Lea and Darija (Lea i Darija)

The author wishes to thank Branko Polic, Zlatan Gefb

and Relja Basic for supplying facts on Lea Deutsch.

Thanks also go to Alica Petrac, Nada Kobali, Sonja Kastl,

Visnja Barac, Beata Devcic Domic, Vesna Ljubicic, Bozidar Sirola and

Nika Grgic without whom this film would not have been possible.

Where the imagination falls silent, facts speak out.

I believe it's here.

It's a bit heavy.

Yes, this is it.

I'll take this and, perhaps, this as well.

I'm not sure what exactly it is I am doing, but...

Hello! Hello!

Yes?

Has anyone ever filmed you? - No.

For a journal, or newsreel? - No.

But who made this film?

Sonja's father. This is all that's left.

Sonja? - Sonja Kastl. Do you remember?

Beata, Blankica, Vesna.

It's so long ago.

Hansel and Gretel.

I've forgotten everything.

I've even forgotten Zagreb.

I don't remember anyone filming us, except perhaps that time in Berlin.

Do you remember Berlin?

Do you know the song:

Zagreb enjoys song and dance. There's a smile on all the faces.

Who are you? A ghost?

I can't see you. There's no one else in the room.

Darija. Remember Darija.

I can't. I've forgotten Croatian completely.

I've forgotten everything.

LEA AND DARIJA

Written by

Directed by

Zagreb, 1939

Hello!

Galant and charming. Beloved by women everywhere.

A second father to me. The great Tito Strozzi.

Today is his day.

Tito and Mr. Deci have completed work on the Child Prodigy.

They have written and composed it solely for me.

Here comes the soup. - Soup! - Who's hungriest? - Me!

Let's see your hands. - Hmmm. I'm not too happy.

Someone hasn't washed his hands!

Who could that be? - I don't know. I'll get it.

Mr. Strozzi. - Sorry, Stjepan. Where are Lea and Ivka?

Ivka, come quickly!

It's finished!

What's the rush about!? - The score's finished.

Great! Let's hear it! - This is for you. Here you go.

Here you go, Deci.

Now! - I'll cue her.

Lea, you come in here.

Pardon me for coming before you all weepy eyed.

But out onto the street we are being turned.

My father is out of work. The fireplace is cold.

To blame it on the crisis Is I think far from bold.

My small body is so thin.

For three days now no food have I seen.

And so rehearsals started. They went from dawn till dusk.

Our theater was called: The Children's Kingdom.

Auntie Sirola supplied the sandwiches and kept us in order.

Total chaos ruled.

Francek! How did you... Get down immediately!

You're not allowed to do anything in this house!

My dear, how much longer do you plan to endure this?

This children's hell? - Kingdom, my dear Tito, children's kingdom.

We love it. - Let's go!

My third father was Mr. Sirola. We used to call him Uncle.

We practiced in his flat in Vodnikova Street.

Only one more thing remained.

To see if the stern manager

at the state theater would accept The Child Prodigy.

Bravo Lea! Excellent! He can't say no!

Zagreb, Tuesday, 8 January 1935, Lea Deutsch sings and dances

And then we traveled, performed and traveled again.

You did not tell me you saw a man in your sister's room.

QUEEN OF THE DOLLS COPPELIA - CINDERELLA

MOLIERE THE IMAGINARY IN VALID

Come here!

Oh dear, papa, you have wounded me! Wait.

LEA DEUTSCH - CHILD PRODIGY

And I was the star - Lea Deutsch.

My poor child! - Don't cry, papa. I haven't wilted completely.

The child prodigy.

Belgrade, Ljubljana, Split, Sofia, Osijek, Koprivnica, Bjelovar.

Only I played to a full house.

FREUDENRICH BORDER GUARDS

Karolina, are you completely out of your mind?

Who are you curtseying to?

The man has no eye for his business whatsoever!

Let's go to Mama!

We had our own show on Radio Zagreb.

All the children knew Emperor Talkalot and the Great Vizier.

I'm in love.

Our mothers sewed our costumes.

Our fathers smoked fat cigars.

CROATIA'S SHIRLEY TEMPLE

This was The Children's Kingdom.

I can clearly see what makes me happy.

Thank you, my heart for knowing this feeling.

Show me if you would another city with a children's kingdom.

Find it on the map and point it out.

What now? - Here they are.

Miss Ungar. Mr. Riffler. Everything's ready.

Welcome on behalf of The Children's Kingdom.

Sirola. But everybody calls me Uncle.

Thank you. After Berlin and Paris, Zagreb must seem very small.

On the contrary, I adore Zagreb. I have fond memories of Zagreb.

My friend and companion, Louis.

Perhaps you'd like to have a rest?

Everyone is eager to meet you.

Allow me to introduce the mother of our child prodigy, Mrs. Deutsch.

When uncle and Tito brought Rod to Zagreb to teach us to tap dance

you also came, Darija. With your golden locks.

Our Lea! Go on!

I'll admit it. You confused us all right from the start.

That evening Rod and Miss Ungar

showed us what they knew at the Illyrian Hall.

Everybody was happy-

Except for my mistrustful, perhaps, even slightly jealous, father.

Riffler? Is that a German surname?

The way he dances... - That's why we brought him to Zagreb.

His partner is his wife? - Miss Ungar? - Yes. - No, I don't think so.

Shame on you!

I hope Louis doesn't understand Croatian. - So do I.

But everything was soon explained.

Louis couldn't make his mind up between Rod or Miss Ungar.

Rod loved Louis.

And my mother would never have a better friend than Rod.

Because my father was the man of my mother's dreams.

Our children need proper tuition in modern dance steps.

Rod Riffler has experience in Europe and all over the world.

I wouldn't think of slow fox as a modern dance. - Be patient.

Esteemed director, colleagues and friends.

I am aware that childrens' musicals

are rarely staged at The National Theater.

But since The Children's Kingdom is part of The National Theater,

I believe we have a great piece worth staging.

Mr. Deci, a talented composer, has written the music.

I wrote the libretto and our great star Lea Deutsch is performing.

The title: The Child Prodigy...

Mr. Strozzi. Let us decide. Show us what you have prepared.

Lights!

Pardon me for coming before you all weepy eyed.

But out onto the street we are being turned.

My father is out of work. The fireplace is cold.

To blame it on the crisis Is I think far from bold.

Have they started? - Yes. Quite a while ago.

Come with me, Mrs. Deutsch.

I'll come with you. I'll can't wait. Oh dear, I've forgotten the actor!

Which door? - On the right!

Yes, well, Mr. Strozzi, Mr. Deci, Mr. Sirola.

I can see that a lot of work and effort has gone into this.

But, above all, talent.

It'll be sensational.

I congratulate you all sincerely.

And for you, my dear Lea, a big kiss.

You can continue practicing on this stage.

The opening night is in 20 days.

The Croatian National Theater is now The Children's Kingdom.

Thank you.

Congratulations princess!

Good afternoon! - Sit down, please.

Lea's opening night is coming up. As always, she has tickets for you.

Let's see. Who would like to go?

Give me one! Thanks!

Hey! Don't give Barbara one. I can't stand her.

Me! Me!

I don't have enough for everyone, but I promise to get more.

EUROPE GOES TO WAR

Barbara!

Excuse me...?

Here you go.

Mr. Deutsch? - Yes?

I'm Melita Gasteiger. This is my husband, engineer Gasteiger.

Pleased to meet you.

The girl over there. In the dark red coat.

That's our Darija. - Darija?

Is the famous Lea your daughter? - Famous...

Perhaps you shouldn't make her do so much.

School, skating, opening nights... - She loves it. She makes time.

We didn't get tickets for the opening night, unfortunately.

Our Darija also danced before we came to Zagreb. - Really?

The Children's Kingdom...

What I actually wanted to ask you about is Pathhe.

Word has it they're coming to film your Lea. It's a joke, right?

It seems that they are coming.

As far as The Children's Kingdom is concerned, ask my wife Ivka.

She'll be able to tell you more about it. Just a moment. Lea!

Lea, my dear. Have you got any tickets left?

Darija, yes. She also danced.

Thank you.

Darija dear, say thank you.

The Croatian Shirley Temple. With dark curly locks.

Miss Lea! Where have you been! You're late. - Evening, Mr. Mirko!

Flowers! - Don't look at them!

Flowers before an opening night bring bad luck.

So, what is it that you want? - Nothing much.