1 00:01:01,980 --> 00:01:08,570 Written and Directed by 2 00:02:16,137 --> 00:02:18,181 Hello. 3 00:04:09,417 --> 00:04:11,920 See you next week, then. 4 00:15:49,908 --> 00:15:52,036 No reading at the table. 5 00:19:38,178 --> 00:19:40,264 Is it good? 6 00:19:58,907 --> 00:20:03,120 I added less water than last week. Maybe that's why it's better. 7 00:21:28,538 --> 00:21:31,792 You hardly eat. You don't look well, you know. 8 00:22:25,178 --> 00:22:27,764 Want something else? Some fruit? 9 00:24:00,774 --> 00:24:03,777 We got a letter from Aunt Fernanda in Canada. 10 00:24:44,192 --> 00:24:45,902 I'll read it to you. 11 00:25:02,335 --> 00:25:04,588 “Dear Jeanne and Sylvain, 12 00:25:04,713 --> 00:25:08,175 I'm sorry I've taken so long to write back. 13 00:25:08,341 --> 00:25:11,011 I often think of you and Belgium. 14 00:25:11,178 --> 00:25:15,348 But I've been so busy with the kids starting back to school, 15 00:25:15,515 --> 00:25:18,685 and suddenly I realized winter's here. 16 00:25:18,852 --> 00:25:22,314 It's been snowing a lot, and I hardly get out. 17 00:25:22,439 --> 00:25:26,902 The roads were so bad that the kids couldn't go to school last Friday, 18 00:25:27,027 --> 00:25:29,696 and I'm at home most of the time, 19 00:25:29,863 --> 00:25:33,074 because without a car, you get bogged down. 20 00:25:33,200 --> 00:25:36,244 Jack says he'll teach me to drive next year. 21 00:25:36,369 --> 00:25:39,456 The distances are simply too huge here. 22 00:25:39,581 --> 00:25:43,877 He says I'm in Canada now and I should act like the locals. 23 00:25:44,044 --> 00:25:47,547 The women here all drive, but I'm afraid I'll never learn. 24 00:25:47,672 --> 00:25:51,218 But now all the cars are completely covered by snow. 25 00:25:51,343 --> 00:25:53,553 The children are fine, big and strong. 26 00:25:53,678 --> 00:25:55,639 Real Canadians, just like Jack. 27 00:25:55,764 --> 00:25:59,726 I fear Jane may get too tall, but anyway, she's fine. 28 00:25:59,893 --> 00:26:02,145 I hope you'll come see them this summer. 29 00:26:02,270 --> 00:26:06,233 We have a large guest room, and Sylvain can sleep with his cousin. 30 00:26:06,358 --> 00:26:08,610 Maybe we can introduce you to someone. 31 00:26:08,735 --> 00:26:10,737 Jack says you should remarry, 32 00:26:10,862 --> 00:26:13,615 that a good-looking woman shouldn't be alone. 33 00:26:13,740 --> 00:26:16,409 George has been dead six years now. 34 00:26:16,534 --> 00:26:20,455 We know you're very brave and you say you'd rather stay single 35 00:26:20,580 --> 00:26:22,916 so as not to complain. 36 00:26:23,083 --> 00:26:26,086 But sometimes when I think of you, tears come to my eyes. 37 00:26:26,253 --> 00:26:29,756 Well, Jack will be home soon and the table's not set yet, 38 00:26:29,923 --> 00:26:32,509 so I'll say good-bye, with a hug for you both. 39 00:26:32,634 --> 00:26:35,053 Your loving sister and aunt, Fernande. 40 00:26:35,178 --> 00:26:40,558 PS: I sent a birthday present for Jeanne last month by boat.” 41 00:27:02,122 --> 00:27:04,958 I wonder what that present could be. 42 00:27:07,127 --> 00:27:09,296 Would you like to go to Canada? 43 00:27:22,183 --> 00:27:25,103 “The Enemy,” by Charles Baudelaire. 44 00:27:26,146 --> 00:27:29,983 “My youth was but a gloomy storm 45 00:27:30,317 --> 00:27:33,987 With occasional flashes of dazzling sun 46 00:27:34,487 --> 00:27:37,866 Thunder and rain have created such havoc 47 00:27:38,950 --> 00:27:42,662 That in my garden few buds remain 48 00:27:43,788 --> 00:27:47,125 Now I've reached the autumn of my thoughts 49 00:27:47,334 --> 00:27:49,794 And I have to use...” 50 00:27:50,086 --> 00:27:51,671 The spade. 51 00:27:51,838 --> 00:27:55,675 “And I have to use the spade and rake 52 00:27:55,842 --> 00:27:59,596 To reclaim a bit of the flooded land 53 00:28:01,056 --> 00:28:04,684 Where water burrows pits like open graves.” 54 00:28:04,851 --> 00:28:06,519 Once more. 55 00:28:06,728 --> 00:28:09,689 “The Enemy,” by Charles Baudelaire. 56 00:28:11,024 --> 00:28:14,152 “My youth was but a gloomy storm 57 00:28:14,361 --> 00:28:17,906 With occasional flashes of dazzling suns 58 00:28:20,116 --> 00:28:23,578 Thunder and rain have created such havoc 59 00:28:23,745 --> 00:28:26,873 That in my garden few buds remain 60 00:28:27,040 --> 00:28:29,751 Now I've reached the autumn of my thoughts 61 00:28:29,876 --> 00:28:33,004 And I have to use the spade and rake 62 00:28:33,129 --> 00:28:35,965 To reclaim a bit of the flooded land 63 00:28:36,091 --> 00:28:38,885 Where water burrows pits like open graves.” 64 00:28:41,888 --> 00:28:44,391 You're picking up the accent more and more. 65 00:28:44,557 --> 00:28:48,019 I know. I can even pronounce the Rs like Yan, 66 00:28:48,144 --> 00:28:50,980 and no one laughs at me at school anymore. 67 00:28:51,106 --> 00:28:52,732 Perhaps... 68 00:28:52,899 --> 00:28:56,194 but nobody forced you to go to the Flemish school. 69 00:28:56,694 --> 00:28:58,863 Yes, I know - your friend. 70 00:29:17,048 --> 00:29:20,760 I wonder if you can still say your Rs like me. 71 00:30:15,231 --> 00:30:18,443 And now, the Bagatelle for Piano No. 27, 72 00:30:18,568 --> 00:30:21,488 Opus 126 in A Minor, by Beethoven, 73 00:30:21,613 --> 00:30:25,450 “Für Elise,” played by Suzanne Duchêne. 74 00:31:43,778 --> 00:31:45,822 Come have a look. 75 00:31:57,208 --> 00:31:59,711 You want it long, don't you? 76 00:32:19,772 --> 00:32:21,941 I'm almost out of yarn. 77 00:33:37,809 --> 00:33:40,311 - This is Tuesday, isn't it? - Yes. 78 00:39:46,552 --> 00:39:49,638 You're always reading, just like your father. 79 00:39:49,764 --> 00:39:52,349 I know. You already told me. 80 00:39:52,641 --> 00:39:55,436 How did you meet my father? 81 00:39:55,895 --> 00:39:58,105 Why do you ask that now? 82 00:39:58,230 --> 00:40:00,399 I just read the word “miracle,” 83 00:40:00,566 --> 00:40:04,570 and Aunt Fernande always said it was a miracle she met Jack. 84 00:40:04,695 --> 00:40:08,282 Yes, he came in '44 to liberate us. 85 00:40:08,407 --> 00:40:11,118 They tossed chewing gum and chocolates to us, 86 00:40:11,410 --> 00:40:13,829 and we threw flowers to them. 87 00:40:13,996 --> 00:40:17,083 I met your father after the Americans had left. 88 00:40:17,249 --> 00:40:20,628 I was living with my aunts, because my parents were dead. 89 00:40:20,753 --> 00:40:24,882 One Saturday, I went to the Bois de la Cambre with a girlfriend. 90 00:40:25,091 --> 00:40:27,259 I don't remember the weather. 91 00:40:27,384 --> 00:40:32,264 She knew him. You know who I mean. I've shown you her picture. 92 00:40:33,099 --> 00:40:34,850 So we began seeing each other. 93 00:40:34,975 --> 00:40:38,521 I was working as a billing clerk for horrible pay. 94 00:40:38,646 --> 00:40:42,399 Life with my aunts was dull. I didn't feel like getting married, 95 00:40:42,525 --> 00:40:47,279 but it seemed to be “the thing to do,” as they say. 96 00:40:47,446 --> 00:40:50,616 My aunts kept saying, “He's nice. He has money. 97 00:40:50,783 --> 00:40:52,785 He'll make you happy.” 98 00:40:52,993 --> 00:40:55,121 But I still couldn't decide. 99 00:40:55,412 --> 00:41:00,584 But I really wanted a life of my own, and a child. 100 00:41:01,293 --> 00:41:06,048 Then his business suddenly hit the rocks, so I married him. 101 00:41:06,715 --> 00:41:09,301 Things like that happened after the war. 102 00:41:09,802 --> 00:41:11,971 My aunts had changed their minds. 103 00:41:12,096 --> 00:41:14,974 They said a pretty girl like me could do better 104 00:41:15,099 --> 00:41:18,227 and find a man who'd give me a good life. 105 00:41:18,352 --> 00:41:22,481 They said he was ugly and so on, but I didn't listen. 106 00:41:23,691 --> 00:41:27,319 If he was ugly, did you want to make love with him? 107 00:41:28,279 --> 00:41:32,283 Ugly or not, it wasn't all that important. 108 00:41:32,408 --> 00:41:35,744 Besides, “making love,” as you call it, is merely a detail. 109 00:41:35,870 --> 00:41:39,165 And I had you. And he wasn't as ugly as all that. 110 00:41:39,290 --> 00:41:41,625 Would you want to remarry? 111 00:41:42,126 --> 00:41:44,795 No. Get used to someone else? 112 00:41:45,379 --> 00:41:47,631 I mean someone you love. 113 00:41:48,966 --> 00:41:50,843 Oh, you know... 114 00:41:51,552 --> 00:41:54,305 Well, if I were a woman, 115 00:41:54,430 --> 00:41:58,601 I could never make love with someone I wasn't deeply in love with. 116 00:41:58,726 --> 00:42:01,896 How could you know? You're not a woman. 117 00:42:02,188 --> 00:42:03,898 Lights out? 118 00:42:04,148 --> 00:42:05,858 All right. 119 00:42:06,192 --> 00:42:07,651 Sleep well. 120 00:43:05,334 --> 00:43:08,420 end of the first day 121 00:55:03,969 --> 00:55:05,929 Did you wash your hands? 122 00:56:07,782 --> 00:56:10,618 Couldn't I have a little more today? 123 01:09:15,986 --> 01:09:18,155 Thank you, ma'am. 124 01:09:43,889 --> 01:09:46,183 How are you, ma'am? 125 01:09:46,308 --> 01:09:50,563 Fine, thanks. Could you fix these by tomorrow? 126 01:09:50,688 --> 01:09:52,773 My son's wearing his other pair, 127 01:09:52,898 --> 01:09:55,526 but his feet get soaked when it rains. 128 01:09:55,693 --> 01:09:58,028 They're last year's shoes. 129 01:09:58,696 --> 01:10:00,865 I'll have a look. 130 01:10:04,869 --> 01:10:07,288 And the heels too, while I'm at it. 131 01:10:07,413 --> 01:10:10,332 All right. How's tomorrow at 4:00? 132 01:10:10,457 --> 01:10:11,709 Fine. 133 01:10:11,876 --> 01:10:14,795 - How's your boy doing? - Just fine. 134 01:10:14,920 --> 01:10:18,340 You're happy with him? He listens to you? 135 01:10:18,465 --> 01:10:19,675 Good. 136 01:10:19,800 --> 01:10:21,802 What would I do without him? 137 01:10:21,927 --> 01:10:24,138 They'll be ready tomorrow at 4:00. 138 01:11:17,149 --> 01:11:19,652 Hello. It's been a long time. 139 01:11:20,319 --> 01:11:22,112 Stop by for coffee this afternoon. 140 01:11:22,279 --> 01:11:25,699 I can't today. Maybe next week. 141 01:11:25,824 --> 01:11:28,410 All right. See you then. 142 01:18:22,783 --> 01:18:24,659 Hello. 143 01:23:31,174 --> 01:23:32,175 Here he is. 144 01:23:32,342 --> 01:23:34,552 You weren't eating, were you? 145 01:23:34,803 --> 01:23:36,805 What are you making for dinner? 146 01:23:36,930 --> 01:23:40,350 Wednesdays it's breaded veal with peas and carrots. 147 01:23:40,850 --> 01:23:43,186 I had no idea what to make today. 148 01:23:43,353 --> 01:23:47,691 Myself, I'd be fine with just bread and butter. 149 01:23:48,441 --> 01:23:51,778 I don't have much appetite ever since I started smoking. 150 01:23:51,903 --> 01:23:56,366 But the children need meat, so I went to the butcher's. 151 01:23:56,533 --> 01:23:58,868 There was a long line. 152 01:23:59,536 --> 01:24:04,666 I always think I should go earlier or later to avoid the line, 153 01:24:04,791 --> 01:24:07,210 but this time, I thought... 154 01:24:07,335 --> 01:24:10,839 “I'll listen to what other women order. I might get some ideas.” 155 01:24:10,964 --> 01:24:13,216 But I got even more discouraged. 156 01:24:14,008 --> 01:24:16,678 One ordered ground meat. 157 01:24:16,803 --> 01:24:19,889 I thought, "Probably for meat loaf, 158 01:24:20,056 --> 01:24:23,184 but I just served that yesterday with apple sauce. 159 01:24:23,309 --> 01:24:26,980 Then I though: "No, she 'll make hash.” 160 01:24:27,230 --> 01:24:28,940 But hash again... 161 01:24:29,065 --> 01:24:34,028 When my turn came, I still hadn't decided. 162 01:24:34,571 --> 01:24:38,742 So I ordered the same thing as the woman in front of me 163 01:24:38,908 --> 01:24:42,704 and wound up paying 300 francs for two pounds of veal. 164 01:24:43,413 --> 01:24:47,917 It's a good two days' worth, and none of us really like veal. 165 01:24:48,084 --> 01:24:50,420 So the kids turn up their noses once again. 166 01:24:50,545 --> 01:24:53,047 People say veal has no vitamins. 167 01:24:53,173 --> 01:24:56,926 And you can't eat fish these days - it can kill you. 168 01:24:57,969 --> 01:25:00,972 If only they didn't come home for lunch every day, 169 01:25:01,097 --> 01:25:03,975 but my husband says the food at school isn't good, 170 01:25:04,100 --> 01:25:06,936 and they're small for their age as it is. 171 01:25:07,061 --> 01:25:10,356 I tell you, if it were up to just me... 172 01:25:12,150 --> 01:25:15,278 But he 'll be gone all next week. 173 01:25:15,445 --> 01:25:17,530 I'll miss him, you know? 174 01:25:17,655 --> 01:25:20,033 I'll stay at my mother's, 175 01:25:20,158 --> 01:25:23,995 so they'll have to get used to eating with the other kids. 176 01:25:24,120 --> 01:25:25,747 It's better that way. 177 01:25:25,872 --> 01:25:27,957 My husband can't object. 178 01:25:28,374 --> 01:25:30,752 Does your son eat lunch at school? 179 01:25:30,877 --> 01:25:33,171 Yes, he always has. He's not fussy. 180 01:25:33,296 --> 01:25:35,215 My husband wasn't either. 181 01:25:35,340 --> 01:25:38,301 Oh, mine isn't either. It's all those kids. 182 01:25:38,551 --> 01:25:41,471 But what can you do, you know? 183 01:25:43,264 --> 01:25:45,475 At least there are ways these days. 184 01:25:45,600 --> 01:25:47,352 Well, I've gotta go. 185 01:25:47,769 --> 01:25:49,312 Bye. 186 01:29:26,195 --> 01:29:27,572 Excuse me. 187 01:29:28,865 --> 01:29:32,535 I'd like a ball of yarn this color. 188 01:29:34,537 --> 01:29:37,331 I think I saw some over there. 189 01:29:40,043 --> 01:29:42,211 - This color? - Yes. 190 01:29:53,347 --> 01:29:54,891 Yes, that's it. 191 01:33:33,067 --> 01:33:34,777 Good-bye, ma'am. 192 01:35:39,902 --> 01:35:41,445 Hello. 193 01:37:10,075 --> 01:37:11,827 See you next Thursday. 194 01:42:35,108 --> 01:42:37,486 A bag of potatoes, please. 195 01:42:45,118 --> 01:42:46,620 Here you are. 196 01:42:47,162 --> 01:42:48,664 Thank you. 197 01:48:36,094 --> 01:48:37,679 Mother? 198 01:48:44,853 --> 01:48:46,605 Your hair's a mess. 199 01:48:46,730 --> 01:48:49,274 I let the potatoes cook too long. 200 01:49:54,881 --> 01:49:56,883 No reading at the table. 201 01:51:39,110 --> 01:51:41,196 We'll have to wait a bit. 202 01:51:42,030 --> 01:51:45,575 The meat and vegetables were on a very low flame. 203 01:52:30,078 --> 01:52:32,414 Just another minute or two. 204 01:52:45,760 --> 01:52:49,347 I could have made mashed potatoes, but we're having that tomorrow. 205 01:53:32,515 --> 01:53:36,144 You must be hungry. You had swimming this morning. 206 01:53:37,562 --> 01:53:39,814 I didn't go. Neither did Yan. 207 01:53:39,981 --> 01:53:41,608 Why? 208 01:53:41,900 --> 01:53:44,319 Yan skipped it just to keep me company. 209 01:53:44,444 --> 01:53:48,239 I said I had a headache, and we stayed in the nurse's office. 210 01:53:48,364 --> 01:53:50,742 We had to pass our certification today. 211 01:53:50,867 --> 01:53:53,286 I don't like you doing that. 212 01:54:11,179 --> 01:54:13,765 I should write back to Aunt Fernande. 213 01:54:14,057 --> 01:54:16,684 The potatoes should be done now. 214 01:57:25,957 --> 01:57:28,876 Aren't we going to listen to the radio tonight? 215 01:57:29,043 --> 01:57:30,545 Yes. 216 01:58:44,410 --> 01:58:47,705 Is something wrong? The radio, perhaps? 217 01:58:47,955 --> 01:58:49,957 Yes, it could be that singer. 218 01:58:50,082 --> 01:58:54,337 No, I just don't know how to reply to their invitation. 219 02:01:09,388 --> 02:01:12,516 Can we not go tonight? We ate so late. 220 02:01:12,808 --> 02:01:14,602 We're going. 221 02:03:31,781 --> 02:03:36,118 Come home early tomorrow if you like, and bring Yan along for a snack. 222 02:03:37,078 --> 02:03:39,663 I think Yan's in love with the nurse. 223 02:03:39,789 --> 02:03:43,375 He didn't catch the streetcar. Said he had things to do. 224 02:03:43,501 --> 02:03:47,880 But when I passed by later, he hadn't left. 225 02:03:49,006 --> 02:03:51,967 He bought a book that explains lots of things 226 02:03:52,093 --> 02:03:54,470 about climaxes and orgasms. 227 02:03:54,595 --> 02:03:57,681 He says we should be interested in women at our age, 228 02:03:57,807 --> 02:04:00,142 but he doesn't want some young girl. 229 02:04:00,309 --> 02:04:02,770 He says a man's penis is like a sword. 230 02:04:02,895 --> 02:04:05,606 The deeper you thrust it in, the better. 231 02:04:05,731 --> 02:04:07,983 But I thought, “A sword hurts.” 232 02:04:08,109 --> 02:04:11,320 He said, “True, but it's like fire.” 233 02:04:11,487 --> 02:04:13,823 But then where's the pleasure? 234 02:04:13,948 --> 02:04:16,200 There's no point talking about these things. 235 02:04:16,325 --> 02:04:19,829 He's the one who told me everything when I was 10. 236 02:04:19,954 --> 02:04:23,124 I said, “What? Dad does that to Mom?” 237 02:04:23,249 --> 02:04:27,753 I hated Dad for months after that, and I wanted to die. 238 02:04:27,878 --> 02:04:31,132 When he died, I thought it was punishment from God. 239 02:04:31,257 --> 02:04:33,801 Now I don't even believe in God anymore. 240 02:04:33,926 --> 02:04:36,887 Yan also said it wasn't just to make babies. 241 02:04:37,012 --> 02:04:41,517 So I started having nightmares so you'd stay with me at night 242 02:04:41,684 --> 02:04:45,271 and Dad wouldn't have a chance to thrust inside you. 243 02:04:45,396 --> 02:04:47,356 You shouldn't have worried. 244 02:04:47,565 --> 02:04:50,067 It's late. I'm turning out the light. 245 02:04:50,526 --> 02:04:51,819 All right. 246 02:04:53,070 --> 02:04:54,321 Mom? 247 02:04:54,446 --> 02:04:57,491 It's late, Sylvain. Sleep well. 248 02:05:51,086 --> 02:05:54,089 End of the second day 249 02:13:14,696 --> 02:13:16,948 Did you wash your hands? 250 02:13:24,539 --> 02:13:26,208 Your button. 251 02:14:59,342 --> 02:15:00,886 Sylvain! 252 02:22:29,209 --> 02:22:31,461 - All sold out? - Is it empty? 253 02:23:50,373 --> 02:23:52,417 A small loaf, ma'am? 254 02:23:52,875 --> 02:23:55,128 Do you have a bag? 255 02:24:07,473 --> 02:24:09,017 You have a bag? 256 02:24:09,142 --> 02:24:11,019 Give me a new one. 257 02:24:18,359 --> 02:24:20,695 That's 10 francs 50. 258 02:24:35,293 --> 02:24:36,919 Thanks. 259 02:24:37,045 --> 02:24:38,713 Good-bye. 260 02:52:49,360 --> 02:52:54,115 What a beautiful little boy! 261 02:54:46,519 --> 02:54:50,106 What's this all about? 262 02:57:23,259 --> 02:57:25,678 Thanks. Good-bye. 263 02:58:58,646 --> 02:59:00,272 Oh, miss? 264 02:59:03,234 --> 02:59:04,777 Yes, ma'am. 265 02:59:05,069 --> 02:59:08,948 Would you happen to have a button like this? 266 02:59:09,240 --> 02:59:12,118 I've looked, but I couldn't find any. 267 02:59:13,702 --> 02:59:17,957 - Maybe these? - No, they're a bit too small. 268 02:59:21,544 --> 02:59:23,254 Good-bye. 269 02:59:42,648 --> 02:59:45,401 I know it's hard to match it perfectly, 270 02:59:45,526 --> 02:59:48,571 because my sister Fernande sent it from Canada. 271 02:59:48,779 --> 02:59:53,075 She sent it years ago, but Sylvain's only wearing it now 272 02:59:53,200 --> 02:59:55,411 because it was too large. 273 02:59:55,828 --> 02:59:57,621 When Sylvain was six, 274 02:59:57,746 --> 03:00:00,749 my sister came back to Belgium for three months. 275 03:00:00,875 --> 03:00:04,295 He slept in our room - my husband was still alive. 276 03:00:05,796 --> 03:00:10,843 And Fernande slept on the couch with Jonathan - “Jon” for short. 277 03:00:11,302 --> 03:00:15,097 Jon was five, but he was taller and stouter than Sylvain. 278 03:00:15,222 --> 03:00:18,225 So if I write her for one, 279 03:00:18,476 --> 03:00:21,353 it's quite possible that this style no longer exists. 280 03:00:21,479 --> 03:00:25,191 Since people always say Europe is five years behind America, 281 03:00:25,357 --> 03:00:27,276 I thought I might find one. 282 03:00:27,401 --> 03:00:29,695 It's practically impossible to find the same thing. 283 03:00:29,862 --> 03:00:31,864 Better just to change all the buttons. 284 03:00:32,031 --> 03:00:34,658 It makes a garment look new. 285 03:00:34,867 --> 03:00:37,203 Like going to the hairdresser's. 286 03:01:00,184 --> 03:01:02,978 I've never seen buttons like that. 287 03:01:04,230 --> 03:01:07,858 Try in the square. You might find some there. 288 03:02:09,628 --> 03:02:11,338 Isn't Gisèle here today? 289 03:02:11,463 --> 03:02:13,465 She gets off work at 4:00. 290 03:02:13,591 --> 03:02:15,968 I see. Coffee, please. 291 03:03:01,639 --> 03:03:03,182 Here you are.