Original subtitles

Stimuli

An episodic film by

The Discovery

Dedicated to Charles Chaplin

To me, stimuli are sex and narcotics.

I think it's the same for many other people.

But I've decided to sublimate myself.

So the voyage to my childhood becomes my stimulus.

Not my own childhood. It's not very stimulating

compared to another man's childhood

that in turn stimulated him

and delighted all of us:

Charlie Chaplin.

Widen the circle, guys, so everybody gets an opportunity

A bit larger than that.

A bit larger.

- Get in on the side. - Widen the circle.

I never got to meet Charlie Chaplin.

I had to find his neighborhood instead

where he lived as a child.

I was looking for Parnell Terrace

which is no longer on any map

and is hardly remembered by anybody.

It's mainly money, but also

the idea of

making a pornographic film in a different way

than what is usually associated with pornography.

Once upon a time there were two lovers

who wanted to come in to a warm room

and a comfortable bed, in order to--

She... ...Harried Andersson

He... Sven-Bertil Taube

Let's take a bath first.

First of all

let's have some champagne.

Yes, let's!

Where's the bathroom?

Champagne!

I have found it!

Are you sure that's everything?

I'll wash my hair first.

Come here and you--

Come in.

We're in here.

We'll just have it here.

One glass there and one there.

- Good afternoon. - Good day.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Are you comfortable?

Accidents happen.

Band-Aid?

That's just fine.

That's incredibly fine.

Now she was content.

She had brushed him all over

and cut his cheek, and shaved his armpits.

Only the feet and the teeth remained

and the hair, and the blackheads

and the perfumes.

Then they'd find out together

if they really loved each other.

See how tenderly she mends his toes

and how tenderly he waits.

Are you done yet?

Tired of cleanliness?

No.

I'm a bit tired of waiting.

Good things come to those who wait...

I'm so sleepy.

Could you call for the evening papers?

Come here.

I just have to solve this problem.

Aren't you going to come to little me then?

Chess goes well when you're clean.

This is actually not going to be about fireworks.

It's not that I don't like fireworks

but it's not going to be about them.

It's going to be about something completely different.

It's not going to be a story, either

in the normal sense of the word

but more like an account.

Yes.

"Account" might not be the proper word either.

More accurately, I want to put things

in relation to each other.

Things that normally aren't considered related at all -

It might sound as though I haven't thought this through.

I don't know.

The philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein said

that language

often disguises thought

and that one can't judge the shape of one's thoughts

by the shape of one's disguise -

their inner form, that is.

Because the outer shape

was never meant to reveal the inner shape.

He also said:

Why do they keep coming here?

Nearly every year, somebody gets killed.

against each other or beside each other.

87 people died in 1955 when a driver

"could be different."

My head hurts. It's never quiet!

Just round and round all the time

till I'm dizzy and my ears are ringing.

I can't take any more.

The sculptor Berto Marklund

once said about it that its beauty isn't overshadowed

by its ability to reach 280 km/h.

I think that's the right point of view.

That the outer beauty is correspondant to an inner

is one thing he might not have realised.

Berto is a sculptor and erects

the aspects of his trade on objects.

He's exceptionally open-minded.

"the boundaries of my language are

"the boundaries of my world as well.

"All that we see

lost control over his car.

They should know better than to come here.

That would be a disgusting way to die.

Bofors - aiming for export

Our technology your safety

Motors have always interested me.

I've constructed a few myself.

This is the last one

number six.

Yes, number six. It says so here.

It's a sort of compensation.

It should work.

It's pretty advanced.

It's nothing special, really.

Two pistons are pumping in the same cylinder

It's a two-stroke engine.

I've eliminated the crankcase compression

and put this under the pistons instead

to increase pressure.

I've shifted the pistons' movement in the cylinder

in relation to each other.

Here's a diagram.

It's a photostat copy.

It's a bit blurred.

I can't explain.

Ford competed as well.

An intense feeling of being alive for a moment

a greatly increased euphoria for a few hours' time or less.

Perhaps for a great cost.

Reckless, one could argue.

A type of narcomania.

An escape from reality

or at least the parts of reality that one can't handle.

One cost will always remain.

The after-effects always appear.

Sometimes one's entire body is shaking from weakness

from all the concentration and excitement

that have nothing to do with sexuality

if one ever had thought so.

One can be haunted at night by images of what could've been.

Rides filled with near-accidents.

But a replacement

a more socially responsible one

what would it look like?

I have tried to imagine one, but I have failed.

Nothing is more tangible than this.

It's five kilometers long.

They say it feels as thought it will never end

but it will.

It's a struggle.

One has to gather every ounce of will-power

Confrontations

He who intensly fights for his life

will also have an intense experience.

Good day.

I'm going to show you a little film

about my son, Daniel Sebastian.

It takes place between about a month

before his birth

and the day when he becomes two years old

on the afternoon, when he has just

lain down in the hammock

to rest up from all the festivities

together with his grandmother.

From a material of several thousand meters

filmed, as you will see, with a hand-held camera

on 16 mm film

I have edited and selected a concentrate

that mainly

is centered on Daniel's face.

You see, Daniel's face is to me

the most beautiful

and perhaps the most stimulating thing there is.

Let's see how it turned out.

Orno in August

Easter in Djursholm

Daniel's mother is playing

I was writing on a film that summer.

It was never made.

But there is a passage from that film

that I'd like to read here

and that has a great lot to do with Daniel Sebastian.

No more words like prisoner

prison, torture, jailer

walls, confined, distance

emptiness, fear, ghost.

No words like judgement, punishment

forgiveness, guilty

erring, guilt, shame, sin.

No punishments, executioners and saints.

No confessions, nightmares

and acts of vengeance.

Why did ever the thought of a fair and vengeful God occur?

The prayer's cry of anguish

the watchfulness or blind rage of the faith.

From what fear of putrefaction

did this monstrosity called absolution arise?

The resurrection of the dead and eternal life.

To reach a person instead

to envelop her

to experience her with her thousand and thousand variations.

To live together in a common reality.

At his grandmother's on his second birthday

Introducing one of the world's most celebrated singers:

Birgit Nilsson.

Distinguished not only as an artist but as a person.

Her role in a film like this is evident.

As a practising artist, she has stimulated her audience

and as an exuberant personality stimulated her surroundings.

Stig Westerberg is conducting the radio orchestra

- I miscounted. - Oh?

I was idly listening. It was my fault.

Absolutely my fault. The fault was all mine!

Do you think it's loud enough?

Sure it is.

Yes, down here.

Yes?

Yes, but I meant over there.

Can you hear me?

Can you hear me?

Even on the low notes?

Even when Birgit is singing a low note?

The deeper pitches.

I definitely think so.

But don't raise it just because of that.

The accompaniment is great.

You have no idea what orchestras I have

had to struggle with.

Like horrible thunderstorms.

Some egoistic conductors think that

the orchestra is the main part of an opera.

I think the singer and the orchestra are equally important.

Thank you. We're glad to hear it.

Let's see.

That wasn't important.

The tempo was fine now, wasn't it?

Oh, yes. Nice and calm.

That's right. Just as in the notes. Just right.

A nice balance.

Now, in the end here

I had to disturb the tempo

for your sake.

For my sake? What was it?

Yes, it says "salige Schlumpfen."

You see, it has to widen. I need some breathing room.

Or else it won't work.

I thought about it too.

I'll look out for it.

There is a double h - a pronounced h.

Is that on the sheets? It isn't?

It's forte.

Forte and piano. First forte, then piano.

- That's Erik? - Where is that?

- Can you do that? - Yes.

And Erik? Not a note right on this.

It's warm in here.

Stimulated, schmimulated.

It's not easy to be stimulated by these

small assignments that get between

the bigger things that have to be done.

We just took some old story by some German

called Honoré de Balzen.

- Balzac. - Yes, Balzac.

He was French, I think.

- Balzat. - Balzanc, yes.

We just chose him because we

don't really have time with this

so we just took some story that already existed.

It's also fun to show off that you've read books.

Yes, it is.

To show you're not just farting around.

So we filmed it.

Ended up at 7-8 minutes or so.

Lena Granhagen is fun to work with.

Yes, she's nice.

The Rewards of Chastity

I have been raped!

Come in.

Sir lawyer, you must help me.

What is it?

Something horrible has happened.

Miss Sofie, are you here for the laundry today?

I wanted to wear this shirt now.

No! I need justice.

I have been deprived of my virginity.

Well, what do you know?

I can't do much about that.

But he forced me! He started groping me.

Yes, of course.

Have a seat beside me, Miss Sofie.

Now tell me about it from the top.

I was carrying the laundry as usual

and he sauntered about in his nice silk morning robe.

He was beaming.

I was just going to leave the shirts in the secretaire.

He came from behind

and started picking on the starched shirt-breasts.

He said "you've starched your share of breasts, right?"

"Yes," I said. "I truly have."

"Yes," he said. "So have I."

- And so he did it. - What?

- Touched my breasts. - Ah, of course.

And then he tickled me here.

Of course.

I started laughing, of course. I'm ticklish.

Then he pulled up my skirts.

I shouted that that's no way to behave.

"No," he said. "This is the way."

And then... he did...it.

I see. You had a good time then?

No!

I shouted as loud as I could

and I resisted the entire time.

Those strugglings are just a trick to spur the men.

I swear I didn't want to. He forced me.

It wasn't nice at all.

No girl is doing that against her will.

If she doesn't want to, it doesn't happen.

Could you help me with this yarn?

Sure.

Just take one end and help me out.

I can't see that well.

But it's true. I'm so unhappy.

So you want to see your seducer in jail?

No, that's too harsh on him.

Although he only gave me two francs.

So that's your issue!

So how much is it worth?

Two hundred francs.

I won't take your case.

I don't believe in rape.

You have to prove that it's plausible.

Two hundred francs is a lot.

- Who is he? - Chamberlain Ankarstjärna.

A big, handsome man. He's rolling in money.

He has silk shirts from Paris.

Chamberlain, huh? There's a lot of money in this.

But you have to be sure about it.

I don't think I'll take this case.

I don't believe in rape.

You should either get pleasure or money.

There must be some justice in this world.

But you need evidence, Miss.

He tore and pushed me until I was all dizzy.

That could be worth two hundred francs, right?

I'll take the case, Miss.

The Necklace

with

What stimulated you into doing this particular film?

It was Swedish Film Industry's kind invitation

to contribute to Stimulantia.

I gladly accepted.

You don't say no to a good offer.

I was a bit reluctant

since I had retired after many years of making film

and had considered film to be a closed chapter for me.

But Guy de Maupassant's short story The Necklace

tempted me

and it's always nice to yield to temptation.

Two circumstances made me change my mind.

First of all, Ingrid Bergman had promised to play the main part.

My collaboriation with Ingrid, that started in 1934 when she

was in Swedenhielms with Gösta Ekman

would, after 30 even years, come to an end

in my definitely last film.

Lovely meat pudding. I must have some more.

It's my favorite dish.

Yes, I know.

Sure, you know that.

Thank you.

You've been saying that for ten years now.

Yes, time flies.

Even in the royal departments?

I though it had stopped there.

Not for us minor officials.

On the contrary, it passes too quickly.

The paper work builds up and we can't keep up.

I know that.

Sure, you know that.

I've mentioned that too.

What do you want? I didn't call.

I thought I'd take your plates.

Can't you see that he's still eating?

Gosh.

I'm almost done.

Yes, there we are.

Thank you.

It's even worse than it usually is today.

I saw Jeanette Ribbing today.

What clothes, what jewelry!

She was so beautiful.

You are much more beautiful.

Oh, sure. The way I'm dressed.

The Ribbings have money, Matilde.

Yes, and we don't. I know that.

Your childhood friend married well.

I wasn't a good match

as your parents pointed out

from time to time. But we're getting by.

You're happy as long as you get your meat pudding

and get to go hunting with your superiors once in a while

But I don't hunt, and I don't think meat pudding

is a break from this monotony.

Nothing happens here. It's so gray and boring

and there's nothing fun or beautiful around us.

On our evening walks, when I see lit-up windows

I think I can see myself

in the light of the cut-glass chandeliers.

I can hear myself laugh.

People address me and smile at me and speak so beautifully.

The floors are shining and the rugs are soft

and the furniture is so comfortable.

Someone is playing a waltz on the grand piano.

Someone comes towards me and bows to me

and everything swirls around and around and past.

Matilde.

You say my name and everything gets cold.

I feel that I'm standing in the street

and the windows are closed.

- Now I'm alone. - I'm with you.

Where are you, Matilde?

Here. Home already?

Oh, you're there.

Look at this.

- It's something for you. - For me?

- An invitation card. - An invitation card?

Yes, and pretty distinguished.

Under-secretary of State Emmanuel Bjelke and wife

herewith have the honor of inviting Mr and Mrs Hackman

to supper with dance at his house and at Djurgården

Saturday the 4th of July.

But that's not for me.

I thought you'd be happy.

Not many of the subordinates get invited.

You'll get to see the high society.

But what should I wear?

I didn't think of that.

What about the dress you wear to the theatre?

What's the matter?

What is it?

Nothing.

I don't have anything to wear so I can't go.

Let's think about this.

How much could a dress be? Not the most expensive one.

I don't know.

For a hundred maybe--

You see?

I'll get the money.

I'll get it.

What do you think?

Wait, let me help you.

You're so beautiful.

It's beautiful.

- But something is missing. - What is?

It looks so bare without a necklace

I don't have anything that goes together with this.

I have nothing to put on.

I look so hopelessly poor.

How about a flower? It's not that uncommon--

No, then they'll understand that I don't have anything else.

It's so humiliating to look poor among rich women.

- Couldn't you borrow a necklace? - From whom?

Jeanette Ribbing, for example.

But she wouldn't--

- But I couldn't-- - Sure you can!

Good friends like you.

Maybe so.

Help me with this.

I could always give it a try.

I'll go over there.

I'll be right with you. I'm just looking for the key.

Go ahead and play.

I don't play any more.

No touchie!

Here you go.

You can pick anyone you like.

Go ahead, try them on.

Have a seat.

I hope you'll find one that you really like.

Here.

It's so good to see you.

You never come over, even though I always ask you.

We lead so different lives.

- That doesn't matter. - Yes, it does.

My life is so ugly compared to yours.

My dear.

- It's very beautiful. - Yes, it is.

Keep looking. Look at this one.

Try it on. There's a mirror over there.

So, what do you think?

Would you lend me this?

- Only this. - Of course. I'm glad to.

It's incredible!

And that I got to borrow it just like that.

The rich can afford to be irresponsible.

Where's your rifle?

My rifle?

Well... I.

It was on this wall just a few days ago.

Answer me!

I have sold it.

You sold it so you could afford the dress.

Right?

That's so sweet of you.

I'm sure you get to borrow a blundertuss

when you go on your silly hunts.

Yes, surely.

I have to try the necklace with the dress.

There you are!

I've been looking for you. Why are you out here?

I needed some fresh air.

I was looking at you. Are you having fun?

Fun? It's wonderful!

Everything is so beautiful.

They're so elegant and joyful.

They're flocking around me.

I feel like I'm in place here.

- So you're being courted. - You don't mind, do you?

Why would I? I'm proud of you.

I'm so happy that you're happy.

Bjelke danced with me.

I saw that.

He said that he appreciates you.

I don't think he even knows who I am.

Yes, he does.

What a house they have.

Some silly man inside said I'm the most beautiful here.

- I think he was right. - You're just saying that.

Come, let's dance!

I'm such a bad dancer. I just look foolish.

- No one sees us. - Out here, then.

We'll start here.

- These stairs! - I've been running a lot.

I've almost lost my breath.

Couldn't you have waited for a cab?

I didn't want to stand with all the others

with this ugly coat.

I'll buy you a new one as soon as I can.

It's so wonderful to see you this happy and beautiful.

I'll start working extra.

I'll work through whole nights

so we can fulfil some of our dreams.

We need beautiful clothes

and to surround you with beautiful things.

I promise you to toil to make our life less dull.

I may have been too content.

I didn't realize how much these things mean to you.

- Paul! - What is it?

- It's gone! - Gone?

The necklace! Can't you see?

Jeanette's necklace is gone!

- Did you have it when we left? - Yes, I'm certain.

I must have lost in on my way home through town.

- Good God! - What are we going to do?

Where are you going?

I'm going outside to look. I'll retrace our steps all the way.

No!

Well?

Did you go to the police?

Yes.

They hadn't found anything.

What are we going to do?

What are we going to do?

We'll have to advertise for it.

Go to the police every day.

But I have to return it to Jeanette.

Just write her

and tell her the clasp on it broke

and that you've sent it to be repaired, just to

buy us some time.

What did she say? How did it go?

- Did she notice anything? - She didn't even look at it.

Thank goodness.

They're not that different. They're almost identical.

Maybe so.

You didn't tell me how much you paid for it.

Twelve thousand.

Twelve thousand?

Yes, twelve thousand.

I went to many jewellers

and looked at many necklaces.

This was the only one that looked the same.

But where did you get the money?

Switchmen, money-lenders

usurers.

How are you going to manage?

What will we live on?

We can't stay here. The rent will be too much.

I'm going to look for another place tomorrow.

I'll work as much as I possibly can.

We have to fire the maid. We'll have to do without her.

Yes.

We'll remember this as the luxury we once could afford.

I promise to help you as much as I can.

We'll have to help each other.

I keep falling asleep.

It's late. Why don't you go to bed?

I have to finish this.

I have to pay a large amount soon.

I know.

Interests and instalment payments.

We'll have to pay them for the next five years.

I don't see an end to it.

Is there much left to be paid?

What's wrong?

Nothing.

Tired?

I've cleaned two homes today.

The wives just tell me off. They're never happy.

I say nothing.

I don't know what tires me the most: the hard work

or the humiliation.

Get some sleep, then.

It's not paying off either. We have nothing to spend.

Everything is so damned expensive.

- The housekeeping costs a lot. - I do my best!

I haggle for the cheapest items.

I haven't bought myself any clothes in all these years.

Me neither.

- I mend, cook, clean-- - So what? Many people do.

Are you too good for it?

- I didn't say that! - But that's what you think.

You belong with Bjelke's kind, right?

Do you always have to remind me it's my fault?

- I didn't say that. - But you make me feel it.

I can't afford to pay attention to your feelings.

Many people are in your place without making a fuss about it.

We are going to pay for it. Pay! Pay! Pay!

Mind your own business.

Plates cost money.

I know it's tough.

I really wish I could have given you something better.

It's my own fault.

It is my own fault.

You can't control your dreams.

- Matilde! - Yes.

Stop that for a second.

What is it?

You won't believe it.

Tell me, then!

- It's over. - Over?

Everything is paid for.

I made the last payment today.

After ten years, everything is paid for.

Is it really true?

I'm too tired to even be happy.

There's a rabbit's nest.

Can you see it?

There lives a squirrel, don't you think?

Stop! Matilde!

Matilde!

Wait up!

- Don't you recognize me? - Sure I do, Jeanette.

But Matilde...

I know I've changed a lot.

No, you haven't.

But why haven't you come over in all these years?

Has something happened?

Happened? Perhaps.

It has something to do with you, anyway.

With me?

Do you remember that spring night ten years ago?

You mean when you borrowed the necklace?

I lost it.

Lost?

But you returned it.

We bought a similar one.

We had to pay for it over these last ten years.

You see, we're not that well off.

Did you buy another one?

It's been paid for now.

Good God, Matilde.

And to think you didn't notice.

But Matilde...

My necklace didn't have real diamonds.

What are you saying?

It was worth fifty at most. It was fake.

Fake...

You are joking.

- My dear Matilde. - Tell me you're joking!

Who was that, mom?

In the Swedish copyright law that was instituted in 1964

a legal right is given the originator

to comment upon and explain his works.

It's a fortunate alternation of the law

as, unfortunately, the images don't speak for themselves.

Then you need to know what the artist really had in mind

what his meanings and intentions were.

In this short time, I won't be able to

explain in detail

but one thing is certain when it comes to this film.

I want to elucidate in a clear and lucid way, the problems

that arise when a Swedish man--

[unintelligible; something wrong with the rip]

--explanations, alternatives

in a tangle of problems that is almost impossible to untangle.

I want to emphasize "almost"

because one can make one's way through it.

And in that fact lies the stimulation.

Welcome, then, to Farsta.

Hey. It's time.

- No. - Margareta!

- It's so unfair! - What is?

That I have to go to work before you do.

At least you don't have to get there the way I have to.

- Could I have the pillow? - Sure.

That's no consolation.

You've made a lot of orange juice.

It's almost a quarter of an orange.

It's sour, too.

[about potato growth techniques]

We should start with brewed coffee in the morning instead.

- This is tedious. - Tedious how?

It smells bad.

And it doesn't help me wake up.

It's all your late-night TV.

You've screwed it on too tight again.

It wasn't me. It was the manufacturer.

Why do you need orange jam? I made you orange juice.

I can't pour that on my bread.

You could--

You could drink it first and then eat the bread.

They mix in the stomach.

The stomach has was it has, as my mother always said.

Milk-based and cream-based ice cream contain as much egg white

while cream-based contains--

Don't you look delighted?

Why? No, I--

Sweden lost to Canada.

The Northern Lights was the only upside.

Canada. Was that good?

You have to hurry up. You don't have time.

My toast.

We've bought one package of cream-based ice cream

and one average sized banana per person.

The entire dinner contains 900 calories.

It's a sufficient amount for boys and girls from 9 to 18--

Oh, look at the time! Take the tray.

I look so bloated.

--and by excluding the dessert banana--

This meal contains 2/3 of the recommended daily intake

of egg-white.

Even more for women.

Honey?

Could you please do the shopping today?

We're going to the Perssons tonight so I don't have time.

If we're going there I don't need to shop.

Yes, for breakfast.

- What do you need? - Soured milk.

- I don't drink soured milk - Regular milk, then.

And a yoghurt

eggs and margarine.

We need bread, too.

Buy coarse rye bread, then.

- Should I get flowers for them? - Flowers? Why?

Why not? I thought it was a birthday or something.

Birthday?

Help me here.

We bought Stina flowers last time too.

It wasn't for Stina, it was for Folke.

No it wasn't.

I can't do this.

Put your coat on. It won't show.

You really embarassed me last time we were there.

- Embarassed? - Yes, you behaved like a fool.

You wanted Stina to show off her different garments.

But that wasn't embarassing, it's just--

She's good looking, nice and tanned.

That's because they go to the Canaries every Christmas.

What if you bought us a trip for once?

Don't start this again.

I wonder what you two did in Eskilstuna, by the way.

- What do you mean we? - You and Stina.

- It was a business trip. - Then why was she there?

I don't know.

She was watching handball.

Folke is in some team.

Have you noticed my new hairstyle?

- No. - Do you like it?

Well, it's--

How much did you pay?

Such a typical question. But you didn't ask Stina that.

No, but Folke probably did.

- You have to hurry. - Honey?

I'm sorry for being so irritable.

- Good bye. - Bye.

Folke Persson's house is lit up; all the lights are--

Come out now.

What language does she speak?

Talisman - talisman, tooth - lepri

lantendera - mockery, lantendi - to mock, talent--

Serbo-Croatian? I don't speak that.

Yes, there. Hello?

Here you are. Here.

It's my wife's.

Margareta's.

Oh you rascal!

In color!

Bath!

My dear little--

Where are you?

Not again!

No!

Daddy!

Haven't you left? Aren't you going to be late?

The laundry...

It was fantastic! There was this old man in the laundry--

Who is she?

She lives in the closet.

If that's the case, what is she doing in our bedroom?

Shoo now!

Shoo!

Help me here.

Come on then.

Stop struggling.

Acted in The Negress in the Closet

Cinematographers

Editing

Sound