Lady of the Camelias

The Lady of the Camellias

It is all pre-ordained.

Don't ask how two people can be in love.

Or what one person can mean to the other.

I love for the first time.

And I ask for forgiveness if your son has been harmed

I cannot turn back

I cannot promise not to love him You would not believe me.

You don't need to worry. I will play fair.

There's something more important than happiness as you understand it

and it must be fought for whatever the price.

Your son will receive a terrible sorrow, stay close to him

It's his turn now.

THEY WERE BORN, THEY ARE DEAD, THEY LIVED.

Who's on stage? Silence. Ready, silence!

Marguerite... I don't know what effect you will have on my life

but there's nothing in the world I love as much as you.

I am happy.

Marguerite!

- what's the matter, Madame? What do you feel?

A little water...

- Do you feel unwell? - It'll pass.

- Go into the other room. - Let's go, let's go

Monsieur Dumas, does this woman have to cough up her lungs until the fifth act.

No, It's not obligatory.

This tiresome exercise will start later.

Excuse me, maestro, I should ask your help more often.

She wasn't a duchess, Madame

But she was far superior to the work she did.

The model for this character was called Alphonsine Plessis

and she never had such tragic adventures. I invented that part.

But she would have loved to have had them.

- Ok, thank you. - Everybody in position. Start again.

- From the top. Places, please. - Scene Two.

Gaston at the piano.

I'm hungry. I haven't eaten today.

Well done.

- Alphonsine, is your father in? - He's sleeping.

He gave my sister some medicine. I need some too.

Ah, Yes. Come with me.

- Is he ill? - No, it's just cough pills.

- Cough pills? - They're good for you.

Yes. Sometimes, he also gives them to me, when there's nothing to eat.

They help get rid of hunger and thirst. And they make you feel happy.

I already have 5 children and I don't want any more

Let's hope this potion works.

When my husband comes near me, if I try to move away, he beats me.

If only we didn't like it too. we could do THIS!

Listen...

Signor Bernier has made an offer for you to stay at his house.

At least we'll resolve some problems. And avoid the reform house.

I'll come and see you every day

When must I leave?

Immediately. He's outside.

Oh, it's you Plessis. Come.

- Alphonsine isn't well. - Ah.

- What's the matter? - She spent the whole day complaining.

Then she went to bed.

- She's asleep? - I think so.

Maybe she doesn't like it here.

Maybe... I'll have to take her back home.

Plessis, do you want to raise the price?

She's my daughter I can take her back when I want.

- I would like a lamp. - What for?

I want to go back upstairs and I want a lamp.

- What the matter? - Nothing. Leave me be.

- Do you want me to come with you? - No.

Go away!

Plessis?

It's nothing to be afraid of. It's natural.

Usually, a friend would explain.

It happens to all women ... when they become women.

Then it goes away.

Then in comes back

You see, Alphonsine, When it happened to your mother

she pinned a beautiful red flower on her dress

Like this. That way, I understood. And I'd leave her be.

There was a time when she stopped wearing a red flower

and nine months later you were born. Now do you understand?

Taken one of these. And you'll have sweet dreams.

Look at her. She's wearing red flowers on purpose.

- Send her home! - Send her back to Bernier!

- Go! Go! - Give it back!

- It's indecent! - Send her back to Bernier!

This is a procession! You shouldn't gang up against a girl.

What would you all be without help? Why do you come here to pray?

God must have his fingers in his ears! Come.

The procession is for the honour of our Lord.

Not to fight over a garland of red flowers.

If people turn against you, maybe it's because you give them a reason.

- Doing What? - Don't you know? Monsieur Bernier?

- You can go to bed. - I haven't finished.

- I've never seen the kitchen so clean. - Good night.

You don't have to tell me about Bernier. If you don't want to.

- Monsieur Bernier... - Yes?

He makes me undress

and then he looks at me.

He looks at me.

Then usually he falls asleep.

Monsieur Bernier is very rich.

And if he wasn't rich.

He wouldn't pay my father for my company.

From tonight you won't go to him anymore.

- Do you want me to go back to my father? - Would you like that?

Yes. I like living with my father.

Other men hate him.

But women follow him all the way home.

- And I hide somewhere and watch. - I'll speak to him.

- I'll tell him what you do. - He already knows.

- And so? - Nothing.

He carried on doing it. All he was wearing was socks.

I'd never seen how a man was made.

Then he beat me, but we made peace again straight away.

Tonight you won't go to Bernier. You'll stay here with Delphine.

Come

Here. You'll stay here.

I'll bring you a mattress and sheets.

- Delphine? - Yes?

- Alphonsine will sleep here - Ok

Coming?

- Is this the book that you read in church? - Yes.

What does it say?

"How beautiful you are, How beautiful you are.

Your hair is like a herd of goats

Your eyes are like doves

Your lips are like scarlet ribbons.

Your cheeks are like pomegranate skin

Your breasts are like twin fawns

grazing among the lilies.

Your love is more sweet than wine.

Honey drips from your lips, you have honey and milk under your tongue"

Alphonsine? Alphonsine! What's happened?

- What's happened? - Help me.

- What's happened? - We have to run away.

Why?

- The police will be here soon. We've got to go.

- Let's go. - Come, quickly!

I'm very cold, mother.

Cover yourself, Anya.

- Are you also going to the Festival? - We'll get off where it suits us.

She's... she's my daughter. She was tired of walking.

- You fathered her young. - Where we come from we start young.

Why lose time? Cigar?

What happens in Avalon?

Lots of people go there.

Most importantly... it's crowded.

I've always done good business at the festival.

They go crazy for my candy floss.

- Is there a pharmacy at Avalon? - Why? Do you need something?

Yes. Certain pills that make life happy, even when it isn't.

I've got better than that.

- Do you want to try? - Yes.

Take some my dear. Eat. Eat.

Take it.

Take it.

Anya, my dear, calm yourself.

Has it passed?

How old are you?

What's you name?

- Alphonsine. - Alphonsine. Here, cover yourself.

As well as the same eyes...

you also have the same first initial as my daughter.

- Alphonsine, wake up! - Father!

I'm leaving you with him. He's a good man. You'll learn a trade.

He'll also give you a wage.

Not for the first months... He's given that to me!

You'll see he'll leave you in peace and he'll take you to Paris.

Goodbye! See you soon!

Goodbye!

Goodbye.

Maxence's delicacies! Hurry, hurry!

Maxence's delicacies. Hurry, ladies and gentlemen!

For big ones and little ones! Hurry, ladies and gentlemen!

- A delicacy. - Now, Madame.

Here you are.

Maxence's delicacies! They're as red as your heart!

Hurry.

- Maxence's delicacies! - Do you want one?

- Stupid! - Go away!

- Does it still hurt? - A bit less.

Try my "toccasana".

Even those dipped in molten sugar?

Those are naturally sweet.

- Who's girl is that? - Girls don't interest me.

Attention! At ease!

Does he take orders from a blonde or a brunette?

He takes orders from no one... if he gets it... he gets it!

You're sure?

Don't think about it.

I don't want to end up in the hospital again.

Look.

Quick, let's go!

If I don't find another client tonight that old hag

will throw my son into the street.

You can't... you're ill.

They don't realise in the dark, up against a wall

You'll all have a sorry end, I spend my evenings at the theatre.

Come, your welcome. It's better than whoring, no?

Oh well, see you.

Second on the right is Count Olympe Aguado,