On May 12, you declared, and I quote:
"He placed his hand over my mouth to stop me screaming.
"His other hand held my wrists while he ripped off my panties
"with his teeth."
Is that what happened?
- Louder! - Yes.
Can we stop?
We have to finish our report.
A man might be in serious trouble.
We need to be sure you're telling the truth.
We only have your word.
Fifteen, horny, pregnant...
It's easier to claim rape.
Horny!
Is that how she looks to you?
I say she should be protected.
THE PLESSIS GIRLS
You realize what you've done to us?
I gave you a home, a name, this is my payback?
What?
You think your poor mother likes hearing
that her 17-year-old is a slut?
It's not my fault, Mom!
Whose is it, then?
The Holy Spirit's?
I don't want her in my house.
Not anymore.
Mom?
Goodbye, sir.
Hello, miss.
Hello, sir.
Your plight must seem insurmountable
but I'm here to help you.
Lucky for you you're not alone.
Not all our boarders are so lucky.
I call our institution the Second Chance home.
We'll give your daughter a future.
Thank you.
Say goodbye to your father, then I'll show you your room.
Goodbye.
Come here.
Oh yes... before I forget...
Tell me if you need more.
Right.
HOME FOR UNDERAGE PREGNANT GIRLS
Claude!
Marie-France...
this is Claude.
Take this bed.
I'll leave you to settle in.
I'm 13, from Réunion. I'm 7 months pregnant.
How about you?
Excuse me.
I'll see to it.
I'm not used to sharing my privacy with...
strangers.
You soon will be.
My father was generous. I want my own room.
Must I remind you why you're here?
This isn't a home for privileged girls.
There's no preferential treatment.
- Jacqueline... it's 'er teddy. - HER teddy.
You're from Réunion Island?
You know it?
It's my first time in France. Incests get priority.
What are "incests"?
Well it's... when you have your father's baby.
That's drivel!
Hello.
Put the cigarette out, please.
Brigitte Salette.
Here are our rules.
Read them carefully.
You've nowhere else to go.
Can you read?
Slightly retarded
Aimé, have you seen Dominique?
No, ma'am.
Is the young lady back to stay?
Yes.
Hi, Aimé.
Hit the lights.
There you go.
Light for the pretty lady.
Thanks, that's nice of you, Aimé.
Marie-France. She just got here.
Hi.
Thanks.
You're welcome.
Shower time. Coming?
Come in.
- Your third time late in 2 months. - I'm sorry.
The thing is... I went up the Eiffel Tower.
I hired you as a favor to your aunt. Don't make me regret it.
No, I won't let you down.
The Eiffel Tower is all very well. What are your priorities?
My studies and my job.
And being less familiar with our boarders.
Should I take her to the showers or the canteen?
No, to the "Think Tank".
Good night, Dominique.
Good night, ma'am.
You'll get a proper room afterwards.
It's because you were cheeky.
Have you eaten?
I'll bring you something later.
Don't tell anyone, though.
It's just for one night.
Do you know the man who did that to you?
Sure.
He's my lover.
He's going to come for me.
How about you?
No.
- She was raped. - What!
Where did she come from?
Definitely not state custody!
I don't believe it!
Our guardian angel!
I don't know you.
- I'm Dom. - Marie-France.
Glad to know you.
- The more, the... - Merrier!
What's this?
An invitation. I'm going to meet the MLF girls.
The Women's Liberation Movement.
Right... come on.
Now for the best bedroom in the joint.
After you.
It won't go down? Leave it.
- What's wrong? - She throws everything up.
Charming!
Where can I find a phone?
There's only one, in the principal's office.
It's for emergencies.
Where's your friend?
The john.
The bathroom, you mean.
Sick again?
You know what happens in childbirth?
Come with me.
I need to use the phone. It's an emergency.
The only emergencies here are your baby and your BEP.
BEP?
Your vocational studies.
You got the last place.
But I'm studying for a baccalauréat in literature.
You were.
You obviously weren't very diligent, since you had time
to get pregnant.
Sounds like someone is locked up.
Don't worry.
If someone is locked up, it's for a good reason.
Good grief!
Found your tongue, Miss Salette?
I've read your file.
Anything you'd like to add?
Who is the baby's father?
Brigitte, this can't go on.
You want to leave?
Go ahead.
Think carefully.
Your mother doesn't want you, you have nowhere to go,
no means of subsistence.
This home is all that's keeping you off the streets.
I'm here to protect you.
I'll be back in 15 minutes.
Mom? It's me.
Change, girls.
Miss?
This is ridiculous! What's the point?
I didn't ask you to speak. Leave your machine.
Everyone has a turn.
Don't smoke in the bedroom.
Is it forbidden?
It's manners.
You know about manners?
Coming for a shower?
And hang about for 3 hours? No thanks.
Fuck you!
Enjoy your food.
Enjoy it.
So have you met your third musketeer?
Here... the answers to all your questions.
Jacqueline first, but you can all read it.
There.
Enjoy your food!
Third? There are already three of us.
There are actually four musketeers.
Good evening, pretty lady.
So where's your bedroom.
What's your name?
Brigitte.
It's Brigitte...
and she needs your protection.
I'll bid you goodnight, miss.
May your dreams be as sweet as you are.
Button up your smock.
Your instructions...
were not to go out alone.
I'm here.
Shall we go?
Be discreet, don't get yourselves noticed.
Off you go.
Yeah, we'll never get noticed in these smocks!
See you later, Aimé!
See you later, girls.
- Am I meant to thank you? - I wouldn't want you to choke!
I've something to do.
Catch you later.
Coming with us, Brigitte?
I bet you like a bit of dick.
Look at yourself, asshole!
Cool it, tramp.
Wait till I tell your principal how you carry on in town.
Keep a low profile.
Come on, Brigitte.
Come on!
Miss?
Coffee.
Sit down.
Hi!
Come on, girls, you know you have to sit inside.
Let's split.
This place is full of creeps.
Lipstick on the glasses.
Plus it stinks!
Has Jean left?
How so?
Dad fired him?
Listen, this is important.
When he drops by... Régine!
When he drops by, tell him to come for me.
Here's my address.
What are you up to?
She's impossible.
Always looking for trouble.
Leave her to it.
Honestly, she's really nice.
And fearless.
Fine, then let her deal with the principal.
I don't want to be punished.
Brigitte!
We need to go.
Go ahead, we're not married.
- Brigitte! - Did rich girl forget something?
Yes... a fat, stripy thing that stinks of smoke!
Mind your tongue!
Who asked you?
I'm not coming back.
I'm not, I'm not!
Why?
- One, that home is full of girls. - True.
Two, the principal spooks me. I don't like do-gooders.
You had me for a moment.
But think about it.
Have you seen how people look at us? Like we have the plague.
They think we're all...
Whores! I don't see the connection.
Outside, alone, we've no chance. Inside, together, we can cope.
So it's best to go back.
Three, I'm out of smokes.
One, if you come back, two, if you take a shower.
Yo tambien, Papa.
You must tell your parents not to call so often.
- The phone's for work. - I'm sorry.
It's because the trial is next week.
A trial, for an attack?
For rape.
You've done well.
Sit down a moment.
So your baby can be adopted?
No, I'll raise it, with my parents.
Then it wasn't rape. If the baby has a father...
Apparently not.
Jacqueline, you mustn't be selfish.
Think of the baby's future.
Your parents struggle to make ends meet.
Let me explain the procedure.
- And? - Love at first sight.
It's true, I swear. I couldn't move.
We looked at each other... smiled...
And you got pregnant.
Well, that's what happened. So where is he?
What?
He doesn't know.
We didn't think it could happen the first time.
He'll come for me.
- Well, he's had you now. - No.
Jean isn't like that.
So whose is your baby?
I've no idea. There was a whole gang of them.
OK?
So what did she say?
I should give the baby up.
It isn't her decision.
- So whose is it? - Not hers.
Brigitte's right.
Then round the outside...
You're a cow, you're screwing up!
Why is it my fault?
It's all of us, you don't respect anyone at all!
The 343 French women brave enough to admit
I HAD AN ABORTION
Wakey-wakey.
Prince Charming's here.
Jean? You've seen him?
Tall, handsome, blue eyes?
Some guy called Jean.
He's come for me!
I haven't got everything but no matter.
You'll be expelled if you're caught.
- I'm leaving anyway. - But the guard...
Jean might not wait for me.
Leave the supervisor to me.
Thanks!
I'll keep lookout.
Thanks!
How come you're in here?
HOME FOR UNDERAGE PREGNANT GIRLS
You're pregnant?
Mom figured it out. Dad was furious but it was too late to go to England.
So they sent me here. Only it's horrible.
Like a prison.
Don't worry, I always wanted to keep our baby.
Thank God you're here.
- So that's why your dad fired me. -Yes, I heard.
I'm sorry... Here, catch!
Wait... I'm back living with my parents.
You mean you can't take me?
You'll think of something, I know it.
Thursdays, we go into town, at 2.30.
See you then?
At the bar in the town square.
Jean...
I love you.
You'll come, won't you?
Yes.
What's up? She was fine a moment ago.
Don't ask me, I'm no doctor!
I'm thirsty!
I'll be right back.
How come you're back?
It's tricky, we need a plan.
Don't pop one out here!
It's stopped.
Completely. Can we go to the canteen now?
No, I can't risk it. Go lie down in your room.
So I can't eat?
Going someplace?
I'm hungry.
Coming?
It's Claude.
She's having a dream.
Never wake someone who's dreaming.
The apricot's not too great!
Here.
- It's a sin to mess with food. - Catch!
- See? - Food should be respected.
No one forced you to come!
What a killjoy.
Taste it before talking about sin.
It's a disgrace, Jacqueline!
Your apricots are pretty disgusting...
Mrs. Kidnapper.
Brigitte...
I absolve you!
I absolve you.
Fire, everyone outside, quick!
Get a move on!
Go down the main staircase. Down, down!
Stay calm, don't run.
Don't take anything!
Just grab a coat.
Go outside, not under the bed!
Don't run!
- You OK, Claude? - No.
I don't fucking believe it!
Let's go.
Come on! This is all we need.
Look at me.
We're not gonna die here. Now get up.
Dom!
Dom! Aimé!
Wait, now stay calm.
Quit moving.
Where are Claude and Brigitte?
Inside... they're inside.
They're going to die.
I see no smoke, where's the fire?
Congratulations, girls.
The drill went perfectly. Now go back to bed.
I hope the two latecomers have learnt their lesson.
In the event of a fire...
you'd be dead by now.
Go back inside in an orderly manner.
A drill?
Claude's all wet!
Come on, girls.
Her waters have broken!
I'll call an ambulance.
Brigitte.
Stay calm, breathe deeply.
What's wrong with her?
She's having her baby.
I don't want my belly cut open!
No one will cut you open.
I'll be right by your side.
It'll be fine, don't worry.
Dominique, you've no business in that vehicle, get out!
I'll go with her, the girls are safe with you.
There are rules.
There's also female solidarity.
Sounds like MLF propaganda.
Claude's young and far from home. She needs Dom!
Dominique!
Get out, now.
I don't want to give birth.
I don't want to!
Quit blubbing, it's what the bitch wants!
Salette... wait for me in my office.
The rest of you, get back to your rooms, now!
Get out of the ambulance or you're going home tomorrow!
Go, I'll take care of her.
You'll be fine. Don't be scared.
Out!
Mom, don't hang up, please.
Only one person can help you, and that's me.
Till you understand that, I can't do anything for you... or your baby.
I don't want anything from you.
Of course not.
She didn't want anything either.
Would you break a baby's neck
just to spread your legs?
Teenage Mother Strangles Baby
She was also too proud to accept help.
Think about that.
I'm handing out forms to those who need them.
Check the information is correct.
It's to allow your babies to be adopted.
If you need explanations, come and see me.
Any news of Claude?
Not yet.
I'm keeping my baby.
Swallow your pride. You're only 16.
Your parents have decided for you.
Jean and I are in love.
No one's going to take our baby.
Bitch! I'll kill the witch.
Look, it's Claude!
The man in the ambulance was real nice to me.
He kept stroking my head.
Told me everything would be fine.
"Don't worry."
There was this old guy in a white coat at the hospital.
Really nasty.
"Take her away, this isn't the Salvation Army."
He was scared he wouldn't get paid.
Because... no one pays for us.
Fortunately...
the nurse said I might have insurance.
So he looked at my notes...
and said...
"Only 13. Disgraceful!"
All this time, I was in pain.
It hurt.
No one cared, though.
And then...
the nurse told me to follow her.
But the old guy said no.
He said that he was the doctor, that it was up to him.
He wanted explanations first.
So... the nurse told him
that the explanations could wait,
they were going to deliver the kid.
The kid was me.
What about the baby?
It came out dead.
So lucky!
What? She can return to a normal life.
The principal is waiting for you, missy.
I did everything I could to help you.
The hospital couldn't keep you.
No medical insurance, no baby...
Now we need to look ahead.
As you know... you can't stay here.
I'm tired.
Don't worry, you'll be able to rest.
You're going home.
To my father?
Temporarily,
of course.
It hurts.
It hurts!
Go see matron, she'll strap you up.
It hurts!
I'll come with you.
Aimé...
not a word about this.
It's important that our boarders don't find out.
Do you understand?
Take the poor girl inside, I'll deal with it.
J. PEREZ CASE
He said he had three kittens in his kitchen.
So you went with him?
- Speak up, miss. - Yes.
Once in the kitchen,
there were no kittens.
When Mr. Pont attempted to kiss you,
why didn't you leave?
Mr. Pont is big... and strong.
He held my wrist.
I couldn't move.
I turned away.
So you waited.
Yes.
Did you tell Mr. Pont you didn't want relations with him?
I asked him to stop.
No... Did you tell him you didn't want relations with him?
I didn't know what he wanted, or what "relations" were.
Thank you, Miss.
Your Honor, this girl went willingly with my client.
She neither fought
nor verbally refused sex,
and yet she claims rape.
My client...
could go to jail for this.
Are we to take it seriously?
Mr. Pont, as far as you are concerned,
did Jacqueline Perez consent?
She wasn't even a virgin.
That's not true!
Your Honor, this cannot go unchallenged.
You'll have your say once the defense is through.
What happened?
A terrible accident.
It's Claude.
Claude...
You won't bring her back to life. Let these men do their job.
This is your fault!
If you'd let me go with her....
You killed her!
Pull yourself together!
- I'm as upset as you are. - Upset?
You don't give a damn about the girls.
I've seen your work!
They're right, you're wicked.
I forbid you...
You won't forbid me anything! I'm leaving.
I've been thinking...
Obviously I can't make you stay.
But for a week... would that be possible?
Until I find a replacement.
Consider it as working a notice.
What do you say?
I fear an epidemic.
It often happens with suicides.
It's never happened here.
None of my girls have ever...
They trust you.
I know they do.
I'll stay...
for the girls' sakes.
Fuck!
Aren't we even allowed fresh air?
A birth gift from my mom.
Maybe she's right.
If I keep the baby, people will think I made up the rape.
You're not guilty.
Everyone thinks we are. They'd be happy if we died.
We have to fight back.
Yeah? How?
First, stop them making decisions for us,
treating us like whores.
You're dreaming.
I'm 16, I'm allowed to dream. We all are.
Jacqueline, what's your dream?
Why not dream?
I dream my attacker gets sent down
and my baby dies, like Claude's!
Bravo!
Brigitte?
Dunno.
To be a star... like Bardot. To travel...
Lights out, girls.
Where's Claude?
- In another home. - She didn't run away? We saw cops.
How come the windows are locked?
Better ask the principal.
I've no idea.
Sure you haven't.
You wouldn't lie...
I'll switch off.
Brigitte...
Good night, girls.
Hey... how do you go about believing in God?
I don't know. You just believe.
You're hurting yourself, Brigitte. You're your own worst enemy.
Quit playacting!
You're not here to help us.
Once we've had our babies, we could die for all you care!
I pity your mother, having a daughter like you.
Two packs of cigarettes, and I'd like to make a call.
Isn't Brigitte coming?
Could you give her a note?
Put Dad on.
Dad?
Is it true you authorized them to take my baby?
If it's for my own good, tell them you changed your mind.
It's my life! How can you know what's best for me?
You know what? I'll never forgive you.
For the charge of rape against Jacqueline Perez,
the court finds Mr. Pont guilty.
The question of whether there were mitigating circumstances...
the court thinks not.
This court sentences the defendant to 7 years in prison.
Well done!
That's how I believe in God!
You won?
What do you care?
The law works, so we sue the principal.
The principal isn't the problem. It's the system.
You're on her side.
No one knows what's going on here.
You need publicity.
I'll kill her.
Imagine the headlines: "Plessis Girls Stab Witch Principal!"
I'm serious. I told you about the MLF.
Better still, I'll kill myself.
"Sent to hell by her mother, she jumps out of the window!"
That's crap.
"That's crap."
Beat it, Dom. You've no business here.
She's in cahoots with the principal.
Otherwise she'd tell us where Claude is.
See?
Clear off.
- You go too far. - What!
She's not like us.
Her idea's a good one.
Our families are ashamed of us. We're ashamed of ourselves.
Do we have anything to be ashamed of?
No.
Think she might have hurt herself?
Her things are here.
I thought she was joking yesterday.
Brigitte Salette is missing.
- Call the police. - And alert the press!
She's neither the first nor last to run away. Keep calm.
Go to classes, it's an ordinary day.
She's with the boy at the café!
You're confined to your room.
Ma'am, come see!
I looked out and saw Salette climbing the façade.
You've got the devil in you!
You're wicked, wicked!
- You drive me crazy! - Leave her.
Leave her alone.
Brigitte!
Let go of me!
Stop!
Let go of me!
You can't let him do this!
Think I haven't got better things to do?
A bad seed, your mother says. You'll end up in a reformatory.
Your mother can't take it anymore!
Why isn't she here?
I hope that nut job hasn't killed her.
We're not taking this for a moment longer.
Will it take one of us to die before we revolt?
If we're not safe here, we won't be safe anywhere.
We need to go on strike.
Hunger strike.
Hunger strike!
Strike... Strike...
Shut up!
Follow me, we're going out!
Come back! Back to your places!
We've had enough!
We're on strike!
Yeah, we're the Plessis girls. So?
Walk tall... Tall!
Repeat after me.
We are the Plessis girls!
Rape victims, why judge us?
Rape victims, why condemn us?
We want our freedom! We want to study!
You're a laughing stock.
No more outings until further notice.
You're planning something with your women's association.
Given your bad influence, I want you off the premises, now.
Aimé will see you out.
Go on.
We're not eating.
We shouldn't be expelled because we are pregnant.
We should be free
to go back to school.
We can't have abortions,
so we should be free to choose our babies' futures.
Girls...
If you don't eat, your babies will suffer.
They won't develop properly,
growth will be stunted.
They could be blind, deaf
or be born with deformities.
These are our demands.
Is it true about deformed babies?
Only if we stop eating for a very long time.
Is anyone else hungry?
Could take ages, our parents will be up in arms.
We've done nothing wrong, we're the victims.
We're free, the doors were locked but we still went out.
We won't change anything.
Supposing we're thrown out?
Don't think that way. Stick together and we'll be heard.
Not in Plessis we won't.
Some of them applauded.
We're not all as well off as you.
We've nowhere else to go.
It's been fun but there's no point doing this for me.
It's not for you.
Next it will be you, or you. We have the right to exist.
You think they're right to treat us this way?
We didn't say that.
A letter.
We read it first, then share the food.
Here.
From Dom.
She's been fired!
No way!
"Keep at it, girls. Here are a few provisions.
"Simone de Beauvoir and the MLF support you.
"She's bringing journalists
"so you can tell them about your ordeal.
"Don't give up, don't be intimidated. Dom."
Let's chow down!
Who's Simone de Beauvoir?
No, thanks.
If you don't want breakfast,
go straight to class.
What about our demands?
At your age,
in your situation, it's just childishness, not demands.
- We'll keep it up... - Enough!
Go to your class.
To the classroom.
The classroom!
Give up this absurd strike.
No.
In that case, I have no option but to close the home.
I'll wire your parents and ask them to collect you.
If you're not in school, your parents won't receive
any welfare benefits.
They'll need to pay your maternity expenses.
Aren't you ashamed?
It's you who should be ashamed.
Some of your classmates will be on the street, homeless.
Don't listen, Jacqueline.
If we stop...
We're not stopping! We'll see it through.
Sure you agree?
We all agree.
We'll see it through.
You're mad at me?
You know any normal families?
You realize welfare puts food in mouths?
You're wealthy, this is all a game.
But we're gambling our lives.
I confess I'm discouraged.
Such ingratitude.
Demanding rights after all we've done for them...
We haven't worked hard all our lives for this!
You're lost!
We've thought it over.
Your future is at stake.
You still want to give up my baby?
Send me away because you're ashamed?
No, dear, not ashamed.
You realize you've made a serious mistake?
We're doing our best to save face.
Yours, not mine!
If you force me, I'll run away.
I'd rather stay here.
If all the girls leave, the strike is over.
The girls in state care will have to stay.
Jean!
I'm going.
I'll come back, I promise.
Sorry about Thursday.
It doesn't matter.
Our train leaves in an hour.
Really?
Shall we go?
It was tough for my parents.
They thought we weren't in love?
No, but workers mingling with management...
They think it's unnatural.
They have their pride.
But I told them about the baby and the institution,
they agreed you should be at our place.
Mom thinks our furniture isn't good enough!
It was weird to see you with those girls,
with their big tummies, all dressed the same.
This'll hide it.
Come on, we have to hurry.
I can't come with you.
Not now. I can't abandon my friends.
You barely know them.
Don't back out, now my parents have arranged everything.
Doesn't our baby matter?
Yes, that's precisely why I have to go back.
It's only for a few days, then I'll come, I swear.
It has to be now. Come with me.
Or you'll never see me again.
Hello.
Where's Dad?
The thing is... your father thought you were innocent. He's disappointed.
What?
The principal told him about your involvement, so obviously...
Obviously what?
Parading yourself, pregnant, as if you're proud...
Innocence is shameful?
Talk to your father about it. Let's go home.
Tell him I don't want to be a victim all my life.
The strike, the court case,
the demonstration... it's all the same fight.
Mine is the only mother who hasn't come.
You lost your guy, I lost my mother.
Should I have gone with him?
I don't know.
Friends again?
If this strike fails, the girls will never forgive me.
I was thinking... if we stop now, maybe they wouldn't be hard on us.
For some, this place is better than nothing.
We can't hold out forever.
Here.
No, you read this one.
From Dom. What does she say?
Can't you read?
Sure I can, shut up. It isn't a letter.
"Death certificate. Miss Claude Payet.
"Died 14 June 1971.
"Cause of death: defenestration."
Fuck, she's dead.
Hey, this is no time to blub.
Now we know why we have to carry on.
Brigitte's right.
We'll wait for the journalists.
We'll tell them our story, who we really are.
Are you praying, missy?
I don't know how to.
Virgin Mary...
we ask you to receive Claude
and forgive her desperate act.
Amen.
You can repeat that: Amen.
Amen.
There.
You know how to pray.
Come in.
Thanks for coming.
Sit down.
I'd like you to use your influence
to bring an end to this stupid strike
that threatens their health.
If they want to fight, why not listen?
You told them the MLF would come. You know how irresponsible that is?
I don't need you now. You don't scare me anymore.
Then you won't mind if I report you to the education authority
for engaging in immoral relations with your charges
and forcing me to dismiss you.
But why lie?
To have you forever barred from state education.
Unless you cancel the MLF visit.
Dom said it was today, right?
I hope the FLM hasn't changed its mind.
MLF.
Whatever.
Brigitte Salette?
Visitor for you.
Come in.
Mom!
Easy, Brigitte.
Mom...
You have to stop causing trouble.
Have you come for me?
Really?
Wait while I fetch my things. I'll be 5 minutes.
Don't go anywhere.
Anyway, they won't come.
Going now would be an awful thing to do.
I could have left but I stayed.
The strike was for you.
You're going home,
to your stepfather?
Loser!
Chicken!
Yeah, beat it!
We don't need you! Rat!
We only came because the principal begged us.
Better keep a low profile from now on.
Otherwise you're gone for good, get it?
We've been occupied.
The press is here. TV reporters too.
Today's headlines are soon forgotten.
Where did I go wrong?
The main thing is to calm people down and confine the unrest.
Minister's instructions. I'll make a statement.
Words are never binding.
I'll save them anyway.
Just calm things down.
Once they knew I was pregnant,
my parents sent me here so no one would find out.
That's all that mattered to them.
For example.
I want to keep my baby
but here, they want you to abandon them.
As I'm still a minor, I have no say in the matter.
It's not on, it's my baby after all.
Does the same apply to you, miss?
No.
Watch out, girls, things are moving!
I'd like to make a statement.
The education officer will meet with representatives of these girls
to discuss their claims.
The meeting is tomorrow, 2pm,
in the education offices.
We also hope that they will call off
this hunger strike.
Now please excuse me.
I'll leave you in the company of the principal.
Now that you have obtained satisfaction,
can everyone please go home and let us get back to our routine?
Frankly, girls, this place is great.
So much so, I'm staying till tomorrow!
Me too.
And me!
As I'm still a minor, I have no say in the matter.
It's not on, it's my baby after all.
And you, miss?
I was raped.
My attacker is now in jail.
Girls like me, who this has happened to,
shouldn't be afraid to report it. We're not criminals.
That's also why we are on strike.
I'm so proud.
How about Jacqueline and Marie-France represent us?
Yeah, sure!
So, Jacqueline and Marie-France?
Come on.
Here's the info on underage pregnancies.
These are the reception facilities available.
Don't be overawed.
You know the situation much better than they do.
We'll read up on it.
Come on, girls.
Still here, same fight! Still here, same fight!
These girls are fighting to improve their lot
during a difficult period for women.
These pregnant girls are being applauded by the crowd.
They're here with demonstrators...
Miss, please...
A few questions for French television.
On whose behalf are you speaking?
Wait...
- You're with us? - It's not the same without you.
We're with you!
All those cameras!
Smile... Bardot!
May we ask a few questions?
On whose behalf are you speaking today?
The 6,000 minors who get pregnant every year.
What is your main demand?
We want the authorities to condemn
an illegal practice tolerated by state education:
the barring of pregnant girls from schools.
It prevents us from having a future.
Thank you, girls. Good luck!
The girls clearly have bright minds, despite their young age.
Back to the studio.
Whatever their education,
the girls are steered towards vocational training qualifications.
We demand the emancipation of pregnant minors.
To decide what?
Our babies' futures.
The beatings...
Shamed parents sometimes become violent.
Oh yes, one last thing. New home regulations.
No more locked doors and no more Think Tank.
"Think Tank"?
It's like a dungeon.
It's meant to make us think but it's just a punishment.
You're free to speak, miss.
Sir, our monitor, Dom...
has always stuck up for us.
She shouldn't be punished.
Come in.
We've been waiting for you.
The principal has resigned!
I think it was either that or be fired.
Did you see her face when she walked in?
"Don't listen to these poor, lost girls.
"They lie, they cheat.
"I know, I can tell you.
"I am moral!"
But he listened to us!
He believed us.
Because we are not liars.
Your parents will chill.
Everyone knows I'm pregnant now, so...
I'll catch up and sit my baccalauréat.
Same for me. After the birth, I'm going back to school.
I want to be a lawyer. No one can stop me dreaming.
Right?
This is Brigitte and Jacqueline.
Hi.
Hats off to you.
What you did was important.
I'm proud of you.
I'll wait at the gate.
Take your time.
He's cosmic. Cosmic!
What about you, Brigitte, what will you do?
I'll be back...
From January 1972,
pregnant teenagers were no longer barred
from high schools.
The Plessis-Robinson home for pregnant girls
closed its doors for good in 1976.
Subtitling: Eclair Media