Original subtitles

[Isabell over phone] For the millionth time, why can't we visit Grandpa's grave?

- We're staying with you this week. - We will go.

- I'm just really busy at work right now. - That's what you said last time!

You're just making up excuses. You don't even want to go.

- You're just suppressing everything. - No, I'm not.

Yes, you are!

- No, I'm not. - So when can we go?

- Of course we'll go. - When, Mom?

- [Isabell over phone] Mom? - Isabell, I know it's hard to understand.

But I'm under tremendous pressure at work right now.

Isabell?

[elevator dings]

- Good morning. - Good morning.

Sofie, we have a situation!

- Can you come in here? - Okay.

[interviewer] Let's talk about children's literature.

- We're joined by Katarina Wiki... - Weke.

Veke...

- Weke. - Sorry.

...who's written the book Mini and the Entire World.

Now, Katrin, why did you write this book?

For the children, to show them all the amazing and exciting places

and cultures on our planet.

But the most important thing for me was not to "exoticize",

but rather lift the children's natural curiosity.

Lift, like putting them on an airplane

and letting them fly around the world in the midst of a climate catastrophe?

- [Karin] That's not the point of the book. - [interviewer] No?

You can journey into yourself. You don't have to get on an airplane.

[Denise] Here we go.

Well, your brother is marketing manager at Scandinavian Airlines.

But...

my brother has nothing to do with this book.

- No? - No!

Oh, God.

This thing with Katarina will blow over. We have a bigger problem.

Several of the B-Team authors are looking for new publishing houses.

So we have to find a way to communicate the benefits of our setup.

[cell phone dings]

[Sofie] The authors that fund their own publishing

get a larger share of the potential profit.

- [Denise] Oh, no. - What?

Greta Thunberg posted a photo of the book on her Insta.

"New Swedish children's book promotes flying.

#FaceTheClimateEmergency."

[Friedrich] You're short-sighted.

Simone de Beauvoir, Gustave Flaubert, August Strindberg...

They all published books that were considered scandals at first.

[Denise] I don't get how we didn't see this coming.

Did anyone here even read this book before it was sent to be printed?

We've got to be better than this.

- Yes, Ronny. Go ahead. - I saw this amazing TED Talk.

It was about how to prevent exactly these kinds of situations.

In the US,

all big publishing houses have these sensibility consultants.

They help you manage crises, and prevent them.

- We have those here, too. - [Ronny] Yeah.

[Sofie] Okay, good!

Can you get in touch with one of these... sensitivity guys?

I'd love to!

If everyone's on board. Friedrich?

Children's books... are educational. It's not literature.

As long as they stay away from Jägerstedt Publishing...

You decide!

[funky rock music plays]

- Pizza delivery! - Hey.

- So, what's that? - Nothing fancy, just plain broad beans.

But they grow like crazy.

I mean in, like, one month,

this can go from nothing to being as tall as me.

I'll grow parsley over there.

They grow like weeds as long as you remember to fertilize them.

It's pretty crazy that you can do this all by yourself.

It's like playing God or something.

- Are you filming? - Yes.

You talk so poetically.

Thank you.

LARS FAGERSTRÖM 1951-2021

[Isabell] First you're a small seed.

Then you become a flower.

Then you become a tree.

And then you become an entire forest.

[cell phone dings]

[cell phone dings]

- You're very popular tonight. - No, it's you.

Okay?

I posted the clip on Insta.

- [cell phone dings] - Everyone loves it.

A lot of people think that we're a couple. It's just crazy.

What I like most about growing things

is that... nature is simply there.

It doesn't feel the need to understand or put a label on things.

Nature just...

It just is.

[son] So, 290 divided by 3. How should I do it?

- [Isabell] Write it down first. - [son] Okay.

[Isabell] We have 290 divided by 3.

So first, we calculate 100 times 2.

[Caroline] He'll be here any minute.

Hi, Filip!

Ronny. I'm the literary director.

Nice. Hi, I'm Filip.

Hi. This is our new sensibility consultant.

- Sensitivity consultant. - Yes.

[Filip] Sensitivity consultant.

- Of course. It's good to have you here. - It's good to be here.

- Bye. - Bye.

I have to start by saying what an incredible pleasure it is

to come to this fine publishing house and work with your values.

Good, with that said,

I thought we could start by having everyone share their privileges,

for us to connect in a deeper understanding.

- I'm happy to start, if that's okay? - Absolutely.

- [Sofie] Go for it. - Good. So my name is Filip.

I'm a white, heterosexual cis male

and I grew up in a villa with academics for parents.

Therefore, it's particularly important for me to be attentive and inclusive.

- That's it. - [Ronny] Yeah.

Who wants to go next?

- I can! - [Filip] Yeah.

My name is Ronny.

I'm also white, male, straight and cis.

But unlike Filip, I grew up in a working class environment.

Right.

That means that I always carry my class perspective with me.

It's a bit like an extra set of glasses on life.

Great. Thank you.

- Who wants to go next? - Denise, how about you?

My parents and I fled from Iraq when I was two.

Then we came to Sweden, and...

Well, that's about it.

Well...

- Denise is also homosexual. - [Filip] How exciting!

So non-Nordic parents, LGBTQ+...

- Good. - You must have an exciting perspective.

- Yeah... - [Filip] Great. Thank you. Well...

Sofie, CEO. I...

Unfortunately, I grew up in a completely average home.

I'm extremely normal, simply put.

Hang on. That's nothing to be ashamed of.

The normal perspective is just as important...

as others.

Thanks. That leaves the gentleman on the left.

Friedrich.

And...

I won't be participating in this meeting.

Excuse me? But...

[Sofie] Friedrich has his own...

- Friedrich is the way he is. - Okay.

Yeah. But we're all very curious.

- [Ronny] What's the plan? - [Sofie] Yeah.

Yeah... okay.

First of all, Mini and the Entire World

has to be stopped at the printer's to limit copies.

- That's the easy part. - Absolutely.

The big danger is all the cultural journalists

who are now looking through your books

to find anything they can to discredit you and create a media frenzy.

So I have to go through everything -

what's already been published and what has yet to be.

Wow.

[Filip] To eliminate potential controversies.

We have to be one step ahead, and time is running out.

- [Sofie] Mm. - [Denise] Yeah.

Well, then! Do it quickly, do it right!

- [Max grunts] - [Sofie] Oops. God.

- [Max] Sorry. - Hi.

Hey.

Have you seen Caroline?

Yes, she's getting books for that... Some kind of consultant?

Sensitivity.

- What? - Sens... Never mind.

Can you print out the manuscripts that we haven't published yet?

- Please? - Sure.

- Oops. - Oh, my God!

[scoffs]

[Sofie] Do you think you could hurry up?

- Do you know how busy I am? - I'll do it as soon as I can.

- And when exactly will that be? - [Max] Chill!

I'll get it sorted.

Good.

[male voice on cell phone] Stefans stora feta röda is on the market.

As for me, I'm here in my greenhouse,

which I've started stripping down.

It's starting to look a bit empty in here, it always does when the green is gone.

But I'm still here!

[mischievous music plays]

DO EVERYTHING AS FAST AS YOU CAN

[mischievous music continues]

- [Max] Here's your coffee. - Thank you...

What...?

If you can have the manuscript done by October...

I think we should aim to release it in the spring.

[Vivianne] It should be finished.

I'm only missing the last story.

You can read the rest if you want.

Wow. That would be wonderful.

Yeah.

- [computer dings] - [Vivianne] There.

I sent it.

[Friedrich] I know what I'll be doing tonight.

It's strange being in Stockholm after so many years.

Some things are so different, and others...

haven't changed at all.

I've missed you.

[mischievous music plays]

[moans]

[screams]

[grunts]

[moans]

[moans]

- [Filip] Hi. - Hi.

The manuscripts are on their way.

You'll get them when our IT technician locates the print button.

Great, thanks. Hey...

I need to see Lund & Lagerstedt's policy regarding abusive behavior and harassment.

Our policy is that we're totally against that.

[Filip] That's good.

But businesses with more than ten employees must have it in writing.

Clear guidelines.

And...

what has this got to do with the children's book?

I employ an overall approach and review your entire value system.

We can't have other weaknesses that can be attacked.

Imagine if...

if two employees with different positions of power within the hierarchy

where to engage in a sexual relationship.

That could be seen as sexual exploitation of a dependent person.

- And that has happened here? - I can't answer that.

But it's common in the world of literature.

Er, you know what?

I actually have something...

to report.

- Report? - Yes.

The thing is,

I suspect that our receptionist and our IT technician

are having a sexual relationship.

- Oh, no. - [Sofie] Yeah.

[Filip] Oh, my God.

Have they not notified management?

- [Sofie] No, nothing. - No...

- Nothing. - [Filip] This won't do.

[Sofie] No.

[Max] Oops, sorry!

- Do I get my computer now? - [Max] Only one network problem left.

- Hi. - Hi.

- [Filip] Hey. Can I have a word with you? - Absolutely.

Great.

Put her agent on the line.

- Strange... - Yeah.

[Filip] Good.

As you know, I'm here to identify various problems

and then to try to solve those problems.

So I wonder...

How would you describe your relationship with...

Max Järvi?

Eh... good.

Okay. Thank you.

And you and Max Järvi, you... You have... How should we put this?

You have a relationship outside the work place as well?

Did he tell you?

[Filip] Er...

Because it's still very early...

but I also feel that it might be for real.

That's great.

But then it's very important for us

that you have a clear and honest dialogue so that you are in agreement,

and that the relationship doesn't cause any problems here at the publishing house.

Me and Max don't have any problems like that, no.

But working environment issues should be taken very seriously.

We don't have clear guidelines, no proper value system, nothing.

- You don't? - [Caroline] No.

It's great that you've brought that up. That's why I'm here.

Perhaps you have some suggestions...?

Yes! Lots.

That's great. It's better if the change comes from the employees themselves.

[mischievous music plays]

HAVE YOU BEEN HARASSED? CONTACT FILIP

[mischievous music continues]

What's happened to the art?

It could be seen as offensive.

I mean, it's a photograph of Ingmar Bergman's study.

- A lithograph. - [Caroline] What?

- It's a lithograph. - [Caroline] Right...

I don't want to work with him over me.

It's not okay.

[mutters inaudibly under his breath]

[mischievous music continues]

[Sofie] Hi!

- Sorry to keep you waiting. - No worries.

- [Sofie] It's this job. - Well, that's good.

And it's my week this week.

- But I've got a babysitter. - Yes, treat yourself.

- I treated myself to a needle pen. - Hey! That's five years off!

[Elin] Right? Not that you need it.

- You look fabulous. - Thank you.

You don't look like someone who's just lost her father.

No, I try to stay busy. I mean, I...

I try not to worry or ponder too much. As long as I do that, it's fucking great!

- [Elin] That job has really saved you. - God, yes.

- Do you want a drink? - [Elin] Absolutely.

- Shouldn't we celebrate? - [Elin] Yes... What?

- Your needle pen, work... - Yes.

The more shit they throw at that place, the stronger I get.

It feels good.

We'll start with... shots.

[Elin] Wonderful! It's so lovely that you're back.

You were a wreck, but now you're here.

Hi! What a surprise! Sorry we're late.

- What? Hi. - Hi.

Sofie, this is Linus. Linus, Sofie.

- [Sofie] Hi. - Nice to meet you.

- [Elin] Hey. - Hi, Elin. Beautiful as always.

- [Elin] Hi, darling. - [Nille] Hi.

You actually work in the same industry.

Linus here is a literary agent, and I always thought you two should meet.

I heard that Greta Thunberg took notice of your book.

- [Sofie] Yeah, exactly. - [Linus] Yeah.

But I've already solved that problem.

We won't be printing any more editions,

and I already have a solid strategy for avoiding similar situations.

- Exactly. Sofie's knows what she's doing. - You think so?

- Alright. - [Nille] Alright.

- Sweet. - [Elin] Sofie wanted to celebrate.

- [Nille] Party time. - Yeah...

Well, cheers to solid plans.

- [Sofie] Mm. - Yeah.

- Hey. - Hey.

I was so happy that you told Filip.

I wasn't sure how you felt, and then...

It just feels so good that we're on the same page.

Er... about what?

Us being a couple.

I never said that to Filip.

Yes, you did.

- Or are you changing your mind now? - No. I mean, I...

Stop it!

I can't take another "maybe man"!

- What? - I get that it's tough!

You can't control the world,

like your dad, your grandfather, his grandfather and all men before you!

But for you to get back at women because you can't control the world?

That's not okay!

- No... - No! So what's it going be?

Are we a couple or not?

Okay...

Okay.

Wonderful.

[slow mischievous music plays]

[giggles]

The strangest thing is that authors are so bad at doing business.

They seem to be the only ones who haven't realized what they could charge.

Don't get me started. If anyone had told me how bad they are at doing business...

I wouldn't have believed it. Sofie's a star.

But that Friedrich guy...

Where do I start? It's a complete...

- [man] Hi. - [all] Hey!

Is everything alright?

- It was great. - [Elin] Thanks.

Cold cuts and couples. Nice!

- [man] Nice to see you again. - Take care. Yeah.

But hey, Jägerstedt... Hasn't he got his own label?

[Nille] He's got a label.

But that's only to make it easier to phase him out.

You're so heartless. I love that about you.

- [Elin] You're such a drag. - No, I just needed to pee.

No. I mean, you and Linus would make such a perfect couple.

You both love books,

move in the same circles and are recently divorced.

What are you waiting for?

He's got this amazing house on Älgö and a wonderful villa in Mallorca.

Stop it! You have to think about how you come across to other people.

You won't find someone more perfect than Linus.

And that cat sex thing, I don't think it's that bad.

[Sofie] What? Does he sleep with cats?

No.

I guess he likes pretending to be a cat.

What kind of cat?

[elevator dings]

[Sofie laughing] Yes.

Well, here we are.

That was close.

Yes, exactly.

[slow cheesy music plays]

- Are you sure that no one's here? - God, no!

Do you think I'm crazy?

The babysitter is at my place and you live on Älgö.

That's far away.

Do you want something to drink? There's coffee, there's water and...

No, I'm kidding.

No, I'm...

I'm fine.

Yeah...

Okay...

So...

[Sofie growls]

[Linus scoffs]

So silly...

Erm...

[Sofie mews]

[Sofie meows]

[Sofie meows]

[Sofie licks]

[Sofie meows]

[Linus mews]

[Linus mews]

[Sofie titters]

[Linus whimpers]

[sniffing and whimpering]

Thank you, Vivianne...

for a magnificent reading experience.

Thank you, Vivianne...

for a revolutionary reading experience.

[Friedrich sighs]

[yelping and sniffing]

[meowing and squeaking]

[meowing and squeaking continues]

[Filip] I'm really glad we could meet like this.

We have something urgent to discuss.

We have a big problem, a challenge.

It's Vivianne Ivarsen's upcoming collection of short stories, they are...

full of problematic passages,

to put it diplomatically.

A palpable elitism permeates several of her short stories.

On one occasion she writes, "The masses...

have become too clever by half."

We can't have that. She doesn't care.

She writes whatever what she wants, and you can't do that!

Reading it made me feel very uneasy,

and people will be very upset if we release it.

What I don't understand is how the hell this person

got their hands on Vivianne's collection in the first place!

- The intranet? - [Filip] No. Friedrich, you misunderstand.

- I'm saying that we can't publish... - Shut up!

- Okay. In its current... - Quiet!

- ...condition. - She is one of the greatest authors!

[shouting] If you think for a moment that I will let you near her texts

then you're wrong!

- But now... - I said, shut up!

[Denise] She's here.

[Friedrich sighs]

- [Denise] Vivianne's here now. - Bloody hell!

- [Filip] What... Who... - [Denise] That's Vivianne Ivarsen.

- She's here? - [Denise] Yes.

Okay...

- Hi! - [Friedrich] What are you doing here?

I just wanted to see where you work.

- [Friedrich] No... - Not a good time?

No, not at all.

Maybe I should go and talk to her myself. That's usually best.

- You do that. - I'll deal with Friedrich afterwards.

Yeah, but... But...

Maybe we should go for a walk? The weather is wonderful.

- I'm curious about the publishing house. - [Friedrich] But...

- Yes, but... - [Vivianne] What?

What is it?

[Filip] Excuse...

Someone behind you is trying to talk to me.

- Hi. - [Vivianne] Hi.

Hi. Lovely to meet you. My name is Filip.

I'm a sensitivity consultant here.

I've read everything you've written.

- Sorry, what? - [Filip] A sensitivity consultant.

[Vivianne] Yes, one of those.

I assume you have opinions about my writing.

- Something you think I should change? - Yes, exactly.

A general comment about your texts

is that some of them give off an elitist impression.

I think that you will make some readers sad or uncomfortable.

And I do have some concrete suggestions regarding text deletion.

So my writing isn't commercial enough?

- Yeah... No, I don't care about the money. - Neither do I.

- I just care about the content. - Yes, so do I.

I make sure that no one feels bad.

Shouldn't you work in politics then?

If you want to make the world a better place,

there's a few things to deal with in the real world.

Here we deal with fiction.

Yeah...

But... the real world is so difficult.

Yes, I agree with you there.

You want to be a good person.

Right? The real world is so complicated. Just talking is difficult.

How do you know if you make someone sad or happy?

- What if you mess up? - [Sofie] Filip!

Did I miss something?

- No... - [Sofie] Okay.

- Hi! - [Vivianne] Hi.

Sofie, CEO.

- Vivianne. - Right, that's you.

- I'll show you Jägerstedt Publishing. - [Vivianne] Yes.

Can we continue our conversation? It was nice talking to you.

- Hi. Denise. - Vivianne.

Pleasure.

[Friedrich] Over here.

You know, I just found out that Mini and the Entire World

is selling like hotcakes after all the attention.

- Yeah... - Yes, it's great!

So the book stores want us to print more copies.

- No... - Yes, it's awesome for us.

But it means that...

that we don't need your help anymore.

What... I don't understand.

It worked out, so you can...

- You can go home. - No...

The publishing house

has a moral responsibility to follow through on the value...

No, morals schmorals. The problem has been solved.

Thanks and goodbye.

I thought that... I thought that you really wanted...

Please...

God.

No, this... Not again.

What?

I told you it would blow over.

I'm always right, aren't I?

What a fucking great day!

[Sofie shouts] Yeah!

["Tonight I Have To Leave It" by Shout Out Louds playing]

Subtitle translation by: Josephine Roos Henriksson