Quiet Life (2024)

[bunniefuu]

Good afternoon, Sergei.

Hello Mr Bergqvist, Ms Aberg.

berg!

Natalia.

Hi.

Hello!

Hi, Katia.

Hi miss berg.

How's school? The choir?

Great, thanks.

And you, Alina?

How is the diving going?

Good.

You speak Swedish so well.

They are beautiful girls.

They look so...

happy and stable now.

Don't you think?

- Do you want some tea?

- Yes, please!

I'm fine, thank you.

Any problems with the appliances?

No, everything is fine.

Good.

Good.

Nice that you are keeping

everything so clean,

all by yourself.

Thank you very much Natalia.

You are welcome.

I was told you'll have some

new housemates soon.

- A couple.

- Yes.

What about food?

Do you get everything you need?

Healthy.

Good.

And what about dinner?

Looks delicious.

Will that be all?

Yes.

Enjoy your dinner.

Thank you for the tea.

Good luck for tomorrow.

- Do you have any sense...

- No, no.

Let's hope for the best.

Can I be Astrid?

Tomorrow,

when we will be Swedish,

we will need Swedish names, right?

Then I want to be... Sven!

I want to be Ingrid.

And Mommy can be...

Hilda!

Hilda?

I like it.

MIGRATION BOARD

Please, have a seat.

Yes?

We are ready to start.

OK?

Issue of Residence Permit.

Designation number 50134096.

Date of decision: 7th of May 2018.

Applicants: Skande: Sergei Gallitzin,

Natalia Gallitzin,

Alina Gallitzin, Katia Gallitzin.

Russian citizens.

Current status:

Enrolled in LMA,

granted daily allowance,

temporary accommodation

and exception from working

without a permit.

Requested status:

permanent residency

and status as a refugee.

In support of their application,

the applicants have told us the following:

Sergei Gallitzin

claims persecution

and threat to life in country of origin.

Applicants claim physical as*ault,

by operatives of the Russian state,

with intent to k*ll.

In addition,

applicant claims physical intimidation

carried out by unknown persons

in and around applicants home.

In his statement, Sergei Gallitzin

claims that, in 2017,

while working as a secondary

school principal,

he allowed and encouraged the distribution

and discussion of banned texts

among his students.

These texts included novels,

scientific papers

and political histories

promoting pluralism,

democracy and freedom of speech.

When State Authorities

became aware of his actions,

they began to physically and verbally

intimidate Mr Gallitzin and his wife,

Natalia Gallitzin,

to force him to stop.

Despite being threatened with long-term

imprisonment and loss of career,

Sergei Gallitzin refused to back down,

choosing to write an article,

stating his opposition to the state's list

of banned books,

which was published

in local news sites,

and subsequently deleted.

Two days after the publication

of the article,

Mr Gallitzin was attacked with a knife

by men in police uniforms,

accompanied by two other men,

who Mr Gallitzin identifies as agents

of the Federal Security Services

who intended to k*ll him.

The only witness to the attack,

was Mr Gallitzin's daughter.

To safeguard the child from further

trauma, no testimony was provided,

and her name was kept out of

the records at the family's request.

After the attack, Mr Gallitzin was treated

for two days in a public hospital.

Afraid of being discovered

and aware of renewed threats

towards Natalia Gallitzin,

the applicant took his family into hiding.

A week later, they escaped to Sweden

with the help of a smuggler.

The Swedish Migration Board's decision

is based on provisions in the Aliens Act.

It is the opinion of the migration board

that you have not provided

credible information

that the attack was in fact carried out

by the Russian state.

The information provided

cannot therefore be considered

in the continued assessment

of your need for protection.

The Migration Board

does not find sufficient evidence

that verbal or physical threats

would have taken place.

There are no hospital records

or testimonies

to corroborate these claims.

There is also nothing to suggest

that the family risks further threats

or violence

if they return to their home country.

The Swedish Migration Board

therefore decides

to reject your application

for permanent residence

and the declaration

of protection status.

You have ten days to provide new

evidence

or corroborating testimony

and file an appeal.

After that time, if no appeal is logged,

the current decision will gain legal force

and you will be deported from Sweden.

Please, sit down.

Please, sit down.

Look at me.

Do you see that?

Look at me.

Please.

Look at me.

Please, look at me.

Look at this!

Why are you going?

Please sit down.

The doors will unlock

when order is restored.

Look at me.

Look at me!

Please sit down.

The doors will unlock

when order is restored.

Please sit down.

The doors will unlock when order

is restored.

We need to appeal

and we need your testimony.

We need you to tell them what you saw.

Are you OK with that?

Yes.

Mr and Mrs Gallitzin?

Yes.

Can we see her?

Yes, of course.

We have to keep her isolated

till we know more.

What's wrong with her?

We're waiting

for the test results.

I hope we can tell more tomorrow.

Alina.

Alina, come and eat.

Alina, please.

Alina, please, eat your food.

Alina.

Alina,

talk to me.

Why can't I go with you tomorrow?

You have to go to school.

But I want to be with Katia.

The best thing you can do for her,

is to pick up her homework.

She'll need it when she wakes up.

- What if she doesn't wake up?

- She will.

- How do you know?

- Alina.

There have been kids at school,

who got sick and never came back.

Alina, that's enough.

It's just a coincidence.

Katia will be fine.

Believe me, OK?

I'm not hungry.

I'm going to do my homework.

Of course.

I called the Migration Board.

We have to go tomorrow,

to file the appeal.

Tomorrow?

Thank you all.

Let's have a five-minute break.

Your daughter has been transferred.

Please, follow me.

Come in.

Come in. Please, have a seat.

There were no traces of drugs

in Katia's blood.

So we have ruled out inducement.

What?

We've had quite a few parents

poisoning their children.

Why would we poison

our own child?

To stay in Sweden,

Mr Gallitzin.

How dare you?

It's terrible,

but it happens more often

than you might think.

Regardless,

Social Service believes

that Katia should remain

in our care for the time being.

Can I see her?

Is everything ready

or do you need more time?

Everything is ready.

Who is she?

This is Adriana.

She's one of our head nurses.

She will be responsible for Katia's care.

Can I see her?

Of course.

I just want to ask you

a few questions first. If I may.

Is she awake?

I'm afraid not.

What?

I understand that this past time

has been particularly stressful

for you.

Have the children been exposed

to this stress?

We tried, as much as we could,

to protect them.

But they were aware of the stakes?

Of your asylum application?

Of course they were.

You were recently denied asylum.

Is that correct?

Yes.

Upon hearing this decision,

did you experience any feelings of fear,

or disappointment?

What do you think?

I need to hear it from you.

Yes.

And did you express these feelings

in front of the children?

What is the point of all this?

Your daughter is suffering from

Resignation Syndrome.

Her higher cerebral functions

have been shut down.

She has disassociated herself

from reality.

This is a defense mechanism,

to protect herself emotionally.

Because she doesn't feel safe.

How can we make her feel safe

when we can't stay here?

With death hanging over our family.

You can't.

You are unable to provide

her parental stability

and security,

just when she needs it the most.

That's why our therapy involves

the separation of the child

from its family.

Your time with her will be structured.

We believe this is what's best for Katia.

Please wait here.

You are allowed to visit your daughter,

once you've completed your sessions.

This is the only way you can help her.

You can start tomorrow.

We have to do what they say

till we get the asylum.

How?

We don't even have a witness.

We will.

No...

She's our only hope now.

We will get the asylum

and everything will be better.

You had a talk with your mother.

We'll start tomorrow.

Is that OK for you?

When can I see her?

Sleep well.

Stretch the tip of your mouth,

till you feel your teeth touching

your bottom lip.

Good.

Keep it.

Keep it.

Keep it!

Keep it.

And remember to bend back,

just a little.

Good.

And smile!

Keep it.

Keep it.

Keep it.

Keep it!

And relax.

Here is what happened to us.

Please, don't make me do this.

I'm not going to make you do anything.

Maybe that's enough for today.

Who knows the golden rule?

P.A.P.A.

Well done Sergei.

"P.A.P.A." stands for the 4 things

you can't do in front of the children.

You don't talk about the...

Past.

You don't mention the...

Asylum.

You never bring up any...

Problems.

And you certainly never,

ever show any...

Anxiety.

Good.

And smile.

Keep going.

And together.

You don't talk about the...?

Past.

You don't mention the...?

Asylum.

You never bring up any...?

Problems.

And you certainly never,

ever show any...?

Anxiety.

Good.

Keep smiling.

Keep it.

Keep it.

Good! Keep going.

Keep it, keep it.

And relax.

Relax.

Though Sweden has operated

under a parliamentary system

since 1917,

it took many more years to grow into

the full, representative Democracy

we enjoy today.

Did you know that before 1975,

the King of Sweden had the power

to nominate and dismiss the government

I remember it was Friday afternoon.

My father came to pick me up

from a birthday party.

We were heading home,

to pick up my mother, and Katia,

to go visit my grandmother

for the weekend.

It was cold that day.

We had the heaters on in the car...

I remember it was Friday afternoon.

My father came to pick me up

from a birthday party.

We were heading home to...

Start again.

I remember it was Friday afternoon.

My father came to pick me up

from a birthday party.

We were heading home,

to pick up my mother, and Katia,

to go visit my grandmother

for the weekend.

It was cold that day.

We had the heaters on in the car

and the windows were fogging up.

Stop. I don't believe you.

I don't believe a word you just said.

Whose party was it?

- What?

- Whose birthday was it?

I don't know.

Think!

And so?

It was Anna's birthday.

Correct. Where did we stop?

- When?

- After the attack.

Just let me tell the story again.

Answer my question.

Where did we stop?

In an alley.

- What time was it?

- Afternoon.

- Time.

- Six o'clock.

- Where was the blood?

- What?

Where was my blood?

On my hand. On my hand!

How many men were there?

What car did they drive?

What were they...

I do not know! I was not there!

Stop pushing her!

- Look what you are doing to her.

- What am I doing?

Can't you see you have to stop?

For once in your life, just stop!

But remember to keep

the elbows straight.

Good.

And don't forget your smiles.

Good.

And now the other side.

Keep smiling.

Keep it.

Good.

OK, good work.

Natalia, Sergei?

Support the head

and start with the right one.

And don't forget your smiles.

Keep going.

Good, and now the legs.

Starting with the right.

Grab it by the ankle and bend.

Keep going.

Sorry.

No, don't apologize. You're doing great.

Let it out.

These feelings are poison for you,

for your children.

Everyone. Clean your poison!

You will feel better.

I f*cked it up.

They will never let me see her now, right?

Just show them what they want to see.

And don't believe

everything they tell you.

Thank you Adriana.

I'll take it from here.

Good afternoon, Mrs Gallitzin.

May I call you Natalia?

Great.

I am here to listen to you.

If you don't want to talk to me,

I can forbid you from visiting her.

I'm her mother.

Yes.

And this type of hysteria is exactly

what Katia doesn't need right now.

If you want to help her,

you have to learn how

to stay calm around her

and how to trust us.

Yes?

I also had a garden.

I used to grow up flowers in it.

It relaxed me.

When they came...

they walked all over it.

They didn't even see it.

I loved my house.

My job.

I was a teacher.

I was with my students

when the men came into the house.

We were going over verb endings.

I helped them escape

through the window.

I didn't get out in time...

I told him to stop.

To mind his own business.

We had kids.

We had...

We had a life.

Come.

She can hear you.

I brought you something.

You can open it when you wake up.

Katia, I heard the choir,

they got this new girl

and she sings terribly.

So get better OK?

You have to save the show.

I brought your homework.

We can do it together.

Don't!

Come in.

This way.

This is my son...

Yuri.

Hello Yuri.

Yuri was in that clinic too.

He woke up like this.

Nobody knows when he had the stroke.

The red bruise you saw on Katia's arm

is a thrombosis.

She has pneumonia.

They've injected her with antibiotics.

Don't worry, she will be fine.

But you have to stay calm.

You have to do what they tell you.

If you make a fuss they will ban you.

It is useless to fight them right now.

But you said...

I said they don't have

the legal authority.

It doesn't mean they won't do it.

Is the treatment working?

I'm afraid not.

Her coma is deepening.

How long was Yuri sleeping?

Almost two years.

He wants to go to his room.

Yuri was six

when we came here from Montenegro.

Such a happy child.

When we lost our appeal,

he got sick very quickly.

They told me he'd get better

in that clinic.

And I believed them.

They didn't mention that

the longer they sleep,

the less normal they wake up.

How did he wake up?

We got the asylum.

How?

How did you get it?

Yuri's father was working off the books.

Long hours.

He was driving the boss's van.

He fell asleep at the wheel.

I filed a new appeal...

as a widow.

This time I won.

They got angry...

They tried to drag him out...

There were three of them...

My father was kicking at them,

fighting them off...

they...

Don't look at it.

Let's start again from the "cold".

I can't do it anymore. I'm tired.

In a few days, you will tell this story

to people who don't want us here.

They will try to find any reason

not to believe you.

If they are not 100 percent sure

about your testimony,

they will send us back.

Begin.

I remember that day it was cold.

We had the heaters on in the car

and the windows were...

- Again.

- Dad!

- Again!

- Dad, please!

Please, start again from the beginning.

I can't!

Enough!

We are doing this for Katia.

If she doesn't wake up soon, we are

going to lose her forever.

Do you understand?

They lied to us.

The longer they stay asleep, the worse

they are when they wake up.

I've seen it.

If we want Katia to wake up,

you have to do this.

So please, continue.

It was cold that day.

We had the heaters turned on

in the car,

and the windows were fogging up.

Give it back!

Stop, let me go!

- Give it back!

- No!

Stop!

No!

No! No!

Stop it!

What's the matter with you?

What happened?

I fell in gym class.

Fell...?

I need to go practice.

Welcome Alina.

Hello.

Please.

You have something

you want to say to us...

about the attack?

Yes.

Tell us what you remember.

I remember it was a Friday afternoon.

Dad came to pick me up

from a birthday party.

We drove home to pick up mom and Katia

and then go to grandma's for the weekend.

It was cold that day.

We had the heaters turned on in the car

and the windows were fogging up.

I was drawing with my fingers on the glass

when my dad hit the brakes.

I hit my head against the window...

I was bleeding.

I saw a police car

by the side of the road.

Two policemen were standing

in front of it.

They were holding g*ns.

They signaled for us to pull over.

Another car stopped behind ours.

Two men came out, and walked towards us.

I asked Dad what was happening...

he told me to hide in the back.

Through the foggy glass,

I saw figures moving around us.

They knew my father's name...

they asked him to step out of the car.

He asked them why,

what he had done wrong.

They insisted.

He asked to see their IDs,

and then...

They got angry...

They tried to drag him out...

three of them...

He was kicking at them, fighting them off.

First, they pulled off his shoes,

they punched him and...

They slammed his head against

the steering wheel.

They kept punching him

till he stopped resisting.

I got as low as I could.

And then I heard someone open

the passenger door.

He didn't see me and left.

I heard my father being dragged away.

When I dared to put my head back up,

I saw there was blood on the seat.

I could only hear them beating him.

I wanted to clear the condensation

off the window but I was afraid.

Then I heard my father scream.

And I heard the men running away.

I got out of the car...

and I saw the police car leaving

first, and then the second one.

I was screaming.

I was scared...

I was screaming for my father.

I walked to the alley...

and I saw a man lying on the ground,

behind a trash can.

I ran and I saw that it was him.

There was blood all over his shirt

and on the snow.

He was clutching his stomach.

I remember the blood,

flowing between his fingers.

He was looking at me,

but he couldn't speak.

I thought that he was going to die.

I lay beside him, crying.

Someone must have heard me

because shortly after,

I heard the siren of an ambulance.

Thank you Alina.

I appreciate how hard this must be for you

but I'd like to ask you a few questions,

if I may.

Why did you want to

talk to us today?

To tell you what I saw.

But why didn't you come forward

with this information before?

You knew your parents had filed

for the asylum, didn't you?

Yes...

And you knew this information

would help with the application, right?

Yes...

So why not tell us immediately?

My parents didn't want me to.

They were worried about me.

Worried? About what?

About me reliving what happened.

It must have been terrifying.

Yes...

But you did very well.

And coming here today,

was this your idea?

Yes,

I wanted to tell you everything I saw.

Alina. We have here a deposition

from your form teacher.

Would it be OK

if I read some of it to you?

From the very first moment they walked

into the school,

I could see that Alina had a maturity

beyond her years.

She was always a polite

and hardworking student

who tried to integrate

and do well in class.

She also made great effort to protect

her younger sister, Katia.

Katia has been sick lately.

Is that right?

Yes...

Is that why you decided to talk to us?

To help Katia?

I want my sister to get better.

And how do you think

talking to us would help your sister

get better?

If you listen to me...

you'll give us asylum...

and then, she will feel like it's safe

to wake up.

Who told you that this would happen?

That Katia would get better

if you spoke to us?

My parents...

You know what Alina?

Your parents were right.

Telling us the truth,

it is the absolute best thing

you can do for Katia.

You understand that, right Alina?

Why do you think Katia became ill?

Because she was worried...

About what?

About what would happen

if we went back to Russia...

About what could happen to dad.

Weren't you worried about this too?

I was.

But you didn't fall sick.

And you were the one

who witnessed the attack.

Who knew how horrible things

could get back home.

She is younger and more sensitive...

Alina, I have one more report here.

From the nurse at your school.

She describes

how a girl in your school

was beaten quite badly by you,

because she tried to steal your notebook.

Is this true?

What was in the notebook Alina?

Nothing.

If you really want to help Katia,

I need you to tell me the truth.

Alina, is it possible

that it was Katia who was in the car

with your father, and not you?

Alina, I am gonna ask you

for a last time,

who was in the car with your father?

Alina, for the very last time,

who was in the car with your father?

Katia.

We have a subornation of perjury.

Thank you Alina.

You can go now.

Thank you very much.

Where are you going?

I need to go swimming.

Do you want me to come with you?

Alina...

Please forgive me...

Mrs Nyman.

This is Natalia and Sergei.

- Nice to meet you.

- Nice to meet you.

This can work.

We can make it here.

Excellent.

Here.

If someone discovers you, you say

that you found them on the door.

I'm an old lady and

I forget these things.

My car key is on there too.

So if you can fix it, you can use it.

No, no, no.

If you need me, I'm in flat 7.

First floor, OK?

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Let us speak later, OK?

In light of recent events,

I have decided to revoke

your visitation rights.

I believe this is what's best

for your daughters.

The clinic will contact you every

two weeks with updates.

But you will no longer be allowed

to see them.

We have informed the Migration

Board of Alina's condition.

As long as your daughters remain here,

you are allowed to stay in Sweden.

We want our daughters back.

You are aware that I'm obliged to

report this to the authorities

the moment you walk out of this door?

Yes!

Please sign here.

I bought ice cream.

We are here.

Hello?

- It's Sergei.

- Hi Sergei.

Natalia said you have a wheelchair.

- May I borrow it please?

- Sure. I'm coming.

Thank you.

How are you all settling in?

Just fine.

Thank you.

I'll return it.

Take your time.

We will be fine.

Give Yuri a hug from me.

I will.

I thought we could all go for a walk,

after dinner.

2, 3, 4, and round!

2, 3, 4, and up!

- You made it!

- Yes.

They are beautiful.

Thank you.

Ladies, let's get out of the water

and leave this beautiful family

to enjoy the swimming

with their daughters.

Welcome, Katia.