Original subtitles

Written and directed by Jean-Claude Brisseau

SHADOWS

A white angel passed above me I did see

Its dazzling flight tamed the sky so blustery

and quieted from afar the noisy sea

What have you come to do? I asked.

And the angel said...

I've come to take your soul.

I was scared because I saw it was a woman.

I asked, shaking as I held out my arms.

What will become of me? For you will fly away.

If you take my soul, where will you take it?

To which place?

She stayed quiet.

Oh stranger of the sky, Are you death or life?

And the night grew upon my ravished soul.

And the angel turned black and said, I am love.

But her dark face was brighter than the day.

And I saw, in the shadows where her eyes sparkled

The stars through the feathers of her wings.

Laurent, move the plates. Put them somewhere else.

Brigitte, do you take Laurent to be your husband?

Dad, come quick! Lucien is on the phone.

He's lost.

Don't leave the baguettes here.

Just a minute. Let me finish this page.

Watch my hair!

Come help me.

Nathalie, you should make your bed and clean your room.

Then go help your sister.

Lucien, what are you doing?

You lost the address?

It's Yuri Gagarin Lane, Block C

Staircase J, 16th floor, number 338.

Take the even-numbered elevator.

You're almost here!

Just come to the building. I'll meet you.

Lucien!

Lucien!

I'm coming down. Stay there.

Don't be long, Pierre. We're already late.

I'll be right back up.

Your daughter still sings beautifully, doesn't she?

Can I help?

Yes, help with these eggs... Over there.

- Don't forget this when you leave. - Put it over there.

Get out of the way!

Here we are. Come in.

Watch your flowers!

Your place is not that easy to find!

What time is it?

11:20.

Weren't we supposed to be at City Hall at 10:45?

Yes.

- What are we waiting for? - My mother, as usual.

You must be Christine's mother from the country.

- You're Lucien? - Yes, let me give you a kiss.

Here's the bride!

Hello, Lucien.

Do you work in the factory with Pierre?

Yes, 25 years in that prison.

A quarter of a century. Can you imagine that?

Unbelievable!

- What do you make? - Metal washers.

I take a big iron bar... put it in the machine...

And when it passes... You know what I do?

I do it again. Ten hours a day!

- Unbelievable! - You're exaggerating.

- You're P2 now. - What does that mean?

That means right now I calibrate the machines.

To be honest, I mean I try to do it.

Thankfully Pierre is there to help.

Pierre is my foreman.

Have you always worked at the factory?

No, I used to be a monk.

I was at the convent until I was 27 then I left for the factory.

What was I qualified to do?

Nothing.

So I became a factory worker.

Fortunately as luck would have it I made friends with Pierre.

Because they don't like my kind at the factory.

Especially the women.

But he accepted me for what I am.

It helped me.

Mother-in-law...

It's the 2nd witness, calling from City Hall.

If we're not there in 15 minutes, he won't do the wedding.

What do we do?

Now that you're leaving, do you think Dad will enjoy Mother more?

I doubt it.

- Could you tell Christine to hurry up? - I was hoping you would.

Ah you're here!

Hi, everybody. Hello, Grandma.

- You should write more often. - I know.

Hi, Lulu.

I've been waiting downstairs for 30 minutes.

We're waiting for her.

If she's not ready in 5 minutes I'll go without her.

No one's going without me!

Besides...

You're a minor. You can't marry without my consent.

Christine, don't get angry, not today of all days.

I'm not angry, Mother.

Now... Everyone listen to me.

I have an announcement.

- Aren't we late enough? - She's doing it to bother me.

I've been here 17 years, like your prisoner.

I won't sacrifice myself for you anymore.

You're all grown up.

Don't count on me. It's over.

- You can't abandon your family. - If only she would.

No, Mother. I'll stay here.

But from now on...

- I'm going back to my career. - What career?

The one I had before I married you.

- You weren't doing anything. - Yes, I was.

What?

I was a singer.

I could have been a star.

I gave it all up for you.

I decided to try again.

Starting tomorrow, you're on your own.

I won't do anything here anymore.

No cleaning, no laundry, no grocery shopping.

Nothing.

I'll take care of only one thing...

My art.

Now Pierre, hand me my purse.

Here.

Hey, where is the groom's family?

They were against the marriage.

No other guests?

No, just one friend who will meet us there.

My family is in Italy. Christine just has her mother.

And we don't have the money.

She spends everything on the apartment.

- What are you doing? - Looking for my keys.

Good thing you bought some food.

I didn't find the money you left this morning.

Mom probably took it. I couldn't buy any groceries.

We need anything?

Yes.

We need butter, oil, vinegar, cheese, meat, and lettuce.

This is all I've got. Try to make do.

This won't be enough.

Just get what you can.

Okay, goodbye.

Hurry up!

It's on the left.

- Hey, why don't you help us out? - I don't have time.

- What's that thing? - Nothing.

- Nothing? - A friend loaned it to me.

And I don't see you doing much homework.

- I already did it. - You did?

Yeah.

Move it or we'll be late.

What if the world were only a dream? Who am I?

I read at the end of "The Diary of a Country Priest":

"What does it matter? All is grace!"

What does that mean, "All is GRACE"?

- How are you? - Fine.

Look!

How do I look? Nice, isn't it?

Close the drapes, please.

Can you help me here.

Go on.

Listen Pierre, Could you leave me alone?

I have a lot to do and it's already 7:30.

Cycling...

And I have to rehearse for tomorrow.

Don't fix me anything to eat.

- Not hungry? - No.

Did you take all the money? Because I'm broke.

Don't start now!

I'm taking professional courses. That's expensive.

And I have to dress nice.

Honestly Pierre, I have no choice.

Now, leave me alone.

- Did you get everything? - Yes.

Could you put down your book and help me in the kitchen?

It's annoying!

Dad, can you help me with this?

Victor Hugo loved his daughter but she drowned at sea.

He suffered very much at her loss.

In this text, many years later, he spoke to his daughter.

As if she was calling him.

He woke up early and walked about ignoring all around him.

He walked to Harfleur to put flowers on her grave.

It seemed during his long walk he was in an altered state...

That his daughter was there and spoke to him.

He said, I know you're waiting for me. I can be near you now.

My teacher said that Hugo believed that his daughter's soul was alive.

That it made tables spin and spoke with spirits.

So do you think his daughter's soul was really there?

Do spirits really exist...

or did Hugo just imagine this to make her live again?

I have no idea.

I only learned Hugo's poems. I quit school at 14.

But do you believe in souls and in life after death?

Do you believe in God?

Ashamed to answer my question?

Ashamed?

No... I just wasn't expecting it.

So do you believe in God?

Well, you know nowadays...

people don't go to church anymore.

You won't answer my question?

I will.

So why did Hugo suffer so much?

Why was he trapped by his daughter's presence?

Why do we suffer when we lose our loved ones?

Or when our dreams are unfulfilled?

It hurts to imagine the worst. I'm scared of the future.

It's late, Dear. We should go to sleep.

Leave that here. I'll straighten up.

Hey, you know... I enjoyed talking with you.

Could you keep it down? We're trying to sleep.

No, you stop it now! I have to get up at 5 a.m.

I always hear you having sex with your wife

groaning through the walls!

She's crazy!

I'll rehearse when I want anytime I want.

It's the same thing!

You won't stop my career!

I've had enough!

I want to live!

- I'm calling the cops. - Don't do that.

- But it's every night. - Call them then.

It's okay.

I'm tired of my life.

Go ahead and cry.

You'll feel better later.

Above all...

This is all your fault.

It's your fault I'm here.

Go away.

Go away.

Go sleep somewhere else.

I don't want you in my bed anymore!

Never again!

Okay, you plug this end...

into your guitar.

And the other end into your amp.

What the hell, Frank!

It's late, so stop that thing.

Hand me those cushions.

You're not lying about borrowing that?

No, a friend loaned it to me. He's letting me try it out.

- You're sure? - Yes.

- You want a blanket too? - Yes, please.

What were you up to?

I was explaining his guitar manual.

Oh, yeah? Can't he read it himself?

No, he can read aloud but he doesn't understand.

- I have to explain it to him. - Really?

- Then he can't read? - No.

I thought they could read in 9th grade.

No, but don't worry. He's not the only one.

Well, I'm going to bed. I have to be up at 5 a.m.

Goodnight.

Shit.

- No cocoa. - There's no bread or biscuits.

When she got home last night she ate the rest.

There's some eggs in the fridge.

Not anymore.

There's nothing left.

I can't drink this.

- What are you looking for? - I'm out of clean socks.

You can't go to work like that.

Right.

I'll have to wear overalls.

I don't have anything to wear either.

And Frank?

He doesn't care. He likes the grungy look.

Christine...

Shit!

I don't care.

Be strong. It will work out.

Tomorrow is Saturday. I can help out.

What did you want from mother?

I'm flat broke. I wanted to see if she had any money.

If she did, she'd keep it for herself.

I don't have a penny, and payday is in two weeks.

She bought a lot of dresses and her lessons are expensive.

You get family assistance on the 25th.

She always cashes that. I'll be at work.

Can she still sign on your bank account?

- How did you know that? - I'm not a kid anymore.

If I were you I'd take her off your account.

Otherwise, she'll take everything.

I can't.

Are you blind?

She wants to be a star.

She is convinced she'll succeed provided she has enough money.

She'll take the family assistance for herself.

Then she'll take your pay. We'll only get the crumbs.

You think so?

I'll talk to her.

She got home at 3 a.m. She'll tell you to fuck off.

Watch your language!

Shit!

I told you.

Now I'm late too.

You're a pain making all that noise.

Watch your mouth!

There's nothing to eat.

I'm going back to bed.

Here's what we'll do...

First, call Brigitte about that job.

Tell her I'll be there this afternoon.

She can advance me 100 francs.

Then I can buy groceries... what we need the most.

- What about school? - Write a note.

Second, you take out a loan.

In cash, okay?

Third, take mom's signature off your bank account.

I can't do that.

We're married. It's communal property.

You don't get it.

I'm your father. You're just a child.

You're the child.

I'm sorry.

It's okay.

Turn that off. Your mother will yell.

She won't be home before five.

Nathalie, come help me.

Do you know how this works?

Not really but I've seen mom do it.

- It's not like that. - Oh, show me how.

You have to separate the whites from the colors.

Dad, look!

The button doesn't hold. It's broken.

Let me see.

Piece of junk!

Wait...

Let's try it with this.

Keep an eye on it. I'll get the door.

Hello Lucien. You don't look so happy.

Pierre, here's the 500 francs you asked for.

I'll have to pay you back in two times.

250 now and 250 next month.

- You're not well. - No.

Come have a drink.

- So, can I get you a beer? - Whatever...

Let's go to the next room. I'm tidying up here.

Don't leave this here.

Tell me what's wrong.

It's my mother.

- You know, she died last year. - Yes, I remember.

I had been living with her for 28 years.

Yes, when you left the convent.

Every night when I'm alone...

I see her dying again.

I see her on the floor.

Gasping for air.

You know, she was very fat.

When the men from the morgue came to put her in the box,

they couldn't do it.

They were pushing on flabs of skin.

She was stuck.

There's more.

They still managed to get her into the box in one piece.

You know, just afterwards...

I took a medical leave of absence.

Yes, but I thought that was over. That you were better.

Yesterday, I saw my brother.

You know, he's quite old.

Well...

We were talking about the past.

He ended up telling me...

My mother wasn't my real mother.

My real mother was...

a friend of theirs.

She was a single mother.

She gave me away.

She died.

So your real mother didn't raise you...

She died a long time ago?

Yes.

What difference does that make?

Just because your mother wasn't your real mother...

She's the same person.

Only the way you look at it has changed, right?

I don't know.

I've tried not to think about it since yesterday.

But it's all I think about.

You know, turning in my head.

Pierre, it's turning inside of me.

Did you try talking to someone?

Well, you know...

I wouldn't dare.

So if I hadn't asked for a loan, you wouldn't have come to see me?

No.

You see, luck is on your side.

It's silly to cry like this.

- You're not mad at me? - Of course not.

Dad, can you help me with the machine?

Not right now.

Let me help you.

I live by myself so I've learned to get by.

- It's good to talk, isn't it? - It really is.

Take these clothes and hang them there.

Don't drop them on the floor.

Wait, one more!

This is Pascal from my class.

That's my husband and Lucien is a friend.

We're practicing a duet.

Let's go.

Shit!

- How does this thing work? - Dad, bring the broom!

It's not working.

- Stupid machine! - Excuse me...

Please keep it down. We can't rehearse.

No, I'm not turning it off. I need it for school.

Fine, we'll go somewhere else.

I won't be home for dinner. I'm meeting someone.

I'll be home late.

Okay, just a minute.

What the hell are you doing?

Still no food?

- You can help us out. - No, I have to practice.

We're starting a rock band. I'll be back later.

My name will be Sarah Noelle.

Sarah Collins?

Sarah Holliday!

No, not that.

Sarah Collins is better.

Sarah Collins.

In one week I'll be on television.

In one year I'll be at The Olympia.

And in two years I'll have made up for lost time.

Well, anyway...

What am I going to do for my performance gown?

The bank account is empty.

Family assistance comes next week.

Well...

I'll think about that tomorrow.

Now go to bed...

if you want to keep your youthful appearance.

Why are you still awake? You have school tomorrow.

Are you going to let her keep dreaming like that?

You think she has a chance at her age?

Do you know where she takes her class?

Yes, here is the address and telephone.

How did you get this?

I went through her things.

I'd call her teacher first. You don't want her to see you there.

Are you going to go there?

Tomorrow?

Sure?

Yes, now go to bed.

Don't worry. It's for her own good.

- Did you get the groceries? - Yes.

So did you go? Did you meet her teacher?

- Yes. - What did he say?

He's a good guy.

He understood the situation.

He was going to discourage her this afternoon.

He promised he would.

He also promised he wouldn't say I came.

Now we'll just have to wait to see how she'll take it.

- You've done the hardest part. - I'm not sure.

You didn't eat?

No, I'm not that hungry.

Hello.

You two look depressed.

Well, I'll be back in an hour.

Frank, you either eat with us or you leave that here.

But I'm hungry.

- I said leave that drumstick. - I'll starve then.

Nathalie, it's alright, I'll do that later.

It's 3 a.m. Go to bed.

You'll be exhausted at work tomorrow.

You go to bed, okay?

Don't worry. She didn't kill herself.

And a 35-year-old woman with no money and no job

couldn't be too far away.

She'll come home. Don't worry.

Leave her alone for now.

Listen...

She needs me.

I am her husband after all.

Are you okay?

You should try to talk about it.

It will make you feel better.

Please, make an effort.

We're all upset, you know.

Say something.

If I could, I would kill you.

I would kill you all.

But especially you.

I can't stand your ugly face.

I never should have married you.

Then why did you?

You want to know...

Why I married you?

I'll tell you.

See this photo?

It was taken 18 years ago.

I never threw it away.

Look at the boy in this photo.

I adored him.

I was in love with him. Head over heels.

I would have done anything for him.

But his family was too rich for me. I didn't have a chance.

His parents broke us up.

He didn't even put up a fight.

I wanted to kill myself.

But I didn't succeed.

So I met you.

And I took you.

You want to know...

why I jumped into your arms?

No.

Because I knew you would marry me.

And you offered me the best way to kill myself.

Remember... when we lived in Ivry?

Your factory was 10 minutes from home.

You had an hour for lunch.

You would come home.

You would jump me like a rabbit every day.

Until I got pregnant and we moved out.

That went on for two years.

It hurt when you were on top of me.

It was disgusting.

But deep down I think I was happy.

Then we had Brigitte.

So then...

with Brigitte, it was too much.

My death stared me in the face in flesh and blood.

And it grew bigger

I had to take care of her every day.

Every day!

Don't take it like that.

Too late! You wanted me to talk.

So I'll talk.

I'm going to tell you

how my life was for a year and a half before Frank was born.

You didn't bother coming home for lunch anymore.

You left at 6:30 a.m. and got back at 7:15 p.m.

That was bad enough.

I was alone, always alone.

In this small apartment no one knows anyone

and we hear everything the neighbors do.

Never went for a walk

except with Brigitte in her stroller around the block.

Saturdays... the supermarket.

Everything is so empty in this housing complex.

There are no shops.

There's not a real street to take a walk on.

We never went to the cinema. Too expensive.

Plus we had the kids to watch.

We never had any guests over.

and you when you got home...

You never said a word.

You ate, you watched T.V.

and you humped me.

Though not as often.

Because when I saw that I'd be pregnant every year...

I put my foot down.

And the television...

The television, all year long

with your ugly face in front of it.

But the worst was the holidays.

Because I had to look at your mug 24 hours a day!

One day... I was at the window.

The lady above us jumped with her kids.

I saw them pass before me.

So I thought about my life.

The following day...

I too, climbed up on the window.

I had Frank in my left arm.

Brigitte in my other.

I looked down.

I hesitated.

I didn't jump.

I didn't jump.

Why didn't you just leave?

I don't know.

There was something inside me

that wanted me to be punished and to suffer.

Besides I had no money.

You could have met another man

and started a new life with him.

Here?

There's nothing but Arabs and foreigners here.

If you meet a Frenchman, he's an unemployed factory worker.

Or a young person.

In any case they're just looking for an easy lay, nothing more.

I thought...

you had changed.

Yes.

The other day...

I saw Brigitte

when she was trying on her wedding dress.

She was so beautiful.

She got out of this prison.

I wanted to do like her.

You think it's easy to get up at 5 a.m. work for 10 hours

and spend three hours on the bus and m�tro?

You know why I hated you even more?

Because in spite of everything, I had the impression...

that you... never felt imprisoned.

That's true.

It's hard but it's not a labor camp.

And then I do it...

for you... for us.

I love you.

And also for our kids.

In any case, now...

it's all fucked up.

Wait a minute.

Why were you waiting up? Normally you would be asleep.

You must have known that something happened.

You're the one who talked to my teacher.

Admit it!

It's true.

It couldn't go on. You would never be a star.

Bastard!

You bastard!

I'll kill you!

I can't go on like this.

I'm sick of this life.

I'm sick of this hell.

I want to die.

I want to die.

I want to die.

I want to die.

Why have I always failed at everything?

What is it inside of me...

that makes me ruin everything?

Here, take this. It will help you sleep.

No, leave it. We'll do it.

Sit down. Let Frank help for once.

I can't. I'm going to the cinema with my friends.

After you clear the table.

But I'll miss the film.

Frank!

Okay.

I'm always getting picked on.

Would you like to go to the cinema?

I'll get the car and take the whole family.

- What do you want to see? - I don't know.

But can we wait until 5 p.m.

My friend Pascal... from my singing class.

I said I'd help him rehearse. He'll be here at 3 p.m.

Why not invite him along? We'll make room.

Are you sure we have enough money?

We're not going to worry about money today.

And help your mother tomorrow night because I'll be home late.

Why?

There's a meeting at work.

Some Germans are buying the company and there will be some layoffs.

Put this away.

Will you get laid off?

No, I don't think so.

It's mostly going to be women with special skills...

and some executives, but we'll go on strike.

Do you think you should be spending money at the cinema?

Don't worry.

- Aren't you coming with us? - No, I'm going with my friends.

You're not in bed yet?

How was your meeting?

Bad.

There are a lot more layoffs than we expected.

Tomorrow we go on strike.

- For very long? - As long as we can hold out.

Enough talking, We'll wake your mother.

I doubt it.

When I got home at four, she was already gone.

What did Frank say?

Nothing. I don't think he cares.

And you?

Please, let me be alone.

Nathalie, turn off the light.

Good morning, Dad.

You're not going to work?

Should I close the window?

What's wrong with him?

Well, I'm off to school. See you later.

If you jump

you'll have to take me with you.

Come here.

Come here, please.

Did you love her that much?

Deep down, nothing has changed.

You still love her in your heart.

Just tell yourself she's still there.

Before, you loved someone imaginary.

Now you know the truth. You're more free.

I had a dream last night.

I was on the street on the way home.

And I met a bum who was a bit crazy.

He tried to talk to people but no one stopped.

They treated us like blind fools.

He said we were chasing shadows.

He said... the world is beautiful.

People were walking past, but no one listened.

He said...

All is love. All is grace.

Then he left.

We never pay attention to the sun.

Yet it's always there.

It's beautiful.

It was a strange dream.

What does that mean?

All is love. All is grace.

Subtitles by Gianni777 and JM2L