Free at Heart (2025)

[bunniefuu]

If you split it in the right place both halves will live on.

You then have two halves. The worm doesn't even feel it.

He simply forgets.

sh*t.

f*ck.

Where have you been, dude?

Were all falling asleep.

- Like a little birdy.

- Shut up.

- Dude, where have you been?

- Just chill.

- Look what I got us here.

- What have you got here?

- Are you coming later?

- Hey

Want some cake?

Dude...

Stop staring like that.

I see what you're doing!

Fire! Tess!

There's a fire at the Webers!

Who would do something like that?

No idea.

You know the people here...

and Tess.

I dreamt that you had a new sister.

That was just a bad dream.

Basti, should we get married one day?

Why is that?

So that I always have you with me.

Im always with you.

- From our own harvest.

- Im flattered!

Speaking of which, did they find any

news about the cause of the fire?

It was probably just a

shard of glass in the grass.

You don't actually believe that, do you?

It wasn't the first time either.

- Oh, some kids are just playing pranks.

- Are you going out again?

Why?

Maybe because we're taking

a math exam tomorrow?

I've already studied.

Going to sleep soon.

He already studied.

Nothing can go wrong now.

- Hardworking student!

- Just like his father!

- How is Rieke doing?

- Excuse me.

Yes, please?

Excuse me, who is this?

Three! Two! One!

- Ah, Mr. Eiffler? Mr. Albrecht.

- Pleasure.

- Well... are you doing ok?

- Yes

- Good. Let's go inside then.

Kolja?

Kolja!

I'm Bernd.

Okay, then you can

straighten it out again.

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

Are you stupid?

You can't just barge in here.

I need to talk to you.

It's about Sabine.

Long!

Come on, do it!

Did something happen

between you two yesterday?

Why?

Just asking.

Jealous?

Shut up.

I thought you were a virgin?

- Hey! I'll show you what a virgin is!

- Oh, no!

No way! Get off!!

- Come here!

- Wow!

- f*ck off, man!

- Hello Sebastian.

- Hey.

Could you join us for

a moment, please?

I got a call from child

protective services yesterday.

What do you mean,

child protective services?

16 years ago, before I met your mom,

I was with another woman.

Her name was Sabine.

It's difficult to explain.

Sabine passed away two days ago.

She was a single

mother and had a son.

And this son is now all alone.

I was a kind of like a godfather to him,

before we lost touch.

I kind of feel responsible.

Mmh, another bey in the heuse.

You little sh*t, are you kidding me!

Mom said you should watch your tone,

when you talk to me.

That's what you get.

What is it?

Sleep well.

Sorry, I cant right now.

Lilli.

Lilli.

What are you doing?

You're sleepwalking again.

I've always wanted another child.

How old is he now, 15?

Yes, one year younger.

But it's his birthday soon.

And youre sure?

Im sure.

How could you not have noticed?

Did you feed Krmel?

Hes asleep now. Just like you.

Nobodys going to believe us.

This is crazy.

- Yeah, welcome. This is...

- Kolja.

Vanessa, welcome,

pleased to meet you.

And you are Lilli?

Lilli!

Sebastian.

Hey, what's up?

- Hello, Petra Stolze.

- Hello, nice to meet you.

Yes, I work with my

colleague Mr. Albrecht.

- Hello

- Hello, nice to meet you.

We'd like to sit down with all of you

together, if that's possible.

Yes, let's go in then.

I work with child protective services

as a psychological counselor.

I am available to you to help

you with any problems.

We've already talked about this, Kolja.

This is really just a trial period.

There are, of course, other solutions, but

this one seems to be the best at the moment.

Yes, big changes like these happen in life.

It's important that you all speak honestly

with each other. Talk about your feelings.

What could bother you,

but also about whats going well.

This is actually the guest room.

It's not fully furnished and painted

yet, but we can do that at anytime.

Thank you.

All right, let's let him get settled.

He's not going anywhere.

- Bernd?

- Uh, yeah?

- From Sabine.

- Okay.

Nice. Thank you.

See you later.

Mmh?

Hey.

I thought I'd say a proper hello.

Do you read a lot?

"Catcher in the rye"- I like that one.

We're reading it in

English class right now.

May I?

It's a bit village- here.

You'll get used to it.

I hope so.

It's quite nice here.

Calm.

Actually, you can only get drunk here.

I'm sorry, by the way.

About your mom and all.

Boys, can you come here please?

So you and Basti are in my math class together.

And apart from that, you share German and English classes.

But you were already much further ahead in Hamburg.

But the other class in your grade is also nice.

Right, Basti?

Mmhh.

You could also swap at any time.

I'm the head of department, I can arrange that.

He will soon be the headmaster.

Well, we'll see.

Do you already know whether you

want to go to University after graduating?

Something to do with art?

I've seen your drawings.

Yes, maybe something with art.

But first I'm going abroad.

- Where do you want to go?

- Canada, or something like that.

How did you actually get this... castle?

Family heritage.

And someone from the family

had to take over the construction project.

Otherwise we would have had to give it up

and I wouldn't have been able to cope with that.

And Hamburg became Achternrode.

And all that because of love.

Love you too.

There are some vices you can't get rid of.

Not even secretly.

Thank you.

Can't sleep either?

I'm not used to the silence.

Maybe you'll learn to love it.

The silence. The stars.

Everyone knows everyone.

The gossip.

Wonderful.

Thank you for letting me live here for now.

Of course.

Are you actually ok with the adoption?

I mean, it's just for the papers...

She never told me anything about a godfather.

We kind of lost touch,

it wasn't intentional.

Anyway, I'm sorry I couldn't be there.

And that we never got to know each other.

We can get to know each other now.

Sleep well.

Dad.

This young man here will

enrich our English course from now on.

Yeah, there are always

surprises - even here in Achternrode.

Dude. What?

Why didnt you say anything?

Charlotte.

He seems a bit conceited. Doesn't he?

Yeah, but he's better looking than you.

Moritz? Do you want to

talk about something?

- What? No?

- You know what I always say, right?

A friendship is based

on transparency.

Oh my God, not transp-!

- What's up, loser.

- as*h*le.

I hate your cousin.

- That's his sense of humor.

- It's not funny.

Oh my God!

Give me the ball!

Yeah! Hey, Basti, come here,

They're k*lling me!

Come on now!

You can keep it if you want.

Sorry! I...

What did she do for a living?

She was a sculptor.

But she didn't work the last few years,

used to work as a cashier.

She was not like Vanessa.

She was depressed. She wasn't always doing well.

We didn't have that much money either.

Didnt live as stylishly as you do either.

I'm sure you miss her.

Or did she kind of stress you out?

Isn't so cool to have to run to the neighbors as a

7-year-old cause your own mom is too drunk to make you food.

Would have been cool,

if there had been two of us.

Come here.

I don't know what you mean.

Now come here...!

Do you still not get it?

The Parent Trap.

Thank you very much!

Youve got some potato right there.

Sorry.

We want to go to grandma's on Sunday.

Is it okay if you two stay here?

Is she not allowed to know

that you have two b*stards?

When did you plan on telling me, huh?!

What do you want to know?

You're not just adopting him.

He is your son!

Basti. It's hard to explain.

You are the dearest thing I have.

I don't get it.

Back then, 16 years ago.

I had a little son back then, with Sabine.

You, Basti.

Sabine was your biological mother.

We wanted to tell you at some

point, of course. Soon.

The right opportunity simply didn't arise.

And now...

sh*t.

I am so sorry.

Look, Sabine had serious psychological problems

at the time. Our relationship was no longer working.

And then I met Vanessa. I was actually

still with Sabine, but I fell in love with Vanessa.

Sabine probably got pregnant

by me again, unintentionally.

But I didn't know anything about it.

Nobody knew about it.

- That's crazy!

- Basti, you were still so small, so vulnerable.

Does it still run?

This is Dad's old one,

needs an overhaul.

Do you think he'll let me fix it?

Sure, do you like that kind of thing?

Can you show me how it works?

If you split it in the right

place both halves will live on.

I bury one half again.

Guilty conscience and all that.

You can also try using the bright spinner.

You just have to go a little deeper.

As hot as it is right now

theyre all hiding down in the mud.

Maybe you'll catch a carp.

How are things with your girlfriend?

Sarah.

Good.

You dont need to be so

hard on your parents.

- That's my business.

- They were just concerned.

- So, what's it like having a brother?

- You ask a lot of questions.

Tell me.

Yeah, it's ok.

Okay, okay, okay, okay. It's wonderful!

- Should I call you Sebastian or Basti?

- Sebastian.

Kolja?

Do you hear that?

Thats a Blackbird.

Did you know that some of them

stay together their whole lives.

I didnt say anything.

I dont care at all...

Just ignore these idiots.

Theyll believe anything.

You've been attracting

a lot of attention lately.

Alright buddy,

what's that supposed to mean?

When someone becomes headmaster,

people start looking a little more closely.

f*ck.

f*ck.

Youre not serious. You stupid f*gg*t,

get the hell out of here.

You're not allowed in here

anymore, do you get that?

- Hey!

- f*ck off!

There will be consequences for this, buddy.

You and your family think you're better than us.

You've all got skeletons in your closet.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Morning. Bad night?

Everything all right?

Excuse me. I'm sorry.

Actually, I should ask you that, shouldn't I?

Wait.

She always played this

when I was sad. It always made things better.

Don't we have to go?

I made sandwiches

and packed a thermos.

Good morning, everyone.

Are you two ready?

The bird is dead.

Will you take care of that, please?

I'd like to welcome all of you,

We gather here today to say

goodbye together.

A farewell to a beloved person,

from a loving mother.

And even though she was full of pain and hurt.

We shall not mourn the fact that we have lost the dead,

but be grateful that we had them.

D'ear Krmel, we say

goodbye to you today.

You were one of the good...

birds. Rest in peace.

Rest in peace.

- How was yesterday for you?

- It was okay.

- I don't even know what to say.

- Whatever. I didnt even know her.

I know how crazy all of this is, okay?

- Im here for you and so is Linus.

- Above all, he is into you.

Seriously...

And now throw!

Good.

Very good!

I'll let you know when I'm home.

Love you! Bye!

Yes! Can I go one more time?

- Hey, you two.

- Hello.

Are the two of you here alone?

Not quite, no, with my wife

and son number two.

Yeah, Linus told us.

I don't even know what to say.

You don't have to say anything.

And where is your other half?

At home.

Here you go.

You four are great.

Thank you.

I'm always afraid that

I'm doing something wrong.

Why?

I've always wanted a family.

I never had a real one myself.

So you build one, you know?

Yeah I know.

The neighbors looked after me.

- And every day I'm afraid that...

- ...it falls apart?

- Bro, can I ask you for one more thing?

- What?

- What do you think, how much money I spent here?

- I've already covered you three times...

Jerk!

- Did you get the cake?

- It's already inside.

- Will you please remember to water the garden?

- You're on kitchen duty, Basti!

- Dont burn the place down.

- Have fun!

Its good, right?

Thats perch - caught it last week.

Delicious - isn't it?

- What mountains are those?

- Those are foothills of the Harz Mountains.

Do you like it here?

Let's put it this way, I haven't quite

got the hang of the "cow tipping" yet.

You alright?

Are you ok?

Just too much sun.

Your t-shirt is wet.

Youre burning up.

f*ck you!

Come here, sweetie!

Coming!

Do we know by now

who's responsible for the fire?

Us.

Apparently.

What do you want from me?

I kissed someone...

...a boy?

It's all good...

I'll keep my mouth shut.

Who is it?

Are you serious? Thats your brother, right?

They were talking about that at work.

sh*t!

So, you thought youd pour

your little heart out to me? Forget it!

Get the hell out of here. Don't say anything to anyone if

you don't want to mess everything up.

What do you think will happen when they find out,

that you kissed your brother?

I think I have a crush.

sh*t.

You have to learn to keep your mouth shut.

Make yourself invisible.

Hey!

- Now wait a minute! Whats the matter?

- What do you want from me?

- I wanna talk to you!

- Talk about what?! Leave me alone, f*gg*t!

- Whats wrong with you?

- What?

- Calm down, man!

- Don't touch me!

Piss off!

Basti.

What...

Hey...

Basti, whats wrong?

Basti, look at you showing up again.

How are things going

with Sarah Hohland?

Ive got my eyes and

ears everywhere.

Hello.

Im looking for Basti.

He's not here.

Hey, have you seen Sebastian?

Hey, wait.

What do want from him?

You can always call me,

you wanna talk...

The majority of people

dont even realize that...

the love for one person is actually an

expression of their love for all of humanity.

But we choose someone, which doesnt mean

that we can no longer love anyone else.

Let's just forget all about it.

It just never happened.

- Do you do that a lot?

- What do you mean?

Are you Bi or something?

Just kidding, its just my voicemail.

No idea what this is.

I mean, we dont even

have much in common.

I've always imagined

what you must be like.

- How?

- I only knew that she had another child.

Somewhere...

she told me once, drunk.

- That's not fair.

- Fair?

You grew up totally privileged

in your house with a garden, living room and lunch.

Why didn't you insist on finding out who...

In any case, you could have tried.

Look...all this is...

- What is that?

- The old headquarters.

The what?

Make yourself comfortable.

- And who all belongs to the club?

- The boys. And Lilli was here too. And Sarah.

They're all hanging out

at Linus' place today.

Have you done this before?

- Dude! Dude, where have you been?

- Sorry, can we talk later. I just can't right now.

- Sarah is gone.

- What do you mean?

She hasn't shown u the last two days,

just like you.

I called her at home,

but no one answered.

- Maybe she's simply ill.

- Are you kidding me?

Over here.

Thanks.

Youre save.

Can we do the last two measures again?

Good, that's it for today.

We'll see each other next week.

- Or tomorrow...

- True, tomorrow. I might come.

- Hm, tell me Vanessa. Is everything alright with you?

- Yes, thank you.

- You know, if you ever need my help...

Of course we heard everything about Bernd,

we just wanted to check in and see how youre all doing.

As I said, we'll manage, thank you.

Ill get you! Ill get you!

Hey...

...Im going to tell you a secret, okay?

But you have to promise

to help me with something.

Lilli?

Lilli!

Lilli!

Oh my god, what are you doing?

I don't know...

What happened?

She was sleepwalking.

Lets go in.

What?!

- Mine are a bit bigger.

- You wish.

What are you doing here?

You... You like Basti, don't you?

Of course.

Well. Me too.

I don't understand the problem.

I won't tell anyone,

if you keep your hands off him.

- What are you talking about?

- Stay away from him or...!

f*ck you.

f*ck!

Moritz? Where is Linus?

No idea.

Who was that?

Lilli was bullied on

her way home today.

They tore apart her backpack...

Someone graffitied our house wall.

- Where is Kolja?

- Why?

Why what? What's

wrong with all of you?

- If you want to talk to me about something.

- I don't want to talk at all.

- Whats the matter?

- For gods sake, Basti!

What you two are doing is not ok.

Its not normal.

What happened?

Leave me alone Basti...

We cant do this.

Basti.

f*ck! Do you know him?

Hey! Hey! Wait!

What are you looking at, hm?

Whats wrong with him?

- Are you lost or what?

- What's up idiot?

This has to stop.

People here don't understand it

and neither do I.

I am your mother.

I will press charges.

Who hit you?

Basti stay seated,

what's is this?

What's going on here? People are saying

weird stuff. What on earth happened?

What do you care?

I'm interested to know why you would stab me

in the back like this. Why are you lying to us?

Sebastian, I want to know,

what's going on between you and Kolja.

I like him.

Excuse me?

You're crazy. What is he saying?

Okay, boy, this is a complicated age,

This is when emotions get the better of you.

- But you like Sarah and...

- Are you sleeping together?

But this...

That is ungrateful. You're ruining

everything, we've built here.

Ruin? We?

You're ruining it yourselves!

Okay, let's all calm down now, please.

- Don't blame me for what's going wrong with you!

- Nobody is blaming you and nothing is going wrong here!

Just be quiet!

- You're all crazy!

- Really?

You avoid every conflict.

As long as you can play happy family.

Then everything is perfect for you.

Satisfied?

What?

Someone beat him up.

That was against our agreement.

Good morning.

Having to love in secret can be very stressful.

Are there people you can talk to?

I don't think you can treat us.

I don't think so either.

I'm just wondering how I can help you.

Let's just call it a consultation for now.

But we're not harming anyone.

Yes I agree with you,

but the law doesn't.

I will not be forbidden anything.

Hey.

Who did that?

Basti, you're still young.

Sometimes in the heat of the moment...

Sometimes things happen

that you regret later.

What do you want?

I just want to help.

Basti.

I'm here if you need me.

The law states that the child

protective services only intervenes,

if there is a power imbalance

between the siblings.

However, since the two of them acted consensually,

and are minors, there will be no legal action.

I don't understand.

For instance, if one sibling sexually

coerces the other or exerts power over the younger one.

Yes, but Sebastian doesn't do that.

They're not that far apart in age,

but because of Koljas background, I'm afraid...

...this romance might affect his

future development and Sebastian's as well.

Excuse me, what

are you trying to tell us?

If the legal guardians refuse the separation

of the siblings, we must intervene.

And what exactly do

you mean by intervening?

Please understand that this is not

an easy situation for me in this particular case either.

But the law provides for this in an erotic relationship, which is

apparently what we are talking about here,

the spatial separation of the siblings if child protective services

considers the childs welfare at risk.

And that is also my finding.

That's nonsense!

- Are you accusing us of neglect?

- This is not about assigning blame, it's about

the well-being of your children. How are they ever supposed to

see each other as siblings if they become sexually close?

And please also think about your daughter.

Think about what you are doing to your family.

- Doing what? We're not doing anything to anyone.

- And what if we refuse?

Well, in that case, the legislator sees the need to intervene in

parental custody for the benefit of the child.

In other words, you will lose custody.

Kolja would leave the family and go to a sheltered housing

facility for young people, with limited visiting rights.

They're not just a bunch of... How am I supposed to

forbid them to love? That's a private matter!

Unfortunately not anymore.

Excuse me.

- What's going on?

- We didn't expect you to come.

We're sorry.

- What are you sorry for?

- Thats enough for now.

- What's the problem?

- Nobody means you any harm.

Is that so? Very good.

But there must be something.

- What are you looking at?

- Hey!

Obviously there seems to be a problem here

and I would like to know what it is.

- We like to have our peace and quiet.

- Oh I know, Ralf.

- I know you like to have your peace and quiet.

- There have never been any major problems here.

Until!? We showed up or what?

16 years, my dear!

And we're still the new ones or what?

- Calm down, Vanessa, you know how things work here.

- Excuse me!?

What did you say?

Where was your son when

Sebastian was beaten up?

At least I know where

he hangs out at night.

Vanessa!

Please...

...leave now.

Let the dust settle.

I won't let you send

me away just like that!

This choir wouldn't

even exist without me!

It was not my decision! Vanessa, I

actually wanted to tell you in a calm moment...

Bernd and you, you

are no longer board members. I'm sorry.

Basti?

Mom, Dad?

What's going on?

This will do you good.

Dude, we had plans.

Where are you?

Throw this sh*t.

Come on, now.

Linus? Dude!

- I've been looking for you everywhere!

- f*ck off man!

Are you f*cking serious?!

- Throw the f*cking bottle now man, throw it now!

- Linus! Linus! Linus!

And in this way...

I truly hope that our older ones

will look back on their time here...

...with fond memories.

Thank you.

We're about to leave...

I always thought...

I could protect you from everything.

Take the path through

the garden, as always.

Will you some back?

What's up?

I'm... I'm looking for Kolja.

He lives here, doesn't he?

Kolja?!

Coming.

What are you doing here?

I...just wanted to

see where you live.

Who knows about you being here?

Nobody.

Happy birthday.

Where are you going?