["Å Gjev du Batt Meg" by Valkyrien Allstars playing]
[song stops]
[birds calling]
[man] Come on, boys. Dig deep!
[energetic instrumental music playing]
[man] Two more laps!
[music fades]
You both want to beat the old Birken records, don't you?
- [both panting] - Yeah.
Then maybe you should consider swapping the TV and your sofas
for more time on the piste?
I don't know how much more training my family will put up with.
We don't all have your easy life.
So what if we do a few more hours after work tomorrow?
I can't, I have to watch the kids. Martine has choir rehearsal.
Well, perhaps you could just leave the kids home alone?
Give them a little taste of fear.
It's a way to uh, build character.
Stop them turning into puddings.
[scoffs]
Right.
Just an idea.
If you want to reach your goals,
you have to stand tall when the going gets tough.
Hi! Welcome to Cakes and Shakes. I'm Emilie, how can I help you?
- [customer] Can I have eight shakes to go? - Eight shakes?
Two Kale Madness, one without any kale.
- Kale without kale? - Yes.
- Okay. - One Stairway to Heaven.
One Fruit Ninja, no banana, but extra kiwi.
One fifty-fifty with Minty Fuck and Passion Explosion.
One Pineapple Express, and One in a Melon as it comes.
Also, an Apple of my Eye.
Uh, shh, sorry! Uh…
Right, um… It was…
Why did you shush me then?
Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to do that.
I was just trying to take in everything you're saying.
- Um… - Huh.
Yes. I'll write it down. Okay?
Go on then.
It's, uh, not a sick bag.
- Okay. - Right.
- Ready. - Two…
- Two Kale Madness. - Mm-hmm.
And one without kale.
Kale without any kale.
One Fruit Ninja without kiwi and extra banana.
One regular Stairway to Heaven.
One special mix with half Minty Fuck and half Passion Explosion.
And one Sweetie Pie, but make--
THE RIGHT TRACK
[woman] So, you quit then?
[Emilie] It wasn't like I quit-quit.
You can't quit something that's always supposed to be temporary anyway,
so it was good I did it now, really.
[woman] Emilie…
It felt great!
And it was perfect for me, because I…
- I really didn't like working there. - Do you like working anywhere?
Can we change the subject?
Now what will you do?
How's that changing subjects?
- I know, it's just… - It's a good point though.
Yeah. Another friend of mine who has no qualifications…
Thanks for that.
She actually found a really good job as a tram driver.
- Nope. - [woman 1] I think that would suit you!
- Why? - [woman 2] It would.
- [pop music playing on speakers] - [indistinct chatter]
Hello!
Hi!
[indistinct chatter continues]
[upbeat banjo music playing]
You're such a good kisser.
[chuckling]
Hang on a sec. I just have to pee.
- Okay. - Yes.
- By the way, have you got a, uh… condom? - Yes?
- A condom? - Yeah, have you?
Uh… I don't have a condom on me.
Okay. While you're kissing…
- I mean, while we kiss, I meant to say… - Huh? [laughs]
- Yes. Mm. Yes. - While you wee…
I'll just run down to the pharmacy over there and get a condom.
- Yes. Okay. Right. - Okay?
- I'll be one second. - Yeah.
Okay.
- [urinating] - [hiccups]
[man] Hi.
- Uh, hi. - Trousers up, please.
- [continues urinating] - Uh, I can't right now. [giggles]
I'm sorry.
[continues urinating]
The queue in the pub was so long.
Uh…
It's weird the pub has one toilet.
Have you ever been to the Storo Mall, for example?
- Do you know it? - Yes, I'm aware.
They have a thousand toilets, but there's only one beer…
I… I mean one toilet, at the pub. [laughs]
- Interesting… - Yes.
Ah. Ooh!
Oops!
Ugh. I'm standing in my own wee.
[chuckles]
You do know that it's illegal to urinate outside.
Yes, I did know that. And it won't happen again.
It was a once-in-a-lifetime thing.
Okay, we'll leave it at that. Just don't do it again.
No, I won't.
[laughs]
[chuckling]
- Go home and sleep it off. - Yes.
- Have a good night. - Thank you.
[cell phone vibrating]
[man] Hey! Your phone's ringing.
Hello, it's Emilie.
No, no. It's my week, so I'm on my way.
Yeah. Okay. Bye.
[energetic music playing]
- [Emilie] Hi, Lilli. Hi, Lisbeth. - Hi.
[Emilie] Hello. You aren't feeling well?
Ah. Oh, you are burning up.
I have put her homework in her bag. Just see if she is up to it. Okay?
- [Emilie clicks tongue] Aw. - [man 2] Hi.
Hi, Joachim.
My week begins today.
You weren't answering so…
Where were you?
Well, I've been… I've been at home.
- Okay. - What's it to you?
I think it's best if Lilli comes home with me,
so you can grab a shower and rest.
But, Joachim, you can't have a go at me for going out when I don't have Lilli.
Do you think I should be sat at home?
You don't have to be sat at home,
but you come to school after a heavy night stinking of alcohol?
Excuse me? I'll be needing to use this room, so…
Yeah, yeah. Okay.
- Lilli, say bye to your dad. - Lilli, here, give me a hug.
Hope you feel better soon. And be a good girl.
Were you fighting with Daddy?
We were just talking.
Now, I think you should rest a bit. Hm?
Did you have a wee?
Yeah, but the flush was playing up again.
Hmm. Why don't I go fix it?
Try and get some sleep.
[gentle music playing]
[music fades]
[rattling]
[toilet flushing]
- It's my turn! - Hey! Wait!
[woman] No, calm down, will you?
- I'll see you soon then! - [boy] Hey! Mom!
It's Olav's turn to sit in the middle.
- Hi. - Listen!
[girl] Hey!
- Oh my God. - Hello there!
- Hi. - Hi.
There are children all over the world who are starving to death.
- [children yelling] - Stop! I said stop!
Oh, whatever. [sighs]
Did Helge go straight home?
Yeah, he escaped to Gran Canaria.
- He wanted a break. He said hi. - Yeah, good one, Gjermund.
[boy] Ow!
- See you. Thanks for today. - Bye.
- [kids yelling]
Will you please put your willy in your trousers?
Don't you love kids?
- [door slams] - [kids] Bye!
Yeah?
Yeah, I'm ready. I just need to have a shower first.
Yes, no rush.
Ready when… you are.
Yeah, I won't be long, uh…
- I'm ready. - Okay.
[laughs] Cool, should be good.
[man on computer] Hi! My name is Roger
and this is my YouTube channel called ''Work is Fun''.
- And on this channel… - [water running]
…I will help you with job applications, your CV and…
Oh, fuck, fuck, fuck!
Ah!
Shit!
[water running]
No!
[screams]
Can't you come, Mummy?
- Hi, Lilli. - Hi.
Go on into the car.
It will all be okay, Lilli, I'll see you soon.
- [Joachim] It will all be fine. - [Lili] Okay.
[Joachim] Get in, I'll fetch Teddy. That's it.
She's still got a temperature.
Lilli's staying with me for a while. Got it?
But it's only a broken toilet.
When you moved out, you said,
"I want to run my own life."
How's that going?
[car door slams]
[theme playing]
[woman breathing heavily]
Okay, Liz, you just won five thousand dollars. Nice!
[grunting softly]
There's so much detail on this show.
- [Mikey Day] And your time starts… now! - [grunts]
[suspenseful music playing on TV]
Oh God, they look so alike, don't they?
[grunting]
[doorbell ringing]
- Yes, keep going, Gjermund. - [knocking on door]
Oh fuck.
Ow.
[doorbell ringing]
[banging on window]
[Mikey] Liz, you picked number two, why do you think that was?
Who is it?
- Have a guess. - [sighs]
- Hi. - Hi.
But why did you only call someone in to fix the, uh…
after six whole months?
Not all of us have a buffer that we can dip into at any time.
You really should try to have a buffer.
It's just a case of setting aside a little bit each month, you know?
What is your salary?
- You don't work? - No.
- So, you don't make any money? - No.
[sighs, flaps lips]
Joachim is just thrilled to bits that I've messed up.
He thinks he can have Lilli full-time now at his.
Okay, the guest bed's made up.
I'm off to bed.
- Right. - Good night.
I'm coming.
You're going to bed already?
Yeah, I am.
My body battery's low.
I need to recharge for training tomorrow.
But I'll help you with your toilet.
What if Joachim is right and…
That Lilli should stay with them full-time?
Hey, hey, that's just nonsense.
They have a garden and Lilli loves playing there.
She loves being outside.
Don't think like that. Lilli doesn't care about a garden,
that's not important to Lilli.
The most important thing is that you are there for her.
The other stuff doesn't matter.
Ugh, Have you got any exciting news?
- News? - Yeah.
Gossip or anything like that?
Well, uh…
Anders and Thea are getting divorced.
[chuckling]
Thea is starting a diving school in Thailand
and he hates the sun.
Isn't he… albino?
Yes, he's albino. It's quite obvious.
Every day he asks, "Is it raining today? Ah! It's sunny!"
[both laughing]
I'm not surprised they're splitting up if she wants to move to Thailand.
He's albino! How can he survive there?
[gentle banjo music playing]
Another crime novel?
Is it a…
a good book then?
Gjermund,
she's never going to sort out her own mess
- if you keep doing it for her every time. - Yeah, I know.
[Silje] The fact that she had a child when she was 20
is not your responsibility.
You do everything for her.
You wrap her up in cotton wool.
I don't wrap her in cotton wool.
It's great that you take good care of your sister,
but it's not your fault how things turned out.
Well, it wasn't easy to grow up with Mum all by herself.
[Silje] No, I get that,
but it doesn't mean that you should have stayed at home, not gone to university
and been a second dad for a five-year-old.
- She is a grown-up, Gjermund. - [sighing] I know all that.
- She has to act like she is. - Yes, I know. I do know.
I do know.
[footsteps approaching]
Are you awake?
- [Emilie] Mm-hmm. - Sorry, my blouse is creased.
I need to steam it.
Ah… I see.
- I can pay you back. - Yeah.
- Of course. - It was very nice.
Gjermund.
She's drunk the Barolo.
Do you know, I'm not even angry, I'm just impressed.
- [Gjermund] I'll talk to her. - You do that.
- Ah. Hmm… - Hi.
- Ha. - Is she… cross?
A very good choice, a Barolo from 1986.
It's worth around 10,000 kroner.
- You store wine like that in the house? - Look, Emilie…
- I'm sorry, Gjermund, I didn't know. - We need to talk. This can't go on.
- Okay. - What's your plan?
Uh… so I plan to stay here with you for a while
so I can think and… yeah.
I can't wrap you up in cotton wool any longer, Emilie.
You don't do anything.
I can do lots of things.
- Like what? - I can make the bed, take the rubbish out.
No, but… [clicks tongue]
How can you be such a complete loser?
You think like a loser.
[sighs] You have the mindset of a loser.
You have to have the mindset of a winner.
Did you see that on a video on Instagram or something?
I'm being serious!
[exhales] Okay. So I need to be a winner.
Like you, you mean?
Yeah, for example.
Try putting some structure or organisation in your life.
How do you suggest I do that? You seem to know it all.
I don't know what you should do exactly. Uh…
For example, I'm training for Birken.
I love how unique and original it is that you're skiing.
You and all the men over 40.
I never said that it was original, but you have to set yourself a goal!
And then you can start moving towards it.
- You should try. - I should do Birken?
You don't have to do Birken,
just set a goal.
[sighs]
Now that…
That is a good idea, isn't it?
What if you did it as well?
- You can do Birken. - Erm…
You can do it with your big brother!
You pulling my leg?
Yes, actually that is a genuinely fantastic goal for you.
Lots of people have become the best version of themselves, Emilie,
by setting a more extreme goal.
Have you ever thought,
"What if this really is the best version of Emilie?"
Yeah, I've often thought that…
but there's some hope.
And hope that if you don't pull it off, you've at least gained some motivation
and more self-respect.
Yeah, yeah, thanks.
Setting yourself a real goal can bring you lots of good things.
No. There's just, no way.
Oh, come on!
Then you can't stay here any more.
You can ring up Mum.
You can crash on her sofa. In Halden, with Dag.
- Are you being serious? - Yeah, I want you gone. In ten minutes.
No, Gjermund, don't mess about, okay?
Birken or Halden. Those are your two options.
You can ask Silje to lend you some clothes.
- I don't know how to ski, do I? - Time to learn then!
30 DAYS TO BIRKEN
All right?
Put your weight on your toes.
Don't use your arms so much, you'll get tired.
I hate you.
You've taken 27 minutes to go one kilometre.
Birken is 54 kilometres. Come on!
That's flipping miles, Gjermund!
We'll break you down before we build you back up. Let's go!
[sighs wearily]
Ah!
And also, don't forget, find out the weather forecast.
Check the conditions and prepare.
It will improve your skiing if you're prepped right.
We don't want badly prepared skis.
Okay! Up! Up! Time to train!
I think I'm getting sick.
[coughs fakely]
Is that so? Come on!
- [screams] - [yells]
Ah!
Why are you naked?
- Ugh. - I sleep naked.
Let's get training.
[lively music playing]
[grunting]
That's 67 minutes.
- Is it? - Mmm.
Did I do well?
You were passed by two 80-year-olds over there,
so I'm sure you can keep going for a bit longer.
I… have to go home now. Uh you…
Uh, you do a few more laps and then Øyvind will give you a lift home.
But, erm…
- Don't just stand there. - Come on, Emilie!
- [Emilie] Coming. - [Øyvind] Get the mucus out!
- One more lap! - [man] Whoo!
[Øyvind] Come on, Emilie!
Hello.
[Gjermund] Ah. Hm.
I like the sisal wallpaper best.
Yes, me too. But can you glue that paper onto a brick wall?
- I'm not sure, actually. - [floorboard creaks]
- Hi. - Hi.
Uh…
[Gjermund] We are trying to have a baby.
I'm pretty sure she understood that, Gjermund.
- Yeah. - Yup.
Well, uh…
We haven't said about it to anyone,
so if it doesn't work out…
we prefer to say that babies just aren't in our plan. Yeah.
Yeah.
Mm-hmm. How long have you been trying?
Three years now.
This last year we've tried artificial insemination.
That was where we were going now,
so hence the…
- Mm-hmm. - Mmm.
I've heard that many couples, when they finally stop trying for a baby…
Yes, we've tried that and it doesn't work for us at all.
We've tried everything.
You know, like self-help podcasts, all that sort of stuff and…
Yeah, yeah, I'm sorry.
Our friends don't know that we're trying, so if we can keep it between us?
Sure.
- Yes. - Yeah.
But, um, could you just put that away
before Lilli arrives?
Yeah.
Hi, Lilli.
- Hi. - Hi. [laughs]
Have you started working out?
Yes, I'm training for Birken.
Very amusing.
What's Birken?
It's a very long cross-country skiing race for the top athletes.
The very best athletes.
They're always training, just focused on skiing.
Just like your cool mum.
Honestly?
Yep.
And, uh, Gjermund has been my trainer.
- Oh. Okay. - [Emilie] Yeah.
How about you and Dad come and cheer me along? That would be nice.
Me and Dad? Oh, please, can we?
If your mum actually is going to Birken,
then we have to see that.
Why don't you go in, so you don't get cold?
- Yes. - Go on.
Lilli, give me a hug first.
Mm. [kisses]
- Be a good girl. - [Lilli] Yes!
Thanks.
Your turn now!
- Us? - Yes.
[Emilie] Okay.
- There. - Okay. Go on in now.
Celina will come early tomorrow and pick her up.
Lilli has a full day back at home.
Home, huh?
Don't start, all right?
I didn't say a thing.
[woman] We have extracted 15 eggs.
- Okay. - And we have enough sperm.
So then we'll just have to see if you have strong swimmers.
- Okay. - Mm-hmm.
You should consider your options if this procedure doesn't work out.
- Mmm. - And what are you saying?
There are lots of ways to, uh, have a family.
And you can live a fulfilling life without children as well.
- Mm. - Why do you say that?
She's only trying to help us, with suggestions.
To find an alternative if it doesn't work.
[Silje] So you agree with her?
We should just give up on having a baby then?
Who just wanked off in a cup?
And who was the one who did the wanking?
I don't think we should get ahead of ourselves.
Why don't we just focus on trying to create an embryo?
- Good plan. Mm. - [exhales] Okay.
[Silje sighing]
Okay, can you at least say what you're thinking?
Nothing really.
Nothing?
You're all quiet in the car, but you're not thinking about anything?
I was thinking about if I should fit in some training before dinner.
Oh, okay, so you were thinking about training?
That's what you were thinking about?
Okay, I'll drop the training then.
I don't want you to drop it. That's not what I want.
Sounds like you're asking me to drop it.
- I don't want that. - What do you fucking want?
- What? Come on. - [scoffs]
Fu…
Silje.
[sighing]
[panting]
[melancholy music playing]
Aunt Silje?
- Silje? - Huh?
Did you want to plait Lilli's hair, or is it a bad time?
No. It's always a good time to plait Lilli's hair.
Come here.
- Got a scrunchie? - Yup.
Let's see then. Yes.
Can you put the lids on while I plait your hair?
- Yeah. - What kind of plaits
would madam like to have?
[Lilli] You can choose.
[Silje] Okay, let's do a normal one.
How's the dancing going?
[Lilli] Good.
Which of your moves are you teaching me first?
Kick ball change.
Kick ball change!
Can you teach me one like
popping and locking?
[Lilli] Yes, I can teach you that.
- You can? - Yes.
[Silje] Yeah! I've always wanted to learn that.
[Emilie] What are you drawing, Lilli?
I'm making a calendar. We learnt it at school.
[Emilie] Mm.
- It's very nice. - Thanks.
What's that one?
That's for Celina.
- Oh, well, you'll have to remember that. - Yes.
And what's this?
Me and Dad cheering when you're at Birken.
[laughing] Is it? That's so sweet.
But we have to leave it now, 'cause it's lights out.
I just have to draw one more thing.
- One more then. - Just one more.
Okay. Just one more.
And all these go in your bed?
Absolutely, yeah.
Okay.
Oh.
[Gjermund] Don't you think that it's a little rash
inviting them to Birken?
You haven't skied more than five kilometres yet.
Oh, you didn't get my skis out.
- I said to you to get them out. - Why are you so grumpy?
I'm not grumpy.
Can you help me?
[Gjermund sighs]
[Emilie] I can't do it.
- Lift your heel. - Okay.
Up, up, up, up. I said to lift your heel!
- [grunts] - [Emilie laughs]
- God, you are such a child! - [gasps]
- Come on. - You can find your own way home.
I need some space.
What's up with you?
You can't just… just leave me here.
- [vehicle starts] - Gjermund!
Uh, hello?
Where do I get the bus into town?
There aren't any buses here.
You have to go to Røa, take the bus from there.
- Is that close? - It's a nice little trip to get there.
Thank you.
Okay, I can do…
- [bird squawking] - [wind whistling]
[tense music playing]
[panting]
[mournful harmonica playing]
[soft jazz playing on speakers]
Let's get the food on the table.
I'm sure that she'll be here soon.
Can we just agree to forget about everything
that's going on for tonight?
Yeah, yeah.
- Let's just have a nice time together. - Yeah. Mm-hmm.
- Yeah? - Yes.
Good.
- [door banging open] - [Emilie] Gjermund!
[shoes squeaking on floor]
You are such an arsehole!
Why?
He just abandoned me in the middle of nowhere!
Oh, don't exaggerate so much.
It's not funny, Silje.
- It's not funny at all. - Don't laugh.
No.
So did you ski
all the way here, then?
Well, no. I went to Røa first
and then I took a fucking bus all the way from there.
So I skied all the way from Sørkedalen to Røa.
That's brilliant that you've done that.
You've skied from Sørkedalen to Røa,
which is around 13 kilometres.
- [doorbell rings] - That's really good!
- Well done! - Hi!
- Hi. - Hi!
- She's skied 13 kilometres today. - Hi.
Isn't that good?
- Well done. - Uh, did you skate or classic?
I went on my skis.
- On your skies. - Classic then.
- What way did you go? - I went into the woods.
Nice to see you. Hi.
[woman] Wow!
You must be hungry?
Yes, I'm starving.
- Some wine, Emilie? - No, thank you.
- Oh? - Hmm.
- Training tomorrow. - Very dedicated.
Yeah.
- Do you want some wine, Martine? - Oh. No, I don't.
- [Martine] Shall we… - Uh, yeah.
- Well, we have an announcement to make. - Oh?
- It's very early, but yes. - [Silje gasps]
- [laughs] - Really?
- Yeah. - Oops, we did it again.
- Oh my God, congratulations! - [laughing]
Congrats.
Wow!
- Congratulations! - Thank you.
[Martine] We think it's a good thing.
Well, we hope so.
[Øyvind] The kids are sliding out, it's gonna be number four.
- Actually, we'll have five of them. - [Gjermund] Huh?
[woman gasps] No!
- [Helge] It's twins. - [woman] Twins?
- [Øyvind] Twins? - Yes.
Gjermund, you could take one of the twins, yeah?
o, we've made our decision.
- [Martine] You really don't want children? - No…
I think that is so sad! The world is missing out
on the best-ever mother.
Our kids listen to Silje more than they listen to us.
[people laughing]
- [Øyvind] Cheers! - [Helge] Thank you.
[Martine] But who's going to come look after us? [laughs]
[Helge] Cheers.
[indistinct happy chatter]
We unfortunately can't have children.
[chatter stops]
[laughs emotionally]
Sorry, Gjermund. I just can't do it.
I mean, we can't have one of our own
and so, um…
But, you know, we have been trying for a long time though.
We've tried it all.
We've tried IVF, we've tried insemination.
Uh, but actually the fact is that we just can't, uh…
Oh my God. I'm sorry.
- Don't say sorry. - No, of course. You…
- Hey! You don't have to say… - [Martine] We had no idea…
You shouldn't have to feel bad.
No we are just very happy for you both.
Aren't we, Gjermund?
[Gjermund] Of course we are.
And also, we have an embryo in the freezer.
- Yeah, we do have that. - So there's hope for us.
Not in our freezer, obviously.
- [Silje] No. - [scattered laughing]
Okay, that's…
- [Helge] That's good. Yeah, that's good. - Yeah.
So, here's to us.
A toast to, um…
- Twins and to… - [Martine] And the embryos.
Embryos!
Are you okay?
Yeah, I think so. Uh…
- Yeah. I don't know. - No.
[cell phone vibrating]
Hello.
Really? Okay.
The flat is ready, so I can move back home.
- Oh, that's great. - Yes, thanks.
- Yeah. - Yeah.
Okay. Does that mean I can move back home right away?
[Gjermund] Right.
- The place looks good. - Yes.
Well, I have to get back to the piste before it gets dark.
Are you coming tomorrow?
I'll have to see about that.
Oh, Emilie.
I'll have Lilli every other week now. I have to find myself a job.
Yeah, I see. You have to…
It was very optimistic, uh…
as a project.
It was that.
Mm-hmm.
Best of luck with the, uh, um, job hunt.
- Thank you. - Look after yourself.
Thanks. And good luck with Birken and the baby.
Yeah, thanks.
The toilet looks nice.
Yeah, I can't wait…
to try it out.
Yeah.
[door closes]
At Finn.no, there are 11,654 available jobs in Norway today.
The first thing you have to do is to enter in, uh, the name of
the profession that you want to work in.
For example, you could put "canteen employee".
- Is it that bad? - Hey…
- Right. - It's, uh… trendy.
- Yeah. - I think it's modern.
But it does look as if your eyes have grown little moustaches.
- Very small ones though. - Oh. Very funny.
Oh, yeah, and how's training going for Birken?
Thank God I don't have to do that anymore, now I'm not at Gjermund's. Phew!
Yeah. That's typical.
What do you mean?
Oh no, forget it. I didn't say anything.
No, but what do you mean by that?
I mean, when was the last time that you saw anything through to the end?
You always take the easy way out for everything.
You do have a reputation as a bit of a… quitter.
[Gina] I felt so good with these eyebrows, and then the only thing I can see now is
two snails that have been run over.
What have I done?
[melancholy music playing]
[sniffling]
[upbeat banjo playing]
- A hundred? Is that right? - All right. Okay.
I think I'm gonna break my record this year.
Yeah, I know.
[Emilie sighs] I have no job.
I don't know what I'm doing with my life.
I just have an entry for Birken
and a daughter who wants to see me finish it.
Okay. Okay. Come here.
Before you do anything else, you need some KX-35 under your skis.
Øyvind, would you mind helping her out with her skis?
[Øyvind] Yeah.
[Emilie] Great!
- Yeah? - Yeah. I know.
["Higher Ground" by SKAAR playing]
14 DAYS TO BIRKEN
♪ I got something burning in my chest ♪
♪ An ocean made of embers unexpressed ♪
♪ Flickers from a heartbeat That won't change ♪
7 DAYS TO BIRKEN
♪ And when my moment comes I've set my aim… ♪
- [Lilli] Mum, we're out of toilet paper! - Ugh,
- How long have you done? - I've done five laps.
That's 15 kilometres. Keep it up!
- I am exhausted. - That's it! The power's in your legs!
♪ It's in my bloodstream ♪
♪ I think I'm ready for a higher ground ♪
♪ Finding my reasons why ♪
[Gjermund] You can do it. That's it, come on!
♪ 'Cause I never wanna slow down ♪
♪ Yeah, I never wanna slow down ♪
Oh, see you next week, Lilli.
- Hi, Emilie. - Hi.
You've got a nice little bump there.
Yeah, now there's no way of going back.
[Emilie] No.
[laughing]
No!
Oh, I love you, Lil.
♪ You can be a cynic all you want ♪
♪ But when I'm on my feet, I give my all ♪
♪ I know that I'm lucky Yeah, I got it good ♪
♪ Still my body's restless Always on the move ♪
♪ It's in my bloodstream, I think I'm ready for a higher ground ♪
♪ Finding my reasons why 'Cause I never wanna slow down ♪
Yeah!
♪ I never wanna slow down ♪
♪ Think I'm ready for a higher ground ♪
[vomiting]
2 DAYS TO BIRKEN
That's the most efficient way.
So, you push off with your poles
and just let the pole disappear behind you.
Don't use your energy to pull it back, it does that on its own.
- The doctor's tried phoning. - Oh. Call them back then.
[line ringing]
Oh. Can you do it?
Carina Larsen speaking.
Hi, it's, uh, Gjermund Vic calling you back.
I'm here with my wife, Silje.
Oh, I'm glad you called back.
I'm afraid I have some bad news.
Okay.
The embryo didn't survive the thawing.
Right.
I suggest that you should have a think together
about whether you want to carry on trying.
Yes.
And then we can all talk again next week.
- Yes, all right then. We'll be in touch. - Okay. Bye.
Okay. Bye.
[emotional music playing]
A baby's all I want.
I know. I know.
Okay. Okay. I guess we'll…
[sniffles]
I suppose we'll take the weekend
and talk about what we want to do now
and how we move forwards.
Well, I'm off tomorrow.
To Birken.
We knew, uh, that the treatment was going ahead
and that it might not work.
You are such a fucking emotionless robot!
But it's just that we'd planned all this.
[Silje] Ugh.
Come on, it's very difficult to pull out at such short notice.
I'm going with Øyvind, Helge, and my sister as well.
All this is because of you.
- You thought about that? - I am aware.
Are you? Could you try showing me that you care then?
I'm not saying that we shouldn't try any more, okay?
But you're not the one
who has to stuff your body full of hormones, are you?
Shall we just stop living then?
- Prefer that? - For fuck's sake.
Trying for a baby doesn't mean you stop living.
When have I said that we should stop living?
Well, you act like you do! It's… it's all you ever think about,
"Baby, baby," all the damn time!
[door opens, slams]
[music continues]
[children yelling happily]
[Emilie] Are you ready to be a mum?
[inhaling sharply]
Uh, I am a bit scared and
I keep thinking about it at night,
and I feel all this responsibility waiting for me.
- Mm. - Yeah.
Well, you'll be just fine.
It comes naturally. Don't worry.
- Really? - Yeah.
Coming from someone who filled her apartment with toilet water,
but, you know… [laughs]
- Full control. - Yeah. Full control.
- [Joachim] Shall we go? - Huh?
There isn't much fog, so we'll be fine.
- Okay. - Okay.
- Okay? - What do you think?
Shall we go skiing?
- [Lilli] Yeah. - Did you have your drink?
Go Lilli! Go! You can do it!
You can't go to Birken with that technique.
- Huh? - You have to use your upper body.
Yeah, but I… I am doing that!
You use your upper arms, you use your abdominal muscles,
and your biceps.
[Emilie] You don't just pull with your arms, actually.
Your power is in your legs!
Use your arms, Emilie.
Just do some small technical tweaks, and you have to use your arms more.
[skier] Make way! Out of the way!
- Move it! - [Joachim] Ah!
Oh! Are you okay?
What did you do that for? You're crazy!
Me? It was that guy there.
No, you did that.
Oh, come on! I didn't mean to do that.
I give you a little bit of criticism and you knock me over, you child.
A little bit, was it?
A little bit of criticism, Joachim?
Do you know what? These last two years, all you've done is criticise!
When you're destroying your life, it's not criticism, it's fact.
- I'm not fucking destroying my life! - Yes, you are.
It's you, Joachim, who always wants my life to go to hell.
You'd love to see that!
Don't need help from me, you do that on your own.
- [Emilie] You are a fucking psychopath. - And you are a fucking loser!
I'm sorry. We didn't mean it
and we promise to be friends from now on. Okay?
[video game sounds]
Lilli?
Look at me.
Hm?
Sweetie, I understand that you got upset with us.
But you will have loads of fun on Saturday,
watching your mummy skiing.
I don't want to go. Go away!
But Lilli…
Can you just go?
- You want me to leave? - Yeah!
Okay.
[video game dinging]
- We shouldn't argue in front of Lilli. - [Joachim] No.
- We shouldn't. - No.
So we need to get a grip.
I leave tomorrow, but I'll see you there after the race. And then--
I would prefer that you and me don't see each other,
and that Lilli lives here full time.
If you don't agree, we'll take it to family mediation,
and see where we stand,
and if we need to take it further.
What? You can't mean that?
Yes, I mean it.
- But, Joachim, hang on. - There's nothing to talk about.
[whispering] Silje?
[Øyvind] Then we moved on to part two of the improv course.
And we had to pair up into twos.
So what we did, we said every second word.
What is completely crazy
is that the sentences you come up with take a direction that's totally insane.
- Yeah, it… - You almost can't believe it, but
- I was amazed to see what came out. - It pushes you.
It really does push you to think in a completely different way.
It…
- Is… - A…
Long…
Box…
That…
That's… amazing.
You did a good job with that.
I couldn't make the next…
I thought of a shovel. Yes, but…
- It's not your fault Helge. It was me. - No, not at all.
I shouldn't have blocked it.
- I shouldn't just focus on one thing. - I did block you though.
Honestly, Helge, it's fine.
I only focused on the grey box, I thought that fit really well and…
[Helge] It was my fault.
[upbeat banjo playing]
1 DAY TO BIRKEN
RENA SCHOOL
[Gjermund] We're in the gymnastics hall.
A-ha! Here it is.
- Oh, look, this is nice. - Yes.
[Emilie] Are you joking? Are we sleeping here?
[Gjermund] It's the whole package. That's how the original Birken boys slept.
[Emilie] So a thousand years ago, they went from school to school, did they?
[Gjermund] Yep.
[man] Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba.
GOOD LUCK FROM RENA SCHOOL
Can you find somewhere else? I need to be next to a plug socket.
Huh?
It's a snoring machine.
- Oh, there are some spaces over there. - [Emilie] Okay.
- I don't want to keep people awake. - Of course.
[calm folk music playing]
[indistinct chatter]
[melancholy music playing]
[woman] Excuse me.
Uh… A sparkling water, please.
Oh, with ice, thanks.
Uh…
Ma… Madeleine?
[exhales]
- Hi. - Hi.
- Do we know each other? - Um… [chuckles]
No, but I follow your, uh, ski workouts on social media.
- Cool. Yes. - Do they work?
They work really well.
- Oh really? - Yeah, I'm going for a personal best.
That's cool.
[inhales sharply] Hmm.
[Madeleine] Hmm.
Well, uh, do you have any waxing tips for the race…
- No! [laughs] - …that you can share?
I can't tell you that.
- Oh. - I don't want you to beat me.
[both laughing]
- You got me! - I have to make a living.
[Madeleine laughing]
[laughs nervously]
Ah, so, this is how you…
you make your living?
- Yes. - Ah!
Hi!
Hi?
Sorry, I'm so bad with faces. Do we know each other?
No. Nope.
We don't know each other. I thought you were someone else.
Are you sure? There is something familiar about you…
Yes, but I have a very normal face, so I think I look familiar…
- You're the girl who wee-d in the park. - Nah.
Nah.
Nice to see you again.
Nice to see you too.
I think this place has enough toilets.
[chuckles]
I choose to live my own life for me, okay?
- Yes, of course. - Yeah.
I don't want to follow all those other people,
have some kids, buy a three-bed house.
- You know what I mean? - Yeah. Yeah.
- I know exactly what you mean. [laughs] - And you?
- Me? - No, let me guess.
Uh, three kids, Volvo, and a dog.
- I have a Volvo. A Volvo, yeah. - Yeah?
- So, one out of three's not bad. - Here's to freedom.
- Mm.
What will you do with your freedom?
- Live in the mountains. - You'll do that?
I'm going to climb in the summer, ski in the winter.
- Amazing… - Basically, live life.
- I'm going to build this big hut outdoors… - Wow.
- [Øyvind] We're off. You coming? - Uh, I'll stay a bit longer, I think.
- So, uh, you guys go on ahead. - Okay.
- Where are you staying? - We're up in the school.
- Oh. Hardcore Birken. [laughs] - Oh yeah.
Hardcore boys, that's us.
- Yeah? I couldn't do it. - You couldn't?
No. I have to lie in a nice bubble bath before long runs, to loosen up.
To feel the warmth in my joints and muscles.
- Ah, yes, very smart. - I have a cabin up there.
With a jacuzzi?
Yep. If I could actually get it to work.
I've tried everything.
I wouldn't say I'm an expert, but I have a hot tub at home.
Do you know what kind it is?
Why don't you come and check it out? Maybe…
Uh, yeah. Yeah, I can do that.
- It's the least I can do after all the… - Cool. Thanks.
…good advice you have, um…
Let's go.
Yeah.
It's just these buttons?
Uh, yeah. I don't know how to turn the jets on.
[water bubbling]
There you go. [laughs]
- Magic finger! - [Madeleine laughing]
You just need to hold the button in for longer.
- Thanks. - Well, I, um.
Is it nice?
- Huh? - The water.
Uh…
- It seems nice and warm. - I'm just gonna change!
Okay.
Well, uh, enjoy your jacuzzi then!
No! Get in the tub!
Yeah. Um, okay.
[Emilie] So, you're just a volunteer?
Well, you know, I… I don't mean "just".
Have you been doing it long?
Yeah, we're a group of friends from here who come home every year to do it.
It's a tradition.
Ah, okay.
And you? What do you do outside of Birken?
Uh, well, I'm a bit…
in between things.
Okay. What are you in between?
Jobs? Boyfriends?
Uh… [laughs]
I'd say kind of both.
- Uh huh. - Yeah.
You're keeping your options open?
Yeah. All of those options.
[laughs]
- Well, thanks for the police escort. - You're welcome.
- It's a rough area. - [laughing]
- Good luck tomorrow. - Thanks.
And sleep well.
I'm sleeping with those two, over there.
My older brother, and a guy with a snoring machine,
- so I don't think I'll sleep very well. - Ah.
I'll try though.
That's fine, it's only nine kilometres and then, uh…
You could crash at my mum's if you like?
We have plenty of space.
And she's in the race tomorrow, so she's sleeping now.
I think my brother wants me to go and stay with… them.
Of course. I get it. Um…
Okay. Well, I'll see you tomorrow.
- See you. - Sweet dreams.
Yep.
I'm the guy with the Birken vest and the snowmobile.
I'm the girl with the skis.
[laughing] Okay. I'll see you there.
[Madeleine sighing deeply]
[both sighing deeply]
[Madeleine sighing]
[Gjermund sighing]
[groans]
- How's that? - Yes.
Oh! That's it.
There?
- Not so hard. - Okay.
[sighing]
We can't have sex.
- Huh? No, I never thought that. - It's a race.
- I need to sleep at least ten hours. - Well, yeah.
- That's important. - Yes, rest for the race.
[sighing]
You're sleeping here tonight, right?
- Yeah? - Maybe…
…you'll get lucky tomorrow after the race?
Could be fun.
[Jacuzzi beeps, stops]
[CPAP machine whirring]
I've got your back. Us two are a team.
[Emilie] Where's Gjermund?
I don't know.
- You don't know? - No.
- Hmm.
[line ringing]
- [Gjermund] Hi. - Where are you?
I'm going to stay somewhere else tonight.
The school was your idea and you just left me here?
Look, just get some rest and I will see you tomorrow.
- Okay? - Gjermund.
[hangs up]
Hello?
- [machine whirring] - [man muttering]
Hi. Hi.
- Hi. - Um, could I change my mind?
- [chuckling] Yes. - Yeah?
- You can. - Okay.
- Cool.
[chuckles]
We have to be quiet. Mum's already asleep.
Okay.
- It's that way. - Oh. Yes.
[Emilie laughing softly]
I hope you still have those jimjams?
- I'm gonna put them on now. - Oh really?
- [both laughing] - Shh,
I couldn't find any sheets, but here's a duvet and a pillow.
Thank you.
Well, good night.
And to you.
And, uh… thank you.
That's okay.
- Good night. - Night.
[door closes]
- Hey. - Hey.
- Are you looking for the toilet? - No, not really.
[laughs softly]
Ah, no?
No.
[romantic harmonic music playing]
[knocking on door]
[woman] Hello?
[whispering] I'm not here.
- I'm answering? - Yeah. It can't be me.
My mum will interrogate me.
- Go on. - Okay.
Go on.
- Hi. - Hi.
- I thought you'd need some sheets. - Thanks.
I think it's polite to offer our guests some sheets.
Wouldn't you say, Ole Martin?
- [sighing] - I know you're in there.
[laughing]
- Well, good night. - Yep.
Good night. And thanks for letting me stay.
[chuckling]
[laughing]
[Emilie] Oh!
[Martin groaning]
[Emilie exhaling]
Right. How proud do you feel now?
From one to ten?
- Oh, it's not a ten. - No?
No…
Sometimes… she's a bit much.
I thought she was cool.
That's 'cause my mum didn't care. She just called it a free upbringing.
That sounds quite good to me.
[laughing]
Yeah.
[melancholy music playing]
- One hundred and twenty. You? - No, I got one hundred.
- Hi. - Hi.
- [Helge] We're going up three mountains. - [Øyvind] We're going down three too.
[Emilie] Where were you?
Uh, we should get packing now.
What's that?
Hang on. Where's your wedding ring?
I always take it off before every race, because…
it catches.
What are you up to?
I'm not up to anything.
Wait, what's happened?
Tell me what's wrong?
I don't think that Silje and I should stay together.
Huh?
And we haven't really been in love for ages now…
romantically.
- What Madeleine makes me feel is amazing… - Who the fuck is Madeleine?
Madeleine's an influencer.
Dear God, Gjermund.
Our connection was so much stronger than I've ever had with Silje.
And how long have you known her? Like 12 hours?
It feels like ten years. We want the same things.
[Emilie scoffs]
Okay, what is it that you suddenly want.
Maybe I could be living somewhere like this with her, uh…
You want to live in Rena?
I could maybe even set up an adventure park wherever I wanted to.
Skiing outside in the winter.
And in the summer I could go climbing. That is what really living is all about.
Emilie, listen I, uh… I would build a hut of my own
and just enjoy my life.
Uh, so… Are you being for real?
Is this just… Do you always lose your head right before Birken?
No, it became crystal clear to me that what I have to do is
speak to Silje and get a divorce.
- It's been on the cards for ages. - No, no, no, you can't.
Gjermund!
You've been with Silje for 15 years.
Now you're just gonna throw that away
for a random 25-year-old that you've only just met?
- Get a grip, will you! - No, actually she is 34.
- Not so much younger than me. - Oh, she's 34.
- Yup. - Oh, in that case, go for it, brother!
I intend to.
[gentle music playing]
[indistinct announcement over PA]
Why are they weighing the backpacks?
- What for? - Oh, that's because…
- Without… - Backpack…
It must weigh at least seven and a half pounds.
The same as the king's son who was carried by the Birkebiens.
They weigh it at the end and the start.
And you're telling me this now. Are you?
Approved.
No, no, no, no, no.
No, bag's too light.
Sorry, but how do you actually know how much the king's son weighed?
He could have been premature, a premature baby.
- So was I. - What?
Five weeks.
I had a lot of challenges.
It's not a joke.
Well that's what I mean.
Yeah, you… you don't look as if you were premature now.
[official] How do you think we look?
[Emilie] Your face looks really normal.
Can you give her one of those water bottles to take?
'Cause, uh, we're running a bit late.
- Yes. - Approved.
Thanks a lot.
[Gjermund] Right. Come on.
[man on PA] We are starting soon.
In exactly five minutes, the next group is going to start.
So please be sure to find your space
and have a little nutrition before the race starts.
We are seeing people in a hurry to find their place.
It really is a beautiful day today…
You're in the last group, so you'll have to go over there.
On my own over there?
Yes, you're going on your own.
I'll see you after.
- Hi. - Hey.
- Can I squeeze in here? Move up. - Hello.
- Hiya.
- Ah! - I hope you've got good wax on there.
[chuckles] You should hope I don't.
We have a date after… don't we, tonight?
Yeah, we have.
Yes.
- Mm-hmm. - Thought I'd double-check with you.
Oh yeah. Uh-huh.
Just need to beat you in the race first.
[laughing]
We'll see about that.
[man on PA] They are all ready. It's only 30 seconds until the start.
There are many people here who intend to break their old records,
and they have been training hard all year.
Everything has been building up to this moment.
This is it!
- [gun shot] - And there we go.
A group of skiers at full speed up from the start
in pursuit of their own personal best.
Good luck over the mountain, everyone.
Dear, beautiful Silje.
Uh… I'm not very good at speaking in front of everyone,
but after seeing the priest perform earlier,
I thought there's hope for me too.
[guests laughing]
[Gjermund on TV] Getting married is a huge decision.
And these past few years have been quite tough.
So, there was no guarantee we would be here today.
But, as long as we have each other,
everything is going to be fine.
[Silje laughing] Yes.
[exhaling]
[melancholy harmonica music playing]
[man on PA] Then we have reached group 16.
Here are many excited participants who are doing the Birkebeiner race
for the very first time.
Some have fought their way back after illness,
and others who aim to get a little bit further than they did last year.
A well-rounded group that creates an atmosphere along the track.
Good luck, everyone!
[gun shot]
And there goes the last group,
the participants who face the biggest challenge,
Fifty-four kilometres on skis require a nuclear power plant of energy.
A colourful group who are embarking on the biggest challenge of their lives.
Let's wish them a really good trip!
[crowd cheering, whooping]
[Emilie panting, groaning]
Here, have a sports drink. I'd say you've earned it.
Great. Thank you.
You're welcome.
BUS FOR THE QUITTERS
[exciting electronic music playing]
[Joachim] Lilli?
- Do you want some of these cakes? - I want to see my mum!
Yes, I know, but we can't.
But you promised.
I know, but it was a really stupid idea. Okay darling?
It's really far away and Mum gets these crazy ideas in her head. Okay?
[Lilli] That is so unfair!
[Joachim sighs]
[door slams]
It's just so typical of Emilie.
She always gets some sort of crazy idea
and then we all have to catch her when she falls flat on her face every time.
Do you remember that calligraphy course she tried?
She wanted me to switch weeks, and then she quit within a month anyway.
Joachim.
- I think you should just shut up. - Huh?
You're always going on about Emilie.
No I'm not.
You say that she's the one who has to move on.
I didn't say move on, but at least pull herself--
Let me speak!
You going on like this means you're not over her.
Do you think I can't see that?
It's obvious you still haven't forgiven her.
Oh, come on!
Imagine how that feels for me when I'm having your baby now.
It really hurts.
And you can't…
there's no room for that.
You have to learn to leave that all in the past.
We're becoming a family
and Emilie is part of that family.
And you treat her like shit.
You're hurting me, and…
You're hurting Lilli too.
[Lilli] Do you think we'll see Mum?
Yes, of course, we just have to look. She's there somewhere, isn't she?
I think we'll see her.
- [Lilli] I wonder what colour her suit is. - Hmm.
I don't remember.
[breathing heavily]
- Hi. [chuckling] - Hi.
Hi, nice to see you again.
Yes.
Well, uh…
There's 50 kilometres left, so you should save your energy.
- Yeah. - Yes.
We should stay at this pace, it's a good one.
- Yeah. - Yes.
So… Did you and Martin eat breakfast?
[Emilie] Yes.
[man on PA] We have our first two racers coming towards the finish line!
Number 319, Mats Erlend Lindstrom, against number 320, Henrik Saether.
Who is going to win this year's Birken?
[scattered cheering]
Whoa.
Oh! [coughs]
Are you all right?
I have too much lactic acid. I'm feeling it.
We've only gone 9 kilometres, there's 45 left.
Exactly that.
[man on PA] We have a winner here in Lillehammer,
and it is 319 from Gjerderum ski team…
Hang on, what the fuck? How… How are they finishing?
- That's not possible. - We have to get going.
Are you ready?
I think I might…
stop a bit longer.
I need another drink. You go on ahead.
Are you quitting?
No! No, I'm not quitting.
I'll meet you along the way and…
see you at the finish!
- Yeah? - Yes, I will.
[mournful harmonica playing]
[groans]
[sighs]
[man] Don't be so hard on yourself.
I've never made it to the finish line.
- Where are you going? - We're going to see Mum!
Drive carefully.
Okay. I will.
- We've got a nice warm bus now. - Yes.
[cell phone vibrating]
WE WILL BE AT THE FINISH LINE CHEERING FOR YOU.
[Emilie chuckles]
[bus door slamming]
[inspirational music playing]
[bus starting]
Hey! Excuse me? Hello? Could you open it up? I need my skis back.
[driver] Okay.
- Thank you. And will you tell that guy? - Sure.
- Hey! What the hell are you doing? - Shut up and watch yourself!
- Are you okay? - Idiot!
Forget about that amateur!
- Come on, Gjermund! - [panting]
[Madeleine] Make way! Make way, you fucking bitches!
[watch chimes]
SILJE: I'M WAITING FOR YOU AT THE FINISH LINE
What's wrong?
Uh, I have to uh…
take a piss.
Just go in your suit. I can't wait for you.
[male skier] Make way!
[melancholy harmonica playing]
- [man] Do you have someone to meet you? - Yeah, my son will come and get me.
- All right then. - Hi.
- I'll be fine. - What happened?
It's my leg, I'm not sure what I've done to it, but…
Do you know her?
Yeah.
- Someone's coming to get me, so… - Okay.
- Could you, er, wait with her? - Yes.
Is that all right?
- Yes. - Yes.
- [man] Yeah? Great. - Thanks.
- Ah. Is it painful? - Yeah, a little bit.
Oh, there he is.
[engine stops]
- Hi. - Hi.
- So, here you are then. - It seems so.
Going well?
I'm fine, yes. A bit tired from all that skiing.
[chuckle]s You look very… fresh.
- Do I? - Mm.
Oh. So do you.
Hello! I'm getting a bit cold over here.
Oh! Yeah, sorry.
What happened, Mum?
Oh, I don't really know. I… I just slipped. Can you help me up?
- Yeah, yeah, yeah. - Thanks.
Ooh. [groans]
You'll have to hurry. In 15 minutes they're closing Kvarstad.
Oh shit! Okay.
- Well then! - Well then!
Ah! Good luck, Vigdis.
- Have a good trip. - Thanks.
[energetic music playing]
[man on PA] There is someone who has lost a red backpack,
his name is John Fjæreide.
There are car keys and a packed lunch in the bag,
so he would greatly appreciate it if someone found it and handed it in.
And this is it folks, it's going to be a very exciting finish for this group!
It is number 3214, Ivar Tømmerdal, followed by 4172 Olav Åberg.
Right behind them we have Åse Nerland.
And it is Ivar Tømmerdal who wins the race!
[crowd cheering]
- And now we've got more racers… - Silje!
Silje!
Hi.
It's Auntie Silje.
- Hi. - Hi.
Come here. Oh, it's so nice to see you here.
Hi, Auntie Silje. Great to see you.
Have you seen Gjermund?
Uh, when I checked he was at Midtfjellet, so he isn't too far away now.
- Can you check? - Yes, you can track them.
- Okay. - Mm-hmm.
- Can you see where Emilie is now? - Yeah.
You can see that Emilie is…
on Raudfjellet.
She has gone 20 kilometres, and she has 34 kilometres left.
All right, this is gonna be a long day, Lilli.
- Hi. - Hi.
Well, the time is half past three and…
- Okay. - [woman] Um…
But we aren't that strict. If you'd like to carry on then you can.
We won't stop you.
- I want to, yeah. - [man] Me too!
- Good luck to you. - Great. Thanks.
- We're the last two… - What?
- They're closing it down. - Oh shit!
Yes. The last checkpoint is Sjusjoen.
- Yes. - The guy there is a real Nazi on the time.
Oh dear.
- He stopped me last year. - Yeah?
I told him that I had pulmonary emphysema,
reduced lung, um, and that I'm 50% disabled.
And he said "No! Forget about it."
How long till we get there?
It's 12 kilometres.
Oh!
Stay with me and we'll get there!
Okay, cool.
Thanks.
We're a little gang.
No, we're not in a gang.
Ah!
[melancholy harmonica playing]
How are you? Doing all right?
Yes, I just have this, um…
old knee injury that's playing up a bit, so I'm going to take it slow.
Are you sure?
- Yes, you just go ahead. - We have to if we want a personal best.
Yeah.
[watch chimes]
SILJE: AT THE STADIUM. CHEERING FOR YOU!
And here we have some more contestants
who are just about to cross the finish line.
Congratulations. They've struggled over 54 kilometres and they've made it!
I'm 50% disabled.
The place I work, it's a sheltered company.
My brother, he got the job first,
but I've had an apprenticeship, you could say.
It's actually called stroboscopic lung volume reduction.
But nobody knows that.
People don't care about it, so…
They talk about minorities,
everyone talks about minorities these days.
And what about us who have to breathe through a straw all the time?
- No one cares. - [Emilie sighs]
You think they would, but no!
- [crowd cheering] - [bells jangling]
There's Øyvind and Helge.
- [groaning] - [skis clattering]
- Good race. - [Helge] Thank you.
So, where is Gjermund?
[both panting]
We left him at Midtfjellet.
He said that his knee was hurting, but he's fine.
[both laughing]
- He's still at Midtfjellet. - [Joachim] Maybe he lost the chip?
No, look, he's moving on there.
- [crowd cheering] - [indistinct PA announcement]
Yeah, he's gone off the track. He's in the woods outside of it.
[ominous music playing]
[music stops]
LOW BATTERY
[bird screeching]
[man] No fucking way!
He said it would all have to be done over again.
With the forms, the queues, the taxi bills…
I need a wee!
You'll have to go in your suit, or we won't make it there!
Wait for me.
We're the last ones.
I'm not gonna miss the last checkpoint for you.
- But we're a gang! - No, we're not!
- Wait! - Oh my God!
[mournful harmonica playing]
- Say hi to Emilie if you see her. - Yeah. I will. Yeah.
I hope that she makes it to the last checkpoint.
All right.
Whoa! I'm afraid you're gonna have to stop here please, lady.
It's 5.35 p.m.
- I can't. I've gone 40 kilometres. - It's our safety protocol, madam.
What the fuck?
How am I a safety risk here then?
Mind your language, madam.
I'm only five minutes late. They let me through at Kvarstad.
Take off your skis and then go and join the quitter's bus down there.
No. What do you think you're doing there?
Hey! I told you to stop… I…
Now then, young lady, I'm gonna really have to put my foot down!
[grunts]
[machinery engine starting]
[man] Hey!
Shouldn't that snow groomer have a driver?
Fuck, no!
Fuck! No!
No!
[laughing]
[energetic music playing]
[low tone playing]
[huffing]
[sniffs]
Hey!
Hey! Hey!
Wait! Over here!
[Silje] Gjermund!
[grunting]
Silje?
[Silje panting]
Why are you here?
What is it?
I saw your text and…
I just think…
Silje, I just…
[exhales]
Oh. I, uh…
[sighing]
I don't want to, uh…
keep on trying.
I can't live like that.
I guess we'll just have to accept that…
life doesn't always turn out the way you wanted.
[chuckles]
But it did for me when I met you.
I'm sorry.
- I'm sorry. - I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
[emotional music playing]
I would like a dog, though.
That doesn't shed too much hair.
I love you.
- I love you, too. - Yeah.
[chuckles, sniffs]
I'm quite cold.
- [laughing] - Don't laugh.
[Gjermund] Ah.
[Gjermund sighs]
Shit, my skis.
I forgot my skis.
[man on PA] Here we have number 8435, Kari Røkke.
Last year she fought hard, and this year she has completed Birken.
- So how long will this take? - [Joachim] Good question.
[man on PA] Now we're really coming to the end.
[urinating]
[groans]
[fan] Look, there's one more coming!
- [people whooping] - [fan] Come on!
WELCOME TO LILLEHAMMER THE FINISH LINE IS CLOSE!
[crowd encouraging, cheering]
[fan] Hey! Where's your backpack?
Oh.
No. Fuck!
Fuck.
[man] Come on boys! Come on, come on! Come on, guys!
Come on lads! Quick, quick, over here!
What's the weight?
I think it's about seven pounds. Just load her up.
How much does a beer weigh?
Just fill it up so she won't be disqualified!
Come on! More beers! Just fill it up! That'll do it! That's enough.
Go, go, come on!
[clapping] Whoo!
[cheering, whooping]
[whooping]
[inspirational music playing]
Yeah! Come on!
Here's one more contestant coming to the finish line.
Give her a round of applause!
- [crowd cheering] - [bells clanging]
She's all on her own!
Look, there she is!
- Go on, Emilie! - Go, Mum! Yay! Yeah!
She's struggled over mountains and plains
and over a thousand metres in altitude.
And now, finally, after nearly 11 hours of blood, sweat and tears,
she is on her way to cross the finish line.
You can do it! Go, Mum!
This is absolutely incredible!
She has crossed Norwegian mountains,
and I have to say that this young lady has totally earned the right
to call herself a real Birkebeiner.
You're looking at a real fighter here, folks!
And there, in ten… ten hours and 47 minutes,
she has finally made it to the finish line.
What an achievement. Congratulations to Emilie Lunde!
And with that, this year's Birkebeiner is over.
- Hi. - Hi.
[laughing]
Hi.
- Can you help me? - Of course.
And then it's just a matter of saying welcome again to the race next year.
- Thank you. - I am… really impressed.
Are you?
Thanks.
Thank you.
I'm glad you're here.
Can you help me?
- Emilie! - Whoo!
- Yes! - Hi!
- Oh! - Congratulations!
- Thanks! - Congratulations!
Who would have thought?
I never actually believed you were going to do it, but, er…
Neither did I.
- Well done! - Ow!
- Ooh! - Ow.
- Oh! [laughs] - Ouch.
- [Gjermund] What is in your backpack? - Take this.
[Gjermund] It's full of bears!
[laughing]
8 MONTHS LATER
["Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Darling West playing]
- Merry Christmas! - And you! Have a good one.
Thanks.
♪ Have yourself a merry little Christmas ♪
Hi, Santa!
Merry Christmas!
♪ Next year all our troubles Will be out of sight ♪
Hi!
Merry Christmas! It's Christmas Eve.
- Yeah! - Yes!
- Hi. Hi there. - Hello!
You're out of toilet paper, just to let you know.
Hi.
Hey there.
Hey!
- I'm really happy. - [Emilie] Good.
[song continues]
♪ Once again as in olden days ♪
You're such a good girl! Yes, you are!
Hi.
Hi!
[laughing]
Oh!
- Hey. - Ah.
♪ Gather near to us once more ♪
Uh, yep.
[Martin] Hi!
♪ Someday soon, we all will be together If the fates allow ♪
- Oh, - Look at that.
It's ready!
♪ If the fates allow ♪
[indistinct happy chatter]
♪ Until then ♪
♪ We have to muddle through somehow ♪
♪ So have yourself ♪
♪ A merry little Christmas now ♪
[song fades]
[energetic instrumental music playing]