...the first wheat of 1942
presented by the Minister to Marshal Pétain.
"The soil of France does not lie" said the Head of State. And it hasn't.
SARAH'S KEY
Daddy?
What are you doing?
Stay put. I won't be long.
Mr. Starzynski open up!
My husband isn't here.
Police madam. Open up!
Open up madam.
Or we'll break the door down.
July 16th 1942
Mrs. Starzynski?
My husband's away. I don't know where.
You're coming with us. Pack enough for 3 days.
Where are we going?
Bring blankets food
and your ID papers.
And my dolly?
Only necessary items.
Hold on...
Michel? Is he your son?
Yes.
I don't understand.
The children too?
Where is he?
He's not here.
Do what you want with me but don't take my children.
I'm begging you.
What's going on?
You're going to hide.
- I don't want to. - Come on.
- Like yesterday. It's a game. - Okay.
Get in.
Where are your son and husband? Don't make me get angry.
I don't know where they are.
Don't move.
You promise?
I'll be back later.
Sir I swear I don't know where they are.
I don't know.
They're out in the country.
My little brother was ill.
Dad said it'd do him good.
Give me the apartment keys please.
Where are her husband and son?
I haven't seen her husband lately. As for the boy...
I last saw him two days ago.
He may have hid in the cellar.
You should take a look.
It was so hot he didn't sleep all night. Nobody did.
In fact the cellar might be the place to sleep.
Shall I show you?
We'll be back.
But if you see them...
Daddy!
Don't cry darling. Don't cry.
Sarah?
Are you there?
As good as new here ready for us to move in!
If you want an open kitchen we'll remove this wall no problem.
- It's not load-bearing? - We'll put in a header.
And knock it down.
You're the architect.
Zoe!
If you're interested this is your room.
Really? How many square metres in all?
Not many. I'll move this wall to here
to make it bigger with two windows. How's that sound princess?
You're scratchy.
Did I tell you the story of this apartment?
At first my grandparents could only afford to rent this part.
In the 50s they bought this bit and joined them together
and added that bit later.
The Marais used to be a working-class neighbourhood.
This was my dad's room at your age.
Your grandfather.
He was a kid too once.
Apparently some never grow up.
I don't get it. How could you leave him?
He'll be safe there.
In the closet?
It all happened so quickly.
It's only till we get back.
You don't understand.
They had it coming to them!
Don't talk nonsense!
After them it'll be our turn.
You old fool! We're French!
It won't happen to us.
You stupid woman!
No running on the track!
Daddy I need the toilet.
You know where the toilets are?
The toilets please?
They're all blocked up sir.
What about water?
Some water to drink?
It's so hot in here and there's no air.
Sir!
My mother, brother and I were going to meet my dad in the free zone.
The police arrived just as we finished packing.
I managed to create a diversion
and they escaped down the back stairs.
I told them on my own I had a chance.
What about you?
- You didn't hear the rumours? - Sure.
There have been new rumours every day for weeks.
Until now they only arrested men.
Surely they won't send all these kids to work camps?
That's their plan?
For us to jump one after the other to lose our minds?
Mummy we have to get Michel.
See now? We should have brought him with us!
Let me through!
Think only of yourself.
Only yourself.
Some men have permits we can get out with.
No one will help us get out.
Earlier a policeman helped me. He told me which bus to get on.
The other was going to a camp.
Escape's impossible.
To begin with get rid of your star.
Please madam...
Let my little brother out.
Stop that!
Anyway you'll never make it out.
Give me that.
Thanks.
My name's Anna.
Nurse!
What's wrong madam?
I don't know. I'm coughing up blood.
You're not making it up?
We have very few doctors you know.
Come on.
I'll see you get immediate treatment.
Wait!
I need to speak to her. My son's locked up at home.
Please sir...
Be reasonable and sit back down.
Please arrest my son! Go and arrest my son!
36 Rue Saintonge.
Third floor.
See?
Why didn't you give her the key? Why didn't you trust me?
Why did you lock him in?
Do you realise what you've done?
Do you realise?
The irony of history.
Ministry of the Interior
I could never talk about it.
I can imagine.
The entrance to the Velodrome
was just there across the street.
From here you could hear...
And then...
After a few days
we had to keep the windows closed even at night.
The noise?
The smell.
You have no idea!
Did the neighbours try to find out what was going on inside?
Try to understand?
Understand?
It's easy to understand afterwards.
eack then we were fed so many stories about the Jews.
What could we do anyway?
Call the police?
Sarah.
Wake up. Come on.
We're going.
We can go home now?
Mummy I don't feel well.
You have a headache?
My God!
Where are they taking us?
I heard we're going to Pitchipoi.
No Beaune-la-Rolande.
Apparently all those sent to Pithiviers will be released.
Believe that if you want but I think
we'll end up in Germany or Poland.
In the end wherever we go it's always the same.
Just like back home.
Do you see this ring?
It contains poison.
Nobody in the world can choose when I die.
Nobody.
Good morning Mrs. Tézac.
Don't call her Tézac. She prefers Jarmond.
That's her maiden name.
Ms. Jarmond!
She uses her American name. It's an American habit.
Ms. Jarmond's an American!
You're in a good mood.
The only Mrs. Tézac here is me!
Goodbye ladies.
I brought you this...
- How thoughtful of you. - And the cream.
And your good-for-nothing husband? How is he? He never visits.
He's very busy but he often thinks about you.
Nonsense! And how are you?
You look tired.
Really?
No I'm fine.
I just finished a difficult interview.
What about the apartment then?
We went to look round.
Don't smash it up will you?
You young people don't realise
but it was our home for over 60 years. A lifetime.
- 60 years? - That's right.
That's right 60 years.
At the beginning it wasn't much.
As people said during the war
"Make do and mend."
You moved in during the war?
Yes. August 1942.
It was very bohemian.
Three of us in one room over the store in Rue de Turenne.
Edouard was only 9 years old at the time.
So when the concierge mentioned a vacant 2-room apartment nearby...
Why was it vacant?
That I don't remember. It was too long ago.
Can you pour me a glass of water?
Thanks.
What's wrong? You're deathly pale.
I must have got up too quickly. My head's spinning.
Gracious me you're pregnant!
Don't you remember?
When I was younger it was complicated so now...
I can sense these things. You're pregnant.
Hey it's me.
You're home?
In the Marais. To see how it's looking.
- The workers there? - No.
What do you mean no?
I mean no.
You knew your grandparents moved in during the war?
Sure of course. And?
No reason. I'll tell you later.
Tell me my dear Bertrand
would you care to buy me dinner?
It would be my pleasure. Does 9 p.m. suit you?
Perfectly.
Beaune-la-Rolande Transit Camp July 1942
Hurry up now!
Women and children this way!
Women and children on the right! Men on the left!
Excuse me sir...
Hurry up!
Is there a doctor? My daughter's sick.
No sir leave her with your wife!
Get back!
My daughter's running a fever. Can anyone help?
Please!
Is there a doctor here?
Mummy...
How long are we staying?
I don't know Sarah.
And Daddy?
When will we see him again?
Soon sweetheart.
Soon.
Sorry the Beijing meeting dragged on.
- Did they sign? - Not yet.
No kiss?
Sure.
You're not drinking?
No I'm fine.
What's this all about?
See? It's our table.
Damn!
What?
Nothing.
For a moment I thought I'd forgotten our anniversary.
Why are you so tense? Calm down.
Too much pressure.
It's pretty hairy.
Can't you turn it off?
I'm expecting a call from the Chinese.
See? Pressure.
Bertrand...
I have good news for you.
Frankly I expected a little more enthusiasm.
I don't want to be an old dad.
Finally you admit to getting old.
Yes I'm getting old.
Faster than you.
It's a risk for the child.
Look...
Our life's changed. Zoe's almost a teen
we have a new apartment I work like crazy.
It's time to ease up.
If you answer it I take a taxi.
After years of fertility tests IVF and two miscarriages
now you want me to have an abortion?
Julia it's been six years now. I'd come to terms with it.
The doctors said it'd take a miracle.
What's this if not a miracle?
Hurry up!
We have to fetch Michel.
Make it snappy!
I promised him.
Infants on the right.
Older children with their mothers.
Go on back to your Mummy.
Stay with Mummy.
Listen to me all of you!
Women and children over the age of 12...
will leave the camp first.
Younger children will stay here another week
before joining their families.
Your husbands have already left.
You'll see them soon!
Cooperate
and everything will be fine!
We won't go without them!
Back in line damn it!
I love you darling.
I love you with all my heart.
May God protect you!
Some were at the Vel d'Hiv
and all were among the 11,000 children sent from France.
The principle I apply to my work
is to escape statistics
to give a face
and reality to each individual destiny.
It's awful. I keep picturing my daughter as one of these children.
Unfortunately when you start looking into this
you don't come out unscathed.
And you? Unscathed?
This work is necessary
and probably also cathartic.
Sorry I forgot to turn it off.
My father-in-law.
Answer it if it's important.
I'll call him back later.
Is everything okay?
Were there a lot of Jews in the Marais?
Historically it was a Jewish quarter.
Like Belleville and Menilmontant. Why?
No reason it's just...
My husband and I are about to move into an apartment
that belongs to his family in Rue Saintonge.
I just found out that they first rented it in August '42.
They're good people.
It must be a coincidence.
You want me to check?
I have that information on my computer.
It was wartime. People got by any way they could.
Just to put my mind at rest.
What number Rue Saintonge?
36.
There were three families in that building.
Which floor?
My mum sang me that when I was little.
It soothed me when I was sick and couldn't sleep.
You've slept for three days with a raging fever.
You kept saying Michel key closet...
I didn't understand a word.
You want this?
I have to fetch my little brother. We have to get out.
You mean escape?
I saw a woman do it at the Velodrome.
If you help 2 of us stand a better chance.
Careful you got up too fast.
It's impossible to escape.
There's no one left.
What's happened?
Don't you remember?
Yes.
What the hell's all this?
Did you see where the women came with food?
There was a gap under the wire like a hole.
You want to go now?
Not at night. It's too quiet.
And they have searchlights.
In daytime we're outside. It's easier.
With all the noise and sobbing kids.
And if it's as hot as today
the police will stay in the shade.
We need to find more sweaters.
We'll grab lots and put them all on.
It's boiling!
That way the barbed wire will hurt less.
Sarah I was thinking...
Your brother he must have done the same as us.
He must have escaped.
No I'm sure he hasn't.
Why?
Because I made him promise.
Quickly!
Where are you going?
Go away!
Let me go sir. My little brother's on his own in Paris.
It's my fault. I locked him in when they rounded us up.
I made him promise to wait.
It's too late now.
In any case you have no choice. You're staying here.
It's forbidden to escape.
Jacques...
You know my name?
I heard someone say it. I'll remember the apple all my life.
My name's Sarah. Sarah Starzynski.
Go on!
Okay?
It smells good.
Our stars! We have to get rid of our stars!
Look over there.
Come on!
Look! It's a village!
I must be sick I don't feel well.
Let's go! Hurry!
Come on...
I feel really sick.
Maybe they'll take us.
What are you doing?
I'll never make it.
Look there's a light on.
Jules!
Look at those two!
Just give us some water. She's sick.
Scram! We don't want trouble!
Get lost I said!
Call yourself a guard dog?
You're very quiet this morning.
That's all we need.
Quiet she's in a bad way.
Should we call the doctor?
Dr. Thévenin's on holiday.
I often see his stand-in talking to Germans.
We'll see how she is later.
I can't wait I have to go to Paris!
What are you saying?
After all this time my poor girl
he must've escaped you know.
He swore to wait. I have to go now.
I'll burn all that it'll be safer.
I'll give you some of Nicolas's clothes.
Who's that?
My grandson. He's your age.
With your hair under a hat you'll look like a boy.
What about Paris?
What about hot milk and some bread and butter?
What do you say?
What's your name?
Michèle.
I can't let him wait.
It's okay Michèle...
You can relax now.
She's very sick.
She needs a doctor.
Not yet. She's sleeping. We'll see.
Help me!
The blanket.
We have to get the doctor.
You can see she's dying.
Lieutenant the child is ill.
She's ill I agree.
How was I to know? I couldn't leave her by the road to die.
Two children escaped from the camp. You're sure you didn't see another?
No there was only the girl.
You realise the risk you'd be taking
if you hid the child?
If we'd hidden another why would we call the doctor?
Go ahead search...
Search if you're calling us liars.
You think we're that stupid?
Go on go up.
You're wasting your time.
She's dead.
Diphtheria.
It was too late to do anything for her.
I'll put her in my car.
I'll expect you tomorrow at the kommandantur
to make an official statement. It won't take long.
Heil Hitler!
Fetch the girl. One dead child today is quite enough.
My real name is Sarah.
Edouard? You get the days mixed up?
Hello darling.
That's what I was just saying.
He was supposed to come yesterday.
I'm not the only basket case in the family.
Julia you never answer my calls.
I left you three messages.
Sorry I've been very busy.
I was going to call you back.
Why are you avoiding me?
I know you asked Mamé and Bertrand about the apartment.
You do?
Can we step outside?
What are you two up to?
Please.
We're just going outside Mamé.
We'll be right back.
Let's go to my car. We can talk there.
Come now lad don't be scared of me.
One day you'll be a soldier too won't you?
Allow me...
He's a fine looking boy.
You don't have much luggage.
At least we can be sure you're not black marketeers.
Identity papers.
Sorry excuse me.
And the boy?
In the envelope. At the bottom.
A problem?
No it's fine.
Thank you.
I talked to Bertrand.
He said you were writing an article...
On the roundup of the Jews.
How's the apartment relevant?
I thought she couldn't get up.
Just when you think you know a person...
No sly allusions please.
And stay out of other people's business if you don't mind.
If I said "Starzynski"?
My family had nothing to do with the Starzynskis' arrest.
You knew?
Yes.
Nobody else knew except my father and I.
Meaning?
She must never find out you understand?
She was out that day.
What day?
The day the girl came back.
I answered the door to her.
For goodness' sake slow down. You don't know who you'll meet.
See you up there.
The apartment's already taken. There are others opposite.
We're just going up to the 3rd floor.
The Tézacs'?
Michel!
Who's that?
Goodness Sarah wait!
Where's Michel? Where's my brother?
Your brother?
Dad!
What's all this ruckus?
I'm sorry!
My father wanted to pay for everything.
But I think the other couple took the body away with them.
I don't remember.
And Mamé?
She was in the store.
Dad didn't want her to find out.
It's impossible. You must have noticed something.
When we moved in there was a terrible stench.
There was a dead cat in the kitchen.
There was barely any furniture. The apartment had been ransacked.
It was wartime you see.
So we threw everything out.
But the stench was still there.
Dad thought there must be a dead bird in the gutter.
We closed the window but...
It only got worse. You see?
We couldn't find the key to the closet.
We didn't want to break the door down.
That was when the girl arrived.
In the afternoon on the second day.
What happened to Sarah?
From 1942 to his death Dad never once spoke her name.
Sarah was part of the secret.
Whenever I asked where she was what happened to her
he told me to be quiet.
Do you want to know?
You know where she is?
I don't know but...
I do know she was never sent to the camps.
When my father died...
the lawyer told me about...
certain personal papers.
They're kept at the bank.
I never dared take a look.
You'd allow me to take a look?
Anyone home?
So? What do you think?
It's beautiful.
Isn't it beautiful?
I don't know if I can live here one day. I don't know...
I can't picture us here.
It's just perfect for the three of us.
- The three of us? - Sure.
Come here...
Not too much.
Why aren't you always like this?
What do you mean like this?
Like this.
Sorry.
Don't you see how phony this is?
What's going on?
You're being so sweet now.
But...
you want me to abort!
You only once asked me what the doc said. You don't give a damn!
Anyway we know your answer.
You're going to China.
Look we've talked about this.
I think it's best for us. A whole new life.
I know. In one week you sign the deal of the century.
No money worries for the next 150 years!
Grown-up daughter beautiful apartment from deported Jews...
What?
Nothing.
What did you just say?
Nothing.
It's been a long and tiring day. I have to go.
What did you just say?
I shouldn't have said it.
Talk to your father.
Did you know?
I only found out today like you.
Why didn't you ever say?
To protect you all.
I suppose...
you'll tell your sisters?
How can I keep it a secret?
For Mamé.
It was her home all her life.
Your wife.
- Edouard? - Yes Julia.
- Do you know where Bertrand is? - He's right here.
I'm really sorry.
- I didn't want it to be this way. - He's a big boy.
He'll cope.
Why are you calling exactly?
It's late.
About your father.
I wanted you to know he always did the right thing.
Thank you Julia.
Don't mention it. Goodnight.
Dear sir, I wanted to thank you again on Sarah's behalf.
You asked us not to but we told her
you send 100 francs every month for her.
I had to tell her the honest truth. I hope you understand.
Last week we harvested the wheat.
Sarah worked relentlessly until her arms throbbed in pain.
As usual she never complained.
I noticed your last two cheques were for 120 francs.
Now the war's over we'll buy her clothes in Orléans.
I enclose a photo of her with my two grandsons Nicolas and Edgar.
She's beautiful isn't she?
Sarah!
Watch out you'll catch cold.
Don't worry.
What the heck are you doing?
Dear sir, Sarah is very well.
In November the whole family visited the D-Day beaches.
It was the first time she'd seen the sea.
She's really grown you know.
Her personality's changed markedly.
She's secretive and wild.
And she's tempted by other horizons.
These dark days
sully our nation's history forever.
74 trains
left for Auschwitz.
76,000 Jews were deported from France
and never came back.
Yes the criminal madness of the Occupier
was as we all know
abetted by French citizens
abetted by the French state.
Yes speaking.
Thanks for calling me back.
No I'm looking for Nicolas or Edgar Dufaure.
Or family members...
Or even distant relations?
Thanks for calling anyway.
Morning Mrs. Tézac.
Take this pill and get ready. Are you fasting?
Good. I'll pop back later.
On the form you left the "person to notify" box blank.
Is it mandatory?
Yes we need a name.
Excuse me.
Sorry.
Julia it's me.
I wanted to say I wish I was there. I'm thinking of you.
I hope it all went okay.
I'm also very aware that what we're going through
is difficult but we've been there before and we'll make it.
I love you.
All my love.
Hello I got your message last night.
I'm Nathalie Dufaure. A cousin gave me your number.
My father was Nicolas Dufaure.
I'm not sure how I can help you but if you want
you can reach me on the number on caller ID.
Have a good day.
A termination?
Yes but she doesn't seem very sure.
I think I can be there in two hours.
What's going on Mrs. Tézac?
Okay outside the church. If I have a problem I'll call you.
Thank you very much goodbye.
If you've changed your mind take the time to think it through.
Actually I have thought it through
and I think I've wasted your time.
I'm really sorry but...
There you go.
Hello.
See? You couldn't miss it.
Nathalie.
Can I leave the car here?
Shall we go?
When I told my grandfather you wanted to see him about Sarah
you can't imagine how his face lit up.
He thought you could give him news.
Or be his daughter.
It's over 50 years since he last saw her.
Forgive me. I love you.
It was in May 1953.
She just left without giving an address.
It hit my great-grandfather worst.
But he never blamed her.
He told me on his deathbed.
He understood. He was expecting it.
She never tried to get in touch?
You've no idea where she might be?
This was the last we heard of her. In 1955.
I guess it was just to say she'd made a new life for herself.
It came with no explanation.
May I?
Of course.
She went to America.
Are you Julia?
You speak French?
Childhood memories talking with Mum.
But I guess I'm a bit... rusty?
You have to admit it's crazy vanishing like that.
New York, Italy seeing this guy. What did you hope to find?
Now you've stirred it all up the whole family knows even Mamé.
Just think aged 95...
- You care about her now? - Not that, not today!
Anyway what's the problem? Your honour's intact.
Your family's blameless. You can move in now but count me out!
We're selling it.
Rest assured we want rid of it.
Family decision. But remember I grew up there.
I only wanted to know the truth.
The truth?
The journalist's quest.
So where does it get us now this bright shiny truth?
We're all much happier now even that guy.
Everything's so much better now the truth's out.
Truth has a price whether you like it or not.
Fine. What do we do now?
I don't know.
But I deeply desire to keep this baby.
Can you understand that just as deeply I don't want it?
Yes I understand.
We always wanted another child.
2 years later
I don't get it. I hear you but I can't see you.
You sure it works?
Shit Dad the camera works. I can see you.
You must've messed up somewhere.
I'll try again. Hold on.
Amazing! I can see you!
You're still going with the Goth look?
You prefer jailbait-slut?
What's your mother say?
Leave Mum out of this.
Is babycakes with you?
I'll get her. Hold on.
Who's that?
Move it's filming.
Who is it?
A friend.
Youth is not sexually transmitted.
Very funny.
How are you doing at school?
Any better?
Dad! I want to move back to Paris.
I miss you. This country pisses me off.
That's not the real issue.
You're 14 that's all.
- Is your mother in? - Why?
We got a call this morning. An American.
On a pilgrimage in his mother's footsteps.
Subtitles: Simon John
Subtitling: LVT - Paris