"I want to quit." "All the boys play soccer." " So what?" "I don't want you to become a loner." "A what?" " Someone who's always alone." "But you are too, aren't you?" "Hi." " Hi." "Last time we tied with Bruggebroek." "We have to beat them this time." "I hope I score the winning goal." "Maybe I can take the cup home." "Dad!" "Go, go, go." "Shoot, shoot." "What are we going to do?" " Win!" "Finn!" "What are you looking at, man?" "The ball's down here." "Loser." "Hey, monkey." "He can't do anything." " He can, but he doesn't want to." "Don't be stupid, man." "He can't do a thing." "Wait." "No one lives here anymore." "Sausages." "Frank, he's home." "Sorry I didn't come and watch." "I had to finish something." "And I didn't have the money." "Again." "Next time." "OK?" "Where's your bike?" "My bike doesn't want to carry home any losers." "It locked itself and threw away the key." "Just because you scored in your own goal?" " How do you know?" "Tell your bike not to be so silly." "It can happen to anyone." "Mrs. Eising told you, I guess." "Go get your bike." "How did you do that?" "It's a matter of practicing." "Bike in the rack!" "What are you doing?" "Why am I not allowed to know what's in that cupboard?" "You've got your stuff and I've got mine." "Why did it take so long?" "Where were you?" "A magician moved into that old farm on the Main Street." "That farm is uninhabitable." " A man's living there now." "With a magic wand, I guess." " No, with a violin." "Rinse your boots in the kitchen." "Come on." "Then take a shower and straight to bed." "Finn that man with the violin what did he look like?" "Finn?" "Where did you see him?" "Inside?" "Outside?" "Did he see you?" "Did he say anything?" "What did he do?" "Play." "On his violin." "Where?" "In the garden." "He played and then..." " Was he big?" "Grey hair?" "Old?" "Why do you have to know all this?" "Because I'm your dad." " Do you know him, by any chance?" "No." "You do." "Who is it?" "The big bad wolf, I think." "Go to sleep." "Dad?" "Do you ever think about mom?" "Every day." "Sleep well." " Sleep well." "Hi." " Hi." "I'm going to show you something." " OK." "What is it?" " Can you keep a secret?" "A man moved in there." "He has a violin he can do magic with." "I don't believe that." " Wanna bet?" "I saw it myself yesterday." "So what did he conjure up?" " My mom." "But she's dead." "She was in that garden yesterday." "I can show you after school." " Either you're crazy or you dreamed it." "Are you crazy?" " No." "Then you dreamed it." " No, I didn't." "You never believe me." "Psst, monkey..." "Got him." " Hey, Fred!" "Get out." "In the hallway." "Should I talk to your dad again?" " No." "You know what you'll get then." " A good spanking." "Gross." "There." "Come here." "Guys, get out your math book." "Section six, exercise four." "OK, I'll come with you after school." "But I have to tell my mom first." "OK, sweetie." "I may be home late." "Don't wait with dinner." "Hi, dad." " Hey." "How are you?" " Fine." "Hi, Finn." " Hi." "Everything all right?" "Staying for dinner?" " Yes." "Hi, mom." "Want some, Finn?" "I'd rather go to the woods with Gerrit." " He can come too." "We're going on Gerrit." "Be careful, Erik." "Feet in the stirrups and wear your boots." "And don't forget your cap." "What did your mom die of, anyway?" "Of me." "On Christmas Eve." "When I was born, she died." "Hey, if he can conjure up my mom with his violin he might be able to do the same with your brother." "I'm not coming to that farm." "Say 'hi' to your mom." "Could you play something for me?" "Just like yesterday." "Why not?" "My fingers." "Are you a magician?" "Sometimes I turn a frog into a prince, but other than that..." "Do you happen to have a frog with you?" "No." " Too bad." "Or I could have shown you." " You can try, can't you?" "Why?" "I'd like to see my mom again." "Your mom?" "She was over there yesterday when you were playing." "In the snow." " I didn't..." "Did it snow yesterday?" "I think I have to disappoint you." "I can't do magic." "But sometimes music can put a spell on people." "It touches your heart and for a minute it seems as if you're somewhere else." "Maybe yesterday you remembered something." "A nice moment from when you were little." "I don't have any nice memories." "And no nice moments either." "So what did your mom look like?" "Just like in the picture." "Picture?" " Yes, the one in my dad's room." "I think that my violin touched your heart yesterday." "But that wasn't magic." "Someone can only touch hearts after slogging away for years and years." "Practice, practice, and more practice." "If I may give you a tip I wouldn't take it up." "You'll have no time left." "Not for your friends, for nobody." "Can I hold it for a minute?" "This won't attract your mom." "Look The other side." "You're right-handed." "Bow with your right hand." "On your shoulder, like this." "Like that." "Move it up and down." "Begin like this." "Up." "Like this." "By yourself." "Go ahead." "Well Maestro." "Luuk." " Finn." "I want to take violin lessons." " Pardon?" "I want to play the violin instead of soccer." "I know his name." "It's Luuk." "Did you say 'Luuk'?" " Yes." "But... is Luuk in Hosselen?" " Yes." "Finn, leave him be." "I'm sorry." "How do you know Luuk?" "Noodles." "I'll be brief and that's the end of the discussion." "Don't go to that old farm again." "Is that clear?" "It's dirty and filthy and there's nothing there for you." "Why?" " There are things you can't understand yet." "We'll discuss them when you're older, but not now." "Understood?" "But I want to take violin lessons." " Nonsense." "You're a normal Dutch boy who likes to play soccer and that's that." "Sorry, Finn, I'm not angry." "I'm just worried." "Luuk is someone..." "He's only caused misfortune." "Leave him alone." "OK?" "Then he'll go away." "I'm glad you can't take violin lessons." "I'd miss you at soccer." "Hey, dad." "I'll see you at practice." "Hey, little guy." "How was it?" "We'll take my secretary home." "Her bike broke down." "There we go." "Hey, Frank." " Hey." "Go and get your bike." "Why did you pick me up from school?" " Fun, isn't it?" "Membership fees." "Let's kick the ball around." "I'll be the keeper and you score." "I've got homework." "Tell me when you're leaving." "I'll bike along." "Dad, can I borrow your bike?" "My bike?" " Mine has a flat tire." "I want violin lessons." "Does your dad know you're here?" "Why are you two having a fight?" " Grown-up stuff." "Long time ago." "Why did you come back here?" "Why don't you just go and play soccer?" " Because I want to play the violin." "Playing the violin demands sacrifices you can't make." "Go home." "You producing a nice tone doesn't mean anything." "Playing well means years and years of practice, practice and more practice." "Day after day." "And even then..." " That's exactly what I want." "What if your dad finds out?" " He won't." "He'll find out some day." "By the time he does, I'll show him how well I can play and put a spell on him." "Then he might see my mom in the garden." "He thinks about her every day." "Here." "A life without dreams is like a garden without flowers." "Your dad has nothing to do with this." "OK?" "Well?" "Good." " I'm not coming for a while." "I'm injured." "My ankle." "Well, that sucks." "Where were you?" " I'm injured." "What do you have?" " This." "But your dad says you can't." "I'm not going to soccer anymore." "I'm taking violin lessons." "Good practice?" "Did you pay Rinus?" "You've got your stuff and I've got mine." "Hey dad, let's kick the ball around." "You'll be the keeper and I'll score." " Sure." "That's fine." "Look over here and score over there." "See you can do it?" "Violin up." "Good posture." "Posture, posture." "And one, two, three." "Again." "Yes... no... yes." "Hey, what are you doing?" "Violins don't like that." "Say 'sorry' and start over." " Sorry." "Where's that teacher?" "You don't have to go to soccer." "Summer recess." "And there's no such thing as magic." "And Erik says...?" " Let's chew." "OK, remove the umbrella from your pastry." "Because you're my friend, you get another one." "Don't forget to study your topography this weekend, guys." "What are you getting for your birthday?" "A tree house." " That's awesome." "Are you coming to eat cake tomorrow?" " Definitely." "Hey, give it to me." "Weren't you going to study topography?" "Your dad doesn't like violin music." "Why not?" "Broccoli." "Hi." " Hello." "Why doesn't my dad like violin music?" "Does it have anything to do with Luuk?" " Ah..." "Luuk." "What does your dad say about it?" "Nothing." " Ah, men are fools." "But do you like it?" "Violin music." "Then don't let anyone tell you what you can and can't do." "Your mom would be turning around in her grave." "Want me to quiz you?" "Your mother collected those things in a sideboard." "This was her favorite globe." "In the months before you were born, she played it every evening for you." "Like this." "In front of her fat tummy." "Can we put in new batteries?" "It's broken." "Again." "And lift your arm." "And relax the bow." "Relax, I said." "Again." "Stop." "You're not concentrating." "My dad hates violin music and that's your fault." "What did you do to make him hate it so much?" "Why aren't you doing anything to make up for it?" "I can't make up for it with someone who doesn't want it." "Just as I can't teach anyone who doesn't want it." "Maybe you're just teaching me to annoy my dad." "Or maybe you'll betray me and bring nothing but misfortune." "I'd never betray your secret." "But I'm not going to betray your dad's secret either." "Hey, where were you?" "You promised." "Erik..." " Never mind." "Too late." "It's Erik's birthday." "Sweetheart, he came after all." "Tell him to put on his jacket." "Sorry." "Sorry about yesterday." "Can I play with you guys?" "No, leave him alone." "Monkey..." "New game, new chances." "Hey Fred, move on." "Go." "Please let me make up for it." "Let's ride on Gerrit." " OK." "Finn, hold on." "I'd like to talk to you." "You go ahead." "I'll be there soon." " OK." "All of your grades are slipping." "Topography..." "Even math." "How come?" "What do you want to be when you grow up?" "A carpenter like your dad?" "No." " Don't you?" "Then what?" "How's your dad doing, by the way?" "Is he busy?" "Will he be home this afternoon?" "Could I go now, miss?" "Erik's waiting for me." "Go ahead." "Hey, monkey!" "Where did he go?" "Where is he?" "Maybe he's up a tree." " He can't even climb." "I'm getting groceries!" "He can't have suddenly disappeared." "You go that way, I'll go this way." "A life without dreams is like a garden without flowers." "Frank." "I see a light." "He's inside." "It's empty." "But you know what's in that other cupboard, don't you?" "Don't you?" "Are you my grandpa?" "Why didn't you say so?" "Your dad didn't allow it." "But I wanted to see you so much that I came secretly." "And why didn't you tell me that this is my mom's house?" "Your mom's and your dad's." "Why is that a secret?" "You've got your stuff and I've got mine." "There he is!" "The teacher!" "Let's go." "Finn." "Lasagna." "Tell me..." "Mom's violin." "Finn?" "Finn?" "Finn!" "Hey, what are you doing here?" "Come on." "It's dinner time." "Are you being bullied?" "Is that why your grades are slipping?" "Have a bite." "I promised your teacher that we'll try harder." "She might have a carpentry job for me." "From the vicar." "He's coming after dinner." "You know you can tell me anything, don't you?" "Right?" "Just tell me." "This is it." "There will be some air holes here and light at the back." "And I was thinking..." "Liar." "He hid your violin." "Because the three of us can play beautifully and he can't." "Mom?" "How often do I have to tell you that your mom is as dead as a doornail?" "Erik?" "You were probably scraping that thing of yours again." "You're of no use to me." "Finn." "Finn!" "Where's your mom?" " Gone." "Shall I help you clean up?" " Why?" "For when your mom comes back." " She's not coming back." "She's in a kind of hospital where she has to work on herself." "Or she'll go crazy." "Everyone's gone crazy this year, actually." " You too?" "No, you, moron." "I'm sorry." "I'll do anything to make up for it." "Anything?" " Anything." "OK, that violin has to go, or we aren't friends anymore." "But my mom played the violin." " Your mom is gone." "You'll have no one left." "OK." "1600 plus 500 is...?" "Yes?" "Very good." "2100..." "2200 plus 1800..." "I got it!" "This year we have a very nice surprise." "From each class, one or two children are allowed to participate in the Christmas performance." "So I'm looking for someone who can play an instrument." "Very good, girls." "OK." "Anyone else?" "Fine." "Give it some thought." "Look, the Christmas tree." "Right." "Perfect." "Again." "Hold on." "That garden is not going to help you." "It's not coming from there." "It should come from here." "What do you wish for?" "I just..." "Tell me with this." "While playing." "What do you wish for?" "Frank!" "Frank!" "It's time." "Time?" "For what?" "To take your violin to school." "But he'll take it away from me." "Not when he hears how beautifully you play." "Finn!" "Get over here." "Get out from there." "Move." "Come on." " Luuk!" "Get your bike." "Come on." "Come on." "Pedal." "Cauli..." " No!" "...flower." "Rinus says he hasn't seen you at all this season." "What did you think?" ""That loser won't find out anyway"?" "Why do you go there?" "It's my farm!" "My memories you're prying into!" "It's mine." "It's private." "Go to your room." "Quickly." "Very nice." "Very nice." "Never mind, Fred." "Arnold." "Great." "For how long have you had lessons?" " Four years." "Well..." "I can tell." "Does anyone else play an instrument?" "Going once going twice..." " Finn plays the violin." "He can conjure up his mom with it." "Monkey does magic?" "Monkey can't do anything." "I'm a lot better than you with your two pot lids." "You're making a fool out of yourself." " Pardon me?" "Fred, go and sit down and stay down." "Why didn't you bring your violin?" "Wouldn't his dad let him or something?" "Everyone's going to talk and my dad will find out." "So what?" "You'll finally act normal again." "So I'm making a fool out of myself?" "Say that again if you dare, monkey." "Gross." "What's in that bag." "Give me that key." "Yes." "I'll have no problem opening it, you know." "Finn!" "Come here." "I know what's in your cupboard." "Mom's violin." "It may be my fault that she's dead, but you put her away." "Hid her in a cupboard!" "Finn!" "Finn!" "Finn!" "Finn!" "Open up!" "Your dad didn't hide your mom in that cupboard." "But himself." "Here." "Have a look." "Finn, open up!" "Are you going to hide yourself too?" "Just like your dad?" "For the rest of your life?" "You aren't, are you?" "Good thing." "You ought to be free." "And make your own choices." "But no one can help you with that." "People have to do that for themselves." "Finn!" "Go ahead." "It's not your fault that your mom died." "It's my fault." "The first time I saw your mom was at a chamber music concert." "She designed gardens for other people." "Her own garden was the most beautiful in the village." "I moved in with her and she got pregnant." "With you." "I had to go away a lot back then." "To play in Amsterdam." "She never complained." "Until that one day." "December 24, the day before Christmas." "You finally get the opportunity to play in the concert hall and you pass it up." "This was your big dream." "Get your stuff and come with me, son." "This was your big dream." "Frank, you're passing up an opportunity you'll regret for the rest of your life." "Believe me." "If we jump in the car now we'll get there on time." "Your mom was worried." "Afraid of losing you." "Because she'd had a kind of dream." "He's right." "My dream was just a dream." "It doesn't mean anything." "Your dream, the dream of the two of you has to come true tonight." "Mrs. Eising said your mom kept bleeding." "She had to call for an ambulance." "But it had to come from the city and go back again." "It took too long." "If I'd stayed home, I could have driven her to the hospital right away." "But I did what my father wanted." "I always did what my father wanted." "I never wanted to see him again." "Never wanted to touch my violin again." "You guys have to make up." "That's not possible." " Luuk wants it as well." "He died this spring." "Luuk isn't dead." "He's in the kitchen." "Maybe he's outside." "Finn, you found this card." "I think the day of the cup match when you scored in your own goal." "You had to walk home, went into this farm and found this envelope." "Right?" " Luuk had the key." "From that moment on Luuk entered your mind." "You started to fantasize about him." "And in our bedroom upstairs you found my children's violin." "No, Luuk gave it to me." "You came here to play to avoid soccer." "Isn't that what happened?" "No, Luuk taught me." "I'm not crazy." "Come here." "The only crazy person here is me." "I was blind." "We'll be fine." "Do you hear me?" "Luuk?" "Luuk?" "Let's go home." "I'll make some hot chocolate." "Play something." "Come here." "Finn plays the violin "The Star of Nazareth"" "I'm not playing." " Why not?" "Because I can't play." "You don't dare, you mean?" " No, I can't." "Hey, you can do it." "Congratulations." "December 24." "Happy birthday." "Ten, already." "Look." "It's for you." "Whoa." "Like it?" "This one has to go in the speaker." "I decorated the kitchen this morning." "But it's the day mom died." "Today it's mostly your birthday." "I think it's important that we keep both feet on the ground." "That we see things the way they really are." "Or we're up the crik without a paddle, as they say here in Hosselen." "And then we won't be all right." "Get that?" "Why do you say that?" "Do you think I made everything up?" " No, I don't." "I just think we should stop dreaming." "We'll have fun." "OK?" "Starting today, on your birthday." "Coming down soon?" "I made a delicious breakfast." "Did you make a wish?" "Want to give Gerrit a carrot?" "Are you moving?" "Tomorrow." "I wanted to tell you that we're even." "You no violin and me no horse." "My dad sold Gerrit." "Why?" " There are no meadows in Amsterdam." "Then just go to your mom's." " She's rather worried." " That's what moms are supposed to be." "Too bad you don't want to perform tonight." "You played well in the end." "What did you say?" " I don't know how you picked it up." "But the teacher said so too." " What did she say?" "That you're super." "She heard you play in the garden." "Maybe there's such a thing as magic after all." "Who'd have thought..." " No, he's not going to play." "What?" " He can't play." "I asked him, but he can't play a note." "Take a wide corner, or it won't work." "That boy's going to play." "It's cancelled." "He can't play a note." "Yes, he can." "Finn, you're playing." "It doesn't matter if you don't want to come and watch." "When the vicar says 'Savior' it's your turn." "Good luck." "Yesterday I walked through our beautiful village of Hosselen." "When it got dark, I saw that in a lot of homes the candles were lit." "That dim light that doesn't show everything." "Outside it's dark and here the light is on." "Sometimes our own life is dark as well." "And yet there is that child." "Perhaps you know right away which child I mean." "The child in the manger." "And she gave birth to her first-born son." "And she wrapped him in cloths." "And put him in a manger." "That's how our Savior was born." "That's how our Savior was born." "Hey." "Stop that, you nitwit."