Original subtitles

Maman, I'm hungry.

I'm hungry, Maman.

We must be patient, my dear !

They'll surely you give something.

But you already said that yesterday.

Tell her something, please. What do you want me to say.

Excuse me. Do you mind ?

What's your name ?

Sophie.

My name's Judith.

Sophie, I know you're hungry, but...

I think they'll give us something before very long.

In the meantime, maybe you could fetch some water ?

Come on.

Do you think they'll give us something ?

I hope so.

I think they want to let us die !

Don't say that, no matter what !

Do you think that's how you'll help your daughter ?

Help her to what ?

Well, stop telling her horror stories like that.

People need something else. We all need something else.

You don't want to see the reality.

Excuse me.

Are you going to go on like this ?

We're eating.

Listen, you can't continue to stuff yourselves like that...

...in front of people who are starving

I'm supposed to cut my appetite ?

Leave it, there's no arguing with that kind of guy.

Wait, I had foresight, not like these others.

What do you want me to do, feed 100 people ?

With my own food.

I don't know, you could at least be discreet.

Don't eat like that in front of everyone !

It's funny how even among the persecuted, there's garbage.

What did you say ?

Out of my away.

You're garbage !

Worse than the Nazis !

Worse than the Nazis !

No. Stop !

You're crazy, stop it.

A DAY WITHOUT BREAD

Damn, that's an order !

What's got into you Morel ?

Hitting unarmed civilians !

The instructions are to not allow disorder among the Jews.

Yes, well it's me that gives the instructions !

Go and fix your uniform.

Get busy storing the materiel. Carry on !

Good, who can speak on behalf of the people here ?

The rabbi there.

He doesn't speak French.

I'm French, I was Headmistress of this school.

Yes... So what are you doing here ?

Not wearing the yellow star.

Go on. Nothing to see here, mind your own business. Go, go.

What's going on here ?

What's going on, is that people are hungry !

The Mayor is working on it.

He's been telling us that since yesterday.

The little one has had nothing to eat for 36 hours.

Neither the boy there, nor the little girl, and behind them as many waiting.

I don't see what I can do, Madame.

Yes, but I do see.

There are people here with plenty to eat and drink.

Well, I don't know, if we could make an inventory.

Then redistribute it, particularly to the children, that would be something.

You're asking us to share ? Why ? Are we among Bolsheviks ?

Don't confuse the issue.

There's no question of me giving in to that !

You'll do what I tell you to.

Who could inventory the food ?

There's surely someone who can do it.

Me along with some volunteers.

I'll take part. Obviously !

Your name ?

Judith Morhange.

Right, I'll name you as spokeswoman. Inventory the food.

This is incredible ! Bring me the inventory and then we'll see.

I'll come back soon.

How are you ?

Are you getting out ?

Not obviously. I'm the spokeswoman but I've nothing to say.

As for solidarity, everyone refers me to the rabbi, but he's praying.

I'm really sorry for you.

And you're not sorry for the others !

Oh no, that's not what I meant. Of course not.

You're not a bad guy.

How do you know that ?

It shows.

Come.

Come here.

Here, this is for you.

What is it ? A sort of raisin cake made by Lucienne.

No, I can't. You're kind but I can't eat while others...

You need to eat, to be fit to help others...

No, really, it bothers me.

Use it to help someone else then.

Well listen Larcher, it's you who convinced us to take them.

So you find a solution, normally they should be at the station.

You mean piled in a waiting room.

No, I mean out of our jurisdiction.

I appeal to your humanity.

...to your solidarity.

Ah, solidarity, I'm all for that.

We could perhaps start by having solidarity with our thousands of unemployed.

...the homeless, prisoner's wives, widows...

Ah, that's true, those aren't foreign Jews.

We haven't been presented...

Monsieur Chassagne just became President of the Chamber of Commerce of the region.

Ah, I didn't know.

It was in all the newspapers.

Not in those I read, obviously.

Please, Monsieur Chassagne is right.

Especially since these people have nothing to do with France.

These people are human beings...

...and to my knowledge, they've not committed any offence.

Larcher, today it's a crime for a foreign Jew to squat in France.

Well, Monsieur le Maire, our time is valuable. What exactly do you ask of us ?

To contribute to the purchase of food through the National Aid agency

Ah, you believe in Santa Claus !

Up to 5,000 francs per company with 20 employees or more.

You're proposing a gift.

Just like that ! No.

I propose to finance it by giving local tax relief over three years.

Monsieur Larcher, we're strangled by requisitions, lack of manpower, the...

It's fine to promise a refund over three years, but you can't keep your promise.

The municipal coffers are empty...

No, honestly all we can do for these people is to wish them farewell, and...

...its lucky we don't ask them to return all they've taken from France since Dreyfus.

I'll see you out Madame Schwartz. Thank you.

Monsieur Servier.

You know, Larcher...

Beware of Chassagne.

He's well in with everyone here, with the Germans...

What am I to make of that ?

He wants to be Mayor.

And you support him ?

No... Not for the moment.

Insist, Dubois.

Police !

This here you added by hand, Edith de Witt and Rita, what's that about ?

They've been denounced as Yids with false papers.

An anonymous letter. They're supposed to be Belgian.

Right, you take care of upstairs, I'll look after them.

Police !

Mademoiselle de Witt ? Yes.

Police, routine investigation, can I have two minutes ?

Please.

Thank you.

You're Rita or Edith ?

What's your guess ?

Edith, perhaps ?

Wrong.

I always lose with this kind of bet.

I win all the time.

Every time it's heads or tails, for example, I win.

Want to try ?

No.

Tell me, Edith is... My mother.

Your mother !

Is it her you came to see ?

You and her, identity check.

Can I see your papers ?

She takes care of all that.

You'll have to wait.

When will she return ?

In ten minutes.

Well, in that case... I can wait ten minutes.

Do you want a seat ?

I'm fine standing thank you.

A drink perhaps ?

I warn you I don't have much.

No thank you.

Do you say no to everything ?

No.

Marchetti !

What ?

Excuse me.

I've come across a real nest here.

Hey, turn round there.

Good, go back to the nick, I'll join you.

And her ? I'll look after it.

Good day, Monsieur.

Look, I'm trying to help people here...

He's translating badly !

He's asking what you want of him.

He's asking what she wants, not what she wants of him.

Well, no matter.

Tell him the Poles don't want to share in the food unless he agrees.

He's telling him you favour beggars and the feckless.

Not at all.

He's saying you sow discord.

Disagreement. Discord !

What I want is solidarity, that we stick together.

Are you a believer ?

No.

No, but what does that change !

I think it changes everything, Madame.

You say you want to do something against injustice,

But to do something is no use, if you don't understand why you do it.

It's always necessary to make...

...to make sense of things.

Yes but children don't want sense, they want to eat.

To eat !

If they're given something to eat they'll be happy.

And we'll also be happy...

...but with no understanding of the essential.

They do us evil, but the real evil is in ourselves.

And only prayer and meditation will allow us to...

...to win... To triumph.

To overcome.

Are you willing to help me, or not ?

On one condition.

It's had it, they're not made for such usage.

You found that they've messed up your WC. That crock dates from Methuselah.

Yes, I have a plumber.

Right, get him here.

From his Stalag ? It's going to be difficult.

Damned war.

About the storage of equipment, boss. Yes ?

The truck had to return to Dijon.

We're left with 60 cubic metres of mess equipment and material on our hands.

We can't leave it outside, with the weather as it is...

Well, what do you suggest ?

Storage in the school cellars, I think they're almost empty.

But you can't possibly put it in the cellar.

Ah yes, true, the issue of the earth slip.

Right, we'll go and look at it.

Now ? Yes, now.

Go on, which way ?

It's a bit cluttered.

I'll have to clean it out first.

...for you to be able... Let me do it !

It's... beforehand.

This cellar looks fine.

Who told you there was a risk of collapse ?

Oh, an Engineer from the Academy, he seemed sure of himself.

Engineers for the most part are Yids or Freemasons, so...

What's this down here ?

Old school equipment I should have thrown out ages ago.

This will be an opportunity to do so.

I need a little time.

It shouldn't take us long.

Good, Go form a squad to get down here.

Prepare the storage plan, and bring me it in two hours time.

Boss.

You've three hours to shift it, after that I can't cover for you.

I show him another vase and then my mother said...

"Are you buying it or is it my girl you want ?"

The guy was so shocked he left, leaving his wallet.

She still has it with a photo of his huge wife and six children, all very ugly.

Do I know this gentleman ?

Ah ! Is there a problem ?

An identity check, apparently you have the papers.

Have you offered him anything to drink !

He said he wasn't thirsty.

Excuse her. For what ?

She doesn't know that when men say no, don't believe them.

Excuse me Madame de Witt, as your daughter just told you, I'm not thirsty.

What I'd especially like to see are your identity papers.

Fine.

I thought it was Jews you were after ?

You know, the police are after everyone.

De Witt is of what origin ?

Flemish.

It means White.

...well, should be white... Your mother's name ?

Anne.

And your father's ?

Max.

Did you know Max, Rita ? No.

Yes, in our family men don't live long.

They married in Brussels ?

No, they weren't married.

And I haven't been baptized.

My mother died when I was very young.

Where ?

Because a death certificate is easily found.

The guy who sold these papers would have told you that.

No, wait, I'll explain.

Do so.

Give it a rest, Maman.

Shut up !

De Witt, comes from Wittenberg,

It's a small town in Germany.

My grandmother was called Rachel...

And my grandfather was called David.

Happy now ?

You can both follow me to the Commissariat.

You're under arrest.

Here, isn't worth the trouble.

Monsieur Sorgue.

You're aware of the situation at the school.

Sort of.

There are dozens of men, women and children who haven't eaten for two days.

I already really haven't enough for us...

In addition it's the end of the month.

You may still have a little something, something you don't like.

What we don't like we exchange or sell.

Besides, right now there's not much we don't like.

Something a little outdated then.

We also exchange or sell it.

Who are these people, Polish I'm told ?

Jews, foreign Jews of various nationalities

There are women and children. Many children.

I'm sorry, Monsieur le Maire. Do you have any ration coupons.

If everyone gave a few coupons. Clothing items maybe ?

Food, Monsieur Sorgue.

Ah well, the boss manages that.

Not me, I'll have to check with her.

She's at the laundry, and she'll be back around six o'clock.

Where are your people ? At the school.

The main school ? Yes.

So, who are the coupons to be given to ?

At the checkpoint in the school courtyard, you can find it easily.

Good, she gets back around six o'clock. So likely I'll go around there at seven.

Yes, that's it seven o'clock.

It won't be too late ? No.

Calm down.

I tell you I only have three hours to empty the cellar.

The officer saw the machine and said nothing.

Yes, he's a Mason, there are lots in the Gendarmes...

His deputy is a hard Collaborator, we must empty the cellar.

Well, empty it !

Look Albert. Empty it !

The paper and ink I can cope with, but the machine doesn't disassemble !

It comes apart believe me.

How does come apart ?

In October you told me...

You conned me !

Come on Jules, think in the present.

Take the machine apart, put the pieces in sacks or boxes,

there are plenty in the cellar... and there you go !

I can't carry it alone, the machine alone weighs at least 300 kilos.

It needs at least three men and a vehicle.

I can find you a van for tomorrow morning.

But, they'll be there in three hours.

Are you stupid or what !

And tonight I....

I need this truck to get my wife away. You can understand that, right ?

Excuse me, your wife risks internment... Me, I... !

But I risk as much as you, you know. No !

Nothing connects you to the school.

But if they find it in my cellar, in working order...

If they arrest you Jules, you'll talk and denounce me.

Never !

Say no more ! Good.

I can delay taking Anna for an hour or two.

But we need to finish well before curfew.

No, but wait. I don't want ... Your wife should go first...

I need to know what you want. Take the machine apart...

...pack all the odds and ends, and I'll come with 2 guys.

...and at 4 o'clock we'll put it in the van, and go.

In an hour.

Shared out it'll deprive those with something and give little to those who have nothing.

There's much less than I'd hoped !

When I think it cost me a prayer.

I hope the Mayor's collection gets results.

Docteur Brochart of The Institute.

Are you in charge ?

Affirmative.

Madame, The Commissariat for Jewish Questions has informed me of this group.

It's very rare to have such a concentration of Jews available, and mostly families.

If I could make a few measurements.

Measurements of what ?

The skull, from the back of the head to the tip of the nose, and the nose-chin distance.

You know my work.

That is to say, I'm part of it.

I have a budget you know, I pay ten francs a Jew.

Monsieur, this is a military area, prohibited to civilians.

Please move on.

Ten francs a Jew is quite reasonable.

Monsieur, I told you to move on !

Well I don't understand, the police are supposed to help science.

All is well, Monsieur ?

Honestly, no.

All is not well.

There's what I gathered door-to-door, three vegetables and a little coffee.

Yes indeed, yes.

The important thing is to try.

You remind me of my brother.

Have you heard any news of him ?

No, not for six months.

You shouldn't come down to the ground floor, you know,

What do I risk ?

Sarah, you're on a list of foreign Jews being sought.

But then I shouldn't stay here.

Yes ? Why ?

I'm making you run too many risks, Monsieur.

No, don't worry about me.

Without wanting to control you, Sarah,

I think it would better if you didn't come down to the ground floor.

Yes, Monsieur told me.

Good, then if Monsieur told you...

Well, I'd better go up.

It would be better yes. See you later.

So ?

Have you made any progress ?

What are you talking about ?

Your collection.

So then Mademoiselle Wittenberg born in Ukkel, Belgium. Is that so ?

That's so.

Date of birth ?

1906. The truth ?

It's the truth.

March 21, 1906.

Profession.

Daughter of an antique dealer.

I'm not going to write daughter of an Antique Dealer !

You can write what you want.

What will it change, anyway !

Good, I'll write Antique Dealer then.

Good, and where did you get these papers ?

We found them.

You found identity papers with your photos, just like that !

Yes.

They were in a wicker basket floating down the river.

It was one evening.

Near the laundry steps.

There was a little imp.

With a red cap, and a bell.

Who made signs to us.

With his hand.

You know.

The imp waved his hand and suddenly pointed to the basket.

With his finger, like this.

I bent over...

...and at the bottom of the basket were our papers.

One for me, one for Maman, impeccable.

And I took them.

I wondered if I was dreaming, you know.

But no... They were absolutely real.

I looked up... To thank the imp...

But he'd disappeared.

You tell stories very well.

It's because of when I was little.

Did your mother tell them to you ?

No, indeed, never.

So I needed to tell them to myself.

Heads or tails ?

Heads.

Its heads, congratulations !

Good.

Your papers are in order Mademoiselle de Witt.

I'm sorry to have disturbed you.

You can go.

What are you doing there ! Oh, it's you.

Nothing.

The Gendarme told me you were in the cellar.

Yes, I have to take an antique machine tool apart.

But what's it doing in the cellar ?

No matter. In any case, the screw heads are completely clogged...

...and the screwdriver doesn't work.

Why don't you use oxalic acid ?

It's a great reducer.

I used it for Chemistry Practical Work, before the war.

Lucienne, you should have been a teacher.

Where this new acid ? There in the bottom of the cabinet.

Good day, I'm bringing food.

I'm bringing food. Monsieur le Maire.

Where did that come from ?

Several townspeople brought it for the Yids.

We didn't know what to do with it, so we put it there.

You couldn't distribute it ?

I have no orders.

Put it all in the wheelbarrow.

Good evening Madam Morhange !

Monsieur le Maire !

What have you brought us ?

Not much.

Vegetables in quantity, but I don't know how you're going to cook them...

...black bread, fruit juices, some nuts and a pot of coffee, to start with.

But, it's better than nothing.

When you have unloaded it can you return the wheelbarrow.

Right, Monsieur le Maire.

Excuse me, but nothing enters the perimeter without a written order.

I'm going to find him his written order.

Monsieur le Maire, we need milk, and meat !

I suppose some of you have money.

Well, yes, I suppose.

Listen, I know it's hard to ask this, but...

...for those who can pay, it would be possible to find food.

We're locked up, and what's more we have to pay to eat !

Madame Morhange, like you I'm trying to find solutions.

I see kids who are hungry, and people who have money...

It's up to you.

Mind, if I can convince them to start a collective fund...

It would good of you to take care of it.

We need more than that !

But what's going on there.

What the hell are they doing ? No, but what the hell are they up to.

It can't be true...

What are you doing, damn it !

The police will land in the basement within ten minutes.

My guys are not here.

I can see they're not here ! Where are they ?

I don't know, they've hit a snag... or worse.

Well, you could have warned me !

Calm down ! I am calm !

Jules, I don't know where they are.

I can't make them appear by magic, so go back there and improvise.

Win time, tell them your wife's in labour. Whatever.

It can't be true !

Well, then ?

Weren't you supposed to have emptied the cellar ?

Yes, but my wife will soon give birth, she's having contractions...

I know, but now we can't install anything.

Yes, but the guys who were to help me empty it, didn't come.

Maybe tomorrow !

No question of waiting until tomorrow.

Good,

Dupain, Héréro... get to work.

It will give you a little exercise.

No ! No, that will hinder me.

Where shall we put it for you ?

In the street at the rear, not far from the entrance, there's a blue van...

Get at it.

Watch out, this is heavy.

If it's heavy, ask Francou and Champeu to help you.

Thank you very much, Messieurs.

Goodbye.

To get the job done by the Gendarmes... you're stronger than me.

I didn't really do it intentionally.

But that's genius, Jules.

To succeed unintentionally.

What is it ?

We know each other ? No, you don't know him.

Yes. The rendezvous at the Station. It was you ?

No, it wasn't him, and there was no rendezvous.

There's not even a station at Villeneuve. Where were you, damn it !

A problem with my wife. A problem with his wife !

Possibly change women then Charles.

And be on time !

Go.

No, don't open it !

But, Maman, it's Lucienne.

Good day.

Mademoiselle Anne Nysberg ?

No.

Anna Crémieux.

You're not Nysberg ?

It's my maiden name, I don't understand.

I'm going to ask you to come with us...

...in accordance with the General Procedure for Foreign Jews.

Notably Austrians. You are Austrian, right ?

But I'm married.

Married to a Frenchman.

You have your Family Document ?

Albert has it, I don't know where he is.

Listen with no Family Document, to me you're Anne Nysberg.

You can always see to it later at the Commissariat.

Right now you can take sufficient things for two days, no more than five kilos

Yes, but where are you taking me ?

Initially to the main school.

After that, it's not our responsibility.

Can I come with you ?

No, darling ! Ah but, yes, yes...

She can come.

Normally we don't take French people...

...but the Préfet said if mothers wish, children can come.

Go on, I'll wait.

Darling, I want you to wait for Madame Bériot, and especially Papa.

Tell him all about this, he'll know what to do.

You're not afraid to stay alone for an hour or two ?

No.

That's good, darling.

Is it necessary to take provisions for two days ?

There's food there ?

Yes, yes, yes, it's normally provided.

I'm ashamed.

Robbing these people of their savings so they can feed themselves.

Why do you say that ? Thanks to you, they'll eat.

The children perhaps. To feed everyone we need ten times more.

No news of the train ? No.

Not yet, it appears they lack a locomotive.

That can't be true !

Wait, I think I have an idea to improve the stockpile.

Monsieur.

Don't stand there.

Docteur !

Ah it's you.

Your proposal to pay to measure people, was it serious ?

Obviously. I'm a member of The Institute, Madame.

Then it will be 30 francs per Jew, and 50 francs per child, payable in advance.

50 francs ! Final offer.

You know how it is, we Jews and money.

Oh, you can leave the radio on.

I took the liberty, it wasn't very loud.

Did you hear the news ?

Yes.

They're fighting in Russia, New Guinea, the Atlantic. They're fighting everywhere.

Here everything is so quiet.

Apart from at the school.

Well, what I mean is that here, you don't get any impression of the war.

Except for the Jews.

You're alright, you don't need anything ?

No.

It does bother me a bit to have taken Madame's bedroom.

Don't worry about it, it's only temporary.

Besides, I wanted to ask you, as I know a few people.

A patient of mine, a farmer in Auxonne, a good man...

I asked if he could take you in, without any questions.

He would present you as his niece.

But Auxonne, I don't know, where is it ?

It's just ten kilometres from here.

And I could come and see you.

I've always loved farm life, and my grandmother had one.

In that case I'll speak to him.

Good night.

Good night, Monsieur.

Daniel !

No, I don't dare say that.

Monsieur Larcher, then ?

Monsieur Larcher, perhaps.

Good night, Sarah.

Good night, Monsieur Larcher.

Everything OK ?

Is that good, Sophie ?

You were hungry.

Everything OK ?

Is it good ?

Bon appétit.

She says it's good, and thanks you very much, Madame.

It's nothing, so much the better.

Tell me, is there a little left ?

Not much.

It's OK.

You can go for more, there's still a little.

Do you really believe in what you're doing ?

I am a scientist, Monsieur.

You know I have nothing against you.

I mean, to identify Jews...

...doesn't mean to harm them.

Ah good.

No, it's even to respect them.

Come a little closer.

Besides, personally...

...I have nothing against Jews...

I think you should have a place for yourselves...

...to be amongst your own.

And if we don't want to be amongst our own ?

You can see very well how that turns out, each one tells a story.

Lean your head back a little please.

One day we need to have a scientific way of knowing...

...who is Jewish and who is not.

You intend to file a patent ?

Why not ?

I'm delivering this person.

Your name ?

Anna Crémieux.

Date of birth ?

February 5th 1910.

Nationality ?

Austrian.

That's good, bring her in.

Madam Morhange, I'm glad to see you.

I'm victim of an error, I'm married to a Frenchman, I shouldn't be here.

I'm French Madame.

Come on.

What can I do ?

Find yourself a place, preferably in the back room there.

And eat a little... as much as remains. I'll bring you some soup.

Faster !

We're going to attract attention.

Albert, excuse me but you don't have time to bring Anna to Pontarlier before curfew.

I'm sorry.

Fine, I'll bring her tomorrow at dawn.

It'll go even better at dawn.

What do we do with the machine and equipment ?

We'll unload it at my house.

No, I can't tonight.

She's waiting for me.

Your wife ?

Shit ! We don't cease to have a private life because we're in the resistance.

It's you that was late.

As a result, he couldn't take his wife to Switzerland.

Well, we won't dwell on that.

We're not unloading it then ?

We'll keep it a quiet place.

When the refugees and police are gone, we'll take it back to the school.

Oh no, no, no, no. The school is finished.

Shit.

Oh, no !

Open the boot.

Don't worry, I know this guy well.

He's often at the Station.

Ah, my friend !

What are you doing out at this time ?

Routine, Helmut.

Routine, like you.

We're making a night time repair on a railway switch.

And we're in a hurry.

Who are the other guys ?

We're specialists from Dijon.

And we're in a hurry.

A military train is going through in two hours.

We have to repair the switch first.

You speak good German, Monsieur.

It's necessary when you work with Germans.

Very good

However, check the load.

There'll be the devil to pay.

The Feldwebel wants to check the goods.

I'm telling you, we're in a hurry.

You know NCOs.

Get out, it'll only take two minutes.

As you wish, but...

Come on, get out.

Get out.

Subtitles by Rod Clarke. Whitby, Ontario. March 2014