Original subtitles

Well, I don't really know how I should...

or how we should begin.

This situation has come up and...

We're all adults.

The only rational thing to do

is to discuss this and find a solution.

The whole thing feels incredibly strange.

Yes.

A RATIONAL SOLUTION

It's been our experience

that the main problem in most relationships is communication.

The Bible doesn't oppose regular, open discussions on marriage

...and healthy family finances. - Or your sex life: on the contrary.

It's tough living together, year after year.

I should know!

...philosophy of life, social issues...

- Discussing psychological phenomena interests me. - Okay.

How do you feel, Rune?

Could you discuss psychological phenomena more often?

Yeah.

Yes, I could do that.

The Bible, as we all know, is full of wisdom,

but what we want to focus on here are the practical realities.

It's fairly easy to list the most common causes of divorce.

Can we have examples?

A few concrete examples?

- Money. - Money.

A very common reason.

The kids. Who looks after them, picks them up? That kind of thing.

- The children. - Time.

Not having time for one another. Anything else?

Not being able to keep your zipper closed.

So we're back there again?

I thought that was over and done with.

I'm so tired of all this bad-mouthing!

Once and for all, which one of you will cast the first stone?

Speak up!

The pastor and Lotta have sorted things out.

They've found each other again and discovered forgiveness.

And if she can forgive, surely we can, too.

It says: "For better or for worse."

We know it well.

But sometimes it's as if we forget that "worse" bit.

Love that is put to the test is the stronger for it!

It's strengthened and becomes deeper!

These are the kind of marriages we want to build!

No!

What the hell?!

Damn it!

- What's the matter? - Drive properly, for God's sake.

- It's just a bit of fun. - Otherwise we can pack it in.

Hang on, wait.

Would you mind giving me a hand with the boat tonight after work?

- It's in the boathouse, isn't it? - It was in the boathouse.

- But I had to put it in there again. - Why?

Well...

Oh, for crying out loud!

May and Karin are throwing a birthday party,

a surprise party for you down at the boathouses.

They asked me to lure you down there.

- A party? - Yes.

What's wrong?

For me?

Bugger me!

But you have to pretend to be surprised.

Of course.

Oh, my God!

Happy birthday to you!

How are you doing, chief?

I feel so damn good.

- If it hadn't been for you, Erland... - No.

- I'd never have... - No, no...

Yes, I want to say this now.

If you hadn't been there, I would've jumped.

I'd be dead.

No doubt about that.

Come on, your wife is wondering where you are.

Yes, time to go inside.

She's pretty, isn't she?

Stop it! What kind of question is that?

Do you realize they're celebrating your fiftieth birthday?

- Fifty-first. - Fifty-first.

Come on.

Over the past year

I've heard so much about you, Erland.

All I've heard is "Erland this", "Erland that".

That's not the problem, rather...

I wish I'd been that lifeline for you.

When Sven-Erik joined the church, I have to admit that I was...

"taken aback" is probably the wrong expression, but surprised.

But it's had a fantastic influence on him.

All my prejudices about Christians were put to shame.

And May... Even though we work at the same school,

we haven't had much contact.

But planning this party...

It's been...

You've been...

Well, you're both very special people.

I realize that now.

Last year we didn't really have the chance to celebrate your birthday.

So now we can celebrate twice!

Raise your glasses to our fifty-one year old!

Sven-Erik, here's to the good life!

- Cheers! - Cheers, my love!

I'd like to say

that you should be happy you didn't have to be my lifeline.

I've said this before and I'll say it again:

Being married to such a beautiful woman is both heaven and hell.

Cheers! I love you.

- Cheers. - Cheers, everyone!

There you are.

I'm just...

taking a little break.

He seems to be doing much better now.

- It's great to see him like that. - Yes, it is.

- I don't really smoke. - No?

You don't have to say anything to him.

Karin?

- Have you seen Karin? - No.

That was really weird.

- Maybe we should head back. - Sure.

Ladies first then.

Maybe you should wait a few minutes.

Just what I was thinking.

I'm going now.

Bye, see you.

Remember that one?

Nice.

Where's everybody gone?

Give me a hand then.

Sure.

Can you manage?

What now?

I don't know.

- I... - What?

- No, it's nothing. - Go on, say it!

Forget it. It's nothing.

You're different from what I thought.

So are you.

Hey.

Not here.

Yes.

Here.

Wait till we get home.

What would you like? Rice?

- Hi. - Hi!

Delicious.

I'm going out for a little walk.

Time.

We spoke about that last week.

The time it takes to build a good marriage.

After all,

it's the most precious thing we have.

That's why we must give that time

to the person we're sharing our marriage with.

Please excuse me,

I missed the bus.

Come in, Karin. Have a seat.

Remember last time we talked about love as a muscle?

As something we can train?

I was thinking about that.

Like a muscle? That doesn't sound very romantic.

Well, what does "romantic" mean?

I know you don't mean...

those soppy Hollywood movies.

The image of love in society today has become very distorted.

Just look around town!

Bodies, breasts, bottoms, and smiles,

those white toothpaste smiles.

Is that love?

No, no, no.

That's an image of love.

It's hard to say what's right, but we should consider the question:

"What is love for me?"

Just look at the current divorce rate!

What's the reason for it?

Any ideas?

I think the spark may have gone for a lot of people.

- The spark? - Yes.

The spark. It's simply gone one day.

Can we talk?

Sure.

If you take out the toothbrush so I can hear what you're saying.

Are you in love with me?

Being in love,

that kind of ecstasy, or whatever you call it.

What is that, really?

It's nothing.

- Nothing? - No.

I'm happy knowing that you and I have come so much further.

To a point where our relationship is built on something more solid.

A feeling that goes much deeper

and grows deeper and deeper with each passing year.

Our love is built on intimacy...

sincerity, and...

an honesty that...

Well...

Was that an answer to my question?

Yes.

Well, I'm in love with you.

Just so you know.

- Hi. I'd like to speak to you. - Okay.

- I don't have the time really, but... - Neither do I.

It's just...

I can't concentrate. You know?

I just...

No, we have to put this behind us.

- We can't do this. - No.

No.

- No. - No. That's good. Good.

What a relief.

I have to go. An appointment at the hairdresser's.

- Bye, then. - Bye-bye.

There's not much to explain if you don't have any pain.

Maybe it's just your perception of it being crooked?

I was wondering...

about the spine.

It runs like a column here. There's your ribcage.

Here are the neck vertebrae.

What about the flesh? How is it attached to the rest?

There are tendons, muscle tendons, and tissue.

If the flesh contracts and muscles detach themselves from the spine...

Is there...

any danger of them becoming detached?

No. I'd say that's absolutely impossible.

Honestly, a lot of people are sceptical.

Would he be in charge of safety for the whole department?

Not quite, but he'd be in charge of CCTV monitoring.

It's nothing like the position he held before,

but it's a step in the right direction.

Anyone can hit a dead-end.

Or have dark thoughts.

On the other hand, the safety of the whole team is on the line.

I know you two see each other outside of work.

What's your opinion?

Honestly?

I don't know if I can make that kind of judgement.

No, give him the job.

- Are you sure about that? - Yes.

Absolutely.

- Hi. - Hi!

Would you like to join me for lunch?

Yes, I'd love to.

I like your slippers.

They're old.

I wear them at home when I'm cold.

They're nice.

You always have nice shoes.

Bold shoes.

Thanks for a great party, Sven-Erik was delighted.

How nice.

Why don't we all do something together?

I'd love to.

Great.

Strange. When I was about to ask you, I suddenly became nervous.

- Did you notice? - No.

No?

Fancy that!

It'll be fun.

First one in wins!

Come on!

Oh, God!

- Let's take another dip. - I've just started to warm up.

- Come on. - I'm with you.

One more dip, Erland!

No, you go ahead and get some exercise.

Listen to them.

This is awful.

What do you see in me anyway?

How can you ask me that?

You're incredible.

Don't you know that?

Karin?

How's it going out there?

We'll have to talk later.

Can you get away tonight? No.

Tomorrow night. Outside the church at eight o'clock.

Come on, you wimps!

- Come on! - I'm coming.

That felt good!

Yes.

Wait here.

Hello?

MARRIAGE GUIDANCE

It was nothing.

This is just awful.

I can't do this to him.

I think I love you.

Or at least I know I've fallen in love with you.

I'm in love with you, too.

My head is spinning.

Good Lord, what have we done?

- What is it? - We have to tell them...

the truth.

Are you crazy?

What else can we do?

That's out of the question.

He couldn't handle it.

Better they hear it from us than from someone else.

We have to be able to talk about this.

- Are you serious? - Yes.

For everyone's sake.

Come on, where are we going?

You'll see.

Isn't it a beauty?

It's ours now.

Wow, what a solid looking boat!

This feels great. It's good for my back.

You're so beautiful.

The most beautiful thing in my life.

I'm in love with Erland.

Karin and I have fallen in love with each other.

This may be a question of...

some kind of infatuation or passion.

I believe this is a passing phase.

We've got a long and happy marriage behind us.

I don't think any one of us wants to destroy that.

We've been workmates and friends for many years.

I just want you to know that I really value our friendship.

I think we're all adults with sufficient life experience

to be able to come up with a solution that could...

Well, I don't know.

I love you, you know that.

This feels really awful.

Like some kind of nightmare.

Yes.

- What are you doing? - Getting milk for the coffee.

May?

A drop.

Just a little drop.

- Erland? - Yes, please.

I'm sorry.

Listen.

What are we going to do?

I don't know.

I don't want us to separate.

Well, that's a start.

No.

I don't want you to leave me.

Good!

Let that be our starting point.

How can that be a starting point?

We'll stay together.

But of course we'll have to establish ground rules.

May, you know as well as I do:

Sooner or later, passion peters out.

This will all pass,

if we don't fan the flames by doing things in secret.

- How long has this been going on? - Please.

I have a right to know.

Oh, I don't know. A few weeks, maybe.

Good Lord!

My God, but we've...

Stop it!

...been together. - Stop it now!

I'm sorry, I just...

So what happens now, Erland?

I believe that in time, we can revert to the normal order of things.

After all, they're just emotions. We must be bigger than all of that.

We're not twenty anymore.

Well,

I don't know how this will work,

but...

we'll give it a try.

Let's make use of the experience we have.

To begin with, we shouldn't dramatise the whole thing.

There are so many kinds of family constellations these days.

Do you mean we should all physically live together, too?

I'm convinced that distance would only stoke the passion.

First, we should let it burn out. We'll move on from there.

You mean we should all sleep in one room?

I don't want to be in the same room as you two.

I can understand that.

What other rules?

I don't want to hear or see you two doing it.

When the children call us, I don't want them involved in any way.

I want the congregation kept out of this.

That would mean lying.

- That seems a bit complicated. - For God's sake, Erland!

What would people say if they knew what we're doing?

You're probably right.

What do you have to say?

You have to be in on this, too.

Do you realize what this means?

You can't just sit there and say nothing.

Well...

Okay, we'll give it a try.

Well then!

I'll start writing.

How should we start?

Rule number one...

ALL INTERCOURSE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

You've got a bathroom right outside your door.

Karin and I can share the little one.

The plates, the crockery is here.

The good china is in the sideboard over there.

The cutlery is here.

Honey, you shouldn't do that.

- Would you rather be in the TV room? - No.

This is just temporary.

That's nice.

Well,

it's nearly bedtime.

Sure.

- It's been a long day. - Yes.

Tomorrow's another day after all.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

- So, did you sleep well? - Yes.

And you?

Absolutely. The sofa is more comfortable than you may think.

Good morning.

Eggs on the boil, I see.

What's the matter?

Nothing.

Listen.

- If there's a problem, we should discuss it. - It's nothing.

There's nothing to talk about.

Karin, can you tell us a little about yourself?

Tell you what?

A little about yourself.

- Cut it out. - Where did you grow up?

This isn't some class.

What's the problem?

I'm asking because I'm curious. We hardly know each other.

I...

grew up on Majorca.

And...

I have a sister.

I've done all kinds of jobs.

I've moved around a lot.

What do you like doing? What kind of music do you like?

- What do you mean? - What do you want, May? Stop it.

What have I done?

What have I done?

I like a bit of everything.

I like pop,

rock,

and country.

I like Dolly Parton, Dylan, The Rolling Stones...

A bit of everything. I like jazz.

Jazz?

Well, some jazz.

I like a certain kind of jazz.

What's wrong with that?

I never said that I...

What the hell is wrong?

I never said I liked loud trumpets and blaring noise and all that.

I never said that.

I like a little of everything.

I can't be more precise.

I enjoy classical music too, even though I'm no expert on it.

What the hell, I don't know. I can't think of anything right now.

I like to...

read non-fiction.

Could you pass me the butter?

I prefer non-fiction. I don't like it when everything is made up.

Am I the only one who likes margarine?

My God!

I thought I'd die.

- Did you hear me? - Yes, you like non-fiction.

Karin...

I can eat butter or margarine.

Whatever!

Margarine is just fine.

I'm not the finicky kind when it comes to little things.

What the hell's wrong?

Where are you going?

Do you want to stop this?

Well?

Shall we do that?

Is that what you want?

Congratulations!

Listen.

We haven't had a chance to talk properly.

I'd just like to...

I don't know.

I'm sorry!

Suddenly, I was in love with two people at the same time.

It feels like you're being torn apart!

I'm sorry!

I'm sorry!

Hey, Erland!

Could you look at my back?

Is it straight?

Feels like it's crooked.

Looks straight to me.

Alright.

Things are good between us.

We never sleep on an argument anymore.

No, it's not always easy.

We cuddle as often as we can. That way we keep our love alive.

Well...

There isn't much more to say. We're still working on it.

I feel lucky to have Rune.

Who moved my slippers? Did you move them?

- But they're right there. - Not where I left them.

I left them here, and now they're over there!

- Someone's been wearing them! - May...

They're my slippers.

- Mine! - Maybe someone moved them.

Didn't you hear me?

Nobody walks around in my slippers!

Why would anyone do that?

Smells good!

I love you.

I love you so much.

So very much.

I know.

And I love you, too.

Do you?

Hey... Hey...

May... May... Listen...

Let's go in to the others.

You've...

Thanks.

This is delicious!

The nuts really add to it.

Listen. Let's make a toast.

This has gone better than we could ever have hoped.

- To four brave troopers! - Cheers.

Cheers.

There's something I have to bring up.

I've been feeling really awful.

You have to understand how difficult this is for me, too.

And when we... I feel guilty.

I find this kind of closeness difficult to handle.

- Do you understand? - That you feel guilty?

It's not just about me.

This is about you, too, all of us.

I just think we shouldn't complicate things here.

- But I just... - We're all in this together.

I need your support.

If we go on like before, this will be impossible for me.

We have to help each other.

Right.

Agreed then?

We could make this into a new rule.

Why's the cutter stopped?

Ask Sven-Erik.

He wasn't there.

Have you been here the whole time?

I thought you weren't here a minute ago.

What? No.

Look, someone's dropped their raw lunch.

Jesus.

- Where did you find that? - Next to the cutter.

Everything okay?

We thought someone had pressed the kill switch.

No, I...

- See you later. - Bye.

What?

What is it?

- This has become too much for him. - I'm worried about him, too.

Sweetheart...

There's nobody home right now.

I'm not in the mood!

- You ought to know how difficult this is for him. - Sure.

Absolutely.

But...

we must consider the whole group.

- What do you mean? - Well, I mean,

if you and I don't...

Then it would be...

- What are you getting at exactly? - I don't know.

Nothing.

I understand you, sure.

We'll do as you say. We'll take a break.

Right.

Good.

- Any idea of the time frame? - How the hell do I know?

Until he feels better or I'm in the mood again!

That's not what I meant.

Can we have a mature conversation about this?

Hi, Sven-Erik.

What are you doing here?

I was actually on my way home.

- I just stopped by for a moment. - How has the moment been so far?

Well, I don't know.

Can I ask you something?

What's the point of all this?

It's like making up these fairytales and then you sit there alone.

On your own.

Hello!

- Are you here alone? - Yes.

Do you remember when we were renovating here?

What a mess it was!

But we still slept here.

On the floor, on mattresses.

You and me, the kids in the middle.

We had just knocked down the wall.

There was dust everywhere, sawdust.

You're a fantastic person, May.

You know that?

So kind,

so considerate.

Really.

In all that chaos.

Remember?

We'll get through this.

One step at a time.

So long as we stick to what we agreed upon.

No.

Can't we just...

God, I've missed you.

No.

I want to wait until this is over.

Until we're done with this shit.

Over at the mill, I stare at these monitors all day.

I watch people run around.

My responsibility, my job

is to push a red button,

a kill switch, if something happens.

But I know...

Deep down I know

that if something really did happen

I wouldn't be able to cope with it.

It's...

so abstract somehow.

Why is that abstract?

When you consider that it's about people...

The responsibility is completely incomprehensible.

It's up to me if they live or die.

- Karin, I need to talk to you. - Really?

I understand there's a problem.

What do you mean?

Don't play stupid.

Sven-Erik and I are married.

The way things are between Erland and me...

None of us wants this to drag on.

Don't you realize we're suffering because of your childish behaviour?

What the hell are you saying?

You started this...

with your tits and everything.

Just make sure you finish it!

You make it sound like I'm some fucking...

That's exactly what you are.

There's no depth in what you have with my husband.

You can go to hell!

When I think of them...

They're just like little animals scurrying around.

Then I can imagine the cutter,

the guillotine chopping that person into little cubes that one could...

pack into boxes.

The meat would be easy to pack because it's been cut into perfect...

little square pieces, like...

Like pieces of cod!

I think that's what He thinks too.

Who?

God.

Listen...

- Not here. - I don't give a damn about the rules!

Let's go in, let's go in...

May...

- I know: in the bedroom. - No, go right ahead.

You'd better get it over with on the floor. On the table, chairs, whatever.

- I won't get in your way. - We've got...

a visitor!

- Hi, May. - Hi.

- How's it going, Erland? Karin... - Hi.

I...

There's a slightly sensitive issue I'd like to...

- Am I disturbing you? - Well...

No.

Not at all. Please come in, Roger.

Have a seat.

- Coffee? - Yes, please.

Actually, I came over to talk to Karin.

She'll be along when she's put some clothes on.

What is this?

It wouldn't do if she sat around half naked.

- Is that so hard to understand? - No, of course not.

Sven-Erik told me something about...

Well,

I'm a bit worried.

- So they've moved in with you? - That's right.

How are you?

- Fine, thank you. - But they were just...

We've got a tricky situation here.

But we're sorting it out.

Of course, we have rules.

Rules? On living together?

Yes.

But...

Honestly, Sven-Erik doesn't seem well.

Like I said, we're doing our best to solve the situation.

But May...

This is sick. All of this, the way you're living.

Karin, are you part of this?

Yes.

What's the problem?

- Erland, was this your idea? - What do you want?

- Are you judging us? - No, I'm notjudging you.

I'm just...

I just think...

It doesn't seem right.

That's enough, thank you.

It's time everyone simply went about their own business.

Thank you. Thanks for coming.

Give my regards to Lotta!

There!

No worries.

Sorry.

Did you wake up because of?

Try to get back to sleep.

No, I can't.

Can I get in next to you?

Sure, come on then.

Aren't you going to put something on?

10. AVOID EMOTIONAL CLOSENESS.

You've done a nice job here.

Well it looked so sloppy.

I was thinking.

Are we doing the right thing?

God, what's happening?

This is you and me.

You've all been there, right?

You're sitting there.

It's late.

You have all those Christmas cards to write and you're tired.

Then you think...

Why bother?

I can't take any more.

Wait, are you leaving?

I'm just going to the toilet.

Sure, go ahead.

Sorry.

I'll be alright in a moment, it's just...

I need to... Don't touch me!

You bastard! How the hell?

Listen.

How about a little break?

- May... - Let her be.

- Nothing like a good cry. - Can we have some privacy?

- Let them be. - You can work this out.

Go!

May, I don't know what to say.

We have to talk about this.

Sweetheart.

If you want,

you and I can go somewhere.

My darling May.

God, it's natural for you to be upset.

Well I...

I just want to say

I'd like to stay, if that's alright.

With you and Karin.

I understand her, of course.

I won't get in the way.

I haven't a lot going on anyway.

I don't know.

I'm beginning to think this was...

It's not as if...

I've got friends and acquaintances queuing outside.

Not exactly a...

queue!

They wouldn't exactly fill a stadium!

What do you say,

Erland?

You saved me, Erland. You saved me.

You did that yourself.

Come on.

Come on then!

- Come on. - Hit me back then.

Hit me properly, I can't feel those mosquito bites. Harder!

What the hell are you doing?

Hit me back! Is that what you want?

Hit me!

Can I come in?

Are you alright?

Can I sleep here?

Yes, of course.

Come and lie down.

I've locked the front door.

Good.

- Goodnight then. - Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Can I put my hand here?

Sure.

- I'm freaking out! - We'll talk about it tomorrow.

Karin... There, there...

I can lie in the middle.

Are you crying over me?

Karin, I just want...

to hold you, please.

No!

No! Don't touch me! I don't want you to touch me!

What are you doing?

I want to know something.

- What? - Down at the go-kart track Have I ever won...

a race?

- You know you have. - But were you really trying?

Tell me the truth.

Why do you ask?

I want to know what Karin needs me for.

The whole point was that we could revert to the way things were.

What's so rational about that?

Going back to the way things were?

Can you answer that?

No, I can't.

But that doesn't mean anything.

Exactly.

Nothing!

I don't understand what you mean. It's three o'clock in the morning.

I can hardly think straight.

Not everything is rational!

That doesn't mean we can let everything go.

We need some kind of direction.

Something to believe in.

- Love? - Yes.

Between people.

Between brothers and sisters.

How about God?

May I ask...

if you've ever had a religious experience,

a revelation?

No, I haven't seen any talking burning bushes, if that's what you mean.

But I saw you

standing on a high scaffold and then climbing down again.

Do you remember

the moment you fell in love with my wife?

Yes.

Maybe that was a revelation.

A miracle.

Even though you didn't realize it then.

Sven-Erik?

- Has he left? - I don't know.

Sven-Erik?

- What are you looking for? - His access card.

For the mill.

There's nothing here.

This way.

My God, what are you doing?

I was thinking I'd cut myself into two good-sized pieces.

But while lying there,

I felt my back muscles cramping up.

Then

I suddenly sat up.

This is how it turned out instead.

My bloody back!

What do we do now?

I don't know.

- I guess we'll go home. - To your place?

Yes.

Or...

to our place, I mean.

Are you just going to stand there? Come and sit down.

Would you like anything?

No, I'll keep this short.

Sit down.

If I start to cry,

which might happen,

let me finish speaking.

Don't comfort me.

I've loved you more than anything.

And I still do.

You're more than half of me, the father of my children.

I'm devastated that you're leaving me for someone else, but...

I hope that...

despite all that's happened,

you have a good life,

that things go well for both of you.

As for me,

I hope time will heal, so that I can move on. I want to believe...

that there still might be...

someone for me out there too, later on.

Perhaps.

There was something else I wanted to say, but it's slipped my mind.

I think I've said the most important bit.

Oh, yes.

I wanted you to know that I was happy with you.

I'm grateful

for all the love we shared.

You're a wonderful man.

And I've been happy with you.

Wait!