Original subtitles

Jan?

Jan?

I think someone's had a wet dream.

How can something be so hard and so soft at the same time?

Do you like it?

Yes.

Uaajeerneq.

The mask dance was originally a fertility rite -

- a ritual show of gratitude to the spirits and our ancestors.

The mask is inspired by the eastern Greenlandic wooden mask.

There are three elements of Uaajeerneq:

Comedy...

...sexuality...

and the spirit realm.

The mask has three colours. Red symbolises blood -

- and life.

Black...

...is a symbol of the spirit realm.

The unknown.

White is for bones.

A reminder of our ancestors.

1.5 kg.

The local hunters' market is cheaper than the grocery store.

Here, we have whale skin, and you eat it raw.

Would anyone here have a taste?

It's not as bad as you might think. It's really smooth and kind of nutty.

Okay.

- Is that seal? - Ring seal.

- Do you want some? - Yes.

1.5 kg.

Thank you.

- Hello. - Hi.

I'm sorry about the mess.

For seal soup.

At least the kids like it.

My dear son, I'm writing to you from across a vast ocean.

Like explorers of old, wartime soldiers -

- and emigrants to the New World, I write by hand.

Please don't be upset. I have cancer.

Hippocrates compared the cancerous growth and veins that surround it -

- to the far-reaching limbs of a crab.

Now this crab is poised on my neck, clinging on for dear life -

- unaware that people attempt to kill it in ways that might kill its host -

- me, that is.

And so, I resolved to write to you, my dear son.

Letters, back and forth across the vast, dark and cold Atlantic Ocean.

You, with your surely fascinating experiences up in Greenland.

I, here in Copenhagen, in this messy apartment -

- with my memories, my reading -

- and the steady decline into the seven realms of cancer.

So let us write, naked and honest -

- about wrath, hate, love, sex.

No secrets. I'm sure it would be of great therapeutic value to you.

And I will get a glimpse in return of my son -

- who so cruelly abandoned me for the literal end of the world -

- the frozen, barren Jotunheim.

Write me soon, and tell me what you think of this.

Please don't worry about me. I'm not afraid at all.

Actually, I feel better than I've felt in years.

Give my best to the family. With love, Papa.

The mail is here!

I want to get out somewhere. On my last time here, I never got out.

- Jan. - We went on a trip.

But I had to get back early for the morning shift.

That's why I had to go too.

We were out until about seven in the afternoon.

That sounds wonderful.

- We had the morning shift the next day. - We got to bed early.

"The reindeer goes up the hill."

"The sheep goes down the hill."

"Who goes down the hill?"

"The sheep..."

Are you spying on me?

"The reindeer goes up the hill."

"Who goes up the hill?"

- "The reindeer goes up the hill." - Yes! Good job.

"The sheep goes down the hill."

"Does the reindeer go down... That's from Grandpa.

- Can we open it? - Not now.

Look at this. "Does the sheep go up the hill?"

I'm better than you anyway.

- Huh? - My Greenlandic is better than yours.

Yes, that's true. You're very good!

My daughter.

It's time for the weather at sea around Greenland.

The local time is 6:30 p.m. here in Greenland -

- on Monday the 21st of November.

- Hello, Jan. - Hi there!

- Is the dinner ready? - In about 45 minutes.

Can Pipaluk and Naja eat with us?

Yes, that's fine.

- Could you help me lay the table? - No, I don't want to.

- You want a taste? - Yes, please.

Here you go.

- More salt. - Always more salt.

Where did she go?

I'll show you!

- There's that silly thing. - Let me down!

- You'll stay put. - Forever?

- Until you come to your senses. - That's right.

- Tell us everything. - Shut up.

No one's listened to me for years. Why start now?

That's enough!

I couldn't just leave her there, could I?

Would you adopt me?

- There's that place for stray girls. - At the central station.

- What are the two of you talking about? - It doesn't concern you.

Maybe I should take care of you, eh?

- You wouldn't be of any use. - I'll show you.

Hello.

Hello.

Hello. One beer, please.

- Glass? - No, thanks.

30 kroner.

- Hello, Jan. - Hello, Karina.

- Jan is a nurse at Sana. - A nurse?

- Did they cut his dick off? - I guess I'll have to find out.

Kalak!

What does that mean?

- Takki. - Jan.

Sit down.

- Here you are. - Thanks.

You're welcome.

So what does it mean, kalak?

Kalak means, "You dirty Greenlander."

It can be a good thing, and it can be a bad thing, you know?

Yeah, I think so.

Cheers!

Let's make out.

You have a wife and kids, right?

Yeah.

- Hello. - Hi there!

Hello.

I'm sorry!

- Are you shy because of the kids? - A little.

Let's get under the covers.

Where have you been?

At somebody's house.

A girl?

Yes.

Oh.

Yeah.

Also, my dad's got cancer.

I'm sorry.

My goodness.

Is it serious?

No idea. It's cancer in the throat.

Shit.

I think I'm going to see her again.

I can't stop it. I don't want to.

I won't ask for your forgiveness or permission -

- but this is something I have to do.

I don't know why.

Jesus, Jan!

I'll have to think about that.

Of course.

Jan?

Jan.

There you are!

- How about a pear? - No, I don't like it.

Maybe you could... Hello! How did it go?

Well.

Are you going to see each other again?

Yes.

I'm afraid so.

You should have your own harem.

Sometimes, I dream of having an extended family.

Men and women living together with lots of children.

- Here in Greenland? - Perhaps.

In a house by the fjord somewhere.

Do you want me to return home?

No!

No, I'd be very sorry if you left.

Where would I even go?

You're all I've got.

I'm not going back to the muck back on Lolland.

Things will calm down soon.

I just have to see this through.

Does all this have anything to do with your dad?

No.

I never thought about it that way.

Right. I just thought -

- maybe it was some kind of revolt against him, you know?

I really hope not.

Thank you.

- Would you like coffee? - Yes, please.

- Dad? - Yes.

Why don't we move out here? There are no stupid people here.

- You'd take the boat in the morning. - It's a bit more complicated than that.

- You have school, don't you? - Yes.

But we can come back more often, now that we can borrow a boat.

- Coffee? - Thank you.

No, thanks.

We finally meet.

- Where do you live? - The Billionaire Barracks.

- Sounds exclusive. - Sure does.

- What do you do for a living? - I do private day-care.

- And you? - I clean at the dentist and hospital.

- Is it good? - Good?

I mean, do you like your job?

That's not how I'd put it. Would you like it?

She's pretty.

- Understanding the language is crucial. - It's impossible to learn.

I can't get it to stick.

Try saying:

- What does it mean? - "You're cute."

How do you say "you too"?

You're killing it.

Why bother? They hate us.

- Hello. - Hello.

What meat?

- "Which meat is that?" - Which meat is that?

Good. It's reindeer meat.

The reindeer goes up the hill.

Excuse me?

Nothing.

- It tastes good? - Yes, it tastes very good!

- Congratulations! - Cheers!

- What's this? - Boiled seal intestines.

It's a little crunchy.

There you go! Try the dry fish with seal fat.

This one? It's actually my favourite. It has a mild and delicate flavour.

- You think you're a real kalak? - That would be amazing.

- It wasn't a compliment. - It was to me.

Stupid Dane. It means you're making yourself the victim.

You screw around and freeload off others.

You express your pain with your fists.

My dear daughter, that's not what that means!

Right, and to some, it means something very different.

- Community. - Belonging.

Have a drink. You stink of intestines.

My father abused me when I was little.

I've never told anyone, not even Lærke.

That's your excuse for treating people badly?

I was raped and abused too. Sara is the result of rape.

What makes you so special?

Piss off. I need to get up early tomorrow.

We've been counting down all week. It's time!

It's Friday at last, and it's time to party!

Jan!

Would any of you like a day off?

Stop, sit down.

Open the door, Jan!

It will get worse if I answer it.

She's going to break the door.

If you don't go out there, I will.

Jan, the kids are scared!

Jan!

The door wasn't locked.

Karina...

- Hey! - It's nothing...

It's nothing serious. I'm fine.

- You need to go to the hospital. - No, I don't. I deserve it.

- You need to go to the hospital. - There's no need.

It's going to scar.

That's all right. I'm just happy it's over.

Thank you for being so good to me.

You too.

It's all right.

Come here, Markus.

Come here.

It's all right.

Great job, you two.

NAZI DANE, GO HOME

Kunuk.

Kunuk!

Hello, Kunuk.

Kunuk?

I have to give you your Tiacin.

The judge says I have to. There's nothing I can do.

I'm going to do it now.

Kunuk, it's okay.

I won't do it.

Are you going to cut me?

Kunuk...

He's got a knife!

Delicious, isn't it?

It's halibut.

- What's it called in Greenlandic? - Qaleralik.

Can I have a cigarette?

Thank you.

At least he got his cigarette.

Nukappi is delighted you've come to the village.

We haven't had a real nurse here in years.

And I'm happy that my wife can come home a bit more.

We're very happy to be here.

- Oh, it depends. - The berries are amazing.

- Did you pick them? - The Danish teachers come and go.

We'd like more Greenlandic teachers, but they rarely come to the countryside.

You could apply for a job at the school. We need a primary school teacher.

I'm not qualified.

Half the teachers have no qualifications.

As long as you don't leave again in six months.

- Well, maybe I should. - Right.

I'll talk to the head teacher, Bjarke.

That's great!

- Dad? - Yes.

Can we have dogs too?

Maybe, once we've settled in here.

We'll have to learn how to ride a dog sled.

She's asking because Nukappi is having puppies.

- Really? - Yes.

You know the dogs work, right? They're not pets.

You can't have them indoors or go near them. You can't trust them.

I can. I'm a dog whisperer.

- Is that so? - Yes, I speak dog language.

That sounds very useful, but you still can't go near the dogs.

Amanda, I'm serious!

I'm serious!

- Jan here. - Nikoline Petrussen is in labour.

It's the small red house on the hill by the old fish factory.

I need you to breathe!

There we go, push.

Breathe, breathe!

Would you look at that little child!

- It's so big! - And cute.

- Boy or girl? - It's a boy.

What a wonderful nurse!

He's so beautiful.

How are you doing?

I'm good.

You should have seen yourself. You were pale as a ghost.

- Were you nervous? - No.

A little?

Maybe a little.

It's nice to have a real nurse in the village again.

You did better than any nurse could.

The dogs can smell it. What do we do with it?

- Well, they eat it. - Huh?

- I need to eat it? - No, the dogs will!

No, we're going to burn it!

No, no.

No, you can't have it.

Coffee?

Thank you.

That was my first delivery. I couldn't have done it without you.

It's completely cold, but I'm sure it will still taste good.

I think it's exactly what we need.

- Hello! - Hi.

- How did it go? - Amazing! It was a big boy.

That's wonderful! There's a letter from your dad.

I put it on the table.

"What's the use of trying to be good," asked Dinah -

- "if you never realise how good we are?"

"We might as well enjoy ourselves and be bad," Dorinda said.

"You're very bad indeed," said their mother.

"Perhaps they can't help it," their father said.

"There's a wind on the moon that might have blown into their hearts."

"Then you had better go to bed now," said their mother.

But it was long before they'd fall asleep -

- for when they pulled up the blinds, the moon looked at them -

- and it seemed as if there was laughter on its face.

Instead of being sorry for what they had done, they laughed too.

But in the morning after breakfast -

- they were very sad when their father kissed them goodbye...

...for they knew that he'd be gone for a long time.

All day, they sat there quietly and didn't do a thing.

Hey there!

Hi there, Danish boy.

Don't be shy.

- Hello. - How are you?

- Can I have a beer, please? - Sure! I've got it right here.

- Carlsberg or Tuborg? - Whatever's cold.

Want to dance? Let's go!

You're so beautiful.

You really like Greenlandic women, don't you?

I like all kinds of women.

It took me a long time to find a husband.

Minik wasn't interested in me at first.

I had to fight for him.

He comes straight home from work and helps the kids with their homework.

We stick together.

What do you have to offer me, Jan?

It goes off every Wednesday.

I thought there was a fire.

Phew!

My heart is racing.

Phew!

You take one of these, put it there, and then you go like this.

Coffee until you can't see the coin. There we go. I don't see it anymore.

Swedish vodka until you see the coin again.

I need a little more. There.

That's how you make a spiked coffee, Swedish style.

Coffee until you can't see the coin.

And vodka until you see it again.

- It's dark. - I see it.

- Cheers, Jan. - Cheers.

- It's strong. - Lovely. It's perfect.

Lovely.

I'm off Somadril since I fell asleep during a consultation.

How embarrassing.

Every drug has a time and a place.

For me, it started when I studied to become a doctor.

I took Ritalin to keep myself up at night.

Everybody's done it, but for me it was just what I needed.

For the first time ever, I felt normal.

I realised, this is who I am -

- not that sad, neurotic, introverted, shy guy.

So I started doing it at parties. I used it every day -

- and my life got better.

- Where did you get it? - From the wards.

The health system is the best pusher in the world.

- What about side effects? - Well, you can't sleep, of course.

- And then what? - So you take something else.

Benzo, Rivotril, Diazepam, Valium, Rohypnol.

I love Rohypnol, it has this sharp curve.

You hit the pillow before you can put the glass down.

But when you wake up, you just want to die.

- That doesn't sound great. - So you're back to Ritalin.

But that's dangerous, Sören.

There's a lack of knowledge when it comes to drugs, and so things go wrong.

People haven't got a clue. They use the wrong drug at the wrong time.

They mix them up. I mean, you don't mix psychedelics and speed.

No, you don't.

Why not?

You'd have a megalomaniac, paranoid psychosis and jump out the window.

Oh right.

- You should try it. - Jumping out the window?

No, ketamine. It's an anaesthetic. Works like a hallucinogen. It's amazing.

You take it intravenously. I'll bring some next time.

- I don't know about that. - Life is meaningless without it.

Colours, patterns, the sun, the moon, stars, the cosmos...

You'll remember childhood memories you haven't thought about in 30 years.

Plants talking to you through telepathy.

It's a life-changing experience.

- I could use something for my anxiety. - Then you should try morphine.

Painkillers?

Opiates are the best anxiety meds on the market.

Your medicine cabinet is full of them.

Combine them with Tramadol, and you're good to go.

I'd offset them with Subutex and alprazolam.

They make me a little nicer, happier and kinder.

Well, the patients really like you. You're good at talking with them.

That's the alprazolam, or I couldn't bear to listen to their nonsense.

- Maybe I should try it. - You can't tell anyone about this.

Promise me. It would get me fired.

Of course.

Thank you for trusting me.

You know what? I'd have killed myself three times.

If it wasn't for the drugs, I'd be dead by now.

You might say my biggest side effect from taking drugs -

- is that I'm still alive.

Nikoline, I haven't seen you in a while.

I'm here to see my son.

- How is he doing? - He's good.

I'm glad to hear.

- Are you cold? - Not really. I'm okay.

- Should I walk you home? - Okay.

My mother wanted me to have a child for her.

She got lonely after I left.

But I still miss him.

Of course you do.

I get it.

What are you doing in Tassilaq?

I go to school.

- Is your boyfriend there too? - He's with someone else.

What a fool.

Maybe she's kinder to him than I was.

Still, leaving your family like that...

Aren't you doing the same thing to your family?

- I'm a kalak. - Kalak?

A big, stupid, sweet kalak.

- Hello. - Hi.

There's another letter from your dad.

- You're not going to open it? - I don't know. Maybe later.

What are you up to?

He might be getting worse. Maybe he wrote something for our children.

Not a chance.

Can I open it?

All right.

It's quite long.

Sort of manic.

Oh wow, it doesn't look good.

He's getting worse.

- He's very stoic about it. - How valiant of him.

There's nothing about the kids.

I told you.

He asks if you'll come see him soon.

Nah, I don't feel like it.

What is it with you and your dad?

I know he's an arse, really annoying and all that, but...

- I don't want to talk about him. - All right then.

- Jan speaking. - It's me, Nikoline.

My son is running a fever.

- Hello. - Hello.

What's wrong with him?

He just feels hot.

Hello, little one.

He's just a little hot.

He's not ill?

No, he's just a little warm.

I'm so lonely. It's very hard.

Don't go.

Don't be sad.

I'll stay with you tonight.

It'll be all right.

It is all right.

Across the country, the distance between...

- I've got one. - Then put it in front of you.

That one goes on the King.

We have transportation lined up for you guys. Try the Polaris.

Catherine is the most important person in my life -

- but people do change and grow apart, especially when they are apart.

Dad?

...and I'm comparing it to other girls.

But there's not just one beautiful woman. There's many.

- You could go like this. - It's good, isn't it?

Yes, then you'll need to match those up.

- What do we do now? - I'm out.

- What about the new dogs? - I'm sorry?

Tell me about the new dogs.

The dogs are doing very well.

They're big, healthy dogs. They eat three times a week.

- They eat a lot. - What do they eat?

- They eat fish, seal meat... - I need to draw one.

And whale meat too.

Uno!

Nice cards you've got there.

...they still get milk from their mother.

They're doing well.

They're three days old now. They eat a lot.

- I've got to draw one. - Lots of seal meat and fat.

Stop!

Can I go see the puppies?

- Yes, but be careful. They're big dogs. - All right.

Uno! I win!

You forgot to say Uno in time!

You didn't say Uno.

So I lose?

Congratulations.

- What's going on? - Someone's out there!

Amanda!

Come here, you bastard!

Amanda!

Amanda?

- Where are they going? - Dad's helping her.

- Is she breathing? - Yes, she is.

I'm taking care of you. You'll be okay.

- Do you need... - Get out!

- Mum! - Come on, honey.

- What happened? - Dog bite.

Call the hospital. We need a helicopter now.

It's Ella calling from Kulusuk.

A six-year-old girl was attacked by a dog. We need a helicopter right away.

- Mum! - You'll be all right.

Sören!

How did it go?

Pretty good.

52 stitches. I think that's a new record.

She's lucky. If they'd got her throat, she wouldn't have had a chance.

She's sleeping.

- What will happen now? - I need to transfer her to Copenhagen.

We need a neurologist to have a look at her.

Sure, of course.

I just can't handle Copenhagen right now.

We were planning on staying here for the summer.

Camping in the fjord and all that.

That will have to wait until next summer.

Hello. She's doing well under the circumstances.

She's asleep. 52 stitches.

- She's going to Copenhagen. - Good.

We'll organise tickets for you and the children.

You'll take a leave of absence and join them later.

- How long is it going to be? - I don't know. A few weeks, maybe.

Jan...

And cigarettes, please.

How's the family doing?

They're okay.

Hello.

- Who hunted these? - I did.

- What kind of seal is it? - Ring seal.

Thank you.

Can I come in?

No, Niko. I can't...

Why have you abandoned me?

I'm tired, Niko.

I have to sleep.

Leave. Piss off.

I'm lonely, my love.

So am I. Everybody's lonely. Everybody's crushed.

Go on. Piss off.

Will you please leave?

Then I'm going to have to get very drunk.

That's up to you. That's your problem.

Nukappi says you have to come right away. There's a fire!

My daughter!

Put out the fire!

- Is Niko in there? - I don't know.

Jan?

I must have fallen asleep.

Are you all right?

No, I have to go home. I need sleep.

- I'll walk you home. - Thank you. That's good.

- Come on. - Thank you.

- Hello. - Dad?

Markus!

- Is something the matter? - No, I just felt like calling.

Oh.

It's nice to hear your voice, honey.

Are you all right, Dad?

Yes.

I... I'm just a little tired.

Mum says you're on leave.

Yes, that's true.

I've been a little stressed, so I took some time off.

But I'm doing fine.

Okay.

- Dad? - Yes.

- Is Grandpa going to die? - Did Mum say he was?

Mum says he has cancer. That kills you, right?

He might not have much time left.

But he's old, right?

Okay, Dad. Mum's calling.

Say hello to Mum and Amanda from me.

Jan?

Jan!

I called the doctor.

About what?

About you.

You're going to Denmark.

When am I leaving?

You're taking a flight tomorrow morning.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

- Couldn't you have asked for help? - It's no trouble.

There we go.

I always thought that when I turned 70, I'd kill myself.

I'd invite my friends to a magnificent party and drink the poison.

Right. I remember.

Now I'm 75, and I have no desire to die.

Well. Imagine that.

- I think I'm still too curious. - About what?

About life, every last inch of it.

I want to suck up as much of it as I can -

- before I'm cast into the great darkness.

Are you in pain?

It's not so bad with all the morphine, but I fear I won't be able to breathe.

It's a frightening thought -

- that I might have an episode and be unable to call for help -

- suffocating in my own phlegm. What a cruel way to go.

- Right. - You've become so cold.

That addiction has changed you.

Perhaps.

But I'm older too.

"Je répondrai."

"I take responsibility."

Was that her motto?

Actually, it was Denys Finch Hatton's, but she used it as well.

- Is it a paedophile motto? - I am not a paedophile!

How about the boy in Norway you always talk about?

The one you abused since he was nine, Trygve?

Do you still use his name as a password?

I didn't abuse him. I loved him.

He was the love of my life.

- Did anyone discover you? - Of course they did.

That's why I was divorced and cast out of the congregation.

- Didn't you know? - No, she never talked about you.

Well, she never talked about anything at all.

I was only too happy the day I could pack my bags and leave.

- Didn't anyone report it? - No.

Trygve had grown up by then, and he probably didn't want it reported.

He was fond of me.

- Do you know what happened to him? - He's married and has children.

He's a big landowner. He lives a good life.

- You don't know that. - You want me to feel guilty?

Should I torture myself until blood pours from my flesh?

No, I don't care about punishment, but I want you to take responsibility.

Then let's talk about it. No accusations, no shaming, no guilt.

- About what? - Let's talk about fucking.

I mean, isn't it wonderful? It's the best!

I remember when I came out myself. What a liberation!

It was different with your mother. She was passionate -

- but with my boys, it was a different story entirely.

How I loved to lick them all over: arsehole, feet, cock.

My desire was insatiable. I wanted to have my cake and eat it.

I'd step on anyone's happiness to get what I wanted.

- And so you did. - And then you moved in.

It was something new, something fresh. I was so thrilled.

That's where you are now in your life.

We all go in circles, repeating ourselves -

- making the same mistakes over and over, and that's good!

If we ever learned from our mistakes, we'd be bored to death.

Responsibility is stifling, suffocating.

I'm thrilled about your experiences right now.

It's so liberating to break the taboos of sex.

- That part of my life is over. - Oh, what a shame!

Then go be just like all the other inarticulate sheep.

- Good morning! - 'Morning.

- I made you breakfast. - You did?

That's so nice of you.

I haven't had breakfast in bed since I was a little boy!

Well, it's about time then.

- I put a little rum in it. - Delicious!

And lots of honey! It's really nice.

Stay here with me while I eat.

How are you doing today?

Much better, thank you.

I think this is going to be one of the good days.

Maybe we could go for a stroll by the lakes, you and me?

Sure, maybe.

Imagine what a couple we'd make!

This is one of those days where you feel like anything could happen.

Right.

I'm not really hungry for more. Would you take the tray, please?

But stay a while.

I'm still a little sleepy, actually. Let me sleep for just a little longer.

We'll do something afterwards, okay?

Okay.

Sleep tight.

Good night, my dear.

TO MOTHER