Naked-childhood
Full employment for a decent life
- Do you like it? - Yes.
Can you put that in a bag for me, please?
- You're ugly. - Speak for yourself.
- Is there one you like? - Yes.
This one.
As we stand now, in our thousands...
In the three major cities of our coal basin...
- What do you say? - Thank you.
- Thank you, who? - Thank you, mum.
Can I have a coin to put a record on?
Get me some cigarettes while you're at it.
Here.
- What do you want, son? - A packet of gauloises.
A packet of gauloises.
There you go, young man.
Thank you. So that makes 1.35, 1.40, 1.50 and 2 francs.
- Here. - Keep the change.
Thanks.
Here.
- Are you cashing in? - Yes, I won.
I'm going to try and beat you.
Well, I'm still winning.
One. Another one. I need more legs.
I only need an eye and the tail.
Have you seen the little piggy, chicot?
Your counter. It's your turn.
- What's this, eh? - One.
Two.
Almost there.
Two. I won!
Francois, what are you rummaging about upstairs for?
Answer me when I talk to you. Come on down.
Well, don't just sit there.
Go on, hop it!
- Come on, dare youl! - What a chicken.
What's going on?
Quiet! We've got children sleeping.
Dirty beast! There's cat shit everywhere.
Josette!
You sneaky bastard!
Just wait till I catch youl!
I'll smash your face in, you bastard!
- Is he going to die? - No, I'm going to look after him.
- Hello, mrs joigny. - Hello.
Francois, come and say hello to the director.
- What have you done to yourself? - He's been fighting again.
Go and play, but don't go too far!
Isn't Josette here?
She was at her granny's last night. She came back this morning.
Robert decorated her room. Do you want to see?
You've really spoilt her.
Whatever she dreams at night, she can see in the day.
So francois is still sleeping on the landing.
- Do you want a drink? - No, thanks.
Francois is impossible now.
I don't trust him. He's so lecherous and shifty.
When I wash them, even though I tell him not to look...
He still leers at Josette.
I told you he was a difficult child.
You're right. I didn't want him.
It's roby who wanted a boy, especially after my operation.
Mind you, I didn't want Josette to be an only child.
I for one have suffered a great deal.
He's made our life a misery.
I couldn't get him to eat.
I had to leave him to eat on his own.
If I stood next to him, he wouldn't eat anything.
I'd go off up the garden but when I got back he hadn't touched a thing.
He's not like other children.
You never know what's on his mind.
When I told you he wet his bed, you said to let him lie in it.
That's what I did.
That cured him all right, but do you know what he does now?
He doesn't wet his bed any more. He gets up and pees around the bed.
We've really put ourselves out for him.
We don't treat them any differently. We spoil him as much as her.
Roby asked him to give him a hand when he was doing some diy.
It seemed to work. He looked happy to help.
He was unrecognisable.
Then all of a sudden he's horrible again.
He doesn't want to do anything at school either.
It's not that he's stupid. He's clever.
But only when it suits him.
And on top of being horrible to us, he steals too.
The shopkeepers have been complaining about him.
The other day he stole a kelton watch.
Roby had to pay for it.
We've had enough.
People know he's not our child but still...
They aren't like other children.
We don't know where they're from.
And I'm worried about Josette. She's changed so much with him here.
Can I see her?
- Do you get on with frangois? - Yes.
She's nice to him.
- What does he do to you? - Nothing.
- Do you like him? - Yes.
- Would you be sad to see him go? - Yes.
Go and play.
She doesn't seem to hate him. Children always quarrel. It's normal.
He gets up at night.
What's a 10-year-old doing up at that time?
Listen, I'm about to crack up.
I'm scared of him. Well, say something, roby.
We didn't think it would be this hard.
We love him, but it's for his own sake.
He'd be happier with another family. It's a question of affinity.
We've tried our best.
You didn't need to wash Josette in front of him.
Take him away.
Besides, he doesn't want to stay.
What about school? He must have friends there.
I prefer not to know what he does there.
All I know is that he hooks up with yobbos and even they don't last long.
He spends days on his own, breaking everything.
He likes to destroy things.
If you added up the number of things he's broken here...
Well, I see no point in carrying on.
But don't ask for another one next month!
There's no danger of that.
One was enough for me. You can keep the rest.
It's not like we're counting on the 22,000 francs we get every month.
Can I see francois?
So, francois, don't you like it here?
Josette, go and see what francois is up to.
Francois, where are you?
I'm full.
At least have a cup of coffee.
Where's chicot?
Mum! Chicot's dead. Francois killed him.
That's all I need! What did he do to him?
He threw him down the stairs. He said he'd look after him.
- Why didn't you say anything? - I thought he'd look after him.
- Where's your brown jumper? - In the wardrobe.
Put the rest in your bag.
I hope the social worker will be early.
Get up. Come on, it's time.
- Do you want croissants? - Yes.
- Here. - Thanks.
Francois has come to say goodbye.
Is this for me?
You shouldn't have.
We take children up there the last Thursday of the month.
We take five or six children.
Today we've got ten.
Out of those ten children, two are... Well, let's look at their name tags.
I think they were abandoned.
Here, it says "ac". That means "abandoned child", see?
This one, too, I think.
No one wanted to adopt these two little boys.
It says "ac", "abandoned child".
Nobody in Paris wanted them. So we're taking them back to arras.
I think there is a couple in arras who are waiting to adopt one of them.
The last group I returned with... Will you stay still?
In the last group I returned with,
we had a black child.
But that couple didn't want him. The man was keen, but not the woman.
See this boy? He's not part of the group.
- We're just taking him back. - He doesn't work like I do.
- How old are you? - Ten.
- What's your name? - Francois fournier.
Who are you living with? Who are your foster parents?
Mrs joigny.
Do you like it there? Are they nice?
Do you like them? How long have you been there?
Three, four years?
Four years, isn't it?
I think you've been there four years. That's what I've been told.
Have you got siblings living there with you?
- A sister or a brother? - I don't have brothers.
- A sister? - No.
I thought you had a sister.
So you're an only child.
Do you go to school there? Do you learn a lot?
There was a little girl...
Well, it doesn't seem to be going too well.
Sit down properly. You too!
I was very upset when I started this job.
In Paris, I would go to the reception centre.
There was a creche.
The children there are between one and two.
We take them when they are two.
Going there really upset me.
Just seeing all these children who were waiting for a mummy and a daddy.
We'd usually take one or two from there.
When I took them, it got to me.
Seeing the others without...
It's like these children are waiting for something.
I'm used to it now but it was hard to begin with.
One day you'll be the same.
If it's a black child like last time, I don't want it.
This is Vincent.
We'll take that one. I've seen him before.
You won't be disappointed. He's a sweetie.
- Say hello to the lady. - Give me your hand.
Give her your hand.
We're going to go for a drive.
- Come on, off we go. - All right.
You're not going to cry, are you?
No, he won't cry. He's not used to it, that's all.
- Here we go. - Come on!
Come on. We'll go and buy some sweets.
You see? They're going to get you some sweets.
Come on. Right, I'll walk with you a bit.
We're going to get you some sweets. Come on.
I'm very pleased to welcome you here.
I believe you said you wanted to adopt a child.
- Have you got a current account? - No.
Well, you'll need to go to the post office
with your ID card.
Ask to open a current account.
The money will be transferred to your account every month.
You'll get 216 francs for the child.
This child was abandoned.
His name is Vincent. He's very endearing.
I'm sure you'll give him all the love he needs.
Then if you get used to each other...
You might be able to adopt him.
- Let's hope so. - Good luck, madam.
Thank you.
We'll send the brother and the sister to the same family.
Ok.
"Ripert, Jean. 20/09/65. From malakoff. Court order."
There's no other information.
I may know of a family that could take him.
Mrs souchez has other children of the same age.
Very good.
"Michaud, magalie."
- With the pointed hat. - I see.
"January 16th 1963. Temporary care."
- Mrs sénéchal? - I've put her down for Saint Paul.
Mummy!
- How's raoul? - Same old thing.
He's at school. You'll see him later.
- Do you want something to eat? - No, thanks.
I don't think he's hungry. He had a big lunch.
- Do you want to see my shed? - Yes, sir.
See? This is where I work.
I do odd jobs for memere, and sometimes for the neighbours.
- Is that your car? - Yes, it is.
Let's go and have a look.
See? I made this.
- What's that? - That's for the vegetables.
That's for the gas cylinder.
This is the cupboard and that's the oven.
So you brought me a little boy?
But we're going on holiday.
- When are you going? - July or August, it depends.
Well, we'll play it by ear.
I'll come and see you before you go on holiday.
I hope he's not too horrible.
He was in year 5 in a primary school in lens.
Try and get him into the same year as soon as possible.
Ok, no problem.
You know he's in temporary care.
- Does he know his parents? - Hardly.
His mum hasn't written to him in a year.
But she can claim him back whenever she wants.
I'll give her your address.
Reply to her within a week if she writes.
- But don't give too many details. - All right.
- Can I see the girl's record? - Of course.
You'll see, we'll have great fun.
We'll go every Sunday.
Okay?
Pépere, I came first in the algebra test.
- Hey, you're back! - Look.
That's great.
19 out of 20. That's good.
Look here, this is young francois. We've been expecting him.
This is raoul. He's going to be your big brother.
I didn't see your mother. Is she ill?
No, she's having a rest. She's very tired, that's all.
Look, sir. My boy's doing well in school.
19 out of 20 in algebra.
Come on, I'll show you your room.
That's good. You've made progress.
- What do you want to go on to do? - Electronics.
This is your room.
This is the desk where you'll do your homework.
This is the wardrobe for your clothes.
And keep it tidy.
This is your bed.
Here's another one. It's for Jean-Claude.
He sometimes comes on Saturdays.
But this is your room.
So do you like raoul?
I'll come back and see you.
Don't go out. You'll catch a cold.
Bye, valérie.
- I'm sure everything will be fine. - Of course.
I'll come back in a couple of weeks.
Fine.
- All right. - Very well.
Go easy on that bike!
- Goodbye, mrs Thierry. - Goodbye.
- Goodbye, mr Thierry. - Goodbye.
- What's your name? - Francois.
You'll be fine with the thierrys.
- Here, mother. - I like the new boy.
- Aren't you eating? - I'm not hungry.
- Come on, eat. - I'm not hungry.
Stop eating bread and it'll go down a treat.
Leave him alone. When he's hungry, he'll eat.
- We never eat enough for you. - Well, eating is important.
Raoul, can you get the napkin rings from the drawer?
Here, grand'pére.
Here. Memere doesn't like the napkins to get mixed up.
Pépere, show francois what you do with napkins.
- Later. - Enough of your silliness!
- It's not me. It's raoul. - Just to tease you, I'll do it!
Well, look at that!
- Aunt Claire, do you want dessert? - Yes, please.
You're a good eater!
- Is that the new boy? - Yes.
- What's your name? - Francois.
- Where is he from? - From lens.
It says so on his record.
- Are his parents still alive? - We haven't been told.
- How long is he going to stay? - It's temporary.
For a couple of months, or until he comes of age.
- Tell everyone, why don't you? - I'm not saying anything bad.
It's not as if you're my mum. If you carry on, I'll run away.
- Where would you go? - To the buccaneers.
Buccaneers? What are they?
Prisoners living on their own on an island.
Well, take your money and go.
If anyone hurts memere, I'll kill them,
even if it means 50 years in prison.
I hate people talking ill of pépére and mémeére.
Why? They're not your parents.
I don't know my parents.
No one told me anything.
Do you want it? It's a pencil sharpener.
I don't mind. I've got this.
- Have you got a father? - Yes.
What does he do?
He's a hunter.
Where?
In Africa.
What does he kill?
Tigers.
Tigers in Africa? Are you out of your mind?
I made this.
I used this as a model. That's the world and this is Europe.
Not bad, eh?
I prefer the one I had before.
I had a record player and a tape recorder.
I had postcards on the wall.
Why didn't you stay there?
Did you get into a fight with your dad?
Or with your mum?
Do you know your mum?
Raoul, enough of your chatting. The boy's tired.
Go to bed.
Aren't you sleeping?
Sit down.
Come and sit down.
This is your seat.
Get your things out.
Sit down.
As of today, this is your new friend.
You'll play with him at break time.
Let's carry on with the lesson.
Everyone sit up straight!
Right. We'll start with ethics.
The story is called, "a miser".
"Mr grandet, who is very rich...
"Lives as if he were poor.
"Every morning, he gives his maid, nanon...
"The provisions she needs for the meal.
"His nephew has just arrived...
"And eugenie, mr grandet's daughter...
"" Nanon, make us a pancake.'
"'but who will give me firewood for the oven...
"'...and flour, and butter?' Says nanon.
"Ask your father. He will give you some.
"Look, he's going to shop for groceries."
Go back to where you came from, jerk.
Watch out, you little bastard!
There you are! We've been looking everywhere for you.
Where were you? Raoul's been looking for you.
That overall was brand new. Go and get changed.
- I'm going to bed. - All right, mother.
What are you doing? Haven't you got changed yet?
Hurry up!
Look at this. I mean, just look.
Hurry up.
Just look at you, you're filthy!
It's all over you.
Are you out of your mind, you idiot?
Look what you've done!
Outside!
Bring him over here. I'll take him upstairs.
You were asking for it.
Listen to that racket!
He's going to take the whole place down.
What's all this noise? What's going on?
It's nothing, mother.
Slap his face with this!
What are we going to do with this child?
He's not normal.
No need to get in a state. We'll work something out.
I could have been a joiner. I used to do everything at home.
- Was it your job? - No.
I was a pointsman in a mine.
I wouldn't want to work in a mine.
Well, what would you like to do?
- Mechanic. - Good. That's a good job.
If you try to break it again, you'll break your feet instead.
You shouldn't have locked me up.
You're lucky. I used to get beaten.
That's no excuse.
That's me.
I have a good yell but then that's the end of it.
Are you surprised to see me drinking coffee on pépére's lap?
We often do that. We love each other.
You wouldn't know we were married.
- We love each other. - Yes, we do.
You wouldn't believe we both have other children.
How many children have you got?
I have three children.
Unfortunately, I lost a little girl.
- Any grandchildren? - I've got 19 grandchildren.
How about that? The house is full of grandchildren.
- How about pepere? - Pépére has got three children.
Always breathing down my neck.
When we go on holiday, they're all over me.
That's the truth!
Have you had children together?
Unfortunately not.
- We would have liked to. - But we couldn't. We're too old.
Now we take in little children.
But we love them all the same.
- That's right. - See?
Why do you take in children like us?
Because your mémere was once really, really sad.
Mémeére liked children very much.
Our son got married.
They wanted to work to earn money to buy furniture.
They had a little girl, whom I raised until she was two.
Then I fell and hurt my leg.
I had to stay in bed all day, so my son took the girl from me.
So I used to cry all night every night.
I was crying all the time.
Pepere told me to go get some children from social services.
So I said to him, "all right, I'll go tomorrow."
I went to the town hall to ask for a little girl.
And instead of a little girl, they gave me you.
That's how I got you!
Who is it? Is it Jean-Claude?
No, it's not, it's my nephew.
He joined the resistance
in the early days and then got caught.
I was in my signal box...
Where the trains got shunted.
The Germans had come to get me.
It was at night.
My mother, the old lady you see here...
She told my nephew to tell me
that the Germans were coming for me.
He came to tell me.
And when the Germans arrived...
I saw them and jumped out of the window.
From then on, I started to live outside the law.
So...
I came back to see my... nephew.
Unfortunately, he'd gone down to the cellar.
By cellar, I mean... It was a water tank.
It had probably... been... Dismantled.
Anyway... They fired a shot into the tank.
The shot resounded and he got scared and screamed.
So... the Germans pulled him out
and sent him to lille.
From lille he was sent to Germany where he died.
Do you understand?
- This is my sister. - Aunt Claire?
When the Germans came back,
they asked her where I was.
She said she didn't know, so they took her...
And she spent two years in prison
for not telling them where I was.
Here, you see...
All my friends.
We all worked at the same place.
I've got medals.
They can't wear theirs, but I wear mine in their honour.
- There's a sword here. - That's right.
- Good. - See? That makes three.
That's everything we won.
Move back.
This is a weapon from the war. Do you see that?
Look.
Do you know this guy here, ha chi minh?
- That's a "winster". - Winchester!
- You can't even read english. - Shut up!
You could have killed me.
You'll end up a criminal.
If you carry on like this, I'll do to you what I did to raoul.
You'll go to school with your pants tied behind your back.
- Did raoul go to school like that? - No, only to the end of the street.
But you'll go all the way to school.
- Can I have an ice cream? - I'll be round in a minute.
Just wait. What are you doing?
- I want one now. - I'm coming round...
- I want it now! - No!
- Why not? - I can't sell it here.
Stop pushing.
Careful, Marcel, you'll get us caught.
Shut up, guys!
- Did you hide the box? - I did.
You did a good job.
You bet!
Nice one! What initials are they?
- Kj. - What does that mean?
I'm carving my name. Then I'll fill it in with ink.
Really? Does it hurt?
You can't feel a thing.
Could you do me afterwards?
If you want.
Doesn't it hurt?
Blood's splashing everywhere!
It's nothing.
It'll leave a scar.
Do you know the match trick?
You strike one and put it out in your palm.
- Do it. - Do you want me to do it?
This is a true story, a shocking story.
A man chases his prey through the wild landscape of new Mexico.
He hunts down his enemies, the bravados.
Two white men, two of mixed race and one Indian.
He swore to find the...
What time do you call this?
Go and say hello to your uncle.
We've already got the fridge, the table, four chairs...
Say hello to georgette.
We're waiting for the rest.
This is joél, georgette's fiance.
Don't you know him?
Maybe you've never seen him. He's georgette's fiancé.
Your future uncle.
- When's the wedding? - Easter.
Good. Show me.
Oh, what a beautiful ring! Very nice.
Here's to the wedding!
- He's got good taste. - Yes, he has.
And he went to get it on his own.
What are you doing?
That's naughty.
Very good.
Let me pour you some more.
- When are you coming to visit? - I'll come at some point.
There we go.
Whenever you want to come, just let us know.
- What's that on your arm? - Nothing.
- Is that a bit better? - Yes.
That will make you feel better.
Look.
Why didn't you tell me that someone hit you
and you got hurt?
We're not the police.
You know we like you, don't you?
I'll get you something to eat.
I'll just wash my hands...
- Eat that. - Thanks.
Why would you get hurt in a fight and not tell your grandmother?
Come on, now. Time for bed.
Tomorrow you'll feel better. Does it still hurt?
Let me see your bandage.
It's dirty. I'll have to change it for you.
- It doesn't hurt any more. - Doesn't it? Show me.
You're right.
Have you got any money for the swimming pool?
- And I need to go and get my shoe. - Your shoe?
More money!
Francois, your magazine's arrived. Take that one to granny.
My paper!
- Give me the comic strip. - You always get in there first!
I like the comic strip, too.
"Guy was right.
"Only six weeks later his mistress Molly...
"Was arrested, to no one's surprise..."
I'm going to read the local news.
What's a mistress?
- What? An ice? - No, a mistress!
- What do you think it is? - Well, there are different kinds.
There is the school mistress...
And a man's mistress.
What about you? Were you someone's mistress?
Are you done with your silliness, you two?
Go and get your shoe from the cobbler.
Mother, if you keep telling him things like that,
he won't listen to us any more.
I can explain.
Look at the nice postcard that mummy sent to you.
"Darling little girl, I hope you're behaving
"and that you're enjoying yourself. Lots of love from mummy."
- Do francois' parents write to him? - No.
- Does he ever talk about it? - Only occasionally.
- What are you doing up, mother? - I'm sick of lying in bed.
- Hello, Claire. - Hello, granny.
- The weather's going to be good. - I believe so.
Francois is fretting over this whole story with his mother.
He is completely abandoned. She'll never take him back.
And you, you've always been happy!
Yes, you're mummy's little puppy, aren't you?
You know, I love my husband.
He looks after my mother in her old age.
That's good. She's an old lady, but she still has her wits about her.
She's still in good health.
I'd like her to stay that way for as long as possible.
Unfortunately, there's an end to everything.
- But she's still in good health. - Yes.
- And she's funny. - Yes, she's quite comical.
- Where's your shoe? - It fell down the drain.
- Fell down the drain? How come? - It slipped.
It slipped?
- How much was it? - One franc.
One franc? Another one!
Pull hard.
Right, now it fits. It didn't fit before.
Turn round.
I would have left the shoe where it was!
Look at you, always having a go at me.
- Is it okay like this, my dear? - Yes.
See, it's fine after all.
I went down to my garden
to gather some Rosemary
nice Poppy, my ladies, nice new Poppy
- you know that one, don't you? - Yes I do.
Sing it with me then.
To gather some Rosemary
I hadn't gathered three sprigs of it
nice Poppy, my ladies, nice new Poppy
he climbed up a tree
to see his hounds run, carabi
the branch happened to break
and guilleri fell down, carabi
- this one. - Make up your mind.
This one.
A man made his daughter wed a man who was much shorter
he wasn't any size at all in fact you'd call him rather small
standing on tiptoe he was able to rub noses with her navel
but even that began to pall for he was really much too small
"Christmas" by Francis yard.
"The yule log is the heart of family life
"when I was as young as you, my little girl
"on Christmas Eve we would put a big log of wood on the fire
"for the three religious festivals
"epiphany, new year, Christmas
"the flames would dance in front of the log,
"all along the trammel
"it felt like yesterday"
What are you doing, rummaging through my things?
Let's see.
What are you looking at?
- Who is it? - Who do you think it is?
Don't you know? Why, it's me!
- Funny, eh? - You're young in this picture.
How old were you?
I was a very young mother.
- What are you reading? - Books.
Show me.
"Satanik."
- Look at this! - This is a book for adults!
You're too young for books like this.
Let me see if your jumper fits.
Yes, it fits.
- Could you make me a Polo neck? - Yes, my boy.
Francois, are you coming? Pépére is taking us out tonight.
We're going to a party.
Will you get me a doll like the one I bought for Nathalie last year?
You can count on me.
- Here's some money. - Keep your money, granny.
Get something for frangois and raoul. That would make me happy.
My purse!
I've lost my purse!
You can't have. You had it earlier on.
No, not that one.
- There's 16,000 francs in there. - I'll go and check.
It'll be under your pillow as usual.
Francois must have stolen it.
I'll go and get your jacket.
See, mother? I've found it. It was on your pillow.
Thank goodness! I was really scared.
Now, now.
All my savings are in here.
Here, francois.
Thank you, granny. Right, off we go.
What's this?
Well, I never!
Everybody ready? Joél, agnés?
Georgette, look this way.
On the count of three, watch the birdie.
- How does it work? - Here, look.
Three cheers for the bride. Hip hip hurray!
To its bouncing beat
when bodies are as one
a dance like no other
it's the blue java
together!
It's the blue java
the greatest java of all
the one that casts a spell on you
and brings people together
to its bouncing beat
when bodies are as one
a dance like no other
it's the blue java
She's beautiful like a star in the sky
and her heart is filled with sunshine
tonight the village will be dancing
in celebration of their wedding
I'd like to go swimming with Agnes.
- Swimming? What an idea! - To have fun.
Mother, I want to go to the dance
I will behave, I promise
mother, I will behave, I promise
do you remember?
Mother, do you remember?
You met my dad at a dance
please don't say no
please, mother, I need to go
the weather's fantastic
I want to dance to the sound of music
congratulations to the bride!
- Shall we, aunt Claire? - Yes, it will warm me up.
Right then. Jean-Claude, put some music on.
Granny, I'm going to take a picture of you.
All right. I'll raise my glass.
- It'll be ready in ten seconds. - How about that!
Turn round, raoul.
How extraordinary.
It's a good picture.
Stop messing about.
I want some Wagner.
Can you manage?
If you steal them, I'll thump you.
My mother had a record player, too. It was on all day.
- Why didn't she keep you? - 1 don't know.
She was always in bed, screaming.
As for your dad in Africa! Do you think I'm stupid?
You don't care, but I'm not waiting for my ID card
to find out where I was born.
When I have the money, I'll go and see how things are over there.
"Surname: Fournier. First name: Francois.
"Born: 12th December, 1957.
"Admitted: 1st July, 1961.
"Category: Temporary care.
"File number: 7697.
"Religion: Catholic, baptised.”
Granny's dead.
Come on out, you can't stay in here.
It's been stapled together.
It's sturdy nonetheless, isn't it?
- Are you eating with us? - No, I have to be off.
Come by on Sunday for dinner.
It's going to feel strange.
- Right, bye. - Bye.
He's been swimming recently. He must have caught a cold.
Thank you.
- For his school. - Thank you.
- There. - Thank you, doctor.
- Keep him warm. - I will.
How are you, my boy?
Are you warm enough?
There, a big kiss.
Good boy. That way, you won't feel the cold.
Tomorrow you'll be out and about.
Do you like your mémeére?
You're a nice boy.
You're well behaved.
You're a big boy.
And soon you'll be walking around in the sunshine.
- Mrs Thierry? - Yes?
- Does francois fournier live here? - Has something happened?
Come down to the police station as soon as you can.
- All right. - Goodbye, ma'am.
Do you watch who he's mixing with?
Yes, I was called in to see the headmaster.
At first I didn't know why.
A pupil brought me a written notification.
I was asked to go in immediately.
I thought to myself, "francois has been naughty again."
Once in the headmaster's office...
He took out this very long hunting knife.
He asked me whose it was and I told him it was mine.
It was a knife that a child had left me as a souvenir.
I put it in a drawer in my dining room.
He took it without me noticing.
I'm so sorry about what's happened.
He could have hurt one of his friends,
because he's very malicious...
Maybe not "malicious". That's not what I wanted to say.
But in a moment of anger, he could have hurt one of his classmates.
In spite of everything, he's a big-hearted boy.
- Has he stolen anything else? - Yes.
- What has he stolen? - All sorts of things.
He gets up at night. Every day he has something different in his pockets.
I've got my little...
Great, I'm losing it.
I've got another one... I've got another boy who goes to school.
He keeps all his school things in a briefcase in his room.
- Raoul? - Yes, raoul.
A couple of days ago I went to clean his room...
And I was very surprised to see the briefcase was empty.
I had to replace everything so that he had what he wanted.
But then the children come crying to me...
And tell me francois has stolen from them.
This can't go on much longer. It's very unpleasant.
I hear all sorts of things from school
and I must say that it hurts.
I bring him up like my other children.
I don't treat him differently.
But he's still got that nasty habit of stealing.
Is that all he does? Steal?
He steals anything that takes his fancy.
Lately he broke into our little girl's moneybox.
We sometimes put money in there.
And what for? To buy cigarettes, for all we know.
- He smokes and he's only ten? - Well, you should see his friends.
You should see the type!
He hangs out with the yobbos from the estate.
I can't follow him around all the time.
I'm not always there to check on him and his friends.
And we get nothing but grief.
So I keep going to the agency to ask for advice.
You make a decision but you end up so upset, you end up keeping him.
It's annoying because he's got a good heart.
He's been crying a lot since granny died.
"I want granny!"
Honestly, it breaks your heart to hear him talk like that.
He's a handful but he's got a good heart.
- We can't understand him. - I think he's ill.
Something's wrong.
You know, when he talks about granny...
That says it all.
- He's coping with it. - He's very sad about granny.
Come in.
Have a seat.
- What can I do for you? - We're here about francois.
The last time you came, you told us there was a chance he'd be back.
We haven't heard from anyone, so I thought we'd drop by...
To find out what's going on. We're worried.
Where is he now? Can we visit him?
You know, the accident he caused is quite serious.
He's under observation.
It all depends on how he behaves.
I hope we won't need to send him to a reform school.
All being well, we'll be in touch.
Then it will be up to you to decide if you want him back or not.
- How about raoul? - He ran away for two days, again!
And because he won't say anything, we don't know where he's been.
- Stubborn, eh? - You can say that again!
Come with me.
What were you up to, raoul?
- Answer me. - I was at a friend's.
Why did you go there?
I hadn't done my homework.
So you ran away for two days?
What happened?
On my way to school, I bumped into a teacher...
And it put me off going to school.
Is that it?
Listen, you can tell me. I won't say anything.
Look at me.
- Do you like living at the thierrys? - Yes.
Is there nothing else you'd like to say?
Look, francois has sent us a letter.
"Dear parents, I am writing from the activities room.
"I've started making a bedside lamp. It will be for me.
"I really miss the house and the town.
"I promise I will be good until Christmas
"and the days following it.
"That way I will be able to come back to the house during the holidays.
"All the teachers here are very nice...
"Except for one who can't stand me.
"I've made a friend. He's staying in dijon.
"I think about you every day.
"I miss you all very much.
"Love and kisses, francois."
Subtitling: Eclair