Original subtitles

HEAVEN ON EARTH

"Maybe you see everything that's happening, but I will tell you anyway."

"The midwife says it all looks good. It's due in two weeks."

"I miss you."

Hello, everybody! How are you doing?

Do you feel like dancing tonight? Then let me see you!

Hey, Lena. Did you meet the guy who said, "Life is hell, and then you die"?

Yeah!

Beloved Father...

Bless every human child, conceived and born in sin.

-Arne, we need to go. -Can't hear you.

Just come on.

I have to do this...

My water broke, Arne! That has to be it.

-No! -It's time. Finally.

What? Not now. It's the wrong day. It's two weeks too early!

Isn't there something you can take? Something to plug it up?

-What's the matter, Lena? -Wait, wait...

-Why...what do we do? -We have to go now.

We have to go. Clothes on.

Good lord. I told you not to play tonight. You just never listen.

I know, I know. Get your jacket on!

You laugh? There's a snow storm out there. The car isn't warmed up.

I'll run ahead.

-So it's time. The conductor's baby. -Stop it, Jonas.

Don't you go putting on airs.

Sit the fuck down!

Now you listen to me. I want to talk to you.

A regular guy wasn't good enough for you, I guess.

-We've done this too much, Jonas. -Sit down!

You listen to me! Don't you think you're better than me!

I loved him.

Bullshit. He was famous, and you couldn't help yourself.

Let go of me!

Fucking idiot.

Damn.

Damn!

Someone help me!

Damn, I can't do this myself.

Someone help me!

-What's wrong? -My water's broken, and we're stuck.

Can you walk? Come on.

You can't carry me like that!

Drive the fucking car, Arne!

Do that deep breathing thing.

Good gig! Man, people sure do love to dance.

I thought it was mostly crap.

-Where are you going? -To the hospital.

Good lord, Arne. It's 180 kilometers away.

-In this storm? -I'll get you to the hospital for sure.

This will be fine.

I can't make it all the way there. We'll go home. I'll have a home birth.

-Are you insane? You can't do that. -I can't risk it. Take me home.

-Stop it. We're going to the hospital. -I'm going home! Turn around!

You can't decide that alone. I'm also responsible for the child!

What are you blathering on about? The child is mine and Daniel's!

I make the decisions when it comes to my own body!

-Turn around! -She is nuts...

I've never met a more stubborn person.

This is idiotic. Lethal. Insane.

Fucking shit.

Good.

-Yeah, good. Bye. -Damn it.

Don't worry, Arne. The midwife is heading over to my house.

Hey. You were right, by the way. People do love to dance.

Turn some music on.

Who the hell is that lunatic?

-Good lord, it's Stig. Stop. -He's dead drunk.

-We can't deal with him now. -He's sad. Inger left him. Stop.

-You're having a baby. -He might freeze to death! Stop!

-Stig! Damn it, come on. -I don't want to!

-Get in the car. -Stop it!

I want to die!

My church is empty!

I am worthless. Such a worthless fucking priest!

-Get in! -I'm so worthless!

Damn!

My church is empty every fucking Sunday!

-It's empty! -Never mind your damned church!

-I'm humiliated. -Put Lena in church. She pulls a crowd.

-People would pitch tents outside. -Don't listen to him, Stig.

-I just want to get home! -Hold on, Lena.

Forgive me! I'm dying!

It's Helena, the midwife. Here!

-Hello? -The car is stuck.

-I can't get anywhere. -Forgive me!

-Shut up, Stig! -Can you hear me?

-How is Lena? -Don't know... - Hey...

-Don't touch me! -She's in pain, or...I don't know.

-It's getting close, at least. -Be with us in our hour of need!

Shut up, Stig! It's up to you and me to get this done now.

-I am worthless! -Well, God damn it!

Shut up, will you? Shut up. We both need to stay calm now. Get it?

It's up to us now! Pull yourself together.

Come now! I need help!

Come help me. Help me now!

I need help. Help...

So help... Just help me.

-Just help me. Do something. -But I can't.

I need your help, Stig. Help me. Just do something.

-What do I do? I don't know... -Anything! Do anything!

There are some black books there. Take them.

They're binders of jokes I cut out of the newspaper. Pick one.

As a kid, I used to read them when things got rough. They might help.

-I can't do this. -Grab one, any one. Now, now, now!

"The Hotel Guest: That was an ugly painting you have there."

"Receptionist: I'm sorry, but that is a mirror."

That one's good. Do some more. Just a tiny one, a tiny one.

Now, now!

Could you give me the nuts? In the bowl.

No, something is wrong, Stig. I feel it. The child won't come out!

The phone! Call! Talk to her, just talk to her!

The person you're trying to call cannot be reached. Please leave a message.

I need your help, Stig. The umbilical cord.

It might be around the baby's neck, the umbilical cord, Stig.

-I have it. I'm holding it. -You are?

It's over the head now. It's over the head.

Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord.

Oh, my Lord.

My darling...

My child, my child. I got my child.

You are so beautiful.

I am so grateful, Stig. I am so grateful.

Hello, my darling.

It was no coincidence that we found you there. It was meant to happen.

Someone put you there. An angel put you there.

Hey, when do you think you can start teaching the kid to fish?

They're here. The choir has arrived.

Stig! The choir is here.

Calm down.

He's the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.

-He is, right? -You are so tiny...

His name will be Jakob.

And now, Tore, you get to be big brother.

Big brother? Tore is big brother!

-I am perfect! -Yes, you are. I love you.

I'll teach him to bike, get him a moped at 15

and when he's 18 I will let him drive my Cadillac!

But now he needs a father. I mean, he can't grow up without...

He has a father!

He was supposed to be here now. Why isn't he here?

But where is Stig?

Stig? Is he here?

Well, has anyone seen Stig? - Stig! Stig!

Stig!

-Good lord. Why are you in here? Come. -No.

-I can't be seen by people. -But you're the hero here.

No, everyone knows that I paid old people to come to mass.

I can't take it anymore, standing there alone, preaching in an empty church.

-Dear friend... -Lena, come to church.

If you sang there, people would come.

-Come do the music in church. -No, ask me for something else.

People come to see you!

-But I have a child to care for now. -Just a few hours a week.

No, Stig. I would drive you insane. I'm serious.

I can't even bear being in church. We wouldn't get along.

-But please... -I said no!

Lena...

Here she is. The midwife, Helena. Seven hours late.

-Helicopter! -Yes, Tore. A helicopter.

Everything looks good. He's so beautiful, Lena.

-Are you sure his heart is okay? -Why do you ask?

-His father died of a heart attack. -Don't you worry.

His heart is beating really well.

I was so happy with Daniel.

You only get that kind of love once.

We knew each other for 184 days.

Why did he have to die?

Life is a mystery.

Why did you find Stig in the road? Because he was lying there.

Why is a truck stopping outside right at this moment?

Because it does.

Hello! Hello.

-Hey. Hello. -Hello.

I'm sorry to just show up like this, but I had to find you.

So I asked around, and everyone knew who you were.

You lost this.

-Right, thanks. -I figured a lone boot isn't much good.

-Thank you. -How did it go?

Well, it went really well.

-Thanks, but it's getting cold. -Yeah.

Hey, if you need help with anything... Any tiny thing.

Like shopping, or anything. I live in the barracks down by the church.

Just ask for Axel. So... I'm working on the renovation.

The church foundation is old and rotten. It's a long...never mind.

Don't worry. I don't need help.

-But, still... -Thanks.

Bye.

We're going! I'm driving Stig home. Bye, Lena!

Good bye!

We're just getting some snow.

Little darling...

There.

Think you're better than us? You're not. Remember that.

You should just move away, Lena! Are you even certain who the father is?

The door is locked. - Open up!

There... There you go.

We're just going in to visit uncle Stig.

Stig! There's a funeral waiting for you!

Good Lord! Stig!

Stig! Good lord.

What are you doing? Come on. Sit up.

-Stig... -You know the last thing she said?

Before she moved out after 25 years of marriage.

"You've had all the chances you'll get, Stig."

You need to take care of yourself. Stig, I am happy that you're alive.

You know...

Oh, Stig... It can't be this way! Good Lord.

Bruno? What the heck is he doing here?

Stig, what...?

Stig!

-Hey, Bjelke. -Good Lord, Stig...

You're done as a priest. You're humiliating yourself as a human being.

Lena Strandberg, meet church organist Bruno Tabert.

Yes, we've met.

It stinks worse than a brewery in here. You're shaming me!

Feel free to taste one, Peter. They're good cookies.

That's it! As head of the diocese, I'll handle the reopening of the church!

It's going out live on TV, damn it!

The Bishop already warned you. If I see you drunk one more time, you're fired!

-He wants to get rid of me! -Yes, I will replace you!

Pastor Hellman will replace you for the anniversary service. You can't do it!

-It's my church, and my parish. -Bullshit!

You can't handle something like this. There is no way in hell!

The Bishop wants Händel's Hallelujah.

Bruno handles the anniversary concert and pastor Hellman the sermon on TV.

Lena handles the music in my church.

People come to see her.

Lena? What the hell...?

-In church? -Yeah?

So what? What about that?

This is a madhouse.

You two leave! - I need to talk to you alone Stig.

I didn't know you had any experience in church music.

Just because you can wail in front of drunk hicks at a dance hall

you shouldn't think you can cut it in a church.

-But you can? -Big difference. I'm a church organist.

Five years studying church music.

Yeah, I know. I fell for that once upon a time, in school choir.

It sounded fancy, Bruno.

I'm just here to see if anyone in the village choir

is good enough for my anniversary concert.

You can come audition, if you like.

At the parish hall!

Händel wrote this masterpiece.

This piece is one long statement about the greatness of God.

As the lyric says, "He shall reign forever and ever."

He shall reign forever...

There's a reason it's called the ultimate choir piece.

I want to be... I want to be part of it.

Just listen now.

I am... I am perfect!

Hear now. Listen, listen! The sopranos!

And the booming kettle drums!

At the London opening in 1743 George II stood up during the hallelujahs!

You hear it... That's how great it is.

Does any one of you think you can handle this?

Maybe someone would like to sing part of it?

I want to... I am perfect!

Don't be ashamed. Händel didn't write for amateurs, but for trained voices.

I will bring in singers and musicians from town, soloists, professionals.

This is going to be great and impressive.

What you stand for, Bruno... It sucks. It just sucks.

-Don't mess with my methods. -You treat people like crap.

I have the right to choose good voices for my concert.

The reopening is going to be on live TV!

You humiliate them.

-I always treat people with respect. -You're such a good liar.

-Just like you always did. -Now hold on a second.

Don't bring that up. I can't help you blowing it out of proportion.

Young girls do that. It was never serious to me.

You were a good lay, nothing more.

I got pregnant! You made me have an abortion! You drove me to the hospital!

You said you'd be there on the couch when I got out, but you weren't!

That couch was empty! Now you listen to me! Shut up!

You know what? I was 16. I rode all 180 kilometers on that bus alone!

I was crying and bleeding. Then you denied it all!

And you couldn't even see me.

You threw me out of the school choir, so I couldn't hit the notes any more!

And then you lied and said we'd never been together! You denied it all!

-It could have been any of your guys. -But it was you!

That's something you just know. I knew!

And now you've done it again.

-What do you mean? -You don't think he...

...a world-famous conductor, was serious about you?

A check-out girl from the super market?

God damn you. Go away! You have nothing to do with our anniversary.

You were one of many, Lena. I'm sorry to tell you that.

And you know what? You're nothing, Lena.

Händel wrote his music for more sophisticated souls than yours.

Hi, Stig, it's me. Lena.

Hey...

I'll take that job doing the music in the church, like you asked me.

Yeah.

We're doing Händel's Hallelujah. We, us, ourselves.

Everyone can be part of it.

We're not just going to fill the church. We'll have a line outside.

A long line.

Yeah. Bye.

We will... We will...

Are you nuts? Händel's Hallelujah? That's too hard for us.

-It's impossible. -No one can tell us what we can't do.

People will laugh at you.

They'll call you a megalomaniac. You can't even read music!

-Stig was happy. -Are you having a post-natal episode?

There's hardly a choir any more. Most everyone has moved away.

It's too hard!

It has to be Händel.

Lena... No one here wants anyone to succeed.

It'll be like her with the clothing store. No one bought from her.

They'd drive 180 kilometers to shop, since they didn't want her to succeed.

-And she ended up hanging herself. -Will you shut up?

People will say even worse things about you.

I don't want him to hear me swear, but you're being unfair.

You are so damned determined.

Remember when you gave me my first bike?

After the car accident. When I'd come to Grandma's and Grandpa's.

You took a photo of me. It's there, above the accordion guy.

Yes, so?

That's when you promised to always help me.

Yeah, sure...

It's going to be on TV. Live.

The entire anniversary concert.

You're incredible, Lena. You just never give up.

Don't you think of me? Are we supposed to be colleagues?

Are Lena and I supposed to have coffee together here?

She'll fill the church, she says.

Don't you know what she wants? She just wants attention.

-I can feel it, deep in my cells. -She said there will be a long line.

-Hold this, Siv. -I've supported you for 20 years!

Am I not good enough any more? Do you know how much I have suffered for you?

Please, Siv.

-This is my chance. -You've been blinded.

Let her in, and that's the end of our church.

Well, hello there. Eight people in there. Counting Jesus on the cross.

Do you think he should join in?

Good, bring some more chairs, and we can sit here together.

I'm new here, but I have to ask:

How will you do this? Händel has more parts than the village has people.

Lena worked the check-out for 16 years, she knows everyone within 100 km.

So all you need to join is to have bought some milk?

Everyone who wants to can join.

Händel's Hallelujah is a classical masterpiece.

I know what's required. I used to be in a marching band.

-I can't read music. -Me neither.

That doesn't matter. We'll go slow. We'll start with the first note.

And then we go until we reach the middle, and then keep working.

And once we've reached the end, we're done.

Do you believe that? One step at a time until we've climbed Mount Everest?

-Maybe. -I don't.

Bickering is no way to start singing hallelujah.

Good Lord... Raise your hands if you think we can pull this off.

I am perfect!

This will be fun. It's going to on TV, and everything.

What are you doing? You're defying me.

-She said she'll fill the church. -You've lost it. Have you been seduced?

Hey, Stig.

What was it again? How many people does the church take?

167 people.

Right. Exactly. That's how many we'll be.

Right, the chorus keeps recurring, so if we...

You said it was my concert. Just get them out and lock the door.

I have no right to throw you out, Stig. Not yet.

But know one thing: this is your suicide.

Hey, Stig. One more thing.

When celebrating an anniversary, don't you wear special clothes?

So should we all wear the same color?

-If it's an anniversary, maybe blue? -Yeah. Maybe blue.

Well, if I'm going to be on TV, I want to look good.

-Me too. -Let's advertise for more people.

And we can have auditions in the parish house.

-Right! -That was a good idea.

-Thank you! -I can also do this one.

Amazing.

Wonderful, thank you. You can be useful, Sture.

Make a note of that.

Azra Begovic.

What the hell? Give me the phone! Give me the goddamned phone!

-You fucking old coot! -She can't bleep while someone plays!

Come on, give Marie her phone.

You idiot!

-She's Jonas's, poor girl. -Keep your nose out.

-There has to be order and discipline! -Please... - Marie!

Marie!

I'm sick of old men who think they know everything.

Yeah. Are you staying with your dad?

Nutcase. You know that.

Come back on Thursday.

-We need you here. -What kind of audition is this?

-What did you have in mind? -A regular audition, of course.

-Do a wheelie! -Why do you want a regular audition?

To be famous, of course!

Oh, here's that renowned conductor's kid.

-I haven't seen... -His name is Jakob.

You've really put on airs.

Well... I just wanted to see what he looked like.

-Hello! -Hello.

Do you want a hot dog? My treat.

No thanks. Or, well... Maybe.

I'm... I'm actually starving, to be honest.

So, two hot dogs.

What are you doing in the church?

-I'm asking myself the same thing. -What do you want to do?

If you knew what I'd gone through.

Since I got pregnant, people have said I slept with him because he was famous.

It's not true. I loved him.

With him, I liked myself. I was happy.

I got pregnant, and he died.

He had a heart attack in a bathroom, hit his head and bled to death.

No one ever stops.

Hey, we're doing Händel's Hallelujah. We're going to fill the church.

I get why you're curious. You've seen us there.

You've got something there.

I'm sure it will be amazing.

Do you believe in love?

This is me.

And my wife.

We'd just won the gold medal for quickstep.

-Quickstep? -Yeah. It's the best dance ever.

Lots of rapid steps. A mix of foxtrot and...

Well, it has... Lots of syncopation. You must be light-footed. Weightless.

-Show me. -Show you? Here?

-Yeah, show me a bit. Why not? -No...

Well, I guess I have to.

You have to be real close. The two of you should feel like one person.

First step, then chassé.

Then hop, lockstep, turn...

Down over the hip, toss her up, you know. Lockstep, turn...

Thanks, that was nice. I have to get going.

Bye.

Hi.

-I've been waiting for you. -What do you want?

-I bet you're busy. -Just tell me what you want.

I understand if you feel that you're in too deep.

-Are you afraid we'll pull it off? -It's impossible, Lena.

All the vocal parts, violins, kettle drums, trumpets, bassoons...

This is my TV concert! You can't stop me!

You're hanging by a thread. Once that priest gets drunk again, you're out.

Bruno! Let me go.

Damn... You're doing this for revenge.

Don't you see that I am just trying to give you a chance to walk away?

People are already laughing at you.

You have nothing, Lena. Well, you have your looks.

You've tried to use that to get ahead, to become someone.

Don't think you're a fucking musician because you slept with a conductor!

What do you mean bassoons?

-We need violins. Lots of them. -Sure. We have one.

-Make some calls, Arne! -Right.

If you knew how much I have listened to it. I've heard something.

-Can you get kettle drums? -They're expensive.

We need trumpets. And bassoons.

Bassoons? No one here plays the bassoon.

Sure, but they sound like this.

Where the hell are they?

-They're so nice. -I have a birch-bark horn here.

Good Lord, Arne. Bassoons. We need them.

Okay.

You're so cute!

That's a half-note. There.

And now, the triplets.

And together...

No, Florence. This isn't working. Sheet music isn't my thing.

How will you handle the psalms at mass?

The psalms? I know them by heart.

521?

124?

I was in the pew with Grandma every Sunday until I was 13.

I was so happy to see the both of you there.

I just sat there feeling sorry for Jesus.

Why did he have to suffer on the cross every Sunday?

-Why didn't anyone help him get down? -Love comes through suffering.

Stig... I don't want him hearing crap like that. Ever.

-Lena, you're so forceful... -Pardon me.

It's just difficult to take you blathering on about suffering.

And every night: "Pray for God to forgive your sins, Lena."

No, good Lord! Don't give him alcohol! He could be fired.

Please, Lena. It's just a small brandy. Calm down, now.

Grandma went to church her entire life.

She couldn't name one thing she was good at.

She didn't think she had any worth.

You know what she said, "Don't think you're anything special, Lena."

-Marie! What do you say? -Thanks for the ride?

Dad. "Thanks for the ride, Dad". You need to stop being so cocky!

Use all of your bodies! Let me hear it from your toes!

This is good. One, two, three...

Louder!

-Put them on again. -Stop it.

We are putting them on again! Let me see what it feels like.

We'll put them on and spread out. What does it feel like to be hidden in here?

-This is complete insanity. -Locked in!

Shuffle around! Hunch down. Explore the feeling. Crawl.

Stop it now! This feels ridiculous.

Arne, we'll take them off, but... Stand up now, slowly.

We'll take off the lamp shades together...now.

Look around! Great, look around!

Look at each other!

Great. Put them away, we're adding the instruments. Come on.

Shades off!

There you go. Come on.

Good, Sture. And you go...

Great. Let's do the chorus! - Come on!

I counted. It's in there 42 times. If we know that, we know a lot!

Use all of your bodies! One, two, three...

Louder! Great!

How are you getting out of this mess, Stig?

Bruno Tabert is rehearsing with a real choir and orchestra, you know.

Louder!

Great!

Yeah! Good!

Lena.

Has anyone other than you seen him? Good. Don't let him out.

I'll see if I can...

You know, it is the breakfast of champions.

-This is a good man, Lena. -Listen up!

-The concert's dead if anyone sees you. -What? I'm not that drunk.

If you want me to stay, you need to stop drinking.

Not another drop, or it's all over.

-God's punishment is harsh! -Stop that talk.

It's just the invention of some old men.

You'd have a thin Bible if you tore out the pages on God's punishment.

-I need you to promise me, now. -I promise you, and this bricklayer.

Oh my, now I forgot about God!

-Do you think God has a sense of humor? -He invented humor, Stig!

What if it says in the Bible...

-Do you have a black book on you? -No, but I can tell you a joke.

There was a priest who was going to visit a nunnery...

Thank you, Axel. Don't let him out until he is stone-cold sober.

It was good of you to call.

One, two, three, four...

One more time! And a...

Stop, stop, stop!

Very nice, thank you. Let's try something new.

We're going to spread out and take over the entire room!

I want us to be like one body even though we're spread out.

Drop the sheet music, we don't need it now.

Get out there in the pews. Come on.

And I want you to look at each other.

And when you feel the moment is right, when you have contact, you start.

Listen to each other. Don't look at me, look at each other. Great.

Because I won't tell you when to start.

Now I really have to protest. Someone has got to be in charge.

Or what do you say? Why are you all silent? Are you sheep?

It's about hitting the notes and the beats and knowing your part.

It's your job to make that happen. I am a good tenor. I love singing.

I love Händel. I practice at home. I have devoted time to this.

Someone has to bloody decide when we start!

Let's take a break here and have some coffee.

We have to give her some time.

This looks so good! Very nice.

That one has coffee, and that one has tea. Feel free.

Now what are you planning?

Hello. Hi!

I have kept my promise, two weeks now.

-Good! -And how are you doing here?

Well...

I don't know. I feel kind of blocked.

Something's not working here. We are not in contact with each other.

We need to move about, and...

What if we removed the pews?

Remove the pews? You can't do that! Here, take him.

You are insane. You and your sudden inspirations.

Yeah, I trust in them. Although that one did come out of nowhere.

It's out of the question! This is a church!

You cannot remove pews! They've always been there!

Maybe it's long overdue, then! People are done sitting down.

This is ridiculous. You are insane.

-I know it will wok. -No!

It's not natural to sit in rows like that.

What if you've forgotten what's natural and can't understand it when I say it?

-I can take Jakob. -Yes, please do.

-I'm quite sure Jesus didn't like pews. -Don't drag Jesus into this!

It will work. I feel it. People will like it.

-Come on out, Stig. -No!

Stig, I just want to talk to you.

I'll stay here until you come out. Maybe all day long.

-Stig? -Yes...

Stig, we belong together.

You are insane.

The pews are part of the secret behind all this.

People have stared into the backs of each other's necks.

And stared at you, and that guy up there. That doesn't make anyone happy.

-You shouldn't have to listen to this. -But, Siv, just imagine it.

People will love it. The entire church will be packed!

They'll write about Stig in the history books!

-"The first priest to remove the pews"! -Don't you hear it, Stig?

-You're being tested by God. -If we don't double mass attendance...

...we'll put them back.

No, that's no problem.

Sure, they will fit in your barn. We'll stack 'em up real nice.

You don't have to talk about it. I don't know, about four meters.

And one meter high. Twenty of them. - Tore, please...

Yeah, what do you mean? That's no problem.

But, Nils-Petter, this is huge.

You can tell your grandkids you were the one to put the pews in your barn.

Yeah! That's the spirit. Bye.

It's fine, Siv, we're saving the screws.

Don't touch me! Don't comfort me, I need to suffer right now.

I can feel it in my entire body. You're abusing something sacred.

I have to go tell Stig something.

Tore, come here.

What happened in there was amazing.

Really.

It wasn't quickstep, though.

I can teach you to dance quickstep, if you want to.

Do you want to?

-Well? -Axel, you're funny and charming...

I can't help but laugh when I see you work sometimes.

But I'm just not interested. Just so you know.

At least you laughed a little.

Can I show you?

Just a few steps.

Remember that it doesn't mean anything.

-Well? -What are you actually doing in there?

-In church. -Promise not to laugh.

Yeah.

He will not grow up in a village that crushes your spirit.

-We are gathered here today... -Stig, Stig. Relax.

Right. I was thinking that we should...

...talk a bit about the life and deeds of Jesus.

-Right. -Yes.

Does anyone have a special request?

I was thinking... What if we held a dance in church?

Dance? In church? You are insane.

-To attract people. We need to be many. -Dance? That was Arne's idea, right?

He is shallow, driving around in his old American car.

Stop it, Stig. When did driving an American car make you shallow?

We're having a hard time attracting people.

-Don't pick up. -But it's ringing.

It might be the Bishop or Bjelke.

-Why not answer them? -Stop with your questions.

And of course there's no dancing in church. You must get that.

-Maybe someone wants pastoral care? -No one wants pastoral care here!

I told you not to pick up!

Just the fact that you're here makes people think and imagine things.

What? What do they think? "Oh, she's dating him now."

Nowhere in the Bible did Jesus have a dance in the synagogue.

No, he never thought of it. If he had, I am sure he would have arranged it.

You're insane. Don't you get it? We'll be fired.

But our purpose is good.

-Don't pick it up! -What? It might be for me!

People are busy talking. We're a couple now and I live here.

I told you not to pick up!

-You don't respect me and my views. -This is no joke to me, Stig.

This is our chance.

Look at it this way: coffee, baked goods and dance.

People will be there.

COMMUNITY DANCE WITH COFFEE

We need to get the construction stuff out. Can someone take the cement mixer?

I want to note that I had to force myself to come. Against my will.

I am only doing it because coffee here is my responsibility.

I won't be dancing in God's house.

What is this crap? I have to be allowed to decide things in my own church!

No! Get out!

I figured we'd wear these. Just grab one.

So people know who to sign up with.

-Such fun! -It's no use being shy.

What is this madness?

This is a sacred space! You're shallow, Arne. Everything you do is shallow!

I'm doing this for us. To get people to the anniversary concert.

-What are these knickknacks? -Hand painted. It's art.

-Some people like them. -They're awful. Distasteful.

-Crap like this for 300 crowns? -We need money for kettle drums.

-I guess that's shallow too? -No selling of crap here!

You're always selling people ridiculous trinkets! You're not normal!

Normal? Who the heck is normal?

Yes, I do like meat and potatoes. But I guess that's shallow too.

This concert is important to me. I find this to be fun.

The choir is my family.

I have to be allowed to say something.

I am over at the coffee table, and I see Lena give Stig a glass of water.

While Arne here is sad.

And Stig smiles, thanking Lena so sweetly. For a glass of water?

You never notice what I do. Have you ever noticed what I do for you, Stig?

I've held you up, dried you off and sent you off to your damned sermons!

But I'm not worth anything!

And you go around, laughing, thinking everything's fine. But it isn't fine!

Nothing is fine!

I guess you just want me to be like her.

I am nothing to you!

Dear Siv...

Don't touch me!

-I like you, Siv. -No, you don't!

Yes I do, Siv. I like you.

-Then why don't you say it? -I am saying it.

I like you, Siv.

There are already people in the parking lot.

-Seriously? -Tore, start ringing the bells.

Here we go.

-Hello, hello. -Hi there, Arne.

Hello, hello. - Hello, welcome! - Welcome.

-What? -Do you have a violin?

Sorry, Ursula, what's your phone number?

-Violin. -Violin? What's your name?

-Stina. -Hi, Stina.

Come on, Tore!

Go, Tore!

No. No, I have to go!

Lundgren's dogs needed a run. Do you and Jakob want to come along?

-This early in the morning? -Yeah.

You'll never see a better morning.

No... Yes.

I am so happy you said yes.

Hi! - Mom and Dad had dogs when I was a kid.

We'd travel around to competitions, my siblings and I.

Four-dog teams, eight-dog teams, relay races...

I have such a hard time keeping things in.

But I don't dare to speak, not wanting to disturb anything.

And still, I'm talking, so...

I think you're really nice, Lena.

Do you want to hold him for a bit?

Head up.

When I was a kid, I'd pretend to have a dog. It was an amazing dog.

I'd pretend it would walk me to school every morning.

All the way there.

Yes, all the way... - And I'd pat him and tell him to go home.

And it would go home. Every kid should have a dog.

What's the matter, Axel?

I'm sorry.

Sorry, I didn't know just how to... How to tell you.

I felt that it was important for you to know.

It's been two years now... I was just going to...

They were just going to take the car to the library.

My daughter...and my wife.

They never came back.

A lumber truck...

Oh, good Lord.

I'm sorry... She was just a year old.

I think we need to go back.

Yeah.

-Help us clear up. -Hey, Stig.

One trumpet, two violins, one harmonica and a hurdy-gurdy.

-And the accordion. -Right. All in one night.

Those people in town can just move on.

"The kiss in church"!

-Oh my sweet... -Over the center fold, I bet. Right.

-This is the end. -Look, it's Tore!

Listen! "A triumph. Hilda Johansson hopes it will become a tradition."

I'm almost famous.

It says here that it will be a monthly dance.

The word is spreading.

Listen, Stig. "Music director Lena Strand says"...

-..."this may be just the beginning." -Don't you see that it's the end?

No. Listen to this, Siv. "A visitor says she admires pastor Berggren".

-"He understands people's yearnings." -This is Stig.

-Look at that. -Stig will be chastised for this.

-I know how the church works. -Look at those pictures.

Right. Of course. No.

-It's got nothing to do with Jesus! -No, of course not.

-It can't go on like this. -No, I will make sur...

We're only thinking of you! This is insanity!

-Pure populism! -Thank you, Gösta.

The entire country is saying so. A disgrace to the Swedish church!

-Right, but... -You betrayed your vow!

I need to pee. Come along, Stig. I want to hear what they're saying.

-Wait. -What can't she make you do?

-It's not that bad. -Draw the line!

-Can you get a toilet roll? -Yes, I... Absolutely.

-No. -The church is outraged!

Yes, of course... Yes, yes... No?

-Pull yourself together! -Right.

The entire diocese is up in arms! They want me out!

They're jealous. Priests are people too.

-Look at that! -Oh, Stig... So beautiful.

Don't you care about anything?

-But this is part of the plan. -What plan?

Now we're being tested.

You are completely insane! No respect for anything!

Don't argue with me, Lena. I'm not that strong. I can't take this.

I can't fight the entire church. I am not that strong.

-I want us to cancel everything. -Forget it. You can't.

You don't understand. I've been a priest here for 25 years!

-Quiet. -I've wanted to do good in life!

Put the pews back! Everything has to go back to the way it was!

I regret ever letting you into church. I don't ever want to see you again.

You hear me? Never set foot in my church again!

Just come here and sit down. You're all welcome.

Are you here?

Just set the chairs up. - Hi there!

Welcome.

I told you I didn't want to see you again!

I'm supposed to be here. I don't think you meant what you said.

This is where I belong.

You are just too damned difficult sometimes.

Tore rocking!

Yes.

He really enjoys lying like that. He feels so good.

Tore is big brother.

Let's see... Good, you need to bunch up a bit.

Everyone has to be in the picture. - You get in. - You too.

And the drum there. Good. - Pick up the accordion.

Alright. Don't be shy.

Anna, you move up here. - Astra, you go up there.

Hold your instruments high.

There. That looks good. - Up one step. There you go. And hair out of the way.

-What do you think? -Looks good.

-Backs straight! -No, we need to...

Right! Wait, wait, wait, don't snap it yet!

Don't shoot yet. The banner, the most important part.

Now you'll all be in the paper!

Hey, do you have your note? Then let's go. Have the note?

Note? Good. And a one, two...

Stop, stop! Stop for a bit. - Could I hear just you?

That wasn't it. Very good.

Let's see. Maybe it was you guys. Let me hear it.

Oh my! Stop! Don't hurt Indira's ear.

Keep it down a bit, but it's sounding really good.

Good, okay. One, two, and...

-Yes! -I want to talk to you, Stig.

Stop, stop, stop again. I was thinking that... This time it was...

Let's finish for today. It sounds great.

We'll continue tomorrow. I just need to... Let's do that. Bye!

Who the hell do you think you are? You're making us into a laughing stock.

Bring the pews back right away, like I told you to!

Do you hear me? Answer me! You spineless man, you!

-Peter... -Bring the pews back!

They're under cultural protection. It will become a police matter.

You mentioned the pews. They were in really bad shape.

Worn. They also needed renovating.

Yes. They needed to be sanded, painted and varnished.

Several times, and they need to dry between coats.

Know one thing! You are in such trouble, Stig!

The diocese is hearing your case in two weeks!

You'll never work in a Swedish church ever again!

Maybe you can get a post in the church central library!

You can sit there in the basement taping up old bibles!

Wait, wait, Stig. I'll get him.

Hey! Don't you threaten Stig that way!

Who do you think you are?

You damned little... I have watched you grow up here!

I've heard the rumors about you! I know just who you are!

-What...? -Shut up! I'm speaking!

You are a fraud, Lena! Don't you think I know how to handle people like you?

Do you think I'm dumb? You're dragging Stig down into the muck!

And my name, the church, the entire community, right down into the muck!

You are so damned stupid!

Can't you see that Bruno Tabert will do the concert? You all sound like crap!

You think I can't tell the difference between crap and music?

How are you doing?

Did you hear this one? Two grains of sand went for a walk...

Stop it. It's not funny.

I'll stop. Let's just end all of this.

-I have nothing to contribute. -That's not true.

No, he's right. It all sounds like crap.

I can't do this.

People can tell you you're worthless. But you decide if you believe them.

I think dancing would make me feel good.

Yeah...

Everyone needs to practice. Practice, practice... It needs to be in you.

Sheet music away, and let's do it by heart. And, three, four...

Let me just show you. Up and down, up and down!

Yes! Great. Once more. Remember, you're the engine here. Three, four!

Good Lord, that was great!

You're all amazing!

One, two, three!

Hi.

Hey, want to go fishing this weekend?

I'm borrowing a cottage. You, me and Jakob.

That's sweet of you...

-Are you packing up...? -Yes, we're all done.

Just a few more days, and we're done.

-Are you moving on? -Yes, there's always more work.

-Damn, damn, damn... -Lena!

What was I thinking? Everything just goes to hell.

I need something to drink.

Do you ever see any of them again? The ones you sleep with on your jobs?

-What? -Do you visit them?

How do you handle it, once you've moved on?

Do you teach them all to dance? I bet they like it. Everyone wants to dance.

The longing arises, and you're close to each other.

You're only with me to get new pictures for your walls on your jobs.

They're dead!

Should I hold him? You're so worked up.

-Are you saying I'm not a good mom? -No!

-I thought we had something together. -You were wrong. We don't!

You can't mean this! You're the one I want to be with!

It was a mistake! It was all wrong! Pick someone else!

-What do you mean? -I felt alone and needed comfort.

That was dumb of me. I'm sorry. Are you trying to restrain me? Move the car!

Mistake? That's not true! We've made love! We've laughed!

If you want love, it's here!

-If you can't see that, you're blind! -Let me go!

Lena! Lena, you are wrong!

Lena! You are wrong!

Stop, Lena!

Fucking crap! Händel!

Oh, damn...

What the hell?

There are loads of people saying there's a dance.

-Who said there's a dance? -They did.

Stop! We're full up!

We're full! You have to leave!

There are too many people here! Stop!

Stop, everyone! - Arne, it's impossible!

Hear ye! Hear ye!

There are too many people in the church. Evacuate immediately!

-Immediately! -You heard him. Get out!

-Yes, everyone -Move it.

Back up! You need to go out.

Out! Get out!

Tore, no! Stop! Tore!

Stop, Tore!

Tore!

Rock, rock...

Tore rock. Tore big brother.

-Tore big brother. -Tore!

-Tore! -Tore rock.

Sit down! Tore, no! Sit down!

Tore!

Tore! Tore!

Tore!

Tore! I'm coming!

I'm coming!

I'm coming, Tore! Wait, I'm coming!

-Lena! -Tore! Hold on!

I'm coming! Tore!

No, Tore!

Tore!

Tore!

Tore!

Help!

Tore...Tore...

Tore! Tore is gone!

Tore is gone!

-I can't... -Calm down.

Tore is gone. You need to help me.

-Jakob is out there in the boat. -I'll get the kid!

Tore... Tore...

Tore!

Tore...

Tore!

Tore!

Arne, it's been three days. Why is she just standing there?

You said you had something.

It was 25 years ago. I was on my way home.

I was driving through the forest in the dark.

At a turn, I saw a wan light. A red tail light in the woods.

A car that had run right into a tree. Both front seat passengers were dead.

A young man and a young woman.

There was a child in the back seat.

A five-year-old girl.

Her gaze...

The way she looked at me.

Her grip on me... That little hand.

It was like she never wanted to let go.

And then she came here to live with her grandparents.

It was a disaster.

Her grandmother kept saying that if Lena hadn't been such a wild child

the accident wouldn't have happened. I heard her say, "It was your fault".

Go to her, Stig. Try one more time.

It wasn't your fault, Lena. I'll repeat it until you show that you hear me.

It wasn't your fault. You tried to save Tore, but...

-You did what you're supposed to. -I didn't hold him.

But it wasn't your fault.

You are not guilty. None of it was ever your fault.

You have to listen to me now, Lena. I need to know that you hear me.

What your grandmother used to tell you is not true.

It wasn't your fault.

It wasn't your fault that your mother and father died in the accident.

I need to know that you understand that.

What happened wasn't your fault.

It wasn't your fault. It wasn't your fault.

It wasn't your fault.

It wasn't your fault, Lena.

You are not guilty.

Farewell, Tore.

"...for example, Tore would."

"I am done now. Please remember to say hi to Tore."

I have a thing to do. I will be right back.

Hi, honey.

Lena, a church in Varberg removed its pews.

And one in Finland. In Taivas....Taivastu.

That's amazing! Bye.

Axel!

-Axel! -Lena!

You found me.

You've come to the right place. Yes, this is the place.

It's the right church. Yes, it is.

Subtitles: J E Thelin www.undertext.se