Two Lives (Zwei Leben) (Zwei Leben)

...the people could hardly believe it, after 28 years behind barbed wire...

...representatives from various party factions gave a final farewell to the GDR,

which ceases to exist at midnight.

From then on, there exists only one German state, namely the Federal Republic of Germany...

...the victors of WWII have until now had a hand in the management of Berlin...

...a moved Willy Brandt was embraced by crying colleagues...

...all speakers emphasized that the legacy of the old regime -

- would leave its mark on the former citizens of the GDR.

Many stressed that the lessons of the GDR shouldn't simply be forgotten,

they should be processed...

Germany, November 1990.

Thanks.

Can I help you?

I used to live here... as a child.

Quite a few people from that time stop by.

We've even started an association.

If you want to, I can put you in touch.

I can't recall any of the other children, but I'd love to meet one of the nurses.

I only know Mrs. Kühnel. She's demented and lives in a nursing home.

- And the others? - No idea.

- Where're the papers from that era? - It's all in the archive in Leipzig.

- Thanks. - You're welcome.

That's all we have.

What is it?

Are you feeling unwell?

Would you like a glass of water?

- Yes. - I'll go get one.

- Her name may not be Schlömer now. - And if she's dead?

Then the problem's solved. I just need to know.

Focus on the residential listings.

There can be nothing leading back to Hiltrud Schlömer, you or me.

Two Lives

Outside Bergen, a few weeks earlier.

Hi, Turid. Sleep well?

She's making up for lost sleep.

Why didn't you bring her to us?

Yes, sleep is overrated for people our age.

Idiot!

- Now... Was it a nice trip? - Yes.

Will you come along next time?

If it's not too cold, sure.

- It's kind of cold. - I've got so much to do at work.

You guys... Grandma can't make it.

The car won't start again. You'll have to drive Turid to her, mom.

I'll come later today. I have to go see my mom.

- What are you doing? - I'm looking for my stuff!

What stuff?

I know, Marit. I'll be quick. OK?

The abstract for the university. A red binder. Have you seen it?

- No. - God, then I have to go back.

I'll be late. Why can't you get yourself organized?

Relax. I'll take Anne and drop her off at the university.

Hi, grandma. Mom's bringing Turid's stuff.

You guys... Grandma's got a wonderful idea.

She can stay here for a couple of months, until Turid's a bit older.

We think that's a wonderful idea, grandma! Bye.

What is it now?

I can't take it anymore.

My life's a mess. I can't manage everything.

Sweetheart - a word of advice. You don't even have to try.

Whatever happens happens. You can't control everything.

I think you should get yourself a new boyfriend.

- Fall in love all over again. - Dad!

Then at least your life will be a total mess...

And you'll be fine.

Mom?

Hi, mom.

Hi.

You've probably not eaten any breakfast. You can eat this in the car.

I have to go, mom.

Do you know what? If you don't stop fussing, -

- then I'm not coming home to you. - Yeah, yeah, mom.

Are you with great-grandmother, then?

We'll have to do something about that.

It's supposed to be ready for tomorrow.

You have to do it alone. I've got to watch Turid.

If you get that assignment in Oslo, I'll have to work nights.

If I get the assignment, we'll get a free vacation!

Bjarte?

Listen!

Come here, I'll show you something.

You can hear it better in here. In the other room you can barely hear it.

In there you can hear the cars. And that room is way too small for mom.

You won't hear cars here at night. If one hears anything, it'll be us.

- We don't make that much noise. - No, not me, maybe, but you...

You scared me.

Sorry.

But...

Can I make up for it in some way?

Perhaps.

Katrine? There's a man here who wants to speak to you.

- Are you coming up? I'm waiting. - I'll be right there.

Sven Solbach, from the law firm Høgseth & Co. Can we talk?

- You're German? - Yes.

- You speak good Norwegian. - My father's Norwegian.

- What's this about? - I want to talk with you and your mother-

- about the lawsuit on behalf of the Lebensborn children.

- Will the case be reopened? - We're working on it.

- I don't like to think about that time. - That I can understand.

But your involvement will be very important to the case.

You're one of the children the Nazis sent to an orphanage in Sachsen?

Yes. Sorry, but I really don't have time for this now.

Could you take a look at these? This won't do.

- Would another day be better? - Yes, perhaps.

Sorry.

They were on sale. I just had to get them.

Goodbye.

Can I get the keys to the car, mom?

Hugo? It's Vera.

- What's the matter? - I'm in danger.

Christ, everything that washes in.

It gets worse every year.

Hi, Anne.

Hi. Is it you again? My mom's not home.

Grandma, this is the lawyer I told you about.

Mrs. Evensen.

I would love to speak to you as well.

Why are you so interested in this? It's all so long ago.

The lives of thousands of Norwegians were destroyed -

- because they had German fathers. And nobody talks about it.

- And you're going to change that? - You're entitled to redress.

And compensation.

Many have tried before you.

Now that the wall is down, the situation is different.

Now even cases in the GDR can be included.

He wants to sue the Norwegian government.

That's exactly what I want.

That's Katrine. Shortly after she arrived here.

And that's my man, Kurt.

We were supposed to get married, but then it wasn't to be.

He was sent to the Eastern Front.

Why?

They accused him of something. Someone in the village, I think.

They didn't like the fact that we were together.

I was pregnant. And shortly after the birth-

- I got the letter that said he had been killed.

The war was almost over.

Did the Germans send you to one of the Lebensborn homes to give birth?

Trondheim.

And then they took Katrine away from me. Sent her to Germany.

That's a violation of international law. This is very important for the trial.

Did you consent to adoption?

No.

- Good morning. - Here's that document you asked for.

- The Russians are waiting. - Thanks.

Sorry!

You dropped something.

Oh, right. That's mine.

- Thank you! - You're welcome.

After the war I was sent to a camp.

Yes, that's what they did to people like me.

- Here in Norway? - Yes.

They punished me because I was in love with a German.

Her own countrymen!

I was released after two years. Then I went to Germany to find Katrine.

At the Sonnenwiese orphanage there was a very nice nurse.

We looked through every list. I don't know how we didn't find her.

They must have lied to you.

Mom must have been at that nursing home.

She brought this picture with her when she came here -

- many years later. From the nursing home.

What was her name? The nurse?

I can't remember. Gertrud, Hilde... No, I can't remember.

- Mom, there you are. - What's going on here?

Sorry for intruding.

It's about the lawsuit from the Commission in Strasbourg.

- I did it. I wanted to. - What?

In Trondheim that time. At the Lebensborn home.

- You consented to an adoption? - Yes.

Mom and dad said they would never see me again -

if I kept the child.

I think that's enough now! Are you always so intrusive?

- Mom! - That's enough.

- She can decide for herself! - No. Not in my house.

I didn't want to provoke you. I'm really very sorry.

But next week there will be a hearing of witnesses in Bergen.

With people from the European Court of Human Rights.

- I would love to have you there. - Didn't you hear what I said?

- Think it over one more time. - I've thought it over my whole life.

With your testimony Germany can plead guilty in Strasbourg.

That will put Norway under immense pressure.

Yours is the only case where mother and daughter have found each other again.

We hope to find more Lebensborn children from the GDR.

And nurses from the nursing homes.

- How will you find them now? - I've put a notice -

- in all major German newspapers. - A notice?

We've already gotten several calls. I'm flying down there this week.

- What's the matter? - I was approached by a lawyer -

- looking for Lebensborn children from the GDR.

That's not good.

Someone will have to go to Sachsen. I can't get away.

Hugo says we have to work together.

There is no "we" anymore. Neither Hugo, me or you.

You must solve this problem on your own.

1- 6- 2 ...

9- 4- 1- 6- 2 ...

6- 9- 8- 8 ...

And?

You have passed!

This is your contact in Norway.