Original subtitles

YOUNG MOTHERS

Hello?

There�s no one at the station.

Yeah, Line A.

Didn�t she call Isabelle to say she missed the bus?

Yeah.

Okay.

Ma�am.

Ma�am.

Are you waiting for a girl named Jessica?

No.

Don�t you seriously think Isabelle is lying to you?

She wouldn�t let me call myself.

How do I know she actually told her?

Drop it, Jessica.

You know very well your mom doesn�t want us to give you her number or address.

Isabelle called her. Don�t worry.

Why didn�t she come?

What do you mean?

Why didn�t she come?

You�ll know when Isabelle gets a chance to call her again.

� Maybe she had an accident. � Or something unexpected came up.

Well, she could�ve at least called. She�s my mom, right?

She doesn�t care. She�s a bitch!

Jessica, calm down! Easy.

Easy.

Why do you want to see her now and not later?

I don�t know.

I want to see her.

To tell her what she did� even an animal wouldn�t do that.

What did she do?

She threw me away.

She didn�t throw you away. She gave you to someone else.

� Same thing. � No!

She gave you to someone who could take care of you.

She must�ve felt she couldn�t do it herself� too young, too poor.

I�m poor too! I bet I�m younger than she was!

I�d never throw away my album.

� What�s wrong? � She�s not moving anymore.

Since when?

I don�t know.

Since I was in my room.

An hour.

An hour�s nothing, don�t worry.

Can I?

Her head�s down.

She�s in a good spot.

Her heartbeat�s normal. Listen.

Can you hear it?

It�s fast. It�s scary.

I told you before, it�s normal for babies.

Oh! Julie!

Yes?

Are you bathing Mia?

Yeah. I was just going to grab another nightgown.

Is it okay if Jessica joins you?

Sure.

You okay?

I�m fine.

Shall we go?

I�ll help you.

You okay?

She moved.

She knew she had to reassure you.

What�s wrong?

My mom...

My mom doesn�t want me.

Ouch! Jessica, you�re biting me!

Let go! Jessica, you�re biting me!

Oh!

Do you have your ID, phone, and at least twenty euros?

Yeah.

If anything happens, call me.

� No�, did you wear something warm? � Yeah.

� See you. � See you.

� Bye, everyone. � Perla.

There�s a problem when you cook.

Julie cooked instead of you yesterday.

� Can you do lunch today? � I told someone I wouldn�t be here until 5.

� Who did you tell? � Sylvia.

She forgot to tell me.

I�ll take care of it myself. What is it?

Take a look.

Pasta with eggplant.

Alright.

Okay. Can�t you make your special couscous?

I made it on Sunday.

That�s fine. We like it.

Should I make it with merguez sausage?

We don�t have any.

I�m going shopping with Betty. We can buy some.

Great.

You�re cooking tomorrow night, okay?

Okay.

What do you want to make?

Pasta Bolognese.

We had that yesterday.

� Can you make stuffed tomatoes? � No.

� We�ll make them together. � Thanks.

� Can I go? � Uh-huh.

� Bye. � Bye.

Bye.

She gained three hundred grams.

You can tell.

You can put your bags here.

Are my things here too?

No.

Why not?

Didn�t you go get them?

No.

Come on.

I need to sit somewhere.

There�s a bus stop over there.

My first day after two months.

I�ve got the apartment key.

Which apartment?

I told you. The one the center found for me.

She�s coming back.

I feel good.

It�s the first time I�m walking with the little one.

Like a real couple.

No.

Don�t you want to celebrate my release?

When are we seeing your mom?

I don�t know, I haven�t told her yet.

That the baby�s born?

No. That we�re having a baby.

But you said you told her.

Forget it.

Robin!

Robin!

Why didn�t you tell her?

There was the whole arrest thing too. It was all too messy.

I�ll tell her tonight.

Can I come with you?

No, I�ll handle it myself.

If she sees No�, she�ll be happy to be a grandma.

Cut it out, Perla.

� Cut what out? � Stop telling me what to do.

Let me smoke in peace.

I bet your mom doesn�t even know I exist.

I really like the village.

For my reintegration work, the Venn neighborhood is better.

You can go check it out if you want, but this place is for the mother�s home.

It�s three hundred euros.

We shouldn�t have to pay full price there.

You don�t love me anymore.

Why would you say that?

I don�t know. We were alone and you didn�t even touch me.

You said you weren�t in the mood.

But I didn�t say I wasn�t in the mood to kiss. You could�ve stroked my face, held my hand.

Where are you going?

With you?

No.

I have to meet the garage boss in Venn for work.

We�ll see each other after.

No, I�m coming with you.

Maybe we can rent something near the garage.

That�d be nice, right?

Hi, Mimo.

Where are you?

Okay, I�m coming.

It�s Mimo. She�s waiting with some of the kids.

I have to go.

Okay?

Where?

Like we said before, don�t think a baby will fix everything.

If he doesn�t stay with me, I can�t raise the baby.

It�s too soon to decide.

I think No� is crying. Can you go get him?

I�m crying too.

I think he�s hungry.

I�m hungry too.

Perla, will you hold him?

Hold him, Perla.

Perla, will you give him the bottle?

Come on, Perla, it�s your turn to do this.

Perla.

No.

I�m scared.

I feel like I�m made of sand.

Like my mother.

Sand that drinks whiskey.

� You drank again? � No.

But I feel like she�s inside me.

That�s why I drink.

You shouldn�t drink again.

You can take your meds to help, right?

No, I�m fine.

I had a canary.

He was drunk.

And the canary�s singing got on her nerves.

So she took it out of the cage.

And drowned it in the toilet.

Do you think he�ll leave me?

I don�t know.

What do you think?

I�m thirsty.

Want mineral water?

Don�t you have soda?

I�ll go get some from the kitchen.

God...

Please tell me he won�t leave me.

Have mercy on me.

Perla?

Perla, are you okay?

Perla?

Can you hear me?

Perla?

Do you think you can stand up?

Julie, come help.

We�ll take you to the infirmary bed to rest.

Wait, let me hold her properly.

Are you coming with me?

Yeah.

Here, hold my arm.

If I massage her� like they used to do during my seizures.

� Think you can do it? � Yeah.

Are you okay with Julie massaging you to help you feel your body better?

Okay.

I�ll call the doctor.

See you soon.

Can I take off your shoes?

I�m starting.

Can you feel the shape of your head?

Yeah.

Your ribs...

...that go all the way to your spine.

Your stomach.

Your pelvis.

Everything�s where it should be.

I�m missing a rib.

The one you have is right where it belongs.

You can feel your arms.

And your hands.

Hey, beautiful.

She�s gained weight? Yeah, how much?

Five kilos and a hundred.

Nice.

You okay?

Can you?

Are you alone?

Why are you asking?

If he�s here, Il and I aren�t coming in.

I told you I�m not with him anymore.

You might�ve changed your mind.

No.

Get lost!

Come on.

Open it.

Go in.

Go on, get inside.

I finished it around midnight yesterday.

It�s good, right?

Come on, Arian.

Go ahead. Let me come in.

Do you think enlarging the photo turned out well?

Yeah.

The photographer congratulated me.

But I told him it�s not my baby.

We�re heading out, Mom.

Wait, let�s put her in the crib.

I�d rather she stay with us.

We�re going out.

Alright.

I�ll go put her to sleep.

Did she burp?

I�ll burp her now.

I�ll do it.

Let�s go, sweetheart.

Let�s spend a little time with Grandma.

Well?

Well?

Aren�t the flowers pretty?

They�re pretty.

What about you, my Lily?

Do you think Grandma�s flowers are pretty?

Take a look.

Look at the flowers.

Can you take a photo of us with the flowers?

My phone�s over there.

Give me a big smile.

Take one of all three of us. Come on.

She burped. I�m going to put her to sleep.

These are the same flowers from when you were born. Remember the photo?

No, she burped.

Are you putting her in the crib?

I�ll put her in her spot. She�s used to it.

Wait, I�ll do it.

No, I�ll do it myself.

I�m putting you in your spot.

Why are you being cold with me?

I�m not being cold, Mom.

Say what you want to say, Arian.

What did that damn psychologist put in your head again?

Huh?

No one told me anything.

I made a decision myself.

What decision?

Why don�t you put her down? You think she can�t hear?

I�ve decided to place Lily with a foster family.

You can�t do that.

You can�t do that to her.

Wait, Arian, think.

Think, you can�t do this.

Come on, sit down.

A foster family, don�t you get it? We�ll never see her again.

This way she�ll have parents, better than being in an orphanage.

But I didn�t want to give you up, I had to because I had no home.

You know that?

I�m not saying this because of that, I just think it�s better for her to have a family.

But we are her family. It�s not my fault she doesn�t have a father.

Mom, we agreed to terminate the pregnancy, you didn�t want to.

But sweetheart, that�s why you should give her to me.

But I can decide. I gave birth to her.

If it weren�t for me, she wouldn�t exist.

Mom, you wanted a baby, not me.

Sweetheart.

I promise I�ll take good care of her.

We�ll start over.

How many times have you said we�ll start over?

I know, but this time it�s different.

The three of us will be fine together, in a way we never were.

Who is it?

It�s me.

I left my shoes behind.

Can you find them?

One sec, I�m looking.

Arian...

Arian, come help me.

They�re stuck in here.

It�s fine, she�s gone.

Let�s go eat some delicious apricot tart.

Can we grab it from the fridge?

Soda or instant coffee?

Soda or instant coffee?

Soda or instant coffee?

You�re not mad just because she came to get her shoes.

You saw she didn�t come inside, right?

Just hearing her voice makes me shake, that bitch.

Okay, don�t make a scene.

She hit me too.

She hit me more than you.

You liked it, not me.

Sorry.

Sorry, I�m sorry, I didn�t mean to.

It�s because I haven�t had a drink.

I�m upset, Arian.

Wait, Arian.

Please, forgive me.

Will you forgive me?

Let me pass.

Let me go, let me pass.

Let go, I want to pass.

Wait, Arian.

Listen to me.

Listen to me.

I know exactly what�s going through your head.

You don�t want to come back here.

This place feels too poor for you.

That�s the truth.

I can do anything I want.

I can kick Jimmy out, I can stop drinking.

You�ll never come back here with that baby.

Because that damn mother�s home took you away from me.

They want to hand the baby over to rich people. That�s what they want.

You get that? They�re taking her from us.

Just go.

Arian.

Arian.

Wait.

Please, wait.

I didn�t say goodbye to the baby.

Can I?

When will you be back?

I never blamed you for being poor, Mom.

It�s just that I don�t want this baby.

When she was born, you called me and said you were happy.

Yeah, but now I realize I can�t do it.

Can�t do what?

But that feeling will pass.

It�s just the beginning.

Besides, I�m here.

Don�t worry.

Can I kiss you?

Will we see each other at the apartment or the mother�s home?

I�ll call you.

Goodbye.

A bus came, I�ll go with you to that stop.

Come on, Mom.

I wanted to say something to you all.

I can�t say it by heart.

I need my notes.

When I came here, I wanted to give my daughter up for adoption.

I didn�t do it because you helped me

not to feel ashamed of being a single mother.

You, Yasmin, talked to my mom for days and days,

and she agreed to see me again with my daughter.

Thank you.

And thank you all.

I still can�t go back home, but...

At least I�m not alone with my family anymore.

I want to live alone with Selma.

In an apartment nearby.

We can still see each other from time to time.

I hope so.

And this morning I got good news.

I got accepted for a train hostess internship.

Yeah.

It was my dream.

Thank you.

Thank you, Naima.

We did what we could, but most of it was you fighting hard.

Well done.

We have a little surprise.

That�s so kind of you.

It�s adorable.

From the four of us and the kids.

Thank you.

We knew you dreamed of working with the railway.

We said, no, we shouldn�t give her this.

It�s too much.

It�s so beautiful.

Unbelievable.

It even moves.

What do you mean it moves?

Look.

Just a little push here.

Selma.

Selma, look.

Look, it�s coming.

Press the buttons and it starts moving.

There it goes.

Bravo.

It�s coming back.

Look.

I want to stay here.

I can�t go.

Wait.

Wait.

Shh.

I can�t go.

Do you want to hold my arm?

If Dylan calls you...

I can�t go outside.

I feel like I�m slipping back into that state.

I don�t know what�s wrong with me.

No, I�m not okay.

But I can�t, Dylan.

Okay.

I can go.

Is she at daycare now?

Good.

Can you grab your bag?

Come on.

Don�t hang up.

Okay.

Yeah, I�m okay.

Don�t hang up.

Wipes, three onesies, a jacket, a nightgown.

That�s really good.

Did she eat anything this morning?

Yes.

Two hundred and ten cc at seven o�clock.

Seven o�clock.

And last night, everything was fine?

Do you know what time you�ll pick her up?

We said for the first day, three o�clock is good.

Three o�clock is perfect.

� Ad�le? � Yes.

� Are you picking up Mia? � Sure.

See you later.

� No�mie? � Hi.

Did she eat anything this morning?

Yes.

Seven o�clock.

Got her.

I�ll be back soon.

I�ll be back soon, Mia.

Was she fussy?

No, not at all.

I thought she�d cry when we dropped her off.

You too?

Me too.

It�s a strange feeling.

It�s the first time I�ve been apart from her.

Don�t worry.

Your hands are cold.

Put them in my pockets.

Don�t.

Don�t.

I swear we�re going to crash.

Stop it.

Stop, stop, stop.

Yeah, yeah.

You�re in a great mood, huh?

With you, yeah.

Bye.

Do it properly, in sync with your natural hair.

Otherwise, your movement looks really fake. Got it?

Yeah.

I�m off.

Don�t you want to wash up first?

No, I like the color.

Okay, but don�t forget tonight.

I won�t.

Bye.

Bye.

Bye.

Come here.

Wash it twice and your natural color will come back.

Thanks.

Okay, everyone, let�s thank Julie for being our hair dye guinea pig.

Thanks, guys.

So, happy with your first day?

Yeah.

Clearly you love hair.

Good.

Thanks.

See you tomorrow.

See you tomorrow.

Hi, it�s Julie.

Can I talk to Lucie?

Can someone come pick me up from the training center?

What about Sylvia?

No, it�s fine.

Thanks.

Yeah, it�s me.

I know you�re in the workshop and can�t answer.

I�m going to pick up the baby.

I dyed my hair black.

If one of them sees me, they might not recognize me.

I love you.

Julie!

Julie, are you okay?

Sit down.

Lean forward a little.

It�ll help you breathe better.

Breathe.

Feeling better?

Did you see the dealer?

Did you take anything?

No.

Okay.

Is that why you didn�t pick up Mia?

I forgot!

Julie, it�s okay.

Everything�s fine, we�ll go together, okay?

Julie, calm down.

It�s no big deal.

It was my first day going into the city alone.

Tomorrow will be better?

Definitely.

Dylan showed me pictures of the baby.

She�s so cute.

She�s sleeping now.

She�s adorable.

I just wanted to say, I�m really happy you

thought of me to witness your wedding.

You managed to get off the streets.

That�s amazing.

Thanks to you.

No, thanks to both of you.

I�m handing the phone to Dylan.

Bye.

I�m going to put the baby to sleep.

Goodnight, Dad.

Goodnight, Mia.

I�m hanging up.

� I�ll call you soon. � Wait.

I�m going to tell Muriel

and Fouette not to try selling you anything again.

Forget it, it doesn�t matter.

I love you.

Me too.

I�ll hold on.

I�m thinking of you.

If he hadn�t changed his number, I would�ve called and not come.

He changed it so you wouldn�t call again.

I can�t reach out again, and I don�t love him.

He doesn�t love me either.

Then why do you want to talk to him?

I need to tell him something.

Hi.

Let�s talk over there.

Why do you want to talk to him?

I didn�t come to make him take responsibility for the baby or ask him for anything.

If that�s what he�s afraid of.

What do you want from him?

You told him you were on the pill but you weren�t.

And when I offered to pay for the abortion, you said no.

You wanted the baby, not him.

We don�t owe you anything.

I never said you did.

I�m just asking if I can tell him something that concerns both of us.

I want to tell you something.

One of my biggest regrets is telling my wife �okay�

when she said you wanted to come work here on weekends

because you were bored at the orphanage.

We felt sorry for you and you played us...

You let Hugo get you pregnant so you could force him to marry you and use our money.

Get her out of here or I�ll call the police.

I�ll give you his number if you swear

you won�t try to put the baby in his name.

Okay.

It wasn�t because of Hugo that I liked coming here.

It was because there were rich people.

And the horses.

I liked the smell of your perfume in the car

when you drove me back on Sunday nights.

Why didn�t you want to terminate it?

Hello, this is Jessica.

Yes, what is it?

Your mom gave me your number.

I know.

At four o�clock I�m going to see my mom for the first time.

Will you come with me?

Why are you asking me?

I want to show her I�m not alone with the baby.

That you agree we should keep her.

We won�t abandon her like she did to me.

No.

Idiot!

I�m sure it�s her.

If you don�t go, she�ll leave.

Go ask if it�s really her.

It�s her.

Hi.

Hi.

Why didn�t you come to the first meeting?

I had to stay at work.

When is the baby due?

In two weeks.

Is it a girl?

What do you want to name her?

Alba.

What�s your name?

Morgan.

Do you think you can raise her?

I won�t be like you.

That�s why you wanted to see me.

To make it easier to say that.

Goodbye.

Yasmin.

Mom.

Wait, let go.

Stay with me.

Wait, let me park.

You need me.

I�m not dying.

Mom.

Stay, Mom.

No, please.

Mom.

Mom, hold my hand.

Mom.

Mom.

Mom.

Can you see me?

Can you see me, Jessica?

It�s Yasmin. Can you see me?

Mom.

Can you see me now?

It�s Yasmin.

Say it.

Come on.

Yasmin, say it.

Yasmin.

Good.

We�re in the car.

We�re going to the hospital so you can give birth.

Okay?

I�m just asking why.

Why what, ma�am?

Why can�t I see the apartment like the person before me?

Because that person is going to rent it.

So you�re not looking for tenants anymore?

You�re lying. Racist!

How much?

Fifteen hundred.

All at once?

Yes.

I can pay in four installments.

No, five installments.

Three hundred euros a month.

The deposit must be paid in full, you understand?

It�s a guarantee for us.

That�s too much for me.

Maybe four installments?

No, sorry.

Goodbye, ma�am.

Ruben. Leave a message.

I left you a message to call me.

I wanted to apologize for yesterday.

I shouldn�t have gotten so angry.

I�ve been thinking about it.

I don�t want to force you to take responsibility for No�.

The only thing that matters is that we live together.

I love you, Robin.

I need you.

Hello?

Yes, it�s me, I just spoke with you.

Yes, I might have found a way to pay the deposit in full.

Would you agree to wait until tonight?

Thank you, ma�am.

Yes.

� Hello. � Hello.

Can you tell me where Robin is,

an intern who�s been working here a few days?

I don�t work here.

But the boss is in the office.

Right there, to the right.

Thanks.

It�s me.

I came to your garage to say I found an apartment nearby.

But your boss said you didn�t come because your baby was sick.

When he said that, I laughed, but

I was also happy because you said the baby was yours.

Can you call me about the apartment?

I love you, Robin.

Call me.

Where are you?

No, I laughed, but not in front of him, just to myself.

What?

No, he really asked me, don�t worry.

Can you come see the apartment?

It�s near the garage.

The deposit�s a problem, but I�ll figure it out.

Did you listen to my message?

The one where I apologized for getting angry.

Where are you?

Tell me where you are.

Why won�t you say where you are?

Robin, where are you?

I told you, you�re mine.

Me too.

This is for me.

Hold out your hands.

Take it.

Come on, it�s fine.

Go upstairs and do your homework.

Thanks for coming to see me.

I�m glad you did.

You should come on Sundays when we�re closed.

Jeannot would be really happy to see you.

Okay.

I need to talk to you.

But I have a customer.

Can�t you wait?

It won�t take long.

Okay.

Aminata?

Come, I�ll be right there.

I get my allowance from social services. I promise I�ll pay you back.

I�ll give you a hundred euros a month.

I don�t want to bring up the past, but I lent you money before.

You said I didn�t have to pay it back.

You were in trouble and I didn�t want to make it worse

and you totally played me.

I didn�t play you, I really wanted to terminate.

I didn�t know I�d change my mind.

� Can�t your boyfriend or his family help you? � No.

Can In�s come to your place today to hang out?

Yeah.

Lucky her.

Why do you say that?

Just that she gets to invite a friend over.

I never could. I was always ashamed of Mom.

You�re exaggerating.

No.

When I saw you holding your baby,

well-dressed, not drinking�

I wished I�d been born from you, not Mom.

Shut up!

Let Mom�s soul rest in peace.

I�m sorry about the money.

I really can�t, I can�t manage it.

You can handle it! You�ve always handled things well.

I�ve always gotten the worst of it.

� Don�t say that, it�s not true. � It is!

You knew Mom when she wasn�t drinking.

She drank like crazy with me.

When I came home from school, I had to stay outside because she was drinking with some guy.

You know your dad, I don�t.

I don�t have a father.

And the beatings when I didn�t come home at night...

You�ve told me all this before.

You never defended me.

You�d say, �She�s right, Perla, you shouldn�t run away.�

� And my canary, when she found out... � Perla, don�t start again.

Why not?

Because I wasn�t there.

Yes, you were.

No, I was in my room with headphones on. I didn�t hear anything.

You heard everything, you just didn�t care.

That�s a lie. You always play the victim, and that�s your problem.

I have a customer now. Get out.

You�ve always only cared about yourself.

Just you, you, you� Now I see who you really are.

You�re not my sister anymore.

You okay, Perla?

Not on the table.

� Where should I put it? � In my pocket.

Hold your hand over it.

Did you bring her nose drops?

No, I left them on the shelf.

Thanks.

A little further, good job.

Take it.

There you go.

Come here.

There, she likes it.

She�s looking at you.

Look at her.

Perfect.

Try talking to her, Perla.

Tell her what you�re doing.

Mom is giving you a bath.

Did you take your meds?

No.

Can you let go a little?

Let go.

I�m tired.

Wait, slow, slow.

Gently lift her out.

You should always have the towel ready beforehand, see, so she doesn�t get cold.

You smell like alcohol.

I had a beer.

You brought beer here?

No, before I came.

Go take your meds, I�ll finish up.

You need to come to the mother�s home tonight.

I�ll get there.

You need to come to the mother�s home as soon as possible tonight.

Okay.

What if he answers?

Should I give it to you?

No, he might not show up.

Want to practice one more time?

No, it�s fine.

Here it is. Here it is.

Here. Okay.

Robin. Leave a message.

Hi, Perla gave me your number.

We�re together at the mother�s home.

She�s in a really bad state.

She�s talking about suicide.

I�m scared she might actually do it.

You need to come to the mother�s home tonight.

Goodbye.

Thanks.

I�m going to put No� to sleep.

Will you come with me while I call him?

I�m here.

I�m here.

If he doesn�t answer you either, maybe his battery died.

Alright.

Wait.

It�s him.

Hello?

It�s me, I�m her father.

I heard your message, but I can�t come.

Can you tell Perla?

Okay, I�ll tell her.

It�s me!

Why won�t you come?

Shh, shh, shh.

I feel really bad.

Where are you?

I need to see you. Tell me where you are and I�ll come.

No.

I�ve thought about it and...

It�s better if we don�t see each other anymore.

No, no, don�t say that.

Wait, don�t hang up.

Are you listening?

Robin, tell me where you are. I�ll come.

I have an idea.

If I give No� to a foster family, will you stay with me?

It�s better if we don�t see each other anymore. Goodbye.

Where are you? Robin?

Robin?

Robin. Leave a message.

I�m going to see Robin.

Can you watch No�?

I�ll quickly go put her to sleep.

When will you be back?

Tonight, in two or three hours.

Why not do it tomorrow?

Arian, I�m begging you, help me.

Okay. Go get the baby�s pager.

Thanks.

Did you find anything?

Follow me.

This is the kitchen.

With a three-phase outlet for the stove and dishwasher.

Okay.

This is where the fridge goes.

Here�s the toilet.

And right next to it, the bathroom.

With a big bathtub.

Don�t worry, the window will be fixed in a few days.

Okay.

Right behind you, there�s a faucet and drain pipe for the washing machine.

This is the baby�s room.

With a view of the Meuse River.

She can see the boats.

That�s nice.

Yes.

And right next to it, the parents� bedroom.

We�ll take it.

I have a good feeling about it.

I�m not sure.

Why?

Well, I felt like when I said

I�m learning to bake, he doubted me.

Yeah, but you told him to call your boss.

And he said he�d keep you.

Yeah, at minimum wage.

But I also have my social allowance.

That�s a real guarantee.

Yeah.

Let�s hope it works out.

Let�s hope it works out.

My class starts in 5 minutes.

Okay.

I�ll come pick you up.

No, you don�t have to.

See you later?

See you later.

Wait.

Wait.

Goodbye.

Hello?

Yes, it�s me.

Okay, great.

Did you call him?

Yes.

Okay, perfect.

Alright then.

We�ll stay in touch. Okay, goodbye.

They said yes.

They said yes.

Our first apartment!

They called my boss, the guy was suspicious.

Can we handle it?

We can handle it.

Come on, let�s go.

Goodbye.

Goodnight, Dylan.

Goodnight.

I�m looking for Julie.

She�s not answering.

Come in.

Where was she?

In the church parking lot.

Did they say she took too much?

And they said she might�ve overdosed, yeah.

Can I see Mia?

Yeah, but don�t wake her up.

Just want to look at her.

Come.

I wanted to.

I don�t know, I couldn�t do anything else.

I wanted to leave.

I saw Fouad at the bottom of the stairs.

Bought two doses from him and went down to the parking lot.

You slipped, okay. It happens.

Shh.

You shouldn�t trust me anymore, Dylan.

Don�t say that.

The first time I quit, I didn�t even last two months.

You lasted two years.

That proves you can live without it.

I�m sure.

We swore we wouldn�t lie to each other anymore.

And I lied to you.

I�m a liar.

I�ve been lying since...

And right before I injected in the parking lot, I thought about it.

The story I told you about my stepdad.

But there�s something I didn�t tell you.

Because I�m more ashamed of it than anything else.

When I told my mom what he did to me...

She hit me.

With her hands, then...

Then with a chair.

Until I confessed it was a lie.

That I made it up.

So I told her yes, I lied.

After that, I always lied.

Even when I wasn�t lying, I felt like I was.

Like nothing I did was real.

Except Mia.

Except when she came out of me.

That moment felt real.

Truly real.

That�s why I want us to get married.

To separate from my old life.

So our relationship can be real.

You okay?

Not really.

Nothing�s final today.

If you feel like you don�t want to do this, you can always change your mind.

Come on.

Remember you can accompany Lily when she comes here,

over the next few weeks, so she can get to know Daphne and Miguel.

Well, since it�s every other day and Arian�s school is starting again,

it�s better if visits with Lily are after 4 p.m.

If you want to accompany her, of course.

For us, around 5 is perfect.

That�s my mom.

Do you want to go outside and talk to her?

One thing we really emphasize, since nothing�s final yet,

is that you don�t teach the child to call you

mom or dad.

Yes, Marie told us that.

If Arian agrees, she�ll call me Dada.

And me, Mimi.

Arian, do you have anything you want to say or ask?

No.

Can Daphne and Miguel

hold Lily during the first visit?

Yes.

I have a question.

Do either of you play an instrument?

I play the saxophone.

Can you swear you�ll teach her?

She might like guitar or piano more.

But I�ll teach her music.

I promise.

Thank you.

� No, no, ma�am. � Arian, stay!

Ma�am, you�re not allowed, no.

Why can�t I go with my granddaughter?

Let go of me!

Calm down, Mom.

What do you think I�m going to do?

Arian, but beyond this door is the mothers� area and staff.

Arian will put Lily to sleep and then come back to you.

Please, let me kiss her.

Come on, Arian.

I�m not abandoning her.

I�m placing her with a foster family.

What does that mean? Placing her?

Where did that word come from?

It�s your word.

You�re the one who forced her into this mess.

It�s not a mess.

And it�s her decision.

Giving up your child is a mess.

Your daughter didn�t want this baby, but she wants the best for her.

It�s a good decision for the child.

No, a good decision is bringing the baby back to my house.

� Go get her. We�re leaving. � I can�t, Mom.

Why? Go get her!

You can�t, ma�am.

Youth Protection Services told you why.

Listen, there�s no more fighting or drinking.

They said if Arian decides to return with the baby, she can.

If she decides, not you deciding for her.

And only if your home is a safe place.

It is.

No, ma�am.

We got another call from Youth Protection Services

saying police intervened at your home Friday night.

It was a mistake.

The caseworker didn�t say that.

Well, can you please leave me alone with my daughter?

Yes.

I�ll be in my office.

It was a mistake.

They got the wrong apartment.

I want a cigarette, you coming?

If it was a mistake, why did the Youth Protection caseworker name you?

Because I�m alone.

If you were here with the baby, it wouldn�t happen again.

You coming?

� I get it. � Stop saying that.

No, let me finish.

I was ashamed of my mom too, of the poverty we lived in.

When you were born, I was sure I�d do better.

I did everything I could, but I failed.

You have to forgive me and come back.

I�m not mad at you.

Yes, you are.

And you think if you come back with the baby,

everything will go back to how it was.

But you�re wrong.

With Lily, we�re really starting from scratch.

The psychologist said your school is starting.

You can go.

I�ll take care of her.

What do you want to study?

I passed the exam to enter general studies.

And what do you want to do after that?

I don�t know.

I�d like to be a nurse or a pilot.

A pilot?

Do you know how proud Lily is of you?

Me too.

I�m not coming back, Mom.

Not alone, not with Lily.

You want to leave me?

Just like you�re leaving Lily?

I�m not leaving her.

Yes, you are.

No.

I want her to have parents who love her.

And who have money.

And I don�t want to end up like you.

But you see, you�re ashamed of me.

I�m sorry.

Arian, wait.

Wait, I�m sorry.

Just listen to me one last time.

I�m not saying I wanted to keep the baby.

That�s why I�m asking you to leave her with me.

Get up.

I�ll take good care of her, I swear.

I�ll make up for all my mistakes.

Get up, Mom.

Say yes.

Mom.

I�m not ashamed of you.

I just don�t want to live in poverty anymore.

I want to get out of this.

That�s all.

What do you want?

You want money?

No.

Then what?

I came to tell you I gave birth.

Was it okay?

Yeah.

You know you�re not allowed to follow me like this.

To come back into my life without asking if I want that.

Who do you think you are?

Why did you leave me?

You gave me up for adoption.

What good does it do you to know that?

I need to know.

I have nothing to say to you.

I didn�t want to keep you, that�s all.

Why didn�t you abort?

I don�t know, it just happened.

Now forget me.

And try not to ruin my life again.

Okay?

Go down the stairs and never come back here.

Get lost!

Who was that?

Some tramp who wanted money.

No, don�t take off her diaper.

You okay?

Mom�s going to clean your belly button, Alba.

No.

Come on, will you keep going?

Tie your hair back first.

Okay.

I can�t.

You did fine yesterday.

No...

Then get her bottle ready.

I�ll clean your belly button, Alba.

Oh...

It�s a little cold.

Her little hat is on the changing table.

It�s fine, not too cold?

Put it on her head.

Why didn�t you come back sooner?

You can�t say you�re coming and then not show up.

Jessica?

Do you think it�s normal to leave your baby and not come back to nurse her?

Okay. It�s done.

Let�s get your clothes on.

I grabbed your sheets and blanket.

You can take them downstairs to wash.

And we�ll zip up your clothes.

You okay, Alba?

Yeah.

See, it�s done.

All done.

Oh, you�re yawning.

Hello.

Hi.

Did you see her?

Yeah.

Was it good?

No.

If you want, I can cook dinner for you tonight.

Yeah, I�d appreciate that.

I forgot it was my turn.

� Thanks. � You�re welcome.

I was so happy to hold you in my arms.

I don�t feel anything.

I want to... I want to.

I don�t feel anything.

I don�t even have milk.

Jessica.

Jessica.

I brought you a piece of dessert.

Jessica.

Everything will be okay.

It�s over.

You�re saying that now?

For good.

I love her, but she really hurt me.

Did she hit you?

No.

If she did, you have to say.

She didn�t hit me.

Why can�t No� come back to me right away?

Because you left her for three days and missed check-ins.

I knew someone was taking care of her.

No, Perla.

Here, we help you become a mother who keeps her child or chooses to place her,

but we don�t care for the child in your place.

You�re responsible, not us.

When can I see her again?

Starting today, twice a week.

If you show you�re sticking to your life plan.

How long?

One month.

Or more, depends on you.

I�d rather not see her again.

Either way, I didn�t want to be alone with her. I can�t.

But you�re not alone.

You can stay here for at least a year, and then, in an apartment...

That�s not the problem!

Don�t you get it?

I wanted a family, not to be alone with her!

I can�t, I can�t!

You and No� are a family!

No, we�re not a family!

Perla.

I�m going to my room!

Hello.

Hi, Lucie.

We came to see No� with Perla, her mother.

Welcome.

� Hello. � Come in.

Thanks.

Pacifier.

The bottle�s ready, and the changing table is right behind.

� Thanks. � See you later.

See you.

Okay, I�ll leave now.

You�re not staying with me?

No, I�ll leave you two alone.

I�ll be right nearby, okay?

Okay.

I brought your music.

Do you recognize it?

I�m glad to see you again.

Are you happy too?

I�ve been thinking.

If I can�t take care of her, I want you to be the one to adopt her.

Don�t say that, Perla.

You can do it, I�m sure.

Can you drop me off before the square?

Yeah.

Don�t forget we�re expecting you for dinner.

Okay.

It�s me, Perla.

I�m outside your shop.

Can I come in?

� Thanks. � You�re welcome. Bye.

Let�s go grab a coffee.

Can you help me carry this upstairs?

Sure.

That big box in the back.

A bookshelf for the kids.

� Angel? � Yes?

I wanted to apologize for last time.

You got angry, it happens.

Here, to pay you back.

No, it�s okay.

Take it.

I�ll pay the rest in four installments.

Thanks.

When I asked for the money, I really wanted to terminate.

I changed my mind because I wanted to build a family like you.

But it didn�t work out.

Are you done with the father?

I wanted to ask you...

I�m going to be alone with the baby...

And that scares me.

I�m not sure I can handle it.

� So I thought maybe... � Okay.

There�s a space for you in the attic room upstairs.

You�re not alone anymore.

It�ll be okay.

It�ll get better.

You okay?

I�ll pay you rent.

We�ll talk about that later.

No, I want to.

I can�t close it.

You can go.

My little Lily, you�re grown up now.

You�re eighteen.

Three years older than I am now.

I asked other people to help your family

because I didn�t feel capable.

And I didn�t want you to experience poverty like I did.

I hope you play a musical instrument.

If you ever want to see me again, you can ask the Li�ge family services.

They know where I am.

Please. Do you want a pen?

No, I�ll use the one I wrote the letter with.

You didn�t have to go to school.

You have a valid excuse for today.

I know, but I�d rather not fall behind.

[ For Lily ]

And her eighteenth birthday?

That�s the day family services must give it to her.

� See you later. � See you.

Yes.

Hello.

Is it possible to speak with Morgan?

It�s closed until one.

Everyone�s on lunch break.

I came at noon specifically so I wouldn�t disturb her work.

What�s her name?

Morgan.

Morgan Boulan?

I think so.

She should be in the cafeteria.

Go to the right, past the building and

you�ll see a door with a big ashtray outside.

That�s the cafeteria.

Thanks.

� Hello. � Hi.

I wanted to speak with Morgan.

You know, she�s not in the cafeteria.

She�s finishing something up.

That door, first one, just past the corner, in the back.

� No problem. Thanks. � You�re welcome.

You told me I should never come near your house.

That�s why I came here.

How did you know where I work?

I followed you on the bus yesterday morning.

What do you want?

I told you.

To know why you gave me up.

When you were being born, I was alone.

I didn�t want to be a single mom.

I didn�t want to be the neighborhood tramp that no man wanted anymore.

So I gave you up and went to Li�ge.

Where no one knew me.

And then I left.

Before you gave me up, you used to hold me sometimes.

Yeah.

How did it feel?

I don�t remember, it was so long ago.

Every time I hold Alba, I feel like I don�t want to.

I feel like I�m being the same way you were with me.

I wanted to know...

I wanted to know if you...

If I meant nothing to you.

If even then...

Please, hold me.

I�ll fix her head.

Can I take a picture of you?

Only if you don�t show it to anyone?

I�ll keep it for myself and for Alba.

Okay.

Wait.

Not in this outfit.

Thanks.

Maybe she�s hungry.

I�ll give her the mirror.

Come in.

Make yourself comfortable, there�s a chair.

Do you want to hold her?

No, it�s fine.

Will you take her?

Okay.

Hello.

Hi Julie, I�m glad to see you again.

Hi.

Nice to meet you, Dylan. Come in.

Hi Mia.

Julie, can you pour the coffee?

Sure.

We�ll eat the tart.

Not this one.

We�ll eat it...

Thanks.

Hope she likes it.

She loves rice pudding.

Come on.

She�s eating with appetite.

Yeah, really. With heart and soul.

I�m so happy to witness your wedding.

But why did you think of me?

Tell her.

Well...

I chose a friend who helped us get off the streets.

And she chose you because of a poem

you taught in class that she never forgot.

Which poem?

I picked this sprig of heather. [Heather: Erica plant]

Autumn is dead, remember.

We will never see each other again on this earth.

Outside of time, the sprig of heather.

And remember I�m waiting for you.

Farewell, Apollinaire.

You were in second grade.

Whenever I felt bad, I�d repeat it in my head.

And I�d see your face looking at me.

Do you remember the music I used to teach you that poem?

No.

Come on.

Let�s go listen to music.

Presented by Cinema Dreaming @CinemDreaming

? I picked this sprig of heather. ?

? Autumn is dead, remember. ?

? We will never see each other again on this earth. ?

? Outside of time, the sprig of heather. ?

? And remember I�m waiting for you. ?

? And remember I�m waiting for you. ?

I think she likes it.

Now something cheerful for our little Mia.

Yes.

She�s dancing.

Yes.

She�s dancing.

Dance.

Do you like it?

Yes. Yes.

Come look.

Give it to me.

A film by: Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne