Original subtitles

(phone rings)

Hello. You have called Katrine. Enter a message or send an SMS.

Hi Katrine. It's mom.

I'm not sure when you'll be home from summer vacation.

I was just sitting there thinking about how we're doing with regards to Christmas.

Should I count on us being with you or...

Hello? I don't really know...

I can understand, we will be with you this year, Katrine. Is that right?

We are happy to come, and Bibber asks what the children want.

And it was dad.

It's just us. I'm just calling about Christmas.

We have agreed on a maximum of DKK 50 for gifts this year.

Per gift of course. It could be a good signal to the children -

in a time when people are starving and dying and suffering in the world.

Can't you just text me an OK? And we are excited. Hello.

Hi Katrine. It's Torben. Does Mads have a handle on the wine?

Because otherwise I have. We have to have something proper.

I know I don't need to mention it.

I am very happy to stand for the red cabbage again this year.

I can take rice salamander with me. The good one with natural rice, right?

If I don't hear from you, I expect to bring red cabbage.

Bibber asks what time was it tomorrow?

Hello, Katrine, Mads, Maria and Jens-Peter.

We are here at half past two. Best regards, Grandpa and Grandma.

It's Barbara. I bring red cabbage.

- How many are coming, father? - We will be 13.

Grandma and grandpa, grandma and grandpa, Bibber and Emse, Torben and Barbara...

- Is Adam coming? - Of course. He is your cousin.

The bottom.

Jens-Peter, shall we both agree that it will be a pleasant evening?

It's Grand Marnier. Cointreau is in the recipe.

Good morning.

It's your mother's recipe. Don't you think she can taste the difference?

- No one can taste the difference. - Mom, can we talk?

- Your daughter is trying to communicate. - Yes, but...

Forget it.

After you cut the oranges, you refrigerate them, right?

You wanted to talk. What is it? What do you want to talk about?

- It's Paul. - Can't you just take it?

Nah. I have to slice the oranges and put them in the fridge.

- Hi Dad. - Hello Darling.

- We have a bit of force majeure. - Well, I'm sorry to hear that.

- The girls have got a fever. - You couldn't have called last night?

Yes, it's bloody lucky, but they're too sick to come.

- So you say... - They skip.

- How will you get to church? - I don't go to church.

You cannot be familiar with that. It is her first Christmas sermon.

- Oh no. - Hello?

Oh God. Oh no. Dad, I'll call you later.

The fine glasses... Aw, aw, aw!

They could have called last night or chose to come all three.

- Isn't it okay to be sad? - Does it get behind you?

- How is father going to get out of here? - I'll pick him up.

- There's a lot of blood, huh, mom? - Are you going to stand right there?

Have you cleaned your room? It really flows, Jens-Peter.

Just stress. Can't she just take it easy?

- Merry Christmas. - Can I just see?

Ow ow ow!

- Beware! - There's a splinter in there.

It must remain seated. I do not have time. I'm going to take a shower.

With me?

- You know I love you, right? - Do you?

- What did Maria say? - Oh God. Maria.

(there is a knock on the door)

Do you want to go to church, honey?

It's Aunt Barbara preaching.

No, I can't take it. Grandfather isn't coming either.

It is guaranteed to be my father who says that now he has also got a fever.

- Hello? - It's Patricia.

- Patricia? - Merry Christmas, sister.

- Is that Patricia? - Have you become deaf?

- Merry Christmas. - Just two seconds, Patricia.

I'll have to go down to dad.

Hello.

- Where are you? - What do you mean?

- Are you okay? - Yes.

Or as okay as you can be when your dog has just died.

- Oh no, it was terrible. - It does not matter.

- Are you up for Christmas Eve? - Yes, you know we do.

- Is the whole hunchback coming? - Bibber and Emse have gone to bed.

- But otherwise everyone comes together, yes. - What have you been thinking of me?

- Yes how about you? - I would also like to come.

- So tonight? - Yes.

Exactly two seconds. She asks if she can come tonight.

You just come. It would be so nice if you came.

- Cool. - Yeah right?

- We start at 6pm. - Okay.

- It is well. Bye Bye. - See you. Bye Bye.

- Was it stupid? - It is fine.

What is fine?

Now let me ask you something. Would you like her to come tonight?

- She never comes. - Do you have?

Stop that. This finger hurts like hell.

I'm just trying to look out for you.

- How is the gravy? - I have a complete check on the sauce.

And you don't have to listen to what the others say, do you?

I do not care. It's my house. I'm the one in charge.

(sings "Lovely is the Earth")

It's Barbara's first Christmas sermon, so it's a bit exciting.

- What does Gunna say? - She is excited about Barbara's sermon.

What is it that is exciting?

Gunna is excited to hear Barbara's Christmas sermon.

She has prepared so there is nothing to be excited about.

Now father will soon be angry. Good, then we'll be two unfriended.

When you don't want to be friends and sit nicely, then you become unfriended.

- But she is out of office? - Without what?

- Barbara is unemployed. - No, she freelances.

- That's what happens. - What can happen like that?

- Hi Mom! - Sit down.

Thomas Ziehe, professor at Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität, -

rightly asks this question that we should all ask.

Because is the family as a construction being dismantled?

Are we in the midst of a detraditionalization?

Is the modern nuclear family reducing itself to a consumption unit...

Is the modern nuclear family reducing itself to a consumption unit -

based on two wage incomes?

Can it be that the family is no longer the most important unit -

for human socialization and intimacy?

For me the answer is very simple.

I do not think so. Or rather: I think!

And as it is written in First Timothy chapter five, verse eight:

"He who does not provide for his own and especially for his household, -

he denies faith and is worse than unbelief."

And just let these be the words, -

with which I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas. - Thanks, and the same to you. Get home safe.

- Merry Christmas. - Barbara.

How gorgeous you were. So gifted, warm and present.

- That is my daughter. - Merry Christmas.

Sister, Merry Christmas. It was absolutely fantastic.

- I don't think I saw dad? - Didn't he call?

He called this morning. Bibber and Emse were ill again.

- Merry Christmas. Will he not come? - Yes, Mads will pick him up.

Shouldn't we drive home and then you'll get it under control.

Control what? What have you done with your finger?

I smashed two crystal glasses. I borrowed them for tonight.

- Torben, don't you just take him here? - Adam, let's go.

I want to drive with Jens-Peter!

Shall we play Warcraft, Jens-Peter?

- You don't talk to Adam like that again. - What do you mean?

- You don't snarl at him, do you? - He is so annoying.

People like you and I can handle an evening like tonight.

You're also damn burdensome.

Don't touch me! You are so fucking unbearable.

What's wrong? Can't you get into the Christmas spirit a little bit?

Run your perfect piss around the heads of the rest of us! You are fucking unbearable!

- You should see yourself! - Please stop right now!

- Then you stop, Maria! - Hello.

Merry Christmas! Then it was a white Christmas. Isn't that amazing?

I have more gifts out there. It may be that Torben will help me.

What a nice jacket it is.

What do you say to the wine, Poul? I took a chance on that Barolo.

- It's really good, Mads. - We have to see if it goes with duck.

- Hi Dad. Merry Christmas. - Hey you.

- And you have brought Kafka with you? - I couldn't offer...

Can't we arrange for you to keep him in the basement?

I can't do that to him. I'll have to look for him.

You're not going down to the basement, are you? You shouldn't.

- Hello Mads. - Hey, Gunna.

My ex-husband sits there and gets drunk.

- Then it was a white Christmas, Poul. - As long as it lasts.

What about the harem? Are they not there today?

Is it my very young wife and our love child you mean?

- Then there's red cabbage! - Barbara's the homemade.

- Shut up, Poul. - Shut up, Torben.

- When will you put that wall down? - Hi Dad.

- There is nothing supporting. - I just have to find time.

He has been saying that for ten years.

Imagine a kitchen family room that could stay here.

- Oh, how this smells. - I thought we were going to have turkey.

- I had promised myself a lean Christmas. - You don't need that.

- It's something else with us, Katrine. - How strict you are.

- Where should I put the red cabbage? - You can just give it to me. Thanks.

- It just has to take care of itself. - Mads, I need the whipping cream.

The whipping cream? Gunna, maybe you want to make rice salamander over here?

- You don't have anything with you? - I figured you had that.

- There is one here. - We will use it for the sauce.

- Can't we do without? - Without sauce?

I don't know, but now it was me who brought rice porridge...

You can then just make rice salamander without it. It will also be so cool.

- Merry Christmas. - Merry Christmas.

- Here's a sweet treat for you. - You are so nice. Thank you very much.

- What then, manse? Merry Christmas. - Thanks, and the same to you. Hush, Dad.

- How was the trip over here? - It was quite windy over the fjord.

Dad had to take it seriously.

- Dad can handle it well, can't he? - You are so naughty.

Now I think you should go into the living room and I'll bring some bubbles.

- We're not going to do anything for you? - I love those selfies.

I would never make a stew without a stirrer.

Poul, would you like to cook without a stirrer? No, right?

- I delivered my first Christmas sermon. - Why didn't you call her?

- The girls got sick. It was messed up. - Then you have to prioritize, Poul.

I actually brought you a copy.

- You can read it if you have time. - I will look forward to that.

These are expensive things, huh? Although it is misunderstood with Barolo for Christmas dinner.

Poul, would you like to drink Barolo for Christmas Eve?

Poul does not choose his wine with the food. He just drinks it.

Barolo is fine for me instead of the French fox piss.

Now you must get out of my kitchen. It is the pure Roskilde Festival.

- Well, well, well. - Out of my shop.

Barbara has been called to the trial sermon in Gedser.

- How happy I am to hear that. - How exciting.

- I would like to hear about it later. - It is Denmark's southernmost church.

You don't want to live in Gedser, do you? Is someone picking up the kids?

- Shall we go in, Torben? - Yes.

Catherine.

- I have the little feature tonight. - It is all right.

- If we can find time for it. - Listen to what I found.

"An old prophecy says:

The day the church is finished, the sea will wash away the city.

Therefore, a stone is missing from the church, and it is thus not finished."

No one knows what kind of stone it is. The master mason took it to the grave.

- I'll pick up the kids. - Stay here. We're going into the living room, mom.

"He died in 56 and was buried in Gedser, where his burial place is preserved."

- Do you have it under control? - Completely.

God damn it.

Shut up, it stinks.

- Are you coming, Mads? - You just have to get started.

- Hey. - Why do not you answer me?

- I have called 100 times. - It's Christmas, right?

What's happening to you? Why did you hang up this morning too?

I do not know. Pardon.

It's fair. So what? Are you okay or should I…

- Not really. - Is it something with me?

- Mads, come on! - You just have to get started.

- We have to eat. Hello Maria. - Hello. Merry Christmas.

I'll be here shortly.

I need to go.

- You shall have. - Jens-Peter must not have champagne.

- It's Christmas Eve, damn it. - We are not there at all yet.

Preserved. Rules, rules, rules.

- If everyone has something in the glass... - We're missing Mads.

- We always miss Mads. - Mads, we are waiting for you.

- You just have to get started. - It would be nice if everyone was here.

Take your time. It's only Christmas Eve.

So...

- Do you want something in the glass? - Yes. Like that.

And me?

Well, but okay. Welcome, everyone, and Merry Christmas.

We have been looking forward to it, even though it is quite a race.

Yes, but a nice race.

- We have been busy at school. - Yes, but it shouldn't be about us.

No, it shouldn't be about us.

We have been looking forward to seeing you, and so have the children.

We have that too.

- This evening, isn't that right? - It is good.

- Cheers, everyone, and welcome. - Cheers and welcome and Merry Christmas.

Cheers!

- Cheers, mom. - Cheers, Adam.

- And Patricia is coming too. - Patricia?

- Yes? Reach. - I said we started at 6 p.m.

Oh well...

It might have been good if we had agreed on it together.

What do you mean?

- It would have been very nice to know. - Now you know, mother.

- What do you think, Poul? - Should she just stay away?

Stop it. So... (the doorbell rings)

Mads, I have to. No, mom, I'll go out and do it.

- I'll pick her up. It's so nice. - Unbelievable.

- Hey, sis. - Hello, Patricia. How good you look.

- I also want to go to rehab. - Shut up, man.

- I'm glad I could come. - You didn't have to either. Come on.

- Hello. - Hey darling.

- Hello. - Is it okay?

They don't eat that much.

It's snowing.

- And look who we have here. - Hello.

Hey darling. How nice to see you. Then you just come.

- Little sister. - What a nice surprise.

- Wasn't that a nice surprise? - Yes, that's it.

- And here we have... - Yes, it's Bo.

Dav, Bo.

- Was it Bo? - Jens-Peter, will you just pick up two chairs?

- Would you like some champagne? - Well, there is luxury.

Otherwise, thanks, I don't drink anymore.

Then it must almost be you. You are the priest.

- Is it that obvious? - No, Bo.

What? Well that is good.

- How was it that you were... - Bo is my husband.

- Husband or boyfriend... - Well, no, he's my husband.

And this is Lea, and this is Bos, so this is my daughter.

Or stepdaughter.

Mother.

Oh well, or bonus daughter or cardboard daughter.

- Plastic daughter... - No, you're just Lea, aren't you?

Hi, Leah. How beautiful your dress is.

- She doesn't say much. - A blessed child.

We'll eat in ten minutes. Patricia, do you have the whipping cream?

- The old handball player can still do it. - What a nice surprise.

- We hear it's going so well. - Well, how?

Well, then suddenly there is a little Lea and a... Bo.

- Where did you meet each other? - For a Volbeat concert.

- A concert? - Yes, in January.

- Yes, and then we got married. - No! We should have known that.

- Then we shall toast. - Why didn't you call?

Bo's mother attended the wedding.

We kept it a bit small so it didn't get too fussy.

Too fussy?

- We have also started playing badminton. - For badminton?

And I have my apartment, so it all looks really good.

Family.

So what? He's too fast!

- Take care now. - Like that!

- We're eating now. - Okay. I just finished smoking.

He's not too smart, you. He totally has ADHD, then.

But I like him.

- You're cheating! - Do you have a girlfriend?

But...

Yes I have.

- Do you smoke? - No.

There are a lot of idiots out there. You really have to be careful.

- Do you remember when we went to the forest? - With Romeo?

- Can you? - Yes, we were always over in the woods.

Doesn't matter, he's dead now?

Yeah, but that's okay. He was old.

Bo, we're going in. We have to eat now.

I have something you can eat here. Are you ready?

No! What the hell?

Okay, now you get!

(Bo roars)

Are you okay?

Sheep?

Is it that bad? Uh, I can see that.

- Ouch! - Pardon.

- Do you want more ice cream? - No.

- Shouldn't I sit on the sofa? - No, you can easily be here.

- Poul, did you read Bukdahl's review? - A disaster. So inconsistent.

- It is nicely worded. - Nothing about the pietistic perspective.

- No Hans Egede without pietism. - You have a very clever little sister.

She was juicy sharp. From one author to another.

Don't waste your time on that review.

- I don't read newspapers at the moment. - I've been thinking about the same thing for a while.

The writing is so incompetent by now. Is not that right?

Shouldn't we just sit down?

Jens-Peter and Adam in the children's end. Maria, can you take care of Lea?

Shouldn't we just blend in this year? When it all flows anyway.

- What do you mean by floating? - Adam can sit with the adults.

I would be very happy if we could keep the table plan.

Patricia, you take care of Lea down there.

You're sitting over there. Jens-Peter made the place cards.

- And they are so nice. - I don't have a chair.

- Isn't there someone at the piano? - I don't know if anyone does.

I have read that cold treatment does not help.

- Mads, we sit down at the table now. - Katrine, it's so beautiful.

You've outdone yourself with that red cabbage. It tastes damn good.

- It is in a special class. - It's so good.

Barbara's the homemade.

- Barbara's the homemade. - My ears are completely red.

- Red cabbage ears. - I get red cabbage ears.

Try to see all the cute angel basses around the table.

- Had it not been for the two of us... - I regret that.

It's all right, grandpa.

- Cheers, my boy. - Cheers.

Children, can you see the letters engraved in the cutlery?

These are the initials of your great-grandfather and great-grandmother. A and E.

- Arne and Edith, my mother and father. - Grandma...

- We've heard it before. - Does it matter?

And Lea has never heard it before. The cutlery was a wedding present...

Mom, didn't you have a feature?

Maybe we should wait. I have talked so much.

- No, it's not wrong. - No, Dad.

- Can you handle one more portion? - That orange salad is fantastic.

- Thank you. - That's your recipe, isn't it, Marianne?

Well, it probably isn't because mine is with Cointreau.

- I'll get some more. - It tastes like orange.

- We need more red cabbage. - The washing has stopped.

- No, damn it, Mads. - It's going well.

- Do it? - That does it then.

- They don't talk to Patricia and Bo. - That's how your family is.

- They don't talk to my parents. - That's what they do.

Okay, we'll say it.

Your mother didn't like the salad. She could taste it wasn't Cointreau.

Then you stop. I could have poured a golden beer in it.

No, you couldn't, because I was right.

Remember the red cabbage!

- Are you guys about to leave? - We have to have Bo taken to the emergency room.

- It simply makes for teddy bears. - Won't you stay and watch the time?

- It is completely black. It doesn't work. - Would you like to bring something? Risalamande?

- We would really like to borrow your car. - My car? Mads, come right in.

Here is a copy of "The Sperm Whale". This is my biography of Håvard Li.

- The Norwegian freedom fighter. - Like "The Flame and the Lemon".

Not quite, Marianne, but okay.

- I think we just skip ahead. - Marianne, that is something completely different.

Practice!

Will Lea stay here?

It's sick to death to spend Christmas Eve in the emergency room. Is it not?

I have almond gifts for all the children and there is Quiz-Torben.

- Is there still Quiz-Torben? - Yes of course.

And maybe Santa will come.

There are actually some who say that Santa Claus lives in our attic.

- You must stay here. - Bo, it might not be right...

That is a good idea. It's crazy at such a hospital here on Christmas Eve.

- Do you have the money for it? - Yes of course. What do you mean?

Speaking of language. Barbara is a dazzling proofreader.

She got the falcon look with the mother's milk.

I don't know if you know that. If you need a proofreader.

She is insanely flexible in her reading. Crazy musical.

- He has to say that. He is my husband. - No, you're insanely musical!

- Torben... - It's a cover name, Eigil.

Sperm whales can dive deep and stay away for a long time.

And it's likely... It's not conclusively proven, -

but it is probable that the sperm whale was only seen in public once.

It was in Stavanger in the spring of 42 and in Tønsberg in the summer of 44.

- Therefore one must assume... - How much has it sold?

- It has sold well. - To be a self-publisher?

- Maybe not very well, but then... - Is there anything new on the way?

- What? - From one author to another.

Yes, but it's... It's...

I'm going with a few different ideas at the moment.

I want to spar with you.

Lea would like to stay here and celebrate Christmas with the rest of us.

- Not too, Lea? - Maybe Santa will come.

- Can you sit on my lap? - Is Santa Claus coming?

- It doesn't, does it? - You never know.

- We do not fill Adam with untruths. - No it is correct. Only God, right?

(text message sound)

It's a secret who has the almond, so you have to hide it.

Hoof, hoof, hoof. Don't dig, you little thug.

Don't start eating until everyone has something on their plate.

- Wait to eat. - I just eat.

- We'll just wait. - I just eat.

- Then father must take your plate. - Just let him.

Let's just get started.

It would be great if we could keep the rice salamander rules for one night.

"Katrine and the rules". A seat description in eight volumes.

Or the traditions, but we are above them too.

- Her own son began. - Not now, Torben. It does not matter.

Maybe we should think about this little girl. She's vulnerable.

- Perhaps you should have considered that. - What do you mean?

Before leaving your child alone with a family of total strangers.

- No one should be "vonable" here. - Vulnerable.

Many think it is with N.

Maybe we should just tell Lea a little about who we are?

That's a damn good idea. Let's get started.

- I can then start with myself. - Yes, you could.

- Has Patricia told you about me? - Mmm.

- Do you also know my name? - Grandma.

Grandmother? Maybe you can just call me Gunna too.

- That old fool is... - Grandfather.

It is Poul, and Poul and I have three daughters.

It's older sister Katrine, and then came Barbara, who is a priest.

- And finally little sister Patricia. - And then they got divorced.

But they still say they're friends, even though grandma thinks -

grandpa is an asshole and hates his new wife.

- Did Patricia tell you? - We should change the subject.

- Again? - Will you hand me the cherry sauce?

- Can I have it after you, grandpa? - Think that a child eats so much.

So you eat a lot at that age. Eigil, do you remember Mads?

Haven't you also stopped for swimming?

- Thank you my darling. - You have something on your chin, grandma.

It's still there. Maybe you should look in the mirror.

It'll work out, you'll see.

- Do you actually still take a shower? - In the bath?

- Like this every day? - That was a strange question.

I just read online that old people shower less.

Who's fooling around with that almond? Is that you, Leah?

- May I see, Maria? Jens-Peter? - I have not.

- Then you open your mouth right now. - Lea, it's like that...

- Mother... - I'll just say it.

Patricia has chosen not to be part of our family.

- Mother. - And we are very sorry about that.

Lea, would you like to see my room?

- I don't think there's anyone here... - Maria...

- I have the almond! - Then I think we have a winner here.

- I have the almond! - It doesn't work.

It must be a whole almond. That's not the right way to win.

It's my almond!

- Does anyone have the almond? - I have the almond! Stop now!

- You have to stop now, dammit! - You must not take my almond!

It is an undemocratic way to win. We have some rules.

Damn it!

Is someone picking up the dog?

Kafka, come on. Out. Come on. Out with you.

So, honey. Now you just have to look here.

Come on. Stand up. Come honey.

Like that. Here.

Now we stand right here for a bit.

Then we take it easy.

I can not...

I can't feel my legs. I can't... My legs...

I can't stand myself when I'm with those people!

So...

So, so, so. You're just stressing, aren't you?

(phone rings)

- Hello, Patricia. - Is everything alright?

- It's going so well. We enjoy ourselves. - We are still waiting.

I'm tired of that hospital system. What about Lea? Is she okay?

Yes, yes, we are going to read "Peter's Christmas" in a little while.

Would you rather have been with Dad and Patricia?

Can you keep a secret? Are you sure?

Oops.

Oops.

(there is a knock on the door)

- Down in the living room. There is "Peter's Christmas". - We'll just stay here.

- No, everyone. Come on, Leah. - We'll be down in a moment.

Came. Have you read "Peter's Christmas" before?

Eigil, don't you want a piece?

- Adam... - Whoa, Adam.

- There is a bette, little ant. - Sit up.

Ladies and gentlemen. It doesn't read itself, does it?

- So there is someone who has to start. - Me! Me! Me!

Is it you? Are you sure? Okay, go ahead.

- "Jens-Peter's Christmas" we call it. - Now it's "Adam's Christmas".

- Adam. Bye Bye. - Then we must have peace.

"I am looking forward to this time. Now the Christmas snow is falling white.

Then I know Christmas is coming.

My father goes to town every day, -

and when he comes home, I stand and see his great..."

- Pockets! - Lucky, it was nothing else.

- That was great, Adam. - And he can do more. Just continue.

- Don't the children usually read a verse? - Then it's your turn, Jens-Peter.

- Adam can just read on. - You usually like to read.

- Now you have to read. Come on baby. - It doesn't have to be so nice.

Jens-Peter? Bye Bye. Smile.

- Smile a little. Hello. - "Jens-Peter's Christmas". Second verse.

"And on his table the other day...

I saw a pitiful…”

- Lovely. - What?

- Lovely. - Just "an adorable flag".

In reality.

- Just read what you think is written. - That's right, Adam. Well.

"... adorable little flag and one I won't forget."

- "Paper he cuts with one immediately." - No, I must have one.

"But immediately his city..."

Take it right back, honey. I know you can. It's in verse.

"He cuts with scissors, but when I come in, -

he immediately... in...

...he immediately hides his stash in the drawer."

Thanks, that was great, honey.

It was also difficult.

There were many funny words. Come on, try reading.

- "I have tasted them myself." - His city.

- Pardon? - Sin stads, not his stads.

It is nice. How did you get such a harmonious boy like Adam?

What are you doing?

"And mom baked gingerbread, I know, I've tasted them myself."

Barbara...

- What happened? - Just read on. We're listening, Adam.

- We listen. - "And mother..."

(screams)

Barbara? Close right up.

- Go! - What happened?

- What will you? - Are you crying?

- You don't have to cry. Come on. - You just have to... I don't want to...

You don't have to stand here all alone and be so sad.

- Stop, Torben. Stop now. - I must say something to her.

Stop, I say. Go back down. Adam shouldn't see us like this.

- Take your pitiful brandert with you. - Barbara...

- Mom, there's a Christmas tree! - Come now, honey!

Barbara?

Adam.

You will have to wait a bit. You just have to leave them alone.

Stop. It's my gift. Stop.

No, how beautiful it is. How wonderful it is.

Barbara? Well, there you are, my dear. Isn't that amazing?

Stop it.

- What shall we sing? - "A child is born in Bethlehem".

- Do you want it? - Yes, "A child is born in Bethlehem".

(sings "A Child is Born in Bethlehem")

You can never remember all the verses. What shall we sing now?

- I just think... - Now the old people are leaving. Was it one song?

That was one song you could get out of you. How bad it is.

What shall we sing? "Lovely is that sky blue"?

"Lovely is the earth" is more... We take "Lovely is the blue sky".

- "Lovely is that blue sky"? - Yes.

Then we can sing "Lovely is the Earth" afterwards, right?

And yes...

(sings "Lovely is the blue sky")

- Quietly. - Yes!

- A PlayStation! - Namely, a PlayStation.

Shouldn't mom have a hug?

- Thank you mom. Are there more gifts? - One at a time, Adam.

How exciting it is. No, how beautiful it is.

- It was so little, my girl. - Look what I got from grandpa, Maria.

- I got one like that too. - I did too.

- They sent the wife out for Christmas shopping. - It's the thought that counts.

- What thought, father? - You can just exchange it.

Think Bibber bothers. It's a mystery to me.

Bibber bothers all the time. Is there more wine?

Yes, now I have to be there.

- Won't you just help me? - That is. What a great idea, honey.

- What is it? - I'll tell you that.

- Father has got a child from Africa. - Africa?

Try to see the little black girl here.

- Her name is Abiba. - Abiba.

- Abiba? - She is cute.

Abiba means "child born after grandmother died".

How well thought out, honey. Really well thought out. Thanks.

Such a nice gift. Can't it be subtracted?

Now there is a tiny gift for Jens-Peter from grandma.

- Mom, it doesn't fit. - It has been a battle.

- I had no room in the car. - What is that?

- What a cheat! A flat screen, Jens-Peter! - Ah...

- Why haven't you bought me one? - Adam, try to come here.

Get away from grandma so that Jens-Peter can open the door.

- Now it's Jens-Peter. - What is it?

- It's a very big gift, mother. - Now we have to wait until next year, right?

- Oh boy. - It wasn't a flat screen, was it?

Hold on, it's...

No...

Shall we get it out? Will you give me a hand?

- Holy shit. - It's a rustic one. It is massive.

- Are you insane? - Isn't it beautiful? It is hand painted.

It is absolutely adorable. Shouldn't you try it?

Try to sit up. It can hold up well.

- You can't be serious. - It's beautiful craftsmanship.

He can enjoy that for the rest of his life.

When I was his age, I had already had my first blow of pussy.

It's just a Christmas present. If you can't use it, we'll find something else.

- Can it be exchanged or... - No.

This gift race. There is so much ingratitude.

Huge contrast to this, right? So simple.

- Just sit down. - A very nice gift.

How nice it is. Is it from dad?

Treasure? Treasure?

- Hey. - Yes?

You are sitting on something.

- What? - I think you're onto something.

What is it? No, that is. Now what is that?

- What is it, Katrine? - Is that a deal?

- It's just a little thing from Mads. - We want to hear.

- A romantic trip with me and Mads. - Where?

- Seville in May. - Just the two of you?

How nice of you. What a good idea, Mads.

You also need that.

It should be absolutely wonderful, but there are many pickpockets.

I had a friend, Karen, she lost everything in Seville.

His passport, his credit card, his money and the whole mole-wit.

Quiz Torben gets up, grabs the quiz bottle, like...

- Catherine! - No!

- Catherine. - Now it's the two of us.

Now we have to go into political history. You mustn't say anything, Poul.

Well, listen here. You must name three Ministers of Culture, -

who contested the post in Jens Otto Krag's two periods of government.

Three ministers of culture during two periods of government.

- It's too hard. - There will be a small string...

- I have an offer. - It's Katrine.

She can't do it. She has no idea who it is.

- What was the question? - We need an answer, Katrine.

- Niels Matthiasen. - Yes it's true.

- We have another question. - No, Gunna.

- We want another question. - We must hold on.

- Selfie! - You don't have to say selfie.

- We must have three ministers of culture. - There is Bomholt and Niels Matthiasen.

- Well, yes, he was the one who was gay. - No, he was such a handsome man.

He was then always photographed with such a ballet dancer.

Stop, stop, stop. Quiz Torben must cut through now.

- Next question. - Per Hækkerup?

- He's not gay. - You guess in east and west.

- Is it... - We can just google it.

- Then it's your turn. - That one.

- Hearts. Ugh, now it's going to be hard. - I also have hearts.

Yes you have. You can use it when it's your turn.

Maria, it's you.

Mary?

- Yes. Pardon. - Where are you going?

It was worse.

I also have a present for you.

- Do you have? - Shouldn't I come over?

- Now? - Yes, I miss you.

I miss you too. I have something to tell you.

Okay. What is it?

I'll just say it when you're here.

- I'll be back in an hour. - Okay.

Won't you come in for a moment? Maria and Lea, won't you come in right away?

Adam, you need to move a bit. Grandma just needs some space.

- Are you going to speak now, mother? - What should I call it?

But I can start by giving you two these.

- Here you go. - Thanks.

- Here you go. - How creative, mother.

- What is it? - You must not open yet.

- Is it a bottle post? - Now let grandma tell.

- That was a nice suggestion, Adam. - Yes, good.

Torben, would you mind taking some pictures of me?

- First of all, Merry Christmas. - You're welcome, mother.

Three months ago I found a lump in my left breast.

- What do you say? - It was very uncomfortable.

- Dad, is grandma going to die? - Shh.

That is why I have gone to all these studies.

Mammography, scans, blood tests. I'm completely blue up the arm.

- Last week I got an answer. - No...

And...

And it turned out that the nodule was benign.

Is it benign?

So you don't have…

- Is grandma going to die? - Stop it.

No, not right now, Adam, but it was enough of a scare.

Suddenly you sense that life does not last forever, -

and it's time to share some decisions with you.

To begin with the gross... Not right now, Barbara.

The summer house. I'd like you three girls to share it between you -

and get a reasonable calendar system in place.

If any of you should feel like selling, which would disappoint me, -

then the price must be based on the average of the assessment of three impartial brokers.

I could imagine Patricia would need the money.

- So far so good. - Mom, are we going to do this tonight?

- I asked when it would be suitable. - Just continue. It's so nice.

- And you're doing great, Gunna. - Thank you, Torben.

Barbara gets the silverware with the initials, and Katrine gets the Wegner chairs.

- Mom, I don't think... - I want to finish this.

You get the wedding ring, Katrine, as the eldest, -

which makes it for all the crystal glasses you get, Barbara.

- Did you tell mom about the ones you smashed? - What do you say?

Just continue. We just offset later.

You are meant to read the rest yourself. It says so in your jam jars.

Come on, girls. Open now. Come on.

How nice, Gunna.

God, yes. Did you paint the watercolor yourself?

- The view from La Tobi, my place. - Your place, mom.

It's not a big economy, but you two sisters will figure that out.

Three sisters.

- But you two have to make the decisions. - Of course, mom.

- It's not to sound ungrateful. - Of course, Katrine.

- Do you also have one for Patricia? - I didn't know she was coming.

- You have one at home, right? - I guess it's not that important.

- Isn't it some kind of... - Testament. Yes.

Because when I read the list, -

then there is nothing for Patricia beyond the share in the shop and the summer house.

You make it sound like it's not good enough.

That's not what you mean, is it?

- How appalling and insensitive it is. - What would be more sensitive?

Clap your hands while my sister gets fucked?

Maybe you should show a tiny bit of consideration to the little girl.

Come on, Adam. We go upstairs.

- May I come up? - There is nothing here that Adam must not hear.

- It doesn't have to be dramatic. - Can't I go up to play, dad?

It hurts me when you think I treat Patricia like...

- Shit. - Yes.

We must face the realities.

When you choose to opt out of the family, as Patricia has done, -

so it is clear that you are counted on a little less.

It's not because we haven't fought for her.

It's not because we don't love her and we haven't done everything.

Choose?

- Yes, what do you mean? - Yes, what do you mean? Patricia chooses?

- She has been free to do that. - Yes, it actually has.

- We'll just have to look at that thing. - What kind of thing?

- That thing you know well. - Oh yeah.

- Now look there. - It's not like that, mother.

- Well? Sheep? - Please keep me out.

Yes, because that's where you feel best.

- Come with me. - No.

You are surrounded by very empathetic and highly gifted people.

There is no one here who...

- Stop being angry with yourself. - You are angry with yourself. Mom is right.

- Yes, when things get difficult. - What is that to say?

It is not difficult. Patricia has never been a problem.

Why did you send her to boarding school? And then at that institution.

- We were supposed to break up. Jesus Christ. - She loved Sorø Academy.

- Yes, she did. - No, it was you who loved it.

Then you could have peace of mind about getting divorced, and dad could bang his new girlfriend.

- That's not how we talk about Bibber! - Go home and drink white wine in Provence!

- How self-righteous you are. - Well, you mean that?

Do you park your bad conscience behind the elementary school teacher analysis?

Then you are too stupid. I'm not putting up with all her saved shit.

- My saved piss? - I'm so tired of hearing about it.

You have a little sister who needs care.

She lived with us, dammit! Is it crazy over your head?

- She lived with us for eight months. - Until she was kicked out.

Because she stole, Katrine. My ATM card, cash, our furniture.

Her dog pooped everywhere and Torben got knocked down twice!

- Three times. - Three!

- By him the psychopathic fool. - Mike.

You never got to know him either, but we did.

First a broken nose, then a broken jaw on Adam's first birthday.

- And a tooth. - Just to set things straight.

And then you get a little tired. Can you imagine that?

- I can imagine... - Mom, stop it!

Katrine, now you just stop! Try to listen, everyone.

Katrine has been a little stressed. Jens-Peter, come here.

- You don't have to explain. - But you do, mother.

Then you stop, Katrine!

So explain to me what it was that Patricia herself chose.

- I do not want this anymore. I'm going home. - So do we. Come on, Torben.

- Come on, Adam. - No, I don't want to go home.

Was it the psychopaths from Sorø Academy, -

who stuffed her head full of coke? Was it them, mother?

Melodrama, melodrama, melodrama!

I picked her up at the psychiatric emergency room!

Then we drive again. Katrine's competition in good deeds.

I got her into treatment and visited her when the rest of you…

I got her home on that medical flight from Ibiza!

And you celebrate Christmas and birthdays and talk and sew the clothes for Mardi Gras.

We have seen it, Katrine. Thank you for a wonderful Christmas Eve.

- I don't want to go home! - Now you have to put on your clothes.

Come on, Adam.

So...

Think you're the only one whose heart bleeds for your sister?

- I don't know, mother. - She's my daughter, dammit.

You didn't do shit.

You compose the story that makes it fit best for you.

So tell me what it was that she chose for herself, mother.

What was it that Patricia herself chose?

I loved her.

So, so…

Mary, come.

Does your finger hurt, Aunt Katrine?

I just have to...

- Has anyone seen my outerwear? - Over there where you hung it.

- Do you have it all? - I think.

- Torben, where is the yellow bag? - I do not know.

- Is that all yours? - It is not because there is so much.

Won't you just help me with this one? Thanks. Just lift up.

I'm sorry it all had to get so heated all of a sudden.

You shouldn't be. We know how she worked hard and rejoiced.

Then it settles down a bit.

- She will be fine again tomorrow. - It has been a lovely evening.

It has, and how good it is that she has you, Mads.

Then I'll take red wine with me for next year. Shouldn't we agree on that?

- I'm going straight out in the car. - Yes, do it, father.

- Merry Christmas, dear friends. - Thanks for tonight.

Yes, so...

It doesn't have to be a problem. We have plenty of bedding, right?

- Well, then we go down and sleep. - Then we have to be here all night.

- I have to go home. - You can't do that.

- You can damn well believe that. - It is life-threatening.

- Torben, give me your car keys. - You've had way too much to drink.

- They cannot take the driver's license again. - Mom, say something to him.

- What should I say to him? - I don't want to be here anymore.

Now you sit down and pour a cognac, and then you play a little.

- Yes, play for us, Poul. - I'm whipping up some sausages.

You're just so cute.

- I also need a cognac. - Maria, come on.

(Gunna sings "Bjældeklang" in French)

Oh la la.

No thanks.

Well done! Well done!

Well done! Absolutely fantastic...

Torben!

Pardon.

- My little darling. - Mother.

- Je t'aime. - Like hearing Piaf.

- I love Piaf. - I know.

Love her. She is fantastic.

- Like being reserved for Montmartre. - Yes, it's great, isn't it?

It is wonderful.

You can post the pictures on Instagram and get a lot of comments.

I think that's so nice, because then you share it with someone.

- I got a lot of likes on that. - It looks really nice.

We often grill. You would love it, Torben.

The barbecue is so delicious. That is what I mean...

- I'm going right out. - With an enclave like...

- Poul, that's not a good idea. - Go inside with you.

No, stop. Paul, stop.

- I cannot support that at all. - Move.

It is the height of irresponsibility.

There are people who care about you, -

who sits just on the other side of the door.

Torben, there's something I haven't understood.

Is that true, Poul?

How can it be that I have to listen to all your talentless reasonings?

- What? - That Håvard...

Håvard... Who the hell is Håvard Li?

It was a Norwegian freedom fighter. We are going back to...

It was no question. Who the hell is Håvard Li?

- Where are you going? - At lokum. Do you want to join?

Poul, Poul, Poul. Yes, yes, yes.

Then you have drunk too much again. Poor man.

Are you running your way, grandpa?

- Yes, I guess I do. - What are you running from?

Yes, you should probably ask that.

Do you want to borrow my hat?

- Then you're ready. - Yes, then I'm ready.

(there is a knock on the door)

- Maria, can I sleep here? - Piss off!

Came.

(there is a knock on the door)

Mom, do you smoke?

- What's up, honey? - Maria is crying.

I'll be right back, Jens-Peter.

(there's a knock on the door) I'm on my way.

Katrine, father is gone!

He doesn't take it. I don't like this.

- Can you get hold of the police? - The man has no driver's license.

- He can lie out there and freeze to death. - He does not do that.

- Where are you? - I don't want you to come out here.

- Where? - I've had enough of Christmas.

- Where, father? - I'm sitting outside in your car.

- The car is idling. It's hot here. - He's sitting outside in the car.

Typical.

- Leave me alone. - Dad, no...

- How startled I was. - Poul is not a small child.

- No, but he is... - Little darling.

- Have you given him the keys? - He took the keys himself.

- He took the keys from my jacket. - Did you just leave them there?

- I got them away from him again. - Where is Lea? Has anyone seen Lea?

- His condition. There is a ceiling... - You would do well to think about it.

- Now you mustn't argue. - Tell that to Poul.

- It is not justifiable. - You must not scold Torben.

It is also not justifiable that there is a ladder here.

So it's my fault? Because there is a ladder in case of fire.

- Poul will then take the ladder. - Pardon. It's my fault.

Nobody says it's your fault.

It's not a detractor, but it has nothing to do with me.

He took the key from my pocket.

- Now we relax completely. - You must also say that to yourself.

We found him, baby.

He's sitting down in the car and he's fine.

- Thanks for the information. - Then we can breathe a sigh of relief.

- Now we go downstairs and have a cognac. - You must have no more to drink.

Now I could think of one last one.

Lea!

Lea!

Lea!

Before hell! Before hell!

Shit!

(text message sound)

Hello, Maria girl. I think you have been so sad tonight.

Is it a boy thing?

Yeah, that's always something with boys, isn't it?

We don't say anything to mom, do we?

(classical music)

Sheep?

Dad, open the door!

- What? - Open the door!

(turns off the music)

- What will you? - You can't sit here. Now come in.

I'm not going anywhere. Nothing will be discussed.

We can't leave you sitting out here. Now please open that door.

Aren't you nice to go back in? I'm fine. I don't need anything.

- Shouldn't I take that one? - No, don't.

You know it's Torbens, right? It was in the glove compartment.

I don't want to talk about Torben.

I'm sorry I didn't hear your sermon.

So am I.

I promise you, I'll probably read it first thing in the morning.

- You can also read it now. - What? Now?

Well... I think I forgot it in there.

- On the toilet. - What?

- In the toilet bowl. - No.

- How the hell did it end up there? - I don't know, father.

How did it end up there?

Well... Well, let me hear it.

- Shall I read it? - You are the high priest, aren't you?

- Do you mean it? - Yes, damn it.

Never more sex. Passport plus the sex.

It's too difficult. It's so fucking difficult to roll around.

All the sounds you have to make.

All the ridiculous moves and birth control and my bare ass.

You do remember birth control, don't you, young lady?

It's the best decision I've ever made.

Never again the humiliating dependence on a male body. Just freedom.

- Shut up! Come on! - Leave me alone!

You will have to stand still!

What the hell is wrong with you? Can't you stand still?

I can do it.

- Okay? - Yes.

Bring on the bites.

"I believe in the family as an inherent will in man, -

and let these very words be the words with which..."

- Barbara, stop now. Wait! - On what?

Leah?

Well, are you sleeping, Lea?

Leah...

Father Christmas. I lie down and sleep.

- You can't sleep on Christmas Eve. - What are you doing here?

- I am living here. - Do you live here?

- Yes, but no one knows. - Yes, Aunt Katrine knows that.

Well, well, well.

- Does Aunt Katrine know? - Yes.

Her heart is just beating way too fast.

- Does your finger hurt, Santa? - Yes, off.

Ouch...

Uh, take care.

Ouch...

Ouch!

Such.

- Thanks. - You are welcome.

Merry Christmas.

(classical music)

- You have to remove that one first. - That is also good. Look, Patricia.

What do you look like? Get a cup of coffee.

- We are looking at pictures from yesterday. - It's an old shit sink.

What about the bottom plug?

- Don't you want to remove the bottom plug? - The bottom plug?

- There is no such thing as that. - You must turn the other way.

- I don't think it can. - No, the other way.

Then it just gets tighter.

- You must turn clockwise. - I can't...

- I know what I'm doing. - There's Lea.

- You are so nice. - I'll send it to you, Patricia.

It's an old piece of shit. You could very well get it changed.

- Good morning. - Hey darling.

- It is completely rusted. - Hey.

Let me see that one.

It looks fine.

- Look, it's father and Katrine. - It's crazy how much you look alike.

- It's the nose. - It's the chin.

No, Katrine has Poul's nose and you have my chin.

And you walked free. You are all your own.

- I like your earrings. - They are from Avignon.

I have an extra pair, so you might as well get them here.

- Thanks. - Here you go.

(dog whistles)

Kafka, quiet!

- Where's dad? - He probably snores in the car.

- Shouldn't he have some breakfast? - Shall I pick him up?

Are you tired, honey?

I wanted to say hello from your father and mother. They drove as soon as the snow was cleared.

- These are some smart people. - We also have to go home.

- Bo, are you about to be there? - Yes, two seconds.

- It looks difficult. - He is a trained plumber.

No, damn it, Bo. Before hell.

- Stay. No, no, no... - What the hell was that?

The fat just stands there and solidifies completely.

What kind of red cabbage is that? I thought it was all eaten then.

Yes, it did too. Almost all of it.

Did you just spill my red cabbage?

Do you have?

Is this something you do every year? What? Do you just throw...

Maybe it tastes horrible, but why haven't you said anything?

Am I the kind of person you don't say things to?

It's just... It's just red cabbage, dammit.

I actually don't think it tastes that bad.

It tastes very good. A little bit of soap.

What?

It tastes like Christmas, man.

Where is it...

- Do you have it all? - There isn't that much.

- Say hello to dad. - Yes I'll do that.

Then see to get going so we don't turn off all the heat.

Come on, Patsy.

It's a nice little family you've got there.

I do my best.

- Isn't that just the way it is? - See you.

- Now I have to go into the heat. - You must not stand and get cold.

- Shouldn't I drive you? - No, we'll just take the train.

- But as for next year... - Yes?

- Would you like to spend Christmas with us? - With you? Do you mean it?

- Couldn't it be nice? - So cozy.

Now we'll see each other here during the year.

- Christmas Eve is fine. - Okay.

- She's a good girl, Maria. - Yes. Kinda teenage like that.

- And you are a good mother. - Yes...

Come honey.

- Should I help you? - No, I can.

Mary?

Goodmorning honey.

Good morning, sleepy nose.

Good morning, shaggy.

Mother?

Yes?

I am pregnant.

Oh, puss.

Cuddling...

We will find out. My little puss.

Kafka.

Kafka, gone.

Poul, then it won't work anymore.

Huh.

Thank you for yesterday I had to say hello and say.

Paul?

Danish texts: Louise Munk Alminde Scandinavian Text Service 2018