"THE BIRTHDAY" "Please leave a message after the tone." "Hello." "It's me." "Where are you?" "Why don't you answer?" "It's eleven o'clock." "I'm calling from the mobile." "Ring me as soon as you hear this message." "Okay?" "I long to see you so much I could die." "Bang, bang!" "You're dead!" "Dear friends, wherever you may be whether near or far." "We may not have met recently." "This is Mikael Persson speaking." "This is an invitation to a party." "I shall reach my life's half-way point in a few weeks" "In less than a month I shall be 50 years old." "I shall celebrate this at The Spring of Joy, the Persson family's castle." "Here we have celebrated Christmas, Easter, Midsummer  life, death and love." "The decisive events in my life took place here." " When did that tape arrive?" " I always seem to return here..." "It's an old one." "It's an invitation to Dad's birthday." " Last year." " I'll listen to it myself." " Do you think I'd lie to you?" " You always lie about Dad!" "I am recording this out here during the last weekend in May" "The melt water is still rising in the millpond." "I hope the old dam holds." "Otherwise the party will be a damp squib." " Leave my booze alone!" " Take it easy..." "Catti, the boys and I are visiting my father to enjoy the spring sun." "There has been an explosion of greenery." "The grass is so juicy that I almost wish I were a cow." "That's an exaggeration." "A bull perhaps..." "Little birds launch themselves from trees." "You wonder how they do it." "Whoops...!" "Well, it worked out all right that time as well." "Dear friends, some of you live nearby others are far away  and all of us are always so damned busy." "There's the car, the boat, the cottage, the stereo  the mother-in-law, work, the children  ice-hockey, the dentist, riding lessons, piano lessons and so on and so forth..." "However, we would be so very happy if not positively ecstatic  if you were to take the time to be with us." "I am a bit late with this invitation  because only now have I realized that I am at life's pinnacle." "I have finally found what I was looking for and I feel great." "To be succinct:" "life is marvelous." "So, dear friends, abandon your homes do whatever necessary not to miss  the most fantastic 50th birthday party ever seen  in the loveliest countryside there is." "The Spring of Joy, Osterlen, Sweden, the World" " Catti speaking." " Hello." "Hello..." "Dad's at the dentist." "I need to get some money." "What's the code again?" "5662." "That's right." "So long." "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9... 5662!" "Hello!" "I'm sorry." "I thought it was Mikael." "Me too..." "Erik!" "This is for you!" "Please don't use our address again." " We're so short of staff." " Okay." "Thanks." " A wedding...?" " Yes" "At The Spring of Joy, Osterlen Sweden, the World." "I've received an invitation to a 50th birthday party." "The wedding will be a surprise in the middle of the party." "Is this Catti's idea?" "It will be a surprise for her too." "You're crazy!" "You've got to tell her." "You don't think she'd say no, do you?" "She's always wanted us to marry." "I don't know how I'm going to get through his birthday." " Mummy!" " Just a moment." "I'm on the phone." "Go out and play I'll be out soon." "Get out!" "I told you to go out, so go!" "Now!" "Get out!" "Go, damn it!" "I'm sorry." "I'll ring you later." "False teeth?" "Why not a porcelain bridge?" "No point in wasting money on a dying man." "Don't say that!" "You'll live for years and you've got to be able to chew." "I can chew on the left." "Vendela might get your false teeth when you kiss." "Don't worry about our love life." "Vendela has never complained." " I didn't choose you for your looks." " That's right." "What...?" "!" "I adore you, sweetheart, with or without false teeth" "You see, my boy!" "Women look for other qualities." " Let's go home." "Not yet!" "I have to find something nice to wear for the party." "See you in an hour." "What shall we do?" "One hour, Vendela time, spent in clothes shops  is equal to at least two hours, Ragnar Persson time." "Let's go and look at the bridge." "I'm sorry I was so angry, boys." "Forgive me." " Were you iterated?" " Yes, I was a bit irritated." "But I'm all right now." "Let's take the boats down to the seaside!" "Off we go to the seaside, boys!" "Do you know what the blossom turns into?" "Apples!" "Have you seen the new horses?" " Are you coming to the party?" " We'll be there!" "We would spend three nights each week waiting in Limhamn harbor listening intently all the time waiting for the sound of a fishing-boat's engine." "It was like a beating heart." "Then Kurth would moor his boat, Gerda." "They would all disembark." "They were all silent and terrified." "They had come from all over Europe." "But times have changed and now there's going to be a bridge." "I only wish I could live to see it completed." "Of course you will!" "It opens in six months" "Six months at my age is the same as ten years at your time of life." "I want to arrange things for those I leave behind." "Won't false teeth do?" "Are you going to write your will as well?" "I'd love to live forever, but one has to be realistic." "And I'd like to..." "I'd like to..." "There's something I must ask you." "How are things between you and Catti?" "Fine." "Great." "Terrific." "Why?" " It doesn't look good." " What do you mean by that?" " She doesn't touch you any more." " Of course she does!" "No, Mikael." "You touch her." "Consider this bridge" "A bridge is built to unite two who want to be together." "Love is the same." "What would happen if you built from one end into thin air?" "What's all this about, Dad?" "Forgive me, but women are like that sometimes." "Is she expecting?" "Not that I'm aware of." "But don't worry about us, Dad" "Things have never been better." "I'll tell you something in strictest confidence." "Your son is turning respectable." "I'll propose to her during the party." " Well I'll be...well I'll be..." " ...damned." "Damned!" "Well I'll be damned!" "My boy...!" "My boy..." "Mum!" "Mum!" "Hurry UP!" " Where's Stefan?" "Where's Stefan?" "!" " There." "Is he breathing?" "Jesus!" "Everyone seems to have accepted!" ""Looking forward to the booze-up!" "Mattias and Lotta."" "Hello." "What's the matter?" "Is he sick?" "He nearly drowned." " What happened?" " He was playing with the boat." " Weren't you there?" " You're blaming me!" " No I'm not!" " Yes you are!" " I just wondered where you were." " You're blaming me!" "You run around all over the place!" "I always have to deal with things!" " What's the matter, sweetheart?" " I'm so tired of being alone!" " You're not alone." " True." "I wasn't alone on the beach" "Luckily a real man was there and he saved the life of your son!" "Hello." "My name is Mikael Persson." " I'm Stefan's father." " I'm Peter." "She told me what happened..." "I don't know how to thank you." "But I'd be honored if you and your wife, or girlfriend, or whatever  would like to come to my birthday party." "Lots of interesting people will be there." "Thanks, but..." "Local people will be there too." "Have an invitation and think about it." "Let's keep in touch." "And thanks again." "I'll be seeing you." "That was a nice fish soup Catti made." "Easy to chew, eh?" "Yes, very droll..." "Thanks for a lovely day." "I'll see you tomorrow." " I hope so." " Don't be so silly!" "Did you hear that?" "It's a nightingale." "Can't you hear it?" "I love these bright summer evenings." " In a week the nights get longer" " What's the matter with you?" "Catti and Mikael have their ups and downs." "Everyone does." "I hope the Spring of Joy will be for Mikael what it has been for me" "A place of solace on this earth that I can call my own." "A little glade of light and peace  in the midst of all the darkness and tribulation." "But I have a feeling that it is not to be..." "My darling...!" "What do you mean?" "It's just a feeling." ""And then the big bear said to the little bear..."" " It would be a bit crowded..." " What do you mean?" "They need to be alone with me, in view of what happened today." " "Grrr, said Daddy Bear "" " Good night then." "Good night." ""Grrr grrr said Daddy Bear in his deep voice..."" " The boys are a bit upset." " I understand." " Is it okay if I sleep in here?" " Sure." "As long as you don't snore." " You're the one who snores" " I've never snored!" "Mum sometimes had to sleep in the hammock." "I have never snared!" "That's settled then:" "you've never snored..." "Is that you, Mother?" "Mother!" "What do you want?" "I'm out here because Dad is snoring." "I expect you remember..." "But why have you come here?" "Is it something to do with Dad?" "Is he sick?" "What's the matter then?" "I can't hear you..." "I don't understand." "What's the matter, Mother?" "I don't understand!" "Mother!" "Good morning!" "Good morning!" "Hark how the birds do sing" "Good morning, good morning to you!" " You seem to have slept well." " It took me ages to fall asleep" "You snared like hell!" " Hello." "Would you like some coffee?" " ls there time for that?" " Found somewhere?" " Up there." "You can hearth music" "I've got something to show you before we go up there." "It's my new project!" "What I'm doing is considered a subversive activity round here." "There are apples everywhere else, but over here, pears!" "Une rue, une avenue DE poires!" "Les poires d'Osterlen!" "Do you see the meadows there?" "Thousands of pear trees will bloom there next year!" "And lots of pear babies will grow on them!" "Like these...!" "Look at this!" "You can actually see them growing!" "Look at them!" "You can hear their hearts beating!" "This child will be born in September." "And here are last year's children, ready for the world!" "It's the first pear champagne!" "Champagne aux poires!" "I've named it after my new wife Champagne Marianne!" "This is the first bottle." "Consider it an advance on your present." "I'll supply all the champagne for your birthday!" " I can't possibly accept..." " Don't be so damned Swedish!" " Say: "Thanks, Henning!"" " Thanks, Henning." "Good!" "Let's have a look at the place..." "You seem to be feeling unusually well." "I sure as hell am." "What happened to Susanne...?" "She never stopped fermenting and she popped her cork." "It was a hell of a mess." " I meant your ex-wife, Susanne." " She was just like the champagne" "But with Marianne I fly among the flowers!" "She's a butterfly and I'm a fat, clumsy bumble-bee  but we fly together, just like you and Catti!" " Yes, I'm an unusually happy man" " Let's check the place out." "It's a bit primitive, but it will do for a few hours" " Does she have many relatives?" " No idea." "I've never met them." "It's not easy to make two families into one." "But luckily they have music in common." "They're aiming for the top!" "I can borrow some chairs and tables from the tasting room  and I can get mirrors for the ladies." " Is this all right?" " Yes, it's a great hiding-place." " How many are coming?" " I'll phone her uncle." "Ralf's Funeral Parlour." "Ralf speaking." "Hello!" "I'm working on it, but it isn't easy." "Her relatives are spread all over the world." "Like ashes..." " What do you mean?" "Are they dead?" " No!" "I was speaking metaphorically." "Her father, my mad brother, was last seen in a cave in Mallorca  and her mother lives in an Indian tent in Scotland." "They're Beaujolais lefties, vintage 1968." "You know the type." " I'll sort it out." " Don't you want any strawberries?" "Just arrange everything for the party!" "There you are." "I've got a couple that are ready." "Those are them." "This is the way things used to be!" "Happy pigs with curly tails!" "Peter, this isn't about us!" "I find it so painful to think of the children" "I can't!" "I want to, but I can't get away!" "What's the matter?" "Yes, what's the matter, Catti?" "Where are you?" " Don't start again." " One and a half hours..." "You know that I can't get away when I want to!" "Do you really want to?" "Why do you start doubting me now?" " I'm wondering where you are." " Here!" " I'm with you even if I'm not here!" " Then why are you there?" " I'm doing everything I can..." " Everything you can...?" " Not everything..." " Was he in your bed last night...?" "Stop it, Peter!" "Yes or no?" "Okay, I understand." "Like hell you do!" "I can't make him sleep in the garden every night!" "My nerves are in tatters!" "Can't you understand?" "I'm falling apart and tomorrow I have 150 guests to attend to!" "If you're going to torment me as well I'll go to pieces!" "Darling..." "My beloved Catti..." "I love you!" " Who's that?" " Daddy." " Who's that then?" " A baby." "That's also me, when I was little." "I was also a baby, just like you." " I've never been a baby!" " Yes you have!" "You were this tiny!" " Say good night now." " Good night." "Good night." " It'll be fun tomorrow, won't it?" " Yes!" "Come on now." "It's time to say good night." "Come along." "I've just got a few things to do." "I'll be along as soon as I can." "Okay." "If I fall asleep with the kids don't wake me." "I want to be in top form tomorrow." "Catti ...I'm a very happy man." "Bloody hell!" " I haven't been here for some time" " Just follow the path all the way." "Ingrid...?" " Hello." " Hello..." " So you were able to get here..." " Of course." "I received an invitation." " Who's this little girl?" " Sagal." "My daughter as of last week." "What did you say?" "I said that you're like a brother for me and I'm like a sister for you" "It sounded like you were telling her the history of the world." "Two years." "It feels like yesterday" "Like yesterday...?" "It feels like 100 years. ls there a bed and breakfast round here?" "You'll be staying in our new visitors' lodge." " We can't impose..." " Yes you can!" "Don't be so Swedish!" "Didn't you learn anything in Africa?" "How do you say "Thanks, Mikael"?" "What a beautiful smell!" " It really smells like Sweden." " It's me." "I need a shower!" "Silly!" "I haven't even slept there myself." "We finished it yesterday." "Now I can get away from my dad's snares." "Are you hungry?" "No, we're just tired." "Maybe I should say hello to Catti..." "She's putting the boys to sleep." "I'll say you're here." "Lovely." "White and Grey." "Lots of glass, cloth and flowers." "The Swedish dream...?" " Ingrid..." "What's the matter?" " What do you mean?" " What's happened to your eyes?" " Oh that..." "Just an inflammation." "Too much sun." "Did I say that?" "No..." "No, you said that!" "Mikael's coming." "I must hang up." "Darling...are you asleep?" "She'd fallen asleep with the story-book on her face" "She's got to get up early tomorrow." "Remember the waterfall and the bridge?" "We sat there one Christmas talking about our lives." "How could I forget?" "Here you are: water direct from The Spring of Joy." "Mahadsenit." "Good night." "So long." "Hello." "I just wanted to hear your voice" "Did I wake you?" "No...no...no!" "No, Peter!" "Listen to me!" "It can't be done!" "I can't meet you today." "It's Mikael's day today." "You must respect that." "I have to respect it!" "Yes." "I have to make the best of things today." "That isn't easy." "Can't you understand that?" "Peter, listen to me." "No, you know that isn't true." "You know I don't love him any more." "But I like him and I don't want to hurt him any more than I must." "I don't want to." "Yes" "I promise." "This is my very last day with Mikael." "I promise you." "Okay?" "'Bye for now." "Happy birthday to you!" "Happy birthday to you!" "A rousing cheer for Mikael!" ""Dear Mikael, my son..." "son of mine..." No..." ""Son..." "lad...boy...my dear boy..."" "Put that over there!" "I'll take this one." "Henning!" "Darling..." "Henning!" "How about a little aperitif'?" "No!" "We need to stay sober for now" "Come on!" "And that one...and that one..." "There you are." "Good luck." "I must stop talking now." "I have to help the others" "I'll phone you later." "How can I help you?" " Where are the flowers?" " The flowers...?" "You went off half an hour ago to pick some flowers." " So I did..." " Are you all right?" "I'm fine!" "I'll go and pick some lupine." "Let's have a noggin anyway!" "Perfect!" " Here?" " Yes, I'll show you." "It's up here." "Catti...?" "Whatever is bothering you, Catti  you can't keep it to yourself on a day like this." "Tell me what the problem is." "You know that I'm your friend." "This is just between you and me." ""My last journey with Ellen was to the Spring of Joy."" ""It was my first journey with my adult son."" ""He was a sad spectacle:" "a ragged drunkard."" ""That was my first meeting with that cheeky little popsie"  "whom you suddenly introduced to me as your fiancee" ""it was a shock." "I remember what I said" ""Sleep with whom you want, but I want no grandchildren like you!"" ""Well, grandchildren came along anyway - thank goodness!"" ""It was a spiteful thing for a nasty old man to say"  "about a wonderful woman who has turned out to be the best" "Ragnar, I've got to talk to you!" "I need to rehearse my speech before the guests arrive." ""Would he still be alive without you, Catti?"" "Catti is going to leave Mikael!" " Er...where is she leaving him?" " What do you mean?" " Where is she going to leave him?" " Here!" " Isn't he in town?" " She's leaving him!" " When the party's over she's going!" " Is this a joke?" "They're getting married!" "Do you remember when we scattered Ellen's ashes here?" "How could I forget that day?" "That was seven years ago today." "We stood here then just as we are standing here now." "To Ellen!" "For 42 years she was my support." "My dear Catti" " My dearest Catti..." " That's me!" "I do tend to beat about the bush at times." "What I want to say is  that what you have done for Mikael in these seven years is a miracle." " Thanks, but..." " it's a miracle." "He was a wreck." "He was a drunken slob." "But...you gave him something to believe in." "You gave him a new chance." "So you are for Mikael what Ellen was for me." " But I haven't..." " Oh yes you have." "So I just want to say   that as of this moment, the Spring of Joy is yours" "I'll move in with Vendela." "As of now, all this belongs to you" " Mikael and the children for the rest of your lives." "Give him one more chance!" "Thank you, Vendela!" "Thank you very much indeed!" "But, Catti..." "Ingrid!" "Catti" " When did you arrive?" " Last night." "Didn't Mikael tell you?" " No..." " You were asleep." "This is Sagal." "Mikael invited us to spend the night here." "I see..." "He didn't even say you were coming." "Really?" "Well I only decided to come at the last minute." "Was it wrong of us to come?" "No, of course you're welcome." "It's just that I always get left out when you two are together." "But of course you're welcome." "Catti whatever you might think it was never like that." "Still, it doesn't matter to you any more, does it?" "Why shouldn't it?" " You know why" " No I don't." "Is Peter anyone I know'?" "Peter...?" "Peter who?" "Peter..." ""I don't love him any more." "This is my last day with Mikael."" " That Peter..." " But how...?" "Catti..." "I woke up this morning and heard you talking to him." "Oh my God...!" "Look..." " Greetings, Captain!" " Do we know each other?" "The name's Svedjekrantz." "I did my military service in the infantry." "That was in 1955-56 during the Hungarian crisis." "Would you like a lift?" "That's empty...for the moment." "But people are dying all the time  so I always have one with me..." "just in case." "Hop in!" " One for the road?" " Do you really think you should...?" "Don't worry about the police." "They never stop a hearse." "I do it because of the smell." "Not the smell of the whisky... but the smell of the stiffs" "No matter how much you wash, you can't get rid of it." "Can you smell it?" "You recognize it!" "suppose..." "the smell." "Bosnia...?" "Yes." "Was it the way it looked on TV:" "piles of corpses on the streets?" "The UN had to dig graves didn't they?" " You too?" " Yes" "Hell, that makes us colleagues!" "Is it true that the relatives threw stones at you as you dug?" "Yes..." "Why?" "The living can be more dead than the dead." "Drop me at the crossroads." " Aren't you going any further?" " Yes" " Aren't we having a nice time?" " Stop the car!" "Bloody hell!" "Stupid bloody car!" "Useless bloody car!" "Hello there!" "You there!" "UN soldier!" "Hello there!" "Hi..." "I've had a puncture." "I have a spare but I can't get the wheel off." "Do you think you could help me?" "What a bloody swine!" "You bloody swine!" "Hello, do you need help?" "Hello!" "Aren't you Sandra, Mikael's daughter?" "We met at Dad's premiere in Stockholm." "Hold this for a moment." "The tread wear is uneven." "That bit is almost bald." "You need to adjust the tracking." " Where did you learn to do this?" " At Mum's garage." "Dad said that you helped him with that producer, Raymond." "Raymond Jonzon!" "An uppercut is the only thing old farts like that understand." "How are you and your dad getting on?" "We have a lot of catching up to do." "Bloody hell...!" "Are you going along the coast road?" "Happy birthday." "Thanks for coming." "Was your mum a problem?" "She doesn't rule over me." "And neither do you!" "Congratulations!" "Mrs Feather Playgod says hello." "Happy birthday to you!" "Happy birthday to you!" "It's incredible!" "People from every phase of my life are here..." " This is my family." " My name is Ingrid." ""The fox creeps quietly on his way"" ""A crafty beast of ancient sway"" ""He finds a spoor with his keen nose"" ""Follows it wherever it goes"" "The fox!" "Bloody hell!" "Bloody hell...!" "Bloody hell indeed..." "He's an old friend from my childhood." "What a bloody awful childhood you must have had!" "Stefan and Bob!" "Where have you been?" "I've told you a hundred times not to go..." "Erik!" "Hello..." "What are you doing out here?" "When did you arrive?" "When I saw Marianne and the girls..." "I...understand." "But she said you were on speaking terms." "By phone, one minute at a time." "I'm sorry..." "Say hello to Mick from me" "Don't be silly, Erik!" "Of course you must come in." "Just for an hour." "Come on, you're here now!" "And don't cross the bridge!" "Come on, Erik." "I'd like to introduce you to a very special friend of mine." " Here she is." " Hello, Tove." "I'd like you to meet Erik." "Take this and I'll tell Mikael that you're here." "Have a nice time." "Who's that over there wearing the dark glasses?" " That's Ingrid Lind." " Is she a pop star?" "No, she's a nurse." "Her fiance jumped off the Denmark ferry" "Is that her?" "Wasn't there a rumor..." "There are always rumors, but nobody saw her on board." "She and Mikael are very good friends." " So you are Henning, are you?" " Erik, please!" "Go away." "What a disappointment!" " I thought you'd got a young stud." " Behave yourself!" "This is a party!" "So sloppily dressed!" "A tie should be knotted at the front." "Erik!" "There we are..." "Is that dust?" "Perhaps it's dandruff" "Disgusting!" "Have a nice time." "Why didn't they say he was coming?" "What can he do at a birthday party?" "He's capable of anything!" "Where are the girls?" "They're by the stage." "Don't get upset, darling." "I'm all right." "The girls are also well." "We manage somehow." " They miss their father." " Are you in touch with him?" "No." "I was afraid the swine might be here." " I wouldn't invite him!" " That man invites himself!" "Let's not count our chickens then." "Last Christmas he turned up as Santa Claus." "In the sack he had a stereo, CD and so forth." "What does a responsible mother do?" "Chuck out Santa?" "Hello?" "I can't hear you very well." "Can you repeat that?" "I'd better go to the top of the hill." "Just a moment." "That looks better, don't you think?" "You should have said that Erik was coming." "I'm worried about the children, so we may not stay." "If we leave, you'll know why." "You have a lot to talk about, I think." "I'm going to the top of the hill." "Wait a moment." " I'm Tove." " Marianne." "I'm sorry about this." "My ex-husband has turned up." "Ingrid..." "I'm sorry." "Of course you're both most welcome." "I don't know" "What more can I do than say "sorry"?" "Mean what you say!" "I realize you're scared I'll say something to Mikael  and tell him what you're going to do." "How long are you going to deceive him?" "If he asks me, am I supposed to lie to him as well?" "Hello...?" "I can't hear you." "Can you hear me?" "Hello...?" "Hello?" "Hello!" "Now I can hear you." "That's the spot!" "What did you say?" " Are the relatives coming at two?" " That's right." "It's already two thirty." "Nobody's here." " Not even Catti's uncle?" " Not a soul." "I don't know." "Wait a moment..." "It sounds as if somebody's coming." "I'll ring you later." "So long." "Welcome!" "No..." "Welcome..." "That's it!" "Dear Lord, what are you trying to tell me?" "Is this a sign?" "Hello...?" "What the hell are you playing at?" "!" "Oh my God!" "No, merely His humble servant." "Who are you?" "Ralf Svedjekrantz, undertaker." "I am also the bride's uncle." "And you must be the vicar who" " I'm most terribly sorry" " Where is her family?" "Here." "Me." "I am her family" " Has he always been like that?" " He used to be a wonderful guy." " Where's Ingrid?" " By the waterfall." "The war changed him" "Oh hell..." "Hell, Mick...hell's bells..." "Mind you don't fall in the water." "Maybe you should..." "Hang on to this." "Hell..." "Mick, life..." "Life..." "Listen to me." "Life...is delightful but frightful." "It rhymes!" "Life is delightful but frightful!" "Frightful and delightful!" "You can make a song out of that!" "Consider it an extra birthday present." "I've got some other rhymes." "Hell, I should have been a rock singer!" "Sit here for a while." "Maybe you should have some water instead." "Mikael, where's Catti?" "You must pull yourselves together." "The guests have arrived, the food is ready, nobody has proposed a toast." "The host keeps talking on his mobile phone and the hostess has vanished." " Are you 50 years old or 15?" " Look..." "This isn't your concern alone!" "In five minutes you propose a toast with Catti by your side." "Understood?" " Where have you been?" " Pissing." "You're throwing away all your years with Mikael!" "Listen to me!" "Should I spend the rest of my life pretending I love him?" "Love is more than just passion." "Many things are needed for a good life together:" "Security, friendship, honesty..." "Should I be content with that?" "I don't love him!" "You can't base your whole life on passion." "Who was once as passionate as a princess in a fairytale?" "And look what happened to me Let that be a warning to you." "Love has nothing to do with it." "You were with Fredrik and he was sick!" " Peter is sane." "He's normal." " What's wrong with Mikael suddenly?" "This isn't sudden." "It's always been like this!" "Everything revolves around Mikael!" "How does he feel?" "How can he be happy?" "I always have to adapt to him." "He never takes account of me." "Never!" "Peter is completely different." "He asks what I feel, what I want and what I think." "Peter relates to me, Mikael only relates to himself!" " Suppose he wants to marry you?" " Marry me...?" "I've asked him for seven years!" "He'll never marry, unless you marry him." "He's going to propose to you during the party." " What are you talking about?" " He's going to ask you to marry him." "What makes you say that?" "Has he told you?" "Not directly." "Has Ragnar told you?" "Take those sunglasses off, look me in the eyes and tell me the truth!" "Take them off or I will!" "Look at me and tell me the truth!" " I'm doing my best." " You're full of lies!" " No, I'm full of parasites." " What are you talking about?" "I'm suffering from River Blindness." "Insects in the rivers and estuaries  lay their eggs in the eye muscles of animals that drink there." "Antelopes and gazelles and so on..." "Soon they wander aimlessly around unable to find food and drink." "The same thing can happen to humans." "May I have my glasses?" " Are you blind?" " Not yet." "I can still distinguish light from darkness  and recognize faces, but there's nothing wrong with my hearing." "Mikael will propose to you during the party  so think very carefully about what you're going to say to him." "Above all, think of your children." "Catti!" "Come on!" "Pull yourselves together the pair of you!" "I'll have champagne." "That's right, champagne!" "If my son wants champagne, then give him champagne, damn it!" ""Dear friends, welcome..."" "Dear friends!" " Life is delightful!" " ...but frightful!" "Yeah, yeah, yeah!" "Life is delightful but frightful!" "Fox, fox, fox!" "Yeah, yeah, yeah!" "Life is delightful and frightful." "By that I mean..." " "Welcome...!" - ...that joy and sorrow are the two extremities of the bridge of life." "But the foundation that supports the entire bridge is called friendship." "Fox, fox, fox!" "Thanks." "Dear friends, thank you all I'm glad you exist." "Cheers and welcome!" "A rousing cheer for Mikael!" "Live, brother, live here and now" "As you want, as you can Don't let life pass you by" "Live, sister, live - life is nigh" "All you get is the here and now" "You blink an eye And life's gone by" "Excuse me, UN soldier!" "I can't see anything." "The fathomless ocean you're sailing ls directing your ship to the shore" "Shine your light 'gainst the night without failing" "'Til your barque reaches land once more" "Passing strangers you meet become lovers" "Yet already you're saying goodbye" "So warmly embrace your dear lover" "For tomorrow you're going to die" "Mikael!" "Wait!" "Pull yourself together!" "This nonsense has got to stop!" "There's a party going on and you are the hostess." "Come and show everyone to their seats now!" " You're talking to an adult." " No, I'm talking to you." "Off you go!" " Was Mikael offended?" " Not at all!" " He was moved, very moved." " Great!" "Mikael!" "Agnes!" "Hedvig!" "Where are the girls?" "No, they're not over there!" "Erik is missing as well!" "'Agnes!" "Where are we going?" "I must talk to Mum." "I'll show you something." " Please step aside." " Where are you going?" " Never mind." " Does their mother know about this?" " Of course." " She knows nothing" " Get out of my way!" "Take it easy." "I can wait here with the girls and you can fetch her." "Now do you understand?" "Put that down or you'll regret it for the rest of your life" "What do you care about the rest of my life?" "What do you know?" "Take it easy." "Think of the girls." "Yet another smart alec who knows what is best for children!" "They see a desperate father." "So what?" "I am desperate!" "It's true!" "What's wrong with that?" "But what about the lies?" "What about the slander, the distortions and the lawyers...?" "They took my children away from me!" "Who cares?" "Does any bastard in the whole of fucking Sweden care at all?" "!" "Who cares what a father has to say?" "!" "I have something to give my girls before it's too late." "It will only take a few minutes." "So if you would permit me, madam..." "Come along, girls." "Do you remember what you gave me before I went to Bosnia?" "I have taken it with me wherever I went." "I used it as my pillow every night." "Whatever your mother says, remember how things were." " It's yours now." " But we gave it to you." "Where I am going I won't be able to take it with me." "Can you keep it for me while I'm away?" " Okay." " Okay." " Scum!" "Try to kill them would you?" "!" " It's all right!" "Let him go!" "Let him go!" "He hasn't done anything!" "Let him go!" "Let him go, damn it!" "Stop it!" "You're crazy!" "Get out of here!" "He hasn't done anything." "I'll deal with it." "Just go." "It's all right." "Erik don't go on that journey." "Don't give up on your girls." "I guess it's a crazy thing to say in a situation like this but I'll say it anyway:" "I've never met a man who has so much love within him." "I would very much like to meet you again." "Here's my card." "Ring me if you want." "We could have a cup of coffee or something..." "Mikael!" "Watch where you're going, you old bugger!" "Bloody hell!" "Bloody kid...!" "Hello...?" "Hello..." " Dead!" " I'm sorry to hear that." "I can attend to the practical details." "Who is the deceased?" "The phone is dead!" "I can't get hold of Mikael or a taxi." "What do you need a taxi for?" "Mikael should have just proposed to Catti." "I am supposed to turn up with the relatives and marry them." "Yes, but why do you need a taxi?" "We've got transport." "You can sit over there." "Is everything all right, Tove?" "I'm thinking about something that happened." "Do you have a minute?" "Catti, I've got to talk to you right now." " It's okay, it can wait." " I'll be back." "Where's Mikael?" "Sagal says he left the party and ran off." " Have you told him about Peter?" " No." "I can't deal with this now." "Fetch Mikael!" "It will soon be time for the speeches." "I'm trying to be a good hostess, but I can't handle any more right now." "Catti?" "Catti... ?" "Catti!" "How marvelous!" "I'm delighted and honored to have been entrusted with this task." "I have a surprise for you." " Ralf...!" " Dear Catti your parents, being abroad, are unable to attend  but they send their greetings and wish me to represent the family on your big day." "And where is the bridegroom...?" "Why didn't you say anything?" " Martin..." " it's marvelous to see you again." "Where did Catti go?" "She was always a sensitive child..." "Mikael...!" "Catti...!" "It's Uncle Ralf." "Do you need a hand?" "I can see what's going on." "I'm not stupid." "But he's a catch." "He's worth millions." "Don't throw it away." "Marry him today." "Fuck him all summer, divorce him in the autumn and make your fortune!" "There's a unit trust I can recommend...in Ireland." "Listen, sweetheart, don't forget that I know a few things about you too..." "She's feeling a bit overwhelmed  and needs to rest before the wedding ceremony begins." "She suggests that we enjoy a glass of champagne meanwhile." "I'd like to talk to her as well." " I'll come with you." " Me too." "But she wanted us to drink champagne" "That's how it is." "That's howl feel." "And that's what I'm going to do." "Do you realize how much Mikael loves you and the boys?" "Only you can decide what you have to do." "But it's a high price to pay." "What will become of the boys?" "I've been thinking about this for months." "Over and over" "I think the most important thing  is that they grow up where there is love in the air." "You can't deceive children." "You can't deceive each other either." "So things have not been going well for a long time...?" "But everything will be fine with Peter." "I know you're hiding here, just like you did when you were a little boy!" "But you're fifty years old now!" "Face this like a man!" "Stand up!" "Collect yourself!" "Show your woman how much you love her!" "Show her that you're the best!" "Daddy!" "Dad!" "Hell!" "Where are you?" "!" "Dad!" "Can you hear me?" "Everything will be all right." "Everything will be fine." "We'll patch you up and carry on with the party." "I've got something for you, Dad." "Henning was good." "Remember that song?" ""All you get is the here and now Live, brother, live here and now'" ""As you want, as you can..."" "So I think the kids will be fine, both with Mikael and with me." "Peter, I can't talk to you now." "I'll ring you tomorrow." " My name is Mikael." " Mikael...!" "What's happened?" "What?" "Say that again." "I can't hear you." "Yes, Ingrid is with us." "Okay, over the bridge and turn left..." "I can hear them now." "Ragnar!" "What the hell are you up to?" "!" "I've told you a thousand times...!" "Vendela!" "Shut up!" " I'm sorry, sweetheart, I'm sorry..." " Leave this to Ingrid." " Is the ambulance on its way?" " It will be here in 40 minutes." " He looks a bit pale." " He looks just the same as ever!" "Ragnar, it's Ingrid." "The nurse." "The ambulance will soon be here." "Mikael...?" "Catti...?" "I have one last wish" "Stop it, Dad!" "Don't be silly." "You're going to be just fine" "I'm dying!" "Shut up!" "Let me finish saying..." "My last wish is that you get married as planned." "Do you promise to do that?" "Yes." "Yes, Ragnar..." "Of course." "It was nice of you to say that." "But I don't think you're going to do it, are you?" "No..." " Well...?" " No." "No..." "I thought as much." "I hope you find what is right for you." "But promise me one thing  never quarrel about the boys." "Do you promise?" "I promise." "I promise." "Of course we promise." "Time is running out..." " Are you there?" " I'm here, darling." "Of course I am." "Bloody hell, I've loved you so much!" "Goodbye." "Goodbye, sweetheart." "I've had a wonderful life!" "Dad?" "Dad...?" "Dad!" "Due to the heat, the deceased should be expeditiously attended to." "I am both qualified and experienced  and happen to have the necessary equipment to hand" " At a reduced price of course..." " Shut your mouth!" "Martin, aren't you going to say something?" " What?" " Say something." "I have nothing to say right now." "Catti came to see me before she left." "How are things with you?" "L get by." "The boys will be with me every other week, so that's good, but.." "I don't know..." "Hell, it's lonely." "I was going to play for Dad on this flute you gave me, but I can't get a note out of it." "That's no ordinary flute." "The pitch is extremely high." "You play it when in distress at sea to summon dolphins to help you." "Like this?" "Yes, that's right." " Can you hear it?" " Yes" "English subtitles by Alan Reed"