Son of Saul

I/E. GROVE / UNDRESSING ROOM / PASSAGE - MORNING

IN A GROVE:

Trees.

A gentle warm light shines on the face of a 40 year-old

looking man, as he walks in what seems to be a grove.

His name is SAUL AUSLANDER. He wears a white shirt under his +

dark jacket, with a half-hidden number on it: B-7005. On the +

back of his jacket, a red X is painted. He wears a flat +

civilian hat. He walks with determination, at a regular pace,

his lips tight. The trees around give some shelter from the

sun, birds sing amidst the branches.

He stops for a while and glances around, at some older people

around taking off their heavy winter coats, sitting on the

grass. The voices of children, calling for water, can be

heard. A YOUNG BOY stands on the side, carrying a water can. +

Sounds of branch cracking, of steps on the ground. Footsteps +

of many more people. Pieces of words can be heard, in a

continuous humming of different voices and languages.

Behind Saul, children play. Someone comes to him and talks to

him, he mumbles something, looks away and moves on.

Four other SONDERKOMMANDO PRISONERS pass Saul by. They all +

start instructing the civilians to get up and leave. The +

civilians are gathered in rows of 5, and pushed to the road. +

Three SOLDIERS appear on the side, waiting. +

Orders are shouted and the group starts advancing on the

slight slope of a dusty road.

The Sonderkommando prisoners accompany the civilians who +

carry suitcases, bundles, cans and other objects. Some people +

carry infants. We only catch glimpses of some of the faces +

and clothes. These are weary, slightly disorientated faces, +

most of them in dark-colored heavy clothes. +

On Saul’s right, a large GROUP OF PEOPLE walks as well,

quietly.

Saul looks in the direction of the people beside him, as if

to check. His pace slows down, other people catch up with

him. Some of them stare at him. Saul doesn’t engage with

them.

The group comes to a halt. Saul faces them, but keeps on

walking quietly. Further down some of the people have taken

off their heavy winter coats and sit on the grass.

Shooting Draft April 25, 2014

2.

Saul advances in the midst of a CROWD of agitated people, and

briefly looks to the side at kneeling, crying figures. +

The road turns to an open range where isolated PEOPLE in gray

and green clothes point in one direction, at the chaos of

whirling humans in heavy, dark clothes and carrying suitcases

or bundles.

Orders are shouted and repeated, first in German, followed by

other languages.

In the background, civilians get off from wagons of a

merchandise train. Smoke rises from afar. Heaps of personal +

belongings pile up next to the train. OLD and CROOKED PEOPLE +

are put onto one TRUCK. The truck departs and draws nearer. +

Another truck is loaded with personal belongings. +

The rhythm of the advancing accelerates, Sonderkommando

prisoners reacting to German orders by pushing the people

further.

Suddenly, Saul and his comrades from the Sonderkommando +

suddenly stop. They take off their flat hats and lower their +

heads. Two SS OFFICERS pass them by. +

Saul goes on. +

Saul walks faster, advancing in the large crowd.

Near the crowd, OLD PEOPLE disembark from a military truck. +

He passes a group of people undressing.

Saul walks down a few steps that lead to a large underground

hall.

IN THE UNDERGROUND HALL (UNDRESSING HALL)

A feeble artificial light replaces the sunlight that fades

away. People from behind enter the hall.

In a distance, the voice of an SS MAN catches the attention

of the people around Saul - a long, quietly uttered monologue

in German. Saul remains on the side of the underground, he

watches the people. His face barely reflects any expression

but tiredness.

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