Original subtitles

You want another toast?

MY LITTLE LOVES

IN MEMORIAM ODETTE AND LOUIS ROBERT

Masini!

Are you on Communion duty?

Behave.

I know him. He's in my class.

At school, he was bigger and stronger than most of us,

but he would never fight.

For no reason, who knows why, I hit him.

I looked in his eyes. There was no anger.

I was getting hard.

I pressed up against her.

We learned something today.

We breathe through mouth and nose.

And through ass, too.

You're kidding.

It says so in my book.

"Two types of breathing:"

"pulmonary and cutaneous."

Cutaneous means through ass.

When you're my age, you'll learn it.

It's a Paramount movie.

Paramount movies are dumb.

You never saw any.

Will you go and see it?

Is the coast clear?

Sometimes they hide farther away. Alright, let's go.

See you on the square?

Yes, see you later.

- Will we go to the circus? - Again?

He wants what he sees.

I'll fix him a snack. See you tomorrow.

I've caught a goldfinch.

I'm going to the circus.

And your homework?

Look, a vulture.

What a hunk of meat!

Christian.

She often mistook me for someone else.

I should have done something. I got scared.

Since you couldn't find any wood alcohol, oil or gas,

you will not see my entire act.

I will only do for you my broken-bottle act.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I will smash these bottles before your eyes.

I am smashing them.

See for yourselves. Come closer.

These shards are deadly.

Now I will lie on them.

I invite the heaviest people in the audience

to come and sit on me.

There is no trick here.

This is a live act. The cards are turned over.

Turn over the dangerous pieces.

Alright, go on.

Now you can sit on me.

Look, ladies and gentlemen. Blood, but no pain.

My act is over. Thank you for your attention.

- It's your turn next. - No.

- You're scared? - I just don't want to.

She's scared.

Come on, if you're so strong.

Don't be afraid. Jump.

Go on.

Someone's coming. I'm leaving.

I know that girl.

- She's your sweetheart? - No.

I had seen her before, talked to her.

Why was she pretending not to know me?

Hand me your pop gun.

A cork, quick.

I am pleased with you. I must give you a kiss.

- Why? - Your moving up into middle school.

- How do you know? - I read it in the newspaper.

Mrs. Duloup read that I was moving up.

Well, exam results are always in the newspaper.

We'll buy one and keep it.

Can I have money for ice cream?

Beware. If you shoot pellet guns at my daughter again,

you'll get yours.

- Me? - Yes, you.

If you used a pellet gun, she couldn't tell on you.

A 30-cent cone, please.

It's not like a movie. When you kiss,

use your mouth and tongue.

Put your tongue in her mouth.

She does too. Your tongues touch.

That's disgusting.

See you tomorrow.

The next year, my mother came to visit for a few days

with a man she'd never mentioned in her letters.

Hello, sir.

You can call him José.

I've brought you a pen and a comic book.

Come, dinner's ready.

Mom will sleep in your room.

We'll put a cot in the other one.

My mother raved about the weather where she lived.

In October, even in November, I go out in shirtsleeves.

He was Spanish and didn't talk.

In school, I'm studying Spanish.

Will you help me correct my accent?

Will you run some errands?

I'm busy.

José can go.

Don't be silly.

You could go with José,

show him the stores.

Make sure you show him our butcher's.

One of my brothers is a mason

and another one works in cycles.

In cycles? What is it?

Cycles. Bicycles and motorcycles.

He sells and repairs them.

Yes, that's good.

And you?

I'm a farm laborer.

I tend vineyards

and work the land.

After the school year, my mother had decided I would live with her.

There he is.

What is he doing?

He's doing it on purpose. Leave it. We won't chase after men.

Follow my lead.

Well? Follow my lead.

Yes, stay like this.

You're going on a trip?

I am. Grandma's taking me to the station.

- Where to? - My mother's.

- For the summer? - No, for good.

Mom, he's going away for good!

- You're leaving? - Not. He's going alone.

Mom will meet you there. Don't worry.

I'm not worried.

Is it a good seat?

- He's never traveled? - It's his first long trip.

And your ticket?

Ah, here it is.

It's the platform ticket.

I've got it.

Write and tell me if you had a good trip.

Give a kiss to your mom.

Good-bye.

There,

that's the Labor Center.

There, the market.

A movie theater?

There are four.

That's the school.

Is this where I'll go?

We'll see.

The place is cramped.

The landlord promised us the room next door.

It's bigger, but it's not available yet.

We'll put a mattress on the floor.

I hope we won't wait too long for the room next door.

And José?

He's working. He gets back around 7 p.m.

I thought I saw disapproval in her eyes.

It's quite sunny.

Will you get up?

We'll go to the market.

You'll see the town.

I have work to do. You can do what you want.

Read or go for a walk.

Now you know where we live.

Our house is easy to find.

What should I do?

Throw it back. Or give it to the kid.

- Do you want it, kid? - No.

You're on vacation?

Now I am, but I'm going to live here.

Are your folks from here?

No.

My uncle is.

What's his name? I may know him.

Ramos.

He's Spanish. No, I don't know him.

So you're Spanish?

No, I'm not. He's not really my uncle.

He's your mother's husband?

And your father, is he dead?

- Did you like it? - Yes.

Not me. I don't buy it.

I don't like adventure films.

- Will you go to middle school? - Yes.

Will you stay here or go back?

I'll stay and go to school.

Great. If we're in the same class, we can be good friends.

What are they doing?

Strolling.

In the same spot? It's dumb.

No, it's tradition.

This is where boys meet girls. It's always been like this.

Don't do that, I already told you!

Why do we never walk on the paths?

It's a meeting place for every idiot in town.

But everyone goes there, old and young alike.

I was told it's always been like this.

José is not divorced yet.

His wife wants to do him wrong,

so he can't be seen everywhere.

As I knew already but refused to admit,

my mother had decided not to send me to school.

I don't get it. School is free.

Classes, yes, but not the rest.

There are textbooks, notebooks, clothes.

You must dress up for school. You know that.

When I was your age, I was ambitious too.

Now I work here all day.

And yet we eat our fill every day.

Food doesn't fall into your lap.

As for José,

he would also like a better situation.

He doesn't want to work the land of others.

He's happy just to find work.

I had things to say to her, and yet I kept silent.

Do you know what you'd like to do?

No.

You must have some interests.

I don't know. I have no idea.

Once you mentioned radio. You said it was a good job.

Yes.

José can find someone

who can train you on the job.

He knows people.

But it's not easy in a small town.

In the meantime, you have to do something.

We thought

you could help Henri in the workshop.

So will you go to school?

I don't know.

It will start soon.

Your parents must quickly get you enrolled.

I will tell them.

Bye. See you soon.

I knew I'd avoid him in the future.

- You know about tools? - Yes.

- All of them? - Not all, but a lot.

Can you use them?

I think so.

In these drawers are attachments and spare parts.

And here are catalogs with prices.

But you'll learn your way around.

I must be going. Watch the shop.

See you at noon.

If a buyer comes in, tell them to come back.

For a repair job, write down what's to be done.

Write it in here.

Where's the boss?

He's coming back.

My light is out. Can you fix it?

Leave it here. I will tell him.

Has anyone showed up?

A woman for her moped.

The light was out.

I fixed it.

It looks good to me. Did you know how?

No, but I figured it out.

The bill he wrote seemed steep.

He gave you money? You shouldn't have taken it.

He didn't. This is a tip.

Guess how much he asked for a repair job I did.

Let's have a drink.

A mint syrup.

Two beers and a mint syrup.

On Sundays, it felt like another life,

but I was uncomfortable.

She's in your league, kid.

No.

He's a hardworking boy.

So I went to the dance.

I hadn't been there since I got married.

First of all, in my suit and tie, I felt ridiculous.

Boys these day only wear pants with no pleats and a shirt.

They go behind girls and grab their asses.

They dance, and that's it.

In my time, there were rules.

You'd look at a girl before asking for a dance.

And if you had no suit on, she wouldn't look at you.

Those were the rules. It's all changed now.

The kid's doing well?

Of course he is.

The day he doesn't...

How's business?

You're kidding?

I won't tell you how much I make.

To think I left the company to start on my own.

I thought of a project with friends,

but I can't give up the shop.

And the boy can't help you?

Sack him, if he's not good.

I can't.

He's my brother's nephew.

The boss is not here?

No, he's not,

but he won't be long.

I came by to say hi.

- And your family? - They're fine.

Won't you stand up?

There's no work to do.

That's no reason.

Get up. How does that look to customers?

But he's a friend of yours.

It makes no difference. Get up.

Kids sure are cheeky these days.

No respect for anything.

I make mine stay in school, but he doesn't care.

He has time, he's young.

Time?

At that age, my father had me work the land.

- Did you go to school? - Yes.

Yet you work like us. You think you work better?

Was it worth wasting your parent's money?

Yes, I know. I should've continued.

Continued what?

My studies. Go on with them.

You'd been good enough, you would have.

No, I don't think that's the reason.

You smart ass will end up like us, a loser.

What did you learn?

You remember anything?

Lots of things.

The alphabet, you remember?

Of course.

Say it, go on.

You want me to recite the alphabet?

Since you know it.

Is this how you learned it?

Yes, why? How did you learn it?

This is how.

Yes, I learned it that way too.

Get the cart and go...

- Where are you going? - To get the cart.

- And then? - You tell me.

I would take streets where cars were not allowed.

I'd had a strange dream

in which the past months had been one long nightmare.

I'd woken up at my grandmother's happy and relieved.

She'd often walk past the shop.

I got used to seeing her. And expecting her.

You don't recognize her?

She's the daughter of that Spanish refugee.

She was like the women I loved in American films.

I would fall asleep thinking of her.

For a few days, they'd met here every night at the same time.

I hadn't noticed at first it wasn't the same boy.

I need tire patches and some glue.

It was huge, all black.

The windows were tinted, blue or gray.

There were two big antennas in the front and back

with lights on them.

The wheels were large.

One antenna was for TV. The other for a telephone.

I wonder how you can watch TV while you drive.

Some said you can drive a car like this for 20 years

and never once break down.

This car has it all:

in the back, a desk to write on, a bar, a refrigerator.

And your stupidity? Was it there too?

No, since the car wasn't mine.

Just you wait until Titin hears this.

Titin? When?

During the vacation.

So now you're going on vacation?

You make your own decisions now?

I've thought about it.

Until you're old enough to do as you like,

you'll do as you're told.

I'm old enough to work while others go to school.

But those who work earn money.

You've missed an opportunity to shut up.

If Henri

weren't José's brother,

you wouldn't be working in the shop.

That may not be such a bad thing.

- A balcony seat, please. - Quick, it's started.

It's just started.

That's wonderful, Stephen.

When do you want to marry me?

Tomorrow.

What's the day today?

March the 9th.

The 9th day of the 3rd month.

It's a wonderful day I shall always remember.

I promise to marry you on the 3rd day of the 9th month.

If you still want me, that is.

Or do you hate me now?

I want you.

What was he saying to her?

I couldn't hear.

Hello there!

Ahoy up deck!

Sailor on watch!

Where are you?

Is there nobody there?

To draw her attention, I breathed hard.

I even blew in her hair.

How many do you feel it would be before...

we die...

You said you were not afraid.

I'm so happy I can't help wanting it to go on.

Could it be a year, a month,

a week even.

Pandora.

It's as if we were under a spell,

outside of time, unending.

Unending.

My love.

It was one of the dangerous storms common to this coast.

The vessel was floundered. A shocking accident.

Everyone said, "And on the eve of her wedding."

I will never know why I left before the end.

And the girls?

I left them.

How were they? I couldn't see.

Old.

Yours was fine.

Not in daylight.

I often saw him on my way to work.

Why aren't you at the café?

I don't know.

You don't have to drink, and the pinballs are nice.

You've been to the movies?

Yes, the Alhambra.

- What was it? - Pandora.

I saw it. It's an oldie.

You saw a movie too?

Nothing appealed to me.

I wanted to relax and see a well-knit, slick film

with shocking credits.

So, you're coming?

Now it's time for my quick-change act.

I'm going to dress up as a motorcyclist.

Who is he?

Louis. He's in fuel. He's a businessman.

He's old.

Yes, but not like the others. He talks with us.

Here's the heartbreaker, Don Juan.

Your girl, your woman, has passed by ten times at least.

Let her pass. I've wasted enough time.

But you don't want a scandal. She looks desperate.

Look, there she is.

Now we're in for a scandal.

You dated that girl. I saw you.

For two years. I even met her parents.

So? You left her?

I had to. In two years, nothing. On Sundays, strolls with her mom.

At the theater, I saw you kiss her in the boxes.

We did kiss, but her mother was always behind us.

I couldn't touch her tits.

She's changed tactics, but she still wants the same thing.

The same thing?

She wants to get married. That's it. They all do.

They won't sleep with you.

She'll find someone.

She could marry Longa.

You want to? She's on the market.

Longa, drinks on you?

What's up? You're done?

No, as you can see.

- See you at the Four Fountains? - Sure.

At the café, he was the only student.

I thought about it. I had to talk to him.

- You're in high school? - Yes.

You got a diploma?

When the year ends.

Is it important? What can you do with it?

Not much, but you can continue studying.

And after the diploma?

Universities, "big-leagues."

Big leagues? What are they?

They're schools. Not everyone gets in.

Why not? Only the best do?

Mostly those who pull strings.

If I worked on my own at home, seriously, rigorously,

with books, the right books, could I apply?

Yes, it can be done.

But is it possible, really?

Possible, but difficult.

Some things you learn in class, without books.

Foreign languages are difficult too.

Yes, foreign languages.

It should still be possible.

I read a book...

I read a book

about this guy's school years.

At age 15 or 16, he felt uneasy with his French teacher.

When that teacher talked about passion

in Racine and Corneille's plays,

he'd give the same speech, the same class, each year.

His words made no sense, had no heart.

He should've been the last person to talk about it.

He did know the plays by heart, but he'd never experience them.

Whereas the student felt that his life

would be driven by these passions. What do you think?

That you should deflower your mouth.

I'm off to the café. You coming?

Here's Villalonga.

Let's go to the sea.

The sea? Where?

Ten miles away. There's a dance.

Count me out.

He'd rather be stuck in a theater.

Or take care of his passions.

Put your cigarette out when you play pinball.

- Why? - It's distracting.

Another Pippermint Get.

Thanks.

May I sit at your table?

Do you work?

For a mechanic.

A soft spot for mechanics?

No.

- Why then? Is the pay's good? - No.

Yet mechanics keeps you busy.

There are spare parts with or without receipts.

And also tips, but that doesn't even count.

It's almost nothing.

You may be a mechanic or something else.

The thing is to have millions in the bank.

Then you can do like me: have two, three Pippermint Gets

every day for the rest of your life, if you want.

If I don't have 200 000 or 300 000 francs in my pocket,

I fear I'll die poor. It makes me anxious.

You have it here? Let's see.

You don't believe me? Look.

You want to touch it?

See my lighter? It's not on purpose,

but when I give a woman a light, I have to get real close.

If later on she asks me again, it's in the bag, no need to talk.

Mechanics is a good place to start.

I've worn white shirts since my First Communion.

So, on my motorbike,

whenever I break down, my shirt ends up caught

between the cylinder and the chain.

One shirt down every time.

Now when it breaks down, I don't touch it.

I take it to a mechanic. In ten years,

more men will wear white shirts.

So boys like you will make a fortune.

- You know her? - No.

What about you?

Not interested?

Did you know he had that much on him?

Yes, you saw.

But how can he have so much money?

I told you. Business.

So it's true.

You want to see a movie?

- Or do something? - No, I'll stay here.

- I'm going. - Where? I might change my mind.

I don't know.

They're the girls from St. Mary.

Had the old bag seen anything?

She ran off as if she'd met the Devil.

Henri's closing up shop this summer.

You will go on vacation.

It meant so much to you.

Yes.

You always get what you want.

Nothing else matters.

Don't you think it's a bit much?

I had them made like this.

Your cigarette!

Shit!

Have them mended. It will be expensive.

How much?

A small fortune, but it's worth it.

- You're going to St. Mary? - No.

Why not? There's a dance. And girls.

Where is it?

St. Mary.

Just a minute.

I'll be back.

My friends are off to a village. May I go?

- Is it far? - A few miles.

- May I take José's bike? - Yes, but be careful.

Don't carry anyone on it, and be back by 8.

What if the others want to come back round midnight?

The others can do as they like. You'll be here at 8.

I will.

The ferryman's not here. Let's swim.

Let's not all go in.

Beer and lemonade, everyone?

Then let's split the cost.

I'm broke.

What are you doing? You won't get any.

Let's stroll on the road to Salinas.

Let's just follow the girls. Or else we're in for a scandal.

We'll get nowhere. Let's split.

I'm dying of thirst.

If we wait, we're screwed.

Why did they mention Salinas?

To let us know.

They didn't look at us.

It's an invitation. Trust me.

They did it on purpose?

Sure. Girls are like that. You ask them, they say no.

You touch their caboose, they say nothing, or yes.

I was afraid. I tried to buy time.

You'll take the short one?

No, the tall one, but the short one has pretty eyes.

I know, I saw.

St. Mary reminded me of the girl I had caressed at the fair.

But the girl walking ahead

had sung in the choir.

What do we do? What do we say?

Talk about the weather. Try to make them laugh.

The others won't be long now. Let's go.

Isn't it fairer to wait for them?

In business and love, all is fair. They wouldn't wait for us.

You go. Then I'll make a move.

Make it now, or you'll lose the game.

So you did take the road to Salinas?

How did you know?

I saw you pass by. I thought,

"I bet they'll take the road to Salinas."

And your friends?

What friends?

The boys with you.

I see. They're not interesting.

A word of advice: don't trust them.

And if you see them, hide.

What if we shouldn't trust you?

As you like, but don't say we didn't warn you.

- Ask your friend. - She's my sister.

Your sister? You do look alike. I hadn't noticed.

The hole in your pants is in the wrong place.

It's a beautiful day.

What should I say? I didn't know.

Yes.

You're not saying much.

I don't know. I have nothing to say.

Why? Cat got your tongue? You're dumb?

Maybe so.

But you can talk.

I may have an answer, if it's not about the weather.

As a rule, the boys do the talking.

Maybe this is a bad rule.

You were right. They're here.

Aren't these your friends?

I was glad to see them.

First I had waited for them, then I got scared.

Now I didn't know.

Marius gets to St. Peter.

St. Peter says, "Your file's not good,"

"but you're allowed in Heaven. Follow me."

Down a corridor, they see an open door.

Marius peeks into it

and sees naked women and champagne bottles.

Marius says,

"Is this Heaven?" St. Peter, "That's Hell."

Marius says, "I want in." St. Peter goes, "I don't think so,

"because here..."

I listened to him. It seemed to be working.

So that was the trick.

"bottles have a hole in the bottom, but women don't."

This time it was too late. I had lost the game.

Move away. Beat it.

You done whispering?

I smooth-talked her.

When I went up to her, I had no idea what I would say.

I closed my eyes to forget about the others.

I wanted to cover my ears.

I wanted to look at her in silence. But she kept kissing me.

- What's your name? - Françoise, and yours?

Me? Daniel.

Let's meet again.

Yes.

Do you go to town?

On market days, with mother.

Never alone?

No.

What can we do?

Come back. Come back next Sunday.

On Sunday I would be gone on my long-awaited vacation.

But I had no illusions.

The others would be back.

Will you come?

Yes.

What do you want?

I knew what was on her mind.

And yet my gesture had been innocent.

Had she already slept with a boy?

- You don't want to? - No.

- Why not? - We mustn't.

Yes, we must.

No. We must go out together first

for us to get married. And only then...

I thought I had already heard

and known by heart,

the words she was saying.

You understand?

Yes.

- Lie down. - What for?

Nothing. I just want to look at you.

How long were we there? Two hours? More?

I made this dress. Look, the hem's only basted.

Wait for us!

We can't go back together. We'd be seen.

I'll go with my sister. You wait here.

Tonight we'll be at the dance,

but, be careful, so will our parents.

Come have your snack.

That's all you have to tell me?

To tell you?

What?

I told your friends you were back.

You're coming?

Hello.

You've grown. Did you continue your studies?

No, I'm working as a mechanic.

Let's go into the woods.

I was stronger than you.

I let you win, or you'd have sulked. You were always sulking.

That guy saved your life.

You think so?

No.

Don't.

Are you coming or what?

Translation: Jérémy Victor Robert

Subtitling: TITRAFILM