Original subtitles

AFTER LOSING HIS BELOVED FARM IN AFRICA AND THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE, DENYS FINCH HATTON

KAREN BLIXEN RETURNS TO RUNGSTEDLUND AND BEGINS HER WRITING CAREER.

IN THE FOLLOWING YEARS, BLIXEN BECAME A WORLD-RENOWNED AUTHOR

AND THE CENTER OF DANISH CULTURAL LIFE.

I MUST KNOW HIM NOT BY HIS FACE BUT BY HIS MASK.

THE PACT

- I can't believe I'm going to meet her. - She's a person like any other.

Do you think she's read my book?

Of course he read it. Why would he have contacted you?

Isn't it?

You won't make it to to Rungstedlund by bicycle!

Cabs are expensive.

Don't forget to remove the belt loops.

- I won't forget. - Will you say goodbye?

- Bye bye! - Goodbye!

- You must be the Magister. - That's it.

The Baroness is making a radio recording.

Wait in the living room.

Thank you.

"...or the children will invent a game speaking my name

or the full moon will cast a shadow

on the gravel of the road who was like me?

Or will the eagles of the Ngong watch over me?"

Great.

Thank you very much, Baroness.

- You're welcome. - It was incredible to hear you. Our listeners...

Thank you. You know where the exit is.

Baroness.

Sorry I'm late.

But ten years ago, my book The African Farm was published in the USA

and, at the time, I committed myself to make a recording for the radio.

Welcome to Rungstedlund.

I've always had a special talent for serving wine.

But at my age, I can't guarantee that I won't spill half the bottle.

How kind of you to invite someone like me.

To be able to sit here and say how much your books mean to me.

I've read all your books several times.

And sitting here with you

among the things I brought from the African farm

makes everything seem even more present.

I hope I haven't said anything wrong.

It was only when I went to live in Africa that I met people

who understood that their greatness lay within them.

But here it's exactly the opposite.

All white people have a fear inside them

that I can't stand.

It's the fear of displeasing.

Instead of doing what they want, they flatter them in the hope that they'll like them.

No, Magister.

I'm not interested in that.

Try something else.

I'm curious to know

- What do you think of my book? - I haven't read it yet.

She was the wife of Knud W. Jensen, Benedicte

who told me about a promising newcomer and that gave me

an idea.

Which one?

Your poems were well received, weren't they?

- They were. - I knew that the press

ridiculed when my book was published?

- No. - He made fun of it.

Not abroad, they understood. But not in Denmark.

- It's been a long time... - To make matters worse

they say there's a fool young and impolite who wants to write

a book about me.

- It can't be that bad. - But I don't want to.

No.

I want you to write.

About you?

Maybe it will even be published first.

There wouldn't be enough time.

No.

But would you consider writing it?

Of course.

I got this gramophone when I lived in Africa.

It's one of only three things that can to keep me quiet. Here.

The other two are the new moon and Mrs. Carlsen.

The two are best received with a reverent silence.

You're still very young.

Let me help you a bit, Magister.

There's a passage in a play by Heiberg

in which a young woman makes an offer to the hero:

"If you lose faith in God, then...

have faith in me

and I will protect you."

Do you know this quote?

No.

I can guide you.

You have no idea what that means to me.

And think about my suggestion about the book.

What will you say?

I don't know. I'm not that kind of writer.

Imagine being so big and caring about something so tiny.

Are you disappointed?

- With what? - With her.

- She was fantastic. - So what's the problem?

I'm happy that she wants me to write about her,

but she hasn't even read my book.

You writers...

I'm going to bed. Are you coming?

I'm going to stay here for a while.

Did you remove the belt loops?

- I took it off. - And you called her "Baroness"?

I called out.

I kissed Bo good night on Bo for you.

I said you'd kiss me goodnight when you arrived.

I will, of course.

Be honest: if you think you can't write the book, tell her.

- There may be a payment. - My salary is enough for us.

It's worked so far.

- Mrs. Carlsen said you'd be here. - Come in.

Have you thought about my offer?

I thought.

I thought about it a lot.

- And I thank you very much... - But your answer is no.

I suppose that means that you won't guide me.

I admire your courage, Magister.

I didn't see that courage on our first meeting, but it's there.

Do you know why there are so many unhappy people today?

It's because they are no longer to be brave.

But to be happy, we have to risk unhappiness.

And that takes courage.

So promise me something.

Never be afraid.

Otherwise, you won't be happy.

- So you're not angry? - No, I'm not.

Do you know Knud W. Jensen?

- I've heard of it, of course. - You must meet him.

He has good taste, money

and supports the arts.

He'll be able to help you.

I'll give you dinner.

I'll invite Knud, Benedicte

Thomas... There are so many people you need to meet!

- I can't accept it... - Garbage.

Watching my friends turn into wild animals

with the help of dancing and alcohol

is one of my few pleasures.

And you'll bring your wife, of course.

- Are you serious? - Yes, please don't take that pleasure away from me.

What does your wife do?

- Grete? - Yes, Grete.

She's a librarian.

You weren't supposed to write that book.

We met for another reason. I realize that now.

You have the courage to do something big.

And it's my duty to help you to use that courage.

How incredible.

Do you understand that this could change everything?

I'll be able to write without feeling guilty.

See? I told you to be honest.

We're having dinner in Rungstedlund.

You, me,

- and the country's greatest artists. - Someone needs to take Bo.

We'll ask your parents. Don't you want to meet her?

I do. I think so.

Let's put Knud on my side.

- Bjørnvig? - The young poet.

We'll put him next to Benedicte. They can talk about his book.

And the wife. Let's put her on the other side of the table.

- No one will look at your shoes, Grete. - Women will.

And I'm sure that the Baroness will be watching them.

You look beautiful.

You always look beautiful.

Let's get going.

- Thank you. - Thank you.

- You must be the young poet? - I am.

- You must be Knud. - Knud V. Jensen.

- Grete. The young poet's wife. - Pleasure.

Tanne only appears at dinner. But there are drinks in the living room. Come along.

The Baroness asked me to show you your room.

But we have to get Bo.

Can't your parents stay with him until tomorrow?

- But we didn't bring any clothes. - I'll talk to her.

I can't have breakfast in that fancy dress.

I think the baroness would get a kick out of that.

The Baroness wanted to give them the option, to enjoy the party as much as you like.

The bed is a single, but the Baroness thought it would do.

We need to pick up our son at my parents' house.

Well, now you know where it is.

People are already sitting down to dinner.

Susanne, I want to sit with you. Can you sit next to me?

But I should have known.

Will you sit next to me?

Hello.

- Hello, Benedicte. Benedicte. Knud's wife. - Thorkild. My wife, Grete.

My dear friends! Welcome. Welcome, everyone.

Please sit down. Please sit down.

Thank you.

- Are you a poet? - Yes.

The Baroness invited me

- thanks to you. - Thanks to me?

All because you read my book and were kind enough to recommend it.

Did she say that?

In fact, I think the Baroness lied a bit.

She called me and told me to I should read the book before that night.

But unfortunately I haven't had time yet.

- Don't tell her. - I promise.

Cheers!

- Let's show them how to dance. - Thorkild!

- Let's go! - Do we really have to, Thorkild?

I'll talk to Tanne. We'll think of something.

- Thank you. - Thank you for the evening.

Thanks too.

Can we go too?

- I don't want to insult her. - Bo always sleeps at home.

He's with his parents.

That's a bit weird. We don't even know her.

What if I stay?

Thank you for the evening, Baroness.

Didn't Mrs. Carlsen show them the room?

My wife has to pick up our son. But I'll stay.

- I hope you enjoyed yourself. - It was a wonderful evening.

I'm going too, Tanne.

I'm being abandoned by my friends.

As always, it was a wonderful evening.

And your dinner partner? Did he behave?

Absolutely.

What a shame.

Thank you for the evening.

Thank you once again for writing such a wonderful book.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

Did you sleep there?

A couple of hours. And you?

It's strange to have slept in a stranger's house.

She's no longer a stranger. She's our friend.

Don't I get a kiss?

Where are all my animals?

Where are all my animals?

This is a cow. What noise does the cow make?

- Who lives in this house? - The farmer lives here.

Does the farmer live here?

And what does the farmer say?

Mrs. Carlsen?

Tell the driver to move the car.

No.

- What have you done here? - Baroness?

Baroness.

Magister.

Come and see.

If I'd known you were coming, I wouldn't have left.

Garbage. I just came to thank your wife for letting me borrow you.

And then I come across with this little wonder.

He reminds me of Picasso when he paints and draws.

He reminds me of someone who is ready to go to sleep.

No.

- Let's go to bed. - Are you tired, little one?

Have beautiful dreams.

How adorable you are!

Sleep well.

I talked to Knud and he will give you financial support

so you can focus on writing.

Really?

It's a lot.

I promise to do my best.

- I'll write every day. - It's not enough to write, Magister.

You need to leave the library.

You need to find your way, and not just

be how other people see you. You need to find yourself.

Easier said than done.

That's why you need a little push.

Do you remember when I told you about Heiberg's play?

"If you lose faith in God

then have faith in me and I will protect you."

Of course I remember.

In my first year in Africa such an offer was made to me.

It was made by my people.

And it was made by Africa itself.

"Have faith in us

and we will protect you."

And I accepted the offer with all my might.

And so it became a pact between us.

A pact?

A promise

sacred and magical.

I'm offering you this pact.

- I'm not sure I understand. - A pact of spiritual fidelity.

I will always promise to protect you.

I'll always be there for you.

You can come to me whenever you want.

Throw a stone at my window

if things get difficult.

In return, you must promise that you will always trust me.

And most importantly: you will strive to become the artist

who was born to be.

I've always dreamed of having someone to guide me.

Then take me up on my offer.

I accept.

Then I'll put my cape over you

as a sign that one day my spirit

will stay with you.

And please tell your wife that there's no need

to worry about Bo.

What do you mean?

My illness is no longer infectious.

I don't know what you're talking about.

The disease took me away from life.

Not just sex, but everything physical.

It's no longer part of me. It's no longer dangerous

except for myself.

Did you know that Nietzsche also had syphilis?

- I read something about it. - So you know he had megalomania.

If you see any signs of this in me, promise you'll let me know right away.

You have to protect my honor.

"Have faith in me and I will protect you."

- Dinner is almost ready. - That's great.

No poem?

She doesn't want me to write poems yet.

Only letters. To her.

"The Magister must first feel the world to know what to write about."

Got it. Does Magister feel hungry?

Thorkild?

What do you think?

- It looks good. - What looks good?

You weren't listening.

Sorry.

Is it hers?

What does she write?

"Don't forget our pact.

You shouldn't write to anyone else.

You shouldn't write for a war

or cultural movement. Write down why you should answer

- to the gods." - "Pact"?

Yes.

That's all she calls it.

And what should you do in this pact?

Nothing.

I mean

I must honor the pact by trusting her as she trusts me.

It's a declaration of trust.

A promise to lift my gaze.

- You think it's nonsense. - No, you don't.

- She's helping me. - I told you I don't think it's nonsense.

What is it then?

What do you think will happen when you raise your gaze?

All I ask is that you don't forget to look at me.

Promise?

I promise.

Thorkild?

Thorkild?

- Hello. - Hello.

He's asleep. He'll be happy to see you.

He's very depressed. He doesn't think he'll ever work again.

We're going to have to do something.

They say it's a serious concussion. To recover, he'll have to rest.

It's all my fault.

When I received Magister's last letter

and he complained once again,

I was so furious that I slammed my fist on the table and screamed:

"May this blow hit Magister's head!"

And this happened at the very moment the incident occurred.

I must have hit it too hard.

Couldn't it have been a coincidence?

What I did was an act of magic. It was a curse.

And I apologize for that.

That's why I'd like to offer to take you to Rungstedlund

so that he can recover there.

- It's the least I can do. - It's not necessary.

- There he can rest and relax. - At home, he can too.

There are three things I do well:

telling stories, cooking and looking after crazy people.

So I can make him this offer, with his permission?

I promise I'll look after him like a lioness. I won't let anyone bother him.

You can be sure that nobody, no one will bother you.

Thank you.

- Welcome. - Thank you, Mrs. Carlsen. Mrs. Carlsen.

The Baroness is busy. She asked me to show you her room.

She said she'd see you at eight.

She said she didn't want to bore him.

I'll bring you lunch. And dinner is at seven.

Thank you.

- Welcome, Magister. - Thank you, Magister.

You can use the whole house and the garden as you wish.

I'll visit him every night at eight and leave you at nine.

I'll spend the day thinking of something clever to say to you.

You know?

When the tragedy happened

I got sick, and God didn't seem willing to help me.

Maybe you don't understand how horrible it is for a woman

no longer being able to love

and hug the one you love.

So,

I pledged my soul to the Devil.

In return

he promised that everything would become a story.

And as you can see

he kept his promise.

Now you need to settle down.

The music I'm going to play

you will hear it many times while you're here.

The notes will envelop you and bring peace to your heart.

And many years from now when I hear it again

will always remember our evenings here in this room.

I wrote again today. For the first time.

Let me hear it.

It's not ready yet.

I don't want you to think that it's the best I can do.

I met

a man when I lived in Africa.

Denys.

Denys never cared what people thought of him.

That wouldn't have crossed his mind.

- I remember him from your book. - Some people say

that I only surround myself with beautiful people.

It could be. I don't know.

But at least I know that all my friends

have dignity.

And Denys... had dignity.

And there was a longing inside him

and defended his desire.

The day his plane crashed, he told me about this longing.

He told me how he let him guide him.

Even when you took him away.

Even when it led to his death.

Goethe described this driving force

better than anyone else.

Longing as something beautiful and destructive. Like Denys'.

Where did he say that?

In the last line of the poem "O Anelo".

- Proclaim it to me. - I haven't read it for years.

You know it from memory, don't you?

It is known that Denys' desire

the longing that killed him is described in a poem,

I'd love to hear it.

Only reveal it to the wise

Because the common man mocks

I want to praise the living

Who aspires to death in fire

Don't suffer staying in the dark

Where the shadow condenses

And you're fascinated by desire

Of more intense communion

Distances don't stop you

O moth! And in the afternoons

Eager

light

and call

You fly into the light in which you burn

So, how do you like out of prison?

I hadn't I hadn't left Rungstedlund.

Tanne's methods are peculiar, but effective.

It's thanks to her that I'm writing again. And to her patronage.

When you don't have artistic talent, we should support those who do.

Would you like a whiskey, Mrs. Jensen?

- Thank you very much. - You're welcome.

Nice party.

Do you always throw parties like this?

It's Knud's world.

He loves to bring the cultural elite with his business contacts.

Always on the move. Always undertaking.

I just have to try to keep up.

By the way, I've read your poems.

They moved me a lot. They are...

very beautiful, deep and melancholy.

It's the best compliment I could ever receive. Thank you very much.

Your wife should be proud of you.

Can we call each other by our names?

Of course we can.

- Cheers. - Cheers.

I've been thinking.

What?

You should have an affair.

- I don't think it's a good idea. - You should fall in love.

I love my wife.

I wasn't talking about love, but falling in love.

A marriage is not the right place for passion.

No, a scandalous affair...

To get rid of his hopeless petty bourgeois attitude.

And no matter what you do and if everyone turns against you

you can be sure that I will support you.

Good night, Magister. Sleep well.

- Where is the Baroness? - She'll be here at night as usual.

- What if I need to talk to her now? - She's busy.

Isn't it better to call a doctor?

The Baroness has already consulted with all of them.

I knew he couldn't wait to see me.

I didn't mean to to intrude.

I was prescribed mercury pills for my illness.

But they prescribed too much and I ended up intoxicated.

It causes me a lot of pain, but it's my cross.

I don't want pity.

- I wish there was something I could do. - You can't.

But what was so important that it couldn't wait?

I'm going home for a few days to see my wife and Bo.

Home?

Yes.

I thought I'd stay until I was well.

Are you writing?

Hello.

Have you forgotten our pact?

That doesn't mean I can't see my family.

"Have faith in me and I will protect you."

- Do you have faith in me? - Of course I do.

As the Baroness well knows.

Are you writing?

I am. That's why I think it's time for me to see my family. After all...

Doesn't it through your tiny brain

that your progress could be linked to being away from your family?

That this is happening why are you here?

Can you show me something you've written?

- Almost done. - Almost ready?

Could a lack of home-cooked food the cause of your inefficiency?

Or does spending the night with by mediocrity inspires you?

So why do you want to go?

Next week, I will visit Knud again.

And I thought...

that perhaps his wife could come and visit you here in Rungstedlund.

Mrs. Carlsen will prepare dinner for you.

Welcome!

- Good to see you. - Good to see you too.

Come on in. Let's go in.

The best for you. The Baroness insisted.

- Where is she? - At Knud and Benedicte's.

He seems to have grown up overnight.

She's a mature and quirky child.

The other day, I asked him if he was hungry, and he told me:

"I'm undecided."

So thoughtful and mature in such a small body.

What does it do?

He draws a lot. Especially animals.

And airplanes. Or at least that's what he says he is.

He drew it a few times.

I miss him too.

- Lots of them. - Do you want more?

No, thank you, Mrs. Carlsen.

It was delicious.

And how are things here?

I'm writing more than I used to.

Is that a good thing?

I'm not the right person to judge.

- What does she think? - She hasn't read it yet.

She...

spends most most of the time alone.

I only see her for an hour a night.

Grete.

I thought you'd be happy

because I spend little time with her.

I thought she was

a cosmopolitan woman with the gift of opening people's minds.

I honestly thought you wanted to be in her company.

But what does you prefer to be alone here?

Come.

It's not right, Thorkild. You have to go home.

I know.

I'll talk to her.

But it's not her decision.

Or is that part of the pact?

No. Of course not.

But you know what she can do for me and has already done.

If she likes what I've written, I think she'll understand.

- Good evening, Baroness. - Baroness.

I hope you've enjoyed the evening.

- Yes, we'll enjoy it, thank you. - Shall I call the driver?

- Knud and Benedicte send their regards. - Thank you.

Benedicte said that you write yourselves. I didn't know that.

I think we've become friends.

That's exactly what I expected you to be able to do.

I feel like I'm back.

And that's...

- wonderful. - I got the push I needed.

And I'm very grateful for that.

It's time for me to go home.

His gift with words

is enough to allow you to convince yourself.

Did you want me to take up residence here?

What a coward you are.

Why did you make the pact with me?

Wasn't it to free him?

- You're being unfair. - To follow your instinct?

Yes.

So why do you keep thinking that you'll find the Holy Grail

in a baby carriage?

I suggest I come for dinner once a week.

And we could continue our discussions devoted to the pact.

But I also have a pact with my wife.

"Wife".

You, who read Nietzsche, Goethe, Rilke,

when was the last time you read that word

in a work of art?

Can you quote me

a single poem containing the word "wife"?

No.

And why do you think that is?

I'm leaving tomorrow.

To open those fair gardens for us

Where His blessed angels dwell

Dance, little child On mommy's knee

The lovely day is about to dawn

I'm trying to open it to see if it's anything

I wanted.

A little train.

Now it's your turn.

Thorkild...

Do you like it?

- Any letters from her? - None.

- Would you like some tea? - Yes, I would.

"The queen thanked them for the fine gifts.

The seal jumped out

and sent his regards to King Foca. The little seahorse..."

You can't depend on her.

- I didn't say anything. - Every night at 8pm

it's the same story. You look like like a puppy waiting for its owner.

Grete...

She is present even not being... here.

- Just because I looked at the clock? - You don't sleep at night.

You keep circling the mailbox, because one day without a letter from her

makes you look like someone who...

Someone who what?

Never mind.

I showed Knud your new poems and he completely agrees:

are getting better and better.

And I must confess

I missed you a little.

Me too.

You have the ability

to do something spontaneous and rebellious.

And all the things that a marriage doesn't give you.

Don't you long for that?

For being free?

Yearning.

But I don't know if what I'm looking for exists.

Longing is already proof that what you long for exists.

What I want most for you

is to experience the feeling of elevation.

That you can feel

that anything is truly possible.

You know that I want this more than anything.

I wanted to be able to explain to Grete without hurting her.

Explain what?

How much it means.

How much does that mean?

Everything.

I only found out when I returned home

and I stayed away.

But it means everything.

Imagine...

if I were 25 years younger.

Everything would have been different.

We could have gone to Venice

for a honeymoon.

Knud told me that they are offering scholarship in Bonn.

- You should sign up. - Bonn?

You could write and attend classes.

And he could walk away.

- You want to get away, don't you? - Every day.

A full life day in, day out. Where's the dignity in that?

I've been writing all week. I haven't written so well in ages.

If it's working like this and we can continue to see each other, why risk it?

I'm just honoring my part of the pact.

I promised to guide you to your destination, to your purpose.

- Will you honor your part? - I hope you understand.

- It's not that I didn't want to... - Then you won't honor it.

I'm weak and my mind is darkened.

And I don't understand it.

And as our pact

is based on mutual trust, I have no doubts

that it's best to time without seeing each other.

How was it?

I don't know.

She...

They're offering a scholarship in Bonn, and she thinks I should try.

- É? - Yes, it is.

Can't you refuse?

I can.

How traveling to Germany help you write?

I think she thinks it would be good for me,

go out and see the world.

What does Bonn have to offer?

Maybe not to see things.

But to get away for a while.

What?

What, Thorkild?

Grete...

She came up with the idea of me going to Bonn.

And she was furious when I refused.

What does Grete think?

She hasn't been feeling well.

Is it serious?

He's taking some pills.

The doctor said she needs rest.

He certainly did.

To be honest,

I think she'd be happy for me to get away from the Baroness

and the Baroness would be happy for me to get away from her.

What about you, Thorkild? What would make you happy?

Mrs. Carlsen!

The gramophone!

The Magister goes to Bonn.

I don't want to seem ungrateful that you encouraged me

to come to Bonn.

But I must admit that I came here a bit blind.

That I didn't use my heart to make up my mind.

And as the days go by, it gets harder and harder

find a reason to stay.

That's why my time here is sad and gloomy.

It's like I'm in a waiting room.

I know of your high expectations for my trip to Bonn.

So I'm sorry to disappoint you

by saying that, if possible

I want to stop my stay here as soon as possible.

Mrs. Carlsen?

Right?

Could you invite Benedicte to come to lunch?

Of course.

Magister is very unhappy. And I was sad when he wrote to me

asking if he could come back.

Does he need your permission?

No, of course not.

You made this decision because you need a reason to stay. You need support.

- Yes. - Then go and see him.

- Maybe a visit to the anime. - I know I should go.

But my health is fragile and I feel intense pain.

I can't afford to travel.

And Grete is already overwhelmed with work and her son.

How about you?

- Me? - Yes.

You've always been friends.

But I don't want to intrude.

Wouldn't Grete find it strange?

Grete... We talked to her.

I'm sure that would cheer you up.

It will inspire you.

And I promise I'll talk to Knud.

I don't think he would realize that I had traveled.

What do you say?

I've never been to Bonn.

And most importantly: Bonn has never been about you.

I promised to write it telling you how you are.

Yeah, she likes to know... everything.

I confess that I became a better writer thanks to the Baroness.

Knud says the same thing.

What did you do before you met Knud?

Did I say something wrong?

No. Imagine.

I was studying psychology.

I've always been interested in people. But then

Knud showed up, and I got married.

On our honeymoon, of course Knud came up with the idea of taking the Baroness.

Never in my entire life

I've seen so much baggage.

For three days. Even so

she complained that poor Mrs. Carlsen had put on the wrong clothes.

"That damned girl! She forgot the most important things!

My light blue blouse and gloves.

How can I go to dinner tonight? I refuse to think about it.

I refuse to be affected by Mrs. Carlsen. That useless creature!

That clumsy cow!"

And of course she found the blouse and gloves at the bottom of her suitcase.

Which, by the way, she had put in herself.

So she went on your honeymoon?

It was.

Is the soup good?

Yes, try it.

Thanks for the tour.

I'll pick you up tomorrow. You need to see the library.

I can't wait to see it.

- Good night, Thorkild. - Sleep well, Thorkild.

Thorkild?

Take a look.

Isn't it one of the first editions?

Yes, it is.

- Good evening. - Good night to you.

What a place!

Tanne insisted that I stay here.

She insisted that I share a room with three Italians.

Yesterday I received a letter from her.

She sends her regards.

Why did she write it?

- So I can eat well. - You feed yourself.

And so that I can make him happy.

You let me.

- Come on. Let's dance. - Now?

Yes.

But we can't.

Of course we can.

See you tomorrow.

- Until. - I'll pick you up at 10am, after breakfast.

Agreed.

Thank you for today.

Thank you, Thorkild.

What will we do?

I don't know.

When are you coming home?

Day 30.

Next month.

- Will you write to me? - Every day.

I'm scared.

I was overwhelmed by my passion for you.

Enraptured by your kindness.

Enchantment.

The wonderful feeling of movement and freedom

that our love in Bonn gave us.

But then the movement and freedom ended.

And we ended up in this prison where we are now.

I fear the end,

because we can't act according to our feelings.

Feelings that leave us paralyzed.

We can't abandon each other

but also we can't go on together.

Our feelings can't find a home in this world if we can't act.

In life, in the world, we need to act in order to live.

Because to live is to move.

Because if our feelings are muzzled

they drag us to our deaths.

Look, he's coming.

Let's go!

Good to see you!

I bought Bo a present. A little train.

He'll love it.

How is he?

It's great to be back.

When are you planning to go to Rungstedlund?

Who says I'm going?

I'd rather you didn't pretend.

I just wanted to know what the reason is this time.

Disease?

A quiet place to work.

And Benedicte? Did you enjoy her visit?

I liked it, it was nice.

It helped me a lot.

I've always liked her.

How are you?

Don't worry about me.

I also try not to worry about you.

Come in.

Thank you.

Welcome back, Magister.

You are different from when you left.

Yes.

Hello.

That's the purpose of a journey.

Now, don't look so gloomy.

It's still the same with me.

Endless pain.

I think you know how difficult this is for Grete.

It was the same when you left.

But none of that matters.

What matters is whether Bonn was able to serve its purpose.

And if my marriage can do it now.

How can you achieve something radical

being tied to a person who wants the opposite from you?

Now, Magister, tell me:

didn't you feel his call in a while you were in Bonn?

Say it.

The time he spent alone and the time he spent with Benedicte.

It didn't give him the feeling of being in a wonderful

free fall?

As if the snow were falling forever, without ever reaching the ground.

Yes.

Yes...

Do you regret our pact?

What you need is fun, Magister.

I'm having dinner

and I'll invite Benedicte, Knud and everyone else.

Of course, your wife will also be welcome.

- Good evening, Magister. - Good night, Magister.

Excuse me.

I can't stop thinking about you.

You think love is feeling

or give yourself to someone?

What do you mean?

To love is to feel of being in love and happy

or is it giving yourself to someone else?

Can't it be both?

If it's a gift then I should stay with Knud.

I like doing things for him.

Help you and support you in what makes you great.

I suppose you feel that way about Grete.

I feel it.

But if love is a feeling, then I must stay with you.

I don't want to help you

or do something for you. I just want to be with you.

But it can't be both.

At least not in our lives.

We need to understand what this means, because I'm going crazy.

We can't take too long.

You go first.

Benedicte?

- Did you need some air? - I don't feel well.

- I'd better go home. - Right.

- I'll have my driver take you. - No, no, no.

I've got Knud's car. It's not far, he can take a cab.

Would it bother you if I didn't say goodbye?

Come here. Come here.

Tell me what's bothering you?

I don't want to embarrass you.

I lost the ability to embarrass myself many years ago.

- Can I trust you? - Of course!

That's just between you and me, and the devil.

Everything is so terrible!

What's so terrible?

I think you already know.

- Know what? - Or that you've already sensed it.

Well, maybe so. But tell me.

Thorkild and I... we...

- We... - Darling!

A small affair isn't the worst thing in the world.

- You're young, you can have fun. - It's not like that.

It's not like that with us.

With us, it's something more...

It's deeper.

You're leaving Knud.

And he's leaving Grete.

Yes.

- Say something. - This can't happen!

That will destroy it.

And him too.

He'll never...

None of you will be able to return to my house.

It will destroy everything.

- I thought you'd understand. - What an idiot!

You need to understand

that each one of us plays a role in history.

You can flirt and love as much as you want.

But your role is to stay with Knud.

What a horrible person you are!

Listen to me,

little girl.

Listen to me very carefully.

Excuse me.

Have you seen Benedicte?

- I'm afraid she's gone. - Gone?

We had a private conversation and she decided to go.

What did you say to her?

What did you say to her?

I told her the truth. And you know it.

- The truth? - That you belong to someone else.

To whom?

You can feel as if claws were sinking

deep in your heart?

As if a wild animal were pushing and shaking him?

Yes.

I know that feeling.

There is no greater pain.

But I don't feel sorry for you.

I envy him. No.

I wanted you to feel that.

- You took it from me. - What did I take from you?

A girl with a soul the size of a pea?

Another insignificant and inhibiting relationship.

I gave you what I promised when we made our pact.

A life in which your only responsibility is your calling.

One day you'll understand.

Where did she go?

Where did she go?

- I liked your house. - What did you want to talk about?

As you may know,

the Baroness gave a dinner party tonight.

The Baroness took me aside and told me

who has the feeling that Thorkild and I

we started to have feelings for each other.

And she's right.

We like each other.

But...

Sorry.

I'm sorry to make you suffer.

Perhaps it will interest you to know that I will be leaving the country.

For some time now Knud and I have been trying to

and I decided to leave him.

Not to stay with Thorkild,

but to try to find myself again.

I'm going to England.

I have family there that I can stay with.

Then you'll never see me again.

You have every right to hate me.

I don't hate her.

Anyway, she's the one who wins, isn't she?

If Thorkild stays with you, she wins.

If Thorkild leaves you because of me, she wins too.

Thorkild loves you very much.

That means nothing.

I'll always be the person who got in his way.

I won't take up any more of your time.

I'm sorry.

Grete?

Grete? Grete!

She'll be fine.

You need to rest now. You can come back tomorrow.

- And my son? - He's with her parents.

Who found it?

Here it is.

Welcome home.

Do you want coffee or tea?

Sit down.

- Grete... - Let me speak first.

In hospital, when I was ill, I started reading her books.

To find out who this witch is who destroyed my life.

I saw what she looked like.

Great

and vibrant.

And I saw what her loss transformed her.

And your pain.

And I promised myself that I would deal with the pain better than she did.

Our role in this world

is to deal with pain without creating more victims.

She's incapable of doing that.

You think you need it

but she's the one who needs you.

It's up to you to decide whether or not to use it.

- Here you go. - Thank you.

She invited me.

She wants to see me one last time.

It's best to put a stop to it.

The other day, Mrs. Carlsen asked me

because I asked you to come.

- What did you say to her? - I could have said a lot of things.

I could have that we needed to discuss the pact.

Or that we needed to talk about your future.

But then I remembered an expression that once

really got to me.

What expression?

Pourquoi pas?

Why not?

If you just say "why?"

seems to be crying or lamenting.

The voice of a lost cause.

It sounds negative.

But if you add one more denial,

the word pas, "no", then,

the question becomes into a question

that carries within it enormous hope.

And his hope is that we continue with our pact.

I can't break it.

But you can.

But now,

you need to see if you want to.

- If I was ungrateful. - It wasn't just the pact.

I expected you to to take care of Rungstedlund.

None of my relatives is willing or able to manage it.

If you like,

I can leave it to you in the will.

I can't accept it.

Denmark's greatest poets have sat here.

You always wanted to be next.

Why would you give your place to someone else?

Blood

is the strongest bond between people.

Pourquoi pas?

Why not, Magister?

Because I have a home.

So,

break the pact.

He's the only one who can break it.

Let me go.

I set her free.

The Devil promised me

that everything I experience

would become a story.

In return, I could never be one person

but I should be whoever history required me to be.

But now you

you need to answer me, Magister.

The purest truth.

Have you considered the mask I used?

Have you ever thought that your role only exists

because he has a counterpart?

Have you ever thought about me?

Maybe not.

THORKILD RECOGNIZED THAT MEETING WITH BLIXEN GAVE HIM CREATIVE FREEDOM.

HIS MOST FAMOUS WORK IS THE PACT WHICH TELLS HOW THEIR RELATIONSHIP CAME TO BE.

KAREN BLIXEN CONTINUED ONE OF THE BIG NAMES

OF INTERNATIONAL LITERATURE UNTIL HIS DEATH IN 1962.

THE PACT