Original subtitles

THE COOL LAKES OF DEATH

based on the novel by Frederik van Eeden

HOW SHE LOOKED FOR THE COOL LAKES OF DEATH FOR LIBERATION... AND HOW SHE FOUND IT.

13 YEARS EARLIER - 1869

Mother, mother! Stop!

Hefiy, Hetty!

You're it!

No, Aernout! No!

Hedwig, Hedwig...

Leo is it! - Leo!

Me...

I'm it. Myself.

Hedwig...

Hedwig Marga de Fontayne.

Hedwig...

The horse...

Hetty...

Where is mother?

She is...

...With God.

She had typhoid, just like you.

With God?

With God?

Was she sick, like me?

No, Hetty.

All's beautiful then, isn't it?

Yes, Hetty.

Mother is with God...

...it's all beautiful and happy now.

Lord bless the food. Amen.

Enjoy your dinner.

I found a book in Hedwig's room...

...Alice in Wonderland.

A very improper book.

Is that correct, Hetty, that you're reading books...

...English books for which you're not old enough?

No, Father.

I've just been told otherwise. - Mother gave them to me herself.

The governess is raising you now...

...and you'll be obedient to her!

Is that clear, Hetty?

Oh God, please explain.

Help me.

Why are you crying?

My mother is buried here.

My father and mother are both dead.

Aren't you cold?

Not very.

I'm Johan. What's your name?

Hetty.

What did you think when you saw me here?

I was surprised you calling on God.

You think He can hear you?

Yes.

Then where is He? I can't see Him or hear Him.

How can I tell where that God of yours is?

Is He behind this tree perhaps?

Or is He lying in the water? Or hiding in the grass or mud?

Where is He?

In heaven. God dwells in heaven.

But that's superstition. You can't mean it?

Yet there is something.

It's difficult to explain.

My mother told me herself.

Woe betide them who contrive iniquity, devise evil deeds in bed...

...and perpetrate them in the morning light, mighty as their hands are.

God is jealous and the Lord revengeth. The Lord revengeth and is furious.

The Lord will take vengeance on his adversaries...

...and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.

Who can stand before his indignation?

And who can abide in the fierceness of his anger?

His fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.

Fear not for I have redeemed thee...

...l have called thee by thy name:

thou art mine.

When thou passest through waters, I will be with thee.

And through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee.

When thou walkest through the fire, thou shall not be burned...

...neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

A day of darkness and gloom.

A day of clouds and desolation.

And I will bring distress upon men.

Because they have sinned against the Lord.

Their blood shall be poured out as dust, their flesh as dung.

Did my daughter do her best?

When my wife was alive...

Rest assured, a most attentive girl.

Until next week, Mr. de Fontayne.

What is iniquity? And sinning and wrath?

Will you give me a kiss now?

For having shown you this?

Will you give me a kiss now?

You're immoral! Shameless! Depraved!

A thoroughly wicked creature!

Sinners go to hell...

You know what the religious instructor said!

Physical punishment, that's what the instructor said.

Punishment will drive out sin!

Now you'll never be able to bear children!

Now you'll never be able to bear children!

3 YEARS LATER - 1872

We can pull it tighter still.

If you want to be beautiful, you have to suffer!

Hetty!

Hetty!

Johan, how are you?

Had you forgotten me?

No, but I never see you in town.

Can I see you again soon?

Yes! Goodbye for now.

Who was that? - Johan.

Who? - An orphan boy I used to know.

I've never seen him since, but I heard he's become an artist' s apprentice.

Really? - Nice for a poor boy like him.

Of course, Johan! - Hey, look!

...6, 7. 8...

...and 1, 2. 3, 4...

Splendid, isn't it?

Herman!

Hello, Herman.

See you later.

This is him!

Now he has come.

Hello. - Hello.

Gerard Wijbrands, 4th year student-at-law.

Hedwig...

Dear Hetty.

When I see you...

When I'm with you then it's as if...

As if...

As if buckets of purple light...

No, gold and silver light, are poured over me, Hetty.

I'm going to be an artist.

I'll be a great artist, Hetty, just because of you!

I feel...

such a burning...

such a burning passion...

...for all that is good and beautiful.

I feel so lovesick.

Miss Hedwig...

Mr. Wijbrands is hereto see you.

Hedwig...

I feel we clearly understand each other.

Will you be my wife, Hedwig de Fontayne?

Thank you, child.

All will be well now.

Here you go. - Thank you.

Johan?

Let's go for a stroll.

Oh Hetty, when I see you...

it's as if buckets of gold and silver light...

...are poured over me, Hetty.

I'm going to be an artist...

...a great artist, just because of you.

What's wrong?

I'm a bit tired, I think.

I left town very early this morning.

That's probably why I fell asleep just now.

When I saw you lying there, I thought you were dead.

Dead? Why not ill?

Or drunk?

No, I mean...

...a dead person, a suicide.

I'd rather be lying there dead-drunk, in that case.

I don't agree.

If your life's no good to anyone...

and can only be passed in wickedness...

...then you're better off to die.

Perhaps that's true.

Why isn't it possible?

Why must all beautiful things be spoiled and sullied!

No! I don't want that!

I won't have it!

What we have must not be made ugly.

And I don't want to meet you anymore.

I can't live without seeing you, Hetty.

Just let me love you...

...it doesn't have to spoil anything, or make things ugly.

Yes, but... I'll make you unhappy, my boy.

I'll make you unhappy.

We will see each other sometime, when I am married.

Bye.

Do you, Gerard Johannes Hendrikus Wijbrands...

declare before God and His holy congregation...

that you take this woman...

...Hedwig Marga de Fontayne for your lawful wedded wife?

Promising to love and cherish her forever...

to have and to hold...

...until death do you part?

What is your reply?

Yes.

And do you, Hedwig Marga de Fontayne...

declare before God and His holy congregation...

that you take this man...

Gerard Johannes Hendrikus Wijbrands...

...for your lawful wedded husband?

And do you promise him obedience and never to leave him...

and to serve him as a dutiful wife should...

as according to the holy Gospel...

...until death do you part?

What is your reply?

Yes.

Kneel down and receive the Lord's blessings.

That's the Merciful Father...

who through his grace has called you...

to the holy state of matrimony...

join you with true love and faith...

...and bless you.

Amen.

Anything else, Sir?

I'll wait down here.

Until you've retired.

Now the mystery will be revealed...

White roses...

We've got another little one, Miss Hetty... Mrs. Wijbrands.

Congratulations, Harmsen. - Thank you.

Boy or girl?

A healthy boy, who'll help me in the fields.

How's your wife?

She's getting very good at it. It's our fourth.

Here.

I better be off, there's work to do.

Father at most gave him a drink.

Much good will that do a tenant farmer.

Wait for me, Harmsen!

I'm going with him a minute!

Thanks.

I thought...

...perhaps you could use some help.

I could. But you'll soil your hands and get dirty.

The baby needs a bath.

Put the tub on the table.

You get the lady some clean cloths.

Mind your dress!

There you are.

Mind his head!

One hand under his neck, the other under his backside. That's it.

You can tell you're not used to it.

So small...

Another mouth to fill.

You're a healthy young woman, there is nothing to stop you from conceiving.

You mustn't be too impatient.

Be sure to resign yourself and submit.

Then you'll soon get used to things.

Although...

You wanted to talk to me about my wife. Nothing serious, I hope?

I've been thinking, just back from your honeymoon...

...she could have been in blessed circumstances.

She feels unwell.

She feels basically unhappy, if you ask me.

Unhappy? - Disappointed.

I do everything to make her life as pleasant as possible.

I know her well enough to be able to do so. She is very sensitive.

Quite... quite...

Yet I've got the impression that despite your understanding...

...you yourself are the cause of her depression.

You are a man.

Marriage has its virile aspects too.

I'm happy, very happy.

My wife's illness cannot be due to those things.

My dear Wijbrands, there are feelings, or rather...

...there can be a lack of feeling, that makes it wiser not to marry.

You must admit that a marriage like yours...

...is not in fact a marriage.

In fact, you've deceived her.

I'm sorry, but I'm forced to put it rather crudely.

She is chaste.

She understood me clearly when I asked for her hand.

If she had wanted anything other than pure and spiritual love...

...like true love always has been, I would never have asked her.

I would have shunned her.

What you're saying is shameful! Slanderous!

It's intolerable!

Unthinkable!

At a very early age...

...l practiced the sinful habit of boys.

I didn't know any better.

Once I realized that it's a weakness...

...l instantly swore to ward off that sin forever.

And I have succeeded.

I managed to banish carnal desire from my life. I'm blameless.

All I can advise you to do to tell you that you'll have to try...

to do that which a man...

Cure yourself and you'll cure your wife.

L'll try.

Your wife is young, blessed with many charms.

And she's stranger to a touch of sensuality.

It is her due that attention be paid to her beauty.

Not a really bitter pill, is it?

Hello, Leo. - Hello, Gerard.

All's well, I hope? - Yes, of course.

Hi...

Look!

How sweet of you. You spoil me, you shouldn't.

Oh, and this was by the door, addressed to you.

Dearest whore.

Do what you like, vampire.

What sort of disgraceful stuff is this?

I know everything.

All your damned tricks from the start.

You belong in the mud...

...then let anyone beware of crossing barefoot.

Surprising, you flirt?

From the kind boy, walking all the way from town to see you.

But take care for I'm learning about life...

...and what beasts women are.

Goodbye, my little slut.

Your umpteenth victim.

Johan Tervveijde?

The man's crazy. He should be locked up.

This is actionable.

But I don't understand. I don't. Gerard?

What is a whore?

I keep thinking of Johan and his loose living.

It even seems enjoyable to me.

How can you say a thing like that. It's not right!

Is it right that my own life is so dull and colorless?

Everything at the same time, in the same place every dreadful day?

Could dullness be sinful? And loose living alright?

Look!

For the world to see...

For all the world to see.

Mrs. Wijbrands?

Come in.

There's a letter for you, Madam.

Here. - Thank you.

This is real and terrible.

Should I scream?

But...

...l don't find it hard to see.

Are you satisfied now?

Promise me you'll never ever do that. For my sake.

Johan has acted wickedly and selfishly, and you should not.

Don't ever do this thing, please Hedwig.

You need to go away for a while.

Dear Leonora, I'm already feeling much better.

Good morning.

Are you sketching? - Yes.

That's nice.

There you are, Sir.

Good morning, Mrs. Wijbrands.

Would you mail this for me? - Certainly.

There you are. - Thank you.

It was you who played this morning!

Excuse me, but...

I know you, don't I?

You speak Dutch, don't you?

You were a friend of my brother Aernout.

You once played the piano at our house.

Schubert!

Wasn't it, Hetty? - Ritsaart!

Is Richard Delmonte your concert name?

And you? You're married, aren't you? - Married?

No, I thought so too...

...but I'm not.

How beautiful this is.

It won't be as beautiful as this for some time to come.

Go away.

Please go away.

I'm so glad you're back.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to my monthly soirée.

It is my pleasure to introduce to you this evening...

a pianist of international renown...

...Richard Delmonte.

Beautiful, Mr. Delmonte! I'd like you to meet my niece, Janine.

I must go and tell him how beautiful it was.

Yes, it was most, most enjoyable.

Just for a minute. - Please, Hedwig.

Let's go home.

A wonderful evening. - Thank you.

But why not? Why not?!

Because you're not one of those...

...excitable middle-class hussies!

I just wanted to tell him how much I liked his playing!

Good evening, Madam, Sir.

I want to call on him to tell him how beautiful it was.

Just for a minute.

My wife wants to go to Koninginnegracht.

I've come to see Richard Delmonte.

He's staying with you, isn't he? - Yes.

But he's not back yet. He had a concert.

I'm Monica, Joop's girlfriend. Why don't you come in?

He'll be here shortly.

You're the Sphinx.

Hedwig, the Sphinx. Aren't you?

You murdered my friend Johan.

How can you say such dreadful things?

I ask no one to come here.

But those who do...

...must listen to what I want to say.

It's not true.

It wasn't my fault.

Who else's?

You know that a boy falls in love in that way.

No, I did not.

I thought we could remain friends.

You ought to have married him.

That wouldn't have been right of me, for I didn't love him enough.

That would have been immoral.

Less immoral than what you've done and what you're planning to do.

A marriage...

a true marriage...

...that's a great work of art.

And the best thing in the world.

But it usually fails.

For the bonding, the bonding must be good.

And for the bonding to be good, you need the right blaze.

That blaze...

must be true, fervent...

...and simultaneous.

I came to tell you that I...

And that seldom happens.

Can I see you alone a minute, Ritsaart?

What is it?

What is it?

Isn't it enough that I love you?

Do you think that's what I came for?

Aren't you ashamed humiliating me like this?

You have profaned my most sacred illusion.

I don't get this, Joop.

I really don't.

Profaned!

Ah my boy, this is the usual prelude.

We both know the end.

You better beware.

That Hedwig of yours...

with all her sacred illusions...

...is a dangerous woman.

Like all women, right?

Dear...

My dear friend...

My dear friend.

Though you have profaned my most sacred illusion...

...l want to see you and find out why.

I've had time to think about our last distressing meeting...

...for Gerard is away on a business trip.

Give me a hand...

Don't you long for death, Joop?

Not at all.

This is the fullness of life.

And this pain...

I wouldn't like to do without it. It is both terrible...

...and sweet.

I really enjoy life now.

I don't believe you.

Then how can my life be so intolerably dull?

There's so much more for me to enjoy...

I don't even hurt!

Are you that much of a simpleton?

I can't take that...

...moping in simplicity.

You're like one sitting on top of his hat...

...sitting on top of his hat, crying he's lost it.

Take Monica.

Ask her if she's unhappy or wants to die.

Not at all.

The fact is that you're living at the expense of others.

That's sin and that's guilt.

It produces boredom...

...dullness, weariness, you name it.

Do you follow me?

Yes.

But I believe that if I were happily married...

and I had a baby...

...l would find everything beautiful and lovely.

You can do better, in my estimation.

I forgive you.

Until this evening?

Until this evening.

The mystery has revealed itself now.

Joop would think this a true marriage.

Are you leaving?

But that's impossible! I'm coming with you!

But shouldn't you stay home to welcome Gerard?

But why are you leaving?

You're my husband, aren't you?

Gerard is your husband, and you are his lawfully wedded wife.

But Gerard and I aren't married, are we?

We two have what Joop would call a true marriage.

Joop talks too much. I'm your lover.

And you?

You're the mistress of a concert pianist.

A mistress?

Me?

Darling, dear husband.

I say it for the last time...

...for now I know what to do about this dreadful uncertainty.

I will always remain grateful for us finding each other...

...but it was too late and I may not leave Gerard.

Things can't go on as they are, either.

So we must never see each other again.

Farewell.

I'll never swerve from my love and my promises.

Don't write me anymore. Don't make it more difficult for me.

God bless you.

I hope you'll keep our bond sacred and that I may die soon. Hedwig.

Why are you doing this, Hetty?

Because I must.

Do you love him so much?

Yes...

I can understand the nature of such a pure and high-minded friendship.

You can see him as often as you like.

I trust you, don't I?

What is to prevent you?

You surely won't compare yourself to middle-class hussies...

...who are lost the moment a man looks at them.

You're a high principled... - No.

No, Gerard, I'm not.

You're making a mistake.

I'm...

...married.

I'm married to Ritsaart now.

I now know what the mystery of marriage is.

Alright...

Alright.

What are you doing? - I'm waiting!

What for?

For your lover!

Are you going to shoot him? - Yes!

Shoot me! Please shoot me! - Perhaps I will!

He's going to kill my husband!

Back to the kitchen!

Be gone!

Sir! There's water running down the wall!

Open up, Hedwig!

What's happened?

Is she alive?

Those wet things have to come off!

Get a doctor! You want her to die?

The undersigned request that Mrs. Hedwig Wijbrands...

and Mr. Ritsaart van Bergh van Aalst...

quit this house as soon as possible...

...without leaving word of their destination.

The undersigned will return in three days...

...and wishes to find no trace of their presence.

English society's impressed, Milady.

I thought you were indifferent to what other people think...

Not always.

The English have a better eye for things than the staid Dutch.

If you must squander the estate of the poor...

...then don't do it in a dull, mean fashion.

Do it with glorious flair.

I told Lady Clara in confidence about us not being married...

...and Gerard asking us to quit the house.

That was the greatest folly!

Never do anything without asking me first!

You've made us impossible everywhere! - But I trusted her, Ritsaart!

Oh Hetty, what a simpleton you are!

Nobody will ever again ask me to give a concert!

Listen, your music.

Yes, my music...

What's wrong?

Why so sad, just when I'm feeling so happy?

With the blessing on our love-marriage!

Don't you love me anymore?

Of course I love you.

But you love me less. You regret what's happened.

I don't regret anything, really Hedwig!

Why else would you be so cool and distant.

We weren't fools, were we?

You're very restless.

I won't be able to do it, I haven't performed in ages.

But you've constantly practiced.

You'll see, once you sit down and feel people's attention...

and you've struck the first few notes...

It's easy for you to talk...

But I haven't given a concert for a year.

You'll be just fine, I know.

Charlotte... Charlotte.

What'll Ritsaart say when he comes home?

We'll have a nice surprise for him, won't we?

Wants some more to drink...

You're going to be a big, strong girl.

Oh, your daddy will love you.

Come, my sweet little daughter.

Let's go.

We'll have to close this...

Come, Charlotte. We go to Holland.

Come, my little one.

Calais!

Do you know where Gerard is?

No! Let go!

There you are!

The Lord be praised!

It's really you!

Do you want the bad baby back, Gerard?

I, poor sinner... I, poor sinner...

What's this? She's drunk!

I'll take her to a hotel.

I've got a good idea, sweetheart.

Come here!

Hell... Afair in hell...

Down you go.

How nice.

Get moving!

The bag!

Give it to me!

Come on!

Come on!

No, Gerard. Not before we're in Holland.

Here, the bag.

Give me that damned bag!

Don't be crazy, we're not murderers!

The money!

Put her on the train!

Woe betide them who thrive iniquity devise evil deeds in bed...

and perpetrate them in the morning light...

...mighty as their hands are.

They who sin will be damned!

Be sure to resign yourself and submit.

Then you'll soon get used to things.

You're the Sphinx.

Hedwig the Sphinx.

You murdered my friend Johan.

I can't live without seeing you, Hetty.

Just let me love you.

Go away.

Please go away.

Now you'll never be able to bear children!

Release her.

No, let her be!

Incredible...

...what endurance to keep this up for six weeks.

Such a delicate beauty.

She's of a good family...

...although it's hard to believe the way she behaves.

What's your name?

Where are you from?

From far away.

I no longer have a past.

My name is...

...Jeanne.

Charlotte...

I had a little girl, Charlotte.

I put her in a bag.

My God!

I didn't pack her alive?!

May I thank you again for these lovely clothes.

What are your plans? Going back to Holland?

No, I haven't any money.

Perhaps I'll die of hunger.

Is that a painful death?

Wouldn't you prefer to come and dine at my place first?

I can do what I want now.

I can do everything I want...

I can do everything I want...

I can do everything I want...

I'm afraid, afraid of going crazy again.

Don't worry.

Roll up your sleeve.

I will remove your fears.

Alright now, Jeanne?

Yes, it's alright.

There you are, Madam. Thank you.

Yes, Miss?

Excuse me, I made a mistake...

I thought...

May I offer you a drink?

Yes...

Shall we?

30 milliliters of morphine. - Very well, Madam.

There you are.

30 milliliters of morphine.

No! Give me that!

You haven't paid your rent for the last three months, you slut!

Piss off, you dirty bitch!

I've never been here before. It resembles a Greek temple.

Those columns, Doric aren't they?

Excuse me...

...l heard you talk Dutch.

We're fellow countrymen.

I can get work again tomorrow, but...

I'm so hungry.

Give her some money, dear.

You've had morphine again. - Yes.

Where did you get it?

I won't tell you.

Is there any left? - No.

Are you so fond of dying?

Listen, you're hereto be cured.

Call Sister Paula.

God be praised, it's all beautiful and happy now.

Shall we have another try together?

With your last bit of willpower?

Just imagine that you're struggling against a mountain stream.

Another small effort...

...and you'll reach the still waters.

The still waters, big cool lakes...

How do you know that?

Where did you hide it?

There.

Thank you.

Rest now. You've done enough for the present.

Pray, please, Sister.

He will not challenge forever, nor is His wrath eternal.

I have forsaken you for a while.

But I shall gather you up again in my great mercy. Amen.

Life can be death and death a source of life. Do you understand?

Yes, but...

It was that dead life from which I wanted to escape.

Life is a miracle gift.

To you it has been a slow death of the lower self.

And that hurts.

Yes, that hurts.

But doesn't death bring peace?

Peace and revelation?

We don't attain anything with the death of the body...

...but we do with the dying to our lower self.

That illuminates and brings life.

I know nothing about your past.

But I think...

that you would have found the right path...

much easier if you had not...

- strayed...

...if you had learnt to live with your failings.

I felt ashamed, I wanted to save myself.

It's better to save yourself then to be saved, isn't it?

Certainly.

But it is pride to want to be perfect.

That's what I find so hard.

I immediately want the very best.

My rule was always "all or nothing".

You'll have to learn to live with your weaknesses...

...even more intensively than others.

Don't defy them, avoid them.

Do you know yet what you want to do?

I won't be able to succeed in Paris, the big city scares me.

I want to return to my own country.

There are things I want to set right.

Do you think that's wise? - Only you can judge.

Many people have loved me, possibly more than you.

But whose love has benefited me as much as yours?

You sound as if I were an angel.

But of course!

That's not right and it makes me uneasy.

I may not be a great sinner...

...but was myself privileged with timely teaching.

Then it's less difficult to stay on the right path.

My life has its visitations too.

Remember that!

Leo?

Leonora...

I'll be damned...

You have lived!

Yes, Joop.

I'm quite a bit closer to you now.

Has Ritsaart been to see you at all?

You're a good hand...

...at arousing passions.

Will he remarry do you think?

I don't think so.

He can't free himself from you.

It eats him.

Tell him I'll never be able to free myself from him either.

Never.

But that I can't see him again.

Tell him yourself.

Hetty?

No, Ritsaart.

I shall never be able to free myself from you.

But I never want to see you again.

Not ever again.

You're really quite something...

You're really quite something...

Oh Father who feels all life, crown our table with your blessing.

Feed us with your goodness, provide by your benevolent hand.

Teach us to heed excess, so that we may act according to your designs.

Help us to exercise heavenly things...

...and to strengthen our soul with your words.

Amen.

Enjoy your dinner!