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Well, um…
What can I even write about myself?
You… want to know a bit about me?
Okay, then.
BASED ON THE BOOK BY EMMA HAMBERG
Bonjour.
Agneta… is my name.
And I love everything about France.
I love the cheese, the wine, the people. Baguette.
And those little, uh… macarons.
And cheese. Did I say that?
I would love to be able to stroll around in an old French village.
I've never been to France.
Kind of… never happened.
And as my life trundled along,
I found myself working for the Transport Administration for 25 years.
It's not Paris, but it's convenient.
STA, Agneta Strömberg. How can I help you?
And Magnus, my husband…
Brilliant.
…likes things to be convenient.
He has a very healthy lifestyle.
It's really handy he has his workout partner, Linda.
It means I don't have to do it.
He's blacklisted everything that tastes of France at home…
The only things I enjoyed.
I have two kids who've flown the nest.
We talk sometimes, when they need money.
Through the app, anyway.
Okay.
So I suppose the only thing left to do is prepare
for my retirement or maybe my… death.
-Good night. -Good night.
Magnus thinks that I lack drive.
But I do have it in me.
I guess it's just not the right kind of drive.
FRENCH ESTATES
STA, Agneta Strömberg. How can I help you?
Well, I suppose there isn't much else to say about me.
FRENCH ESTATES
It's not that I've just made do or given up on things,
I just don't expect that much from life.
Agneta Strömberg. What can I help you with?
Agneta?
So… they let me go.
Well, who wants to hire a nearly fifty-year-old woman
who only has one lousy job listed on her resume?
Maybe you do.
Looking after an older boy who needs help…
Well, that's definitely something I can do.
The job is located… in Provence.
Immediate start.
"Someone to cook food."
"And wash the clothes."
"And clean a very big house."
"Please note, very important:
Every Friday at 5:00 p.m., sit in bar."
Well, I mean, this I could do.
Agneta, forty-nine years old,
I'm skilled in both cooking and cleaning.
I can take care of big and small boys.
With a black belt in stain removal.
Huh, that actually turns my whole life of useless labor
into a decent resume.
Mm.
You know, my first thought was, "No, I can't do this."
But now, I honestly can't think of a single reason why I shouldn't send this
and apply.
So, Mr. Fabien. This is my really long resume.
And don't forget…
I…
love…
Fra…
France.
Oh… Goodness.
No…
Linda says there might be a job at a--
-Mm! -What…?
What is this?
Good morning.
Is that wine?
Have you been drinking alone?
-I smell cheese. -No.
Agneta, I'm sorry.
I… I… I didn't realize how much this…
I honestly didn't realize how hard you were taking this work thing.
We're a team. We… We can do this.
Together. You don't need to worry about anything. Um…
We'll work it out.
You and me, okay?
So… you don't need to worry about it. I will handle everything.
I'll be fine, Magnus, I can manage it. Thank you.
-I'm here. You don't have to it alone… -I can do it. I will.
-My darling. -I can, I've actually…
I've… I've actually applied for…
something in the listings here.
Here. There's actually a little… Swedish boy,
who lives over… in Provence, who's been looking for… a little au pair.
I sort of… Well, I actually got the job.
But you ca--
-You can't do that… -What?
An au pair… You're joking. You'll be an au pair?
In France?
"Je m'appelle Agneta. Hi, I'm your new au pair."
Gosh, sorry.
You've got to be joking. I mean, come on, Agneta, would you…
Would you seriously go to France all by yourself?
I would.
You are terrified of traveling on your own.
You couldn't even visit me when I lived in Gothenburg for two years.
I was 21 then.
You were. That's true, but now you're nearly 50, my love.
And other women your age… don't work as au pairs.
There is a little boy in Provence who's been looking for help to clean the house
and they picked me.
I've finally found my drive.
So, yes, I'm going to France.
I am.
-You know what, Agneta? -What?
I think you should go to France.
But… don't go calling me when you're on your own, alone, in France.
When you're in some tiny village or wandering down a street, lost,
without money, since you've lost your purse or had it stolen.
And you're all alone because you don't even speak a word of French, do you? Hm?
-I'd love to see how you cope. -We'll see.
-"We'll see?" -We will see, Magnus.
-We'll see. -We'll see, exactly.
-We'll see how it goes. -Yeah.
-We will see. -We will see.
We will see.
The train will now be departing. Please stand back.
No, no, go on.
Oh.
Go on.
Wait, no, I…
Hey! Wait. No, no, my bags!
-Hello? -Oui?
Bonsoir.
Uh…
Uh, no, I…
Allez!
Alors. Voilà.
Uh, this…
No, um… I'm here for… uh, I'm hired.
Um…
Fabien?
-Fabien? C'est moi. -Fabien. It's, uh, it's you.
-C'est moi. Oui. -Okay.
Uh… uh, remember Agneta?
Uh… "Anjeta."
No, hang on. My… uh…
Je m'appelle Agneta.
Au pair.
Anjeta!
-Yes. Yeah. -Anjeta!
-Yeah. Yeah. -Anjeta! Ça fait plaisir!
-Bonsoir! Ça va bien? -Oh! No…
-No… -Ah, pardon.
Hm?
-Venez. Venez! Venez! Venez! -Uh… okay.
Bonibelle!
Ah!
Ça va?
Moi… Bonibelle.
Ah. Barry et Judy.
Agneta? Who the hell is Agneta?
Do we have guests?
Oh, excuse me, is this your house?
Fabien, help me get down.
Ugh. That's it.
Well, isn't this a nice surprise.
It's been so long since anyone visited.
Have a seat!
Let's have some wine… Let's have some wine…
-We can have a drink… -Sorry, excuse me.
You can tell me about yourself.
-Where's the glass? -Uh, excuse me, mister…
-Here. -These two over here…
have hired me to be an… au pair…
for a boy.
I'm… supposed to cook and clean and help out with some stuff.
Perhaps you might know where I can find this boy?
Is he playing around here somewhere in his room?
Really?
What's the name of the boy you'll be an au pair for?
Einar.
I don't need your help.
Oh my.
No. Einar. Einar!
-So… -Einar!
Einar. Okay.
Come on, let's go!
My god, it's so dark in here.
Hungry?
What are you up to?
Excrement.
Einar, it's 10 p.m., you're supposed to have…
a little… something to eat. A meal.
-Yeah. -You call this filth a meal?
Um…
Uh… I'm a little unsure honestly, what kind of meat it is.
But just wait a little bit…
'Cause I'm the one who's employed here,
so I'll be the one giving you your food for…
a while.
Nobody should come here just 'cause they got paid.
You…You, you come here because you want to be here.
How do you do, my libido?
-Mm. -How do you do, my libido?
Tell me what you want!
Why won't you answer me?
How… do you do…
I'll take the morning train tomorrow. It'll all be okay.
…my libido?
Hey…
Agneta, why aren't you calling from your own phone?
-Has it been stolen already? -The weather's gorgeous today.
It's a little bit cloudy today, but still… warm.
So… Magnus, I was wondering…
if you'd be willing to help me, uh, to, um… come home now.
-I guess I was right, then. -It's not that at all!
Everybody speaks very good English here. You can understand… everything.
So there are, honestly, no issues here at all.
The little boy is so sweet in his suspenders and everything.
I couldn't be happier.
But I've been thinking a lot about that… job
Linda said was at the Insurance Agency.
Of course we should… ask about it.
You're lucky your husband knows you
better than you know yourself.
What do you think people'd say if they knew
you were over there trying to work as an au pair?
-Oh, look. A train strike. -What was that?
-A train strike. -No! What about flights?
Are any flights leaving?
Yeah, wait, let's see what there is…
Will you look at that? I found one. It leaves on Saturday at 2 p.m.
-You can't find an earlier flight? -No, there aren't.
Sorry I can't satisfy every one of your needs.
You'll have to stay a little longer. You can come back on Saturday.
There's one seat at the moment, which is a miracle, to be honest.
I can tell you here that back at home, our heating has broken down.
-Lisa and Ludde keep asking for money. -That… Yes, it…
Agneta, I know you do that with your parents when you want--
Merci.
-Anjeta okay? -Hm?
I, uh… have no choice but to stay here, it would appear.
Cleaning up after a cranky old man
that you forgot to mention in the job listing.
So, all good. Yeah.
Oui, oui. C'est bon.
It'll be fine. It'll be fine.
Okay.
What the hell is this? No. No way.
Talkin' 'bout my ch-ch-ch generation
Dooby, dooby, dooby…
Hello?
Oh my God!
Oh! Are you seriously trying to kiss me while I'm sleeping?
-Are you out of your mind, lady? -I thought you were dead.
I already told you I don't need your help.
Oh, I know.
Why are you still here? Away with you!
-Right now, you're actually scaring me. -You don't think I'm scared?
With a strange woman in my house,
who… who I found trying to kiss me while I'm sleeping.
Well, I thought you were kind of dead.
That's what it looked like, so I was checking if you were.
-I'm sure you'd be thrilled if I died. -Well, sort of.
Then I'd have a reasonable excuse to tell my husband why I came home.
Sorry, that wasn't nice.
I'm sorry. That was incredibly stupid of me.
I shouldn't have said that. I know better too.
I'm wrong, I always say the wrong things. Apparently, I am the one who needs help.
-Hm. -Bonjour.
Good. She really needs to get outside.
What is she saying?
Viens!
Oh, no. No, no. Uh… You know…
I'm still… cleaning.
Do the cushions and…
Anjeta…
Oh. Nice.
Very nice necklace… that you have.
Oh!
You… make this underwear?
Oh!
What kind of sick little lady are you?
Oh! Uh, no, thank you. No, no, no, no, no.
This fleece, uh… I don't take it off in public.
These arms… No. Not for show.
Hmm.
Anjeta.
Si jeune.
Si belle.
Merci.
Anjeta.
Uh, can I…
Cheese.
Et voilá.
C'est bon?
Mm.
Voilà.
Tenez, votre camembert. À bientôt.
Bonne journée.
Au revoir.
Yeah. Good.
Mm.
Mm-hmm. Hm.
Okay, then… Let's see here.
Ta da!
I got the recipe from…
Uh…
What was her name? Um…
From, uh… Bonibelle.
Um…
You will probably be glad to hear that I'm going home on Saturday.
And… I want to take this moment to apologize for earlier today…
I freaked out a little bit.
But, um…
I promise that I'm actually quite…
normal.
Normal?
So who gets to decide what's normal?
That kind of thing drives me nuts.
Normal doesn't always mean the same for you as it might for someone else.
That was the first thing Armand taught me, you know.
No one should be telling you what's normal and what's not.
No, of course. I'm sorry…
Are you now apologizing to me for just saying your thoughts on it?
This is getting rather amusing.
Okay. Mm.
Next time try adding a little balsamic vinegar, will you?
Armand always put balsamic on it. Mm.
Armand?
-Was he your boyfriend? -Oh.
You know what?
You're going to meet him right now.
Uh… Now?
Come on.
And this here is Armand.
Are you… aware that it's a statue?
That was the most depressing question I've ever heard in my life.
Have you never heard of imagination?
-Playing pretend? -Yeah.
Great. Let's start from the beginning.
When I was still married to Margareta.
Hang on. Sorry, I'm not following you.
-You said Margareta? -Yeah.
I didn't know you were married to a woman.
Do you think I just woke up one day as gay man in a French monastery, Agneta?
-Um… yeah. -Oh, my God, darling…
A villa, a Volvo, and bingo on Fridays.
All of this is normal now.
But back then, when I was in the military…
That was paradise.
Cocks were everywhere.
I see.
Homosexuals had to be cured back then.
I was good at pretending I was straight until I finally heard of a place
where all of the closeted gays would meet up and get together to mingle.
Humlegården Park. The fall of 1964.
I love this bit. It's my favorite.
I… am Einar.
Nervous.
Full of excitement.
Beautiful.
You'll be able to see it better if you close your eyes.
-Um… -For God's sake, close your eyes.
Can you see my feet walking along the gravel path?
Can you see the green bench?
I sit down, unsure of myself.
Yeah. But how do you sit when you're waiting for another homosexual?
A little… sensual, I guess you could say.
Yeah.
But suddenly, I hear voices.
I can see three men are walking towards me.
I stand up and I am terribly nervous.
One of them comes up to me.
"Are you…"
And I said… "I think so."
And then, he spits right in my face.
And then I heard him say, "Fuck, that's disgusting."
"I told you he was a fag."
I told you to keep your eyes closed.
Okay.
What was I doing?
I had Margareta.
I felt terribly embarrassed and ashamed.
I ran.
Then a white convertible pulled up in front of me.
Can you see it?
Vibrant and full of life.
That's when I saw him. Right there.
An unimaginably beautiful human being.
And he said…
"You want to go for a ride?"
Don't tell me that was Armand.
Was it really?
-Didn't I tell you to close your eyes? -Oh, yes, I'm sorry.
Mm?
And then he took me to a place… I didn't know existed.
Full of people I didn't know existed.
They embodied everything I always was, but never felt I could be.
And out of all these amazing, colorful humans, he was looking at me.
Then, he extended an inviting hand.
But… I was so shy, like a timid bird.
He leaned forward and whispered something in my ear,
which is now my most important motto.
-"If somebody asks you to dance…" -If someone asks you to dance…
-"You must never decline." -You must never decline.
We never stopped dancing.
And then, laying in the most beautiful bed with him,
I had the most amazing, passionate, craziest sex--
Wait! Stop!
What?
Margareta! What happened to Margareta? Where did she go? What happened to her?
Well, I…
I… promised myself that I could only give up that life
if I could absolutely make sure that every minute of my new life was worth it.
Wow.
Right, so…
-Would you help me get up? -Of course.
-Here. Here we go. -Okay. Oh, dear me.
-Thank you. -There. Okay.
-No, no, no… Come… -Huh? What was that?
-Yes, come on. -No, not me.
-Stop. I won't. -Yes.
-I don't want… -Come on.
-Just put your foot there. That's it. -Okay, I'm getting up.
-Stand like this. -Like this?
-And I'll sit here, like this. -Mm.
Right!
Now show me your life.
-You want… what? Uh… -Go on!
Okay… Well…
Uh… I actually met my husband on the dance floor as well.
Uh… um…
Because we were… watching over all of our friends' jackets.
That's when Magnus came up and talked to me.
-There. -Okay, but…
-I still don't see any of you. -Mm?
You… you need to show me. Okay? Show me something already!
-Hmm. Mm. Uh… -Go on then!
Well… uh…
Magnus did most of the talking, I suppose.
And I was the one who kind of… listened to him harp on.
And, so… so, I guess that sort of made us a rather…
A good match for each other…
Back then.
Then what happened? You're not saying anything.
Uh… Yeah, well after that…
Magnus got this, uh… amazing job.
It was in… in Dresden.
-This is dreadful. -So we went down there…
-Or rather, we flew there… -Why are we talking about Magnus?
This play is about you!
You're the director of this play, for God's sake, woman.
What do you live for?
My children.
That answer's terrible.
It's cruel to put that on your children, what a burden.
Do you like who you've become?
Of course I don't like it.
No, obviously you don't like yourself.
How could you when you've never done anything you like for yourself
in your entire life?
You know nothing about me.
But neither do you, apparently.
Thank you.
I thought this place was done seeing lost birds begin to shed their feathers.
-What? -Let's go to bed.
We have a busy day tomorrow.
Where is she?
-Good morning. -There you are, Agneta.
We had a lot of fun yesterday, didn't we?
-Yeah. It was… It was very fun. -Yeah.
Yeah, but come on, we should get started.
I have so much to show you today.
Uh… So I guess… I just thought that I'd sort out as much as possible for you
before I have to leave… tomorrow.
Because it's Saturday tomorrow.
So today must be Friday, then. That's bar day.
Oh, right.
Let's see here.
5:00 p.m. Does anything in particular happen on Fridays?
God no, nothing in particular ever happens there and probably never will.
Mm.
Come on, do you want to have some fun?
-Oh! Sure, okay. -Great, come on.
You have to eat something first.
-No, come on. Catch me if you can. -Hang on. Wait!
What'd you mean earlier?
How do you do, my libido?
A-ha…
Interesting.
So what did you mean by "shed their feathers"?
Well, when birds have babies, they are gray and boring.
When they get older, their feathers turn into a firework of color.
And they fly towards adventures.
-Hmm. Mm. -That is shedding their feathers.
Tell me… How would you describe yourself, my dear?
Uh… here…
Well, I guess…
Well, I… I'll have to disappoint you again today, I'm afraid.
I have never been an interesting woman.
I'm sorry. I'm just… not like you.
And how's that?
Well, you're someone… who is… colorful.
You know, I've never met any woman…
who came all the way to France from Sweden…
in order to spend time in a monastery with a crazy, homosexual man,
just to be standing next to him, feeding him a baguette.
I'd say that's very colorful.
Hey…
What exactly went on here back then?
I'd love to hear about the whole story before I have to leave.
If you play, I'll tell you.
Well, I can't do that.
Oh!
What just happened to you?
What if my heart gave out right now?
Are you telling me you'd deny a shriveled old man his dying request?
Would you really? Go on, just humor me, won't you?
Imagine giving people a place like this…
A place where they can come exactly as they are.
To live without an ounce of judgment. This was that place.
We all ate, drank, and slept until the afternoon.
Argued, laughed, played, danced!
We built. We painted.
Wait, where did all these people come from?
From the same place as you, darling.
Sollentuna?
From the feeling you have right now. The feeling of never fitting in.
So, I want you to show me what you see.
Okay… Um…
Tell me what I should be picturing. So I can try to imagine it.
Ah… No.
Uh…
The stage is yours.
You can't do that, Einar. That… that…
-That's not something I'm able to do. -How did little Agneta play?
-Uh… -When she was seven?
Well…
Uh…
Uh… What?
Is…
that right here?
This painting is of this room.
Wait a minute, let me see.
Einar, now… I can see that in this corner…
Someone's painting… over here.
But they…
They don't seem like… an artist.
But… but over here, up here…
There's two people standing up here, on top of a ladder.
They're hanging it up.
A chandelier!
And wait a minute. Oh!
And then here's somebody just lying around and, uh…
-They're singing! -Yeah?
Here! Here, right on top of the grand piano.
-On top of it. -They are?
The molting happened here.
Everyone here would come… to shed!
Yes! We wanted to show everyone that there was a place for them to go to.
Like there was for me.
-How'd you do that? -How do you think?
-What do I think? -What do you think?
What do I think? Gosh, I think that they…
I want you to show me what you think, Agneta.
I think that you dressed up as birds and then…
You went around the theater and you… you birded around!
And what did it sound like, go on!
So many birds here!
I see you, Einar.
You found your home…
And… Armand was the one who helped you.
No!
He just disappeared. Where did he go?
I think maybe he's… He's probably heading to the drawing room.
Come, come!
Where the hell did he go?
It's so quiet in here.
Where are they?
Where do you think?
What do I think?
I think…
I think that after Armand died, this whole place suddenly went quiet.
And you don't like silence.
Is that right?
You know what I think?
I think you ought to put on your finest clothes and then come with me.
We're going to the bar.
For goodness sake.
Hello.
Oh, do you really have to dress up?
How do I look?
You're perfect.
Well, I just wish I could return the compliment.
What?
Well…
Oh, okay then…
-That's so much better. -You think? Really?
Yeah, right. Mm.
-Mm. -Good, right?
Mm.
He makes it at night… the sauce.
He keeps the recipe a secret.
They tell you there's a lot of love in it.
You're not the only one.
-Uh, what? -Women go crazy for him.
-You could get some action there. -No. I can't.
No way. I shouldn't.
He's not the least bit… I can't.
-That's not some… -He's a real stud.
Be quiet, you.
-Do you like riding? -Shh!
This happens every week?
It all makes sense now.
Why you gave up your boring life in Sweden for this.
-For this? -Mm.
I gave it all up for my libido.
It's located in my heart and down between my legs.
-For my life force. -Mm.
And I gave up my libido for a… really dull life in Sweden.
While you chose… life.
Do you think I had a choice?
My soul would have died.
I… gave up my family, my country, my life.
My son!
What, your…
Your son?
-Einar! Allez… Santé! -My God, you didn't…
-Santé a tous! -Santé!
-Allez! -Bon appétit!
Santé!
-Santé! -Santé!
Why didn't you tell me that you have a son?
Well, what's there to tell?
He knows that I'm at the bar every Friday at 5:00 p.m. if he wants to come see me.
What? Is that why you're sitting at the bar every Friday?
He knows where to find me… if he ever wants to see his father.
He's your son, I mean, surely he would--
Don't bother trying to dig up things that no longer exist, understand?
Okay. Yeah.
Ugh… Now… Now, I would like to dance. In the lounge.
-Come. -I can't, I need to… to pack tonight.
I'm going home tomorrow.
What for?
Because…
Would you like to dance or not?
Well, I don't know how to dance.
Anyone who can move their body around can definitely dance.
-Look. You can move. Look at you! -No.
-Yes, now… -There you go!
See how good you are at dancing! You're very good. Huh?
So, come on, do you want to move with me to the music or not?
I don't dance, Einar.
Why ever not?
"Why ever not?"
Why ever not talk to me about your son, then?
-Aa… louette, la la la la la la -Where you going? Okay.
La la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la
Alouette, la la la la la
No! No, no, no, no. I just want to dance, all right?
-Did you fall? -Turn the music on.
-Please, turn it on. -Oh, my god.
-Oh… let me help you. Do you…? -No, no, no, no.
-I don't need your help. I can manage. -Okay, just…
Let's… We have to dance now.
We… have… to…
to dance now.
I need to drown out the sorrow with joy.
There is… no other way.
You see, I already know the answer.
And no parent alive can live with that answer.
That's why it's… better to sit there every Friday.
Hoping, laughing.
Rather than dying.
Because knowing is dying.
Lie down, okay?
It's better that I continue to live in my own reality.
I cannot wait for him to see his room.
So he can play with them.
Play with who?
The porcelain cats.
I know he would have loved them.
Them, them, them.
"Paul has a new father now. Don't write again. You are sick."
Agneta?
I'm here.
Why are you crying, little bird?
I think I just feel a little sorry for you.
Promise me one tiny thing, little bird.
Never look at me again the way you are right now.
Because then I'm reminded.
I just want to dance, okay?
All I want is to dance.
What?
I saw that. I know it was you.
-Finally. -What time is it?
-Two. -Wow!
We must have… danced all night.
It was about time you showed the world those incredible hips you have.
I know.
-You have a phone? -Of course I have a phone… somewhere.
-Answer it. -Will you go get it for me, please?
-Where is it? -Go on, hurry up.
-I'm going. Where is it though? -Go on! Move it.
-Here it is. -Great. Thanks.
-This is Einar. -Who's Einar?
Better go and get dressed.
There's a half-naked woman in my bed.
Haven't had one of those in a while.
Wait, who's naked?
Who? My au pair.
Are you still there?
I can't believe this. I'm waiting for my wife at the airport, worried.
What could have happened? Is she dead? But no!
Turns out it's much worse!
Apparently, she's naked in bed
with an old Frenchman who lied about being a little boy.
Don't you hear how wrong that sounds? Abnormal.
-What are you doing, Agneta? -Have you ever heard of molting?
Excuse me?
How birds change color when their chicks have flown the nest.
What? Agneta, are you insane?
I have so many concerns about you.
Birds molts twice a year. And they don't change color.
What have these people been telling you?
I've told you, you have to be more discerning of your sources.
I'm gonna stay here.
-What? -At least for a while.
Why would you do that?
Give me one reason why you should stay there another second longer.
-Hello? -I guess I just feel like it.
Agneta…
Everyone wants to go on vacation, but you can't just leave everything…
But… that's something I can do here.
That's something you can do too, Magnus, you could come here as well.
You should come join me, y'know.
You have lost your mind.
Good morning. I haven't seen you in a while.
Luzette. Agneta.
Nice to meet you.
Why is there a red balloon attached to you? Luzette?
How else are we supposed to find her?
My husband thinks that I've gone crazy.
And yet you've chosen to spend your life with this guy.
I know. God.
Do you know what makes me insanely jealous that they do so easily in this place?
-The gays? -No, the French.
They apologize for nothing.
They smoke, eat the wrong things, drink the wrong things…
and truly don't care what anyone else thinks.
Yeah, but why the hell would you go around caring what others think of you?
People only care about themselves.
Try it and you'll see how little people care.
Okay.
Go right now and do something you've never dared to do before.
What?
Find out what you'll do when you don't concern yourself with others' opinions…
-Okay, I'm off. -Go on.
-Okay, I will. I'm off. Yeah, yeah… -Move faster.
-And don't apologize. -I won't.
-Good. -Got it.
Oh! Sorry.
Not at all.
-Bonjour. -Bonjour, madam.
-Au revoir. -Au revoir.
Bonjour…
Bonjour.
Baguette, merci.
Bonjour, Anjeta.
Hello, little flesh.
Hello, little arm.
Oh, my lovely belly.
My lovely, lovely belly.
I'm so sorry.
I'm sorry.
JACOB JORDAENS PAINTER AND ENGRAVER
There you are.
Would you like to paint me as well?
Love
Like this, maybe?
For sale
Love
For sale
Who will buy
Who would like to sample my supply?
Who's prepared to pay the price
For a trip to paradise
Love for sale
If you want to buy my wares
Follow me and climb the stairs
And then you ask it what it needs.
-Are you ready? -I'm ready.
How do you do, my libido?
How…
…do you do, my libido?
Yee-ha!
C'est la vie, Fabien.
Want to go for a ride?
Ah!
-"Voiture." -Mm. In Swedish, "bil."
"Bil." Bil?
Voiture.
-Le voiture. -"La" voiture.
-Mm. "La." -"La" voiture.
La… "La."
Come, come. Let's go!
What have you got?
I just thought it looked so sad and lonely by itself.
This dress wants to have fun. Here, it's for you.
There you are.
Uh… It's probably better we leave. Off you go.
Have you just… Did you…?
Put the dress on. You better not apologize for this.
See you by the car at three. Run!
What do you mean?
Sprint, sprint, sprint!
-Let's go. Come on! -Non, non, non…
Oh!
Oh! Oh, oh!
Je…
I'll just…
Turn around.
Yeah… Go on.
Hello.
Wow!
Shoes.
Well…
So long comfortable shoes that are good for my back and nothing else.
Whoa!
Je vais à la…
La… La voiture.
Parfait.
I got this one for my son.
Yes. Yes.
My son loves cats like these, so I bought him one.
-It's so nice, isn't it? -Einar!
-Huh? What is it? Hey. Hey! -Hey.
Oh! Oh my, that's gorgeous on you.
It's… Yeah.
Yeah. Um… is it… Is it time to leave?
-What's that? -Yeah?
Isn't it just lovely?
He'll absolutely love it.
Huh?
One moment… Hang on.
Mm.
Take this one. It shouldn't be all by itself in my home.
I already have too many lonely, sad cats living there.
So…
better for it to, uh… be having a good time there.
It's better… better for it.
God…
I can't do it. I can't hold onto it any longer.
Reality.
My reality.
Which reality… is your reality, Einar?
The one I live in.
The one where… I get to have Paul come see me again,
to play with these little cats.
One where I'm happy with life.
One where… I can't… it consumes me.
It consumes me.
I chose myself over him. I made the wrong choice.
The wrong choice.
SENDER: AGNETA STRÖMBERG TO: PAUL LINDBLOM
Dear Paul,
You don't know me, but I probably didn't either
until I met your dad.
He's taught me to listen to… myself.
And now it's time for me to teach him to do the same.
To listen to himself.
And to stop drowning out the grief. The grief over you.
Wait, Einar!
I understand if you're angry with him.
He left you because he wasn't allowed to be himself.
That's why he doesn't think he has the right to contact you.
Or love you.
As if it was a choice.
To love yourself or to love your son.
-The laundry basket. -Thank you.
But that's wrong. I know that.
I know that you can do both.
But first you need to find a person who helps you dare.
Otherwise, you might spend a lifetime thinking
that there is no other alternative.
Einar is your father.
-Hurry up. Go on. -I will.
But he needs your help to dare to be that.
-Here, try some. -Oh!
All the love he has for you, he has spent a lifetime giving to others.
To people like me.
But I think it's time for him to offer that love to the one it belongs to.
To you.
Before it's too late.
-We shouldn't be late. -No.
-It's Friday. We can't be late to dinner. -So it is.
Okay, let's see. Oh.
Yes.
-There we are. -Attention.
And… there we are.
It's like a romantic… comedy.
Every part of it.
-Okay, let's see. -Attention.
Uh-huh.
That's it.
C'est très sexy.
I think you're talking about the sauce. Now.
Maintenant…
Yeah.
Mm.
Magnifique. Bravo.
-No, uh… -Oh… What? No…
Oh… no. I'm so sorry.
-Ah, non. Pardon. Non, non. -No, no.
Creole Lady Marmalade
It's hot.
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Voulez-vouz coucher avec moi?
Touch of her skin, feeling silky smooth Color of café au lait
Made the savage beast inside
Roar until he cried
More, more, more
Now he's back home doin' 9 to 5
Mmm.
He's livin' the gray flannel life
But when he turns off to sleep Old memories creep
More, more, more…
Gitchie, gitchie, ya-ya, da-da
Bon… appétit.
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
-C'est bon? -Oui, c'est bon.
Voulez vouz coucher avec moi ce soir?
Mm.
What are you doing standing on the table?
-Oh… -Stop it.
-I can see… -No… Stop it. No. Cut it out.
Just stop it. No…
-Just stop it. -Are you the only one allowed to have fun?
Come on, let's have some fun together.
It's all getting a little out of hand at the moment.
Because all we seem to do is plunge into fountains, eating food. And I…
We have to be more realistic from here on out.
-You're feeding your libido. -But…
Oh, it's very full now.
It's completely over saturated.
Stop that. Can I have that? Don't do this, Einar!
-Give that duster back… -What's up with you this morning?
-Nothing. What? -Paul!
C'est Paul.
What?
Hey, hey.
Einar.
It's Paul. Uh…
Einar, look, see. Paul's here. But, hey!
I have to… Where… Where's my shirt?
-Hey, Einar. -Where's my shirt?
-Einar, Einar. Come on. -Huh?
-No… He wasn't supposed to… -Don't stumble now.
Sit down.
-He was supposed to come to the bar. -Sit down. There.
-On a Friday. -There you are. Good.
-Is it Friday yet? -No, it's not.
-It's not Friday. -Not Friday?
-But… your son… is here. -Mm.
-You're the reason he came here. -Mm.
-Do you understand? Do you see? -Mm.
Your son… is here.
You understand?
See me.
He's finally home.
He came.
He… He came. Because he wanted to see me.
Mm.
You're the loveliest thing I've ever seen.
Oh, dear.
Oh… um, well, that's, uh…
-So do you want…? Shall we…? -Yes. Sure.
So tell me, you've been happy, huh?
Mmm… Well, I… I guess happy is overstating it a bit.
But… but… Mm-hmm.
And please, tell me how…
Uh, how… Tell me, how is Margareta?
Uh… Mom died a few years go, I'm afraid. Yeah.
But you got a new dad, if I remember.
That was good, wasn't it?
Well, I wouldn't exactly call him my dad or anything, but, uh…
Yeah, no, I don't speak to him, actually. Yeah.
But what about your children?
You must have a wife and children back home…
No… I never married.
That never happened.
But you've… had a good life here, it seems.
Ah, yes.
Yeah, I've had, uh, a really incredible and wonderful life. Yes.
Wow… Okay.
-I should go so I can catch the bus… -No, wait…
-Einar. -Mm?
Go on and tell him the truth.
-Tell him what things are actually like. -What?
-You were mortified. Go on. -Why should I lie to my own son?
-But you… -But…
He must be happy that his dad has had a good life, aren't you, Paul?
Since I left you and your mother. It's good that it was worth it, right?
At least it was for me.
Well, thanks for the letter anyway. It was nice of you to send it.
I didn't send you a letter. I thought you came here by yourself.
No, I sent him a letter. Uh…
-What? -Yeah.
-I see. I'm off. -No. Wait.
-Hold on… -Wait, Paul!
-What did you do?! -Paul, stop!
Hang on. He wants you here, it's just that he doesn't… Wait a second.
Just… Come. What are you…? Come on then, let's go. Come.
Paul, wait, don't leave, you can't… What's with you?
An entire life.
-Oh, stop that now! -You've ruined my entire life.
-Paul! -You took it away from me.
Your son is here!
Will you just cut it out already!
What do you mean, "your entire life"? He's here right now, for you, Einar.
He wants to see you.
You're wrong.
He only came here because he felt obliged to do it.
Because he knows… his useless old dad will die soon.
For goodness sake.
And I've ruined his life again.
And you've ruined the little life I had left.
Einar. No, Einar! Stop, stop!
Einar!
Listen to me…
You told me to listen, right?
You've given wonderful advice to a lot of people over the years.
So why is it that you're refusing to listen to your own advice?
Hey, Einar.
You're the most wonderful, strange, bizarre,
but loving person I have ever encountered.
But you know that already.
Listen closely, 'cause there's a father somewhere in there.
Chasing after his son.
Huh?
Do you hear it?
Listen, listen, list, list, list, list, list, listen.
Listen.
Oh! Oh.
Hey!
Hurry up then! Hurry up! Go!
Wait!
No, don't go! Stay! You can't go!
-Stop! -Paul!
-Sto… -Paul!
Paul!
I've ruined it…
He has no one else left. And I abandoned him again.
I'm so…
I… I… I…
Huh?
I…
I'm… I'm sorry.
I don't exactly know…
I have no idea how to be a dad.
But…
But I know…
that I love you.
Oh. I'm… I'm sorry. I won't… I won't disturb you.
-Hey… -I was just…
Warm milk is a good remedy
if you wake up in the middle of the night feeling sort of anxious, right?
Yeah.
Yeah, it's great for that.
I used to give it to my kids too.
Oh.
That's good. Can you believe it?
For so long, I've pictured this very moment.
I've waited my entire life, and now he's here.
I can't stop looking at the boy.
Why are you standing there?
-Oh. I'm sorry. I won't disturb you… -No, no, no, no. Come here and look.
Come quickly.
Agneta?
Uh?
-Magnus? -Why is everyone here? What's going on?
Do we have visitors?
Oh.
Ein… Einar's… son. Paul.
-Uh. -Uh…
Hi.
And this, right here, is Einar…
The homosexual man.
-Yeah. -Mm.
And, yeah, okay, right.
-This is what I was telling you and, oh… -Mm.
Oh! Fabien, as well. Wonderful, brilliant.
-You've already met downstairs. -Hi.
He's likely also… a… a homosexual.
-Oh yeah? Mm. -So, yeah! Yes.
Uh… Everyone, this is Magnus.
The… man… I'm married to.
You never mentioned that you have a husband.
Cut it out. I've told you. I have, definitely.
-She never said anything. -I did.
What?
Hey, of course I have.
He's both a homosexual and has dementia. It's not easy. Come on.
Uh-huh. Mm.
-This way. -Oh.
Uh. Hello, sir.
-Uh, oui. Bonjour, oui. Bonsoir. -Mm.
Stay, stay!
Listen, I thought you would have already…come home.
But… But when you didn't come back…
I thought…
It's so great to finally have you here, Magnus.
Uh, I'm really sorry…
This is all just so new to me.
-Yeah. -But there are lots of things that I…
Oh my God… This thing is… lethal.
Look at that.
Oh!
-My goodness! -Good Lord!
There was this one time, this bed suddenly started spinning
and I thought it was sensational.
You must have been terrified.
Agneta.
Hm.
I'm here now.
Yeah.
-Oh goodness. -You good?
This way!
-Bonjour, Agneta. -Bonjour.
Oh, so… you know people.
Okay…
Yes, that's…
nice.
It's very nice here in this…
village. I guess.
It's probably not the same as French Estates, I suppose.
Oh, have you been watching French Estates?
Yeah, well, I watched a couple of episodes.
Oh…
Yes, well… it's good to, uh… All good.
-We, uh… -Mm?
We… we… we shouldn't be…
-We should go… I wanna… -What's wrong?
-This fountain… -What is it?
-Look how dirty this fountain is… -Uh…
Okay then… Let's see. I have a thing to show you.
It's over here…
-What? -Just over here. It was…
Let's see here…
Was it…? Oh!
Uh…
So… Hey, friend.
Agneta's friend, my friend.
-Non, non, non ça va. -Oui, oui.
Magnus, you don't have to help him.
He doesn't need your help.
Stop this at once. He doesn't need your help.
-More? -No, thank you.
-No? I'll have some. -No.
Well, in that case, I'll have a little too.
-Okay. -Mm.
I've started the eighty-twenty diet.
Oh, yeah?
Uh-huh. One shouldn't have to abstain from things.
Best to keep one foot in each world, you know.
Oh, yeah.
When you think something is over…
It just might be the beginning of… something even better.
What if life… is just a little… taster of how fun death will be.
You heard… what I needed…
when I… when I wouldn't listen.
And, um…
You are a lot stronger… than my… libido.
I love you, Agneta.
Oh.
Je t'aime, Agneta.
Allez, Anjeta!
Anjeta! Anjeta!
Hold on one moment.
It is pronounced, um… "Agneta."
Not "Anjeta."
So it's A-G-N-E-T-A.
You are the one for me, for me For me, formidable
Mm-Mm!
-Oh, god. Woopsie. -Oopsy Daisy.
The rule they have here is that, uh…
If someone asks you to dance, you can't decline.
That's a weird rule.
-So, uh… -Mm.
May I have this dance, Magnus?
Thank you. But no, thanks.
Mm.
Darling, I love you, love you Darling, I want you
You are the one for me, for me For me, formidable
You are the one for me, for me…
Allez, Anjeta!
I'm glad you want to dance, Magnus!
-I don't know if I can… I don't know. -Don't be silly.
Love you, love you Darling, I want you
-You are the one for me… -Magnus!
For me, for me, formidable
I'll be okay.
-Would you like some water maybe? -No, no, no. Not tap water, no, don't, no.
-No? -No.
I'm not very good at that stuff.
What stuff?
You know, telling people that you love them and that sort of stuff.
I know I express it in other ways, because I showed it…
You know, by coming here, for example.
But you know I do, right?
Right?
Huh?
Yeah.
-Agneta… -Mm.
I don't want you to feel any pressure right now…
But I did buy us both a return ticket home.
We would fly back tomorrow.
But it can be changed, cancelled or anything you want.
Yes, but tomorrow is Friday.
Oh.
But I don't actually know how much is left for me…
to do here.
-I don't think there is. -So…
I don't think it's safe for you to stay here.
Mm.
Oh.
-Maybe I should have some water after all. -Yeah.
-Here you are. -Thanks.
Mm.
Thank you very much.
-Agneta. -Yes?
Everything's spinning.
Mm.
Okay… Mm.
I'll be all right.
I slept with Fabien.
Mmm.
And also that artist, Jordaens.
What an absolutely terrific choice that is, bravo.
-Really? Yeah? -Yes.
-I slept with Marlon Brando yesterday. -Did you?
It was amazing.
All right.
Well…
Is this how you should feel when things… are done?
Well, I barely know anything now.
But I do know one thing.
You are incredibly beautiful…
in that purple dress.
So make sure…
that you never let it get as sad or as depressed, my dear…
Like when I found it, just hanging there at the market. Okay?
-Kroken. -Kroken.
-Agneta!
Coming?
Yeah.
I'll be fine.
Okay.
Why are you still wearing those shoes?
-Huh? -Those shoes are bad for your back…
-So you… -Oh.
I knew I shouldn't have had any of that tap water.
Yeah, yeah.
Anjeta! Anjeta!
-Anjeta! -Anjeta!
-My goodness. Good God. -Sorry?
It's embarrassing how much you and I danced last night.
Can you believe that really happened?
We're lucky that no one saw us doing that.
It'll be so nice to have you home again, Agneta.
Really nice. There's no place like home.
Oh. Did I mention that Linda and I have taken up canoeing?
It's good fun.
Really good fun.
What's wrong?
-What? Are you okay? -Yeah… No, I'm…
-Huh? Are you about to be sick? -Excuse me. Stop it…
-Excusez-moi… Can you get off? -Please just…
Can we? Stop?
-Yeah. -La…
-Stop, stop le voiture! -Can we…?
No! Stop, Magnus!
-Stop! I don't need you interfering! -Okay.
For your information, it's not "le" voiture,
it's actually "la" voiture.
Can you stop? Just… can you stop?
-You don't have to yell. -Just stop the car!
Magnus, you don't need to dance for my sake.
You should dance for your own sake.
There are lots of people out there who also don't like to dance.
You can go "not dance" with Linda, for example. As much as you like.
Is this about dancing? What are you trying to say?
No, you know what, Magnus? I don't think I can do this anymore.
I can't do this any longer.
I can't go to bed wondering what I've done wrong,
the things I've said, worry what I shouldn't be doing.
I can't do it.
I'm finished. I've nothing left to give. I can't take it. I can't do it.
I can't do it.
Get it? I refuse to take this feeling any longer, okay?
That I'm the one who's wrong even one more time. I can't do it.
I seriously can't take it anymore.
Oh my god. Oh my god.
You know?
Never again am I going to take time out of my life
only to worry about what someone or anyone else thinks of me!
I won't do it.
I've wasted so much of my life
worrying about what other people think about me.
And I'm done with it. Look, I could live like this instead.
Look! They exist, Magnus.
A different kind of human exists and lives here. They do.
-But they are all French, Agneta. -Huh?
These people are French.
Yeah? Well, of course. But they are… But they are curious people here, Magnus.
And they're curious about me.
And curious about life.
They're curious about all sorts of things.
-They don't judge anyone. -What are you doing?
You know what, Magnus, there are beautiful people here who…
-What are you…? -Don't judge anybody.
What are you doing?
Put your clothes on. What if he sees you?
-People might see you like this. -Yeah.
I hope they take a very long look at all of this.
What?
Why are you acting so weird, Agneta?
Have you even stopped to consider our kids?
About our kids?
My children are all I ever think about.
There you have it… my children!
Here's your amazing mother who dares to live!
Who is ashamed no more… of who she is!
Or of what people think of her.
Who's happy for once, Magnus.
I feel so good.
Aren't you happy that I finally feel this way?
I'm happy for you, of course.
-But… it's not you. -What?
This is not Agneta.
This is not my Agneta.
Ah.
But it is my Agneta.
That's exactly who this is.
This is my Agneta.
You're being…
And that…
That… is my Agneta.
I am here.
Agneta is here!
Here.
This is me, Magnus!
This is Agneta!
Woo-hoo!
You can start the car.
Au revoir, Magnus.
Time to go home.
Whoa!
Yeah! Woo! Yes!
Woo-hoo! Yes!
I don't wanna talk
About things we've gone through
Though it's hurting me
Now it's history
I've played all my cards
And that's what you've done too
Nothing more to say
Je m'appelle Agneta!
No more ace to play
The winner takes it all
The loser's standing small
Beside the victory
That's her destiny
I was in your arms
Thinking I belonged there
I figured it made sense
Welcome home.
Thanks.
Champagne!
Building me a home
Thinking I'd be strong there
But I was a fool
Playing by the rules
Allez!
The gods may throw a dice
Their minds as cold as ice
And someone way down here
Loses someone dear
-The winner takes it all -Takes it all
-The loser has to fall -Has to fall
-It's simple and it's plain -It's so plain
-Why should I complain? -Why complain?
But tell me, does she kiss
Like I used to kiss you
Does it feel the same
When she calls your name?
Somewhere deep inside
You must know I miss you
But what can I say
Rules must be obeyed
The judges will decide
The likes of me abide
Spectators of the show
Always staying low
-The game is on again -On again
-A lover or a friend -Or a friend
-A big thing or a small -Big or small
-The winner takes it all -Takes it all
I don't wanna talk
If it makes you feel sad
And I understand
You've come to shake my hand
I apologize
If it makes you feel bad
Seeing me so tense
No self-confidence, but you see
The winner takes it all
So the winner takes it all
And the loser has to fall
Throw the dice, cold as ice
Way down here, someone dear
Takes it all, has to fall
La la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la…
La la la la
La de da di da day da di…