Lips of Blood (Lèvres de sang) (Lèvres de sang)

Do you come here often?

Alone?

What will you have, Mother? Scotch, vodka?

No, it's too early for that. I'll have a Cinzano.

Very good. A Cinzano.

- And a vodka. - Yes, sir.

- You're not bored? - Not at all.

The Parisian in crowd can be fascinating.

What a scent.

Scents are like memories

The person evaporates, but the memory remains.

Mommy

Mommy, Daddy.

I'm lost.

I'm scared

Why are you crying?

I'm not crying.

Come in.

I'm a bit scared.

Open the gate and come in.

You're all in white.

I got lost following the big black dog with the ripped ear.

Are you still scared?

- Do you live here? - Yes.

- You can sleep here. - Are you staying with me?

Yes, I'm staying with you.

- What's wrong? - I cut myself. Go to sleep.

- I'll say my prayers. - Never mind that.

There are crucifixes.

They're all dead. Don't worry. Close your eyes.

- Without praying? - Yes.

You're so beautiful all in white.

You've got to wake up.

But it's not light yet.

Your mother is worried. Hurry up.

Will you give me a kiss?

Leave quickly.

Don't. Come back. Come back and open the gate.

I'll be back. I love you.

Do you like it that much?

I don't know.

I'm looking for something.

That landscape, the one behind the bottle.

Frederic.

My glass is empty.

Forgive me, Mother. I'm not a very dutiful son.

A port, for a change.

- Frederic, I'm waiting. - Sorry.

- But that poster- - What do you think of it?

- It's very beautiful. - Isn't it? You can feel it.

That landscape.

Those ruins you see there, where are they?

It's a nice place. One of my photographers discovered it.

My glass is empty too.

But those ruins, that landscape.

They're like a part of my childhood.

I feel like I've been there before.

Leave me alone. I'm trying to remember.

Oh, that's nice, abandoning me for some old ruins.

This is good.

- The guy who gave you those photos - - Which photos?

The ruins on that poster. Is he here?

Actually, it's a woman, and she just left.

- Could I have her address? - Of course.

- Is that really necessary, Frederic? - It's important to me.

Come with me. Please, excuse us.

Tell me, Mother.

Yes?

What do you think about the perfume poster?

Not bad.

Your jacket is all dirty.

That landscape.

You know, the one used as a background on that poster.

Does it remind you of anything?

Why? Should it?

I feel like I know it.

It happens.

Many landscapes give you a feeling of déjà vu.

You don't look well.

Looking at those ruins...

brings back...

memories... and images

from when I was a child.

There was a bridge, I think.

You really don't remember anything?

No, really. I don't know that place.

The evening has been a success.

You're not listening to me.

I'm talking about something that's very important to me.

You know that since Father's death

I can't recall a part of my childhood.

I have forgotten it.

And that poster...

brings some images back to mind.

Of somebody.

A young girl.

I have told you about your past a hundred times.

There was never any young girl.

Be a good boy and come back to the living room. I'm a bit cold.

Shall I tell you the rest or shall I shut up?

Please, go on.

It's amusing.

I can see myself... as a little boy...

in those ruins with a young girl.

She was very pretty.

Dressed all in white.

I slept next to her all night.

We fell in love, the way 12-year-olds do.

You're not listening to me.

Believe me, I'd remember if you'd had an experience like that

I'm going to go and see those ruins.

Do you know where they are?

Not yet.

The photographer will tell me.

Who knows?

The young girl might still be there.

The one you dreamt of?

I don't think it was just a dream.

- Be careful, my child. - Of what, Mother?

I don't know.

Of the night.

More to the right.

- Hello. - Hello.

- Can I have a word? - Sure. Come in.

I think we've already met, haven't we?

Ah, yes. I remember.

- At the cocktail party. - That's right.

I'll be with you in a second.

Hello.

Is he my new partner?

No, that's it for today. You're free to go.

- Have a seat. - Thanks.

What can I do for you?

Well...

you sold a photograph

of some ruins for a poster.

For a poster?

Yes, I remember.

Have you got a copy?

Yes, I think so. Wait a minute.

This one?

Yes, that's the one.

What's the place called?

Where is it?

I can't tell you anything about it.

Why?

I was paid a lot of money to forget all about it.

It's just that I remember that place from my childhood.

I'd like to see it again, that's all.

There's no reason to hide it from me.

I'm sorry, I was paid to keep it quiet.

Perhaps to keep it a secret from you.

But that's ridiculous. Who paid you?

Oh, yes, of course. You can't say anything.

Wait a minute. I've got an appointment. I need to get changed.

Where did I put my dress?

I like you. Come closer.

Come to the aquarium tonight.

I'll look in my files and tell you where those ruins are.

But the aquarium is closed at night.

Not for a press photographer. I'm doing a shoot there.

Come at midnight.

Miss?

- Could you lend me your flashlight? - Have you lost something?

Thank you.

Hello, Frederic.

How do you know my name?

I was the young girl. Don't you remember?

You were about 12 years old.

In the countryside, near the ruins.

You don't look like her

Does that matter?

I don't know.

Why are you here tonight?

More than 20 years have gone by.

That's true.

Earlier, I thought I saw you as you were 20 years ago.

Come. This night will be ours.

Tell me.

Twenty years ago,

a little boy gave you his toy.