WHITE WEDDING
Late February
What do you think the unconscious is in a psychological sense?
Well?
Someone unaware of their actions
Not knowing the consequences of their actions?
I meant in a psychological sense
It's like someone in a coma
You're surpassing yourself
You look tired
Any other ideas? We only have ten minutes
Miss Tessier
Mathilde. I don't like being called by my surname
You're 45 minutes late
And If I'm right, you've missed maths. Still, you're more punctual than usual
When did you last attend my class?
Over two weeks ago. Seventeen days...
...to be precise
You could wait for my permission to sit down
You don't apologise...
...for being late
You just tell me not to call you Tessier
What does the unconscious mean to you? Carpentier?
-She's just arrived -True
But do you think Miss Te... Sorry, Mathilde
Do you think Mathilde could answer...
...if she'd been on time?
It's not her fault
So, Mathilde
What terrible disaster justifies your being late and missing so many classes
Get out. And don't come back until you know the answer
Write this down...
Before our next class...
...please find out how the classics...
...then Bergson and later Freud...
...defined the unconscious
She's so pale
-What's wrong? -She was crying and then she fainted
-Shall we call the police? -No, leave it to me
Are you a teacher?
Don't worry
I'm not worried
-I'll take you back to school -No, back home
Where's that?
I'll show you
Can you get up?
Do you have a doctor?
I just need some sleep
I can't just leave you
I'll come back later, after the class
Keys...
...in my pocket. Lock the door
Do you need anything?
-So? -Doctor's appointment
-Where's your certificate? -I don't have it
Headmaster's office
-How are you? -And you?
-Do you have Tessier's file? -More problems?
No, it's my fault
-How old is she? -17
Parents?
They live and work in Paris. She has two brothers
She came to us in January last year
-Didn't her Paris school send her file -No, I asked them twice
Never attends classes
-Why did she move here? -She's very secretive
Has she no family here?
-She lives alone? -Without family anyway
How did she end up in the sixth form with this file?
Thanks to Fleurier, her French teacher
The others were furious
The students' representatives and a couple of teachers won the vote
Mathilde is gifted, but fragile. Her dad is neglectful, her mum suicidal
Her brothers have been in trouble with the police. What can we do?
Her problems are out of our control. Jacques Fleurier
What happened to Fleurier?
A breakdown. The department agreed to a quick transfer
-What do you think of her? -She's quite a character
Are you interested in her? Be careful
Why do you say that?
-Can I keep this? -Yes, but the Head needs it tomorrow
Doctor's surgery
This is Fran�ois Hainaut. Is doctor...
Really, there's no need
Take your coat off and sit down
Are you feeling better?
Thanks for looking after me. I hadn't slept
I'm sorry I made you cry this morning
It wasn't you. It happens when I think about my life
Don't go
I'm expected
Please
I'm afraid to be on my own now. Don't you ever need to talk to someone
You won't go, will you?
That's my file
I'm intrigued by you
That means I exist
Why did you leave Paris?
Well?
My mother...
I was sick of visiting her in hospital...
...every time her new lover left her
What was wrong with her?
She kept trying to kill herself
My father could either leave me here in St-Etienne or with mum. So here I am
-Couldn't he find somewhere closer? -You don't know her
Your father is a doctor?
A psychiatrist. I'm a child of the failed revolution
In '68, the proletariat disappointed my parents. So what did they turn to?
Hindu philosophy. The world, life, everything is but an illusion
As a philosophy teacher, you must know all about it
So dad stopped caring about everything that bothered him, like us
My mother became so detached from things...
...she sees her 'god' every two months
Joking aside, he's OK. But she's a madwoman and a bitch
That's a contradiction in terms
Not with her
And your brothers?
How many times a month do you screw?
Or should I say a year?
-Forgive me -Why?
You can ask questions too
What does your wife do?
She manages her own bookshop. She also writes articles for the regional paper
She loves you?
-Of course -Don't fib
I know many couples
Let me take you to dinner
I'm expected
Call them
Don't worry. I've no tears left to cry
You've been kind to me. It's been rare lately
You've reached Catherine and Fran�ois Hainaut. Please leave a message
Catherine, I'll be home late
Don't worry
Love you
Let's go
Why resent...
...your parents?
We're all children and it's hard when our illusions are shattered
They made me. I didn't ask them
It's not easy having children
Is that why you haven't?
You've ruined your schooling enough
Please try to put your problems aside...
...and study
What for? You're born, you rush around and then you die
Culture and diplomas would help you rush around better and more pleasantly
-You believe that? -That's why I teach
Life is so much richer than you could ever expect
Despair is a form of vanity...
...in disguise
I don't know if it's a form of vanity, but when you catch it, it really hurts
You're young
Learn to approach life with an open mind
Keep your money. You hardly ate
I've never eaten much and you intimidate me
I like you
Because you're like me. Alone
Why do you say that? I have a wife, friends, students...
What about you? Don't you have a boyfriend?
Why see someone I won't even remember in ten years' time?
And the spectacle of others' illusions make me lose my own
What do you mean by that?
Isn't it clear enough?
You're an unusual person
It's rare to see a girl your age who's so disillusioned
I was going to say so lucid
Please don't miss any more classes, study and you'll pass your exams
If you like
-lt would be silly to ruin your life -Won't you come in?
Thank you for helping me
Be early. I set some homework
Hi, it's Catherine
I've come across some fascinating books in Tours. I'm checking them out
Then I've an article to write. I'll stay in a hotel. I love you
I was missing you
-What about your article? -Wake me up early tomorrow
-Class A3? -Yes
Meeting at 3 pm to discuss Miss Tessier
Sorry, the maths teacher kept me. May I stay?
What about the unconscious?
Have you thought about it?
I feel Briseville has something to say
Still in a coma?
Anyone else?
For the classics and Bergson, the unconscious doesn't exist
It's the sum of buried memories you can retrieve if you try
I only find Racine interesting. Once struck by passion, his characters...
...are dominated and manipulated by forces, as if possessed
These forces come from God, but are the same as in the Freudian unconscious
Miss Mathilde, take my place
In the late 19th century, there's Freud
He defined the unconscious based on his medical experience
The unconscious is the sum of all the subject's repressed memories...
...which sometimes reappear as symptom
We're all ruled by forces we're totally unaware of, as in 'fate neuroses'
Meaning?
Some people are prisoners of their fate...
...always blighted by the same dramas. It's like they're victims of fate
For psychoanalysts, they're prisoners of their unconscious
What is psychoanalysis?
Freud tried to treat patients suffering conditions which had no physical cause
They were in fact prisoners...
...of repressed, therefore unconscious ideas and desires which Freud unlocked
Finally conscious of his traumatic memories, the patient discusses them..
...and the symptoms vanish
Does it always work?
I'll give you the subject of your next essay tomorrow
A word, please
You were fantastic. Can you explain the difference...
-You were outstanding -My dad is a psychiatrist
Maybe, but you've grasped the subject perfectly
I need a word with your classmate
We're meeting to discuss your case
-The maths teacher wants me expelled -Not just her
-I've not seen a single essay -Are you going?
Yes, at 3o'clock
Will you still be here?
No, but you can call me to let me know Come to my place if you like
Will you promise to work hard?
For you, I'll do it
For me?
I'll bring you that file in half an hour
What shall we do with her?
We have to give this girl one last chance
I'm counting on you
-Let's give her one more chance -No way
In English she hasn't said a word all year
-Same thing for History and Geography -I never see her either
They give you until Easter
I stuck my neck out. I'll help you
-Are you hopeless at English? -I've been fluent since I was five
I spent my childhood in London
-Don't you ever speak in class? -To show off to a useless teacher?
What about maths?
That's a different story
Let's get started then. Your syllabus is easy. Give me your book
I don't have one
What else are you missing?
I have nothing
Not even a folder?
-Nothing -And you think it's funny?
If X is between 1.5 and infinity...
Write down the subject of the next essay
Once the Freudian unconscious becomes part of modern psychology...
...what happens to human freedom?
And what role can it play?
Not so fast
Listen, Miss
Don't be so formal
-Forget it -They're calling No�
That's you, I suppose
Yes, my dad calls me No�
Who's that guy?
What did he want?
Money. He's a childhood friend
From Paris?
What does he do?
Nothing
- What does he live on? - I'm not his mother
Do you have to hide to give him money?
Shall we get back to work?
See you tomorrow
You know what someone wanted today?
Something wrong?
I'm fine
So, what did they want?
Your book: 'Simone Weil's Mystical Philosophy' by Fran�ois Hainaut
Would you sell one of your last copies
-Who wants it? -A young man
Hello, may I speak to Mr Hainaut, please?
Hold on
It's for you
I just called to say good night
You've got my number?
It's in the phonebook. I'm going to bed now. Love you lots and lots
Good night
So, your book?
Problems?
What's bothering you?
Nothing
What's special about your student?
Which one?
The one you're so familiar with
There's not much to say
Tell me anyway
She's quite amazing
At first you think she might as well not be at school
Then you realise she's amazing
Sometimes when you're marking essays you come across a brilliant passage
So you forget the essay's weaknesses and give an excellent grade...
...in the excitement of the moment
For the first time in my life, I feel I've met a truly exceptional person
At only 17...
...she's deeply aware of the futility of human life
And she cuts through to what really matters
Is she that brilliant?
She's behind...
...in spelling and maths. But it's superficial
At first I just helped her to stay at school
Then your enthusiasm led to familiarity
No, only afterwards
Sometimes I want to push her further...
...on the path to wisdom
You never do that with me now
You don't need it any more
Are you in love with her?
You're so silly
Promise me it won't happen
You're so silly
No need to promise. I've never fancied young girls
You're the only one for me
Who was it?
You get it
Hello. How are you? Did you sleep well
Do you need anything?
Just to say hello. Lots of love. See you in a minute
All right
Your student? Tell her not to hang up when I pick up
Why do you think it's her?
Essay: Can the unconscious be considered another self?
You still have 90 minutes
It's good, but it's riddled with spelling mistakes
Honestly! Here, here and here
-Anything for wiping the board? -There
It was you?
I've started reading it. It's beautiful
"God waits like a beggar standing still...
"...before someone he hopes will give him some bread
"Time is God's patience as he begs for our love
"Modest beggars are in His own image"
The philosopher is a citizen who couldn't exist...
...without the concept of policing. Politics is the expression of policing
Man is a man when he belongs to the city and defines himself as a citizen
Any idea why Miss Tessier isn't here?
May I carry on?
What's going on?
Why weren't you at school? Don't say you were ill
-Someone will hear -Let them hear
Who's the guy who's just left?
Are you jealous?
I'm glad
Did they stay the night?
Don't be cross. They often do
Do you take me for a fool?
Come on. Don't be afraid
I hadn't felt like this since childhood
When X is between infinity and 1. 5 and F' of X is negative...
See you tomorrow at eight
Won't you stay?
No, I have to go home
-You're here? -Yes, every night. How are you?
Still looking after your schoolgirl?
What do you mean?
- Are you in love? - Why do you say that?
FRAN�OIS LOVES ANOTHER WOMAN
It'll be a paranoid or resentful student
We're all delighted...
...with Miss Tessier's spectacular progress
I wish you all a good holiday
You were right. Mathilde has hugely improved in English
-Really? Congratulations -Thank you
We're so happy about what you did for Mathilde
What's that?
We thought she was going to sink. But she got a grip on herself thanks to you
-It's really thanks to her -'Bye. Are you going away?
Enjoy the break anyway
Are you going away with Catherine?
-You've changed -For the better?
I don't recognise you. Do you need some help?
-I'm fine. Do you want a lift? -I've a call to make first
You're crazy
-What are you doing here? -I want to make love
-Don't you want to know what they said? -I don't care
You're crazy. What if they see us?
I'm happy. We're going to be together for two weeks
If you like we can go to the country. The weather's nice
I'm starting to need you
Hi, No�
Hi, what's up?
Your mum's in hospital again. You must come up at once. Promise me
See you tomorrow
-All right -Love you
What's up?
Mum's tried to kill herself again. That was dad
Is it serious?
It must be, for dad to have called
Will you go?
I can go with you. I finish work in two days
-Do your brothers know? -We can't contact them
They went to Columbia, then lndia. Since then, not a word
They were in trouble with the police?
They were 15
They dealt drugs to get their daily fix
They got caught and were forced...
...to go into rehab
Hadn't your father noticed?
What about you?
Me? I was 11 and I was like them
You took drugs too?
They got me started
Weren't you caught by the police?
I was 11. They never suspected
They supplied you? What happened when they were in rehab?
I went into prostitution
I got into a network. There were other young girls
There were meetings where men came, sometimes with their wives
You mustn't think it was tough or traumatic
We just got on with it
How long did it last?
Two years. No, three
Then I managed to stop by myself
I can be very strong for some things
Don't be angry
I'm telling you because I trust you
Do you understand?
I've heard all drug addicts become liars
They all say that's it, they're going to stop
Aren't I right?
Why would you be different?
I swear it to you
I know I don't lie
If you don't believe me, tough
Do you want my number in Paris?
What's the point?
Wait
Stop it. You're too good at this
It hasn't stopped ringing
They hang up when I pick up
Any idea who it is?
Did you ask her about the letter?
Well?
Maybe you wrote it to sound me out
Not the damsel in distress!
Jealous at your age?
I've had it
I need to think. We should spend a few days apart, just the holidays
I'll go. Do what you like, but have a good think
I'll stay at the bookshop
These calls will have to stop. If you won't do anything about it, I will
Have a good holiday
Don't forget the essay
Hello, how are you?
It's good to hear your voice. I tried to call, but it was always engaged
I miss you
How's your mum?
She slit her wrists in the bath. It was serious this time
You know what she said when she woke up?
"It was beautiful, like a huge ocean
"I was melting into it. It was lovely"
Shall I come up?
Bad idea. One of my brothers is back. We don't know where the other one is
I'm looking after everyone, especially my dad
I'm sorry about what happened before you left
-I miss you -I miss you too
I have to go. I'll be back as soon as I can
We'll need to talk
'Bye. I love you
Me too
Try to call again
It's good to hear your voice
It's Mathilde. Are you alone?
Go to your front door
I need you so much. How I missed you!
I was scared suddenly. Scared you had left
In Paris I could only think of you
I was going mad. I kept wanting to call
I didn't care about anyone
Not even my mother disfigured by pain
Not even my father or my brothers
I can't live without you any more
Throw your wife out
I can't
Then leave her
Come and live with me. It's small, but we can move
We can't
Because of school?
You're 17
So what?
In ten years I'll be an old man
You already are when you talk like that
Do you know many couples who last?
Look around you
I love you
Whether you're old, fat, skinny or sick it won't change anything
It's deeply rooted in me
Who knows where we'll be in ten years? We might be dead. You might be
Or me
I love you like I've never loved before
You made a woman of me
Can't you see I'm begging you?
What would we live on? Love alone?
It would be romantic
What do you mean?
No one will ever condone a teacher my age seeing his student
Especially since you're a minor
Ask to be transferred to another town
I'll pretend to be your daughter
Or I'll hide
So no one can see me, I'll live like a recluse
I've no pride left
So long as I'm with you
It wouldn't last two months
One day you told me no one knew what life had in store for them...
...and despair was a sign of vanity
You said we should approach life with open minds. So?
People can think what they like. We're different
We need to find our own way
Have faith in me and life
I've no right to your life
That means you don't have the courage to leave your wife and live with me
We're going to make love one last time
Then there'll be nothing left...
...ifwe still need to see each other
Are you hurting?
You've stopped seeing her?
It's better for you
What would you know?
You'll get over it in time
Won't you talk to me?
She wanted me to leave you
Why didn't you follow her?
Because of me?
Because she was 17?
Cut the chatter
I hope you had a good break and you finished your essays
Carpentier will collect them
For Nietzsche, pure thought doesn't exist
In the same way, philosophy's claim to stating pure truth...
...is a mystification
For Nietzsche, a metaphysician is someone who's chosen death
Someone dedicated to metaphysics...
...God and perfection, but who doesn't want to live
He can't bear life
So he discards it with great philosophical elegance
And he invents a new one...
...which he calls the other side, God, the other life...
...morals with a capital 'M'
But let's not be fooled. This whole philosophical construction...
...only serves to hide this unconscious notion
I can't bear it. I can't bear life
So I invent another one...
...for very concrete, mundane reasons
This whole philosophical construction...
...only serves...
...to hide a wretched existence
The tired life...
...of the philosopher...
...who denied his own life
Sorry, were you talking to me?
Stand up, please
Can you repeat what I said?
Why weren't you listening?
I was...
-But I couldn't hear -See me after the class
I can't. I'm seeing the counsellor
I'll make your excuses
I also have to see the bursar
I'm not asking you. I'm telling you
I need a word in private
I'm sorry, sir
But we wanted to tell you that Mathild has a new address
We're living together at my place
You can speak. Don't mind him
He advises me and will always take care of me
Get out
I thought you'd be pleased
Get out, I said
For a teacher, you could be more polite
Who's this one?
You whore
Forget it
You've no right to hit students, sir
Only to punish them if you can prove they're in the wrong
Who was it?
Guess
Impossible
I got a call after you left this morning
It was her
She called me a bitch
She promised she'd kill me
I had a similar message two days ago
On top of the night calls, that's too much
Come here, please. I need you
Come on, students. Upstairs
You too, Miss Tessier
Can I have a word?
Expel her
Or put her in another class
On what pretext?
There are only a few weeks to go. You're not a boy
Sometimes I wonder
It's your wife. She says it's serious
Tell me
The Hainaut woman is an old bitch
Who did that?
Two guys on motorbikes
That's not all. When I took the car earlier, a guy in a van bumped into me
As if he'd been waiting for me. One bump wasn't enough, so he did it again
I thought he was going to kill me
Any witnesses?
When people arrived, the driver ran off, leaving the van behind
What time was that?
9:15
There's more
My editor has received threats
-They're telling him to fire me or else -That's ludicrous
Maybe, but there have been bomb alerts so he's delaying publishing my article
It's her
-She was at school -Then she has accomplices
Things can't go on like this
I can't take any more
-Where are the A3? -English. Room 512
Miss Tessier, come with me
Are you coming?
Is this going to last long?
I love you
-What do you want? -My bag...
Come back later. The door is locked. I'll get the key
Have you seen Hainaut? The head wants to see him and Miss Tessier
It's serious
He must be in the staff room or in a classroom
Or maybe outside. Come with me
Hey, there's a teacher screwing a naked girl
Mathilde's mother died the next day
She went back to Paris after trying to see Fran�ois again
He was rebuked by the department...
...and quickly transferred to Dunkirk
Catherine, deeply hurt...
...didn't forgive him. They separated and he left her the house
Mathilde vanished from their lives
Over a year passed
Mr Fran�ois Hainaut?
This is police officer Gabaston. Can you come to 6 rue Lombard now?
We've found the body of a young girl, Miss Tessier
Hello, are you still there?
-Here? In Dunkirk? -Yes, here in Dunkirk
Do you recognise her?
Poor girl
Can you imagine?
She let herself die
She took this room two months ago
She didn't go out. She didn't see anyone
She lived as a recluse
She used to sit all day...
...Iooking out the window
I did her shopping every other day
That's your address and phone number, right?
So, you must have seen her sometimes
You didn't even know she lived here?
Sorry
You're Fran�ois, aren't you?
So, what did she mean?
THERE'S THE OCEAN, FRAN�OIS