I don't really remember what Germany is like I know they have snow and seasons
and our family lives there
Not only Mama and Papa, but the whole family
And it's very fun But I also remember that I'm always afraid will be other children and people...
and even dogs
Watch out!
Come here. Let me help
I remember Germany is a dark place
Not as bright and hot as Kenya
Places with large buildings and dark rooms
Papa always says, Germany is our home.
I think he just missed his father my grandfather
He can't eat cakes with peanuts, because of allergies He really likes Heinrich Heine's poetry
moreover those regarding Germany
I have two aunts in Germany that I like very much Aunt Kathe is my Mamma brother Papa's brother is Liesl
Sometimes they help at hotel Grandfather Adler in Sohrau It was a beautiful time before the Nazis came
Can I help you?
No thanks We have to go now
The Nazis forbade Papa from working as a lawyer and took Grandpa's hotel
So nobody has work in our family
When I asked my parents why I always got the same answer
Because we're Jews, Regina. That's the reason.
What's wrong?
Important message!
Walter!
Wake up!
This is quinine. Good for you Leave me alone!
Come on! Get up!
give me the coffee.
Fast!
Geez, Walter, wake up!
Come on, open your mouth!
Breslau, Janurai 1938
Jettel, can I ask for juice apple? Ask Klara
Anna, I'm glad you can come even though it's snowy. Come in
Good evening, Mrs. Redlich Good evening.
Get out of the way!
Don't talk to people Jews!
Stop playing with the matches!
You will burn this house! Of course, Klara!
This is, sausage
You have to get used to it!
The Negroes always eat it black No. Or raw and bloody!
I know they eat dogs from my geography book They eat grasshoppers too. Here, hold him.
Do you want to go to Africa? Touching only a dog is afraid Grandpa!
Are there nuts in it? This is the only cake I got
Oh, Klara Not too many beans anyway You have to sneeze, right? right.
Every time I eat beans I have to sneeze. Every time.
I really like the green one
Walter bought me this for the New Year, but it doesn't suit my style
I think it's very graceful
Then for you only
You're very good, Jettel. Thank you Katchchen, don't cry this day, okay?
Do I dare to use this?
This is suitable for your back!
Mrs. Redlich- A round like man.
That's for me
This is for you, Klara! What you need is shining powder Thank you What's wrong?
This is from Africa Rongai, Kenya, December 2, 1937
My dear Jettel:
I can imagine this letter will make you sad, so try to be strong.
Last week, Jewish associations in Nairobi
agree to pay for your immigrants
After six months here
I can finally arrange for trips for you and Regina
I ask you not to wait another day
Meet Karl Silbermann
he can help you with the ticket for the ship
What kind of ship does not work or how long
Originally brought you
What we need here is a fridge If it doesn't fit in our crates, then just throw Rosenthal porcelain That's no use here
Also, bring an oil lamp, mosquito net...
and strong shoes for you and Regina
Don't try to bring money or jewelry with you You know what the Nazis did to smugglers. And don't talk much There is nothing you can believe...
not the person we are calling good friends
Oh, Jettel, my heart wants to break thinking of being able to hug you two
But it's hard to imagine how much your mother's pain with this letter.
Walter, you got malaria You have to take this quinine pill. This is very important
I have to go back to the fields. Owuor will take care of you.
He needs quinine 3 times a day
3 times 40 drops
Understand?
I understand Max, we have to go I hate saying happy stay.
I can't hold the train station too
This will be completed in one two years
So you guys will be together?
Promise you will survive together
One person always loves That's what makes it difficult And those who love more are fragile My son loves you very
I will miss you very much, Max
Mama!
Say goodbye, please
Eat this. This will remove heat in your body Very good!
Ever heard of the Silesian Heaven? Silesian?
Meat, potatoes, beef slices and mixed dried fruits
I don't understand at all!
In my first life I was a lawyer
Owuor, this is for you
Did you give me your jacket? This is robe
I'm sick, and you take care of me I'm very grateful to you, Owuor
I'm wearing a robe in my village my page
I'm not a woman there
I work with the brain And here you don't want to wear this robe again?
You must be clever to wear a robe
Here at Rongai you are smart. Not me
I have to say the word often...
so I can say like you
Thank you We walk 6 weeks with a steam ship around Africa
On April 20, 1938, the birthday Fuhrer
we arrived in Nairobi
Regina, take this
Mrs. Redlich?
Mrs. Morrison, who has a farm where Papa works
pick us up at the train station
Reminds brown and Mama notified me in the boat
We are now poor So no chocolate for poor children, he says
And I promise I'll toughen
Hey, come here!
How did the cow die? We don't have enough water
Always!
You need to dig wells!
Wells!
There is a car!
Where?
There!
Everything is fine now
My dear
Welcome
Welcome, small memsaab
Come here
Welcome to Rongai!
Regina, my child! Come here!
Papa! We went by boat and we were in England and Morocco
and at the port.
I saw dolphins and Mama danced
Bwana, he meant water
Tell the person what he has to do Yes, bwana
Your father takes care of bookkeeping, tax on refugees and everything We are lucky. In Hamburg they only opened a case full of clothes Max gave me the Magic Mountain for you
Fortunately the books are in other chests Sorry, Jettel
I know this isn't what you expect This is pretty
But we can't stay here
Not that one! Don't remove the patterned porcelain
We won't stay here long
Learn German if you want to talk to me Plate.
Be careful!
Jettel, my name is Susskind
Also Walter
But all call me Susskind I understand Walter shows the farm at Regina They will be back soon
Want to have dinner with us? You are very good. Yes
I spent four hours driving through the desert
You might have to let me stay here tonight.
I brought onions and sugar And cigarettes.
Thank you Thank you Blessed Sabbath
I've never heard Kiddush for a long time
Until now I have never felt I needed God
If you take quinine every day, you will be blind What about malaria?
You can fight it if you get it in time This is for Jettel's arrival and Regina
For our second life
Repeat
How long have you been away from home?
This is my home Susskind is quite clever to leave Germany in '33
It used to be easier to go
They let you bring all your money, right?
And all your books. How about your wife?
Have you never been married?
No
Why not? Jettel!
Damn me to fall in love with a woman that you already have
My mother said someone had to stop the Nazis Germany is rich in culture, home from Goethe and Schiller Papa, I think I heard a lion
Not possible. There are no lions here There are monkeys, baboons.
Maybe the lion is acting like a monkey
You have a good future here
You have started talking like a Negro Cold and dark air
And peace flows on the Rhine
The top of the mountain shines R sun sets brightly
The prettiest girl rests with extraordinary beauty there
The gold jewelery shines brightly He combs his golden hair
With a golden comb he combs it, and sings the song so freely
Bewitch magical melodies and beautiful The boat driver hears, and he drifts away
He only saw the girl in front of him. He didn't see coral or sea animals I think, finally the waves swallowed the ship and the scream of the boat driver And this fate follows
Song Lorelei
Sleep well, my angel You don't have a fridge, right?
No
Why not?
There is no place in the chest
But is there enough space for porcelain with your flower picture?
Not enough money, after all. What did you do with the money?
If you really want to know...
I bought this in Wertheim on Breslau
The price is 95 marks and beautiful
You bought a party dress night
Yes
... What he gave...
the name is on...
... and leave his personality...
not changed in time...
I didn't think I'd be happy heard his voice
I will leave it here so that you can connect with the outside world And you?
Goodbye We can't accept it
Of course you can. I have one more
Will give a reason for me stop by sometimes
to fill the battery.
Do you have to go now?
In the countryside we have to forget about formalities and use your words.
Do you think so?
Do you have a gun at home? Yes, why?
Since Jettel and Regina are here. Morrison gave me one
Good luck with the well
Come on, make a little stick!
Do you see that mountain?
That's Mount Kenya
That's holy
Mount Kenya
lkut with me, memsaab small
Mama said I wasn't allowed to go farther away from here.
Can you help me?
Memsaab? Help me!
I'm a cook. The chef doesn't dig the ground
This land is thirsty
You need more water
lkut with me!
Air
No workers?
No, workers don't bring water
That's women's work Help me! This is very heavy!
Owuor, help me, please!
This water is very heavy.
Help us, too!
Please, give me a spade!
Fire
Yes, fire
There is no water in this land
I said that. You are right, Cepoi
Sorry
Go home! And thank you. Thank you very much 6 months later
Why did Owuor never kill chicken? No one will realize
Regina, put our doll not allowed to eat it
That's our agreement with Morrison Only the eggs
I can't stand it anymore! I need meat!
Thank you, Owuor
Fire!
You have to look at the fire
when he slept for so long.
Don't worry, Jettel
It's just ordinary bush fire. Will not reach home
Where did you go?
Pack! I go! Nonsense!
I can't stand it anymore You have to
You always say that!
But I want to go back to Mom and Kateh, to the people I understand
You don't get anything. What we eat is only eggs and corn How can we send Regina to school? He can't always play with Owuor!
Damn it! We live! Yes, we live!
But what for?
To hope for rain, so that the cow which is not ours is not dead?
God, I feel I'm dead, and sometimes I hope so!
Don't say that again! We just escaped
What do you mean?
Last night the Nazis in Germany burned places of worship and robbed Jewish shops
They destroy everything People, buildings, shops, all
How do you know that on this farm?
From the Swiss radio station this morning
The Nazis no longer see us as human beings Damn. I knew this would happen
I know this from the beginning
Doesn't mean when and if Regina learns to read?
What about Mama, Kathe...
your father? I don't know!
I always say they have to go!
November 10, 1938
Dear father:
I'm very sad about the news that I heard about Germany
People are afraid that war won't be avoided
What do you think?
If only I knew your situation If I get money here, I will pay you here.
Did you not see the chance to leave Germany?
I begged you
Daddy ..
How long for an conversation with you...
for your advice and sympathy Now outside the country, I became aware of how lucky I am to have parents like you and how grateful I am for everything you do for me
Your money is not in vain by letting me learn long after mother's death
One day your child will be the lawyer you are proud of Come here, small memsaab
He needs you. Little boy like you
Very cold! Do you want to run like a Negro?
I don't care
I don't hate Negroes, and there are no more children here...
but be careful.
They have diseases like malaria and so on They are very dirty. and I don't want you to be sick.
A white child is not a child black.
And promise not to eat whatever they give And never enter their home
So...
now swallow this.
Too bitter And after all, it will blind me
Nonsense. Open your mouth
Hey, Mama There is a ceremony tonight. They will cut the goats and ask for rain on Ngai
Who is asking for? Ngai, god those who live on the mountain...
Mount Kenya and trees too
They ask for rain for him big ceremony You don't go
They ask for rain on Ngai
Can you tell me why you always repeat everything?
Do the Negroes do that too?
Someone can't quite repeat good things
Who do you say? All
All? A person cannot enough to repeat good things
God, Regina! What should I do to you?
Remember Grandma? What?
He always says:
Don't worry about Regina, she has luck like Gentile.
Right
luck like Gentile
That's what Grandma said
So don't worry, Mama.
I'm very scared something happened to you Don't worry. Here is fun
Toto! Toto!
Memsaab! Bwana comes out with a big shotgun!
Kill
I can't! You can see I can't!
I just want you to get your meat!
They don't want anything?
No. They said they were not hungry Good evening. I'm not anything if you keep reading.
I have read this book 3 times!
Who cares if I read the fourth time!
Regina
I don't expect you to be able to hunt. I also can't do it.
You never killed an animal before
But I want to! I warned you, don't treat me like a useless person!
Is that right? I didn't ask you to go hunting!
You act like me leprosy!
You changed
Really! Actually, you just let me get close type me a lawyer!
I have no chance in the desert sand, not shave and sweat.
Take care of your mouth! I'm your husband!
I can say what I think, even if you don't like it!
You have no right to a luxurious life!
We have been lucky for now Don't act like a spoiled child, and be aware of what's happening here!
Where did you go?
To the bar.
But because we have brought it up, the way you treat Owuor
reminds me of some people in Germany
it's clear you won't want compared to!
Comfortable and warm
Yes, nice and warm Hey, little dog. Where do you come from?
Cepoi, whose dog is this? This dog has no home
This is a wild dog. Come from housing
Father, this dog doesn't have a house. Can I keep it?
But you are afraid of dogs. No, not here.
Yes, I like him. We will keep it.
We will call him Rummler, like chairman Nai at Leobschutz
Rummler is a good name Right
Every time we can say, Rummler, you bastard...
and no one can catch us Trucks! They are fast!
Susskind!
What does that mean? Don't you listen to the radio?
War broke out. We are recruited
Don't think I'll leave Jettel and Regina here!
Don't worry English people can be trusted. They take us to Nairobi
Tell me I don't need to fear I promise I don't want to go!
Owuor! Take care of both of them!
Yes, bwana. I'll.
Can I take this too?
No, only one. Either bear or doll Don't forget your passport
Do you speak German? Yes
German book
Don't cry, memsaab small!
I'll find you everywhere, I'll follow you
Promise?
Promise. I will catch a new Toto for you No, I don't want new Toto
I didn't take good care of it. The is supposed to keep it
I'm not a good mother for babies Mouse Deer
You are wise, memsaab small
Take care of our things!
Goodbye, Owuor! Congratulations stay, Rummler!
Suddenly, we are no longer refugees, but enemy aliens
We don't know why people British want to imprison us
We are German and German and English are at war
however, we are Jews who clearly do not side with Hitler
A good prison, Mama
Do you understand all this? No
They may not know where to put us I bet it's plum pudding. What is that?
Something British
This reminds me of better times
In the end we will have to pay for this . The chef works on a luxury ship He can't or no. I am very hungry!
No thanks.
No thanks
At Breslau, we are always invited to the dinner and reception parties I told you, how beautiful life is Before the emigration of everyone jerk is prince
Is it finished? Thank you There is no message for your husband?
Your own feelings
and know that it really isn't there is something you want to say
nothing is shared except the time that is spent together and a child may
Is the awareness that hurts You know what I mean?
Yes.
Alone is one thing I know about it
But with a woman like Jettel...
so beautiful...
so happy and full of life.
Maybe you didn't give it a real chance In Leobschutz everything is fine. We both play their respective roles
Here's how...
He doesn't want to face reality I want an adult woman who can talk to I have to face everything too. My father, Liesl...
Can you shut up!
Sometimes I think we are like two packages Bound, on a train...
taken to an addressless place
We walk far together, but doesn't know what's inside.
You worry too much
Maybe. Sleep well.
After a few weeks, the hotel wants to get rid of us
Every day we go around with mom we from the other shade to the next...
thinking what we will eat for tonight
If only we could get out take a walk I'm getting crazy here
If only my husband is internally I will struggle to let him go...
instead of sitting here and grumbling
But what? Mama, I'm hungry!
Hey, you're greedy You are all Jews Why not write to your group in Nairobi?
Jews have influence, no?
That could be the first time
Can someone speak ?
I can
Jewish associations have a problem in convincing British people that not all Germans support Hitler.
Two weeks later, we are allowed to visit the men at the training camp.
Wearing a khaki shirt, hardly might distinguish...
between our fathers who were incarcerated and British soldiers
Papa, I have a female friend!
It's called ange. And he can read
And Mama wrote a letter
Letter?
So we can visit
Do you write letters for British people? Not only me. All women.
Maybe we can go home to Rongai soon? What changes your mind
You are very unhappy there. Want to drink?
They all want to go back to farm. I understand We can't go back to Rongai What?
Morrison fired me for war
He doesn't want enemy aliens in his farm
What do you mean by that?
I lost my job, and we have no home
We have to take items on the farm
Maybe he is still waiting for us...
because he thinks we will come back
Maybe Papa will meet Owuor
and he will bring it here. Of course
Can I help?
Yes, please. I need special permission I have to leave this place for a few hours to meet Mr. Edward Rubens
head of a Jewish association in Nairobi this is important
My husband and I are in Berlin in '36 for the Olympics
That was our last time in Germany. My God, we are naive!
It's no different from us. We believe to the end
No thanks. that friends against us will stop Hitler
Friends?
Germans have never been friends for Jews
I don't agree where is your 'friend' now? And in '38?
Without Hitler- Hitler did not create anti-Semitism How can we help?
Mr. Morrison, our farm owner
don't want to employ aliens enemies.
Without work, Walter can't leave the camp...
and we don't know where is looking for a job.
So, I asked you to help us again
We do everything to become good farmers and that's why you came to me?
Do you think you are the only person who has suffered from this stupid war?
Do you think we are responsible for you, because we let you enter this country?
You live! You're here! Geez! Do something from it!
We have brothers in Europe, in Poland
My husband has never heard from them for months.
Sad to hear it
Thank you. Goodbye. Goodbye.
What are you doing here?
Is your excursion successful?
What do you mean?
Are you looking for work at farm for your husband?
I have friends in the army
he needs someone
I can talk to him
That's very good Come on I hold you!
Catch me!
Where have you been? There is a letter
It seems important
Damn it! How do you say morgen?
Geez, Jettel! lt's tomorrow!
Try to remember that!
See? Do you understand!
Oh, Regina!
Walter!
How do you do it? What?
This is us, Owuor!
Sacred mountains look like Chinese hats
Get down from there! You will break your neck!
This is the most beautiful place in the world!
Thank you
Susskind, I'm scared Afraid of what
This place is farther away from your farm than Rongai You will not be able to visit our
I'll drive 20 miles to see you Promise?
I will be more here than you want
At least we got rid of those lucky cows Are you okay?
I am your brother and I ordered you... Yes?
to open your blouse. Are you meshuga or what?
If you do it, you will get a fried chicken And now you have to walk like an African woman
Hey! Do you miss me at your hotel ?
Ouch! What are you doing?
Good morning.
My name is Walter Redlich
I am a new bwana here
You will need my help I've been living here for 40 years. I appreciate your help Did Bwana Gibson die? No
Bwana Gibson can't do it here He's in the army
He asked me to take care of this farm
Show what I have to do.
You're not an English woman?
No. I'm not here to get rich I came here because I was chased out of my own country
Which country are you from? Germany
Far from here. In war
If someone steals your sap will be killed and eaten And you can forget it
But if someone steals your land, it's always there
You can visit it. Always there
You will not be able to forget Mr. Jiwan's is an Indian. la Fundi is good
He can help you build home
When you work for me you will get flour
wood, 2 liters of milk every day and 1 2 shillings a month
1 2 shillings is not much
I don't bargain for the tower. If you don't want to work, other people want to, Daji
These people cannot build a house for you. I will teach you Bwana, Kania is my brother He can sweep the floor
Can Kania cook too? We need cooks No, Kania is not a chef Kania can sweep the floor
Kamau can cook for dogs For what dog? We don't have dogs
Yes or no?
Very expensive!
I came for a letter
Letters with these stamps always bring tears
I will give it to bwana
That's good. You are a friend
Sohrau, October 2, 1940
My dear child
Good to hear about your luck with the second farm For us it's impossible to emigrate
Hitler will close the border immediately
We don't have anything that can be sold for money They say the Jews will be taken to a settlement If that happens, I will tell Grescheck to send you our new address immediately Walter, I'm afraid for the first time in my life Afraid
For Liesl but also for me We feel our old Germany like a desert island
Almost no one speaks with us Very bad
My son...
I sent you some roses like you requested May these seeds grow in African soil and bring happiness to Jettel, you
and my little Regina
I always think of you
Greetings, Father
They have held a long trip
Yes, long trip
I want us to register Regina school right away Five pounds a month, we can't finance it
the next time Susskind goes to Nakuru he can ask