[Nechuma Kurc] Previously, on We Were the Lucky Ones...
[Sol Kurc] We've experienced so much loss.
[indistinct chatter]
Eliska!
- Anna is dead. - [Bella crying]
[gunfire]
Wake up, boy. You are their henchman.
I've only ever tried to help you.
I want to do what you're doing.
I heard they're starting to seal off the ghetto.
We'll find a way, we always do.
I'm pursuing that job, I want to live there.
- I need you. - [cries] Anna. She's just everywhere.
[Adam Eichenwald] From this point on, don't admit to anyone that we are Jewish.
It's sickens me that you have mixed up my husband with these filthy Jews.
Frau Brzoza, return after dark.
[Adam] The truth is, they have no idea what a Jew looks like.
That's why they make us wear a star.
How do women and children dance around at the gates of Hell?
[Isaac] We don't exist to them.
[Mila Kurc] I need you to sew a coat.
- What for? - I'm getting out.
[vehicle engine humming]
[soldiers yelling]
[♪ tense music playing]
It's very important you do exactly as I say, alright?
Yes.
Give me your hand.
[Sol] Do you have your papers with you?
[Mila] Isa and Barbara Kremska.
Kremska, such horrible names. There's no music in them.
- What-What was Halina thinking? - [Nechuma chuckling]
I'll scold her when I get to Warsaw.
[Nechuma] There they are.
[Nechuma sighs]
[German soldiers yelling]
Felicia's doing so well.
She's being such a good girl, keeping up with Mama.
♪
[Felicia Kajler] Why so many, Zayde?
[softly] Why? I'll tell you why.
Because you're leaving tonight, ma chérie.
- Yeah. - Yeah.
- [Felicia giggling] - You're leaving the ghetto.
- Yes. - Yes.
- Tak. - Tak.
[Felicia making silly sounds]
♪
[German soldiers yelling]
[Nechuma] So angry I left my patterns at the shop,
but... with what we took, and the scraps you stole--
- It's perfect. - Yeah.
[Mila] The newest design by the finest balabusta in Poland.
Every German housewife with any taste would covet it.
♪
Come, Fefe.
- You won't be needing that, will you? - Uh, just until I get to the gate.
Attached only with a single stitch. [clicks tongue]
♪
[Mila] And then we just have to pretend that we're waiting for someone.
[Sol] Someone who's never going to come.
[Mila] Which is why we'll back out quickly.
[Sol] Oh, as simple as that? [scoffs]
- Shh, shh, what did we say? - Right, right. [sniffles]
Right.
[German soldiers yelling]
♪
[Nechuma] I sewed the amethyst in the collar.
- [Mila] Mother. - Don't object...
keep it...
use it...
and please, Mila... may we see each other again.
♪
[indistinct chatter]
[♪ suspenseful music playing]
♪
Oh!
[gasps] Oh.
[♪ tense music playing]
[small sigh of relief]
♪
[♪ classical theme music playing]
♪
[birds chirping]
[German soldiers yelling]
She is the worst person.
I know. I didn't listen. I thought she was nice.
Ask Bella. Bella, does Alma seem nice?
[worker] Bella doesn't like to gossip.
Which one's Alma?
Curly brown hair, right-handed.
Bronka, that's half of the barracks.
- [all chuckling] - [Polish police officer] Bella Kurc?
Ludwik... do you remember me?
Henry's daughter.
- Were you just transferred here? - Bella Kurc.
From Herr Meier.
A gift for your, uh, productivity this month.
Thank you.
Who's hungry?
[workers whispering]
[♪ light music playing]
"Dear Jakob...
"I read your last letter 10 times.
"It is comforting to know you are making connections
"with the new families in the apartment.
"I worry about you now that your parents have been moved,
"but Halina is smart, as always, to secure them jobs at the Pionki factory.
"I had hoped to bring my parents here, but there have been no opportunities.
"I feel lucky that they were moved to the Glinice Ghetto,
"only two kilometers away.
"I have petitioned my boss for an ausweis,
"and hope to visit them soon.
"I would urge you to find a placement outside the ghetto,
"but I know your skill with a camera makes you invaluable.
"Are you well?
"It's a strange question, I know,
"but I was comforted to hear you say
that things in Radom have been manageable."
- [knocks on door] - [speaker] Ya?
[Bella Tatar] "Can I say it enough?
"I love you.
"I know it's hard to be apart,
"but staying here's been good for me.
"I'm starting to feel like myself again.
"Even in a world full of madness, I know how lucky I am.
"I wish for many things these days,
"but the first is always you.
"And to be able to wish for what I already have
"makes me luckier than anyone I know.
"I love you, Kuba.
"Soon.
Bella."
♪
[ambient street noise, chatter]
[child] Frau Kremska.
- [sighs] Yes, what is it? - I want to go to the sweet shoppe.
Not today, you have to get back for dinner.
[whines] Aw.
You will get all the sweets you want, Edgar, tomorrow.
Now, now! Please, please, please, please!
Mutter, Mutter, Mutter, Mutter!
- What did Edgar have for lunch? - Chopped liver with, uh, onions.
Where did you take him on his walk?
Along Stepińska Street and down to Lazienki Park.
- Mama, look at my candy. - [shushes] [speaks German]
I noticed you used a dry cloth this morning in the dining room.
- Yes, ma'am, I-- - Damp for the furniture,
wet for the porcelain tiles.
Take care of those before you leave.
[deep breath]
[♪ light music playing]
♪
[Halina/Adam breathing heavily]
[Adam] What time does work start?
I have 30 minutes. [chuckling]
[moaning, chuckling]
[knocks on door]
[Halina Kurc] Uh... uh.
- Yes? - [Mila] It's me.
[sighs] Oh.
Ah, uh, com-coming.
[chuckles]
[clears throat]
Hi, [sniffles] hi. How are y-- How are you?
I'm alright. Is this a good time?
- Yes, of, of course. - Perfectly fine--
We were just-- I'm getting dressed
- for work. I-- - Would you like some tea?
C-C-C-Come in, come in.
I just thought I'd bring you the payment for the convent.
There is enough for Felicia's hair dye as well.
You didn't have to bring this over. I'll come to you.
[Mila] I, uh, I don't mind.
[sighs] Well, I don't want you walking around this neighborhood
with so much zloty; it's-it's not safe.
- You do it all the time. - Mila, I can't be worried about you too.
- I have enough on my mind. - You don't have to worry about me.
We're still working on moving mother and Tata.
Which I don't understand. It took you and Adam so long
to get them transferred to the Pionki factory.
We think they may be too old to stay there.
Mother didn't say it outright in her last letter,
but I think Tata's back is acting up.
Then let me help,
I can take that next payment for Felicia to the Mother Superior myself.
It's safer if there's just one person in contact with the convent.
I know, but I hope--
You can only visit at your scheduled times.
- Don't be angry. - I'm not angry.
I know it's hard without her here...
[sighs] but, you, in your spare time--
- Please, don't start. Don't-- - No, you-- Shh. You need to--
[softly] You need to practice seeming not Jewish.
[deep breath] And on that note, I am leaving.
Watch out for our landlady.
I saw her coming in.
She looked at me like I had challah loafs for arms.
But that is my point exactly, you can't look scared.
You need to [stammers] make your posture just normal,
and, and, and, and you need to laugh more when Germans tell jokes.
I laugh. Maybe their jokes should be funnier.
And I don't know how many times I can say this,
- but no Jewish eyes. - [Adam/Mila] No Jewish eyes.
No Jewish eyes.
If we look as sad as we feel, we may as well just denounce ourselves.
Halina, thank you for the etiquette lesson.
- Adam, good night. - [Adam] Be safe.
[rumbling in work yard]
Whoa, whoa, whoa! Sol! Sol, are you alright?
- Yeah, I'm okay, I'm okay, I'm okay. - [worker] Don't let them see you.
[Sol] I know, I know.
Really, I'm fine, I'm fine.
I'm missing two toes and it affects my balance, that's it.
You don't have 10 toes?
[sighs, stammers]
Ya know, when I was your age...
[breathing heavily]
...I cut two off so I wouldn't be drafted by the fucking Russians.
Ah, you're a tough bastard. [laughs]
[bell rings]
[Nechuma] It's hard to be certain because she has to write to us in code,
but I think Halina is saying they are finding us someplace new.
Well... let's see.
- [chuckles] This is good news. - [Sol grumbles]
[chuckles] I'll see you back here tomorrow. Yeah?
- Yeah. - Tomorrow.
[sighs]
[♪ classical music playing]
[guests laughing]
♪
[Halina] Champagne?
[guests chattering]
♪
[Halina humming]
[yelps] Oh!
Sir... can I get you something?
What are you humming?
Is it Schubert?
- Liszt? - It's actually Chopin.
I should've known.
Don't ever get old. Everything will start to sound the same.
[both chuckle]
Tell me...
do you like this job?
Um, I do. I-I've been with Frau Reichert for a-about a year.
And what are your responsibilities?
- Cooking, cleaning, I run errands-- - Your work is very thorough.
Well, good service simply requires good rhythm,
and with Chopin in my head, it's hard to go wrong.
Suitable help is hard to find.
I admire your musical sensibility and attention to detail.
I'm going to make a request...
to have you transferred to work for me.
- Sir, I-- - The Reicherts will understand,
and I pay more.
Your agency will be in touch.
♪
Get in here right now, you liar!
- Aleksandra, what-- - I trusted you,
and now somebody tells me you are Jewish?
- That is ridiculous. - We could be arrested,
hung by our necks for harboring Jews.
- We are not Jewish. - You liar!
- I don't know who you-- - Where are your parents?!
- I will not-- - Where did you go to school?
- I will not allow-- - Why did you move to Warsaw?
- [Halina] I don't know who-- - Halina!
- [muffled yelling] - [muffled] Halina! Answer me!
[♪ tense music playing]
Halina!
Stop! Answer me!
- [Halina panting] - [Aleksandra] Let me in!
- [pounding on door] - I don't know what to do.
[Adam] Turn off the light, and open the door.
- Adam! - Do it, Halina.
[Aleksandra] Let me in, you Jewish liars!
I'm calling the police!
It appears there is some confusion.
There is no confusion. I have a source.
Whomever you spoke with is wrong.
There's not a drop of Jewish blood in our family.
[Aleksandra] Oh, you would say that.
I would...
but if you are in need of proof.
Oh, oh. Oh, Jesus in heaven.
- Have I allayed your fears? - [Aleksandra] I-I'm--
- [Adam] Now, if you don't mind. - [Aleksandra] I-I'm sorry, please.
- [Halina] Just leave us in peace. - Please, please.
- Just go. - Forgive me.
[Adam exhales]
What?
It's a bandage and egg white.
Best foreskin I could come up with.
But do you just... wear it?
I keep it in the desk.
I hoped I wouldn't have to use it. I wasn't convinced it would work,
- but then I-- - [both laughing]
- I heard you coming up the stairs. - [laughing]
Kurwa. That was, that was so close.
You can't take chances like that. That could've been--
I know.
[both laughing]
[♪ light music playing]
[exhales]
♪
[camera clicks]
[woman] Tell the truth, little one...
are these really for the SS, or... do you keep them for yourself?
- [camera clicks] - [slight chuckle]
I'll wait for you, after you're done with work.
- I give a discount. - [chuckles] Thank you.
I'm married, but, uh, thank you.
A lucky girl.
[♪ "Du hast Glück bei den Frau'n, Bel Ami" by Rosita Serrano playing]
[slight chuckle]
[Jakob Kurc] Herr Danzig...
I-I wondered if I could get an ausweis to visit my wife.
She-She works at the AVL factory,
and I-I would stay only an hour.
This one... yeah. I think she's my favorite.
Hm.
[♪ melancholy music playing]
[Bella stammers]
Please, please don't, please don't hurt me.
What? No, no. Listen, I'm sorry I ignored you before,
but they would have my head for talking to you.
- I-It's alright. - I remember you, of course.
Your father, [chuckles] my family didn't trust any other dentist.
- [Bella sighs] - Herr Meier told me you've petitioned
for an ausweis to Glinice.
Yes, my parents are there. I've been hoping to visit.
I just heard that Glinice is meant to be liquidated.
What does that mean?
There might be a handful of people spared, but... the rest--
The rest what?
A couple of SS officers talked about a camp...
near Treblinka.
What is Treblinka?
[♪ tense music playing]
[exhales sharply]
The IDs are sewn into the skirt linings.
I like it... Feels safer than the grenade
- I had in my underwear last week. - [chuckles] Rahel.
- [Rahel chuckles] - Are you being safe?
What choice do I have?
Ghettos and factories being emptied all over the country.
Those are rumors.
One person tells you, it's a rumor.
Two, you wonder.
Three, you listen.
Jews are being gassed and burned, hundreds at a time.
That can't be true.
We're hearing it everywhere. Death camps... with gas.
Showers where people don't come out.
- [♪ tense, solemn music playing] - [dog barking]
I can see it in your face.
You're still thinking these people are human.
They're animals, and they plan to exterminate
- all the Jews in Poland. - What more can I do?
You're doing it now.
We all do the best we can.
Lost track of my family 10 months ago,
but Halina's parents are still at the factory at Pionki.
- If they're removed for being too old-- - Get them out.
We're trying to find Poles who are willing to cooperate.
- I have a couple names I can give you. - Thank you.
And I'm sorry for your family.
Well... let's see.
Yes... let's see.
[♪ melancholy music playing]
I need a haircut before you leave.
- Ma'am? - This first, and then you can go.
[♪ Polish singer singing on radio]
Have you ever been to Brandenburg, Germany?
- No, I-I haven't. - Oh, well, it's exquisite.
Exquisite, and I think about it every day.
When you have a family on your own,
make sure your husband takes you someplace beautiful.
I will.
Will you have children soon?
- Perhaps. - You should.
You're quite good with them.
You are the best nanny Edgar's had.
Thank you.
- I never wanted children. - Neither did I.
But then my, my youngest brother was born, and--
You fear that children... will be a burden...
that they'll make your life smaller, somehow, harder.
But I couldn't believe how much bigger and better
my world became having a child in it.
Well, I'll let Edgar know he's made my life better
when he stops urinating on the bathroom floor.
[both chuckle softly]
[shovels clanging]
[Sol exhales]
- Come with me. - What, why?
- Uh, no. Uh, no. I still have work to do. - Come!
[♪ ominous music playing]
♪
- [softly] What's happening? - [softly] I'm not sure.
[exhales] We're together, that's good.
[guard] Follow me.
[rumbling in factory]
[gate creaks]
- [Nechuma gasps] - [Sol] Halina.
- [Nechuma] Oh, my God! - [guard] No!
It's okay.
[♪ light, tense music playing]
I-- I am paying for both.
[guard] He costs more.
- That's not what we agreed to-- - It's okay, it's okay.
- It's okay, Halina, take your mother and go. - No. No, no, no! Stop, stop, stop!
Stop, stop.
♪
Wait, please.
- This is very valuable. - No.
- [Halina] Very, very valuable. - [Sol] No. No, no. Absolutely not.
- No-- - Shh!
♪
[all sobbing]
[Nechuma] [muffled] It's alright. It's alright.
[♪ light music playing]
[engine humming]
[birds chirping]
♪
[knocks at door]
Panie Górski?
Halina Brzoza.
Yes, come. Please, come inside.
[thunder rumbling]
The room you're staying in is just down this hall, uh,
two single beds.
If someone knocks, there is a crawl space right behind here.
Uh, we've laid down some blankets.
- [Halina] Thank you. - The Blue Police have already come twice,
- looking for hideaways. - [thundering]
The, um, [clears throat] the payments...
will be as planned and on time.
You have my word.
[♪ light, tense music playing]
[thundering]
♪
[children chattering]
[children mimicking gunfire]
What's the matter? Play with your friends.
They say I have to be a Jew.
What? What do you mean?
They get to be soldiers, and I have to be a Jew.
But I can't! Please, I don't want to!
It's alright.
- [children playing] - It's only a game.
[ambient nature sounds]
[thunder rumbling]
[door opens]
- [chair creaks] - I didn't want to say goodbye.
I didn't either.
I almost ran out to hide so I wouldn't have to watch her leave again.
[Nechuma chuckles]
- Tell me, what kind of father-- - No, come, you can't do this.
That amethyst isn't for me...
it was meant to be for them.
Our children are out there...
fighting and keepin' us alive, and I'm-- Well...
why am I scared for myself?
[sighs] Ah, Nechuma, Nechuma.
- That's not the man you married. - Oh.
Who is the man I married?
One with no feelings?
[birds chirping]
I don't think I can--
I...
I-I don't know how, how-- [inhales]
[sighs] I don't know how to continue to do this.
No control, not knowing, mm.
All of them scattered.
How can I call myself a parent if I'm... if I'm not able--
[quietly weeps]
What did you tell me when Genek was born?
[sighs] Nechuma, not now.
- What did you say? - I say a lot of things, so...
You told me...
that children give us the courage to face life.
They give us all the resources we need to draw on.
I was so afraid, and he was so small.
And you said, "Yes, they make us more scared,
but they also make us more strong."
[♪ pensive music playing]
- I said that? - Yeah, you did. [chuckling]
You did.
Mm, yeah.
[Henry Tatar] We can't do that, Bella.
Yes, you can.
I spoke to the Foreman, Herr Meier.
I'm his most productive worker.
I told him I got my work ethic from you.
It took some convincing, but he'll give you a chance.
He gave me papers, you can come right now.
Do you think they would just let us waltz out of here?
Even if your German says we can work for him,
tell that to the guards.
They-They'll laugh and put bullets in our heads.
You don't know that. We have Ludwik with us,
he'll keep us safe.
He'll explain, I'll explain.
Sweetheart... you have to go back without us.
What? No. [scoffs]
It's safer for you without us slowing you down.
You won't slow me down, you're both strong, you're hardworking--
Listen to your mother, Bella.
- [deep breath] We won't do that to you. - Do what to me? You're not making sense.
You have a much better chance without us.
[sighs] I know you're scared, I understand--
- [Gustava Tatar] We aren't scared. - [Henry] We're not scared, we're tired.
- We can't run anymore. - But all-all we have to do is--
- [Gustava] Listen to us, love. - Please, please, please.
They've already taken Anna.
- You must try, at least. - [Gustava] Bella...
this is something we can do for you.
Give you the chance to survive,
be victorious.
But I don't want to survive without you.
- Please don't leave me alone, please. - [Henry] No.
You're not alone, you are not alone, you have Jakob.
- [cries] But I want you. - You have so much to live for.
We want you to save yourself.
Wh-Why won't you listen?
Please, Mama, please. I beg of you, I don't wanna be on my own.
I don't wanna be on my own. Please come with me, come with me.
Please come with me. Please, Tata? Tata, come with me.
[sobbing]
- [♪ melancholy music playing] - [Bella begging]
- [searchlights click on] - [dogs barking]
- [whistle blares] - [soldier] [shouts] Raus!
- [soldier shouting] - [dogs barking]
[soldier] Get out!
- [aggressive knocking on door] - [person screams]
- [baby crying] - Everybody up, get dressed!
Pack your bags, 10 kilos maximum!
[knocking at door]
Move now!
[♪ tense music playing]
[German soldiers yelling]
[whistles blowing]
[indistinct chatter, yelling]
[person screams]
[gunfire]
- [people screaming] - [soldiers yelling]
[gunfire]
Yeah.
[people screaming]
♪
[baton clatters]
[grunts]
[yelling]
[dogs barking]
No, please! No, Mama, Papa!
[♪ melancholy music playing]
♪
[breathing heavily]
[German soldiers chattering]
♪
[soldiers chattering]
[body thumps]
♪
[birds chirping]
[♪ hopeful music playing]
[ambient street noise]
Edgar?
Oh, [slight chuckle] I didn't see you there.
- Is everything alright? - Why did you not think to mention
that Edgar was accused of being a Jew on the playground?
- What? No, he-he wasn't-- - That's what he told me.
It was a game, the children were playing a game--
Do you think being Jewish is a game?
- I-- - Germans are taught
to target Jewish children because they represent the future.
- Are you trying to have Edgar killed? - No, ma'am. I--
Is this because you don't have children of your own?
A-Are you jealous? Are you trying to sabotage my family?
Maybe you are Jude. Is that why you put my son at risk?
- Why you let him cry at the park? - Maybe if you paid this much attention
to Edgar instead of me, he wouldn't need to cry at the park.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry, this is a, a misunderstanding.
Let me get you some water or tea.
- I can make tea. - Nein, nein, nein!
- [glass shatters] - [breathing heavily]
[♪ tense music playing]
I-I'm sorry. I don't know what's wrong with me. Please forgive me.
It's this city, it's this place.
I'm...
I-I'm not myself.
♪
[♪ music intensifies]
[soldier] Halt!
[Jakob] Nicht schiessen! Please.
I've been sent to take pictures for Herr Danzig.
Papier.
[♪ tense music playing]
She's been like this for some time now.
We could hear gunshots and screams all night when Glinice was-- [inhales]
I begged her not to listen.
Thank you.
[softly] Bella.
It's me.
[softly] Kuba?
[♪ light music playing]
I'm here.
[both sobbing]
[sniffling]
[children chattering]
♪
[mouths] I love you.
[mouths] Go.
♪
- [Mila/Halina laughing] - I would have taken that glass
- and shoved it right-- - You're drunk.
[laughing] Sto lat.
- [glasses clink] - I need to find you something else.
Did you go to the labor office after?
No. I, um,
I went to see Felicia.
I didn't go inside, it wasn't a proper visit.
- I-I just needed to see her. - What did I say?
This is-- It-It's not safe.
- You cannot-- - Halina...
enough... please.
I'm sorry.
You've had a horrible day. You don't need me--
I-I just get so worried and I want to fix everything.
I thought I was scared before...
but I haven't been able to breathe
since hearing about what's really happening at the camps.
It's-It's just too hard to imagine that it's true,
what they're doing to us.
It turns out people could be like this.
[♪ solemn music playing]
I didn't know.
I didn't either...
until I was standing in that field.
♪
I thought I knew something about human beings,
but I knew nothing.
How did you not go crazy?
I'm... I'm not sure that I haven't.
The only thing I know for certain
is that...
there's no reason I should be alive,
and yet I am, and so is my daughter,
God keep me.
And that means I have to keep going.
♪
[deep breath]
[confused chatter]
[soldier announcing over loudspeaker]
[♪ tense music playing]
- Bella. - [Bella] Hm?
Bella, you have to get up, we have to go.
I can't... I can't go anywhere.
No. Sit up.
Listen to me. Are you listening?
- Yes. - [softly] We have to try.
- Jakob, I can't. - No, no, no, no. I made a mistake.
We said "never apart".
Please don't leave me again.
♪
You are my family.
[heavy breaths]
We might not make it... but we stay together.
We stay together, and we try.
It's you and me, always.
Okay. Okay, Kuba. Let's try.
Okay.
♪
[soldiers yelling]
♪
[soldiers yelling]
[person yelps]
- [announcing over loudspeaker continues] - [soldiers shouting]
♪
Jakob.
[mouths] Come.
♪
[heavy breathing]
♪
[Renia] [quietly] Go, go.
Go, go, go, go.
Go, go. Go.
♪
[panicked murmurs]
I'm good!
♪
[♪ hopeful music playing]
[birds chirping]
[♪ classical theme music playing]
♪
[♪ music fades out]
[♪ fanfare playing]