Original subtitles

WE LIVE IN OBLIVION OF OUR METAMORPHOSES

That story starts at about 8 p. M. in Paris on the 26 th of october 1961,

a day of general strike.

The evening newspapers headline was "Paris on a slow down".

and they announced that the 1962 tax road sticker would be blue.

Patrice!

Is that you, Patrice?

What's going on?

I don't know.

There's someone here.

I think so.

No!

Careful!

Georges Yvain was murdered!

- What is it? - It's your father.

- Will you get him here? - No, I'II go into the office.

- Today's mail. - Thank you, Li.

Don't worry. He's feeling all right. He was only knocked out.

What was he doing there? - He had left his pull-over.

- His pull-over... - Yes he'd forgotten it.

Those things happen.

Of course, he doesn't understand. How could he understand?

But don't worry! He didn't kill.

- Who? - Malterrer.

Malterrer. All right, I'II tell him.

First warning. If you talk, you'll get shot.

So? Murderer!

The murderer feels quite right.

- And that awful wound? - A bad headache.

Dad phoned. You can imagine.

He will convoke the council of Ministers.

- He almost did... - Your poor dad!

Put yourself in his place. You are found, you, supposedly a man of the left...

- Why supposedly? ...lying nearthe corpse of Yvain,

a known activist.

- So what? - You're his son in law, he is a Minister

- What do you reckon he'll think? - That he'll have problems.

Well... you see... the bar opens at 8.

So i'm there at 8. - You've got a key?

No, Mr. Georges has got the key. He is the barman.

He usually arrives before I do. When I get there, it's open.

But you were slightly late?

- No. - Cartier...

- Commissioner? - What did Mr. Georges tell you?

He told us that he had arrived exactly at 8.

and that he had tried to open until 20:03

So you could not have arrived until 20:03 and 1 second, Miss.

- That may be. - Carry on!

I get there and Mr. Geoorge tells me he can't open the door.

We try some more... We knock... .

We found that very strange.

Did you know the place could be locked from the inside?

Yes, but no one ever uses that lock. .

So you went to the nearer police station, you came back with a policeman

And Mr. Georges broke down the door. - That's right.

In your opinion, Miss

Why did Mr. Georges wait for the policeman to break down the door?

It was a matter of caution.

So you thought something unusual had happened inside

And you preferred having a witness when discovering that something.

And you know that one?

Mr. Jussieu, Commissioner Maurois took your first statement

Yes, I told him everything I knew.

My colleague, Mr Mercier, has got that statement.

Ratherthan reading it again with you, I'd like you with a clear head,

if I may say so, to tell me what happened.

Certainly... At the very beginning, there's a pull-over

We'd come there the day before, my wife and I with Italian friends

Ugo Pirelli and his wife. He is my partner.

- I'm a film producer. - I know.

- You were saying... a pull-over... - Yes...

During the evening with the Pirellis, I found it too hot,

I took my pull-overto the cloak-room and forgot it there.

I realized it when I got back home.

I said to myself: I'll go tomorrow.

And the next day, a little before 8,

I left my office which is quite near the "Play-Boy"

And I thought: it may be open, I'll go get my pull-over back.

The doorwas locked but a sign said the bar opens at 20:00

So I waited a few minutes on the sidewalk, reading the paper.

At about 8, I can't say exactly the time, my watch is somewhat fast.

I came back to the door

and it opened easily.

Stop there.

- I'm sorry - No problem.

That door was locked.

- Ten minutes later, it's open. - Yes.

Two possibilities:

either it had been unlocked

someone had entered, coming from the street

or someone went out, coming from the inside.

I saw no one, either entering or exiting. I was reading.

Pity!

Go on, please.

The room was dark.

At the far end, a door let a ray of light seep in.

I had left the door open.

There must have been a draught, it banged.

I took two more steps forward

and my feet bumped into something soft.

It was a body lying on the ground.

I heard a slight noise.

The door opened.

A woman was there.

standing still on the doorstep. I couldn't see her face

because she was against the light. Then a man came...

I couldn't see his face either.

They probably could see me because I was facing the light coming from the door.

They spoke to each other and the man came towards me.

A young man, I think. Tall, that's sure.

And threatening. He may havethought I was someone else.

In any case, I realized I was in a real mess

and the best thing to do was to leave as soon as possible.

I ran towards the exit. The door was open then.

Another man came in, a short fight started,

Then someone hit me on the head ...with a stool, I think.

Then fog, darkness... .

When I came to, many people were there.

A doctor, a policeman.

For about 10 minutes, I couldn't remember anything.

Then it slowly came back.

I got off with a fright... and a headache.

That's it.

Thank you... A small detail though... .

When you faced the first man, did you see if he held a weapon?

No.

Yet, in your first statement I think you said he had a knife in his hand.

That's right. A knife!

If you say so, I said it. I don't know.

I'm sorry if I sound like a false witness.

Not a problem!

According to doctors, that blow may have made you forget what happened before.

It often happens to boxers after a knockout.

Sometimes they remember later, sometimes not.

Don't take offense if I tell you there's some difference between what you just said

and your statement to Maurois.

Really? - Mercier...

In your statement, you said that you saw it was

Georges Yvain's body.

Today you speak of a lying body.

I said it was Yvain's body

because I had just been told who it was and that he was dead.

I simply saw a body on the ground

and I couldn't know he was dead.

Actually he'd been dead for about 20 minutes.

Cartier... Isn't there something else?

Yes, about the woman...

You now say that the first man arrived immediately after her

Yesterday you said that she had stood still for a while

on the doorstep and that she had said something.

I'm almost sure this man and this woman exchanged a few words.

As forthe rest... I really don't know.

Don't worry

It would matter if names had been given or if you'd noticed some accent.

One last thing... .

Please look at those photos and tell me if one of them reminds you of something.

There's all the "Play-Boy" staff and

the artists...

in the show.

This is in the unlikely event of an inside complicity.

No, nothing.

What about this one?

No... really not. Who is he?

Eddy Soulinas, a former paratrooper whom Yvain used as a bodyguard.

I'm interested in him because he knew the victim.

He's got an alibi, of course. Something else.

Have you ever been threatened, by letters or on the phone?

No.

Well... Sir, I thank you for spending so much time here.

But I'll ask you something else.

I intend to go to the "Play-Boy" tonight.

Just to feel what the atmosphere is like during the show.

- Would you meet me there? - I will.

- If your wife wishes to come... - I'll ask her.

What time is the show, Mercier?

Michel Jussieu thought he was mixed up in a strange story...

an unbelievable one.

He had a bump on his head and he couldn't sleep.

He didn't care about Yvain.

But this polite and clever policeman annoyed him.

Which is more, he thought he was...

- Followed? - Yes by a black car.

You must be imagining things. There's a lot of black cars in Paris.

Going the same route as I?

Why not?

For heaven's sake, Michel... You're not in a detective novel!

You think you're being followed by unknown parties

I'm only saying I had the feeling I was being followed, no more!

- Does it hurt, Daddy? - What hurts?

- That bump of yours! - Yes, a lot!

So... you were Mr. Yvain's bodyguard?

Bodyguard? Not really.

It's not Chicago here!

No, I was his secretary.

Yet you were supposed to protect him, if necessary, weren't you?

A tough guy like you!

Of course, I wouldn't have let him get hurt.

But you were not there.

Tough luck, Commissioner. Mr. Yvain sent me to the country.

To the country?

Mr Yvain had a house in Cermeze.

near Dourdan.

With a farm.

I supervised all this.

I left for the farm at... about 4.

I was back in Paris after 9.

I went to the"Play-Boy"

But it was too late.

I liked Mr Yvain.

Tough luck!

Tough luck indeed!

Were you seen overthere,

in the country?

I don't know.

The farmers, I guess.

Anyway... I was with Eleonore.

Eleonore?

My fiancee.

She works at the "Play-Boy".

We'll get married soon

Yes? - There are photographers here, Sir.

- No. - And a journalist.

No!

The Synagra agency. If you saw them 2 minutes, they'd leave after.

That's the press agent's job. Where is he?

- Morelli? - Yes Morelli. Is he dead?

- No, he is sick! - Out of idleness, I bet!

No, he's got a whitlow.

A whitlow!

Indeed!

- What about Jean-Marc? - Here I am.

That screening with Simon?

- He's been waiting for 15 minutes. - Let's go... .

He was worried.

- Simon's got a whitlow too? - Funny indeed!

No, Morelli is sick with a whitlow. Simon feels you're persecuting him.

- He's doing his masterwork. - Well, he'll be able to.

- What do you mean? - I'II explain. Come!

Remain seated. This is not the army.

Sir... I heard of your... the...

well... the accident... and I meant to...

Don't say it, Simon. It is not important.

Come on... Let's start.

- I'd probably better explain first... - You'll explain as it goes...

But Mr. Jussieu... . It's about the prologue...

That prologue... You were...

I was against. But I'm not any more.

Let's start! Come on!

Starting!

Start!

Now!

The spectator must have the feeling he is entering an impenetrable world.

And he'll hear a text that goes somewhat like this:

Afterthe darkness, the cold, the hunger, the fear,

I could recognize nothing inside the vast mansion

I had left a heartless child,

faceless, blind and deaf.

naked, lying there, ageless.

And I was walking towards him, my heart beating,

my hands open,

spying, lost...

patient, the shadows

among the still stones

I was walking, trembling

expecting a cry to be uttered.

Eleonore German, 24, I'm a dancer.

You are Mr. Soulinas's girlfriend.

I'm his fiancee, Commissioner.

We'll get married soon.

Mr Soulinas said you want to the country with him yesyterday.

Yes... When he can, he takes me with him.

You left at 4 and came back around 9.

Yes. That's right.

Did you know Mr. Yvain?

I did. Very well.

Very well?

Quite honorably!

He is like a father to me.

He gave me my fiirst chance.

Yourfirst chance?

Yes... as an announcer... at the "Play-Boy".

So... no remembrance? no "I know"?

Nothing.

The best way to stop him thinking is to show him pretty girls

I don't think you're using the right method.

But my dear Lady, I don't want him to think, I want something to flow

out of his subconscious.

Flowing out? Here?

Yes because the crime was committed here.

That's right. I had forgotten. It doesn't look like a crime scene.

Don't you find it strange that it all goes on as if nothing had happened?

- That it's crowded. - Why wouldn't it be?

It's good publicity, on the contrary.

The smell of blood attracts people.

...and policemen.

I must say, Madam, that I've made more unpleasant investigations...

- Excuse me, Madam. - No, you can't.

Let them... The more you're talked about in this context the better.

- And why so? - I'll tell you.

Ladies...

And Gentleman!

Tonight, forthe first time...

in History...

on the Play-Boy stage

Here is... the electrical chair!

Tonight...

and every night until the end of the 5th Republic...

that chair will be electrified... .

by... . Paris... doll.

doll... pink...

doll pink... .

- Yes, it's all right. - Thank you, Sir.

- Oh... Sorry! - Good evening, Commissioner!

Ah! ...Miss Juliette!

Are you feeling better?

Indeed... I am.

- What do you mean, Miss Juliette? - Nothing, Commissioner.

Do you mean that not every one here feels reassured?

I'm not saying anything. Mr. Yvain only had good friends here.

Did you like the show?

- You don't want to sleep? - No.

- What's wrong? - Nothing.

I know you well, Michel. Stop thinking about that story.

You can see everything will be all right.

And Malterrer is a charming man.

Malterrer is charming because yourfather told him to be.

And charming or not, I don't like cops.

I know them. I've known them too much.

It's not the same, Michel!

You think you're still a resistant. You play it tough.

Whoeverthey're after, policemen remain the same.

Well... Michel, Malterrer is doing his job. That's all!

Which is more, I think he does it very kindly.

He does!

He even calls it friendly collaboration.

Let's say that in some cases, collaborating with the police is best.

You're probably right.

But I probably have no talent for that.

Do sleep... Have sweet dreams!

And don't have any!

Good night!

Good night!

She had said the words she must not to say.

Those words about collaborating with the police

that could awake the deep shame he had buried deep inside.

That was what he had been fighting, without knowing, since morning.

Night had come and it was too late already.

- Hello... . Hello!

The colonel said: you have one minute.

If you don't speak, you'll go back to the other side.

And you know what to expect.

Tell the colonel to go get fucked. - You're crazy.

- Tell the colonel to go get fucked. - You're crazy. I can't say that.

The colonel gives you 30 minutes.

Think it over.

You should talk.

The colonel knows everything. Save your life.

He was so tired that he didn not suffer any more.

He wished he had been able to think of nothing, only hold on, like an animal.

But he couldn't help thinking that he would be shot

and that his horizon would darken there, suddenly.

He could not stand the idea of being tortured again.

So he started being really afraid and thinking of a way out.

The bastard who translated had said: The colonel knows everything.

Michel was wondering: everything of what?

Had someone else spoken?

Had Pierre Mallet, their leader, been arrested?

Those questions were still hiding the truth from him.

He would surrender.

Hurry up!

Think about it: going back there for nothing.

For nothing!

All right!

The date!

the 23rd of may.

The time?

The time was not decided yet.

The place.?

47, quai de Grenelle.

The colonel said: "You answered my questions, you won't be executed. "

You'll be tried by the Military Court later.

All that was only routine questioning.

Thanks to other information, your friends were arrested one week ago.

I made you speak for...

let's say...

it was a mattter of principles

IF YOU SPEAK, WE'LL SHOOT YOU

Thank you. Victoire, please call Mr. Mallet at the Gallery d'Orsay.

Next you'll call Commissioner Malterrer.

I gave you the number yesterday. - Right, Sir.

Mr. Mallet on line 2.

Thank you.

Hello, Pierre. How are you?

Well... a bump to the head...

Can I come and see you?

Yes, a little while.

Right... See you later.

Commissioner Malterrer on 1.

Thank you.

Hello... Commissioner Malterrer?

Good morning... Michel Jussieu.

Yes... I was phoning to...

to know if you had anything new.

What about you? - Nothing.

No... No sudden remembrance.

Right... See you soon.

- Good bye, Mr. Jussieu - Goodbye, Commissioner.

Strange man!

Why strange?

He takes the time to phone. And what does he say? Nothing.

I wonder if I'm right.

You told me 10 times he was not part of it.

Right... . But there's something else...

Something seems to be of personal concern to him in this case,

something I don't get.

- The morals of the story? - We'll see.

Let's resume... .

We were on Mr. Patrice de Laborde.

Yvain was not the "Play-Boy" owner any more.

4 months ago, he'd transferred all his shares to Mr. Patrice de Laborde.

- Motive? - Guarantee on a loan.

The firm was showing a deficit. He'd asked money from the bank.

Do you know when and why they got to know each other?

They're on the same side in politics.

Same side, maybe. But not same background.

Laborde, one of the oldest French families, married into the Banking World.

Not of the kind to associate with Yvain. There must be some other reason.

We could look in the files to see if there's something on Laborde.

You really think Mr. Patrice de Laborde has a police file?

You know every one has a police file.

Ah... Look... I've just received this...

And that!

Isn't it about yourfather in law?

Oh, no.

He thinks I'm totally hopeless in these matters.

I haven't seen him for 6 months.

Anyone in your circle?

- No. - I already know something for sure.

- It was made an accident - An accident?

It was the work of professionals. But they would never choose such time and place.

I know how those people work.

- They're not that crazy. - So?

Yvain was killed accidentally that day.

By people who didn't come to do it.

Then you happened to come in

when they were wondering what to do with the corpse.

They knocked you out to get time to think.

Yeah!

I must say I didn't think that this gentleman was so implicated.

The file says: everything points to,

- There's no certainty. - I can see that, Mercier. I can see.

The presumption is strong though...

It's strange what you find when you look into people's past lives.

It's not the same family as Alexandre de Laborde.

- Archeologist... - You're interested in archeology?

Isn't the archeologist some sort of policeman who investigates the past

when he pieces monuments together.

Yvain wasn't killed by a serial killer,

or by some good to nothing who'd just read "Les caves du Vatican"

Yvain was killed by an Organization.

That I thought that man to be harmful

doesn't change anything. - Oh, but it does.

You could have killed him.

Yes... . Maybe...

But first, I'm not equipped forthat...

Second, I'm in favor of efficiency. He's not the one I'd have shot down.

Yvain is useless. Each time a few grams of plastic explode, he is questioned.

What's the use of cutting off the finger when the head is unharmed?

You're acquitted because of your intelligence.

- That's no concern of mine, actually. - Oh I see...

Your wife, your daughter, yourfather in law, your films.

You're free, Michel,

as free as in 1943, when you came to me.

- Freedom... - As you say...

There's only one freedom, Michel. It's risking yours fighting forthe others'.

You sound like Malterrer.

What counts is not Malterrer's truth. It's yours.

The truth...

I'd like to know the truth...

Ah... you'II soon know, Michel.

Big traps are scattered in our small lives.

You fall into them.

And while trying to get out of them, you learn.

You'll learn.

I'm not that anxious to learn.

- Mr. Mallet? - Yes... .

- I dont know who. - I'm coming.

I'm going... I'll come back.

When you want to...

Before you do anything silly, let me know.

Don't forget I've always been smarterthan you.

I always thought so.

The relationship between Mallet and Jussieu was a strange one.

A trusting friendship, unequivocal but ambiguous.

After being to Michel a hard and demanding leader,

Pierre became a kind of confessor to him.

But from this confessor, Michel had hidden the essential,

From there came the ambiguity of the relationship.

For 17 years Pierre had behaved like the confessor expecting a real confession.

And Michel had the pride of the weak.

Silence was his pride.

Again Michel was followed by the man in the black car.

He accepted it.

He found it funny now.

He was the followed follower.

Because he was also tailed by his past.

Pierre, Great Inquisitor, conspiracy destroyer,

witness to his dark hours, had thrown him back into his past.

And again Michel knew he could not escape it.

And if he'd stopped there in the Victor Hugo Avenue,

it was not because a black car was tailing him

but because he had an appointment there with a night of hope and delivrance.

Michel Jussieu had spent 17 days in that cell,

deprived of any contact with the outside world.

He made himself believe he had betrayed no one since someone else had talked.

He expected he would be confronted to his arrested comrades

to be brought to trial,

sent to a camp.

None of these things happened.

His fate was survival.

he thought he hadn't got anything to lose.

While he was transferred, he risked his all.

He found himself in the Parisian night but the uprising had started.

Exhausted, he finally found a place of hiding.

He stayed there until dawn.

Early in the morning, he found himself on the Victor Hugo Avenue.

And walked towards Etoile.

Today he was walking the same route, feeling the same anxiety,

trembling as much.

He remembered he still might have died there,

handcuffed.

But the appointment he had there was an appointment with freedom.

Michel Jussieu was greeted as a hero.

He was, together with Mallet, also an escapee,

the only survivor of the ambush.

The man who had given them away had been identified.

Michel had saved both his life and his honor.

He had been a true "resistant"

No one knew about his failure, everything seemed all right,

but a few month later, the inevitable occurred.

The young Gestapo interpreter, called Jerome Loineau

was arrested and asked for Michel's testimony.

Michel knew that saving him meant his undoing.

And fear came back.

Hello!

- Did you see Loineau? - I did.

He's only a poor kid but he is in a real mess.

- He is finished. - Finished?

Others died for less.

- What can be done for him? - Nothing.

We mustn't do anything.

- What do you mean: we mustn't... - I distrust your St Bernard side.

We must remain faithful to ourselves, Michel!

- You may not do anything but... - Something can always be done!

That Loineau is the nephew of a man who was my History teacher.

- Where? - At Carnot.

The poor old man phoned me.

We could always say that Loineau did nothing wrong.

I saw him 3 minutes, during questioning.

- He was translating? - He wasn't.

The guy spoke French.

He wrote things down and watched me.

Strangely... .

Mr. Jussieu Michel, room 3.

Don't behave foolishly, Michel.

Why are you saying this?

You're so unpredictable.

I'll tell the truth, that's all.

There is no truth, Michel.

It was hard enough for you.

Mr. Jussieu Michel.

I'm coming.

Don't worry.

- You'll wait for me? - Yes, I'll wait.

You were questioned twice by the Gestapo,

on the 5th of august 1944,

by obersturmbahn fuhrer SS, Von Henkel

That's right.

Though I didn't know that man's name.

Was the accused,

Loineau Jerome,

there?

He was.

Have you got anything to declare

about the accused's attitude

during questionings.

He was used as an interpreter.

He had no part in torturing.

His attitude towards me was...

very proper,

very human.

Do you want to say anything else?

About what?

Jerome Loineau, would you tell us

what exactly you wanted Mr. Jussieu to testify about?

I would like to ask Mr. Jussieu if he remembers what I was wearing.

Was I wearing a uniform?

Civilian clothes.

That detail was already given by other witnesses.

And we know, though it is minor, that it is in yourfavor.

Loineau... you said Mr. Jussieu's testimony was important for your case.

Did I say so?

Mr. Loineau, it's quite possible, seeing the state I was in,

that my memory of these facts are not as precise as yours.

But I'm quite ready to try and remember

if you tell me what about...

It doesn't matter now.

Loineau... kid... you have the right to defend yourself.

It's too late. Ortoo early.

In any case, I've had it.

Mr. Jussieu, I'm sorry

we made you come for this matter of uniform which was already solved.

Can you add anything else?

I may forget something.

If Mr. Loineau remembers precise

gestures or words,

he must say so!

I'll corroborate what I think is right.

Loineau, Loineau! Do speak!

No use speaking for nothing.

All that is over.

It's not for nothing.

You can see Mr. Jussieu is really willing to help you.

I thank him but I don't want to make him speak uselessly.

Uselessly.

I don't understand.

I'm sure Mr. Jussieu does.

Things being as they are, I deem it unnecessary to go on.

I don't think, Mr. Jussieu, that

we'll need your testimony in Court.

Michel Jussieu never saw Jerome Loineau again.

He was not asked to come toTrial.

Jerome was sentenced to the death penalty.

The day when Michel saw in thepapers that he had been executed

He couldnt help feeling relief

He was free at last.

Was the price a new act of cowardice?

He didn't care for an answer.

In fact, Jerome had thrown him a line for the second time

Why?

He may simply have been a down to earth young man.

First, he had not wanted Michel to die for nothing

Then, knowing he was lost

He hadn't found it useful for Michel to give him back a coin he wouldnt use.

Michel forgot the young man with the sad smile,

forgot that only Pierre Mallet might have suspected something

forgot it all.

But today strangely enough,

the murder of a journalist changed everything.

Jerome's smile was slowly reappearing

between the lights of the night and the shadows of the day.

Now...

Rafa

Temporel,

the fisherwoman

who, with

her net,

will capture you.

And now...

here is Rafa Temporel

in the hammock trick!

Good evening, Mr. Jussieu.

'evening.

Don't you recognize me?

You're too hot. You want to take off your pull-over.

No, I'm not wearing a pull-over tonight. Tell me...

What's the name of the girl who introduces the show?

Eleonore? - I don't know. She's called Eleonore?

Eleonore German. She was Mr. Yvain's favorite.

Could I see her?

See her?

I'd like to talk to her. About a film.

Dressing room 4.

Go this way. Turn right and you get to a corridor.

- 4, right? - Number 4.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

I feel tired tonight.

Do as I do. Take some Catavofosfos.

- Take what? - Catavofosfos.

Come in!

Oh sorry!

I'll wait outside.

Why did you say "come in"?

I thought it was Mariette.

- You could be careful. - Does it matter?

You show it all every night.

It's different.

I wonder what he wants.

How do you know it's for you?

There's a man in Eleonore's dressing-room.

None of your business.

I don't care. I'm only telling you there's a man in her dressing-room.

How do you know?

He asked me how to get there.

Who is he?

Michel Jussieu.

- You're crazy! - See for yourself.

What does he want from her?

- He wants herto act in a movie. - A movie!

- You're kidding me. - That's what he told me.

He wants her to play a stripper, I think.

I think he wants to see her naked.

One more!

A coke!

Say... You have such a grudge against him?

- Against whom? - Eleonore.

- Fortaking Eddy away from you. - She didn't take...

I don't care about Eddy.

Still...

Leave me alone! Mind your bottles!

You think he is still there?

Go and see!

- Sir? - Michel Jussieu...

What is it about?

- You know who I am? - I do.

- May I sit down? - No.

We were all questioned by the police and I have nothing to say.

Would you like being in movies?

What?

I'm not kidding.

Right. Sit down!

- Want me to stay? - No.

- You smoke? - No.

- Yourfriend? - She doesn't either.

- You don't mind if I... - No...

Thank you.

Miss... I'm preparing a movie...

A musical.

- In the American style. - I see.

I saw you tonight.

And I'm interested.

That's it.

You're very kind.

Would you accept to make a test?

- Atest? - I need to know what you can do... Sorry!

Can I have a photograph of you?

That one, for instance. Can I take it?

- Yes, if you want to. - Right.

Write your name, address and phone number.

My secretary will call you tomorrow or the day after.

Thank you.

Excuse me.

I'll leave.

You are charming.

Good evening.

Good evening.

Good evening.

Good evening, Sir!

Well...

You're crazy!

- Get out! - What's with you?

- You want one too? - O. K., O. K.

What's going on?

- Who's that guy? - Oh, you're simply jealous...

I'm asking you who this guy is.

A producer. He wants me to make a film.

Mr. Michel Jussieu. Isn't he?

- If you know, why do you ask? - And you believe him?

- Believe what? - That it's for you.

I don't believe anything. I can't throw him out.

You know who he is?

And you greet him with a smile...

- When he can have us jailed. - He asked nothing suspect.

Not so dumb!

He came back especially for you.

- Especially? - Not for a game of cards...

- He was very nice. - You think it's nice... .

his coming to see a naked girl.

- I'm not naked. - Not much difference.

We know how this ends... In bed!

In fact, it's crazy how much you love me.

So you went to her and said: Miss would you like being in a film?

She answered: of course, thank you, Sir.

No, no. She was surprised.

I don't think she's stupid. She knew what I want.

And what do you want?

Look, Elsa... I didn't go to the Play-Boy tonight to see the girls.

and see afterthe one I liked best.

With men... you never know.

I'm not "men".

We've been togetherfor some time.

I should be a very particular man to you.

All right. You're very particular.

Or I should say, some man I know particularly.

I'm no more jealous of your dancerthan of those starlets you undress in yourfilms.

I have starlets undressed in movies?

In all yourfilms there are 15 year old maids who get laid.

It's funny. Your ribald side.

Your "when I was in the army " side.

You've gort too much imagination.

- I've been in love with you for 10 years. - I'm not complaining.

But with that dancer girl... .

I find what you do

somewhat childish.

Elsa...

There's in this something that worries me.

Childish would be denying and pretend nothing happened.

Michel, if that girl's in it... .

She'll hurry to tell herfriends.

Good! Let her tell them.

That's what I want.

Being machine-gunned...

You'd like that!

What I'd like is a cold drink.

- You'll have something? - Yes.

No.

No. I'd like you to come to bed.

Just a minute!

That's it!

So you read Giraudoux...

- It's the teacher! - The teacher!

- She told us to read it. - And you understand?

Of course. She also had us read Cocteau.

- Cocteau? - Of the Academie francaise.

She is daring!

She's funny. She drew the Spinx on the board.

- Sphinx! - Spinx!

No, sphinx.

Sphinx. She drew it as a big dog with a lady's head and big breasts.

- What's funny there? - Well... the big breasts.

What about your bump?

Feeling better.

And those murderers? Still running?

Not for long.

Good bye, General, Sir!

Tell me...

You knew they read Giraudoux and Cocteau at school?

Yes... I don't find it stupid.

It worries you?

- No. - Well, it should.

The films you produce being for an average eight years old mental age

when those poor kids go to the cinema,

So what?

They won't go see your silly films.

- You're quite aggressive this morning. - No!

But I find you so naive sometimes.

It's going on!

- What's going on? - This.

Listen!

You're too nosy. Beware of lost bullets!

Weren't you supposed to go see Malterrer?

At half past 11.

Tell him everything, the girl, the letters and the rest.

Why so?

No one's asking to play detectives.

You pay taxes to have Malterrer do it.

My best warranty is that those people knowl told the police nothing.

Sooner or later, they'll think you spoke.

Michel... are you listening?

- Yes I do. - No, you don't.

I might as well sing.

The end of "Elektra" is beautiful.

"What do you call it when the day rises as today

"and that all is wasted, all is devastated,

"and that you still breathe

"when you've lost everything

"that the city is burning, the innocent kill each other

"that the guilty ones are dying in the rising day

"ask the beggar. He knows.

"It has a beautiful name, Narses woman.

"It is called sunrise. "

Yesterday night, Mr. Jussieu went to see Eleonore.

Eleonore? - Eleonore Germane.

The blonde girlwho introduces the show.

The blonde girl.

Yes I see. What then?

He offered her a part in a movie.

What then?

Afterwards... Eddy slapped herface.

Eddy?

Eddy Soulinas, Eleonore's boyfriend.

Indeed.

So Eddy slapped Mr. Jussieu's face?

No, he didn't.

He slapped Eleonore after Mr. Jussieu had left.

I can't see any reason for laughing, Miss.

Don't you find that

strange?

I find nothing, Miss. I record.

What then?

That's all.

Are you quite sure?

Yes? - Mr. Jussieu is here.

Right. Tell him to wait a little.

You're quite sure you've got nothing to add?

Yes.

All right.

Thank you. Can you take her statement next door?

All right, Commissioner

This way?

This way please.

Mercier, have Mr. Jussieu come.

All right, Commissioner, Sir.

Excuse me to have kept you waiting.

- It's nothing. - Sit down.

Mr. Jussieu...

I'll go straight to the point. I'm worried about you.

Worried?

I'd like to ask you 3 questions.

Please do.

Yesterday you went to see Mr. Mallet in his gallery on the Quai d'Orsay.

Yes I did.

If I'm well informed, you got to know him in the "Resistance".

You're well informed.

Mallet has, like you,

political ideas that are the opposite of Georges Yvain's.

If we think this was a political crime and we do think it was,

Sorry.

Mallet has nothing to do with this.

I decided to go see him

to tell him about the case which, of course, worries me.

Now, my second question.

Do you know one Mr. De Laborde?

No.

Patrice de Laborde, "L'Hebdo"'s owner.

L'Hebdo? Yes...

I must have heard of it.

Do you know that he, and not Yvain, owned

- The"Play-Boy". - ' Course not.

How would I know?

Right... Third question...

Yesterday night you went back to the "Play-Boy"

- I did. - Why?

It is said that murderers always come back to the scene of their crime,

why wouldn't victims come too?

I had a sort of... hunch that the truth lied there somewhere.

In fact, you're investigating the case.

I wouldn't say so.

Afterthe show,

you went to Eleonore German's dressing-room.

I did.

May I ask why?

For a new movie, I'm looking for a girl who can both act and sing.

Mr. Jussieu...

You told me you went back because you thought you'd find the truth.

This being said... .

you went to see a dancer who knew Yvain very well

and you want me to believe your reason was a purely professional one.

I don't want anything, I tell you it was so.

I've already investigated about Miss German

because she is the mistress of Eddy Soulinas, Yvain's young bodyguard.

But you didn't recognize her on the photographs.

She is also Soulinas's alibi.

They went to the country together that day.

I have nothing against her.

But...

if you've discovered something

about her, it would be...

how could I say...

likely to hinder our investigation if you didn't tell us about it.

- Is it a warning? - Is it a confession?

Two opposite questions cancel one another.

At times, I don't understand...

If the culprits were arrested you'd be safe again.

- Not accepting this... - Makes a suspect out of me

in your eyes.

No.

From the moment I first saw you, I knew you were not guilty.

Your innocence is...

getting alarming.

That's a polite way to say I'm a fool.

Let's not play with words

I only meant that

it's sometimes easierto deal with good culprits than with bad innocents.

Mr. Mallet is in the basement.

Thank you.

Etienne Martin.

Small house.

By the way... Still playing detectives?

I went back to the "Play-Boy" yesterday night.

Don't know why... Intuition...

My attention was attracted by one of the girls

the one who introduces the show.

I'm positive she was there that day.

You didn't see her... Only a figure against the light.

No... Her voice!

You didn't remember having heard her speak.

Listen... I thought I didn't remember anything.

But I see that girl on stage

and I feel disturbed.

Then she speaks.

I say to myself it's the voice I heard that day.

I go and see her, listen to her

And I am really convinced

it's the woman's voice I heard.

It means she spoke.

Yeah.

I'm not sure but I'll know.

- Want advice? - Yes.

If you want to be safe,

speak to Malterrer.

That's what Elsa says too.

Or go see the girl and make sure.

- What would you do? - I'm not you.

I'll be straight with you. I'm interested only in the political side.

I'd try to unveil a plot.

You can laugh...

It's probably the case.

It may be...

I'm looking for something else.

- I know. - What do you know?

What you're looking for.

I've always known.

Forget it, Michel.

There are no memories, there's no past...

That is nothing but literature.

Only the present counts... And the future...

It's complicated enough.

- Our chidren one day... - Our children have no special right.

Only the right of being bad-mannered.

Believe me, Michel. Elsa is right.

Let Malterrer do his job.

And ask him to put you away until he's arrested them all.

It's in a way... .

It is a developing

of the sequence I showed you.

The search is going on.

The narrator... after a first failure,

you'II see...

He arrives on a naked wall,

after meeting a monk of some sort.

The narrator gets on his way

and...

at the end, at the very end of the last small street,

He perceives

a shape, a figure...

The film starts then.

Let's start.

Start!

You can start.

At that moment, when the search starts again.

We can hear again

transposed or arranged differently

the same text.

Because of hunger probably,

among the rustling crowd of my buried memories

expecting a cry to be uttered out

walked, trembling,

spying,

Iost,

patient,

his heart beating,

was walking... - Patricel

Is that you, Patrice?

ageless,

lying,

blind and deaf,

faceless, heartless,

a child whom I had left in the big house,

after fear,

hunger,

cold,

darkness.

It's good.

Very good.

You really think so?

Perfect.

It's perfect.

Nothing to change.

But what's that sentence?

What sentence?

When she's facing us, she says something.

No, she says nothing.

You didn't hear anything either?

- I heard Simon... - There, on the screen...

It's silent. There are no words yet.

Evidently.

- Do you know one Mr. De Laborde? - No.

Patrice de Laborde, who owns "Hebdo".

Hebdo... yes... Hebdo.

I lmust have heard of it.

Jean-Marc...

Ask Miss Eleonore Germane to come tomorrow at 11.

Longchamp 53-58.

- Pretty? - Very pretty.

You don't realize how important it is

to have pretty feet.

Of course I do.

I can see you're somewhere else.

Excuse me Elsa, I have other thoughts in mind.

Don't apologize, you may be worried.

- You're marvellous! - No I'm nice, that's all.

- I still think the same. - What do you mean?

Tell Malterrer.

Even afterwhat I told you?

What did you tell me? An implausible story.

I'm sure I'm right.

Let's say so.

- The girl said: Patrice? - Yes.

Patrice de Laborde who arrived just after you did and stunned you.

- Yes. - What next?

- Don't you find it strange? - Not really, no.

I can play detectives too.

Laborde was Yvain's friend.

He's told on the phone something happened to his friend.

So he comes to see what happened.

Why knock me down?

He may have thought you were the murderer.

Without any evidence?

- What do you think of it? - That Laborde knows a lot.

No... the dress!

What dress?

Two clips here. You see...

A large belt.

Naked shoulder.

It seems a wonderful idea.

Go and see Malterrer. If you don't, I'll tell dad.

If you tell yourfather, I repudiate you.

- And that way? - That way, it's...

- Hello! - Mr. Jussieu?

- Speaking... - You'll be dead tomorrow night.

- Who's speaking? - You'll be dead tomorrow night.

Hello!

Say... tomorrow night, it seems I'll be...

Michel... Are you coming.

I'll do the young captive dance for you.

Wait a little! I'm coming.

Yes, Elsa was wonderful.

Carefree, superficial, stylish.

Her main interest was in her dresses, her face, her body.

Michel had loved her for her carefreeness,

her lightness, her superficiality, her stylishness.

Now his wife, she had given him the best proof of love: she had not changed.

Married, she had not become a wife

A mother, she had not become a housewife.

Her apparent indifference to Michel's worries

was really helpful to him.

It proved life was going on.

While Michel was fighting his way among ghosts, threats, mysteries,

Elsa, a sophisticated flower,

eager lover,

was preparing for her sultan the young captive's dance.

She sees a sort of shadow in front of her,

and, worried, asks:

"Manfred, is that you, Manfred? "

No one answers, the shadow seems to have vanished.

She walks across the stage, to the other side,

the same shadow is waiting there, undecided, floating,

In a white voice, she asks again:

Manfred, is that...

Well, keep on...

I can't, I don't know what you want from me.

Of course you do know.

And I know that before coming here, you had to ask your friends to allow you to.

i don't know what you're speaking of.

You know quite well.

Which is more, you've just made a mistake.

- Go tell yourfriends quickly! - Which friends?

Those who are related to Yvain's death.

Tell them to leave me alone too.

I'm amnesic. I saw nothing, heard nothing.

- You're crazy. - Tell them my patience is exhausted.

If they want to tell me something, let them say it.

Miss German, it's 11. I'm seeing Commissioner Malterrer at 4.

I'd like to hearfrom you. Before.

You know wher to contact me.

Madame? - Do you still make that men's Cologne

called Imperial Cologne?

No Madame, not for 20 years.

Pity! Have you got anything similar?

I don't think so. I'll ask Mr. Philibert.

Good morning, Madame. Imperial Cologne is not made any more.

Too bad!

If you're interested in our old perfumes

we've recentley made a few bottles

- And you can come next week... - Yes.

on tuesday, they'll be back.

- And I'll be pleased to... - Thank you. I'll come. Goodbye.

Good bye, Miss.

What's happening, Madame?

Lin, call my father on the phone

All right, Madame.

Excuse me, Sir. As you didn't answer, I thought you'd gone out.

No, I'm here.

What can I do for you.

Your wife phoned. She instructed me to tell you she has lunch with herfather.

With herfather... .

You can phone her at Invalides... .

- I wrote it down. - I know it.

Thank you.

Michel understood that Elsa had let her down.

He knew she'd tell her father everything

who would tell Malterrer.

Malterrerwould do what's necessary not to let a Minister's son in law

do things that could compromise his father in law's political situation

Michel knew that Elsa had thought things over before doing this

She did not like being mixed up in that sort of things.

Something must have happened.

Or it was caused by her refusal of commitments,

her contempt for pointless follies,

for quixotism.

Dad?

Yes?

What are you thinking of?

Of you.

That's what you say each time I ask you that.

Because it's true.

I like girls so it's only natural that I should think of mine.

- What about mum? - I think of hertoo.

I like women so it's only normal

- That you also think of the one who kisses you. - Yes.

Sir, this is for you.

- One Miss German. - I'll take it.

Yes... speaking.

At 3?

At your place?

You can trust me.

I swear it's not a trap.

I'll trust you.

Thank you.

I'll be expecting you at 3.

Where do you live?

15, Chambure Avenue.

The die was cast.

Nothing could abolish chance now.

Not without anxiety, Michel understood that the time to choose had passed.

You're improving?

At school, we'll have a competition, I must practise.

Let me, I'll light it.

If you wish.

- Thank you. - Dad, tell me a story.

- A story? - Yes, a funny story.

I don't know many.

Come on, try...

Well...

Yes... I read one in"France-Soir".

- It's funny? - Well, I find it funny.

Lin, you'll serve coffee here. I'm in a hurry.

Come on, tell it.

Well...

One day, a man is having lunch with his daughter, like you and I.

And as he wants to know if she's good at History...

he talks about the French Revolution

and as the little girl doesn't seem interested at all

the man gets angry and says:

You've never heard of Louis the 16th?

No, she says.

What about Marie-Antoinette?

No... What about Danton?

No... What about Robespierre?

I know him, the little girl says, Robespierre and Jean-Marc Thibault.

You see... I knew you wouldn't laugh.

Your story is silly.

You've never heard of Roger Pierre and Jean-Marc Thibault?

No.

And you know who Robespierre was?

Of course, he's that Terror man who had every one beheaded.

Thank you.

- I want my "canard". - Take it.

It's late. I must really go.

You're not going to school?

We have P. E. Until 4 and mum doesn't want me to go.

- Why? - I don't know.

Have fun!

Oh Michel, I was afraid I'd miss you.

What's happening to you?

Michel.

- I must tell you something. - I already know, darling.

- What do you know? - You told your father everything.

- He phoned you? - No, just a hunch.

Michel, I... .

I know, it's for my own good. You see, I'm not angry.

You're right. One should always do as he thinks best.

Oh Michel, Michel... I love you.

Yes, I know.

So do I!

This is nothing.

No, it isn't. Dad said you must be very careful.

Yourfather's very kind. A disaster politically but as a man

very nice.

- Please, Michel... Let me come with you. - Impossible.

I'll go and see the German girl and then, yourfriend Malterrer.

- Let me come! - Calm down!

Let's meet afterwards, right?

I'll go to Pierre's at 5. Phone me there.

We'll dine out later.

I'll phone.

- Michel... - What?

- Michel, be careful. - I swear I'll be.

See you later.

Hello?

Eleonore?

- Yes. Lucot... Jussieu has just left.

Right.

It's Lucot. Jussieu is on his way.

Tell me to meet me where we agreed.

- Hello! - Yes.

Patrice says to come to the agreed meeting place.

Where agreed? - That's right.

He'll be here in 5 minutes. I'll stay in the car with Eddy.

From where we're parked, I can see this window.

If he agrees... as soon as he leaves

pull the blind down, I'll understand.

All right?

All right.

I count on you, Eleonore.

Be cleverforthe two of you.

And...

don't keep so many clothes on your back... .

Win some time.

It's going to work.

- If she does that, I'll kill her. - You're a fool.

- She's fixing your mistakes. - I don't care.

She's mine. No one must touch her.

If she does it, I'll kill her.

Hello!

Come in!

I'm early?

No.

- Will you have a drink? - No thank you.

We're alone?

You can trust me.

I have no option.

You know that for you it's a matter of

of life... or death.

No,

I don't think so.

No... your friend Laborde threatens me, tries to compromise me.

It would be betterfor him if I didn't speak.

He must know I told other people.

If he has me killed me, h'd have to have them killed too.

For some days, he's tried to frighten me

All right... It's the rule of the game.

Now he wants to talk.

First, I want you to tell the story.

What story?

The true story of Yvain's death.

I don't know it.

I'll help you.

Yvain had money problems. Laborde helped him. In return for what?

Nothing.

They were in the same...

the same what?

I don't know.

Same group. Same plot.

I don't know.

You know. Politics and I...

A sort of... organization.

Yes.

A sort of political organization.

Laborde is the leader.

I think so.

I know... for sure.

So what?

- They didn't get on very well together. - Why?

Yvain was a potential danger.

So he was asked to leave.

To South America, I think.

And he wouldn't.

No.

- He didn't want to leave when... - I understand.

So they decide to get rid of him.

I find it strange that he didn't suspect anything.

Yvain didn't know that

Eddy had betrayed him.

Eddy? Your fiance?

I thought he was his bodyguard.

That's what Yvain thought.

He didn't know Eddy was working for Patrice.

So of course, because of Eddy, I

did the same

without really understanding.

So what?

One day...

Patrice sent Lucot

To talk to Yvain one last time.

You know there's no other option.

No way.

I've been fighting for 10 years.

I won't stop now.

Yvain... if you don't step off willingly

You'll be offed.

What?

- You threaten to have me killed. - Yvain, be sensible.

Who do you take me for?

You think I'll let Laborde get the better of me?

Ive tamed a lot of guys like him before.

He's wrong when thinking he is the boss.

I'll tell you, pal,

If one of us must be shot down,

I'll get him first.

It was an accidental killing in fact.

Pierre was right.

Excuse me... .

Nothing.

Everybody panicked after?

Yes, of course...

Lucot phoned Patrice

who said he was coming.

and that we must prepare to move the body.

I was waiting for Patrice

I heard some noise.

Patrice!

Is that you, Patrice?

It is quite satisfactory to loop the loop.

- Yes? - So?

- All's fine? - One more minute!

Yourfriends are getting impatient?

Yes.

Here's the deal they offer... .

You don't talk.

If you say nothing... to no one

they'll leave you alone.

How will you be sure I won't talk?

- This. - What is it?

It's a letter

a backdated one... from you to Yvain

and that you must write down...

in your own hand.

Funny!

Good... it worked.

- It did? - It's forthe best.

Everything's not fixed but it buys some time.

She couldn't do that.

- I'll shoot them both. - You'll shoot no one.

You'll stay here while I go and see Eleonore.

- I'm coming too. - No, you wait here.

Bastards, all of you.

Do as I say and shut up!

Give...

- Why? - Give.

I won't be long.

He didn't sign it.

He won't talk.

- He didn't sign! - He won't talk.

Lucky I took that fool's gun.

Mr. Jussieu, I would have liked it better if I didn't have to say that.

But I must tell the truth.

Well...

- Your wife to whom you talked... - I know

She told herfather and herfather told you.

Thank you to make it easier for me.

Let's be more precise.

You've seen Miss German several times.

Yes.

I was suspicious of her.

But I was wrong.

She knows nothing.

She wasn't mixed up.

Sorry but I don't believe you.

Mr. Jussieu...

I know a lot.

Give and take.

I've already made deals before.

It never did me any good.

I can tell you things about Patrice de Laborde.

I'm not interested.

Do your job commissioner, don't ask me to do one that is not mine.

Do you know article 62 of the penal code about not exposing a crime?

I do.

Don't misunderstand me, Mr. Jussieu, I'm not threatening you.

I only want you to face your responsibility.

I don't understand why you

help people that should disgust you.

I'm not asking you to expose anyone,

only to say what you know.

I recently read in a novel a sentence that struck me:

Giving in

is giving in to it all.

So?

So? ...Nothing else.

Giving in is giving in it all.

Never surrendering is always tempting.

If you don't need me...

I can't keep you here. It's not in my power.

mercier...

Have Laborde, German, Soulinas and Lucot summoned here.

Put them in custody.

I'll question them before 12.

If we need a warrant, ask Barthes.

October the 13th, 1961

16:30

Michel Jussieu now knows again that courage is both simple and grave.

He is free and happy at last.

THE END

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