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Wearying of Magda’s company, Minki was relieved to see Max weaving through the crowd towards them.
‘Good evening, Magda,’ he said, bowing politely and kissing her hand. ‘Well, ladies, the film is about to begin…shall we go through?’
Max led the two women to the auditorium. Goebbels was already seated in the centre of the front row, and motioned to Magda and Minki to sit next to him. He then rose to his feet and addressed the audience. ‘It’s my great pleasure to announce the latest production from my excellent team at the Potsdam studios. It deals with a very important subject, as I’m sure you will agree after seeing it. So without further ado, roll the movie!’
Goebbels raised his arm to the projectionist, the cinema lights were dimmed and the film began:
ICH KLAGE AN– I ACCUSE
The film portrayed the tragedy of a beautiful woman, happily married to a research scientist. She soon develops multiple sclerosis, however, and the couple seek help from specialists as well as their family doctor. But her illness worsens, and it becomes clear that nothing can be done – the lovely woman will ultimately suffocate to death.
So she begs both her doctor and her husband to end her suffering with euthanasia. The doctor refuses, saying it’s because he loves her. But her husband agrees to her request because ‘he loves her more’.
After her sensitively handled death, in which she falls calmly to sleep, her husband is arrested, and put on trial for murder. In the final dramatic courtroom scene, the husband declares his own guilt. ‘Yes, I killed my wife, at her request, because I love her.’ He asks that the five judges of the court to acquit him – not just for his sake, but for all the people in the future who want to assist the suicide of their suffering relatives, free from criminal charges. Dramatically, the film ends before the verdict is given, inviting the audience to make up their own minds.
As soon as the credits had rolled, the audience burst into applause. The cinema lights went up, and Max, as producer, together with the director and stars, stood up and took a bow. But Minki felt unable to join in the approbation.
On one level, she could see that the film was simply exploring the awful dilemma of those with terminal conditions, but she also suspected Goebbels had another motive – to ‘soften’ public opinion, preparing them to accept state-controlled euthanasia for the congenitally ill. She knew that there was already a law encouraging the sterilisation of those considered ‘unworthy’ of procreation. How long would it be before this developed into ending the lives of anyone who was not considered perfect?
Her thoughts were interrupted by her husband addressing the audience. ‘Thank you for showing your appreciation of this important film, and the many people behind it – cast, crew, director and scriptwriter. But there is one very special person here tonight, to whom we must all owe our deepest thanks – our esteemed benefactor, Minister for Propaganda, and the head of the German film industry, Reichsminister Joseph Goebbels.’
The audience applauded loudly, and Goebbels rose and bowed. Again, Minki didn’t join in. Looking up at him, she felt nothing but hatred.
The guests had been invited to a grand dinner after the film, but Minki couldn’t face the prospect of watching Goebbels preening himself for the rest of the evening. She just wanted to get home to the children.
Minki took Max by the arm and pulled him away from the crowd of enthusiastic well-wishers who had gathered around him. ‘Max, well done for tonight – I’m sure the film will be a great success, but if you don’t mind, I won’t stay for dinner.’
‘You can’t go now,’ he insisted. ‘I know Joseph is keen to see you.’
‘I doubt that. He’s far more interested in foreign actresses these days.’
It was a casual, throwaway remark, but Max blanched and lowered his voice. ‘What do you mean? How do you know about his affair?’
‘Oh, so the rumours about Lída Baarová are true then?’ Minki had not been deliberately trying to tease out the truth, but now that she had she felt rather smug. ‘Quite honestly, Max, it doesn’t surprise me. Joe’s always been sexually incontinent. One woman has never been enough for him. I’m amazed he has stuck with Magda for so long.’
‘Now listen to me,’ replied Max, gripping her firmly by the arms and looking around to make sure he was not being overheard. ‘You must keep quiet about Lída. Magda is really upset. She’s already had a word with Adolf, who has told Joseph in no uncertain terms to end the affair. Joseph is furious, and I promised him you’d be here tonight. He thinks of you as an old friend he can rely on, and he wants you next to him at dinner – for moral support. But be careful what you say. You sometimes forget that he is now one of the most powerful men in the country. Treat him with respect…please.’
Reluctantly, Minki agreed, but bored by the other guests, took another glass of champagne and wandered into the dining room. Long tables had been arranged, creating three sides of a square. Covered with starched white tablecloths, they had been laid with sparkling glassware and flowers. Sauntering around the edge of the tables, looking for her place card, she soon found it at the top table, with Max on one side and Goebbels on the other. Although initially surprised to be placed in such a position of honour, it all made sense when she saw who was sitting on Goebbels’ other side – the actress Lída Baarová. Minki realised she hadn’t been placed next to Goebbels to console him, but to distract attention from his latest paramour.
Minki had seen Baarová in a couple of films. A delicate, dark-haired woman in her mid-twenties, she was not as glamorous as Marlene Dietrich, but an attractive ‘girl next door’ – the sort Goebbels had often fallen for.
Minki sat down in her place and finished her glass of champagne, waiting for the tables to fill up. The first guest to enter the dining room was none other than Lída Baarová herself. Being alone with the woman at the centre of the latest scandal was too good an opportunity for the journalist in Minki to pass up.
‘Hello,’ said Minki. ‘Were you bored with the reception too?’
Lída smiled. ‘Something like that. I find these events rather overwhelming. I just came in to check where I was sitting at dinner…’
‘Me too,’ replied Minki. ‘I’m Minki vonZeller, by the way. I’m married to Max, the film’s producer.’
‘I’m Lída…Lída Baarová. It’s nice to meet you.’
‘I recognised you. Baarová…is that Czech?’
‘Yes, I’m originally from Prague – do you know it?’
‘No, I’ve never been. I’ve heard it’s beautiful though. Your place is here, by the way, next to Joseph Goebbels. I’m on his other side.’
Lída looked momentarily alarmed. ‘Oh, I see.’
