Cornelis (2010) - full transcript

At the place where

I do this song once an evening...

...this gap between

the second to last and last verse-

-Is where I usually

have to tell a dirty joke.

To keep the audience's interest up.

But this audience is of such a high

standard that I don't have to do this.

Otherwise I've got lots up my sleeve...

I'll go straight to the last verse.

I hope you realise that in no way

is this an autobiographical song...

I have the pleasure of possessing

the most respectable parents...

And this song came about

more or less like...

...the other side of the coin,

so to speak.

It's a portrait of a guy

you see around and about...

So it's not me.

Cornelis!

Cornelis!

Military police! Open up!

- Derek Jansen. Is he here?

- No.

- No? So where is he?

- I don't know.

You don't know?

- You, my little fellow. Do you know?

- He's sick.

- Sick?

- Yes. Tuberculosis.

Then maybe we will have to...

take him to the hospital?

What do you say, boy?

Would you like to come with us?

Please don't take him with you.

I need him here with me.

- We both know I have to take someone.

- He's not here!

- It's great you visit me like this.

- Don't mention it.

- Good night.

- Good night.

- Ingalill.

- Cornelis.

- ...so he's quite busy.

- But I thought Santa was!

- So what is it you write?

- Just a little doggerel.

Well, this is me...

Fancy coming in for a nightcap?

It'd completely forgotten that

I'm due at my brother's for dinner.

I'm really sorry, but I have to go.

We only meet once a year.

Can't you help me with my zip?

Thanks!

I really must go...

No, stay! Sit down

and drink up in peace and quiet.

- I can go...

- No, just make sure you shut the door.

- Bye.

- Bye.

Morning.

- ...beautiful psychiatric nurse!

- In the whole of Beckomberga asylum!

The prettiest girl in the asylum!

You're gorgeous! No, really you are!

So can I hear it?

Go on. Let me hear it!

"My love is like a Roman candle"

"Like a Roman candle, quick to flare"

"Burning bright and hot to handle"

"My love is like a Roman candle"

"Like a Roman candle, quick to flare."

Will you marry me?

Maybe not right now, but one day...

Well, quite soon...

- Easy now...

- No, no, no!

- I'm not doing it. I refuse.

- On what grounds?

I believe that

an attempt was made on my life.

- The tie is part of your uniform.

- So etiquette goes before safety?

It doesn't matter if the staff die

as long as they're wearing ties.

If we cannot agree, I must ask you,

Mr Vreeswijk, to hand in your notice.

That will be a pleasure.

You may leave your shirt and trousers

with the caretaker.

Is that singer Fred Åkerström?

Yes!

Don't you want me to introduce you?

- No...

- Come on!

- What's he doing here?

- I guess he knows someone.

See you later...

I hate fancy dress parties.

- What have you come as?

- A psychiatric nurse.

And you?

Can't you tell?

A folk singer.

I've heard you play.

I just want to say

I think you're fucking good.

Fucking good.

I play a bit of guitar myself.

Is that so?

Here you go, brother.

Gather round, everyone.

Time for a little music.

Off you go.

Go ahead.

I can play...

I'll have to...

...play a song about...

...minorities.

Killer-Anders, that's me, that's me

Killer-Anders, that's me, that's me

Killer-Anders that's me

I'm getting beheaded at three

For it's the law of Sweden,

I'll be damned.

I've murdered four men, four men

I've murdered four men, four men

I've murdered four men

and if they ain't in heaven

I'll be meeting them again,

I'll be damned.

There's the axeman in his hood so red

There's the axeman in his hood so red

With his sword and hood so red

he'll make sure that I am dead

It's how he earns his daily bread,

I'll be damned.

All you waiting for my shriek

for my shriek

All you waiting for my shriek

for my shriek

All you waiting for my shriek

will get to see a corpse so chic

'cos I'm just a publicity freak

I'll be damned.

This is my farewell verse,

farewell verse

This is my farewell verse,

farewell verse

This is my farewell verse

now I'll soon be in a hearse

Well I guess things could be worse,

I'll be damned!

Right on!

That was good! Really, really good.

Listen and learn! - Incredible.

- So you're going to be an author?

- That's an ambition, you could say.

But first you want to be a journalist.

- The rent won't pay itself.

- You write damn good songs anyway.

- Listen. Damn good songs.

- Thanks.

You don't fancy selling some?

They're hassling me for a new record...

and I have to find something new.

You'd record my songs?

You see, I reckon they'd suit me

down to the bloody ground.

That'd be...

- ...fucking ace.

- Ace?

Fucking ace!

Cheers.

- Who was that you were talking to?

- Who?

The guy with the hair,

who was drooling all over you.

You didn't seem

that uninterested yourself.

- I just thought he was nice.

- Well that much was obvious.

She was also very nice.

So what were you talking about?

This and that...

Well, what?

What? I don't know.

You were standing there for hours.

You must remember something!

Jesus Christ, what...

Is it my child?

Is it?

Is it?

Is it my child

or have you been with someone else?

You're sick.

Ingalill, I... Sorry!

Ingalill, I'm sorry!

Sorry... Shit.

It's time.

- Really? Now?

- We have to call a taxi.

Good. Shall I call a taxi?

OK, then let's do it. Come on.

Get my bag...

Sorry, sorry...

I almost didn't make it out of bed.

No problem.

- Shouldn't we grab a coffee first?

- Nah, come on.

Let's go in, it'll be cool. Come on.

Hi! Mona's not here today, but we can

offer you some Vichy water at least.

- Come in!

- Thanks.

I'm actually off to the countryside,

so I've only got a few minutes.

I've promised to do saddle of veal

with quince jelly and roast potatoes.

I didn't dare leave it

in the car in case it got stolen.

The car, I mean, not...

So you're Fred's

new composer. Cornelis...?

Vreeswijk.

Anders Burman,

producer here at Metronome.

He's got all the material

for our new record.

But it's not been

written down or recorded, right?

No, it's all in my head. If it doesn't

stick there, it won't stick anywhere!

- So could you play something for us?

- OK.

Er, I prefer to sit.

"Ballad on a garbage dump."

I'm sitting in a garbage dump

feeling kind of rough

With the rags and empty bottles

and other kinds of stuff

A tear rolls down my cheek

I'm filled with sad regret

For it gets better by the day

but good it'll never get

For it gets better by the day

but good it'll never get.

Time's well out of joint,

I tell you all good folk

You run in circles chasing status

what a bloody joke.

Well that's like soap

slippery when wet

For it gets better by the day

but good it'll never get

For it gets better by the day

but good it'll never get.

- But what do you want to do?

- I just want to play music.

Sure, but when you're in bed

at night... Don't you have a dream?

A dream? Just going around

playing music. Doing gigs.

Because I'm deeply impressed,

you see. Terribly impressed.

I've never heard such a debut.

A born star.

"Sold out"? They can't be serious.

Congratulations!

...a great big room,

were all the city heads

They then wrote out an envelope

And stood as one and said:

"There are no soldiers left today..."

Siw, that was great! Great!

- Pablo Neruda.

- Pablo Neruda.

Cheers everyone!

...preferred C major to G major.

But look...

Like this?

Cornelis,

if you can take a step forwards...

- Like that. One more. A bit more...

- Here?

- There?

- Sorry.

Good. Let's turn the shot slightly.

Exactly! If you can turn... There!

Perfect. Let's take... Hold this.

- Now fool about a bit.

- So this is my guitar!

You're a bit too tall, Fred, that's all.

Tall and handsome.

Great! Are you with me?

My buddy Per is gone now

he's no longer here

He ended up in a row

with someone he held so dear

She said, "get lost I don't

wanna see your arse in here again"

So Per took his son from school

it was the last time I saw him then.

My buddy Per has buggered off

I wonder where he's at

He got ripped off by his woman

I reckon he was desperate

Maybe he's gone to sea again

to Slam and Singapore

Or maybe he's locked himself away

to shed tears there on the floor.

Is it rehab for my buddy Per?

You might well think it so

He boozed to drown out his despair

just to have somewhere to go...

Good day!

After a Mustang or something?

- Cornelis.

- A pleasure.

Just come in,

recently serviced, V8 engine.

Leather upholstery. Quick sale, 25,000.

They won

the Second World War with this stuff!

So let's hang around

and try and win the third!

I met an old mate the other day...

...who I hadn't seen for ages.

We stopped to say hi.

"Hi, "said he. "Hi, "said I.

"Nice to see you, "said I.

Said he,

"Yeah, I suppose it is quite nice."

"Can't complain, that much is true."

"You know I went

and got married..."

"...in November, 62."

I'd never want

anything to happen to you.

..."I'm not playing guessing games!"

I said, "Guess again!"

So what's all this then?

I'm terribly sorry, constable,

but I'm a little unsteady on my feet.

If I could see your driving licence...

- I really didn't mean to.

- Just show me your licence!

Well, I'm afraid I don't have one.

I don't need one.

- I'm not even a Swedish citizen.

- No?

But I am a citizen of the world!

OK, party over. Give me the booze.

- Olsson!

- It's stuck

- Hand it over.

A poor singer is what you see

now Mr Plod's all cross with me!

- Out of the car.

- Good morning, constable.

Citizens...

...I'd like to do

an up-tempo, crude little number now.

If that'd be to your liking...

It's about a slob.

Not that I know any...

But I've heard about them.

It goes like this...

I'm just trash, I'm a swine

I like it rough, but you are so fine

You drink wine just to taste it

but I drink wine to get wasted

The likes of me should be locked away

wouldn't you say.

You home is nice, I've no address

Your life's secure, mine is a mess

You drive cars of the flashiest styles

With your little stick ladies

and their silly profiles.

How nice to sleep till late in the day

wouldn't you say.

"Singer's groovy songs a smash hit"

"Cornelis charged

Doesn't give a damn"

"Vreeswijk in court:

Driving drunk without licence"

"Dangerous and unsuitable for children"

"Generally offensive"

- See you at the bar?

- See you at the bar.

"CORNELIS IS FIRST ARTIST

TO BOYCOTT SOUTH AFRICA"

1965 LP charts

Well I'm just trash, born on the floor

My pa was an alky and ma was a whore

My dad died with his head down a drain

Yours died with a bullet to the brain

'Twas his way of giving the au revoir

to your ma

I'm just a bum, you're a cool cat

I'm just an arse, and that is that

But I'll still be alive when you're dead

Carving elegies in stone

to lay at your head

Death without cause,

life without goal, without soul.

Thank you.

If you feel like smoking...

Fancy a smoke?

Then let me tell you that we do too.

This is no advert for cigarettes.

If you smoke, you die.

You die if you don't smoke too!

That was "Two birds on a branch"

by Siw Malmkvist.

We're unable to play the next request,

"Bum blues"by Cornelis Vreeswijk.

We'll have to play another song

by him, and hope it'll do instead.

But we warn sensitive listeners

about the lyrics.

What the fuck...?

To Communications Minister Olof Palme.

Since it has come to my attention that

Swedish Radio is censoring my songs-

-I have to take the following action...

SINGER

BANS RADIO

Thanks.

Is it true you've banned the radio

from playing your songs?

- That's right.

- But it can't make financial sense.

You may be right. But in this case

I felt it was the right thing to do.

All I do is write about life.

I can't help what it looks like.

- How about your career so far?

- Career?

For me it's all about the music.

My "career" is being on the dole.

And now you have a family

to come home to.

That must be a nice contrast

to life on the road.

Yes indeed. I realise

I am a very lucky man. Thank you.

Excuse me, a photo? Thanks.

- Not much to write home about there.

Oh, I missed!

Hi!

How big you've grown!

A real man!

Look what I've got for you!

- How are you, my prince?

- Look who's here.

- Don't you recognise your old dad?

- You open it.

- Hi.

- Hi.

- You smell nice.

- Thanks.

What a circus, eh?

- Have they been up here too?

- No.

We'll have to change numbers again.

And some papers came from the police.

- You look pretty.

- Thanks.

- Is it new?

- Yep.

You've rearranged the furniture too.

Not really...

How's it going, Jack?

So where's the train?

There it is, in the tunnel!

Must never drink ever.

- No? Why not?

- It'll make you sick.

Sleep o little prince of mine

as the lights I douse

Father's off to the factory line

Mother will watch the house

Sleep my little prince tonight

Father's off to the factory site

We work our lives away

until the break of day.

The moon is shining big and bold

in the night so bare

Life's game of chance I'm told

nobody is spared

Complaining is no use my friend

banners, placards in the end

your hunger cannot quell

the truth, my Prince, I tell.

- Here we are!

- You've bought a house-boat?

Why not? I need somewhere to write.

- But can we really afford it?

- Don't you worry about that.

- It's really rocky!

- It's nice.

We can work here all night long

without disturbing anyone.

There you are! What do you say?

Rio! Brazil! It'll be cool!

I've got to tour with these guys first.

I don't think I'm up for a shoot.

Think about it.

Once I had a boat

With sail, cabin and keel

But that was a long time ago

a long time ago

Answer me do

Where is it now?

All I'm asking is

where is it now?

There once was a town

with children playing in the park

Until they dropped the bomb

and the town disappeared

Answer me do

Where is it now?

All I'm asking is

where is it now?

Fuck!

That's everything I own!

It's all I have!

The pontoons split, apparently.

Then it let in water and sank.

Some of it can be...

They've salvaged quite a bit...

What's this? It's from the police.

"Verdict and sentence."

"Drunk driving",

"Unlawfully in charge of a vehicle".

"8 weeks' incarceration in Bogesund

prison. To be served immediately."

We'll have to cancel the tour.

Places everybody! Look happy!

- Are you going to sit there all day?

- I've got a gippy tummy, see.

Cut! It's not working.

We're looking for Cornelis Vreeswijk.

- He's not here.

- Can we come in?

I've got another idea.

I thought we might... We'll start here.

Dance with them!

Ow! Shit!

- My prince! Hello.

Blue? That's a lovely name.

- Hi there, little Blue!

Where are we going now?

Are we going home?

CORNELIS

BEHIND BARS

- How's the foot?

- It's OK. The pain's still there...

Only two weeks left.

I must say you've been

a model prisoner during your time here.

Thank you.

That's good to hear.

Today's news. Singer Cornelis Vreeswijk

escaped tonight from Bogesund prison.

He'd been serving a 2-month sentence

for drunk and unlawful driving-

-and had only two weeks left to serve.

Hi!

You fucking bastard.

DIVORCE APPLICATION

Hi there, Prince. I'm in a place

where you learn to behave better.

Because it's important to behave.

Love is like a Roman candle

Like a Roman candle quick to flare

It burns so hot when mishandled

My soul is like a Roman candle

And ephemeral is its glare.

Mr Vreeswijk, how was life behind bars?

- Will you behave yourself now?

- Oh yes. I'll be a good boy.

One more photo, Cornelis.

Cornelis!

You know it'll soon be high time

you got down to a new project.

The Rio album was a long time ago.

Loads of talented guys have called to

ask to play with you. "No matter what".

Good, eh? Apart from that,

we've got a contract, you and I.

I know, but I...

I just haven't got round to it.

You're always welcome

to work back at our place...

DEBTS

BILL

FINAL DEMAND

He's sick.

Maybe we will have to

take him to the hospital?

What is it?

What's got into you?

- They've bugged my home!

- Who?

- The Security Police.

- Why would they bug you?

Look! A tapping wire.

I'm sorry, OK? I'm so sorry.

- Come with me, boy.

- No, don't do this!

- Calm down!

- No! I want him with me! Cornelis!

No! No!

There you are. Hey, we need someone

to lead the drinking songs in there!

- I'll be right in.

- OK.

- Escaping the party too, huh?

- Yes.

- I haven't got the energy. You?

- I'm not really in the mood.

- I don't know that many people there.

- Me neither.

But everyone knows you. You know

no one, but everyone knows you.

Right! Something like that.

Or rather, that's exactly it.

- Cornelis.

- Bim.

- Hello, Bim!

- Hello.

I'd eat the tails

and chuck the rest away.

Until I was told off by someone:

"That's absolutely forbidden!"

- You're a pro, obviously.

- Why is that so obvious?

Because it is... There's something

professional about you.

- Is that a compliment?

- Oh, yes!

Such a beautiful woman

reading "Catch 22".

- That's a bit prejudiced...!

- Not at all. I'm not prejudiced.

I'm just a little old-fashioned.

- Is that so?

- Yes it is.

- I don't believe that for one moment.

- But that's the way it is.

Was that allowed?

- Here's to us, and a fresh start!

- Cheers.

We'll have time for all this now,

you and I.

Go to restaurants, the cinema,

whatever you want.

You've hardly touched your food.

- When are we going to the cinema?

- If you eat up, we can go right away.

- Here you are. I've been looking for you.

- I'm dining with my son.

Hi, Jack. - You've got a gig in an hour.

The band's in the minibus waiting.

Come on! I'll take care of Jack

and deal with the bill.

OK.

When are we going to the cinema?

Another time. Come on,

put your jacket on. We have to go.

Goodbye.

Come on, let's wave goodbye to Daddy.

- Well, here he is. At last.

- Hi.

...and there's one ugly fellow,

and one handsome and one yellow

in the paintings that you make

All just for your own sake

Do you see that Jack?

You have to paint like that.

And Pa must work

and Ma's gone away

The TV's soon off for the day

You must always do as Ma said

She sent you to bed

But your painting's nearly done

so finish it my son

Do you get that, Jack, do you see?

'Cos I need you to show it to me.

- Who's idea was this?

- it was mine! I confess.

We have to tune our guitars.

A little naked song.

There's a seagull living on my roof

it is so nice and white

It's there every summer day

And when it feels like it

it just flies away

It sounds like John Coltrane

in some kind of cat-fight

And if it's laughing or not I can't say

No, if it's laughing or not I can't say.

Jack! Jack, come here now.

- Congratulations on the new album.

- Thanks!

- It's a huge hit.

- Yes, it's great.

Leaving Stockholm like that and moving

down south. It was very sudden.

It was, wasn't it.

Where do you get your titles from?

"Poems, ballads and a little blues"...

I figured that

that was exactly what it was.

Poems, ballads and a little blues.

- Unless you have a better idea?

- Oh, no. I'll leave that up to you.

- And now it's pop.

- You're right there.

Well, what a contrast!

- This is lovely. What is it?

- Ice tea.

Delicious.

You don't feel guilty living

in the lap of luxury like this...

...despite being a communist?

Can tiny little people fly?

Wasn't it difficult to come here and

leave the city life you were used to?

When Bim showed up, I knew at once

that this little lady was very special.

Sometimes people come into our lives

at just the right time.

Hallelujah!

Can I have some shots of the rings?

"Appeals not lodged within 8 days of

invoice date will not be considered."

49,300 kronor.

Know what you do

with one of these?

This is what you do.

It's for your own good.

I'm just trying to help.

Carry on like this, and you'll

go down again, you know that.

50,000. That's all.

And then the house is mine.

Where am I to get 50,000 from?

The taxman's at the door.

He's checking out your gigs.

The state's taking all your royalties.

Don't tell me what and what not to do.

I'll only go somewhere else,

you're not the only one.

I don't know if you've grasped that.

A lot of people want to work with me.

- Well if that's how you feel...

- Too fucking right I do.

...there was this guy in Stockholm-

-who was going to get some money for

me but they grassed me up...

Hi.

- You're late.

- It took longer than expected.

How's it gone? Get anything done?

So what was it that took so long?

Things dragged out

and then it took time to get a taxi.

- So what do you do at these meetings?

- You know what. It's a reading group.

- So what do you discuss?

- The books we've read.

Surely you don't just talk about books?

- Do you talk about me?

- No, we don't talk about you.

Sure you do. You and all those women.

I bet there are lesbians there too.

All horrified over

how you can be married to me.

I bet they all fancy you too.

Stop it.

We talk about the books we've read.

- Why can't you do that with me?

- I do. We talk too.

Obviously not.

- Have you met someone else there?

- No. No I haven't.

- Why not?

- I have no need to.

- If you do, we're over. Understand?

- I can't have this discussion again!

So why can't you just tell me

what you talk about?

Cornelis!

Cornelis!

What the fuck are you doing?

Are you out of your mind?

Are you OK?

Touch my wife again,

and I'll kill you. Hear me?

What the hell do you take me for?

You need help.

- I'll kill you!

- Calm down.

On stage, you sweat...

But at least you get the feeling

that you've done a good job.

And left no one unsatisfied.

No one goes home in tears.

That's good.

That's very good.

That's good, Cornelis. Good.

Really.

Mr Blue's at the window

staring through at me

Golden is my thirst

I raise a glass or three

Raise a glass to this old schooner

Mr Blue comes closer

knocks upon my door

Mr Blue will not leave

my heart is sore

- Hi. Silas.

- Yes, I remember you.

- Yeah? Fancy coming out for a jam?

- Starting something new, are you?

- Bigger things.

- Is that so?

'Cos I'm not happy with my old stuff.

I need something new...

Take me out to sea

leave Mr Blue alone

Golden is his thirst

but I sail on

Raise a glass to this old schooner.

FOR SALE

What the...? Fred!

- I'm not talking to you.

- Why not?

You've sold out.

You've sold out to Mammon.

I work. I'm doing the right thing.

I happen to think there's honour in it.

Don't touch me, you capitalist.

At least I don't just sit around

my allotment living on royalties!

How dare you...

You don't know how close you are!

- Eva, my name is Åke.

- Åke.

- And what was your name?

- Berit.

Come and dance.

God, I love this song!

What the fuck...?

What the fuck is this?

What the fuck...?

What the fuck are you playing at?

Are you trying to fuck me over?

Bum trip, man.

Right, you're fucking for it!

Try to fuck me over, will you?

No one fucks me over, got it?

Now fuck off! Get the fuck out!

Get out! Out!

I'm bleeding. Shit, I'm bleeding!

I'll get you for this, you bastard!

CORNELIS

Singer in knifing scandal

CORNELIS

IN PRISON AGAIN!

Mr Vreeswijk?

You're due on stage now.

I'd like to do a song...

...called "Morning grimace".

- Do "Agda the hen"!

- A song close to my heart.

The dew is falling the sun is rising

but all this you cannot hear

You're lying unclothed and enticing

with your lips against my ear

Be serious now, you order me

you laugh songs and sing in glee

You can but will not sing

of happiness, that fragile thing

- Sing "Camp Granada"!

- Shut up!

Don't you want to hear

a good song?

"Camp Granada"!

OK.

You've only got yourselves

to blame, Lidköping.

The navel of the world.

I've taken off my glasses

so I don't have to see them.

Hello Mudder

hello Fadder

here I am at

Camp Granada

And it's very entertaining

And they say we'll have some fun

if it stops raining...

Hi, Jack!

- Hi!

- Hi, Anita.

- How are things?

- Fine.

Your dad's over there.

Hi.

- How are you, my boy?

- Good, Dad. Why are you sitting here?

I like it.

It's the only time I get some peace

and quiet. I can get some work done.

- How was it at your grandma's?

- Great. Really nice.

Let's see.

Application for Swedish citizenship.

Fill in this form...

...and hand it in with proof of your

ability to speak and write Swedish-

-along with a countersigned

copy of your ID papers.

Proof? Surely you could

provide that yourself?

It mustn't be someone at the Migration

Office, but someone who knows you.

Someone who can vouch for your

language skills. An old teacher, maybe.

I'm a song-writer, you know.

Record them on records,

perform them to audiences.

- Maybe you've heard some of them?

- I'm sorry, but rules are rules.

If it had been up to me...

I don't know if you know,

but they're written in Swedish.

I can also tell you that I came

to Sweden when I was a little boy.

After the War. I was 12!

Then I went

to a Swedish grammar school.

A former teacher would be fine. Perhaps

there's someone you can contact?

Yes, well...thank you.

CORNELIS bankrupt

412,000 IN DEBT

Lay spruce twigs in my cot

and have me naked born

My mother lay awake till morn

But frightened I was not

Deep down in the pit there cower

those who live in fear of power

If the cold is what you dread

Lay spruce twigs in my bed

Lay spruce twigs in my bed

Lay twigs upon my desk

and of my ink partake

Our nest come help me make...

What do you mean,

nobody's buying tickets?

I've been booked to do a gig there.

For quite a long time, in fact.

You can't just cancel.

No? I see.

Goodbye.

Hi there! Cornelis Vreeswijk here.

All's well in sunny Hudiksvall?

Yeah, fine, fine.

Yeah, listen...

I'm sitting here...wondering...

...if you've got any evenings when

you can squeeze in an old folk singer.

Jack?

Hang up, I'm in the middle of a call.

Jack!

Hang up, I'm in the middle of a call!

Yes, thanks, thanks.

Christ, Jack.

I was in the middle of a call!

Hang up, I need to make some calls.

- Who are you talking to.

- None of your business.

Hello? Hello?

- Going behind my back, eh?

- Jesus, you're so fucking paranoid.

Cornelis,

everything will be alright. Won't it.

CORNELIS VREESWIJK

DRAGGED FROM FLAMES

SOLNA ALCOHOL REHAB CENTRE,

1986

- Hi.

- Good to see you.

You know the set-up. No booze.

An old junkie once walked

into a police station

His shoes were wet

his eyes were glass

His silent tongue

was numb of all sensation

So he could neither sing,

squeal nor grass...

Cornelis!

How are things?

- Right now I just need to be here.

- I know.

How's that?

The first charge is drunk driving

and driving without a licence.

On the first occasion

you were found asleep in your car.

And your car was parked

on a motorway slip road...

...ran a check and found

that your licence was issued in Cyprus.

There was a fire in your home, after

which the police found a shotgun...

What have you done this time, eh?

Got a season ticket?

Listen, I think you're great.

But you have to pay tax, right?

I mean, you can't not...

You're like, "I care about my mates,

I'm so good, I sing about them..."

It's hypocrisy! Not everyone can piss

off abroad as soon as the heat's on.

- Hey, we can take a beer. On me.

- Thanks, no. Goodbye.

Alky! Fuck off back to Belgium then!

I'm guilty on all counts.

So I'd like to thank your honour.

Mr Troll, Mr Troll, where are you?

Here I am!

Mr Vreeswijk, you must undergo

the necessary medical regimen...

...to have any chance

of overcoming your alcohol dependency.

Times are hard now.

Harder than I thought.

- Who have you talked to?

- Different people.

Then I had an idea.

I've got a mate with his own studio.

He hires it out and I thought I'd pay

some musicians from my own pocket...

- What, you produce?

- Why not?

So four lovely angels

took his heart from his bones

And with his needle

in a bag they placed it

Then they slowly drifted up

to their heavenly thrones

It's getting late

Time to quit.

I've had a look at you. We're a little

worried about your diabetes.

I guess I haven't been that careful.

- Who prescribed you your insulin?

- A doctor in Denmark.

I'm afraid we've found something else.

We took a look at your liver,

as you've been having problems.

See this white section?

It's a malignant tumour that has well

and truly established itself, I'm afraid.

You can see a large piece here that...

- Can't it be removed?

- It's had too much time to develop.

We can give you painkillers,

but that's all we can do.

You must be prepared

that it can be very quick.

I wonder which genius

came up with this idea.

You'd almost think

it was Candid Camera!

And then they'll play it on the news

as final proof that I'm passé.

Maybe they had to fulfil their quota of

old geezers to get their state subsidy!

Who's this monkey?

Down to the right.

OK, my friends. You're on.

I think that little shrimp

has put us on the wrong stage.

OK, guys.

This ain't going to be easy.

Shut your eyes and think of the Queen,

as they say in England.

Are you having a good time?

Here he is.: Cornelis Vreeswijk!

Citizens... Good evening!

Some people we meet

wear rags on their feet

Tell me why should that be?

Perhaps God above in his heavenly seat

Has said that's how it should be.

Perhaps God above in his heavenly seat

Just sleeps away his days

Who cares about

some old rags on the feet

When you're old, tired and grey.

Who cares how they spend their days

They just saunter along

Citizen, in one hundred years

You will be long, long gone.

Here.

The metre's hit 250 kronor.

Are you getting out?

- Here. Keep the change.

- Thanks.

- Hello, Dad.

- My prince.

Glad you could make it.

- What's this? Who have we here?

- Look, Jakob. Look who's here!

Cornelis Vreeswijk died on 12 November

1987 of diabetes and liver cancer.

He never got to experience his revived

popularity after the Roskilde festival-

-and died alone, in massive debt.

During his 23 years as a performer,

he released 38 albums-

-and is still one of Sweden's

top-selling artists.

Cornelis Vreeswijk was 50 years old.

He was never given Swedish citizenship.