Suite Francaise Page #3

could put pressure on him.

- I don't speak to him.

- That's not what I've heard.

I'm not here to criticise you.

I just want him moved.

Please.

You have a complaint about

a German soldier? I apologise.

So you'll do something?

I have no influence over him.

We are of equal rank.

So it's one rule

for us and another for them?

That's not what I said.

We lost the war. We don't have

to lose our women as well.

Then perhaps

you should have thought of

protecting them earlier, my friend.

Please.

I will try.

But it might only make it worse.

Tell him to leave her in peace.

I won't ask again.

Our regiment could leave

at anytime.

I couldn't stand to think...

that you hated me.

I don't hate you.

Then invite me for tea.

There's hardly any left.

Your men have taken it all.

Or wine.

I'll talk to Bonnet,

but in return I only ask...

that we be decent to one another.

Where's the harm in that?

My mother-in-law would throw me out.

I've got nowhere else to go.

She has church tonight.

She'll be another half an hour.

Just one drink.

How did you become a soldier?

I'm from a military family.

It was expected of us.

My brothers and I signed up

on the same day.

Your brothers, where are they?

One was killed in Poland.

Another one in Normandy.

The youngest has just left

for Africa.

People shouldn't

be sacrificed like this.

- I mean none of us.

- I can't think like that.

Questioning only

makes things more difficult.

Do you believe in the war?

Let's say I believe

in the communal spirit.

None of us like to admit it,

single actions on their own

don't mean anything.

So why is it that whenever I see you

you're always on your own?

When do you see me?

Forget all this for two minutes.

Come on.

Lucile.

Madame is on her way back.

Go into the garden.

Quickly!

I'm supposed to be

the one everyone's afraid of.

But she could easily scare

the plague away.

Why are all these lights left on?

I just wanted to thank you.

You were very kind.

It's been a long time

since I talked to anyone like this.

I thank you.

Good night.

Lucile. Well, I suppose

you'll tell everyone now.

Oh, it's alright for you.

All I do is work.

If I didn't have love...

I don't care where he was born.

They're human, just like us,

and they didn't throw my family

out of their home. You did that.

That was my mother-in-law.

It's not me.

Open your eyes, Lucile.

Our men are no better than them.

Some of them are much worse.

Ask your officer. He knows.

Ask him what

he's read in those letters.

Ask him what he's read

about your husband.

You need to know.

Everybody else does.

How did you ever let them kick

you out of here?

My place is a sh*t-hole for sure.

Thank you.

But it has a certain charm.

Oh but the farmer...

The farmer's a barbarian though.

And his wife?

More attractive than tonight's

hostess, that's for sure.

Why do you ask?

F*** off.

Who are you? My big brother?

- Don't get too close.

- Don't lecture me about morality.

You weren't so sensitive when we

were rounding up prisoners

with orders

to shoot the stragglers.

- I didn't shoot any of them.

- But I did. With delight too.

And you never said a word.

- We were at war.

- We still are, Lieutenant.

How long have you known?

I didn't feel entitled to tell you.

Luc?e?

You knew, didn't you?

That your perfect son

has been having an affair that was

going on before we even met.

You should see how many

of those are about you.

You always say how much

you want a grandchild.

Now you've got one.

Her name's Simone.

You can keep your stupid little

secrets. I couldn't care less.

Can I play you something?

It's very beautiful.

What is it?

I married a man I'd only met twice.

I tried to convince

myself that we were in love.

I might as well have been dead.

It's not possible.

- Luc?e?

- I'm coming.

Madame wants to see you

straight away.

You remember Madame Perrin?

Yes, of course.

What brings you back

from the Free Zone, Madame?

My son died in Normandy

as the Germans advanced.

- I just received permission to visit

his grave. -I'm sorry to hear.

- How are things in Lyon?

- Bad.

At least you don't have a German

living in your house.

Yes. I heard about your officer.

He's friendly?

I won't have anything to do with

him, but Lucile does, don't you?

Oh, but that's good.

We had to leave in such a hurry

that certain things

were left behind.

The Germans are using our house now.

Could you go there and get them back?

Stand to attention!

Stand to attention!

Look at me.

This is a disgrace.

What is this mess?

Clean it up!

So this is what it means

to be protected by the German army?

Lucile.

Wait. Look at me.

What happens in there

is indefensible.

I have nothing in common

with these people.

There is damage to some

of the items

on the list Lieutenant,

what shall we do?

- Pack it carefully. I'll come over.

- Yes Lieutenant.

The only person

I've something in common with...

...is you.

- No.

A set of false teeth,

a china dinner service,

household items of purely

sentimental value.

I'd clawed back what crumbs

I could from the enemy.

The air was thick with whispers.

Some saw me as a collaborator.

Others admired my bravery.

But none knew what

I was really feeling.

Most of it is here.

I apologise for any damages.

Well done. At least you've got the

nerve to stand up to these scum.

Marthe, can you take these bags

upstairs, please?

On Thursday she's going

to visit her sister.

- We'd have the house to ourselves.

- All right.

Come back here. Come back here!

Benoit Labarie. So you're the one

who's been stealing from us.

You thief.

What do you expect us to do?

- You traitors would see us starve.

- How dare you speak to me like that.

I'll speak to you how I like.

I'm not the only one who comes here.

We all do.

- And it's only going to get worse.

- Get out of here.

Chickens.

Give me my f***ing chickens.

You'd better pray your

German friends stay a long time,

because the day they leave...

I caught him. It's Labarie.

- I told you to let it lie.

- He still has a gun.

So does half the town,

including myself.

He tried to shoot me with it.

You need to do something.

Where are these going?

Africa, England, who knows?

What are we paying for them?

Thirty thousand.

Forty if they're well looked after.

That's half the going rate.

What the hell do you care?

I don't.

Good.

Because the way it's going

it'll be people next.

So let's get it over with.

Officer Bonnet!

Choose those suitable for war.

For three months we had lived

alongside each other.

Now there would be no more

holding back.

Let everyone else fight each other,

hate each other.

Just leave us in peace.

I thought you said you were going

to take the horse in yourself.

- What have you done?

- Go. I'll distract them.

Boys, quick. Now.

I have a warrant for the arrest

of Benoit Labarie. Where is he?

He's in the field.

You four to the field,

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