Phoenix

1

The wound canal is from a gunshot.

They thought you were dead.

You were lucky.

Can you see?

That's good.

The patient has wound fever.

Intravenous penicillin.

Cheekbone and nasal bone are shattered.

Chipping to the left cranial bone.

You were a singer?

Where was that?

- Most recently at the St Michaels choir.

- In London?

- Yes.

- When?

Up to '38.

Then you, a Jewess, returned here.

Why?

They have wonderfully cool cellars.

And there's a real plantation

in the park.

We'll soon be able to walk around.

- And you'll be able to...

- Who's paying for this, Lene?

- You?

- No.

You inherited.

Your entire family is dead.

And Herbert and Marie...

- the twins...

- Esther?

I haven't found her yet.

Where is Johnny?

So how do you want to look?

It's your choice.

Some of my patients favour Zarah Leander,

others Miss Sderbaum.

I guess they're both out of fashion now.

A few gentlemen out there

would probably like new faces, too.

I want to look like I used to.

That's difficult.

I recommend you think it over.

Why?

On the one hand,

it's never quite the same,

and on the other,

a new face is an advantage.

- How is it an advantage?

- You'll be a new and different person.

You won't be identifiable,

which means...

I want to look exactly like I used to.

You'll receive

an intravenous anaesthetic.

An ether mask can't be used

due to your face's condition,

but don't be concerned,

you'll sleep deeply.

Just count backwards: Ten...

nine, eight, etc.

Know what the Americans call it?

A "countdown".

It comes from a German film,

"Woman in the Moon".

So now count, ten...

- Ten.

- Nine...

- Nine.

- Carry on.

Eight, seven...

six, five...

JEW. JEW. JEW...

JOHANNES LENZ, PIANIST,

DIVORCED OCTOBER, 04,1944

That's already looking really good.

A couple of days

and the bandages come off.

I found an apartment, by the way.

In Haifa.

You can see the sea.

Beautiful, simple-lined architecture.

Bernstein designed it.

I've got photos. Want a look?

Here.

No, I didn't see him.

Nelly, it was bombed out.

It no longer exists.

I no longer exist.

Nelly,

remember how you felt three months ago?

How desperate you were?

It's extraordinary what Dr Bongartz...

- In a few days the bandages come off...

- Would you recognise me?

Would you recognise me?

Yes.

No.

This is me.

Where did you get that?

The clinic needed pictures

for the reconstruction.

Sorry, that's the wrong word.

Dr Bongartz used it and I simply...

- Re-creation is better, right?

- Re-creation.

Just look at me.

Nelly, you're beautiful.

That's not the point.

What do the circles signify?

Those are Nazis.

And the crosses are for the dead?

Yes.

We need a cross above Esther, too.

It's such a miracle you survived.

There's no cross above Johnny.

Johnny doesn't interest me.

Here are dresses,

a jacket of English cloth,

and there are two coats,

a summer one and a lined one,

to get you started.

It was all acquired by Mrs Winter.

Wonderful cloth.

You're a size 38, right?

And when are you going to Palestine?

I don't know yet.

So, this is the bathroom,

all fully equipped,

and in perfect working order.

If you need anything,

please let me know.

No, that we won't do.

The light stays off.

We have a real plague of flies.

The war

didn't seem to bother them at all.

They come up from the lake in swarms.

No, please don't,

I'd rather do it myself.

- When do we dine, Elisabeth?

- At seven, if it please you, Ma'am.

- What have you cooked for us?

- Stuffed cabbage with sweetbread.

Where did the sweetbread come from?

I have no nutmeg, no butter,

no black pepper, it's awful.

But you improvise so wonderfully.

Improvise, improvise!

I've had it with improvising.

Elisabeth is really a gem.

- She's not a Nazi?

- She always hated the Nazis.

So, you like it?

Yes.

Great.

By the way, I put the papers

for the Haifa apartment on the desk.

And I found two other for us in Tel Aviv.

One is on a housing project.

We're being allocated terrain.

You know,

it wasn't easy getting us both a visa.

- So, there.

- Thank you, Elisabeth.

Can you manage?

Yes.

Can I hear that again?

It's nice, huh?

I'd listened to it in London

before falling asleep.

Would you sing it for me?

Okay.

I can't stand German songs anymore.

When you're better,

we'll take care of your assets.

Is it a lot?

They're substantial.

It'll take a while...

to get the Nazis out of the properties,

but there's lots of money in Switzerland.

It's the victims' money,

it brings an obligation.

To do what?

To go to Palestine and found a state

where we Jews can live safely.

To do so,

we take back all they took away.

Maybe then we can sing

and hear German songs again.

Did you like it?

Yes.

Then give me something.

Yes.

I'm looking for my husband.

He's a musician, too.

What does he play?

He's a pianist.

If he's lucky,

he'll be in one of the cabarets or clubs.

If not,

he'll be on the corner with an accordion.

What clubs?

I'd try the American sector.

Johnny, what did I do?

I just wanted to dance a bit.

Let go of me! Johnny!

Get off me!

Yes.

Excuse me.

I mistook you for someone.

Stay where you are.

I told you to stop right there.

What do you have in your bag?

Show me.

The fine coat!

I'll never remove that.

That's tar.

Where was she gallivanting?

Would you leave us for a moment,

Elisabeth?

So, did you meet him?

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes