Possession (Forbannelsen)

DOWN ON THE CONTINENT, WORLD WAR I ENTERS ITS LAST PHASE

AT THE SAME TIME AS THE SPANISH FLU SPREADS FROM THE TRENCHES.

THERE IS ALSO A NORWEGIANIZATION OF SAMI LANGUAGE AND CULTURE.

NORWEGIAN LAW MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR SAMIS TO OWN THEIR OWN LAND.

When I'm gone,

you have to take care of one of the girls.

While the other one

will get a bigger task.

Place her

with the reverend's family.

And make sure that the two

don't meet again until spring.

E.

T.

G.

E.

R.

I.

K.

What is it?

There's a man by the chimney.

- Oscar? - Yes.

It's good to see you.

- I didn't think you'd… - Come home before the war ended?

Father has been asked to establish a parish up here.

- A parish? Is that so? - He has accepted.

Good.

You've grown.

A lot happens in five years, don't you agree?

Yes.

- What are you doing? - Nothing.

Come and say hello.

Suzanne told me that your mother is dead.

What about your father? Where is he?

He doesn't exist.

Sure he does. He's sitting right here.

Wait. I have something for you.

Thank you.

How far away is Madagascar?

There are many, many oceans between here and there.

And they've been there to help people believe in God?

Yes. Or to believe in their god.

I liked the bird.

- Did you like it? - Yes, I liked it.

What are we going to name it?

- Chirpy, maybe? - Chirpy?

May I sleep in your bed?

- If you promise not to snore! - I won't.

Come here.

I'll give you some morphine. It helps with the cough.

Good.

There is something going around these days.

The British have broken through the Hindenburg Line.

The war might be over before Christmas.

- Says who? - People I've talked to.

- What about your own voice? - What about it?

- How's my wife? - I gave her morphine for the cough.

- The best cure is to put her outside. - Outside?

Sunlight and fresh air would be the best thing for her lungs.

I'll come back and check on her in a couple of days.

- More tea? - Thank you, Lise.

My name's still "Louise".

Oh yes. I'm sorry, Louise.

- How are the drawings coming along? - I'm halfway done.

It will have to do.

- Didn't you see the sign? - What sign?

Get in line with the others.

You've got until Monday to get the money.

- By Monday. - Wasn't that the reverend?

Smith.

Reverend Smith?

My apologies.

- I was a little preoccupied. - I understand.

Welcome home.

- Alive and in good health. - Thank you.

It's good to see.

The journey was better than we feared. Right, Oscar?

- Is this your son? - Yes.

- Oscar Smith. - Timann Flage, the ship's captain.

This is my first mate, Gustav von Kantzow.

- Can we take a look at the site? - Yes, of course.

Reverend?

It's this way.

Time is adequate for those who use it.

- Are you comfortable? - Yes.

Thank you, Louise.

- How are you feeling? - Better.

Especially now that my hair is going to be as nice as Queen Maud's.

- It won't be quite the same. - No?

No. She's got a bit more hair.

We appreciate the suggestion, but we've already hired an architect.

We'll build it here.

I'm afraid it's not possible.

- Why not? - The area belongs to the Samis.

Didn't you buy the land to do ore mining?

- Yes. - Then what's the problem?

We agreed to keep this area off the deed.

Why?

They talked about something they can't control.

Control?

Something spiritual.

- Like ghosts or something? - Their words, not mine.

Let my parish deal with matters of Heaven and Earth,

and we'll leave the mining to you.

We still have to discuss the Sami situation.

Oscar will deliver the drawings next week.

The church will be placed here.

Jesus commands us to build on rock.

Come rain or storms, he promised that it will remain.

My children…

Like the soldiers who fight bravely in the trenches on the continent,

we…

…we will also have to fight.

Up here, we shall stand together on our battlefield.

And God shall show us the enemy.

The sins we carry inside, so that we have…

Go home. Go home, I said!

This place belongs to our Lord now.

Thank you again for letting us use your living room.

You have to meet my wife, Mathilde Flage.

If only you knew how long I've been looking forward to this.

I believe that all people need a leader.

Someone who can unify and show them the way.

- My experience confirms that. - I was told you worked in Africa.

A missionary by trade and a missionary in spirit.

But first and foremost, a family man.

And these are your three angels, I suppose.

Oscar and Agathe are my own flesh and blood.

I can tell.

- The youngest one is adopted. - Where do you come from, my dear?

The forest.

- The forest? - Where the Samis live.

- How very noble of you. - You should thank my wife.

- She's behind all of this. - How is she?

You're satisfied, I hope?

- As long as the developer is. - We'll see.

This life has been a joy to me

And 'mid earth's sorrows and its woe

'Tis joy my Jesus here to know

O hallelujah, yes, 'tis joy!

For it is Christ that I enjoy!

On land or sea, what matters where?

Where Jesus is, my joy is there

"Every time I close my eyes,

it is your face

that I see.

Every time I draw my breath

my love for you grows in me."

That sounds tiring.

- Who gave you this? - I don't know.

- Come on. - I haven't seen him.

That's why you have me.

Yes, so I can tickle you!

My Lord,

who preside over life and death.

We ask You to have mercy on Suzanne.

She who has cared for so many.

Forgive her for her trespasses

and for neglecting Your songs of praise.

For Yours is the power and glory, forever and ever.

Amen.

Father!

Father! I can't find her.

From now on, you won't go anywhere without Agathe.

She needs your eyes.

Is that understood?

Go and sit down.

The upbringing has gone downhill in this house.

No more profane duties. No more sinful games with the supernatural.

Agathe.

You have to follow the Lord's words in faith and obedience.

We have to be unified as a family.

Go ahead. Eat.

Mrs. Flage is here to see you.

Reverend Smith, I'm sorry for interrupting your meal,

but I have to speak to you.

Let's go up to my office.

It was Mother. Don't you think?

You heard what Father said.

But what if she had something important to say?

Just let me know if I can help with anything. The children or…

Wasn't I supposed to help you?

I really shouldn't be here.

Everything you tell me, is in strict confidence.

Please sit down.

My husband and I have been married for almost 30 years.

We never had any children, and…

He blames you for that?

He…

…doesn't desire me like he used to, if you know what I mean.

I know that he constantly…

What can I say? He…

…has a liking for Sami women.

Are you considering leaving him?

- He has never treated me badly. - So, what's the problem?

I have my own needs.

Needs that go unfulfilled and evolve into fantasies.

What are these fantasies?

It's easier for me to help you if you can…

…be a bit more specific.