Original subtitles

In the 17th and 18th centuries, family portraits were in fashion.

In these paintings, the man sits with his wife in his home

surrounded by his children.

The children were always depicted as small, grave-faced adults.

Like their parents, they stare out of the paintings at the viewer.

But we see other children there, too.

Children who have turned their backs on us, who stand half hidden

or who have their faces and bodies obscured.

Child mortality was high, and the portraits depicted the entire family.

Those who were given life...

...and those who were not.

These are the dead children. THOSE HALF HIDDEN

This story is like one such painting.

This is the story of those who were given life...

... and this is the story of those who were not.

The half-hidden, the turned-away. Those who peer from out of the shadows.

Are you done soon? I need the loo.

You're a nutcase.

When are we going to meet for real?

OK...so shall we meet up?

Do you mean that? When? Today?

- Sure. - Really?

Really. I'll call you right away.

Hi, it's me.

It wasn't so big, after all.

But it's always like that. You expect things to be bigger.

- And you've got the camera? - Sure have.

Hang on, I'll just change the battery to be on the safe side.

- Hi, Cilla. Alright? - Yes, thanks.

- You? - Just fine.

- Good afternoon, Leo and Tuva. - I can't pick them up until nine.

I'll get them into their pyjamas. If they sleep, they sleep.

A kiss for Mummy, then?

And a hug...

- Hi. - Hi.

Anette, would you like to step in?

- There's coffee there if you want. - No, thanks.

- You're looking nice. - Thanks.

- Take a seat. - Thanks.

So...how do you feel it's all going?

Just fine, thanks.

And the kids?

Linus, Liam and...

- Joakim. - Of course.

Can I have some water?

- Honey, I have to go in to the office. - On a Sunday?

I'll just sort out some breakfast and lunch for you

so you won't have to get up...

The doctor made it quite clear that you must rest

and everything will be fine this time. So just lie down like he says.

But Abbe... I can't lie here for nine months now, can I!

Stop that.

- Are you ready to go? - Yes, Father.

Good. Then let's go to the church.

So, here comes your breakfast...

No, lie back, lie back... This might work...

- If I can just... - No, I'll do it!

Just lie there and get squeezing.

- But I... - No! It's not a problem...

Fucking shit!

- I'll get a... - No, I will!

You just lie there. Let's see now...

See that? Not bad, eh? Told you I could manage.

- So w-what do you want now? - Sorry, am I disturbing you?

I asked w-what you wanted.

- Do you always have to be so angry? - Well, you are disturbing me.

David, son...

- We've always been able to talk... - Don't touch the hair!

Fuck that, now I have to do it again!

- David, just tell me what... - I'm off into town.

Check out the parquet flooring!

Welcome. Here are some specifications for you to look at.

Don't hesitate to ask any questions. There are some shoe covers over there.

If you sit in the back, boys, Ragnar can sit in the front.

Hear that, Ragnar? You're getting to sit in the front!

Chop, chop, Ragnar, we don't want to be late.

Ragnar...

Ragnar!

Ragnar!

We call you in for these support sessions, but we also pay home visits.

What, to see if it's nice and tidy?

- Just to check everything's in order. - It's damn tidy, let me tell you.

And we'll want to chat to the boys too.

You keep your paws off them!

Excuse my language.

Stop fooling about, Ragnar. Come here!

Ragnar!

Jesus' love is so wonderful... - Join in, boys!

Jesus' love is so wonderful

Jesus' love is so wonderful love so wonderful

So high that I cannot go over it

So deep, I cannot go under it

So wide I cannot go around it Love so wonderful.

Ragnar.

I know you blame yourself for your mother's death.

I know what you're thinking.

"Why didn't I save her? Why didn't I do anything?"

But Ragnar...

Mother was saved. Jesus saved her.

Jesus saved her!

You must believe that!

You must believe that.

I demand that you believe that.

I understand there's been some trouble with your eldest son.

Linus? What have you been sticking your nose into now?

He's been reported to the police. For assault.

That wasn't my fault! I can't help that.

I can't keep him locked up, now, can I.

Here comes the Prodigal Son. Jump in the car, and let's be off.

You get in the front. - In you get.

Today, boys...

...I want you to prove how strong you are.

- People's eyes will be on you, OK? - Yes, Father.

- Does Ragnar understand that too. - Yes, Father.

Especially when the bells ring for Mother.

And for the other deceased.

That's when everyone will be looking at you.

- And the alcohol. How's that going? - Fine thanks. You?

It's not me we're talking about.

Can I go now?

- Can we end this meeting now? - Soon.

The kids are off school today. I actually have to go home.

- So did you get anything? - Show us! What did you get?

Come on, show us...

Here.

Welcome.

- Abbe. - Daniel. I'm sorry.

Calle. You don't need to say "Daniel" again. And why be sorry?

Daniel's not that bad a name!

There must always be room for humour, mustn't there.

There must always be room for humour.

Confounded woman, get back into bed this instant!

Just lie there and squeeze and let me take care of this.

- Abbe...? - Quiet, honey. I'll take care of it.

Quiet now, honey. I said be quiet! Shh!

- Abbe, your tie's in the jam. - Shit and fuck!

Why didn't you tell me?

All you have to do is lie there and squeeze your cunt.

Why is that so bloody hard to understand?

Well...first let me offer my condolences on the loss of your mother.

Well, that's life.

Or what do you say? She was a good woman in many ways.

- Who? - Mum.

Yes, of course.

- But nature has its way... - Yes, of course...

Did Marta have any requests about her funeral?

- Did she? Not that I know. - "Lay me in a ditch," she'd say.

- Did she? - But we can't lay her in a ditch!

It'd be damned practical!

Just dump her in a ditch!

- How old was she? - She was old.

82. But that's not so old these days, is it?

She'd lived her life.

How is your own mother?

- She died many years ago. - There, see?

Dear God...

Dear, beloved God.

- Abbe? - Yes?

Where did you disappear to?

I'll be right in.

- Hi. How are things? - Fine.

Are these to be put back? So why has no one done it?

What is it now?

- I still think you're lovely. - What nonsense!

Well, perhaps we should set a date.

Maybe we could settle on a time for the funeral.

I can make it whenever. Just let me check my diary...

- A couple of weeks' time, I'd suggest. - I'll just check too...

I can do...

Don't be angry with me, David.

There's something on your mind, isn't there.

No, why?

I went to get some information leaflets at lunchtime.

- Mum and I love you as you are... - Take your nasty little leaflets...

- Hi. - Hi.

Olle! I haven't see you for ages!

- No, that's right. Alice, isn't it? - Exactly.

Wow. So what are you up to these days?

Er...I work here.

How exciting.

I was working as a stripper but I got tired of it. You?

Stripper?

Me, I'm...

I'm in law.

Law's a bore, eh?

- Are you married? Kids? - Divorced, two kids. Five and three.

- And you? - I'm, like, married...

- OK... Were you after something? - No, no...

I just thought I'd check it out... I didn't know what kind of shop it was.

Have a browse, and give me a shout if you want anything.

- I get a 15% staff discount too. - Nice.

A viewing booth, please.

Room ten is free. There. Thanks.

I'll just get your change...

- There you go. - Thanks.

Oh, but if you want to rent a booth, it costs what it costs.

- Got any news about school? - Yeah. Mechanics programme.

Cool. I'm on that too. What about you, Linus?

Come on! Even you can get on the mechanics programme. Nigger-lover.

Maybe you haven't heard yet.

No, I've heard. From that ship-building college in Karlskrona.

Don't be a prat. That was just a ploy. What, did you get in?

Ship-building school? You're a fucking nutter.

I know.

Are we talking week 21 or 22?

We're talking the week starting the 16th.

I can't. I'm in Basel all week.

Except for Friday. I'll check with my secretary.

Friday rings a bell with me...

I'm sorry, but how long does something like this take? One, two hours?

- With the wake afterwards... - A wake... Do we really need one?

It's the customary...

Hi, Anna-Lena. I'm sitting in a meeting about Mum's funeral.

Can you check when the plane comes in on the Friday of week...

- 21. - Week 21...OK?

And there's nothing earlier? No? OK, thanks.

It's customary to serve coffee after a funeral.

Coffee? That can't take too long, can it?

One thing before we go in, boys.

Remember the words of the prophet John.

"Abide in him, that when he appears we may have confidence"

"and not be ashamed before Him at His coming."

- Erik. - Gideon.

- You didn't need to bring the boys. - Yes I did, Gideon. Yes I did.

Indeed. But seriously, Ragnar, he was the one who...

- When their mother passed away... - What are you saying, Gideon?

Henrik! - When someone we love dies, they don't pass away. They go home.

Of this we are here as witnesses.

Amen to that, Erik.

- What shall we have with the coffee? - Not prawn cake, anyway.

- What's wrong with prawn cake? - Oh, dear.

Father, could you pass me a Bible?

Show me where the Mosaic code says we're to eat prawn cake at funerals.

It's only us and our families. We might as well all go home.

- Coffee cake? Chocolate cake's nice. - Without cream in that case.

Eva's lactose intolerant. - She's my wife.

Maybe she could skip the cream.

You stick to the spiritual. We'll take care of the rest.

Well, that's me done. It was...fascinating.

Hey, have you heard anything from anyone else in the class?

Not really. Titti calls now and then.

- Titti. You were best mates, right? - Yep!

Did you hear about Micke? He went and died.

- No, really? - Stomach cancer.

It was just a couple of years ago. He was only 29.

It was tragic, as he was just about to get married.

No, that's terrible!

He thought his stomach ache was his appendix. He was riddled with cancer.

That's so tragic. Micke and me were together in the final year of school.

- Can I pay for this? - Of course. Let's see...

Gosh, is that the time? It was nice seeing you.

We ought to have one of those reunions.

It'd be fun to see what's become of everyone.

- You know where to find me. - Well, I'll be off then. See you.

Bye.

Hey, just a second.

I'd just like to ask... This reunion. What shall I say has become of me?

Oh, right. Yeah.

- Bye. - Bye.

Now I didn't know Marta. Can you tell me something about her?

- What can one say? - What can one say?

She was just there.

Mum.

- What about your kid brothers? - Mum'll have to get her act together.

Or they can stay with Kerstin and Sigge like last time.

Shit, Linus. Ship builder. You're such a cop-out!

- Karlskrona is shit cool. - You've never even been there.

- Another beer, Judas? - Yeah, sure.

Henrik, it's great that you can join us. And Lennart.

- Where? - At the camp.

What are you talking about?

The church is paying your fee. Jesus is Lord!

Father says we can't go as we've got no money.

Come on, boys. You can talk later.

But the pastor said he'd call...

The door's gone.

Excuse me, shouldn't there be a door here?

It must've been removed. Are the original doors still around?

I don't know but I can ask the owner.

They should have a pane of moiré patterned glass.

It's a bit spooky. It's like it should be, but different.

Check it out, it's David.

- Hi, David! Where are you off to? - Nowhere.

- What are you wearing? - A n-new coat.

- A n-new coat, eh? - Get off.

What are you doing?

Did you buy this? You're joking, right?

- Give it. Give it to me, I said... - What?

"Give it, give it, give it." Where's your sense of humour?

- Do you always have to look so scared? - We were just joking, Jew-boy.

"Give me, give me..." Give me your wallet.

You tosser, give him your wallet!

Now that wasn't so hard, was it.

Go on, piss off.

- B-but m-my... - I said piss off!

Come on, I want to see the bedrooms.

- How much did he have? - Shit... A 20, some notes...

Shit...

- Who's that? - How the fuck do I know?

- Why is it a heart? - How the fuck do I know?

- He's queer! - The jew-boy's queer! Fucking queer!

Fuck this...

- Where are you going? - He's fucking queer, alright?

He's used the same changing rooms as us at school. We've showered together!

He could've raped any one of us.

He's going to fucking die.

Just imagine.

Children we don't even know have spent their childhoods here.

- There he is! - Get him!

And now the house is being sold so new children can move in.

- Strange. - Really strange.

- He's on the train! - Got to find him!

We're going to fucking kill him!

Where the fuck...?

Fucking queer! Listen!

We're going to fucking have you!

Fucking queer! We're going to kill you, hear me?

You're going to die!

We'll get him later.

- Hello? - I'm here. Where are you?

- I can't. - Has something happened?

Are you crying?

Look.

What's that?

Dad, stop it!

I have to check something.

Look. Film over here. See this brown mark here?

It's blood.

- Dad... - David?

- Dad... - What's up son? Are you in trouble?

Can you meet me?

Hello?

I'm back!

- You could answer me when I call. - I didn't hear you.

Where are Liam and Mum?

I don't know about Liam. Mum's in her room.

O how blessed walk we homeward

as we hold our Father's mighty hand

Soon is our desert journey over

as we enter Canaan's land.

Mum?

Mum!

Fuck!

What the hell's going on?

It's the guy in number 10. He's really going for it!

Fucking hell.

For crying out loud...

It's OK. Leave him be.

- He's stopped. - Yes, he's coming...

A reading from Hebrews chapter 6.

"For the earth upon which rain falls receives blessings from God"

"if it drinks the water and bears herbs useful to those who cultivate it."

"But if it bears thorns and briers... it is rejected."

"It is near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned."

So says the New Testament.

Whoever takes God's helping hand and accepts his nourishing love

his salvation will be great and his rewards abundant.

He who does not...

...only emptiness awaits him...

...and eternal death.

Ragnar!

After that it is up to you.

The body of Christ, given for you.

- The body of Christ, given for you. - The blood of Christ, shed for you.

Oh, shit. Oh, shit.

And so it is my duty to announce

that the following parish members have been recalled to a better place.

Gustav Andersson...

...born 2 January 1899...

...recalled 10 March 1970...

...at the age of 71 years, 2 months and 7 days.

Magdalena Lovisa Forsén...

...born 1 March 1875...

...recalled 15 March 1970...

...at the age of 95 years, and 2 weeks.

That hurts.

He's dying, for Christ's sake! He's dying!

Shit! Fuck! I'll call an ambulance!

Berit Maria Paulsson...

...born 20 November 1933...

...recalled 10 March 1970...

...at the age of 36 years, 3 months and 18 days.

May they rest in peace.

- Mummy! - Don't be afraid. Mummy's here.

- Jesus, I don't know how to do this. - Shit!

Wake up! Hey, you old bastard, wake up!

- What the hell should we do? - I don't know. Check his wallet!

Wait, Sasha!

Look. Must his wife and kids find out he died like this?

- So what do you want us to do? - I don't know. Drag him outside.

You know we can't do that!

He's dying...

- Where's Dad? - He'll be here soon.

He was just... Well, I don't know what he's doing.

So let's sing as Dad would want us to.

O Lord of Joys please be our guest

at our meal today

take this food and make it blessed

as to you we pray.

Amen.

- Thanks Gideon. It was a blessing. - Thank you, Erik.

I have to know. Father, is Axel telling the truth?

- Is the church prepared to pay for us? - I think it's time to go home.

- You lied to my face. - We'll have none of that.

You preach that Yes is Yes and No is No and anything else is evil!

- I'm taking you home! - Fuck off, you hypocritical bastard!

Wait for me, Lennart...!

- What's up, sweetheart? - Nothing, I'm fine.

I was just checking to see if there was anyone left.

- Nice house, wouldn't you say? - Yeah, sure...

The previous owner put a lot of work into it.

The plumbing's been redone and the roof's been re-laid.

It looks good.

You can do anything you want with a wooden house like this.

How do I go about placing a bid on the house?

- You can't be serious, Lennart. - Of course I am.

- Get in. - What about Henrik and Lennart?

We're going home.

Don't play with your food, Calle. Eat up now.

"Your call cannot be connected."

- Ragnar. - Yes?

Do you confess that Jesus is the Lord?

Yes...

Then you are forgiven, my child.

You have been cleansed in his blood.

Eat up now.

Do not show ingratitude at the gifts of His bounty.

Leave Dad's plate where it is. He'll be here soon.

Haven't Henrik and Lennart come home yet?

Did you want something?

Good night, then.

Good night.

Can we sleep here tonight?

Oh, no! No, no, no!

Dad...

Dad, it's me.

I've...

Dad, open the door.

Please, Dad! Let me in!

Dad! Let me in!

Please, Dad! Dad! Let me in!

Here's an inflatable mattress for one of you to sleep on.

Hang on...

And may we never here return

to this unholy world so dark

May we meet again as we rest from

this pilgrimage on which we embark.

Glorious will be the songs we sing

as strong as a thund'rous waterfall

All praise to our Lord and the Lamb

who with His blood redeemeth us all.

- Mum? - It's alright, dear, it's alright.

I'm just sitting here.

Here.

- But then you won't have a pillow. - I'll be alright.

You recognise me, don't you.

- Sorry, what was that? - Most people do.

I'm an artist. A Christian artist.

And therefore unemployed.

Listen, I've had such a bad day...

No one cares about the Christian artists.

No, I guess not.

So I've had to live off thin air. I've never had a salary, you see.

I'm also very fussy about my lyrics...

...so I return all material that isn't up to scratch.

I'm dead strict on that point.

Yes, self-criticism is always good.

I'm 200 years old.

What, are you saying you're 200 years old?

My father never gave me any money.

Actually, I'm really very sad.

My...my mother's just died.

- Oh, that's sad. - Yes.

Perhaps it is.

She was over 90.

When she was young she'd be mistaken for Greta Garbo, she was that pretty.

Well, there's a thing.

Dagmar.

My name's Dagmar.

Dagmar's my name. And I'll be completely purged of sin.

You'll never forget me. You'll never forget me!

Don't forget me! You won't forget me!

You'll never forget me!

You won't forget me. No, you won't...

Don't forget me!

You won't forget me. You'll never, ever forget me. Never!

This is the story of those who were given life...

... and this is the story of those who were not.

The half-hidden, the turned-away. Those who peer from out of the shadows.

Ragnar!

Subtitles by Neil Betteridge Svensk Medietext