Korczak

The one who says he sacrifices himself

for someone or something - lies.

One likes to play cards,

another one likes women,

someone doesn't miss any horse races,

but I - love children.

I don't sacrifice myself at all,

I don't do it for them but for myself.

It is me who needs it.

Please, don't believe

in this sacrifice thing.

It's false and deceitful.

Good morning.

Good morning, doctor!

I have an appointment with the director.

But Dr. Goldschmidt

will be here any moment.

- But I am Dr. Goldschmidt.

- So it's you, sir?

We are very glad that you

decided to work with us, doctor.

Please sit down.

I will take the opportunity you gave me.

I have an idea.

You know 'The Small Review', don't you sir?

As you know, it's an extraordinary success.

The whole newspaper is in children's hands.

They write and edit themselves,

even take care of the technical side.

A whole generation of Jewish children learned to

read and write in Polish thanks to this newspaper.

And I think we could do

something similar in the radio.

I asked you to come here

sir, to suggest you to...

Temporarily suspend your broadcasts.

- Why?

- You see, sir...

Political situation in our country is...

- Yes, but...

- Complicated...

- I don't deal with politics, but upbringing.

- Yes, however, you are a controversial person.

There is pressure...

I made a mistake when

I agreed to work in here

not under my real name,

not even under my pseudonym 'Korczak',

but as an anonymous 'Old Doctor'.

I thought it would please everybody.

I'm not there, there is no Jew,

but just an old doctor, right?

- Not to wake up the beast!

- Doctor, I'd like you to understand it well.

It's not my idea, not even

idea of my supervisors.

- There's pressure from the powers...

- What powers?

Tell me, what powers?!

I see that my suggestion

is absolutely pointless.

Just for the time being.

Doctor...

We have a favour to ask of you.

Next week you are having your broadcast.

If you were so kind to say

that it's your last one,

that you say goodbye to the listeners,

because you leave or something like that...

Otherwise, we will get lots

of letters from the hearers.

Your broadcast was so popular

that we are afraid of protests.

- You are afraid of both authorities and the people.

- One more thing...

I would like to invite you to a

small party after the broadcast.

We want to say thank

you, drink some wine.

I've been fighting for

children's dignity for years.

And someone asked me once:

who respects a man today anyway?

What? What happened?

Come on.

Come on, Sabinka, what is it?

It's nothing serious, huh?

- I brought a letter from miss Maryna for the doctor.

- I will give it to him.

The doctor is busy, the former

pupils came and he's talking to them.

You promised to meet me by the church.

- I couldn't go and that's it.

- But you promised!

I was waiting there for

two hours like a fool.

I was afraid they would baptize me!

Doctor, we left the Orphanage convinced

that the world is full of goodness and hope.

You threw us out when we were

Doctor, this upbringing in spirit

of humanism and great ideas...

Weighing, measuring, newspapers, courts,

the illusion of democracy you taught us.

We are absolutely defenceless, doctor!

We think you should definitely

take the proletariat's side.

That's right! Instead of persuading

us that Poles are our brothers.

Doctor, they beat up our

students and vandalize our shops.

Jozek, don't swim so far!

I told you so many times!

Doctor, please tell them!

Don't worry, madam. What if they drown?

Isn't it the best way

out for a Jewish orphan?

Look, I'll show you something.

I wasn't hired here to wash Jewish sh*t!

Watch your language, please.

You are right, washing so dirty

underwear is parents' duty, not yours.

And since I substitute their parents

I have to take care of this.

Doctor, let me wash it, please.

No, I'm a doctor and such

things don't disgust me.

Doctor, it's Mrs. Stefa.

Miss Stefa is back!

Now please call me Mrs. Stefa.

A woman having so many

children can't be a miss.

It's from Aron.

Mrs. Stefa!

- Hello, Mrs. Stefa!

- When did you come?

What a surprise...

Eliasz, Ida, Bronek! How come you're here?

We're having a bike trip.

Your dress is too long, you

should have it shortened.

- Mrs. Stefa, did our people grow it?

- Yes, in Aron's kibbutz.

Look.

What happened?

I couldn't stay there.

I dreamt of our children every night.

Everyone in there say

that the war in Europe is inevitable...

and we should expect the worst.

The war is inevitable.

Is it the worst? I've seen three wars.

The worst thing I've seen was a

drunkard beating up a defenceless child.

See?

They don't work there like Jewish pedlars,

but like free people!

The world needs neither oranges nor work,

it needs new faith!

Don't cry. No, don't be scared.

It's scary, but also beautiful, isn't it?

What? Wait a minute.

Don't be afraid. Wait a minute. Wait!

Hush! Hush!

Hush...

Doctor, you're a wizard!

Hello.

Gentlemen, today we will be having

the lecture in Roentgen's room.

Let's go to the Roentgen's room, gentlemen.

When you are tired, in a bad mood,

when your children are unbearable

and they make your blood boil...

When you are angry and you scream,

when you beat them up

because of your anger...

Look now closely and remember what you see,

that's how looks and

reacts a heart of a child.

Warsaw, September 1939

[the beginning of the Second World War]

Help be carry him, sir.

Excuse me... Are you Janusz Korczak?

I saw you in the cinema...

- Give me that bag, please.

- I'm so happy, I read all your books.

I wanted to write to you a long time ago

that what you write is wonderful! I...

Young man, I don't mean to offend you,

but you had to give me that bag.

I haven't even dreamt... Sir...

I... wrote a poem about what we live through.

- Where is my rifle?

- Get his rifle, sir.

Sir, but...

Why England and France

aren't doing anything?

It's just a tactical tactical manoeuvre, isn't it?

They won't leave us alone, will they?

Sir, I wrote a poem...

About what we are living through here.

Bring it to me to the

Orphanage on Krochmalna street.

There's no need...

It isn't the end, it's just the beginning.

Doctor, please hide somewhere,

it's better to be unobtrusive.

- What are you afraid of?

- Take off the uniform please, it's very dangerous.

- There's no need.

- Please.

You've never supported the army

or acknowledged these primitive symbols.

- But the situation is different.

- It is, indeed.

Have you seen anyone in the town

wearing an officer's uniform?

What did I teach you?

Since no-one today wears an uniform I can't take it off!

Everyone betrayed us.

It's an uniform of a betrayed soldier.

According of the order about restrictions

of stay in The General Government

from 13th of September 1940,

a Jewish District is created in Warsaw,

to which Jews living in Warsaw

or those migrating to Warsaw have to move in.

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