Original subtitles

-Congratulations. -Congratulations.

Jehovah is not to blame for all the evil doings.

Imagine a loving father whose son or daughter moves away

and chooses to lead a bad life. Is that their father's fault?

You're pulling my leg, little boy.

It says so in the Bible. It also says Jehovah is love.

It does? I should have read it after all, then.

It's written here so even you understand it.

Why, so it is. Thank you. Now I know what it's all about.

Well done. Thank you, August and Sara.

It's nice to hear Jehovah's message conveyed by such young people.

-Got you! -Got you!

-Got you! -Got you!

No tickling! No tickling! Stop it.

You can at least listen to me.

I've talked to the elders about it.

They want to help us.

BASED ON A TRUE STORY

Jehovah God,

watch over Mom and Dad, Elisabeth and August... and Jonas.

I know that you protect me. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Sara and Thea, go through the bookkeeping assignment next time.

I know I can count on you.

Happy birthday to you happy birthday to you...

Thank you.

Hi, Sara. Are you doing your homework?

Yes.

I want to talk to you about something.

I've done something terribly wrong.

-What have you done? -Now it's all falling apart.

But what have you done?

I was too weak. I was tempted.

-Your father and I... -Karen...

We can't reach an agreement

so I think you should choose for yourselves.

-I don't think this is the right way. -But I do.

All this is your father's fault so we'll do it this way.

You have to choose between us. Who gets to stay in the house with you.

Please forgive him. Can't you?

He does repent.

You can do anything you set your mind to. You said so yourself.

Yes, but I can't.

Please leave.

Please leave the room.

Who do you choose?

-Dad did something very wrong. -Yes.

But it's worse that Mom won't forgive him even though he repents.

But what about Mom then?

We've decided that Dad should stay.

Our hearts go out to the outsiders who are lost unless they accept Jehovah.

The last days are drawing near, so devote all your time to preaching.

Every time you ring a doorbell, you get a chance to save a human being.

Though the journey may be long

our fear has been conquered

and the end is drawing near

you have found your flock of Witnesses

follow the King follow his sword.

Only one local announcement today.

Brother Andreas Dahl is resigning as an elder.

Take this, will you?

You didn't bring the little bag?

I feel sorry for you.

We didn't understand why you couldn't forgive him when he repented.

I think you should go down and help, and remember the bag this time.

Mom...

-I'll cook dinner and tuck August in. -Good, Sara.

-I need to talk to you. -Can't it wait? I'm late as it is.

Jehovah will conquer death, and in his Kingdom

all the dead will be reunited with their loved ones.

Jesus will lead the heavenly armies. Evil will be eliminated at Armageddon.

I pity the expelled.

You don't have to if they repent.

If they suffer, they will understand, and then they repent and come back.

-And who will Jesus Christ eliminate? -The evildoers.

Who'll be resurrected in the New World?

All of us, even Grandma and Grandpa. Dad said so.

Please tuck in August tonight. I'm going over to Thea's.

Sara, what a nice surprise.

You baked me some cookies. Nice. You've taken great pains.

-Is August asleep? -Elisabeth is tucking him in.

Sara... I'm very sorry about what happened between Mom and me.

I've let her down.

But I'm never going to let any of you down.

You know how much I love you.

Can I leave Elisabeth and August alone for a few hours?

-Are you going to Thea's? -She's invited me to a party.

Some people from school are having it.

It's at the club, but they only let in people who've been invited.

It's like a private thing.

It's your choice, Sara. I just don't think it's a good idea.

I won't stay out too late.

There are three kinds of young Witnesses.

The 1's break all the rules.

The 2's try out stuff without talking too much about it.

That's you.

And the 3's are the nerds. They attend all the meetings,

drink tea with their parents and never do anything wrong.

That's me.

Soon to become a 2.

It's not that strong.

The guy with the sunglasses, that's Kenneth.

We talked a lot online.

Hi. This is my friend Sara.

-Hi. -Hi. Michael.

-Teis. -Hi.

-I'm okay. -Yeah, right.

Can't you be sick inside, Sara?

Ready to go back in?

-We can't go home already. -I'll walk her home.

Is that okay? Okay, I'll get her stuff.

-Man, this town is quiet. -You afraid of the quiet?

-Wow, what a deep question. -Forget it.

I hardly ever hear it... or don't hear it. The quiet.

Thanks for walking me home.

-You live here? -Just up the road.

I'd better go alone from here. Thanks for a nice evening.

I promised Thea to walk you to your doorstep.

Fuck, this is insane!

Come on.

Wait for me at the door.

My dad is at work but be quiet. My brother and sister are asleep.

Here.

How did you know pink was my favourite colour?

-Don't! -Stand still.

Listen to this.

You don't have to like it just because I was in on making it.

No?

I like this one.

-Sara... Sara? -You'd better go.

-Sara, is that you? -I'll be right up, August.

-Hi. -Hi.

-I'd like to walk with Sara today. -Yes.

Hi, sweetie.

We'll start at the far end and work our way back.

I was home by one.

I hardly had anything to drink and only danced with Thea.

It wasn't wild or anything.

You know what's right

but it'll keep you on the right track to spread the word.

Teis is asking for you.

She's here now.

Is she okay?

-Answer him... Come on, Sara. -No way.

The first thing he did was ask for you.

Make something up.

She says you're hot!

You idiot, Thea!

That was just Thea goofing around. Hugs Sara.

Bummer.

Want to meet? I could come visit you.

It's better I come to you.

Sara ..!

Hi.

Hungry?

Coffee?

Mind if we just walk around? I love it that nobody knows me here.

-What? -My friends think I'm doing homework.

-How old are you anyway? -Why?

Something about you seems older, but I still think you're pretty young.

-You're pretty old, right? -I just turned 23.

And still you hang out with girls like us?

-I'm 17. -Just turned 17?

-I don't celebrate birthdays. -Why not?

-Hi, Sara. -Hi, Jonas.

This is my older brother Jonas. This is Teis, a friend of mine.

Hi.

I recognized you even with your back turned. You sure have grown.

-Are you okay? -Yes. I'm studying at the university.

How are the others? Is Elisabeth okay?

-Has August grown too? -He's still a little boy.

Let me give you my new address. I've moved around a bit.

Thanks.

Take care.

-When did you see him last? -A year ago.

The rest of your family don't see him either?

Why not? Why not?

-It's none of your business, is it? -No, I guess not.

He didn't behave correctly.

-He read a wrong book. -Okay. And you didn't like that book?

I'd sure like to read that.

He's expelled. That's why.

Expelled from what?

We're Jehovah's Witnesses.

-You're kidding me. -No, it's true.

You're one of those who come knocking and won't leave?

It's not worse than making music or whatever it is you do, is it?

-You believe in that Doomsday crap? -It's called Armageddon.

-It's a transition to a new world. -Where everyone but you dies.

So I'm going to die?

Is she going to die?

Unless she accepts Jehovah as the one true god, yes, she is.

-Can I help you? -What about her?

Stop it.

Is that child going to die? Say the parents don't accept your truth.

Even if the child is too young to understand, it's still doomed?

Sorry I'm late, but Thea and I had some homework to do.

-You could've called. -Yes, but I don't have a cell, do I?

-Normal phones have worked for ages. -I don't like using Thea's phone.

Have you eaten? I'll heat up something for you.

Thanks.

Have a nice evening. Bye.

We're closing up now.

Hi.

I'm sorry.

It wasn't fair of me to knock your faith.

I probably should've prepared you for it.

I know what it's like to seek a meaning. I know.

-Are you meeting someone? -No.

-How did you know where to find me? -Thea told me you were at school.

-Want to see my dad? -Is that a good idea?

As long as he doesn't see us.

-Which one of them is your dad? -The receptionist.

Come on!

I have to babysit my brother and sister now. Thanks for coming.

You're welcome.

I have to go.

-You're quite early. -Hello, Mom.

Hi, sweetheart.

Is it a real TV? Does it have a lot of channels?

-Dad only lets us have a VCR. -It's not that dangerous.

-Hi. -What's he doing here?

He was waiting on the steps. I didn't have the heart to send him away.

-We have to go then. -I was just leaving.

Take care, Mom.

It's best that you not tell Dad about this.

-Hi. Did I wake you? -I don't usually sleep this late.

Come on in.

I worked all day and stayed up all night making music.

Coffee?

-Are these your parents? -Yes.

-Are you an only child? -Yes.

-That must be strange. -It's all I've ever known.

There are four of us. We used to be six until Jonas and Mom moved out.

I didn't think Jehovahs got divorced.

There are two ways of breaking up a marriage.

-Death or sex with someone else. -Tough choice.

-So sex is a no-no. What else? -You don't want to hear.

I'm serious.

You can't join the army, vote, smoke or celebrate birthdays.

You can't contradict the elders. But sex is the worst thing.

-It's okay to party? -Dance and drink in moderation, yes.

Just like you do.

Apart from that you have to go to the meetings,

preach, read our church magazines and go to more meetings.

-Why do you put up with it? -That's the way it's always been.

Everybody knows everybody. We have strong family ties.

As long as you don't read the wrong books.

It wasn't just that.

-Jonas contradicted the elders. -And that was enough?

If you persist.

And then you weren't allowed to talk to him?

-Not even if you meet in the street? -No, you pretend they're not there.

-Why? -Because Jehovah sees everything.

-You talked to Jonas the other day. -Only because you were there.

-It's so weird. -What is?

You believe in God?

It's weirder not to believe in anything.

-Cheers. -We don't say "cheers" either.

Thanks.

So if your doctor can only save you by giving you blood, you still say no?

-Even if you know you may die? -Yes, if your faith is strong.

-But why? -Jehovah says you can't take blood.

Shouldn't that be your own decision?

It is your own decision.

-You think I'm strange? -You sure are.

But I like it.

Oh no, the last train leaves in five minutes!

Fuck, I spend too much time in front of my computer.

It's not the end of the world if you sleep over.

Yes, that's exactly what it is.

-I'll wait for the morning train. -I'm not leaving you here alone.

You can sleep on the bed, and I'll sleep on the floor. Come on.

Do I have to carry you?

This floor sure is hard.

Yeah, it's not fair.

That didn't take you long.

I can lie next to a girl without things getting out of hand. Okay?

What if things got just a little out of hand?

Good morning.

I have to get home before my dad.

I'll walk you to the station.

-Mona! -That's my bed.

-You can't just barge in. -It's my goddamn apartment!

Mona's my ex-girlfriend, okay? My ex. It's her apartment.

She got another guy two months ago but comes back whenever they fight.

-Keep me out of your mess. -My mess? She screwed around.

You're so strange. What is it you want, huh?

Think I'd have kissed you all night if I weren't crazy about you?

Do you want to be together with me? I mean it.

Is that a yes?

Let me have your cell.

Thea, you've got to help me.

I missed the train last night. Can I say I slept at your place?

No, nothing happened.

I'm just laughing because you sound so serious.

Okay, bye.

Sing and rejoice praise Jehovah

eternal peace awaits in his Paradise

preach to the world that our King is great

in him we will find eternal joy.

-Hi, Mom. How are you? -I miss you all. But you look happy.

-I am. -Good.

Sara, I want to talk to you. Sara.

-You heard me. -Does it have to be right now?

-Yes, I'm afraid so. -I have to do my homework.

Your so-called homework will have to wait.

Please put down that brush and sit down.

-Have you got something to tell me? -No, what?

-I know you've got a boyfriend. -That's not true. I don't.

Is that so? Then who is it you go to visit?

-I visit Thea. Ask her... -I already have.

It's not what you think.

Then I'd like you to tell the truth. Come and sit down.

I am seeing a guy, and I slept over at his place because I missed my train.

Please don't be so sad.

Sara, you can't handle this on your own. You need help.

It's not so bad. Nothing happened.

I'm afraid you're abandoning Jehovah. We have to call the elders.

I really like him.

But you slept at his place.

Do you want to forsake Jehovah?

I know you're struggling, and temptation is everywhere at your age.

We love you so much. We just want what's right for you.

Let's go and call the elders. Don't you think it's best?

Hello.

I've known him for a couple of weeks.

This Wednesday I ended up...

-I ended up staying overnight. -That's grounds for expulsion.

I just missed my train, that's all. Where else could I go?

We didn't even sleep in the same bed. I slept on the floor.

God sees you, Sara.

You must avoid the things God hates. Lies and carnal immorality.

I feel guilty towards God.

Then tell us what really happened.

I was in the bed and he wanted to sleep on the floor.

But then I asked him to lie next to me.

Did he kiss you?

Yes. We kissed each other.

Did you have sex?

-No, we kept our clothes on. -And then what happened?

-We embraced. -Did he touch your breasts?

Did he touch you anywhere else?

We didn't go any further than that. Please believe me.

We believe you, Sara.

There won't be any public reprimand or expulsion.

We believe you are repentant. But write a letter and break up with him.

Do it as soon as you come home so you won't be seized with doubt again.

But I really like him. I just want to be with him.

It doesn't have to be... physical. I just want to be near him.

I know you want to be God's friend. You know what you must do in return.

Can't you help me? Please.

You have to trust in Jehovah.

Only by trusting in Jehovah can you avoid Satan's trials.

Isn't there some way I can keep on seeing him? Just as a friend.

But you slept at his place. Doesn't that make him more than a friend?

I'm going to walk home.

Jesus hated corruption and greed.

But did that make him insensitive? Not at all.

Jesus was known for reaching out to others.

He compared himself to a mother hen gathering her chicks under her wing.

-What did Jesus hate? -Corruption and greed. Right?

Yes. What kind of animal did he compare himself to?

A mother hen.

Hi, Sara.

-I did it for your own sake. -I know.

-I can't lie about stuff like that. -I'm not mad at you.

You did the right thing.

-Talk to anyone online? -No.

I've stopped going online. It had gotten out of hand.

Sometimes, in order to worship Jehovah,

we must give up something we really like.

We have disregard our own needs.

See you.

I understand you. I feel sorry for you.

It's okay, Mom. I trust in God, so I'll get through it.

If you'd done the same, things would look different for our family.

Instead you threw it all away.

Thank you very much. For the books, and the talk in particular.

-You're welcome. -Bye.

Well done. People listen to you because you talk from the heart.

You sound so funny sometimes. Old-fashioned.

-"Talk from the heart"! -You know how much I love you.

Dad... I've thought about dropping out of school.

I want to be a pioneer. I feel most at one with myself when I'm preaching

so isn't it best to focus all my energy on that?

-Fantastic, Sara! -You think it's a good idea?

Yes, of course. I'm very proud of you.

Hi. We handed out 21 magazines and seven books all in one afternoon.

Sara has a gift for it.

Feeling better today, are we?

-Someone called for you, Sara. -While I went shopping?

His name was Teis and he said he had to talk to you.

I have to talk to him, Dad. It's not fair just to send a letter.

-I have to speak to him. -No, don't contact him.

He deserves a proper explanation. You can't just send a letter.

-It'll just confuse you even more. -So what? How do you think he feels?

Has he called before? Has he called without you telling me?

Has he? Answer me! How many times has he called?

Contacting him won't do any good. He'll be okay, trust me.

I just want to say goodbye in a decent way!

It's your choice, but I don't think it's a good idea.

It's great to see you.

I'm glad you came.

-It's raining. Let's go to my place. -No, let's just go for a walk.

-Don't make it any harder. -Now I can't put my arm around you?

-I've come to say goodbye. -I won't accept that.

But that was the deal.

Well, I'm breaking it.

-You'll live, make up with Mona... -Don't give me that crap!

Wake up, Teis! I'm a Jehovah, and you're not.

-It won't work. -Why not?

-You're better off with Mona. -Shut up about Mona.

-You came back because you like me. -I came to say goodbye.

Don't let them walk all over you and make you break up with me

so you can hand out pamphlets and tell people they're better off dead!

-Goddamn it, Sara! -You don't understand.

-You don't believe in God. -They're manipulating you like hell!

They've got truth on their side. I know, because I believe in Jehovah.

-You don't believe in anything. -I believe in us.

Hi, Sara. I heard you're dropping out. Why?

I'm going to be a pioneer. In our movement, you know.

Like a missionary? For real?

It must be cool to really believe in something.

-Good luck, Sara. -Thanks.

Can you spare a moment? How about a magazine?

Coming?

Chases out dark shadows

And in Paradise we celebrate

The Almighty, our God

Jehovah, thank you for blessing this meeting

and for inspiring and edifying your congregation with your word.

Welcome. Good to see a new face.

-Teis, what are you doing here? -I want to hear the word of Jehovah.

-Dad, this is Teis. -Obviously.

Welcome. You're interested in our faith?

I can't forget the things Sara told me and I want to learn more.

-I'll refer you to a congregation. -I want to hear what Sara hears.

After all, she introduced me to you. She says you're strong believers here.

Teis, I want to talk to John alone. Wait for me outside.

When he's here to learn more about our faith, it's okay to see him?

-Do you think he's sincere? -He's very interested in religion.

If he's looking for answers, we shouldn't turn him away.

As long as you aren't intimate with him, it's your choice if you see him.

-Thanks, John. -I don't know if thanks are in order.

I've known you since you were little, and I care very much about you.

I hope you're strong.

-What are you up to? -You can't get rid of me.

Jehovah God, watch over Mom and Dad, Elisabeth, August... and Jonas.

Thank you for your help. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

The most important thing is that it purifies your thoughts

because you know you have this powerful friend.

A friend who's always with you... Thank you, Elisabeth.

If you're on the outside, you have to face everything alone.

You're in an emotional chaos with no sense of right and wrong,

and so nothing matters. It's hard. Especially for a young person.

But when you walk with Jehovah, you have a strong sense of direction.

-Weren't your parents Witnesses too? -How did you know?

-Sara told me, of course. -How does it matter?

Have you read books about religions, not written by Witnesses?

No, that's the whole idea.

It's just interesting for me to see where you got your strong faith.

The thing is not to let one's certainty be defiled. Understand?

Yes.

What is the most defiling thing when it comes to the purity of God?

Lots of stuff.

Greed.

-Materialism, I guess. -Yes.

Selfishness... egoism, I guess.

Adultery. Extramarital sex, I guess.

-Coffee? -Yes, please.

Goodbye, Teis.

Don't mind Dad. He just wants to be sure we're doing this the right way.

You could've helped me. He's your dad. Say something.

I don't disagree with him. I'm afraid of doing the wrong thing, too.

You and me, we're doing the right thing.

-I really want to kiss you. -I really want to kiss you, too.

Tom here quit his job last summer.

He's spent a year preaching the word of Jehovah in China.

HONOUR GOD

Now I'd like to introduce Sara, a girl from my congregation.

Hello. My name is Sara.

I decided to stop my studies to become a pioneer.

That's the kind of young people we need. Thank you, Sara.

Lots of Witnesses are fighting for the word of Jehovah.

That's what keeps us going at a time

when worldly people go to extremes, and those in power lie.

-What do you think? -I'm overwhelmed by it all.

Let them come to us, let them be among the redeemed

and let them follow us into the new world.

We'll sing number 37.

SEE YOU IN PARADISE

Good to see you again. I hope you've met some friendly people.

It's been very interesting.

So forward you Witnesses now victory is near

and in Paradise eternal joy awaits

and in Paradise eternal joy awaits

Man, this itches!

-Did I look cool or like a moron? -Like a moron.

-Where did you learn to fight? -My big brother.

-I don't want to fight anymore. -You don't?

Now?

Are you sure?

-Hello, darling. -Welcome.

Thank you for inviting us.

-You must be Sara. -Hello. Vagn.

-Here you are. -Thank you.

-Welcome. -Thanks.

The summerhouse is an investment. We hardly have time to go there.

My parents are yuppie hippies, loaded with cash and compassion.

And Teis was brought up to speak his mind, as you can hear.

-This looks delicious. -Sara made it.

-Teis told me about your faith. -Jette and Vagn are atheists.

-How come you call them by name? -That's his own little rebellion.

And what's wrong with that?

-You being in a sect worries us. -We've been over that, Jette.

Why do you call it a sect?

It's a group of uneducated people who believe in the end of the world.

We don't think you need to have an education to be happy.

Cheers.

If people don't educate themselves, how will we support ourselves?

We don't believe in materialism either.

We just try to bring people closer to God. That's the only road to truth.

Think there's only one truth, Sara?

You've proclaimed the end was near countless times.

-Jette... -That's what I call brainwashing.

When you tell children the same lie over and over again.

-You think so too, Vagn. -Stop it, okay? Just stop.

-Don't mind Jette. -Her anger took me by surprise.

Is she that hard on all your girlfriends?

-She's just worried. -Thanks for standing up for me.

I don't agree with the way she put it, but she's right.

Somewhere deep inside you know she is.

I thought you were approaching us.

-I thought you wanted to help me. -I know what's at stake for you.

But I just can't. I can't believe in it.

But we slept with each other.

We slept with each other because we wanted to.

Stay.

Don't go now.

Sara... what a surprise. Come on in.

Well, this is my home.

Would you like a cup of tea?

You still take sugar?

Are you okay?

What do you want? Are you in trouble?

I'm sorry I shut you out. It must have been lonely for you.

No, I've had a blast.

I supported your being expelled. I thought it was your own fault.

-I never saw your side of it. -You just did like all the rest.

I'll get tea.

Sorry. I'm really glad to see you.

And I'm glad to see you.

-Okay, so what's up? -I'm in love with a non-believer.

We'll work it out.

John says everyone who went to the rally are so proud of you.

I've decided to move in with Mom.

-What have we done? -Nothing. She shouldn't be all alone.

When did you decide this?

I've thought about it for some time. It was hard for her to move out.

-You chose to live here with Dad. -So can't I change my mind?

Mom and Dad want us to be together.

-I'm not going to abandon you. -Can't you just visit her more often?

It's not as if you've been there every day.

She looks sad. I want to cheer her up.

-What's all this about, Sara? -I never promised just to live here.

I didn't get divorced, did I?

Bye then.

I'm so glad you stopped by.

-I'm sorry I was so hard on you. -Well, I am your mother.

I've told them I'm moving in with you.

Fine. You can have the bedroom, I'll sleep on the couch and we'll...

Mom.

It's just so they won't find out I'm living with Teis.

Okay.

Okay?

-Thanks, Mom. -You're walking on a razor's edge.

I know. But you won't tell?

Other people have done stuff like this without being found out.

I take it you don't want to be a pioneer anymore, then?

I don't know how to tell Dad.

I've been thinking about renting a house.

For real?

-Without telling me? -I wanted to surprise you.

My parents want to help out and we can't stay here.

-I'm scared. -It's no worse than staying here.

It would be great.

No neighbours on the other side of the wall. Just you and me.

-We'd get more room and a garden. -Want me to be your little missus?

I'm crazy about you.

Careful... take it easy.

Okay, ready?

-Okay... -Far out, huh?

-Can we rent it? -It's not that expensive.

-What's wrong with the bedroom? -I'm going to sleep here.

If anyone asks, I sleep here. It'll be my word against theirs.

They can't do anything without proof. Others before me have done it.

Do you really think they're going to come after us?

Just remember, my blanket stays here.

-Where do you sleep? -I'll show you.

-Hi. -Want me to set an extra plate?

Hi, Sara. Glad to have you home. Dinner's ready soon.

-So, you and Mom are all cosy here? -Yes. What's with you?

-So where are your clothes? -In the wash.

-All of them? -Yes.

-Where do you sleep? -Sara offered to sleep on the couch.

You don't live here. You don't even keep a toothbrush here.

You never attend the meetings or preach anymore.

-Stay out of it. -You never come home anymore.

August is devastated. And so is Dad.

-Sara just needs some time away. -From us?

I've been extra nice to you, so you'd see it's our family that matters.

You have to let Teis go, or you'll end up like Jonas.

-I won't give up Teis. -So you love him more than us?

No. I never will.

It's not me who says I can't be with him as well as with you.

-Elisabeth... -You lied to us. And you too, Mom.

Elisabeth, let's talk about it over dinner. Don't go.

Elisabeth wants to be a pioneer. She promised your father Andreas.

Dad's happy then.

I haven't been able to tell you this before.

I couldn't forgive Andreas, mostly because I had doubts about our faith.

I was so sure you'd choose me. He was the adulterer.

I hoped that if I got you, I could let you be more like other young people.

-I'm sorry. It's all my fault. -No.

Yes. I was so angry with you.

I should have told you then,

but I was afraid they'd expel me.

And now I have to play along, or else I'll lose Elisabeth, August and you.

Hopefully I can see Jonas in secret.

-Thanks. -It looks delicious.

-It smells good, too. -Dig in.

What are you going to do now? Get a job or go back to school?

-I'm not sure. -You have to do something.

What's the rush?

Hello, Teis.

-Is Sara here? -No, she lives with her mother.

-May we come in? -It's a bit inconvenient right now.

Please get her. We know she's here.

-Have you been spying on us? -Please get her. For her own sake.

-Please get her. -Please leave.

-I've had it! -I'll handle them.

There you are, Sara. We know you live here like a married couple.

No, I don't sleep here.

We're not harming anyone. We just want to be left alone.

You know that fornicators offend the purity of Jehovah.

If you choose carnal lust, you choose the loneliness of the soul.

If you choose desire instead of Jehovah, you choose eternal death.

-Look, just leave her alone. -You'd better go back inside.

Sara, for your own sake, consider what you stand to lose.

You'd better get going. You probably have many people to visit today.

Goodbye, Sara. Thank you for this little talk.

Hi, Sara.

-Haven't you been to the stores? -I haven't got any money.

-I left some on the kitchen table. -I didn't know it was for me.

I'll order some pizza.

I'm glad you're home.

Hello, Sara.

-Hi, Dad. Great of you to drop by. -It's okay.

I'm so glad to see you. Want to stay for dinner?

-What a nice place. -We want a vegetable patch.

Teis doesn't get a lot done when I'm at Mom's.

This is a plum tree.

That's a hazelnut tree.

This is an apple tree. I don't know what kind though.

Ingrid Marie. You can tell by the leaves.

It's an old house, so...

-Hi. Welcome. -Congratulations on the house.

Let me show you around. This is Teis's bedroom.

And this is the kitchen.

If I can't make the last train, I sleep down here.

I've made some coffee. I'll go get the pizzas.

Sara...

-I can't see you anymore. -What do you mean?

Sure you can. Why can't you?

-You live here with your boyfriend. -My address is at Mom's.

-Yes, but you live here. -Didn't you hear me?

My address is at Mom's.

You live here with your boyfriend, and that means you're having sex.

No. I don't sleep with him. When I stay over, I sleep downstairs.

You saw my blanket. My address is at Mom's.

That's all you need. Get it, Dad?

God sees everything.

In that case, he sees you choosing to believe me because you love me.

Jehovah is truth, not a personal emotion.

-So you want to stop seeing me? -No, that's what you want, Sara.

This is your choice, and yours alone. Jehovah sees you make that choice.

Don't hide behind Jehovah. This is your choice.

Sara, when you live here with your boyfriend and sleep with him,

you can't see your own family.

You know that, Sara.

You have to come with me to the elders and make amends.

Don't you see?

No. Not anymore.

So this is goodbye?

-Yes, I suppose so. -Goodbye then.

Goodbye, Sara.

-You're not staying for dinner? -No, I have a lot to do.

You know, August is at an age where he takes things too much to heart,

so I have to be everywhere at once. Goodbye.

Are you coming upstairs?

Today we have two announcements. Sara Dahl is no longer a Witness.

And Brother Andreas Dahl has been appointed an elder.

Jehovah God, we thank you for blessing this meeting.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Goodbye, and thank you.

-Is that you, Dad? -No, it's me.

It's okay. I just want to talk to you.

-I miss you. -Come with me.

-No! -Leave, or I'll get Dad.

-I just want to talk to you. -I'll get Dad.

-Talk to me. Can't we talk about it? -You know we can't.

It was wrong to expel me. I didn't contradict the elders.

I just wanted to be left alone, so you and August can talk to me.

I miss you.

You should've thought about that before.

August...

August, come on out.

I know Dad told you not to speak to me.

But Dad doesn't know you play computer games either.

Hi.

I don't want to be separated from you and Elisabeth. I love you.

I hoped the elders wouldn't expel me... I have to go now.

Dad says you have to suffer in order to learn.

-But I'm suffering too. -I know, and I'm so sorry.

You have to repent or you'll die in Armageddon, and I don't want that.

August.

It won't happen. They lied to us. The Day of Judgment doesn't exist.

Trust me. They've been lying.

August.

-August... -Yes, Dad.

There you are.

Hi, Thea.

Thea, it's me!

Where have you been? I've looked everywhere for you.

-I've packed my stuff. -Why?

-I can't stay here with you. -Why not?

It's just too unequal.

I've tried to replace you with everything I've lost.

I care so much about you.

It just won't work.

Deep down you know it's true.

I don't want you to go.

-What's up? -I don't know where to start.

I've got something to tell you, too. Something I've been considering.

You'd better start. You're more upset.

-I've been expelled too. -I knew it.

What did you want to tell me?

Just a second.

Hi, Mom.

Yes, she's right here. Do you want to talk to her?

Okay.

Yes...

I'll tell her.

-Bye, Mom. -What's up?

Your friend Thea. Her dad called.

Thea's been in an accident.

They tried to save her, but she died on the operating table.

"For He must reign, till He has put all enemies under His feet."

"The last enemy that will be destroyed is death."

Thea had a lively and endearing personality.

But most of all she was strong.

So strong, that she at the very end chose her faith in Jehovah

over her own carnal redemption.

Thea never wavered in her decision not to have a blood transfusion.

Not even though it's human to have doubts in the decisive minute.

Before Thea died, the congregation fully supported her difficult choice.

We never left her side. Let's be happy for Thea.

Why save your life here and now, when you lose eternal life?

Thank you.

Sit down.

I can't go on.

I can't stand being outside. It's just too hard.

I want to repent. If you do too, we can all be together again.

I'm sorry, Jonas.

But I can't.

Sara. It's extremely selfish of you to show up.

Don't you know how much it hurts Elisabeth, August and me?

Do you love me?

How can you even ask? Of course I do.

Do you love God more than me?

-Yes. -Why?

He created me. He's my Heavenly Father and will give me eternal life.

Know what, Dad? I think that's very selfish of you.

You could come back.

Repent and come back so we can be a real family again.

Goodbye, Dad.

Jehovah God.

This is the last time we talk

because I don't believe in you anymore.

Sara doesn't see her father and younger siblings anymore

She lives in Copenhagen where she's studying to become a teacher

BASED ON TABITA'S STORY

Subtitles: Helle Schou Kristiansen