Original subtitles

This story takes place on a quiet summer's night, in a very small-

-country, wishing to be as small as possible,

almost to the point of non-existance.

This wish is to be respected.

Thus, all events, situations, characters, settings-

and lines in this film are made up.

Nothing is the way it is depicted.

But any possible resemblance to reality is not coincidental.

"Engineer" says the passport, and we're happy to believe it.

But when it comes to a guest from a modern dictature, it doesn't mean much.

Liquidatzia is just that.

Atk� Natas?

And that concludes this Saturday.

The time is:

11:58 pm.

We wish you a good night.

Good night.

Please excuse any sounds you might hear from the theatre downstairs.

They're rehearsing tonight.

But just tonight - they're going on tour tomorrow.

I came home from work-

-and it smelled like some gas in the stairs-

-I ran down to the doorkeeper, but he wasn't there, so I thought...

- Did she live here alone?

- Her son and daughter went to Canada last week.

She has locked herself inside the house since. She's afraid to go out.

She has always been strange.

Like all foreigners...

She had some relatives that looked after her. Foreigners as well.

But they were at a wedding tonight and couldn't access a telephone.

Find out the address.

Stencil.

Refugees! Don't think you are safe just because you came here.

World War III, as you may have heard about-

-could break out at any time. Guess what will happen to this little country then.

Go back home before it's too late.

There you'll be safe.

Signed by "many friends".

They're friends alright, but not of theirs.

Just a tiny, though qualified, fifth column. Nothing for the police.

- But is this supposed to happen? - What do you want to do?

Without clear directives...

We know the Nazi followers, but these are harder to catch.

They have learned.

It's probably no use to go through the fishing nets.

The big fish are in deeper waters.

Find and notify these relatives. It's your district.

And don't misunderstand. It's not that I dislike your company.

These young people are especially close to our hearts.

We shall help them in every way we can. They deserve it.

They've had it rough.

Four months ago, Leino and Linda came here in an open boat.

They had to carry her on shore. And he was in a bad way, too.

Everything had been taken away from them.

But they battled adversity.

They found each other and then they found us.

Maybe they'll never be fully at ease again...

...more or less, we won't...

especially the elder among us.

But there's a time for everything,

joy included.

And tonight, we're back in our home country.

Back in the villages that they chased us out of.

The farms are sleeping in the summer night,

the grain ripens outside the windows,

in the east, the morning star shines,

and life is a blessing.

In the east, the red morning star shines.

Let it go, Vera. Let's not talk about that.

Vera means that it's irresponsible of people in our situation-

-to get married and have kids.

I'll take that responsibility on my shoulder! The others are many-

-and so should we be!

It's our only chance!

- Why are you here? - Duties.

What's happened?

This is what killed her.

We've all received it. She didn't have the nerves.

It's not police matters.

Don't you understand? They'll never leave us alone.

Is this supposed to happen?

- Goodbye. - Tired?

Always at this time of the year.

Can you find my key?

- What's this for? - I don't sleep too well.

- You're tired, yet you can't sleep? - Isn't that the way it goes?

- How are things in general? - Fine. And you?

Just fine. And your husband?

Don't ask.

Why? Your husband interests me a lot.

He comes and goes... I haven't seen him in a while.

- I don't think you care about him. - He's my husband. I depend on him.

Since when? You thought he was dead.

You didn't miss him.

He re-appeared and you returned to him.

And suddenly you couldn't live without him?

- I'm not jealous. - Then what are you?

It's just that...

...it doesn't make sense.

It doesn't. That's all I can say right now.

We shouldn't see each other anymore.

We will not be lovers.

Did I scare you?

- You're late. - When did you come?

At midnight. We were late, too.

- So? - So?

You've been waiting.

Impatient?

Very impatient.

Come in to me later.

Maybe I got you wrong... tired?

- You're playing with me. - You used to like playing.

You have changed.

- What is it, Vera? - You made me a promise.

- About what? - My father and mother.

- What did I promise? - To help them over here.

Did I? No.

Are you sure you're not confusing me with someone else?

Right, now I remember.

I promised.

They're on the way.

Thank goodness.

They haven't arrived. And it's hard to promise a set date.

Nobody rules over weather and wind and I didn't exactly see them off.

- But if they started from Heringebucht... - But the new route goes from Petersdorf!

- Where are my parents? - Honestly, I don't know exactly.

On the way.

But on the way in.

- Deported? - Depends on how you see it.

You were careless. They were discovered.

I turned them in.

- How could I pass up an opportunity like that? - Opportunity?

Is it an opportunity to turn in two helpless elders?

You have to protect your neck.

You collect points, you create a goodwill.

Having turned in your father-in-law is quite something.

And all of this is thanks to you.

Your father was a very silly old man. He believed in the revolution.

He said that it had been tampered with. That what's done can be undone.

The poor sod didn't understand that in every revolution-

-the dark elements win.

The professional killers. Those with a will to murder and torture.

As a camp chief for the Germans you executed 4 000 people.

- I murdered out of fear. - Why would I keep quiet about that now?

I'll spill the beans for your new bosses.

You don't understand, that it is considered a merit.

I just lied to you. Your parents were taken away.

But not to the inner parts of the country. At least I did that for them.

- To a camp? - Oh, for a few days.

It was a very good camp.

You are a calculating person. You thought you could make use of me.

Speaking of Petersdorf...

...tomorrow we're installing an electric barrier in the waters there.

Just like in Heringebucht.

A barrier like that has a certain effect.

I would like to show you sometime.

I shave whenever I get the chance in the summer.

It's refreshing.

- Confidential? - Yes.

Future mortgages. You never know how you end up.

Or where.

Soft?

Submissive?

Wait.

Funny. You have a scar here that I've never seen.

I got it from a woman.

She bit me.

But not out of love.

It was out of hate.

No, you're choking me!

My husband is sick. Help me get a doctor.

Well... we have a district medical officer in here.

Doctor? Wake up!

- I'd like to pay... - Doctor, the guest in room 8 is sick.

I see.

- It's Coramil. - I'm a chemist.

Not that I think it will help, but I have learned never to be sure.

As far as I can see, he's dead.

- Hello?

Talk a little clearer.

Mr. Natas had an accident.

Stop! Get back here, girls!

It's locked.

I have the backup keys here...

This door is never open, unless the actors from the theatre-

-stay here. These stairs lead straight down to the stage.

That's enough! Go and call the doorkeeper.

Hello? Mr. Jonsson? There's a swinging party up in the studio again.

So now you have to go up there and give them a good scolding!

It's Sunday morning, people are trying to sleep!

- So the briefcase was stolen... - Yes, it was her...

- That damn... - On topic!

- What was in the briefcase? - Register...

- Louder! - Register 186.

- Of our agents in this country. - Continue.

The new directives-

-for the infiltration in the northern areas.

- Continue! - That's all!

And the document you intended to bring to the American embassy-

-today, to qualify yourself for the protection of the United States-

-and make a forceful entrance in America? - It's not true!

I must ask you gentlemen to keep it down.

The other guests can't sleep.

I like this country and its people.

They're intelligent people who don't get a thing.

A beautiful, sleepwalking people.

A Sunday kind of people.

And should they one day find out what goes on around them...

...no harm is done.

With their sound skepticism they'll just say:

"This can't happen here".

Register 186 and the new directives. Continue.

There was nothing else.

I'll tell you everything!

Industry report 86-108-

-regarding the underground manufacturing...

The General Staff's dossier 1-27...

We have orders of sending you back today.

But first we'll put you to use.

She has the briefcase. You will get it.

And her.

She knows too much.

Is that clear?

Nothing is clear to him. Give him another injection.

When we split ways, you went right up there?

I went straight up to my room.

And he was there.

Did you know he was coming?

No, he never tells me in advance.

- Then what happened? - He stayed for an hour.

- He didn't seem down? - Not at all.

We laughed and talked. He could be very charming.

He went to his room, and shortly after I followed him.

- Was he expecting you to? - I think so.

- So you lived together? - Is that a professional question?

It is of importance.

Your marriage was... a bit unusual.

- Yes, we lived together. - How long did you stay with him?

Until I alarmed the hotel manager.

- How did you discover that he was dead? - I woke up and saw that he wasn't moving.

- You thought he was dead? - Well... I thought he was sick.

It has happened before.

Did he have any enemies?

He never talked about himself.

"Engineer". Well, that could mean anything.

- Who was he? - I don't know.

I was just married to him.

- He was a chameleon. - That sounds nice.

So many things happened, and still happen over there.

One has to stay alive.

Are your compatriots as forgiving?

Nobody knows anything. They thought he was all right.

But now that they will? Surely they will find out something?

Then I'll answer to them.

I can do that now.

Vera, there's something about this that doesn't add up.

I don't know who took him away. Can I be excused now?

Inspector... something crossed my mind.

You asked if I had noticed anything about the dead body.

This might just be my imagination, but when I flipped him over-

-on his back - he was heavy - my nose got close to his neck-

-and I noticed a little red spot.

Just like a zit.

-A zit? -Yes.

-Is that all? -Yes.

I don't think we need to be that detailed...

Well, it wasn't like an ordinary zit...

No, it was a mark, like after a pinprick.

- Against? - I'm sorry if I'm confusing things...

It might just be a product of my imagination...

But in that case... a sting to the cable, bam!

Lights out!

I'm sorry if I'm expressing myself carelessly...

...The perfect crime.

- And the weapon? - A sharp needle of some sort.

The difficulty for a killer who chooses such a discreet method-

-is to get the victim in the right position.

A syringe comes to mind.

Syringe... no, that seems a bit far fetched.

- Why a syringe? - It just crossed my mind.

Were you thinking about this?

No, not a syringe, that's unreasonable!

- Why not? - It requires a lot of strength and experience-

-to make that go all the way in to the marrow.

No, I must have dreamed the whole thing up.

I was a bit drunk... I still am.

Time for me to shut up.

- I'm going to the lab. - Do you want a ride?

Thanks, but I have an errand on the way.

Follow her.

The meeting has already begun.

This is turning into a nightmare.

The people are taken away, and more soldiers are arriving.

Manoeuvres are constantly taking place, even at sea.

Add the electric barriers on top of all this.

The routes must constantly be re-drawn. Sometimes in the final hour.

Sometimes we can't get there in time.

Apparently they were known beforehand.

Before long, we'll be like rats in a cage.

- As for us, we sheltered for eight days in... - Don't say it! Be careful!

There's an informer among us. Or... an informette.

If that sounds nicer.

She was at the party yesterday as well.

But I didn't want to tell you then.

There she is.

Strong words, Leino. We know and value Vera.

- But you are new among us. - Ask about her connections with a Mr. Natas.

- It's my husband. - And who is he really?

He was one of their agents. And I have known that for a while.

Nobody has lived as fancy as you. Nobody has dressed as fancy.

- There's the explanation. - Stop it. Watch yourself, Leino.

I am sorry if I have mislead you all.

And I am sorry if I have made a fool of myself.

But my intentions were good, and I wanted to take full responsibility.

My husband is dead.

Atk� Natas is dead.

- Where did you get this? - I found it in his briefcase.

10 minutes earlier, we would have thought it was legitimate.

- Now there's reason to be careful. - You must believe me!

Anyone can put together a list like that.

It's a list of their informers, spies and code names in this country.

That is made up! By her or Natas! She's working for them!

In any case, there's no proof that it's real.

- You've hated Leino from the start. - I've never trusted him.

But we have trusted you! We invited you as a special guest to our wedding!

Save your personal quarrels for another time.

We'll discuss this later.

The meeting is terminated.

One moment! Sander! Do you have a bicycle?

Bring this to the go-between in group 23.

Sander! I didn't know your name was Sander.

The informer is you, Sander Mettila.

You're working for them. Leino Tonis is just a codename-

-as is evident by their list.

Through you, all too much has leaked out-

-and all too many compatriots have lost their lives.

Quit!

We must prove ourselves better than them.

How long have you been working for them?

I started back there already.

They tortured me for a day. Then I did what they asked me to.

But they asked for more and more.

Each time, they said: "Do this, then we'll leave you alone."

But they always came back.

I bet you feel smug now.

But I know that several of you wouldn't have been braver than me.

Who are you to judge, who haven't been tortured in their basements?

Think about that while you're playing freedom heroes.

You were lucky. I wasn't.

God judges people by what they have done, not what they could have done.

You can't expect us to be more lenient than Him.

You can go.

I don't want to ask you any questions.

You'll have to speak for yourself about what you have done.

I killed him.

Others will call you brave and strong.

They might even say that you did a good thing. I won't.

It wasn't brave and I wasn't strong.

I killed him for revenge.

I'll take it.

Institute of forensic chemistry.

That's me, Almkvist.

Thank you.

Does it disturb you?

We used ether before. This is a new method.

A more humane way of killing.

One hopes that the rats will appreciate that.

There are no noble murders.

It's disgusting.

I have my car outside.

Vera, come.

Come with me for a ride.

We're going out of town.

Yes. Did you forget where I live?

We both need a cup of coffee.

It will probably be the best coffee you'll have for some time.

As you can see, nothing has changed.

- How are the lupins? - Fine. They caught on well.

That's nice.

Yeah, I forgot to water them. It was supposed to rain, but it never came.

So no more lupins for us.

- I'm glad to hear they caught on. - What?

- What? - Which ones?

- The lupins. - Oh... Right.

- Still there since last time. - At least you could have washed it.

- Where's the sugar? - It could be on the radio.

Or the floor, next to the couch.

Think of all the the time we just let go by. The whole spring.

Let's put it on the regular spot.

One has the right to be happy...?

I almost thought it wasn't so.

That's just false heroism.

That doesn't change the world.

It just makes you cold.

- What? - Nothing.

Isn't this against the rules?

Of course.

Excuse me.

It's me, Natas.

Yes I'm fine, thank you.

I've been quite ill. Ask my wife about it.

I just did.

I have underestimated you. Needle?

But you need steadier hands.

The difficulty is to get deep enough.

That's not the difficulty. To kill someone else, you must be a murderer.

Yes. It's an elite.

We have foreseen that and invented the shot to the neck. It never fails.

- I'm happy you're alive after all. - Mm. The friends watched over me.

And now you're going back with me.

Forget about this little trifle.

It's forgiven.

- Your wife is still arrested. - For what?

- Now it's attempted murder. - Allow me to be frank.

- I'm a police man myself. - We know that.

I'd like to speak to you as a colleague.

I'd like that. At some congress.

I suggest that you both come with me to the station.

Think about it. Why did she want me dead?

I'll tell you that.

Because you was her lover.

That means trouble for you.

So we'll drop the whole thing.

(Unintelligible)

- Where? - It's my wife.

Idiot.

Suit yourself.

The friends have watched over you too.

How peaceful it is out here.

Empty and quiet. Not a soul in sight.

Things liven up later in the day. But we're not in a hurry.

We can lock ourselves in.

Careful. It could be an act.

Are you OK?

- Coffee? - Yes please.

You're very chivalrous.

Isn't that the word around here? Chivalry against the opponents.

I've read something like that. I don't like the word. It sounds silly.

- I'm happy to hear that. - But nothing against the principle.

Exactly.

And nothing against knights in armour. They have their place...

...in the middle ages.

Do you know much about the middle ages?

I've lived through them.

Do you remember a man whose name was Hitler?

- Hitler? - Yes.

Oh, right. Yes, I remember him.

He was a straightforward man. He didn't understand chivalry either.

And that's why he misunderstood-

-the peculiar habits of the prime ministers on a certain island.

You see, they used to go fishing on Saturday afternoons.

Or play golf. Or chase butterflies.

That way, they signalled that they intended to maintain peace until Monday.

Just like you in this country.

- Am I boring you? - Not at all.

I'm just in a slight hurry.

- This briefcase interests you. - Mm. A delicate matter.

It interests me a lot.

My friend, it's not loaded.

No. But now.

We were talking about Hitler. He got it all completely wrong.

He mistook it for laziness. And on Sundays, he was on fire.

Then he occupied Austria and did all kinds of other things.

It didn't end well for him.

He should have played by the rules.

He should have played the game.

I'm going to tell you something about myself.

I was born on a place on earth, which has gone through a major war since.

And a few minor.

Three revolutions of different colours.

Six occupations.

And several liberations.

- Does it mean anything to you? - Yes. But I'm not heartbroken.

Of course not. You're a policeman.

I was born on an archipelago island, in this remote country.

Which hasn't been in war for so long that we've all forgotten-

-what it is. I may not know about war and destruction-

-but I know a lot about everyday life.

I've been sentenced to death three times.

Deported four times.

And one time, I've been murdered.

Albeit not properly.

I have shovelled ashes in a crematorium for gassed israelites.

And my compatriots.

And I've been a camp chief.

After that you know everything worth knowing about humans.

I know something about humans that you don't.

I prefer not knowing. I haven't played by the rules, but I'm alive.

- You have to take a risk. - You have to eliminate all risks.

That's it. Here, we believe in humans. We take the risks.

You... eliminate them.

For the last time... do you accept my offer?

I'd rather take the risk.

Some like it hot.

"MROFNIMOK GADYN"...

Turn off the radio. You're disrupting the neighbours.

Do you understand? Your radio disrupts the neighbours.

Keep your noise to yourself. This is a place for educated and enlightened people.

Look at you! Are you a drunkard as well?

Shame on you!

What the hell is this? Police!

Yes, the police.

There's a drunken driver on rampage in the bushes.

So you're the drunken driver.

Number 21 here. Over.

Give me the vehicle register. Over.

Vehicle register. Over.

Almkvist. Do you have a black Chrysler, A2194 something? Over.

- An A29... - Wait, it ends with a 7. Over.

That's right. A29147.

Painter Filip R�nnblom, Hermelinstr�ket 36. Over.

- Are you sure it's not of some embassy? Over. - Yes. Over and out.

We found one of their code addresses. Hermelinstr�ket 36.

Call the other cars as well.

There's the black Chrysler.

The tables are turning. Full speed to the city!

Can I see your license?

Is this why we have the police? Is this why we pay taxes?

Do we work our asses of six days a week to be harrassed and-

-denied time off in the country?

Excuse us, it was a mistake.

There are 458 unsolved crimes in the past 10 years.

Go to the station and solve them, but leave me and Mrs. R�nnblom alone!

The boat!

- Dammit! - Go for it.

And that's why, children, when Swedish men in times of doubt-

-have lost their way - that's why they have looked upon the almighty King-

-for inspiration.

I've had some strange words swirling around in my head since I woke up.

Hold on...

It slipped my mind.

What's with that chick? Puncture upstairs too...

Completely wasted!

Some life they lead.

You'd think they would know better.

Watch out, it's an armed criminal!

100 crowns if you take me to the American embassy.

Don't try to bribe me.

I've got it! MROFNIMOK GADYN!

What is it about that old float?

- Is it a boat? - That's debatable. But it's in the harbour.

It leaves this afternoon.

Your majesty. Right as usual.

Calling car 5. Man jumped to death.

Gruesome way to kill yourself.

So he did it to avoid something even worse.

Being sent back.

We have to find Vera.

Sign this here.

Sign it. It's a formality.

- What am I signing? - A formality.

An assurance that you're returning to your home country at your own will.

I'll never do it.

We can force you.

Not to sign it.

Over there we have means to make you sign it.

And you will say that it was at your own will anyway.

That's the great thing.

When you're back we'll forget about all that has happened.

You're a skilled forensic chemist. You have better job opportunities with us.

You can have your own institution for legal medicine.

I don't doubt it.

But what would be legal about that?

Take her away. Now!

Lower the gangway!

They want to search the boat!

There's nothing here.

Travel with us. Come on.

- Did you search the life boats? - No, oldest trick in the book.

When it's that old you have to start over with it.

It's the first thing that customs will check.

Yes, but we're not customs.

There's nothing in there! Why is the police always so suspicious?

Not like our country. Open and generous...

Look at that.

Throw out the dog!

(Gibberish)

Compatriot.

Citizen of Liquidatzia.

Is under the protection of our free nation.

I have an arrest order on her. Attempted murder.

On Swedish ground.

This one's for us. Get a taxi.

What are you staring at?

Off to the station then.