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This film is freely based on memories of Uschi Obermaier.
In Paris that summer, the students wrote
"Power to the Imagination" on the walls.
In San Francisco, they danced in the streets
and fought for what had become their way of life.
And I was at home in Sendling, a suburb of Munich.
I felt I was dying, slow and never-ending.
The only thing that kept me alive was the music.
Without that, I would have died.
Or worse, I would have turned into my parents.
But music alone wouldn't get me out of Sendling.
That much was clear to me. What I needed was a man.
The wilder, the better.
My God, Uschi...
Hey, I stole a record from Steffen.
From London.
Have you girls lost your minds? It's too loud!
Uschi, turn off that awful music!
Quiet in there!
Hey! I work for a big magazine, "Twen. "
Can I take some pictures of you?
Sure.
What's the matter?
What are these photographs?
How could you?
Why? They're cool. I'm going to be a photo model.
What?
A photo model?
Are you crazy? That's not a job!
And then what?
What do you mean? I'll be a model. Then I'll be famous.
You want to be famous? Nonsense.
You think you're better than everybody else? Well, you're not.
What's going on? What has she done now?
Look at her. She looks like a ***.
Shut up!
She's your daughter.
Uschi, I want you to become respectable. Do you understand?
want you to be a lady. All this is good for nothing!
Carry on like this and you'll be a nothing!
Now take off those clothes!
Are you crazy or what?
Does this look like a brothel? Now clean this pigsty!
What will the neighbors think when they see what I've raised?
Now clean up your damn junk!
Uschi... What are you doing?
What are doing? Where are you going, Uschi?
In California they walk around nude.
Here they get upset if you even smile. Look!
Typical.
Sabine, look.
Where are you going?
We don't care.
- Hello. - Hello.
Where are you headed?
Commune 1, Berlin.
Are you musicians?
Everyone's a musician.
Really?
There's a musician inside all of us.
It's not about being able to play scales correctly.
You see, everyone makes music.
Everyone is music.
Do you play music?
We're musicians.
We can't play scales, we just live in the moment.
Yeah? We play music, too, but we can play scales.
We've even made a recording. We're "The Third Ear. "
Here, try it.
- Hurry up, we're in the East! - Hold on!
Ever tried this before?
Hair tonic?
You wait for the perfume to evaporate and chug it.
- And that works? - It'll blow your mind!
Hurry up! Don't talk.
- Damn, the police! Let's go! - Let's get out of here!
Get rid of the hair tonic!
- You drive! - Hurry up!
Get in!
Wake up.
- Don't forget your guitar. - I'll get it later.
We'll leave the instruments in the van.
How do I look?
Good.
This is a stupid idea, Rainer, really. This is nudism.
Stop complaining.
Nothing but nudism.
To be subversive, you have to come up with something else.
Commune 1 polarized public opinion in Germany.
There'd never been anything like it.
Come in.
It was founded with the intention of abolishing security,
property and the concept of privacy.
The communards rejected the work ethic
and preached fun and free love.
Here you could do as you pleased,
as long as it was done collectively.
This isn't about being subversive.
- Why so critical, Günther? - I'm not critical, I'm decisive.
Mr. Langhans, you turned the courtroom into a real circus.
Why such contempt for German justice?
No walls, no doors... I could never live here. You?
I could.
The German system of justice is the justice of the Third Reich,
and this trial has revealed that in a big way.
What's your stance on the use of *** against the Viet Cong?
- What's yours? - I have my opinion, and you?
Then why don't you write it down and print it?
Mr. Langhans... do you plan to overthrow West Germany?
We support a cultural revolution,
but we oppose all forms of aggressive resistance.
We'll play our song until the system sings along.
And dances along. Write that down.
We're fighting for the eroticization of life, aren't we?
Does everyone sleep with everyone around here?
We are standing on the brink of a new age.
The old will be replaced by the new.
You've got to be blind not to see it. Without a doubt.
And... what will this new age look like?
I'm not exactly sure, but clearly it has long hair.
He means me.
Welcome. I'm Rainer.
Uschi.
I'm Sabine. Hi.
Nice of you to make it. I saw you on the cover of "Twen. "
What's it like being a musician? It's such a responsibility.
Every string you pluck, every chord you play...
You travel through a tiny universe, a microcosm...
of a soundscape, with highs, lows...
Tape's running.
Nice rattles.
Nice hair.
I wish I were a musician.
Everyone's a musician.
Are you sure?
Yes.
What should I tell them at work?
Yes, breathe... breathe...
Slower...
No, more like this, please.
And now with more feeling, okay?
Yes.
That feels good. That's intense, yes.
Now slower. Slow. Slower. Yes, circular movements.
Is she your girlfriend?
I don't own her.
Well, were you ever a couple?
For us there are no couples anymore, only human beings.
What do you think about that?
Me? About couples?
I wouldn't mind having a boyfriend.
And you?
I think that we have to change ourselves first...
before society can change.
If we don't change our own lives, society won't change either.
Well, I have no idea about politics.
Uschi, we... us... free love, right?
I always felt something like that.
She felt something! How revolutionary!
Aren't there any rooms here where we can be alone?
That's how it all starts!
How will anything reach the outside if we always keep the doors shut?
Are you afraid to go without make-up?
Why are you such a square?
As a woman, you should help overthrow the patriarchal system.
You're just jealous, you old wallflower.
Just because Rainer digs you, you think you're hot ***.
But that model crap doesn't count here. Not at all.
Why are you here anyway?
For the experience.
I want to take part in a peaceful renewal.
How did this imperialist ***'s *** get here?
What, you don't like Coke?
I should've known! The model! No, I don't like Coke.
We have to help her understand the mechanisms of exploitation.
Coca Cola is a multinational company.
You're turning into a capitalist stooge.
You know what? I say we exclude Uschi from our discussions.
Her lying around is distracting us all.
As decoration, at least she could sit upright.
Uschi belongs to our commune like everyone else.
Exactly. Besides, yesterday I put 3 marks into the cash box.
We thank our patroness with the political mind of an amoeba.
Don't let them get to you.
Any idea who the publisher of this magazine is? Axel Springer!
Yeah, "Give Springer a real stinger. "
I say we launch a real operation.
We should plant rhetorical bombs,
instead of sitting around talking.
I think that can be done.
What do you mean?
If you're serious about bombs, I have connections.
The long-haired ones, whose appearance is a provocation...
What were you thinking, bringing that spring chick in here?
Günther, it's spring chicken. Chicken.
A little more precision, please.
Conrad, I think that deep down, you are actually a little girl
who wants to be put to bed by Mommy. With a doll.
But you don't have that here.
So you have to accept that if it's dark, it's dark.
It's quite clear. Try it out and you'll see.
Everyone's part of the communal collective...
Damn it! It's not your fault.
Look at Günther. What do you notice?
Günther is anti-***. That's his problem.
Okay, so this is the bomb. And this is the timer.
It creates an electrical circuit, and sets a detonator.
Then you have one hour to get away.
This is *** up! I only meant a metaphorical bomb!
Kajol! You're back! Nice to see you again. How was Hamburg?
Good.
No way. I don't believe it...
Hello.
Hello.
Stop it. There's no point.
Leave me alone.
You've seen all there is to see.
Uschi! Don't shed your tears for your lover!
Uschi! Out there you will find another...
Rainer! Your woman is trying to overcome
her petty bourgeois conditioning.
I'd say she's failing miserably.
Uschi, what is it?
Stop it! You're hurting me!
That's a conditioned reaction, not real feelings.
Look at it as a task I'm giving you,
for you to improve yourself.
Is that the extent of what you feel?
Come on. Don't mind her. Carry on.
Open the door! This is the police!
- Let's go, men! - The cops!
Police! Don't move!
Do not resist or we will use our guns!
Get up! Get dressed!
Everyone!
I'm not resisting.
Rise and shine!
- Let go of me. - I'm not resisting.
If we all stay calm, nothing will happen.
I'm not resisting.
Hold on, I'll get a bladder infection if I don't get dressed.
- Let's go! - Come on! Move it!
Stop!
Justice?! This is justice?!
You preach peaceful protest! Why do you build bombs?
That was just a game.
Rainer, you see that?
Move it out!
POLICE DISCOVER BOMB IN COMMUNE 1
ENOUGH TO DESTROY A WHOLE BUILDING
WAS THE COMMUNE PLANNING A BOMBING?
COMMUNARDS REMAIN IN CUSTODY
MODEL USCHI OBERMAIER RELEASED
Ho! Ho! Ho Chi Minh! Ho! Ho! Ho Chi Minh!
A thousand-year stench lingers on the judges' bench!
Cut your hair!
Get a job! Go home, rich kids!
Look beyond the tips of your noses!
Go on over to the East, then!
A thousand-year stench lingers on the judges' bench...
THE FEDS PLANTED THE BOMB!
COMMUNARDS DENY ALI L KNOWLEDGE OF BOMB
Mr. Langhans!
Police line... March! March!
What now?
This is only the beginning!
The state now knows...
They're afraid, and they're showing it,
through these actions... naturally...
Keep moving!
Nazis! Nazis! Nazis!
*** off!
The press conference has begun.
Hand me the "Stern. "
Let me see that... Ah! I should've known.
Even on the "Spiegel" cover. You see, Rainer?
Our Under-Maier!
***. Look at this!
It's all Uschi. Typical!
The sex-crazed press! Our agenda goes to the dogs.
No, to the chicks. 'Verbal precision. 'Right, Rainer?
On the contrary! We have to use this.
Yeah, right, let's do more of the same.
They won't be able to ignore us... 'Sex sells. '
That's ***, Rainer! 'Sex sells! 'What a load of crap!
Everywhere you look is Under-Maier, but no content!
Hey, the Stones wrote us back!
Did they really invite us to London?
What is this all about?
Want to go back?
I'll be right out.
And? How was it? What's Mick like?
Must we discuss this now?
This won't get us anywhere.
I don't want to get anywhere. I just want to have fun.
But all your screwing merely satisfies your animal instincts.
I love my animal instincts.
Psychologically speaking, your relationship to men
is a case of ideal sublimation of childhood rejection
by an unreliable and egotistical father.
If you keep this up... Sex is death. Clearly, it is.
Are you crazy? You don't even know what it means to let yourself go
and to be aware of your partner and enjoy them... like rock music.
Look at yourself! What do you see? What's Uschi?
Nothing but a *** machine. Press here beep, ***. That's it.
- Know what your problem is? - What?
You're scared of ***.
Now that's ugly. What a stupid argument.
Listen, Uschi! True freedom can only come from abstention.
Fine, then I'll abstain from you.
Come on, Uschi. Let's talk.
Let go! I don't want to talk to you!
Then come on, hit me. Come on, Uschi.
You really make me sick.
What you just said is nonsense, Rainer.
Conrad just hasn't found himself yet.
The problem is simply that he never cleans the toilet,
and I hate that. Otherwise he's all right.
I don't believe it, it's the Under-Maier!
I thought we'd gotten rid of you!
Hello.
Where've you been for so long?
I'm just picking up my things. This isn't for me.
All this talk, these endless discussions.
Who gave you the necklace?
That chain?
It's from Keith.
Uschi, let's go somewhere else. You and me.
Rainer, it's pointless. Don't you get it?
How nice! Mommy and Daddy want to start a family!
I thought this was a serious experiment,
not a matchmaking institute.
I've realized that there are many ways to reach one's goal.
You all have a lot to learn. You all have a long way to go.
That much is clear.
You've capitulated, Rainer. You've simply capitulated.
Flown the white flag, Rainer. That photo model, there...
Don't give me that look! You've *** him stupid!
We could've achieved something, Rainer Langhans!
But you betrayed the revolution!
For that woman I would've betrayed any revolution.
Each and every one.
You! Go to hell, Rainer Langhans!
Intellectuals shouldn't fight!
Stop it! Stop it, damn it!
Rainer Langhans!
OBERMAIER LEAVES BERLIN'S COMMUNE 1
RADICAL MODEL MOVES BACK TO MUNICH
THIS IS HOW THE COMMUNARDS LIVED!
Okay, move, move...
Yes, look at that tummy.
Uschi, yes!
Check the exposure.
Eight.
Could you perhaps... turn toward me a bit?
No, a little more shy, perhaps.
Like this?
Pretend that you're really embarrassed by something...
Finished?
Who is that?
Bockhorn and Lurchi. They're touring across Africa.
Two real freaks. I just develop their film.
What are they doing there?
I don't know. Traveling, exploring, going on adventures.
Bockhorn views his life as nothing but an endless trip.
He's the King of St. Pauli. He runs the hippest bar
and stages happenings. He does what he wants.
Should I send him a photo of you?
No, thanks. But you can send him by in person.
Oh, Lurchi! Look! Look how cute!
What do you think of her?
Who's that?
Obermaier from Munich. Uschi Obermaier.
Not bad, eh?
MUNICH 1973
Mick who?
Jagger.
He's coming here?
Keith is coming over, too.
Oh, my God!
Uschi!
You always borrow my things!
They're right here.
- Where's my top? - Here it is.
- My hair! - What?
I look like hell!
Uschi? Uschi? Hey, listen! My name's Bockhorn.
I'm on my way back to Hamburg!
I'm in Africa now! Can you hear me? The connection's really bad!
I'm throwing a midsummer's night party, in your honor!
I've sent you plane tickets, they should be arriving by mail.
Hello? Uschi?
How'd it go?
It worked. I got her on the phone.
How are you?
Hello.
Hi!
The watch is a metaphor for a life running out of time.
Lurchi!
Hold Cheetah, will you?
Okay, people! The party's over.
Yes, ciao, ciao! We'll have another one tomorrow,
but for today, it's over. Come on! Out!
See you tomorrow, dear.
Yeah, see you then. That's it, Angel.
Ciao, ciao.
I'm Bockhorn.
So you're Bockhorn. I sure am curious.
So am I.
You've been to all those places?
Yeah, all of them.
And where will you go with me?
To the end of the world, if you want.
You don't even know me.
I know our destiny.
Will you shuffle?
You do it.
That's you.
I knew it. You're a witch.
That's me.
And this is us together.
And this is our future.
Travels...
riches...
children...
You can forget about that.
Now the last, most important card.
So what does that mean?
You know.
'Til death do us part.
You're kinda spooking me.
Kalle! A little more respect for Charlie! Come on!
That way.
Make room for the King of St. Pauli.
And the new Queen.
Uschi, darling, have a seat.
Lurchi, let's get this started.
By the way, Uschi...
That gentleman there, the slugger, he's our heavyweight boxer.
You're the hottest piece of *** I've ever met.
I say that with all due respect and humility in the face of beauty.
Really, Uschi, you're simply the hottest broad in all of Germany,
if I may say so.
Respect, Bockhorn, a real... Get your hands off me!
Hey, ***! Leave the slugger alone, he still has to fight!
Charlie, Charlie, Charlie... Let's drink to Charlie!
To Charlie!
Listen, Angel, you have a hot body and a sweet ***,
but I'm no ***.
- Come on! - I'm an artist.
What do you want with that ***? She won't earn you one cent!
I'll let the whole gang screw me, and you can watch.
Stop that before I get ***. And no one wants to see that.
Yes, everyone does.
No, Angel. Knock it off.
Lurchi! That old lady is going to make me happy.
Yeah? You think so?
Angel! Come here!
Don't call me Angel. I'm no Angel!
Fine, then come here, Witch!
No, you come here.
Slap some sense into her!
Alright, Lurchi. I'll take care of it.
He should put his old lady in her place!
Come on, you and I need to talk!
Uschi, this just won't do!
You're right about that.
If they see that you're out of line,
it won't help anybody at all!
Should I do what you want so they think you're the greatest?
Bockhorn...
Forget it!
Cheetah! Go!
You stupid little ape!
Okay Obermaier, time to change Cheetah's diapers.
Change them yourself!
Lazy ***!
A fine mess I'm in!
Come here, Cheetah-baby!
Yes, yes... it's alright, Cheetah.
If you don't start developing some motherly instincts...
I'm throwing you out.
If you want motherly instincts, run to your mommy in Stuttgart.
He didn't, did he? Look what your damned monkey did!
Hey, Cheetah! I know, you were here first, right?
That evil woman wants to come between us!
What are you doing?
Going to the airport.
Why?
My agent is waiting.
What agent?
My agent. I forgot I've a meeting with Ponti.
I hear Ponti's drawn up the contract.
ROME 1973
- You'll work with Jack Nicholson. - Really?
He's made them all famous. Brigitte Bardot, Lollobrigida,
- Claudia Cardinale... - Hello?
He saw your film, "The Red Sun. "
Yes, I'll send them in.
Mr. Ponti will see you now.
Finally! Beautiful! Miss Obermaier, welcome to Rome.
Mamma mia, you are beautiful!
So beautiful.
Did you get to see Rome? You like it?
Are they all like this in Germany?
I saw your film, "The Red Sun. "
You're a natural actor.
What? Ten years?
I'm hosting dinner with many important people tonight.
Antonioni will be there.
There's no way. Ten years, Alma, that's...
Ten years... I don't know.
Aren't you happy? Let me see your laughter!
Antonioni's next film. We'll work together.
See you tonight!
But Bockhorn and I wanted to...
What's going on? You sure haven't made much progress.
What have you been doing all this time?
We took out the radiator.
I can see that.
What's your problem?
Uschi!
Bockhorn's busy right now.
Oh, Uschi! There you are. Look, Angel...
Go have a smoke, then come back and knock.
What did you say?
Get out! Now!
Let her finish!
What's the monkey doing here?
The monkey stays. He's watching.
This just isn't worth it.
Get out!
Angel, I'll call you.
I mean, you could've really learned something.
I simply don't understand you. I build you a luxury bus...
- Luxury bus?! - Yeah, luxury bus.
Show me the luxury here!
All you do is complain.
Any idea how much all this *** cost?
I don't care how much it cost!
Bockhorn, I'm not staying. This just isn't my thing.
All these ***, *** and players!
Do you think I want to rot here?
You promised to show me the world. And what do I get?
I'll be gone soon enough.
- Oh yeah? - Yeah.
- What's that mean? - Keith is taking me on tour.
If you do that...
Then what?
Is that all you can do?
Listen, Lurchi, get her back! Drag her back inside the café!
Move your *** and get her back. The monkey is gone!
Should I run after her?
Do something! Go out and get her!
Now?
Run out there and bring her inside!
Think of something, dammit!
I'm going out to get her now, okay?
Uschi! Uschi, wait! Come with me, please!
Bockhorn said I can't let you go! He'll kill me. Wait! Please!
No thanks, Dieter.
For me, this is pure medicine. It gives me positive energy.
Dammit!
It's all Uschi's fault. She wears me out.
I've no energy left. I did all I could. I got rid of the monkey...