MELANCHOLIA Lars von Trier
Part 1 JUSTINE
Sir...
You can back up a little more, if you want... I think you need that extra...
I don't know if he can hear you.
Sir? Can you hear me up there?
You copy, sailor?
He's in a different county...
It's like, five feet.
And now he stops. He's got five feet here.
That's good, that's good. Stop, stop, stop!
Wait, wait, wait!
A little close. Keep going a little bit. Oh no, no, no.
- Please be careful. It's not my car.
I promise.
Turn around, to the left, sir, please. Stop there, sir.
Straighten up, sir.
Yeah. But I think I'm good now, right?
You're not even looking.
Well, I can see it's not looking good.
-...like really close on that side. - Really?
Yeah. Don't go any further forward. Just straight.
How do I put it in?
What?
This way?
Brilliant. Come on.
Sorry.
Yes, I know.
We're sorry.
I won't even bother to say how late you are.
So sorry. Really, sorry.
Hello.
Hi, Claire. So sorry.
Hello.
Thought we were taking something smaller.
Whose brilliant idea was it to want a stretch?
This is very much not my project.
I spent the whole week with the dullest man on earth.
Not to mention the most expensive wedding planner on the planet.
Okay, so you... you want this?
Yeah, of course.
'Cos we're only there. That was two hours ago.
What star is that?
I don't know.
John, you're a bit of an expert on stars, ain't you?
Ah, I wouldn't say that.
Yes, you would.
Which one are you looking exactly?
The red one.
I'm amazed that you can see that.
That's Antares. It is the main star in the Scorpio constellation.
Justine...
Oh, we just have to go to the stables and say hi to Abraham.
- No, you're not... - Oh, yes.
Who's Abraham?
Abraham! Look, I'm married.
Michael is my husband now.
I'm sure you two will like each other.
Nice to meet you.
I'm his mistress. I'm the only one who can ride him.
That's not exactly true.
What? Occasionally I take him for a ride.
See you later.
I can no longer be silent. All the guests are waiting for more than two hours.
I know.
I'm at the end of my rope.
Welcome to the reception Mr. Steinam, Mr. Marko.
- Thanks - Thank you, little Father.
Would you be so good as to participate in the wedding bean lottery?
Of course.
Please submit your bid as to the total number of beans in the bottle.
Two million and six beans.
And would you care to make a bid on behalf of your wife?
Oh, I don't dare to do that. I really don't.
Very well, we'll let madam's bid remain open.
We made it!
Hi mom.
Congratulations, Aunt Steelbreaker.
Thank you, Leo.
- What's this? - A dagger.
Let me introduce you. This is Betty... Betty.
Betty and Betty, this is my daughter, Justine.
- Hi, nice to meet you. - Nice to meet you.
- I'm just gonna say hi to everybody. - Of course you must.
Ladies and gentlemen...
We waited a while for this. A toast to the bride and the groom.
Justine and Michael.
The source is passed from left to right...
Left to right.
Justine, I don't want to make a speech.
Why? Please.
What do you do?
You'll see what I'll do.
Excuse me.
Neither of the ladies sitting next to me has been given a spoon.
And they'd very much like to have one.
Excuse me.
You're terrible.
Waiter.
Justine, would you mind slapping your father for me? Hard, please.
Tim.
Justine, listen up, goddammit.
As most of you know, I'm here tonight playing a sort of double role.
On Michael's side, I'm the best man.
And coincidentally, I'm also the employer of the bride.
I've got nothing bad to say about the groom, but...
the bride.
Justine...
you gorgeous woman,
where is my tag-line?
You were always great to come up with a tag-line in a hurry.
What happened?
Did your emotional life suddenly take over?
Did finding the man of your life render you unable to work?
- I'm just asking because, if I were to choose between
a woman for my dear friend Michael, and an employee...
I would always choose the employee.
Advertising, Justine, advertising.
Justine, you were way, way too good for advertising.
You know it, and I know it, and we all know it.
So thank you for stayng with it.
I'm gonna let you and the rest of you think about this tag-line now,
while I leak a bit of news.
Today the company hasn't lost a copy writer...
The company has gained a new art director.
And that's you, Justine.
Congratulations.
Goddammit, you earned it.
The father of the bride wants the word.
My dear girl, you look...
glowing today.
And me, I'm just a little confused what with all the Bettys at my table.
Never seen you look so happy.
So, what I can say without talking about your mother?
My wife of yesteryear.
Which is exactly what I don't wish to do.
But I don't think that I would be revealing any secret if I were to say
that she can be rather domineering, at times.
Domineering? What a load of crap!
For those who don't know who I am, I'm Claire and Justine's mother.
Justine, if you have any ambition at all,
it certainly doesn't come from your father's side of the family.
Yes...
I wasn't at the church. I don't believe in marriage.
Claire, who I've always taken for a sensible girl,
you've arranged this spectacular party.
- Till death do us part, and forever and ever... Justine and Michael.
I just have one thing to say...
Enjoy it while it lasts.
I myself hate marriages.
Gaby, please.
Especially when they involve some of my closest family members.
Why did you even bother coming?
Justine, come with me.
Listen to me, we agreed that you weren't going to make any scenes tonight.
We don't want any scenes.
No, we don't!
Look at me when I'm talking to you.
But I didn't do anything.
You know what I mean.
Catharine has demanded the floor.
Where is the bride?
I looked everywhere, no bride.
Now the groom is going to give a speech to the bride.
Dear Justine...
See what you're doingto me here? I'e never given a speech before.
I'm serious, I've never given a speech before.
Justine is the speaker. She can say the most wonderful things, but...
Then let her make the speech, damn it.
Justine...
I love you so much...
And I never even dreamed that I would have such a... such a gorgeous wife.
I blieve that I am... the luckiest man on earth.
I love you.
That's kind of it. That's all I have.
Hello, everyone. We're going move to the living room
so that we can clear some tables.
Then the newlyweds will dance.
And then, at 11:30, the bride and groom will cut the cake. In here.
If you want to sleep, you go to bed.
Sweetie, you did so good.
I want to do it.
- No, tonight's your night. - No, please.
- Are you sure? - Yeah, come on.
- Good night, sweetheart. - Come on, come here.
Comfy?
When are we gonna build caves together?
Oh, we're gonna build lots of caves together. Just not tonight.
'Cos you're my aunt Steelbreaker, aren't you?
Yes. That's exactly right, hon.
Justine...
Hi Claire.
I'm just taking a little nap.
Don't nap, it's your wedding.
You're not even half-way through yet.
No. You're right.
I have to pull myself together.
What's going on, Justine?
I'm... drudging through this... grey, woolly yarn,
that's clinging to my legs.
It's really heavy. To drag along.
No, you're not.
I know you hate to hear it.
Do not say a word to Michael.
No. You think I'm stupid?
I'll get her.
- And mom too. - Yeah.
Justine, it's John. We're ready to cut the cake, sweetheart.
Please come downstairs as soon as you can, okay?
Gaby...
Gaby, I'm sorry to disturb you, but we're ready to cut the cake.
When Justine took her first crap on the potty, I wasn't there.
When she had her first sexual intercourse, I wasn't there.
So give me a break, please, with all your fucking rituals.
You're fucking unbelievable.
Everybody thank you for being so patient.
We're just having a little issue with the wedding dress. She'll be right down.
Those bitches have locked themselves in their bedrooms and now they're taking a bath.
Is everybody in your family stark raving mad?
- This is embarrassing - I know.
We should have put showers in the guest wing. I've said it a hundred times.
For fuck's sake! If people want to linger in a bath, stay at home.
Here, we offer you an 18 hole golf course,
where else were they gonna get that?
Nowhere.
Unbelievable!
- That's it. She's out. - What, Justine?
Your mother.
Unbelievable!
She ruined my wedding. I will not look at her.
Outstanding.
I'm sorry.
No, don't say that.
You should never say you're sorry.
I can see that you're not feel well tonight.
I should have seen it already yesterday.
I haven't been taking care of you, lately.
It's my fault.
- Can we talk somewhere? - Of course.
Alright. Sit down please.
I wasn't gonna give you this until tomorrow.
I found our plot of land.
They're called Empire apples.
And they're bright red and very sweet.
But with the perfect tartness.
I had'em once as a kid.
Beautiful, um?
And in ten years time, when the trees have grown,
you can sit in the shade. In a chair, and...
if you still have days when you're feeling a little sad...
I think that will make you happy again.
It's very sweet.
Yes?
No wonder you've been so busy.
I signed the deed yesterday, I didn't want to tell you.
Here.
No, I want you to have it with you all the time and hold on to it.
So you can look at it, once in a while.
I'll always keep it with me.
Maybe we could have a little swing hanging from one of the trees.
We'll talk about that when the time comes.
Yeah, yeah. No, of course.
When the time comes.
Bye.
You better be goddamn happy.
Yes, I should be.
I really should be.
Do you have any idea how much this party cost me? A ballpark figure.
No, I don't.
- Should I? - Yes, I think you should.
A great deal of money.
A huge amount of money.
In fact, for most people: An arm and a leg.
I hope you feel it's well spent.
Well, that depends on whether or not we have a deal.
- A deal? - Yes, a deal...
That you be happy.
Yes, of course. Of course we've a deal.
Good.
Congratulations.
I tried to throw your mother out.
Yes. You usually do.
Yes, I do.
Thank you.
It's a wonderful party you've given me.
How many holes are on our golf course?
Eighteen.
That's right.
Are you happy? Yes?
Meet this young man.
- Congratulations. - Thank you.
- I'm Tim. - Hi Tim.
Tim started working for us two days ago.
He happens to be my nephew, but ignore that.
Tim thought I wouldn't be able to squeeze that tag-line out of you tonight.
I thought it might be difficult.
You're colleagues. I hired him the moment I heard about his education.
What education is perfect if you want to make it in public relations?
Tim?
None at all, of course.
It was almost too perfect.
He knows nothing. I hired him on the spot.
And at a very good salary. What you say, Tim?
A very good salary.
Welcome then, Tim.
There's just a slight catch to the very good job with a very good salary.
The salary is very good.
Why, what are you pushing Tim into doing?
To get that damned tag-line out of you tonight.
Otherwise, he's out on his ear, which sucks, considering the debts he's in.
Bye.
Once you give her a job she won't let go.
You gotta be there at the time of birth, so you follow her now.
I mean, get that tag-line.
Do let me know if the tag-line's there and I'll jot it down.
Spare me.
I'll go out. For a minute.
I'm really sorry.
I'm thrilled about this wedding. And I know it's costing John a lot of money.
Oh, John... He needs to shut up of that.
It's not about the cost.
It's just that... I thought you really wanted this.
But I do.
Michael has tried to get through to you all evening.
That's not true.
I smile, and I smile, and I smile...
You're lying to all of us.
Don't you miss this?
What do you want in this place?
You have no business here.
Nor have I.
Your sister, it seems... is somewhat bewitched by it all.
Mom... I'm a bit scared.
A bit?
I'd be scared out of my wits, if I were you.
No, it's something else.
I'm frightened, Mom.
I have trouble walking properly.
You still wobble, I see.
So just wobble the hell out of here.
Stop dreaming, Justine.
- I'm scared. - We all are, sweetie.
Just forget it. Get the hell out of here.
No, thank you.
Everybody? Excuse me?
Could you all follow us? Outside, please.
Betty, Betty, Betty...
Another glass, please.
Are you really called Betty?
Sarah? Don't worry about it.
Dad, can we talk?
Could you sit with me for a little while?
- Wait. - What?
Wait.
Take that off.
- Michael, can you give me a moment? - What's that?
- Give me a moment, please. - What's that?
Can I have a moment, please?
Yes, of course.
Can you zip me?
Okay?
Hi.
Good night. Have a good time.
I'm on my way home, my darling.
Please, Dad. I really need to talk to you.
Little Father...
My dad would like to spend the night. Is there a room available?
Room number eight is vacant.
I could prepare that for your father?
- Well... - Yes, my father would like that.
Then we can have breakfast in the morning.
Justine...
Why don't you come and have some onion soup with us?
Tim. Get us some soup.
How's your wonderful night going?
Too bad about Tim!
What about Tim?
He got fired.
He didn't last many hours in the business, but...
Then again, it's a rather unpredictable one.
King one day and beggar the next.
So, you go back to where ever you came from, right buddy?
I'm glad we found each other, Jack. I was looking for you.
Didn't I tell you? She can't stop working, not even on her wedding night.
I had nothing at the dinner...
But I've been playing with an idea for a small campaign.
The problem is, how do we effectively hook
a group of minors on our substandard product?
Preferably in a habit-forming way.
And I've reached a conclusion in regards to the tag-line.
I was just thinking, what if...
we try to sell you to the public, Jack?
Then, surprisingly, I arrived right back where I started from.
At nothing.
"Nothing" - it's not such a bad tag-line, Jack.
Could my newly fledged A.D. please expand a little on the thoughts for the tag-line...
Nothing is too much for you, Jack.
I hate you and your firm so deeply,
I couldn't find the words to describe it.
- You are a despicable, power-hungry little man, Jack.
Is that a resignation?
'Cos there aren't too many jobs out there, I tell you.
I broke my plate.
So...
I guess we'll take off now.
Yes.
This could have been a lot different.
Yes, Michael. That could have been.
But Michael...
What did you expect?
Yeah.
You're right.
Claire...
Sometimes, I hate you so much.
The way I see it, you're now short of a boss, and a husband.
Could I in all humility offer my services?
You've the ideas, I have the head for business.
We could be the perfect couple.
We've had good sex.
I don't think that's a very good idea.
Excuse me, the result is ready.
Umm?
The number of beans in the bottle has been arrived at.
And?
678. That's the final count.
678?
And none of the guests got it right.
Really?
Some were pretty close, but no one guessed right.
- Incredible. - You could say that.
Incredibly trivial.
But that's the result of the competition.
And a lot of people would like to know the result.
Then there... is the prize.
Throw it away.
Dad...
To my my beloved daughter, Betty. I'm as proud
of you as any father could be.
But I couldn't find you and I was offered a ride home I couldn't refuse.
See you soon. Kisses from your stupid dad.
Justine, wake up.
We're going for a ride.
But I tried, Claire.
Yes, you did.
You really did.
Come on.
Come on, Abraham, come.
Let's go. Come on!
The red star is missing from Scorpio.
Antares is no longer there.
Part 2 CLAIRE
I swear to God, your sister can do anything by herself.
Hello, darling. How are you?
Just do as I told you.
There is a taxi down the street, waiting for you.
I already told her that.
Just open the door, and get in.
Unbelievable.
Just get in the cab, darling.
Well, then call me back if you can't make it to the cab.
We'll pay for it when you arrive, don't worry about it.
We'll see about that.
I love you, darling.
- Jesus, John, she's my sister. - Oh, please!
- She's a bad influence on you and Leo.
She's ill.
Right.
Have you been going online again?
Claire, you promised.
- I'm afraid of that stupid planet. - That stupid planet?
- That wonderful planet, you mean.
First it was black, now it's blue.
Blocking Antares, hiding behind the sun.
Darling, this is gonna be the most amazing experience we will have in our lives.
It will be here in five days, and it is not going to hit us.
Just as it didn't hit Mercury, as we knew it wouldn't.
And it didn't hit Venus, as we well knew it wouldn't.
And it won't hit Earth, as we know it won't.
Claire, look at me.
Sweetheart, you have to trust the scientists.
They say it will hit...
No, they don't.
No real scientists.
Now, the prophets of doom will write whatever they can to attract attention.
But the real scientists, all of them agree.
Melancholia is just gonna pass right in front of us.
It is gonna be the most beautiful sight ever.
And I wish you would watch it through the telescope with me.
- Please. - No, I think I'd better not.
Son of a bitch.
When are we gonna build those caves, Aunt Steelbreaker?
Sweetheart, not right now. We're gonna do that in a little while.
Still sleeping.
Yes, she has to get up now.
What are you making?
Meatloaf.
- Meatloaf? - Yeah.
If that doesn't get her out of bed, nothing will.
Time to wake up, Justine. No more sleeping.
Going to take a nice bath. How would you like that? Come on.
You'll see, you'll like it. I promise. Come on.
I'll wash you, okay?
Just lift your foot.
Come on. Yeah.
Lift your foot.
It's only a bath.
- You need to wash. Right? - I'm so tired...
Come on, try.
I can't.
Justine, you'll like it.
See?
It's nice. It's a nice bath.
Justine... Please.
Okay, so...
We'll practice for tomorrow.
I have a surprise for you for dinner.
Can you smell it?
Meatloaf?
Surprise!
It tastes like ashes.
It's alright, sis.
- Auntie Steelbreaker is crying. - Don't worry, son.
Do you want to go back up?
May I be excused?
Take one more bite.
Look.
It's a planet that has been hiding behind the sun.
And now it passes by us.
It's called a "fly-by".
That's not something you need to frighten aunt Steelbreaker with, now.
If you think I'm afraid of the planet, than you're too stupid.
Just a few things we're gonna need in case Melancholia gets really close.
I'd kind of really appreciate it if you didn't mention this to Claire.
She gets anxious so easily.
Come on, Justine.
Take it.
Come on, Justine, take him out.
Justine, take him out!
Come on.
Come on!
Don't beat him!
Come on!
Justine, don't beat him!
Stop.
There it is.
There's your "fly-by".
You don't touch the instrument.
Come on, Leo.
Our son has invented a very fine device.
If you adjust the steel and point it towards the planet from your chest...
It'll tell you how fast it's approaching, and, ultimately, how fast it will recede.
Leo...
What are we excited about?
- Tomorrow night. - That's right.
Wow, that's amazing.
Amazing, isn't it? Let me look.
Earth and Melancholia Dance of Death
John.
Coming.
We are ready for this. Power will be back on in a few days.
Claire...
Tomorrow evening, Melancholia will pass us by.
And you'll never have to see again, okay?
So it won't hit us?
Not a chance.
But what if your scientists have miscalculated, and...
They haven't.
You promise?
Of course I do.
I promise.
It's rising again.
Just like the moon.
Because of the earth's rotation.
Exactly like they said it would.
- You hungry? - No, thanks.
- You okay? - Yeah.
Plan to kill us all?
- Maybe I should take those. - Don't touch them.
Don't you touch them.
- Justine, come and have a bath. - I've had a bath.
- Really? - Yes, I am very clean.
Little Father didn't come to work.
I checked the note board, he didn't leave one.
I tried to call him, but... Is something wrong with the phone?
It's never happened before that he didn't come to work without giving us notice.
Does he have a family?
He lives in the village...
I don't know if he has family.
Maybe this is a time when he needs to be with them.
It'll pass us by tonight?
John is quite calm about it.
Does that calm you down?
Yes, of course.
Well, John studies things. He always has.
The earth is evil.
We don't need to grieve for it.
What?
Nobody will miss it.
But where would Leo grow up?
All I know is...
Life on earth is evil.
There may be life somewhere else.
But, there isn't.
How do you know?
Because I know things.
Oh yes, you've always imagined you did.
I know we're alone.
I don't think you know that at all.
678.
The bean lottery.
Nobody guessed the amount of beans in the bottle.
No. That's right.
But I know.
678.
Well, perhaps...
But what does that proof?
That I know things.
And when I say we're alone...
we're alone.
Life is only on earth.
And not for long.
I can stay up all evening until the middle of the night,
when we get see the planet fly by and I get to look at the telescope.
Yes, of course, darling.
But are you sure you can stay up that late?
You haven't slept much lately.
Yes, I can.
Can't, auntie Steelbreaker?
- Can't I? - Yes, you can.
It's eleven. It's almost here.
Leo, sweetheart.
It's time to wake up.
Here.
Leo should be watching this.
Oh my God.
Here.
Take a look.
Are you afraid?
No, it looks...
friendly.
Yes.
That's what 've been trying to explain to you.
My God.
I would like to raise a toast.
To life.
To life? What do you mean, "To life?"?
You said it was going to be okay.
Well, there was no sense in alarming everybody.
So you're saying that our lives were in danger?
No, I'm saying...
I'm saying that when dealing with science and calculations of this magnitude...
you'll have to account for a margin of error. That's all I'm saying.
I'm sorry.
It's not fun anymore.
Actually, it's moving away from us as we speak.
You just can't see it with the naked eye.
Come here.
Put this to your chest.
And aim it onto the planet.
- Is that right? - Yeah.
In five minutes... it will be smaller.
- I can't breathe. - Just relax. Relax.
This is normal. It's taking part of our atmosphere.
For a little while, it's gonna make us ventilate.
Just try and breathe calmly.
Just breathe.
There you go.
Just try and breathe calmly.
There you go.
Please, can I look now?
Of course.
It's smaller.
Of course it is.
It'ss smaller. It's smaller.
Of course it is.
It's moving away from us at over 60 000 miles an hour.
I was so scared...
Come here.
Mom...
You have to stay up, mom...
I want to look through the telescope, mom...
Breathe calmly.
Be happy, please.
If I dare, you can too.
I'm happy you're happy.
Oh, you have it easy, don't you?
I just... imagine the worst thing possible.
That's right, Claire. Sometimes it's easy being me.
Hi, darling.
You want tea or anything? - No, thank you.
Something to drink?
I can't find John. You know where he is?
No.
I was just listening.
There's something different.
The horses... they've calmed down.
John...
Good morning, Mom. "
Get a blanket.
Justine, breakfast.
Where is John?
He rode to the... rode to the village.
Why didn't he just take the car?
Abraham needed a ride.
Because you never ride him.
Come with me.
Justine...
Come.
Claire...
Damn it, what...? Claire!
- Where are you going? - To the village.
But this has nothing to do with the village.
Get in!
I want us to be together when it happens.
Outside on the terrace.
Help me, Justine.
I want to do this the right way.
Better do it quickly.
A glass of wine together, maybe.
You want me to have a glass of wine on your terrace?
Yes. Would you do it?
How about a song?
Beethoven's Ninth...
Something like that?
Maybe we could light some candles...
You want us to gather on your terrace
to sing a song, have a glass of wine?
The three of us?
That would make me happy.
Do you know I think of your plan?
No? I was hoping that you might like it?
I think it's a piece of shit.
Justine, please...
I just want it to be nice.
Nice?
Why don't we meet on the fucking toilet?
Then let's not.
You're damned right, let's not.
Sometimes, I hate you so much, Justine.
I'm afraid that the planet will hit us anyway.
Don't be. Please.
Dad said there's nothing to do then...
Nowhere to hide.
If your dad said that, then he's forgotten about something.
He's forgotten about the magic cave.
- The magic cave... - Yeah.
Is that something everybody can make?
Aunt Steelbreaker can.
Let's go find sticks, alright?
Hold my hand.
Close your eyes.