Through a Glass, Darkly (I et speil i en gåte)

A film by Jesper W. Nielsen

Based on a novel by Jostein Gaarder

THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY

-Does it have four legs? -No.

-Does it live in Norway? -Yes.

-Does it have two legs? -No legs.

-Can it be a pet? -No.

-Does it have fur? -No. You're way off.

-No legs? -No legs.

-Does it live in the forest? -Yes.

-Does it have a zigzag pattern? -Yes.

-Is it a... -A snake?

It is a snake!

Once, a long time ago, there was too much of nothing.

Then it exploded.

From one small pearl to an endless universe.

In a matter of milliseconds, everything can change.

For around 13.7 billion years the universe has grown and grown.

I am 13 and 7 months. And I am also growing.

Too fast.

My name is Cecilie. And these are my personal notes.

Ángeles.

What?

-Ángeles. -Angels?

-It's insects. -No. Ángeles.

Hello!

Hi there. Here comes the Bloodsucker Express.

-I'm practically out of blood. -I hope you have some left for me.

-Do you know when dad is coming? -I just saw him talking to Anna.

Are you looking forward to going home for Christmas?

Ready?

Hi.

We want Christmas to be as nice as possible for you.

So we will skip church this year. Then we can eat earlier.

-I want to celebrate as usual. -It will be almost as usual.

-Grandma wondered what you wanted. -New skis. Downhill skis.

Right.

I want ice skates. The river is frozen now.

Know what happens when you put your ear to the ice?

-You can hear the water gurgle. -Under the ice?

I'd like to hear that.

What else do you want?

All I want are skis! Is that a problem?

Of course not, honey. But you may not get to ski this winter.

Why not wish for something you can use in bed...

-Sorry. -Want to know what else I want?

-Skates! And a sled! -Me too!

Stop it, Lasse!

Coconut!

Hi, Cecilia!

Hi.

-Do you want some coconut? -Are they good?

They are fresh.

-This is Klara. -Sebastian. Do you want?

They are good. Very good!

There is a better beach over there.

-No, friends don't pay. -Just keep it.

-No. Please. -It's OK.

You just keep it. No, no.

Thanks.

-Adiós! -Adiós.

Hi. Grandma and grandpa are here.

-Don't you feel well? -I feel a little nauseous.

Do you hurt anywhere?

-Am I warm? -A little.

Many people catch a fever this time of year.

-It's perfectly normal. -I can't be sick for Christmas!

-Am I getting skis? -Wait and see. Come on.

-I think l'll wait a little. -Come on down to the others.

Cheers!

-Merry Christmas. -Merry Christmas!

She's still asleep. Do you want to wake up?

Cecilie?

Hi.

Nice tree. Don't you think, Cecilie?

Sure.

But I liked the old star better. Where is it?

I had to buy a new one. Couldn't find the old one anywhere.

Would you like some chocolate? Or a cookie?

-Milk in your coffee? -No, black, thanks.

Why can't we open our presents?

-Do you have to smoke now? -You bet!

I have to have my Christmas cigar!

-Then again... -You always smoke on Christmas Eve.

But...it isn't good for me anymore.

Wow!

-Thank you! -This one is for the ''Ski Queen''.

-From grandma and grandpa. -''Ski Goddess'' would be better.

-Thank you! -That's what you wanted, right?

-I wish I could try them right away! -We all do, honey.

''There were shepherds in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks.''

''An behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them.''

''The glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.''

''Then the angel said to them:''

''Do not be afraid, for behold, l bring you good tidings of great joy.''

Are you crying?

But this isn't sad.

You know, sometimes we cry when something is sad.

Other times when something is beautiful.

We never laugh because something is ugly.

No.

But we laugh at clowns when they are funny.

And sometimes we laugh when they are ugly, too. Look!

Hi.

Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you.

My name is Ariel.

I'm an angel. Have you slept well?

An angel? You expect me to believe that?

Angels can't lie.

Nice skis.

Nice tree.

No, it isn't. That star is ugly.

Isn't it just a little crooked?

-Is it strange to see me here? -I've never seen an angel before.

-Yes, it's very strange. -You can't usually see us.

-Aren't you being a little childish? -Angels never grow up.

-Why not? -Why should we?

-Life is about growing up. -Nonsense.

Life is about being a child.

Adults are only there because God doesn't like to let children die.

He thinks it's better to let them turn old and gray first.

Sometimes children die too.

You come and go, Cecilie.

That's so strange for us to watch.

Suddenly you're here, and then you're gone.

Every second, God shakes some brand-new children out of his sleeve.

Hocus-pocus!

And every second, someone disappears.

It's almost as if God is blowing soap bubbles with you.

''All the children in a row, Cecilie out...''

Mom's alarm clock!

Were you in the kitchen last night?

I think I went down for some water.

-Trouble sleeping? -Yes.

You were asleep when I checked on you around four.

Can you scratch my back?

Further down.

That's it.

Let's move your bed into our room.

Mom! I'm practically an adult.

-I don't want to listen to you snore. -I can understand that.

I'm sure you'll get well, honey.

-Come down and eat breakfast. -I want to write something first.

We come and go.

Every second, God shakes some brand-new children out of his sleeve.

And every second, someone disappears.

Hocus-pocus!

-Go to mom. -No way!

-Lasse! -Let's tickle him!

We're coming to get you!

Hi, Cecilia!

-Sebastian! -Cecilia!

Come!

Hey! I'm still blowing soap bubbles!

-Look. -It's beautiful!

Will you jump?

Really? Are you serious?

-Come on, Cecilia! Jump! -No way!

Cecilie, there can be sharks down there!

Come on, this is great!

-l'll do it. -Cecilie!

-What are you looking for? -That Christmas star.

-That doesn't matter anymore. -It's just ridiculous that...

It can't just disappear!

Play more, Cecilie. That sounded nice.

It was horrible.

What are you reading?

-Is it any good? -Yes, it is, actually.

-What's the best part? -I like what I'm reading right now.

I don't really understand it. Maybe that's why I'm so fond of it.

Let me hear.

''When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child.''

''l thought as a child.''

''But when I became a man, I put away childish things.''

Paul wrote this.

''Now we see but through a glass, darkly.''

''Then face to face.''

''Now I know in part, but then l shall know just as I also am known.''

Music exists nowhere else in the universe.

Only on this little music box of a planet.

You call that music?

Are you deaf?

-Yes. -Do angels need hearing aids?

We have no senses. We can't hear.

We can't see.

We can't taste.

-We can't do anything. -You can see and hear me.

-True, but not in the same way. -Then how?

I can't hear you with my ears. We mix thoughts.

-And I see you with my inner eye. -Inner eye?

You also have an inner eye.

-When you dream about Sebastian... -Sebastian?!

I told you, we mix thoughts.

Up in heaven, -

- we angels wonder what it must be like to be human.

I probably wonder about it more than most.

It is very strange, that you can taste your food.

Smell cigars, feel heat and cold, hear music...

Let's make a deal:

l'll tell you about being human, if you tell me about heaven.