I don't know how it could have happened,...
how it occured.
I tried to intervene in all sorts of ways,...
but I should have been able to do something.
MY SON TO ME
Today I'm going to rearrange the furniture in the lounge.
I've given some thought to it.
Tonight things might seem new...
Please pass me the jam?
I'm back to look for you.
I knew you were expecting me.
I knew we couldn't...
live anymore without each other.
I'm back to look for you.
What's to see - I haven't changed much.
I see that you, on the other hand,...
have developed yourself well.
This time.
Both of us...
have been through the wars.
Both of us...
have looted, robbed, ruined...
Grandma, is that you in the painting?
- Hello, Alice. - Good afternoon, ma'am.
Come sit down.
This is downright ugly.
Are you OK?
Yeah, sure. What's the matter?
Nothing, it's just a question.
Yes?
The coast is clear. They've gone.
- Are you sure? - Yes.
Mom's gone shopping and Dad's at the gym.
Julien.
I saw your teacher this morning.
You can do better in physics.
This term you have 13, 11, 10... I expect more from you.
You're going to go to makeup classes. Honors-level classes.
On Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
- What's the matter? - Nothing.
But...?
But I've always had football on tuesdays.
After football.
- Is that a problem? - No.
Are you going to Thomas's party on Saturday?
I don't know.
It's odd that you never talk about your parents.
There's nothing to say.
There's always something to moan about.
Julien.
Julien!
I'm watching TV.
Yes. But come here.
Go to your room. You have to check your physics homework again.
Then, if you want, you can play the piano.
Hurry, or you'll miss your bus.
Hey...
I've seen your dick before.
I've even washed it for you a few times.
Hands away!
You're not big enough yet to scare me.
Come on. Give it a rest!
Who is this little game for?
Are you hiding it from me? That's new.
Are you scared of me?
Are you going to drop your hands?
See... It's not that difficult.
What drama...
My God, what drama.
Julien?
Julien!
Take this.
Wait.
This is for you.
- Are you playing tennis this afternoon? - I have the rematch with Thierry.
Last time he slaughtered me. 6-3, 6-1, it was brutal.
I did the au gratin for you.
You don't like it any more,...
not your Dad, not Suzanne. I made it for you.
He only eats chocolate and sweets.
I don't know what to do with him.
If he says he's not hungry, he's not hungry.
I didn't ask you.
Julien...
do me a favour and clean your plate.
This makes me furious.
Can I come with you?
- I'm just going to train. - OK.
And I'll be back late.
What are you doing there?
Did you shave?
- For a present? - No...
I mean, yes. It's for a present.
You know what your brother's up to?
He's seeing a girl.
Well?
I don't know anything about it.
Julien?
- How's it going? - I'm fine.
- And physics class? - Fine.
Good.
Hang on.
Let's see...
Come closer.
What have you been doing?
You've shaved your face?
You shaved?
How can this be?
How could you do this?
Grandma...
She gave me a razor.
The devil.
- Things going OK? - What?
With Alice?
Sure.
Why are you asking me this?
Because mom.. she mentioned it. She found a letter.
A letter from Alice.
Julien?
Are you coming in?
Why aren't you answering?
I was coming in, but at today's football...
I ripped my shirt.
That's why you weren't coming in?
It's okay, sweetie.
You must tell me if something is wrong.
Take it off, and I'll fix it.
Let's go to the swimming pool on Sunday.
- Sunday? What time? - In the afternoon.
I have football on Sunday afternoon.
Sunday afternoon?
Yes, extra training for the championship.
- You didn't mention this to me. - We only found out today.
And what do you prefer?
What do you mean?
Yes... Which is more important to you?
Football with your friends or the pool with your Mom?
But it's important to the team.
Tell them you forgot you had other plans.
Yeah, but the coach won't believe that swimming with my Mom is more important...
than the championship.
Don't tell him the truth.
What, then?
I don't know, you can find some excuse.
You can make up something.
- Like what? - Don't play the fool.
Say that you've got a family get-together.
You want me to lie?
Sometimes it's better to shade the truth...
than to hurt someone's feelings.
Well?
- Agreed. - What's agreed?
About the pool.
Shall the two of us have a game of football?
For you, Alice
- Yes? - It's me.
- What's up? - Can I come in?
Sure.
- And what's that? - It's for you.
And this?
It's for you. For Easter.
Easter?
- It's not Easter. - Not yet, but...
I bought it a while back. I was afraid I'd lose them.
Something's bothering you?
Are you upset?
What money did you buy them with?
From my pocket money from Dad.
I forbade him to give it to you this month.
Yeah, it was from before that.
To buy chocolates so far in advance...
You're not normal.
What a stunt you've pulled!
You've lost all perspective!
I never taught you to do things like this!
Come on, take this, clean it up. I don't want your chocolate!
Now go away!
You beast!
Take this, you've got to help me.
Carry this to the garbage, it's out front.
Your father put it out.
Mom, can we talk? I want to talk about Julien.
He's having some problems.
Drop it, Suzanna, it's none of your business.
You always say that. Julien's my brother, so it is my business.
He's not happy. At his age, that's not normal.
Watch what you're doing! It's all stained!
You think things are OK with him? He doesn't eat, he doesn't talk...
What do you want with the rabbit? Rice or mashed potatoes?
Rice.
What is that shirt?
I bought it yesterday.
How could you afford it?
It was second-hand.
Without telling me anything?
That blue is horrible.
It's ugly.
What bad taste!
Tomorrow you're going to the shop and getting your money back.
- It's impossible. - Why's it impossible?
- What do I tell them? - That's not my problem.
You must take responsibility.
Take it off right now.
It's true Julien, that blue isn't very pretty.
Did you hear me?
Look, my parents don't do anything special.
My Dad works a lot...
and comes home late.
And my Mom takes care of the house, that's all.
Is it true what they say?
What do they say?
Things are a bit odd.
That she often goes to your teacher and she checks your notebooks.
It happens a lot.
She's a little tired.
She has problems with her health.
Sometimes I get things wrong. That's all.
- Have you told her about me? - Of course.
How's it going?
- How were classes? - Fine.
Everything's fine with you.
Don't you knock anymore?
- Where's the other one? - In bed.
Julien was crying again tonight. He cries a lot.
It's a difficult age, I know.
You always say that.
It's not always easy, not for him or for anyone else.
I'm not here a lot, I'm away at work.
Your Mom does what she can. She does her best.
You just don't want to see.
Suzanne, lay off the criticism.
She does a lot at home. That's good.
I'm not talking about her.
Is there a room on campus?
Yes. There's one free after Easter.
It's a good opportunity.
For exams. You avoid everything coming and going by train.
- He is unhappy. - Like all adolescents.
But he's not well, he's not happy. You don't see this because you don't want to!
You know I do everything I can.
He also has to make an effort. I've told him.
There's more to it.
Mom's too harsh with him, and you don't do anything!
What's wrong with you?
You're obsessed with your class work.
You're more interested in your work than in what's happening in your own home.
Enough already, Suzanne!
I said I do my best. Now leave me alone - I've got work to do!
Go away! I have to work!
And think about that room at the university.
On the shelf, above the tablecloths. It's for you.
I bought it in advance for Easter. You like it?
Yes.
- It isn't too big? - No, it's stylish like this.
I'm worried about Julien.
I don't think he's well.
He cries a lot. He's just not himself.
You're talking like Suzanne.
- She's talked to me, alright. - And?
Julien is just fine.
Just fine.
His head's on straight.
It's Suzanne.
She's wrong.
You haven't been listening to her crap?
She should be put to work.
I'm afraid that her studies... that she's just not doing very well.
It wasn't a good idea.
She's not an intellectual.
It was your idea. You're a bit arrogant. You want everyone to be like you.
You said that, and you don't deny it.
You persuaded her. She wanted a technical diploma.
- It seems to me that's more mature. - More mature... that's right.
You're being even more insolent.
OK, what do you suggest?
Have you talked to her about living on campus?
As you know, last week we had examinations.
As you requested, I've been paying particular attention to Julien.
So... I'll be direct about this.
Unlike his previous results...
these have been disastrous.
I don't understand.
He hasn't handed in half of his homework.
And when he has done it, it doesn't make sense.
I'm sorry to say this...
...because I know how involved your are with your son's studies.
I've called Julien. I've tried to talk to him.
But in vain. He hasn't said anything, he hasn't explained anything.
Often this deterioration in performance is accompanied by a change in attitude.
Sometimes, violence or aggressiveness. But not in this case.
It is like eczema of your thighs. That's something new.
The dermatologist says, as does the doctor, that it's all in your head.
So something is going on with you.
Are you doing this to get me worried?
So I'll be sick?
- No, nothing's going on. - Stop saying that nothing's going on!
Alright?
Well?
Very well. From now on, come directly home after school.
You can't see your friends.
And your piano lessons have finished!
No more taking walks, no TV, no football.
And of course, no visits to Grandma.
I'm tired of seeing you here. Even at your grandma's was less sordid.
Yes, but she's not well.
- She doesn't want to see anyone. - Yeah, I guess.
One other thing:
I warn you, Julien, on Saturday,
at Sam's party, come up with something,
but you'd better be there.
Both of us...
have ended the war.
Both of us...
have looted, robbed, ruined.
Who won, who lost?
No idea, we don't know...
we stayed with bare hands.
But after...
the war,...
we're left
to make...
the peace...
Come on, open up!
Let me in!
I saw your car, I know you're here.
I want to see my grandson!
You can't keep me from seeing him.
Seriously, you're sick!
You've never been normal, my daughter!
Julien!
Your mother is coming. She knows you're here.
I swear, Mom, I didn't know.
I only knew he had a party. But I told him not to go.
I didn't know he was going.
There!
Why have you done this to me?
Why did you do it to me, why did you do this?
What's that? Why?
How could you?
Stop it, please. Stop.
And now, it's your turn.
Go away.
I told you to leave.
Sorry. Forgive me.
Don't even budge!
I prohibit you from moving.
Get up. Put on your slippers and go down to the kitchen.
You're going to sit here.
All day if necessary.
I don't want you to even budge.
Suzanne?
I don't want to hear a single word.
You don't get it?
I told you not to go.
- It'll just get worse. - No, I think not. See?
I don't believe it, Julien. I didn't believe they were going to let me go.
It's important for me - on campus, everything will be different.
I have to get ready for my exams.
When you see that we can go, things will change, that's for sure.
Mom will have to understand the effects of her attitude, and will have to change.
I tell you that's going to be more than difficult.
What she's doing isn't right.
I'll never leave, Julien, you understand?
I'll never abandon you.
We have to do something about your mother. Julien said she's deathly ill.
Yes. Do it.
- Do you have a lot? - Yes, I'm a collector.
- How many? - With this one, seven.
- All blanks? - Yeah.
For the real ones you need a weapons license and I'm too young for that.
But with these you can have some fun.
How?
I play with them a bit.
With this, for instance, you can do some damage.
Julien, your mother.
I told you to come straight home from school.
- What's that scent, cinnamon? - Yes.
It's very rich, I love it.
- There's also some vanilla. - I love it.
Julien, you've dressed up for your sister's birthday?
It's really nice.
I knew you'd like it.
- And how is life there? - It's good.
- And the campus? - I like it.
- Have you made any new friends? - No, I've still got the same ones.
We know each other and that's best for working.
And do you miss it here?
I've been working solidly for two months so I haven't stopped to think about it.
You're here...
I have a new friend. Zatia.
She's from Mali, very stylish. You'd like her.
How is Alice?
I don't know.
We don't see each other much.
We're not together.
You know?
It was bad not being able to go to Grandma's funeral.
But I had no time. I'd have liked to go, but I couldn't.
Me neither.
Why not?
Mom...
told me she'd died...
only after the funeral.
But why?
Just to protect you.
And your room is locked up?
That's how it is.
She decides when I can go in.
Your son has called us saying that he wants to commit suicide.
- When? - A while ago.
Julien?
Is it so bad for you you had to call the police?
- Good day, ma'am. - Ma'am.
Hello.
Madam, your son has called us saying that you beat him.
That I beat him?
Why did you say that, Julien?
- Sure, I've slapped him a bit. - Slapped? Slapped how, Ma'am?
Like any mother angry with her son.
I was upset, it's true. Certainly tired.
But you can see he's fine. I don't understand.
It's the first time he's done something like this.
I don't understand why he called.
What my wife says is true, it's no big deal.
And you, you're often at home? Don't you work?
I'm a university professor.
I have a lot of work. Above all now, with the exams. I'm not home much.
But my wife doesn't work. She runs the house, and does so very well.
Very well.
We want to talk with your son. Where can we be alone with him?
- Alone? - Yes, ma'am.
Here.
No, in a separate room.
It's not that serious.
- She hasn't done me much damage. - What is "much damage"?
A little? A little more?
No, absolutely not.
- Was your father here? - Yes.
- But he doesn't beat you? - No.
Has it happened before?
- What? - That your mother hit you.
No, it was the first time.
Show me the other arm.
Turn around.
Let me see your belly.
We see no reason to take you to the police station.
- I don't know what possessed him. - It's okay, ma'am.
I'll say it again. I don't know what happened to him.
Everything is fine here.
- Goodbye, sir. - Goodbye and thanks.
This sweater...
where did you get it from?
I asked you a question, Julien.
Put the toys away.
Julien?
It's not a toy.
Come on, that's enough.
Stop it.
Stop it, you hear me?
Answer the question.
I want to kill you.
Tell me.
Where did you get this sweater?
Don't come any closer.
It was in the piano.
You hid it?
Where did you get it?
I asked you a question.
You know - I can do it.
Cut the crap!
Will you answer me?
It was from your grandma,
right?
Well?
Very well.
Besides, it's not very pretty.
No!
Do you want to kill me?
Go ahead.
Kill me.
You can kill me, Julien.
Yes, Julien.
Kill me!
They found Julien huddled on the stairs.
He said nothing,...
he explained nothing.
The doctors have assured us it could have been much worse.
My mother is out of danger.
Today she was able to talk.
She told me she wasn't angry with him.