Original subtitles

The arginorette

more commonly called water spider

lives in an air bubble.

Some sort of diving bell that she builds herself near the bottom of the water .

These spiders catch their prey using a net

they knit between the vegetation in the water.

They even trail the fish,

jumping on their back,

piercing them with their stingers and diving with their victims.

They only let go when the fish is dead.

"Fairy tales are childrens fears that get fulfilled..."

Bernard?

You went to the farm to ask for some wood?

You know it.

You sound like I'm boring you.

I told you a thousand times I can't work if I'm not alone.

I can go if you want.

No stay here.

To be true I'm not working. I'm only typing my notes.

Why you don't let me type them like you used to do?

My writing is so bad even I have a hard time reading it.

In the past you used to let me know your work.

You were asking for my help from time to time.

It's true.

You told me everything.

You don't say anything now.

Why?

And yet I'm your wife.

Listen Cathy. We're not going to start arguing again.

No.

But we should straighten things out.

It's been years since we've tried that and things are more and more confused.

You know...

Lucienne is not well at all.

You should come with me to the village.

Bernard, you don't love me anymore.

That again. Of course I love you but I can still have a place for myself

to work alone and be quiet.

Can't I?

I don't see your point.

I understand you.

I'll let you work then.

I'm going to bed.

I'll finish my page and I'm with you.

I was walking innocently,

let's say idly,

near the river,

when a faraway voice as if it came from the bottom of the water

made me stop.

The thin and piercing sound of it modulated

and was clearly separated from the undefined buzzing of nature around it.

Surprised, I departed from the reeds

and bent over.

It was only, above the moving slickness reflecting a golden shimmer,

one of those water spiders lured by the seasons

out of her mysterious abode.

She went here and there amidst the green transparence.

Suddenly...

And all around again was the

frail but loud at the same time, strange sound sequence,

I understood then that this spider was telling me

by her almost human way of singing

her joy of living.

Hey Mr Bernard!

-Hello. -It's a real pleasure this beautiful weather, isn't it?

Yeah, that's for sure.

I think it won't last. There are clouds gathering there.

You're right, there are clouds.

Your wife is doing well?

My wife? Oh yes, she's fine.

Speaking of her...Yesterday...

she went to see one of your neighbors, Mrs Lucienne.

-Poor old lady. She won't last long. -Your wife is too good.

She has nothing else to do. She's bored.

You know, people like mother Lucienne should be avoided.

You have a spider on your shoulder. These nasty bugs are everywhere.

-Well, see you soon. -Goodbye Mr Bernard. Say hello to your lady.

How can I tell Catherine that I've lived an empty life for so long

and that suddenly one day

something happened?

Something...

that somehow

I was waiting for.

Thanks.

Careful. It's very hot.

Bernard...

Your works going fine? You're happy with the result? -Yes. Sure.

How to tell her the facts in the most simplest manner?

Most of the people

believe that the answer, the explanation to the mystery of life

is that there's no mystery.

Yet in every one of us sooner or later

the supernatural appears.

Excuse me.

You went to the grocery store this morning?

-You know I never go to the grocery. You're disturbing me for that? -Alright.

I'm looking for my wallet. You seen it?

Everything gets lost in this house.

You can't imagine how unpleasant it is to be interrupted when one's writing.

I told you not to come in here when I'm working.

I'm sorry.

I won't do it again.

Try not getting me dirty. I'm going out tonight.

You cut me a slice of bread for the cheese please?

Kitty! What are you doing here?

Go on.

Say...

it's alright with you if I'm going to see Mother Lucienne tonight?

-Sure. -She's ill again.

At her home there are lots of people and I can speak with them.

Don't forget your coat. It's cold outside.

Bernard...

What's wrong with you?

You always look so worried. It's your work? You want me to help you?

Not at all. I'm fine.

You always look like I'm boring you.

Take some cheese now.

Or you will be late.

Yes, you're right.

You don't want to come with me?

-It would change your mind. -I can't.

I have to clear out my notes.

Alright.

See you later then.

Catherine.

I wish I could have broken

the unbearable constraint of your eternal suspicions.

But a word from you was enough to make me feel guilty.

All was pretext and particularly what you didn't understand

to forge some weapons that

have hurt you before they reached me.

Rather than awaken your torment

wasn't it better to continue keeping myself silent?

As if I was really guilty.

You got up early this morning.

I'm going to prepare breakfast.

You were already working?

Can you butter some slices for me please.

You know...

I didn't hear you waking up.

I was worried.

Worried? Why?

You're nervous these days.

I'm not.

Buy you didn't kiss me this morning.

Thanks.

You want some milk?

Yes.

I forgot to feed the cats.

There's no hurry. They can wait for a while.

Take it easy.

Mite, Pat?

Come on, come on.

Bernard...

Where are you going? Do you need something?

Not at all. I'm going to the attic to get some old books.

Want me to go with you. I know where they are.

There's no need.

I will go up there later.

Wait.

Help me to get dressed please.

Turn over then.

What do you want to eat for lunch?

You want something special?

I don't know. What'd you have in mind?

-I don't know. Something you like. -That's fine.

Well...

I'm going to the village then.

Maybe I will go and see Lucienne. Don't worry.

No, no.

You look so far away.

To give her a name

I made her choose blindly on the calendar.

She fell on Narcisse.

The second time her finger fell on Lydie.

To not betray chance

I made a third name out of the two.

She already possessed me

like the inapprehensible song

that had me bending over the river at first.

Nadie.

Nadie.

Nadie.

Bernard!

Open up!

What are you doing?

Wait. I'm coming.

What's happening with you?

-I don't understand. You're locking yourself up now? -I probably closed the door...

without thinking.

Nadie...

Where did you get that dress?

Strange things happen in the village for a while now.

I wanted to talk with you.

It's a bit delicate to say.

What's wrong with them?

They complain.

-Hello Mr Abbot. -Come on. Hurry up.

What are they complaining about?

I don't understand. Explain it to me.

Several people complained...

-About what? -Don't get angry Mrs.

Put yourself in my shoes.

Some things disappear.

Things they put on the window sill. Bread, milk..

Even eggs from the coop.

What does it mean? I don't understand.

They assert...

Understand me. It's hard to explain.

They assert, they have proof that you're lodging a girl who...

A girl?

It would be her stealing at night.

I don't understand.

-Maybe Mr Bernard knows. -It's just nonsense.

Maybe.

It's what I first thought.

-But neighbours you know... -Father, your parishioners have visions.

You know very well Mrs...

There's no more appearances nowadays. At least not in this country.

Then?

I'm leaving you.

I will try to explain that to them.

Very well.

Thank you Father.

I will also have a talk with my husband.

The Father told me robberies had been commited in the village.

What do you think about it?

I don't know. What do you want me to tell you?

I'm never go out. You know it.

The baker also told me he had been robbed this morning.

The baker? Maybe it's the gypsies. I've seen a few of them the other day.

They often pass through here.

-You didn't notice something missing in the house? -No.

And you?

They always make a fuss about nothing in this village.

They pretend they've seen a girl in our garden.

Please don't bother me with that story.

Bernard...

You're hiding something from me.

No Catherine. I hide nothing from you. You're under the influence of gossip.

Probably Lucienne and all the others...

I've got some work now. Leave me alone.

"Leave me alone. Leave me alone." You say that all the time!

As if I was useless to you.

What do you want me to do?

I must go to the village every day.

You can't imagine the gossip going on out there.

And it's me being targeted. Think about me for once.

They say they've seen a girl in the garden. They could not make it up!

You see nothing, nothing, nothing.

You lock yourself up in your study like the other day.

For ten years you've been sitting here. It's all you can write about in your life, damn bugs!

Come on Catherine. It's not because things have disappeared and

a girl has been seen in our garden

that you must go crazy over it. -You see. You confess now!

Listen now Catherine!

Even if someone slept in the sloping roof there's no harm in that.

So it's true!

-I'm going to have a talk with her! -Where are you going?

-There's nobody up there. -You're lying.

I'm sure she's your lover. I'm sure, I'm sure she's here.

Why would I lie to you?

After all I don't care if you don't believe me. (Inaudible)

(Inaudible)

Calm down Catherine!

If you could see yourself the way I see you. You're a loser, a loser.

-It's a misunderstanding. I can assure you. You misunderstood me. -A loser, a loser...

-Well, I'm leaving now. -You're going to see her?

Oh, no...

I beg you.

Don't go.

If you go now I kill myself!

Come on. Calm down.

Calm down.

Why did you do that to me?

I love you, you know.

I don't want you to love her, I don't want you to love her...

I don't want...

I don't want...

-Hello Mr Bernard. -Hello.

Bernard.

I cannot stand anymore people destroying all the noble things in you.

Farewell.

I felt then

no worry at all

but a deep relief.

Eat, eat.

They must get used to you.

You will give them food, right?

Not now.

Put it there. On the floor.

Leave me alone now, Nadie.

Let me work.

I treated her as a simple woman

when I should have built a new environment for her.

Create an object in response of her every whim.

Lacking imagination

I dragged her into my reality

instead of her dragging me into hers.

At least they didn't scare you.

Have no fear Nadie.

I'm glad you came back, you know.

Did you get ahead in your work?

Bernard.

I missed you.

Me too I missed you.

She's still here?

I'm going to bed.

Cathy?

I thought you went to bed?

No Bernard. I'm here.

We're not disturbing you?

Get on with your work.

Don't pay attention to us.

No...you're not disturbing me.

Thank you Catherine.

Bernard!

Listen Catherine.

I have to talk to you.

We should sell the house and leave.

But...your work?

-We came here for your work. -And it's for my work that we should leave.

Come sit next to me.

We're living isolated from the world.

But it's you who wanted it this way.

-You said solitude was necessary for you. -Yes I know but...

It lasted too long.

Don't you think?

Bernard...

It's because of that girl

that you want to leave? -Don't start again with that.

-You know there's nothing between us. -Yes, I believe you.

We will sell the house. We will go to Paris.

And we will reunite with our old friends.

-Alright? -Yes.

You look scared.

It's the people of the village.

The peasants.

They get on my nerves.

I love you.

Bernard!

Bernard!

Bernard!

Bernard!

Then silence,

a silence from beyond the world

covered the splash of our fall

while I felt the body clasping at me transforming itself

and choking me between his clawed legs.

timings : meatisgood translation : aloysius70