Original subtitles

-You're doing a good job these days. -Come again?

You're doing a good job these days.

Thank you.

Have you found love?

It's so obvious!

You know what they say?

Those with love make a good profit, those without don't earn a lot.

-Is that true? -Many leaders say you have to choose.

But that's old school.

The tuneThe Winner Takes It All…

…deals with this.

Isn't it about a divorce?

That too. It's about a lot of things.

Scram! Bugger off!

Be off with you! Beat it!

Come here, Nykvist.

I've got this rash on my belly.

Little nubs. Look.

They itch like hell!

You haven't got it?

I'm sure it's some kind of crap those guys dragged into the house.

The edge of the sheet one of them carried, was all black.

Hadn't been washed for a while.

If I give them a little money,

maybe they'll leave.

No, dammit. Not a single krone.

I don't enjoy the money anymore.

-Money isn't everything. -Money means nothing.

That's not quite right.

But at least it's not everything.

What do you think?

Should I accept the NRK job?

-You can't ask me that. -I'm just asking for fun.

I thought I would keep them in suspense for a while.

I need full artistic freedom.

Final cut.

Favorable financial conditions.

Many people think TV is the new novel.

Okay.

I'm not quite sure what that means.

That it's…

That it's the medium of our time.

Like the novel used to be.

The best.

The coolest.

Okay. That sounds really good.

So it sold for 270,000?

That's what the market is like.

How much is left when everyone has been paid?

223,000.

-I think that's an extremely low sum. -Personal value is not true value.

You ought to be very contented. Forest cabins are hard to sell.

There's no monkey business here?

-Monkey business? -Yes. No deceit?

Of course there is no monkey business.

I just wanted to make sure.

Write your initials…

…on each page.

And then your signature…

Here.

-Hello? -Hi, Anneli. This is Anitra.

-Remember me?-Of course.

I hear rumors that you are back in business.

That's right.

Fabulous! There's a crisis without you.

I've got a new boyfriend.

Okay. Tell me about it.

-Sometimes he seems so distant. -In what way?

He gets lost in his own thoughts.

When he sees that I notice, it's like I've caught him in the act.

In thinking of someone else?

It's so good talking to you. You catch things right away.

I'll be devastated…

…if he leaves me. Then I'd rather break up with him.

He won't leave you.

We'll stay together?

That's a bit obscure.

But you don't need to fear that he will leave you.

I'm so glad to hear that!

It will be all right.

This sounds slightly unclear.

I'm just telling you what I see.

Anything more?

No.

That was it.

Okay. Good luck.

Tomasz.

Look at us. The day has hardly begun, and we're both already at work.

-We'll end up like everybody else. -No…

But listen to this:

It's beautiful.

-It's not bad. -Beautiful!

-And what does it mean? -Something about a horse and plough.

When Korak arrives, we'll stop working here.

This is not work. It's a hobby.

If I do well, it might turn into a job.

-How then? -Well…

Just wait and see.

A penny for your thoughts.

In Euro or Norwegian kroner?

What are you thinking about, Rütger?

-A proud tradition.

-These walls tell a tale. -Hi, Jørgen.

Let's go in there.

Tell me. What's your conclusion?

I've been thinking…

That…

That I would like to directThe Unknown Murderer.

I'm delighted!

I was afraid you were one of those film snobs…

…who want to abolish all this.

TV is the new novel.

-Maybe you're right. -No doubt. Jørgen, this will be great.

Full artistic freedom.

-You get to decide most things. -I don't want a lot of cooks…

There won't be.

But we've got employees working here.

Yes, and they're good.

I don't know if I can guarantee full artistic freedom…

…here and now.

But I can promise you a lot of artistic freedom.

How literally is that meant?

I can't stand anyone telling me what to do!

-I'm too old for that. -Jørgen.

We asked for you because we want you.

We're great fans of you.

We want you, and you wanted us.

The best basis we could hope for.

I got the impression you wanted to talk about something concrete today.

The last time, we talked about Rütger being…

…distant sometimes.

Rütger claimed there was nothing special.

It's hard to find the right words.

-I still don't know how. -Maybe you would like to try?

He's constantly walking around thinking about his homeland.

Germany?

Germany is not unattainable. It's just a short flight away.

That's what I told him.

But obviously it's not that simple.

It's more like…

…it's constantly on my mind,

-and worrying me. -Germany?

Yes.

You are so preoccupied with Germany…

…that it has become a burden on your relationship?

You are homesick?

Not exactly.

There's more to it than that.

Tell me.

Sometimes they take over completely.

-Thoughts about Germany? -Yes.

When it's quiet around me, when things come to a halt.

Very often in bed.

-You think about Germany? -Yes.

Sometimes also when I'm surrounded by people.

How does it feel?

It feels good. But also bad, because it's an obstruction for other things.

You do go to Germany sometimes?

Quite often, because of my job.

Would you like to move back there?

-Not at all. -Why not?

Don't know. I don't like it so much.

The people there are not very nice.

I like it much better here.

So…

What's on your mind, then?

It's more the country in itself.

Okay…

Do you understand?

-I'm not quite sure if I understand. -He's thinking about Germany.

Germany, Germany!

All the time.

Try to keep cool, Anitra.

It's just such a drag!

It all seemed so great,

and then this German stuff comes between us.

It's really frustrating.

Is there a medical diagnosis for this?

Thoughts of Germany?

Yes.

Or any other country.

I can't let go of the notion that it must be…

…some kind of homesickness.

No.

It's more something that fills me up.

And which is…

what I am.

Not just a thought. Often a feeling,

an image or a word,

which kind of dominates everything.

Germany is a gigantic ship,

and everything else is tiny rowing boats.

That's what it feels like, somehow.

Maybe not a good explanation. Forget about the stuff with the ship.

Is it a feeling of alienation?

No, it's not.

It's more that I feel at peace.

That I'm present in myself.

-Could it be some kind of fetish? -How then?

The shape of the country on the map, more or less like a body.

A body?

-The country is shaped… -If the shape turns me on?

Ridiculous!

Knut Egil is just trying to understand.

It's so frustrating. I just want to…

-Go to Germany. -Feel good.

-Just go to Germany! -That's not what this is about!

To me, this is incredibly interesting.

It nearly gives me goosebumps.

But it's not quite my area.

I don't have much competence in this field.

-So I'll call a colleague… -What's really hard about this is…

That sometimes I care more about Germany than about Anitra.

-You can't make that comparison. -That's why it hurts so bad.

I know that Anitra is a wonderful woman,

and Germany is a country.

But it just doesn't stick in here.

Do you understand what I mean?

-Not quite. -I do love Anitra.

But not as much as Germany.

I also think Germany is a fabulous country.

Berlin is one of my favorite cities.

-That's not what's it about. -I don't understand what it's about!

The human brain is a mysterious and wonderful place,

where all kinds of couplings may take place.

Everything you've said may find its place…

…on the fantastic pallet of human emotions.

But you've never come upon this before?

No, but that doesn't mean…

…it's wrong to feel the way you do.

The Germanic culture is strong.

And maybe more than Norwegian culture,

it could invade you,

and become part of your emotional system.

I don't quite understand…

No…

I just feel so lonely.

In Norway?

No.

In my feelings…

…for Germany!

Rütger, you…

-What do you think? -It seems like you're really stuck.

-This must be a heavy burden on you. -Do you think that I…?

But I like him so much!

Rütger, you are an incredibly nice guy.

Being with you has not been futile in any way.

But it doesn't work anymore.

I think you understand.

I can't fight against an entire country.

Especially not Germany.

I think it would have been very heavy.

What you said about human emotions,

the whole pallet,

was incredibly nice.

-May I ask you something? -Of course.

Yes?

Did you ever think…

…that you and I…?

That the two of us…?

You will soon be the person…

…who knows me best.

Just a thought.

It might be unprofessional.

Unprofessional?

I don't know…

Those things happen.

An interesting thought,

don't you think?

It never struck you?

Right…

May I ask you why?

-You like men. -No…

Tell me what you think.

It's only me.

I don't know what to say. You are…

…maybe not someone I would fall for.

-Not your type? -Maybe not.

Okay…

If you say so.

So…

What's your type then, Knut Egil?

Hard to tell…

You also have to open up.

I don't know… I like a good smile,

a twinkle in the eye, warmth,

tolerance. Stuff like that.

What's that?

-What are you doing here? -You don't pick up the phone.

-Don't you want to talk to your dad? -Yes.

I just haven't had the time.

Look at this.

Come here.

-Where did you get this from? -The cabin.

You sold the cabin?

Yes.

Unfortunately, I only got 223,000. That's what the market is like.

But we'll easily double it on the racecourse.

I told you not to sell!

-I want you to live in the garden city!

-You shouldn't have to move. -We're doing fine. I can't…

Come on, take the money!

I earn enough, Anneli earns a lot.

So we've got enough.

I did it for Korak.

Korak would enjoy a cabin more than he would enjoy money, Dad.

You should have told me before.

Take the money. I cannot carry cash.

No! I'm a grown-up man, and I need to stand on my own feet.

It's a bit much to see each other this often.

-You don't want to meet anymore? -Not as often as we do now.

But…

-We're having fun, aren't we? -Mostly you, maybe.

I'm not so interested in horses.

-You're not? -No.

I'm chiefly interested in language.

Me too!

But you never ask me. I'm totally interested!

You think I'm stupid.

But you know what?

-I'm not stupid. -I never said you are stupid.

But Anneli and I need independence.

Now that you don't need money anymore, you're dumping me.

-You used to enjoy my visits! -Dad…

I feel slightly exploited.

Dad…

This turned out real ugly. Please don't cry.

It's all my fault.

Of course we will continue seeing you.

We're the same flesh and blood. You and me, Dad.

Don't cry.

-Nora Mina has fucked! -You bet she has!

She's freshly fucked!

Why do they say this?

Just an expression, when the horses don't do well.

"Freshly fucked?"

Come on!

-Nora Mina is freshly fucked! -Shut up! I've got my son here.

Sorry, Bjørn. I didn't know.

No…

She is freshly fucked!

Yes, all right!

I've got to go.

-Already? -Yes.

Don't gamble away the money now.

Come on!

Korak?

Korak…

Today Dad has managed to solve a very difficult riddle.

They will be really impressed.

Maybe I'll be a professor.

At least a research fellow.

So it will all work out now.

Sleep well.

-Hennie, what's it doing here? -They said I could look after him.

Look after him?

No way.

Please, Dad!

-Who are the owners? -Those who rent Trym's family's house…

…while they're in Australia.

Can't I have him here a little while?

How long?

Maybe an hour?

Okay.

One hour, but no more. Deal?

-And you'll go out and play. -Yes.

Come!

No, no.

This won't work.

-This is no good. -What?

We're just playing.

No, Hennie!

What has he done?

He did some weird things.

What?

We can't have it here.

Hello?

Is this your dog?

Yes.

-Anything wrong? -Yes. It…

-Did ugly things to my daughter. -Did he hump?

-Yes. -Bloody hell!

I can't stand it anymore.

-What's the matter? -Sokrates humped.

Oh, no…

Again? Horny bastard!

Not nice, especially not with children.

Was there a spurt?

-Spurt? -Yes.

No, I don't think so.

Check your clothes in any case. And put on some dishwashing liquid.

Probably not necessary.

But please keep your dog under control.

We should put him to sleep.

-Kill him? -Yes.

I've had enough.

Sokrates!

I would have beat him to death on the spot.

He is just frustrated.

The dog doesn't get to fuck.

Peculiar people.

I don't understand what he did wrong.

Not easy to explain.

Things a dog shouldn't do with people.

-Especially not with children. -He was only playing.

Hello?

Andrej?

I've called you many times. We were supposed to rehearse today.

I was worried about you.

At least a little bit. I was wondering where you are.

-You're on your own. I've had it. -That's no way to behave.

We're going to make a record.

If you've got problems with that, let's talk about it.

Are you still whining about that TV stuff?

Is it that important to have your name mentioned on TV?

I did mention you.

But then it was cut out.

Let me in, so we can discuss this as adults!

You're not coming in here, and you won't get any more songs!

I haven't gotten any songs.

You're just someone who sings other people's songs very,

very slowly.

That was a mean thing to say, Andrej.

Sokrates. Come here!

Here! Sokrates!

Come here!

Come here!

Go away.

Go away, you shitty dog.

You horny dogwhore?

Dogwhore.

A bit horny?

You horny whoredog.

Hedgehog Service.

This is Jens Christian Skolmen.

I was the one who found that hedgehog in the garden city.

I'm considering a donation to the Hedgehog Service.

Wonderful!

Then you may go to our homepage…

I'm there now, but I can't find your account number.

It's at the bottom line.

Maybe you're not that good with data?

There it is.

All my money will go to hedgehogs, right?

-Absolutely all of it. -There's not a large administration?

No, not at all. It's only Stine and me.

Then I'll deposit the money now, so you'll get it tomorrow.

If there's no Java trouble.

Thank you, that's great…

Dad, where have you been?

Out in the forest.

You just disappeared.

Dad has something to tell you.

You can't just disappear.

Sveinung called. He was beside himself.

Sit down for a minute.

Sit down.

For a long time…

…I have put my life on hold.

We have discussed this time and again, from all angles.

I have tried to be someone I'm not.

Now…

-I want to live the way I am. -What are you talking about, Dad?

I'm fond of animals.

Are you?

Very fond of animals.

It's a much more profound feeling than you can comprehend.

A strong, deep, and slightly…

…taboo feeling.

-Dogs as well? -Dogs too.

So can we have a dog?

I don't really know, Hennie.

My point is just that I'm through with…

…living a lie.

-Now I want to be who I really am. -Okay, you've told us.

I don't think you understand.

This is a very intense feeling.

I'm living in an age which resents…

…the kind of feelings I have for animals.

I feel I don't have the surplus energy to take this in…

…right now.

My day has been a nightmare.

Things just have to stay as they are.

And…

I feel that right now I need to think about myself a bit.

Someone must have peed into the mailbox.

The Krishnas.

They got angry when I donated money to the hedgehogs.

-Smart! Are we rid of them now? -I hope so.

Listen…

Did you really give away the money?

Yes.

-Of course. -All of it?

And you?

-Did you get the job? -Yes, I did.

-On your conditions? -Just about.

Then we'll have a double celebration.

I feel much better without the money.

Did you give the house away as well?

That didn't strike me.

-Should I? -No.

It's a good thing to have a house.

Do you want it?

You just have it.

I don't want it.

Hi.

Would you like to come with us?

Why?

Just come with us.

Okay. What's…?

What's happening?

-Congratulations. -Thanks a lot.

Thank you.

Congratulations.

-Congratulations. -Thank you.

-Congratulations! -Thank you so much.

How did you find out about this?

"Wise man never lets freshly fucked mare pull the plough."

I sat and thought about it until I got it.

But the solution really came when I joined my dad at the racecourse.

-Lots of knowledge gathered there. -Isn't that right?!

It's kind of a sensation…

…that a Pole has solved this language riddle.

Are Norwegian linguists simply too prudish?

They would immediately interpret such old verses…

…as high poetry.

But it's about everyday life, and in this case,

something slightly vulgar.

Can we learn something from this?

I don't know. Maybe.

Did it take a long time to solve this?

Not really, once I got on the trail.

Once more: Congratulations, Tomasz.

I wish you good luck.

The linguistic path lies open to you.

Thanks. We'll see about that.

-Cheers. -Cheers, Tomasz!

Thank you. Cheers.

We hadn't expected this.

That we've got such competent cleaning personnel…

-That's quite something. -I'm immensely impressed.

Isn't there some scientific position…

…in which Tomasz could use his talent?

I hear what you're saying.

But I don't know ow to arrange this.

Do we have any established posts?

No, we don't.

Jan Aksel has been on contract the last three years.

-And Charlotte is next in line. -Right. And the budget is all spent.

He has to get a really good reference.

Of course.

That would come in handy if you apply for a job in Poland.

I'm really impressed.

We'd better get back to work. There's a lecture coming up here.

Tomasz.

-Yes? -I have an idea.

Maybe we've got some means left.

Okay?

On the renovation budget.

This place is obviously run-down.

The corridor hasn't been painted the last ten years.

The toilets are even worse.

Have you got any contacts who could carry out that kind of work?

I could make some phone calls.

Great!

We pay standard wages. No monkey business. All legal.