‘I know - it’s not easy to get up every day.’ the voice-over tells us at the start of this movie - and yes, it’s true: every moment in life needs a bit of courage. The film tells the story of three very different people and their struggle to find the courage in every-day life: a teen drummer leaves his parents house after an intense fight with his dad, a female steel worker has to stand up for herself in front of her co-workers on the day that she realizes she’s pregnant, and a 5-year old girl has to overcome her fears on the first day of school. The omni-present voice-over connects the three seemingly independent storylines. But as the voiceover guides us through the film, we can’t shake the feeling that their destinies are intertwined. And indeed, the three characters finally clash in a dramatic accident, in which the little girl gets insured. Months later, the steel worker and the drummer visit the girl in a Suva rehabilitation center and all of them show true courage when it really counts.

SUVA - COURAGE - NIGHT

(DISCLAIMER: The script was originally written in german. This is an english translation)

X1. BLACK

Pouring rain. We can hear dull, loud but unclear voices in a fight. Chairs move. Steps approach.

Music fades in, quietly and softly. The music is not developing yet. It is growing slowly over the first few scenes. Dynamic sound design dominates the soundtrack.

01. EXT. ENTRANCE – NIGHT

Fade-Up from black: Close-Up on a front door of a villa. Fast steps grow louder.

Suddenly, the door opens.

A young man (SIMON, 21) leaves the house, troubled. He puts on his used leather jacket. When his father tries to grab his shoulder, SIMON pushes him away and heads for his car. In the background, his parents observe him worriedly from the front door. It is the end of a severe family fight.

02. INT. ENTRANCE OF AN APARTEMENT / LIVING ROOM / KITCHEN – NIGHT

A self-confident, strong woman (BABS, 41) arrives at her apartment, soaking wet. As she opens the front door, her boyfriend surprises her with a small but personal birthday reception with candles and a mini-cake. They are kissing each other dearly.

Behind the head of her boyfriend we see what she had just bought: A pregnancy test. We end up on BABS’ thoughtful face.

03. INT. BEDROOM LARA – NIGHT

In a children's bedroom: the caring FATHER of LARA is closing the door silently. A brand new knapsack with a big bow is hanging on the doorknob.

Cut to a little girl (LARA, 7): from her bed, Lara watches her father closing the door. She lies in her bed, rigid, and stares at the ceiling. We still hear the storm from outside. The trees from outside and the wind paint spooky shadows on the ceiling.

The shadows of the trees turn into a school building with a little girl in front, wearing a knapsack. The doors of the school building convert into a monstrous, deep hollow which threatens to swallow the little girl.

Zoom to the deep hollow, the storm becomes louder. Black.

X2. BLACK. QUOTATION

We can hear the storm and the clap of thunder from far. A quote is fading in:

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. Winston Churchill

The text fades out. Only the word „courage“ remains.

The music now grows to an emotional film score driving the story forward.

04. EXT. CLOUDS IN THE SKY – EARLY MORNING

The morning sun shoots through dramatic thunderstorm clouds.

05. INT. BEDROOM LARA – EARLY MORNING

The sweet little 7-year old LARA is lying flat on her back in her bed and is still staring at the ceiling.

The alarm clock rings.

LARA squints her eyes while the camera is slowly moving from the ceiling towards her. We can hear a deep, confident male offvoice:

OFFVOICE

I know: it is not easy every day...

Annoyed, LARA pulls the blanket over her head, remains there a moment – but gets up fitfully and turns towards the edge of the bed, still with the blanket over her head.

MATCH-CUT TO:

06. INT. BEDROOM SIMON – EARLY MORNING

SIMON, the edgy 21-year old young man is sitting on his bed – exactly like LARA before but in a trendy, chaotic bedroom. He is taking a deep breath. The fight from last night is still straining him. He pulls a t-shirt over his trained, tattooed body, grabs his cell phone and gets up.

OFFVOICE

...to get up.

On the bedside table we can see a picture of the 17-year old SIMON. His father is hugging him. SIMON crosses the camera.

MOTION CUT TO:

07. INT. BATHROOM BARBARA – EARLY MORNING

The camera reveals BARBARA. She looks at herself in the mirror seriously.

OFFVOICE

To grab your life.

She bites her lips, watching the still closed pregnancy test on the sink. Then, she grabs it determined.

MATCH-CUT TO:

08. INT. KITCHEN / HALLWAY / STAIRCASE LARA – MORNING

LARA (7) is getting shoved around by her mother and father which can only be seen to their hips: LARA wants to grab a croissant from the table when she is getting moved away....

OFFVOICE

- to manage the day....

At the entrance, her mother passes her the knapsack as she gets manoeuvered into the staircase.

On her way down the stairs someone puts a cap on her head. Patiently LARA lets it happen. LARA opens the front door...

MOTION CUT TO:

09. EXT. SIMON’S GARAGE – MORNING

SIMON (21) opens the door to his old but stylish car, throws his skateboard to the passenger seat and starts the engine. The car safety system starts beeping. SIMON takes the seat belt buckle he has cut off before and puts it into the safety belt opening next to him. The beeping stops.

OFFVOICE

To tell yourself where to go

SIMON’S car takes off and drives through a puddle. The water squirts.

10. INT. BABS IN THE CARBON STEEL FACTORY – MORNING

We can see spraying sparks originating from glowing metal. Right in the middle BABS is conducting tough men - committedly. It is very loud and they shout to communicate. Using hand signals, she asks one of her co-workers where he has left his protection goggles? He simply rejects her.

OFFVOICE

-to decide.

From the corner of their eyes, the men look at her mistrustfully. BABS notices it - but she continues bravely. The camera moves in on BABS’ decided face.

MATCH CUT TO:

11. EXT. LARA ON THE SCHOOLYARD – MORNING

The camera moves up: LARA (6) looks seriously at a group of maliciously grinning boys who are walking towards a shy boy sitting on the ground.

OFFVOICE

-between good and bad.

LARA crosses her arms and places herself in front of the boy on the ground, bravely protecting him.

MATCH CUT TO:

12. EXT. SIMON IN THE SKATER PARK – LATE MORNING

In a skater park, a young skater is just crossing his arms in a cool pose in front of a girl with a handy camera in her hand. SIMON gets up there next and puts his helmet on as the girl shouts at him: „You don’t need that, it looks stupid.“

OFFVOICE

Right or wrong.

SIMON hesitates for a short moment, then decides to wear the helmet anyways, takes off and makes a nice move. But the girl is not interested.

13. INT. CARBON STEEL FACTORY WARDROBE – NOON

BABS (38) walks through the wardrobe, eats her lunch and pulls a pregnancy test out of her pocket.

OFFVOICE

Now or never.

She walks away in a determined manner.

MOTION CUT TO:

14. EXT. ON THE PLAYGROUND – DAY

LARA (7) moves up high in a swing and jumps off it, cheering at the highest point.

OFFVOICE

-to laugh.

The mother takes a picture with her cell phone of the jubilant LARA. CU on LARA’S picture.

MATCH CUT TO:

15. EXT. IN FRONT OF THE SKATER PARK – DAY

CU on SIMON'S cell phone: we can see 3 missed calls: DAD. SIMON (21) looks at his cell phone.

OFFVOICE

To cry.

He wipes his watery eyes.

MOTION CUT TO:

16A. INT. BABS IN THE TOILETT OF THE CANTEEN – DAY

BABS (38) is busy with the pregnancy test on the toilet.

OFFVOICE

And everything in between.

BABS is nervous. She looks at the pregnancy test and awaits the result nervously.

BABS closes her eyes and we are taken to a flashback journey showing the three characters in the past.

MATCH CUT TO:

17. FLASHBACK: INT. TRAM / BUS BABS – NIGHT

BABS opens her eyes, she sits in a tram. She is a few years younger. She looks at her counterpart. A shy man (her boyfriend-to-be). Their looks meet.

OFFVOICE

But when you take the risk: -

BABS smiles, flirting with the man. The man is astounded.

18. FLASHBACK – EXT. LARA FROM A HIGH TREE – DAY

LARA (7) climbs in the hands of two girls and begins to climb up a high tree...

OFFVOICE

-get up....

LARA heaves herself up courageously.

19. FLASHBACK: EXT. AT A RIVER BARRIER – DAY

SIMON (21) stands at a wild river barrier and fights against the water while holding a cat in his hand that he has apparently saved.

OFFVOICE

-to go about something...

He is passing the cat to his father who receives the cat proudly. Next to him stands an old women.

20. FLASHBACK BABS: INT. BEDROOM BABS – NIGHT

We are in BABS’ bedroom. Close-Up: BABS smiles embarrassed, but still seductively and lets the strap of her top glide over her shoulders.

OFFVOICE

-risk....

Wide shot on the floor: her dress falls to the ground, we see her naked legs and her boyfriend in the background on the bed.

21. FLASHBACK LARA: INT. KITCHEN / LIVING ROOM – DAY

LARA at lunch. Her chin barely reaches the edge of the plate in front of her. She holds a big spoon of spinach. With slitted eyes she opens her mouth distrustfully and takes a bite of the spinach.

OFFVOICE

-explore... –

22. FLASHBACK SIMON: INT. HOSPITAL – DAY

SIMON and his father sit next to each other on a lounger for blood donation. The nurse is locating the syringe. SIMON takes a deep breath.

OFFVOICE

-overcome... –

23. FLASHBACK BABS: EXT. AT THE LAKE – NIGHT

At the lake with a romantic campfire. BABS and her boyfriend are running around naked, holding their hands and screaming around.

OFFVOICE

-share with others...-

24. FLASHBACK LARA: INT. MULTI-PURPOSE HALL – NIGHT

LARA stands in the spotlight of a simple stage. She holds a flute and looks nervously into the dark in front of her. She takes a deep breath.

OFFVOICE

To have the last laugh...-

25. FLASHBACK SIMON: INT. CONCERT – NIGHT

SIMON is a drummer on a rock-concert and jumps into the madding crowd.

OFFVOICE

-let go...

26. FLASHBACK BABS: EXT. BALCONY / KITCHEN – NIGHT

BABS’ boyfriend is in front of her, on his knees. One moment, nothing happens. Then, BABS jumps at him exuberantly and hugs him stormily.

OFFVOICE

Say yes...-

27. FLASHBACK SIMON: EXT. HANGOUT – NIGHT

SIMON is hanging out with his friends. Someone offers him a cigarette. He refuses with his hand.

OFFVOICE

Say no...-

28. FLASHBACK LARA: EXT. SWIMMING BATH – DAY

We see a spring board filmed from below: LARA looks vaguely over the edge of the spring board into the deep.

OFFVOICE

And never say maybe...

29. FLASHBACK SIMON: EXT. SOCCER FIELD – NIGHT

Close-Up to a soccer field – filmed from a tribune. In the foreground, we can see coloured petards, in the spotlight we can see 5 soccer players which observe stunned how SIMON is running, half-nude – only covered by a banner reading „Free Tibet“ - across the field. He is followed by a security officer.

OFFVOICE

-rebel...

30. FLASHBACK BABS: INT. OFFICE – MORNING

We can see BABS in work gear in front of her boss. Apparently, she defends herself and sets out her view. She throws some cheap protection goggles on the table of her boss.

OFFVOICE

-counter....

31. FLASHBACK: EXT. SCHOOLYARD LARA – MORNING

On the schoolyard. With lowered heads, 5 classmates and LARA stand in front of a strict caretaker who is crossing his arms.

OFFVOICE

-admit....

Bravely and head low, LARA takes a step forward.

32. FLASHBACK SIMON: INT. HOSPITAL – NIGHT

On the hospital bed lies an old woman. She is sleeping. Next to her SIMONS father holds her hand with his head lowered, holding the hand of the woman. SIMON grabs the other hand of his father who immediately embraces SIMON'S hand.

OFFVOICE

-stand by....

33. FLASHBACK BABS: INT. HAIRDRESSER – DAY

BABS holds her head and can barely watch the hairdresser cutting her hair. He cuts away a first curl.

OFFVOICE

-change...

34. FLASHBACK LARA: INT. DOCTOR’S DOOR – DAY

Close-Up on LARA. She looks up to something, frightened. Cut to a white door which says: Doctor – please enter.

OFFVOICE

-and once in a while, surrender...

35. FLASHBACK BABS: EXT. – PUBLIC PLACE – LATE AFTERNOON

OFFVOICE

-be human. –

36. FLASHBACK LARA: EXT. STREET – LATE AFTERNOON

LARA (9) is holding her breath while passing a huge boar-hound. She closes her eyes while passing it.

OFFVOICE

-and stay that way.

16B. INT. LADIES RESTROOM – LATE AFTERNOON

Back with BABS in the ladies restroom. It is the end of the flashback sequence. BABS opens her eyes and looks at the result of the pregnancy test in front of her:

OFFVOICE

Then –

The result is positive.

OFFVOICE (CONT’D)

-then something is moving. First inside of you.

BABS is exuberantly happy. Tears of joy are shooting out of her eyes.

37. EXT. SIMON IN THE CITY – LATE AFTERNOON

SIMON is skating down the street. His cell phone rings. His father is calling.

OFFVOICE

-then – inside others –

SIMON looks at his cell phone, thoughtfully.

38. EXT. POND – DAY

LARA (7) holds her breath. At the same time, she puts her hand into a slimy pond full of spawn and algae.

OFFVOICE

-and maybe-

LARA is holding a big frog in her hand. She looks at him very seriously. She takes a deep breath, closes her eyes....

OFFVOICE (CONT’D)

-if it is a really exceptional day-

LARA kisses the frog.

OFFVOICE (CONT’D)

-in your world.

LARA opens her eyes, and to her surprise: in front of her sits a sweet, 6-year old prince.

39. EXT. DEMONSTRATION IN THE CITY – EVENING

A wild demonstration. The atmosphere is tense. The police and demonstrators are having a wild fight with water cannons and cobblestones. SIMON looks up and ignores the call of his father. He is in the middle of the demonstration, grabs a cobblestone and raises up in front of the camera:

OFFVOICE

-If you get up...

A policeman kisses the dust. Nobody helps him.

OFFVOICE (CONT’D)

I know what you’re saying now: that this is only a movie –

40. INT. CAR – EVENING

BABS (38) is in the car on her way home. She has to take a diversion as the city is blocked by the demonstration. She sighs and grabs her cell phone.

OFFVOICE

-and that I am only an imaginary, overdramatic, deep film voice,

41. EXT. STREET BEFORE CROSS-WAY – EVENING

LARA (7) is on her way home, riding her scooter - a preserving jar with the frog inside is lying at her feet.

42. EXT. STREET – EVENING

SIMON (21) escapes from a water cannon of the policemen.

OFFVOICE

-Life is hard and cold and merciless

43. INT./EXT. ACCIDENT – CROSS-WAY – EVENING

The offvoice grows tougher, while we cut between the three main characters:

BABS (38): In the car with her cell phone, in a very good mood but not so much focused on the street, is waiting for her boyfriend to answer the phone.

LARA (7): Is riding home on her scooter with the frog in the preserving jar, glancing at it hoping he will transform into a prince again.

SIMON (21): Running away as fast as he can from the police, looking backwards repeatedly.

We can’t get rid of the feeling that something bad will happen very soon....

All three of the characters are heading towards the same street-crossing. The boyfriend of Babs picks up the phone, Babs is enthusiastic and distracted. Simon is running towards the street-crossing as well as Lara. Babs’ car is getting closer.

OFFVOICE

-and suddenly hits you wherever and whenever it wants.-

But – Lara stops – as it should be but very unexpectedly – at the crosswalk. Even if Babs wouldn’t see her now the danger has passed. The situation gets calmer. But then-

OFFVOICE (CONT’D)

And you are right.-

-Simon is shooting out of a branch road to the street. Lara sees it and screams. Babs reacts to Lara’s screaming and can barely alter the course. She shoots past Simon, but crashes into a parked car, the car slides towards Lara, swerving, and comes to a halt... but too late.

Black.

X3. BLACK

The music calms down, getting emotional again.

OFFVOICE

But I – the film voice - am right too:

44A. INT. HOSPITAL – MORNING

Fade up from black: the same setting as in the beginning of the movie. Topshot: LARA is laying in a hospital bed. She looks into the camera, seriously. She takes some deep breaths.

OFFVOICE

It is not easy to get up every day....

LARA is in a rehabilitation clinic, surrounded by her dad and a nurse. LARA straightens up and with a lot of effort, but with an unrestrainable will to live, she prizes open to the crutches – and stands up.

OFFVOICE (CONT’D)

But if you do. Something is moving. First inside of you....

Little LARA makes her first step and smiles weakly but proudly.

44B. INT. HOSPITAL – DOOR – MORNING

Now we can see that BABS has observed the scene through the window of Lara’s door. She observes it, insecurely and with a bad conscience. Babs is scared of Lara’s reaction.

OFFVOICE

-then – inside others....

But Lara sees her and waves her weakly, with a smile on her face. Babs is obviously relieved and tears of emotion are pouring down her face. Now we can also see her boyfriend who is hugging her from behind, holding her pregnant belly.

OFFVOICE (CONT’D)

...and maybe-

And now we can see that also SIMON is visiting LARA. Silently, he observes the scene, moved, how Lara takes her first steps with the help of her father.

OFFVOICE (CONT’D)

-if it is a really exceptional day-

His glance sticks with Lara’s father, the image is moving something inside of him. He thinks for a short moment, takes out his cell phone and dials the number of his father.

OFFVOICE (CONT’D)

-In your world.

SIMON thankfully smiles one last time at Lara and walks away along the long hospital corridor.

44C. INT. HOSPITAL – CORRIDOR – MORNING

We recognize SIMON’S silhouette in the corridor and hear how his father answers the phone...

X4. FADE IN AND OFFVOICE ON WHITE

Life needs courage. That is why there is SUVA. More than an insurance.

Prevention – Insurance – Rehabilitation.