Original subtitles

By.

- Ugh! - What on earth?

- You tell me. - I was so startled.

I almost spilled my coffee.

Oh, no, Mrs. Frigh.

Thank you, Mrs. Frigh. I think it's best if I just...

- Nice dress. - And our coffee.

I poured coffee all over Mrs. Frigh's dress. It was the airplane.

I thought it was.., it was gonna fly right into the hotel.

- Mom, did you see the plane? - No, I didn't see it.

- Incredibly hot to fly that low. - I found a rock with a hole in it.

- Oh, it's so pretty. - I want Grandma to see it.

- Today's harvest. - It's not too much for you?

No, no, no, no, no. She's the sweetest girl.

I've always looked forward to my summers here. Seeing everyone I know again.

- Oh, Mr. Aurland. Are you back? - Yes, I'm back.

- Did you see the airplane? - Yes, it was difficult otherwise.

- Shall I bring you a cup of coffee? - Is that your work?

- I can tell you in the kitchen. - You're welcome to. Thank you, ma'am.

I'll tell them out there. You can go up to Frida.

It sounded like the airplane landed right over here in the meadow.

- What a nice rock Frida found. - Yeah, it is.

- From Uwe? - His father is in Hamburg.

He's sorry that I can't visit Uwe, so he sent me this.

What a nice picture. I'm going inside and pick up Dad at the train.

I can't wait to see his mood, now that we got to take the trolley.

Now you'll see.

Yes, this is our cozy hotel.

Well, well, well. Very charming.

- Georg? - Well, this is my wife, Therese.

My daughter, Amanda, runs the hotel.

This is Mr. Seerup, who comes from America.

How do you do?

Hello, Mr. Seerup. I was on my way in to get you.

- Did you come by truck? - No, by airplane.

- Was that you? Up in that machine? - Hell, it was us. From Aalborg.

Mr. Seerup wanted to fly over his childhood home.

I was curious, if there was anything left.

- I left Denmark... 33 years ago. - It was still there.

I had forgotten how small it was.

Because everything is very big from where you're coming.

- I promised Mr. Seerup room 1. - It's lucky it's available.

- How long are you staying? - Until tomorrow.

He's going to a party down in Rebild.

- Yes, ma'am. Let me show you up. - No, no, no, no, no. I'll do that.

Let me show you. It's this way. This is the best room in the hotel.

Here you go, ma'am.

- How does Dad know him? - I don't know. I have no idea.

Well, here you go. It's right in here.

- Who the hell are you? - I'm Trine.

- And you? - Lily.

- Uh, Lily. - We're the new maids.

- Yeah. Uh-huh. Are you guys done? - We just need to...

We have luggage you can pick up in the meadow.

- The meadow? - Ask Amanda where the meadow is.

The girls...

- They speak Jutlandic. - Yes, they do.

They're girls from up here.

- It's like hearing my mom. - Yeah, I guess it must be.

"In Denmark I was born, that's where I belong."

HANS CHRISTIAN Andersen. "In Denmark I was born, that's where I belong."

"There I am rooted, from there my world goes."

"You Danish language, you are my mother's voice."

"So sweetly blessed you reach my heart."

That was the last thing my mom said when I left.

"John... never forget.., where you come from."

It's...

- Five minutes and we were done. - The guests are in charge.

Yeah. Uh-huh. But it's our job.

- Did you dare to sit in one of those? - How would I get to it?

Let me take that one. I can take it.

So can I.

- Any luck with the dress? - I soaked it.

- But otherwise, Mr. Madsen should pay. - Mr. Madsen?

Haven't you heard? It was him, who was up in the airplane.

- With a gentleman from America. - Who's going to the party in Rebild.

- What's he doing up here? - Well, you tell me.

You saw the airplane, right? I heard.., who was on it. Mr. Madsen.

- Madsen? - And a guest.

A Dane living in America, who attends Rebildfesten.

Typically with someone you don't know. I was was looking forward to a vacation together.

Aren't we supposed to find out if the boys arrived? They're cycling to Hobro.

- They promised to call. - There's a phone.

It's for Mr. Weyse. He said it was from the theater.

Arthur Bonderose! I can't stand him.

- Helene, he'll kill me. - Shall I tell him you're not here?

Yes, I'm not here. And that you have no idea when I'll be back.

Mr. Bonderose will be staging the first show after the holidays.

The man is a dilettante. I don't understand why the theater would hire him.

We'll put Mr. Seerup at my parents' table.

Yeah. Uh-huh. I thought so too. I'm going to be be asked if he has any tags with him.

- I wonder. He's from America. - It was easier with Mr. Dupont.

- He just got all the guests' badges. - I'm fine. I'm fine.

I'm glad she wanted to come back.

Have we gotten ration coupons from the new guest?

- I don't think he brought any. - Then there's no butter for him.

I've weighed up to three people.

He just came from America.

I told you. I'm the one who's going to be if there's control.

Next time it's a fine. The guests must have butter all summer long.

- Why don't we give it all to them? - That's probably not a good idea, Martha.

Mr. Seerup can have my ration.

And where are Kate and Lily? We need to get with lunch. That took a while.

- We had to go to the meadow for luggage. - And get ready in room 1.

That's what it's like to be a maid, Trine. When I started...

Could you squat while you work? We have to peel shrimp and cut tomatoes.

- What's wrong with her? - The new guest doesn't have any marks.

- Can you tell me what's going on? - Just let me come in, okay?

Who is this guy? How do you know him?

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, slow down.

- I met him down in Nyhavn. - Wasn't your meeting in the magistrate's office?

I was chased around inside the town hall with new demands.

Our construction on Amager will never get started.

In the end, I had to leave. I went down to Nyhavn and had a bite of bread.

- Please, sir. - Thank you, sir.

- So you had lunch? - And had coffee.

- And, uh... - Listen to me, Therese.

- It's not Danish money. - No, dollars.

- I don't have Danish kroner. - We don't take foreign payment.

I don't have anything else. I have come with the steamer from America.

If you can't pay, I'll have to contact the authorities.

I will pay for that gentleman there.

Yes, ma'am.

That's very kind of them. I didn't realize realized this could be a problem.

He's too stupid to realize what he's missing out on.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no. Why don't you sit down?

I couldn't help overhearing, that you are from America.

- You live there, perhaps? - Yes, I live there. I have for many years.

Uh-huh. Wow, wow, wow. And what are you doing over there?

Typical men. It's the first thing they ask.

He builds houses. He's built all the skyscrapers over in Milwaukee.

- He bragged about that? - He doesn't need to brag.

We went with the Danish-Americans. They were going to the Rebild Festival.

They told us who he is. He's like Rockefeller.

Then what's he doing here?

Therese, I am so tired of running from Herod to Pilate to build.

In America, there is no one interfere when you build.

So you want to build in America?

Yes, of course I do.

The land prices are the same, but then when you build up...

- then it's profit, profit, profit, profit.

- And Mr. Seerup will help with that? - Of course he will.

I'd better make sure that he has been placed at our table.

- Weyse, I'd like you to meet Mr. Seerup. - How do you do?

- I've seen you before. - I see. It's not inconceivable.

You were the one who was taking a bath when we came flying, right?

- Mr. Weyse is an actor. - I see. I see.

- Maybe you've seen his movies. - I don't think I have.

Flat comedies like that are not shown in America.

How long are you staying?

- Just until tomorrow. - Well, that's nice.

- Flat comedies. - It was all in good fun.

Is it funny that Madsen is a drooling lamb's tail?

I'm sorry, uh... Mrs. Berggren is upstairs with her daughter.

- What? Uh... - So I had to answer the phone.

- Oh, right. Uh... Congratulations on that. - It's for you.

Me? Oh, the theater again. Tell them I'm not here.

But I just told you, that you were having lunch.

- Little Miss... - Lily.

Yes, Little Miss Lily, you have much to learn.

And the first is never to say that I'm here until you've asked me.

- I'm sorry, sir. I didn't realize. - Pick up the phone, Edward.

Yes, hello?

No, Director Konradsen.

Have you called several times? I thought you were Mr. Bonderose.

Today I regret that I did not retired a long time ago.

Otto Bonderose is not staging the next show.

No, really? Uh-huh. Well, that's... sad.

When he heard you were the lead, he had a nervous breakdown.

Do you want to tell me what you did to Mr. Bonderose last time?

I didn't do a damn thing but do the man's job.

I have never in my life experienced a director who was so fumbling.

It's easy to stage?

It would have been a different show if you had followed his wishes.

I've been in contact with several directors...

- who can't step in at such short notice.

Since you think it's so easy, you can take over the show.

No problem, no problem. No problem at all, my dear Director Konradsen.

I'll be happy to take over.

You wouldn't dream of directing.

But Director Konradsen is right. I have all the hassle anyway.

So now you have to work? Then you shouldn't have shouldn't have chased the boys on a bike ride.

They were the ones who wanted to go.

And I'm going on vacation with you.

Work will have to wait. It's going to be a breeze.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! I had completely forgotten about that.

I have to play together with the theater's ingenue, Ebba Kold.

Lovely girl. Very talented.

I can't wait to shaping the diamond in the rough.

I don't like the way the way your hands move.

Not like that at all. Oh, dear.

Alice Frigh.

I told you not to call here. Who did you say you were?

Attorney Berthelsen! You are shameless.

No, you shouldn't come here. Because it's none of the others' business.

Then we'll have to wait to see each other. I'm sure you'll survive.

Otherwise, you'll have to take some cold cold dips. I'll be fine.

You think way too highly about yourself.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Well, send the deal over here. Thank you, ma'am. Goodbye, Mr. Berthelsen.

You can come in now.

- Yes, Mr. Berthelsen? - I see.

I was hoping I could sneak in with your shirts.

I was up to see if you'd had coffee.

I don't know who did the unpacking, but I crossed them out.

They were wrinkled before I put them in the suitcase. I ironed them.

- You ironed them yourself? - My housekeeper quit.

- That's unfortunate, though. - Yeah. Uh... I'm about to find a new one.

- But thanks for your help. - I'll take a rain check.

- I won't bother you again. - Have you seen...

Has something happened?

The Americans have just detonated a nuclear bomb in the Pacific Ocean.

People have been moved from their homes...

- to test more of the stuff.

Did we learn nothing at all last year with Hiroshima?

- Didn't you bring any good novels? - Novels?

Yes, something other than sad news.

- Actually, I have one on the way. - I'm glad to hear that.

- Otilia, aren't we leaving soon? - Yes, Frida. I'll be right there.

- We have to go down and collect more stones. - Have a good time, Frida.

I was going to ask my dad, if we could have meatballs tonight?

- His guest would be delighted. - We're having garfish.

Yes, I know that. But he's only here for one night.

- and he hasn't had meatballs since he left Denmark.

Now he needs other food too. I can't conjure up a farce.

- I would be so happy. - Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I'll have to try.

These peas are pure sunshine.

Maybe I can mix them in the meatball stuffing.

Thank you, Martha.

I thought Mrs. Andersen had a new a new carpenter, but it was Morten.

- Is Morten with Mrs. Andersen? - Yes, he is. I've just spoken to him.

He's in the middle of repairing the hole in the roof.

So, uh... It'll hold for a little while longer. But you don't have to call out a professional.

Come and sit down, Morten. Just for a moment.

Here you go, Morten. You just have to help yourself.

Don't you dare spend all your butter brands on me.

Thank you, ma'am.

- How are things at camp? - Uh, fine.

- When will the British stop? - In a week or so.

Then it's over for you too. Then you can go home to your family.

The Danes have asked, if I want to continue.

- You've said no to that, right? - I don't know. I don't know.

- What does Fie say? - I haven't told her.

- But you're on the phone together, right? - Uh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

- When was the last time you spoke to her? - I can't believe you're asking.

We spoke last week.

I'm sure she and the kids are counting on you to come home now.

I know that you feel that the camp is your responsibility.

But there must be someone else who can take over.

We'll see. I have to get back.

Thanks for the coffee.

Yeah? Uh-huh.

Hello, Morten. Hello, Morten. I heard you were here.

- I'm on my way out. - I wanted to ask you something.

Well, come in, Amanda.

- How's Uwe? - Don't you get any letters?

Yes, I do. Written in block letters, so you can keep up.

When can I visit him? I've applied a thousand times.

- So I've heard. - Where can I go?

Is it because you're the one saying no?

- It's not, is it? - The rules apply to everyone.

- Even for a Danish girl. - How do you think it is for Uwe?

- He's been there for a year without a visit. - Now he's getting out more.

What does that mean? I mean, has he been allowed to work outside the camp?

Where is that? Can I visit him there?

- Can I not... - I gotta go. Bye, Molly.

Bye, Morten. And thanks for the help with the roof.

It wasn't them who called. It was the boys.

- Then who did? - Fanny Fjord.

My ex? Why is she calling you?

She was at our house when she did that interview for Woman's World.

While we were waiting for you, Fanny and I sat and talked about everything.

- About me, I would think. - Not just about you.

About everything. Fanny thought I was smart.

She asked me... ...if I would... would I run a ladies' mailbox.

- If you would what? - Run a letterbox.

"Ask Mrs. Weyse."

- You're not serious? - Yes, I'm serious.

But what on earth would you have to contribute?

- Well... - What did she say?

That I must have experience, being married to you.

You're going to say yes? Do you realize what that means?

You'll be inundated with letters and and you'll be working all summer.

Then we shouldn't have let the boys to go on a bike ride.

That's also true. I say no when she calls.

"Ask Mrs. Weyse."

But that's... No, now the pot is cracking.

We're sitting on the terrace. Could we have some apple slices and coffee?

- Pancakes and coffee. Yes, ma'am. - And two cognacs.

Yes, ma'am.

- Cognac, where do I find it? - I'll show you.

Thank you, ma'am.

But please place your order of apple slices in the kitchen first.

Oh, right. Uh-huh.

- At the same restaurant? - That's where I had my last meal.

Well, let's just hope that the waiter back then was different.

- I wish my wife had been here. - It's a shame she's not.

She's worried about her father, who's not well.

Is she Danish?

She grew up in the governor's mansion in Wisconsin.

I would have known where I come from. from. I know her whole world.

- And she doesn't know yours. - I spoke to several people here last year.

When it was possible to come back. The warmth they're greeted with...

There's this song...

I can't remember what it's called.

It's about friendship between those of us who went and those who stayed behind.

- You definitely know it. - Probably when I hear it.

It's just...

Oh. Uh... That was nice.

- Thank you, thank you, thank you. - And what is that?

Apple slices. You won't get many of those.

- No, in the glass, I mean. - Cognac.

I don't drink liquor before 8:00.

I can't believe I feel the same way. You can take those glasses out.

- Didn't you want cognac? - I didn't say anything about cognac.

Then you can take them.

- The girl there is brand new. But here you go. - Thank you very much, thank you very much.

Wonderful.

Wonderful, Mr. Madsen.

It's like being home with my mom again.

Mr. Seerup, it occurred to me we were talking about earlier with America.

- Oh, the song? You remembered it? - No, not quite yet.

Do you know it? You think it's there all the time.

- Oh, Weyse! Weyse, wait a minute. - Oh, is that you, Madsen?

I thought so, you were prancing around your new friend.

He's out for a stroll. Weyse, I wanted to ask you something.

If I might be able to persuade you to sing a little song tonight?

I'm afraid I don't think so, I'm afraid my limited abilities are not up to it.

The only thing I can handle are flat comedies.

- Weyse, I'm just kidding. - I'm glad you had fun.

Weyse, damn it. You know damn well I love all your movies.

Which ones? Which of my movies are they? you love so much?

Which ones? Well, all of them.

What's it called... "The Jazz Professor." Holy shit, that's funny.

What other ones? They just said they love them all.

Well, so do I. There's, uh... What's the name of the...

Well, there was that...

"Harem Night"!

Therese and I were laughing our asses off, and we watched it at least three times.

And what else?

And what else? Well, there's... What's it called...

"Small steps on the spot".

It was "Footsteps from the Sea".

It was filmed here and it was a masterpiece because of you.

- Weyse, we're friends, right? - What song?

- Thank you, ma'am. It means a lot. - The song?

That's where I'm gonna need your help. I don't know what the hell it's called.

- So, is everyone ready? - Why is that?

- It's to please Mr. Seerup. - To me, it's pure gibberish.

- It's Jeppe Aakjær. - He came from over here.

- From Skive. The interesting thing was... - Ssh! Here he comes.

- Good evening, ma'am. How about a cup of coffee? - Yes, please.

That would be great on top of those lovely meatballs.

Blame old friendship again

And be wiped from our minds?

Shall old friendships be forfeited...

- Well, that's... - And so...

The lovely youthful daw, oh yes

they daw so hard to find!

We'el løwt wor kop så glådle op

For them daw so long, long mind!

We wojed together in a brook

From the dawn to the chickens were in.

Then it came and separated us. Oh, what a long...

Come on, Olga.

The lovely youthful daw, oh yes

they daw so hard to find!

We'el løwt wor kop så glådle op

For them daw so long, long mind!

Come on, everybody!

There's my hand, you old swend!

Reach out and give me a hand.

What a lovely...

You think it's a lie.

What's happening? No, what are they doing?

Di lovely youth daw, oh yes

they daw so hard to find!

We'el løwt wor kop så glådle op...

- What language is that? - I think it might be Jutlandic.

What a lovely evening. What friendly people.

I'm glad you had a good time, that you had a good time.

I was just thinking about it, what you said about America and building.

- One could be tempted. - I wish Ellinor had experienced this.

Yeah, that's a shame too.

But it wasn't meant to be obviously wasn't meant to be.

Thanks for tonight.

- Won't you have another glass? - It's been a long day.

We've got to keep our strength up for the upcoming festivities.

- I'm sorry, did I interrupt you? - It can wait until tomorrow.

Remind me.

- Good night, ma'am. - Good night. Good night. And see you tomorrow.

- How did it go? - It's great.

- We read Pippi Longstocking. - I don't know that one.

It's about the world's strongest girl. Frida was very interested in it.

- Well, good night then. - Good night, then.

And thank you, Otilia.

Good night, ma'am.

- Is Otilia okay? - She's fine.

- Are there any more guests in the living room? - Uh, no, no, no, no. I just wanted to say good night.

Morten was with Mrs. Andersen. I was asked when I can visit Uwe.

- He doesn't decide that. - I'm not so sure about that.

He accidentally said, Uwe is working outside the camp now.

It must be at the farm. I'm going to go there.

- You haven't, have you? - It's been a year since I saw him.

I know it's been a year, but there are guards everywhere.

If German refugees have contact with anyone...

The girl they shot went to get her ball.

Yes, I know all that, mom!

At some point, you'll be allowed. They can't keep saying no.

- I'm not cut out for it. - That's bullshit.

I get scolded all the time.

No matter what I do, it's wrong.

Weyse with the phone and Madsen with his cognac.

I even heard Mr. Madsen order cognac.

- You should have said so. - You can do that.

I can't do that. I just... I just want to go home.

But then I'll just get scolded there too. I need the money.

- Can I lie down with you for a while? - Uh, yeah, sure.

- Where's Lily? - She had to fix her apron.

- I'm sorry. Uh... - We need to get some cheese cut.

- Feeling better? - What are you guys talking about?

- Uh, nothing. - Nothing that concerns us.

- There you are, you little bandit. - I'm not a villain. I'm Pippi.

- Pippi? - It's a book we're reading.

- You've already taught her to read. - Mrs. Berggren is in Aalborg.

- Why would she be in Aalborg? - I think it was a doctor's appointment.

Yes, we must also to carry in, dear friends.

- That was lovely. - Thank you, guys.

- Thank you. Uh... - You guys are early.

We were woken up by the sun. Wonderful morning.

- Yeah, it is. Coffee's on its way. - Thank you. Uh...

- Good morning, ma'am. - Good morning, ma'am.

It's a mystery to me that we agreed to this last night.

- Mr. Seerup was happy. - Because we made fools of ourselves.

Olga is sure that's why she lost at bridge.

It's impossible to concentrate, when a complete stranger is watering chickens.

- He was just being nostalgic. - After all, it comes from Greek.

The word nostalgia. Are the ladies aware of that?

- No, but you'll tell us. - It's the same as homesickness.

And it can be quite painful to longing to be somewhere else.

In the 18th century there was a Russian general...

- whose troops were plagued by homesickness

- so he buried one of the soldiers alive.

No, that was horrible.

Maybe we should have tried that with Mr. Seerup.

You're so mean, Olga.

Well, there's certainly cheerfulness from the crack of dawn, huh?

- Yesterday was fun too, wasn't it? - Yes, it was.

- Has Mr. Seerup been down? - No, he hasn't.

- Well, that's good. - He left early this morning.

What did he do?

He was supposed to have dinner with Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Ingrid.

Oh, right. Uh... It was...

- How can he just leave? - That's not fair either.

After all you've done for him. I got this from the girls.

"I'm sorry to have to leave so early. Thank you for your kindness."

"It has been some unforgettable hours in your company."

"Allow me to leave you a memory of our meeting."

Ten dollars. At least you got a tip, Georg.

- Tit-tit! - What did we just agree?

- Why are you whispering? - I don't want to be seen with you.

I've been downstairs a cold dip. It didn't help.

Here, come on. You're freezing.

- Come on, come on, come on, come on. Let me warm you up. - No, you're not.

- I told you I couldn't see you. - Why don't you come up to my place?

I'm not in a relationship with a married man.

Then what do we have? Come on, come on, come on.

- You're so lovely. - Oh, Bent. Don't do it, Bent.

- Hey, hey, hey. - At least not here.

Okay, okay, okay, okay. Come on, come on, come on. Let's run up here.

- Who was that? - Director Konradsen.

- Again? Uh-huh. What did he want? - Ebba Kold has reported in.

The diamond in the rough. It was a pity for for you. Why didn't she want to join?

Because Bonderose wasn't supposed to be staged.

- They'll find someone else. - They've found her.

- Kitty Hansen. - Kitty Hansen?

- Just released from the loony bin. - That was many years ago.

I read she plays in the provinces. When you brought her over here...

I kind of had a feeling that it was was more than a teacher-student relationship.

How can you say something like that?

- That was just the impression I got. - Not in any way, shape or form.

- You can admit it now. - There's nothing to admit.

- Took you long enough. - Who saw you walk in here?

- Uh, no one. - The deal was that I would come to you.

There was never anything between Ms. Hansen and me.

- So much for that summer. - Why was that?

I've been demanding for her to come over here.

I can't make my debut as a director without knowing

- if the girl can act.

Well, fine. Then I'll call Fanny Fjord and say yes to the mailbox.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Let's have breakfast, and then you think about it.

Helene? Helene!

- Here's the book you ordered. - Yes, it did. I've been looking forward to it.

- What kind of novel is it? - It's not a novel.

- "The Masks Fall." - It follows the process at Nuremberg.

The top Nazis are in the dock.

It was supposed to describe in detail the horrors of the concentration camps.

Mr. Aurland, wouldn't you rather go to the beach?

Yes, I would. Perhaps later.

- Otilia. - I'll be right there.

Amanda?

- How did you know I was here? - Morten. I met him yesterday.

He was visiting his mom. He said.., you can work outside the camp.

- How are you doing? - I'm good. I'm good.

- And Frida? - I'm fine. I have something for you.

It's from her. She found it on the beach.

- She collects rocks all the time. - She does?

She takes after her father.

- Amanda, I don't want them to see you. - What did you just say?

- I don't want them to see you here. - You speak Danish.

- How did you learn it? - One of the guards is nice.

I think they've seen us. You need to leave.

One of them is mean. He shot a girl last week.

- Was it him? - Yeah, it was him.

If you learn Danish, you should be allowed to stay.

- Then you don't have to go to Germany. - It's not that simple.

Yes, it is!

Amanda.

- I think about you all the time. - I think about you too.

- Oh, it's you. - You can't be here.

I'll come back.

All he had to do was draw a line.

- Oh, yeah. Uh-huh. Phew. - Long trip?

My husband wasn't in the best of moods, so I thought I'd go for a walk.

They also look like to have warmed up their cheeks.

Do I? It must be the sun.

You're welcome to sit at my table for lunch.

- Georg will entertain himself. - But your husband has left.

He's gone to the Rebild Festival. I apologize for that.

I thought you knew that.

Texts: Karla Engelbrecht Danish Video Text