Original subtitles

(soft instrumental music)

- [Narrator] It's a familiar tale told to children,

a tale of pumpkins that become coaches

and mice who become footmen,

a tale of magic and beauty

and living happily ever after.

But there are secrets to be learned

and shadowy corners to be explored

that will, perhaps, cause you to wonder

if this tale would be retold so happily

if the complete truth were known.

(glass shattering) (Iris gasps)

(shouting) (dramatic music)

- Time to go. - Mother!

- [Margarethe] The potions.

- [Woman] Away with the murderer!

Murderess!

(glass shattering) (crowd shouting)

- My doll, Mama. - Leave it.

Leave it!

- [Woman] They're getting away!

(banging)

(crowd shouting) (glass shattering)

- Turn it to ashes! - Burn it to the ground!

- [Iris] I have your doll.

Just run!

- [Woman] Away with you, murderer!

(crowd shouting)

- [Margarethe] That's it.

That's it, come on. - Here we are, ladies.

This way.

(dramatic music) (shouting)

(bell chiming)

(indistinct chatter)

- Oh.

Ohh.

- So many people, Mama.

- Yes, Ruth.

This is where I was born.

When I was a little girl,

we lived in a beautiful house.

We shall live in one again.

Now, first we must find the town square

which is, hm--

- Perhaps the church is in the square?

- Oh yes, good thinking, Iris.

Come on.

Ruth!

Ru, Iris.

Come on.

Come here.

Iris, now I want you to look after your sister

so I can go to the church and ask for shelter, all right?

Now please, please don't leave the square

and don't call attention to yourself.

- All right.

- Will you be all right? - Mm-hm.

- Good girl.

- Ruth!

(horse neighing)

Ruth!

(basket thudding)

- Ah!

For God's sake, you stupid girl!

- Oh, it was an accident.

- Leave them, don't touch-- - We're so sorry.

- Go away! - She's a bit--

- Uh-oh. - Oh, oh, so sorry.

- You clumsy ox!

I'm gonna teach you!

- Master Schoenmacker has sent me to buy some fruit.

Or are you too busy striking at young girls to sell?

- Thank you for your kindness.

Oh, Ruth.

Ohh.

And look at this, it looks like sunlight

through stained glass.

Isn't that beautiful?

- Colours from God's paintbrush, my master says.

He's a painter.

They talk like that.

I'm his apprentice, so I suppose

he'll teach me to talk like that.

- Ah.

Hm.

I'm Iris, and this here is my sister, Ruth.

Ruth!

Ruth!

- Pleased to meet you, Iris.

- [Tutor] Your daughter is unteachable.

- She is just shy, I assure you.

- No, she's not shy!

She is not shy.

- If you could give her one more chance, I'm sure that she would take--

- No, there's absolutely no point, none at all.

Good day to you sir, and good luck.

(soft instrumental music)

(door clicks shut)

- Ruth!

I've been looking all over for you.

- Why?

I was here.

She's beautiful.

She's happy.

- Happy?

It depends.

Is beauty a blessing or a curse?

(rat squeaks)

- Ruth.

I thought I told you not to wander off.

And if you must talk to strangers,

might they at least be respectable?

- [Iris] But she spoke to us.

- The church turned us away

so we must plead for charity from others.

(thunder rumbling)

Some shelter for the night,

a simple act of charity.

Look at my daughters.

Haven't we suffered enough?

(door bangs)

(knocking)

Oh, please sir.

No task is too small in exchange

for a little food,

and lodging and...

(door bangs)

Agh!

(knocking)

Please, sir.

A simple act of charity is all I ask,

some shelter and-- - Mama!

That's the gentleman who...

(laughs awkwardly)

- Come, I'll fetch the master.

- Tell him that I have skills

with herbs and potions,

and we're not afraid of any labour

no matter how menial. - Wait here.

- No amount of menial labour will salvage this place.

(shivering)

A modicum of talent, but little of decency.

- [Ruth] Mama, they're naked!

- Decency or indecency is inferred, not implied.

- I'm not familiar with your work.

For whom have you painted?

- I'm not familiar with your work.

For whom have you cleaned?

- Circumstances have conspired against us.

We do what we can to survive.

- I'm familiar with those circumstances.

- Their late father was English,

but that counted for little

when the dying woman whom my herbs sustained

inevitably passed on.

We barely escaped with our lives

and a few meagre possessions.

- Silence!

Silence is the most important aspect of my work.

It doesn't have to be done well

as long as it's done quietly.

Come here.

I want to hear only my muse.

- She may not be much to look at,

but she's very bright.

- Well, as long as she's bright enough to sit still.

I want to paint her.

- Why on earth would you want to paint Iris?

- Oh, composition studies, light studies,

tonal studies.

For the first time in 25 years,

I have to audition for a job.

- Isn't 25 years of painting audition enough?

- (laughs) She is bright.

(soft instrumental music)

(rooster crowing)

- (gasps) I'm sorry, I didn't mean--

- Oh, curiosity needs no apologies.

Now, get up in that chair, hm?

(whacking)

Ah.

Let me see.

Will I ever get this right?

- Should I answer that?

- No, no.

No, you're doing exactly the right thing.

Just ignore my rants and my raves.

Now, stay perfectly still.

There.

Don't move.

Don't talk.

Just listen.

You'll find it fascinating.

I do.

(gentle instrumental music)

(mouse squeaking)

- I could put my daughters to better use in the kitchen.

- They're of use to me here.

And as it's my house, that's all that matters.

- Let me see the painting of Iris.

- No.

- She's my daughter.

- It's my painting.

I'll show it when I want to.

(soft instrumental music)

- I don't like you wasting your time

with that old fool

when you could be in here helping me.

- I'm not wasting my time.

I like it.

And the master gave me this paper and chalk.

- And then, of course, there's Casper.

- I very much doubt that Casper

has taken any notice of me.

- You're a smart girl, Iris,

to accept your limitations.

- What are you doing?

- Looking for the portrait of Iris.

- If he finds out...

- Who will tell him?

(soft instrumental music)

Ohh.

- Is that how I look?

- Well-- - No.

It's severe.

It doesn't capture the-- - What?

Her inner beauty?

- The master is only interested

in the beauty of the flowers.

- So he chose the homeliest of girls to hold them?

Weeds would appear beautiful in my hands.

- You're not, you're not looking at this

with the artist's eye.

You see it...

- I look at it with her mother's eye.

I see a girl he has made miserable.

- And I see a mother who would let her daughter

believe she is not pretty enough

to be noticed by men.

- And what would you let her believe?

- You can't spend your time doing this

if you're going to be an artist.

- Who said I wanted to be artist?

- You did, by your curiosity

and the way you see things.

You have an eye.

- This is where I belong.

This is what I should be doing,

so please don't mock me.

- I would never mock you, Iris.

I want you to help Casper take the painting

over to Van Den Meer's.

He is showing it to some investors.

He wants to meet you.

(horse neighing)

- I know this place.

A girl lives here who-- - Clara Van Den Meer.

- Why do they have to come into our house?

- Because that's what people do, Clara.

They welcome people into their house

who are friends, and this is your house too

so you should be a part of it.

- But I don't like it.

What if someone tries to take me?

- If you listen to gossip,

the family was barren until they made

a pact with the fortune tellers.

They were granted a daughter of unearthly beauty,

but, as is often the case with such unholy alliances,

the fortune tellers felt slighted.

- I'll introduce you.

And you can be the one that carries in the flowers.

- I don't think Mama would have wanted me

to do anything that would make me feel

so uncomfortable.

- No, I think that Mama would have told you

that there's no reason to feel so uncomfortable.

- At five, Clara was kidnapped

and her mother died of a broken heart.

- Gently, gently, the painting, the painting.

(Van Den Meer Gasps)

Oh my, oh my.

- Master Schoenmacker has done an admirable job.

Though a more wretched looking model, I cannot imagine.

- My daughter, Clara.

And,

the newest tulip, forced to bloom in my own greenhouse.

Now, um, no one else has such tulips,

guaranteeing us a healthy return on investment

if we pool our resources

and underwrite a shipment from the East.

And the master can create a painting

to mount on formal occasions or in the town hall,

a painting that will stir up interest

in our new tulip variety.

- Well, in Clara we have a subject

worthy of the master's talents.

With Haarlem's great beauty holding our tulips,

there are those who would buy them

simply in the hopes of catching a glimpse of her.

- Well, I fear our tulips will pale

in comparison to Clara's beauty.

Now, shall we discuss the fortunes to be made

over a glass of wine?

(visitors chattering)

Tell Schoenmacker he's done well.

- Father, will he paint me now?

- There is not a painter alive

who could capture your beauty.

- But will he try?

- Well, it was not my intention,

but it wouldn't be so unpleasant.

- Not nearly as unpleasant as it's been for me.

- Ah.

Now you are Iris, aren't you?

Don't worry, Schoenmacker told me.

You speak English, Dutch, and some French.

Hm, excuse us for a moment.

Um,

I have a business proposition for you.

- To tutor her in I'm not quite sure what.

But it seems she knows little else

outside her home,

and I think he wants a sort of friend for her.

But I told him I could not possibly go

without my mother and sister.

- To which he said?

- He's very busy and needs a woman to run things,

so, bring them.

- A wealthy widower, a child to raise,

a household to run.

Intriguing possibilities.

You may have stumbled on something, Iris,

in spite of yourself.

- Thank you.

Stumbled on to what, exactly?

- An opportunity for me to work my magic.

Cast my spells.

- Where's the master?

- Sulking.

- Iris.

Paper, and charcoal sticks.

You must practise your art.

- Thank you.

That's very kind. - Iris!

- Oh.

- Don't be angry at Mother.

- Ingratitude makes me angry.

Of course, my humble hospitality

can't compare with that of Van Den Meer.

But I warn you, moving into that house

is a mistake.

- But Mother says--

- Your mother thinks only of her comfort.

I'm thinking of you and Ruth.

If you need me, I'll be here.

- Thank you.

(soft instrumental music)

- No good will come of this, no good at all.

(magical chiming)

(lively instrumental music)

- Ohh, this will do.

This will do nicely.

- Clara's always been a timid girl

and, uh, her mother was very protective.

She locked herself in her room for weeks

when she died, and to this day

she never leaves the house.

- Never? - No, never.

Why should she?

She has all that she wants and needs here.

She feels safe and protected.

- From what?

- Clara needs a friend,

someone to draw her out.

Someone to educate her.

(knocking)

- [Clara] Go away.

- It'll require some patience.

(knocking)

- [Clara] I said go away.

- You don't know who it is yet.

- Who is it? - Iris.

- [Clara] Go away, Iris.

- Your father asked that I visit with you.

(footsteps pattering)

- I remember you.

You're the friend father bought me.

- You cannot buy friends.

- Good, because I don't want any.

- Well, if that's how you treat them,

I'm sure you don't have any.

- Get that creature away from me!

- You shall serve the fowl

and I shall bring the wine.

(mysterious music)

- Mother, what are you doing?

- Merely adding a little something

to make sure Herr Van Den Meer feels better.

Feels,

friendlier.

- Friendlier is good.

- [Iris] Will it work?

- We shall see in the morning.

(knocking)

- Come.

Well, this is an unexpected pleasure, Margarethe.

- I hope you don't find me too presumptuous.

- Oh, no, no, no.

If anything, too considerate.

- Ah.

Then I shall risk another presumption.

Now that we are here,

I think it best that you should release

the housekeeper and the cook.

- Why, is their work unsatisfactory?

- That would depend on what they've been hired to do.

If it is truly housekeeping and cooking,

well yes, I'm afraid it is unsatisfactory.

- Well, I assure you those are the only reasons

they're here.

- That's just what I said to those

who suggested otherwise.

- Oh, people have suggested otherwise?

- Those who take pleasure in thinking the worst.

Two young women, an attractive widow gentleman,

well, you can see the implications.

- I can see gossips with too much time on their hands.

- I would dismiss them as such myself

were it not for your business concerns.

Since you seek investors from the town,

in which case any malicious gossip

no matter how absurd, could be harmful.

- You were not always a housekeeper,

were you, Margarethe?

- One may lose one's station in life

but not the lessons one has learned

or the dignity one has acquired.

You have been so generous, so gracious.

Although it would mean a greater burden to myself,

I would gladly assume the household duties.

A mature, sophisticated woman

with two daughters of her own

would never provoke gossip,

no matter how dashing the master of the house.

- It's not nice to spy at someone's door.

- It's worse to spy at someone

spying at someone's door.

- Where did you hear that?

I don't believe that's true.

- I know what your mother's trying to do

but it's not going to work, and--

- What's not going to work, Clara, dear?

- Wait!

The master's here to paint your portrait.

What do you suppose Clara meant, Mama?

- Don't concern yourself with that.

Just do your job.

Now, you take Clara in hand

or we shall be in jeopardy of being tossed out.

- Clara doesn't want to pose.

I understand that.

I wish I hadn't.

- Clara will pose, for that will help

her father's business.

And what helps him, helps us.

You have no sense of what's going on here, do you?

You have no idea at all.

- I don't even have enough sense

to know what I have no sense about.

- This house needs a woman to be complete,

to be respectable, and we need

and deserve a comfortable home.

Now put that back in the kitchen.

(gentle instrumental music)

(knocking)

- [Clara] I will not sit for my portrait.

- Don't you wish to please your father?

- I cannot believe it would please him.

This painting will only have value

because people will gape and say,

isn't she beautiful?

That's all I will be, an object of beauty.

- Then I shall explain to them

that you're much more,

that you are a spoiled, selfish,

petulant child who had to be dragged

forcibly down the stairs to pose.

- You forgot beautiful, Mama.

- Five minutes, Clara.

- Your mother has no right to talk to me like that.

- And I'm sure your mother

taught you not to speak to an adult that way.

- My mother died before she could

teach me very much at all.

- And my...

Our father died, but we still manage.

I suppose that makes us the same.

- I suppose we're not.

(soft instrumental music)

(door bangs)

- A painting of you with the tulip

would make a wonderful impression,

and, well, they are my investors, so, um--

- Don't we already have a lot of money?

- Well yes, yes, we have a good deal of money, Clara,

but, most of it I've invested in these tulip shipments.

Now I need to protect that investment,

so I need investors to do that.

Please.

I need your help, Clara.

- Tell the master I'll be down shortly.

(bell chiming)

(gasps) She's there!

She's, she's in the street!

- [Iris] Clara will just be a few moments.

- Don't worry, he's not hiding.

He's cleaning the studio.

- Who?

- Who.

Who, who could I possibly be talking about.

Ah yes, Casper.

- That's no concern of mine.

- No?

Well, unless I'm losing my eye in these matters,

I should have thought it was important to both of you.

- It's unkind to encourage false expectations.

- Oh Iris, at least allow yourself the possibility.

- What possibility?

- Stranger things have happened.

(gentle instrumental music)

(birds chirping)

- Yeah.

You seem to have got the general,

the general shape of the scene.

And then if you could just also bring out

more of the texture of the bark on the tree,

because the light obviously

doesn't quite reach underneath the doorway.

(Iris laughs)

(laughing)

- Mama can laugh.

- It's an act.

My father is not that witty.

Oh.

Margarethe wants Father to forget my mother.

She's trying to steal her memory.

- That's not a nice thing to say.

- I've only said the truth.

- Well, that doesn't make it nice.

- Oh! (bell ringing)

- Ruth, why are you always so clumsy?

- And why are you always so angry, Clara?

You have almost everything you want.

You should be happy.

- Having things changes nothing.

I have many things,

but still, all people see is my beauty.

If you had them, people would still

see you as ugly.

Things change nothing.

I'm cold, I want to go in.

- Are you sure you want to go back in there just yet?

Stay outside in the garden.

It's still early.

We could play a little game, hm?

How about Blind Man's Bluff?

Let me just put this on you.

- Oh, um, what's Blind Man's Bluff?

- Oh, it's lots of fun.

You have to find us.

Come.

To catch a thief, to catch a thief,

we'll set trap to-- (bell dings)

Oh, mind the wire.

Careful now, this way.

- I feel dizzy! - Don't complain, Clara.

It's only a game.

Here we go.

Turn.

- Iris?

Ruth?

Where are you?

Please, where are you?

- I don't think Clara likes this game.

- Iris, help me! - Clara.

(Clara screams)

- The time has come, Clara.

(Clara screams)

You can no longer be a child.

- [Ruth] Come!

- Shh, Clara, Clara, what is it?

What happened?

- We were playing Blind Man's Bluff.

I, I'm sorry.

I thought it would be fun.

- It was horrible.

- Oh, I am sure you exaggerate.

It sounds quite enjoyable.

- I don't believe I was addressing you.

- Clara, you must treat Margarethe with more respect.

- [Clara] Why?

She's just a servant.

- Clara, dear.

All that is about to change.

- I have asked Margarethe to marry me, and,

she has graciously said yes.

(Iris scoffs)

- That's friendly.

- Please, Clara, call me mother.

(soft instrumental music)

(door slams)

(magical chiming)

(lively instrumental music)

(laughing)

(cheering) (applauding)

(guests chattering)

- What a fine piece of work, gentlemen.

She blossoms.

- Ahh, there you are.

I'm curious.

How does someone who paints like that,

who sees the world like that,

how can he look so glum?

- Perhaps because he knows it's the best he'll ever do.

- My, I don't know that I'm depressed enough

to be an artist.

- You try making a living at it, you soon will be.

(Iris laughs)

- Well, that doesn't explain much about Clara,

who seems to have made an art of gloom.

- [Schoenmacker] Has she been difficult?

- Well, I suppose we've been difficult to each other.

- Ah.

You know, I am sorry I made Van Den Meer

aware of your cleverness.

So perhaps there's a way I can steal you back.

(Iris laughs)

I want you to apprentice in my studio.

(Iris laughs)

- Are you joking? - I don't make jokes.

Ask your mother.

- But, but you have no idea of my abilities.

- The eye, you have the eye.

Look, don't worry, I'm not throwing Casper out.

Not yet, anyway.

No, soon he'll be able to go off by himself.

I've asked Iris to apprentice.

With the great success of Young Girl With Tulips,

we'll have more work than we can cope with.

- Go on, Iris, it'd be great fun.

- Oh, I don't know if my mother would approve.

- Ah!

Approval is only important to those who give it.

Say yes.

Oh, Margarethe.

- Oh. (laughs) - Congratulations.

You appear to have everything you ever wanted.

- Have I?

- Well, better than an angry mob

chasing you out of England.

- (laughs) Are you suggesting I did this for myself?

No, I did it for my children.

When I'm gone, who will look after them?

I don't see the tall, dark, and handsome

young men of Haarlem rushing in for that honour.

- [Schoenmacker] I've asked Iris to apprentice.

- Have you?

Whatever for?

- She has the talent.

- And how will the housework get done?

By magic?

- Ohh, I see.

Iris is to become a housekeeper

and you a lady of leisure, is that the case?

- For the sake of my husband's business,

I must keep up appearances.

- Judging by the dour expression

on your husband's face,

this extravagant wedding has left a sour taste.

Not to mention the late shipment of his tulips.

What is it now, three weeks?

- What would a poor doodler know of commerce?

Come along, Iris.

We're going to find Clara and Ruth and cut the cake.

- [Clara] Here you are, little thing. (giggles)

Is that good?

- Ruth!

Clara!

We're wanted inside for the cutting of the cake.

- They married without asking me.

They can certainly cut the cake without me.

- Cake!

- Mind the wire, Ruth.

(gentle instrumental music)

(rat squeaking)

- If I may.

Perfect.

(laughing) (applauding)

(guests chattering indistinctly)

- Uh, I think you all know my daughter, Clara.

- The master has painted you brilliantly.

Although, I am afraid he has failed

to capture your exquisite beauty.

I'm sure there are many among us

who would love an opportunity to capture it for ourselves.

- [Driver] Giddy up!

Make way!

- Good day, ladies.

(knocking)

(door clicks shut)

- [Casper] You're not gonna meet a painter standing there.

- I'm here to learn, not meet.

(Casper laughs)

- They won't be here long.

They've come to help the master

choose his best painting to show Maria de Medici.

- Who? - The Queen of France.

She's coming here to find someone to paint her portrait.

It's a really important commission.

- There's only one choice, and it isn't here.

Young Girl with Tulip, it's his masterpiece.

- He won't even consider it.

- Because he's afraid he can't do better?

- Or even as well.

(Ruth shrieks) (objects crashing)

(laughing) (lively music)

- Why do you always have to be

such a clumsy ox?

- I don't know.

I'm sorry, Iris.

- Well, of course you're sorry.

You're always sorry, but that doesn't

change the fact that you always ruin things.

(soft instrumental music)

Ruth.

(Ruth sobbing)

- Oh, it does please your father to please me.

- He doesn't seem pleased, he seems worried.

- Oh, worry is a waste of energy.

It accomplishes nothing.

- When will father be home?

- Oh, when he finishes pacing

up and down the wharf waiting for that tulip shipment.

You can pace with him, if you like.

- You know very well I can't go out.

- [Margarethe] I know very well that you think

you can't go out.

- Something bad always happens.

Something bad waits for me out there.

- That is not the problem.

The problem is cowardice.

- It's here, it's here, it's here.

I saw it on the horizon.

I watched until it came in.

Oh! - Oh! (laughs)

- Oh, darling, the entire shipment has arrived.

We have not lost one thing!

- Oh, I told you not to worry.

I told you everything would be perfect.

- Oh, Margarethe, Margarethe, sweet pea,

sweet pea, this has got to stop.

The shipment has to be sold before we,

another dress? - Yes!

- [Van Den Meer] The shipment has to be sold

before we can afford anything--

- [Margarethe] Shh.

(sombre instrumental music)

(Ruth sobbing)

- [Margarethe] What do you think?

- The difference between being rich or poor

must be too subtle for me.

I still feel poor.

- Has Clara put spoiled thoughts in your head?

- What's the point of having money

if you can't hire a cook and a maid?

- Oh, all in good time.

But to make more money, one must invest

the money that one has.

And since it is important to your stepfather

that I be seen as the wife of a successful business man,

I expect that you take care of things here.

(rat squeaking)

Oh!

Would you get rid of that filthy thing

before this house is overrun with rats?

- No.

And no matter how much you try and change things,

this is my house.

I can invite all the rats I want.

- Well, it's just as much mine as it is yours now.

And if you really cared about this house,

you'd do something to keep it up.

Oh, Ruth, stop whimpering.

I'm getting a cat.

Your sister has a rat in there

and I expect you to get rid of it.

- [Iris] But--

- If you really want to apprentice with the master,

then you must convince me

that you can take control of things,

and you can start with that rat.

- Give me the rat.

- Why?

- Mother wants me to get rid of it.

It shouldn't be here.

- Couldn't we just put him in the shed or something?

Margarethe doesn't have to know.

(rat squeaks)

- All right, as long as she doesn't find out.

- Margarethe.

Margarethe.

Margarethe!

Iris, where's Margarethe?

- Um-- - Come on.

It's snowing outside.

The whole town is on the street.

They're skiing and sliding

and skating and sleighing and,

oh, please yourself.

I'm off to build a snowman.

- Come on, Clara, come with us.

- It's too cold for me.

- You miss so much, Clara,

when you look at your window at the world

but don't step into it.

- There are bad things out there.

This is how it must be.

- You can change that.

(sleigh bells ringing) (lively instrumental music)

- Come on, little one.

Come here.

Now careful, it's hot.

Here.

Want one? - Yeah.

(laughing)

(shouting) (squealing)

(Schoenmacker and Ruth laughing)

- Ahh, there you are.

- Yes.

- You disappeared.

Are you afraid to confront your talent?

- I have other things.

- Oh, pish posh, Hieronymus Bosch.

That's your mother talking.

You have a talent.

Use it, or make the gods angry.

Now, that's all I'm going to say on the subject.

I'm going to have a little more to drink.

I'm beginning to get a bit of feeling

back into my body.

- Ohh!

- Now Ruth, I'm relying on you.

Bring your sister to the studio.

Drag her along if you have to.

Ahh!

- Ahh!

(Clara laughs)

Clara?

(Iris shrieks)

(laughing)

(playful instrumental music)

(Clara shrieks)

- Good shot!

(shrieking) (laughing)

- Have you heard the news about the Dowager Queen?

She's coming not just to find someone

to paint her portrait, but also to find

a bride for her godson, the Prince.

So perhaps my master will paint the Queen

and you will marry a prince.

(Clara gasps)

- Having fun, Clara?

- Stay away from me or I will scream.

- Me first. (screams)

Watch out for yourself, Clara.

The hour is near.

- What do you mean? - The ball.

I must tell you about the ball.

- Leave me alone.

Please, just stay away!

- A house cannot have two mistresses, Clara.

(Clara screams)

Better than mine.

- What's the matter, Clara? - I...

It's her.

(dramatic music)

(men chattering)

- Get out of my way.

I'm sorry your father has put you in such a position.

I hope we can work something out.

(sombre instrumental music)

- Papa?

- We're ruined.

We've lost everything.

(magical chiming)

(sombre instrumental music)

There's no painless way to put this.

The tulip market has collapsed.

It's a financial disaster.

- What? - We're penniless.

- Penniless? - We have no money.

Impoverished.

Oh, let me see, how can I put this?

No, penniless is good.

It's quite clear.

- Sorry.

- Sorry solves nothing.

There are people out there who don't know about this.

Go sell your tulip shares to them.

- You know I will not take advantage of my neighbours.

- When we have nothing to eat,

we have no furniture and nowhere to sleep,

you will find that conscience

does not stop a stomach from growling.

- What happened?

- Greed happened.

- It was you who taught me greed

and I would teach you courage in adversity.

- I taught you nothing.

You came to me wanting only more.

- What?

Aren't the tulips pretty anymore?

- No, no, they're just as pretty.

They're, um, they're just less desirable.

People have stopped paying higher and higher prices

so the bulbs have instantly become less valuable

and, well, I owe in cash many times more

than the money I'm worth, so I,

I'm bankrupt.

- That is why you must sell the tulips now.

That-- - No!

No, I have to warn my friends.

I have to warn my neighbours.

My integrity is all I have left.

- Yes, my dear, you're absolutely right.

(suspenseful music)

- Is he unfriendly?

- [Margarethe] No.

No, he's just upset.

This shall calm him.

- I can't quite put my finger on it.

Certainly he's exhausted

and he's suffered a great deal of emotional turmoil,

but there's nothing specific.

Rest, let him get plenty of rest.

- Thank you, Doctor.

- This house has suffered more than its share of bad luck.

- What are you going to do, Mama?

- I'm going to try and save this family.

(bird chirping)

That is what we shall soon be reduced to,

relying on crumbs from strangers.

- My father keeps apologising for what has happened.

But it is you who should apologise.

It's your plotting that's brought us to this.

- So now I'm your family curse?

- Perhaps you are the instrument of my curse.

- Then you can be the instrument of our salvation.

An invitation to the Prince's ball.

- Impossible.

I cannot go out again.

I will not.

- You have more feeling for dumb animals

than you do for your own family.

- You are not my family.

And I'm not a piece of merchandise

to be used to benefit you.

This house is falling down around us thanks to you.

I will not go to the ball.

I will stay here, with my father.

(door slams)

- Iris.

It falls to you now.

You must save this family.

You must capture the heart of the Prince.

- What?

How did this happen?

- We have all been betrayed

by that selfish, willful, spiteful girl.

Clara has turned her back on this family.

She refuses to go.

- Well, I can't go.

I, I can't.

- If you have learned nothing else from me,

it should have been courage.

- And that to look at me makes eyes sore

and no man will notice me

and we are millstones about your neck.

- Not the best time to wallow

in self-pity and accusations.

- I would like for at least a moment to feel blameless,

unaccountable for everything bad

and sad that's happened to you.

Children should not be held accountable

for the misery of their parents.

- But parents should be held accountable

for the misery of their children, I suppose?

You shall do this because I tell you to.

You shall do this because you are our last hope

and you shall do this because you have

what Clara lacks, a caring heart.

- But it's hopeless.

Perhaps if I spoke with Clara--

- No, she ceases to exist for me.

I shall gather all the silver together

and you shall take it to Hoffman the jeweller

to see what he will us for it.

We need money for ball gowns and shoes

and a carriage to the ball.

Oh, Clara has this silver brush and mirror.

Sell that as well.

That much she can contribute.

(knocking)

- I'm sorry, Clara, I have to take these.

We need money for the ball.

We're all trying to help.

- Please, Iris, not these.

- They're just things.

When things get better, we'll--

- They are not just things!

(soft instrumental music)

When I was little, my mother

used to brush my hair by this window.

She said I had hair spun

from the wings of an angel.

When she finished, I would brush her hair.

She did have beautiful hair.

After she died,

when I knew I wouldn't see her again,

I locked myself in this room

and I used to watch the sun in the evening

shining on her hair as if it were alive.

I still do that sometimes.

I have so little of her.

Is it asking too much to keep these brushes?

- No.

- Thank you, Iris.

And what about you?

- Me?

I will go to the ball.

I will be made a fool of.

- Forget the ball.

You belong in the master's studio

with chalks and paints.

- The time is so bad.

I don't know if it's proper for me to paint.

- Why shouldn't it be?

Besides, what about Casper?

You're in love with him.

- (laughs) Don't be ridiculous.

I don't attract men the way you do, Clara.

- You're not a dull person, Iris.

You may not be beautiful,

but you're interesting to look at.

You must do this for yourself.

What if Casper is in love with you

and you lose this chance?

- My mother would never agree.

Who would manage the house?

- I will.

Ruth will help.

And besides, it's about time

you gave yourself permission

and not look only to Margarethe.

- Why are you being so kind?

- I'm not being kind.

I'm being selfish.

With you gone, I can hide away safely in the kitchen.

It will be my place.

I can be private there.

From now on, call me Ash Girl, or Cinder Lass.

Or Cinderella.

There!

(both laughing)

For certain I am no longer beautiful.

I'm a cinder girl.

Go, (laughs) find Casper.

Cinderella must be about her chores. (laughs)

- You have to give it life.

Find it.

Discover it.

Invent it, if you must.

- Leave her alone.

She knows how to look.

- That's what you tell me.

- Oh, wonderful!

A fool quoting a fool.

- One of his moods.

- My only mood.

- It's this commission, the most important of his life

and the ball will be over

before he even chooses a painting.

- Why don't you show Young Woman With Tulip?

Even if Maria de Medici doesn't give you the commission,

surely there'll be several wealthy guests there

who will see it and be impressed.

- (laughs) You've smudged your face with chalk.

At least it gives it colour.

(Iris laughs)

Your skin's very smooth, though.

- I'm not painting myself.

- Perhaps I'll do that.

- Um, I, I can't do this.

I have things I have...

- You what?

- I have things I have to do.

Margarethe insists that the only way

to save our family is if I win the Prince.

(laughs) It's madness.

What Prince is going to look at me twice?

- Well, I might be able to brave it

even three times, but then I'm not a Prince.

(soft instrumental music)

- Do you think I should go to the ball?

Do you think I should go

and try to marry the Prince?

- I think I'm not the one to ask.

- It will be all right, Papa.

- I should be comforting you.

- We comfort each other.

- I dreamed of your mother, Clara,

and she whispered in my ear

and she told me that I have done you a great disservice.

- No, Father.

- I've been selfish.

And she reminded me that as parents,

we must not only give you a nest

but we must also give you wings.

And I've allowed fear to clip your wings

and to rule you.

It must stop.

(gentle instrumental music)

- [Iris] Clara?

- I thought you went to the master's, Iris.

- I did, but I am more confused now

than I was before.

I think Casper has feelings for me.

- There should be no confusion, then.

- But the ball, what do I do?

- You help me get ready.

I think I should go.

(magical chiming)

- Oh, don't act so shocked.

You know the score.

I paid for your husband's loans

and now the Van Den Meers are in debt to me.

So, I've come to see how I will collect that debt.

- You would harvest the very bones

beneath our skin.

- It would do me little good.

I couldn't sell them for a profit.

But paintings, perhaps.

- What are you doing marching through my house, Van Stolk?

- It is very nearly my house.

Yes.

Young Woman With Tulip.

To my mind, it is the only good piece in the house.

- And here is where it stays.

- It is a major work by a minor artist.

The subject inspired the artist

to heights of achievement he'll never match again.

- The painting stays here.

- Let the painting go, Papa.

Let him take it.

He's a scavenger.

Besides, I hate it.

It's a painting of false hope.

- Even as a kitchen maid, you can't disguise your beauty.

- Come away, Papa.

You're hardly dressed.

- You can't take the painting now.

It's been lent to someone.

The master asked permission to show it

at an exhibit for the visiting Queen,

and I promised him he could.

- Well, you'll just have to unpromise him then, won't you?

- Iris is my stepdaughter.

Her word is my word.

Master shall have the painting.

(sombre music)

- I could take this very building if I chose.

He should not so provoke me.

But there are other arrangements to be made,

family arrangements.

If I were one of this family,

I would treat everyone kindly.

Clara is of an age now,

and I'm sure she would not wish

to lose everything that her father

has worked so hard for.

Talk to her, Margarethe.

Talk to her, and see if we can't come

to some arrangement.

(door bangs)

- Have you an ounce of brain left in your head?

- That seems to depend on what mood you're in.

- Well I'm in a foul one at the moment.

How do you expect to win the heart of the Prince

once he has seen the portrait of Clara?

- Win it for you, you mean, not for me.

- You are being so selfish.

Ah, this is all about Casper, I suppose.

- I,

I like Casper a great deal.

- Oh, you like Casper a great deal.

Love, isn't that what you really wanted to say?

Well, the heart will always rule the brain.

Is it because he took your hand

and he said, oh, something magical is happening?

- I thought this is how it feels

to have someone hold your hand

who's not tugging you along or pulling you away,

but someone who may very well care for you.

- What you felt was a surrender of yourself.

- I'm sure you'd love to surrender me to Van Stolk.

- Well, if you did marry Van Stolk

then we might all be able to stay in this house.

- I'd sooner drown myself in the canal.

- Talk, talk, talk.

You're timid at every turn.

- Well, now we know there's something

stronger than your mother's greed.

- What?

- Her hatred of me.

- But Clara, you're still going to win the Prince.

- Only if we can keep Margarethe out of our way.

- Well, by the time she finds out, it will be too late.

- [Clara] How can you be so sure?

- [Ruth] I think I'll make Mama some tea.

It will calm her.

(suspenseful music)

- [Margarethe] Oh, thank you, Ruth.

I'll be out in a moment.

(Ruth humming)

- There you are, Ruth.

What have you been doing?

- I gave Mama some tea to feel better.

- Little help with that.

Now Ruth, listen, you do understand, right?

Keep her out as long as you can.

- As long as I can. - Right.

- And then after she goes to the dress maker,

do those, (Margarethe sighs)

those things you do to make her, you know,

stop and drag you along.

- I could fall down.

- Come along, Ruth.

The sooner we leave, the sooner we shall return

and I can get some rest.

- Yes, let's go.

For as long as we can.

- Oh, that's beautiful!

- Oh! - It suits you, Clara.

- But can we possibly be ready in time?

- Well, we are both a couple of artists.

I would hope between us we could create something befitting.

Come on.

- Ruth, come along.

(gentle instrumental music)

Come on!

Oh.

(bell ringing)

- Oh goodness, they're back.

You've got to hide.

- Ruth, careful. - This way, Casper.

Hurry, hurry, come on.

(lively instrumental music)

So, you're back.

- The dresses are on their way.

Oh, Iris, I don't know what's the matter with me.

I don't know why, but I am exhausted.

- Come on, in here.

Quickly.

(Margarethe snoring)

Come on.

(girls laughing)

Now that everyone's going to look so magnificent,

does anyone know how to dance?

(Ruth squeals)

May I have the pleasure?

- Shh!

(laughing)

- Great, Ruth, very energetic.

Iris.

- No one will ask me to dance.

It's Clara who will get all the attention.

- I can't dance. - Shh!

Quiet.

- [Casper] Follow my lead.

(lively instrumental music)

(girls laughing)

Oh!

(thudding)

- Oh, Iris?

Iris, what, what was that?

- Oh, it was Ruth falling over.

- Ohh.

Oh.

(Margarethe moaning)

(soft instrumental music)

Oh God, grant me the strength to get through this night.

Ruth, stand up straight.

Iris, don't frown.

Clara, don't mope about.

Straighten the house while we're gone,

attend to your father,

and prepare some food and drink for our return.

- You both look very pretty.

Your gowns are lovely.

- They're not as lovely as yours.

You'll be the most beautiful girl!

- [Iris And Clara] Shh!

- What?

- Mother, don't.

- What's this, then?

A new scouring maid's uniform?

- We were all invited.

There's no reason Clara can't go.

- There's a best reason in the world.

I have forbidden it!

Are you trying to ruin this family?

- No, you've managed that all by yourself.

- Oh, enough!

- Mother don't!

(Ruth whimpering)

(dramatic instrumental music)

Oh, Ruth, it will be all right.

(Ruth sobbing)

- [Driver] Go on!

(magical chiming)

(fire crackling)

(throat clearing) (Clara gasps)

- Maybe I'm getting a bit thin-skinned in my old age,

but everyone reacting like that

is starting to annoy me.

- What do you want?

- To keep a promise.

- Haven't you brought enough misery?

- Me?

I'm a novice compared to Margarethe.

Now, we don't have much time

to get ready for the ball.

- I can't go to the ball.

- Oh, but you can.

Now, I have a story to tell you.

Your mother asked me to watch over you, Clara.

She was not well.

Her heart was failing her

long before you were lost,

long before I brought you home, and she knew that.

You're no more to blame for her death

than you are for a storm that floods a field

or a wind that ravages the crops.

Your mother would have wanted you to go

to meet the Prince, Clara,

and if he's worthy, to fall in love.

- But I have nothing to wear. - Ohh, that.

In the attic, Clara, underneath an old carpet

in a wooden trunk, there is a gown.

The same gown your mother wore

when she married your father.

(gentle instrumental music)

- Giddy up!

Go on, hup, hup, go on.

(carriage wheels rumbling)

Whoa there, whoa.

- [Man] Good evening, yes.

Ohh.

- I cannot do this.

- You can and must do this.

You're my daughter, Iris.

You have a strength in you that you have never visited.

(whimsical music)

- It's magnificent! (laughs)

- When your mother was a girl, I weaved her coats and capes.

And when she was a young woman,

I made that gown for her wedding.

I made it when there was still magic in these fingers.

(magical chiming)

And then there were these.

- It feels as if I were walking on air.

- Do you remember this, Clara?

- It was my mother's.

- She gave it me when I brought you home,

to hold until the moment it would be yours.

This is the moment.

You are ready, Clara.

(guests chattering)

(horse neighing)

(horse hooves clopping)

(majestic instrumental music)

- Herr and Frau Rosenstadt.

Herr Dufert and family.

Lord and Lady Donaueschingen.

- (laughs) Ohh, some real people at last.

- Are you enjoying yourself?

- Oh, well, I haven't drunk myself into a stupor.

- Has the Dowager Queen chosen a portrait?

- No, no, not yet.

No, the paintings are all in another room.

She's gonna take a look at them later,

and with a nod of her head, decide all our futures.

- So you are showing Young Woman With Tulip?

- Yes, yes, well, I don't know whether

to thank you or curse you for your advice.

- Well, by the end of the evening,

your painting will have set the art world on fire

and you will be thanking me.

- I wish I'd set that painting on fire.

I mean, either I'll get the commission or I won't.

If I lose, I'm a public failure.

If I win, my life is ruined

because I know I'll never be able

to do anything better.

(Iris laughs)

(lively instrumental music)

- [Driver] Whoa, steady, steady.

- Magnificent, eh?

We only use it on special occasions.

Hurry!

- [Driver] Hello, Madame.

- Mr. Worrywart reminds me

that the carriage must be in Amsterdam by morning

so you must be home by midnight.

- Hah!

(guests chattering)

- I need the two of you.

You'll be perfect to go next.

- No, I'm sorry, we're not ready.

- I'll decide when you're ready.

It's my job as hostess.

- Please, we're just looking for our mother.

- Your mother has been too friendly with the punch, I fear.

I saw her just a moment ago.

Now, straighten your spine,

look him in the eye, speak when spoken to,

curtsy when he says goodbye, and go.

And if you get out more than a single sentence,

I'll be surprised.

Allow me to introduce Iris and Ruth Fisher.

They've come from England

but their mother is originally from Holland.

- I didn't catch your names.

- I'm Iris, and this is my sis...

Was my sister, Ruth.

- I don't think your sister's very interested

in meeting me.

Not that I blame her.

- It seems that we're served up

like fish for inspection whether we want to or not.

(Prince laughs)

Oh, I'm, I'm so sorry.

I did not mean to be impolite.

I'm afraid I'm not very familiar

with the ways of the world.

- And you are young enough

to find these affairs peculiar.

- I am young enough to find life peculiar.

Am I to go now?

- No.

Tell me who you are, Iris.

- Uh, it would be presumptuous to say an artist,

but I have been studying.

- I suspect you're talented.

- Perhaps more bold than talented.

- I find it easier to express myself with paints

than with words.

In fact, this is what connects me to my godmother.

I love to paint, and I'd hoped

that I would meet a young woman of interest

who shared my--

- I'm sure you have not met one yet.

I'm a fledgling.

I look at what is shown

and try to show it in my own way.

- I think all paintings of interest

keep something hidden, something in a shadowy recess,

something that the artist intends for us to discover

but does not wish to show us.

(Queen coughs)

A signal for me to continue my examinations.

- Ahh.

- I hope having met me

you won't decide to flee this party soon.

There's a dance, and once these introductions

are completed, I would like to continue this conversation.

You're quite charming.

- I may be quite something,

but I'm sure it isn't charming. (laughs)

There are many women here more beautiful than I

who are awaiting your inspection, so,

I will say good evening.

- They may be more beautiful,

but I doubt I'll find one as interesting.

(soft chuckling)

- Is that your signal to go?

- I wish to introduce my daughter, Gabriella.

- Until we dance, then.

- How did you get in here?

- I passed myself off as a boy in waiting.

Dance?

- You know I can't.

- Just as you could not possibly interest the Prince,

could not possibly talk to him.

You captivated him.

- We made polite conversation.

That hardly qualifies as captivating.

- Well, everyone is still eyeing you.

- Surely not. - Why surely not?

They all see this girl who interested the Prince,

who spoke to him directly, humorously.

You're mysterious, intelligent, alluring.

Do you choose to be so naive

that you can't see that you have some cache of your own?

- Clarissa of Aragon.

- Clarissa of Aragon. - She's here!

She came after all.

- I know no Clarissa of Aragon.

(guests murmuring)

Spanish, eh?

Well, I must have had too much porte

because you look as Spanish as a viking. (laughs)

- My mother was an orphan.

- Well, you seem to have bewitched my godson.

Let us see your face, Miss.

Let us have a proper look.

Your mask, my dear, lower it.

- I cannot.

I must pay a penance.

- One needs to have lived as long

and become as gnarled as I have

to have earned such a penance.

Why hide such beauty?

Since the royal tongue is tied,

I think perhaps a dance.

(stately instrumental music)

- May I have the honour?

- The honour is mine.

(Clara gasps)

Ah!

I think I've turned my ankle.

Will excuse me?

- Yes, yes of course.

We don't need to dance.

We can talk.

- If I captivated the Prince, it was not for long.

There is no competing with Clarissa of Aragon.

Not in the Prince's eyes, and not in yours.

- Mine?

- You're taken with her, it's clear.

- I can appreciate her beauty

without lusting after her.

And I was no more taken with her

than you were with the Prince.

(Iris scoffs)

- I have been such a fool.

- Iris.

- Oh, I do beg your pardon.

(soft instrumental music)

- It makes everyone unhappy.

- Were you mean to Casper

because you were disappointed?

- What?

- Well, you've sent him into a sulk.

I thought perhaps you were angry at losing the Prince.

- I never had him.

- Oh, you would say that.

But I'm not blind.

- No, perhaps you are just old.

- Oh.

Turning your anger on me?

Oh, you realised there was the possibility

of attracting the Prince, huh?

- But I forfeited it to Clara.

- Yes, because you had no faith in yourself.

That Prince was ego.

Casper, I think, was love.

He's the one you shouldn't lose.

(soft instrumental music)

- Are you being mysterious in order to plague me?

- I wish to plague no one.

- Then surely you'll allow me to see your face.

(woman screams)

- [Man] Fire!

Fire!

(clock chiming)

(guests shrieking)

(dramatic instrumental music)

(magical chiming)

- See what happens when I go out?

- This isn't the end of the story.

Don't lose heart.

- Are you my fairy godmother?

- (laughs) I've been called many things in my life,

most of them I won't repeat,

but never a fairy godmother.

- [Driver] Whoa, whoa!

(horse hooves clopping)

- (sighs) Well, now we can only sit and wait.

- Wait?

- Wait for the creditors to come,

to be tossed out into the street.

We're not better off than when we left England.

And I haven't the energy to start again.

I'm sorry, girls.

I've let you down.

- Some tea to make you feel better?

- No more of your tea, Ruth, dear.

Where is that wretched girl?

I'm hungry.

I want some bread and cheese.

Ah, Clara, we shall have that food and drink now, please.

- How was the ball?

- Oh, even you would have failed tonight, dear Clara.

A masked Spanish lady captured

the heart of the Prince.

I understand her beauty was beyond even yours.

- Maybe that will make you feel better, Clara,

knowing there is a beauty beyond even yours out there.

- Oh, much better.

- Well, we're all glad that Clara is better.

We are miserable, waiting to be turned out into the street.

- You say that is if being turned out were my fault.

It is you who manipulated things.

- As you grow older, perhaps you'll understand

when you realise that every other woman

in the room is younger than you,

prettier than you, but you have mouths to feed,

responsibilities.

You may call it manipulation.

I call it doing what must be done to survive.

Oh, fate has dealt us a hand tonight.

Your stepsister captivated the Prince

but soon she was forgotten,

along with all the other women.

Mm.

But at least she had the opportunity

to feel jealousy.

- Is that true, Iris?

Were you jealous?

- Perhaps, for a moment.

But it's a gift, and jealousy passes.

- Does it?

- It has.

- Well.

I must get some sleep

in order to have the energy

to worry about where we shall sleep the next night.

Unless, of course, you decide

to accept Van Stolk's offer and save us all.

- No, no, Clara, you mustn't.

I mean, you cannot give yourself to Van Stolk.

- [Margarethe] We have no other choice.

- It is better to struggle through life

than throw it away on someone you do not love.

- Believing that is the luxury of youth.

(knocking)

- [Boy] Open for the Prince!

(knocking)

- [Casper] May we enter?

(bell chiming)

- Thank you.

Forgive me for this early intrusion,

but Casper led me to believe

that there are answers in this household.

You were not so truthful with me last night.

- Wasn't I?

- No.

Casper here tells me you're quite

a talented artist.

(Ruth squealing)

(laughing)

So this is your reticent sister from last night?

- May I present my mother?

- I am so sorry, your highness.

I'm afraid we're not properly attired

to receive royalty.

Iris, please extend our hospitality to the Prince.

Some tea, cheese, something.

- Please, no cheese for me.

Is this the entire household?

- With the exception of my husband, who is ill.

- The Queen has decreed that every maiden

in the city of Haarlem is to try on this slipper.

And whomever it fits shall be taken

as the Prince's bride.

- Iris.

Do as the Prince commands.

- But he knows I wasn't--

- Every maiden is to try on the slipper.

- You see, it could not possibly fit.

- Go on, Ruth.

- Ruth, how did you come by these burns?

Was it from a candle taper?

Or from setting light to a painting?

- How could you say such a thing to my sister?

- The master was unhappy.

I wanted to make him happy again.

- It's a strange world we live in

where you burn a man's masterpiece

and he considers it a gift.

- Is there no one else?

(soft instrumental music)

(footsteps pattering)

- The Prince is here with your slipper.

I may not always see clearly, but I'm not blind.

All I ask is that though you may

cast me aside out of hatred,

that you remember the kindness of my daughters

and spare them.

- This is your servant girl?

- Our step...

Our sister, Clara.

- I wonder if you might-- - A question first.

If you find the woman whose foot fits that slipper,

would you treat all who are important to her,

her father, her sisters,

her stepmother,

with the same generosity and kindness

that you show her?

- Without a moment's hesitation.

I would think of doing nothing less.

(gentle instrumental music)

I am not adroit with words

at expressing my emotions,

but,

will you...

- You're perfect for each other, can't you see that?

Why do you hesitate?

Sweep aside any doubts.

Trust your feelings and grasp the moment

before it slips away only too quickly.

Seal this union with a kiss.

- [Narrator] And as for you--

- We have weddings to plan.

- [Narrator] Well, believe whatever story

makes you feel better.

If that means you believe in glass slippers

and pumpkins that become carriages,

than do so.

But the truth of it, while perhaps not as magical,

is, in the end, far more beautiful.

(gentle instrumental music)