It knows us, this place. Our young friend. Watching as we grow old. A mirror to our years. Pulling us back. Our centre. Our gravity. Thank you, sir. We have three days to get to Milan. We can take as long as we like, can't we? I am afraid not. We have an appointment. What do you mean? What kind of appointment? Surprise. Concerns your wedding present. Wait. Wait, wait, wait. Wait. (whispers) Is he up there now? Yes?
Thank you. What is it? Excited? Yes. What is it? Patience. Aren't you worried tha
t your modern
houses will spoil the landscape? No. Viktor, we know this,
it's the Von Abt in Stuttgart. Well, thank you, Herr Von Abt. We find your modern designs quite amazing. So Frau Landauer Your husband tells me
you are in a need of a new house. What did you have in mind? Something like this? Not exactly. Why not? It's a wonderful room. Yes. But of its time. Two rich young newlyweds Why should I bother? Are the poor and elderly queuing up
for your services Herr Von Abt? You will have the fu
nds you need
and the chance to do your best work. The site is a problem. This slope. Yes. But the slope gives height. It faces south and the view of the city, it's wonderful. What do you want from this building. Simplicity. Clarity. Light. A home true to the age. And are you true to the age,
Frau Landauer? It's not so easy. We are pulled into the future
but yearn for the past. The cave. The darkness. Are you ready t live in the light? I once had a Landauer, Viktor. The best car you ever made. I
adored it. The 45. The Torpedo Yes. Well I'm afraid I aimed it
at a bus and sank us both. Don't you have something
to show us, Herr Von Abt? Poor Liesel looks faint with anticipation. Indeed. I'm a builder. I deal in physical problems,
not in style or form. Form is not the goal. It's the manner in which
a problem is addressed. So From the street... a single storey. Low, discreet. The servants' quarters behind the garage. Here. And here, an opening... a glimpse of the city. We enter not at the bo
ttom but at the top. There are bedrooms, bathrooms... a hallway encased in frosted glass... and a staircase... down into the heart of the house.. A single space. Large. Areas to eat, to talk, to be alone. Each one separate and yet joined. Part of the whole. Glass and steel, skim and ball, Walls melt into air,
into trees and sky. It lets us move. It changes as we walk. It will take the breath away. There's more I talk about the weather. I ask about their holidays. As little as possible about
the
work they're paying for. That's my rule. You, Liesel, are the exception. Because you know what you want And now we're in a race to see
who will be first to give birth. I think we know
who's going to win. It's as it should be. You'll be a family. You'll bring the house alive. The family is an interesting problem. And why is that? We aim for clarity, transparency,
freedom from compromise... Can we construct a family to that design? Can we still have what we want? Come to my room. Rainer Forgive me
. As I say, an interesting problem. Not one a builder can solve. Are you in love him?? With Rainer? For heaven's sake... Hana! I've only been married five minutes. So? And look at me. I'm like a whale. No...! You're divine. I've never seen you more beautiful. He kicks like a horse. He? Or she. Maybe she. Shall we find out? Back and forth for boy,
round and round for girl. My God, look at you. Can I touch it? If you really want to Your architect wrote to me. He wants to take me
to dinner next tim
e he's here. Do you mind? Why should I mind? The glass is superb, isn't it? Almost nothing. But the almost... is everything? Liesel, it's beautiful. Thank you. We're very happy. And what does my darling
Ottilie think of it? I don't like the look of this. There's water on the terrace I promise you, the terrace, the roof, they're sealed. But we can add a pitched roof
if you'd like. A couple of turrets. A few gargoyles. I made him bring me. Please don't be angry. I would hate to spoil this for you.
Ladies? The ebony for the curved partition
is already in the workshop. For the second partition,
I have a proposal. It's gorgeous. What is it? Onyx. From the Atlas Mountains. Hm. How much? Look Viktor... The veins. The colour. Like something alive. And when the sun sets... It will glow red. Like a flame. The beating heart of your home. How much? Fifteen thousand dollars. You're insane. You can buy an entire house
with fifteen thousand dollars. Viktor, I know it's a lot Yes. And people are alrea
dy
talking about it. Our extravagance. Let them. Rainer has built
something extraordinary. Something that will outlast all of us. Let him finish his work. You're in Die Bildung again. Critiques adore its pure lines and
austere harmony but what kind of life is possible in Herr Von Abt's
modernist masterpiece? Bloody cheek. How do you and your brother like it,
paní Laníková, to live in a masterpiece? Very pleasant, thank you. As long as I don't have to
wash the windows. Shall I take her up? Thank
you. Have you seen him? No. Have you forgiven me? He talked about you
incessantly, by the way. When he wasn't talking about himself. He turned out to be surprisingly dull. I hate being cross with you. I know. But I probably deserved it. I think I'm pregnant. My God!
Really? And are you pleased? Of course. It's just rather soon. You do make it
look terribly easy. It's not that easy
for everyone you know? We tried and tried, we tried... but it seems I just I just can't have children. Hana had no i
dea... You think it would be a disaster. No, no. You should have said something,
you are my best friend. I know how lucky I am. And I'm really happy for you. Promise never to think that I'm not. That I don't love you
and your beautiful children. Martin, it's Marika's turn! Watch me, Kata! They left with nothing,
just got on the first train. The things she saw... The kosher butcher on
her street had his throat cut. Beatings... Old men made to
scrub the pavement. But there are thousands of them...
Aren't you scared? It won't happen here. But what if it does? Liesel, we're both married to Jews. And it's happening fifty kilometres away. Bring the fish, will you? I used to look at all this and imagine everything
out there was calm. Shall we? Three copies. Transferring ownership of the firm
to your father-in-law. It's a formality. But a sensible one. And I've spoken to Böhmer. He's transferring funds to Zurich. Do you know when you'll go? I still hope we won't have to. The tricky part will b
e
knowing the moment when it comes. The tricky part will be
persuading my wife. She refuses to discuss it. She's rather lovely, isn't she? I'm really really hungry. Let's go! Want one of these? Now it's lunch,
now it's lunchtime. You can go out later. More space? Can you pass me the food, please? Oskar, so nice you stayed
for lunch It's my pleasure. Please stop it now. No! Viktor! Viktor? ErrYou can't come in. I'm afraid. Oh. I didn't know where you were. I won't be long. Where are you off to to
day? A recital at the Philharmonic. Ant then drinks at Hilser. Hilser. Of course, yeah. Life goes on. You're taking her away. Listen, I know how much
you mean to each other. When do you leave? We're still in negotiation. But soon. What about Kata and the girl? They'll come with us. Liesel insists. There you are... I am sorry. Shall we go? Yes. I won't be late. I've told Kata I'll pick up
the children on the way back. Save them trudging
through the snow. Uh, damn it. Forgotten the tickets. Sorry
Laník,
we'll have to go back. Why? They'll let us in. We'll explain. There's plenty of time. But Frau Landauer, the snow Laník, please. I'd like to go back. Liesel? Not now. Hey! It's cold out there Kata! Mama says we can have hot chocolate. Okay. You came back. I forgot something. Does he like it? That noise you make? When did it start? In the summer. August, I think. I'm sorry. I don't understand. I tried to be your friend. I know We gave you home, you were safe. I know, I'm sorry. Did you fee
l some sort of obligation? No. I wanted it. It was wrong. And I was grateful to you. So grateful. But that wasn't all I was. Your grateful refugee. It wasn't all I needed. Take Marika. I beg you. Take her with you. Did you hear what she said? She wants us to take Marika when we leave. What are we going to do? I don't know. Coward. Buy the tickets Viktor. I don't want to stay. He does not deserve you. I know. But the children...
They do. You can't stay. You have to persuade him
and if you can't..
. I will... We'll come and find you. I can't Fancy them leaving it so late... Will they let them go?? Course they will. It's what they want, isn't it? They want to get rid of them. He wants this covered up. Says he doesn't want someone
turning it into ashtrays. Bet these are worth a bit as well. What if they come back? They're not coming back. That is perfectly in order.
Look... issued by the League of Nations. Move on, Sir. (to Kata) You. Wait just a moment. Christ we don't have time for this.
I'll catch you up. It won't take long. She's with us. Come on Viktor. Come on sir, It's time to go. Please. We're waiting for someone. Viktor, for Christ's sake! ♪♪ Viktor Leave me! We're missing a passenger! Leave me! Your children are on that plane, Viktor! Get up! Get up! Viktor! Come! Come! Come! Mom, where's Marika? Get in Martin. Go! It's a horrible old pile. But it's on the lake
and there's a garden. The children like it. There's a rowing boat. And skiing in the winter... if we're still h
ere. Look mama! Look!
If we're still here. Look mama!
Look! I can see darling. That's very good. I make it sound like a holiday. But a holiday only lasts so long. And when it ends... you go home. Viktor spends most of his time in Zurich. I gather there are visits
to the German consulate. And I see letters addressed to
every kind of relief organisation. And refugee committee. He's trying to find her. I have a feeling it's all he thinks about. Of course, the matter isn't discussed. What on earth w
ould I say? Dear God I miss you. Can't you come. Our accounts are frozen. They took Oskar's firm and handed it
to a Sudeten halfwit called Schneider. There's a word for this procedure. They call it Aryanisation. I must be careful what I write. Things have changed in the Protectorate
of Bohemia and Moravia. This proud and grateful
corner of German Reich. What does Hana say? It's about Kata. She needed money. Just enough to get her
and Marika to Prague. They're putting children
on trains to Englan
d. Mothers and fathers are putting their
children onto trains and waving goodbye. Can you imagine? But where is she? Where is Kata? I don't know. She doesn't say. I go there in my dreams. Across the hallway... Everything just as it was. Down the stairs. Twelve steps to the turn. And it's the strangest thing... You are there. Always. It's as if I am visiting you. You're there. Waiting for me. Waiting for me in the Glass Room. Are you reading this? It's months since your last reply. And still I wr
ite. Not knowing. The Landauer House. I know it very well. I watched it being bulit. Liesel Landauer was my greatest friend. The house was empty. We have given it a purpose. I'm an engineer. I have a team... draughtsmen, designers. More than that I'm not permitted to say. They took everything. The paintings. The Klee, the Miró... It was all very polite. One of them was once a clerk at the firm. Oskar asked after his wife and children. I could have scratched
the little shit's eyes out. But your g
ift... You remember? I hid it from them. It's safe. Oskar hasn't left
the apartment in almost a year. He won't. Not with the star on his jacket. But he took good care of me, didn't he? For all those years. Now I must take care of him. And so to my news... Wherever you are. Whenever you might read this. I've been to the house. In the company of its new occupant. There's more. No thank you. It was very good. This was the children's room. Do you know their names? No. Ottilie and Martin. Am I suppos
ed to feel guilt
for their absence? You could look a little embarrassed. I do my work... The circumstances are
for others to choose. My husband's a Jew. I know. The caretaker thought
I should be told. Is it good to be back? It's terrible. You chose Liesel's room. Did I? So this is your work... Aeroplanes. You shouldn't be in here. I see what you meant. It's all very lovely. One could almost forget
what it's really about. The bombs and the killing. There are no supporting walls here,
did you know
that? Everything suspended
from the frame. I knew the architect,
we were lovers. My staff will be here soon. Tell me about your wife. I don't have a wife. I saw a picture. She's dead. I'm his whore. This is how we live. An entire country doing what it must. And you're here... Somewhere... It's how I keep you close. Three years. How is it possible? As if my life here has been
happening to someone else We're far apart, Viktor and I. We play our roles, of course. For the children. For one another.
But I'm alone. And so is he. Except that every now and then
he asks me to spend the night with him. They're taking them away... All he can do is wait his turn. Please. I wondered when this would come up. Where are they taking them? I don't know! Why should I have any more
idea about it than you? You can help us! You know the people to talk to! Shall I tell you about
the people I talk to? The people I talk to want to shut
this place down and send us home. What do you mean? What happened? We're g
overned by morons. All of them terrified
and looking for someone else to blame. I'm sorry. So no, I can't help your fucking husband. You should have left with your friends. I know. FOR CHRIST'S SAKE SHUT IT! Get out of my house. This is not your house. I think you should leave. It might be the last time. Is she watching? Your poor dead wife? Don't ever come back. It's a miracle, Liesel. Or a joke. Excuse me...
Where is Herr Stahl? I'm under arrest. For profiteering or sabotage. They can't seem t
o decide. Why did you come? It doesn't matter. Please. You're pregnant. Am I the father? My wife and I... There was a child. But it died inside her. I thought we could carry on. But the day she left hospital... She ran a bath... used my razor to open her veins. I wish there was something Forgive me. But I think I'm glad. This is her? The one with the Jew husband? Oskar, isn't it. You don't have to worry. It's Herr Stahl we're here to see. You should run along home. Home to Oskar. Did they come?
Did they take him? There was no answer. They broke down the door. Oskar! Oskar! (Na. Zober to dolu.)
Here, take this downstairs. Someone said you had baby milk. Have you got money? It's a sculptor called Maillol. There's his mark on the base. It's worth a fair amount. Liesel gave it to me
on her wedding day. What is it then? Bronze? Bloody hell.
You'd better come with me. It's getting nearer! Marta! Christ! Marta! Marta! Marta! All is good. All is good. Have I found you? Not Landauer but Landor.
Elisabeth Landor.
Is it you? Perhaps, in the end,
you chose to forget. Or do you remember it still? The house on the hill. Those bright, foolish days. The old friend who loved you too much. Oskar! All right This is for your mum. Thanks. A special delivery
from State Security. Hello. I received the summons. I sent that six months ago. As you can see,
it suffers in your absence, your beautiful house. Whose house? Whose house? Can't I write to my friend? Your friend's a cunt. Will you write?
The a
ddress is the same. Although the apartment
is a little smaller now. There's a wall down the middle. Our neighbour is dying. I hear him coughing
through the night. He was once a professor of theology. But then they sent him down a coal mine
to complete his education. This is the bit I like:
I longed for you. I felt you. Here and not here like a missing limb,
ached for you in every nerve and muscle. They tried to get it back. In 1946. Did she tell you? She stopped writing to me. Out loud. Go on. I
wanna hear it. You don't want to read it? You are a school teacher. And you have got a son. I gather he's a good student. Full of plans, I'm sure. Full of hopes. I might have some people round later. Is that all right? Oh, that's okay. I'm going out, remember? Shit, yeah! Good luck. You look great. There's a woman upstairs. Something to do
with the department of urban planning... says she's a guest of Gruša. There seems to be a problem here. Only when it rains. Maybe Viktor was right. He never
really liked
the idea of a flat roof. The reception doesn't start till six. I hoped I might have a look around first. Did Gruša warn you? I'm writing an article
for Literární listy. What kind of article? About the architecture... the story. I never knew
what all the fuss was about. Is it true that half the people
at these things are informants? Half of them? That seems unlikely. You are late! Over there. Move it! Comrade! My friend! Laník! Literární listy... Yes, I've seen it. Very interesting.
There's a place for such opinions,
of course. Although we must avoid confusion. We mustn't allow the public
to become demoralised. We must speak up
for our achievements. People like you... With your seditious filth! You're trying to destroy us! You are trying to destroy
everything the Party has done! You are leaving. I think I've seen enough. This article. What's it going to say? That the house is falling to pieces. Mostly that. Mostly I advise against
embarrassing the Party. But Laník... Don't
you see? It's all over. Who knows what will happen, comrade? Not me. Not you. You know better than anyone how the house was made,
what was intended. I can't imagine going back. The event, We hope you'll return. We'll launch a charitable foundation
seeking funds around the world. The house has countless admirers. I will operate as part of the city museum. I'm grateful for your visit, Mr Vesely. But I'm not sure how I can help. There's one other thing... An article,
written by a friend of yours. S
omeone else who remembers
the house as it was. Hana She gave me a letter... Insisted I put it in your hand. Could I have a moment, please? Mom? Mr Vesely! Martin. So sorry I'm late. Your mother asked for a moment alone. And you're here... Somewhere... It's how I keep you close. This is Oskar. My son. Oskar. I am so glad to meet you. Welcome back to Czechoslovakia. It's bigger than I remember... Maybe it's too big, maybe they're right
to turn it into a museum. I realised something terrible. I nev
er knew Laník's first name. What do you suppose will happen to him? I don't know. But he'll manage. We can be fairly sure of that. Do you think he'd let me stay? Just for tonight. I don't want to sleep in a hotel. I'll make sure of it. I thought we should have some
more of this dreadful wine. He built himself a yacht. He was out on his own... A squall. It felt like the end of everything. We sat here... Do you remember? Of course I remember. I never stopped thinking about it. How you wanted me, h
ow I refused. Because I had to leave
and thought I would fall apart. And now I'm afraid it's too late. How could it ever be too late? The Russians. Mom, we've gotta go. Oskars found a guy
who can take us to the border. But we have to go now. Mom. We've gotta go. WaitPlease. I can't go. If I stay will you have me? Of course. The house... The plans... None of it is gonna happen. I know. It doesn't matter. It was so beautiful. Yes. It was. She said: Rainer. My clothes.
Where do I put my clothes. I
said: It's a weekend house.
You only need one dress. Hang it on the back of
the bedroom door. Wait! The sun. Come on. Any moment now. Look! Here it comes. Here it comes. It's beautiful.
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