Original subtitles

I'm sorry.

Anyway, tell me about the apartment. Was the latest... I mean...

It's absolutely crazy, does that mean they stole it?

No, like the Marais, it was kinda like the Lower East Side.

Jewish immigrants were tenants. So I don't think it's stolen.

Yeah, what does Bertrand think about all this?

He doesn't know yet. I have not the guts to tell him.

Look sis, you are a New Yorker and a fighter,

and 25 years in France is not gonna change that.

- You do what you gotta do. - Yeah.

Easier said than done.

Wladyslaw and Rywka Starzynski.

Deported and executed at Auschwitz in 1942.

No Sarah, no Michel...

The Starzynski children are not on any of the lists of deportees

neither in Poland nor Drancy.

I'm sure they escaped.

Julia, you're obsessing.

Well, wouldn't you be?

These people could be anywhere.

They may still be alive.

Okay, and what are you going to do? Give them back their France?

Yeah, why not?

Okay.

I would just let sleeping dogs lie. And... you know what I mean.

It's my father-in-law.

I just can't believe they didn't know anything.

Is that what they told you?

I don't know how to bring it up.

Well, you know there's a simple way-- you...

pick up the phone, and you ask them.

You're very quiet this morning.

That's all we need.

Quiet she's in a bad way.

Should we call the doctor?

Dr. Th�venin's on holiday.

I often see his stand-in talking to Germans.

We'll see how she is later.

I can't wait I have to go to Paris!

What are you saying?

After all this time my poor girl

he must've escaped you know.

He swore to wait. I have to go now.

I'll burn all that it'll be safer.

I'll give you some of Nicolas's clothes.

Who's that?

My grandson. He's your age.

With your hair under a hat you'll look like a boy.

What about Paris?

What about hot milk and some bread and butter?

What do you say?

What's your name?

Michelle.

I can't let him wait.

It's okay Michelle...

You can relax now.

She's very sick.

She needs a doctor.

Not yet. She's sleeping. We'll see.

Help me!

The blanket.

We have to get the doctor.

You can see she's dying.

Lieutenant the child is ill.

She's ill I agree.

How was I to know? I couldn't leave her by the road to die.

Two children escaped from the camp. You're sure you didn't see another?

No there was only the girl.

You realize the risk you'd be taking

if you hid the child?

If we'd hidden another why would we call the doctor?

Go ahead search...

Search if you're calling us liars.

You think we're that stupid?

Go on go up.

You're wasting your time.

She's dead.

Diphtheria.

It was too late to do anything for her.

I'll put her in my car.

I'll expect you tomorrow at the Kommandantur

to make an official statement. It won't take long.

Heil Hitler!

Fetch the girl. One dead child today is quite enough.

My real name is Sarah.

�douard? You get the days mixed up?

Hello darling.

That's what I was just saying.

He was supposed to come yesterday.

I'm not the only basket case in the family.

Julia you never answer my calls.

I left you three messages.

Sorry I've been very busy.

I was going to call you back.

Why are you avoiding me?

I know you asked Mam� and Bertrand about the apartment.

You do?

Can we step outside?

What are you two up to?

Please.

We're just going outside Mam�.

We'll be right back.

Let's go to my car. We can talk there.

Come now lad don't be scared of me.

One day you'll be a soldier too won't you?

Allow me...

He's a fine looking boy.

You don't have much luggage.

At least we can be sure you're not black marketeers.

Identity papers.

Sorry excuse me.

And the boy?

In the envelope. At the bottom.

A problem?

No it's fine.

Thank you.

I talked to Bertrand.

He said you were writing an article...

On the roundup of the Jews.

How's the apartment relevant?

I thought she couldn't get up.

Just when you think you know a person...

No sly allusions please.

And stay out of other people's business if you don't mind.

If I said "Starzynski"?

My family had nothing to do with the Starzynskis' arrest.

You knew?

Yes.

Nobody else knew except my father and I.

Meaning?

She must never find out you understand?

She was out that day.

What day?

The day the girl came back.

I answered the door to her.

For goodness' sake slow down. You don't know who you'll meet.

See you up there.

The apartment's already taken. There are others opposite.

We're just going up to the 3rd floor.

The Tezacs'?

Michel!

Who's that?

Goodness Sarah wait!

Where's Michel? Where's my brother?

Your brother?

Dad!

What's all this ruckus?

I'm sorry!

My father wanted to pay for everything.

But I think the other couple took the body away with them.

I don't remember.

And Mam�?

She was in the store.

Dad didn't want her to find out.

It's impossible. You must have noticed something.

When we moved in there was a terrible stench.

There was a dead cat in the kitchen.

There was barely any furniture. The apartment had been ransacked.

It was wartime you see.

So we threw everything out.

But the stench was still there.

Dad thought there must be a dead bird in the gutter.

We closed the window but...

It only got worse. You see?

We couldn't find the key to the closet.

We didn't want to break the door down.

That was when the girl arrived.

In the afternoon on the second day.

What happened to Sarah?

From 1942 to his death Dad never once spoke her name.

Sarah was part of the secret.

Whenever I asked where she was what happened to her

he told me to be quiet.

Do you want to know?

You know where she is?

I don't know but...

I do know she was never sent to the camps.

When my father died...

the lawyer told me about...

certain personal papers.

They're kept at the bank.

I never dared take a look.

You'd allow me to take a look?

Anyone home?

So? What do you think?

It's beautiful.

Isn't it beautiful?

I don't know if I can live here one day. I don't know...

I can't picture us here.

It's just perfect for the three of us.

- The three of us? - Sure.

Come here...

Not too much.

Why aren't you always like this?

What do you mean like this?

Like this.

Sorry.

Don't you see how phony this is?

What's going on?

You're being so sweet now.

But...

you want me to abort!

You only once asked me what the doc said. You don't give a damn!

Anyway we know your answer.

You're going to China.

Look we've talked about this.

I think it's best for us. A whole new life.

I know. In one week you sign the deal of the century.

No money worries for the next 150 years!

Grown-up daughter beautiful apartment from deported Jews...

What?

Nothing.

What did you just say?

Nothing.

It's been a long and tiring day. I have to go.

What did you just say?

I shouldn't have said it.

Talk to your father.

Did you know?

I only found out today like you.

Why didn't you ever say?

To protect you all.

I suppose...

you'll tell your sisters?

How can I keep it a secret?

For Mam�.

It was her home all her life.

Your wife.

- �douard? - Yes Julia.

- Do you know where Bertrand is? - He's right here.

I'm really sorry.

- I didn't want it to be this way. - He's a big boy.

He'll cope.

Why are you calling exactly?

It's late.

About your father.

I wanted you to know he always did the right thing.

Thank you Julia.

Don't mention it. Goodnight.

Dear sir, I wanted to thank you again on Sarah's behalf.

You asked us not to but we told her

you send 100 francs every month for her.

I had to tell her the honest truth. I hope you understand.

Last week we harvested the wheat.

Sarah worked relentlessly until her arms throbbed in pain.

As usual she never complained.

I noticed your last two cheques were for 120 francs.

Now the war's over we'll buy her clothes in Orl�ans.

I enclose a photo of her with my two grandsons Nicolas and Edgar.

She's beautiful isn't she?

Sarah!

Watch out you'll catch cold.

Don't worry.

What the heck are you doing?

Dear sir, Sarah is very well.

In November the whole family visited the D-Day beaches.

It was the first time she'd seen the sea.

She's really grown you know.

Her personality's changed markedly.

She's secretive and wild.

And she's tempted by other horizons.

These dark days

sully our nation's history forever.

74 trains

left for Auschwitz.

76,000 Jews were deported from France

and never came back.

Yes the criminal madness of the Occupier

was as we all know

abetted by French citizens

abetted by the French state.

Julia, you are right. We're gonna put this online to go with the article.

Nice speech, but... he hadn't bring anybody back.

His words made noise at the time. Supposed to carry more weigh, don't you think?

Your article is amazing, Julia.

Well, I think that this all happened right in the middle of Paris in front of everyone...

is absolutely disgusting.

Then how do you know what you'd have done?

What do you mean?

If you'd been there, how do you know...

what you'd have done?

I watched that story on TV, you know

like the bombing of civilians in Iraq, Afghanistan...

- Mike, please. - But...

Yes speaking.

Thanks for calling me back.

No I'm looking for Nicolas or Edgar Dufaure.

Or family members...

What's going on with Julia? Does anybody know?

I don't know.

Or even distant relations?

Thanks for calling anyway.

Mom? Who's this?

That was a little girl I'm trying to track down. I'll tell you about it.

You'll tell me if there is something wrong, right?

Sweetie, of course.

Don't worry.

Morning Mrs. Tezac.

Take this pill and get ready. Are you fasting?

Good. I'll pop back later.

On the form you left the "person to notify" box blank.

Is it mandatory?

Yes we need a name.

Excuse me.

Sorry.

Julia it's me.

I wanted to say I wish I was there. I'm thinking of you.

I hope it all went okay.

I'm also very aware that what we're going through

is difficult but we've been there before and we'll make it.

I love you.

All my love.

Hello I got your message last night.

I'm Nathalie Dufaure. A cousin gave me your number.

My father was Nicolas Dufaure.

I'm not sure how I can help you but if you want

you can reach me on the number on caller ID.

Have a good day.

A termination?

Yes but she doesn't seem very sure.

I think I can be there in two hours.

What's going on Mrs. Tezac?

Okay outside the church. If I have a problem I'll call you.

Thank you very much goodbye.

If you've changed your mind take the time to think it through.

Actually I have thought it through

and I think I've wasted your time.

I'm really sorry but...

There you go.

Hello.

See? You couldn't miss it.

Nathalie.

Can I leave the car here?

Shall we go?

When I told my grandfather you wanted to see him about Sarah

you can't imagine how his face lit up.

He thought you could give him news.

Or be his daughter.

It's over 50 years since he last saw her.

Forgive me. I love you.

It was in May 1953.

She just left without giving an address.

It hit my great-grandfather worst.

But he never blamed her.

He told me on his deathbed.

He understood. He was expecting it.

She never tried to get in touch?

You've no idea where she might be?

This was the last we heard of her. In 1955.

I guess it was just to say she'd made a new life for herself.

It came with no explanation.

May I?

Of course.

Sarah and Richard Rainsferd...

in Brooklyn.

She went to America.

Right.

There you are. I've been trying to reach you whole day.

My phone was off the hook.

- Good to see you. - I too.

Bertrand called. He is worried.

What is going on?

Did you go thru the...?

You have to talk to him.

I miss him too.

- I wish I came home more often. - So do I.

Did you find what I asked you for?

Yes, idiot with internet connection could have.

There are five... five Rainsferd in Brooklyn.

Up to you to find the right one.

Why are you doing this?

I don't know.

Someone.

I am looking for Sarah or Richard Rainsferd.

Not heard of them.

Thank you.

I am looking for Richard and Sarah Rainsferd.

No, there is no Richard or Sarah here.

And... anyone in your family called Richard or Sarah?

- No, I'm sorry. No one. - Ok. Right.

- Thank you. - Take care.

I'm sorry to bother you sir. Are you Richard Rainsferd?

No, Bob Rainsferd.

Do you know Sarah or Richard Rainsferd?

No, sorry.

- Thank you for your time. - Ok.

So, next is...

Hi! Can I help you?

Yeah, I am looking for Ms. Rainsferd, but I'm not sure this is the right house.

Oh sure. My mother is out shopping. You're a friend?

No, not a friend. I- I just know some of his family.

- Oh, in Europe? - Yeah, in Europe. Yeah.

So... you're living in the city now?

No, I live in Paris. But I grew up here.

Wow, the most beautiful city in the world. I marvel at it.

- Your mother told you that? - My mother mostly talked about Rome.

Excuse me.

Hello.

We'll be with you all day. Thank you. Bye-bye.

That was Amber, my father's nurse.

She'll be coming by soon.

Oh is he sick? I'm sorry.

Yeah. But mother is strong.

She's always the one cheering us all up.

Oh, that's her. Excuse me. I've to help her.

It was in 1966.

Probably a tire blew out.

The truck driver claimed she just swerved towards him and

there was nothing he could do.

I met Richard two years later.

At first he didn't want to get remarried.

In some way, he...

he wanted to remain always Sarah's husband.

But, as years went by and...

finally he'd changed his mind and so...

here we are.

Their son lives in Italy.

She had a son?

William, my half-brother.

He was nine...

when Sarah had her accident.

Afterward, it was difficult to cope, but...

I raised him like my own.

I taught him to love Italy...

to eat pasta.

And by chance, he met a woman...

from the village where I was born.

And he never came back.

He is living in Florence now.

It did him good to- to leave America...

and to start over in Europe.

Amber. Pardon me a moment. Excuse me.

May I speak to your husband?

I don't know if it's a good idea...

to bring all these up again.

He is very sick, you know.

I understand.

And what about his son?

Mom, I want you to be straight. Are you having an affair?

No. Of course not.

Why do you want to leave Dad?

I never said that. What... Who told you that? Did he?

No, but... if you didn't,

why would you just leave like that to Florence?

Sweetie...

It's way more complicated than that.

Listen, I'm coming home tomorrow

and we'll talk about it. Is that ok?

And the baby... You should have told me about it.

I'm a 13 kid you know.

I know, I know, I'm sorry.

- Don't you want us to have a little baby? - I didn't say that.

Actually, I love to have a little brother.

Or a little sister.

Whatever, just don't count on me to change any diapers.

I love you, choupinette.

Are you Julia?

You speak French?

Childhood memories talking with Mum.

But I guess I'm a bit... rusty?

What would you like to drink?

Water, it will be perfect.

You want dinner?

Just drink something.

Water and a glass of Brunello.

So, you are a journalist. I looked you up.

I read your amazing book on Tuscan cuisine.

Thank you. It's responsible for that--

10 pounds I have a million to lose.

So, what can I do for you?

You're... obviously way too young to know my mother.

I'm from the Tezac family.

- The who? - The Tezac.

I'm sorry, it doesn't ring a bell.

Tezac. No.

I mean they... took over the apartment on rue de Saintonge

just after your mother's family were...

And... my father-in-law, �douard Tezac was there the day...

they found your uncle Michel.

I don't have an uncle.

Your mother's younger brother.

My mother didn't had any brother.

And I never heard of Rue de Saintonge.

Perhaps you mix me up with someone else.

Your mother's name is Sarah?

Yes, my mother's name is Sarah, Sarah Rainsferd.

And before that Sarah Dufaure.

And Starzynski, it doesn't mean anything to you?

Starzynski? No.

I'm sorry. I guess that means you come all this way for nothing.

I'm so sorry.

You must be talking about... some other Sarah.

What is it you wanted to say to the son of this supposed...

Do you recognize her?

It is impossible. No...

There is a little resemblance, but...

This isn't my mother.

Are you sure?

Yes, I'm sure.

My mother wasn't...

Jewish.

What are you up to? Why did you come here?

To tell my mother was called something else?

That she was involved in this tragedy? Is that why you're here?

I'm so sorry. I thought you knew.

This is insane. My mother was French.

Her name was Dufaure. She never had a brother.

She never lived in rue de Saintonge because she never even lived in Paris.

- You've got it all wrong. - No please, let me explain that.

I think you should know the whole story.

No, no. I don't want to know.

- Please. I think it is important... - No, no.

Let me be clear.

I don't wanna talk about this.

And I don't want to see you again.

And please do not call me.

Enjoy Florence.

You have to admit it's crazy vanishing like that.

New York, Italy seeing this guy. What did you hope to find?

Now you've stirred it all up the whole family knows, even Mam�.

Just think aged 95...

- You care about her now? - Not that, not today!

Anyway what's the problem? Your honor�s intact.

Your family's blameless. You can move in now but count me out!

We're selling it.

Rest assured we want rid of it.

Family decision. But remember I grew up there.

I only wanted to know the truth.

The truth?

The journalist's quest.

So where does it get us now this bright shiny truth?

We're all much happier now even that guy.

Everything's so much better now the truth's out.

Truth has a price whether you like it or not.

Fine. What do we do now?

I don't know.

But I deeply desire to keep this baby.

Can you understand that just as deeply I don't want it?

Yes I understand.

We always wanted another child.

- Hi, Dad. - Oh, William..

You're supposed to be with your wife and kids?

No, I should be right here... right now.

You saw that lady journalist, didn't you?

Yes, the one with the crazy story, I most certainly did.

Sit down, William.

- I'll help you. - No, no. Sit down.

You're not gonna tell me that... all this was true?

Are you?

I remember...

the first time I saw your mother.

It was in a dance hall in Manhattan.

I watched two things that came to mind.

The first...

She was the most incredibly beautiful woman...

I had never seen in my life.

The second...

Behind those smiles...

she may be hiding something.

We had a good time.

But I guess...

she felt uncomfortable the world around her.

She also was the saddest... person that I had never met.

I used 10 years trying to erase that sadness.

But then I realized how impossible it was.

It wasn't an accident you know.

What?

Her accident...

was not an accident.

Are you saying she killed herself?

- Dad! - Look...

Look, at her final years that depression kept getting worse and worse than ever.

All the pills, and the balls and...

Like there was something...

that kept growing all the time maligner.

- You want a share? - No.

- You won't tell me, will you? - No. Go on.

We had some horrible arguments...

- about your identity. - No.

What you should...

What you shouldn't know.

We never agreed about anything.

She took precautions too.

Right after you were born...

she rushed out of the hospital with you...

for a church to get you baptized.

I took a day off work so I wouldn't miss it.

For her, if you were Jewish...

your life was in danger.

It's...

irrational, I'm sure of it...

Everything's in here.

What's this?

We never talked about...

but I'm sure she wanted me to give you this.

Why didn't you tell me?

Why did you wait...

until I'm fifty?

I was weak.

My whole life is a lie.

William, my kid...

Dammit, you know, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me.

I love you kid but...

We are all a product of our history.

Well, yours happens to be in those pages.

Go, my son. Do not be afraid.

What's this?

- Can you see me like this? - Yes. And you?

[Two years later]

I see nothing.

I don't get it. I hear you but I can't see you.

You sure it works?

Shit Dad the camera works. I can see you.

You must've messed up somewhere.

I'll try again. Hold on.

Amazing! I can see you!

You're still going with the Goth look?

You prefer jailbait-slut?

What's your mother say?

Leave Mum out of this.

Is babycakes with you?

I'll get her. Hold on.

Who's that?

Move it's filming.

Who is it?

A friend.

Youth is not sexually transmitted.

Very funny.

How are you doing at school?

Any better?

Dad! I want to move back to Paris.

I miss you. This country pisses me off.

That's not the real issue.

You're 14 that's all.

- Is your mother in? - Why?

We got a call this morning. An American.

On a pilgrimage in his mother's footsteps.

William?

Julia?

Oh sorry. I don't know even in France, they shake hands nowadays.

- Hello, princess, what's your name? - Lucy.

Nice to meet you, Lucy.

It's a bit of a tourist trap.

But my mother used to take me here often as a kid.

She was enamored at the view.

So...

How long have you been here?

Oh I have been here for a year.

You just left everything?

- I'm sorry, I'm not meaning to pry. - No.

Can I take your order?

- I have a hot chocolate. - Oh, hot chocolate. Make it two.

The Dufaures kept everything.

It is amazing.

They must have been so happy to meet you.

Yeah.

I like them.

These diaries made me realized

I didn't know my mother at all.

I mean, I know her face, smile, smell.

But I didn't know anything about her.

- Doubts, fears, her dreams. - Yeah.

And here I am, 40 years later, actually getting to know her.

It's so great of you to meet me.

When I got back from Italy, I was very depressed.

Suddenly I realized how horribly selfish I'd been,

digging around other people's lives,

stirring things up and...

- judging them even. - No.

Yeah. Who am I?

So... thank you.

No, I thank you.

And thanks to you, my dad... died with some peace.

- What're you gonna do now? - I don't know.

It's weird I- I really needed to come home

and now I just feel like foreigner. So away.

I guess France has a bigger power on me than I thought.

I may go back to Paris.

My oldest daughter doesn't like it here. She just can't adapt too much.

I want her to be able to see her dad whenever she wants.

She's-- she's adorable,

your Lucy.

You know, Lucy is the giraffe.

So what's her name then?

Sarah.

- Sorry. - No.

- Sorry. - It's me. I'm sorry.

Thank you.