Original subtitles

(WIND HOWLS, BIRDS SQUAWK)

(GUNSHOT)

(BIRDS SQUAWK)

(GUNSHOT)

(BIRDS SQUAWK)

(GUNSHOT)

Smilla!

We have to get home.

There is a pact between people,

the animals and the land...

..a pact that should never have been broken.

A pact of respect.

(DOGS BARK)

I learned this hunting with my mother.

I knew it was impossible for me to be staring straight into the past...

..seeing men from another time...

..and yet I was.

Seeing the brutality in the eyes of Norsemen,

who stepped onto our lands hundreds of years ago...

..for power, for greed.

(SIRENS WAIL)

It was the first time that I understood

the pact could be broken.

(SIRENS CONTINUE)

MALE RECORDED VOICE: Citizens should ensure use of body cams at all...

That day I saw those strange men...

..was the beginning...

Citizens should ensure use of body cams at all times

for the safety of the community.

..the beginning of my understanding...

..that the world held a darkness...

..I had never imagined.

As a child, I thought I ran from death.

I didn't realise that, as a woman...

..I was running towards it.

(SIRENS CONTINUE)

Citizens should ensure use of body cams at all times

for the safety of the community.

FEMALE RECORDED VOICE: Hi. I'm Katja Claussen...

MALE RECORDED VOICE: Presenting the future...

..and I hope you'll vote for me in the upcoming election,

helping our nation become a better place.

Citizens should ensure use of body cams at all times...

- Hi. I'm Katja Claussen. - ..for the safety of the community.

FEMALE RECORDED VOICE: Citizens should ensure use of body cams

at all times for the safety of the community.

FEMALE COMPUTERISED VOICE: Smilla Qaavigaaq Jaspersen.

Danish. Place of Birth: Greenland.

Profession: Mathematician - unemployed.

Father: Nordic.

Mother: Inuit.

(DRONE BLEEPS)

Citizens should ensure use of body...

(INDISTINCT VOICES)

Aren't you from the third floor?

Is this really your area of expertise?

You're not the janitor.

You don't look like you do stairs.

What does an expensive Danish lady get

from living in a place like this anyway?

Neighbours who mind their own business.

Hm.

(INDISTINCT VOICES CONTINUE)

WOMAN: It's time for you to have your dinner.

FEMALE COMPUTERISED VOICE: Billing to account 0703 - Smilla Jaspersen.

(DEVICE BEEPS)

Longevity is no longer a matter of good genes and good luck.

If my research proves correct,

time will simply cease to exist.

Death will no longer be the final frontier.

WOMAN: But can this really be the final frontier?

We cannot ignore climate change.

There is no immortality without a planet.

Well... (KNOCK AT DOOR)

..one progress doesn't exclude another.

Advancement in one area fuels...

Not interested.

It's simply the way it works.

The West has always understood that.

That's how we brought evolution to the primitive world.

Oh, of course.

The West civilised the world.

(KNOCKING CONTINUES)

Go away, please.

(KNOCKING CONTINUES)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS)

What do you want?

Huh?

Do you need something?

Then go back home.

Go on. I don't do babysitting.

Are you cold in your apartment?

Where's your mum?

This is not a storybook.

It's not for children.

Can you hear me?

Isaiah?

OK.

"A point is

"that which has no part

"or which has no magnitude".

You have an ear infection.

It's OK.

You could follow my lips

so you can understand better.

"Two straight lines cannot enclose a space.

"Things that are equal to the same thing

"are equal to each other".

Like me and you.

We're the same.

You're from Greenland, and so am I.

(BEEPING)

Can I stay with you tonight?

No.

We'll take the stairs.

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

It's too high. I can't.

It's OK. Don't be afraid.

Come.

We'll do this together.

Close your eyes.

OK?

I'll stay till your mother arrives.

(DOOR BEEPS AND UNLOCKS)

(DOOR BEEPS AND CLOSES)

Billing to account 0703 - Smilla Jaspersen.

It will warm up soon.

We don't need all the lights on.

That's me.

And your father?

He used to tell me stories.

I can tell you a story.

Once there was a child,

a child who loved the snow.

They called the child...

..Meshach.

Meshach had a good life...

..until, one day, everything changed.

Meschach had to do something very hard...

..something...

..something Meschach was scared to do,

but did it anyway...

..because Meshach was very brave...

..very special.

(ELECTRONIC CRACKLING)

(DOOR OPENS)

Please take that off in my home.

You can disconnect.

The power in our home is none of your business.

(ELECTRONIC SHUT-DOWN BEEP)

(ELECTRONIC START-UP BEEP)

What are you doing here?

He came to my door.

You've barely said hello to us, and he comes to you?

Is he OK?

He's fine.

Just tired.

I had to stay late,

you know, work.

It's just the two of us since his father died.

It's been difficult.

I'm sorry.

Are you?

It would have been nice with a real Greenlandic neighbour.

Goodnight.

(DOOR CLOSES)

(WATER RUNS)

(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYS)

(GUNSHOT)

FEMALE VOICE: Smilla!

We have to get home.

(SHUDDERS)

(CHILDREN PLAY)

MALE RECORDED VOICE: Citizens with immigrant heritage

within the last two generations

must undergo additional loyalty screenings

to be granted voting rights.

Failure to pass this screening will result in temporary suspension

of voting privileges.

Citizens with immigrant heritage within the last two generations

must undergo additional loyalty screenings

to be granted voting rights.

Failure to pass the screening will result in temporary suspension

of voting privileges.

Look, Smilla - snow.

Mummy says it's like Greenland.

Isaiah, why are you out here alone?

He's not.

He didn't have a hat.

I had to run back up and get him one of mine.

He needs to wrap up.

In school, they said all the snow in Denmark is gone

because the world is getting too warm.

Where are you taking him?

I heard good neighbours mind their own business.

Do you want to walk instead of the bus, Isaiah?

We can make snowballs.

Snowballs? I can show you how to make them.

Come on.

- I didn't know you knew her. - She's nice.

- She doesn't like me. - You don't like her either.

Like so many nations, our country was brought to its knees

by the abrupt loss of our fossil fuel supply.

In a time of great uncertainty,

we can't back out.

The crisis isn't solved yet.

It's true every Danish citizen has access to a base level

of clean power supply at no cost,

but the system relies on the rich.

Those who can afford to buy more buy it at a premium.

That's the only way to fund the program for everyone else.

FEMALE RECORDED VOICE: Citizens should ensure

using body cams at all times...

Did you do it?

No, I didn't.

But I wish I'd thought of it.

I'll give you a replacement.

But if the police catch you without one,

there will be three months with a locked neck camera for you.

WOMAN THROUGH LOUDSPEAKER: Those donating power to the hospital

for a fast-tracked treatment,

your line is over there.

Regular line, your waiting time is currently unknown.

No less than six hours right now.

Those donating power to the hospital for fast-tracked treatment,

your line is over there.

Waiting time currently 30 minutes.

MALE RECORDED VOICE: Those donating power to the hospital

may use the express elevator in Corridor A.

He won't be long. He will sleep mostly.

We never keep him unconscious for longer than 30 minutes.

You'll be fine, I promise.

FEMALE RECORDED VOICE: All body cams must be surrendered

on hospital property.

For your safety and wellbeing,

please adhere to established guidelines.

Those donating power to the hospital may use...

Nice to see you, Isaiah.

MAN: Though I stand at the door and knock,

Jesus is knocking on the door of your heart, OK?

Though I stand at the door and knock...

(KNOCK AT DOOR)

(DOOR UNLOCKS AND OPENS)

He's dead.

I'm sorry.

I'm gonna bury him.

That's a good idea.

But I need to keep him warm.

His temperature has to drop, Isaiah.

That's what happens when we die.

Here.

Now he will find his way home

and come back as a new animal.

Wait.

Where will you bury him?

It's dark.

I have a secret spot.

Take the elevator. OK!

(CHURCH BELL RINGS) WOMAN: What about the boy?

Tell me about him. (CHURCH BELL RINGS)

Smilla? (CHURCH BELL RINGS)

It's always interesting to leave Europeans in silence.

It's like a vacuum for you.

You can't bear the tension.

Intolerable.

We could have done this on video call, like we always do.

We could have.

I asked you. You came.

You weren't forced.

Maybe you wanted the human contact.

No.

Loneliness is underrated.

What is loneliness to you is solitude to me.

I never close my door behind me

without knowing that I'm carrying out an act of mercy toward myself.

Tell me about the child.

Has he disturbed that solitude?

He makes me think of...

..her.

You said you'd bring a photograph the next time we met face-to-face.

I tried to look at her.

It's a fight.

The memories, they stick to me like glue.

And now that you've looked?

I understand that grief is a gift

that needs to be earned.

My brain knows it...

..but the body is so paper-thin,

compared to the mind.

It's my body that hurts

whenever I try to look at her face.

I can't.

Let's talk about happiness.

Happiness...

..is a trap,

don't you think?

Corrupt.

Makes you think that just because we share a moment,

we can also share the past.

My father's history trod all over my mother's...

..and then they fell in love.

(SIRENS WAIL)

MALE RECORDED VOICE: Your cooperation is appreciated

and ensures the continued prosperity of our nation.

Citizens should ensure use of body cams at all times...

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYS)

Citizens should ensure use of body cams at all times

for the safety of the community.

(SHE BREATHES HEAVILY)

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYS)

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC CONTINUES)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC CONTINUES)

(INDISTINCT POLICE RADIO CHATTER)

(WOMAN CRIES)

(SIRENS WAIL)

(CRYING CONTINUES)

He fell.

I found him.

(SIRENS AND POLICE RADIO CHATTER CONTINUE)

(BREATHES HEAVILY)

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYS)

MAN: Detective. Over here.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

MAN: Don't take another step.

Make sure you get this.

(CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS)

Isaiah.

You knew him?

No one was watching him.

Probably came up here to play and...

..just fell.

Are you Greenlandic?

You know how it is.

No control over their kids, some of them.

Do you know any children who play like this?

Running in a straight line to the edge of a building?

Hey!

This is a restricted area.

You don't belong here.

(CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS)

He was running from someone.

Only one set of tracks here.

He was afraid of heights.

He never would have played up here.

He couldn't even take stairs higher than the fourth floor.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC CONTINUES)

His father...

..Nosa...

..Isaiah was there when he died.

That was my fault, too.

Nosa had to work up north.

An expedition with prospectors.

It was my idea he'd bring Isaiah.

I just wanted some time to myself.

It was supposed to be fun.

But there was an accident.

Prospectus wanted no one to speak about what happened to Nosa,

but Isaiah...

..he saw everything.

He was never the same after that.

(WEEPS) It should have been me instead of his father!

Nosa would have taken proper care of him.

No child should see a parent die.

Can you leave my home, please?

(IN BACKGROUND) Citizens should ensure use of body cams at all times

for the safety of the community.

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYS)

(TYRES SCREECH, ENGINE REVS)

(BRAKES SQUEAK)

What's your hurry, Rahid?

Did you do it?

Do what?

Isaiah didn't go onto the roof by himself.

What happened?

What happened is that you fucked up.

Who's in charge?

- I am. - Who's in charge of you?

All you need to know is

I'm in charge of you.

(GROANS)

Argh!

If I ended you right now,

not a soul would give a shit.

We needed that boy.

There's a map.

A file. I don't know. Something.

You need to find it for us.

Fuck, what kind of instruction is that?

You don't even know what you're looking for.

The boy had it.

He hid it somewhere.

Just find it for us.

(GROANS)

(CHOKES)

Ha-ha, heh!

There are cameras everywhere.

Soon as they find your illegal immigrant ass,

you're done.

A wanted Tunisian revolutionary,

hiding out in Europe,

finally captured in Denmark.

Fuck the revolution, right?

Any government forgives violent activists,

especially Tunisia.

The weird neighbour,

Jaspersen.

What does she have to do with the boy?

Make her trust you.

Find out what she knows.

Are we good?

I would have done what you did,

for my country.

There's no shame.

(CAR ENGINE STARTS)

(WIND HOWLS)

ISAIAH'S MOTHER: He was never the same after that.

But Isaiah,

he saw everything.

Prospectus wanted no one to speak about what happened to my son.

(DOOR BUZZES, UNLOCKS AND OPENS)

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYS)

(PHONE BEEPS)

MALE COMPUTERISED VOICE: Image scanned.

They want me to identify his body.

I can't face it.

He had an autopsy?

Is that normal?

MAN: We need to rule out other causes of death,

domestic violence...

..child abuse,

neglect.

He had a hospital appointment,

a few days ago.

Was he ill?

Are you a family member?

No.

I'll give you a moment.

I'm sorry.

You came to me to protect you.

You trusted me.

I let you down.

(SCARY MUSIC PLAYS)

(GASPS)

You OK?

What happened?

Come on. Let's go.

It wasn't an accident.

Is that a confession?

It's a feeling.

Don't walk away from me.

I will report you to your superior.

Endangerment charges may still be filed against the child's mother...

..and anyone who knew of the situation and didn't report it.

Are you OK?

They're not interested in who did this.

You realise?

Jorgine...

..why?

Why did Rahid take Isaiah to the hospital?

He needed special doctors

after his father's death.

That's what they said.

I couldn't take him to the last one.

Rahid, he's a good man.

He said he'd take him.

What kind of doctors?

I don't know.

Why do you insist on putting your fingers into every wound?

(PHONE BEEPS)

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACH)

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYS)

(PHONE BEEPS)

FEMALE COMPUTERISED VOICE: Chip activated.

(BEEP) Apartment 1013.

Smilla Jaspersen. Open.

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC CONTINUES)

MAN ON LOUDSPEAKER: Danish power for Danish people!

CROWD: (CHANT) Denmark first! Denmark first!

Danish power for Danish people!

I'm not your audience.

But you are.

Outsiders are sucking the life out of us,

and we are in a fight right now,

to hold on to what's ours.

My father was born on this soil,

- and his father... - And what about the mothers?

Mine was born in Greenland...

..and hers.

Don't feel left out.

We claimed Greenland a long time ago...

..and its women, as well.

(CHANTING CONTINUES)

You are still ours.

Nasty little bitch!

Argh!

Argh!

Bitch!

(GROANS) Argh!

Fuck this!

(DRONE BEEPS) MALE COMPUTERISED VOICE: Citizens,

place your hands on your head.

Failure to cooperate will result in an electro-shock pulse.

Await law enforcement for further instruction.

(SIRENS WAIL, DRONE BEEPS)

MAN: She started it. Keep your mouth shut.

(SIRENS CONTINUE)

(DOOR OPENS)

You must know someone who knows someone.

Your charges have been dropped.

Sign here. Fingerprint there.

Assault, huh?

I didn't ask for your help.

You don't have to. I'm your father.

- Just stop. - Oh, for Godsakes, Smilla.

Show your father some gratitude.

You're too old for this behaviour.

Really, Benja?

Tell me again what's too old for me,

given your taste in men.

- No, don't, Benja. - It's OK.

I feel for her.

It's tough to accept you're destined for a life of loneliness.

She knows you're still lonely, right?

She would be kinder if you were.

You think it was kind, bringing her here?

She's not the one you're mad at.

This place is way too ironic for this good cop, bad cop routine.

There is no routine.

Just me trying to live my life...

..one you never forgiven me for.

Prospectus

owns Norseline Energy.

Smilla Jaspersen.

We spoke on the phone... (DOOR SLAMS)

(SIGHS)

(KNOCKS ON DOOR)

Behold,

I stand at the door and knock.

If anyone hears my voice and opens the door,

I will come into him.

Book of Revelation.

What do you do, if I may ask?

I'm a scientist, by education.

I have a PhD in mathematics.

Boy's dead.

He fell off a roof.

I only met him once.

Mr Hansen invited him and his mother

when we agreed to give her her husband's pension.

How did his father die?

Prospectus sent out a geological

expedition to Greenland two years ago.

Isaiah's father and four other men lost their lives.

Mr Hansen, our chairman, and Isaiah only barely survived.

What happened?

The official report refers to an accident...

..and Mr Hansen doesn't speak about it.

He came back a different man.

I think someone was chasing Isaiah when he fell off the roof.

The devil assumes many forms.

It's one of those forms I'm looking for.

Do you know the parable of talents?

It's about loyalty.

There's a loyalty toward the worldly as well as the heavenly.

I was an accountant at Prospectus for 40 years.

I'm afraid I can't help you.

Wait.

I have a ritual.

I open the Bible at random when I'm in doubt.

To get a sign.

A game between me and God, if you like.

Just before you arrived, I opened it to the first page of Revelation.

The one you mentioned.

"I stand and knock."

Yes.

"I have the keys of Hades and death."

The keys of hell.

How far will you go?

Try me.

The records are kept in the Prospectus headquarters

on Strand Boulevard.

At night, there's only the security service.

(FOOTBALL COMMENTARY PLAYS ON PHONE)

COMMENTATOR: Hits the post!

(MEN GROAN)

It's best you use the bookkeeping office to access the system.

There's an old computer that requires no iris scan.

The password is a six-digit code.

The date on which I became chief accountant.

The reports are arranged chronologically.

The one you want will be the last filed.

Hey! Hey!

You! Stop running! Come back! (ALARM BLARES)

She came down the stairs just now!

- Where is she? - Don't know. Have a look in the car!

I saw her.

"Accident."

"Liquefied internal..."

(COMPUTER BEEPS)

"Miracle."

What the fuck?

Isaiah!

(CHIMES TINKLE SOFTLY)

Isaiah.

How much longer?

How much longer?

There it is.

Their place of magic.

(MAN LAUGHS)

Their place of magic.

(ALL CHEER, LAUGH)

(CONTINUES LAUGHING)

(COUGHS, GASPS)

(RETCHES)

That was the first time.

The first time I saw the visions.

As a child, they would come often.

They stopped when I came to Denmark.

But now they're back.

Captions by Red Bee Media (c) SBS Australia 2025