Original subtitles

The Shipwreckers

1852... in the Atlantic... a forgotten island...

They'll say again it was me.

There are plenty of birds.

Oh, you're always so obstinate.

Plenty of birds, plenty of fish.

We won't catch anymore today.

All the flocks are dead. We have to find some fish.

In the end, there's something down there

The moon is too high.

And after the recent glut, it's not the season.

And you can do nothing about that.

So what are we going to eat?

There are periods like this on the island...

They come, they go... We've been through it before.

And you didn't die?

I'm still here, but...

You're not going to have us believe that you let

everyone die. - We became unhinged.

Ah, are you dead or not dead? - Answer, Gael!

You see, this is the mainland.

The women have embroidery, and lace.

They live in splendid houses, the sort which have everything you want.

Go away! Go away!

Why would you come here, on my land!

Oh no, don't tear my catalogue.

We don't have any others.

I'll give it to you when the merchant comes.

For the Feast of Pardons, there'll be many more beautiful ones.

Even in colour.

Okay, I'll got to go out now. You stay there.

You promise? Yes?

Do you think they'll bring something back tonight?

Not tonight nor tomorrow.

If it's not the season, it's not the season.

This year it was the sheep. Now they're dead...

If there are no fish, what are we going to do?

We've decided to share the reserves.

What were you thinking of?

The men, well, it wasn't a problem.

But the women...

All the time afraid of going without.

You should speak to them.

Get them to agree.

That will be tough.

We mend, we mend, but the men don't fish anymore.

And the moon? - The moon? It's not the season, that's all.

If the fish ever arrive, that's when mending will be needed.

They're wearing out the nets. And if the mainlanders come for the Pardon

we'll have to buy some new ones. - You have the money to pay for them?

Mainlanders aren't in the habit of giving things for free.

Marie! - Marie, what's come over her?

It starts with the poorest,

but it's what awaits us all.

She's coming round. - You gave us a fright.

You've seen what happened to Marie.

If they don't bring anything back tonight,

tomorrow or the day after, this could

be you, her or her child, or any of us.

Therefore... we have to do something about this.

Do something... It's easily said, but what?

I don't know.

We could perhaps share the reserves. - The reserves?

Here. - No drinking!

This will do you good. - No!

It's milk, not poison. - If you touched it, it's poison!

Idiot! Because it's my fault if the nets are rotting,

if the moon is bad, if the sheep croak?

It's my fault?

My mother and little Yanick, that wasn't you, eh?

This wasn't her? She opened the door

just when my mother's troubles started!

You needed help, you'd come to ask my father.

Of course, I was young then, I believed you.

My mother died during the night and Yanick came into the world

with the devil's mark. - Say that again!

What? That which everyone knows?

That your father didn't know your mother was a whore?

You show her! You show her!

Filthy bastard!

The same as last time.

And yet we tried more than ten times.

We burnt our hands, we pulled the nets aboard so much.

We have to discuss this,

will you drop by the house this evening?

You must come. I'm relying on you.

What the hell are you doing there? Aren't you with the others at Marnez?

Oh, I wouldn't like what they're going to say.

What are you so afraid of? - I don't want to be interrogated.

I know nothing, I forget it all,

I'm old and I want to be left in peace.

They questioned you? - Of course.

But she left with the rest...

And if you can't recall, they can't make you talk.

They could harass you.

Don't worry yourself, I know you, come on!

Come with me!

They're right. Things have never been this tough.

If the old-timer can suggest something...

No, he's no idea, what do you expect him to know?

I've nothing to say!

He didn't want to come, he's afraid.

Afraid of what? - I've nothing to say, let me go.

You told me there's something they used to do, you told me.

You told me or you didn't tell me? - I just said...

I've forgotten it all. - If he says he's forgotten it all, leave it.

Gael, don't be obstinate like this.

You and me have been going to sea for a long time.

You think we're maybe wasting our time here?

You want to know or not? - Of course we want to know!

That's right, we'll have peace of mind afterwards.

Gael, we mean you no harm, you understand.

We want to know, that's all.

You know, when I was young I remember the...

the people said they used to do something...

Then very quickly they tailed off. Like they were afraid to speak of it.

You know, they made like you. They said they couldn't remember.

Gael, you have to tell us now. Go on.

There were shipwrecks. You know it as well as me.

I only know one thing, we're sailors, not pirates.

He's right, see, ships on the rocks, it's piracy!

Ending with chains around the feet! - And the rope around the neck!

But to hang you, they have to catch you!

they're not here, the gendarmes are on the mainland!

Naturally, it's risky.

But there's something worse than that...

Letting everyone die.

And before we all die, there's another solution,

to put all food in common.

It's the question of sharing.

Sharing is all well and good. However I've ten mouths to feed.

Shut up!

What are you doing here? This isn't your place!

Let them be, they can listen. - It's not their place.

Usually no, but today is not usual.

Go on, come in!

Well, you coming?

No, Moïra, not you. - Why not her?

You can't ask them to accept everything at once, they wouldn't understand.

And today... we'll be asking a great deal of them.

I'm keeping it all. - Yesterday you agreed.

Yesterday was yesterday. Anyway, what good will this do?

For keeping. - But it won't be kept!

And I have a child. I don't want to be feeding others.

And what will the others do? - They can do what they like.

Plus... there are better ways.

We decided we didn't want to do that!

What are you doing here? - Listen, Marnez...

You have your point of view, we have ours.

Yann, you can't do that.

Between the death of strangers and the death of our own, we prefer strangers,

it's our right. - No!

Even a beast could understand this! - We are not beasts!

If we die, it'll be the end of everything.

And if we start shipwrecking, it'll be the end of the island.

What about the children? Have you thought of the children?

God will save them, we can only help them.

God doesn't want our misery! - God doesn't want us to kill!

They all want to defend God! - Then defend yourself!

And defend yourself!

And if any bad comes of this, it was you that wanted it!

Come on, you two, we're going home!

Lock all this in the church.

Move it! Hurry! Let's go to work!

You know, there's no fixing this. It has to be watertight. - It'll hold!

And if we put to sea, this will be enough? - It'll do.

If the boat's okay, what about the fish?

There'll be fish. Even if you're coming!

Are you sad?

(inaudible) longer than usual, that's all.

You see Yann, there are days that I long to be far from here.

Because it's been a tough year?

Soon the...

the people from the mainland will come.

I'll be able to buy the fabrics for you. You want that?

Then we can marry.

If my father still agrees.

The priest will come for the Pardon, he promised.

Yes but they say you're against us. Why are you against us?

That's a different matter. Don't talk about it, will you?

Yann? - Yes?

It must be great on the mainland.

I don't know what you're looking for.

We're born here, live here, die here, like everyone else.

Go and find the harpoon!

Go with him to get it, we'll keep quiet waiting.

What are you doing here? - The children will be drowned!

What have you done this time?

They're embarking in a boat and there's the piranha.

Run, Yann, run!

When something evil happens, she's always present! She brings it about!

But everything that happens to us is our own fault

because we do nothing!

Look at them, the men.

They have good reason not to be brave.

They don't know who was the father.

Because they know how many slept with her mother

and how many now sleep with her!

Well, what are you waiting for to get rid of her?

What are you waiting for? But what are you waiting for?

It's right what she says. - Everything bad is because of her!

The other day she tried to make me drink poisoned milk!

Burn her!

Moïra! It's me, Yann.

Are you alone? - Yes.

Come in!

You have to get out!

I don't want to go. This is my home.

They're going to kill you.

Right now?

They're coming, Moïra. Take my boat and leave the island!

In the fog?

Help me. - No, don't bother.

You can't stay.

Then what am I supposed to do?

I can't stay and I can't leave.

You must hide.

They know every rock.

They won't search tonight.

Tonight or tomorrow.

The fog will lift with the tide. You can leave in my boat.

Tell me, Yann...

Why are they like this, the ones who hate me?

I don't know.

But you're not like them.

I know you're not evil.

It's simple as that?

Yes.

You don't love me? - No.

So why are you doing all this?

I don't know. I feel compelled to.

Kiss me!

Hurry, hurry!

Listen, you go to the cave.

Stay put until daybreak.

And watch out for Pierrick who'll come to light the lantern!

No light? - No, nothing.

There! There was a light! - Where was that?

There, there!

It's not there anymore.

I saw nothing.

Look out, a rock! - Look out!

Yann!

You did this! - No, but I could have done.

You must be losing your mind!

And you're getting older.

Listen! - No!

Listen to me! - I don't have the time!

It's meat! Come and see! Meat!

Oh my God! Oh my God!

It wasn't me! I didn't strike!

I didn't strike! No! - No need to worry...

I was the only one to strike.

Yann!

It's Moira!

It was me that put out the light so that you could have all this.

What's she going on about?

There's no need to worry because I'm admitting it was me.

What have I got to lose?

You see what I'm saying, the shipwreck was down to me.

Please, help me! Help me, I don't want to die!

You'll inform on me.

They'll dispatch me like the others. - Come on!

Come on!

Next!

What time is it? - Probably about 3pm.

I'm saying nothing!

It's useless trying to get me to talk,

because I'm saying nothing, especially about shipwrecks

How many have I had?

I've lost track. - Twelve.

What's your name?

Artigue. Gilles Artigue.

Where are you from? - Antwerp.

Is it far?

You've never heard of Antwerp? - I know about Blaz Mor, that's all.

Well then yes, it's far. Around two capes.

However it's a great port.

And where was the ship from? - Lispole.

But if you've not heard of Antwerp, you won't know of Lispole.

They're savages round here, eh?

I know what I'm saying, to kill people they cause shipwrecks.

You don't need to be a genius.

What will you do now?

Find a boat and get out of here as soon as possible

and once I'm on the mainland watch my step.

Why's that? Don't they like you there either?

Well, I was supposed to be on lookout for the light.

And I was looking to starboard as usual. Then someone said: a light, I saw it!

I said I hadn't! And then I nearly had my block knocked off.

But...

Or was it you who switched it off! - That's not true!

Of course I wouldn't say that here.

But in due course, if the company people

find the one called Artigue Gilles, they'll demand an account.

They'll arrest me, try me.

"You're the one responsible for unloading and lights." And then...

Hup! To jail! I will be better off to say

there was no light.

Over there they have their rules. And so, off to jail!

What about you? What's your name? - Moira.

Moira what? - Just Moira.

And you don't live in the village? - As you can see.

And you like living alone? - It is what it is.

What if they find me?

They'll cut my throat and you with it.

That would be a shame, don't you think?

I'm hungry.

Marnez!

The Marnez family!

Have you seen Marnez?

No, I've not seen them. - And Louise?

Has nobody seen Louise? - It's their tough luck!

If they don't want their share, we can't force them.

It's not every day we get to eat.

They're against it, they were always against it!

Too bad! We'll eat their share!

If it was left up to Manez we'd all starve!

It's all the same to me. Fair or not, they get their share.

Well said, Yann.

Marnez must eat!

When they have their mouths full, they won't be able to talk.

I've had it up here with Marnez!

I only know one thing: what we did, we did for everyone.

And everyone has their entitlement! Everyone!

You're right!

Since you agree, we'll take him this together. Come on, let's go!

And me, what will you give me?

Give her the same as everyone.

Here they come. - Are you sure we can't take anything?

Yes. I'm sure.

Look, is there a point to this obstinacy?

Yes, because for them today is a celebration

but one day they'll need someone who didn't give in.

And Yannick? Have you thought of Yannick?

Yes, but we can't make exceptions.

Here, Marnez, here's your share.

You didn't come looking for it, so we brought it to you. - I have no share.

You well know that there's nothing to be shared between us.

No! We've brought it, we'll leave it!

And the rats, you hear, all the rats on the island

will come to fatten themselves in front of your door!

All the rats, Marnez, you hear, all the rats!

Look out, stay there, don't move, they're coming! - For me?

Watch out!

And you still say we're not nice to you!

One might even say it's a bit much.

You'll never eat all this on your own.

Never mind, we'll help you like a brother.

Then dump that there like a brother and I'll take care of the rest.

No, no, no! Yann said... put it in her's!

And what Yann says currently... - Oh yeah, it's sacred.

Well said, it's sacred! Yann said put it in her's!

Do you have some cups? Little cups?

We'll have a toast!

Moira's bed!

Get rid of him, Pierrick! Get rid of him!

Where'd you get that oil? - They gave it to me.

I've already said I want nothing of theirs here!

It illuminates, doesn't it?

I don't want to see you caught up in their intoxication!

Look...

he's as drunk as the rest...

Your mother would've understood. - How do you know?

She's no longer here to tell you.

And me, I can't understand, you hear?

Because I've had enough, enough, enough!

Gilles, it's strange, I dreamt you were opal.

Luckily this is a forgotten land. They won't come looking for you.

Exactly. I've been trying to tell you, I can't spend my life here.

Why not since we love each other?

I'm going back.

If he doesn't see me, it'll be amazing.

He'll notice me, he'll follow me here.

That would be worse than jail.

Don't be afraid. I'll always hide you.

Anyway, they're not so bad.

When the fish return, they'll forget it all, even the shipwreck.

You like them? After all they've done to you?

It's more that I understand them.

Since you've been with me, you see,

I forgive them more easily than before.

But one day they're going to realise I'm no longer alone.

We're a couple.

Then they'll treat me like anyone else.

And I'll owe it all to you.

Moira!

There's the basket.

Louise!

Louise!

You were going. You make me wait and then you go.

What's wrong with you? - Nothing, nothing.

Here!

You can say it was for the earlier provisions.

For Yannick.

I often think about you, you know... Well, especially you...

Everything's so different here now.

Here, even you're not like you were before.

Is it because of your father that you're mad at me? - My father?

No, Yann, you are like him. It's the island that you love.

It's something I can't share. I no longer feel at home here.

Father, someone needs our help.

If it's Yann, there's no point.

It's not Yann. - Then who?

A survivor. - A survivor?

What do you mean? - I saw him at the cave, Moira's been hiding him.

Yann must be alerted immediately!

But they'll kill him! - If he escapes, everyone on the island will be killed.

But you said that we don't have the right to kill a man!

A rat against our own, a stranger.

But a stranger to you is a man like any other.

But you don't realise that this one could cause the death of one hundred!

You want me to alert Yann?

I can't.

Then you agree with Moira.

Come on, no petty sentiments!

But then you lied.

And I always believed you.

You two are the same, the same, the same!

Bastards! Bastards!

Are you happy, eh?

You're all going to die!

Die!

You hear me? Die!

Pierrick and the others, I've seen them! They are going to cause another wreck!

What are you talking about?

I saw them, I swear that I saw them!

They are in the process of extinguishing every lantern!

What are those lights? - It's Blaz Mor.

It's still distant. We'll easily pass by.

A lantern has appeared much closer!

We can't miss it!

Change course!

A little closer and we were on it!

It's not easy, they must have forgotten the lantern.

Yann!

They're on the rocks. And now they'll be looking for you!

Oh! The distant lights have now gone out.

We can't make head nor tail of it! - Might they have been the houses?

Houses on the rocks of Blaz Mor? Why not a château?

Go, write it in the log book!

Hervé!

Come closer!

Are you scared?

It's Hervé who wanted this.

Ah, Hervé, you can't deny it.

It's true, it's Hervé who wanted this.

Hervé's dead!

Oh yes, you're thinking of leaving, don't try to deny it.

Yesterday I wanted you to stay, I was wrong.

It's impossible.

You'll never be at home here.

Gilles...

Every year for the Pardon a boat comes from the mainland.

How many does it carry?

Six or seven, maybe eight.

Against a hundred? Can't you see, it'll be a bloodbath.

They won't see you.

We'll get on board during the celebrations.

You and me.

And I'll leave with you.

That'll work.

I'll never forget what you've done for me.

Forget what you like, Gilles, I don't care

if I can leave forever with you!

You see?

We'll never be parted.

Never again.

I can't believe it.

It's true, nonetheless.

You think the kid will like this?

Hey...

Of course he'll like it.

With this he'll be able to gallop in bed,

then on the sea....

In dreams...

Yes...

You're right to cover yourself.

I can also feel a chill.

Saddle for the king...

Given this morning...

I'm sure I saw it, it's the boat from the mainland.

The people for the Pardon? - What could have come over them?

It's not time yet.

Wait, they'll be here.

Gilles, look!

When will they depart? - At nightfall, at least usually.

Okay, don't get on board any earlier.

Until then don't come here. We mustn't give ourselves away.

You must go to the celebrations with everyone else, be seen. That's it.

Gilles, you're mocking me.

I love you too much not to be with you, even for a short time!

What are you waiting for?

You're not even going to kiss me.

The mainland is huge, huh?

Who knows? You can't see from end to end, at least.

It's like the sea, then?

Yes, if you like. Except it doesn't move.

Fields, trees, hills, mountains...

Mountains? - Yes, with snow that never melts.

Don't talk daft! Snow always melts, its in its nature!

And what else do you know?

That I love you.

Listen, Gilles. I've something to tell you.

What is it? You no longer want to leave? - Yes, but...

It's about Moira.

Why bring this up?

Don't you think you owe her your life?

No, Gilles, you owe her nothing.

The shipwreck was because of her.

You know what you're saying? - I know what I'm saying.

Roll up, roll up, a sou to see it all, a sou's not very much, a sou to

see the truth! Roll up roll up,, a sou's not so much.

A sou to learn everything you'll need on the mainland.

A sou, madam, thank you, too kind!

A sou, give me your sous. A sou here, a sou there.

One sou, kiddos!

And now, listen up!

They have tamed a monster, a monster that runs on rails,

like the wheels of a wheelbarrow,

a monster that makes one hell of a din...

This is what you call a sheet! Good Norman sheets!

Normandy is where we make sheets that last!

Buy one, buy one! Get married, lots of loving, it still lasts.

Die, it still lasts.

A sheet like this will go to the grave with you!

How many would you give me for this? - This here is yours?

I gave it to him.

An expensive gift! In return for what? Her silence?

In exchange for a sheep before the epidemic

And how did you acquire it? - I bought it.

Here? On Blaz Mor? - No, in the army.

In the army? You must have had one heck of a paycheck to buy trinkets like this.

I had savings.

Months, years of savings? This isn't small beer...

So there wasn't any wine, no girls and all this for a sheep?

I guess business is sacrosanct. Are you Marnez?

No. - Who are you? - Yann Le Coeur.

And where's Marnez? - I don't know... at home.

Sick? - I don't know. What do you want with him?

He's listed as head of the village. Why isn't he here?

I've already said that I don't know. - Listen to me...

I'm here to question and you to answer!

That depends on who you are. I'm a fisherman.

I'm a policeman. Your status is lower. This gives me the right.

Therefore, Marnez? Are you hiding him? - No!

Okay then, let's go there.

Right, I'll show you the way.

Indian Kashmir, crêpes from China, care of Peru

the sun at your finger-tips... The sun...

Redemption, redemption, the redemption of souls...

indulgences, holy medals, roll up, poor sinners,

don't let your salvation pass you by. There's something for everyone!

My God, I regret something deeply... - I will not say a word.

I'm listening. - We looted a wreck.

Did any men come to their deaths by your doing?

Two.

You struck them down?

Like the others.

A boat was shipwrecked. You understand this?

I understand it wasn't the first

and it won't be the last.

There are gales here.

They don't understand that at yours. - We understand plenty.

For example, that the boat sank in calm weather.

Fifteen days of calm weather, no wind, nothing.

Then it was the fog.

You see, Yann. One must be an expert to know these things.

But in calm weather there should be remains.

And survivors? Nothing! Nobody. Not a trace.

Well, traces are tiny and the sea is vast.

And the evidence? For example there's Poldec's report.

There were passing the island 27 days ago.

They wrote in their log... You want to know what they wrote?

Lights changed on Blaz Mor... It looks most peculiar.

Lights changed on Blaz Mor!

You, the extinguisher, what do you make of it?

Police officer sir...

These days on the mainland everyone on your boats

is a drunk. - When they're drunk, they see things, they don't see things.

That's it, that's it...

Meantime, these drunks have deposited their log with the maritime bureau.

This is why I'm here.

A twelve hour crossing and me with sea-sickness,

you see why I have to get to the bottom of this.

Nothing can be done about sea-sickness.

I must find the culprits and I will find them!

That's your job. But it's not going to be easy.

They're not the same people.

Father, your parishoners are mules. Mules and brutes.

They are men. - Men who are not worth much.

They're worth neither more nor less than others.

And... you see... maybe a little more.

We have different roles, father, therefore, for sure,

we can't look upon people in the same way.

But you might say we have some things in common.

Like you I need to know!

And to do my job well I would be within my rights to question you.

And to do mine well, I would have the duty

not to answer you.

Yann... - Yes?

That policeman... He knows.

He's no evidence. - Yes, but...

If he finds any...

Then he won't leave the island, not him nor anyone else.

We'll sink the boat!

Yes but... If this doesn't work?

If this doesn't work...

There will be a culprit: me. - Don't talk like that.

You well know that these days you are needed here.

Don't worry! Everything will be fine.

And the mainlanders will return unaccompanied.

Hey... - Yes?

I'm pleased you came back.

Rest assured, now he'll be back.

Naturally, now you see eye-to-eye.

Really you've always seen eye-to-eye.

Whether it's in saving others or in killing them.

You like it like that.

Makes you feel like the big man.

Louise!

Go, quickly!

There! - Stop!

In any event, they won't get far.

And if we shoot here it'll be murder

Stop!

I want the man from the police.

You! I want to talk!

Speak! - The lights.

I'm the one who extinguished them to cause the shipwreck.

It was 20th November, in foggy weather.

No! No! No!

Any survivors? - Two. I dispatched them.

Alone? - Alone.

The others, what did they do? - I said I acted alone.

And the cargo?

There was nothing left to eat on the island.

So in short, it was all down to you?

Arrest this man!

Take him away!

Stop! Stop, it wasn't him!

Marnez, let me tell them how..

Leave it! It's better this way.

Yes, he's right, the old man's race is run.

Plus, we need you here.

You can take the old man's place, without being old.

No, no, no!

Get out your knives!

You're women, you don't even have the nerve to use them!

But as long as I'm alive, I can talk.

I'm telling you that old Marnez is just a patsy! A patsy!