Original subtitles

THE QUIET SON

(TRAIN WHEELS SQUEALING)

(GRAVEL CRUCHING)

Hurry up, guys. We've got three blocked trains.

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)

That's where the catenary exploded.

Alright, let's reconnect at 3.5 tons.

Let's go.

OVERHEAD LINES DANGER OF DEATH

(ENGINE RUMBLING)

(REVERSE ALARM BEEPING)

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)

(RADIO CHATTER)

(DRILL WHIRRING)

Now we break everything down and we come back.

(CLANGING)

(DISTANT CHATTERING)

Bye, guys.

Alright, sleep well.

See you tomorrow.

Bye, kids.

See you tomorrow, Pierre.

Bye, guys.

JOURNALIST: : It's been a decade

that the very idea of taking an interest in youth

has been completely absent from the political agenda.

They say they will get to it at some point...

...but it's still far from the truth.

This disinterest,

this impression of being abandoned,

makes this, I'd say, "forgotten generation"

feel uncomfortable...

(KNOCKING)

(DOOR OPENING)

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

Fus!

You have to get up, Fus.

(FUS GROANS)

Come on, sleepy head, wake up.

(FUS EXHALES DEEPLY)

I made some coffee, don't go back to sleep.

(FUS YAWNING): Huh?

And air out your den, it reeks in here.

(FUS YAWNING LOUDLY)

Don't go back to sleep.

(MOANS)

(FOOTSTEP RECEDING ON STAIRS)

[SIGHS]

(EXHALES)

(INHALES DEEPLY, YAWNS)

(BIRDSONG)

(GRAVEL CRUNCHING)

(ENGINE STARTING)

(UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING OVER RADIO)

Here.

Put that on, it's cold.

I'm not made of glass.

- Want me to turn it down? - Yes, please.

I'm exhausted, I haven't slept.

Problems always occur at night.

And of course during the weekend. When else?

Of course.

- You don't care. - Of course, I do!

(LAUGHS)

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)

Come on, Fus!

(CLAPPING)

(CHUCKLING)

(CLEATS CLATTERING)

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

(PLAYERS CALLING OUT)

(PLAYERS SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY)

Go on, go on!

Well played.

- Go on! - Keeper!

Fucking hell!

(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)

(NET RATTLES, CHEERING)

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

(SHOWER HISSING)

Ah!

- Well done. - Did you like it?

All good?

Hi.

- It was a great game. - Yeah?

Yes.

Umm...

- Yeah, well, a bit... - The tackle.

- Yeah... A bit! - I'll wait for you outside.

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)

Y-eah!

Great game, guys.

I liked it.

Wazz-ah!

(BOTH LAUGH)

Fus!

We're off in 5, alright?

I'll go get a drink with them and I'll head home after.

Alright.

(JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING)

(WHISTLING)

The tackle was a bit violent, It was harsh.

(WATER RUSHING)

But hey...

It was a great goal, though.

Here.

So, he scored after a foul?

Loulou!

No card, no foul, as he says.

(CAR DRIVES OFF) (DOOR OPENS)

There we go!

Did someone say "goal"?

There you are.

- We were worried. - Really?

- You were worried? - As if!

No, I was worried.

Sorry.

(SIGHS DEEPLY)

I'm dead.

(SNIFFS)

- Here. - Thanks.

(CLATTERING)

Who drove you back?

Some guys, you don't know them.

Some guys?

- The ones from the stadium? - Yes.

Who are they?

Guys from school.

They're great.

They go to technical college?

Yeah.

(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)

What's the plan today?

I have to study.

And I have to sleep.

Come on, guys...

(CHUCKLING)

(JAZZ MUSIC CONTINUES)

Ooh!

It was a close one.

- Very close. - I know.

Alright, I'll score one.

- Call it out before. - Yes.

So, left post in.

Five points.

(CRASHING) (CHUCKLES)

(SQUEAKING) (EFFORT GRUNTS)

I'm snowboarding!

Oh yeah!

(LIGHT ZAPPING)

- All good? - Damn!

Big boy, isn't it?

Very big boy.

That's great.

- You're happy now? - I am!

- Huh? - Ah, yes.

Great toy.

- You OK? - Yes.

Doesn't look like it.

When sticking up posters for the demonstration yesterday

a group of fascists came by.

They tore all our posters down to put their crap up.

Things got heated.

No one was really up for a fight on our side...

Bernard, I'm over it now.

(GRAVEL CRUNCHING)

I support you.

My ideas haven't changed.

You know me.

But it's just that...

Sticking up posters and all. I'm done.

My father did it, I did it for a long time,

now I'm all alone, my free time is for my boys.

That's the thing.

I think your son was with the group that insulted us.

I wouldn't bet on it

but one of the guys looked like your boy.

Doesn't he wear a jacket with a dragon on the back?

No.

Pierre, sometimes these things get out of hand.

YOU KNOW HOW THINGS GO: these thugs can brainwash the kids.

Fus was with me last night,

the three of us, we were tired,

We went to bed early.

(KEYS JINGLING)

(DOOR CLOSING)

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

I'll grab a quick bite, I'm going out.

What was Bordeaux's score yesterday?

Nothing.

Nil-nil.

Reaching Premier League will be tough.

Well...

Where's my jacket?

Man.

Damn.

Have you seen it?

No.

Did Loulou take it?

(CUTLERY CLATTERS)

I threw away your jacket, I dumped it.

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

What?

I threw your jacket away.

Bernard saw you sticking up posters

with your new friends.

He recognized your jacket.

Crazy, isn't it?

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

- You've really got a problem. - Yes.

The fact you hang out with your friends near the railyard.

And you lie to me.

- Give it to me. - Let go.

Let go of it.

Let go!

Hey!

The posters weren't for a rock band.

I'm not an idiot.

I just wanted to see.

I followed some friends.

It's nothing political.

(DOOR THUDS CLOSED)

You know what?

It's when they say it isn't political that you should worry.

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

Watch out, if you see them again...

What?

What are you gonna do?

Is that what we taught you?

Huh?

What I taught you?

And look where we are.

(SCOFFS)

I feel betrayed.

We're not going to fight over a jacket.

(BANGS TABLE)

(FOOTSTEPS DESCENDING STAIRS)

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

I'm starving.

- You alright? - Yeah.

You're wearing big boy clothes now? Good!

One day, I'll leave,

and you'll be alone like two idiots.

(MELLOW MUSIC)

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)

(DOOR CLOSES)

(KEYS JINGLING)

(DOOR OPENING)

(SOFT BREATHING)

(EXHALES SHARPLY)

(DOOR CLOSING SOFTLY)

(THUDDING)

Pass the ball!

Oh.

(WHISPERING INDISTINCTLY)

- Put it down. - Let's clear the table.

Mm. mm. mm...

(HUMMING NONCHALANTLY)

- You alright? - Yeah.

What about you?

(WATER SPLASHING)

(EXHALES WITH RELIEF)

(STIFLED LAUGHTER)

- Did we wake you? - No, I was already up.

- Some coffee? - Yes, please.

(CHUCKLING)

- What? - Nothing.

You're going to be late, hurry up.

Yeah.

- Here. - I'm doing the night shift.

So, If you're hungry, the freezer is full.

- Alright, you hear me? - Yeah.

Um...

Do I have everything?

You done fucking around?

- Stop talking like that. - He's super slow.

Alright, bye Dad.

Bye, Dad.

- I trust you, yeah? - Yes.

- You're going to class. - What?

- You're going to class. - Yes.

You'd better.

- Bye, boys! - Bye, Dad.

(DOOR CLOSES)

(BOYS CHATTERING)

(RUSTLING)

(CLATTERING)

(DESK CHAIR ROLLING)

(CROWD CHANTING)

(MOUSE CLICKS)

(CROWD CHANTING, CHEERING)

(TENSE MUSIC)

"France For the French"

(ROPE WHIPPING)

Go back to where you came from!

(INDISTINCT SHOUTING OVER LAPTOP)

This is our country!

You guys!

(GRUNTING)

Stop!

(DOOR CLOSES)

Dad?

Yes?

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

You OK?

Have you seen this?

Aren't you bothered your brother is into this?

His friends are into that, Fus isn't like that.

He seems to like it.

Did you know?

That he had ultra friends?

They're not only ultras.

This is a pile of...

What the hell is he doing? And he's skipping class too.

I got another call from his school.

Who is he hanging out with?

What the fuck is he doing?

He'll come around, don't worry.

"He'll come around."

"Don't worry, don't worry", but I do worry!

No more downplaying this.

"Seven injured in a street fight"

Click on it, he has a webpage.

- Where? - Here.

"Youth Knife Attack"

(MUMBLING)

"They should go back to Africa."

Can you believe what he's saying?

- He didn't write that. - You just said it was his page.

Ah, OK.

Have you seen these names?

"Dodolf."

[SIGHS]

He's really screwing up.

(DOOR OPENS, CLOSES)

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

(LAUGHING)

"Wash with similar colors."

Well...

Did you have a good day?

Yeah, and you?

No, I didn't.

I spent the afternoon online.

I saw what you're saying there.

I saw the page of your friends, your friend Hugo.

He's all clean-cut but he's full of shit.

What the hell are you doing, Fus?

Are you spying on me?

You're snooping and spying on me.

Stay put.

I'm talking to you!

Trust me, it's not what you think!

I believe what I see.

You don't believe in anything.

You follow the rules, like everyone.

But I don't hang out with racists!

- They're not racist! - Of course not!

They're just against immigrants!

Those who are already here, fine, as long as they stay calm.

Alright? My friends are like us!

They're legit, they're clean-cut.

- They're clean-cut? - Yeah.

Everything they say is dirty.

They "fuck" everything.

Your friends are obscene!

They are against whoever doesn't agree.

Even the opposing team.

Your friends are scum!

I say and I do what I want.

- No. - I see who I want.

- I'm not in jail! - Not as long as you live here!

Lock me up then, so that I don't see anyone.

Good idea! At least you won't hang out with fascists.

I'm out of here,

I'll leave you with your perfect son.

Fus!

No, Dad!

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)

(DISTANT BELL DINGS)

(DISTANT SHOUTING)

Fighters, ready?

(CHEERING)

- What the hell? - What are you doing here?

You're fucking embarrassing me.

Get back home.

Let go of me!

Come on! Come on!

Get him!

(FENCE CLATTERING)

(INDISTINCT SHOUTING, CHEERING)

There you go, hold him tight!

Get him!

There you go!

That's what we want!

(CROWD CHANTING, HOOTING)

(TENSE MUSIC)

(TRAIN WHEELS SQUEALING)

(ENGINE WHIRRING)

(BREAKS SCREECHING)

(PHONE RINGING)

Hello?

No, he doesn't answer me.

You know what?

Call him and say he'd better get home.

I've got to get back. See you later, bye.

Guys!

We have to finish off the ends!

(SOMBER MUSIC)

(KNOCKING)

(RHYTHMIC KNOCKING)

Did you get to him?

Yes but he's stubborn.

(SEATBELT CHIMING)

(ENGINE STARTS)

Let's go.

He wants to live his life.

Let him live his life.

His loss.

It can't be on the left.

- It is. - No, it's a turning circle.

I can't turn left.

I have to go right.

- It says to go left? - Yes.

You shouldn't listen to everything people say.

You weren't so sure of yourself coming into Paris.

Thanks.

Hang on.

Let me fix you up.

No, I'm good.

Let's go.

So beautiful.

We were right, it's better to come beforehand.

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)

Dear students, dear parents,

as Dean of the Faculty of Letters,

I am honored and proud

to welcome you to the Sorbonne open day.

The path you have chosen is one of high standards,

self-sacrifice, humanistic culture

and of dreams that materialize.

It's a path of dedication.

By choosing it, you're joining a long line

of illustrious men and women.

Wow, no kidding!

This is an emotional moment

for you as well as for me...

She would have been so happy.

...to see so many of you,

so full of hope and enthusiasm.

I wish you success in your exams

and to be with us next year.

(CROWD APPLAUDING)

Fus will go crazy when I tell him.

Yes.

Look who's here.

(VOCALIZING)

(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)

Fus, you're back.

- Show me, Parisian. - Show you what?

No, your head didn't get too big.

- Not that much. - Idiot.

(EXHALES DEEPLY)

Damn.

(LAUGHS)

No!

- You outdid yourself! - I have my secrets.

Chef Fus!

Wow...

Yeah.

Come on, tell me.

A Paris university is not the same.

It's hard to get in but Jérémy said he would help me.

He's got some work too, you know.

Let's eat, I'm hungry.

Alright.

It's not every day Fus does the cooking!

(CHUCKLES)

It's ten times bigger than our high school.

Can you imagine?

And...

it was built in the Middle Ages.

The only time they shut down was during the French Revolution!

But you're not the only one who wants to get in.

As they say, "many are called but few are chosen."

Don't get too excited.

It's not in the bag.

Hmm.

It's very good.

- Yeah? - Yes.

Thanks.

The French Revolution!

Well, well.

That's good, the transfers are taking shape.

The Paris bench for you, home for me.

Stop it.

It's true.

What am I going to do with my metalworking degree?

The best I could do is land a job at the mine,

like your grandfather.

Open one day, shut down the next.

We're just cannon fodder.

(UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING)

I'll show you a few things, and then I'll be off.

No, not at all, stay. It's our pleasure.

(MUSIC SHUTS OFF)

Have you started "Major issues in today's world"?

These lessons will help you get into the Sorbonne.

This one shows how the left wing

has gradually cut itself off from its electoral base.

What's next after your internship? Looking for a job?

I still have one year left.

Next year, I get to spend six months abroad.

I'm trying to go to the US.

Really?

After your internship, you'll do another one?

I have to finish my thesis.

It's like a big report about...

I know what a thesis is, thanks.

I'm working on new forms of activism.

In addition to the unions,

there are now lots of associations.

And also more and more violent groups.

It's...

They might just be fed up of the system.

What do you think?

For me, all this paperwork...

These surveys are bullshit for Parisians.

- Stop it. - Seriously.

Stop it, will you?

[SIGHS]

Go sit over there, you'll be comfier.

It's full of crumbs here.

Thanks.

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)

We tried the left wing,

we tried the right wing...

we need another solution.

So, what's your solution?

We know the program.

Do you know what they'll do if they get elected?

- Change the Constitution. - They can!

And their hands are free.

Then you live in a society where there's no more freedom,

no right to any difference and oppression everywhere.

Is that what you want?

You end up in a totalitarian state, and there's no way back.

Freedom for whom?

Equality for whom?

And fraternity...

Fus, stop it, will you?

- Come on. - Stop it or you leave.

Got it?

I'm off then.

No worries.

He thinks he's the king...

Stop it!

Come on.

(DOOR OPENS, CLOSES)

(EERIE MUSIC OVER TV)

(DOOR OPENS, CLOSES)

As you can see, this is an exceptional phenomenon.

Animals, sheep in this case,

have been going round in circles for a dozen days.

[SIGHS]

They form a perfect circle...

as if it were compass-drawn.

I got angry but he was an idiot.

I shouldn't have brought him back from the station.

He's such a drag...

Such a know-it-all.

You're not wrong.

(CHUCKLES)

How about we spend some time together,

just the 3 of us, like before.

- No? - Yeah.

I can get some tickets for a soccer game.

Not too expensive.

Great.

Let's do that.

And it's a big game!

(FANS CHANTING, CHEERING)

- That's great. - There, there!

Come on, come on!

That's it!

FAN: Football Club Metz!

CROWD: Metz!

Damn!

Damn!

That's awesome.

Get that keeper in our garden, and I'll score five points.

Their keeper is hopeless!

In the garden, I would beat him flat out!

Awesome.

"I could score five points."

The guy next to me shouted so much, I'm deaf.

The goal made him go nuts.

MAN: Fus! Fus!

I'm coming down!

You're late.

How are you, bro?

Hi, how are you?

(CHANTING LOUDLY)

Do you want to find another seat?

Impossible.

After.

Call your brother, make him come down.

Tell him to come down.

If you need me, I'm here.

Fus, come down!

For Dad, please.

- What? - I didn't know they'd be here.

Alright, I'm off.

We'll see each other later.

(CROWD CONTINUES TO CHEER)

(TENSE MUSIC)

(WHISTLE BLOWING)

(HEAVY BASS MUSIC)

(VEHICLE APPROACHING)

(CROWD CHEERING)

(CONFETTI EXPLODING)

Twenty years old and top of his class!

Happy birthday Louis!

Wooh!

(CORK POPS)

(CHAMPAGNE FIZZING)

(ALL LAUGHING)

(CHAMPAGNE SPLATTERING)

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)

(WOMAN LAUGHING)

So, what's next?

I don't know yet,

I'm still waiting to hear from some schools.

But I'm registered at the community college.

Going from prep school to undergrad.

It's great and the town is not too far.

- I got into the Sorbonne too. - No?

- Yeah. - What a genius!

(CHUCKLING): In um...

History and Political Science.

- Nice! - Yeah.

But I didn't get into the student housing so...

They accept you but you have to figure the housing out.

- But the town is... - You got in for Paris?

- Yes. - And you didn't tell me?

No, because I am not sure yet.

Well done Louis!

Well done!

This is Paris!

Why didn't you tell me?

Did Dad know? Did you know Dad?

Dad, did you know?

For the Sorbonne?

Yeah.

Nobody told me anything!

If you got in, you go there, aim high!

Don't stay here.

The housing, the money, we'll find a way.

Right, Dad?

We'll figure it out.

You Little Parisian...

Huh? (CHUCKLES)

I'll come home often.

With his little satchel.

On the Sorbonne's benches!

Awesome!

Take this. You deserve it.

(EXHALES DEEPLY)

(SOFT ROCK MUSIC PLAYING)

Let's try a twirl.

- Like this. - Alright.

Oh, wait... (GIGGLES)

My elbow's inside out!

I can't dance rock at all.

You weren't kidding, you can't dance.

Ah, ah...

- This way. - Yeah.

And here...

Hang on.

Dad knows.

Dad!

Sorry, passing through.

Show me how to dance, please. Come on, Dad!

Dad, help me out here!

Go on, go on, Dad.

Come on, show me!

- Hi, nice to meet you. - They're forcing me.

Just show me.

Grooving, Dad!

(SOFT ROCK CONTINUES)

Good, there!

There you go!

And here.

Go, Dad!

Where's he at?

Dance with your friend!

Show me first!

Oh, come on...

Loosen your arms. Loosen up!

I'm going to throw up!

Woah...

Alright!

- It's easy, look. - I can't do it!

You do it like that!

And here... You stay put.

I think I got it!

Good.

OK, and now one, two, three...

- There you go. - OK, I got it now!

- It's easy actually. - Now jump.

- We jump? - Yes, jump on me.

(LAUGHING HEARTILY)

I almost died!

(CLEARS THROAT)

He's already double-checked his papers,

triple-checked, even.

OK, it's all here.

Thank you.

- You call me? - No, we're leaving for good.

With your car!

(EXHALES GENTLY)

(HORN BLASTS)

(CHEERING)

(BREAKS SQUEALING)

LAST TRAIN BEFORE RETIREMENT

(HORN BLASTS)

(CROWD CHEERING, APPLAUDING)

- You lucky man! - Congrats!

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)

Congratulations!

I did the math, I'll be 118 when I retire!

Didn't they just increase pensions?

- Yes, 2.5 euros... - Per year!

I hope they find an apartment for him.

You know how it is in Paris.

It's no picnic.

He's afraid to let him go.

Fortunately, you still have Fus.

Yeah.

Why do you call him Fus?

It's from the word Fussball.

His mother used to call him that.

Though he's not that much into soccer anymore.

He hangs out with strange guys.

I've forbidden him from seeing them, he said he wouldn't,

but whether that's true...

(CAR HORN HONKING REPEATEDLY)

Ah...

- So? - Great.

We found one.

And classy!

It's not huge but...

It's clean.

Yeah?

We visited some really gross ones.

And tiny ones with busted toilets in the hallway...

For 800 euros a month! They're crazy.

There was one above a dry-cleaner's,

the smell of it!

(GROANS)

- It stank so bad. - Horrible.

- Awful smell. - So yes, we found a nice one.

Pretty close to school, no transport needed.

Fits our budget.

Seventh floor, no elevator.

Leg day every day!

What do you still need? Bed, chair?

Sheets, dishes?

- Towels? - We took care of it.

We've already got him a mattress.

Cute shelves, a desk.

The little prince is set.

Who's "we"?

I even got him a jacket.

So he doesn't look like a nerd in the big leagues.

Who were you with?

A friend of Fus.

You stayed with a friend of yours?

Lucky he was there.

No hotel room for you to pay.

And he's actually the one who found the apartment.

You can spit at them all you want,

but I can count on my friends.

We agreed on something, didn't we?

You move back in,

but you stop seeing them, am I wrong?

We're from the same place.

We run into each other, we're from Lorraine. It's our region.

We are 100% Lorrain.

You can become French, but you're born Lorrain.

Do you hear what you're saying?

It's a ready-made speech.

It's nonsense.

It's always been mixed origins here.

One day we are German, the next we're French.

It doesn't mean anything, they're just labels.

For me it's real.

They're not labels, they're camps.

You can't go against me.

You can't.

I don't want to go against you.

Is that what you think?

If you're not with us...

you must be against us.

But "us" used to be the three of us.

Not anymore.

You listen to me.

Don't you drag your brother into your shit.

Huh?

You can ruin your life

but don't you dare ruin his.

If your mother could see you...

- What did you say? - If...

- Fus, no! - Don't you ever say that again.

- Hear me? - Get off me.

Stop it.

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

You loser, with your lectures about tolerance!

You can't stand us being different from you.

(DOOR SLAMS)

You're both insane.

You have to get off his back.

Just let him be.

He's never good enough for you.

When she was at the hospital,

he always took care of me. He never complained.

That's not enough for you?

We don't have to do it all your way.

Think like you, be like you.

I get why he wants to leave.

We're suffocating over here.

Couldn't you shut up for once?

Are you for real? What about what you did?

It's nonsense. Do you hear yourself?

Aren't you happy about the apartment in Paris?

- It has nothing to do with it. - You think so?

(SCOFFS)

You're becoming screwed up.

- Get lost. - I'm going.

(DISTANT AIRPLANE PASSING)

(MELLOW JAZZ MUSIC)

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)

(MAN LAUGHING)

Look at him, drinking his woes away!

(CHUCKLING) - He's looking over.

Is something funny?

- Excuse me? - You find a sad man funny?

Come on, we're just joking.

- She'll be back, don't worry. - What are you talking about?

What are you talking about? Huh?!

(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)

No, she won't! She won't be back!

Calm down!

- I am calm! - Relax!

- Enough! - It's OK, we're good.

I said it's enough! You stop it!

It's OK, Pierre. Calm down.

They are not worth it.

Get off me.

It's OK.

Calm down.

Just go home.

(DISTANT LAUGHTER ECHOING)

(TRAFFIC PASSING)

(BIRDS CHIRPING) (DISTANT CHILDREN PLAYING)

(EFFORT GRUNTS)

We can put that on top with straps.

Driving like that wouldn't be safe.

- So I'm not coming? - What?

I'm not coming then?

No, you're not.

Well, then...

We could remove the chair, Dad.

No, you need it for your desk.

Hand me those blue bags.

Wait! Wait!

You forgot your socks.

My socks!

Don't forget about me.

Don't be stupid, I'll be back soon.

It's moving!

We're off, let's go!

Come on, stop it. We're going.

Stop it.

(SCREAMS, LAUGHS)

Fus, please.

(FOOTSTEPS THUDDING)

(BOTH PANTING)

Keep going...

(DOOR UNLOCKING)

Here we are.

Living room, dining room, bedroom, kitchen...

and...

bathroom.

Which can serve as toilets at night...

- Good idea. - ...instead of the hallway.

It's great.

(DISTANT TRAFFIC PASSING)

You'll be fine here.

Yes.

(TRAFFIC HONKS)

(BALL THUDDING)

(SPORTS GAME OVER TV)

(PHONE DINGS)

(PHONE DINGS)

(GROANS)

(PHONE DINGS)

(COMMENTATORS CONTINUE ON TV)

(TEXT SENDS)

You're not watching the game?

(PHONE DINGS)

(TV TURNS OFF)

(PHONE DINGS REPEATEDLY)

(MESSAGE SENDS)

(GROANS)

(SPORTS SHOW RESUMES ON TV)

(MESSAGE DINGS)

(KEYS CLACKING)

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

(AIRPLANE PASSING OVERHEAD)

(SHARP EXHALES)

(TENSE MUSIC)

(KNOCKING)

Yeah?

Will you pick up your brother with me tonight?

No, I'll wait here.

I'm leaving work, wait for me.

He's coming...

- Pierre, a drink? - I can't.

Come on, it's Saturday.

I'm picking my son up from the station.

- It's Saturday, honey! - Next time.

(CAR APPROACHING)

(ENGINE STOPS)

(DOORS OPEN)

(DOORS CLOSE)

- He's not here. - He can't be far.

Maybe he no longer loves us.

Fus?

(KEYS RATTLE)

Fus?

(LABOURED BREATHING)

Fus?

(MOANING)

(GASPS)

Fus!

What happened to you?

Fus?

Can you hear me?

What happened?

Fus...

What happened to you?

(GUTTURAL MOANING)

Help me.

Take his arm.

Wait, wait!

Push, push...

That's it... (BREATHING ERRATICALLY)

(EFFORT GRUNTS)

It's going to be OK.

Can you walk?

(PANTING HEAVILY)

Easy, easy.

That's it...

(GRUNTING)

I'm right here.

(SOMBER MUSIC)

(DOOR UNLOCKS)

(FUS GROANING)

I'm here.

- Easy. - You're going to be OK.

Careful, his head!

Wait.

Be careful with his head...

Wait.

- I'll take the motorbike. - No way!

Call Bernard! Louis, don't you take the bike!

(ENGINE STARTS)

I'm here.

(TIRES SQUEALING)

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

(ENGINE CLICKING)

(EFFORT GRUNTS)

Fuck!

(DISTANT DOG BARKS)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(ENGINE STOPS)

(DOOR SHUTS)

Hello?

Calling. Please wait.

Calling.

(RAIN PATTERING)

(THUNDER CRACKS)

(RATTLING)

- Are you the father? - Yes, he's my son.

- What's his name? - Felix.

Felix Hohenberg.

- How old is he? - He's 22.

Has he lost a lot of blood?

- Did he lose consciousness? - No.

- Does he have allergies? - I don't think so.

I'm here, Fus.

Sorry, sir, you can't come any further.

We'll take care of him and we'll come back to you.

(PHONE RINGING)

Hello?

Yes, just hold on a sec.

Please keep me informed.

Sorry Sir, you can't come in. We'll let you know.

Yes, he's in.

They're taking care of him.

I don't know, they won't tell me anything.

Wait! Louis, don't.

No, stop crying. Please don't cry.

He'll be fine.

He's not made of glass.

He always says that and it's true.

(PANTING)

I...

Yes, I'll call you.

I've been waiting for hours,

can't a doctor tell me how he's doing?

There's nothing I can do, they're overworked.

Sorry.

(SEAT THUMPS)

(DISTANT TRAFFIC HONKING)

(GENTLE BREATHING)

Did you find anything out?

I heard there was a fight in front of the supermarket.

Some guys were handing out leaflets and a fight broke out.

I didn't know about it.

He never tells me anything.

You have to press charges, we must find them.

But it's not like it used to be, the anarchists, skinheads...

Now they are in small mixed groups.

Linked with Germans and Luxembourgers.

I wish he'd go back to who he was.

I'd leave him alone if he did. I'd get off his back.

[SIGHS]

It's going to be alright.

That's what everybody keeps saying!

Sometimes things aren't alright.

I've been struggling for years to hold it together.

I'm human.

I can't take it anymore.

You don't know how it feels,

to tell your two kids their mother is dead.

He's sleeping.

You can't miss your train, what time is it?

You need to leave at 7:45, even 7:30.

- Do you have your stuff? - Yes.

- Bernard, go with him. - No problem, I'll take him.

Here's some money.

- No Dad, it's OK. - You need to eat.

- Don't worry. - Louis, don't say that anymore.

I do worry and I always will.

(RHYTHMIC MUSIC THUMPING)

(UPBEAT MUSIC)

(SPOON CLANKING)

(MOANS)

Mm...

(EXHALES)

It's so humiliating.

What is?

There's no shame you're my son.

(GROANS)

(EFFORT GRUNTS)

(GRUNTING)

(STIFLED SOBS)

Come here.

(SOBBING SHAKILY)

It's OK.

Let's change the bandage, OK?

Mm.

Let me help you.

Grab this here.

There we go.

I'll stay here this week.

No way, you won't.

I'll catch up on my lessons later.

No, you go to Paris. I'll take care of him.

Don't ruin your school year for this.

(FOOTSTEPS DESCENDING STEPS)

(EXHALES WEAKLY)

(EFFORT GRUNTS)

(SIGHS DEEPLY)

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)

(STRAINED MUSIC)

(TENSE MUSIC)

(WHIRRING)

What are you doing?

I won't play anymore anyway.

Isn't it a risk for your eye?

I'm a metalworker.

Shit!

You need to be patient.

It takes time.

You've made so much progress already.

(METAL CLANGING)

I'm going to press charges.

You were assaulted, we can't just let it go.

Fus, you'll go crazy.

What?

Why won't you press charges?

I don't trust the justice system.

(METALLIC SCRAPING)

(HAMMERING)

(AIRPLANE PASSING OVERHEAD)

(EMBERS FLICKERING)

(EXHALING DEEPLY)

Here.

- Nice. - Let me see.

(CAMERA CLICKS)

Isn't he handsome with this?

Can we talk for a sec?

Yes.

That means get out of my house.

I'll join you later.

(MAN CHUCKLING)

(DOOR CLOSES)

Why did you do that?

Are you stupid? Do you know what it means?

- It's just a tribal tattoo. - Really?

I'm not blind, you know.

What are you doing, Fus? What's your problem?

Last time wasn't enough for you?

What are you playing at?

(SIGHS DEEPLY)

Bye, Dad.

(GRAVEL CRUNCHING)

(HEAVY ELECTRONIC MUSIC)

(KEYS JINGLING)

Are you OK?

(WATER TRICKLING)

Yeah.

I fell off my motorbike.

- Show me. - It's nothing.

- Did you disinfect it? - No.

- Put some ice on it. - It's fine.

(WATER SPLASHING)

What did you do?

I'll get some ice.

(WATER TRICKLING)

(EXHALES)

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)

(ROOM FALLS SILENT)

(CHAIR SCRAPING)

(DOOR OPENS)

BAILIFF: : All rise.

JUDGE: : The court is in session, please be seated.

Please remove the handcuffs from the defendant.

(CUFFS CLINKING)

(CUFFS WRENCHING)

Please state your full name, age, address and occupation.

Um...

Felix Hohenberg, 23 years old,

Number 3 Station Street. Villerupt.

Unemployed.

Very well.

Please be informed that you have the right

to listen in silence

or to answer the questions from the Court.

Silence.

You may sit down, sir.

Here are the charges against you.

On the morning of February 20,

the body of a young man was found

in the industrial zone in Villerupt.

The victim, identified as Julien Descombes,

born on July 10, 2000,

was a science student.

The victim suffered numerous blows,

several to the head,

from a metallic object,

leading to a fatal hemorrhage.

The investigation led to the arrest

of Felix Hohenberg the next day,

at his home.

He was alone and did not resist arrest.

Mr Hohenberg,

you are accused of deliberately causing the death

of Mrs. Descombes,

by hitting him with a blunt weapon,

and of acting with premeditation.

You are therefore accused of murder.

(KEYBOARD CLACKING)

(KEYBOARD CLACKING)

(KEYBOARD CLACKING)

(CLACKING)

Some images stick in your mind.

I don't want you to see him this way,

it's humiliating for both of you.

Your brother is cuffed in the dock.

You already know everything.

He wanted revenge on the Antifascists who beat him up.

I don't want you to come, OK?

I don't want you to.

We'll talk later.

See you later.

(LIGHT CLICKS)

(HANGER CLANGING)

My youngest son went to see his brother in jail,

but I won't go back.

Once was enough for me.

I kept quiet in the visiting room.

He kept quiet too.

Maybe I'm an unworthy father,

but I won't go back there.

For the moment, but what about the future?

The future?

He killed someone.

I can't go back in time.

Your son will never be the same,

that's for sure.

But soon you might want to see him again.

I'm ashamed.

Would you defend your son if he had killed someone?

Would you?

Do you want to help reduce his sentence?

Mine won't be reduced.

But you won't be locked up.

OK, but I won't go against my beliefs.

(DISTANT SIRENS WAILING)

(DOWNBEAT MUSIC)

...a phenomenon which is not limited

to the French political scene,

but has been spreading for a few years

across Italy, Hungary, Poland, England,

Germany, with the resurgence of the far right,

and the same in Brazil, in the United States...

(TRAFFIC PASSING)

[SIGHS]

Mm...

(SQUELCHING)

Good morning, sir, you have the floor.

Thank you.

My son was nothing like a murderer.

He was a regular kid.

What I mean is...

there were circumstances

which led him to commit this crime.

And I, his father, wasn't able to prevent this.

When he came home,

broken and bleeding,

because he got beaten up,

my first reaction was, of course, to look after him.

I couldn't find the words.

I was just glad he wasn't dead.

I thought we'd been spared the worst.

I'd be lying if I told you I didn't see it coming.

But...

at that time, Felix and I were barely talking.

It had been months

since we talked properly.

Maybe I didn't know how to...

or maybe I was too scared to ask him what happened.

I didn't go to the people he had fought with.

I didn't even ask how it had got to that point.

Felix is the oldest of my two children.

He had always been beyond reproach.

Like every kid, he did some stupid things.

But I trusted him.

And I couldn't stop him from going astray.

When I realized he was hanging out with that far-right scum,

I tried to do something but it was too late.

So, I plead guilty, too.

I didn't stop him in time.

Maybe I'm the real culprit here.

The father of the murderer.

But, Mr Hohenberg, a crime was committed here,

and not by you.

The death didn't occur just like that.

The victim was hit violently several times.

With a metallic weapon

that was clearly made for this purpose.

Your son has a diploma in metalwork, hasn't he?

No, he didn't get his diploma.

All I can say is that my son's life...

changed dramatically

when he met those people.

He followed them,

and that's when it all started.

(SCOFFS)

Until the day he decided to attack this...

Julien Descombes.

(EXHALES DEEPLY)

It's still hard for me to say his name.

They went to the same middle school,

maybe they even played together as kids.

I've gone over it a thousand times in my mind.

Every time, I think it could have ended differently.

I just can't, I don't understand.

When you've received a reasonable amount of love...

from your parents,

when you've never suffered war nor misery...

(EXHALES SHAKILY)

He lost his mother, that's true,

but he's not the only one who did.

How can you end up like this?

Prison time won't change a thing.

His life is ruined, my son's life is ruined.

So, what should I have done?

I knew he was on the wrong track.

I couldn't fight it alone.

I thought...

there had to be a bigger plan to change the situation.

But not just for my son,

a real plan

that could bring hope.

But Felix rejected everything.

Maybe I should have explained

that when you start talking about "them" and "us",

when you hate everyone who's not like you,

things can only go bad.

It can only end badly.

You think you're defending your own culture,

but actually,

you're fighting against every other culture.

You end up creating two sides,

you think you're defending yours,

but all you want is to destroy the others'.

All you want is war.

There's nothing left but violence.

It's these ideas that killed Julien,

And my son was stupid enough to believe in them.

(FOOTSTEPS RECEDING)

(INHALES SHAKILY)

(INDISTINCT MURMURING)

Mr. Hohenberg, please rise.

To the question:

Was Mr. Hohenberg criminally responsible

at the time of the events?

The answer was "yes"

by a majority of at least seven votes.

To the question:

Did Mr. Hohenberg deliberately cause the death

of Mr Julien Descombes?

The answer was "yes"

by a majority of at least seven votes.

To the question:

Was Mr. Hohenberg, at the time of the events,

suffering from a mental disorder

that has impaired his judgement or control over his actions

when the crime was committed? The answer was "no"

by a majority of at least seven votes.

And finally, to the question:

Did Mr. Hohenberg premeditate his action?

The answer was "yes"

by a majority of at least seven votes.

Consequently,

the Court imposes a sentence of 20 years' imprisonment.

Ladies and gentlemen, the hearing is closed.

(HAND CUFFS CLICKING)

(COURTROOM BUSTLING)

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

(SOMBER MUSIC)

(GATE CREAKING)

(ENGINE STOPS)

(GATE CLANGS)

(GRAVEL CRUNCHING)

(SOMBER MUSIC CONTINUES)

MURDERER

(SLURPING)

(SCRAPING)

I could apply to college here.

That's a great idea.

When he's transferred to the South of France,

you'll go south too?

Huh?

You'll quit studying?

Follow him for the next 20 years?

(SLURPING)

What will your life be like with a brother in prison?

And when you meet new friends, talk and laugh with them,

when are you going to tell them:

"My brother is in jail.

- "Because he killed a guy." - I don't care.

He's my brother.

Do you want me to stop seeing him?

I didn't say that.

But I've already lost a son,

I don't want the other to ruin his life.

Save yourself, Louis.

Save your skin.

My life is here and that's fine.

It's behind me.

But I don't want you to give up yours.

(DISTANT AIRPLANE PASSING)

(DISTANT CHILDREN PLAYING)

(MACHINE BEEPING)

(ANNOUNCEMENT OVER PA)

(FENCE RATTLING)

(BIRD CHIRPING)

(DOOR CLANGING)

(DISTANT CHILD CRYING)

(KEYS JINGLING)

I won't understand if you don't speak to me.

Not talking isn't a solution.

There's no point.

Silence doesn't protect us, Fus.

If we're too different to communicate

it means they've won.

I hope Loulou will make it.

For the three of us.

(EXHALES DEEPLY)

(KEYS JINGLING, DOOR OPENING)

(DISTANT CHATTER ECHOING)

(SOMBER MUSIC)

SUBTITLING: MEDIA SOLUTION