Previously in the Service...
I'm going to be a secret agent?
If you pass the test.
-Know how to lie? -Yes.
Which means no.
He answered the phone!
They want the man in charge.
Who is in charge?
You. You picked up the phone.
What made you answer the phone?
It was ringing and... I picked it up.
Your logic escapes me.
STAMPED
Is that for every day?
That damned suit!
Go and get a new one.
Morning.
I need a suit.
-You sure do. -No...
This one isn't mine.
You're an ideal model.
It will be ready on Tuesday.
-You'll be here? -Ask for Sophie.
APPROVED
WHEREVER NECESSITY KNOWS NO LAW
Cameroon celebrates independence
along with France,
such is the deep and true friendship between us.
In an exuberant and colorful African mood,
Cameroon is unafraid
to reassert its affection for France.
France, in turn, shows Cameroon the way
fraternally and benevolently.
But Africa wouldn't be Africa
if it didn't all end
in singing and dancing.
Well done!
Impressive.
Thank you.
Dahomey, Cameroon...
are the sales on?
Are French colonies on special offer?
Not... not at all.
But you know how things are.
Africa's Africa.
Cameroon is Cameroon.
Thank you, Moulinier.
Pick that up, Merlaux.
Go on!
Hello?
It's the last time, Moulinier.
Another independence and you're in trouble.
A problem at Reception.
You picked it up, now sort it out.
I was told to...
Gentlemen.
Could you say why you're here?
Independence.
A VERY SECRET SERVICE
This is it, Moulinier, this is it.
We won't lose that country. Your call.
Who's losing what?
-Sorry? -You do wonder who's losing what.
I mean...
France is a great colonial empire,
but giving independence has advantages too.
I don't follow.
For starters, colonies are expensive.
Especially Africa.
Because they're nice, exuberant, whatever,
but not exactly overworked.
Like to tell the general?
I'm only trying to help.
You aren't helping.
You're from Pontoise, aren't you?
Yes?
And if your county got independence, and was no longer French?
You're right.
We'll see them.
Here? But...
What for?
Reception. What is it?
Send the delegation up.
I'm sorry?
Send up the three Blacks.
Who is this?
Moïse.
Send the delegation up.
Of course!
Is it France's official position
not to receive the present delegation?
A bit of sunshine!
Gentlemen, Africa is France.
Thus, these people I welcome are my brothers,
and the whole service shares in my joy.
France has always listened to the children of her colonies.
Always.
So, gentlemen, we're all ears.
France is listening.
My name is Félix N'Dia.
My friends, Oscar Valonga and Edmond Bouloungo, and I
are here to tell you
it's time the paths of France and our country divide.
That's to say?
We want to take charge of our own destiny.
That's to say?
We want to set up a true democracy.
A representative democracy.
I don't follow, Félix.
A what?
Representative democracy!
What on earth's that?
What's that got to do with Africa?
We would like our Parliament to represent Mr. Valonga's community,
Mr. Boulongo's and mine.
Which is why we choose democracy.
That sort of democracy.
Can you remind us what sort that is?
Representative!
Well, if that's how you take it...
Hold on.
What do you want from France?
We want her to leave!
We want independence.
Independence! That's a very big word.
Now, my dear Oscar,
I suggest you take the time to talk it over
with our specialist on Africa,
Agent Moulinier.
Aided by Special Agent Merlaux.
You are in good hands.
Who gave you education?
Taught you to read and write? To speak a real language?
Who gave you true religion?
Well yes,
France!
Is this how you thank France?
We already have, as you say, many times.
We fought for her.
Gave her our wealth.
Wait a bit! Who found that wealth?
Who went boring, drilling and digging?
France! Or you wouldn't even know it was there.
The past is past.
We look to the future. And our future is independence.
Independence looks great on paper,
but what will it mean?
One simple example, Félix.
-One of your wives... -I only have one.
Okay, so: your wife
catches typhus, malaria
and TB.
What happens then?
No more French doctors.
With those diseases, even French doctors...
It's just an example, Merlaux.
We have doctors.
Of course. So, what happens?
You lose your wife.
And you've only got one!
Daft, isn't it?
What more will independence give you?
Freedom!
They're so pig-headed...
It's just a palaver.
That's Africa.
They didn't leave very happy.
Oh, that was just for show. We must handle them carefully.
A bit of soft-soaping. Ten years there: I know the beasts.
If it's urgent...
Moulinier, I want results. And fast.
So we move up a gear.
What do you mean?
Code Darling.
If it's too limited and they leave, it won't be my fault.
Extended Code Darling.
Not the first time she's seen a ceiling!
Back straight, chest out.
Evening, Madeleine.
Good evening, Roger.
Welcome, gentlemen.
Madeleine, may I introduce Merlaux.
-The new boy. -Delighted.
-Likewise. -Come along.
I've got you a good table.
Merlaux!
No, thank you.
Merlaux?
What?
No, thank you. I... don't drink.
You don't drink? Never?
A glass of wine from time to time.
On Sundays.
This is wine. With bubbles. Good stuff.
I'm sure, but...
Well, then...
I'm drinking alone.
You are.
-To Africa! -To Africa.
Evening, Mr. Moulinier.
-How are you, girls? -Happy to see you.
Too kind!
Rita, Zaza.
Oscar, Félix and Raymond.
Edmond.
And Merlaux. A colleague.
Very cute! Is he new?
As new as his suit.
Welcome to Darling!
Take care of our friends.
-No thanks. -I'll be fine.
I've seen Africa in a livelier mood.
-Merlaux? -Yes?
Only on Sundays, too?
Your loss. Come and sit here.
Oscar...
Oscar, between you and me,
if you get independence...
All this goes.
But if we work something out,
France will be grateful.
No deals.
From now on, we're talking to Mr. Merlaux.
Independence.
Fair enough. Let's go for independence.
It's going to be a bloodbath.
They may call each other "brother", but they can't stand each other.
When we took over there, it was such a mess!
As many languages as tribes, some families with more than one,
so they don't understand each other and that causes fights.
Am I wrong?
Madeleine, am I wrong?
Roger, I don't like to say it, but that's three bottles already...
How does this work?
Don't worry, Madeleine, I'm on extended code.
Ex-tend-ed!
Rita, Zaza!
Take care of Roger.
Extended code.
All right, Mr. Moulinier?
It's just a funny turn.
Up you get.
-Oh, dear! -You're fine.
One foot, then the other. Good.
That's better, isn't it?
I tried everything. The full works. Nothing doing.
-But they stayed? -Yes...
They'll only talk to Merlaux. I think...
What do you think, Merlaux?
Well,
Oscar's the most radical,
Félix the most open,
and Edmond might be the easiest to convince.
That's about it, yes. Roughly.
Very well.
Let them have their independence.
Really? Just like that?
Just like that.
Very well.
Merlaux, you're in charge.
We could use a new view.
Details on my desk in three days.
Are you going to the Alps?
Modern Belgium
Freedom
Democracy in America
What are you doing, Mr. Merlaux?
It's nearly 5:45.
I'm working.
You do know trainees aren't entitled to overtime pay?
But I haven't finished.
Yes, but I don't really like it.
Be discreet, I'll say nothing.
Thank you, Marie-Jo.
Thank you.
You should thank France.
Edmond, Félix, he has made his mark on our history.
Happy to oblige.
Edmond.
I think now is the time to give our friend his present.
Thanks...
but you shouldn't have.
With this you will protect your friends.
Fine, fine.
Fine.
One more thing.
Have you got a name for your country? You will change it?
It's not my business,
but a reference to your history would be good.
Before...
Before your friendship with France.
This man is a saint, my friends!
Tomorrow we'll look at energy.
Nationalization is good. Keeps your citizens' costs down.
Have dinner with us. That way we can relax a bit, hey?
Extended code.
I'm sorry, but I still have work to do for you.
Goodbye, my friends.
-That boy'll go far. -He's certainly quick.
Shall we go?
I could eat a zebra!
Watch out!
Words fail me.
It's dreadful.
I catch the number 42 every day.
It's dreadful.
We're going to go home, André.
No!
Oscar would want you to pick this up.
We're building a new future for your country.
We can't stop now.
Go home when it's really home.
His death is not a good omen.
But thank you.
But my friends...
You fought tirelessly alongside Oscar.
With him you faced insults, sarcasm and blows
morning, noon and night, because you are Negroes.
Laws weren't the same
for white and black people.
You can't forget the deadly shootings, the dungeons for those who rebelled
against an oppressive regime.
This is an historic opportunity for you.
Don't let it pass!
Into my arms! My friend.
My brother.
And if a name must be glorified, that's the one.
Your capital will bear it.
-Sophie! -Sophie?
Oscar! No... Oscarville.
Better still:
"Oscarville" in M'boutou dialect.
What do you say?
Thank you, André.
They were shocked by Oscar's tragic demise,
but they're strong.
They're strong?
They're strong.
I had to find a way to convince them to stay,
and I think I have.
Well... bravo.
I take my hat off to you.
Carry on like that.
Evening, Félix.
Clayborn!
Lovely surprise!
-May I? -Of course!
A heart attack.
At his age, honestly.
Unlucky.
I must go home, André. I must go home.
Are you sure?
Yes.
Well, now.
How are things?
Oh, I heard about your colleague Félix. Very sorry, of course.
But as you say, only bananas have two ends.
Well.
Independence is sheer stupidity now.
Eh, Raymond?
Yes, yes.
As we were, don't you think?
There.
I was just thinking,
we should celebrate the indestructible bond between us.
Should the official trip be before or after the monsoon?
Before is better.
Excuse me, I...
He's an exceptional lad.
Already?
Any time now.
It's Thursday, nearly the end of the week.
I'll just return these.
What on earth have you done?
It looks deliberate.
Take them off, then.
I'll mend them properly another time.
Very well.
Hurry up, I leave in 15 minutes.
You can come with me if you like.
It'll get your mind off things.
Don't you mind?
I suggested it!
I'm meeting a boy from Uni.
A lovely boy, you'll see.
It's temporary, but it'll do.
Hurry up or we'll be late.
-Jean-Louis! -Sophie!
-How are you? -Fine.
-Jean-Louis. -André.
Politics has been stuck for ten years.
The Left wants to use decolonization to unsettle De Gaulle,
but he's the only one
who does it without contempt or violence.
-To independence. -To independence.
Tell me, André,
what do you think about representative democracy?
Oh, it's a laugh.
Some African countries
choose emancipation, but others remain serenely faithful
and trust in the nation that has always shown its affection: France!
Moulinier! Moulinier!
Subtitles: Victoria Britten