A French Village (Un village français)

A French Village

12 June, 1940

I told you, I no longer have any Sulfonamide.

Just be sure to send me some.

The Invasion

Look, we could see hundreds of refugees in the coming days.

So I need emergency kits, dressings, serum...

I know the trains won't be running.

Send me a lorry, an ambulance anything.

The Germans have reached Besançon.

My God!

It's the end.

And you're still going to go and deliver the child?

A baby won't wait because the Germans are coming!

As soon as the line's restored call the Besançon depot for more drugs.

And cancel all visits.

...except those which seem vital...

What do I tell them? The Germans are coming?

No, absolutely not. That will trigger a panic.

You could say that... - I'll think of something.

Papa just called, he says the Germans are in Lyon.

The Germans have been threatening for two weeks. I can't see them coming here.

We'll have to send the boy away.

Yes, but I don't want him to go with the school. It's not wise.

What are you talking about. The Boches are only 100 kilometers away.

...but the Army can't advance 100 kilometers in a day!

What do you know about it?

But mother, all my friends are going.

Are you sure it's not risky? - A 100 kilometers Jeannine!

Good. Since it makes you happy. Okay then.

Get going. Get ready, pal.

And don't forget your gas mask. Eh?

Madame, Madame. It's terrible, the butcher called.

The chickens are still at Lons-le-Saunier.

It's unbelievable, Sarah. Every time the same. I can't trust you with anything!

You can use the piece of beef.

No. We're not eating beef on my birthday!

Good, get three chickens from the farm. It won't be Bresse chicken, but...

I'm not going 20 kilometers for three chickens!

But it's not just for three chickens, it's for me.

Okay, I'll go there before going to the sawmill.

I love you. - Me too.

Marie!

Marie? - Yes, Monsieur Schwartz, I'm here.

I'm here. - Hope I'm not disturbing you?

No. - Any news of Lorrain?

Nothing since his letter on the 3rd. That means nothing.

The radio says the Post is backed up.

I need three chickens for Jeannine's birthday.

There's a problem at the butchers.

You're sure I'm not disturbing you.

No, no, I'm just trying to move the living room chest.

It's heavy.

I'll help you, Marie.

That's good...now you.

There.

What does it take to move this thing?

I don't know.

While milking this morning I thought it'd be better along the wall, by the fireplace.

Marie!

Go on then, pull.

Excuse me.

Have you seen my pears? - Yes.

When are you going to your cousin's in the Landes?

My mother refuses, she says it's too far. - You're sure?

At first I pretended to sulk, but I prefer to stay here.

That way we can stay together all Summer!

Perhaps we'll see fighting.

They're giving a concert on Friday near St.Christopher's Church.

It's an organ recital, a fantasy by Couperin. I have two tickets.

Can I help you, Louis?

I'll be happy to accompany you.

But do you think they will still have the concert with all the going-ons?

Hope springs eternal.

I've been thinking about it for months.

Since we kissed at Christmas.

We kiss every Christmas.

Yes. But this time your husband wasn't there.

What are we going to do now, Monsieur Schwartz?

We can be less formal for a start.

No. That would be too strange for me.

My God!

Monsieur Schwartz, we're crazy to do this.

No!

I've got to go.

I want us to meet again. Soon. We need to talk.

Tomorrow about 11 am, is that OK with you?

I'll be in the fields.

And my chickens?

You haven't given me my chickens!

Right, Because I don't have any.

I've only a few cocks and two old laying hens, but nothing fit for a plate.

We can stop there. What do you think? Yes?

We can get the snacks ready and afterwards start the picnic under the trees.

Children!

Leaders, set the table.

And you others be careful.

Put your things down carefully. Especially the gas masks.

...and there's even alcohol in it... - I don't believe you!

Why not?

Because I say so!

Boys, calm down.

Stop clowning around.

Look down there. There's a gun.

Boys, get away! It's not safe. It could explode.

Let's go! In file.

We could go somewhere else. Right?

Should we go farther away?

No, we'll stay here. It may be a booby-trap.

Our people have abandoned this stuff.

The Master says the Army left it. What's a booby-trap?

A booby-trap? That would be a dirty trick.

...help your friends...you, serve the croissants?

There's no risk.

Children...! Children!

Stop now. Stop. War isn't a game, come and eat.

Listen! - Look, an aircraft!

Boys. Stop. It's one of ours.

He won't see much of us.

Hello Michel.

Hello Inès. - Hello Monsieur Schwartz.

Here, I've something for you.

Good news?

Hello Marcel.

Hello, Monsieur Schwartz.

So we're not going in July.

Even counting the Swiss traffic I'm short by at least 12,000.

We'll have to close for at least a month or two.

What if we carried the loads ourselves?

By-passing Chovot transport.

No. What we save on commissions, we'd lose on petrol.

No. It's screwed.

Unless your Spaniards accept a longer day's work without increase in pay.

Listen. They're not slaves.

You think I find it funny?

There's bound to be another solution without turning the screws on them.

Well, I don't see a solution.

I've turned it all over three days and I don't see one.

Hey. You don't know where I can find three chickens?

At the butchers!

Obviously.

Monsieur Schwartz it's the Police!

Monsieur Schwartz!

Monsieur le Commissaire?

I wasn't expecting a visit from you.

Sorry to disturb you. Here's my colleague Jean Marchetti, of the Dijon Bureau.

Marcel Larcher, my foreman. What can we do for you?

We're investigating a Communist cell which has formed in this area.

You've nothing better to do right now?

Who knows? - Sure I don't...perhaps hunt Boches rather than Frenchmen.

We simply want to find the guys who distribute this stuff.

Communists.

You know they screwed me back in 1936...

I can assure you they're no longer in the company.

Here is one of your price lists. You print them here I suppose.

And if you compare it with this leaflet you'll see they were printed on the same machine.

With ink missing, there...and there.

So you've a cell here, printing and distributing leaflets.

This is serious.

It's impossible. I know my boys.

I've spoken to the Inspecteur about your Spaniards.

Them! Indeed, I know them less well.

Yes. They're Republican refugees I suppose?

Docteur Larcher?

Why did you come?

You didn't know one of your workers is giving birth?

Yes, Of course.

So. Is it going well?

It would go well if she started to push.

The Police. They want to close the barracks.

Go on. Don't worry. It won't take long.

Translate please.

My friends.

Push.

Good day Docteur.

Push. It's going well.

It could go better.

Stand up please.

You know the Germans reached Besançon?

The Sous-Préfet told me we're preparing a massive counter attack.

Let's go Madame. We need to get the baby out.

Where's the interpreter, Ignacio?

That's not a flag, is it?

They're Communists.

It's in Spanish.

These are old things, January 39, March 39...

The printing machine!

Where's the stuff?

The cops are here and know that we print it here. - Shit!

Pass me the stencils.

They won't take long to tumble to it.

What else is there?

There's the Bolshevism books.

The Politburo pamphlets too.

What do we do? Do we pack the trunk?

With the Teutons around, I don't see where I'll go.

Hurry up...go quietly.

Him again.

Hey, don't you want us to go with the others?

If we get demerit points for start of school, my mother will kill me.