The Chosen (El elegido)

In 1917 the Russian Revolution triumphed.

Along with Lenin, Trotsky was one of its main protagonists and ideologues.

Trotsky was the creator of the Red Army

And managed to defeat up to 14 armies

That tried to end the revolutionary movement.

When Stalin took power,

Trotsky did not hesitate to confront him and his criminal methods,

Denouncing what he considered a betrayal of the Revolution.

Exiled and persecuted,

Trotsky and his wife Natalia arrived in Mexico in 1936,

The only country in the world that dared to give them asylum.

From there he promoted the creation of the Fourth Communist International,

A movement destined to recover the initial spirit

Of the revolutionary cause and end the power of Stalin.

In 1937,

Fearful of the growing international influence of his opponent,

Stalin gave an unappealable order to the GPU, his relentless secret police:

Kill Trotsky.

I am Kotov, from today you will be under my orders.

Your name is Jacques Mornard and you were born on 22 December 1905 in Brussels.

You were born a few days before Christmas, you were a precious baby.

Your hair was black and very long.

You went to a school very close to home,

You spent two years in a boarding school near Calais.

Summers spent with the grandparents in a mansion near the coast.

I studied at a Jesuit college close to home.

My name is Jacques Mornard, I was born in Brussels 32 years ago.

Sometimes you represented me to your favorite characters.

In winter we read together by the fire.

I would have liked to travel to the moon or go around the world

As in the novels of Jules Verne.

A young man awake and promising as I am.

Mom became my best friend and my protector.

Attend a concert in Vienna.

We started to go to the Opera frequently.

1932.

Two years.

Once in the restaurant, you should light a cigarette.

Ladies, they like it.

If you are going to read a map, wear the glasses, they will make you look more attractive.

Can you show me which restaurant you are in?

My name is Jacques Mornard, I was born in Brussels 32 years ago.

The only battles you are interested in are chess.

Mom taught me how to behave in those environments.

I always remember you as the happy child you were.

My name is Jacques Mornard and I was born in Brussels.

You are still my favorite son.

This is impossible.

I think cutting this meat

It's going to be the hardest test you've ever had.

- At your command General! - Rest.

Sir, I introduce you to Jacques Mornard, a Belgian comrade.

Belgian? For years I was a military attache at the Brussels embassy.

Do you mind if I go with the coffees?

Please.

I have great memories of Belgium,

A discrete and cultured country.

Where did you study, Monsieur Mornard?

In the Jesuits.

- For real? Yes.

Your parents must be very Catholic.

No. It was actually because the school was very close to home.

Funny, I do not remember any Jesuit schools in that neighborhood.

And would not you be bored in such a small city?

Beside Paris, Brussels is like a village.

No, I do not remember any Jesuit schools.

He can not remember everything.

Part of my job is watching and remembering...

And I do not remember that school.

- How important is it? - That I do not lie.

Sir, I have not told you to.

What I am telling you is that either you lie or I lie.

Answer me!

Where is the truth, M. Mornard?

Do not you know where the truth or the reality are?

They do not exist!

They are only subjective perceptions. They are tailor-made for each individual.

That's why lying is easier than telling the truth.

The one who lies is free to build his invention and give it strength.

He who speaks the truth is a prisoner of remembrance.

Just think that you have a reality of your own.

Whatever you decide!

Never leave her

And everyone will accept it.

I think it may be in your interest to know

I've never had the pleasure of meeting

Its beautiful, discrete and cultural city.

Never.

Continue.

To serve working people.

Congratulations, comrade.

You are ready to begin your mission.

You will only have a partial knowledge of it.

This will be your new uniform.

We will give you the information you need and at the right time.

You'll be safer the less you know.

For your promotion and for the success of the mission.

Welcome to the GPU.

Please...

I'm wishing to start!

You must leave no trace. Nothing should get involved with this place.

Why?

Our mission is not to ask questions, just to obey them.

Doubts do not exist because someone has already thought for us,

That's what will make you strong.

That will lead us to victory.

Ramon Mercader is dead, you are now Jacques Mornard.

Maybe Montmâtre...

Thank you very much.

Where are all those handsome Frenchmen who come out in magazines?

Be patient, miss, I'm sure Paris will not disappoint you.

I am sorry... I know... I did not think...

- Oh no, I hope you did not see me... - Who?

The man at the door.

- Who? - It's so boring.

Ruby! Nice to see you. I did not know you were in Paris.

I did not know you were here.

We've been here for a few days.

I introduce you to my friend Sylvia Ageloff.

- Jacques Mornard, enchanté. - Pleased to meet you.

- Are you waiting for someone else? - Do not.

- Mind if I join? - Please sit down.

Thank you.

I did not expect to see you here.

Actually, I live here.

- Seriously? Yes.

And... What brought you to Paris?

- To me? Yes.

He had always wanted to see Paris. It is a pleasure trip.

- First time? - Yes, first time.

In this case, I will feel very fortunate if they let me show it to you.

But we want more than just seeing the Eiffel Tower.

Clear.

Thank you, thank you dear friends. Welcome, everyone, tonight at Coq.

Newcomer from New York,

The boogie-boogie!

Teach me how to dance it.

- I dont know... - Clear! Are not you from New York?

Ruby...

Look, I might...

Look how Ruby is.

I'm telling you, it's a drink.

- Are you having a good time? Yes.

It has been raining.

- You're good? - All right.

Well well...

Come on, let's go.

I'm fine, I'm fine...

It's okay...

Are you going to get up? It's been a beautiful day out.

- It's too early for me. - Ruby...

- I drank too much. - Maybe.

Merci...

It's from Jacques. He's coming to pick us up for dinner.

That Belgian does not waste time.

Thank you.

I think when you leave the room you will feel better.

You know, dinner will be fun.

- I can not go out like that. - For real?

- I do not feel well. - Then I'll stay with you.

Do not be silly, enjoy Paris. Do it for me.

You do not hurt anyone.

Can I ask you a favor?

Yeah right.

Use my lipstick.

A little color will suit you.

Good Morning.

Breakfast is ready.

- Do you want more? - I'm fine thanks.

It's Mom.

And what would he think if he saw us now?

That I have been very reckless putting a stranger in my house.

I hardly know anything about you.

- There is not much to tell. - For real?

I am a psychologist.

I work with children, in Brooklyn schools.

Many are children of immigrants who barely speak English,

Those children are lost in a world they do not understand,

Poverty does not help either. I try to help them

Sometimes I get it.

- It's you? - Yes, it's me.

I was 6 years old. It's in Saint Etienne.

I have spent much of my life accompanying my mother on her travels.

I have been of little use to my fellow men.

How long will you stay in Paris?

I have to tell you that I feel somewhat guilty.

Because I have not told you the whole truth...

Let's see...

I have actually come to Paris to participate in the Fourth International.

You do not know what it is?

Do not.

A new universal exhibition?

Do not...

It is a movement driven by Lev Davidovich...

Oh...

Trotsky...

Agree.

I have to be very discreet because Trotsky has many enemies.

A few days ago they found the tortured body with no head

Of his last secretary floating on the Seine.