Original subtitles

Ad Vitam Films and Social Animals present

A tale written and directed by Alice Rohrwacher and JR

Based on "CHIROPTERA" by JR, Damien Jalet and Thomas Bangalter

AN URBAN ALLEGORY

Head east and prepare to turn from the right lane.

Keep left.

Continue keeping left.

The story of the cave and the child started like this,

one winter morning, when he had a fever.

Turn around and continue...

Where's this thing sending me?

Continue the itinerary.

Continue toward the northwest.

Come, Jay.

No, the nanny's not available.

No, school called. He has a fever. I'm taking him with me.

You already left?

You could've told me.

Whatever. Drive safely, happy birthday, have fun.

- Mommy, can we slow down? - Sweetie, we're already super late.

The medicine will kick in soon. You'll see.

Can't Daddy come get me?

Has Daddy already left?

Mommy?

- When can I give him his present? - Not now, sweetie!

Wait here, Jay. Just a sec.

Excuse me, sir? Where's the theater?

The theater?

Isn't there a theater around here?

- Don't you have GPS? - Ok, thanks.

Come on.

Hey, easy!

Jeez!

I'm so sorry, sweetie!

- You'll make a prettier one. - It was already very pretty.

Yes, I know. That's true.

Let's say goodbye and put it in the trash?

No, don't cry! Please, don't cry.

Give it a kiss goodbye.

- Hey! There's a line! - Sorry, it's an emergency. I swear.

- So rude! - Sorry, excuse us.

Who the hell asked them to wear tutus?

This is ridiculous!

Were you asked to wear one?

They're all wearing one!

No, I can't. It's a contemporary piece. It's not "Swan Lake"!

- Excuse me. - Hold on. What?

Sorry, I'm late. Can I sign up here?

Sign-ups are over. Sorry.

Yes. I need to know who...

Sir, please hear me out.

The school called, my son has a fever.

Nanny's booked, daddy's on vacation.

- You should've come earlier. - I couldn't.

Not my problem.

What do I tell the director? Fix it.

- Please! - I'll call you back.

You can't leave us like this. Please.

Cover your mouth, please.

Thank you.

See? Poor thing.

Please let me speak with him. I just need a second. I promise.

Ok.

Cover his face and make it quick.

At least you're not wearing a tutu.

There he is.

Stéphane, that tutu!

What are those handprints?

They're all symmetrical, like children's drawings.

Excuse me.

Keep your eyes closed, please.

- Yes? - He's listening.

I apologize, I'm very late.

I had a family situation.

I need this audition.

- Is that better? - Thank you.

- It's very important. - Important?

- What's important? - Dancing.

Know what it talks about?

There is no talking. It's a ballet.

Plato.

The allegory of the cave.

Do you know it?

You can't answer.

I see.

From birth we are chained, all of us,

inside a cave.

And our heads

can't move.

We can't look away.

We can only look straight ahead.

And straight ahead

is the wall at the back of the cave.

On that wall, we see shadows.

And those shadows

are more powerful than our eyes.

Do you know

what happens to those who try to flee the cave?

No, I'm sorry, but...

Excuse me!

- Are there enough handprints? - More than enough...

- What's he doing here? - Careful, he's sick.

No, it's just a slight fever. Nothing serious.

And no one can babysit.

The dad's away, the grandparents live in the South...

Kiddo, do you know what happens to those who try to flee the cave?

Come here.

Over here.

Careful, he may have a virus!

I'll tell you.

Listen.

- Does she get a number? - Yes, thank you.

Thank you.

Thought is like a rolling stone:

Once pushed down the slope, it can no longer stop.

The allegory of the cave

says that images of reality are an illusion.

But the people in chains don't realize it.

Their eyes are devoured by images.

The allegory asks a question:

What would happen if one of the prisoners

were able to free himself from his chains,

turn around

and see the cave's exit?

Ok, girls! You're on now.

Chop chop!

The fugitive has left the cave.

At first, he sees nothing.

His eyes aren't used to the light.

Little by little,

his eyes adjust.

He sees that all the images he saw before

were only shadows.

POST NO BILLS

Unbelievable!

He marvels at the discovery.

But, unfortunately, he is alone.

What can he do?

You can't free yourself alone.

He would like to go back inside the cave

to tell the other prisoners what he's discovered,

free them all

and organize a revolution,

a party!

But...

But would they believe him?

You're not going! Wait!

I'm filing a complaint at the police station!

Paws off my project!

No, they wouldn't believe him.

They would call him crazy.

They would mock him

for having eyes that see what's not there.

According to the allegory, it's an unavoidable future.

Jay!

Jay!

Sweetheart, I was so scared!

- You ok? - Yes.

Look!

What if the others believed him?

What if they all broke their chains together

and turned toward the cave's exit?

Maybe it's not enough to say that images are illusions,

since the chains are real.

AN URBAN ALLEGORY

Subtitles by Mariette Kelley & Cynthia Schoch