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Yvonne's Perfume

What remains today of that summer of '58,

where one fine day, my life turned upside down?

A gaze, a cigarette holder, a green scarf...

A few happy days that my memory re-runs in an uncertain order.

The weather was glorious, visitors forecast sunshine well into October.

I spent most afternoons in the luxurious lobby of the Hermitage,

reading, watching people and doing nothing.

Mostly doing nothing.

Then I went back to the guest house

where I'd been staying from the start.

The place was modest but reassuring, the hostess was cheerful.

The lodgers never asked anything and the Cinémonde kept me company.

He had to surrender with all his weapons.

Amongst the prisoners,

FLN Lieutenant Amari Ben Youssef Ben Tahar

confirmed that some rebels managed to escape.

A second operation

was undertaken...

In those days, girls wore Capri pants or gingham dresses.

The boys, their hair cut short,

were those nice, romantic boys who would end up in Algeria.

Not me, for no one knew I was there.

And no one would ever know.

The Ayit-Abar hideout at 1,800m was thoroughly searched...

Good evening.

Good evening.

What is left today of that summer of 1958,

where one fine day, in the luxurious lobby of the Hermitage,

my life turned upside down?

I'm sorry, my dog is lying at your feet.

Don't be sorry.

He has to lie down somewhere.

But if I don't take him now, he'll fall asleep on your shoes.

Will you come along?

Bloody tie!

In certain seasons, Monsieur,

raw silk can become quite unmanageable.

- Is it your dog? - Yes.

He belongs to a very rare breed

which suffers from congenital listlessness.

- Some even commit suicide. - Really?

Yes.

I don't know how, but they do.

Sometimes I wonder what the other side looks like.

We should take the boat one afternoon.

It would be fun, don't you think?

Yvonne, your dog isn't moving!

Only joking, it's asleep.

- Sir. - René Meinthe, a friend.

Doctor Meinthe.

- Victor Chmara. - Delighted.

Perhaps you'll be luckier than me with this bitch. A welcome present.

- Are you a friend of Yvonne's? - Yes, we met just now in the lobby.

We were talking about Oswald, in fact

Victor reckons he has "Portuguese melancholy".

- What melancholy? - Portuguese, but it isn't serious.

You must be joking, on the contrary.

Melancholy is no laughing matter.

Will you lunch with us? It's my treat.

And you can tell me about your Portuguese melancholy.

Oswald, lunch will be served at the Sporting!

Look!

I'm not touching the brakes!

Hilarious, isn't it?

It's for Yvonne, she loves it.

Tonight we're going to Rolf Madéja's party at a villa by the lake.

Gay Orloff, Olga Valenti, Roland de Witt, Geza Pellemont...

Do these names mean anything to you?

They do, but I thought they weren't speaking to each other.

We'll see. Will you come with us?

Yes, why not?

- Who is Rolf Madéja? - An Austrian film director.

He's just shot a film around here. Yvonne was in it.

You're in films?

Yvonne is an actress.

She will become a great actress.

Sorry, I didn't know.

You see,

she is here incognito!

René Meinthe was right to say that lovers always visit old haunts.

But what for?

Why did I come back, a few seasons later,

to this sad, freezing station?

What memories was I after?

What ghosts was I chasing?

When you hold such treasures in your hands

When you're twenty, tomorrow holds so much promise

When love comes your way

To offer you its sleepless nights

When life ahead seems full of laughter

Embellished with joy, hope and folly

You must drink your youth

Till you're intoxicated

For when we're twenty

All our moments are counted

And never more will wasted time turn back to face us

Time passes!

And in vain we reach out, full of regrets

It's too late, nothing can stop time once it's on its course

We cannot for ever keep

Our youth...

- Did you choose this record? - No, you did, doctor.

I doubt it.

It's sad.

Give me a small cognac, please.

We don't serve pansies here.

Why are you staring at me like that?

Something wrong with my face?

You don't like my face? Well, I didn't choose it!

Do you know who I am?

I am Queen Astrid!

Do you hear?

Queen of Belgium!

I must pop over to Geneva this afternoon.

I'll call you from there.

If anyone asks where I am,

just say you don't know.

I'll be back tonight.

People are sometimes so curious.

But there are different types of curiosity.

I mean, if I ask what you do for a living,

that's curiosity, but then again it isn't.

Do you see?

Well?

I beg your pardon?

- What do you do? - Nothing, I don't do anything.

That's wonderful!

Then what are you taking a break from?

Nothing, since there's nothing to take a break from.

I envy you.

Once I would have answered "I'm growing old as gently as possible."

You're right, old age is rubbish.

I ripped that page out of my dictionary.

I think it's a lovely answer.

I like the idea of doing everything as gently as possible.

Here comes old Carlton.

The greatest bitch in the region!

Did you get what I said, Carlton?

It's nothing, nothing at all.

They say you're up to no good, old tart!

Are you deaf?

That bitch spoils my appetite!

Let's go.

The bill, please!

I'll pick you up at eight. Victor, don't forget you're coming.

- Be careful. - Certainly not.

See you tonight, darling!

Don't forget, eight on the dot!

- What will he do in Geneva? - Nothing, I don't know.

Meet people, do business...

Does he still practise medicine?

More or less.

He offers his services sometimes.

Services?

Well, yes...

Shall we watch the tennis? Oswald loves it.

Do you play tennis?

Very badly, but I enjoy watching. I find it comforting.

As long as there are young people in white hitting balls over a net,

nothing really serious can happen.

A while ago, when you put your hand on my leg, I liked it

very much.

I am going to ask you something.

Promise you'll say yes.

Later on, when we leave,

don't see me back to the hotel.

I'd like you to, but I want the pleasure to last.

Do you understand?

Are we back to formal talk?

Only when it comes to trivialities.

Let's meet tonight.

René will pick us up, how's that?

Alright.

But on one condition.

- Are you Dr Meinthe? - Certainly.

The lady and gentleman left. They said you'd pick them up.

Well, I won't stop for them.

- What did you do this afternoon? - I stayed in my bedroom.

The window was open.

I lay on the bed and thought about you.

And you, what did you do?

Your turn now, walk in front.

I walked aimlessly. I like doing that.

There is an ageless man at the guest-house

with a funny spaniel face.

He's making a model of the Kon-Tiki.

We chatted, and then

he asked me to help fix the mast.

I thought about our kiss all afternoon.

- Was that René? - Yes.

We must go now, we really must.

Where have you been?

Nowhere. We were walking, we saw you go past.

- And you didn't stop. - What side were you on?

On the left. You sped past without seeing us.

That's impossible! I even reversed.

You're pulling my leg.

No, it's true, ask Victor.

Isn't that so, Victor?

You see?

Anyway, let's celebrate our reunion

with a cigarette. I bought these in Geneva.

Aren't they a riot?

Amazing, don't you think?

Thanks.

- Henri Kustiker phoned. - You hung up, I hope.

No.

"Tell the doctor that Major Max and Guérin are back from Constantine."

That's it. He hung up, not me.

Are you staying at the Hermitage?

- No, at the Camomile. - Camomile?

It's a guest-house, full of old people.

That's why it's named after herbal tea.

I was told they were Turkish cigarettes.

But I think they are the ultimate poofter's cigarette.

I'll buy old Carlton a pack!

Bloody winter!

Bloody old age!

The future?

What future?

Do you at least serve pansies here?

A light port, please, my dear.

Simon Angelin.

Sorry, Mr Angelin, no mail today.

Very well, thank you.

Chmara is a Russian name. Are you Russian?

Absolutely.

You're really Count Victor Chmara?

Yes.

And what does the Count live off?

The ephemeral.

My father gave me his butterfly collection, the best in Europe.

So, for example, when I need money, I sell... an Ornithopter Priamus.

Some people pay a lot for that.

The funny thing is, these insects usually live for a day or two,

but keep me alive for months.

Why did you leave Paris?

I felt it was getting dangerous for people like me.

Too many bombs and round-ups for me.

And what do you do here?

Nothing, but I'm fine.

If things get worse, we can always go across the lake.

Just one last question.

If you answer, I'll give you a present.

- If we marry, will I be a Countess? - Yes.

You will be Countess Victor Chmara.

I haven't forgotten your present.

To remember me by if I go overboard.

It's not just you, it's also myself I drive mad.

- Where's this boat bound? - The other side.

Let it take its time, then.

You see, it's the opposite.

I keep you as a souvenir,

and this falls into the water.

There's a hotel up there. I want to spend the afternoon with you.

What time is it?

I'm a little disappointed you ask that.

If you'd really lost your senses,

you'd be asking not what time, but what day it is.

What day is it?

Not a sound.

Maybe they're all asleep.

Or having dinner.

In places like this, people pride themselves on eating in silence.

Even the children whisper to show how well brought-up they are.

Ladies and gentlemen.

We're waiting, get your luggage.

- Are you leaving? - It had to happen some day, Madame.

You could have given us notice!

It isn't his fault, he's been summoned by the Queen of Belgium.

The Queen of Belgium, Madame!

And that's not all, Madame.

The Queen of Belgium is me!

What on earth do you have in here?

Magazines: Black and White, Detective, Match.

And Cinémondes from the past five years.

Why on earth do you need to be lumbered with that crap?

She's asking for it!

Push!

You have to move on, my friend.

You have to move on.

- It's very heavy. - Leave it to me.

Goodbye, Monsieur.

You picked the right time to leave.

There you are, Monsieur.

- I wish you luck. - Thank you.

"Elizabeth lived to the age of 70, a very old age for the time,

"and she shone, she danced and flirted till almost her last day.

"But the last years of her reign were overcast by death.

"She dyed her hair a colour which nature hadn't invented,

"covered herself in pearls, diamonds, gold and silver fabric.

"She still received her Parliament,

"promised to abolish privileges which enriched the courtiers

"allowed members of the Commons to pay homage..."

THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND BY ANDRE MAUROIS

What do you see in this book?

It's beautiful, I'd like to know it by heart.

That would please André Maurois.

- I'll write to him. - And tell him what?

"Mr Maurois, I admire you.

"I read your History of England and I'd like your autograph.

"Yours sincerely,

"Yvonne X."

Do you think he would answer?

I don't know.

You're a prisoner now.

As you wish.

Well?

- Do you want my honest opinion? - Of course.

I think the plot is as good as any,

and producers are bound to notice you in this film.

But we need a brilliant director to make you really stand out.

An American director, preferably.

Why rush it?

Because now is the time to do it.

Stop that bloody racket!

Good evening!

Port, as light as possible.

- Light? - Light?

Very light.

- I don't have any light port. - Never mind, my dear.

Do you have a straw?

If you want to go to bed, don't let me keep you.

No. Anyway, people are coming.

People?

A conference, they're all coming over.

- Not cheerful in the winter, is it? - No.

I'll be off to Paris.

You're right. I'll be going soon too, but further away.

Bloody winter!

When these riches are in your hand

At twenty, tomorrow is full of promise

When love comes your way...

- To offer you its sleepless nights - Monsieur, please.

When life ahead seems full of laughter

Embellished with joy, hope and folly

You must drink your youth till you're intoxicated

Please don't sing that song.

For when we're twenty, all our moments are counted.

I asked politely, as I would a friend.

And never more will wasted time turn back to face us

- Time passes... - Enough, it's not funny, I'm tired.

Don't bug me!

And in vain we reach out, full of regrets

It's too late, nothing can stop time

We cannot for ever keep

our youth...

Come on!

Thanks, old chap.

You shouldn't have bothered.

You don't seem surprised to see me.

I knew you'd come back some day.

Lovers, like murderers, always return to the scene of the crime.

And you had to do it in the winter when I look like shit.

It was Yvonne's case.

With people, it's simple.

You love them either too much or not enough.

What have we got ourselves into?

I must look awful.

What time is it?

Ten o'clock.

- Have you had dinner? - No.

I'm taking you to Geneva, to Pulli's.

I told you about his place, didn't I?

A replica of a Cairo restaurant.

Yes, but it's late.

Late, early... everything's relative.

Days grow shorter and occasions for having fun grow rare!

Pulli will be happy to see you again.

And for once, I won't have to have dinner alone.

Have you read the news?

Lana Turner's daughter stabbed her mother's lover to death.

Errol Flynn died of a heart attack.

Henri Garat died like a tramp.

Prince Ali Khan in a car crash near Suresnes.

I spare you the terrorist attacks in Paris... it's a massacre!

A bloodbath!

Watch her.

Don't let her out of your sight.

You follow?

Yes, I think so.

Fine, then.

- What if we gave up? - Don't be stupid!

You're dying for it and so are we!

Go on!

Are you going to get married?

You're right.

You're lucky.

Go on, let me finish that. It's not your job.

Give him a camphor injection!

He's going to die on us!

Go away!

I'll explain later.

I don't believe it.

What's the time?

3:20. There's plenty of time.

- I'll never make it. - Don't worry.

It's easier than shooting the film.

Five minutes, a few steps for the jury, and that's it!

Where's my lipstick?

Here it is.

It's important for your career.

It's René. Open the door, will you?

And loads of actresses started like this.

- Are you ready? - Which one?

The one with flowers, of course. But for God's sake, do hurry up!

I do, that's all I ever do!

Damn!

See, we aren't late.

Relax.

I'm perfectly relaxed. The day I get tense, you'll see the difference.

Stay as close as possible to the jury.

Observe them throughout the contest, be our spy.

Make notes if necessary.

Participants in the Houligant Cup are invited to get ready...

You'll be fine.

Beautiful.

Go on. Don't miss a thing, and watch Daniel Hendrickx's face closely.

See his reaction when it's our turn.

How do I recognize him?

An ageing dandy, smug, built like a nudist.

First contestants.

Mr and Mrs Jean Hatmer!

That was Mrs and Mr Jean Hatmer.

What is it? Pull yourself together!

Please welcome

our friends Tounette and Jackie Roland-Michel!

Last contestants, number 18, Miss Yvonne Jacquet

and Dr René Meinthe.

Ladies and gentlemen, in one moment the results of the Houligant Cup.

By five votes to four, I repeat, five votes to four,

ahead of our well-known and liked friends, the Roland-Michels,

whom I must thank for their fair play,

the winner is Miss Yvonne Jacquet

and her escort, René Meinthe!

I am honoured, Mademoiselle.

The loveliest lady on this lakeside.

No, on all sides and all lakes!

Well, happy with your cup?

It's thanks to me, a bit. Fossorié was against it.

Weren't you, Raoul?

Not at all, Daniel, you are mistaken.

Your favourites were Tounette and Jackie.

Shake hands with your unlucky challengers.

One of your suitors?

My fiancé.

We forgot to introduce our friend, Count Victor Chmara.

This is one of France's ski champions:

Daniel Hendrickx.

But you're far too young to recognize that name.

You probably weren't born when Daniel won the title.

Come on, it wasn't that long ago.

Coming?

Don't let me dance alone.

Mr Chmara...

Mr Chmara, are you related to the Chmaras from Alexandria?

Yes. They are my parents.

So you're from Egypt?

Yes... sort of.

So am I.

I met Henri Chmara in Cairo.

We'd meet every night at Grope's and at the Mena House.

The year the King was running around with that French singer, remember?

So, did you live there?

I mean, Egypt isn't easy to forget.

Sometimes I wonder why I'm here.

I'd give a lot to be sitting outside the Pastroudis now.

It probably no longer exists.

Do you think?

I bet Pulli was telling you about Egypt.

Monsieur is from Alexandria, like me.

Really, Victor?

Pulli's run this place for ten years.

In the winter he works in Geneva. He can't get used to our mountains.

Don't take any notice, Victor.

If you ever come in the winter, I'll take you to an amazing place.

Pulli has created a restaurant exactly like one in Cairo.

- What was it again? - The Khédival.

The Khédival! It makes him feel he's back in Egypt when he's homesick.

- Doesn't it, Pulli? - Bloody mountains!

So you're Yvonne's fiancé?

Yes, she'll soon be Countess Yvonne Chmara.

Deflating, eh? Admit it does sound better

than Yvonne Hendrickx.

What does this young gentleman do?

Nothing. I do nothing.

Did you think Victor was a ski instructor or a salesman like you?

Shut up!

Or I'll smash you to bits.

So you were a ski champion?

Yes, but it's lost in the mists of time.

I met this wimp when he was five.

He used to play with dolls.

Ladies and gentlemen, a toast to the winner of the Houligant Cup!

Let's hear your applause for the charming young Yvonne Jacquet!

If you don't mind, I'll be going.

I'm taking you back!

So when is the wedding?

The minute we leave this pathetic village.

- Are you leaving? - I'll be back.

Please do, we'll have a chat.

It's that bastard Hendrickx's fault.

Don't say that.

- Did he give you the cheque? - Of course.

See how mean provincial people are. Let's forget this miserable evening.

Coming?

Why let Hendrickx fondle your bottom?

I had to be nice.

He made us win the Cup and the 800,000-franc cheque.

800,000 francs? Your bottom is worth far more.

Far more, far less, what does it matter?

Let's not talk about it, ever.

You're right. Anyway, this cup isn't worth a thing.

Nobody knows about it, apart from a few provincial idiots.

What do they know about style by this remote little lake?

I don't know. But I find Hendrickx very charming,

and I was delighted to dance with him.

Bull's head and saggy arse, like all the French.

- You are French too! - Not even remotely!

You French haven't a clue about true nobility.

You can laugh, Yvonne. Many girls have won similar stupid contests.

And more appeared in worthless films before sinking into oblivion.

So you think this film is worthless?

Totally.

You shouldn't talk to me like that.

Morning!

Great weather! Today we're having lunch at my uncle's.

Uncle?

Help yourselves!

- I hope you like it! - Yes.

I mean, does the Count really like it?

Uncle Roland, are you working hard?

Yes, still these American rubbish-heaps. Bloody Studebakers.

How about you, what do you do?

Nothing, uncle.

That clock will drive me crazy!

Twelve strokes every hour.

Give it to me, then. It was Mum's, so give it back.

No way. It stays here, do you hear?

You like yours well done?

As you like.

No, how do you like it, Count?

What Count was that?

Chmara.

Chmara? Is it Portuguese?

No, Russian.

You're Russian?

So, well done or rare?

Is he always like that?

Yes, uncle, always.

He's always like that.

- How about you, everything alright? - Yes.

Do you know she's going to be an actress?

- Do you really think so? - I'm certain of it.

When she said she was in a film I didn't believe her, yet it was true.

- Is it finished? - Yes, uncle.

- Do you think that's a real job? - Of course.

And she's going to carry on, she'll be in more films!

She won the Houligant Cup.

Yeah, I couldn't believe it when I saw the papers.

Is that important, the Houligant Cup?

It can be a springboard.

Yvonne and I are going to America.

You're joking.

No, it's quite simple: we're going to America.

- To do what? - Get married.

Take Hollywood by storm, like Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller.

Yvonne will be a movie star,

and I'll end up a Jewish writer with thick horn-rimmed glasses!

Funny idea...

What's all that about?

We leave tomorrow for Paris, and in a few days for America.

If we wait, we'll never leave.

The Count talks sense: strike while the iron's hot.

I don't believe you. It's ridiculous.

You should show him around the house.

Did you grow up here?

Yes, upstairs.

Nothing has changed.

What will we do in America? What will we live on?

I'm sick of this country, it's stifling me. So let's pack and go!

Who do you know there? Can you speak English?

What does it matter?

True emigrés don't worry about that.

Shut up, clock!

I'm not a dedicated actress.

So what? Marilyn wasn't either!

Come.

What are you looking for?

Nothing, I don't know. The idea that you lived here is rather touching.

It's bound to be.

Sit there.

I spent years in this bedroom.

Alone.

No boy ever came here.

You can't imagine how I yearned for caresses, lying here.

That's why today I want to make love with you here.

For the last time.

Because next time we make love

will be on the boat to America.

Alright?

And you?

I'm alright. And you?

Alright.

We can go on if you like... alright?

How about a walk?

I've got pins and needles.

I'll take you round my garage.

- Do you like cars? - Very much.

Obviously you don't work on them. Look at my hands.

Not exactly the hands of a writer!

Funny girl, Yvonne is.

You see, she's a lot like her father.

My brother was really hot-headed.

- What happened to him? - Albert got into trouble.

Yvonne was a lot of trouble.

I'm telling you because you seem well brought-up.

- You're from a good family. - Hardly.

It'd be the first time Yvonne's met a respectable young man.

Don't you think, son?

She's got into so much trouble.

And now this film thing...

No point talking sense to her, she's just like her father.

At 16 she used to buy tons of skin lotion.

She wouldn't mix with the locals.

She preferred the summer visitors.

Sorry, son, I can only turn the lights on from here... well?

It's hard to enjoy your work when you're surrounded by scrap.

Can you imagine the winter here?

Fancy some mint cordial?

That's all I've got.

With pleasure.

Sometimes, I wonder what I'm doing in this garage.

It's too big for me.

Albert left us.

Then my wife.

And now Yvonne.

Doesn't she visit you?

Not often. Now she thinks she's Martine Carol.

She will be the new Martine Carol.

Don't be silly.

She's too lazy.

Yvonne always wanted to live above her means.

That's dangerous.

Very dangerous.

She's very provincial.

Well, why worry, son?

I'm fine here, no one bothers me, and there's the smell.

Here she comes.

Don't tell her what I said, it's between us.

- Of course. - Are you there?

Why did you do it?

Look, we'll be happy there.

Life will be different.

- But we're happy here. - Naturally, but not so much.

You know André Maurois, the writer you admire so?

Well, he left France for America in 1940.

So you see...

Fine. Let's go, since that's what you want.

But get some rest now.

Brooklyn... General Transatlantic...

Zukor... Goldwyn...

Warner Bros... Bella Darvi...

Try to get some sleep.

Charlie Chaplin...

Hello? Good evening. Has Miss Jacquet left the hotel, please?

Did she say where?

Right, thank you.

- Looking for someone, Mr Chmara? - Miss Yvonne Jacquet.

She's just left with Mr Hendrickx.

Hendrickx?

Well, in the company of Mr Hendrickx.

Will you have a drink?

Come on!

It's the Night of A Thousand Eyes.

I have a train to catch... six minutes past midnight.

I'll give you a lift to the station.

You're lucky to be leaving.

I'm suffocating, Chmara, I'm suffocating.

Did Miss Jacquet really leave with Hendrickx?

Of course! Why?

Look, Chmara, I'm a few years older than you, so listen to me.

You have your life ahead of you.

Be brave.

Good old Pulli!

I can't wait to see his face when he sees us!

Damn, I lost my cap in the fight.

It really isn't my lucky day.

Everything's "going to pot", as they say nowadays.

Will you be staying a while?

No, I doubt it.

Naturally. What's the point?

What did you come for, anyway?

Don't try, you don't know yourself.

Does she write to you?

Yes, I got two or three letters.

I can't remember where from. Then silence, no address,

nothing.

I did tell you never to let her out of your sight.

But I never did.

Then you were looking too hard.

You know...

Yvonne could only ever live for the moment.

Maybe that's what you didn't get.

Here, get out and stand there and I'll show you something

which you've never seen and you'll never see again!

SUBTITLES: RED BEE MEDIA FRANCE