Faire face (2021) Movie Script
1
"This epidemic"
is deadly for the most fragile,
because it prompts a very high number
of severe cases
requiring hospitalisation
in intensive care units
putting our health care system
under considerable pressure
"and is of a scale never yet seen
in modern history."
PART ONE
A few months earlier
Flore remembered the previous months
with Philippe...
Philippe had taken care of his daughter
on his own for nine years.
Philippe and his daughter
For example, what do you reckon,
honey?
We'd have to fill all these bottles
ten times,
to fill the aquarium?
I don't understand any of it myself...
What if someone asks you how much water
you can put in this famous bottle?
We already know that.
One bottle of one litre
fills up the aquarium.
So, what's the question?
Question B?
Why exactly?
Flore and Philippe had met
two years ago.
Flore had immediately taken
a liking to Alice,
and she really enjoyed
taking care of her.
I'm going to leave
- Do you understand what I'm telling you?
- No.
- You don't understand?
- Nope.
Well, it's no big deal,
carry on with your little game,
you're going to get a big slap
in the face,
figuratively speaking of course,
you're going to get a big slap
in the face very soon
I feel like I'm talking to a wall, you see,
I'm telling you something
But you don't hear me,
you don't understand me,
you don't give a damn,
you only think about yourself
- Of course not...
- I smooth things over all the time,
I do everything for you,
compared to your friends
who all criticize you,
one after the other.
If you're talking about Camille,
he's always been like that...
He's asking himself how I do it...
- He wants to sleep with you.
- Not at all.
While I'm busy trying to earn a
bit of money, he's always there,
Well, maybe if you were around a bit more,
he wouldn't do that,
and maybe you wouldn't be
so afraid of it.
If you took care of things a little more.
- I'm not scared of anything.
- Yes, you're invincible,
nothing gets to you,
you just brush everything off.
You don't care
about other peoples' feelings.
You'll end up on your own
if you carry on like that,
at the snap of a finger.
And it won't necessarily be
because you're not with me anymore,
it'll be the next ones too.
There comes a moment
when you have to wake up.
But how do you want me
to get off my ass, I work,
what more do you want me to do?
That's the way I am.
- I'm not going to change now.
- And there you go.
So, is that the end of the discussion?
That's the way you are?
Then, I can't talk to you.
I don't feel like talking,
this discussion is pointless
Oh, dear...
Well, you see, I make you laugh...
I make you smile in fact.
You see, you're not in a bad
mood after all Oh my lord...
Alice's mother pestered Flore.
Quite often.
She wanted to get her daughter back,
despite the court ruling a few years
earlier that gave full custody to Philippe.
What are you doing
with my daughter?
You're completely crazy.
- 'Bye.
- She's my daughter.
Flore, no, you're not going
to get away like that.
- Listen to me!
- No, I have other things to do.
It's not because
you can't get pregnant,
that you have to take my daughter...
Here we go.
Because I'm gonna call the cops, okay?
Call them, do.
- Go home.
- No, I'm going to get her
and bring her back home.
No. You can't do that.
I can't do that?
And who's going to stop me?
Who's going to stop me?
I'm leaving my daughter
with a couple of crazy people.
- What did you say?
- Crazy people, yes.
Go check yourself
into a mental institution,
you need to take care of yourself.
I'm good, I've had enough
of your stories.
Keep your madness,
leave me in peace.
You're not going
to get off like that.
Stop following me!
I want to be able
to see my daughter,
and not another woman be the one
who takes care of her.
It makes me sick...
She's not just any other woman,
she's Flore, she's my girlfriend,
we've been together for two years!
And I love her.
- She's not Alice's mother.
- I can't help it.
The decision was made by the judge
in the family court.
You were the one who summoned me
before the judge,
I didn't ask for any of this, okay?
All I want is for Alice to feel good,
with me, or with you, now,
since you seem
to have calmed down a bit.
You couldn't handle her at the time.
I want to pick her up from school,
I want to spend time with her,
I want to feel a little less lonely,
I feel lonely in my life, you know.
Ah well, if you feel that lonely,
get a dog!
Stop. I don't find you funny
with your stupid jokes.
Or a cat...
- Stop it!
- OK.
- This is serious.
- That's enough now.
In that case,
it would be nice of you
to pay me the little child support
that you never paid me.
You don't give
a fuck about that.
If I were a billionaire,
I wouldn't give a fuck either
but that's not the case.
And I want things to go well,
and not to get back
to the way they were a few years ago.
That worries me a bit too.
And you have to get your apartment.
You're not going to sleep here,
in bed with Flore and me.
I'm getting my apartment soon.
We're not a naturist club here!
Good evening Sir.
Come in.
Sit down.
Well
you've finally decided to make
an appointment with me...
Yes...
Could you perhaps tell me a little bit
about what... brings you here today?
So, it was, it was complicated,
you could say it was already
complicated for me to...
to call you...
Who recommended you?
My doctor in fact.
He told me about you.
In fact, I hesitated for a long time,
for many different reasons,
first of all, because I didn't know if...
if it was good for me... or not...
Is it the first time
you've consulted someone?
Yes, it is.
I was asking myself
if someone outside my life,
as it were, could have,
however professional he was,
understand your problems?
Yes.
And, I think that given
my advancing years, now...
How old are you?
I am fifty years old.
I'm going to be fifty-one soon,
unfortunately for me...
Well, it seems to me, if you want,
to make it short,
We've got time. Take your time.
I'm, well, professionally, I think it's...
I'm not happy with myself at all.
What do you do in life?
At one time, I worked
as a photographer
And now, I work from time to time
as a musician, as a pianist in...
in brasseries, in bars
actually in one caf in particular...
- In Paris?
- In Paris, yes.
It feels weird you being here,
I didn't think
you were going to come.
But why?
I don't know.
- You were wrong, you see.
- Yes.
I wanted to see you,
so that you could come back home
Don't stay in your studio apartment.
I mean, comme home, I meant to say.
Live with me.
But why?
What do you mean why?
Do you remember why I left or not?
No.
Don't fuck around with me.
I make you laugh so...
You have to come back home...
Because you're so hopeless...
it's mind-blowing.
I've been gone for a month
and you're telling me
that you'd like me to come back.
Give me some reasons,
do something...
I don't know how to express myself
I never learned
That's too easy,
that annoys me too...
You're forever saying, "I'm like that,
I don't know how to express myself."
Get your fingers out
and do something! Try.
Get your head out Oh damn it...
Nothing's happening with Marie...
I can't
Oh please... I know
something happened between you two!
- No, nothing at all.
- Stop it.
- Do you swear?
- I swear.
You're a bad liar...
- No, nothing at all.
- Stop it.
I know something happened
between you two.
Look at me straight in the eyes
and tell me it hasn't.
Nothing at all.
I've known her for 40 years!
And I'm incapable
of making love
with anyone else but you
Don't give me that crap...
Do you really think
I believe you?
You think I don't tell myself
you had a life before me?
- Do you think I'm stupid or what?
- I didn't say that.
Stop it, I already know
that you've had a thing with Mary
for the last 30 years.
So stop it.
And don't give me that line
You can' even look me
straight in the eyes and tell me,
"Nothing ever happened
with Marie for the last 30 years."
Look, you're smiling!
You've been caught red-handed.
You're lying. I know you.
- You're lying to me.
- No. I'm not.
There's always been an ambiguity
between you two
There has always been an ambiguity
between men and women
Really? Is that so?
That's news to me...
Are you taking the piss
out of me or what?
There is always an ambiguity
between men and women?
What you're telling me,
is really reassuring.
That there is always an ambiguity
between men and women?
Well, most of the time...
Now, it's not "always"
but only "most of the time".
- I'm not speaking for myself
- But for the rest of the world?
Yes.
As a general rule.
You really take me for a...
You have to stop your paranoia.
I can't. You're not clear,
you're not someone
who is clear, honestly...
It's not easy to trust you.
It's the truth and I'm telling you so
There's always been an ambiguity
between men and women...
- Absolutely.
- What a shitty thing to say!
That's your response when I ask you
if something is happening
between you and Marie?
Yes, but not with Marie!
It's called Philippe's style.
You always do that.
Go and see her yourself.
At least, then, it will be settled.
I'm going to call her you're right
- I'm going to call her.
- You're crazy.
I will suggest that we meet
and have a coffee.
And I'm going to ask her too.
We'll see.
- Go ahead.
- Great. I'm going to do that.
- Go and see old Marie.
- I will.
So, you wanted to see me?
Yeah...
I wonder
why all of a sudden
you came back into his life,
why you see each other
and why I never met you
We've been friends for...
over thirty years.
But you haven't seen each other
for a while now...
As with any friendships,
there are ups and downs
No, but we've always kept in touch.
- There's no...
- You're seeing each other more.
The same as usual...
What makes you say that?
I don't know. There are times
when I don't know where he is
What he's doing.
I wonder if he's not with you.
I'm never invited.
Why do you only see
each other alone?
Does he tell you,
"I'm going to see Marie."?
Sometimes yes,
sometimes I find out for myself.
I won't go into details.
What do you actually believe?
Go all the way.
Because now you're...
I don't believe anything.
I'm just wondering.
I'm asking myself questions
so I'm trying to...
get answers.
What's bothering you?
The fact that he disappears?
The fact that he sees me?
The fact that...
you've known each other for a long time,
that I've never met you.
Yes, but we are just friends, so...
- Yes, and so what...
- Yes.
It's true that we've never met
But I think that
when he loves someone, he...
- He compartmentalizes.
- Exactly.
He's a bit of a character.
You must have realized that.
That's it. But I'm just trying to
Maybe I'm a little paranoid,
I don't know, but
I find it strange all the same.
Your paranoia with regard to me,
would be what?
When you called me to meet up,
what did you want to do,
what were you aiming for?
I'm sorry, I'm a bit direct.
That's good but is your relationship
really just that of friends?
- I'm asking myself.
- You can be sure of that.
We are just friends, nothing more.
As we've been friends for a long time,
I know that when he loves someone,
he really loves them.
He's not going to go frolicking
right and left. That's not his style.
But then what does he do when he leaves?
Do you know?
No, I think that I've never really known
I asked him about it too
I think that he just needs
to be alone sometimes.
It's Rilke who once said,
"To love the other is
to respect one's solitude."
I'm even very surprised
that a pretty young woman like yourself
would be interested
in an old man like him.
Well, I love him.
- Isn't that enough?
- Yes, indeed.
I don't think that there is any...
We don't get to choose
these things...
I think that he really needs
a lot of alone time.
And I'm lucky to have
my girlfriend, Flore,
Who is just wonderful,
she is a bit younger than me.
We've been together for two years
and she helps me a lot.
Does she make more decisions
than you?
Yes. She works, she has her career.
She is a physiotherapist...
I often ask myself, well how...
how she can stay with me?
You underestimate yourself
Don't you?
- No, I don't.
- You undervalue yourself.
Yes.
Is it in your nature or only
At the moment, more so?
At the moment, more so,
but it's also in my nature a bit too.
It's interesting... finally...
the way you compare yourself to her,
let's say, socially
Even though you have a career,
perhaps it's not as lucrative
as your partner's.
But, nonetheless, you are gainfully
employed, you have a job,
and even more so, in order to be
a pianist, that also requires
work and achievements, doesn't it?
Yes, well I'm not a very good pianist,
but I do what I can...
Could you lend me
a little bit of money?
- I'll write you a cheque...
- How much?
I don't know
How much could you spare?
No, that's not the way it works.
How much do you need?
And for when?
Well, as soon as you can have it ready,
ideally 1.000 euros.
How do you want it?
You prefer cash?
Yes. I'll write you two checks
and you can cash them,
one month apart.
- No, you'll pay me back when you...
- It makes me uncomfortable.
You'll pay me back when you can.
It makes me uncomfortable.
Don't tell Flore.
Anyway, it's not worth it.
No, I won't tell Flore...
Clearly. No, no, let's
I'll lend you a 1.000 euros
and you'll pay me back
- Let's give ourselves a year...
- No, I'll write you
two checks and you cash them
But I'm working now.
Things are going well.
Come on!
150 euros...
I work ten days a month.
Playing Santa Claus?
You make 1.500 euros.
I'll write you two checks
and then it's settled.
You don't have
any more concerts coming up?
Yes, but...
everyone tells me that I don't work.
- Flore too.
- What does she say to you, Flore?
She pays all the bills.
I can understand her.
That's how it is.
I'd rather dress up as Santa Claus,
that's all.
The last time I saw her,
she didn't seem to be doing so well
she had put on a bit of weight.
She wasn't at her best.
Is that so?
She has put on a little weight,
but not that much.
- That's a sign.
- Not that much...
- She could be bulimic.
- She really likes you,
I know it, she really likes you.
Yes, I appreciate her a lot too
Well, she's your wife...
No, really.
So do you have any news
from him or not?
Well, no, he left...
- No call in three days?
- No, as usual.
He leaves without saying a word,
we never know when he'll be back.
It's been...
two weeks,
I haven't heard from him.
Do you often hear from him?
Well, usually, we call each other
on a regular basis.
He's really starting to piss me off.
He's really starting to piss me off.
He's acting like a teenager,
well, more like a kid of...
He almost reminds me
of my sixteen year old son.
He reminds me of Baptiste.
Honestly, I don't want to deal
with his problems anymore.
I don't want to be the guy he calls
at two in the morning,
to tell me about his problems.
He's always borrowing dough
that he promises to pay back
but he never does.
I can't stand him anymore.
I'm sorry to tell you
That makes you laugh?
How do you manage
to put up with him,
I don't know.
You're not the only one
who asks me that.
It's normal to ask, isn't it?
Yes, but despite everything else,
he has his charm. There's something
about him you can't explain.
But I'm tired of being with a man
who behaves like a child.
- But you love him?
- Yes.
I don't like him anymore.
It's not the same kind of love,
I'm not sleeping with him
Although
We did have some vague desires when
we were teenagers, it was quite funny.
Vague homosexual, erotic, desires but,
at any rate, we quickly stopped.
You see
So, I'm going to try again
since we're both on our own
And since we've both been abandoned
by this asshole.
Are you free to go to the theatre?
No.
And why not?
- Why not?
- Because she always yells at me.
And she's mean to me.
I'm not so sure
she's mean to you.
And in any case, I prefer it here.
Well, listen, you feel
better here
Never mind, that doesn't mean
you doen't go there.
It's important for you
to see your mother.
It's not like I never go there.
You only go there once in a while.
But you have to keep it up.
Otherwise, you'll never create
a bond with your mother.
You can understand that.
You can't know what she does to me,
you're not there.
I'd like to know
what she does to you.
What does she do to you?
No, I'm not going!
I'm tired of your temper tantrums.
Get up, and we're going.
- No.
- Yes.
- No.
- You don't have a choice.
- Until Daddy comes home.
- I'm the one who'll take you.
That was the plan.
Why are you causing problems now,
the minute before we have to leave?
Because I like it better here.
Well, I'm happy
you feel good here.
But you don't always have
a choice.
What am I going to tell your mother?
She doesn't want to see you?
Put your coat on, let's go.
I'm fed up with your behavior.
You're not being very nice
right now.
Put your coat on, let's go.
- No.
- Yes.
- Why didn't you finish?
- I'm not hungry.
You're not going to do it again.
I asked you
if you wanted some more,
you said yes.
And now you don't want it anymore?
Lots of children
are dying of hunger.
You're acting like a spoiled brat.
So you finish your pasta
or I'm going to slap you.
Do you understand me?
- Do you understand me?
- Yes.
So you raised your daughter alone,
but
what happened to her mother?
Did she leave you? Did you split up?
To be honest, there was
a relationship problem
between her
Yes, we separated quite quickly.
There was a relationship problem
between her mother
and Alice,
which was quite
I don't want to go into the details
And so it happened that I was awarded
the custody of Alice,
without even asking for it
because her mother had summoned me
before the child custody court...
And I was awarded custody
without even asking for it.
So, of course,
I obeyed the court's orders. So I did
the best that I could
to raise my daughter alone
Simply put.
She also saw her mother
At the beginning,
only two Sundays per month
Then, later on, we tried to
For her mother to
But their relationship is
still complicated.
So you wanted to talk to me?
Yes, I had something
I wanted to tell you.
Earlier you told me
that you were afraid that I'd leave
one day with someone else
That I'd get bored and all that...
Well, yes, it's not...
so much that I'm afraid of that
but that's surely what will happen...
That's your version of the story.
What I'm trying to say is
that you never say
how you really feel,
that you love me, for example,
if you think you do,
that's even better
I'm not okay with that.
But you know I do.
No, I don't know any more.
What do you want me to say?
I want you to tell me
that you love me.
I'm incapable of it...
Does one have to tell you
that he loves you?
Well, yes.
"That one loves you"!
You run away
at the slightest opportunity.
You run away every single time...
I don't run off, it's...
You see you can't say it.
It's difficult.
It's difficult maybe, yes...
You know how attached I am to you.
So it's all of this is ridiculous...
You say I know
that you're attached to me
But you come, you go,
you disappear,
you do your own thing,
you're mysterious...
You're not going
to come and watch me
play the piano in bars,
there's nothing very glorious about it...
But I don't care
about the glory of it.
That's your argument?
It's not glorious...
I'm not so sure of that
but okay...
Even if you sang in the mtro,
I'd come and listen.
- I don't care.
- I'm not sure.
Philippe...
I love you but I'm leaving you
I love you but I'm leaving you.
Flore...
I love you.
I love you.
Philippe, I love you
but I am leaving you.
What are you going to do?
I haven't decided yet,
you'll see.
- Do you like it?
- Yes.
You like my hair like that?
You find that funny, don't you?
Oh no, never!
- Never?
- Never!
- Stop it...
- Are you sure you want me to stop?
Hey but... Hey!
She's super strong.
You're going to help me? No?
Philippe...
I've something to tell you.
Oh my God, you're scaring me.
Why?
What if we live together?
If we move in together?
Yes, but I work what,
two or three times a week...
Well, it just so happens that...
- You're not satisfied with that?
- No.
She takes care of a lot of the bills..
She pays part of the rent.
Anyway, in the end,
we can't say that it's...
Do you have financial difficulties?
Yes, but I always have had.
And I've never really
understood why To be honest.
I sense that you're a bit stressed.
Yes I'm a bit stressed.
I can feel it...
You know, that's my job
Over time, I've...
I've acquired this kind
of empathy, you see,
which corresponds to my job,
honestly.
What I feel is something
that comes from you.
Yes, yes. It's quite difficult
for me to...
To relax.
In this situation, in particular?
I find it hard
to talk about myself at all.
I find it difficult
to express myself in general,
so, honestly, it wasn't
an easy step to take.
You're more of an introvert?
Falsely extroverted perhaps.
So, in short,
a really shy person...
Yes. Absolutely. That's exactly it.
Flore's father, Julien,
had just returned from the Lebanon
where he had spent
a large part of his life.
And Flore was meeting him again
for the first time.
Philippe wanted to find
a cheaper apartment.
And next month,
you'll do everything you can
so that we don't have a hard time
paying the rent?
We're not going to move.
To move, we need work contracts,
our situation isn't that good.
There are expenses involved.
No, we're not going to move
to an even smaller place
than where we are now.
It gets a bit complicated.
At the moment,
you're just a little anxious,
No, I'm not just a little anxious,
I'm putting myself in your shoes.
That's very nice of you
but I can handle it...
- Really...
- I'm going to
I think that I'll be able to
find a solution, don't worry.
Flore had lunch regularly
with her uncle.
I have something to ask you.
To tell me or to ask me?
To ask you...
I need you to lend me
some money.
- Oh well.
- Yes.
How much?
2.000 euros.
That much?
Yes, I know.
Actually it's not really for me.
It's for Philippe,
you know, my boyfriend.
And so there you go.
I'm a little embarrassed
to ask you this but...
I don't know who else I could ask
But everything's alright with you?
Yes, yes. You know,
I have my own practice, my patients...
but I can't afford to lend him
2.000 euros.
And then, there's his daughter.
It would bother me
if he had to leave his apartment
with his daughter, Alice.
That's all.
Now, listen
You're the one who's asking me
so I'm going to accept
But do you think he'll be able
to pay me back?
Of course, he's going
to pay you back.
In any case, I'll pay you back,
I'm committing myself for him,
don't you worry about that.
Alright, I'll lend you 2.000 euros.
Well, it makes me
a little uncomfortable
2.000 euros is
It's a chunk of cash... But hey
If you're both in trouble
Is he at least trying to find a job?
Yes, yes, but well, you know it is
It's complicated.
Working as a musician,
you never really know
what the next month is going to bring.
One last thing, I have a question
don't take it the wrong way...
I'm listening.
Aren't you tired of being
with people who are broke?
I'm not always with people
who are broke, that's not true.
And then that's not
the most important thing,
In general, you see,
we are getting by okay.
Yes, he's not rolling in money,
but honestly
I earn my living,
I'm independent...
What's he like with you?
Is he nice?
Yes, of course.
- Does he at least take good care of you?
- Yes, of course.
That's the most important thing then.
Of course, I wouldn't stay
with a guy who was broke
and on top of that
who treated me badly
I'm not totally desperate...
- Some people appreciate.
- Yes, but not me,
definitely, not me.
Why aren't you asleep?
I'm waiting for daddy.
But he's not going
to come home right away
When is he coming home?
He's at work.
When will he be back?
In two and a half hours.
I can wait for him.
No, you're not going to wait.
But it's the weekend.
Yes, that's true but anyway
He will come
and give you a goodnight kiss.
Okay?
All right.
Try to get some sleep.
- Yes.
- Okay.
Sweet dreams then.
And I'll see you tomorrow.
Good night.
I'm just in the other room.
Philippe had found a job playing
Santa Claus for several months.
It's a disaster if you want to know.
It's a bit of a reflection
of my professional life.
Could we identify that in terms
of how others see you?
Is that what would be
a bit embarrassing for you?
It's Christmas.
Long live the end of the year!
Long live the second millennium!
What are you doing dressed up
as Santa Claus?
If I feel like dressing up
as Santa Claus...
But I'd like to know
what you're doing.
- It's none of your business.
- No?
- Well, no.
- Is that your answer?
I'm allowed to dress up
as Santa Claus.
I'am asking you what's the point?
Are you getting paid?
Why haven't I heard about it?
I'm not going to tell you everything.
Of course, I'm getting paid.
- You're paid to do that?
- Yes.
So I'm looking
for a studio apartment.
My budget is 1.000 euros maximum,
utilities included.
- All right.
- Obviously, it's urgent.
And you would like it
to be in the 18th.
Yes, I really like the 18th area of Paris.
Today I only have
a two bedroom apartment
in the 17th, over your budget,
it's 1.600 euros.
However, later this week we should have
a studio apartment available to rent
located on Lamarck Street.
Yes, I really like Lamarck Street.
And it would also be
a bit under 1.000 euros.
A bit under my budget too?
Oh, that's perfect!
It's in good condition
and has a view of the garden.
It's not damp, it's well...
It's not damp,
it's well soundproofed,
No, it's in great shape.
The owners redid everything.
Renovated like new.
I'll give you a call.
When are you going
to put it back up for rent?
- Normally next week.
- Next week!
Here's my business card.
You can call me next week.
That's great.
- Alright?
- Super, thank you very much.
- There you are, you're welcome.
- Goodbye.
PART TWO
Hey, Fanchette.
- How are you doing?
- I'm doing well and you?
I'm okay, tired.
You know work, work, work,
Did you sleep well?
Very well.
Did you manage to do everything
that I asked you to do?
Almost, the sheets aren't dry yet.
What do you mean?
Well I haven't set the table
because the food is still cooking.
Well then, we have to hurry up
because they'll be arriving soon.
I can't be everywhere.
Now, I have to go visit my mother.
I can't be everywhere either...
Well, come on You have to hurry up,
you're daydreaming right now.
This wasn't part of the contract.
But you were daydreaming just now,
come on.
- You're the one who's daydreaming.
- Me?
You think that I'm going to do
everything for you here?
- That's why you were hired, isn't it?
- Not for everything.
Well, to do
at least the minimum.
But you just arrive
and ask if everything's ready.
If there's a problem
then tell me right now.
- Now you're annoying me.
- Me?
That's why you're paid for.
I'm getting paid
so that you can annoy me?
No, to do your job.
Every day you add
more things for me to do.
What else am I asking you to do?
To feed three hens and a duck...
Stop it.
I asked her to stay.
I asked her to stay with us
to help us.
What do you think?
I really like this girl...
I'm not so sure. I don't know her.
She looks like a whiner
What's she going to do?
She's helping us
around the house.
No, no, I disagree.
Find someone else,
she's a whiner.
A whiner
what do you mean by a whiner?
She is a whiner
I don't like her.
- Oh, yeah?
- No.
You can't sleep with her,
so you don't like her
What are you looking for?
- I don't want her.
- But why?
She isn't cut out for this job.
You don't know her.
Hire the girl that you had last year.
No, she's not available and anyway
- This girl is really nice.
- Then do as you like...
- Why don't you like her?
- I don't like her, that's all...
Like you, when you drink wine...
Your garden hose doesn't work.
It doesn't work?
It's too short?
Do we need to water
the olive trees?
Yes, a little bit. Just like you,
you drink,
well, the olive tree drinks too.
Go ahead hose me down.
I never said that I was going
to hose you down.
This pisses me off.
- What pisses you off?
- The watering...
Water yourself.
Are you fucking stupid or what?
You can water
your stuff by yourself.
And take care
of your pathetic guests too.
Everything is okay, calm down.
Did you forget to take your pill?
- You're pissing me off, bitch!
- What did you say, bitch?
Go on you fat bitch.
You bitch!
Bitch? But what do you think
you're doing?
How does your husband
put up with you?
Do you even have a husband?
Go ahead and get your cat,
get out of here
No, leave the cat here for that matter.
He's my cat.
Since when is it your cat?
He can't stand you.
- He spits in your face.
- Yeah, yeah, that's it
I'm going to get her,
I'm going to get her good
Come here, I'm going
to slap you in the face
Get out of here!
I work for you,
but I'm not your slave.
- Get out of here!
- Yes, I'm leaving.
- I am going to punch you in the face.
- Go ahead.
Don't slam the doors now!
I'm going to punch you...
Come here,
so I can punch you in the face!
You think I'm scared?
Look at her, she's a bean stalk.
My husband was right, he had told me
that I'd hired a whiner.
A whiner?
Can't your dress yourself properly?
Don't you like my dress?
No, it's pitiful,
you look like a peasant.
I can't afford to buy myself
a dress like yours
You could at least afford to go
to the hairdresser...
You could pay for me to go.
That's it...
I don't like Mars bars.
- You want a Mars bar?
- I don't like them.
I went to spend a few days
on the Mediterranean coast.
I had given a cigarette to a guy.
Of course, then
I couldn't get rid of him.
Hey cuz, can't I get
your phone number?
Can't I get your phone number?
Fuck off, man!
You got nothing else to do?
Go for a swim...
I've already been swimming.
No, but why are you following me?
Lesbian!
Leave me the fuck alone.
I decided to go back to Paris,
without a train ticket.
A friend of mine had offered me
a job at her restaurant.
I wasn't the only one
who didn't have a train ticket.
And I saw Raymond. I used to sleep
with him once in a while before I left.
This salad is really good...
Yeah, really, it's fabulous
Say, what are you doing tonight?
And you?
- I'm having dinner with you...
- Yeah, me too.
It's not bad, is it? It's delicious
The cherry tomatoes are...
Tell me, Raymond,
are you in the mood?
If I'm in the mood?
Yes, I'm in the mood
but in the mood for what exactly
it's funny,
I wouldn't describe it like that myself,
in the mood
"I'm really in the mood..."
What would you say then?
How would you say it?
Yes, in the mood,
is one way to put it...
We can go to my place
if you'd like...
Yes.
- You're in the mood...
- Yes, I am.
And as planned, I started working
in Lena's restaurant.
I really like Lena.
He's your new cook?
No, it's a guy who's going
to play the piano.
In the evening, three times a week.
That's cool.
For our clients, and for us
Jazz music, a bit of jazz music
but I don't really know exactly
what he plays.
I'll see the first night
when he plays.
We hit it off right away.
We talked a lot about our love lives.
He had loved two women
in his life,
Penelope... a long time ago,
and Flore,
his current girlfriend.
I wanted to ask you a question.
Do you still have your parents?
I still have my parents,
well, they're separated,
and they are very elderly.
Very elderly?
Yes.
And, what kind of background
do you come from?
My background...
the middle-class.
What did your father do?
Well... he did lots of different things
until he was about 45 years old.
Meaning, he was always trying
to earn money
He inherited two houses very young,
which he sold right away.
At the age of 25
he found himself penniless.
Then, he tried and tried
to earn money for 20 years.
I must say that he recovered very well,
financially,
when he set up a company.
I think he recovered very well
he established himself very late in life.
You say re-established?
- Professionally speaking.
- Yes, I got that.
Basically, it's a term that you use
as if he had gone from being sick
to being cured Recovered...
Yes, absolutely... Yes, you're right.
But listening to you, it seems to me
that you have a point in common
with your father.
Between you who has trouble
gaining the social standing
that you'd like to have
and your father who, himself,
as you said, was also always trying
to make money
for years...
Absolutely.
It's a form of identification,
of repetition...
Yes, probably.
I often close up the restaurant.
I don't mind,
I'm on my own and I just live next door.
Philippe, the pianist that Lena hired,
often stays there and sleeps
on the couch.
One night, I had invited Philippe
to sleep on my couch.
- What floor do you live on?
- The sixth.
I made him a place
in the other room.
And then I met Julien
I always met people
when I was on my break.
When I was working,
I was too concentrated on my job,
I didn't feel like talking.
Having a good day?
Having a good day?
It's okay, not bad
Do you like music?
Because, as a matter of fact,
I have two tickets
for a concert tonight...
What is it?
Sorry, what kind of concert?
It's a pop rock concert.
It's a French group,
but it's in English.
Where is it, why not?
It's at the Palladium
at 9:00 pm.
Okay I was planning
to have a quiet evening but...
Well, that's cool.
Well, I guess I'll see you later then.
Let's meet here.
Yes
Let me think for 5 minutes,
I'm not sure if
But don't take it the wrong way.
It's just that this might be
a bit too fast for me
Do you often go to rock concerts?
Yes, because I know
the singer, in fact.
Finally, I agreed to go to the concert.
It was nice.
I did the right thing.
I really like spending time
with Julien.
He's so sweet. I don't know,
it's simple
In any case, only older men
can hold their own,
at least speaking of men, I mean.
In fact, mature men are the best.
At least that's what I think,
it's what I feel.
I've even fallen in love
with him, in fact...
Today's shopping day.
Rungis for Lena, Lidl for me.
Excuse me,
do you work here often?
From time to time, yes, why?
Actually, I'm looking for Philippe.
I met Flore, Philippe's girlfriend,
when I was closing the restaurant.
She was looking for him.
I offered to invite her home
for tea.
You don't have any idea?
You think I'm sleeping
with your boyfriend?
It didn't take you
very long to guess.
You jumped on me
as I was leaving the bar...
We don't know each other.
I work with him from time to time.
No, I'm not sleeping with him.
All right, but has he already
been here?
He came here once,
he stayed for two hours.
And you're not sleeping with him?
Well, no. And you know what,
he told me that he was
really in love with you.
And that he couldn't.
- You don't believe me?
- No, I don't.
I swear to you.
He has been here before
and you want me to believe...
You believe what you want.
And nothing happened
between you two?
I have a hard time believing you.
Obviously you don't trust
your boyfriend.
Well, he's a little too absent,
so no...
That's another story,
I had in front of me a man
who told me that it was impossible.
But still, I find out
that he came to your home,
so I'm asking myself...
Yes, for two hours
and nothing happened.
I don't see the point,
he has lots of friends,
he doesn't need any more.
I don't know what his life is like,
I just see him playing the piano
at the cafe where I'm working.
That's all, he sleeps there.
We talk sometimes,
he's rather nice...
I'm sure you're his type too...
- I don't know about that.
- I'm telling you.
I slept on her couch,
nothing happened with Anna.
I don't want to accept in fact,
that you sleep
in other people's homes.
In other women's homes.
I can't accept it.
But at what point
do you respect me?
Ho, hey!
She was... hey!
She was the one
who offered very kindly
because I was tired.
That's it,
absolutely nothing happened.
You're pissing me off,
you're pissing me off...
I mean, let's stop
You know very well that I love you,
this situation is ridiculous...
Julien had come to pick me up
after my shift
We had a drink in the empty bar,
I really enjoy the moment
when everyone has gone
And Flore arrived,
she was looking for Philippe
but he wasn't there that evening.
Excuse me...
- Ah, hello.
- Hello.
- Flore?
- What are you doing here?
Well, I, I live in the neighborhood
so I come here from time to time...
Do you know each other?
Well, he's my father...
And you know each other?
Well, yes...
Oh, yeah, I didn't know
You know each other, meaning?
How do you know each other, in fact?
It's funny, the last time I saw you, I...
Yes, and every time you ask me
rather too personal questions.
I saw you with my boyfriend
and now with my father,
You don't miss a chance...
Your boyfriend is your boyfriend,
and your father is another story, okay?
Yes, but it's still interesting.
But what does this have to do
with Philippe?
You have a finger in every pie, it's...
I can't believe it
It's not my fault if your boyfriend
sleeps around, got it?
I'm not saying that it's your fault.
That's not actually the point.
I think that you really like men.
But it's not a big deal,
just admit it.
Is it a big deal?
No, but maybe you aren't in love
with the right man.
I think that question is my business.
Absolutely.
Do you always wear
revealing necklines?
- What the fuck...
- For work?
Unbelievable
Is it any of your business?
Stop giving me advice
you're not really in a position to...
In fact, you're going to get off
my back, that's it.
I live next door, I work here.
Don't come here
to verbally assault me every week.
Excuse me if I'm a bit on edge,
I'm looking for my boyfriend...
It's not my fault.
Yes, but he went to sleep
at your place...
It dawned on me
that now you're fucking my father!
Excuse me? Do you hear yourself?
- That's enough!
- But you're so vulgar
Fucking, and are you,
yourself, fucking people?
Please stop acting like you're shocked
by every word I use.
Is it scandalous to say fucking?
No, but saying that I'm dressed
like a whore
and then I'm fucking people?
I didn't say you were a whore.
You said that yourself,
I'm not saying that.
Hold on a minute...
Your dress isn't indecent
but it's sexy.
You're working,
and you're always flirting
- Flirting?
- Yeah, constantly flirting
I'm fed up with you always picking up
the men in my life,
It pisses me off.
Your hair makes you look like a whore.
My hair makes me look
like a whore?
The highlights?
Stop judging people, that's enough.
Whenever I see you,
it makes me tense.
Even more than
I was when I arrived.
I'm going to leave you
Are you always so angry?
- Stay out of it.
- No, that's enough.
You're attacking me again.
I'm not.
I'm just talking to my father.
You started by attacking me,
and us
So, I'll leave you both
but you sort it out, okay?
I'll leave you alone.
Is that what you wanted?
With your disapproving bullshit?
You think that's
how we're going to get closer,
sort things...
What else can I do with you?
I've tried every possible way
to build a relationship with you.
- That's definitely not the right way.
- Maybe I was unfair to her...
I'm tired of being invisible.
I'm tired of you never
picking up the phone
to ask me how I'am doing.
Do you understand
that it hurts me?
That's what I'm trying to tell you
with all these outbursts.
You've come to live in Paris,
but we don't see each other
any more than before.
And then I find you here,
having a drink with that...
I'm allowed to live my life,
I don't have to stay in hiding...
I don't ask you to stay at home,
but to...
fulfill your role
as my father a little more.
Be there for me.
Be there for your child.
You need me to be there
when you're looking for Philippe,
only when he's not there.
But you don't understand, it's crazy.
Don't you understand?
You just don't understand.
Maybe we'll have to finally start
talking to each another.
Well, yeah,
when do we start?
Here, now, perhaps.
I'm listening to you then.
Well, talking to one another isn't just
listening but also saying things...
All right, but someone
has to start, no?
What are you holding against me?
That I worked throughout
the whole of your childhood,
that I wasn't there? Is that it?
Well, exactly.
So what was I supposed to do?
Stay at home and...
Is that your argument?
I had a job, yes.
Well you make me feel guilty
by saying that.
You mean that I have
no reason to be hurt.
- That's not what I'm saying.
- You are.
At least that's how I interpret it.
There you go, oh I was working
so I couldn't stay at home.
As if there wasn't something between...
I was working abroad,
it's difficult to manage both.
I admit it, but...
Yeah, but I'm the child
and I'm the one who pays for it.
That's all
now, I'm grown up...
Anyway, your mother was there,
you weren't all alone.
I'm not talking
about my mother right now.
But about my father,
you're my father.
Always trying to run away
from the subject
We are here.
Are we going to talk or not?
Yes, but we can talk calmly,
we don't have to...
I'm trying not to get angry
but you're changing the subject,
you always find a way of
It's a gift or something
you have
Normally, I'm calm, quite calm.
I can see that.
But you make me tense up, I'm sorry
How do we make up for all the years
you weren't here?
Did you ever ask yourself
if it affected my life?
How it made me feel?
Well, of course but...
what could I do?
Now, I'm here, so...
You're here but not really here.
You're here physically now
but you're not really here.
Now you're all smitten with Anna,
you spend all your time with Anna...
Yes, I have a life
You too, you have a life
with Philippe...
Why does one
have to replace the other?
I am not talking to you about the others,
but about your relationship with me.
So don't tell me I've got Philippe
to fill in the void.
Tell me what I have to do.
I don't know
what I want you to do,
I would like for that
to come naturally to you.
No matter what I do,
in any case, it won't be right.
But you don't do anything, try!
Try, go ahead, show me,
make an effort, make a mistake,
run into walls
Don't do what you're supposed
to do but just do something!
Make a suggestion,
tell me where to meet you,
show me that you're
sincerely interested in me.
Show me that you're a bit interested
in trying, at least, please.
Do you understand that?
Yes, I understand but after all,
I can try.
I'm not sure...
I'm very good at it...
Me either, I'm not so good
at many things but I try at least...
I am not sure I'm good at it
You can share your fears,
I accept that.
It's a form of complicity.
But try, damn it, try.
This thing about constantly
running away,
acting in bad faith, it's been
eating me up for years.
By the way, it makes me feel better
telling you.
If you don't try...
At least I'm good for that,
you can let off some steam, that's good.
But I don't care,
that's not what I'm trying to do,
you definitely don't understand
what I'm trying to say, it's
You're just pretending
not to understand,
it's just that you're not at ease,
you've never been at ease
with words, with feelings...
Well, today, I decided to tell you,
that's all.
It makes you uncomfortable,
I can feel it.
Well, accept it, that's it, face it,
that's how it is. I feel better,
does that make you happy?
But I don't think
I'm just letting off some steam,
I don't think that I'm being unfair
and unleashing all of my anger on him,
I'm not doing that right now.
That's not what I'm trying to do.
I'm trying to change
the poor communication between us.
I want to be optimistic
and to tell myself
we hadn't had it.
But to tell myself
we haven't had it,
we both have to believe it.
Do you see
what I'm trying to say?
Yes, I see very well
Well now, I'm sorry,
but I have to go...
You've got to go?
See you, I'll call you soon.
Fuck.
Are you sure?
Yes, I'm quite touched...
Quite touched? Why's that?
That you actually showed up.
You still don't want
to come back home?
Is that a real question?
Well, no, I still don't want
to come back home.
But what do I have to do
to get you back?
But we love each other,
you even said so yourself...
This argument...
You asked me to say it...
you love each other, therefore,
everything will work itself out.
After a while, that gets on my nerves.
That's... That's getting on my nerves,
but honestly
if we love each other
then everything will be okay, well no.
If we love each other we get up off
our asses, we fight to be together,
then we make changes.
Just saying that if we love each other,
everything is going to be okay,
that appalls me.
What the fuck...
Fuck yeah.
I have the feeling
that I'm listening to a teenage boy.
Well, yes...
Maybe that's exactly
what I'm criticizing about you.
My mental age is 12...
And on top of that,
it makes you laugh
We're definitely not
on the same wavelength.
You take
everything the wrong way.
I can't believe it...
That must be it.
Well, come on, come on
But, seriously,
are you kidding me, or what?
What is it?
- Get rid of...
- I'm not going to give up my apartment.
You're not going to pay
a second rent...
I didn't want to...
- What?
- Fuck, you're really...
You're not going to have
two rents to pay.
Listen, that's my problem.
I don't want to come back.
And honestly, now, you're not
really convincing.
What has changed compared to before?
- Oh, you're going to change.
- No, I've changed,
I'm constantly changing...
Of course...
- You don't believe me?
- No.
Come back and you'll see
even without giving up
your apartment.
It doesn't work like that,
come back and you'll see...
- You know how I am.
- I'm not getting down on my knees...
A lot can happen
between the two different attitutes.
Expand, why should I come back.
Explain to me.
- Pay attention to the knife.
- Explain to me.
But because, because
we were good together,
I like sleeping next to you,
that's why.
- Is that enough of an explanation?
- We weren't good together.
- Yes, we were.
- No.
When we're sleeping, we're good together,
we stop thinking...
Yes, well, we weren't really
good together,
the rest of the time, it's not true.
It doesn't make me laugh.
I told you I don't find it funny,
you drive me crazy
the way you keep smiling!
Fuck!
Stop making fun of me...
You're the one
who's making me laugh.
I've never said that
to anyone else.
So what, you want a medal?
Yes, of course.
No, but you've got
a lot of nerve to say that.
No, I haven't. Sorry.
- I can't breathe.
- It's incredible.
You're really...
it takes a lot of balls to...
Over time, the three of us managed
to spend time together.
I have the feeling
that Flore had calmed down,
in any case, with her father.
It was even rather enjoyable,
quite nice
Flore went back to live
with Philippe
At the beginning of the epidemic,
it was impossible to find masks.
The pharmacies weren't allowed
to sell them to the public,
nor anyone else.
Flore's uncle had died
of Covid 19.
Our compatriots are losing
their parents,
their spouses, their friends,
the people
who meant something to them.
They are mourning them, they cannot
accompay them as they would like to.
They cannot pay tribute to them
as they would like.
All of those who have lost a loved one,
know the weight of these times...
"This epidemic"
is deadly for the most fragile,
because it prompts a very high number
of severe cases
requiring hospitalisation
in intensive care units
putting our health care system
under considerable pressure
"and is of a scale never yet seen
in modern history."
PART ONE
A few months earlier
Flore remembered the previous months
with Philippe...
Philippe had taken care of his daughter
on his own for nine years.
Philippe and his daughter
For example, what do you reckon,
honey?
We'd have to fill all these bottles
ten times,
to fill the aquarium?
I don't understand any of it myself...
What if someone asks you how much water
you can put in this famous bottle?
We already know that.
One bottle of one litre
fills up the aquarium.
So, what's the question?
Question B?
Why exactly?
Flore and Philippe had met
two years ago.
Flore had immediately taken
a liking to Alice,
and she really enjoyed
taking care of her.
I'm going to leave
- Do you understand what I'm telling you?
- No.
- You don't understand?
- Nope.
Well, it's no big deal,
carry on with your little game,
you're going to get a big slap
in the face,
figuratively speaking of course,
you're going to get a big slap
in the face very soon
I feel like I'm talking to a wall, you see,
I'm telling you something
But you don't hear me,
you don't understand me,
you don't give a damn,
you only think about yourself
- Of course not...
- I smooth things over all the time,
I do everything for you,
compared to your friends
who all criticize you,
one after the other.
If you're talking about Camille,
he's always been like that...
He's asking himself how I do it...
- He wants to sleep with you.
- Not at all.
While I'm busy trying to earn a
bit of money, he's always there,
Well, maybe if you were around a bit more,
he wouldn't do that,
and maybe you wouldn't be
so afraid of it.
If you took care of things a little more.
- I'm not scared of anything.
- Yes, you're invincible,
nothing gets to you,
you just brush everything off.
You don't care
about other peoples' feelings.
You'll end up on your own
if you carry on like that,
at the snap of a finger.
And it won't necessarily be
because you're not with me anymore,
it'll be the next ones too.
There comes a moment
when you have to wake up.
But how do you want me
to get off my ass, I work,
what more do you want me to do?
That's the way I am.
- I'm not going to change now.
- And there you go.
So, is that the end of the discussion?
That's the way you are?
Then, I can't talk to you.
I don't feel like talking,
this discussion is pointless
Oh, dear...
Well, you see, I make you laugh...
I make you smile in fact.
You see, you're not in a bad
mood after all Oh my lord...
Alice's mother pestered Flore.
Quite often.
She wanted to get her daughter back,
despite the court ruling a few years
earlier that gave full custody to Philippe.
What are you doing
with my daughter?
You're completely crazy.
- 'Bye.
- She's my daughter.
Flore, no, you're not going
to get away like that.
- Listen to me!
- No, I have other things to do.
It's not because
you can't get pregnant,
that you have to take my daughter...
Here we go.
Because I'm gonna call the cops, okay?
Call them, do.
- Go home.
- No, I'm going to get her
and bring her back home.
No. You can't do that.
I can't do that?
And who's going to stop me?
Who's going to stop me?
I'm leaving my daughter
with a couple of crazy people.
- What did you say?
- Crazy people, yes.
Go check yourself
into a mental institution,
you need to take care of yourself.
I'm good, I've had enough
of your stories.
Keep your madness,
leave me in peace.
You're not going
to get off like that.
Stop following me!
I want to be able
to see my daughter,
and not another woman be the one
who takes care of her.
It makes me sick...
She's not just any other woman,
she's Flore, she's my girlfriend,
we've been together for two years!
And I love her.
- She's not Alice's mother.
- I can't help it.
The decision was made by the judge
in the family court.
You were the one who summoned me
before the judge,
I didn't ask for any of this, okay?
All I want is for Alice to feel good,
with me, or with you, now,
since you seem
to have calmed down a bit.
You couldn't handle her at the time.
I want to pick her up from school,
I want to spend time with her,
I want to feel a little less lonely,
I feel lonely in my life, you know.
Ah well, if you feel that lonely,
get a dog!
Stop. I don't find you funny
with your stupid jokes.
Or a cat...
- Stop it!
- OK.
- This is serious.
- That's enough now.
In that case,
it would be nice of you
to pay me the little child support
that you never paid me.
You don't give
a fuck about that.
If I were a billionaire,
I wouldn't give a fuck either
but that's not the case.
And I want things to go well,
and not to get back
to the way they were a few years ago.
That worries me a bit too.
And you have to get your apartment.
You're not going to sleep here,
in bed with Flore and me.
I'm getting my apartment soon.
We're not a naturist club here!
Good evening Sir.
Come in.
Sit down.
Well
you've finally decided to make
an appointment with me...
Yes...
Could you perhaps tell me a little bit
about what... brings you here today?
So, it was, it was complicated,
you could say it was already
complicated for me to...
to call you...
Who recommended you?
My doctor in fact.
He told me about you.
In fact, I hesitated for a long time,
for many different reasons,
first of all, because I didn't know if...
if it was good for me... or not...
Is it the first time
you've consulted someone?
Yes, it is.
I was asking myself
if someone outside my life,
as it were, could have,
however professional he was,
understand your problems?
Yes.
And, I think that given
my advancing years, now...
How old are you?
I am fifty years old.
I'm going to be fifty-one soon,
unfortunately for me...
Well, it seems to me, if you want,
to make it short,
We've got time. Take your time.
I'm, well, professionally, I think it's...
I'm not happy with myself at all.
What do you do in life?
At one time, I worked
as a photographer
And now, I work from time to time
as a musician, as a pianist in...
in brasseries, in bars
actually in one caf in particular...
- In Paris?
- In Paris, yes.
It feels weird you being here,
I didn't think
you were going to come.
But why?
I don't know.
- You were wrong, you see.
- Yes.
I wanted to see you,
so that you could come back home
Don't stay in your studio apartment.
I mean, comme home, I meant to say.
Live with me.
But why?
What do you mean why?
Do you remember why I left or not?
No.
Don't fuck around with me.
I make you laugh so...
You have to come back home...
Because you're so hopeless...
it's mind-blowing.
I've been gone for a month
and you're telling me
that you'd like me to come back.
Give me some reasons,
do something...
I don't know how to express myself
I never learned
That's too easy,
that annoys me too...
You're forever saying, "I'm like that,
I don't know how to express myself."
Get your fingers out
and do something! Try.
Get your head out Oh damn it...
Nothing's happening with Marie...
I can't
Oh please... I know
something happened between you two!
- No, nothing at all.
- Stop it.
- Do you swear?
- I swear.
You're a bad liar...
- No, nothing at all.
- Stop it.
I know something happened
between you two.
Look at me straight in the eyes
and tell me it hasn't.
Nothing at all.
I've known her for 40 years!
And I'm incapable
of making love
with anyone else but you
Don't give me that crap...
Do you really think
I believe you?
You think I don't tell myself
you had a life before me?
- Do you think I'm stupid or what?
- I didn't say that.
Stop it, I already know
that you've had a thing with Mary
for the last 30 years.
So stop it.
And don't give me that line
You can' even look me
straight in the eyes and tell me,
"Nothing ever happened
with Marie for the last 30 years."
Look, you're smiling!
You've been caught red-handed.
You're lying. I know you.
- You're lying to me.
- No. I'm not.
There's always been an ambiguity
between you two
There has always been an ambiguity
between men and women
Really? Is that so?
That's news to me...
Are you taking the piss
out of me or what?
There is always an ambiguity
between men and women?
What you're telling me,
is really reassuring.
That there is always an ambiguity
between men and women?
Well, most of the time...
Now, it's not "always"
but only "most of the time".
- I'm not speaking for myself
- But for the rest of the world?
Yes.
As a general rule.
You really take me for a...
You have to stop your paranoia.
I can't. You're not clear,
you're not someone
who is clear, honestly...
It's not easy to trust you.
It's the truth and I'm telling you so
There's always been an ambiguity
between men and women...
- Absolutely.
- What a shitty thing to say!
That's your response when I ask you
if something is happening
between you and Marie?
Yes, but not with Marie!
It's called Philippe's style.
You always do that.
Go and see her yourself.
At least, then, it will be settled.
I'm going to call her you're right
- I'm going to call her.
- You're crazy.
I will suggest that we meet
and have a coffee.
And I'm going to ask her too.
We'll see.
- Go ahead.
- Great. I'm going to do that.
- Go and see old Marie.
- I will.
So, you wanted to see me?
Yeah...
I wonder
why all of a sudden
you came back into his life,
why you see each other
and why I never met you
We've been friends for...
over thirty years.
But you haven't seen each other
for a while now...
As with any friendships,
there are ups and downs
No, but we've always kept in touch.
- There's no...
- You're seeing each other more.
The same as usual...
What makes you say that?
I don't know. There are times
when I don't know where he is
What he's doing.
I wonder if he's not with you.
I'm never invited.
Why do you only see
each other alone?
Does he tell you,
"I'm going to see Marie."?
Sometimes yes,
sometimes I find out for myself.
I won't go into details.
What do you actually believe?
Go all the way.
Because now you're...
I don't believe anything.
I'm just wondering.
I'm asking myself questions
so I'm trying to...
get answers.
What's bothering you?
The fact that he disappears?
The fact that he sees me?
The fact that...
you've known each other for a long time,
that I've never met you.
Yes, but we are just friends, so...
- Yes, and so what...
- Yes.
It's true that we've never met
But I think that
when he loves someone, he...
- He compartmentalizes.
- Exactly.
He's a bit of a character.
You must have realized that.
That's it. But I'm just trying to
Maybe I'm a little paranoid,
I don't know, but
I find it strange all the same.
Your paranoia with regard to me,
would be what?
When you called me to meet up,
what did you want to do,
what were you aiming for?
I'm sorry, I'm a bit direct.
That's good but is your relationship
really just that of friends?
- I'm asking myself.
- You can be sure of that.
We are just friends, nothing more.
As we've been friends for a long time,
I know that when he loves someone,
he really loves them.
He's not going to go frolicking
right and left. That's not his style.
But then what does he do when he leaves?
Do you know?
No, I think that I've never really known
I asked him about it too
I think that he just needs
to be alone sometimes.
It's Rilke who once said,
"To love the other is
to respect one's solitude."
I'm even very surprised
that a pretty young woman like yourself
would be interested
in an old man like him.
Well, I love him.
- Isn't that enough?
- Yes, indeed.
I don't think that there is any...
We don't get to choose
these things...
I think that he really needs
a lot of alone time.
And I'm lucky to have
my girlfriend, Flore,
Who is just wonderful,
she is a bit younger than me.
We've been together for two years
and she helps me a lot.
Does she make more decisions
than you?
Yes. She works, she has her career.
She is a physiotherapist...
I often ask myself, well how...
how she can stay with me?
You underestimate yourself
Don't you?
- No, I don't.
- You undervalue yourself.
Yes.
Is it in your nature or only
At the moment, more so?
At the moment, more so,
but it's also in my nature a bit too.
It's interesting... finally...
the way you compare yourself to her,
let's say, socially
Even though you have a career,
perhaps it's not as lucrative
as your partner's.
But, nonetheless, you are gainfully
employed, you have a job,
and even more so, in order to be
a pianist, that also requires
work and achievements, doesn't it?
Yes, well I'm not a very good pianist,
but I do what I can...
Could you lend me
a little bit of money?
- I'll write you a cheque...
- How much?
I don't know
How much could you spare?
No, that's not the way it works.
How much do you need?
And for when?
Well, as soon as you can have it ready,
ideally 1.000 euros.
How do you want it?
You prefer cash?
Yes. I'll write you two checks
and you can cash them,
one month apart.
- No, you'll pay me back when you...
- It makes me uncomfortable.
You'll pay me back when you can.
It makes me uncomfortable.
Don't tell Flore.
Anyway, it's not worth it.
No, I won't tell Flore...
Clearly. No, no, let's
I'll lend you a 1.000 euros
and you'll pay me back
- Let's give ourselves a year...
- No, I'll write you
two checks and you cash them
But I'm working now.
Things are going well.
Come on!
150 euros...
I work ten days a month.
Playing Santa Claus?
You make 1.500 euros.
I'll write you two checks
and then it's settled.
You don't have
any more concerts coming up?
Yes, but...
everyone tells me that I don't work.
- Flore too.
- What does she say to you, Flore?
She pays all the bills.
I can understand her.
That's how it is.
I'd rather dress up as Santa Claus,
that's all.
The last time I saw her,
she didn't seem to be doing so well
she had put on a bit of weight.
She wasn't at her best.
Is that so?
She has put on a little weight,
but not that much.
- That's a sign.
- Not that much...
- She could be bulimic.
- She really likes you,
I know it, she really likes you.
Yes, I appreciate her a lot too
Well, she's your wife...
No, really.
So do you have any news
from him or not?
Well, no, he left...
- No call in three days?
- No, as usual.
He leaves without saying a word,
we never know when he'll be back.
It's been...
two weeks,
I haven't heard from him.
Do you often hear from him?
Well, usually, we call each other
on a regular basis.
He's really starting to piss me off.
He's really starting to piss me off.
He's acting like a teenager,
well, more like a kid of...
He almost reminds me
of my sixteen year old son.
He reminds me of Baptiste.
Honestly, I don't want to deal
with his problems anymore.
I don't want to be the guy he calls
at two in the morning,
to tell me about his problems.
He's always borrowing dough
that he promises to pay back
but he never does.
I can't stand him anymore.
I'm sorry to tell you
That makes you laugh?
How do you manage
to put up with him,
I don't know.
You're not the only one
who asks me that.
It's normal to ask, isn't it?
Yes, but despite everything else,
he has his charm. There's something
about him you can't explain.
But I'm tired of being with a man
who behaves like a child.
- But you love him?
- Yes.
I don't like him anymore.
It's not the same kind of love,
I'm not sleeping with him
Although
We did have some vague desires when
we were teenagers, it was quite funny.
Vague homosexual, erotic, desires but,
at any rate, we quickly stopped.
You see
So, I'm going to try again
since we're both on our own
And since we've both been abandoned
by this asshole.
Are you free to go to the theatre?
No.
And why not?
- Why not?
- Because she always yells at me.
And she's mean to me.
I'm not so sure
she's mean to you.
And in any case, I prefer it here.
Well, listen, you feel
better here
Never mind, that doesn't mean
you doen't go there.
It's important for you
to see your mother.
It's not like I never go there.
You only go there once in a while.
But you have to keep it up.
Otherwise, you'll never create
a bond with your mother.
You can understand that.
You can't know what she does to me,
you're not there.
I'd like to know
what she does to you.
What does she do to you?
No, I'm not going!
I'm tired of your temper tantrums.
Get up, and we're going.
- No.
- Yes.
- No.
- You don't have a choice.
- Until Daddy comes home.
- I'm the one who'll take you.
That was the plan.
Why are you causing problems now,
the minute before we have to leave?
Because I like it better here.
Well, I'm happy
you feel good here.
But you don't always have
a choice.
What am I going to tell your mother?
She doesn't want to see you?
Put your coat on, let's go.
I'm fed up with your behavior.
You're not being very nice
right now.
Put your coat on, let's go.
- No.
- Yes.
- Why didn't you finish?
- I'm not hungry.
You're not going to do it again.
I asked you
if you wanted some more,
you said yes.
And now you don't want it anymore?
Lots of children
are dying of hunger.
You're acting like a spoiled brat.
So you finish your pasta
or I'm going to slap you.
Do you understand me?
- Do you understand me?
- Yes.
So you raised your daughter alone,
but
what happened to her mother?
Did she leave you? Did you split up?
To be honest, there was
a relationship problem
between her
Yes, we separated quite quickly.
There was a relationship problem
between her mother
and Alice,
which was quite
I don't want to go into the details
And so it happened that I was awarded
the custody of Alice,
without even asking for it
because her mother had summoned me
before the child custody court...
And I was awarded custody
without even asking for it.
So, of course,
I obeyed the court's orders. So I did
the best that I could
to raise my daughter alone
Simply put.
She also saw her mother
At the beginning,
only two Sundays per month
Then, later on, we tried to
For her mother to
But their relationship is
still complicated.
So you wanted to talk to me?
Yes, I had something
I wanted to tell you.
Earlier you told me
that you were afraid that I'd leave
one day with someone else
That I'd get bored and all that...
Well, yes, it's not...
so much that I'm afraid of that
but that's surely what will happen...
That's your version of the story.
What I'm trying to say is
that you never say
how you really feel,
that you love me, for example,
if you think you do,
that's even better
I'm not okay with that.
But you know I do.
No, I don't know any more.
What do you want me to say?
I want you to tell me
that you love me.
I'm incapable of it...
Does one have to tell you
that he loves you?
Well, yes.
"That one loves you"!
You run away
at the slightest opportunity.
You run away every single time...
I don't run off, it's...
You see you can't say it.
It's difficult.
It's difficult maybe, yes...
You know how attached I am to you.
So it's all of this is ridiculous...
You say I know
that you're attached to me
But you come, you go,
you disappear,
you do your own thing,
you're mysterious...
You're not going
to come and watch me
play the piano in bars,
there's nothing very glorious about it...
But I don't care
about the glory of it.
That's your argument?
It's not glorious...
I'm not so sure of that
but okay...
Even if you sang in the mtro,
I'd come and listen.
- I don't care.
- I'm not sure.
Philippe...
I love you but I'm leaving you
I love you but I'm leaving you.
Flore...
I love you.
I love you.
Philippe, I love you
but I am leaving you.
What are you going to do?
I haven't decided yet,
you'll see.
- Do you like it?
- Yes.
You like my hair like that?
You find that funny, don't you?
Oh no, never!
- Never?
- Never!
- Stop it...
- Are you sure you want me to stop?
Hey but... Hey!
She's super strong.
You're going to help me? No?
Philippe...
I've something to tell you.
Oh my God, you're scaring me.
Why?
What if we live together?
If we move in together?
Yes, but I work what,
two or three times a week...
Well, it just so happens that...
- You're not satisfied with that?
- No.
She takes care of a lot of the bills..
She pays part of the rent.
Anyway, in the end,
we can't say that it's...
Do you have financial difficulties?
Yes, but I always have had.
And I've never really
understood why To be honest.
I sense that you're a bit stressed.
Yes I'm a bit stressed.
I can feel it...
You know, that's my job
Over time, I've...
I've acquired this kind
of empathy, you see,
which corresponds to my job,
honestly.
What I feel is something
that comes from you.
Yes, yes. It's quite difficult
for me to...
To relax.
In this situation, in particular?
I find it hard
to talk about myself at all.
I find it difficult
to express myself in general,
so, honestly, it wasn't
an easy step to take.
You're more of an introvert?
Falsely extroverted perhaps.
So, in short,
a really shy person...
Yes. Absolutely. That's exactly it.
Flore's father, Julien,
had just returned from the Lebanon
where he had spent
a large part of his life.
And Flore was meeting him again
for the first time.
Philippe wanted to find
a cheaper apartment.
And next month,
you'll do everything you can
so that we don't have a hard time
paying the rent?
We're not going to move.
To move, we need work contracts,
our situation isn't that good.
There are expenses involved.
No, we're not going to move
to an even smaller place
than where we are now.
It gets a bit complicated.
At the moment,
you're just a little anxious,
No, I'm not just a little anxious,
I'm putting myself in your shoes.
That's very nice of you
but I can handle it...
- Really...
- I'm going to
I think that I'll be able to
find a solution, don't worry.
Flore had lunch regularly
with her uncle.
I have something to ask you.
To tell me or to ask me?
To ask you...
I need you to lend me
some money.
- Oh well.
- Yes.
How much?
2.000 euros.
That much?
Yes, I know.
Actually it's not really for me.
It's for Philippe,
you know, my boyfriend.
And so there you go.
I'm a little embarrassed
to ask you this but...
I don't know who else I could ask
But everything's alright with you?
Yes, yes. You know,
I have my own practice, my patients...
but I can't afford to lend him
2.000 euros.
And then, there's his daughter.
It would bother me
if he had to leave his apartment
with his daughter, Alice.
That's all.
Now, listen
You're the one who's asking me
so I'm going to accept
But do you think he'll be able
to pay me back?
Of course, he's going
to pay you back.
In any case, I'll pay you back,
I'm committing myself for him,
don't you worry about that.
Alright, I'll lend you 2.000 euros.
Well, it makes me
a little uncomfortable
2.000 euros is
It's a chunk of cash... But hey
If you're both in trouble
Is he at least trying to find a job?
Yes, yes, but well, you know it is
It's complicated.
Working as a musician,
you never really know
what the next month is going to bring.
One last thing, I have a question
don't take it the wrong way...
I'm listening.
Aren't you tired of being
with people who are broke?
I'm not always with people
who are broke, that's not true.
And then that's not
the most important thing,
In general, you see,
we are getting by okay.
Yes, he's not rolling in money,
but honestly
I earn my living,
I'm independent...
What's he like with you?
Is he nice?
Yes, of course.
- Does he at least take good care of you?
- Yes, of course.
That's the most important thing then.
Of course, I wouldn't stay
with a guy who was broke
and on top of that
who treated me badly
I'm not totally desperate...
- Some people appreciate.
- Yes, but not me,
definitely, not me.
Why aren't you asleep?
I'm waiting for daddy.
But he's not going
to come home right away
When is he coming home?
He's at work.
When will he be back?
In two and a half hours.
I can wait for him.
No, you're not going to wait.
But it's the weekend.
Yes, that's true but anyway
He will come
and give you a goodnight kiss.
Okay?
All right.
Try to get some sleep.
- Yes.
- Okay.
Sweet dreams then.
And I'll see you tomorrow.
Good night.
I'm just in the other room.
Philippe had found a job playing
Santa Claus for several months.
It's a disaster if you want to know.
It's a bit of a reflection
of my professional life.
Could we identify that in terms
of how others see you?
Is that what would be
a bit embarrassing for you?
It's Christmas.
Long live the end of the year!
Long live the second millennium!
What are you doing dressed up
as Santa Claus?
If I feel like dressing up
as Santa Claus...
But I'd like to know
what you're doing.
- It's none of your business.
- No?
- Well, no.
- Is that your answer?
I'm allowed to dress up
as Santa Claus.
I'am asking you what's the point?
Are you getting paid?
Why haven't I heard about it?
I'm not going to tell you everything.
Of course, I'm getting paid.
- You're paid to do that?
- Yes.
So I'm looking
for a studio apartment.
My budget is 1.000 euros maximum,
utilities included.
- All right.
- Obviously, it's urgent.
And you would like it
to be in the 18th.
Yes, I really like the 18th area of Paris.
Today I only have
a two bedroom apartment
in the 17th, over your budget,
it's 1.600 euros.
However, later this week we should have
a studio apartment available to rent
located on Lamarck Street.
Yes, I really like Lamarck Street.
And it would also be
a bit under 1.000 euros.
A bit under my budget too?
Oh, that's perfect!
It's in good condition
and has a view of the garden.
It's not damp, it's well...
It's not damp,
it's well soundproofed,
No, it's in great shape.
The owners redid everything.
Renovated like new.
I'll give you a call.
When are you going
to put it back up for rent?
- Normally next week.
- Next week!
Here's my business card.
You can call me next week.
That's great.
- Alright?
- Super, thank you very much.
- There you are, you're welcome.
- Goodbye.
PART TWO
Hey, Fanchette.
- How are you doing?
- I'm doing well and you?
I'm okay, tired.
You know work, work, work,
Did you sleep well?
Very well.
Did you manage to do everything
that I asked you to do?
Almost, the sheets aren't dry yet.
What do you mean?
Well I haven't set the table
because the food is still cooking.
Well then, we have to hurry up
because they'll be arriving soon.
I can't be everywhere.
Now, I have to go visit my mother.
I can't be everywhere either...
Well, come on You have to hurry up,
you're daydreaming right now.
This wasn't part of the contract.
But you were daydreaming just now,
come on.
- You're the one who's daydreaming.
- Me?
You think that I'm going to do
everything for you here?
- That's why you were hired, isn't it?
- Not for everything.
Well, to do
at least the minimum.
But you just arrive
and ask if everything's ready.
If there's a problem
then tell me right now.
- Now you're annoying me.
- Me?
That's why you're paid for.
I'm getting paid
so that you can annoy me?
No, to do your job.
Every day you add
more things for me to do.
What else am I asking you to do?
To feed three hens and a duck...
Stop it.
I asked her to stay.
I asked her to stay with us
to help us.
What do you think?
I really like this girl...
I'm not so sure. I don't know her.
She looks like a whiner
What's she going to do?
She's helping us
around the house.
No, no, I disagree.
Find someone else,
she's a whiner.
A whiner
what do you mean by a whiner?
She is a whiner
I don't like her.
- Oh, yeah?
- No.
You can't sleep with her,
so you don't like her
What are you looking for?
- I don't want her.
- But why?
She isn't cut out for this job.
You don't know her.
Hire the girl that you had last year.
No, she's not available and anyway
- This girl is really nice.
- Then do as you like...
- Why don't you like her?
- I don't like her, that's all...
Like you, when you drink wine...
Your garden hose doesn't work.
It doesn't work?
It's too short?
Do we need to water
the olive trees?
Yes, a little bit. Just like you,
you drink,
well, the olive tree drinks too.
Go ahead hose me down.
I never said that I was going
to hose you down.
This pisses me off.
- What pisses you off?
- The watering...
Water yourself.
Are you fucking stupid or what?
You can water
your stuff by yourself.
And take care
of your pathetic guests too.
Everything is okay, calm down.
Did you forget to take your pill?
- You're pissing me off, bitch!
- What did you say, bitch?
Go on you fat bitch.
You bitch!
Bitch? But what do you think
you're doing?
How does your husband
put up with you?
Do you even have a husband?
Go ahead and get your cat,
get out of here
No, leave the cat here for that matter.
He's my cat.
Since when is it your cat?
He can't stand you.
- He spits in your face.
- Yeah, yeah, that's it
I'm going to get her,
I'm going to get her good
Come here, I'm going
to slap you in the face
Get out of here!
I work for you,
but I'm not your slave.
- Get out of here!
- Yes, I'm leaving.
- I am going to punch you in the face.
- Go ahead.
Don't slam the doors now!
I'm going to punch you...
Come here,
so I can punch you in the face!
You think I'm scared?
Look at her, she's a bean stalk.
My husband was right, he had told me
that I'd hired a whiner.
A whiner?
Can't your dress yourself properly?
Don't you like my dress?
No, it's pitiful,
you look like a peasant.
I can't afford to buy myself
a dress like yours
You could at least afford to go
to the hairdresser...
You could pay for me to go.
That's it...
I don't like Mars bars.
- You want a Mars bar?
- I don't like them.
I went to spend a few days
on the Mediterranean coast.
I had given a cigarette to a guy.
Of course, then
I couldn't get rid of him.
Hey cuz, can't I get
your phone number?
Can't I get your phone number?
Fuck off, man!
You got nothing else to do?
Go for a swim...
I've already been swimming.
No, but why are you following me?
Lesbian!
Leave me the fuck alone.
I decided to go back to Paris,
without a train ticket.
A friend of mine had offered me
a job at her restaurant.
I wasn't the only one
who didn't have a train ticket.
And I saw Raymond. I used to sleep
with him once in a while before I left.
This salad is really good...
Yeah, really, it's fabulous
Say, what are you doing tonight?
And you?
- I'm having dinner with you...
- Yeah, me too.
It's not bad, is it? It's delicious
The cherry tomatoes are...
Tell me, Raymond,
are you in the mood?
If I'm in the mood?
Yes, I'm in the mood
but in the mood for what exactly
it's funny,
I wouldn't describe it like that myself,
in the mood
"I'm really in the mood..."
What would you say then?
How would you say it?
Yes, in the mood,
is one way to put it...
We can go to my place
if you'd like...
Yes.
- You're in the mood...
- Yes, I am.
And as planned, I started working
in Lena's restaurant.
I really like Lena.
He's your new cook?
No, it's a guy who's going
to play the piano.
In the evening, three times a week.
That's cool.
For our clients, and for us
Jazz music, a bit of jazz music
but I don't really know exactly
what he plays.
I'll see the first night
when he plays.
We hit it off right away.
We talked a lot about our love lives.
He had loved two women
in his life,
Penelope... a long time ago,
and Flore,
his current girlfriend.
I wanted to ask you a question.
Do you still have your parents?
I still have my parents,
well, they're separated,
and they are very elderly.
Very elderly?
Yes.
And, what kind of background
do you come from?
My background...
the middle-class.
What did your father do?
Well... he did lots of different things
until he was about 45 years old.
Meaning, he was always trying
to earn money
He inherited two houses very young,
which he sold right away.
At the age of 25
he found himself penniless.
Then, he tried and tried
to earn money for 20 years.
I must say that he recovered very well,
financially,
when he set up a company.
I think he recovered very well
he established himself very late in life.
You say re-established?
- Professionally speaking.
- Yes, I got that.
Basically, it's a term that you use
as if he had gone from being sick
to being cured Recovered...
Yes, absolutely... Yes, you're right.
But listening to you, it seems to me
that you have a point in common
with your father.
Between you who has trouble
gaining the social standing
that you'd like to have
and your father who, himself,
as you said, was also always trying
to make money
for years...
Absolutely.
It's a form of identification,
of repetition...
Yes, probably.
I often close up the restaurant.
I don't mind,
I'm on my own and I just live next door.
Philippe, the pianist that Lena hired,
often stays there and sleeps
on the couch.
One night, I had invited Philippe
to sleep on my couch.
- What floor do you live on?
- The sixth.
I made him a place
in the other room.
And then I met Julien
I always met people
when I was on my break.
When I was working,
I was too concentrated on my job,
I didn't feel like talking.
Having a good day?
Having a good day?
It's okay, not bad
Do you like music?
Because, as a matter of fact,
I have two tickets
for a concert tonight...
What is it?
Sorry, what kind of concert?
It's a pop rock concert.
It's a French group,
but it's in English.
Where is it, why not?
It's at the Palladium
at 9:00 pm.
Okay I was planning
to have a quiet evening but...
Well, that's cool.
Well, I guess I'll see you later then.
Let's meet here.
Yes
Let me think for 5 minutes,
I'm not sure if
But don't take it the wrong way.
It's just that this might be
a bit too fast for me
Do you often go to rock concerts?
Yes, because I know
the singer, in fact.
Finally, I agreed to go to the concert.
It was nice.
I did the right thing.
I really like spending time
with Julien.
He's so sweet. I don't know,
it's simple
In any case, only older men
can hold their own,
at least speaking of men, I mean.
In fact, mature men are the best.
At least that's what I think,
it's what I feel.
I've even fallen in love
with him, in fact...
Today's shopping day.
Rungis for Lena, Lidl for me.
Excuse me,
do you work here often?
From time to time, yes, why?
Actually, I'm looking for Philippe.
I met Flore, Philippe's girlfriend,
when I was closing the restaurant.
She was looking for him.
I offered to invite her home
for tea.
You don't have any idea?
You think I'm sleeping
with your boyfriend?
It didn't take you
very long to guess.
You jumped on me
as I was leaving the bar...
We don't know each other.
I work with him from time to time.
No, I'm not sleeping with him.
All right, but has he already
been here?
He came here once,
he stayed for two hours.
And you're not sleeping with him?
Well, no. And you know what,
he told me that he was
really in love with you.
And that he couldn't.
- You don't believe me?
- No, I don't.
I swear to you.
He has been here before
and you want me to believe...
You believe what you want.
And nothing happened
between you two?
I have a hard time believing you.
Obviously you don't trust
your boyfriend.
Well, he's a little too absent,
so no...
That's another story,
I had in front of me a man
who told me that it was impossible.
But still, I find out
that he came to your home,
so I'm asking myself...
Yes, for two hours
and nothing happened.
I don't see the point,
he has lots of friends,
he doesn't need any more.
I don't know what his life is like,
I just see him playing the piano
at the cafe where I'm working.
That's all, he sleeps there.
We talk sometimes,
he's rather nice...
I'm sure you're his type too...
- I don't know about that.
- I'm telling you.
I slept on her couch,
nothing happened with Anna.
I don't want to accept in fact,
that you sleep
in other people's homes.
In other women's homes.
I can't accept it.
But at what point
do you respect me?
Ho, hey!
She was... hey!
She was the one
who offered very kindly
because I was tired.
That's it,
absolutely nothing happened.
You're pissing me off,
you're pissing me off...
I mean, let's stop
You know very well that I love you,
this situation is ridiculous...
Julien had come to pick me up
after my shift
We had a drink in the empty bar,
I really enjoy the moment
when everyone has gone
And Flore arrived,
she was looking for Philippe
but he wasn't there that evening.
Excuse me...
- Ah, hello.
- Hello.
- Flore?
- What are you doing here?
Well, I, I live in the neighborhood
so I come here from time to time...
Do you know each other?
Well, he's my father...
And you know each other?
Well, yes...
Oh, yeah, I didn't know
You know each other, meaning?
How do you know each other, in fact?
It's funny, the last time I saw you, I...
Yes, and every time you ask me
rather too personal questions.
I saw you with my boyfriend
and now with my father,
You don't miss a chance...
Your boyfriend is your boyfriend,
and your father is another story, okay?
Yes, but it's still interesting.
But what does this have to do
with Philippe?
You have a finger in every pie, it's...
I can't believe it
It's not my fault if your boyfriend
sleeps around, got it?
I'm not saying that it's your fault.
That's not actually the point.
I think that you really like men.
But it's not a big deal,
just admit it.
Is it a big deal?
No, but maybe you aren't in love
with the right man.
I think that question is my business.
Absolutely.
Do you always wear
revealing necklines?
- What the fuck...
- For work?
Unbelievable
Is it any of your business?
Stop giving me advice
you're not really in a position to...
In fact, you're going to get off
my back, that's it.
I live next door, I work here.
Don't come here
to verbally assault me every week.
Excuse me if I'm a bit on edge,
I'm looking for my boyfriend...
It's not my fault.
Yes, but he went to sleep
at your place...
It dawned on me
that now you're fucking my father!
Excuse me? Do you hear yourself?
- That's enough!
- But you're so vulgar
Fucking, and are you,
yourself, fucking people?
Please stop acting like you're shocked
by every word I use.
Is it scandalous to say fucking?
No, but saying that I'm dressed
like a whore
and then I'm fucking people?
I didn't say you were a whore.
You said that yourself,
I'm not saying that.
Hold on a minute...
Your dress isn't indecent
but it's sexy.
You're working,
and you're always flirting
- Flirting?
- Yeah, constantly flirting
I'm fed up with you always picking up
the men in my life,
It pisses me off.
Your hair makes you look like a whore.
My hair makes me look
like a whore?
The highlights?
Stop judging people, that's enough.
Whenever I see you,
it makes me tense.
Even more than
I was when I arrived.
I'm going to leave you
Are you always so angry?
- Stay out of it.
- No, that's enough.
You're attacking me again.
I'm not.
I'm just talking to my father.
You started by attacking me,
and us
So, I'll leave you both
but you sort it out, okay?
I'll leave you alone.
Is that what you wanted?
With your disapproving bullshit?
You think that's
how we're going to get closer,
sort things...
What else can I do with you?
I've tried every possible way
to build a relationship with you.
- That's definitely not the right way.
- Maybe I was unfair to her...
I'm tired of being invisible.
I'm tired of you never
picking up the phone
to ask me how I'am doing.
Do you understand
that it hurts me?
That's what I'm trying to tell you
with all these outbursts.
You've come to live in Paris,
but we don't see each other
any more than before.
And then I find you here,
having a drink with that...
I'm allowed to live my life,
I don't have to stay in hiding...
I don't ask you to stay at home,
but to...
fulfill your role
as my father a little more.
Be there for me.
Be there for your child.
You need me to be there
when you're looking for Philippe,
only when he's not there.
But you don't understand, it's crazy.
Don't you understand?
You just don't understand.
Maybe we'll have to finally start
talking to each another.
Well, yeah,
when do we start?
Here, now, perhaps.
I'm listening to you then.
Well, talking to one another isn't just
listening but also saying things...
All right, but someone
has to start, no?
What are you holding against me?
That I worked throughout
the whole of your childhood,
that I wasn't there? Is that it?
Well, exactly.
So what was I supposed to do?
Stay at home and...
Is that your argument?
I had a job, yes.
Well you make me feel guilty
by saying that.
You mean that I have
no reason to be hurt.
- That's not what I'm saying.
- You are.
At least that's how I interpret it.
There you go, oh I was working
so I couldn't stay at home.
As if there wasn't something between...
I was working abroad,
it's difficult to manage both.
I admit it, but...
Yeah, but I'm the child
and I'm the one who pays for it.
That's all
now, I'm grown up...
Anyway, your mother was there,
you weren't all alone.
I'm not talking
about my mother right now.
But about my father,
you're my father.
Always trying to run away
from the subject
We are here.
Are we going to talk or not?
Yes, but we can talk calmly,
we don't have to...
I'm trying not to get angry
but you're changing the subject,
you always find a way of
It's a gift or something
you have
Normally, I'm calm, quite calm.
I can see that.
But you make me tense up, I'm sorry
How do we make up for all the years
you weren't here?
Did you ever ask yourself
if it affected my life?
How it made me feel?
Well, of course but...
what could I do?
Now, I'm here, so...
You're here but not really here.
You're here physically now
but you're not really here.
Now you're all smitten with Anna,
you spend all your time with Anna...
Yes, I have a life
You too, you have a life
with Philippe...
Why does one
have to replace the other?
I am not talking to you about the others,
but about your relationship with me.
So don't tell me I've got Philippe
to fill in the void.
Tell me what I have to do.
I don't know
what I want you to do,
I would like for that
to come naturally to you.
No matter what I do,
in any case, it won't be right.
But you don't do anything, try!
Try, go ahead, show me,
make an effort, make a mistake,
run into walls
Don't do what you're supposed
to do but just do something!
Make a suggestion,
tell me where to meet you,
show me that you're
sincerely interested in me.
Show me that you're a bit interested
in trying, at least, please.
Do you understand that?
Yes, I understand but after all,
I can try.
I'm not sure...
I'm very good at it...
Me either, I'm not so good
at many things but I try at least...
I am not sure I'm good at it
You can share your fears,
I accept that.
It's a form of complicity.
But try, damn it, try.
This thing about constantly
running away,
acting in bad faith, it's been
eating me up for years.
By the way, it makes me feel better
telling you.
If you don't try...
At least I'm good for that,
you can let off some steam, that's good.
But I don't care,
that's not what I'm trying to do,
you definitely don't understand
what I'm trying to say, it's
You're just pretending
not to understand,
it's just that you're not at ease,
you've never been at ease
with words, with feelings...
Well, today, I decided to tell you,
that's all.
It makes you uncomfortable,
I can feel it.
Well, accept it, that's it, face it,
that's how it is. I feel better,
does that make you happy?
But I don't think
I'm just letting off some steam,
I don't think that I'm being unfair
and unleashing all of my anger on him,
I'm not doing that right now.
That's not what I'm trying to do.
I'm trying to change
the poor communication between us.
I want to be optimistic
and to tell myself
we hadn't had it.
But to tell myself
we haven't had it,
we both have to believe it.
Do you see
what I'm trying to say?
Yes, I see very well
Well now, I'm sorry,
but I have to go...
You've got to go?
See you, I'll call you soon.
Fuck.
Are you sure?
Yes, I'm quite touched...
Quite touched? Why's that?
That you actually showed up.
You still don't want
to come back home?
Is that a real question?
Well, no, I still don't want
to come back home.
But what do I have to do
to get you back?
But we love each other,
you even said so yourself...
This argument...
You asked me to say it...
you love each other, therefore,
everything will work itself out.
After a while, that gets on my nerves.
That's... That's getting on my nerves,
but honestly
if we love each other
then everything will be okay, well no.
If we love each other we get up off
our asses, we fight to be together,
then we make changes.
Just saying that if we love each other,
everything is going to be okay,
that appalls me.
What the fuck...
Fuck yeah.
I have the feeling
that I'm listening to a teenage boy.
Well, yes...
Maybe that's exactly
what I'm criticizing about you.
My mental age is 12...
And on top of that,
it makes you laugh
We're definitely not
on the same wavelength.
You take
everything the wrong way.
I can't believe it...
That must be it.
Well, come on, come on
But, seriously,
are you kidding me, or what?
What is it?
- Get rid of...
- I'm not going to give up my apartment.
You're not going to pay
a second rent...
I didn't want to...
- What?
- Fuck, you're really...
You're not going to have
two rents to pay.
Listen, that's my problem.
I don't want to come back.
And honestly, now, you're not
really convincing.
What has changed compared to before?
- Oh, you're going to change.
- No, I've changed,
I'm constantly changing...
Of course...
- You don't believe me?
- No.
Come back and you'll see
even without giving up
your apartment.
It doesn't work like that,
come back and you'll see...
- You know how I am.
- I'm not getting down on my knees...
A lot can happen
between the two different attitutes.
Expand, why should I come back.
Explain to me.
- Pay attention to the knife.
- Explain to me.
But because, because
we were good together,
I like sleeping next to you,
that's why.
- Is that enough of an explanation?
- We weren't good together.
- Yes, we were.
- No.
When we're sleeping, we're good together,
we stop thinking...
Yes, well, we weren't really
good together,
the rest of the time, it's not true.
It doesn't make me laugh.
I told you I don't find it funny,
you drive me crazy
the way you keep smiling!
Fuck!
Stop making fun of me...
You're the one
who's making me laugh.
I've never said that
to anyone else.
So what, you want a medal?
Yes, of course.
No, but you've got
a lot of nerve to say that.
No, I haven't. Sorry.
- I can't breathe.
- It's incredible.
You're really...
it takes a lot of balls to...
Over time, the three of us managed
to spend time together.
I have the feeling
that Flore had calmed down,
in any case, with her father.
It was even rather enjoyable,
quite nice
Flore went back to live
with Philippe
At the beginning of the epidemic,
it was impossible to find masks.
The pharmacies weren't allowed
to sell them to the public,
nor anyone else.
Flore's uncle had died
of Covid 19.
Our compatriots are losing
their parents,
their spouses, their friends,
the people
who meant something to them.
They are mourning them, they cannot
accompay them as they would like to.
They cannot pay tribute to them
as they would like.
All of those who have lost a loved one,
know the weight of these times...