01x03 - StreamUs

[bunniefuu]

-All in favor?
-[all] Mm-hm.

-[Friedrich] Anything else on the agenda?
-Don't forget about The Train.

This Friday marks the release
of the film adaptation

of Gertrud Hausberg's historical epic.

The gala premier is this Wednesday,
and we've received additional invitations.

Yes!

-There you go.
-Thanks.

-[Denise] Sofie, do you want one?
-Absolutely.

[Tom] This is so exciting.

I think the book was exciting enough.

Yes, but Stream-Us is the number one
streaming service in the world.

The Train is the greatest
literary triumph of the past decade.

The August Prize,

the Nordic Counsel Literature Prize,
100,000 copies sold…

We shouldn't be grateful to Stream-Us.

Stream-Us should be grateful

that they were entrusted
with Gertrud's masterpiece.

LOVE AND ANARCHY

A lock? The premiere's in two days.

No, this isn't a good time for me.

I have a lunch meeting
and I'm booked for the rest of the day.

No, but I…

Sure, I'll handle it.

Do you want to go to the movies?

You and me?

No, no.

-Oh.
-Stream-Us called regarding The Train.

-Right.
-They have what's called a "picture lock."

We have to sign off on the final cut
and I've already seen it 15 times.

I couldn't tell the difference
between the last five.

It's a mere formality.

My pleasure. I'd love to.

-[Friedrich] Mm?
-Yes.

[dramatic music playing]

[woman shouting]

[explosions]

-[g*nf*re]
-[plane zooming]

-I mean, it was sad, it was dramatic…
-[laughs] Yes.

-And the ending…
-Yes, I know.

The suspense damn near k*lled me.

-It's the best movie I've ever seen.
-Thanks, Caroline.

[classical music playing softly]

[pen scribbles]

[upbeat music plays]

[phone rings]

[phone rings]

[Ronny] Hi, Sofie.

[Sofie] Hi. You didn't come in yesterday
and we were supposed to run the numbers.

Are we doing it now instead?

I'm kind of busy right now.
Meetings and…

I'm taking some time off work, so…

Make up your mind, Ronny.
Are you in a meeting or on vacation?

Well, it's a… vacation meeting,
so to speak.

Oh, a vacation meeting. Okay.

Ronny, you can't withhold things from me.
What's going on?

The publishing house is up for sale.

Okay, uh…

Wow, this may actually be for the best.

Is it another publishing house
or a co-op--

No, I can't disclose…

I'm not able to say.

Neither are you, until the deal is done.
I've already said too much.

[Sofie]
Too much? You haven't told me anything.

I have to see some people now.

Ronny!

Yes, we'll have to leave it at that. Bye!

Ronny, don't hang up--

Well, let's see.

[gentle electronic music playing]

Ronny's on vacation. You're CEO today.

Caroline, any meetings
scheduled for this morning?

-No, not that I know--
-Good. I don't want to be disturbed.

I'm working on something big.

Hi, Ann.

-How are the numbers coming along?
-Uh, fine.

[music intensifying]

RONNY JOHANSSON
CEO

…we don't grow vegetables.

Greens are important,
but even more important is the black.

Like everything else,
the soil needs biodiversity.

[Ann] What's he doing in there?

Working on the computer, maybe.

The villagers appear to have repaired it,
and just as the train starts rolling…

-Like, boom!
-Oh, my.

You know, there's smoke, there's flames,

German soldiers on fire.

It was so unexpected.

-What are you talking about?
-The movie.

I think it's outrageous
we're not taught in school…

that Sweden liberated Norway
from the Nazis.

-[door slams]
-From the top.

-You've seen the movie, right?
-Indulge me.

[Caroline] It takes place
during World w*r II

in a small village in northern Sweden.

A German train on its way to Norway
breaks down and gets stranded.

-Go on.
-The villagers decide to repair the train,

except for this poor farmhand Måns.

Because he's a socialist
and supports the Soviet Union.

-I don't remember that part.
-Never mind. Then what happens?

He finds out that the train
is carrying a load of expl*sives

that the Germans will use
against the Norwegians.

But none of the villagers believe him,
and they convince Måns…

to help repair the train.

Yes, exactly.

[inhales deeply]

-[sighs]
-[Caroline] But he's just pretending.

And he blows up the whole train!

-No.
-I know!

I was totally shocked when he tore off
his shirt, picked up the child--

No, no, no, that's not what happens.

-Yes.
-No,

Måns is a metaphor
for our collective guilt over Nazism.

Oh… really?

In the book, the farmhand Måns repairs
the train, which then sets off to Norway.

I haven't read it,
but I'm getting the audiobook--

It won the freaking August Prize!

[raising voice]
Sweden didn't win World w*r II.

We bowed down to h*tler
and abandoned both Norway and Denmark.

[sighs]
This is falsifying history!

[door opens]

How are we doing in here?

Just fine.

I heard screaming.

In here? No.

We can't have people
screaming in the workplace.

So… right.

[door closes]

I thought you said
that a "picture lock" wasn't a big deal.

The contract!

f*cking sh*t!

-[sighs]
-[woman] Could you perhaps help me?

[Friedrich] Who are you?

Well, I'm here to drop off a manuscript.

So do it!

Gertrud asked me to vouch for the film.
She trusts me.

We've worked together for 30 years.

I can't let her down.

You know about these things.
What can we do?

-You signed the papers?
-I didn't know what I was signing off on.

That doesn't matter,
unless you're declared incompetent.

How do we do that?

It was a joke.

[sighs]

We can appeal to their common sense,
but I don't know about the odds--

Hi, here we are.

-Gertrud!
-Friedrich.

-Gertrud, oh.
-[chuckles]

This is Gertrud.

Hausberg.

She's the author of The Train.

-Of course, hi.
-Hi.

The press screening is tomorrow,
so we are going to talk strategy.

[Gertrud] I'm so lucky to have you.

All this gives me a headache.

[Denise]
It's our job to take care of you,

so that you can focus
on your next amazing novel.

-[whispering] I can't wait to get home.
-[laughs]

I'm going to get out of your hair.

-We'll talk more tomorrow, Friedrich.
-Tomorrow?

At the premiere.

You'll be there, right?

Yes, of course.

[sighs]

We have to stop the film.

[sobbing] I feel terrible. I sat down
and they just started screaming.

I know about World w*r II
and I just feel like--

Caroline, you're doing an amazing job.

Thank you.

We're a team and you're a big part of it.

That's how I want this place to function.

So, cheer up.

-Where are you going?
-[Friedrich] A meeting with Stream-Us.

I'll get my jacket.

Is he coming?

Well, it's a streaming service.
We could use someone who knows tech stuff.

-[indistinct chatter]
-[cutlery clinking]

Hi! Sofie Rydman.
Thank you so much for meeting with us.

-[woman] Nice to meet you.
-[Max] Hi.

-Max.
-Michelle Krauss, Nordic and Baltic rep.

-You already know Friedrich.
-I do. Hi, Friedrich.

Well.

First of all,
we're so proud of The Train.

This is the first time
we've dabbled in Nordic content,

and the result is beyond our expectations.

Fantastic!

There is this thing
that we would like to discuss,

and hopefully we can find a solution.

-Okay.
-[woman] Are you ready to order?

A garden salad and mineral water.

Same here.

Sure.

Er…

[Max clears throat]

A… A sriracha sushi bowl
with extra mayo.

-Thanks.
-And mineral water all around.

-I'll have a beer.
-Sure.

So, what's on your mind?

Well… Friedrich?

The ending is the essence.

It sums up what Gertrud Hausberg
wants to say with this story.

I know, but some changes are necessary.

-Not the ending.
-Mm.

-The ending was vague.
-That's the whole point.

It's what Hannah Arendt meant
by the banality of evil, the cowardice.

The farmhand Måns isn't the real culprit.
It's the nation of Sweden.

With all due respect,
Sweden isn't the main character here.

Oh my God. How f*cking stupid can you get?

Friedrich--

Måns is Sweden! A five-year-old
would understand the analogy.

-[Max] Friedrich!
-[cutlery clatters]

The test audience weren't five year olds,
but regular viewers of various ages.

And everyone agreed
that the ending was off-putting.

-[waitress] Is everything okay?
-Fine, thanks.

-Great.
-[waitress] Can I get you anything else?

Champagne.

Sure.

-This is a defilement!
-[shouts] Friedrich, that's enough.

Don't interrupt me!

You did this on purpose.

Don't shake your head at me.

Changing the ending isn't a quick fix.

You waited until it was too late
to change it back.

If you're so critical of the new ending…

why did you sign off on the final version?

Sofie,

can I have a word with you in my office?

Have a seat.

Go ahead.

I can see here that we haven't received
your copy of the employee questionnaire.

Employee questionnaire?

Yes, that's right.

[chuckles]

So, I'm going
to have to ask you firsthand,

since you failed to hand it in.

-Okay?
-Okay.

First question.

What is your favorite color?

-[chuckles]
-[Max] Standard questions.

Everyone answered,
and I need you to as well.

Okay. Red.

Favorite candy?

Licorice Swedish Fish.

The last singer you listened to.

Carla Dal Forno.

Empty your purse.

-Do I have to?
-I need to verify your answers.

Um…

Play the last song played on Spotify.

[sniffs] That's not Carla Dal Forno.

No, it's Cyndi Lauper. I lied.

[romantic music plays softly]

This is problematic, you know.

[Sofie] Me listening to Cyndi Lauper?

No, lying on the employee questionnaire.

It's very serious.

Yes.

[music intensifies]

[music stops]

[clattering]

-Your…
-Oh, right.

I have this thing to go to.

[door slams]

[keypad beeping]

Hello?

Come upstairs.

[jazz music playing]

-Are we celebrating?
-Definitely.

-What's the occasion?
-Being the best husband in the world.

Aw.

This is so nice.

Where are the kids?

At the babysitter's.

[both moaning]

[panting]

[Sofie moaning]

Oh, you feel so good.

[Johan grunting]

From behind.

You've got such a big cock.

[moaning]

Your cock is so big.

Your p*ssy is so tight.

You make me so hard.

I'm gonna come.

[grunts]

[exhales]

Oh, God. [sighs]

[kisses]

[gentle music plays]

[phone dings]

[Johan sighs] Yours or mine?

[whispering] Mine. Go back to sleep.

DRESS LIKE CYNDI LAUPER TOMORROW

['80s-style music playing]

[music stops]

-Hey.
-Hi.

Hi, sorry I'm late.

Wow, is that a new outfit?

I'm glad that we're all wearing clothes.

-Can we get started?
-Certainly.

It's about tonight's premiere.

-Is Gertrud ill?
-Gertrud's fine.

The problem…

is the film itself.

-But you've watched every edit.
-Oh yes.

-[phone rings]
-Not quite.

-[Denise] Not quite?
-Excuse me.

Not the final one.

Oh, okay.

Where did you see him?

Parliament?

[Denise]
You have to tell Gertrud.

-How? What do I tell her?
-[Denise] The truth.

Or should she find out about the ending
in a crowded movie theater?

She's old. The shock might k*ll her.

-I'm going out for a while.
-Okay.

END IGNORANCE

Yes, I'm protesting.

And I won't stop just because you're here.

Aren't you cold?

I bet your butt is freezing.

It's a lot warmer than capitalism,
that's for damn sure.

How about a coffee instead?

Don't you have to work?

Come on, let's grab a taxi.

-I'm out of milk.
-That's okay. I can take it black.

GERTRUD HAUSBERG
THE TRAIN

[sighs]

It's about Sweden's fascist past.
You should read it.

GERTRUD SHEDS LIGHT
ON SWEDEN'S DARK SIDE IN WWII

When will I ever have time to read?

They made it into a movie.

-I think I have some sponge cake.
-That sounds great.

[gentle music plays]

[Dad] I was at a meeting
at the Tenants' Association.

How was it?

The usual. Berit won't stop yapping
about turning the apartments into condos.

[gentle snoring]

[whispering] Dad. Dad.

-Huh?
-I have to go.

-Yeah?
-I'm late for a premiere.

-Bye, sweetie.
-Bye.

-Go back to sleep.
-Yes.

[grunts]

-[lively music playing]
-[chattering]

THE TRAIN

Hi. Sofie Rydman.

-Welcome.
-Thanks.

-Hi.
-Hi.

-Cheers! Nice.
-Cheers!

[chattering]

Mm.

Hi.

-Sofie, we met at the publishing house.
-That's right.

Sorry to interrupt.
Time for pictures, Gertrud.

She seems happy. She didn't get upset?

I tried to tell her, but…

She still doesn't know?

I'm getting a glass of water.

Hi! There you are.
I've been looking for you.

I hope you haven't told anyone about…
You know…

-No, since I don't know anything about it.
-Right, good. Thanks.

Hey, we're inking the deal tomorrow,

so I would love for you
to join us and meet the new owners.

Sure.

[Ronny] Hi, hi.

[suspenseful music playing]

[man] Don't worry, I know what I'm doing.

I'll be back, I promise.

-[woman] Måns, don't go!
-[train whistle blows]

[shouting]

[whistle blows]

[sighs]

[breathing heavily]

I can't breathe.

[sighs]

I'm sorry, what did you say?

[gasping]

Are you okay?

Air. I need…

I need some air.

Do you need help?

Oh, God.

Let's go outside.

[music builds]

[explosions]

You don't have to stay here.
Go back to your premiere.

The movie's pretty crappy, huh?

Friedrich hasn't looked me in the eyes
since I came to Stockholm.

I was somewhat skeptical at first.

But then I saw this villa in Antibes.

It's sitting on a rock ledge,
overlooking the sea.

With one of those infinity pools.

It sure beats
a chilly cabin in Norrbotten.

Stream-Us…

They take care of their creators.

Did you accompany Friedrich Jägerstedt?

Yes, how is he?

[woman]
We ran an ECG. The readings were normal.

It was probably an anxiety att*ck.

-You can come and see him now.
-Yes.

Go on. I'll stay here.

[lighthearted music playing]

Here we go.

Is Stream-Us the buyer?

[chattering]

-[Ronnie, in English] Nice to meet you.
-Hey.

-Hey.
-Welcome to Sweden. Ronny.

Nice to meet you.

-It's a big day today, Ronny.
-Yes, it really is, Michelle.

-And this is Sofie Rydman.
-Yes, we have…

-We're acquainted.
-Yes, that's right. We've met.

I see.

-At…
-I see.

-[Michelle] No reason to drag our feet.
-No.

Here you go.

Thank you.

Thank you.

-[Michelle] Neat.
-Yes, done and done.

Yes, done and done.

-Well, a round of applause, perhaps?
-Yes.

Lovely.

["Girls with Bangs" by Lune plays]

♪ I'm weightless but made of feelings ♪

♪ I'm dreamless but made for dreaming ♪

♪ Even if I don't play my dress ♪

♪ I'm heavy
Sleepless ♪

♪ Heavy
Sleepless ♪

♪ You shake my undertone ♪

♪ You move
I shift my all ♪

♪ All all all ♪

♪ Under my hair the rain can't follow us
'Cause we are safe there ♪

♪ We are girls with bangs ♪

♪ Under my hair the rain can't follow us
'Cause we are… ♪