The Counterfeiters (Les Faux-Monnayeurs)

THE COUNTERFEITERS

- What was that book about? - It is a guide of Algeria.

- Too expensive. - How much?

Two francs fifty.

Go buy it, I'll wait for you.

Nothing is more difficult than to observe beings growing.

It is only possible to watch as an outsider.

What do you want to do with it, it's too old...

I don't care... What I like the most is geography.

- And do you want to go there? - Well, Yes…

- Do you live with your parents? - Yes…

Don't you like them?

- Why do you ask me that? - No reason…

Do you like going after high school boys?

Edouard goes to his sister Pauline Molinier to have lunch with family

You see, Oscar, I feel good in London...

much more available than here, and time to write.

Sometimes I miss Paris and that's why I keep my house here...

But you came for the wedding of Laura Azaïs with this...?

Douviers, Félix Douviers...

Laura loved you a lot, or am I wrong?

No, you are not mistaken, I also loved her very much.

I love her so much.

Poor Azaïs, I think our Georges will be the last to get home...

He's old fashioned, no one sends their children to study after school.

Not to mention that Protestants are only a minority,

so what's the point...

And then the cost,

it's difficult to make ends meet.

And you, Olivier, what do you think about Azaïs Pension?

Oh, me. I also go there, even more time than George...

Mum?

In here, speaking of the devil...

Won't you kiss your uncle Edward?

My uncle?

Yes, your uncle, that's what you call your mother's brother, I think...

How odd to think that you know Vincent and Olivier, but not Georges.

I was traveling when Georges was growing up...

No, I don't know, chance...

But I saw him in the cradle, he doesn't remember...

We'll sit at the table in 3 minutes, darling.

I have to work, I'll be in the room next door...

In fact, I especially came to Paris to see the new edition of my first book.

Terminus?

Did you read it?

Yes, of course…

Too bad, I brought you a copy...

Oh well. Can I have it anyway?

If you tell my parents about the book, I'll say you tried to touch me.

"Whether he reads me or not, I hope to see Olivier again soon".

It's a funny title - Terminus - for a first book...

It is, isn't it?

Here!

And Vincent, where is he?

Always studying Medicine...

He lives here but we don't see him anymore.

He spends his spare time looking after the father of a writer, like you...

Robert De Passavant.

I don't like this man's reputation...

Do you like Passavant's books?

Well, I really have to say...

I don't.

And you?

Asthenic but interesting.

Well, I have to leave you, I'm very late...

Well, Olivier,

show your uncle Edouard the poem that you showed me the other day,

I am curious to know his opinion...

I'm going to see what Georges is doing...

Show me this poem, will you?

I gave you my book, show me your poem...

I follow you?

It is very bad.

I know.

That's good.

At the Luxembourg Garden.

Edouard arranged a meeting with Félix Douviers, Laura Azaïs's fiancé.

Douviers!

Hello!

I asked Laura the other day if you minded me marrying her,

she told me that on the contrary you had advised her to do it,

I would like to thank you,

that you don't think it's ridiculous, I do it very sincerely...

Why did Laura have to tell you about me?

Wedding at the Temple Laura Azaïs and Felix Douviers,

celebrated by the bride's own father, Pastor Azaïs.

Duvois!

Grace and peace are given to you by God, our Father,

from whom every family receives its existence, and from Jesus Christ,

our Lord.

The church is welcoming with those who are joyful.

Felix and Laura,

at this decisive hour of your life,

she surrounds you with all her affection.

With you, it expressed its gratitude God.

Lord, we come to thank you.

You gave life to the man and woman here, Felix and Laura.

You have led them to this hour when they unite

before you their existence in freedom and joy.

He looks like that shepherd

whose photograph I have on my desk.

To share your gifts now and to form the couple

by which you pursue the work of your creation.

You are the witness of their union and you now address his word.

You want to be with them today...

I don't care, I'm Catholic.

As you want to be with them every day, forever.

We praise you, Lord.

Everything about him attracts me and remains mysterious to me.

Shall we meet at the Pension? I'll leave Olivier with you...

Good. Are you coming?

I did not think you knew the Azaïs so well...

I lived with them for two years...

It was binding for you, wasn't it?

At that time, it was convenient...

- Laura? - Exactly.

They are still there, I think nobody noticed them...

It's been ten years...

Ten years?

Yes! Listen, I wanted to tell you...

Maybe we won't see each other in a long time...

I'd like to know if I can count on you...

count on you as a friend...

Whatever happens…

Uncle Edward, do you remember my brother?

How are you, Vincent?

Do you know each other?

Not quite…

Go see the pastor, he is in his office,

it will give him great pleasure...

You see these flowers,

they know how to transmit the glory of the Lord better than men.

Laura's choice surprises me,

I doubt that Felix Douviers is the right man for her...

What do you think?

Who knows...

Anyway, I think he's an honest boy.

- Isn't he? - Certainly…

Stop it!

Stop, what are you doing?

Sir, what are you doing! Oh, my God!

They're gonna catch...

I'm going to see Monsieur Lapérouse.

I let the stove go out...

I had to empty it...

You can tell I've changed, don't you?

When I replay a Bach fugue, I have to resort to the notebook...

I'm losing my memory...

Many would be satisfied with it, I'm sure.

And then, when I walk,

it seems to me that I still walk fast enough,

but in the street now, all the people surpass me.

We are walking much faster today...

Is that so?

The students here are all faster than me...

Today, everyone is in a hurry...

You'll get cold...

- Let's light up your fire. - Oh no...

You have to harden up...

I've always struggled with myself...

It's good as long as we have the victory, but if the body succumbs...

I was afraid you would leave without seeing me.

Leave where?

You're still traveling...

I wanted to tell you...

I'm also going to leave soon.

Do you intend to travel?

You understand what I mean.

There is a point I have promised myself not to exceed.

I never understood why religion objects to that.

God rolled over me...

God takes revenge on us...

Why does he want that?

I never told you about my grandson...

- How old is he? - Thirteen years old.

He is very delicate.

His name is Boris.

I didn't even know you had children...

A child, my son... He's dead, he's dead...

And Boris, where does he live?

I don't know, I don't know.

He's in college in Poland...

in Warsaw, I think...

He travels a lot with his mother...

Doctors take care of him...

Say,

is it possible to love a child we've never seen?

Today, it is most valuable thing I have in the world,

and he doesn't know anything about me...

Leave quickly...

don't leave for so long without coming back...

It is only when he doesn't see me that I dare to contemplate him at leisure.

I am sometimes in the street without him knowing.

Where are you going so fast?

Oh, nowhere...

I never look as rushed as when I have nothing to do.

I am embarking tomorrow for London.

I suddenly decided to leave.

It's time.

Ah, if only I could take him!