I...
I really...
I really like you.
Sir?
Miss Ariane Rey.
She doesn't stay here, Sir.
I thought she did... Never?
No, her aunt stays here. She's arriving Tuesday.
Miss Rey has just booked a room for her.
Yes, I know. Thank you.
Yes, Mr Levy, Sir is in. Come on up.
Hurry.
Come in.
Brought back your book. You alone?
Yes... No, grandmother's here.
- How is she? - Fine, a rock.
Well, be seeing you.
- I feel it's a key work, no? - Yes...
- It opens new avenues... - Yes...
- Politically... - Right...
- A friend? - An acquaintance. Bye...
But it's Andrée!
How kind to pick up Ariane every day, you don't mind?
She dislikes going out alone...
Not at all, I really like Ariane.
You're doing me a big favour.
Had fun yesterday?
- Yesterday? - At Saint-Cloud.
Yes, Saint-Cloud... Not bad.
You met all the gang?
The gang is no more. The holidays are over.
Right, of course.
So you met no one, not even Hélène?
She often goes, she lives nearby.
No, certainly not Hélène.
Why certainly? It could happen.
If it had, I'd have told you. You know that.
Of course, I've total faith in you, Andrée.
And I in you.
By the way,
Ariane wanted to go to Buttes Chaumont today
but I suggested she go to Boulogne instead...
Boulogne, why not?
Leave your books for once and come with us.
Not today, I'm going out with Gran.
Come, she might be bored alone.
A few days later
Enjoy your singing lesson?
Yes.
All because in Chaville Wood
Grew lily of the vale
That day in Chaville Wood
Grew lily of the vale
If my memory be good
It was in the month of May...
Water not too hot?
It's hot but good.
Don't fall asleep, not yet.
No,
not yet,
my darling.
Wash yourself all over...
your arms, your legs...
and your soft downy hairs.
Don't forget a thing.
I'm washing all over.
I wouldn't want my odours to bother you.
They don't, on the contrary.
On the contrary.
On the contrary?
Yes.
Especially those sweet changing odours between the legs.
I'm afraid at times I smell too strong.
On the contrary.
When you perspire ever so slightly,
that moistness...
You like that?
I sometimes feel I smell so strong
that it even bothers me
and I want to clasp my legs together.
No, those are the best moments.
Your vagina is so beautiful when moist.
Yesterday, as you slept on my bed your peignoir came undone...
And I looked at you.
And I...
parted your legs ever so slightly
and looked at your beautiful vagina.
Do you mind?
Not at all.
Do as you like.
And I breathed of it, so warm and tender.
Really?
Yes, my Ariane.
If it weren't for my allergy and all the pollen you bring in
I almost wish you'd never wash.
Never?
Not so often.
All because in Chaville Wood
Grew lily of the vale
Like me to come?
No, not yet.
Later, perhaps.
It was in the month of May
And in May, as the proverb goes
Do what comes your way
So lying upon the grass
We did as it did say
And as deep within the grove
We were indeed hid well
The Saturday Post and Sunday Globe
On us they did not tell
Come now.
What would you like to do?
Play draughts like last night?
Draughts in the dark, I'd lose again.
Just one game.
If you like, but I don't much feel like it.
Just one.
Alright then.
We could put on the light and read, if you like
but my eyes sting this evening.
Yes, that bath made me drowsy.
We could listen to music.
Yes.
So, tell me.
What?
About your afternoon at Buttes Chaumont.
Buttes Chaumont?
No, we went to Boulogne and then to the pool.
The pool? I didn't know. And so?
- So? - Yes, so?
Andrée nearly drowned.
She was exhausted.
She swallowed tons of water.
I grabbed her from behind, she'd turned blue.
- And not you? - No, on the contrary.
How so, on the contrary?
You know how I like to let off steam.
Yes.
You didn't say you were going swimming.
We went on a whim.
I was sick of walking.
And tomorrow?
Tomorrow?
Yes.
I've my singing lesson.
Like every Thursday, I've my singing lesson.
I thought it was on Tuesdays and trapeze on Thursdays.
Gran, do you need anything?
I thought it was on Tuesdays.
Yes, sometimes it's on Tuesdays.
She's unwell, go see.
No, she doesn't want.
- This week it's Thursday? - Yes.
And I'm dining later with my aunt.
- Again? Where? - At the Aurore.
Thought she didn't like the Aurore.
She does...
Last week you said she didn't want to go there.
Did I say that?
Maybe. She must've forgotten.
Forgotten! How can one forget?
- Aren't you thirsty, Ariane? - Yes.
I'll go fetch something.
Everything alright, Gran?
Yes, don't worry about me.
Andrée...
My darling.
You'll join us tomorrow?
No, I don't think so.
There's too much pollen and I promised Gran...
I don't know, perhaps.
I have to work.
Now off you go to bed.
Goodnight.
Next day
You mustn't go in there.
That's Sir's bedroom.
Don't open the blinds yet, Françoise.
Must we repaint now?
It's good for your Gran's morale, Sir.
She's really that unwell?
Not very well.
She's already awake and asking for you.
And Miss Ariane has the fidgets.
Andrée. Come collect her. She's fidgety.
I heard you nearly drowned yesterday in the pool.
Andrée, sometimes I think it's you I should've loved.
If I'd been, I too would've nearly drowned.
We're so close.
Come pick her up, Andrée, she's bored.
Simon...
Goodness, how pale you are.
And how are you?
Not bad, thanks.
I'm seeing my doctor today so he'll tell me I'm fine.
Can you take me?
You know I have to work.
Yesterday I did nothing, my Racine's at a standstill.
I suppose it can wait. Yes, I'll take you.
That Ariane is so charming.
Thank you, Aymé.
Listen Gran, Aymé will take you and bring you back.
You don't really need me.
Very well, off you go.
Hello, Andrée. You were quick.
You think? Hello, Simon.
Recovered from your dunking?
It was nothing. Ariane saved me, once again.
Of course, she swims so well.
Take no risks today.
I don't want she takes you on any dangerous capers.
Today?
None of that today.
No, today I'm taking Ariane to her singing lesson.
I thought her singing lesson was on Tuesdays.
She's keen, soon be three times a week.
The teacher asked her to listen to a Thursday pupil.
They may sing a duet together.
A duet?
Yes I recall, she did mention it.
Who is this pupil?
I'd rather she had a lesson to herself.
Can't remember her name. Juliette... No, Lise...
- You don't know her? - No.
And does Ariane?
What?
- Does Ariane know her? - Who?
This Juliette or Lise.
I don't think so.
I mean no, she doesn't know her.
If she did, I would too. We go everywhere together.
Of course, how silly of me.
Goodbye Andrée. Have a nice day.
Ariane, it's Andrée.
Andrée!
You'll tell me how their lesson went.
Yes. Ariane has come on immensely.
The red scarf or the white one?
Wear the white one.
Look before you answer.
The red really suits you, but I prefer the white.
Me too.
Hush! Simon is resting. And working too.
Don't you find Hélène's voice incredibly alive?
It really moves me.
You find it sensual?
That's it, sensual.
I wouldn't say I find it sensual.
One could find it sensual, but...
Her voice has this breathiness.
Never noticed a breathiness.
That's what gives it its emotion.
Work well.
Call me after the lesson, let me know how it went.
Yes.
Be back about two.
Very well, see you at two.
May I open the blinds now, Sir?
Yes, do Françoise. The day has begun.
I wonder if I ought to marry Ariane.
Beautiful day, isn't it Françoise?
Yes, Sir.
Good evening.
Seen a girl with a white scarf
with a lady who could be her mother?
Must be those ladies there.
No, that's not them.
Sorry, they're the last. We're closing.
Thank you.
Simon!
Is it you, Simon?
Hélène, hello.
Lovely to see you.
Likewise.
We never see you anymore, nor Ariane.
We thought you'd vanished.
You see her the odd time?
Very often, yes, quite often.
Know where she is? I've some news for her.
What kind?
Just news of friends of hers.
Who?
- Old friends. - Which friends?
I don't know their names.
Have to go.
Goodbye, Simon.
Like me to come?
You take them.
I'll leave you.
Your bag.
Your scarf.
Keep it.
See you tomorrow, Simon.
Andrée...
Simon...
Something to tell me?
No, and you?
No, nothing.
I think I'm crazy.
No, nothing. And you?
Yes, in fact, I've something to tell Ariane.
What a pity you've allergies.
These flowers smell so nice.
Ariane!
I'm a bit tired, but if you want, I'll come.
Andrée...
Still here? You don't feel well?
I'm fine.
But don't forget, tomorrow afternoon, Carmen.
Carmen, I'm not too keen...
No, we have to go, Léa will be there.
Léa?
Yes, Léa Landowsky.
Well, I think.
More than likely.
Perhaps... Anyway, let's go. Just for me.
We'll see, I'm not too pushed.
But if you really want to, we'll see tomorrow.
See you then.
Has Andrée been drinking, or what?
She has.
She drinks when she's bored, and with my aunt...
But she shouldn't, she gets silly.
Sunday afternoon
No gypsy girl, she's blonde with a lily-white complexion,
head high as she walks on stage
to a hail of applause as you've just heard.
The theatre is in thrall, cries ring out.
Cries of"Léa, Léa, Léa..."
Live from the Odéon Theatre,
France Musique brings you "Carmen Oui"
by the young composer Henri Polmier,
libretto by Florence Erenberg,
with, in the role of Carmen, Léa Landowsky
and as Don José, Frédéric Van Heyden.
Will he cry as in Bizet's Carmen. "It was I who killed her!"
Léa is one of the greatest voices of our day, literally radiant
as she awaits, concentrated and serene, to begin.
Already, she troubles us, only to thrill us.
Léa is one of the greatest singer-actresses we have.
Now at the height of her art, it's no wonder
she'll be awarded tonight "Performer of the Year"...
Faster, Aymé.
See you tonight!
Hope you're not mad at my taking you away.
It's sunny, I so wanted we stroll together.
That was Léa, wasn't it?
- Who? - Who said: "See you tonight".
Strange, "See you tonight".
Strange?
You told me you didn't know Léa.
I did? Maybe so. I hardly know her.
Yet her tone when she hailed you...
She's an actress, terribly extrovert.
She's said to be reserved.
No, not at all. On the contrary.
Well, from what I've heard.
From Hélène, she knows her very well.
Really? You mean Hélène and her...
No, not at all...
I mean, Hélène knows all of Paris.
Hélène introduced you to her?
No, no.
Perhaps. I can hardly remember. It was so long ago.
You must've impressed her, she sure remembers you.
You think so?
You didn't say she was singing today.
No?
I must have told you.
Well, maybe I didn't.
I guess I thought you knew.
- Andrée surely told you. - No.
I see you tell me nothing.
You must've received an invite to the awards tonight.
An invite?
Don't know. I don't think so.
I barely glanced at the mail today.
Anyway, I hate such evenings.
So you did get an invite and intended to go.
Hold on, let me think. I'm not sure.
If I did, it must be in my bag.
Maybe it's this.
So it is.
Eight thirty, at the Atelier Theatre.
What to do?
I've not the least desire to go.
Could you turn up the heat, Aymé?
Maybe we could go together.
Oh, not that.
I mean, don't force yourself just to please me.
Believe me, I'm not. Let's go together.
No, I'm not going.
So, what'll you tell her?
I'll find something.
I don't want you having to lie.
You just told me you loathe that.
Honest, I'd love to go with you.
I don't feel like it. It'll be packed, I hate that.
You'd rather see her alone.
Not at all, I swear.
She's a bore.
I'd much rather stay home tonight.
So Ariane, does this Léa have many affairs?
Léa?
She'd like to, but does she really?
How do you know she'd like to?
- It's plain to see. - From what?
I don't know.
But you just said it was plain to see.
So from what?
You see, you feel it, there are signs?
Tell me.
Honest, I don't know.
And why are you so interested in that?
That young girl who smiled at you in the theatre bar,
it was a way of saying she desired you, no?
It's a certain kind of smile, isn't it?
Which young girl?
I don't remember any young girl.
But you said it was obvious Léa wanted love affairs?
That's what they say.
But I know nothing about her.
- What they say? - Yes.
You must be tired, Ariane.
Exhausted.
Don't mind me, sleep if you wish.
It's you, Simon?
What is it? What were you thinking?
Nothing.
Nothing?
I'd so like to know your thoughts,
who you are,
what you hide from me.
Tell me, Ariane, what you're thinking.
If I'd thoughts, I'd tell you, but I don't.
Perhaps you miss your other life?
What other life?
You seemed so happy...
with your girlfriends in Normandy.
Your carefree air which I so envied.
Don't say it wasn't for real.
I read in a book today
that chance, desire, fear and death
leave men and women face to face, alone.
To dare love a girl it takes courage?
Everything takes courage.
Perhaps you want to go to the awards tonight.
No, not at all. On the contrary.
Then why do you look so sad?
Are you unhappy with me?
No, on the contrary.
I'm happy. Very happy.
I feel like driving.
To the "Atelier", please.
I'm burning to know what goes on between women
that doesn't between a man and a woman.
I imagine it's...
But I don't know... Above all in terms of feelings,
but not just, gestures too.
I mean, I've seen women together.
Feelings? Nothing to explain. Could you, Isabelle?
Can't be explained.
- Could you, Sarah? - No.
Is it possible while making love
that a woman forget she's with a man?
Ever happened to you?
No, I never tried. I'm sure it could though.
Remember, with Gérard?
Yes, I remember.
I loved him, but it wasn't the same thing.
In what way?
I don't know.
I was less moved. But "moved" is not the word.
Then what's the word? Less what?
Honest, I don't know. It wasn't the same thing.
Yet you loved him?
Yes, why not?
So it's not inevitable.
No.
But I prefer Sarah.
Is it a question of bodies?
I too prefer women's bodies, I feel better with women.
No, it's not just a question of bodies...
Not simply that.
I mean, I've more trust. We're not enemies.
Never?
I guess it can happen. But it's not the same thing.
Yet you do part.
But when we do it's not the same.
And you get mad.
But it's not the same.
So I've no chance with Ariane?
I don't think so. But, I don't know...
I thought as much.
Yet maybe you do, why not?
Not if she's into women.
If she's into women, no.
So she still is?
Sarah says she's into girls, but who knows?
If she were, could she love me as much?
It'd be different.
- That ever happened to you? - What?
When you're making love you forget who you're with.
Yes, I always forget who I'm with.
Really?
Eyes closed, you think of who you like.
You're free, to think of what you like.
Oblivious, you drift off, you open your eyes, it's over.
It's weird to open your eyes on someone
who's suddenly a stranger, stranger than before.
Stranger than before?
Yes, for a fleeting moment.
Can you slow down a bit?
No, a little faster, but not too fast.
That's fine, thank you.
Stop here, please.
Good evening.
Can you close your eyes?
Can you sleep?
If you like.
No, not like that.
How then?
I don't know. Thank you.
Stop, please.
Wait...
Ever gone with women?
Women... Not on the job.
I thank you.
I saw Sarah.
I saw Isabelle.
I saw Léa.
You must really love her. Now I'm sure.
I know I shouldn't have, but I couldn't do otherwise.
I had to, Ariane.
To know you.
They told me it's not the same thing.
But what's not the same thing?
What is? What's not the same?
What did you say, Ariane?
What did you say?
Nothing.
Did I say something?
What did you say?
You want me to come?
You must be surprised to see me here.
A stranger.
You see me as a stranger.
But no.
I see you.
It's you I see.
You, Simon.
Yes, of course.
Goodnight, Ariane.
Goodnight, Simon.
You're up early, Sir.
Like me to come?
No, it's not that.
I think, Ariane...
there's no point anymore. Never again.
Simon, are you cold?
Going out already?
No, not cold, I'm not going out...
So why not take off your coat?
If you like.
I was saying, things aren't the same,
it's wearing thin between us, Ariane.
I wanted to hide it, but I feel you know.
I feel you're bored here,
you're forcing yourself to stay.
You shouldn't.
It's best you leave, that you leave now,
this morning,
immediately.
You want I go this very morning?
Yes.
It's best for you, and me.
You can do as you like.
We were happy,
but now we sense we shall be unhappy.
Don't say "we", it's you alone who think that.
You, me, what matter? It's as you want.
As I want, but it's you who want.
And because you want I must want it too.
Then I have decided.
It'll be no less painful for me.
But not for long, I suppose.
As you know, I am without memory.
But in the beginning, the first few days...
So it's best we don't write, or call...
Make a clean break.
You're right.
You'll go to Andrée's?
To Hélène's?
To someone else's?
To my aunt's.
I'll drive you.
I can manage.
I'd rather drive you, we're not enemies.
No, of course not.
But why drive me? It only makes our parting worse.
No, not worse.
As you like.
Promise you'll do your all to avoid me.
You must.
We must never see each other again.
It'd cause me too much pain.
I promise you.
I suppose you think I'd long planned this break,
that I was but feigning tenderness for you.
No, I didn't think that at all.
You're right.
You know, I may not have loved you madly,
but I loved you a lot, more than you can imagine.
I know that.
And you don't think that I love you...
It hurts me terribly to leave you.
Me a thousand times more.
Can you swear you never lied to me?
Yes.
Well, I'm ready. Let's go.
If you didn't hide all from me...
I hide nothing, nothing that concerns you.
If you didn't hide all
I'd not have had to see Léa.
Whatever I'd have said or done, you would have.
- You think so? - I'm sure of it.
Can you swear you never lied to me?
Yes...
I mean, no.
When I told you we were at the Aurore with my aunt,
we were at one of her friends.
So why did you?
I was afraid you'd get...
the wrong idea of this friend, so...
Is that all?
When I told you we met no one at Saint-Cloud,
we met Hélène with her father.
Her father is ill.
See? When I tell the truth you don't believe me.
How can I, when I know he's confined to his room
and you tell me you hardly know Léa?
Just, I know how you worry over the slightest thing.
I prefer the truth, even if it hurts.
Yet all you give me are half-truths
when you know I'll find out anyway.
But what's two lies? Give me at least four.
Then maybe I'll believe you.
Without blame. At least I'll have memories, real ones.
No, nothing.
Nothing else.
- Nothing else? - Nothing.
Tell me two more lies, just two.
Own up to at least two more.
Just to show you trust me.
And as we're parting, why hide them from me?
Tell me, for my own dignity.
I've nothing to say.
We're nearly there.
Nothing to say to me?
Ariane, speak. We're nearly there.
There's nothing to say, Simon. Take a right.
Ah, you girls in love...
You learnt to lie very young,
it's become second nature.
So many years hiding from the world
what you are, how you love, and...
There are such girls, but others couldn't care less.
Who have nothing to hide. Should've taken a right.
And you?
I am here now with you. You know that.
Yes, but sometimes I wonder.
You're not happy with me.
Indeed, lucky for you it's over.
You were happier before. You miss it.
You believe that?
Really, Simon?
- You talk of things you don't know. - No, alas.
We're like strangers at times.
At times, yes.
But that's what I like.
You want to know all, as if that changed something.
Me, I ask you nothing.
Neither what you think, nor dream.
And if you told me all I feel I'd love you less.
I love you because there's a part of you I don't know.
I imagine you've this world I cannot enter.
It intrigues me.
That it's closed to me only pleases me.
See? We cannot get along.
I'm the total opposite.
For me, love is the very opposite.
No one home, let's go.
The keys are somewhere around.
Now we must part.
You deprived yourself so, and now it's adieu, no?
If you want.
I'll go get the bags.
No, let me.
You must never write to me.
No.
And never try to see me again.
No, I promise you.
Anything but see you suffer. If it must, so be it.
You say that so easily.
Initially, I'll avoid your regular haunts.
Are you going to Normandy this summer?
Normandy?
I don't know yet.
Don't know where I'll go.
Nor I.
Sit down, rest awhile.
Just a while, then I'll leave you.
I wonder where your aunt is.
Not far. Probably at a friend's.
The one from the restaurant.
Yes, she lives nearby.
It's best we part, no?
I guess so, for you.
No, for you.
No, not for me.
You say you'll be sad, that you were happy with me.
Of course.
- You mean that? - Yes, I do.
It's not just to please me?
No.
So, like to give it a few more weeks? You never know.
From week to week, it can grow.
You really want to?
Yes, if you do.
Then, yes.
Still love me a little?
Nothing has changed.
Then let's go, now.
Yes.
Tell me...
Yes, Simon.
What do you think of when making love?
Nothing.
You do...
What?
You think of something.
You drift off once you close your eyes.
No.
I feel it.
I know... You're no longer with me.
Leave me be.
Alright, you drift off, but if you told me where,
with whom, and how, I'd be with you, closer to you.
That's all I want.
I think of nothing.
Ariane...
Kiss me.
Come...
When it gets finer we could go to Venice, or Vienna.
If you like.
You'd rather Istanbul?
Either way, as you like.
From there, we could sail to the Greek islands
live in a little village, for a while.
A little village, if you like.
Tomorrow I can call Andrée, see if she'll join us.
Nothing to say?
Leave Andrée to me.
You won't miss her?
Leave me.
You seem tired, Ariane.
Yes, perhaps.
- Like to go to bed? - Yes, maybe.
You have nice hands.
You too.
Let me look at you.
If you like.
It's so mild, I'd like to swim.
This evening?
Yes, why not?
Shall I order supper?
If you like, yes.
Good idea. I'm starving.
- In the meantime, I'll unpack. - Right.
What'd you like to eat?
Eat? Whatever you like.
No, you choose.
Well then...
Scrambled eggs,
salmon, salad, and boiled eggs.
Scrambled and boiled?
No, just scrambled eggs.
I'll go swim, just a few strokes.
Good evening.
I'd like scrambled eggs, salmon and salad.
And champagne for two.
Thank you.
Good evening.
Scrambled eggs...
The wind's up. Be fine tomorrow.
Yes. More than likely.
Shall I open the champagne?
No, I'll do it.
Thank you.