The Boss of It All (Direktøren for det hele)

Here comes a movie and, if it already looks a bit weird,

then hang in there, because anyone can see it.

Although you see my reflection, trust me,

this film won't be worth a moment's reflection.

It's a comedy, and harmless as such. No preaching or swaying of opinion.

Just a cozy time. So why not poke fun at artsy-fartsy culture?

So here we have a self-important out-of-work actor

who, by miraculous chance, got a job. A very special job.

Hello, so we finally meet, I'm the company president,

I'm the company president,

I've given Mr. Ravn power of attorney to conclude the deal,

Hello again... "Optional,"

- Kristoffer? Butterflies? - No.

Let's get this done. It's our non-disclosure agreement.

You said you'd never written for the stage?

May I ask why? This text is succinct and intense.

- But it says far more than it says. - Really?

I had hoped it would say as little as possible.

The sanctions might seem drastic, but that's law for you.

The main thing is that you keep this a secret,

- Secret? - But you're used to that.

You don't shoot someone on stage and tell the crowd: "I'm only acting."

I don't know...

That particular statement applies to many of Gambini's anti-characters.

- I'm your man, Ravn. - Great, you're playing the boss,

I'm in a bit of a pinch

because the real boss is... not accessible,

We must act now, the Icelanders are so damn pushy.

It won't take too long,

so you'll be making quite a bundle,

seeing as you're not working. Sign here.

I don't keep busy just to be busy.

- It's not illegal or anything. - Legal or illegal, I don't care,

I'm an actor, the character is my law, and the script is my court,

Court? Let's pray it never gets that far.

Excellent... Your money.

- What's that on your forehead? - Soot.

I always rely on Gambini, You can't go wrong,

The Hanged Cat ?

The chimney sweep's monologue from A Town Without Chimneys ,

- You know it? - I only know Top Cat .

"I have traveled far, and with reluctance, to this town."

Our president doesn't have soot on his forehead.

The things a character doesn't have define him more than what he has.

Theater begins to unfold itself at the point where it ends.

Don't make me nervous, Kristoffer.

Let's keep it simple.

I'll just endow my character with a small tribute to Gambini.

Fine. It won't make any difference. You're only the boss for a moment.

Then there's the pauses... So vital to our understanding.

He could actually not say anything at all.

You have to say what's on the page.

Otherwise, what's the point? Just what's on the page.

Hello, so we finally meet, I'm the company president.

I finally tracked him down.

This is Finnur...

"Hello, So we finally meet, I'm the company president."

Hello, So we finally meet, I'm the company president.

Yes, both you gents are indeed company presidents.

But for two different companies.

"Why do Danes talk so much?

"No wonder this country came to a halt intellectually 200 years ago.

"They yak away or are drippingly sentimental.

"The rest of the time they giggle."

"Let's for God's sake get started, Mr. Ravn."

Dear Mr. President -

and I'm referring to our own little president -

We're happy just to have a president.

I want to say the following...

Our president has requested to be kept out of the negotiations.

Did I get that right?

The price is our top priority.

And we've already agreed on it.

I have...

turned over...

power...

of attorney...

to Mr...

Ravn.

I'm sorry... I didn't quite get that,

The pauses confused me.

Would you mind repeating it a bit quicker?

I have turned over power of attorney to Mr. Ravn.

Once our president's mind is made up, no amount of ruckus can change it.

Mr. President...

All these presidents. Should we call ours "the Danish president"?

Icelandic or Danish... Same thing.

- 400 jolly years under Icelandic rule. - It was the other way round.

It sure as hell didn't feel that way to us.

No.

Well, I better get back to the States.

Just because I'll sign on the 12th doesn't make it less fun.

"You fucking Danes aren't getting off that lightly.

"It's all talk, fucking slave drivers.

"Fortunately the sagas left us these wise words.

"He who deals with stooges deals with nobody."

- Goodbye, - Finnur...

"I insist that the president

"deal with me on the 12th. Not his stooge."

"He'll have to stay home that week or there's no deal.

"You'll be hearing from my lawyer."

- Bye then... - "Optional."

Hello, So we finally meet, I'm the company president.

Shit. They weren't supposed to see you.

- Word will spread like wildfire. - They could tell I wasn't for real.

- They had no time to tell Finnur... - That's not the problem.

They looked shocked because they thought you were the real president.

Well, I did play him well.

Although you didn't give me much to work with.

If the performance is topnotch

physical resemblance has less significance.

The physical resemblance with their president of ten years is irrelevant.

They've never seen him.

- Never seen him? - No...

I don't quite get it.

If I wasn't such a wuss.

Companies need presidents, I didn't have it in me.

I couldn't see myself as one.

So when I started the company I told them I was an employee.

That the president was tending to his companies and lived in the States.

I know it's strange and suspicious. A boss that I invented, Kristoffer.

It was fine as long as no one wanted to talk to him.

Then that fucking Icelander came along. They don't trust anyone.

Strange... They called Gambini strange too,

Look... I told you I was your man,

I am... And not just any man, I'm an actor.

That's exactly what you need to make your world work.

- It's only a week, I'll write a contract. - No need.

It's a hobby of mine.

This deal is vital to the company. The slightest doubt...

I have considerable training in sensing doubt in the minds of my audience.

- You'll have to meet the staff. - Being seen is part of the job.

- If you talk, I'll slaughter you. - Stop fussing.

Heidi? Would you get the six seniors together?

I want you to meet someone special.

They're the six I started out with.

Here at last... The boss of it all.

He took a week out of his schedule to be with us in Denmark.

Probably because deep down inside he's... Danish.

And perhaps he feels he has...

maybe not abandoned, but neglected our little branch.

Yes, that's understandable.

That's understandable.

Yes, that is understandable.

So there's lots for you to talk about.

I guess I'll stick my tail between my legs, as they say...

and scoot on back to my office.

Any questions?

What's your name?

- My name? - Yes.

No one's ever called you anything but "the boss of it all."

Some of the girls had the honor of getting emails with specific details.

Let me make it clear that it's been at random.

Who I needed to write directly to over the years.

There's no personal preference there.

Holy smoke... One does have to be careful.

- His name is Svend. - Svend E.

- That's what my emails said. - What does the "E" stand for?

Didn't I write that? Ravn didn't say?

For ten years? Never, ever?

That's good news. Because that means...

I can tell you that I have a name I'm very partial to...

and proud of,

Ecker...

Eckersberg... Svend Eckersberg.

- And what should I call you? - Gorm wants to call you Svend.

Gorm may call me whatever he likes.

Gorm may even call me Kristoffer, if he likes.

Why should he call you Kristoffer?

No, why on earth should he? Why in the world should he?

- By all means, call me Svend. - OK, Svend.

I'd like to say one thing.

- Autumn in the country is muggy. - Gorm, don't.

Real muggy. I want you to know that,

People generally think autumn has a freshness to it.

No, Gorm.

- Are you done now? Huh? - Everything's cool,

- Are you done? - Yeah. Sorry, sorry.

Everything is perfectly fine.

Stop it.

Boy, that's nasty.

I'm afraid you'll have to apologize.

Should I apologize to him?

Don't forget the tech conference tomorrow.

Tech conference...

Ravn... They're all completely insane.

- We need to talk. - On neutral ground. I'll call you.

OK.

If my character's name is Svend, for example,

then I'd like to know.

- I just want to be in the loop. - Sure.

The names didn't really matter.

Gorm is a country boy. He sometimes suffers from rural depression.

- But he's a wizard with Brooker 5. - What the hell is that?

Our flagship, our biggest seller. That's what we started out with.

My character doesn't like when they cry, shout or hit.

My personal space has been violated.

I must insist on control. They must be subdued.

The six seniors can be a bit of a hassle.

They're the creative bunch in the firm.