Original subtitles

FILMOPTION INTERNATIONAL presents a LES PRODUCTIONS DU MOMENT production

Picture: PHILIPPE ST-GELAIS Music: DAVID THOMAS

Editing: MARTIN BOURGAULT Sound Design: BENOÎT DAME

1st Assistant Director: JUSTINE CHEVARIE-COSSETTE

Screenplay, Dialogues and Editing: RENÉE BEAULIEU

For Marc Laroche

Skin is the body's largest organ.

Touch,

the sense most closely associated with it,

is the first to develop in the embryo,

the only sense without which human beings can't survive.

Do you remember Antonio in Greece?

Yes...

We could have his house for a week.

Meanwhile, if you have other emergencies, call me.

LES SALOPES or the Naturally Wanton Pleasure of Skin

Mom, where are my soccer shorts?

I washed them. I'll get them.

Thank you.

No! Stop it! Give me that!

Marie-Claire, still free for lunch?

Do I really have to go?

Yeah, it's to plan for our retirement.

I'm not going.

You decide. Besides, we split everything 50/50. We'll grow old together anyways.

OK, I'll go on my own.

Have a nice day.

My big girl!

- Bye, Dad. - Have a nice day.

Bye, young man!

Good afternoon.

The elementary post-synaptic potential, i.e. the synaptic response,

corresponds to one channel receiver's activation.

This channel, opened by the fixation of the neurotransmitter,

generates current. Is everything clear so far?

So, the reaction of the cells to stimuli...

Sexual stimuli!

Sexual stimuli, amongst others.

- Are you enrolled in my class? - I'm auditing it.

- I'm a doctoral student. - Really?

In literature.

And you got lost?

Maybe.

- Hey! - Hi.

- Is this place new? - It's trendy.

- Trendy but fast I hope. - Relax.

Your dead skin samples aren't going anywhere.

It's OK, I'll drink it.

What are we celebrating?

- My return to work. - Mathilde, you never stopped working.

Officially, I've been depressed for 3 months. But I'm not! I'm just fucking furious.

I preferred not to take advantage of my right to a depression

by telling myself that after dumping me, D. was not going

to deprive me of my only source of pleasure: work.

Today I'm officially going back to work with a clear mind

since D. was dumped by his fuck friend/store associate.

In less metaphorical terms: "part-time fat cashier."

- I get it, you're better. - Oh, yes!

Check out 12:15.

Oh boy...

Trendy catch-of-the-day.

Didn't you have a promising start with...

Clark? Simon?

- Am I close? - Steeve.

We're off to a promising great start.

Am I not transformed? I hardly recognize myself.

Yeah.

You're all eyes for the guys, the wine... I do recognize you.

Don't burst my bubble!

I'm really drinking less now that I'm with Simon... Steeve!

I told you it's only my second drink.

- In 10 minutes. - No, this week.

It's Tuesday.

Have you started spitting your venom at your students?

I try to contain myself.

Always the same story, finding funding for research projects...

I bet they come over.

What about Simon?

Not Simon, Steeve.

Relax. It may never go anywhere with Steeve.

I don't want to get in too deep. What I want is a family.

What's this about a family?

I turned 45. My goal is stability.

And sobriety?!

Alcohol...

I don't agree.

My consumption is healthy and recreational.

- Marijuana? - Recreational.

- Antidepressants? - Curative and temporary.

- You're forgetting the anxiolytics. - Shit, Mathilde!

Can we buy you a drink, ladies?

Why not? It's sunny and it's the weekend.

It's Tuesday and it's raining.

- Mathilde. - Joseph.

- Marie-Claire. - Louis.

- Are you French? - Is it important?

Pardon?

He's sensitive about his accent.

Anyone who's sensitive should avoid Mathilde!

Joseph's always looking for a fight. He's found it!

- So he -

Oh, so you're looking for a fight too?

- Maybe... - No! I just asked about his shitty accent.

Out of politeness, because they're mostly from France.

In Quebec, we produce idiots, but not stupid idiots!

After all, I'm almost French. I've been living there for 7 years.

OK, come on, Quebecker.

- Come on. - Excellent idea!

Don't slow down till you reach the other side in France!

I'm so happy to be with Steeve!

It's not shuffled properly.

Watch your verb forms.

- Be quick about it. - OK, OK.

'Night.

Hang on.

You're not very subtle.

If you insist...

I won't do all the work, though.

So you're talking about skin, love, desire,

but what gets you going enough to devote several years to it?

I'd really like to work with you.

That's not very convincing.

I would like to find the mechanism of love in dermal cellular reactions.

Ambitious!

So you assume that cells react differently

depending on if they're stimulated by love or desire?

Yeah, I'm certain.

Aren't you?

Research isn't opinion. What'll you do?

What I wrote in the document.

Intentions, ideals,

moral claims aren't enough.

Prepare a concrete research project and get back to me, OK?

But it's interesting.

Desire in dermatology is rarely studied.

I've got a lot of proofreading.

- Angers? - No.

- It's a wonderful conference. - Then they don't need me!

Marie-Claire, I must find someone. We must...

- ...contribute. - Yes.

Justify our exorbitant salaries...

I have a new research project.

Sofia Bukowski.

- Do you know her? - Yes.

Yes, a brilliant student.

While everyone's on carcinomas,

I'm exploring a new field.

What about the proofreading?

Marie-Claire?

Are you upstairs?

I saw Katou on the corner, no helmet.

Fine education...

Adam isn't here?

In New York with Virgile, just like every year.

The guys have gone to the ballet?

A football game.

Got a date?

Listen to this.

A tall Italian with green eyes...

Could be Mr. Right.

The father of lots of kids I'll lovingly bear.

What's all this about a family?

Since when do you like kids?

- I've always liked kids. - Come on!

Katou and Virgile were 6 before you remembered their names.

- You and... - Don't say his name.

- I want a family... - ...with Down syndrome? You're 45!

- I'm still in the normal zone. - Normal?!

I have to go. You gotta make 'em wait, but not too long.

He was so insistent!

Not bad, huh!

And you're not bad either.

Can I get you a drink?

Good evening. I'll have a mojito.

Sure thing.

I was surprised.

You called me back.

I have a research project and...

I need a guinea pig.

Your mojito.

Well!

What do you say?

Sure.

- Great view, huh? - Yeah.

It's for the experiment.

You know, the experiment.

Wasn't I clear?

I thought it was a joke.

What's that for?

OK, you're collecting skin cells.

Do you accept?

Thank you for your cooperation.

It really is an experiment. Now you're going to leave?

In the end, there are only human experiments.

What exactly are you looking for?

It's complicated and confidential.

Can I get you something?

What do you have to offer?

To drink or as an experiment?

If you give me the choice, definitely the experiment.

I want to see you naked at the window.

You'll look fantastic.

Help me undress?

No.

Start with your heels.

Well?

This is very exciting.

Are you an exhibitionist?

A bit.

You?

Not at all.

That was really great.

Katou?

Why are you getting home at this hour?

Aline had forgotten her gym competition was very early.

Her dad dropped me off on the way.

- Now I have to study. - You have to sleep, too.

Where are you going?

The lab.

On a Saturday?

Yeah, I have work to do.

I'm making coffee then going.

I talked to Ludovic.

Ludovic...?

Just forget it.

Scientifically, in the skin,

Pacini's, Meissner's and Ruffini's corpuscles

and Merkel disk receptors are sensitive to pressure, vibration,

temperature,

and transmit information to the brain.

How do desire, pleasure,

and love blend through them?

So far, we just don't know...

Hello!

Thank you.

What's that?

A grant cut.

Marie-Claire decided we were all laboratory rats.

- May I? - Sure.

How was the game in New York?

Well, they lost.

I know, I heard it on the news. How terrible!

No, no worries, I'll put the wine away.

Oh, thanks.

Did you want one?

I ran into your guinea pig. What's with the arms?

A new experiment.

Don't tell me, I'm not interested!

We can't be bothering you, we weren't even talking.

Forget it.

D... has a new flame.

Another fat cashier.

Only natural.

2 cashiers in a row, it's not natural. And now it looks serious!

You broke up, get over it.

So? A cashier!

Statistically, how long do new couples last?

- 3 months. - So? That's nothing.

That's 3 ovulations lost.

You must only have a dozen half-dried eggs left!

Easy to say, you're perfect!

You're always right on the line as I struggle:

no husband, no bright kids, no family, nothing.

I consume everything that gives me feelings

and fuck indiscriminately everything I can get my hands on.

It's a test today. Auditors can't take it.

The work I told you about. Remember?

Sure. I also remember telling you I didn't have time to read it.

If you just read the first page, you won't be able to put it down.

If not, I can recycle it!

Not too much.

It has to cover the whole biscuit.

I wanted to show you this.

I'm worried.

It's a benign seborrhoea spot, Mom. There's no danger.

Thank you.

- How's your friend? - Which one?

I only have one.

Last time I didn't recognize her. She's aged!

She was so beautiful.

Can't believe they get excited over dead skin!

But the one in the grey jacket, with the beard...

Does he ever touch real skin

with anything other than rubber gloves, like his hands?

Charles?

- Yeah! - No!

Too cosy for you.

"Cosy"?!

Yeah, I'm ready for that.

I need someone quiet to start a strong family.

What happened to that guy? What was his name?

Oh, Jérôme!

Sorry for being tactless.

- It's over. - Already?

Can I get you something to drink? What do you want to drink?

Adam.

I'll go see Katou.

Don't worry, I'll take care of everything!

I either fuck or think, but never both at once.

Bye. Thanks a lot.

Get out! Out!

It's over. Go on.

Shut the door.

Shut it.

Not subtle.

No, drunk.

That's it for today's class.

Emile, come and see me, please?

What is this?

You think words can seduce a woman like me?

A scientist 20 years your elder.

Absolutely. Words can do anything.

Certainly not.

I'm a "free student."

Well, I'm not a "free" professor. And even if I were...

'Cause I'm black?

- Absolutely. - Absolutely?

You're playing with words now.

Am I being clear?

I can be clearer.

I'm ready whenever you are.

Any proofreading left?

I always put a little aside.

Crazy...

You idiot!

Good luck.

I know!

Do not disturb I'm experimenting

The sugar of your skin ferments in my veins

I'm losing my way

I can't find my bed anymore

I see yours everywhere

I'm the icy forest that bows out before everything breaks

I so want to be carried away

I resist

And my heart is covered with crampons

But there's the wind of your breath

And every station bears your name

Prep the cells. I'll come back for them.

Look.

Surprising, isn't it?

I see no possible correlation.

Is that fact or your opinion?

Good point. My opinion.

I think so. In science, what counts is what we can prove.

I'll prove love exists and is reflected even in the cellular reaction.

I'll go. I'll keep working on it.

Your project?

A little step at a time.

- Glory for the department? - Don't get too excited.

She wants to do an autopsy on love.

I prefer keeping the magic.

- Coming to eat? - I have an appointment.

An "appointment"?

You're crossing a line.

Like all theoretical lines, bounderies change.

It's a practical line.

I detest women like you.

I prefer them jealous, dependent and possessive.

I've never forced you.

You know the notion of consent.

Have a nice day.

Wait, I'll be right back.

Dammit!

I'm going.

Do we always have to sit around the table and eat grandma's food?

What's wrong with that?

It's boring.

Got a better idea?

I know.

Kissing boys!

What boy?

Shut up, Virgile!

Watch your tongue.

What boy?

It's not true.

And what if it were?

It's just weird.

You're weird and ugly, so you've never kissed a girl!

I'd rather be ugly, so I'm not with assholes like you!

Stop quibbling.

Is it true about a boy?

No.

Where are you going?

Dressed like that, you mean?

It's not a mother's dress. And you never wear it.

You're the worst mother.

No, I have the worst mother.

I'm going to Aline's. I told you.

You never listen.

Dressed like that?

I'm not normal.

Have you noticed how I look?

Of course, I can see how you look.

And who you're becoming.

You're magnificent and very intelligent.

I'm 14, Mom.

Do you realize that? I'm 14, Mom. I...

I'm 14, I'm not normal!

What's going on?

Please get out.

Get out.

You don't believe me?

I have no reason not to believe you, Sofia.

And you're not offended?

Facts can sometimes condemn beyond doubt

but interpretation of facts often gives them full meaning.

He sexually assaulted me.

You'd give up school, your doctorate and your ambitions for that?

"For that"?! As if it's nothing!

It's not nothing, but it's not everything.

You'll give it all up to prove it happened,

that it's appalling, that you're a victim and he's the culprit.

Do you think he'll give it all up?

I was sure you'd understand.

To prove I understand, should I react like you?

You're defending him!

I have no reason to protect Alexandre - or you.

You're 2 intelligent adults, you're neither defenceless nor vulnerable.

She's worn that for ages. Can't even go to a hairdresser.

I guess you're still yakking about me.

I hope you didn't say the salesman was coming on to you.

She thinks she's still sexy.

The young Laurent...

I'm not telling you everything.

What's going on?

No need to sit down. We'll stop here for today.

- Will you demonstrate with us tomorrow? - No.

But, you are with us?

What do you mean by "with or against us"?

I don't follow an "us."

They were talking about Alexandre Durand. Damn men!

Damn women!

In every man, there's a predator.

And in every woman, a victim!

Has desire become a political statement?

Right, he's your friend. Did he tell you what happened?

Alexandre isn't a sexual predator.

So, the girl is lying?

You accuse him of assault! I don't know... I can't see him doing it at all.

You've never fucked him, so you don't know.

Have you?

- You cheated on Adam! - Come on...

You cheated on... - Don't say his name!

I didn't have the perfect life, a loving husband, kids.

A perfect life! You had everything.

Poor Mathilde, a victim!

You're pathetic!

Finally decided to stop drinking?

Try your father again.

I just did. He's not answering.

Try again.

The plane must be late. Have you checked?

Not sleeping?

Waiting for you.

Sorry.

We were stuck for 3 hours on the tarmac.

I want to talk.

University?

Did you hear?

- What are you doing? - Move!

Move over.

You're crazy!

My washing will be done.

Your nice suit.

Lean back.

So, scandal?

Shocking!

People are having sex in college.

Sophie Bukowski, is she your student?

Sofia, yes.

Do you think Alexandre assaulted her?

A question of unclear consent.

According to Alexandre.

She's 25 and in a relationship.

She thinks love and sex always go together.

She did go to Alexandre's country house.

I think that once she got there, she felt guilty about her desire.

You do know that for women,

desire and sexuality is always complicated!

Alexandre got excited, wanted too much, she wasn't sure.

He's twice her age.

I think that's what she thought: he's twice my age,

so my desire is illegitimate.

Is that what's keeping you up?

No.

I'll go through the grinder too.

Why?

Because I...

I work on sexuality and desire.

I know we're not supposed to talk about this.

I slept with a student.

It turns out that he's Sofia's boyfriend.

Does it happen often?

Sleeping with students or screwing?

Answer me.

- Adam... - Answer me.

I don't get it.

Don't you?

Hey, we have an understanding.

Ask no questions.

I didn't ask, you told me.

I would never have thought you could get fucked by your students!

The kids! That's not what I'm talking about.

No, I get it, you're covering your ass.

- Should've thought about that before. - Stop it.

Did you fuck Alexandre, too?

So in the end it's you who's going to create a scandal.

No, we have an understanding. We fuck who we want

and only discuss it when we're in trouble.

I'm not asking for anything. Our understanding isn't one-sided.

I never cheated on you.

No, because we have an understanding.

I never cheated, either!

Why are you so upset?

Look, you're tired. Can we talk about it tomorrow?

Durand, clear out!!

Here.

The rest is in the cloud.

Anyway, I can't go far.

I can't leave the country.

I'm not sure I'm the right person to take over.

You are the right person.

And I'm asking you to.

I'll take over temporarily.

That's for sure.

I'll be back.

Thank you.

Hello, you two.

Are you OK, Sofia?

Under the circumstances...

I'm taking over from Alexandre.

Will you reconsider?

Pardon? Reconsider?

Your decision to drop the doctorate.

Just being here makes me sick.

So, you quit?

I'm fighting for him to get fired, not suspended!

You're a woman. How can you...?

What? I never took sides!

- Same difference. - Flawed reasoning!

I can never get hold of you.

Why have a phone if it's off?

What's going on?

I'm hungry.

Your key.

- Hey, honey. - I'm not your honey. I hate you!

Come here.

It's not working out with Ludo.

Want to talk?

Grandma made a roast, but I can make you a grilled cheese instead.

It's ready!

Good evening, Emile.

Hi.

I wanted to see you because...

I won't say anything.

I'm not asking you. You can do what you want.

- That's not why I came. - Why did you come?

It was fantastic.

Sofia wants to withdraw her complaint.

- What's wrong? - I'm OK.

I'm so ashamed.

What's going on?

- I just went in. - Where?

To his place.

- You broke in? - I had the key.

- You had the key? - He hadn't changed the lock.

I went into their room. They were both asleep.

I went in quietly.

I woke them.

I wanted to see his fat lawyer's face.

He threw me out like a dog.

Only he could father my children.

So don't have children then.

You have a life, a job, lovers.

I want a family, OK?

She even has 2 kids... the cow!

You're a lost cause!

Thanks for your compassion.

- What did you eat? - I have cramps.

If that's all it is, I want some too. Sounds like fun.

10% of stomach ache is cancer,

30% are due to eating problems, 25% are idiosyncratic,

the rest is due to emotions.

I could just have a stomach ache.

Adam Santerre, leave a message. Thank you.

Mom!

Good game, huh?

Hello.

You banging the neighbour, too?

I married a slut.

What are you doing here?

Adam found out I slept with Alexandre, so he kicked me out!

I knew it.

You're joking.

You left, of course.

Alexandre!

You could've chosen someone else.

He's charged with sexual assault. Are you crazy or what?

If you're gonna screw up your marriage,

you could have chosen... I don't know...

your neighbour.

Yes, your neighbour, the handsome Mathéo!

You'll never be able to lecture me again, you degenerate!

I can't believe you didn't tell me.

We've known each other since college. I tell you everything.

- Why didn't you tell me? - 'Cause of your stuck-up face.

- Got any more secrets like that? - None.

Yeah, right.

Chicken delivery!

I'll go in case the delivery boy is cute!

Chick-chicken!

Why didn't you tell me?

I didn't leave. I'm just taking time to think.

It's Adam's travels.

I think it's because of... some bad influences.

You're always talking about sex.

Now I take pleasure where I can get it.

The chicken!

Let's get coffee.

Yeah, pay for a shrink and talk behind her back!

I said the shrink was a bad idea.

We should fix this.

She's very good.

Yeah, really good.

I'm very impressed.

What's she good for?

Organizing workshops on managing open relationships?

I wanted someone neutral between us.

- She won't decide for us. - She has perspective.

We'll have tried everything.

"Tried everything"?

The shrink is our last option? Seriously?

Why don't we go get coffee?

Really, that's your best line? "Why don't we go get coffee?"

Socially...

we want to arouse the greatest desire

from the greatest number of individuals for as long as possible.

Yet paradoxically,

sex linked to love

is fundamentally the only one that is legitimized,

especially for women.

How's school?

When's Dad coming back?

Probably when Mom leaves!

I'm going to study.

Virgile, how are you?

You already know. We lost.

Besides soccer, I mean?

Is there life beyond soccer, huh?

Katou?

Come here.

What's wrong, honey?

- Is it about Daddy and me? - It's Ludovic.

Ludovic?

No, wait.

Come here.

I thought it was because of the situation,

Dad gone, me leaving when he comes back...

It's not the way you like it.

I'm in love.

That's good news.

You don't understand.

What don't I understand?

Ludovic doesn't want...

he doesn't want me anymore.

He's not in love.

He doesn't want me,

because...

Because what?

Because...

You know, Mom...

I'm not as little as you think.

You've already kissed him.

Not just kissed.

And not just him either.

- I don't understand. Were you forced? - No.

- Sure? - No!

I wanted to.

And so did they.

What do you mean "they"?

Well, they, the others.

It's been a while that I've...

It can't have been long, you're 14.

I was 11, Mom.

What?

I told you I wasn't normal.

- Ludovic says that... - Who cares about Ludovic?

I do.

Do you think I'm abnormal too?

It's impossible...

You had sex when you were 11?

You're worse than Ludovic, he doesn't want me either, anymore...

Wait...

He's coming back, right?

Who?

Ludovic!

I don't know.

Don't tell Dad, OK?

Promise?

I promise.

Last time you called me in the middle of the night was for Katou's birth.

Thanks for being here, Mom.

I don't know what to say to her.

I feel like I'm not a good role model for her.

She'll make her own discoveries

and her own choices, like you.

But she's 14, Mom.

The office said you were due at 7:00.

See?

I told you, nobody's home.

It's the only good thing about parents separating.

Hey! Ludovic and I are gonna fuck!

Coffee?

I'm back with Ludovic.

I'm in love.

Dinner time.

But we know the history of these two, so we're gonna compromise.

The two of us will sit at the heads.

You look great tonight.

Mind your backs.

It's the last time you come here wearing a tie.

I know it's important at university, but here,

you can't hide it, we know you're not respectable!

Excuse me.

Hello!

Oh, another incredible party!

We're back to normal.

- He came back. - Who?

- David? - Yes.

He's ready to discuss kids. It's the best day of my life.

Be happy for me.

Let me believe it.

The sole purpose of tonight's dinner

is to seduce you to sit on our committee.

- Not a 5th. - Come on, say yes.

Do you meet often?

Look, give me some time.

You don't desire me anymore.

Marie-Claire, stop it.

Are you going to sleep?

Are you back or not?

Yes, I'm back.

Well, we have time.

Imagine if it had gone to trial.

No complaint, no charge, no trial.

But I'm not coming out unscathed.

Should you have come out unscathed?

I booked at Lapierre's, OK?

I accepted the Angers University offer.

Really?

Why the exile?

And your wife?

She'll stay here. It's over between us.

We sold the country house.

What about Sofia?

I just hope those who supported her

offer her a job worthy of her abilities and ambitions.

Her boyfriend, Emile, I don't know if you know him.

I saw him at convocation.

He got a doctorate with an honourable mention.

What about you?

I gave up research on desire...

Until it all subsides.

I went back to carcinomas. More deadly, less controversial.

No flamboyant declaration on desire, then?

No, with the little research I've done,

cells don't care who or what stimulates them.

Love or not...

- It's me. - Come in.

You swear you didn't tell Dad, right?

I didn't.

5, 6, 7...

So, I can take you.

Adam, it won't work!

Hey, we settled this.

You settled it in your head.

Like you settled our open relationship,

which isn't really one,

telling yourself it wouldn't happen, I wouldn't do it.

But I wanted those liasons. They weren't accidents.

I screw men, but I love you.

I want to live my life with you.

Fuck!

I've told myself for weeks I have to stop these experiences.

I try to convince myself, but...

It always comes back to the same question:

why?

You're asking the wrong question!

It's not "why" but "for whom." It's for us, you and me.

Don't I satisfy you?

What does that mean?

The day I'm satisfied, I should have no more desires.

I have desire and I want desire.

I gave all that up for you.

Gave up!

That sacrifice makes no sense to me.

What about the kids?

Our kids' well-being and future do not depend on what I do with my body.

It's just a body.

Are you going or staying?

A film by RENÉE BEAULIEU