THE TEACHERS' LOUNGE
Written by
Ilker Çatak & Johannes Duncker
1 1
INT. TEACHERS' LOUNGE - DAY
CARLA NOWAK (29) is holding a telephone receiver to her ear
the teachers' lounge is a place where people still use
landlines. The conversation has been going on for some time.
Carla glances at her watch.
CARLA
Yes, I understand. Like I said, we
went over this last week...
The person on the other end interrupts her. Carla listens
patiently.
CARLA (CONT'D)
One second.
She grabs a pen, searching for paper to no avail.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Yes, I'm still here.
She writes a number and an address on her palm.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Yes... 0153... 4, yes...
A colleague, MILOSZ DUDEK (45), appears in the background,
giving Carla the sign that it's time. She nods and he starts
off without her.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Yes, you'll hear from me. I've
taken a note and will look into it.
Great. Bye.
She hangs up, hurriedly packs her stuff away, then heads
off...
2 2
INT. CORRIDOR - DAY
... down long corridors. She reaches a classroom door, takes
a deep breath, and enters.
3 3
INT. MEETING ROOM - DAY
Carla enters a plain room of the kind we're all familiar with
from school days. A couple of tables have been pushed
together, and at the end of this arrangement sit JENNY (12)
and LUKAS (12).
Opposite them, teachers Milosz Dudek and THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
(42) have taken their seats.
Lukas is silently looking at the cap he has placed on his
lap. Jenny, the textbook teenager, has long hair and braces.
2.
The mood is tense as Carla sits down between the two parties
on the long side of the table.
CARLA
Sorry I'm late.
MILOSZ DUDEK
It's fine. Mr. Liebenwerda has
given us the essentials.
CARLA
Good.
(to the children)
So you know know what happened.
Lukas nods.
JENNY
Yeah, but we told them we don't
know anything.
MILOSZ DUDEK
You may not know anything for
certain, but do you have any leads?
Jenny and Lukas look at each other à la search me.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
Have you seen anything unusual
recently? Students acting strange?
Jenny looks at Lukas, who shrugs.
MILOSZ DUDEK
I know this is unpleasant for you.
CARLA
And not just for you.
MILOSZ DUDEK
But put yourselves in the victims'
shoes. We need to put a stop to
this. And you two are class
representatives.
JENNY
But what can we say if we don't
know anything?
Lukas continues to retreat into himself, staring at the
floor. Carla looks at Thomas, her gaze eloquent: Just leave
it.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
Lukas?
Lukas looks up.
3.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA (CONT'D)
Does no one spring to mind? Someone
with a new smartphone, expensive
clothes or loads of cash?
LUKAS
I don't wanna talk about it.
The teachers look at Lukas. Jenny turns to him in confusion.
JENNY
(softly)
Hey.
CARLA
Then you don't have to, Lukas.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
That's right. We don't have to talk
at all.
Thomas Liebenwerda gets up and goes to the other side of the
table. He places the register in which all the names of the
children in 7B are listed in front of Lukas.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA (CONT'D)
I'll go down this list with my pen
and all you need to do is nod if
you harbor suspicions.
Liebenwerda starts to run his pen down the list of names.
Lukas is looking at it and repeatedly shaking his head.
Milosz Dudek and Carla eye each other Liebenwerda's method
hadn't been agreed upon.
CARLA
Mr. Liebenwerda?
She looks at him: Shall we stop this?
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
Of course you don't have to if you
don't want to.
Lukas barely reacts.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA (CONT'D)
But I suggest we continue. We're
almost done.
Lukas gives a shrug. Liebenwerda starts once again.
We remain on Carla: The events around her are reflected in
her face - a face which, by degrees, is growing stony.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA (O.S.) (CONT'D)
This kid? Him? Thanks, Lukas.
4.
MILOSZ DUDEK (O.S.)
I'd like to remind you that you're
to keep what we've discussed to
yourselves.
The children nod half-heartedly, but Carla is barely aware of
what's going on around her now. She only knows that what just
happened was not okay. But the bell for the next lesson is
already ringing.
CUT TO:
TITLE: THE TEACHERS' LOUNGE
CARLA (PRE-LAP)
Good day, dear class.
4 4
INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
CLASS
(in chorus)
Good morning, good, good, good morn-
ing, morn-ing...
Carla is standing at the blackboard with class 7B in front of
her and completing a ritual greeting of clapping, patting and
finger-clicking to the words they repeat.
CARLA
I see the books.
The children hold their math books up in the air. Carla
checks to see if anyone has forgotten theirs.
CARLA (CONT'D)
I see the files and notebooks.
The children hold up their files and notebooks.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Great. Then put out your homework,
I'll come around. In the interim,
look at the warm-up in silence.
She points to the blackboard. It reads:
WARM-UP: 0.999... = 1? PROOF!!!
Carla walks down the rows and checks the homework while the
children attempt the warm-up among the kids are Jenny and
Lukas. She offers attention to the students, makes comments,
praises and offers constructive criticism.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Good... Yes, good. Ali... Take
another look at exercise two.
(MORE)
5.
CARLA (CONT'D)
(to another student)
Can you explain it to him?
She walks on, bending over another group.
CARLA (CONT'D)
You need the same denominator so
you can add them together.
The class grows too loud.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Hey!
She claps her hands four times. The class takes the prompt
and claps back twice - silence.
Carla returns to the front.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Okay, who wants to solve the warm-
up? Is 0.999 the same as 1?
HATICE (12), a girl in a headscarf, holds up a hand.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Yes, Hatice?
HATICE
It's actually not the same.
CARLA
Actually? Please come up to the
board and show us why not.
Hatice approaches the board and starts providing proof.
HATICE
Well, if you subtract 0.999 from 1,
there's still a remainder. Of 0.000
and then a 1.
She writes her deductions on the board.
CARLA
So you think there's a number
between 0.999 and 1?
HATICE
Yeah.
CARLA
(to the class)
So, is this proof or an assumption?
JENNY
That's not really proof, is it?
6.
Carla looks at the class. Oskar holds up a hand.
CARLA
Okay. Oskar wants a try. Thanks,
Hatice.
Hatice sits back down and Oskar approaches the board. He
writes quickly and without much by way of explanation.
OSKAR
Alright, 0.1111 is equal to one
ninth.
He writes on the blackboard: 0.11... = 1/9
OSKAR (CONT'D)
And nine times one ninth equals 1.
9 x 1/9 = 1
OSKAR (CONT'D)
So 0.999 equals 1.
0,999... = 1
He stands shyly beside the blackboard. Carla tries to conceal
her enthusiasm.
CARLA
(to the class)
What do you all say?
Carla sees that some of the children don't quite follow.
JENNY
Makes sense.
CARLA
Makes sense, doesn't it? Hatice?
HATICE
I still don't really get it.
TOM
(calling out)
There must be a gap between nine
and one.
TOM (12) is a big kid with a loud voice.
Oskar is still at the blackboard. Carla looks at him
questioningly. He shrugs and returns to his seat.
CARLA
Thanks, Oskar. Does anyone else not
understand?
The majority of the children raise their hands.
7.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Right, well it was complex. But the
crucial thing to understand is that
a proof needs a derivation that
builds up step by step. We'll get
there, don't worry.
There's a knock at the door.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Come in.
But the door has opened even before Carla has spoken.
The principal, DR. BETTINA BÖHM (64), Thomas Liebenwerda and
Milosz Dudek enter. One can see how long the principal has
been in the profession her every breath shows how versed
she is in such situations.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Sorry to disturb you. If I might.
She turns to address the class.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM (CONT'D)
Hello, everyone. We have to
interrupt briefly. Mr. Dudek?
MILOSZ DUDEK
Would the girls please stand up and
leave the room?
The girls look at each other. The first ones stand up.
MILOSZ DUDEK (CONT'D)
Go on and wait outside. We'll bring
you back in shortly. Close the
door.
The girls do so.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Right. The rest of you: Listen up.
Take out your wallets, put them on
your desks and come up front.
The boys look at each other perplexedly. Carla doesn't
understand what's going on, either.
Dissenting voices can be heard.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM (CONT'D)
It's voluntary, of course. But if
you've got nothing to hide, you've
got nothing to fear.
The children do as the principal tells them. One by one, the
boys take out their wallets and place them on their desks.
8.
CARLA
(whispering to Dr. Böhm)
Excuse me, but what is this?
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
(whispering back)
Weren't you there when they were
questioned?
While the boys make their way up to the blackboard, the other
teachers check the wallets they look inside them, and if
the contents are inconspicuous, return them to their place.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
Who sits here?
LUKAS
Oskar.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
Oskar, where's your wallet?
OSKAR
I don't have one.
CARLA
You don't have to show it.
OSKAR
I just said I don't have one!
MILOSZ DUDEK
And this one?
He holds up a wallet.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
Guys, whose seat is this?
Silence.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Ms. Nowak?
CARLA
It's... Ali's.
All eyes are on ALI (12) fear is writ large in his face.
Carla looks at Lukas, who averts his gaze.
MILOSZ DUDEK
Ali, come with me, please.
9.
5 5
INT. OFFICE BÖHM - DAY
Ali's parents have come to the school and are sitting beside
their son, who endures the silence. Dr. Böhm and Carla are
seated across from them.
ALI'S MOTHER
I gave him the money this morning
so he could buy a gift later for
his cousin.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Might I ask what he was going to
buy?
ALI'S MOTHER
I think it was a computer game.
Right? Ali, konusana.
ALI
Yeah, a computer game.
CARLA
Well, dear Ali, Mr. and Mrs.
Yilmaz, I think that clears things
up. Let's put this behind us.
Carla looks over at Dr. Böhm, who gives a fleeting nod.
MOTHER OF ALI
What gave you the idea?
CARLA
Sorry?
MOTHER OF ALI
Why my Ali?
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
He had an unusual amount of money.
MOTHER OF ALI
So? What if a mother likes to put
money in her kid's pockets?
CARLA
Yeah.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Ms. Yilmaz--
MOTHER OF ALI
Carrying money isn't a crime.
CARLA
True.
10.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
We have a zero tolerance policy,
which means we look into every
matter, no matter how small.
MOTHER OF ALI
But what will the other kids think
of him now? You know how children
are.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Don't worry, Mrs. Yilmaz. We'll set
it right.
MOTHER OF ALI
Set it right?
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Yeah. We're lucky the suspicion
didn't prove true or this would be
much graver.
CARLA
Sorry you had to come in.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Yes, we're sorry.
FATHER OF ALI
(in Turkish to his wife)
You dragged me in here for this
shit?
MOTHER OF ALI
(in Turkish)
It's important.
FATHER OF ALI
(in Turkish)
So important that they're sending
us back home again?
MOTHER OF ALI
(in Turkish)
Don't make a scene.
FATHER OF ALI
(in Turkish)
Then you try explaining to my boss
why I had to leave mid-shift.
MOTHER OF ALI
(in Turkish)
This is about our son, Hikmet. They
asked to see both of us.
11.
FATHER OF ALI
(in Turkish)
Like you couldn't take care of this
bullshit on your own.
Dr. Böhm clears his throat.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Might I ask you to please speak
German?
FATHER OF ALI
(in unaccented German)
Right, German it is. My son doesn't
steal. Ever. And if he did, I'd
break his legs.
The teachers hadn't been expecting this. Ali's father summons
his son and they depart.
6 6
INT. TEACHERS' LOUNGE - DAY
A number of colleagues have gathered. Besides Thomas
Liebenwerda and Milosz Dudek, there's also LORE SEMNIK (49),
a sharp-eyed teacher of German and music who's objective in
her dealings and a guidance counselor.
Beside them is also VANESSA KÖNIG (42), an attractive French
teacher in eye-catching, patterned pantyhose and with a
foible for self-dramatization.
In the kitchenette, Carla pours filter coffee into her cup
and puts fifty cents into the piggy-bank while listening.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
... That's just the way it is. The
children don't have anyone at home
they deem worthy of respect.
MILOSZ DUDEK
And this is why we have to be
tough?
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
Those were your words.
MILOSZ DUDEK
But you implied it.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
All I'm saying is, we can't let
them walk all over us.
LORE SEMNIK
And who, precisely, is walking all
over you, Thomas?
12.
Ms. Kuhn is filing pieces of paper at the pigeonholes. Carla
walks past her.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
Ms. Nowak? The substitute teacher
plan is in your pigeonhole. Ms.
Holbach is on sick leave until next
week.
CARLA
I saw, thanks.
Ms. Kuhn carries on at the pigeonholes, then goes back into
the office. Carla sits down with the group, whose discussion
has progressed.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
That's what we're trying to figure
out.
LORE SEMNIK
But not like this. Think about what
it does to children when they're
frisked in class.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
No one got frisked. It was
voluntary.
CARLA
You know perfectly well it wasn't
voluntary. A heads-up would've been
cordial.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
You don't know how long this has
been going on. Kids here steal all
the time. We need to act when we
have the chance.
VANESSA KÖNIG
Did those pencils ever reappear?
MILOSZ DUDEK
No.
Dudek chews on a breakfast roll that he washes down with
tepid filter coffee. Carla packs her things.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
A thousand pencils. Who needs a
thousand pencils? Can anyone
explain that to me?
VANESSA KÖNIG
I still say it started when we got
the new cleaning company.
13.
LORE SEMNIK
Watch what you say, Vanessa. Those
women are really nice.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
(half-joking)
How about we hire a private
detective?
LORE SEMNIK
Right, some guy lurking about the
school yard smoking a pipe.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
Like in stores.
CARLA
I'm off.
VANESSA KÖNIG
There's no budget for that.
CARLA
We need to act. Right, Mr.
Liebenwerda?
She exits, her jacket still hanging from her chair.
7 7
INT. GYM - DAY
SLO-MO: The students run in a circle, their knees high. At
its center, in her sports gear, is Carla, a whistle dangling
from her neck. With hands and feet, she has the children
adopt her rhythm.
8 8
INT. GYM - LATER - DAY
The children are lying on their stomachs in a circle with
Carla in the middle.
CARLA
On three, we raise our arms and
legs: one, two, three!
Carla does so, as do the children.
CARLA (CONT'D)
And those who can, or want to, can
shake them.
LATER, the children are divided into two teams, one wearing
red straps and playing basketball.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Go on, Enno. Nice dribbling.
14.
JIEUN (12) and LUISE (12) are sitting on a bench. At first
glance, Jieun could pass for a boy. Luise is delicate with
pale skin, freckles and red hair. Both aren't taking part in
the gym class.
CARLA (CONT'D)
You two okay?
They whisper to each other, giggle, and exit when Carla is
distracted.
Lukas fouls Ali and they both go down. Carla blows her
whistle.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Hey, keep it clean!
ALI
But Ms. Nowak!
CARLA
Ali, get up. It happens.
He points behind her.
ALI
I've had it. Luise and Jieun do
whatever they want.
Carla notices that Jieun and Luise are gone. She looks around
the hall, but no sign of them. The door to the gym stands
ajar.
CARLA
Calm down and play on, Ali. It
wasn't that bad. Come on.
She goes over to the other end of the gym.
CARLA (CONT'D)
(to Jenny)
Jenny, can you check on Jieun and
Luise?
Jenny skips off. The game continues while Carla's eyes again
wander to the door: Where are they?
It seems like an eternity until she turns to one of the
children on the bench.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Ruben, come here. Take over as ref.
I'll be right back.
She gives the boy the whistle and exits.
15.
9 9
INT. GYM HALLWAY - DAY
Carla walks through the empty gym hallway.
CARLA
Jieun? Luise?
No answer. The hallway is in darkness. The shrieking of the
children echoes out from the gym. Carla walks outside, where
the girls are sitting. Carla sees Luise hide something
between her legs.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Are you coming back in?
LUISE
Sorry, Ms. Nowak, we needed some
fresh air.
CARLA
Show me what you hid between your
legs.
LUISE
Nothing.
CARLA
Come on, show me.
Luise opens her palm: a fancy Zippo. Carla takes it from her.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Were you smoking?
LUISE
Not us.
CARLA
So why the lighter?
JIEUN
To cook heroin.
Luise and Jenny giggle.
CARLA
Jieun, that's not funny.
JIEUN
I think it is.
CARLA
You said you were sick. I believed
you.
JIEUN
(interrupting)
We needed fresh air.
16.
JENNY
It's true.
CARLA
In you go.
She indicates the direction.
LUISE
What about my lighter?
CARLA
I'm keeping it for now.
LUISE
For how long?
CARLA
Until I've spoken to your parents.
LUISE
Please don't do that.
Luise has fear in her face.
LUISE (CONT'D)
It's a gift for my father. It's his
birthday tomorrow.
Is she lying? Carla hesitates.
CARLA
Fine. But next time, tell me before
you leave the hall, got it?
LUISE
And the lighter?
CARLA
Got it?
LUISE
I get it.
JIEUN
Yes, Ms. Nowak.
CARLA
Fine. Pick up your lighter at the
end of the day. Now in you go.
The girls go into the hall, Carla glancing after them.
10 10
INT. ADMIN OFFICE - DAY
Carla enters the admin office Oskar is just exiting.
17.
CARLA
Hey Oskar!
He smiles thinly, walking past her without a word.
Ms. Kuhn is sitting behind the counter with a second
secretary, a young trainee called MARIAM (23).
CARLA (CONT'D)
Hello, this was in the gym - and
isn't one of my students'. The
diary of some Steffi. No last name.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
A diary? Did you read it?
CARLA
I'd never.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
Cross your heart? Nor would I.
Ms. Kuhn takes out a box marked Lost & Found and puts the
book inside.
CARLA
I was still having trouble with my
email account yesterday.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
Uh-huh?
CARLA
Could you check my login with IT?
A phone rings. Mariam answers it.
MARIAM (O.S.)
Hello, Emmy Nöther High... Sick? Oh
dear. Get well soon. I'll pass it
on... Sure...
MITRA (16) and KRISSI (16), two seniors, enter the office.
MITRA
Ms. Kuhn, I need a sanitary
product. It's kind of urgent.
Ms. Kuhn goes to a first aid cabinet.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
T or N?
MITRA
T, please.
18.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
(to Krissi)
And you?
KRISSI
I'm good.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
(to Mitra)
How many?
MITRA
Two. Thanks, Bye.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
Bye.
CARLA
Ms. Kuhn?
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
Yes?
CARLA
My login details?
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
Like I said, sorry, but I can't.
CARLA
Why not?
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
Because Mariam already did. It's in
your pigeonhole.
CARLA
You're great. Thanks.
MARIAM
Sorry?
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
You're great.
11 11
INT. TEACHERS' LOUNGE - DAY
Carla enters. One of her colleagues is unobserved in the
kitchenette; she has just poured herself a cup of coffee and
has a hand on the piggy bank. But instead of putting
something in the kitty, she seems to remove a bill and pocket
it. Carla watches as she goes over to a seat. The colleague
glances back towards her.
19.
12 12
INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
The class is taking a test. Carla goes through the registry.
She glances around the class. All, as yet, are engrossed in
their work.
Oskar gets up and places his test on the teacher's desk.
CARLA
(quietly)
You're already done?
Oskar nods.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Don't you want to double-check your
answers?
OSKAR
Can I go outside?
Carla nods.
CARLA
But keep quiet.
Oskar nods and exits.
There's a rustling. Carla turns and sees Tom playing with
some papers. She approaches and reaches for the cheat sheet.
CARLA (CONT'D)
(in disappointment)
Oh, Tom.
TOM
It's not mine.
CARLA
It's your handwriting, of course it
is. Give me the test.
TOM
No.
CARLA
Please.
TOM
No.
ALI
It's not his.
CARLA
Ali, I'm talking to Tom. Be quiet.
Turning to Tom.
20.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Give it to me.
TOM
No.
CARLA
Tom!
He reluctantly hands it to her.
Students turn around as the class grows restless. Carla takes
a fresh sheet from her desk and goes back to Tom.
CARLA (CONT'D)
(quietly)
Start over again. You have 20
minutes.
Tom doesn't take the paper.
TOM
What use is that?
CARLA
Either try again or fail for
cheating.
TOM
(loudly)
It wasn't mine.
CARLA
Tom, no discussion.
She holds the sheet out to him once again. Tom reluctantly
starts writing his test again.
13 13
INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
The school bell rings. Children hand in their tests and exit.
Only Tom and two others still write.
CARLA
Pens down and bring your tests up
front.
The children do so.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Tom, one moment, please.
Tom and Lukas exchange glances. Lukas holds a basketball.
LUKAS
I'll be outside.
21.
CARLA
Well, Tom, I don't approve of your
behavior.
TOM
What did I do?
CARLA
First you cheated, then you argued
with me and distracted your fellow
students.
Tom avoids her gaze.
CARLA (CONT'D)
I looked at your cheat sheet. When
you make a cheat sheet, at least
get the stuff right. You made the
same errors on your test, then
claimed it's not your sheet? How
would you feel if I lied to you?
Tom shrugs.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Not cool, right?
Beat.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Tom.
TOM
What am I to say?
CARLA
I want you to understand that your
behavior isn't fair to the others.
The rules apply to everyone. Got
it? You got it, Tom?
TOM
(mumbling)
Yeah, I'm not an idiot.
CARLA
Anything to add?
TOM
Sorry.
CARLA
(confirming)
"Sorry."
TOM
Isn't that what you want to hear?
Can I go now?
22.
CARLA
Yes, you may.
14 14
INT. TEACHERS' LOUNGE - DAY
Carla is in a corner skyping with an English colleague.
CARLA
(in English)
We'll let the parents know.
TIM (VIA SKYPE)
(in English)
Alright, great. When do you think
you'll have a list of the
participants?
CARLA
(in English)
I hope to have it by the end of
next month. Is that good for you?
TIM (VIA SKYPE)
(in English)
Sure. We still have more than
enough time.
Carla's line of thought is interrupted when Vanessa König
approaches.
VANESSA KÖNIG
Your next period's in the gym,
right?
CARLA
Yeah.
VANESSA KÖNIG
Sorry, I wanted to ask if we can
discuss one of your students, it's
important.
CARLA
Of course.
VANESSA KÖNIG
It's Ali.
CARLA
What is it this time?
VANESSA KÖNIG
He barely passed last semester.
He'll flunk if he doesn't improve.
CARLA
Oh.
23.
Thomas Liebenwerda joins them.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
Morning.
VANESSA KÖNIG
We're discussing Ali, Thomas.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
Oh, tricky.
CARLA
Tricky? Why?
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
Just tricky. In danger of flunking.
VANESSA KÖNIG
Absolutely.
CARLA
One second.
(stressed, in English,
into the laptop)
Tim, we're going to have to catch
up some other time. I'm sorry, I
have to go.
Tim says his goodbyes, largely unregarded by Carla, whose
attention is now on Ali.
CARLA (CONT'D)
(to Thomas)
Is it his oral exam?
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
That, too.
She shuts the Skype app.
CARLA
The semester only just began. He
might still make it. Have you
spoken to his parents?
VANESSA KÖNIG
Not yet.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
Do you know what their professions
are?
VANESSA KÖNIG
I think his father drives a cab.
CARLA
How is that relevant?
24.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA.
Maybe no one's at home to help him
study.
VANESSA KÖNIG
Did you believe them?
CARLA
The parents?
VANESSA KÖNIG
Yeah.
CARLA
Is this about Ali's grades or the
theft?
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
Nonsense, it's not about that. That
doesn't matter.
CARLA
Right. But to answer your question,
Vanessa, I believe the parents. I
believe they have integrity and
that Ali didn't steal.
VANESSA KÖNIG
It was a question, Carla. A simple
question.
Carla's look: Don't go asking such dumb shit.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
Calm down, Vanessa.
VANESSA KÖNIG
Everyone's so uptight. Thanks a
lot, Carla.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
Let's get back to work.
General dismay. Vanessa and Thomas leave. Carla watches them
go, anger writ large in her face and not letting up.
She watches her colleagues before her gaze falls on her
laptop again. She opens her webcam image in a small window
and slides her computer slightly to the right, thus observing
what is happening behind her.
She takes her wallet from her bag and glances inside: 50
euros in small bills fresh from the ATM.
She puts the wallet in her jacket pocket, then pulls it back
out a little so it's visible to a potential thief. She hangs
the jacket over the chair.
25.
Carla sits back down at the laptop, the jacket on the chair
is visible via the webcam. She presses the red RECORD button
on the app, then minimizes the window and takes the laptop
lock from her pocket. She attaches the computer to the
table's leg and stands up.
Before she leaves, Carla glances at the computer one last
time: Her screensaver is of a hammock hanging on a heavenly
white beach.
15 15
INT. GYM/TEACHERS' CHANGING ROOM - DAY
Carla is standing in the teachers' changing room.
She pulls up the blinds. The view behind the glass is that of
the gym, into which the first of the children are now
running. Carla takes a sip of her water and hearkens in the
silence. She switches off the light before leaving the room.
The children's muted voices can be heard.
16 16
INT. TEACHERS' LOUNGE - DAY
Carla is back in the teachers' lounge. There are only a few
teachers there. Her laptop is still where it was. The first
thing she does is to shut it.
Then she goes over to her jacket and checks her wallet,
counting the bills. It's soon clear: Some of the money is
missing. The perpetrator has struck again. She nervously puts
away her wallet.
She takes her laptop and angles it surreptitiously. She loads
the video and presses PLAY. Nothing happens for a while. She
fast-forwards. Colleagues speed past, but her jacket remains
untouched.
MILOSZ DUDEK (O.S.)
Hey.
Startled, Carla shuts the laptop. Milosz is standing beside
her. Did he see any of this?
CARLA
Hey.
MILOSZ DUDEK
I just wanted to say I'm sorry
about yesterday.
CARLA
For what?
MILOSZ DUDEK
(in Polish)
Frisking your class was not
alright.
26.
CARLA
(in German)
It's okay. Forget about it.
She smiles at him. Is there anything else? Milosz considers,
but Carla beats him to it.
CARLA (CONT'D)
And do me a favor: Let's talk
German at work, please.
MILOSZ DUDEK
Why? Are you ashamed?
CARLA
Because of our colleagues.
MILOSZ DUDEK
Fine, why not?
They look at each other uneasily.
CARLA
Thanks.
She takes the laptop and leaves the teachers' lounge, going
into the...
17 17
INT. REST ROOMS - DAY
Carla locks herself in a cubicle.
She sits down on the lid, flips open the display and presses
PLAY again.
Again, we see only her jacket. People cross the lounge - but
no one touches it.
A spellbound Carla finally comes upon the moment: Someone
approaches her jacket and tampers with it, but the shot cuts
the person off at the neck. Carla can't tell who the person
is. All she can make out is a light blouse patterned with
small yellow stars. She once again views the instant of the
theft and zooms in: an arm, a pattern. With that, she goes
back into the hallway.
18 18
INT. HALLWAY IN FRONT OF TEACHERS' LOUNGE - DAY
Carla exits approaches the teachers' lounge. Some of her
colleagues walk in her direction. Carla examines them as she
passes: a white shirt, a gray sweater, a mustard-yellow
waistcoat...
27.
19 19
INT. TEACHERS' LOUNGE - DAY
Carla enters and examines her colleagues' clothing. Here,
again, there's no one in comparable dress.
Then she notices Ms. Kuhn beyond the glass window of the
admin office. The secretary is in conversation with Mr.
Stahlmann (59) and is wearing a blouse with little yellow
stars on it.
20 20
INT. ADMIN OFFICE - DAY
Carla is by the door, waiting because Mr. Stahlmann is still
talking to Ms. Kuhn.
STAHLMANN
... oh, and, Ms. Kuhn, the printers
are on strike again.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
Again? Sounds like the union to me.
STAHLMANN
Paper jam.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
Try the flap on the side.
STAHLMANN
I'm useless with these things.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
It's usually stuck there.
STAHLMANN
I have class and you're faster.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
(interrupts)
We'll look into it when we have a
second.
STAHLMANN
Thanks.
Kuhn nods meaningfully. Stahlmann exits.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
He doesn't want to fix it. He wants
us to.
Carla enters, her laptop protecting her chest.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN (CONT'D)
Ms. Nowak. How can we help?
Carla hesitates.
28.
CARLA
I have a huge problem, Ms. Kuhn.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
What can we do for you?
CARLA
How do I put this nicely?
Carla breaks off and turns to Mariam, who's working on email.
CARLA (CONT'D)
(to Mariam)
Excuse me, may Ms. Kuhn and I speak
privately?
Confused looks.
MARIAM
Sure. You want me to leave?
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
Mariam, take a look at the printer.
A physics degree obviously isn't
enough to solve the problem.
Mariam exits. Carla closes the door. Now it's a tête-à-tête.
Ms. Kuhn's smile gives way to a serious expression.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN (CONT'D)
You wanna sit down?
CARLA
No, thanks. So, Ms. Kuhn, I was in
gym class and my jacket was hanging
in the teachers' lounge.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
A-ha. And what's with the jacket?
CARLA
The jacket's still there.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
So what's the problem?
CARLA
My wallet was inside the jacket,
and inside the jacket there was...
Carla makes a gesture that prompts Ms. Kuhn to complete the
sentence.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
... money?
CARLA
That's right. WAS.
29.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
You mean someone from the
faculty...?
CARLA
What makes you say faculty?
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
Well, the jacket was in the
teachers' lounge, so it couldn't
have been students.
A MESSENGER comes in. Kuhn signs for the package.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN (CONT'D)
So who was there?
(to the messenger)
Thank you.
The messenger exits.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN (CONT'D)
Liebenwerda. Ms. Semnik. I wasn't
here the whole time, so... Mariam,
of course.
CARLA
Liebenwerda, Semnik, Ms. Irfan...
Can you imagine they did it?
Ms. Kuhn shrugs, her look reading: I can imagine many things.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Ms. Kuhn... Do you have something
to say?
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
Like what?
CARLA
Your blouse, I've never seen it
before.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
My blouse? What about my blouse?
CARLA
Ms. Kuhn, this is very unpleasant
for me, but there are indications
that you did it.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
I did what. You're kidding.
30.
CARLA
I don't want this to make waves.
Return the money, promise this will
stop, and we'll forget it here and
now, okay?
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
You mean this for real?
CARLA
Think of it as a chance to be done
with this and we'll never mention
it again.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
(interrupting)
A chance? This is an outrage.
Please leave now! Leave!
The laptop under her arm, Carla exits.
21 21
INT. CORRIDOR - DAY
Carla enters the corridor, where Mariam stands in front of
the door.
MARIAM
Can I go back in?
Carla can't answer; she turns away, suppressing bitter
laughter at Ms. Kuhn's audacity.
She goes into the...
22 22
INT. TEACHERS' LOUNGE - DAY
... and reflects before coming to a decision.
23 23
INT. HALLWAY IN FRONT OF OFFICE BÖHM - DAY
Carla makes for the door to Dr. Böhm's office. She hesitates
before entering.
24 24
INT. OFFICE BÖHM - DAY
Carla stands in Dr. Böhm's office, not knowing what to do.
CARLA
Can I show you something?
She holds up her laptop.
31.
25 25
INT. OFFICE BÖHM - DAY
While Carla is still waiting in Dr. Böhm's office, the latter
steps out into the hallway. Carla is plainly dismayed. She
watches Dr. Böhm enter the admin office and talk to Ms. Kuhn.
Oskar, Ms. Kuhn's son, is there waiting for his mother to
finish work.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Ms. Kuhn, please stop what you're
doing and come to my office.
Ms. Kuhn rises and follows Dr. Böhm.
OSKAR
Mama, have you eaten yet?
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
No, we'll eat together. Wait for
me.
OSKAR
But hurry, I'm starving.
Dr. Böhm and Ms. Kuhn enter the office and Dr. Böhm shuts the
door. A brief gaze passes between Carla and Oskar as the door
closes.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
(to Kuhn)
Please have a seat.
Ms. Kuhn sits down on one of the two chairs facing Dr. Böhm's
desk. She doesn't deign to give Carla a glance.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM (CONT'D)
Ms. Kuhn, you can guess what this
is about. Do you have something to
tell us?
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
This allegation is totally
impertinent.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
All right, but we have a problem
and need to talk about it. It's not
yet an allegation.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
Yes, it is. I mean, do you have
proof?
Carla and Böhm exchange glances.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Hand it over, Ms. Nowak.
32.
Dr. Böhm turns the laptop to Friederike Kuhn and shows her
the relevant footage. Carla tries to read Ms. Kuhn's
expression. As the arm comes into shot, Böhm pauses the
video.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM (CONT'D)
Knowing you, Ms. Kuhn, I can't
believe what I'm seeing here.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
This is your proof? You can't
recognize anyone.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
It's your blouse.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
Yeah?
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
And what about the pattern?
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
Are you kidding me?
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
If I'm not mistaken, it's the
blouse you're wearing right now.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
And none of the 70 people who come
in and out wear a similar blouse?
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Fifty percent of those people are
men, so they don't wear blouses,
and the other fifty percent were in
class or are sick.
Dr. Böhm shuts the laptop - end of discussion.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM (CONT'D)
If we can't find a common solution,
I'll have to report what happened.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
What kind of solution?
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
A common solution.
Böhm looks both Carla and Kuhn in the face.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM (CONT'D)
As a start, you could give Ms.
Nowak back her money.
33.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
So you've already made up your
mind.
Ms. Kuhn is fighting back the tears. She takes her wallet and
casts it on the desk.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN (CONT'D)
Here you go.
Dr. Böhm hands it back to her.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN (CONT'D)
There, take it!
Ms. Kuhn rummages through it, but it's empty.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN (CONT'D)
As luck would have it, I have to go
to the ATM because I have no money
at all. Or is there anything that
belongs to you here? Please, take
it. Or do you wanna frisk me?
She turns out her pockets.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN (CONT'D)
Here! This is part of our daily
routine now.
She abruptly leaves the room. Carla follows her.
26 26
INT. ADMIN OFFICE/CORRIDOR - DAY
Carla hurries after Ms. Kuhn and sees her hastily packing her
things, Oskar standing awkwardly beside her.
MILOSZ DUDEK
(moving towards her)
You okay?
CARLA
Hang on.
As Carla approaches, Kuhn throws on her jacket and grabs
Oskar by the shoulder.
OSKAR
Mama, what's wrong?
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
Nothing.
CARLA
Ms. Kuhn?
34.
Kuhn drags Oskar out of the room. The two of them make
straight for the exit. Carla follows.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Ms. Kuhn, can we talk?
OSKAR
(to his mother)
Where are we going?
CARLA
(shouting)
Ms. Kuhn, please stop for a second!
OSKAR
(to his mother)
What happened?
Ms. Kuhn drags Oskar out of the building while people,
including Lore Semnik, watch. Carla follows them to the door.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
Come on.
OSKAR
Let go of me!
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
Now. Come on, please. Let's go
Carla turns back. Her colleagues stand there in confusion -
among them Lore Semnik. Carla ignores her colleagues and goes
back to...
27 27
INT. OFFICE BÖHM - DAY
A distressed Mariam exits the office.
Milosz Dudek and Böhm have been conferring.
CARLA
(to Dr. Böhm)
Can we talk privately?
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
You can speak in front of Mr.
Dudek.
CARLA
I think we're making a big mistake.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Oh, really?
CARLA
Strictly speaking, the video isn't
clear proof.
35.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
It's too late to fear your own
courage.
MILOSZ DUDEK
And there's another problem, Carla.
Your video violates personal
rights. Not only Ms. Kuhn's, but
the entire faculty's.
CARLA
Shit. We shouldn't have shown her
the video.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Spilled milk, Ms. Nowak.
CARLA
What now?
CARLA (CONT'D)
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
I'll call our lawyer, who'll (interrupting her)
advise us to turn the video The police? Is that
over to the police to file necessary?
charges against unknown
persons...
DR. BETTINA BÖHM (CONT'D)
Until then, we must all agree on
one phrasing, one wording, okay?
And we must refrain from any
accusation, suspicion or prejudice.
MILOSZ DUDEK
Got it. I'll communicate it.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
(to Carla)
Understood?
CARLA
And Oskar?
28 28
INT. TEACHERS' LOUNGE - LATE AFTERNOON
Carla is correcting the last math test and stacking the
papers by seating order.
She turns pages, marking mistakes, but also gives praise.
When she gets to Oskar's test, she puts down her pen and
grows contemplative.
30 30
INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
Carla hands back the tests.
36.
CARLA
Not bad, Luise. Well done. Ruby and
Ela.
ELA
Awesome.
CARLA
Did you guys study together?
ELA
Yeah.
CARLA
Tom, you've still got work to do.
Ali, much better.
ALI
Awesome, a C!
CARLA
(to another student)
You usually get at least a C. What
happened here?
Carla approaches Oskar. He looks at her expectantly. She
hands him the test.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Congratulations. Great job, Oskar.
Really great. Vera, well done.
The children chatter about their results.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Everyone! Hey!
The children are too loud for Carla. She claps her hands four
times.
The children clap back two time - and silence!
CARLA (CONT'D)
I emailed your parents about the
deposit for our trip to England.
Could you remind them?
The children assent.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Good. Josephine?
JOSEPHINE
Could you put the overview of
grades on the board?
Agreement, loud dissent.
37.
CARLA
Who wants to see the overview of
grades on the board?
Some students raise their hands.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Who of you would rather not see it
displayed on the board?
Others raise their hands.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Josephine, why is this important to
you?
JOSEPHINE
I'd like to know where I stand.
LUKAS
You're sitting in a chair.
CARLA
Tom?
TOM
What if I got the worst grade?
STUDENT
Tough luck. Then study harder.
CARLA
Yeah, what if you got a bad grade
and everyone wants to see it? Ruby?
RUBY
It'll pass in a week or two. No one
will remember who got an A or an F.
CARLA
If it's irrelevant, you don't need
to see it.
The class grows loud, Carla claps four times and the students
twice.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Let's continue. I won't display the
overview. If you want to know where
you're at, see me after class.
The bell for recess sounds, the children jump up and rush
out.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Everyone put up your chairs.
The children put their chairs up.
38.
VERA
Ms. Nowak, I need the register.
Carla hands it to her. She exits with her classmates.
Only Oskar remains motionless in his seat.
CARLA
Are you waiting for something,
Oskar?
He looks at her, his childlike face under thick locks.
CARLA (CONT'D)
You can be proud of your
outstanding test.
Oskar shrugs. Carla pulls a Rubik's Cube out of her bag.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Look at this. I meant to give it to
you. Know what it is?
Oskar shakes his head.
CARLA (CONT'D)
A magic cube. But it's about
mathematics, not magic.
Oskar straightens up, his interest awakened.
CARLA (CONT'D)
There are algorithms that can solve
the cube in no time. Know what an
algorithm is?
Oskar shakes his head.
CARLA (CONT'D)
A clearly defined set of steps to
solve a given problem. Look:
She swiftly twists the cube in different directions and
presto: She already has two sides of a uniform color.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Wanna try?
She holds the cube out to Oskar. He takes it and cautiously
twists one side.
CARLA (CONT'D)
I can lend it to you, if you like.
OSKAR
What's the goal?
39.
CARLA
For every side to show only one
color.
Oskar turns the cube and realizes it's not easy.
OSKAR
It's getting worse.
He makes to give it back.
CARLA
Keep it until you've solved it,
alright?
Oskar continues to twist it cautiously.
CARLA (CONT'D)
And if something's on your mind,
let me know, alright?
Oskar turns from the cube, nods.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Or Ms. Semnik, your guidance
counselor.
OSKAR
Why did my mama cry yesterday?
CARLA
Didn't she tell you?
Oskar shakes his head.
CARLA (CONT'D)
I see.
OSKAR
Did you fight with her?
Carla looks at him uneasily.
32 32
INT. OFFICE BÖHM - DAY
Oskar and Carla enter. Dr. Böhm rises.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Hi, Oskar. Come in. Have a seat.
LORE SEMNIK
Hello, Oskar.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
We called your mother, but she
didn't answer. Want some candy?
40.
Böhm points to a bowl full of candy. Oskar grabs a piece.
OSKAR
She slept in and didn't want to
talk.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Could you call her from your cell?
This idea displeases Lore Semnik, she almost imperceptibly
shakes her head. But Oskar has already taken it out and is
dialing.
OSKAR
What do I say?
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
That we'd like to talk.
Oskar listens to the ringing. Ms. Kuhn answers.
OSKAR
Hi, Mama. I'm in Dr. Böhm's office.
She wants to talk to you.
Ms. Kuhn talks for quite a while from the other end of the
line. The adults look at each other.
OSKAR (CONT'D)
Okay, Mama. Bye.
Oskar hangs up. Questioning looks.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
What did she say?
OSKAR
That she... doesn't want to talk to
you. And...
CARLA
And?
OSKAR
That you should stay out of it.
Beat.
OSKAR (CONT'D)
What did Mama do wrong?
LORE SEMNIK
You better have your mother tell
you.
OSKAR
No, why? Just tell me.
41.
The adults look at each other in perplexity, a state that Dr.
Bettina Böhm can't tolerate.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Okay, you're old enough and you'll
hear about it anyway. Your mama
won't be working here for now. I
say "for now" because we need to
find out what happened.
OSKAR
So what happened?
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Well, like I said, we need to find
out.
OSKAR
I want to know now.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Oskar, I can't tell you more right
now.
OSKAR
Is it related to the stealing?
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Why do you ask? We weren't
discussing the stealing.
Oskar looks at all assembled.
OSKAR
You won't tell me stuff and my mama
won't be working here.
The teachers eye each other.
OSKAR (CONT'D)
It wasn't her.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Nobody said it was her. Nobody is
accusing your mama. But tell her we
need to talk.
LORE SEMNIK
Oskar, let's step outside.
Lore Semnik touches him lightly on the shoulder. He gets up,
throws the candy back in the bowl and leaves the room. Ms.
Semnik follows him out.
Carla and a sighing Dr. Böhm remain behind.
CARLA
That was unnecessary.
42.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Indeed.
CARLA
I thought we'd tone it down. You
mentioned "phrasing" and "wording."
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Firstly: I didn't say anything he
didn't already know. Secondly: It
was you who brought him here.
CARLA
Yeah, but not to make innuendos.
That's what we wanted to avoid.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Do yourself a favor and trust in my
experience.
CARLA
The boy is confused. Can't you see
that?
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
He's as clear as glass and knows
what's what. We're the confused
ones.
Carla looks dismayed.
33 33
INT. SQUARE IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL - DAY
Carla and Lore Semnik smoke in a secluded corner of the
school grounds.
34 34
INT. CLASSROOM - NIGHT
Carla is pouring water into a vase she then puts a small
bouquet of flowers into. She places the bouquet on her desk
in preparations for parents' evening.
She goes over to the window, looks out and nods to someone.
35 35
INT. CLASSROOM - NIGHT
It's raining hard and wet umbrellas are scattered around the
room. Some 20 parents have taken seats on their children's
inconveniently small perches and are listening to Carla.
Mostly it's mothers who've come. Oskar's seat is empty.
CARLA
The kids are great. They're
friendly. They help each other.
(MORE)
43.
CARLA (CONT'D)
All in all, it's a very cooperative
class. Of course there's room for
improvement...
A knock at the door. TOM'S FATHER (48), who's still on the
phone, enters in a gray suit that marks him as an executive
of a medium-sized company.
FATHER OF TOM
Gotta go. Alright, bye.
He throws a semi-apologetic look at Carla.
CARLA
Hello.
FATHER OF TOM
I'm Mr. Neuhaus, Tom's father.
CARLA
Uh-huh. Have a seat. I was just
relating a few impressions,
stressing the importance of
students working on their own
accord...
She hands Tom's father a leaflet.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Here's information on the class
trip. I also wrote an email.
FATHER OF TOM
Thanks.
MOTHER OF JIEUN
Jieun said the math test didn't go
well.
CARLA
That's sadly true.
MOTHER OF JIEUN
Maybe it's not only the kids'
failure.
CARLA
I wouldn't make that judgment.
Failure is too harsh a word.
FATHER OF TOM
To be honest, the tasks were all
Greek to me. It's like a black box.
Those questions aren't meant for
twelve-year-olds, are they?
44.
CARLA
It's seventh-grade material, I
stick with the curriculum.
JENNY'S MOTHER (42), a woman who would make a good union
representative, speaks up from her seat.
MOTHER OF JENNY
Ms. Nowak, I'd like to raise
another issue.
CARLA
Sure.
MOTHER OF JENNY
Jenny said there was an
interrogation and she was coerced
into divulging information on her
classmates. I don't know if
everyone knows. We, the parents,
chatted about this on WhatsApp.
Could you tell us a bit more about
it?
CARLA
Nobody was coerced. We asked the
class representatives to help us.
MOTHER OF JENNY
It sounded like coercion to me,
inciting them to denounce others.
CARLA
Ms. Haubrichs, again, your choice
of words is fairly harsh. We
requested the kids' help.
MOTHER OF JENNY
By inciting them to rat on their
classmates and stay hush about it.
That's immense psychological
pressure you're exerting on them.
CARLA
This discretion was meant to allow
the kids to talk freely, to offer
them a safe space. We can talk in
private about this issue after our
meeting.
MOTHER OF JENNY
But it concerns all of us. I don't
understand.
There's a knock at the door.
CARLA
Come in.
45.
Friederike Kuhn enters, completely soaked.
Carla's heart skips, she searches for the right words.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Ms. Kuhn.
Ms. Kuhn closes the door behind her.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
Carry on.
CARLA
Okay, um... Where were we?
MOTHER OF JIEUN
What happened to Ali? I haven't
heard.
Carla takes a deep breath, while watching Ms. Kuhn out the
corner of her eye.
CARLA
There was a course of action I
didn't approve of, but I can assure
you that we have a handle on these
problems.
MOTHER OF ALI
How do you mean, "a handle?"
CARLA
As I said, let's discuss it
privately.
Silence.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
(to Carla)
Why don't you tell the rest of the
story?
MOTHER OF ALI
The rest?
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
The parents have a right to know
what really happened.
CARLA
This isn't the right time.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
The parents have a right to know
their kids' teacher will be in
court.
A murmur goes through the room.
46.
CARLA
Ms. Kuhn, this is highly
inappropriate.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
Enough!
(to the other parents)
Want to know what happened?
MOTHER OF JENNY
Of course we all want to know.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
This woman made secret video
recordings at school!
A PARENT
What? Of whom?
FRIEDERIKE KUHN
Of faculty members. Just imagine!
Spying! Denunciation! Slander!
Character assassination! You name
it! Entire lives are being ruined
because of her presumptions. I
wouldn't believe a word she says.
Carla looks aghast.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN (CONT'D)
Shame on you! Yes, shame on you!
Ms. Kuhn exits.
FEMALE PARENT
Ms. Nowak, what's going on here?
Carla is white as a sheet some parents are, too.
Carla hurries out of the room.
36 36
INT. TOILET - NIGHT
Carla rushes into the toilet, hyperventilating.
She takes a bag from a trash can and empties it into the
sink. She repeatedly breathes into the bag, which inflates
and deflates rhythmically.
Her breath grows calmer.
47.
37 37
INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
VERA (O.S.)
It was considered a bad omen, a
sign that divine retribution was
coming. But along came Thales of
Miletus. Thales was a
mathematician. He knew that a solar
eclipse occurs when the moon passes
between Sun and Earth. There.
A beamer projects a representation of various solar eclipses
onto the wall.
Two students are standing up front and giving this
presentation. Carla stands and watches.
LUISE
These are partial, annular, and
full solar eclipses. By way of
mathematical calculations, Thales
could predict exactly when the next
solar eclipse would occur. The
unpredictable became predictable.
Thank you. Over and out.
Carla and the students applaud.
CARLA
Thank you, you may sit down.
The children sit down.
CARLA (CONT'D)
How do you think that affected
people, the unpredictable becoming
predictable?
Carla looks at Oskar. He doesn't raise his hands. Jieun
raises her hand.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Jieun?
JIEUN
So people stopped believing in God?
Carla notices that Lukas is distracted by his phone. She goes
over and takes it.
CARLA
Thanks, Lukas. You'll get your
phone back later.
She moves away.
48.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Stopped believing in God. You have
a point. With a new critical
spirit, Thales heralded the start
of modern astronomy. Does astronomy
ring a bell?
LUISE
You mean zodiac signs?
CARLA
You're thinking of astrology, which
is different. Who knows what
astronomy means?
HATICE
Some kind of star science?
CARLA
Exactly. Astronomy is the science
of celestial bodies. People stopped
explaining the world's phenomena
with God or some higher power,
instead searching for universally
verifiable truths, which is the
basis of modern science.
Lukas holds up a hand.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Yes, Lukas?
LUKAS
Could you please put my cell in
your bag so no one can steal it?
CARLA
Don't worry, Lukas. Your phone is
safe in class.
LUKAS
(glancing at Oskar)
I wouldn't be so sure.
CARLA
Can you explain what you mean?
ALI
He means me, but I didn't do it.
CARLA
Correct. Ali was cleared in our
conversation.
LUKAS
I don't mean Ali. We learned in
biology that traits are hereditary.
49.
Some of the girls call out for him to shut up.
CARLA
Okay, I don't get it. Could you
explain?
LUKAS
For example: like mother, like son.
If the mother is fat, her child
will be fat, too.
Lukas grins. Some of the students again call for him to shut
it.
CARLA
(to Lukas)
Lukas, it isn't that... easy. But
you're alluding to something else.
So can you explain who inherited
what from whom?
Oskar looks at Carla.
LUKAS
It doesn't matter anymore, right?
CARLA
So you don't care to elaborate?
LUKAS
No, we were discussing another
matter.
FEMALE STUDENT
Coward! Now he's shutting up.
CARLA
That was a bold hypothesis, Lukas.
Next time, think before you speak.
Students mutter in agreement or voice their contempt. Oskar
looks down in shame.
38 38
INT. TEACHERS' LOUNGE - DAY
Carla is sitting at a table and has dialed a number. It
rings.
MOTHER OF LUKAS (O.S.)
Hello?
CARLA
Hello, am I speaking with Ms.
Wizorek?
MOTHER OF LUKAS (O.S.)
Yes?
50.
CARLA
This is Carla Nowak, Lukas'
teacher. Do you have a minute?
MOTHER OF LUKAS (O.S.)
I'm on my break, but it's good that
you call. Can you explain what
happened last night?
CARLA
(hesitating)
Sorry you couldn't make it.
Oskar enters.
MOTHER OF LUKAS (O.S.)
The parents' chat says you're not
in control. You don't want to know
what else they wrote.
CARLA
I'm actually calling to talk about
Lukas.
MOTHER OF LUKAS (O.S.)
Maybe you already know, but we
parents will talk to school
management.
CARLA
I see. We should use the occasion
to talk about Lukas' behavior in
class.
MOTHER OF LUKAS (O.S.)
What about his behavior?
Carla sees Oskar looking at her seriously.
CARLA
(to Lukas' mother)
One second.
She puts a hand over the phone.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Oskar, you're not allowed to be
here.
He remains motionless.
MOTHER OF LUKAS (O.S.)
Hello, Ms. Nowak?
39 39
INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
An empty classroom. Carla has brought in Milosz Dudek.
51.
CARLA
(to Oskar)
You can sit here.
They sit down opposite each other. Dudek remains standing.
OSKAR
Why is everybody so sure?
CARLA
Nobody's sure, Oskar. It's all
being looked into.
OSKAR
So why doesn't Mama return to work?
MILOSZ DUDEK
She's officially on vacation.
OSKAR
Do you have proof?
MILOSZ DUDEK
Of what?
OSKAR
For your allegations.
MILOSZ DUDEK
There are credible clues we can't
tell you about, Oskar.
OSKAR
What kind of clues?
CARLA
We can't tell you, Oskar.
OSKAR
(to Milosz Dudek)
Could I talk to Ms. Nowak
privately?
MILOSZ DUDEK
Why?
With a glance, Carla signifies to Milosz Dudek: It's alright.
Dudek leaves the room.
MILOSZ DUDEK (CONT'D)
I'll wait outside.
The two are left alone. Oskar takes a bag out of his pocket
and empties money onto the table, a lot of coins.
CARLA
What's this?
52.
OSKAR
Sixty-three euros and forty-five
cents. My savings. You can have it.
CARLA
Did your mama tell you to give me
that?
Oskar shakes his head.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Oskar, it's not the money.
OSKAR
Then what is it?
CARLA
Theft is the issue. It doesn't
matter if it's one cent or 100
euros. It's about honesty.
Oskar stares at her.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Come on, take your money.
But Oskar ignores her. Carla starts to put the coins back
into his bag.
OSKAR
Mama didn't do it.
CARLA
Alright, I understand.
OSKAR
It's one thing to understand, but
you need to say it.
CARLA
To say what?
OSKAR
I want you to say it.
CARLA
What?
OSKAR
That she's innocent.
CARLA
Your mama is innocent, Oskar.
Satisfied?
53.
OSKAR
Publicly! I want you to apologize
to her publicly and set it right
again.
CARLA
Sorry, but I won't.
OSKAR
Yes, you will, or else...
CARLA
Or else what?
OSKAR
You'll regret it.
CARLA
Are you threatening me?
OSKAR
Maybe.
CARLA
Okay, I'll ignore your remark.
OSKAR
You'll apologize to her! You'll
apologize in public or you'll
suffer the consequences!
Oskar gets up and leaves the room, throwing a chair as he
leaves.
40 40
INT. TEACHERS' LOUNGE - DAY
Carla is standing behind a window, looking down at the
playground where Oskar exits the building and joins Jenny and
Hatice, their discussion inaudible. The three of them walk
on, joining Jieun and Vera.
VANESSA KÖNIG
(abruptly)
Carla, hi. Want some cake?
CARLA
What's the occasion?
VANESSA KÖNIG
My birthday.
CARLA
Happy birthday. Having a party?
Carla takes a piece of the cake, but doesn't bite into it.
54.
VANESSA KÖNIG
No, I can't keep up. I need to copy
handouts and prepare the room for
the parent representatives.
CARLA
Can I be of any help?
VANESSA KÖNIG
No worries, it'll be alright. Say,
the other day was quite a
spectacle, wasn't it?
CARLA
What was?
VANESSA KÖNIG
Parents' evening.
CARLA
I don't wanna talk about it.
VANESSA KÖNIG
Alright, but you can confide in me.
Liebenwerda has approached. He takes a crumb of cake while
singing a birthday song.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
You were saying?
VANESSA KÖNIG
Ms. Kuhn.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
Apropos Ms. Kuhn. I've decided to
take legal steps against her.
Carla turns to her cake, then halts.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA (CONT'D)
And I heard there's a video?
CARLA
Wait, just because she stole from
me doesn't mean she stole from you.
Someone else could've done that.
VANESSA KÖNIG
True.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
Did you take a video or not?
Carla fails to answer.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA (CONT'D)
Can we see it?
55.
CARLA
Not for now.
VANESSA KÖNIG
Stupid question, but: Why not?
CARLA
It's for the police. I can't show
it around.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
"Show it around?" I'm a victim. My
money was stolen, too several
times and you're refusing to help
me.
CARLA
They were distinct events.
VANESSA KÖNIG
Carla, I feel uncomfortable knowing
we were secretly filmed. Who else
is in the video?
CARLA
You have my word: You're not in it,
Vanessa.
VANESSA KÖNIG
Well, I don't approve one way or
the other.
CARLA
Got it.
Dudek joins them.
MILOSZ DUDEK
Any cake left?
VANESSA KÖNIG
Sure, have at it.
Vanessa gives him a piece. Dudek leaves.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
I can understand this is a bit much
for you, Ms. Nowak. Maybe you're
overwhelmed.
CARLA
(interrupts)
I'm not. It's all good.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
But maybe we should proceed against
Ms. Kuhn together.
56.
CARLA
The poor woman is already losing
her job.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
"The poor woman?" Seriously?
CARLA
It's no laughing matter.
VANESSA KÖNIG
While you feel for Ms. Kuhn, you're
also responsible for us.
CARLA
Exactly. Which is why I can't help
you right now. Sorry.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
Unbelievable.
CARLA
May I remind you, Mr. Liebenwerda,
it was you who wanted to hire a
private detective.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
That was a joke, jeez.
VANESSA KÖNIG
And there's a difference, Carla. We
would've known about the detective.
What you did was behind our backs.
Beat.
MARIAM
Sorry to interrupt, but students
are outside for you.
Carla makes a face à la gotta go, smiles and walks past the
two of them.
41 41
INT. HALLWAY - DAY
Markus and Hatice are waiting outside the teachers' lounge
when Carla joins them.
MARKUS
Hello, Ms. Nowak.
HATICE
Hello, Ms. Nowak.
CARLA
Hi, guys. What can I do for you?
57.
MARKUS
You said we could interview you for
our school newspaper.
CARLA
Our appointment was next Tuesday.
HATICE
We have to print earlier. Our room
isn't available next week.
MARKUS
Exactly.
Carla looks into the lounge. König and Liebenwerda are still
standing there. Carla notices she's still holding the piece
of birthday cake in her hand.
MARKUS (CONT'D)
It'll only take 15 minutes.
CARLA
You want some cake?
The children nod and Carla hands it to them.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Let's go.
42 42
INT. CLASSROOM/CLUB ROOM - DAY
Carla follows the children into a room where other staff
members of the "SCHULPOSTILLE" school newspaper await them,
all of them from the upper grades. Posters of past projects
and the latest issues of the newspaper are on the walls.
HATICE
Here's Paul, Daniel, Bine, Krissi,
Mitra, Flo, and don't worry about
the rest.
Carla nods to the group. They are all older than Hatice and
Markus. PAUL is holding a warm cup of tea. Carla recognizes
KRISSI and MITRA: They were in the admin office to get help
from Ms. Kuhn.
KRISSI
Hi.
CARLA
Hello!
KRISSI
Thanks for participating.
CARLA
Of course.
58.
You can tell by the look on Carla's face: She had expected
the group to be smaller.
PAUL
Please have a seat.
Carla takes a seat with the children opposite her. Some of
them have pieces of paper with questions.
CARLA
Okay, shoot, what do you want to
know?
PAUL
Do you mind if we record the
conversation? That'll make it
easier for us.
He puts his cell phone on the table.
CARLA
Sure, okay.
He presses RECORD and nods for Hatice to begin.
HATICE
Ms. Nowak, you've been at our
school since the start of the
semester. How do you like it here?
CARLA
I feel at ease. All the students
are really nice. The faculty are
great, too, despite a few
differences in opinion. I was
warmly welcomed at this school.
HATICE
What are those differences in
opinion?
CARLA
What happens in the teachers'
lounge stays in the teachers'
lounge.
MARKUS
Next question. Isn't Nowak a Polish
name?
CARLA
Yes, but I was born in Westphalia.
My parents came to Germany in the
late 80s from a town near Danzig.
HATICE
Do you speak Polish?
Yellow Rev. (mm/dd/yy) 59.
CARLA
Ciekawo zabila kota. (Curiosity
killed the cat.)
HATICE
What does that mean?
CARLA
Research it.
MARKUS
Do you have tattoos? And if so,
where?
CARLA
I always wanted tattoos, but never
dared. Luckily.
The students grin. Carla notices Krissi whispering to Mitra.
HATICE
What advice would you give your
younger self?
CARLA
Jeez, how should I put this without
sounding precocious. To feel
insecure as a young person is
normal, everyone feels that way. I
wish someone back then would've
told me it'd all be fine and I can
trust my gut.
Now the older students step in.
KRISSI
I need to butt in. At the
beginning, you said you feel at
ease here. My gut feeling begs to
differ. I think there's currently a
bad vibe at our school.
CARLA
How do you mean?
MITRA
It isn't a secret that somebody's
stealing.
Carla looks back and forth between the students.
PAUL
Can you tell us why we students
were suspected? The allegations
were false.
60.
CARLA
You're right, it wasn't right, but
something had to be done, also to
protect those who had nothing to do
with it. I'm sorry the wrong people
were suspected.
PAUL
That doesn't answer my question.
Again: Why were we suspected?
CARLA
There were inconclusive leads. It
wasn't ideal.
KRISSI
Is it true that Ms. Kuhn can't
return to the job she did for 14
years?
MITRA
Wasn't it 15?
KRISSI
No, 14.
CARLA
That's the school admin's decision.
MITRA
So, Ms. Kuhn was suspended for
theft?
Carla looks at the cell phone, which is still in the middle
of the table and continues to record.
CARLA
I'm not in a position to comment.
PAUL
Was there secret video
surveillance?
CARLA
No comment.
PAUL
Don't you know or don't you want to
comment?
KRISSI
You're not allowed to?
CARLA
I'd be allowed, but wouldn't think
it right for all concerned.
61.
MITRA
Doesn't it concern us, too?
CARLA
Of course. It sure does.
Carla sees the younger students shift restlessly in their
chairs.
CARLA (CONT'D)
If there are no more questions...
KRISSI
Is Oskar Kuhn going to change
schools?
CARLA
Where did you hear that? Seriously,
who said that?
KRISSI
The grapevine.
PAUL
Surely, you'll understand we need
to protect our sources.
CARLA
Your sources? Guys, stop spreading
rumors. That sows distrust.
MITRA
We want to know what's going on at
our school.
KRISSI
Well, that'd be all.
She addresses the younger students.
KRISSI (CONT'D)
Any more questions?
They shake their heads.
PAUL
Thanks, Ms. Nowak.
HATICE & MARKUS
Thank you, Ms. Nowak.
CARLA
(to Krissi)
And you'll send me the article
before it's printed?
It's not a question, more a demand.
62.
KRISSI
Sure.
CARLA
When?
KRISSI
Once we've written it.
Carla examines Krissi.
CARLA
Good.
PAUL
Oh, wait, I need a picture. Can I
take one?
Paul holds up the phone. Carla is aware: She's got to get
through this.
PAUL (CONT'D)
Thank you.
43 43
INT. HALLWAY - DAY
Carla comes out into the hallway. A student passes wearing a
light blouse with yellow stars - the same blouse from the
evidence video.
The student turns the corner - it was definitely the same
blouse!
Carla turns to follow her, turns the corner.
Other students walk past they, too, are wearing the blouse.
Tinnitus growing louder and louder.
Carla looks down the hallway in disbelief; it's the end of
recess and both students and teachers are rushing into
classrooms: every single one of them wearing the same bright
blouse with a yellow star pattern.
Carla is surrounded by more and more people, borne away by a
flowing mass of of yellow stars.
The bell starts ringing, throbbing away in Carla's ears.
44 44
INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
Carla enters and readies herself for the greeting ritual.
63.
CARLA
(clapping, clicking
fingers and tapping)
Good mor-ning.
The welcome ritual falls flat: The class doesn't react.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Well, then. At least it's quiet.
Let's check your homework. Who
wants to begin?
Carla looks around, but no one answers. Ali makes to raise
his arm, but his seat-neighbor prevents him.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Ali, you wanted to say something?
ALI
Not anymore.
Carla looks around; some of the students meet her gaze, but
most avoid it.
CARLA
If no one volunteers, I'll have to
ask you one by one. Jieun, did you
do your homework?
Jieun silently ignores the question.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Hatice, how about you?
Hatice also remains silent, looking blankly at Carla.
Beat.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Then I'll sit down and we'll ignore
each other.
She does so, examining the students one by one. It's so
quiet, so peaceful that one can hear birds chirping outside.
But beneath this lies a tension that even Carla can hardly
bear.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Jeez, what's going on!
JENNY
Do you want to expel Oskar?
CARLA
Jenny, I don't know where you heard
that, but surely Oskar is the one
to ask. Would you like to comment,
Oskar?
64.
She looks at Oskar. No reaction.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Apparently not. Let's proceed with
homework, then.
JENNY
We won't proceed until you tell us
what did and will happen.
CARLA
If you want to discuss an issue,
class council is the place for it.
Now I'm teaching.
JENNY
We have a right to know what's
going on.
Students second her.
ALI
No one apologized to me yet.
Some of the children giggle. It seems that for some of them,
this is all just fun.
CARLA
That's not true, Ali. I apologized
and so did Dr. Böhm. In her office,
remember?
ALI
What about the video?
CARLA
There is no video, my God!
The students talk over one another: Yes, there is! The whole
school knows it! Don't lie to us!
CARLA (CONT'D)
(loudly)
Now be quiet and hand me your
homework.
Oskar scribbles something in his notebook. Carla goes down
the rows and gathers the homework books. Some children hold
the notebooks out to her, others require prompting.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Give it to me.
Lukas reluctantly hands her his notebook. Carla takes a look
inside.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Where's your homework?
65.
She shakes her head and continues walking. Tom gives Oskar an
evil look.
LUKAS
All because of him!
OSKAR
Just do your homework.
CARLA
I said quiet!
Oskar has placed his notebook on the edge of the table. Carla
takes it without a word. She puts the notebooks on her desk.
CARLA (CONT'D)
So, who will solve the task at the
board?
Various voices retort that no one will.
Tom holds up a hand.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Tom. Very good.
The students express their outrage as Tom moves up front.
JIEUN
Traitor.
CARLA
Who was that? Who said "traitor?"
JIEUN
I did.
CARLA
That's not okay, Jieun.
JIEUN
We should practice solidarity.
General assent.
TOM
Your grades permit you to. If I
don't do this, I'll flunk.
JIEUN
You're a traitor.
CARLA
Jieun, use that word again and
you're leaving the room.
66.
TOM
All this crap is just because of
him.
Tom points at Oskar, who gives him the finger, which Tom
returns.
CARLA
Leave Oskar alone and continue with
the task.
TOM
Because of his criminal mama.
CARLA
What was that?
TOM
Because of his criminal mama.
CARLA
Leave!
She nods at the door. Tom looks incredulous.
TOM
Huh? I'm the only one
participating.
CARLA
Now!
Tom chucks his notebook on the floor and leaves. The class is
silent.
MARKUS
By the way, Ms. Nowak, we do that
dumb-ass welcoming procedure only
for you.
STUDENTS
Exactly. That's right. It's stupid,
it should be for first-graders. Do
you know how embarrassing it is?
45 45
INT. TEACHERS' LOUNGE - DAY
A short time later, Carla is sitting looking through the
students' homework books. She pauses as she gets to Oskar's
book. In it there stands only today's date and:
"MAMA IS NO THIEF, BUT MS. NOWAK IS A LIAR."
67.
46 46
INT. GYM - DAY
The children of 7B have pulled gym mats into the center of
the hall and are sitting in a circle. Lore Semnik is standing
in the background, observing the circle. The mood is subdued.
CARLA
Okay, guys, I already told you: The
past days and weeks were
unacceptable. Something has to
change. Do any of you understand
what I mean?
A child holds up his hand, clicking his fingers.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Jonas?
JONAS
Aren't we doing anything today?
CARLA
We'll do something once we've
discussed some issues.
Dissenting voices call out that class council is the place
for issues.
CARLA (CONT'D)
We need to change the way we treat
each other. To which end we'll do
some exercises today. I need six
volunteers for the first exercise.
Who's up for it?
Some children raise their hand.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Great. Stand up, please.
Jenny, Jieun, Ali, Vera, Luise and Lukas come to the center.
CARLA (CONT'D)
For the first exercise, you all
step on this box. No one can fall.
Give it a try.
The children climb up on the wooden box, which offers little
room for six. They balance for a few seconds, then fall
repeatedly.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Okay, those still seated: Do you
have any suggestions on how to do
it better? Thai?
68.
THAI
Maybe hold onto each other's
shoulders.
CARLA
Try it.
Now the children climb back onto the wooden box holding on to
each other by the shoulders. This works better, but again
they fall after some few seconds. The children accept this
with humor.
JENNY
It won't work!
CARLA
Is there maybe another solution?
Oskar, I'm sure you have an idea.
Oskar shrugs.
OSKAR
We need to take each other by the
hand.
CARLA
Would you show us how to go about
it? Switch places with Lukas.
Thanks, Lukas.
LUKAS
Have fun, nerd.
Oskar goes to the center across from Tom. He stretches out
his arms and bids Tom do the same. They get onto the box with
each leaning back away from it.
CARLA
Looks promising. Now the other four
as well. Crisscross.
The other children follow suit so that soon all six have been
able to take their places on the box.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Great, you found the solution.
Oskar gives Tom a shove, who falls back hard. The children
cry out.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Oskar, hey!
Tom gets up, runs at Oskar and pushes him off the box.
Carla and Lore Semnik intervene and tear the two apart, but
Oskar refuses to be assuaged.
69.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Let go of each other!
The affray continues.
LORE SEMNIK
Tom! Stop it! Calm down!
OSKAR
Come on, prick!
CARLA
Outside, Oskar!
OSKAR
(to Tom)
C'mon!
CARLA
Come back when you've calmed down.
Carla takes a deep breath.
CARLA (CONT'D)
That's just what I was referring
to.
Oskar goes out into the offscreen gym hallway. There's a fire
extinguisher in front of the teachers' locker room. He grabs
it.
47 47
INT. GYM HALLWAY/CHANGING ROOM - DAY
Carla and the children hear a crash. The glass door to the
teachers' locker room has been smashed. Carla sees Oskar
through the doorway. He has taken her laptop from her bag.
Carla walks determinedly towards him.
CARLA
Are you crazy?
Oskar rushes her, striking her in the head with the laptop as
she confronts him. He runs off, and once Carla has recovered
her senses, she runs after him.
48 48
EXT. STREET IN FRONT OF GYM - DAY
Carla exits the gym, the sunlight blinding her. She runs
after Oskar.
CARLA
(shouting as she runs)
Oskar, stop!
They run across the street to a bridge.
70.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Stop!
Oskar does so, the laptop in his hand. He looks at Carla.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Give me the laptop!
She takes a step toward him, but Oskar throws the laptop over
the bridge and runs away.
Carla watches as the laptop vanishes into the depths.
LORE SEMNIK (PRE-LAP)
(reading from an
evaluation)
"The events surrounding Oskar's
mother have caused significant
psychological pressure. Even if he
is supported by part of his class,
others harass him. This leads to
turmoil in class and their refusal
to work."
49 49
INT. MEETING ROOM - DAY
A committee has assembled: two parent representatives, four
of Oskar's teachers, including Stahlmann, Liebenwerda and
König, and class representatives Jenny and Lukas, along with
the principal and her deputy, Milosz Dudek, who's taking
minutes.
Carla, whose face still bears traces from her confrontation
with Oskar, listens attentively to her colleague, Lore
Semnik.
LORE SEMNIK
(reading from an
evaluation)
"This student's frustration has
vented in a propensity for
violence, which manifests itself
physically. My recommendations for
now would be a change of classes.
In case the situation doesn't
improve for the student, a change
of schools might be appropriate. A
change that the mother would have
to agree to."
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Thank you. Ms. Nowak, as their
teacher, the floor is yours.
71.
CARLA
A change of schools would be a
total failure. Surely we can find
another solution.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Fine, but a change of class will
leave us with someone who firstly
incites subordination, secondly
beat up classmates, and thirdly
smashes windows to steal laptops.
CARLA
He didn't want to steal it.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
But rather?
CARLA
He wanted to protect his mother.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
If you say so, but that doesn't
undo everything. You know we have a
zero...
CARLA
... tolerance policy. But this is
between Oskar and me. He obviously
holds me responsible for his
mother's work ban. It would be a
grave mistake to socially isolate
this student. We'd be punishing him
for his mother's possible misstep.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Just to be clear for everyone: This
is about Oskar's behavior, not his
mother's.
CARLA
Yeah, but we're only taking one
point of view: What can we do with
the student to solve the problem?
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Yeah?
CARLA
Meaning that the consequences are
borne out by others. That can't be.
JENNY
(quietly, almost to
herself)
I agree.
72.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Sorry?
JENNY
(louder)
I agree that the consequences are
borne out by others, mostly by us
students.
Dr. Böhm turns to Carla again.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
So what do you recommend?
CARLA
Because I'm also responsible, it
shouldn't be Oskar who has to go,
but...
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
But?
CARLA
But me.
Derisive snorting.
PARENT REPRESENTATIVE
Ms. Nowak, we're already
understaffed. We have too many
substitutes.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
Then we may as well shut down the
school.
Carla looks around. No one approves of her suggestion.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Out of the question. So we've heard
Ms. Semnik's evaluation and Ms.
Nowak's...
CARLA
We're talking over the student's
head and diverting the problem.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Firstly: we're not diverting it.
We're looking for a democratic
solution. Secondly: Oskar and his
mother are totally unrepentant
regarding their misconduct. They
had the chance to speak here, but
instead refused each and every
communication. If there are no
further questions, let's vote.
73.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
Sorry, I do have another question.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Go ahead.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
Ms. Nowak, what happened to your
eye?
CARLA
I already said I fell.
VANESSA KÖNIG
Pardon?
CARLA
I fell.
LORE SEMNIK
It's not that hard to understand,
is it?
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
(to Carla)
It's admirable how you protect the
boy.
LORE SEMNIK
Thomas, is this relevant? Could we
please...
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
I just want to make sure that the
boy doesn't hit teachers.
CARLA
Mr. Liebenwerda, Oskar won't hit
anybody.
Liebenwerda gazes at her.
MILOSZ DUDEK
I suggest we vote, okay?
General assent.
MILOSZ DUDEK (CONT'D)
Any objections to an open vote?
VANESSA KÖNIG
I'd prefer anonymous.
Carla looks around. Dudek hands out pieces of paper and pens.
74.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Fine, Ms. König prefers anonymity.
Then we'll vote on a suspension for
Oskar Kuhn for ten days and if he
can go on the school trip to
England.
The rustling of notes and pens. Carla is handed the slips,
takes one and passes them on.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM (O.S.) (CONT'D)
If the situation doesn't improve
after our vote, we'll need to
convene again and consider tougher
measures, possibly a change of
schools.
MILOSZ DUDEK
Please hand me your votes.
49B 49B
EXT. FOYER - DAY
An isolated Carla is standing outside the foyer and watching
her colleagues exit the school and wish each other a pleasant
evening. As she walks along, she sees a school newspaper
billboard in a window inviting all to READ ALL ABOUT WHAT'S
REALLY HAPPENING. Concerned, she starts walking faster.
50 50
INT. FOYER - DAY
Paul is hanging up a school newspaper sign, moving it left
and right as instructed by his coeval, YAW, as Ms. Nowak
strides into the room.
YAW
Look, there's Ms. Nowak.
Carla approaches the group.
CARLA
Selling already?
PAUL
No, on Monday. But we're preparing
for it.
MARKUS
Would you like a copy? Two euros.
CARLA
Two euros? Isn't that a lot for a
school newspaper?
75.
YAW
Well, we have expenses: printing,
research, equipment... Milk and
coffee aren't free, either.
CARLA
Weren't you going to send me the
article?
Paul and Yaw look at each other: confusion.
PAUL
Didn't Krissi?
CARLA
I didn't received anything.
YAW
Hm. Well, then here's a pre-release
issue for free.
He holds a newspaper out to her. Carla takes it.
Paul and Yaw watch as Carla skims the lines.
CARLA
Are you serious?
PAUL
Why? We only wrote what...
Carla sees the large cardboard box on the table. She places
it under her arm and, to the children's dismayed cries, walks
into the...
51 51
INT. CLUB ROOM - DAY
Carla enters the editorial/newspaper club room, placing the
box on Krissi and Mitra's table as she speaks:
CARLA
Take out those pages.
KRISSI
Why?
CARLA
You twisted and decontextualized
things. It's a matter between Ms.
Kuhn and me.
The other students have stopped work and are listening.
MITRA
We see that differently.
76.
KRISSI
It's called journalism.
CARLA
It's not journalism. You promised I
could check it.
KRISSI
We won't be censored for you to
save face.
CARLA
We had a deal, it's not about face-
saving.
MITRA
No?
CARLA
Censorship isn't the issue, facts
are.
KRISSI
Which you withheld. We shed light
on the flip side.
CARLA
You talked to Ms. Kuhn?
KRISSI
We sure did.
Carla takes a deep breath.
CARLA
Guys, you overshot the mark. The
text is dubious. If you only knew
the damage you're doing.
KRISSI
We serve truth.
MITRA
If you can't take it, that's your
problem.
KRISSI
See that?
Krissi points to a sign hanging behind Carla:
VERITAS OMNIA VINCULA VINCIT! (Truth overcomes all bounds.)
MITRA
Everything else is PR.
77.
52 52
INT. TEACHERS' LOUNGE - DAY
Carla is standing in the vacant lounge.
LORE SEMNIK (O.S.)
(entering)
You wanna talk?
CARLA
Just give me a hug.
Lore Semnik moves over towards her. The two hug for some
time.
53 53
INT. FOYER - DAY
Students stream into the school. Carla does, too. A small
crowd has formed in front of the stand: Everyone wants the
newspaper!
YAW
Hello, Ms. Nowak! School newspaper
while supplies last...!
54 54
INT. TEACHERS' LOUNGE - DAY
Carla enters unnoticed several colleagues are already
engrossed in the paper.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
Why didn't she come to us for help?
VANESSA KÖNIG
Where's her team spirit?
All look at Carla as she goes over to her pigeonhole, her
head held high.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
Good morning, Ms. Nowak, I
sometimes wonder what you're
thinking.
Liebenwerda reads from the newspaper.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA (CONT'D)
Here: "Ideally, school is a
protected space for students. Not
so at our school. Following a
series of thefts, we students were
faced with measures otherwise found
in rogue regimes. Fellow student
Ali Yilmaz was taken from class in
a raid-style operation and wrongly
accused.
(MORE)
78.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA (CONT'D)
The teachers were Milosz Dudek and
Thomas Liebenwerda." My humble
self.
CARLA
No need to read it aloud, but
thanks anyway.
VANESSA KÖNIG
I'd like to hear it.
Carla notices her colleagues are now listening in to the
confrontation.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
(ignoring her)
"To suspect a child of migrant
parents without proof in that
manner exposes the structural
racism our school, like many
others, can't escape. But that's
not all. With neither concrete
evidence, nor need, the school's
kind soul, Friederike Kuhn, got
suspended from work. The method
isn't for the faint hearted: a
hidden camera." So there it is.
Liebenwerda looks Carla in the face. She smiles mildly: What
do you want from me?
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA (CONT'D)
"Because Ms. Nowak couldn't rebut
our suspicion of secret video
surveillance at school, we spoke to
the victim. Ms. Kuhn confirmed the
method..." And so on. How is it
possible that you keep refusing to
cooperate with us faculty, but
discuss the video with attention-
seeking pubescents?
CARLA
You know, Mr. Liebenwerda, I prefer
discussing issues to staying
silent. If you've read the text
attentively, you'll know I didn't
discuss the video.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
You didn't rebut their suspicions,
either. I know how to read.
Unbelievable. You're something.
LORE SEMNIK
Enough. We can read it ourselves.
We get it. Leave it be.
79.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
You want to win over students at
any cost no matter the consequences
for us. You know how many parents
are contacting us? Vanessa received
25 e-mails.
By now, confusion reigns as all the teachers are speaking
over one another.
Milosz Dudek and Dr. Bettina Böhm enter. Carla turns around.
Dudek and Böhm each hold a copy of the newspaper.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
(addressing everyone)
May I have your attention? Come
over here. Quiet, please. You too,
Mr. Liebenwerda. You'll all be
aware that the school newspaper
contains an unfortunate article.
I've spoken with Mr. Dudek and the
school's legal department. We're
left with no other option but to
ban the sale of this issue on
campus.
The colleagues cast critical glances at each other.
MILOSZ DUDEK
Dr. Böhm and I will close down
their stand and ask you to prevent
distribution in class.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
What about the online version?
MILOSZ DUDEK
IT took it down from the school's
website.
Dr. Böhm nods at him.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Peace at our school is massively
under fire, which is why I ban you
all from discussing this issue any
further. Mum's the word for
everybody.
She looks around, then turns to Carla.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM (CONT'D)
We'll talk to you later with staff
council.
Carla is stoic. Böhm leaves.
80.
The remaining group of some 15 teachers look at each other in
bemusement. In the background, a teacher walks by, wearing a
star blouse identical to that of Ms. Kuhn. No one notices.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
So we're forbidden to speak?
LORE SEMNIK
Stop it. Is it so hard to grasp?
It's a framework we can work with.
More and more voices are being raised until Dudek shouts them
down:
MILOSZ DUDEK
People, hey! We're only briefly
asking you to keep still. We need a
united front, even if we disagree
at times.
Lore and Thomas look at each other.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
I won't let anyone call me a
racist. And neither should you.
MILOSZ DUDEK
(checking the time)
Let's take care of our students and
carry out our work.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
(leaving in annoyance)
Alright, back to work. Let's give
them passing grades no matter how
much they act up.
LORE SEMNIK
Cut the shit with your cynicism!
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA.
Lore, I won't be called a racist.
LORE SEMNIK
Got it. You'd better leave.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA.
Ignoring problems won't make them
disappear.
VANESSA KÖNIG
Take a deep breath, everyone. Well
done, Carla. Just saying.
She leaves.
81.
MILOSZ DUDEK
(softly, in Polish)
You should've said something.
CARLA
(in German)
What?
MILOSZ DUDEK
(in German)
What do I mean? The interview.
CARLA
It was Oskar.
MILOSZ DUDEK
Forget about the boy.
CARLA
That's a great attitude for our
job. Thanks for the advice.
She leaves.
MILOSZ DUDEK
(calling out after her)
You're responsible for the other
students, too!
Carla slams the door.
56 56
INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
Carla enters. Oskar's seat is empty.
CARLA
Okay, everyone, sorry for the
delay. May I ask you all to rise?
The students stand up. Questioning looks.
CARLA (CONT'D)
I want... Get up! I want us all to
scream as loud as we can. Ready,
steady, go!
AAAAARGHH! But only half of the children join in. Some just
open their mouths without actually hollering.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Again. Don't hold back, everyone,
go! Keep going!
AAAAARGHH! The whole class screams at the top of their lungs.
This is loud. Silence falls. Carla has shut her eyes. She
opens them again and looks around the room.
82.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Thanks. Before we start, a few
clarifying words: All of you know
what happened in the gym the other
day. Oskar will be suspended for
ten days. He can't go on our school
trip, either. Furthermore, the
school newspaper caused displeasure
among faculty. School management
thus banned its circulation on
campus.
JENNY
That's censorship!
CARLA
Jenny, I agree it's a shocking
measure.
JENNY
Well, I surely won't hide my copy.
CARLA
In principle, I admire how you all
organize the newspaper and declare
your solidarity, though I find the
text highly dubious.
Hatice holds up a hand.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Yes?
HATICE
Sorry. It wasn't intended against
you.
CARLA
Thanks, Hatice. So put the
newspapers away.
Oskar enters and goes over to his seat without a word. He's
wearing a dark hoodie hanging down over his eyes to make him
seem menacing.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Oskar! What are you doing here?
He says nothing.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Your mother received a letter.
LUISE
What letter?
CARLA
I just told you.
83.
Lukas gets up and wanders around.
LUKAS
(a hat down over his face,
his fingers a pistol)
I'm Oskar on a killing spree.
CARLA
Lukas, sit down!
A voice calls out for applause and the children sarcastically
applaud Oskar. Chaos ensues.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Hey!
Carla goes over to Oskar's desk.
CARLA (CONT'D)
(to Oscar)
Let's step outside. Come on, Oskar.
It's not allowed. You can't be
here.
STUDENT
Go home!
CARLA
(to Vera)
Look after Oskar.
57 57
INT. HALLWAY IN FRONT OF THE TEACHERS' LOUNGE - DAY
Carla strides down to the lounge.
58 58
INT. TEACHERS' LOUNGE - DAY
Milosz Dudek is speaking to Thomas Liebenwerda, apparently
trying to persuade him to come to terms with Carla. As
Liebenwerda gruffly agrees, Dudek exits now Thomas
Liebenwerda is the only teacher, in front of him his
Tupperware box of sandwiches. Carla swallows her pride.
CARLA
Mr. Liebenwerda, may I ask for your
help?
He sighs his assent. She gestures to the door.
CARLA (CONT'D)
Thank you.
59 59
INT. HALLWAY - DAY
Liebenwerda and Carla walk down the hallway together.
84.
60 60
INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
Carla and Thomas Liebenwerda enter the classroom, where Oskar
is still seated.
CARLA
Hey, everyone, pack your stuff.
We're going next door and Mr.
Liebenwerda will stay here.
TOM
Why do we have to move?
CARLA
No back-talk, let's go.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA.
Come on, no back-talk. Do as Ms.
Nowak says.
The children pack their things and leave the classroom. Carla
glances back at Liebenwerda, who indicates she's not to
worry.
Carla exits with the students.
Mr. Liebenwerda takes a seat.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA. (CONT'D)
Hey, Oskar.
61 61
INT. ADJACENT CLASSROOM - DAY
The students are in the adjacent classroom. Carla flips
through her math book.
CARLA
Please turn to... page... 46. And
do exercise 13, sections A to F.
I'll be right back.
Carla hastily writes the math assignment on the board, grabs
her cell phone from her bag and exits.
62 62
INT. HALLWAY - DAY
Carla paces restlessly, her phone to her ear.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN (O.S.)
Kuhn speaking.
CARLA
Hello, Ms. Kuhn. It's Carla Nowak.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN (O.S.)
You have some nerve calling me.
85.
CARLA
It's about Oskar. Did you not get
the letter?
FRIEDERIKE KUHN (O.S.)
I did. You think you can do that to
us?
CARLA
No, but there's no point misusing
him for a matter between us two.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN (O.S.)
Who's misusing whom? Expelling
Oskar solves the problem?
CARLA
(adamant)
I intervened on his behalf.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN (O.S.)
Congratulations, that worked like a
charm.
CARLA
You didn't even attend.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN (O.S.)
So now it's my fault?
CARLA
That's beside the point.
The door of the adjoining class opens: Jieun and Luise come
out, looking with interest in Carla's direction.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN (O.S.)
Yes, it is.
CARLA
(to the students)
Back to class, please.
LUISE
But we need to pee.
CARLA FRIEDERIKE KUHN (O.S.)
Then hurry. Face the fact that you're
responsible. How about an
apology?
CARLA (CONT'D)
Please come pick up your son.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN (O.S.)
If Oskar wants to come home, he
can.
86.
CARLA
We told him to leave but he won't
listen.
FRIEDERIKE KUHN (O.S.)
You're so incompetent. Your failure
as a teacher isn't my problem, Ms.
Nowak.
Carla sees Dr. Böhm and Milosz Dudek heading towards the
classroom where Oskar and Liebenwerda are. Carla starts to
move.
CARLA
This is about your son, Ms. Kuhn.
If we fail, it affects us both.
Carla hangs up, visibly charged as she heads for the
classroom.
63 63
INT. HALLWAY/CLASSROOM - DAY
Carla gets back to the classroom and glances inside. Oskar is
still sitting in his seat. Dr. Böhm and Milosz Dudek are
talking to him. Liebenwerda meets her at the door.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
I can't get through to him. No
reaction. Did you reach his mother?
Carla nods.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA (CONT'D)
And?
Carla throws her arms up in the air.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA.
He's been expelled. We could have
him removed.
CARLA
I'll talk to him again.
THOMAS LIEBENWERDA
Try it.
Carla enters. Dr. Böhm is in the middle of a monologue.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
Pack your bag and go home. Don't
make us call the police.
MILOSZ DUDEK
You understand, Oskar?
87.
Oskar ignores them. Carla approaches, clearing her throat
before sitting down opposite the boy.
CARLA
Oskar, will you look at me?
He looks Carla in the face.
CARLA (CONT'D)
I wish it had all turned out
differently. I'm honestly sorry for
what happened. But if you don't go
home now, you'll make things worse.
Oskar starts to cry.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
(to Carla and Dudek)
Colleagues, can we step outside?
Böhm and Dudek move off, Carla follows them to the door.
Dudek begins to talk.
MILOSZ DUDEK
I don't know...
Carla shuts the door behind them, remaining inside herself.
Through the pane in the door, Dr. Böhm sees Carla lock it.
DR. BETTINA BÖHM
(through the glass)
Ms. Nowak? What are you doing?
Carla raises her hand and gestures to Böhm: I've got this!
She turns back to Oskar now they're alone. Perplexity
reigns outside the door.
64 64
INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
Carla pulls up a chair and sits down next to Oskar.
She takes some notebooks from her bag and starts working.
Carla glances back through the door-pane where Böhm, Dudek,
and Liebenwerda discuss. Carla nods to them again and they
abandon the situation. Carla gets to marking homework.
Oskar's gaze wanders over to her. When Carla looks over at
him, he looks away again, trying to conceal his interest.
The sound of an approaching thunderstorm.
88.
65 65
INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
Carla stands at the window and looks out into the rain: It's
the end of the school day and her other students leave the
school premises. Carla turns to Oskar, who has his elbows and
head on the desk.
Ms. Kuhn arrives by bike, looking for her son. She and Carla
stare at each other long and hard until Ms. Kuhn bicycles
away.
Carla sits down again by Oskar.
A telephone rings, its sound coming from Oskar's backpack,
but he doesn't move.
CARLA
Won't you answer that, Oskar?
But Oskar just remains there, his head on the desk. The
ringing stops.
66 66
INT. CLASSROOM - LATE AFTERNOON
The sun has nearly set. Carla fills a glass of water at the
faucet and places it in front of Oskar, pushing it lightly
towards him. He doesn't touch it, but stares pointedly at
Carla. Finally, he takes something from his bag: the Rubik's
Cube. He clicks and completes it with swift movements before
placing it on the table and pushing it lightly towards her.
Their eyes connect.
FADE TO BLACK.
67 67
CREDITS
The empty school building: deserted classrooms, hallways,
conference rooms, the teachers' lounge all silent.
Music sets in: an uplifting classical composition.
Oskar's upper body enters shot. He seems to be floating down
the corridor. We see two policemen carrying him in his
chair on their shoulders out of the confines of school
rooms through the large doors and out into the light.
FADE OUT.
|
