Original subtitles

MARCH 1944

It was the year Denis started Year Ten.

He'd read in a book, or someone had told him

that things really start to change when you turn 13 years old.

He was now 14.

And yet, things were still the same.

Though there was a new supervisor that year.

But supervisors are all the same.

All that changes is the name we give them.

We called this one "Dolly."

Focus on your own work, Denis,

I'm sure that Titus Livius is more interesting than me.

There were also the Germans who occupied the old canteens.

We'd hear many stories on the Germans' cruelty.

The most atrocious ones were told by Cossonnier.

He knew dozens of stories.

And we'd make him repeat them over and over.

But Denis had to admit:

the soldiers at the school didn't seem as savage as the ones in the stories.

Either way, they'd already been there the year before,

or even the year before that. He couldn't remember.

What he did know is that ever since he'd learnt to read and write

his only terror was the Dean.

We called him "Gargantua."

For Denis, the essence of life had always been the school.

Outside the school, he had his parents.

As for the rest, he loved God and God loved him.

That stayed the same that year.

Denis' mother wouldn't stop scrubbing and polishing.

To keep everything clean, they'd stay cooped up in the kitchen.

I've told you a hundred times to wear the shoe covers.

Here.

Come closer.

Let me see it on you.

Denis' father was calm and quiet, too.

He crunched numbers.

He'd never been an idea man or a ladies' man,

he was a numbers man.

Eat while it's still hot.

They were both good for Denis.

But this is how it was and always would be:

his mother took off her apron only for Sunday mass

and his father was a tax inspector.

And yet,

there was Pierrot.

He was the best, the most incredible of friends.

When Denis would fight, Pierrot would watch over his books.

MARCH 18TH, 1944

Pierrot was good at math and science,

while Denis was good at French and Latin.

Together, they were good at everything.

Pierrot was mad about football.

When the city's team won a championship match,

he was so happy.

He'd tell Denis about the match and Denis would love to listen to him.

That's all.

Everything seemed the same as in previous years.

Denis waited. He believed, but nothing had changed.

It all started just before spring.

SAINT FRANÇOIS SECONDARY SCHOOL SOCIETY OF JESUS

Shit!

Leterrand!

With that vivid imagination of yours,

and which we all admire,

what excuse have you come up with this time?

Go on, I'm interested.

Well, here goes…

I forgot my bag and lunch box in the tram.

I had to rush to the depot to get them back.

So, obviously…

Obviously.

I don't see your bag.

I left it outside.

Why?

So I wouldn't get caught.

My lunch box makes a hell of a racket.

Go on.

You will conjugate one hundred times in Latin

for every person in the future tense:

"Next time, I will skip lunch, but I will still arrive on time."

One hundred times?

Two hundred times!

VISIT THE HOSPITAL THE SICK NEED YOUR HELP

-Did you do that? -Yes.

That guy of yours doesn't need anything,

he's done for.

STUDY HALL

I didn't see your name on my list

for the hospital visits.

I didn't sign up for it.

During the Christmas break, all your classmates went

to bring them presents.

Why didn't you?

I didn't have a present.

That didn't matter.

I thought it did.

Look, Denis…

you're a very sensitive boy,

and very charitable.

Why don't you go next Thursday?

You know I'm in detention on Thursdays.

Why don't you make an effort to behave?

I am making an effort.

You don't want to see it, that's all.

I don't see anything, Denis.

If you were making an effort, I'd see it.

BEACH HOSPITAL, WING A

Sister…

Yes?

Are you looking for your friends?

I'm from Saint François School.

I've brought this, it has books and cookies.

I don't know, my mother prepared it.

You went up one floor too many.

The others are in Room Eight.

Come, I'll show you.

It's just down there, third door on the right.

You won't get lost, will you?

-Good night, Sister Clotilde! -Good night, Sister Clotilde!

Please keep the noise down, children, will you?

You found the right room?

It's your first time here?

I've seen many of your classmates since Christmas.

You're not very chatty.

Do you work hard in class?

So-so.

Good night, Sister.

Good night.

Why do you ask me that?

I only went once before you did.

Her name is Sister Clotilde.

That's all I know.

Ask Mister Goody-Two-Shoes,

he always goes to the hospital.

She goes to the hospital on Thursdays to do laundry.

She's a teacher at a girls' boarding school.

-Every Thursday? -Yes.

Alright.

Why do you want to know?

Alright, already! You'll get us caught.

Geez, I'm the one who will get him caught?

All week long, Denis behaved.

He didn't say a word in class.

In Study period, nothing would make him cause a ruckus.

Leterrand, go play with the others.

Dolly was wondering if we were up to no good.

But Denis did his work and behaved.

To prolong the students' anguish as much as possible,

Gargantua would only distribute detention sheets on Wednesday evening

just before the end of the day.

No detention?

All I can say is he's an incredible history teacher.

He has a way of explaining things,

It's like you're really there.

Hi.

How are you?

I'm fine.

You're late again.

I didn't know there was a set time.

I come whenever I can.

Yes, of course.

The others are at the end of the hallway.

As I was saying, the history teacher…

he doesn't need any notes to teach his class.

No need to rush. I've been waiting for you for an hour.

So, what?

-What's up with you? -Nothing.

Look, I come here just for you.

You think I'm having fun spending my life watching some guys sleep?

I didn't ask you to come.

What? But you said…

Oh, what the hell.

You're a real bastard.

If that's how it is…

Where are you going?

Elsewhere.

Go to hell!

-Where are you going? -None of your business.

-What's up with you? -You're a pain in the ass.

Say… have you seen Sister Clotilde?

She just left. She was here just a minute ago.

Thank you so much, Sister.

Leaving already?

Oh, I didn't recognize you.

I can walk with you a bit, if you'd like.

It's the opposite for me, you see.

When I heard someone running behind me, I thought it was you right away.

A little birdie told me.

I'm glad that you're walking with me.

I know that I bored you last Thursday talking about school.

And earlier, too.

Oh, no! Not at all! No!

You can talk to me about anything, school or whatever you want.

Will you take the tram at the Saint François stop?

Yes.

Where are you going?

To my home at the boarding school.

You know I'm at a boarding school, don't you?

Prieffin told me you asked around in Study period.

You should have asked at another moment.

Prieffin is a dirty snitch.

No, he told me about you very kindly.

It seems you're a good student.

A good student who is restless.

Like I said, he's a dirty snitch.

I'll tell you a secret, Denis.

One student in my class is a little devil,

but she's my favorite pupil.

She knew his name.

Mr. Goody-Two-Shoes had probably told her.

But why would he tell her

if she hadn't asked him first?

Will we see you next Thursday?

Waiting for the following Thursday, the days felt never-ending.

APRIL 12TH, 1944

LETERRAND ISN'T LISTENING!

Mum!

Mum, do I still have my navy blue sweater?

If it still fits you!

Could you sew two yellow stripes on it?

You know, like this.

You're not a patrol commander, are you?

What does that matter?

What matters is that I'm making mistakes.

Be a good boy, son, and go to bed.

Fine, fine.

In life, you must earn your stripes, you know?

Arlette, you're making me make mistakes too.

Dolly out the door! Dolly out the door!

That's us, the second class.

Silence!

Be quiet!

I order you to be quiet!

Silence!

I told you to be quiet!

Sit in your seats!

Dolly out the door!

You damn Mr. Goody-Two-Shoes!

Mr. Goody-Two-Shoes!

Leterrand, get to your seat.

This is the worst class of all!

Even the little ones behave better than you.

Starting from tonight, believe me…

I'll flunk you!

Cossonnier, Rebbia, Leterrand.

Come to my office at the end of the day.

But Leterrand didn't do anything.

Do you have something to add, Renaud?

No, Father.

You're not happy?

Yes, Father.

But Leterrand didn't do anything, he'd just walked in.

Does that concern you?

No, Father.

Then, keep your comments to yourself.

You'll come to my office tonight as well.

-Well done, Jacky. -Well done, Jacky.

The dunces,

the worms,

the poor wretches.

-You find this funny? -No, Father.

Then stop clowning around.

"Causing a ruckus in Study period." You know the penalty.

Hand out these detention slips and get them out of here.

Father, I'd like us to forget Leterrand's incident.

He's made progress lately.

I know.

His teachers have already told me.

He's behaved well the entire week.

That's a record.

What I don't understand is the reason for these efforts.

I didn't want detention.

That's new.

I went to the hospital.

I promised a lonely old patient that I'd see him tomorrow.

So, I didn't want detention.

Thank you, Father.

Good night, Father.

Good night, my boy.

What do you want to do when you grow up?

I don't know, that's in a long time.

Surely, there's something you like.

Oh, lots!

Like what, for example?

Lots of things.

Football and strawberry jam?

You know what I like? Anything fast.

Planes, cars, horses, locomotives…

Well, I don't know… anything fast.

I see. You want to be a train driver?

Oh, no. I don't want to be anything at all.

-I just like those things. -What else?

Oh, well, football and strawberry jam.

Do you love the people around you?

All of them. I love all people.

That's a lot of people.

Not really. My mother, my father, Pierrot, Jacky,

Tréville, and you.

That's six people. I love them all.

I mentioned you last because I haven't known you for long.

Yes, we're going now.

Goodbye.

Behave in class.

He was careful not to tell them

that their tram was the wrong one for him.

He had to wait for the next stop

and walk all the way back across town to get home.

-Say, Dad… -Huh?

Where's your Michelin Guide?

What do you want with my Michelin Guide?

Some information for my geography essay.

Sister Clotilde was 24 years old.

She was born in a small town called La Voulte, near Orléans.

It was written before the war, but it means a lot to me.

That TV of yours will never work.

You have to hit it.

Poor France!

La Voulte, in Loir-et-Cher,

with 3,222 inhabitants,

on the La Verte Chanson river.

Sister Clotilde didn't have any brothers or sisters,

but she'd spent her childhood holidays with several of her cousins.

Lou is the eldest.

Isabelle, Angelina,

Sandra, Camille,

and the youngest, who lives in Italy,

Michaelina!

Are your parents rich?

Why do you ask me that?

You mentioned a nanny the other day,

with a big house and servants.

I'm poor.

Is your parents' house in La Voulte far from La Verte Chanson?

You know La Voulte?

How do you know the name of the river?

I looked it up in a book, of course.

Yes, it's quite far. But we go there often.

There's an old stone bridge and when we cross over it…

Well… we spit in the water!

And when you hear the sound-- I mean… the splash, you see?

You get happiness for seven months or seven years.

Yes? And then?

Nothing.

I don't know why I said that. I was a little girl.

I came to the convent when I was eight.

I mean, even the holidays were no longer the same.

I did all my studies there.

And then?

Then, I stayed there.

Is that what your parents wanted?

Wanted what?

It's what I wanted.

My parents wanted it too, that's true.

Of course, it's not the same as a drink from Sister Clotilde, is it?

What is that supposed to mean?

Hey!

Sister Clotilde didn't confide in you as much as she did in me.

I can tell you that her family, living in France and Italy,

has given its name to a famous alcohol for many generations.

I know that.

Yeah, right.

You don't know anything at all.

Were you pushed?

Who pushed you?

No one did, Father.

I fell on my own.

-Hello. -Hello, Denis.

I'll get the other bedsheets downstairs.

I'm not proud of you, Denis.

Prieffin told me what you did to him.

Prieffin is a moron.

It's a shame he didn't hurt himself for good,

that way we could stuff him!

Get out!

Go! You can't talk about a classmate that way! Get out of here!

I didn't want to hurt him.

What do you mean, then?

I just did it, that's all. I wanted to stop him from talking about you.

That's what I don't understand! Why?

Why? Why? Everyone keeps asking that!

I wanted to stop him, that's all.

I wanted… I don't know what I wanted!

I'm the one who gets caught, of course.

Mr. Goody-Two-Shoes was right, you're friends with him, not me.

Sister Clotilde is his property.

I'm sick of it, so sick of it!

What a baby you are!

You're my friend just as much as Prieffin is.

In fact, I spend more time with you than with him.

Come on, that's enough.

You should be less arrogant, Denis. Be nicer to your classmates.

-You promise? -You treat me like a supervisor would.

Are you my friend?

Are you really?

Let's prove it, then.

Prove it.

If you're my friend, give me your hands.

I'm going to tell you something, something very difficult.

If you're truly my friend, you'll still hold onto my hands, okay?

When you asked me where I live, I lied

so I could take the same tram as you.

I live next to the station.

The other day, you lost a button from your coat.

I'm the one who ripped it off.

I always keep it with me, even at night.

Before falling asleep, I talk to you.

If Prieffin bothers me again, if he utters your name in front of me,

I'll hit him, over and over until he dies.

All week, he thought he'd ruined it all,

that he'd never see her again.

She didn't say a word when he got on the tram.

She didn't talk to him at all anymore.

It's your doubts that are absurd and ugly.

Evil only exists within ourselves.

Evil…

is this discomfort

that you felt

when he took your hands.

For him, it was just a schoolboy ritual,

a desire to reassure himself, which is natural for boys his age.

And even more so, in these pitiful times,

when nothing matters anymore.

You will see this child again as planned

so as to avoid troubling him in any way.

Then, you will meet less often.

Not because I see any harm in it

but because his need for trust in adults

deserves better than you.

Come closer, Denis.

I ask for your forgiveness.

I've blamed myself all week.

-But you… -No, don't speak.

You yearned for friendship and I reacted…

insensitively,

and unforthcoming,

though we should give a lot when a lot is asked of us.

It's all my fault.

I'll make peace with Prieffin, you know?

That's good.

Come, Denis, I have to go.

You won't wait for Sister Marthe?

This is like the first time, don't you think?

This time, you'll take your tram and I'll take mine.

Oh, no! I have plenty of time.

I can accompany you.

I'm begging you.

I'm begging you.

The Mother Superior was only a few years older than Sister Clotilde,

but she'd always known her.

She'd been her mentor when she was very young,

she'd cried when she saw the girl on her day of vows,

standing arms outstretched on the chapel floor.

I'm listening.

You asked to speak with me.

Well, then…

What is the matter?

What are you looking at?

The horse.

It has always been here.

My father gave it to me.

He and his brothers used to own a merry-go-round at a fair.

I wanted to ask you to no longer send me to the hospital.

Does it not seem essential to you for me to know why?

I don't pray enough, I don't reflect enough.

I'll ask a sister to replace you.

I can tidy up in the classrooms or help out in the kitchen.

I said a sister would replace you.

You'll let me decide what you'll be doing instead.

You're not alone.

I'm here.

As are your sisters.

It's over.

Nothing happened.

On Thursday, you'll block your ears,

you'll block your heart.

He'll go up and down the stairs.

He'll open every door.

He'll be a little sad,

then he'll get back to his games.

Nothing happened.

You gave me a fright!

Me? I've been looking everywhere for you.

I thought you wouldn't come.

I can't anymore, I'll explain. Sister Jeanne is replacing me.

Sister Jeanne?

Who is Sister Jeanne? You won't come here anymore?

I'll explain.

-I asked not to come here anymore. -You did?

Why? That doesn't make any sense.

No, it doesn't make any sense.

We can't stay here.

You don't want me to see you anymore? Did I do something wrong?

No. I'm the one who is foolish.

I don't understand.

I can't not see you anymore.

I've tried, but… I've thought it over.

Life could have given me a brother of your age.

And the affection I would have had for him

would not have prevented me from seeing him, would it?

After school tomorrow evening, could you come by the boarding school?

The girls' school?

Yes, the girls' school.

Bring your Latin books, so I can check your progress.

Do you have any paper on you?

Give me your parents' phone number so I can warn them.

We don't have a phone at home. You'll have to call the neighbor.

I'll find a way.

Come here, my boy.

Where are you going?

You're the young Leterrand, I presume.

Yes, Sister.

Sister Clotilde has described you as a polite, well-behaved boy.

Do you think you are polite,

walking into other peoples' homes without presenting yourself?

I saw the concierge.

He must have told you to introduce yourself to Mother Superior.

That means you must first go into that office.

There.

Gladly.

Stay right there.

I'm Mother Superior.

For the rest, I hope Sister Clotilde has described you accurately,

and that you'll reward her with your hard work

for the time she's dedicating to you.

Follow me.

Your protégé is here.

He almost wandered off into the attic.

Thank you, Mother.

-Good evening, Mr. Eccentric. -Good evening, Sister.

I could wait outside, if you'd like.

No, come and sit down.

Why are you laughing?

It's just so funny to see you here.

I've finished, Sister.

Well done, Françoise.

Hand in your work on my desk.

Shall we try to translate this?

I just came out of class, you know.

Tell me what you were up to today.

I thought about you.

Not all the time.

All the time.

You mustn't.

Do you ever think of me?

Yes, but I…

Yes.

What do you think about?

What you do, what you say…

I don't know.

I say lots of nonsense.

I haven't noticed.

Goodbye, Mother.

Goodbye, Sister Clotilde. Thank you.

Goodbye, ma'am.

Come visit us whenever you like, as promised.

There's sugar, too.

And coffee!

Sister Clotilde, that woman deserves a prayer for her salvation.

Lord Jesus, it's real coffee!

We must keep this away from me!

Take this basket to the kitchen.

What's happened to your hand?

Oh, it's nothing.

Sister Clotilde…

Is your little crisis from the other day over now?

Everything is fine now, isn't it?

Yes.

Why?

Because of me?

Look at me.

I love you.

I love you more than anything.

It's strange…

it seems that since I first saw you on that day in that…

that empty room…

the day it rained.

You know what?

I don't need to fight anymore,

I don't need to lie to myself anymore.

I love you.

That's all, I love you.

Denis returned several times during the Easter holiday.

Soon, the Mother Superior found his visits too frequent,

so he was forced to limit his visits.

Either way, Sister Clotilde

searched for a solution to see him outside the boarding school.

Until then, she had only ever known a fear of herself,

and now discovered a new fear:

the simple fear of being caught.

No, there's no one there.

Say it to me again.

I love you.

Come closer.

That is why Consul Opimius…

called the people to arms.

…and attacked Gaius.

Come to the parlor, Sister Clotilde. You have a visitor.

You can go home, my boy.

Gaius Gracchus will have to wait until next week

to have his throat slit.

Tomorrow night, wait for me at the beach.

I hope I'll have big news for the two of us.

I love you.

My husband is truly…

wonderful.

Tell me, don't I look happy?

Yes, of course.

Good evening, Sister.

Good evening, Denis.

It's true, I really am happy.

You, however, don't look so good.

Your letter worried me, you know?

I told Jacques, "Darling, I know my convent friend well.

She's got problems."

I know how to read between the lines.

But what I didn't get was all this talk about a flat.

Please, not so loud.

Listen to me, Madeleine.

I need to use the small flat you used to have in town

before you got married.

You? What for?

I was wondering how to ask you without you asking me questions.

Please, don't ask me any.

I could tell you it's for my mother when she visits, or something, but…

I don't want to lie to you.

Either way, I wouldn't believe you.

For your mother, my flat is a dump.

Well, for me, it's a lot.

If you're putting yourself at risk, I won't go along with it.

-At risk? -Oh, yes!

You know, underground stuff, hideouts, and all that.

Oh, my God, no!

Sorry…

I'll stop playing guessing games, I'm just spouting nonsense.

I haven't set foot there in months.

The paint job isn't done yet.

It'll be in such a mess.

That's fine.

There's something else…

Later, I'll tell Mother Superior…

that you invited me to your place on Sunday.

That Sunday, in early May,

usually always late for everything, he was one hour early.

And that might be what decided everything.

Don't look at me.

Come.

Stop looking at me like that.

I haven't finished tidying up.

Come sit down.

It's crazy how tall you are.

It's like you grew overnight!

You're so…

so real, all of a sudden.

It's incredible!

-Sit down, I'll make some hot chocolate. -No.

Don't go.

I saved my lunches to bring you some food.

I… was thinking…

Show me around this mess.

It's my father's suit.

They had it resized.

The tie is my father's too.

It's pretty ugly.

In spite of myself, I've imagined this a hundred times, you see?

It was so simple.

I don't know… I don't know…

Do you want me to leave?

No.

Please don't do that.

Let's go for a walk, then.

Anywhere.

I want you to be comfortable.

I am comfortable.

I love you.

Talk to me.

Your friend who used to live here, where is she now?

In La Ciotat. Her husband's an engineer.

Who broke that mirror?

Me, earlier, with a broom.

For the past few days, I pay no attention to anything.

It looks prettier that way.

Yes, that's true.

Open your eyes.

Do you regret it?

Tell me you don't regret it.

No, I don't regret it.

Being with you was so gentle.

You know what? You won't laugh, will you?

It was the most gentle thing in my life.

You'll come back, won't you?

When?

I can come whenever you want, you know?

I'm the one who won't be able to.

Not here, not yet.

At the boarding school tomorrow?

Go and come back quickly.

I'm ashamed of my hair when you look at me.

Well, I like your hair.

They'll grow back, you'll see.

Before my postulant, my hair grew down to here.

-I'll never let them be cut again. -You'll have to.

No, never again.

You'd give everything up?

I'm speaking without thinking.

I haven't thought about what comes next.

I don't know what's happening to us.

I experience what you're experiencing.

I'm completely in the dark, like you.

But we'll see, right?

Do you know what we'll see?

One day, we'll live together,

in a flat just like this one.

With a tiny bed, so we sleep close together.

And you know what? I'll buy you magnificent dresses.

And you know what? You're mad!

Yes.

Just the two of us.

All the time.

I'll love you so, so, so much.

And I'll let my hair grow!

Wait here.

-Don't move, alright? -I won't.

No, it's too late.

Too late?

You told me until 5:00 p.m.

My watch is working. It's a very good one.

What are you doing?

Don't laugh!

I'm begging you, don't laugh. Stop!

I just wanted to show it to you to please you.

I never want to leave you again. Ever.

They only went to Madeleine's flat twice.

In the last week of May,

Denis heard that a bomb blew up a German commander's office

and it had killed three Germans, including one colonel.

-What time is it? -Eleven a.m.

And you didn't wake me up?

You're not going to class today.

There have been raids and the trams are on strike.

You'll get your hair cut instead.

-Oh, no! -Oh, yes!

Right away, or I'll have a slap ready for you.

I don't want any Bohemians in my house.

-Just got a haircut, Denis? -Can you tell?

You look like a ballroom dancer.

Mum told me to buy a bottle of pastis.

Don't worry, tax inspectors have a good life.

Félix, if you're not happy, don't hold back.

There are others bars in the neighborhood.

I didn't say anything! Just commenting.

Can't you see it's the real deal?

Go on, play, coward.

I was just thinking it's been quiet for too long.

If this is the real deal, I'm off to the shelter.

That's the air defense.

I would know, I was in the air defense in 1940.

Go home quick, Denis. Hurry.

Mum!

Don't stay there, go downstairs.

Please, go downstairs. I'll be right there.

No, I'll wait for you.

Dad will come.

Go downstairs, I said! Go now!

-Mum! -I'm coming! Don't be scared, honey!

Shit, I'm not scared! But get down here now!

What was that?

Nothing, the glass roof just cracked.

Do you think this is the time for Latin lessons, my boy?

What's the problem? I just want to know if Sister Clotilde is alright.

Getting annoyed, are we?

Why wouldn't she be alright?

She's helping the others.

She doesn't need an ill-mannered boy to bother her.

Run along.

Wait for me, I'll be right back.

-Are you hurt? -No. What about you?

No.

Come.

Come this way.

I was so scared for you.

Dear God, I'm so happy!

Mum wants me to leave the city.

She said so to Dad and he agrees.

Leave the city?

When?

Right away.

Tomorrow, the day after. What do I know?

They're sending me to Aunt Irene, my father's sister.

She lives in the Basses-Alpes.

Her tiny village would never get bombed.

No, this can't be happening. You can't leave me.

What about your studies?

You won't do any of it at your aunt's.

Did you tell them that?

I know.

I'll ask to go see my family.

Yes.

Yes, that'll work.

I'll go see your parents

and suggest I take you to my family home.

To them, you're a child and I would never be suspected.

I'll tell them that there are other boys your age there.

I'll convince them.

Yes, I know it's awful.

Too bad, too bad.

What would the Mother Superior say?

She won't know, at least not right away.

Later on, I'll find an explanation.

Even if I don't find one, there's still time.

Will we go to La Voulte?

No.

La Voulte is a busy town.

I was thinking of my mother's house in Haute-Loire.

There's never anyone around.

You mean we'll be alone, just the two of us?

Listen to me, darling.

I need a few days to organize everything.

Try to stay here for another few days.

Well, I'll be damned!

Come on, quick!

Well, I'll be damned!

Your vocabulary seems quite limited.

You told me it was an old shack.

My mother says it's an old shack. Not me.

To me, it's now the most beautiful house in the world.

Alright. We'll never live anywhere else, then.

-Is this you? -Yes.

How funny.

Help me bring the suitcases up.

We must hurry before nightfall. There's no electricity here.

The farmer's wife told me the cables have been sabotaged,

they haven't been fixed yet.

Are you asleep?

Almost.

I don't know if I'll be able to.

I've never spent the night with someone.

I'll teach you once I find out how.

This is unbelievable!

No one would believe this!

What?

This night, here, the two of us.

It's unbelievable!

That's true. It's all true.

You, me, the house, all of it.

Even the trains we took here,

even the sound of the trains still ringing in my ears.

Do you hear it too?

It's all true.

Here, I have proof.

Get dressed, come on.

You see? It's all true!

-What is it? -A Talbot.

It might still work, it has an engine and everything.

-Is it your father's? -Yes.

He left it behind when the Germans moved south.

That's the button that turns the light on.

The battery's dead.

Too bad we don't have any petrol.

-Do you know how to drive? -No.

Great, neither do I.

Close your door so we can be comfy.

A while later, she noticed he'd fallen asleep.

They didn't sleep in a bed that first night.

At dawn, the cold woke her up. She felt that Denis was frozen.

Hello, Sister Clotilde.

Is this Isabelle's son?

At the village,

Denis was mistaken for one of the children of Sister Clotilde's many cousins.

During the first weeks,

the villagers greeted them.

Until one day in early July,

a day or two before Denis' fifteenth birthday.

This is for you.

I also have a card for Denis Leterrand.

That's me, thank you.

It's my parents for my birthday.

You're upset because of the postman?

The whole village will talk about my skirt.

Don't look so glum.

-I shock them. -Aren't you ashamed?

I hate you.

Look, I don't see why your skirt is so scandalous.

To them, I'm Sister Clotilde.

And to me, you're…

Actually, who are you?

You've never told me your first name!

Shit!

I know the names of all your damn cousins

but you never told me your own.

-Tell me! -No! No!

I bet it's an awful name!

No!

My name is Claude.

There.

Claudie, Clo-Clo, Claudette, Claudine,

whatever you want.

Alright.

I don't hate you anymore.

I love you.

What are you thinking about?

Your age… and mine.

We're the same age.

Four months.

And I'm much taller than you. Look!

At least ten centimeters taller now. Perhaps more.

One Sunday, contrary to her usual schedule,

she only arrived at Mass at 11:00 a.m.

Denis no longer wanted to go to church.

How shameful.

It's deplorable to see such a thing.

Let me assure you that I pay no attention to the gossip from my parishioners.

But the story from the postman the other day…

It's true that civil clothing is more…

How should I describe it?

Well, easier to bear in this heat.

When I, myself, go for a swim with the youth club

I occasionally wear a bathing suit.

That makes all the children laugh.

But it's harder to accept from a sister

what people find funny from a priest.

It's very embarrassing for me to talk to you this way.

I know. I understand.

And then, there's…

that child.

I'm quite embarrassed.

You see…

if they don't mind their thoughts,

I will have to do so myself.

I understand.

I'll say this again, Sister,

that gossip doesn't change what I think of you.

I've known you since you were young.

I know you are a good servant of the Lord.

But I must… inform your Mother Superior

of what is happening here.

And… well, I've done so.

Is that all you wish to tell me?

Yes.

Thank you.

Goodbye, Father.

They're all bastards!

Please don't cry anymore.

It hurts when you cry.

They received the letter from Mother Superior the following week.

Sister Clotilde wrote back a letter they carefully crafted together.

Read me the end again.

"I am deeply saddened that you, of all people,

"could ever doubt the purity of my actions

"and I'm even more shocked…

that your fears would concern a child."

"I have brought him here with me out of solidarity

because I believed my family would join me here."

"Given how I wouldn't know what sensible explanation to give his parents,

"who beg me to keep him here,

"and whose latest letter I am sending you,

"I find it difficult in the current circumstances

to send him back home."

The events, of which they only heard a muffled echo,

worked in their love's favor.

For the past few weeks,

the Allied troops had disembarked in northern France

and a new disembarkation was expected in central France.

The railways were disorganized.

They no longer returned to the village.

For supplies, they'd go where no one knew them,

in the isolated farms at the tops of the hills.

There are fish in the river. Lots of them.

Do you know how to catch them?

I could learn.

It's like we're Robinson and Friday.

Yeah!

They disembarked in Provence yesterday morning.

Who? Robinson and Friday?

No, you know who.

We don't care about the war.

When he understood that everything would be normal again,

he became interested.

You sure took a long time!

There are German convoys everywhere on the road.

I was stopped three times to see my papers.

Apparently, the Americans are less than 100 kilometers away.

But I couldn't get a newspaper.

Why must this idiotic war end?

Let them fight until the last one drops dead,

so they'll leave us alone.

Don't say that.

We'll stay here.

-Claudie. -Yes?

When we'll have to go back,

we'll just both kill ourselves. There.

You want to kill everyone tonight!

We'll kill ourselves.

Alright, we'll kill ourselves.

Don't be afraid.

Not afraid.

Us, comrades.

Us, war over.

You understand?

They were soldiers from a unit based near Toulon.

They'd left their convoy near Saint-Agrève,

at nightfall.

To escape the resistance fighters,

they wanted civilian clothing.

Tell them we don't have any clothes for them.

Tell them to leave us alone.

Give them your sweater.

Give them your shirt. It's the best thing to do.

Ask them if they have any petrol.

No, we shouldn't. That's not why we're helping them.

It's bad.

Petrol! Benzine!

You…

come to Munich one day.

Familie, very pretty.

The Americans passed by the next day.

-Do you know how to reassemble it? -A bit.

-Did they really charge it for you? -Yes.

Will it work?

Look, a car isn't that complicated.

Just add petrol and it'll work.

And we have petrol now, so…

We shouldn't have asked for it from those deserters.

Why not?

Because they were soldiers on the run.

I felt I had something in common with them.

To reassure themselves, they too were taking clothes they didn't deserve.

I can't explain it to you.

It's bad that we swapped with them.

It's ugly.

It's against us.

I don't get it. I don't get a thing you're saying.

Say, it really moved!

Yeah!

Hold on, I get it now. I'll teach you.

This car really is something.

You like it more than you like me.

One day, I'll ram it into a tree on purpose.

Denis did some swapping with the Americans

and the goumier soldiers from North Africa crossing the country.

He got a bit more petrol.

Then, they learnt that vehicles were once again being requisitioned.

So, they had to use their bikes again.

To celebrate the liberation, there were balls all around the country.

They visited a few of the villages where no one knew them.

Two ciders, ma'am.

Two ciders for the Sister!

Who is that?

-The son of the village baker. -What a jerk!

Do you want to leave?

No, let's keep learning how to dance.

Two ciders for the Sister!

Coming, coming.

Excuse me, could I please have this dance, miss?

Are you joking?

Sure, why not.

Did you wait long?

Button that up.

Sorry about earlier. We can be a bit stupid sometimes.

That doesn't matter.

And good for you for winning the bet with your friends.

Thanks.

Are you angry?

Why did you dance with him?

Maybe he'll be less inclined to gossip around in the village.

You can bet on that.

Please…

It hurts to see you like this.

Come.

But from now on, we only dance together.

Yes, just the two of us.

Thank you, you can go now.

Good evening.

Good evening, Mother.

I said "good evening," my boy.

I wrote you a letter to which you never replied.

There was nothing to say.

Come sit next to me.

Could we have this conversation tomorrow?

Tomorrow?

You think I want to sleep under this roof tonight?

You must be exhausted.

I am tired, yes.

Tired…

disgusted…

But tonight, I'm taking you and him back.

There's a train to Lyon at midnight.

That's all.

You must be reasonable and obey me.

I can't.

Yes, you can.

Because there's no other solution.

Show me the rest of the house.

Where is the boy's room?

We share the same room.

I'm begging you! No, not that! Not you!

Stop it, this will fix nothing.

Look at me.

Was this already happening at the boarding school?

-Yes. -When?

I can't remember.

I was scared. I could feel this would happen.

-I tried to… -When?

-At Madeleine's flat. -You disgust me!

You're coming back with me.

I already told you that I can't.

What?

What is it you can't do? You could lie,

you could smile in the middle of that…

What about this? Can you do that?

What about this?

What is it you can't do?

And what else can you do?

Look at your mother in the eye?

Look at his mother?

Or look at him?

You're rotting him,

you're killing him,

and you can look at him?

I'm begging you, don't say that.

Don't say what?

That you're taking advantage of his age, his blindness?

That he was a child just like the others,

and you're making him into a spineless, hypocritical being,

a weakling, like you?

What a nice start to life you're giving him.

That's how things turned out.

The Mother Superior spoke more and more about Denis, whom she didn't know.

The more she spoke, the more Denis knew he'd lost.

It's not true!

I don't mean him any harm! I want to stay with him!

You speak of a God who is indifferent and terrible.

But God knows what we are.

He understands, he agrees with us!

I'm sure that God agrees with us!

You're blaspheming.

You're mad, you speak nonsense.

God has nothing but anger for you both.

I love him. Don't you understand?

He's my whole life.

I don't want to leave him.

You must.

If I don't take you back with me,

how long until he gets locked up?

How long until you get locked up?

He's fifteen.

Even in the law of man, what you've done bears a name.

Even man will punish you.

-Why did you put that on? -Because.

-Yes, but why? -I've already answered you.

Would you mind going to the village?

We don't have enough bread for tonight.

We're going home, Denis.

You must help me, you know?

It doesn't matter.

It's better this way.

-Well! It's you. -Yes.

I'd like some bread.

Is the love story over?

The Sister is returning to the fold?

It's all over!

Give me that.

Is this her money? Does she provide for you?

Not very smart, for a whore.

-You're the whore! -What?

-What was that? -I said you're a whore!

A whore? He called me a whore!

Is this the brat who called you that?

He called me a whore!

He just insulted me!

Right to my face, in my own home!

Go get the mayor! Get the priest!

She should take that back!

What? What did I say?

Leave me alone!

Take back what you said.

Oh, really?

Well, I'll show you! You'll remember this.

No, don't do this.

Hold him, for God's sake! Let me teach him a lesson!

No!

Let me through.

Oh, Denis…

My boy…

It's nothing, don't worry.

Lean on me, my love. You can lean on me.

I won't leave you, you'll see.

I'll never leave you.

-Does it hurt? -No.

I won't leave you ever again.

Is he feeling better?

He's fine.

-Are you hungry? -No.

Then, I'd like you to leave.

Don't miss your train.

So, you've changed your decision?

I never made a decision, it's others who decided for me.

But I've now made a choice.

I'll be making a choice now. Do you understand? Me!

Earlier, you spoke about Denis and bad starts in life.

Well, this is a start for me too.

And I'll be going with him.

Whether we're off to a good or bad start, we'll be together.

We'll start together.

You're mad.

It's a beautiful madness.

Have you thought about his parents' reaction?

I will go see them and tell them everything.

Tell them whatever you want.

What do you think that will change?

Denis will be forced to go home. Then, what?

Life is long, I can wait.

In a few years, he'll be free. And so will I.

And we'll find each other.

You know very well that's not how it will happen.

In a few years, you'll become a burden to him,

his remorse,

a monstrous mistake.

Must I throw you out?

Tell me! If I must, I will!

A monstrous mistake.

You can believe me.

I heard his watch earlier,

it goes tick-tock, tick-tock.

But if that's how it is, I beg you to bring that boy back. Quickly.

At least spare us from seeing you on the benches of a court.

I'll bring him back.

May God forgive you.

He already has.

He has already begun punishing you.

He's the one who set the tick-tock in motion.

Denis!

I heard everything.

I give you a ten out of ten!

And that's it.

It was the year Denis started Year 11.

He could have thought that everything was the same except him.

Gargantua was still there, just as strict as usual.

And soldiers occupied the old canteens, just like before.

We heard stories about the noisy barbarians from another world.

And the most atrocious ones were told by Cossonnier.

He knew dozens of stories and we'd make him repeat them over and over.

However, though Denis hadn't changed,

nothing could have been the same that year.

When he returned for his end-of-year exam,

he couldn't believe it when he read that a service would be held for Pierrot,

who died in September.

He jumped on a mine. Poof! Then disappeared.

What?

Yes, he was playing with the others at the beach. They all jumped.

He disappeared.

Yeah, lousy, isn't it?

I remember how he'd look after your books while you'd fight.

Denis stayed only a few days at school,

while a decision was made about him.

Then, his parents told him he'd be sent to a boarding school near Grenoble.

And he'd stay there for years.

I'm warning you, if that slut ever dares

to do anything to see you,

you must report her.

Scandal or no scandal, I won't stop until she's locked up!

She won't do anything.

I hope so, for her sake.

I won't let her deprave you.

Do you hear me?

I'd rather set this house on fire and burn the three of us down!

When you can think about this,

you'll understand the horror of it all.

The horror of what?

What did I do? What did we do?

You… something foolish. Awfully foolish.

But what she's done has no name!

She's an adult, after all!

Say it! Say it to me!

-Denis! -What did I do?

What did we do?

We were happy, we never asked for anyone's opinion,

and it's abominable!

You make the rules and enforce them!

Verboten! Verboten!

But the truth is your rules are falling apart!

They're blowing up!

Achtung Minen!

The horror of what, exactly?

Good God, calm down! Go to your room.

Was Pierrot's fate part of your rules too?

Will you give Pierrot a blue ribbon?

I don't believe you anymore, you see? I just don't.

You lie!

I know what happened to me. It was wonderful and good.

I know you can't talk about horrors, while Pierrot jumps on a mine!

You lie! You're liars!

I have nothing to do with all that.

He wasn't allowed to leave his room until he left for the boarding school.

But they did allow him one visit.

Did you see Sister Clotilde again?

No, she's not at the school anymore.

Sister Clotilde is quite a mysterious person.

She'd like to see you, you know?

-She said that to you? -Yes.

I'll give you an address where you can find her.

But don't tell anyone.

Will you go see her?

If I have time.

Did you leave your holy orders long ago?

No, not that long ago.

Was Denis doing well when you saw him?

No, not really.

Did you know he's going to boarding school? I went to say goodbye.

-Is he leaving soon? -Tonight.

I made you some tea. Go on, have some biscuits.

It's a shame Denis isn't here.

Which school is he going to?

A horrible place. Iron discipline.

Yes, but where?

So, it seems I'm an intermediary?

Well, why don't you just ask me which train he's taking?

Please.

Isn't it your fault that he's forced to leave the city?

The train to Grenoble, at six o'clock.

Please, you need to leave.

I'm so sorry.

We have reserved seats.

Grenoble, platform three.

I'll go get a platform ticket. Wait for me, darling.

No, stay here. We don't have time. Two priests are accompanying me.

They went to the train, but they'll be back.

Will you forget anything while I'm away?

Denis!

My love! My darling Denis!

You'll see, I'll move to Grenoble.

No, don't do that. My parents would find out and hurt you. They're mad.

I'll find a way.

You'll see how much I love you.

I would do anything, anything at all.

Don't cry. I get chills when you cry.

I won't cry anymore.

It's over.

None of this matters,

compared to the life we'll have together later.

It's fine, we can wait.

We will wait, won't we?

You'll still love me, won't you?

I will always love you.

Then, I can be strong.

I won't cry anymore and I'll be strong.

I'll think about you all the time, all the time.

Are they here?

Kiss me.

Don't forget me. Don't forget me!

Let him go!

Let him go, I'm begging you!

Let him go!

Subtitle translation by: Alexandra Botti