Original subtitles

Zentropa presents

This world is full of people.

Some are healthy, not ill. Some are men, not women.

Some are wise, not stupid. Beautiful, not ugly.

And some are everything all at once.

Baldur and Arni were both healthy, beautiful and wise.

Sons of the chieftain.

After a raid he gave them both an axe with a handle of mother-of-pearl -

- from the seas on the other side of the world.

But one mild summer day, their village was attacked -

- and everyone sought refuge.

As Baldur was smaller, the heavy axe slowed him down.

Baldur lost his left arm that day -

- and his reality was forever changed.

The feeling of being different and an outcast gnawed at his mind.

Suddenly Baldur forgot who he was.

He felt neither healthy, wise nor beautiful anymore.

He was of lesser value than the others.

The chieftain, who'd always sworn that under his rule everyone was equal -

- couldn't bear to watch his youngest son perish.

He decided that all boys, men, old and newborn -

- in every village in his realm -

- were to sacrifice their left arm as well.

For he knew that if everyone is broken -

- no one is broken.

And since Baldur's reality couldn't be changed -

- the reality around him had to change instead.

THE LAST VIKING

Three to six armed robbers broke into the cash handling firm Loomis.

The robbers were brutal, professional and very targeted.

Witnesses saw two SUVs around the time of the robbery...

- Anker, they say someone died. - Pack my bag and passport, Freja. Now!

Don't, don't... Cut it out! Help me!

- Manfred... - We're barbecuing on the balcony.

Those big hamburgers.

- How was work? - Fine. I have to go away for a while.

- I need you to do something. - Where are you going?

- It's fine. Freja's here. - I want you here, too.

I'll be back. See this key?

I want you to eat this key.

Sometimes you need to hear me out.

When it comes out, swallow it... Wash it first.

Then eat it again until things have settled down. Are you listening?

The central station, locker no. 23. You've got the key now.

That locker contains a bag. Get the bag -

- and bury it in the woods near Mom's house by the oak table -

- where we used to celebrate your birthday.

Can you do that for me? You're the only one I can trust, Manfred.

- Can I bury it somewhere else? - Just do it like we planned.

Anker, you'd better come. Anker.

15 YEARS LATER

Who are you, Anker?

I'm Anker. I'm Anker Andersen.

Anker, the model prisoner everyone thinks deserves to be paroled -

- or Anker, who punched an inmate 31 times in the face -

- because he spilt coffee on your sudoku?

Or Anker, who took part in a robbery and the murder of Herbert Knudsen?

I'm many things, but not a murderer. I've never killed anyone.

I harbored a lot of anger toward many people, my family.

Toward my father because he left us.

Toward my brother...

But I've reined in my temper now. I've got my act together.

Any comments about the missing 41.2 million kroner of the loot?

Listen...

We've been over this many times. If I knew where that money was -

- I'd have told you long ago.

Listen... I'm clean and I haven't touched alcohol in 11 years.

I'm no longer violent. I don't know what more I can do.

I can only say that I'm a different man now.

WELCOME HOME FROM PRISON ANKER

- Why don't you open? - No, I'll wait a bit.

Could you...

- Hi, dear brother. - Hi.

He bought 60 of your favorite rolls and hasn't slept for a week -

- because you're coming home.

Think there are enough rolls?

Huh, Manfred?

Oh, I forgot. His name's John now.

- Call him John. - Why?

He doesn't want to be called Manfred. Everyone calls him John.

Did you see the flowers?

John gathered and dried them and glued them to the wall. Nice, huh?

Yes, very nice. Why the hell don't you want to be called Manfred anymore?

- Now what? - No, John...

Cut it out.

You can't come back after all this time expecting everything to be the same.

It all got worse since Mom died.

He missed you so much, and now he thinks you're going away again.

- Apologize to him and promise to stay. - Sure.

I was going to take him on a trip.

- To Mom's house. - That's a great idea.

You can stay for a few days. The new owners are Airbnb'ing it.

Just remember to call him John. John?

No, I'm sorry. That became very dramatic. Not my intention.

What the hell?! Don't come here. We're done, Flemming.

I want all of your money, Anker, or it's all going to go south.

Fuck you. You already got half.

Well, I spent it years ago.

I owe a lot of people money and promised to settle it once you got out.

- Oh, I want to punch you again so bad. - How much do you owe?

Give me everything. All 20 million.

Anyway, you have until Monday.

Oh dear. That door frame's fucking dangerous.

Look ... I'll fix it.

I'll bring my tools on Monday.

Want one more?

Yes. Can you eat one more?

- Where did you get that dog? - Freja can't see it.

It's ours now if you stay. Will you?

Do you want to go swimming with me and the dog? Do you?

Anyway, we have a new dog now.

Give me the dog. Bente's downstairs.

- Give it to me. Bente's downstairs. - What dog are you on about?

- That dog, for crying out loud! - Oh, it must have snuck up on me.

I guess it wants to live here. I'd better make some water -

- if it wants to live with us and not stupid Bente.

It's not her dog. It's another dog altogether. It loves me and Anker now.

Give it to me. Bente's going to call the police.

No police. Give her the dog, Manfred!

Call him John, goddammit.

Who cares anyway?!

He keeps taking people's dogs. The neighbors are fed up with him.

You have to call him John.

I forgot last week and he stabbed himself in the thigh with a meat fork.

No, John... John.

If I stand in front of the oak table, facing the house -

- where did you bury the bag?

Cut it out, Manfred.

- I don't know who you're talking to. - Cut it out. I'm sick of it.

- Why do you want to be John? - I'm John.

- But why? - Why are you Anker?

I don't care what you think. I'm John.

John Lennon.

- John Lennon? - John W. Lennon.

Oh, fuck off!

What the hell's going on?

You don't even look like him. The glasses aren't even right.

We're saving up for them. You'll just have to accept it, or...

Or what? You'll stab yourself in the head with a fondue fork?

I could kill myself with a fondue fork. A grim way to die. Many have done it.

These past 60 days, I've been planning on doing it. But we never eat fondue.

Cut it out, Manfred. Now tell me where...

- Is he okay? - Who?

My brother, Manfred Andersen. Jumped out of a car.

Andersen? Merely superficial wounds.

Can I take him home? He shouldn't be in the psych ward.

Well, we have to keep him as it was a suicide attempt -

- but slip me a large bill and he's yours.

- I have to bribe you to take him home? - Oh dear, are you offended?

I'm joking.

Your brother's in room 8C.

Are you okay?

Can you sit in a car?

I get it.

You've missed me.

You're confused and hurt because I haven't been there.

Yes... but I'm here now.

Come on.

I really need you to get a grip and show me to the bag, okay?

We'll hang out afterwards. Okay, Manfred?

Are you okay?

Can I hold it?

Yes, yes. Away from that stupid lady.

Dissociative identity disorder.

The rest of us have one reality -

- but Manfred switches between several personalities and realities.

Now he's stuck in an alter ego as the musician John Lennon.

I have to take him with me. I need to talk to him.

The real Manfred.

I understand, you've missed him, but Manfred will have to stay here.

Why? He hasn't hurt anyone.

He's attempted suicide several times and stolen nine dogs since October.

Manfred knows who he is. He's always been different. This is just an act.

Frankly speaking, we're looking at a year-long process -

- of therapy and medication.

Some patients remain their alter ego for the rest of their lives.

One thing we do know is that dissociative identity disorder stems -

- from past traumatic experiences.

It could be 10, 20 or 30 years ago.

Manfred!

What the fuck are you doing? He's going to kill us.

The axe stays there. Take off the helmet. We have to go to school.

- No, I'm going on a raid. - No. Stop being so weird.

You're too old. They're all laughing at you.

You're not a Viking.

Vikings don't exist.

But I exist.

Anker, are you in there?

Well, if it isn't the head of the anti-fraud squad. Eight bitters, please.

Lothar Nielsen, from the psych ward. Remember me?

- Sure. - Are you taking your brother sailing?

No, he's in the secure unit.

Well, perhaps it's for the best.

Have they diagnosed him?

- Dissociative identity... - Dissociative identity disorder.

- You got eight bitters for yourself? - Always. Any more would look excessive.

Dissociative identity disorder is a crappy diagnosis. I'm sorry.

It's insane.

He thinks he's John Lennon.

I met a Michael Laudrup in the secure unit once.

Sometimes he was Jesus or John Wayne. The chef never knew what to serve him.

There's still a patient in Amager who thinks he's Ringo Starr.

All we need is Paul and George, and we can get the band back together.

I don't get it. Why does he have a meltdown now that I'm back?

- He ought to be happy to see me. - That's just it.

He could manage his other identity because there wasn't any conflict -

- between his self-image and his close surroundings.

I don't get it.

If I go around claiming to be Napoleon -

- my surroundings will take me for a fool.

This will have a negative impact on my self-image -

- but if we put me in a copy of Versailles and hire 200 servants -

- give me an army, horses and teach me French -

- then shouting I'm Napoleon won't be odd, and my self-image will remain intact.

If his surroundings accept that Manfred is John Lennon, all is well.

All the neighbors call him John. He writes fucking autographs.

Exactly!

I can't just pretend he's John Lennon. Wouldn't that be wrong?

Where have you been the last 20 years?

When IKEA opened their first showroom, they had 46 product numbers.

Today they have 12,000 products to choose from. Everyone's unique.

Everyone's entitled to their own unique reality.

Surely, you can get past calling your brother John Lennon?

Great, you're up. Here you go.

A shirt for you.

- How long have I been asleep? - I checked if Ringo was still admitted.

- Ringo? - Try to stay with me.

Look.

Anton Wulf Espersen was admitted in July 1996 to Amager Psychiatric Center.

He believes he's the drummer Ringo Starr of The Beatles.

- It was your idea, so I checked... - What was my idea?

To reunite The Beatles to immerse Manfred in his own reality.

But Paul McCartney and George Harrison were tricky. There are none in Denmark.

I was on the verge of giving up -

- but look who I found in Sweden.

Allow me to present Hamdan Falk Sjöberg -

- admitted to department 53 at the North Stockholm Psychiatric Ward.

Guess who Hamdan's other identities are.

- Paul McCartney? - Sir Paul McCartney...

I'm sure is Hamdan's preference.

But he's more than that. Hamdan switches between 40+ identities.

Iron Man, Gustav Mahler, Schopenhauer -

- Davy Crockett, Heinrich Himmler -

- and guitar player George Harrison. How d'you like that?

- He's both McCartney and Harrison? - Yes, but not at the same time.

Isn't that fabulous? We get two Beatles in one.

And Iron Man. I'd love to have a beer with him.

Why are you telling me this?

We're gathering the band around Manfred to make his reality real.

Remember? Napoleon.

When we picked up Manfred, you said finding a studio would add credibility.

- Did we pick up Manfred? - How drunk were you?!

You punched a hospital guard repeatedly in the face when we discharged him.

- We must address your anger issues. - Where is Manfred now?

I gave him 60 mg of Diazepam.

- When will he wake up? - In five-six hours.

Let's go to Amager and pick up Ringo then to Sweden and get Paul George -

- and on to your mom's house and build a rehearsal room.

I'll conduct a clinical study, monitor the process...

- What did I say about my mom's house? - It sounds ideal to trigger his memory.

We'll stop by IKEA for materials for the studio.

Go away from me. Fuck off.

We'll drop IKEA and just go.

Listen to me. Stay away!

Wait... You're overreacting. Disproportionally.

Hey.

We're here.

We're at Mom's house.

We'll sleep here -

- and then you'll take me to the bag in the morning. Okay?

Good.

Hi there. Welcome. I'm Margrethe.

- Hi. Anker. - John.

I'll show you to your rooms.

No need. We lived here as kids.

How nice. Well, join us for dinner, then.

I don't think so. Manfred can't handle crowds.

Manfred? He said his name was John.

Anker, I'm really, really hungry.

Lovely.

Lots of great museums have opened up here.

We're just going to go walking in the woods -

- and... dig for worms for fishing.

No.

- A glass of grape juice instead? - No.

How can you two be married, when he's so ugly and you're so good-looking?

Is that why you don't have kids? Because he's so ugly?

- Not now. - What kind of a question is that?

Are you a complete idiot?

- Tell her to apologize, Anker. - No.

She's been calling me that all day. It'll go on for years.

You should apologize to me and Werner.

Why? I didn't lie.

But I can. I can call you ugly.

Isn't she butt-ugly, Anker?

- Get out. Leave our house now! - Calm down. He's got a diagnosis.

Since he was a child, Manfred has felt persecuted...

I'm sorry. We didn't know about your diagnosis. I do apologize.

- You should've told us. - You clobbered him before he could.

- Well, she's a boxer. - Don't use your boxing skills at home!

It was a tiny jab.

- I'll have that glass of grape juice now. - Yes. Sorry.

So, Anker, are you a jazz buff?

Maybe you should... briefly explain what happened to your face.

- It makes it easier for people... - No need.

I'd like to hear it. Why are you ugly?

- I don't mind talking about it. - The short version, please.

It was a perfectly ordinary Friday. We were expecting 10 dinner guests.

Do you have 10 dinner guests every Friday? Why?

- No. And we only had eight guests. - Anyway, everything was ready.

The Montepulciano was breathing, the roast was in the oven...

Oh, we still ate meat then. Many years ago.

I went out to get two bell peppers for a salad -

- that Margrethe asked me to make.

- His story keeps changing. - What's wrong this time?

It was stuffed peppers. We were trying out an Afghan recipe I found online.

I'd had the rug pulled out from under me that Friday, because I finally -

- after years of internal struggle, had decided to drop my modeling career.

But Werner saw he'd only bought eight bell peppers, so we were two short.

As I was saying, I went out to buy two extra bell peppers.

Why do you both shop and cook? Doesn't she lift a finger?

Buying two bell peppers isn't a major undertaking.

It proved to be, because it cost me my entire face.

Well, I gave up my career and my life so you could design your collection.

- What collection is this, Anker? - A unique collection.

Skin and fur products. I put a lot of work into it.

Werner's been a clothes designer for 40 years but nothing was ever produced.

Now he's given it up in favor of writing a children's book -

- but that's not working out either.

- Not true. - Isn't it?

- I was relating how I got disfigured. - Yes, go back to that story.

Precisely, thanks. Sorry.

I was parking my car. I still smoked then, so I put a cigarette in my mouth -

- grab the shopping list, and as I open the door -

- the air bag explodes. Bang!

Manufacturing defect. Welcome to hell!

Why did you bring a shopping list when you only needed two bell peppers?

We needed a few other things, too. But that's irrelevant.

- So the cigarette embers hit your face? - Yes. They're 1,400 degrees C.

And a Peugeot 107 air bag deploys at 300 km/h, smothering my face in embers.

I lost 40% of the skin in my facial area.

- Dinner was great. I think we'll... - Some good did come of it.

Peugeot paid me damages -

- because it also cost me my ability to design.

Why?

When you're a clothes designer -

- it's crucial to see the world through other people's eyes.

You pretend to be someone else. But if you don't know who you are -

- and I suddenly didn't...

I was existentially confused, and my entire design career turned to ashes.

What career?

You've never designed as much as a sock that anyone would ever wear.

You've spent eight years on a children's book that you'll never finish either.

It's very upsetting when you say such atrocities in front of our guests.

- I'm just telling the truth. - Oh, I could tell a few truths as well!

She was a hand model for a Kahlúa ad back in 1987.

That sums it up!

Oh well, that's that.

But what a waste.

All for two measly bell peppers.

And the other items on the shopping list.

That were irrelevant.

Yes.

- Thanks. - Thanks for a super evening.

Anker, look. We found these in the wall when we remodeled.

Did you carve these figures?

No, Manfred did during his Viking obsession.

Are you okay?

Yes, I'm just tired.

- Sleep well. - Okay.

What time are we going fishing tomorrow, Anker?

First, we'll go digging for worms. Where we celebrated our birthdays.

- Remember? - No.

But then I celebrated all my birthdays in Liverpool.

But I'd love to go fishing. I just don't want to go through the woods.

And if we're going to look for some bag, I'm going straight home.

No, we'll look for worms.

You don't know what it's like to be me. Everyone wants to be me.

People really like me.

- Because you're John? - Yes.

Because I'm John.

You had one job. To make sure they wouldn't mock your brother at school.

I didn't know he'd brought it.

- It was just for fun. - For fun?

Is it fun for Freja to be bullied every day because her brother's like this?

Is it fun when he carves runes all over the house?

Does Mom think it's fun to go to school meetings when everyone laughs at us?

Manfred is very ill, Anker, and he needs help.

And you didn't help him today, did you?

Manfred didn't choose to be a Viking.

Manfred, get up.

- Let's go straight to the lake. - We need to get worms first.

- I don't like it here. It's cold. - Stop saying that. Come on.

I don't want to be here.

I don't like it here, Anker. It's so cold.

Take it easy.

Nice and easy.

My brother and I always celebrated our birthdays at that table.

We don't have to go fishing. Let's just go back to the house.

- Or go back home to Freja? - Easy now.

I don't want to be here either. But we can't leave without the bag.

I need that bag, Manfred.

- John, sorry. - Bags, bags, bags!

All you ever talk about is bags!

Cut it out!

You marked the spot with a Viking rune?

Fucking jackass. What if someone saw it?

You're such a moron sometimes.

Just go.

I don't need you anymore. Go!

- What the hell is this? - It's Balder.

Balder?

Our dog.

Don't you remember him?

How the hell do you remember if you're John?

Huh?

It's all an act. You're lying!

- Let go! I don't want to be here. - Help me, for fuck's sake!

- I never want to go here again! - Stop.

- Let go or I'll kill myself with fire! - Calm down.

Okay, I'm letting go, but you're staying here -

- and we'll have a calm talk. Okay?

Promise?

I'm letting go.

Fucking idiot!

Crap!

Hi.

Did you and Manfred get into a fight at school?

The older boys beat him up.

Was he wearing his Viking clothes and helmet again?

Mrs. Sejersen told me there were two Vikings in the yard today.

I didn't want him to feel alone. I just wore a helmet.

They beat him up every day. It's worse now that he doesn't bring his axe.

- They're no longer afraid of him. - I trusted you.

- A week ago, you swore you'd help! - Sorry.

Manfred suffers from a very, very bad illness -

- and it only makes it worse if you play along with his sick reality!

It was a mistake. It won't happen again.

I promise.

It's too late.

So now you'll both have to learn -

- that reality can be very painful.

Go to the ranger -

- hand over Balder and wait while he puts him down.

Puts him down?

Balder is being put down today because of your actions.

- Balder hasn't done anything. - Stop crying, you little faggot.

If you want to be a Viking, then accept -

- that a Viking doesn't feel sorry for himself or anyone else.

A Viking learns to live with his destiny.

Today, you're going to learn that every act you'll ever perform in life -

- has consequences.

So go to the ranger -

- and bring back Balder's dead body -

- and we'll give him a nice funeral.

- What's going on? - Your friend got the whole band together.

The bearded guy says he'll teach me to play the guitar. Join us, Anker.

Why didn't you say your friends were coming? What a fabulous project.

Margrethe and I are totally behind you. We are die-hard Beatles fans.

Die-hard!

I'll fix some more power and whatever else you need.

Thanks, Werner.

- What the hell are you doing? - Not now. We drove all night.

Everyone is eager to start rehearsing.

Meet Paul George all the way from Sweden.

Ringo here is mute, which they omitted from his medical file.

- This is John's assistant, Anker... - I already told some of you.

I want everyone to understand that I'm only doing this if you guarantee -

- you weren't involved in the Holocaust.

Without that guarantee, I'm out!

And we're talking about the real Holocaust, in Germany.

Well, none of us were. Isn't that right, Anker?

You don't look one bit like John Lennon.

Well, you don't look like any of those who you are.

The secret to playing the guitar is to think like a beaver.

- Are beavers good guitar players? - Nobody does it better.

I shot my first beaver when I was three.

- Load them in your retard bus and go. - It's a lot but consider the potential.

It's a valid psychiatric experiment...

- You can't make a band with loonies! - That's not for you to decide.

Come again?!

Relax... Relax!

Anker, I'm dying!

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to tell you.

But I've got advanced prostate cancer.

This is my last chance to achieve anything -

- in the field to which I after all devoted...

... my entire life.

I'm sorry to hear that but you can't be here.

You're making a big mistake.

I'm certain that it's your best chance to get Manfred back.

But I'm throwing in the towel. I can't do this anymore.

Lothar.

- If we do it, when will he be himself? - You'll see progress very soon.

As soon as they've rehearsed a few of their early songs.

- Are you sure? - Yes. You won't regret it.

- There's something else. - Yes?

Manfred remembered where our dog was buried.

He's in touch with his real self's subconscious. That's a good sign.

But... I didn't know we had a dog.

I forgot all about it. Isn't it weird to forget something like that?

The brain forgets trifles. It's perfectly normal.

What if it isn't trifles? What if it's important stuff?

Even more normal! But... that's a long talk.

Focus on the band and getting Manfred back.

Just wait till you see Paul George play. He's fantastic.

- Come and join us, Margrethe. - No, I will not.

You're being very rude.

It's madness! Listen to them.

- Shouldn't they play the same song? - We mustn't interfere in their process.

But still...

I can't play when the ugly man says I'm bad.

- No, no, everyone's equally good. - Don't lie. I'm know I'm not that good.

You will just have to play worse so nobody pities me.

Nobody pities anyone here. All I see is potential and a shitload of talent.

Exactly. All of us are the best.

This is all Anker's idea, but he doesn't go around saying he's better than us.

He knows that an idea can only succeed through teamwork.

An idea isn't just an idea. You need the right logistics -

- you need the manpower and you need a plan.

So, a little like the Holocaust?

- Then I'm out! - No, IKEA would be a better example.

Let's take it from the top.

Stop, stop, no, stop!

It doesn't sound good. We have to play together.

Okay?

- E major. Follow my lead. - Now what?

- Is he turning into McCartney? - Yes, he's switching identity.

It's a fantastic thing to see. He's switching from George to Paul.

I think.

Oh, I forgot to mention. Hamdan also thinks he's Björn from ABBA.

He also thinks he's Heinrich Himmler, which got us into trouble on the ferry -

- but it passes quickly. He'll switch to George soon. Or Paul.

This is so frustrating.

- We don't want to listen to this. - Stop it.

When IKEA opened their first store in Denmark in 1969 -

- it was a bit of a mess.

It was before the barcode, and their sales model was new.

But they had faith in their project, just like we have faith in this.

The band is back together. We can feel we're among the best of the best -

- and the villagers will feel it too, because I just paid the admission fee -

- of 250 kroner for the talent show at the inn.

It's not a grand job, but we're not above crawling before we can walk.

Slowly, we'll work our way to the top.

Just like IKEA. Cheers!

Cheers.

- Will we be playing for a real audience? - No, just a bunch of beavers.

240 highly musical beavers that will clap along to all the songs.

- But isn't that dangerous? - Sure.

If you get stage fright, just imagine an audience of beavers. I always do.

- Seriously, stop playing that. - No, Björn told me to rehearse.

I'll ask Lothar if you can play the bass. Would you like that?

I'm better at the mosquito song.

- How can a mute snore that loud? - The deaf dream with sound, too.

And the blind dream in color. I dream in German.

- Okay? - But not because of the Holocaust.

I never dream about that because I wasn't involved in it.

Damn my Aryan origins.

As a young man, I dyed my hair black.

And wore dark contacts.

Listen... Go to sleep. You're tired, Paul George.

There's no Paul George here. Only Björn. Accept it.

Let's go to sleep and tomorrow we'll find out who we are.

Great, great. Thank you very much.

You've nailed that one, so we don't need to play it anymore.

- Aren't they going to play Beatles? - All in good time, Werner.

Let's take a deep breath.

And exhale through your nose. There you go.

Let's play one of John's songs, "With a Little Help from my Friends".

- Werner's suggestion. - I don't get that song.

It has no depth. No layers.

- What's that? - It has no layers.

Oh, fuck off! You just sang about a banana.

He can't talk to me, because then I'm out!

Let's calm down and be nice to each other.

John, tell us what "With a Little Help from My Friends" is all about.

I wasn't told I'd have to answer stuff.

What is everyone afraid of?

What do we fear most of all?

- Vikings. - The Holocaust.

Yes, perhaps.

But what do we fear even more? I'll give you a hint.

IKEA employees have a "code 99".

It's when a child can't find its parents -

- because one of the worst things that can happen to a child is -

- when it thinks it's all alone.

- Hamdan? - The song is about lost kids in IKEA.

I also think it's about kids living in IKEA.

And that's exactly right.

"With a Little Help from My Friends" is about how you're never alone.

You always have someone you trust -

- and who'll always be there no matter what.

Have you got someone you trust, John -

- but whom you fear might leave you?

Let's play something else.

Sorry. That turned out very dramatic. Not my intention.

Do you know who I am?

People call me Friendly Flemming.

Do you know where Anker is?

Get up.

Let's go upstairs and wait for him. We'll work it all out. Come on.

Everyone wants to be someone else. The young want to be old and vice versa.

- It's always been like that. - How will playing ABBA help them?

After 20 years of jazz, we can stand hearing some ABBA.

- Oh, so jazz is wrong now? - Well, listening to it like we do.

In silence with red wine and analyses. We have idiots written all over.

Hearing Paul George singing ABBA these past days has given me more -

- than I've felt in a long time.

He's called Björn. He'll kill himself if you call him that again.

- Sorry. - You can't just choose your own name.

It's something you earn or are given by your parents.

I can't just call myself King Werner or Werner Giant Cock. It must reflect reality.

Leave some space for the rest of us.

If everything's of equal value, nothing has value.

Jazz and The Beatles are better than ABBA.

Healthy is better than ill, thin better than fat. These are objective truths -

- that can't be disputed by feelings. Without a common reality, there's nothing.

It's madness, Margrethe.

Look at yourself. You won't stand by yourself after hearing a song.

I think Margrethe just wants to be accepted for who she is. Am I right?

When you look like me, nobody accepts you for who you are.

People assume beautiful people are stupid.

Not until I hooked up with Werner, did people start taking me seriously.

When they saw that I wasn't after looks, personality or money -

- but rather sought an intellect that I could relate to.

I know exactly what you mean. I've been in many relationships -

- where I soon realized they didn't take me for my inner qualities.

They just wanted a trophy boyfriend with the perfect Scandinavian look.

My blond hair and my blue eyes have always been a curse.

What are you digging for?

Worms.

- With a metal detector? - Well, yes, I...

I like to dig. Seeing what I find.

Okay. Then we're down to zero normal people in the house.

Listen, I think it's just fantastic the way you look after your brother.

This whole band thing -

- and bringing him back here.

- Well, I'll carry on digging. - Sure.

- Don't let me interrupt. - Good.

- I've got another 4 km to go. - What?

- I've got another 4 km to go. - Right. Okay.

He's not answering.

- I'm sorry. - Don't be. We'll just cut off a finger.

- No, please don't. - Relax and take a deep breath.

Please do something else. Beat me up some more.

Please stop crying.

I'm sorry.

Isn't there something I can do? I'll do anything.

Will you put up your hair so you look like a little boy laborer?

Sure, I can do that.

- Just let me go to the bathroom. - Of course. We're both adults.

If you try to escape... I'll kill you.

Sure. Sure.

Who are you going to call?

That was a dumb move.

No...! You're dead!

It's impossible to make a new story for a children's book. Everything's taken.

2010 TRUCK ROBBERY MONEY STILL MISSING

I have lots of good characters, but...

... I need something to create a unique universe.

Over 1,900 children's books have a duck as the protagonist. Ridiculous.

- Sew something instead. It's been ages. - Sew what?

For the guys. They've been wearing the same clothes since they got here.

41.7 million kroner never found

I like Björn. He says I can be a great guitar student.

Are you sad?

If you're sad, you can sleep in my bed.

Do you realize how much I've done for you?

Please help me out here.

Hi.

- That's not your axe. - No, it's probably yours.

It came with the house.

- Do you want it? - It must stay in the shed.

Okay.

It belongs up there.

Oh right.

I can see that.

There we go.

Did you make those signs everywhere?

They aren't signs. They're runes.

There's a lot of your old... Viking stuff.

Look here.

I'm cold.

I don't want to be here.

Would you like some hot chocolate?

What's Anker looking for in the woods?

He told me it's a lot of money, so you can tell me.

It's weird you keep asking, when I don't know.

Why can't Anker find the money?

He doesn't remember a thing. Not even how to place a rune.

Place a rune? What does that mean?

When you have a secret, you place a rune. After a raid, marking the loot.

And Anker wants you to place a rune nearby?

I'd love to see you place a rune. Will you show me?

Do you think I'm crazy? I'm not crazy. Anker's the crazy one.

He doesn't even remember Balder or anything. He's the crazy one.

Margrethe?

- Come see what I've sewn. - Not right now, Werner.

Now, Margrethe.

Now!

Excuse me.

I may alter this. I'm unsure about the colors. The light changes them.

This is dyed beaver. Can we keep the clothes for private use?

I'll have to check the tax regulations.

- Good morning, Anker. - Good morning. Good morning, John.

Have you seen Werner's creations?

Everyone insists I get an outfit as well, so I yielded.

It's my desperate nudge towards Beatles.

McCartney invented Sergeant Pepper when they tired of being themselves.

- A brand-new identity. - You probably think it's silly.

But this'll work. I promise.

I think it's absolutely brilliant.

We're headed in the right direction. Keep it up.

Will do.

- Good morning. - Morning.

I know you're looking for the money.

John told me all about it.

Relax, I'm not gonna call the police.

Why not?

Because I want the same as you.

Okay.

- And what do I want? - To get away.

But you can't find the money.

I think I can persuade John to tell us where it is.

Us?

Let's stop playing games, Anker.

- What games? - Cut it out.

I've seen you looking at me ever since you guys arrived.

I don't blame you for thinking I'm out of your league, but...

Werner and I haven't been happy for many years.

Okay? You don't show it.

It's just a facade.

I'll go away with you.

You told Margrethe about the money?!

No. I only told her about runes.

- You just got a lot of money. - Tell me where the rest is! It's over!

Here comes Freja.

Freja!

- Are you sure he didn't follow you? - I don't think so. I ran.

I took the train. I didn't know what else to do.

- Are you and Manfred okay? - You can't just come here.

Do you think I want to be here? I hate it so much!

Then I don't get why you came. I really don't.

You're such a prick.

You show up and everything goes crazy again.

Why haven't you left? Can't you find your money?

Don't you think I know why you went here? I know you.

We've waited so long for you, and now you're taking off again.

You promised Mom to look after Manfred. You fucking swore!

Of course I'm going away. I'm not stupid.

You should too. You wasted your entire life on him.

If you go away, you're just like Dad.

Don't you fucking pull that on me!

Sometimes I think I see Dad on the train or in crowds of people.

I dream that he'll come and apologize.

How can you just abandon a family like that?

I know it's crazy, but...

... I still think he'll show up and give a speech for me if I ever get married.

Look, you and Mom have talked about him for 40 years. Move on.

The guy found a family he liked better than us, and that's that.

He couldn't stand Manfred. Nobody can.

Dad was a piece of shit, Freja. Be glad that he left.

Dad was other things, too. People are more than one thing.

- Doesn't John have to help? - Grab the instruments, Paul George.

Stop calling me Paul George! John, are you hearing this?

Please help us. Don't just sit there feeling sorry for yourself.

Hey, hey! Careful with the epaulet.

Butt out. You're not in the band.

I don't understand a word you say. Swedish idiot.

So, I'm a Swedish idiot.

- What the fuck? - At least I'm not an alcoholic.

Take off the clothes, now! No more freebies.

- I said lose the clothes! - Save your energy for the instruments.

You're not fooling anyone with your Swedish crap music.

You know very well you're not blue-eyed or blond.

You aren't Björn and you never will be.

Douchebag!

No! Not the guitar. Paul!

I'm out!

- George? - Werner?

Björn?

I'm out! It's over!

Okay, he'll go for a stroll, and then we'll leave.

Not here either. It's driving me crazy.

I've had it.

You need to talk to him. Make him understand we'll all die.

Can't we just leave without the money? It doesn't matter anymore.

They'll lock you up for this anyway.

- For what? - For springing the loons from hospital.

- What makes you say that? - They've got you on camera.

I don't know what the penalty is for kidnapping four psychotic patients.

It was Lothar. I only helped with Manfred's escape.

- And it's three patients. - It says four in the papers.

4 patients missing in Denmark and Sweden

There you are! Paul George punched Werner and left the band.

- We have to go on stage tonight. - I need you, now.

- Over 25 people bought a ticket. - What don't you get?

We have internal strife in the band and a major concert in three hours.

Had I known being a manager was like this, I'd never...

- Relax! I have a plan B. - Shut the fuck up!

This ends here... Kjeld.

Why do you call him Kjeld? There's enough confusion.

He is Kjeld, a psychiatric patient.

- Aren't they all? - Precisely. And I've said so all along.

Lothar Kjeld Gerner Nielsen, psychiatric patient.

- What's wrong with the name Kjeld? - So, you're not dying?

- Who's dying? - Shut up and sit still.

- I may be dying. I haven't been scan... - That does it!

Don't talk to me like that, dammit. I've been sewing for 14 hours!

I've been attacked, and I'm running on seven hours of sleep! So...

Right now I just need a glass of Burgundy. Okay?!

No! Anker!

Anker... Anker.

- Anker! - Did you see that?

He hit him.

He hit him with a frying pan.

Now he will die too. Everybody dies.

Nobody's gonna die.

Yes, he'll die.

- And I'll be sent away. - Stop it.

Go rehearse for your concert.

Touch that guitar again and I'll knock your brains out.

And yes, you're right.

- We're all gonna die because of you. - Anker, don't. That's not true.

Look at me. Look at Freja.

Look at her.

- That's your fault. - Stop it.

It's your fault we're in this hole. It's your fault Dad left.

- Everything is your fault. - Stop it, goddammit!

No, John. Wait, John!

Don't!

- Get in. - No.

- Have you been crying? - Go! I'll take the bus.

- It's okay to cry. I've also cried. - I've cried much more. Look at my eyes.

- We could go back and apologize. - No, I'm going to Germany.

- What if we got the band back together? - I'm going to Germany!

- What for? - The Holocaust! End it once and for all.

- You can't stop me! - I wouldn't dream of it.

Maybe I could go with you?

Lothar, answer me truthfully.

Don't I have blond hair and blue eyes?

I'm going crazy here. I don't know if what I see is true.

But... I see...

I don't see blue eyes and blond hair.

Oh no!

I see a dark person with an impressive beard.

But it doesn't matter what I or anyone else see.

What matters is what you see.

First and foremost, I see the band's most talented member.

And I see a strikingly handsome and deeply harmonious man.

And I see a great colleague who could go solo.

Yes.

- Good. Get in. - Okay.

Can I help you?

Ow.

Anker!

Anker?

Flemming, take it easy.

Anker?

I want the money, Anker.

It's not yours. I haven't got it.

I tried calling. I'll have it soon.

Okay. I'm going to cut off one of your brother's fingers.

Then you have 10 seconds to think, and I'll cut off one more and one more.

Flemming, please don't.

You'll get the money. I just need to find it.

Flemming, listen. I don't know where it is!

Okay, that's a first.

- People usually scream like crazy. - Flemming... Please leave him be.

- Only he knows where it is. - Quiet, Anker. I can take one more.

Do you know where the money is, Manfred?

- John... His name is John. - Sorry. Where's the money, John?

By the lake. But I won't show you if you hurt my brother.

Don't hurt him. Take me instead!

You just hurt my brother, so I won't show you.

I'll never find the money now.

- What do you want me to do? - Get in the car and drive.

- Drive. - I'm not allowed to drive.

- Drive! - I can only use automatic transmission.

And I just dropped a finger. We have to go back for it.

- I need to bring Anker and my finger. - I'll shoot you in the neck.

I know! I've known for a long time. Where do you wanna go?

- To the money. - We can't.

It's Anker's money. I can't tell anyone.

My hand does hurt a bit now.

I'm hungry, too. Can we eat something? I'm cold, too.

Right. Right. Let's go.

I'm going.

How do you make it go? It's really hard.

Oh, I can't! But I'll go now.

What you've done is really illegal.

A small animal is crossing the road.

Oh, shut the fuck up now and breathe like a man.

But I can't.

- Don't go any faster. - Anker's my brother. He protects me.

Leave us alone now. Don't kill him. I don't want you to!

Don't go so fast.

- Slow down, you idiot. - If you promise not to kill Anker.

Slow down.

Slow down, Manfred!

You have serious mental issues in your family. You know that?

Yes.

Anker!

Anker.

Anker.

Manfred!

John!

Manfred!

Manfred!

Dad loves you.

See you on Sunday. I made dinner for you to warm.

No, no, no!

- Something terrible's happened. - To Mom and Freja?

They've killed him. He's dead.

Who?

Come with me.

Call an ambulance.

Just you wait till I get back on my feet, Manfred.

I'll beat you to a pulp.

You won't be able to walk.

You won't be able to move.

Help! Help Dad.

Look away, Manfred.

Anker, what are you doing?

Anker?

John Lennon was shot four times as he arrived at his home in New York -

- with Yoko Ono.

He was rushed to Roosevelt Hospital and pronounced dead.

The perpetrator, Mark David Chapman, appears to be a fanatical fan...

We'll never speak of this.

Swear you won't say a word to anyone.

You'll stop being a Viking, okay?

Don't ever be one again.

I gathered mushrooms with Mom here one day, but I didn't say anything.

Mom was standing right on top of him.

Are you upset that I showed you?

I think I sort of knew.

I thought I'd dreamt it.

Freja often does, too.

- Freja doesn't know? - No.

But she dreams about him.

She's very sad.

I think she'd like to know.

You can tell her.

Do you want me to tell her for the both of us?

Do you dare? I'd really like you to.

I know you're leaving.

I embarrass you. I understand.

And I'm not always nice to be around.

Nobody's nice all the time.

You can be exactly what you want to be.

What happened?

I found her this morning.

She fell and hit a rock. I told her to bring a flashlight.

We're home now. Come on, come on. There you go.

- Can I do something? - No. They said she just needs to rest.

I'll make Hungarian soup. It's soup from now on. She's lost quite a lot of teeth.

Okay, let's have it out.

Have I lied about who I am?

Maybe I have.

My dad was the union representative in IKEA in Ballerup, not Taastrup.

The Taastrup store didn't open until after they closed the Ballerup store -

- wrongfully dismissing my father.

So yes, my father was head of the only IKEA store in the world -

- that's ever closed.

I think you know what that does to a small family.

If it makes me a bad person that I'm a dreamer -

- that I don't necessarily distinguish between fantasy and reality -

- and that I simply wanted to recreate the best band in the world -

- then go ahead and call me ill.

And if you want to hit me back -

- Björn and I bought a brand-new pan for you.

Can you forgive me, Anker?

Are you angry with me?

I forgive you.

I'm not angry.

Thank you, Anker.

- They're on next. - This lemon roll isn't fresh. Smell.

- I can't smell anything. - Shut up! They're on.

What an afternoon! What a show!

- Must he bring the axe? It's dangerous. - It's way too big.

How did the restaurant allow it? Leave it.

- No. Axes are allowed again. - Not on stage!

The Flying Beavers!

Then you can't play with us.

If you really want to bring it, just bring it. But you don't need it.

There are all kinds of people in this world.

Under the chieftain, everyone was happy and everyone was equal.

Everyone was equally happy.

Sure, there were bumps in the road to overcome and battles to fight.

But the chieftain always made sure that everyone was of equal value.

He knew only too well -

- that when everyone's missing a foot, no one's missing a foot.

As the years went by, everyone became even happier than before.

It was common knowledge that a people with missing limbs is off-balance -

- and shouldn't throw axes at each other, but they didn't hold back.

For they knew that if everyone was off-balance, nobody is off-balance.

When the day dawned and the unthinkable happened -

- the chieftain didn't have to think twice about his decision.

Many were afraid but nobody dared say it out loud -

- and the chieftain was the last one to put his head on the block.

In the seconds before the axe struck his neck, he looked at his people -

- and a blissful calm settled in his heart.

For all the maladjusted and outcasts, the strange, weak, ill -

- the rich, the poor, the beautiful and the ugly -

- the men and women and all the others who didn't know who they were -

- never had he seen them calmer or more harmonious -

- and finally, everyone was of equal value.

THE LAST VIKING

Subtitles: Helle Schou Kristiansen Dansk Video Tekst