Original subtitles

Morten is my son. But he doesn't know that.

- Shouldn't you let him know then? - It's too late.

I have made a contract. Would you give father-in-law a copy?

Are you wondering how to tell Bruun and Hjørting?

I have postponed the meeting.

- Max, that flat... - We can live in mine.

I will not. I want to live in my own and have a job.

I have been suspended. Expelled.

I am not allowed in the theatre.

It's a disaster. There is not one theatre will see me.

What should I do? Go to Norway? Oh God...

- Hello, mr Weyse. - My word...

Amanda. What are you doing here?

I have come with a gentleman who wants to see you.

- This is where you are hiding, Weyse? - An acquaintance was unwell...

We know you've been expelled, and a man has to earn his living.

Are you sad you are not acting? No, it's too small.

People want comedies while avoiding cinematic art like the plague.

I don't think we've met. Gerhard Flügelhorn.

Mr Flügelhorn is a director and engaged to Kitty Hansen.

She got me the job as his assistant.

Don't get carried away, Madsen. I have a part for you in my film.

If you can tear yourself away from this.

- What... kind of part? - A colonel.

His wife leaves him for a younger corporal on their wedding day.

The colonel hunts the couple across the country-

- to a deserted hotel by the North Sea.

By the North Sea? Our hotel?

- No. - What's that?

Amanda and I have often visited this hotel.

- Where? - South of Skagen. It's not relevant.

- Is it deserted? - Yes.

By the sea? That's the one.

You'll take care of it. What do you say?

- Let me think about it. - No. We start shooting tomorrow.

Come, Madsen.

TWO WEEKS LATER

Have they arrived? I hope Robert Fischer will come.

Don't you know him?

Not everyone wastes money on cinema tickets.

I met the postman. There's a letter for you from Jesper.

- Are you not going to read it? - He writes every day.

- Does he? - I shouldn't have told you.

He wants Fie to visit him in Copenhagen.

- Am I too early? - No, it is ready.

Walk carefully with the soup. There's leftover roast and potatoes.

- She talked about knitting? - I think that is in here.

Molly will be happy to hear you have arrived.

"Molly"? Are they that familiar?

Honestly, Edith, they are neighbours, it's not that strange.

- Is she at his place? - Only while the guests are here.

Mrs Andersen is ill. She caught pneumonia two days ago.

- How is she doing? - She talks about helping out.

She shouldn't, we are doing fine.

I was thinking... It is wrong that she has not told Morten.

- He needs to know who his mother is. - So you say.

- It bothers her. - It's not your business.

I never said it was.

There they are. They are here!

- They are here. - Are there window shutters?

I want a dead cat on the front stairs.

A dead cat? You didn't write that in the script.

No, I only just made it up. My brain is constantly at work.

And I want dust. Dust, dust, dust everywhere.

The hotel is deserted.

- Welcome. - Thank you for opening off-season.

It is our pleasure. I almost didn't recognise you, miss Hansen.

- It is good to be back. - The others are in the other car.

- Are there flowers in the rooms? - Yes, in all of them.

Get rid of them, I'm allergic. I want a working whisky and water.

And the best bed for miss Hansen and me.

- Hallo! - Welcome.

- Mr Fischer. What do you say? - To what?

Wait till you see how romantic the rooms are.

- Well, we are back already. - It is good to see you.

Miss Fie is a brave girl. She'll take care of us all.

- We will do our best. - How about a key then?

- Odd numbers face the sea. - We will take room five then.

- Room five is already taken, sorry. - Taken?

- We have other guests. - Other guests? We don't want them.

- We are here to film! - Other guests? Who are they?

I am sorry about the confusion, I thought you had agreed.

- Mum! - You have arrived.

Pack your suitcase and leave. Is dad here?

There is no being near him.

He only thinks about the people who lent him the money.

But you cannot be here, we have to work.

- Have they arrived? - Only just now.

- Is it true? - Is she going down there?

- No, she is getting the others. - The others?

- How many have you told? - Only mrs Frigh, but she...

- Hello, Amanda. - Are you there, Hjalmar?

I was plugging in the radio. There was an election in Germany yesterday.

- This is so exciting. - I persuaded my sister.

- Mrs Fjeldsø is here? - Yes. Olga!

Yes, I am here. Good day, Amanda. When does it start?

- I ordered an empty hotel. - I am aware of that.

Empty! I want cobwebs in the corners, creaking shutters-

- coldness, abandonment, death!

Do you understand me, Madsen? No, you do not.

- Because you called your mummy. - I did not know they would come.

There was always that risk because we cannot afford the whole hotel.

- We buy the hotel. - Sandberg will not agree to that.

He will! Call him immediately.

- Gerhard! - Lord...

Leave miss Madsen alone, I am sure she can handle it. Come join me.

We have room one. It is adorable.

I should never have told my mother.

- I am sorry you will get the blame. - I can handle mr Flügelhorn.

As long as he is yelling, everything is fine. His smiles mean terror.

- Should I ask them to leave? - No, you are not to lose money.

The guests stay, or the film company will have to find the extra money.

- Can I borrow your phone? - Of course.

A conversation to Copenhagen, please.

- Why does mr Fischer not like me? - Fischer doesn't like you?

I try to be polite, but he is so cold.

He does not sit with us during breaks.

- He is always reading a book. - He is brain and analysis.

He is luckily not full of emotions like the rest of you.

I don't want to do the kissing scene with him being like that.

Yes?

- Your tea, mr Fischer. - Thank you.

- Just leave it, it's fine. - Very good.

I just want to say that you are so good. I have seen your films.

The things you dare do...

- And say. - I just say what is in the script.

Yes... Yes, in that way. But... You are just so very good.

That's very kind. Thank you.

- What is he like then? - Very kind.

- He is so normal. - Why wouldn't he be, Edith?

Him being all famous and that. He seems kind of sad.

- Like he is sad about something. - He is just tired after the journey.

Be quiet. I cannot concentrate with your constant chatter.

- What's the matter? - The flour balls must not boil.

- The macaroons are burned. - Don't worry, it'll be fine.

Easy for you to say, I am responsible.

If anything goes wrong, people will say it's because Andersen isn't here.

- I must have fallen asleep again. - I didn't mean to wake you up.

- I cannot sleep all the time. - The doctor ordered rest.

- How is it going over there? - Good.

Your girls are doing splendidly. Should I bring your food?

No, no, I'll join you.

Shouldn't you stay there? I'll get your soup.

- Sandberg will not pay for any more. - What do you mean?

We can't afford the rooms the guests are staying in.

Can't afford? Do you know how much money I have made Sandberg-

- so he could have children in private schools and horses in Klampenborg?

He told me to tell you that he lost money on your last three films-

- at that you have exceeded your budget because you can't be trusted.

Did he now? What else did he say?

Stay within the budget, or he'll stop the film.

- Stop the film? - That's what he said.

Who does he think he is? Does he think he can stop it?

Only I can do that! Go tell mr Sandberg that!

Tell him what?

- I'll stop the film. - No, Gerhard.

It's my film and I can stop production if I want to. The miser...

Gerhard. Your film, your masterpiece. You are so nearly there.

Why are people always envious of artists?

Because we create something out of nothing?

Look what you are doing to me. I am full of tensions now.

I will finish my film for the sake of the art.

But I don't want to see any of your mum's friends. Understood?

- I'll go tell them, mr Flügelhorn. - Poor Gerhard.

- Those awful tensions. - Yes.

Do you know what I think they are?

I think they are sperm tensions.

Come, Kitty-mouse. Lie on top of me, please.

That is nice.

- Have you all got something to drink? - Yes.

It is so nice to see you all.

- We will not be in your way. - We want to see you act, mr Weyse.

How exciting that Amanda got a job.

- What does her husband say to that? - Ditmar and Amanda are divorced.

- I wanted Amanda to tell you herself. - When did this happen?

- Will she lose her title? - Amanda never cared about that.

- That's between them. - Exactly. Cheers.

Cheers.

- What is the name of the film? - "Footprints from the sea."

What is it about? May you unveil it?

- That will not do. - We are so excited.

- Very well. I play the lead. - Of course.

A colonel from the Copenhagen cavalry. Von Holzen.

I, the colonel-

- is captivated by my wife's young niece, Anna.

One day I take my wife on a little sailing trip and I... drown her.

- No...! - It sounds quite dramatic.

I marry the niece-

- who unluckily is in love with Niels, a young corporal.

- On our wedding day, they elope. - What do you do then?

Naturally, I go after them to kill the young man and fetch my bride.

- You kill him? - That is quite drastic.

The army do have certain codes of honour. And he is a deserter, too.

Yes, but here's the thing.

You must promise me you will not tell anyone.

I, the colonel, is not only hunting.

I am myself being hunted... by my late wife.

His wife is a ghost.

- I like that. - We are not surprised.

Everywhere he goes he sees wet footprints.

- "Footprints from the sea." - How does it end?

- I will not say. - Mr Weyse... You are cruel.

It will be so exciting tomorrow.

- So now everybody knows. - Except mr Frigh, he is not here.

- But if I know mrs Frigh... - He knows that we are divorced.

Mr Weyse was indiscreet, but you have probably told Bruun and Hjørting.

- Actually, I have not. - Why not?

Hjørting is not well, so their meeting has been postponed.

- They will come today. - Say hello from me.

That is not a good idea. Thank you.

- I didn't know you used the phone. - It was only a short message.

- I feel like I am at home. - As you should.

It was a good idea to separate the guests and crew for dinner.

- Mrs Frigh was disappointed. - She was.

But mr Flügelhorn has been very amenable this morning.

It is getting worse and worse.

Mr Flügelhorn wants to exaggerate it near the end... like a death mask.

- Come on in, mrs Aurland. - I didn't recognize you, mr Weyse.

What do you say now?

Mr Flügelhorn is asking about the footprints.

I forgot. Can you manage your costume?

Of course, go.

- I want to tell you something. - Yes.

It is difficult when you look like that.

I want to thank you for what happened last time.

That you stopped me from telling Hjalmar... You were right.

If people knew the truth about each other, they couldn't live together.

There is no marriage without a small lie.

I would say that when your husband is not the father of your child-

- it is a bit more than a small lie.

Hjalmar and I are in a good place.

That is good. I am glad to hear it.

They start now.

Is that mr Weyse?

You have reached the deserted hotel. The door is not locked.

You know this is where they are hiding. You straddle the dead cat.

- Do we have a dead cat? - We are working on it.

But we do not need it until the outdoors shot?

Do you think I don't know my own story?

- Of course not. - Camera!

Action!

Yes...

That is good. And now you see the footprints.

Now... You are shocked.

Are the footprints alright? I can change them.

You look up the staircase. You think your late wife-

- has come to avenge her death.

It is as if you can hear her steps on the stairs.

Come on, Lydia, we will take our walk before they start their film-thingy.

We are in the middle of our film-thingy.

- Let's go upstairs. - No! Get out!

- Take the other scarecrow with you. - What did he call us?

Madsen!

- I am right here. - Go upstairs.

I do not care how, but make sure people stay in their rooms!

I will do it.

Let's try again.

Yes?

They have finished the scene. Gerhard is resting.

We could go for a walk? I can show you around, I was here last summer.

- I know. - I have mentioned it a few times.

It is strange to think that the film is almost finished.

- You have been a great help. - That is very kind, thank you.

Will you come?

No, thank you. It is almost lunchtime.

And then it is us afterwards, better not waste your energy.

Thank you for your help.

Don't mention it. How is mr Flügelhorn?

The volcano is resting while we await the next eruption.

I will never forget mrs Fjeldsø walking down the stairs.

It is exciting having a job. But I don't have to tell you that.

What will you do next? Will you stay here?

I think so. Maybe I'll take a short trip to Copenhagen.

- To visit your friend? - You have talked to Edith.

- No, mr Weyse. - Mr Weyse?

He likes gossip. He told the guests that Ditmar and I are divorced.

You are? I did not know.

- When did that happen? - We decided during the summer.

- When did he say? - Last summer.

- But we visited you at the hotel. - It was after that.

That is very unlucky. You keep disagreements within the marriage.

That is how I would have done it, but not the Countess.

- A gentleman is asking for you. - Excuse me for a moment.

We finally got him into parliament, and now this?

We cannot change that, chamberlain.

- Now is not a good time. - I was in the neighbourhood.

- I wanted to say hello. - That is very kind of you.

- I hoped to see you in Copenhagen. - I didn't have the time.

I thought parliament had assembled?

Barely.

It was lovely to see you last time.

Please excuse me, I have company. This is mr Dupont from the hotel.

- He is in advertising. - Advertising? Editor Bruun.

- I will not interrupt you. - What a shame for you to leave.

Couldn't mr Dupont stay?

It would be interesting to hear your thoughts on advertising.

It is an interesting field.

- Do you miss me? - I am in Hjørring.

- Hjørring? Why? - I have a meeting with the county.

They finally found out who lent me the money.

I don't know who, we haven't had the meeting yet.

But I can assure you I look forward to meeting them.

- Will you come and pick me up? - It's so far away, Therese.

Of course you will.

Georg is picking me up tomorrow.

That is so sweet of him. They are filming down on the beach now.

- Should we? - We can watch outdoors scenes.

He is here. He has found us. I just saw him at the hotel.

- Where is the ship? - Gone, Anne.

- It has sailed? - Yes, we are too late.

- But he wants to kill us both. - Yes.

- We better end this ourselves. - No, Anna! I can't live without you.

We are meant to be together. I can't share you with him.

Stop!

- That is not in the script. - I forgot my lines, sorry.

Continue.

We will not die. He will.

- What do you mean? Will you...? - Yes.

- It has to stop. - Hold her.

Then you walk towards the hotel. Hold her closer to you. Yes.

You feel safe, but anxious, because you don't know what will happen.

Walk towards the hotel with the dead cat and creaking shutters.

The beach is empty, there is no one else in the world.

- Madsen! - I am right here, mr Flügelhorn.

I will tell them to go away.

We will start again.

- But we did well. - Except I forgot my lines.

- So we were in the shot? - So the photographer said.

- You will be cut from the film. - Such a shame.

You were splendid, miss Hansen.

- I think Otto had feelings for her. - For Kitty?

- I find that hard to believe. - I am convinced, though.

But he didn't want to come.

- I am ready, miss Hansen. - I will be there in a second.

Yes?

- Please tell me what is the matter. - Is something the matter?

- Am I not good enough? - I don't understand you.

It is like I was invisible.

I do not have the experience you have, but what am I doing wrong?

You will not tell me. Never mind, we only have one scene left.

Miss Hansen...

You are not the one doing something wrong.

I am, and with my experience I should have known better.

- It shouldn't have happened. - What?

That I... That I fell in love with you.

- In love? - From our first scene together.

- But... - No, you are right.

It cannot be. You are engaged to mr Flügelhorn.

Fortunately we only have one scene left.

Would you please leave?

Molly?

Molly? There is someone here who wants to say hello to you.

- Who? - It is Morten.

Is it Morten? Is he here?

I had trouble finding a fence post.

I wrote and asked Morten for his help.

- Hi, Molly. - It has been a long time, Morten.

- I hear you are unwell? - No, it is nothing.

I promised to help Fie's father...

- Yes, of course, do that. - Please stay for dinner afterwards.

Thanks. I'll see you in a bit.

I was thinking, Molly...

- Do you have anything to tell him? - Is that why you wrote?

No. I had to find the fence post.

Mr Weyse revealed the ending.

- Where is mr Aurland? - Listening to the German election.

Tell us.

The corporal wants to kill the colonel-

- but the young lady tries to stop him, as he will go to prison.

- Nothing else will do. - But the young man is determined.

When they reach the hall, they hear noises from the attic.

The colonel is waiting for the young man.

But just as he hears the couple, he can feel a hand on his arm.

- Who can feel a hand? - The colonel in the attic.

- Is there anyone else at the hotel? - Yes, his late, revengeful wife.

Exactly.

What happens then?

The colonel is so surprised-

- that he falls down the stairs and dies.

Yes, brilliant.

Yes, cut!

Finally. The blood was rushing to my head.

The final image now?

When I am ready. I will let you know, Madsen.

I am sorry for being here.

I needed to be among normal people.

- Have you finished? - We only need the final image.

But mr Flügelhorn is rewriting the script for the 10th time.

He cannot decide whether they should embrace or kiss.

- Or whatever else he can think of. - What about the dead cat?

I think he has forgotten.

Have you decided on Copenhagen?

Not yet.

Is it Copenhagen or the man who causes the doubt?

- Both, I think. - And Morten?

- Is that over? - Yes.

- He has someone else now. - Have they finished?

Only the final details.

- Shouldn't we serve the guests, then? - Yes, let us do that.

The results are in from Germany, and they are surprising.

The Social Democrats, Liberals and Conservatives have lost seats-

- unlike the National Socialist Party.

What are you doing?

- I am sorry, it... - We are filming!

- Yes, but... - You have to stay in your room!

The German election results are in, you see.

The National Socialist Party have gone from 12 to 107 seats. 107!

That is completely mad.

Who do you think cares about that?

We are making a film about two young people-

- fighting for their fragile love.

Go to your room and stay there, even if the hotel is on fire.

Stay in your room during filming, do you understand?

Could we please continue... What are you doing?

- I am sorry, Gerhard. - You do not kiss now.

- No. - I have rewritten that.

You will embrace like two small capsized children.

- Yes, of course. - Can't anyone do anything right here?

The Nazi Party obviously succeeded in giving the voters the impression-

- that mr Hitler can get the country out of its economic crisis.

It will be interesting to follow the situation south of the border.

That was professor Stubmeier on the Reichstag election...

The National Socialists have managed to bring people together.

- Yes, certainly. - We need that at home.

The wind that is blowing there sweeps away perversities. We could use that.

- That is what I just said. - Perversities?

- What do you mean? - Isn't it obvious?

Negro music, communists, Jewish speculators, homosexuals...

Give the youth some values. Give them hope for the future.

We need people like you, mr Dupont. You have your finger on the pulse.

- I am not the right person. - Well, why not?

- I am homosexual. - What does he say?

My friends in Germany have been killed by the people you admire.

Thank you for today.

What was he?

I am just as shocked as you are.

If I had known, I would never have let him in.

- Did you find the fence pole? - Easily.

I shouldn't have asked Morten to come just for that.

Sit down. I will go and...

You seem to get along well with Fie's father.

- Yes, I got a friend in him. - How nice.

We were talking the other night.

I told him about the time I came to the hotel.

And why I ended up here.

There is a special reason for that.

Oh... Is there?

Yes, I... I never got around to telling you, Morten.

I gave birth to a little boy who was put in foster care here.

Nearby.

I should not have known where he was, but I found out.

The foster parents didn't know who I was.

I was only the new cook up at the hotel.

When old mrs Andersen died I married Julius-

- so I could stay close to my little boy.

If your son lives near here I probably know him.

Yes...

I think you do.

He was the youngest boy in this house.

Now you know, Morten.

Why...have you not told me before?

Your foster mother loved you, and I didn't want to interfere.

I have hated my father my whole life and he... is not my father.

- Who is he? - Someone I worked for.

He was a great businessman, so you didn't get that from strangers.

Would you please come sit here?

Are you angry with me, Morten?

Angry...?

I can see that you are. And I understand.

How could I be angry with you?

You have always been there for me.

Good evening.

I have spent the evening with your father and Molly.

So...

Molly wanted to tell me something.

But you probably know already.

- How long have you known? - A while.

- When we were together last summer? - Yes.

- It was for mrs Andersen to tell. - It is strange.

For the first time ever I felt at home in that house.

I am glad that you have found each other.

I was thinking that the only thing I was missing... was you.

I was sorry you left so early when you were in Aalborg.

- You were quite busy. - No, Ingrid is my hostess.

It is for the best.

Will you not visit me again?

- I do not know, Morten. - I hope you will.

Mr Fischer and miss Hansen ran away together last night.

- Did they? - According to mr Weyse.

Miss Hansen wrote a letter to mr Flügelhorn.

When he woke up she was gone, and so was mr Fischer.

- My word. - No...

One could almost say that his film came true.

You have a point. Maybe they are better suited.

- Age differences have their charms. - That was very sweet.

- They ran away? - Apparently so. Not a word to anyone.

- Carrier Larsen is here. - We will help you with your luggage.

We have had a lovely stay and the cooking was exceptional, Martha.

- Thank you, mrs Aurland. - Until next summer.

- Morten? The guy from over there? - Yes, that is what I am saying.

- But it was a number of citizens? - It turned out to be just him.

He has made it big in Aalborg, owns three or four ships.

- My word. - My building plans and now this.

He cannot forget your accusations regarding mr Lindbergh's death.

You have to stop.

I will go to Aalborg and have a chat with him.

Are you going home?

There, there, old boy.

Life goes on, right?

- Have you seen the papers? - No.

There.

DENMARK'S FIRST TALKING PICTURE

Now who will watch my film when they are all talkies?

Nobody.

It was all for nothing.

- We will do it again. - Sorry?

- As a talkie! We will, Weyse. - What about Hansen and Fischer?

I will find understudies. Only you can act, Weyse.

We will change the ending and let the young ones die.

- You are ready? - Yes, we are leaving now.

It has been such a pleasure being here, talking to you.

Likewise.

- Here is your receipt. - Will you go to Copenhagen?

- I do not know. - I think you should.

You can stay at my place, I have space enough.

- But you and mr Berggren... - We meet occasionally.

We do not live together. Men have always made decisions for me.

I enjoy being my own mistress.

Here is the address. I really hope you will come.

- Thank you. - I should...

- Have a nice journey. - Thank you.

SHIPPING COMPANY SKAGERAK

I didn't think I was paying all that money to you.

The coward has risen in dignity, huh?

If that is your purpose, please leave.

I started at the bottom and I lost every penny.

But things have improved.

What if we two cowards joined forces?

- What do you mean? - May I sit?

We cannot keep fighting each other.

We have a crisis on our doorstep and global commerce is declining.

Your ships will stay in port, mr Enevoldsen.

You can only make a profit in construction work now.

- What is your suggestion? - The concrete factory is for sale.

If we buy that, your ships can sail materials for my constructions.

Joint company, we share the profit.

You can of course wait for everything to come to a halt.

But if you agree, I promise you will make more money-

- than you could ever have imagined.

- What did he say? - He said yes.

To a partnership? How nice.

Behind the suit and beard there is a soft, little boy.

So now he can pay everything back, and then I will destroy him.

What do you mean you will destroy him? You just buried the hatchet.

What do you mean, Georg?

Nina Gylling www.btistudios.com