Mom.
Hello, my loves.
Hello.
- Is it you, Mom? - I said I'd be back.
You're the prettiest mom.
Oh, thank you.
- Leaving already? - I'm going out.
You're going out at night?
Exclusively at night.
I just came by for a kiss.
Mom, don't go.
- We've no food. - I can't stay with that up there.
We've no money.
My love!
Mommy will be back, darling.
Is that all there is?
We could've gone on credit.
That's nonsense.
You think Mom will return?
With your mother, we never know.
I'm sure she'll come back.
At ten, she'll be back...
One, two, three...
four, five, six...
Marlene Dietrich had hollow cheeks.
Listen. Do you want to know why?
Because she had her molars and wisdom teeth removed.
I'm going to be like Marlene Dietrich.
That way we'll both eat only marble cake dipped in milk.
- No, stop. - Come on, yes.
- Stop, Marlene Dietrich. - Go on.
- My love! - It's Marlene.
It's Mom.
Hello, Hanna.
Thanks for the money.
Don't touch that.
It's valuable.
This is your gift.
And this...
is my gift.
What's wrong?
Who gave you all that?
You're too old for photography.
Oh, stop. My head hurts.
Are you in any trouble?
I won't tell you since I can't talk to anyone here.
If your feet hurt, sit down.
You're irritating me.
Thank you.
Go and criticize her. She's out relaxing,
sipping on cocktails with her billionaire lovers.
If only you worked.
As if expression through images wasn't work.
It's the most beautiful, sacred thing.
I'm going to make it.
I'll make it.
- Leave me. - Why not?
Why? Why can't I exist, too? I'm human, not a dog.
That's not nice. At all.
I'm scared of coming here.
I hardly dare coming. I know you'll torment me.
It takes a day to recover, like being hammered on the head.
She wrote to me.
I'd just like you to respond to her.
Why do you hang my mother's portrait up?
You forget you threw my mother out when she was...
pregnant at 15.
Don't tell me you've forgotten.
Violetta, listen.
Someone was nasty to Grandma when she was young.
When she was very attractive.
She blames me now.
Right, Grandma? No?
Am I wrong or right?
Please, leave the child out of all this.
Let's be calm. Everything's fine.
Besides, she's mine.
Then why did you leave the two of us alone for so long?
For all these months. Why? Why?
Stop, Grandma. Get up.
Get up, Grandma.
Enough is enough.
If it's like that, I'll do what she did.
I'm never coming back.
There's no reason to.
Oh, Mom!
My darling.
Will you come up with me?
- Up there? - Yes.
Oh dear. My crummy paintings.
I'm done with those. Hasta la vista.
Come on.
Come in.
Leave your bag there.
And take off your skates.
Come here.
Sit down.
You haven't come here in a long time.
We'll have to make up for lost time.
- How about some halva and fruit? - Sure.
I ate that in Constanta when I was little.
Undo your plaits.
You should show your lovely hair. Don't you think?
- Do you like it? - A lot.
You were too young for me to say anything before.
But, you know, I take pictures now.
- When I don't see you? - Yes.
- Would you like to pose for me? - Yes.
Lift your arms.
Oh no, don't smile.
Smiles are stupid. They're for weddings.
Direct your gaze...
Look at me. As if looking at Hell.
There. Turn your face a bit.
That's it...
Like this.
That's it.
Lie on the floor.
Like an offering, see...
More effort. Don't you want to go on?
- Yes, I do. - Well, then?
Now, arch backward. Like this.
Very far back, then...
Like that.
And your hand on your forehead.
Like so. Your fingers
spread on your forehead.
Very good.
Ok, we're finished.
Go downstairs. Grandma's waiting.
Don't tell Grandma. Promise?
It's between us. She wouldn't get it.
We agree, right?
I won't say a word, Mom.
Promise.
Simmer down! Adèle!
Violetta!
Hand in your copies.
Violetta!
Grandma overdressed you again.
She's always scared of who knows what.
- Aren't you glad to see me? - Yes.
Go home.
She's coming with me.
Are you going to the parent meeting?
Don't ask that of me.
The other parents will.
They're bored. They're hicks.
- What are hicks? - People with nothing to offer.
We've better to do.
You'll no longer dress her.
Put this on.
- Is it for me? - Yes.
You're not actually dressing her in that get-up?
What get-up? I don't see any get-up.
It's a very pretty lace dress.
Handmade.
Everyone's looking.
That's why it was made. So she'd be looked at.
Why wouldn't they?
- They'll criticize. - There's no harm.
Sheesh, we're having fun, right?
Yes.
Look! She's very happy and pretty in her dress. See!
- Right? - Yes.
Grandma thinks we'll die if we laugh. Watch me laugh.
Come on, let's go.
Violetta, you're the prettiest girl in the world.
My girl is beautiful.
I dreamt of you both last night.
You were much older, Violetta.
If I'd seen you the way you are, it would've been more interesting.
- What time is your flight? - 9 pm...
for Oslo.
I'm coming, too.
Not with your girl.
Take her to your grandmother's.
Oh, Ernie! Why is it so complicated?
I've too much anxiety.
Relax, Hanna. You're hysterical.
It's Grandma. She'll drive me crazy.
Isn't it about time to stop thinking of Grandma?
Yes. Let me show you my work.
What work?
I take pictures.
Let's have a look.
I took them with the camera you gave me.
What do you think?
Better than your crummy paintings.
Bravo, Hanna.
Bravo.
- For you, her and Grandma. - Thanks.
And so you can get some decent photos developed.
Did you see how my women are enchanting and intoxicating?
With heavy breasts...
...and hair like Arabian drapes. - Yes.
Their rumps are...
splendid!
Yes.
It's exceptional, Hanna.
I want you to continue.
Stop it.
Stop! Can't you see I'm choking?
Look what she's done!
- Why did you do that? - Do what?
Violetta! Violetta!
Why did you smear his painting?
I didn't do it on purpose.
Oh, come now.
Is Ernie your boyfriend?
No, not really.
Your mother is a physiophobe. End of story.
Physiophobia is claustrophobia of the flesh.
Picture yourself in a lift
going up, up, up. It's full of people and...
you can't get away and...
and you can't take it anymore.
What about Dad?
Listen, darling.
You need to know that fathers are a major handicap of nature, ok?
Dear God, please don't let anything happen
to my girls, especially Violetta.
Watch over her heart and her soul.
Keep evil away from her.
Oh Lord, I'm begging you.
It's my very own television.
Get ready. I'm just checking my light meter.
Is this good, Mom? Is the pose ok?
Yes, it's interesting.
Do you know who you look like? It's crazy.
Like Shirley Temple.
I know you don't know her.
Who is Shirley Temple?
Shirley Temple was a little girl who sang and danced like you.
She looked a lot like you.
She was a little girl from Hollywood!
Do you want... Here...
More lipstick.
Blood red.
The little mouth.
You're Shirley Temple, violet vendor in the stars, ok?
Yes, ok.
You'll put this on.
I don't want to.
But you can be a prima donna.
No...
I want this.
Ok, can you act like an enchantress?
Look here. How do the stars do it?
Very good.
It's exactly that.
You can work it. I don't know how,
but you work it.
Oh, very pretty! The eyelids down. Very pretty.
Ok. Let me introduce you to...
a friend.
The Bald Narrator.
He's appalling!
But that's what's poignant! It's deeply moving.
Take him.
It sickens you?
That's it.
It's ugly. I don't like it.
It's white.
It's lovely.
It's soft.
Who did your hair?
It's like cotton candy!
My mom and I take pictures.
- It's fun! - It's wicked!
Oh my God!
What's that?
She's the devil's daughter.
She's his daughter. I'll chase you away, Satan!
Grandma?
Grandma, what's wrong?
Turn off that TV. I can't stand it.
There's nothing but crap on that idiot box. Here.
Let in air. It's greasy.
The meatballs are still cooking.
Well, I don't feel well.
I just have one question for you.
I want to eat calmly now.
I won't stay long. I'm sorry.
You mustn't go up there. Understood?
Understood, Grandma? Don't go up there!
That room... that room...
with the mirrors... and the blocked windows.
There's tons of spoiled food.
What do you do with the child at night?
What do you do?
Everything may be spoiled,
but in any case, I'm an artist. Not you.
We're not all required to live the same way.
You forgot. You've been stuck in the middle ages for years.
You refuse to see. You're backward!
I love very, very much, but you're behind the times!
You mustn't shout when I come to eat here.
I'll no longer eat here, then.
"Either that wallpaper goes, or I do."
I couldn't have said it better.
I think it'll be me. I'm going to croak.
What's she saying? I don't understand a thing.
Wrecked!
Give me back my keys.
You won't come back! It's over!
Questions about what's spoiled or not are done with, ok?
Ok. If you need to bathe, you can go when I'm there.
- I'll bathe in the sink! - My keys?
- Here. - Thank you.
Ernst!
I'm happy to see you.
- Hello. - Hello. We met at my gallery.
- Yes. Hello. - Antoine, gallery owner.
Arnaud, my editor... Tina. Meet Hanna Giurgiu.
And Violetta, my daughter, Nadia and Fifi, my models.
The crazy virgins.
Can I sit down?
Of course.
- Please sit. - Thank you.
I'm a photographer.
Can I, Ernie?
Of course.
A menu, please.
Do you like photos?
- Yes, I do. - So, take a look.
Tell me what you think.
Very interesting.
What do you do?
- I make kokoshniks. - What's that?
Kokoshniks are head-dresses worn in Russian ballets.
And, you like posing nude?
It doesn't bother me.
Why? Nudity is beautiful. Isn't it, Fifi?
What do you do?
I teach Chinese at a college.
Chinese. That's very nice.
Very erotic, the little girl. I like that.
Would you like to publish me?
Fascinating, right?
Very interesting.
Very innovative.
Right, Ernst?
Yes, very...
I encourage her a lot.
Here, drink.
It'll keep you still.
Why is death so present in your pictures?
Death is a party.
No, death is a whore.
Violetta!
Stop. Don't talk nonsense.
She is charming.
Come see me at the gallery. We'll talk.
No one is bound to the infinite - Ernst
Mom, I'm hungry and worn out.
You'll eat after. It's time to work.
You're beautiful.
Do you recall Marlene Dietrich?
In the cabaret, right?
Yes.
Go on the other set.
All right.
Stretch out your chin more.
Your head further back.
Marlene.
Your head further back.
Marlene, you see... Marlene...
Give me a bedroom gaze. More sadness.
Very sad.
Yes. Very sad.
Spread a bit more your...
your legs.
It's very pretty like that.
Good, not bad.
It looks like Balthus.
Spread them more.
Your legs, a bit more. Move your hand.
Move it.
Keep them spread. It's nice.
You're too inhibited.
But there's no hair. People will know I'm young.
But that's what's so splendid. It's striking.
Like a poisonous flower. That's the beauty.
Show me.
Show me. I didn't know you were so inhibited.
Just a bit more. You'll see later, it's wonderful.
Wait, one minute.
Hurry up. We'll be late.
I'm done. I'm done.
It's ready. It's ready.
Help me, Violetta.
I won't invite you since you hate those kinds of places anyway.
- See you later. - See you.
Goodbye.
I saw Ernst's last painting. It's a beauty.
Silence, please.
Listen up, everyone.
I'm sure you're wondering who Hanna Giurgiu is.
And, well, so am I.
She's obviously from another planet.
She has her own world
and brings us back a few images that she's entrusted to me.
Thank you sincerely. Violetta, too.
The little princess of this unique universe.
And thank you, Hanna,
who took the art world by storm.
Violetta.
What do you think of your mother's pictures?
Go and ask her.
I'm interested in your opinion.
I'm just a model.
What do you think about when you pose?
About what she says.
Well, what does she say?
To think about sad things and be...
very glamorous.
What does being "very glamorous" mean?
It's beautiful.
It's dark.
It's inaccessible.
It's distant.
You're questions are dumb, Jean. Give it a rest!
I like the contrast of the immature body
and the perverse gaze.
Very "Bellmer".
Hanna.
People are calling you the high priestess of eroticism.
Yes, but...
it's not just any eroticism, a literary eroticism.
Apparently, you live in a sanctuary.
I work in my room at night.
Your universe is dark, your creatures are exuberant.
Where does it come from?
From the tales and stories of my childhood.
Where did you grow up?
In Romania.
If you would allow me,
I'll write you an erotic text.
Please do.
Have you seen Ernst?
I'll find him.
Ten thousand.
A million total.
No. Ten thousand francs.
We'll repay Ernie.
Because we aren't beggars.
Here, Grandma.
1,000 francs.
Thank you.
- We agreed to meet? - No.
But you should see my latest work,
since you didn't visit the gallery.
Here it is. At least I have class.
I go and see people.
- Don't you care how I am? - Yes. How are you, dear Ernst?
Fine.
See. I turn worthless girls into goddesses.
That's Nadia.
From the dance school. You've met.
Did you see her sex?
It looks like a spider.
Do you like it?
Wait. Wipe before touching.
I like the one with the spider-like sex.
She has the perfect sex, dreamlike,
magic and surreal.
Yes, it's marvelous.
Do you like any of them?
The nude one of Violetta and that of Nadia.
They cost two million.
You don't hold back.
But, you're a friend and you've done a lot for me.
You can have them for...
Ten thousand, Mom.
Half, at least.
Good thing I gave you that camera.
You'll be able to repay me.
You're a visionary. That was my intention.
It's crazy, I swear.
So, then...
Five thousand.
Thank you.
There you go. Thank you.
Where are you going?
To the bathroom.
That one's broken.
That's ok.
I came because I needed money.
I swear. You always spoke of him.
You said he's nice. I didn't know what to do... 495 00 Whatever touches you
until getting home.
Once you sit down,
I'd like you to write everything you felt.
- Understood? - Yes.
Any questions?
Yes.
- Can we say what we don't like? - Yes. Tell a story.
All I want, listen up,
is that you tell a story. You may go.
What are you doing?
Homework.
They want my custody rights. They want Violetta.
Who?
A civil judge. A state prosecutor.
He wants to put me in prison.
No one will do that.
Who could do this to me, Ernst?
They've submitted a case.
There are ten, twenty pleas against me.
They denounced my photos.
Do you think it's normal?
Yes.
You're awful!
Hanna, you went too far with your daughter.
We tried telling you.
You didn't listen.
I'm with you.
I'll pay for a lawyer.
It'll be bad for my daughter.
Think she'll die?
Of course not.
Only, you have to tell her the truth.
And you have to face reality.
But, you know I love her.
Too much.
Do you think they'll take my photos away?
Do you think so?
They don't understand your images.
But hide the negatives.
Wait until it all goes over.
Something very serious happened.
They may say I'm not your mom.
They saw my photos and said I'd gone too far.
Who are "they"?
Justice.
We'll be separated?
Yes. Well, they can't really do that.
Who decides, then?
A children's judge...
who's authorized to decide.
That's how society works.
Violetta.
Aren't you coming to school?
So, this must be the sanctuary.
Have you spoken to her?
No, I wasn't able to.
Hello Violetta.
I'm a social worker. I'm in charge
of the investigation.
The judge will take the decision.
I'm only here to help.
She'll see if everything's ok, if I don't beat or hurt you.
Normally,
your daughter should've been interned in a center.
Mrs. Giurgiu, I'm the one who asked the court
for an investigation.
Take this chance, Mrs. Giurgiu, and fight.
Show the judge you can raise her.
Shit, I don't want to be locked up!
Sometimes it's better, Violetta.
I've nothing to prove.
You can't photograph her anymore.
- For now. - No. Until she's no longer a minor.
Violetta must live like a little girl again.
You must help her.
What do you think, Violetta? Is your mother capable of that?
I don't know.
Well, then.
Can I see the flat?
Our grandmother raised her until recently.
But she died a bit ago.
I know. My condolences.
The upkeep is artistic too, Mrs. Giurgiu.
A child's everyday upbringing.
I'll do my best. I promise.
Violetta needs a normal life.
A normal context like everyone else.
Can you show me where you sleep?
There.
If there's financial trouble, I'll get you
on welfare.
Call me.
Stay strong.
Go to junior high school.
And you...
Take down that black satin,
the skulls, the funeral wreaths.
Frankly, it's morbid.
You're becoming
a woman now, no longer a little girl. It's a shame.
Even if we did more photos, it wouldn't be the same.
Fortunately, the best has been done.
I'll look after you, dear Mom. I'll make you dinner.
I'll work alone since I can't photograph you.
It's forbidden.
You're not allowed to mention photos!
- I have to go. - What about dinner?
We're broke. We can't pay!
Use our welfare money!
I'm not that miserable. I'm still alive.
Who do you think I am?
Are you Mr. Léger?
I brought you the pictures.
My new newspaper is wonderful.
Violetta's photo will make the cover.
- Here's the money. - Thank you.
- See you soon. - See you.
What are you doing?
I'm trying to do a self-portrait.
What do you plan to do with the photos of me?
The erotic photos?
They belong to me.
I'll burn them all someday.
You'll never get them.
What about them? Can they take them?
What do you mean?
Tear them up?
They've already been published. They can be copied.
They haven't all been published.
Where are they?
You have no right to do that.
No, but I do it.
Good night, darling.
You're dead to me!
You're no longer my mom. Understood? You're dead!
Ok, ok.
It's better if we don't tell those people much.
Can I ask you a question?
Will we finally lead normal lives?
When you're better, we can.
We can take pictures.
You're mad!
I want to go to the zoo. I want to have hair all over!
You're mad!
Violetta, calm down! You're insane!
Stop!
All right! Calm down now.
You'll end up badly, girl.
That's not from me. It's genetic, from men!
They're degenerate!
Violetta!
Go get me some strawberry banana "Andy's".
Some what?
Strawberry banana "Andy's".
Yes.
Here.
Hold the string tight.
Hello. Can you hear me?
Yes, I can hear you.
I'm in the hallway. Fuck you.
Why don't you go to school?
You should go to school. It's the law. You know that.
Yes, I know.
Make an effort. If not, I can't do a thing.
You asked to see me. What did you have to say?
That I'm a woman now.
And I don't want to go to school anymore.
And...
And?
Why don't you tear up my mother's pictures?
Instead of giving me hell.
I'm not authorized. Only the judge can do that.
Do you want that?
She doesn't seem well.
I brought the social security paperwork.
Your girl doesn't go to school.
It's very serious. That's your responsibility.
She's not comfortable in her skin. She's becoming a teen.
It's not easy for me either.
I live alone.
I have a question. What do you do with the pictures of her?
The photos are mine.
They belong to the artist.
They've been sold, reproduced, published.
They belong to everybody.
Can't you stop selling?
I'm a photographer. I'm for free expression.
Can I go now?
Don't forget your psychoanalyst appointment.
Goodbye.
I'm preparing to shoot with a model.
I have to carry on. It's my job, Violetta.
Do you understand?
What's this thing?
That's mine. It's a work I'm doing on myself.
I'm seeing a shrink. Your mother is lost.
My mother slept with her father. He raped her.
At birth, no one wanted me.
Not even Grandma. It's a miracle I survived.
They're just fantasies.
Martha is your sister?
I miss my mother.
I miss her.
I miss her terribly.
I miss her.
Your grandfather is...
He's also your father, then.
Who is Grandma?
That's not the truth.
If it was, I'd tell you.
Why hide anything?
All right. Give me the dough.
I never want to see your face again, you big whore!
Can I pray with you like I did with my grandma?
Will you be my grandma, then?
I can't.
Please.
You must already have a grandma.
She's dead.
You can't do that to your dead grandma.
You can't replace a grandma.
Our Lord would not be happy.
Go on. Take off.
May God keep you.
Bitch!
My bag! My bag!
Hello. I'm Violetta's mom.
Very well. Follow me.
Is that good?
Come here.
Hold on. The left eye isn't even.
- Did you make these? - Yes.
Wicked!
- You like? - Totally.
You don't have to.
My beer isn't dry.
Your beer is dry. Move your ass.
- Shit. Holy cow. - What?
- Did your old man do that to you? - No.
My old woman. My old man was pretty cool.
Violetta. Your mother is waiting.
My love!
I love you!