Original subtitles

THE LOST DOMAIN

Once upon a time, in my country...

...the remains of the cargo ship "Liberty" were found.

I was returning from England, in 1950.

And it was a wreck, to say the least.

It had been abandoned, the crew vanished without trace.

They told all kinds of stories about this boat.

Stories involving contraband, crimes, ghosts...

...the captain gone mad.

Even I used to pretend that it was this boat which brought me to England that other time.

In my village everyone had their own story about that boat.

It became the village of the ghost ship.

And then one day, they blew it up.

And from one day to the next we woke up without the boat

And then, a strange thing happens...

Everybody stops telling their stories

And not only about the boat. There were no stories about anything.

My village became the village without stories

And why do I relate all this?

It's not at all what I wanted to tell you.

This evening they were firing again down on the beach

There must have been at least 50 soldiers.

The others much less numerous. 10 or 15 at the most.

Then I heard a gigantic explosion at the base of the mountain

It was exactly 7 o'clock.

I remember that very well because that's when I listen each day...

...to the piano concerto by Rupert Salinger

In the last few days the memories of what happened there have come back to me.

Vague, no doubt distorted, but insistent, from the depths of my being.

Over there, is England. And the war.

I say "war", but memory smiles.

What kind of war is that?

A hidden aerodrome, a few trainer aircraft...

...and a band of eager volunteers await battle orders from on high.

But the weeks pass, and the orders don't come.

I'm coming.

- Where are you going? - I've got things to do.

- On Sunday? - Yes, that's how it is.

Is this plane yours?

- Good! - Thank you.

It's incredible, isn't it?

For 7 years we've been fighting for an aerodrome.

- Come in. - Thank you.

It's rather modest, no?

- Anna! - Good morning, sir.

- Good morning, madam - Good morning.

- Here are my daughters - Good morning, miss.

Would you like a little coffee? It's cold today.

Thank you, thank you.

I'll wake up Natalia.

Good, let's all have coffee.

Natalia! Natalia!

- What's happening? What's happening? - My sister-in-law...

I don't know, an airplane landed in the field.

He's just landed.

You could write about it

This gentleman is a local radio journalist...

Deportivo Síper... sports.

It's a great achievement...

...to land in 140 meters! Usually, you need a minimum of 250.

It's a record!

Hey, what's going on?

This is Amelie who speaks a little French.

- De-light-ed, sir. - Delighted.

What will I cook?

Well, whatever, a meatcake will be good.

No, the problem is there's almost nothing here.

May I come in? An accident, no?

This is the neighbour.

Good morning, madam. Good morning, sir.

A real French pilot.

Pay attention!

If you listen well, you will understand well.

- Man is an inventive animal... - Hey!

- Don't touch anything there! - There are two kinds of invention...

Yes, sir, two categories.

First: those emanating from brute matter iself

To give some examples, aspirin or electricity.

And others that illustrate the favorite dreams of humanity.

For example, to plunge down to the ocean's bottom.

Or, maybe fly through the air, higher even than the condors...

Ah. Permit me to introduce myself.

My name is Uncle Conrad

...and I am a secular free-thinker.

Professor of English, but I prefer the French tongue a thousand times over...

...because of its diplomatic and erotic virtues.

- Sir. - Vive la France!

- Is he French? - Where's he from?

Let's listen to the radio!

Those hands of his...

The first time I saw him arrive at the barracks...

I didn't recognize him immediately

But when I saw him eat... He had very particular table manners.

It was the first time I'd seen someone handle their knife and fork like that.

It was almost...strategic

He ate according to a premeditated plan, worked out in advance.

Well. You had time to read the instructions? - Yes.

- Well, and then? - And then? Nothing.

How many Sundays are there in a year?

- For me, none. And you? - Yes. 52.

I see. That's funny. I never thought about that.

I'd like to have at least one for myself.

Yes, I understand. So would I.

Yes, you understand. But you don't listen, old chap.

It's always the same.

Does this war concern you, or not?

Well, listen while I explain it to you.

I haven't logged up 15000 kilometers to spend my Sundays instructing somebody...

...who doesn't even listen to me.

I'm very sorry. - He's very sorry.

You're getting upset over nothing. You do everything very well.

Everything very, very well.

You are full of enthusiasm, you explain everything very well...

...it's my fault that I don't follow you

If you want my opinion, I'm a hopeless case.

You understand?

No, it's me who is a complete zero as instructor, but I'm the only one available.

So you have to put up with it.

No, I told you, I'm a hopeless case. It's got nothing to do with you.

So what will you do? Will you go back home? - No.

No, I'll stay.

It would be better if you went home.

It's not just because of the new machines, the instrumentation, and all that?

Today the whole concept of flight has changed.

Excuse me, I don't want to insult you, but I think you belong to another epoch, Antoine.

From another epoch. I understand.

- No. You don't understand. - As you like.

You have to leave, Antoine. You're not made for this.

And who is made for war? No-one is made for it.

Take you, for example. What are you doing here?

Oh, be serious.

No, but I'd like you to reply. What are you doing here?

It's not my decision. It doesn't depend on me.

But yes, especially on you, pal. Don't you see?

Alright, re-read all that. And then you can tell me what you don't understand.

Very well.

Where are you going?

The days passed peacefully.

Almost as if we had been forgotten.

Even the enemy seemed to ignore our existence

Me, who had wanted to escape the monotony of provincial life

And here I was, back where I started.

Right, as soon as you see the screen light up with the needle on 1850, that means...

...that the navigation is now under automatic control, the instruments decide everything.

So, you follow the instructions on the screen, and you concern yourself with nothing else, OK?

Right, now keep your eye on that when you want to take back control, you hit that switch there

If you don't it can cause you big problems?

- OK? - Hmm.

OK, let's go through it again.

- Are you listening? - I'm listening.

Alright, go on.

- You haven't forgotten anything? - Yes, I've forgotten something.

Yes, you have. That. The essential.

I'm stupid. That's enough.

What's the matter now, Antoine? Have you got other problems?

No, I'm just stupid. That's all.

I'm giving up.

I know it's not easy. It's normal that it takes some time.

Yes, I know I'm too old.

No, it's not that...

What, then?

I think perhaps you shouldn't have chosen to do it in the first place.

I didn't choose you.

You're an instructor, aren't you?

As well as a mother hen?

Giving up your Sundays.

That's very noble of you. Heaven's bells must be ringing.

Antoine, do you really want to continue the struggle?

Aiee. I didn't do nothing.

Yes, yes. They told you you can't touch "nothing".

I'll go to the government.

There is no justice here.

Hey, kid?

Excuse me, I'm a bit jumpy.

You can get in.

Let's take ride, eh?

Hey?

Come back. Come! Hit me!

Come. It's your turn.

It's yours. Hit me.

Come on. Come on.

By authority of the government these places are hereby notified:

First: the presidential residence in Tomas Moro Street...

...will be bombed in reprisal for the presidential resistence.

Someone's arrived.

- Yes? - Open the door, please. I'm wounded.

Oh, shit.

Come in.

You can talk French. - Thanks.

Is it serious? - I don't think so. Go on in.

Let me see.

It's just a graze, you've been lucky.

Sit down.

Would you like a coffee, I'm just about to make some? - Thank you.

So you were travelling by car, at night?

And you have no safe-conduct permit, I suppose? - Yes, we have a letter from the Consulate.

I see. And you think that is sufficient in these times? - That I don't know.

We just acted on the information which we had. And then our car broke down.

And he thinks that's funny!

I'll disinfect it with alchohol.

Sit down.

Roll up your sleeve.

It'll sting a bit.

I'm so sorry. I'm a coward.

Don't apologize.

I know plenty of brave men who can't support physical pain.

In the war, you know...

Would you like some wine? - Yes. - Yes, thank you, gladly

For this, you were destined to come here.

Yes, here.

To Chile. - To you.

To me?

We had to come and see you.

We're looking for some-one.

Perhaps you know him. In fact, I believe you do.

Yes, I knew him.

Thirty years ago...

It's my father. - Your father?

More correctly, my grandfather.

Your...stepfather?

Yes, but for me, he's my true father.

Antoine. Yes, I knew him.

Ten years ago.

There are still 3 missing.

Astora, Flynn, and the old man.

There's one. No, two!

Now only the old one's missing.

Even at that time he was the "old one". It's incredible.

He's coming, he's there.

That day too, he had taken off without authorization.

Once he was grounded for that. He didn't give a damn.

He always managed to find a machine. And then, hup, he was gone.

He used to say, that with an aeroplane there was always something new to see.

What are we looking for, anyway?

For treasure, my young man!

- What? - For treasure!

Ah, yes, looking for treasure.

The Treasure.

If you know the region, all the treasure is here.

Do you see what I mean?

Get out of the way!

The field, land in the field!

OK. You can...

Miranda?

It's about Captain Antoine Renaud.

It seems that... You don't much like him.

Am I wrong?

Did he say that? - No, not him.

But according to what I heard, you are refusing him supplementary instruction.

He's no longer young, of course, but he insists.

And he has friends in high places.

It would be wise to pay him a little more attention.

But you told me he shouldn't be given any special treatment.

Did I say that? I don't think so.

I recall you told me you wanted to get rid of him. You told me you'd see to it yourself..

Yes. You're to forget all that.

It's madness. He'll kill himself.

Perhaps that's what he's after.

An aeroplane costs a lot of money. - A great deal of money. Excuse me.

I have another meeting.

I'll call again.

Where's my foulard?

They ordered me to leave him out of the training

He slapped me in the face.

To strike an officer is a serious matter.

Alright, what shall I do? Do I call him? I don't even know if he's still in London.

He's there. Still.

Max!

One, two, three.

And yet he liked you, he always spoke well of you.

Yes.

Me too, I liked him a lot.

But it was the war and...

Can I look?

Take one if you like. - Oh, thank you

This one. - Fine.

The treasure hunter.

Would you like some more coffee?

Yes, if there's any left. - Me too, please.

How polite we are.

What a beautiful radio.

I like antique radios.

Yes, well it still goes.

You can still find old things in the village.

It's beautiful, eh?

Here, listen.

"Huge crowds are arriving at the Nunoa stadium..."

"...for the revenge boxing match between Antonio Fernandez..."

- Come, come! "...and Stanislao Loaiza also known as Tani..."

"...in the welter-weight category."

That evening we dined early, because there was a boxing match on the radio.

I went upstairs to my room.

I preferred listening to the radio plays

When I was small I could visualise the scenes that the actors read.

On one visit to the capital, my father took me to a broadcast of one episode..

At that time the actors played their shows live.

Before a studio audience. In costume.

What a disappointment.

"Hair shampoo LORD gives your hair that heavenly shine..."

Aspirin Kriogenina Lumiere and Gatichavez stores proudly present...

...the Great Radio Theater.

In the name of my mother, my sworn oath and my own honour...

...I accept the duties which you impose upon me.

Good. Your next assignment is as follows: We have found out that the Spaniard...

...left Callao a month ago, and that he is sailing for Cadiz.

We have to attack right away, and we have to fortify the city.

We'll collect 12,000 gold bars and hide them in a secure place...

...just as Sharpe was planning.

But when did you see him for the first time, in London?

I already told you, I think. I didn't recognize him.

When he came here for the first time I was just a kid.

Perhaps, as they say, I idealized him.

Because, now, it was 10 years later.

That can be a long time, 10 years.

For me in any case. It was half my life.

Also, I'd known better days than that one.

I'd just found out that the volunteers were not authorized to fly fighter planes, can you imagine?

Miranda? - Yes, Lieutenant. - Come.

There. One of your men.

I hardly recognized him. Yet he hadn't changed much.

Hmm. It wasn't that. He was finished.

Yes, that's it. A ghost.

You're going to look after him.

And he's not a beginner, believe me.

One is always a beginner. - No, no, no

And then I heard his voice.

And the memories came flooding back.

And they said: you must play again the game of treasure hunter and finder.

You only have to, ah, bring him up to date with the new protocol.

It should only be a matter of a few days.

Well, if you would follow me.

A matter of a few days...

After 2 months we still hadn't made an inch of progress.

What on earth do you think you're doing?

Here now. I'm the enemy. Now I'm coming down, I attack.

Oh, oh.

There we are. He's following. There, like that. Oh, oh.

Ah. The photo.

May I? - Of course.

No, I wanted to say that your French...

You talk very well. Did you use to speak it a bit before?

No, not a word. My uncle gave me a few tips, but I forgot everything.

That's funny. To come to England to learn French.

Enough so as to be able to read this. [Le Grand Meaulnes]

Well, that's my gift.

You know, I have no money, but I know one thing.

That the surest way of speaking good French is to learn this book by heart.

That doesn't mean that you should only read this book and no other.

You can read a whole pile of books.

But, pay attention.

Once you have learnt this book by heart...

...you will know things about this country...

...of which the French themselves are ignorant.

Can I see?

Don't know it. Is it any good?

Don't know, in any case for me it's more than a book, it's a living person.

How many times have you read it?

I don't remember.

I don't know why I keep re-reading it. The story's nothing special.

What's it about?

I can say that it's about me, because it tells the story of a boy like I was.

He admires someone they call "Le grand Meaulnes"

And then there's a party in a chateau

I'd never seen a chateau before reading this book.

But, having read the book, I can now say that I know what a chateau is.

A chateau, where?

At Blois? - Blois?

But that's where I'm from.

That's where I went to school.

Antoine, are you OK?

But then, suddenly, beyond that point, it becomes difficult to work out

I mean, to say where I come from

In one sense it's very simple.

In another it's quite inexplicable.

My father... I shouldn't be telling you this but...

...when he was drunk he didn't hesitate to strike out.

Oh, not at us. At our doll doubles.

A kind of rag doll made to look in our semblance

We're leaving.

We'll go tomorrow.

The next day we put everything on a cart, the little that remained...

...and so we left. For good.

I closed my eyes. I didn't want to look at the house.

I wanted to forget all that.

But I couldn't stop myself opening them.

And I saw my house for the last time, and I saw myself in the house.

Do you understand?

I was inside the house.

Of course that can easily be explained. Perhaps I saw someone else...

...that I stupidly mistook for an apparition.

My own double...

...that my father used to hit when he got his hands on it.

"You're going too far!" said my mother.

I'm boring you

No, not at all.

I'm just reminded of that time...

...in Chile when you told me that you were a descendant of the pirate king.

That was the purest truth.

My ancestor was Suboltol Deul

It's not true because you don't look like him.

What do you know?

I know because I've seen him, he's fat and bald.

But I'm talking about the authentic Deul.

The authentic Deul? - Of course.

About Suboltol Deul? - Of course.

You must be mad. He never existed.

But yes! Of course he existed.

All stories are true.

It was certainly the first time that someone claimed to my face...

...that pirates really and truly existed.

I have to say that at that time no village kid would admit to believing in cowboys...

...no, nor in Indians for that matter

Nor in New York. Or in whales.

Someone even assured me that Santiago, the capital, didn't exist and never had.

Oh, you're far away.

Hear that? Those planes, those engines, aren't ours.

Will you lend me your book? Until tomorrow?

Yes, I'll lend it to you.

We'll talk about it later. Not now..

Yes, of course, I think so.

You know, in those times the doctors weren't very forthcoming.

But I think he must have suffered...

He had...something...

...in the head.

Besides, now I come to think about it...

...perhaps it comes from there

But no, no, that can't be...

Because his behaviour, right from the beginning, was very strange.

Ah, yes! Your father loved maps. He drew them himself all the time.

All these come from the thirties.

No, not that one.

This one. We discovered it together.

Not far from here.

A group of Coujac indians play a strange game of football in total silence.

They had no equipment, no goalkeeper.

And they played under the volcano.

And the strangest thing was the way Antoine reacted to it.

He began to run like a crazy man.

Later he explained it to me.

He had suddenly understood that there, where the wind carried the ball...

...there, of necessity, lay the buried treasure

What's this?

Hurry up.

Nothing.

There's something written there.

- What is the language? - I have no idea.

Hey! Don't touch anything, you hear?

Back to the field!

We came back that same evening.

It was full moon.

Night flights were your father's speciality.

The football game still continued.

I could imagine that it would never stop

We dug for hours.

There were all kinds of objects.

Medals. Silver and bronze plates.

Things like that.

And documents.

And then, against all expectation, the football match stopped.

Then we saw the balloon drift upwards.

I said to myself that perhaps the real object of the absurd game...

...was to achieve this ascension.

Before the balloon disappeared...

...we heard a cry in unison

Perhaps the Coujac had scored a goal against the invisible team above.

And did you find anything?

Nothing at all.

At least, that's what they said at the time

Today they would say it was a veritable treasure trove.

So this is all you found?

Yes. Nothing of much value.

It's not much, eh?

Well, which is the treasure map? Is it this one?

Yes, it could be that one.

I need to find soneone who can tell me what's written down there.

It's not a treasure. Just as I thought.

You're not the first one.

A year ago, there was an expedition.

An American with every sort of equipment...

Can't you see!? It's a treasure!

All these documents... These relics have an inestimable value!

For whom?

For a lot of people. It's of the utmost importance.

They don't exist.

Historians. - They don't exist.

Archeologists! - Huh!

For me... - You can't be an example...

So, for him then!

Soon, he'll grow up, and he will see...

At least for our beloved country!

Makes no difference, my friend, this country is very poor.

Unfortunately!

So you really found something?

Nothing at all.

Or, at least, that's what they said at the time.

Today I would say we had uncovered a veritable treasure.

How are you feeling?

That's all that's left.

Of my treasure.

And the documents?

Lost?

Look, Antoine, things don't just disappear.

They must be around somewhere, right?

They weren't sold?

Abandoned.

Yes, that's right. Abandoned.

Well. I have to go.

Thanks for the visit.

I'll come back in a couple of days.

Hey.

What about your book? I haven't been able to read just now

Keep it as long as you want.

See you soon, old chap. - You know?

I wanted to die.

And because it didn't happen...

...well, now I'm just living for laughs.

Like a child.

Or a bohemian.

No family.

No house. No love. Nothing.

Just my gaming companions.

You know?

You know what I like about you?

It's-it's your drive to make a man of yourself when you're not even 20.

It didn't strike me at the time that he was reciting by heart the reply of Le grand Meaulnes

I only realized that much later.

What's that?

These are the three sisters.

But what does that mean?

Nothing!

Oh shit! We're out of gas.

That happened up there, in the north, some time before Antoine's departure

The plane was out of fuel, and we were expecting a delivery by train.

While we waited, we made some side trips. It was holiday time.

Antoine. Your hat.

Don't be silly.

Gas. Where can we find gas?

Where is gas?

15 km from here, by the highway. Over the mountains.

Thank you very much.

The trumpets are sounding!

There is no place for us. They closed the salt mines.

The Holy Father's dove was killed.

These are the days of wrath.

It's a warning, the bells are ringing!

It's a warning, comrades!

Where did they go? Now there's nobody.

Bah! There's nobody!

They vanished.

What does that say, kid?

My dear and respected wife...

Here, things are improving by the day.

Our wages are higher now, and there are no foremen.

My dear Josefina,

I'm very glad to hear your news about Tonito and Martita.

I'm specially glad that Martita has broken off her engagement.

She would not have been happy with that loser and liar, and a communist as well.

Here, as usual, we have no news.

I'm still saving money...

...but the work wouldn't suit everybody.

The communists told my countryman Lorca...

...that they are closing down the salt mine.

And all that they earn they splurge in parties.

I think about you, about my children's future...

And I save money...

They assure me that in 15 years I'll have the right to retirement.

So, I purchased the health and pension insurance.

Now I have all my guarantees.

Your husband, who respects and esteems you.

Nivaldo Cañete.

It's enough, my friend...

...we've been walking around for a month...

...and there's nothing here.

What are you gonna do?

How I'd like to stay here.

Here? But why?

Yes, yes.

I like this landscape.

You must be mad to want to stay here.

Not forever?

Well, perhaps I'll leave tomorrow.

Ah, yes!

What can one do?

In this world it's never you or me who decides.

Then who does?

Someone.

Something.

The wind.

You know there are a thousand ways you could make yourself useful here...

...if you really wanted to.

The way I see it is...

...an out-of-date pilot, perhaps, but still a pilot.

You're not the same since your accident.

You said so yourself. - I spoke at random

I'm happy enough with what I've done up till now.

It's only you who complains.

You're not jealous, by any chance?

Of course I'm jealous.

I want some action.

And I'm young. And I know how to fly these planes.

But I'm forced to sit here, grounded.

A mother hen, counting her chickens.

I should be in your place.

But you are not.

Let's stop this.

Max. You have changed so much.

That's normal.

Where's that in your book?

Ah yes, which tells your story almost, so I heard.

Who told you that?

Oh, someone - someone who knows you very well.

And you believe that kind of gossip?

I don't believe anything.

Oh really, you don't believe anything?

Ah, I see!

And that village in the desert, near your place? No?

That ghost village? You never believed in it?

No. I never could believe in it.

Are you invited guests?

Not really. We're spending the night over there in the deserted village.

The ghost village?

Then it's quite near? - Yes, quite near.

Come! Come!

Come this way.

It's alright. Come.

Come, come!

This way.

Please. Enter.

You are expected

This way.

Here they are, the phantoms!

Yes, they told me there were two phantoms from the illuminated village....

...who were paying us a visit.

But you're not .... ghosts... as far as I can make out.

And you, you are too young for such a place, little one.

On top of that, one would say that it wasn't even...

It's as if today the children are hiding something very, very...

One must, one must say...

No, it's nothing at all. Pay no attention to what I said.

That's how I am, you know! Without artifice. Nothing to hide.

Well, I see you're really there. You're certainly no phantoms.

No, I believe...

...I must explain everything...

...from the beginning.

It would be...

...an honour, isn't it...

...an honour bestowed by the desert.

Oh, but...I meant to say something different.

But what do I owe you? Perhaps nothing at all.

Please excuse me, but I saw you standing there as if lost, however...

You have no worries, and-

And here I am boring you with these interminable stories...

...that's unforgiveable

But...

You will want to dance, at least. - Of course, madame.

Would you honour me with this waltz?

Fandango, sir!

I am someone who is absolutely, how shall I say...

...undanceable.

Is that how they say it, down there?

Yes, that's how it's said.

Rather, dance with my daughter.

Yvonne!

Ach! Show a little respect there!

Watch out, can't you!

Yvonne!

She's without her fiancee this evening.

But that doesn't matter...

...two's company, three's a crowd, as they say.

But...

...oh, that's badly put.

Yvonne!

You are going to dance with the gentleman.

To put it in a nutshell, it appears that the gentleman is a phantom

He lives across the way

You were able to understand my mother, I hope?

I must admit it was hard in places.

It's probably just as well.

I have the feeling that I know you from somewhere..

I suppose everyone says that.

Excuse me.

No, I'm laughing because I'm serious.

And I'm serious because I know you too.

But that's not surprising, because I know everybody.

Yvonne.

Antoine

How old are you?

Why do you ask?

Because I'm called Yvonne.

Besides, I think that age is a very important thing.

Don't you think?

I'm having difficulty following you.

And that's just the beginning.

And your fiancee?

Oh, him? Disappeared, I suppose.

He loves disappearing, in fact he loves everything.

To tell the truth, he left me several years ago.

It's my mother. She decided to celebrate the anniversary of my abandonment.

If you look at it like that, it's almost funny, don't you think?

Yes, it's funny, as you say.

If I'm not mistaken, you must be in your forties, am I right?

That's it.

That's the age my fiancee would be if he had decided to stay.

It's midnight. Come and see.

The town will soon bring forth it's phantoms.

Stay.

Where are they all going?

Childish games. They're going to watch a town give up its ghosts.

In a flash. That is, one moment they're there, and the next, pfft! they're gone

Like my fiancee.

And I detest ghosts, don't you?

I don't believe in them

That's better, that's a thousand times better.

I think we're made for each other.

We'll go to Mass every Sunday.

What fun we'll have!

I knew it, I knew it! He's like everybody else.

Shouldn't one look?

How do I know?

What one should do or not do? You ask such difficult questions, my friend

They are questions from the past, for which there is no longer a reply.

Nothing.

From which I conclude that this town is an integral part of your soul.

Don't look at me like that.

I'm sometimes seized by an extreme mistrust which makes me wary of people...

...and of happiness too, I know.

I think something is troubling you.

I rejoice in that because in the final analysis...

...what can be better for a woman than to be a good wife?

What one calls sadness or anger...

...they're the same thing.

Look at your friend there, how tired he is!

Goodbye. So nice to see you.

Goodbye, goodbye. Till next time. Goodbye.

The illuminated town. The illuminated town.

Farewell, farewell.

Long live the illuminated town.

But you saw it yourself, that town.

No.

But you told me you saw it.

I didn't see it.

I lied.

You know, one day before I started the book...

...you told me you had never seen a castle

Of course you'd seen one.

This lost domain.

How old would he be today?

Eighty or eighty-five, I don't really know.

Oh, at least...

What's your name? - Augustin.

- Augustin. Like the Le grand Meaulnes. - My mother told me that too.

I didn't understand why.

All the same, your mother's name isn't Yvonne.

- Helene. - Helene.

- Did you know her? - I think I did, yes I think so.

When did I hear that name for the first time?

When does one hear for the first time, the name of a place...

...the name of a street, the name of a woman...

...that becomes so important.

Helene.

I must have heard it a long time before it became so important for me.

For us all.

I should say that "Helene" was, in the beginning, the name of a reconaissance operation.

Or rather, of a set of aerial photographs.

It was Antoine who took them.

And who gave them that name.

Their batteries are there.

And there. And there.

There you are!

Therefore. We are going to attack...

We're going to attack...

...from here...to there!

Right! Sit down everybody.

Now we're going to go through this in much greater detail.

We're talking about a very delicate operation.

Very dangerous.

I want a volunteer.

If it doesn't bother you, I would like it to be me.

Err...no, not you.

I insist.

It's mine by right. I know the region very well.

For the most part, that's my childhood playground.

Let me think about it for a while.

If you would allow me...

Even if what he says is true...

...for this precision operation I don't think that he would be the best choice.

You have to fly at variable altitude.

I've already flown at less than 50 meters.

Who gave you permission to do that?

You asked me for the sharpest possible photos

Well, I couldn't do that because I didn't have the right gear...

...but I did my best.

Finally it was him they asked to carry out the operation.

Max! Max!

Want one?

- In principle, you know it's forbidden. - Oh, yes. Yes.

In principle. I know.

But anyway, it's the last.

You won't book me for it?

That's what I should do.

You'll pass on my farewells.

Oh, don't talk like that, Antoine.

Everything will turn out well, you'll see.

Oh yes. Everything will turn out well.

But I won't come back.

What does that mean? - Nothing at all, kid.

It's just something I said.

What do you think? Is it going or coming?

I don't know. What do you think?

Couldn't give a damn.

Your health!

Yours too.

I spent last evening thinking about things that happened over there..

- Ah. Yvonne. - Yvonne.

Concerning which, you must return the book.

Especially if you're not coming back, as you say.

I'll come by and give it to you before I leave.

You know they say that night missions are less dangerous that daytime ones.

I prefer the day.

Anyway, photographs have to be taken during the day.

What happened to you that day? On that day, down there?

- At home? - Yes.

The only part that I remember is that I was woken by my father...

...and by the Coujac Indians he had hired.

Papa! Papa!

We slept the night here.

Come here!

We called for you all night long!

- No! - It's not safe out here!

There are all kind of robbers, rebels, and then that explosion!

What explosion? I didn't hear nothing!

You didn't hear? It was near here!

I swear!

- Good day. - Good day.

Who gave you permission?

So according to you, what happened?

They were on the point of leaving.

They had decided to dynamite what was left so that no-one could profit from it.

That's quite common behaviour.

I heard them talk about it several times after that. No-one had ever heard of that house, no-one.

They didn't want to talk about it.. But it often happens that way.

So it appears.

Max.

You know everyone is laughing at me because of the book.

I didn't tell you before, but I knew all those people.

Yvonne, her father...

...the abandoned bridegroom, the madman, the bohemians.

That's to be expected, since most of those people...

...like you, must have lived in Province, you must have known people like that.

No, no, I really lived that story.

Those photos that I took, all those photos, that's where it happened.

In fact, I have evidence, and with time I'll find still more.

And he left, like that.

It's the last time I saw him.

At least, apart from...

...he wrote me three letters.

Three letters? - Yes.

I've got them here... somewhere.

Go up now, and rest. You can read them tomorrow.

When were they written?

The war was over.

I found them waiting here when I returned, and...

And my mother? In all that?

Helene?

Yes, General, sir

Yes, of course, sir. There's someone here who will take care of it.

Yes. He's right here.

Sit down, Max.

Yes, sir. Certainly.

Max.

I have to send you on a distressing errand. It concerns Antoine Renaud.

His daughter lives in London.

You're to go there and deliver this letter. You can read it.

Yes. Yes, General, sir. Certainly, sir. Agreed.

Yes, sir. Of course, sir.

Does she know?

She knows nothing.

If you leave today, I'll authorize you to take your furlough in London.

- Thank you, Lieutenant, sir. - Goodbye - Goodbye

Yes. Yes, General, sir. Yes, of course, sir. Yes.

Ah. Where's my foulard? - It's over there, sir. - Ah, there.

Fancy that. Blois.

Papa?

I didn't know you were in London.

Are you trying to give me a surprise?

Did you bring what I asked?

Who are you?

Here. It's for you.

I understand.

What is--I'm making some tea. Come in.

Please sit down.

There's something I don't understand.

When something like this happens...

...it should be a shock, a surprise

But it's not a surprise.

Do you know why?

Because he himself gave me the news.

The day before yesterday.

You know my father, don't you?

He's incapable of telling the truth, so of course I didn't believe it.

Tell me, how could he possibly know that he would go missing before the event?

Because that's what he told me, just before he left.

He told me the truth for once.

You see what I mean? - Yes, I think so.

He said the same thing to me. That he would disappear.

You're right. That can't be true.

Quick. Come. Get up there.

Yes. I'm coming.

Good evening. - Good evening.

Don Maximo, please excuse us

We were told that you have some foreigners here.

These people are under the protection of the French government.

That doesn't make any difference.

You're going with us too.

You, and the girl too. - OK.

I'll go and get my jacket. And my tie.

What was it? - I thought I heard somebody knock.

Yes, me too.

Want an apple? - No thanks.

Look.

It was taken the day he abducted me. - He abducted you?

He kidnapped me.

Of course he was my father.

I lived with my grandfather.

I had already lost my mother.

I don't know why I'm telling you all this.

When did that happen? Was it long ago?

I don't remember.

Fifteen years ago perhaps.

I must have been about 5 years old.

Not even that.

Why? - I was thinking.

Yes? - No, nothing, it's impossible.

Well... - You'll stay to dinner?

I don't want to put you to any trouble...

Please.

Please,please,please.

Riviera Martinez, Pablo Aliocha.

Solis Solis, Ernesto Ilich. Miranda del Pino...

...Maximo Lincoln. Come with me.

I hope nothing is missing.

My father sends word that you should be more careful in future.

OK? - OK.

Max.

They let you go? - Me, not him.

They're holding him somewhere.

I just realized I don't even know your name.

Cecile. - Cecile? Good.

What time is it? - Midday - Midday?

Let's go and eat, have a drink.

It's closed. - Not for me.

What did they tell you?

I mean - do you know where he is?

I know nothing. I tried to ring the consulate but it's always engaged.

Not for me.

Finally, we decided not to go down to the shelters

My father was very resilient.

Is very resilient - Is very resilient

I'm sure that right now he's having dinner somewhere...

...and laughing at us, as well.

Why do you say that? He never laughed at people

You're wrong there.

On the contrary, he enjoyed that.

In fact, I believe he did nothing else all his life...

...but laugh at the world.

I see you have some issues to resolve with him.

Did he laugh at you, for example?

Ah yes, at me. As well as everybody else.

Did you know that he made everybody believe that he was a character from a novel?

Le grand Meaulnes. - Le grand Meaulnes?

That's odd.

He told me about it last year. Without going into detail.

I mean, I haven't read it.

I asked him to buy it for me.

And when you knocked before I thought it was him with the book

That he'd picked up from somewhere.

Yes, it's a French novel

I fact, he should have been able to give it to you, he had it with him....

He borrowed it from me several months ago, and hadn't returned it.

He was strange. - He is strange

Everything in his life was strange.

For example, he met my mother by chance the day my uncle got married

And what happened was really really strange.

His fiancee left him on the wedding day.

My uncle always had extraordinary ideas

He decided that he wanted to invite everybody to the celebrations.

And that the children would decide everything.

What they would eat, the games, the excursions...

...a topsy-turvy world, you see?

And that everyone who turned up would be welcome.

Even people they didn't know.

And that's how two students from the village turned up

My mother, immediately she saw them, fell in love with them both.

And you? - Oh well...

Shall we dance? - Yes, with me. He doesn't know how to.

No, no. He's younger than me.

No, I'll dance with you both. - Very well.

And the two boys fell in love with my mother.

Both of them.

Only one person noticed.

Do you see what I see? - Yes. What is it?

I believe it's an airplane. - Is that what it's called?

An airplane. I've read about them.

What's it for? - An airplane?

Ah, an airplane is, quite simply, the future.

This airplane is called The Future? - Uh-huh

I like that.

Long live the the airplane

Long live the airplane!

And the other will write about it.

A book. I see, what about? - About all that.

Where he tells it as it was? - Yes.

When your father read it, he realized that he knew it all.

Although, I'm not completely sure. - Why not?

It doesn't surprise me.

I was certain that my father's story would turn up in a book

He was so much like a character in a novel.

He'd like to be written about.

Don't you think so?

He was a fictional hero, my father. Pure and simple.

Yes, a fictional hero.

Because what does that mean, to be the hero of a novel?

Somebody who does extraordinary things, right?

Yes, but in my opinion your father never thought that his life was extraordinary.

On the contrary, he thought that it was the lives of other which were extraordinary ....

...and he tried to imitate them.

That's what makes him a fictional hero.

I think it's the first time real meal I've had since I arrived.

"We inform people that from this moment on..."

"...it is absolutely forbidden for groups of people, or for individuals..."

"...to meet in public, or to gather in the streets"

Can I ask you a question?

A somewhat indiscreet question, one might say.

How we managed to find our way to your place, you mean? - No, not that.

That too, perhaps. But no.

You...

I want to know why- No, it's not that.

You remind me of someone.

That I knew.

A long time ago. In London.

Is that true?

Do you want to know why my father left my mother?

No, I know already, I read the book.

When you first told me about it, I didn't want to read it.

It made me afraid.

Why, is it an evil book?

Let's say that.... I didn't make the effort

Is that funny? - Yes, that's funny.

Why?

I don't know. I feel as if I already know you from somewhere.

I have the feeling that we'll pass the evening together...

...and then never see each other again.

However, we will meet again.

Do you mean that tonight we will make love...

...and then tomorrow you'll leave, and we'll never see each other again?

Yes.

At least...No. What an absurd idea.

To make love one must be... married at least.

There has to be some sort of promise. - That's what's absurd.

If you want my opinion, we'll spend the night together

And tomorrow you'll leave, and we'll never see each other again.

Why? - Because we must.

That's how things must be.

Otherwise, all this is without interest.

You said that we'll meet again, but never see each other.

That's right.

Do you mean that you will meet someone who will resemble me?

No, no, I know it will be you. You, in person.

However, I will be dead. - That's it.

Do you mean, that we will meet again after death?

No. I don't believe in the hereafter.

You don't think I'm talking too much?

I'll put on some music. It's my father's favourite.

This evening, you'll stay at my place.

Tomorrow, I'll go and talk to the Colonel.

He's the son of an old school friend.

Thank you. - Come and stay with me.

We looked for everywhere for Augustin

We received no news. Disappeared without trace.

Cecile didn't return to France immediately. She stayed with me a while.

We were expecting a child together-- a son.

And then one day she left.

And I never saw her again.

Neither her, nor our son.

What is it then? - Nothing, nothing.

Oh, yes, I was talking to myself again.

No, you were talking to me.

Anyway, I was listening to you.

What you said was very interesting.

Don't pretend. I was rambling. It comes with age.

You're not all that old.

Yes, yes, at my age one forgets everything

I detest being old.

As you like.

We should leave immediately.

Why's that?

You know quite well. Somebody wants to meet you.

Who, then? - It's a surprise.

Ah, yes. The famous surprise.

The car is waiting.

You see, I forget everything.

I've forgotten the name of my hotel. I've forgotten my room number.

That's all arranged. Don't worry about it.

Where are we going? - I already said, it's a surprise.

If it's my son, I've had 3 heart attacks, and I must avoid strong emotions.

Don't worry, it's not your son.

Do you know what I was thinking?

About my son.

And about that woman.

What did you say? - Nothing.

Ah yes, I talk too much.

You know, I had a friend...

He was like a brother to me.

But not Abel.

He could be my lost son.

What was I saying?

You had a friend

Ah yes. Cain.

What was I saying about him?

Like a brother to you, that's what you were saying

Must have told that story 63 times.

And soon, it'll hit the century.

Without seeing him.

Have to celebrate that. That's worth drinking to.

Of course, that's worth drinking to.

Well, as surprises go, it really was a surprise.

Hey...

You are very, very late!

Come in, come in.

We got caught up in the celebrations.

More or less.

You look fine. You haven't changed.

Hurry up. Let's have a drink.

Well. I'll wait for you outside.

Maria!

Where does she hide the coffee?

Maria?

How happy I am to see you again.

You haven't changed

Three heart attacks.

Three heart attacks? But that's nothing, it's just a joke.

It's the bad air. You should move here.

You breathe better here than in Santiago.

I'll tell you one thing. Here, there are a lot fewer hassles.

Come on. What are you drinking. I have a rather attractive Picot.

No, thank you. I don't drink any longer.

Aiee, what nonsense is this?!

I know what.

I'll get us a little eau de vie, while you tell me your news.

De Chia .....it's called

Yes, this is my heart medicine, Max

Guaranteed better than all your junk.

There.

May I?

Of course, of course, make yourself at home.

Your health. - Health.

Well...

Are you pretending to be old, or what?

It's normal that I should look older than you.

Not true! What does that mean?

Come on! To us! And to hell with the rest!

Good! And now. What are you doing with your life?

Well, nothing, my friend. Nothing at all.

Now there, you're wrong. Completely wrong.

Excuse me, when you have done so much with your life, you can't just stop

What'll you do then? Just croak?

It's not a matter for discussion.

You just can't do it.

Know why?

Because you're like me.

I'll tell you what you are.

You are a Treasure Seeker.

No. That's wrong.

A Treasure Finder.

Isn't that so? A Treasure Finder.

Come on. Let's have another.

Your health. - Your health

Another Boche bites the dust. Maria!

What is she doing?!

She must be in love. This is impossible.

Now I understand what it must be like to have a wife.

You haven't dined, I hope.

Oh, I don't know if I can...

Ah, yes! You have to see my photos.

Where are they? I don't see them

Now I only photograph feathered species.

You know, there are eagles around here.

Real eagles.

Nobody believes it.

Even an ornithological expert...

...claimed it wasn't possible.

So I said: look at this photo! Eh? What's that there then?

Oh, oh! Those aren't eagles, they're only like eagles.

I said OK, what's this then?.

It's not manure.

It's only like manure.

I said, if you wait long enough it will be.

I couldn't give a damn what he said!

Don't you agree?

Miranda.

If the enemy did this?

I'd go like that. - Yes.

And if he went like this?

I'd do that. - Oh la!

And then that - Oh, la!

And if the enemy did this? - I'd go like that

You had to...

Ah, I'm just stupid.

How happy I am to see you!

I hadn't laughed so much for years.

Look! An eagle.

Look! There, there!

Look!

There

There! There! There!

Goodbye.

Oh wait, I forgot.

I've got something of yours.

Oh, thank you.

We'll meet again soon, I hope.

Tell me...

You always said that...

...you were Le grand Meaulnes, weren't you?

Yes, that's the purest truth.

And...you also said...

...that the author, that was your school comrade, yes?

Yes, I did say that. Why?

No, because...

...you met the young lady in 1922...

...and the author died in 1914.

Doesn't that pose a little problem? - I know it!

And so?

Bah, that's how it is!

He was your school mate. - One might say that.

And he wrote what you would do before you did it.

Yes, it was his invention, and I acted on it.

But it was always like that, he always had plenty of ideas for me.

I have to admit, I was a bit slow when I was young.

Think nothing of it, you were the stronger.

Now I believe that you truly are Le grand Meaulnes.

You certainly merited it.

Did it go off well? - Yes, yes.

Haven't you eaten? - Yes, I ate over the road.

One eats well round here.

And now I must leave you.

The chauffeur will take you back to your hotel.

I'm going to spend the evening at Val Paraiso.

Have you got enough cash? I'm not short of money.

Well, goodbye. I'm going back to Paris tomorrow evening.

I hope we'll see each other there.

I hope so. Farewell.

Good. Now I must leave you.

It will soon be 7 o'clock.

Time to listen to the piano concerto by Rupert Salinger.

And this son of yours? You never met him?

Never.

Or rather....perhaps once.

I'm not sure.

Subtitles: Wootle, Greimas, Enkibilal