We can't risk hiring an inexperienced cook.
Who's inexperienced? You ought to give me a try-out.
Name a dish, I'll make it for you.
I'm too busy right now.
Nadia, see him out, please.
Thanks, Nadia. Want a cig?
- You know my name? - It's what that asshole called you.
He's just running a business.
It's always the same.
No job without experience.
No experience without a job.
You can't get ahead in this shit country.
You drown and they push you under.
I'm fucking sick of it.
I'm slaving in a school canteen when I should be a chef.
- Laughing at me too? - No.
The way you say "chef". So self-important.
A chef, that's what it's called.
Calm down. If I was in charge, I'd have hired you right away.
Yeah? That's sweet.
You have drive. You'll find something soon enough.
Drive's no use with assholes like him.
Anyhow...
- I'll be going. - Finish your smoke.
He'll only hassle me.
- Sure? - Thanks for the cigarette.
You're welcome.
What are you doing tonight?
- I'm working. - Until when?
We finish around 3 am.
Want to go for a drink after?
- You'd wait until 3? - I've nothing else to do.
I don't do school meals at night.
All right then.
I'll be right here, ok.
See you later.
A BETTER LIFE
See you, Salim.
- Want a drink? - Sure!
Coming for a drink?
Not tonight.
I'm going...
- Got a date? - Not at all.
See you tomorrow.
Ok?
And you?
- Not too tired? - I am.
- Want to go out anyway? - Sure.
There's a bar still open down this way.
I said I'd be here.
Got anyone?
- In your life, I mean. - I understood.
No.
No one.
And you?
I had someone but it's over. She was a nutcase.
There must be lots of guys chasing after you.
- Plenty of them, right? - Well...
- No? - A few.
What are our chances of sleeping together?
Zero.
- Zero? - Yeah.
A kid lives here?
My son.
- How old is he? - Nine and a half.
- You had him really young. - At 19.
When I got to Paris.
Where were you before?
Lebanon.
You're Lebanese?
Where is he?
He sleeps at the neighbour's when I work.
His father too?
No. He has no father.
Watch...
Push here.
This brings it down. Go easy on the throttle.
My turn now!
Just a second. Let me show you how.
Go easy on the controls.
I'm doing pretty well.
See how good I am?
My turn!
Just a second and you can have it.
You'll make it fall!
- I'll land it for you. - Hurry up!
Gently, ok.
Gently... Towards the lake! The other way!
The other way, I said!
- I didn't do it on purpose. - I know.
That's why I wanted to do the take-off for you.
Ok?
I don't think it'll take off now.
Because of you.
Towards the lake!
To your left!
Very clever. Now it's wet, it's had it.
Here?
Don't look where I'm looking. Look somewhere else.
Give me a stick.
That one there. To the right.
That's the one.
Watch out.
Fucking hell!
What a jerk!
Try to grab it from there.
Try there. Don't fall in.
What a jerk!
Go on, try to grab it.
Yann, where are you?
Over here!
Where?
Behind the hedge. By the house.
Look...
You see that little bar?
Try to move it. I'll lift you.
You have to reach it. Slip your hand in and grab it.
I can't.
A bit further.
No good? Pull your hand out.
- You can climb in. - Are you nuts?
Cut it out.
Don't be such a baby!
It's safe. Just slip your feet in.
Slip your feet in. Cut it out.
Cut it out.
Go on.
Cut it out!
Stop slapping me. Hold the edge.
Now slip down. Ready?
Jump!
Now go to that wooden bar you saw.
To the right!
I'll open it. Let me open it.
Give it a push now.
Wait a second.
- It's jammed. - Watch out.
Here! That's it!
Ace!
Well done.
- Let's get Nadia and show her. - I'll go.
How did you find this?
Look...
Check the fireplace.
It's wild, isn't it?
Just think about it.
A restaurant, a terrace by the lake, theme evenings...
Concerts in winter, karaoke...
A treetop adventure in the woods...
Loads of stuff.
The place is for sale.
- How do you know? - There's a sign round the back.
- Really? - Where?
Back there. With a phone number.
Let's call.
- No harm in trying. - You're right.
Show me where.
No, that's great. We'll be waiting.
Thank you. Goodbye.
He'll be here in an hour.
Wouldn't a place like this be great?
Paradise, isn't it?
Let's close up before he gets here.
This is ok.
There's likely to be a leakage problem here though.
They told us it needs redoing.
It all has to go.
All of it?
Just kidding. Replacing the plasterboard is simple.
Sheet metal to replace here. My guys will do a great job.
- With insulation. - We'll make it watertight.
Can you hold the ladder?
I don't freak out but...
I've no head for heights.
There's plenty of space anyhow.
You can have a really great place here. That's for sure.
You can lose this.
An open kitchen here. They're all the rage.
People love it. It reassures them.
They see you're not cooking up crap.
Two seasons, two moods.
In summer, a nice terrace overlooking the lake,
barbecue and so on...
In winter, something cosier around the fireplace.
The trapper spirit, the cabin deep in the woods.
Where is it exactly?
One hour west of Paris.
The outer suburbs. In a forest, by a lake.
It's really beautiful.
All right. Any big towns nearby?
Three average-sized towns...
All the same distance from the place.
- How far? - 4 or 5 kilometres.
You should add directions and the exact address.
Then I can get our local agency to take a look.
The former owners' accounts?
Just there.
How do you calculate profitability?
Peak turnover in summer and on spring weekends.
20% capacity the rest of the year.
How many covers?
30 in the week, 100 at weekends.
The average meal cost?
12 euros for lunch, 20 for dinner.
All right.
That calculation is based on 9 months, not 12?
Actually, we thought we'd close during the winter months.
You'll close in winter? After opening?
To go skiing.
Otherwise, we can...
I was just teasing you.
So how do you calculate the loan?
160,000 euros to buy the place.
30,000 for the renovations.
And 10,000 for the notary's fees.
So how do you fit out the kitchen and the restaurant?
My uncle's about to retire and he's giving me everything:
chairs, tables... The stove and all that.
We'll redecorate the place ourselves.
A single loan, ok, or you're heading for disaster.
Plenty go bankrupt that way.
- What's your down payment? - 40,000 euros.
Savings or settlement?
Settlement.
40,000, that's 20%... That's really the lower limit.
You can't run to more?
No, that's our maximum.
Try to bring in any other documents for Monday morning.
I'll file the application for you.
I really hope it works out.
That's kind.
I don't tell everyone that.
How do we get the down payment?
No idea.
Nadia, it's me.
Call me back, we need to talk.
Take care. Talk to you soon.
Get to work! What are you waiting for?
I'll be right in.
- You called me? - I left you a message.
We can get the down payment.
We can?
We have to take consumer loans, revolving ones.
Several of them.
- That's risky. - No, it's not.
The bank won't know or even check.
I know a guy whose brother-in-law does it.
Really?
I'll tell you about it later. I have to go now.
- Ok, great. - It's cool.
Lots of love. See you later.
I'll let you eat like grown-ups in the restaurant.
I'll be the king.
If you want.
It's not if I want...
You hurt my nose.
It'll be good. Your pals will come.
- For the holidays... - I'll come?
To the restaurant?
Of course.
You'll love it there.
Will I have animals there?
We'll have a new life, we'll wake...
- We'll have animals? - Loads.
We'll wake, open the window and see loads of animals.
Love you
Me too.
Thank you. You're the new owners.
Congratulations.
I tried.
Another bottle?
The salmon!
Hello.
Where's the emergency gas tap?
There in the corridor.
Are you ok?
What is it?
- The inspectors' reply. - What do they say?
- Read it. - Tell me.
We're not up to standard.
What?
What isn't up to standard?
Nothing is!
We need to install fire doors,
change the extractors and switches,
improve ventilation and God knows what.
Fred worked out it'll cost 20,000 euros.
It's that jerk's fault. He screwed up.
No, it's not his fault.
I asked him to cut corners.
Why?
Because we have no cash!
That's why.
You called the bank?
They won't help us out.
Schuller's already blacklisted us.
He's mad about the revolving loans.
He claims we hoodwinked him.
Go to the housing office and bring the papers back here.
We're getting there. I'm counting on you.
You'll need this paper to go to court.
See you tomorrow. I'm counting on you.
Hello. Mr Laurent?
Sir...
Madam... Have a seat, please.
Why did you get so many revolving loans?
For our down payment.
That's no excuse. Never do that.
- We had no choice. - It's totally suicidal.
Avoid those loans. They cost you twice as much!
They're shit. The only way out is to swallow the credit cards.
The restaurant would pay it off.
Not even if you worked 20 years full time.
It's absurd! You have 6 loans running parallel,
plus the mortgage payments.
That's over 6,000 euros each month. It's unworkable.
What do you need to open?
20,000.
Is that all? Crazy. Why won't anyone loan you that?
Too many debts.
It's in their interest to let you open.
Unless they're waiting in the wings to wipe you out.
They won't hesitate to bleed you like pigs once they can.
What should we do?
If I were you, I'd sell.
If you sell now, you can still make a small profit.
Enough to make a fresh start maybe. Somewhere smaller.
But if you let the situation deteriorate,
you'll lose everything and be in debt until the day you die!
Hello, this is Nadia Gorani.
You told me to call this afternoon.
What was it about again?
A 20,000-euro loan.
You said you'd reply today.
Yes, I'm sorry. I forgot to call you back.
I'm afraid we have to turn down your application.
Ok...
and could you tell me who else does bridge loans like you?
You can try any commercial lender.
But they probably won't help. Your credit record isn't good.
Thank you all the same.
Goodbye.
The Montreal job's still going.
My bosses asked me if I want it.
What did you say?
That I'd think about it.
Think about what?
I'd be in charge there, paid double.
With the shit we're in, it's a great opportunity for us.
Is that social worker bitch controlling your mind?
You're dumping me?
Keeping the restaurant is madness!
- We have to leave. We have no choice. - We have a choice.
We always have a choice. We'll fight.
You want to spend your life paying off debts?
There's nowhere else for 40 km around!
This place is going to be huge.
I won't let it go.
I'll work day and night but no one's taking it from me.
You're mad.
What the fuck are you doing?
- I'm sleeping. - We're not done talking.
I am. Let me sleep.
Good night.
Turn the light off and go out.
- Only if I want. - Turn it off and go!
- Come with me. - Screw you!
- Come on. - I'm not coming.
Come with me.
Let go of me! Don't touch me!
What are you doing?
Going somewhere I can sleep!
Cut it out.
Nadia, fucking cut it out!
Where are you going?
To the guy offering the job?
- Slimane... - Your job's to bang him?
Get dressed! We're leaving!
Stop it.
I'm leaving. Let me by.
No, you're staying.
Let me by. Fucking let me by!
You want to split? Is that what you want?
I'll help you!
You want to split? So split! Go!
It's all right.
Take the bag.
Etienne...
Can you lend me 1,000 euros?
- You're kidding? - Yes.
But could you manage 500?
Later, maybe.
But right now I'm working.
You can run to 500?
No idea. 500, 1,000, 2,000...
I don't even have 5 centimes on me.
You forget you asked two days ago?
- I already asked you? - Yes.
I said I couldn't.
Actually, I asked you for way too much.
I just need 300. If you could...
You said 300 two days ago!
- I said 300 then? - Yes. Ask Jacqueline.
Or Mario.
You asked Jacqueline? She agrees?
No, we haven't talked about it.
Pretend you didn't ask. I don't have money.
Ok. I'm sorry.
Amine...
Can you advance me 2,000 euros for two months?
I don't have any cash here.
Can't you work it out with a supplier?
Inflate an order and get them to give you cash.
No way. I don't do that kind of thing.
What's up? Got problems?
Hi.
I've brought coffee.
- Want some? - Yeah.
- Want a coffee? - Please.
- Can I have a quick word? - Sure.
If the idea pisses you off, you tell me.
You get it up to standard
and I pay you a year from now, with interest.
I can give you 15% interest. That's better than any bank.
I worked it out. In a year, you'll make an extra 3,000.
It's a pretty good deal.
Thanks but I'm not interested. I'm not a bank.
Hold on, Fred...
I wouldn't ask normally...
I'm sorry but I can't.
I have costs, overheads, guys to pay.
You'll only drag me down with you.
I can't.
Mum...
Look at this.
It's beautiful.
No, this one.
Is it a dinosaur?
No, a dragon.
You're drenched.
Can I have a pancake?
Hello. We'd like a pancake, please.
- What do you want on it? - Nutella.
- How much is it? - 2 euros 50.
Shit...
I think I...
I don't have enough.
I don't believe it.
I thought I had enough.
What do I do with the pancake now?
What can I do?
I've made the pancake.
How was I supposed to know?
You should have checked.
Here!
Fuck it!
Come on.
It's ok, Mum. About the pancake.
It's me.
No, I'm ok.
Can I see you later?
I'll be at work.
At 6?
No, that's fine. See you later.
I accepted the Canada job.
I leave in 3 weeks.
I have a favour to ask.
I'd like to leave Slimane with you for a month until I get settled.
At first,
I'll be sharing a place with others.
I can't take Slimane with me.
I'll get my own place once I'm paid.
I'll leave you all the papers.
Power of attorney, Slimane's papers, his passport,
a travel authorization. I'll send his ticket.
You'll just have to put him on the plane.
Will you do that?
I'm doing what I can.
Don't be mad at me...
- You like it? - Yeah!
That's not all.
There's the cap too.
Can you see it properly?
I'll post it tomorrow.
That way, you'll get it
in 3 or 4 days at the most.
So how are you?
Tell me something. Anything.
I want to hear your voice.
Got a girlfriend?
Yeah...
- You have? - Yeah.
Who is she?
It's a secret.
Tell me.
No.
Is she pretty?
- Is she pretty? - Yes.
Is she like your mum?
No.
Mum... When do we get the tickets?
Soon, sweetie.
Soon, I promise.
I left my job and found another.
Things are working out.
Once I get a place.
I want to come now.
After the summer, I promise.
Why not now?
Yann, the new job's great,
but I'm not making enough to get a place.
I'll send for Slimane once I'm settled.
By November, I promise.
I can't be reached for now, but I'll be in touch soon.
Look after Slimane. Kiss him for me.
I'm thinking a lot of you. I love you both. Nadia.
Marc.
Sorry I'm late, I got held up.
That's ok.
What can I do for you?
I was told you could help with my restaurant.
Who told you?
Amine, a colleague from the school canteen.
Ok, I'm listening.
I've bought a restaurant but I'm not allowed to open it
because it's sub-standard. I really screwed up.
I'm deep in debt.
So I'd like to put it under management until I get things settled.
What's this?
The caravan I'm living in.
Offer a tenure in return for the renovation work,
with a rent to cover the mortgage.
On a long-term lease.
- Meaning? - Three years minimum.
You can do a shorter lease but you'll have less leeway.
I'll go for the shorter one. How much rent will that bring me?
I'd say 4,000 euros tops.
Ok.
You know someone who may be interested?
Probably. Give me a few days to ask around.
The caravan will have to go.
Where am I going to live?
I can find you a place near here.
How much?
700 or 800 euros.
I can't afford that much.
A place just came free. It's yours for 350 a month.
It's nothing fancy but it'll tide you over.
That's good. Great.
Hello...
Thank you.
Your laundry's taking over.
This is disgusting!
Where else can I put it? Seen my place?
Just come and see!
Let go of me!
Come and take a look!
Cut it out! I don't want to.
Get rid of this.
Don't touch that! Leave it alone!
What are you doing? Are you sick?
What are you doing? Don't touch me!
No, don't touch me!
Pick that up! It's the kids' clothes!
You have kids?
Fucking bastards!
Every day.
The same thing every day.
Got the...
Yes, sorry.
Here.
- I'll come back. - Bye.
Hello.
Your laundry doesn't bother me.
Come here.
Sit down.
Want to explain?
Explain what?
The shoes. Where are they from?
A pal.
What pal?
A pal... you don't know.
Where is he?
At your school?
Hold on...
Is he at your school?
He's moved away.
When did he move?
Yesterday.
So a pal at school gave you new trainers...
Then he moved. That's handy.
They're a souvenir.
Listen, I wasn't born yesterday.
I'll tell you something. Look at me.
Look at me.
Tell me the truth and I'll forgive you.
Did you steal them?
No.
You're a liar.
You're the liar!
You don't want to play this game.
- Want me to get mad? - Why accuse me?
Why did I say that? I know you're lying.
I'll ask one last time.
I'm not lying.
Listen! I want to help you.
Slimane, shut your mouth!
I won't ask you again.
Did you steal the shoes?
Yes.
Where from?
The sports shop.
Listen to me. There are no thieves here, ok.
We're in the shit, but we're not thieves.
We work hard at school, at the canteen.
We hold our heads high and we don't steal.
- There are no thieves at my place. - It's not your place.
It's not my place here?
So whose place is it?
Do you pay the rent?
Who slaves away all fucking day?
So what do we do now?
I don't know.
You don't know?
We take them back.
No!
What?
Please...
Let go!
Move it!
So what do we do?
We've brought them back. What more can we do?
But they've had it.
What? He never even wore them.
He's cut off the anti-theft. I can't sell them.
Pay up or we'll press charges.
Are you serious? I can't afford trainers like those.
I'm counting every euro.
What can I say? Try raising your kid right.
It's simple.
How much?
- 109 euros 99. - 109 euros?!
Yes, 109 euros 99.
Listen, I don't have 109 euros on me.
I can write you a cheque but...
I'm not interested, sorry.
- You won't help me? - It's that or the police.
Go on, run!
Show me you're a champion.
Show me the damn things are some use!
Go on, run, or I'll kick your ass!
Move your ass!
- Faster! - I'm beat...
Run! One more lap!
Know what I paid for them? 100 euros!
Half of what I have to live on each month!
Think we can get by on 100 euros?
I want to see my mum.
You want to see her?
Where is your mum?
Huh? Where is she?
No news for months now!
She's probably living it up with some other guy!
She doesn't give a shit about us!
Slimane, enough of this, ok.
Eat your food.
2 hours you've been snivelling. I'm fucking sick of it!
You hear me? Eat now!
Slimane, look at me.
Eat!
Come here...
Slimane! Come here.
Seen the kid I'm usually with?
Thanks.
Are you ok?
Slimane...
I won't get mad again, I promise.
Come on now.
I'm going up.
Hello. Can I see you a minute?
Not now.
A family with four kids needs housing
or they'll be on the streets.
I need a quick word of advice.
I'll be right back.
Got a cigarette?
My restaurant's under management.
With the mortgage and penalties,
it's worse every month. I really need help.
I told you to sell up. It's crazy being so stubborn.
Could you give me the name of an office
that helps companies in trouble?
You should have gone right away. It's too late now.
Only the commercial court could help you now.
And their task is mainly to save jobs.
What's to save in your case?
You're beyond help.
Can't you be positive for once?
Can't your family help you?
No, I was raised in foster homes.
Yann!
No one's there?
You're there.
The place is closed today.
Ok.
I'll call back tomorrow.
Thanks. Goodbye.
Pain in the ass!
I don't fucking need this.
Know what?
I'll call a pal who can put us up.
We spend the night here
and a day by the sea tomorrow.
What about school?
What about it?
We'll go home after I see the guy.
You'll go to school then.
Missing one day is no big deal.
It is.
You piss me off all week about school and now you want to go?
Pain in the ass.
Ok, I'll put you on the train...
back to Paris.
You can go to school while I finish things here.
I'm here to see Michel.
He's in Vannes for the day.
He is?
When's he due back?
I don't know. When he decides.
Not before tonight.
All right.
You had an appointment?
He told me to stop by this week.
He promised he'd be here.
I'm sorry, but who are you?
Yann Laurent. I trained here 15 years ago.
I have my own place now and said he'd help me.
That's why I'm here. He didn't tell you?
No, he didn't. I'm sorry.
I'll tell him you came.
Come back tomorrow. He'll be here.
All right. Thank you.
Goodbye.
To your right, the district of La Chaume,
the old fishermen's neighbourhood.
In the 17th century, Les Sables-d'Olonne
was France's main cod-fishing port.
You go like this. Watch the way I do it.
You have to sway, see.
Can you pull?
Make the feather look alive.
Try it now.
Put your hand here like this.
Put it here, it'll be easier.
Now sway. Sway!
How do I do it?
Like this. I'll show you how.
Watch this. You go... Then you turn the reel.
Why? What for?
To bring it in.
Hold on. Raise it up, then start reeling.
Look at the fish!
- Have you got one? - Yes!
- Philippe! - Coming. What's up?
- Has he got one? - Let me see.
I don't think so.
You made me lose it.
- Go on, reel it in. - I'm doing all the work!
- You like fishing? - Yeah.
Let the line out a long way like this.
- Is he your dad? - Yes.
- My stepdad. - All right.
Go on! Reel it in!
You've got one!
I'm not doing it, I'm scared!
Slimane, come here...
It's your fish, you caught it.
You caught it. Reel it in!
I don't care!
You have to reel it in!
- I'm scared of fish! - Go on...
Put it back in the sea!
It's your fish! Careful!
Go on, reel it in.
I'm not touching it! I'm scared!
What a dumb kid...
He's dumb, I swear.
You wanted to come fishing.
- Get your fish. - It'll eat me!
Throw it at me and I'll kill myself!
Come on, Slimane.
It's your fish!
Leave me be!
Stop it!
Are you ok?
You were scared?
Give me a break.
It's no big deal.
Want to tell your mum you caught a fish?
Yep.
Write to her.
Tell her you caught a mackerel.
But we won't tell her I screamed.
No, we won't tell her.
Do you miss her?
My round!
- One round each... - No, it's on me.
Two!
Cheers, Yann!
We didn't get one!
Another.
Let's all have one.
Wow, that burns!
You're cute.
It's good, huh?
Are you asleep?
I don't believe this.
I don't believe it.
I just don't believe it.
Hey, Danny!
I can't sleep.
I can't take it... Danny!
What do we do?
Hold on...
Shut up!
Mr Chabot is sorry. He won't be in all week.
Are you serious?
He's waiting till I split?
- Why do you say that? - He's been stringing me along 4 days!
Forgive him.
He makes promises but then can't keep them.
He's too kind. He can't say no.
- Where are we going? - The station.
On foot?
You expect me to call a taxi?
That's crazy!
It's a long way!
Hello.
Actually, I have...
I have something.
I'm selling stuff.
What are you selling?
Fruit, yoghurt...
and cheese.
All right. How much is it?
One euro for the fruit.
One euro? That's too much.
- How much? - One euro.
One euro? No, too expensive.
- 50 centimes. - No, too expensive.
- 50 centimes. - How about 20?
No. 40.
No, 20.
No, 40 or 30.
No, 20.
Please! 40...
Ok, 20.
There's fruit. There's some cheese.
Good for the kids.
And a pack of spicy sausages.
15 kilos.
You can have a spicy sausage party!
It's all yours for 5 euros.
It's a bargain. 15 kilos...
- 5 euros? - Yeah.
Want to buy anything?
No, thanks, honey.
Well, Salesman?
Put your sales in the kitty.
That's all?
I heard the coins chinking.
Are you fibbing? Let me see.
Weird... What's that sound?
Incredible. I hear coins chinking in your pocket!
- You're too much. - This is all.
That's all you have? Shake yourself.
We'll open it a crack, just to see.
Let's see.
We'll put it in something else but count it first.
Want a box?
We're not taking any of it.
We're just counting it.
10...
50...
10...
- 40... - 11, 12... 14.
15...
17...
15... Hold on.
- I'm counting! - I'm counting too.
- 17... - 17.5...
18...
It's started.
Hear that?
Come on!
What's that?
- That's France! - Yeah...
The next one will be Brazil.
Brazil!
No one's clapping.
That's Brazil.
That's Brazil?
And that's France.
They'll waste them!
What?
They'll waste them!
Hello. Are you Mr Laurent?
Yes.
I'm the social worker at Slimane's school. May I have a word?
Of course. Come in.
I was having a nap after work.
Thank you.
Why didn't you answer our letters?
I never got them.
- You never got them? - No.
Slimane was absent 4 days.
The year supervisor tried to contact you.
First by phone, in vain.
Then she wrote to you.
As there was no reply, she asked me to step in.
We thought you might be avoiding us
because you don't have custody of Slimane.
Do you have it?
No.
I saw Slimane this week.
He told me his mother left several months ago.
Is that true?
Yes.
How many months?
Eight.
For any particular reason?
She went to Canada to find work.
I see.
Why didn't Slimane go with her?
Because it's temporary. She didn't want him to change schools.
Can't his father take care of him?
He doesn't have one. His father never recognized him.
Isn't there anyone on his mother's side?
No, they're all in Lebanon.
You can't carry on like this.
If anything happens to Slimane, you'll be in a tricky situation.
I'll call his mother this evening
and we'll do the necessary.
As for us,
we have to report back to child welfare.
I'm afraid I have no choice.
I'm trying to reach Nadia.
I need the number of the bar in Montreal.
She's not there anymore. She left.
She said the pay was bad.
You promised her a good job.
She needed a work permit to wait on tables.
We told her it wouldn't take long
but she was furious and she walked out.
She left? What's she doing now?
No idea.
Do you know Consuelo Marquez?
No. Who is she?
She has her mail forwarded to her.
Sorry, I don't know her.
There's no number for that name?
No, sir.
Not even a mobile?
In Montreal, you're sure?
Yes. Montreal. In Canada.
No, no one called Consuelo Marquez.
And elsewhere in Canada?
No one with that name, sorry.
Thank you. Goodbye.
- I'm looking for Mickaël. - He's not here.
- When'll he be back? - Pretty soon.
Thanks.
Can we do the intro?
Something to drink, sir?
How's business?
We can't complain.
It can be quiet in the week but weekends are good.
Would you be interested in buying?
Depends on the price.
350,000.
350,000? It's not worth that.
You'll never find a buyer.
How about a drink?
No. I have to be going.
I wouldn't say no to a ride to the station.
I'll find someone.
It's Marc.
You have problems?
Why?
You want to sell?
Mickaël said you went to see him.
I can make you an offer.
How much?
Not over the phone. Let's meet.
When?
I don't know. Now.
Fuck that! It cost more before the work!
Screw you!
Listen to me. Think before you say no.
There's 6 months left on the lease.
What'll you gain? 50,000 at the most. With 3,000 a month for the bank.
The place is doing too well to sell it off.
You can't prove that without the accounts.
He has to give them to me!
He'll give you what he wants.
He won't want the price to rise.
Just sign.
You've no choice anymore.
- Thank you. - Goodbye.
Can I see you for a minute?
I have an appointment.
I just need to take out a little cash.
- How much? - 3,000 euros.
Impossible. You're overdrawn.
Things have changed.
This changes nothing.
The sale price won't cover your debts.
How much do I still owe?
Another... 80,000 euros.
Plus the mortgage interest until the sale in three months.
I can't pay that.
If you can't pay, as the guarantor of the loans,
it'll be taken from your salary until the debt is paid off.
Hello.
Can I come in for a minute?
No problem.
Yeah?
You know Slimane?
- Yes. - Fetch him.
Who?
Slimane!
Hurry!
We're fetching Slimane.
Is that your dad?
Where can you get out without being seen?
Round the back.
Where?
Behind the car park.
Go for it!
- I don't have my pack! - Forget it! Go!
Put your knee here.
Now put your foot here.
- I can't. - Up here.
Lift your legs!
What's going on?
Come on, run!
Come on.
Quick, get in.
Orly Airport, please.
- Where are we going? - Canada.
I don't believe it...
It's true.
He's not your son?
No, he's my stepson. We're going to join his mother.
- Where? - In Montreal.
This authorization's over 6 months old.
I was told it was valid a year.
This one's ace.
Can you pay for it?
- Give me 10 euros? - Cut it out.
- Buy me something? - Try this on.
You won it?
I found it.
Want this one? You'll look like a chick in it.
- Where's mine? - No time now.
Yann, look.
- Excuse me. - Yes.
Do you know where this address is?
45 minutes away. Turn right here...
45 minutes!
This is it.
- Does Consuelo Marquez live here? - Yes.
- Can I see her? - She's not here. She's at work.
When will she be back?
I don't know.
Will she be back this evening?
No.
- And tomorrow morning? - Yes.
Can I come back then?
Not too early. She'll be sleeping.
All right.
Thank you. Goodbye.
Hold on, you forward her mail somewhere.
What's the address?
I crossed the Atlantic to see her. You can't do this.
What is this shit?
Is she in a sect? Has something happened?
Slimane, come here.
This is her son.
Look, you recognize Nadia?
Look!
He's come 6,000 km to see his mother.
It's a year since he saw her. Do it for his sake.
Where are we going?
You choose: Disneyland or Niagara Falls.
Disneyland.
Can I help you?
Hello. We're here to see Nadia Gorani.
Nadia Gorani?
Your passports, please.
- The kid's too? - Yes, both of them.
- I don't understand. - Your relationship to the prisoner?
I'm... I'm her companion.
And this is her son.
She's refusing to see anyone today.
Refusing?
That's all I can tell you. She won't see you today.
Why?
Did you say her son's here?
I told her that but she's refusing visitors today.
Could you try again tomorrow?
I'm sorry.
Tomorrow morning?
Yes, sir.
Ok.
All right, sir.
She agrees to see you.
But not the boy.
- Ok. - Just you.
Can he wait somewhere?
In the room on the right.
Leave your coat and your phone with him or in a locker.
Wait here for me, ok.
I won't be long.
Stay here. Look after this.
Don't move.
Forgive me.
I've done nothing wrong.
I swear, I've done nothing wrong.
What happened?
They were keeping me in the kitchens until I got my work permit.
I wasn't making enough to get an apartment.
So I took a second job.
Doing breakfasts in a hotel.
That's where I met Consuelo.
She told me about a guy,
a South American, who needed girls to sell cosmetics.
Door to door, all over Canada.
With the commission, I could have made CA $4,000 a month.
I was going to do it for 3 months.
Just to put the money aside to send for Slimane.
The first month went really well.
One morning, I came back to my room
and the cops pounced on me.
I don't know how many of them...
They searched everything and found drugs.
Everywhere.
In the samples, in the bags...
The thing is...
They'd been after him for months.
And now they're holding me.
I have to stay here until they find him.
Why didn't you tell me?
I tried. I swear I tried.
I wrote loads of letters.
But I could never finish them.
I just couldn't.
I'm so ashamed.
Ashamed of what?
It's not your fault.
You have to see Slimane.
No, I don't want him to see me like this.
It doesn't matter. He doesn't care.
He doesn't care. You're his mother.
I don't want to.
He misses you so much. Listen to me...
Listen.
He knows where you are. He's realized.
He knows you're innocent.
You have to do it for him.
I'll find you a lawyer.
I'll do all I can to raise bail. I'll get you out of here.
I promise.
We'll come here every visiting day.
We'll stay as long as you're in here.
Nadia...
I love you.
Slimane!
Come here.
What's up?
They hired me.
Put this on.
Let's go.
Come on.
What's wrong?
You don't want to go?
Why not? You're scared.
Being scared is normal.
It's all right.
Know what I did when I was little?
When I was scared,
I'd close my eyes
and imagine what it would be like after,
after the fear had gone.
I realized it was always better afterwards.
And that it was worth it.
And this is really worth it.
You believe me?
Yes.
Where will Mum come from?
What?
Where will Mum come from?
There. That door over there.
Sweetie...
Subtitles: lan Burley
DVD Subtitling: CNST, Montreal