Olivia (1951) - full transcript

Based on the novel Olivia
by Olivia

Love has always been
the key matter of my life...

May the Gods grant me

not to have profaned

such a pure and cherished memory

OLIVIA

Olivia.

That's an English name, of
course. It doesn't mean much.

- What is your name?
- Victoire.

There's a name!

I couldn't be called Victoire.



You need the stomach for it!

In Miss Julie's office
is a statue with wings

called Victoire.

- You know our headmistresses?
- My mother does.

She met them long ago.

Oh, long ago...
Years before.

Before the tragedy.

I also knew them in those days.

All that I can say, is that they
were quite different then.

Settle down, Bayard! Come on!

Hello, Victoire!

It was all laughs, races,
kind words and sweet gestures.

They were as joyous
as their pupils.

Never a reproach. Not one!



And when they cried, my dear,
they shed tears of joy.

Who would believe it now?

Now is now.

Hello, Ms. Dealey.
How was your trip?

- Fine, Miss.
- My name is Frau Riesener.

I will teach you German
and the piano.

Victoire had some errands to
run.

We asked her to pick you up
on her way.

- Did she recognize you easily?
- She did.

Wait for me!

I hope the poor woman
did not exhaust you

with her nonsense!

Oh no, Miss.

Here she comes!

When the class is over,
Mimi is all smiles again.

As for you, Georgie,

you're always lost in a dream!

Cécile, what is on your mind?

This lace, Miss,
what is it?

- Chantilly.
- Like the cream?

Just as fluffy.

Anna, you have the fire of
Ireland in your eyes today.

You'll break another plate later!
Olivia!

- You'll catch a cold!
- No.

There was frost
in the forest earlier.

Hello, Olivia.

How you've grown, my child!

Do you remember me?
I'm Julie.

No, you were a baby
back then.

And when we visited England,
you were...

Hardly 6 or 7.

- I've forgotten.
- You've forgotten your age?

I'd brought you a book.

Sophie's Misfortunes.
I still have it.

- I hope you'll like it here.
- Oh, yes, Miss.

- Are you so sure?
- Yes, Miss.

In a week she'll be
on Miss Julie's side.

I'll hold you to that.
Georgie? What do you think?

I'm Salomon.

Mimi!

Go show your new friend
her room. Go on!

Olivia will want to clean up
after her journey.

Good evening.

Good evening, Miss.

I'll prepare a fine assignment
for tomorrow.

Good evening, Miss.

She leaves?

For Paris. To see ministers
and scholars.

She's not a professor.

Just wait until she hands you
back your homework.

Olivia, you will be staying
opposite the ladies.

I will see you at dinner.

- Who is it?
- The Italian teacher.

- We call her Signorina.
- She's a child.

She's with Miss Julie.

Here. The place is all yours.

How lovely!

My first room of my own!

Anyone else,
Pacha would be jealous.

The pupils and teachers
live above.

- Lucky you.
- Is that so, Pacha?

He'll only answer
when he knows you better.

What are you doing here?

In or out.
Where are your manners?

Mimi, why don't you let Ms.
Dealey settle in?

Olivia, Miss Cara will see you
after dinner.

It's a great honor she
is doing for you.

Give Miss Gertrude more cream.

- She didn't eat her fish.
- I'm fine.

Quiet!

I am here to educate
your stomach.

It is important.

Perhaps more so than the rest.

Victoire, please!

This is my class,
Signorina Baietto.

You teach Italian,
but let me remind you

you know the difference

between garlic-rubbed bread
and actual cuisine.

The new girl did justice
to my meal.

I'm pleased.

Give Miss Dubois the rest.

Her appetite is a sight to
behold.

- The arithmetic teacher.
- Miss Dubois.

The typical French name!

Believe me, I cannot sleep
on an empty stomach.

- Good night, Miss Dubois.
- Yes.

Olivia and I are invited
by Miss Cara.

- Will she read the Bible?
- Why!

Whatever for?

In England,
we read it every night.

This is a friendly invitation.

Olivia will pour the coffee.

I cannot even be
a proper hostess.

I used to like
serving others.

I can't anymore.

- Do not hold it against me.
- Oh, Miss Cara!

You will host me.
It will be lovely.

Oh yes! Oh yes!

That shawl slipped again...

Thank you, Mimi.
You have nurse's hands.

Heavens!
My migraine is back again!

Oh, it's dreadful.

Can I not spend
one evening in peace?

Shall we leave you?

It's out of the question!

I'm so happy to have you.

Go on, spoil me,
I'll forget all about it.

But I'm afraid it won't be
pleasant for you, my dears.

Mimi...

make me a hot cologne pad.

It's on the mantelpiece.

I wish I had your migraine
instead of you.

My dear child...

I think it's getting better.

If Olivia would give me some
air, I would be fully cured.

It is merely vapors now.

Mimi, let's show the album
to Olivia.

And take the box of pralines
on the table,

as a reward for you both.

Look, Olivia:

life at our school,
since its beginning.

Here I am that first year,

right after our holidays
in Savoy.

We had 10 pupils.

Julie and I taught the classes.

What a look! I would have liked
to see you in that long dress!

It's a crinoline.
It suited me well.

All the frills were lined
with black velvet.

- There's Signorina.
- She's so skinny!

She'd just arrived.

She didn't eat every day, then.

She was lucky to meet Julie.

Do you recognize me,
under my big Italian straw hat?

I was already ill.

And Frau Riesener beside you.

She arrived a year after
Signorina.

And who is she?

That's Laura.
Laura Thompson.

The minister's daughter?

She was here last year.

Will she come back?

- I don't know.
- Here she is again.

You like her so much?

I don't know.

- I like her gaze.
- I found her downright ugly.

Without any grace or elegance.

Intelligent, yes, of course.

She took after her father.

And Miss Julie?
I haven't seen her.

It's one of her whims.
She hates photographs.

She dislikes recollections
of the past.

That shawl slipped again.

Good night, my darlings.
You are both angels.

I hope you were not too bored.

It was a lovely evening!
Wasn't it?

I've never had so much fun
at school before!

- I am sure we will be friends.
- Of course, Miss Cara.

Go to bed. It's late.

Julie hasn't come home.

I am alone.

I am always alone.

Good night.

- You, perhaps, will sleep.
- Good night.

- Miss Cara never liked Laura.
- Why not?

Laura, you see,
was Miss Julie's favorite.

- Good night.
- Good night.

- Is that you, Julie?
- Yes, it's me.

Here we are at home.

Quiet!

Why!
You don't belong here.

It's the older girls' study.

- What is it?
- The astrolabe.

It shows the motions
of the stars.

The Princesse de Clèves.

You can take it back to your
room, you know.

Really?

Miss Julie says reading
is healthy.

She trusts us.
We've never lost a book.

Here comes Olga.

A Russian.
Her parents are nihilists.

Her mother threw a bomb.

They had to flee.

Olivia, this is Olga.

- And Cécile?
- You won't see her often.

- She studies in her room?
- With her mirror.

- And her dresses.
- Shall we go outside?

- To the forest?
- Of course!

How lovely!

- One can just come in and out?
- During recess.

I'm used to walking
in line.

"In line"? How dreadful!

- We are not soldiers.
- Hey! Wait for us!

How grand.
Such fine weather!

This morning, Miss Cara
wanted to teach her class.

- She couldn't.
- Her migraine.

She broke into tears.

Poor thing.
Her voice is so sweet.

Maybe so. But don't you find
Miss Julie so beautiful?

I haven't looked at her much yet.
She intimidates me.

- She teases.
- She's witty.

Olivia,
let me pick you a rose.

Olivia, are you smart?

I don't know.

-And in school?
- It depends.

She's certainly smart.

Olivia, Miss Julie's rose garden

is right here.

Flowers bloom until fall.

In winter, roses
are sent from Nice.

Frau Riesener says the scent
exhausts Miss Cara.

Come on!
Let's run in the forest! Pacha!

Pacha!

Victoire!

- Well, Victoire.
- What?

What is for lunch today?

Everyday the same question!
Beef daube.

- "Beef daube"?
- Yes.

That's swell.

There's only one thing
you care about: eating.

Of course not, silly.

But if you knew what I ate
in those schools,

you'd understand my stomach.

It's ruined, poor thing.
Ruined by their pittance.

"Empty stomachs have no ears."

But you have eyes!

Yet you see nothing.

Heavens, what am I to see?

Girls learning
2 and 2 makes 4?

Or the others,
who have no interest in maths?

And rightly so.

And Frau Riesener?

What about her?

She teaches German.
I don't know German.

What kind of school is divided
into two sides?

Yes, I've heard them.

Between the Julists

and the Carists.

What do you think?

Me? Dreadful neologisms.

No need to speak Latin
to impress me.

Miss Julie is patient,
but still,

it can't go on any longer.

Miss Cara is nervous and ill.
She has an excuse!

- Her illness is Frau Riesener.
- She's so devoted to her.

"Devoted"?
That's a good one.

- What are you munching on?
- Nothing. Some dough.

To wait until lunch.
I feel faint.

Victoire, I think Miss Cara will be
in condition to come down today.

No need to bring her food
up to her room.

- Did you sleep well?
- Did I sleep well?

I didn't shut an eye.

You came home late.

Then I heard a door creaking
all night.

Signorina!

- Yes, Miss?
- Have all the hinges greased today.

Check that the doors are closed.

Yes, Miss.
Certainly.

Cara.

No, Julie.
I can't eat it.

Just a little.
It's excellent.

Healthy people are dreadful.

Here's what I need:
boiled chicken and greens.

- I hate it.
- It's blancmange!

- Help yourself.
- Cara, have some.

Leave me.
I'm not hungry.

Would you like
to go for a walk then?

- In the valley?
- Yes.

I'm afraid it is too cold
for Miss Cara to go out.

The air is damp
with last night's rain.

Olivia, you're not listening.
Where are you?

Signorina,
what is Miss Cara's ailment?

No one knows.

- What do you think?
- I don't think.

- And the doctor?
- Nothing.

He suggested sleeping pills.

Miss Julie says:

"Doctors say it's nothing."

But I see
it torments her nonetheless.

- I think...
-Yes?

She is well,
when she wishes to be.

She does it on purpose.

And then...

- There's Frau Riesener.
- Why?

She spurs her on.
And I know why.

Enough chitchat.

It will be fast with you.

You know your French
and Latin grammar well.

I'd forgotten!

There's a reading tonight.

Che piacere!
Put on your evening dress, Olivia.

Are you not sewing anything?

Lazy girl!

I came empty-handed
so I could listen.

I don't like to sew.

How can one not like
needlework?

Here, look at mine.

How deft you are, Signorina.

And how vain...

- Tonight...
- Miss Baietto!

Miss Cara needs you
for her tea.

She told me earlier
she would not need it.

She needs it now.

Go, my child.

It's so wonderful
when she reads.

I am certain you will like it.

Tonight I shall read passages
from Racine's Andromache.

Before that,
I have a few questions.

Can one of you tell me
who Andromache was?

Let's see...

I cannot believe you are all
so ignorant.

Andromache was Hector's wife.

Good.

What is Orestes' father's name?

Agamemnon.

Good.

Who was Pyrrhus?

Achilles' son.

And Hermione?

I don't know.
I've never heard of her.

You'll hear about her tonight.

And I hope you will never
forget.

You answered well.
Sit here, beside me.

Hermione is the daughter
of Helen and Menelaus.

At the court of her fiancé
Pyrrhus,

she notices he starts to favor
his captive Andromache.

Then Orestes arrives.

Are you so sure of your bet?

She just doesn't know Miss Cara
well enough yet.

The king orders him
to take Pyrrhus,

Andromache's son, hostage.

This passage starts with
Andromache begging Hermione

to talk to Pyrrhus

and obtain the pardon
of Astyanax.

"Why do you flee, Madame?

"Is it not a fair sight to your
eyes

"to see Hector's wife
weeping at your feet?

"I do not come with jealous
tears

"To claim a heart
charmed by your art

"By cruel hands, alas!
I saw pierced

"The only one
whom my eyes sought

"My flame long ago
by Hector was lit

"In his grave it is now buried

"Yet my son remains

"You will one day learn, Madame

"How far our love for a son goes

"But you will not learn,
or so I hope

"The mortal trouble it throws us
into

"When of all the goods
surrounding us

"He is the sole that remains

"And yet his life is in peril

"Alas! When tired
of ten years of misery

"The Trojans
threatened your mother

"I begged my Hector
to show her mercy

"You can beg Pyrrhus
as I begged him

"Why fear the child
who outlived him?

"Let me hide him
on a secret island

"Be assured that
in his mother's care

"My son will learn only to weep"

Hermione.

"I know your sorrows,
but my duty

"My father,
impose silence upon me"

- Good night, Miss.
- Good night, dears.

Olivia!

Would you stay?
I'd like to speak with you.

Did you see that?

She was walking as if in a
dream.

I've won my bet.

I always knew she'd be a Julist.

I won! I won!

So what?

"So what"? Be quiet.

You always forget Miss Cara
has an uneasy sleep.

Do you want some lemonade?

Do not drink so fast.

You seem upset, my child.

It's...

It's Andromache.

Well, well!

Would you betray Shakespeare

for our Racine?

How unexpected.

It's also because it was you.

I do love Racine.

I think...

that I understood everything.

Probably not on a first read.

But that is fine, Olivia.
One can be,

must be charmed by the verses

before grasping the characters.

Enough about Racine.
Tell me about you.

Me?

That's hardly interesting.

Your mother told me
you were unhappy with Miss Tock.

It's true. I was unhappy.

Yet it is a protestant school,
like ours.

Oh no, Miss.

I felt like a freak,

a black sheep, an outcast.

- Are you not exaggerating?
- It was even worse.

Why? Tell me, Olivia.

They only spoke
of temptations, traps,

abysses opening before us.

A lie, even a careless one,

meant moral and spiritual death.

No good deeds,
good sentiments or sacrifices

could save us,
save the Grace of the Eternal.

I could hardly count on it,

coming from a family
of free spirits.

When I compare
my lovely room here

to the dormitory,

I now understand
all that I missed before.

It was no place to learn
and to live.

I see.

It's so different here.

Yes.

Everything will be fine.

Our Lord is much less demanding
than Miss Tock's.

- Go to bed, now.
- Good night, Miss.

Good night, Olivia.

Good night, Olivia.

I had a dream last night.
A dreadful dream.

We were in Africa.

In Black Africa, with cannibals,

in a religious school
lead by a missionary.

He had a family likeness
with Frau Riesener.

- And we were starving.
- And you ate the missionary.

Victoire, listen!
I was raised religiously.

Well, how is the new English
girl doing?

Olivia? She's very focused.

She works with passion
and enthusiasm!

- Especially in literature!
- Sure.

Miss Julie did all she could
to charm her.

I understand her.
Let me tell you,

mathematics isn't worth a dime.

Weekly essay

Is Chimène a perverted girl,

as the Academy claimed,

in her feelings for the Cid?

Something's on your nose.

We don't have geography!

- Look at this blue area.
- It's the sea.

With fabulous plants,

fish like flowers
and naked plungers.

- "Naked"?
- Be quiet!

Listen.
She's handing back our work today.

Now come and see!

How many pages
did you write?

- 6.
- That's short! I wrote 8.

Laura always
wrote 14 or 15 pages!

You're very gifted, Mimi.

Singing, dancing,
sewing dresses.

Bravo, Mimi.

She's less bright
when it comes to cube roots.

Excuse me.

It's true, cube roots
are useless in life.

It's poetry.

And my gift for impressions.

In 71, my children,
during the siege,

we ate rat,
rat fricassee.

But with onions.

You had to be hungry!

I had a good stomach then!

Mimi!

Miss Dubois is a fine woman.

And you are a monkey.

The antics and laughs
of a monkey

are devoid of any kindness.

Come, girls.

I'm handing back your essays.

Georgie, you're off topic.

You were supposed to analyze
Chimène's feelings, not Rodrigue's.

He isn't the main subject.

Mimi?

You were not inspired.

Antics don't make
for good literature.

Gertrude?

You did
all the adequate research.

It's very good.
You are a respectful girl.

And you, Olga,

very disrespectful.

Chimène is nothing like
the Anna Karenina you speak of.

Cécile. Cécile!

You focused on Chimène's dress
and forgot her personality!

Nina, you understood
her feelings.

Ah, Olivia!

There's something there.

But it's too weak.

You'll have to expand.

I'll take you to Paris,
one day.

She was harsh, today.

Oh yes.
And with you too.

Victoire!
Make an apricot souffle.

The new girls
have never tasted it!

It's long to make!

I'll send the little ones
to whip the egg-whites.

Come in.

Oh, it's you?

What is it?

I've come to check on you, Miss.

You've been well brought-up.

Do you need anything?

I see you so seldom, I'm not
used to these kind gestures.

It's all right. I am merely
an ill woman, aren't I?

Come near me.

You don't like me, my child.

What is it?

Was I not kind?

Oh, yes, Miss.
You were very kind.

I'm very grateful.

Go away!

Go back from whence you came!

Go away!

Go away, now!

Well, my little English girls,
did you like the schnitzels?

- Oh yes, Miss.
- You don't look so sure.

- They like boiled beef.
- What do they know?

- And you, Olivia?
- It was delicious.

Well, well! Do we finally have
a gourmet among us?

Approving is not enough.
One must judge.

Do you not have some critique
to provide?

Anything to suggest?

- I think...
- How about that!

Press on her nose
and milk comes out!

Hush, Victoire!

Go on, Olivia.

There was perhaps
too much lemon.

Congratulations,
you refined palate!

You deserve to be encouraged!
You shall sit here.

- Adèle!
- I don't agree.

What?

The lemon enhances the flavor.

You don't know anything.
The girl was right.

- I'm sorry, Miss.
- She did it on purpose.

It was an accident.

The doctor said:
"No sudden emotions"!

I'm sorry.

You're not sorry at all.
You laugh.

You and Miss Baietto
hired her.

No one ever listens to me.

- They all want to upset me.
- Come, Cara.

No one cares.
They'd let me starve to death.

I cannot eat this meat.

You'll make me ill.

- Look. Here's your chicken.
- It's too late.

I couldn't eat a bite, now.

Oh, Cara, please!

I'll take you to Paris
after your Italian lesson.

Always remember
the poor city of Strasbourg,

symbol of death and defeat
in a city brimming with life.

It is not much
next to the Tames.

But look well

as it flaunts its beauty.

Have a look, Olivia.

Nothing is solid
in The Embarkation for Cythera.

Watteau was ill.

Just a play of lights and
colors.

But look!

Little pagan that you are.

Could you recognize
the presence of the divine?

You saw the lady I saluted,
with the plumes?

I will tell you about her.

Here, have a seat.

Two chocolates
with frangipane cakes.

Yes, Miss.

In one week, she saw her husband
and three children die

of diphtheria.

Oh, poor thing!

A few months later, she married
her husband's best friend.

- Unbelievable!
- Do not stare!

Yes. There is always
comfort in live, Olivia.

- Miss Julie!
- Oh, my dear Béatrice.

- How are you?
- Well, very well.

Yes, I see.

- No, that's not it.
- What else?

Oh, I don't know.
Life is just...

It's marvelous, Béatrice.
Life is marvelous.

That is the phrase
that befits your age.

Don't keep him waiting.
Go on.

- Goodbye, Miss Julie.
- Goodbye.

Who is she?

A former pupil.

She wouldn't eat anything.

She was letting herself die,
to her parents' despair.

I cured her.

I would spend hours with her.

I held her hand
and listened to her talk.

It took a lot of patience.

- My patience was rewarded.
- I wish I were ill.

Dear, foolish, girl.

Not now.
Your essay was better.

I am glad.

You're not gifted
for long developments.

But why should you be?

Your mind is sharp
like a bird's beak.

Hurry, we'll miss the train.

Come sit here.

Victoire!

Victoire!

Where is she?

- Victoire isn't here?
- No, I'm not here.

- Victoire...
- What is it? Toast??

No... Yes, surely.

But that's not it.
Laura has arrived.

Yes.
She stopped by.

The only one who ever made
me believe in mathematics.

Don't we have enough trouble
as it is?

With Laura? Such a bright
and generous girl?

It's not her.

It's not the rod's fault
it attracts lightning.

Victoire,
you are a good cook,

but sometimes, I don't follow.

As long as
the prodigal child is here.

Miss Julie asks that you make
croque-monsieurs for lunch.

Laura loves them.

And what is this?

Thank you.

And what does Miss Cara say?

I don't know. I haven't seen her.
Laura will be delighted.

She's insane.

Olivia! Olivia!

Oh! She's here.

Why didn't you answer?

One shouldn't enter
without being invited to.

We'd never have found you!

Hurry downstairs,
Miss Julie wants you.

Come in.

Come in, Olivia. Come in.

Here is Laura.
You've heard of her.

She wants to meet you.

Hello, Olivia.

Hello, Laura.

- Do you like it here?
- Oh, yes.

- How was your trip?
- Excellent.

And how was the sea?

I see you already have
fascinating things to talk about.

I'll leave you a moment.

You'll see, Olivia.
No one can manage to hate Laura.

No one.

Why did she say that?

I don't know.

You're as intimidated as I.

I think so.

Every letter I received
mentioned you.

You're all anyone talks about.

- Isn't it annoying?
- It's intriguing!

You're not disappointed?

I don't think so.

Let's go out.

The forest was beautiful,
in the days.

"O lake! Silent rocks!

"Caves! Dark forest!

"You whom time spares
or can forever restore

"Keep of this night

"Keep, fair nature,

"The unfading memory!"

Signorina!

Cécile.

I dislike your new hairdo.

- I'm sorry.
- You are shocked, perhaps?

The English call it
"a personal remark."

Making an allusion
to the person they speak with

is to them an indiscretion or
worse, an offense.

We pretend not to hear.

And yet, Cécile,

these are the salt
of conversation.

Is it not better to speak
of your hairdo

than of Pascal's Pensées?
- Certainly.

Then let me tell you
what I think.

Your beauty justifies the care
you put into it.

Neglecting all the rest.

But still, you must do it
with intelligence.

As a future duchess...

For you have the intention
of marrying an English duke.

Naturally.

Then remember that your beauty
spares you the trouble

of looking pretty.

Does anyone else
want to marry a duke? You?

Yes, me!

I'd love to.

Well, well!

I'm not surprised.

Alas, I fear this wish
will not come true.

Do you have another,
to replace it?

That is the other. My 1st wish
is to be loved by a great man,

a poet, an artist.

But it's not for me either...

I'm not so sure.

- Good night, girls.
- Good night, Miss.

The only thing I want,

is that he be very unhappy
when I meet him.

- Good night.
- Good night.

Laura, I'll give you back
the Shelley poems you lent me.

Come in.

I don't know where I put them.

Laura, do you love her?

Who? Shelley?

No, Miss Julie.

Strange question!

I owe her everything.

My father is so busy.

She showed me
what is most beautiful in life.

Yes, but tell me, Laura.

Does your heart beat
when you see her?

Does it stop
when your hands touch?

Does your throat close up
when you speak to her?

Really, Olivia,

I feel none of that at all.

Then what?

There's nothing else.

I love her is all.

Good night.

No one here likes me.

I am alone, ill and desperate.

A subject of mockery.

Come, Cara.
I love you.

I want to see you well
and happy again.

How can I be, when everyone here
turns from me?

How can you say that?

It's your fault, do you hear?

You're unfair.
I do everything I can

to take your troubles away.

Yes, you're perfect, I know.

I don't need your perfection.

And you know it!

I want to die.
I wish I were dead.

Cara, I would give up my life
for yours.

Your life, maybe,
but not your dear friends.

Those you love
and who love you.

You steal all my affection.

They start to love me,
and then they draw away.

What a wild imagination.

I was counting on Olivia.

But she loves you.
You! Always you!

Laura is back
and it's the same.

Laura! Olivia!

Must you have them all?

It's killing me! It's killing
me!

And it's your fault.

My poor Laura.

In this house, it is easier
to have an appetite

than a head or a heart.

Now come.
Come, my darling.

I want to sleep.

A dreamless sleep.

You will sleep.

I'll get your chloral
from the cabinet.

Why is everyone so mean to me?

Do not torture yourself, my
dear.

Enough, now.

I am a little girl.

A very little girl.

You'll spoil your eyes.

What are you reading so late?

- The Lake.
- To learn it by heart?

I wanted to hear
the sound of your voice.

"Stay thy flight, O time!

"And happy hours

"Tread by slowly

"Let us savor the swift
pleasures

"Of our fairest days"

There.

Now get some rest.

Shut your eyes.

Come now, Olivia!

You're too passionate,
my dear.

Good night.

Miss Cara is sound asleep.
She doesn't need her chloral.

Don't worry about her,
Miss Julie.

Plus, you're here.

- Right?
- Thank you.

What a shame you cannot
celebrate Christmas with us!

It will be sad without you.

Your father is so selfish!

No.

I may as well tell you two:
my father didn't call me.

Then why are you leaving?

It is better that I leave.

Miss Cara is unwell.
My presence upsets her.

It'd be better for Miss Julie,
I believe.

Laura!

I baked some brioche.
I forgot to give it to you.

Thank you, Victoire.

Good bye, my dear. Safe trip.

Laura, when will I see you
again?

When school ends,
we will see each other often!

Do you not see
we're friends for life?

Well!

- What are you doing?
- Nothing.

Watching her go.

My little Laura...

Then come.
I have one or two brioches left.

No thank you.
I'm not hungry.

How about that!
The world is upside down!

Signorina! Signorina!

At first,
Miss Cara was convinced

that Miss Julie
cared about Laura

only because of her
intelligence.

But this time it was different.

- Laura was right to leave.
- Yes.

But it won't be of much help,

because now, there's you.

Come tell us the story of Paolo
and Francesca da Rimini.

Come in!

Olivia?

- May I?
- Come in, my darling.

I was thinking about Laura.

I was feeling alone
without her.

I'm glad you've come.

But I have a lot to do.
Take a book and sit down.

I love you. I love you.

I love you.

Oh, it's heavy!

O Christmas Tree

O Christmas Tree

How lovely are your branches

So many revelations tonight!

Here is what sweet Gertrude
dreams to be:

a Marie Stuart!

You see how easy it is
to be happy.

- For children, yes.
- For us too.

Do you think so?

Olivia, how lovely you look!

Who are you?

A Parsi woman. Mother brought
the costume back from India.

Cécile, you are superb.

The waltz!

Come, Cara.
Let us open the ball.

Well, what are you waiting for?

Do you not like this waltz?

You look superb in that dress!
Did you design it?

Yes. I thought about it a lot.

Do you not feel well?

Have her sit down.

Our beautiful Cécile...

America
is the queen of the ball.

Lafayette got it right.

Turn around,
let us see you.

Well, Olivia!

Are you jealous of her beauty?

You will never be beautiful per
Se, and yet...

Lovely eyes, a lovely mouth,

a lovely body.

Grace, Olivia,
is sometimes preferable.

But if I wanted to kiss you,

how would I go past
all these veils?

Let me tell you a secret.

I will come tonight.

I will bring you candy.

What is it, Olivia?
What's wrong?

Do you know what it's like
to be in love?

- Yes, I know.
- Tell me about it.

- How is it?
- No.

It's too terrible to tell,

and too delightful
to contemplate.

Come now. Let us dance.

- Why are you not dancing, Mimi?
- To stay with you.

But if you'd like...
You're so light.

Frau Riesener would scold me.
My condition won't allow it.

- Victoire!
- Yes.

Oh, dearest Victoire...

Congratulations.
Your Yule log was superb.

- There's not a crumb left.
- Naturally, it was so good.

-Are you not coming up?
- As a cook?

No thank you.

- Is everything OK?
- Fine.

Miss Cara seems calm.
Thank you, Victoire.

-And Frau Riesener?
- Her?

She went to bed.

Listen, it's the final galopade!

Everything will be fine,
Victoire.

It's Christmas Eve!

Born is the divine child...

Naturally.

But the child was still
nailed to a cross.

I waltzed all night long!

11 p.m.! It's over, children.

Off to bed!

Olivia! Olivia!

- What time is it?
- 2 p.m.

I was not to wake you
and to bring you lunch.

But hurry up.

Miss Julie is waiting
to hand you back your essay.

Here.

You won't be surprised to know
it's not good.

You haven't worked a lot
lately, Olivia.

You have been granted
many gifts

and true grace.

It would be a shame
to waste it in illusions.

Yes.

Do you hear? Illusions.

I hurt you last night,
and I'm sorry.

If you cannot understand it,
I cannot explain it to you.

But there's one thing
you must know:

I try my best to do what's
right.

Right for you

and for me.

I like you, my dear.

More than you think.

Shall I serve tea here?

Of course. As usual.

Miss Julie is in her office.
It may be more pleasant.

Do you think so?

What are you doing?

You were asleep!

Why do you come here
to sleep?

Answer me!

But I assure you, Miss...

Then you too.

You, in whom
I put so much hope!

You betray me
and abandon me too!

What would your mother say
if she saw you

with unkempt hair,
a wrinkled dress

and fiery eyes?

She turns you all into this:

vicious girls!

Have you no shame, Olivia?

Well?

What is it, Cara?

"What is it"?
But don't you see?

One of your pets,
your darling victims.

Leave her!

- Go away, Olivia.
- Why?

She's yours, isn't she?
I know everything.

You go to them at night
in their rooms: Cécile, Baietto

and now this one!

- Enough, Cara.
- Yes.

Yes, I know.

I know.

What you don't know,
you fool,

is that I'm leaving.

Miss Julie is leaving.

Miss Julie is leaving.

Finally!

Victor Hugo wrote this
in the 2nd part of his life.

You will learn that,
except in arithmetic,

the second half
is not like the first.

He had ruined many things,
as we do.

He'd gone into voluntary exile.

He thought he was old.
Nothing could be done.

"How memory is akin to remorse!

"How everything
leads back to tears!

"How cold, Death,
I feel thy touch

"Dark bolt of humanity's door!"

Girls, please.

I must...

Well, it's better
that you hear it from me.

I'm leaving the school.

- Oh, Miss!
-Yes.

I received an offer from abroad
that I cannot turn down.

Miss Cara and I
have decided to part.

But nothing will change here.

It's just an absence. An
absence, and you are so young.

But I, Miss...
I'll never forget you.

Never.

"Never." Of course.

"Never," such a small word...

So short.

You will see.

Signorina, calm down.

- She'll take you.
- She's not gone.

- Calm down.
- That's not it.

- Then what is it?
- I don't know.

She's right. I too feel very cold,
all of a sudden.

They've come to sign
the separation agreement.

Worse than a divorce.

Come on!
Back to work.

It's not a pretty sight.

Miss Julie
is agreeing to everything.

She was the one with
the capital to start with.

She won't get any of it back.
Trust Frau Riesener on it.

She's pushing Miss Cara.

She knows what she wants.

Let me tell you,
Miss Dubois:

when she'll be in charge here,
I'll go work somewhere else.

- Naturally, you have a job.
- And you?

Mathematics isn't a job.

You can't eat numbers.

"I wished to hear it from you.

"Now nothing more.
Goodbye, forever.

"Forever!

"Sir! Do you feel within
yourself

"how cruel a word
for a lover to say?"

Come sit here, Olivia.

"In a month

"In a year
How shall we suffer, my Lord

"That the seas keep us apart?

"The day would begin
and it would cease

"Without Titus
ever seeing Berenice?

"Without that I should see
Titus?"

You're going out, Miss?

It's not that I want to.

But there are obligations
I cannot escape.

When one leaves forever, one
must bid farewell to old friends.

I won't be back late.

Her migraine hasn't improved
in 3 days.

- I don't care.
- Oh! You're heartless.

What are hearts for?

Why be so mean, Olivia?

It'll only spoil your appetite.

It'll make you bitter.

Baietto! Baietto!

I'm exhausted. I looked after
Miss Cara the whole night.

I need you to give her
her tranquilizers tonight.

No.

I'll do it, if you like...

Come.

I'll show you the dose
and then get some rest.

Give it to her after dinner,

around 9 p.m.,
and then leave her.

Fine.

I don't have the strength.

God, I am so weary.

I'm so tired.

Everything's been ruined.

My purest affections,

my most secret thoughts.

Now, I must bid farewell
to all that I love.

Even you, Olivia.

Even you.

- No! No!
- Let me go.

- No...
- Let me go... Please.

Quick! Get Signorina,
Frau Riesener. Quick, run!

Something has happened to Cara.

It was after midnight.

How do you know?

When I heard her car, Sir,
I checked the time.

How did you know
it was her car?

Right after,
Miss Julie came in.

Really? What for?

I had been ill. She came to see
if I needed anything.

- She didn't say anything?
- No.

Just "How are you?"

She left you,
and then called you.

How much time had passed?

About 2 minutes.

No. She was very calm
that morning.

She had complained
of her migraine

but felt better that evening.

So much so that I told her
not to take her medicine.

She told me I was right

and that she'd set it
by her bed

in case she had trouble
falling asleep.

I was exhausted and gave
instructions to Miss Dubois,

then went to bed.

Calm? No, Sir.

She was agitated, nervous.

She didn't say anything?

No. She complained
about her migraine.

Is that all?

Go on, speak.

No. She said something else:
"I regret doing it."

- "Doing" what?
- I haven't the faintest idea.

How much sleeping pills
did you give her?

The dose
Frau Riesener prescribed.

- You'd swear on it?
- Oh yes, I swear.

I swear I gave her
the dose prescribed by the
doctor.

A dose she took a 100 times.
It couldn't hurt her.

Do you recognize
the bottle?

- Yes.
- Yes.

- Where was it kept?
- In a locked cabinet.

I'd given Miss Dubois the key.

- What did you do with it?
- I left it on the cabinet.

- There are 3 doses left.
- There ought to be 4.

I always write it down.

When I showed it to Miss Dubois,
there were 5.

Frau Riesener,
there were 4.

- I am certain.
- 5!

What do you have to say?

It's not true.

I don't know, maybe.
Maybe there were 5.

I'm bad with numbers.
But I swear I gave

the exact dose
Frau Riesener had indicated.

The result:
she's dead.

Your pledges
won't change a thing.

Death by accident.

Caused by the absorption
of an overdose of chloral.

Is that all? That's it?

What else?

Everyone respects these ladies.

"Woe to he
by whom the offense comes."

It is better this way.

Maybe Miss Cara went
to the cabinet.

So Miss Julie says.

I believe the opposite.

Had she wanted to kill herself
she'd have left a long letter.

Or she'd made it
so we'd find her

before it was too late.

Come now, Miss Dubois.

Miss Dubois, please...

Settle down.

Don't get in such a state.

I'm a fool, I'm such a fool.

No. You're too kind.
It's the same thing.

Here...

They're leaving.

Why did Miss Cara say:
"I regret doing it"?

Chi lo sa?

But, I thank the Heavens
for not providing the remedy.

Oh no, Signorina.

You're much too wise for that.

Perhaps.

Indeed.

- What is it?
- Let me stay too.

Leave me.

- Miss, let me stay.
- No!

I'll stay in the next room.

She was my friend!

The only person
whom I ever loved.

And I can't spend the night
alone with her? Tomorrow...

Tonight I want
to be with her.

Alone. For the last time.

Go away!

Go away!

Miss Julie!

"Mine eye is dim with sorrow.

"And all my members
are as a shadow.

"My days are past.

"My purposes are broken,
even the thoughts of my heart.

"If I wait,

"the grave is mine house

"I have made my bed
in the darkness.

"I have said to corruption:
'Thou art my father"

"and to the worms:
'Thou art my mother and my sister.'

"And where is now my hope?

"As for my hope,
who shall see it?

"They shall go down
to the bars of the pit

"when our rest together
is in the dust."

My God...

What is it? Who's there?

Is it you, Olivia?

Why are you here?

Come, speak!

Get up.

My God,
you're freezing, my dear.

Come. Come warm up.

Don't be scared, my dear.
It's nothing dreadful.

Look how pretty she is.

My heart aches.

Come.

Do you feel better now?

Yes.

Come quick.

Come here.

Lift your head.

How long were you out there
in the cold?

Since last night.

I wanted to do something
for you.

My poor...

Poor child.

Do you feel better, Olivia?

Yes.

You've regained some color.

Go back to your room, now.

Listen, Olivia...

you may like to know
that last night,

you saved my life.

When I stumbled upon you,

I was heading for the cabinet.

Signorina hid the key.
She doesn't know I have another.

- And now?
- "Now," no.

No. Don't be scared.

No.

I know one cannot kill oneself

without killing
many other things around.

I've already done enough harm.

Trust me, Olivia.

What I want above all

is not to harm you.

Go to bed, now.

Don't go to the funeral.
Stay in bed.

Wrap yourself up in my blanket.

You mustn't catch a cold.

Go on, dear.

Miss Cara is gone.

Miss Julie is leaving.

I'll never get over it.

It's your turn, Gertrude.

She gave me a book

that she signed.

She opened Miss Cara's will.

Everything goes
to Frau Riesener.

And Miss Julie?

She's ruined.

She'd given Miss Cara
everything.

Riesener won the game.

I've lost everything.

Poverina.

It's your turn, Olivia.

She looks so sad
in her big chair.

Be strong, Olivia.
2 or 3 years isn't long.

You will see.

Not for you,
who will be with her in Canada.

But for me...

Don't make a scene, Olivia.
Don't, please.

I don't intend to make a scene.

I've struggled my whole life.

But I've always come out on top,

and proudly so.

And now I wonder, if loosing
would not have been best

for everyone.

You, Olivia,
you'll never be a winner.

But if you are defeated,

when you'll be defeated...

What was I saying?
I have a migraine.

Goodbye.

Do you hear? Goodbye!

Olivia!

I've prepared something for you.

A book, I believe.

Where did I put it?

I don't know.

Here.

Take this instead.

And now go.

Tell the next one to come in.

Your trunk is packed.

I leave tomorrow.
And Miss Julie?

- Going to Paris.
- She'll come back at night?

No, she'll stay over the weekend
with friends.

- You don't need anything?
- No.

- Good night, Olivia.
- Good night.

Everyone's leaving.

It's better this way.

When the school reopens,
no one will come back.

No. No one.

And later, Olivia,

well, in a while,

you'll see you'll remember us
with fondness.

-All of us.
- I hope so, Victoire.

That's how I see it.

Although I may be wrong.

Here!

She said
to give you this.

You'd forgotten it.

Hup!

THE END