My Mother (Ma Mère)

Give me a light.

Thanks.

Bye!

- Did you wait long? - No.

What do you think?

I was hot and thirsty. That's all.

Careful. It's wet.

You're so tiring!

I would have preferred doing otherwise.

Or living otherwise.

But I let myself get overcome by things...

Things foreign to me. They settled in...

Little by little...

They destroyed my hope.

They began to rule.

You can understand that when I was young...

this wasn't the life I dreamed of.

I didn't dream of this life because I wasn't this person.

I was full of joy and energy.

You didn't know me, Pierre.

As soon as you were born, my youth fell apart.

I have the impression that my life today...

doesn't correspond to my true nature.

I have the impression I haven't changed.

Still full of joy and energy.

But unable to prove it to others.

Alone in my joy and energy.

That's pretty awful.

Your mother is like me.

I don't mean she's awful.

She simply hasn't changed either.

Like me, she wears a mask.

She's pretty tired these days.

- Physically, she's fine. - Can I go now?

- Want me to carry your bag? - No.

- Give me the box. - No, it's OK.

You lost weight. You look bad.

I'm so happy to see you.

- I missed you, Marthe. - Me, too.

Grandma sent this cheese.

Your mother is upstairs.

- It's heavy. - No problem.

The pool!

You're soaked!

Is that all you can say?

I'll show you around.

I think I'll go shopping this afternoon.

And you?

I don't know.

You can't stay inside the house all afternoon, Pierre.

She just fell down.

Surely too much sun. Or maybe she slipped.

Pierre...

Did he hit her?

Marthe, did he hit her? Tell me if he hit her.

What are you talking about?

Be careful when you get up tomorrow morning.

Be very careful.

Pierre.

Your father said goodbye.

He had to leave for France.

On business.

Where in France?

In Nice.

Back to his mistress?

Pierre! What's come over you?

Keep those thoughts to yourself, please.

Don't get mad.

It doesn't bother me either.

I'm happy to be here alone with you.

Don't exaggerate.

I swear.

I have you all to myself.

How about this afternoon?

Going to the beach?

With you?

Where's my mother?

What's come over you?

Mom, you can't stay here.

Why did he bring you here?

- Want to sit? - No, thanks.

Really!

What are you doing on this island?

Can't he work elsewhere?

I won't last two months here.

You're just bored.

There's the Aquapark.

I'll take you to Yumbo.

It's the place to go.

What do you say?

Yeah, sure.

Dinner, then we'll party.

The whole night.

You're handsome.

I'll be proud to have you on my arm.

They'll think you're my lover.

- Yeah, right. - And why not?

I'm too old to be taken for your lover?

You're ashamed?

Marthe, did you hear that? I look too old!

Really, Pierre...

Would you be ashamed?

When are we going?

Real soon, unless you think it's not a good idea.

- Let's go today. - Not today.

But I promise...

Mom!

Mom!

M-Mom?!

Mom?

Aaahh.

Aahh.

Are you angry because I didn't take you with me?

Tell me!

We have lots of time for fun.

I'll take you tomorrow.

Promise.

Meanwhile, my young lover...

Bring me something to dry myself off.

From the bathroom.

Go...

You're completely crazy!

Go and get it.

Hail Mary, full of grace.

Blessed art thou among women.

Blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

Holy Mary, Mother of God pray for us sinners.

Now and at the hour of our death.

Hail Mary!

I have bad news. Your father had an accident.

His body is with your grandparents.

We're taking the plane for Nantes.

I don't know if we'll rent a car...

or if we'll be picked up.

What happened?

If you speak to Marthe or Robert, don't forget...

You're supposed to be sad.

No need to cry.

But at least look down.

You're still young.

You'll start again.

Listen, Pierre.

I don't expect you to comfort me like that.

Imbecile.

In Istanbul, we were happiest.

You can't remember. You were too little.

But those three years we lived there...

Ideal.

The Turks are wonderful.

Not like what people say. They're good.

Nothing like the Spanish.

They're the empty core of life.

Living next to them is already stooping low.

Then just leave.

I will leave.

And go where?

July! That's us.

Drink, drink, drink!

One more time! One more time!

Pierre...

Look at me.

You're too young. I shouldn't speak to you like this.

Your father is dead. I won't lie to you anymore.

You must admit that I'm worse than him.

I don't deserve your respect.

What do you think I've been doing every afternoon all these years?

Why were you raised by your grandmother?

What did you imagine?

Look at me, Pierre!

I'm a bitch.

A slut.

No one respects me.

Your father knew. He allowed it.

If you really love me, then admit that I'm disgusting.

I want you to love me for that.

For the shame I inspire in you.

Pierre!

Pierre!

I'm over here.

I drank too much.

But I'm still OK... I didn't vomit on you.

He stinks.

Doesn't he wash?

Has his room been aired?

No.

When I enter, he starts screaming.

He has to go out.

He needs exercise.

What will you prescribe?

For now, only vitamins.

At his age, I won't give him relaxants.

That's ridiculous.

First, he has to get out more and change his eating habits.

He should go out. He should eat...

How long does it take to become a doctor in Spain?

He doesn't have fever or other symptoms.

You want my medical opinion?

Nothing's wrong with him.

He just doesn't care.

Fine.