電影劇本：SHANGHAI JEWS （1）

（1）

FADE IN:

EXT. STREETS -- BERLIN -- FALL OF 1938 -- DAY

TITLE SEQUENCE

BUILDINGS of 1930s BERLIN burst into view. JEWISH PEDESTRIANS walk on streets, passing a variety of stores with signs in German. They are heading for a SYNAGOGUE inside a spacious courtyard.

A tall POLICEMAN, in German uniform, holds up his arm to stop pedestrians and traffic, in order to make way for a parade of Hitler's SOLDIERS on its way down the street.

GERMAN SOLDIERS march on, SHOUTING "Heil Hitler" and thrusting their arms out rigidly in the Nazi salute. Flags printed with swastikas wave in the air. The THUDDING boots follow the rhythm of the MUSIC played by the band leading the procession. 

EXT. SYNAGOGUE -- DAY

After the parade has passed, Jewish pedestrians enter the spacious courtyard of the synagogue.

INT. SYNAGOGUE -- DAY

In the main auditorium where MEN are seated, HANS KREISER, a handsome German Jew in his twenties, chants in the CONGREGATION.

From the verandah on the second floor where WOMEN worship, ANNA ROSENFELD, a beautiful German Jewess in her twenties, sees Hans downstairs. A gleam of joy comes into her eyes.

Hans raises his head, his face brightening at the sight of Anna. They smile and kiss their hands to each other.

END TITLE SEQUENCE

EXT. ROSENFELDS' HOUSE -- NIGHT

The houses in the neighborhood are maintained in well-tended perfection. The garden is tidy and pleasant with the lawn mowed, trees trimmed and flowers in full bloom. Anna and Hans, mesmerized by the moonlight, have a long kiss in the shadow of trees.

INT. LIVING ROOM -- ROSENFELDS' HOUSE -- NIGHT

Anna and Hans dance to a BRAHMS' WALTZ, staring into each other's eyes. Anna throws her arms around Hans' neck. Hans holds Anna a bit closer.

HANS

I've got two tickets to Swan Lake. Would you like to go?

ANNA

Swan Lake? My favorite ballet. I'd love to go. When?

HANS

Next week.

ANNA

I worry about...

HANS

About what?

ANNA

We are prohibited by Nazis to entertain in theaters, aren't we?

HANS

Damned Nazis, go to hell. I'd not care.

ANNA

Neither would I.

HANS

Some of my favorite Jewish ballerinas and musicians will join in the performance. They're banned to stage, but they have to perform to earn their living.

ANNA

So, we'd support them as well as appreciate art.

HANS

Yes, you're right.

She hugs Hans, with excitement, and gives him a kiss of thanks on his cheek.

ANNA

Do you like to be my model?

HANS

Your model? What for?

ANNA

I want to practice character sketch.

HANS

Okay, I’d like to be your model. Why not?

ANNA

Sit over there. Let’s begin.

Hans takes a seat and pretends to unbutton.

HANS

Should I be nude?

ANNA

(laughing loudly)

No, no, no. Oh, boy, no.

Hans poses as Anna sketches his portrait. Anna draws, looks at Hans, draws again, and looks at him again. Anna shows the completed portrait to Hans. Hans takes the portrait and views the work closely.

HANS

It's beautiful. The portrait, I mean, you drew it so beautifully.

ANNA

(beaming)

Keep it, if you like it.

HANS

Sure, I'll keep it forever.

 

(CONTINUING)