Germany Year Zero (1948)

Erich Gühne: Il maestro

Photos 

Quotes 

• 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.

• 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?

• 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.

• 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.