Original subtitles

Digitally restored by the Swedish Film Institute in 2015.

In you go.

Let's shut the door.

-Good morning. -Good morning, sir.

Sit down.

The Bible tells us

that Peter and Jesus once had a conversation.

And Peter said to Jesus...

You at the front, hand these out.

Now, remember not to write... I mean, to write...

What am I saying? Remember to write out the fractions, that's right.

And remember: no whispering.

Anyone who whispers must hand in their test paper immediately,

and it will be failed.

If you have any questions, ask them now.

You can start.

Do we have to write out the fractions?

Pay attention, would you? That's what I just told you.

Yes, write them out.

-How long do we have? -It says on the papers.

What was that?

What did I tell you?

What's wrong, Monika?

Feeling unwell?

Who was that?

Who whispered?

-Was it Jan? Was it Arne? -Not me!

-Was it Anita? -No.

Who whispered? Tell me!

Stop it.

Mikael, hand in your test paper immediately.

Come on.

-The rest of you can continue. Go on. -I just wanted to borrow his eraser.

I told you to hand it in, damn it!

I just wanted to borrow his eraser!

For once, I try to be consistent.

And then I fail miserably.

-No sauce. -Why not? It's really good.

Grab some crispbread.

-Only a little bit of fish. -Only a little bit?

Fish is good for you.

-Is there snot in the sauce? -Snot? What are you talking about?

-Come here! -You dropped some fish!

Just leave it. Don't pick anything up off the floor.

Fish.

Are those your lovely children?

Quiet! Be quiet!

Can't you make them be quiet?

There. A little higher. There!

Hey, look at this.

So life begins, life out in the world.

Do you need to have your nose in your books all night?

...for this mother-to-be, it all began 38 weeks ago.

I never said one shouldn't have children.

But neither is it a given.

You asked me before we got married if I wanted a child with you.

I've explained to you that it was...

It was a literary quote.

So, it was just words.

Hundreds of millions of sperm were on their way...

You didn't mean what you said.

I guess I meant it at the time.

You just wanted to sleep with me, like all men.

But you didn't have the guts to say so.

At least you wanted to then.

Huh?

Sperms are fast swimmers.

Up to 20 centimeters per hour...

You didn't really want to marry me.

If they were human swimmers, they would...

I'm not an intellectual.

-Possibly not. -Possibly?

-Possibly? What kind of...? -Don't start!

I'm tired. I've got so much to do, I can't take it.

Would you like to have a child with me?

I'm sorry?

Oh, that was...

It was just a joke. It's a quote I read once.

-How many children do you have? -Two.

I'd like to have many more, I think. Having children is simply wonderful.

So, why does one have children? For the sake of the child?

And what does the unborn child want? Does it want to go to primary school?

Does it want to be a professor? Get a good pension?

Never be afraid? Sleep?

Why don't you have any children?

Because I'm afraid.

Are you free right now?

No, I'm taking the children swimming.

And you?

Mine have woodwork, so I'm spared the little rascals for a while.

-Why don't you draw something? -I can't.

Sure you can. Just try.

Interesting version!

Not bad at all.

There's scope for the imagination.

Why don't you sit down and do some painting, Bengt?

-I don't know how to paint. -Yes you do. Try a test picture instead.

Just fill it in. Do what Mikael did, for example.

-Just do a few colors. -I can't.

OK.

No!

Finish this one and do a bird instead.

What's that you're painting?

You're crazy! Sir!

-What? -Look what Bengt did, he's so mean!

Apologize, Bengt.

Sit down. Sit down!

I told you to go back to your seat.

What was that? What did you say?

What did you say?!

Go back to your seat.

And do something!

Do you hear me?

Dip that brush in now and paint something!

Break time. Bengt stays here.

Hurry up.

So, what's happening here?

This is just as sad for me.

How would you have acted in a situation like this?

Huh?

Don't you think I should have apologized?

Do you think I'm being mean to you?

Shouldn't we try to be friends after all, see eye to eye?

I'll try to make an effort, and you'll do the same.

Huh?

Hey...

OK...

Let's put this behind us. What do you say?

Let's bury the hatchet. Go out and enjoy recess.

Bye.

I said bye!

Ten, nine, eight, seven, six,

five, four, three, two, one, fire!

One of them gives the alarm. Its scream echoes along the cliff.

A lone razorbill pays attention and looks up.

The natural thing for the guillemots would be to drive it off together.

Instead, it's as if they're paralyzed. With their centuries of experience,

they've become resigned to this relentless plunderer.

Class 6D can leave,

while 6C stays here and stacks the chairs when I say so.

Now, stack them neatly!

Nice and quiet, please!

Stop it! If you're not involved, please leave.

I told you to leave!

Wait, Ann-Marie, I'll do it. It's a bit tricky.

-It is. -It tends to get stuck.

-It needs a bit of a shove. -Thanks for inviting us.

The pleasure's all mine, it was nice.

That machine scares me, I always worry I'll break the film.

How do you do it?

-Sorry? -With...

You must be aware of the difference...

-Yes. -...between the classes.

Did you give the right boy the right smack at the right time?

No. No, I...

Every class is different. There's nothing you can do about it.

I'm not able to be consistent. I don't know whether you should be.

I falter at the critical moment.

Modern research focuses on

what happens within when you do this and that. So...

I guess it's a different kind of modern religion to consider...

Aren't you in charge of recess?

-Sorry? -I thought you were in charge of recess?

Come on, let's sort this out.

-Did you take the cap? -No.

-They were fighting. -No!

-He's lying! -He took it.

-Did you? -It might have fallen off.

He took it!

-And then Ivan picked it up. -What do you say, Ivan?

-I hung it on the fence. -But it's not there.

-Who took it? -I don't know.

I'm telling you he took it!

-Go, I'll sort this out. -Wait!

Where is the cap, Bengt?

Kent will get it back, or you'll have to get him a new one.

-You know what boys are like. -Some need a clip round the ear.

-Kent found it! -What, the hole?

Push him in!

Sir's coming!

Come on now. Hey!

This way.

Don't touch any of the exhibits.

Look!

Stop it, Bengt. Stop it, I said. Come here and listen.

Despite being a little old-fashioned and baroque,

it's decorated in rococo style.

There are flowers and curly borders,

so the trend was flowers, and there was an interest in nature.

What's up? Pay attention, please.

This girl looks lovely, with flowers everywhere.

Are you ready to come to my party? This is what we look like.

Can you hear the silk dresses rustle? Now we enter a dining room.

I don't want to bore you, so I've got a little orchestra here.

Can we stay and have a look around?

Ever seen one of those in the forest?

-How cute! -Really cute.

They're fighting over the prey.

Our thumbs look exactly the same.

-It's a gorilla. -I know.

He has lovely teeth.

He has great teeth. No fillings whatsoever.

He probably didn't eat candy. They're real teeth, right?

-This one's real. -Look at this one!

It's so cute!

Have you seen this, Olle?

It's so cute.

Mårtensson speaking.

Hello, Mrs. Persson.

Oh, really?

I see.

No, of course they can't. But it's impossible for us

to supervise the students every single moment.

And furthermore...

Yes, of course I'll talk to Bengt.

They're not allowed to, but...

Jane might have also...

-Jane. -May I be excused?

-Hello, everyone. -Hello, sir.

You can sit down.

I would like to see the class register.

There you go.

Well, it's the usual. The environment, foster parents,

his mother's got other children and doesn't care about him.

He poisons the class.

Is it true that you hit him?

You've been reported to the school board.

What is it that you've done?

I'm not personally concerned.

I assume that you use your own judgement in your decisions.

A bad reputation undermines everything.

Not least among the children themselves. If a child says,

"My dad told me that my teacher's bad," that's...

That's not good.

I think you should arrange a parents' meeting.

Get them together one evening and talk to them.

I think it would help to improve this atmosphere

that might have arisen. OK?

That's possible.

-You might be right. -Great. Then that's that.

-Give my regards to Gunvor. -Thank you.

Well, maybe I should...

I'll start by mentioning, that we're in a transition period

between the old authoritative school,

the despotic school, one could almost call it,

and this new, more democratically minded school.

As teachers, we are faced with an enormous problem,

with one foot in the... old system,

and the other foot in the new system.

There's no denying that one is only human and still makes the kind of mistake

that was made earlier. You become too authoritative.

Children demand... complete fairness.

One has to be fair and treat everyone the same way.

I personally think that if we lump them all together,

I'd be acting like a villain,

because I believe that we should treat children

according to their individual capabilities.

A considerable amount of my time here in the classroom

is devoted to trying to instill in them certain democratical, fundamental rules.

-Maybe I should leave it at that. -Sir...

In terms of politics, it's my opinion

that for children around the age of 11-13, it's not suitable.

In time, they'll learn the meaning of democracy and dictatorship.

Do they really need 20 sums for their homework?

We have to remember that they're going into high school,

and we need to consider their learning, which might be disrupted

if they're treated too democratically.

A tougher approach may be in order.

Maybe some of the other parents would agree with me on this.

Like when they sell flowers for May Day or to help the blind.

One student takes 50, another 100.

The result is that for those who are less able to sell them,

it ends up being the parents' responsibility.

They often have to help out with the selling...

And they don't really listen much to the morning assembly. Maybe on Fridays.

Shouldn't we stand up more for Christian values...?

When it comes to corporal punishment, I'm against it too, but...

Sometimes you're faced with situations that get the better of you.

I deeply regret resorting to violence, and it's not at all my intention, but...

When I was at school, we had a terribly strict teacher.

So strict, in fact, that it often got physical.

We were hit around the head and worse,

but it didn't do us any harm. We learned to behave.

And as parents, we need to think about the teacher's situation.

It's probably not that easy to teach a lively class.

Soon, there won't be a week or a month without a collection of some kind

for the purpose of helping certain people

or some country or other.

I'm not saying that anyone should resort to the cane or to blows,

but the students need to realize that the teacher's word is law.

That's it! No nonsense. And fair!

I'm sure that you will see that things will improve,

and you'll be able to better deal with the students.

Take out your songbooks.

-Sir, can we sing "The Flower"? -Song 213, please.

Quiet!

Be quiet!

Take out your books and go to page 42.

Kjell, go up to the board.

Point at the notes as I play.

Use your hand.

Use the pointer, then.

You little bastard, that's enough! What did you say?

Who do you think you are?!

You're not human.

Get out your exercise books and write.

Question 145.

145.

Ejnar sends his regards.

Does he?

-What else? -He just sends his regards.

Right.

And now you've forwarded them.

You don't want to send yours back?

-No, I don't think so. -I see.

He's a good teacher, isn't he?

He's...

It's easy for him, somehow. When he tells them off, they're quiet. But...

I...

I can't do that, because I...

Never mind.

-Don't. -Hey...

Can't you at least pretend?

It might help.

What a creepy picture! Did you see it?

Look.

I wouldn't mind it.

Is there more tea?

-Would you like some? -No thanks.

I'll have some.

-Well, good night. -Good night.

Santa Lucia

Santa Lucia

Then, in the dark of night

There she comes, bearing light

Thanks a lot. Thank you very much.

This is lovely, thanks.

Would you like some, too?

Thank you.

Would you like a bun?

No?

Yes, please.

-Have you been singing to many people? -No.

You have lovely students.

-Better than me getting dressed up, right? -They look nice.

Can I have some more?

Have you visited others, too?

-Sorry? -No.

-Would you like to sit down? -No, we'll stand.

Oh, dear!

Oops.

Boys, calm down!

Don't run up there! And not in the...

LADIES

Let's all gather here!

Tell the people in the shower!

Let's all gather here.

Go tell the people in the shower!

Listen up.

Those who can't swim go in that pool.

And we're getting our badges today.

If you're taking part, stay within these red ropes. Understood?

And don't go into the café. Understood?

Yes!

-Can we get in, sir? -Yes.

Yes!

Nice and slow, big strokes.

You missed a hair here.

Are you done?

Come on, hurry up.

Are you looking forward to summer?

Swimming in the sea?

Hey, stop it!

Whoever did that, stop!

I told you to stop it!

Walk in front of me. Hurry up!

Come on! Hurry up.

Yes, you too.

You had fun in the park, didn't you?

Throwing gravel-filled snowballs at me.

What did I ever do to you? Have I done anything?

What's my crime? That I'm a teacher?

That I have feelings? I know school sucks, but you've never been adults.

You'll find out soon enough.

Don't sit there and sneer!

I'm trying to be nice to you, I'm trying to do my best.

You should return the favor.

Let's...

I hate behaving like this, I just want to say that.

But sometimes, the situation forces you to.

Would you like to take over the lesson?

Let's open our books at page 173 and answer the questions.

And no talking!

If you any questions, put up your hand.

Can I sharpen my pencil?

Sure.

-Yes? -Can I pick my book up?

-Yes, what is it? -Can I ask if I can borrow Lena's eraser?

I lost a hair. Can I please pick it up?

That's enough!

I don't want to hear another peep. Anyone who speaks has to leave.

Can I borrow the keys to my classroom? I forgot my bag.

Sorry?

Could you please unlock the door? I forgot my bag.

Your bag?

What's your classroom?

It's over here.

The umbrella, grab it. That's it.

Hold it up.

Keep still. Lovely.

Great! Think about the clothes. Pull your pants down a little. Good.

Straighten your back. Extend your foot slightly. Great, Gunnel.

Beautiful. Careful with your hair. Lean sideways slightly.

That's it! Lovely. The light is beautiful.

Keep still. I'm just going to...

Move that way slightly. That's it, lovely!

Beautiful. Pull the top out a little. That's it.

Raise the umbrella slightly.

And turn the other way.

Towards the light, a little more.

No, it was better before. Put the umbrella in the other hand.

Straighten your fringe slightly.

Nice and calm. Move your foot.

One second, I'm just raising it slightly.

Are you cold?

Lovely. That's beautiful.

Great! Just turn slightly.

One second, I need to change tapes.

Can you manage a little longer? It's horrible.

Can you manage? Great.

Move just a tiny bit. Lovely, that's beautiful.

Tilt your head. Other way. That's too much.

Push your hair forward.

Keep still.

Great. Thank you, we're done.

You're amazing.

Sören! Hi.

Good to see you.

-You haven't changed. -Really? Neither have you.

I've spent the whole day shouting. It's so cold.

But it's worse for the girl.

-What are you doing here? -I just went for a walk.

-Is this from China or Japan? -It's from Hiroshima.

I took it years ago.

So, you travel quite a lot?

Yes, I like to be on the move.

You don't mind if I mess around with my cameras, do you?

I'm off on an assignment next week

to the East, the Soviet Union.

-Wow! -For three months.

-So I need to check it all. -I understand.

It must be an exciting lifestyle.

Yes, no day is the same. But that can be tough sometimes.

It would be nice with a routine to fall back on.

What about you? You're a teacher.

-Yes... -I never expected that.

There are lots of things you don't expect.

It's an important job, teaching knowledge.

It must be wonderful. How do you find it?

Well...

So...

Do you mind if I take a look?

Not at all, feel free.

It's an idea for a book

that I'm hoping to get published.

My problem is that I...

I take the students' side,

against myself.

Maybe that's why you have the ability to see it from different perspectives.

It makes it more difficult for you, compared to people who...

What about you?

I'm obsessed with always finding something new, new, new.

As soon as I know something, I want to do it differently.

You establish something.

You lay the foundations. I'm at the top doing the embellishments.

Your nickname was Porky.

Right? You were much bigger back then.

Every time we scuffled, I was scared of you.

Remember these?

No way!

You were always so fast. Careful with my cameras!

Watch out!

I surrender! You win.

Quiet!

-Shouldn't you be in class? -No!

-He went to get some water. -He's hungover.

Why do you carry on?

Because I'm waiting.

For what?

Retirement.

-But once or twice you must have... -Had ambitions?

I did, actually.

But that was a long time ago.

Your move.

Let's leave it.

Can I sharpen my pencil?

-Did it go in? -What?

Your dick.

Class is over, you can go home.

No, you're staying here.

Get closer to the door so we can see you through the keyhole!

Well, Jane?

What do you have to say?

Was that nice of you?

Is it OK to use that kind of language?

Hey? Say something.

-Let's go and speak to your mom. -She's not home.

-Well, your dad will be, then. -No.

It doesn't matter, we'll wait for someone to come home. Come on, don't argue.

Hurry up.

Come on.

Shall we go?

Please, sir. I promise I won't say it again.

As long as I don't tell your parents...

OK, I won't.

Hey, there's just one thing I'd like you to try to understand.

There are certain things in life that...

...one should try to... keep pure.

Beautiful.

They shouldn't be sullied.

You can go.

Follow the yellow strips.

And if you get lost,

go back the same way. Look for the yellow strips.

Don't go anywhere without those.

That looks nice.

Thank you.

It's strange...

...how far away everything seems.

It makes me wonder what I was so concerned about,

what I was so worried about.

But I know it's there all the same, and I need to get back to it.

If only I could keep...

...keep that enthusiasm that I had at the start of my career.

I thought I could finally start to create the world.

You...

You... You lose all that.

When you're faced with it,

the theories just fall apart.

There's nowhere to hide.

You just need to deal with it.

And you...

Ask sir to call an ambulance, quick!

Murderer, murderer!

Gunvor...

Are you asleep?

-Gunvor? -What?

It's me.

I had a really bad nightmare.

It's all going wrong at school.

I wake up with this knot in my stomach.

Every morning's the same.

I'm scared to enter the classroom.

The students can do what they want, I don't care.

I can't take it any longer.

You always complicate things.

Complicate things? What am I supposed to do?

Hey?

I don't know. Just keep it simple.

Simple? It isn't simple.

Ejnar tells me...

...not to think about myself.

That I should just be myself. What does that even mean?

If you're made the way you are, it's just how it is.

If you're aware of it, it doesn't matter if your eyes are closed.

You know you're awake.

-Hey... -Yeah?

How's that boy doing?

I don't know.

His condition is still critical.

-Hey... -Yeah?

Do you actually like children?

I guess so, individually.

I mostly feel sorry for them.

Although, when they're cruel...

...I hate them. Never mind!

I guess I feel the same as most people do.

There's no question of you being personally reprimanded.

It's not your fault that there was an accident.

It's just that it's so incredibly hard to sort out the playground supervision.

These things just can't happen!

You know that, of course.

And the responsibility ends up being all mine.

Well...

Send my regards to Gunvor. I heard she's off to Stockholm.

Do you have money and a place to stay?

Yes, I'll manage.

-Do you need a hand? -No.

I'm fine.

Don't go too far out!

Did you hear me? Don't go too deep!

Don't go out that far!

I said, don't go that deep!

You're not allowed out here!

Swim back to the jetty!

Help!

No!

That's enough!