"I've been taught that nothing is impossible if you just believe in it enough and fight for it." "Everything I wanted I could achieve." "Even fly like a bird." "At least I thought so when I was young." "Will Kajsa Bergqvist from Sweden win the gold medal once again?" "Turn off that sissy crap." " Turn the soccer game back on." " High jumping takes skill!" "Can it get any better than this?" "We couldn't care less that other people put us down for liking high jumping." "First thing;" "What's wrong with girls?" "Secondly;" "Dad says that fear is man's worst prison." " That's too high." " Not for you." " Promise?" " Slap your legs like Kajsa does." "I bet Kajsa is never scared." "And neither am I!" " I told you you could do it!" " Yes, you did." "We're unbeatable, you and me!" "That's right, we're unbeatable." "I'm scared!" "Don't be afraid" " I'm here." " Tigris!" " Azad!" "Tigris, say something!" "How did you find us?" " My little darling..." " Why won't he talk?" "I can blow away the bad stuff, want me to?" "Happy birthday!" "Happy Birthday!" "So you know, I'm Azad." "And that's my brother, Tigris." "He still hasn't said a word." "I hate Naza." "The only good thing about her is Soma." "Tigris still dreams about making me a world champion, my dream is to hear him talk again." "Hey, knock it off!" "Wow, where did you get this?" "Shut up!" "Uncle Kawa sent it from Germany?" " Thanks!" "Stick together, boys." "A man without his brothers is only half a man." "If the girls are all this pretty, I'm going to like Sweden." "I wish I were blonde and pretty like her." " But you are..." " Come on, I'm not a blonde." " When are you leaving?" " I'm not sure." "We're still waiting for our passports and tickets." "Come on!" " What's going on here?" " It's my son's 12th birthday." "You'd better watch it..." "We'll be back." "We are going to leave this place, I promise." "All of us." "Dad would be willing to offer everything for freedom." "Mom dreams of a better world." "No one has a mom like mine." "She's always there for you, when you need her." " Hi." " Welcome." "Here are two passports, for Azad and Tigris." "And tickets to Frankfurt." "They'll have to change planes in Stockholm." " What about us?" " I'll see what I can do later on." "Don't worry, Raman is going to Stockholm, too." "I'll make sure they make their flight to Frankfurt." "They'll have to be ready to leave in an hour." "The boys can't possibly go all by themselves!" "It's our chance to make sure our boys and the manuscript will be safe." "Once the book is published, it will be easier to get permits." "I'm so frightened..." "What if something happens to them?" "Everything will be fine." "Kawa will look after the boys as if they were his own." "That's too high." "I'm kind of like my dad." "He writes books people aren't allowed to read here." "And I compete at high jumping on my own." "But on the other hand, who can beat me?" "We're unbeatable, you and me!" "We fly so high, we fly so free!" "Azad..." "Hurry up!" "We're leaving." "Tigris, Azad!" "We were supposed to go together!" "Mom and I can't leave yet." "You can't pass up this opportunity." "No, you promised!" "It'll be easier for us to get into Germany if you're already there." "You'll change planes in Stockholm." "It's going to be all right." "You can always send me a message by way of the Telling Bird." "I'm too big to believe in fairy tales." "Here are all the phone numbers you need." "Switch it on as soon as you land in Frankfurt." "I bet Kawa's already waiting for you at the airport." "One day you'll understand, Azad." "Take good care of each other." "What's that you're always saying?" "We're unbeatable, you and me." "Never forget that." "We'll be seeing you soon." "Get help for Tigris." "Have faith!" "See you soon!" " Is Germany as nice as Sweden?" " Sweden's better." "Everyone's welcome." "And you don't even have to work." "The state gives you money for having kids." "Lucky we have so many, we'll be rich." "You can't keep anything from home, or we'll get into trouble." "Hand over everything you brought with you" "Here are the tickets." "The phone, hand it over..." " Azad..." " No!" "Relax, I bet Kawa will get you a new one." "Hurry up, or you'll miss your flight..." "SWEDEN" " Good luck!" " Goodbye." "You'll get caught in Germany." "They'll send you back, no one wants freaks like you!" "Daddy..." " Daddy?" "Daddy!" " I'm right here, sweetheart." " Come to Daddy." " Daddy!" "Do you see Frankfurt on these?" "That smuggler guy tricked us." "We're sunk!" "Tigris!" "Hey, Raman!" "We've been tricked." "These aren't tickets to Frankfurt." "You can't be here right now." "Ask someone to help you." "People are always nice to kids." "Hey..." "You forgot your bag." "Daddy..." "Daddy..." " your son forgot this." " Come on, Tigris." "Hussein is 13." "Soma is 12." "Dingo is 11." "Tara is 10." "What about those two?" "Tigris is 14." "Dumb!" "Azad is nine." "Nine?" "!" "Nine?" "Azad is nine." "He's big for his age." "What a pretty girl!" "It's nice to get neighbors from back home." "Where are you from?" " Well, we're from..." "Don't tell anyone where we're from!" "The food store is in the square." "I'll show you the way later." "And Swedish lessons start next week." "I want this bed!" " No, it's mine." " What did she say?" " Nothing." "Tigris, look..." "Well, we'll be going, so you can get settled in." "I'm never going to forgive them for making us do this." "Never ever..." "It's an air raid!" "Happy New Year." "A new year." "A new life." "That's funny, they look like tomatoes, but they don't smell right." " Tara!" " Stop her!" "Let go of her." "What's the matter with you?" "Look, Mommy." "You have breasts like that, too." "Only yours are saggier." "Well, they are!" "Thank goodness they have chicken in this country." "Otherwise I'd starve to death." " Blue cheese from Spain?" " Right..." " How about an onion?" " "How about an onion?"" "Mind your manners." "Does it look like we're millionaires?" "That kid is driving me crazy." "And it's all your fault, Raman!" "Are you listening to me?" " Don't interrupt!" "All he does is eat and watch TV!" "At least he doesn't talk too much." "One of the neighbors said the best way to get a residence permit, is to have a family member committed, and Tigris..." "You're the one who belongs in a Funny Farm!" "Why don't you let us go to Uncle Kawa?" "Get rid of us?" " did we ask you to stay with us?" " Naza, please..." "If they find out you're not our kids, they'll throw us out of this country in a flash!" " That's enough." " I want to be deported!" "I want to be with my parents!" " Who knows if they're even alive?" " Of course they are!" "I hate you!" "Don't talk to my wife like that!" "Is that understood?" "I hate you too!" "My dad would never hit me!" "He's never going to forgive you." " Come on, Tigris." "Azad, wait!" " What are you going to do?" " Get deported." "No, don't..." "Then we'll get deported too." "I don't want to go back, not with a war on." "Don't you get it?" "You guys are our hostages." "Keep your mouth shut, or you're in for a beating!" "We are unable to connect your call." "Please check the number." "We are unable to connect your call." "Please check the number" "What's she saying?" "Do our parents have a new number?" "It's all my fault if we never get to see our parents again." "I gave us away to Raman." "We're his kids now." "Go to sleep!" "It's the middle of the night." "Right, shut up, looser!" "What if I have to be nine forever, and a hostage in this family?" "No, leave me alone!" "Nine-year-olds don't have mustaches." " I'm twelve." " You're nine." "Twelve!" "Now you're nine." "How do people have time to work in Sweden?" "You have to take your kids everywhere." "They could have at least sent you all to the same school." "This will be the death of me..." "Hello!" "Azad!" "What are you doing?" "Come on..." "We've got to get there on time." "What's that?" "Move it!" "We're in a hurry!" "What will they think of us, coming late like this?" "They won't think I'm nine, that's for sure." " Hush." " Why, they don't speak our language." "Very good." " are you really only nine?" " Yeah." "Then I'm older than you, I'm ten." "All right." "Can anyone show us the North Star?" "Go ahead." "Very good." " That's the North Star." "The North Star..." "My dad was tortured, he has trouble sleeping." "What about your dad?" "He's a writer and he has these scars on his back" " How long have you been here?" " Almost a year." " do you ever Stop being homesick?" " No, never." "Hey, Marcus..." " What do you want?" " I'm jumping..." " Jumping..." " What" "Go jump into some new clothes." "You sure need some." "I jumping..." "Are you picking a fight?" "So, are you?" "Are you?" " Why are you sitting over there?" " Because Azad Is a liar." " I am not!" " you said your dad was a writer." "And that he'd been tortured." "But that's not true." " Well..." " they threw My dad in jail." " Listen..." " It's nothing to brag about." " I didn't lie." " Tara, is your dad a writer?" " See?" " What?" "Azad is a liar." "Sometimes it feels like your identity fades away." "I'm lucky, I've got the Hot-dog man." "He always has time for me when I come around." "And I do that a lot." "I guess the Tipsy Lady does too." "Well then..." "How are you doing?" "Not good." " do you tell lies?" " No, never." "Really?" "No, that was a lie." "I thought Sweden was good." "It's a lot easier to see the good things if you're not cold." "Go out and explore your new world." "Find the good stuff." " There Is No Good stuff." " you sound like a Swede." "Some people don't dare see what's in front of them." "Some people don't have the energy to even try." "You're not like that." "Hey, Tigris: "a house"." "A yellow lady." "Damn Social Democrats!" "Move it!" "Don't you see who I am?" "I'm number one!" "Get out of my way!" "A Swede." "A book." " No, thank you." "I just had dinner." " What did she say?" "She said eating Swedish chicken is bad for women." " Nonsense." " No, really." "There's something in it that gives women warts and makes them fat." " Really?" " Yes, it'll make you fat and ugly." "If that's true, I'll end up starving to death." "I bet." "I don't like this woman." "Just look at her terrible clothes." " What was that?" " Naza said..." "Mom said..." "Your clothes are nice." "Where you buy them?" "You've really learned Swedish so fast." " Why aren't the others as good?" " they very stupid." "Brains no good." "Tigris is good." "What are you talking about?" "Ask about the residence permit." " And about getting a nicer place." " What did they say?" "Tigris... help start talking." "I'll see what I can do." " Please?" " I promise." "Me... work..." "Oh, you need a residence permit first and that can take time." "You don't get to loaf around all day, you know!" "No work, no food!" "What's that?" "Give it to me, let me have a look." "Are you trying to kill me, you damn freak?" "!" "You get rid of rubbish, you know." "Like your parents got rid of you." "Right, Tigris? "Son..."" "Help!" "He's crazy!" "Help!" " What are you doing here?" " I didn't feel like going home." "Let's go have some fun." "You know that Naza goes nuts if I don't go straight home." " Please?" " All Right..." "Don't you ever get homesick?" "No." "Never." "I want to stay here forever..." "with you." "You're supposed to come straight home and look after that brother of yours." "Warts..." "That was a pack of lies!" "I asked my teacher and she told me you were lying." "As of now, no food for you!" " That's incredible." " He eats more than you do." " No way." " are you really only nine?" "Want some?" "No, Azad, that's pig meat." "You'll go to hell if you eat that." " How do you know that?" " Mom held My finger over a candle." "So I'd know how hot it is in hell." "I'm never going to eat pig meat." "But that means that all Swedes will go to hell." "Yeah..." "What?" "The food is good, and my dad isn't a great cook." "I've got to run." "I'm going to buy some candy." "Man, Berlin is going to be so cool." " What's Berlin?" " Don't you know anything?" "It's in Germany." "Kajsa!" "She's the best." "Stefan Holm's better." "No, Kajsa." "Like me." " You're into high-jumping?" " Yes, I jump very high." "Sure..." "Look..." "You've got a lot of speed, but you've got to get your chin up." "Come on, nice and fast." "No..." " Let's raise the bar." "See, you can't trust anyone." "I heard someone from home reported them." "What if we don't have any parents anymore." "Daddy's manuscript..." "Where did you get this?" "So that's it..." "Dad needed to get his book out of the country." "I'm tired, I want to get some sleep." "How could you do something like that to your kids?" "I bet they're doing great and they've forgotten all about us." "Back home, it's probably spring by now." "And the poppies are blooming." "It seems like it's always cold in Sweden." "Hi there..." "Is there pig meat in the hot dogs?" "Yes, at least in the kind I have." "How many have you sold today?" "Today I expect I've sold at least 175." "Hell must be pretty crowded." "Know what I think?" "I think hell is a place on earth." "God damn it..." "She'd have been happier if she had chosen to live with her kids." "instead of with the bottle." "Oh, she has kids?" "Only she doesn't dare stay in touch." "Why?" "She made a choice." "And our choices shape our lives." "It can be hard to understand why parents do what they do." "No, get that butt up in the air." "You're like a flying meatball." "What's the matter with you?" "!" "Where did he come from?" "You moron!" "Welcome to the team." "Dad!" "Flying high, flying free Get a load of me!" " Where's Tigris?" " in there." "I've joined a high-jumping team." "Come with me tomorrow." "You should see their equipment!" "I'm sorry, but you can't go back there." " Why not?" " you might be recognized." "You're the only Kurdish high jumper around." "I'm going to jump anyway." "As long as I provide for you, you'll do as I say!" "Provide?" "So why do all the others get new clothes except me and Tigris?" "I know you get money for us too." "That's stealing" "Don't you talk to my dad like that!" " Show some respect." " They don't know what respect is." "I saw that, Tigris." "Some of Hussein's teeth were knocked out" "Get up!" "I've had enough." "Do your duty!" "Tigris hit Hussein." " All you ever give me is grief!" " It wasn't his fault!" "It's against the law here to beat kids!" "I'm calling the police!" " He needs to be taught a lesson." " Stop it, Daddy!" "It wasn't his fault!" " Hussein, tell the truth!" "It's true..." "I tripped." "We're unbeatable, you and me..." "I need to see Christina." "Hey!" "You can't just walk in like that..." " I need to talk to you." " I'm busy, you'll have to wait." "I can't wait, we need help." "Tell your parents to come next time." "Now go and wait your turn." "Tigris..." "I'm so sorry, Tigris." "Not knowing what will happen..." "It's eating away at us." "I'm going to get us out of here, Tigris." "I promise." "I mean, if we've gotten this far, we can make it." "All it takes is some faith." "Clear out!" "Oh, hi..." "Hi." " do you live around here?" " No. do you?" " I'm going that way." " me too." "Dad wonders why you don't show up." " I'm not allowed." " So What?" " I'm not chicken..." " Prove it." "Would you dare tell that girl over there that she's pretty?" "So do it." "Hey..." " You're really good-looking." " Thank you." "So are you." " she meant me." " No way." "See, I did it." "I dare you to pretend to be a dog and bite that guy." " That's not fair!" " Chicken!" " I can do it." " Prove it." " What a nice dog." " Yes, he's just saying hi." " Are you crazy?" "!" " Yeah, he thinks he's a dog." "They won't let us stay in Sweden." "We'll have to go back." "When?" "We have a few weeks to figure something out." "Then the police will come around." "You stupid people!" "I hate you!" "You've got to go find out where my parents are." "So fly!" "Fly, you stupid bird!" "Go!" "I am so sick of having to do everything myself!" "It stinks..." "If you tell on me, I'll tell Dad, and you'll get a whipping." "Give me the money." "Give it to me!" "Shut up!" " Get over here, Dingo!" " Swimming's prohibited here." "Tell anyone about this and you're dead meat!" "Got that?" "Get this:" "You don't tell me what to do!" "Nobody tells me what to do!" "Nobody!" "Nobody!" "I don't know what to do..." "I know someone who went to a lawyer who knows these things." "They were advised to fake a suicide attempt." "The mother and daughter split a bottle of sleeping pills." " Luckily, they pulled through." " I'd never dare do that." "Not you, but what about Tigris?" "He can't tell tales either." "Raman..." "Going back is not an option." "Listen to me for once." "A friend of mine knows..." "Azad, wake up!" "My parents are planning to do something bad to Tigris." " give him pills." "He might even die." " Really?" "Yeah, I heard Mom talking about it." "Tigris..." "There's nothing else I can give you." "But, it's your most favorite thing..." "No, you're the best thing in my life." "You can see the North Star everywhere." "And every time I see it, I'll think of you." "One day I'll come and get you, no matter where you are." "I promise." "Tigris, come on down." "Stop sulking, it's not like I'm the hot-dog man." "No, you shut up." "Without his brothers, a man is only half a man, Dad said." "But this brother business can be a bit too much." "Raman here." "Alan?" "Are you in Frankfurt?" "Yes, the boys are with us." "No, they're out playing." "I'll have them call you." "Let me write down your number." "Good..." "They'll call you later." "Take care." "It's all your fault!" "I know all about giving Tigris sleeping pills!" "I hate you!" " Where did you get that idea?" " I heard you discussing it." "How could you think we would do such a thing?" "If it were possible, we'd send the boys to Alan and Kajal." "Honest?" "Honest." "Only we don't know where they are." "Soma..." "Do you know where the boys are?" "They might be on their way to Germany." "I've forgotten so much..." "What Mom smelled like." "The way Dad laughed." "No, I can't smell a thing." "How could they send us away?" "How could they?" "No, I won't ever forgive them." "I never want to see them again!" "His work was much more important than us!" "It's a bunch of crap!" "Nothing but words!" "Ow, let go!" "It's all your fault, anyway!" "They never would have sent us away if you didn't need help!" "I'm sick of taking care of you!" "You darn psycho!" "Why can't you be a real big brother to me?" " How'd you find this place?" " I've seen you go here." "Sorry..." "I didn't have anywhere else to go." "Want some?" "I don't know what to do, everything's such a mess." "I might never see my parents again." " Just go home." " It's not that easy." " So tell us about it." " All Right..." "So now you know." "Shit, man..." " We've got to do something." " What's the use?" " I might as Well be dead." " We'll figure something out." "Come with us." " Right, Anton?" " We'll go whole hog." " I don't eat pork." "Take the bar down, guys." " Come here." "You've got a lot of speed, but..." "Hey, Dad, look who's here!" "Well, hello..." "Good to see you." "I'd almost given up hope." "How high can you jump?" "What does he have to clear to qualify for Berlin?" "You've certainly done that, and then some!" "Just tell me you've got a valid passport..." "Right?" " Right?" " Absolutely." "No problem." "Too bad we don't know any crooks." "How else can you get a fake passport?" "I'm leaving now." "You'll be late for school if you don't hurry up." "Relax, he won't notice a thing." "That's my mom, she lives down in Malmö." "I go see her during vacations and stuff, I'm all Dad has." "Anyway..." "We need a plan." "There are clothes in my closet." "I just told them that the boys are on their way to that contest in Germany." " I hope they'll find each other." " What happens to us?" " Hasn't Dad told you?" " No." "Come here, and I'll tell you." " Look who's here." " Hi." "I figure you need this more than I do." " But What about you?" " you really need to go." "And you're a better jumper than me anyway." "And you look alike, you know." "No one will see the difference." " Maybe if I dye my hair." " Or wear a wig." "And use blue contact lenses." " do you have the guts to do it?" " Of course..." "What about you?" "It's out of the question." "Only because we don't have a passport?" "No." "Come on, wouldn't it be sweet if we won in Berlin?" "No stupid laws should stop a boy from doing what he was born to do." "Not if I have anything to say." " We're going in." " When did you see them last?" " a few days ago." "We went to the same school." " No one's home." " Calling 70-11, over." "The premises have been vacated." "And now you're gone too." "So why do you look so blue?" "I'm happy, happy as can be." "At least, half of me is." "What about the other half?" "Well, half is better than nothing." "But what if I'm never happy all the way, ever again?" "Here, take this." "Hold it in your right hand like this..." "And grab hold of the line with your left." "Feel the wind..." "No, no..." "You've got to have faith, Azad." "Then nothing is impossible." "All right, Mr. Know-it-all:" "Can you make my brother appear?" " As a matter of fact, I can." " Shut up!" "So this is where he's been staying!" "Why didn't you tell me?" "You never asked." " ask the right questions..." " to Get the right answers." "No way, not without Tigris." "Victory is ours, victory is ours..." "We are the winners for sure!" "Hi, I'm Bosse." "Are you a new friend of my son's?" "That's Tigris." "You look so worried." "Check this out..." "Awesome, isn't it?" " Look." "Great, huh?" " Absolutely." " Let's hear it!" " Give 'em hell!" " Give 'em hell!" " Here's the deal..." "See you." "Thanks, Anton." "Time to roll..." "The wheels on the bus..." "No, I'm only kidding." "The wheels on the bus..." "It can be too late for some things." "Like telling somebody you like them." "You might not get a second chance." "You only think like that when you're little." "The bus will be locked, so just bring along what you need for now." "Good luck." "Azad and Marcus will share that bunk." "I'll take this one..." "Come in." " Tigris..." " you left him behind." "The poor boy's so shocked, he hasn't said a word." "Talk about irresponsible!" "I ought to report you to the police!" " What's going on here?" " Sorry..." " What have you done?" " I couldn't leave my brother." " They'll put me in jail..." " Chill, Dad." "You've got to do it, I know you can!" "I realize this is difficult for you, but sometimes you have to push yourself." "Look at me, I never thought I'd be sneaking kids across the border." "Are you keeping track of the boys?" "Yes, sure!" "Are you scared?" "Don't worry, I'm right here with you." "Right..." "Let's go." "Don't be afraid." "Everything will be all right, Tigris." "You, you, and you..." "Open up." " Open." " Open the hatch." "Do you think we're terrorists?" " It doesn't matter what I think." " Right..." " What's in there?" "Get it out." "Show him the bag." "What's that?" "What's in there?" "Unload it." "Move it!" "It's Kajsa Bergqvist!" " you actually exist." " Yes..." " It's really you, then?" " Sure." "I'm real too." "And I can fly like a bird." "Man, that's high..." "Christ, Azad..." "You've got to make it." "Alan!" "There they are!" " What's going on?" " Oh..." "Please wait a minute." "You can't just show up and expect everything to be the way it was." "From now on, I'm going to do what I want to do." "Look at that!" "He's out of his mind." "No boy his age has pulled that off." " It's impossible." " No way He can do it." "Shut up!" "We're unbeatable, you and me..." "Flying high, flying free There's no one better to be!" "Go, Azad and Tigris!" "I've been taught that nothing is impossible, if you believe in it and are willing to fight for it." "And even though nothing will ever be the same again... things can only get better!"