Original subtitles

Good work, Zemour.

B+. No, C-.

- Because of the open book. - I wasn't reading it.

- Yes, you were. - I wasn't!

C-!

I think we are finished for today.

Unless...

Maybe we just have time, so lets see...

So, randomly...

Serrurier!

Come up here...

We don't want to miss this!

Go on.

Z minus, Serrurier, Z minus.

It's my German roots, sir.

Today it's Bavaria. Last week it was the Fandango.

Tomorrow, you'll be wearing a veil.

You never disappoint me, you are always useless.

Absent,

non-existent, except to be a smart aleck,

A clown. Your exams...

Are going to be a laugh.

Five seconds to blast-off!

Hop here!

Damn!

Oh, God. Shit!

Shit.

I smell trouble.

Serrurier and Matou,

Study period. I won't teach terrorists.

You're lucky the Principal is away. See you at the disciplinary hearing.

Zemour ratted.

Say what?

Nothing sir, it's American.

I teach English.

"Your exams'll be a laugh!"

- You off to study? - Nope, I'm out of here!

You'll get caught!

''The incredible African lion-taming show!''

''These fierce lionesses from Africa''

''arrived here just last week.''

''Attention ladies and gentlemen, come and see''

''this unique and exceptional lion-taming show!''

''Ten minutes to go until the exceptional lion-taming show!''

''Fierce lionesses from Africa.''

''Attention, attention, in ten minutes.''

''These fierce lionesses from Africa arrived here just last week.''

''Animals are not machines, animals are not robots...''

Each big cat is unique...

Their strength, beauty, and insolence judge us...

intact since the dawn of time.

They are waiting.

Let's meet them.

Go!

Come on!

In the savannah you find killers...

and stalkers.

Who are they? We'll soon see! Thank you, Roselyne.

I shall enter the cage

assisted by Roselyne, one of our brightest students.

Get them in place.

Fatou! Fatou, go!

- Fatou, go! - Bring her here.

- Here, Fatou. - Here.

Here, Fatou.

Good. Fetch me Yulca.

Yulca!

Go Yulca. Yulca go.

- Go Yulca! - Follow her! Good!

- All right. - Sit!

Go Yulca.

Festival.

Maoli, here. Here, Maoli!

Go Maoli.

Go.

There, good.

- Go Yulca. - Yulca! Here Yulca.

Put Yulca over here!

Go Yulca!

Look at them. Take your bow.

And now the highlight of the show.

Even in the jungle,

she's never been heard.

Amidst the lions, in the cage...

For the first time in Marseilles...

The golden voice...

Go!

''Here they come Lionesses of Africa...''

''African lionesses.''

''lionesses of Africa.''

''Yulca...''

''Fatou...''

''Maoli...''

''Cruel, silent and stealthy, they prowl''

''through the savannah, the savannah''

''of Africa.''

Yulca!

Go Yulca!

''Their black eyes flash,''

''gleam like daggers''

''and their sharp teeth''

''go for the kill!''

''Here they come, the lionesses of Africa...''

''African lionesses.''

''Lionesses of Africa.''

Lion Taming Lessons

Good! Well done, darling!

That's good!

Oh, Roselyne!

- I'm improving! - You were great, sweetie!

What's Hassan doing

sawdusting the stools?

- It dries up the lion pee. - Oh, really?

- See you soon. - Come eat at home.

Certainly. Whenever you want.

Bye Roselyne, and take care!

- Can I drive you? - No, thanks. We've got the car.

It's fine.

Goodbye.

- Excuse me, about the lessons... - What about them?

- How much? - 1,000 Francs.

Per lesson?

This isn't a driving school!

For 10,000 a month you can come when you want.

How many lessons do I need?

Every day... all your life.

You're not reading Sports Weekly! Give it soul!

It is an ode to the West Wind.

I want to hear the ocean roar and swell.

- Do the tigers know you? - They're jailbirds...

- like me. - Why not let them inside?

No way. See the big one?

Pretending to sleep?

He's always after me.

He'll make mincemeat of you in two seconds.

Have you thought it over?

How about one lesson?

No point, waste of money.

I'll work for lessons.

It would put Hassan back in jail!

I'll work free!

You start now. Sweep up,

in front of the tiger cage.

Come on!

First rule

when working with big cats,

be on your guard. Anticipate!

He saw you coming.

In life, you always start by sweeping.

End of lesson. You owe me 1,000. See you tomorrow.

To let the lions out, pull the gate,

all the way.

Voil�.

Then close it.

Here, take the broom.

Frazier gave me the"sweep up" speech too.

He's an old crank, but he knows his job.

If I was brainy, I wouldn't be shoveling shit.

- What would you do? - I am learning.

Then go teach back home.

Schoolteacher! Ah you, French...!

Hey, I just read an article about the National Liberation Front.

- And Ben Bella's political narcissism. - What is that?

It means... uh... Looking at yourself.

- How so? - Like... not looking at others.

What's with the questions?

Anyway, Ben Bella won't shovel your shit.

Thierry...

Come here. Come see!

Give Roselyne a hand.

No, it's okay. It's not too heavy.

Go on.

- Could they break out? - The food makes them crazy.

But they can be far worse.

And now, feeding time for the big cats.

Feeding time...

Hassan...

The pitchfork.

The right hand here.

Left there...

Feet firmly planted,

stab the meat, right in the fat...

Bend down, stand up...

then push it through.

And voila!

Understand?

Left hand.

Be sure they've eaten before going in...

So you know what you're dealing with.

Come on, go on!

No.

- What? - Not like that.

- You're left-handed? - Yeah.

- Use your right hand. - Why?

The animals work with right-handers.

Hold the lash out in front. Watch!

Well, OK?

Draw it back, then flick your wrist.

Again!

That's it! No, a sharp flick.

Yes!

A good sharp flick.

Look.

What?

Come and see.

Show me your hand.

- You have intellectual's hands. - Well, yeah.

- You're going to have to work. - I will.

Go ahead. Again and again.

''In a few moments,''

''an exceptional public lion taming session!''

WILD ANIMAL TRAINING CENTER

Well done!

- You've been practicing! - Yup!

Bravo!

He told me life starts with sweeping.

Strange guy.

- How did you start? - My mother...

fell in love with a lion tamer. Now she's hot for him.

- Who? - Frazier.

And you, are you in love?

With the lions.

He's Frazier's. He always works him alone,

never with the females.

- Why not? - He's wild when he's in heat.

I want to tame him, not the females.

Aren't you scared?

He can't hurt me.

Get on.

Is that you, Serrurier?

Yes, sir. It's me.

Why are you here?

I'm feeding the tigers.

You feed the tigers?

Been doing it long?

Every day before class.

The Foreign Legion would teach the boy a lesson!

I have no qualms.

I want him expelled.

Serrurier... out.

We could just reprimand him.

He did win the judo cup for the school...

I know sport hardly counts.

- But still... - Honestly!

You want me to give him sports merit?

We must be strict, Mr. Gouin.

That boy attacked our colleague.

Mr. Bracquard! If it was always this easy,

we'd waste less time!

- Something to add, Mr. Bracquard? - Yes.

"Today is a wildcat, tomorrow will see it leap..."

Of course,

I too believed Serruier was a bad element

but I was wrong.

Two days ago...

he appeared to me at the zoo,

clutching a pitchfork,

and wielding a hunk of bloody meat

in front of a tiger burning bright.

He feeds the big cats every day

before coming to school.

Yes, Mr. Principal...

my curiosity was piqued.

The next day I followed him, and this time I saw...

the boy training, with a whip, inside the lion cage

accompanied by a young girl

with an angel's face.

All became clear.

He is training to be a tamer.

And this girl was his muse.

My dear colleagues,

once upon a time,

I too had a passion. I wanted to be a motorcycle cop.

I know it seems ridiculous,

but I was his age.

I saw myself doing justice,

straddling like a modern day centaur,

a powerful machine!

My father refused.

Today,

I teach English to youngsters whose ambitions lie in sales,

making profits,

output and performance.

Why not give them dreams?

Dreams!

Bravo, Bracquard!

Bravo.

Are you out?

No, I'm in until graduation.

It's a miracle!

It's the lions. It's Bracquard, he went nuts.

- What? - He tripped out. Come on.

Throw with your body, guide with your hand...

Like this.

Okay, Gonzo, you try.

Go on!

Your not throwing a grenade!

Do it smoothly, not harshly. Try again.

There!

Good, it's sinking in.

Do tigers have 5 or 6 claws?

No, that's lions... And very dangerous.

I was right, 5 claws!

This's an Americanism. I teach English.

Did the lions make you late?

No, it was tigers, today, sir.

Excellent.

It ties in perfectly with this poem by William Blake:

"Tiger!"

"Tiger burning bright in the forest of the night."

Very nice.

No, it's sublime.

Thierry, I'm thirsty.

Not yet. Mr. Frazier says no.

Go get me a brew. I have to do all the singing.

This is bad for your voice. Right?

It's true, it's not good.

- What do you think of him? - He's great!

Yup. He looks calm,

but he can kill you in a second!

Like a cat with a mouse!

Don't let him out of sight.

But watch the others too!

Eyes in the back of your head!

Thierry! Come and see.

Today's your birthday?

Yes.

- How old? - 19.

- 19... get going. - What?

In here.

- Now? - No, next year. Look at him.

He's sized you up. He's hungry.

- Take that off, the bracelet. - What? Why?

If he claws it, he'll rip off your arm.

Take a whip and a stick.

I'll introduce you.

He will wish you Happy Birthday.

Closer.

Closer. Look at him.

Here, boy...!

Go Wotan.

You're too skinny for him.

Go stand in the middle.

Between the stools. Stand firm! Raise the whip and stick.

Head to one side, good.

Do not move. You see Montmartre?

Right. Now for us!

Place, Wotan!

Go! Go!

Go up!

Position! Position!

Good boy. Well!

Very good. All okay?

This kid's good.

You should buy him a beer.

He's got it.

What are you doing?

Frazier's offering us champagne.

- What's wrong? - Leave me alone!

Why are you crying?

I've waited months, but Frazier won't let me in with Wotan.

He will, any day now.

Like hell.

He told me!

Go!

Now stop crying. It's my birthday today.

How about a kiss? And a smile?

There...

now a kiss.

Two beers then?

- It's parched out there. - And one for Hassan.

So you've been in the cage!

He's got it.

I bet we can make him a big tamer!

- I never saw a first timer so cool! - He's got it.

What's"it"?

Well, it's what I can not teach you. You have a gift.

He needs a stage name.

I know, d'Alembert.

- de what? - D'Alembert.

With an apostrophe? D'Alembert... I'm sold!

It will be perfect in America!

Thierry d'Alembert.

Let me give you a hand.

- That's all right, sir. - It's no trouble at all.

It's good timing, in fact.

I wanted to talk to you.

- About an inspection? - No, no. Hold on.

Thank you.

It's about the Serrurier boy.

It bothers me.

I'm not sure we should have kept him.

Here, look, B+. And I grade strictly, you know.

If it were only English...

He has abysmal grades!

Everyone complains about him except for the P.E. teacher.

Every day!

He doesn't go to Math class, He's always late...

And you've made him into a star!

I'm thinking of our educational mission.

Our educational mission, Principal,

doesn't have to be Orthodox.

- Excuse me? - After school these boys and girls

roam the streets, with no hope, no future.

No future?

They sit glued to the TV

like insects, staring blankly at empty shows.

Brawls, car theft, crimes!

Not to mention drugs.

You are exaggerating.

Not at all!

It's the law of silence.

By entering a lion's cage, he's avoiding delinquency.

He is entering life. It's not a bad example.

But the local paper's asked for another interview, at school!

What would the inspectors say? A pupil dressed as a lion tamer!

Horresco referens.

This is the Circus School.

His circus is as good as ours.

Serrurier is intelligent, he could get his diploma...

But if his passion can lead him to a happy life,

our mission is accomplished.

Stop looking, you're not there.

D'Alembert, the Age of Enlightenment!

Some enlightenment!

D'Alembert,

exit.

In ten years, you'll still be here. I'll send you a postcard.

Where from, Timbuktu? Clear off.

I knew I'd flunk anyway.

- What are your plans? - Three months in Greece!

Then law school. It's a safe bet.

- Are you repeating? - No, I'm going to be a tamer.

- With lions? - No, seals.

Well, bye, then. Don't get eaten.

Watch out for Greeks.

Hey, Serrurier!

Serrurier.

Bah... You know, eh?

Come on, let's have dinner. We'll forget the bad vibes.

Bad vibrations.

Still, B+ in English!

Pommard 1959.

You weren't even born when it was bottled.

To the lions!

Oh, Dr. Schmokeleu.

- Abyssinian? - Exactly.

God created the cat so that man could caress the tiger.

It looks like a tiger.

I was just wondering

with all due modesty, if in time

I could maybe train him.

Nothing complicated.

For example, jumping from here to there,

or from there to here.

The stove to the sink

or from the fireplace.

That kind of thing,

Could he do that? Could you help me?

Yes, sir. Anything is possible.

I knew it!

Come on, Fatou! Go!

Go!

Go up!

Here, Fatou! Go!

Here, Fatou! Here!

Fatou, go.

Come on, Fatou!

Bitch! She won't listen.

She won't turn.

- It's the wind. - If we stand there, she'll do it.

- There? - Yes, here.

There? You want to get clawed?

It's worth a try.

You want to try? He wants to try.

Go ahead. We'll watch.

Fatou, go!

Go, Fatou!

Fatou, go!

Go, Fatou!

Holy shit!

Come on, Fatou!

Fatou, back!

Here, Fatou!

Sit.

Okay, you did it.

Very good!

She is tired.

It's hot.

Do not turn your back on your beast!

Hassan, the tunnel.

Let's do it again.

No, it's too hot and windy.

Go, Fatou. Go.

Iris!

Iris, Iris.

Come, Iris, come on.

I screwed up.

Don't worry about it.

Roselyne thinks the lions love her.

But big cats love no one.

They are patient, they wait. You've no idea.

To each his own, sir.

Daydreaming?

Mr. Frazier told me he has a great project for you.

Frazier can go to hell.

Hey, is anybody here?

No, they're off my back for once.

Frazier and Hassan have gone to Carcassonne.

That was a pretty song.

I sang it well before I left America to go to Africa

to find my roots.

I met Frazier there, at the Sofitel Grill.

It's stupid, roots.

Where is Roselyne?

With Wotan, as usual.

''To love at leisure''

''To love and to die''

''In the land that resembles you.''

Imagine what could be done with this lion if it was ours.

Frazier's useless.

See how he was yesterday?

He's old, he's afraid,

and he drinks.

It's easy to give advice.

I don't give advice.

Really?

No.

What, then?

I'm as good as my word.

Really?

Yeah.

You sure you want to?

Yes.

Stay there. Open up if there's a problem.

Wotan, to position! Sit, Wotan. Wotan, sit!

Sit!

Bravo, Wotan.

Watch this.

Wotan, go!

Go, Wotan!

Wotan, to your place.

Wotan, up!

Sit!

Bravo.

- Want to come in? - Yes.

Hurry, he's restless.

Wait.

Carefully.

There is no risk.

Come on.

What's going on?

What the hell is this? Christ!

Are you crazy?

I can't believe this! Hassan, the tunnel!

Shit, shit, shit. Get out of there.

Go, Wotan! Go!

Dirty little brat! Asshole! Get out before I kick your ass.

Who the hell do you think you are?

You stay here!

Out! And don't come back!

You're hurting me!

You're too crazy to ever be a tamer!

Sure, grandpa.

It's not me, it's Frazier.

I told you yesterday. You're banned.

I want a ticket.

- No, Frazier has forbidden me. - But I'm paying!

I don't want to lose my job.

Dumb ass clerk!

Dumb ass yourself, little shit!

Thierry!

Thierry!

Watch out for Roselyne.

Frazier has a new act for her.

It's got Romans in it. It's called:"Blandine and the lions."

Her mother knows.

I'm getting out of here. I'm sick of this Ramadan crap.

You should go too. You've nothing more to learn here.

What the hell is he doing here?

I'll show you, you little prick!

Get lost!

Stop!

- Stop! - Thierry, don't!

You'll never be a tamer. You're too crazy.

Prick.

Stop crying.

I'm not!

It doesn't help.

You're not even grateful. You're thoughtless.

I can't believe it.

Roselyne, come on. Come on.

- What are you doing here? - I'm with Roselyne.

- What's going on? - I'm leaving.

What? You cant! You have no right!

- Screw you! - You're not old enough.

Calm down. We're going.

We don't want to make a scene.

No. No, no.

No way.

You're corrupting a minor. I'll call the cops.

They'll just laugh.

- She'll be 18 in three months. - Don't be stupid, Mom.

My little girl... Roselyne, my little girl...

I always... I brought her up alone...

Do you know many moms who'd let their daughter work with lions?

I want you to be a tamer.

Exactly!

You go! She'll join you once you have a job.

So she can do"Blandine" with Frazier?

- Don't leave me! - I'll write, mommy.

"Don't leave me!"

"But I'll write!"

Hey!

Are you asleep?

Hear that hum?

Easy riders.

Yesterday, yesterday. Sit.

I can't really help you.

Do you know anyone who can?

- Maybe the circus. - Working with lions?

You can't always start with lions.

No one's expecting us anyway...

- I'm Thierry. - Brindille.

What's up?

You have lionesses?

One.

- Could we...? - Sure.

Thank you.

Hello, girl! My darling daughter, Douchka.

- How old is she? - 18.

- Is she alone? - Yes. The others are dead.

My lion too.

- Come see mommy, my beauty! - You are not scared?

No. I love her and she trusts me. She loves me.

It's an exchange of love.

Do you have any work for us?

I only take on animals here.

- Who looks after them? - I do.

- Need help? - Are you sure?

I am sorry but I can't...

Promise me you'll never abandon your animals.

- We promise. - Let me kiss you goodbye.

Brindille's nice.

Sure, but we're up shit creek!

Don't worry about it.

- Looking for someone? - The boss.

Mr. Armani? In the nicest trailer.

Manual labor?

No, performers.

I'd better go in alone.

Go Marco, bust a gut!

I'll bust your ass...

Huge, huge...

And again.

Mean.

I'm mean, guys!

A real man, huh?

"Huge, huge, huge..."

- So you're looking for work, kid? - Yes.

- What can you do? - I work with animals.

Animals? Which ones?

Big cats.

No kidding?

Lions? Tigers? Panthers?

All of them.

I worked with Frazier.

I know the job. I'm a tamer.

You hear that Marco? He is a tamer. Big cats!

You, a tamer?

He's a tamer. Catch.

See that?

You're a little young to get eaten.

- You're not a gypsy. - No, but I'm experienced.

- I've worked in public. - Listen up, kid.

To be a tamer, you have to start in a circus...

You have to train... for years.

First horses,

then camels,

and then the big cats.

Maybe.

I do big cats.

I do camels.

Not bad, my chili.

Give me the recipe, babe.

We're done here. You can leave.

Come back if you change your mind.

Kids!

A tamer!

Big cats!

What a jerk.

Camels!

So what?

It wouldn't be forever.

Don't get big headed.

I can't backtrack, that's all.

This is all, too.

- We'll sell the bike. - Not Raymonde!

What then?

ETERNAL GRATITUDE FOR RAYMOND - B. BRACQUARD

- Bracquard! - What?

Bracquard, your English teacher.

Call him.

It's one flight up.

No noise. People are sleeping.

And no hanky-panky in the rooms.

Breakfast's from 6 AM, in the dining room.

Can I leave the car out front?

As long as you don't start her up.

- Could we get something to eat? - Just a sandwich?

This is not a truck stop.

We serve gourmet food, refined dishes...

Tastefully presented.

Right, Tuscan?

No hanky-panky in the rooms!

Oh, my children, what an adventure!

Tell me all about it, from the beginning.

There's not much to tell.

What, ever since Marseilles? You know,

I've started a book about you.

About us? There's nothing to say.

We've seen crummy zoos, been turned down everywhere,

no jobs, no lions.

Salvation Army's next.

- It's boring. - You're wrong!

That is the adventure.

It shows you exist.

The trials of adventure, travel...

Not guided tours.

Knock, and the door will be opened.

We're hungry.

Oh, yes...

If that dog guarding Hell weren't there,

we could sneak into the kitchen.

It's not a lion.

I don't like this.

What are you waiting for? Come on.

Here, Tuscan. Come on. Come on.

It's excellent.

A little pat�?

Thanks.

See? No reason to be discouraged.

Finished?

No, I'm fine.

What's over here?

What'd we miss?

- Cheese! Goat cheese, brie... - Goat.

- Brie! - We'll take both.

Come on...

Another bottle. A little one, because...

Yeah.

If the Principal could see us now. Right, d'Alembert?

And your friend, Mr. Paloma.

- He was transferred, you know. - Really?

- Yes, recently. - Do you know where?

No.

Timbuktu!

You're not serious.

No, of course not.

Gourmet food, Tuscan?

The ham's good.

What's that?

"A refined dish...

- tastefully presented." - See, no reason to be discouraged.

Tuscan!

Aren't you against the meat method?

Sorry, but what's the"meat method"?

It's like life. It's with or without.

I'm sure it's fascinating but I don't understand.

Wait.

Come, Tuscan.

Tuscan, your paws. Up you go!

Sit.

Here's his reward. There.

Bravo, bravo.

Anyway, that's what bad tamers do.

Fascinating, fascinating.

I imagine you two use the Alfred Kurt method.

Alfred Kurt?

Suprised? He's a great tamer.

I see you feel better now. It's not hopeless... I'm here.

I've still got papers to correct.

I'll let you clean up. Goodnight.

Goodnight.

By the way, remember:

The shortest path between two points isn't a straight line

but a dream.

Goodnight.

''Dear Roselyne and Thierry,''

''I've just finished correcting papers, and it's time to sleep.''

''Enclosed is a heartfelt gift of 2,000 francs.''

''Don't be offended. Teachers aren't as underpaid as they say...''

''I know you'll soon find''

''the big cats you're seeking.''

''Confront them. You will emerge victorious.''

''And a bit of the truth of will appear.''

''Your devoted English teacher, Bracquard.''

''Remember, the shortest path between two points''

''is not a straight line, but a dream.''

Why's that damn mutt been barking all morning?

Perched on his stool.

Has he gone nuts?

Marcovitch and his ferocious Bengali tigers!

Programs!

Don't sulk.

If you see a camel running off,

pin it down... tamer!

Yeah!

Go!

- Very funny. - All good, Thierry?

Sure, especially when I see that.

They like it. Ovations every night!

For two year. Abroad, too.

I'd rather work camels than do that. He's a phony.

People prefer to see that.

Sure, blame the audience. His tigers are zombies!

Zombie to you too!

Come on, one, two, three, four,

five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten!

Barman! Bubbly all around.

Even for the kids. On the double!

I can't get rid of this damn smell.

It doesn't smell bad.

I smell of shit.

Little Prince, does he smell bad?

Camel number 5.

His lordship's sulking.

Let it go.

She may like being sawed by a magician...

- I hate stinking of shit. - You don't! I watch and learn.

We won't do this forever.

Fried bananas.

Take the last one.

Life's good with Little Prince, huh?

I was real low

when you arrived. I said to myself...

These two are crazier than me.

And suddenly I felt better.

What was wrong?

What was wrong? This is no place for me.

It's been 40 years!

Selling balloons at the entrance of the circus

is no job for a man like me.

I'm not just a biological mistake,

I'm an historical mistake too.

I should have lived in another era.

In the days of Vel�squez.

- You know Vel�squez? - No.

The painter of the night.

It was too hot by day,

so he painted at night, in the dark,

in a hat, with candles.

His paintings always featured dwarves

next to princes, kings and princesses.

Why?

So their deformities would highlight the beauty even more.

When I saw you two,

your beauty struck me and I said to myself...

We weren't meant for minor roles.

You, and me.

It's late.

But Vel�squez has work to do.

Little by little,

Little Prince builds

his beautiful house of cards.

One card

here.

Don't move. Don't move, little castle.

Don't move, my little castle.

Now we go like so.

Finished!

Keep standing.

I'll get you, Marcovitch. I'll get you!

Hey, sweetheart!

Your paper, fatso.

Thanks, you're very kind. And my gum?

No room! Move your own ass, you'd be less fat!

Your smokes, Snakeman.

Thank you.

Catch, Serge! Asshole!

Little Prince! What are these lions?

Leave them alone.

Nobody takes them out.

No one can. They're Marco's, he used to have five.

The big one, there, who wants to eat me...

killed the other two.

Marco won't touch them now.

They're for sale. Interested?

Expensive?

For what they are, yeah!

Why's he after you?

Because I'm Grade A meat.

Why not come into town?

- I got work. - I'll buy you a beer.

Come on, relax a little. You're too uptight.

I do a hundred, guys! A hundred!

Again, right away. Go.

Straight away, no rest.

Go.

One, two...

Cool.

What a man!

What a jerk.

Seven, eight...

- Four years old? - Five.

They're fine lions.

30,000?

40,000.

You're tough, okay.

You won't regret it.

You shouldn't buy them. Don't do it.

They're killers! It's happened already.

If it's true, Marcovitch is a bastard.

It's true, and he is.

You want them?

The lions? No.

I want lions but not those.

I thought you should know, that's all.

I should thank you. Your kind is rare in the circus.

Ever go to Germany?

- No. - Too bad.

Rainer's in Paris, at the Maximus.

He's scouting an act for Koenig, in Munich.

Go see him. He likes young people.

Like you.

Why?

They're cheaper.

Naturally.

I see travel.

No, lots of travel.

Many trips.

And many men around you. Careful!

I see lots of money, and success.

Strange...

How odd. I've never seen that. Death.

- Death? - Don't be afraid.

A dead person protects you.

Watches over you, touching your shoulder.

You have nothing to fear.

Don't worry. Anyway, you'll triumph over all.

Say, Little Prince, do you know Rainer?

Who in the circus doesn't?

Me.

He's the biggest impresario in Europe.

- What's cooking? - My Macedonian specialty.

Sounds heavy.

- It's amazing. - Hi!

You're early! Go sit over there.

Open the bottle. I'll be right with you.

Little Prince?

Yeah?

Ready for tonight?

You'll stand fast,

this time.

Hey, come on. Come on!

Destiny will keep you standing.

Standing, standing... we'll be winners!

Shake!

Keep standing, my castle.

- Fucking castle. - Shit!

Fuck me, it's shit!

I got shit all over me.

It fucking stinks. Shit.

God, it's gross.

Hey, put out that fire!

Feeling better? It worked.

Sure. I've been fired.

Look, it's raining. The world is sad.

The clown's sad. Everyone's sad.

Shit!

Here's a personal recipe. Flamb�ed bananas with ouzo.

For you and Roselyne.

Thanks.

We're leaving too, to see Rainer in Paris. He needs a tamer.

- Rainer? - Yeah.

To our future!

You really worked with Frazier's lions in Marseilles?

Not only there.

Have you met Monica?

We're not beginners, we're pros.

Pros? Has the girl who won't sit down...

- Been in the cage? - Yeah.

Loads of times.

Loads.

Waiter! Do you have any paper?

Thank you.

Write your details.

We travel a lot. We've no fixed address.

Good...

How much, then?

How much what?

For the act.

Depends on what you want.

A classic lion act. How much?

50,000.

That'd be fair.

Mr. Rainer has expenses. He can't...

You asked for our price. It's 50,000.

Mr. Rainer offers half, in German marks.

No.

30,000. We've been offered that already.

Mr. Rainer likes you, but you drive a hard bargain. It's a deal.

Tomorrow you meet the lions.

Cheers!

Oh, you've come too, Miss.

Hello, Mr. Thierry.

Let's visit the lions.

I bought them from Mr. Marcovitch.

You know him, don't you?

Yeah, we worked camels together.

Now for the cage.

Bastard! The Zorglo lions!

Just our luck. He managed to flog them.

Well, you'll take over the act.

Marcovitch will show you, then you go in, okay?

These gentlemen are all professional tamers.

- All right? - All right.

Go!

Zoltan!

Zoltan! Zoltan, go!

Muscleman, huh?

Caesar, go! Go!

Zoltan, yesterday!

Zoltan!

Romain!

Bravo.

Zoltan!

Zoltan is back.

In your place.

Zoltan!

It's all show. He's not up to it.

See? He fumbled the hoop.

He can't hold it.

There. No plank, I got no equipment.

Like hell. The plank's over there.

All right?

No problem.

We'll we're watching.

Go in with Mr. Marcovitch.

Go in after me,

and try to do the same.

Just a moment, please.

Come on.

The girl's experienced, right?

Yes.

Go in then.

Want to?

Don't step on your whip.

Who are you?

She's more of a pro than you so get a life!

Sure, get comfortable.

You'll catch a cold in that outfit.

Can you do it?

Better than you.

Show me.

Close.

- I'll do the pyramid. - I'm a big girl. I can do it.

It's real work.

The stool, it's heavy.

And she's mean, too.

This okay?

It'll do.

Good.

That's Zoltan?

Caesar and Romain.

Got it?

- Got it. - I'm watching.

Zoltan!

Come on, Caesar! Go!

Is he Romain?

Romain, come on!

Romain!

Romain, come on!

- Go. - Not bad.

You're right.

Zoltan!

Zoltan, go!

Come on, Zoltan! Come on, hop!

Go, go!

To your place.

Romain!

Go to your place, Romain.

Want more?

Yes, go on.

Zoltan, go!

Position. Go to your position.

Zoltan! Zoltan, go!

Hop! Bravo.

To your place.

Congratulations, Madame.

Excellent. It's a deal.

Madame will do the act. You'll train the lions.

Rehearsals in two weeks, in Munich.

Marcovitch, you'll be a good sport. Come for a few days,

to show them the rest of the act.

Yes, Mr. Rainer.

They were in Munich now.

In Munich now.

''No more zoos,''

''or local crowds.''

''It was time to tackle the big time!''

Look, kids. All you see here is ours.

That's the office. And this...

This is our rehearsal hall, the biggest in Europe.

That's Klint, our head tamer.

He works tigers only.

Easy.

I'll introduce you. Wait.

Klint!

These two French kids have just arrived.

Come on over.

Faster, back there.

M. d'Alembert and Miss Roselyne.

I'm the lion tamer.

Roselyne does the act.

Great tigers.

And my lions?

Your lions, Herr d' Alembert?

Herr Koenig's lions.

Follow me.

You must dismantle three seconds faster.

Three. I told you.

We'll try again.

Your dressing room.

It's like a dollhouse.

Mimo was a fine tamer.

- How old was he? - 45.

He was a midget.

He did a wildcat act in a ten foot cage.

He said they were worse than tigers.

They gouged his throat.

He was French.

Hurry up.

The sawdust is here. Indicate the quantity you need.

Soiled sawdust is managed by Kemal. He's Turkish.

His brother's a sultan.

They're a family of sultans.

Mr. Koenig wants the ring spotless at all times.

- What day do we pee? - He'll tell us.

Everything is perfect here.

We have the best butcher facilities in the city.

All our knives, mincers and choppers

are pure Solingen, the finest steel in Germany.

You're responsible for your equipment.

And you clean your own workspace.

It must be clean enough to eat off the floor.

You're to feel free here but always responsible.

If you need something, fill out a voucher for the store.

They're in the admin office.

Do you understand?

Choose the fresh meat you want every evening.

Frozen meat, two days ahead.

You wheel it to your bench in a cart.

You're in charge of feeding your animals.

The schedule board.

All performers and their activities are noted.

rehearsal times, specialties, etc.

Mr. d'Alembert, lions.

Rehearsal, 10:30 to noon Hall 8, Tuesday.

That's tomorrow. You see, we were expecting you.

- Wait. - What's going on?

It's just a scratch.

Nothing! The French lions gashed me through the bars!

I won't work with them.

Show me.

I'm off to the infirmary.

Filthy lions.

The infirmary is up there.

You're vaccinated?

Yes.

That was Kemal, the sultan.

Your lions,

Mr. d' Alembert.

They're in heat.

That's how they arrived.

When does Marcovitch come?

He can't make it.

He said you knew the act.

Good luck.

Goodbye, Madame.

Roselyne, we're in the shit.

I think we overdid it.

These animals are impossible.

- What's going on? - We can't work today!

We still have to get them in!

How will you recognize them?

We'll deal with that once they're in. They might behave.

Zoltan, go!

Get the big one! Use the pitchfork!

Come on!

Spread out, damn it.

Push him towards the door!

Separate them! Roselyne, keep them apart.

Go on, Kemal. Use the fork!

Or the stick. Move it!

The lions are in heat.

Roselyne, move that big one.

It's no good. Stop.

I don't know what to do.

Kemal!

- Get me a chair. - What for?

- I'm going on. - You're mad!

We gotta get a grip on them, so in I go.

Draw them to the tunnel. Bang on the bars.

Roselyne, just stay there.

If it gets bad, open the door.

Shut it behind me.

Zoltan. Zoltan, up. Place.

Go!

- Good day, sir. - Good day.

Zoltan, go!

Zoltan, up! Zoltan!

You're crazy!

Kemal, come with me.

I'm going up top.

- It's suicide. - I don't care.

Shut up!

Stop it!

- The pitchfork. - You're nuts!

Pass it here.

Jesus!

Who let them go?

Who said to stop? What's going on?

You can come down now.

They've gone.

Who said to stop?

Calm down.

Mr. Koenig gave the order to stop.

He couldn't even enter the cage.

Did you see?

No one could today.

The lions are in heat. Listen to them.

Do they work to death taming lions?

They'll die on a building site.

Some industrial accident.

I envy them.

You're right. You could have been a mailman.

fallen off your bike, got bitten by a rabid dog.

Great ending.

I'm giving up. It's over.

See how I was treated?

I saw how you nearly got eaten alive.

Don't try it again.

I had to go in, didn't I?

Not that way.

- How else? - With finesse, like at Frazier's.

The way you did with Wotan, not out of control.

These lions are crazy.

But you don't have to be.

Isolate the one in heat, and work with the other two.

You remember...

our dream of having lions?

We've got them, so hang on.

What shall I do?

''It's Mr. Koenig''

''who gave the order to stop.''

''You may come down, Mr. d'Alembert.''

''The lions are gone.''

''Nein, Mr. d'Alembert. Herr Koenig's lions.''

''Follow me.''

Romain!

He's grasped it. Good method.

He's not stupid.

Romain, up!

Roselyne, the hoop!

Working half of the lions is easy.

What's that?

- What did he say? - Nothing.

- I didn't get it. - The hoop.

Stop it.

Drop it.

What did you say? I didn't get it.

Go on in.

We're watching. What're you waiting for?

- Well? - No.

Roses for you.

We'll bring you a vase.

Thank you.

Asshole.

Be happy. It's working out.

- You don't get it. - What?

Two lions sucks.

The act is zero without Zoltan.

I've no time.

Which lion will do the plank?

Forget the plank.

My respects. Good day, Madame.

Mr. d' Alembert,

I hope your lions are calmer.

The others are arriving.

What others?

Mr. d'Alembert,

we cannot present an act with three lions.

Koenig is Germany's biggest circus.

Four lions have just arrived.

You must put them with the others.

By the way, did you like the roses?

Yes, thank you.

I'll see you tomorrow for the photos.

There is no show without a star.

And no star without photos.

You'll meet the photographer.

Good day to you.

Mr. d' Alembert, I salute you.

Work hard on the act.

You're the man to do it.

And I'm with a star now.

Phone call for you.

Telephone! At the top of the stairs!

''I'm fine. How are the deadly lions?''

They're in heat, it's a bullfight.

- Do you know Klint? ''- He works with you?''

Yeah, he's a Kraut tamer.

- He works with tigers. ''- Not lions?''

- They're clearly tigers. ''- I'll look into it.''

Caesar...

Caesar, Caesar.

Don't you like tigers?

Yes, I like all big cats.

But I prefer lions.

Lions...

Beautiful tiger, bravo, tiger.

Bring him back round!

Okay, now back in place.

- Back in place. - Come on, Zoltan. Place.

- Hop! - Step aside.

No, aside.

Zoltan!

Don't mind me.

With your voice, not the whip.

He's on the ground, watch out.

Zoltan! Zoltan, go!

Go, Zoltan, go!

Okay, that's good. Good!

Now follow.

Follow, now go behind.

Stay behind him, don't cut him off.

- Place, go. - Zoltan, go.

Speed him up!

Bravo.

He's as slow as you.

If you don't move, he won't jump.

He'll turn and attack.

Keep back, there's a safe limit.

- You should always... - Safe limit! Make up your mind.

- Don't stick to him. - Before I was too close.

- Not too far or he won't move. - Make up your mind.

- That's enough, huh? - Right.

Do it again.

Watch them.

Mr. Steiner, it's no good. I can't do it without extra rehearsals.

And stop the work back there, it's too loud.

My lions aren't machines.

Talk to Mr. Koenig. I can't stop everyone's work for you.

Go on, get to work.

Crazy nut.

That's not my knife.

This one is.

Try walking...

It's perfect.

Go over to the door.

Excellent. Very, very good.

It really is a perfect fit.

Very pretty.

A vision. That dress is made for you.

Elsa didn't believe me,

but I knew it was for you. No alterations necesasry.

Meet Gunther, from ''Blitz''.

You're magnificent.

Hans, our photographer.

I can't wait to see you work.

I find it hard to imagine a woman of your beauty

- entering a lion cage. - Why?

You have to be old and dumb?

She's priceless.

To your beauty.

So many young German girls would love

to be you.

Who taught you makeup?

I learned in the circus.

A friend showed me.

I had my head cut off in a clown magician act.

He said that my head,

was half the show. He used a guillotine.

He was Czech.

- Vladimir, right? - Yes. Do you know him?

The only person I don't know yet is you.

You are the most beautiful mystery, the most beautiful surprise.

How did you become a tamer?

I don't know...

I was a kid, and my father...

Remember you father. It's important.

Our readers want to know.

He abandoned me.

Abandoned?

He worked... on trucks.

What's the connection?

He worked at Pinder's circus.

All day long, he worked.

He'd sweat fixing trucks.

And I'd go to the cage.

There was a lion,

a bad one. And there was a man.

He spoke a language I didn't know.

I thought it was lion talk. It was German.

He called me Blonde Angel.

The Blonde Angel.

He tooks me in his arms and said "Choose a lion."

I chose one with a black mane.

Then we entered the cage. I never told my father.

He never knew.

You'll have your cover story.

You'll have it.

You are too charming.

And you're beautiful.

You'll be a turn-on in the cage.

You are a surprising mixture, both childlike

and sensual, feminine.

You know it and use it.

Be careful...

Men are dangerous too.

Need to make a call?

I'm totally free tonight.

I don't understand. Are you ''Penthouse''? You only talk sex.

Big magazines talk sex.

A beautiful woman with a whip,

half-naked in the lion cage,

making them obey...

It's no kids show.

It turns me on.

Take a cold shower.

Not alone...

Hotel Bosphorus...

The Orient...

Trains rolling by,

bodies joined in sweat, bed springs squeaking...

Trains, eroticism...

You should be a writer.

- You want big thrills? - Yes.

I'll let you in the cage, in leopard-skin briefs...

You'll make the lionesses real horny.

Bye.

Thierry's not here?

- Is he here? - He went out.

My key, please.

You have a letter.

Thank you.

It was in the wrong box, we forgot.

Can I have the stamp?

I love your shirt.

''Klint is a miraculous survivor.''

''One night, a lion attacked him in the cage.''

''It was a bloodbath.''

''They stitched him with steel wire.''

''He's never worked lions since.''

''I didn't register''

''when you mentioned a tiger-tamer.''

''I'm surprised he still works.''

''Great news! I've given up on card houses.''

''I'm on to a winner now.''

''A giant skittles act.''

"I'm in a ball that falls down. Great, isn't it?"

And rehearsals tonight?

No...

We do stop sometimes. We all need a breather.

We've worked hard all month.

I need two more hours tomorrow or I won't be ready.

I have to group the lions.

Koenig said to give you all the time you need.

All that is yours.

Tamers...

always need more time than others.

At least it's easy to work with Klint.

You make us empty the whole hall.

Is Klint doing a new act?

- No, he's almost finished. - No tiger act?

Yes, but then it's over for him.

He's old school, his time is over.

Mr. Koenig wants youngsters like you.

The tigers will need a new tamer.

They're not Klint's?

Nothing here is Klint's.

The desk, me... I too belong to Koenig.

You should ask him.

- What? - About the tigers.

I'm sure he wants you to have them.

Why ask then? He'll do it if he wants to.

Ask him.

Take my advice, but don't let on.

I only want extra time.

Inch'Allah! Mektoub!

What are you doing?

Where were you?

Look who's talking.

What time is it?

Time to work.

No rest for party animals.

Move ass.

We'll do it over until it works.

Roselyne, let's go.

Hold it up.

Higher.

Zoltan!

Zoltan! Zoltan, go!

Yell! I can't hear you!

Fine creature.

The lion or the girl?

The girl, naturally.

She's under contract.

Follow him. Yell! I want him in place.

Chase him!

Higher! It's gone out.

More kerosene, move it.

Wake up, Turk!

Everyone's half asleep here.

Take five. For the lion, not you.

Then back to work.

- Get that? - I sure did.

I can't do it if you stand there! Move!

I don't care. Higher!

You held it too low.

Next time it'll be your head.

Get your hoop. More flames.

Bravo.

- You want to burn him alive? - Don't shout, it pisses me off!

Tough shit. You can burn, not him.

She's gonna eat him up.

Yeah. The Blonde Devil.

Take the hoop.

Try it again.

Higher! You keep lowering it when he passes.

Want it in your face?

You're soft. Wake up. Get up.

We'll do it over and over.

Grab your hoop! We're not here to sleep.

Don't sit there! They'll kill you!

Get up! I told you 50 times to hold the hoop higher.

Get up. Up, damn it!

In place, Samba.

Now...

watch the finale.

Sit!

Shut up.

Brava!

Bellissima!

She's like a true Bavarian.

Right, Gunther?

Mr. d' Alembert you are too hard on our star.

She's fantastic.

Mr. d' Alembert, you are much too hard on her.

The lions get along well.

There was no need to worry.

This will be a hit.

Gunther, do you believe in the Blonde Angel now?

She's not a mirage, is she?

Tell me... I arrived late. Have you done the plank?

- No? - Better not.

But Mr. d'Alembert, you're not here to drop it.

The public loves it. Do it.

- It's too soon. - Do it before it's too late.

I'm not ready.

In that case,

we'll watch you rehearse.

I'll do it.

Hey, Blandine.

This isn't small town. I'll do it.

My dear Gunter, it's quite dangerous,

but very spectacular.

Set up the plank. Hurry.

Zoltan, go!

Come on up.

Zoltan, go to your place.

Sit.

Now we know who'll do the plank.

Hurry, damn it!

He needs rest. We're taking him to the hospital.

- The hospital? - For minor treatment.

Go in, but be quick.

I need to see you in my office.

Remember, it's an incident, not an accident.

Roselyne, you're not to visit the hospital.

Just stay here.

Roselyne, you stay here.

Are you okay?

Great.

The plank was a bad idea.

So it's my fault, is it?

It's shot anyway. We'll never be ready.

That's how accidents happen,

something was bound to go wrong.

Shall I come with you?

Stay and rehearse. You don't need me for the plank.

Klint!

Klint...

Herr Koenig wants to see you in his office in ten minutes.

Well, how are you, Klint?

Fine, thank you.

Sit down, please.

This accident is unfortunate.

Youngsters take too many risks. They think they know it all at 20.

A small injury. Part of the job.

We've seen plenty, haven't we?

Don't worry, Mr. Koenig likes you.

Your friend will get good care.

Koenig's circus is a family, you're nearly part of it.

- Fat good that is. - Fat?

Klint, you must rehearse with the girl.

I need you, Klint.

But I only work my tigers.

If you want to keep your tigers,

you have to work the lions.

Understand?

That's Koenig's circus in the early days.

A small circus with 300 seats.

We traveled Germany,

great Germany.

A six month, nationwide tour,

with a finale in Berlin.

Berlin before the war.

That's me, at your age.

Have a seat, Roselyne.

This is incident is unbelievable.

I only know of one precedent.

The lights went out during an act,

and when they came back on,

the tamer was hanging onto the bars, seven feet up

but minus his legs.

I just spoke with Dr. Bauer.

Thierry is fine,

but he's not allowed

to move his leg for a few days.

I don't know how many days,

but he has to stay still.

It's awkward.

Are there risks?

No, awkward for us.

Roselyne and the Lions.

Beautiful poster, isn't it?

We have Roselyne, we have the lions,

but no tamer.

I won't work without Thierry.

Ah, romanticism.

It's not romantic. We've always worked together.

I'll only rehearse with him.

Or alone.

- You need assistance. - No, I'll do it alone.

Thierry would not let you into the lion cage alone.

On opening night

the whole city will be present.

You haven't understood, Roselyne.

I want a perfect act

and you'll present it.

I won't work with Klint, he had an accident.

In this business

we all have one some day.

I'll put them in place.

Fatma, in place.

Fatma, that's not your place.

You go too close.

I'll do the pyramid.

Damn!

Samba!

Stay there.

Maddy! Maddy, come on!

I'm sorry, I can't do it.

- You look well for a dead man. - Dead?

Yes, you live with a dangerous woman.

"Wilde Tigerin unter Lowen." What's it mean?

"Fierce tigress among the lions."

"Abandoned by her father, she prefers lions to men."

"She has killed one partner."

"You can see her at Koenig's Circus."

What paper's that?

The biggest in Germany.

5 million readers, bigger than any French paper.

- It's balls. -"Balls"?

- It's a French expression. - Eat up.

I was afraid.

They put all the lions together.

She mustn't work with him, it's dangerous.

Klint's scared now, he drinks.

Roselyne saved his skin today.

She's brave, but he makes it risky. The lions know it.

- What's this? - Help me up.

Let go.

What are you doing?

Back to bed! Now!

Are you crazy? That's dangerous.

Oh, my. You're completely crazy.

Come on...

Take this. And don't do it again, or Dr. Needle

will jab you both! And you, back to bed!

Dr. Needle.

''How are you?''

My stitches will be out soon.

''Shall I come?''

I'll be out tomorrow. Now I'm saved.

''Why do you say that?''

You kill your partners.

''God, you're dumb. It's crap. I never said that.''

''What assholes.''

- Did you work today? - ''Yeah.''

What did you do?

''I worked the lions with Klint.''

- And? - ''Nothing.''

Good. See you tomorrow.

Right, tomorrow.

- What happened? - Klint shot himself.

- Dead? - Just about.

Where's Roselyne?

Dressing room.

- It's a fine death. - No, it's not.

There's no such thing.

I want to leave.

Koenig knew he'd had an accident.

What?

I always thought that Roselyne would work the lions

and you, the tigers.

A couple like you make a star bill.

The contracts are ready.

Contracts aren't the issue.

It's... a question of style.

Style?

That's right, style.

I do what I want, the way I want,

or not at all. Roselyne's the same.

What do you want to do?

An act I've thought up.

Do it.

I'm curious to see it.

You'll see it. You'll see.

Performer?

A great one.

That way?

Yes, yes. Over there.

Thank you.

Kaput?

No, that's normal.

Stay there. Thank you.

Look! Look!

Dr. Schmokele, I brought him.

The nut! He brought Schmokele.

Festival, Schmokeleu.

Festival, bravo.

Go. Come on, Mr. Schmokele.

But that's the meat method.

Just to begin with.

Now, without the meat.

Meatless, go. Without the meat.

Glued to the stool.

- It's the journey... - Tricky.

He does it all the time at home.

For food, right?

Do you know the cat dance?

Gently.

He's great, right?

Mr. Minister, Mr. President, Your Excellencies...

And now... Roselyne and the Lions.

Fabulous.

That's what I call rock.

Baroque.

If Schmokele saw this...

Joan of Arc.

It's Joan of Arc in Hell.

But this isn't on the program.

Caesar.