The Silence of the Church (Le silence des églises)

THE SILENCE OF THE CHURCHES

- Well? Was that good? - Yes.

Did you like the boat? Great.

Up you come.

- Thanks, Alain. - See you again in a fortnight?

- If that works for you. - That's fine by me.

Have a safe journey home.

- Goodbye. - Bye.

Come on.

- Shall we call in on Granny? - Won't that make us late?

It's not much of a detour.

We'll just pop in and say hello.

- She'll like that. - OK.

Come on.

Put your seatbelt on.

I am now joined by Father Vincey

who conducts the famous Saint-Pancrace school choir.

Thank you for coming on the programme.

First, let's hear an extract from the new CD of your choir.

It's called "The Voice of Angels" and it has already been a big hit.

Are you OK, Daddy?

Daddy, watch out!

Darling.

- Are you OK? I got such a fright. - It's broken.

- What is? - My Game Boy is broken.

I'll buy you another one, poppet.

Wait here while I talk to Daddy.

They've X-rayed him. Nothing's broken.

That's good.

- I'm sorry, Anna. - And I'm tired, Gabriel.

I don't even have the strength to be angry.

What's our boy meant to do if I flip my lid too?

You think I'm strong but I'm not strong.

I'm about to lose my job because of you.

What's going on in your head?

I hadn't been drinking.

I swear I hadn't been drinking.

How am I meant to trust you with Romain again?

- How am I meant to trust you? - Mummy!

Coming. I'm just coming.

- Do you want a drink? - Why are you always running away?

Why isn't it working? Why is nothing simple?

- Nothing's ever simple. - Stop it.

Never!

- Bloody machine! - Please!

- What? - Calm down.

- Come on. - I almost killed my son today.

I don't give a fuck about your crappy machine!

- Romain! - Daddy!

- It's OK, it's OK. - Daddy!

They promised to repair the lift three months ago.

Nothing works in this block any more.

Are you listening, Gabriel?

Sorry.

I almost forgot. Look what I bought today.

Apparently they're selling like hot cakes.

- Do you think he's aged? - I need to go.

Already? Am I boring you?

- I must be boring you. - You're not, Mum. It's just...

Just what?

Are you OK?

- Yes, I'm fine. - Sit down.

- What did the cardiologist say? - I'm seeing him on Thursday.

I'm fine. Just go if you're in a rush. Go on.

- Are you sure? - Yes, I'm fine.

Bye, Mum.

Wait. Here, take it.

I bought it for you. Here.

Hi, Mum. Are you OK?

Yes. No, I haven't been able to call in.

No, it's not that. I've found a job.

I'm going to have to go away for a few days...

to meet a client.

Yes.

They've repaired the lift? Great.

Right...

Yes, I'm fine, I promise.

I'm fine.

I've got to go, Mum.

Me too.

How many nights are you staying?

About a week.

"About"?

There are some tickets left for Saturday.

Those kids are amazing. They've toured the world.

Right, you're in Room 6 on the second floor.

There's no lift. Breakfast is served until 10am.

- Don't you have any luggage? - No.

Hello.

- Thanks. - Happy to be of service.

Come on, Gabriel.

15 YEARS EARLIER...

Come on, hurry up. We'll be late.

And you'd better behave this time.

Come on.

Over here.

Excuse me. I'm looking for Father Vincey, the headmaster.

He's the guy who just blew the whistle.

I'm very sorry, but he is too far behind.

My son has been through a bad patch but he's a clever boy.

He just lacks confidence.

It's not that simple. The level here is very high.

And there is the issue of theft.

That was stupid but he regrets it.

- Don't you, Gabriel? - Yes.

Did you want the bike that badly?

My father had promised to buy me one.

My husband walked out on us.

Naturally, it has been upsetting for him.

I understand but I can't take him.

I'm sorry.

But you have a choir, don't you?

- Yes. - Gabriel loves singing.

He even won a competition.

- Is it true that you like singing? - A bit.

He's just being modest. Sing something for Father Vincey.

I don't want to.

Leave him be. We can't force him.

Anyway, it won't change a thing. He doesn't want me here.

Please.

You have been given a gift from God, Gabriel.

Come in.

Hello, Father.

Miss Simart asked me to bring you this.

Thank you, Denis.

Good timing.

Meet Gabriel.

He has a wonderful voice.

You'll be in the same class. Show him round the school.

Thank you, Father.

Don't think your "wonderful voice" makes you special.

His choir sucks, anyway.

This way.

Hello.

Hello.

Hello, Father.

Coffee, Father?

No, thanks. I've had three already.

Here. L'Équipe, please.

Did you see the match? We were unlucky with that penalty.

I'll end up thinking God doesn't love us.

Can't you do anything?

I've tried but what do you expect?

God must remain neutral.

Right. Have a good day.

Have a good day, Father.

Goodbye.

- Hello, Father. - Jean-François, Nicolas.

- I'm relying on you for Saturday. - Don't worry, we'll be there.

- Let's not fight. - "Let's not fight."

- He's like a girl. Don't you think? - Yes.

- A right sissy. - Let go of me.

That will do. Stop it.

We know your game.

What game?

That's right, act dumb.

You won't get away with it.

Denis!

That's no way to treat the new boy.

All right, Gabriel?

Yes.

- Why did they hit you? - We were just playing.

Get out of here. We'll sort this out later.

Not you, Gabriel.

Come on. We'll go to the sick bay.

This will sting a bit.

- All right? - Yes.

Don't worry. They'll soon calm down.

I'll make sure no one else bothers you.

There, all done.

I missed my father too.

I too got into all sorts of trouble.

I thought, "My father's left because I'm worthless."

Then one day I met God.

I felt important in his eyes. I started talking to him.

In my bed, everywhere. I found it comforting.

Can I go back to my class?

Yes.

- Gabriel? - Father?

Come here.

Are you still interested in the choir?

I don't know.

There's a rehearsal on Friday. You're welcome to come along.

You don't seem very pleased.

- It's my mother. - What about her?

She's desperate for you to sing in the choir.

It's her new job.

She has to work evenings so I look after my brother.

Really?

Well, I'll see what I can do.

All right?

Have you come to look round?

Yes.

You're in luck. Five minutes later and I'd have gone.

The bedrooms are upstairs.

It obviously needs a bit of work but...

it has real potential.

Well? Do you like the house?

It's great. I'll get my very own room at last.

- Shh. You'll disturb Mrs Décazes. - Not at all.