Unruly (Ustyrlig)

COPENHAGEN, 1933

UNRULY

Not that one.

This round is for Andersson. -Wallensten cheats.

I think I...

Maren?

Shouldn't we go home?

Was it that bad?

Maren... -Hold on.

If you want to go home, go.

How dare you come home so late?

Put on your sweater. Stop squealing, Sigrid.

Look who we have there.

Where have you been?

At Helga's.

Where did you get that?

Are you a thief?

And a whore? -Why?

Are you going with those other bitches gossiping about me?

You can't go to the factory like that. I'll call in sick.

You do, I don't care.

You can't go on like this, Maren.

A letter from Director Christiansen.

You can't fire me.

The director decided so.

But I make almost no mistakes.

You have been late nine times this month and sick four times.

Can I go talk to the director?

Go get your stuff.

Maren... -Don't.

I'll talk to the director. -Leave it.

But otherwise we won't make ends meet. -Ejnar doesn't have a job either.

Are you kicking me in the street?

You ruin it for yourself. I do talk...

I refuse to rot away in a sewing shop, just like you.

I understand that Dad left.

I'm sorry.

I just want to help you. I am afraid that you'll end up on the street.

I can manage myself just fine.

Hello. -Is your mother home?

There's a lady in front of you.

Hello, Mrs. Rasmussen. I am from the child protection agency.

Can we talk for a minute?

Yes, of course. Kaj, Ruth, Sigrid, come here a minute.

Sitting and being quiet. Clear?

Apologies for the mess. Please be seated.

Is your husband at home?

I've come to talk about Maren. Will I come back when he's home?

He...

I don't know where he is.

Is Maren at home?

When was the last time she was home?

A few days ago.

Is she gone for the first time?

We were approached by the vice police.

I understand she was fired?

We want to intervene now, before she goes down a bad path.

They...

She is not a...

...prostitute.

Some of your neighbors confirm that Maren is profligate.

With such behavior, without work, she will be arrested for vagrancy.

Does she get convicted when she's 18, she ends up in prison.

Sorry.

It must be hard, being alone with the kids.

I don't know what to do with Maren.

They...

I am not in control of her.

She ran away twice, in five days.

One time she had fought, the police had to bring her back.

Why is she here?

Debauchery and vagrancy. -And her family?

Father is an alcoholic and a bum.

Four siblings. No sign of weakness.

Training?

Basic Education. But with caveats.

She once attacked a teacher.

Hello, Maren.

Please, sit down.

I am Hans Otto Wildenskov, chief medical officer of the Keller Institute.

I am not retarded.

I have come to examine you. I'm going to ask you a few questions.

Do you understand what I am saying?

Yes. Do you understand what I'm saying?

I am not retarded.

Right.

Can you name the days of the week, starting with the first day?

What does that have to do with it?

It doesn't matter if this question fails.

We'll try the next one. Can you count backwards from 20 to 0?

Can you explain the difference between glass and paper?

These are simple questions, Maren. You can do better, I think.

You haven't had it easy, that's why we want to help you.

I don't need help, I want to talk to my mother.

Maren, you are now under child protection.

Your mother no longer has custody.

What does that mean?

That the child welfare agency Has full custody of you.

The headmistress wants me to determine how we can best help you.

Shall we start over?

Thanks.

She is somewhat retarded and maladjusted.

She is also dissolute and prone to wandering.

Our institution on the island is the right place for her.

Shall I inquire at Sprogø?

Yes, that seems fine to me.

Thank you, Dr. Wildenskov. -No thanks.

Hello, Maren.

I am Miss Nielsen, director of Sprogø women's home.

Shall I give you a hand? -No, thanks.

This is Maren. -Hello.

This is Miss Ahlefeldt-Laurvig, the administrator.

Come with me. I'll show you where you're staying.

A mistake has been made. I am not retarded.

Now come with me.

Had a good trip?

Wait here. I'll put your suitcase away and go get Sørine.

You share a room, she will tell you everything else.

How long do I have to stay?

Wait here, I'll get Sørine.

She is a very sweet girl, I'm sure you'll get along fine.

You had to wait for me in the garden.

And don't touch anything, you have to wash first.

I washed yesterday.

First wash and de-louse.

I was deloused in the asylum.

These are the rules. Come with me.

Come with me.

What tangles.

Here we comb our hair every day, and Miss Nielsen sees to that.

We wash once a week and soak for at least a minute.

Until you are in order, you can borrow a dress here.

I have my own clothes with me.

Those have been saved.

Why? -Such are the rules.

You sit here. Not until everyone is here.

Stop it, Elise. We're sick of it.

Only sing when asked.

Sorry. But I just love the song about that butterfly is just so cute.

Do you like it too? -Yes.

Elise, don't sing now. -No...

Oh, no. -Let me. Elise...

Give those shards to me. She has a piece of glass.

Give me that shard.

That's enough, Elise.

Come on. Sørine?

Take a seat, girls.

What about Elise?

You have to fold your clothes.

No, not like that. You have to get it right.

Where did they take her?

The reflection room, to calm down.

Move aside.

The light should go out now.

Sleep well.

This is the sewing room.

Models hang here. You are new, so you may sew three dresses for yourself.

You choose the fabric, it's right here.

Do we need to make those models?

There are no rules for that.

New girls usually make those , because they're easy.

But so I get to make my own dress?

Yes. But again, those models are easy.

Or are they not good enough?

If I can choose for myself, I'd rather make something nicer.

There are no rules for dresses.

Can I work anywhere else than in the sewing room?

I thought you liked it there.

Did something happen? -No.

But I think it would be good to work on other skills.

I haven't been been in the kitchen or the garden.

Sørine, you were supposed to help Maren find her place here?

And help her with her new dresses?

Yes, of course.

But I thought that after that...

Is Maren being difficult?

No. No, it's not.

I don't think Maren wants any help with her new dresses.

Sørine, I'm sure you remember how difficult it was in the beginning.

You didn't always know what was good for you.

Sorry, I'm sorry.

I feel so stupid.

Sørine...

Someone who has advanced so much, has a certain responsibility.

I am grateful to you for everything, Miss Nielsen.

I will do my best to help Maren.

We have to make a reverence.

Hello, girls. -Hello, doctor.

I have something for you.

Hello. Just walk with me, I'll show you what to do.

How kind of you, doctor. -I'm happy to do it, Miss Nielsen.

At work, girls. -Come, Maren.

How exciting it all is. -Calm down, Elise.

Don't you like music?

Not that dull music on the radio.

Well, duty calls. Thank Dr. Wildenskov.

Thank you, Dr. Wildenskov.

That was very thoughtful of you.

Hello, Maren. Sit down.

How long do I have to stay here?