I want to go to bed.
- Call the nurse.
Let me go!
My God, Rodica.
The nurse should give her a jab.
I want to say something.
To the boys?
- Say it!
Pass on a message for me...
Speak to the camera.
You'll be on TV.
You're recording sound and
vision?
- Yes.
My name is Rodica Marcau.
I'm from the Timisoara Co-op
store.
I defended the store on Sunday.
The Securitate shot at us
on our way home.
Some were arrested and tortured.
They were beaten with rifl e-butts.
I am bed-ridden now
but in the name of the Co-op
I wish to join the youth
of Timisoara
and Bucharest
and of the whole country
in the great revolution.
We want a better life,
freedom for the young people,
enough bread to eat
and happiness.
We don't want a dictator.
We want Ceausescu to be
put on trial here in Banat.
We want to thank the
chief orthopaedic.
Also Dr. Teicu,
who operated on me.
She must operate again soon
to remove 2 bullets.
We wish to thank the doctors.
All of us in the hospital
support those in Opera Square.
Let them remain strong!
Let them continue!
Let them hold out!
We don't want the Securitate!
I heard they want us
to accept them.
I say no!
The weapons should be
destroyed.
Let us remember the 4000 dead.
We want our victims
to be identified.
Videograms of a Revolution
Dear comrades and friends,
citizens of Bucharest,
capital of socialist Romania.
First let me send my sincere
revolutionary wishes
to those of you participating
in this great demonstration
and to all the inhabitants
of the city
I wish you success in all your
fields of activity.
For the last time live
I also wish to thank
the initiators and organisers
of this great demonstration
in Bucharest...
Who is shooting?
Someone is shooting.
They are entering the building.
An earthquake?
- What?
An earthquake?
- What?
Keep calm!
Keep calm!
Keep calm!
- Stop that!
Comrades,
sit down and keep calm.
Comrades, sit down and keep
calm.
Be quiet!
What's the matter with you all?
Summon all the comrades!
What's wrong with you?
Keep calm.
Return to the square, comrades!
This is a provocation.
Sit down! Keep calm!
Citizens...
of the capital...
Move back, comrades!
Quiet! Speak now!
I want to stress again...
that we must demonstrate
our strength and unity...
for the sake of Romania's
independence,
integrity and sovereignty.
This is a basic question of...
I also wish to thank
the initiators and organisers...
of this great demonstration
in Bucharest...
Who is shooting.
Someone is shooting?
They are entering the building.
An earthquake?
- What?
I wish to inform you
of an important decision...
made today by the politbureau...
to improve the workers'
living standards.
We have decided that
from January 1st...
the minimum wage will be raised
in the course of the year...
from 2000 to 2200 lei.
The best response we must give
is unity...
to counter an y threats to
independence...
and socialism...
Dear viewers.
That was a live broadcast...
from the great demonstration.
A camera investigates
the situation...
We want free elections!
We want free elections!
Awake, Romanians,
from the deep sleep...
put upon you
by rough tyrant hands.
This is the wall of the university
with burning candles.
The y are chanting "Timisoara".
Look at that tank.
Look what it is doing.
Fuck off with your tank,
you bastard.
Down with Ceausescu!
Down with Ceausescu!
They started it... They damaged
the Intercontinental hotel.
They are destroying everything.
We announce
that the defence minister...
was proved to be a traitor.
He committed suicide.
We appeal to all those who love
their country and their people...
to act decisively against
all traitors.
All rumours and lies were
generated by the traitor Milea...
in collaboration with other traitors
and imperialist circles.
It was he who provoked unrest,
ga ve false reports
and remained silent about crimes
and devastation in Timisoara.
Crossroads
Freedom! Freedom!
Join us, soldiers!
Join us, soldiers!
My glasses are broken.
- What? - My glasses.
At Central Committee
Headquarters
The cameras take to the streets
Look what they are throwing
down!
- What?
There they are!
There they are!
More and more cameras
He's taking off.
They'll soon start to jeer.
At the television station
Freedom! Freedom!
Look, down in the yard!
Get that on tape!
No violence! No violence!
Bring the camera!
Which storey?
The man in the elevator
Eleven!
Comrade director...
We want further...
I mean... no further bloodshed.
No bloodshed and no vandalism!
Hopefully no shooting.
- Don't worry.
Call the technicians.
Call 428. We need batteries.
Stay with me.
Comrades, we have come to save
this establishment.
Let us save Romania's honour!
But in a calm and
disciplined manner.
We must appeal for this.
The army must guarantee order.
That is essential.
General Milea is dead.
- Another suicide.
Let's go over there.
There is a large gathering.
Let us determine the re-birth
of Romania.
Time is pressing, comrades.
We need you in order
to communicate
with the whole country.
To broadcast the news.
Blood is still being shed.
We need the TV.
Stop the bloodshed!
Let us formulate
an orderly appeal.
We need military aid
in this chaos.
But if the young people see
soldiers in the yard...
No, the soldiers have
received orders...
Time is running out.
The crowd is waiting.
Install 2 loudspeakers quickly.
We must calm the crowd.
Take care of it.
The symbol of Romania's freedom
and re-birth.
I need 3 technicians.
- They are downstairs.
Shall we open up the radio station
as well? - Yes.
We must go down to the 1st floor.
Otherwise they'll demolish
everything.
The TV is our property.
Hold the door open.
What are you planning?
- To start transmission.
We need the army to prevent
chaos.
Report on the situation
in Bucharest. Go on air!
We demand the army's support.
This time they have gone too far.
Come with me.
I need to speak to you.
The studio is not big enough
for everyone.
Comrades, you TV people
are not guilty.
I'm not so sure.
We want to save your lives, too.
I have something relevant to say
to you.
Ah, the camera. After you.
We need to talk. Wait outside.
Use filter no. 1.
Filter no. 2...
Make room.
We want to address the people.
Quiet!
The truth! The truth!
We've made it!
We are victorious!
I'll read what I've got so far:
Brothers, the people have won!
The army is on our side.
We appeal to all citizens,
all nationalities, all troops...
You don't understand politics.
The army is not the government!
Then we'll appeal to everyone.
We need a programme.
You make the 1st announcement.
I'll announce the programme.
Every moment is vital.
Quiet, everyone!
When we go on air
23 million viewers will see us.
No more talking! You're going to
make the 1st announcement.
I'll start and then I'll introduce
Mircea Dinescu.
Give him a close-up.
Then we'll have an interval.
We'll continue after 15 minutes.
I'll introduce you, Mircea.
Show that you are working.
Attention, everyone!
Let Caramitru begin.
He's a well-known face.
Attention!
We go on air in 5 seconds.
Brothers...
- Not yet.
Brothers. God has helped us
enter this studio.
We came with the help of soldiers,
students, thousands of
Romanians
and the national minorities.
Before you is our hero,
the poet Mircea Dinescu.
Look, he is working.
We are exhausted, emotional,
but full of hope that
those who have taken up arms,
filled with heavenly
inspiration...
We all want to hear Dinescu's
word
which will bear the Romanian
spirit through all times.
Explain what you are doing.
In 10 minutes we shall address
an appeal to the people.
Now God has turned his face
towards the Romanians again.
Let us look up to God in silence
for a few minutes.
But first we appeal to the whole
army to join us.
The dictator has fl ed.
We appeal to the Ministry
of the Interior:
Lay down your weapons!
Return to the barracks!
The people are with us.
In 5 minutes an appeal...
- The TV is with us.
We are victorious!
- The TV is with us!
We are here!
We are victorious!
Freedom! Freedom!
How did Roman get there?
- No idea.
With the crowds, I suppose.
My thoughts now turn to those
who were wrongly prosecuted
and who are now in jail.
I demand amnesty for them.
All prison sentences must be
reviewed immediately.
I appeal to the people:
The world is watching us.
Show that we know the meaning
of law and order.
An yone who acted against us
will be held responsible.
If the army shot at the people
things will look bad for the army
for e very commander and soldier.
We have heard
that children, old people
and women have died.
I also appeal to General Rusu...
- They know who's who.
Stop the butchery! I don't know
how things will end.
That's just it.
Everything's so confused.
Investigations will be held
into the death of my friend.
General Milea,
Minister of Defence.
We fear they will escape
punishment:
Nicolae, Elena and Nicu
Ceausescu.
Be alert!
And the other traitors...
the offi cious servants...
They must be tried and
sentenced.
If necessary, to death.
- No more death sentences!
Look how happy the people are.
No soldiers to be seen.
- They've returned to the barracks.
Demobilised.
To think it was just an idiot
we were afraid of.
People had to die
to get rid of him.
Look at her!
Ha! We've done it!
You can get some false teeth now.
You couldn't af ford any before.
Turn the radio down.
TV comes to the
Central Committee
Make room for the TV people.
The army is with you.
The people and the army.
The people and the army!
The people and the army!
Freedom! Freedom!
Let the broadcast van pass.
Then the whole land can see us.
We ordered generators
and spotlights.
We shall turn the night into day
in this square
in a city
which lay in darkness for so long.
We need a National Democratic
Committee.
It has been suggested.
It must be democratic.
That means...
all in power must be
freely elected.
I am Alexa Vissarion,
a theatre director.
In the name of the Romanian
people
and following its demands,
Dascalescu, who is here,
will now announce
the resignation of his government.
Hold on. Listen!
For legal reasons the Premier
himself must announce this.
I announce
the government's resignation.
I announce
the government's resignation.
I announce
the government's resignation.
The resignation is repeated
Help the TV people do their work.
I announce my resignation
as government leader,
and the government's resignation.
I support the people.
I always have done.
I always will do.
He is lying! He is lying!
The fact that you stayed here
is of great importance.
I shall remain here.
I shall remain here.
It's a madhouse here.
Mr. Dinescu...
A neighbour came to me
and said: Mr. Dinescu...
your guards have left.
Their cars have gone.
I left the house.
The demonstrators arrived on
tanks.
And now?
I hope things
will turn out alright.
Dear viewers, the army
has arrived at the TV centre
to take up position.
This is further evidence
that they are behind the people.
We must show
how much we value
the soldiers and officers
who fulfi I their oath
to serve their land and people.
Now a few reports from abroad...
Yes, all reaction from abroad
has been very supportive.
But fi rst we're going over to the
Central Committee.
Attempted broadcasts
...and rest assured,
the soldiers
who fulfi Iled their duties
will continue to do so.
Now those reports from abroad.
The historical events here are
attracting widespread interest.
Stop destroying the villages!
Respect the farmers!
We must alter the school s ystem.
The Marxist-Leninist dogma
must be abolished at once.
Abolish lies and hypocris y.
Competence and responsibility
must replace them in Romania.
The army now commands the
troops
of the Ministry of the Interior.
Let's see what happens
if they disobey army orders.
The army now has supreme
command.
The Ministry of the Interior
is their subordinate.
We arrived 2 minutes
after the helicopter had left.
Where was it?
On the right-hand platform.
The platform up there...
- On B?
1) The one-party s ystem
must be abolished.
Pluralistic structures
must be introduced.
2) Free elections must be held
as soon as possible.
By May at the latest.
- In March.
No! March was the month
the tyrant held his elections.
In February.
- In April, at Easter.
To please everyone:
as soon as posible.
O.k. Let's go on.
3)...
Leave the room if you want to talk.
We've got work to do.
As I was saying,
structures of power
for the National Salvation Front
throughout the country.
Their immediate priorities:
Energy supplies.
Food supplies, public transport.
3)...
3) Separation of powers.
Montesquieu's concept.
Mr. Iliescu, "Salvation" is no good.
It sounds like a coup d'Etat.
"National democracy" is better.
I suggested:
"People's Unifi ed Front".
No.
"Democracy" was used before.
The National Salvation Front has
been in existence for 6 months.
The Front is the organ
of party and state power.
You must be joking!
It was just a protest letter
under that name 6 months ago.
The people in Timisoara
called themselves
"Socialist Democratic Front".
Let's leave "socialist"
out of this.
You've already named it.
- Yes, it's my baby!
One thing is vital:
Today we must proclaim
the country's name: Romania.
Not "The Socialist Republic".
Just "Romania".
Nothing more.
The factory must have
the new flags ready in 5 days.
Our traditional tricolour.
Pure and clean!
We want to establish
a National Salvation Front.
We shall issue a communiquE
forming new structures of power
also at local levels,
so that administration
can function.
Make sure everything goes
smoothly.
The communiquE will be issued
in an hour's time.
Inform the T.V. director. He must
prepare things. - Call 236.
Radu Abagiu, specialist
for supplies, will now speak.
Spotlights on the offi cial
platform!
Someone is shooting!
We have been informed that
shots are being fired
at the Romanian people!
Nobody is shooting.
Please tell us what is happening.
- Someone is shooting.
Tell us! Tell
But not like that!
All together! Someone's shooting?
- Yes.
We must keep calm.
No violence.
Keep together. Stay here.
We shall stay! We shall stay!
Securitate Chief of the
chief General Staf f
Immediate arrest!
Confined to barracks.
Close arrest.
Are you on guard?
The commander is responsible.
Understood?
Who is there?
I'm at the Central Committee.
Stop fi Iming us, please.
Nicu Ceausescu.
- Have they caught him?
Three comrades brought him in.
Come and tell the whole country!
We must thank the people
who understood
that we had to show him on TV.
The whole country must know.
It is no rumour.
He is under arrest.
He admits he is Nicu
and that he held children hostage.
That's not true.
We spared him.
Now he's lying again.
The courts will deal with him.
Dear citizens, dear friends
we are humane.
Turn it up!
Listen to the explosions outside.
He must be judged
by the law of our people.
We shall treat him as a prisoner
who shall be judged
according to the law.
The moment will come
when it will be established
whether he is guilty or not.
But we beseech you not to allow
yourselves to act impetuously.
We rescued him.
We brought him here safely.
He says he gave orders
to cease fi re in Sibiu.
He's lying.
We'll verify that.
He admitted
he held children hostage.
Put him in jail!
That's where he belongs!
Let him speak.
- No, the tyrants have said
enough!
He's stopped smiling now!
- That's good.
Tell them, they are their own
people. - They are our people!
We thank the TV
for putting us on air.
We are speaking from the balcony
of the committee building.
Stop shooting! At once!
They are our soldiers.
Cease fire! Save ammunition!
Cease fire!
Those are our soldiers!
You are shooting at our soldiers!
Stop fi ring, you fools.
In the name of the commander:
Make way for the military!
Give the soldiers room
to eliminate the last criminals.
Cease fire!
Keep calm!
Spotlights on the palace.
Illuminate their fl ags.
The T.V. station is under attack
from all sides.
We appeal to you:
Help us save the TV station.
It is vital for democracy.
We have heard terrorists
are in the corridors.
Come to our aid!
The army must help us.
Same situation
at the telephone palace.
Possibly snipers there are firing
at the TV station.
Even so, both these institutions
must be defended at all costs.
We shall stay on air.
Let's open the studio door
and find out what is happening.
Shots can be heard.
Open the door.
Turn out the lights.
Our land has so many
great athletes.
They can prove
their prowess anew
by saving what we have won
today with our blood.
Tell me, are you at the T.V.
station under attack as well?
Don't call in an y more troops.
Where am I supposed to get
them?
No more civilians either.
Our people aren't shooting?
And our tanks?
They shoot and you shoot.
Good, then carry on.
The TV station is under attack.
Awake, Romanians!
It is no time to sleep!
Come here, brothers!
Come to our defence!
Don't worry. We're defending
the T.V. station.
Our comrade, the captain, says
that things have calmed down.
Nothing is calm!
Get out of the picture, comrades.
The army protects the studio.
No cause for concern.
That's true.
But we need civilian defence, too.
Are all radar units working?
So why the helicopters?
Are they from abroad?
Did you shoot any down?
Eight? Where are they from?
From here?
Unbelievable.
They are all Romanian.
I understand.
Top alert. These maniacs
had hidden helicopters.
We did not know. Now they are
attacking us all over.
Is that the local offi ce of
the Ministery of the Interior?
I want to speak to an offi cer.
They shot down eight helicopters.
Eight?
But who let them tak e off?
Who do you think?
Who let them fl y so that
they could be shot down?
It must be special units.
Terrorists.
What terrorists?
The helicopters could only be his
or mine.
Then they are yours.
- Or ma ybe yours...
This is all very strange
I only ha ve three.
I don't believe it!
Who's occupying the post-offi ce
out there?
Speak louder. Be coherent!
Helicopters are on the scene.
Did they have troops hidden
underground?
Nobody knows.
They probably had a regiment
hidden underground.
But I think
we're on the right track.
Postelnicu and Dinca.
- Minister of the Interior.
We caught them.
They were hiding here.
Lock them up!
He should give orders over the
speakers for the massacre to
stop.
At gun-point!
He must stop the massacre.
We have Postelnicu and Dinca.
The National Salvation Front
informs that 10 minutes ago
Postelnicu and Dinca were
arrested
at the Central Committee.
Chief of Staf f Guse
has them under arrest.
Working with him for our cause is
General Vlad, ex-Securitate chief.
He has ordered his troops
to join us and the army.
I repeat:
Postelnicu and Dinca
are under arrest.
They must now give us
information
about what is happening.
Why do you order people
to shoot?
The Securitate is not
under my command.
Whose, then?
- General Vlad's.
Vlad ordered a cease-fire.
Yes, I saw
he was issuing lots of orders.
But I can tell you that
there was no order to shoot.
I really don't know
what Vlad's doing.
I'm not responsible
for the Securitate.
Only for the border troops.
- My God!
You know how the Securitate is.
But you as Minister...
- I am not responsible.
But you were chief of security!
When I was there,
the Minister was responsible.
I just obeyed orders.
Ask him!
That was the procedure.
I know the organisation structure.
That was the procedure.
But as Minister
you could have ordered
a cease-fire.
I gave the order not to shoot.
My troops, the militia,
don't shoot.
They're just traffi c cops.
I told my people not...
Listen to the shooting outside.
- I ordered them not to shoot.
And I am not in charge
of the Securitate.
Where are the shots coming
from?
In the yard outside
the TV station.
At the TV station
Here's the ammunition.
Let's go over.
Nobody is shooting now.
Step on it! It's o.k. now.
Film the tank.
Are you scared!
- I'm just not as nifty as you!
We've been doing this
for the past 3 days.
We're war journalists now.
The bullets don't bother us
any more.
Yes, but I write everything down.
All that shooting yesterday
at the Central Committee...
Yes, but what about
the T.V. station this morning!
Yeah, you were on TV.
- Did you see me?
Sure.
- Let me out here.
Where are the shots coming
from?
Where are the shots coming
from?
- From the two buildings.
Come here.
Take cover!
Idiot!
Running round here with a kid.
Are they shooting from the
corner?
- Yes.
From the upper storeys?
- The fourth upwards.
From up there.
Where exactly?
What did you see?
From those windows.
Where are you aiming at?
Tell me where, boy!
Look, down there.
- That corner? - Yes.
At the moment...
or rather, until now
I was surveilling
the Press Agency.
Like all officers on observation
I carry no weapon on duty.
They must admit their crimes
to the people.
Is he armed?
- He was.
I did nothing wrong.
Call Agerpress.
Why was he armed then?
On the radio...
I heard the Comrade Minister
General Colonel lulian Vlad.
I wanted to join my unit at once.
So what was he doing armed
outside the TV studios?
I did not want to come here.
You came here as a peaceful
citizen bearing arms?
I wanted to join my unit.
It's stationed on...
He's forgotten where...
- It's on Eforie Street.
Where were you last night
when we needed help?
You wanted to kill our comrades?
Check my weapon.
It is loaded.
I've never shot at anyone.
Why carry a gun then?
- It's part of my uniform.
He must face a proper trial.
Take him away!
Since when were athletes armed?
So, dear viewers, that's the sort
of aggressor we're dealing with.
Tell us where you've come from.
I drive that delivery van
you just saw in the picture.
I have been serving the people
for three days non-stop.
Since yesterday
I've been transporting
victims of the terrorists
and the ex-Government
who deprived us of freedom
from the airport.
These here are the last victims.
The airport is now peaceful.
The last terrorists
have been forced into the forest.
I guess they have
no ammunition left.
They were Lebanese and Syrians
who were parachuted in.
The car will now do
a lap of honour.
Kneel down, your head bare.
Freedom! Freedom!
Kill the tyrant!
Kill the tyrant!
Ceaucescu won't live
to see the New Year!
Identification
Bring him here!
There's another one.
We'll shoot them
on Victory Square.
No! No shooting!
Don't! You mustn't shoot!
I'm from the Jiu valley.
I'm innocent.
I came to fetch my sister-in-law.
His papers must be forged:
they are brand-new.
Brand-new! A forgery!
- It's genuine!
It's not in order.
- Check it.
I am innocent.
Look! Carte-blanche papers!
Military unit 0405, Bucharest!
They are not mine.
Tie him up! These are
carte-blanche battle orders.
I'm a Romanian from
the Jiu valley.
Romanian police...
Who had the documents?
What lovely hair, you bastard!
Leave him alone.
There's no reason to hit me.
- That's what they all say.
What he says?
- He say's he's not a terrorist.
O.K. and?
- And he is a terrorist.
The heavens were radiant.
The angels came
on a beam of light.
We are incredibly close
to each other this Christmas.
It is a miracle.
We felt impelled to come here,
and declare
Dearest citizens, friends, our
faithful theatre public, viewers
...I'm sorry.
I'm just so moved...
We want to thank the TV people,
the soldiers,
mothers and children
who are in our thoughts.
They are our children, too.
We declare that our hearts,
with all that is sacred to us,
are with you
and this wonderful country...
Forgive me. I'm so
overwhelmed with emotion, joy,
with this brotherhood,
that I am lost for words.
I, who am usually so eloquent.
But the day will come
when each of us will speak
and open his heart...
I brought something from home.
A symbol:
A small, red heart.
CommuniquE
CommuniquE:
On 25th December 1989
the trial of
Nicolae Ceausescu
and Elena Ceausescu
took place
before a special military court.
The charges were:
1) Genocide.
More than 60,000 victims.
2) Subversion of the state powers
by armed violence against
the people and the state powers.
3) Destruction of public
property by damaging
and devastating buildings,
causing explosions
in cities etc.
4) Subversion of the national
economy.
5) Attempting to fl ee the country
to gain access to more than
1000 million dollars
deposited with foreign banks.
For these severe crimes
against the Romanian people
and Romania,
the accused,
Nicolae and Elena Ceausescu
were sentenced to death.
Their funds were seized.
Sentence was passed
and carried out.
Our evening programme
will carry pictures of this.
Our evening programme
will carry pictures of this.
The last camera
Dear viewers,
as we reported earlier,
Nicolae and Elena Ceausescu
were detained by citizens
and soldiers
while attempting to fl ee abroad.
They were medically examined
as required by law.
They were found to be
in good health.
A special military court
was summoned.
The charges were:
1) Genocide.
More than 60,000 victims.
2) Subversion of the state powers
by armed violence against
the people and the state powers.
3) Destruction of public
property by damaging
and devastating buildings,
causing explosions
in the city etc.
4) Subversion of the national
economy.
They look in good shape.
5) Attempting to fl ee the country
to gain access to more than
1000 million dollars
deposited with foreign banks.
They were given
the right of defence.
For the crimes they committed
the accused,
Ceausescu, Nicolae
and Ceausescu, Elena
were sentenced to death.
Their funds were seized.
Incredible!
What an actor! He's great!
The sentence was passed
and carried out by fi ring squad.
With that, dear viewers,
we end our transmission for today.
Our next programme will be
at 11 a.m. tomorrow.
The corpses on TV
That's him!
There's Elena!
That's it, then. Turn it off.
I just wanted to add:
The dictator, the criminal
we saw today on TV is dead.
He lied to us so much
that we hated someone
if he earned 300 lei more.
His children had millions
in the bank.
His daughter had $ 97,000.
He forced us to do without:
"Our land needs every dollar."
and all the time the money was
shared out among his own
people.
We had no fun in life.
The lights went out at 6 p.m.
We grew up hating minorities.
But the Germans and Hungarians,
they are our friends.
We've lived together for ages.
And now children have died.
Many of us have lost relatives.
And so let's never forget
to support each other.
Because that's
what life demands of us.
And I wish you Happy Christmas!
Long live free Romania.
Translated by Robin Telfer
and Peter Wilson
Commentary translated by
Donald Tuckwiller
