01x04 - Part 4

[bunniefuu]

Inspired by Karen Blixen's life and
letters with excerpts from The Dreamers.

- Thank you, Farah.
- Denys.

Farah, would you make us
some tea, please?

What a lovely surprise.
What brings you here?

Is Blix around?

You'd have to look for him
at the brothel in Nairobi.

I'm sorry, I don't know
why I said that.

The sultan buried
the both of them alive -

- in a coffin as big as a marriage bed.

That is terrible.

It's not my fault.
It's what happened.

- Good evening, wife.
- Blix.

What a pleasant surprise.

- Are you staying for dinner?
- We had supper two hours ago.

- Sorry, I had to ...
- Win back what you lost?

Yes.
How much did you lose?

I'm sorry I was late, but I'm sure
Karen was able to entertain you.

Indeed she was.
Your wife is quite the storyteller.

Karen, tell Denys about the piece you
wrote. The one foreseeing our adventure.

Blix is talking about a play
I wrote when I was 12 -

- called Columbine's Journey.

Columbine marries Harlequin -

- despite all the warnings.

She is not afraid of fate.

She prefers to sail on foreign seas
and unsteady waters.

And you wrote this play as a child?

- Yes.
- And look, here we are.

Blix, it seems your wife is not only
a storyteller, but also a fortune-teller.

- Well, she certainly is.
- Blix, stop.

You're drunk. Please.

THE DREAMER

BECOMING KAREN BLIXEN

COPENHAGEN
April 1934

New York Times called my book
"a dark miracle".

I hear that Germany is interested, too,
and Bonnier bought the Swedish rights.

- Maybe you should publish in Denmark.
- Maybe.

I understand your hesitation.
The style isn't very Danish.

Perhaps you should settle
for international acclaim.

- Valdemar Rørdam.
- Barrister Dahl.

- Let me present my wife, Ellen Dahl.
- How do you do?

- Her brother, Thomas Dinesen.
- I am honoured.

Likewise, Literature Professor.

- And my sister-in-law, Baroness Blixen.
- How do you do?

Funny I should bump into you today.
Perhaps you can settle a wager for me.

- Oh?
- Seven Gothic Tales.

I've wagered a good bottle of port
on you being Isak Dinesen.

Indeed?

- But have you read the book?
- Yes.

- I got a copy fresh out of New York.
- My, my.

I'm afraid I have to let you down.
I am not the author.

Oh, if you say so.

Mr. Rørdam, do you think such a book
would be a success in Denmark?

Absolutely. I've already recommended
Gyldendal to option the Danish rights.

- You have?
- I think Reitzels wants them, too.

I see.

Tell me, are you Isak Dinesen?

Guess who we met today.

- Valdemar Rørdam.
- No!

He has encouraged Gyldendal
to publish my tales.

- I must say!
- I thought Reitzels put in an offer.

Yes, but Gyldendal is our biggest
and most esteemed publisher.

Rørdam has offered to translate
my book into Danish.

Why, Karen!

That's like if I asked Shakespeare
to please correct my commas.

"Proofread by William Shakespeare"
would garner respect, don't you think?

I'll agree to let Gyldendal publish me
provided Rørdam is the translator.

Good idea.

I do wish you'd choose Reitzels
like your siblings.

Knud has been so kind.
It would be very impolite.

You know what Paul Valéry says
about politeness.

"La politesse,
c'est l'indifférence organisée."

Come in.

- Is this a bad time?
- No. Come in.

I hear you've chosen Gyldendal.

I'm in talks with them about hiring
Valdemar Rørdam to translate my book.

- Why don't you translate it?
- I don't want to rewrite my own book.

- Besides, I'm busy with the next.
- About Kenya?

Yes.

What if Reitzels were to offer
better royalties than Gyldendal?

Is that an offer?

- Perhaps.
- I appreciate that, Knud.

And money isn't immaterial.

But Gothic Tales might not
go down well in Denmark.

I must ensure that my book will
be well-received in literary circles.

With Gyldendal and Valdemar Rørdam
behind me -

- my book will be harder to attack.

It's up to you, of course.

- Anyway, coffee will be served shortly.
- Thank you, Knud.

Every story has a beginning,
a middle and an end.

Some have more than one.

But a true storyteller -

- will let the story take you
wherever it wants to go.

I didn't like the Swedish baron at all.

He came across as a good, plain fellow
of some charm.

He was a person who had in him
neither admiration nor pity.

No feelings.
Only envy or contempt.

Let me tell you the adventure of mine
in return of yours.

The baron is a notorious
seducer of women.

It happened
in the French town of Saumur.

I was there to better my horsemanship
at an esteemed riding school.

Then a friend of mine,
a fellow officer, told me -

- about a very special lady
by the name of Rosalba.

My friend told me that her heart
was forever devoted to God.

It all made me very curious to meet her.

Last night I had a vision.

I was in a great flowery meadow -

- with a great flock of young children.

I managed to be introduced
to Madame Rosalba and her disciples.

A circle of aged, ruined aristocrats -

- that lost everything
in the French Revolution.

Saint Joseph came to me -

- and said I was in paradise -

- and I would be a nurse
to these sacred children ...

... who had all died terrible deaths.

This Rosalba was
not only very beautiful -

- she was also
of an almost saint-like spirit.

Mademoiselle Rosalba.

I am Baron Guildenstern from Sweden.
At your service.

- Got it?
- Yes, I think so.

Do you want to give it a go?

Please try again.
Knud, it would be so reassuring if ...

- If ...
- Very well.

I'll give it another shot.

If Valdemar Rørdam is the clincher,
I'll try to get Reitzels to pay his fee.

To show that they're serious.

Karen, both the editors and the board
would love to publish your book.

What about you, Knud?
Do you want to publish my book as well?

Of course. Otherwise
I wouldn't pester you like this.

But do you like it?

You and I have always been frank
with each other.

So I'll confess that I personally
find your book sensational.

Over the top
to use one of your own expressions.

But that doesn't alter the fact -

- that it's also
an interesting and entertaining work.

And your achievement is exceptional.

- Karen, the red one is yours.
- Let's play gents against ladies.

- Then I'll be a gent today.
- You're very welcome, Bess.

If you win, I'll choose Reitzels.

- What nonsense is this?
- A wager. Win and you get the book.

Come on!

Great!

And you get another go.

Well done!

- Bad luck.
- Not good.

Well done.

- How's your novel coming along?
- Fine.

The publisher told me to proceed.

No!

- Karen, you've been croqueted.
- No! I thought you were a gentleman.

No!

Well, I'll wish you
a happy collaboration, then.

That's settled, then.

Do we have a deal?

A wager is a wager.

Karen, Karen!

These are from Reitzels,
wishing you a speedy recovery.

- Knud sends his love.
- They're beautiful.

How do you do?

- Elisabeth Svensgaard.
- I haven't seen you before.

No, the chief physician is on holiday.
I belong to the Paediatric Ward.

I'd like to discuss your medical record.

- My mother and my sister can stay.
- Fine.

- How often do these cramps occur?
- It varies.

During some periods, every day.

You've taken quite a lot of mercury
for your syphilis.

That's many years ago.

And you take arsenic?

I found your bottles
and felt compelled to tell the doctor.

It may feel invigorating
but it's destroying your organs.

I have a theory that might explain
your abdominal cramps.

I'd like to run it
by my colleague first -

- so please be patient.

Hello, Karen.

Blix.

Are you surprised to see me?

I was on my way to Stockholm
when I heard you were in the hospital.

How considerate.

I've read your book.

It's extremely well-written.
A little long, perhaps -

- but very well-written.

However, I found your portrait of
Baron Guildenstern somewhat hurtful.

- Do you really find me that horrid?
- He's a fictional character.

He's a baron, he's Swedish ...

I might have been
a little inspired by you.

I see.

I'm glad you're better.

I've talked to Knud.
They've hired Rørdam.

- He's asking 2,000 kroner for it.
- Quite steep.

- But Reitzels gave me a good deal.
- Good.

Would you like to hear something odd?

Blix paid me a visit
at the hospital yesterday.

He was on his way to Stockholm
and stopped by.

- Quite nice of him.
- That does sound odd, Karen.

Blix is in Kenya.

Is he dead, then?

- Is Blix dead?
- No. I talked to Gustaf the other day.

Blix is alive and well,
but he's in Nairobi, not here.

But I saw him as plainly as I see you.

Perhaps it's the morphine
or perhaps you were dreaming.

Farah ... Farah!

- My grandmother's dining table?
- We have to pawn some of the furniture.

You're pawning my furniture?
It's my inheritance from Mattrup.

- I'm sorry, but we've run into ...
- No, enough of your lies.

Karen, we'll buy it back
after the harvest. Karen!

- Welcome, Mr. Rørdam.
- Thank you.

I so enjoyed your late husband's
writings, Mrs. Dinesen -

- and now it seems the literary vein
is running in the family.

Here are the first two stories
in Danish.

I hope you'll find
I've done your words justice.

I can't wait to read them.

Thank you for your interest
in my daughter's work, Mr. Rørdam.

We are very honoured.

Isn't this the park in which
one can find Johannes Ewald's Hill?

Indeed it is.

Karen, why don't Ingeborg
and I show Mr. Rørdam Ewald's Hill -

- while you skim the stories?

I'm eager
to hear your opinion, Baroness.

Do that, Karen, while we go for a walk.

You must be proud of your daughter,
Mrs. Dinesen.

It's not every day that a woman
makes the headlines in the world press.

I'm very proud, Mr. Rørdam.

We all are.

Although I don't quite understand
why Karen's prose must be so colourful.

I quite like the colour.
Very sensuous.

Your enthusiasm makes me
want to reread it.

How do you like the translations?

Well, I don't quite know how to put it.

I suppose you've been in rather a rush.

- I assure you I've done my utmost.
- Of course you have.

- I find it hard to recognise my text.
- Well, it is another language.

- It must be recreated, Karen.
- Yes, of course.

But ... I'm not sure
you've grasped the many layers.

Pardon me?

You don't talk like that
to Valdemar Rørdam, Karen.

- Rørdam translated Kipling and Yeats.
- I am aware of that.

And that's what puzzles me.

The irony has gone missing.
I can't feel the humour.

The humour?

What humour?

I rest my case.

I assure you
that I understand your stories.

Better than you do, I'd wager.

You don't look well, Karen.

My niece only just got out of hospital.

Go to America and enjoy your success
and leave the translation to the pros.

- Have you read it?
- Not personally, no.

It's totally unacceptable. The book
cannot be published in that form.

Pardon me.
It's artistically irresponsible.

- But the publisher doesn't agree.
- You can't be serious.

You can only object to the translation
if it's deemed a distortion.

- Well, it is.
- Not according to the editor.

He finds the text acceptable -

- taking into account
the translator's artistic freedom.

An expert opinion will favour Rørdam.

An expert opinion!
What about the author's opinion?

If he delivers on time,
they can't terminate his contract.

Karen, you insisted on him!

- Can't you try talking to him?
- No, he sticks to his contract.

And the 2,000 kroner
he thinks he is owed.

If I take a meeting with him,
will you accompany me?

- Oughtn't it be the publisher?
- You don't have to say anything.

Just sit there -

- and be a man.

Thank you for coming back, Mr. Rørdam.

Have you had a chance
to study the texts once more?

I gather you're sticking to your
contract and demanding your full fee.

Of course. I'm a professional.

Despite the fact that I, the author,
find your translation erroneous?

I've already told your sister -

- that there are no errors
in my translations.

Not everything can be transplanted
from one language to another.

I've consulted several literary experts
with full discretion, naturally.

Discretion?
What do you mean?

As you can see,
there are factual errors -

- clumsy wording and motifs
that have eluded you -

- and hence are lacking
in your translation.

What is this?

Of course I'll take a look at your
proposed corrections if you insist.

What a good idea.

My text isn't set in stone ...
after all.

I don't know how to make myself
any clearer, Mr. Rørdam -

- but I cannot use your translation.

I beg your pardon?

I don't want this
to tarnish your reputation.

I'd hate to see you become a joke
in the literary salons we both frequent.

Are you threatening me?

- Will you let your sister threaten me?!
- Karen ...

All I'm saying is that
if we let the world know -

- that you translate
"Lady of the Bedchambers" -

- into "the bedroom woman" -

- instead of the Danish word
for a lady-in-waiting, or if we say ...

I've got it!

This document releases you
from your contract with Reitzels.

It says we part on amicable terms -

- and that you waive any further fee
besides what you've already received.

Here you are.

You are a deceitful
and pretentious woman.

Mr. Rørdam.

That wasn't very elegant.
You could've given him a chance.

- A chance?
- Yes.

To ruin my work?

You disappoint me, Tommy.

Perhaps you should bring a lawyer
next time.

I'm going to translate it myself.

Keep in mind that you can do
something no one else can.

Not even Valdemar Rørdam.

What do the doctors say? Won't they
give you anything for the pain?

The test results aren't in yet.
We'll know next week.

I think Knud was annoyed with me
for firing Rørdam.

Never you mind.

You have spinal cord corrosion.

The damaged nerve endings transmit
random pain signals -

- to your gut and abdomen.

Is it caused by the old illness?

No.

Mercury and arsenic.
They didn't know any better back then.

Years of heavy metal treatment
have corroded your spinal cord.

Is there a cure?

I'm afraid spinal cord corrosion
is incurable.

Will it be like this forever?

Yes.

I've been cured of syphilis
for 10 years.

But the cure has destroyed my body.

We can alleviate your pain.

The neurologist I referred you to,
Dr. Fog -

- will take over your treatment.

This ...

... Rosalba was everything
my friend said she was.

She was chaste and pure and holy.

Instantly, my heart melted
like sugar in hot coffee.

- Are you not afraid of hell?
- Not if you give me heaven.

You would not show mercy
even to Mary Magdalene.

Rosalba is like
a shining bubble of soap.

If you crush her -

- there'll be nothing left
but a bit of wetness.

No one could ruin her as well as you.

You are well worthy of coming in.

Let me in.

- Good afternoon, Karen.
- Thank you, Mother.

Elle is here as well.

- Elle.
- Karen.

How beautiful you look.

Karen, do you need help
with the translation?

- You're busy with your own novel.
- It can wait.

- Has Mother asked you to help me?
- You mustn't overexert yourself.

"Willow" ...

What kind of willow?
Just willow or grey willow?

- Silver willow.
- Silver willow.

Has Mother told you my diagnosis?

So she has.

Karen ...

It's dreadful.

The paediatrician figured it out.

Paediatricians and drunks are
the soothsayers of the world.

I don't know what to say.

Let's not talk about it.
You know I abhor pity.

How about weeping willow?

Weeping willow.

That's good.

Weeping willow.

COPENHAGEN
Summer 1935

Here is a copy for the typesetter
and one for the archives.

Now you deserve champagne.

I always deserve champagne.

- Thanks for lending me your wife.
- I dare say. She's been missed.

I am ... satisfied
with the Danish translation.

- I stand by it.
- And so you should.

However, I'm still worried
about the reception -

- so I've drawn up a list of ideas
for the launch.

We have an entire department
devoted to that.

I've noted the critics whom I think
the book will appeal to -

- and who might be cajoled
into promoting it in advance.

And I think we should make use
of the radio.

Hire some of our popular actors
to read passages from the book.

- Bodil Ipsen, Poul Reumert ...
- Do you know what that would cost?

- Hiring some of our biggest stars?
- I've listed some rising stars as well.

Very well, I'll pass this on.

I know from Huntington in London
the importance of all this legwork.

- As I said, I'll pass it on.
- Very well.

Cheers.

Cheers.

The only thing that disturbed
the beauty of Rosalba -

- was a deep scar that ran from her
right ear to her collarbone.

Like a small snake.

What are you saying?

I said from her right ear to her
collarbone ran a scar like a snake.

- Why are you repeating my words?
- Excuse me?

Madame Lola had the same kind of scar.
I just described it to you.

- You didn't say one word.
- Not one word?

I told you she was beautiful ...

I'm dreaming, I thought.

This hotel, Skipper, the Swedish baron
are all part of a dream.

The next thing will be that Olalla
will walk in through that door -

- swiftly, as she always comes
in dreams.