Original subtitles

I liked the sound of the train that was taking me away

from my old provincial town, from my office, my friends,

to the northern countries. To Sweden.

I was going abroad for the first time

and it was also the first time I left my wife for a long journey.

Mine was a bad departure,

ruined by a stupid sentence that my wife

had read the night before in the travel guide I had bought.

"Girls will never ask you who you are,

how old are you, if you have a wife or children,

they won't ask you silly questions.

One of them will take you by the hand, she'll take you to her room,

she'll light two candles, she'll look into your eyes in silence

and in her deep and mysterious look

you'll realize that before that moment you had never been a happy man."

During the night, while I was sleeping, the train

had crossed Switzerland, Germany and part of Denmark.

Everything had changed; the landscape, the language,

even the faces of men.

They were Swedish men who boarded the train in Copenhagen.

What did the travel guide say about them?

"They're kind, quiet,

and very shy.

They may blush if you look at them.

Don't ask questions about their women.

You are a foreigner and they know you cannot understand them.

But if you want to know the secret of that country,

then talk to a woman. You're not a foreigner to her,

you're just a man.

She'll take you by the hand,

she'll take you in her room,

she'll light two candles…"

May I?

-Thank you. -Here you are.

Oh.

-Do you speak Italian? -No.

-French? -No.

-May I? -Yes.

"She'll look into your eyes in silence,

and in her deep and mysterious look

you'll realize that before that moment…"

Thanks.

The compartments were empty.

The passengers had disappeared.

Where was I?

The train stopped inside the belly of a ship.

Coaches were tied to the ground by large chains.

And then I realized I was on board the ferry

that was taking me to Sweden from the Danish coast.

Hamlet's castle.

In Italian it goes, "Essere o non essere? Questo è il problema."

"Morire è come dormire.

Dormire, forse sognare.

Ma che sogni possiamo fare quando siamo morti?"

Who knows? Hamlet's castle.

-It's so cold, ma'am. -No.

Yes. It's very cold and wet, I've got neuralgia.

I don't want it to hurt my tooth. Sorry, I'm going back inside.

Thanks a lot.

Here you go, a plate.

Yes…

No waiters?

-No, we have self-service. -How strange.

Is this horse meat?

It's reindeer meat.

-Reindeer? -Yes.

I don't digest it.

What is this?

-Herring with sour cream and onion. -Will it be bad for me?

-You're not Italian. -No,

I'm German, but…

I taught at the University of Turin.

Congratulations, you speak Italian well.

Are you here on business?

No, I'm going to Stockholm for the awarding of Nobel Prizes.

That means I have the good fortune to travel with a great personality.

Oh, perhaps I'm a little famous in the nuclear physics field.

Did you win the Nobel Prize?

Not yet.

There are so many foods, Professor.

-May I ask your name? -Mayer.

-Are you Jewish? -Yes.

I am very honored to have met you. My name is Ferretti, Amedeo Ferretti.

My pleasure.

Excuse me, are you a journalist?

No, I trade in leather. I'm going to Stockholm for an auction.

Okay.

Here's the shrimp.

May I sit down here?

-Please take a seat. -Thank you.

Professor, have you made this journey before?

Yes, Sweden is of great interest to me.

Why? Are there any particular reasons?

Of course. The first one is that I love peace.

And this country has not been at war for at least 150 years.

-And the second one? -I have a soft spot for Swedish women.

A relationship with them is very good.

Perhaps because they're the only women

who have achieved true

and genuine equality with men.

And they did it without losing their femininity?

Let's have a proper meal. I'm starving.

-Are you eating the salad? -Look.

Yes, it looks so good.

-Who are they? Are they Swedish? -Yes.

Beautiful. They're beautiful.

Gorgeous.

They're wearing boots.

What are they looking for?

I think they're looking for an empty table.

But they're all empty.

It looks really empty here.

What about over there?

Yes, that looks nice.

Professor,

they sat right there.

Do they know them?

No, but they're young and prefer to have company.

We need something to drink as well.

May I have the salt?

You're welcome.

Thank you.

They're really picturesque, if I may say.

-Do you like salt in your food? -They asked for salt.

They're taunting them.

Yes, she took the initiative.

They're doing nothing, not even glancing.

It's touching.

Touching?

It makes me cry, Professor. I don't understand them.

Holy crap, why didn't they sit right here?

Forget about that.

Let's order a bottle of Bordeaux.

With pleasure, Professor. My treat.

Waitress.

A Bordeaux. A bottle of Bordeaux.

-For two. -Yes, sir.

I like this country so much, Professor!

Your wife is such a beautiful woman.

Yes, I know.

She was 18 in this picture.

Now she is 35.

But she hasn't changed at all. She is always the same.

Maybe she has changed a little, but who cares?

When you grow old together,

you don't notice the changes

that take place on our faces day by day.

To your wife, you'll be forever young as well.

Yes, to her. How about other women?

What do you care about other women?

My dear Professor, it is precisely other women who determine our age.

And to be honest, I don't know how old I am anymore.

May I confess something to you?

I have never cheated on my wife.

And being an Italian, you feel a little ashamed?

Look, someone is taking interest in you.

Is she looking at me?

-Raise a toast. -Really?

Skål.

Skål.

Professor, I am not used to it.

It has never happened to me. What am I supposed to do?

Oh, nothing. She only showed you that she likes you.

But that's crazy!

It is nice that a decent girl shows

immediate sympathy for a stranger.

Did you see how spontaneous she was?

How could I not have seen it, Professor?

I like this clarity, this frank, open

and fair way of communicating.

First she smiles at me and then at him?

After all, that's what freedom is, isn't it?

-Can I take these? -Yes. Skål.

-Skål. -Skål.

Excuse me.

-May I? -Yes.

Guerre à la guerre.

Excuse me.

I'm telling you!

Excuse me. And then he said…

May I?

Hey, you're in my seat.

What are you doing, huh?

Sit here. There you go.

Are you sisters? Alone? Mum? Dad?

Mommy has gone out to change.

What are you saying?

That's it.

Come on, sweetie, we're going to bed.

Don't cry, you know how nice it's going to be.

There you go. It's very late.

It's bedtime for children.

-Are you undressing her? -Yes.

Very well.

And here we have our pajamas.

There you go.

It's bedtime.

One arm first.

And then the second one.

There you go.

Then I'll promise you that I'll read you

a story. If you're a good girl and if we can find the book.

I'm going too.

I did bring it.

It should be here somewhere.

There, there.

Look at that guy in pajamas!

Can you imagine?

-Are you serious? Pajamas? -I'm serious.

Toothache. A little.

-Better? -Thank you.

Goodnight.

Toothache?

Toothache.

It is terrible, ma'am.

I can't take it anymore, it hurts so much.

I'll get off at the first station.

Yes, you should get off.

I felt so good here with you.

With the children.

The children.

Please.

Where's the hospital?

Go into the village.

-Hospital. -You'll find it there.

Thank you.

Is there no one here?

There's not a soul around.

Hey!

Hey you. Listen. Stop. Kid!

I…

Excuse me, sir.

-Do you speak English? No? -What?

-Italian. I'm Italian. -What?

Toothache. I've got a terrible toothache.

A doctor. Hospital. A hospital.

-What are you talking about? -Dentist.

Oh, right. A dentist.

-Thank you. -He lives in the yellow house over there.

You'd better go to the barn.

-Over behind the mansion. -What are you saying?

Just behind the trees. There is someone who speaks Italian in the village.

-Someone who has been abroad. -Wait.

But of course there might be someone who speaks Italian.

Let's ask the girls on the ice there.

It looks like a cat!

Come over here, girls.

Come over here.

Do you know anyone who speaks Italian in the village?

The reverend speaks Italian.

Good! Perfect.

That's right, he's been to Italy.

He should be able to say something.

Spaghetti!

Let's go to the church and speak with the reverend.

He's either playing or in the vicarage.

-He'll fix it. -I don't understand.

In the church? Why?

He'll understand better.

Reverend!

-Good day, reverend. -Good day.

He's Italian.

Italian? Good afternoon, sir.

Are you from Italy?

Yes, father. I am Italian.

And my tooth hurts so much.

Thank you, Theodor, you can go home now.

How nice, I'll be right down.

I'll go home then. Good luck.

It'll be alright, one way or another.

What is he saying?

Oh, how funny.

I think you're the first Italian to come to this village.

So tell me, sir.

-What do you think of our village? -It's wonderful, father.

But the pain is driving me crazy. I have to take out my tooth.

Oh, poor thing.

-I want to help you. Come on, let's go. -Yes.

-What do you think of the Council? -The tooth first, please.

Of course, let's go.

Our country enjoys

great prosperity achieved

through socialism.

A mild and discreet socialism.

But, for some time now, the new generations

have more or less lost faith.

And churches are completely empty.

It's a paradise, but God

is now a stranger to us.

-I feel better. -Hmm.

Does he want a cup of tea?

-Do you want a cup of tea? -Yes, please.

-Thank you. -Hmm.

A godless country.

Tell me, father…

is it true that women have also left the Church here?

Yes, just like men.

So they have lost that sense of guilt and shame

that has always held back their impulses,

especially in love relationships.

He asked me

if our women still feel guilt and shame.

When it comes to love.

If one would understand it

as a sincere search for a life companion,

then you can't call love a sin.

My wife says that love experience,

even if long-lasting,

here in our country is no longer considered a sin.

Thank you so much.

I share this point of view, but has it brought

corruption?

No, no. I am convinced that the main causes

of corruption are poverty and need.

And luckily, here women

have been freed from these terrible plagues.

-And how so? -With work.

Here many girls leave their families at a very young age.

They live alone, they work,

and they are independent in every respect, just like men.

Come in, please.

Come and say hello to our guest.

-Hello. -My daughter's friends.

They came here just to meet you.

To meet me?

Yes, they're curious.

You are the first Italian they meet.

Good morning, girls.

Girls!

Girls.

What a shame he has blue eyes.

What does she say?

What a shame you have blue eyes.

I'm sorry.

Ask him to sing something, father.

-What? -She wants you to sing us a song.

I'm sorry, girls,

but I can't sing.

Quando… Amazing.

Well done.

-Hurry up now, we have lots to talk about. -Hurry up.

Hurry up. Bye bye.

-Buonasera! -Bye, girls.

What beautiful children.

How do you explain it?

The interest northern women have in us Italians?

Perhaps they hope to find in you something that they have lost.

What would that be?

Emotions, warmth,

passion.

A lot of nonsense is said on this subject, father.

Is it true that at Stockholm train station

girls wait for trains coming from the south just

to meet Italian men?

Are you headed to Stockholm?

Yes, father.

Then you'll be able to see for yourself.

-She is coming. -Yes.

-Ulla? -Here I am!

Hello!

Hello.

Bye!

He didn't get out of the garage.

Oh, there he is!

Hello! How have you been?

How are you?

Ten, 20, 25…

30… one moment.

Ten, 20, 30, there you go.

Excuse me, is there a concierge?

-A man. -I don't understand. One moment, please.

-Good evening. -Tell me, sir.

I was looking for the concierge because I need to ask him

a personal question.

Please tell me.

Huh…

I am not familiar with the laws of this country.

I travel alone and I have a double room.

Am I allowed to bring a woman into my room?

If you offer a cup of tea to a lady,

you may offer it in your room.

So am I allowed to do so? Night and day?

-Of course. -Very well.

Thank you so much.

What is this medallion?

The tree of life.

What does it mean? That life is beautiful? You're very kind, thank you.

WAIT - GO

Among the curiosities of Stockholm,

I had been advised to pop into a café

attended by immigrants from the south.

According to my source, many Swedish girls

hung out at that club to meet Italians.

Hello there!

Well hello, there you are! I was wondering where you were.

I'm not late, I am?

-Should we have that coffee then? -Yes.

Let's go then.

Yes, let's go.

-Mamma wrote me. -Mamma?

Good evening.

Are you Italian?

Yes.

Shall we go together tonight?

Let's go together.

Do you want to eat or just want coffee?

Are you Italian?

Take a seat there.

Waiter.

-Do you want some? -No.

Yes, a lot.

Good idea!

Do you have a dad? Mom?

-Do you live alone? -Yes.

Do you live in Stockholm?

-No. -Oh.

-I live in a hotel. -Yes.

-Do you like to come with me to my hotel? -Yes.

Good. Excuse me.

-How old are you? Quanti anni? -I'm 13.

Thirteen? Tredici?

-Yes. -I must say goodbye, dear.

You're six feet tall. How should I know?

Here are the policewomen, see?

Good night.

Had I understood the language,

I might not have fallen into that misunderstanding.

But I soon regretted giving up that opportunity.

Who was that girl? What did she want from me?

Besides, if they were so free and ruthless,

should I have qualms?

Do you want to dance?

-No? -Yes.

Do you understand a little Italian?

Yes, I speak a little Italian, a little English.

-Also a little Spanish. -I see.

What's your name?

Eva. And you?

Amedeo.

How old are you?

Sixteen. And you?

Forty. Two.

-Are you married? -What?

-Are you married? -Yes.

I am married.

Did you divorce?

No.

Divorce is illegal in Italy.

Can I…

ask you a question?

Can a married

and not-so-younger man

ask a girl to keep him company?

I'm here alone in Stockholm.

Can we…

go for a drink?

Where?

Huh…

I don't know. As you prefer.

At my hotel bar. Or…

I don't know. In my room.

In your room?

Without ulterior motives.

Why?

Don't you believe me?

I don't think you have any ulterior motives, right now.

But when I'm in your room,

you'll have some desires.

I am not a kid.

Well, then.

Thank you.

Shall we go, Eva?

Room 824.

Thank you.

Go ahead, please.

You don't enter? Please.

Take a seat.

Hmm.

What a beautiful bed.

Isn't it too big for one person?

But not for two. Excuse me.

Oh.

-Why are you laughing? -I work there.

-In the skyscraper? -Yes. I'm a typist.

-Will you sit down? -Yes, please.

Shall I take off your boots?

Oh, yes.

Do you have cold feet as well, huh?

Who else has cold feet? Your wife?

It's so hot here.

-May I take off my jacket? -Yes.

-Even the shoes? -Yes, take everything off.

Do I take everything off?

You want a drink?

-A whisky? -Hmm.

-Some music? -Yes, thank you.

We would like to inform our listeners that we'll be back…

-Do you like it? -It's nice.

Skål.

-Cheers. -Skål.

Yes, skål.

Do you live with your parents?

No. I live alone.

Oh. Do you live completely alone?

Completely.

Do you ever suffer from loneliness?

Not now.

You're beautiful.

Do you have… a boyfriend?

Yes, I have someone.

I mean… anybody special?

Do you mean someone who sleeps with me?

Yes. Do you have someone?

I don't talk about these things.

And why? Are you religious?

Religious? I don't get it.

Do you go to church?

-No. -Never?

Never.

Then…

you are not afraid to go to hell?

Nobody tells me about it.

But in your opinion…

What happens… after death?

Nothing.

-Nothing? -No.

May I have a cigarette?

Oh, yes. Sorry, but…

But…

-Thanks. -What do you believe in?

-I believe in the sun. -Hmm.

-In the trees. -Hmm.

And in men.

-In men? -Yes.

I love men so much.

Do you?

Oh. Well, this feels better.

-It's true. -Yes.

-Skål. -Skål. No.

When you say "skål," you must look deep into my eyes.

-Into your eyes? -Yes.

-Skål. -Skål.

How beautiful you are.

Give me a kiss, please.

No.

-Oh… -What is it?

-What have you got here? -Ouch.

No, it's nothing. I got it in the war.

-War? -Yes.

It's a war wound.

-I have a bigger one. -Oh.

Let me show you.

Look.

-That's terrible. Where did it happen? -See?

In Albania.

I've never met a man who has been to war.

Am I the first one?

Yes, you are the first one.

Did you kill somebody?

Don't ask me, please.

-I want to know. -No, no.

I never talk about these things.

-Not even with my wife. -Tell me.

-Please. -No, no.

Fine.

A Greek man.

-Are you sure? -Huh?

Are you sure?

Of course. I killed him.

Poor guy.

The Greek?

Both of you.

Little girl.

Pretty little girl.

-No, I have to go now. -Pretty little girl.

-I'm sorry. -No, no, no.

-Don't leave, please. Don't leave. -I have to go now.

I won't hurt you. Don't be afraid of me.

-No, I must go now. -Just stay for a minute, Eva.

-No. -Eva, please, no.

Will I see you again tomorrow?

No, tomorrow I am busy.

-It's impossible. -It's true.

Then we won't see each other again?

Look. Tomorrow…

I'll be there. And I'll look at your window from there.

Will you remember me? What will you think of me?

That you were here.

Honey. I'm so sorry you're leaving.

I…

How beautiful.

You're beautiful and dear.

My love.

My beautiful and dear love.

-Do you understand? -Yes.

-Bye. -Bye.

What a beautiful night.

What?

A great one.

They brought me hot chocolate?

With candles on their heads.

I didn't understand what had just happened.

Who were those angels with candles on their heads?

I learnt later that it was an almost pagan custom.

It was the 13th of December, the shortest day of the year.

That ritual

was a tribute to light in a country where people live in darkness for months.

The ladder. Come on!

Excuse me. Thank you.

Aha.

You scoundrel…

Dimitri, I'll be right back.

-Viveka, come here. -Why?

-Why are Italians always in a hurry? -What do you know?

Shut up and come with me.

Look at that.

What are you doing? I'm waiting for a call from Italy. Get on the phone!

-What's up? -We all agree on black minks.

No offers. Let's leave everything to the Americans, okay?

Does Landi agree?

We all agree.

Everyone? The Belgian?

-The German? The Spanish? -Of course.

-No offers for the mink. -None.

Come with me.

-We must say that… -Excuse me…

Bergmann, take all my lots and let's go.

That's it.

Twenty-one 18, isn't it? 24, 27.

Set aside the stained ones.

And prepare all lots for shipment, Bergmann.

Twelve 29.

Twenty-seven, 24.

Thirty 12. Where are the black minks?

-Here. -These ones?

-When do these go to auction? -Right now.

Yeah? Nice, huh?

Then write, "Mixed male and female.

Almost perfect. 21-18."

-Don't say anything to anyone. -Yes.

Excuse me, excuse me.

Aren't these all black?

May I see this one?

This is beautiful.

They are all male, right?

Nice skin, right?

All from your breeding?

Yes.

-Can I trust you? -Thank you.

Are you a friend of Italy?

One 70.

I'm interested in black minks, call them for me.

-Minks? -The usual five.

-Yes. -I'll kill them.

Yes, but that damned Ferretti

colluded with the Russian and fooled us all.

Oh, is that you, commander? I got you a formidable deal.

Two thousand glazed black minks. First selection.

One hundred and twenty, commander. How did I do that?

A little bit of a maneuver, sir. A Russian helped me.

Thank you, commander.

Many greetings to your wife.

And if you don't mind, call mine as well.

By the way, sir.

I met a Jewish scientist.

He invited me to the Nobel ceremony.

Yes, the Nobel Prize.

It would be a shame not to go there.

It would be a unique opportunity. Besides, tomorrow is Sunday.

Thank you, commander.

I'll postpone my departure by just 24 hours.

Tell my wife as well, thank you.

Your majesties, your highnesses,

ladies and gentlemen.

The winner of the Nobel Prize in physics this year

is the professor at Moscow University

Lev Davidovich Landau

He was born in 1908.

He showed his mathematical skills

at an early age.

And at the age of 14,

he began his studies at Leningrad University.

After finishing his studies,

he spent a year and a half abroad,

mainly with the famous nuclear physician

Niels Bohr in Copenhagen.

He attracted a great deal of attention at that point

with his brilliant skills and his great outspokenness.

And in 1930,

Landau published an analysis of how

electrons relate in a magnetic field according to quantum theory.

I sincerely hope

that Professor Landau will soon be well again.

It's really…

-It's really interesting. -It's a fine choice.

Are you Italian?

-Yes, ma'am. I am Italian. -Are you a journalist?

No, I'm not an intellectual. I trade in leather, ma'am.

Yes, I saw you yawning.

I apologize, but…

I know it is an important event,

but I cannot follow it or enjoy its beauty because I don't speak Swedish.

Are you alone here in Stockholm?

I am terribly lonely.

There are many people.

-And many lonely women. -I know, ma'am, but…

It is so hard to find someone to communicate with.

You are the first woman I've talked to.

Continental Hotel, room 824.

Twenty-four. My name is Amedeo Ferretti.

-I'll phone you. -Anytime, I'm always awake.

Hello?

This is Birgitta.

Who? Birgitta?

We met at the ceremony two hours ago.

-Yes, of course. -Have you already forgotten my name?

I was no longer expecting that you would call me.

-What are you doing? -Nothing.

I'm drinking a whisky alone.

-Are you always alone? -Just like a dog.

-Poor guy. -Birgitta…

-Yes? -Why don't you come here?

-To your hotel? -Come, please.

Should I come to your hotel?

Come upstairs. To my room. Number 824.

No, you come to me.

At your place?

Yes, write down the address.

Yes, right away.

Tell me your address.

Villa Kuga…

Villa Kuga…

-K for "Kurtz"… -Kurtz…

U for "Ursula," G for "Gustav," A for "Adam."

Like 'Adamo'?

Like Adamo.

Good evening.

Take off your coat.

-Let's go upstairs. -Upstairs.

Wasn't it he who got the Nobel Prize a couple of years ago?

-Who's there? -Some friends.

Come on.

-Come on, go… -So?

Come on, let's go.

Well, I find it's easier to read it in English.

But even the English translation is difficult according to me.

-Yes… -Mr. Lindqvist.

Mr. Gensell. An Italian friend.

May I? Ferretti.

-Nice to meet you. -Pleased to meet you.

-Ferretti. -Come.

That was Birgitta's Italian friend.

Mrs. Blomster, Mr. Ring, Mrs. Törnquist.

Ferretti, nice to meet you.

Mr. Lund, Mr. Livingston. An Italian friend.

Ferretti, nice to meet you.

-Åström, -Ferretti.

-Ringström, Zetterberg. -Ferretti.

Hi.

-Ferretti. -Come.

I'd like you to meet my husband.

-Your husband? -Yes, my husband.

An Italian friend.

Ferretti, very nice to meet you.

Very nice to meet you. My wife and I are very fond of Italy.

Thank you so much.

-I won't bother you. -No, no.

Darling, give him something to drink.

-Would you like something to drink? -Yes, please.

Excuse me.

-My friend Greta. -Ferretti.

Thank you.

Excuse me, I'll be right back.

-In the meantime, you drink. -Okay.

No.

-Do you want a drink? -I'll have a whisky.

Are you Italian? Italian?

What? Yes, I'm…

You're probably Birgitta's Italian friend.

He doesn't understand anything.

…anything that concerns fashion and…

Well, that's mine then.

-Here you have your whisky. -Thank you.

Would you like something to drink?

So, you did go to the car show?

Yes, I was there. I had a look

at an Italian sports model that I liked.

I got the chance to test drive it as well.

I found it a bit hard-shifted.

Yes, I know it can be difficult.

It goes nicely in the straights.

-Yes. -But in the curves…

Yes.

It's perhaps more difficult to master.

Perhaps it has to do with the spring…

Yes, could be. Their technology might not be developed enough.

Perhaps… I have never heard about

that car brand before, so…

Did I put my pipe here on the couch?

Your pipe? Perhaps it fell in between here somewhere.

Then it might have fallen on the floor as well.

Perhaps it is on the table over there.

He's always searching for his pipe.

I think this was quite…

Your pipe? Your pipe?

Thank you.

He found it.

Yes.

I'm back.

Good.

You have put me in an embarrassing situation.

It's embarrassing for me as well. But I wanted to see you again.

Well, but…

won't your husband wonder why I am here tonight?

I'm sure he is wondering about many things right now.

Perhaps he has already realized we kissed?

Maybe, but he won't ask you or me.

You guys are strange.

Would you ask your wife?

I really don't think my wife has kissed other men.

Are you sure?

What does this have to do with my wife?

Come on, let's dance.

Do you love your wife?

Yes, very much.

Italians often say that they are unhappy with their wives.

They sometimes take off their rings.

Well, I don't.

I like you.

Excuse me…

-Is he laughing? -Yes.

There's only one problem.

Which one?

We haven't slept together in a while.

But does he know that you are cheating on him?

He knows I am faithful to him in all circumstances.

Except for one.

But for me it's the most important one.

You give too much importance to these things.

Don't hold me.

This means he's jealous.

No, he's a lovely and intelligent man,

superior to all selfishness.

We are bound by feelings that maybe you can't understand.

Stay with us tonight. Don't leave.

Stay here.

Do I also stay over?

Yes, spend the night here.

Tomorrow we'll spend a nice day together.

Yes.

-Now drink. -Fine.

Why?

We drink a lot and we don't like to be watched

by too strict eyes. Skål.

Your husband. Look at him.

-Skål. -Skål.

-Does he always laugh? -Yes.

Thank you very much, I am fine here.

Too bad my wife is not here with us this evening, Mr. Falkman.

I'm sure your wife would like her too.

She makes herself loved immediately. She's naive.

-Beautiful. -A gullible one.

Here she's in her swimming costume.

Oh.

Wonderful.

Italian women always have these beautiful breasts,

their hips so big and a bit low.

Perhaps it's this picture, sir.

She had been asked to participate

in a beauty contest,

a miss pageant one. But I forbade her from participating.

Why did you forbid her?

It seemed strange to me to expose her naked in front of an audience.

Would you have allowed your wife?

My wife posed for months completely naked in front of a photographer.

Did she do it for fun or out of need?

Oh no, she didn't do that for money.

It's just that she liked

a young photographer.

And did you allow her to date him?

Why shouldn't I have done that?

Birgitta and I love each other very much, we are bound

by deep feelings,

but this does not prevent either her or me

from retaining our full freedom.

You are very generous.

But what are the limits of this freedom? I mean,

the limits of the freedom you grant her.

No limits that prevent us

from grasping day by day

those little pleasures

that life offers us.

I really like this about you.

You have great trust in life.

You enjoy your life minute by minute

without limits and moral prejudices.

Excuse me, Mr. Falkman, where does this mentality come from?

Well, we are not religious.

So we are deeply convinced

that any lost thing

is lost forever.

We are convinced that every useless sacrifice

will remain useless,

because it will never be repaid in the afterlife.

Oh, yes. You don't believe in the afterlife.

Right. That's it.

Goodbye.

Thank you for tonight.

Thank you for tonight.

Oh, hi. You scared me.

-Thank you for tonight. -Are you all leaving?

Are you coming with us?

No, but thanks anyway. I am ma'am's guest for tonight.

-Bye. -Bye.

If we want to wake up early tomorrow, we must go to bed now.

-Thanks. -Do you want another whisky?

I think it's better to go to bed right now.

Good night.

-Come. -Please go.

I forgot your pajamas.

-Thanks, but I have my wool suit. -Good night.

-No. -Birgitta…

-Stay here with me, please. -No.

Come here. Listen.

Listen to me, please.

There are other guests over there.

-They're sleeping. -No. I'm locking the door.

But my husband is there.

You know what, Birgitta? He agrees.

No, don't say that. It's not like that.

-No, please. -Be kind to me.

Don't panic, Birgitta.

We're in the children's room.

-You're beautiful. -Let me be.

-Sit down here. -It doesn't have to be like this.

-Are you unhappy? -That's really unnecessary.

-Please. -Leave me alone.

-Stay here. Did I offend you? -My goodness.

Excuse me. Where are you going?

Birgitta.

I didn't understand your behavior.

Doesn't matter, I am going to bed now.

Maybe tomorrow?

There you go, see you tomorrow.

Night night.

Beautiful.

Damn, she is beautiful.

It was a Sunday morning.

At that time my wife was going to mass with her mother and children.

Well, I have…

That would be interesting…

I decided to leave my wife,

regardless of you. What do you say?

It's a lifelong thing, one has to think about it.

But I'm leaving, I have to decide what to do.

What am I supposed to do?

Talk to your husband and let me know. I need to know before I leave.

Does she speak Italian?

Yes.

You must be clear with your husband.

-Does she speak French as well? -Hmm.

Fine, but… I don't speak German.

Who is she? A relative?

It's a lot to think about…

There might be something to do about it.

Well, I am going now.

What? Where are you going?

I'm taking my husband to the hospital, he must work.

-And what about me? -Dear Ferretti, I say goodbye.

Bye, doctor.

-Good day to you. -See you in the afternoon.

-Have fun. -What will you do?

-Will you talk to him? -Yes, I'll try.

-Fine. -Yes.

Bye bye.

-Wait here, my wife will keep you company. -Fine.

Wait for me, I'll be back in a few minutes.

Of course.

And remember that today I'll have you all to myself.

Good.

Well, goodbye, Mr. Ferretti. See you later. Bye!

-Are you going? Bye. -Bye.

Are you with me?

What?

With you? I don't know.

We keep each other company.

Sorry, but I can't. I'm waiting for someone.

Never mind.

Never mind?

Are you a student?

No, I have a job.

I see.

Where did you learn Italian?

I study at night.

You're so pretty and clever. Why are you here all alone?

I'm not alone. Maybe a guy will come in the afternoon.

We can wait together, if you want.

Would you like a cigarette?

-No. -I see…

Do you want to…

Drink a hot coffee?

Yes.

Here at the club?

-Yes. -Fine.

-Hi. -Hi.

Hello, again!

-The pipe. -Hi.

It's nice here, it's hot.

What are you doing? Come, sit down.

-What's your name? -Karina.

-Karina? -Yes, Karina.

Are you waiting for your boyfriend?

No.

Do you have a boyfriend?

-The one you were kissing last night? -No.

That means you're cheating on him.

It happens.

It happens.

Karina.

You're beautiful.

See? As a child I used to come here to play with my friends.

Shall we play? Me too.

Come. Come, I will push you.

I'll push you.

No. Let's go and say hello to a friend of mine.

A friend of yours?

-His name is Ingemar. -Who is he?

A little friend of mine.

I go to say hello every time I come here.

Yes. Ingemar.

Who is he?

Oh, poor little bird.

It's cold outside.

You must be freezing.

You look so sad. Do you have anything to eat?

Do you talk to a little bird?

Yes.

It's so cold.

-You look so cute. -Ingemar?

-Whose little finger is this? -Yes.

-Beautiful. -No, what are you doing?

-Beautiful. -Don't do that!

-Are you pushing me away? -No!

-What are you doing? -Beautiful.

No!

No.

Don't be afraid of me.

-Come, let's go to the bastu. -What?

Where are we going?

I don't know the Italian word for it.

We take off our clothes.

All naked?

-Yes. Let's go. -Wait.

-Wait for me. -No.

Wait for me.

Come on. Nature is beautiful.

-There it is. -It's wonderful. A paradise. Wait for me.

Where are you running? I have never run so much.

-Hi. -Hi.

-Is he naked? -Yes.

She had taken me to a nudist colony.

A group of pioneers who fought for the emancipation of customs.

In a country that, for me,

an Italian provincial man, was already too emancipated.

-Wait for me! Come here. -No.

-Karina. -No.

-No more running, let's rest for a while. -What? Let's go.

Where?

-Where's your little house? -Let's go.

-Come. -Wait!

-Let's go. -Take me to a warm place.

-Come on. -Wait.

We don't have to run.

Is this your cottage?

-Come here. -Yes.

Are we alone?

Excuse me.

What's this?

This is the bastu.

A sauna? Wonderful.

How hot it is. How many degrees is that?

It's 70 °C.

It's so hot.

I can't breathe.

-What? -I'm fainting.

-It's so nice here. -Really?

So nice.

This is hell.

They are leaving.

Okay. Let's go.

Shall we go too?

Come with me, let's go.

Karina!

Shall we get naked in the snow?

It's freezing!

It's so nice!

Ouch!

It's so hot.

So hot!

It's so hot!

Hey!

-Did I faint? -Yes.

What a shame. For how long?

Only for a few minutes.

We brought you here on a sledge.

-Come here next to me. -What?

-Did you get dressed? -Yes.

-What's this? -Cognac.

Thank you, dear.

Are we going to spend the whole night here, dear?

No, you must get dressed now. The others are waiting for us at the club.

Won't you give me a kiss?

A kiss means nothing.

All right.

Hello.

Pettersson!

Pettersson!

Wait for me here.

Isn't Pettersson here somewhere?

I had an accident.

Sorry to have kept you waiting, but…

I could no longer find the way back. I got lost.

Doesn't matter. It's easy to get lost around here.

Welcome back, doctor.

I'm sorry.

Don't think about it. These things happen.

Birgitta,

do we part like this?

-No, you're still our guest. -Where are we going?

Let's go for a drive on the frozen lake.

-It's nice. -Nice. And who do I go with?

-With Karina. I'll go with my husband. -Yes.

Maybe we can meet up later?

Hey! Karina?

Karina?

Karina.

Karina?

Karina?

-Karina. -Hi.

Hey. Where are you going?

Hey.

-Hello! -Who's talking?

-Hello! -What?

-Are you alone? -Do you know me?

Come on, get in the car!

Come on. Close the door carefully.

Thank you. Very nice of you.

Huh…

What language do you speak?

Do you speak English?

No!

-French? -No!

Italian? Nothing. Good.

Where are we going?

-Huh? Oh. -We're going to dance the waltz.

We're going to dance the waltz?

I see.

Good.

Are you scared?

What? I don't enjoy it because I don't understand what you're doing.

Damn…

Come on!

-Are we really on the frozen lake? -Wait until they start.

And besides, the ice could break.

I still don't get it.

Ouch! Well, whatever.

-Well. -What are you doing?

Yeah, you laugh.

Ouch.

I don't like this game, you know?

We're having fun! Aren't you happy?

No, I'm getting off. It's too dangerous. I'm sorry.

There, you see? Who is he?

Oh…

-He's my boyfriend. -Who?

No, oh. Oh!

No. But…

No, oh. Turn.

Here comes another one.

Beaten.

Yes, you won. But…

-There's my boyfriend again. -Who is he? Watch out!

Watch out! Turn, turn.

Let's have a cigarette.

With pleasure.

I'm sorry we can't communicate.

-Give me a cigarette, will you? -Oh.

-Please. -Oh, Italian cigarettes!

-Yes, Italian. -Oh.

-It's the national brand. -Oh.

Strong cigarettes.

Very strong, I like it.

Are you engaged?

What?

No.

Who are you?

He wants to make me jealous.

What are you saying?

But I am a free woman.

Life…

is moments.

This is one.

-Beautiful. -He was wrong.

I started to understand the meaning of those looks.

The value of unspoken things.

The pleasure of silence.

We were in the middle of the lake.

Our car was suspended on a fragile sheet of ice.

But I wasn't afraid anymore.

I was a happy man.

What's up?

-Is the ice breaking? -Don't speak.

Are we sinking?

-We are sinking? -Shut up!

What?

Don't move.

Please shut up and don't move.

But we're sinking.

The door won't open, what do we do? What should we do?

Wait.

Vänta. What does it mean?

We must stay still, huh?

Are you religious?

-No. -No.

-Aren't you afraid? -No.

Are we going to be rescued?

Yes.

We were so good together.

If we get out of here,

will we be together all night? All night?

If we sink to the bottom, I'll promise you that.

Oh my God.

Anna. My dear Anna.

What do we do?

Listen, what do we do? Shall we hook up together?

You go first? Yes.

You go first.

Watch out.

Hey! Don't leave me here alone.

What?

Hey, helicopter! I'm here.

Hey.

I liked the sound of the train taking me back to my old town.

To my office, to my friends,

to my wife.

If you look at them, they will smile at you.

If you take them by the hand, they will follow you.

If you love them, they will be grateful to you.

But they will never be yours because they are angels

and you're the devil.

THE END

ALBERTO SORDI THANKS THE WOMEN WHO COLLABORATED ON THIS FILM

KINDLY REVEALING ALL THE SECRETS OF THEIR SWEET

AND MYSTERIOUS PERSONALITIES. LONG LIVE WOMEN!

Subtitle translation by: Francesca Perozziello