L'état de grâce (1986) Movie Script

Students graduating from universities

certainly have diplomas,

but they are not fit

to work in companies.

Universities

must train officers

in economic warfare.

Not intellectuals

and talking heads.

CNPF UNIVERSITY

AND ROBOTICS

Only then will we be victorious.

With or against you.

Please.

The Secretary of State for Universities,

Mr. Antoine Lombard, has the floor.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I expected an objective presentation,

I heard an indictment.

I'll therefore take

up point by point

and without any polemical spirit

your spokesman's argument.

Excuse me.

I was against this invitation

and I said so.

If you don't stop this childish

provocation, I'll walk out now.

I hope, ladies and gentlemen,

that the news of the

day is good for you,

but also for the government

I have the honor to be part of.

Law four on the renovation

of higher education

aims to set up an organization

in accordance with our national traditions

and the will to

modernize the country.

Sir.

You could have thanked me.

I think I would have gotten away

with it like a big boy,

I've seen worse, you know.

You embody everything I hate.

Touch me.

Here.

Antoine.

Antoine, it's seven o'clock.

I'm late, then.

No.

I said no!

Oh, you're crazy.

That's enough.

This girl hurt me,

and now she's having a laugh!

I know, my love.

Me too.

I heard you dream tonight.

Really? What did I say?

You said,

- "I've never been so in love."

- But it's true.

Florence, you know I'm late.

You're welcome.

What's this?

-Secret

-Really?

Who is waiting for whom?

Let's go.

- Do you remember your promise?

- Of course.

- The secret?

- Swear first.

I swear to be

free for three days.

- Promise?

- Yes.

The 23rd, 24th,

25th. Repeat.

The 23rd, the 24th, the 25th.

- Why those days?

- I don't know.

- Neither do I.

- I only met you three months ago.

- Here.

- Ah yes.

"You embody

everything I hate."

Florence to

Florence. With whom?

With Antoine. Antoine and Florence

will go to Florence.

And when?

The 23rd, 24th, 25th.

I swear.

- Bye, Dad.

- Bye, kids.

- Lo-Louis, be careful with your sweater.

- Sorry.

- Good morning, Mom.

- Good morning, my loves.

You guys did it all

alone this morning.

You're beautiful.

Give me a kiss.

Always late.

I'm hurrying.

- Bye, Mom.

- Bye.

Here, take this.

Put it in your factory.

Don't forget

Wednesday's meeting.

I'll be there, Mom.

You'll address the laity.

- You're not afraid, at least.

- I promise.

It's all hands on

deck, Florence.

- Hello.

Claude, as usual,

drop the lady off first.

FREE THE SCHOOL

Judith got the best grade

in her class again.

It's going to end badly.

Antoine Lombard, what do you think

of emotion

winning public

opinion over politics…

Campaign conducted by

the opposition newspapers

against the government,

against secular schools…

- Are you enjoying it?

- I'm interested.

School must be

open to all children,

whatever their skin color,

their social background.

It is always in the

name of freedom

that liberties

come under assault.

The public school is the school

of liberty.

The government wants an agreement

with employers.

Minister, there

are whispers that you don't agree.

But the government hasn't changed

its policy, and nor have I.

Business leaders are

involved in the preparation of my law.

But the university

will never be handed over

to the reins of profit.

Profit. That's

a word you don't like very much.

- Is that a question?

- Of course.

We live in a society dominated by profit,

so I have to work with that.

However, employers

reject the way students

- are framing them.

- You info is wrong, Pierre-Julien.

Some bosses want the university

to change its programs

to fit their immediate needs.

I say no to that.

Imagine if a diploma

were valid in Lille,

but not in Paris,

not in Grenoble, not in Lyon. No.

The university

must deliver national diplomas

that are valid nationally.

We're training free men,

- not robots.

- And the law, when?

I'll submit my copy

to the government in a month.

If it gets a majority,

which I hope it will,

the law will be discussed and voted on

before the session end.

- A conclusion, Mr. Minister?

- I just gave you it.

Thank you, Antoine Lombard.

Tomorrow we will

speak with Simone Veil.

You're preaching the gospel to me.

The pink gospel.

You ask me questions, I answer.

You've not changed, have you?

You were already like it at uni.

That's right, I haven't changed.

Oh well, you make me…

Don't lecture me. If you're looking for

a doormat, excuse me, I'm a journalist.

- Did you get out of bed the wrong side?

- No.

- You were funny.

- Two coffees.

- With a glass of water, please.

Me too, please.

A short sentence.

- The ones that win big cases.

- Let me see.

Mr. Julien, telephone.

Hello, Peter?

- Yes?

- You could have said.

Oh no, Veronique, please.

- Who have you been screwing again?

- I screw who I want, you see.

- You're not shy.

- Bastard.

Get out of here.

- You're a cow.

- Look in the mirror.

Crisis?

- It's Veronique.

- Do you want me to see her?

- Will you find the time?

- Of course.

Hi, Pierre. Next time,

be careful,

don't forget that you are talking

to a minister of the Republic.

A real bitch.

Here.

Find him for me.

But then pass him to me.

Think this is the day?

So, Weber.

Ready for the game?

You're the one playing, ma'am.

Yes.

We will win.

- Tokini confirmed.

- What, Tokini?

The meeting in

Tokyo on the 23rd.

On the 23rd? No, I can't.

- That's impossible.

- You'll go without me.

Ma'am, I committed

a long time ago.

I said no.

And you'll be a hit

with the geishas.

SECRETARY OF

STATE FOR UNIVERSITIES

Thursday the 16th at 9:30 a.m.,

hearing of the unions, SNESUP,

UNEF, CGT-FO, CFDT.

At 1 p.m.,

interministerial meeting at Matignon.

Saturday 18th, 10 a.m.,

signing of the

sport-university agreement

at the Ministry of

Sports, then lunch.

No, that's okay, I know it.

Let's move on to the next week.

I need

- three days after the 23rd.

- Three days?

Come on,

Sylvie. Do it for me.

Ah, Friday 23rd,

meeting in Marseille.

No, but I'll work

it out with them.

Well, afterwards.

After, it's the weekend.

- For once you can give it to me.

- No.

- How so, no?

- No.

Saturday 24th

French-speaking Africa conference.

You chair the college committee

with your colleague,

Pierre Mournet.

And in the evening, a gala evening

put on by the President,

attendance required, tuxedo,

- Mr. Minister.

- The bastards.

Yes.

Oh well, I found it.

Two days next month.

- But not two days in a row.

- Are you kidding me?

I need them, Sylvie.

I promised.

"Promised."

Promised whom, sir?

Hello, Antoine.

Hi, shall we go?

Three days.

- There's a guy from the Élysée.

- Who asked him?

- The Élysée.

- Who is it?

Bichkov.

Let's go.

Hello.

- Hello.

-Minister

-Hello, Lambert.

So shall we get to it?

With Youth and

Sports it's no problem.

You guys are amazing at Health.

It is now that you discover that

my projects don't fit with your forecasts.

Well, no.

Bichkov, advisor

to the President.

Good morning, sir.

You want to make the selection

worse, right?

Not at all, Mr. Minister.

- What does the money say?

- It's blocked.

Totally blocked.

Don't exaggerate.

Am I exaggerating?

For scholarships,

45% less on rates.

The recruitment

plan for lecturers,

no budget.

As for the construction of the

cafeteria, zilch.

Yes, the students will have

to eat at MacDonald's.

Are you committing

your minister?

Not on the comments,

on the numbers, yes.

Your proposals,

Mr. Bichkov?

I'm taking notes.

- I'll report back.

- That's fine.

No, it's perfect, all of it.

Note this, Mr. Bichkov.

11:17 a.m.,

the representative of the Élysée

was asked by the Minister

to leave the room.

- Excuse me, sir?

- Did you get that, Mr. Bichkov?

I know, I'll report to you.

-Good, Robert

-Minister.

I want a statement

of conclusions.

Everyone will state their position

in writing.

Then I'll personally

solve the problems

-with the relevant ministers

-Very well.

The senior officials

are here. You're here

to implement policy decisions,

not to put obstacles in our way.

Is that clear?

- What, Nathalie?

- Mr. Grimm is here.

So let's stop dragging our feet,

for goodness sake.

Ladies and gentlemen, good work.

Let's go.

- Bye, Robert.

- Bye, sir.

- His name?

- Grimm.

Grimm, I apologize

for the delay.

A ministerial problem.

One more, gentlemen, please.

This is the institute's core.

This is a unique

achievement in Europe.

- Mr. Lopez?

- Yes.

All the information

about the humanities is in there.

We're connected to our colleagues

in Frankfurt via satellite.

The hardware is French

but the software is German.

Minister.

I would like to

know about the work on epistemology

of the last ten years.

I'll pick one at random.

"Epistemology,

Social Criticism and Materialism.

1978 State Thesis,

Faculty of Orleans.

Author, Mr. Antoine

Lombard."

"With the congratulations

of the jury."

This is a set-up.

You're proposing

the great leap forward.

Eleven times out of ten,

you end up on your ass.

I'm not for it.

Cornier?

The more I think,

the less I understand.

You have made this

company the leading French company.

116% profit, what's better?

I have always voted with you,

but now I don't understand.

President, you're proposing

to acquire three companies.

Good. Let's

start with Sotec.

Let's say, Sotec and Frimage.

And we'll see.

The world wasn't made in a day.

The operation

calls for 160 million investment.

Put half of it on the table

and you get my vote.

A hundred and sixty million,

for crying out loud.

Lambert, calm down.

It's not all or nothing. It's debatable.

MAKE A COMPROMISE. F

Florence? It's your turn.

But your position, Florian?

After you. I'm older.

I expected some opposition,

but not as much.

No. Not from everyone.

No, Cornier is right.

To be the first

company in France

in the sporting goods market,

forty million in

pre-tax profits,

not including cash flow,

what do the people want?

The people want risk,

adventure.

In France, Lambert, each year

we'd get one or two

percentage points

more, that's all.

Rents.

What I propose to

you is the open sea,

a direct attack on

the American market.

What I want is to become a group

with a global reach.

The IPO, dear Gruber,

of our company, it

is not a goal for me.

It's a starting point.

"But the capital,"

Lambert repeats.

I'm dining with Wells tonight.

I have already begun

negotiating with him.

I know, it's abnormal,

but normality…

Wells is ready to come onboard

with me,

for 40% of the 160 million.

That's it. There will

be no compromise.

If I am outvoted,

I'll step down as president.

- So?

- It's me.

Can't do it, there's

something vital,

an international

conference, I must go.

- But, three days, Antoine!

- I know.

Listen, I

even canceled a meeting in Marseille.

And I canceled a

trip, don't you care?

The president will be there,

- I can't.

- Just sleep with the president.

But our equivalencies, Minister?

The Europe of gifts, okay, but diplomas?

They don't care but we do.

How long will it take?

I can tell you this

is my pet project.

- Autograph, Mr. Minister.

- No, not me.

Excuse me.

With Wells or without Wells,

the operation is perilous.

You've convinced

us of that, Florence.

The open sea, adventure,

these kinds of terms have little

to do with business.

You've convinced us of that.

The open sea, adventure,

all terms that have little

to do with the business world.

Two of the three companies you want

to absorb are lame ducks.

Weber knows how to prepare files

and I know how to read them.

So if you quit

I'll do the same.

I have been working

with you six years

and I'm past the

age of infidelity.

Okay, gentlemen,

we'll take a vote.

Just a second, Florian.

Are you voting for the project?

- Yes.

- Wait.

Madam Chair, if you fail,

your shares will

pass into our hands?

Okay.

You're too heavy.

Here.

It's odd, feels like

the end of the world, but it's…

- It's…

- Ten minutes from Paris.

- Oh yes, ten minutes.

- Oh, yes.

- It's…

- I'll be right back.

Yes, please.

You cut him off.

I clearly thought

of something else.

Yes, really.

Would you like a

glass of champagne?

Thank you.

Here, come on.

So, dear friend.

Ah, here's Florence.

Good evening, everyone.

- Evening, Florence.

- Evening. How are you?

Very good.

Ah, Mr. Steven.

I was told you were

tough in business.

So I'll take care of you.

- No, Florence.

- Evening.

- I demand to be the first.

- Wells.

- I have a lot to tell you.

- I hope so.

I'm going to try this operation.

I want our products near

the top of the range…

I warned you, Elliot.

Don't complain.

Come on.

With the dollar at ten francs,

I'm giving you an excellent deal.

It is Europe that

finances your deficit,

which boosts your poor currency.

But at what pace

will the acquisitions be made?

For Sotec and

Frimage, it's simple.

Greg is a bigger piece.

And that's where

I need your help.

Did you get a majority?

Did you doubt me?

Florence, I think we

should sit down now.

When can we make it happen?

Come to Chicago next week, okay?

My wife will make you

her ketchup chicken again.

Madame is eating dollars.

Come on, Paul, cheer up, go on.

Dream on, Wells.

I see, you're a born

saleswoman, Florence.

Jean-Marc says so.

Madame is served.

Dear friends, if you'd like

to sit down to eat.

It depends for whom, Florence.

In your country taxes

are going down, profits are going up.

But we have the

left in government.

Fine, but there's no strike.

It's time to go.

- Thanks, Florence, that was great.

- That's me.

See you in Chicago next week.

- Goodbye, Jean-Marc.

- Goodbye, dear friend.

- Goodbye.

- Evening Jean-Pierre.

- Evening.

Florence?

Antoine!

- But what is this?

- It's me.

But your dinner?

- And your promise?

- Oh, no. You're not doing that again.

- I really did everything I could.

- You think?

I can't just cancel

an international conference.

Why not?

Because I'm Secretary of State,

not James Bond.

Please.

Oh, Florence.

Your dress is beautiful.

You care about dresses now?

- Is the car yours?

- Yes.

I chose the color to please you.

Red.

I love you, Antoine.

And I don't.

This morning, in a speech,

instead of saying, "France thinks that",

I said, "Florence

thinks that."

Damn, my train.

That was the last one.

Good.

No, not like this.

I don't want to.

Not like this.

What's going on?

It just so happens

that I am fed up.

Tired of these

clandestine meetings,

I'm tired of this secrecy,

I'm tired of your studio.

How many guys were there before me

in that studio?

In Florence we were

free for three days.

Yes, but so

what? What next?

What next?

Here we go again.

- Yes.

- But yes, what?

Yes, it was only ever that.

Yes, that's my point.

No.

We're hiding because

of who we both are.

No, Florence.

We're hiding because

you asked me to.

Because of your name,

your husband, your money.

No, but there's

you, Antoine, you.

- No.

- Yes, you.

When you were on the radio today

I felt like you

were talking to me.

Champagne, sports

car. How do I look?

Like a beloved man, Antoine.

Iron to work with

Lead for revenge

And bread for his brothers

Long live the sound of the cannon

Ah! that will do, that will do

The aristocrats

The aristocrats will be hanged

What does the Republican need?

Iron, lead and bread

Iron to work with

Lead for revenge

And bread for his brothers

Long live the sound of the cannon…

Bravo, it's not bad

but now you are…

No, wait.

There were some

mistakes in the text.

Dad, it's "also."

No.

- Say, Antoine.

- Yes?

You won't back down on schools?

Because if we give in to the priests,

it's over.

Yes, Dad.

Here we go again.

I'm speaking as a voter,

not as an activist.

And no voters, no

elected members.

You too, now?

Dad, stop bothering

the prodigal son.

Voters need only behave,

vote and shut up.

Come on, let's

have a serious talk.

Tell him what

to do or he'll never get it done.

He's lost weight again.

Just like you.

Are you not eating in Paris?

I ordered a leg of lamb.

What do you think?

So, how goes it

at the Council of Ministers?

You know I only go

when a file's on the agenda

but I already told you that,

didn't I, Dad?

They'd should ask you more often,

they'd make fewer errors.

-Morning, Minister

-Morning, ma'am.

At the federation

they say you can't wait.

Let them talk.

Got a lot of work?

And do you go

out often in Paris?

What exactly do

you want to know?

I don't know,

you're not talkative.

And what is power like?

When will you invite

me to your ministry?

Soon, Dad.

So, tell me, how's it going?

I'm not done writing.

Still, tell me about it.

Angèle.

It's the story of

two women who met.

And?

The rest, next week, like on TV.

Got a title yet?

- Strange Love.

- Who are they in love with?

Each other.

FRANCE FOR THE FRENCH

ARABS OUT

We keep erasing it,

but they do it again.

Here's comrade Lombard!

Hello, comrade.

Hello.

- Hello, comrade.

- Hello.

This is my daughter.

I think we'll have

a second drink.

Posters.

Would you like a

drink, Mr. Minister?

Good morning,

Mr. Minister.

- How are you?

- Very well, thank you.

Good morning,

Mr. Minister.

- I'd like to talk to you.

- Yes, no problem.

- Hello.

- Nice to meet you.

Please accept this flower from our

garden, Minister.

Yes.

Thank you. What

is your name?

- Marguerite.

- Thank you, Marguerite.

The more time passes,

the more people are laid off.

We should remember

that since the liberation,

this is the first time

we've really been in power,

and that

everything… Wait.

It must all be modernized.

But every time we modernize

the employees suffer.

- That's not why we campaigned.

- I understand.

But just because we have power

doesn't mean

bosses have lost it.

Economic realities

must be taken into account.

Mr. Seán

MacBride is here.

Carlos Fuentes, the widows

of Pablo Neruda.

and Salavador

Allende are also here.

And here comes

François Mitterrand

outside the Pantheon,

where there are the most people

on both sides of

the rue Soufflot,

the street that bears

the architect's name

who began the construction

of this Pantheon

under the reign of Louis XV,

construction that was completed

by Rondelet.

This Pantheon

that Victor Hugo, who was to become

one of its residents,

referred to as

a gigantic cake.

François Mitterrand

is going to cross.

the nave of what was

first the church of Saint

Geneviève, before

- it was renamed in the Revolution…

- Ah, nice.

…and became the Pantheon…

It's like a movie club,

it's like an old movie.

France is, as the inscription

above the colonnade states,

a grateful nation to great men.

What are you reading?

Is it good?

It's like Tolstoy.

How is your project going?

Films move forward

like trains in the night.

Truffaut said that.

But the trains

still have to start.

Ah, the materialist comeback.

If you can't find the money,

change the script.

Tell the same story,

but take into account

what the producers want.

Write a crime story.

Your film was beautiful,

but nobody saw it.

Shut up.

If you're asked to

change your mind,

- do you?

- No.

But cinema isn't the same thing.

Yes, it's a hobby before a job.

Stop being a big brother,

it doesn't suit you.

Yeah, they were

trying to get me.

Kindly, but still.

Know what he did?

He gave me a letter of credit

for nine million dollars.

And I was paying interest.

- Give me a ride.

- No.

Goodbye, children.

Goodbye, Rose.

Let's go.

At your last national

convention, period.

The law will ensure

your student union

not only access to all university

records, comma,

- but also…

- Bichkov's report was spicy.

- I could care less.

- Here.

No, I don't want

to. I don't want to.

Where were we now?

"Access to all

academic records, comma,

"but also". You

threw him out, Bishkov?

Yes.

- I don't like his face.

- It's not his head, but the inside.

- The girls and I used to say that.

- Did you discuss it?

The whole house is talking about

it, Minister.

Tell me, Sylvie,

am I being spied on?

No, but let's go.

But again, I also confirm to you

that the grants included

in the budget collective, comma,

will be paid, period.

Florence.

Good evening, Claude, thank you.

Florence, I want a divorce.

Your little night drives

have convinced me, enough is enough.

Don't bring up the children.

It's over.

Good evening.

I don't want to. Hear

me? I don't want to.

I don't need your opinion,

I'm telling you my decision.

Jean-Marc, I

beg you, I love you.

Please.

But I've never lied to you.

I've never lied.

- I hid nothing.

- Yes, it's me breaking the contract.

No!

Jean-Marc, listen to me.

- Listen to me.

- You think about him all the time.

But there is you. I

need you, Jean-Marc.

- I need you.

- It's too easy.

Don't leave.

At the meeting without

Florian I was done.

He's the one who saved my skin.

I need you.

Give me some time.

Him for love, me

for business, right?

It's despicable.

You want it all.

No, give me time, I

beg you, give me time.

Help me.

You disgust me.

Understand?

You disgust me.

- Okay, it's ready.

- Let's eat.

Here we go.

- A little wine?

- Please.

Your problem with Veronique,

is that you want

to continue to cheat on her

but don't accept she does.

We're no longer

in the Middle Ages.

Please, tell me more.

- I don't know whose side you're on.

- No.

But that has

nothing to do with it.

A guy who loves a woman has only

one desire, to live with her.

See her, listen

to her, smell her,

wake up with her, eat with her,

cook with her, argue with her,

I don't know. I don't know. Everything.

It's not sex on the one hand

and the heart on the other.

Love cannot be

divided. A couple,

it's a couple.

Are you in love?

- Yes.

- With an activist?

- Not exactly.

- Wow. When do we find out?

So you're marrying?

I see.

Yeah.

Give us a great year.

And here is Pierre-Julien

who finally has his socialist side.

- A little Martel.

- Yeah.

That's great. It's crazy.

Knowing you're in love.

And I thought you

only had one love:

France.

Good evening.

What's wrong?

- I'm fine.

- What is it?

Nothing.

I'm a little cold.

The Yanks must

have given me the flu.

I'll make you something hot.

A tea with rum.

- A grog, you know.

- Yes.

With lots of sugar?

Yes.

What if I had gotten

a large apartment?

Not a real house,

but big enough for

two people to live in.

You'll join me when you can.

Would you come?

Let's lie down.

Come on.

One more, please.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

My dear Lombard,

I need this Institute.

Yes, but it's planned elsewhere.

For your pals?

Dear Buppon, you're

constantly bashing me,

and when you can,

you request exceptions

and, of course, subsidies.

Come on, try harder.

My city deserves a university.

An institute, don't

exaggerate, Buppon.

You know, I

don't do clientelism.

The Cybernetics Institute

hasn't been assigned,

I have many possibles.

I'll have the regional

council's blessing

and for the department,

no problem, it's me.

Dear Minister,

you'll be received like a prince.

Yes, in session I

am insulted, and

in the corridors people smile at

me. Buppon.

- Excuse me for a moment.

- Sure.

You're amazing, you disappear in

the night and pop up…

It's over, Antoine.

You and me. We're done.

- I can take no more.

- What's over?

You know!

I don't want to meet again.

Are you kidding?

The sky is falling.

My children, Jean-Marc.

My business. I

can't take it anymore.

You're trimming

your schedule, right?

Yes.

Anyway, it couldn't

go on like this.

It would have been one of us.

It's perfect.

That's what I was hoping.

No, you don't have to.

I already had the lock changed.

Florence.

- So, my dear Minister…

- Get lost, you!

Hey!

Buppon, you're pissing me off.

- Sir.

- Apologize, Antoine.

- I'm sorry. Please accept my apologies.

- No way.

- Please.

- It's a misunderstanding.

If ridicule kills, I

hope he gets killed.

After that,

either you go up in the polls,

or you go straight to heaven.

Okay.

En garde!

I'm sorry.

How far does it go?

Until the last machine.

You'll see that

the workers are very serious.

The machines are good for scrap.

Got the arrival

notice for the material?

Yes, ma'am, on the

21st of next month.

Good.

- And for staff training?

- These are very flexible robots.

The Japanese told me

that staff would master its use in less

than eight days.

Good.

We have to get rid

of these machines.

Please.

Thank you.

Anyway, I insist.

We need to

create quality swords here right now.

Yes, the problem is framing.

But I hired Bezons

factory executives.

Good.

So the gentleman says we can open

up to there.

Take it down.

- Can we see the rooms?

- Please.

Go on without

me. See you later.

What do you think?

In a month you'll

recognize nothing.

Ultra modern.

And if I succeed

Vannier-Buchet is on the stock market.

Can you believe it?

Yes.

Well, say something!

Skim the fat off here.

Ms. Vannier, please.

Don't worry.

What are you doing after?

Yes, I just discussed seeing the room

next door with the man.

We're going to go.

Need a lift home?

No, I can't.

I have more to do.

Okay, very well.

I really need some sun.

But without the

kids. You and me.

Not so fast,

Florence. Okay?

I love you, Antoine.

But I didn't want to leave Jean-Marc,

the children

or give up my business.

Florence.

Don't hate me too much, Antoine.

The situation had

become unbearable.

I couldn't give you

everything you wanted.

I could no longer

cope with our existence.

We were all unhappy.

I didn't dare speak

to you face to face.

That's why I came

to the Assembly.

I love you, Antoine.

But I didn't want to leave Jean-Marc,

the children

or give up my business.

Florence.

Don't hate me too much, Antoine.

That's why I came

to the Assembly.

The situation had

become unbearable.

Forgive me. I

love you, Antoine.

I love you, Antoine.

Well, gentlemen, we're done.

Would the minister like to conclude?

The sun's coming up.

Gentlemen.

- Goodbye.

- Goodbye, Mr. Minister.

Goodbye.

Must I beg you?

It was all for nothing.

- Started smoking again?

- No.

Spit it out.

We're throwing it all away.

Are you a dialectician?

You see, old man,

we've just gone from a state of grace

to austerity.

And you never

wanted to admit that.

But the Élysée wants

to give in on schools

and your bill is a symbol.

Your law is done for.

And then there's

you. You fire Bichkov.

Much liked in high places.

You play D'Artagnan.

And I'm not telling you

what they say about you at Matignon.

That's not the worst part.

You boycott the media.

You don't care about polls.

You don't communicate.

And that comes back

to bite you in the ass.

You're not

fashionable. Your look.

And what does

the fashionable man advise me?

I don't know.

Find a compromise.

Delay the bill,

and then,

you can yell.

- Shall we go for a coffee?

- And you, what do you think?

Nothing.

I'm going to change my look.

Good evening, Sylvie.

Good evening, Minister.

It's not bad, is it?

It's good.

- Is it the inter-ministry?

- Yes.

So can you call the PM?

Just his chief of staff.

It's still good.

It's bigger than you said.

It makes you a minister.

We'll have to get our friends

from the section in here.

They'll be happy to

see where you work.

Yes, of course.

Would you like a Ricard?

You didn't bring me here

to offer me an aperitif?

No.

You know,

when we took over,

at first we decided

to implement the program.

You know the result,

the franc attacked

by international banks,

our unsaleable products

on the world markets,

inflation, unemployment,

devaluation.

A tough situation.

So we had to tighten up.

This applies to my ministry

as well as to others.

Except that

I have a small budget.

So when you cut a budget

that's already small,

there isn't much left.

By spreading it out over

five or six years,

my law will be applied.

I have to be realistic.

Say, Antoine.

Are you moving to the right?

Not you, not a Lombard.

It's all talk.

You were elected to carry out

specific policies.

Now you say you must stage it,

can't be done,

realism.

Say that and you're

no longer a socialist, Antoine.

What is it?

My letter of resignation

to the Prime Minister.

I wouldn't have

written it differently.

God, you scared me.

That's good. I'm

proud of you, Antoine.

Better to stay clean, son.

- It's not that, Dad.

- What is it?

I'm unhappy, Dad.

I'm unhappy.

I'm sorry.

That's okay.

The bank has gone bankrupt.

I'm not a winner.

I hate winners.

Caution.

Turn.

Go ahead, keep your distance.

Stay in the center.

Yeah.

Let's start again.

Go ahead. Keep

your distance. Yeah!

Caution.

Go ahead, there.

It's okay, take it easy.

Here. Look at my hand.

Perfect.

Vannier-Buchet,

class for athletes.

The horse is better than him.

Do it again.

Vannier-Buchet,

class for athletes.

No, it's not right, again.

Vannier-Buchet,

class for athletes.

Cut!

That's a lunch

break. One hour.

Take the lights,

and have someone guard the equipment.

And don't forget

to feed the horse.

Change the coals.

-Yes

-Up to 32.

Okay.

Hello.

Do you want to stand here?

A glass of water, please.

- Are you having lunch?

- No, thank you.

Yes?

For the shots of the horse,

number four or five?

Both of them.

Was three cut?

Yes.

I had no idea it was so complex.

Neither did I.

- Anything else, ma'am?

- No, thank you.

Thank you, no.

And you like it?

Tastes like cinema,

looks like cinema, but it's not cinema.

You handle derision with ease.

Derision isn't always derisory.

Yes.

The agency offered me a list

of top directors.

I wanted Angèle Lombard.

Okay?

An unemployed director.

Do you know why?

- No.

- I wanted to buy a minister's sister.

Money can buy anything.

So I'm commissioning a blockbuster

from you. I already have the script.

A dirty little

prick of a minister

steals the wife of

a well-educated Protestant banker.

The well-educated

banker pulls out a dagger

and cuts the johnson

of the little minister.

What do you think?

B movies aren't my thing.

You'll do it, bitch!

Did I hurt you?

What do I look like?

Like a well-educated

Protestant banker.

FLORENCE S.M.N.

How much do I owe you?

Yes.

I don't mind, because

it's a bit heavy.

Where, over there?

I recognize nothing

now. In December

there was snow

everywhere. Remember?

You see how easy

it was to break free.

I resigned.

Not left enough for my friends

and too far left for people like you.

- People like me?

- Yes, people like you.

I wouldn't have resigned.

What will you do now?

Go back to teaching.

I have a Polish friend who lives

in Paris with her little daughter,

her husband is

in jail in Poland.

Can't you find

something for him?

- Listen, Antoine.

- Let's not talk about it.

What's she like?

She's at the end of her rope.

Tell her to call me,

but it's the last time.

I wonder what you'll do

when we're all nationalized.

Florence and

Antoine are in Florence.

Antoine.

Yes?

Yes.

Oh, yes. Yes.

No, hold on.

It's for you.

Yes? It's me.

Weber.

Yes, I get it.

I can take

the 3 p.m. one.

Yes. No, alone.

Ask the driver to

pick me up at Roissy.

See you later, Weber.

- Are you leaving?

- Yes. I must.

- We said three days.

- That was before.

That was before, Antoine.

Before.

I came alone, Antoine.

To be here alone.

You coming wasn't planned.

-It was wonderful but unexpected

-A parenthesis.

A period.

Should I call you a cab?

Yes.

To be competitive,

you have to modernize.

That means automating.

On the other hand,

and you know it,

your work will be less repetitive,

more alive, more engaged.

- Not if you get fired.

- That's the price.

If I hadn't bought

it, it'd have shut.

Bankruptcy.

I have invested more than three

billion, that's huge.

And I'm taking a big risk, too.

We can discuss.

The terms of the restructuring plan

are negotiable.

But not its purpose.

Everything is negotiable.

Except the essentials.

I promised to come

and talk with you,

and I have.

Now it's your turn.

Go on, get out

of here. Hurry up.

Just a bunch of hot air.

- Come on, out.

- Yeah, good riddance.

Here.

How does it feel?

My dear Pierre-Julien,

power makes you crazy,

absolute power makes

you absolutely crazy.

Oh well. And

you're happy to leave?

You could have said.

- Goodbye.

- Goodbye, Mr. Minister.

What are you going to do?

University.

Are you stupid or what?

A man like you

is better than that.

Can I talk to you

about something?

They'll offer you

a lot of money.

The embassy in Madrid.

Secretary of State

is just a stepping stone.

With Spain in the common market,

Madrid is politically

more important.

What do you mean?

I had dinner with

the Prime Minister.

You're passing messages now?

No, he only knows we're friends.

No, pay attention.

I no longer agree

with the government's policy

in Paris, how can I

defend it in Madrid?

Can you see me justifying

expelling Basque militants

with my comrades?

No, forget it.

Here, look at him.

He was dreaming

about it, the dog.

- Good morning.

- Good morning, Antoine.

Jean Meni, my successor.

Maubert, my chief of staff.

Pierre-Julien, a journalist.

- Sir.

- We must be careful with him.

- Good luck.

- Thank you.

NO LAYOFFS

FACTORY ON STRIKE

Still held captive in her factory

in La Courneuve

by the strike committee.

Negotiations have stalled.

Mrs. Vannier-Buchet,

nicknamed "the iron lady" by the unions

is refusing to negotiate.

I have just learned

that the CNPF

has just demanded

that Prime Minister release…

- Yes, Paul?

- Sorry, sir.

This was just brought by.

- Yes, hello?

- It's Florence.

Yes, hi, Florence, it's me.

Negotiate, Florence.

Later, you'll see.

- No, but there's nothing to negotiate.

- You're not Joan of Arc!

- Cool it.

- I'm telling you to negotiate.

Calm down.

Let go, there's a thing

named compromise.

No, Jean-Marc.

It is all fine like this.

Just don't let

the kids watch TV.

Okay?

If I give an inch,

they'll take a mile.

And then what?

The government will still act.

The riot police are

there for a reason.

Hello, Jean-Marc?

Hi, Jean-Marc, are you there?

Yes.

Imagine what could

happen, Florence.

I'm not going to give in.

If I give in,

that's. I'm done.

Yes, they're treating me fine.

I miss you.

Goodbye.

You can't do that,

we can't use those methods.

Not us.

Let her go.

If we release her,

we have nothing left.

She wants our blessing.

She has bought three firms.

If we have layoffs

the others will too.

Of course, the

occupation, the strike,

okay, perfect, that's fine.

But holding her

hostage is a mistake.

It will backfire.

The government will intervene.

So release her and negotiate.

I've worked here for 18 years,

I'll never adapt

to a new machine.

I've never gone on strike, sir.

Do you speak for the government?

For the party?

No, I'm just speaking with you.

Are you asking us

to be sheared like sheep?

- Who let him in?

- He said he was coming to support us.

Come, you don't belong here.

Listen to me, this is absurd.

It will backfire.

Violence calls for violence.

Get out!

It will backfire.

- Then release her!

- Get out.

Scum!

You're with the bosses.

Madeleine, I am

proud of your son.

- In fact, I'm going to tell him.

- Oh no.

No, I

don't want to hear about politics today.

Leave him alone.

He needs it.

No, not those,

Edmond. The blue plates.

Do you know this Dreyfus story?

I think he was a lieutenant colonel then,

it was some time before his death.

A journalist comes to interview him,

so Dreyfus tells him,

"Come up to my place,

we'll be more comfortable."

They arrive in the hall

and the elevator is broken.

So Dreyfus apologizes,

"We'll take the stairs."

"It's been broken for some time."

The reporter tells him,

"That's unacceptable,

you should complain."

Dreyfus replies,

"You know, me and trials…"

It's pretty funny

on Dreyfus's part.

Well, it's time for the news.

What do I have here?

The kidnapping of Mrs. Vannier-Buchet

ended with a real bang.

The vice-president of the CNPF

gave in on all demands.

A statement?

No.

Thus ends a conflict

likely to worsen the

relationship between the government…

Antoine.

I have another one,

another story about

Dreyfus. He was

at dinner with military personnel

after his return from Devil's Island,

and at some point,

at the end of the dinner,

one of the

soldiers dropped the word "treason".

I'm not here for anyone.

Everyone was very embarrassed.

Finally a soldier

addresses

Dreyfus. He tells him,

"And you, Colonel" …

If Mom sees this,

you'll get yelled at.

One drop won't kill me.

- Can I finish?

- Go ahead.

Antoine, it's for you.

My mother, my father, my sister.

- Hello.

- Florence.

- Hello.

- Would you like a drink?

No thank you.

If you need anything…

Come on.

I shouldn't have.

L'état de grâce (1986) - full transcript