Original subtitles

Late February

What do you think the unconscious is in a psychological sense?

Well?

Someone unaware of their actions

Not knowing the consequences of their actions?

I meant in a psychological sense

It's like someone in a coma

You're surpassing yourself

You look tired

Any other ideas? We only have ten minutes

Miss Tessier

Mathilde. I don't like being called by my surname

You're 45 minutes late

And If I'm right, you've missed maths. Still, you're more punctual than usual

When did you last attend my class?

Over two weeks ago. Seventeen days...

...to be precise

You could wait for my permission to sit down

You don't apologise...

...for being late

You just tell me not to call you Tessier

What does the unconscious mean to you? Carpentier?

- She's just arrived - True

But do you think Miss Te... Sorry, Mathilde

Do you think Mathilde could answer...

...if she'd been on time?

It's not her fault

So, Mathilde

What terrible disaster justifies your being late and missing so many classes

Get out. And don't come back until you know the answer

Write this down...

Before our next class...

...please find out how the classics...

...then Bergson and later Freud...

...defined the unconscious

She's so pale

- What's wrong? - She was crying and then she fainted

- Shall we call the police? - No, leave it to me

Are you a teacher?

Don't worry

I'm not worried

- I'll take you back to school - No, back home

Where's that?

I'll show you

Can you get up?

Do you have a doctor?

I just need some sleep

I can't just leave you

I'll come back later, after the class

Keys...

...in my pocket. Lock the door

Do you need anything?

- So? - Doctor's appointment

- Where's your certificate? - I don't have it

Headmaster's office

- How are you? - And you?

- Do you have Tessier's file? - More problems?

No, it's my fault

- How old is she? - 17

Parents?

They live and work in Paris. She has two brothers

She came to us in January last year

- Didn't her Paris school send her file - No, I asked them twice

Never attends classes

- Why did she move here? - She's very secretive

Has she no family here?

- She lives alone? - Without family anyway

How did she end up in the sixth form with this file?

Thanks to Fleurier, her French teacher

The others were furious

The students' representatives and a couple of teachers won the vote

Mathilde is gifted but fragile Her dad is neglectful her mum suicidal

Her brothers have been in trouble with the police What can we do?

Her problems are out of our control Jacques Fleurier

What happened to Fleurier?

A breakdown. The department agreed to a quick transfer

- What do you think of her? - She's quite a character

Are you interested in her? Be careful

Why do you say that?

- Can I keep this? - Yes, but the Head needs it tomorrow

Doctor's surgery

This is Fran�ois Hainaut. Is doctor...

Really, there's no need

Take your coat off and sit down

Are you feeling better?

Thanks for looking after me. I hadn't slept

I'm sorry I made you cry this morning

It wasn't you. It happens when I think about my life

Don't go

I'm expected

Please

I'm afraid to be on my own now. Don't you ever need to talk to someone

You won't go, will you?

That's my file

I'm intrigued by you

That means I exist

Why did you leave Paris?

Well?

My mother...

I was sick of visiting her in hospital...

...every time her new lover left her

What was wrong with her?

She kept trying to kill herself

My father could either leave me here in St-Etienne or with mum. So here I am

- Couldn't he find somewhere closer? - You don't know her

Your father is a doctor?

A psychiatrist. I'm a child of the failed revolution

In '68, the proletariat disappointed my parents. So what did they turn to?

Hindu philosophy. The world, life, everything is but an illusion

As a philosophy teacher, you must know all about it

So dad stopped caring about everything that bothered him, like us

My mother became so detached from things...

...she sees her 'god' every two months

Joking aside, he's OK. But she's a madwoman and a bitch

That's a contradiction in terms

Not with her

And your brothers?

How many times a month do you screw?

Or should I say a year?

- Forgive me - Why?

You can ask questions too

What does your wife do?

She manages her own bookshop. She also writes articles for the regional paper

She loves you?

- Of course - Don't fib

I know many couples

Let me take you to dinner

I'm expected

Call them

Don't worry. I've no tears left to cry

You've been kind to me. It's been rare lately

You've reached Catherine and Fran�ois Hainaut Please leave a message

Catherine, I'll be home late

Don't worry

Love you

Let's go

Why resent...

...your parents?

We're all children and it's hard when our illusions are shattered

They made me. I didn't ask them

It's not easy having children

Is that why you haven't?

You've ruined your schooling enough

Please try to put your problems aside...

...and study

What for? You're born, you rush around and then you die

Culture and diplomas would help you rush around better and more pleasantly

- You believe that? - That's why I teach

Life is so much richer than you could ever expect

Despair is a form of vanity...

...in disguise

I don't know if it's a form of vanity, but when you catch it, it really hurts

You're young

Learn to approach life with an open mind

Keep your money. You hardly ate

I've never eaten much and you intimidate me

I like you

Because you're like me. Alone

Why do you say that? I have a wife, friends, students...

What about you? Don't you have a boyfriend?

Why see someone I won't even remember in ten years' time?

And the spectacle of others' illusions make me lose my own

What do you mean by that?

Isn't it clear enough?

You're an unusual person

It's rare to see a girl your age who's so disillusioned

I was going to say so lucid

Please don't miss any more classes, study and you'll pass your exams

If you like

- It would be silly to ruin your life - Won't you come in?

Thank you for helping me

Be early. I set some homework

Hi it's Catherine

I've come across some fascinating books in Tours I'm checking them out

Then I've an article to write I'll stay in a hotel I love you

I was missing you

- What about your article? - Wake me up early tomorrow

- Class A3? - Yes

Meeting at 3pm to discuss Miss Tessier

Sorry, the maths teacher kept me. May I stay?

What about the unconscious?

Have you thought about it?

I feel Briseville has something to say

Still in a coma?

Anyone else?

For the classics and Bergson, the unconscious doesn't exist

It's the sum of buried memories you can retrieve if you try

I only find Racine interesting. Once struck by passion, his characters...

...are dominated and manipulated by forces, as if possessed

These forces come from God, but are the same as in the Freudian unconscious

Miss Mathilde, take my place

In the late 19th century, there's Freud

He defined the unconscious based on his medical experience

The unconscious is the sum of all the subject's repressed memories...

...which sometimes reappear as symptom

We're all ruled by forces we're totally unaware of, as in 'fate neuroses'

Meaning?

Some people are prisoners of their fate...

...always blighted by the same dramas. It's like they're victims of fate

For psychoanalysts, they're prisoners of their unconscious

What is psychoanalysis?

Freud tried to treat patients suffering conditions which had no physical cause

They were in fact prisoners...

...of repressed, therefore unconscious ideas and desires which Freud unlocked

Finally conscious of his traumatic memories, the patient discusses them...

...and the symptoms vanish

Does it always work?

I'll give you the subject of your next essay tomorrow

A word, please

You were fantastic. Can you explain the difference...

- You were outstanding - My dad is a psychiatrist

Maybe, but you've grasped the subject perfectly

I need a word with your classmate

We're meeting to discuss your case

- The maths teacher wants me expelled - Not just her

- I've not seen a single essay - Are you going?

Yes, at 3 o'clock

Will you still be here?

No, but you can call me to let me know Come to my place if you like

Will you promise to work hard?

For you, I'll do it

For me?

I'll bring you that file in half an hour

What shall we do with her?

We have to give this girl one last chance

I'm counting on you

- Let's give her one more chance - No way

In English she hasn't said a word all year

- Same thing for History and Geography - I never see her either

They give you until Easter

I stuck my neck out. I'll help you

- Are you hopeless at English? - I've been fluent since I was five

I spent my childhood in London

- Don't you ever speak in class? - To show off to a useless teacher?

What about maths?

That's a different story

Let's get started then. Your syllabus is easy. Give me your book

I don't have one

What else are you missing?

I have nothing

Not even a folder?

- Nothing - And you think it's funny?

If X is between 1.5 and infinity...

Write down the subject of the next essay

Once the Freudian unconscious becomes part of modern psychology...

...what happens to human freedom?

And what role can it play?

Not so fast

Listen, Miss

Don't be so formal

- Forget it - They're calling No�

That's you, I suppose

Yes, my dad calls me No�

Who's that guy?

What did he want?

Money. He's a childhood friend

From Paris?

What does he do?

Nothing

- What does he live on? - I'm not his mother

Do you have to hide to give him money?

Shall we get back to work?

See you tomorrow

You know what someone wanted today?

Something wrong?

I'm fine

So, what did they want?

Your book: "Simone Weil's Mystical Philosophy" by Fran�ois Hainaut

Would you sell one of your last copies

- Who wants it? - A young man

Hello may I speak to Mr Hainaut please?

Hold on

It's for you

I just called to say good night

You've got my number?

It's in the phonebook I'm going to bed now Love you lots and lots

Good night

So, your book?

Problems?

What's bothering you?

Nothing

What's special about your student?

Which one?

The one you're so familiar with

There's not much to say

Tell me anyway

She's quite amazing

At first you think she might as well not be at school

Then you realise she's amazing

Sometimes when you're marking essays you come across a brilliant passage

So you forget the essay's weaknesses and give an excellent grade...

...in the excitement of the moment

For the first time in my life, I feel I've met a truly exceptional person

At only 17...

...she's deeply aware of the futility of human life

And she cuts through to what really matters

Is she that brilliant?

She's behind...

...in spelling and maths. But it's superficial

At first I just helped her to stay at school

Then your enthusiasm led to familiarity

No, only afterwards

Sometimes I want to push her further...

...on the path to wisdom

You never do that with me now

You don't need it any more

Are you in love with her?

You're so silly

Promise me it won't happen

You're so silly

No need to promise. I've never fancied young girls

You're the only one for me

Who was it?

You get it

Hello. How are you? Did you sleep well

Do you need anything?

Just to say hello Lots of love See you in a minute

All right

Your student? Tell her not to hang up when I pick up

Why do you think it's her?

Essay Can the unconscious be considered another self?

You still have 90 minutes

It's good, but it's riddled with spelling mistakes

Honestly! Here, here and here

- Anything for wiping the board? - There

It was you?

I've started reading it. It's beautiful

"God waits like a beggar standing still...

"...before someone he hopes will give him some bread

"Time is God's patience as he begs for our love

"Modest beggars are in His own image"

The philosopher is a citizen who couldn't exist...

...without the concept of policing. Politics is the expression of policing

Man is a man when he belongs to the city and defines himself as a citizen

Any idea why Miss Tessier isn't here?

May I carry on?

What's going on?

Why weren't you at school? Don't say you were ill

- Someone will hear - Let them hear

Who's the guy who's just left?

Are you jealous?

I'm glad

Did they stay the night?

Don't be cross. They often do

Do you take me for a fool?

Come on. Don't be afraid

I hadn't felt like this since childhood

When X is between infinity and 15 and F' of X is negative

See you tomorrow at eight

Won't you stay?

No, I have to go home

- You're here? - Yes, every night. How are you?

Still looking after your schoolgirl?

What do you mean?

- Are you in love? - Why do you say that?

FRAN�OIS LO VES ANO THER WOMAN

It'll be a paranoid or resentful student

we're all delighted...

...with Miss Tessier's spectacular progress

I wish you all a good holiday

You were right. Mathilde has hugely improved in English

- Really? Congratulations - Thank you

We're so happy about what you did for Mathilde

What's that?

We thought she was going to sink. But she got a grip on herself thanks to you

- It's really thanks to her - 'Bye. Are you going away?

Enjoy the break anyway

Are you going away with Catherine?

- You've changed - For the better?

I don't recognise you. Do you need some help?

- I'm fine. Do you want a lift? - I've a call to make first

You're crazy

- What are you doing here? - I want to make love

- Don't you want to know what they said? - I don't care

You're crazy. What if they see us?

I'm happy. We're going to be together for two weeks

If you like we can go to the country. The weather's nice

I'm starting to need you

Hi No�

Hi, what's up?

Your mum's in hospital again You must come up at once Promise me

See you tomorrow

- All right - Love you

What's up?

Mum's tried to kill herself again. That was dad

Is it serious?

It must be, for dad to have called

Will you go?

I can go with you. I finish work in two days

- Do your brothers know? - We can't contact them

They went to Columbia, then India. Since then, not a word

They were in trouble with the police?

They were 15

They dealt drugs to get their daily fix

They got caught and were forced...

...to go into rehab

Hadn't your father noticed?

What about you?

Me? I was 11 and I was like them

You took drugs too?

They got me started

Weren't you caught by the police?

I was 11. They never suspected

They supplied you? What happened when they were in rehab?

I went into prostitution

I got into a network. There were other young girls

There were meetings where men came, sometimes with their wives

You mustn't think it was tough or traumatic

We just got on with it

How long did it last?

Two years. No, three

Then I managed to stop by myself

I can be very strong for some things

Don't be angry

I'm telling you because I trust you

Do you understand?

I've heard all drug addicts become liars

They all say that's it, they're going to stop

Aren't I right?

Why would you be different?

I swear it to you

I know I don't lie

If you don't believe me, tough

Do you want my number in Paris?

What's the point?

Wait

Stop it. You're too good at this

It hasn't stopped ringing

They hang up when I pick up

Any idea who it is?

Did you ask her about the letter?

Well?

Maybe you wrote it to sound me out

Not the damsel in distress!

Jealous at your age?

I've had it

I need to think. We should spend a few days apart, just the holidays

I'll go. Do what you like, but have a good think

I'll stay at the bookshop

These calls will have to stop. If you won't do anything about it, I will

Have a good holiday

Don't forget the essay

Hello how are you?

It's good to hear your voice. I tried to call, but it was always engaged

I miss you

How's your mum?

She slit her wrists in the bath It was serious this time

You know what she said when she woke up?

"It was beautiful like a huge ocean

"I was melting into it It was lovely"

Shall I come up?

Bad idea One of my brothers is back We don't know where the other one is

I'm looking after everyone especially my dad

I'm sorry about what happened before you left

- I miss you - I miss you too

I have to go I'll be back as soon as I can

We'll need to talk

'Bye I love you

Me too

Try to call again

It's good to hear your voice

It's Mathilde Are you alone?

Go to your front door

I need you so much. How I missed you!

I was scared suddenly. Scared you had left

In Paris I could only think of you

I was going mad. I kept wanting to call

I didn't care about anyone

Not even my mother disfigured by pain

Not even my father or my brothers

I can't live without you any more

Throw your wife out

I can't

Then leave her

Come and live with me. It's small, but we can move

We can't

Because of school?

You're 17

So what?

In ten years I'll be an old man

You already are when you talk like that

Do you know many couples who last?

Look around you

I love you

Whether you're old, fat, skinny or sick it won't change anything

It's deeply rooted in me

Who knows where we'll be in ten years? We might be dead. You might be

Or me

I love you like I've never loved before

You made a woman of me

Can't you see I'm begging you?

What would we live on? Love alone?

It would be romantic

What do you mean?

No one will ever condone a teacher my age seeing his student

Especially since you're a minor

Ask to be transferred to another town

I'll pretend to be your daughter

Or I'll hide

So no one can see me, I'll live like a recluse

I've no pride left

So long as I'm with you

It wouldn't last two months

One day you told me no one knew what life had in store for them...

...and despair was a sign of vanity

You said we should approach life with open minds. So?

People can think what they like. We're different

We need to find our own way

Have faith in me and life

I've no right to your life

That means you don't have the courage to leave your wife and live with me

We're going to make love one last time

Then there'll be nothing left...

...if we still need to see each other

Are you hurting?

You've stopped seeing her?

It's better for you

What would you know?

You'll get over it in time

Won't you talk to me?

She wanted me to leave you

Why didn't you follow her?

Because of me?

Because she was 17?

Cut the chatter

I hope you had a good break and you finished your essays

Carpentier will collect them

For Nietzsche, pure thought doesn't exist

In the same way, philosophy's claim to stating pure truth...

...is a mystification

For Nietzsche, a metaphysician is someone who's chosen death

Someone dedicated to metaphysics...

...God and perfection, but who doesn't want to live

He can't bear life

So he discards it with great philosophical elegance

And he invents a new one...

...which he calls the other side, God, the other life...

...morals with a capital 'M'

But let's not be fooled. This whole philosophical construction...

...only serves to hide this unconscious notion

I can't bear it. I can't bear life

So I invent another one...

...for very concrete, mundane reasons

This whole philosophical construction...

...only serves...

...to hide a wretched existence

The tired life...

...of the philosopher...

...who denied his own life

Sorry, were you talking to me?

Stand up, please

Can you repeat what I said?

Why weren't you listening?

I was...

- But I couldn't hear - See me after the class

I can't. I'm seeing the counsellor

I'll make your excuses

I also have to see the bursar

I'm not asking you. I'm telling you

I need a word in private

I'm sorry, sir

But we wanted to tell you that Mathild has a new address

We're living together at my place

You can speak. Don't mind him

He advises me and will always take care of me

Get out

I thought you'd be pleased

Get out, I said

For a teacher, you could be more polite

Who's this one?

You whore

Forget it

You've no right to hit students, sir

Only to punish them if you can prove they're in the wrong

Who was it?

Guess

Impossible

I got a call after you left this morning

It was her

She called me a bitch

She promised she'd kill me

I had a similar message two days ago

On top of the night calls, that's too much

Come here, please. I need you

Come on, students. Upstairs

You too, Miss Tessier

Can I have a word?

Expel her

Or put her in another class

On what pretext?

There are only a few weeks to go. You're not a boy

Sometimes I wonder

It's your wife. She says it's serious

Tell me

The Hainaut woman is an old bitch

Who did that?

Two guys on motorbikes

That's not all. When I took the car earlier, a guy in a van bumped into me

As if he'd been waiting for me. One bump wasn't enough, so he did it again

I thought he was going to kill me

Any witnesses?

When people arrived, the driver ran off, leaving the van behind

What time was that?

9.15

There's more

My editor has received threats

- They're telling him to fire me or else - That's ludicrous

Maybe, but there have been bomb alerts so he's delaying publishing my article

It's her

- She was at school - Then she has accomplices

Things can't go on like this

I can't take any more

- Where are the A3? - English. Room 512

Miss Tessier, come with me

Are you coming?

Is this going to last long?

I love you

- What do you want? - My bag...

Come back later. The door is locked. I'll get the key

Have you seen Hainaut? The head wants to see him and Miss Tessier

It's serious

He must be in the staff room or in a classroom

Or maybe outside. Come with me

Hey, there's a teacher screwing a naked girl

Mathilde's mother died the next day

She went back to Paris after trying to see Fran�ois again

He was rebuked by the department

and quickly transferred to Dunkirk

Catherine deeply hurt

didn't forgive him They separated and he left her the house

Mathilde vanished from their lives

Over a year passed

Mr Fran�ois Hainaut?

This is police officer Gabaston Can you come to 6 rue Lombard now?

We've found the body of a young girl Miss Tessier

Hello are you still there?

- Here? In Dunkirk? - Yes here in Dunkirk

Do you recognise her?

Poor girl

Can you imagine?

She let herself die

She took this room two months ago

She didn't go out. She didn't see anyone

She lived as a recluse

She used to sit all day...

...Looking out the window

I did her shopping every other day

That's your address and phone number, right?

So, you must have seen her sometimes

You didn't even know she lived here?

Sorry

You're Fran�ois, aren't you?

So, what did she mean?

THERE'S THE OCEAN, FRAN�OIS