Walking with the Enemy

1

The war, it reveals

one's true character.

And when my homeland

became a battleground...

Nothing could prepare me

for what was to come.

Hitler's war seemed far from us.

We went out, we danced.

We had other things on our minds.

Ferenc.

What about them?

- Lajos?

- Yeah.

One minute.

Wish me luck.

Excuse me.

Would you like to dance?

Yes, all right.

Thank you.

What do you do when you're not dancing?

- I work in the record shop.

- Hmm.

And you?

I work in a dress shop.

My father's.

- Is this one of his?

- Of course.

A beautiful dress

for a beautiful girl.

Oh, no, you're a charmer.

Every girl knows to stay away

from a charmer.

Well, I can stop being

charming if you like.

Good boy. Come.

Andras.

I don't know what's become of

this place, letting Jews in here.

Excuse me.

Is everybody new in here?

What do you think you're doing, huh?

He takes up too much

space at university.

And he takes up too much space in here.

He has just as much a right

to be here as anybody else.

Huh... You're a Jew...

Stop it!

Get off me!

Laszlo.

How can you even let him in here, huh?

Get them out of my club!

Why just us, huh?

What did we do, huh?

Why not them, too?

Now!

I can't believe they kicked us out.

I know, but that's not the worst part.

What could be worse?

I didn't get that girl's name.

Elek.

- Elek.

- Shut up, Ferenc.

- We're late.

- I know.

Not again.

We promised Jozsef

we wouldn't be late again.

Relax. What's he going to do, fire us?

Huh? Huh?

Ah.

You thought perhaps today

was the Sabbath.

Sorry we're late.

I pay for your time, not your excuses.

So, Elek, you know

whose radio this is I am fixing?

That is Frau Lustig's.

And I was supposed to

finish it yesterday, Jozsef.

That's right, but now I am

fixing it this morning.

So if she pays me less because

it is not ready on time,

are you going to be making

up the difference to me?

Ah, Frau Lustig!

Ah, Frau Lustig!

Practicing your German, Elek?

Jozsef.

I know my radio is not

expected till tomorrow.

It seems that your radio is

ready a day early, Frau Lustig.

You see? Here.

This...

...over the border,

into Hungary early this morning.

The people of Hungary wait for word...

- Jozsef, do you want...

- Shh!

...from their leader, Regent Horthy,

who has remained silent

since the Nazis

started to enter the city.

The Fuehrer's stated intention

is to stifle the Russian advance...

Overnight, Germany put us

in the crosshairs of the Allies.

Hitler claimed it was

to bolster Hungarian defenses.

I had a feeling there was

another agenda.

Back inside, both of you.

The Russians...

You must go home.

Wouldn't we be safer here

than at the apartment?

Not the apartment.

Home, to your village.

To your families.

You are not safe here.

Take the first train

before they shut them down.

Pay whatever you must but get on board.

Go.

No Germans.

Not yet.

What?

The Labor Service.

It says if we don't go,

we'll be arrested for treason.

And leaving tomorrow.

Mr. Farkas!

- Is it possible to get a lift?

- Of course.

Good to see you.

And you. Thank you.

- Thank you, Mr. Farkas.

- My pleasure.

Elek.

- Hello, Papa.

- Oh.

Come. Your mother will be

pleased to see you.

I'm concerned about this

call up for the Labor Service.

Your cousin did quite well

in the Labor Service.

That was years ago, Papa.

And all before the Nazis

had come to Hungary.

It is your duty to serve,

for every Hungarian man to serve.

Yes, in the army.

You know, only the Jews they

send to the Labor Service.

You'd rather be on the front

fighting the Russians?

- Perhaps you're right to be scared.

- I'm not scared, Papa.

I just don't trust the Nazis.

And I am worried about the family.

There is no choice in this.

If you do not report,

the penalty is execution.

Rabbi Cohen.

Good to see you, Elek.

I need to speak with you.

I just wanted to know

what you plan to do,

if there is any way in which I can help.

What do you mean, Janos?

Do what?

We must leave.

The Germans could be here soon.

Crimes against Jews have been committed

all over Europe. You must flee.

"Flee?"

You expect me to abandon

my congregation?

I have always been there for them.

And that will never change.

Let's not keep your mother waiting.

One moment, Papa. Please.

Mr. Balacz.

I agree with you, but...

He won't listen.

What should we do?

Come and see me later tonight.

I know someone who can help.

A little more salt, Zsofia.

Avi, stop playing with the food.

It's a castle.

- Avi.

- Now, now.

I have a surprise for all the family.

Oh! Thank God.

Elek!

- It's good to be home, Mama.

- Elek! Elek!

Hey, hey.

Welcome home, we've missed you.

I've missed all of you, too.

Wash up now.

Supper is almost ready.

Hey, Avi.

After dinner, you can show me

that swing of yours.

What was it like when the Germans came?

Sofi, not at the table.

We're having supper now.

- Were you scared?

- Enough.

We are different to them.

We have a different faith,

different custom.

They do not understand us.

And people fear

what they do not understand.

They may cause us trouble, but

they will never separate us.

Come in.

Sofi, I've come to say good night.

Hey.

Tell me the truth, Elek.

What was it like in the city today?

It was bad enough to make me

want to come home.

What do you think will happen?

I really don't know.

And you will go off

to the Labor Service?

When this is all over,

and you go back to university,

can I still come and visit?

Yes. Of course you can.

And you'll introduce me to your friends.

No. No, no, no.

You're too young.

Now go to sleep.

- Good night.

- Good night.

Following Mr. Balacz, I knew I was

going against my father's wishes.

But he refused to listen.

Good evening, Father.

Good to see you, Mr. Balacz.

- Hello, Elek.

- Father.

Please, come in.

I have them ready. This way.

Thank you, Father Dominic.

How many people have you helped?

The less we talk the better, Elek.

We do not want to be compromised.

The safety of others depends on us.

I understand, Father.

God bless you, Elek.

Take care, Mr. Balacz.

I will, Father. Come.

Fazekas Attila.

Next.

One by one, every young man

prepared to depart

- for the labor camp.

- Istvan Gyula.

- And we had no idea what to expect.

- Labor Service. Here.

A quick goodbye was all

some families got.

I am worried what will

happen here, Papa.

You know, I should

be here with the family.

You will be soon.

And nothing will have changed.

And how do you know that, huh?

I don't.

It's what I believe.

Goodbye, Papa.

I love you, son.

We're all very proud of you.

I love you, too, Mama.

Hmm?

Look after Papa.

I'll miss you.

I'll miss you, Elek.

Okay. Go, go, go.

You see me off, Sofi.

Take this with you.

You can give it back to me

when you take me to Budapest.

I need you to keep these for me.

Just keep them to yourself

for now, okay?

What are they?

They're baptismal certificates.

If anything bad happens,

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