Original subtitles

Xavier!

Don't do it!

Let's get the party started.

Get off!

Hands up, bastards!

A FRENCH TOWN

The Trial

He could've blown everything up.

We owe that young militiaman a big favor.

He did that to save himself.

I'm surprised you're here. You're no longer chief.

You're nothing.

I asked my friend Anselme to come.

His experience will be very useful.

We have serious matters to solve.

Indeed.

Starting with those damn militiamen.

No transfer to Besançon.

I gave them my word.

You shouldn't have.

My guys won't let them go out of the school.

I mean, alive.

Did your guys sabotage my trucks?

No comments.

Are you threatening the Prefect?

I want them dead. All the partisans in Villeneuve are with me.

- I agree. - I don't.

And I'm a partisan.

You're outside the law.

If justice is outside the law, then fuck the law!

Gentlemen, please. Let's sort this out together.

Are the trucks ready?

Not yet.

Well...

If we can't transfer them, we're going to need a plan B.

Like what?

A court-martial. It's the only way.

He wants to mix us up.

Wait.

With a right to sentence to death?

Of course.

You promised them a fair trial.

The context has changed.

You'll preside the court, I suppose.

I'm a prefect. I can't do that.

However, I will designate the three judges.

I think you should preside that court-martial.

When will it take place?

As soon as possible. Today.

The time has come to assume responsibility, Anselme.

You want to judge? Go ahead. Judge.

You'll see it's not that easy.

Alright. I'm in.

Who's going to be the prosecutor?

Does the CDL have a suggestion to make?

I will do it. The case is pretty clear.

Alright then, you're the prosecutor.

I do more than consulting you.

The other two judges...

I will designate the judges.

Antoine, you seem indispensable.

Me?

He's too young to be a judge.

I think he's rightful.

- I accept. - Good.

We need a woman.

The General wants women to be an actual part of the Résistance.

A woman?

Marie's not here anymore, so...

- There's Suzanne Richard. - Who?

Who is she?

The first woman partisan in Villeneuve.

November,1940.

- I wasn't here. - Ah, yes.

Unless you order otherwise, the hearing will take place at 4 PM.

Next case? We won't spend all day on the Milice.

I have a list of collaborators.

Please...

That's not how we're going to rebuild France.

It is our priority, though.

No. Food provision, health and accommodation are.

- We'll take care of that. - "We"?

We... the CDL.

Perfect, then.

You'll be in charge of food provision.

Wait.

Set up a committee room at the school.

And get some help.

There's a party.

- A party? - Tonight.

Posters have been stuck. Three cyclists are covering the town.

Now we need music.

Beautiful, isn't it?

Yes, beautiful.

They screwed us all.

And that's your fault, asshole.

Dope.

You, sissy!

That's enough, Xavier!

You would've let me, right?

At the time, maybe.

But what would've been the use?

Because now we're useful.

We're like fish on a market.

Still not dead, but...

Do we stand a chance?

You, maybe.

Stop it, will you!

It's over for me.

In your case...

I don't know.

A court-martial here...

There's no room for mistakes.

The youngest ones, those who didn't kill, yes.

Those ones stand a chance.

- You think there'll be a lawyer? - Certainly.

But I don't know if it'll be useful.

When we used to judge the partisans, their lawyers...

Remember the trial

in Moissey, in February?

They realized the benches were actually their coffins!

One of them pissed his pants.

We had such a great time.

When we sang L'Internationale,

they couldn't believe it.

I had learned the lyrics overnight.

Stand up, damned of the Earth

Stand up, prisoners of starvation

Reason thunders in its volcano

This is the eruption of the end

The good times.

Are you afraid to die, sir?

Well...

I'd like to live a bit longer, like everybody.

But you know.

The wheel of fortune has spun.

And I accept that.

I still can't believe it.

I can't believe there's nothing else for me.

You will be saved, idiot.

Shut up!

I've killed people, Xavier.

I will be the first to be executed!

Unlike you.

You think you're the big bad wolf but you never killed anyone.

I have a few hours left to live.

So, can you spare me your bullshit?

I'd like to confess, sir.

We'll ask for a priest.

They'll grant us that.

You think the Bolsheviks will agree?

Bériot is a Gaullist.

He'll find us a priest.

Sir.

How is it possible that God...

Why isn't God on our side?

Why do you say that?

Well, we lost.

Maybe it's a trial sent by God.

What are you doing?

He tried to blow everyone up. He'll be judged separately.

By a military court.

A court just for me!

Am I lucky.

- Right. - Shut up!

This is the final struggle

Let us group together, and tomorrow

The Internationale

Will be the human race

This is the final struggle

Let us group together, and tomorrow

The Internationale...

Here you are!

You made me a judge?

No.

Really?

De Kervern convinced you that a woman belongs in the kitchen?

- You don't like cooking? - I love cooking.

I used to make an amazing mutton stew when there was food.

- I'll make you some. - You make me hungry.

Surprise!

- Chocolate? - Yes.

An American officer gave it to me.

His name is Jimmy.

He asked me out. I told him I was taken.

You are, actually.

We have to keep an eye on the militiamen.

Really?

I wanted to settle the score with Christine.

You know, she did turn us in.

She must be somewhere else now.

She probably made something up

before being arrested.

We need to post a wanted notice. She won't have her way.

Shall we go?

Antoine.

Isn't it weird to be a judge?

It is.

You and I are the majority. We can do whatever we want.

If we agree.

Death for those who killed and prison for the rest?

I don't know.

We shouldn't talk before the hearing.

That's true.

Do we really have to go?

They're waiting for us.

I should've stayed with Jimmy.

We have our whole life ahead.

No. Life is short, you know.

Come on...

Are those all the lanterns you have?

That's all we could find, Mr. Principal... I mean, Mr. Prefect.

I still am the Principal, you know.

- At least, for now. - Good.

What about the music?

Father André's coming with his accordion and his sister.

What does she do?

- She sings. - Is she good?

She has won several awards.

And she's a partisan. She was at Notre-Dame.

The perfect singer!

We need a decree for gasoline,

house requisitions and police powers.

Only authorized vehicles will get gas.

- Can you make a list? - Here it is.

Very well.

Put Edmond on the list or he will go yellow.

He'll go crazy!

- He doesn't have a car. - Exactly.

It costs us nothing.

System B.

For the requisitions, make a list of collaborators:

that will make us dozens of vacancies.

There are also the deported Jews.

Many of them have nice apartments.

They will come back.

That's what I hope.

Of course, but not just yet.

The camps are to the East. Germany, Poland...

It will take months.

And we need to find a solution

for the days to come.

I can't do that, no.

Get the collaborators' houses. Lift those lanterns!

The threads are too short, Mr. Princip...

Mr. Bériot.

Well, sort it out!

What about the police?

The stations are empty.

The FFI and the FTP walk around claiming they have power.

I've even heard about patriotic groups

arresting alleged collaborators.

We have to rely on the CDL, for now.

Unfortunately.

Write Edmond a letter.

We need a dozen guys wearing GPRF armbands,

and I mean GPRF, not FFI, CDL or God knows what.

- You called me? - Yes.

- Who's sick? - No one.

That's not why I called you.

Thank you, Hector.

Don't forget to invite the American officer to the party.

I already called him. He's coming.

He was my assistant in Algiers.

I'm tired. What can I do for you?

Do you know that...

a group of militiamen will be judged?

That's what I heard, yes.

The judges and prosecutor have been designated.

And?

The militiamen need a lawyer.

- You can't be serious. - You're my only choice.

You can do a good job.

I'm not a lawyer and I hate the Milice!

Why me?

Larcher...

We're on the brink of lynching at this point.

I had to set up that court,

but I want a real, fair, democratic trial.

You're a humanist.

We've all seen you care for the good of all.

I wanted to limit the damage. Can I be left alone now?

You supported Vichy and then you stepped back.

I don't want to defend or attack anyone anymore.

Don't you understand?

Help me restore a rule of law in Villeneuve.

I don't like the Milice but they have a right of defense.

- Half of them are innocent. - I do not care!

Let them die the death, as people say now,

Am I being clear now?

I thought you were generous.

War can change a man, Bériot.

You used to be a shy principal.

Now you're a prefect who seizes homes.

Who are you now?

A lonely, tired man. Excuse me.

Lonely? Do you Hortense has been arrested?

- When? - She was with Muller.

I don't know where he is. She'll be transferred here.

- Are you offering me a deal? - "A deal"?

You'll let Hortense go if I take part in that...

parody of justice!

Not at all. I can't guarantee that Hortense will be set free.

She will be judged.

What about Lucienne?

I beg your pardon?

She's hiding a German officer in one of your rooms, upstairs.

- Will she be judged, too? - Be quiet!

Why would Hortense be more guilty than Lucienne?

Because Muller is a senior officer?

Let me tell you something.

I can help Hortense, she can get a soft punishment.

In exchange for that, I want you to defend a group of people,

and our newfound democracy.

You'll be able to defend your own choices in front of the locals.

So... you've seen Kurt.

He was just a injured man like any other.

- Will he live? - It'd be better if he didn't.

I told that to your wife but she wouldn't listen.

Larcher, I need an answer regarding the trial.

Hortense will only receive a soft punishment?

National unworthiness, at worst. I guarantee you that.

She has clean hands.

If you don't keep your word, Bériot,

I swear everyone in Villeneuve

will know about your refugee.

You have my word.

You have little time to get prepared.

You should go see them.

I need food for my son.

I'm sure you do.

Can you help me?

No.

Aren't you in charge of the provisions?

Come back tomorrow or in two days.

- My son is hungry now. - We have nothing.

Aren't you supposed to give us food?

- Are you a resident? - No.

I'm Jewish, Belgian,

I came to France, I was arrested by the Germans

and I escaped death in Seurre.

I'm very sorry to hear that.

However, we're only taking care of Villeneuve residents.

Would you give me food if I was a resident?

No, but...

I would give you a form for you to fill in.

Do we have the forms?

One of my comrades is making them.

We have membership forms.

There might be...

a way to help you find food provisions.

What do you think of the Communist Party?

- Nothing in particular. - Many members are Jewish.

But are there any farmers?

If you join us, you could appeal to our solidarity.

Concretely,

does any of your comrades have cows or goats?

You have a very negative outlook.

Give me some milk and I'll sign right in.

You're too down-to-earth to join our ranks.

My darling.

I'll found you something to eat. I promise.

I don't understand.

Don't worry. It'll happen naturally. Just don't think about it.

- You're not mad at me? - No.

We have our whole life ahead.

- You said life was short. - Not that short!

Wait till we have more time. You don't have to worry.

What took you so long?

- We had a summit meeting? - Summit?

Yes, well. Almost.

I need to pee. I'm not the only one.

You can't go out.

We can't let them wet themselves.

Why not? They deserve it.

- Mud to mud. - No.

It's undignifying.

And we'll have to put up with the smell.

Stay here. I'll take them to the restrooms.

- They're militiamen! - They're human beings!

They're dangerous.

I'll go with them one at a time.

You stay here with Suzanne.

Come here!

You're probably enjoying this.

No.

I think about the time we had a fight in the woods

because I was leaving.

Life can be a mystery.

- You're not here by chance. - Almost.

You killed two children by accident?

I was at the farm.

I saw everything.

Then you saw I didn't want to do it!

When I went through that little girl's room,

I saw you in the closet. I said nothing.

Look, I will be judging you today. I can't talk.

I saved your life that day.

Yours, that of your girlfriend and those who were hiding you.

The restrooms are there. Make it quick.

Alban!

Alban!

What are you doing here? Go to grandma's!

Your life's in danger. I can't leave you.

There's nothing you can do for me.

I can help you.

- I'll find a lawyer. - Focus on yourself!

No one can find out you're related to me.

What are you doing? You're taking too long!

Can you give me a minute, please?

I have better things to do.

I'll be right out.

Grandma is willing to pay you a lawyer.

- The best. - My lawyer is Larcher.

I'm not defendable, anyway.

Don't say that. It's not true.

It is true!

You made mistakes,

but we all do. All you have to do is...

I killed two children, Geneviève.

Brother and sister.

They were 7 and 9.

I shot them down.

With my handgun.

That's not possible.

The girl had taken her brother in her arms.

She stared at me till the end.

When I close my eyes...

I can see her.

That's not true.

You're lying!

You're saying that because...

Tell Grandma I said thank you.

And...

Forget me.

Lucienne!

Lucienne!

It's Jules. I'd like to talk to you.

No, I want to talk to you!

Lucienne!

Hello, Kurt. Do you recognize me?

Does it hurt?

Is this what you want?

Pencil.

Don't be.

I'm the one who's sorry to see you like that,

now that the war is over.

At least in this area.

"Please, help me...

"die"?

You know I can't do that.

What are you doing here?

I was looking for you.

- This is my house too. - Our house.

Your house and my house.

May I talk to you in private?

Now?

I'm in a hurry. I have a lot of things to do.

Have a rest.

I'll be back in a minute.

He was doing better but now he looks tired. He needs to rest.

You can do whatever you want with Kurt.

Really?

The thing is, Larcher knows about him.

Who else knows?

No one.

Do what you want, but I won't let you ruin my career.

I won't, Jules.

I want to be mayor of Villeneuve.

It's important for me and for Villeneuve.

- You'll be a good mayor. - Thank you.

But this can't go on and on. Do you understand?

Kurt will leave as soon as he gets better.

What about you?

I don't want to talk about it.

Would you help me organize this party?

Of course.

Then go find the Christmas wreaths and get me more chairs.

If you need me, I'll be at the party room.

Next, please!

I can't believe you're here.

Do you remember me? I'm Ézéchiel Cohn.

We were together at this school in July, 1942.

You were with your mom.

Ah, yes. I remember.

Your wife...

Sorry. I didn't mean to.

- What's your name? - Sophie.

What is his name?

David.

Where is his father?

That's not the way, Sophie.

What is the way, then?

You've been hiding in Villeneuve all this time?

No.

We got here by accident.

Where are you going to go now?

I don't know.

- You do have family, don't you? - No.

No family, no friends, no past.

No future either, I guess.

How can you say that? You have him.

I can't even find him something to eat.

I can help you, if you want.

Thank you, but no.

No strings attached.

There are always strings attached.

Miracles exist, you know.

Take me, for instance.

After escaping from here in 42,

Sophie and I were arrested

the next day in the Villeneuve suburbs.

We were taken to the police station. There was Marchetti,

the chief of the local police.

He wasn't a softy.

He directed the arrest of the Jews in 42.

People call him "the Butcher".

We had pretty scummy papers.

He said he knew who I was.

I thought it was the end.

He'd put us in the school along with the others.

Well, he didn't!

He talked about God.

And he let us go.

He even gave me advice on how to go to Switzerland.

Ever since that day, I wonder... why he did that.

I tell myself it was a miracle.

I don't believe in miracles.

I do. Otherwise, we wouldn't be here.

There must be a meaning in all this.

A meaning?

I think God watches over us.

It's worse than I thought.

You don't believe in God?

I would if milk fell down the sky.

There's a guy selling food at the back of the school.

I don't know if he has milk. You'll need money, of course.

Thanks for the information.

I wish you and Sophie the best of luck.

Good luck to you too, Rita.

- That's your name, right? Rita? - Yes.

That's my name.

Yes. This looks very good.

That's it. They put it.

In any case, I think we should put something here...

We'll put the glasses here,

so as to clear off this space and have room to dance.

Father André, a musician friend,

and his sister Mathilde.

Jules Bériot. Nice to meet you, madam.

You're the one who's going to make us dance on this historic day?

- Thank you. - It's my pleasure.

What are you going to sing?

Some pre-war melodies, waltzes, javas, and...

the most important song, of course.

That was... I can't seem to find the words.

Thank you.

It really feels like...

Liberation.

Mathilde is very much in demand throughout the country.

People fight over her!

This is dreadful. Get rid of her.

Madam,

I hear you've done a lot for the Résistance?

I was in charge of the Notre-Dame network.

I had 30 women under my command.

I'm afraid you can't sing tonight.

We have orders:

no important partisans on stage.

The risk of attack is too high.

In Moissey, a network chief was eaten up by Milice dogs

in the middle of his conference.

A massacre.

I hear the only thing they left...

was the right tibia.

Oh my God!

The right tibia?

I'm so sorry, madam. I was having a great time!

Well, yes. Me too.

Maybe next year?

- When the risk is gone. - Alright.

You're my hero.

- We still have no music. - No Mathilde. That's a good thing.

I need you to find me a telephone line that works.

I must talk to the Commissioner.

He doesn't know we'll be judging those militiamen.

- Take this! - Traitors!

Let go of him!

Traitor.

Let him go!

Raoul, let Mr. Servier go.

He's a collaborator.

I signed an agreement with the chief of the CDL.

- To hell with it! - Please!

- Victor, his shoe. - Hang him!

- Shut up and judge him! - You deserve to die!

The president of the CDL grants him a fair, humane treatment.

I approve. Let him go.

- He's going to run away! - I would've run away before.

I assume what I did.

But I won't tolerate to be treated this way.

If I remember correctly, the Vichy police wasn't exactly nice.

That damn Marchetti killed my mother!

I have nothing to do with that.

I wouldn't be so sure.

Take him home now. No violence, please.

Give him food and leave him alone. He'll be judged.

- You promise? - I promise.

We need the CDL to give us policemen.

Edmond has no one for now.

They're all busy. Doing what?

He's just putting pressure on us before the trial.

I'm nervous.

Me too.

I shouldn't have accepted.

Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen.

Ask them to be quiet.

Silence, please!

Silence in the room!

Prefect Bériot is going to speak.

I thought politics and justice didn't mix.

That's what this says.

You are absolutely right.

I'm only speaking because the hearing has not yet started.

I would like to remind you how important

this trial is, as the first democratic act in Villeneuve.

Those men are accused of very serious crimes.

Three judges are here to sentence them.

We also have a prosecutor and a defense lawyer.

Larcher, traitor!

- He's a traitor! - Please!

I will ask you all to show some self-restraint.

I designated Mr. Larcher, who is worthy of his position.

You will have to respect the right of defense.

Today, France reasserts itself after four years of Occupation.

A hearing is about to start, and I must confess

I feel moved. This hearing is like a birth,

or rather a re-birth... The re-birth of democracy.

Now, in virtue of the separation of powers,

I will leave.

Long live the Republic. Long live France!

- Long live the Republic! - Bravo!

You'll be able to call in 20 minutes.

I hereby declare this hearing officially opened.

The prosecute will proceed to read the criminal charges.

Mr. Chairman.

Excuse me.

You haven't mentioned the vital records of the accused.

- The law requires it. - In a minute.

This is a special trial.

14 defendants,

all having committed the same crimes.

Horrible, unforgivable crimes.

Hang them!

Mr. Chairman!

It is your responsibility to call this court to order,

if you want us to believe it is a court.

Let's get this over with.

We all think the same way,

but in the meantime, be quiet.

Doctor.

He's not a doctor. He is.

Hey, guys! Are you deaf or what?

Shut the hell up. Otherwise, you'll have to leave.

Say something again

and I'll kick you out of this courtroom.

Is that clear?

It's not your turn to speak.

Only your lawyer can.

Go ahead.

There are 14 accused.

All of them have committed the same crime,

a blatant crime, as I will prove.

In order to save some time

and given that we don't have the means for a long trial,

I propose we judge these men as a group,

without going into detail about who did what.

That goes against the rule of individual assessment,

a base of French law.

That - to me - is double Dutch. Explain.

What a nice democracy you have.

You shut up!

I'm a man of the people, not a professional judge.

The people will talk. Get used to it!

Bravo!

What is that rule you were talking about?

Individual assessment of penalties.

A man must be judged for what he actually did

as an individual, with his own past and circumstances.

We can't judge in the same way a man like

Alain Blanchon, chief of the Milice,

and Victor Mardani, a newbie,

whose only crime was wearing a uniform.

What do you think?

He's right.

On the other hand, we can't spend days on this trial.

This kind of trial needs a certain preparation.

We don't have the means to feed them.

- We need a quick solution. - We can't judge them together.

We just can't.

We need to find a way to save time.

Let's not make this harder.

Silence, please!

You don't want to be kicked out.

Right.

We'll study the cases one by one.

However, we will only spend 15 minutes on each one.

This is outrageous!

Listen.

Here says that the Chairman will decide on the modalities.

Well, I'm deciding!

You're free to leave.

If you do, I will designate a new lawyer.

It's alright. Let's carry on.

Perfect, then.

It is 4:20 PM..

"Defendant Alain Blanchon,

"born on the 23rd of March, 1899".

Please, stand up.

Mr. Prosecutor.

Sir,

you've committed dozens of crimes.

I haven't.

You can't speak yet.

I'm talking to you.

Mr. Chairman!

Just get to the point already.

You have committed no crime?

"March 3, 1944,

"execution of six partisans.

"Their eyes were taken out.

"One of them was buried alive.

"May 2. Murder of Gilles Durand and his wife.

"They were found with their hands tied with iron cables.

"June 9.

"Six Jewish are executed on the roadside.

"The militiamen wrote

"'Delivery of kosher meat,'

"before abandoning the bodies.

"August 3, in Seurre. Martine Simon was raped, her head smashed".

I wasn't there.

So you were there for the others.

Two days ago,

the Vernets were brutally killed.

For all those horrible crimes,

it will be hard to prove to what extent you were involved.

Since the individual assessment has been brought up,

I will focus on your most recent crime,

which has devastated our community:

the hanging of 10 hostages,

including Marie Germain, chief of the local FFI.

I wasn't part of it. The Germans did it.

But you were there!

Indeed.

Don't deny it. Dozens of people saw you that day.

He's not denying it.

He's just saying he's not to blame

for an action that was decided by a German officer.

Then why was Mr. Blanchon on the spot?

Was that a coincidence?

Was he wandering?

No.

Come on, Mr. Blanchon, this court is listening?

Why did you and your men where on site

during the hanging?

My men were following my orders.

And you?

I was complying with SS Schneider's order.

We won't need those 15 minutes.

Mr. Blanchon has clearly acknowledged

the crime of collaborating with the enemy,

which is prosecuted by law.

The punishment is a death penalty,

which I demand without a doubt.

Kill him!

On behalf of the French people, I have finished.

Mr. Larcher?

Mr. Prosecutor...

if I understand correctly,

you think that complying with the orders of a German officer

deserves the death penalty.

Absolutely.

Read the article 75.

May I remind you that it was Marshall Pétain, head of State,

who, in Montoire,

in 1940, committed to collaborate with Germany,

and asked his men to follow him.

What's your point?

What I'm saying is...

every police officer...

every public servant...

every judge,

every mayor in France...

was asked to collaborate with the German officers.

They were forced.

Do they all deserve the death penalty?

I haven't said that.

With good reason.

The truth is, France will initiate the process,

when the waters calm down,

of judging the Collaboration and Marshall Pétain.

The Marshall betrayed our country!

That is your opinion.

No court has decided that yet,

which means you can't blame an officer for complying.

It's what an officer is supposed to do.

Right now, and without

a real investigation, it is impossible to determine

Mr. Blanchon's responsibility.

We can't blame him

since he was obeying the head of State.

That is why I ask the judges...

to decline jurisdiction

and to put off Mr. Blanchon's trial.

You have Dijon. No more than two minutes.

I need more time!

You'll be cut of after 2 minutes.

Come on!

You've already wasted 10 seconds.

Bériot?

- Commissioner Lanzac? - Speaking.

I'm so glad to hear you.

I'm a bit isolated here.

How are things going in Villeneuve?

It's a merry chaos.

No resources, people in need and no one to enforce the law.

- The usual! - Yes, if you will.

Do the Communists have power?

The chief of the CDL does.

Such is the situation in 2/3 of the departments.

Don't let them walk over you.

Just keep them busy.

- I'm managing quite well. - Perfect.

The purge?

We've just started.

I have 14 militiamen under arrest.

That's a nice bouquet!

In accordance with the law,

I created a court-martial which is in session right now.

A court-martial?

You don't have to worry. It's a pretty democratic court.

Forget about that!

I want those 14 militiamen executed within the next 24 hours.

You can't be...

I can't predict the verdict.

Bériot, in the occupied towns,

militiamen and German are still killing people.

We need to send them a message.

"Stop wiping out like that, or we'll do the same with you".

No go and tell your court what the verdict will be.

I want 14 death penalties and 14 executions immediately after,

as of tomorrow.

But the separation of powers...

Is nothing but theory.

You'll stay a prefect

only if you eliminate those 14 bastards.

It's an order, Bériot! Is that clear?

Subtitles: Eclair Media