Original subtitles

I'm Greta Géteborg. - We were expecting you.

So you've come to take classes? - Yes.

Art history classes.

Why Paris?

Because Paris is Paris.

And in Sweden, you get a bit bored. A lot, even.

Do you love me, Greta?

Yes, I do.

But you have to sleep now.

You...

50,000 francs per month. Old francs, of course.

Can you even pay?

Soon.

Do you have a job?

I will have one soon.

I'II figure it out, Madame.

You'd better. And quick. Rent here is paid in advance.

In the meantime, I'd like a down payment.

That'II do.

Until next week.

Have you ever been a model? - No.

You do have a diploma, don't you?

No.

Do you think you can be a model, just like that?

Alright, I think I have something for you.

What is it? - I've brought a girl.

Madeleine Agency sent her.

Again? We don'tjust take in all the struggling models.

Good Lord.

I came looking for work.

Of course, girl. Come in. Go on.

But I'll have to see what you can do first.

I speak English, German, and Swedish, of course.

I have a baccalaureate equivalent.

And I can sing.

And play the guitar.

That's great. Alright.

Take off your clothes first.

Do I have to?

Absolutely.

I need to see your body. If you have what you say you do.

My next photo-novel is about a girl like you.

She moves to Paris and doesn't know anyone.

She has no--

So, what usually happens in this type of story happens.

I mean, in this type of photo-novel.

Lots of novels.

Lots of pictures and adventures.

Some guys are mad for it.

Men are all pigs, you know.

Young, old, handsome...

less handsome.

And ugly as hell.

You need a bit of everything.

Surely, you're not gonna stop now?

Yes. - What do you mean, "yes"?

I'm interested in these.

Don't tell me you're not into men. - Not ones that look like you.

Come on, give it to me. Give it to me now.

Leave. We don't need girls like you.

We're an honest business. Go.

Sluts. They're all sluts.

Here you go, Miss. The usual. - Thank you, Monsieur Jean. As always.

Something wrong?

There's no hurry.

No, but the rent--

It's fine, you'll pay when things are better.

Thank you.

Miss. If I can help you...

For the rent. Just once.

Food, yes, but paying the rent? No, thank you.

The girl's fit.

If she asked me politely... - But she's not the type to ask.

Foreigner? - I'm Swedish.

You must know about love.

I know love but not prostitution.

Such a big word!

Come on.

Come over for dinner.

Let's go.

Cognac? Or whisky?

No, thank you.

So, let's start immediately.

You're not here to play music. Come on.

No! No, please!

No, don't! You can't!

No!

You've made a mistake.

No.

But why?

Because I like seeing you and hearing you.

Thank you.

It's pretty, isn't it? - Oh, yes.

You're a very good singer.

Very good. Really.

Thank you, Madame. You're too kind.

You're wrong.

I'm not very kind.

Only when I please and with whoever I please.

Well, come in. Make yourself at home. I'll be right there.

Come on.

Let's have a drink.

Sit down.

Here, girl, drink. It'II do you some good.

It's so strong. What is it? -Atonic. You need it.

I'll take care of you from now on.

First, I drew you a bath.

Hurry up.

Modest?

Maybe that's my only luxury.

Quite a pricey one.

Sometimes, yes.

Let me do it. - Even that?

Especially that.

Your name? - Greta.

I'm Claude.

Was it good? - Delightful. Thank you.

I felt so dirty. - You were.

You know what we'll do now? - No.

We'll go to bed.

Come on, get into bed.

If I'm bothering you or scaring you, I can sleep on the couch.

Come on.

Goodnight, Greta. - Goodnight.

Claude?

Claude?

Claude?

My darling, I'll be back tonight. Do whatever you want in the meantime.

Best wishes, Claude.

You look so sweet when you're asleep.

This is for you.

It's too much. It's too pretty.

I can't accept.

My dear Greta, don't ever upset me.

Put this on first.

Come.

You're beautiful.

You're soft.

We look good together, don't you think?

I... I don't know.

We do. Look.

No.

Why not?

I'm not used to it.

You'll see.

It's easy to pick up bad habits.

Not tonight.

Not tonight, please.

As you wish.

Champagne? Scotch? What can I get you?

A double. I came to pay my debts.

Here comes Miss Géteborg dressed like a baroness.

Is art making you rich?

Of course not, society's rotten.

Well, have you found someone? Or has someone found you?

I mean, you've got someone. You're lucky.

You think? - You know me, Greta. I'm a normal guy.

When I find a boyfriend, I won't turn him down.

Really. Life is becoming expensive and the weather is shitty.

So, whilst we wait for better days...

Alright, good luck, Miss.

Only do bad things if you enjoy it. Or if it's absolutely necessary.

That guy's mad.

Yes. But like all madmen, he speaks some truth.

Come on.

Blow your nose.

You're sick. I'll make you better.

I'm not sick! I'm tired!

Yes, tired! Tired of life and tired of you!

Drink up.

What is it? - Drink up.

Now, come to bed and get some sleep.

You sure need it, my poor darling.

Last night wasn't a dream, Claude.

No, it wasn't.

It was...

better than a dream. It was...

What's wrong, darling?

Tell me what's wrong.

It revolts me.

Greta...

Greta...

Am I your first mistress? - Yes.

You're a gifted student.

Why are you ashamed?

Not ashamed.

It's more discomfort.

And to me, that's not what love is.

What do you need, then?

A man I can love.

You know nothing of life and love.

Love should be a perfect match with another.

You're alike, yet different.

Nice theory, but really...

Really, it's when they make you happy.

Having children together.

Lots of lovely children, so there's a lot of love to receive

and to give.

You understand?

You rely on a fantasy man.

He's not real. - Yes, he is.

No.

You've never been in love? - Never.

But you were loved.

I mean, you're not a virgin.

No.

So... - So what?

Nothing. Please forgive me.

You know the story about the source? - Yes.

It's about me.

I was a rich-looking girl.

I was raised by nuns.

Because of this devout education, I hated conformist principles.

I had normal friendships like girls my age.

But I didn't like boys.

And I ignored men.

To me, they were stupid and rude.

One day, in the woods by my parents' estate

I was walking with Agnés.

Agnés was an incredible girl.

So sweet, so blonde. Like you, Greta.

It's her I must be looking for. Her whom I see and love in you.

The night was approaching fast. We were lost.

We ran into some men.

Poachers, I think.

Agne's wanted to go the other way, as if she was scared of something.

But I was too proud.

I asked the men for directions.

They looked devious.

It all happened very quickly.

One of them grabbed Agnes, and the other two got me.

I ran.

As fast as I could.

Iran so fast.

But they caught up to me and I fell.

One of them grabbed me.

They took off my clothes. They defiled me.

They defiled me.

So much that a whole lifetime wouldn't be enough to cleanse me of it.

Then, something grew in my belly.

Something monstrous. - A child?

No. You couldn't call it that.

It was a discomfort, a sickness.

A great sense of disgust.

What did you do? - Nothing.

My body didn't want it.

It discarded it in a pool of blood.

It was awful, Greta.

Awful.

But there was something worse.

Agnés...

They didn't kill her?

Worse.

They turned her into a whore.

Agnés screamed too

but with pleasure.

She has lived for it ever since.

Finding in a stranger's arms what she felt then.

We were such nice girls.

She became a whore

and I became a lesbian.

I understand.

I don't need a woman. I need a goddess.

The embodiment of beauty.

And at the same time, disembodiment.

A mix of sensuality and mysticism.

Like that girl over there?

Yes.

She has a bit of what I'm looking for.

Bring her to me. - When?

Now. I'll see if she can be my Venus.

Come on, be brave. I'm going home.

Waiter.

What do I owe you?

Sorry to come up to you like this.

Maybe I'm bothering you.

Whilst I'm reading classified ads?

Are you looking for a job? - Something like that.

Would you like to model for a painter?

It depends on whom. - Mathias Decas.

Like that. Thank you.

Hold the pose, Miss.

New girl.

Turn your face to the left.

We give nothing when we don't give our gaze.

That's it for tonight. Thank you.

Are you going or what?

Sorry.

It was about time. I'm meeting someone in ten minutes.

You see how the new girl looks at him?

If she thinks she's got a chance...

Should we tell her?

If she's not smart enough to figure it out, that's on her.

You ready? - You ready or what?

Wait.

There's the cash.

You need it? Thank you.

There's never enough of it.

Your half-day. Here's 300 francs.

Good pay, isn't it?

Not too tiring? - No.

Well, take it.

See you tomorrow, right? Sure? - Sure. See you tomorrow.

Your name's Jean? I like it.

I'm Greta.

She's great, isn't she? - Who?

The new girl.

She can't hold a pose.

But she doesn't look like a cow and isn't vulgar like the rest.

Come on.

A bit of black caviar, the one you like.

A bit of truffled foie gras, the way you like it.

A small bottle of vodka, the brand you like.

Didn't you want to eat at the Chinese restaurant?

Yes, but that's for you.

Because I know that you like having dinner here with me.

Who paid for all this? - No one. I earned it.

You? - Absolutely.

And I got you this.

It's for you, Claude.

Liar. You don't know how to earn money.

Or maybe you sold yourself.

For this.

Who paid you? And to do what?

I modelled for Mathias Decas.

Decas? That faggot? You're mad!

Oh, he's...

You fool.

To think of the pigs that will lust over your body, painted by that faggot.

Claude.

It's disgusting.

You disgust me. - Good. I'm disgusted with myself too.

Not from working, but from having sex with you.

All because I'm lodged, put to bed, tucked in, fed, stuffed, laundered.

Get out.

If you knew how sick I am of you.

Of this life, of this room. Of everything.

Keep your dreams and your unhinged habits.

My next painting will feature a man.

There's nothing more beautiful than a fine man.

Eyes forward.

Raise your arm a little.

Are you tired already? - It's been hours.

Only an hour.

I could look at you and draw you for days on end.

Alright, go. - Thanks.

How young and pure you are.

You're handsome.

And educated.

Confident, smart.

It's simple.

You're everything I aspire to be.

What if I said the same thing about you? - You'd be mad.

Mad. Yes.

Before you, I thought it was wrong.

What's that?

To be like we are.

I mean, that two men being together was wrong.

Nothing about my love is wrong.

Those that criticise us don't understand.

They don't know.

So many people, though?

The world is full of ignorant people and fools.

I'm happy to shock them and defy their opinion.

All I care about is knowing that I made love sublime.

And that you made me happy.

Without you...

I hope you never blame me

for this happiness I gave you.

If you were Rimbaud and I Verlaine...

You're Ronsard, and I'm your pageboy.

You...

You...

If I hadn't been back in time...

What were you trying to prove?

Nothing.

I wanted to die.

Miss.

Don't stick your chest out. It's vulgar.

And I hate everything that is ugly and vulgar.

Especially in a woman.

I was so scared.

Why? - Because of you.

I was a bit late. - Why?

Now, whenever I'm running late, I wonder what else you'll come up with.

A week ago, it was gas.

Two days ago, it was pills. - I made a mistake.

I wanted to sleep. That's all.

To forget that I'm alone.

Because I can't live without you.

You understand?

That scares me. - Me too.

Guess what I got you.

I never know with you.

The smaller it is, the more expensive it is.

Darling, lose that middle-class mentality where the cost of things is so important.

But it's...

A wedding ring, darling.

Greta.

Greta.

Greta!

Who are you cheating on me with?

But... - You're not here with me.

You're elsewhere.

Where? With whom?

A man.

Not Mathias, then?

Or his silly little assistant?

You hurt me, Greta.

The assistant...

That lousy character who has his boss' vices but none of the talents.

I watch you two. You and this Jean guy.

How dare you?

Greta, please. - How dare you?

Greta...

With love, anything goes.

I love you. And you belong to me.

No session tomorrow.

He's leaving for Rome tonight. - He's going alone?

Yes. Why?

No reason.

Are you going out tonight? - I am.

Aword of warning, I'm not coming home. Not early anyway.

You're warning me?

Just like that? So coldly?

Yes, I'm just warning you, Claude.

We're not married after all.

I thought we were.

You were wrong.

Are you that scared of me?

You don't scare me, but...

But a woman has never... - Then I'll be the first.

Jean.

Listen.

I need you.

If you want money, Greta...

a down payment...

You're sweet. But you're a fool.

Or you're pretending.

Do you have a light, please?

Thank you.

We're not doing anything wrong, Jean.

If Mathias knew you'd come, that I let you...

Would you do something for me?

Yes. - Let's drop the formality.

It doesn't hurt.

If you'd like, Greta.

Should we play some music?

Let's drink, and dance.

Well?

Beautiful, isn't it? He loves it.

Beautiful, but you can't dance to it. Don't you have anything more modern?

Yes, wait.

Bit strange to dance to that.

He loves it. He says that...

What's wrong, Jean?

I... I'm sorry.

Your reaction is normal, isn't it?

It's not.

I mean, that hadn't happened since...

Since?

Why bother explaining?

It's ancient history. Happened when I was young.

Were you in love with her? - Madly.

Thank you.

I wrote to her every day.

I waited under her window. - What about her?

Her?

Her modesty was all she cared about.

It's important in provincial towns.

So?

So...

I agreed.

But I said, "No love without marriage."

She didn't want to get married? - She hadn't even been divorced.

How old was she? - Forty.

I can understand her. Poor Jean.

I was ready to do anything for her. To give my life.

But you came out of it alive.

I did.

But it made me sick and sad.

Then, that's it, I've cured you.

It's not that simple.

There's... - What now?

Him.

Oh, him...

I was ready to do anything. - He took advantage of it.

He cured evil with evil. - But he loves me.

Love isn't wrong. - This love is.

It's unnatural.

You don't understand what I owe him.

Oh, I do.

I understand.

Slut! You little slut!

I'm telling you, nothing happened. - Liar. I followed you.

It's got a funny taste.

You're not trying to poison me, are you? - Drink.

I don't care anyway.

I don't care about anything.

Jean...

Jean...

Jean...

Jean...

Jean...

Back already?

You didn't waste time waiting for me.

Here you are dancing to heathen music.

You weren'tjust dancing, though.

No. I...

talked about you, Mathias.

About us. - To yourself?

To Greta. The girl who... - I know.

She's a really nice girl.

Quite respectable.

Well, be careful.

Careful of her or of you? - Both.

You stand here.

There.

And you, you look here.

You, stay like this.

You, grab her hips and look at her. Intensely.

There.

You'll have to hold for two hours.

You, not like this. Arm up.

I said up.

Arm up, but graceful.

Are you going to hold it or what?

Can't you stay still?

Look at that pose.

You've lost it again.

No, leave it.

Leave. Leave the group. I don't want to see you any more, Miss.

Pay her and let's be done with it.

We don't need girls like her.

That's it for today.

See the new girl?

She had it coming. - Should have seen her!

Why are you so unfair?

Why are you defending her?

It's the first time I've been disappointed in you.

And you, that you use that tone with me.

For a girl like her...

She's a nice girl. - How do you know?

Isenseit

Come on, let's go home.

Leave me.

I'm really sorry. If you need anything...

Like what?

Money.

You really want to look after me.

With your friend's money.

Yes, I need you, Jean.

I feel a bit lonely.

And lost.

Don't you?

There's no shame in it, you know.

But you have to deal with it.

Do something. - Yes.

Like what?

Come.

Jean, I love you.

I love you, Jean.

What's wrong?

What are you saying?

I was saying that I love you.

See? A man and a young woman.

The most beautiful thing in the world.

Greta... If you only knew...

The first one to speak after making love always speaks nonsense.

How handsome you are.

I'm happy.

I can 't stand brunettes.

I don 't know if you can tell

but sometimes, I'm a bit shy.

So...

I let it happen.

She took me to a hotel.

A crappy one.

You should see how she spoke to me. Not even nicely.

Not even politely.

Payment first, service after. This isn't a café.

But you tip, like a café.

Should I take all my clothes off?

As you... As you wish. - No, it's as you wish.

But naked is extra. Well, yes or no?

I hope you'll loosen up. I'd have brought my knitting otherwise.

Jean, am I the first?

Yes.

No, I mean...

I tried with some girls

after that woman broke my heart.

And it didn't work?

No.

The first was a brunette.

I can't stand brunettes.

Well? - I've got nothing to say.

But I want an explanation.

There isn't one.

Leave me. - Jean.

Watch out.

I'm capable of anything.

You're mad, Mathias.

Yes, I'm mad.

Go.

Get the hell out.

Greta!

Oh, Jean!

Well then? - Well...

Tell me. - I'll tell you everything, dear sir.

Surveillance allows us to provide you with any details you need.

Your friend...

regularly meets up with Miss Greta Gc'jteborg.

A Swedish native who has been living with Miss Claude Collet for three months.

Good family, rich, but...

But what? - Well...

She's got a reputation. Some peculiar affairs.

You mean she's a lesbian? - Miss Collet is, that's for sure.

For Miss theborg, it cannot be excluded.

Alright, go on. Tell me where they meet.

In a hotel. Near I'Etoile.

Here's the address.

Oh, Jean...

What's wrong, Greta?

What about you?

He caused quite a scene.

Mathias, I mean. - As per usual.

I gave you everything. I taught you everything.

I never even wanted what others would have asked of you.

You don't know what I'm capable of.

I told him that I didn't care, that I wanted to live my life and be free.

That I love you. So...

So what? What did he say?

You love her.

You want to live with her.

Do you even know who she is?

Aslut! - Shut up!

A dirty dyke. - Shut up! Don't you dare!

She's a nice girl. - A nice girl?

A nice girl...

Greta, my love, why did he say that?

Because it's true.

Awoman gave this to me.

She did for me what Mathias did for you.

The same good and the same evil.

They got us out of a bad situation and put us in an even worse one.

They gave us a bed, fed us, and loved us as well.

In exchange for our youth.

And our freedom.

What does she say? - Same as him.

She made a scene.

I got blame and threats.

Suicide threats.

For me, it's murder threats.

Be careful, Jean.

And you be careful with her.

Jean...

Do you still love me?

It's just another worry for me.

I'm jealous.

That's wonderful.

So, have you made your choice?

Her or me?

Her.

You don't believe what I told you about her?

No.

I know it's true.

And you still say you love her?

I do love her.

What if I said that she-- - Say no more.

There's no need.

You despise me. You hate me.

Not at all.

But I'm leaving.

That part of my life is over.

Stop!

Hello?

Greta?

Please hold.

It's for you.

Hello? This is she.

What? Jean?

I'm on my way.

Hello? Don't hang up. Who is this?

Oh, it's you.

You killed him.

He's going to die.

Really?

What if he pulls through?

I understand.

You'll let it go.

Jean...

Did you call a doctor? - No, he refused.

You'll be up and about in two weeks.

But he needs calm. A lot of calm. Do you understand?

And you must alert the police. You know that.

No, Doctor.

It was an accident.

I'm sure.

But we must do things by the book.

Whilst I give him a shot to sleep, you should...

This is all your fault. - My fault?

If you didn't exist... - You're to blame. You did this.

I won't be able to work without him.

Or live.

You'll have to.

If you take him from me, I-- - Don't you think you've done enough?

Hello?

Who?

It's for you.

For me?

Hello?

Thanks for checking in, Claude.

Yes. He's gonna be fine.

Thankfully.

He'll be fine, too.

I mean, he'll get by.

Listen to me.

Hello?

Claude?

You see, Greta, I screw everything up. Even my death. I'm unlucky.

Shut up.

If I were dead, you'd think about me more.

Claude. - But alive...

It's hello and goodbye.

Claude?

Claude, look at me.

Don't worry, I'm right as rain. - You won't try again, will you?

Really, you're not worth it.

What I must look like...

Are they going to keep you?

What do you think? For them, I'm a hopeless case.

I asked to be transferred to a luxury asylum in Saint-Mandé.

I'll make an impression there.

That's life. I mean, my life.

Already? - I have to go...

Jean? Of course.

Poor Greta.

Nurse to an old and a future love.

Go, then.

Greta. - What do you want?

I want...

I want you to keep it.

For you to look at it and not think badly of me.

Mummy!

Foryou. - Oh, nice, sweetie.

That'II make Daddy happy.

Where's Daddy? - He's coming to pick us up.

VVhen? - Right now.

Excuse me, Miss.

Rue du Four, do you know it?

Do I know it?

There, take this bus, and get off at Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

Thank you.

What's this? - Behave, darling.

That's alright, I love children.

Where have you come from? - Gare du Nord.

And before that? - Denmark. Why?

No reason.

Daddy! - Come here, darling.

Have you been good? Eh?

Come on, sit down. - Mummy is talking to a lady.

Greta! We're late!

Good luck. And be careful.

I had to wait for my boss. That's why I'm late.

Sorry.

What are you thinking about? - That girl.

Yes, who was she?

- Huh?

Me four years ago.

You've changed a lot since then, Greta.

Thanks to you two.

Without you, without him, I don't know who I'd be.

And without you and him...

By the way, what became of Mathias? - Nothing.

He's still Mathias.

What about Claude? - Claude is still Claude.

She won't change either.

People like them deserve more pity than blame.

In the end, life...

real life, they don't know what that is.

No. They don't know how easy and wonderful it is.

You, me, him.

Us.

THE END