Original subtitles

Carry something, Angèle.

There's one basket left.

Go and fetch it.

Several days previously...

That's why I am offering you my protection on the streets

in exchange for a 60% commission.

My men and I will rent rooms in the neighborhood,

grease the palms of the police and ensure your safety.

- What about Corentin's brothers? - I'll take care of them.

Should a vacancy arise at the Paradis, you will get priority.

Obviously, any of you wishing to leave is free to do so as of today.

Sixty percent is a lot.

It's up to you. I'll give you a few days to think about it.

Bak will be coming out today.

They can't keep him in for driving a cart.

That bastard Torcy must be beside himself.

I'm sure that old bag had something to do with this.

What do we do with these girls we've been landed with?

- Send them back on the game. - With Torcy on our backs?

We protect them until we come up with another solution.

Corentin's brothers will want their whores back.

Since when were you scared of a couple of crooks?

I thought you didn't want to be a pimp.

I haven't changed my mind but we owe it to the girls.

You got us into this mess, remember.

Louis, you can't make these decisions without consulting me first.

Consulting you?

Can you even spell that?

Offering streetwalkers your protection with the moral order in power

is a novel strategy.

As was doing a last-minute U-turn.

I'm struggling to understand. And when you...

I am not your enemy.

Otherwise, I would have denounced you.

Calm down.

Calm down. It's only Rose. Calm down.

Calm down, Zoé.

Calm down. Easy does it.

It's a mercury ointment.

Adrien prepared it for you.

Shall I ask him to come and see you?

There's no point.

I just need to wait for this attack to pass.

Corentin's brothers came by yesterday.

They made it clear that they own the girls now.

Mosca will come to some agreement with them.

Order will be restored.

He'd better hurry up.

He needs to get his men out there so we can go back on the game.

We've enjoyed our stay but it's time to earn some dough.

Mosca had better not let us down.

He won't let you down.

Now you're on the police register.

Wait for me outside.

Why have you brought me here?

You assured me things would go according to plan.

It seems he had second thoughts about becoming a slave trader.

We can't just let the girls go.

His refusal to do business with Antonetti proves he is honest.

Honest? He's infatuated with young Rose.

She must have stuffed his head full of libertarian ideas.

I am just a lowly brothel madam,

relegated to handing out tokens.

Mosca doesn't inform me of his decisions, you know.

I have no doubt whatsoever

that your keen sense of manipulation

will enable you to gain your partner's trust.

If Mosca decides to expand his business onto the streets,

I will be relying on you to honor our agreement.

The girls will take you up on your offer

until an agreement has been reached with Corentin's brothers.

They're relying on you to take action, and fast.

Find out where the brothers live.

We need to talk to them.

I promised I'd keep them safe.

I will keep my word.

Not so fast. You disappear for months without a word

and then just waltz back in?

- I've missed you, my sweet. - Where were you?

- I had things to sort out. - In the arms of some girl!

Valentine!

Look. Times have changed, my sweet.

Where did you get all this from?

- Do you still want to be a madam? - Yes. Why?

I'll open a brothel back home in Mâcon.

We'll be happy there.

- I always knew you'd go far. - And you were right, my darling.

- Let's go up to a room. - That's not possible.

- I thought you were free here. - Within reason.

- Forget reason. I want you. - Come back in the morning.

The boss and his men leave at dawn.

Might I ask who you are waving to?

No one.

Don't act all haughty with me. You'll get your comeuppance.

It's so hard to sum up a life,

to make sense of the path that we tread

without really knowing where we are heading.

I have always loved boys.

When I arrived in Paris, I soon understood

that men liked being in my company.

I started having relationships.

I was twenty. It was a whirlwind.

Parties, presents, men falling at my feet.

I couldn't go back.

Then I fell pregnant with you.

I carried on.

I became a prostitute in a brothel.

I had to hand you over to my sister, Renée.

Now you know everything.

I never want to see you again.

I never want to see you again.

I never want to see you again.

What have you told her?

You were meant to be helping your daughter.

By revealing her shameful origins you have ruined her life.

I never asked you to tell her the truth.

- Or to take my place. - Me take your place?

Do you honestly think this is the start she needs in life?

You're so selfish!

You've only ever cared about yourself.

I have fought to protect you.

Meanwhile, you insist on destroying my life.

What have I ever done to you?

Clients should be examined as well as the girls.

Can you honestly see clients agreeing to be examined before heading upstairs?

- Isn't Josephine Butler in prison? - No. That's why I mentioned it.

She's passing through Paris on Sunday. I thought you might like to come.

- You and I could dine out afterwards. - Dining out sounds like a fine plan.

Abolish prostitution? Good idea.

- When do we shut up shop? - It will be a long battle.

Of course.

I'm sure you'll be good enough to protect these poor girls

while we await the abolition of prostitution.

Of course.

What time tomorrow?

3:00.

Perfect.

- What's up? - Nothing.

You're grinning so much, I'm getting face ache on your behalf.

Rémy is back. He's got plans for me.

Plans!

Shit!

Why are the streetwalkers being seen first?

This is our house, damn it!

- Well? - What?

It's up to Adrien.

- Why don't you have a word with him? - What?

Come off it. Don't act the innocent, Rose.

You can make love to a woman and still respect her.

You can tell us if you've slept with him.

He's seen your pussy before, anyway.

Not to mention all the times he's shoved his big speculum between your thighs.

I wonder what Mosca makes of it all.

I bet you do!

Don't get so huffy, Rose.

We've only got your best interests at heart.

What?

Wait.

I'm glad you had a change of heart.

But they will be at even greater risk back out on the streets.

If you really want to protect your streetwalkers,

you should become their official pimp.

It would earn you a bit of cash.

And who knows? Perhaps that will be the future of prostitution.

That's rich, coming from a brothel madam.

A realistic brothel madam.

It's a chance to make a profit.

An opportunity not to be missed.

- These girls are up for grabs. - Feel free.

You know that I know nothing about streetwalking.

So you need my help. Is that it?

Look at them.

Look how beautiful they are.

Their skin is silky because they sleep in the warm.

They smell good from their scented baths.

And I love their laughter.

Street girls don't interest me.

They are like fish wives who need whipping into shape.

I'm not made for that.

Our priority is the Paradis.

Isn't that right, Kertel?

- We're happy here, aren't we? - I don't get it.

Are you in a rut? Have you fallen out of love with money?

- I've got other money-making schemes. - Such as?

A weapons stash at the Fort d'Aubervilliers.

Easy to steal, easy to sell on.

No one wants chassepot rifles.

Winchester '66s.

Tried and tested in Dijon against the krauts.

If we'd used them for the Commune,

the troops wouldn't have stood a chance.

- Where did you hear about them? - Don't worry.

I need to know who is behind the jobs I take on.

You don't have to come.

Would you go ahead without me?

Yes, why not?

We two could do it together.

I don't know. It's up to him.

There you go. It's up to you.

There you are.

Poor girl.

She was arrested on the Grands Boulevards

in a state of inebriation.

They came to check her identity.

Then they carted her off to Saint-Lazare.

I'm sorry.

Yes?

What is it?

My daughter has been arrested for soliciting.

If Torcy finds out, he might lock her up.

It's all right. We'll come up with a solution.

There she is. Thank you, Marguerite.

Valentine.

Rémy!

Well, well.

It's been a while since we saw him.

She clearly takes pleasure in pleasuring him.

Such generosity.

I didn't realize you were doing such good business.

You cash in on all sides, Angelus.

Starting here.

I have no convictions, unlike Torcy.

And I have no god, apart from this one.

You're paying me to keep quiet, not to be your accomplice.

I'm going to take on Corentin's girls.

Can you make sure the vice squad stays off the streets near the opera?

- What with the moral order... - Spare me your excuses.

All I ask is that you cut us some slack on the streets under your control

and go easy on these poor creatures in the event of a police raid.

It will be good for your soul.

- My soul? - What would it say to five percent?

Torcy has got it into his head to clean up the streets

as if he was on some divine mission...

- Seven percent? - If Torcy finds out, I'm done for.

Ten percent.

By the way,

I've got a favor to ask you, on behalf of a friend in need.

Good evening.

- Everything okay? - Yes, fine.

Véra?

Coming, Lucien.

Go and rest. You're in no fit state to work tonight.

What about Jeanne?

I've spoken to Angelus. She should be out tomorrow.

She's going to spend the night in a cell?

Go on.

Do you always read upside down?

Open the door!

Let us in!

What's going on?

God damn it!

Help me. She's hurt.

Scram! If she dies here, I'm done for.

She's hurt!

Stop it. If you don't help me, I'll make one hell of a racket.

Clear off.

I'll let everyone know

Mosca has been outdone by the Corentin brothers!

- Shut your mouth. - Help me, then.

Shut your mouth and help me.

Help me.

Zoé!

God damn it!

- Shut up! - Zoé!

No, Zoé!

- What happened? - I can't tell if she's still breathing.

It was the Corentin brothers. They heard we were back on the game.

- They made an example of her. - Go and fetch Adrien.

What are you waiting for? Go!

Zoé?

Zoé?

Zoé?

Get rid of her.

Her name is Zoé.

Don't just chuck her into the Seine.

She has no family.

She won't care if she winds up in the Seine or a common grave.

Where are the girls? Is this your idea of how to attract customers?

We're closing. Get everybody out.

What?

We're closing. Get everybody out.

It was the Corentin brothers.

They heard we were back on the game so they made an example of her.

You can sleep here tonight if you like.

Well? Where do we find these sons of bitches?

Rose, don't you have work to do upstairs?

Go on!

They're in the Nogent area, on business.

Contact Zephyrin and Charbonnier. I won't have anyone touching our girls.

- Tomorrow we'll get some fresh air. - What do you mean by fresh air?

Do you ever think about the future?

You overheard us earlier.

What, you having to admit

that you were wrong about the streetwalkers?

That Mosca is denying the obvious,

that the future of prostitution is on the streets,

that whoever has the guts to take over the streets will have

the whole of Paris eating out...

Come on.

What?

God is reason, God is the supreme being

Where creation begins and ends

Words, spirit...

Eternity immemorial and unbounded infinity

Heady heights and gloomy depths...

Seeds, scents, voices and debris

Whenever you suggest to the fortunate

That we abolish envy and wretchedness

They reply in insults

But still we insist, despite their denial

That we can overcome these three mental images

Insanity, destitution, degradation

Open the Gospel rather than the prisons

Spread peace to make this land fertile

No more wars, no more gallows

One is shameful and criminal and the other barbaric

- Who is it? - Stay over there.

It's Corentin's brothers.

Are they the ones who killed Zoé?

- Who are they? - Corentin's brothers.

Come, Monsieur. Don't stay there.

Come on!

I know suffering is divine law

But vice, shame and abject misery

The injustice that sends us mad and drives us to despair

These are not the laws of God

Whatever the punishment, the source of the crime remains

The crime is the arm but the hand is the idea

Look at me!

Did you kill Zoé?

Did you kill Zoé?

Come on.

Let's go home.

Come on.

Come on.

Hurry up. We're going.

Gather up your belongings.

Hands off.

Didn't you hear?

They killed Zoé.

Let us find out what he did and examine our souls

Dig deep in our hearts before we heap blame

Without justification, alas

Marcel and Celeste Javier,

Corentin's two brothers, found under a tree.

Let the war of the streets begin.

You seem displeased at the prospect.

Stirring things up is one thing, but causing a bloodbath...

The moral order won't stop at half measures.

Are you sure you're doing the right thing?

Mosca has left us with no choice.

Have you got that?

Mosca killed Corentin's brothers so he can take over Pigalle.

And he won't stop there. Don't forget that.

- I've got it. - I hope so.

Now get the hell out of here and tell anyone who will listen.

Did you recognize the pimp who was waiting for her?

I don't know the riffraff like you do.

That was the Butcher, Pigalle's best-known procurer.

He won't be at all happy about Mosca invading his territory.

That's perfect. Now the war can really begin.

Soon Mosca will be on the hit list of every gangster in the capital.

We can leave them to do our dirty work for us.

Your daughter is alone and you're discussing what to wear.

Jeanne is not alone. I see her almost every day.

She's 16, Véra.

She has a right to know what happened.

Is that what you want for your daughter?

Look where the lies got me.

We know we have it written on our faces.

It applies to all of us.

I am not known to the police. I would simply be your new protector.

I have no legal right to run a brothel whereas Hortense is respected

throughout Paris for her skills as a brothel madam.

If you want to protect your streetwalkers,

you should become their official pimp.

I thought you didn't want to be a pimp.

I haven't changed my mind but we owe it to the girls.

You got us into this mess.

You can't make these decisions without consulting me.

Consulting you? Can you even spell that?