Copyright 2008 by Ronald L. Ecker
All Right Reserved
Log line: The tragic love story of the troubled 19th-century Danish writer Soren Kierkegaard and the beautiful Regine Olsen.
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FADE IN:
INT. A DANISH MANSION - SITTING ROOM - DAY (1897)
White-haired REGINE, 76, in a black silk dress, is interviewed
by journalist RAPHAEL MEYER, 29. Both are Danish.
MEYER
When did you first meet Soren
Kierkegaard?
REGINE
I met him at the home of Bolette
Rordam. I was only fifteen. I got
to know him two years later, when I
guess he thought I was old enough
to court.
MEYER
What year was that?
REGINE
Well, I was seventeen . . .
EXT. COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - DAY (1838)
PEOPLE walk or ride in horse-drawn carts and carriages in the
port city’s downtown Nytorv (”New Market”) Square. There’s
a fountain in the center of the cobblestoned square.
REGINE (V.O.) (cont'd)
It would have been eighteen thirty
eight. Soren was a university
student in those days. You might
say he was a perpetual university
student.
During this, SUPERIMPOSE:
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
INT. MUSIC TEACHER'S HOME - DAY
Pretty YOUNG REGINE OLSEN, 17, has a singing lesson with her
MUSIC TEACHER, 50, while Regine's girlfriend THRINE DAHL,
17, sits listening.
MUSIC TEACHER
No, Regine, sing from here. Sing
from the diaphragm.
Regine tries again.
INT. PLEISCH'S TEAROOM - DAY
SOREN KIERKEGAARD, 24, looks at the time on his pocket watch.
Sitting alone at a table, Soren is slim, with a pleasant
face. Wearing a buttoned coat, he holds a bamboo walking
stick, his top hat on the table. Other PATRONS are in b.g.
Soren expectantly watches PASSERSBY on Amagertorv, one of the
city's main streets, through the front window.
He sees Regine passing by on the street with Thrine. Soren
grabs his hat and rises, taking money from a pocket for his
coffee.
EXT. AMAGERTORV STREET - DAY
Regine and Thrine walk, unaware that Soren - greeting friends
and acquaintances among PASSERSBY - follows them.
EXT. JANSEN HOME - DAY
Soren watches as Regine says goodbye to Thrine and enters the
two-story Jansen home. Thrine proceeds down the street.
Soren stops by the home and regards it.
A YOUNG MAN ON THE STREET walks by from a neighboring house.
Soren points with his cane toward Jansen's.
SOREN
Excuse me. Can you tell me who
lives at this address?
YOUNG MAN
That's Mrs. Jansen, sir.
SOREN
Thank you.
Soren seems unsure what to do next. Then an upper window
opens and MRS. JANSEN, 68, beats some dust from a cloth.
Soren tips his hat with a smile.
SOREN (cont'd)
Good afternoon. Mrs. Jansen, I
believe.
MRS. JANSEN
Good afternoon. Do I know you, sir?
SOREN
I am Soren Kierkegaard. My father
is Michael.
MRS. JANSEN
Oh, yes, I certainly know your
father! I bought so many clothes
from him, before he sold his
business. How is he?
SOREN
He is well. And he has often
spoken kindly of you.
MRS. JANSEN
So you are his son.
SOREN
The youngest of two surviving.
MRS. JANSEN
Would you like to come in for a
fresh cup of tea?
INT. JANSEN HOME - A SITTING ROOM - DAY
Soren sits sipping his tea while Mrs. Jansen knits.
MRS. JANSEN
I am flattered, Mister Kierkegaard,
that you would want to spend some
time chatting with an old lady
like me.
SOREN
Why do you think that I wouldn't?
MRS. JANSEN
Well, you must have many friends
your own age at the university
and all.
SOREN
Why, madam, I would much rather
talk with you older ladies than
with those young fellows, so full
of themselves. You should hear
their pretentious discussions of
Hegel, or of Schleiermacher, or
of liberalism, or of censorship
of the press.
MRS. JANSEN
What do you like to talk about with
us older ladies?
SOREN
Why, it doesn't matter. Some good
family gossip, the weather, or how
much milk it takes to produce a
pound of butter.
Regine enters the room with her cousin HENRIETTE, 18. Soren
rises.
MRS. JANSEN
Mister Kierkegaard, this is
my niece Regine Olsen, and my
grandchild Henriette.
SOREN
I am pleased to meet you, Henriette.
HENRIETTE
Likewise, Mister Kierkegaard.
SOREN
Regine, haven't we met before?
They sit down.
REGINE
Yes. At the home of the Rordams,
about two years ago. A group of
us girls were there. And you came
by to borrow a book, I believe.
SOREN
I remember. To return a book,
actually. I do such odd things,
returning things that I borrow.
REGINE
I believe you were seeing Bolette.
SOREN
Yes. Till she saw the last of me.
REGINE
She asked you to speak to us.
SOREN
What did I speak of?
REGINE
I don't remember. I just remember
how the words seemed to flow like
a stream.
SOREN
I remember your face, your expression.
You know how some images stick in your
mind?
REGINE
Yes.
HENRIETTE
I was there too.
(mock hurt)
But you don't remember me.
SOREN
Why, if Regine had not grabbed my
attention first, I would have been
absorbed by your presence.
Regine and Henriette giggle.
REGINE
You know, my parents have open house
once a week. Wednesday evenings.
You are welcome to come, Soren.
SOREN
I would like that.
MRS. JANSEN
Her father is State Councillor
Olsen.
SOREN
I know him. I would like that
indeed. One Wednesday evening I
just might show up.
A beat, Soren gazing at Regine. She rises.
REGINE
Well, Auntie, I'll be running along
now.
Soren rises.
SOREN
You are going home, are you?
REGINE
Yes. I was on my way home from my
music lesson, but I had to tell
Henriette something.
SOREN
Well then, let me walk you. I was
out walking anyway, as I do every
day in this fair town of ours.
Soren takes a last sip of tea.
SOREN (cont'd)
Mrs. Jansen, you should open a
tearoom. I would be your best
customer.
MRS. JANSEN
Oh, Mister Kierkegaard, really.
EXT. THE OLSENS' STREET (BORSGADE) - DAY
Soren and Regine chat as they walk on Borsgade. There is a
row of four-story gabled mansions on one side of the street,
and a canal on the other.
REGINE
My sister is the oldest, then my
brother and me. And you?
SOREN
One surviving brother. Gone are
two brothers, and three sisters.
REGINE
You mean they've all died?
SOREN
Yes. All five. Would you believe
there's a curse on the family? I
must warn you.
REGINE
My goodness. Are you sure it's a
curse, Soren?
They stop at the front door of the Olsen mansion.
SOREN
None of them lived past the age of
Christ. Thirty-three.
A pause, Soren gazing at her, Regine seemingly not knowing
what to say.
SOREN (cont'd)
I enjoyed the walk with you.
REGINE
I enjoyed it too.
SOREN
Well, that was the purpose.
Regine opens the door.
SOREN (cont'd)
It was a pleasure to meet you again,
Regine.
REGINE
Don't forget the open houses.
SOREN
How could I? I may see you this
Wednesday. Goodbye.
Soren starts to go.
REGINE
Soren . . . How did you happen to
be at my aunt's house?
SOREN
Do you know what I think? An angel
led me there. Do you believe in
angels?
REGINE
Yes, I suppose so.
SOREN
So do I.
Soren moves off, Regine watching him.
EXT. THE KIERKEGAARD HOME (NO. 2 NYTORV) - NIGHT
The four-story town house stands next to the courthouse on Nytorv
Square. A few PEOPLE move about.
INT. DINING ROOM - NIGHT
At a long dinner table, Soren dines in silence with his white
haired father MICHAEL KIERKEGAARD, 82, and Soren's brother
PETER KIERKEGAARD, 33. A middle-aged HOUSEKEEPER attends.
Michael breaks the silence as they eat.
MICHAEL
Soren, have you given any further
thought to taking the theological
exam?
SOREN
No, Father, I haven't.
MICHAEL
Have you given any thought to
taking any sort of exam?
SOREN
Not anytime soon, Father. It
requires much preparation.
MICHAEL
Are you attending any university
lectures at all?
SOREN
Why, yes, Father, ask my brother
the professor. He sees me there
now and then.
PETER
Yes. Usually lying on the couch
in the student union.
SOREN
A good place to think.
PETER
Or to get over a hangover.
SOREN
That too. I am also busy at present,
working on a rather long essay, which
I hope to have published.
PETER
An essay on what?
SOREN
Hans Christian Andersen.
MICHAEL
(beat)
Hans Christian Andersen?
SOREN
Yes. My thesis being, as an author
he totally lacks a life view.
PETER
No "life view"? He is unlike you, I
suppose. Do you have a life view,
Soren?
SOREN
Yes, Peter, I do, though not the
subject of the essay. My life
view? Why, the darkest
Christianity imaginable, instilled
in me by my father from the
earliest age. What else would you
expect?
MICHAEL
We have all sinned, my son, and
fall short of the glory of God.
SOREN
There, you see? This fear of hell
and damnation in which you raised
me, Father - depriving me of a
childhood - still weighs on my soul
every day. For how does one get
rid of it? I am just as unhappy as
you are. Doesn't that please you?
PETER
Have you finished? Must you sit
there and mock our father?
SOREN
Mock him? Nonsense. If someone
should be mocked, it is me. Let
me tell you a secret - yes, there
should be no secrets in what is
left of this curséd family. Am
I seen as a prodigal son? I have
friends who view me as a carefree
bon vivant. But it's all just a
pretense. I can go to a party and
be the soul of wit, I can entertain
everyone there - then go home and
want to shoot myself. That is the
secret. But you needn't fear. For
suicides go to hell, do they not?
So there is no escape from this
situation. I am finished now,
Peter.
Michael has a downcast look. Peter stares at Soren.
MICHAEL
I will pay the rent for your
apartment, for one more year.
SOREN
Thank you, Father.
MICHAEL
Do you need more money yet?
SOREN
Yes, Father. I could use about
fifty rixdollars, thank you.
MICHAEL
I fear, Soren, that nothing will
become of you, as long as you have
any money.
SOREN
Yes, Father.
Silence again descends.
INT. JANSEN HOME - DAY
Regine stands beside Mrs. Jansen as the latter prepares tea
for TWO ELDERLY LADIES in b.g.
REGINE
Auntie, why was Soren Kierkegaard
here yesterday?
MRS. JANSEN
Well, I saw him standing outside,
and he introduced himself.
REGINE
What did you talk about with him?
MRS. JANSEN
Well, we didn't have time to talk
about much before - Regine, do you
think he was here to meet you?
REGINE
I've been wondering. Do you know
what he told me? That an angel led
him here.
MRS. JANSEN
Why, that silver-tongued devil.
REGINE
But he told me there's a curse on
his family.
MRS. JANSEN
A curse?
REGINE
So many deaths, at young ages. Isn't
that odd, that he would want to meet
me and walk me home, and then try to
scare me off?
MRS. JANSEN
I don't know. If there's a curse
around, I would want to be told.
INT. AN INN - A PRIVATE DINING ROOM - NIGHT
Soren, EMIL BOESEN (24), ANDREAS (25), JOHANNES (24), and
JULIUS (23) are tipsy on wine, a couple of them still
nibbling food. They laugh, all seated except Julius.
ANDREAS
Sit down, Julius, I believe you've
exhausted the subject.
JOHANNES
He has exhausted me, that's for sure.
Julius gladly sits down.
ANDREAS
And now we come to Soren Kierkegaard.
On your feet, S.K.
Soren rises, a glass of wine in hand.
ANDREAS (cont'd)
Soren will speak to us all about -
what? . . . Not everyone at once.
Emil?
EMIL
Talk to us about life, Soren.
SOREN
You want me to talk about life?
Well, let's start with mine. I
was born in eighteen thirteen -
the year the state of Denmark went
bankrupt. I confess. There were
so many counterfeit bills going
round, I might as well be considered
one of them.
Soren sips while the others laugh.
SOREN (cont'd)
The thing about life is, it only
makes sense looking back. But you
can only live it moving forward.
Which makes it hard to know what
to do. We must make absurd choices.
Soren sips again. He becomes serious.
SOREN (cont'd)
Looking back . . . Imagine that you
are a father - an old one at that,
with a tormented soul, almost sixty
when your youngest is born. You
show this young child - and he is
only a child - a picture of the
crucified Christ.
INTERCUT WITH: A STARK IMAGE OF THE CRUCIFIXION
A handheld print of Grunewald's dark painting "Crucifixion,"
with the distorted body, the elongated arms, and John the
Baptist, with a Bible in hand, pointing at Christ suffering
on the cross.
SOREN (cont'd)
You tell him that this is the
Savior. But the child doesn't know
what that means. You tell him this
crucified man was the most loving
man who has ever lived.
INTERCUT WITH: INT. A STUDY - NIGHT
Dimly lit. 5-YEAR-OLD SOREN looks bewildered, almost
frightened, by the stark image of Christ he is shown by
his 63-year-old father.
SOREN (cont'd)
And the child will naturally ask,
why were they so mean to him then?
And the child will wonder why God
in heaven did nothing to prevent
this. And this picture was the
only impression the child had of
the Savior. It would follow him
throughout his life, he could never
get away from it. The more dread
he had of Christianity, the more
he was drawn to it. This dreadful
image seemed to require something
of him.
END INTERCUT as the adult Soren continues,
SOREN (cont'd)
What then should I make of my life?
Please my father, become a pastor
in the state church of Denmark?
What does God want me to do? What
good would it do me to discover
some great objective truth, if it
doesn't then become part of me?
That, you see, is what I lack in
this life. A truth that is true
for me. An idea - something - for
which I can live and die.
EXT. A CARRIAGE - NIGHT
Soren, Emil, Johannes, and Julius enjoy more wine - they have
brought along a bottle and glasses - as COACHMAN #1 drives
them in an open horse carriage toward town.
SOREN
Emil, do you know Terkild Olsen?
The state councillor?
EMIL
I know of him. Why?
SOREN
He has a lovely daughter.
JULIUS
Here's to lovely daughters.
EMIL
Whatever happened to Bolette,
Soren?
SOREN
Did something happen to her?
Johannes and Julius laugh. Johannes offers to refill Soren's
glass.
JOHANNES
Have some more wine, S.K.
SOREN
What do you suppose Andreas is up
to? Why did he leave us?
Johannes and Julius both seem amused, as if sharing a secret.
JULIUS
I guess we'll find out soon enough.
INT. A BROTHEL - OLGA'S ROOM - NIGHT
Andreas gives some money to the MADAM, 50, while OLGA, 28, a
fairly attractive prostitute in a red frilly robe, stands by.
ANDREAS
This is a surprise for our friend,
and it may be his first time.
MADAM
He will be in good hands. Olga can
be full of surprises.
Andreas looks at Olga as she smiles.
ANDREAS
Yes, I wouldn't be surprised.
EXT. BROTHEL - NIGHT
It's an ordinary-looking two-story house from outside, as
Soren and his three companions arrive in the carriage.
Andreas appears and steps to the side of the carriage.
ANDREAS
Welcome, lads! Come along inside.
You first, Soren.
When Soren, a bit drunker than before, is out of the
carriage, Andreas takes his arm and distracts his attention
from the house as they walk toward it.
ANDREAS (cont'd)
Soren, I hear you're writing
something about Hans Christian
Andersen.
SOREN
Yes.
ANDREAS
What is it you're saying about him?
Johannes and Julius smile knowingly as they follow Andreas
and Soren. Emil, walking last, seems to have misgivings.
INT. BROTHEL - NIGHT
Andreas leads Soren directly from the front room to the
stairs, the others following.
ANDREAS
Let's go on upstairs, shall we?
The madam watches approvingly as they start up the steps.
Soren looks around, apparently with some drunken sense of
deja vu, as they walk up the stairs.
SOREN
Is this Mrs. Jansen's?
ANDREAS
Why, yes - yes, it is Mrs. Jansen's.
They reach the top of the stairs.
ANDREAS (cont'd)
This first door here is her
daughter's room.
(knocks on the door)
You wait here with her, Soren,
and we'll be back soon.
Olga, still in her robe, opens the door from inside the room
and smiles at them.
ANDREAS (cont'd)
(to Olga)
Entertain our friend, will you?
OLGA
That's what we're here for.
Andreas turns back toward the stairs.
SOREN
Where are you going?
ANDREAS
To find Mrs. Jansen.
OLGA
(to Soren)
Come on in, dear.
INT. OLGA'S ROOM - NIGHT
Soren, hat in hand, looks around as Olga closes the door.
OLGA
Let me take your hat, dear.
Soren hands the hat to her.
OLGA (cont'd)
I'm Olga. Your name is Soren?
SOREN
Soren Kierkegaard. I have been
here before.
OLGA
Have you? It is not your first
time?
SOREN
Well, it was not in this room.
OLGA
No, I don't remember you being here.
I'm sure that I would. What would
you like, Soren?
SOREN
What would I like?
OLGA
What can I do for you?
SOREN
Can you play a little Mozart?
Olga laughs, as she leads Soren to the bed.
OLGA
I don't have a piano or harp, and we
have no orchestra. Sit down here.
Soren sits down on the bed.
OLGA (cont'd)
Go ahead and lie down.
She pushes on him, Soren reclining.
SOREN
But I might go to sleep.
Olga opens her robe.
OLGA
Oh, I'll try to keep you awake.
She shows off in her corset.
SOREN
What are you doing?
OLGA
I'm going to take off my things,
dear. Shouldn't you start doing
the same?
SOREN
What if Mrs. Jansen comes in?
OLGA
There is no Mrs. Jansen.
Olga gets on the bed with Soren, and gives his shirt a tug.
OLGA (cont'd)
Come on, dear, let's get undressed.
SOREN
There is no Mrs. Jansen?
OLGA
Don't you like this surprise? It
was arranged by your friends.
SOREN
You aren't her daughter.
(looks around)
Am I in a brothel?
OLGA
Where did you think you were?
Olga starts to unbutton Soren's shirt.
SOREN
No! Get your hands off me!
Soren scrambles up off the bed.
OLGA
What's wrong with you?
SOREN
My God. The sins of my father.
OLGA
What?
SOREN
I have to get out of here.
OLGA
There's the door. Go ahead and
get out.
Before Soren reaches the door, his legs seem to buckle and
he falls to his knees.
OLGA (cont'd)
Get up and get out of here.
As Soren stays down, on his hands and knees, Olga sees that
something is wrong, as he's shaking. She leans down to him.
OLGA (cont'd)
Are you all right?
Olga starts to put a hand on his back. Then she suddenly
steps back as if repulsed.
OLGA (cont'd)
Do you have the falling sickness?
Soren, through shaking, slowly gets up on one knee, then
rises to his feet. He walks out, Olga watching him.
EXT. BROTHEL - NIGHT
Soren's four friends wait by the carriage. Soren comes out
of the house.
ANDREAS
Soren! Why so quick?
SOREN
Damn you! You bastards!
ANDREAS
Soren -
SOREN
How could you do that? Do you know
what it means?
Soren, still a bit unsteady, walks away.
ANDREAS
Soren, wait. Where are you going?
SOREN
Home.
EMIL
Soren, wait. We will take you.
SOREN
I would rather walk.
Olga appears at an upstairs window.
OLGA
Here, your friend forgot his hat.
Olga throws the hat down, Julius catching it.
INT. SOREN'S LOVSTRAEDE APARTMENT - DAY (NEXT MORNING)
Soren, still clothed from the night before, stirs awake on
his bed in the second-floor apartment. It's raining outside
with thunder.
Soren continues to lie in bed, as if in despair on top of a
hangover.
EXT. THE STREET (LOVSTRAEDE) - DAY
In the rain, under flashes of lightning and rumbles of thunder,
someone with an umbrella and Soren's hat walks to 7 Lovstraede.
INT. THE APARTMENT - DAY
Soren, disheveled, answers the door. Outside stands Emil.
EMIL
You forgot your hat last night.
(hands it to Soren)
I tried not to get it wet.
SOREN
Thank you. Would you like to come
in?
EMIL
I'm on my way to a lecture. Soren,
that brothel last night, I knew
nothing about it - where we were
going.
SOREN
I understand.
EMIL
Andreas said to tell you he's sorry.
SOREN
Tell him I forgive him.
EMIL
Are you all right?
SOREN
Yes. Thank you.
Emil nods and turns to go.
EXT. OLSEN MANSION - NIGHT
It's slightly foggy as Soren, with top hat and cane, stops in
front of the Olsen mansion.
A few GUESTS can be seen through a living-room window.
Soren stands gazing at the window. His cane falls from his
hand. He looks down at the hand. It is shaking.
Soren stoops and picks up the cane. There are footsteps.
Rising, he is joined by gentleman FRITZ SCHLEGEL, 28.
SCHLEGEL
Mister Kierkegaard.
SOREN
Good evening, Mister Schlegel.
SCHLEGEL
Going to the Olsens' open house?
SOREN
No. I was just passing by.
Schlegel proceeds to the front door and knocks.
A young OLSEN MAID answers the door, and Schlegel goes in,
while Soren watches.
Soren gazes at the window a moment longer. He flexes his
hand, and moves off down the street.
INT. OLSEN MANSION - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Several GUESTS are at open house, hosted by TERKILD OLSEN,
38, and MRS. OLSEN, 37.
Regine enters. She looks around, as if for someone she hopes
to see. She nods to a guest, then sees Schlegel, drinking
coffee. Smiling, he rises from his chair. She walks over.
REGINE
Hello, Fritz.
SCHLEGEL
Good evening, Regine. Will you
join me?
REGINE
Of course.
They sit down together.
SCHLEGEL
There is something I've been wanting
to tell you, my dear. You were
always my favorite pupil.
REGINE
Well thank you. And you are a
marvelous teacher.
Regine looks around again.
SCHLEGEL
Are you expecting someone?
REGINE
Sort of. I mean he was invited.
Do you know Soren Kierkegaard?
SCHLEGEL
When I came here this evening, he
was standing outside. Claimed he
was just passing by. Dropped his
cane. I think he may have been
drunk. Do you know him well?
REGINE
Well, I haven't known him for long.
He was standing outside?
SCHLEGEL
A rather odd fellow. Walks the
streets every day, as if he has
nothing better to do. Perhaps
he doesn't. His wealthy father
supports him. If I were his
father, I would tell him to go
find a charity.
INT. MUSIC TEACHER'S HOME - DAY
Regine has another singing lesson with her music teacher, while
Thrine waits.
MUSIC TEACHER
No, Regine. Remember, sing from
here.
EXT. AMAGERTORV STREET - DAY
Regine and Thrine walk their usual route after Regine's music
lesson.
THRINE
What are you going to do if Fritz
Schlegel proposes?
REGINE
I don't know.
THRINE
Well what do you really think of
him?
REGINE
I'm not in love with him, if that's
what you mean. But I have always
liked him.
THRINE
But you're waiting on Soren.
REGINE
I haven't said that.
THRINE
What makes you think Soren might
propose?
REGINE
Well, he followed me to my aunt's,
I think, and then walked me home.
And it's the way that he talked.
THRINE
He could charm all the girls.
REGINE
So who is he charming? Do you know?
THRINE
The only one I've known about is
Bolette.
REGINE
Bolette. That was two years ago.
THRINE
Has Soren been once to your open
house?
REGINE
No, but he wanted to. He was seen
outside.
THRINE
Well did someone not let him in?
If you wait for Soren, and he never
proposes, you could lose out on
both.
REGINE
Well it won't be the end of the
world. I don't think I'll be an
old maid.
THRINE
No. But it would be the end of Soren.
You might die of a broken heart.
INT. PLEISCH'S TEAROOM - DAY
Soren, at the same table as before, this time with Emil,
looks out the window. Other PATRONS are in b.g.
SOREN
There, Emil.
Emil looks. Regine walks by outside with Thrine.
SOREN (cont'd)
I have watched her each week go
home from her music lesson. Once I
dared to follow her. You, my old
childhood friend, are the only one
I can show her to.
EXT. AMAGERTORV STREET - DAY
Soren and Emil walk together.
EMIL
Why don't you go after her, Soren?
SOREN
You mean marry her? Don't you know
that there are but two of us left,
my brother Peter and I? And that
our father, who is eighty-two years
old, is fated to outlive us both?
Emil looks quizzically at Soren.
EMIL
You don't know that.
SOREN
Yes, I do. It's a curse.
EMIL
And that's why you can't marry?
SOREN
It would be irresponsible.
They stop at a corner where they are to part ways.
SOREN (cont'd)
I will see you tomorrow, Emil.
Soren starts to walk off.
EMIL
Soren . . . What is the source of
this "curse"?
SOREN
I can't talk about it, outside of
the family. Do you want to know a
favorite Bible verse? "The father
has eaten sour grapes, and the
children's teeth are set on edge."
Soren walks away, Emil watching him.
INT. SOREN'S LOVSTRAEDE APARTMENT - NIGHT
Soren, drinking a glass of wine, sits trying to read a book.
He gives up in disinterest. He seems totally at loose ends.
There is an urgent knocking on the door. Rising, Soren goes
to the door and opens it.
Outside Soren finds Peter's servant ANDERS, 21.
SOREN
Anders, what is it?
ANDERS
Your brother sent me. It's your
father. He seems gravely ill.
INT. MICHAEL'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Michael lies semiconscious in bed. Peter sits prayerfully at
the bedside. A DOCTOR, 55, sits on the other side.
Soren enters. The doctor rises and walks over to him.
DOCTOR
He passed out today. He refuses to
go to the hospital. I think your
father is simply worn out.
INT. A SITTING ROOM - NIGHT
Soren sits alone with a glass of sherry, the decanter nearby.
Peter steps to the decanter and pours himself some sherry.
He sits down across from Soren.
PETER
If he dies, will that settle the
curse for you?
SOREN
But that is just it. How can he
die, before you and I do?
PETER
You really believe that. You are
convinced there's a curse.
SOREN
I know that our father has been
convinced. Has there not been
enough death to convince even you?
PETER
And what brought about this curse?
You believe it, unless I'm mistaken,
because our father, quite the
rounder in his day, had to marry
our mother the housemaid, not long
after his first wife's demise.
SOREN
What an earthquake that was in my
life, the day I learned the truth
about Father and Mother.
PETER
Is that all there is to it?
SOREN
Yes, that's all there is to it, I
suppose, as unjust as it may seem.
You and I and all of our siblings
came into existence against God's
will. Because of our father's sin.
And save you and me, all have paid
the price. So believes our father.
I am inclined to believe it myself.
Soren finishes his sherry and sets aside the glass.
PETER
He never told you about the Jutland
moor?
Soren looks quizzically at Peter.
SOREN
The Jutland moor? What about it?
Rising, Peter refills Soren's empty glass, hands it to him,
then pours more sherry for himself.
PETER
As he told it to me, when our father
was about twelve years old - a dirt-
poor shepherd boy from the village
of Sedding in Jutland - he was
tending their few sheep one day
on the moor. Miserable as always,
cold and hungry, the boy finally
had all he could take. He raised
a fist to the heavens, and cursed
Almighty God.
SOREN
How? What did he say?
PETER
Oh, I don't know the words. He
didn't tell me that.
Peter sits down.
PETER (cont'd)
But very soon after his cursing of
God, he received the great news
that he was being sent to Copenhagen,
to work for his uncle, because
there were too many mouths to feed
in Sedding. You know the story.
Father worked for his uncle here,
learned the hosiery trade, set up
his own business, and became a rich
man. It all seemed too good to be
true. And it was. In his prosperity
he had seven children - but then one
by one they were taken from him, and
then the wife too, till there were
left only you and myself. All of
his wealth meant nothing, could not
assuage his guilt, his torment and
grief. All through the years, you
see, since he was twelve years old,
our father has believed that on
the Jutland moor he committed the
unpardonable sin.
Soren rises impulsively.
SOREN
But it isn't so. There is no
unpardonable sin. I don't care
what he said to God on the moor.
PETER
Then there is no curse.
SOREN
And all of the deaths?
PETER
Misfortune. An unfair lot in life.
Nothing more, nothing less.
SOREN
And none of them - none of them -
lived past the age of Christ.
PETER
No. I am thirty-three, Soren. I
don't plan to die soon. It is time
to put away the Kierkegaard family
curse.
Soren gazes thoughtfully at his brother.
INT. MICHAEL'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Soren sits close at the bedside. He places his hand on
Michael's hand, which lies on Michael's chest.
SOREN
Father . . .
Michael opens his eyes. He looks weakly, fondly at Soren.
SOREN (cont'd)
How can I say how much I owe you?
I owe you my life. The greatest
debt of all is to owe one's life to
another. It is a debt that cannot
be repaid, or even fathomed. I
am glad that I am your greatest
debtor. And remember this, Father.
God forgives, and forgets. Even
God, being all-powerful, can forget
our sins if he wills it. As long
as we are repentant before him.
Are you truly repentant, Father?
Michael weakly nods "yes."
SOREN (cont'd)
Then that's all that matters.
EXT. A CEMETERY - DAY
Soren, Peter, and other MOURNERS (including the Lunds, who
will be met later) are gathered around the casket. BISHOP
JAKOB MYNSTER, 65, officiates.
MYNSTER
The Lord bless thee and keep thee,
the Lord make his face shine upon
thee, and be gracious unto thee,
the Lord lift up his countenance
upon thee, and give thee peace.
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