The Brutalization of Franz Blum

The Brutalisation of Franz Blum

Blum... Franz.

28 years old, born in Berlin. Convicted of robbery

Five years for bank robbery.

11 months in remand custody. One in-house penalty.

You wouldn't name your accomplices.

The court says you drove the getaway car.

Your employer, an insurance firm, was happy with you.

You had very good career prospects.

You've jeopardised your own future.

You matriculated from a good family.

That's irrelevant here, of course.

Everyone is equal here.

You must try to understand why your action was wrong.

We'll give you every chance but you must work at it.

They're your problems you'll have to work out.

We can't look inside you.

Not even by force.

Zig Zag, what are you doing?

I'm noting down the new arrivals.

Hey neighbour. What's wrong with you?

Do you mean me?

What's all the noise for?

I've got a migraine. They won't give me any pills.

These attacks really break you apart.

I haven't had one for five years.

Five years! It makes you go to pieces.

Thank you!

Hey, look at this.

We will always meet again in this world.

I arrived a week after you.

You can help me out cleaning.

It will be good for you, believe me.

- Why? - To be out of your cell.

Just for a couple of minutes.

You will get no money but bonus points.

- Bonus points? - Yes, good behavior points on your file.

You do want probation, right?

Why bonus points?

If someone do a work for the community without getting something in return,

is trying to be a better person, to regret his action.

Isn't it?

- Come on! - Yes, yes, yes!

It's enough!

Exercise!

I told him but he doesn't believe it.

Hey you, wait.

My name is Marie.

You're new here. I saw you once before.

I really like your chain.

Want to swap it? Here.

Men's perfume.

You'll get one more bottle next time.

- Where's Marie? - I'm not a snitch.

Such a popular young lady.

Marie, you tart!

What a jealous guy.

Clear out!

Clear out! Freedom's calling!

Check this.

- What's that? - Palms, beach and ocean.

Show me.

Come with me to Hawaii.

In Hawaii there's no beer,

that's why we prefer to stay here.

Hey you. You're educated.

The doc won't recognise my paralysis.

I'm fit for jail until my head drops off.

I know.

You've been trying for years, I can't help you.

Twit!

Look at that lunatic. He still owes me coffee.

I gave him cloth for a snazzy pair of overalls.

Twit!

Don't pull that one with me!

This man is sick. He was defenceless.

What's going on? Come on. Let me through.

Hey, whats the idea?

Now wait a minute.

Go and get a stretcher.

Keep his head low.

- Did you see it? - Yes.

- Who did it? - Him over there!

Kuul....

Kuul, come over here.

Don't put up with that jerk.

Tell me Kuul... Did you beat up Bielich?

I have no business with that twit.

Blum?

He meant no harm. He was feeling faint...

and he just bashed him up!

Careful, my lad. Lying is punishable.

That guy saw it too!

You don't know what I do or don't see.

Ask the warder what he saw.

I saw something going on.

But I'm not really sure what it was.

- There you are! - Criminal!

Don't say that. It hurts my feelings.

If they lay charges I'll bump you off.

That's enough now. Come on, beat it!

Beilich...You'll press charges, won't you?

No.

Very well. Then we'll lay charges.

Blum, I'll count on you.

Of course I'm afraid of that thug.

That's why you don't press charges?

No.

Well. Why don't you?

You come here and talk. Don't you know Kuul?

Anything at all about him?

Why?

He's had ten years training as a thug in this place.

Do you know what he did before he got here?

Don't listen to his drivel. Bielich...

Didn't kill a teacher, he murdered a child.

Yes, a child.

Don't you listen to him.

His sentence was reduced because he's nuts.

Come on, Blum. Come over here. It's more comfortable.

Beautiful.

Oh heavens.

You're a great cleaner.

Bloody tart! Come back to your cell and don't fool around with that wanker.

Well? Do you have shit in your ears?

Quiet! Kuul, go back in your cell. Carry on, men!

Blum, that swine. I'll bury him one day.

- Hello, Mr Kopf. - Hello.

You must be careful. He'll go off his brain soon.

You'd better withdraw your statement.

It's our model factory.

Not just anybody gets in.

Well then. I'll see you tomorrow.

You just have to sign the statement.

What about Kuul?

I've explained it to you.

If you sign that Kuul has made threats against you,

we'll have a hold on him.

No, you needn't be afraid.

You'll manage it.

What did you do outside?

- I was studying. - Studying what?

Is it true what Marie's been saying?

- It's not true - What makes you say it?

There was a time when I talked to them.

To explain their situation to them.

But terrible things began to happen.

Brawling, denunciations and so on.

They were tearing each other apart. Jail destroys them.

The less they could say about me,

the more they hated me.

Borsig, the cripple, made up that child story.

And someone denounced me to the superintendent.

I got four months solitary confinement.

Do you know what that means?

No conversation, no people. Nothing.

- And now? - Now back to work, Blum.

You'd rather do other things.

But skill and energy will bring results.

Take me for example, Blum. I could work anywhere.

But my commitment lies in the social field.

Wallner, will you finish this today?

No, I don't think so.

Well, Wallner?

What did you earn last month? You're my best man.

Cut it out. 40 bickies. 40 bickies.

There you are! Isn't that something, Blum? 40 bickies!

Hey. Watch it.

- How long were you in for? - 12 years.

Eight more to go.

My name is Dr Sternich, I am doctor.

I've seen this recently with Kuul.

That's a bad story.

I mean... For us is the living here a double penalty.

You're new here, but you know...

If I'm honest, you make all errors at one time.

Why?

Bielich for example, although of the education he should be closer to us...

It is a very horrifying appearance and...

can work like having poison on you.

- What do you mean? - No, no...

You are a likeable man, Blum.

The pastor mentioned you recently.

Why don't you move to my cell?

My cell is in a different wing, I already spoke to Mr Engelweich.

I mean...

the thing with this "Tiger Kuul"...

You are... very strong but...

no one knows about the jealousy inside him.

I'm telling you, he fell.

Yes.

Like the autumn leaves.

No idea.

Surely you remember...

the time I told you I wouldn't forget.

And now I'm paying you back.

A statement by Blum that you assaulted him!

And a further statement that you threatened him!

You'll be transferred.

To another wing.