Seventh Stream, The (2001)

[bunniefuu]

From the west coast of Ireland

legends and stories
have always been a way of
life.

In one small village

it is the legend
of the selchies

seals who can transform
themselves into human beings

that would change
everyone’s life.

Welcome... welcome...

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Where’s Dunhill today?

I’d like to know.

It’s tough hauling line
with only two men.

Never known him to miss a day.

Six bob.

Are you daft?

Half of them
is worth that.

No, half of them is worth three.

But if you like...

Those are line fish,
not from a net.

Not a mark on them.

They’re worth seven and six.

With all due respect,
Mr. Quinn

they’re worth
six and ten, at most.

They’re worth seven and six

with or without
the respect.

Six and ten is better
than eating them ourselves

don’t you think?

Seven, that’s final.

Take it or leave it.

We’ll leave it, thank you.

All right, all right.

Don’t be so
bloody dramatic.

You know, Quinn

you’re supposed to haggle

negotiate a bit.

You take all
the fun out of it.

I thought sure
we were going to walk
away with nothing.

Willy, lad, in order
to compromise

you first must have
something to lose.

We’re talking
about haddock

not bloody life and death.

And there’s our man.

We waited
for you, lad.

Aye, sorry.
Something came up.

I’ve got to quit the boat.

It’s nothing against you.
It’s just...

I have to go out on my own.
It’s time.

Time?

What do you know
about time?

What about the
year Quinn here

spent teaching you
everything you know?

I mean no disrespect,
Mr. Quinn.

I’m truly grateful
to you, I really am.

It’s just that
something’s happened

and I have to go my
own way, that’s all.

Give him share
for the week, Willy.

No, no, no, no,
I don’t want it.

Take it.
You earned it.

Here, one pound ten
goes to the boat.

I’m sorry, Mr. Quinn.

Who we going to get now?

We’ll be hauling
line ourselves

till our hands fall off.

Are you not going
to say anything?

Nothing stays
the same, Willy.

You know that.

I got you. Hold on.
Hold on. Hold on.

I’ll turn you loose.

Okay. Yeah.

Go on home. Go on.

Father

we ask deliverance from
this blight upon our waters

this famine of the sea.

Forgive us our sins,
which we know are many.

And show us the way
to return to your good grace.

We beg for your mercy.

Now we do not ask
for prosperity;

we ask for sustenance.

We do not ask for luxury;

we ask
for your comforting hands.

Please look down upon
your humble children

and smile on us
for we have faith.

Keep a right there, please.

Poor man.

Go and see if he’ll
take supper with us, Willy.

You know very well he won’t.

Try.

Five years gone already?

Seems like five days.

Come on, Owen.
Let’s have a glass.

It’d do you good to get
away from those books.

I won’t have to listen
to Margaret all day.

I better hang the lines.

Just the two of us
from now on.

Lots of work to do.

Quinn

we’d be happy
for you to join us.

Just for a while.

I’ll see you in the morning.

"How many loved your moments
of glad grace

"and loved your beauty
with love false or true

"but one man loved
the pilgrim soul in you

loved the sorrows
of your changing face."

Coming about.

Owen.

The whistling.

The what?

You know bloody well what.

Do you do it just to torment me?

The fishing is rotten enough

without bringing
that bad luck, isn’t it?

I don’t believe
in luck anymore, Willy.

Bad or good.

Then why do we even
bother anymore?

What else would we do?

Oh, I don’t know.

It’s never too late for
a change of career, you know.

I’d fancy myself as one of
those professor types in Dublin.

You know, teaching them kids
all about the fishing.

Now that’s the life.

Who’s going to school
to study this?

Well, you have a point there.

But that doesn’t mean
we have to think small, Owen.

You have a very poor outlook.

Willy...
Yes, Owen?

Shut up.

No need to get your knickers
in a twist.

Now who else

would be out here?

Will you look at that?

Is that Dunhill,
with a woman on a boat?

Now that’s bad luck.

How did he catch all them fish?

Lads, lads,
you better calm down.

Keep the peace.

Owen, what a lovely surprise.

It’s been so long.

Hello, Helen.

Are you well?

I’ve been no worse
than the rest.

We’d all be a lot better
if we saw more of you.

I thought
it was terrible

for Dunhill to quit
on you like that.

Oh, he’s doing well enough.

Aye, the whole town’s
talking about it.

How can one man
catch so many fish?

I heard he has a woman now.

Well, that I haven’t heard.

You haven’t seen him then?

No, only just down the harbor,
you know

showing off his great haul.

It’s the only way he can get
anyone to pay him any mind.

It’ll be four
and six, please.

Thank you.

Thanks, Helen.

Owen...

I just wondered.

I thought you might like this.

I got it in Clifden
the other day.

And I know how much
you like the books.

I was going to give it
to Willy to give to you

but I’m glad
to do it myself.

I thank you.

It’s a fine book.

Well...

I’ll be off then.

This is not right.

It is against the way
of things.

Father, you know
what having her means.

She will bring the fish.

No more scrounging
for pelts or oil

for a few extra pence
every month.

Why should we
have to starve

like everyone else
in this village

you blind old man?

Return her to where she belongs!

I will not!

I have her pelt,
so I have her.

And if you don’t
like it, Father

you can find
someone else to
take care of you.

I’m sick of
doing for you
my whole life.

I’m doing for me now!

Quinn, I was never cut out
for this work.

I’m a genteel type of man.

I should be tending a garden
in some castle

or looking after some
rich person’s young ones.

Ha, ha. Now, yeah.

There’s my true calling.

I’ll have
to look into it.

Am I talking
to myself?

All your
superstitions, Willy--

do you believe
in them?

Do you believe
in magic?

I certainly do.

I rely on it.

Do you believe
in fairy tales
and legends?

Owen, I believe
in anything

that helps me get
through a day.

Real life isn’t very
inspiring, is it?

And you?

You believe in nothing,
am I right?

I believe in
what I’ve got in my hand

what I can see for myself.

Margaret and I are worried
about you, Quinn.

All this brooding,
this solitude--

it’s no good, is it?

I wonder.

Maybe there is more
to believe in
than I thought.

I am talking to myself,
not that I’m not used to it.

Ah, Willy, you’ve been
a great friend to me.

You and
Margaret both.

I only wish I could be for you
what you’ve been for me

but I haven’t got it anymore.

It’s not there.

Do not be afraid,
Owen Quinn.

I have come here
to tell you a story.

Do I dream?

I am a selchie.

I am a woman on land
and a seal in the sea.

I am descended
from the King of Lochlann

and on the seventh stream

I came upon the shore
and shed my skin

and the dark-eyed man
took it from me

and without it,
I cannot return
to my true home.

He keeps me
trapped here.

You are a kind
man, Quinn.

If you will help me
get my skin back

I will make you prosper

for it is I
who bring the fish.

You doubt me now

but you will come to believe
what I say is true.

Who’s there?

It’s Owen Quinn, Eamonn.

Ah, Owen,
you surprised me.

Will you come in
and sit awhile?

No, no, I won’t keep you
from your work.

That’s what I feared.

Eamonn

you used to have
all the stories.

I remember listening to you,
when I was just a wee child.

Aye, I remember as well.

I had all the histories, I did.

Do you have them still?

Oh, I do.

It’s not me
that’s forgotten them, lad.

It’s the rest of the world.

No one has any time
for the past now

only the future

and what a future, eh, Quinn?

Engines, factories, industry.

There’s no place for our
old stories now, is there?

No.

No, no longer, I suppose.

You can’t forget history, Owen.

There’s great danger in that.

Eamonn, what can you tell me
about the seal people?

That’s a strange question
coming from you, Quinn.

I ask out of respect,
not to be frivolous.

Do you believe
in such creatures?

Do you ever wonder if
animals, unseen by man

deep in the jungle,
believe we exist?

Well, there are
many things not
visible to us, Owen

but real, nonetheless.

And the selchies?

There have always been stories
of the seal people.

It is said
they can take on human form

by shedding their skins on land.

Do you know
what the seventh stream is?

Aye. Nine days of high tides.

It only happens twice a year.

It’s only then
they can become human

and they must return to the sea
before the next seventh stream.

And if they lose their skins?

It is said
that if any man finds it

and keeps it

the selchie must follow him
in human form.

Is there a way
to tell if someone...

They are said

to be wise, but innocent.

They never lose
their sea longing.

It is also said

you cannot hide
your true heart
from them.

If you look
into their eyes

you must tell them the truth.

Do you know
who the King of Lochlann is?

Quinn, I think
you know more
than you let on.

Just the name.

Lochlann is the name
for the Norse lands

and the King of Lochlann,
according to legend

is the king of
all the seals.

By him came the sea maidens
and the selchies.

That’s all I have
for you now, Quinn.

I thank you, Eamonn.

You were always the best
at the telling.

Owen

I thank you

for the kindness
you’ve showed my son.

’Cause no one else
would have taken him on.

I’m sorry for the way
he’s repaid you.

He’s a young soul
with far to go.

Eamonn, the woman your son
is with...

is she such a creature?

She is as unhappy

as such a creature would be,
trapped on land.

Gentlemen, the Bergius Launch
and Engine Company is proud

to unveil its new seaward

six-horsepower,
two-stroke motor--

the fisherman’s engine.

The noise alone’ll
scare away the fishes.

But you’ll be home fast enough
after you catch nothing.

This revolutionary motor will
make you twice as efficient

and twice as productive.

Imagine, no more depending

on the caprice of wind and sail

or the backbreaking toil
of the oar.

Welcome, at long last,
to the th century.

That brass through and through?

Well, apart from the block here

which, of course, is cast iron.

If someone wanted to get
a hold of you, how would they?

I’ll give you my card,
for a man of the future.

All right. You got
that right, now.

I’m a man of the future.
That’s me.

Yes, indeed, you are.

I’ll be in touch with you.

Thank you, sir.

God bless you.

Now

I’ll draw your attention
to the fine lines

of this masterpiece

and miracle
of modern marine engineering...

MAN:
...as big as that door.

He took my bait--
line, hooks and all--

and then towed
my boat for
a bloody mile

before I had
to cut the line.

A-a monster.

I’ll take a whiskey, Gerry

and whatever these fine
gentlemen are having.

Thank you,
Thomas.

You’re welcome.
How are things?

Good, good.

Glad to hear it.

I’ll take this
from you, too, Gerry.

Mr. Quinn

can I buy you
a drink?

Doing pretty handy
with the fishing, are you?

I’ve had a bit of luck.

Oh, luck, is it?

And to what do you put down
this luck?

Who can say?

Are you still slaughtering seals
at night?

A few quid for the oil?

No, no.

There’s harm in k*lling seals,
Mr. Quinn.

Did you not know?

Who is that woman?

What business is that of yours?

Where is she from?

Why?

Do you have something
of hers, Dunhill?

Something she wants back?

What are you talking about?

Who are you to question me?

Is it because
I’m better at the fishing

than you are, Quinn?

Can you not stand
that for once

I am somebody
in this town?

And what are you?

What were you ever?

I’ll tell you
what you are, lad.

You never fooled me

with your "pleases"
and "Mr. Quinns."

You are a cruel one,
through and through.

I only took you in

out of respect
for your father

but you were always
after the quick way.

Now, maybe you have it.

And maybe you don’t.

Why have you come for me?

Because you know
how it is to be lost.

What do you want me to do?

WOMAN:
He must keep it wet.

It will be someplace
he can get to it easily.

Why do you think
I’m lost?

You wear it
like a garment.

This place you’re from--

is no one lost?

Is there no sadness there?

Not as you know it.

So much more
is understood there.

I’m sorry.

It’s just that I find
this conversation fantastic.

You’re a smart man, Quinn.

Not like so many others.

If I’m so smart
why am I out at midnight

trying to find the skin
of a woman

who claims to be a seer?

Why is it so hard
for you to think

of more than just the worlds
you know?

We do not find it hard
to think of yours as real.

You’ve made yourselves known
to us in many ways.

Do you only believe in that
which you can see and touch?

Sometimes I don’t even
believe in that.

Then you are half blind.

I’d like to believe
there’s something else.

Something more.

You’ve only
to open your eyes.

What is it that saddens
you so, Quinn?

It’s the loss...

so much loss.

I don’t know what I’m saying.

Tomorrow we’ll try again

in the daylight.

So this is how
you repay me.

Do I not put a roof
over your head?

Do I not take
care of you?

And now you try
to escape me.

You will not bring
him here again.

And I’ll k*ll
you both.

You belong to me.

I belong to the sea,
never to you.

You’re as close now
to the sea

as you’ll ever be.

Get in the house!

Go on!

Move your legs!

I said go on!

Are you all right, Owen?

Of course.

You didn’t whistle
once today.

It’s bad luck
to whistle on a boat.

How long has it been
for you and Margaret?

years, Owen.
Five of them happy.

Has it been good?

Aye, it pains me
to say it

but it has.

She’s a strong lass.

We’ve been through it, Quinn.

I don’t have
to tell you that.

Margaret’s done the work
of three men:

baking, reddin’ the lines,
smoking the fish

selling them herself
when she had the legs for it.

Me, well, I never gave her
a broken pay.

It’s not much

but I’m proud
of it anyway.

This would be
a lonely life without her.

Well, well

where’s your fancy motor,
Dunhill?

You could have been
here and gone by now.

I’m only going to give you
one warning, Quinn.

Now, I don’t want
any trouble with you

but stay off
my property

and leave what’s
mine alone.

She belongs to me.

Give her back what’s hers.

Let her decide
where she belongs.

Don’t tell me

you believe all those
wives’ tales, Quinn.

You of all people.

She’s filled your
head with a load
of rubbish.

She’s making
a fool of you.

Just stick to yourself.

That’s what
you’re good at.

Don’t ask.

I’ve no intention to.

Did he do this to you?

Where is it?!

Who’s that?

What?

Where is it?!

You’re out of your mind, Quinn!

Tell me where
her skin is

or I’ll k*ll you right here!

Owen, he’s my son!

Give it to me!

All right! All right!

It’s hidden... outside.

It’s here!

It was here! I swear!

Liar!

Please, Quinn, please,
I don’t want to die!

I tell you
it’s gone!

It must have
come loose

and floated out to sea!

Owen!

He tells the truth.

He does not know
where it is.

She is no longer
bound to you.

So, it’s not all
that bad now, is it?

Stay with me.

I’ll take care of you.

I was angry,
that’s all.

I was just trying

to keep food
on the table

and for once not have
to struggle for it.

Can you not
understand that?

Do you have what’s mine?

Me? I don’t...

Stay with me.
You’re mine!

Leave her be, Quinn!

She’s not yours to take!

I know.

What is this?

A photograph.

She seems frozen.

Can she not move?

She’s not a real person.

Just an image of one.

Who?

My wife... Josephine.

Josephine.

Where is she now?

She was lost at sea.

And now I’m lost

on land.

I will never see
my home again.

I know it will be hard for you

but you are welcome here.

And no harm
will come to you.

Quinn, look at you.

And all you want is
to be left alone.

I’ll fix you a place to sleep.

Have you no name?

Not as you know here.

Then I will call you Mairead.

What does it mean?

Oh, it’s an Irish name.

It means "pearl."

Yes.

Oh, could you make
that into three
packages, please?

Oh, about time.

There’s work...

Uh, his name is Willy

and this is the longest
he’s ever had his mouth open

with nothing
coming out of it.

You’re to be
congratulated.

I’ll be back
before dark.

Come. I’ll tell
you a story.

WILLY:
I don’t believe it.

Neither did I.

At first

I thought she was daft

then I thought I was daft.

And now, I believe her.

I believe she is
who she says she is

whether it’s true or not.

Quinn, has she done something
to you? Has she...

I thought you believed in myths.

Good luck and bad luck, sure.

But seals who become people?

Not while I have a single brain
left in me head.

Will she stay
with you?

She’ll stay
till she finds a home.

That’s all.

Quinn, you’ve lost
your senses, man.

You don’t know the first...

It was you!

Wasn’t it?!

You were the only one

who knew where
that sealskin was.

You’re drunk,
boy. Again.

Why?

Why would you
turn against me?!

Father... this woman--
she’s all I have.

She’s all I ever had.

I cannot lose her.

Tell me where the skin is.

You are a seal k*ller!

Did you think
I did not know that?

How do you think
I put food on the table?

With the scraps
I got with Quinn?

That oil and blubber
paid for your life and mine.

You don’t understand
the meaning of anything.

Aye, well, I may k*ll
more than seals to get her back.

You would... k*ll me, boy?

I will not lose the woman,
Father.

Do you understand?

Aye.

I do.

The skin is where
it should be.

When the time is right

I will do what
has to be done.

Why is this so very hard?

Because it’s
worth knowing.

Do you know all these books?

Ah, I’ve had a lot of time
to read them.

It’s where all the knowledge is.

Just waiting.

Kings, wars...

the history of the world.

That’s not where
the real knowledge is.

Oh, really?

And you know where it is?

We already know
what we need to know.

So do you.

All the learning
from the first of you.

That’s where the knowledge is,
Quinn.

Not in books,
but in your own head.

And your own heart.

We watch you
fighting wars

or struggling
to have more

fearing death.

It’s all in the way.

You’re much larger
than you think.

You just fill yourselves up
with small things.

And yet you become as us. Why?

To try and learn from you.

But even as you see now

I have your mind,
but not your soul.

In the ways of the heart...
do you learn this as well?

There, we have no bonds.

Nothing limits us.

Here, you search for permanence.

You do not let go easily. Why?

I-It’s not something
that can be explained.

It has to be felt.

I’m sorry.

I shouldn’t have done that.
I’m sorry.

Can I help you?

I don’t know.

Are you by yourself?

Not anymore.

W-Would you like
to come inside?

Wh-What’s your name?

He calls me Mairead.

Owen does.

Owen?

How long have you known him?

How long?

Yes.

I don’t know.

I see.

But how did you meet?

I looked for him
and he was there.

Are you alone?

Yes. Yes, I am.

Yes, I, uh...

I did have a
husband once

but, uh, long
dead now.

Owen is a sad man.

Yes, I-I suppose he is.

I think it’s hard for people

when their lives turn out
so differently...

He was not always
this way?

Oh, no, oh, no, no, no.

No, he was a wild boy.

He was full of life
and adventure.

She was...

Josephine was
exactly the same way.

I don’t know
what force or power

put them in the same place
at the same time

but we all knew
it was no accident.

Well, she was
the most beautiful girl.

She had red hair
down below her waist

and she was
just as wild as he was.

And, of course, every young boy
in the place was mad for her

but she was only for Quinn.

And you’d see them
down there on the beach

racing their horses, you know,
pushing and straining, laughing

trying always to go faster.

I think he loved her
even more than the sea.

And when she died
the heart went out of Quinn

and he just kept
to himself and...

no one hardly saw him anymore.

You know him well.

Yes, I do.

Because I loved him, too.

Josephine was
the only woman for him.

But Owen Quinn
was the only man for me.

And when she was gone...

his heart was closed.

But I can still see Quinn
the way he was.

Was like the wind.

Well...

That’s quite
enough of that.

I haven’t spoken about
such things for years.

I-I... must be getting
on with my work.

I hope you’ll excuse me.

Out all by yourself,
are you?

Listen to me.

This is your last chance.

I want you to come home
with me now.

I’ll do anything for you.

I’ll give you
anything you want.

I swear I’ll never
raise my hand to you again.

I will stay with Quinn.

I know your secrets, lass.
Don’t forget that.

So does Quinn.

I’m the one who found you!

I brought you here!

And I promise you,
if you won’t be with me

then you won’t be
with him either!

Do you want me to leave?

No.

I’m... a long time alone.

It’s hard to suddenly have
someone be there.

Why do you
come here?

To feel like
I’m with Josephine.

We were married
for years...

Is years a long time?

Not long enough.

And five years she’s gone,
but a day doesn’t go by

that I don’t think of her.

You still keep her images

even though she’s not here
anymore.

Yes.

Photographs.

They help me to remember.

What’s it like
to remember?

Don’t you have
any easy questions?

I want to know.

Well, everyone has memories.

Things in their lives
they look back on.

And this causes pain?

It doesn’t have to,
I suppose.

Where I’m from, there are
no memories like this.

There’s no past
and no future.

There’s only now.

I wish it were so here.

Then you would feel no sorrow.

And no joy.

It’s only since I’ve known you

that I sometimes forget
about her.

Just-just for a moment or two.

I-It feels wrong to me.

Can you understand that?

Quinn...

I understand this:

To pass on--

to die-- is to be released.

Only you are in sorrow now,
not your wife.

Time here is so short.

Keep your memories, Owen

but now you must be
released, too.

I never wanted to be.

And now?

It’s late.

We should go home.

Yes.

Let’s go home.

What a beautiful
sound you make.

It’s the fiddle, not me.

No, it’s you.

It comes from your soul.

It makes me... feel.

I would never have known how
much beauty there is here.

The things you can
make out of...

out of your heart.

Do you remember
everything, Quinn?

Most of us try not to.

Tell me just one thing
that you remember.

I remember...

the house I grew up in.

I remember going to sea
with my father

when I was just a wee boy.

They wouldn’t give me
a share of the money

until I learned to bait
the line without tangling it.

And... I remember my mother.

All she ever knew was
hard work, poor woman.

I remember

each night, as she lay down

I could hear her from my bed.

And right before
she went to sleep

she’d heave a great sigh
and say

"At last!"

"At last!"

As if the weight of the world
was finally off her shoulders

if only while she slept.

Long gone now, heaven rest her.

You remember so well.

It’s a curse of age.

The older I get,
the better I can see the past.

No, it’s a blessing.

I am blessed.

That I know.

I don’t know what I’ve done
to deserve you.

I’m sure I don’t.

But I’m happy for it.

I would like it
always to be so.

I-I never thought
I’d be fit for it again.

And maybe I’m not.

But I would like it very much

if you would be my wife.

Knowing what I am?

And you knowing what I am.

I will take care of you.

And you can learn to do
anything you want.

There are no limits.

And we will be together.

Always.

Always...

Yes, Quinn.

I will be your wife.

No.

Give us a hand here, lads.

I’m right there
with you.

Boy, it’s heavy.

Keep it aboard,
that’s it.

Oh, no, look at that.

Marriage, Quinn?

To the dark-haired woman?

Her name is Mairead.

Yeah, but who
is she, Quinn?

Where is she from?

Is that important?

Well, I should hope
so, at least to you.

To us, she’s a
perfect stranger.

And there’s a sin
in that?

Your attendance record here

doesn’t qualify
you for sarcasm.

Now, you’re a very
intelligent man, Quinn

but even you must realize
that there has been

a great deal of talk
about this young lady.

Surely the church doesn’t
believe in myths and legends.

It’s not up to me to decide
what the church believes in.

Personally, I have seen much
that can’t be explained

but that is
beside the point.

Why don’t you
bring her to Mass?

Let us get to know her.

There’s no need to
rush into things, Quinn.

Are you saying no?

I’m saying wait.
That’s all.

I’ll take care of meself,
as I always have.

Because you want to,
not because you have to.

Mr. Quinn...

I’ve a question for you.

What about?

Tomas Dunhill.

Well?

Harry O’Brien
and his boys

were out on the
bay this morning.

Something dragged
in their nets.

They thought they
got themselves a mako
or a tiger shark

but they found Tomas
Dunhill instead.

Drowned?

He was hit
on the head.

Have you told his father?

He was out there right
after they found him.

He’s, uh,
pretty torn up.

When was the last time
you saw him, Quinn?

I don’t know.

A week ago, maybe more.

Some of the lads tell me
you and Dunhill almost

came to blows
here at the pub.

Can you explain that?

Yes. Is there a reason
I should?

Is there a reason
you shouldn’t?

Between him and me.

Nobody else’s business.

My business now,
Mr. Quinn.

I should like to speak
to your woman.

She knew him,
too, I believe.

You leave her in peace.

She can’t help you.

Neither can I.

May I come in?

I don’t know

why I’ve come.

I know that, uh, Owen
is out fishing.

You came to see me.

I suppose so.

I came... to tell you...

to warn you, really.

There has been some talk.

Since Dunhill was k*lled

there have been some ugly things
said about Owen.

Why?

Because they don’t
understand him.

Or you.

Is it... true that you’re, uh,
getting married?

Yes. He will marry me.

Well, you must tell Owen...

to be careful.

He would like
to hear it from you.

I just don’t think
I could see him... right now.

That must just seem so silly,
doesn’t it?

I hope you’re very...
happy together.

You are very kind to me.

It will be better now.

If this keeps up

I figure I can retire
at the end of the year.

Then I think I’ll spend
the rest of me days as a poet.

Did you not know
I had that gift?

As a matter of fact, no.

Neither did I
till just a few days ago.

But, listen.

It’s down to the sea I amble

Setting for the fish;
it’s a fair gamble

Be the tide high,
or the tides low...

Willy.

Yes, Owen?

Shut up.

Ah, forget it.

Sure, there’s no money
in it anyway.

What is it?

What are you doing
in my house?

I want you to tell me

what you did
to Tomas Dunhill.

Are you charging me
with something?

Not yet.

Then get out.

You’ve no right to be here.

Now, Quinn, your...

this woman’s
been very polite.

There’s no reason...

MAIREAD:
Don’t hurt him.

It’s all right.

Don’t worry.

I’ll be back.

Not too bloody soon,
you won’t be.

Madam.

MAIREAD:
You must help him.

You know he didn’t take
your son from you.

Yes. I know.

I buried my son
this morning.

I’m sorry.

You care very deeply
for Quinn, do you not?

Yes.

You’ve made it all the harder
on yourself, lass.

I had to wait
until the time was right.

I took it from my son
and hid it on Quinn’s property

so that he
would have you.

I knew that he
would keep you safe

until the return
of the seventh stream.

That time is now, my child.

This is your time to return.

Are you not happy?

I thought it was lost to me.

I never expected to go back.

This has been paid for
with a lot of blood, child.

My own blood.

We must hurry.

Must it be so soon?

It’s there you belong,
child, not here.

But, Owen...

Go now.

I will look after Owen.

It will be easier
this way, lass.

My name is Mairead.

I want to see him.

I want to know that he is safe.

All right.

I will see to it.

Your skin has been
returned to you.

Do you know
what will happen to you now

if you do not return
to your true home?

I do.

I will bring Quinn to you.

So, Eamonn,
what’s all this about?

I knew he was at Quinn’s

and I knew
what he was there for.

No!

Have you not caused her
enough misery?

What about me?

Look what she’s caused me.

You are a fool!

You understand
nothing!

Get out of here now
while you can.

Get out of my way, Father.

I don’t want to harm you,
but the woman is mine.

Do as I say, boy,
or I cannot help what happens!

Get in my way again

and I’ll put you
out of your misery, old man.

I didn’t mean to k*ll him.

I only wanted to stop him.

He had to be stopped.

Stop him
from what, Eamonn?

What is going on here?

That answer lies
with my son.

All right, Quinn, you can go.

What are you going
to do with him?

He’s an old man.

I can see that, Quinn.

I’m not blind.

Sorry, Eamonn.

QUINN:
Let me take him home.

He’s not going
anywhere.

All right, Eamonn.

We’ll talk to you
in the morning.

I’ll be all right, Owen.

I’m sorry for
your troubles, Eamonn.

And I’m sorry
for your son.

He’s in a better place now.

That I know.

But leave me be.

You’d best get to Mairead.

She’s waiting by the ruins.

I’m sorry, Owen.

You were keeping it safe
for me

and you didn’t even know it.

I must go now.

Why?

It’s where I’m meant to be.

My home.

This... is your home.

Try to understand.

I thought it was lost
to me forever.

And now...
you are lost to me forever.

Is it as if
I’d never been here at all

now that I have to leave?

You were happy here.

How can you do this?

EAMONN:
The time is
now, my child.

No man can see
what is to happen.

You must not follow.

Owen, there’s been
an accident.

Ted Gilroy’s boat hit
a rock and flipped over.

There’s five men
overboard.

Owen!
Willy’s out there!

He was on that boat!

Willy!

Oh, Willy...

I never expected
to feel so much...

to be so... attached.

I realized I’ve come too far
in this life to go back.

It is so rich here--

memories and laughter

and hope...

and sadness.

Even the things that hurt
are good.

It is what
I love here, Owen:

so much to feel.

I have found the soul, Quinn,
and you gave it to me.

No, it’s you
who have given it to me.

I won’t lose it again.

Will you look
at this catch!

Where did
they come from?

The fish are back!

The fish are back!

So what do you think
of them new boat engines?

Aah, just a toy.

They’ll pass,
just like them
motorcars will pass.

Pay no attention.

Are you all right?

Yeah.

Where’s Owen?

I’ve been watching him.

I like to see him
talk and laugh.

Aye. Several people had
to be treated for shock

at the sight of it.

Are you still looking
for another life, Willy?

That’s just my talk
when I’m sober.

The truth is,
I was born a fisherman

and I’ll die a fisherman.

There’s no getting away
from what’s in your blood.

Did you...

Did you bring me back?

The way everyone feels
about you, Willy

that’s what brought you back.

I’m so happy, Owen.

Oh... oh! Help!

Help me!

Easy now,
easy now.

Here, take her this way.

Slow, slow.
Easy now.

I don’t know what to do, Eamonn.

She’s been like this for hours,
and she’s getting worse.

You know, a lot
has happened.

And I’m sorry
to trouble you

when you’ve had enough
of your own

but can you help her?

You well know about
the seventh stream, Owen.

It’s the only time
the selchies

can come on land and the
only time they can return

to the sea.

Without her skin,
she was trapped here.

But now, with it,
she must return to the sea...

or she will die on land.

She knows this, Owen.

She knew it when
she chose to stay.

It can’t be true.

The seventh stream
is almost at an end.

There’s not much time.

Only the sea can save her now...

Not me, not the doctors,
not even you.

Can’t she come back?

She has been
here too long.

Once she returns to the water,
she must stay of the water.

No.

You’re wrong, Eamonn.

You don’t really know.

How could you?

It is said there are descendants
of the seal people

all over... in every town
and village on this coast.

Why didn’t you
tell me?

It would have changed nothing.

Owen, I’m frightened.

I know, lass. I’m here.

I know what you feel.

You can’t hide it from me,
Quinn.

Don’t let them
take me back, please.

But if you go back,
you will live.

I’d rather be with you, Owen,
and die here

than be alive without you.

Oh, hush. You have to rest.

I still want to be
your wife, Owen.

Oh, you are more than that.
You always will be.

Tell me something.

Tell me something you remember.

Go to sleep.

Please.

I remember...

seeing your face
for the first time.

I never thought there could be
anything so beautiful.

It made me sorry for being old.

I remember...

being happy.

Remember this, Owen.

Some people go their whole lives
and feel nothing at all.

Thank you for everything
you taught me...

Oh, it’s you who taught me.

You showed me my own heart
and gave it back to me.

Owen!

Owen!

No!

Come back!

Please, don’t leave me!

Come back!

Please!

Owen!

Owen!

There he is!

WILLY:
Come on! Hey!

Oh! Hey! Come on.

What happened?

Oh! What happened, man?