Original subtitles

SOLAR FILMS INC. PRESENTS

A MARKUS SELIN PRODUCTION

A DOME KARUKOSKI FILM

Baltsu!

Baltasar!

Dad!

THE HOME OF DARK BUTTERFLIES

We have gathered here to remember our friend Baltasar-

and to mourn his death.

Baltasar, or Baltsu as we called him -

might not have been able to compose music like Mozart.

Even though Sauli's bawling is ruining the genius' music.

I loved our dog Baltsu. Of course not the way I love my family.

Not like I love Maire. She is a wonderful woman.

Even though she sometimes drives me crazy.

The thought of her leaving with which she has threatened me...

Thinking about it makes me want to kill her. Or myself. Or my whole family.

Or my dear Juhani.

Whether he is my son or not.

Go Baltsu go!

Baltsu will go to heaven!

Dad, why doesn't Mom like us? - She's tired; that's all.

You mean tired of us? - Of everything.

Because our life is crappy. Everything will be fine when Sauli gets better.

Would Sauli be better off in heaven? - Sure. We all would.

7 YEARS LATER

There it is. The Island.

Just the right place for bastards like you.

Sign here, please.

What are you looking at?

I am Tyyne, the farm manager. Let's go say hello to the principal.

Juhani Aaron Johansson. Four foster families in seven years.

A troublemaker everyone has had enough of.

That is why you are sitting here.

Society thinks you are a hopeless case. A sociopath.

How does it feel to be 13 and to be a hopeless case?

Fuck off.

That is the last time you curse like that.

Count yourself lucky that we don't have hopeless cases here.

In ten years, I have seen 112 boys who were just like you.

I tum little buggers like you into well-behaved young adults-

whose past won't determine their future.

Is that clear? - Yeah.

Oh, it is?

So it's clear to you that I am God and this island is my kingdom.

You are sick, and I will heal you.

God and my cat Lumi are the only men in my life.

Do you have a pet? - No.

How do you know God is a man? - What?

Listen young man, you will get nowhere by being cheeky here.

Here is the lock for your locker.

We have beds for up to 20 boys here.

We had a janitor and a cook here, but now I am the only one left.

You can't just run away from here.

You need plastic covers?

Are you a bed-wetter? - No.

Do you want to see the cows and the pigs?

Lumi keeps the rats and mice away.

The principal's house is over there. Stay away from there.

And stay away from his daughters. The one you saw is out of control.

You're not interested in girls yet, are you?

I have to get back to work. Any questions?

Perfect weather for swimming.

Why don't we turn back. It's quite a long way back to the shore.

It's quite deep here, over 40 meters.

The locals say a Viking ship loaded with treasure sank here.

The horny helmets would have gotten pretty far from home.

Grab hold of me round my neck.

This island is either paradise or hell. It's up to you.

Alright, boys. This is Johansson, our latest arrival.

He just decided that you are going to bed without an evening snack.

No goodnight kisses. Tyyne will lock the doors in 15 minutes.

Are you dumb or something?

We can't hear you. - Are you a fucking foreigner?

You're not scared, are you?

He's like a turtle. - Or a hedgehog.

Hedgehog Johansson.

I don't think he finds us funny. - Suck my dick.

Wimp.

We have christened you Hedgehog without a proper ceremony.

I christen you Hedgehog.

And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother?

And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?

And he said, What hast thou done? So what had Cain done?

Johansson?

I am sure one of you has the answer. - He had killed Abel.

That's right, Salmi. Why had he killed his brother?

Because God preferred Abel. - That is what Cain felt.

How did the Lord punish Cain? Rinne?

I don't know. - Try to come up with something.

Did He kill him? - No. The Lord put a mark on Cain.

The Lord made Cain carry his sins for the rest of his days.

What is it?

Quite a lot of pee last night.

The whole bed was wet. It could have been an elephant.

What kind of a bladder do you have? What's so funny?

Half of you use plastic covers. Piss is dead serious.

What?

This is for your own good. Three days and three nights.

What exactly were you doing? - I was asleep.

How come your clothes are wet? - It was raining.

When I woke up, I went outside to look for him.

That is how my clothes got wet.

Mrs. Johansson, have you been fighting? - No, Maire just...

I asked your wife. Have you been fighting?

Maire fell down the stairs.

I'll talk to the boy.

We'll continue for a while.

You have a nice room here.

You can tell me the truth about what happened here.

Were you up at night?

Were you outside?

Did Mom or Dad tell you not to say anything?

You are interrogating children here! He is six. He doesn't know anything!

You should be looking for Sauli! Somebody took him.

You don't have to be afraid. You can tell me anything.

Everything is okay.

What did you say?

Dad! Mom!

Juhani, calm down.

Good to hear you make some noise at least.

Do you miss your parents?

You can go now.

You're one of us now. - Fuck off.

You've got the right attitude.

We thought you needed a bit of muscle. Have a carrot.

Fart, where is the doughnut? - What doughnut?

Petri "Fart" Simola! Three times wanking champion!

Nice and slow. Squeeze from top to bottom.

A free kick.

Stop it!

A yellow card for Rinne. - I didn't even touch him!

Hamalainen, look at me.

Stop play!

Rinne, you don't have to count the rocks.

Try to see beyond the landscape.

Try to see it your unique way.

What do we have here?

This is an oyster catcher eating a ladybug.

This is like the cycle of nature and the cruel sea combined.

The cruel sea?

Simola will become a writer one day.

Don't let her see you. - She won't. Look at her.

I'm going to come.

Hedgehog, why aren't you jerking off? - I don't feel like it.

What do you mean? Look at her tangerine tits!

Give me toilet paper!

What if she saw us? - She didn't. Let's go.

How is it going, boys? - Fine.

Excuse me, sir.

He would not believe me.

I am Dr. Erik Johansson, Juhani's father. - Olavi Harjula.

You have a fine school here.

You need a permit to visit. - Oh, yes. Yes, indeed.

I need to discuss something important.

The next ferry will leave in a couple of hours. - Hello.

Dr. Erik Johansson. - Irene Harjula.

For the lady of the house. Please, don't let me disturb you.

Why don't I get some coffee on. - That's a great idea.

I brought a bottle of brandy.

Yes, indeed.

Things have changed radically with us.

I have been offered a job or actually several.

So, I was thinking that Juhani...

This is not the place to reverse the protective custody order.

You have to contact the provincial administrative court. - Okay, of course.

I just thought that...

I thought that a recommendation from you would make a difference.

But I do understand. You are right.

Excuse my curiosity, but what are you working on here?

They are documents about the Island. Plans, calculations, visions.

This is precision work.

Did you want me to go swimming?

Where have you left the other wankers?

How did you end up here? - None of your business.

Don't try to act tough. Your dad probably beat you up.

Your mom never wanted you in the first place. And now you are here.

You wet the bed at night and cry for mommy.

Am I close? - Fuck off.

So I am.

I'm an orphan. - Oh.

How did your parents die? - I killed them.

You're joking, right?

What was your dad like?

I bet he was crazy like mine.

Do you want to mope around somewhere else?

You don't talk much. - No.

There was a boy here once who was a lot like you.

He didn't say much either.

One day he tried to swim away.

They found him washed ashore.

He was even smaller than you.

Hey, you're smiling. You have a nice smile.

Tell the other wankers I'll tell my dad if I see them peeping at me again.

What about me?

Damn it, this comparative study would meet all the academic criteria!

I wouldn't say so.

The only difference is that you will not get the credit you deserve.

This is incredible.

I wouldn't be surprised even if you started raising... silkworm butterflies.

Silkworm butterflies...

Yes, these are mulberry trees. Food for the silkworms.

It is incredible that someone manages to grow mulberry trees this far north.

This garden is all my wife's doing.

If your wife can grow mulberry trees, a man like you...

Especially now that I have seen your achievements...

I would not be surprised one bit.

Could I have a moment with my son before the ferry leaves?

Boy, have you grown.

Listen, Juhani.

Everything will change. Everything.

Mother and I have been thinking that it might be time for you to come back.

I need to convince the court that we can take good care of you.

Harjula will write a recommendation.

What about Sauli?

Your mother wanted me to tell you this.

She is not angry with you anymore.

You were small. You didn't know what you were doing.

That Harjula is a bit of a creep.

He's not trying to get into your pants, is he? - No.

I just looked at childhood photos of both of us.

There are plenty of resemblances. This is the Johansson nose.

I might have been wrong. Maybe you are my biological son.

Don't be sad, Juhani.

We are not angry anymore.

Dad!

Juhani!

Hedgehog.

You can't sleep?

No. - You're not the only one.

What are you going to do when you get out? - Carmechanic.

They call me "Machine" because I am good at breaking into cars -

not because I'm chief wanker.

Harjula laughed too. He said he would find me an old car.

I could fix it and start giving rides to girlfriends.

Can I come with you? - You're not my girlfriend.

I know but still.

If you pay for the gas. - Okay.

Fart is the only one who wets the bed.

What is he going to do when he gets out?

What's on your mind? - Your tits.

You're funnier when you're not trying. - I'm not trying to be funny.

Wow. You are capable of forming a complete sentence.

I saw your dad. You're no orphan.

He walked like this. He looked like he had a herring up his ass.

You're a real bore. - That makes two of us.

It's really hard to talk with you if you don't say anything.

You talk all the time.

If I didn't, there would be two boring people moping around here.

We now have 30 percent more farmland.

We have had problems with the seed grain and pests.

But we'll be alright. Nothing is impossible with these boys.

Boys. - Good morning, sir.

What? - Social administration has decided to stop funding the Island project.

There is talk about your methods being too strict.

Our reputation is at stake.

What the hell?

Of course there is talk. People always talk behind your back.

People will always be jealous, but that can't be a reason to close the school.

The decision is final.

The board was unanimous. This place is past it.

It has taken me ten years to get this far.

Just look at it.

Alright then.

Do you care about the boys? Are you interested in their future?

No, you are not.

You come here a couple of times a year to sort things out-

so that you have more time to wine and dine in fancy restaurants!

You stinking fox! I don't need your funds. But the boys need me.

I don't care if you stop funding the Island. I will stay here. - You're crazy.

I'll go on using the same methods. End of story.

Goodbye. Finish the coffee; you paid for it.

Olavi?

Olavi, listen.

Come to bed, please.

Come to my bed.

I have to find a way to fund the Island.

Maybe it's time for us to move on.

What? Don't worry; we don't have to leave.

I'll deal with the money.

Think of everything we have here. You have your garden.

I have given up a lot. - I know.

I'm sure you understand how important this is for the boys.

Have you told them that all this comes to an end? - Nothing will come to an end.

I'm looking to you for support.

Right? - You just don't get it, do you?

How is it going, boys? Any bites? - No.

That's just how it is sometimes.

Social administration are withdrawing funding.

Does it mean that we have to leave? - It's up to you.

I will stay here.

I'll find a way to go on with my work.

But if you want to leave, I understand.

It's not going to be easy. We have to get by with less.

I'm staying. This is my home.

Mine too. I'm staying.

I'm staying.

Get up. We're staying too.

I'm staying.

I guess my parents want me to come back home.

Okay, that's that then.

Irene, are you asleep?

What time is it? - I don't know. I had an idea.

I think we can save the Island.

It was something Erik Johansson said when he was here.

When the funding dried up, I knew what we had to do. - Johansson was joking.

Oh, no. There is a Swedish man who has raised them indoors.

Silkworm butterflies.

They are like tamed animals. They can't even fly.

If they fall from the trees, you just have to pick them up and put them back.

The man's son is here. You can't take people like him seriously.

You don't understand. - He was tipsy.

They pay good money for silk.

You're crazy. - Maybe I am.

We need mulberry trees. Tell me where to buy them.

They were quite expensive. - Don't worry about that.

No one has ever done this this far north before.

And probably with a good reason.

Female silkworm moths lay about six hundred eggs.

The eggs hatch into worms. Each worm spins a cocoon around itself.

Just one? - Please, make a decision. The others were sold already.

They are like children to me. - It's going to be that one then.

We will keep two pigs, put five in the freezer and sell the rest.

We'll keep the trees here over winter. The downstairs will be full of them.

What do you think?

The sitting, dining and class room, all in one.

What kind of nightmares do you have?

I have nightmares where I'm in a big open space -

like a desert or a forest or the sea.

I'm alone and crying.

I'm waiting for someone to come and get me.

Someone big and safe.

Did you see that? I hit it. - No, you didn't.

I did too. And I won. - We won't count that.

What do you mean? - I didn't see it.

You should have looked.

I'm going to switch schools.

I'll be moving to my aunt's for the winter.

But I'll visit at Christmas.

You are leaving too.

When? - I don't know.

My parents haven't told me yet.

Do you want to leave?

Johansson. I want to see you in my office.

Now? - Now.

But Salmi can't... - Salmi will help my wife in the garden.

Maybe your parents have come to take you home.

What have you done now? - Nothing.

Sit down.

The situation is... - Don't they want me back?

Juhani.

Your parents have died.

Their car drove off the road.

It looks like it was intentional.

I am sorry.

Here are some photos and other things they left behind.

Your father wanted me to give you this letter when you get out.

I wanted you to know about it.

When you get out of here, you will be stronger than other people.

People will admire you because you are tough.

You can take anything.

Anything.

Are you sure this is the place?

Or maybe he was buried over there? - Like Baltsu.

Who is Baltsu? - Our dog.

Juhani, where is Baltsu's grave?

Juhani, wait!

Take that one if it's not too heavy. - Of course it's not.

Did you hurt yourself? Come here.

You cut yourself.

Take your shirt off. I have to clean the wound.

Your parents did that? I'm sorry.

I don't have parents. It was my stepfather.

He wanted to fuck or beat me up all the time.

Especially when he was drunk. He didn't care who it was.

I thought your past wouldn't be as bad as the others'.

Why else would I be here then?

I would think you would go mad after something like that.

I mean, Olavi tells me you are so strong -

and hard-working and reliable.

I mean... - What?

Nothing. It doesn't matter. - Yes, it does.

You are a fine woman.

You're the finest woman I have ever seen.

You are totally different from the others. - What are you talking about?

I don't want to leave this place.

I don't want to leave this place because then I wouldn't see you anymore.

You can't be serious. You must have made a bet with the boys.

You can't make fun of me.

Salmi, come to my office.

Sit down.

Tell me why you tried to kill your stepfather.

We both know you tried to kill him.

You stabbed him four times; that's why you are here.

What's all this about?

Forget it. I shouldn't have asked. I just wanted to know.

Why? - I wanted to know why someone wants to kill a person.

How does one develop an uncontrollable urge to kill? Do you understand? - No.

Why didn't you warn him? - What?

You wouldn't be sitting here now if you had warned him.

You should have said: "Keep that up and I'll kill you."

If you are convincing enough, they know you mean it.

"Keep that up and I'll kill you." Simple as that.

Do you understand?

How are things with Irene? - What?

How are things with my wife? - Fine.

That's great. I told her that you have the stamina to do any kind of job.

Excuse me. Juhani did not show up for dinner.

Juhani! Hedgehog!

He's here!

Help me get him up!

It's 39,6 degrees. He will be alright. His brain is just burning.

Welcome back. I was getting a bit worried.

You have to keep them humid.

You must not let them get dry.

What do you think?

As soon as you're better, you can join in.

The eggs will be taken to the greenhouse in the spring.

Silkworms are very sensitive to disease. They must be protected.

I want you to know one thing. This butterfly project was your dad's idea.

My dad's idea? - Your father was talented in many ways.

On the other hand, to bigger birds, the world is like a cage.

Do you understand what I mean?

Silkworm butterflies, Bombyx mori in Latin, spin cocoons from which silk is made.

The wings are white with yellow stripes, and the wingspan is 70-80 millimetres.

They're blind, they have no digestive tract and they cannot survive outside captivity.

The silkworms are 7-8 centimetres long.

They are bald, grey and...

What is so funny, Simola? - I just thought of something.

What did you think of? - Nothing.

Keep quiet then.

Mulberry leaves have to be dicked... - Quiet, boys.

I mean, they have to be picked.

If something goes wrong at the cocoon phase, the moth becomes black.

May I ask a question? - Yes.

Are the black worms a lot longer than the white ones?

Silkworm butterflies live for a year or two.

One cold winter is enough to destroy them.

We have Christmas here t00.

But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.

The shepherds returned glorifying and praising God-

for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Let's eat. Salmi, would you pass the fish.

Roasting pork takes a lot of patience. You have to stay up all night.

Freshly butchered pork is the best.

Irene, how about Jesus' blood? - What? Oh, no.

Why isn't Tyyne here? - Because of this little piggy.

Go and sit in Santa's lap. Dad will take a picture.

Santa has a gift for you. - Go now. Santa can't wait all night.

Irene, sit in Santa's lap, and we'll take a nice photo.

How about a smile?

That's it.

One more.

Beautiful.

I heard you spend all your time here.

Who told you? - What do you mean?

Never mind.

I'm leaving tomorrow. I wanted to say bye to you.

Bye then.

Where is he going? - To see Vanamo.

Damn it. He's a quite stud.

What are you doing? You want to see them fuck?

What if Tyyne or Salmi sees you? Salmi will kill you.

Tell me his name.

Whore! Who are you sleeping with?

Whose children are they?

I am not blind! - You're crazy.

You want to go to the dance again, huh?

To see him? - I do all the work here, and this is what I get!

I am going to leave you if... - That's what you think! Whore!

Whore.

Happy New Year, wankers! What's up? - Nothing much.

How are things on the mainland? - Fine. I fucked your mom for Christmas.

I taught her good, didn't I?

What else is new? - Nothing.

Merry Christmas.

Where is Fart? - Didn't he come on the earlier ferry?

No.

Death is always a big loss.

There are as many realities as there are living creatures in this world.

Every living creature is irreplaceable.

Antoine de Saint Exupery has written -

that when a person dies, a whole world is lost.

In this case, it also applies to an animal.

We bury Lumi here in the cow house, which was a significant part of his world.

We symbolically bury our friend Petri whose memory will live with us.

Bye, Fart.

Machine.

Get up.

It's damned cold here. Let's go.

OK.

If you're not coming, I'm staying.

He decided to do it some time ago.

Why didn't he tell me?

It's hard talk about something like that.

You think the butterfly project will work? - Why?

I don't want to leave this place. I am scared.

Scared of what? - That the same thing will happen to me.

Hey...

This is the beginning.

A few weeks and they should be hatched.

There will be over 50,000 of them.

There must be longer black ones too.

Boys, this is going to work.

Right?

What are you staring at? - Nothing.

Can't you turn around? - No.

Lie down. - I certainly will not.

I want you to.

Take your panties off. - No, I will not.

Take them off. - What is wrong with you?

Five seconds and you can go.

You said nothing about touching.

Five seconds have gone. - You like this.

You only want this.

Juhani.

You want this really bad.

Juhani, stop. - Why? You like this.

Juhani, stop.

Juhani, stop.

What have I done to you?

You're a whore.

Dinnertime.

Don't you like the food?

What have I done to you?

Hatch.

Why won't you hatch?

Hatch, you bastards.

You betrayed me.

Three more months and... - Stop. I just came to tell you...

I want you to come with me.

You will have to get a divorce. - Don't be crazy.

You have your whole life ahead; you will forget me. - No, I won't.

I'll buy you a house with a garden. - I don't want a garden.

Okay, but you'll have to come with me. I love you.

You don't love me. - Don't say that.

I love you.

We'll get out of here together. - Stop that.

Come here. This is the last time. Then it's over.

Come to me. - We need to talk.

I don't want to talk.

What is going on here?

Salmi. At this time of the day.

And the principal's wife.

Cover yourselves. - Go away, Tyyne. This is none of your business.

Tyyne, for the last time, go away.

I will have to tell the principal.

If someone asks, you haven't seen anything. Right?

I will have to tell the principal.

What are we going to do now? - Calm down. We'll be alright.

You killed her. - I didn't kill her. I'm not going to jail.

This is all my fault. - Calm down.

No one will know we were here.

Irene.

You know I love you.

You haven't seen or heard anything. Do you understand?

You were in bed the whole night. You haven't been outside. Right? - Yeah.

Good. Then I won't have to tell them what you did to the cat.

You think I'm stupid? - No.

And what you did here.

We have to protect each other. If one of us blabs, we're both for it.

You won't tell them even if they hit you, right? - Right.

You wouldn't tell on someone who protects you, right?

Good.

We'll be alright.

If someone asks, you have been in bed all night.

You can say that you had a nightmare.

Who is going to ask? -Anybody. If anybody asks, we were sleeping.

We have to stick together, or otherwise we'll be in trouble.

You wouldn't tell on your own family, would you?

Good. Go to your room now.

Put dry pyjamas on.

And you, put a dressing gown on.

Dad, where are you going?

Sjoblom.

Let's go inside before we catch cold.

Johansson.

Sauli!

"When I woke up, both Johansson and Salmi were in the bedroom."

"There were wet clothes on the floor."

Hamalainen confirmed that you and Salmi are often absent from the bedroom.

Do you understand that you and Salmi are the main suspects?

Answer me! Look me in the eye when I am talking to you!

Is that what happened?

No, it was Mom.

I tried to help.

The eggs should have hatched a long time ago.

The silkworm butterflies have to be fed. Otherwise they won't eat.

We have to look after them because they are blind and can't fly.

He got away!

They will not survive alone. They are like children or babies.

They need people to take care of them.

They need to be protected.

Or they will die.

I was wrong. People make mistakes.

Everyone makes their own.

This is the end.

Everything is gone. My work, the Island.

If you can keep a secret, I miscalculated.

To keep the worms alive, we should have had ten times the number of trees.

But we have to keep on trying.

That is how the impossible becomes possible. Keep that in mind, Juhani.

As I have to give you this letter-

I want to confess one thing I imagine your father has written about.

I want to be the first to tell you about it. I lied to your father.

When your parents wanted to change the custody decision -

I wrote a negative statement.

I didn't think you should be allowed to go back to your parents.

The Island was a better place for you.

You are sick, but you will be healed. You will not be healed until you let go.

As long as you hang onto your past, it will hang onto you.

No matter what it says in that letter, remember-

that you should not be too harsh on life, not on your own or the life of others.

After all, life goes by one day at a time.

You should not waste it on bitterness and self-deception.

Defeated people can't get up in the morning.

They will realise that everything is over.

Throughout life.

Fortunately there are other kind of people: Survivors.

They cannot be defeated.

Juhani, you are a survivor.

You'll learn how to fly no matter what.

You are sick, but you will be healed.

Hi.

Hi.

Sorry.

Translated by Aretta Vahala