This series is based on the true story of Samuel Meffire.
However, it does not claim to represent events authentically in every respect.
ANNOUNCER: The award goes
to the Leyendecker agency for A Saxon.
Yeah!
Yes, hello...
SAM: It's the Nazis. They want a "foreigner-free" zone.
We need a real bombshell that really clears the deck here.
KLIEM: We're a special commission to combat right-wing extremist violence.
ALEX: Welcome to the team.
Why don't we do something together?
Yeah? Take care. Sam.
SAM: I'd like to come by from time to time to see Sammy.
You forgot your son's birthday.
- Keep going! - OFFICER: Up there! There are more!
OFFICER: Keep going...
We think this could be a cell working together.
REPORTER: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
REPORTER: The riots against foreigners have caused alarm among all parties.
For the federal government,
what happened in Hoyerswerda and across Germany over the weekend
is a human catastrophe and is unworthy of a civilized and tolerant society.
For several days, right-wing radicals
have been terrorizing foreigners and asylum seekers.
The state is giving in.
Arson attacks, riots...
and spectators who applaud.
OFFICER ON MEGAPHONE: Attention! Attention!
This is the police!
(CROWD CHANTING)
OFFICER ON MEGAPHONE: Attention! Please leave the area immediately.
CROWD: Germany for Germans! Foreigners out!
Germany for Germans! Foreigners out!
Foreigners out!
- Foreigners out! - Foreigners out!
CROWD: Foreigners out!
Germany for Germans! Foreigners out!
I'll go in there! I'll get them all out now!
All of them! I'll get them all out!
I'll get them now!
I'll get them all out now!
OFFICER 1: Come on! Come on! Go! There are at least 20 people in there!
Up here, men. Up, up, up! There are more here.
- Keep going! Advance! - OFFICER 2: Keep going! Advance!
CROWD: Germany for Germans! Foreigners out!
OFFICER 1: Sam!
Let's go! The leader is upstairs! We have to keep going!
Formation!
REPORTER: ...the residents of two immigrant hostels in Saxony's Hoyerswerda.
YVONNE: Do you think Sam's okay?
Sam will be fine.
What if he isn't?
Is that really your biggest concern? Really?
People are running for their lives!
And we're next! They slaughter us and nobody cares!
Those are your people, Yvonne!
My people?
Yes, look at them!
Hey, those are just assholes who haven't learned anything from history.
- We have to fight back. - We?
Yes, we. Sabine, you, and I.
What should we do?
I know what we'll do.
We'll mobilize.
We'll take to the streets.
CROWD ON TV: Foreigners out!
CROWD: Foreigners out!
Foreigners out!
OFFICER: Come on! Forward!
Go, men! Go on!
You fucking cop!
OFFICER: Sam, you stay here! Go on, get out!
Who's the guy with the whistle?
- I don't know what he's called. - A name!
He's just in the youth club.
Sam, we have to get out. Order from above.
- What? No! - We'll get the fuckers later!
SAM: Let me go!
Is your shoulder okay?
Yes.
EGGERT: Madam Chief of Police.
Sam.
Our Free State of Saxony
and the Federal Republic of Germany
are facing an enormous task ahead of them in light of the last few days.
Public safety must be restored immediately.
The public safety disrupted by right-wing extremists...
and economic refugees, as my party calls them.
Also on behalf of the Prime Minister and of the Federal Chancellor,
I can assure you
we will do everything we can to support the investigation of these riots,
in Saxony and throughout Germany.
After all, extremists from all over Germany were involved.
But hardly any of those involved were arrested, unfortunately.
EGGERT: The state police had to withdraw the Soko Rex unit because the police
would have lost this battle.
Excuse me, Minister.
Please imagine what would have happened
if TV footage of a defeated German police force had gone around the world.
I'll show you something.
Have the police surrendered?
You know what I mean.
But it doesn't make it any easier to find the perpetrators after the fact.
During our mission, I found a crucial lead on one of the masterminds.
Do you have a name?
Not yet. But we'll get it from Soko Rex.
Very good. But there won't be any more time for talk show appointments.
EGGERT: Excuse me, gentlemen.
I have to get going. Please keep me informed.
CHIEF: What about the video footage?
He pulled me out like some shitty little schoolboy!
I've got my sights set on one of the masterminds. Once I get him,
then we're going to rip this whole thing apart from head to toe.
You can't stop the Volkssturm now.
SAM: Just wait.
Aren't you biting off more than you can chew?
First the dead brother from forensics
and now the mastermind from Hoyerswerda?
We can barely keep the Palm... under control anymore.
What do you mean?
There are more right-wingers now.
Who is protecting whom?
We work in small clubs now too.
Tonight, I'll be at Blaue Loch. In Pirna.
Blaue Loch?
The punk club?
Can you help?
The guys are all at the Palm.
I only have two soldiers.
Might be a nice change for you too.
What?
Too small for big Sam?
If you need me, I'll be there.
Yeah?
Ten o'clock?
Definitely.
ALEX: Okay.
Be on time.
SAM A SAXON
YVONNE: Fellow students!
I've been away from the institute for a while.
But we're here because we...
Because we have an important matter.
There is...
I'm sure you've all seen the pictures from Hoyerswerda.
- MAN: Yes. - WOMAN: Yes.
- Right? - MAN: Yes.
They've shown us something.
It's time for resistance.
WOMAN: Yes! Exactly!
We'll have a big demonstration in front of the state parliament on Wednesday.
It would be nice if you distributed these flyers to your friends.
And they can pass them on to others.
Let's all really promote this event.
Nazis out!
CROWD: Foreigners in!
Nazis out!
CROWD: Foreigners in!
- Nazis out! - CROWD: Foreigners in!
CROWD: Nazis out! Foreigners in!
But we aren't foreigners.
Nazis out! Foreigners in!
(DOORBELL BUZZES)
- Hey. - Hey.
Did you forget that today is your day?
Of course not.
ANTJE: Here.
SAM: Hey.
I just have my hands full at work...
You always have your hands full.
I'll pick you up tomorrow. Okay, dear? I'll be back tomorrow.
Antje. Antje.
Really, Sam. If it doesn't work out today, then let's just forget it, okay?
Have fun.
(SAMMY CRIES)
Shh.
(SAMMY SNIFFLES)
Hey, Werner. Hey.
Something personal came up.
I'll be a little late. Sorry.
You go ahead to the station alone.
And please collect all the material we have on Hoyerswerda.
All the pictures, all the videos.
Thanks.
Shh.
Daddy's sorry he's so busy right now.
But the world is on fire.
The world is on fire.
(MELANCHOLY MUSIC PLAYING)
(SAMMY SNIFFLES)
Shh.
(DOORBELL RINGS)
- Hey. - Hey.
I'm happy to see you.
I know this is a bit awkward, but...
This is my son.
Hi, Sammy.
How do you know...
"Yes, well, his name is also Sammy."
My mom.
At the award ceremony.
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)
And what's going on in there?
We're organizing a protest against right-wing violence.
I know it's all shitty, but I have to go to the office now.
I'm investigating Hoyerswerda.
I'll explain later, okay? Come on, little guy.
You go on inside, right? Take this.
All right? Everything will be fine, okay? That's right.
Yes. Everything's fine.
I'm supposed to take care of him or something?
Yes.
When will you pick him up?
Tomorrow the latest.
Tomorrow?
Thanks, Yvonne, okay? I owe you one, okay?
Do you like to draw?
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)
Sabine?
(CAR STARTING)
Did you check for fingerprints?
That's how fast you become boss.
Or you can torment yourself with all those SpuDok entries.
No, forget it.
(BEEPS)
Search term: Radebeul
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)
Hey.
If there's even one person looking for trouble here today,
then we've got a big problem on our hands.
Understood.
- Sam will come soon. Tell me when he does. - Sure.
They need another hour.
You look through the videos from Hoyerswerda
and I'll finish this.
In your bathroom... Is there a door, or window that opens?
WOMAN: No window. No.
That's the only exit, right?
The only exit.
- All okay so far? - Yes.
WOMAN: Great.
It's just three of us right now.
One more is coming. When he arrives, I can put him here.
- Got it. - Okay? Have fun.
See you later.
Where is he, damn it?
CROWD ON TV: Foreigners out!
That's him!
There he is. Sam, come here!
Here.
Do you see? I'll let it play on for a bit.
Foreigners out! Foreigners out!
What does he have there on the jacket? What is that? I'll rewind.
(AUDIO DISTORTS)
WERNER: Here.
Eight, three, zero, zero.
What could that mean?
(PUNK MUSIC PLAYING)
WOMAN: Nazi pigs. Total pigs.
A postal code in Pirna. Eight, three, zero, zero.
Wait. Wait.
No. Sundt. Thomas Sundt.
Dora, Theodore. Eight, three, zero, zero. Pirna.
Yes.
- Yes! - Yes.
Yes!
- The two of us can do more than a team. - Yes.
Shit.
Let's kick the forensic idiots' asses, shall we?
Where are they?
It's 11:00 p. m.
What?
It's already 11:00. Where are they?
Shit!
What? Sam?
Alex!
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)
Alex?
Alex!
(DOOR UNLOCKING)
Find a new family.
SAM: I'm sorry!
Alex!
I'm sorry.
Please.
Alex!
I'm sorry.
Alex.
Again. Ring again.
This is where you live, isn't it?
Oh, Sammy. Hello.
Yes, hello.
Everything's okay. Hello.
Missed you.
Go on in. I'll be right there.
Then we can play, in a minute.
Hi. I'm Yvonne.
Yvonne, Sam's girlfriend. Yvonne.
You know, Sam couldn't bring Sammy and I have to go right now as well,
to an urgent meeting. We're organizing a protest against the right.
Wow. That sounds totally crazy, doesn't it?
As if I had just made that up.
Yeah.
Yes. Here.
ANTJE: Wow.
Is Sam also going to the protest?
YVONNE: No. He's busy.
Have you been together long?
Not that long.
And? Are you in love?
Yes.
Well, then...
What?
Sam's heart only has room for missions, not love.
You think so?
Ask his son.
You know, he's fighting for important things.
And people can change.
You mean you can change him?
I didn't say that.
But that's what you meant.
You... Thanks for watching him.
And tell Sam he can come back once he's done saving the world.
Good. I will.
Have a nice day, you two. Bye, Sammy.
- Bye. - Bye.
SAM: Did you bring teenagers from Radebeul with you?
Did you encourage them to riot?
And did you actively participate in the riots?
Of course.
(WERNER CHUCKLES)
Someone has to take the filthy foreign trash out, right?
If you guys won't do it.
I'm not a foreigner.
(CHUCKLING)
There's video footage of you
throwing an incendiary device into a building.
Was that you?
Could be.
But if I were to clean things up properly, I'd use real weapons.
Real weapons?
You're so clueless.
Spill it.
Let's talk about Hoyerswerda. It's why I'm here, right?
SAM: Gladly.
We also have footage of you
raising your right arm in a Nazi salute.
You are aware that this is punishable by law?
Guys, I'll even sign your confession.
Riots, Molotov cocktails, even the Hitler salute.
Do you need anything else?
I still have things to do today and I bet you do too.
Sit back down.
(PEN SCRIBBLING)
WERNER: He's done.
We got his ass.
SAM: Thomas Sundt.
Here is the entry in the SpuDok,
which helped Werner and I locate him.
Furthermore, they have there the said whistle from the briefing
- with the Minister of the Interior. - CHIEF: Right.
Besides that,
here are photos from the operation
or crime scene. Here we have Sundt again
with the young people from Radebeul who he mobilized.
Here we come to the key document.
His interrogation.
He confessed to everything.
The picture is now complete.
- Everything okay with you? - Yes.
We'll give the file to the Dresden public prosecutor's office.
And then Sundt will have to answer in court.
Finally some good news.
Yes. We could use a few more men like you.
Many thanks.
Where do you actually get the strength
to fight on so many different fronts at once?
A question for you:
What could you do to reduce the number of fronts?
This is Alex. Please leave a message after the tone.
(BEEPS)
Hey, Alex.
It's me.
How are you doing?
Please get in touch, okay?
Thanks.
MAN: Have a good day.
(DOOR CLOSES)
(EGGERT EXHALES)
(EXHALES)
As you can imagine, all hell has been breaking loose here for days.
And Hoyerswerda isn't our only problem.
SAM: We're taking Thomas Sundt,
one of the masterminds, to court.
The file's already with the prosecutor.
EGGERT: Wow.
Great.
But it doesn't help us when the Saxon Interior Minister says
that public safety is endangered by economic refugees.
I don't just speak for myself.
I speak for the whole party.
Everyone wants to feel seen, heard and understood.
In my position, I also have to give the people out there,
on all sides, a little something.
So that I can get as many people on board as possible.
We live in a majority society, Sam.
You can't govern with a minority,
or change anything.
That's all too strategic for me.
Just be glad you aren't a minister.
But with statements like that
you sow the seed for things like Hoyerswerda yourself.
And the police aren't there.
Or worse, they cover things up, like with Ogundeju Famote.
Or they're pulled out, like I was withdrawn from Hoyerswerda.
Did you...
find out anything about my father's files
or that investigator from back then?
Sam, I'm sorry to tell you that all doors are closed,
when it comes to your father's case.
The files all disappeared in the unrest during the fall of the Wall.
The investigator at the time has died.
I tried everything.
I'm sorry.
- (KNOCKS ON TABLE) - Keep your chin up.
And I hope Thomas Sundt will get the punishment he deserves.
JENNY: Fathers, brothers, and sons are being attacked.
Just a kilometer from here lies a young Black man
who until recently was studying at a university in Dresden.
He was killed and the police tried to cover it up as self-defense.
There are also victims of violent crimes in my own surroundings.
These are not isolated cases.
In remembrance Samuel Kofi Yeboah '91
They are the expression of structural violence
that has shaped our society for generations.
Hoyerswerda is just the last event in a long chain.
This supposedly free country...
In remembrance Amadeu Antonio Kiowa '90
...has a racism problem that didn't go away with the end of World War II.
- MAN: Yes. - WOMAN 1: Yes.
- WOMAN 2: Right.
Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
This means that if we don't take action to counteract this,
Saxony will sooner or later become a Nazi swamp again.
Article 1 of our constitution reads:
"Human dignity is inviolable."
- MAN: Yes! - WOMAN: Yes!
JENNY: Thank you.
(MEGAPHONE SCREECHES)
SABINE: I'm so proud of you.
You know what? A few years ago, the protests started out very small too.
And a little later the Wall fell.
Yeah.
You did a great job.
Hey, Jenny.
Hi.
I talked to Dr. Greber, and he wants to meet you, to exchange ideas.
- JENNY: Really? - Yes.
Okay. Great.
SAM: Alex!
It's me again.
Just get in touch with me, okay?
(DOORBELL BUZZES)
(EXHALES)
Hey.
- Hey. - What's wrong?
Everyone said they'd come, but almost nobody did.
I was so ashamed.
(DOOR CLOSES)
When it comes down to it, everyone chickens out.
Even Eggert.
(OPENS FRIDGE)
- (CLOSES FRIDGE) - One man takes his life,
the other compromises himself to death.
(SIGHS) And I myself am no better.
When Alex needed me, I let him down too.
What if we leave?
Start over somewhere?
Where?
South Africa.
That's where the oppressed come to power, unlike here.
I'll make us some eggs, okay?
Don't you think Nelson Mandela is better than Helmut Kohl?
Okay. I see you prefer Kohl.
I love Kohl, as in cabbage, okay?
Kohlrabi...
Stuffed cabbage...
Carbohydrates...
Man...
Hey. Hmm.
(SAM EXHALES)
Should we move to the bedroom?
No.
(SAM GRUNTS)
SAM: I need to show you this.
Is that your father?
Wow, he was handsome.
That was part of the problem.
Meaning?
My mother says that...
his classmates...
this guy and this one here...
mixed up some chemicals...
to castrate him.
So that he couldn't... seduce German women.
And so... that's what killed him.
(SAM EXHALES)
Antje said that your missions are more important to you than love.
What if we had one in common?
What do you have in mind?
I'll help you. I'll help you find these guys in the photo.
(SAM CHUCKLES)
How will you do that?
You'll see.
Hmm.
YVONNE: Mmm-hmm.
(PHONE RINGING)
(PAN SIZZLING)
(PHONE CONTINUES RINGING)
Meffire.
CHIEF: The court verdict.
SAM: Already?
CHIEF: For using the Hitler salute,
a fine of 25 daily rates of 20 Deutschmarks.
SAM: Yes. And?
CHIEF: For disturbing the peace and dangerous bodily harm,
there was a lack of evidence.
So he was acquitted?
CHIEF: That's right.
(SAM BREATHES HEAVILY)
(PHONE LINE DISCONNECTS)
Who are you calling?
Hi, this is Samuel Meffire here.
It's an urgent call for Interior Minister Eggert.
(PHONE RINGING)
Eggert.
Yes, put him through.
SAM: How can that be?
A guy like Thomas Sundt just gets away with it with all that evidence?
Thomas Sundt seems to have powerful protectors in the judiciary.
And our successes in uncovering right wing networks,
for some other... elements,
are also bad PR for Saxony.
The more we uncover, the more right-wing the former East German states look.
That's why they want to see Soko Rex more in the office and...
less in the field.
Wait, who are "they"?
And what the hell are "some other elements"?
It's in your best interest if you play it cool for a bit.
How can Soko Rex be broadly effective in the area
if you've already cut our balls off here!
Heinz, do you want guys like Thomas Sundt
just walking around freely?
Heinz!
(HANGS UP PHONE)
(PHONE LINE DISCONNECTS)
Thank you.
(DOOR SLAMS)
THOMAS ON RECORDER: Could be.
But if I were to clean things up properly, I'd use real weapons.
Real weapons?
You're so clueless.
(RECORDER STOPS PLAYING)
That was irrelevant when we thought Sundt would end up behind bars.
But now he's free.
Maybe he was just trying to provoke you.
Give me one week.
If I don't find anything, then the case rests.
I'll watch him with a small team.
At every turn. Outside of Soko Rex.
A kind of justice brotherhood.
Fine. You get one week and then we'll see.
Thank you.
(DOOR OPENS)
(DOOR CLOSES)
We've been following Thomas Sundt around the clock for a week now.
And now we know that these guys...
HOUSING COMPLEX HOYERSWERDA
...want to buy weapons, specifically Kalashnikovs, from Russian deserters.
Who are they trying to sell them to?
This is the next step.
But we know where the weapons are stored.
Hmm.
At the Radebeul Youth Club.
Let's go tear that place apart.
(DOOR CLOSES)
(GRUNTS)
Put the gun down!
Drop the gun!
- Shut your mouth! Shut up! - Fuck you!
Did you understand what I said? I said get on your knees.
Ms. Abdul! Come in. Coffee, tea, water? What may I offer you?
I'll take a glass of water.
- Take a seat, please. - Thank you.
Ms. Abdul...
Call me Jenny.
(CHUCKLES)
(EXCLAIMS)
All right.
Jenny.
(GRUNTS)
GREBER: I was impressed by your performance.
Your fighting spirit reminds me a bit
of my own time as a radical member of the 1968 generation.
(CHUCKLES)
What I'd like to know is what your goals are.
Thank you.
Well...
The protest was only moderately successful.
So we'd like to take a new path in the future.
We'd like to use Greber and Green's network to spread our message.
Really?
Tell me.
Then Greber and Green can get West German companies in Saxony
to sign a voluntary agreement to hire a certain number of Afro-Germans,
Vietnamese, Cubans, and asylum seekers.
When people see that their bosses care for them
and they themselves have direct contact with them, society will change.
That's a great idea,
but I'm afraid the world isn't ready for something like this just yet.
What do you mean?
A huge wave of layoffs is rolling through Saxony.
If you hire guest workers and asylum seekers now,
you might achieve exactly the opposite of what you have in mind.
I understand.
But there are also companies that continue to expand,
like Greber and Green.
Then we have already made an important contribution to this.
JENNY: You, of all people, have enormous influence.
Your connection with the decision-makers...
And I talk to them openly. Trust me.
But I do it privately. That's the key.
Personally, I'm on your side.
I love your approach and your energy.
You can and will achieve an awful lot.
But people also see you as an employee of Greber and Green.
- I... - Will you please let me finish?
We need more people like you in this country.
And I'm certain that our paths will cross again at some point.
We should go out to eat sometime.
Surprisingly, there are now some very, very good restaurants in the old town.
Call me. Any time. Wish you all the best.
JENNY: Thanks.
(SIGHS)
Was that you at Blaue Loch?
Answer me!
WERNER: Sam! We found the weapons.
(DOORBELL RINGS)
Hey.
Did we have plans?
Hey.
Are you okay?
Hey.
YVONNE: Are you okay?
(SAM BREATHING HEAVILY)
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
Hey.
Hey!
Sam! Hey!
What's wrong?
(EXHALES)
And when I finally got him...
(BREATH TREMBLING)
It's as if everything has gone to shit.
Where is the guy now?
We handed him over to the criminal police.
I wanted to kill him.
I understand.
Really?
Yes.
(SAM EXHALES)
(DOOR OPENING)
I got accepted.
What?
I was accepted to the art academy.
(CHUCKLES)
Congratulations! That's great.
I'll leave you alone.
By the way, Sam?
Yes?
Alex wants you to stop calling.
(DOORBELL RINGS)
- What's that now? - Hey.
Jenny! You won't believe it...
What?
Hey.
Hi.
They fired me.
What?
(JENNY SOBS)
(YVONNE EXCLAIMS SOFTLY)
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)
Do you know what annoys me the most?
We had to release Sundt.
What?
What about the weapons Werner seized?
- Weapons? - Yes!
When we got there, there was no sign of any weapons.
They took the container away in no time at all.
While you were trying to beat Sundt to death.
For the public prosecutor, the case looks like this...
"A man who had just been acquitted was mistreated
"by the police without strong suspicion of a crime."
I wouldn't be surprised if Sundt reports you.
(CHUCKLES)
Because of our internal arrangement,
I'm transferring you to Criminal Service for now.
I'm fed up with your compromises.
Great.
Just great.
(DIALING ON PHONE)
(MEN HITTING PUNCHING BAGS)
What are you doing here?
Hi.
I wanted to see Alex and you...
Alex doesn't want to see you.
What are you doing here?
A few things have become clear to me in the past few days.
Good for you.
I... tried to call you a million times...
and...
And now I wanted to tell you directly,
in person.
I'm sorry.
So you think everything is fine, then?
And we can carry on as before?
I'm sorry!
How can I make it right?
You can't.
You let me down.
I made a huge mistake!
I honestly believed I could change this new system from within,
but this system is stronger than us.
We need our own system.
How does that fit into your career?
Talk shows, Soko Rex?
It's all corrupt. We can't count on them.
"We"?
Yes.
We.
We...
We must also become capitalists.
But better capitalists.
"Learn from the West... learn by winning."
We can start our own company.
One that represents our goals and ideals.
The five of us and a couple ex-cops from the Elite Squad.
All professional and well equipped. Upright men.
And then we protect the weak in this country.
And why do you need us?
Because it doesn't work without family.
Okay.
We're in.
Know why?
Because we have to protect you.
Me?
From whom?
From yourself.
FOREIGNERS LEAVE
SAM: In Saxony...
the state is being overwhelmed by violence.
And with broad popular support.
Our new homeland is on the brink of civil war.
Capitalism is sweeping away all the ideals we once held dear.
And in this new homeland, we in this room
need to be the last line of defense.
They say the streets are theirs.
The city is theirs.
But I say the streets are ours.
The city is ours.
And this country is ours!
And that's why... we're starting our own company today.
Alpha.
We'll play only by our own rules.
The rules of justice.
We'll protect the weak!
We'll protect our homeland!
We'll protect...
Our homeland!
- We'll protect... - Our homeland!
To Alpha. To...
Alpha!
- To... - Alpha!