Original subtitles

Film me!

Do you realize we've been filming you for 15 minutes?

- Filming me? No. - You didn't notice?

Not at all.

- Do you live in the area? - No.

Irected by Louis Malle, assisted by Fernand Moszkowicz.

Cinematography by Étienne Becker, assisted by Jacques orot.

Sound by Jean-Claude Laureux.

Editing by Suzanne Baron, assisted by Jocelyne Rivière.

We filmed for ten days

The concept was simple: With camera and mic in plain view,

Wait a minute. Don't run off.

No, really. Don't run off.

I'm in a hurry, and I'm tired of being hit on.

We're not picking up women.

Said with an ironic smile.

We've been filming here for a week.

We approach people in the street and talk with them.

About what?

Whatever you like.

You sure?

What's going on?

We're shooting a film.

- It's about people in the street. - You having fun?

- What are you doing? - Waiting for friends.

- What for? - We made a date to meet.

- Are you from the neighborhood? - Yes.

- You come here every day? - Not every day.

- Intimidating? - A little.

Does it seem odd?

Why should it?

Think they're looking at you?

They're looking at you, not me.

I'm sure of it.

Are you surprised we would film you?

Oh, my! This can't be.

- Why? - It just can't be.

For that I'd have to be

in the frame of some kind of camera.

- Look over there. - Oh, please. No.

I can't believe it.

What's this for exactly?

You're making me sound silly.

No, we're just making a film about people in the street.

Of course not. When you make a movie, you use actors.

In any case, someone to play the characters.

It might work in a documentary, but you'd need a commentary.

We didn't try to trick you.

No, I just didn't see that gentleman there.

Excuse me.

What are your interests?

My interests?

Nothing much.

I'm well along in years now.

Why do you say that?

When you're young, you've got a future. At my age, you don't.

- Such a gloomy outlook! - Not at all.

Sure. I have a son and a granddaughter.

After all, I'm beyond things like -

- Are you happy? - Yes, very.

One doesn't meet many happy people.

I think you have to make your own happiness.

- You don't work? - No.

That's something right there.

- You'd like to work? - Yes.

Because I'm a senior citizen.

We're not allowed to work. At least, there's no work for us.

Could you work if you really wanted to?

Perhaps at something, but nothing suited to my skills.

Did you work when you were younger?

What did you do? - Jewelry enameling.

I want to go to Aubervilliers.

Is the stop here or across the street? - I couldn't say.

Why don't you look on that side?

I think that's the stop.

You sell a lot out here?

Depends on the season. Of course, when people are broke -

Yes, I sell a lot on the street.

- Is it real hair? - No, synthetic.

And people buy them off the street?

Sure, lots of people buy two or three at a time.

Otherwise I wouldn't be out here.

- They try them on? - Yes. I cut and style them too.

- So business is good. - In general, yes.

It's slow right now, but in general it's good.

- Because people are broke? - Yes.

This is a working-class area. They wait for the end of the month.

It's a problem.

They wait for their paychecks or whatever.

My lowest price is 80 francs.

Why did you choose the Place de la République?

I don't live far from here.

And I like doing business with people here.

I think business is better

than if I went to a snobbier neighborhood.

You have wigs for men too?

Once in a while. I carry some wigs for men and if someone wants one -

Men aren't embarrassed to try on wigs in the street?

Absolutely not.

I put it on them, and they wait while I cut or style it.

They walk off wearing it.

This is a man's hairpiece. - For balding men?

Not just that. Some people want -

- A change of color? - Yes, or as a joke.

I work a lot with the, uh -

The "men," let's say, who perform at Madame Arthur's place.

- Homosexuals? - Right.

They come buy wigs twice a year.

Your accent's like my brother-in-law's. Are you from North Africa?

Sort of.

I'm Israeli.

My background is Moroccan - my parents were born there -

but I'm Israeli.

I've been in Paris ten years.

I ended up here by chance.

Some friends got me to come, and I liked it and stayed.

Wait a second.

One morning in the gutter in Montparnasse

Where for the first time I opened the door

I sang without a mic at the Petit Casino, the Alhambra, everywhere.

I've gotta go, boys. My baby's waiting for me.

Wait a minute.

Your baby's waiting? - You like what you see?

- Tell me, Margot - - We're gonna have a good time.

What do you do out here all day?

I'm hustling. My husband is dead. All I have is my pension,

My husband was an executive, but it's a small pension.

- And so? - I'm out here hustling.

I console suffering humanity.

I'd like to play house with that guy who stole all those millions.

- Maybe you'll meet him. - Are you nuts?

He'd get fed up with me.

Margot's not easy to live with. See you, boys.

Damn! Watch out for the hydrant.

It's like the suburbs here!

With a melody in his eyes he holds me tight

Okay, I'll show them off.

You laugh like I'm crazy, but I'm not.

My mind's as clear as ever.

But I'll go home like a real sucker and have a good cry.

My poor husband died three months ago.

Throat cancer.

He breathed through a tube in his neck here.

He couldn't talk anymore.

He died with - what do you call them? Big things here.

A living hell, dearie. You can't imagine.

If I lost my husband?

That depends on who you're shacked up with.

It could happen. Why not?

It could happen.

I've gotta get home. Bye, sweeties.

Take off your cap.

To make it bigger.

They do it over there.

I'll be going. - You need enlargements?

Make a picture bigger.

- You've got pictures? - Yes.

In my pocket.

I want them bigger.

Bigger.

He's taking pictures of me. What's he doing?

That guy next to you.

- You. - Me? No need.

No need for that.

To make it bigger.

I'm going to go see.

Naturally, we're drawn to foreigners and their spouses.

For example, we're French. We work in France.

Saturdays or Sundays, or if we've got a week off,

we go to clubs we're familiar with.

We stay at places we know.

Naturally, there are lots of people there.

We're not alone, of course.

In these clubs for sports, there's a huge mix of people.

There are clubs that foster this idea, in addition to all the rest.

It's not so practical, but it's an idea worth cultivating:

From as many countries as possible,

leaving aside social rank and all that,

to get to know each other.

You meet a huge number of people that way.

And the foreigners, the tourists,

they generally stay where we stay and eat with us.

We go on outings together.

We might spend three days together,

and they give their opinion about France.

Whenever I get a vacation.

I was always going on vacation, or just about.

You meet a huge number of people. That's the point.

Don't you have anything to give?

Don't like my face? What's it to you?

If you wanted to, you'd have a heart.

I was born in '82.

In '82, gentlemen. See here if I'm lying.

Thank you, sir. It's good luck to help the elderly.

I was born in '82.

In '82, gentlemen. See if I'm lying.

It's good luck to help the elderly.

Just enough to live on. I don't need millions.

You find money when you need it. You get by.

Oh, don't ask. That's a losing ticket.

- What about the national lottery? - On't ask. Lots of losing tickets.

I keep the winners for myself, naturally.

I always lose. My only winning ticket

was six francs on a three-franc ticket. Last week I won 15 francs.

That's a start. My sister won 5,000. She's luckier than me.

- She's lucky. - Of course.

- You sell a lot of winning tickets? - No, never.

You have to get lucky.

Some people buy tons of tickets and win enough to pay for them.

I bought a ticket and got 15 francs back.

It's a matter of luck. Yes, some do.

That guy who won a million.

A street cleaner won a million.

Are you on vacation? You're staying here?

No, I came to see her. She's my friend.

- I'm everyone's friend. - I come to bug her.

No, I'm not on vacation.

I'm not working right now.

I worked as a typist in a fashion house.

- A jill-of-all-trades. - Yes, whatever I can find.

- Was typing a good job? - Doesn't pay well.

What she needs is money!

How can I live on 110,000 francs a month?

You need a lot of money.

Is there some profession you'd like to work in?

I don't know.

A woman of independent means.

Just to have money.

Why are you running away, ma'am?

- What paper do you work for? - It's for a movie.

What movie?

A movie we're making.

What's it about? I'm a director. Tell me about it.

A documentary on Parisians.

Parisians? Then talk to her!

He's from Orléans, not Paris.

I won't tell you who I am, sir.

- He said, "I won't tell you who I am." - He's sick, you know.

He had brain surgery.

He said he was a director.

No, he's no director.

He was in construction. An engineer or something.

- Does he live in the neighborhood? - No, in Bagnolet.

We don't know. We see him around a lot.

I often come to see this lady and buy my paper.

I'd better come out there if I want to be in this.

He's getting me to talk. He's doing it on purpose.

- You seem to know everyone. - I know some people.

But I don't know everyone.

I chat with a few of this lady's customers.

I can't be locked up in my room all day. - Don't you work?

I'm 68 years old. Do you realize what that means?

- You're retired? - That's right.

- What did you do before? - I was in the metalworking industry.

They retired me in '68.

No, in '68 they couldn't fire me because of my age,

so they retired me as soon as I turned 65.

By then, I no longer worked at the same place,

and then at 65, that was it.

- How much do you get? - My pension is 49,000 francs.

Before the war, no one supported women.

Now the laws support women a tiny bit better,

but so many errors are made.

I've got the papers to prove it. - This is about work, not politics.

I'm talking about the law.

- What law? - Divorce, if you want to know.

The minutes of the divorce say one thing,

but the divorce papers say something else.

I can show you the papers.

- Did that cause you problems? - Yes, and it still does.

And it will as long as I live.

- Everyone has problems. - I've been divorced since '36.

Yes, it's the truth.

Shall I tell you?

An actress's name, since you're making a movie: Gloria France.

That's all. No details. Not me.

- Who's Gloria France? - You'll soon find out.

You'll soon find out, since you're taping.

She made films too.

On TV and - what's it called -

At the Châtelet Theater. She does everything.

- You know her? - Of course. She's family.

She's my mother-in-law. A great actress.

- I think I know her. - She's famous throughout Paris.

She started at 13 at the Châtelet Theater.

Go ahead and make your movie. There's a lot to tell.

Could we meet her?

Maybe.

I think I worked with her once.

Probably. She's always working: Theater, TV and all that.

She's still making movies. She's my husband's mother.

She started at Châtelet at 13.

That's good.

She lives here in Paris.

She's always filming.

I'm not making it up.

Check and you'll see. Gloria France is famous.

You believe everything in the papers?

It's more bullshit than truth. They can't print the truth.

They hide the truth.

About life, happiness.

Happiness? Oh, you know.

Once you've got a job and everything you need -

I'd be happy with a husband who provided everything.

You don't have that?

No, I think if a woman has to work,

leave in the morning, return home at night,

plus do all the housekeeping,

I think happiness is when you work alone,

A guy in his slippers, a cozy nest. That's happiness. Don't you think?

- Some women don't believe that now. - Why? Is it selfish?

Some women are completely opposed to those ideas.

A woman should work just like a man. It's important for her freedom.

- You have kids? - A little boy.

- How old? - Six.

- So you have to work? - Right now, yes.

In Paris I have to, but we don't plan on staying.

No, life's too hard here.

Impossible.

Look at rents now. They're too high.

Where will you go?

My parents' place in Normandy.

They're happy there.

People have a different mentality there.

Life's not as hard. They're farmers, and they do fine.

With all the foreigners now -

I hope to leave Paris within three years.

It doesn't feel like our country anymore.

It's their right. I'm not racist.

I don't care, as long as they leave me alone.

I worked in a laboratory.

The diseases and microbes you can catch from those people.

- Foreigners? - Yes.

From the French too.

It's not just the foreigners.

Fate led me to marry a Frenchman,

- An Algerian? - No.

No way. I'd be scared of him.

An African?

No, no way. Even less chance of that.

It's the same for work. How much does a salesgirl earn?

90,000 francs? What can you do with that?

Where my husband works now,

he's the only Frenchman among 10 foreigners.

He might earn 230,000 francs. What's that these days?

Maybe you earn more and work fewer hours.

He works 48 hours a week to earn what?

- What does he do? - He's a goldsmith. He makes jewelry.

Will you vote in the next elections?

No, I don't vote.

- You think it's the same old stuff? - Yes, whether you vote or not.

Communists, Gaullists?

You can't count on anyone these days.

You're probably smart. I bet for five years.

I'd pore over racing sheets till 1:00 a.m.,

checking out the horses.

Play someone's date of birth. It's the only way to win.

After using your date of birth, did you bet your son's?

No, just mine.

One day I'll try my son's and then my husband's.

Otherwise, it's no use. They're all thieves.

You must lose a lot.

We don't bet more than 300 francs.

Otherwise, it's like a drug.

You keep betting and betting.

In five years, we lost more than we won.

They're all thieves.

The money goes to the government. They rip you off.

If you win, it's just luck.

You play the horses? You're smart.

Are you married to a Frenchwoman? You too?

- I'm not married. - Very smart of you!

You're better off that way.

Life is easy. You do what you want, come home when you like.

I'm a little lonely.

You'd rather not be married?

Right now... yes.

In a way, I'd rather be married, to be supported. A man is a support.

And you're not so lonely. A man is a support, that's all.

What sort of work do you do? On't you work?

I can't work.

- Do you get a pension? - Not a thing.

How do you get by?

That's a long story, buddy.

If I told you the story of my life, you'd never believe it.

- Did that happen long ago? - A month and a half.

- What caused it? - No idea.

Weakness, maybe.

- Have you seen a doctor? - With what money?

- How do you live? - I bum around.

I sleep on the street. I panhandle. I get by as best I can.

Is that working out?

Poor fool.

I've got someone who puts me up, so I've got a roof over my head now.

She's not worth a damn.

In more ways than one, if you get my drift.

- How do you manage? - How?

With the woman who puts you up.

I have to sleep at her place. After all, I can't sleep in the street.

My identity papers got stolen.

Without papers, I'm stuck.

Does she work?

When she has the time and isn't sloshed.

She gets stinking drunk.

But she gets a pension, like you said.

That's no life.

I've never had a place of my own.

I fought in the colonies.

Indochina, Korea, Germany.

- Really? - Of course.

- As a soldier? - Of course.

In a French battalion?

The First Battalion, under General Monclar.

Korea and Indochina?

And Germany. And the Resistance, of course.

Can't you get a veteran's pension?

I was a real idiot. I didn't ask for one.

I never went to school. There was no school.

That's no reason to lose your pension.

Understand? Real country bumpkins.

Sharecroppers.

- Where? - The Vosges.

Quai Fosse.

Are your parents still -

They're both dead.

I have brothers and sisters. - Back home?

Not all of them. One lives in Paris.

But who knows where?

Neither of us keeps in touch.

There were nine of us kids. We raised ourselves.

Never asked for a dime, not like the spoiled brats in Paris.

My mother died just recently.

They aren't crybabies. They die like that, just fading away.

But they're no crybabies, and neither am I.

- This is my parking spot. - It's not reserved!

His spot is over there.

He told me to park here.

I've got errands to run. He knows it's my spot.

- You're here all day. - He knows it.

His spot is over there. - There are no reserved spaces.

He knows it's my spot. His usual spot is over there.

I can settle this. See that sign?

Good. Let's go. - That doesn't apply here.

There's no parking all along here.

It's clearly posted there.

And over there too. - The no-parking zone is over there.

Maybe you're not from this neighborhood.

I'm from every neighborhood.

There's nothing to see here. Keep moving.

He knows that's his spot and this is mine.

There's no reserved parking here.

- So it's whoever gets here first? - That's right.

That man is making a delivery.

No, he's there every day! He can't always be making deliveries!

How much longer are you going to hassle me?

I'm telling you what's fair. Ask him. If he denies it, I'll go.

Listen, you're busting my balls about how this is your spot. It's not.

I was here first.

You were not. You were double-parked like him.

Tell him. If it's not the truth, I'll go.

Call him over. - Go get him.

- I'm not getting him. - Me neither.

- Then call him. - I'm not your errand boy!

And I'm not yours. Why should I call him?

- I said to get moving. - Why should I? It's my spot.

Here he is. Ask him.

What is it?

- Are you from the neighborhood? - No, I live in Belleville.

- You work there? - No, I don't work now. I'm not well.

My heart's a little weak. The doctor said to stop working.

- You're out for a walk? - What's there to do at home?

I can't stay home. Force of habit.

I was in the profession 40 - no, 50 years.

It's no fun having to suddenly stop.

You're Polish?

In my own home.

You worked for people in the neighborhood?

No, I did piecework.

For fashion houses.

And the doctor said you couldn't work anymore?

My heart's the problem.

That's life. You work all your life and then -

Are you going to travel a bit?

I'm afraid. He said I'd better stay in Paris.

If something happens, I can see him right away.

He can give me pills.

What do you have exactly?

It was a heart attack.

I have to be careful.

- You can't work? - That's what he says.

No, I won't work anymore. I'm over 60 anyway.

Have you been back to Poland?

There were over three million Jews there. Now there's maybe 10,000.

Why go back to a country like that?

- How about Israel? - No, it doesn't interest me.

In spite of everything, I love France. It's a good country.

In spite of everything.

There are some anti-Semites, but no, not even during the war.

I was the only Jew in the house where I lived.

They never bothered me.

They hid you?

They never said a word, though they knew I was Jewish.

I was in hiding, but my wife was at home.

She was born here. She was a French Jew.

She wasn't as affected.

How do you get by? On savings?

Yes, I have savings, fortunately.

- Does your wife work? - I lost her nine months ago.

So you're all alone?

My daughter lives with me.

What do you do all day? Walk around?

I go for walks and visit friends.

I'm not even interested in traveling.

Even to Israel?

My daughter went there. She wasn't thrilled with it.

She doesn't like it.

Hello, ma'am.

You've fit in well. Do you have many friends here?

You know everyone. - Everyone.

Is he covering a story?

We're talking with people.

- Are you Jewish? - Yes.

- You? - No.

I bet this gentleman is too.

I don't think so.

Thanks.

- Perhaps we'll meet again. - If you're around.

Do you ever come to Belleville?

We might.

- Where were you born? - Normandy.

You have the accent.

Not from the towboat set. Next to Le Havre.

My whole family lives in Paris now.

My parents are still living. I'll see them tomorrow.

- You go often? - Fairly often.

My father's 83 and my mother's 82.

They're hanging in there.

Though she's had two heart attacks.

My mother's still hanging in there.

I've got six brothers.

I was only in school for six months.

I'll explain.

I left school when I was eight. I'd gone just six months.

The schools were requisitioned for German barracks in '40.

Classes were only in the afternoon,

for either only the boys or only the girls.

I would get up at 4:00 a.m. To milk the cows.

My father had cows, so we had to.

My father was 80% disabled in World War I. He lost a leg.

So we had to work.

You know what our Sundays were like?

I was Catholic, so you had to -

Sunday morning you got up and fed the livestock.

After that, you ate and went to mass.

After mass you changed clothes to feed the animals again.

Then, to celebrate Sunday,

you dressed up a bit for lunch.

When that was over, you changed again to feed the animals.

When the animals were fed,

you changed again and bicycled three miles to the movies.

And at 5:00, it was all over. That was it until the next Sunday.

How old were you when you came to Paris?

I was 19.

- You'd never go back to farming? - Absolutely not!

We were slaves!

Back then, for all those years,

we had a few hours free on Sunday afternoon, and that was it.

Are you less of a slave here in Paris?

Listen, when I knock off at 5:00, I'm all done.

But there's the noise and all.

And I drive a truck too.

I get a bonus if there's no accidents.

We try to avoid them. We're conscientious.

If there's no accidents, we get a 60,000-franc bonus every six months.

120,000 extra francs at year's end - not bad.

Will you go back to Normandy when you retire?

No, I'll go to Oléron island.

I go there every year.

That's where I'd like a quiet little place of my own.

Yes, that's the place.

Even though there was an earthquake there this year.

One's no big deal. It's not all the time.

A simple little cottage.

A quiet life on the seaside.

How long until you can do that?

I'm 42 now, so 20 more years.

Twenty years from now, I hope that's where I'll be.

There he is! He's at it again!

He'll stop at nothing! And the other guy,

with his pigeon eye! He jokes with me to get me talking.

- Come here! - Don't do that.

- Look over there. - It's all right.

Then you look over there.

- Just let it go. - Just let myself go?

Start any nonsense today and you'll get this.

- Are you in a good mood today? - No, I'm never in a good mood.

I can't just decide to be. - Stop kidding around.

You're a real actress.

Why'd I take acting classes if I can't be an actress?

Ah, now I see.

- Put your hand down. - It'll stay there an hour if it has to.

All Saturday afternoon they bothered me.

Maybe it's an ad for the lottery.

You're joking! It's for them. Radio stations just want some filler.

Instead of interviewing stars, they talk to us.

Look, his mic was recording.

Would you like to see the finished movie?

Of course. I'd like to see what you've filmed.

When you're here every day, you don't know what really happens.

Is it a movie you're making, or a documentary for you personally?

Yes, it's a film. I don't know if you could call it a documentary.

I know it's your birthday.

May I ask your age? I know who you are.

- Forty. - That's a lot.

- I'm 40 today. - Happy birthday.

Are you making the film for your 40th birthday?

Or not really? - Maybe.

Maybe.

You think it's a good idea?

I think so.

Making a film without real actors, outside, spontaneously -

I saw someone carrying a big sack on his back.

Think that would be good in your film?

It's out of the ordinary.

Look, people don't even stop. Amazing.

The garbage collection is around 8:00 a.m.

Then all the streets are swept.

You said earlier you could ticket people.

Yes, if they're in our way. Here's a fire hydrant.

Imagine you're parked in front of it, and I don't know you.

See, there's a hydrant here.

I thought the police gave out tickets.

We have to give a reason why we weren't able to do our job.

If a car's in the way, I can't work.

I have to explain why I didn't do my job.

I note the address and license number for police headquarters.

I do it without really doing it.

When the occasion arises.

- When people get on your nerves? - Exactly.

I had my broom in my hand,

and I swear I could've smacked him, but we're not allowed.

I'm already a jumpy guy, plus I'm sick.

I could really have done it. It can happen in a second.

A guy calls you an asshole - what would you do?

It's tough, isn't it?

I know it.

I let him drive off.

I jot down the license plate and the time and place.

Isn't it better that way?

I've hit him where it hurts: In the wallet.

If I'd really hit him, I'd be in trouble.

Though I work for the police, I'd still be in the wrong.

In reality, I wouldn't be wrong. See? Am I in the wrong?

- But if you have heart problems - - That guy doesn't know that.

You said you were a war orphan.

That's right.

They told me, "Go here, go there." You know how it is.

Finally, the police department took me in.

What will you do when you retire?

He got a house.

In Avon, near Fontainebleau.

Where in Avon?

Behind the train station. Avon Station, Fontainebleau, Avon.

He bought some property.

He told me, "Don't worry, Father-in-law.

When you retire, there's a place for you here."

Nice of him at 24 years old.

"When you retire, you'll come here."

There's no place for me at the moment.

- He has Portuguese lodgers now? - For now.

There are people there for now. He signed a lease.

What's it called? A life annuity?

You know what a life annuity is? It's normal.

I hope he was telling the truth.

You've been sick for three years,

but you have to work anyway.

It's a great product. You soak the laundry overnight.

The next morning you scrub it with hot water and some of the stuff.

No need for bleach.

Do you say that because of the ads?

What do you think of TV commercials?

I don't have a TV.

- So they don't affect you. - I don't have a TV.

Have you been in Paris long? - Since '42.

You came here during the war? Where from?

Blangy-sur-Bresle.

- I don't know where that is. - It doesn't matter.

It's in Seine-Maritime. - Then you're Norman?

No, I'm - Oh, they're filming me!

Originally, I'm from Amiens, in the Somme region.

You have a slight northern accent.

Does it feel odd to be filmed?

No. I didn't even notice.

- It doesn't feel odd? - It doesn't bother me.

Want to tell us anything? Things you've always wanted to say?

Are you happy?

Always. I never complain about my lot.

Will you keep on cleaning houses much longer?

I don't know. As long as the good Lord permits.

Till the day you die.

You don't plan on retiring? - Of course. When I'm 60.

- What will you do then? - I don't know.

If my pension's enough, I'll retire. If not, I'll keep working.

- Are you married? - Yes.

You have to work when you don't have much.

What does your husband do?

He's resting. He's sick.

He's sick?

Seems like everyone's sick in this neighborhood.

That's the way it is.

What's he doing?

Are you recording what I say?

That's what I was asking you about earlier.

Oh, well. No big deal.

Maybe you'll see yourself on the screen.

- Really? - Would you like that?

Sure. It's up to you. I wouldn't mind.

Tell me when so I can watch on someone's TV.

He may have different names in different places,

but there's still only one God.

- You think so? - Yes.

Especially since - There's only one.

You might find it surprising,

but we speak with Jesus. We speak with God.

He counsels us. He helps us.

- You speak to him often? - Whenever we have problems.

He lets us know what we should do.

- How? Does he talk to you? - No.

But we receive his message in our hearts.

I went there and was healed! And I'm 76!

I was short-sighted and wore glasses for 54 years.

I could've gotten another pair, with a weaker prescription.

But the ophthalmologist refused. Supposedly they were out of lenses.

What could I do? So I read without glasses.

Thank you, Lord.

- It's a miracle. - We have miraculous healings.

But I've passed out 100,000 tracts in two years.

It's a duty for me. All on my own.

I'm only happy during our services or handing out tracts.

I have problems. The other day they pushed a kid into me and I fell.

It goes in one ear and out the other.

Come talk with the pastor.

So you think it's progressing?

Policemen, police chiefs, returning to the Bible, to Jesus Christ.

Priests, everybody.

It's a great thing to witness. It's wonderful.

God isn't only there in good times, but in difficult times too.

That's what counts, you see?

That's very different. That's what counts.

- Are you Catholic? - No, it isn't a Catholic thing.

I was Catholic 13 years ago, but no longer.

Now I've given myself to Christ.

You work all day for them?

No, I have a job, and I'm married and have a child too.

I work at night

and pass these out in my spare time during the day.

- Don't you sleep? - Yes, in the afternoon.

From 2:00 to 11:00.

That's a nice long sleep.

God provides for all our needs, and that includes work too.

I work as a welder.

But in October, just like last year, there's no work anywhere.

Except for construction jobs, stuff like that.

I got two newspapers this morning, and there's nothing.

To get hired on the big building sites in France or abroad.

- How old are you? - Fifty-one.

You think after 45 it's hard to find -

Ask anyone. Everyone knows that's true.

That's why most of the offers -

These days, it's automatic.

Look at the papers. It's all temporary employment.

Hospitals, typists.

Hospitals, doctors. It's all temps.

I don't know if you watch TV. He's on sometimes at night.

As an example, the government spokesperson on TV -

he's a temp too.

Even nurses and doctors are temps.

It's a real scandal in France.

Things aren't great right now.

I'll leave you to your work. - See ya.

I took antibiotics and broke out in dry eczema.

I feel like they completely paralyzed me.

My memory's shot.

I came in today to do the books,

and I'd left the cashbox and the tickets here.

You make hundreds of friends selling lottery tickets.

Sure. All my customers are my friends.

I know everyone, young and old.

- You know their private lives. - Why do they even tell me?

It's surprising how quickly people speak of intimate matters.

Always.

How they got married or divorced or almost died.

Family troubles, or losing a job.

And their schemes to earn millions, but they end up losing that much.

It's funny they tell me about that.

They don't realize it could land them in jail.

It's nobody's business, you know?

Why do you think they need to talk about their lives?

Because they're bored stiff.

People aren't happy.

To some woman they've never seen before.

He's a sneaky one!

He backs up really slowly to get out of the way.

Did you hear what that woman just said?

That woman.

We get yelled at too. It's not all compliments and kind words.

You think people are bored?

Very much so.

I don't know anyone who's happy.

You're the only happy person you know?

You seem the most content of the people we've met.

Because I don't complicate my life.

People always make their lives difficult. That's the difference.

You spend, what, six hours in your stand every day?

No, not six hours.

Depends on the day.

Depends on my mood.

I got here at noon.

I'll be leaving at 4:30 or 5:00. Depends on how I feel.

You'd love to know, wouldn't you?

- Are we bugging you? - A little.

I'm waiting for your girlfriend to come take you away.

I'm sure she'll take you away.

- Tell us what happened. - No, he's at it again with his camera.

I gotta go. I'm not kidding. I'm scared stiff.

Oh, yeah? That's what he's like.

There's seven of us. We can handle it.

Did he attack you in the street?

I haven't been so scared in ages. He came from that direction.

- Did he get your money? - A hundred francs.

He started talking to you and then took your bag?

Yes, we were talking. All very nice.

Then it was over.

I realized something was wrong. I was scared stiff.

- Did he hit you? - No, but he wanted to.

I took off running, and fast, without saying a word.

He got the money from your bag?

There was no time to argue. He said, "Give me your purse."

So I did. What other choice did I have?

Such weird stuff happens to me! - It wasn't too serious.

You seem really nervous.

I can't stop shaking. I can't stand it. It's time I went home.

It's been a terrible day, I swear.

- What else happened? - That's all.

- You play dominoes every day? - When we're not working.

Sometimes we play cards.

- You come here every day? - Every day.

When it's sunny, like today.

Are these friends of yours?

Yes, I know them. We're always together.

- Are you French? - Yes. I'm a Breton.

From Finistère.

- Have you lived in Paris long? - I was married in Paris in 1910.

From 1921 to 1955 I was in the area of city hall.

- You were an employee there? - No, I had a business.

Then my husband got sick and went to the hospital,

so I had to quit my business.

The poor man died in '64. He suffered terribly.

Now I live in the neighborhood.

I'm 92, and I've only got one eye.

So I answer the call of the République!

You come every day to watch them play dominoes?

I come for my winged family: My pigeons and sparrows.

I feed them.

I used to go all the way to Arts et Métiers.

But there's too many streets to cross. I don't see well enough.

So I stay in the Place de la République and feed them.

I'm a member of the Humane Society.

I take care of all my animals. They're my only family now.

- You don't know anyone? - No one.

- I don't associate with anyone. - No one?

But you have friends, like these domino players.

Sure, here. But away from here, I don't know them.

You mean when you go home at night?

I lock and bolt the door and don't let anyone in.

- You don't see clearly? - No, I can only see the ground.

I do my recitation all along the Avenue de la Rèpublique until I get here.

I find my way by reciting the landmarks.

First, I pass a subway station,

and then I go straight down the Avenue de la Rèpublique.

I get to Avenue Parmentier, I pass the grocery store,

and I continue along until rue des Bluets.

When it's not bright enough on this side,

I cross over at the department store and follow that sidewalk.

After the department store comes the Avenue Jules Ferry.

Then I continue along there until rue des Bluets.

I'm covered by Social Security.

I'm on disability. I get a little money without having to work.

I'd like to find something.

Some good steady work.

- Have you been in Paris long? - Since '58. Fourteen years.

Did you come here to work?

No, I came with my wife. I'm married.

We lived together first and then got married.

We came to Paris 14 years ago to work.

I worked at the Panhard-Levassor factory

from '60 to '64.

- On the assembly line? - Yes, on the equipment.

- That's tough. - Not really. It was a job.

I was young then. I couldn't imagine working in a factory now.

I'm choosier now.

My wife works, but I'm on disability.

I'm not even allowed to work. I get disability because I was sick.

- Are you African? - No, I'm from Guadeloupe.

- Have you gone back? - No.

The races, the girls - you need lots of dough.

You have anything I could do?

I need some cash, but I don't know who to talk to.

To get money, you have to go where the money is.

You have any contacts? Maybe I could work in TV.

My health's not great. I suffered from nerves.

You know the psychiatric hospital? I won't hide anything from you.

I suffered from nerves a couple times.

- Were you at Sainte Anne? - No, Villejuif.

I just got back from Maison-Blanche.

I spent a month there.

You know it? It's in Neuilly, seven miles from Paris.

I just got out ten days ago after a month there.

It's like with a car. After 1,000 miles,

you take it to a mechanic for a tune-up.

It runs better after that.

Was it due to alcohol?

Not really. A little bit. It was fatigue too.

A guy needs a change of scenery.

After a guy's out in the world three or four years,

he needs to get treatment.

It's normal to spend time in the hospital now and then?

With my nerves, yes. Not everybody.

But I've been admitted five times. It did me good.

It doesn't bother you to be locked up?

You have to get treatment.

Like if you break your leg. You have to get it treated.

You don't go to a psychiatric hospital for nothing.

- Isn't Villejuif tough? - Not for me.

I was treated better there than at Maison-Blanche.

It's different. - Are you out for a walk?

Yes, I am.

I usually come to play cards and relax a bit.

- How about getting a drink? - If you'd like.

Where can we get a drink?

I work, I have a drink, work and drink.

And I'm a ladies' man. It's the way I am.

But then there's nothing left of me, and I have to get treatment.

You don't get nervous disorders from making love.

No, but it weakens a guy.

People have different dispositions.

What about your wife?

She's at home or at work.

Everyone has their way of seeing things.

She's one person and I'm another.

Is it difficult being black in Paris?

You don't feel any discrimination?

Of course, there's the question of priority.

If two jobs are available, they'd prefer to hire two white men.

But being black doesn't stop you from working.

I worked in a factory from '60 to '64.

I worked at Social Security.

I worked at Orly Airport in '65.

I worked. Everyone has the right to work.

Yeah, a little.

If you get married someday, that's how women are.

All women aren't the same, of course, but in my experience -

You think it's because she works?

A little. She's a little tired.

Also, she's older than me.

She's close to 50. She works, so as for sex -

She works in a factory?

She's not all that tired.

She's a little tired. It's only natural.

We've got a TV and all that.

We used to watch it, but that doesn't interest her now.

So, you have your own life?

I can't say for sure, but I don't think so.

Stop by one day. She comes home for lunch around 12:30.

But she's a serious woman.

We met your wife. She wouldn't talk to us.

She's being silly.

She's stubborn. She thinks she's always right.

Everything's fine, then they do something stupid. It's how women are.

But the other day you said you got along well.

Sure, of course. But sometimes, you know -

She's got a mind of her own.

What goes on in your head is different.

Everyone has their own mind.

You see things one way, others see things differently.

They don't want to do this or that. You can't force people.

That's true.

She was a little harsh. Was she angry 'cause we filmed you?

No, she's okay with that.

She wants money. Lately it's all about money, money, money.

I can't help that.

I'm not a bank. I'm no Rothschild.

It's always the same. Money.

They all want to be rich. Chasing after millions.

- You don't? - I'd like to have a little.

But not millions. What good are millions?

In the end you die and leave it all behind.

I'd like to have a little to live on.

She asked what you said. She was worried.

No, that's my business.

I speak my mind. It's my right to talk with you guys.

You're nice guys. It's none of her business.

I'd better go.

- You have things to do? - Yeah.

- Like what? - It's private.

We'll talk some more another time.

He's at it again! I swear, he's obsessed!

It's me they're after, not you.

Can you see me well?

Want to see for yourself?

What's that thing that -

This is the focus. Film him. We'll see how he likes it.

Here. Listen.

Say something.

Like what?

There's an echo.

My voice echoes. It bugs me.

You hold it. Put on the headphones.

But my voice echoes.

What do you think about men?

You caught us by surprise.

When you go out, you meet men.

Right, I go out.

- Do men give you pleasure? - Depends on the man.

Yes, since I'm one of them. I think we're capable.

I mean young men.

I don't know. Between 20 and 25.

That's the best age for a man?

As far as I'm concerned.

For a relationship, I'd want someone between 20 and 25 years old.

An 18-year-old wouldn't interest you?

I'm 19, so 18 is too young.

Not at all.

- Have you ever tried it? - No, never.

A woman who looked at you whom you found attractive?

You're attracted to men. - Yes, of course.

Excuse me, sir. What do you think of your sex life?

I'm a father. I'm 51 years old.

At your age you haven't been unfaithful?

- I married at 32. - But you're no longer 32.

I'm 51 years old, even though I don't look it.

Watch out. My wife will be here soon.

- Are you a Breton? - No, I'm a Parisian.

This man says Bretons are real characters.

They're hotheads. I beat 'em, though.

He looks like a Breton. I'm a Parisian.

I've had the clap five or six times, and syphilis once.

Believe me, when I was 45, my midlife crisis hit full force.

It was great, eh?

And I don't say this because you're taping.

I was really in love. I hope it never happens to you. It's awful.

- You were really in love? - And so was she.

Then there was a problem with money, and that killed it.

- It's always the same problem. - It certainly is.

What if I asked you to spend a little time with me?

I don't have a dime!

No, besides that.

- That'd never happen to me. - Why?

In that case, put down your mic and let's take a walk!

Everyone will be green with envy! - You think so?

I'd love to see their faces!

You said earlier that older men are better than young men.

You think you know more than them? - Absolutely.

- How do you think they are in bed? - That depends.

When they've screwed 1,500 women like I have,

then they'll understand.

- We've met, haven't we? - Yes, we have.

- You come here every day? - No, I'm leaving. I'm taking the train.

- With your bike? - I take it on the train.

Where are you going?

You know, since '61, things have been going particularly badly.

They won't allow me to leave France.

Though I must admit, I handled it badly. You can't push things too far.

When you do something dumb, or you're clumsy or a bit slow,

you should face it.

- What dumb thing did you do? - I handled it badly.

In '61, it was time for me

to go back to work for a German company.

For me, '61 represented the post-Hitler era.

In historical terms, they say it usually takes time

Of course, Hitler disrupted countries. He attacked some, occupied others -

What does Hitler have to do with you?

Well, exactly. For a person my age -

Hitler didn't know me personally,

So for me and others like me,

we wanted to get on with our lives after Hitler.

French, German, whatever - people are human beings.

- And now that he's dead? - That's not important.

Hitler left in '45. He was no longer in charge.

It wasn't important if he was alive or dead. People didn't care.

But since my life and others' lives were organized around this,

it took ten years after Hitler left in '45, up until 1955,

I don't know the specifics in each country.

Anyway, the workers were warned.

- Do you like Hitler? - No, he bothered people.

People like me weren't the ones Hitler was after.

He didn't have my home address.

He didn't have my name on file.

To him, I was part of the anonymous masses.

Hitler didn't personally know those in the occupied countries - thank God.

In '61, I went back to the German company where I'd worked before.

I don't mean French or German.

I mean people with the same hearts, who understand each other.

That's what I mean by speaking the same language.

How's it going?

She's really on a roll!

The police check your ID papers.

She said, "If they ask for your papers, say that, due to the housing shortage,

you're staying with a social worker.

Since the social worker lives at the hospital,

at the worst they'll bring you back to the hospital."

Since it was a hospital, they had my papers there, at Villejuif,

and they checked every night to make sure I'd returned.

The psychiatrist told me,

"If you're not back, we'll know you fled to West Germany."

It didn't take a genius to figure that out.

Anyway, one day I'd had enough.

I had some ski pants

and I bought some ski boots at the department store.

I bought my ticket in a travel agency in case they were watching the station,

and I snuck onto the platform.

I got on the train.

I finally arrived in St. Jean D'Aulps, I think, near Evian.

That way I could sneak across the border at night.

I went into a café, and someone said,

"You're in luck. There's a traveling salesman here

showing me different liquors.

He's headed that direction. I'll ask him to take you."

So I ended up with this guy making his rounds selling liquor.

I told him that I couldn't get back to West Germany to work,

and how I meant to return. I really laid it on thick.

I told him they wouldn't let me cross the border.

He said, "I'll take you across in my car."

I said, "What if the border patrol has my description?"

Those guys in the border patrol have eyes like eagles.

They're not cross-eyed.

So I crossed the border in the mountains at night.

And then at the Swiss-German border -

I was frightened. I'd never visited that area.

So I was a bit nervous.

I got a ride by telling the driver I was trying to cross without a passport.

My plan was to get to the German company I knew,

and once I was inside the company and we were agreed,

then they would inform the French consulate

that I'd left France and needed to send for my things.

You realize we're filming you?

Yeah. Anyway, that was my idea.

As I said, a driver picked me up.

I had no passport, and he got me caught.

He reported me.

Since I was hungry, he told me about a nice little restaurant.

He dropped me off there

and then reported me to the border patrol.

I'd planned on using my compass

to pass through the woods and get back on the road to Germany.

I'd heard about it from a Protestant who'd given me a ride.

A Swiss Protestant living in Germany.

I'd planned on using my compass.

There was a car parked in the woods. It was just a decoy.

Then they did something, and I found myself -

People who like each other, trying to get on with their lives -

it really puts them in a jam.

If I went back, I'd be in a familiar environment with people I knew.

I knew I'd continue living with them, in their company.

When you work in an office eight hours a day, with an hour lunch,

you get to know people.

You know where you're at. But they wouldn't let me.

Last year, I found the same environment in Freiburg.

It happened to be a church, but it was just like at the company.

In France, they wouldn't let me have a job,

even though I needed one.

Free France makes people unhappy. Simple as that.

"Why," he said, "should one not tolerate this life,

when so little suffices to deprive one of it?"

Translation by LYNN MASSEY and JOHN GUDELJ for SUBTEXT SUBTITLING