Savage State (2019) - full transcript
When the American Civil War breaks out, a family of french settlers must abandon their Missouri home to flee and go back to Paris. They're escorted by a former mercenary whose troubled past soon catches up with him.
Starting in 1861, the American Civil War
divided the North and the South
in a devastating battle.
Napoleon III requested
that French settlers on the new continent
adopt a clear position
in this conflict...
Strict neutrality
Are you cold?
I forgot my gloves.
Very kind.
Are you sure we can trust them?
You should've asked
yourself that before.
I never understood why
the French militia sided with the South.
I'm not a politician, Mr. De Lisle.
When New Orleans fell to the Yankees,
the locals were ready to pay
a high price for their safety.
I didn't know they paid you.
Sometimes we forced their hand...
But let me reassure you,
you're far more generous.
What will you do with the money?
What are you doing?
I'll read. I can't sleep.
Go back to bed
or you'll be too tired for Christmas.
Go on.
What's wrong?
I had a nightmare.
Was it a man's face?
Yes.
I'm not 12 anymore, Layla.
What are you talking about?
All this stuff...
I don't believe in it anymore.
We've always believed in it.
SAVAGE STATE
December 1863
St Charles County, Missouri
The joys of...
The joys of love
are but...
The joys of love
are but a moment long
The pain...
Love!
France!
Not staying with your sisters?
The holidays are always the same.
Tell me a story
that will take me far away.
You don't believe in them anymore.
I'm sorry
I hurt you the other night.
Did I tell you about the Marassa?
No.
The Marassa...
It's the name given to twins,
living or dead,
in the voodoo pantheon.
They are respected
and treated like deities.
Any family with twins
must make offerings to them
for fear of being
struck down by mishaps.
There was once much talk
about two Marassa:
a little girl and a little boy.
Their names were
Ezilli and Auguste.
They could never be separated.
Never.
Layla, I've told you,
none of that under my roof.
I'm sorry, ma'am.
I asked Layla.
I don't want to know.
Where is the key
to my husband's study?
I'm to lock up
when he's at the shop.
Does he have anything to hide?
Do you love him?
My father.
It's just meant to intimidate.
They're already making arrests
in Baton Rouge.
Women are disappearing.
Miss Davis says this and that...
Since when do you talk politics?
I'll ask Mr. De Lisle tomorrow.
Maybe he'll know more.
Listen, Madeleine.
He's to marry your daughter.
He won't marry anyone
if she's kidnapped.
They're just stories to frighten ladies.
I still have time for the alterations.
You'll be fine for New Year's.
It's much too tight.
That torture instrument
was invented to stop us breathing.
Look how pretty we were last year.
You've changed, Esther.
Good.
This one...
or that one?
The smaller ones.
How will he be dressed?
Mr. De Lisle?
As usual
with his silly check jacket.
Your sister's future husband.
What about you, Justine?
Never been intimate with a man?
I've encountered enough of them.
Unlike you.
It must be him.
Mr. De Lisle is a good man.
You'll be happy with him.
I'll miss you, Abi.
I'll miss you too.
Who let you in?
I work for Mr. De Lisle.
- Are you Abigaelle?
- No.
Esther.
De Lisle is dead.
The deal went badly.
I'd promised him my daughter's hand.
He told me.
I'm sorry.
What exactly happened?
When you deal with these people,
unfortunately you must be prepared
for bad surprises.
With the war, I had to call on smugglers
to move my goods.
I'm not judging you.
What do you want from me?
I wasn't paid for my work.
The money will be delivered soon.
Perfect. I'll be in St Charles
for another few weeks.
Then I'm sailing for Europe.
What would a man like you
do over there?
I'd advise you to do the same.
And leave everything behind?
You might as well accept
that the Yankees have won the war.
You'll lose all you have here.
The war isn't my concern.
I'm French.
From what I can see,
you live like a Southerner.
Layla is emancipated, I pay her.
- Don't compare me to those barbarians.
- Your clients?
You're a vulgar man,
Victor Ludd.
If I go to Paris,
I promise
I'll learn good manners.
I wish you...
a fine evening.
What did he want?
One of De Lisle's partners.
He won't come this year,
he's held up in Europe.
What's he doing there?
Things are complicated,
it's not personal.
Maybe he found
a woman more to his taste.
I don't know
what's wrong with her.
Go talk to them.
He'll come back
for a girl as pretty as you.
Bless, O Lord,
this meal and those who made it.
Give bread to those without.
Amen.
The joys of love
are but a moment long
The pain of love
endures the whole life long
Stories to frighten ladies!
We'll have to get used to them.
To what degree?
Couldn't we go up to your room?
He doesn't speak French
if that makes you feel any better.
Five times that sum if you can get us
to the next boat for France.
Why the sudden hurry?
The rest,
once we've arrived safely.
You, your wife, your three daughters...
And Layla.
That makes six.
Plus at least
two porters,
depending on your luggage.
Eight times the sum.
Are you asleep, Abi?
No.
Do you have any memories of Paris?
Some.
I mainly remember
our grandmother's house.
There were blue curtains
and it had a funny smell.
She was always boiling camphor
for her rheumatism.
I was scared stiff of her.
She'd say:
"Why did I only have granddaughters?"
You're lucky
you never knew her, Esther.
When we got to St Charles,
Daddy told her of your birth.
A few days later,
we learned she'd died.
The disappointment of a third girl
was too much for her!
The first thing we'll visit in Paris
will no doubt be that witch's tomb.
Is your book set in Paris?
No, in Touraine.
Didn't you already read it?
Yes, but it helps me fall asleep.
So I'm rereading it.
I heard it was sad.
The main character's life
is so intense that...
I seem to vibrate with him.
What we're going through
isn't enough?
I'm scared, Justine.
Every morning, this coffee reminds me
how long the road still is.
Abigaelle isn't awake yet?
She's coughing more and more.
I'm worried.
I gathered some plants.
I'll make her a decoction.
What would we do without you?
What you would do.
Keep your remedies.
The bond that united the two Marassa
was so firmly respected
that the village schoolteachers
agreed to make an exception for them:
Auguste was the only boy
allowed to frequent the girls' school.
So he would never leave his twin sister.
Soon, seduced by his aura,
the schoolgirls tried to talk to Auguste.
Ezilli became insanely jealous.
She put a curse on them.
All of the women in the community
were struck down by an illness
as abrupt as it was strange.
The spell immobilized them
and prevented them from walking.
The bond between Ezilli and Auguste
which was so respected
now acted as a poison.
You think that Victor is my Auguste?
He leads your heart away from the truth.
Mommy and Daddy?
What's wrong?
There was a woman...
She meant no wrong.
You'll go first.
That's an order.
Hail Mary...
full of grace.
Blessed art thou among women...
I can't!
I'll go with you.
Be strong.
Go on.
I've got you.
You were right, Esther.
All this...
It's the best thing
that ever happened to us.
I too loved someone a long time ago.
I mean, truly...
Remember that distant cousin who
stayed with us after her parents died?
Carol?
Yes, I was little.
I was just old enough.
It lasted for several months.
Mother surprised us
one day in her room.
So she left.
Why didn't you ever tell me?
You were too little,
you said so yourself.
Did Abigaelle know?
When Carol left the house,
the color of the furniture grew paler,
the sound of the wind
seemed weaker.
As if the world
was starting to go out.
So I withdrew into a corner
and became closer to Abi.
I watched her grow up.
People started to say
"Abigaelle and Justine".
Never "Justine" alone.
For me you're Justine.
No-one else.
Since we left,
I've never been afraid for myself,
always for her.
When I heard
De Lisle wasn't coming at Christmas...
I felt relieved.
Abi could still say no.
You said
he'd make a good husband.
Only to reassure myself.
Her path is no longer mapped out.
And yours even less so.
That's all that matters.
Oh, Lord...
We can take shelter.
Bless, O Lord, this meal
and feed our souls.
I'm not hungry.
Justine...
She can't stay like this.
We must do something.
Why do you always act
like I don't understand?
I know no-one will be
waiting for me in France.
I knew it
the day Victor paid us a visit.
De Lisle is no more.
I saw it in your eyes
and in Daddy's.
A man isn't worth dying for, Abi.
No!
Any other idea?
I forbid you to cry.
You never loved him.
The only man you love
is that God...
you don't even believe in.
Lord...
Your prayers are empty.
You can't hear anything at all.
What do you hear there?
Madeleine...
What do you hear?
Nothing.
You can't hear anything at all.
Quiet!
Edmond?
You didn't hear him.
Your daughters?
You don't hear them.
You'll end up alone...
in a world that no longer exists.
Alone.
With no-one by your side.
That is the fate of us all.
No.
There are things...
that are bigger than us.
Things that surpass us.
But you can't see them.
You're crying now too?
Over who?
Over him?
Or over you?
Quiet!
Trust me.
Trust me...
There are men outside.
The men! They're here!
Aim for the cross!
I'll do it.
Wait till they're close.
Now!
He's the man I dreamed about
before leaving.
Victor?
He abandoned us.
Now you see...
SAVAGE STATE
divided the North and the South
in a devastating battle.
Napoleon III requested
that French settlers on the new continent
adopt a clear position
in this conflict...
Strict neutrality
Are you cold?
I forgot my gloves.
Very kind.
Are you sure we can trust them?
You should've asked
yourself that before.
I never understood why
the French militia sided with the South.
I'm not a politician, Mr. De Lisle.
When New Orleans fell to the Yankees,
the locals were ready to pay
a high price for their safety.
I didn't know they paid you.
Sometimes we forced their hand...
But let me reassure you,
you're far more generous.
What will you do with the money?
What are you doing?
I'll read. I can't sleep.
Go back to bed
or you'll be too tired for Christmas.
Go on.
What's wrong?
I had a nightmare.
Was it a man's face?
Yes.
I'm not 12 anymore, Layla.
What are you talking about?
All this stuff...
I don't believe in it anymore.
We've always believed in it.
SAVAGE STATE
December 1863
St Charles County, Missouri
The joys of...
The joys of love
are but...
The joys of love
are but a moment long
The pain...
Love!
France!
Not staying with your sisters?
The holidays are always the same.
Tell me a story
that will take me far away.
You don't believe in them anymore.
I'm sorry
I hurt you the other night.
Did I tell you about the Marassa?
No.
The Marassa...
It's the name given to twins,
living or dead,
in the voodoo pantheon.
They are respected
and treated like deities.
Any family with twins
must make offerings to them
for fear of being
struck down by mishaps.
There was once much talk
about two Marassa:
a little girl and a little boy.
Their names were
Ezilli and Auguste.
They could never be separated.
Never.
Layla, I've told you,
none of that under my roof.
I'm sorry, ma'am.
I asked Layla.
I don't want to know.
Where is the key
to my husband's study?
I'm to lock up
when he's at the shop.
Does he have anything to hide?
Do you love him?
My father.
It's just meant to intimidate.
They're already making arrests
in Baton Rouge.
Women are disappearing.
Miss Davis says this and that...
Since when do you talk politics?
I'll ask Mr. De Lisle tomorrow.
Maybe he'll know more.
Listen, Madeleine.
He's to marry your daughter.
He won't marry anyone
if she's kidnapped.
They're just stories to frighten ladies.
I still have time for the alterations.
You'll be fine for New Year's.
It's much too tight.
That torture instrument
was invented to stop us breathing.
Look how pretty we were last year.
You've changed, Esther.
Good.
This one...
or that one?
The smaller ones.
How will he be dressed?
Mr. De Lisle?
As usual
with his silly check jacket.
Your sister's future husband.
What about you, Justine?
Never been intimate with a man?
I've encountered enough of them.
Unlike you.
It must be him.
Mr. De Lisle is a good man.
You'll be happy with him.
I'll miss you, Abi.
I'll miss you too.
Who let you in?
I work for Mr. De Lisle.
- Are you Abigaelle?
- No.
Esther.
De Lisle is dead.
The deal went badly.
I'd promised him my daughter's hand.
He told me.
I'm sorry.
What exactly happened?
When you deal with these people,
unfortunately you must be prepared
for bad surprises.
With the war, I had to call on smugglers
to move my goods.
I'm not judging you.
What do you want from me?
I wasn't paid for my work.
The money will be delivered soon.
Perfect. I'll be in St Charles
for another few weeks.
Then I'm sailing for Europe.
What would a man like you
do over there?
I'd advise you to do the same.
And leave everything behind?
You might as well accept
that the Yankees have won the war.
You'll lose all you have here.
The war isn't my concern.
I'm French.
From what I can see,
you live like a Southerner.
Layla is emancipated, I pay her.
- Don't compare me to those barbarians.
- Your clients?
You're a vulgar man,
Victor Ludd.
If I go to Paris,
I promise
I'll learn good manners.
I wish you...
a fine evening.
What did he want?
One of De Lisle's partners.
He won't come this year,
he's held up in Europe.
What's he doing there?
Things are complicated,
it's not personal.
Maybe he found
a woman more to his taste.
I don't know
what's wrong with her.
Go talk to them.
He'll come back
for a girl as pretty as you.
Bless, O Lord,
this meal and those who made it.
Give bread to those without.
Amen.
The joys of love
are but a moment long
The pain of love
endures the whole life long
Stories to frighten ladies!
We'll have to get used to them.
To what degree?
Couldn't we go up to your room?
He doesn't speak French
if that makes you feel any better.
Five times that sum if you can get us
to the next boat for France.
Why the sudden hurry?
The rest,
once we've arrived safely.
You, your wife, your three daughters...
And Layla.
That makes six.
Plus at least
two porters,
depending on your luggage.
Eight times the sum.
Are you asleep, Abi?
No.
Do you have any memories of Paris?
Some.
I mainly remember
our grandmother's house.
There were blue curtains
and it had a funny smell.
She was always boiling camphor
for her rheumatism.
I was scared stiff of her.
She'd say:
"Why did I only have granddaughters?"
You're lucky
you never knew her, Esther.
When we got to St Charles,
Daddy told her of your birth.
A few days later,
we learned she'd died.
The disappointment of a third girl
was too much for her!
The first thing we'll visit in Paris
will no doubt be that witch's tomb.
Is your book set in Paris?
No, in Touraine.
Didn't you already read it?
Yes, but it helps me fall asleep.
So I'm rereading it.
I heard it was sad.
The main character's life
is so intense that...
I seem to vibrate with him.
What we're going through
isn't enough?
I'm scared, Justine.
Every morning, this coffee reminds me
how long the road still is.
Abigaelle isn't awake yet?
She's coughing more and more.
I'm worried.
I gathered some plants.
I'll make her a decoction.
What would we do without you?
What you would do.
Keep your remedies.
The bond that united the two Marassa
was so firmly respected
that the village schoolteachers
agreed to make an exception for them:
Auguste was the only boy
allowed to frequent the girls' school.
So he would never leave his twin sister.
Soon, seduced by his aura,
the schoolgirls tried to talk to Auguste.
Ezilli became insanely jealous.
She put a curse on them.
All of the women in the community
were struck down by an illness
as abrupt as it was strange.
The spell immobilized them
and prevented them from walking.
The bond between Ezilli and Auguste
which was so respected
now acted as a poison.
You think that Victor is my Auguste?
He leads your heart away from the truth.
Mommy and Daddy?
What's wrong?
There was a woman...
She meant no wrong.
You'll go first.
That's an order.
Hail Mary...
full of grace.
Blessed art thou among women...
I can't!
I'll go with you.
Be strong.
Go on.
I've got you.
You were right, Esther.
All this...
It's the best thing
that ever happened to us.
I too loved someone a long time ago.
I mean, truly...
Remember that distant cousin who
stayed with us after her parents died?
Carol?
Yes, I was little.
I was just old enough.
It lasted for several months.
Mother surprised us
one day in her room.
So she left.
Why didn't you ever tell me?
You were too little,
you said so yourself.
Did Abigaelle know?
When Carol left the house,
the color of the furniture grew paler,
the sound of the wind
seemed weaker.
As if the world
was starting to go out.
So I withdrew into a corner
and became closer to Abi.
I watched her grow up.
People started to say
"Abigaelle and Justine".
Never "Justine" alone.
For me you're Justine.
No-one else.
Since we left,
I've never been afraid for myself,
always for her.
When I heard
De Lisle wasn't coming at Christmas...
I felt relieved.
Abi could still say no.
You said
he'd make a good husband.
Only to reassure myself.
Her path is no longer mapped out.
And yours even less so.
That's all that matters.
Oh, Lord...
We can take shelter.
Bless, O Lord, this meal
and feed our souls.
I'm not hungry.
Justine...
She can't stay like this.
We must do something.
Why do you always act
like I don't understand?
I know no-one will be
waiting for me in France.
I knew it
the day Victor paid us a visit.
De Lisle is no more.
I saw it in your eyes
and in Daddy's.
A man isn't worth dying for, Abi.
No!
Any other idea?
I forbid you to cry.
You never loved him.
The only man you love
is that God...
you don't even believe in.
Lord...
Your prayers are empty.
You can't hear anything at all.
What do you hear there?
Madeleine...
What do you hear?
Nothing.
You can't hear anything at all.
Quiet!
Edmond?
You didn't hear him.
Your daughters?
You don't hear them.
You'll end up alone...
in a world that no longer exists.
Alone.
With no-one by your side.
That is the fate of us all.
No.
There are things...
that are bigger than us.
Things that surpass us.
But you can't see them.
You're crying now too?
Over who?
Over him?
Or over you?
Quiet!
Trust me.
Trust me...
There are men outside.
The men! They're here!
Aim for the cross!
I'll do it.
Wait till they're close.
Now!
He's the man I dreamed about
before leaving.
Victor?
He abandoned us.
Now you see...
SAVAGE STATE