Springen (1986) - full transcript

That creates a nice atmosphere.

-Could we ask you some questions?

-No comment.

-I won't comment.

-We've got to start immediately.

Keep the press away.

-What is the situation, Minister?

-Tragic is the word.

The point of no return

has been reached.

The enemy can no longer be repelled.

What will you do, Minister?

It may be madness,

but we will do our duty.

To the bitter end.

-You can count on that.

-What does that mean?

-Bravo.

-Chapeau.

Gentlemen, I did not want this.

We will be on all the stations.

Ladies and gentlemen,

after His Majesty the King

I represent

the highest power in this country.

I declare that, from this moment on,

the country

has been placed on level three alert.

It is my duty

to provide information on the nature

and cause of the danger threatening you.

I will hand you over

to General Adelbrecht Schimmelpenninck,

the Minister of Defence.

This isn't the promised concert.

Saint-Saëns, Miss Matti.

Mr. Clement, stay here.

It's your duty.

Fellow countrymen,

soon there will no longer be any history

to judge me and others.

Everyone knows how

the international situation has evolved.

In recent days all kinds of conflicts

more or less all over the world

have reached their climax.

The use of tactical nuclear weapons

led to an unexpected escalation

of natural disasters.

Countries that felt threatened,

used their nuclear arsenal.

Radioactive waves are spreading.

Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions

plague our continents.

I've received official confirmation that

both in the USA and the Soviet Union

nuclear missiles have been fired

at as yet unknown targets.

We must prepare for the worst.

The end is near.

-The management is absent.

-Axel is with Mira.

Or Matti.

In exactly three minutes

and sixteen seconds

I will also press the red button,

so that our nuclear missiles

are also on standby.

-That's my chair.

-First come, first served.

-I refuse to take such impudence.

-There is no point in surviving.

There is no point in fleeing.

Long live the king.

Two, one… Fire!

Wonderful!

…two, one, fire.

My turn.

-Sit down. Sit down.

-What'd he say?

-Don't shout!

-Attack!

-Don't you feel very well?

-I'm just cold.

Me too.

-Cologne.

-Berlin, Warsaw.

-And Paris.

-No, not Paris.

Paris.

Sit down.

Ladies and gentlemen.

This is our last offensive.

All together.

Fire.

Directing the destruction of the world

isn't simple.

My compliments.

The best spectacle in months.

Everyone except Mr. Clement

was delighted.

The destruction of the world.

Almost perfection.

I'm almost an expert on it.

-You're almost a genius with dynamite.

-I already am.

-As long as you don't overdo it.

-I won't.

-Promotion?

-No, but I'm a genius.

Good morning, everyone.

Have you got a minute,

Mr. Woestewey? Just one.

Not now, Mr. Clement.

Maybe tomorrow.

Of course, I understand.

Thank you.

-You're late.

-I've never been so early.

-I've just had a phone call from…

-That can wait.

-We're at work.

-Not here.

-You look tired.

-That's what you think.

You'll see, it's probably overloaded.

-I'd rather not think about it.

-It's happened a lot lately.

The mechanism needs checking.

We've paid for that, too.

-Be patient. Help's on its way.

-He's shouting again.

I read in an article

that someone in a lift

had knocked for two days

and two nights. Just like that.

Don't worry. We're coming to help you.

Fuck off.

Hold on.

Are you OK?

-Can't we help?

-I'm sure the machinery is out of date.

-We should phone the fire brigade.

-Calm down, calm down.

-There's someone in the lift.

-How long?

Who's in there?

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.

Stupid, that incident.

A short circuit, maybe.

Isn't that what I said?

A. WOESTENEY

EXECUTIVE MANAGER

Bellina.

INTERNATIONAL INTEREST

IN BELGIAN NATURAL GAS

-This isn't looking good.

-What do you mean?

New drilling operations have occurred.

There must be huge amounts of gas.

Soon the entire region

will be an industrial estate.

Do you think so?

They're talking about

compulsory purchases.

Pieter Paul Himmelsorge from

the Semper Vivax retirement home.

The flowers for Mrs. Bellina Woestewey.

Preferably today. At the same time.

And anonymous.

Thank you very much.

It's hard to keep pace.

Therapy every other day.

It's getting more and more difficult

for Pipo.

Mr. Clement can't be cheered up.

It would be better

for Clement to leave.

-What's on the programme tomorrow?

-A visit by a VIP.

Mrs. Patricia Haegeman

wishes to place her grandfather,

the Minister of State,

on the waiting list.

-Interesting. What can we show her?

-Puccini is to be continued.

DATE: AUGUST 6, 1986

PRESENTED: LA BOHÈME

SUBJECT: GRETE MULLER

BORN: JANUARY 18, 1887

-Ninety-three?

-Yes.

With a professional approach.

Scenery, costumes, rehearsals…

She gives a recital every month.

Highlights from the work of Puccini.

-And everyone believes it each time?

-Don't know of any exceptions.

-Incredible.

-If it is professionally packaged,

the illusion becomes

irresistible for many.

Some aspects of reality

are more attractive than dreams.

I don't think it up myself.

My assistant does, he's a genius.

-That man there.

-Him?

Pieter Paul Himmelsorge.

We call him Pipo.

He's the heart of this establishment.

I'd be lost without him.

-I'd never have thought this possible.

-We make the impossible possible.

Our programme has a lot more to offer.

For example the safari,

the flight in our hot-air balloon

or the masked ball.

There's so much more,

if you see what I mean.

The trial.

Come and see the trial.

See the man with the red carnation?

That's Mr. Krop, once a genius

at the bar. A phenomenon at every trial.

Until that murder trial in 1937.

Total failure in the Hulsthout trial.

His client got life. The witch hunt

and scandal proved fatal.

Krop became a manic-depressive,

took to drink and ended up here with us.

The trial is restaged here once a month,

-but Krop always gets an acquittal.

-Isn't that a bit absurd?

The therapy is effective

and the results speak for themselves.

Living to a hundred is not an exception

here. Mr. Himmelsorge?

My right hand and the director

of what you call absurd.

Mrs. Haegeman. Patricia Haegeman.

Pleased to meet you.

The manager has told me a lot about you.

Mrs. Haegeman has come

to introduce her grandfather.

-You knew that.

-I didn't know that.

-We'll certainly consider him.

-His great dream is dancing.

Without politics he would have been

a great revue star.

But in our family, you understand…

That's his great regret now.

Perhaps a great dance career

is to be found for him here.

We organise happiness,

but don't participate ourselves.

A place only becomes available

when someone dies.

No one dies here.

People leave the home.

Anyway, at the moment

there's not much chance for him.

I didn't say that. On the contrary.

You must know your grandfather's

political friends and former colleagues?

Yes, of course.

In that case you can help us.

If you can use your influence

with regard to the compulsory purchases,

then we'd certainly be able to make

your grandfather happy. And you, too.

I'm going to get changed.

I have to take Mira for a walk.

It was a pleasure to meet you.

Do you have any unfilled desires?

Something you dream of?

Then I will make it come true for you.

Professionally.

But with all my heart.

Who's Mira?

She's not doing too well. She hasn't

touched her food for two days.

Rehearsals aren't going so well, either.

She reacts too slowly to commands.

-Something's wrong, but what?

-I hope this isn't the explanation.

In less than a week. And always here.

I think that's going too far.

You don't drink, do you Mira?

Or do you?

-She's a good actress.

-Axel is the biggest beast.

He'll drink himself to death.

One day you'll find his body here.

What's the matter with him? He has

no reason to. Mind you, Bellina…

-What's the matter with Bellina?

-Nothing. Just Bellina.

Cabaret, nudity,

the prettiest girls in town.

Cabaret, nudity,

the prettiest girls in town.

Don't you dare come in? Come on.

Cabaret, nudity, prettiest girls.

-What shall we have to drink?

-Champagne, of course.

-Piper-Heidsieck extra.

-That's just the thing, of course.

-Have you got some money?

-What d'you think?

Enough?

Of course.

-We'll have a party.

-That'd be great, of course.

-Why d'you always say "of course"?

-Do I? That's stupid, of course.

-Does your wife like this fiddling?

-I'm not married.

-Never have been. I know better.

-Should've guessed. Leave it.

A drink will help.

Pussy's not used to that.

Pussy?

Let go of me. No.

Bastard.

No, not that way.

Bloody idiot.

Honestly!

Cabaret, floor show. Come inside.

After three operations to my back

I started playing again in 1980.

And within two years I was back

among the best in the world.

I know that people say about me,

"OK, he was a great player,

but he'll never win again".

But today I'm standing here

to prove them wrong.

How was your assignation?

-Looks like it was a wild night.

-That's the word. A wild night.

He looked better two months ago.

I tell you, Mr. Himmelsorge is worried.

-You can't complain, either.

-True.

The hunt is often very satisfactory.

Due to the rights of the family

I have to invent uplifting stories

about the previous night and evening.

I only do high quality acting.

When I had tea with Eisenhower.

I remember that very clearly.

The White House. His golf wasn't bad.

Why don't you quit and leave?

-Everyone can leave.

-What's stopping you?

-You're not listening again.

-You've told the story so often.

How's Bellina?

She now weighs 142. She's not eating

but is getting fatter and fatter.

-So heavy… You should see her.

-Yes.

Living with someone you hate…

Do you understand?

No.

If I tell her she's too fat,

I'm the monster, not her.

She doesn't care

that she looks like a group photo.

When I see her,

I sometimes think, "Drop dead!"

In my dreams I sometimes get rid of her

myself. With a bullet or a knife.

Or I drown her.

Drown every kilo of that body.

There's a chance for you.

You can think up the perfect murder.

Tell me, Pipo.

You'll have to invent another excuse

for my nocturnal absence.

I've decided not to go home tonight.

The gas, maybe?

I'll go and see Bellina this evening

and spin her a great yarn.

You've heard from a reliable source

about international action

regarding the compulsory purchases.

-I'm calling an emergency meeting.

-Not here.

-In Brussels, at least.

-Luxembourg is better.

My text for the annual celebration

is ready.

When you've got time,

I'll read it to you.

I'd love to hear it.

The programme

has to be decided tonight. We're late.

It must be a stunning demonstration

of our therapies.

The fall of the Hindenburg?

The passage through the Red Sea?

-Or even better, a drunk elephant.

-You can be a swine. It's serious.

I know, but I was talking about Mira.

She's ill. That's serious, too.

What's up, princess?

If you could talk, I'd find out more

about what's making you sad.

The private life of an elephant

is probably very passionate.

Are you really ill?

Or is it just homesickness?

And being alone.

It's well known that

that's the biggest catastrophe.

Loneliness is close to my heart.

Even after the hundred women I've had

and the thousand others

I still want to fuck.

And you… You can't help me either.

Don't leave?

Do I have to stay?

Gently.

Some tenderness maybe?

Passion can wait.

Basal metabolism.

I keep saying it, Mrs. Woestewey.

And now that increased pressure

on both insteps.

The risk is increasing considerably.

You must do as prescribed.

And now breath in.

And out.

-Hello, Ansje.

-Daddy's out.

-I know. Is Mummy home?

-She's with the doctor.

May I wait for her?

You've got a whole family here.

Who gives you the dolls?

-Daddy. He travels a lot.

-Yes, I know.

-And Mummy gets flowers.

-Also from him?

She says they are,

but I don't believe her.

Why not?

Mummy.

Mummy.

I think they must've cost a fortune.

I don't know about things like that.

But you're certainly spoiled.

What do you look like?

Would you like a drink?

Yes, of course.

-You look radiant.

-That's what the doctor said just now.

-Port?

-Yes. Sorry for just dropping in.

I've come to say Axel has had to go

to Luxembourg unexpectedly.

-He'll be home the day after tomorrow.

-Of course.

-Great.

-The reason he's gone…

Is of no interest to me.

Besides,

I'd much rather you had the dinner.

-Is something wrong?

-I'm just looking.

I'm pleased you're here.

D'you want some?

Do you feel death approaching?

What about those wild stories

about shady places

full of bones and ivory

that you go to at the end?

Or do you just die messily

like everyone else?

Won't you help me, princess?

Lift your foot up

and put it on my head.

That's easy for you to do.

No one would blame you.

Do it. Do it.

Do it.

You're just a stupid elephant.

-I'd heard you don't eat anymore.

-I do tonight.

-It's wonderful to look at.

-Look as much as you like.

-You've received some beautiful flowers.

-Fourteen times.

Ansje said they're from Axel.

Why aren't you married?

The woman I love is unobtainable.

Who is it? Do I know her?

It's you, of course.

Who else could it be?

You know I'm about to explode.

Even drinking water makes me fat.

Then there's more and more to love.

Axel thinks you're a genius.

I'm just a sales rep for dreams.

Sometimes I'd like to be there.

I hear the most exciting stories.

Come to the annual celebration.

Promise me you'll come.

No, this body's

never going out again. Never.

Hasn't been out for two years.

And won't go out tonight.

Tonight?

Erika's giving a concert in Brussels.

-Erika?

-My sister. A better-looking edition.

Thin people can be ugly.

You're chubby and beautiful.

And the doctor says,

"Madam, you'll have a heart attack."

You'll live to be very old.

You'll outlive us all.

-You'll become a merry widow.

-A what?

A widow.

-Italian quails?

-No.

-Your favourite food.

-No, thank you.

-Or maybe just an ossobuco.

-No. Why were you late?

Why do I see so little of you?

-You've been drinking.

-Yes.

With someone of sizeable importance.

-A lady, if you must know.

-Bellina?

-She's no longer a lady.

-She's still my sister.

Worse. She's still my wife.

There's dirt on your trousers.

Where have you been?

I've arranged it so that

I can stay with you this evening.

And all night, if you want. Great, eh?

You're beautiful, believe me.

I'm so pleased to see you.

I've been waiting for this for days.

I like talking to you.

I can only be myself with you.

I can tell you things

I've never told anyone.

No, really.

It's only here, with you,

that I don't want to lie.

Fine.

Who did you have a drink with?

-Who was it?

-You wouldn't believe me.

-Who?

-It was an elephant.

That's becoming.

A real, big, fat elephant.

-Get out.

-That was my foot.

-And that's my shou…

-Out.

-I'll do it.

-Out, I said.

-That's my shoulder. And my chin.

-Get out.

-I'll really do it.

-Get out.

I'll really jump. I'll jump.

Erika, come on.

Open the door.

You can have the rest another time.

You don't mean that.

Erika, come on, open the door.

Come on, open the door. Erika.

One day I'll take you with me.

Where to?

Jury, you've heard the closing speech

of the counsel for the prosecution.

Jan Hulsthout, 34, is accused

of having killed his friend

and employer, Romain de Burghraeve,

by placing explosives in his car

after he'd been caught by the victim

committing adultery…

with Blanche de Burghraeve,

his wife.

Now it's the turn of the defence.

Bring in the accused.

Jan Hulsthout.

-Mr. Krop.

-Stay calm. Don't react.

Sit down.

Chairman…

ladies and gentlemen of the jury.

It is all too easy

to, as the counsel

for the prosecution did,

base our opinion solely

on what we know about

the accused's past. The fact…

-Why is Mena on de jury?

-More problems.

With Clement?

Something's got to be done.

…how weak his case is.

The accused has never denied…

that he had an affair

with the victim's wife. On the contrary.

He told us,

and we all found it very moving,

what that affair meant

to the two of them.

A chance of happiness,

the end to loneliness

and, in the case of Blanche,

an end to humiliation

by a husband who treated her like dirt.

Who cheated on her without

any respect for her dignity as a woman.

My client's past is not unblemished,

I readily admit.

Let's say he never had any full

or satisfying contact with women.

He wasn't physically impotent,

but he couldn't

get past his frustrations.

Jan Hulsthout

underwent a transformation

when he met Blanche.

Two people

who suddenly discovered happiness.

Violence seemed to them the only

way out. That was wrong, of course.

I don't deny that, but they wanted

to make Romain de Burghraeve pay

for the suffering he'd caused his wife

all those years.

We were dealing here with two people

who saw their path to happiness cut off.

I ask you to be lenient.

I hardly dare ask you to acquit him.

This man

may have been capable of a murder,

but he's not a murderer.

I have confidence in you. I thank you.

Has the accused got anything to add?

I declare the proceedings closed.

Jury, here are the two questions

you have to answer.

Is Mr. Hulsthout guilty…

…you must answer

in good conscience.

-I didn't see you come in.

-I was late.

-I'm just interested.

-Yes, I understand.

-He's starting to get impatient.

-Who?

-My grandfather.

-Oh, him.

Excuse me.

-How nice to see you.

-Congratulations.

-It looks fantastic.

-It's the 112th time.

I'm now totally convinced.

But I can't promise you anything yet.

Then I can't do anything about

the compulsory purchase for the moment.

The chairman of the jury may speak.

The jury's answer to the first question

is no.

Jan Hulsthout is found innocent.

He can leave this court a free man.

What was it like last night?

-She was great. I was fantastic.

-Who was it?

You don't know her.

And she's indescribable.

Try.

She can fuck in seven languages.

Satisfied?

-You haven't been here for 3 years.

-You know I'm really busy.

I've got to go to Amsterdam tonight.

I haven't much time. Are you alone?

-Axel is away on business, as they say.

-Again?

You're well informed.

-Take a seat.

-What's in there, Aunt Erika?

A present for your daddy.

How long?

Three years. All but a week.

-Thanks for that detail.

-I'm sorry.

Go ahead.

It may be him.

Hello, Woestewey.

No, she's not home.

-I want you to talk to Axel.

-We'll see.

And what will you do now?

Maybe I should start going out again.

And two extra charges

for the main attraction.

For one explosion.

Remote controlled, of course.

A colleague will do that.

I'll explain it to him.

You should stand here on the stage.

-For the speech?

-There needs to be some space.

And the image as a whole is important.

The procession showing

what we can offer must be clear.

-Don't forget the fireworks.

-They've been ordered.

You think of everything.

I've worked out a routine with Mira.

The elephant appears all decked out

on the grass

while you talk about

how far we go with our therapy.

What do we do with our old colonial?

He goes mad

when he sees an elephant.

We'll keep him out of the way.

I'll think of something.

Everyone on time next time

or I'll complain to the commissioner.

Everyone must do their job correctly.

I've been waiting ten minutes.

I won't stand for it.

That, too.

I think they're going too far.

You can't complain.

Yes, I know.

Be careful.

Not so much noise.

He must be around here.

Madame Butterfly Saturday.

I'm not ready with Tosca yet.

Will you be quiet, Grete?

Don't move.

My 84th.

Brilliant shot, even if I say so myself.

With the money I make from the ivory

I'm off to the whores. For a month.

Look at those feet.

Did you know that the pressure exerted

by an elephant's foot is 675 kilos?

It's 710. I've worked it out.

She did it perfectly again.

The queen of the ball will be

Mira with her big head.

One big bang

and Our Lord is dead.

-Are you feeling OK?

-Sometimes I'm a poet.

I'm seriously worried about him.

Something's going to go wrong.

-Smells better than a cunt, or not?

-What did you say?

-You heard me.

-They keep coming, eh?

May I know

who the generous donor is?

None of your business.

You're so huge I don't mind sharing.

I could do without you.

If that's what makes you happy,

then stay fat. But shut up.

-I didn't say anything.

-It's always the same old song.

Even our arguments send me to sleep.

I've done my best to let you grow fat in

the most comfortable of circumstances.

-I've even changed my ideals for you.

-I will get even fatter.

Then I'll give you an even wider mirror.

-You've been drinking.

-And you.

You look like someone who's dead

and won't admit it.

It's not your glands making you fat,

it's your ego.

Am I supposed to be aroused

by that mountain of fat?

Carry on reading.

I'm in the shade anyway.

-My God.

-When did this happen?

He didn't turn up for breakfast.

We immediately went to look for him.

It was to be expected.

I did all I could for him.

Nothing helped.

His departure is arranged.

DATE: AUGUST 23, 1986

PRESENTED: END OF THERAPY

Mr. Clement Vertriest has decided

to leave our establishment.

We regret this,

but we wish him all the best.

He sends his regards to all of you.

His place will be filled

as soon as possible.

And the first candidate

who may be considered,

is Minister of State,

professor Theo Haegeman.

Mr. Haegeman is 88

and after a well-filled political career

his aspirations are, among other things,

in the area of dance.

-Will they do an autopsy?

-Nothing must get out about this.

He was old enough.

DATE: AUGUST 27, 1986

PRESENTED: SHOWTIME

SUBJECT: THEO HAEGEMAN

MINISTER OF STATE

BORN: APRIL 29, 1898

You've heard of him!

He always reminded me of Fred Astaire.

Defence, if I'm not mistaken.

Culture.

-He seems to have been reborn.

-The approach is important.

If you want to speak to Axel,

you'll have to wait.

Bravo. Bravo.

You're popular.

Excuse me.

Mrs. Muller, it's getting late.

It's intolerable.

First the mosquitoes and now this.

-Calm down.

-I'm going to complain.

-I'll see to it.

-Every night it's the same.

I'm fed up with that screeching.

I've had enough of Puccini.

If it were Wagner,

but no, it's 'Sur La Mer'.

This doesn't happen very often anymore.

All the details of the plan

have been worked out.

I know what I want.

This is the secretariat

of Axel Woestewey.

Mr. Woestewey is expecting you

Saturday for the annual celebration.

Not at all.

You're more than welcome.

You're heavy enough.

The mechanism works perfectly.

The weight just has to come down

exactly on the right spot.

Your name is definitely on the list.

Erika, Mrs. Erika Benz.

Who?

Mrs. Woestewey? She never comes here.

You're welcome.

The agreed word is reached in the

speech and the orchestra starts up.

You then set off in time with the music.

The path is marked out

and the system built in correctly.

Mrs. Woestewey?

Your weight alone

will cause the explosion…

that will blow Axel to pieces.

-A nice evening.

-Yes, wonderful.

Sleep well.

Singapore, please.

It's 3738904.

Mr. Driebergen.

-Hello.

-Henri.

-I can't hear you very well.

-Henri.

-The connection is bad this morning.

-I miss you.

Saturday? Yes, it's definite.

Everyone will be there.

-You're definitely coming?

-Flight number 301.

Arriving half past eight.

Two more days to go.

I don't understand.

For months you hear nothing.

No meeting, no letters, no phone calls.

-And then this. Had you heard anything?

-Not a thing. Me? No.

Semper Vivax, good morning.

Who's speaking?

Oh, Alexandra.

I was just thinking of you, yes.

When tomorrow?

That's very difficult. Invitation? When?

Then it must be.

No, fine. Yes, we'll see tomorrow.

Yes, Alexandra. What have you…

I'm going to install the detonator

for the fireworks.

Good morning, who's speaking?

Speaking.

Sylvia, I think.

Ah, Isabelle.

No, the voice. Just the voice.

An invitation for tomorrow? Yes, but…

No, no, come.

But there will be a lot of people here.

Yes, we'll arrange that tomorrow.

Look, I can't… Hello.

Hello.

Till tomorrow, then.

No, Chantal. I'm pleased you called.

Tomorrow. I can no longer follow.

Who have you invited?

-You wanted a unique party.

-You know what I meant.

-I've invited a few of your girlfriends.

-They thanked me.

I expect a huge turnout. Alexandra,

Isabelle and Chantal are coming.

-I realised that.

-Plus…

Patricia, Sylvia, Suzanne, Tia, Nina,

Christel, Miep, Veerle, Giselle, Ilse,

Gert, Martine,

Annemie, Dolores and Erika.

I don't get it.

Why?

Your floor gymnastics with

Patricia Haegeman were the last straw.

-Or don't you agree?

-I hadn't heard you.

Then you'd better listen.

There's more.

In recent months I've been

keeping letters back now and then.

-What about?

-About the compulsory purchase.

I don't understand.

Or maybe I do.

Why?

-I've got a different sense of humour.

-Shut up.

I'll tell you why I did it.

Out of concern.

Love is overdoing it.

The truth is that you can't cope

with this crazy game anymore.

With every little incident

you reach for the bottle.

I wanted to spare you.

I'd rather see you carefree

than drinking yourself to destruction.

It's gradually becoming too much,

even for me.

I can't help it.

That's why.

I assume this means I'm fired.

I can't do without you.

You can't do without your belt, either.

See you tomorrow.

Mr. Woestewey.

Those mosquitoes!

It's the same every night.

-Don't look for excuses.

-What did you say?

You don't smell of the gutter tonight.

Something awful must've happened.

First I thought, maybe he's got cancer.

-But now I know what it is.

-You don't know anything.

I read the newspapers.

They've been clever.

Semper Vivax

is slipping out of my hands.

I fear the worst.

-What will Axel Woestewey do now?

-I wish I knew.

We've got one more chance.

Tomorrow.

-Something has to happen tomorrow.

-Yes.

I'm scared.

I've never been so scared.

You haven't lost your toy yet.

You're always able to persuade people.

Anyway, I'll be there.

-You're mad.

-I'm still coming.

-You can't.

-A manager takes his wife.

While you persuade the VIPs,

I'll take care of the ladies.

-I forbid it.

-Who's going to stop me?

Do it for me.

-I beg you.

-I'd do anything for you, but not that.

Tomorrow

I'm going out.

Me, as matron of honour,

number one in years and weight.

I've ordered a new dress.

In pale blue and lilac.

What are you wearing tomorrow?

You're checked suit perhaps.

That's just been returned.

Shall I wear a hat?

A hat.

-You're late.

-I've got something with me.

-There's enough drink.

-A small side-show.

-Bellina.

-I promised you.

-Of course.

-Right, here we are then.

Careful.

Glad you could come.

I'd like to introduce you to my wife.

Hello.

And this is my deputy.

You've seen him in the courtroom.

-The thyroid, I think.

-I've got to do something about that.

-Don't look immediately.

-Hello, everyone.

-I thought you didn't drink.

-You think too much.

You're keeping your guests waiting.

-Do you know those women?

-Which women?

-Nice cut. New, I assume?

-I'm so pleased you're here.

And I'm obviously not the only one.

-You still look just as young.

-People speak highly of you.

Is that your fiancée?

The turnout is satisfactory. Excuse me.

I hadn't expected you.

-I phoned you.

-When?

-I tried to get hold of you.

-I'm here. What did you think?

-I wanted to say it'd be better if…

-What do you mean? You invited me.

Never mind.

-Thank you for the flowers.

-Of course.

-You look fantastic.

-Shall we start?

Of course.

Excuse me. Tell me then.

First Koekelkoorn will speak, then you.

You know when I'll let Mira loose.

I've marked it. Has the colonial gone?

This is what we've done…

-I mean everything that's in it.

-That's why we chose you.

Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of

all the residents of Semper Vivax

Mr. Koekelkoorn,

one of our oldest friends,

will welcome you with a few words.

Minister,

dear friends,

I don't know…

He's getting old.

I don't know approximately

how many people are present.

-But that isn't important.

-Stop, you're already drunk.

That's what you think. Take a look

at yourself. I can easily outdrink you.

You're going too far.

Don't create a scene.

…sincere thanks to those…

-How many glasses have you had?

-I haven't counted.

I'm counting something else.

They say, that dreams are

-a delusion.

-Which do you sleep with?

Here, the opposite is true.

-Which of the tarts here do you fuck?

-Shut up.

No doubt you invited that pink ferret.

And her with the harelip,

you've had it off with her, too.

And I'm sure about those two.

You can see they're wet.

Sorry, I wasn't talking about you.

…making this unique project happen

day after day,

hour after hour, minute by minute.

It is only a shame that some choose

-to go back out into the big wide world.

-What's he saying?

…cast no shadow on the festive

atmosphere of which you are part.

And which I wish everyone

from the bottom of my heart. Thank you.

Am I staying here?

-I think that's best.

-No way.

-What had you in mind?

-Standing next to you.

No way.

Minister, Governor,

Your Worship the Mayor.

Ladies and gentlemen,

members of the board, my dear friends.

Stop.

-What can we call a day like this?

-A whisky, please.

A special name should be thought up,

because festival is too commonplace.

Anniversary is not entirely correct

and commemoration day is too solemn.

A double.

The occasion we are celebrating once

again today is a mixture of them all.

Clam down, Mira.

This is work that takes years.

-Hello, mouse.

-I didn't see you.

I understand. I don't attract attention.

This work is in the hands

of very competent people.

I thought you never went out.

I was invited to come, just like you.

I've come to listen to my darling

husband. It's wonderful how he talks.

-We know what we need to do.

-And I'm going to tell him.

-Now, right away.

-Ouch. What are you doing?

And the results are also… unique.

-Let go. Ouch, you're hurting me.

All this is now being threatened

by people,

people driven

by greed and materialism.

No!

A singing act, maybe?

Aïda and Amneris,

act two, scene one.

A disastrous plan,

ladies and gentlemen. I hope

that everyone will resist it

in every possible way.

-What are you up to?

-You said I was the hostess,

and you haven't even introduced me

to your herd of whores.

Transfer of power.

-I want to sing a song.

-Turn it off.

Ladies and gentlemen,

everyone present…

-Not yet, Mira.

-You probably know this creature.

That man there, Axel, is my husband.

Let me introduce his legal wife.

I haven't finished yet.

This is truly a wonderful celebration

with lots of very respectable

and lots more beautiful women.

They were invited by my husband.

They are queens of the night.

The wet dream

and the ideal of Axel Woestewey.

Brilliant staging.

Do something.

Dear VIPs and the whole caboodle,

I propose a toast

to the man who's just disappeared.

He was much loved by us all,

we will always remember him.

Steady.

So let us all raise our glasses.

No. Mira, no. Stop.

-An elephant.

-All I can say is cheers!

-Cheers.

-Mira!

There. Stop here.

Cheers.

-She's dead, she's dying.

-We'll have to put her down.

She's really dying.

Your Worship the Mayor,

could this be an attack?

I can't say anything about that.

The investigation will reveal more.

Is there anything

that points in that direction?

Dear Godfather,

This is what I wish for in the New Year.

And like the grown-ups,

I wish you lots of happy times to come.

My speech is gone.

My speech is gone.

Do you want to report it?

I knew it by heart.

I'll keep you up to date on how it's

going. We'll see each other tomorrow.

-My daughter. Does she know?

-She needs a new mother.

Daddy.

Are you coming?

JUMPING OUT THE WINDOW

SHOULD BE REGARDED AS POINTLESS

Subtitle translation by: Christine Le Piez