Original subtitles

Based on real events. Details have been adapted for dramatic purposes

and all place and character names are fictitious.

-Hello. -Hello.

-We received an emergency call. -Yes.

-It was our daughter who... -Come on in.

RIDING IN DARKNESS

I'm glad you were able to come. I understand you live in London.

I was coming home anyway. To spend New Year.

Your mum and sister filed charges against your dad

for an assault on Boxing Day.

-I know. -But apart from that, your sister...

...has filed several assault charges against him during her childhood.

So I'd like to know if you can verify her claims?

And perhaps you have other things to tell me too?

I'm the one who's reported Tommy the most times.

But it's never led anywhere.

No.

But I think that what your sister has told us

will be enough for a prosecution.

One could always hope.

-Would you like some coffee? -No, we're fine.

-So your daughter called in? -Yes, we...

We had a little argument this evening.

Yes.

-Or it wasn't that little. -No.

Those things happen when you have teenagers.

We'd like to talk to her and her sister.

They've gone to bed, but...

-But, of course. Could you...? -Absolutely.

Perhaps you remember what it was like to be a teenager?

Lots of hormones, so to speak.

-Hello. -Hello.

-Which one of you made the call? -I did.

You said, "Dad is killing my sister."

-That was just something she said... -I'm talking to her now.

-Did he hurt you? -No.

-Did he hurt your sister? -No.

Then why did you say so when you called?

-I don't know. -You were angry with Dad, right?

Of course I would never hit my own children.

I just wouldn't do such a thing.

I'd like to speak to you two in private. Come on. Come on.

You can stay here.

-Now, tell me what really happened. -Nothing happened.

-Has he threatened you? -No.

You called emergency services and said

that your dad was killing your sister.

We'd had an argument. I was angry with him

and wanted to give him a scare.

Or get back at him, you know.

-What happened to your face? -I fell off a horse yesterday.

Alright, then. You can go.

Let's go to bed now, shall we?

Tomorrow's a new day.

He said he'd kill us if we told the police.

Agnes?

And they saw Victoria's swollen face...

but they still didn't do anything.

But he... calmed down a bit after that.

For a while.

It scared him that the police had paid us a visit.

Hi, little fellow.

Hi there, my boy.

Do you know what, Crusse?

I'm moving out.

I'm going to miss you terribly.

HAPPY 18TH. SEE YOU AT DINNER /DAD

-Hello. -Hello.

-I ordered for you. -Okay, but I have to work later.

No, come on! Let Lotta and Agnes do it.

You don't turn 18 every day, do you?

Alright.

Good.

Thank you.

-Cheers! -Cheers.

And no partying, just because you're moving out.

Who would I party with? I'm staying with Johanna.

Maybe you decide to stay in town and sleep at some friend's house.

Great idea. Thanks for the suggestion.

I'm serious.

-And no smoking, okay? -No, I won't smoke.

It's bad for your lungs. And it costs money too.

And how much do you smoke? Two packs a day?

I'm a lost case. Pay no attention to me.

No, I won't, Dad.

If you need money, just come out and work a little.

We'll see. I might get a job in a café or something.

Why would you work in a café? You won't learn anything there.

It's fun with something new.

It's better to work with horses. Something you know.

Anyway, I'll come home for visits often.

Good.

I promised Crusse that.

-Crusse? -Mm-hm.

How much do you think he's worth?

-Who? -Crusse.

-Oh. No idea. -Right...

Hello, this is Tommy. Hi there.

Listen...

Crusse, you know, King's Crusader?

Yes. You've had your eyes on him, haven't you?

Are you interested?

Right, I see.

Got it. Sure, I understand... That's fine. Bye.

What are you doing?

Hi. Tommy here. How are things?

That's great. Great...

Listen...I have this horse, if you're interested.

King's Crusader. Yes, sure.

Right, that's what I thought. Yes.

How much...? No, tell me what you think he's worth.

Really, that much? Sure.

Tell you what, we have a deal.

No, no, I'm being totally serious.

Yes, of course. Certainly.

Absolutely. I'll call you later to discuss all the details.

Yes. Perfect!

Sure. You too. Bye-bye.

I'll be damned. That was a good price.

Hey?

Victoria moved out.

She started high school in town.

When Tommy was really awful, we'd always have each other.

But now I was alone.

I got up at 5.30 and went to bed after midnight.

I told you to mow the lawn by the cottage yesterday.

I worked until half past eleven.

Then you'll have to work faster, right?

But how do I...? There's no lawnmower up there.

Are you really this stupid? Drive it up there with the tractor.

Do it yourself.

Okay, no breakfast for you. Not until you've mowed that lawn.

I've worked for two and a half hours.

So learn to fucking do what I tell you!

Agnes?

Agnes!

Agnes?

Agnes?

Agnes?

Agnes?

Hi. I found the vespa by the beach, but Agnes isn't here.

So I'll come home now.

I took a bus into town.

And I knew that Maja,

a really sweet girl who had been at the farm a lot...

...worked at a café in town.

So I visited her there

and told her that I'd run away from home.

I told her I wanted to report Tommy.

She said I could stay with her, and then she went with me to the police.

You can just wait here.

And you can come with me.

Hi, it's Lotta. Hello.

Listen, is Agnes with you?

No? Right.

And you don't know if she's been with Sophie today?

I see. Well, it's because she...

Or rather, we don't quite know where she is, so we...

But, I mean, we'll find her somehow.

So...talk to you soon. Okay, fine. Bye.

Damn, this pisses me off.

Tommy told us to...

...get in the jacuzzi with our clothes on.

It was below zero outside. And then he forced us out onto the balcony.

We were shaking with cold.

Are you alright, Agnes?

Agnes?

-Here you are. -Thanks.

I just want to go home and sleep now.

I mean...home to Maja.

Agnes...

I'll have to check that with your parents.

-As you're a minor. -That's impossible.

I can't let you leave with another adult.

-Tommy will never allow it. -Then how about if I call your mum?

It makes no difference. Tommy will find out anyway.

We'll sort it out.

Perhaps we can get you a bed in a foster home, only for tonight.

Alright?

Great. I'll call the social services about that.

Are you hungry?

-Then I'll get sandwiches. You too? -Yes. Thanks.

-Here we are. Some sandwiches. -Thanks.

Thanks.

It'll take a while, but the social services will sort something out.

They make calls.

I'm afraid they couldn't find a bed for you.

If you want to stay at Maja's, I have to call your mum.

But...that's crazy.

She ran away from home for a reason.

I understand.

-I'm sorry. Those are the rules. -I've changed my mind.

I don't want to file a police report.

-It's not that simple. -He could do anything.

-It isn't worth it. -Agnes...

You've told me about criminal actions. I have to investigate.

-But I made it all up. -I don't think you made this up.

-Do you want to stay with Maja? -She's welcome.

Then I'll have to call your parents and check it with them.

-Lotta. -I'm calling from the police.

God, it's the police.

I'm calling about Agnes. She's here.

-Is she hurt? -No, she's fine.

-Just a bit tired. -Okay.

-God, we've been incredibly worried. -Yes.

Agnes would like to stay over at Maja Grundin's house.

-Do you know her? -No, she can't.

But I think in these circumstances...

We'll come and get her.

Agnes?

Agnes, are you okay?

Can I do anything?

Hi, sweetie.

How are you doing?

-Now what has she done? -Nothing. And I'm bound to secrecy.

Okay, great.

Speak to you soon, okay?

Let's go.

Come on, Agnes.

Come on, sweetie. Let's go.

Take care. Speak to you soon.

-Please drive slower. -Would you like to drive?

-Would you? -Please, Tommy.

Go on, drive, dammit. Do you want to drive? Do you?

-No. -Exactly. So shut the fuck up.

You're staying here.

Please, Tommy, can't we just...?

Tell me what you told the police, or I'll kill you.

I promise, I will kill you. I don't care what happens next.

Then I'll kill mum. Then I'll kill Victoria.

And then I'll kill myself. Is that what you want?

Is it?

So kill me.

Kill us all. It won't be my fault if you do.

Or don't you have the guts?

The next day, we had...a "family meeting".

As Tommy used to call it when we'd done something really bad.

Tommy said that I'd gone to the police with a bunch of lies.

Things that could ruin the lives of our whole family.

So now we had to take a "time-out"...as he called it.

What happened was that he kidnapped me and Vickan.

He was terrified. So he rented a car and we drove off.

-Where are we going? -Ask your stupid sister.

What's happened?

-I'm supposed to be in school. -Are you happy, Agnes?

Are you? Was this what you wanted, eh?

Once we're there, you don't call me Tommy, okay?

-My name is Erik Holm. -What?

Erik. You will call me Erik Holm. What is it you don't understand?

-Seems super-normal. -Pardon?

Nothing.

I thought not.

-Hello? -Hi, sweetheart. It's Mum.

-How are you? -Fine.

-And how's Victoria? -Fine.

-What are you doing? -We're just in a motel.

-What are your plans? -I don't know.

I suppose we'll...

-Did the police call? -No.

Tommy, what are you doing?

Giving Agnes time to think things through.

Please, don't hurt her.

Why the hell would I? Are you stupid?

Mum is a total mess. She's devastated.

Just so you know. Do you think it's nice to do that to your mum?

Is it? Is that how to treat your mum?

And Victoria, who just started high school.

This could mean that the police could show up at her school

and drag her off like a criminal, right in front of her classmates.

All because of your little teenage rebellion.

Is it okay to do that to your sister?

Now, tell me what you said to the police

and then we can talk about it. Okay?

Give me your phone too.

You two are staying here.

-Anneli? -Hi! I thought no one was home.

-I have a tummy bug. Stay back. -Oh, dear.

There was no one in the stables, I just wanted to ask why.

Tommy and Agnes have gone away for a few days. Perfect timing...

-Shall I do the boxes? -No, I can do them later.

No, go to bed, you're ill. I'll do them.

Thanks. You're the best.

People at school will be wondering where I am.

Mum called you in sick, so don't worry.

But some friend of mine might call.

-So help me with Agnes. -She won't tell me anything.

Have you even tried?

Yes, I have.

Try harder.

What am I even doing here? What's your plan?

Tommy understood that Vickan would be of no help to him.

So he drove her home and dropped her off.

But we kept going. We drove around for about a month.

How do you like it?

Nice.

They look homemade,

but my little secret is that they're from the frozen department.

Alright, then...I'll leave you to it.

-Wondering what you're doing here? -Yes.

I'm a family therapist.

I help to resolve family disagreements.

-Are you angry with your dad? -Yes.

What has he done to make you feel that way?

He's beaten me.

Oppressed me...since I was little.

Kidnapped me. If he hadn't, I wouldn't be here.

-Does he want what's best for you? -No.

Tommy doesn't work like that. It's all about him.

I think you're wrong. I've met hundreds...

-You don't know him. -No, but I've met...

...hundreds of families.

And no parents who don't want what's best for their kids,

who don't love them.

You see, I think that what he does...

...he does out of love for you.

It may turn out all wrong, but then we have to find out

how he could show this love in a different way.

How about this? We talk about the things that have happened,

about when you've felt the most offended by him.

And we try to find out what happened and what led up to it.

How does that sound?

You said that he'd beaten you?

Yes, that was in October.

My sister was still living at home.

It all started with him forcing us

to ride two stallions at the same time in the riding arena.

Then he made us wear masks.

And he drove us into town and forced us to rob a bank.

We're the Masquerade Gang.

If you've heard about it?

And that's what I told the police.

Because that's what you really want to know, right?

What I told the police?

Alright, what do you want?

What the hell is it you want?

You will never hit me again.

Or Victoria. Or Mum.

Alright. And more?

-I want to move to London. -What will you do there?

One of the stable girls moved there. She got a job at Newmarket.

These idiotic ideas...

-And I want a cigarette. -No way. What's the matter with you?

I'm going to London, in any case.

We made a deal.

He helped me move to London

in exchange for me dropping the charges against him.

He dictated a letter on my behalf.

It must be this one...

Yes.

"I hereby categorically retract all accusations against my father

"regarding both psychological and physical damage and harm."

Does it sound like something a 17-year-old would write?

Hello?

Hello?

Mum?

I'll go back to Schillerska high school after Christmas.

Dad will get me a flat in town.

Congratulations. Some dad you've got there.

You'll be alone here when Agnes moves to London.

I know how to handle him.

He's not the one I'm worried about. You have to stop drinking.

How will you take care of the riding school?

Please. Never you mind.

Anything else?

You'll drink yourself to death if you go on like this.

Subtitles by Annika Yberg Svensk Medietext