Original subtitles

Good morning, Mr Rehnskiöld. Back already?

Yes.

Didn't I see you in your wife's room just now?

-No, I went home last night. -Strange. I must be mistaken.

Nina?

Nina? Can you hear me?

Nina?

Nina...

Do you hear me?

Hello? Can we get a doctor in here?

She woke up!

THE RESTAURANT - 1951

PART 1 EARLY SUMMER

-Welcome. -Thank you.

-Nice to see you. -These are our new cooks.

-Rundström. -Backe. My colleague Svensson.

-Cook. -Welcome. Rundström.

-Did you have a good trip? -We did.

-Have you been to Gällnö before? -No.

This wasn't a place for someone like me.

-But you've been here? -Yes, we ran this place for 20 years.

Until the war.

Yes, come on in.

Yes, well, every time you...

...step inside, it hits you what a magnificent dining hall this is.

-It looks terrible. -Yes, well, it's a bit...

It needs a little paint here and there, but...

That won't take long at all.

-There's still a hole in the roof? -I see that.

Yes, we have to fix that.

You said the same thing last February.

Oh, did I?

Will you look at that! Svea, my old sausage filler is ready.

-I see. -Fantastic, right? It's all ready.

Look at this, Calle. This is a real stove. Quality.

-No electricity? -Yes, there should be.

It should work. The electrician has been out here several times.

-It should work. -But it doesn't.

That's very strange.

We open in three weeks. This is...

-This doesn't work. -No, it doesn't.

This is completely unacceptable. I don't understand...

Why can't people do their job? Why not?

Doesn't that make you upset?

So...

-She's sleeping. -Good.

You know...

I've thought a bit more about us moving to Skåne.

And I thought that...

...it might be a good idea if Christina and I moved first.

We could move in June and you could come later in August.

-Why's that? -Because there's a lot to prepare.

I think it will be stressful for you.

And I will have to work all summer, so I can't take care of you.

-Who'll take care of Christina? -Kerstin.

I've talked to her. She'll come. She doesn't mind.

It seems like a very long time being without Christina all summer.

-And you of course. -Yes, I understand.

But we'll come visit you. Of course.

Yes...

I've talked to Helga. She suggested that you go to the summer house.

Doesn't that sound nice?

Yeah.

If you think it's best that way.

Tell me, how was it out there?

It's pretty shabby. Small kitchen. I guess we'll get used to it.

-You can go inside. -Where will you live?

I think there are rooms upstairs for the staff.

-Look, a sleeping bag. One more. -You can squeeze in with...

-...the kitchen staff and waitresses. -Yes, don't worry.

You know how that goes.

Yes?

Did I tell you, that I worked one summer at Sandhamn?

What an adventure. Far from the city, the long, light evenings,

people going swimming later...

I'm going to miss you and Björn every second.

I really hope so.

Hey, did you talk to Stickan? Did you get another week off?

-Unfortunately not. Just one week. -Too bad.

But we will spend it close together. In a tent in Denmark.

I don't even think we'll have room for Björn.

-Where will he go? -He can sleep in the back of the car.

I have a dream... where I kill someone.

In the dream I don't know who or why, only that it can't be undone.

I don't understand, how I can live with guilt.

What could the dream be about?

Well...

I just know, I'm really tired of it. I dream it every night.

What could the guilt be about?

-I need some Veronal again. -You can't have that.

But I can't sleep. I'll never get well without sleep.

You had Veronal as an emergency at first.

But Veronal is a strong sedative. Too risky with your history.

In the dream you feel guilt, because you killed someone.

Do you feel guilty?

I jumped out of a window, ready to leave my daughter forever.

-Of course I feel guilty. -I'm wondering if,

the person you killed might not actually be a person.

Maybe the dream isn't about a suicide attempt.

Maybe it's about certain needs that you feel forced to renounce.

Or kill.

I don't feel sorry for myself.

I can only hope that my husband and my daughter will forgive me.

So they can trust me again.

Just a minute. Get out!

Did you have a look at the kitchen?

Yes, I went there yesterday, but to what avail?

-Well, it's your kitchen. -Exactly. It's my kitchen.

I work there, I live my life there.

But did I ever ask to have it redone? No, I haven't.

We're spending a fortune on that kitchen, so stop whining.

You can't do anything on a gas burner that you can't do on a coal stove.

Why do you even need a stove?

You could just start a fire on the kitchen floor and cook there.

No? A campfire should be enough.

I prefer the kitchen at Gällnö. It's exactly the right size.

Everything is within reach.

Two steps, lift your arm and you have it in your hand.

I tell you, walking into that kitchen is like putting on an old jacket.

Yes, but that jacket has to fit five-six people now.

Well, you don't always need to hire big cooks.

Yes... a lot of exciting things have happened in that kitchen, I hear.

-You heard that? -Yes.

I have it from a very reliable source.

That's not true.

Besides, it will never happen again.

No.

Calle!

-Hi! -We saved a place for you.

Everyone's back there.

Excuse me.

Hello.

If it isn't the prodigal son. We were wondering where you were.

-I'm right here. -Sit down.

Yes, I've been preparing.

Fly catchers. Wasp hat.

In case there are wasps in the dining hall?

Fly swat.

Rat trap.

Two of those.

-Havarti as bait. -You're armed to the teeth.

Honestly, I'm not crazy about this adventure.

But when the Löwanders calls, I'm coming.

I think I saw Nina in the restaurant. Mrs Rehnskiöld.

Right, she and Helga are going to Gällnö to their summer house.

Across the island.

I understand why they stay inside.

This boat is certainly for the ragtag and bobtail.

And to which category does Roos belong?

That depends the day.

-So where's Uno? -He's away at summer camp.

-How wonderful. Does he like it? -It sounds like it.

And you? You do take your vacation?

Of course, three weeks. Otherwise, what would people think?

It's almost impossible to do the schedule with all that vacation.

-Yes, it's a pain in the ass. -I'll talk to Erlander.

Only two weeks vacation. Roos and Backe have trouble with the schedule.

Good.

So nice! You've worked here before, right?

No, I was lucky.

You'll be able to rest here, Nina.

It's been a terrible year.

-Nothing's changed. -Really?

Two in each room, so I guess we'll just pick one.

-Two in each room? -Dibs on my old room!

There's no sun in the morning. You can take that bed.

I almost need a bath.

-Do we have to be two in each room? -Yes, except in those upstairs.

-That's four in each. -Fine with me.

I believe there's a small chamber down there, if you must sleep alone.

Thank you.

You can do it, Bengt-Allan. No moping.

As you can see, Rundström only did a fraction of what we agreed.

So if we are to open in one week,

you're all going to have to do tasks you don't usually work on.

-When are the others coming? -A few days before we open.

-So what do you think? -Of course.

Let us know how we can help.

You all agree? Thank you! I appreciate it.

-Yes, one more thing. -Yes?

The drain is broken. So please use the privy outside.

-Sure. -Good. Let's get to work.

Did you see our old sailboat is still here?

It should be in the water, so the wood can swell.

Do you remember, when you drifted out to sea in it?

-That was awful! -I didn't drift out to sea, mum.

-I tried to run away. -No, you didn't.

I did! Peter and Gustaf were allowed so much fun.

Go to the islands to camp and...

That was only because you were so much younger.

No, it wasn't. You let Peter do lots of stuff at that age.

You didn't want me to be outside, because the sun damages the skin.

Sun is unhealthy for the skin.

-That's what they said in the 1800s. -Well, it happens to be true.

Laugh all you want, but Nina still has beautiful skin.

All thanks to me.

Dad pretty much forced me and Gustaf to go camping alone out there.

To harden us.

I was only ten or eleven the first time. Gustaf didn't like it at all.

He cried all night.

So I had to comfort my big brother.

Why did I let Johan keep doing all those foolish thing?

Come on, you agreed with dad.

-I didn't... -Yes, you did.

I'm not complaining. We had some great summers.

I've tried to contact Gustaf and invite him to the opening.

-He's not calling me back. -Too bad.

-How's the restaurant going? -Bad. Rundström is a real bastard.

-Do you want to help... -No, Nina has to rest.

-There's lots of work. -Doing what?

-Hi. -Hey.

So you got a job as well?

Yes.

I've been on the roof replacing some tiles.

Now I have to fix the lights.

I hope we'll be ready before the opening.

Nice to see you.

How are you?

It's best, if we avoid contact.

The best for both of us.

If I had a choice I would be in Skåne with Christina right now.

-And Erik. -I understand.

I didn't mean to...

-Hello. -Hi. It smells good here.

-Hello, Bengtsson. -Hi.

So, that doesn't look too bad.

-Can I take all your cod and herring? -Sure.

You don't have any other delicacies not from the sea?

Something on the sea, if you understand.

-Hello. -Hello.

-Eivor. -Margareta. Welcome.

-Do you need help? -Yes, please.

-You arrived today? -Yes, this morning.

So it's my first day. It's so nice here.

Yes, we'll have fun.

-Eivor was to polish the silverware. -I already did it.

-Already? -Yes, Evert helped me.

-Very well then. -I even polished the serving cart.

I see.

I hope you don't mind.

No, not at all. Very good.

-Thank you, Eivor. -Yes.

-Did you ask for the bayberry? -Oh, you're a gem. Thank you.

Smell this. Nothing better.

-Not bad. -No.

-Are you fully booked? -We're full tonight.

Then we have a wedding...

so it looks good until midsummer.

Won't you come?

-No. -The opening is always fun.

Yes, but it will be very noisy. You better stay home, Nina.

Let me have a look at you.

Let's see.

-There. Now you look stylish. -Thanks.

Time to open.

Welcome.

Welcome.

No!

Roos. I don't know, if you know who I am?

-I certainly do, Mr Rundström. -Good.

I have some good friends, who would like to sit by the window.

-Those people there? Carnell? -Yes, exactly.

I'm sorry, I already told them no. It's not possible.

They would really appreciate a view of the lake.

I'm sure, but the answer is still no.

I would rather not involve the manager, but if Roos persists...

Good idea. I'll go get the manager.

I don't want to cause any trouble on the opening night.

No, it's no trouble at all. He's surely not far.

You know what? Never mind. They're fine down there.

They have the mirror and the flowers and the sun will set soon. All good!

Unfortunately, I didn't find the manager.

-And this head waiter is a real jerk. -So what are you saying?

Between you and me, I'm very disappointed in the Löwanders.

-Very, very disappointed. -How so?

You would think a name like that would mean a certain quality, but...

No, it's amateurish on all fronts here.

-What a shame. -Yes.

Well, they'll finish the summer. But after that it's over.

-You were looking for me? -Yes! The manager.

-You wanted to discuss something? -Yes... if you have time, we can...

Yes, they're a bit... strange.

We were almost not able to open tonight.

-Nobody can tell. -It's still not ready.

The drain is worse. It might block tonight.

I am aware that not everything has been...

Nothing has been even close to acceptable.

There might be some truth to that. But now, let's look ahead.

I will deduct all my expenses from the leasing cost.

Right.

-I won't pay till the drain is fixed. -No.

We agree on that, then.

Excellent. Thank you.

What's that in your mouth? Show me. Open up!

-Hi, Nina. -Hey!

-How nice to see you. -You too!

-Come say hello to Nils. -I didn't know you'd be here tonight.

-What a nice surprise. -Yes, here we are.

-My gosh. Hello. -Gosh. Hey!

-Hey. -Hey.

-What a nice surprise. -Distinguished guests.

-And who's this little sweetheart? -Her name is Louise.

-Hi. -Hi, Louise.

We have a three-year-old and a one-year-old at home.

-That went fast. -But you still work?

Didn't you have a child and married Rehnskiöld?

Yes, I have a child and I am married. I'm just visiting here.

I heard you had an accident?

It's nice to see you're well. We wouldn't be here without you.

No, and Stockholm without Nina Löwander just isn't the same.

-Did you order? -Yes, we're waiting for the soup.

The kitchen seems to be busy.

I'll handle that. See you.

Let's see, two fillet steaks, one pike-perch, and for you?

-I'll have the same. -Pike-perch?

-A bottle of Bourgogne would be nice. -For all four?

-Just water for me, please. -And you?

-Milk is fine. -A glass of milk.

I'll be back with that.

-You make the guests happy. -It's easy on a night like this.

Especially the son. He looked all blissful.

-Here you go. -Thank you.

Very kind of you, Nina.

So now she's waiting tables?

Maybe she needs it, mother.

-Glad you came. -I had to see how you're doing.

I have a ride home soon, and I suggest you come with me.

I came here on a bicycle, and I'll get home on a bicycle.

See you.

-What an excellent dinner. -Thank you very much.

-Wonderful evening. -Thank you.

I broke my goddamn foot!

I thought Roos was being robbed. It sounded like a big fight.

-Really? -But Roos was just chasing a mouse.

-It was a rat. -Then Roos said he broke his foot.

It hurt terribly.

How could I diagnose it correctly on the spot?

-I'm not a doctor! -At least Roos didn't get robbed.

-Yes, that was nice. -Very nice.

I don't understand what Roos is doing at night. He sprained his foot.

The restaurant is rented for a wedding tomorrow.

-They'll have to do without him. -I can help.

-I'm ready. -No, no.

-Why not? Weddings are easy. -It's out of the question, Nina.

You don't think I can?

It's not about that, for now.

You're here to rest before moving to Skåne.

Now the restaurant seems more important.

-It's not. -No, so keep away from there.

It wasn't my idea to spend the summer here.

-No. -I wanted to go to Skåne.

-Yes, I know... -I liked being at the restaurant.

It reminded me, that I used to do things.

It made me happy.

Well, I can't stop you. But you'll have to talk Erik.

Does he even know the restaurant is on this island?

-I don't know. -You must tell him.

I'll talk to him.

-This wasn't the idea, you know. -Yes, I'll call him.

What are you reading?

Crisis in the Population Question by Alva and Gunnar Myrdal.

What's it about?

The fact that we're having too few children in Sweden and...

what to do about that.

That's not difficult to figure out.

I guess only professors don't understand that.

It's not a very fun book. I've read the same page three times.

Why don't you stop then?

Good question.

If the first page is boring, I'm out.

I'm reading War and peace, but I forgot to bring it.

-I have more if you want. -I'd love to. What do you have?

I have The Communist Manifesto by Marx and Engels.

-Are you a communist? -No, not at all.

But I... It's part of a general education to read it.

A collection of poems. Karin Boye.

-Do you read poetry? -No. I haven't before, but...

I'd love to borrow it.

I have all life to become a communist.

"Hey Björn." It's for you. From Daddy.

Let's see what he writes.

"I hope you and Mummy are well."

"I'm fine here, but I work a lot.

It's beautiful out here in the skerries.

It will be fun to show you, when you come.

There's a very nice place for swimming."

You want to go swimming? Yes?

"I'll see you in a few days. I miss you and Mummy a lot.

Give Mummy a big hug from me."

"Lots of love, Daddy."

Will you give Mummy a hug? Can I have it?

A really big hug.

-Graveholm. -Good evening, Mrs Rehnskiöld.

-It's Nina. -Good evening, Nina.

How are you?

Very well, thank you. You probably want to talk to Erik?

-Yes. And Christina. -Sadly, Erik is still in Copenhagen.

Then I guess I could talk to Christina a bit?

Kerstin is putting her to bed, so it's not a good time.

-Just a quick word. -Try again tomorrow. That's better.

Anything else?

No. Good night then, Mrs Rehnskiöld.

Good night, Nina.

Where is Backe?

In town.

So who's doing the dinner for the wedding?

Me. Why?

Roos hurt his foot, so...

...so I'll be the head waiter.

Can we go through the schedule? If you have time?

-Sure. Janne, take this. -Yes.

Well, I got the schedule from Roos, but if we could look at it...

Can I say something?

Sure.

If you don't want to see me, then stay away.

-Yes. -This is my workplace.

I...

I understand and respect that, I...

I wanted to apologise.

For my behaviour at the restaurant last fall.

I think... I don't really know what I wanted.

Just...

Well, you were sick last fall.

I don't judge you. I'm glad to see you're doing better.

Thanks.

You and I have been through a lot together.

Yes, that's no exaggeration.

I thought we might put it behind us.

Maybe we can continue as colleagues and...

...friends?

Yeah, sounds good.

So, drinks at five.

"Love is patient, love is kind.

Love always protects, always trusts,

always hopes, always perseveres.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.

But the greatest of these is love."

I'd like to propose a toast to the lovely couple.

Cheers!

And now, dear guests, we will clear the tables.

While we set up for refreshments and dance in here,

you can all get a little fresh air. Thank you.

No?

Eivor? Eivor!

I'm coming! But I'll see you later.

We're clearing out.

I know. I'm coming.

-You can't just... -It was only a second.

They're just so lovely.

-Yes. -I'm being foolish.

Good night.

-I have a new dream. -Tell me.

I'm sinking.

I know I'm going to die,

but it doesn't matter, I'm not afraid.

I just want it to end.

But then someone comes

and holds on to me, like the string on a balloon.

And then I get scared, because I know that if I die,

I won't meet this person again.

When I wake up, I feel ashamed.

Because this person is not my husband

or my daughter, as it should be.

It's someone else.

Subtitles: Lisa Kristensen Villeneuve www.plint.com