
A bottle of homemade vodka.
I know I know.
-I know you can't have ... -Are you trying to bribe me?
You miserable bum.
Put it in my car.
Leave the cow!
-Thank you sir! -Let's go.
Thank you.
Thank you sir.
This is crazy!
Ask Ivan's horses!
I won't ask for his help for anything.
Why didn't the Germans take his animals?
He was warned.
But he didn't have time to warn his brother.
That's enough!
Mania, hit it.
Stronger!
Let's go!
-Lula, come on! -Come on, Lula!
-Let's go! -That!
Let's go! Come on!
Spirit!
Let's get to work.
That!
Please let's go!
Come come.
Let's go!
Get up, come on.
I was an idiot!
It will never work.
Mania!
�gua.
It's late.
I'll take them to bed.
We're not done yet!
Are you coming back?
Sleep, baby, sing a song
And I would sleep peacefully with my voice
But
the stones roll, baby
And to the ship
My feet will guide
-I'll protect you.
In a new adventure
The wind
Blow and lightly rock you
A lullaby
-For your sleep ... -Don't be afraid.
I won't hurt you.
Before we plant,
for luck,
Grisha should come
and eat you right here.
You pig.
Your taper!
Come on, let's go.
AUGUST, 1943
At least your family is good for something.
It serves many things.
Who made this?
Who was?
Pavlo!
Did you think it was some kind of joke?
Are you crazy? What are you talking about?
It's the kind of shit you would do.
It was him. He did that.
Whatever it is.
Was it you?
Stop there, you little bitch!
Do you want to die?
Control yourself.
What are you going to do with it?
What do you want me to do?
Get rid of it.
N�o.
-Get in the car! -Go away now.
We will not have our help!
What I would expect from a man who doesn't control
not even his wife?
What was this?
Partisans.
Look.
They are close.
I hope they killed the Germans who stole us.
They also stole from us.
That night,
in the barn ...
-You and you, come from behind! -Let's go!
Get out of the house!
-What happened? -Shut up!
-My children! -Proceed!
C'mon C'mon!
Let's get going.
Or.
Go up.
C'mon C'mon!
Spirit!
Mom! Dad!
Last night, an army base was attacked.
And two of our soldiers were killed.
OF hrer, Adolf Hitler,
decreed that, in all occupied territories,
to every German soldier killed by partisan bandits ...
ten civilians are to be executed.
Come on.
Colonel?
He's released.
Prepare!
To point!
Fire!
Leave us where they are!
V ov -seize them!
JUNE, 1944
Do you miss your brothers and sisters?
I have no brothers or sisters. I already told you.
But do you miss them?
No, I don't.
What do you miss?
I don't miss anything.
I didn't mean to say that inside.
She asks a lot of questions.
What is it?
The Americans and Britons arrived in France.
And the Russian army is approaching.
Do you know what that means?
Sim.
There's something that ...
I never asked you about that.
That day in the country, you and Ivan ...
Was it because of what he did to the Jewish girl?
Sim.
German soldiers! Hundreds!
They will attack the Russian base.
We have to go to the basement.
Faster!
Shem , Israel, Adonai is our God, Adonai is One.
It's all right.
I'm Sara.
My name is Sara G ralnik.
I have to go home.
Para Korets?
Has anyone survived there?
Maybe my brother.
No sure.
Russians are worse animals than Germans.
I will be fine.
Goodbye, Danylo.
So you have brothers?
Have.
Goodbye, Stepan.
Are you coming back?
Perhaps.
Turn here!
Fascists have not been here for a long time!
They are already halfway to Germany.
No!
We hope!
-Where are you going? -To Berlin!
Please wait!
Need help!
Don't leave me!
Kapinski!
I'm Jewish!
-What are you doing? -Stop the car.
AFTER RETURNING TO KORETS,
SARA KNEW HIS BROTHER MOISHE HAD BEEN BETRAYED,
DELIVER TO THE GERMAN AUTHORITIES AND EXECUTED.
SHE MARRIED A JEWISH SURVIVOR AND MIGRATED TO THE USA IN 1949,
WHERE THE LEGACY OF HIS FAMILY CONTINUED, CREATING THREE CHILDREN AND FOUR GRANDCHILDREN.
MY NAME SARA