A French Village (Un village français)

What are you doing?

My letter to the Marshal. It has to arrive on Monday. Do you want me to read it?

If you want.

Monsieur le Marshal, since the summer German soldiers have been among us,

and our soldiers are in Germany. It would be far too easy

if the German soldiers were in Germany and our soldiers at home.

- Where did you get that from? - I don't know. Isn't it good?

Yes.

But you must make an effort, it’s almost illegible.

Your A’s look like O’s. I’ve told you a hundred times.

And you can’t write damn simple. Just say... it would be good.

Or something like that.

But then it will be full of crossed-out words!

Then rewrite it.

- But I’ll have fewer pages. - Then use a new sheet?

About time, huh!

The Germans have tightened controls for November 11.

I came across a checkpoint where they searched the van.

Luckily we didn’t have the leaflets yet.

Good afternoon.

Hello Madam, do you want me to read my letter to the Marshal?

We don’t have time, Gustave. Copy your letter and be careful.

- Good. Shall we continue? - Of course. What do you think?

Suzanne, the plan assumed your schedule would stay normal.

We need an hour for the leaflets. Then you’ll be at the post office at 9.

People will see you arriving late.

But that’s not necessary. There won’t be many people at the garage exit.

Even if someone sees me at 9, it doesn’t prove I came from Sayolle

I could also have arrived at 8 and then left again.

- Where to? - I don’t know.

To a café! In this cold.

The only open café is the Station Café, and the owner will report you.

Say that and you’ll sleep in a cell.

Good. I left Sayolle at 8. I was late because of the checkpoint.

I left the leaflets at the dock and then went to the cemetery.

I often pray at my father’s grave; There is never anyone there.

- Why did you put the documents first? - It’s the rule.

We must leave the documents at the dock as soon as we arrive.

The rule says it’s the first thing to do. It could work.

If someone sees you at 9, they know you’re lying.

But no one will come. It’s a creepy dead-end street.

- Who is working with you today? - Madame Morvandieu.

She never arrives before half past ten. Never. She comes on foot. She has rheumatism.

May I?

Sorry, of course.

Thank you.

Listen, Gustave.

Today I’m not taking you to school by bike.

- What? Why not? - Because of work, Gustave.

I have to take this lady to work.

So you’ll walk.

But I don’t like walking in the dark. And it’s cold.

No discussion, Gustave. I can’t do anything about it.

And listen, if anyone asks about this lady, say you don’t know her. Okay?

Season 1 - Episode 6 COLD SHOCK.

Suzanne, wait a moment.

The rope is too tight. I can’t fit the leaflets in.

Damn. It’s tighter than usual!

Probably because of the German inspection for November 11.

What now? We can only fit about twenty. The ones on the outside.

We can’t take risks for twenty leaflets.

- We have to cut the rope. - How do we retie the packages?

- We make new knots. - It will show

if the packages are different,

the police will ask why you didn’t report it.

Do you have rope at the sawmill? It’s not far.

You’re scared!

And you aren’t?

Yes.

The night watchman at the sawmill is gone now.

Schwartz and the first workers arrive at 9.

What time is it?

Quarter to eight.

30 minutes for the leaflets, 10 minutes to the sawmill...

20 minutes to retie the ropes...

10 minutes to the post office. It might still work.

It depends on you.

- Do you want more coffee? - No thanks, I’m done.

It’s cold this morning! I have to go to the soup kitchen. Are you coming?

Is that really necessary?

You are still the mayor’s wife.

And the most beautiful woman in Villeneuve.

Marchetti, don’t you think she is the most beautiful woman in Villeneuve?

- I can’t say that. - Even if I’m the one asking?

See, you’re boring him with your questions.

When eating, you don’t ask questions.

- Really? - Good! I’ll get ready.

- You get used to it. - I think you get used to everything.

That’s true.

Doctor, Camille’s neighbor is worried.

He hasn’t seen him since the day before yesterday.

- Very good. Call the Secours National. - No, I’ll go myself.

Old Camille is a bit annoying, but I like him.

- Good morning, Lucienne. - Good morning, director.

I asked Feldwebel Wagner to be present at the

reading of the letters for the Marshal.

Good.

The Marshal said we must cooperate, so we do it.

The Inspector will make a good impression.

I hope my presence does not disturb you too much, miss.

- No, no. Not at all. - My brother is a teacher in Saarbrücken.

Herr Feldwebel, you sit there, I will sit here,

and Mr. Foulquier can sit wherever he wants.

- Is this the Monsieur Foulquier who... - Yes. Yes, yes. I have seen your file.

The case was unfortunate, but they

ultimately dismissed. Don't worry.

- There you are. - I normally don't come on foot.

So I came early, it was cold.

You did well. Couldn't dad bring you?

Ah, Gustave Larcher! You have prepared your letter, I hope?

Oh yes, sir. And even my dad said it was good.

Well then, let's see it.

Excuse me. We have a problem with the light

downstairs. Do you have the keys to the fuse box?

- Sure. Can you show us the way, Lucienne? - You stay here, I'll be right back.

You said the night watchman wasn't here tonight.

It's Marcel! I don't know why he's coming at this hour.

It's cold. Warm me up.

Is he stealing rope?

I am not allowed to stay.

Laurin always comes back early in the morning for milking.

You are...

And Jeannine? What are you going to do?

Nothing.

It will pass.

The French State speaks through me,

and assures you of its sincere solidarity.

These blankets and soup are offered by the sub-prefecture

with the help of the Food Agency and Secours National.

These blankets and soup are the warmth of the.

French renewal that we must build together.

Under the leadership of the venerable and glorious victor of Verdun.

Thank you.

I think we can now go to the soup distribution.

A very good speech, Monsieur le Sous-Préfet.

Stop it.

The French are mainly stomachs.

With the cold and the Germans taking everything, it's normal.

They do not take everything, dear lady. It is a myth.

It is strange not to commemorate November 11th.

I mean, I saw that you called him the victor of Verdun

that was very good.

Mayor. Inspector Marchetti reports that old Camille has died.

And he is waiting for you for the death certificate.

Poor man, I liked him.

It is important that we wait for von Ritter.

I'm going. A death certificate isn't that complicated.

That's not funny.

But I have already made others, remember?

And it's always less boring than Servier's speeches.

- I'm coming with you. - Try to get names

people we must notify of his death.

Mayor, Monsieur le sous-préfet.

You must prevent any patriotic demonstration on November 11th.

Don't worry. If people are satisfied, they don't think.

Why do you think we organized this today?

Very good. We will set two guard posts the

to guard the war memorial on the main square.

Are you afraid the dead will demonstrate?

Know that my father died at the Somme in 1917,

and I regret that there can be no commemoration,

but like my father I am a soldier and obey orders.

I thought that after Montoire there would be something for the prisoners.

It will come. The Marshal knows what he is doing.

But guarding the war memorial... No, it will...

Did you see they put three Ls in eternelle?

I hadn't seen that. Annoying.

In any case thank you for coming before your work began,

Mrs. Morvandieu. My rheumatism is acting up. I'm glad it's over early.

Suddenly I'm early. On a day like today we won't have many

people at the post office.

I'm getting off here. We can't risk being seen together.

Will it work?

- What are we actually risking? - No idea.

You don't have to do this, Suzanne.

No, of course not. But in the end yes. Now.

We have to go. Time is running out.

Remember: No contact for three days. Whatever happens.

Do I start now, or wait?

We might as well wait. All those missing children bother me.

We'll tell him it's because of the cold.

Foulquier is an asshole, but not stupid.

He can even ask for a list of absentees.

You, wake up!

Please, sit down. Sit down.

- Director. - Inspector.

Miss Borderie.

We are glad you are here for this great occasion.

Oh yes. I want to say something to them before we start.

Go ahead.

Children, you are the future of the French nation

by writing to the Marshal, you are writing to France.

The real France, freed from its bad habits

from the lies that have caused her so much harm,

and from the parasites who enriched themselves on her back.

My dear children, the Marshal is listening to you.

One moment. I have invited the Feldwebel

who lives in the school. I will go get him.

Oh yes.

He should have avoided that on November 11.