Original subtitles

Now you're trapped, little pest.

This time you won't be able to ruin my plans.

- How naive you can be, my dear Ferret, it's already too late.

The police will be here very soon. - Oh, I can't stand her any more!

Bulldozer, crush this insect!

- That was close.

Try again.

- Sorry boss. - Focus, you imbecile!

What are you doing on the floor, idiot?

- That's true, get up, you great fat slob.

Prince Alpaca, I didn't see you coming. - That's what we call elegance.

What shall we do with her now, boss? - I'd strangle her.

- A tempting idea, my fine Bulldozer, but I have other plans for this brazen little hussy.

We're going to give her a good bath.

- Aery good idea, but please, no less than 30 degrees. I'm a little sensitive to cold.

- How can the poor child joke, when she has only a few minutes to live? Crazy.

- Good riddance.

Military base 181 Madagascar 1970-1972

It's beautiful here. - Do you think it's nice?

- You're completely pale. - I know, I don't want to tan.

- It doesn't matter, I like it like that.

I can see your veins.

It's beautiful.

I could have brought some wine, Colette. You could have asked me.

- No no, I think we have everything we need. - Are you sure?

- Yeah yeah.

Delphine. Delphine. You're not staying in your swimsuit?

- But it's so hot, and this is wet.

- Are you daft? We don't eat in swimsuits.

- Leave her alone, she's having fun.

- No, no, I don't like that. Especially when we have guests.

Give me a knife, Colette. - Yes.

- Thanks. - Your attention please!

Make way, ladies and gentlemen.

Okay, let's put it down. - Yeah yeah.

Delphine, come and help me with the cutlery, please.

- That smells good, I'm hungry. - Let's eat now!

- Are you coming, kids? - Where are the others?

- Come on, start serving. - Thomas, Alain, you coming?

- I'm here. - I'm coming.

- Turn off your music. - It's OK.

- And as you go through the kitchen, grab the bottle of wine on the table, please.

- Yes. - And the corkscrew.

- I'll bring them to you.

- That's a smart one. - He's already a real seducer like his father.

- Mum. - Yes?

- Here. - Can't you bring it to the table?

Is it too heavy? - Leave it, I'll do it.

- I could have done it myself. - I don't want you to hurt yourself.

- Can I sit beside you? - Yes, but eat, all right?

- Where do you want to sit? - Next to you.

Ah, the newcomers, take a seat.

- Would you like to sit next to me? Madame Huissens?

- You don't want to? - As you wish.

- Let them sit wherever they like. - Oh yes of course.

Sorry, Sergeant, it'll be me. - Yes, that's nice, but it's not the same.

- Look Robert, you have a beautiful woman next to you.

- Forgive me, I prefer youth. - Oh, you bastard.

- Don't listen to him, he's always so charming.

- Anyway, she's very pretty.

- I don't want too many vegetables. - Oh, stop it, you!

You'll eat what we give you.

- I eat carrots, potatoes, meat. I like everything.

- She's right, stop acting like a sissy. Let's eat!

- He's skinny, it's true. He still has that sickly look.

- No, he especially doesn't like to sit still.

- He's like me, he doesn't like meals. - Yes, that's a different issue with you, darling.

You prefer aperitifs. - I prefer liquid meals.

That's how I stay fit. - Yes, of course.

- Go and sit down. Have something to eat. - Very well, General!

I have the army at home.

- For Heaven's sake, Alain. - What?

- You could have left the end seat for M Guedj.

- No no, leave him alone. Don't get upset, Robert.

I'll be very happy here, among the children.

- I'm not a child any more, don't you agree?

- Oh, pardon me, my dear Madame. - And where are you from, exactly?

- We come from Nancy.

- Ah, we spent a year in Metz before coming here.

- Yes, it's nearby. Metz is nice too.

- Really? I didn't like it at all.

- She says that because she left her whole family there.

- Not at all, what are you talking about? - Yes, you're homesick.

- You too. - Oh no no, I'm very happy to be here.

- For me, it’s when I’m in France that I get homesick.

- Really? And where are you from?

- Algeria, welcome to the pieds-noirs table.

- And you miss it. - Mathilde!

Look, you're hurting him, stop! - Stop!

Mathilde. - Mathilde, let him go!

Sorry. What's wrong with her? Mathilde, let him go!

That's enough! Mathilde! - Stop.

- Mathilde, stop now! - She bit him hard.

Mathilde, why did you bite him?

- Well, he has to eat. If we don't eat, we die.

- Are you all right?

- What's wrong with the girl? She can't help biting.

- That's normal, she's teething.

- No darling, it's a long time since she's been teething.

- Messi, now's not the time. - But sir, you told me—

- You can do it later.

And you? - I go to ESCA, in Tana.

I go to a school in Tana too. A school where I learn to dance.

- Really? You dance?

- Yes, with a lady who set up a small conservatoire.

We're 22 girls of many different ages.

It's nice. - Well, show her, darling.

I did that too, when I was young.

You could still do it, if you wanted to. - No, I've lost it all, rigor, flexibility.

- What are you tslking about? You're still young.

The body doesn't forget.

- No, sweetheart, you can't do that.

- No, stop it. I don't like that while I'm eating.

You know perfectly well, I don't like to mix things up. Stop it.

Let me welcome the Huissens.

To Bernard and his beautiful Odile.

You've just landed on the most beautiful place in the world.

Welcome to base 181, the place of all pleasures.

- That can't be true!

You'll see how good life is in the military compound.

You won't miss anything of France. Not in entertainment or public services.

And all the little customs. A real Gaulish village. yes?

You'll see, my child, you'll feel at home here.

It'll be as if you're in a family cocoon.

Full of loving kindness. - And kerosene.

- And kerosene.

- I love the smell of kerosene. I'm not joking.

- Yes, my love, the fragrance of kerosene is—wonderful.

Look how happy my daughter is here, how much fun she's having.

Dance, darling.

Come on, let’s raise our glasses to the Huissens. Welcome to Paradise.

- Welcome. - Welcome to Madagascar.

- Good health!

MILITARY AVIATION

Dental Surgeon Chief Doctor Treatment room

Next please.

Good morning.

RED ISLAND

Madagascar and France signed the independence accords in 1960.

Since then, the two countries have been allies.

Monday September 6, 1971 - MDésormier

Lots of details make them similar.

Like, for example, their size. Look.

Madagascar has an area of 586,885 km².

While that of France is 543,965 km².

In fact, if we compact the Big Island a little, it would look a lot like France.

Right, to start with, open your blue jotters.

These will be your History & Geography jotters.

And now write, neatly, your first and last name on the first page.

As well as the jotter's title.

- This is the first time we've sat next to each other. I'm Suzanne.

- I'm Thomas.

- Please do it carefully, because this is the first page of your notebook.

Do you read Fantômette? - Fantômette? Yes I love her.

I could talk about her for hours but I'd rather not.

People will say I'm a chatterbox. I'm not a chatterbox, I'm interested in people.

Well, you have to write.

What's she doing?

- She's waiting.

It’s the lovers’ tree.

Stop it, you scared me. - Don't be afraid, I'm here.

- You see?

Do you want to go for a walk?

Alain.

Good morning. - Good morning.

He's my brother. - You know her?

Haven't you been here before?

Come on Thomas, don't play on the floor like that.

- Oh my dear, children are like that. They lie on the floor, we can't do a thing about it.

- I don't like it, with all these germs around.

- We should tie mops to their arses, that'd save us half the work.

The pictures are beautiful.

- Here, look, is Oran.

That's Algiers, Aïn El Turk.

It's quite simple, I had a child in each city.

- And what about you, Odile? Don't you want children?

- Well yes, but maybe not here. - Oh really, why?

I don't know, I'm not sure I feel at home here.

- Actually, we feel at home everywhere when we have children.

We're like in a caravan, always on top of each other.

- Oh yes, that’s for sure.

Besides, I can't take this one any longer. She's clung to me ever since she was born.

I always feel like she's trying to get back into my womb.

- You both look gorgeous there. - Let me see.

Yes, that's true, Robert was an attractive man back then.

- He still is, I think. He's a handsome man.

- My father didn't want me marrying a Spaniard.

At first he actually thought he was an Arab. - Oh really?

- Hi. - Hi.

- What's he doing? He's always in the middle of the floor!

Dickhead!

- He's right Thomas, you're always in the way.

- But I like it here. - He's like a puppy.

Looking for coolness on the floor.

- I have the impression that— Bernard has changed since he's been here.

He's no longer the same. - Although he still seems very much in love.

- Yes, that's true, he's always cuddling you and kissing you.

- No, actually, we don't see each other any more.

He finishes his shift at the officers' Mess very late.

I'm in bed by the time he gets home.

And at the weekend, he's the one who sleeps because he's exhausted, so—

- You should go out without him occasionally.

We could go to the pool together. Or to Tana, to the market.

- Are you bored here?

- No.

No I'm not bored but—

I don't know, I think some people are made to live abroad and others just aren't.

There's a lot I miss here.

The streets, the people, the Good Mornings every day.

The paths we take without realizing it.

The faces we recognize.

All that.

During the day, Fantômette is dressed like any other schoolgirl.

In a skirt and blouse if it's hot.

Trousers and sweater if the weather's cold.

Nothing in her dress suggests she's an adventurer living dangerously.

But at night, when she goes out on an expedition,

she wears her costume of red and yellow silk,

and hides her face under a black mask.

Woe then to the thief who has the unfortunate idea of placing himself in her path.

Did you notice anything?

- No? What?

- Fantômette.

She lives alone.

She has no parents.

- Maybe she's an orphan?

- Lucky girl.

- You think so?

- Yes. I'd love to be an orphan. I'd dress in black every day.

People will feel sorry for me. They're always nice to orphans.

It's good.

Yes, it's good, But still, it must be hard.

I'm not saying being an orphan all the time. But—from time to time.

To see.

Anyone there?

It's Dad. - Yeah?

- Hello, big guy. - Hi.

- Mum! Dad's here!

- Out of the way!

- Home already? - Yep, are you okay?

- Yes, you?

- Be gentle. - What is it?

- It's a surprise.

Hello Colette. - Hello, how are you?

- Thank you Antoine. - Goodbye, Sergeant.

- OK then, what is it? - I don't know.

- You'll see.

It's a gem.

I bought it in a shop in Tuléar.

As soon as I saw it in the window, I said to myself, it'll look good in the living room.

I had it tied securely among the supply boxes on the plane.

As discreet as possible.

But just before taking off,

they told us General Mathiot was returning with us to Ivato.

That's when I started to get scared.

And I was right, the general asked to see me.

I can tell you I was sweating when I went in.

- Sergeant Lopez, isn't it? - Yes General.

- You do know that the North Atlas is not intended for transportation of personal goods?

- Yes General.

- Given the size of the crate, I'd say it's a table.

An aragonite table.

- Yes General. - There, you see? I was right.

Don't worry, it's written somewhere that anyone who settles in Mada ends up acquiring an aragonite table.

I bought one just two months ago. My wife is crazy about it.

- See how beautiful it is?

- Oh my, is it marble? - It's aragonite.

- It must have been expensive, wasn't it? Look, it's like a geographical map.

With fields, paths— Anyway, it's magnificent.

- Yes? Are you happy?

- Of course I'm happy. - Coffee!

- I can't believe it, there's straw everywhere.

- Look at this one.

This guy wanted to be remembered as a good fucker.

- Whatever are you showing them? - Nothing, pictures that were given to me.

- Can I see? - Yes look.

- Are you crazy, showing them stuff like that?

- Well no. It's in a cemetery, there's no shame. Look.

- No, of course not—

Oh no! - His dick is as big as he is.

Do you know what I was told? The Malagasy think that when they die,

they keep their profession and their uniform in the afterlife.

- Here you are, Madame. - Look!

I'd like a statue like that on my grave too.

- Would you? - Yes.

- What exactly were you doing in Tuléar? - We were on a mission.

There's been a minor peasant uprising in the south.

- And you intervened? - We didn't do anything.

We don't interfere in their affairs.

We just transported the Malagasy army paratroopers. That's all.

OK, three minutes until the drop. Three minutes.

- In position!

In position! - Soldiers, in position!

One!

Two!

Three! Four!

Five! Six! Seven! Eight!

Nine!

Ten!

Eleven! Twelve! Thirteen!

Motor parameters displayed.

Altitude 3,000.

3,000.

OK, radiator flap at 2000.

Air flap on command.

Position lights switched on.

Switch to manual.

Come on, again!

Darling!

What are you doing here?

- You're weird.

- I'm a little drunk. I know, you don't like it.

Wow, I really do look a fright.

- I don't think so.

- So why are you telling me I'm weird?

- You don't look like you.

- That's why we usually put kids to bed.

That way they don't see us in this state.

- I like looking at you.

- I know, your eyes are always out on stalks.

You're a bit vicious, though.

- What does vicious mean?

- It means you look at me at times when I think I'm alone.

Or when I don't want to be looked at.

- Does that bother you?

- No, it makes me happy.

I look at you too, you know.

Kids, you think we can't see you doing things but we have eyes in the back of our head.

What do you think?

Anyway, when you have children, you're never alone again. It's finished.

Can you turn off the water?

- But I like the sound of running water.

Your bath is full enough as it is.

- Who were the two young people who died?

- Guys who worked in the kitchen, in the officers' Mess.

They decided to go fishing on the lake.

Like idiots, they put on big boots, you know,

they go all the way up to the knees.

They fell in, their boots filled with water and they drowned.

At the bottom of the lake.

And we couldn't find them. - What an awful death.

- You wear too much makeup.

Who are you doing your makeup like that for? - Stop it, Anton.

- Oh dear, you're really burned.

Does it hurt? - No, it's okay.

- Hang on, where did I put it?

The doctor told us to put this on.

What is it? - It's iodized alcohol.

- Move please. - It relieves sunburns.

- Relax Alain, you're not alone. - This'll make you peel.

And then your skin will be tougher and be able to resist the sun better.

- All right.

- That's not how you shave. - What do you know about it?

- You have to put the blade in the razor, otherwise you'll cut yourself.

Besides, your moustache is too thin.

- If I don't shave it, it'll never grow. - Let me see.

There's nothing there.

- I don't believe it, look what you've done!

- But the hornets were bothering me. - Okay, that's enough, out of there!

- Come on.

- Dad, look, I got one.

- I think that excites them. - There's one next to the window.

Whoops! - Oh no, no, it's not going to happen like that.

Look, there it is. - Move! Back off!

There's a lot! - Mum!

- What are you doing? - It's the only solution.

The others see nothing. But her—she sees.

Yes, the others don't see anything.

But she sees right away what’s wrong.

Like these two fishermen on the lake.

They're not likely to catch many fish.

Their fishing rods have no line.

They're pretending.

You saw, as soon as Fantômette notices something unusual,

it's written in italics, as if she's squinting. Like that.

To see better.

- Like that?

- That's it.

As if she was focusing.

- You see, we're not focused enough.

We don't pay enough attention.

- Perhaps—

things happen that we don't even see.

Things we can't even imagine. - Things like what? Crimes?

- Maybe. What do we know?

A round of applause for Santa! He's come specially from Lapland to base 181, to make all the kids happy.

Please, I'm going to ask you not to get too close to the plane.

So that everyone can see clearly.

- Darling, he'll call you soon, then it'll be your turn, all right?

Don't worry, sweetie.

- We start right away with little Caroline Billotin.

Caroline, where are you? Ah, there you are.

Hello, how old are you? - I'm nine.

- Darling, what are you doing? - A little sip.

Oh no, stop. - It's Christmas, darling.

- You exaggerate. - We can have fun.

- Exactly, it's Christmas, there are children around. Make an effort.

- It’s Stéphane Latesne’s turn to come up. - Hey, Guedj.

You could share, couldn't you?

- Oh come on, Father Bertin.

You don't share wine at mass, do you?

- Not quite the same, that's the blood of Christ.

- Yeah? So what about the host?

You don't share the host? It's still the body of Christ.

- But I'm not going to make your children drink.

- Oh well yes, of course. - What a liar.

He prefers to keep good things for himself.

- Oh yes. - Right, Father? Right, Father?

- My dear Lopez, don't think I'm going to turn the other cheek.

Come on! - Don't be fooled by my white hair.

- Go on, sweetie, hit him.

- Age has cost you a little flexibility, Father.

- Go on Mathilde! Hit him, Hit him!

What the hell is this?

- It's the spirit of Christmas. - The spirit of Christmas.

Good evening, Mollier. - Good evening, Michelle, are you well?

- Fine, you? - Hello, how are you?

This is my wife, Colette. These are my children.

You don't know the warrant officer? - No.

- A pleasure to meet you. - Good evening Madame.

- No no, it's Christmas, call me Michelle, please.

- Michelle. - We can thank Madame Mollier.

She's the one who took care of decorating Santa's grotto.

- Oh yes, bravo. - It's very, very beautiful. Bravo.

- Thank you. Obviously, I didn't do it alone.

But it was no easy task.

We had to get the old parachutes from the reserve.

Then we had to cut all the straps, patch each one, and sew them back together—

along the entire length to be able to create the structure.

So obviously, we finished very late. The girls weren't happy.

Usually, we work the day shift, until 2.

But obviously for this, we had to continue after lunch.

As things got tense, I reminded them that we were doing it to bring happiness to the children..

We're waiting for Thomas Lopez in Santa's grotto. - Thomas, it’s your turn.

Go on. -Thomas Lopez.

- See you later. - See you later.

- Is that you, Thomas? Come on.

- Hello big boy. So, have you been good?

- I don't know.

And how old are you? - I'm eight.

- Eight.

And this is for you. Merry Christmas.

- Thomas. Thomas. - A photo?

Follow my advice.

Dominique Martin. Dominique, can you get closer to the plane?

Hi, how are you? - Hello.

- Colette. - Nice to meet you, Colette.

- Suzanne talks a lot about you, about Thomas.

- Yes, I know, he's always in your house.

They both get along very well. - Yes, she's adorable.

Thomas always goes about with girls anyway.

- I hope she doesn't bother you too much. - No, not at all.

She can be very naughty. - My hair!

They're always hiding in an old crate at the rear of the garden.

- Yeah. - It's beautiful.

- Are you happy with your cowboy outfit? - I'd have preferred something else.

But I like the gun. - Good bye, see you soon.

Delighted. - Nice to meet you, goodbye.

Don't worry, you'll all get a gift.

My God, look who’s here.

- I didn't think he'd dare to come with her.

- That's her? - Oh yes, it's her.

- We wonder where he could have found her.

- We know where he found her. At the brothel in Ivato.

- Why do you say that? - Because I know.

- I don't think she's a whore.

- Look, Madame Mollier seems to know her.

- My heart hurts for poor Odile who went back to France all alone.

She didn't even want to say goodbye to me.

What courage she must have had to leave him like that, so quickly.

- No, it was him who broke up.

She was a pain in the arse complaining about everything. It's no surprise he went elsewhere.

Anyway, I don't see what she's got that Odile hasn't.

Even so, it seems he's crazy about her and wants to marry her and stay here.

- It's obvious she's cast a spell on him. - Not a spell.

Do you believe in all that? - Yes.

- He's young, that's all.

She must have done things to him in bed he didn't know about, so he fell in love.

- No no, they all do that here, it's well known.

- Yes. Plenty of young soldiers are tricked like that.

Look, there's Father Bertin carrying out his little investigation.

- What do you think he's going to do? - He's the one who performs exorcisms.

- How does he do that? - With prayer, I suppose.

A ceremony—nobody really knows.

- All the same, I hope he manages to save that poor soul.

We know the power and virtue of Jesus Christ.

He defeated you in the desert. He triumphed over you in the garden.

And, rising from the tomb, he went to Heaven with you, to the kingdom of light.

Leave this man, Bernard Huissens.

Get down. Get down.

Leave him, Satan, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Leave him.

By the faith and prayer of the Church.

Leave him, by the sign of the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns forever and ever.

Leave him, Satan. Leave him.

The body of Christ.

The body of Christ.

The body of Christ. - Amen.

Good morning, how are you?

That was so beautiful. - My pleasure.

- What a ceremony! What a ceremony, dear Father!

What a ceremony. - Yes, it was beautiful, very moving.

- Thomas, wait for me! Thomas!

Where are you going like that, Thomas? - Thomas!

- No! Leave me alone.

Stop.

Thomas.

You realise it's the end of October already?

- Time flies.

Hello Father.

Do you sleep well at night? - Yes.

- Still feeling a little tired? Any trouble getting up in the morning?

- No, that's all right.

- Get on the scale back there.

How much do you weigh? - Seventy-three.

- Is that your usual weight?

- I lost three kilos, roughly.

- You need to pull yourself together. Force yourself to eat a little, anyway.

I'm going to prescribe you an anxiolytic, to be taken morning and evening.

They can usually help you to deal with the worst of the unhappiness.

Make sure you take the pills as prescribed. But if you do forget a dose or two, it won't matter.

Well, I'll see him again in two weeks. Until then. make sure he takes his medication.

- I'm sure he will. He's a good man.

You've lost your bearings a bit, lately.

Is that true or not? - Yes.

It certainly is. We're here to help.

Thanks for seeing him, anyway. - You're welcome, we're not overwhelmed.

It's not a big deal.

- Do you know that guy? - Yes, his name is Bernard.

He's a friend of my parents.

- I know him too.

- He works in the officers' Mess. - With your father?

- Yes, but under his orders. He's a waiter.

I'd like to go into the officers' Mess. It looks so beautiful.

OFFICERS' MESS

You can't, your father's a non-commissioned officer.

He'll soon be a warrant officer.

That's not high enough, anyway.

Is it beautiful inside?

- Oh yes, it is. Trust me.

We went there one day with my sister.

There was a big ceremony for the general.

We weren't even allowed to speak to my sister. Just to watch.

So that’s what we did.

And it was amazing.

♪ We want to remain worthy of our great elders. ♪

♪ Those of Algiers, of Indochina, of African Chad. ♪

♪ Heirs to so much glory, our flags are full of history. ♪

♪ Ah, ah, ah, with the eighth Paras. ♪

♪ Ah, ah, ah, with the eighth RPIMa. ♪

I helped a little at the bar.

And that's when I saw him.

He looked very sad.

He kept on drinking.

No one saw him, except me.

Suddenly—

He fell over.

Just like that.

Everyone panicked.

And he was just left behind the bar, so as not to spoil the general's party.

Bernard! Bernard!

And that's when I saw it—

he'd—peed in his pants.

There was a big puddle.

Come on, wake up, man.

I think the most beautiful thing about the officers' Mess,

is the stones at the entrance.

The gravel?

Yes, that's it, the gravel.

Good morning. - Good morning.

- I'd like two stones for a birthday.

- Who for? - For my mother.

- These would be good for your Mum. That's 110.

- I've got 70. - 70—

- These.

Watch out, she’s coming! - Stop her coming in, I'm not finished.

- What are you doing? Let me in.

- What are you doing? - Nothing, go away!

- Be careful, she'll try to get in the other way!

- Where did she go? - Can I come in?

- There she is! - No, we told you, no.

It's a surprise.

A surprise for my birthday? - I can't tell you.

- Go on, tell me, I don't have the patience to wait.

- Don't listen to her, she always has to piss us off.

Even when we try to please her. Come and look.

It'll be like a movement. You see? Like two waves.

It's nice, isn't it?

She's gone.

Can you see her? - No.

- What's happening?

It's cold tonight, I should have brought a sweater.

You're not even in your pyjamas yet?

It's late, you have to go to bed.

Come on!

Alain, Michel, come on!

There's school tomorrow.

Where were you? - You were scared, weren't you?

- We were wondering where you were.

- There, what would you do if I wasn't here?

- What were you doing?

- Nothing.

Sometimes it feels good to walk alone at night.

Strange events have been taking place in the city for months now.

Accidents that disturb the peace of the inhabitants.

Behind all these events, a secret society is hiding.

The Owls.

You have in front of you, my dear colleagues,

one of those big farmers who cry when the harvest is bad,

and who complain when it's too abundant.

But—

they pile up a respectable amount of thousand-franc notes every year.

To show this man the interest we have in him, we decided to invite him into our brotherhood—

for a modest fee.

- Yes! Yes! Yes! - He refused!

So, you persist in your refusal, M Alfred?

Great Owl, what are we going to do with this evil man who resists us?

- I see only one solution.

It's not blood, it's paint, or Indian ink.

Fantômette suddenly understood.

They only want to frighten him.

Well, dear Alfred, are you ready to join us?

Then you're going to die!

Stop everything!

- What did you see, Great Owl?

- What's going on?

- But—is he leaving?

- Great Owl—

It's so beautiful.

You like it?

- Yes really. It's stunning.

- I drew it.

- Can we see it?

Beautiful.

I love it. Thanks.

- There's another surprise as well.

- Really? - Yes.

- You're spoiling me.

- It's not for you, it's for the kids. - Yeah!

- What's this? - Okay then, what is it?

Wait there!

Don't come too close.

- What is it?

- I don't know.

- That's awful!

Ah they're beautiful! - The jeweler gave them to me.

He asked me “how many children do you have?” and I said three.

so, there, three crocodiles.

- Are they babies? - How old are they?

- They're six months old.

- What do they eat?

- I don't know.

- Have you seen these claws?

- I feel like they're watching us.

You're not reading, it's too late.

Good night.

Good night.

Good night.

Lights out.

Good night, Madame.

Madame?

You shouldn't be here, this is a military compound.

Boys!

- Don't stand there, go inside.

There were around twenty of them. All the prostitutes from Ivato were there.

They were all baring their teeth and talons, like furies.

You should have seen the faces of the poor guys at the checkpoint.

Shaking like leaves, all sobbing.

- They attacked them so hard that one almost lost his eye. You understand?

- But what would have happened if they'd managed to get into the base?

- You're panicking for nothing.

They took off running as soon as they released the dogs.

- They released the dogs? - Yes.

But that's awful. - You have to know what you want.

Do you want to be secure or not?

- But you can't set the dogs on women like that.

- No, but they were on a leash. - Even so.

- Either way, it's the soldiers' fault they attacked the base.

- Soldiers, it's always the soldiers. - They all go mad every time they go to the brothel.

We've seen them, haven't we. - It's mainly the legionnaires who go to the whores.

Oh yes, the legionnaires? Of course— - Yes!

- Always the legionnaires' fault. The things you hear!

- Actually, the prostitutes are unhappy because the men often leave without paying.

- Is that so? You seem to know their problems well.

I'm joking, it's okay, I'm joking. - At least let me tell you about it.

Do you know what the doctor does when he finds a guy's got gonorrhea?

He takes him in his Jeep and heads for the village.

He's looking for the girl who might have transmitted that shit.

As soon as the soldier sees her, he points at her. And the doctor immediately gives her antibiotics.

- Yeah, because otherwise she'd give it to other soldiers.

- You'd better not bring this home to me.

- Do you think I'm using whores? - I don't know.

- I don't need to use whores.

- What are you doing here?

Thomas, this is not a conversation for you.

Are you sulking, Roberto?

- I don't like it when you call me that.

- It's nice though, Roberto.

- That was his name when we met.

Roberto. - Oh really?

- It was thanks to me he became French.

- What? Oh no, that's not true.

- Yes it was, by marrying me.

- I became French thanks to the army.

- Really?

I've been to a lot of countries, you know?

Algeria, Morocco, Chad.

I've never seen such a beautiful country.

Yes. To think we'll have to leave all this beauty behind.

- At the holiday camp here they're already packing everything up.

In two weeks' time they'll have folded all the tents and there'll be nothing left.

- So soon? - Yes.

We knew it had to happen one day or another.

I heard General Mathiot talking about it last time.

At the officers' Mess on his birthday.

He seemed very worried.

I didn't hear everything because I was working but...

What I was able to understand was quite clear to me.

- You know, I think we were right to help the Malagasy army out last year.

We had to control the peasant riots in the south as quickly as possible.

But the population is starting to blame us.

Students in Antananarivo point out France's responsibility.

High school pupils don't even want to learn French any more.

Maybe we should have kept our distance.

if we wanted to preserve our strategic position in the Indian Ocean. But there it is.

We're not going to rewrite History.

Look.

I never take it off.

I'll keep it until I die.

I'm going to catch you.

Aren't you coming in?

Children! Out! now! - No, not yet!

So is it true? Are we going to leave?

- You know, I'd rather have stayed here too, but we have to go back to France.

- But where will we go in France? - We don't know.

Dad hasn't had his transfer yet.

- Maybe we'll go to another country?

- No, there's nowhere like this left for us to go.

It's finished. - Me and my family are going to stay here.

- Are they? - Yes, we're not leaving.

Why wouldn't we do the same as them? - Because it's not us who decide.

- Watch your fingers.

- Look what it did!

- Shall we try it? - Come on.

Well, it doesn't want to eat. - It's weird.

Do you think they wait for the meat to rot?

- I don't think the cape hangs the way it does in the pictures.

- It's true it doesn't fly. - But it's up to you to make it fly.

You just have to run. Go on, go!

There you see, it's flying.

Wait.

Let's try it with a mask, it'll be even better.

That's really impressive.

What's wrong?

Wait.

These are my tights, they might be a little loose on your bottom. Give it a try.

Here.

You took a long time, Great Owl. - What happened?

- Was anyone there? - And what do we do with him?

Great Owl, what are you doing?

Why are you letting him go? He was about to join us.

Are you ever going to speak?

Great Owl?

Our Great Owl has lost his head.

- But you're just a kid!

Tell us what you've done with our Grand Master? - The Great Idiot?

I think he's taking a little nap. He hit his head on a branch.

- You devil! Do you know what we do to little girls who can't stay still?

- They get told off, I imagine. - No, we crush their heads. Get her!

- Stop tickling me!

I've caught the girl, I've got her!

You can't escape us now!

M Rillettes, the butcher.

M Lampion, the television seller.

M Boulon, the mechanic.

How these good people, known and loved by everyone in town,

could have become such lawless bandits?

Are you definitely leaving tomorrow?

- Yes.

- So, this is the last time?

- I'm going to tell you something you have to keep to yourself.

Only for you.

A secret you'll take with you to France.

The man I call my father,

is not my father.

My real father, the only one, stayed in Bordeaux.

- So who's this other one?

- He's my mother's new boyfriend.

The one who brought me here, along with my sister.

He said it would be easier if we call him Dad.

So that no one will ask questions.

But I never will.

My sister slips up from time to time.

But not me.

- Don't you like him? - I didn't say that.

- I think he's nice. - Maybe.

But he's not my father.

You see, you can find weird people who hide things.

We have plenty of those.

Everywhere.

You just have to watch them carefully.

People are never suspicious

But if you watch them long enough,

you discover that they're hiding things.

This is not the first time I've been informed of your misconduct.

And even if it is your son,

in a compound like this one,

and especially abroad,

each soldier is responsible for the behaviour of his family members.

It’s the esprit de corps that counts. - Yes General.

Alain!

Come here!

What were you thinking, you little fool?

- I don't know, what's the problem? - Are you serious?

- I didn't know everyone was going to panic.

- Nonsense! You knew exactly what you were doing! - What's going on?

- Your stupid brat, you know what he did?

He decided to walk the crocodiles! He put them in the pool!

- It was just for fun.

What's the point of having animals mf you can't even play with them?

- Crocodiles aren't for playing with, you idiot!

- Stop, it’s OK, calm down. - Don't you realise?

Don't you realise what could have happened? - Stop!

- The animal could have hurt a kid! - Stop!

- It could have attacked one of your brothers! - Calm down.

- I'm sorry.

- You piss me off! - Are you crazy?

- What d'you mean, crazy?

Do you know people complained? That I was summoned before the general?

- Sorry.

Sorry Dad.

- You get inside.

- Soon it'll all be my fault.

- Anyway, it's absurd to give crocodiles to children.

- Who do you think you are talking to me like that?

Well?

All you ever do is turn the kids against me.

Yes, disappear! I don't want to see your face any more!

Are you okay?

Bye. - Bye.

Well, there it is.

- It's leaving. - Don't get too close.

- Thomas too.

- One's leaving. Very slowly.

- Goodbye crocodiles.

- The other one's there. - It's fine there.

- What's that over there?

- That marks the grave of the men who drowned, the two cooks.

You remember them?

As the bodies were never found, he priest decided to have a small ceremony—

at the place where we found the empty boat.

What about a picture here?

- Yes, we can stand here.

- It's lovely with the rice fields in the background.

- Come on, Thomas, don't stay on the ground.

Come on, it'll only take a minute. - I don't want to.

- You're not going to sulk like a girl?

It makes everyone happy. Come on!

- No, it doesn't make me happy.

- Come on, you're wasting our time! - There's plenty time, leave him alone.

He has the right to be sad.

- And why is he sad?

- Because we're all sad. That's why.

So don't pretend.

Come, Alain, I'll put you in position. - Coming?

- I'm not sad.

- What?

- I don't want any photos.

- Why not?

- Because as soon as you take a photo, that means it's all over.

That it won't come back again.

- It'll be a souvenir for us.

- I don't want souvenirs.

I hope I'll forget everything.

- What bullshit is he coming out with this time?

Michel, stand there. Behind him.

- I wish we'd never come here.

- Come on, let's go.

This may be our last picture together.

- Why's that?

Why would this be our last picture together?

Ready!

You have to sleep now. We're leaving early tomorrow.

Good night.

- Good night. - Good night.

- Lights out now.

Is it a long way still? - There it is.

- We're here? - See?

They carved their names on the bark. It's nice, isn't it?

Do you think all these couples still love each other?

- They did love each other, at any rate.

Why don't you come back to France with me?

- Because it's not my country.

If I could, I'd stay here. - Yeah? And do what?

- That's just it, I don't know.

- On the other hand, if you come with me to France, you wouldn't even need to work.

You're so beautiful.

You look like that singer from the Surfs.

- Which one? Monique or Nicole?

- I don't know, I don't know their names.

♪ We were wrong to want to break up. ♪

♪ We were wrong, today I can admit it. ♪

♪ Just like a lost child ♪

♪ I walk alone along the streets. ♪

♪ Only with the regret of having ruined everything. ♪

♪ Oh please, you know I love you. ♪

♪ In the night, I hang around. ♪

♪ My soul in pain. ♪

What is it? - There's someone there, I can feel it.

- Really? - Didn't you hear anything?

- No.

- Anyway, it's late. - No my love. No, don't leave me.

Comewith me. Come on. Let's go to the Mess.

I don't want to run across anyone there. - We'll be all alone.

Anyway, who cares, there'll be something to drink. Come on!

Where's the fucking switch?

- Look, there's a light at the back. I think someone's there.

- Andry, is that you?

What are you doing here?

- I'm with my girlfriend, Miangaly.

This isn't the moment. I was tidying up.

- Come on, stay for a while. You'll have a drink with us.

It's still a big occasion, so I grabbed some sparkling wine.

Andry, come on.

- I raise my glass—

to the most beautiful island in the world,

and to the two people I love the most in the world.

See him?

he's like my brother.

- Yes my friend.

- Well, it’s true, isn't it?

And her.

It's thanks to her that our paratroops can jump safely.

I jumped twice.

Maybe it was you who packed my parachute.

My life was in her hands.

Just a minute.

Come on, that's enough. You're tired.

I'm happy here with you.

I never want to leave.

- It has to be, though.

- Be careful to what you say.

- Look how cute he is.

I like watching him sleep.

Have you noticed that when a white man falls asleep,

we breathe better.

- Are you going to go with him?

Do you think that all girls

want to marry a white man to escape?

- Yes I think so.

At least if I were a girl I would.

- Have you heard?

Our dear President fired shots into the crowd.

- I know, it seems people died.

- Yes, people died.

He had demonstrators arrested and sent to the penal colony on Nosy Lava.

So now what's going to happen.

I don't want to lose my job.

- Don't worry. You can work for our army.

- I hope so.

- And I'll go on packing my parachutes.

- Don't you like your job?

- I like my colleagues, but it's the same thing all the time.

I can't put up with these huge sheets of fabric any longer,

that have to be folded, unfolded, packed into bags.

I even have nightmares about it.

- About parachutes? - Yes.

Last week, at night,

I saw thousands of parachutes,

falling from thousands of planes

the sky was full of them, and as they fell, they covered the island with a large white blanket.

- Was that a dream or did you just make it up?

- Why would I make it up?

- It looks a lot like that picture.

- What picture?

- That one.

- It was exactly like that.

What's the matter?

- It's weird.

- For a while now, I've had the feeling someone's watching me.

- Maybe there's still a white man not sleeping.

Good night. - You too.

You can come out, I saw you.

But who are you?

And what do you want from me?

Don't you know?

Then go home.

Go on, go away!

Good night. Let her pass.

Miangaly! Miangaly!

Are you going to the airport? - No, I'm going home.

You haven't heard?

- Heard what? - The demonstrators were released.

- Is that true? - The first ones arrive tonight from the penal colony.

Come with us?

We applaud them.

Our fighters are back.

Our fighters are back.

Welcome my friends.

Thank you all for being here this evening.

We're very tired, but we're happy,

because those in power—

are forced to give in to our demands.

It's been 12 years since our country gained its independence.

But we're still under the domination of France.

French—

must no longer be the language of teaching,

in our schools and universities.

I'm a medical student,

but all I can hope for, at the end of my studies,

it's to become subordinate to French doctors.

We got used to this situation,

which is nevertheless unacceptable.

I wanted to read you extracts from a text by Gallieni,

who thought about and organized the colonization of our country.

"Our education in the colonies—

"must aim to teach young people—

"the French soul.

"The native who knows how to read and count—

"believes himself superior to his peers.

"We have to show the natives—

"that manual labour is nobler—

"than intellectual work.

"It should not happen—

"that an extensive education and the acquisition of our language—

"take away from young Malagasy people the taste for work,

"or instill in them ideas and aspirations—

"which would make it more difficult to exercise our authority."

That is what Gallieni wrote.

We also met ghosts in the penal colony.

The ghosts of the 1947 insurrection.

They spoke to us.

They told us about the abuses of the French army in small villages.

Tens of thousands of deaths.

- They told us about the village of Moramanga,

where the French soldiers fired on three train carriages where 166 resistants were locked up.

Some ghosts told us about this man they saw falling from the sky.

A man who had been thrown from a plane—

to impress the resistance fighters.

They told us to fight.

Not for them,

but for ourselves.

To put an end to colonization.

You're not a kid any more.

You know what you want!

You're not a kid any more. You know what you want!

♪ Goodbye my childhood ♪

♪ We can't get along any more ♪

♪ Goodbye, I can't hold on to you any more ♪

♪ Goodbye, it's time to leave ♪

♪ Leave me to my despair ♪

♪ My love, this is the end of our story ♪

♪ To sleep, to eat and to play ♪

♪ That's all we shared ♪

♪ Hello youth and adolescence ♪

♪ Hello to understanding, to knowledge♪

♪ Hello to foolish things, to unconsciousness ♪

♪ That we can neither describe nor count ♪

♪ To drink, to smoke and even to fuck ♪

♪ Hello to all sins ♪

♪ We're going to taste all these new games ♪

♪ Every day will taste like honey. ♪

English subtitles by jeremys and Marseille

TNT 2023