PARIS, JUNE THE 3rd 1940
BUSSY, CENTRAL FRANCE
A WEEK LATER
It began with a storm in June.
In the days before, German bombs
had fallen on the outskirts
of Paris for the first time.
Terrified people were
fleeing the city any way they could.
But deep in the countryside the war
still felt far away
and I remained pre-occupied
with the one I was already fighting,
much closer to home.
- Are you not dressed yet?
- We'll be late.
- Do you really think we should go
out today? -Why ever not?
My mother-in-law,
Madame Angellier,
refused to accept
the prospect of defeat,
even as the first refugees
from Paris started to arrive.
Three years before, I'd married
her precious son
at my father's insistence
and moved to Bussy.
With Gaston away fighting,
she felt I should learn
how to run his properties.
So every month we visited
our tenants,
on a Sunday, because Madame knew
the farmers would be home.
Don't make any noise. That way you
see how they really live.
She liked to catch them out.
I hated every minute of it.
- Have you heard anything
from your son? -No.
- Not for over a week. And you?
- No nothing from either of our boys.
People say Paris is going to fall.
People say a lot of things.
Luc?e?
Madame, it's a big farm and it's
been difficult without my brothers.
We'll put what they owe us down
to next month.
If I make any exceptions,
then Gaston wouldn't have a home
of his own to return to,
and then what
would he have been fighting for?
Come along, Lucile. Good morning.
They don't want to pay the rent,
but they don't think twice
about buying silk stockings for that
daughter of theirs. Did you see?
I know it seems harsh,
but if you show them any weakness,
they'll bleed you dry.
When Gaston comes home,
he'll see he has a wife
who knows what it is
to be a land...
Stop! Stop the car!
- We should turn back.
- No.
We've got potatoes to buy
and four more rents to collect.
Madman.
- Sack looks heavy.
- He can manage.
- How much do we owe you?
- Four francs.
Thank you.
There are more cars on the road.
From Paris.
My father always said,
"if you want to see what people
are truly made of you start a war."
What is this?
Go and see how long it goes on for.
Keep UP-
Keep UP-
Excuse me, Madame, I wouldn't ask
for me, but my wife's very tired.
We've walked all the way from Paris.
Could she rest in your car?
- Yes. Yes, yes, of course.
- Thanks.
Oh, Lord.
- Are those ours?
- Theirs, always theirs.
Anna!
Anna! Anna!
Thank you.
- Lucile.
- We need to get off the road.
Could you take us to
the nearest town?
Hey, you! Get away from my car!
Lucile. Get in the car.
When I tell you to do something,
you damn well do it.
Children!
So this was war.
Paris had suddenly descended
on Bussy.
Women and children escaping the
bombs, looking for food and shelter.
But the enemy
had followed them here.
Move!
Madame Perrin.
It's Lucile Angellier, Gaston's wife.
Get out of the damn way.
You've got to leave. They're coming.
ABANDONED PEOPLE,
TRUST THE GERMAN SOLDIER!
Frenchmen and Women!
In these painful times,
I think of the unfortunate
refugees who...
are streaming along our roads
totally stripped of all they own.
I offer them my compassion
and my solicitude.
It is with a breaking heart that I
tell you today
that we must stop
fighfing.
I have spoken with the enemy tonight
to ask him if he is ready...
to seek with us, among soldiers,
after battle
and with honour the means of putting
an end to the hostilities.
Fear had seized the town.
Rumours spread that a regiment
was heading to Bussy.
I left only the bare essentials
in Gaston's office.
Madame Angellier
would rather see his things burn
than in the hands
of one of their soldiers.
Brethren of Bussy,
a great tragedy
has befallen our nation.
Millions have fled their homes,
many thousands have lost their lives
and the fate of a whole generation
of brave young men
still remains unknown.
Only God knows what's in store
for all of us
and the country that we can
no longer call our own.
We must hold firm together.
hold firm together.
We must put aside anything that
will divide us from our neighbour.
We must unite into one being,
one family under God.
They're here already.
Let us pray.
Anna, stand up.
Under the authority
and the signature
of Marchal Ptain,
a new constitution
of the French State is signed
guaranteeing
the rights of Iabour, of family
and of the Fatherland.
You are defeated
and we are now in charge.
All firearms must be surrendered
to German headquarters
tomorrow morning.
As our Fuhrer writes,
"The sword will become our plough
and from the tears of war...'
- How long will they be here?
- I don't know.
"...the daily bread
of future generations will grow."
But I'm damned
if I'm living by German time.
Those who have been billeted
an officer
should return home
and prepare for their arrival.
We don't look to him.
We don't speak at him.
Madame.
Madame Angellier,
I'm Oberleutant Bruno Von Falk.
You have been told to expect me?
Madame.
I will try not to inconvenience you.
I only require a room
and somewhere to work.
Excuse me.
I hope you don't mind,
but I can't be late.
He didn't say anything about a dog.
May the Lord bless these gifts
we are about to receive.
May he bless those
unable to share his bounty with us.
Guide them from danger.
Keep them safe. Amen.
Amen.
Madame. May I kindly request
the key to the piano and the desk?
I give you my word that they will be
treated with the utmost care.
Marthe will give you the key.
Good evening.
He'll be playing Deutschland ber
Alles before we know it.
Did you find somewhere to stay?
Yes. Thank you.
BEWARE THE DETESTABLE TYRANNY
OF THE JEWS!
Have you seen this one?
We have to take German money.
We can't go out after nine.
And God help you if you're found
listening to De Gaulle on the radio.
- Have you got anyone?
- An officer.
That's the price you pay
for having the best house
in the village I suppose.
And you?
Nobody. The only benefit
of having the worst.
Why does she look at me like that?
You don't know?
Your mother-in-law moved her
and her parents into a barn.
Then she put a refugee from Paris
into their home
and doubled the rent.
Name, occupation, address.
Benoit Labarie. Farmer.
The Montmort estate.
Next!
Name, occupation, address.
- Viscountess. -Benoit.
- Viscount. -Excuse me.
Your wife and children were in
church yesterday. Where were you?
Working. Not that you'd know
anything about that.
Benoit. Please be careful
what you say to them.
We've been their tenants
for generations.
They never give us
anything but grief.
What's French for bribery Bonnet?
I'd prefer you consider them
a gift.
A gift?
Do you think we might speak alone?
It's a rather delicate matter and...
That will be all Bonnet.
Have a seat.
It's about Bonnet staying
with us at the Chateau.
He comes from a very good family.
I put great emphasis
on placing like with like.
Of course.
And all the people of Bussy
have to be subjected to the law
like everyone else.
Even if you're the mayor
and viscount.
I'm sure you appreciate that.
It's about my wife.
She feels uncomfortable with the
thought of anyone living with us.
Maybe we could offer something other
than our living quarters.
What about my first lieutenant?
I'm sure we can find him
somewhere else.
He can stay at the Labarie farm,
it's on our estate.
Get inside, girls.
We'll have to get used to it, I'm
afraid, along with everything else.
There had been no men
in our town for so long.
The mothers of French soldiers
looked on with disgust
and begged God to curse them.
But the young women just looked.
You are beautiful.
What is your name?
Celine. C-E-L-I-N-E.
Celine, could I have a word
with you, please?
Can I carry those bags for you?
I'm going that way anyway.
You can say, "no, thank you."
That's not for in here.
You're not going to like this.
If it makes you feel any better
everybody who can afford
to is doing it.
My mother-in-law pretended
we were united in war,
but the well-off
continued to reap their own wheat
and count their own money
and to hell with everyone else.
Others like Benoit and Madeleine
wouldn't have hoarded even
if they'd had the chance.
This is for you. It's
just we have food to spare...
if you know what I mean.
You must miss Gaston, miss having
someone else to talk to.
Yes I do.
Do you write to him?
- We don't know where he is.
- Well you should write anyway.
Make you feel better.
Benoit would do anything to swap
places with Gaston,
...to have fought like a man.
- Really?
If you don't believe me you
can ask him yourself.
You...
- Can we help you?
- Mesdames.
There has been a change of plan.
I have been billeted with you.
I apologise for the inconvenience.
But they said that we were too far
from the village to have anyone.
I was surprised myself.
I was staying at the chateau.
- You're an officer?
- A lieutenant.
But this is just a farmhouse.
The rooms won't be good enough.
We haven't even got
any running water.
You needn't worry about me.
This will do nicely.
Here.
This young officer
relished his power to disrupt
Benoit and Madeleine's lives,
as if their lives
weren't difficult enough already.
And what about our soldier?
Every night I heard him.
Always the same unfamiliar music.
I was meant to resent him, yet there
was relief in his presence
after months of silence.
Bubi.
Sorry to disturb you.
The dog isn't mine. We found him
in an abandoned village.
At least he's a Frenchman.
May I'
Your house is beautiful, Madame.
It isn't mine.
It's my mother-in-law's.
The piano is yours, I imagine.
And what makes you say that?
I don't believe you mother-in-law
is a music lover.
My father gave that piano to me.
- Do you play?
- I do.
But Madame doesn't want
any music in the house
until my husband's home to hear it.
You mind if I sit?
The piece you keep playing...
- I don't recognise it.
- You wouldn't.
- I've studied music, you know.
- Not this.
You wrote it.
I was a composer before
the war, when I first got married.
- You're married?
- I've been married four years.
And a soldier four years.
She must miss you.
No, not really.
Not anymore.
Hello?
Bubi, here.
- What are you doing here?
- I thought I'd left something.
So you come in without asking?
I can't hear you.
I'm sorry.
- Did you look at any of these?
- No, I promise. -Read one.
Read one.
Out loud.
"To whom it may concern.
Monsieur Blanc is a married father
of five children.
For several months he has had...
sexual relations with a young woman
half his age."
"He should be charged
with public indecency."
"Monsieur Dubois is trading food
on the black market."
"Monsieur Acar is a communist,
a liar and a homosexual."
"The refugee at mass pretends
to be a Catholic when she really
...is a dirty Jew.
- What are they?
They are from your neighbours.
They were waiting for us at the
Town Hall when we arrived.
They're gossip. Nothing more.
They are just people settling
old scores. They should be burned.
If I had my way, they would.
My Major has ordered me.
It is my job to read them.
You can go.
I don't know why you ever
married him. Was it the land?
Your father lost all of his so he
sent you looking for someone else's.
No.
My father was dying.
He wanted to f...
find me a good man.
A rich man.
What have I done?
I see everything that goes
on in this house.
Please, he only asked
to go into the garden.
You should have stood up and left.
Do you expect me to be confined
to my bedroom?
- I expect
you to be a faithful wife. -I am.
Then how can you speak,
how can you even breathe,
when you know that your husband
has been hunted
down by these animals?
When I see them,
I want to rip their eyes out.
What's happened?
We've just heard that...
Gaston's unit is in
a labour camp in Germany.
Your husband is a prisoner of war.
This German is our enemy.
Do you understand?
Yes.
Madame.
I can't talk to you.
I should have believed you.
I think this is
why you came into my room.
I'm sorry.
Thank you.
Remember you're doing the rents
today, Lucile.
Come on, Marthe.
We're going to be late.
I'm going for a swim.
Can you swim?
The Viscount doesn't
let the villagers swim in the lake.
Oh, sorry I didn't mean... I meant,
with your infirmity, can you...
What happened?
My horse fell.
My leg was trapped.
- Otherwise you would have fought?
- Yes, I would.
Nietzsche said a man
is made to be a warrior.
Have you read Nietzsche?
He also said a woman...
is made to please the warrior.
His leg, did it happen before
or after you were married?
After.
Beautiful scent.
Perhaps I could buy
a bouquet for my bedroom,
cheer it up a little.
Madeleine,
we've got to bring the animals in.
Hey, a vase by my bed,
if that's no trouble.
It's all there, Madame Angellier.
You'll get double
that next door now.
I learned that piece
when I was young.
My father taught it to me.
Anna's father taught her too.
Oh. Is he...
He and my other daughter
got separated from us.
But they'll be joining us soon.
That's enough practice for today.
Why don't you go outside and play?
Stay close to the house.
- She's lovely.
- Thank you.
Excuse me, please could
I borrow some soap?
To wash...
Nice weather?
Thank you.
I'm sorry.
It's just hard with them living
so close to us.
Shit! Some bastard has stolen
our uniforms.
Fuck you.
Fuck you.
- What? -This can't be happening.
Yes, everything is gone.
Come out you fucker!
I'm going to kick your arse!
Benoit. Please.
I thought you'd handed in your gun.
I did.
The one that was registered.
People have been killed for less.
- I need it. -Why don't you tell her
why you're here?
The German, in my home,
he's chasing after Madeleine.
The officer that lives here
could put pressure on him.
- I don't speak to him.
- That's not what I've heard.
I'm not here to criticise you.
I just want him moved.
Please.
You have a complaint about
a German soldier? I apologise.
So you'll do something?
I have no influence over him.
We are of equal rank.
So it's one rule
for us and another for them?
That's not what I said.
We lost the war. We don't have
to lose our women as well.
Then perhaps
you should have thought of
protecting them earlier, my friend.
Please.
I will try.
But it might only make it worse.
Tell him to leave her in peace.
I won't ask again.
Our regiment could leave
at anytime.
I couldn't stand to think...
that you hated me.
I don't hate you.
Then invite me for tea.
There's hardly any left.
Your men have taken it all.
Or wine.
I'll talk to Bonnet,
but in return I only ask...
that we be decent to one another.
Where's the harm in that?
My mother-in-law would throw me out.
I've got nowhere else to go.
She has church tonight.
She'll be another half an hour.
Just one drink.
How did you become a soldier?
I'm from a military family.
It was expected of us.
My brothers and I signed up
on the same day.
Your brothers, where are they?
One was killed in Poland.
Another one in Normandy.
The youngest has just left
for Africa.
People shouldn't
be sacrificed like this.
- I mean none of us.
- I can't think like that.
Questioning only
makes things more difficult.
Do you believe in the war?
Let's say I believe
in the communal spirit.
None of us like to admit it,
single actions on their own
don't mean anything.
So why is it that whenever I see you
you're always on your own?
When do you see me?
Forget all this for two minutes.
Come on.
Lucile.
Madame is on her way back.
Go into the garden.
Quickly!
I'm supposed to be
the one everyone's afraid of.
But she could easily scare
the plague away.
Why are all these lights left on?
I just wanted to thank you.
You were very kind.
It's been a long time
since I talked to anyone like this.
I thank you.
Good night.
Lucile. Well, I suppose
you'll tell everyone now.
Oh, it's alright for you.
All I do is work.
If I didn't have love...
I don't care where he was born.
They're human, just like us,
and they didn't throw my family
out of their home. You did that.
That was my mother-in-law.
It's not me.
Open your eyes, Lucile.
Our men are no better than them.
Some of them are much worse.
Ask your officer. He knows.
Ask him what
he's read in those letters.
Ask him what he's read
about your husband.
You need to know.
Everybody else does.
How did you ever let them kick
you out of here?
My place is a shit-hole for sure.
Thank you.
But it has a certain charm.
Oh but the farmer...
The farmer's a barbarian though.
And his wife?
More attractive than tonight's
hostess, that's for sure.
Why do you ask?
Fuck off.
Who are you? My big brother?
- Don't get too close.
- Don't lecture me about morality.
You weren't so sensitive when we
were rounding up prisoners
with orders
to shoot the stragglers.
- I didn't shoot any of them.
- But I did. With delight too.
And you never said a word.
- We were at war.
- We still are, Lieutenant.
How long have you known?
I didn't feel entitled to tell you.
Luc?e?
You knew, didn't you?
That your perfect son
has been having an affair that was
going on before we even met.
You should see how many
of those are about you.
You always say how much
you want a grandchild.
Now you've got one.
Her name's Simone.
You can keep your stupid little
secrets. I couldn't care less.
Can I play you something?
It's very beautiful.
What is it?
I married a man I'd only met twice.
I tried to convince
myself that we were in love.
I might as well have been dead.
It's not possible.
- Luc?e?
- I'm coming.
Madame wants to see you
straight away.
You remember Madame Perrin?
Yes, of course.
What brings you back
from the Free Zone, Madame?
My son died in Normandy
as the Germans advanced.
- I just received permission to visit
his grave. -I'm sorry to hear.
- How are things in Lyon?
- Bad.
At least you don't have a German
living in your house.
Yes. I heard about your officer.
He's friendly?
I won't have anything to do with
him, but Lucile does, don't you?
Oh, but that's good.
We had to leave in such a hurry
that certain things
were left behind.
The Germans are using our house now.
Could you go there and get them back?
Stand to attention!
Stand to attention!
Look at me.
This is a disgrace.
What is this mess?
Clean it up!
So this is what it means
to be protected by the German army?
Lucile.
Wait. Look at me.
What happens in there
is indefensible.
I have nothing in common
with these people.
There is damage to some
of the items
on the list Lieutenant,
what shall we do?
- Pack it carefully. I'll come over.
- Yes Lieutenant.
The only person
I've something in common with...
...is you.
- No.
A set of false teeth,
a china dinner service,
household items of purely
sentimental value.
I'd clawed back what crumbs
I could from the enemy.
The air was thick with whispers.
Some saw me as a collaborator.
Others admired my bravery.
But none knew what
I was really feeling.
Most of it is here.
I apologise for any damages.
Well done. At least you've got the
nerve to stand up to these scum.
Marthe, can you take these bags
upstairs, please?
On Thursday she's going
to visit her sister.
- We'd have the house to ourselves.
- All right.
Come back here. Come back here!
Benoit Labarie. So you're the one
who's been stealing from us.
You thief.
What do you expect us to do?
- You traitors would see us starve.
- How dare you speak to me like that.
I'll speak to you how I like.
I'm not the only one who comes here.
We all do.
- And it's only going to get worse.
- Get out of here.
Chickens.
Give me my fucking chickens.
You'd better pray your
German friends stay a long time,
because the day they leave...
I caught him. It's Labarie.
- I told you to let it lie.
- He still has a gun.
So does half the town,
including myself.
He tried to shoot me with it.
You need to do something.
Where are these going?
Africa, England, who knows?
What are we paying for them?
Thirty thousand.
Forty if they're well looked after.
That's half the going rate.
What the hell do you care?
I don't.
Good.
Because the way it's going
it'll be people next.
So let's get it over with.
Officer Bonnet!
Choose those suitable for war.
For three months we had lived
alongside each other.
Now there would be no more
holding back.
Let everyone else fight each other,
hate each other.
Just leave us in peace.
I thought you said you were going
to take the horse in yourself.
- What have you done?
- Go. I'll distract them.
Boys, quick. Now.
I have a warrant for the arrest
of Benoit Labarie. Where is he?
He's in the field.
You four to the field,
the rest search the house!
I don't know what's wrong
with you farmers.
Always stashing your guns
in the same places. Come down.
You won't be in the labour camp
for long.
The Viscount begged
for leniency.
It's likely to be a year. Plenty of
time for me to fuck your wife
while you shovel frozen shit
in Buchenwald.
Fuck you.
Stay there, don't move.
No! No!
Benoit!
- Madeleine.
- ls your mother-in-law at home?
She's away for the night.
What's happened?
How do you know where he is?
There's an old hunting lodge
in the woods.
And no one's offered to take him in?
That's why I'm here.
They let me go,
but they're watching me.
If they're watching...
you shouldn't have come here.
Look, Benoit's a good man. And
no one else is going to help him.
And he can't move very fast.
And they'll hunt him and find him.
And when they do,
they'll kill him.
You're the only one
that can help me now, please.
I...
I'm sorry. I don't...
I thought you said Madame was away.
Your officer won't be coming, you
know. I passed him in the square.
He's leading the search party
for my husband.
Shame on you!
What was I thinking?
My friends and neighbours
were being hunted like animals
while I was living out a fantasy.
A disgraceful madness.
Spread out!
What are you doing here?
The dogs have got your scent.
Put these on and come with me.
Yesterday an officer
of the German Wehrmacht
was killed by one Benoit Labarie,
a resident on the Montmort estate.
Any person guilty of providing him
with shelter,
aid or protection
or who knows his whereabouts
is required to report this
information to German headquarters
within 48 hours of this notice
or they will incur immediate
execution by firing squad.
Lieutenant, I would like
to talk to you.
Come along, Viscount.
Herr Major...
on behalf of the people of Bussy I
must offer my most humble apology.
I had no idea he would lash out
that way.
You said he was a communist...
a thief who'd threatened your wife.
What exactly did you expect?
According to the laws of
occupation...
the Mayor is responsible for
the actions of his constituents.
Which means if the farmer isn't
found within forty eight hours...
you will face the firing squad
in his place.
But Herr Major...
I am the Viscount.
- That's unheard of.
- Viscount.
General Wolf wanted me
to round up five men at random.
You should be thankful
I persuaded him
to make an example out of you alone.
Take him off.
No, Herr Major, I'm the Viscount,
this isn't possible.
Herr Major, please!
- Herr Major.
- The day before Bonnet was murdered,
he wanted to talk to me
about one of his fellow officers.
Do you know who he was referring to?
No, I do not.
You'll be in charge
of the execution.
Go tell your men
to search everywhere.
No exceptions.
Teach these people a lesson,
find anything suspicious.
Now go at once!
Yes, sir.
Spread out!
Stay still!
Oh. How romantic.
- I'm going to have to talk to his
commanding officer. -No, you won't.
- Who knows?
- No one.
- Not even his wife?
- I couldn't risk it.
You should have asked me first.
My grandfather put this
here during the last war.
Get in. Quickly.
Don't make a sound.
Why are you doing this?
Seeing him dressed in Gaston's
clothes, it made me think,
it could be my son.
They're here.
Madame.
We are looking for Benoit Labarie.
Lucile.
Lucile, I couldn't get back.
- No!
- Celine, stop!
Gustav.
Forget the bitch, come on!
- We were searching
the woods all night. -I know.
- Sir. -Yes?
- We have found nothing.
Very good.
Lucile, tell me. Something's wrong.
I made a mistake.
What is this?
What is this?
She's a Jew.
Where is your daughter?
- Where's your daughter?
- She's with her father.
We'll come back for her.
Have your feelings changed?
Yes.
You're lying.
Sir, up here. We've found something
in the laundry cupboard.
A wake is being held for Officer
Bonnet, but we don't have
enough table linen,
so could we borrow some of yours?
It belonged to my mother.
I trust you will return it
in its original state.
Of course.
Anna?
Open it.
Take this away.
She doesn't know anything.
Don't fret.
There's still time.
Somebody might give him up.
- You know, Benoit...
- I know.
You did the right thing.
God can see into our hearts.
I love you.
I love you too.
Line UP!
- Amen.
- Amen.
Take aim!
Fire!
Fall out!
I had told myself they're just like
us after all,
but they're not.
We're a different species,
irreconcilable, enemies forever.
I won't hide here
till the war's over.
I'm not afraid of dying.
I just want it to be for a reason.
- What can you do?
- I know people, in Paris.
- Who? -People who are getting
organised, fighting back.
You'll never get past the
checkpoints. They're everywhere.
What if I take him?
- Lucile, you can't do that.
- I'm taking you.
What about the travel pass?
I know where you're going,
you fucking German whore.
He's safe.
What are you doing here?
I need a travel pass.
I have to drive to Paris.
One of our tenants needs medicine.
His daughter's very ill.
You heard about the viscount?
Yes.
You must hate me now.
I would if I were you.
This tenant...
has he come to the house?
No.
That's a shame.
My orderly says he could smell
a different man's tobacco.
He thinks you're hiding someone.
And you?
If I had even the slightest
suspicion
it would be my duty to act on it.
I know that.
I said it was mine.
A gift from my wife.
I'll instruct my orderly
to issue the pass.
Thank you.
We will see each other again.
Not as a soldier.
You won't even recognise me.
Be careful...
with your life.
Is it precious to you?
Yes.
It is precious to me.
Here are the movement orders, sir.
We're leaving tomorrow morning.
Yes.
This is everything you'll need.
And...
Gaston left us this. Just in case.
Thank you.
Gaston will come back.
I'm sure of it.
Thank you.
All done.
Except that tobacco
I smelt couldn't have been yours.
There was no trace
of it in your room.
Don't worry, sir,
I took care of it.
If she's got anything to hide
they'll find it at the checkpoint.
I put a note in with the travel
pass to search the car.
Very good.
Major, Steiner is waiting for you
in front of the hotel.
- Good day.
- Hello.
Where are you going?
- Paris.
- Papers.
Come over here!
Deal with it yourself Gustav,
it's just a damn woman.
Get out!
Open.
Open!
Faster.
Get down!
Benoit!
Hold onto me.
Help me.
Open it.
Hardly a word of our true feelings
had ever been spoken.
Not a single word about love.
After the war
I heard that Bruno had died.
But maybe he just disappeared,
like me.
I drove Benoit to a farmhouse
and a week later
we made it to Paris.
We fought for what we believed in
and four years later France was free.
Over time I tried to forget
the people I lost,
but the music always carries me
back to him.
SUITE FRANCAISE WAS WRITTEN IN
SECRET AS THE NAZIS OCCUPIED FRANCE.
IT WAS NEVER COMPLETED.
[N 1942 ITS AUTHOR IRENE
NEMIROVSKY WAS ARRESTED
FOR BEING JEWISH
AND DIED IN AUSCHWITZ.
HER HANDWRITTEN MANUSCRIPT LAY
UNREAD IN A SUITCASE
FOR NEARLY SIXTY YEARS UNTIL IT WAS
REDISCOVERED BY HER DAUGHTER.
'SUITE FRANQAISE' WAS
FINALLY PUBLISHED IN 2004
AND BECAME A WORLDWIDE BESTSELLER.
IT IS AN EXTRAORDINARY FEELING TO
HAVE BROUGHT MY MOTHER BACK TO LIFE.
IT SHOWS THE NAZIS DID NOT TRULY
SUCCEED IN KILLING HER.
IT IS NOT VENGEANCE,
BUT IT IS A VICTORY.
DENISE EPSTEIN-DAUPLE
(DAUGHTER OF IRENE NEMIROVSKY)