Viskningar Och Rop (Cries and Whispers)

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It is early Monday morning...

and I am in pain.

My sisters...

and Anna...

are taking turns

staying up.

Good morning.

- Did anything happen?

- No, she's been very quiet.

- Thank you.

- I fell asleep.

Anna, see to the fire.

I thank Thee, dear Lord

for allowing me...

to awaken well and cheerful

this morning...

after a good sleep

under Thy protection...

and for the enjoyment

of a restful night.

I beseech Thee also

today and each day...

to let the angels watch over

and protect my little girl...

whom Thou in Thy unfathomable

wisdom tookest unto Thyself...

in Thy homeland.

Amen.

Mother is in my thoughts

nearly every day...

although she's been dead

for over 20 years.

I remember

she would often seek...

the solitude and peace

of the grounds.

I also remember that I would

follow her at a distance...

and spy on her

without really meaning to...

because I loved her

to such a jealous extreme.

I loved her because

she was so gentle...

and beautiful and alive...

and so all-pervadingly

present.

But she could also be cold,

playfully cruel...

and rebuff me.

Yet I could not help

feeling sorry for her...

and now that I'm older,

I understand her much better.

I wish I could

see her again...

to tell her

what I understand...

of her boredom,

her impatience...

her longing

and her loneliness.

And when the wicked witch

at last realized...

that little Gretel

had tricked her...

her nose started

to grow and grow.

At Twelfth Night

Mother always gave a party...

and Aunt Olga would come

with her magic lantern...

and her fairy tales.

I always felt frightened

and left out.

When Mother spoke to me

in her hurried way...

I could hardly understand

what she wanted of me.

Mother and Maria always had

many things to whisper about...

but then they were so alike.

Jealously I used to wonder what

they were laughing at together.

Everyone was in gay spirits.

I was the only one who couldn't

join in the merriment.

Another time,

I remember it was autumn...

I hid behind the curtain...

and in secret watched her.

She was in the red drawing room

wearing her white dress...

sitting quite still

with her head bent...

and her hands resting

on the table.

Suddenly she saw me...

and in a gentle voice

called me.

- Come.

- Uncertain, I went up to her...

thinking that, as usual,

she was going to scold me.

But instead she gave me

a look so full of sorrow...

that I nearly

burst into tears.

I raised my hand

and put it against her cheek...

and for that moment

we were very close.

There's someone out there.

Anna.

There's someone out there.

Good morning, Agnes.

Good morning, Doctor.

She is very tired now.

I don't think it will be long.

Thank you.

I know the way.

David!

It's been so long.

When can I see you again?

No!

Some years earlier...

when Agnes had gone to Italy

for her health...

Maria and her husband, Joakim,

were staying at the manor.

One evening, Anna's

little daughter was taken ill...

and Maria sent

for the family doctor...

who lived in the nearby

country town.

- Now say "ah."

- Ah.

- Once again.

- Ah.

That hurt a little?

I can see that.

What a good girl.

That wasn't too bad, eh?

Off to bed with you now.

You'll feel better

after a good night's sleep.

- Thank you.

- Doctor, are you hungry?

If you'd like a little supper

the table's being prepared.

Oh yes, that would be nice.

Thank you.

Agnes and Karin are still

traveling in Italy.

I received a letter

from them last week.

Agnes is much better.

- Her cough is entirely gone.

- Mm-hmm.

And she's picked up

her painting again.

Karin's husband decided

to join them at Easter.

They've been having

good weather.

It's like summer, even though

the nights are chilly.

Your husband, he's well?

Joakim, he had some business

in town this evening...

and won't be back

'til tomorrow.

I told him I would ask you

to come here to look in...

on Anna's little girl.

- He sends his best regards.

- Thank you.

Anna's been told

to get the guest room ready.

The weather's so awful.

I don't think you ought

to go home on such a night.

- You've changed a lot.

- Really? Oh.

Is there anyone else?

Isn't there always?

I never would have thought

the problem could interest you.

Nor does it.

Hmm?

Do you wear spectacles

all the time now?

- Am I bothering you?

- No, it's all right.

Why are you so formal?

Couldn't you let the past

be forgotten?

Come here, Marie.

Come.

Look at yourself

in the mirror.

You're beautiful.

You are probably

more beautiful now than before.

But you have changed

a lot too.

I want you to see

how you've changed.

Now your eyes cast quick,

calculating side glances.

You used to look ahead

straightforwardly...

openly, unmasked.

Your mouth has taken on

an expression of discontent...

and hunger.

It used to be so soft.

Your complexion is pale now.

You use makeup.

Your fine, broad forehead...

now has four wrinkles

above each brow.

No, you can't see it

in this light...

but you can

in broad daylight.

Do you know what

caused those wrinkles?

- No.

- Indifference, Marie.

And this fine line

that runs from ear to chin...

is not as obvious any more...

but it is etched there by

your easygoing, indolent ways.

And there,

by the bridge of your nose.

Why do you sneer

so often, Marie?

You see it?

You sneer too often.

See, Marie?

And look under your eyes.

The sharp,

scarcely noticeable lines...

of your impatience

and your ennui.

Can you actually see

all of that in my face?

No, but I feel it

when you kiss me.

I think

you're joking with me.

It's evident

where you see it.

- Really? Where?

- You see it in yourself.

Because we're so alike,

you and I.

You mean the selfishness?

Coldness? Unconcern?

I usually find

your arguments boring.

Is there no absolution

for such as you and I?

I haven't any need

of being pardoned.

Good morning, sir.

Good morning.

Thank you.

Good morning, Joakim.

- Welcome home.

- Good morning, Maria.

Anna's little girl

is quite ill, you know.

The doctor

was here last night.

He sends you his regards...

and hopes you can get together

to play chess again.

The weather was so bad

I asked him to stay overnight.

He left early this morning

before we were up.

Did you enjoy yourself in town

or was there too much work?

We have an invitation

from the Egermans.

They'd be delighted if we

stayed with them at Easter.

I think I would enjoy that.

It would make for a change.

What do you think about it?

Well, we'll see.

Run along and play.

Joakim.

Joakim.

Help me.

Help me, please.

No.

Anna.

Do you hear?

I only hear the wind

and the clocks ticking.

No, it's something else.

I don't hear anything else.

I'm freezing.

Good night.

Anna.

Come here.

Anna.

Come to me.

You're so far away.

Come here.

Close to me.

Do I smell very bad?

- It hurts so much, Anna.

- I know, Agnes.

I'm going to stay with you.

- It will all be all right.

- It hurts so badly.

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