Only a Mother (Bara en mor)

Digitally restored by the Swedish Film Institute in 2015.

HOW VAST THE DISTANCE BETWEEN PEOPLE!

This is the story of the wife of a Swedish "statare,"

images from a large social class that has now disappeared.

In November of 1945, the last statare cart left on the country roads of Sweden.

Statare were agricultural laborers, without legal rights or unions,

housed in wretched accommodation next to the manor houses.

They worked hard day and night,

the husband in the field and the wife under the white whip of milking duty.

They lived a fatalistic life, never free, never themselves.

Trapped, as they saw it, in the cage of an unyielding fate

where no one could be different.

BASED ON THE NOVEL BY IVAR LO-JOHANSSON

- Oh dear... - Yes, it's hot.

Hello, listen up!

- Hello! - What's happened?

Listen to this! Hurry up!

It's horrific!

Get some hot water.

- Rya-Rya went swimming. - What?

Has she no shame? Swimming in the lake?

She was so beautiful!

What a sight to behold! Not like you old ladies.

- Old ladies?! - You can hear me whispering.

I'm sure her fiancé will avoid her after this.

- I saw... - What did you see, you silly old man?

Am I not allowed to speak?

Speak now, for heaven's sake!

Don't you have enough sense to seek out privacy when you bathe?

I'm sure Nils will abandon her after this!

I've played so much in these Warm Hills.

And this is where I met you.

One day we will live here, you and I. Isn't that what you said?

And on Sundays you will go fishing and bring home a big pike for me.

We'd be unfortunate to have big appetites.

Imagine escaping the statare barracks and all the women and kids.

If only you knew how they talk. Darned mosquitoes!

Nils, what's wrong?

Take some horse dandruff, boys.

Put it down the girls' collars.

- I don't believe in those things. - It works!

Nils!

Oh, the swimmer is here, I see.

I have no quarrel with any piece of common property.

Horse dandruff, no woman can resist it!

- I want to leave! - Can I take you home?

If you don't mind a piece of common property...

Nils!

- Don't, I'm untouched! - Really?

Try me then.

Stack it high in the middle so we can get out of here.

Rya! Come and help us so we can leave.

- Yes! - We don't want to be here all day.

I've been thinking, and I was wrong. I don't like anyone else.

The lake incident scared me. They said you did it to show yourself off.

Can't we just go back to how we were?

- Rya, are you coming? - Yes!

Henrik doesn't bother me.

And that thing with Berta shouldn't bother you.

I only did it because I was stupid.

It's too late.

They put dandruff on me that Saturday. I'm pregnant.

In eight days we're buying the rings.

- Are you coming?! - Yes!

- You've never been to town before, right? - Is there fish in the river?

Well, there's probably the odd tiddler.

Rya, what are you doing? Are you daydreaming again?

I want "Henrik" engraved, with today's date.

We want the real deal. There are other places here in town.

They come with a box, right?

One of these.

Really?

I've seen better.

Are you uncomfortable yet?

I notice it. I have to be more careful on the stairs.

You're not showing very much yet. Maybe in the eyes and the face.

But not in the waist.

- It's so pretty! - I hope he'll be nice to you, Henrik.

- A child needs a father. - Quiet!

- What are you girls chattering about? - That's none of your business.

You've done enough.

Goodbye, sir. Thank you for our time together.

- Keep quiet about that! - Hello.

Hello, Henrik. How are you?

I wanted to inform you that I refuse to live in the barracks as a married man.

We'll have to vacate a couple of rooms in the manor house then.

Do what you want. I'm sure another farm would take me on.

Are you serious?

I shall have Svartmyllan or nothing.

Don't be silly.

I promised it to the Alms. They've stayed for four years just so they could move in.

- Is that so? - He has a sick wife and daughter.

I would think those of us who can work would be given priority.

Nothing to be done, then. I've said my piece.

- I didn't say no. - I've made up my mind.

What if I promise, will that do?

All right!

Let's tuck in! The newlyweds will be served first.

Make sure you eat, Rya! You too, Henrik.

- Did it go well with the priest? - It went as planned.

It was so grand that I'm still speechless.

The meat was a failure, it's tough.

- Not at all! - Such a shame the meat was a failure.

- The meat is excellent! - The meat is ruined.

No!

I do believe you have one of our plates. Let's swap.

I would like to toast the newlyweds.

It is time.

I would like to toast the newlyweds.

I am grateful that we have had such a good daughter.

Rya-Rya, they call you. But of course, we named you Maria.

You called yourself Rya-Rya before you could speak properly.

It is a woman's destiny to be married. But she is in very good hands.

I hope you both maintain your health and that life will treat you well.

Don't make a fuss, Emili.

Sweet girl. Are you free on Saturday?

We're happy you'll be staying here when we move.

We're leaving these old barracks.

For us old statare, the worry remains.

If we don't get a raise, we take less. We need some sort of variety.

You're young, this is the beginning for you.

Cheers.

Drink some port, woman. This is a party, for heaven's sake!

- Cheers! - Cheers, everyone.

My arm is so sore I can't even raise it.

The meat was a failure. Cheers.

Cheers, everyone!

- Shall I tell you a wedding story? - No!

Could you be quiet?

Come with me, Cecilia. Mother Alm is really poorly.

Quiet! Mother Alm is...

What's wrong?

We should at least give them a cheer!

Hip hip hooray!

Go to bed.

Get out!

I said get out!

- Look, they've put firewood here. - Have they?

- We need to get it out quietly. - Sure.

Henrik! You need to get home!

- Why? - It's time! It's happening right now!

What's happening?

She's having frequent contractions!

You need to leave now to get the midwife in time!

I see.

- It's time, could you leave immediately? - I need to run up and ask for a horse.

- You won't get any dinner this way. - Never mind.

- How are you feeling? - Try to hurry up!

- I need to change first. - Go ahead. Your pants are behind the door.

What on earth?!

Don't touch the washbowl!

Go!

How's little Otto doing? Goodness...

Don't let your man near you for at least a month.

Don't forget, all pores are open. You'd be expecting again in no time.

If Henrik leaves me alone. I am married, after all.

Don't be silly! Just throw him off of you.

- Can I hold him? - No. Get us some firewood.

Don't breathe on him, what are you doing?! You have phthisis.

- Why don't you step aside for a man? - A man...

- What are you doing here? - I was told to get you some firewood.

- For us? - Yes. You have a wife and child now.

- I have a child. But a wife? - Don't be silly!

Step aside with your big pants so I can get some firewood.

- I'm lonely. Do you ever feel the same? - Maybe.

- So can't you understand me a little bit? - No, let me go!

Are you cold?

I wasn't going to say anything, but Henrik is getting fresh with us girls.

- You mean with you? - Well, not that much. It's me, too.

If he wants something from you, I don't mind.

That means I don't have to.

I have this one.

Goodbye.

I'm marrying Nils.

- So it's your turn? - Think we should have children first?

No, there's no rush. We're getting married anyway.

I can tell you since you're not impartial.

I NEED TO SPEAK TO YOU. I'll BE BY THE WINDOW

COME AT THREE

Strange.

I was just wondering what the woman here looks like.

You probably didn't hear me because of the wind.

You think those who only walk around hearing doors slam shut see nothing.

But we see.

Everything is new. The china.

And the knives and scissors.

It's lovely.

And you're beautiful.

And still...

I should have seen it immediately.

Don't be silly, I haven't got the time.

- I won't stop you. - What do you want?

Nothing that needs sharpening? No, new knives don't need sharpening.

Never mind.

- Where do you come from? - Outside.

I'll come back another time.

Goodbye.

Henrik!

Feel it.

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