Hilde

Luck should behave gently

and treat my destiny with loving care.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are starting our descend on Berlin.

Please refrain from smoking and fasten your seatbelts.

There they are. Hello, Hilde.

Nice to have you back.

Can we ask some questions? - One at a time.

I'm doing fine. I'm always happy to feel the ground under my feet.

Miss Knef, how do you explain...

...all the ups and downs in your life?

Success and failure are both overrated.

But failure makes for better headlines.

Tonight you'll make history as the first...

...popular singer in the Philharmonie.

Why Knef, of all people?

If it's sold out, I don't ask.

How would you answer?

I never ran after the crowd.

That's why l've ended up in places...

...where the crowd never was. Fortunately.

Or unfortunately. - Miss Knef,

what is your next film project - Young man,

I won't make another film.

Unless poverty forces me to.

You left Berlin when the Wall was built.

How do you feel about it today?

I just climb over walls, that's all.

Can l have your autograph? - With pleasure.

What's your name?

Monika. Very good.

Is that alright? - Thank you.

Nice to have you back.

I can't shake off this damn feeling

that they'll hate me tonight.

1, 2, a bit more on that monitor.

1, 2.

Too high, too sharp.

Roll sound. - Rolling.

Screen test: Hildegard Knef. - Ready!

I'm sorry, l forgot my lines.

No, l was just kidding.

My name is Hildegard Knef, and...

I'd like to study acting at the Babelsberg film school.

My peace is gone, my heart is sore,

I'll find it, ah, never, no, nevermore!

His noble form, his bearing so high,

and his lips so smiling,

and the power of his eye.

My bosom yearns toward him to go.

Ah! Might l clasp him and hold him so.

And kiss his lips

as fain would I

upon his kisses to swoon and die!

Why do you want to be an actress?

Because I have talent.

How do you know? - I just do.

Turn your head to the side.

I want to see your profile.

Where were you? - Hello, Mother.

Frieda, get inside.

Where is Grandfather? - Waiting till the last minute,

to sit near the door.

Hilde, come on!

Grandfather!

Hildegard!

I got accepted!

Hurry.

The boy's going downhill.

Thank God we're being evacuated.

I'm not coming, Mother. - What?

I'm staying in Berlin. - Quiet over there!

The girl's talking nonsense!

She certainly can't sing.

She has a boy's voice, it's unmelodic!

She has a boy's body.

She's not pretty or elegant, nothing!

Please take a seat.

You see, Ms Bongers,

we're going to be evacuated.

I can't stay, my son has a weak heart.

I have to take my daughter with me.

She mustn't steer a wrong course.

She has no talent for acting.

With respect, we decide that.

Or are you implying that Minister Goebbels is no judge?

No.

No, l didn't mean...

Read it out, Hilde.

"Hildegard Knef perfectly represents the archetypal German girl.

She has an appealing charm, a pretty smile, and a clear gaze.

On top of that, she is well-built and moves graciously.

She is nice, but her nose needs to be fixed.

Minister Goebbels."

Her nose has already been fixed once.

She broke her nose as a child.

But you think that a second operation would help?

I didn't break my nose, you broke it.

At 16 l used to softly say

I want to be great, be a winner,

to be happy, to never lie.

At 16 l used to softly say

I want it all, or nothing.

A lady should not grovel.

Ewald von Demandowsky.

I saw your screen test, Miss Knef.

I think you have great talent.

Thank you.

Please, just one dress!

Just for a night. - No.

I don't have time to go home.

Ewald von Demandowsky has asked me to see the new Hans Albers film.

Hildegard? - Bongi.

I'll bring it back tomorrow. I promise.

I want you to stay here this evening. - What?

But I've been invited...

By the Reich Film Supervisor, I know.

And that's precisely why I'd like you to stay here.

For screen tests. - What screen tests?

You will be discovered many times yet.

It's too soon for you.

What a delightful surprise.

Ms Bongers told me you weren't coming.

The screen tests have been postponed. I'm still rehearsing.

Your beauty is overwhelming,

especially in this very special dress.

Come along, this way.

Shall we go?

Yes.

You dance well! - It depends on who's leading.

Blimey!

When l hold you in my arm, you're just the right size.

Do you have to? - Yes, of course.

Come back to sea!

Thanks, Duwe, that's enough.

We've seen enough.

There is no value in making excellent films

if all they depict is wretched lives, immorality,

promiscuity and hopelessness.

The film I approved was supposed...

...to honour the merchant navy.

This will be the film's last showing.

There's not enough room in the car.

Miss Knef, the others are waiting in the car.

Thanks, Duwe. The car can leave.

My family has been evacuated to Austria.

There's something here...

You're really still a child.

...our armies push forward, so that we shall beat back the enemy!

And I believe

that one day, the victory...

I'll be off.

... never have l believed so strongly in anything.

Have you heard?

The telephone is called "selb" now.

The Fuhrer has announced that foreign words must be eradicated.

Erased, just like the enemy cities.

We know no pardon...

...we shall grant no pardon.

"Pardon" is French, isn't it?

Every division that is making small offensives...

Oh, how nice! You're at home!

We were filming all night.

Mostly waiting, between the power cuts and the air raids.

Why aren't you at Tobis Studios?

Tobis has been bombed.

The entire building was destroyed.

I just met with Goebbels.

The film has been cancelled.

My film?

I'm sorry. - But why didn't anyone tell me?

I'm telling you now!

Heil Hitler!

I have to speak to Mr Demandowsky.

One moment, please. Mr Demandowsky!

Leave! The Russians will rape you!

They'll beat you to death!

Go, before it's too late.

Heil Hitler! - What do you want?

You know the task ahead of you.

And I know that you will carry it out as expected.

The hour of your glory is here.

I've been called up.

The Fuhrer is calling up reserves.

I have to report to Schmargendorf HQ today.

I'm coming with you.

That's out of the question.

Then shoot me.

I won't wait to be beaten or raped.

It's impossible. Please!

It's impossible.

Age?

Nineteen. - A girl.

I don't believe it! - She's my fiancee.

What if the Russians get hold of her?

Look around you, soldier.

Look at your troops and tell me l can't fight!

Can you shoot?

Those cans outside.

Wait.

Here, the safety catch.