The City of Silences (La Ville des silences)

It is raining in France, 1980.

The bells toll the death knell across the province.

Sunday morning: mass, cookies, ceremonial.

Good day, Mr. President. - Good day, my dear friend.

Hello, Farijacque. Everything okay? - Yes.

Creuzeville, such a sweet small provincial town,

like many in our gentle France: Saint-Étienne Manufrance,

Sochaux Peugeot, Creusot Schneider, Clermont-Ferrand Michelin,

Roubaix-Tourcoing Provost, Creuzeville Mahu,

a charming provincial town with a unique local industry.

When industry runs, everything runs.

And people gladly share the crumbs of the feast with the locals.

But when the crisis comes...

It is raining over Creuzeville Mahu.

For now, we remain silent.

We are silent behind purple shutters,

an age-old sign of submission.

For now.

Hello. Sorry to disturb your night so early, but I want a room.

What? Right now?

I don’t want to bother you, just give me the number of a free room.

Five. - Five... That’s not on the board.

Then six. - Six... Here’s six.

I can manage.

The group decided to accept the rental proposals

for the area south of our town, the 'Ponton of the Enchanted Lake'.

Gentlemen, thank you. The meeting is adjourned.

Always late, my dear.

Hello. - Good evening.

Good evening, Lestin.

Mr. President, I apologize for my delay.

You know how it goes...

Women are difficult, especially when they are not yours.

Goodbye, Mr. President.

What are you doing? You know I’m superstitious.

Excuse me.

Mr. Paul Briand, we had you come to, first, protect us.

We have all received threat letters like this one.

And second, to find the murderer.

Your fee will be ours.

And the police? Cheaper than a private detective.

This is the president’s chair, sir. - You probably want it.

Me? No, absolutely not. - You are free.

We pay for your efficiency. You must report everything to us.

Keep us informed minute by minute of your discoveries.

Nothing may be left to chance.

Even what bothers you?

That intrigues you, huh?

The purple shutters.

Nothing special. Simple.

A whim of Father Mahu.

Whenever he bought or had a house built,

he painted the shutters purple.

It was his trademark.

His color, his seal, his coat.

His modern apartment had no shutters anymore.

The old man is dead.

Hello.

Beautiful town, beautiful countryside, beautiful

forest, beautiful

Beautiful walk.

You are the detective hired by the partners.

How do you know that? - I am a journalist.

And I, detective, didn’t know you were a journalist.

I thought you were only the daughter of Vice-President Nathan Farijacque.

I know, daddy’s girl, connections, etc.

Okay, you win.

Still, I love my job and I do it honestly.

Indeed, beautiful nature.

Do you know that women, like nature, only remain beautiful if loved?

Thank you.

I want to rent a bike. - Is that all you want?

Two wheels? Three? Four?

Give me two wheels, I’ll come back for more later.

For what? Fishing, hunting?

Something like that.

I recommend the grilled andouillette with a white wine.

Very kind of you, sir, but I am… vegetarian.

Do you live here, sir? - Yes, born here, will die here.

The hospital is near the cemetery. My life is 300 meters long.

I am unemployed, technically.

And where were you? - At the Mahu factory, that’s all.

That’s all? - Yes, that’s all.

Mahu and co, the partners, real octopuses.

Never left town? - Where to?

Is this a joke? Those born in the province with work stay.

And is there work? - There was.

No more? - Still is.

They’re looking for a CEO up there.

It was never good to live here.

It’s an illusion, the air, the countryside, the forests.

You think you are free, but wherever you go, Mahu is there.

You pay rent to Mahu, the famous purple shutters.

Work? Ask Mahu. Town hall? One man from Mahu.

Countryside? Owner: Mahu.

Wherever you go: Mahu. Nothing to do, everywhere, always.

Local newspaper? Mahu and co.

Who profits from the murder?

I am tired. Aren’t you?

Sir, evening attire required, please.

That's not a problem...

Here, darling.

Nothing works anymore.

Careful, Mr. Briand.

I would be careful with the large slabs everywhere.

Don't step on them.

Red seven, second time.

Did you know our friend Julien Robert received another anonymous letter?

From whom? - How should I know?

Anonymous, I tell you.

Tell me, in your local newspaper,

the murder of Mahu is not hidden, but it's not pushed either.

You really scared me, you know?

Do me a favor, stop sniffing in that dust.

You look pale and gray.

You need fresh air, sir. Come with me.

Damn, what a house!

And don't you feel a bit lost in this huge place?

We all have a little secret corner.

Come, I'll take you there.

Is this a family house? - Yes.

My parents preferred living in a more modern house.

I love old stones.

Tell the person involved the beds are neatly made.

And here?

I'll give it a light sanding.

Don't you find the décor a bit plain and monotonous?

So, Miss Farijacque, you promised to tell me everything.

Don't pretend to be interested in this story.

I've seen you drag on for days with this investigation,

so tonight it's not… - No, you're mistaken, miss.

My name is Julie.

But you are mistaken, Julie.

This case is very close to my heart, and I feel...

If you continue...

...I sense some interesting discoveries will come.

Sleep well?

There are moments when life is warm,

when you feel...

as if filled with sunshine,

when life is beautiful.

Damn it!

You have restless nights, huh?

It's a celebration in the village. Two funerals in such a short time.

Barbers, tailors, and couturiers must have made good profits.

You probably know everyone by now.

A small provincial town is tiny. And gossip spreads fast.

The vice president, Julie's father,

his wife, the son, two partners,

the editor-in-chief and the legal advisor,

one of the group's founders,

the Lestin family: father, mother, and little daughter.

And at the back, the godfather.

The girl is red-haired, and so is the godfather.

Curious, right?

The commissioner,

Joe Ferzo, casino manager, you know him.

And a kept lady.

I loved her, Julie.

She will rest here, next to my wife.

One day I will join her. My place is ready.

I offer you my sincere condolences. - Thank you. Thank you, my friend.

Any news about the rest?

In that case, allow me to leave. You understand the circumstances.

However, I wish a bit more speed in your investigation.

Don't come with me, I know the way.

You are very isolated here, sir.

A deliberate choice.

My investigation is progressing.

The problem is that my best assistant died at the wheel.

She knew too much about real estate traders.

The commissioner says the anonymous letters

are only meant to scare us.

Apparently, it worked.

Here is the mail.

Briand, you're there.

I know, I owe you money.

Tonight, we play all or nothing?

Thomas, you could be more polite.

Your sister...

I still wear black, after an all-nighter.

As always.

You know, Faranger, we couldn't agree with my sister.

She was quite leftist and ecological.

The hypocrisy of feelings is something for your generation, Faranger.

Ladies and gentlemen...

I have to endure it.

The son of his father, you understand?

I pass.

Without trumps.

Fine.

Three without trumps.

Fine. - Fine.

Come quickly into my arms.

Come, both of you.

We close the purple shutters, and done.

Finally be ourselves, without ceremony, without etiquette.

We can let go, scream, cry, whine, regret.

We go to sleep, rest,

maybe dream, not always, of becoming rich,