Original subtitles

Provided by explosiveskull https://twitter.com/kaboomskull

Stop him!

Alright.

The guy flat out with the goofy smile? That's me. Damien.

I'm here chewing asphalt partly 'cause of my pledge.

I'm not much of a militant or activist. Even less a unionist.

No, I'm a guy who, just once, tried to do what's right.

To get involved, like my parents.

They were the real deal. Total citizens!

ADOPT A DADDY

Actually, it's easier if we start with them.

Comrades!

We must continue to occupy the university.

Right?

Screw it!

Who is for the occupation?

Easy question!

We are for occupying the university!

My dad Vigo and mom Carole met at med school.

Fuckers!

- You ok? - They coulda had my eye out!

Bunch of fascist pigs!

The streets belong to us!

You need a good lay!

Fuck!

- Carole... - See that?

Will you marry me?

For Mélanie and me, every day was dedicated to a cause.

Sumatran tigers, sexual inequality, any reason to get angry.

I can't take Damien to school Monday, I'm with the farmers,

spraying County Hall with manure.

Enjoy!

Start moderato, finish crescendo.

Hey, PM, do you wanna know

what to do with your law?

Stick it!

Very good!

Stick it, no hesitation!

We are the revolution!

Great, you've got it.

From the top!

Protests, marches, sit-ins, strikes,

sometimes with no idea what it was for.

What are they against tonight?

Pretty much everything, I think.

Kinda vague, as messages go.

When power goes nuclear

Society's in danger

When power goes nuclear Society's in danger

Hey, Michel!

I'm on vacation.

See you in 3 weeks?

- You bet! - For sure!

Have a great vacation.

- Enjoy it! - See you, Michel!

Negotiating's pointless. It's non-negotiable.

Shit!

You're kidding me!

That doesn't shock you?

We occupy the abattoir, defend animals, and you torch sausages?

The meeting discussed this.

Sorry, it's no sit-in without braziers and sausages.

You're sabotaging our media plan.

Sausages are a symbol of the struggle.

Some symbol!

That's such a waste!

It sucks.

- Do you ever think? - Sure, I do!

You overthink it!

Carole, sweetheart!

Press!

Lay her on the ground!

Sweetheart!

- Call for help! - Press!

Sweetheart, stay with me.

Mommy died in action,

surrounded by her comrades, my father and...

the smell of the barbecue.

Stay with me! Look at me!

I'm sorry, Vigo.

Maybe it's too early,

but we'll help you sort through her stuff.

No one touches a thing!

No, sure, it's not...

There's a time for everything.

Pin to your heart

A scrap of red fabric

A flower the color of blood

If you really want

Things to change at all

Stand up 'cause the time is now

Dad lost more than a wife, a companion, friend, light, guide...

He lost his anger.

Your cables are tangled.

Try, dad.

There you go.

Neighbors put up with the noise and smells...

Chirac had a way with words.

He was a retired doctor, not a rebel anymore.

If that's his way with words, see you.

Cancer do-gooders!

My sister was angrier than ever.

Your plant's asbestos? I'll ram it down their throats.

Should we consider another method?

Convinced that activism killed our mother,

rather than defend the weak and ignorant,

she advocated for the rich and powerful, and made them pay for it.

- Looks like... - Like it's bust.

- You got my invoice? - Sure.

- You didn't pay it. - I know.

Let's go win this case!

- Your lighter doesn't work. - I noticed.

Personally, I was neither disillusioned, nor angry.

Our family had lost its best soldier.

Our fighting spirit had gone.

I was a sort of deserter.

As a counselor in an inner-city school,

I'm part-educator, but mostly part-guard.

Basically, I'm a drudge.

Damien!

We have a tiny problem with Bahzad.

It seems his mother has been detained.

We called, she can't pick him up. Can you try?

I should be long gone.

Great! Myriam will brief you.

How come I always end up waiting for late parents?

Look! I'm in a meeting!

Just do me a favor, will you, Damien? Thank you.

I'm in a meeting, too.

Don't go anywhere.

Myriam!

What's he doing?

Bahzad, stop!

Mom said that if she's detained,

I run and she'll find me later.

You don't just up and leave.

- She's waiting for me there. - Where? Home?

I'll give her an earful.

Stay there.

Stay there, I said.

For real!

Bahzad, I told you to wait there.

Voicemail, of course.

So, where's home?

Ok, I'll take you home. Not a word to Turpin.

- Yes. - Yes?

You promise? Let's go.

You goof, the bus stop's that way.

- No, it's... - It's over there!

Move it. I want to get home, too.

This way.

- Why? - It's better this way.

32, Rue de l'Hermitage...

32? That's...

That can't be right.

You don't live here.

Opposite maybe?

Where are you going?

Why do you keep running away?

What's wrong?

We have no papers.

What?

Mom has no papers. We'll be deported.

You have no papers? Just today or...

All the time.

So why did Myriam put this address down?

I'll find a solution.

What's your mom like? Tall? Small? Fat?

What's she like?

- Pretty. - That's no help.

- Isn't he a good boy? - Sure, he is.

- Let us knock him into shape. - Very funny.

Come on, let's go.

Don't look back.

I bet her boss turned her in to avoid paying her.

- Lucky she didn't have her passport. - Thanks for help.

Don't worry, Selma, we're not done. We'll find a solution.

Bahzad?

Great.

Hello.

I'm his counselor at school. I was taking him home...

To the police?

- Yes, I was... - Are you nuts?

Lawyer calls school, says I'm here, says look after my son.

And you...

Sorry, it was a mistake. I was given this note...

We must leave France, ok? Within 15 days.

Our appeals have been rejected. There's no solution.

You want to make sure he's deported, too?

Absolutely not.

I got it wrong.

Maybe I can help somehow.

Obviously, I didn't do it on purpose.

Can I do something?

Bahzad needs books to continue to learn.

Can you tell his teacher?

For books, the best way is the contact log.

Write what you need and the teacher will read it.

I hardly see them so the contact log's best.

- Contact log? - Right.

Awesome, thanks!

No worries. I work there, so I know.

That's your way of helping us?

The contact log?

Right now, sure.

I'm sorry, I...

Mrs. Lopez?

Mrs. Lopez, it's Damien.

Coming!

- Will you learn to shut your door? - Will not. Shut, no one drops in.

It's not safe.

Don't care.

- Let's go, I'm in a hurry. - Hey, horsey!

- No news of the elevator? - Still not fixed. Carry me!

Mrs. Lopez, come on, it's your turn.

You knew there were kids with no papers at school?

Yeah, sure.

No, I dunno.

With no papers, they write on the desks?

One named Bahzad is in 3rd grade.

I took him to the police, who had his mother.

- She got a NOLF. Or a NLFT. - Shit.

Is that a serious disease?

What?

It's not a disease, Rudy. A Notice to Leave France.

He's here 3 years, at school 3 years,

learns French, lives with us.

And gets kicked out.

A kid with no papers, you turn him in to the cops?

How come?

Slow down, I turned nobody in. Turpin asked me to handle it.

I took him to the address, like I was told.

The Germans' defense at Nuremberg.

If your mom knew you ratted out an immigrant!

I didn't rat anyone out. Don't blame me.

That's the France we love!

Take Mrs. Lopez upstairs.

Your turn. I did it yesterday.

Duke it out.

Goodbye!

Do your homework.

Twice your name's come up.

FATHER

Unknown

What's EHC? A hospital?

Emergency Housing Center.

Keep out of it, you caused enough trouble.

Thanks. Where's Turpin?

Downstairs with Souleman.

- Damien, great timing. - Really?

You're in for the Madagascar fundraiser?

- What does it involve? - A cake sale for students.

Cupcakes, Souleman.

All profits to Malagasy kids.

For little Bahzad, what's the plan?

I saw his mother today. Why take him to the cops?

I meant well. I saw an address...

It's super risky for me.

And risk-free for her?

Sure, it's risky for her.

She's in a fix.

In a fix?

Curious way of saying deportation. It's serious.

- What? - Yes, a real pickle.

What's going on?

The boy is our responsibility.

He comes to school every day, like he's French.

Legally, he's not.

I explained to Mrs. Kasra I do not have the requisite authority

to deal with these problems.

I deal with problems like...

A fundraiser. Way to go to change the world!

Damien, not so snippy, please!

He's not happy.

Me!

Rudy?

The kid I told you about...

- Yeah? - That's him, in the green pants.

- He's Syrian? - Yeah.

Doesn't look it.

I don't get why they come to France.

It's shot to shit here.

I'd head for Germany, way more opportunities.

Why don't you go there?

I'm not a migrant.

They're not migrants, they're undocumented.

Yeah.

What's the difference?

The difference is, migrants come to a country for asylum.

The undocumented likewise, but they get blown off.

That's pretty much it.

Anyway, you're not his father.

I checked. He has no father.

He goes the whole hog.

Call that a teacher, seriously!

Dodgeball? How's that a sport?

- Dodgeball's no good? - It is not.

You don't need a degree to play dodgeball. Sorry!

If you'll excuse me, I'll finish my lines.

You ok?

What have you done now?

I came to see my sister, not get insulted.

You came to see your sister or the lawyer?

- Both, but mostly the lawyer. - As usual.

- You hit trouble and run to me? - I'm in no trouble.

I messed up with a kid.

Messed up with a kid? What did you do?

What have you got into your head?

The kid and his mom are gonna be removed.

Shit, I thought it was serious.

It is serious. They're being deported.

With no papers, the kid's always at school.

I pictured something else. I don't do migrants.

I draw the line at international trade.

- Are you Rudy Giuliani? - Am I who?

Listen up.

Imagine it's important cargo. Customs wants to send it back.

Then could you do it? You'd help me?

Yeah.

Hardly living the dream.

C'mon, I need a smoke.

You guys, move it. The bell's rung twice.

- Young lady? Ma'am? - Thanks but no thanks.

Wait, this won't take a minute.

My sister's a lawyer. She said she'll help you.

She's no specialist in removal orders but...

She said she'll take a look. And she kills it!

Kills it, as in she's amazing.

Why do you want to help?

Bahzad's at school here. They have no right to take him.

He's at school in France, so he's French.

- It makes you laugh? - Sorry.

It's not funny.

- You sound like a commercial. - Not at all.

You're hitting on me, to sleep with me?

No, sorry, not at all.

For money?

Just to help. That's not allowed?

So...

If you want to help, acknowledge Bahzad.

Acknowledge Bahzad?

Acknowledge paternity of him.

As your son, Bahzad becomes like you.

French.

And I get residency.

Yes but...

I can't give you money but I'll give you his child support.

Let's get this straight.

I don't want money, I just want to help.

- You see? - Yes, and so?

So...

So it seems pretty extreme, as methods go.

I don't know if it's legal, what we risk...

You prison, me deportation.

Sorry, I need to ask my sister. It sounds pretty...

See? To help, you must not be naïve.

I'm not naïve, I'm...

It's so slow, dammit.

So slow and sloppy!

"5 years in prison and a €15,000 fine

"for persons who marry, or acknowledge a child

"with the sole aim of procuring residency..."

That's a foul, coach!

What's your whistle for? You want me to take over?

Hand it over!

Waste of space!

Go easy on the chairs.

Done your homework?

What are vowels again?

Vowels are a-e-i-o-u.

And there's y, too.

Your name has vowels?

Two a's.

So the rest is consonants.

Consonants snap.

Bahzad!

Unlike Damien.

It's all squishy.

Bahzad snaps.

Like Zidane.

No?

Is she late?

No, not entirely.

I called her EHC. No news either.

How about I call...

- The cops? - Definitely not.

Turpin. What's he want?

I need to check on something. I'll be right back.

Meantime, you stay with Myriam.

I'm coming with you.

Coming where?

To the police.

Your backpack's open, kiddo. Come here.

There she is!

I was out of battery. And the train wasn't moving.

They kept saying, "Passenger incident."

That's a suicide. Every time. Guy slams into it head-on.

Pain in the ass, holds everyone up.

We, I mean, he was worried.

So it's all good.

Speaking of which,

I thought it over.

I reached a conclusion. If a guy like me with nothing to lose

can't help out a girl like you who's had to fight...

By fight,

I mean the problems in your country and in...

Anyway, if I can't help a girl like you...

who could?

There you go.

So, it's all good, I...

I thought it over and I'm ok with it.

What?

Ok for Bahzad.

Acknowledging him, like I'm his dad. We're good, I'm in.

What's the...

So you need to ask him.

I need to ask the person concerned?

What's your name again?

Me? Damien. I thought I told you, but I guess not.

My bad.

Damien has a proposition for you.

Go ahead.

I'd like to help your mom and you to stay in France.

And for you to stay at school here with us, with me.

So we need to lie.

I'll pretend to be your daddy.

I can lie.

Bahzad, this isn't a game, right?

We both know it's not true. I'm not your dad.

But with other people, we need to act like...

Like I'm your dad.

You realize what this means?

Yes.

I don't know if you're totally reckless or...

really brave.

We'll soon find out.

Hey, you.

Here we are.

The striped jacket. Are you sure?

It's super stylish. My neighbor's.

Today's not any old day.

Yes, for the Corleone family.

You've seen The Godfather?

They'll think we're getting married.

How come?

Should I speak first? Or you start?

I don't know.

- It'll be fine, right? - You maybe.

- You acknowledge paternity of Bahzad? - Yes.

Can you read through and sign this?

Sure.

There we go, honey. All done.

You find it funny?

Give the document to your consulate and we're good.

Smile, act natural.

Here.

Who knew having a kid was so easy?

- You're not his father. - Go play, Bahzad.

I'm kind of his dad, officially.

No.

And cut out the honeys.

Your vocabulary's expanded.

Less than Bahzad's.

I was a music teacher. I learned French from songs.

French songs such as...

- Aznavour, Goldman, love songs? - No.

The Anthology of French Rap.

Seriously?

Volume 2.

The head of our school found the record.

We listened in secret.

One of them went...

Give thanks, give thanks, You live in France

Too bad for all the incompetence

Going undercover

Shit's taking over

For sure, in my hood, violence is like regular

Go see your inner cities Look youth right in the eyes

You got power, guys...

- You know that? - You too?

Crazy.

I love the end when it goes...

Sick of promises, gonna fuck shit up

Tomorrow's world is ours

The power's in our hands

Listen and understand...

You know...

There are people who ask for money to acknowledge our children.

Really?

They ask...

What's the going rate?

I'm not asking for it. Just so I know.

3,000.

€3,000?

Plus child support benefits.

Alright!

You got a good deal.

Thank you.

Wash.

Rinse.

Dry.

Everybody, sit down, nice and quiet.

Lift the chairs, don't scrape them.

Hello!

Bahzad's daddy!

I want a word with you.

Yes, but I'm in a hurry.

You're a great dad.

No, I'm not a dad at all.

Sure you are.

We know what you did. You must help us.

- I didn't do anything. - Sure you did.

Is that you?

Excuse me.

Yes, Marco?

- Anything wrong? - No, all good.

What's going on?

Who are these people?

They're just girls I'm recruiting for my salon.

Just girls? For your salon?

- A salon for... - Hair salon!

- And nails. - Yes, nail salon.

I've planned it for ages.

It's my nail salon. Opening soon.

Thanks, Marco.

You know you can do both.

Show everybody in. Quickly.

Hi, everyone!

I have the keys. Follow me.

Let him through.

- You did your market research? - No, I...

I'm on it.

It's not a market here.

- Catherine! - What?

Damien's opening a salon without doing market research.

- Madness! - Typical Damien!

Kids, if you trash the place, go in Damien's room.

Technically, this is my space.

Excuse me...

I don't know what you came to see me for...

The same thing as Bahzad and his mom.

He boasted he's French. We know.

- Kids talk. - Hold on.

Selma and Bahzad sure, but I can't do it for everyone without papers.

That's lucky. We have papers.

Just not the same as yours.

You think we rock up here twiddling our thumbs?

We have papers, we have an identity.

The person sitting here has a name. Rama Karamoro.

Raissa Sakka.

Kadi Lo.

Mariama Bousso.

Yama Saadi.

Cemile Neset.

Farsane Resani.

Rudy Alvarez.

Basketball, handball, ping-pong, volleyball. If it bounces, I...

Thank you, Rudy.

We just need residency permits.

They say, if you have kids, you get papers. It's a lie.

I refuse life in a center.

We accept any work. We refuse nothing!

My son goes to school. He must stay at school.

I acknowledged paternity of Bahzad

because he and his mom had no other solution.

I can't do it for you all.

- What did you do? - I'll explain later.

Why not? French fathers only have one child?

I cannot acknowledge others, period.

Others, no. Mine is enough.

Selma knows you're here?

Mum's the word.

I made her a commitment. I can't do that for you.

But together...

We'll find a solution.

What's with the "we"?

We'll find a solution.

We need aware, committed, humanist guys.

Try nonprofits, clubs etc. Activists will be easier to convince.

Like Bernard at the ping-pong club?

Ping-pong?

I was thinking charity organizations,

humanitarian groups, get it?

Maybe Bernard needs Asian kids to raise the bar at his club.

Sure, why not?

20,000 undocumented kids in our schools.

That's a lot.

I thought maybe you'd be interested in helping them.

For sure! We have noodles for them.

I mean more involved involvement!

The Moldavian is a great fit.

Cute, got all his shots, no foreseeable issues.

We're a broad church, but it doesn't sound very Catholic.

Our approach is love thy neighbor. That's Catholic.

Neighbor, sure.

But Moldavians aren't Catholic. They're Orthodox.

So we're not really interested.

Big match coming up?

- Pressure rising? - A bit.

That's just it. I think I've found you a little gem.

You're offering them not just French nationality,

but also a future.

Jean?

Were you listening or should I start over?

How can I tell Catherine after 8 years trying for a kid?

See? Chance of a lifetime. He even looks like your wife.

Nonsense.

What's his name?

It's not by religion, so it's tricky.

Sort it out. Let's see.

Goodness, no.

- Look! - Excellent.

- Maybe she's Buddhist. - Look, a whole group.

Hold on, you'll tear the pages.

Slow down, please!

It's not an easy decision.

Souleman, France welcomed you.

It's your turn to give back.

- I was born in Clermont-Ferrand. - Really?

We want acts.

We're not marching, lighting candles, playing Manu Chao.

- We act within the law. - As long as they don't catch us.

Obviously.

You dope, I can't

acknowledge a child that's not mine, honestly.

If your mother knew...

Precisely! Mom always backed you.

Yes, but the whole official thing...

It's complex.

Not at all. We need to bust our butts and find more fathers.

He has no idea.

Take this, dad.

Thanks.

Claiming someone else's kid?

Committing to a kid for life?

It involves duties, responsibilities. Providing for them.

Yes, I know that.

How come?

- I mean, I guess so. - Zip it.

You zip it.

- I heard you. - Nobody's gotta zip it.

Don't say you did it.

He did what?

The little Syrian? You know the risks?

It's my job as a citizen. No fee, so not for you.

Your job as a citizen?

Yes, ma'am.

You doing it, sure.

But organizing it, that's fraud.

10 years' jail and €750,000.

They better be good students.

The prosecutor will contest paternity, run tests, cancel the paperwork.

The mothers will face deportation.

So what should I have done?

Leave them in a rotten center with no hope or papers?

Since when do they interest you?

Barely a month, all to clear your conscience.

What've you got to prove? That you're mom's kid?

Living on utopias, idealism and charred sausages?

Chanting with fire-breather buddies!

Mélanie, come on!

They weren't fire-breathers, they were punks with dogs.

Mom never took money to defend a cause.

Nice.

Remind me...

You paid me for defending you?

Insulting officers? DUI? You and Rudy, you paid me?

Thought not.

Dad...

They just want their kids to go to school.

You know, my activist days are over.

It's different now. Times have changed.

Above all...

Carole's gone, so of course...

What?

You ok?

It's your latest scam to get laid?

You mentioned that night

you got us out the drunk tank.

It reminded me...

Which night?

I was there often.

The night we kissed.

Yeah, sure, I'd been drinking.

It happens.

Seeing as it kinda went on and on, I was thinking...

What's this about?

Nothing.

Cool.

I'll be going.

See you.

So what do we do? Forget it?

Forget it, did you just say?

That's our big problem.

We hit a tiny difficulty and move onto something else.

What have we ever seen through to the end?

Zelda, Assassin's Creed.

GTA, we practically...

- How many fathers do we have? - Three.

And me, that makes four.

Nobody's forcing you.

We're buddies, aren't we?

There's Selma.

- Who? - Bahzad's mom. Hide the file.

Hey.

- Ok? - Good, and you?

Sure. This is Rudy.

I told him all about you and you...

Nice to meet you. How are you?

Scoot!

Yes, I gotta iron those training bibs.

Shit!

The step! No, I'm fine.

I found another job.

- In the university kitchens. - Alright.

A few hours a week.

So...

I wanted to thank you.

It's sweet of you.

It feels weird 'cause here men give flowers.

But I appreciate it.

And good job!

They asked for my residency permit.

That's all good now.

Yes, I know.

But I'm still scared someone will find out.

No, it's over now.

Do you want to come up...

I mean, drink something?

If you're thirsty, or maybe not, who knows?

I'm just asking, just in case.

Thank you, but I still have flyers to...

- To put! - In mailboxes.

- Flyers for what? - For...

Fatters?

Fatties? For diets?

I can help. I know all the local fatties.

Boost your efficiency.

If your flyer lands in a thin guy's mailbox, he won't call.

We can work as a team.

Thanks but I'll be fine on my own.

Alright.

Sure?

Thanks again.

No, thank you.

Thanks for the flowers.

Thanks for the fatties!

Sure.

1, 2, 1, 2...

Ladies, can you move closer?

Come closer.

Don't be scared. A little bit more.

- We really need that? - I rigged it up for matches.

This isn't a match.

- You're sure you... - No, lose it.

I'll stand here so you can all see me.

I'm no public speaker. This is my first time.

You'll do great.

What we're on the verge of doing is against the law.

That brings a substantial risk but I'm convinced it's worth it.

Your children should be here in our schools.

True.

I've never been a migrant. Or even been a parent.

But...

I want you all to know that I feel responsible for you.

And the children, of course.

To the children!

Keep it down.

Let me introduce the fathers who have agreed

to join our movement of citizens,

starting with Marco.

Thanks, Marco.

He's a great driver if you need...

No, you don't need a driver.

Then Souleman, if you'd step forward.

Let's hear it.

Steve, step forward.

And then my buddy, Rudy.

Thanks.

Mrs. Lopez is here to take you in...

I mean, take your names.

Thank you.

I'm Léla.

Can I have a hug, Léla?

Avoid your usual city office to file paternity.

If they recognize you behind the desk,

you could be prosecuted. We all could.

I listed them by priority. We're short of fathers.

You gotta help out.

I have William and Koffi. I can't.

Here...

The file of that girl over there.

Tell her we have no father for her.

Damien?

Is it possible to switch?

Actually, it's a bit awkward with my kid.

I'd prefer little Blaise.

Steve has no objection to swapping with me.

- It would be cool, right? - Good point.

Let's make this clear for everyone.

The children cannot be exchanged or returned.

- Told you so. - Whoa, you asked me.

So your twins...

Saddam and Osama.

My two little terrors.

Absolutely. The real capricious one is Osama.

No, that one's Osama.

Why now? That's a very good question.

I was just getting around to it.

It's simply due to Mariama

and me being so bad at paperwork.

I'm like the team's playmaker.

Passing the ball, choosing the play.

It's vital the three of us pull together.

Right, sweetie?

This is my daughter...

Yerdchanig.

We all call her Annick.

You're from Moldavia?

Surface area 33,843 sq. km.

450 km north to south, 200 km east to west.

Population 3,646,843.

He gets a whole load of smilies, big smilies,

for all his wonderful grades.

One time, he got sad face smiley.

But I think his teacher got it wrong.

Grain crops 14%, pasture 13%.

Approx. Depending on the seasons.

And natural disasters. Come on, it's Moldavia.

Too right.

The big issue is pacifier or not.

Pacifier or not pacifier?

Ok, pacifier. Some peace and quiet.

A song he wrote for Father's Day, apparently.

A really long time ago.

Yes, he lunges.

He lunges like that.

Sign here.

Sign here, please.

Sign here.

Done. Signed it.

- We'll remember this day. - Sign.

In the annals.

There?

Quick stamp and it's...

Case closed. Not case, obviously.

Done deal.

Job done.

You're a wonderful person, ma'am. I see in your eyes your humanity.

Not everybody could do the job you do.

For sure, that's...

We kinda got screwed over.

Maybe we lost control a bit but it's all good.

You lost control!

Selma and her doe eyes.

Busted, Damien.

How many kids are you at now?

That makes five for me.

No, six counting Koffi.

Kids are like tattoos. Get one and never stop.

Ew, nasty.

Is your Koffi hitting my Léla?

Is that Koffi?

That is Koffi.

Yes?

Wrong.

- That's not him. - No, it's not him.

It's William.

What did I say? I have my eye on you.

- What's that accent? - What?

That's a black accent.

What accent do you mean?

Sure, you put on an accent. That's racist.

Agreed.

That was not a black accent. How would you know?

Cut it out now! Do you want a slap? Do you?

Watch out, William.

What did you say to my son?

- Say what when? - "Want a slap?"

It's your daughter provoking him, so you'd hit my son?

- My Léla provokes him? - I saw it.

You're not just racist, you're sexist, too.

- Léla! - What's going on?

Come back!

- Blaise! - Where's mine?

Saddam! Osama!

What's going on?

Hold on, don't run!

Come back, it's not for you. Stay here!

Don't run away, it's not about you.

- You got her? - Yeah.

Are you there?

Don't run away like that.

You risk nothing as my son. You're French.

Until when?

Until always.

Come up here.

Don't run away like that. I'm here.

Not a word to mom.

Marco, any luck?

I asked my driver buddies

but they want the kid's nationality

to pay a lot less tax.

No way.

- We'll find some. We have to. - For sure.

And all your other kids, you still haven't told Selma?

- No, I don't want to worry her. - Yeah, let her find out by NTA.

- NTA? - NTA.

Notice To Appear. Ring any bells?

No, I'm getting it mixed up with NBA.

Goodnight!

You here?

How are you?

Good, and you?

I dropped by to give you this.

The Anthology of Rap, volume 3.

You have volume 2, so I thought you'd keep improving your French.

And I brought this. Old-school but great listening.

Thank you.

I cued up a track I love. Just hit Play.

I also wanted to say...

I'm proud of my link to Bahzad.

We never really talk about it so I'm telling you now.

I know.

The other really important thing is that...

He's not alone in that situation.

There are several other kids so I made an important decision...

What?

No, I just wanted to see...

where you work, how you live.

I know nothing about you.

I don't know how you arrived in France.

I don't know what you went through to make it here.

Alright.

You want to see how I live.

I'll show you.

It's great.

Really great. My favorite is track 7.

Listen up.

Africans are my brothers

Muslims and Jews, I respect their prayers

Individual choices are down to everyone

Seen from space, world history is all as one

You can't rap.

Flow's not great but...

No.

- A little bit. - Not at all.

What I just did is technically beyond the reach of some people.

Hi, Selma.

Evening.

Sweetheart, how are you?

Every floor has a shared kitchen.

There are a lot of you here?

I don't know. A lot of families.

Maybe 300.

Evening.

Can I help?

Everybody here has no papers?

No, but a lot of us don't have them.

We've been here a year.

But some guys have been here 30 years.

As if they're hiding.

Go on.

Good?

Let's say your cooking's as good as my rapping.

Kidding.

Alright?

Alright.

Quiet spot for a smoke.

Yes.

You know...

Few people could do what you did for us.

I meant to ask...

Bahzad has a father? A real father, I mean.

Yes.

Where is he?

His father...

His name was Icham.

Before he could acknowledge the birth, the Jihadists struck.

They came into our house

and he tried to hold them back,

so I could get away with Bahzad.

We made it to Turkey in the trunk of a car.

We stayed one year in a camp.

Then we went by boat,

which got us to Greece.

I wanted

above all to reach France.

I knew we'd be safe here.

Then we walked a long way.

We caught buses and trains.

In Hungary, we couldn't get across.

We had to go through Italy.

There you go.

That's all.

He's fast asleep.

Thanks.

No, thank you.

We swapped numbers, so if you need anything, call me.

There you go.

French-style.

Goodnight.

See you.

One last thing,

I've been thinking this over and maybe my timing's off but...

Sorry, but you started it so I...

I felt the same impulse so I tagged along.

So we're cool.

Mind your head.

- You good? - Yes.

Marco!

Guys, what about Rehzane and her daughter?

They got an NTLF 3 weeks ago.

- The kid graduates this year. - So she said.

- How old is she? - 17.

- We don't have a father? - No, no father.

Here goes.

Take a trial run first.

It goes super...

Shit!

Fast, isn't it?

No kidding!

- Like that? - Yes.

1, 2, 3!

Splash everybody?

All on Marco!

Stop that!

A friend of mine lost his retina like that.

Honestly.

If I acknowledge Ava,

how old was I when I fathered her?

15.

15 looks fishy.

Yup.

Haven't you done enough?

Leave some for the others.

What others?

If you have a number, I'll call now.

Imagine how proud we'd be if Ava graduates.

For sure.

Sure.

It's risky.

Think of the mothers.

That's all I think of.

A hero's good. A useful hero is better.

Well said.

Yes.

Sounds like a song by Maître Gims.

Really?

Maître Gims feat. Mrs. Lopez.

So you're Ava's father?

Yes.

Ava, who is right here.

I see what you're thinking.

Actually, in Takhestan, the culture is for younger men

to be with women of more advanced age. More mature.

- Yes. - She agrees.

- Yes. - We always agree.

Yes.

- Ok, sign here. - There we are.

Read through for any mistakes.

Damien, that's me, alright.

Who's that?

What's going on?

- Take it easy. - Calm down.

He not father!

Put that back.

Not father, no hair. Look head!

Stop him!

Now where were we?

Yes, the newfound activist, trying to be like his parents.

There's the result.

You ok, sir?

Feeling better?

Just fine, sure.

Well then...

I'm not interested in destruction of public property

or leaving the scene. Don't care.

I want to know why he attacked you.

- He was drunk. You saw that. - No, actually.

I'm telling you, he was drunk.

He says you're not the child's father.

The guy's a lowlife.

Does he know the mother's name? Or the girl's?

Funny, let me ask you that question.

The names of the 17 children you have acknowledged in 4 months?

That's really weird.

17 children, undocumented mothers.

It might seem odd but...

Fact is, I ducked my role as a father.

So you see...

The main thing is I'm here now.

For sure.

The main thing is to be here,

when the Prosecutor calls you in.

Yes? We start over?

Yes, sure.

Talk.

- Well? - Busted. They put it all together.

- Shit, we gotta warn people. - I gotta warn Selma.

Let's split. Bernard's here with his ping-pong club.

I have an idea.

- Do I call Mélanie? - No way.

She'll love me being in shit.

Bullshit. How can you say that?

Your sister's a team player.

- You like my sister. - Yeah.

- No, I mean... - Yes?

Yes, but not that way.

- But we may need her at some point. - You like her. Marvelous.

So all these children

are in fact my grandchildren?

- Exactly. - Damn.

Big family.

For birthdays, it might get tricky.

You prefer Gramps or Pops?

Let me think it over 'cause that's...

Where's your Selma?

I called and got voicemail. Left a message.

- With the address? - Yes, it's just...

- I'll have some explaining to do. - A lot.

We're not scared of the mafia.

They hate you ruining their business.

They just tried to scare me off.

The Prosecutor will do worse.

Damien, we came to see you.

We've got your back now.

Children, throw up a smokescreen, play for time.

You need to fabricate memories.

You see? Shared experiences.

Jokes, photos, anecdotes.

Songs.

Songs! That you all learn to show you have history together.

You believed those kids were yours.

- A naïve lover of the undocumented. - It might work.

It might just work!

- How many have you acknowledged? - 17.

What?

It'll show.

With the other fathers, 31.

Goodness me.

Pops is right. Play for time.

Damien?

I messed up.

You gave Bahzad hope.

Go tell him he won't be French anymore.

We need your help.

If they can prove false acknowledgement, I can't help her.

That's all.

Is it me or is there a stink?

No, it's my scarf.

A kind of lucky charm. It...

It's seen some marches.

I kept it for Damien and Mélanie,

but they don't give a single damn.

Yes, it's...

What does that smell of? Look.

You don't seem to grasp the scale of the accusations.

Fraudulent naturalization, which often leads

to misappropriation of benefits.

So how much did it bring in?

Bring in?

How much did it cost, you mean?

You ever see those kids eat?

You know what they want? Chocolate chip cookies.

Not regular cookies. Chocolate chip with French team photos.

You're a cookie fan?

That's off-topic.

He's no cookie fan. Obviously...

You don't find those everywhere you go.

Last Saturday, huge crowds, store after store...

My client is saying in his own particular way

that he always supported the women.

He never tried to profit from their distress.

Precisely. How did you meet them?

They came to see me. To try to help them, I...

My client is very modest.

Let's call it a series of romantic encounters.

Yes.

17 women in 4 months, quite a series.

Let's start with your first conquest, Selma Kasra.

"Romantic encounters"?

There they are.

What could I say? They begged you?

So you hired other fathers?

We explain it was our duty as citizens.

We'd give our nationality as we'd give blood.

He's right.

In 71, when we proclaimed we'd had abortions...

When we signed the 343 Sluts' Manifesto,

we were condemned but moved stuff forward.

True.

Sometimes, dare to be a slut.

Exactly. Hear that?

Yeah, great.

Let's do it.

So you were a slut? I mean, one of the Sluts?

- The biggest Slut of all. - No way.

Let me re-read.

I, Damien, pledge that they will stay in school,

that they'll stay in France,

and acknowledge acknowledging undocumented children.

No, we have a problem.

"I acknowledge acknowledging"?

Well?

- It's redundant. - Repetitive.

Cut to the chase, go for goal. Can I try?

Go ahead.

I invite

all French citizens

to give

their nationality,

to give some hope,

to children who go to school

and live

in the shadows.

Not bad, right?

Not bad.

It needs an extra something...

A rocking hashtag. People love 'em.

Nobody reads email now.

#atschool=french

#nopapersnotnoschool

#damienspledge

#alltogether

You said one that was great.

Which one?

- No papers... - Not no school.

#nopapersnotnoschool

- And Damien... - #damienspledge

I like it.

It's punchier.

Here, look.

You cross-checked it.

Frank, can we squeeze this in?

I'll see.

Now the news...

In a move that will cause controversy,

under the handle Damien's Pledge, a man tweeted a provocative idea,

inviting citizens to acknowledge undocumented kids

who go to school every day despite the risk of deportation.

That's what I call defense, guys. Do it!

It's simple!

You play like you're scared.

Listen up...

I can take losing, but not like this.

Not like this, not now, not after all we've been through!

We're family, guys. We're tight!

We've got each other's backs.

Solid, guys! And, Fred, it's my way or the highway.

Training 5 times a week. We've got the tactics down.

We gotta believe. Let's do it, let's go!

Don't give up, stick together...

Hey.

How are you?

I was training to train.

Whatever.

I'm meeting Damien, but I'll wait outside. I won't interrupt.

I'll wait with you.

It's half-time anyway.

Great timing.

It wasn't too loud.

No, not at all.

Like I said, they have no defense.

Nothing great.

They look pretty good to me.

Why not adopt instead of acknowledging?

Give me something to work with.

You know how long adoption takes?

The checks, the agencies...

But if it was possible?

You'd have done it? You'd adopt Léla?

I dunno, sure, most likely.

Yeah!

Why ask?

No reason.

Your movement will never work. Publicity isn't enough.

I have no angle.

Knowing you, you'll find one.

Knowing me?

The smartass, loudmouth chick.

Yeah.

But there's not just her. There's the chick with doubts.

The chick who does her prep.

The sensitive chick I know.

Sorry I'm late.

Turpin on my case.

He plans to fire me.

The School Board knows.

The good news is, teachers are joining us.

There are more hashtags.

#xavierspledge.

#karinespledge.

- Awesome. - Amazing. It's insane.

What's up?

All the mothers have received NTAs, Notices To Appear.

Shit!

- I gotta call Selma. - Don't alarm her.

We need her. Damien!

I made a big mistake. We can't stay in France.

Damien said I was French for always.

I'm French. I'm not leaving.

And it's Blaise's birthday party.

We have no choice. Tomorrow, we go.

Hear me?

- Give me 5 mins to explain. - There's nothing to explain.

- We gotta run thanks to you. - No, don't.

We go to trial and tell our story.

Our meeting, city hall, rap.

How we fell in love. It's no lie. Trust me.

I trusted you.

Look where it got us.

I wish I'd never met you.

You don't think that.

Go.

Get out.

Damien, please.

What's this?

Selma, marry me.

Let me adopt Bahzad.

Listen to me.

And the other mothers? What about them?

I'm helping them, not giving up on you.

By taking everyone's defense...

you condemn us.

Understand?

Sir, please! You'll have to leave.

Go.

Leave now, sir.

I heard you.

Tell me I'm wasting my time fighting.

Tell me to give up on Bahzad.

Look at me

and tell me you don't want me.

I don't want you.

Coming.

You ok?

I guess.

What?

I told her I'd adopt Bahzad.

What's the point? You're his dad.

I've no idea.

I messed up the whole way.

Why did I bother? It was doomed to fail.

Really?

People had convictions before.

You guys stood together.

Now, nobody cares.

Maybe you go online,

click on a petition, drop 30 bucks and move on.

It's a supply issue.

There are so many causes to fight for

that people splinter off.

I just wanted,

just once, to do something good. All the way.

To be able to say I was right and...

everyone else was wrong.

Just once.

- Makes you laugh? - No.

It does.

I just remembered, a long time ago, I had...

a doctor friend, a colleague,

and funnily enough, he gave fake sick notes to refugees.

They got residency on health grounds, see?

There you go.

And there was one chick...

She used to...

What do you call it?

Providing a mailing address for people with no papers.

So they got legal aid and stuff.

Just saying, those two blurred the lines of the law.

Let's say.

Above all, they did what they felt to be the right thing.

That's all.

Their only offense

was the crime of solidarity.

A bit like you.

And "those two" weren't mom and you?

Are you nuts?

Mom and I would never do anything so stupid.

Sure.

Of course.

You still need fathers?

Move the chairs closer, in a circle here.

Makes it easier to talk.

So you give him the gift or I do?

No, you do it.

- Alright, but when exactly? - When it's time for gifts.

"Time for gifts" is too vague.

Damien, can you help blow up balloons?

Where's Blaise? I have a gift for him.

I forgot to say, I asked Catherine to come.

So I can introduce Mariama and Blaise.

- Good idea. - Yeah?

Yeah, sure.

No, that's too close.

Where do I sit?

- Anywhere, dad. - Here?

I could only bring 18k of sound, which is light.

- But I got a super cool laser. - Isn't it dangerous?

Nothing to worry about but it can blind children.

- Like I said. - They just don't look at it.

He hasn't washed.

- That's the smell? - I'd know it anywhere.

Are we good? We're all here?

Rudy?

All I ask is for you to be present and visible.

Show them we're not scared.

You don't duck responsibility. You have demands.

If you want Koffi can cry to soften up the judge.

He cries real good.

No crying.

Rama, we're not victims.

You bet we're not.

That's right.

More importantly, in court, sit up front, not at the back.

Show them we exist, we're not scared.

We're there to get what is ours.

- We're fighting for it. - Ok.

And be beautiful, but not as beautiful as now.

Kirshanti, pretty but not too pretty.

I know you.

To get up to speed for next year, I got the 2nd grade Passport workbook.

A passport when he's facing deportation?

That's screwy.

- You ok? - Yes.

- I'm not interrupting? - No.

What did I just say?

He'll give us all a Passport!

About the trial?

Appropriate behavior?

Great. Focus.

Another thing, in court,

there'll be journalists. Ignore them.

Don't take a single question.

- Make the most of the bass. - Hold on, I said.

Check it out.

Cool, but it's not the Rennes festival.

This isn't Brittany, man.

C'mon, kids.

Catherine, this is Mariama, Blaise's mom.

Still no news?

We need her. We need all the mothers.

Call the cops on her.

Very funny.

Did I do the right thing?

No, it's totally dumb.

Morally, though, was I right?

No, it's totally dumb.

Ok, great.

No...

You give up the woman you love to defend a lost cause.

It doesn't make you a hero but it's commendable.

If it doesn't make me a hero, what then?

A good father.

That's not bad.

Worth defending?

Not sure, but leave that to me.

That makes how many?

500 jumps at least!

No, don't fight over it.

- He wants to jump together. - So what? It's good together.

It's better together.

Notice To Appear in Criminal Court

Your honor, counsel...

Ok?

Last-minute cramming?

Yes.

I'll leave you to your work. See you afterward.

Thanks.

What for?

Thanks for defending your brother.

Thanks for all that, for the kids, for the mothers.

I appreciate your commitment.

I know.

You know what your mother always said?

Why join the Navy

if you can be a pirate?

You don't remember?

No.

And I think

you'd make

a very good pirate.

Mom knew that all along.

Alright...

I'll be going.

Work hard.

We'll be there.

What do you expect from this trial?

What are your expectations?

For children in school to be protected.

For solidarity not to be a crime.

Do you expect to be convicted?

We're all behind you!

Justice for Damien!

Hey there.

You ok, Bahzad?

Feeling better?

You passed out.

They ran tests and I have the results.

You need to tell someone if you take off, if there's trouble.

It's important for us.

Where are my things?

I don't know, I'll ask.

I can help you still. Ok?

It's not too late.

I'll leave you the results.

Read them and we'll talk afterward.

Yes.

See you then.

The bags aren't here.

Give thanks, give thanks, You live in France

Too bad for all the incompetence

I don't want to go.

I want to see Damien.

Me too.

I conclude, your honor, by reminding the defendant

his so-called morality is not law.

And so the punishment must be exemplary.

Thank you, Mr. Prosecutor.

Counsel for the defense.

The Prosecutor demands application of the law.

No surprise, only to be expected.

The law, nothing but the law.

But which law?

Law enforced mechanically, head down,

ignoring the fact that this case deserves more humanity.

If one looks up, your honor,

there is of course the law...

Forgive me...

Are you French, your honor?

Silly me, of course.

You too?

You're French, too.

What makes any of us French?

Makes us feel French?

Language?

Your origins?

What you eat?

The music you listen to?

The car you drive?

If I look up, your honor, there is

of course the law.

But above all, a motto.

Three words on the walls of our town halls

and schools.

They're not there for nothing.

That motto

is the blood that runs in France's veins.

The red blood cells are Liberty.

The white blood cells are

Equality.

And the red, white and blue cells are Fraternity.

We need to fight for each child's right to an education.

So a schooling is as easy to get as running water.

Deporting a child is the real offense.

School is a sanctuary.

An embassy for French culture.

A child crosses that yard on French soil, becomes French, cannot be deported.

Please, silence in court!

What's wrong?

Education is the beating heart of our republic.

Damien respected Fraternity.

He honored that motto.

The kids became his brothers.

Your honor...

acquit my client.

In so doing...

you will sentence him to life.

You will sentence him to...

To watch over these children

until his final breath.

Being a father...

a mother...

or even a brother...

is a gift from heaven.

Parents who keep their word are parents who pledge

to watch over their child, our Republic.

Damien!

What's wrong?

Let her through.

Let go of me!

What's going on?

Are you ok?

- What is this? - I was in the hospital.

I fainted, not because I'm pregnant...

I won't leave without you.

I was scared but now I'm here.

Sorry, what came before "I won't leave without you"?

You and me...

We're going to have a child.

We're having another Bahzad or...

I want to live with you.

Your butt's showing.

Pledge for life

Congratulations!

Pledged!

For life!

Like it?

Not bad.

I'm proud of you.

Thanks, dad. I just did it for the kids.

I mean, jail time. 18 months.

I never got a sentence like that.

Thanks, dad.

Let's go.

ADOPT A DADDY

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