Let the Girls Play (Comme des garçons)

Reims are still in the first division,

a few minutes before the final whistle.

Reims have held off Saint-Etienne bravely.

The entire stadium is on tenterhooks.

Saint-Etienne chasing victory.

Jean-Michel Larqué gets the ball,

passes to Révelli,

Révelli avoids the tackle.

He's not off-side, Jodard stripped

him of the ball to escape danger...

Le Champenois, hello?

LE CHAMPENOIS YOUR REGIONAL DAILY

I don't know if you can sense it,

but the atmosphere here is stifling for this last-chance match for Reims.

Saint-Etienne are increasingly dominating...

We've had it for sure.

Wait, Reims has the break.

Janvier dribbles it,

into the area, he shoots...

Oh, just wide of the post!

What a missed opportunity for Reims!

On the bench, Reims' legendary coach Michel Leroux...

EDITOR

Bereta attacks, he crosses the ball.

Herbin's on his own in the penalty box...

Please sign this before you leave, sir.

Leroux is playing with fire.

This time Reims dodged a bullet...

Is there a problem, Emmanuelle?

Yes.

There's no-one to take care of the charity fête with me.

The fête? We'll draw lots, as usual.

You can go now.

Leroux refuses to play it safe with a second to go...

Reims in danger as Révelli goes long...

What a dribbler! He eludes the defenders, enters the area.

He's alone against the keeper.

He shoots, and he scores!

It's a goal!

And there's the final whistle.

It's all over in the last second.

Reims are in Division Two for the first time in their history.

We'll do four pages, interviews with the players,

the Mayor

and a disgruntled supporter. Headline: "Black Day for Reims".

Even better: "Apocalypse at the Stadium!"

Very good, sir.

Call an editorial meeting. Who's at the ground?

Paul Coutard.

Oh, no, not him!

You've got something special.

You remind me of a Beatles song...

Know the Beatles, Chantal?

Sylvie.

Sylvie...

Sylvie, Chantal... They're both cute.

Paul, I'm working, as are you.

I meant to call you, but I've been so busy, so many stories...

Where were you? The press conference is starting!

Duty calls, baby.

- Don't you ever stop? - Pretty girls are everywhere.

Haven't you noticed? How long you been with your wife?

Ten years.

- Ten years! Why? - I love her.

- Out of the way. - Hey, take it easy!

Reims in Division Two. What can you tell us?

It's a tough blow for the team.

It was a tricky season.

But...

Excuse me. Paul Coutard, Le Champenois.

Have you made personal mistakes in running the club?

You won't rile me, Coutard.

Can I quote you on that?

I took this club to the top. And I will again.

I'll do all I can to make sure Reims is promoted again.

Isn't it time to make way for a younger man?

How many young men have won six straight Championships?

Maybe you should give them a chance.

People like who?

Like you?

I reckon I'm capable of getting a club relegated!

Gentlemen, the conference is over. I didn't come here to be insulted.

- Wait... - Leroux, Leroux, Leroux, Leroux!

You didn't finish my interview!

Leroux!

I'm going to the States, chum.

They have real investigative reporters there.

- I've got friends in Rio. - Ah, Rio!

It sounds great, the Carnival and all.

I'd like to go there with my wife.

With your wife? You have to go alone!

You don't take bread to the baker's!

Leroux called me. He wants your head.

So you'll apologise publicly.

No.

You will apologise.

I never take back what I say.

- It's a matter of principle. - Fine.

Richard will take your place.

You'll make corrections to his articles.

This is serious.

It's an attack on press freedom.

Right.

And as I'm not paying you to do nothing, you can take care of the fête.

No.

Not that. I resign.

When you've repaid the 3-month advance we gave you.

To find out what to do, ask Emmanuelle Bruno.

Emmanuel? Who's he?

Emmanuelle. My secretary for the last 5 years.

Oh, yes. Emmanuelle.

I thought it was Emmanuel.

Out.

Oh, Luigi, how are you?

Before, they were real men.

They loved the club. It wouldn't have happened.

But now...

The great Reims is over.

It makes me sad.

- Not eating? - No.

You'd rather have died than be in the second division.

OK, but...

Don't get so upset, it's only football.

It's shameful.

We'll be late for bridge.

Oh, no, not tonight.

It'll relax you.

It won't, and I've an early start tomorrow.

OK. Remember to let Luigi out for a pee.

- Have a good evening. - I'll miss you.

Same here.

You agree with me, don't you?

Eh, Luigi?

You're deaf anyway.

So, this fête.

What's it all about?

The main thing

is to find an attraction.

What was it last time?

The Little Singers of Paris.

Rubbish. Outdated.

A rock concert's better.

Can we get Johnny Hallyday?

Johnny Hallyday? He's totally naff.

He'll be forgotten in a year.

What about the year before?

Midgets wrestling.

That's funny.

- How was it? - It was midgets wrestling.

Yes, but how was it?

It was...

You can do loads with midgets. Mini basketball,

mini football.

Goals about 4 feet high, right?

We'll get two teams of midgets and have a match.

What do you think, Lambert?

I prefer a dance.

That won't work.

We'll need around ten midgets.

Two teams of five-a-side.

But I don't know where to find them.

It's all Leroux's fault.

He can't stand the truth. He's old.

Outdated. A has-been.

Sorry, but I don't agree.

Pardon?

Leroux doesn't deserve that.

Is your husband a fan of his?

I'm not married.

You like football?

- You, Emmanuelle? - Why not?

Lots of women play.

In Italy they have a top women's team.

A national women's team?

I don't believe it.

That's not bad.

For the fête! That's what we'll do. Brilliant!

Ladies and gentlemen,

we'll have a women's football match.

The Editor won't like it.

Write this down.

"As part of Le Champenois' annual fête,

"we are seeking...

"women football players..."

Women!

"Any age, any ability."

No, we'll limit the age, I don't like oldies.

Put an age limit of 40.

And get it printed. Hurry up.

You're nuts. You need to consult a psy.

A women's football team!

Women, Lambert!

Women...

My father loved football.

He took me to matches every week when I was little.

I caught the bug.

It's for him.

That's good.

I spend a lot of time at home, but that's OK.

I like it, but I'd like to meet