"Shall we start?" "Quiet!" "One, two, three..." "There was a little man"" "Pirouette, alouette"" "There was a little man"" "Who had a funny little house"" "His house was of cardboard"" "Pirouette, alouette"" ""The stairs were paper-made..."" "A story can unfold like a dream" "You fall asleep, then awaken" "And yet you keep going" "You want to be caring," "Help your hero, take him by the hand" "But you just stand there doing nothing" "Life goes by and you've done nothing" "a film by Bertrand Taverier" "IT ALL BEGINS TODAY" "Phillipe Torreton" "Maria Pitarresi" "Nadia Kaci" "Screenplay by Dominique Sampiero" "Tiffany Tavernier Bertrand Tavernier" "Directed by Bertrand Tevernier" "The pretty string got all untied"" "The string broke up"" "And the nose flew up high"" "A jet airplane"" ""Pirouette, alouette" ""Caught the nose up in the sky..."" ""That's the end of my story" ""Pirouette, alouette" ""Ladies, gentlemen, give us a hand"" "I must weigh your baby" "I'm here to help you" "He's around." " Where?" "He's around." "Stop needling me!" "How long since you've fed him?" "He's not bawling." " He's too weak to!" "Why did you come?" "Damn the baby!" "Always change him, always feed him!" "I'm flat broke, so get off my ass!" "I'm calling an ambulance." " Whatever!" "Sit up straight, Guillaume" "Easy does it." "That's it" "Don't point at your shoe" ""Say:"Please, Daniel, tie my shoe" "Easy does it!" "Go on, say it." "Mind your own business" "Ask and I'll do it." "Ask me." "Let's hear your voice" "Go sit down" "Go play in your corner" "What's the matter?" "He hits the others" "Well, little guy?" "So, Kevin, nothing to say?" "How do you say it nicely?" "How do you ask nicely?" "I don't like doors" "Doors that open, doors that close" "Always the same void" "A void filled with cries, or absences" "A void that obstructs" "It's the girl you take in a doorway" "Someone leaving, someone coming back" "One day, you retrace your steps" "What keeps us here?" "Is it love?" "Childhood?" "Look at you!" "You'll catch cold!" "I don't believe it!" "He's still in his pyjamas!" "Every time I'm in a hurry!" "Can you watch Laetitia for me?" "I have a doctor's appointment and I'm late." "Be good" "Let's go play until Mommy comes" "Wash your hands, Laetitia" "Tuesday is couscous day" "Mr Lefebvre, she's here" "Your Mommy's here." "Wiped your hands, honey?" "Put this up" "It's cold out" "Bye, honey'" "What's the matter?" "Mrs Henry!" "Mrs Henry!" "Was she...?" "What else." "She reeked of alcohol" "Back inside" "If you can't manage, call me" "He's so filthy" "Shit" "The line's cut" "Okay..." "Now I'm stuck with two kids" "That's all I needed" "Call the police." "Are you kidding?" "A baby and a 5-year-old?" "Look, those are the regulations" "There'll be a report, which for her..." "I know." "Try Child Welfare Services" "Yes..." "Is the faucet still leaking?" "The kids first" "The faucet can wait" "OK." "The Services" "I think she was..." "And we're stuck here with..." "A girl of 5 and a baby on our hands" "Excuse me?" "But I told you!" "Daniel Lefebvre, the Lagrange School" "Take them to the police and..." "There must be a better way" "It's the Henry family." "H-E-N-R-Y" "I have nothing on file" "You may have a number." "A brother or..." "A grandmother's better than the police" "There's a professional privilege" "I can't give you any information" "Unbelievable!" "She hung up on me!" "I'm taking them home." "Enough's enough" "I'll take the responsibility" "Wake up, Laetitia..." "We're going home" "Are you awake?" "You did a nice horse" "Evening, Mr Lefebvre." " Evening" "Next time, I buy a bus" "You may have to" "It's the sixth time" "The lock, Mr Lefebvre." "Vacation time?" "No, school bus service." "You're collecting your pupils?" "It's clear, no?" "See you" "In this foul weather..." "Better not wait for next year." "How's your little brother?" " Good." "He's okay?" "Is he squirming?" " Yes" "A little?" ""A little mouse ran in the grass" ""I caught it by the tail" ""I showed it to the gentlemen" ""The gentlemen said" ""Dip it in some oil" ""Dip it in some water" ""lt'll come out a nice warm snail" ""What did she do" ""The little swallow" ""She snatched from us..."" "Is this it?" "Wait on the sidewalk" "You-hoo!" "We're home!" "Come, little man" "It's here" "The door's open!" "?" "No light?" " No." "You okay, Mommy?" "Leave us alone" "Excuse me, sir" "I'm the director of Lagrange School" "I brought Mrs Henry's kids home." "She's not well." "Where's her husband?" "In Belgium for a transport firm" "Damn" "The power?" " Been cut off for months." "They're not the only ones." "We take the kids in when it's cold." "I'll take them tonight" "That's all I can do" "That's nice of you." "Thanks." "I think of Mrs Henry's broken windows," "And the cold." "Years ago, my Dad crawled in the mine." "The slag heaps rose skyward... like inverted pits" "Only lunatics still climb them" "I know." "Cathy phoned" "Stop it!" "What's for dinner?" " Rabbit in prunes." "Cool." "Sounds good." "Pass me the garlic, please" "I've got a problem" "It's Rimbaud" "As I descended impassive rivers"" ""Guided by the haulers..."" "No."I no longer felt myself" ""guided by the haulers" ""Screaming Redskins made them targets"" ""nailing them naked..."" "No, another" ""I have my Gaelic ancestors" ""pale blue eyes" ""narrow minds, clumsiness in combat" ""My clothes are as barbaric as theirs." ""But I don't butter my hair..."" "I'll skip the rest." " Let's see" "I have to give my impressions." " So?" "It's totally dumb" "Butters his hair?" "That's his problem" ""I have my Gaelic ancestors..."" "Damn, my dinosaur gained 4 ounces!" "Our region's future lies in tourism." "We must create a new image, and put an end to Germinal" ""Nevermore tradition's chains"" "our opponents sang." "We shall act!" "We'll be modern, hospitable, European..." "Bathe our slag heaps in light" "No more protectionism!" "Let's submit to the law of the market." "Thanks to you, Mr Delaunay, we out a pediatric nurse and a psychologist." "Don't dramatize, eh?" "Do you know your national average?" "93 percent!" ""National average"?" "What's that mean?" "A meaningless, abstract figure" "One pediatric nurse for 250 newborn spells disaster here!" "45% of our budget goes to social services." "You call that abstract?" "You saved millions on family planning, but we at Child Welfare haven't seen a cent" "And the funds to fight delinquency?" "The workers we sent into the field?" "What about the bookmobile?" "It's a success, no?" "But the solution's not..." "I know." "You told me a hundred times:" ""Not the curing but the preventing"" "The situation's clear" "Family planning gets closed down, saving at the expense of the destitute." "Volunteers are left holding the bag." "And to create an illusion of progress... we invest:" "We build, cut ribbons and sing the national anthem" "Nadir, your Daddy's here" "Can I help her?" "Her boy's a bit wild." "Sure." "Nadir was fantastic today." "And don't skimp." "Use lots of cheese" "The pie you buy is too dry." "Lots of cream, cheese and pepper" "He hasn't brought a snack in a month" "We have rules." "Tomorrow, no snack, I'll send him home" "I'm sorry" "I wanted to see you." "Malaurie, honey." "She drank coffee again today" "She prefers coffee." "I told you 3 times:" "No coffee." "Audrey, honey." "No wonder she's wild." "She knows words like "hedgehog"" "She's making progress" "All day he looked at his new shoes" "You have very nice shoes" "I want to see Warren's parents." "He fights." "Especially with Margot." "Are you in love?" "Go with your grandmother." "I came for Laetitia." "I'm a neighbor" "You're taking her home" "Go see the director first" "Go see him. 'Bye, Laetitia" "Jeremy any better?" " No." "I'm fed up." "I'm sending him to a foster home" "He's 14." "He needs exercise" "He's a good-for-nothing" "Now, now" "Dress them up for class photo day" "I've come for her, they've sent me here" "You met my husband yesterday" "No problem." "Just sign her out" "A pretty scarf!" "It looks nice on you." "You're a real princess." "Can I talk to you?" "Mrs Henry's okay." " If not, call me" "Can I bring the baby for the photo?" "Sure." " Thanks." "You're in great shape!" " So it seems." "But we almost lost it." "Touch it for good luck" "Can I see you a minute, Mrs Bry?" "Payment's not obligatory, but you're two payments behind." "If all did like you how'd we get by?" "What do you think the money's for?" "If helps us pay for Christmas gifts," "Easter eggs, a few snacks." "I don't enjoy asking for money." "I'm not paying off my car with it" "30 francs a term, it's not much." "I finish my month on 30 francs!" "Today's the 23rd!" "Are you saying... the 4 of you live on 30f a week?" "We do!" "I buy milk and dry biscuits." "We soak them in the milk." "It keeps us going for a week." "I'll work something out." "Say, I had to calm Mrs Prevel down." "She says you pulled Julien's hair" "Now he comes to school crying." "She's being naive" "He's a monster." "It's draining." "I know how you feel." "But you really pulled his hair?" "He exhausted my patience" "There are always kids we can't stomach." "Let's admit:" "They're not all angels" "I didn't realize what I was doing." "It happens to all of us" "When it does, we should talk." "We're trained to suppress those feelings, to be ashamed of them" "So a problem child ends up a scapegoat." "Julien moved 4 times in 3 years" "Really?" "May we pass, Sophie?" " Please." "At training college, they said" "I'd be more like a social worker" "They tell you that now?" " Yes." "That's good!" "What else?" "Nothing." "They just say it" "Candy?" " Thanks." "Lice are a real problem" "And I can't give them Kwell shampoos" "It's considered a drug" "Anyway, it does no good." "The whole family's lice-ridden" "They live in filth." "Call the Services." "I did." "They said they'd do something" "We have to act." "Expel the child!" "Sure, it's in the regulations" "And why not kids with runny noses?" "You louse!" "Why bother with these meetings?" "The toilets are in a deplorable state." "And the wash-room faucet!" "And the gastroenteritis!" "And the heat is broken again." "I reported to the City and the board" "You fight a lot and obtain little" "We're fed up." "Let's draft a petition" "Send it to the mayor and the press" "I'm all for it." "I can help you draft it but officially, I know nothing." "If they find out, it won't help." "So what do you suggest?" "I'm for it, but there are... bigger problems, like overcrowding," "And with more problem families, the City can do nothing." "This should be a Priority District:" "25 to a class, additional resources" "It's up to the high-school principal... to request priority status" "It's not easy." "Then why won't she." "It gives a bad image." "So, do we do a petition?" " Sure." "But I warned you" "Let's wish Michele a happy birthday." "Hi, Juliette." " Hi, Daniel" "In City Hall they said you'd be here." "Do you know Mrs Henry?" "The wino?" "We have a fish special." " Fine." "Forget about the electric company." "Especially Mrs Etchabery." "A bitch." "The Dauby family: 2 kids, mid-winter" "Even the senator got involved." "No one cares." "Tried Child Welfare?" "They hung up on me." "Confidential!" "What's so confidential?" "Everybody knows they're in the shit." "I can put together a care package." "But the mother has to pick it up" "She'll never come." " Regulations." "They have to show their good will" "A sense of responsibility" "This could go on for years" "I'm sure the girl goes hungry" "The school meals?" " Too expensive." "Those kinds blow aid money on booze" ""Those" have a baby and a 5-year old." "So what can we do, now?" "I can't see to evreyone!" "OK, I'll apply for assistance" "But you have to wait a bit" "10 meals at 12 francs, that's 120f" "Say it's from the City" "Hands in the air!" "What hands!" "Covered in paint!" "Someone's here..." "I said no." "Especially if it's a rep" "It's not." "And Mrs Meriaux is here..." "Mrs Meriaux!" "Just looking" "Sure." "You'll see her at 4:20" "All right already, I'm going..." "Next time I'll really lose my temper" "Goodbye, Mrs Meriaux!" "Mrs Duhem" "I heard about the Henry family." "I wasn't in" "Never mind that." "It's absurd that a... case worker won't give me information, and hangs up when I'm stuck with a kid." "We're snowed under!" "This isn't the first time" "It's hell to get you here!" "I report cases, you do nothing" "Like the 4-year-Olds' Checkup!" "It's always put off" "No doctors, no nurses..." "It's intolerable!" "Enforce the law, dammit!" "We're doing our best..." "We should be working together" "For children, nothing's confidential." "Until all the problems are ironed out you people won't set foot in here!" "Goodbye." "I'm sorry" "What're you looking at me for?" "Problem's settled" "If you say so." " I do." "They did the cross-tabulation table" "Bravo." "It's always a nightmare for me" "Too much noise in here!" "See you tomorrow, Mrs Delacourt." "You really flew off the handle." "If the Inspector hears we're in for it." "You did good, you'll get your stripes." "I know those inspectors." "They'll fix your wagon." "Did you see how Laetitia lives?" "She sleeps in her hat and mittens" "You see?" "20 years ago, I had 45 pupils" "We didn't complain. 45 pupils!" "We had discipline." "They came on time" "And they were clean" "Back then there was poverty too" "It's all changed now" "I have 30 pupils but I can't cope." "They arrive late, and they're filthy." "The parents are often in straits." "Few of them are working" "The kids don't know what working means" "Worse, they have only me to talk to." "Hope?" "Not tell myself they'll go to college." "I don't believe that now" "It's just to give them affection, because I'm attached to them" "That's the only hope I have left" "If you could see those kids... they're in a sorry state" "So small, so vulnerable" "The mothers don't tend to them." "As if they want to be rid of them." "They send their kids to school sick!" "They watch TV all day then they... stick the kids in front of the TV." "Even during dinner." "The result:" "We have to teach them everything." "Even to say hello" "And not only that..." "Some of them don't even know... that you can actually talk to people." "For them, words are for saying:" ""I'm hungry, I'm cold." "I'm thirsty"" "It's survival" "Did you hit her?" "Shit." "I forgot" "There's room for improvement" "Drinks, Dad." "Daniel raised hell again." "On the house?" " That's right." "A beer." "Go on, serve him a beer." "Hello, Laetitia." " Hi." "Your Mommy in?" " She's asleep." "This is for her." "And you, too." "Can I put this here?" "Did you get a look?" "It's nice to say something sometimes." "You can call me Daniel" "What is it?" " I want to sing." "The same?" "Who's winning?" " We are." "We have 8," "10 and 11" "We even have little Gregory... who came despite a foot operation" "First shot!" "It's not normal." "That's Mrs Bry." "I'll go talk to her." "Hello, Wendy." "You okay?" "Give me a little kiss?" "No kiss for me?" "This is Valeria" "What's your name?" " Sulky Wendy." "Even the birthday cookies." "The times I've requested a real lock!" "They even tore up the class photos." "Any idea who did it?" "Local kids." "No need to look far." "Took the VCR, the TV and my camcorder" "Bad luck" "So what did you come for?" "Run the usual fingerprint check" "I did it for you." "For the insurance" "No breaking and entering, no cash" "With the windows I smash," "I could cash in as a glazier" "There's no class today." "We have to clean up." "It's dangerous." "Glass all over" "Thieves?" " Yeah." "Bad thieves." "Can anyone give us a hand cleaning?" "You explained?" " Yes." "We'll manage." "Her Mom left her." "She didn't know." "You know her?" " I can take her." "Arne't you insured?" " Sure we are." "But right now we have nothing." "And it was my camcorder." "See you, honey." "We saved a piece for you." "Thanks." "You shouldn't have." "My husband" "Nice to meet you." "So you're a truck driver?" "I run material to working sites" "Come tell the kids about your job?" "I wouldn't know how" "Show them how a truck works" "Kids love that" "But it's not my truck." "I'll talk to your boss." "Should he bring his truck to school?" "We've come to help." "We're four." "I'm coming." " I'll get you a broom." "Did the City contact you?" "They want to see us?" "We'd rather manage on our own." "If I find 4 days of work." "I lose my benefits" "But that's for unemployment" "Unemployment, the City, all alike." "Always checking up on us" "It's not our fault we have no work." "They might take our kids away." "That's not why they contacted you." "So, they took your camcorder?" " Yes." "Come on, we need you!" "I have to go." "Don't worry." "The Henry notice." "is just for the care package?" "Let them know." "They're scared stiff." "They're right to be scared" "Okay, I won't keep you" "Making headway?" " Not much." "Gotta scrub." "That's a yogurt stain." "I'm taking the garbage out." "We'll never make it." "It's happened twice before." "It makes me sick" "I'm from Child Welfare." " What now?" "Wasn't I clear with Mrs Duhem?" " Listen." "You listen!" "I let you in only when you start tackling the real problems!" "I'm sorry." "Goodbye" "Someone's ringing." " I know." "Aren't you getting it?" " It's OK." "Still ringing." " May be the plumber." "Dammit..." "Slam the door in my face again and I'll keep ringing until 5!" "Yes, we hung up on you and it's wrong but that's no reason to play Rambo" "Especially with a broom." "And I think you could use some help." "Samia Damouni." "Pediatric nurse." "I started last month" "Can't control your pupils?" "Very funny" "Know how many we are here?" " No." "4 over 4,000 people including 300 problem families" "We need twice as many nurses." "We have one doctor for 5,000 children." "We do the checkup when we can" "That's illegal." " Sure, it's illegal!" "." "But nobody gives a damn!" "Including many of your colleagues." "We're no better." "Some of us lie low, and leave the dirty work to others." "So I have to wait 5 more years?" " No." "You made a stink." "You'll get it soon." "With bonus, like in a box of cereal." "The Inspector's summons." "This thing's got him wired." "As usual." " As usual." "But you know..." "This ruckus may help speed things up." "These drawings are wonderful." " Yes." "We did a show last year" "Lolita did that." "A bit wild" "You can tell from the colors" "Dylan." "That's Wendy... a bit sadder" "That's Clayton's" "Dylan, Wendy, Clayton..." "Texas." " "The Young and the Restless"" "Micauel dumps Pamela who meets Jack." "A registrar's nightmare." "But I shouldn't complain." "Mrs Lienart." "has twins:" "Starsky and Hutch" "I've had it with your bullshit!" "Thefts, smashed-up phones, slit tires!" "We get 50 calls a week!" "We don't even go 'cause it's always." "12-13 year old punks like you whose parents neglect them!" "What were you gonna do with the VCR and TV?" "Tell me!" "Every jobless family here has a TV!" "Look how filthy you are!" "Didn't you learn to wash?" "You mug old ladies and shoplift" "Now you sack a school!" "No limits!" "Deadbeats!" "Good for nothings!" "This time you're going to prison" "D'you have a toy truck?" " A tractor." "The crane comes forward, then opens" "It picks up things." "That's a crane?" "It's high!" "Here." "That's the hook" "What can you put in a truck?" "Straw!" " A car!" "It was a good idea" "I think they enjoyed it." "Goodbye!" "Lindsey, hold Brice's hand." "Can I talk to you?" " Of course." "Enough with your bullshit!" "Come out!" "Come out or I break the door in!" "I didn't do anything!" "I didn't go in!" "I wanted to play a prank." " A prank?" "You've got a pea for a brain!" "You don't give a damn!" "Just dinosaurs and stupid video games!" "Come out or I break the door in!" "But I didn't go in." "You've no right!" "You're not my father!" "Can I see you a minute?" "What're you doing here?" "You look awful..." "I feel awful" "I slapped Remi." "He was with the two kids who wrecked my school" "It can't be!" " The cops told me." "He says it was to play a prank on me." "He slipped them the key." "Some prank!" "I lost it and slapped him." "That's wrong." "Why didn't you call me?" "Why?" " I don't know." "Because I'm stupid." "Because I screw up." "Because your kid hates me." "Stop talking nonsense" "Is Remi alone?" "Yes, but he's OK." "I can't believe it!" "Don't worry." "Shall we go?" "Daniel, you lock up!" "Want to talk?" "Who do you hang out with?" "Those kids are thugs!" "Answr me, why d'you do it?" "You want to ruin our life?" "You get a kick out of hurting Daniel?" "You don't get it!" "They aren't my pals." "But at least their real Dads hit them." "I don't know mine." " Don't start." "You always pull that on me!" "Tell me about him." "What's his name?" "I have a right to know!" "Your father doesn't exist." "He's scum." "Then why did you fuck him?" "Your mother didn't "fuck"" "I was 17, young, I loved dancing." "I felt good in his arms." "It's not all." "I was born." "His son!" "You're not!" "You're nothing for him!" "He wanted me to get an abortion!" "That's the truth!" "When I said I wouldn't, he vanished" "I didn't try to see him again" "You really caused a stir" "Take kids home... see what it gets us?" "I'm knotting my tie." "Mrs Duhem's here" "You're handsome" "I called you at the Minister's request to revive the dialogue between you, school directors, and social services." "A difficult dialogue, to judge from incidents in this district." "I won't mention names" "To foster better coordination," "I'll ask the various social services to define their tasks." "It'll benefit us all." "He's dodging the issues." "Who will begin?" "I'm a case worker." "Karine Duhem." "I see to problem families in the field." "I often deal with serious problems:" "Hygiene, health, alcoholism, incest, domestic violence..." "The list is long" "The Inspector, whom I thank, pointed out that our difficult work is aggravated by certain teachers, who play the social worker" "I resent that last remark" "Hold on, Mr Lefebvre." "The social services have the floor." "This isn't a talk show." "Let them have their say." "Thank you." "Smoking here brings back memories." "Some coordination meeting!" "You shut up and listen to people who are acoountable to no one" "Sure, it's pointless" "Anyway, we're not social workers" "On the Gauss Curve, the middle counts." "They can still be saved." "The others are a lost cause." "We're no God." "We're underpaid as it is." "Your Gauss Curve is crap" "I have nothing but problem kids." "While society implodes, we gather... around the Leader to hear the Gospel." "What a waste of time!" "We're not an ambulance service!" "The hard cases take all our time" "So we throw half in the trash and see what we can do with the rest?" "The trash can's growing." "It'll blow up." "It's easy to blame others" "But I have a computer class, a school paper, class trip to Paris." "Methods that work." " Methods, eh?" "Remember Laurent?" "The strait jacket?" "Maybe you saved 10 with your Curve" "But what about Laurent?" "He may kill himself or someone else." "Lots of kids are on the edge... and no one talks to them." "They don't need a social worker but someone to listen to them." "To the man who's put up... with my girl for two years!" "He is truly..." "He is truly phenomenal..." "Remi, go to Daniel." "Be nice." "Make an effort." "It's my birthday" "Go talk to him!" " Leave me alone!" "You're not my buddy!" "The mines." "The rolling mills." "Closed" "Men show children the apple-tree road, the brick-warmed sky, the carp's round belly" "Water flows in the woods" "We pass as if the earth would make us stronger." "Humbler" "Snow fills out the bodices" "Crows dance with fairies." "There's Mormal and the hidden ponds" "Virgins buried under the chapel stones." "20 poplars stand at the village gates" "1st month he had a dr.'s certificate but it's only good for a week, not 3." "Joel is delicate." "32 pupils are hard enough." "So how do I fight for him?" "We understand." " Then why don't you." "bring him to school every day?" "It's not complicated!" "We stopped setting the alarm" "We're looking for work for years." "No work, nothing to get up for." "No need." "Then it's too late." "Excuse me." "It's for the milk." "In 5 minutes." "Yes." "I understand." "It's tough, eh?" "But if you give up, what can I do?" "I'll dismiss Joel from school." "You're doing him wrong." "You have no right to give up!" "Force yourselves to get up" "Take him to school" "Kindergarten isn't a passtime." "I teach the basics of reading-writing." "It's very important." "It'll help him in elementary school." "He won't fall behind." "Some days, it's just too much" "Your Joel is terrific." "Yes, almost." "Good, Cassandra." "You're good." "Did you see her?" "Go on, show me" "Now get back in line" "Who did it over there?" "You?" "Good." "You're the champ." "Almost." "Who'll make it?" "Basketball's harder, eh?" "Try it like this." "Go on" "Careful..." "Yes!" "Nice going, Maxim" "Did you see him?" "Mr Lefebvre" "In the toilets." "It's serious." "I'll watch the children." "Show Mr lefebvre your back." "Allison, Fabrice, go outside" "Sit on the bench." "Quietly." "What happened, Jimmy?" "Did you fall?" "No?" "Who hurt you?" " Nobody." "Nobody?" "You sure?" "Did you fight with someone?" "What do you think?" "I can't say." "Let me see your back again." "The bruises seem faint." "It's not enough for a report." "You must tell me if anyone hurts you." "No one has the right to hurt you." "No me, not Cathy, not Mommy or Daddy." "No one." "No one has the right to hurt you." "The title "Balloons in the Sky"" "On which photo?" "Yes." "Very good." "Where is it?" "Look at the word, Kelly." "What's this word?" " "Balloon"" "Now you, Nicolas" "Mom!" "Where is he?" " By the dovecot." "Hit him!" "He's choking!" "Do something!" "He's choking!" "He's going to die!" "Hit him!" "Yes, hit him." "That's it." "Coming?" " No, I'll wait here." "This way, he'll be back" "Call your brother?" " Yes." "Copy machines sell well now." "I sold 30 around Le Havre." "That's nice" "You should come work with me." "Your father's better." "You can go in." "No smoking, please." "Valeria!" "Turn that off!" "My Dad had a stroke!" "My Dad had a stroke." " I heard you." "He's in reanimation now" "Is that all you care?" "Yeah." "He screwed up your life." "He'd beat you unconscious" "And he always insulted me." "So?" "You expect me to cry?" "But he's still my father" "I'm thirsty." "Want some?" " No." "That's how she is, you know." "Yeah, I'll have some" "To your health, kiddo." "That's how she is." "Are you angry?" "I won't say that again" "Can I see what you wrote?" " No." "Your father comes home next week." "Did he say anything?" "He's too weak." "No one came to see him." "He hasn't talked to anyone in years." "You don't need an oxygen bottle." "just to go to the toilet." "This tastes like mud." "It's your father's coffee" "Miners's coffee, not teachers'" "Can you fix the living-room outlet?" "It's time to move out of here." "Dad won't leave the mining village." "His whole life is here." "Read Charlotte Delbo first" "She combs the snow like winter." "That falls about her breasts and face." "Love slipe through hair and fingers." "A multitute lying in blood." "She combs the snow." "The way is long through the fields" "She combs the snow, yes." "She prays, if praying is this." "newfound slowness, this surprise." "Gentle tears in hands and voice." "Gentleness of being nothing in the most serene seconds..." ""I drew a monstrous thing" ""It has a hump and a big opening." ""Antennas, braids and band-aids" ""It has one green eye" ""and three hairy feet" ""Couldn't face it, tried to erase it" ""But I couldn't chase it..."" "Very nice!" "Bon appetit, honey." "Goodbye, Daniel." "Bon appetit." "Hi." "I was in the sector." "Brought you the forms... for the checkup of the 4-year-olds." "May 5th." "How's that?" " I'm dreaming!" "And I've only been here 3 months." "A problem, Monique?" " A new rule:" "No school lunch without tickets." "The Mayor's in a meeting!" "You've deprived 2 kids of lunches!" "Do I take them to MacDo's?" "They need to eat!" "The Council voted." "It had no choice!" "It's costing us too much money" "It's only 20 francs." " Times hundreds." "Some owe 5 months." "We're feeding their kids for free!" "And hungry kids?" " Don't lecture me!" "I have a 34% unemployment rate" "It's bad." "I'd love a solution 25% of my budget is social 8 schools, no money, no jobs!" "I'm fighting for emergency funding!" "I wrote the Minister." " The kids?" "It's up to their parents" "Nice going..." "A Communist mayor!" " Forget it." "There are things I can and cannot do!" "It's all political now" ""I need a job, I need a flat..."" "If not, they vote far right" "I'm no magician" "Another cut line" "We'll contact the parents tonight" "Come eat before it's all gone" "The chips are good" "Eating it up?" "She'll get ketchup on her" "Nadia prefers her Mom's cake" "But Kevin ate three crepes" "Good." "He never eats at home" "He's had too many foster homes" "Spare me" "Mrs Henry!" "A problem." "No lunches without tickets" "They helped you last month." " True." "Some abuse it." "I don't mean you." "I'll manage." "My husband just got paid." "That's good." "Mrs Delacourt's pleased with Laetitia." "You wrote your whole name yesterday?" "That's very good, dear" "Watch your brother." "Can I speak with you?" "Got this paper." "I don't understand it." "Must be for the electricity." "No, the rent." "A garnishment notice." "To withhold part of your income." "6,644 fr for bailiff's fee!" "?" "They're gonna take money?" "Yes. 2,000fr, on the 3rd." "But I saw someone at City Hall!" "We haven't had power in 6 months!" "And the mini-meter?" " They want money." "Unbelievable..." "How will I manage?" "Where are the clouds?" "Let's see some big clouds." "Do your dance again" "I want to reach a new public, exhibit in factories, schools, where they don't know sculpture." "Listen to them, work with them." "Even if they say it stinks, at least there's an exchange." "You can chicken fowl on your diet?" "Am I the only union member here?" "It's useless." "I was, for 10 years." "They do help in certain domains." "For our pay raises, but otherwise... they're only interested in perks," "And we rank as qualified teachers" "I'm unionized just for that?" "No, to earn 1,000fr more a month." "What commitment!" "Should we sing The International?" "You remember it?" "To you" "How's the wine?" "The truth?" " Yes." "These three are fine." "OK." "Anaise Doise." "She worries me" "She has dizzy spells." "Even fell once." "Her sight and hearing seem normal." "Did you suggest a doctor?" "Yes." "They probably didn't go." "OK." "We'll make a note:" ""Must make appointment" ""with family doctor" ""to do scann."" " Very good." "Now, Estelle Dupuy." " Very bad shape." "When I call her, she doesn't respond" "And she talks like a baby." " True." "And the parents get annoyed:" ""Why not say our daughter's deaf!"" "Write in the file: "Audiogram..." ""See ENT specialist"" "I'll follow with the parents." "Your Mommies are coming." "Sit down." "The fabulous Jean-Baptiste!" "You were fine today. 'Bye, kiddo." "Shake." "We've won" "And the checkup isn't mandatory." "Only to get into first grade." "But with all the directives, they're confused." "You scared them and pushed it through" "The Henrys got a garnishment notice." "I don't believe it!" "I called twice!" "I spoke to the litigation services!" "Here's the school fund." "If it isn't Aurelie!" "No kiss now that you're in g-school?" "She had a straigh A report card." "You were right to insist." "She's shy, but she gets by," "But this one's another story." "Know what Remi's report card said?" ""Might pass in the year 2021"" "Not funny." "It's insulting." "He cried." "It won't motivate him." "Saw the teacher?" " Tried to. 4 times" "I don't get it." " It's gone!" "You give the parents time... in kindergarten, then nothing!" "That hurts the fish." "No." "No sensation in their mouths." "How'd you like a hook in your finger?" "Don't spoil my afternoon." "If you catch one, I'll cover my eyes." "Right." "Give us a kiss." "It's biting!" "Come quick!" "Stay calm." "I'm coming!" "Lower it." "I'll reel it in." "Take a deep breath..." "The net!" "Quick!" " Do it yourself, I can't look." "Come, come..." "Bring it in easy." "Come to Daddy..." "It's heavy!" "It tore the net." "It's a monster!" "And now what?" " We put it back." "I hope so." " Wanna watch?" "Congrats!" "Nice going." "Careful!" "Get in a line." "Back into class." "Cathy, get them back into class." "Two by two." "I won't need you in the classroom." "Continue the kangaroo cutouts" ""Kisses on the neck, lots and lots..."" "Aurelie raised her hand." "Who is it?" " The witch Krakasha." "Very good." "Get over there." "Let's listen to Aurelie." ""The witch Krakasha has a dust bag" ""It's full of nightmares, bugs," ""naughty words and disgust" ""I don't like the witch Krakasha"" "Now who's this?" " Pimpernilla." ""Pimpernilla, the queen caterpillar" ""Lays her cocoon to make a butterfly" ""Pimpereyes, the king of butterflies" ""Cut off his beard" ""Pimpereyes, the king of butterflies" ""Cut off his beard in one slice"" "The scissors sound was nice." "Now:" "How are things on earth?" "Things are just fine" "Are the puppies full of mirth?" " No!" "They're not, Nicolas?" " Yes." "So?" "Are the puppies full of mirth?" "They are." "Thank you." "And the clouds?" "They're rolling" "And the volcanos?" "They're blowing" "And the rivers?" "They're glowing" "No, flowing by." "And time?" "It's going by." "Very good." "I said it." " Good, Kelly." "And your soul?" "It's looking pallid." "Spring is green." " Ate too much salad!" "What do I do with it?" "You put water" "Water?" "Fill it up?" "To write?" " No." "No, for the salad..." "If I eat too much salad?" " Yes." "But I won't" "Follow the arrows." "Make the "r"" "The "r" in Brice" "That's very good, honey" "Yes, Clayton?" "Go on." "You may change colors." "Yes, Sylvia?" "What's going on here?" "Naturally, it's Aurelien" "Concentrate on your own work!" "My pen cap!" " Later." "Cutting things nicely?" "Your tore your paper, Lolita?" "See you later, children." "So I witnessed the use of gestures to find the words to a nursery rhyme." "A fine exercise in memory, motivity and the articulation of language." "You handle feedback perfectly and you capture your audience." "The children clearly enjoyed it." "But avoid moving among groups." "You get dispersed that way." "Read the study by Jocelyne Giassion." "The name's a mouthful..." "She argues how multitask learning can lead to scholastic failure." "What do I do with the other groups?" "Make them self-reliant:" "A basic tenet of modern pedagogy." "And another thing." "It's important." "Be diligent about recording each pedagogical aim" "School shapes knowledge, and it will help you prepare the evaluations." "A few more things" "Say "What is this?", not "It's what?"" "Ane be directive." "They overwhelm you" "I've come for your work as a director." "Your war with the social services, your buccaneering initiatives..." "Can't change a Maradona into a bishop." "Are you behind the petition?" "It was the school council." "You involve the parents too much." "We're told to." " Under my supervision." "Be a mediator, not an agitator." "Two parents just complained you wouldn't enroll their child." "I already have classes of 32!" "It's hard in this district" "Aren't you for class reduction to 25?" "Sure, but that's not the question" "I just don't want any more complaints" "Fine." "I'll think about your grade" "Who's this man?" " The big boss." "Laetitia, your Mommy's here" "She was waiting for you" "Heard anything about the electricity?" "Mr Lefebvre said he'd see to it." "I can't say" "He's in his office" "How did it go?" " Change the subject." "Not even a goodbye." "Opheline's sweater got lost again and her mother's all worked up." "I need that leave request form!" "I'll fill it out myself!" "I have no time now." "Go see Samia." "OK?" "Goodbye." "I haven't the time to see to it!" "I can do it." " Let's do it now." "Of the 8 inspectors I had, only one knew the turf and was close to us." "I'd gladly sent the others to a slum." "We don't work for them." "My only promotion'll be by seniority." "It's been that way for 12 years!" "The asshole won't raise my grade!" "I've 19.5 points but my mark's low" "Stop complaining." "What do you care about points?" "It's a stupid, childish system." "They grade you like kids 13 out of 20 means slow progres less money and you look incompetent." "To whom?" " To everybody!" "Colleagues, secretaries, pedagogical advisors!" "Then stay a petty clerk like the rest." "Tremble before your bosses, your Dad!" "Why take risks?" "Why dare live?" "Breathe?" "Argue?" "Why get married, for instance?" "Or give me a child?" "What time do I set the alarm for?" "No answer?" "Then 6:30, as usual." "Leave me alone." "We'll never make it, then" "Turn off the light, I want to sleep." "Lights off, a boy, lights on, a girl." "Sure you want a boy?" "Let's keep it on" "There was enough Phenobarbital to kill the kids in 5 minutes." "Did you hear?" "It's awful." "Coffee?" " Leave me alone, Mom." "Sugar?" "I feel like quitting." "You can love people, but not help them." "Sorry..." "But Mrs Henry drank!" "Never gave it up." "It's too easy to say that." "I didn't see it coming!" "I screwed up" "Even for the meter!" "I've 20 cases like hers!" " She's dead!" "There's a law, dammit!" "In '98, in France, they can't deprive people of heat and power in winter!" "They're clever." "They do it in the fall." "But the meter wasn't the cause." "You come home with your kids," "No light, you can't cook..." "It's been like that for 8 months!" "All winter, watching your kids freeze!" "Depression, drink, then one night!" "She had plenty of worries." "Rent, unemployment, complaints." "They wanted to take her kids away." "I'd have to see her 3 times a day!" "How could I?" "Answer me!" "How?" "Don't give in, Daniel." "Don't give in." "Come to dinner tonight?" "I can't." "Another time" "If only I'd answered the phone..." "But the children..." " What about them?" "She isn't here." "I took the kids in." "Speaking." "Take your time, Mrs Delacourt." "Right, have a good cry." "We all need to." "It's good for you." "Don't worry, we'll manage." "Is that Mrs Delacourt?" " Yes." "Can I talk to her?" "Gloria's in charge." "Take care." "Mrs Paquotte wants to talk to you." "Yes, I know." "Don't worry, I'll come by later." "We'll see about the dance." "The city's sending money for a bus for the field trip." "That's nice" ""In view of this tragedy," ""a member of each school is requested" ""at the funeral of Mrs Lucie Henry" ""and her children, Laetitia and Alexis" ""Please make all the necessary..."" "No one tried to help that woman!" "Now they give her a royal funeral!" "Not going would be worse" "It could help move things" "I'm not going!" " Don't do that." "No point in turning them against you." "You go." "I'm not stopping you." "You'll find the right words." "Next year you replace me." "I've had it." "I'm quitting." "He's right." "Whuddya say?" "Said nuttin'" "Whuddya do?" "Dun nuttin'" "Whuddya think?" "Thought nuttin'" "Why'd ya say nuttin', do nuttin', think nuttin'?" " I dun exist!" "Shall we call our pal?" "Shall we call him?" "Leave Mr lefebvre alone." "You can't go on like this." "Would Laetitia've liked to see this?" "Would she've wanted you to give up?" "And Opheline and Kevin and the others?" "I know what you have to do." "The dress I made for Marc's birthday?" "Green, with yellow-orange diamonds?" "It made you laugh." "We'll do the same with your school." "We'll use those colors in the yard." "The schoolyard's drab, all gray." "We'll splatter it with color" "And the children will help us" "It'll cost nothing." "We'll recycle." "Like used felt pens." "We soak the cartridges to extract the ink." "And in the playroom: 3 tons of sand." "3 tons of sand?" "!" " Yes." "We recreate an Arabian desert, put up Berber tents..." "Berber tents?" "From where?" "Old sheets." "The kids can paint them" "They learn to create beauty from nil" "Hold it tight." "Let's go." "You're spilling it, Nicolas." "Everyone pick a color" "Carrying a lot, Alexander." "Great." "Now back to Valeria." "The sugar bowl?" " What did he say?" "Dunno." "The sugar bowl." "Like it?" " Yeah." "It's neat." "Keep it." "It's a heirloom." "If he likes it, he can have it." "Don't give it all away." "At my age..." "Which reminds me" "I loved the Charles Juliet book." "It's his life?" "It's so movingly written." "I wept" "Here." "Read this." "Tell me if I should throw it out." "Don't get up." " Let him, Mom." "I'm glad you agreed to move, Dad." "For you." "A gift." " For me?" "For no reason?" " Yes." "Open it." "You're nuts!" "This costs a fortune!" "I sold a sculpture." "It's so you can keep writing" "Not with this!" " Sure, with this." "Anyway, your other pen leaked" "Thanks." " Like it?" " And how!" "What does my little hand do?" "It strokes..." "It hits..." "It pinches..." "It tickles..." "What does my hand do?" "It strokes..." "Cathy, come look." "Was he hit?" " He bled." "It's a bruise." "Silence!" "Continue with Cathy" "You have to explain this to me, Jimmy." "You're all red here." "Your head's all red and blue." "Did you fall out of bed?" "Did you bang your head?" "No?" "You sure?" "Who did this to you?" "Whisper it in my ear." "Just me." "Who?" " Uncle." "Good, son" "He wasn't punched." "He was thrown." "He has bruises all over his body" "Blue marks on his arms..." "Can you tell me what you told Daniel?" "It's very important." "Tell her what you told me." "Tell me." "It's very important." "Back to class." "On your own, big boy." "He's too wound up." "It'll take time." "But I'll file a report." "This "uncle" is his Mom's companion." "It won't be easy." "I know" "It's a rough year." "Last year incest cases, but this..." "You just saved a kid's life." "Shit..." "Was it you?" "I'm sure it was you." "Not even the balls to admit it!" "C'mon, say it to my face!" "Say I hit him!" "Let go!" "You sure it's me?" "Stop meddling with our lives!" "We'll call the cops!" "You're lucky she's here." "They took Jimmy away yesterday." "Gendarmes in a blue van." "Like thieves." "As if I was nothing." "A criminal." "Who'll get me my kid back?" "Who'll get him back to me?" "You've got nothing to be proud of" "One thing I'll never be:" "A social worker." "The creep slashed my tire!" "Not only a social worker." "Not a teacher, either." "This may not be the time or place, but I want to marry you." "It just came out" "There she comes!" "Hello, Mrs Delacourt!" "I can't kiss everybody." "You, yes." "I'll put on more weight" "Have some coffee" "Don't stand there." "Have a seat" "They promised a City employee 3.5 tons of sand!" "It's hard labor!" "Build your muscles!" " Do I need to?" "What d'you want to do?" "Mix them?" "OK." "We take the bottles:" "Green, yellow..." "No, leave those over there." "Take these." "What a surprise!" "We baked cakes." "You can sell them." "It'll make money for the school." "That's a great idea!" "And candy for the children." "Sophie, put these in the fridge." "I'll try one first" "Mrs Baudoin?" "I wanted to thank you for Estelle." "They found out she's deaf, left ear." "I'm sorry for everything I said to you." "You should thank Mr Lefebvre." "He got the checkup for the kids." "Mrs Dupuy would like to see you." "I wanted to thank you for Estelle." "Brice, Sylvia, come on, you're ready." "So, Nicolas." "Running off when you have to get dressed." "Are you really leaving us?" "You say things sometimes..." "No..." "Not a director like you!" "What's this costume?" "It's so she's part of the party." ""Some things can never be erased" ""They're in the flesh." "They speak" ""They're in the soil"" "You son wrote that." " Daniel?" ""It's in the soil" ""A pile of stones, placed one by one." ""The hands of our forebears" ""The total sum of their patience" ""built piles against the night" ""and hung moonlight from them" ""To stand upright" ""To invent mountains and go sledding" ""To feel we've reached the stars" ""We'll tell our children it was hard"" "A pile of stones, placed one by one" "The hands of our forebears." "The total sum of their patience built piles against the night and hung moonlight from them." "Stand upright." "Invent mountains." "To feel we've reached the stars." "We'll tell our children it was hard but our fathers were lords and this is their legacy:" "A pile of stones and the courage to lift them." ""IT ALL BEGINS TODAY""