Woman Between Wolf and Dog (Een vrouw tussen hond en wolf)

A film by André Delvaux.

Woman Between Dog and Wolf.

Antwerp 1939.

England and France are at war with Germany.

Belgium is neutral.

So, this is where we will live.

- Where do we put this family piece? - There too, in the living room.

- And this, in the children's room? - You just can't stop joking.

Does the piano go to the attic?

Our people have always been poor.

It survived by defending its language, its universities, its parties, its judges.

God, Adriaan, God.

- Flanders, father, Flanders! - Isn't it the same thing?

Yes, but not for everyone!

Adriaan? Where does the chandelier go?

Right above the piano.

How did this mirror end up here?

- Adriaan, you are so bitter. - Bitter?

This country has always been hostile to us.

The leaders, bosses, academics. The police, the Church as well.

- No, not the whole Church. - The bishops.

They are not all like that.

The soul of the people, Adriaan. That is what matters.

The soul.

To be faithful to one's ideal is to be faithful to God.

To love one's people is to love God. That is how it is, Adriaan.

You are for and against.

One never knows with the Church.

- Times are hard, Adriaan. - Dangerous, father.

The war is raging at our borders. In France, in Germany.

Sacrifices will have to be made. Sooner or later.

We will have to react.

You should not have abandoned your studies.

You should have obtained your diploma first.

This is not the time to study.

We will have to whitewash it in April against parasites.

To leave, both of you.

Lieve.

And Adriaan.

One, two, three.

They will not tame him The proud Lion of Flanders.

Though they threaten his freedom With chains and cries.

They will not tame him As long as a Fleming lives.

As long as the Lion can claw As long as he has teeth.

They will not tame him As long as a Fleming lives.

As long as the Lion can claw As long as he has teeth.

As long as the Lion can claw As long as he has teeth.

- Cheers! - Cheers.

- Cheers. - Be careful, dad.

Hey. Cheers, dad.

Shut up!

To the soup soup soup To the broth th th.

To sorrel for the ladies To onion for the boys.

Hurrah hurrah hurrah Hurrah hurrah hurrah.

To the soup soup soup To the broth th th.

Mélanie's dirty knees Go wash yourself quickly, my daughter.

In 14-18, with a German!

A German. An Englishman. And a Frenchman.

In line in front of the church. They count to three and shoot them.

Yes indeed! Shot.

That's enough, you two! Stop!

They are shooting.

- They are flying to England. - I hope nothing happens to them.

There are more. This way, madam!

- Why are they shooting at our planes? - We are neutral.

It's a waste. They can't even shoot. And who will pay?

"Neutral"! That makes me laugh.

It's war! The Germans are coming. Everyone to your cellars!

Come on, let's go inside!

"Report immediately to Roulers or Ypres.

With provisions for two days and a blanket."

The population is asked to remain calm

during these difficult times.

Mobilized, father.

To return, father. That is what matters. To survive the war.

Do you have enough money?

Are you sure?

I might lose it.

Can't I accompany you to the station?

No.

- Are you leaving for long? - I hope not.

It may not be so terrible.

August 1940, German troops have conquered Western Europe.

Belgium is occupied.

Strange. At first, the heat of the South did not bother me at all.

There was a certain purity in the air that made the spirit light.

France.

It is the crickets I miss the most.

We heard them every day for three months. In the morning, in the evening, at night.

We slept with blankets because the nights are cold in Provence.

And we listened to the crickets.

We thought of home.

Of the country. Of the church steeples. Until we fell asleep.

Beautiful, but sad. That was our slogan.

But the South did not please us. We are people of the North.

Our poets know it.

We must listen to them and choose our friends carefully.

The South is our natural enemy. Our hereditary enemy.

And if the voice calls me, I will not hesitate for a second

because it is the voice of my conscience, the voice of History.

We are worth what we are willing to sacrifice.

And what does the life of a few mean in the light of eternity?

If I go, I go for my country. For you.

My life is your life.

What are you saying? Come here!

It’s not the first time you’ve worn those boots.

It’s going to be

unbearable, all this wind, if the storm doesn’t calm down.

When I was little, I hid under the blanket during the storm.

Sometimes I would start to tremble.

“It’s the devil coming to get you,” my mother said.

“You’ve been naughty. Pray, Lieveke.”

- Tomorrow I’ll go see the cabinetmaker. - I’ll take care of it.

If he can’t do it, I’ll ask your father.

Upon my return.

I’m leaving for Germany, it’s decided.

It’s your life.

Do you think it’s easy to leave against your will?

Then stay!

I know. “Listen to no one. Accept no argument.”

“Listen only to your conscience.” Open this jar for me.

How many times have I heard that? Why are you leaving first?

No one asked you anything. As if you wanted it.

It won’t take long. It’s a small war. It’s already won.

If you come back... If you give me news...

And the piano, will you lose everything?

Money, madam. From Germany.

- A signature, please. - Here?

And... No card?

No, madam. You have the money, consider yourself lucky.

- Shall I add this too? - Yes.

I didn’t sleep a wink all night with those damn trucks.

Because of the warehouse?

Obviously!

They’ve been emptying the warehouse for a year. It must have been well stocked.

Your tickets.

He never forgets anything.

You know very well what’s back there and here.

What do you mean?

- You know, comrade. - There’s nothing in there.

Right. Well, goodbye and thanks.

I saved you a nice piece.

- Good morning, Dad. - Good morning, what do you say?

- Good morning, madam. - Good morning. Is the little one nine years old?

- Ten years old, madam. - Ten years?

- Can we play outside, Dad? - Yes, but don’t come back too late.

My finest piece. Twenty francs.

- Any news from Adriaan? - He's well, thank you.

No, no, no.

If you need anything else...

- I’ll manage. Goodbye. - Goodbye.

Here are the tickets. 175 grams.

“You’ll think I don’t write enough.”

I know, but there’s a reason for that.

Don’t think I’ve forgotten you.

I miss you very much. I miss my piano too.

“I don’t have time for music here.”

- He sends his regards. - Thank you. From Mother?

From everyone. From Father, Aunt Anna, your stepfather.

Are you here on behalf of the whole family?

The whole village.

- Did they ask you to? - What?

Sorry, I didn’t mean that. What do they think?

About the war?

About...

My child. What do people think?

- Would you like some coffee? - Real coffee?

Malt coffee. Or a beer?

No, I’d rather have a drink, a double in a large glass.

Before, I had to drink beer for publicity,

but now I’m old enough to drink what I want.

Will you come with me?

“We must show courage.”

Just a few more months and it will all be over.

If you lack food, go home, Father will help you.

Uncle Georges too, he knows people in the village. He will help you.

It has been very cold here for a few nights.

Almost as cold as the North Pole, according to a Norwegian comrade.

Of course, he exaggerates.

We must trust each other.

And have faith in the future.”

Adriaan sends his regards.

How is it there?

Very well, madam.

He is our leader.

Most of us appreciate him greatly.

He sacrifices everything for us, for the group.

I do not doubt it. Sit down.

May I help you?

Adriaan wants me to help you.

Can I run an errand for you?

No, thank you.

Would you like something to eat?

No, madam. Don’t trouble yourself.

Are you leaving?

The day after tomorrow, madam.

I forgot the letter.

Would you like me to give him something from you?

I will write to him.

Tell him that I am well and that everything is fine at home.