Patria

Near Paris, 1914

Kick it to me.

But he tackled me. He made the foul.

Arthur, Arthur, come to me.

What's the matter?

What are you doing? He's a friend of yours.

Yes, but now he is the referee and a bad one at it.

Give me a kiss.

How did the interview go?

I didn't go.

Damn it, man, It's not like there's a whole lot of work out there.

I can't vouch for you this way.

I'll go tomorrow.

No really, Tinus, I'll go tomorrow.

Tonight? Boulevard du Temple?

Great idea.

But first I want to say hi to my father.

I can do without that. I'll see you tonight.

Dutch Society

Dear friends. Recently, I'm not the only critic in Paris anymore.

A certain Mr van der Wal took pleasure in writing an article about me.

But it's an article...

where even a dog would turn up its nose at.

Obviously, I'm uninformed...

not talented...

too modern.

I'd like to share this article with you.

In my opinion, I think his last lashing out...

is a big compliment. I...

Ah. My son. I have heard he's seeing a young lady.

Of course he will be needing his father's advice in such matters.

Where is Martinus?

I saw his opera. It was awful.

I think I won't be back for a long time.

In Holland there are also papers with an an section.

And the Hun is at France's doorstep.

Your brother and sister, Kees and Renée haven't seen Mies for months.

You can still come.

You could write about the war.

It might not be an art...

and I don't think the Hun will appreciate it as much as Sarah Bernhardt.

But still...

If I see you tomorrow morning, we can say goodbye before I leave.

That Sophie of yours...

When you are really serious about her... - I am.And I know what you're getting at.

It's wonderful to be married, you know. Marriage binds...

With the chains of freedom.

Oh, stop it. When was the last time you did see mom?

I'm off to see her now.

You are always welcome. You know that.

Remember that very well.

Don't worry. I always take good care of myself.

And if you leave your books, Zola and Couperus can keep me company.

Willem Kloos is also in town.

Arthur.

It's war.

What does your dad say?

He doesn't like it one bit.

Me neither. Maybe it is not even possible.

Oh come on. Kees, Jacques, Leon, Jan, they have enlisted, haven't they?

Yes, but they have a French passport. They are French.

They may not like snails, but they have become French nonetheless.

I love you so much, Arthur.

I love you too.

Sophie... - Yes?

It's not just because other people go as well, you know.

It is also because it's a serious thing.

The Hun isn't joking around, you see.

Do you know what they did in Belgium?

Whole villages have been slaughtered, men and women.

Never would I forgive myself.

Well, Arthur, If you really want to go... I'm just saying...

Sophie, when I get back from chasing those swines...

out of our beloved France, I will marry you.

Dear dad. I understand your concerns...

but you must agree that the barbaric invasion of France by the Germans...

cannot remain unchallenged.

Everything that is dear to us, is under threat...

and one could not ask from me to stand aside...

whilst others fight for our ideals.

If it's over by Christmas, my involvement won't make a difference. But I fear...

Dear son. You are as fierce as your little brother here.

I guess it is in our blood.

But you can't blame me for worrying.

Such an intelligent young man.

Just the idea to loose my own blood.

You write about Christmas. And yes, that would be nice.

Dear parents, I hope you are all well.

I have decided to be part of the big adventure.

The Foreign Legion has opened office, and I will enlist tomorrow.

I will write often. Please don't get worried. Love, Arthur.

Papers?

Name?

Nationality?

Papers?

Name?

Papers?

Name? - Sjef de Koning.

Nationality? - Belgian.

Under what name do you like to enlist? - Pére la Roi.

He probably has a past he's not proud of.

Papers?

Name? - Arthur Knaap.

Nationality? - Dutch.

It pleases me to see there are still Dutchmen with no fear.

You will be part of the 3rd regiment, 3rd battalion.

Wear your wooden shoes, there are many more like you over there.

Thanks.

Papers?

Name? - Martinus Kriens.

Nationality? - Dutch.

Would you like to teak a walk?

No, would you like to TAKE a walk.

Would you like to TAKE a walk.

It's all right, Tinus, I will take that walk with you.

I must say, we are very well trained.

You think so?

Yeah, they trained us to march, and we are actually marching.

Listen up, in general you go to the front lines after 12 weeks of training.

I guess there can only be two reasons...

why they send us after just 4 weeks. -De Rooy.

Which two reasons are those?

We either are very good soldiers...

or we don't need to be good soldiers at all.

De Rooy, from now on you will only open your mouth...

to make room for your stinking chewing tobacco, understand?

Understood, lieutenant.

What are you going to do after the war?

I'm going to work with my father. Perhaps we will write a play.

In any case, we're going to write for the paper.

As long as you write good reviews about my work.

First time?

Jean-Paul, the Legion has arrived.

Where were you stationed? North-Africa? Indo-China?

Paris.

Paris? La Légion.

Look here, see that ruined barn over there?

At daybreak you follow this gutter, which will lead you to it.

You'll be replacing a man called Pierre.

Keep your eyes open and shoot at anything you see. Go.

And everyone thought we'd be home by Christmas.

I don't know, Tinus. It is all so much different from what I'd expected.

I don't even dare say what I had imagined it would be like.

Galloping on a horse, I assume. Flags up high? Swords drawn.

Me too.

Come on, Arthur, we may not be home by Christmas, but surely by Easter.

Arthur. The relief party is here.

Let's rest for a couple of hours, boys.

Martinus was a friend of yours, right? - Yes.

Some day you will be able to visit his grave.

Some day you will look back on this all...

but that day is not today, Arthur. Not today.

How is your family doing?

All is well, although dad is ill. And they lack the money to get by.

He works so hard, and he gets all wound up over things.

Where does your father live?

They sent him off to Zandvoort.

They say the sea air there is good for him. I guess he'll be all right.

Do you long for home? I mean Holland.

Holland?

Well, I can get a clean room and a nice broad anywhere, you see.

And even better in France. But my mother lives over there.

My clients are in France, so are my girlfriends.

Just imagine someone would tell me off just because I'd be working on a Sunday.

How about you? - My dad and I are very close.

Man, do I miss the rice dishes.

You have never tasted anything like that.

If we ever get out of this misery, I will ask my sister to cook for us.

Piss off.

I'm going bonkers here.

Dear parents, brothers and sisters.

I am still in excellent health and I hope for you the same.

Do not worry too much about me, everything is going to be just fine.

You are all well, except for dad, who got overworked.

I hope he will feel better now he's near the sea.

I read that dad is worried about me. There really is no reason for that.

I myself have not the slightest injury...

nor have I ever a cold or anything like that.

Please write soon. Arthur.

Hey chink, the lieutenant needs all the writing paper for himself.

Lieutenant. - Yes.

I want to ask to go on leave to Holland.

To Holland? That is possible. In theory that is.

You can have 14 days off.

It would mean a great deal of traveling, a short visit, and back on time.

I know.

And back on time.

Will you try? - I can't promise you anything.

Things change by the hour.

Today they grant you leave to Holland. Tomorrow they'll shoot you for it.

But I'll apply for you.

Why would you want to go to Holland? - Dad is ill.

And to get chocolate and tobacco.

Do you know who Van Maaswijk is? - From the bakery?

He was executed. He wanted to desert, together with a friend.

Just make sure to be back on time. They might start without you.

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritu Sancto

The list with casualties. What a shame.

But of course you know all about it.

How are the men? I think they need a heavy attack.