The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

Anthony Zerbe: Councillor Hamann

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Quotes 

• Councillor Hamann : Down here, sometimes I think about all those people still plugged into the Matrix and when I look at these machines I... I can't help thinking that in a way... we are plugged into them.

  Neo : But we control these machines; they don't control us.

  Councillor Hamann : Of course not. How could they? The idea is pure nonsense. But... it does make one wonder... just... what is control?

  Neo : If we wanted, we could shut these machines down.

  Councillor Hamann : [Of]  course. That's it. You hit it. That's control, isn't it? If we wanted we could smash them to bits. Although, if we did, we'd have to consider what would happen to our lights, our heat, our air...

  Neo : So we need machines and they need us, is that your point, Councilor?

  Councillor Hamann : No. No point. Old men like me don't bother with making points. There's no point.

  Neo : Is that why there are no young men on the council?

  Councillor Hamann : Good point.

• Neo : Why don't you tell me what's on your mind, Councillor?

  Councillor Hamann : There is so much in this world that I do not understand. See that machine? It has something to do with recycling our water supply. I have absolutely no idea how it works. But I do understand the reason for it to work. I have absolutely no idea how you are able to do some of the things you do, but I believe there's a reason for that as well. I only hope we understand that reason before it's too late.

• Commander Lock : I believe I'm going to need every ship we have if we're going to survive this attack.

  Councillor Hamann : I understand that, Commander.

  Commander Lock : Then why did you allow the Nebuchadnezzer to leave?

  Councillor Hamann : Because *I* believe our survival depends on more than how many *ships* we have.

• Councillor Hamann : I like to be reminded this city survives because of these machines. These machines keep us alive, while other machines are coming to kill us. Interesting, isn't it? The power to give life, and the power to end it.

• Councillor Hamann : I hate sleeping. I figured, I've slept the first eleven years of my life away, so now I'm just making up for it.

• Neo : I just haven't been able to sleep much.

  Councillor Hamann : It's a good sign.

  Neo : Of what?

  Councillor Hamann : That you are, in fact, still human.

• Councillor Hamann : That's how it is with people - nobody cares how it works as long as it works.