Original subtitles

It's ready! Come here, everyone!

-Shall we...? -Yes. You sit here.

You go on the other side.

-Will you get Mum? -Yes.

Mum! Magnus has a surprise.

-What is it now? -I don't know.

-What is he doing? -Here we are.

You sit in the middle. That's right.

What is he doing? Where did he go now?

Are you ready?

Okay?

I've always tried to unite my family. My father has gone into hospital-

-probably for the last time. My mother will be 75 next week.

It's great to see the whole family gathered together.

It's strange that I became a photographer.

We never took any pictures when I was a child.

Oh yes... My brother had an Instamatic that he used when someone visited.

That's right. Move closer to each other. Good.

One, two, three! Brilliant!

For Mum's birthday, I would like to surprise her with a collage-

-but we have no pictures apart from Mum and Dad's wedding photo.

Well, I don't know.

NO TEARS

I was thinking about the present for your mother.

I went into that design shop today... - That's enough.

...and I saw a vase that she might actually like.

It was sort of ivory-coloured.

Hold on.

-Where is Dad going? -I have no idea.

Shit.

-What are you doing, Magnus? -What?

What are you doing?

We don't have any pictures.

Photographs?

-We have about 30 albums full. -No, from my childhood.

-Come and sit down and eat. -Hi, it's me again.

I don't have any photos of us as kids, but you do, I guess. Call me.

Hey...

-Hi. -Hi.

Strange.

We don't tell lies in our family. We never have.

But we're quite good at not mentioning certain things.

Early on, I learned not to reveal anything. But one thing I knew.

Grandma told Mum there was something she didn't want to take to the grave.

A warm evening in August 1 926-

-she met the man who was my real grandfather.

You waitress?

Do you live in town?

I live nowhere...and everywhere.

-Are you from...? -I'm from eastwards.

-You live in town? -Yes. I live in a small flat...

...with my sister. Dark.

Nice.

Leftovers from the restaurant.

She never told him that she was engaged.

She told my mother that she never took her clothes off.

Still, Mum was conceived that night.

If we give her away now, I'll never mention it again.

Sven asked if she was adopted.

Adopted! I'm such an idiot for not putting two and two together.

This one is yours, though. That you can't deny.

So who was it? Someone I know?

Or a gypsy?

You'll be alone with two children.

My grandmother gave my mother to an orphanage. That's how it started.

I just had a crazy idea. What if we made a picture of everyone, including Dad?

Our sister doesn't want to see him. Neither does Mum.

But if I photograph all of us and then him in the hospital-

-I can edit it on the computer and make it look like we're all together.

It was just a thought.

How can you be bothered with all that?

-She'll love it. -She might not even want to celebrate.

Buy her a vase instead. It doesn't have to be expensive.

Who's the dark girl next to you in this one?

I don't know. I think it was just someone visiting. Someone we met.

I'm taking this. There isn't one of all of us. And this one of me.

Don't bother.

Why not?

-I thought I'd take a photo. -I'm not dressed.

-I'll wait. -I'm going to the hairdresser tomorrow.

-Hello? -I'm in that design shop.

Should I buy the vase? The one I told you about?

It's expensive, but really nice.

No, I'm making a collage of the whole family.

All right, I won't waste money on your grumpy mother.

I'll buy some food for tonight. Can you get some wine?

-Red or white? -Bubbly.

You look really nice.

Okay... Here's what I was thinking.

Can you lift her? - Jump up on him, and we'll take a nice picture.

Great! Give me a big laugh. And again.

Let me just take these off.

Great.

And if you could...

Good.

Shit...

Aren't you going to heat it?

I'm sorry, I...

I forgot.

Alex was really disappointed.

-I've been at the hospital. -Until now?

-Is he ill? -No, it was nothing.

Then why were you there for so long?

Do you know what we'll do tomorrow?

We'll get some bread from the bakery and get the ferry and have a picnic.

Okay?

-I'm going to bed. -Good night.

I know I hadn't been to see Dad at the hospital-

-but they had called to say that something had happened to him.

That was always the case. Things always happened around him.

Dad? Do you remember this one?

Dad, come here!

Put the rod down. Pull on the line.

Can you feel it? Pull evenly. This is a big one.

Don't let go of the line.

Look! What a whopper!

This is the biggest bream I've ever seen.

Me too.

There you go. Next.

Next.

-Give me your plate. -I don't want any.

-Why not? -It's just bones.

Bones? Magnus caught this fish and we're going to eat it.

-No. -Do you hear me?

There we are.

Eat.

You go to your room.

Go to your room! Now!

You boys eat.

This is nice fish. Isn't it?

Does it taste good? Have some butter. Have some sauce.

Have some sauce!

Why do you always have to make a fuss?

I shouldn't have caught any fish!

-I'm just going to see Mum. -Now?

-The ferry leaves in an hour and a half. -Me and Alex will be back in an hour.

-Wait, and I'll come. -We're going. We'll pick you up later.

I want to go with Dad.

I just have to check something. We'll see you later. Love you.

I have to throw up.

Little snail, be careful, be careful, be careful...

Hi.

Grandma's sweetheart. I've missed you. I've been thinking about you all week.

She's been sick. Can you look after her while I clean the car?

-If you have a bucket... -Go to the petrol station, Lennart.

-It's Magnus. -You can do it properly there.

You come with grandma. I'll take care of you.

-I want to come with you. -I'll see you later, then.

-Hi. -Are you here?

I'm helping Mum with the cleaning for her birthday.

You didn't forget, did you? - Hello.

Who is this?

-Where did you get that? -Who is she?

-Don't you worry about that. -What do you mean?

Fine.

Magnus! Spare her this.

What is it that you and Lennart know?

It started when she met that handsome Olof.

Would you like to dance, Elisabeth?

-Do you live here? -This is my father's apartment.

I'm getting one of my own as soon as I'm done here.

-When are we going home? -Hold on, I'll be right there.

Go inside and ask Grandma to help you.

Grandma!

-This is the man I told you about. -Elisabeth.

Come on.

This isn't easy for me either, if that's what you think.

Sit down on the blanket.

-What is he going to do? -Get rid of it for you.

The hospital is on the other side of the park.

Just lie down, and it will be quick.

Do as Olof tells you.

Have you done this before?

Open your legs. Take those off.

-So she kept the baby?. -Yes.

-Why didn't she take care of her? -Well, she met Olof's parents.

-You probably know why you're here. -Olof just told me to be on time.

Because of your temper.

Yes. Why shouldn't one be on time? Time is valuable, and not to be wasted.

We understand you are not that well off-

-and that this is rather inconvenient.

This envelope contains 300 crowns.

Olof has two friends who claim that one of them could be responsible.

Does she love our Olof?

I think that is irrelevant in these circumstances, dear.

Olof is the father, no one else.

We'll see what the court decides.

Who they choose to believe.

Good day.

So she and her daughter had to live with her foster father.

How did it go today?

They want me to work a few hours tomorrow as well.

She's eating me out of house and home.

-Let me take her. -She'll dance for us when we play cards.

-Father! -You can't take care of children anyhow.

You can't even protect yourself.

-We need to talk. -You do that. Good bye.

The girl stays here.

So you're one of those women who makes all the decisions.

-My name is Rigmor. -Elisabeth.

I'm sure you realise that the girl can't live like this.

We want what is best for her, and you're very young.

-I've talked to my aunts in town... -So have I.

They think it is best that the girl has a proper home-

-and that you can start over.

-I can't give up Britt-Louise. -You won't.

You are giving her the chance to grow up in an orderly home.

You will get used to it. Sleep on it.

Pack her things by tomorrow morning, and we will come and help you.

Tomorrow?

I know a furniture dealer who wants to take care of a little girl.

Would I be able to visit her?

They will need some peace and quiet. It will be a big adjustment for her.

Start over. I have heard you are an intelligent girl.

But she's all I have.

She will have a good home. Let that comfort you.

Daddy, I want to go home.

Okay, we're going home. I just need to clean the back seat.

-You can lie in the back. -Can I?

Peekaboo!

Come here.

-Hello. -How is she?

She's better.

Where is she?

Peekaboo!

Where's Alex?

My God, Magnus. Where is she?

I don't know.

She was in the car...

-Hi! -Why did you leave?

-Why are you sitting here? -The doll only had legs.

-What doll? -In the bin.

Sweetheart... I'll buy you a new doll.

Where is your head?

She could have been run over, or kidnapped...

Magnus?

Are you asleep?

What's this?

-Alex and I are going away for a while. -"Going away for a while"?

-We're going to see Mum and Dad. -Grandma and Grandpa?

Yes.

Why?

-You can't leave. I need you right now. -No, you don't.

-You don't see me and Alex. -Stop fighting.

-The taxi is here, Alex. -Can I take my dolls?

I've packed everything.

Can you take the suitcases?

Hi.

Hello.

Hi.

Lars can't stay here anymore.

Why not? He really likes it here.

-The family won't accept it. -Dad's family?

Both he and I like this place.

And he likes the staff.

Lars was wandering around in the corridor.

Greta Pettersson-Lundh wanted to talk and got very close. She picked at him.

So Lars threw her into the wall, and she broke her pelvis and femur.

Lars has probably been given the wrong medication. It has these side effects.

The relatives want to sue the pharmaceutical company-

-or the staff for giving him the wrong medication.

The wrong medication...

Magnus, dinner is ready!

Magnus!

Can't you hear you mother? Dinner is getting cold.

It's bloody rude to keep her waiting.

-Magnus! -He's not listening to you!

He doesn't give a crap.

Is the door locked?

Don't give him any tears.

No tears.

There you go.

Take this.

Ouch! I can't move my arm.

Here you go.

Try to get some sleep.

It's okay. He's left.

What happened?

Have some toast.

You'll have to stay inside for a few days, until it isn't noticeable.

Isn't he going to see a doctor?

How could you marry him?

I can fix them for you.

You...

You have to replace the sole.

-Are you a cobbler? -No.

If you take care of your shoes, you can wear them your whole life.

Are you in the army?

-Can I buy you a drink? -No, thank you.

-You're strong! -I've chopped a lot of wood.

If I build a house, it's going to have a fireplace.

-Can you play any instruments? -I play my lip.

I would like to write.

-I thought you wrote all day. -That's not the same thing.

I'll fix your shoes. And the children's.

You always joke about everything.

Give me a hammer, and I'll build you a house.

So I wrote a letter.

"Dear Lars. I haven't been honest with you, and I regret that."

"I have a daughter called..."

"...Britt-Louise, but I wasn't allowed to keep her."

-I know. -What?

I didn't think I would see you again.

It's very difficult to pretend that you don't exist.

I'm sorry.

About what?

The woman who gave birth to me gave me up, too.

My father went to America, and she was going to follow him but never did.

He sent her enough money to go there four times over.

I was meant to go there in '39, but then the war started.

-Have you met your mother? -I have no mother.

Do you miss her?

I don't want to talk about it.

She has never existed, and never will.

I never want to talk about it again.

My aunt found me at an orphanage.

I had been there for three years.

So you're a foster child too?

Your little girl...

Can we get her back?

Can we?

I signed some papers. I'm not allowed to see her.

-Do you know where Britt-Louise lives? -Who?

No.

-I can't give you that information. -But it's my own family.

-We're trying to protect both of them. -But it was over 50 years ago!

I'm sorry.

Can't you just give me the names of her foster parents?

Excuse me for one moment.

Can you help me? Just give me the address so that I can leave.

-I just want to leave. -Calm down.

-Thank you. -Can you help me? She won't help me.

Hello, Britt-Louise.

-I'm Magnus, your brother. -My name isn't Britt-Louise.

Quiet! Down!

He doesn't like strangers.

I didn't know about you until now.

-Do you remember this being taken? -Awful.

I accidentally read some documents. Mother had protected me from the truth.

I wanted to meet my real mother.

Our mother was a foster child too. Grandma got pregnant by a gypsy.

The mother of her last foster family... She really loved her.

Oh yeah?

Berggren? Hello.

I thought I'd stop by tomorrow. Is he better?

I see.

I'll be right there.

My father...

He's dying. I have to...

-Why doesn't Dad's leg get better? -Because he drinks all the time.

-But why can't... -I don't want to talk about it.

Hi there!

Hello.

What a nice surprise to see you here.

-We arranged it, if you remember. -We haven't quite woken up yet.

We can come back some other time.

Come here.

Daddy is a bit tired today.

Are you getting divorced now?

-Have you lost your parents? -Yes.

-Do you know where you live? -Yes.

I'll get you a taxi.

Yes? Where have you been?

No tears. No tears.

He really wanted you to come. You know where to find him.

Go to bed.

Get out of here! Go to bed.

Leave him alone.

Get out of here!

There were electric cables. Three of them.

And they didn't know which one was grounded.

We were nearly asleep when you came home.

You wanted a cuddle.

You put your unshaven cheek to mine. The smell of alcohol made me feel sick.

I told you, didn't I?

I'm sure someone else will take care of those cables.

Is that true?

Thank you. That's very kind.

-I always wanted to be with you. -That's kind.

No, it was horrible! I never knew when he would go completely fucking mad.

-It's rude to swear. -I don't give a crap!

Thank you.

You never came.

You never saw me.

I cut down that bloody branch. Just so you know.

Bye.

This is Anette. Leave a message.

It's me again.

You're probably asleep.

I hope you're well. I'm not.

I went to see Dad at the hospital today, and...

I miss you.

Give Alex a hug for me.

-Hi. -Hello.

-We're planning a surprise. -Oh.

It's Mum's 75th birthday tomorrow.

I... We thought you might like to come, and meet her and your siblings.

I don't have any siblings. Elisabeth gave me up.

It didn't really work out last time I saw her.

I didn't exist to her, she said.

But that was a long time ago.

I just wanted to find out.

-And did you? -Well...

-And now...? -I'm trying to move on.

"Life is not a problem to be solved, but an adventure to be experienced."

-Kierkegaard. -So your life is an adventure?

Not really.

I see.

My name is Birgitta nowadays.

-Does she know that I'm coming? -I just said I'm bringing a surprise.

You should probably call and warn her.

We'll just take a quick photo.

Our sister is coming on her own, but our brother will bring his kids.

-Is he married? -Divorced.

What about you?

They've gone away for a while.

-Didn't you want them here today? -It just didn't turn out that way.

Sometimes it's difficult to fit everything together.

I'm just going to set up my stuff.

It's ready! Come here, everyone!

Come on.

-Shall we...? -Yes. You sit here.

You go on the other side.

-Will you get Mum? -Yes.

Mum! Magnus has a surprise.

-What is it now? -I don't know.

-What is he doing? -Here we are.

You sit in the middle. That's right.

What is he doing? Where did he go now?

It's like this...

This morning...

...Dad died in hospital. They called to tell me.

It was peaceful, and...

He just went to sleep. But I felt that our time together is so short...

-Are you going to take this photo? -Yes.

Are you ready?

Okay?

Elisabeth...

I'm sorry.

I thought you had told them.

Let's go inside.

Maybe that was too much for her.

I haven't slept without pills for ten years.

-I didn't want to ruin anything. -I told you not to involve Britt-Louise!

-Her name is Birgitta. -I don't care! You know who I mean!

-She's our half-sister. -We don't see it that way.

-But she is. -That has nothing to do with it.

Birgitta...

Maybe you're the lucky one. You didn't have to grow up with Mum and Dad.

When I saw my father, he kept checking his watch, hoping I would leave soon.

Parents who don't want you aren't worth having.

I have to take Kaiser for a walk.

-Are you alone? -Yes, completely alone.

Vivianne has gone to stay in a hotel. What do you want?

This was the worst birthday of my life.

Do you want to talk out here?

I think you should meet Birgitta.

Both for her sake and yours.

Before it's too late.

-Why didn't you tell me? -You were so sensitive.

Nowadays I'm totally insensitive.

Why didn't you get divorced earlier?

-I want to know! -I tried, but I couldn't.

He can't be trusted.

He spends all his money on drinking and doesn't come home for days.

-Have you seen him recently? -He was here last Friday.

-Did he stay over? -No. He was going out, of course.

-So why did he come? -He had bought the children something.

-So he does care about the children? -Yes, when it suits him.

And the rest of the time...?

Last Easter, he went skiing in the mountains with some bird.

-Maybe he sees you as divorced already. -He comes and goes as he pleases.

Mrs. Lundquist... The year of judicial separation is a trial period-

-to see if you can live without each other.

It's hard to be alone sometimes...

-...as I'm sure you know. -Yes.

There is a lot uniting your family, since you have two children together.

-Coffee? -Yes, please.

Thank you.

Or maybe even three?

The best thing would be to get rid of it.

That makes it difficult to approve your divorce.

It has only been four months, and you are pregnant.

-Can't I get help to get rid of it? -That's not what we do.

Here you are.

Two people can't have the same amount of love for each other. You said that.

-Unfortunately, that's true. -Is that what you teach your children?

That time when you were getting divorced...

...and I was sitting on that bench...

I've always thought that I was waiting for Dad.

-But I was waiting for you to want me. -You were hiding!

Dad could hit me at any time, but you were never there.

-You don't know what I've been through. -No, because you never tell me!

I didn't want you to suffer like I have suffered.

If I hadn't been in your stomach...

-...would you have got divorced? -I tried.

-To get divorced? -To get rid of it.

I couldn't do it with that needle, so I drank lots of black coffee...

You never wanted me, did you?

What a question!

"It", inside your stomach... That was me!

Goodbye, Dad.

Take care.

-Mummy, this one is rotten. -Then throw it away.

How are things?

Mum thinks I don't eat enough.

Dad doesn't understand how I could come here on my own.

And how are you?

How are you?

I thought this was my family.

All that darkness I have inside...

I was afraid you might leave if you thought I was like that.

I'm right by your side.

I always have been.

Always.

Subtitles: Rebecca Simpson Broadcast Text Stockholm, 2006