Simon and the Oaks

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SIMON AND THE OAKS

Simon!

Sweetheart...

The Summer of 1939

On the 14th of January I and my

exquisite caravan of four men

and three splendid male camels headed for the desert.

We brought provisions for fifty days

but were away for four months.

We left civilization behind and

quite soon we saw nothing but sand.

I tried to find shelter for

my camel and myself from the storm

that raged incessantly for two days.

Why isn't he like all the other kids?

He doesn't have any friends, Karin...

He never wants to go sailing...

never do any woodwork.

He never wants to play or pick fights

like all the other boys.

He stays at home reading.

Loads of books for grown-ups

that you give him.

The only friend he's got is that

goddamn tree that whispers things...

...so he says.

But I've worked it out. With a bike

it'll save us the tram fare-

It's not about the money.

Can't you see?

Going to that stuck-up grammar

school will only make everything worse.

He might find some friends there.

He went there by himself and he applied...

Keep your guard up.

That's where I'll hit you.

Keep your guard up, I've told you.

Do as I say, goddammit!

But dad, why must I learn how to fight?

If someone insults you, he's asking for a fat punch.

Some insults you don't take. Like

being called a coward, or a wimp.

Try to hit my hands.

Keep your guard up and

go for it this time. From the body!

You really want to go to that fancy school, don't you?

And I'm supposed to pay for it?

- Yes...

How the hell will you cope,

when you can't even split a tiny log?

Old bastard...

I might agree to...

Is it true?

If you can wrestle me.

- I give up!

- Can I go?

- On two conditions, Simon.

- Yes?

Don't let those fops down there

make you forget where you're from.

And you find yourself real friends

and forget that goddamn oak.

Promise me that, Simon.

Good morning. Welcome back.

Good morning.

- Oops! Sorry! Are you new here?

- Yes.

I'll show you.

Give me your bag.

Jew...

Jew bastard.

Go back to Germany, Jew scum.

Look at him. He's ugly.

Flatfoot.

- Can we pass?

- Don't think so.

- The Germans are coming for you.

- Please, just let us pass.

- The slimy little Jew can talk...

- Jew lover, eh?

What the hell are you doing?

You're insane!

Sh*t!

I'm Isak.

Swap?

Are you sure?

This is good!

No... this is good.

- Woodwork is pretty fun.

- Me, I like history classes best.

Or all classes, really.

Come on then!

It's my dad's bookshop.

The whole shop?

Do you want to come upstairs?

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

Come on, then!

One more time. Please...

What's that noise?

Isak, is that you?

Yes, mother.

My sweet little boy.

Good afternoon.

Isak, aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?

This is my friend, Simon Larsson.

You go ahead and eat.

Tell Frau Svensson to bring me a

cup of tea and fig marmalade.

Does your mother always stay in her room?

She's afraid of the Nazis.

Frau Svensson! Hurry up!

Hello Isak.

Good afternoon.

Simon Larsson.

Ruben Lentov, pleased to meet you.

So... how was school today?

- Same as always.

Boring.

History class today was about

explorers and expeditions and

our teacher said that if there's

anything to learn, it's from history.

Ruben, is that you?

I just might have a good book on explorative expeditions.

I'll see if I can find it.

I'm coming!

They have so many rooms

and hundreds of books on gigantic bookshelves

and a maid that serves you food.

And they have a chandelier that...

...sparkles.

Take your cap off.

...and a piano, and when you strike

a key it makes a beautiful sound.

Take your cap off when you're in the house.

Good night, dad.

Good night, my son. Sleep tight.

Shut up!

Shut up, I said!

You're just an ordinary tree.

An ordinary goddamn oak!

- Do you know what fog really is?

- No.

It's the sadness of the sea.

And it's as endless as the whole sea.

As previously reported Germany

has launched an attack on Poland.

Several cities have been bombed, among them Warsaw.

German troops crossed the Polish border without resistance

from the Soviet Union in accordance

with the Non-Aggression Pact.

In response, London and Paris

have declared war on Germany.

This escalating conflict might soon

turn into a full scale World War.

Imagine being a soldier in Finland.

Can't we go inside?

On the radio they say that they're

going to freeze to death like rats.

I can't feel my toes...

- I'm dying like a rat!

- Come on now!

- I'm dying...

- I'm going inside.

- Don't you have running water?

- No.

The pump's frozen.

Put these on, Isak.

That one's Bertil. She's mine.

Do you want that one?

- Yeah!

Isak, come and have a look.

Fix the flat tire and adjust the saddle

and then you'll have a bike too.

Inga? What are you doing here?

- I heard the war...

Good afternoon.

Inga? Did you walk all this way?

I was just wondering if...

Who's she?

She's a witch, she's nuts.

Dad says...

...she lets the piggies

sleep in bed with her.

Aunt Inga is my cousin.

She might look a bit weird, but at least she's kind.

It's true...

After all these years...

we decided to let it rest.

He might be in danger.

Why should we have it translated now?

We could... help him.

If we show this letter to anyone...

to have it translated...

...then they'll see.

And perhaps we'll expose Simon to danger.

We'd better get rid of it once and for all.

Just to be on the safe side.

If the Germans come.

Inga...

Burn it.

Caught it.

I love you...

Early this morning German troops invaded...

...both Denmark and Norway.

Swedish troops protect our borders.

We cannot and should not assume

responsibility for you today.

You should all go home and be with your parents.

God save our King and Country.

My father says that Sweden will

collaborate with the Germans...

Then we'll get rid of all the Jews.

- Mr Lentov.

- Good afternoon, Mrs von Sydow.

- We're leaving, it's not safe here.

- I hope to see you soon.

Our best to Mrs. Lentov.

Go on home now, Simon.

Bye.

The Oslo radio announced today that German troops

have disembarked in Norwegian

harbors at 3 o'clock this morning.

Hostilities have occurred on the Oslo Fjord.

The Norwegian government has left

Oslo to take up quarters in Hamar.

It is reported that German troops

have crossed the Danish border.

Three German cruisers have entered Middelfart Harbor.

Soldiers have disembarked and

occupied the adjoining streets.

Swedish Citizens should follow the

news and prepare to find shelter...

Olga!

Come to me!

Come to me!

We must stay together!

Isak!

Mother!

I must protect you from the Nazis!

- Come here!

- Father!

Then they drove her to the hospital.

And now?

I don't know.

Will she come back?

Dad says we'll visit her often.

Come in.

Sir, there's someone here to see you.

Good afternoon.

My name is Karin Larsson.

I'm Simon's mother.

I'm sorry to bother you...

- It's I who must apologize.

I should have called on you long ago.

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