L'endroit idéal (2008) - full transcript
A film director is investigated by the police for giving money to her imprisoned friend, whom she loves.
THE PERFECT LOCATION
Lift your arms up.
OK.
Here.
Here.
Excuse me!
Can I step outside, please?
I don't feel well.
Can I have something
to help me sleep, please?
I'll give you a Tranxene.
That should help.
Thank you.
Be brave.
-I'm cold. Can I have a blanket?
-No. There aren't any.
I'm thirsty!
Who are you?
What?
Who are you?
Barbara.
Are you here because of
what happened in the prison?
Yes.
You too?
Yes.
I'm Bertrand's daughter-in-law.
I don't know who that is.
Who do you know?
Michel.
Michel is his friend.
What's your name?
Nathalie.
Did they pick you up
at your home?
What a load of crap.
I had to leave my little girl
with my neighbor.
What did you do?
-I worked at the prison.
-What?
I used to work at the prison.
Michel was in my group.
Why are you here?
Because I gave him money.
In the visiting room?
That guy is such a moron.
Who?
My father-in-law.
He's a real moron.
He didn't tell you
what the money was for?
Nothing at all.
I thought it was
for buying gifts.
What did you do?
Did you also give money?
Yes.
I didn't know
what it was for either.
It wasn't a lot of money.
I didn't give a lot either.
Pierre!
This way.
I went to the prison
to make a movie.
I wouldn't have come up with
such an elaborate project
and then screwed it up
by trafficking drugs. That's ridiculous.
What kind of
relationship did you have?
We had an epistolary rapport.
Did you not
write letters to each other?
That's it.
We used to write letters.
Did he ever mention
postal orders?
Yes.
Michel asked me to accept money
from someone who owed it to him.
-Someone in the prison?
-Yes.
-Did you receive it?
-Yes.
Tell me exactly what happened.
He asked for an address
so that a prisoner
could deliver the money.
-What was their name?
-Whose?
-The prisoner.
-I don't know.
What about the person
who received the money?
-Rita.
-And her surname?
She has nothing to do
with all of this.
-How much money did she receive?
- 150 Euros .
-And you give it back?
-Yes.
Well, not all of it.
He only asked for 80.
-Did this happen again?
-No, that was the only time.
COURTHOUSE
Are you Barbara?
Yes.
I don't know why
they're keeping you hostage.
-Did you see Michel?
-No.
-Have you seen Nathalie?
-Yes.
We were brought here together.
How is she?
Not so good.
Really not so good.
This is crazy.
Barbara Vidal.
Hello. I'm Counselor Durieux.
You will probably
be sentenced to prison.
That can't happen!
Michel Vaugier stated that he
gave you a watch. Is that true?
Yes.
OK. Make sure you
tell that to the judge.
This is absolutely crazy.
-Got a cigarette, sir?
-I don't smoke.
Miss!
Miss! Got a cigarette?
There are some in my purse.
-Where is Vaugier?
-Over there.
Not that way! Take the steps.
So you bought her a watch.
-Yes.
-How much did it cost?
-The watch?
-Yes, the watch!
-EUR 80.
-Barbara said it was 150.
I've never spent 150 on a watch.
-But Barbara gave you EUR 150.
-And I gave her back 70.
-Why?
-Because I only needed 80.
Have I answered
all your questions?
Can I see her now?
Take this.
How many?
-Just once.
-No! How much money?
-EUR 80.
-You mentioned EUR 150 earlier.
She received 150,
but I only gave Michel 80.
-Why?
-Because he only wanted 80.
-Why?
-I don't know.
What a generous man
Mr. Vaugier is!
Did you know what Mr. Vaugier
would do with that money?
No.
You never thought of asking him?
He asked me to do him a favor.
You don't ask questions.
Not even in prison!
You should!
Especially in prison.
Prison is exactly
where I should send you.
That's what
the state prosecutor requested.
Your Honor, you wished to
question her about the watch.
Of course!
Mr. Vaugier gave you a watch?
Yes.
Sign the statement
and then you're free to go.
Does that mean
I can never see him again?
Or write to him.
Sign here, please.
-Is anyone going towards Paris?
-No.
-Do you have the time?
-It's midnight.
Thank you.
ONE YEAR LATER
I started writing 2 letters,
but I couldn't finish them.
I couldn't find the right words.
I don't know what to say.
I'm so afraid of screwing up
and saying the wrong thing.
I prefer to give up.
I want it
to come from the heart.
My own words for your eyes only.
Kisses.
Slow passionate kisses.
Our mouths in constant contact.
My arms around you.
My body pressed close to yours.
My legs intertwined with yours.
Skin on skin.
Our gazes interlocked.
I love you.
My love,
your letter
is finally in my hands.
Thank you for finally allowing
me to read a real letter
after all these months
without any updates.
It pains me to not
to be able to write to you.
I can't wait until
the day I am allowed to.
At home, sometimes
the interminable silence
is broken by my dog's sighing.
I often think this is the sound
of a letter slid under the door
so I rush to the door,
but to no avail.
I think I'm going crazy.
I love you, Michel.
I love you
truly, madly, deeply.
I love you and only you.
Always and forever.
You alright?
What's in your head?
You?
Huh?
- Me?
- Yeah.
- Well, you.
- Really?
What are you thinking about?
Well, about that.
What?
Mom?
-They can never see each other?
-No.
Not for the past year.
But they can write letters now.
-Can they call each other?
-No, they're not allowed to.
Are they getting married
so as to see each other?
It's because
they love each other.
Fetch me the bouquet, please.
They might not want to get
married after seeing each other?
Don't you think getting married
in prison is a little sad?
No, it's not sad
if they love each other.
-Why can't I come, then?
-Only witnesses are allowed.
It's not a party.
If it's not a party,
then it's a little sad.
Will we give
Barbara her gift today?
Yes, we will.
Ms. Meyer.
Ms. Vidal.
Mr. Simonin.
Hello, ladies and gentlemen.
Gather round, please.
Gather round.
Let us proceed
with the marriage rites.
At 9 AM, Thursday,
21 February, 2008,
Alain Buteau,
deputy mayor of Fresnes,
in his capacity as registrar,
hereby confirm the presence of,
in Fresnes penitentiary,
Michel Roger Vaugier,
builder by trade,
born in Asnières
on May 18, 1963,
residing at
72 Clichy Boulevard, Paris,
in the 18th borough,
and Ms. Barbara Marguerite
Vidal, filmmaker,
born 26 January, 1968,
residing at 72 Clichy Boulevard,
18th borough, Paris.
Both parties have confirmed
they are not currently married.
They have chosen as witnesses,
Ms. Rita Meyer, architect,
residing at 6 Acacias Street,
Nanterres, Hauts-de-Seine,
and Mr. Patrick Simonin,
locksmith,
residing at 23 Estienne d'Orves
Street, Champigny-sur-Marne,
Thank you for being here.
I will now quote
from the Civil Code
the rights and obligations
of spouses.
Spouses promise to respect
and be faithful to one another
and provide mutual
aid and comfort.
They promise to work together
on the moral and material
wellbeing of their family.
In the absence of
a formal marital agreement,
each spouse
will agree to contribute
proportionately to
their respective ability.
Both spouses have agreed
to a joint estate.
Barbara Marguerite Vidal,
do you take Michel Roger Vaugier
as your lawful wedded husband?
I do.
Michel Roger Vaugier,
do you takeBarbara Marguerite Vidal
as your lawful wedded wife?
I do.
I now pronounce you both,
Barbara Marguerite Vidal
and Michel Roger Vaugier,
united in wedlock.
Please sign the register.
Here is the official
family record book.
Of course, the rings first.
-Ms. Vidal?
-Yes.
Please come with me.
There are papers to sign.
This way, please.
It's not the best place.
You're wrong, sir.
It's the best place.
Translation: Mary O'Connor
TV5 Québec Canada