"Morning, Adrienne." " Morning, Michel." "You're back early." "I was on holiday for 2 weeks, you know." "Is he out on the streets again?" "No, he's upstairs." "Bertrand, come down and set the table." "Oh, sweetheart..." "I'm warning you, I'm sick of you leaving your bike in the drive." "Next time, I'll crush it under the car." "Did you go to school looking like that?" "You could have tied your laces." " Is the boss back from holiday?" " Yes." "Did you bring auntie's medicine?" "Yes, it's in the glove-box." "Come on, sweetheart, time for bed." "Drink it." "A bit more." "That's enough now." "I'll check she's asleep and then I'm off to bed." "Next." "What is it this time, Ferrand?" "Yellow fever?" "Got your certificate?" "Honour us with your presence, Mr Ferrand, but don't be late." "I'm not late." "You're 3 years late." "A number of classical texts deal with this subject and its main themes." "As I was saying, we're dealing with romanticism and its main themes which are:" "solitude, ruins and the theme of water." "To illustrate the theme of water particularly, we'll study The Lake by Lamartine." "It's a classic that is often vilified but it's a reference." "I'll read you a few verses and then we'll analyse it." ""The Lake." ""Thus, borne towards new horizons" ""Carried off into an endless night" ""Never on the timeless oceans Can we stay, try as we might" ""O lake," ""The year has outrun its course And to your shores, sunlight-lit" ""Look" ""l return alone to sit On the stone where she did sit" ""You swept over the deep stones" ""And broke over their shattered bones"" "Today I want you to consider the problem of language which is at the root of all philosophical thought since the questions asked by Plato," "P.L.A.T.O., you may have heard of him, who lived a few hundred years before our Lord." "The issues raised by Plato can be found in modern linguistics and the work of Saussure," "S.A.U.S.S.U.R.E - 1857 to 1913, with, in particular, the famous differentiation not between content and form, but signifier and signified." "For example, take the word: "cretin"." "When you hear the word "cretin", its sound is the signifier." "The signified, you know a lot better." "It's the very idea of cretin and cretinism, something we find fairly frequently." "Ferrand, does this interest you?" "Give me an honest answer." "If I do, you'll throw me out." "Get out then!" "Let's get back to the subject." "I'm not sure that the signifier and signified are clearly different for you." "That's the very root of my work." "If you don't understand," "I'm afraid we won't be able to go any further." "1 00 francs exactly." "There." "Thank you." "Good-bye." "Didier, come and look at this." "This computer never works." "It does, look." "Then press "Enter"." "There you go." "Thanks." "She was fine." "She told me her cat was coughing." "So I asked to see the cat." "I took a look." "He was so cute." "I prescribed him some medicine." "Hi." "All right?" "I prescribed some medicine." "The old woman jumped for joy." "You need to get moving a bit too." "We'll give her 2 or 3 physiotherapy sessions each week." "It won't hurt you, okay, my dear?" "She needs them." "Her bones are stiffening up." "Don't worry, social security will pay for it." "All right, my beauty?" "I'm not too well either, doctor." "You do it on purpose!" "You slam that door on purpose!" "What's wrong with you?" "What the hell have I done?" "Just stop pissing me off!" "You slam the door at night." "You know she can't stand noise." "It's not my fault she's like that." "Understand?" "You're not eating again." "So?" "She's not hungry." "Get a move on, will you?" "And don't slouch." "Here you are at last." "It's been ages since we saw you." "You're not any fatter." "Doesn't your mum give you nowt to eat?" "Look at gramps." "He eats well." "That's why he's so hale and hearty, see?" "It's true you're no fatter." "Do you eat well?" "I'm going to kill the cockrel." "The old one?" "No, not the old one." "I'll let the old one live his run." "The young one." "I reckon he's ready for the pot." "I'll give you a rabbit." "Remember Vergriette's cat?" "Well, I got it." "The one eating the hens?" "He won't eat them no more." "Know how I got him?" "Right between the eyes." "Bang!" " If the other guy finds out..." " I buried it in the garden." "Do you still drink Coca Cola?" "Don't you fancy a Pernod?" "No, Coca Cola's fine." "I'll show you my rat-trap." "I've made a rat-trap." "It's easy to catch them." "I put bit of grain in it" "and the rats come running." "Put that there, dad." "Here, mum." " Did you forget the medicine?" " No, it's in there." "Goodnight, dad." "Here's a bit of pocket money, son." "Give your sister a kiss from me." "Goodnight." "You smoke too much." "But I can't stop you doing it." "How did it go?" "They're still the same." "She gave him a drink again." "They're really dumb." "Put that cigarette out." "Goodnight." "Hey, guys!" "Got them, lad?" "You bet, good and hot." "Chuck it down." "Hi, Nenesse." "Can I take her out?" "Go on, you're dying to." "Everything okay?" "Nenesse, can I move off?" "Well you're not early." " Surely he hasn't left?" " We'll use the garage." " Didn't you hear us?" " I was in..." " Ah." "...the bathroom." " Have a good lunch?" " Yes, very good." "What's that doing here?" "Didier..." "Could you look after the shop at lunchtimes?" "Yes, I see." " Sort it out with Adrienne." " No problem." "Afternoon, everyone." "I wanted to see you alone to tell you, and the guys agree with me, that we're sick" "of you working for us for nothing." "Even if you enjoy it." "So this is for you." "Tell your mother this time." "You're a decent guy." "We could aim higher and buy that other asshole's boat, for instance." "The asshole with the 10 kids?" " No, Lavernier's." " Is he selling it?" " He's retiring." " Already?" "His boat must cost a fortune." "None of your business." "We've put money aside, you know." "We don't spend a lot." "Would you keep yours?" "That's just it, Bertrand." "Someone will have to look after it." "You never go to school." "So stop pissing us off." "It would be great." "But at home..." "I know, but you're over 1 8." "They can't stop you." "Between you and me, that exam..." "You're not going to resit a fourth time." "FOR SALE" "There, sweetheart." "That's pretty." "Oh, you're here." "I didn't hear you come in." "You piss me off, you hear?" "You piss me off!" "What did I say wrong?" "Tell me what I said." "Have you seen what you look like?" "What did I say?" "Tell me!" "Tell me what I said." "I'm sick of you." "Really sick!" "I'll get you in the end, you hear?" "I'll get you." " You wanted to see me?" " We have to talk." "Fine, whenever you like." "No, seriously." "Take a seat." "No, sit down." "Right..." "It's not worth my saying all the usual stuff." "I like you, Michel." "You've been here 25 years." "But there's the shop, old man, and the customers." "You're sick." "You won't admit it but you're sick." "Just like the customers we get." "You're sick and you won't admit it." "If there's any trouble, I'll be the one to suffer." "I called the clinic." "They can start treatment on Monday." "I'm not sick." "Look, it's that or you lose your job." "It's simple enough." "Any shit's going to land on me." "It's my fault too." "I've waited too long." "But not any longer." "I'll call your wife." "As for you, you've had sufficient warning." "Surely you're not going to the meeting tonight?" "Fucking get lost!" "Stupid cow!" "What the fuck are you looking at?" "You think I'm an asshole." "You think I don't know you're never in school." "You're a useless fucker." "I'll put you in a private school." "You'll get fucked but you'll pass." "Where do you spend your afternoons?" "In bars?" " You can talk." " Yeah, I can." "You can talk when you get a job, shithead." "The bastard, I wish he'd have a car smash." "It's okay, she can have mine." "I can't stand it any more." "I can't stand him!" "I can't stand it!" "Don't cry." "So you're skipping classes now, are you?" "Haven't I got enough problems with your father?" "Don't worry." "The others do it too." "I don't do it often." "What do you do instead?" "You can tell me, you know." "I go fishing, at sea." "Who with?" "Fishermen." "Real fishermen." "They're friends of mine." "They even pay me." "I like it." "Why do you like it?" "Why?" "Because we have our habits, we make coffee on the boat, we fool around a bit..." "I take the boat out of the harbour." "It's always different." " What is?" " Everything." "The colours are." "The smells aren't the same." "And when we haul the nets in," "I always feel that we're going to bring up a body" "or a treasure chest." "It sounds as if you go a lot." "A little." "You'll never make your living." "They're always moaning but they all have Mercedes." "And Fredo's going to pay one and a half million for a boat." "I won't earn as much as you as a teacher, but I'll earn more than my father." "Pass your exams first and then we'll see." "What else did his boss tell you?" "I told you." "Nothing." "Was he angry?" "Not at all." "He was quite calm." "He said he has three kids and doesn't need another one." "He's scared dad will do something stupid." "We didn't see him drink." "He just fell." "Thank you." "Right, let's undo... his collar." "Calm down, it'll be okay." "Can you give her anything?" "Yes, get my bag from the car." "Let go, asshole!" "You bastard!" "I'll get you!" "I'll get you!" "Your boss is coming to sort all this out." "I can make coffee, if you like." "It's me, shithead." "I'm coming home but I don't want to see Mr Christian." "Understand?" "Where are you?" "You little shit!" "He must have gone around the front." "You should put your car in the garage." "If he sees it, he won't come in." "This is my home!" " Calm down, Michel." " Let me go!" " Let me go!" " Call the police!" "Call the police!" "For pity's sake, come straight away." "It's terrible." "He's mad." "Any kind of tragedy could happen." "He'll kill someone, his son or me." "I don't know." "Hurry!" "Let me go and I'll calm down." "Let me go." "I need to go to the toilet." " I'll piss in my pants." " I don't care." "Don't move." "Shit, he's out of it." "We need a doctor's certificate for an internment, and permission from the mayor or his assistants." "I'll take care of that." "In any case, we can't take him." "You'll have to call an ambulance." "Come on, I think he'll be happy to see you." "Sit here and I'll fetch him." "Why did you come?" "There's nothing to see here." "I've nothing to say to you." "Why is it so hot in here?" "The heating's stuck." "The windows are locked." "Is she mad?" "We're all in together, the sick and the healthy." " That's dumb." " Yes, it's dumb." "Do you watch TV?" "The aerial's broken but it works with a fork." "What else do you do?" "We play cards all the time." "We note the points on our sheets." "You use sheets for everything." "Eating, playing, wiping your ass." "I help in the pharmacy." "They're really busy." "The chemist's nice." "I knew him before." "And the treatment?" "I still have a week of severance to go." "What's that?" "A mixture of medicine and alcohol." "It's disgusting." "It makes you puke." "Do you need anything?" "Cigarettes." "And a padlock." "I have to go." "I didn't know visiting hours were so short." "No, don't kiss me, I stink." "We can't shave." "They confiscate razors." "Go now." "On Monday, he'll be in block B. It's better there." "Goobdye." "I don't like wine much but Sauternes is good." "What about me?" " How were my avocados?" " Faultless." "You're a real chef." "Avocados and Sauternes are a perfect mix." "Be careful with your sister." "If you get her too excited, I won't be able to get her to sleep." "Shall I light the fire?" "Yes, if you turn the music down a little." " We're going to finish it, huh?" " You bet we are." "Let's finish it." "You won't wake up tomorrow." "Okay, I'm going to bed." "Aren't you asleep yet?" "What are you watching?" "What if I hadn't woken you?" "I'm late." "Can I take the car?" "Yes, take it." "Drive carefully." "Don't go too fast." "Locked out of school?" "No, I was thinking..." "Your mother's house," "...have you rented it yet?" " No time." "Are you interested?" "Yes, I could move in while dad's away." "It'd be great." "Do you mind renting it to me?" "Yes." "I'll lend it but I won't rent it to you." "Once you start earning money, then I'll rent it." "Great, I'll go and tell mum." "I'll call you later." "No, we can't do that." "Imagine him coming home and finding us not here." "We can't do that to him." "What do you mean?" "Did he think twice when he threw you and my sister out that winter?" "You've nothing to feel guilty about." "We'll leave the bare essentials." "There's no problem." "He's not here." "That's just it." "Exactly." "If we don't do it now, we never will." "It's the only chance we'll have." "He didn't even say hello." "He looks really evil." "Go and tell him it's ready." "Come on down, it's ready." "It's weird." "He's in the back room." "He must have bolted the door." "He won't answer." "Has he gone mad or what?" "If it carries on like this, we'll never manage." "Aren't we going out?" " No, not today." " Fuck it!" "So what's new?" "Nothing." "Dad came home." "How is he?" "Can I have a coffee?" "Thanks." "With milk, please." " How is he?" " I don't know." "Fancy another one, lads?" "Here you are, miss." " Asshole." " He's just teasing." "You know him." "He does it every time." "Why do we come here?" "Jesus, you're in a foul mood today." "When do you go back to work?" "See you tomorrow." "I don't understand." "I saw him just yesterday." " Did you give him the medicine?" " Yes." " Show me." " Of course." "Will he be all right, doctor?" "What's wrong with him?" "I don't understand." "Emergency services?" "This is Dr. Solosse speaking." "1, Avenue Carnot." "Respiratory trouble." "It's urgent." "Elbeck, you can be pleased with yourself." "The kid's dead." "Nothing to do with you?" "!" "In any case, the kid is dead." "He's dead, sir!" "Ferrand should be arrested!" "He's a public menace!" "Even a 10-year-old wouldn't have made such a mess!" "What do you mean, not your fault?" "I can't talk." "I'm at the hospital." "What?" "Not your fault!" "Are you totally stupid?" "I'm not talking to you." "Asshole!" "Your bag, doctor." "What are you doing with my gun?" "You little shit." "Do you want to shoot me?" "Haven't you done enough stupid things?" "Give me that gun!" "You came about that kid." "I got it wrong." "I made a mistake." "I killed him, but not on purpose." "I promise you that." "You don't believe me." "That's because it suits you." "You don't care about the kid." "That's not why you're here." "You wanted a chance to get rid of me and you've got it." "Shoot, but get a move on." "I killed the kid." "It was me and nobody else." "I'm a murderer." "Go on, get lost!" "Mind your own business." "Leave me in this shit!" "We've never left you in your shit." "Never." "We've never done that." "Don't you want to talk?" "I've nothing to say." "Want do you want me to say?" "What do you want to talk about?" "I've never been able to talk, and not to you!" "What are you going to do?" "What the hell do you care?" "Neither of you need me." "I've ruined your mother's life for so long now." "You can go to hell, both of you!" "Understand?" "You can go to hell." "And I can to, along with my fucking life." "Shit, don't say that!" "It's not true." "We always wanted to help." "You wouldn't let us." "As soon as we say anything to you, you take it badly." "You don't even know why you drink, do you?" "It's not because of my sister." "It's because you're not a teacher like mum!" "Who the hell cares?" "You've made something of your life anyway." "Everyone said you had a golden touch." "The only time you stopped drinking, it lasted 6 months." "You've no balls, no willpower, you're becoming a monster!" "Snap out of it, for Christ's sake!" "Snap out of it!" "If you won't do it for me, do it for my mother." "I don't give a damn." "I can't get out of here." "But she's stuck here with my sister." "Where do you want to go?" "Think you can bring the kid back to life?" "I'm finished, Bertrand." "There's nothing new about that." "The same will go for you, if you keep fucking about." "I've seen you with the fishermen." "You call that a job?" "You'll only ever be a sailor, never a boss." "The EC's cutting back on permits." "There are too many fishermen." "You'll only ever be some shitty worker, exploited by a shitty boss, just like me." "You're worth more than that, Bertrand." "Much more." "If you pass your exams, you should go to Lille." "You'd make a good lawyer or a journalist." "I don't know, some modern trade." "You'll meet good people, find a good wife." "But get out of this shit-hole, Bertrand." "Come on, let's go home." "Yes, I'm coming." "Look, the ducks are back." "Bertrand, answer me." "I know something's happened." "Where is he?" "Answer me!" "Say something!" "Answer me!" "Open this door." "Bertrand!" "That's enough!" "Open this door!" "I want to know." "Where is he?" "Do you know where he is?" "What's happened?" "What did you see?" "Tell me!" "Open this door!" "Bertrand, you can't leave me out here like this!" "Translation:" "Ian Burley" "Subtitling TlTRA film Paris"