August 1944
A BAG OF MARBLES
Everything's the same.
Yet everything seems smaller.
Or maybe I've grown up.
How long is it now?
Two and a half years.
We haven't got all day.
It's my favourite.
Move it!
Shut up, I need to concentrate.
- Shit! - Loser!
You're useless.
C'mon, we're late.
Keep it!
Crybaby!
Get a move on!
We'll be late.
- I'm not a crybaby. - Yeah, you're a jerkoff, not a crybaby.
I'm not a crybaby!
It's not only technological superiority that allows Hitler's army
to sweep across Eastern Europe.
Sorry I'm late.
Come to see me after class.
So, not only technological superiority
but also the morale of the German people,
which believes itself destined to rule Europe.
That's nothing new.
Zérati!
Bring me that slip of paper.
Come on, my boy.
"I keep my mistress and everyone else's."
Full of wit!
And mistakes.
You wrote it?
Dummies pass on
what smartypants write.
Silence.
You'll both copy out
50 times Marshal Pétain's motto.
"I keep my promises" plural.
Back to your seat.
There!
Got ya! Smack on the bum!
Cop that!
Just wait.
- I'll sock you one! - I'd like to see you try.
Dream on, shrimp.
Look! I have an idea.
You think he had a choice?
Albert, look after the gentleman.
Hello.
Can I help you?
They missed it.
Jewish business
Please, take a seat.
Please...
Go ahead. We'll take your coats.
Short at the back?
Yes. Parted on the left for my colleague, if you please.
No problem.
His French isn't very good.
He understands a little.
Your French, though, is excellent.
Hardly.
I'd like to improve, you know.
Just a question of time.
I'll come back.
Fine, Mr. Levy.
Ard.
Mr. Levyard.
It's on the house, Mr. Levyard.
Are those yours, the two little boys?
The big ones, too.
Those rascals are always up to no good.
War...
Dreadful business, isn't it?
Depends who for.
It's the Jews' fault.
Done! Good and short.
Satisfied?
Thank you.
Happy?
Gentlemen,
in this salon,
there are only Jews.
I nearly did it.
Bedtime! Stop horsing around.
Stop, let go of your brother.
- Jawohl, Herr Kommandant! - Yes, "Jawohl". Bedtime.
Just like your big brother!
Calm down, sweetie.
Daddy told me the stunt you pulled.
Never again, okay?
- The Germans aren't playing games. - Ja, sehr gut!
Made you laugh, right?
You shut the Kraut up.
You're the best, strongest dad.
It's not about strength.
You spoke out because we still can.
Soon perhaps you won't be able to.
Yes, perhaps.
Meanwhile we stand upright and proud, as your grandfather used to say.
Granddad Jacob!
Bedtime!
Aren't you too old for pranks?
Me neither!
Stop! There's school tomorrow!
May 1942
Quick, come on.
If mom sees you smoking, we're in shit.
Why "we"?
"The Jewish star is a 6-pointed star,
"the size of one's palm, with a black outline.
"Made of yellow fabric, it must feature in black the word Jew.
"It must be worn on the chest, left side,
"solidly stitched to clothing."
Listen, mom...
"Penal dispositions.
"Infractions will be punished by prison terms and fines.
"Measures such as internment in camps for Jews
"may replace or add to those punishments."
Know what that means? We can't do anything,
can't go out anymore.
We can't take this lying down.
We'll see when dad's home.
It's like a medal.
Look, just like the Middle Ages.
Quiet, Henri! That's enough!
Mom, listen, please.
Albert and I have made a decision.
- We leave tomorrow. - Where to?
You can't just...
Are they taking revenge for our prank in the salon?
I don't think so.
Chase ideas like that from your head.
See you later.
What are you staring at?
I never knew you're Jewish.
- What's that change? - Everything.
Yeah? Like what?
It makes you a Yid.
Yeah, it was you lot who crucified
baby Jesus!
Right! I crucified him, you chump.
Chump yourself.
He's denying it with his Jewboy schnoz!
It's not the same schnoz as yesterday?
The Occupation's the Jews' fault.
- Take that back. - Dream on.
You squirts, you wanna fight?
I like a good debate!
Not again?
Yids making trouble?
Who's a squirt?
Gentlemen!
It's 8:30! Stand in line!
Inside!
I'll see you in my office!
See me deck him with a right?
I don't think so.
- I fight my own battles. - Sure!
Wait for me, Joffos!
Well? Feeling better?
Let's see your star.
Swap you it for my bag of marbles.
What the heck!
Your star, I'll swap it for my marbles.
Sure, Zérati?
I told you,
I like your star.
Look, there's lots in here.
Okay, but I'm warning you,
watch out, it's more than a star.
It's also a target.
Thanks.
See you tomorrow.
- Give 'em back! - Nice work, you bastard!
Run! We'll get bawled out again.
Hi, dad.
Hurry, mom's waiting.
Mom! I've got no homework today.
Sit down, children.
Eat before it goes cold.
A problem?
This is a story about Granddad Jacob and me.
A long time ago in Russia, in our villages,
there were riots against Jews.
They were called pogroms.
It became so difficult to stay that my dad came to talk.
He told me I had to go. Alone.
To save my life.
That's what I did.
Today...
It's our turn?
Yes.
When?
Tonight.
Henri and Albert left early for the Free Zone.
They'll wait for you in Nice with dad's friend, Saul Levine.
Why not go together?
Too dangerous. We could be spotted.
It's better to separate.
Nobody will suspect two boys.
And you?
We'll leave tomorrow,
after we shut up here. Next week, we'll all be in Nice.
Okay?
Look...
You cross into the Free Zone
at Hagetmau, the long way round
but the safest route.
In Hagetmau, the guide works in a restaurant
with blue shutters. Watch out for conmen.
I prepared a list of the stations,
tickets,
crossings and meeting points.
Learn it by heart. Nobody must see you with that.
Ever, okay?
I'll put it in your bag.
Here's 20,000 francs.
For the train and then buses.
At Austerlitz station, catch the Irun train.
That's on the list?
Most importantly,
I want you to swear that you'll never
tell anyone you're Jewish.
Under no circumstances.
I always told you to be proud of who we are,
but today it's impossible, too dangerous.
That's not cowardice.
I swear.
Promise.
Jo...
Are you Jewish?
Never answer a question in Yiddish.
Tell me you're Jewish.
I know you are. Tell the truth.
Tell me the truth.
I know you're Jewish!
Are you Jewish?
- You're Jewish. - I'm not!
- I know you're Jewish! - I'm not Jewish!
Sorry, Jojo.
I'm sorry.
It's better to get hurt now
than get yourself killed to avoid getting hurt.
Understand, Jojo?
I'm not Jewish.
Come on, let's get you dressed.
Come here.
Come on.
Let's go.
I love you both.
Let's go now.
Go on. Don't do anything silly.
Don't worry, with the cash, I'll buy you a ton of marbles.
Yeah?
Dream on, you chump!
Come on.
They'll be fine.
The train for Dax is ready to depart.
Please step back from the platform edge.
Let the children aboard!
- Can we sit here? - Of course.
Thanks.
- They're fleeing too? - How should I know?
I dunno.
It arrives at Dax.
Where we get off.
And that was it. We were off.
Our first night without our parents.
Fleeing what exactly?
Jo, wake up. There's a problem.
What's up?
Hurry, dear.
What's going on?
Where are they all going?
I don't know. Lots of them jumped
before the station.
Come on.
We don't have papers, father.
If you look scared, they'll notice. Smile!
Eat them.
I don't understand German.
Is there a problem, sir?
I've lost a lot of weight, but that's me.
"Gott mit uns."
God's with you?
Good.
He's with all of us.
Right, boys?
The children are with me.
Thank you.
Hurry!
Let go of me!
I won't go with you!
What'll they do to her?
Stay out of it.
Hurry, you'll miss the Hagetmau bus.
Just a second, please.
Thanks for lying for us.
I didn't lie.
All the children in the world are my children, period.
Hurry now.
Don't trust anyone, got that?
And smile a little!
There won't be apples every day.
Travel safe.
Stay close to me.
Let's follow them.
One table left over here.
Come on.
See that? It's packed with people.
They must need a guide, too.
We'll get caught if we stay here.
Run along.
Looking for a guide?
No, we're fine.
The guide picks folks up here at 8 tonight.
His name's Bronchet. It's 10,000 a head.
20,000 francs!
That's right.
With me, it'd be cheaper but...
you don't want a guide.
What's your price? Just out of interest.
Let's say,
1,000 a head.
No negotiations.
And with negotiations?
- Go back to Paris. - We'll take it.
There you go!
Alright,
half now
and half when we arrive.
We have a deal.
So...
I'll finish my deliveries,
see if they're biting and...
I'll see you over there
on the street corner at nightfall.
We're not leaving now?
Now is too dangerous.
See you.
The name's Raymond.
See you Raymond. I'm Jo!
Nice guy, right?
"See you, Raymond. I'm Jo!"
You blew a grand.
You're kidding. I saved us
Better than home in Clignancourt.
That's for sure.
I need a pee.
Come here.
Chucky, come here!
Krauts!
- Fooled you. - Shit.
Your wiener is cut, mein little boy?
- Jewish, you are? - You jerk!
You peed your pants!
Come on, let's go.
Don't wipe it on me!
It's almost dark. Where is he?
There's nobody around.
He's seeing if they're biting, didn't you hear him?
What's it mean, if they're biting?
It sounds filthy dirty.
Dunno, but it takes forever.
A conman, your pal Raymond.
Dad warned us.
Quick, hide!
Don't move.
Get down!
See?
They're everywhere. We'll never get away.
I want mom and dad.
Calm down.
It's no time to be a crybaby.
We'll wait a bit longer.
It's hopeless.
Not back in Paris? Having fun?
Let's go!
C'mon, kid.
C'mon, run.
Watch out!
Get up.
Over here!
Bronchet's got caught.
Had to happen.
He takes 12 at a time.
Like a herd of cows.
Please!
Please, we're lost.
My wife and mother.
Our guide deserted us. Help us!
1,000 francs a head. The kid comes free.
- Not a peep out of him. - Fine.
Thank you, sir.
"Sir"?
Funny guy.
Give me that!
See that barn?
It's open.
The farmer knows.
Go in, get some sleep in the hay.
Thanks.
That's the Free Zone?
The Free Zone?
We entered it 10 minutes ago.
- It was that easy? - Disappointed?
I told you,
with me no danger, no Krauts.
The Free Zone?
Free in what way?
Sleep.
Free to be Jewish?
Free to sleep, numbnuts.
20 kilometers on foot Puts holes, puts holes
20 kilometers on foot Puts holes in your boots
21 kilometers on foot
Puts holes, puts holes
21 kilometers on foot Puts holes in your boots
22 kilometers on foot...
You're limping?
No, I'll be fine.
- You're in pain. - It's fine!
Bullshit! Show me. Sit down there.
Shit!
You can't walk with that.
Don't bother trying.
C'mon, let's go!
Grab your bag.
I'll carry you on my back.
You know your feet stink?
Your butt stinks!
But thanks anyway.
It's only natural.
You're my little bro.
I'd carry you to the end of the world.
Get down, you're too heavy.
To the end of the world?
You're such a pain.
- Lazybones? - It's my brother.
- He's too tired to walk. - Get in.
Hop aboard.
Alright, here we go!
- That's Adolf. - What will you do with him?
Whaddya think? Bleed him dry!
And we'll turn him into sausages, paté and bacon.
All kinds of meat.
Turn around, Adolf!
Look at that rump.
It's not just to spew shit over us!
Adolf! Kaputt!
Maurice and me decided to go another way,
off the main roads.
It was great out there together,
going where we wanted, freer than ever before.
We ended up forgetting we were fleeing something.
No parents, no school,
and above all, nobody to tell us what to do.
Watch out, half-pint,
that's not girly stuff.
You meet all kinds on the road, some friendlier than others.
But everybody was scared. You could see it in their eyes.
Behind the act they all put on.
Look, there!
I don't believe it.
Look how blue it is!
See that? We've arrived at last.
Watch out!
Come on.
Kid, you dropped your jacket!
Thanks, sir.
Pietro! Snap a photo.
I won't bite you. Only nibble.
Cooler than the Germans, the Italians.
Let's go find our brothers.
Jo!
The children! Wonderful!
Albert!
It feels like happiness passes faster than sadness.
We were all together at last.
Nothing else mattered.
Still needs mommy and daddy!
Especially daddy to dry his hair!
Okay, sweetie?
Never leave me again like that!
Never again, I promise!
Never.
Never again.
I was so scared.
We were scared, too.
When you have kids, you'll understand.
I am so proud of you, baby.
So proud.
I'll always be here.
Always here in your heart.
Always.
You're mad!
Be careful, sweetie. Careful.
3 months later...
Shit!
Help, don't laugh.
I have better things to do.
Okay, girls, what's next?
Let's go to the beach.
- That's all? - The other split open.
If you don't get it, forget business.
Tomorrow, I need tomatoes.
- Impossible. - How come?
Mondays, the Italian soldiers give me olive oil.
I trade the oil for soap,
soap for sugar, sugar for flour, which I give you for cigarettes.
If you want tomatoes weekdays,
it ruins my whole organization.
Don't get it.
If you don't get it,
forget business.
That makes five.
- What'll you do with all that money? - I have an idea.
Ciao, Marcello.
Too long. Tell Albert to trim the back.
Jo will end up buying the Excelsior.
Working the market again?
Sure.
What about school?
No school Thursdays, dad.
Don't ease up at school!
I won't.
Stop talking Yiddish. How many times have I told you?
Relax, Roman. Enjoy the sunshine.
You two grasshoppers, the war isn't over.
- You never know. - It's not all black.
Damn right, it's all black!
I didn't say a word.
Not a word!
I stay alert. I heard nasty stories about the camps.
There's no danger.
Italians are soldiers,
not murderers. Tell him, Marcello.
Right. No killing children and women.
You don't kill women, for sure.
You break their hearts.
I can't help falling for French women.
So sulky, so exciting. Play!
1 trick, 2 tricks, 10-pointer!
Let's hear it.
Well played, dad!
What's wrong?
Mussolini's been arrested.
Rome's in chaos.
- What now? - For you, who knows?
We leave for Italy tomorrow.
Vacation's over.
That means the war's over?
No. It means the Germans are coming.
Don't tell mom.
Don't ruin her surprise.
- My cake! - Give that back.
Why?
What's that? Is it for me? Really?
What on earth is it?
You've all gone mad. You shouldn't have!
It wasn't me.
It was the boys.
You?
It's not for you.
It's for me.
I really miss hearing you play.
Perhaps I can't anymore, honey.
Of course you can. Go on.
Your father gave me my first violin.
I'd play...
and you'd recite poems.
Poems? What poems?
Love poems.
- Right? - Love poems!
- Exactly. - Let's hear one.
- Yes! - No!
Just one.
Drop it, I don't remember.
And I want to listen.
Play, sweetheart.
Police!
Open up!
Hide, children!
Mrs. Joffo?
We're here to see Henri and Albert.
I'm not Mrs. Joffo.
Isn't this No. 6?
Please, don't answer it.
They'll come in anyway.
- I won't leave you alone. - Stop it!
I'm sick of all this.
Go and hide.
Think of the children.
Police!
You first.
Open up! Police!
We heard you.
Coming!
What are you doing?
Henri and Albert Joffo's house?
Yes.
They're out. I'm their father.
I have their call-up papers for Work Service in Germany.
They must report to that address.
Fine. I'll see they get this.
Goodnight.
Not so fast.
Was the violin you?
I was taking a nap.
A nap!
- You think we're stupid? - Absolutely not.
You're alone?
I don't know, I was asleep.
Your papers.
Hurry.
We gotta go. Let's go!
Sir!
Wasn't that Jewish music?
- Jewish? - Yes, Jewish.
Yes or no?
I don't know.
A problem, sweetie?
The officers wonder how I can sleep while you play violin.
I wonder the same thing.
Who's the violin? You?
Yes, I'm the violin. See?
You don't like music?
They didn't say they don't like music.
- Just not Jewish music. - I see.
I'm Russian, you know, and proud of it.
The name's Markoff.
My maiden name is Markoff.
Directly descended from the imperial Romanoff family.
It's very insulting to suggest
I play Jewish music, sir.
Give the Work Service papers to your sons, Henri and Albert.
Without fail.
Good day.
Thank you.
We have to leave here.
New Harvests
Look, honey, lots of activities.
Take your brother's.
You're in charge now.
You promised me, never again.
You're all liars. I want to stay with you.
Darling, calm down.
We have no choice.
We have to be strong.
If we could we'd stay, but we can't.
I don't want us to separate ever again!
I want to go back to Paris!
Stop, Jo. It's hard for us, too.
I won't stay here, dad.
I want to be with you.
Enough, Jojo.
Chin up.
If we all start crying, what's the point?
We can't stay together.
It's too dangerous.
Keep looking ahead,
not back.
You have to go now.
We'll see you soon.
See you soon.
Come on.
Is it true this is a collaborators' camp?
New Harvests is a government camp for minors,
so it's Pétainist, but don't worry,
of the 100 or so youngsters here, most aren't really Catholic.
Say the same as them.
Catholic, aren't you?
- Of course, sir. - Yes.
You'll soon see who not to trust.
It's pretty obvious.
Gérard's just the man to show you around.
Follow me, pipsqueaks!
Reveille at 6 every morning.
Hey, special treat.
What's that for?
Your ears. Go to the dormitory.
Watch out, some guys here don't get it.
Never say you're Jewish.
We're not Jewish.
I thought you were.
We're not either.
Don't you get it?
There are no Jews here.
Schmuck.
Don't worry.
It's just us here.
But keep clear of Gérard and his flag-wavers.
He's a dick.
It shows.
Beat it!
And him?
That's Ange.
No threat. He's from Algeria.
Talking about me? Hi there.
You're from Africa?
No way! Africa?
Out of the jungle on an elephant? No, Algiers.
How come you're here?
Actually, you see,
I was on vacation at my brother's in Paris.
Meantime, the Brits landed in Algeria.
So?
So I'm stuck in France. And my brother got himself a girl,
so he dumped me here.
- You must miss your parents. - Truth is, no.
My dad's always on my back, calling me a jackass.
Jackass this, jackass that.
I was sick of it, straight up!
Little rooster!
Jackass!
September 1943
The Krauts are everywhere.
They need a quota of Jews every Friday on trains to Germany.
In Nice, there's panic.
We're better off here.
Why? You're Jewish?
Me?
No. You guys are Jewish?
I am.
Just kidding. Straight up, your faces!
Hey, who's the best?
Watch out!
What the heck!
He's nuts. It nearly fell on top of us.
Shit!
Sorry, it won't brake in the mud.
And the wheel's on the right.
Looks like mash today, kids.
Shove your mash!
All on one!
- Take that! - Mash yourself!
Stop it!
This way! At the double!
What's up?
You heard the new kid?
The Krauts are hunting Jews.
They'll come here one day.
So? We're Catholic.
Sure.
Joseph Joffo from Clignancourt?
The Jewish district.
You think they need more proof?
They'll check your wiener.
"Wiener"? I'm not a kid anymore.
What do you call it?
My wang.
Wang?
Who taught you that?
Ange.
The Algerian?
We'll say we're from there.
From Algiers?
Sure. The same story as him.
Vacation,
Brits, all that.
Good idea.
They can't check it out.
Smarter than you look.
Move those asses!
C'mon, Algeria!
Show us some guts!
Next!
C'mon, Joffo!
If we use his story, where do we live?
10, Rue Jean Jaurés.
Why Jean Jaurés?
Every city has a street named for him and 10's easy.
Change nothing else.
Home, living room
dad's a barber, mom plays violin.
So no slip-ups.
Smarter than you look, too!
Speed it up!
Quick test.
Where's your school, mein little boy?
Rue Jean Jaurés, farther down the street.
- Mother's name? - Anne...
- Mary! - Father?
Romain.
That's good.
Let's go.
I miss them.
Same here.
It's not normal, no news from them.
Maybe they don't trust the phone.
I want to see them.
- But where? - Wherever!
Let's hear it. You have family in Nice?
- No, we want a day out. - A day out?
A day on the boardwalk giving the girls the eye?
Yeah, you bet.
Cut it out. What'll he think?
No shame in giving girls the eye.
In a few years, they'll be giving you the eye.
Heartthrob like you.
Watch out!
What a thrill!
We're gonna give girls the eye!
This isn't the market.
I won't be a minute. Wait here.
Don't go anywhere.
Not funny. Open up.
How does it work?
Can't you open a door?
You're not bored of being stupid?
No.
It's been ages. What's he doing?
He told us to wait.
You stay there.
Wait here. Stay put, okay.
I'll tell him we'll walk to the market.
You okay?
Yeah, I'm okay.
Sit up.
You promised to stay put.
Sorry.
Boys...
Not a word.
Meyer, Marthe.
Hurry!
Dreyfuss, Louis.
Goldman, Gabriel.
Epstein, Doris.
Goldman, Mordecai.
Abel, Adele.
Saul Levine!
It's Levine!
You see mom and dad?
Usually, I start by asking last name, first name, religion?
But here...
I'm confused.
Why all these fake identities?
You're Jewish?
No.
You're not Jewish?
In that case,
you're in the Resistance.
You're in the Resistance.
No.
Resistance fighters are shot on the spot.
Those are our orders.
He's a resistance fighter.
Unless you're Jewish.
Yeah, I'm Jewish.
Is that what you want to know? I'm Jewish.
And a resistance fighter.
A Jewish resistance fighter. Kill me if you want.
It won't change anything.
It won't help you win the war.
You've lost the war.
I'm a Jewish resistance fighter.
Screw you!
He is a resistance fighter.
Next!
Last name, first name, religion?
David Cohen, Jewish.
Next!
Last name, first name, religion?
Look, this is nothing to do with us.
We're from New Harvests.
Last name, first name, religion?
Maurice Joffo, Catholic.
We're from New Harvests.
We came with Ferdinand for supplies. This is a mistake.
It's nothing to do with us.
Is he your brother?
Yes, my brother Jo.
Jo?
As in Joseph?
Yes.
Our mother's Mary.
I see.
So you're not Jewish?
No. I told you.
Stop!
We're Algerian!
Algerian Catholics!
Let's try again.
Are you Jewish?
Stop it!
Medical examination!
And you claim to be Catholic?
In Algeria, it's precautionary.
Because of adhesions.
Yes, sir.
They cut everybody's wang.
Algerians, Catholics,
everybody!
Even Jews?
I've no idea.
There's not many Jews there.
I never saw any, straight up!
Take a seat.
My name is Rosen. You understand?
You like roses?
No, I'm Jewish.
That's why you can tell me.
That you're Jewish, too.
Okay, so you're Jewish,
but we're not.
We're Algerian.
That's why we had our wangs cut.
Jewish or not,
you know what to do.
Guard!
It was surgical,
not religious.
Next!
I always wondered why the doctor did that.
Why did he save us?
Out of the hundreds he doomed every day.
On Rue Jean Jaurés, like I already told you.
Name of the school?
Algiers Primary School.
Jean Jaurés School, I think.
That's all?
Sure, I think so.
I never thought about it.
It's school, y'know.
Any friends in the school?
Yeah, lots.
Zérati's my best buddy.
A deadeye at marbles.
Zérati?
Good at marbles.
What games do you play at school?
Lots of them.
Off ground tag, cyclops, dodgeball...
Marbles.
You lose count of them.
Ringer, chasies, boss-out, puggy,
pyramids...
What did I do wrong?
Listen, kid...
I know when someone is telling the truth or not.
And you're lying!
Your baptism?
Where was that?
Great Church in Algiers?
Here in Nice, at La Buffa.
Mom had family here, so she insisted.
Very well,
it must be a simple task to check.
A 48-hour laissez-passer for him!
You have two days to bring me your baptism certificates.
If you're not back in
I'll put your little brother on the next train.
Understood?
It was all I could think of.
I don't know Algiers's churches.
If you can't get them,
just don't come back.
Better one alive than two dead, right?
Don't say that. I'll be back in 2 days with fakes.
It's an impossible mission.
Save your skin.
Shut it! I'll be back.
Jo, what's wrong?
I'm tired.
We've been here a week.
I'm sick of all this!
I want it to stop.
Listen.
While there's hope, don't give up.
Hang in there.
Maurice Joffo!
Listen...
I'll come back.
Hear me?
I'll come back for you.
Mom!
Let me go!
Mom!
Dad?
Not exactly, Joseph.
I didn't tell them or anyone.
You were delirious, but you're safe.
The sulfonamide worked.
Dr. Rosen?
You got lucky.
Meningitis is a killer.
My brother? Maurice?
- How long have I been here? - A couple of days, who knows?
What matters is you pulled through.
Yeah, sure.
In great shape for the train ride.
Listen, Joseph.
I'm the one who's going.
I'll be on that train later with the others.
It's better that way.
You know...
Sometimes we do things we're not very proud of.
Here...
You had it clenched in your fist like that.
While you were delirious.
It must matter to you.
It's all I have from before.
If you keep fighting,
holding on tight to life in your fist,
you'll make it.
What's the point of living?
It's just chance.
It's stupid.
It's unfair!
Death refused you twice now.
You must have a good reason to live, right?
Do something with your life you can be proud of.
You owe me that much.
Goodbye, Joseph.
Baptism Certificate
They're fakes.
Not at all, I assure you.
The Archbishop can vouch for their authenticity.
I don't believe you.
Why not?
I know the truth when I see it.
Looking at you, you know what I see?
The priest gave me two certificates for the Krauts.
I tipped off Subinagui, too.
They'll come get us.
Mom and dad?
The salon's closed.
Don't worry,
after we get out, we'll find them one day.
Why torment these two boys?
They're Jewish.
I'd stake my life on it.
It's an obsession.
If you like.
It makes no difference.
They're lying.
So are you.
The Archbishop won't let you seal their fate on mere suppositions.
He'll refer this to Rome.
You don't want the Pontificate
on your back.
Especially now.
We'll see about that.
As you wish.
You two brothers,
grab a basket and pick me some tomatoes outside.
What are they waiting for to let us go?
Come.
See the vegetable patch?
It's very easy to escape that way.
More over there.
Just here?
Really very easy.
Maurice,
look!
You attest to their innocence,
correct?
- See that? - Yeah.
We go for it?
On three.
One.
Two.
Three!
Watch out!
A soldier.
It's a trap.
Thank you, father. You saved our lives.
Mr. Subinagui!
Hello, children.
Thank you for your bravery.
It was my duty as a human being.
Go in peace, children.
Get in the car and let's go.
Goodbye, father.
Go.
Why the long faces?
Where's mom?
At her sister's. Your brothers are in Savoie.
I stayed behind to find you.
What's that?
Better to get hurt
than never see you again.
Dad promised us we'd be reunited in Paris
when the war was over.
For now, it was too dangerous to stay together.
Jo, wake up!
Your mom on the phone.
Hi, mom, it's me!
Jojo, how are you?
You have to leave right now.
Your father's got the disease you had.
Meningitis?
Worse than that.
I realized she meant that dad had been arrested.
But I had no more tears.
Rage had taken their place.
Once more, we had to flee.
Want me to carry you?
I'd rather die.
I'm the big brother. I do the carrying.
We'd all lost contact with each other.
But it didn't matter.
After all, if Maurice and me could make it,
dad could for sure.
It was going to be okay.
We had to believe.
Rumilly, Haute-Savoie - May 1944
Waiting for the war to end, Maurice and me found jobs.
Just like mom told us to.
Any job would do.
While Maurice worked in the best restaurant in town,
I ran deliveries for the bookseller,
Ambroise Mancelier.
You know, Joseph...
And you won't learn this in public schools.
Because schools are open to all now.
Like a streetwalker.
The distinctive trait of great men is having an ideal.
Those don't grow on trees.
There's only one, and that's Europe.
There are three men who made Europe.
Louis XIV,
Napoléon Bonaparte and Philippe Pétain.
"I keep my promises
"and everyone else's."
Excellent.
Bravo, young Joseph.
My boy!
Here...
Look,
you militiamen are doing good work.
Militia rounds up 20,000 Jews
And it's only the start.
France for the French!
Hold on, lad.
You sleep under my roof, you've worked for me for 6 months...
You're practically family now.
Yes, sir.
I'm sure you miss your parents.
Far away, in Algeria.
A lot.
From today on, not only will you dine with us,
but starting on Sunday, you'll share
what we hold most dear,
religious service.
I've been led to believe
you're not a regular at mass.
Time to inform your Christian faith.
Thank you, Mr. Mancelier.
Newspapers!
The Spout, Dauphinois Post, I Am Everywhere...
Newspapers!
Let's see, kid.
No, thanks.
Here.
The Spout, Dauphinois Post,
I Am Everywhere...
Evening, Mrs. Luca. Sorry, brakes don't work.
I'll take The Spout.
The Spout?
- Thank you. - Good day.
A Vichy newspaper, Mr. Julien?
The Spout? I Am Everywhere?
Over my dead body.
Here, keep your newspaper.
Mancelier as dumb as ever?
As ever!
Morning!
The papers.
The one-armed man gives her a hug.
We repeat...
What's that?
Coded messages for the Resistance.
I'd better go before Mancelier howls.
By the way, how's the collaborator's daughter?
Why do you ask?
Still in love?
With little Françoise?
What is it now?
5 months giving her the eye.
You talked to her?
I'm making progress.
And you?
Joining the Resistance. Making progress?
Don't start.
Do you receive coded messages?
Sure.
Françoise has hairy drumsticks. I repeat...
You knucklehead!
The Militia!
Maurice, hide everything!
You, get a message out.
Let's go!
Give that to Mr. Jean. At the factory. Go!
Stay right where you are.
Hands up!
Search the place. Keep a gun on him.
What's in there?
Let's see. What are you hiding?
Move your hand. What's that?
Empty your pockets.
- Me? - Yes, you.
You're hiding something, you weasel.
Beat it! Go play marbles.
Don't hang around here.
Well now?
What are you doing here?
What right do you have to march in?
Who's he?
The delivery boy. He asked for Mr. Jean.
What about?
Paul at Hotel du Commerce
sent something for him.
What's Paul look like?
Pretty tall, round glasses and hair combed this way.
The Militia just turned up.
Hand it over.
To Mr. Jean, nobody else.
I'm Mr. Jean.
Come on.
Give it to me.
It's him. You can let go.
Take over.
Follow me.
Shut the door.
"Bubbles in the gas. The mountain goat pounces."
The news we'd been waiting for.
Bravo, son. Well done.
Maryse will be in touch if we need you again.
Run along.
Careful, Françoise. Hot!
Yes?
- Sorry I'm late. - You got lost in the attic?
Shut the door, please.
Sorry.
What are you doing here?
Haven't you got work to do? Get lost!
Leave him alone.
Dad invited him for Mother's Day.
Here comes the roast!
There you go.
Sit next to Raoul.
I raise my glass
to every mother
and every woman who will one day proudly bear
the France of tomorrow.
To you, ladies!
Thank you.
You are the inspiration
of our Christian civilization.
Who said that?
Marshal Pétain, dad.
Exactly.
How can one denigrate the man who glorified
Mother's Day?
Lord, give the Marshal strength to resist.
Likewise Adolf Hitler.
If we'd allied with him in '36
with Franco and Mussolini at our side,
England would have buckled.
And Europe would be ours. Anyway...
Why didn't we?
Our government was rotten inside by Jewish vermin,
that's why.
Hitler's done a good job there.
- Undeniably. - There's no other way.
Try to live up to his example.
We'll exterminate those rats.
We'll flush them out of their holes and do 'em in.
Meanwhile, pour us a drink.
My brother's a jerk.
He's anti-everything.
Anti-republican, anti-communist, anti-capitalist.
Anti-Semite.
Even more than all the rest.
He agrees with your dad, in fact.
That's right. They're two peas in a pod.
Like I agree with my dad.
Who is your dad? You never talk about him.
He's my dad.
The mystery of two inseparable brothers.
Seriously, we all wonder what you're hiding.
Who's "we"?
Me and my friends.
Françoise, wait.
I have to tell you...
I'm not allowed to but...
I want to tell you because...
Because I trust you.
Are you okay?
Go ahead, I'm listening.
I'm...
Don't worry.
I know.
Quick!
Faster! Up there!
You, there!
There!
It's my brother.
Take aim.
Fire!
Liberty!
Equality!
Get rid of that.
Lucky they didn't take you in the Resistance.
Maybe you'd be lying dead with them now.
Imagine telling the folks.
And Henri and Albert.
It's the Brits.
No, they're American!
Know what that means?
We'll see them all again soon.
Death to the Militia!
You'll pay for the deaths you caused!
Death to collaborators!
Sellout
You gang of bastards!
You'd give France to England!
You morons!
The English are our historic enemies, not the Germans.
You dimwits!
Ignorant!
That's right.
What are we going to do?
What do you expect? It's Waterloo. We lost!
Careful, it's sharp.
We need to protect her,
Ambroise.
- Take Françoise to my sister's. - Of course.
Daughter, mother, sister! Stuff that!
I know what it's like to go away.
In my family, we all had to at one time or other.
My dad says,
don't look behind when you walk.
Or you fall flat on your face.
I bet you're just like your dad.
No way!
What's got into him?
Hang it!
Paris is free!
Here! Paris is free!
Read all about it! Paris is free!
- They've gone! - Yes, they've gone!
They've gone, it's over!
Those folks are going to Paris.
Go get your brother.
My fellow citizens,
today is a great day.
At last, we are...
Free!
You slept with Germans!
Traitor!
Can you believe it?
It's over at last.
Quick, people are driving to Paris.
- What? - They have room for us.
Grab your stuff.
We're going home.
No, I can't.
You go ahead. I'll see you there.
You're sure?
What would you do?
We're free, aren't we?
Yes, we're free.
Tell the parents I'm coming.
That I love them.
You'll get by on your own?
What about you?
You'll get by without me?
Hurry! Go find her!
Françoise!
Stop it!
Stop! They hid a Jew!
What's all this, Jo?
It's true.
You know
this bastard would never hide a Jew.
I swear it's true.
Who then?
Me.
I'm Jewish.
He knew?
Of course he knew.
Even so, he's a collaborator.
Maybe it was a front so no one suspected.
Take him in.
Throw him in jail until his trial.
We'll shave her head even so!
Thank you.
Where's Françoise?
Françoise, wait!
Dad?
Open
Mom, Jojo's home.
Mom, it's me!
Maurice, your brother's here.
Dad...
Do you remember?
You told me once, when a good man dies,
a star lights up in the sky.
And you have to keep hoping.
It's true.
You're here, dad.
And you always will be.
In April '44, Anna, Albert and Henri were caught and interned at Drancy.
Due to a lack of trains, they escaped deportation.
The Red Cross freed the camp shortly before the Americans arrived.
In August '44, the family returned to Paris.
Deported in November '43 to Auschwitz, Roman never came back.
Jo, Maurice and their brothers reopened
the family barber shop in 1945.
They still live in Paris
with children and grandchildren.