Original subtitles

ONE SINGS, THE OTHER DOESN'T

Waiting for me?

- No. - People sometimes give up.

So put up a doorbell.

I've never seen photos like these.

- Did you take them? - Yes.

These women are sad.

Sad? No.

They're women who've been abandoned or beaten, widows, single mothers.

They're neighbours, people I know. Those willing to pose.

I'm patient.

And what do you wait for?

For them to tire of posing.

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

They're beautiful, but they upset me.

That one with the kids, I know her.

We were neighbours five years ago, on Rue du Maine.

She got into trouble and disappeared.

My parents put her down so I wanted to know her better.

She was nice,

but not sad like that.

My fault maybe.

You haven't flattered her, poor Suzanne.

Where is she now?

She lives with me. These are our two children.

Oh, I've put my foot in it!

- Sorry! - It's OK.

- Still live on Rue du Maine? - Yes. And you?

15 Rue Fermat.

15 Rue Fermat?

I'll go and see her. Tell her it's Pauline from the 3rd floor.

- OK. - Bye.

Bye.

Boys, don't come in so hard.

Concentrate. That goes for everyone.

Try harder.

If only it counted towards my Bac, like swimming.

I just wish it meant money.

Hi, Mum.

- Hi, Dad. - Hi, darling.

You'll spoil your appetite.

An apple a day...

- How did choir practice go? - Hallelujah!

- School? - Same as ever.

Philosophy's a pain. 80's getting the Baccalauréat.

Go and see if they'll take you on at Prisunic. That'd be a real laugh.

I want to be a singer, not work in a shop.

We know. Finish school first, then we'll see.

Otherwise it's marriage or prostitution.

Same thing.

- She's mad. - Wash your hands. It's time to eat.

Remember Suzanne, the shoemaker's niece?

Yes. She's not there anymore, she got into trouble.

- I saw her. - You saw her?

In a photo. She looks 30.

I'm not surprised. She started too young.

That's how it is.

Jerome doesn't realise. He's a dreamer.

He's in his lab all day, making print after print till he's satisfied.

As for the girls he likes to photograph, they're usually broke.

Nobody buys his pictures,

so he gives them away.

He earns very little.

Why don't you work?

With these two?

Doing what? I've no education.

And the local nursery's full.

They're sweet.

Mathieu is.

Marie's a bit withdrawn.

It's my fault.

I lost the...

I often feel like crying.

You can't go on like this. You need to do something, talk to him.

To Jérbme?

Difficult.

He's tired.

That smile of his...

I keep silent...

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

You're pregnant?

Yes.

Can't you go to your parents for help?

In Soissons? They refuse to see me.

- Your aunt? - She won't either.

What a mess!

How long is it since you got pregnant?

About two months.

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

An abortion? Where? How? Do you think it's easy?

We'll find a way.

Jerome can't know about it.

They're his kids too.

Do you want me to talk to him?

You?

No.

- How old are you? -17.

I feel like I'm 100.

And how old are you really?

22.

- Dare you! - You're on!

- Mrs Carlier. - Yes?

You said this morning that free will

isn't just a philosophical or moral concept,

but a reality proven by concrete situations, even political ones.

- So free will is philosophy in action. - Yes.

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

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

No. She has two children already.

How could I help? I'm not a doctor!

I don't know. With a name, an address?

Listen, I'm sorry, really. Goodbye.

Goodbye.

It didn't work.

You didn't actually want her to take you to an abortionist?

What about asking at choir practice?

I wanted to ask... You wouldn't know a name or and address where...

- Are you pregnant? - Not me, a friend.

It's hard.

There was a woman in Rue St Séverin.

A concierge, at number 24, I think. I've heard of her.

- Do you know her? - No.

- Does she do everything? - She uses a probe. Then it's up to you!

I told you, it's not for me!

Fine.

It costs about 20,000 francs.

- Otherwise there's Switzerland. - Yes, I know.

But you have to do an interview and tell them a sob story.

If they agree, OK.

If not, a doctor who'll do it is expensive.

Plus the travel.

Right, see you.

Bye. Thanks.

The idiot got his car on two years' credit.

I got a 13 in English. Good, eh? No maths grade yet.

Late as usual, like you are for dinner.

Eat without me.

A family needs rules and obligations

or it goes to pot!

Could you pass the cheese?

Clear away the dishes, they're dirty.

You and your ideas of dirt and cleanliness!

Be good and put the coffee on!

I'll do it.

I'm only good if I do as I'm told.

Put the coffee on, obligations, rules.

Long live the family and order!

All we ask is some respect for those who brought you into the world.

I didn't ask to be born.

Pauline!

You didn't even know how to avoid having me!

You asked for that.

Studying philosophy gives you no right to insult us!

Go on, have fun, make the most of it!

You won't be able to for much longer.

- Stop it! - She likes the sound of her own voice!

The parental system's no good.

Dad grumbles on one side, while Mum's sweet and quiet on the other.

In some families it's the other way around.

Dad calms things down and Mum does the shouting.

Parents are no joke.

- Do you think being an orphan's fun? - I didn't say that!

We'll see how you get on with your own children.

I've got other plans.

That reminds me, the choir's organised a weekend trip to Sénanque Abbey.

We're going to sing, listen to them sing, visit Avignon.

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

Here you go, although a Swiss abortion costs more.

Thank you, you're really kind.

Will Jérbme be able to get the rest?

He doesn't know anyone but his wife, and she hates him.

Not impossible to understand.

Yes, that's true.

Why don't they get divorced?

She doesn't want to, to get at him,

and this way he can't acknowledge our kids.

Hey, dumplings!

You OK?

That woman you talked about...

- Will I have enough? - It's too risky.

Have Jérdme get the cash together and I'll mind the children.

Really?

If it's from the 22nd to 24th because there's the bank holiday.

Switzerland, then.

You've got to cry in front of the medical board, make them pity you.

There are four of them, like judges.

I shouldn't have any trouble with that.

And Jérbme's in such a state...

If you hadn't come, I couldn't have left the kids with him.

He doesn't know how to do anything. He loves them but that's it.

Look...

He asked me if you'd pose for him.

He didn't dare ask you because you knew about...

Well, you knew about me before he did.

So what? We're friends.

So you will?

Yes.

Well, I've never posed.

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

What? I've been here two hours!

You've taken plenty!

But you're on the defensive.

I'm not "overwhelmed" the way you like them!

I'm no victim, not even for a photo.

You're being nasty.

You refuse to be real.

What I'm after is a woman in her naked truth.

You want me to pose nude?

I'm not sure it'd help.

- Where do you want me? - Over there.

See, you don't give. Life's a gift!

The life you have within you!

It's a heavy secret!

That's not it.

It's my fault. I'm sorry, I can't do it.

I don't know what to think. It's as if I wasn't a real girl!

No, that's not it, but...

You baffle me. I don't understand a thing!

You'll never grow up!

Have you got some aspirin?

I'm not going to the desert.

Want me to come along?

I'm so unhappy that you...

I'll be OK.

Everyone says they do a good job.

I'd never let you go anywhere else.

No matter what the cost.

Go on.

I'm looking for postcards of Avignon, and Sénanque Abbey too.

I'll check.

Hi, crab apple!

- You OK? - I brought my bear.

Go and get him, then.

Been awake long?

Lie down here. There, we'll all sleep together.

You're nice.

You're up?

You promised not to!

- Let him blow his top. - Stop it. That's no help.

Your monastery story really had us going.

We went to Sénanque! 1,500 km to see you sing!

You'll pay for this.

Why do you lie like this?

- To get money. - Money!

You could have talked to us.

It was for an abortion. You wouldn't have understood.

What?

A friend of mine, Suzanne, needed an abortion

and had no money.

You're shameless! Are you doing this on purpose?

I've had enough!

Me too. I'm moving out.

My darling, calm down.

I don't want to.

You can "t leave, you're a minor/

You'll hear from me.

Your final exams are in three months,

will you revise by hanging around on the street?

Get your Baccalauréat like any normal girl!

No, no more school.

I'd rather sing in the streets than be "normal”.

Don't ever say you left home broke.

Here's nearly 40,000 francs, so all your class can get abortions.

You obviously don't know the rates. Thanks anyway.

You disgust me.

How could this have happened?

What did we ever do to her?

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

And Gabriel will be delighted. He'll feel like he's got two girls at once!

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

Oh, it's all just talk.

Nice place.

Gabriel did it.

I can cook paella. Our maid taught me how.

And Il've got a little money for food.

And we'll earn some.

I went by the studio. We're hired!

- When? - We record on Thursday!

Do you think I should drop out of school or finish my exams?

School's no good to you in music. School's for fools! Drop school!

Suzanne, they're touching everything!

They don't come here that often.

Does it hurt? Are you tired?

I'm OK. But I had to see you.

I feel set adrift.

Fight, Suzanne. You have to.

- If I could. - You can.

You're strong enough to have me and the children.

- Even enough to have kept the... - No!

If only I could feed us properly!

I work but I don't know how to make money.

Pauline left home. Another unsold photo!

It was no good anyway.

She was too stubborn or I was too weak.

She's kind.

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

Her smile's helped me a lot.

But you're the one I want to be with.

Do you want to go for a walk with us?

I can't go out. The misery in people's eyes overwhelms me.

Be quiet, Jerome.

I'm tired too. I feel so alone.

You've no more trust in me?

I feel like a poor mute. I've cried too much.

I'll try again.

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

You're brave.

I've got to take them out.

I've got to develop some photos.

A customer's lousy film by six o'clock.

See you later.

- You must forgive me. - For what? Whose fault is it?

I don't understand a thing anyway.

OK, choir. Is it rolling?

Let's go!

That's no good!

We've got new voices? Hello, ladies!

Gabriel, show the man your deep voice.

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

Marie!

I've just been paid for my first "doo-wop" session!

I've made some money.

- Great! - We'll celebrate, my treat.

Cakes, ice cream or sweets?

- You don't want any? - No.

- You don't want any? - I'm surprised!

Oh, I went past the shop. It's closed.

I'd better go by.

We'll go in the back way.

It's locked.

We need the key.

Don't worry. Maybe he's asleep.

Can you get in the back window?

The window's closed!

Break it!

- Really? - Yes, go ahead!

What's going on?

I don't have a key.

Neither do I.

He's there.

Well?

He's hanged himself.

Hanged? Did you say hanged?

We'll have to call an ambulance, the police.

Quick.

That's him.

Have him taken down.

I'll tell you a story about a cat named Cutiepie

and a blue teddy bear.

These two pals met on the street

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

He was miserable to the very end.

He always said it was better to be cremated.

He didn't even get that.

It makes me sick!

What will I do?

Stop it, Suzanne. Let's go.

You poor thing!

He was such a nice man.

Thanks for coming.

What will you do now?

Move to my parents' farm. Then wait and see.

The tragedy made the girls close friends,

and suddenly separated them.

Suzanne sold her bed fo take the train with her children.

She fled Paris, and Jéréme's legitimate widow,

who tried to make her pay all the photo-studio bills.

She moved in with her parents near Soissons,

who gave a cold welcome fo their "lost” child, this single mother.

With nowhere to go, she stayed.

Then she had time for her tears.

Shocked by Jéréme's death, Pauline cried too.

Suzanne's fragedy merged info the anguish Pauline saw on all faces.

She sang. She began fo change.

Her parents finally gave her money fo rent a room.

She put up a map of Soissons,

hoping fo find the village Suzanne had spoken vaguely of.

And time went by.

Ten years later,

they were following closely the trial of a girl of 16 accused of abortion.

Many of the women and men fighting the abortion laws

were at the Bobigny courthouse

for the trial in camera

in October, 1972.

The girl was acquitted. A series of reforms began.

LET US HAVE KIDS WHEN WE WANT TO!

Free Marie-Claire!

We've had abortions! Put us on trial!

I'm with Family Planning.

- Let me in! - No spectators.

A closed trial!

It's Gisele Halimi, Marie-Claire's lawyer!

You have no right to keep them out.

We have orders.

The verdict must be public. Let them pass.

Look, it's Apple!

Neither Pop nor the Pope

Nor the doc

Nor the judge

Can lay down the law for me

Biology isn't fate Pop's laws are out of date

My body is mine

And I know

When I want fo have

My young

To have any young

In this old world

To be round or flat the choice is mine

My body is mine

Be you a whoring Mary or a virgin Mary

Weeping mother or easy lay

No maftter what they say be you praised

Or tossed in the hay

Hail, sisters! Hail, Marys!

What are you doing here?

Marie, how you've grown!

In my song, I think of you as a baby.

It's been ten years. Exactly ten years. She's 13.

And on the streets!

I brought her to our Family Planning conference.

- Mathieu's on a school trip. - How old's he now? 10?

11, and he's very handsome.

Well, he's not bad.

- You haven't changed at all. - You have, for the better.

Come and meet Darius.

Here's Suzanne! I told you about her.

I remember. Hello.

- He's Iranian. - This is Marie.

- Hello, Marie. - Hi.

When something special happened, it was always you I wanted to see.

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

- Let's not lose one another again. - Really?

But I live down South. And you?

Tehran. And Paris for the past six months.

And three months with me.

So it's hello and goodbye. Our train leaves tonight.

Mathieu's due back tomorrow. We can't leave him alone.

We haven't had time to talk!

I must get back to our Family Planning meeting.

Apple once took me to Parc Montsouris and talked about you.

It was so real and true.

I thought you'd appear, behind a tree!

I know nothing about you! How did you meet? Where?

I was getting an abortion not far from him.

We met in Amsterdam.

Then we met in Paris by chance.

Are you married, alone or what?

No, not married.

The kids and I get along fine.

I had an affair but it didn't work.

I know what you mean!

So what are you up to?

So much to ask, so much to tell!

Me too. I thought I'd never find you, and here you are!

But what a rush!

- We'll write? - Long letters!

Let's meet soon!

I'll write to you at Family Planning!

Suzanne thought of Pauline, now Apple,

and wanted to tell her about her life, as If she had fto.

Because of what they'd been through.

Seeing you moved me so deeply, [ couldn't talk.

The past ten years all came back fo me.

Those years of silence and spite.

But how can I describe frozen time?

The kids didn't notice anything.

They loved the country and the animals.

Marie grew cheerful and Mathieu strong.

That was a solace fo me.

I tried fo feel nothing and see nothing.

I avoided suffering. I only wanted to hang on, to survive,

me and my kids.

Soup's up. Call your bastards!

Time to eat, darlings!

Come on, Mathieu.

Poor thing.

Look how well Marie eats!

And Apple thought of Suzanne.

I was so excited by the demonstration [ talked foo much.

So I know nothing of what's happened fto you.

I wish you were with me in this knackered van

with the girls I met in '68.

They were singing on the street. They're great. We've got plans.

We're doing a gala in a northern suburb.

A gala - you should see it/

Not a granny

Nor a shrew

Nor a grandpa

I am woman/!

I am me/

Not fast and loose

Nor a house-mouse

No namby-pamby

!I am woman! I am me/

lam Apple!

That's it! We've earned our bread.

Now the long drive home fo my lover's bed/

- Not sleepy? - Not really.

- Wasn't it good? - Very!

And you're not sleepy. I am.

I'm thinking of Suzanne.

Sleep and you'll dream about her.

I can't. We've got ten years to catch up on.

Will you tell her all about us?

It's not that.

With her, it's like love but with no headaches.

Of course! You never see each other.

Even so, we don't need to explain how things begin.

Suzanne and I fit.

Want me to be jealous or can I sleep?

Sleep!

How can I tell you about ten years in a few words?

Like I said, Darius, meefing,

Amsterdam, abortion, by chance.

It's not enough.

I want to really tell you how we met in Amsterdam.

It'd be nice to see something besides this canteen.

Do you know Amsterdam?

A little.

Are there boat rides on the canals?

Yes. I've done that.

Is it expensive?

No, three guilders.

That's about five francs.

We could afford it. What do you say?

If anyone wants to take the canal boat ride...

Say so, we'll get a group rate.

They say it's very pretty.

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

Scared?

Not really. I'm just angry I fell for it.

What happened?

I threw up half an hour after taking the pill.

She'd had a big feed.

It wasn't even a big feed.

Officially, that day ! fell in love with Darius.

What really counted

was my feeling for the women there with me,

like me.

I still see their eyes.

I thought of Jéréme's photos and you, alone, in those bad fimes.

Sure, I was showing off, but I was glad to be with a group.

That's when I wrote my first song.

I decided fo sing about my ideas, and for these women

who were my family.

We were in the same dormitory, the same trouble, the same boat

Sliding under the bridges of Amsterdam

On a Dutch sightseeing boat

Go the knocked-up fucked-up ladies

The damsels and mam selles afloat!

The awkward and idiot madams

Sadly abused by their Adams!/

We're taking, if you please

A cruise for abortionees

A boat's not romantic

After the clinic Amsterdam-on-Sea

I'll remember

Tulips and bikes, you see

Waltching the bikes go by

We talked about the pill

About our current loves

Our children and our ovules

We laughed and spouted away

Unafraid of ridicule

On a fancy-flagged boat

Loaded with abortionees

In her teens or her forties it's the same disease

Amsterdam-on-Sea I'll remember

Tulips and bikes, you see

It's not true!

It's great! Get one!

- How much is it? - Two guilders.

- What a nervel - May 1?

- Why? - For fun! For the "abortus"!

- The "abortus"! - It's Dutch for abortion.

You don't look at all Dutch!

I'm Iranian.

Then I'll sign it for you.

'In memory of an abortus for an Iranian. Apple.'

At that time I thought often of you, of your energy and resourcefulness.

So / decided to get out, for me and for the children.

I needed fo earn money, and learn to work, in any way possible.

ENQUIRE AT THE TOWN HALL FOR THE SOCIAL WORKER

Miss!

- Thanks for bringing it! - I must have it back in three weeks.

- You think you'll manage? - Yes.

And I'd like to work at the factory

but I'd need help with Mathieu, he's too little for school.

Show me the kids. Good morning.

But your dossier's not at all in order.

I never paid it much attention.

Will you come in?

No, let's see the kids.

I'm counting on you. I didn't know where to turn.

You should've learnt at 16, instead of fooling around!

That's enough.

You're siding with her?

Stop banging on that machine!

After the social worker, the women at the factory helped me

with their discreet friendship and fits of laughter.

I felt belter.

I was a part of the family of women.

I need the rest.

What for?

To clothe the three of us, and other things.

- Foolish things. - That's how it is.

Look, I'm so happy!

See the money?

I was so proud of my first pay!

It was a start At night I studied.

I wanted to be a medical secretary in the south

so the kids could have the sun and free medical care.

An ad in the paper led us here to Hyéres,

the children in the sun and me with a gynaecologist.

But he was foo scheming,

and after May 68 I dared fo insult him and started a Family Planning centre.

I work here part fime.

In the enclosed photo

my office is between the winter pool and the summer pool.

I wish I could show you where [/ live, who I am, and talk fo you.

I've no time to write.

Only a few word's on a postcard.

Though Suzanne wanted to tell Apple everything,

she never wrote any long letters.

But she and Apple made an air-mail bridge,

an imaginary dialogue punctuated by postcards.

Busy with rehearsals for her tour

and immersed in the odd group she worked with,

Apple wrofe only postcards, Just her style.

From Apple to Suzanne, from Suzanne to Apple,

the postal traffic

HHlustrated a deep friendship,

rather inexplicable for two women of such different character, tastes,

and social backgrounds.

- We're late! - Yes, I think they're waiting for us.

- How are things at home? - Fine. You?

- Fine. How's Thierry? - He's OK.

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

Is this your new opening time?

Just a moment!

- Is it due soon? - In three weeks.

- Picked a name? - Fabrice for a boy, Florence for a girl.

That's pretty.

Will it be a boy or a girl

A diamond in the rough or a little pear/

A plum or a plume, nectar or nectarine

What will be his fortune, what will be her fate

A prince consort or a princess

A commoner or commonness

A little monkey or a donkey

Will he or she have

Limpid pools like me or a subltle glance like you

A boy with sex appeal

A girl with sex appeal

Oh, how [ wish I knew!

- We can't have two pregnant women! - Don't run everything!

They're my songs! I won't have any old thing behind me!

We're not doing any old thing.

- You know nothing! - I say what I think!

You talk too much, Apple. We live without talk.

I live as best I can. Put me down.

OK, I talk too much. I'm tired.

Let's break to eat and continue later.

- I see! Darius, you're here! - Hi, everyone!

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

- Me neither! - That's that, then.

Why? We just have to keep at it!

Look, we rehearse, we're tired,

we're not paid, and not sure we'll get a grant.

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

With Darius, if you must know.

But we've got to make this project work.

It's your project. It's up to you.

The ministry said it's in your name.

So take care of it.

OK, I'll take care of it. No rehearsal tonight, I get it.

No money, no enthusiasm!

- Don't go overboard! - OKl!

No one mentioned my costumes!

Oh, they're beautiful!

They sparkle, they're pretty. They're lovely.

An apple juice, please.

I'll have a Cinzano.

That's for Suzanne.

"My fictional pregnancy...

'is going well.

"We'll give birth to a fantastic show.

'Wait and see!

'All my love...'

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

Meaning we'll eat at my place.

I've got nothing. We could buy some stuff.

Let's make a real dinner.

How can I help?

Unwrap the chicken.

Blast, I was meant to call Favier.

Go on. I'll do that.

Mr Favier, please.

I'll wait.

He's with the ministry.

- Shall I use all the stuffing? - Yes.

Do you think it'll work?

Of course! Don't worry.

How do I close this?

I'll do it.

Mr Favier, please.

This is Apple.

Yes, I'll wait.

At eight o'clock? I'll call back.

You count on them and they always leave you kicking your heels.

See if the chicken's done.

"Please, Marie!"

Please, Marie.

It's not done yet.

I'm hungry.

Wait like we're doing.

Three more minutes.

- For the chicken? - The phone call.

- It smells good. - Yes, but the phone call...

Maybe our goose is cooked. Maybe that Favier's a hypocrite.

He said we had an interesting idea. Interesting for who?

They say whatever they feel like.

Mr Favier's office, please.

It's Apple. Is Mr Favier there?

I'll wait.

He's on another line.

I like Darius. He's great.

Even I am amazed I fell for an economist

I hate economising.

But we're in love and that's it We touch and we're hypnotised.

We want to keep holding on fo each other.

Yes, I'll hold on.

Once our show's on, life will be fantastic.

He'll work for a French company.

We'll see each other every day, or at least every night.

He'll be here. Love. Present

Yes, I'm still here.

Hello, it's Apple. Any news?

What? I don't believe it! What will we do?

I know you're not patrons of the arts. Even so, you've dropped us with a bang.

You liked the idea... So why?

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

You're sorry? Not as much as me.

No, I don't understand, sir. Goodbye.

Bastards!

We were almost ready!

What a farce. That blows it.

Listen, Apple,

don't cry, that does no good.

You know what?

In Iran, the word for Persian is Farsi.

There's Farsi cinema, Farsi theatre.

Everything's Farsi!

Your dinner's not at all a farce.

I can cook but I can sing and move too. It's what I want to do.

But I can't with no money!

I'm going to give up everything. I'm fed up!

Calm down. Listen, I've got an idea.

I'll find us a charter flight.

Come to Iran with me.

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'd be together.

It's a thought.

Will you come?

Eat up!

So my departure was settled that day,

thanks to a Mr Favier from the Ministry of Culture.

I chewed my chewy chestnuts,

and thought:

This time Suzanne won't ever find me again.

Once in Iran, I immediately felt I'd become a postcard myself,

or an extra in a short subject.

SEE OUR DOCUMENTARY LOVE'S PLEASURES IN IRAN

AN ARTISTIC, EXOTIC AND RATHER EROTIC (VERBALLY) SHORT FILM.

IF ALL THE WOMEN OF THE WORLD

I don't know.

Meaning what?

That's how it is.

That's idiotic!

You came six months ago.

We explained it all to you. A doctor prescribed the pill for you.

- Did you buy it? - Yes.

- Did you take it? - No.

So you want a baby?

Not at all.

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

Not practising.

Yet that kept you from taking the pill.

Maybe.

Either you're practising or you're not!

What's up? You're shouting.

Yes, I am. I'm being unpleasant.

These should be group discussions.

I'm shouting at a woman who wants the pill but won't take it.

- We're not here to shout at people. - We should.

I hate having to scream and push people around so things will advance.

So don't!

You know about women's alienation.

Giving them more restrictions won't help them.

True. But some days I get angry. Plus I've been at it for years.

So stop or change your ways.

What are you? A militant or a pencil-pusher?

Change. Women will change too.

You're absolutely right.

I'm glad you talked to me that way.

- And you, Mathieu? - I feel better.

I AM FAR AWAY. DARIUS HAS KIDNAPPED ME.

I LOVE IT BUT I HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN YOU. APPLE.

I'm far away. It's wonderful.

And I'm in love.

I've already been gone six months. With Darius time flies.

We've found a home. I'm busy fixing it up.

Now I'm in the South. Darius is here on business.

We're near the desert there are no postcards,

but I'll write you a short nofe anyway.

Since geftting here, I've had a strange feeling about my body.

Because of Darius, of course,

and being far away from everything you feel a bit different.

Amongst the veiled women I feel more nude than nudity itself.

I'm geftting closer fo my body.

I'm me. More than before.

Inside me ['ve new desires, a bit mysterious.

I love the sun madly.

Give me a child.

Hey, give me a child.

I'm used to being alone.

Sometimes it weighs on me,

especially since...

Once, I had an affair with a naval officer.

! liked him at first A sailor.

He didn't take care of me or the kids, but he shook me up.

He just jumped on me, and did it well.

He navigated and came and went.

Then I realised navy men are military men.

No, he wasn't a man for me.

It's not easy fo have a lover when you have two kids next door.

But he awoke me from a sleep in which I wasn't a woman or anything.

After our short affair I became a woman.

A woman alone.

Such a yearning to be a couple.

It's happened. I'm married.

Darius is so pleased.

Besides, I'm pregnant.

And I love parties.

Yet the exchange of rings ls quite poefic.

The odours of cerermony and sperm in unison.

It's not bad. Well, / liked It.

Morning.

That's for me!

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

No news for me from my son?

- Here's a card. - Thanks.

'Suzanne, what a trip!

'I'm high! I'm flying!

'It's love! It's the Orient!

"To be continued. No postcards in the desert!

"Your Flying-Carpet Apple!'

- Writing? - Hello, Mrs Armick.

Apple, you're so far away.

It's impossible to picture you, it's just too exofic.

I'm a bit down.

Mathieu fractured his leg. I was afraid...

Watch the angel-leap!

I was in a panic. Mathieu was suffering, and so was /.

Thankfully a doctor was on board.

He and his wife fook charge and drove us fo a hospital.

He looked nice. 1'd noticed him on the boat

The striped-shirt type, always taking pictures.

And when he put Mathieu in his car, and spoke fo me...

- Is your leg OK? - It hurts. I feel sick.

Something happened. I don't know what

I work at Family Planning.

Oh, it's you. I often send women to you. I'm a paediatrician.

His smile made me want to love him at once.

But he's not free. It's already over-.

A sentimental let-down.

I must seem a provincial fo you with your Arabian Nights love sfory!

But I'm writing all the same.

My heart's being put through the mill. But we'll manage.

Love from us all,

Suzanne.

He came by offen fo see Mathieu's cast

He also saw to Marie's tonsils,

and would have gladly seen fo my solitude.

Why not change subjects

and snap a shot of the victim persecuted by women?

Don't worry, I'll get my revenge.

If you don't like what we've drawn, ask for a new cast.

I think he's sexy like that!

Poor darling.

Not since Jéréme has anyone looked at me like Pierre Aubanel does.

The kids adore him. But it's no good.

It's no good. I don't want fo love him. I want to be comforted.

Dearest Suzanne

it's silly to be sad.

Forget your married doctor and find another man you like, quickly!

If possible, let me know by cable.

A thousand Persian kisses fo all three of you!

! walk through the streefs.

The women's world I8 In the markets and hammames.

I he men"s wor/ad /S In the sf reefs and cares.

They're like two separate worlds.

The idea of the couple is hit hard.

I've been asking myself questions

and writing songs again.

Here it's hard not fo become a mystic or senile.

On the bridges of Isfahan: Jolfa, Khaju and Choobi.

She said, "What?" He said, "Yes."

She said, "Do that to me on Jolfa." He said, "Do everything to me on Khaju."

I forget Choobi.

That you, love?

Yes, it's me.

You OK?

Want some watermelon?

Like it?

Is dinner ready?

Not yet. I haven't finished my work.

You could've done something.

I haven't finished this yet!

Write your songs while I'm at work.

You have the time.

I write when I'm inspired.

I think I've been trapped in a doll's house

with my melon-tummy and lover-husband.

I'm acting starry-eyed but it's not me.

And the Iranian liberal /'d known in France,

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

Darius in Iran,

once he'd got me on the hook

has become what he wanted fo be - a traditional husband.

I know I didn't marry a cook,

but even so...

That did it

/t was either arguments or long silences.

As [ cook up a local stew, I'm fuming.

I bitch and moan,

a bit dazed and a bit happy,

fotally confused by this devil kicking inside me

that we await with love.

I think it's better if I have the baby in France.

We have very good doctors here!

I know,

but it's the surroundings... and for my mother.

- Been here long? - No. I didn't want to interrupt.

Just a second.

- Come and see me when you want. - Bye, madam.

Call me Suzanne.

A doctor's daughter who couldn't ask him for the pill.

- Classic case. - Going home?

- Once I've tidied up here. - We could go for a walk...

before going home.

No more married men for me.

Never.

- So that's it. - Yes.

My children's papers read "father unknown". That cost me a lot.

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

I'm free.

But I'm fed up with married men.

- OK? - Great.

Pity we don't see Pierre any more. We had a bet on my first pair of shoes.

- What? - After removing my cast,

whoever said "new shoes" first, would win. Pity!

You'd surely have won. Pity!

Why doesn't Pierre drop by anymore?

You're both well and he has a lot of work.

For Suzanne things were clear, though difficult.

Apple finally awoke fo see

an Iran different from her dream of a tale of love in an Oriental setting.

She lived in an impossible land.

She had fo flee on the only carpet flying for her: a return flight,

fo an active, tousled life of music.

The adanger lay in Darius who she loved so much.

I'm not blaming you,

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

We'll talk when I get to France.

It's due on the 20th?

Keep me informed. I'll leave here on the 18th.

It's funny. It's an odd shape. It's pretty.

Suits you fine. Watch, they wear it like this.

Spoonful's of caviar! Want some?

It's too salty.

Come taste it, kids!

They're beautiful!

Very!

I don't like it. Give me the cape.

- Can I borrow the cape? - For camping.

Stop teasing!

- We'll show it to the Tourneaus! - Give it.

No, I won't.

Don't come back too late!

I feel I've nothing to tell you. Or too much.

I'll tell you something!

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

You look good.

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

We'll have fun.

You know what I often recall?

The way their eyes looked at me in Jérbme's yard,

while that cop talked to you.

I'll never forget that cop's face!

I will. The cop, the details... I've forgotten them a bit.

Do you talk to the kids about Jéréme?

Not much, there's not a lot to say. He wasn't very real.

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

Marie blames him and Mathieu can't understand his suicide.

- You told them? - Without stressing the details.

As for me, after the shock, I blocked it all out.

His gentleness, his anxiety, the fatalism, the silence.

It all made me think, "Careful don't you slip."

For me it's different. I loved him.

We were happy in our own way.

The misery came later, when I was alone, without him.

It took me years to resurface.

With men, it wasn't easy for me. I was uptight.

I mean, things didn't go too well.

- For a long time? - Yes.

And your married doctor?

Pierre? I said no. I want a man who's free.

You'd like him.

You could see him. He's our best paediatrician.

Let's have him come here.

And I'll go out.

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

Since she's alone, she's...

- You see what I mean! - Yes.

- When's Darius arriving? - Tomorrow.

- Glad? - Yes.

But we'll have a scene and I hate scenes.

Maybe not. Does your mum know him?

Not yet. Oh, she'll tell him about my childhood,

the made-up choir trip...

I was horrible to them.

But I wanted the money for you for Switzerland!

I never told you or a soul,

but I never went to Switzerland.

Jerome had sold a camera,

plus I had your money.

When I saw it all, I thought of the rent and our debts.

I paid them instead.

I saw the St Séverin woman who used a probe on me.

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

I had to. But it wasn't over.

I had complications.

And had to go to a hospital.

I'd lock the kids in and go in the mornings.

There were complications.

I can't have children any more.

Did Pierre know?

I told him. Why do you ask?

No reason.

What a mess!

We needed money so badly. And I forget the rest.

When I think of what I told you earlier.

Think only of your kid.

I'm just selfish. I wanted

to talk to you, to cry with you.

Sharing is good.

Never mind! We'll have it together.

And have fun!

As for so many women,

labour for Apple was a big moment.

Eyes shining and heart pounding,

she gave birth to a boy in the blaze of aay.

Let me have him for a bit. Go and lie down.

You've given me a wonderful son!

Yes, my love.

Parviz is a nice name.

It's my father's.

And Guillaume to please Apple.

Guillaume's a good second name, isn't it?

What a bouncing baby!

Yes, indeed!

Come in!

Hello, doctor.

Congratulations to you all!

- I came earlier than planned. - Good.

The sooner you see him, the sooner you'll say he's a success!

Here they reckon he's pretty good.

- How are you? - Fine.

Since Apple came, my life's changed.

Mine too. I got divorced.

- When? - Yesterday.

I don't know what to say.

There's nothing to say.

What about my baby?

Don't worry, I'll examine him thoroughly.

I'll go now. You can tell me all later. Bye!

It's really too easy.

The lady sees a foreigner she likes and off we go on a big exotic trip!

A baby's born, she keeps it and sends the dad home!

You speak good French.

But you didn't learn even 20 Iranian words!

You'll wake Guillaume.

What could I do? I understood no one.

My sister speaks French. Badly, but...

You could come with me.

I did! For months! To watch you work!

Meanwhile, I had no offers or contacts at all!

Look, I was a singer before we met.

You were sick of it.

Yes, on that day, the day you asked me to go away.

Don't mix up the baby with 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 it.

I'm the head of the family!

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

I'm taking my son. Come if you want. That's it!

That's it?

I won't come.

My dumpling's hungry!

It's coming, it's coming.

Find him a wet nurse.

Or we'll bottle-feed him.

It takes two weeks to wean a baby.

I'll wait two weeks. In any case, my boss will sack me.

It's so strong, the feeling of having made a baby.

Ask Suzanne.

I was there when he came.

But you were in such a panic 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 boss, be responsible,

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 are we going to do?

I don't know.

I've got a great ideal

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

But how?

When?

Are you mad?

We can't even live with this one. I've got to leave in two weeks!

Just stay a while till I've rested up.

Then, nice and gently, you make me another baby.

That's madness!

It won't work. I never heard such a thing!

It's beyond unconventional.

It's utopian.

Think about it.

It'd be better if you came to Iran.

Darius, that's over!

No more false images or cliches. It's over!

If you love me,

do it and we'll each have a child.

You're crazy.

No, for once I'm being realistic.

Maybe you are.

Coming?

Let me have him.

He's not a problem, it's just all the rest.

If you change your mind, let me know.

Of course.

Now what?

I don't know where I'm going.

I don't like leaving you or Suzanne.

I'll stay three months. It's settled.

You'll be OK alone, the two of you. The three of you!

It'll be our grand finale.

Don't be so dramatic. Come on.

I do what I can. Not much, but I try.

I'm back with the group I sang with.

We're revamping our baftle song.

Once you've both left, I'll go and live with the women in the group.

It's in the country. My life will be fresh air and music.

You say it all so calmly.

Yeah, because you promised me a second kid.

Not so fast, it's not done yet!

No, I can feel it. And it'll be a girl.

I love you.

I love you too. Even if we're the best flop of the century.

And Darius returned fo Iran with five-month-old Parviz.

From the airport, a tearful Apple sent Suzanne a postcard.

It's over. Farewell sun.

I've lost a man and a child.

/'l do my best.

We're going on tour. I'm pregnant.

I'm happy and unhappy. Apple.

Not Diana

Nor a devil

Nor a dove

I am woman

I am me

Not a mascot

Nor a despot

Nor an old pot

I am woman

I am me

Come and hear us tonight.

In the concert hall at nine o'clock!

I've made you a nice little fire!

Hey, Granny, how about taking an interest?

I feel low. I know nothing about cars anyway.

You think we're qualified mechanics?

I'm getting tired of winfter.

Cold feet icy halls,

my heart in my mouth, sick to my stomach...

Well, the nausea has stopped.

I'm glad the days are getting longer.

Work's going well. The Orchids and I get along fine.

/t really ls the good life.

When you're alone it's odd.

Happy or not, you have the same gestures, the same face.

Yet I'm very happy.

I saw Pierre Aubanel again. We get along fine.

I think of him over my coffee,

after the pool in the morning and before going fo the Centre,

alone at noon as usual. The kids eat at school.

He stays in Toulon.

I feel calm and dreamy.

What a lovely month of March.

Can you give me a lift?

Hi! What's your name?

Zorro.

Zorro? That's a great name!

Hi!

So his mum walked out and left him in your hands?

Yes.

You're a single father, then.

Yeah, a single father.

Poor little dumpling!

It's OK, it's rolling.

Little snowball!

When you're almost a mother

You have (o think for two

Pregnancy is fleeting

What do you have fo do for a daughter As soon as she's born

So that she has no disadvanitages

What do you have fo do fo educate a son

Before he's born

When you're almost a mother

You have (o think for two

Pregnancy is fleeting

You have fo take the bull by the horns

And the road as it comes, step by step

Invent everything from A fo Z

And not be afraid

When you live in an atomic era, you must educate the chromosomes

Educate them before they becorme

Men

Pregnancy is fleeting

WHERE ARE YOU? PIERRE AND I ARE GETTING MARRIED.

TENDERLY. SUZANNE.

Where are the scissors?

On my dresser.

No, by my bed.

Is it to cut your hair or your fingernails?

- It's for Mum's wedding. You'll see. - Lover man!

Polish your shoes. They need it!

Sailors mean good luck!

Long live the bride!

Look at that wedding dress!

Let's go! We look cheap!

Like a common-law couple.

- Not common at all! - What are you complaining about?

We look bohemian!

- Who cares? - You don't?

Hardly at all.

But we have to have a wedding photo.

You've got to be in it!

Group pictures make you look silly.

Single?

Yes, and I've already a child being raised.

I mustn't have another one.

No need to justify yourself. You don't want it or you can't keep it.

You see, I'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.

Mum, I need you to sign a paper for me.

I'll be right back. Besides, Elise is here.

Was the wedding good?

Great! Quick and easy, kind of incognito.

It was cool. And Mum loved it.

- Did you have a party? - No bourgeois frills.

We listened to records and played Scrabble. Really cool!

Anne, come and look!

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

Maybe because of his patients.

I think that's...

If he's a nice guy, it's OK.

I'd rather just live with a guy. There's no rush.

And no kids before I'm 25!

What are you doing? We're waiting!

- Calm down! I don't like bossy women. - Women's Lib will win.

Whether you like it or not, pal.

DOMESTIC WAYS

A double shift she's working

Poor Mama

It's exhausting

And it's underpaid

Friedrich Engels once did say

That in the families of foday

The bourgeois is the man, the proletarian is the woman

He was right

Daddy Engels

We can think about the problems

With people we love, to solve them

We can daydream about it

And then act and then change

Want a drink? I'm thirsty.

Wait, don't move.

What's wrong?

Marie's not in yet. She didn't say a word to me.

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

Why? I never kept her from going out.

You're her mother. That's enough.

So I tie her down?

Should I let her run wild and keep my trap shut?

Remember your talk about sexual oppression of the young.

And how women must make their own decisions.

She's heard all that.

That's true. And she's heard too much about the pill.

She might get pregnant out of spite.

She's a clever girl. Leave her alone.

You think I'm a nag?

No. A mum.

- You want to be a Chinese interpreter? - Maybe.

Depending on what?

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

You're sure of yourself right here and now?

Not too sure.

- Besides, the moment's too typical. - Typical?

A boy, a girl, night, hugs, all that...

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

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

We don't always scheme. We're often sincere.

- You OK? - I'm OK.

- What are you scared of? - I'm scared. Are you glad?

Shit! You've never slept with a guy.

- Right. - 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 sleep with him as soon as he whistles.

There's no hurry!

- So I'll wait. - That's it. You wait.

If a child

I'm willing fo hatch

If one day

We have a hot loving-maftch

It1] be a child of love

/t1] be good, it'll be right

We'll reproduce

With passion

But if for reasons I hide or show

My love for you doesn't start a glow

Nor an heir in me

It's because love is sufficient

To both our lives as happy lovers

My body is mine

My body is mine

See you, Francois! Bye, Zorro!

See you soon!

Bye, girls!

So went the river and chance friends,

as well as the tour.

Apple wrofe new songs

and quietly awaited her new child.

From one poste restante fo the next, she got few postcards from Suzanne.

It made her want to see her all the more.

This is Micou.

Joelle.

Now we'll sing one called The Bubble Woman.

To sing it, we strap on bumps,

except for her who's got a real one.

When you have a swollen tummy,

it causes various reactions.

Oh, it's good to be a bubble

It's beautiful

70 be a balloon

A workshop for molecules

A beautiful ovule

A cell factory

A big fat fish

Your song's ambiguous. It also suits the "right to life" movement.

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

I don't say "have kids".

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

and not listen to the Church or the State.

I use various images of women to show how I feel and sing about it!

Oh, it's good to be a fat dream

It's beautiful fo be a balloon

A green tree loaded with sap

A rising loaf of bread

A cookie filled with a fortune

A harvest

It's good to be a ball

It's beautiful fo be a balloon

Like a soft and downy hen

It's like flowing milk

Like a pigeon cooing

To her nestling

Oh, it's good to be a woman

It's beautiful

70 be a balloon

A body made of fire and flame

A body and soul

A peaceful body, a deep nest

A song

Afterwards, Suzanne's life continued at the pool,

the Women's Centre and her home.

- How are you, Mrs Aubanel? - Can't I live my own life?

In spite of her leftist daughfters sarcasm,

Suzanne felt at ease in marriage

after so many years as a social misfit.

She and Pierre opened a baby swimming programme.

Their marriage also meant working together.

Meanwhile, Apple gave birth a second time

in pain and exaltation fo a girl named Suzanne.

She went on tour again with The Orchids.

They all raised the baby and had fun with her.

Apple rolled along, living her life.

When she had a boyfriend

she quickly saw If he was her kind of man or just a man.

She lived with the group, yet alone.

Alone with little Suzanne, Darius' gift.

In summer two years lafer,

for once Suzanne and Apple met again without a tragedy, birth or panic.

For once it was a holiday with friends in a big rented house.

They laughed, ate, went walking

and played music.

And they looked at old photos they'd brought specially.

They compared pictures, talked and debafted.

Apple was proud of Suzanne

who had lots of aunts and a few uncles instead of a father.

A true family.

She dreamt of the day Darius would also come on holiday

with Parviz Guillaume and no doubt a new wife and child.

Apple was still as optimistic as ever.

Marie had changed. She was 17 and had a boyfriend, Theodore,

whom she called Theoduddy, her close buday.

Joelle and Micou hadn't changed.

Francois the First, who they'd met in Bobigny, was now living with Doudou.

At times he went on four with them.

Zorro, son of Frangois I/,

clipped and classed by school, still lived with his single-father dad.

They were always together in the school holidays.

Marie was in her last year of school and still wanted fo learn Chinese.

She also wanted fo be a photographer, like her father.

Apple felt good.

She loved the soft summer twilights by the lake.

Mathieu had changed.

At fimes he was shy or else very trusting in Pierre,

who truly suited Suzanne, a patient, passionate woman.

For her he was proof shed led her life well.

All was going well for her. For them.

Also, she loved to see and know Apple was now coherent and content

after struggling so hard with others and herself

Their friendship was very sound.

True, they were different.

One sang, the other didn't

Yet they were alike.

They'd fought to gain the happiness of being a woman.

Maybe their optimistic fight could help others.

Like Marie, who was becoming a worman.

No one thought it would be easier for her,

but perhaps simpler, clearer.