Original subtitles

A NETFLIX SERIES

[tannoy chimes]

[woman over tannoy] Welcome to Birka Cruises's author cruise.

We will soon open for boarding.

So, we're going to board soon.

I'd like to remind everyone to think of this as not just a working weekend,

but an opportunity to also have some fun.

To disconnect a bit.

[Denise] That'll be easy to do when the entire industry hates us.

I'll admit that things have been...

a bit messy at the publishing house lately.

As CEO, I take responsibility for my part in that.

But we're all responsible for the situation that has arisen.

- So let's think of this as a fresh start. - [Ronny] Yes.

- [Ronny] Good. - Alright.

We're going to be sharing cabins.

So Max and I will be sharing a cabin.

Then we have Denise and Sofie.

[Denise] Yeah.

Yes. And Ronny and Tom.

[Ronny] Yeah, great!

[Caroline] You... and Friedrich will...

[Ronny] He was just there. [chuckles]

Would it be that difficult to drive another two meters?

I'm so glad I managed to convince you to join me on this trip.

It's one of the few remaining venues for literary conversations.

[chuckles]

Which cabin are you in?

In case I need you.

My only job as your publisher

is to make sure that you have everything...

that you need.

[chuckles]

Good.

Let's board.

I...

I forgot my motion sickness pills.

Oh, well.

No worries, it's alright.

Perhaps there's a pharmacy nearby.

- [Max laughing] What? - [Caroline] You're so slow. You get...

- What the hell? - [Max] Yeah.

[Caroline] Eight hundred...

Here!

[squeals]

Get in here.

[Max giggles]

[rock music plays]

A lot of great names this year,

but I must say Jens Lapidus is my personal favorite.

Definitely. I'm hoping to get my Easy Money trilogy signed.

He's amazing.

He can attract a wide audience and still maintain quality.

That's just the kind of author we need.

[lively music playing]

Hi. A large beer, please.

A medium glass of rosé, please.

You can't start too crazy.

Wait... Thanks a lot.

Wait, let's take a...

Wait, I'll move...

- Sorry. - Sorry.

Can you smile? Smile a bit.

Perfect.

No, wait.

The beer can't be in the picture.

It will look weird if a beer pops up on your Insta.

- Your followers wouldn't like that. - Do you have some paper I could borrow?

- [bar staff] Yes. - [Caroline] Let's go.

Thank you.

[mischievous music plays]

GET TOO DRUNK

- Hi. Another beer, please. And a Jäger. - [bar staff] Sure.

[playful music plays]

[ferry horn blasts]

We're leaving! Cheers, guys!

- Cheers! - Cheers!

Cheers.

Yes, it's time to do some work.

I've booked conference room 12 here on the sixth floor,

so I'll see you there in... four minutes.

- Wow. - [Denise] What? But...

- Where's Friedrich? - Probably with Vivianne.

After consulting with the new owners, I've decided to abandon the B-list idea.

The point of the list was so we could keep them at the publishing house,

but since they didn't appreciate it, they will have to find new homes.

To put it simply.

Let's instead look to the future.

Today, the individual author has too much power over their own content,

which we'll now be looking to change.

[dial tone rings]

[sighs]

If we were to develop our own content,

we would be able to own the entire process and also own the copyright.

- Hmm? - Hmm.

So I've put together three consumer profiles.

At first, we have...

Anneli!

- She loves generic crime novels. - [Ronny] Hmm.

Profile number two, Karin - she's in the middle of her career.

- When does this finish? - I don't know.

- [Sofie] She has kids. - It's exciting. Really exciting.

She struggles to achieve a good work-life balance.

So she's attracted to the idea of self-development...

- It's Friedrich. I should probably answer. - Yes!

Ask him when he'll be choosing to show up.

Or perhaps he doesn't care what happens to the publishing house.

- [Ronny] Oh... - [Sofie laughs]

And our third profile is Viktor,

and Viktor doesn't read for pleasure.

He wants to read as quickly as possible

so that he then can discuss the book in important social settings.

Did it not occur to you that they might have pills on board?

Given that it's a boat, I mean.

Come on, Denise, please. Not now.

- It's terrible. What do we do? - It's not that bad.

- You're not missing anything. - But Vivianne is on the boat!

Then someone else will have to babysit her.

Could you do it?

- Me? - Yes.

No. - Please, Denise.

- No. - Vivianne means a lot to me.

- I won't do it. - And there's her author talk.

What about it?

She doesn't want to speak to anyone outside the publishing house.

I was supposed to moderate it.

Hello?

[ferry horn blasts]

[Friedrich] Are you there?

Hello?

And for these three people, the audio book is the perfect format.

[Ronny] Great.

Does anyone have any questions?

Yes?

Erm...

Are we finishing soon?

Because these drinks vouchers are only valid until half past.

[Ronny] Oh, so maybe we could...

Is there more?

[loud and jovial chatter]

[applause]

Welcome, everyone, to the year's first author cruise.

My name is Åsa Beckman and this is my second year as moderator.

I've been looking forward to this very much.

I will now invite all of our authors on stage.

Welcome, Jens Lapidus,

[applause]

Donia Saleh,

Vivianne Ivarsen,

Alex Haridi,

Kjell Grönberg,

and Lena Markstedt.

[applause continues]

It must be difficult

to be both innovative and feel these huge expectations.

Indeed, but the most important thing for me

is to immerse myself in the questions that concern me.

Right now my passion is to find meaningful collaborations,

and to get people engaging with the social injustices

that I believe exist in Sweden.

[woman] Thank you.

Here.

Give it to me.

- What are you doing? - You have several of them. Give me one.

- I have to speak to him. - Okay, but get it signed "To Tom".

- Yeah, sure. Go to the back of the line. - No, but...

We can't cut in line. I'm working.

One more, please.

- [Jens Lapidus] There you go. - Thank you.

Hi. Ronny.

I'm a huge fan.

- [Jens Lapidus] That's great. - Yes.

I liked what you said about prioritizing meaningful collaborations.

That's exactly how I try to work.

Well, when it's possible.

Because as a literary director you have to keep the ship afloat.

It's a balancing... So I'm the literary director at Lund & Lagerstedt.

- Yeah, I've heard about you guys. - We're trying to diversify.

And to think creatively on all fronts.

We're very open-minded, and we make safe and unsafe bets.

We're opening ourselves up for new and exciting collaborations.

What unsafe bets are you making at the moment?

Unsafe? So...

Right now, we...

For instance, we have an exciting collaboration with young...

writers from the suburbs.

Like an anthology, or...?

Yes, exactly! It's an anthology.

There are so many interesting voices out there

if you just widen your perspective.

- That sounds like a good read. - Yeah.

Send me the best text you've got and I'll look at it tonight.

W... What?

If I find it interesting, I can even edit it.

- Pro bono, of course. - That sounds... That sounds good.

[agitated music plays]

[door opens]

Tom, great! I need help.

Where's my book?

I need a text from the wider perspective. A young guy from Tensta.

He's really talented, his mom is burnt out.

Or she has cancer! She has cancer!

She works... What does she work as?

She's a cleaning lady, or a personal assistant.

And we have a serious crime too!

- Did you get the book signed? - Fuck the book!

- I've got Jens Lapidus in the bag! - It's dinner, are you coming?

Yeah... I might come by later.

I have to write now.

[laptop keys tapping]

How do you spell "keff"? Is it two "F"?

It's two "F".

I thought so.

[knock on door]

[Denise] Hi.

- Have you lost your card? - No, this is just easier.

Erm...

Do you have five minutes before dinner? I'd like to talk to you about something.

And I can't go to dinner because of Vivianne.

- Sure. - Hmm?

Erm...

So...

No offense, but I think we need to work on the image you...

exude.

Exude?

It would be good if you made a public statement,

perhaps a long style interview or something like that.

When you have time.

Preferably next week.

Why?

To shift the focus a bit, from the article in DN.

And to...

To show some positive development for the publishing house.

It's not hard to see everyone on board is gossiping.

Sticking our heads in the sand isn't the right strategy.

- Everyone is talking about it. - So, what are they saying?

That's not important.

It's to give you a chance...

to highlight your work in a positive way and show another side of yourself.

Because they hate me.

- Is that what you're saying? - No, absolutely not.

No, it...

I think it would be good... for you.

Sure, absolutely. Schedule it.

Okay. Yeah, I'll take care of it.

Hmm.

Thank you, I'll...

Bye.

- How did you find the lecture? - [Max slurps loudly]

- [man] Yeah... - [woman 2] It was good.

[woman 2] Have you read it?

[quiet ballad music plays]

[woman 3] No.

Hi.

[woman 3] I figured I'd have time...

but I guess not.

Hey! That's my plate, Max.

[Max] Sorry.

Is this even my seat?

- He's so fucking annoying. - [Ronny] He's been drinking...

- [Max] Hey! Was this my seat? - [Ronny] ...since we boarded.

Max, let's go.

- What? No, I'm not done. - I think we should leave now.

No.

It's your turn.

Hello?

It's your turn.

You have to...

er...

do the dishes.

Excuse me?

You have to wash all this shit!

I don't know what... Don't take it personally.

- Max, come on. - No worries.

Yeah.

- Yeah... - Oh, my...

I'm sorry.

Doesn't Vivianne's author talk start at half past?

- Yes. - Right.

- [Tom] I don't want to miss that. - Okay, great.

[mischievous music plays]

[mischievous music continues]

[chef] Hey!

What are you doing?

What the hell are you doing?

I'm just doing what I was told.

Er... I...

Well...

They sent me here from the cafeteria, so...

They said help was needed. It's my first day.

Yeah, okay.

But you can't wear that.

Grab a spare uniform from the storeroom.

- Second door next to the bathroom. - Okay...

Okay.

[mischievous music continues]

[Caroline] Sit up.

What the fuck? Are you going to take a photo?

No, not now.

I can show my dick.

[drunken slurring]

What?

You're too nice to me.

You're too nice to me.

- [Vivianne] ...very much. - [Denise] Vivianne!

Hi. Friedrich told me to tell you that he can't moderate the talk tonight.

But it's starting in a moment.

Yes, exactly. He missed the ferry.

He missed it?

Yes.

And how does he intend to fix this?

The idea is that I do it instead of him.

And you think that you can do everything

Friedrich was supposed to do for me?

Yes, I can manage that.

[over microphone] Hello. My name is Denise Konar.

Welcome to this evening's author talk with Vivianne Ivarsen.

Welcome, Vivianne.

Your latest novel, Body...

has been called everything from "a nostalgic tribute to eroticism"

to "an unprecedented autobiographical depiction

of a woman's pursuit of existential thrills."

Do you think these are accurate descriptions?

- I'm not interested in reviewing myself. - I see.

What I'm getting at is maybe more how you perceive your own public image.

There are both positive and negative opinions about you, and...

Are you just going to come out with other people's statements?

I'm just trying to lead a conversation.

No, you're not.

That requires the participants to say what they really think.

Er...

Shall we stop?

I want you to ask questions that you really want the answer to.

[gasps and laughter]

You want my opinion?

You've written many provoking texts, but what provokes me the most is that...

you don't seem to be listening to criticism at all.

It's like you think you're better than the reader.

I hope that what I write makes people think.

You're dodging.

[whispering]

[Vivianne chuckles]

You're right.

[Vivianne chuckles]

So you don't want people to understand?

Not if it comes at the expense of the art.

Then I might as well write columns.

But this is not a press conference, it's a literary cruise.

[laughter]

- [Denise] Shall we talk about the process? - Yes.

[song playing on the radio]

Tut-tut.

You lied to me.

You haven't washed a plate in your life.

Yeah...

I mean...

I'm sorry. Sorry, I lied. I'm like...

I'm completely broke.

At the cleaners, I was paid cash in hand. So I was hoping that would work here too.

Do you even have a ticket?

Don't worry, I won't tell on you.

What a relief.

- Thank you. - So this is how you make a living?

Yeah, from time to time.

It works better abroad than it does in Sweden.

So next week I'm heading back down... to Greece.

And then on to Goa.

- Goa? - Yes.

That's nice.

It's super nice there!

Then we'll see.

I'm thinking of going away for a year, or as long as I can stay afloat for.

I've heard that before.

You have to find yourself first,

before you can come home and start your higher education,

decide what you want to be...

Exactly!

It's exactly like that for me.

I'm just going to finish my first novel.

Right.

- You're a creative soul as well. - Yes.

Right.

So you have...

met other girls like me before.

A few.

Are you always so stern with them?

[cheesy music plays]

When it's needed.

Mm hmm.

So is it needed now?

[heavy breathing]

What the hell?

Is it working? No.

- No... These things are so weird. - [door lock beeps]

You could at least smile.

It went well.

Let's celebrate.

You... You want me to come in?

Yes, I would love for you to come in.

You're hesitating?

I thought you hated me.

Does it feel that way?

Like I hate you?

[chef] Well...

Thanks for that.

So...

now you just have to put the trash in the pick-up spot.

And then you can leave.

[fast clacking]

[sighs]

Tom!

- Tom! - Mm?

Tom.

I'm finished.

- It's two o'clock. - I know.

It's good. It's great, even.

Do you want to read it?

- [Tom sighs heavily] - Tom?

- [snoring] - Okay...

- [computer chimes] - [cheers quietly]

- Dad? - What? No!

I can't handle all the thoughts. I can't handle them.

I don't recognize myself. I don't...

I don't even know if this is me.

I don't feel real. I don't know anything.

- Hey... - No, I'm not real in any way!

I can't do anything. I can't care.

[shouting] I don't want this anymore. I can't handle it!

I can't deal with this fucking world! I can't...

I'll never learn how to.

Dad?

Dad!

Dad!

[strong wind blowing]

[Max sighs]

[frustrated sigh]

Are you okay?

Has something happened?

[suspenseful music plays]

[sorrowful music plays]

Sofie?

Are you okay?

Sofie?

[mischievous music plays]

[door handle rattling]

[Denise] What the hell?

[door lock beeps]

Hi, Jens! I brought you a cup of coffee.

I thought that we could use this time to brainstorm about how to proceed.

At first we'll focus on the anthology,

but all doors are open.

Maybe you'll decide to write a text for us from scratch.

And...

We can't offer you the kind of advances that you're used to, but...

there are other things that matter in life.

My heart goes out to the guy who wrote this text.

Okay.

But to be totally honest, he has no talent whatsoever.

No...

It's one of the worst things I've ever read, in all categories.

I didn't even feel sorry for the old mom.

I couldn't wait for her to die so that the text would end.

But... Oh...

It's not even fair of you to encourage him to write.

That guy will never be an author.

[tannoy chimes]

[captain over tannoy] Good morning. This is your captain.

We're approaching Stockholm and are expecting to arrive in 15 minutes.

["You And I" by LÉON playing]

♪ You seem happy ♪

♪ But you're a liar If you say that you're fine ♪

♪ That you wonder if I think of you now ♪

♪ Done my best to stay away But I think I'm going crazy ♪

[song continues]

Subtitle translation by: Josephine Roos Henriksson