Bright Nights (Helle Nächte)

BRIGHT NIGHTS

Yes?

Hello, Kim.

It's been a while. - Yes.

You forgot again, right?

What's that?

You weren't calling about that?

What are you saying? - Wakey-wakey! My birthday was last week.

Crap. Right. I forgot.

So?

What's up?

He's dead.

What? What are you talking about?

About Papa.

What did he die of?

A heart attack.

Hm…

Uh-huh.

How like him.

What's like him? That he had a heart attack?

Just making off like that.

That's like him.

He left instructions to be buried in Norway

in the place where he lived.

Will you go?

Yes, he's our father.

I'd like to see how he lived out his days.

And someone has to take care of the formalities.

Kim? Are you still on the line?

Yup. I am.

I was just pouring a drink.

What are you drinking?

Vodka…

Good idea.

So, how about it? Will you join me?

I think it's good you're doing this…

but I won't be joining you.

Don't be so unforgiving. What use is that now?

He gave us no opportunity for forgiving. Now it's too late.

Think it over.

You might regret it.

He won't get buried twice.

Watch it. The sauce turned out spicy.

No, it's good.

It's sad you didn't see your father again.

You'd have wanted to say goodbye. - Yes.

At least he wasn't sick and didn't suffer long.

People say those things, but who can tell?

All the stuff you have to take care of…

Direct debit, bank accounts…

It helped me when my dad died. - Oh, yes? That's great.

I was talking about my case.

So?

Don't go getting offended. You're ugly when you're offended.

I'm not offended…

but sometimes you're so… - What?

Well?

Nothing.

I'm sorry.

Thanks.

Michael, I have something to say.

Then go on.

I know it's bad timing… - Let me guess.

Bad breaks come in pairs.

You met someone. - What? No. Nonsense.

No, it's not that.

So what is it?

My paper offered me a post as their Washington correspondent.

For a year.

Washington. For a year.

Have you accepted?

No, not yet.

But I'd like to.

I wanted to talk it through with you first.

When are you meant to start?

In two months.

You've already decided.

What can I say?

Well… I'd like you to accept it.

I should accept you leaving me?

That's asking a lot.

I'm not leaving you. I'm only going for a year.

A year's a long time. Who knows what will happen in it?

You have to have faith.

That's just talk.

I know it's untimely.

But…

I wanted to tell you before I accept, before you go.

You going to be silent the whole trip?

As you wish.

Put your safety belt on.

How you doing in the country?

What's with you?

I asked you if you're doing okay in the country.

Kind of.

Got any friends? - Yes.

What a question! Course I have friends.

You still playing for the team? - Not in ages.

That's news to me.

When did you stop?

What is this, an interrogation? - Tell me already.

Over a year ago.

Why did you stop?

It just wasn't any fun anymore.

Pity, you were a good footballer. You had talent.

I wasn't that good.

So what?

Team sport is a good thing.

Whatever.

So Grandpa lived alone here?

Yes.

Why?

We can't ask him that now.

He was always that way. He liked to be alone.

When did you last see him?

Five years ago.

Just before he moved here.

Do you still remember him?

Sure. He visited us once.

He visited you both?

It was a while back.

He built a tree house with me.

Why did you never visit him here?

We weren't very close.

He was difficult.

Have a look at this.

What is it?

A manuscript about tunnel building.

Almost 200 pages.

It's a real book.

He only completed it recently, a few days before his death.

Here's the date.

Can I have it?

Yeah, sure.

It's not getting dark. It's almost 11.

It's like that here all summer.

And in winter it's dark for three months.

Three months of darkness? How did he stand it?

To your granddad. And to you having joined me.

It wasn't for you. It was to see Grandpa's house.

Yes, of course.

Once we've done all this…

What?

I've taken time off, you're still on holiday.

We could spend some time here in Norway.

What would we do here?

Take a look around. Enjoy nature.

I already live in the country, in case you forgot.

We could just drive around a bit.

I don't know. I'll have to ask Mama first.

I already did.

She said it's okay.

I don't like you setting me up.

I didn't set you up. I simply asked her.

So, what do you say?

May I have the nuts, please?

What kind of car do you drive in Berlin?

I don't have one.

You don't have a car?

Not in three years.

Why not?

You don't need a car in Berlin.

How boring.

When I've got a licence and money, I'll get a car for sure.

Yes? What kind?

We'll see.

A BMW, a Mercedes. Something cool, you know?

Pass me the water.

Anything else? I'm not your servant.

Tastes good.

Aren't you cold?

No, I'm not cold.

Don't underestimate the weather. It turns.

The onion principle's best, believe me.

The onion principle?

A thin bottom layer, a T-shirt or shirt,

a fleece over it…

then a windcheater, and you're ready for anything.

I'd look like a pensioner.

Do I look like a pensioner?

Sure.