I Am David

David:
Why do people do such terrible things?

Sophie:
Like what?

David:
Like beat people, and kill them, and make them prisoners.

Sophie:
Most people don't do that, David.

David:
My friend Johannes always used to tell me, "Trust no one."

Sophie:
Oh, life wouldn't be worth living if you did that, David.

Sophie:
David, most people are good.

David:
Johannes, I want to escape. You said that if we weren't dead we could change things. But how do you know they're going to let us live?

Johannes:
We don't.

David:
Then we should leave while we still can.

David's Mother:
[David's memory] I love you, David.

David:
Please... don't turn me in.

Sophie:
Turn you in to whom?

David:
To them. To him. To anyone.

Sophie:
I wouldn't dream of turning you in to anybody, for any reason. You're quite safe here, David. You're safe.

David:
From the guards?

Sophie:
From everybody.

Maria:
Papa said I could have died. You have, too. You're very brave.

David:
Did I just smile at you?

Maria:
Yes. How come?

David:
I don't know.

Maria:
Is it because you think I look funny?

David:
No.

Maria:
Then... maybe you love me.

Sophie:
You've got a very interesting face. Would you mind if I painted it?

David:
What color do you want to paint my face.

David:
Is that what I look like?

Sophie:
To me, yes. That's my impression of you. That's why it's called impressionistic painting. So... What do you see when you look at it.

David:
Me.

Sophie:
Yes, that's not quite what I meant. You have to look at paintings diffently from the way you look at other things. More closely and see what it says to you.

[pause]

Sophie:
Well... when I look at the boy in that painting, I see a very intelligent, very serious person, and a good person, but - there's something about the eyes and the face that seems lost and sad. But that's as far as I can see, because he doesn't want to let the world see any further.

David:
Do you really see all that?

Sophie:
[laughs] Yes. Yes, I do.

David:
[holding Sopie's cat] She's so soft. And she's vibrating.

Sophie:
She's purring, David.

David:
Why do they hate us so much Johannes?

Johannes:
Because it's easy to hate people who don't believe the same things you do.

David:
I wish I were dead!

Johannes:
Don't say that. Don't even think it.

David:
Why not? There's nothing good here! What's the point of even staying alive?

Johannes:
Because if you're alive you can change things. If you're dead you can't. Do whatever you can to stay alive, no matter what! Go.

[first lines]

Title Card:
In the years after World War II, many people in Eastern Europe were sent to forced labor camps for disagreeing with their new governments. Because of this, families were torn apart. Life in these camps was very harsh, and escape was not an option. And yet, for one boy named David, it was his only hope...

The Man:
Are you listening to me? You must escape from here tonight. It's your only chance to stay alive. If you follow my instructions and make it out of the camp. Travel when it's dark to free Bulgaria so you won't be seen. They'll be everywhere waiting to arrest you. And unless you're very careful, you'll be caught. If you make it across the border, you must get the envelope to Denmark. First, head south to Selonika, and hide in a ship that's going to Italy. When you arrive there, travel north as far as you can. Your journey will be long and it may be impossible, but you must get this envelope to the authorities in Denmark. You must not open it. If anyone sees its contents before you get there you'll end up back here. Do you understand?

The Man:
I know you've lived in this camp your entire life, but there is a world outside it. However, it's a very dangerous world. Trust no one.

Swiss Border Guard:
Our orders are to check everyone's papers, even children.

Sophie:
Couldn't you relax the rules for a bit? All he wants to do is to come into your country and over throw the government and then rush right out again.

Swiss Border Guard:
[breaks into laughter] All right Mrs. Andersen, have a nice day. And young man, see if you can get us all pay raises while you're taking over our country.

[last lines]

David:
[arriving] I'm David.

David's Mother:
I know. [gentle hug]