Original subtitles

Roland Girard and Jean Bolvary present

Madame Rosa

based on the novel by Emile Ajar,

editions Mercure de France

adaptation by Moshe Mizrahi

featuring Samy Ben Youb as Momo

Michal Bat-Adam as Nadine

with the participation of Claude Dauphin

images by Nestor Almendros

sets by Bernard Evein assisted by Georges Glon

sound by Jean-Pierre Ruh assisted by Louis Gimel

editing by Sophie Coussein assisted by Corinne Lazare

production director André Hoss

music by Philippe Sarde music direction by Hubert Rostaing

interpreted by

executive producer Ralph Baum

directed by Moshe Mizrahi

- Hello, madame Rosa. - Hello.

- Hello, madame Rosa. - Hello.

- Madame Rosa. - Hello.

He's on his last legs, just like me.

How's your health, madame Rosa?

I wouldn't wish it on a dog, madame Lola.

My legs won't carry me anymore.

- I'll take that. - Thank you.

See you later, mme. Rosa.

Yeah, see you later mme. Lola.

These stairs will kill me yet.

Let me know where you are. - I'll write.

- Fine. - See you soon.

Send money orders.

The family means nothing

some families go on vacation and leave their dogs

tied to a tree.

Do you know how many dogs die every year

of a broken heart?

But I'm not a dog.

You mean more to me than anyone else, Momo.

Then why do you take money for my keep?

The man stood there without speaking.

Then he said:

"Don't you have a mother?"

"Ll don't know," the child replied.

Before the man could answer, she added:

"I don't think so.”

"Other children have one. I don't."

After a moment of silence, she said:

"I don't think I ever had one."

Cosette's frail face was vaguely outlined

by the glow from the sky.

"What's your name?" The man asked.

"Cosette."

I want my mother, you're not my mother.

That's enough, Momo! Don't make me mad!

I want my mother, you're not my mother!

Everybody shut up now!

I'll send you to an orphanage!

What about me? Have I got a mother?

You're pretentious, like all arabs are!

You give them a hand, they grab your whole arm!

You're a trouble-maker!

Trouble-makers get locked up!

Your mother sees everything you do. To see her again,

you must lead a clean life!

Do you understand?

As the oldest, Momo, you must set an example.

Stop driving us crazy with your mother!

Anyway, you're lucky

you don't know your mothers.

At your age, you're sensitive

and your mothers are all whores!

I mean real street-walking whores!

Do you know what

a whore does?

It's someone who peddles her ass.

Is that nice?

You hustled too when you were young.

Look, Momo, you're a good kid

but you must behave, I need your help.

Madame Rosa, if I can't have my mother,

can I have a dog instead?

A dog in here?

Are you crazy? Dogs have to be fed!

Who'll send money orders for a dog?

Yes, he's sold individually.

He's sweet.

Just hold him.

Pat him like that.

All right I'm coming

It is written: "One moment of love

is better than 70 years of adoration without love."

And sidi rahman said:

"No matter who you love,

in time you will have to part with your love.

No matter how you live, in time you will have to die."

Read some more.

Mr. hamil, why do you always smile?

To thank god for my good memory, Mohammed.

50 years ago, when I was still young

I met a women who loved me

and I loved her as well.

It lasted eight months. Then she had to leave.

I still remember her after 50 years.

You once told me we can't live without love. Is it true?

I said that?

Yes, Mr. hamil.

Why don't you answer me?

It's best not to know certain things.

Can one live without loving somebody?

What a cute dog. Is he yours?

Yes.

Let me hold him.

What's his name?

Super.

Is he for sale?

I don't know.

How much do you want for him?

500 francs.

Doctor, I want you to examine him.

I know you told me to avoid excitement,

but he sold his most prized possession

and then threw 500 francs in the sewer!

Even in Auschwitz they never did such things!

I don't understand. What did he sell?

He's absolutely crazy!

Give him a blood test.

As an arab, he may have syphilis.

What nonsense! You should know better!

Syphilitic arabs. That's vicious propaganda!

It's by spreading rumors like that

that we end up in Auschwitz!

Just what did he do?

He took money and threw it down a sewer.

He was so wild about that dog,

he even slept with him!

Yet he sells him and throws the money away!

Is that true, Momo?

This child isn't normal.

I'm afraid of insanity, and you know why.

I told you not to worry about that.

There's no need to cry, Momo

but you can cry if you like.

Does he cry a lot?

He never cries. Only god knows how I suffer! Here, Momo.

He'll be all right.

He's crying, so he's developing normally. I'm glad you came.

I'll give you some sedatives.

Take two a day.

It's merely anxiety. You worry too much.

With kids, you've got to worry a lot, or else they wind up as bums.

- Goodbye, doctor. Thank you. - Goodbye, mme. Rosa.

We can't keep him here. He's too old for his class.

I swear he's only 11!

Oh, please

he's just precocious, isn't that so, Momo?

See that date? It's written here.

He'll be 11 next month.

I see. But at the last medical check-up

would you wait outside?

- Do what she says! Go on! - Yes, go on.

School isn't all that important.

School won't make a mensch of you.

Anyway, Mr. hamil is teaching you arabic

he's teaching you to be a good Muslim.

How do you know I'm arab and not Jewish like you?

How? I just know it!

I'm not raising you as an arab for my good pleasure.

Anyway, when you're in trouble, it makes no difference

whether you're a Jew or an arab!

And if Jews and arabs keep on fighting

it's because they're both alike!

I've got no parents, so how come you've got papers to prove

that I was born?

You're asking too many questions!

Papers don't mean a thing!

If the French police investigates, I have phony papers

that prove I haven't been a Jew for several generations.

Even the Israelis can't prove otherwise!

You don't have to worry anymore.

The Germans won't bother you again.

You never know, Momo.

Please let me, madame Rosa.

Hi, Amedee.

I may call on you soon, with all due respect,

so you can write a letter for me.

I'll be glad to write you a beautiful letter.

It's nice to think of your parents.

They must be proud of you.

Everybody's proud of me.

In Pigalle, they all call me monsieur Amedee.

I'm respected! I'm the king, madame Rosa!

Of the mishiguenes! What's that?

It's the Jewish word for "kings."

You're the king of kings, Amedee.

The king of kings.

I'm the king of kings!

I'll bring her back tomorrow morning.

Of course.

Be careful. Don't stuff her with candies, cakes,

and chewing gum.

Don't worry, I'll take good care of her.

You'll see how your mummy loves you.

We'll have fun. We'll go to the merry-go-round,

to the movies

and you can sleep in my bed.

My kid's a real beauty! Isn't she?

Momo, open the door.

- Bye, madame Rosa. - Bye, honey.

Hello, madame Rosa.

Hello, Salima.

How did you get that black eye?

I'm scared, madame Rosa.

Scared of what?

It's my man. He wants to ship me to Dakar.

What's got into him?

I don't want to go, but he says I'll never see my kid again.

What's he talking about?

He'll denounce me.

He says they'll send my kid to an orphanage

and I'll never see him again.

Some of these flesh peddlers are real pimps!

Just calm down, don't worry. I'll take care of it.

You know who I'm seeing today? Monsieur Amedee.

After he gets through with him, your man won't bother you again!

My dear and honorable father

dear and honorable father dear

and honorable father. I've got that.

What's next?

I'm thinking.

I take my pen to greet you

and to ask how you are.

How are you?

Very well, thank you.

You are? I'm glad to hear it!

I'm using my time here in Europe

to take night courses

to become a civil engineer.

"To become a civil engineer.”

When I get back

I shall build Bridges, roads, and dams

to stop all water from being wasted

and become the benefactor of my country!

Do you really want to write all that?

Madame Rosa, my father is an old and respected man.

I won't shame him.

I can't tell him I run the best block in Pigalle!

That isn't proper!

No, it's not.

I will soon go back to Nigeria

why don't you say hello, Momo?

You reminded me of my son.

He and his mother are on their way back from nice.

I'm giving him a bicycle for his birthday.

You can come over to play with him.

Cut it out, Momo.

Momo

Momo!

He's becoming violent. I'm afraid

he might pick up a knife and kill me.

Stop talking nonsense and don't worry.

Our Momo is a sensitive boy.

Believe me, that's not a disease.

Some things are harder to cure than any sickness.

You know why I'm scared!

That's absolutely ridiculous!

You know nothing of these matters.

You just imagine things.

Mme. Rosa took you in as a baby, and she doesn't keep records.

And she listed you as an arab.

For years she's heard nothing from your parents.

No sign of life except for you.

And you're a beautiful child.

Your father probably died in the Algerian war.

That's something big. He's a hero of our independence.

I'd prefer a father who's alive

and who makes good money managing my mother.

You shouldn't say things like that.

Why did they expel me from school?

Mme. Rosa says I'm too young for my age

or else that I'm too old.

Then she dragged me to see Dr. Katz, who said I'm different.

You're a sensitive child,

that's why you're different.

Sensitivity is rare nowadays.

Was my father a famous bandit?

Are people scared of him?

I never heard any such thing.

What did you hear, then?

Nothing.

Nothing?

Nothing.

You forgot your Koran?

I've got it here.

No, it's Mr. Victor Hugo's book.

Do you think so, Victor?

My name is Mohammed!

Mohammed? Of course, that's what I said

Give me the key.

Don't ever tell anyone about this!

Not ever!

What is this place? Why do you come here at night?

It's my country place.

It's my Jewish hideaway, do you understand?

No, but that doesn't matter.

I hide down here when I'm scared.

Scared of what?

One doesn't need reasons to be scared.

Here's my doll Arthur. Look!

He'll dance for you.

Will you dance with me?

Yes.

What are you all laughing about? This is pathetic!

It's an outrage!

Treating a child like that!

Something should be done about it!

Doesn't anyone care?

Something should be done!

Watch it! The cops! It's the cops!

I'm sorry, that's all for today. No check.

Never mind, it may come tomorrow.

I hope so!

What are you so happy about all the time?

He's been free-loading for two years and he just laughs!

Things look pretty bad, kids.

I'm getting old and the girls know it.

They see I can't manage anymore.

They'd rather pay more

and take their kids to madame Sophie or to Aicha.

But I've got something arranged for the two of you.

Moishe, I know a family that's willing

to take you in on a trial basis.

They own a kosher grocery, so you'll get plenty to eat.

At night, you'll sleep here.

If they like you and you like them,

they may keep you for good.

Michel, I know some vietnamese people who run a restaurant.

They're willing to take you.

You'll have the best of everything.

I hope you won't forget your madame Rosa.

- Is that a promise, Michel? - Yes, madame Rosa.

- Momo. - Yes, madama Rosa?

Take banania for a walk.

Take him to see Mr. Walloumba.

That child has to see other black folks

or he won't be able to relate later on!

Sure, madame Rosa, I'll take him.

Madame Rosa.

What is it?

I know you get no money for my keep.

So what?

Don't worry, you can count on me.

I won't just stay here while nobody sends money for me.

Ein gutte kind

The best spot is boulevard Saint Michel.

The cops won't bother us there because there are students.

Were you always a fire-eater?

No, I came here as a street sweeper,

but I make out better as a fire-eater.

Is it hard to learn?

Playing with fire is an art.

Back in Senegal, I was the tribe doctor.

We used fire to drive away evil spirits.

How is madame Rosa?

Her heart is getting worse.

She gasps for breath.

I do all the shopping, she can't manage the stairs.

Are you going away on vacation?

Not yet, no.

Maybe I'll go away for eight days, I don't know

- hey, why are you crying? - What's wrong?

Where do you live?

Well, what should we do?

Let's take him to the police station.

Do you want to go? No!

- Where do you want to go? - Home.

Home? Oh and where do you live?

Now, who's this boy? Who is he?

That was in Siddi-bel-Abbes, a foreign legion post.

And this?

I was 18.

What about this one?

That's when I worked in Vavin.

No, it was in Pigalle. Vavin came later!

And this one?

It was taken right after the war.

You can see how I've changed.

Who's he?

This is Felix Blumentag.

I gave him my love

so he took all my savings and denounced me as a Jew.

It didn't help him. They arrested him too.

He never came back from Germany.

What if it's cancer? Cancer is fatal.

Bring me my purse.

Right.

We can't eat on this money.

I'll have to look up some of the girls.

We could get by with a few more kids.

The trouble is that the girls I knew are now retired,

and I don't know the new ones.

I've lost my reputation.

What are we going to do?

Don't worry, we'll make out.

Monsieur Amedee promised to help us.

Besides, you've got to lose weight.

Dr. Katz says you eat less if you reduce

leave me alone! I have to get dressed.

You smell nice, don't you?

Yes, ma'am.

You're really cute. I've seen you hanging around.

Does your mother work here?

No. I've got no one yet.

How old are you, honey?

I'm 11.

This is no place for a kid.

Come with me.

What's your name?

Momo.

Where are your folks?

I'm on my own. I'm a free man!

You must have somebody.

I could talk to them.

I could take care of you.

I'd set you up in a flat, like a big shot,

with money to burn.

I'll think about it.

Here.

Buy yourself some candy, cutie.

Hand it over! But

just give me the money! The 100 francs.

What?

Don't lie!

You were at that bar! Fernande saw and heard everything!

Let's have it!

So it was true!

Is this what I raised you for?

Is this what I sacrificed my life for?

There you go!

I wish I was dead!

- Madame Rosa! - Swear you'll never do it again!

I swear it!

Swear you won't become a fancy man like all those pimps!

I'll never be a fancy man!

It would break your poor mother's heart!

Where is my poor mother? Why don't you tell me?

Don't yell I'm already half-dead.

Come over here.

All 1 can tell you is that you have a father and a mother.

Everyone has!

They came here one day and left you with me.

Your mother cried and then she ran out.

I listed you as Mohammed, a Muslim,

and promised to give you all the best.

Why don't they ever come to see me?

Why don't they send money anymore?

Just tell me why my mother never comes to see me.

All right, I'll tell you.

I think your mother has

bourgeois prejudices,

because she comes from a high-class family.

So she didn't want you to find out

how she makes a living.

But I've got some good news.

We're getting two more kids.

Mr. moussa's twin boys.

So we'll be all right.

What about my back?

She fainted.

Let's call Dr. Katz.

It's not cancer, is it?

No, no it's not cancer.

- Who's the oldest kid in here. - I am, doctor.

I'll write a prescription

for you to take to the drugstore.

Listen, son, madame Rosa is very ill.

It's not cancer, is it?

No, it isn't, but it's pretty serious.

She should be in a hospital getting medical care.

What's wrong with her?

She has enough illnesses to go around,

I'm not going to mention all of them.

The most serious is her hypertension.

She could have a stroke anytime.

Besides, she's getting senile.

- Senile? - You know, weak in the head.

Blood and oxygen are no longer feeding her brain,

so she gets all mixed up.

Pretty soon, she'll be like a vegetable.

But it isn't cancer?

Absolutely not! Don't worry.

Momo

don't cry, child.

It's normal that old people should die.

You have your whole life ahead of you.

With compliments from monsieur n'da Amedee.

What did Katz say this time?

Am I going to die?

- Not really. He didn't say that. - What's wrong with me?

He says you've got a little bit of everything.

- What's wrong with my legs? - He didn't mention them.

- And my heart? - He didn't say.

- And the vegetables? - What do you mean?

I heard him mention vegetables.

He said you should eat them. You always make us eat vegetables.

What will you do without me?

I'll be all right.

You're a very handsome boy.

That's dangerous.

You have to watch out.

Promise me you'll never hustle.

I promise.

- Swear it! - I swear it. Don't worry.

Not even if they offer you loads of money

and all you have is your ass

don't peddle it!

Why are you crying?

I'm not.

Isn't this a tear?

I don't know what is it.

I guess I made a mistake.

Do you live nearby?

I'm not French. I'm an Algerian.

We live in belleville.

What's your name?

Mohammed. They call me Momo.

Don't be afraid.

You're the best-looking boy I've ever seen.

You're not so bad yourself!

Thank you.

So long, Mohammed!

You bastard!

No, no!

No, Robert, don't!

Oh, it's you.

How did you find me?

Is this place a cinema?

Not exactly. It's a cutting room.

We edit films here.

Do you like it?

It's funny when it goes backwards.

And what is that?

It's an umbrella I fixed.

He looks funny in that hat.

It looks like a fetish. Is he your friend?

Do you take me for an idiot? He's no friend

it's an umbrella.

Why did you make his face green?

It's not a face, it's a rag.

Faces are forbidden.

What do you mean?

I'm an arab. In our religion, faces are forbidden.

How old are you?

I'm 11. I think today is my birthday.

If you wait a while, we'll go out and celebrate.

Would you like that?

Did you really enjoy it?

It was fun.

Come back whenever you like.

I'm pretty busy. Don't count on it.

I like it when you make things go backward.

The lady I live with is going to die.

Aren't your parents in Paris?

Here's my address. I'm Nadine.

A friend of mine takes care of children.

A psychiatrist?

A psychiatrist? Pediatricians deal with children.

Only babies. After that, you have psychiatrists.

Who told you that?

You said you were 11, right?

Sort of

you know a lot for a boy your age.

Promise to come and see us.

I've got two small boys. You'll get to meet them.

Oh so you already have someone.

What's that?

Are they as good-looking as you are?

Don't lose my name and address.

Come whenever you like.

Where do you live?

So long.

But

- Hello, Momo. - Hello, madame Lola.

How is she? Not too well.

The place looks empty without the kids

but at least I have you.

- Hello. - Hello, sir.

I heard that madame Rosa is ailing.

Who's that?

Come in.

Madame.

May 1?

Thank you.

Turn that off, Momo.

Have a seat.

My name is Louis charmette

as you can see here.

You can read it yourself.

This is from my daughter.

She writes to me every month.

Delighted.

I used to work at the railroad. Administrative director.

I heard you were ill after 20 years in the same house

and I felt we should meet.

That's very kind of you.

- Momo. - Yes, madame Rosa?

Offer him something to drink.

A little schnapps?

Thanks, but I have it strictly forbidden. Doctor's orders!

No sweets

we must avoid sugar.

At our age, good health is all we've got.

To madame Rosa's health!

May god give you a long life!

Don't mention him to me.

Let him stay where he is.

Don't you believe in god?

I saw what god did in Auschwitz.

God has eyes, but he doesn't see

he's got ears, but he doesn't hear

a mouth, but he doesn't speak.

It's too late for me to forgive him now

'cause what's done is done.

I'm no longer afraid of him.

At my funeral

I want no god, no rabbi, nothing!

Just put me under a tree.

I'll be fine.

The country is beautiful!

These legs have climbed lots of stairs.

I was very popular.

Some steadies would cross all of Paris to see me.

If I was busy, they'd wait.

They wouldn't touch another girl for a million!

Well, maybe for a million they would.

But they stuck with me until I was over 50.

That's when I stopped.

I felt I was becoming offensive

so I opened a boarding house for kids

mostly the children of hustlers.

After all, they're no different from other kids.

As a matter of fact

the girls I knew who had kids

had them raised by other people,

and they always preferred to have them in the country.

I should have thought of that.

Kids have more fun in the fresh air than stuck on the 6th floor,

and I'm still climbing stairs.

Life could be beautiful,

but how can you live if all you do is try to survive?

You have to make a living somehow.

I'm going to see Mr. hamil.

How are you, Mr. hamil?

Hello, my dear Victor. I'm glad you're here.

I'm Mohammed, not Victor.

Victor is your other friend.

Of course, Mohammed

I trust the immortal, who never dies.

Why did I call you Victor?

You called me Victor.

How could I? Forgive me.

That's all right, really.

How have you been since yesterday?

Since yesterday?

Yesterday or today.

I spent the whole day here, Victor.

One day, I'll write a book too.

Is this the best one Mr. Hugo wrote?

Don't ask too many questions, my dear

Mohammed.

Don't ask too many questions, I'm a little tired today.

Will someone help you get home?

Inshallah

someone will help, for I believe in god, Victor.

Come in, darling. Come on.

I've got to hurry because

What are you doing?

I'm waiting. They said they'd pick us up

and take care of everything.

They'll take us to the stadium in a truck.

They said to bring only the minimum.

Who are they?

The French police.

We take one suitcase only.

They'll drive us to the station and put us on a train to Germany.

The Germans won't harm us.

They'll take care of everything and I'll have no more worries.

Momo

Momo, what happened?

What am I doing here with this suitcase?

You had a dream.

There's no harm in dreaming a little.

You're a big boy now,

so you can understand things.

Since you're a big boy, I can tell you

Madame Rosa.

Maybe she's dead.

It's all right.

We don't have to worry about it being cancer.

But, at times, she has spells

where the blood doesn't reach the brain.

The kidneys and heart aren't working properly.

I need to get her to a good hospital

where they can take care of such problems.

Momo he wants to send me to a hospital, right?

Give me my purse.

Moishe, run down to get some bread.

I'll make something to eat.

That much I can still do!

Momo!

Come here for a minute.

What is it, madame Rosa?

Are you going to have another fit?

No, I feel fine today,

but next time they'll drag me to the hospital.

I don't want no hospitals. I'm 65 years old.

You're 67.

All right, I'm 66. But I'm not as old as I look!

I don't want to be tortured in a hospital.

They'll force me to live.

I don't want to live more than I have to,

and I don't have to anymore!

Everything has its limits, even for Jews.

In the hospital, they'll make me suffer just to keep me alive.

I knew a man who wasn't even Jewish

he lost both arms and legs in an accident.

At the hospital, they made him suffer for 10 years

just to study his circulation!

I don't want to spend 10 years in a coma

so that doctors can practice on me.

So the next time they mention the hospital

just press a pillow to my face and finish me off.

I didn't sell my body to customers for 35 years of my life

just to end up donating it to doctors now! You know.

Promise?

I promise, madame Rosa.

Does madame Rosa live here?

Who?

Madame Rosa!

That's not me!

I'm a sick man, just out of the hospital.

I want to see my son before I die.

I left him with madame Rosa 11 years ago.

I've got a receipt.

Received 500 francs from kadir youssef

for his son Mohammed, born on October 7, 1963.

Religion: Muslim.

Just wait here. I'll go see.

It's some creep who claims his son is here.

There's just you and Moishe.

Then it's Moishe!

It sounds like blackmail.

I'm not scared of pimps.

He can't prove a thing. My fake papers are foolproof!

Well, let him in.

If he acts tough,

run down and get monsieur Amedee.

Have a seat.

What can I do for you?

I left you my son 11 years ago.

I couldn't come before because I was in a psychiatric hospital.

The receipt was with my in-laws.

My wife died tragically, as you probably heard.

They released me today.

I went to get the receipt and came straight over.

My name is kadir youssef.

I want to see my son, Mohammed.

I want to say hello.

What did you say?

I am a sick man.

Aren't we all?

I was locked up in a psychiatric hospital for 11 years

after my wife's tragic death.

The newspapers said I was not guilty.

What was your son's name?

Mohammed.

Do you recall the mother's name?

You know I wasn't guilty!

I was recognized and certified as innocent.

If my hand did it it was still not my fault.

She used to turn more than 15 tricks a day,

so I became jealous and killed her.

Yes! I know.

It was not my fault!

I was crazy about her, I couldn't live without her.

That's right, you couldn't!

Aicha was a fantastic meal-ticket!

You were so greedy that you killed her!

Aside from that, how are things now?

All right, madame Rosa.

I'm going to die. It's the heart.

Mazel tov!

Thanks. Can I see my son?

You owe me three years of room and board.

For 11 years you gave no sign of life.

Sign of life? What do you mean?

Money!

How was I supposed to earn it?

That's not my problem.

When we gave you our son, I was on top of the world.

I had three girls working for me.

One of them was my woman.

I even had a reputation and was well-known by the police.

Yes, madame! Youssef kadir was well-known by the police!

All the newspapers said so!

You had no right to abandon your son

and stop paying for him!

There was nothing I could do!

I've got a certificate to prove it.

That kind of proof means nothing to me. I don't want it.

I can't bring Aicha back to life

but I want to kiss my son

ask his forgiveness

ask him to pray for me.

Is this him?

Moishe.

Yes, madame Rosa.

Say hello to your papa.

Hello, papa.

What's this I hear?

Did you say Moishe?

Yes, I did. So what?

But Moishe is a Jewish name!

I gave you a Mohammed, hot a Moishe!

Are you sure?

Sure of what, madame?

11 years ago, I left you my 3-year-old son.

His name was Mohammed.

I gave you an arab son in perfect condition

and I want you to give me back an arab son.

I've got nothing against Jews, may god forgive them

you're sure you're not Jewish?

I'm persecuted enough without being Jewish!

Jews are not the only ones who get persecuted!

I refuse to accept a Jewish son.

I've got enough troubles as it is.

Don't get excited, calm down.

Maybe there's been a mistake. Let me look it up.

Momo, give me the papers.

Here it is. Here it is.

Let's see

November 5, 1966. More or less.

Why more or less?

It's around figure!

I took in two boys on that date.

One was an arab and the other one was a Jew.

I got them on the same day.

That explains it.

I made a mistake

and gave them the wrong religion.

What do you mean?

I raised Mohammed as Moishe and Moishe as Mohammed.

It was a natural mistake.

That's why Moishe, the real one,

is now with a fine Muslim family in marseilles,

and your little Mohammed, who is right here,

was raised as a good Jew!

Don't worry, he had a bar mitzvah and eats only kosher.

What's this?

My son eats kosher

and had a bar mitzvah?

My son is now a Jew?

So I made a mistake.

After all, a 3-year-old has no real identity,

even if he's been circumcised.

So I made a mistake and raised Mohammed as a Jew.

When you abandon a child for 11 years,

not seeing him even once,

you shouldn't be surprised to find he's become a Jew.

But I was clinically incapacitated!

He was an arab

and now he's a little Jew.

So what? He's still your son!

It's not the same! He's been baptized!

He's never been baptized.

God forbid!

Moishe is a good little Jewish boy.

Isn't that right, Moishe?

Yes, madame Rosa.

I want my son back as he was!

I want my son as an arab, not as a Jew!

Look arab or Muslim

it makes no difference!

You take your son in the state he's in!

First you killed his mother,

then you claim you're a psychiatric case,

and now you make a pogrom because he was raised a Jew!

Moishe, kiss your father! Kiss him even if it kills him!

He's not my son!

What happened?

He's not moving.

Oh Momo, we must do something!

Call the police, or an ambulance. He shouldn't be found here.

You feel bad, don't you?

No, I'm glad that I'm 14.

It's just as well

because a lunatic for a father is the last thing you need.

These things can be inherited.

That's true. I'm pretty lucky.

Aicha was very popular, so who knows

anyone could be your father.

Mohammed!

What's wrong?

Tell me what happened!

Nothing.

It's nothing.

I'm through here. Let's go to my house so we can talk.

This is Mohammed.

Hello, Mohammed.

This is my friend, Ramon.

She peddled her ass when she was younger,

but after her deportation she didn't look well anymore,

so she took care of hustlers' kids.

They have to hide their children to avoid blackmail.

And they're as poor as their kids.

Some neighbors are bad, and will denounce you before public welfare.

Is that for me?

No, it's for me. Never mind.

So, your father turned up.

Just out of the hospital.

He gave me up before killing my mother.

They say he was crazy.

He wanted me back, but madame Rosa said no,

because lunacy can be inherited from a father like that.

As a doctor, I don't believe in anything hereditary.

Dr. Katz says so too.

Dr. Katz is well-known to all Jews for his Christian charity.

But madame Rosa was scared,

so she said Moishe was his son, now a Jew.

Arabs have Moishes too, but not Jewish ones.

So when Mr. kadir learned that his son had become a Jew

he felt so bad that he dropped dead!

Dead? That's terrible!

Anyway, Mr. kadir had no proof.

When your mother's a whore, anyone could be your father.

My mother sometimes turned 20 tricks a day!

In a way, you're lucky. You can choose any father you like.

I wish we could do what you do, Ms. Nadine,

make everything go backwards

until I was inside my mother.

Madame Rosa would be young and pretty again.

Why can't they allow abortions for old people

who are fed up with life?

What do you mean by "abortions"?

This is awful.

Can't they do something for her?

Madame Rosa is the ugliest lady I know, and she's all alone.

It's lucky she's got me because nobody wants her.

It's disgusting.

How come some people have so much trouble

and others have none at all?

It's not fair!

He's blind now.

He's got a book by Mr. Victor Hugo.

One day I'll write about "Les misérables" too.

Most good books are about them.

How have you been managing without any boarders?

We get by. Madame Lola helps us out.

He's a boxer who got injections to become a woman.

I'll drive you home.

Ramon will come along to see if he can help madame Rosa.

Okay?

This is our friend, Mohammed.

Why is he dressed that way?

Are you an arab?

Momo!

Momo Momo

I'm right here, madame Rosa!

I heard the ambulance!

It's not for you, it's for Mr. Charmette!

They'll take me away.

Don't be afraid, they don't even know you're here.

I'm scared

I'm scared, Momo

Throw this out.

Let's doll you up.

You're a good girl, Lola.

Doesn't she look lovely?

I've got to run.

Inshallah, I'm going to die soon.

Inshallah, madame Rosa.

I'm glad I'm dying.

Don't let them take me to the hospital,

no matter what happens.

I swear I'll never let them take you away!

Madame Rosa

why did you lie to me?

I lied to you?

Why did you say I was 11 if I'm 14?

I was scared you'd leave me, Momo.

So I pretended you were younger.

You've always been my little man. I never loved anyone else.

Years went by and I got scared.

I didn't want you to grow up too fast.

Forgive me.

We have to put her in the hospital.

She can't stay here, I'll call an ambulance.

What will they do to her?

With medical treatment, she can live for a long time.

Can't you kill her off, just between Jews?

What are you talking about?

Kill her so she won't have to suffer!

No, I can't do that!

Euthanasia is against the law!

This is a civilized country, what are you saying?

I'm an Algerian. In Algeria, people have the right to choose their fate!

That's a sacred right, isn't it?

Of course it is. It's a noble achievement.

But what's the connection?

Madame Rosa has the sacred right to dispose of herself.

If she wants to die, you should help her

because you're a Jewish doctor.

That way there won't be any antisemitism involved.

A Jew should never leave another Jew to suffer.

You're talking sheer nonsense, my poor child.

I'm not your child. I'm not a child at all, I'm 14.

My mother was a whore and my father killed her!

Who told you these things?

Who told you all that?!

What's the difference?

Don't look at me like that.

I'm not going to throw a fit.

I'm not psychiatric or hereditary. I won't kill my mother.

That's already been done!

You can all drop dead!

Madame Rosa is the only one I love.

I won't leave her to become a vegetable.

If you were a real, honest Jew, you'd give her an injection

to save her from life.

Momo, my boy.

Talk straight!

Is it a yes or a no?

I have no right to do it, it's impossible.

Euthanasia is severely punished.

We must put her in a hospital. It's a humanitarian act.

Will they take me there with her?

No, no, but you can visit her.

But she'll soon stop recognizing you.

By the way, how will you manage on your own?

Don't worry about me. I know lots of whores in Pigalle.

I've had several proposals.

Wait! Don't call the hospital yet.

Give her a few days, she might still die naturally.

Then I'll find a way to steer clear of public welfare.

All right, but after a few days she must go to the hospital.

We have no right to cut her life short.

Meanwhile, she needs a little exercise.

Make her get up and walk around the room.

Two or three days not one more!

What did he say this time?

Nothing.

Listen, Momo as an old Jew,

I've been through all the hell a mensch can take.

I know my head gets mixed up at times

but I want to know.

It's alright, one can survive that way.

What way?

They want to turn you into a vegetable.

When will they take me away?

In a day or two.

I won't go.

I don't know what to do. They're all bastards!

They won't even help you die!

Just like the Gestapo.

Wait.

The doctor said you should walk.

Let me sit down.

How did I ever get so ugly?

You're not ugly.

How much money is left?

Madame Lola gave us 100 francs and she'll give us more.

The park is a tough beat. I couldn't take it.

Madame Lola is a saint!

By the way, Momo

yes, madame Rosa?

Do you remember the prayer I taught Moishe?

Do you mean schma Israel?

Yes.

Madame Rosa!

Madame Rosa

Be careful.

Thank you.

Good god, are you all crazy?

Put her down!

Do as I say! Put her down!

Easy now, be careful.

Right there. Careful now.

Alright, you can go now.

You're crazy, completely crazy!

You said to move her around.

Not like that!

That's it, I'm calling the hospital. She can't stay here.

Dr. Katz, you can't do that!

Why not?

She can't go to the hospital today.

Why?

Her family is coming.

Her family? She's alone in the world!

She's got relatives in Israel.

They're coming today.

Is that so? She never mentioned them.

They're coming to get her.

They've arranged to take her to Israel.

They're flying back tomorrow.

They're very rich. They own stores and everything.

That's good news.

The poor woman has suffered so much.

Why didn't they show up before?

She didn't want to leave me.

But I told her:

Go to your family, you're nobody here.

You'll be better off there.

It's the first time an arab sends a Jew to Israel.

Anyway

what will become of you, Mohammed?

I'll manage. And then, later on,

madame Rosa's family will send for me.

That's good news too!

Well, she'll be better off with her family.

They have good doctors there.

Tell her family to come and see me.

I'm almost always there now. You know, I have mobility issues.

And if madame Rosa comes to before she leaves

give her my best wishes.

I'll say mazel tov, then.

Momo.

Yes, madame Rosa?

I heard it all, you know.

I know. I saw you looking.

So you're sending me to Israel?

You did the right thing.

It's okay.

But you'll have to help me.

Of course I'll help you, madame Rosa.

Hurry up, madame Rosa.

Are they coming?

Not yet, but we must get out.

We're going to Israel, remember?

Help me, Momo.

I knew I'd need this place someday.

Now I can die in peace.

Inshallah.

Inshallah, Momo.

We were always happy together, weren't we?

Yes, madame Rosa.

Now help me say the prayer.

It may be the last time.

Shema Israel

blumentag

blumentag

madame Rosa?

Madame Rosa?

Oh, it's you, Momo.

What's wrong?

Is anything the matter?

I came to say goodbye for madame Rosa.

Did she go to the hospital?

No. She's in her Jewish hideaway.

Where?

They took her on a plane to Israel.

Who?

Her family came to get her.

She left you alone?

She's going to send for me soon.

You're feverish.

I'm all right.

Have something to eat.

I don't eat anymore.

Nonsense. Eating is a law of nature.

I don't give a damn about nature.

Neither do I, really.

Do you want to stay with me?

No, thanks, madame Lola.

Here, take this.

Thanks, madame Lola.

I went downstairs to be with madame Rosa,

but I couldn't stand it.

I went out and bought makeup and perfume

at Jacques' salon.

I wouldn't eat to get back at them, but it wasn't worth it.

I ate some sausages in a cafe.

When I got back, the smell was worse.

I poured a bottle of her favorite perfume over her,

I painted her face with all the colors I had

so she wouldn't look so bad.

I could tell she wasn't breathing.

But I didn't care, I loved her anyway.

I lay down on the mattress with my umbrella, Arthur.

I wanted to feel even worse so I would die.

They said I stayed with my adoptive mother's corpse

for three weeks,

but madame Rosa wasn't my adoptive mother.

Besides, I couldn't hold out. I had no more perfume.

They took the door down

to find out where the smell was coming from.

When they saw me next to her, they yelled for help.

They didn't yell before because life has no smell.

They took me away.

In my pocket, they found the slip with your name and address.

So they rang you up

because they thought we were related.

So you came and took me to your country home

with no obligation on my part.

Mr. hamil was right when he said

we cannot live without somebody to love.

But I can't promise anything. We'll see.

I loved madame Rosa. I'll never forget her.

I don't mind staying with you, since your kids like me.

Ms. Nadine, show me how to make the world go backwards,

it's what I want most.

Dr. Ramon even went to get my umbrella, Arthur.

I was worried that no one would want it because of its sentimental value.

We all need to love.