Elisabeth Bergner in "ARIANE"
ARIANE Kousnetsova
What is your subject?
Napoleon on St. Helena.
Let's hear it.
When Napoleon on 16th October 1815
was abducted on the Bellerophon by the British to St. Helena,
the whole world breathed with relief.
The emperors and kings which he had deposed or enthroned like chess figures
watched pitilessly and with timorous gratification...
the downfall of this titan.
St. Helena's climate was to kill him within a few years.
Napoleon knew this.
More than once he had the opportunity to escape.
He stayed.
He ferociously accepted his destiny.
And thus he elevated his loneliness, his suffering, his dying...
to his final, his highest accomplishment.
Congratulations, ARIANE.
- You've passed your exam brilliantly. - Thank you.
Well?
And now you really want to leave us?
Continue your studies in Berlin?
Please don't advise me against it!
I'm longing so...
to be free and independent at last, I must go out into the world.
Farewell, Professor.
I thank you.
And I'll be back in the holidays.
Farewell.
Farewell, ARIANE.
A good day.
My dear Miss ARIANE.
I congratulate you with all my heart to your diploma.
- Thank you. - I heard it was a triumph.
How come you know it already?
We've made some inquiries.
Aunt.
I too have already heard how well you did, my child.
It wasn't such a big deal.
ARIANE, my little dove.
Were you nervous? [in Russian]
Da. [yes]
My tummy even hurt. [Russian]
Uncle asked if she was afraid and she said, she got tummy pain at the last moment.
There's a letter from your father waiting for you upstairs.
My dear daughter! Answering your letter of 12th I'm informing you of my plans.
I don't like it that you want to study at the university. We already have enough crazy females on our hands...
I don't think it wise...
to let ARIANE go on her own to Berlin.
You seem to care a lot about Ariane's staying in Zürich.
But my dear!
You misunderstand me!
ARIANE is close to me, because she is close to you.
After all, she's been educated in your house...
- she could almost be your own daughter. - Yes yes...
that's why I know it's quite useless to try to make ARIANE change her mind.
ARIANE has a hard little head.
I am powerless.
ARIANE is a grown-up person...
and, let's not forget...
she's a Russian.
I hope and wish that you'll get married soon. Our friend Peter Borrisovich wants to marry you.
Another cup, Doctor.
My patients ...
Will you come and see me tonight?
I have taken the liberty to come into your room...
Let go of my foot at once!
Leave the room this instance!
Think of me what you will, but I cannot live without you!
Let go of me!
I wouldn't have thought that you visited this house only because of me.
Adieu!
What a pig!
Olga!
Hallo!
Coming
Nice news....
Read this.
...wishes to marry you. He has a position in business and is capable
to offer you a comfortable life. You mustn't disregard the advantages.
A nice letter, isn't it?
What will you do?
Go to Berlin, study at the university.
[# Don Giovanni - overture]
Thank you.
Please excuse the interruption...
but I only arrived in Berlin today...
and when I heard about the Don Giovanni performance I rushed here.
But it was sold out.
I can get a seat always and anywhere.
And old lady in the foyer offered me this seat.
You see, it's easy.
Do you always succeed so easily?
I always get what I want.
# Who can tell me where I shall find the cruel man
# whom I loved despite my shame and who was untrue to me...
Won't you come to the buffet?
No thank you, I already had supper.
I'm starved.
Do me the favour and join me.
It's so nice to chat with you.
... ??? ...
and this poor Don Juan is more a martyr than a hero of love.
- Don't you think so? - Well,
The poor man has no luck.
He searches for pleasure...
and finds love.
What was that?
He searches for pleasure and finds love.
I see.
That's nice ...
# Darling, come to the window, listen to my wooing.
# Hurry and soothe my pain.
# If you cruelly scorn my love
# a quick death shall end my life.
# Your mouth, sweeter than honey, smiles at me.
Your brother?
# Sweetly your eyes shine at me, like the spring sun.
Your cousin?
# Oh, don't let me linger in a lover's pain.
# Grant me a look of your eyes, my darling.
You're terrible!
Won't you have supper with me?
- No thank you, I have already had supper. - I see.
Then allow me to take you home.
No, I want to walk.
Excellent.
What are you doing in Berlin?
- I'm studying mathematics. - What? Mathematics?
Yes, why not mathematics?
A young lady and mathematics?
But it's very interesting.
I'm impressed.
I have a suggestion.
Let's go the "Figaro" performance the day after tomorrow.
I can easily promise you that.
You won't get tickets anyway.
But I already told you,
I always get what I want.
I see.
Well, this is where I live.
My name is ARIANE...
Kousnetsova.
I beg your pardon?
Michael...
ARIANE Kousnetsova.
- Russian? - Russian.
Good night.
Konstantin Michael.
Good night.
- A pneumatic delivery. - Thank you.
[row 2 seat 53] ... and since we're already old acquaintances,
you won't refuse to have supper with me afterwards. Konstantin Michael
... which reminds me, how old are you anyway?
What made you ask me that?
When I look at you I think you're totally inexperienced.
But when I listen to you...
I think you're a woman who has tried out everything.
I don't understand it.
Is it so important ...
to understand a woman?
After all, one wants to know who you're dealing with.
When I saw you first...
I thought...
you were...
still a young girl.
How do you mean?
I mean...
I mean, a young girl...
And I'd rather avoid a young girl.
I understand.
I'm sure you understand what I mean.
You...
you're a great connoisseur of women.
# ??? [Russian song]
Shall we dance?
Why not.
# to part from each other forever
# and now I have no peace, alone.
# I feel so miserable without you
# Where are you? Why have you vanished,
# the passions of my youth?
# ???
# ??? of the past days.
# Where are you? The dreams are broken.
# They will never return.
# The happiness left behind long ago.
# It vanished forever.
Do you know the "Travel Impressions" by Heinrich Heine?
I'm afraid I don't.
Heine once arrived in a pretty little town,
he saw a girl at a window watering her flowers, and he said:
Yesterday I wasn't here yet,
tomorrow I shan't be here anymore...
but today I am yours.
And the pretty girls gives him a flower.
ARIANE Kousnetsova...
I'm a fanatical supporter of frankness.
I won't be here for long.
But I want to spend this short time with you.
One day I'll leave and I won't return.
We won't form any ties.
We won't ask what has been or what will be.
What could happen to us?
Nothing at all.
But wait.
I'm forgetting a great danger.
Love.
Perhaps I'll fall in love with you.
Perhaps you'll fall in love with me.
But from that danger...
why shy away from it?
hmm?
I'll dare it.
What about you?
hmm?
It's late.
And your lecture has been long.
I want to go home.
Good night.
Till tomorrow then?
I'll meet you at 5.30 in front of your house.
You'll do me the great pleasure to have tea with me.
I swear I won't.
Good night.
Dear Mr. Konstantin Michael, you said today that you'd rather avoid a young girl
Dear Mr. Konstantin Michael, you're fanatical supporter of frankness, therefore I must tell you that I'm ...
you're fanatical supporter of frankness, therefore I must tell you that I'm ...
... that I've never had tea with a man before.
- Won't you take off your coat? - No!
No thank you, I prefer to keep on my coat.
Milk, lemon, rum?
- Nothing. - What, with nothing?
Another cup?
Yes please.
Pardon.
Violets.
Thank you.
No, I want to keep on my coat.
- You'll catch a cold. - I won't!
No, I don't want to.
I don't want to!
ouch!
???
- I beg your pardon. - Please!
I don't understand you!
There are moments when it's alright to defend oneself.
But one must also know ...
to surrender.
But I'm not defending myself.
Don't run about!
Sit down, or I'll close the door.
I obey.
I've never seen anything like this in my life.
Say...
Do you have any methylated alcohol?
Methylated alcohol?
Why do you need methylated alcohol?
I have to Marcel my hair.
Now?
But you're going home now.
But I can't leave without properly marcelled hair.
That's great!
Then you'll stay here.
No thank you.
I don't care for intimacy.
Is that so?
Do you have any curling irons at all?
- Of course I have. - That's great.
Don't ask so many questions.
Get me some methylated alcohol.
But I don't have any methylated alcohol!
Perhaps we could use some old Schnapps.
I have a bottle of Jamaica.
Do you think the Schnapps will burn?
We could try.
It'll burn in your throat.
No, don't come in!
But I only want to give you the Schnapps.
Thank you.
Please leave the door open.
At least, I want to chat with you.
Now I'm sitting again.
Hallo?
Do you have any matches?
On the bedside table.
But be careful, otherwise there'll be an explosion.
You're staying for a fortnight, aren't you?
Yes, little girl.
And then?
Paris, London, New York...
I don't know yet.
Do you always live like that?
I do, at the present.
And I like it.
What's this?
Did you burn something?
No no, everything's alright, a small accident.
But it's alright now.
What happened? Did you get burned?
Not at all. I was a bit clumsy, that's all.
I'm sorry to have frightened you.
One moment, I'll be back soon.
- I only want to check... - I won't allow...
Good heavens!
You've burnt half of the bed.
How did this happen?
I was clumsy.
Why didn't you call me?
But how did it happen?
I've poured too much...
Schnapps into the machine.
And I'm not used to such fine methylated alcohol.
And when it burned so brightly
I just dropped onto the bed all drunk and I ...
Your presence of mind is a mystery to me.
When will I see you tomorrow?
Let me check.
You'll have to phone.
Listen to me, little girl!
I don't like it that you still call me "Sie".
It's unnatural.
But I never say "Du" to a slight acquaintance.
What fools the men must have been you knew before me.
# Tell me, you women, you who know about it: [Figaro]
# Tell me, is it love which is burning here so brightly?
Bravo.
Wonderful.
"Friendly Vision" by Richard Strauss [op. 48,1]
# 457 in France ... but
In love? No!
I like her.
She's talented, sophisticated, amusing...
But?
Well...
How shall I say ...
First of all, I don't think that a modern young girl suits me at all...
and then in this special case...
ever since the first day ...
we've been fighting a sort of duel with hidden weapons.
This becomes tiring after a while.
Don Juan in distress!
So what!
Everything's proceeding as planned.
I'm closing my business deals during the week.
Under no circumstances will I extend my stay here.
Poor little girl.
It won't hurt her much.
I'm not so sure about that.
You're far to occupied with yourself...
to know what others feel.
You may congratulate me. I've passed my final exam today!
- Today? - Yes? - With which bigwig prof.?
- With Diehl. - That's great!
And only now you're telling me this!
- Professional secret. - We must celebrate this!
- Yes, I want to have a drink. - You want to go out?
I want to stay in.
Alright, we'll stay in.
Get me the waiter.
I'd like to order supper. Yes.
Yes, for two.
What was that?
Hazel grouse?
- Very good. - Champagne.
- 20 minutes? - Champagne.
And a bottle of Irroy.
What's this nice smell of yours?
I smell nice? Why?
I've been to a reception.
I see.
Lützow 3381.
That's right.
You've guessed it.
Beautiful.
I'm looking forward to the champagne, Grand-Duke.
You must look after me very well,
I've had very bad experiences before,
because people didn't look after me after I had champagne.
You don't say!
# A waiter came flying long
# 640 in Welsch-Germany
# 211 in Germany
# 101 in chic France
# but in Spain:
# but in Spain: 1003 already
# 1003 already
Thank you!
So, let me hear the story.
What story?
- When people didn't look after you. - When was that?
When you had champagne.
Don't make such a fuss about it.
I don't know if I should tell you.
Shoot.
Don't make me beg you.
No, I'd rather not. Men get so funny and furious so very easily.
You should have thought of that earlier.
One doesn't start such matters...
Come on, come on!
Alright.
I happened in Zürich a year ago.
I had just passed my final exam at the gymnasium and...
and in the evening we had a small party among the students.
We had great fun and drank a lot.
Lots of champagne.
Go on, go on!
At midnight appeared suddenly ...
our music professor.
- The beautiful Dr. Adamheit. - Indeed.
And he was so terribly in love with me.
I've heard this before.
Well...
He sat down next to me...
and we danced.
A lot.
and he said:
Miss Kousnetsova...
My carriage is waiting in front of the house...
with two beautiful horses.
Would you like a drive in the moonlight?
and I... what's the matter? You look annoyed.
But I'm not annoyed.
I'm listening with pleasure.
Go on, go on...
No, I won't!
I won't go on, we'll only quarrel.
But you're dying to unleash the story on me. - I? No.
- Yes, you! - No. Not I.
- Come here. - Where?
Finish the story on my lap. Come here.
I won't.
I will.
Then I won't have to look at you.
Well...
We raced along the country lane.
The air was heavy with the acacias' perfume.
Hans put his arm around me.
We didn't speak a word.
Suddenly he said to the coachman:
"Drive back home." - ouch!
You're squeezing me.
Go on, go on!
First I must drink something.
Well, then drink.
Thank you.
No thank you.
No thank you?
Well...
There was a small isolated house.
We went inside...
He...
didn't switch on the light.
Only the moon shone into the room
and it was terribly hot...
But I can't breathe!
I beg your pardon.
- And then? - And then?
What happened then?
Then then then... I
I can't remember.
What happened then?
No, no...
Then...
then...
spare me, the follow-up is too trivial.
What happened then?
Then...
Then happened what had to happen.
Yes.
And I understood that he was like all the others,
excepting you of course.
Stop it!
You're not even hurt.
How brutal you are!
You've thrown me on the floor.
I could have broken my neck.
Thank God I'm elastic.
Shut up and get up!
Good God! You're bleeding!
Where?
Of course I'm bleeding!
Did you have a glass in your hand?
Yes!
- Thank you! - Put some alcohol on it.
Put some iodine on it.
Yes.
Have the grouse arrived?
I don't know what kind of game you're playing, you mathematician.
But I'm warning you.
Your calculation will fail at a certain point...
[I'm the stronger] of us two.
Shrugging your shoulders won't help.
Now listen.
Your semester is over now.
My business deals are closed.
I have some spare time left.
Let's leave on a voyage.
Really!
Agreed?
I don't know. I couldn't...
Agreed.
Well... travelling is a weakness of mine, I couldn't possibly resist the temptation.
I'll marry an engine driver one day , it wouldn't be the first time either.
And another boyfriend of mine...
Hallo.
Herr Michael has left.
Left?
To New York?
No, to Italy.
You don't say.
Thank you.
[??? gnochi ]
Signore
Pronto.
Subito, signorina.
Grand-Duke, you're taking ten times longer than a woman.
But men have a hard time.
- Bon appetito. - Grazie.
- Are you hungry? - Very much so.
Thank you, thank you.
You'll get another dish later.
But you're a perfect housewife, ARIANE.
Grazie, grazie.
Tante grazie.
Oh, gentilissima.
I wish I had known you as a child.
Why?
I would have abducted you...
and have educated you according to my principles.
I see.
Who brought you up anyway?
I haven't been brought up at all.
We used to live in Rome when I was a child.
My mother was beautiful, elegant, much admired.
I was always alone with my governess, Mlle Victoire.
And the poor woman, good God!
When we had visitors, they dressed me up in a beautiful white dress...
and I had to recite fairy tales for the guests.
Nothing was as disgusting as being kissed by those powdered ladies.
And when they wanted to hug me, I shouted:
"Be quick about it, not on the mouth and don't make me wet!"
Avanti.
Por il signore.
Grazie.
Una telegrama por il signore.
Exalted Grand-Duke...
might your unworthy slave know what has happened?
Did you say something, my child?
No.
It's getting serious now, my child.
The big moment has come.
Tomorrow I have to leave.
Maria!
Porta questa telegrama alla posta!
Domani partiamo.
??? signore
Domani partiamo!
Tonight we'll have a farewell celebration.
Sure, let's celebrate.
One was prepared for this anyway.
So now it's farewell and thank you...
and another experience gained.
And it hasn't been bad at all.
You're taking our separation so lightly?
A light beginning - a light ending.
I'm your good pupil, sir.
Boat race Lake Zurich
Attention, in one minute the boat race will start.
ARIANE, won't you join us?
I don't care to, Aunt.
But everybody's waiting for you, why don't you come?
I haven't seen Olga for such a long time.
Say, what's the matter with you?
I hope you're not unhappily in love?
Aunt, I'm not. Why should I?
I think one catches that illness at your age, not at mine.
Did you separate quarrelling?
On the contrary.
We drove to Rome together, he even took me to my train.
And since then not a word from him?
No.
How long?
84 days.
You...
I'd like to ask you something.
But you mustn't get angry.
Why didn't you tell him?
What?
Well, that you...
the truth.
You must be joking.
How could one tell such a thing!
"I'd rather avoid a young girl"
he said on the second day of our acquaintance.
He did.
You don't understand.
He was only looking for an adventure...
some accommodating young girl ...
one visits and leaves without any questions asked.
And I've played that young girl for him.
Well,
I'll survive it.
Only once, only once more I want to see him again.
He shall pay for my humiliation!
I'll know how to take my revenge, you can count on it.
Let's go home, shall we?
Katja,
any letters today? - Yes, Miss.
A telegram, it's in the dining room.
What insolence!
The insolence!
"Arriving next week in Berlin"
"See you there. Konstantin Michael"
"Plaza Hotel"
Here you are.
Not even a word of greeting.
Just a plain "see you there".
Just an order, a whistle.
The conceited lout!
Who does he think I am, I'd like to know.
Does he imagine I'm waiting for him, or what?
He'll be surprised!
I won't even answer that insolent telegram.
You don't know what you're saying!
But he wants to see you again!
oh ... rubbish!
Come on, let's go.
Post Office
Konstantin Michael
Hurrah!
10 franks.
Yes?
Yes.
One moment.
Miss Kousnetsova.
Miss Kousnetsova, telephone.
Hallo, Kousnetsova.
Grand- ...
Grand-Duke!
Since when?
Yes?
Yes, now? Straight away?
No, I couldn't.
I'm with some friends.
No, many friends.
Friends, yes.
From the university.
yes...
I don't know, not at the moment...
I'll try to, but I don't think...
hallo
Gentlemen, excuse me.
I have to leave.
But don't let this disturb you.
No, I'm very sorry.
You can all stay here... I don't think so ...
Yes, it cost me some energy, you little devil,
to endure the separation for so long.
What's this new hairstyle, little girl?
You don't like it?
I don't.
I believe you've grown even taller.
It's enough if I'm your equal.
You always were.
Well, are you glad?
Yes.
Wasn't it a great idea to plan my itinerary via Berlin?
Itinerary?
Where are you going?
To Cairo, little girl.
We're planning to found some business down there.
And for how long will you stay here?
Unfortunately only a few days.
And when will you be back?
Well, little girl...
that's uncertain.
From Cairo to New York, San Francisco, Chicago...
But let's be happy these few days...
and let's not worry about the future.
Like we did the first time.
Agreed?
Yes.
Ah yes.
I see.
Yes.
It was terribly sweet of you
that you've planned your itinerary via Berlin.
Yes...
But, you know...
I think...
I ... eh... I'd rather not...
rather not ... start all this...
all over from the beginning.
Is that so?
Why not?
You'll leave again for New York...
without me...
like the last time, and...
and I'll go on living my life here, in my own way,
without you,
and it's a good thing too.
And I'm very content.
Why why...
stir all that up again?
I'm so relieved ...
that I've escaped from the dangers of love, as you used to call them,
escaped them so luckily.
Otherwise, how would I stand before you now,
if I had fallen in love with you at the time, despite all precautions?
I thank God that I've never had to face those terrible dangers.
And I thank you, Grand-Duke,
that I was delivered so unblemished from of your hands.
You're a great artist.
Really you are.
Really, really.
ARIANE!
What's the matter with you?
You're destroying everything between us.
What?
What's there to destroy?
I don't love you, and you don't love me.
So what's there to destroy?
You were just looking for an adventure while passing through town.
And you're looking for another one now.
Let's put this straight once and for all.
Again and again something unspoken has been standing between us.
Today we'll talk straight, come what may.
Very well. Today we'll talk straight.
Everything out in the open.
You've tortured me long enough with your allusions.
I want to know everything, the whole truth.
How many were there?
How many?
Eight!
Eight! Eight!
With the first I was 16.
I just wanted to know what the thing was like they had all been raving so much about.
And with the second I thought I was in love, but I was wrong.
The third was a student.
The fourth a student.
And the fifth a student.
And the sixth an officer.
And the seventh was in love with my aunt.
And then you came, the eighth.
Your reign lasted longest.
You can be proud and wallow in your glory.
Now you know everything.
You forget Dr. Adamheit.
Yes.
I forgot him.
Nine.
It was a mistake to travel via Berlin.
Please forgive me.
I won't stand in the way of your conquests any longer.
Porter.
I'll take the night train to Rome.
Make a reservation for a compartment.
What?
Yes, yes, I'll make it.
Thank you.
This is the price you pay...
for being wiser and more cultured than others.
Did you really not know...
that I came to you untouched,
that I have never belonged to another man?
Why did you make a fool of me?
Why?
Why? Why?
But you told me you'd rather avoid a young girl.
Come in.
May I take the luggage?
Yes, it's all packed.
via Würzburg - Innsbruck - Roma
??? Verona - Bologna
beautiful grapes
oranges, tangerines, apples and figs
oranges, tangerines
fresh figs, mineral water, cognac
oranges, tangerines, apples and figs
All aboard!
All aboard please!
Engl. subtitles: serdar202, Tommaso, IDBoris @KG 2010/2018