Original subtitles

[jazzy upbeat music playing]

[woman] Well, um…

[woman humming]

[woman] What can I even write about myself?

You… want to know a bit about me?

Okay, then.

BASED ON THE BOOK BY EMMA HAMBERG

[woman] Bonjour.

Agneta… is my name.

And I love everything about France.

I love the cheese, the wine, the people. Baguette.

[clears throat]

[Agneta] And those little, uh… macarons.

And cheese. Did I say that?

I would love to be able to stroll around in an old French village.

[indistinct chatter]

[Agneta] I've never been to France.

Kind of… never happened.

And as my life trundled along,

I found myself working for the Transport Administration for 25 years.

It's not Paris, but it's convenient.

STA, Agneta Strömberg. How can I help you?

[Agneta] And Magnus, my husband…

Brilliant.

[Agneta] …likes things to be convenient.

He has a very healthy lifestyle.

[bicycle bell rings]

[Agneta] It's really handy he has his workout partner, Linda.

It means I don't have to do it.

He's blacklisted everything that tastes of France at home…

The only things I enjoyed.

[washing machine beeps]

[Agneta] I have two kids who've flown the nest.

We talk sometimes, when they need money.

Through the app, anyway.

Okay.

[indistinct chatter]

[Agneta] So I suppose the only thing left to do is prepare

for my retirement or maybe my… death.

-Good night. -Good night.

[Agneta] Magnus thinks that I lack drive.

But I do have it in me.

I guess it's just not the right kind of drive.

[jazzy upbeat music continues]

FRENCH ESTATES

STA, Agneta Strömberg. How can I help you?

[Agneta] Well, I suppose there isn't much else to say about me.

FRENCH ESTATES

[Agneta] It's not that I've just made do or given up on things,

I just don't expect that much from life.

Agneta Strömberg. What can I help you with?

[munching loudly]

[music ends]

Agneta?

[Agneta] So… they let me go.

Well, who wants to hire a nearly fifty-year-old woman

who only has one lousy job listed on her resume?

Maybe you do.

Looking after an older boy who needs help…

Well, that's definitely something I can do.

The job is located… in Provence.

Immediate start.

"Someone to cook food."

"And wash the clothes."

"And clean a very big house."

"Please note, very important:

Every Friday at 5:00 p.m., sit in bar."

[poignant music plays]

Well, I mean, this I could do.

Agneta, forty-nine years old,

I'm skilled in both cooking and cleaning.

I can take care of big and small boys.

With a black belt in stain removal.

[Agneta] Huh, that actually turns my whole life of useless labor

into a decent resume.

Mm.

[Agneta] You know, my first thought was, "No, I can't do this."

But now, I honestly can't think of a single reason why I shouldn't send this

and apply.

[laughs]

[Agneta] So, Mr. Fabien. This is my really long resume.

And don't forget…

[laughing]

[Agneta] I…

love…

Fra…

France.

[laughs]

Oh… [laughing] Goodness.

[snoring]

[cell phone buzzes]

[breathes deeply]

[fly buzzing]

[groans]

[exhales]

No…

[laughs]

[wistful music plays]

[groans]

[wistful music continues]

[Agneta groans]

[packet rustling]

[door opens]

Linda says there might be a job at a--

-Mm! -[Magnus] What…?

What is this?

[Agneta] Good morning.

Is that wine?

Have you been drinking alone?

-I smell cheese. -No.

Agneta, I'm sorry.

I… I… I didn't realize how much this…

I honestly didn't realize how hard you were taking this work thing.

[Magnus sighs]

We're a team. We… We can do this.

Together. You don't need to worry about anything. Um…

We'll work it out.

You and me, okay?

So… you don't need to worry about it. I will handle everything.

I'll be fine, Magnus, I can manage it. Thank you.

-I'm here. You don't have to it alone… -I can do it. I will.

-My darling. [sighs] -I can, I've actually…

I've… I've actually applied for…

something in the listings here. [sniffs]

Here. There's actually a little… Swedish boy,

who lives over… in Provence, who's been looking for… a little au pair.

I sort of… Well, I actually got the job.

-[Agneta inhales sharply] -[stifled laugh]

But you ca-- [laughing]

-You can't do that… -What?

[laughing] An au pair… You're joking. You'll be an au pair?

In France? [laughing]

"Je m'appelle Agneta. Hi, I'm your new au pair."

[laughing]

Gosh, sorry.

You've got to be joking. I mean, come on, Agneta, would you…

Would you seriously go to France all by yourself?

I would.

You are terrified of traveling on your own.

You couldn't even visit me when I lived in Gothenburg for two years.

I was 21 then.

You were. That's true, but now you're nearly 50, my love.

And other women your age… don't work as au pairs.

There is a little boy in Provence who's been looking for help to clean the house

and they picked me.

I've finally found my drive.

So, yes, I'm going to France.

I am.

-You know what, Agneta? -What?

I think you should go to France.

But… don't go calling me when you're on your own, alone, in France.

When you're in some tiny village or wandering down a street, lost,

without money, since you've lost your purse or had it stolen.

And you're all alone because you don't even speak a word of French, do you? Hm?

-I'd love to see how you cope. -We'll see.

-"We'll see?" -We will see, Magnus.

-We'll see. -We'll see, exactly.

-[Magnus] We'll see how it goes. -Yeah.

-We will see. -We will see.

We will see.

[announcer] The train will now be departing. Please stand back.

[whistle blows]

[tranquil accordion music playing]

No, no, go on.

[Agneta] Oh.

Go on.

-[music fades] -[Agneta sighs deeply]

[accordion music builds]

[chugging]

[music builds]

[music fades]

[water trickling]

Wait, no, I…

Hey! Wait. No, no, my bags! [echoes]

[exhales sharply]

[fly buzzing]

[dog barking in distance]

[church bell rings]

[thunder rumbling]

-[church bell ringing] -[rain pattering]

[breathing shakily]

[man singing in French]

-Hello? -[man] Oui?

Bonsoir.

[Agneta] Uh…

[music playing on radio]

Uh… [speaking French]

-[in English] Uh, no, I… -[man continues speaking French]

Allez!

[speaking French]

Alors. Voilà.

-[man continues speaking French] -[in English] Uh, this…

No, um… I'm here for… uh, I'm hired.

[smacks lips, speaks French]

Um…

Fabien?

-Fabien? C'est moi. -Fabien. It's, uh, it's you.

-C'est moi. Oui. -Okay.

Uh… uh, remember Agneta?

[inhales deeply] Uh… "Anjeta." [speaks French]

[in English] No, hang on. My… uh…

[sighs] Je m'appelle Agneta.

[Agneta] Au pair.

Anjeta!

-Yes. Yeah. -Anjeta!

-Yeah. Yeah. -Anjeta! [laughs] Ça fait plaisir!

-Bonsoir! Ça va bien? -Oh! No…

-[Agneta] No… -Ah, pardon.

[Fabien clears throat]

[speaks French]

-[Agneta] Hm? -[Fabien continues speaking French]

-Venez. Venez! Venez! Venez! -Uh… okay.

[Fabien] Bonibelle!

[speaking French]

[door opens]

[Fabien] Ah!

[Fabien] Ça va?

[rain pattering]

[woman coos tenderly]

[woman] Moi… Bonibelle.

[speaks French]

[footsteps depart]

[Fabian clears throat]

[cat meows]

[Fabien] Ah. Barry et Judy.

-[Fabien speaks French] -[Agneta exclaims]

-[Fabien continues speaking French] -[Fabien and Bonibelle laugh]

[door opens]

[door closes]

[music playing on record player]

[banging]

[clattering]

[speaks French]

[Bonibelle chuckling]

[Agneta straining]

-[Fabian shouts in French, laughs] -[Agneta puffs]

[Fabien continues speaking French, laughs]

[Bonibelle speaks French]

[man in English] Agneta? Who the hell is Agneta?

[music crescendoes]

[music stops]

Do we have guests?

Oh, excuse me, is this your house?

[man] Fabien, help me get down.

[man] Ugh. That's it.

[sighs deeply] Well, isn't this a nice surprise.

It's been so long since anyone visited.

Have a seat!

Let's have some wine… Let's have some wine…

-We can have a drink… -Sorry, excuse me.

[man] You can tell me about yourself.

-Where's the glass? -[Agneta] Uh, excuse me, mister…

-[man] Here. -[Agneta] These two over here…

have hired me to be an… au pair…

for a boy.

I'm… supposed to cook and clean and help out with some stuff.

Perhaps you might know where I can find this boy?

Is he playing around here somewhere in his room?

[man] Really?

What's the name of the boy you'll be an au pair for?

Einar.

[man groans]

I don't need your help.

[bangs glass]

Oh my.

No. Einar. Einar!

[speaking French]

-[Agneta] So… -Einar!

Einar. Okay.

[man hollering]

[man] Come on, let's go! [hollers]

["Alouette, Gentille Alouette" playing faintly]

[music grows louder]

[Agneta breathing shakily]

My god, it's so dark in here.

[clicks switch]

-[Einar groans] -[Agneta] Hungry?

[Einar] What are you up to?

Excrement.

[Agneta] Einar, it's 10 p.m., you're supposed to have…

a little… something to eat. A meal.

-[Agneta] Yeah. -You call this filth a meal?

Um…

Uh… I'm a little unsure honestly, what kind of meat it is.

But just wait a little bit…

'Cause I'm the one who's employed here,

so I'll be the one giving you your food for…

a while.

[Einar] Nobody should come here just 'cause they got paid.

You…You, you come here because you want to be here.

[exhales deeply]

[Einar shouting] How do you do, my libido?

-[Agneta] Mm. -[Einar] How do you do, my libido?

[groans]

[Einar] Tell me what you want!

[breathes deeply]

[Einar] Why won't you answer me?

-[Einar] How… do you do… -[sighs]

I'll take the morning train tomorrow. It'll all be okay.

[Einar] …my libido?

[Fabien speaking French]

[phone line ringing]

[indistinct chatter]

[Fabien continues speaking French]

[Agneta] Hey…

[Magnus] Agneta, why aren't you calling from your own phone?

-Has it been stolen already? -The weather's gorgeous today.

It's a little bit cloudy today, but still… warm.

So… Magnus, I was wondering…

if you'd be willing to help me, uh, to, um… come home now.

-[Magnus] I guess I was right, then. -It's not that at all!

Everybody speaks very good English here. You can understand… everything.

So there are, honestly, no issues here at all.

The little boy is so sweet in his suspenders and everything.

I couldn't be happier.

But I've been thinking a lot about that… job

Linda said was at the Insurance Agency.

Of course we should… ask about it.

[Magnus] You're lucky your husband knows you

better than you know yourself.

What do you think people'd say if they knew

you were over there trying to work as an au pair?

-[Magnus] Oh, look. A train strike. -What was that?

-[Magnus] A train strike. -No! What about flights?

Are any flights leaving?

[Magnus] Yeah, wait, let's see what there is…

Will you look at that? I found one. It leaves on Saturday at 2 p.m.

-You can't find an earlier flight? -[Magnus] No, there aren't.

Sorry I can't satisfy every one of your needs.

You'll have to stay a little longer. You can come back on Saturday.

There's one seat at the moment, which is a miracle, to be honest.

I can tell you here that back at home, our heating has broken down.

-Lisa and Ludde keep asking for money. -[sighs] That… Yes, it…

[Magnus] Agneta, I know you do that with your parents when you want--

-[cell phone beeps] -Merci.

[indistinct background chatter, laughter]

[chuckles softly, sniffs]

[clears throat]

-Anjeta okay? -[Agneta] Hm?

I, uh… have no choice but to stay here, it would appear.

Cleaning up after a cranky old man

that you forgot to mention in the job listing.

So, all good. Yeah.

Oui, oui. C'est bon.

It'll be fine. It'll be fine.

-[rattling] -[sighs]

[grunts]

[under breath] Okay.

What the hell is this? No. No way.

[loud rock music plays]

["7 Heures du Matin" by Jacqueline Taieb playing]

♪Talkin' 'bout my ch-ch-ch generation ♪

["7 Heures du Matin" by Jacqueline Taieb continues]

[man shouting indistinctly]

[Einar singing] ♪ Dooby, dooby, dooby… ♪

[record sticks]

[music ends]

[silence]

[soft musical creaks]

-[thud] -[clattering]

[playful suspenseful music plays]

[exhales]

[Agneta whimpers] Hello?

[Agneta breathing shakily]

[Agneta breathes heavily]

[Agneta] Oh my God!

Oh! Are you seriously trying to kiss me while I'm sleeping?

-Are you out of your mind, lady? -I thought you were dead.

[Einar] I already told you I don't need your help.

[groaning] Oh, I know.

Why are you still here? Away with you!

-Right now, you're actually scaring me. -You don't think I'm scared?

With a strange woman in my house,

who… who I found trying to kiss me while I'm sleeping.

Well, I thought you were kind of dead.

That's what it looked like, so I was checking if you were.

-I'm sure you'd be thrilled if I died. -Well, sort of.

Then I'd have a reasonable excuse to tell my husband why I came home.

[groans]

Sorry, that wasn't nice.

I'm sorry. That was incredibly stupid of me.

I shouldn't have said that. I know better too.

I'm wrong, I always say the wrong things. Apparently, I am the one who needs help.

-[Einar] Hm. -[Bonibelle] Bonjour.

[Bonibelle speaking French]

[Einar in English] Good. She really needs to get outside.

-[Agneta] What is she saying? -[Einar grumbling]

Viens!

Oh, no. No, no. Uh… You know… [chuckles]

-I'm still… cleaning. -[Einar groaning]

-[Agneta] Do the cushions and… -[indistinct]

[Einar vocalizing]

[Bonibelle] Anjeta…

[beads rattling]

[door opens]

[footsteps]

[Agneta] Oh. [giggles] Nice.

Very nice necklace… that you have.

-Oh! -[both laugh]

[Agneta groans softly]

You… make this underwear?

[speaking French]

[in English] Oh!

What kind of sick little lady are you?

[chuckling]

Oh! Uh, no, thank you. No, no, no, no, no.

This fleece, uh… I don't take it off in public.

-These arms… No. Not for show. -[both laugh]

[Agneta] Hmm. [clears throat]

[Agneta clears throat]

Anjeta.

Si jeune.

Si belle.

[indistinct chatter]

-[stallholder speaking French] -Merci.

Anjeta.

-[Bonibelle speaking French] -[stallholder speaking French]

[in English] Uh, can I…

[Agneta] Cheese.

[Bonibelle speaks French]

[stallholder] Et voilá.

C'est bon?

Mm.

[uplifting music plays]

[stallholder] Voilà.

Tenez, votre camembert. À bientôt.

[stallholder] Bonne journée.

Au revoir.

[Agneta in English] Yeah. Good.

[Bonibelle speaks French]

[Bonibelle continues speaking French]

-[Bonibelle speaks French] -Mm.

-[Bonibelle continues speaking French] -[Agneta] Mm-hmm. Hm.

[Agneta in English] Okay, then… Let's see here.

Ta da!

[sauce sizzling]

[music playing on record player]

[Einar groans]

[Einar sighs deeply]

[Agneta] I got the recipe from…

Uh… [sighs]

[Agneta pensively] What was her name? Um…

From, uh… Bonibelle.

Um…

You will probably be glad to hear that I'm going home on Saturday.

[Einar moans]

[Agneta] And… I want to take this moment to apologize for earlier today…

I freaked out a little bit.

-[Einar moans] -[Agneta] But, um…

I promise that I'm actually quite…

normal.

Normal?

So who gets to decide what's normal?

That kind of thing drives me nuts.

Normal doesn't always mean the same for you as it might for someone else.

That was the first thing Armand taught me, you know.

No one should be telling you what's normal and what's not.

[Agneta] No, of course. I'm sorry…

Are you now apologizing to me for just saying your thoughts on it?

[chuckles] This is getting rather amusing.

Okay. Mm.

[Einar groans]

Next time try adding a little balsamic vinegar, will you?

Armand always put balsamic on it. Mm.

Armand?

-[Agneta] Was he your boyfriend? -Oh.

You know what?

You're going to meet him right now.

Uh… Now?

Come on.

-[Einar] And this here is Armand. -[cork pops]

[liquid being poured]

[Agneta] Are you… aware that it's a statue?

[Einar] That was the most depressing question I've ever heard in my life.

Have you never heard of imagination?

-Playing pretend? -Yeah.

Great. Let's start from the beginning.

When I was still married to Margareta.

[Agneta] Hang on. Sorry, I'm not following you.

-You said Margareta? -Yeah.

I didn't know you were married to a woman.

Do you think I just woke up one day as gay man in a French monastery, Agneta?

-Um… yeah. -Oh, my God, darling…

A villa, a Volvo, and bingo on Fridays.

All of this is normal now.

But back then, when I was in the military… [chuckles mischievously]

That was paradise.

Cocks were everywhere.

[Agneta shakily] I see.

Homosexuals had to be cured back then.

I was good at pretending I was straight until I finally heard of a place

where all of the closeted gays would meet up and get together to mingle.

Humlegården Park. The fall of 1964.

I love this bit. It's my favorite.

I… am Einar.

Nervous.

Full of excitement.

[Einar] Beautiful.

You'll be able to see it better if you close your eyes.

-[Agneta] Um… -For God's sake, close your eyes.

[poignant music plays]

Can you see my feet walking along the gravel path?

[Einar] Can you see the green bench?

I sit down, unsure of myself.

Yeah. But how do you sit when you're waiting for another homosexual?

A little… sensual, I guess you could say.

Yeah.

But suddenly, I hear voices.

[indistinct chatter]

[Einar] I can see three men are walking towards me.

I stand up and I am terribly nervous.

One of them comes up to me.

[Einar] "Are you…"

And I said… "I think so."

And then, he spits right in my face.

And then I heard him say, "Fuck, that's disgusting."

"I told you he was a fag."

[deep sigh]

I told you to keep your eyes closed.

Okay.

What was I doing?

I had Margareta.

I felt terribly embarrassed and ashamed.

I ran.

Then a white convertible pulled up in front of me.

Can you see it?

Vibrant and full of life.

That's when I saw him. Right there.

An unimaginably beautiful human being.

And he said…

[Einar] "You want to go for a ride?"

-[Agneta] Don't tell me that was Armand. -[music fades]

[gasps] Was it really?

-Didn't I tell you to close your eyes? -Oh, yes, I'm sorry.

[Agneta] Mm?

[Einar] And then he took me to a place… I didn't know existed.

[poignant music fades up]

[Einar] Full of people I didn't know existed.

They embodied everything I always was, but never felt I could be.

And out of all these amazing, colorful humans, he was looking at me.

Then, he extended an inviting hand.

But… [chuckles softly] I was so shy, like a timid bird.

He leaned forward and whispered something in my ear,

which is now my most important motto.

-"If somebody asks you to dance…" -If someone asks you to dance…

-[Einar] "You must never decline." -You must never decline.

[music builds]

-[Einar] We never stopped dancing. -[men cheering]

[Einar] And then, laying in the most beautiful bed with him,

I had the most amazing, passionate, craziest sex--

[Agneta] Wait! Stop! [clears throat]

What?

Margareta! What happened to Margareta? Where did she go? What happened to her?

[Einar groans]

Well, I…

I… promised myself that I could only give up that life

if I could absolutely make sure that every minute of my new life was worth it.

Wow.

[clicks tongue]

[clears throat] Right, so…

-[Einar] Would you help me get up? -[sighs] Of course.

-Here. Here we go. -[Agneta] Okay. Oh, dear me.

-[Einar] Thank you. -There. Okay.

-[Einar] No, no, no… Come… -Huh? What was that?

-[Einar] Yes, come on. -No, not me.

-Stop. I won't. -[Einar] Yes.

-[Agneta] I don't want… -Come on.

-Just put your foot there. That's it. -Okay, I'm getting up.

-[Einar] Stand like this. -Like this?

-[Einar] And I'll sit here, like this. -Mm.

[Einar] Right!

Now show me your life.

-[Agneta] You want… what? Uh… -Go on!

[Agneta] Okay… Well…

Uh… I actually met my husband on the dance floor as well.

Uh… um…

Because we were… watching over all of our friends' jackets.

That's when Magnus came up and talked to me.

-[Agneta] There. -Okay, but…

-I still don't see any of you. -Mm?

You… you need to show me. Okay? Show me something already!

-[Agneta] Hmm. Mm. Uh… -Go on then!

[hesitates] Well… uh…

Magnus did most of the talking, I suppose.

And I was the one who kind of… listened to him harp on.

And, so… so, I guess that sort of made us a rather…

A good match for each other…

[Agneta] Back then.

Then what happened? You're not saying anything.

[Agneta] Uh… Yeah, well after that…

Magnus got this, uh… amazing job.

It was in… in Dresden.

-[Einar groans] This is dreadful. -So we went down there…

-[Agneta] Or rather, we flew there… -Why are we talking about Magnus?

[Einar] This play is about you!

You're the director of this play, for God's sake, woman.

What do you live for?

My children.

That answer's terrible.

It's cruel to put that on your children, what a burden.

Do you like who you've become?

[sighs] Of course I don't like it.

[Einar] No, obviously you don't like yourself.

How could you when you've never done anything you like for yourself

in your entire life?

[scoffs] You know nothing about me.

[Einar] But neither do you, apparently. [scoffs]

Thank you.

I thought this place was done seeing lost birds begin to shed their feathers.

-[Agneta] What? -Let's go to bed.

We have a busy day tomorrow.

[exhales deeply]

[poignant music continues]

-[church bell ringing] -[indistinct chatter]

[Einar] Where is she?

[footsteps]

-Good morning. -There you are, Agneta.

We had a lot of fun yesterday, didn't we?

-Yeah. It was… It was very fun. -[chuckles] Yeah.

Yeah, but come on, we should get started.

I have so much to show you today.

Uh… So I guess… I just thought that I'd sort out as much as possible for you

before I have to leave… tomorrow.

Because it's Saturday tomorrow.

So today must be Friday, then. That's bar day.

[Agneta] Oh, right.

Let's see here.

[Agneta] 5:00 p.m. Does anything in particular happen on Fridays?

[Einar] God no, nothing in particular ever happens there and probably never will.

[Agneta] Mm.

[Einar] Come on, do you want to have some fun?

-[Agneta] Oh! Sure, okay. -Great, come on.

You have to eat something first.

-[Einar] No, come on. Catch me if you can. -Hang on. Wait!

What'd you mean earlier?

[Einar] How do you do, my libido?

A-ha…

Interesting.

[Agneta] So what did you mean by "shed their feathers"?

[Einar] Well, when birds have babies, they are gray and boring.

When they get older, their feathers turn into a firework of color.

And they fly towards adventures.

-[Agneta] Hmm. Mm. -That is shedding their feathers.

Tell me… How would you describe yourself, my dear?

Uh… here…

Well, I guess…

Well, I… I'll have to disappoint you again today, I'm afraid.

I have never been an interesting woman.

I'm sorry. I'm just… not like you.

And how's that?

Well, you're someone… who is… colorful.

You know, I've never met any woman…

who came all the way to France from Sweden…

in order to spend time in a monastery with a crazy, homosexual man,

just to be standing next to him, feeding him a baguette.

I'd say that's very colorful.

[Einar laughs]

[Agneta] Hey…

What exactly went on here back then?

I'd love to hear about the whole story before I have to leave.

[Einar sniffs, smacks lips]

If you play, I'll tell you.

Well, I can't do that.

Oh! [groans]

-[Einar groaning] -What just happened to you?

What if my heart gave out right now?

Are you telling me you'd deny a shriveled old man his dying request?

Would you really? Go on, just humor me, won't you?

[Einar] Imagine giving people a place like this…

A place where they can come exactly as they are.

To live without an ounce of judgment. This was that place.

We all ate, drank, and slept until the afternoon.

Argued, laughed, played, danced!

We built. We painted.

Wait, where did all these people come from?

[Einar] From the same place as you, darling.

-Sollentuna? -[laughs]

From the feeling you have right now. The feeling of never fitting in.

So, I want you to show me what you see.

[Agneta] Okay… Um…

Tell me what I should be picturing. So I can try to imagine it.

Ah… No.

-[Einar laughs] -Uh…

The stage is yours.

You can't do that, Einar. That… that…

-That's not something I'm able to do. -How did little Agneta play?

-Uh… -When she was seven?

[Agneta] Well…

[breathes deeply, clears throat]

[sniffs]

[Agneta] Uh…

Uh… What?

Is…

that right here?

[Agneta] This painting is of this room.

Wait a minute, let me see.

[chuckles]

[Agneta] Einar, now… I can see that in this corner…

Someone's painting… over here.

But they…

[hesitates] They don't seem like… an artist.

But… but over here, up here…

There's two people standing up here, on top of a ladder.

They're hanging it up.

A chandelier!

And wait a minute. Oh!

And then here's somebody just lying around and, uh… [laughs]

-[Agneta] They're singing! -Yeah?

Here! Here, right on top of the grand piano.

-[Agneta] On top of it. -They are?

The molting happened here.

Everyone here would come… to shed!

Yes! We wanted to show everyone that there was a place for them to go to.

Like there was for me.

-How'd you do that? -How do you think?

-What do I think? -What do you think?

What do I think? Gosh, I think that they…

I want you to show me what you think, Agneta.

[Agneta] I think that you dressed up as birds and then…

You went around the theater and you… you birded around!

-And what did it sound like, go on! -[screams]

[high-pitched crowing]

[laughing loudly, screaming]

[screaming, clucking]

-[loud bird call] -[Agneta] So many birds here!

[triumphant classical music plays]

[indistinct]

[classical music continues]

[Agneta] I see you, Einar.

[Agneta] You found your home…

And… Armand was the one who helped you.

-[music stops] -[Agneta] No!

-He just disappeared. Where did he go? -[bird calling]

[Agneta] I think maybe he's… He's probably heading to the drawing room.

Come, come!

[Agneta] Where the hell did he go?

It's so quiet in here.

[birds chirping]

Where are they?

[Einar] Where do you think?

[Agneta] What do I think?

[somber piano music plays]

[Agneta] I think…

I think that after Armand died, this whole place suddenly went quiet.

And you don't like silence.

[Einar scoffs] Is that right?

You know what I think?

I think you ought to put on your finest clothes and then come with me.

We're going to the bar.

[mellow French music plays]

[sighs deeply] For goodness sake.

[music continues playing faintly]

[knocking]

Hello.

Oh, do you really have to dress up?

[Einar] How do I look?

You're perfect.

Well, I just wish I could return the compliment.

What?

Well…

[Agneta] Oh, okay then…

[church bell rings]

-That's so much better. [laughs] -You think? Really?

[softly] Yeah, right. Mm.

-[Agneta] Mm. -[Einar] Good, right?

Mm. [moans]

[Einar] He makes it at night… the sauce.

He keeps the recipe a secret.

[Einar] They tell you there's a lot of love in it.

[indistinct chatter]

You're not the only one.

-Uh, what? -Women go crazy for him.

-You could get some action there. -No. I can't.

No way. I shouldn't.

-He's not the least bit… I can't. -[laughing]

-That's not some… -He's a real stud.

-[Einar neighs] -Be quiet, you.

[Einar laughs]

-Do you like riding? -Shh!

[Einar laughing]

This happens every week?

[Agneta] It all makes sense now.

Why you gave up your boring life in Sweden for this.

-For this? -Mm.

I gave it all up for my libido.

It's located in my heart and down between my legs.

-For my life force. -Mm.

And I gave up my libido for a… really dull life in Sweden.

While you chose… life.

Do you think I had a choice?

My soul would have died.

I… gave up my family, my country, my life.

My son!

[chatter stops]

What, your…

-Your son? -[Einar sobs]

-[Fabien] Einar! Allez… Santé! -My God, you didn't…

-Santé a tous! -[all] Santé!

-[woman] Allez! -[Fabien] Bon appétit!

-[Fabien speaking French] -[Einar] Santé! [laughs]

-[man] Santé! -Santé!

Why didn't you tell me that you have a son?

[church bell rings]

Well, what's there to tell?

He knows that I'm at the bar every Friday at 5:00 p.m. if he wants to come see me.

[Agneta] What? Is that why you're sitting at the bar every Friday?

He knows where to find me… if he ever wants to see his father.

He's your son, I mean, surely he would--

Don't bother trying to dig up things that no longer exist, understand?

Okay. [quietly] Yeah.

[Einar sighs deeply]

[clicks tongue, groans]

Ugh… Now… Now, I would like to dance. In the lounge.

-Come. -I can't, I need to… to pack tonight.

I'm going home tomorrow.

What for?

Because… [exhales]

Would you like to dance or not?

Well, I don't know how to dance.

Anyone who can move their body around can definitely dance.

-Look. You can move. Look at you! -No.

-Yes, now… -There you go!

See how good you are at dancing! You're very good. Huh?

So, come on, do you want to move with me to the music or not?

I don't dance, Einar.

Why ever not?

"Why ever not?"

Why ever not talk to me about your son, then?

-♪ Aa… louette, la la la la la la ♪ -Where you going? Okay.

[Einar continues singing] ♪ La la la la la la la la la ♪

♪ La la la la la la la la la la ♪

♪ Alouette, la la la la la ♪

[Einar continues singing in the distance]

[uplifting jazz music plays]

[indistinct chatter, laughter]

[music continues faintly in distance]

[man calls out]

[Agneta breathes shakily]

[music gets louder]

-[record scratches] -[music stops]

No! No, no, no, no. I just want to dance, all right?

-[Agneta] Did you fall? -Turn the music on.

-[Einar] Please, turn it on. [whimpers] -Oh, my god.

-Oh… let me help you. Do you…? -No, no, no, no.

-I don't need your help. I can manage. -Okay, just…

Let's… We have to dance now. [breathes shakily]

[breathless] We… have… to…

to dance now.

[sobbing quietly]

[poignant music plays]

[water trickling]

[Einar] I need to drown out the sorrow with joy.

There is… no other way.

You see, I already know the answer.

And no parent alive can live with that answer.

That's why it's… better to sit there every Friday.

Hoping, laughing.

Rather than dying.

Because knowing is dying.

Lie down, okay?

[Einar] It's better that I continue to live in my own reality.

I cannot wait for him to see his room.

So he can play with them.

Play with who?

The porcelain cats.

I know he would have loved them.

Them, them, them.

[poignant music fades]

[whimsical instrumental music plays]

[door creaks]

[switch clicks]

[Agneta] "Paul has a new father now. Don't write again. You are sick."

[sniffles]

[Einar] Agneta?

[clamoring]

-[sniffling, breathing shakily] -[switch clicks]

[Agneta breathing heavily] I'm here.

[Agneta exhales]

Why are you crying, little bird?

I think I just feel a little sorry for you.

Promise me one tiny thing, little bird.

Never look at me again the way you are right now.

Because then I'm reminded.

["Bravo tu as Gagné" by Clara Luciani plays]

I just want to dance, okay?

All I want is to dance.

[song fades]

-[gasps] What? -[Einar groans, snores loudly]

-[Einar laughs] -I saw that. I know it was you.

-[Einar] Finally. -What time is it?

-Two. -Wow!

[yawning] We must have… danced all night.

It was about time you showed the world those incredible hips you have.

[both laugh]

-I know. -[both laughing]

[cell phone ringing]

-[Agneta] You have a phone? -Of course I have a phone… somewhere.

-Answer it. -Will you go get it for me, please?

-Where is it? -Go on, hurry up.

-I'm going. Where is it though? -Go on! Move it. [laughs]

-Here it is. -Great. Thanks.

[cell phone continues ringing]

-This is Einar. -[man] Who's Einar?

Better go and get dressed. [chuckles]

[Einar] There's a half-naked woman in my bed.

Haven't had one of those in a while. [laughing]

[man] Wait, who's naked?

[Einar] Who? My au pair.

[Agneta] Are you still there?

[Magnus] I can't believe this. I'm waiting for my wife at the airport, worried.

What could have happened? Is she dead? But no!

Turns out it's much worse!

Apparently, she's naked in bed

with an old Frenchman who lied about being a little boy.

Don't you hear how wrong that sounds? Abnormal.

-What are you doing, Agneta? -Have you ever heard of molting?

[Magnus] Excuse me?

How birds change color when their chicks have flown the nest.

[Magnus] What? Agneta, are you insane?

I have so many concerns about you.

Birds molts twice a year. And they don't change color.

What have these people been telling you?

I've told you, you have to be more discerning of your sources.

I'm gonna stay here.

-[Magnus] What? -At least for a while.

[Magnus] Why would you do that?

Give me one reason why you should stay there another second longer.

-Hello? -I guess I just feel like it.

[Magnus] Agneta…

Everyone wants to go on vacation, but you can't just leave everything…

But… that's something I can do here.

That's something you can do too, Magnus, you could come here as well.

You should come join me, y'know.

-[Magnus] You have lost your mind. -[line beeps]

[birds chirping]

[soft thudding]

[chuckles]

[Einar laughs]

Good morning. I haven't seen you in a while.

Luzette. Agneta.

Nice to meet you.

Why is there a red balloon attached to you? Luzette?

How else are we supposed to find her? [chuckles]

[Agneta exhales]

[Agneta sighs deeply] My husband thinks that I've gone crazy.

And yet you've chosen to spend your life with this guy.

I know. [laughs] God.

Do you know what makes me insanely jealous that they do so easily in this place?

-[Einar] The gays? -No, the French.

They apologize for nothing.

They smoke, eat the wrong things, drink the wrong things…

and truly don't care what anyone else thinks.

Yeah, but why the hell would you go around caring what others think of you?

People only care about themselves.

Try it and you'll see how little people care.

Okay.

[Einar] Go right now and do something you've never dared to do before.

What?

Find out what you'll do when you don't concern yourself with others' opinions…

-Okay, I'm off. -Go on.

-Okay, I will. I'm off. Yeah, yeah… -Move faster.

-And don't apologize. -I won't.

-Good. -Got it.

[uplifting music plays]

-[man grunts] -Oh! Sorry.

-[man speaks French] -[in English] Not at all.

[fabric rustling]

[wistful music plays]

[indistinct chatter]

-Bonjour. -[man] Bonjour, madam.

[uplifting music continues]

-Au revoir. -[woman] Au revoir.

Bonjour…

Bonjour.

Baguette, merci.

[uplifting music continues]

[water gurgling]

[Agneta laughs]

[water gurgling]

[music gets louder]

[Agneta sighs]

Bonjour, Anjeta.

[Agneta gasps, breathes deeply]

[speaks French]

[Fabien continues speaking French]

-[gurgling] -[grunts, laughs]

[groans]

[song fades]

[Agneta exhales sharply]

[poignant music plays]

[Agneta] Hello, little flesh.

Hello, little arm.

Oh, my lovely belly.

My lovely, lovely belly.

[sighs tenderly]

[exhales]

I'm so sorry.

I'm so sorry.

I'm sorry.

[laughs]

JACOB JORDAENS PAINTER AND ENGRAVER

[Agneta] There you are.

Would you like to paint me as well?

[funky soulful music plays]

♪ Love ♪

[Agneta] Like this, maybe?

♪ For sale ♪

♪ Love ♪

♪ For sale ♪

♪ Who will buy ♪

♪ Who would like to sample my supply? ♪

♪ Who's prepared to pay the price ♪

[Agneta moaning]

♪ For a trip to paradise ♪

♪ Love for sale ♪

[moaning, panting]

♪ If you want to buy my wares ♪

♪ Follow me and climb the stairs ♪

[Agneta gasps, whimpers]

[breathing heavily]

[muffled laughter]

-[laughing, gasping] -[clanging]

[laughing]

[birds chirping]

[Einar] And then you ask it what it needs.

-Are you ready? -[Agneta] I'm ready.

[Einar] How do you do, my libido?

How do you do, my libido? [echoes]

[both laugh]

[Agneta] How…

[both] …do you do, my libido? [echoes]

[upbeat rock music plays]

["Mes Amis" playing]

[Einar hollers]

[horn honking]

Yee-ha!

[Fabien speaks French]

[continues speaking French]

C'est la vie, Fabien.

[engine accelerates]

[sultry voice] Want to go for a ride?

[chuckles]

["Mes Amis" continues playing]

[Einar and Agneta laughing, screaming]

[music fades]

-[seagulls squawking] -[foghorn blows]

Ah!

-[Fabian] "Voiture." -Mm. In Swedish, "bil."

"Bil." Bil?

Voiture.

-Le voiture. -"La" voiture.

-Mm. "La." -[Fabien] "La" voiture.

[quietly] La… "La."

[Einar] Come, come. Let's go!

What have you got?

I just thought it looked so sad and lonely by itself.

This dress wants to have fun. Here, it's for you.

-There you are. -[man shouting in French]

Uh… It's probably better we leave. Off you go.

Have you just… Did you…?

Put the dress on. You better not apologize for this.

-[man shouting] -[Einar] See you by the car at three. Run!

-[indistinct] -What do you mean?

-[Agneta] Sprint, sprint, sprint! -[man shouting in French]

-Let's go. Come on! [screams] -[Fabien] Non, non, non…

[man continues shouting in French]

[Agneta laughing, hollering]

-[thud] -[man 2] Oh!

[Agneta] Oh! Oh, oh!

-[man 2 speaking French] -[Agneta mumbling indistinctly]

-[man 2 continues speaking French] -[unintelligible mumbling]

[Agneta continues mumbling and giggling]

[Fabien] Je…

[romantic music plays]

-[Einar mumbles] -I'll just…

-[mumbling in French] -[Agneta] Turn around.

-Yeah… Go on. -[Fabien continues mumbling in French]

[Fabien speaking French]

[inhales sharply]

[loud exhale]

[wistful music plays]

[Agneta] Hello.

Wow!

Shoes.

[Agneta] Well…

So long comfortable shoes that are good for my back and nothing else.

[both cheer, laugh]

[Fabien claps his hands]

Whoa!

[Fabien laughing]

[both exhale deeply]

Je vais à la…

La… La voiture.

Parfait. [laughs]

-[child laughing] -[Einar] I got this one for my son.

Yes. [chuckles] Yes.

My son loves cats like these, so I bought him one. [chuckles]

[child laughing]

-It's so nice, isn't it? -[Agneta] Einar!

-Huh? What is it? Hey. Hey! -Hey.

[Einar] Oh! Oh my, that's gorgeous on you.

[Agneta] It's… Yeah.

Yeah. Um… is it… Is it time to leave?

-What's that? -[Einar] Yeah?

Isn't it just lovely?

He'll absolutely love it. [chuckles softly]

[child crying]

Huh?

[laughs tenderly]

[grumbling softly]

One moment… Hang on.

[child continues crying]

Mm.

[woman speaking French]

[in English] Take this one. It shouldn't be all by itself in my home.

I already have too many lonely, sad cats living there.

So…

better for it to, uh… be having a good time there. [chuckles]

It's better… better for it.

[sobs loudly]

God…

[Einar continues sobbing]

I can't do it. I can't hold onto it any longer.

Reality.

[stumbling] My reality.

Which reality… is your reality, Einar?

[Einar] The one I live in.

[breathing shakily]

The one where… I get to have Paul come see me again,

to play with these little cats.

One where I'm happy with life.

One where… I can't… it consumes me.

It consumes me.

I chose myself over him. I made the wrong choice.

[crying] The wrong choice.

SENDER: AGNETA STRÖMBERG TO: PAUL LINDBLOM

[breathes deeply]

[Agneta] Dear Paul,

You don't know me, but I probably didn't either

until I met your dad.

He's taught me to listen to… myself.

And now it's time for me to teach him to do the same.

To listen to himself.

And to stop drowning out the grief. The grief over you.

Wait, Einar!

[Agneta] I understand if you're angry with him.

He left you because he wasn't allowed to be himself.

That's why he doesn't think he has the right to contact you.

Or love you.

As if it was a choice.

To love yourself or to love your son.

-The laundry basket. -Thank you.

[Agneta] But that's wrong. I know that.

I know that you can do both.

But first you need to find a person who helps you dare.

Otherwise, you might spend a lifetime thinking

that there is no other alternative.

Einar is your father.

-Hurry up. Go on. -I will.

[Agneta] But he needs your help to dare to be that.

-Here, try some. -Oh!

[Agneta] All the love he has for you, he has spent a lifetime giving to others.

To people like me.

But I think it's time for him to offer that love to the one it belongs to.

To you.

Before it's too late.

[Einar humming]

-[Agneta] We shouldn't be late. -[Einar] No.

-It's Friday. We can't be late to dinner. -So it is.

[indistinct chatter]

[both laughing]

[Agneta humming]

[Agneta continues humming]

[Agneta stops humming]

[sizzling]

-Okay, let's see. Oh. -[Fabien speaks French]

[Agneta] Yes.

-There we are. -Attention. [groans]

[Agneta softly] And… there we are.

["Lady Marmalade" by Patti LaBelle playing on radio]

-[Fabien speaks French] -It's like a romantic… comedy.

-[Fabien laughs] -Every part of it.

-[Agneta] Okay, let's see. -Attention.

[Agneta] Uh-huh.

[Agneta] That's it.

[speaking French]

[Fabien continues speaking French]

C'est très sexy.

I think you're talking about the sauce. Now.

[Fabien] Maintenant…

-[Fabien speaks French] -[in English] Yeah.

Mm.

-Magnifique. Bravo. -[Agneta sighs]

[speaks French]

-[Fabien] No, uh… [chuckles] -Oh… What? No…

[Agneta] Oh… no. I'm so sorry.

-Ah, non. Pardon. Non, non. -No, no.

♪ Creole Lady Marmalade ♪

[sighs] It's hot.

♪ Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir? ♪

♪ Voulez-vous coucher avec moi? ♪

[Agneta moans, clears throat]

[breathless] Voulez-vouz coucher avec moi?

[song climaxes]

[indistinct]

♪ Touch of her skin, feeling silky smooth Color of café au lait ♪

[indistinct chatter]

♪ Made the savage beast inside ♪

-♪ Roar until he cried ♪ -[indistinct chatter]

♪ More, more, more ♪

-[Fabien laughing] -[Agneta exclaims]

♪ Now he's back home doin' 9 to 5 ♪

[Agneta] Mmm.

♪ He's livin' the gray flannel life ♪

♪ But when he turns off to sleep Old memories creep ♪

[Agneta groaning]

♪ More, more, more… ♪

[Fabien groans]

♪ Gitchie, gitchie, ya-ya, da-da ♪

[Fabien speaking French]

[both groaning]

[both moaning, groaning]

[breathless] Bon… appétit. [groans]

[both laughing]

♪ Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir? ♪

-♪ Voulez-vous coucher avec moi? ♪ -[Fabien groaning]

-C'est bon? -Oui, c'est bon.

-♪ Voulez vouz coucher avec moi ce soir? ♪ -[both moaning]

[song ends]

[rooster crows]

[Fabien snoring]

[fly buzzing]

[snoring continues]

[thud]

[indistinct chatter]

[instrumental music plays]

[water splashing]

[intense classical music playing]

[harsh scrubbing]

[both moaning loudly]

[sharp inhale]

[moaning, screams]

-[Fabien] Mm. -[Agneta screams]

[indistinct panicked humming]

[music fades]

[Einar] What are you doing standing on the table?

[classical music playing]

-Oh… [laughs] -[Agneta] Stop it.

-[chuckles] I can see… -No… Stop it. No. Cut it out.

-Just stop it. No… -[Einar laughing]

-[operatic crescendo] -[screaming]

-[Agneta] Just stop it. -Are you the only one allowed to have fun?

Come on, let's have some fun together.

It's all getting a little out of hand at the moment.

Because all we seem to do is plunge into fountains, eating food. And I…

We have to be more realistic from here on out.

-You're feeding your libido. -But… [grimaces]

Oh, it's very full now.

It's completely over saturated.

Stop that. Can I have that? Don't do this, Einar!

-Give that duster back… -What's up with you this morning?

-[Agneta] Nothing. What? -[Fabien] Paul! [breathes deeply]

C'est Paul.

What?

[classical music climaxes then stops]

Hey, hey.

[Agneta softly] Einar.

[Agneta] It's Paul. Uh…

-Einar, look, see. Paul's here. But, hey! -[Einar groans]

I have to… Where… Where's my shirt?

-Hey, Einar. -Where's my shirt?

-Einar, Einar. Come on. -Huh?

-No… He wasn't supposed to… -[Agneta] Don't stumble now.

-Sit down. -[Einar groans]

-He was supposed to come to the bar. -Sit down. There.

-[Einar] On a Friday. -There you are. Good.

-Is it Friday yet? -No, it's not.

-It's not Friday. -Not Friday?

-But… your son… is here. -Mm.

-You're the reason he came here. -Mm.

-[Agneta] Do you understand? Do you see? -Mm.

-Your son… is here. -[groans]

You understand?

See me.

He's finally home.

He came.

He… He came. Because he wanted to see me.

[sobbing]

[footsteps]

[poignant music playing]

[Fabien speaks indistinctly]

[Einar] Mm.

You're the loveliest thing I've ever seen.

Oh, dear.

Oh… um, well, that's, uh…

-So do you want…? Shall we…? -[Einar] Yes. Sure.

[clock ticking loudly]

So tell me, you've been happy, huh?

Mmm… Well, I… I guess happy is overstating it a bit.

But… but… Mm-hmm.

And please, tell me how…

Uh, how… Tell me, how is Margareta?

Uh… Mom died a few years go, I'm afraid. Yeah.

But you got a new dad, if I remember.

That was good, wasn't it? [soft chuckle]

[Paul] Well, I wouldn't exactly call him my dad or anything, but, uh…

Yeah, no, I don't speak to him, actually. Yeah.

[Einar] But what about your children?

You must have a wife and children back home…

No… I never married. [clicks tongue]

That never happened.

But you've… had a good life here, it seems.

Ah, yes.

Yeah, I've had, uh, a really incredible and wonderful life. Yes.

Wow… Okay.

-I should go so I can catch the bus… -[Agneta] No, wait…

-Einar. -[Einar] Mm?

Go on and tell him the truth.

-Tell him what things are actually like. -What?

-[Agneta] You were mortified. Go on. -Why should I lie to my own son?

-[Agneta] But you… -But…

He must be happy that his dad has had a good life, aren't you, Paul?

Since I left you and your mother. It's good that it was worth it, right?

At least it was for me. [chuckles]

[Paul] Well, thanks for the letter anyway. It was nice of you to send it.

I didn't send you a letter. I thought you came here by yourself.

[Agneta] No, I sent him a letter. Uh…

-[Einar] What? -Yeah.

-[Paul] I see. I'm off. -No. Wait.

-[Einar] Hold on… -Wait, Paul!

-What did you do?! -[Agneta] Paul, stop!

Hang on. He wants you here, it's just that he doesn't… Wait a second.

Just… Come. What are you…? Come on then, let's go. Come.

Paul, wait, don't leave, you can't… What's with you?

An entire life.

-Oh, stop that now! -You've ruined my entire life.

-Paul! -You took it away from me.

Your son is here!

Will you just cut it out already!

What do you mean, "your entire life"? He's here right now, for you, Einar.

He wants to see you.

You're wrong.

He only came here because he felt obliged to do it.

Because he knows… his useless old dad will die soon.

[Agneta] For goodness sake.

And I've ruined his life again.

And you've ruined the little life I had left.

Einar. No, Einar! Stop, stop!

[Agneta] Einar!

Einar!

[melancholic accordion music plays]

[Agneta exhales]

Listen to me…

You told me to listen, right?

You've given wonderful advice to a lot of people over the years.

So why is it that you're refusing to listen to your own advice?

Hey, Einar.

You're the most wonderful, strange, bizarre,

but loving person I have ever encountered.

But you know that already.

Listen closely, 'cause there's a father somewhere in there.

Chasing after his son.

Huh?

Do you hear it?

Listen, listen, list, list, list, list, list, listen.

-[hisses] Listen. -[door opens]

[Agneta] Oh! Oh.

[gasps] Hey!

[Agneta] Hurry up then! Hurry up! Go!

[Agneta grunting, breathing heavily] Wait!

No, don't go! Stay! You can't go!

-Stop! -[Einar] Paul!

-[Agneta] Sto… -Paul!

-Paul! -[Agneta panting]

[Einar gasps] I've ruined it…

He has no one else left. And I abandoned him again.

I'm so… [sniffs, groans]

I… I… I… [breathing shakily]

Huh?

I…

[sniffs] I…

I'm… I'm sorry.

I don't exactly know…

[poignant music plays]

I have no idea how to be a dad.

[Einar] But…

But I know…

that I love you.

[Einar crying]

[music builds]

[clears throat]

[sniffs]

[door creaks]

[poignant music fades]

[Agneta gasps] Oh. I'm… I'm sorry. I won't… I won't disturb you.

-Hey… -[Agneta] I was just…

Warm milk is a good remedy

if you wake up in the middle of the night feeling sort of anxious, right?

Yeah.

Yeah, it's great for that.

I used to give it to my kids too.

Oh.

That's good. Can you believe it?

For so long, I've pictured this very moment.

I've waited my entire life, and now he's here.

I can't stop looking at the boy.

Why are you standing there?

-Oh. I'm sorry. I won't disturb you… -No, no, no, no. Come here and look.

Come quickly.

[melancholic music plays]

[melancholic music fades]

[man] Agneta?

Agneta?

-[man clears throat] -Uh?

-Magnus? -Why is everyone here? What's going on?

[Einar] Do we have visitors?

-[Agneta moans] -[Einar groaning]

[Agneta] Oh.

Ein… Einar's… son. Paul.

-Uh. -[Agneta] Uh…

Hi.

[Agneta] And this, right here, is Einar…

The homosexual man.

-Yeah. [nervous chuckle] -[Magnus] Mm.

[Agneta] And, yeah, okay, right.

-This is what I was telling you and, oh… -Mm.

Oh! Fabien, as well. Wonderful, brilliant.

-You've already met downstairs. -[Magnus] Hi.

He's likely also… a… a homosexual.

-[Magnus] Oh yeah? Mm. -So, yeah! Yes.

Uh… Everyone, this is Magnus.

The… man… I'm married to.

You never mentioned that you have a husband.

Cut it out. I've told you. I have, definitely.

-She never said anything. -[Agneta] I did.

[Agneta] What?

[scoffs] Hey, of course I have.

He's both a homosexual and has dementia. It's not easy. Come on.

Uh-huh. Mm.

[Magnus clears throat]

-[Agneta] This way. -[Magnus] Oh.

[Agneta] Uh. Hello, sir.

-Uh, oui. Bonjour, oui. Bonsoir. -[Agneta] Mm.

Stay, stay!

Listen, I thought you would have already…come home.

But… But when you didn't come back…

[Magnus] I thought…

It's so great to finally have you here, Magnus.

Uh, I'm really sorry…

This is all just so new to me.

-[Magnus] Yeah. -But there are lots of things that I…

[Magnus] Oh my God… This thing is… lethal.

Look at that.

-[explodes] -[both] Oh!

-[Agneta] My goodness! -Good Lord!

[laughs]

[Agneta] There was this one time, this bed suddenly started spinning

and I thought it was sensational.

You must have been terrified.

[exhales] Agneta.

[Magnus] Hm.

I'm here now.

Yeah.

-[Agneta] Oh goodness. -You good?

[Magnus] This way!

-[woman] Bonjour, Agneta. -Bonjour.

[women speaking French]

[Magnus chuckles]

Oh, so… you know people.

Okay…

[Magnus] Yes, that's…

nice.

It's very nice here in this…

village. I guess.

It's probably not the same as French Estates, I suppose.

Oh, have you been watching French Estates?

Yeah, well, I watched a couple of episodes.

[sniffs]

Oh…

Yes, well… it's good to, uh… All good.

-[Magnus] We, uh… -[Agneta] Mm?

[Magnus] We… we… we shouldn't be…

-[indistinct chatter] -[Fabien laughing, sighs]

-We should go… I wanna… [clears throat] -[Magnus] What's wrong?

-This fountain… -What is it?

-[Agneta] Look how dirty this fountain is… -[Magnus] Uh…

Okay then… Let's see. I have a thing to show you.

It's over here…

-[Magnus] What? -Just over here. It was…

Let's see here…

Was it…? Oh!

Uh…

[Magnus chuckles]

So… Hey, friend. [chuckles]

[exhales]

Agneta's friend, my friend.

-Non, non, non ça va. -[Magnus] Oui, oui.

[Agneta] Magnus, you don't have to help him.

-He doesn't need your help. -[Fabien speaking French]

[Agneta in English] Stop this at once. He doesn't need your help.

[indistinct chatter in French]

-[in English] More? -No, thank you.

-No? I'll have some. -No.

[indistinct chatter in French]

Well, in that case, I'll have a little too.

-[Magnus] Okay. -Mm.

I've started the eighty-twenty diet.

Oh, yeah?

Uh-huh. One shouldn't have to abstain from things.

Best to keep one foot in each world, you know.

[Magnus] Oh, yeah.

[overlapping chatter]

[glass clinking]

When you think something is over…

It just might be the beginning of… something even better.

What if life… is just a little… taster of how fun death will be.

You heard… what I needed…

when I… when I wouldn't listen.

And, um…

You are a lot stronger… than my… libido.

[Einar] I love you, Agneta.

[Magnus] Oh.

Je t'aime, Agneta.

[Agneta inhales sharply]

[Fabien] Allez, Anjeta!

-[guests chanting] Anjeta! Anjeta! -[Agneta chuckling]

Hold on one moment.

It is pronounced, um… "Agneta."

[Magnus] Not "Anjeta."

So it's A-G-N-E-T-A.

["For Me, Formidable" by Charles Aznavour playing]

[guests laughing]

♪ You are the one for me, for me For me, formidable ♪

-[Magnus] Mm-Mm! -[glass crashes]

-Oh, god. Woopsie. -Oopsy Daisy.

[Magnus mumbles]

The rule they have here is that, uh…

If someone asks you to dance, you can't decline.

That's a weird rule. [laughs]

-So, uh… -[Magnus] Mm.

[Agneta clears throat]

May I have this dance, Magnus?

Thank you. But no, thanks.

-[Agneta] Mm. -[Magnus laughs]

♪ Darling, I love you, love you Darling, I want you ♪

♪ You are the one for me, for me For me, formidable ♪

♪ You are the one for me, for me… ♪

[Fabien] Allez, Anjeta!

[Fabien speaking French]

[glass shatters]

[Magnus grumbling]

["For Me, Formidable" by Charles Aznavour continues]

I'm glad you want to dance, Magnus!

-I don't know if I can… I don't know. -Don't be silly. [laughs]

♪ Love you, love you Darling, I want you ♪

-♪ You are the one for me… ♪ -[Bonibelle] Magnus!

♪ For me, for me, formidable ♪

[music ends]

[Magnus] I'll be okay.

-Would you like some water maybe? -No, no, no. Not tap water, no, don't, no.

-[Agneta] No? -No.

[Magnus breathes deeply] I'm not very good at that stuff.

What stuff?

[Magnus] You know, telling people that you love them and that sort of stuff.

[Magnus groans]

I know I express it in other ways, because I showed it…

You know, by coming here, for example.

But you know I do, right?

[Magnus] Right?

[Magnus] Huh?

Yeah.

-[Magnus] Agneta… -Mm.

I don't want you to feel any pressure right now…

[exhales] But I did buy us both a return ticket home.

We would fly back tomorrow.

But it can be changed, cancelled or anything you want.

Yes, but tomorrow is Friday.

Oh.

But I don't actually know how much is left for me…

to do here.

-I don't think there is. -So…

I don't think it's safe for you to stay here.

[Agneta] Mm.

-[Magnus groans] -[switch clicks]

[Agneta] Oh.

-Maybe I should have some water after all. -Yeah.

-Here you are. -Thanks.

[Magnus] Mm.

Thank you very much.

[groans]

-Agneta. -Yes?

[Magnus groans] Everything's spinning.

[Magnus grunts]

[Magnus groaning]

[Einar] Mm.

Okay… Mm.

I'll be all right.

[fountain gushing]

I slept with Fabien.

Mmm.

And also that artist, Jordaens.

What an absolutely terrific choice that is, bravo.

-Really? Yeah? -Yes.

-I slept with Marlon Brando yesterday. -Did you?

-It was amazing. -[both laugh]

All right.

Well…

Is this how you should feel when things… are done?

Well, I barely know anything now.

But I do know one thing.

You are incredibly beautiful…

in that purple dress.

So make sure…

that you never let it get as sad or as depressed, my dear…

Like when I found it, just hanging there at the market. Okay?

[both chuckle]

[Agneta singing in Swedish]

[continues singing in Swedish]

-[Agneta continues singing in Swedish] -[Einar laughs]

[continues singing in Swedish]

-Kroken. -Kroken.

-[Agneta] Kroken. -Agneta!

-[laughing] -[Magnus] Coming?

[Agneta] Yeah.

[Agneta] I'll be fine.

Okay.

[music fades]

Why are you still wearing those shoes?

-Huh? -Those shoes are bad for your back…

-So you… [retches] -Oh.

[groaning] I knew I shouldn't have had any of that tap water.

-[knocking on window] -Yeah, yeah.

-[car accelerates] -[friends shouting] Anjeta! Anjeta!

-[man] Anjeta! -[woman] Anjeta!

[melancholic music plays]

-[Magnus chuckles] My goodness. Good God. -Sorry?

It's embarrassing how much you and I danced last night.

Can you believe that really happened?

[Magnus sighs]

We're lucky that no one saw us doing that.

It'll be so nice to have you home again, Agneta.

-Really nice. There's no place like home. -[Agneta breathes heavily]

Oh. Did I mention that Linda and I have taken up canoeing?

It's good fun.

-Really good fun. -[breathing shakily]

What's wrong?

[Agneta breathing shakily]

-What? Are you okay? -[groans] Yeah… No, I'm…

-Huh? Are you about to be sick? -Excuse me. Stop it…

-Excusez-moi… Can you get off? -Please just…

Can we? [stumbles] Stop?

-[Magnus] Yeah. -La…

-Stop, stop le voiture! -Can we…?

No! Stop, Magnus!

-Stop! I don't need you interfering! -Okay.

For your information, it's not "le" voiture,

it's actually "la" voiture.

Can you stop? Just… can you stop?

-[Magnus] You don't have to yell. -Just stop the car!

[driver speaking French]

[Agneta in English] Magnus, you don't need to dance for my sake.

You should dance for your own sake.

There are lots of people out there who also don't like to dance.

You can go "not dance" with Linda, for example. As much as you like.

Is this about dancing? What are you trying to say?

[Agneta] No, you know what, Magnus? I don't think I can do this anymore.

I can't do this any longer.

I can't go to bed wondering what I've done wrong,

the things I've said, worry what I shouldn't be doing.

I can't do it.

I'm finished. I've nothing left to give. I can't take it. I can't do it.

I can't do it.

Get it? I refuse to take this feeling any longer, okay?

That I'm the one who's wrong even one more time. I can't do it.

I seriously can't take it anymore.

[Agneta] Oh my god. Oh my god.

You know?

Never again am I going to take time out of my life

only to worry about what someone or anyone else thinks of me!

I won't do it.

I've wasted so much of my life

worrying about what other people think about me.

And I'm done with it. Look, I could live like this instead.

Look! They exist, Magnus.

A different kind of human exists and lives here. They do.

-[Magnus] But they are all French, Agneta. -Huh?

These people are French.

Yeah? Well, of course. But they are… But they are curious people here, Magnus.

And they're curious about me.

And curious about life.

They're curious about all sorts of things.

-They don't judge anyone. -What are you doing?

You know what, Magnus, there are beautiful people here who…

[exhales loudly]

-What are you…? -Don't judge anybody.

What are you doing?

Put your clothes on. What if he sees you?

-People might see you like this. -Yeah.

I hope they take a very long look at all of this.

What?

Why are you acting so weird, Agneta?

Have you even stopped to consider our kids?

About our kids?

My children are all I ever think about.

There you have it… my children!

Here's your amazing mother who dares to live!

Who is ashamed no more… of who she is! [echoes]

Or of what people think of her.

Who's happy for once, Magnus.

I feel so good.

Aren't you happy that I finally feel this way?

I'm happy for you, of course.

-But… it's not you. -What?

This is not Agneta.

This is not my Agneta.

Ah.

But it is my Agneta.

That's exactly who this is.

This is my Agneta.

-[Magnus] You're being… -[church bell rings in distance]

And that…

That… is my Agneta.

I am here.

Agneta is here!

Here.

This is me, Magnus!

This is Agneta!

[Agneta] Woo-hoo!

You can start the car.

Au revoir, Magnus.

[engine starts]

[exhales sharply]

Time to go home.

[Agneta] Whoa! [laughs]

Yeah! Woo! Yes!

Woo-hoo! Yes!

[excited screaming]

[screaming, laughing]

♪ I don't wanna talk ♪

[joyful screaming]

♪ About things we've gone through ♪

♪ Though it's hurting me ♪

[screaming]

♪ Now it's history ♪

♪ I've played all my cards ♪

♪ And that's what you've done too ♪

-[doorbell chimes] -[indistinct chatter]

♪ Nothing more to say ♪

Je m'appelle Agneta!

♪ No more ace to play ♪

[crowd cheering]

♪ The winner takes it all ♪

[crowd clapping]

♪ The loser's standing small ♪

♪ Beside the victory ♪

♪ That's her destiny ♪

♪ I was in your arms ♪

♪ Thinking I belonged there ♪

♪ I figured it made sense ♪

Welcome home.

Thanks.

Champagne!

[cheering]

[laughing]

♪ Building me a home ♪

♪ Thinking I'd be strong there ♪

♪ But I was a fool ♪

♪ Playing by the rules ♪

Allez!

♪ The gods may throw a dice ♪

♪ Their minds as cold as ice ♪

♪ And someone way down here ♪

♪ Loses someone dear ♪

-♪ The winner takes it all ♪ -♪ Takes it all ♪

-♪ The loser has to fall ♪ -♪ Has to fall ♪

-♪ It's simple and it's plain ♪ -♪ It's so plain ♪

-♪ Why should I complain? ♪ -♪ Why complain? ♪

♪ But tell me, does she kiss ♪

♪ Like I used to kiss you ♪

♪ Does it feel the same ♪

♪ When she calls your name? ♪

♪ Somewhere deep inside ♪

♪ You must know I miss you ♪

♪ But what can I say ♪

♪ Rules must be obeyed ♪

♪ The judges will decide ♪

♪ The likes of me abide ♪

♪ Spectators of the show ♪

♪ Always staying low ♪

-♪ The game is on again ♪ -♪ On again ♪

-♪ A lover or a friend ♪ -♪ Or a friend ♪

-♪ A big thing or a small ♪ -♪ Big or small ♪

-♪ The winner takes it all ♪ -♪ Takes it all ♪

♪ I don't wanna talk ♪

♪ If it makes you feel sad ♪

♪ And I understand ♪

♪ You've come to shake my hand ♪

♪ I apologize ♪

♪ If it makes you feel bad ♪

♪ Seeing me so tense ♪

♪ No self-confidence, but you see ♪

♪ The winner takes it all ♪

♪ The winner takes it all ♪

♪ So the winner takes it all ♪

♪ And the loser has to fall ♪

♪ Throw the dice, cold as ice ♪

♪ Way down here, someone dear ♪

♪ Takes it all, has to fall ♪

[vocals and music fade]

[woman singing] ♪ La la la la la la la la la ♪

♪ La la la la la la la la… ♪

♪ La la la la ♪

♪ La la la la ♪

♪ La de da di da day da di… ♪ [tune trails off]

[woman breathes deeply]