Badding (2000) - full transcript

This is not true. This is not false.

This is a fairy tale.

Somerjoki, Rauli Aarre Tapani.

- Yep. I admit.

You wrote that due to stage fright

you haven't sang in six months and -

that you consider yourself

unfit to work as a singer.

You also mention difficulties

in interacting with others.

Anxiety and social phobias -

make working with others

overwhelmingly difficult.

You say that you would

like to pursue an education -

yet you don't specify what kind

of education you would like.

But you wrote that you enjoy

the solitude of nature -

and like to grow and tend things.

Are you perhaps

talking about gardening?

Am I right?

I will tell you a story.

Or this is more like a fairytale.

This is a tale about an old rabbit.

He already has some gray in his

whiskers and scars here and there.

I'm sure he has also got

a few old pellet wounds in his butt -

but he doesn't mind because he's so

happy living in his rock cave.

There are these wolves, though,

that have become a real nuisance.

In summer they just shed hair and

try to put up with vermin.

But in fall

they are just skin and bones -

and they are so hungry

that their eyes are on fire.

This worries the old rabbit

who is not that stupid.

And there is one more thing.

The rabbit's name is Rauli.

In my heart I have one wish

I wish I would still be yours

As long as I'm uncertain

I can go on just by myself

And in my heart I have one desire

I would like to see you again

Yet I am left

in the grayness of another day

There you go.

Good girl, fat girl.

You must be terribly happy, cat-happy.

The comeback of Rauli Somerjoki

will rip your libido.

It will rearrange your tulips

and make your pussycats purr.

Friday at the Helsinki Hockey Arena,

tickets only 50 marks.

Drag your bones there.

You can be saved. Hallelujah!

Finally. I thought I'd remind you

of the gig you promised to do.

You know you are supposed

to be rehearsing now.

Are you there? Hello?

What the fuck? Hello?

Badding will rock you to heaven!

The master will step into the ring!

Give him a big hand.

Louder! Badding is coming!

The Master is here.

Badding is in the building.

Bring him on stage and fast.

I was sitting at the bar one evening

I picked up a girl

She wasn't that pretty

I had to have someone

I had the feeling

They started playing rock 'n' roll

The girls started stripping

Give me a little bit, she said

They played a slow song

People started looking at the band

People yelled: Get out of here

if you can't play rock 'n' roll

Switch it rock 'n' roll or we'll get mad

What could I do?

So I played rock 'n' roll

I played it all night long

I played rock 'n' roll all night

I played rock 'n' roll

I played it all night

Rauli! Goddammit, don't hang up.

No more games. I'll give you

one more chance to save your face.

They'll pick you up tomorrow in

Elvis' old Cadillac. Good enough?

Too much money is invested in this.

I won't let you make a fool of me.

I've got my nets around you.

The night falls whispering softly

Someone turns on

the lights in a window

No one is left alone in the dark

The lights will chase

the shadows of the night away

But I won't turn the lights on

I don't think I need them

You are the brightest light of all

I could even say

you give too much light

They want to know why

There are no lights on in my home

Shadows are creeping in smothering

Anything could happen to me

They don't know that light could

Frighten this tender feeling away

We said, the two of us

We will never turn the lights on

Kalevi, dammit. Want to buy a guitar?

- My name is Frans.

Oh, now it's Frans.

How should I know? Will you buy it?

I've got to get back to Copenhagen.

I came here because you asked.

It's not my fault

if they don't like your playing.

Arde, wait!

I've got a real

undercover job for you.

Nothing criminal,

I'm a family man now.

I want the car keys.

- What?

The car keys. You have your license?

- I still do, again.

I want you to get Badding here

in time for the gig. - I don't know.

You'll get more when he's on stage.

- How can you love music so much?

Jesus.

- Badding.

I wrote the addresses where you'll

find him. Keep me informed.

Let the scarred sores be

Don't tear them open again

Let the bitter memories die

Try to forget little by little

The violin in my soul

has a broken string

No more tender notes

They are gone forever

Arto Molander

from the Finvox Studios.

Have you seen Mr. Somerjoki?

- I don't know him.

This is him. Somerjoki,

the rock singer. - Oh yes.

Let me think.

Go down those stairs.

You'll come to a door.

Turn the handle

and the door will open.

You'll find yourself outside.

You can't miss it.

Thank you.

Rauli, I've got a surprise for you.

Shall I guess?

- Guess.

I don't have to, I know.

We old men have to stick together.

Have you seen Somerjoki?

Merci.

One day Rauli the Rabbit leaves

his cave to escape the wolves -

and bumps into an old friend

who he hasn't seen for years.

This friend is Ossi the Squirrel.

Ossi! I'm so...

What? Get in the car.

- Oh no.

I'm on my way to see my Mom.

I'll take the bus.

Just get in the car.

- OK then. I'll sit in the back.

The tragic gauntlet of Badding.

An old friend tells all.

Six thousand. OK, five then.

I'll do it for that.

I've got to go.

See you at the Hockey Arena then.

You won't get in trouble for this,

will you? - What do you mean?

With your wife or something?

- No more wives.

Alright then.

Ossi, things are not so great.

Ossi the Squirrel guides

Rauli the Rabbit to his home meadow -

to his mother. That's good because

he can see better from a height.

He can see if there are

traps or wolves lurking.

Rauli, when was

the last time we met?

I can't remember.

It was at the Vanha caf?.

- I guess so.

You sat there surrounded by your

court like the Sun King.

Did we say hello?

- Barely.

I was always busy then.

Poor Rauli trusts Ossi wholeheartedly.

How could he know that

Ossi has become a wolf -

who is in squirrels' clothing.

But so far everything is fine.

Ossi playfully drops cones

to Rauli's head from the tree.

It's just like when they were boys

by the sunny home meadow.

In love I have always

counted on hard work

I have listened to the birds sing

and travelled around

I have gone to dances

ever since I was a little boy

After seeing a girl home

I have always broken my heart

Always find someone in a dance

The poison of love kills all sorrows

You've got tons of condoms here.

- So what.

You've got lots of rubbers here.

Do you remember this?

Does this still work?

- Of course it does. Putte!

Putte, Putte!

Putte, fuck off.

Hey, what's your name?

- Putte. Rauli.

Putte-Rauli. Come here.

Isn't it nasty when

they're always pushing you?

But if you don't plan on dying a virgin -

I think you better get some new ideas.

Yup.

First of all, you have a body.

Especially that pelvis.

I think you should always use it.

You don't have to get lyrical

with girls, you just move.

And I mean moving.

You look and move, like this.

This is how you do it.

Let them know you have

something yummy hidden in your pants.

You get it?

And get rid of that quiff.

- Yup.

Putte! Fuck Putte.

If I say you're Badding,

I'm not lying much.

Yup.

- Don't say yup, say Badding.

Badding.

- Again.

Badding.

- Badding is a good name.

You see, with Badding

you can have a few beers.

Take a shit in your own hat,

it's cool.

Watch me pull now.

Hi! You want to give me some?

- You idiot!

Ossi!

- Rauli!

What do you think?

Is Mickey Mouse a man or a mouse?

Personally I think

he's a pretentious snoop -

But Minnie is some bitch!

Have you noticed that there

are no churches in Ducksburg?

That's right. Money is their religion.

And Uncle Scrooge is

the head priest of that.

Boys!

Surrounded by tall bushes

is a lunatic asulym

The patients have fun

when the doctor's away

He messes things up

when he's there

His mental health

puzzles the patients

They know he'll climb

the flag pole if told so

The patients are amused

but also worried

Mental disease rock rock rock

tuberculosis rock rock rock

Leuchemia rock rock rock

0ne-legged rock rock rock

Diseases attack people

many die

For the patients

the situation is unfair

The staff becomes quiet

The sick can't sleep

0ur friend the doctor walks by

The nurses close their eyes

There is tension between

the doctor and patients

Both are sulking

Yet at times everybody's happy

The doctor's good 'cause

He can dance rock 'n' roll

Mental disease rock rock rock

Accident rock rock rock

Bad heart rock rock rock

Bad temper rock rock rock

Everybody has their problems

that's why we'll rock again. Rock!

Ossi, do you have a cigarette?

- I don't smoke anymore.

Ossi, your hair looks kind of corny

for a cop. - What?

You have a cop shirt on.

That makes you a narcotics cop.

Geez! This is a taxi driver's shirt.

- No, you're a cop bass player.

You're the worst bass player

in the world but the best narcs cop.

Did you know that?

Do you still send stuff

to the magazines? - No.

You made that story of me

remember? - Yeah.

You even took the photos

with the little camera.

You put that girl in the front

and faded me in the background.

Who was that girl. It was...

Don't tell me you don't remember.

My beloved one,

am I the only one

Promise me you'll take me

away from my tearful dreams

Tell me you are mine

Close to you,

my beloved one

I want to give you everything

You are not mine

yet you still are

Like the night and the wind

that blows through me in dreams

Are you alright, honey?

- I'm alright, baby.

Can I get you a glass of water?.

- No, but I could sure use a drink.

Rauli, do you think

we are on an Esperanto course here?

Ossi, you don't get it.

I'll wait for the right time.

Do you even know what two

things your dick's good for?

I'll take care of it, I will.

I can feel your skin

when I am in your arms

Night brings you to my soul

In the shadows I sink

Darling, don't let me go

The nymphs of fairytales

wouldn't dance anymore

A beautiful friendship

would vanish in the shadows

Eternity would be like ash

rowing on emptiness

Oili, Seija, Sirpa,

Inkeri, that's Inksu.

Rauli, when the summer comes

I've fucked my name on this.

The only letters missing are M and A.

How are you going to take care of the A?

That's an easy one.

Ailis will always let you.

But what girls do we know with an M?

What's your girlfriend's name...

Mari!

When I've gotten my name

on this pole, I'll burn this barn.

Rauli had always feared this. His

love for Mari the Mole was impossible.

But how could a squirrel

even think of loving a mole?

A mole doesn't even live

on the ground, it lives under it.

Despite this,

Rauli the Rabbit was very uneasy.

And I touched my dear old boat

- Is it a love poem?

No, this is more

about my view of life.

What is it that floats in the river

Challenging wind and nature

Mocking man's longing

When I saw that it was a log

Unchained by reason

I was sickened by knowledge

and imprisoned again

My pussy is freezing.

Rauli the Rabbit's not dumb, he sees

that Ossi is prettier to look at -

with its bushy tail up in the trees.

Rauli would just like to sit

in the leaves' shadows with Mari.

He would like to look her

in the eye and speak softly.

He wanted to say this

to her but never got the nerve.

Rauli, let's wait

- What are we waiting for?

We'll wait for

the temperature to rise.

This is cool, this is rock.

Soon you're going to

have great balls of fire.

It's hot, Rauli.

Look, this is rock 'n' roll.

Watch the flames lick the walls.

What? Are you crying?

- No.

Why are you crying?

It's not your barn. - It's not that.

Goddammit!

Sometimes I feel like

Sometimes I don't

Sometimes I do

Sometimes I don't

Sometimes I feel like

Sometimes I don't

It was one o'clock and

she asked me to give some loving

And I did. Bumping and grinding

Loving all night

It was almost two and

the girl just got wilder

0h well. Bumping and grinding

Loving all night

I thought it was four o'clock

and she wanted more

Why not?. Bumping and grinding

Loving all night

It was almost five o'clock

and I was getting tired

Well, well. Bumping and grinding

Loving all night

It was getting late but the girl

made me give her some more.

I looked at the clock

but she pulled me back

I'll grind. Bumping and grinding

Loving all night

It was seven o'clock

and we went flying to heaven

I'll grind. Bumping and grinding

Loving all night

It was almost eight

and my head was aching

And we were bumping

We did it in the kitchen

and I got sticky fingers

Bumping and grinding

Loving all night

He's bleeding.

Get some bandages here.

Give him a break.

Isn't it nice that they love you?

Didn't you want this?

You're like Elvis now.

Goddammit.

People can be so cruel and sadistic.

These guys put a little nestling,

it was still bald and blind, in a box.

They kicked and shook the box

and threw it in water.

I cried because I could see in it.

It was like I was in the box.

And it still makes me so sick.

Don't you jump out of my car.

Goddammit.

You don't jump out of my car!

Ossi, you move me.

- Shut up.

Give me a kiss.

- You're so... fuck.

Walk then.

- Wait.

Wait.

Ossi, look!

What's that? A man's belly button.

- No, this scar here.

It was one crazy groupie.

I thought she wanted to kiss

but she almost ate my belly button.

I had to bear it

for the rest of the gig.

You couldn't have left,

there were two refrigerators-

from the local wrestling team

blocking the door.

Where would you have gone?

That's right,

you were in the road crew then.

You fixed me with duct tape, you quack.

It wasn't nice

when they took it off.

It stuck on the hairs, you see.

That served you right.

Cop bass player!

Rauli shot from the little village

straight into a rock'n'roll star.

Established stars said that

he shouldn't sing the way he did.

But he breathed the music.

His voice was amazing.

He sang like an angel,

even with his asthma.

He sounded like nobody else.

It wasn't his fault that

he looked the way he did.

He probably thought about it every

time he saw his reflection.

People started calling him the Singing

Pimple after he blew a couple of gigs.

He had thought fame

would make his life more worthy.

It's occupied.

I'm doing a shit.

Come see Badding at nine

at the Helsinki Hockey Arena.

Buy a ticket and you could win

Elvis' old Cadillac for a week.

And now, as we are the radio station

that knows what's happening...

Cadillac.

- Wartburg.

You don't even have

a driver's license.

Sources tell us

Badding wasn't in today's rehearsal.

He hasn't been in

any of the rehearsals.

Do you want to comment on that?.

- Could we focus on the real issue?

Weren't we supposed

to talk about us?

A few more words about Badding

who we haven't seen in public lately.

He's a drunk.

A social welfare case.

A psychiatric patient.

A commie.

- It may seem like that.

But aren't his merits in Finnish

rock the core thing?

Who is Badding? - For others who don't

know yet, here is his song "Stars".

Composed and written

by Rauli Somerjoki.

The dark sky with twinkling stars

With its gaze so mysterious

The countless stars

vanish in the far distance

The earth circles

its small orbit again and again

Stars, oh stars

I would like to be close to you

Stars, oh stars

It would make me happier

Stars, oh stars

Can't I come to you?

Stars, oh stars

Into the eternity, beyond time

It's useless to have dreams

It's useless to walk that path

If you give something in love

it will lead to nothing

Stars fade into the morning

There is a glow in the east

There is bitter longing

in the dawning new day

A beer, please.

Here you are. - Thank you. A pretty

smile is like dew on a cactus leaf.

There are empty tables.

Have you seen Somerjoki lately?

He's got a concert in Helsinki.

I've come to take him there.

I'm not interested.

It's getting dark and Rauli

can already see the home meadow.

Excited Mother Rabbit taps

the ground, welcoming Rauli.

Soon he'll see her loving eyes.

Rauli!

For Mother,

he will always be Little Rauli.

Nothing can break Mother's love.

He could have made it as a rock star

but he didn't want to sing rock.

One of his songs was "An old halter".

He cries and sings about an old horse

that's going to the sausage factory.

He misses that horse, dammit,

and everybody is playing his songs.

If Roy Orbison sings for the lonely

Badding sings for the sad.

In America he would have a hacienda

next door to Orbison -

but he couldn't handle fame.

It wasn't part of his image.

His identity slipped out of his

hands like a soap bar.

And I got tired of catching it.

No way!

- I need a drink.

I told you no.

- I need to clear my head.

You can't have one before the gig.

- They hate me.

What? - They shout Elvis' name.

I don't want to go.

My God, it's always the same.

I'm so ugly.

Do you think

Mick Jagger is beautiful?

You could make a rubber dingy

for two with his lips.

Look at this. What does it say?

I can tell you. We love you Badding.

And that's you.

Let's get out of here now.

They should whisper things like that.

- Badding and his whispering fans.

Why don't you go there then?

Put in earplugs then. If I was

there... - People would need them.

A good one.

- Ossi, I need my drink.

Alright, I'll get you one.

- Yup.

A lot of people would have traded

places with him.

I saw him very close.

It was like he was

pissing razor blades.

Why was he on stage?

I was more rock than he ever could be.

I would have divided groopies

into the ugly and the beddable.

I would have enjoyed

every minute of it.

I would have swum deep enough yet

with the snorkel above the water.

I probably wasn't the only road crew

member with these kinds of thoughts.

When I met you

it was the loveliest of nights

Birds were singing

and the moon was gleaming

You wanted to get out of the town

I thought this is going

to work out fine

When we got to the seashore

the flowers were in bloom

The sea was in whitecaps like beer

We walked to the shore

and undressed ourselves

The moment was so intoxicating

If I could just give you

the most beautiful, this earth

But I won't

A little moment is enough

When I am close to you

We got tangled in an embrace

and sand got caught in our toes

When we fell into

the hot rhythm of the sea

You were joking

when you said mouth to mouth -

"These are things

adults whisper about"

They are looking on the wrong side.

If I can stay here quiet,

they won't find me.

Or I could go under the water

and breathe through a cow chervil.

If they find me,

they'll take me to the market -

and take my clothes off

and brand my face.

I will never be like other people.

Hello. Damn. Can you hear me?

I'll get on a stump.

Can you hear me? Me? I wish I knew.

I don't have a clue.

They told me to go to a pond.

I searched, the fog got thicker

and I found no pond.

I just found ditches and brushwood.

I didn't find the pond but

I would sure like to find my car.

Or a road.

There must be a road there.

Who has been here?

- One of your friends.

He said you were supposed

to be singing somewhere.

My friends don't smoke cigars.

What did you tell him?

I told him you would be at the pond.

I thought he would

never find you there.

He said you must call him.

He left a number on the table.

You are not going anywhere,

are you? Will you stay for dinner?

I can't.

- Rauli.

I have to go. - Lf you are in some

trouble, you can always tell me.

Don't worry. No new troubles.

- Oh, dear.

You still sing and wander around?

- No, I just whistle.

You were in the magazines

much more in the 70s.

We watched you on TV, too.

A grown man showing a belly button.

I'm going to a Lions meeting.

We'll donate money for a new

electric organ for the school.

Aren't people talking about you

having a drinking problem?

Your father had his share, too.

You know, the sensitive guy he was.

The sun was shining

in the Palpakka hill

Killi lifted her skirt and

a teacher took off his shirt

Killi was swaying a handkerchief

Do the men want pussy or a drink?

Killi walked in the village

in a white dress

A man had a big hard-on

once he saw her

In my heart I have one wish

I wish I would still be yours

As long as I'm uncertain

I can go on just by myself

And in my heart I have one desire

I would like to see you again

Yet I am left

in the grayness of yet another day

It wouldn't matter

if I were weak

I could take all the sorrows

In my heart I know

what is longing

Now there is only Ioneliness

But in my heart I know

I drove you away

I did it again like everyone else

Mari!

Rauli.

How did you know I was back?

- I didn't.

You're shivering. Why don't you

go inside? - Where are you going?

I have to go to work.

You can wait in the house.

Your mother won't like it

and there's a little kid inside.

That's my daughter Veera.

- Congratulations. Then I won't come.

Please, come in.

I don't have a man there.

I'm going through rough times.

- You're just drunk and cold.

Let's go in.

Life is chaos and swirls. Hands

grasping hands and eyes locking.

Moments of happiness.

Sorrow. Songs of both.

Someone always pays the ransom.

Pays and leaves.

The door is ajar

and you can hear music inside.

My heart started beating

We need a nurse here

I got trapped making a fire

She is here

The flame of fate

She lured me into this

and I got trapped

What should I do

when she's close

She's got a devil inside

but I see an angel

I can't run away, should I stay

I got trapped

I hide in bushes

She is there

I take a sip of wine

She looks at me invitingly

What should I do

She's tearing stars off her hair

I comment on the weather

even when I can't see a thing

She winks and I am trapped

She stole my soul but

the fire didn't go away

I had enough of fire and passed out

In the morning she was in my arms again

I asked if she liked it and

the flame was burning me inside

She turned and I got trapped again

Rauli's at my house.

I see.

Do you know anything about

a reporter being after him? - I don't.

You're not playing fair now.

- What?

Are you talking about fair game?

People haven't been

fair to me, either.

I was the one who cleaned

after Badding threw up.

I talked about nymphs in the cold

woods when we had to get him on stage.

I grabbed him by his ankle

when he tried to jump off a bridge.

I fed him like a little bird

when he was hung-over.

I made sure

he was together all those years.

So don't you talk to me about fair game.

So, how old is your kid?

- Veera is four.

Who's the father?

- You do the math.

You know Badding, right? - I don't

know what you're talking about.

You hung out with him in the 70s.

- I don't know him.

You were a member of the road crew.

You even look like one.

Dammit. I told you

I don't know the guy.

Cock-a-doodle-do.

Don't move or I'll kill you.

Rauli the Rabbit is scared frozen

because the wolves are after him.

You can see their burning eyes and

froth between their strong teeth.

Rauli is expecting those teeth

to strike his neck any moment.

He could be pulled outside

and fallen prey to the wolves.

Fear is redness of blood

under his closed eyelids.

I think we'll go back to town.

I'll take you home.

- How much do they pay you?

Are you coming home

in this Cadillac?

Did you drive that?

Whose is it? - Let's just say

it still smells of cigars.

Did you kill him?

It's a deal.

I trust you.

You're very punctual.

You wanted pictures, right?

Let's go outside.

Wait your turn.

The house is two kilometers

that way. You can't miss it.

You wanted to meet Badding?

- You put him in the trunk?

How can you do this to him?

That'll be 2000 marks.

I'll give a 1000.

- 1800.

1500.

1800.

I really despise you, Ossi.

We're done.

- You're crazy.

Shut up. He's just a little late.

We can change the schedule.

The audience doesn't need to know.

This will be a night to remember,

for my name is Sturm und Drang.

What if he doesn't show up?

- Then you can shit on the stage.

Again?

Rauli the Rabbit is floating

in the river on a tree trunk.

The wolves follow him.

The water turns darker.

It's almost black.

Here and there one can see

floating mud, like clots of blood.

Rauli is floating

right into the wolves' cave.

The wolves are howling hungrily.

Rauli can smell blood.

Fear makes him act and

he jumps into the water.

The strong current wants to

swallow the little creature.

The shore is so far away.

Swim, Rauli.

Never surrender.

I am going to slash my throat.

I won't sing anymore.

You're not taking me anywhere.

It's going to stop now.

If you slash your throat

what's left of you?

Tell me, Rauli.

Ossi, I'm really sorry.

Ossi & Mari.

Hi ho Silver.

I'm going to stay here.

When is Badding going to start?

We have waited for two hours.

Ma'am. I was going to tell you.

I have a fifty-mark note here.

Maybe it's the one

you paid your ticket with.

You may have worked two hours

for it. Maybe you cleaned houses.

You demand that for this note,

soiled in your poor pockets -

Badding should perform

at a certain time and sober -

and make you happy with all

the songs that you like so much.

Get me out of here!

Am I in Helsinki?

Watch me do something

with this fruit of your diligence.

Perhaps you want it back?

It's value has multiplied.

An artist has touched it.

The audience seems ready.

I'll tell you a story. There was

a man named James J. Braddock.

He was a heavy-weight amateur boxer.

He worked in the port.

One day he decided he wanted

a good home for his family.

He started training hard.

He got ranked in the world series.

Then there was

Glamour Man, Max Baer.

He was a real charmer

and the heavy-weight champion.

Braddock was supposed

to be a piece of cake to him.

But Braddock came and

beat him and became the champion.

That's how he got

the name Cinderella Man.

OK, I'll take some

liberties with these songs.

One more thing. I have a cough.

Let the scarred sores be

Don't tear them open again

Let the bitter memories die

Try to forget little by little

The violin in my soul

has a broken string

No more tender notes

They are gone forever

LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR

J. CHRIST

Summer is withering away

Fall wind is bending the trees

Birds will fly far

0nly the wind is left to cry

Time is lost beyond dreams

The bells of rain toll for death

Time sleeps in the darkness

Those gray clouds tire my mind

I couldn't take this anymore

If I didn't know I'd see you again

The sunshine takes away the winter

And we'll see the spring come

When the message of summer comes

Brought by new green leaves on trees

Time flows so fast

I'll meet you half way

I couldn't take this anymore

If I didn't know I'd see you again

The sunshine takes away the winter

And we'll see the spring come

Translation by Aretta V?h?l?