Original subtitles

ONE SINGS, THE OTHER DOESN'T

You waiting for me?

Sometimes people give up.

Just put in a bell.

L've never seen pictures like these. Are they yours?

Yes.

Such sad women! - Sad? No.

They're all unwed moms, widows, women beaten or abandoned.

No, they're neighbors willing to pose.

L'm willing to wait. - For what?

For them to tire of posing.

Then they let themselves go, and they're just there.

They're beautiful pictures, but they bother me too.

This one with the kids - I used to know her.

We were neighbors five years ago on rue du Maine.

But she got into some trouble and disappeared.

I always wanted to find her again, but my parents bad-mouthed her.

She was nice...

but not sad like that.

Maybe it's my fault.

You weren't very flattering to poor Suzanne!

I wonder where she is now. - She lives with me.

The kids are ours.

Damn! I really put my foot in it! l'm sorry.

- You still live on rue du Maine? - Yes. And you?

15 rue Fermat.

15 rue Fermat?

L'll go see her. Tell her Pauline from the third floor.

Good-bye.

Men, don't come in so abruptly.

Concentrate. That goes for everyone.

Try harder.

If only it meant a school credit.

I just wish it meant money.

H/} Mom.

Hi, Dad. - Hi, sweetheart.

You'll ruin your appetite.

An apple a day...

- How did choir go? - Hallelujah!

- School? - Same old stuff.

Philosophy's a drag. So is getting a diploma.

Drop out and be a salesgirl on your feet all day.

You know I want to be a singer.

Sure, but finish school first.

With no education, it's marriage or prostitution.

- Not much difference. - She's crazy!

Go wash up. lt's time to eat.

Remember Suzanne, the shoemaker's niece?

Yes, she got into some sort of trouble.

- I saw her. - You did?

Her picture. She looks 30!

L'm not surprised. She started at it too young.

You see...

Jéréme doesn't get it.

He's in his lab...

making print after print all day till he's satisfied.

And the women he likes to shoot are usually broke.

No one buys his pictures...

so he gives them away.

He earns very little.

Why don't you work?

With these two?

And do what? I have no skills.

And the neighborhood daycare is full.

They're sweet.

Mathieu is.

But Marie's withdrawn.

Probably my fault.

I lost the -

I often feel like crying.

You have to do something. Talk to Jéréme.

Talk to Jéréme?

It's hard.

He's tired.

He smiles in that way of his, and I just stop talking.

I don't even dare tell him l'm pregnant again.

You're pregnant?

Can't your folks help? Where are they?

In Soisson. They refuse to see me.

- Your aunt? - Same.

What a mess.

How far along are you?

About two months.

Don't cry. You have to get an abortion.

How? lt's not that simple!

We'll find a way.

I can't tell Jéréme.

They're his kids too!

Want rne to talk to him?

YQU?

How old are you? - Just over 17.

I feel like l'm 100.

How old are you really?

Twenty-two.

- Go on. - I will.

Mrs. Carlier?

In class you said free will is not just a philosophical or moral concept,

but a reality demonstrated in concrete situations, even political ones.

S0 free will is philosophy in action.

Can you help me? I have a friend who's pregnant...

but can't keep it. - ls it you?

No. She has two kids.

But l'm not a doctor.

Maybe you know a name or an address...?

No, l'm really sorry.

Good-bye.

It didn't work.

You thought she'd point you to an abortionist?

Some girls in choir might know.

Tell me... would you know a good “address”?

- You're pregnant? - A friend is.

It's not simple.

There's a woman, the concierge at 24 rue Saint-Séverin.

L've heard that address often.

- You know her? - N0.

- She does it all? - Right! She inserts a probe.

The rest is up to you. - I said it's not for rne.

Fine! She charges 20,000 francs.

Or there's Switzerland. - I know.

But you have to take a test and give 'em a hard-luck story.

If they agree, it's cheap.

If not, a doc who'll do it is expensive, plus the trip.

See you. - Thanks.

He was stupid. He bought his car on credit.

I got a 13 in English, but no math grade yet.

You're late as usual.

Just eat without rne.

A family has rules and hours...

or it's just chaos.

Cheese, please.

Clean off the table a bit.

You and your cleanliness.

Be sweet and put the coffee on.

L'll d0 it.

l'm “sweet”...

if I follow your “rules and hours.”

Long live the family!

All we ask is some respect for those who gave you birth.

I didn't ask to be born.

You didn't even know how to prevent it!

You asked for that!

Studying philosophy gives you no right to insult us.

Go on! You won't be boss over me much longer.

- Stop it. - She's full of hot air!

The parent system is no good.

Dad grumbles while Mom's sweet and silent.

Or else Dad passes the peace pipe while Morn hollers.

Parents are no fun.

- Being an orphan is? - I didn't say that.

Wait till you have your own kids.

I have other plans.

By the way, the choir has organized a weekend trip

to sing in an abbey near Avignon.

It's 20,000 francs. Can I go?

I got this. But a Swiss abortion costs more.

You're really kind.

Can Jéréme get some more?

From whom? His wife? She hates him.

Understandably.

Yes, of course.

Why don't they divorce?

She refuses just to get at him,

so he can't legally be father to our kids.

Hi, gang-

How you doing?

Listen, that woman on rue Saint-Séverin...

will 20,000 be enough? - That's too risky.

Tell Jéréme to find the money. l'll watch the kids.

- You will? - School's out from the 22nd to 24th.

Then it's Switzerland.

You have to look sad and cry for the medical board.

There are four of them, Hkejudges.

Looking sad won't be hard.

But Jér6me's in a bad way.

I could never have left the kids with him.

He can't do a thing for them except love them.

Listen...

he asked me if you'd pose for him.

He couldn't ask you in person

because you knew about my situation before he did.

So what? We're friends.

So you will?

Yes...

but l've never posed.

It's not working. They're no good.

What? l've been here two hours,

and you've taken tons.

You're too guarded.

Yes, you are.

I just don't have that overwhelmed look you like.

I won't be a victim, even for a picture.

You're being nasty.

You just refuse to be real.

What l'm after is Woman... in her naked truth.

You want rne to pose nude?

Even that may not help.

- Where? - Over there.

It's that sense of surrender,

the secret of life you women have within you.

It's a weighty secret.

That'll never work.

It's my fault.

I apologize. I can't do it.

I don't know what to think. lt's as if I weren't a real girl.

No, it's not that.

You just baffle rne. I don't understand.

You'll never grow up, sweetie. You have aspirin?

L'm not going on a desert trek.

Want rne to come along?

L'm so unhappy that you - - l'll be okay.

Everyone tells rne they do a good job.

L'd never let you go anywhere else.

No matter the cost.

Go inside.

Hello.

L'm looking for postcards of Avignon abbeys.

/'// see.

Hello, crab app/e.

How are you?

Then go get your bear.

Good morning.

You've been awake a while.

Sit down there.

We'll all sleep together.

You're very sweet.

- You're up? - André, you promised!

- Let him blow his top. - That won't help.

You and your lies.

We traveled 1,000 miles to hear you sing at Avignon.

You'll pay for this.

Why would you lie like that?

- To get money. - You could have talked to us.

For an abortion. You'd never understand.

What?

Suzanne needed an abortion and had no money.

This is disgraceful!

L've had enough! - Me too. l'm moving out.

Calm down, honey.

No, I don't want to.

- You 're a minor. - /'// send word.

Your f/na/s are /n three months. You gonna study /n the street?

Get your d/joloma like normal people.

N0 more school for me.

l'd rather sing in the streets than be “normal.”

No one's going to say you left home broke.

Here's 40,000. Your whole class can have abortions.

You obviously don't know the rates, but thanks.

You disgust me!

How could this happen?

What did we ever do to her?

- Sure he won't mind? - We'll manage.

Gabriel will be delighted. Two girls at the same time!

That's his dream! - lt's not mine. He'll be disappointed.

It's all just talk.

Nice place.

Gabriel did it.

L'll make paella. Our maid taught me how.

And I have a little money for food.

And we'll earn some.

I went by the studio. We're hired!

- When? - We record Thursday.

You think I should finish school or drop out?

School's no use in music.

Drop out!

They're getting into everything!

They're not here often.

Are you all right? You're not too tired?

No, not very. I just really wanted to see you.

I feel lost.

Fight. You have to fight.

- If you can. - You can.

You have strength enough for the kids, for me,

even for the other one -

I mean, if only I provided for us properly.

I work but I make no money.

Pauline left home. Another unsold photo.

It was no good anyway.

She was too stubborn, or I was too weak.

She's nice and all...

but I can't make concessions. No more kindness, no smiles.

Her smile has helped rne a lot.

But it's you I want to be with.

Come for a walk with us?

No, the sadness in people's eyes is too much.

Don't say that.

L'm tired too. I feel so alone.

Don't you trust in me?

I feel like a poor and lonely mute girl. l've cried too much.

L'll try again.

I found a job, knitting at home for a children's shop.

You're brave.

I have to take them out.

And I have to develop

a customer's lousy shots by 6:00.

See you later.

- You have to forgive rne. - For what? Whose fault is it?

I don't understand any of it.

That's enough.

Are we ready? Let's go.

Stop clinging t0 me like chewing gum, baby

Hock and r0// is for a man t0 p/a y

80 step aside, baby

And let me sing with my buddies

And clap t0 the beat

No, the backup's all wrong.

I see we have new voices. Hello, ladies.

Gabriel, say hello in your deep voice.

Very funny. Let's take it from the top.

Marie!

I just got paid for my first doo-wop session.

I made some money.

- Gmm! - We'll celebrate. My treat.

Cookies, ice cream, or candy?

No, I don't want any.

L'm surprised!

Listen, I went past the shop. It was closed.

L'd better go by.

We'll go in the back way.

Ifslocked.

We need the key.

Don't worry. Maybe he's asleep.

Could you try the back window?

The window's closed.

Break it.

- Really? - Yeah, go ahead.

What's going on?

I don't have a key.

Me neither.

He's in there.

Well?

He hanged himself.

Did you say he hanged himself?

We have to call the police.

Quick!

That's him.

Tell them to get him down.

This story's about a cat named Purtykat...

and a blue teddy bear.

Those two pals met on the street...

and decided to go on the merry-go-round.

He was miserable to the very end.

He wanted to be cremated.

He didn't even get that.

It makes rne sick.

What'll I d0?

Stop it. Let's go.

You poor thing.

He was such a nice man.

Thanks for coming.

What will you do now?

Go back to my parents' farm.

Then we'll see.

The tragedy that had made the g/r/s close fr/ends

now abrupt/y separated them.

Suzanne sold her belongings anoj with her children,

fled Par/s and Jéréme 's legal widow,

who was trying t0 saddle her

with all the b/l/s from the stud/0.

She arrived at her parents ' home,

who gave a co/d welcome to their “lost ch/Yoj ” an unwed mother.

l/V/th nowhere else t0 g0, she stayed.

Then she had time for her tears.

Shocked by Jeréme 's death, Pauline cr/ed I00...

seeing in Suzannee tragedy

the same anguish Pauline saw 0n faces a// around her.

She sang. She began t0 change.

Her parents flhal/y gave her money t0 rent a room.

She put up a map,

hop/ng t0 f/nd the v/Y/age Suzanne had mentioned

Time passed.

Ten years later...

Suzanne and Pauline were both fol/owing the trial

0f a girl 0f 76 who 'd had an ab0/1/0n.

Many 0f those fighting the abo/T/on laws

gathered outside the Bob/gm y cou/thouse

where the closed trial was held

in October 0f 7.972.

The girl was acquifleaj beginning a series 0f reforms.

LET US HAVE KIDS WHEN WE WANT TO

Free Marie-Claire!

We've all had abortions. Put us on trial!

L'm with Family Planning.

It's a closed trial, ma'am.

A closed trial!

You can't go inside, ma'am.

It's Giséle Halimi, Marie-Claire's lawyer.

You have no right to keep them out.

The verdict is public by law. Let them pass.

Neither Pop nor pope

Nor doc nor judge

W/l/ la y down the law for me

Biology isn 7 fate Pop "s laws are out 0f date

My body is mine

And I know

When I want t0 have

My young

T0 have any young

In this 0/d world

T0 be round 0r flat

The choice is mine

My body is mine

Be you a whoring Mary 0r a virgin Mary

Weeping mother 0r easy la y

Damned 0r not

N0 matter what they say Be you praised

0r tossed in the hay

Hail, sisters! Hail, Marie!

What are you doing here, Suzanne?

Marie, how you've grown!

In my songs I talk about you as a baby.

That was 1O years ago. She's 13 now.

And already on the streets!

I brought her to our Family Planning congress.

Mathieu is on a school trip.

How old is he now?

Eleven... and very handsome.

He's okay.

- You look the same. - You look better than ever.

Come meet Darius.

Darius, this is Suzanne. I told you about her.

I remember. Hello.

- He's Iranian. - This is Marie.

Whenever anything special happened, it was always you I wanted to see.

Me too. I even spoke to you in my mind.

Let's not split up again.

But I live down south. And you?

Paris... for the past six months.

And three months with rne.

So it's good-bye already. Our train leaves tonight.

Mathieu is due back. We can't leave him alone.

We haven't even had time to talk.

I must get back to our Family Planning meeting.

Sitting in a park once, Apple told me about you.

It felt so real and detailed

that I thought you'd pop out from behind a tree.

But you've told rne nothing so far. How did you meet? Where?

I was getting an abortion.

We met in Amsterdam.

And then again in Paris.

Are you married, or single, or what?

Unmarried.

The kids and I get along fine.

I had an affair, but it didn't work out.

I know what you mean.

What else are you up to?

So much to ask, so much to tell.

I thought l'd never find you, and now that I have -

The crowd is pushing you aside.

- Let's write, okay? - Yes, long letters.

Let's meet soon.

L'll write you at Family Planning.

Suzanne thought 0f Pauline - now '54pp/e”-

and wanted t0 tell her about her life

because 0f what the y'0' been through years earl/er.

Seeing you moved me s0 deep/y, / cou/dn 't talk.

The past 70 years all came back t0 me,

wintry years 0f silence and spite.

Bu! how can I descr/be frozen time ?

The kids d/dn'! sense a thing.

They loved the country and the an/ma/s.

Mar/e grew up cheerful and Math/eu strong.

That was good.

I tried not t0 feel 0r see a thing.

I just wanted t0 hang 0n, t0 survive...

me and my kids.

Soup's on. Call your little bastards.

Time to eat, darlings.

Look how nicely Marie eats.

App/e thought about Suzanne I00.

/ got overexc/ted at the demonstration.

I talked I00 much.

So I know nothing 0f whatie going on with you.

I wish you were with me in this lousy truck

with these girls lmet in '68.

They were singing in the street. The y're great.

We have plans.

We 're driving t0 a gala in a no/Thern suburb.

A 'ya/a'? You should see it.

N0! a nanny

Nor a granny

Nor a fanny

/'m Woman

/'m me

N0! fast and loose

Nor a house mouse

Nor a namb y-pamb y

/'m Woman

/'m me

/'m '§4pp/e”

Thatks it. We earned our bread.

Now the long drive home t0 my h0ney's bed.

- Not sleepy? - Not really.

- Wasn't it good? - Yes, very.

But you're not sleepy. I am.

L'm thinking about Suzanne.

Sleep... and you'll dream about her.

We have ten years to catch up on.

Will you tell her all about us too?

It's not that.

With her it's like love, but without the headaches.

Of course. You never see each other.

Sure, we've been out of touch,

but we don't have to start all over from scratch.

It's so easy between us.

Should I be jealous? Or can I sleep?

Go to sleep.

How can I tell about 10 years in a few words?

Ito/d you, 'Dar/us... meeting...

Amsterdam... ab0/1/0n. ”

Bu! ifs not enough.

I Want t0 real/y tel/ you how we met in Amsterdam.

lt'd be nice to see something besides this dining hall.

You know Amsterdam? - A bit.

Is there a boat ride on the canals?

Yes, l've taken it.

- Is it expensive? - No, three florins.

That's about five francs.

We could afford that. What do you say?

If anyone wants to take a boat ride on the canals...

tell rne and we'll get a group rate.

They say it's nice.

- Have they done you yet? - l'm scheduled for 2:30.

You scared?

Not really. l'm just mad I got in this fix.

In this fix?

I got indigestion a half hour after taking the pill.

And it came up with the feast.

I wish it had been a feast...

That was the day / official/y fell in love with Dar/us.

But what real/y mattered

was the tenderness /fe/t for the women there with me...

like me.

I can st/l/ see their eyes.

I thought 0f Jérome 's photos

and 0f you all alone in those d/fficult times.

Sure, I put up a good front,

but I was s0 relieved I0 be with a group.

Thafs when I wrote my first song.

I decided t0 sing in my own way

about my family 0f women there,

all in the same dorm, the same f/x, the same boat.

Gliding under the bridges 0f Amsterdam

0n a Dutch sightseeing boat

G0 the knocked-up, fucked-up lad/es

The damse/s and mam "sel/es afloat

The awkward and fool/sh madams

Sad/y abused by their Adams

We 're taking, if you please

A cruise for abo/fion-ees

The boafs not romantic

After the c/in/c

Amsterdam-on-the-sea /'// remember

Tul/jos and bikes, you see

Watching the bikes go by

We talked about the p///

About our current loves

Our children and our ovu/es

We laughed and carried 0n

Unafra/d 0f r/d/cu/e

0n a boat decked out with flags

Loaded with abo/fion-ees

In her teens 0r in her 40s

/t's the same disease

Amsterdam-on-the-sea /'// remember

Tul/jos and bikes, you see

It can't be!

It's great. Buy it.

- You have some nerve! - May I?

- Why? - For fun. For the abo/Tus.

- The abo/Tus? - lt's Dutch for “abortion.”

You don't look Dutch one bit!

No, l'm Iranian.

Then l'll autograph it for you.

“For an Iranian in memory of an abo/Tus - Apple”

Back then I thought often of your energy and resourcefulness...

and I decided t0 get me and the kids out 0f that mess.

lhad t0 make some money

and learn some ski/ls any wa y I could.

FOR SOCIAL WORKER INQUIRE WITHIN

Miss?

Thanks for bringing it!

I need it back in three weeks.

You think you'll manage? - Yes.

I want to get work at the factory, but l'd need help with Mathieu.

He's too young for school.

Show me your kids. Good morning.

But listen, you have no work history!

I never paid much attention to that.

Will you come in?

No, let's go see the kids.

I turned to you because there was no one else to ask.

Ya shoulda learned at 16, instead of cattin' around.

That's enough.

You takin' her side?

Stop bangin' on that machine!

Next it was the women at the toy factory who helped me...

with their discreet friendship and laughter.

I fe/t better.

I was accepted into the family 0f Women.

I need the rest.

What for?

Clothes and other things.

- For foolishness. - That's just how it is.

Mathieu, Marie, look!

L'm so happy! See the money?

I was so proud 0f my first pay.

Things staded impro v/ng.

A! n/ghi / stud/ea' s0 / could be a med/cal secretary down south.

The kids would have the sun and free med/cal care.

An a0' in the paper /ed us here t0 Hyeres,

into the sun and a job with a gynecologist.

Bu! he was shady,

so after May '68 I staned a Family Planning Center.

I work here pad-time.

/n the picture /'m sending...

my office is squeezed between the Winter and summer poo/s.

/ wish / could talk t0 you and show you where l/ive

lha ve n0 time t0 write.

Just a few words 0n a postcard

It was true. Though she /onged t0 tel/ App/e everything,

she never wrote the long letters the y'o' spoken of.

Bu! she and App/e built a bridge in the air...

a dialogue in their imaginations, punctuated by postcards.

And Apple r00, busy with rehearsals for her tour

and immersed in the odd group she worked with,

wrote only postcards, which was her style an ywa y.

From App/e t0 Suzanne, Suzanne t0 App/e...

the postal traffic was the s/gn 0f a deep fr/endsh/p...

rather inexplicable for two Women 0f such different tastes, character,

and social backgrounds.

Hi, Edith.

We're late.

Yes, we are.

- How are things at home? - Fine. And you?

Fine. How's Thierry?

He's fine.

Hello.

- L'd like to talk to you. - Right away.

Is this when you open now?

L'm coming!

Hi. Are you due soon?

- Three weeks. - Have you chosen a name?

Fabrice or Frangoise.

Very nice.

L/V/l/ it be a boy 0r a girl?

A diamond in the rough 0r a lift/e pearl?

A p/um 0r a plume ?

Nectar 0r nectar/me ?

What w/l/ be his fo/Tune .7 What W/Y/ be her fate ?

A prince c0ns0/10r a princess ?

A 00/77/770/76/ 0f 00/77/770/7688 .7

A little monkey 0r a donkey?

l/V/l/ he 0r she have

Limp/d p00/s like me

0r a subtle gaze like yours?

A boy with sex appeal?

A girl with sex appeal?

0h, howl wish I knew

- We can't have two pregnant women! - Stop being bossy.

They're my songs. I won't have just any old backup.

We're not any old backup.

- You don't understand dance. - I say what I think.

You talk too much. We live without talking.

I live as best I can. Put rne down.

Okay, I talk too much. l'm tired.

Let's break to eat and continue later.

- I get it. Hi, Darius. - Hi, everyone.

- When do we rehearse tonight? - I can't tonight.

- Me neither, actually. - There goes the whole thing!

Why? We just have to keep at it.

Look, we rehearse for no pay.

We're tired, and We're not even sure we'll get funding.

I want a rest. - Well, so do I.

With Darius, if you must know.

But we have to make this project work.

It's your project, so you're responsible.

The Cultural Department told me it's in your name.

So follow through.

Fine, l'll call them. No rehearsal tonight. I get it.

No money, no enthusiasm.

- You exaggerate! - Never mind.

No one noticed my costumes?

Yes, they're beautiful.

They sparkle.

They're nice.

Good evening.

A glass of apple juice.

Cinzano for rne.

This is for Suzanne.

“My fictitious pregnancy...

is going well.

We'll give birth...

to a fantastic show.

Just wait and see.

All my love.”

l'm hungry, and I want to be alone with you.

So we eat at my place? But I have nothing.

We could buy some stuff.

Let's make a real dinner.

How can I help?

Unwrap the chicken.

Darn! My call to Favier!

Go on. l'll do this.

Mr. Favier, please.

L'll wait.

He's with the Cultural Department.

- Use all the stuffing? - Yes.

Think it'll work?

Sure. Don't worry.

How do I close it up? - l'll do it.

Mr. Favier, please.

This is Apple.

Then l'll wait.

8:00? l'll call back then.

They always keep you dangling when you need them most.

Marie, see if the chicken's done, huh?

“Please, Marie.”

Please, Marie.

It's not done yet.

L'm hungry-

Then you'll wait like us.

Three more minutes.

- For the chicken? - The phone call.

- It smells good. - I have to make that call.

I hope our goose isn't cooked.

Maybe that Favier's a hypocrite.

He said we had an interesting idea. But to whom?

They say whatever they feel like.

Mr. Favier's office, please.

This is Apple. ls Mr. Favier there?

Yes, l'll wait.

He's on another line.

L/ike Dar/us. He's great.

Even / 'm amazed / fe// for an economist.

I hate economy 0f any kind.

But we 're in love.

We touch and we 're hypnotized

We want t0 ho/d 0n forever.

Yes, l'll hold on.

Once our show is 0n, life will be fantastic.

He '// work for a French company.

We '// meet daily... 0r at least night/y.

He '// be there. Love. Present.

Yes, l'm still here.

Hello, it's Apple. Any news?

It can't be! What will we do?

I know you're not some wealthy patron,

but you're leaving us in the lurch!

You liked the idea! Why this?

Can't we appeal or do a run-through for someone?

You're sorry? Not as sorry as I am!

No, I don'! understand! Good-bye!

Bastards!

We were practically ready.

The whole thing's ruined!

Apple...

crying won't help.

You know what?

In Iran, the word for Persian is “farcee.”

There's farcee cinema... farcee theater.

Everything's farcee.

Your dinner's not at all a farce.

Yes, I can cook, but I want to sing and move too,

and I can't with no money.

L'm going to give up! l've had it!

Calm down.

I have an idea.

L'll pay for a charter flight.

Come to Iran with rne.

It's beautiful and far away.

A change will do you good.

And I have to go back.

Come with me.

The desert's magnificent.

We'll be together.

- It's an idea. - Will you come?

Yes.

Eat.

80 my depadure was decided that day,

thanks t0 a Mr. Fa v/er at the Cultural Department.

I chewed my chewy chestnuts...

and thought...

'Suzanne will never f/nd me now. ”

Once in Iran, / felt I had become a postcard m yse/zi

0r an extra in an a/1sy shod fi/m.

ALSO SHOWING:

THE PLEA SURE OFLOVE /N IRAN

AN EXOTIC, ARTISTIC, AND (VERBALLY) EROTIC SHORT

IF ALL THE WOMEN OF THE WORLD...

I don't know.

Meaning what?

That's how it is.

That's idiotic!

We explained it all to you six months ago.

A doctor prescribed the pill for you.

Did you buy it? - Yes.

- But you didn't take it? - N0.

So you want a baby?

Not at all.

Why didn't you take it? Are you Catholic?

L'm no longer a believer.

Still, it kept you from taking the pill.

Maybe.

Either you believe or you don't.

You're shouting?

Yes, I know l'm being unpleasant.

These should be group discussions.

L'm yelling at a woman who wants the pill but won't take it.

- We don't yell at people. - We should!

I hate having to yell and push to make things happen.

Then don't!

You know about women's alienation.

Piling on more orders and restrictions won't help them.

True. But some days I get mad. l've been at it for years.

Then stop or change your approach.

What are you? An activist or a bureaucrat?

Change... and women will change too.

You're right. You're absolutely right.

L'm glad you set rne straight.

- And you, Mathieu? - l'm doing better.

“L'm far away. Darius has kidnapped me and I love it...

but I haven't forgotten you.”

/'m far away, ifs Wonderful here, and /'m in love.

/'ve been gone s/x months.

Time flies with Dar/us.

We 've found a place. / 'm busy flX/hg it up.

We 're in the south now. Dar/us /s here 0n business.

We 're near the desert with n0 postcards around,

so /'m writing a shod note.

I relate different/y t0 my body here.

Because 0f Dar/us, 0f course,

but also because being far away, you feel son' 0f different.

Among these veiled women /fee/ more nude than ever...

closer t0 my body.

/'m me.

lmean... more than before.

I fee/ new desires within me that are a bit mysterious.

/'m crazy about the sun here.

Give me a chi/a'.

Hey, give me a chi/a'.

/'ve gotten used t0 being alone.

Sometimes ifs hard...

especial/y since -

We/i, ihad an affair with a na va/ officer.

I liked him at first. A sailor.

He d/dn'! take care 0f me 0r the kids,

but he shook things up.

He just jumped 0n me, and he d/a' if Well.

He 'd sail of)'. He '0' come and g0.

Then lrea/ized that navy men are m/Y/ta/y men.

N0, he was/v'! the man for me.

And ifs not easy having a lover with two Ida's in the next room.

Bu! he awoke me from a long sleep

in which I wash? a woman 0r anything.

After our shod affair, lbecame a woman.

A woman 0n her own.

Such a yearning t0 be a coup/e.

l! happened. /'m married

Dar/us is so pleased,

especial/y since /'m pregnant.

And I love pad/es.

Yet the exchange 0f rings is quite poet/c.

The scent 0f the sacred mingling with sperm isn'! bad.

I liked if.

Hello there.

That's for me!

- It's not a card. - No, it's a letter.

Any news from my son?

- A postcard. - Thanks.

“Dear Suzanne, what a trip!

L'm high. l'm flying.

It's love, it's the Orient, etc.

To be continued. No postcards in the desert.

Apple, your flying carpet...”

- Doing some writing? - Hello, Mrs. Armick.

Apple, you 're s0 far away.

I can 't even picture you. /l's I00 exotic.

/'m a bit down.

Math/eu fractured his leg. It real/y scared me.

The angel leap.

I panicked

Math/eu was in pain, and s0 was /.

Luckily a doctor was 0n board.

He and his wife 100k charge and drove us t0 a hospital.

/'d noticed him 0n the boat.

A nice man, the str/ped-sh/n' type, always taking pictures.

When he put Math/eu /h his car and spoke t0 me...

- Your leg okay? - lt hurts. I feel like vomiting.

Msometh/ng happened / don 't know what.

Suzanne Galibier, with Family Planning.

Ah, I often send women to you. l'm a pediatrician.

H/s smile made me want t0 love h/m a! once.

But he "s not free. /t's over already.

A sentimental letdown.

/ must seem s0 pro v/hc/la/ t0 you with your Arab/an Nights love story.

But /'m writing anyway.

My hear/Tie being put through the m/Yl, bu! /'// manage.

Love...

Suzanne.

He came by often t0 see t0 Mat/views cast.

He saw t0 Mar/efs tonsil/iris I00...

and he '0' have glad/y seen t0 my sol/rude.

Change subjects...

and get a shot of the victim hounded by the ladies.

Don't worry. l'll get my revenge.

If we pull your leg, you'll get a second cast.

I think he's sexy like this.

Poor darling.

Not since Jérome has anyone looked at me

like Pierre Aubene/ does.

The kids adore him. Bu! ifs no good.

I don 't want t0 love him. / want t0 be comfo/Tea'.

Dearest Suzanne...

ifs s/l/y t0 be sad.

Forget your married doctor.

F/nd another man you like, fast.

And if you 0'0, send me a telegram.

A thousand Persian kisses t0 the three 0f you.

I walk along the streets.

The wome/fs World is in the markets and bathhouses.

Then there's the mens world in the streets and cafes.

/t's like two separate worlds.

The "coup/e” takes it 0n the chin.

It has me asking quest/ans.

/'ve staned writing songs again.

Here ifs hard not t0 become a m yst/c 0r a dodder/ng f00/.

0n the bridges 0f Isfahan - Ju/fa, Kha/ou, and Joub/ -

She said what? He said yes.

She sa/"oj “D0 that t0 me 0n Ju/fa”

He sa/oj “D0 it all t0 me 0n Khajou.

I '// forget about Joub/Z ”

- ls that you, darling? - Yes.

You okay?

Want some watermelon?

Is dinner ready?

Not yet. I haven't finished my work.

You could have fixed something.

I haven't finished this yet.

You can write your songs while l'm at work.

You have the time.

I write when l'm inspired.

I think I fel/ right in the trap,

in my 0'0//'s house with my melon-belly and /0 var-husband.

/'m acting starry-eyed bu! ifs no! me.

And the Iran/an l/bera/ lknew in France,

the open-minded guy, feminist in his own way,

back in Iran, 0n his home tun',

once he knew I was hooked,

became what he wanted t0 be all along:

a traditional husband

I know I didn't marry a cook,

but still.

It was downhill from there.

It was either fights 0r long silences.

As I cook up a local dish, /'m fuming.

I bitch and moan,

feeling tricked, dazeoj and a bit happy...

and total/y baffled by this devil kicking inside me

whom we await with love.

lt's better if I have the baby in France.

We have very good doctors here.

I know.

It's for the surroundings,

and for my mother.

- Have you been here long? - I didn't want to interrupt.

Just a second.

Come see me anytime. - Good-bye, ma'am.

Call rne Suzanne.

A doctor's daughter afraid to ask him for the pill.

Classic. - You going home?

- Once l've straightened up. - We could go for a walk...

before you go home.

No married men for rne.

Never again.

- Ah, so that's it. - Yes.

My kids' papers say “father unknown.” l've paid a high price.

- It's not a question of children. - I know.

L'm free.

But l'm fed up with married men.

- Do they fit? -Gmm.

Too bad we don't see Pierre anymore.

We had a bet on my first pair of shoes.

After my cast came off,

whoever said “new shoes” first would win.

Too bad. You'd have won for sure.

Mom, why doesn't Pierre come by anymore?

You're both well now, and he's busy with work.

For Suzanne things were clear, if diff/cull.

App/e final/y opened her eyes.

/n Iran she '0' only seen what she wanted t0 see:

a love story in an exotic setting.

Now she had t0 f/ee that impossible lend

0n the only carpet flying for her, a return f/ighz;

and g0 back t0 an active, tous/ed life 0f mus/c.

The prob/em was Dar/us,

whom she loved s0 much.

l'm not blaming you.

I just won't be back. That's all.

We'll talk when I get to France.

It's due around the 20th?

Let me know of any change. I leave here the 18th.

What an unusual shape! lt's pretty!

Looks good on you. They wear it like this.

Caviar by the spoonful! Want some?

Too salty.

Kids, come taste this.

They look great.

Very nice!

I don't like that. Let me see that.

Mom, can I borrow this? - For camping?

Stop kidding.

We'll show it to the Tourneau kids.

L'm not giving it back.

Don't be out too late.

It's like I have nothing to tell you... or everything.

L'll tell you something.

First, though you don't like caviar, it's a treat for me.

You look really good.

L'm glad we'll be together for your first baby.

We'll have fun.

You know what I think about often?

The look in their eyes outside Jérome's studio

while that cop talked to you.

L'll never forget that cop's face.

I Will.

That cop, the details - l've sort of forgotten.

You talk to the kids about Jéréme?

Not much. He was so unreal in a way.

But I wish you'd tell them how good he was with them.

Marie blames him, and Mathieu's confused.

They can't understand his suicide. - You told them?

I didn't go into detail.

After the shock passed, I blocked it all out.

His gentleness and anguish and fatalism. The silence.

IthoughL “Careful, don't lose your grip.”

lt's different for rne.

I loved him.

We were happy in our own way.

The hard part came later, when I was alone, without him.

It took rne years to pull out of it.

I had a hard time with men. l'd freeze up.

So things weren't great, you know.

- For a long time? - Yes.

What about your married doctor?

Pierre? I said no.

L'll wait for a man who's free.

You'd like him.

And you'll meet, since he's our best pediatrician.

- Let's have him over. - Sure, l'll just go out.

No way to avoid Morn. She wants to be here for my first kid.

Now that she's alone, she's a bit -

Know what I mean? - Yes.

When does Darius get in? - Tomorrow.

- So you're happy? - Yes...

but there'll be a scene, and I hate scenes.

Maybe not. Does your Mom know him?

Not yet.

She'll tell him all about my childhood, the trumped-up choir trip.

I was really a bitch with them.

But I wanted the money for you for Switzerland.

I never told you or anyone else...

but I never went to Switzerland.

Jéréme had sold a camera...

plus I had your money.

I thought of the rent and all our debts.

I paid them instead.

I saw the woman on Saint-Séverin. She used a probe on me.

And that Tuesday you pretended you'd been in Switzerland.

Ihadto. But that wasn't the end of it.

There were complications.

I had to go to the hospital.

L'd lock the kids in and go mornings.

There were complications.

I can't have any more children.

Did Pierre know that?

I told him. Why do you ask?

No reason.

What a mess.

We needed money so badly.

I don't even remember the rest!

I shouldn't have told you all that.

Just think about your kid.

I was just being selfish.

I wanted to talk to you and cry with you.

It's good to share things.

Don't worry. We'll have this one together...

and have fun.

As for s0 many women,

giving bin'h was a big moment for Apple.

Eyes shining and hean pounding,

she gave bi/Th t0 a boy in the blaze 0f day.

Let rne have him a while. Go lie down.

You've given rne a wonderful son.

Yes, darling.

Parviz is a nice name.

It's my father's.

And Guillaume, to please Apple.

That's a good middle name, right?

He's too adorable!

He really is.

Come in.

Hello, Doctor.

Congratulations t0 all 0f you.

l'm a little early. - Good.

We'll know that much sooner if we have a winner.

Everyone here thinks he's pretty wonderful.

- How are you, Suzanne? - Fine.

With Apple's visit, my life has changed.

Mine too. I got divorced.

- When? - Yesterday.

I don't know what one says...

There's nothing to say.

- What about my baby? - l'll give him a thorough examination.

L'll be going. Tell me everything later. Bye.

Very convenient.

The lady sees a foreigner she likes and off they go on a grand, exotic trip!

A baby's born. She keeps it and sends the father home!

Your French is impressive.

And you didn't learn 2O words of Persian!

You'll wake Guillaume!

Where could I go to learn? I understood nothing!

My sister speaks French. Not great, but still.

You could have come with rne.

I did. For months. To watch you work.

Meanwhile, I had no offers or contacts at all.

I was a singer before we met, you know.

You were tired of that.

Yes, that day you asked me to go away.

Don't mix the baby and your career. They're separate.

You took me for a fool worth no more than some sperm.

I don't like that.

I won't allow this.

L'm the head of this family.

You wanted marriage and a baby. He bears my name. I live in Iran.

L'm taking my son. Come if you want. End of story!

End of story?

L'm not going.

Hungry, my little dumpling?

Coming right up.

Find him a wet-nurse.

Or we can bottle-feed him.

It takes two weeks to wean a baby.

I can wait two weeks. My boss is gonna fire rne anyway.

Having a baby's such a tremendous feeling.

Ask Suzanne.

I was there when he was born.

But you were so panicky, you didn't help much.

Even so, I was glad you were there.

Birth is so violent and savage.

You feel like the baby's you.

Now you can take him if you want to. Be the chief.

Make the decisions.

I love this baby as much as I love you.

I love this baby as much as I love you.

So what do we do?

I don't know.

I have a great idea.

Give rne another child. That way we'll each have one.

But how?

When?

Are you crazy?

We can't even decide about this one. I leave in two weeks.

Just stay a while...

until l'm rested up.

Then, nice and easy, you give me another child.

That's crazy.

It won't work.

I never heard of such a thing.

Another crazy idea.

It's unrealistic.

Think about it.

You should come live in Iran.

No, that's over.

No more phony images and stereotypes.

That's over.

If you love me...

let's do that, and we'll each have a child.

You're crazy.

No, l'm being realistic for once.

Maybe you are...

Are you coming?

Let rne have him.

He's no problem. lt's all the other stuff.

If you change your mind, write to me.

Of course.

Now what?

I don't know what l'm doing.

I don't like leaving you or Suzanne.

L'm staying three months. lt's settled.

You two will be okay alone. I mean you three.

Right, it'll be our grand finale, fireworks and all.

Don't get melodramatic.

I do what I can. It's not much, but I try.

/'m back with the group, the girls lsang with before.

We 're taking up our bait/e song again,

but in a new style.

/'m Woman

/'m me

Neither goddess

Nor devil

Nor escapade

When you two have left,

l'll go live in the country with the group.

My life will be fresh air and music.

You say it all so calmly.

Sure, since you've promised me another kid.

Not so fast! lt's not done yet.

I can feel it. And it will be a girl.

I love you.

I love you too, even if we're the flop of the century.

80 Dar/us returned t0 Iran with five-month-o/d Parv/z.

From the a/rp0/1, a tearful App/e sent Suzanne a postcard

/t's done. Farewell, Sun.

/'ve lost a husband and chi/a'.

/'// do my best...

We 're g0/ng 0n tour. / 'n7 pregnant.

/'m happy and unhappy... App/e.

Neither goddess

Nor devil

Nor escapade

/'m Woman

/'m me

Neither fetish

Nor trophy

Nor chamberma/d

/'m Woman

/'m me

Come hear us...

tonight at 9:00.

I made you a nice little fire.

Granny, how about pitching in here?

I feel low, and I know nothing about cars.

You think we're ace mechanics?

/'m getting tired 0f winter...

cold feet, lc y halls...

a heavy hean', sick t0 my stomach.

But at least n0 more morning sic/mess,

and /'m g/ad days are growing longer.

War/Ks going Well. The Orchids and l get along well.

/t's real/y the good life.

Funny thing when you 're alone:

Happy 0r n01; you behave the same.

Yet /'m very happy.

/'ve seen Pierre again. We get a/0ng we/l.

I think 0f h/m over my coffee

between my morning swim and my afternoon at the Center,

alone at noon as usual, s/noe the kids eat at school.

He stays in Tau/on for lunch.

I feel calm and dreamy.

What a /0 ve/y month 0f March.

Hey, can you take rne along?

What's your name, kiddo?

Zorro.

That's a great name.

Wanna come along? - Yes.

So the morn walked out and left you with the kid?

Yup.

I guess you're an unwed father.

Yeah, you could say that.

Poor little dumpling.

It's okay. We manage.

Little snowball.

When you 're almost a mom

You have t0 think for two

Pregnancy is f/eet/ng

What must one do for a newborn daughter

S0 she won 7 be at a disadvantage in l/fe ?

What must one do t0 educate a son

Before he 's born ?

When you 're almost a mom

You have t0 think for two

Pregnancy is f/eet/ng

You have t0 take the bul/ by the horns

And the road as it comes, m/le by m/le

Make it all up

And don 'I be afraid

Living in the atom/c era

You must educate the chromosomes

Educate them before they become...

Men!

Pregnancy is f/eet/ng

WHERE ARE YOU?

EXCITING NEWS: PIERRE AND I ARE GETTING MARRIED.

TENDERLY... SUZANNE

Morn, where are the scissors?

On my dresser.

No, they're by my bed. For your hair or fingernails?

- It's for Mom's wedding. You'll see. - Sweetie...

pol/sh your shoes. They need it.

Sailors mean good luck!

Long live the bride!

Look at that beautiful wedding dress.

Let's go. We look like poor relations.

Like a common-law couple.

- Not common at all. - And deeply in love.

We look artsy.

- Who cares? - You d0n't?

Hardly at all.

L'll get a picture. Where's my camera?

You have to be in it.

Group pictures look so corny.

You're single?

Yes, with one child that someone else is raising.

I mustn't have another one.

No need to justify yourself.

L'm a waitress in a restaurant,

so I meet guys from time to time.

Maybe it's time you took the pill.

After I scuttle this one.

- You say “scuttle”? - Yes.

Mom, I need you to sign a paper.

L'll be right back. Elise is right there.

Nice wedding?

Super. Quick and easy. Sort of incognito.

And Morn had a ball.

- Did you have a party? - Nothing bourgeois.

We played records and Scrabble. Real cool.

Anne, come look.

- Why did they get married? - I don't know.

Maybe for his patients.

To me it seems sort of -

If he's simpatico, okay.

L'd rather just live with a guy. Anyway, that's still far off.

But no kids before l'm 25.

Where you been? We've been waiting.

Cool it. I don't like bossy dames.

Women's Lib rules.

Like it or not, pal.

DOMESTIC HABITS

She works a double shift

Poor Mom

/t's exhausting

And underpaid

Friedrich Engels once did say

That in the families 0f today

The man is the bourgeoisie

And woman is the proletariat

He was right

Papa Engels

He was right

Because at home

Man is the bourgeoisie

And woman is the proletariat

We can think about the prob/em

And talk with those we love

We can dream about it

And act and make changes

Want something to drink? l'm thirsty.

No, don't move.

What's wrong?

Marie's not home yet. She didn't say a word. The nerve!

Let her be. She needs to have a few secrets.

Why? l've never kept her from going out.

You're her mom. That's enough.

L'm supposed to let her run wild at 16 and keep my trap shut?

Calm down. Remember what you say about sexual oppression of the young

and how women must make their own decisions.

She's taken all that in. - Sure.

And she's heard tons about taking the pill.

She might get pregnant out of spite.

She's a smart girl. Leave her alone.

You think l'm a nag?

No... just a morn.

So you want to be a Chinese interpreter?

- Maybe. - What's it depend on?

I never decide in advance. I want to be sure.

Are you sure right here and now?

Not really. lt's all such a cliché.

Meaning?

A boy, a girl, night, hugs, etc...

- You're a feminist like your mom? - Yes.

- Seriously? - Enough not to fall for your schemes.

We're not always scheming. A lot of times We're for real.

Okay, fine.

- You okay? - Yeah.

- What are you scared of? - Okay, l'm scared. Happy now?

Don't be a pain. You've never slept with a guy?

- Right. - You want to or not?

- I want to be sure I want to. - Aren't you free?

When a guy asks a girl that,

it means will she put out the moment he whistles?

I hate that. Where's the fire?

- Then l'll wait. - That's right, you will.

/f a chi/d

/'m willing t0 hatch

/f one day

We have a hot love-match

/t'// be a chi/d 0f Love

/r'// be good, /r'// be right

We '// reproduce

With pass/on

Bu! if for reasons that I hide 0r show

My love for you doesn 'I sta/1 a glow

Nor an heir in me

/t's because /0 ve is sufficient

T0 both our lives as happy lovers

My bodyfs mine

Bye, Frangois. So long, Zorro.

See you soon.

So long, ladies.

Thus the river continued 0n, as did the/r chance acquaintances,

and the tour itself.

App/e wrote new songs

and quiet/y awe/ted her second chi/a'.

She received few postcards from Suzanne.

They made her want' t0 g0 see her all the more.

This is Micou and Joélle.

Now we'll sing one called “The Bubble Woman.”

We put on fake bellies for this,

except this one, which is real.

When you have a big belly,

it always provokes reactions.

0h, ifs good t0 be a bubble

/t's so nice

T0 be a balloon

A workshop for molecules

A beautiful ovu/e

A cell factory

A big fat fish

Your song's ambiguous, you know.

The “right to life” movement could sing it too.

You even make women who don't want kids feel guilty.

L'm not saying to have kids.

I say when you're pregnant you should feel things yourself...

and not listen to the church or state.

I use various images of woman

to express how I feel in songs.

0h, ifs good t0 be a fat dream

/t's so nice to be a balloon

A green tree filled with sap

A rising loaf 0f bread

A cookie with a f0/1une inside

A harvest

/t's nice t0 be a ball

lfs beautiful t0 be a balloon

Like a soft and downy hen

Like flowing milk

Like a pigeon 000mg

T0 her nestling

0h, ifs good t0 be a woman

/t's so nice

T0 be a balloon

A body 0f fire and flame

A body and soul

A peaceful body, a deep nest

A song

After the wedding, Suzanne 's l/fe continued at the pool,

the Wome/fs Center, and her home.

- How are you, Mrs. Aubanel? - Can't one live as she wishes?

Despite the sarcasm from her /eft/st daughter,

Suzanne felt comfonab/e being married

after so many years as a soc/a/ misfit

She and Pierre opened a baby swim program.

A marriage I00 was something two people made together.

Meanwhile, Apple gave bi/Th a second t/me,

in pain and exa/tat/on, t0 a girl named Suzanne.

Then she went 0n tour age/h with the Orchids.

They a// had fun raising the baby together.

App/e rolled along, //v/ng her life.

When she had the occasional b0 yfr/ehaj

she quick/y saw if he was her kind 0f man. .. 0r just a man.

She was/v'! about t0 take up with some louse.

She //ved with the group, yet alone,

alone with little Suzanne, Dar/usis gift.

One summer two years later,

for once Suzanne and App/e met

without a tragedy, b/dh, 0r pan/c.

For once i! was a vacation with friends in a big rented house.

They laughed, ate, went walking...

and made mus/c.

And they looked at o/d photos the y 'o' brought spec/ally.

They compared pictures and had discussions.

App/e was proud 0f her little Suzanne,

who had /0ts 0f aunts and a few uncles instead 0f a father.

A true family.

Ana' she dreamed 0f the day Dar/us would also come 0n vacation,

with Perv/z Guillaume and n0 doubt a new wife and chi/d.

App/e was st/l/ as optimist/c as ever.

- Who's that? - Papa.

Mar/e had changed.

She was 17 and had a boyfriend Théodore,

whom she introduced as "Théoduddy, my close buddy. ”

Joé/le and M/cou hadn 't changed.

Frangois /, from back in Bobign y, was now living with Doudou.

He sometimes went along 0n their tours.

Zorro, son 0f Frango/s //,

now "norma/ized” by school, still /ived with his unwed father.

The were constant companions during school vacations.

Mar/e was a sen/or and st/Y/ wanted t0 study Chinese.

She also wanted to be a photographer, like her father

App/e felt good.

She loved the soft summer tw/Y/ghts by the lake.

Math/eu had changed.

He was at times ve/y shy, at times ve/y trusting 0f Pierre,

who truly suited Suzanne,

a pat/en! and passionate woman.

Pierre was proof she 'd made a success 0f her //fe.

Al/ was going well for her... for them.

Suzanne also /0 ved see/ng

that App/e was final/y happy and true t0 herself

after struggling s0 hard with herself and others.

The/r fr/endsh/p flowed easily.

True, they were different.

One sang, the other did/ft.

Bu! they were alike I00.

The y'd fought I0 gain the happiness 0f being a woman.

Maybe their optimist/c struggle could he/p others -

like Mar/e, who was becoming a woman.

N0 one thought it would be easier for her,

but perhaps simpler and clearer...