Women at War (2022) s01e01 Episode Script

1
NETFLIX PRESENTS
[intriguing music playing]
September 12, 1914.
France has been at war for a month.
The war was expected to be short,
but has so far resulted
in the death of 300,000 soldiers.
At Saint-Paulin, in the Vosges,
the French army is fighting to contain
the German invasion
and prevent the enemy from reaching Paris.
As men left for the front,
women took their place
in the fields, factories, hospitals
This is the story of four of them.
EPISODE 1
- [distant explosion]
- [horses trotting]
[man] Ah, come on, now!
What the hell are you doing?
I haven't got all day! Stop him!
[soldier] Let him go.
He's Father Louis, I know him.
His fields are on the other side.
- [Father Louis] What's he looking for?
- A murderess.
[Father Louis] Ah, that's ridiculous.
- Good morning, ma'am.
- Morning.
Your papers, please.
- Where are you from?
- Paris.
What are you doing
in Saint-Paulin next to the battlefront?
I've come for work. I'm on the list.
- It's okay, she's a whore.
- Hmm.
- [man] It's not her anyway.
- [soldier] Go ahead.
Good morning. Police.
Show me your papers, please.
Jeanne Charrier.
- And where are you going?
- To Pont-à-Mousson to get my mother.
It's not safe.
I don't want her to stay there alone.
What are you carrying exactly?
Empty trunks for my mother's move.
- Suzanne Faure, does that ring a bell?
- No.
[tense music playing]
[car door opening]
- [Jeanne] Who exactly are you looking for?
- [soldier] Me? Nobody.
He was sent from Paris.
He's looking for a woman.
A murderess.
[tense music continues]
[thumping]
- [engine revs]
- [man] Ahh! Whoa!
[gun firing]
[suspenseful music playing]
- Where are you going?
- To the convent in Saint-Paulin.
I'll take you. Come on, get in the car.
Don't be afraid, come on.
[sweeping intriguing music playing]
[men clamoring]
NATIONAL POLICE
[man yelling]
[soldier] Come on!
We have wounded coming in!
We have wounded people, come on!
- [patient groaning]
- [clamoring continues]
- [man] Lay him down!
- [groaning and clamoring continues]
- Thank you, ma'am.
- [groaning and clamoring continues]
- Take care of yourself, okay?
- Yes.
[soldier] We have a lot of wounded!
You two, come on, hurry up!
[soldier screaming in agony]
- [dramatic music playing]
- [clamoring continues]
[sister] Wounded people! Wounded people!
Soldiers! Soldiers!
Let's hurry up! Quick, quick, quick!
- [dramatic music continues]
- [clamoring continues]
Sister Geneviève!
Do you know where Mother Agnès is?
- In the church.
- Thank you.
Please protect us.
[doctor] Look, we're running out of space.
I've asked headquarters
for a transfer to a hospital,
but our men are fighting here.
They should be treated here. I'm sorry.
Don't apologize.
God's house welcomes those who suffer.
You can count on us.
Thank you, Mother.
[man screaming]
Be strong, Major.
[sister] Hurry up, put him on the bed!
- [doctor] How many?
- No idea. A lot.
You're almost there. Hang on.
The Germans have
taken the hill at Saint-Amand.
If they continue,
they'll also take Saint-Paulin.
Doctor Bruand, check the others!
Let's go, quick!
[Bruand] Okay!
[Agnès] You can't stay here.
Come with me, Lisette.
Are you all right, Lisette?
Yes.
I brought you cheese, milk,
and raspberries.
You can't stay there anymore.
Three women alone by the woods
so close to the front line? It's madness!
Mom says we have to get the hay in first.
I know your mother,
she'll always find an excuse.
She doesn't want to leave her farm,
but you can't wait any longer.
I'll make room for you at the convent.
At least here you'll be safe.
- But
- No, there's no "but," Lisette!
If you're not here tomorrow morning,
I'll come get you myself!
Lisette.
Promise me you'll tell her.
- [woman] It's good to unwind.
- [man] Yeah, it's good. You're right.
[woman giggles] And I think
I have an idea how I can help you.
- [man] Uh-huh?
- [woman] We're gonna have fun.
[woman laughing]
[woman singing in French]
I arrive in this place full of mystery ♪
To make a deal with my flesh ♪
- [women giggling]
- [indistinct merriment]
[singing continues] The girl caresses me
She's a beautiful courtesan ♪
She struts about just like this ♪
I'll go straight to Heaven ♪
[patrons speaking French and laughing]
- [in English] Yes, what do you want?
- [sighs] I'm looking for a job here.
We're full, all right?
No, we do have a room.
Maria decided to leave us.
What's your name?
Marguerite de Lancastel.
- Hmm.
- And, of course, you're on the lists?
Yes.
[bartender] We don't want
any trouble with the army here.
They turn a blind eye,
but it's not worth the risk, huh?
[woman] Hey, honey,
can you give us another round?
Here, you'll have 20 patrons a day.
If you're not up to it, you can leave now.
I don't like fancy hookers.
I've been in the business for 20 years,
and I work fast.
I won't cause any trouble.
I'm here to work.
There are no customers in Paris,
and here, well
Here, there are soldiers.
Juliette! Please show her Maria's room.
- Go on.
- [bartender] Yeah? What do you want?
[bittersweet music playing]
[woman] Don't fight over my pussy.
We can work something out, you know?
I'm accommodating.
[man] Come on, Maria, move it!
You heard the boss.
You're not welcome here anymore.
[patrons moaning indistinctly]
[Marguerite] Your boss means business
Is that his wife behind the counter?
His sister.
- Did you know how the chips work?
- I'm familiar with that.
And I suppose that they
make wage deductions, huh?
The room, the linen, the meals.
Running a brothel here costs money.
- I agree.
- Listen.
There are about 15 of us here.
Don't make any trouble.
- The last one who tried to screw us over
- She's gone for good. Yes, I know.
It's not my first brothel.
[Jeanne] We shouldn't linger, Suzanne.
That cop won't give up.
Why do you help women like me?
Because I can't stand injustice.
I don't even know what your name is.
Jeanne.
Jeanne Charrier.
Thank you, Jeanne.
Don't worry too much.
Everything will work out.
We'll be in Pont-à-Mousson tomorrow,
and the day after,
you'll be sleeping in Switzerland.
[dark music playing]
- [taps hood]
- It's Compoing!
- Jeanne, can you hear me? It's Compoing!
- Where is he?
[menacing music playing]
- [gun firing]
- [Suzanne shrieks]
- [gun firing]
- [Jeanne yelps]
- [shrieks]
- [Suzanne] Jeanne!
[groaning]
Jeanne! Are you okay?
Jeanne! Are you hurt?
[Jeanne screaming]
[Jeanne groaning faintly]
[tense music playing]
I'n not after you.
Tell me where she is.
[Suzanne grunts]
- Come!
- [Jeanne groaning]
[Suzanne] Let's go.
[ominous music playing]
[machinery banging]
[man] I know the situation
is far from ideal,
but I'm leaving for the front line tonight
and I need to count on you.
[worker] Sorry, Mr. Dewitt.
We're willing to run the plant,
but we still haven't
received our exemption papers.
We should have been drafted by now!
Without papers,
we risk being executed by firing squad.
- We're not deserters!
- You'll get them.
My brother assured me the Ministry of War
approved our application.
- Why is it taking so long?
- All I'm asking is for you to trust me.
It's only a matter of time.
The war won't last long.
You'll be in good hands while I'm gone.
My wife knows all the files, clients,
and procedures.
And she knows every one of you.
She has my complete trust.
[bittersweet music playing]
[Mr. Dewitt] Having a woman in charge
of the company, it'll shake them up.
That's good.
Besides, I know you, hmm?
You'll win them over in no time.
What is it?
At least you could've stayed.
- You would have been exempted.
- Yes, but I have to go anyway.
I'm an engineer,
and I can help France differently.
You understand, right?
- Hmm?
- Hmm.
Don't worry, I'll be back in a month.
Hey.
I promise.
[sweet music playing]
I have great confidence in her, Mother.
We've been married for ten years.
Like when you trusted her
with the factory's renovation
and it cost a fortune?
To bring it into the 20th century, yes.
She's not even handy, but if you say so.
And Caroline has no business sense,
it's obvious.
Mother.
Please, Mother.
Promise me you'll make an effort.
Fine.
[clock ringing]
Come back to me.
[dark music playing]
[somber music playing]
[girl] Do you think
the Germans will leave soon?
[Caroline] I hope so.
I'm looking forward to going home.
[Caroline] We can't right now, dear.
Do you think someone's
sleeping in my room?
Mmm-mmm.
That is impossible.
- We locked all the doors, remember?
- Maybe they slipped in through the window.
I hope they didn't break all my toys.
[knock on door]
[Mr. Dewitt] I brought you
a present, Madeleine.
Do you like it?
- Hey, Madeleine!
- Let go of me! Let go of me!
- Calm down.
- Let go of me!
- Let go of me! Let go of me!
- Madeleine.
- Madeleine, please!
- Leave me alone!
- Calm down, Madeleine, please! Please!
- [cries] Let go of me!
Madeleine, Madeleine, please.
[softly] Please. Please.
Calm down.
Talk to me.
I don't want you to leave.
We've talked about this, okay?
Hmm?
Let's try something, you and me, look.
If you miss me,
you take the doll here,
hug it very, very,
very tightly against you like this.
So you can feel
my heart beating against yours.
Okay?
I don't want your doll.
[somber music playing]
[somber music continues]
I love you. I love you.
[somber music continues]
- [engine starting]
- [somber music building]
Daddy! Daddy!
Wait!
Dad, wait for me!
- [indistinct chatter]
- [man] Aubert.
Legrand.
Husson.
Bonnet.
Pition.
Aliex.
André.
Guillet. It's time. Next convoy is yours.
You're with the engineers.
Captain Dewitt!
Major Dupont.
Sapper Aubert.
Sapper Jacquet.
[dramatic music playing]
Captain Dewitt!
[grave music playing]
DEWITT FACTORY
[door opening]
He left.
We were almost late.
Where's Madeleine?
In her room.
Listen, Éléonore
You don't have to.
You're here because your house
is in German territory, that's all.
Victor is gone.
So now there's no need to pretend.
Let's try to coexist peacefully.
I like the quiet of my house,
and meals are served at set times.
As for the factory, well
do the best that you can.
[sighs]
[intriguing music playing]
After all
you weren't that tired, Captain.
- Right?
- [both chuckle]
You know, there's no need
for flattery anymore.
Is this included in the price?
Let's just say
when I like a man,
I like to make things last longer.
[grunts] I, uh
- I'd love to, but I don't have time.
- Of course.
You have to return to your quarters.
By the way, I was wondering
I could come and see you there,
if you tell me where it is.
What do you say?
[clears throat]
The location of the quarters
is classified, surely you know that.
[door opens]
- [patron] This is my friend Lucien.
- [indistinct chatter]
- Good evening.
- [soldiers] Evening.
- Do you have a lighter?
- Yes.
Thanks.
[boisterous indistinct chatter]
- May I buy you a drink?
- [laughs]
Only one?
- What are you having?
- Champagne.
[man moaning in pleasure]
Oh, I'll speak about you at the quarters.
You won't be short of customers!
I could always come and do a few extras.
- If you tell me where it is.
- That's not possible.
Civilians are not allowed.
- Too bad
- [grunts in pleasure]
Either that or
[grunts] You'd have to be discreet.
Well, look how discreet I am. [chuckles]
[moans]
It's just after the Madeleine pass.
Thirty minutes on foot from here,
if you walk fast.
[dramatic music playing]
[grunts in pleasure]
[dramatic music continues]
[Éléonore] Thank you.
Thank you.
Can we go to the Bear Cave, Mommy?
We can't go, Madeleine.
It's too dangerous. It's German territory.
So can you play dolls with me?
I've already explained to you,
I have to work now, sweetheart.
[Madeleine] Mmm.
[Éléonore] Your mother is too busy
to take care of you anymore.
I'm not.
I bet we will have lots of fun.
You have to study too.
Remember, school starts in two weeks.
[man shouting] Go around the estate!
Find them!
[grave music playing]
[horses trotting]
[captain] Where's the entrance
to the factory?
[soldier] Over there, Captain!
[soldier] Good day, gentlemen!
Stop what you're doing,
put your tools down!
When I call your name,
join the officer towards the rear.
- Chalandon.
- Yes, that's me.
To the rear.
- Dubois.
- Yes.
- Hermé?
- That's me.
- Jacquotin.
- Yeah.
- Mauvignier.
- Yeah.
- Perrot.
- I'm here.
Queneau.
- Ricoeur.
- Good morning, sir.
- Sabatier. Schmit.
- What's going on?
- [Schmit] Yeah.
- Degaux!
Would you mind explaining?
I'm arresting your workers.
- Why? On what grounds?
- Desertion, ma'am.
- We're not deserters!
- No, it's a mistake. You got it wrong.
These men are awaiting exemption papers.
You can call the Ministry of War.
I doubt it. The order
came from the ministry itself.
Sir, please, I'm just asking
for a day to check this out, I'm sure
I have orders.
They're coming with me today.
- What's going to happen to them?
- They'll be sent to the front line.
- Let's go, gentlemen.
- No!
- [man] Don't worry, Denise. I'll be fine.
- [soldier] Ma'am, please.
- Sir, let's go. Come on.
- [man] Have faith, Denise.
- [soldier] Please, ma'am. Ma'am.
- [Denise] Don't go!
[soldier] Let's go!
[dramatic music playing]
[explosion in distance]
[explosion in distance]
[explosions continue]
Mother.
[Suzanne] Help!
Help!
Stay here, Lisette!
[Suzanne panting]
I need to treat her urgently.
- [woman] Lisette, go inside.
- [Suzanne] Thank you.
Hang on.
[Jeanne groaning]
We need to disinfect and stitch the wound.
We don't have what's needed here,
but there's a hospital in Saint-Paulin.
- It's in the convent.
- No, we can't go.
Can you get some clean water, please?
Thank you.
[woman] Don't stay here, Pauline!
Come with us.
[panting] Not the hospital.
It's too dangerous.
[groaning]
Grab your train ticket and run.
[Suzanne] Mmm-mmm.
I'll go there alone.
I'm a nurse
and I'll bring medical supplies.
What if you get caught?
I'll take your papers.
I'll leave mine here. That way,
if I get checked, I can pretend to be you.
What's your last name again?
Charrier. Jeanne Charrier.
- [woman] There you go.
- Thank you.
[wincing]
[Suzanne] Keep pressure here, okay?
Which way to Saint-Paulin?
It's down that path.
Follow me, I'll show you.
Hang on.
[suspenseful music playing]
[Agnès] The Germans have
taken the hill near their farm!
If Lisette and her family aren't here
in an hour, let me know, I'll get her.
Yes, Mother Agnès.
[people exclaiming in French]
- [indistinct chatter]
- [wounded groan]
- [soldier] Come on, guys!
- [sister] The wounded are arriving!
- [man groans]
- [sister] Careful!
Slowly!
Calm down, calm down.
- [soldier] Watch the stairs!
- [groaning continues]
- [soldier] Easy. Take it easy.
- [doctor] Bruand!
- Bruand!
- [Bruand] Yes?
- [doctor] How many?
- [Bruand] Another 20.
[doctor] Keep sorting them.
Send me the critical ones.
[sister] Bring me morphine, quick!
- [tense music playing]
- [indistinct chatter continues]
[doctor] Give me a hand!
[sister] Grab him by the legs.
Try to keep him on the table.
[soldier] We lost the hill of Saint-Anne.
If we lose Saint-Paulin next,
it's a straight shot to Paris
for the Germans.
[doctor] And the Red Cross reinforcements?
Any news?
[soldier] Not anytime soon.
They're still stuck in Marne.
[doctor] How can I handle this?
I'm the only surgeon here.
I have to get by with country doctors
and nuns who can barely dress a wound.
Bring me the next one!
[soldier] Your brother arrives tomorrow.
He's been assigned to my command.
- Are you sending Léon to the battle front?
- He's a Saint-Cyrian.
He's not a Saint-Cyrian by choice.
He did it to please you.
- [soldier] Excuse me, General.
- [doctor] Go!
On my table.
On three! One, two, three!
Come on!
- [patient groaning]
- [soldier] General!
General, we need you!
[indistinct chatter
and clamoring continues]
[dramatic music playing]
[music fades]
[rifle firing in distance]
- [rifle firing]
- [woman] Lisette, go inside!
- [soldiers yelling in German]
- [woman 1] Lisette!
[woman 2] Inside, Lisette!
- [Lisette] Mother!
- Hide, Lisette!
- [Lisette shrieks] Mother!
- Go hide!
- [rifle firing]
- [Lisette screams] Mother!
No, Mother!
- [woman] Don't move, Lisette!
- [Lisette screams] Mother!
- [woman] No! Don't move, Lisette!
- [rifle fire continues]
- [all clamoring]
- [soldiers shouting in German]
- Mother!
- [woman] Don't move!
- [soldiers shouting in German]
- [rifles firing]
- [Lisette screams]
- [woman wailing]
[soldier yelling in German]
- [soldiers shouting]
- [woman wailing hysterically]
- [Pauline] Mother!
- [soldiers shouting]
- [rifle firing]
- [Pauline screams]
[yelling continues]
[screaming]
- [soldiers clamoring in German]
- [Pauline screaming]
[door opens]
Hide, quickly!
Back! Stay back! Stay where you are!
- [yelling in German]
- Stay back! Stay back!
Stay back! Stay back!
[all yelling and clamoring]
[clamoring stops suddenly]
[gun firing]
[panting]
[soldiers clamoring in German]
[clamoring continues]
[clamoring fades into distance]
[breathing raggedly]
[somber music playing]
[gasps]
[somber music continues]
[sobs] I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry.
[cart approaching]
[woman shouting]
Lisette! Lisette! Lisette!
[screams] Lisette!
[dramatic music playing]
[screams] Why did you do this to me?
[screaming]
Are there other survivors?
[dramatic music continues]
[grunts with effort]
[somber music playing]
Go in peace, my dear child.
We have to go. They might come back.
Miss?
What is your name?
Miss, please.
What is your name?
Jeanne.
Jeanne Charrier.
Hey. Come with me.
[dramatic music playing]
[indistinct chatter in distance]
[indistinct chatter continues]
[Caroline] Don't forget the change!
What are you doing here?
I've been looking for you for so long
I finally convinced myself you were dead.
Mom! Mom! There was no baguette left,
so I got a loaf of bread instead.
Don't worry, dear. It's okay. Come.
She's, uh, my daughter
Madeleine.
Maybe we can talk some other time?
You know where to find me.
I have the same job.
Who's the lady, Mom? She's pretty.
[somber music playing]
Have you seen the time?
This is not a hotel, got it?
I'll catch up. You can trust me on that.
[somber music continues]
Her ID?
- Where's the body?
- Inside the house.
[suspenseful music playing]
It's not her.
It's her smuggler.
Suzanne Faure is not married.
- Other bodies in the house?
- Just the little one in the next room.
Hey! What are you doing?
You're obsessed with this girl.
What exactly did she do?
Suzanne Faure killed my wife
so she must die.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Sir?
[shuddering]
[sweeping music playing]
[man sobbing]
[sweeping music continues]