1 00:01:00,197 --> 00:01:06,761 Written and Directed by 2 00:02:14,371 --> 00:02:16,362 Hello. 3 00:04:07,651 --> 00:04:10,119 See you next week, then. 4 00:15:48,284 --> 00:15:50,377 Don't read while you eat. 5 00:19:36,479 --> 00:19:38,709 Is it good? 6 00:19:57,233 --> 00:20:01,294 I added less water than last week. Maybe that's why it's better. 7 00:21:26,822 --> 00:21:29,985 You hardly eat. You don't look well, you know. 8 00:22:23,446 --> 00:22:25,937 Want something else? Some fruit? 9 00:23:58,941 --> 00:24:01,967 We got a letter from Aunt Fernande in Canada. 10 00:24:42,484 --> 00:24:44,315 I'll read it to you. 11 00:25:00,603 --> 00:25:02,764 "Dear Jeanne and Sylvain, 12 00:25:02,938 --> 00:25:06,374 I'm sorry I've taken so long to write back. 13 00:25:06,542 --> 00:25:09,204 I often think of you and Belgium. 14 00:25:09,378 --> 00:25:13,542 But I've been so busy with the kids starting back to school, 15 00:25:13,716 --> 00:25:16,913 and suddenly I realized winter's here. 16 00:25:17,086 --> 00:25:20,487 It's been snowing a lot, and I hardly get out. 17 00:25:20,656 --> 00:25:25,093 The roads were so bad that the kids couldn't go to school last Friday, 18 00:25:25,261 --> 00:25:27,889 and I'm at home most of the time, 19 00:25:28,063 --> 00:25:31,260 because without a car, you get bogged down. 20 00:25:31,433 --> 00:25:34,425 Jack says he'll teach me to drive next year. 21 00:25:34,603 --> 00:25:37,629 The distances are simply too huge here. 22 00:25:37,806 --> 00:25:42,072 He says I'm in Canada now and I should act like the locals. 23 00:25:42,244 --> 00:25:45,702 The women here all drive, but I'm afraid I'll never learn. 24 00:25:45,881 --> 00:25:49,373 But now all the cars are completely covered by snow. 25 00:25:49,551 --> 00:25:51,712 The children are fine, big and strong. 26 00:25:51,887 --> 00:25:53,821 Real Canadians, just like Jack. 27 00:25:53,989 --> 00:25:57,925 I fear Jane may get too tall, but anyway, she's fine. 28 00:25:58,093 --> 00:26:00,323 I hope you'll come see them this summer. 29 00:26:00,496 --> 00:26:04,398 We have a large guest room, and Sylvain can sleep with his cousin. 30 00:26:04,566 --> 00:26:06,796 Maybe we can introduce you to someone. 31 00:26:06,969 --> 00:26:11,804 Jack says you should remarry, that a good-Iooking woman shouldn't be alone. 32 00:26:11,974 --> 00:26:14,568 George has been dead six years now. 33 00:26:14,743 --> 00:26:18,645 We know you're very brave and you say you'd rather stay single 34 00:26:18,814 --> 00:26:21,112 so as not to complain. 35 00:26:21,283 --> 00:26:24,013 But sometimes when I think of you, tears come to my eyes. 36 00:26:24,186 --> 00:26:27,952 Well, Jack will be home soon and the table's not set yet, 37 00:26:28,123 --> 00:26:30,683 so I'll say good-bye now, with a hug for you both. 38 00:26:30,859 --> 00:26:33,225 Your loving sister and aunt, Fernande. 39 00:26:33,395 --> 00:26:38,731 PS: I sent a birthday present for Jeanne last month by boat." 40 00:27:00,422 --> 00:27:03,152 I wonder what that present could be. 41 00:27:05,394 --> 00:27:07,487 Would you like to go to Canada? 42 00:27:20,509 --> 00:27:23,273 "The Enemy," by Charles Baudelaire. 43 00:27:24,446 --> 00:27:28,314 "My youth was but a gloomy storm 44 00:27:28,617 --> 00:27:32,144 With occasional flashes of dazzling sun 45 00:27:32,788 --> 00:27:36,053 Thunder and rain have created such havoc 46 00:27:37,226 --> 00:27:40,855 That little scarlet fruit remains in my garden 47 00:27:42,064 --> 00:27:45,465 Now I've reached the autumn of my thoughts 48 00:27:45,634 --> 00:27:48,194 And I have to use..." 49 00:27:48,370 --> 00:27:49,860 The spade. 50 00:27:50,038 --> 00:27:53,974 "And I have to use the spade and rake 51 00:27:54,143 --> 00:27:57,772 To reclaim a bit of the flooded land 52 00:27:59,281 --> 00:28:02,876 Where the water digs holes large as tombs." 53 00:28:03,051 --> 00:28:04,678 Once more. 54 00:28:04,953 --> 00:28:07,854 "The Enemy," by Charles Baudelaire. 55 00:28:09,324 --> 00:28:12,418 "My youth was but a gloomy storm 56 00:28:12,594 --> 00:28:16,086 With occasional flashes of dazzling suns 57 00:28:18,400 --> 00:28:21,892 Thunder and rain have created such havoc 58 00:28:22,070 --> 00:28:25,164 That little scarlet fruit remains in my garden 59 00:28:25,340 --> 00:28:27,934 Now I've reached the autumn of my thoughts 60 00:28:28,110 --> 00:28:31,170 And I have to use the spade and rake 61 00:28:31,346 --> 00:28:34,315 To reclaim a bit of the flooded land 62 00:28:34,483 --> 00:28:37,043 Where the water digs holes large as tombs." 63 00:28:40,189 --> 00:28:42,589 You're picking up the accent more and more. 64 00:28:42,758 --> 00:28:46,194 I know. I can even pronounce the Rs like Yan, 65 00:28:46,361 --> 00:28:49,159 and no one laughs at me at school anymore. 66 00:28:49,331 --> 00:28:50,923 Perhaps, 67 00:28:51,099 --> 00:28:54,364 but nobody forced you to go to the Flemish school. 68 00:28:55,003 --> 00:28:57,130 Yes, I know... your friend. 69 00:29:15,324 --> 00:29:18,953 I wonder if you can still say your Rs like me. 70 00:30:13,515 --> 00:30:19,647 And now, the Bagatelle for Piano No. 27, Opus 126 in A Minor, by Beethoven, 71 00:30:19,821 --> 00:30:23,780 "F�r Elise," played by Suzanne Duch�ne. 72 00:31:42,104 --> 00:31:44,197 Come have a look. 73 00:31:55,484 --> 00:31:57,884 You want it long, don't you? 74 00:32:18,073 --> 00:32:20,268 I'm almost out of yarn. 75 00:33:35,984 --> 00:33:38,475 - This is Tuesday, isn't it? - Yes. 76 00:39:44,919 --> 00:39:47,888 You're always reading, just like your father. 77 00:39:48,056 --> 00:39:50,524 I know. You already told me. 78 00:39:51,025 --> 00:39:53,858 How did you meet my father? 79 00:39:54,262 --> 00:39:56,355 Why do you ask that now? 80 00:39:56,531 --> 00:39:58,590 I just read the word "miracle," 81 00:39:58,766 --> 00:40:02,827 and Aunt Fernande always said it was a miracle she met Jack. 82 00:40:03,004 --> 00:40:06,701 Yes, he came in '44 to liberate us. 83 00:40:06,875 --> 00:40:09,571 They tossed chewing gum and chocolates to us, 84 00:40:09,744 --> 00:40:12,178 and we threw flowers to them. 85 00:40:12,347 --> 00:40:15,578 I met your father after the Americans had left. 86 00:40:15,750 --> 00:40:18,810 I was living with my aunts, because my parents were dead. 87 00:40:18,987 --> 00:40:23,151 One Saturday, I went to the Bois de la Cambre with a girlfriend. 88 00:40:23,324 --> 00:40:25,622 I don't remember the weather. 89 00:40:25,793 --> 00:40:30,787 She knew him. You know who I mean. I've shown you her picture. 90 00:40:31,432 --> 00:40:33,024 So we began seeing each other. 91 00:40:33,201 --> 00:40:36,864 I was working as a billing clerk for horrible pay. 92 00:40:37,038 --> 00:40:40,565 Life with my aunts was dull. I didn't feel like getting married, 93 00:40:40,742 --> 00:40:45,577 but it seemed to be "the thing to do," as they say. 94 00:40:45,747 --> 00:40:48,807 My aunts kept saying, "He's nice. He's got money. 95 00:40:48,983 --> 00:40:51,178 He'll make you happy." 96 00:40:51,352 --> 00:40:53,547 But I still couldn't decide. 97 00:40:53,721 --> 00:40:58,954 But I really wanted a life of my own, and a child. 98 00:40:59,627 --> 00:41:04,223 Then his business suddenly hit the rocks, so I married him. 99 00:41:05,033 --> 00:41:07,866 Things like that happened after the war. 100 00:41:08,036 --> 00:41:10,129 My aunts had changed their minds. 101 00:41:10,305 --> 00:41:13,138 They said a pretty girl like me could do better 102 00:41:13,308 --> 00:41:15,833 and find a man who'd give me a good life. 103 00:41:16,010 --> 00:41:20,709 They said he was ugly and so on, but I didn't listen. 104 00:41:22,050 --> 00:41:25,508 If he was ugly, did you want to make love with him? 105 00:41:26,621 --> 00:41:30,523 Ugly or not, it wasn't all that important. 106 00:41:30,692 --> 00:41:34,150 Besides, "making love," as you call it, is merely a detail. 107 00:41:34,329 --> 00:41:37,321 And I had you. And he wasn't as ugly as all that. 108 00:41:37,498 --> 00:41:39,932 Would you want to remarry? 109 00:41:40,535 --> 00:41:43,095 No. Get used to someone else? 110 00:41:43,838 --> 00:41:45,999 I mean someone you love. 111 00:41:47,242 --> 00:41:49,210 Oh, you know... 112 00:41:49,944 --> 00:41:52,845 Well, if I were a woman, 113 00:41:53,014 --> 00:41:56,973 I could never make love with someone I wasn't deeply in love with. 114 00:41:57,151 --> 00:42:00,416 How could you know? You're not a woman. 115 00:42:00,588 --> 00:42:02,351 Lights out? 116 00:42:02,523 --> 00:42:04,184 All right. 117 00:42:04,492 --> 00:42:06,050 Sleep well. 118 00:43:03,551 --> 00:43:06,543 End of the first day 119 00:55:02,236 --> 00:55:04,261 Did you wash your hands? 120 00:56:06,133 --> 00:56:08,795 Couldn't I have a little more today? 121 01:09:14,320 --> 01:09:16,550 Thank you, ma'am. 122 01:09:42,248 --> 01:09:44,648 How are you, ma'am? 123 01:09:44,817 --> 01:09:48,753 Fine, thanks. Could you fix these by tomorrow? 124 01:09:48,922 --> 01:09:50,947 My son's wearing his other pair, 125 01:09:51,124 --> 01:09:53,718 but his feet get soaked when it rains. 126 01:09:53,893 --> 01:09:56,225 They're last year's shoes. 127 01:09:56,896 --> 01:09:59,023 I'll have a look. 128 01:10:03,169 --> 01:10:05,467 And the heels too while I'm at it. 129 01:10:05,638 --> 01:10:09,472 All right. How's tomorrow at 4:00? - Fine. 130 01:10:09,642 --> 01:10:13,169 - How's your boy doing? - Just fine. 131 01:10:13,346 --> 01:10:16,611 You're happy with him? He listens to you? 132 01:10:16,783 --> 01:10:17,841 Good. 133 01:10:18,017 --> 01:10:19,985 What would I do without him? 134 01:10:20,153 --> 01:10:22,314 They'll be ready tomorrow at 4:00. 135 01:11:15,508 --> 01:11:17,840 Hello. It's been a long time. 136 01:11:18,678 --> 01:11:20,646 Stop by for coffee this afternoon. 137 01:11:20,813 --> 01:11:24,214 I can't today. Maybe next week. 138 01:11:24,384 --> 01:11:26,682 All right. See you then. 139 01:18:21,267 --> 01:18:23,201 Hello. 140 01:23:29,274 --> 01:23:30,241 Here he is. 141 01:23:30,409 --> 01:23:32,604 You weren't eating, were you? 142 01:23:32,878 --> 01:23:34,846 What are you making for dinner? 143 01:23:35,013 --> 01:23:38,380 Wednesdays it's breaded veal with peas and carrots. 144 01:23:39,017 --> 01:23:41,247 I had no idea what to make today. 145 01:23:41,420 --> 01:23:45,754 Myself, I'd be fine with just bread and butter. 146 01:23:46,625 --> 01:23:49,822 I don't have much appetite ever since I started smoking. 147 01:23:49,995 --> 01:23:54,489 But the children need meat, so I went to the butcher's. 148 01:23:54,666 --> 01:23:57,100 There was a long line. 149 01:23:57,636 --> 01:24:02,835 I always think I should go earlier or later to avoid the line, 150 01:24:03,008 --> 01:24:05,374 but this time, I thought, 151 01:24:05,544 --> 01:24:08,877 "I'll listen to what other women order. I might get some ideas. " 152 01:24:09,047 --> 01:24:11,277 But I got even more discouraged. 153 01:24:12,084 --> 01:24:14,712 One ordered ground meat. 154 01:24:14,887 --> 01:24:17,947 I thought, "Probably for meat loaf, 155 01:24:18,123 --> 01:24:21,286 but I just served that yesterday with apple sauce. 156 01:24:21,460 --> 01:24:26,989 Then I thought, "No, she'll make hash. "But hash again... 157 01:24:27,166 --> 01:24:32,229 When my turn came, I still hadn't decided. 158 01:24:32,704 --> 01:24:36,902 So I ordered the same thing as the woman in front of me 159 01:24:37,075 --> 01:24:40,738 and wound up paying 300 francs for two pounds of veal. 160 01:24:41,580 --> 01:24:46,074 It's a good two days' worth, and none of us really like veal. 161 01:24:46,251 --> 01:24:48,446 So the kids turn up their noses once again. 162 01:24:48,620 --> 01:24:51,088 People say veal has no vitamins. 163 01:24:51,256 --> 01:24:55,056 And you can't eat fish these days - it can kill you. 164 01:24:56,161 --> 01:24:59,528 If only they didn't come home for lunch every day, 165 01:24:59,698 --> 01:25:01,757 but my husband says the food at school isn't good, 166 01:25:01,934 --> 01:25:04,630 and they're small for their age as it is. 167 01:25:04,903 --> 01:25:08,600 I tell you, if it were up to just me... 168 01:25:10,309 --> 01:25:13,437 But he'll be gone all next week. 169 01:25:13,612 --> 01:25:15,671 I'll miss him, you know? 170 01:25:15,848 --> 01:25:18,078 I'll stay at my mother's, 171 01:25:18,250 --> 01:25:22,050 so they'll have to get used to eating with the other kids. 172 01:25:22,221 --> 01:25:23,779 It's better that way. 173 01:25:23,956 --> 01:25:26,390 My husband can't object. 174 01:25:26,558 --> 01:25:28,788 Does your son eat lunch at school? 175 01:25:28,961 --> 01:25:31,225 Yes, he always has. He's not fussy, 176 01:25:31,396 --> 01:25:33,523 and neither was my husband. 177 01:25:33,699 --> 01:25:36,532 Oh, mine isn't either. It's all those kids. 178 01:25:36,702 --> 01:25:39,671 But what can you do, you know? 179 01:25:41,340 --> 01:25:43,501 At least there are ways these days. 180 01:25:43,675 --> 01:25:45,666 Well, I've gotta go. 181 01:25:45,844 --> 01:25:47,675 Bye. 182 01:29:24,296 --> 01:29:25,627 Excuse me. 183 01:29:26,965 --> 01:29:30,765 I'd like a ball of yarn this color. 184 01:29:32,637 --> 01:29:35,367 I think I saw some over there. 185 01:29:38,110 --> 01:29:40,340 - This color? - Yes. 186 01:29:51,423 --> 01:29:53,050 Yes, that's it. 187 01:33:31,276 --> 01:33:32,903 Good-bye, ma'am. 188 01:35:38,169 --> 01:35:39,693 Hello. 189 01:37:08,326 --> 01:37:10,157 See you next Thursday. 190 01:42:33,384 --> 01:42:35,784 A bag of potatoes, please. 191 01:42:43,527 --> 01:42:44,994 Here you are. 192 01:42:45,496 --> 01:42:47,020 Thank you. 193 01:48:34,411 --> 01:48:36,038 Mother? 194 01:48:43,153 --> 01:48:44,882 Your hair's a mess. 195 01:48:45,055 --> 01:48:47,615 I let the potatoes cook too long. 196 01:49:53,190 --> 01:49:55,090 Don't read while you eat. 197 01:51:37,428 --> 01:51:39,453 You'll have to wait a bit. 198 01:51:40,364 --> 01:51:43,993 The meat and vegetables were on a very low flame. 199 01:52:28,412 --> 01:52:30,778 Just another minute or two. 200 01:52:44,094 --> 01:52:47,621 I could have made mashed potatoes, but we're having that tomorrow. 201 01:53:30,841 --> 01:53:34,436 You must be hungry. You had swimming this morning. 202 01:53:35,879 --> 01:53:38,109 I didn't go. Neither did Yan. 203 01:53:38,282 --> 01:53:40,045 Why? 204 01:53:40,217 --> 01:53:42,583 Yan skipped it just to keep me company. 205 01:53:42,753 --> 01:53:46,314 I said I had a headache, and we stayed in the nurse's office. 206 01:53:46,490 --> 01:53:48,822 We had to pass our certification today. 207 01:53:49,026 --> 01:53:51,654 I don't like you doing that. 208 01:54:09,513 --> 01:54:12,209 I should write back to Aunt Fernande. 209 01:54:12,382 --> 01:54:15,078 The potatoes should be done now. 210 01:57:24,341 --> 01:57:27,139 Aren't we going to listen to the radio today? 211 01:57:27,377 --> 01:57:28,810 Yes. 212 01:58:42,819 --> 01:58:45,982 Is something wrong? Maybe it's the radio. 213 01:58:46,256 --> 01:58:48,224 Yes, it could be that singer. 214 01:58:48,391 --> 01:58:52,623 No, I just don't know how to reply to their invitation. 215 02:01:07,697 --> 02:01:10,791 Can we not go tonight? We ate so late. 216 02:01:10,967 --> 02:01:12,867 We're going. 217 02:03:30,106 --> 02:03:34,406 Come home early tomorrow if you like, and bring Yan along for a snack. 218 02:03:35,378 --> 02:03:37,938 I think Yan's in love with the nurse. 219 02:03:38,114 --> 02:03:41,641 He didn't catch the streetcar. Said he had things to do. 220 02:03:41,818 --> 02:03:46,152 But when I passed by later, he hadn't left. 221 02:03:47,323 --> 02:03:50,224 He bought a book that explains lots of things 222 02:03:50,393 --> 02:03:52,725 about climaxes and orgasms. 223 02:03:52,896 --> 02:03:55,956 He says we should be interested in women at our age, 224 02:03:56,132 --> 02:03:58,430 but he doesn't want some young girl. 225 02:03:58,601 --> 02:04:01,035 He says a man's penis is like a sword. 226 02:04:01,204 --> 02:04:03,866 The deeper you thrust it in, the better. 227 02:04:04,040 --> 02:04:06,235 But I thought, "A sword hurts." 228 02:04:06,409 --> 02:04:09,606 He said, "True, but it's like fire." 229 02:04:09,779 --> 02:04:12,077 But then where's the pleasure? 230 02:04:12,248 --> 02:04:14,478 There's no point talking about these things. 231 02:04:14,651 --> 02:04:18,087 He's the one who told me everything when I was 10. 232 02:04:18,254 --> 02:04:21,382 I said, "What? Dad does that to Mom?" 233 02:04:21,558 --> 02:04:26,018 I hated Dad for months after that, and I wanted to die. 234 02:04:26,196 --> 02:04:29,393 When he died, I thought it was punishment from God. 235 02:04:29,566 --> 02:04:32,057 Now I don't even believe in God anymore. 236 02:04:32,235 --> 02:04:34,863 Yan also said it wasn't just to make babies. 237 02:04:35,038 --> 02:04:39,805 So I started having nightmares so you'd stay with me at night 238 02:04:39,976 --> 02:04:43,537 and Dad wouldn't have a chance to thrust inside you. 239 02:04:43,713 --> 02:04:45,704 You shouldn't have worried. 240 02:04:45,882 --> 02:04:48,350 It's late. I'm turning out the light. 241 02:04:48,818 --> 02:04:50,080 All right. 242 02:04:51,387 --> 02:04:52,581 Mom? 243 02:04:52,755 --> 02:04:55,747 It's late, Sylvain. Sleep well. 244 02:05:49,279 --> 02:05:52,248 End of the second day 245 02:13:12,988 --> 02:13:14,819 Did you wash your hands? 246 02:13:22,865 --> 02:13:24,662 Your button. 247 02:14:57,660 --> 02:14:59,321 Sylvain! 248 02:22:27,509 --> 02:22:29,739 - All sold out? - Is it empty? 249 02:23:48,690 --> 02:23:50,681 A small loaf, ma'am? 250 02:23:51,193 --> 02:23:53,525 Do you have a bag? 251 02:24:05,774 --> 02:24:07,139 You have a bag? 252 02:24:07,309 --> 02:24:09,436 Give me a new one. 253 02:24:16,651 --> 02:24:18,949 That's 10 francs 50. 254 02:24:33,602 --> 02:24:36,901 - Thanks. - Good-bye. 255 02:52:47,661 --> 02:52:52,394 What a beautiful little boy! 256 02:54:44,811 --> 02:54:48,372 What's this all about? 257 02:57:21,568 --> 02:57:23,968 Thanks. Good-bye. 258 02:58:56,963 --> 02:58:58,555 Oh, miss? 259 02:59:01,534 --> 02:59:03,195 Yes, ma'am. 260 02:59:03,369 --> 02:59:07,362 Would you happen to have a button like this? 261 02:59:07,540 --> 02:59:10,373 I've looked, but I couldn't find any. 262 02:59:12,011 --> 02:59:16,471 - Maybe these? - No, they're a bit too small. 263 02:59:19,853 --> 02:59:21,514 Good-bye. 264 02:59:40,940 --> 02:59:43,670 I know it's hard to match it perfectly, 265 02:59:43,843 --> 02:59:47,006 because my sister Fernande sent it from Canada. 266 02:59:47,180 --> 02:59:50,479 She sent it years ago, but Sylvain's only wearing it now 267 02:59:50,650 --> 02:59:53,813 because it was too large. 268 02:59:54,220 --> 02:59:58,919 When Sylvain was six, my sister came back to Belgium for three months. 269 02:59:59,092 --> 03:00:02,550 He slept in our room... my husband was still alive. 270 03:00:04,097 --> 03:00:09,125 And Fernande slept on the couch with Jonathan... "Jon" for short. 271 03:00:09,702 --> 03:00:13,365 Jon was five, but he was taller and stouter than Sylvain. 272 03:00:13,540 --> 03:00:16,668 So if I write her for one, 273 03:00:16,843 --> 03:00:19,403 it's quite possible that this style no longer exists. 274 03:00:19,579 --> 03:00:23,481 Since people always say Europe is five years behind America, 275 03:00:23,650 --> 03:00:25,550 I thought I might find one. 276 03:00:25,718 --> 03:00:27,982 It's practically impossible to find the same thing. 277 03:00:28,154 --> 03:00:30,145 Better just to change all the buttons. 278 03:00:30,323 --> 03:00:33,019 It makes a garment look new. 279 03:00:33,192 --> 03:00:35,820 Like going to the hairdresser's. 280 03:00:58,484 --> 03:01:01,419 I've never seen buttons like that. 281 03:01:02,589 --> 03:01:05,956 Try in the square. You might find some there. 282 03:02:08,054 --> 03:02:09,544 Isn't Gis�le here today? 283 03:02:09,722 --> 03:02:11,747 She gets off work at 4:00. 284 03:02:11,924 --> 03:02:14,324 I see. Coffee, please. 285 03:02:59,906 --> 03:03:01,533 Here you are.