The Bombardment

As the Danish Resistance Movement persistently urged the British Forces to level the Gestapo headquarters at the notorious Shell House in Copenhagen, a chilling reality unfolded: the secret police had imprisoned resistance members on the top floor, intending for them to serve as human shields should the air forces launch an attack. This macabre strategy would ensure the prisoners' lives were forfeit in the name of Nazi brutality.

Meanwhile, in February 1945, Henry (Bertram Bisgaard) was pedaling through Jutland's lush meadows when a sudden blast shattered the tranquility. As he approached the scene, he beheld a charred and smoldering vehicle, its occupants still trapped inside - a sight that would forever sear itself into his psyche. This brutal introduction to mortality would instill a profound fear of open skies within Henry, silencing him as if the very heavens had become a malevolent force.

Henry's mother (Maria Rossing) sought guidance from a doctor who employed an unorthodox approach to treating childhood trauma. With a patronizing tone, he labeled Henry "sissy" and attempted to undermine his male ego, hoping that the boy would eventually find his voice again. Frustrated by this ineffective treatment, Henry's mother decided to take him to Copenhagen, where her sister resided.

The incident Henry witnessed was actually intended for a German staff vehicle, according to Major Truelson (Nicklas Søderberg Lundstrøm), a Special Operation Executive of the Danish forces. He revealed this to the pilots responsible for carrying out these attacks, underscoring the callous disregard for civilian life that had become a hallmark of the war.

In the midst of this chaos, Sister Teresa (Fanny Bornedal) pursued her own inquiry into God's existence. A devout believer, she often challenged religious doctrine by committing acts prohibited by her faith - a thought experiment designed to test the limits of divine intervention. Her theory posited that if wrongdoing occurred, God would manifest His disapproval, thereby proving His presence. This existential search would lead Sister Teresa down a complex path of moral and philosophical inquiry.

As Henry's mother accompanies him to visit his aunt (Danica Curcic), he meets his effervescent cousin Rigmor (Ester Birch), whose irrepressible enthusiasm has the capacity to illuminate even the most somber moments. With her infectious exuberance, she effortlessly bridges the gap between their vastly different personalities. Henry's quiet nature is starkly contrasted with Rigmor's effusive chatter, which only serves to further pique his curiosity. As they prepare for school together, accompanied by the inquisitive and cherubic Eva (Ella Nilsson), both girls are drawn to Henry's enigmatic silence, sensing that there is more to him than meets the eye.

Rigmor's unrelenting optimism and unwavering confidence prove contagious, as she presents a compelling argument: even Eva, having witnessed tragedy firsthand, continues to speak without reservation. Why, then, must Henry remain mute? Rigmor's words are a gentle prod, urging Henry to rediscover his voice. Meanwhile, the Shell house harbors its own secret resistance movement, with Svend Nielsen (Casper Kjær Jensen) among its number.

As they navigate the complexities of life beneath the open sky, Rigmor concocts an unorthodox solution for Henry's struggles: a makeshift rope, fashioned from the clothline at her home, serves as an impromptu guide. With Eva providing gentle pushes from behind, the trio works together to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles, fostering a sense of hope and resilience.

As Henry gradually regains his confidence and learns to smile once more, Rigmor and Eva are instrumental in his rehabilitation. It is a testament to the power of childhood innocence, where dreams and imagination know no bounds. In contrast, adulthood can be a crucible that tempers our capacity for belief.

In a separate narrative thread, Teresa encounters Frederik (Alex Høgh Andersen), a Gestapo officer whose moral ambiguity has been shaped by his father's disapproval. The first time they meet, it is in the midst of violence, as Frederik brutalizes a member of the resistance movement. Teresa's sharp rebuke leaves him shaken, and their subsequent encounters are marked by an air of tension and foreboding.

However, their relationship develops in unexpected ways, as Teresa's boldness and conviction stir something deep within Frederik. Theirs is a forbidden romance, one that seems to defy the conventions of war-torn society. Despite the moral complexities that surround them, their love feels almost virtuous, a beacon of hope in a world torn apart by conflict.

As the day unfolded, a sense of unease settled over Eva, her stomach growling with an empty hunger pangs. The morning's bitter reprimand from her father still lingered, and her usual porridge remained untouched on the table. It was as if fate had conspired to keep her appetite at bay, much like the British forces' unexpected decision to bomb the Gestapo Headquarters. A squadron of low-flying aircraft, accompanied by 30 Mustang fighter bombers, swooped in to deliver a targeted strike on the Shell House. Yet, in a tragic misdirection, their bombardment also razed the school where Eva, Henry, and Rigmor had once walked the hallowed halls.

As the dust settled, Eva's unease turned to desperation as she sought out a quiet refuge in the washroom, accompanied by Henry. Their friend Frederik, though having abandoned his military duties earlier, was compelled to return and lend a hand after witnessing the devastating attack. His timely intervention would prove crucial in the face of tragedy.

Meanwhile, within the rubble-strewn ruins of the school, Teresa and Rigmor found themselves trapped, their air supply dwindling as water rapidly flooded the confined space. Frederik's heroic efforts almost saved Teresa, but just as he cleared the debris from her body, she gave up her life to rescue Rigmor. The precariously balanced rubble shifted, sealing their fate, and the two sisters succumbed to their watery tomb. Henry and Eva, however, managed to escape the cataclysmic disaster.

In the aftermath, Henry was tasked with recording the names, ages, and dress colors of the survivors, then hastening to the theatre where anxious parents awaited news. It was a somber duty that weighed heavily on his shoulders, but he persevered, driven by a sense of responsibility.

Henry's errand took him to Eva's mother, who had been waiting anxiously for news of her daughter's fate. With tears in her eyes, she learned that Eva had never left home, and instead, sat quietly at the table, still clutching the cold porridge that had sparked her father's ire earlier that morning – a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the cruel twists of fate.