Germany Year Zero (1948)
Erich Gühne: Il maestro
Photos
Quotes
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Il maestro : Weren't you one of my students?
Edmund : Yes, Mr. Enning.
Il maestro : My memory's good. What's your name?
Edmund : Edmund Koeler.
Il maestro : Edmund Koeler. First desk on the left. You've grown up. How is your father?
Edmund : My father is sick, very sick.
Il maestro : Didn't you have a brother in the Wermacht?
Edmund : Yes, Karl-Heinz. He was in the military, but he's home now.
Il maestro : Then he must be out of work, like me.
Edmund : You're not teaching anymore?
Il maestro : I didn't share the ideas of the people in power about teaching children.
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Edmund : I have no work, and neither does Eva. My brother still won't report and get his card.
Il maestro : I understand, but what can I do?
Edmund : My father needs treatment. Can't you help me? What can I do?
Il maestro : There's nothing you can do. Times are hard for everyone, worse for weak and old people. You've done all you can.
Edmund : But what if he dies?
Il maestro : If he dies, he dies. We all die sooner or later. Would you rather die yourself or let an old man live?
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Edmund : Your friend is in the work service?
Il maestro : He clears the ruins.
Edmund : No mandatory labor for you?
Il maestro : Luckily, no.
Edmund : My brother thought he'd have to. He stayed away.
Il maestro : They all should stay away, those that share our ideas. Remember? Long ago, your father falsified a document to get you out of Hitler Youth. But you said right away that it was false. You knew your duty. I should have reported your father for that, but I didn't because I like you.
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Il maestro : What do they teach you in school now? Democracy?
Edmund : I don't go to school anymore.
Il maestro : Why not? You don't like the new teachers?
Edmund : I have to work now.
Il maestro : Work? Why?
Edmund : There are four of us at home, and we only have three food cards.
Il maestro : Poor Edmund. Why doesn't your brother have a card?
Edmund : He never registered. He fought in the streets until the Allied troops arrived.