The Celebration (1998) - full transcript
The Father turns 60. His family, which is a big one of the kind, gathers to celebrate him on a castle. Everybody likes and respects the father deeply...or do they? The youngest son is trying to live up to the father's expectations. He is running a grill-bar in a dirty part of Copenhagen. The oldest son runs a restaurant in France, while the sister is a anthropologist. The older sister has recently committed suicide and the father asks the oldest son to say a few words about her, because he is afraid he will break into tears if he does it himself. The oldest son agrees without argument. Actually he has already written two speeches. A yellow and a green one. By the table, he asks the father to pick a speech. The father chooses green. The oldest son announces that this is the Speech of Truth. Everybody laughs, except for the father who gets a nervous look on his face. For he knows that the oldest son is about to reveal the secret of why the oldest sister killed herself.
Christian speaking
Hi. I'm here now
I landed this morning
What?
Err... Washed?
I shaved at the airport,
if you must know
I shaved at the airport,
if you must know!
I'm fine
Right now I'm looking
at the fields
My father's land
It's beautiful
It makes me want to move back for
good, but there'd be a few problems
I'll make it
Yes, I suppose it
will be shocking
What?
You're dropping out
OK. 'Bye
Bloody hell, that's my brother
Why the hell didn't
you say something?
As if I saw him! Jesus!
I have to do everything myself
Shit, Christian!
Look at you, man!
See him, Kasper? He's walked
all the way from Paris
Only from the station
I could fuck you right here!
- Fucking hell!
- You're frisky
It's been bloody ages!
It really has
How's tricks?
I'll give you a lift
Hop out, kids!
- I'm giving Christian a lift
- There's plenty of room
- Sit in the front
- I can walk
No, I want to talk to you
- You really expect us to walk?
- What's the problem?
All that way!
He's my brother, for fuck's sake!
Give me a break, will you?
Asshole!
Chill out!
- Is Dad here already?
- Not yet
- Hello, what's your name?
- Lars
Lars... OK, Mads, listen up
I'm not very good with
new staff, get it?
Who do you think we are?
This is Christian...
My brother
He has two restaurants in Paris.
And I've got...
one cafe in the docklands.
Alright
We grew up here, so we know
how to treat customers
A really good receptionist
keeps an eye on
who's who, right?
And you give us rooms 9 and 19
I'm afraid you're
not on the list
What?
Look again: Michael Klingenfeldt
Your father has told me
that Michael is not invited
OK, Mads, listen up...
Lars, OK?
Right, Lars...
Things went a bit amok last year.
I got a bit pissed...
A couple of schnapps
over the top and I freak
I've brought the bloody
wife and kids...
Michelle is here too...
That's nothing to do with me
- ls there a room or not?
- Not!
- Let me talk to my father
- He's out hunting
Sort it out yourself, then.
That's your job, right?
Lars, just find a room.
I'll talk to Dad
Just give us one
of the small rooms
They're never used.
Number 3 and 1
Give us one of those
- You don't want a key?
- Of course
I must be on the list
ls our sister here?
Please get a move on
It's Daddy's birthday,
his sixtieth
The cars up ahead, that's my family.
I have to get there first
Nadim, wasn't it?
Nadim, yes
If you go a bit faster I'll
give you my phone number
Hi. Baby! Hi!
Are you ready?
They're nearly here
- You haven't been drinking, right?
- Not today
Wasn't it a fantastic funeral?
- I'm ready - What
are you doing here?
What?
You missed your sister's
funeral, you're not invited
Don't poke your
nose into what I do
I'm poking it into
what you don't do
You didn't come to her funeral!
You didn't phone on my birthday!
You couldn't give a damn
Now she's starting, too.
I'm going home!
- Want my bike?
- Come on, you two!
I won't have it
Be quiet. It's always
the same bickering
That's right, be quiet
Spoken just like Christian
Stop that!
- Stop it!
- Listen to clever Christian
Beep again. So they can hear it
That's his wife.
One of the son's
That's Mette, damn it
And the three little piggies
You kids put a sock in it.
We're here!
Behave yourselves!
You just don't do that!
I'm your sister
Good thing it's only
once every ten years
Welcome, Grandad...
Thank you, thank you
- Thanks for the lovely funeral
- Thank you
Great to see you again
- Hello again - The
trip was so hot
I'll go and unpack my wife
Hi, Dad
Your father asked me to be...
toastmaster this evening, OK?
Do you know Lise?
- How are you, my boy?
- It's so sad
- The weather, I can't take it
- Go have a beer
- You haven't changed
- Thanks
Go on into the hall.
You'll meet Helge
Hello, Uncle
Christian darling, how lovely
you could make it after all!
- You look great - Excuse
me, the guests are here
Go to your father. Don't
forget to say Happy Birthday
- Hello, Dad. Happy Birthday!
- Thank you
- They're all waiting
- Sit down a moment
I have something
important to tell you
Sit down
Sit down
- Join me in a Cognac?
- No, thanks
Yes, it's... very important
I've been thinking
about it for days
Listen
Two hookers are sitting
in a railway carriage
Don't laugh at your old dad!
On his birthday, too!
How dare you? I'll have
to tell your mother
We're waiting for you
The boy is laughing in my face
Christian, you mustn't do that
- Fine, let's all tell jokes
- Everyone's waiting
To hell with them! If I want
a chat with my eldest son
How are things?
Fine. I'm opening a
restaurant in Lyons and...
I can read the papers, my boy.
You're doing well
How about that girlfriend
who's always phoning?
Can't you give her a kid
and come back here?
She's having someone else's kid
Then find another girl
and move back here
I'm getting older and I
want my family around me
- Then there's your mother
- What about her?
She's getting tired of my jokes
- I can see why -
What do you mean?
What's wrong with my jokes?
There's no respect any more
Tell me how you are
- Got a girl? Oh, I've already asked
- Come on!
We're coming
Come along, my boy
Just one thing...
Christian...
Will you say a couple of words about
your sister this evening? I'd just blub
- I've already written something
- You have? Well done, my boy
- Michael is here
- Michael?
I suppose I'll have
to talk to him
Your guests are ready
- Michelle, are you married?
- No
- You're asking the wrong person
- I think so, too
Sorry, that was my other son...
I'll have a word with him
Today is Helge's birthday!
He'll get lots of presents. And
there'll be buns and cocoa...
Hi, Christian. Which
room are you in?
What? Seventeen. Why?
I need to borrow your bath. I mean:
May I borrow your bath, please?
And the sound of the sea...
I'll put them down here
- The main course is a secret
- A secret?
- You have been hunting today?
- Of course
Are you listening?
Good
It was the third time we were going
to move to Copenhagen, right?
But Bettina moved
in with him instead
- Bettina?
- Yes
Anyway, I'm still here, right?
We went to the park yesterday
I've been given the room
where my sister died
Well, it's better than
giving it to Christian
They were twins
It's one thing not wanting
to talk about it...
but covering it all
up is just silly
Look...
it's spooky
Yes, I can see that
Like a haunted home
I don't think she'd
like it either
If we take the covers off and
move the furniture a bit...
Then I'll stay with her
I don't mind at all
- Certainly
- OK
This is where it happened.
The bathroom
Maybe I should have another room
Yes, would you rather?
It's just that...
I'm getting really bad vibes
Did you hear that?
She's in the bathroom
No, she's... she's dead
We'll just have a look
No, I think we should go
No, we must look
Hey, Mette, I can't find them
Have you checked the suitcases?
I can't find my shoes
They should be in a suitcase
I've looked in that one
Keep your shirt on
I can't go to dinner in brown shoes.
Dad will go crazy!
They must be somewhere
I've looked everywhere
I think I left them behind
You didn't say that. Get it?
Go back and get them.
You've got two hours
Take the car
Stop this shit, Michael
I can't see my dad in socks
You expect me to go home now? What
would your mother and father say?
I can't go to dinner
in these shoes!
- Are you insane?
- You could just pack your own stuff!
I've packed for you,
me, and the kids
and you want everything
to be just so
If you don't like it,
pack your own shit!
I've got fucking news for you!
You're the one who
does the packing!
And every single time
you lose my shoes!
You're the one who wanted to
visit your fucking parents!
I worked for a while
at a cake shop
Actually, I'm doing
the dessert tonight
What does it mean? An upward arrow?
Up, up, up?
If you lie in the bath, maybe you
can see if there's something there
The bath? You want me
to lie in the bath?
Shall I lie down?
See if you can spot anything
A sign or another arrow
A wave or a fish or a bird.
Kind of like Getting Warmer
- It's just not good enough
- I'm sorry
I'd just ironed this
I said I was sorry
Shall we... shall we lie
down for five minutes?
What about the party?
We'll just lie down for
five minutes, right?
There's a fish! It means
flat, which means down
I'm not sure I
understand this game
Oh dear...
How strange!
We always played it.
Getting Warmer
Come on...
Sit down
Check next to the other leg
How sweet of her to have done this...
I can hardly bear it
I'm the only one
still stuck here
The rest of you go swanning
off to Paris and...
You can't sit here crying
I'm sorry
Have one of these
Just say if you want me to go
Didn't you want a bath?
An arrow again
And another arrow
Will you...
- Will I what?
- Undo me
Look, I've still got a good ass.
Is a bath all it's going to get?
Up there, look!
- On the other side
- Where?
Next to the bulb
"To whoever finds this letter.
You are probably..."
- Bloody hell!
- It doesn't say anything
Mette, damn it!
Did you leave this soap here?
This pisses me off!
- Michael - Why did you
leave the soap here?
You're the one who
used it, prick
Shit!
- Did you hurt yourself?
- I certainly fucking did!
There have always been
ghosts in this house
It doesn't say anything
I'll happily stay here.
Thanks for your help
You were really frightened?
Not at all
A bit?
I'm sorry. Thanks for your help
Why the hell did you
leave the soap there?
I didn't, you did
- I didn't - You're the
one who used it last
- Where are my pants?
- I don't know. Over there!
You should take
care of your things
- I'm not your babysitter
- Shut up! Jesus!
Oh, for God's sake!
The fucking thing's fallen down now.
Shit!
- You'd better put it up again
- Bollocks!
It's weird. You were always the
wild one, getting into fights
Now it's your brother
You can't even be bothered to
look at a pretty girl any more
Maybe you think I'm too skinny
Christian?
I'll put it in here.
They mustn't find it...
Done
Where have you gone,
lovely Christian?
It's six o'clock.
Time to get up!
Cards, please! Tickets, please!
Or other proof of travel...
My trousers!
- Hi, Grandpa!
- Hi, Dad
I'll see you in the
lounge in five minutes!
These fucking shoes...
Hi, Bent!
Be cool
Hi, Poul, how's tricks,
you old bastard?
Hi, Dad
Later, my boy...
we're going in now
It's about...
I've been asked to inquire whether
you are interested in the Lodge
I don't see you as one of
the brethren, I must say
But Christian has told
Preben you're doing well
And as Christian
is not interested
you may expect to be invited
to join the Freemasons
Strike while the iron is hot.
This may be your only...
He could make something
of himself...
We have to help you get on
But try to behave like a normal
human being tonight, alright?
Keep your hands off what's-her-name...
Michelle?
I'd like you to hover about,
keep things running smoothly
Can you manage that?
You, you're supposed to serve drinks.
Get a move on, will you?
Go on, move!
Have you got a drink?
We need to talk
I can't right now
You do remember
something, don't you?
- Yes, certainly
- Jolly good
I was thinking of saying a
word or two this evening
I thought as much
It won't be anything
fit for little girls
I bet it won't
You fell asleep
Aren't you sleeping properly?
Only with you
It's a great honour for me to
act as toastmaster this evening
for the Klingenfeldt-Hansen
family
My name is Helmuth Von Sachs
Yes, I am from Deutschland
Cologne, the Ruhr, the steelworks
And also Helge is a man of steel.
Still going strong
Helge, mein Freund,
mein danishes Vater,
over to you
Seeing you all reminds me so
clearly of the years gone by...
and of all that's happened to us
There's nothing special
about turning sixty
It's not a big deal
It seems like yesterday when we
concluded the final negotiations
for the take-over of
this unique place
Yet it was way back
in the summer of 1971
when my young family
walked up these steps
My dear wife,
Helene,
Michael,
and the twins...
The twins...
Ready to move into
this beautiful estate
We were so...
We were so full of expectations
I'll stop there
I'll stop there and hope that we
will have a lovely party together
Let's eat!
First course. Ready...
Go!
Over and out
- Did you enjoy the drive?
- No, it was very hot in the car
You've got air
conditioning, Bent
Yes, but it dries your mouth up
- It really is most unpleasant
- Really?
The kids are here too
Give me some water!
May I have some water, please?
I'm all wet...
- What's your name, lass?
- My name is Mette
- M. E. T. T. E. Mette -
That's right, yes, Mette
I said it's lobster soup...
lovely!
No, it's salmon soup
Salmon?
I think it tends
more towards lobster
- It's delicious, this soup
- Yes. Tomato soup
No, definitely not tomato.
It's lobster soup
- Yes - Yes, lobster soup...
cheers!
"Eldest son's speech"...
Ready, Morten?
It's nearly seven o'clock and
I should like to propose the first toast,
it being my duty as the eldest son
- Correct, Helmuth?
- Absolutely
But first, a speech
I've written two, Father
One is green, the other is yellow.
You choose
- Green? Yellow?
- I'll take the green
The green is an interesting choice,
it's a kind of home truth speech
I've called it "When
Dad had his bath"
I was very young
when we moved here
Things changed completely for us
We had all the space we wanted
and we filled it with as much
trouble as we could cause
This room was a restaurant then
I can't count the times my
sister Linda, who is now dead
and I played in here
She would put things in people's
food without their noticing
We would hide and watch. Then
she would begin to laugh
She had the most infectious
laugh you can imagine
In no time at all we'd both be howling
with laughter and we'd get caught
But nothing ever happened to us
It was much more dangerous
when Dad had his bath
I don't know if you remember,
but Dad was always having baths
He'd take Linda and
me into the study...
as there was something
he had to do first
Then he'd lock the door
and roll down the blinds
Then he'd take his shirt off and his
trousers and make us do likewise
He'd lie us across the green couch
that's been thrown out now...
and abuse us sexually. He raped us.
Had sex with his little ones
Christian!
A couple of months ago,
when my sister died
I realised that Helge was a very
clean man, with all those baths
I thought I'd share it with
the rest of the family
Baths. Summer, winter, spring,
autumn, morning, evening...
Really, Helge's a very clean man
I just wanted you to know that seeing
as we're celebrating his sixtieth
What a guy!
Imagine living a long life and
watching your children grow up!
And grandchildren!
But you didn't come
to listen to me
We've come to celebrate Helge's
sixtieth, so let's do so
Thank you for all
those wonderful years
Happy Birthday!
I have nothing to drink.
Fill our glasses!
Christian, you were the first
but now it's my tum
Elsie, it is your birthday
It's Helge's!
What did he say?
He said it's Helge's
birthday, Grandad
Helge, it's your birthday,
and that's good
You're a big boy now. Your
ears can take a story
from across the seven seas
Nice one, Grandad!
I have to go
When Helge was a young lad
he told me he had trouble
finding ladyfriends
- Hello, Christian
- Kim...
I've got a plane to catch
Stop, everybody!
May I introduce my
boyhood buddy, Christian
You know most of them
Christian, how are you?
- I'm fine
- You're fine?
Well done, Christian
You've made your speech
and now you're going home
The battle's lost.
Nothing's changed
Over
Are you drunk?
How else could I cook?
- How long have we known each other?
- A long time
Since Year One?
We scrumped apples together
I've been waiting for this ever
since, and you just run away
From your father, who drew
lots for you and your sister
A brilliant start to your speech.
Drawing lots like your father
What do you want, Kim?
Sorry to interrupt, Grandad
I just want to say that I hope none
of you took Christian seriously
He is my brother and
I love him dearly
But what he said wasn't true.
And I should know, right?
Sorry for interrupting.
I'm a little shocked
At 7.15 your father'll come down to
give me a time for the main course
"I think they like the
food", he'll say, as usual
And he'll have his usual glass
Just give me two minutes
I thought you'd gone
Come here!
Bring a schnapps
for me and my son
- That was splendid
- Thank you
I think they like the food
Have some schnapps
- No, thanks
- Really?
That tastes good. Damned good!
I do believe it's damned good
Have one yourself
Come with me
Alone
Off we go!
Well, how are you?
I'm fine
Are you?
Are you sure?
Well, I don't understand this
My memory must be failing me.
Age, probably
What do you mean?
What you talked about
I don't recall any of it.
You'll have to help me
What happened exactly?
Sorry it's probably
me who got it wrong
Don't apologise or you'll
really have me worried
I'm just a bit stressed out
at the moment with work...
and my sister
Forget it
What you were telling us is a crime.
I think we should call the police
No, don't do that
Just forget it
I'm not sleeping well. I'm
feeling a bit weird. Sorry
Are things going well upstairs?
Yes, fine, fine
It takes more than
that to shake them
Have a good trip home.
It was nice seeing you
They're waiting for me
- Helge, it's your birthday
- Grandad, not again!
You're a big boy now
Your ears can take a story
from across the seven seas
When Helge was a young lad
he told me he had trouble
finding ladyfriends
I told him, "Listen, lad!"
"Just buy a big potato and stuff
it down your swimming trunks
Go down to the lake and
they'll come running!"
Anyway, summer came...
- What do you think?
- Me?
I don't know what he's planning
He came back in despair and told
me things were far worse now
Nobody would talk to him
"No wonder", I said. "You
should have put the potato
down the front of your trunks"
For he's a jolly good fellow!
Michelle!
Pia!
A word
Michelle come here, Pia come here.
A word
We'll steal their car keys. Over
- What?
- Us?
It's Christian's turn tonight.
People mustn't go home yet. Over
I don't think he intends to say any more.
He apologised
Let's wait and see. Don't
tell the old waiters
They need their pensions
Off you go. Now!
We mustn't leave any traces
No, no, we'll be careful
I've got it!
Next room
ls everything OK?
There aren't any problems?
No, no. Everything is OK
ls my brother staying the night?
I don't really know
A taxi?
I'll check it out
Hey, Charlie Brown! You've
come to the wrong place
Can I go?
Just a moment
Listen, Sambo. I don't know
where you met my sister...
- Michael, what are you doing?
- What the hell do you mean?
What the hell are you doing?
Mind your fucking manners!
How dare you drag some
monkey to Dad's party?
- Are you calling Gbatokai a monkey? How dare you?
- Chill out
You Nazi bastard!
OK. Push off!
Mum, hang on. This is
my boyfriend, Gbatokai
Mum, you haven't met him before.
That was someone else
Forgive me for disturbing you again.
But I forgot the most important bit
We're here for my father's
birthday, not anything else
If I led you up the wrong track
earlier, I'd like to make amends
by proposing a
toast to my father
- Please stand -
Well done, Christian
Raise your glasses!
Here's to the man who killed my sister.
To a murderer
I'd like to propose an interval
Cigarettes! Quick!
Play something
Nice and quiet
Play something
No, let's stay a while.
We can't just leave
Christian, are you crazy?
Christian, can you hear me?
Are you crazy, Christian?
Make sure nobody goes home
He's sick... sick, damn it!
For the last time!
I have phoned...
- Get me a taxi
- Just a moment
I can't take it. I already
suffer from depression
We can't leave! There
are no taxis here
- Fine, then I'll walk
- Alright, let's walk!
"Here comes the Danish summer".
I've had it with these gatherings
- Bent, have you seen the car keys?
- No, I haven't
We're leaving but I
can't find our car keys
- Problems?
- I can't take it
The number you're calling
is still engaged
- There is an eleven month wait
- May I speak to Kim?
Lars, just take it easy, OK?
Hide those car keys!
In the oven
In the fridge
All gone!
Where the hell is Michelle?
Come in, damn it
Michael, I want a
word with you, too
You must leave
No. We're going to talk now
- Mette, you must hear that too
- We're going to talk, come on!
In here. Come on
- Let go of me -
Calm down, alright?
- OK, what do you want?
- Last year...
You came on to me and now you won't
even give me the time of day
I'm sorry, right? Damn it...
I've got my wife here
It's funny, she's never
been that important before
You know I got pregnant?
Don't worry, I got rid of it. I
just thought you should know
Listen, it's my old man's 60th
and things are going crazy
Hi, Bent. Bloody hell.
Is this your room?
I was just leaving.
Seen my car keys?
I'll have a quick look, OK?
Sure you haven't seen them?
I'll get really depressed
if I don't find them
I know, I know. Bent,
run along downstairs
Pack up your stuff
and get out, right?
Here's your wages. Now
just fuck off, understand?
You're as fucked up as your Dad
Don't ever talk about my family!
What if I got up and said a
couple of words instead?
About you?
About how sick you
were as a child?
About the way you always spoiled
things for the other children?
Making them watch as
you burnt their toys
The warped character
you've always been?
About how we had to go to France
to rescue you from that
sanatorium where you lay
sick in the head, as ever,
pumped full of drugs
to your mother's despair
I could also mention your
lack of talent with women
Lovely women
you let go by, year after year
because there is so little man in you.
Christian
I could also make a speech
about you and your sister
What do you say to that?
Did she ever say goodbye to you?
No. Was there a card? A letter?
No. Nothing
There was for the rest of us
And maybe there was a reason why
Because you just left
as usual
Abandoned your sick sister
She kept asking for you
Rushing to the phone every time it rang.
But it was never you
As ever, you were only interested
in yourself and your sick mind
Now you sling mud at the family that
only ever wanted the best for you
Your mother wants you to
go and never come back
But I think you should
stay right here
Feel what it means to spit
in your family's face
After...
After that little
intermezzo pianissimo
I think we should return
to the dinner table
lch Haber Hunger Ladies
and gentlemen...
They're back! Christian
isn't very happy
Right! Venison and
cranberry, go!
Cheers, Grandad!
It was a superduper speech
You keep yelling into my ear
Grandad, cheers again
Salt and pepper! Cheers!
Champagne! We must have Champagne!
And caviar!
If the birthday boy
is my danishes Vater,
Elsie is my danishes Mutter
Everyone's Mother!
Elsie, over to you
Give her a hand!
Thank you, Helmuth.
Thank you all
I want to say how
much I appreciate
your coming today
I also want to say a word or two
to thank my husband, my Helge
Though it may be hard
to find the words
to describe what you have meant
and still mean to me
But with your appetite for life
and infinite love
for your family,
you have given me everything
a wife could wish for
We've had thirty wonderful years.
Thank you!
I think I'll take the opportunity
to say a word or two to my children
I think it is fantastic to
see how well you have done,
especially when I consider
how little you once were
Michael,
You are our youngest,
our little baby
Not that we've seen
that much of you
You were away from
home from an early age
First, boarding school
Then away at sea
Then catering college
in Switzerland
You never became a chef
but who knows?
At any rate you have given us
three splendid grandchildren
for whom your father
and I are so grateful
And of course we thank
your little Mette
Helene, the family loner
You really are, Helene
Ever since you informed us that
you'd decided to become a singer
and had joined the Trotsk... the
Young Socialists, I think it was...
We always knew you would
choose your own path
And you certainly have
In life as well as your studies
You've ended up in anthropology
Most interesting. Though your father
and I always hoped you'd chose Law
But goodness, I can't begin to count
the number of foreign countries
and their unfortunate inhabitants
with whom you've had contacts
Speaking of which,
I'd like to extend a
warm welcome to Gonzales
Mummy, his name is Gbatokai
Welcome, Kai!
Then there is you, Christian
You have always
been quite special
A creative child
The stories Christian could
tell when he was small!
I always thought you'd make a
really good author one day
When Christian was small, for
all of you who don't know,
he had a loyal
companion called Snoot
who didn't exist
But Snoot and Christian
were inseparable
If Snoot didn't like something,
neither did Christian
If you were the one
at the receiving end,
there was nothing you
could do about it
But dear Christian...
It is so important to be able to
distinguish fact from fiction
I think you've always
had trouble doing so
Of course you can be
angry with your father
I am sometimes, too
But it has to be
sorted out in private
Telling stories like those
you've told this evening
however exciting they may be...
and they were exciting...
is going a bit too far
Christian, I think that Snoot
has been with you today
and I think you both
rather upset your father
So I think it would be
appropriate if you stood up,
leaving Snoot in his seat,
and gave your father an apology
It won't belittle you in any
way to say you're sorry
It would be quite alright
Christian, you may stand up now
Come on, Christian. Get
your fucking act together!
- He's sick in the head, Mum
- Christian?
I'm sorry to disturb you again
In 1974 you, my mother,
came into the study
to see your son on all fours and
your husband with no pants on
I'm sorry you saw me like that
Yet you left the room when
your husband ordered you out
I'm sorry you're so hypocritical
and corrupt that I hope you die
I'm sorry that you're
all such cunts
that you believe her
I'm sorry that for thirty
years, Your husband
Let me finish!
I haven't finished!
Christian, cool it.
Come on. Out!
- I want my coat - You
can have your coat
You were away at boarding school.
What the fuck do you know?
But you know anyway!
- You're way out of line!
- You know anyway!
- Don't you?
- You've gone too far!
Out of my way!
Lock the door!
Is it locked?
I think so
In the deep, deep forest peace
Where songsters dwell
Where my soul did
hearken many a time
To the birds' happy song
Where was I?
Mother, my loyal witness! In
1974 you entered the study...
- and saw my father's stiff dick
rubbing my hair - You bastard!
You bastard!
He is not well
It's very sad...
Mother, please continue
There is such an idyll, such peace
and calm in the sylvan solitude
That all sorrows are stilled
Where peace and rest do reign
Get out of here, you bastard!
Fuck off!
Leif, stop that, damn it!
He's my brother
Christian, come here!
The game's over, get it?
Have you had enough, man?
Not that! He's my brother
- Come on, get rid of him
- Where?
- In the woods - We've
got to stop this shit!
- How far?
- Just get rid of him
- What do you mean, "get rid of him"?
- Shut up! Over here
We'll leave him by that tree
That's the way. Come on
Do we really have to tie
you to a tree, Christian?
What the hell made
you talk such shit?
- Is he tied up?
- I'm through now
Calm down now
Easy does it
Take it easy, Christian
Leif, have you got a cigarette?
I dropped mine
I'll check all the doors
I don't want to talk to him
What have you done to him?
Relax
I talked to him. He's gone home.
He's very sorry
So let's take it easy.
We'll talk about it later
You want trouble?
Stop it, Michael!
Michael, stop it!
That's enough! Back off!
- Hi there, Kim
- Hi, Leif
We need to lock the back door
- Where is it?
- Right over here
- A bad business
- Yes
You didn't kill
him, or anything?
He won't be back
- This way?
- In here
- This is the wine cellar.
- Yes. Over
Cut it out, Kim
What the hell is this?
- You locked him in?
- Yes
We can't have his
type running around
Hands off!
- Kim, where's Christian?
- No idea
Stop drinking, Michael
What did you say?
Why don't you make a speech?
Right, let's get things swinging!
A little sing-song
I saw a real Black Sambo
His face was black as pitch
He spoke all funny
And had a ring in his nose
I asked him: "What are you?"
"Why are your legs
covered in tar?"
He just laughed and said:
Tomrassi gassi bom!
I saw a little Indian
His face was as red as fire.
He spoke all funny
I can't stand this!
They'll kill each other!
I'm going crazy!
I've got such a headache
Will you get my tablets?
- Have you seen Christian?
- No, he's gone home
It's for the best
I'll get your tablets
You're all crazy
- You're still capable...
- Oh yes
For longer than you think, Helge
It's nearly 10 o'clock
and something exciting
is about to happen
As Alfred Hitchcock suggested
for his gravestone:
"This is what happens
to naughty little boys"
Helge, you're not getting
out of the family tradition
The grand finale!
It's Daddy's birthday!
It really is today
Daddy's birthday today!
Now listen to the way
we blow the trumpet!
It's Daddy's birthday today!
Listen to the way
we play the flute!
You dropped something! You
should be more careful
Helene... you're not going already?
So soon?
- I want to go home now
- Don't be silly
It's time for dessert
I love these family traditions
After the dance around
the house a note appears
on the toastmaster's glass
and here is what it says:
"A certain man urges his sister to
read letter to his father" A letter
I think Helene is too shy.
Right, Helene?
In any case...
it is kind of your brother
to help you get started
And it seems that there is
peace in the family again
So let's give Helene a hand
- Come on
- Come on, Helene
Don't be shy!
Michael, ignore him!
It's...
It's from my sister
"To whoever finds
this letter..."
"ou are probably my sister
or one of my brothers"
"Because you can
play Getting Warmer"
"Nudge, nudge!"
"I know you will
be sad to find me"
"in a bath full of water"
"But it isn't so sad for me"
"I know my brothers and sister"
"are happy, radiant people,"
"and that I love you"
"And I think you
should just forget me"
"Christian, my beloved!"
"Who has always been with me!
Thank you for everything"
"I don't want to mix you up in this.
I love you too much for that"
"And you, Helene. And
you, Michael, of course"
"You nutter"
"Dad has begun having me again"
"In my dreams, anyway. And
I can't bear any more"
"I'm going away now"
"As I probably always
should have done"
"I know it will fill your life
with darkness, Christian"
"I have tried to ring you,"
"but I know you're busy"
"I just want to tell
you not to be sad"
"I think there is light and
beauty on the other side"
"In fact, I'm looking forward to it.
Although, of course, I am a bit afraid"
"Afraid of leaving without you"
"I will love you forever"
"Linda"
Lovely letter
Pour my daughter some port, so
that I can drink a toast with her
Pour my daughter some port, so
that I can drink a toast with her!
Pass the port to my daughter so
I can drink a toast with her
Pass her the bloody port!
Pass the damned port
to my daughter!
Show me some respect!
I've never seen the like
What are you staring at?
Is it my fault that I have
such talentless offspring?
I've just never really
understood why you did it
It was all you were good for
It's been quite a job
being toastmaster tonight
I must admit I hadn't
tried it before
I am profoundly affected
by the situation
We all are
- Nevertheless, I regard it as...
- I have to go now
as my responsibility
to see this dinner out
So I suggest dancing, music
and coffee next door
Good evening
I have collected the car
keys and put them back
May I have a glass of water?
Shall I call a doctor?
Christian?
Are you alright? Come on
Christian?
Christian?
Pia?
Pia?
I fell asleep
Pia, my sister is here
I love you
Christian?
I miss you
I miss you, too
Shall I come with you?
I'm going now
- It's Helene. Were you asleep?
- What time is it?
Late. Three, I think.
I was asleep, too...
if you can call it sleep
You know...
I've been...
Maybe you have, too?
- Have what?
- Nothing
Please come, Christian.
Michael has disappeared
What's going on?
What's he up to?
Michael has vanished and his wife
is bawling her eyes out in my room
The party?
It's over
Don't worry about it
They've all gone to bed...
- Find some glasses
- Where is Michelle?
In Kim's room, I think
Everyone seems to
be in the wrong bed
We're not, are we, Honey?
- I've got a glass for Christian
- I want one, too
Just don't use
someone's dirty glass
Play the wedding march
Gbatokai and Helene must dance
Because I think you
should get married
Dad?
It's Michael, little Michael.
I'm coming!
Open the door!
It's the fucking postman
Open the door, damn you!
Open it!
Go inside, Elsie
Michael, stop it!
Go inside, I said!
And I said keep your mouth shut!
I told you, man. Keep
your mouth shut!
Lie down, man. Lie down!
I said, lie down!
And stay lying down
I've heard enough shit.
Lie down, I said!
You'll never see your
grandchildren again, man
Never again. Get it, Dad?
This family...
is kaput
Lie down, I said!
Lie down, I said!
It's me ringing the doorbell
Me, Michael
They mustn't do it!
Stop!
Mummy, what is it?
- They mustn't!
- What's going on, Mummy?
They mustn't! They mustn't!
Get out there, Gbatokai
Your father!
You're killing me
Killing me
Waiter, could I
have another drink?
I do like to start the
day with a little dram
Morten, what are you thinking?
Oh, well. Over
Cheerful little soul, isn't she?
Morning, Christian
- Good morning
- Have a roll
Where the hell is Leif?
There you are! How's the wig?
Where do you get
your suits creased?
At N'stved
Pia?
Do you want to come to
Paris and live with me?
Yes
That'll be all
Have you got the hots
for the waitress?
- Michael, shut up and eat up
- I'll eat that French stick
Dorthe, come to Daddy
Your father will read
it to you, I'm sure
I know it's an inopportune moment.
You're having breakfast
I'll try and be brief
I just want to say...
I know that when you
pack up and go home...
it will be the last
time I see you
I also realise now
that what I did to my children
is unforgivable
I know that all of you
especially my children
will hate me for the
rest of your lives
All the same, I wanted to tell you
that you will always be my children
I have always loved you
and I love you now
wherever you are
or whatever you do
To you, Christian, I want to say
You fought a good fight, my boy
Thank you
Nice one, Dad
Good speech. Well done
But I think you'll have to go
now so we can eat our breakfast
Of course, of course
Are you coming?
I'll stay here