Le Beau Serge

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WINNER OF:

THE JEAN VIGO AWARD

This film was shot entirely

in the village of Sardent.

Our warm thanks to the residents

and local authorities there.

HANDSOME SERGE:

Hello, Tin.

- Hello, Christine.

- Franois, how are you?

- Very well.

- Good trip?

Very nice.

You haven't changed a bit.

Wait, I have to get my bag.

- You got a package for me?

- Yeah, here.

- Hi, Franois.

- It's Michel.

- Yes, I recognized him.

- Back for a visit?

Yes, for the whole winter.

My bag, please, with the Swiss tag.

No, the one here in front

with a Swiss tag.

Let me.

So where are you staying?

At Chaunier's, since our place -

The house is falling apart.

You'd catch your death of cold.

Ready to go?

That's Serge.

He doesn't recognize anyone like that -

drunk as a skunk.

Come on.

- Let me carry that.

- Forget it.

- What has Christine told you?

- Nothing, I swear.

Maybe she was right not to.

Tell me...

- What?

what happened to Serge?

Search me.

- He's a wreck.

- You can say that again.

Back for a visit, Mr. Bayon?

The town has changed, eh?

- A bit.

- Take care and don't overdo it.

I will - I mean, I won't.

Don't worry.

- Who was that?

- You kidding? Rita Perrault.

Jeez, I didn't recognize her.

She's 12 years older.

Married with three kids.

Hasn't done much for her.

- Oh, she's still not bad.

- Life's funny.

Didn't you use

to make out with her?

Life's funny.

Does the doctor still live over there?

Yeah. He's the same old idiot.

- Same old town, eh?

- And we're sick of it!

Tell me about Serge.

Come on, give me that!

I insist.

Serge's married too.

You recognize the old guy with him?

- Old man Glomaud?

- He hasn't changed,

only now he's drunk

four times a day, not three.

Serge married

his older daughter, Yvonne.

Remember her?

- No.

Sure, you just didn't notice

'cause she was 12 then.

Brunette, scrawny, homely.

The butcher Renaud

used to be over there, remember?

He died. His wife took off

to work in Aubusson.

His son's down the street.

Not a bad butcher.

We get our meat there.

- Look! They're still there.

- What'd you expect?

You remember?

- You kidding?

- We sure had fun.

- All five of us shouting into it.

Why'd it ever seem so funny?

Wasn't much else to do.

Why did Serge marry that girl?

- You can smoke?

- Sure. Why?

What did Christine say anyway?

- That you were sick.

I was, but I'm better.

Tell me more about Serge.

- It's bugging you, eh?

Put yourself in my place.

It's kind of a shock.

He's such a terrific guy.

Why did he marry her?

- Yvonne?

She was pregnant.

He'd only slept with her a few times.

Tough break.

They got any kids?

They had one, but he died at birth.

He wasn't normal, one of those -

- Mongoloid?

- I don't know what you call it.

Wait.

Is that why he drinks?

- It sure hasn't helped.

Now they're expecting another,

and he's never drunk more.

Ah, Mr. Bayon!

Hello, Mrs. Chaunier.

- Did you have a nice trip?

- Very nice.

- It's the Bayon boy.

- I recognized him right off!

- I didn't!

- Have I changed that much?

You sure have.

- But we've all changed too.

- Not at all.

- I'll show you to your room.

- See you soon, gentlemen.

- You bringing the suitcase, Michel?

- Yes, don't worry.

Good thing you came here,

because your house -

- Yes, I hear it's -

- Uninhabitable!

Your parents were wrong to neglect it.

- I think they're going to sell.

Soon there won't be

anyone left around here.

Here's your room.

Looks out on the school. All right?

- Just fine.

- Where shall I put your bag?

- Sorry. On the bed.

It's a good mattress.

You'll sleep well.

Thanks, but I'm better now.

Even so, you're here to rest.

Need help unpacking?

Thanks. Michel will help.

You have time, right?

Sure.

- What about meals?

- Whatever suits you, ma'am.

- We eat at noon and 7:00.

- That's fine.

- So that's that.

- Yes... that's that.

Well, see you later.

It's a good bed, all right.

Any other boarders here?

You nuts? Who'd come here?

- We used to have fun.

- That's all in your head.

I guess I'll take off.

You coming?

No, I'm going to rest a bit.

Don't worry. I'm not dying.

What was wrong anyway?

A spot on the lungs.

I spent the summer in Switzerland,

and I'll spend the winter here.

A little TB, eh?

It was hardly anything.

I just have to take it easy.

You sure came to the right place.

You've aged well compared to Serge.

Oh, things just didn't go

the way Serge planned.

He wanted to go off

and study architecture.

He even won some scholarships

and passed his exams,

but it all fell apart.

Me, I knew I'd be a baker here

all my life. I had no illusions.

- A philosopher, eh?

- Yeah.

Well, I'm off.

See you after dinner?

No, not tonight.

What does Serge do?

You mean for a living?

He drives a truck

for a lumber merchant.

Well, see ya.

- Thanks for the help.

- I'm glad you're back.

Beat it, filthy mutt!

That's right, Pop.

If you want, I can turn

that shack into a palace.

An honest-to-God palace.

Drink...

you old bastard.

I could build you a real palace.

Serge.

Serge, it's me - Franois.

- Good old Serge.

- They're here.

What's wrong with him?

He's crying.

Are you Franois Bayon?

So you're Franois Bayon?

Want me to help?

We're used to it.

- Who's the younger one?

- The second daughter, Marie.

She's a wild one.

A new boyfriend every day.

Lives up in Mathubert

with her father.

Would you like dinner now?

- No, I'm not hungry.

- Not sick, are you?

- No, I've got to unpack.

- Out so early?

- Going for a walk.

- But your breakfast -

- I'll have it later.

- I was going to bring up some hot water.

- Don't bother.

Come in!

No, I just wanted to know

where Serge lives.

You want to go see him now?

I'm sure he's sleeping off

yesterday's binge.

Yeah, probably.

Down at the end of town.

Remember Dieudonn's old place?

- There?

- Yeah.

Morning.

I hope I'm not disturbing you.

I wanted to see Serge.

- He's asleep. Come in.

Sit down if you want.

- I'm going to wake him up.

- No, let him sleep.

It wasn't for you.

He has to go drive the truck.

Goddamn it!

You have to take the truck

to Prefonds.

You're fat and ugly.

I was drunk yesterday.

I thought I was dreaming.

Good Lord!

Why'd you come back?

- To see you.

Christine made it sound

like you were a goner.

You look fine to me.

- I was sick, but I'm better now.

- You had your breakfast?

- No, later.

No, Chaunier's coffee is lousy!

Whose is this?

- Mine.

You take it. I'll make more.

I'll help you.

What's wrong with you?

This is Franois Bayon.

I know. You were crying

on his shoulder yesterday.

No kidding? I was crying?

Like a baby.

- I was drunk.

- You can say that again.

Here.

What do you want?

I'm looking for Pop.

He was already gone when I woke up.

Who the hell cares about Glomaud!

Let him be!

And don't look at Franois like that.

- It's none of your business.

- Says who?

I can take care of myself.

- So you think. She's bad news.

- Just ignore them.

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