PREVIOUSLY
I'm picking up my mother. We'll chat and look at old pictures.
Of course, she isn't in any of them. She just disappeared out of our lives.
RITA Teacher
I don't want you to interfere.
Can't we start over and put it behind us?
LILLEBETH Rita's mother
I was the dumbest in class. Maybe if you'd seen that I'm dyslexic...
Grandma. Will you help me write a job application?
MOLLY Rita's daughter
- I think they should be up here. - This will make people sit down.
This'll be a super shop, honey.
RICCO & BITTEN Rita's son and daughter-in-law
- I'm happy you came. - Me, too.
- Jeppe. - What?
- Are you active or passive? - Yuck, Mom!
JEPPE Rita's youngest son
You clearly have a problem with authorities.
HELLE Section manager
- I'd like to see you again. - Sex with your kid's teacher?
Yes.
LARS Rosa's dad
LIVE WELL
Write something indecent!
ROSA Rita's pupil
Write "cock", write "shit". Write "Rita is a moron".
RITA IS
No, I don't like it.
- Nervous? - No. Annoyed.
Stop already!
Good morning. Sorry, I'm late.
Doesn't matter.
Okay, let's get started. Torben, you called this meeting.
Yes, I want to talk about the student camping trip.
It's a class with quite a few challenging pupils.
The boys in particular. They've been given a free rein for too long.
I've spent a disproportionate amount of time correcting the bad habits
they've acquired from Rita.
And here I thought it was your generation who disliked authority.
I don't see this class as problematic.
The class is well-functioning, albeit with certain unruly elements.
- Let's talk about them, then. - Yes. René.
If we're going to talk about René, we should mention him by name.
- Isn't he the one you're referring to? - He's totally out of control.
He's not as bad as all that. He's a boy. He's a teenager.
- Does René have a diagnosis? - Yes, he has ADHD.
If Bart Simpson went to this school you'd diagnose him, too.
- His file is the thickest. - Here, we can control him.
But on a camping trip it would be impossible
without tight-marking him. And we need another teacher for that.
- We don't have the hours. - Then he can't come.
Torben... One of these days you'll have a mental illness named after you.
- That's it... - Rita!
What do you have to say?
Is it a new pedagogical approach to exclude kids from camping trips?
THE PROTECTOR
He's got a point. If we could only bring along another teacher.
Torben's been here for 400 years. He knows the labor contract.
- What do you mean? - He knows we can't get an extra teacher.
He wants René to stay home, so he doesn't have to work.
- It's not just work. - You're right.
It's unreasonable of us to require him to actually do his job.
- Rita! - Hi Sofie.
- I have a new guinea pig! - Aren't you a lucky girl!
Bye.
What's this business with René? You've protected him since 1st grade.
Don't tell anyone
but René is the result of my affair with an unnamed royal individual.
To avoid scandal we put him in a basket and sent him down the river
hoping a fisherman's family with a heart of gold would...
- A teacher can't like a student? - Sure, but it affects your judgment.
My judgment is fine, and I take full responsibility for René on the trip.
I'll handle him, okay?
Do you now think you can persuade Torben to do his job?
- I'll try. - Excellent.
I'll bring back some nice drawings for his case file.
Come on, boys.
Good morning!
Jeppe Madsen - Edit profile Single.
In a releationship.
JEPPE IS A FAGGOT
WELCOME TO JEPPE IS A FAGGOT
Does everyone have clay?
Water. We drink it. Fish swim in it.
It serves many purposes, except in Africa where they have very little.
So we will help them by making a well.
Each student will make a work of art
to be sold at the great Africa Auction.
So...
Give a well to Africa. (Danish charity song)
Brilliant!
What are you working on, Milas?
Is it a very large man with no arms?
Get lost, damn it! René's tossing clay!
He can't do that. René, please go work on your own artistic expression.
That is beautiful, Rosa!
It's like a tree of life... or maybe an elephant.
And from this angle it looks like a man. It draws me in.
- It's really good, Rosa. - No, it isn't!
Oh, well... you could start over, I suppose.
Clay is such a forgiving material.
What are you doing? Idiot!
- Don't call me an idiot! - That's enough, René.
- No way. - You can't throw clay around.
Rosa is hurting. Go apologize.
Fuck you!
Get out. I don't want you in here.
- Have a good day. - Thank you.
Damn, if it isn't the boss in apron and all!
- Come here, damn it. - What an upgrade!
- Cool! Making ends meet? - I can't complain.
Look at you! Your own shop, and the lady?
- The same one. - Good job!
- What about... - It didn't work out with Nanna.
A couple of flat screens came between us, so...
- Do you want a beer? - Do you have any?
Or is it all eco sun berry crap?
I usually charge 35 for one of these, but for you it's free.
35? Are you fucking kidding me?
Shut up! What kind of morons are you screwing over with this?
Mind your language, or you won't taste my honey-roasted peanuts.
- Handmade by Indian children? - They crap them out.
Awesome.
- Hey, sweetie. - Hi.
This is Karsten, who hooked me up with the shop.
- Hello. - Hi. Bitten.
- What are you doing here? - I came to have lunch with you.
We can all lunch together. I'll go make something...
No, you don't have to do that. I'll see you at home.
- Bye-bye. - Bye.
- Boom! - I don't know...
Fuck it. People who read books are weird.
Yeah.
- Let's have some grub. - Sure!
- What are we having? - Curry meat balls.
Jeppe loves balls, don't you, Jeppe? Grab these.
Funny!
- What's with the "Faggot"? - What?
Nothing.
Someone made a Facebook page called J eppe is a faggot.
Nikolaj says you have to expect these things, when you're openly gay.
- Isn't it just a prank? - Yeah, it's hilarious.
Then click 'Like'. Join in the fun.
- Then they'll lose interest. - So I'm supposed to think it's okay?
If you defuse it, it'll be boring for the others.
I mean, being gay really isn't that big a deal.
Jeppe...
There are a billion loons on the Internet. Just ignore them.
Okay?
- Good morning. - Good morning.
Obviously, we're all affected by what's happened.
Parents are calling non-stop, so we must solve this ASAP.
Who was in the room last?
- And how did that go? - Any conflicts with the kids?
Leave Hjørdis alone. It could be anybody.
I had a conflict with René, and I threw him out.
Okay.
- We need to have a talk with him. - That's a really good idea.
I thought you were innocent till proven guilty?
- I'll just talk to him. - But you've made up your minds.
No, but we need to signal that something like this is not okay.
That doesn't mean we have to find a scapegoat in five minutes.
I have to agree with Rita.
We can't let our prejudices control us.
Thank you, Helle.
- Rita. Rita, wait up! - What?
You can't get upset just because I agree with Torben.
You don't. You're just not man enough to stand up to him.
Rita... Shut the fuck up.
It requires a lot more guts to stand up to you than to him.
I agree with Torben. Do you understand?
Tell me you understand, because...
If you can't show me even that level of respect...
Hey, Bitsen.
Your hair smells of kiwi. How do you get it to smell so nice?
- You smell of beer. - I had a beer with Karsten.
Or two. I have good news.
- I gave Karsten a job. - In the shop?
Yes. He needs a fresh start, and I was able to give it to him.
Help him, just like you helped me. It's that karma thing.
- Right now that's a bad idea. - Why?
You can hardly make ends meet. We can't afford to hire anyone.
- We've only just started. - It'll take off.
I sell sandwiches, you hair smells of kiwi. What are you bitching about?
I'm not bitching, Ricco. But there are two of us in this.
You could involve me before making such a stupid-ass decision.
So, when I help out, it's stupid. When you do, it's community service.
- Hi, sweetie. - Hi, Mom.
- Where are you going? - Into town to browse around.
Do you need a lift? I'm not doing anything.
- That's not necessary. - We'll make a trip out of it.
- It's been so long. - I'm meeting someone.
- Okay. Who? - Someone from the shop.
No one you know. See you tonight, okay?
- Sure. - Bye, Mom.
- And I'd like an espresso. - Uno espresso. Pronto!
Is it to go or will you drink it in the shop.
- To go, please. - To go...
And one sandwich with ham and arugula.
- Thank you. - Uno espresso pronto.
- Here you go. - Thank you. Bye-bye.
Idiot.
So... shall we close up shop and head out on the town?
No... my in-laws are coming over.
- I have to. Bitten's still mad at me. - Not because of me, I hope?
She's worried that we'll drive the shop into the ground.
- Because we have fun at work? - Yeah, something like that.
- Hey. - Hey.
What's up? You don't have to pick me up.
- Are you embarrassed over me? - No, of course not.
- Shall we take off? - Yeah.
- Shit! - Fuck!
You have to report this. First Facebook and now your bike.
- I bought the cookies you like. - Great.
- Is it okay that I look at the photos? - Sure.
That's your mom and her sister. You couldn't drag them in from the garden.
It was before our first move.
- Oh, you don't know much about that. - No.
Does she know you visit me?
- I can tell her, if you want. - No, it's better this way.
But you shouldn't spend all your time with your old grandma.
I have plenty of time. I only work part-time at the copy shop.
You should fill your life with exciting things.
Travels, work, education... All sorts of things.
Isn't there something in particular you want to do?
No.
When I was your age I wanted my own flower shop.
I've always regretted that I didn't do anything about that.
I have been thinking about... It's silly.
Becoming a nurse, or something.
But you need a diploma for that, so it's not gonna happen.
You'll just have to get a diploma.
What is it with you and Mom? Why aren't you talking?
I was very young when I had Rita.
All the things Rita are to you... I was no good at that.
She's not exactly perfect, you know.
Well, if you're mother's upset with me, she has every right to be.
Ah, one of my kids is here. Get me some lighter fuel, will you?
Just put it there.
Someone cut up my tire.
We'll fix it.
I bet you it's René.
Nikolaj says that when he came out, René hounded him.
- People say René did the vandalism. - "People say."
- When did that become an argument? - Who else could it be?
And the people who say Jeppe is a faggot. Are they right, too?
Jeppe.
- You were looking for me? - Yes.
- If it's about yesterday... - It's about last night.
Come here.
Someone burned down the shed.
We think we know who did it.
René.
Would you stay for a minute?
This was found in the shed.
Can you explain that? Maybe you lost it?
Maybe someone stole it from you?
Helle's coming to talk to you.
I've got your back, okay?
- Hi. - Hi.
- Hi, René. - Hi.
Yes, shall we sit down?
So, René. Let's have a little chat about the last couple of days.
No one's accusing you of anything.
Really? I don't see you talking to other kids.
Pardon me. The ADHD-free kids, of course.
René, how old were you when you were diagnosed?
- Seven, I think. - No, you were six, actually.
That's funny. The time you started in school.
- What is that supposed to mean? - Some kids don't fit into the system.
We just slap a diagnosis on them, rather than change the system.
- That's not the topic of this meeting. - This is the perfect opportunity.
When a student is under suspicion solely because of a diagnosis.
- I did it. - What?
I burned down the shed.
And I also wrecked the stuff for the Africa Auction.
Do you realize that admitting it will get you expelled?
Yes, I do.
- René, listen... - Can I go now?
That was delicious, Bitten. She's been cooking all day.
- She must get that from you. - Our family enjoys cooking together.
That's just how it is.
- You didn't eat anything, Bitten. - I'm not hungry.
If you're up for it, I brought home dessert from the shop.
- Well, then... - You two should go have a chat.
- We men will handle it. - Yes. We'll serve the ice cream.
Bitten's a bit upset with me tonight...
- I don't know... - What happened?
I'm not sure, but I suppose it'll pass.
Jette once went a week without speaking to me.
What had you done?
- I'd said I wanted more children. - And she wasn't happy about that?
No. Jette always said she only wanted one.
I knew that, and yet I brought it up.
- How did you make up? - We never talked of it again.
No need to make women more complicated than they are.
- Hi, Jeppe. - Hi.
- Come on in. - I was wondering...
Is it odd for me to come here, considering my mom's also... here.
No, not at all. After all, I am your counselor.
And what we talk about stays between us. Please, come in.
I don't know who's doing it, but Nikolaj says it's to be expected.
It sounds very unpleasant.
I understand why you're frightened.
Mom says it's probably just a prank, but...
But to you it's serious.
She doesn't take me seriously. Her class is more important.
Well, you can always come to me. And I do take you seriously.
Okay.
Why do you think she reacts the way she does? Your Mom.
Hi. Do you have a minute?
I'm on my way out.
- I'd like to talk to you. - Can't you call?
Hanne saw some text messages I'd sent to you.
- Does she know it's me? - No. She doesn't know about you.
Good.
Rita. Wait up.
- Rita... - Can we talk later tonight?
I want to talk about Rosa. You're her teacher.
Listen, I need to talk to one of my pupils.
- Hey. - Hey, yourself.
I think you should withdraw your confession.
They can't prove it was you.
- I didn't think it was you. - Why not?
- What do you mean? - You never asked.
- Hi. - Sit down for a minute.
- Have some wine. - I don't want wine.
Then I'll have some.
Okay... I don't know what it is you think I'm doing wrong.
I'm doing everything I can to show you I've improved.
I don't know what else to do.
I've hired Karsten, and that was my decision because it's my shop
and my responsibility. And... yes...
That's pretty much what I wanted to say, so...
What's wrong?
I'm pregnant.
You're what?
I'm so afraid everything will fall apart
and you already work so hard, and my studies, and...
And I'm gonna be an awful mom who pushes you into this mold
with a stroller and a standard house that will suck the life out of you.
And it will mould you into someone you're not, and you will disappear...
Bitten, stop! Hey, listen...
I want to be in that mold.
Is it true? You're pregnant?
- Really? - I'm 4 weeks.
- A tiny little one. - A baby!
- Well, not quite yet, but... - That's fantastic!
- Fuck! Your dad is gonna be thrilled! - What?
I think we can tie up this unfortunate matter now.
We have a full confession, and as René had already been warned
we see no other way out than to permanently expel him.
Crap!
What are you doing? Don't tell me you're reading ahead.
Rosa, you've cut yourself!
May I see?
I'm sorry. I don't have a band aid.
What the hell are you doing?
It's alright. It's only books.
We'll find some tape or something.
I didn't know he would be expelled.
How did you all of a sudden get so stupid?
Mom and Dad are getting a divorce.
I'm divorced, too, but I don't set things on fire.
- I'm sorry, what? - Mom wants a divorce.
Dad's been seeing someone else.
I'm sorry to hear it.
- I'll clean up. - No, Rosa. Never mind that.
I don't want René expelled because of me.
He dribbles, he scores! Yes!
The audience runs wild, but he's not done.
He prepares to shoot. He dribbles on and scores again!
Hell, yeah! He scores twice...
What are you doing here?
I did the vandalism and stole your cap.
I'm sorry. I'll take the blame for it.
It doesn't matter.
You can return to school now. Get your diploma.
I'm not getting any diploma.
- But you didn't do it. - I probably did something else.
I'm going into apprenticeship at a car shop.
Hang in one more year, so you get your diploma.
What will I do with it?
Rosa needs it. Why do you want to expel her instead of me?
I don't want anyone expelled. I just want you back in school.
She's going to college and stuff.
See you.
- Morning, boss! - Good morning.
- Did you fry the bacon? - Yes, it's out there.
Cool.
- Karsten... - Yes?
I'm really sorry, but I can't...
I have to be very serious about this business.
I think we're pretty serious as it is.
Not quite serious enough.
- You're firing me? - I'm really sorry.
- At some other time... - You said you'd give me a chance.
Not right now.
Okay.
See you.
- Yes. Sure. - Bye.
- Hi, sweetie. - Hi, Mom.
- Moving out? - It's for the camping trip.
Where have you been? I never see you anymore.
I went home with Lene from the copy shop.
Okay.
Easy now, boys. We're going all the way to Jutland. Save your firepower.
Rita, is there a bath in that cabin?
- An outhouse. We bathe in the lake. - What? You're kidding!
Seriously, we're gonna bathe in the lake
isn't that just disgusting...
Aw! Are you here to say goodbye to your old mom?
- No, I'm going in there. - But you don't have a class now.
- I have an appointment with Helle. - Okay.
There's just too much going on, and it's nice to talk with an adult.
So...
But have a good trip.
Thanks.
Subtitles: Tina Goldberg