Dark at Noon (L'Œil qui ment)

Your eyes lie, but you don't know it

One makes you see what you imagine

And the other lies even more

It makes you think everything is reality

I understood that after my first trip to Estremoz

It all began November 11, 1918.

But....where are you taking him?

He's mad. And dangerous.

But I noticed that he has a Russian accent.

He spoke no Russian. He just pretends he had the gift of languages.

I have two passions: miracles, and foreign languages.

Perhaps because of that, I accepted without hesitation the post of Scientific Counsellor...

...at the Bureau of Miracles in the Arch Diocese of Paris...

...a little-sought position as intern at the Hospice of Grieviously Wounded Foreigners...

...a real Tower of Babel...

...and where there occurred from time to time -- so it was rumoured -- strange phenomena.

This asshole is trying to resurrect himself again.

Yet another unmerited miracle?

It was the decision of the Archbishop....

...not to make these miracles a matter of public discourse.

And why not?

After all, it concerns an extraordinary circumstance, doesn't it?

Look there, an arm which has been growing for at least a week.

A cancer of the tongue which becomes a prostate cancer...

...which could merit pleasm.

And this, look here -- I hope the photo isn't forged --

What I see here is a little girl suspended in mid-air.

And if we made public all these...miracles...

...nobody would take us seriously anymore.

The Church, must be, above all, credible.

Doctor.

Excuse me, my father has just died.

At least for me, there will be no miracle.

I'm becoming quite fed-up with these bizarre events.

Oh, well. In half-an-hour it's time for my Portugese lesson. So long.

Thank you.

-- It's horrible but.... -- Thank you.

- Is the room to be prepared? - Not this evening thanks.

"My poor health prevents me from travelling to Portugal. My son, perhaps will go there in my place."

One thing worries me. I don't believe I have understood yet your central idea.

In particular, this thing -- what do you call it? -- your panopticom.

My father has just died. It will be my task in the future to manage the affairs...

...which concern us both.

I leave for Portugal in 3 weeks.

You said that after my arrival at Estremoz I should take the diligence from the frontier.

And after that

And these things done, my boat should reach Portugal in about 3 days.

So I will arrive in Lisbon on the 8'th of December.

There, stop. Wait, stop there.

Hey, there. Hello. Hello.

Where is "The Dogs"? Do you know it?

It's not far, ha, ha. Follow the crutches.

The crutches.

- The crutches? - Yes, you'll find the way, it's not far.

- Do you live over there? - No, no, absolutely not.

I'm not so young as I look.

Look there. It's already begun. Look!

The apparition! On the other side of the hill there. Look!

Hey! Hey! Wait for me!

Must be B-flat.

Is there somebody there?

It's B-flat.

Some people are eo lucky.

Sometimes I almost believe that God exists...

...and watches over Satan.

Calm down! Calm down!

Fatise!

Your place is here. Over here.

Attention. I'm not always at the beck and call of tourists.

Could be that next time I'll be on the other side of those mountains.

You should be grateful to these poor peasants.

And the dogs. You were so lucky.

Sooner or later they would have torn you to pieces.

Monsieur le Marquis knows how to do things properly.

Perhaps that will teach you to keep off his land in future.

- Yes...what is...? - You see that little house over there?

It's a posada. You can eat very well there.

It'll take 3 hours to walk there. We'll get there just in time for dinner. Come.

But I have to collect my instruments.

- What instruments? - My...you're very kind, lead on.

Thank you, O Lord, after all, perhaps You are really there.

Oh, what's that?

What, the Virgin?

- It is? - Ha, ha, she's everywhere.

The one you're looking at is the Oak Virgin.

And behind the posada there's another one.

And down there, on the other side of the river, is Saint Anne who appeared to the washerwomen.

Oh yes, That's how it is. These poor peasants amuse themselves by running all over the place...

...gaping at the miracles instead of concerning themselves with real religion.

But...there she is!

Yes, but do you believe everything you're shown, then?

Well, not me. In fact, tell me what do you do in life, eh?

I'm a doctor.

Oh, I'm not surprised, they're the worst.

It's an apparition, that's all.

No,no. She's there, she's there.

But how does that change things? Eh?

It's me who got you out of that hole. Me. Not the Virgin.

-- Excuse me, I thought... -- You should think before talking..

And that won't stop the Marquis if he has set his mind to it.

And a propos of that... Why, speak of the devil...

Welcome, Monsieur le Marquis! Welcome!

Psst. Monsieur le Marquis.

He seems to be asleep.

Where are the toilets?

Wake up!

Wake up!

Wake up!

To all that I say: enough! enough!

Enough miracles!

Enough apparitions!

Enough pagan festivals!

You are Christians in name only.

As your ancestors were.

Christ died for you. Pagans.

Wake up! Wake up!

Oh, it's useless.

What are you looking for?

I...I...I'm...(looking for the toilet)

- The what? - I'm looking for the toilet.

Oh, you mean the toilet? The toilets? But there aren't any.

Perhaps at the palace, I dunno.

Er, yes, I know there are some at the palace, but I can't find them.

Then do what everyone does. How do you think I manage?

No, er....that would be too embarassing. I'm not from round here, you see.

I understand. OK, come here.

See over there, on the other side of the aisle.

See it?

Behind the sacristy. There used to be one there.

Of course now, who knows. Try it and see. -- Thank you, thank you so much.

Hey! Come back next week. After the mass we'll have a card session.