Teza Page #5

We scattered intellectuals

ended up confusing the junta.

I'm not sure I understand.

Whenever the junta moved to the left,

we retreated even further left.

So in the end,

we all got consumed by the flames.

Let us drink and be merry!

Let's welcome Anberber properly.

Welcome, Anberber!

What about me?

I came with him, didn't I?

Excuse me, Comrade Abdul Ahmed:

For collaborating

with this fascist regime

you've been sentenced to death!

- What?

Furthermore, the prophecy has it

that they will destroy heritages

and murder each other.

Their corpses will be strewn everywhere,

carrion for the vultures to feast on.

The bodies lying everywhere

are proof of the prophecy.

We're at the height

of the whirlwind now.

I decided to stay out of politics

and immerse myself

totally in my work.

But even that

was becoming a crime.

Good morning, Doctor!

Your schooling never seems to end.

Don't you remember me?

Why do you forget me every time?

Don't mind him.

Is that your daughter?

She sure is. She's my life.

I named her Revolution.

Anberber!

Sorry I kept you waiting.

I was in a meeting

with a bunch of illiterates.

Doctor, don't look down on me.

Long live the Revolution!

We too are human now.

It isn't just you,

all of the intellectuals

look down on our work. We're used to it.

Don't poison your innocent daughter's

mind with your venomous talk.

Look who's talking!

Have your own child! We won't

be the butt of a bachelor's wisecracks!

You'd better sign this paper.

The cause of death is clear.

It was an accident, now sign it!

I'm not a doctor.

Wasn't a doctorate a requirement?

I'm not a health specialist,

as you think.

As soon as the Revolution needs you,

you disavow all that you've learned.

Brother!

- Say 'Comrade'!

Don't insult me!

- Who do you think you are?

Wrapped up in imperialist culture

with a beard to show your overeducation,

thinking you're better than us,

demeaning the Revolution...

Sign it or you'll get into trouble!

- I won't!

You won't sign? - I won't sign,

and you can do whatever you want!

Forward! Forward! Forward!

The masses of Ethiopia will prevail!

Viva Mengistu!

Viva Mengistu! Viva Mengistu!

Where have you all been?

At a meeting.

- Shouldn't work come first?

What about the urine and stool tests?

They're ruined!

- We were summoned.

Who gave you permission?

- The Revolution!

The Revolution? To hell with it!

To hell with it?

You can go to hell too, you illiterate!

I'll blow your head off!

I'll shoot you!

Shall I let you have it?

I'll get you!

I wouldn't have spared you!

Don't worry, you'll be fine.

The officials know the matter well.

Don't argue with them. Take their

criticism and we'll get back to work.

Why should a mother die?

Let her live eternally.

She's the one who nurtures her children,

bogged down by poverty,

her own stomach empty.

Day in and day out,

she feeds her child,

while denying herself nurture.

When I was a child, I knew no better.

While she was suffering

I was playing childish games.

I was summoned before

the self-criticism tribunal.

But,

against Tesfaye's advice, I decided

to visit my mother, whom I

had neglected since my arrival.

Where are you headed, Doctor?

To visit my family.

Could you step out?

We just want to talk to you.

Say 'Comrade'.

We can do without your feudal talk.

What you fail to realize...

- Comrade Doctor!

I'm giving you one last chance

and you'd better consider it.

You dared to say,

'To hell with the Revolution'.

You're an enemy of the Revolution,

the Revolution for which

many comrades have given their lives.

I'm warning you,

we'll use extreme measures against you.

Your life is at stake here.

It's the poor people's urine

and stool samples... - Comrade Doctor!

We're not here to argue over

who's more concerned

for the people.

The issue is whether you will retract

your statement or not. That's it.

I will not.

You will not?

Your Excellency, Comrade Minister,

in the name of my colleagues,

I'd like your permission to have

a few words with Comrade Dr Anberber.

Dr. Anberber...

...demonstrated his

anti-revolutionary stand not in private,

but in public.

We grant your request,

but just for a short while.

And please keep in mind

that there's a limit to everything.

Therefore,

we mustn't transgress that limit

and make a laughing stock of ourselves.

It's a matter of principle!

- Are you mad?

What principles?

You'll get us all killed!

Where do you think you are?

You're in grave danger. I don't think

you understand how serious this is.

Let them kill me!

I've never acted

against my principles in all my life!

What's the difference between you

and them then? You're selfish!

By God, you know the truth anyway.

What's so bad about retracting?

We've wasted six hours talking

about whether you'll retract.

Aren't you also letting

the samples go to waste?

Listen to me, brother Anberber.

We've all been through tough times.

Retracting a statement is no big deal.

We were here long before you came,

we're used to it by now.

Isn't death better than this?

- Don't you believe it.

You'll understand in due course.

The way you're going,

you're as good as dead.

Listen, I don't think

you understand how grave this is.

The German Stasi has told them

about your opposition activities.

They'll execute you. Isn't

the people's health more important?

Self-criticism won't kill you.

Please cooperate

so we can get back to work.

UNITY IS STRENGTH!

FORWARD WITH CHAIRMAN MENGISTU!

So, Doctor.

Have you come to your senses?

I have something to say first.

- Save your sermon for another time.

Are you going to retract?

- He'll retract!

He's agreed!

Let him speak for himself.

I'll retract.

We will fight

to strengthen the Workers' Party!

These two brothers,

how fortunately named they are.

One's Tesfaye, the ether's Anberber.

One is named 'Hope'

and the other 'Warrior'.

White Horse!

Drink up!

Let's drink!

You're making this place

feel like a wake!

Drink up! Let's all drink!

Ethiopia first! Ethiopia first!

Ethiopia first!

What's wrong with you?

- Leave them alone.

Come on.

I know my love for you,

but where is your love for me?

'You look elsewhere as if you'd had

nothing of your own', Balambaras said.

All those gallant patriots

who defeated the Italian fascists

and liberated Ethiopia

were taken out and executed.

Can we keep silent?

Where is the hero?

Where are the real men? Where?

Who is there

to avenge their spilled blood?

Where is the hero?

Listen to me, my heart,

or you'll end up broken.

Get used to what you've got, there's

no use in longing for what's gone.

Congratulations,

here's your permit for leave.

So soon?

That's great, Tes.

Three full months?

You should visit the whole country,

not just your mother.

I've missed her so!

My area is known for its honey.

Let me bring you some.

No,

what you really want is honey wine, huh?

Me, I'll be leaving the country

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