PARIS, MAY 1941
Hello.
I stopped by Janvier's.
He hasn't received your agates.
He showed me some mediocre diamonds.
So I took the liberty of dismounting...
I'll finish it. You do the clasp.
- You replaced the emeralds? - No...
I recut them and moved them around.
Beautiful.
Hello.
Check the agates we have in the basement.
Hello, ma'am.
CENSUS FOR JEWS
All Jews must register at the nearest precinct...
FAREWELL MR HAFFMANN
Yes?
Hello.
Excuse me, I couldn't leave work.
I'm late.
Fertility Analysis
So?
Madame's exams show no irregularities.
All right.
I knew it was me.
- We don't know. - We do now.
If it's not you, it's me. That's life.
Come, let's take a walk.
Where?
I don't know, wherever.
Goodnight, son.
Goodnight.
Goodnight, sweetie.
Night, Papa.
Here, take your dolly.
Sleep well, you two.
I'll tell her goodnight too.
We're not in danger. We're French.
Neither do you.
You left Poland at the age of 8.
People thought they were safe there too.
"They'd never attack us, never torch our house."
In the end, everyone got massacred.
You must leave now.
Leave?
For where?
- The unoccupied zone. - We know no one there!
And it's dangerous.
Someone can smuggle you over the Demarcation line.
Just a matter of money.
I have an address for an apartment.
And the shop?
I have an idea for the shop.
Leave with the children in a few days.
I'll meet you there.
In a few days?
No.
No, Joseph, this is madness.
Staying here would be madness.
Please, trust me.
Hurry up, children.
In Clermont-Ferrand, a car will take you to the farm.
Here.
No!
You'll see her when you come back.
We meet up soon.
Goodbye, son.
Goodbye, sweetheart.
Goodbye, my love.
- Come soon. - Once the shop's taken care of.
Everything will be fine.
-Time to go. -Come.
I...
Sorry I'm late. Checks all over.
Sorry.
Sit, I need to talk to you.
-I need this job, I swear... -I asked you to sit.
Hannah and the children just left.
Left?
To the free zone. I'll meet them there soon.
Why?
Because we're Jewish.
You're closing the shop?
Yes, but you'll be buying it.
I'd like to, but I can't. I can't afford it.
But I'll give you the money.
I mean, we'll pretend I gave it to you.
We'll draw up a deed of sale. You'll become the official owner.
Tomorrow, you and your wife will move upstairs.
And after the war, when we come back, we'll do exactly the opposite.
In exchange, I'll help you open your own store.
I know you want that.
You don't think I saw you...
with your notebooks, sketching your designs?
Good morning.
You've worked wonders, Joseph.
It's stunning. It looks brand new.
Ava, my love
Not like us.
I'll wrap it for you.
Can you wrap this?
- How much, Joseph? - 300 francs.
Very good work.
Hello.
-Hello, ma'am. -So you're poor Gabriel's replacement?
This war is such a horror. So young.
Thank God, you were luckier than him.
I wasn't mobilized.
Like I said, you're lucky.
-Goodbye, Joseph. -Goodbye, Joseph. And thank you.
How can you just trust me like this?
I have no time to get to know you better.
And if you were dishonest, you wouldn't have asked.
You'd have already said yes.
I hope you said no!
No, why would I?
He's using you.
No, he's not. He appreciates me.
You were his slave and now he appreciates you?
It's not fishy?
I'm not his slave, like you say.
He has his personality like your boss at the laundry.
I'll have my own shop. With jewelry I design.
This is my dream.
Be happy for me, for us.
Come on, listen.
We'll finally have the life we deserve.
The life you deserve.
There's room for a baby. Miracles happen, right?
If other shopkeepers ask questions, keep it vague.
With this deed they can do nothing besides envy you.
Go see the painter down the street.
Have him make a sign in your name.
One...
eight...
five... and nine.
You'll remember?
I'll leave you some money for everyday expenses.
The stock is all yours.
If you're short, buy used stones from Janvier.
Beautiful, isn't it?
Claude Monet.
My father bought it when he fled the pogroms.
Mr. Haffmann.
Thank you.
This is it.
Look, there's everything.
Radio, china cabinet, leather armchairs.
Fireplace.
So there.
Take off your coat. You're home.
Let me show you around.
The kitchen.
There's a stove.
Like in a restaurant. A stove!
Here... the bathroom.
A princess bathroom. So you'll always be pretty.
A bath just for us!
And the bedroom.
Look.
Bigger than our place!
With a wood-burner.
For the bedroom.
Here, look what I brought.
Like at home.
This is your home.
I didn't finish taking down...
I'll see to their belongings.
-I see to it. -This is too strange...
-We're like thieves. -Thieves? Not at all!
Thieves don't give back. We...
we'll give it all back to them.
What are you afraid of?
We're doing them a favor, not harm.
Come on, smile.
Smile!
A real smile. I like seeing my wife smile.
Wait, I forgot to show you!
Come and see.
Look at this.
- What? - There!
- What is it? - You!
Now that's a real smile.
You're beautiful when you smile.
I love you.
I love you too.
We'll be fine here.
The Haffmanns made three babies here.
See all this fancy linen?
These dresses!
Can I?
Sure, you're at home.
How do I look?
Beautiful.
Hear that?
Turn off the music.
What are you doing here?
I couldn't take my train.
Germans everywhere.
The smuggler told me to hide.
I waited. He never came back.
You waited all day long?
Good evening.
Hello.
This is Mr. Haffmann, my boss.
I'll use the restroom.
Of course.
You kidding me?
He ran into trouble.
That's no big deal.
-I'll have to spend the night. -Of course.
- She'll change the sheets. - I'll use the kids' room.
Out of the question.
Yes, this is your home now.
I'll see the smuggler tomorrow.
I'll be able to leave. My wife must be worried.
So he's staying.
One night. He'll leave tomorrow, as agreed.
As agreed? This wasn't agreed!
What can we do?
François.
-Hello, sir. -Joseph Haffmann?
No, François Mercier.
I'm the new owner.
Can we see your papers?
Sure.
I'll get the deed of sale too.
The deed of sale.
Did the Haffmanns say where they went?
No.
They left no address?
For their mail.
No, no they didn't.
If ever you come across any of the Haffmann family,
I advise you to inform us.
If you don't want trouble.
Of course.
Just foreign-born Jews.
They're sent to work in Germany.
What do we do?
Mr. Haffmann!
- They're being sent to work in Germany. - To work?
Most of them are old. Old people, sent to work?
-I'll see the smuggler once they leave. -Mr. Haffmann...
You can't do that. It's dangerous.
They do checks everywhere. You'll be arrested.
I'll go for you.
Give me an address, a name and...
I'll go.
You're crossing Paris to go see a criminal?
Not a criminal, a butcher.
Still, it's dangerous.
Either he spends the war downstairs or I go.
Stay put, don't leave the house.
What do I tell them at the laundry?
I don't know. You're ill, you feel queasy, whatever.
Queasy?
-No kiss? -Yes, yes, a kiss.
Be careful.
I love you.
What do you want?
Mr. Haffmann sent me. Yesterday, the station.
-You're mistaken. -Wait! He's willing to pay more.
Listen to me, Limpy. You and your Jew better forget me.
He misses his family.
Forget it. Too many checks. Even for more.
So get lost.
If I see you again, I'll bleed you dry.
-What happened? -It's nothing.
You're bleeding. It's not nothing.
The smuggler won't do it.
What will we do?
With the roundups and checks, we'll find no one.
Don't worry, Mr. Haffmann.
Stay here till we figure this out.
Morning.
Some coffee.
Here.
Yes, it's for my meals.
-Thank you. -Can you bring me books?
I may have some long days ahead.
And a pen and paper too, please.
To write my wife, so she won't worry.
-But... -No, I won't tell her I'm here.
It's just to reassure her.
Bravo!
-I'm sorry. -Deducted from your pay!
I took the liberty...
They're beautiful.
You were right to.
We haven't opened the box since we got married.
It's very good.
- Thank you. - Yes, very.
Want some more?
-With pleasure. I'll serve myself. -No, let me.
Sorry.
I'm so sorry.
-No worries. -What an idiot.
It really doesn't matter.
Is it crystal?
Yes, but it doesn't matter.
Careful, you'll cut yourself.
I'll do it, honey.
I'm really sorry.
I wrote my wife. You'll post it tomorrow.
I've thought it over.
We take enough risks having you here, so...
Imagine them with no news!
My wife is also worried sick.
It'd be dangerous for all of us.
Don't hold it against me, but...
no, I won't do it.
SEPTEMBER 1941
Bravo, Solange.
You're very brave.
Now you have pretty earrings like a grownup.
- Goodbye, sir. - Thank you.
Goodbye, miss.
Goodbye, sir.
I'd like a word with you.
Come here.
Come.
I've thought things over.
Let's stop lying to ourselves.
We'll never have children. It's my fault.
- Why bring this up now? - Let me talk.
You do yourself more harm than good.
- Be patient. - It's been years!
The doctor tried to reassure me...
We won't have any. It's over.
You don't know.
He can have kids.
It will be like ours.
It will be the same as ours.
Understand?
What are you asking of me?
I feel like vomiting.
-How can you ask that of me? -I asked because I love you.
- I'm in love, so... - Shut up!
-You want a child too. -Not like that!
A child is a child. Same thing.
If it's so important, we can adopt.
Plenty of war orphans!
No, I want it to be ours! People must think I'm the father!
- Who cares what they think! - I care!
All my life, whenever things get good,
I'm not allowed to...
someone always says: "No, you can't."
Why can't I? Why am I not allowed?
Why the limp?
Why can't I fight for France? Be brave? Have a child?
Why can't I be normal? Why?
A man who can't father a child is no man.
You can't ask me to do that.
No one will know.
You're crazy.
These are crazy times!
Crazier things happen in Paris nowadays.
You down here, and me up there...
isn't that crazy?
In exchange, I'll post your letters to your family.
This is blackmail.
It's...
a trade.
Please.
Help me.
Please.
Good evening.
I bought meat without coupons.
Just a little.
He's not hungry but I'll bring some down.
I'll do it.
I'd like it over fast.
See you tonight.
No mention of your whereabouts?
No.
I'll mail it when I go to Janvier's. Less risky since he lives far.
I'd rather you stop eating upstairs.
Hello.
I'd like to see the ruby ring in the display.
Of course.
This one?
Good work.
Precise, elegant.
The setting's prettier than the stones.
Well, it's hard to find quality gems these days.
Odd to find someone so talented
in such a tiny shop.
I'm going to take it.
I just bought the shop.
Yes, I know.
"Haffmann" was the former owner.
That's right.
I have friends who, like me,
enjoy giving pretty gifts to pretty women.
I'll recommend your work.
Thank you, Mr... Mercier.
What are you doing?
Come to sleep.
Not right away.
I must finish this brooch.
To show Jünger my new collection.
Your new collection.
My first. "New" or "first", who cares?
As long as he likes it.
And his girlfriend too.
You know, he's a very nice guy. Really nice.
-I'll introduce you next time. -Don't bother.
Why not? What now?
You're wrong about him. You don't even know him.
Right or wrong, he's still a German.
"Still a German," that means nothing!
There are good and bad ones.
His father did what I do.
A jeweler, but in Munich.
Crazy, isn't it?
So this is all familiar to him.
How do you like it?
It's beautiful.
Really?
Really beautiful.
- You like it? - Of course.
And this is nothing yet, because...
it's rough, no colors, no stones.
What else?
What do you mean?
It's been a month.
No.
No worries.
I'll go back up.
Be there soon.
I'll show you.
Morning.
I sold all your butterfly brooches.
If I were you, I'd watch out.
For what?
Your clientele may not be to everyone's taste.
With the risk we take hiding you...
best to be on good terms.
Don't you think?
It's not smart keeping all that here.
I never trusted banks before.
Now that I make money, I trust them even less.
I don't want to go. I hate my head laundress.
So don't go.
What a great idea!
But I'm serious!
Don't go.
Never go back. It's over, quit.
- She counts on me. - What do you mean?
My grandma said:
"Cemeteries are full of indispensable people."
Forget your boss. She'll find someone else.
I wish I could.
So do it!
Stop going.
The shop's doing well. I make enough.
So there. I told you to trust me.
-But what will I do all day long? -You'll take care of your husband.
Give her our laundry. She'll go pale.
-You're crazy. -No, I love you.
I love you too.
I'll take care of you pregnant.
Every single day.
My love.
Here, look.
For a nice dinner to celebrate your freedom.
All right?
From the pharmacy.
It's a sort of calendar. You try on blue days.
It's not very comprehensible...
Give up this idea. It's nonsense.
- We went about it wrong. - Stop, I said.
I don't want us growing apart.
I don't get it. We had a deal. What now?
-What if it doesn't work? -It will. Why wouldn't it?
It will. The doctor said not to lose hope.
-What if it doesn't? -We'll start again next month.
We?
No. I'll start next month.
Fine, want to stop?
Let's stop. It's not hard.
If that's what you want.
Just like last time, I can't.
I'm sorry.
I know how much you want a child.
My husband does.
As for me...
I can't let him spend his life thinking he ruined mine.
Even if I'd like a baby too.
It must be something.
Indeed.
Yes, it's something, as you say.
What will you tell him, for us?
Nothing.
I said nothing the first time, so I'll do the same.
He'll end up coming to terms with it.
Offering him this shop was a mistake.
We had nothing before. Now he wants it all.
I can't go up yet. He'll find it fishy.
My husband sends your letters in exchange.
You should probably write one.
The thought of seeing you again...
You are my eternity.
-I have to go back up. -Yes, yes.
I love you all.
Thank you.
Thanks.
Good day, gentlemen. Welcome.
Sorry, I don't speak German.
I don't understand...
I don't understand.
Let me explain.
We had no choice.
I can explain.
Explain what?
JANUARY 1942
Listen...
Want to go out tonight?
Go out?
- A restaurant. - Yes!
Commandant Jünger asked us out.
-A very upscale cabaret. -No.
Why "no"?
I thought it would be just us.
"Just us" is nice, but we do it every day.
Won't it be a nice change to see people?
No.
What do I tell him?
That I feel queasy.
The jeweler!
-Good evening. -Have a seat, Mr. Mercier.
-Your wife didn't come? -No...
-She feels queasy. -That's too bad!
Cheers.
So, I wanted this collection to be more...
more sculpted. I was inspired by...
edelweiss flowers...
Yes.
Alpine leaves, rendered in my own style.
I don't like it.
No, I...
It's show-offy. Not my thing.
What the lady is saying, in her own words,
is that this new collection lacks the finesse of the former one.
As if you were...
"shut off".
The poor quality of the stones doesn't help.
If I may offer a word of advice,
get back to the essentials.
Yes! Your butterfly brooch...
why not do it again?
But maybe larger.
But still chic.
Yes, of course.
I think you're very talented.
Because you love me.
Yeah, but still...
I think this is beautiful.
Since when do you know jewelry?
Since when?
-Don't take it out on me. -Enough, enough.
You'll end up reading them all twice.
Lunch.
- I was thinking... - No.
-No what? -No.
I won't work for them.
Working for them is working for your kids.
Don't ever mention my children.
Mr. Haffmann, there's hunger in the free zone too.
That's life.
What'll you pay me?
Same thing you paid me.
Here. I think that's everything.
I'll need a butterfly brooch.
I was thinking, maybe bigger?
Several, if possible.
As for the gems...
take them from these settings.
There. Work well.
Good morning.
I got a head start.
I'm sorry, I have to work.
It's quite all right.
Bravo, Mr. Mercier.
You see?
Why search elsewhere when it's all here?
Here, this is for you.
For having accepted to redo your previous collection.
Go ahead.
You can finally work with gemstones worthy of the name.
Thank you, this is very nice, but I can't afford this.
Who mentioned money?
If you need more, just ask.
I can get others.
I went to Janvier's.
I bought used jewelry to dismount.
You believe in God?
Not at all.
But I believe in heaven.
What about hell?
Don't know.
But if in doubt, better to do good than evil.
And do you believe in God?
No.
But if in doubt, better to have a Torah.
You frightened me.
Why are you staring?
I'm just looking.
You seem well.
I am.
So all's good.
All is good.
JULY 1942
You're talented.
Everyone is talented at something.
You just have to figure out what.
What did you want to be, as a kid?
-You'll make fun of me. -No, why?
As a kid, my dream was to use a typewriter.
See? You're making fun.
Not at all.
But why a typewriter?
I lived near a factory.
From my window, I could see the secretaries.
They always dressed well and smoked cigarettes.
And so, as a child, my dream was to learn to type.
Why didn't you learn to?
Life.
I left Brittany at 16, started cleaning houses.
Then I met François.
Maybe it's not too late.
Jewish business
Where were you?
They arrested everyone.
Women, children, everyone.
- Did they come here? - No.
Where did they take them?
I don't know.
Open up!
No, I won't. This way we're all safe.
This is nonsense! Open!
You can't go outside anyway!
- Open! - Stop shouting, dammit!
Be reasonable, all right?
Go back to work.
To keep sending money to your wife.
Good evening.
No Jews Allowed
Stop.
I said to stop.
Stop.
François!
Stop!
François...
I don't want to.
How long will you keep me locked up?
A prisoner of my cellar!
A prisoner?
I have customers all day!
I lock you up in case someone comes down.
Go outside if you want! I won't hold you back!
I'm doing this to protect you.
- Thank you. - My pleasure.
- Goodbye. - See you soon.
Why aren't you eating?
At least finish your meat.
I got the name of a place for pâté.
You're not interested?
How about it?
Janvier had no agates.
I got diamonds, emeralds.
They'd make nice bracelets.
Client's coming tomorrow. Do it today.
Where did you get these?
Janvier.
You bastard!
I'm working on gems stolen from Jews?
I didn't steal anything.
-Get out! -I didn't steal!
Get out!
- It's not me! - Out!
You've been burning his letters?
It's too dangerous.
They must think he's dead!
What about the money?
We'll pay him back after. We'll pay it all back.
My love... my angel...
Everything I do is to protect you, to protect us.
Blanche!
It's too dangerous. I do it for...
I do it for you.
What's that stare?
Don't stare that way.
Understand what I'm doing.
I did nothing, stop staring.
Stop staring at me!
Stop!
Your music.
Stop, stop!
Sorry.
The thought of seeing you again...
You're not working?
No. That's over.
I'm writing my wife.
Joseph...
Your letters...
Stay there, I'll go.
I figured I'd come up.
Good God! He wasn't lying when he said you were ill.
Hey, you!
Hiding a happy event?
I've been sick like that before.
Congratulations, sweetie!
This butterfly brooch is Mercier's masterwork.
Hello.
Here, I fixed the clasp.
You hired someone?
Your wife is lying down.
The family is expanding.
Mr. Mercier is a man of many talents.
You should be careful.
One day that man will steal your spot.
Ladies!
It is time to say goodbye.
I told you, Mr. Mercier.
You're lucky.
But luck is like war.
It doesn't last.
See?
Fear can switch sides.
What did you do?
He came up. He came up and everyone saw him.
I had to do something.
You're pregnant!
I told you it would work!
Trust me.
Now the Germans can't steal it.
Understand?
In the safe is proof of provenance.
We just have to show it's ours.
Because it's worth a lot.
And we're going to need money now.
Believe me.
-What about him? -What about him, dammit?
What?
He's finished.
He has to go.... He has to.
Unlike him,
I don't endanger my family. I protect it, I protect us.
I do this for us.
I'm protecting us.
That's all.
Last night, the former owner of my shop,
a jew named...
He threatens me and my wife, he makes us hide him.
We are afraid. Help us...
Joseph?
Joseph!
He's denouncing you by mail.
You must leave at once!
I'll go get help.
Don't.
Don't endanger yourself. Don't risk it.
Especially now.
I'm happy for you.
You see?
You didn't need me.
Wait! There must be a way to open this door!
Where are you running?
Got your papers?
Your papers.
- Excuse me? - Where's your ID?
Let me help you.
So...
Joseph Haffmann.
It's not...
Excuse me?
It's not my real ID.
I replaced the picture to...
- Let me explain. - Don't bother.
Everyone in Paris walks around with fake Jewish ID.
I'm not Jewish.
I'm French.
Did the pawnbroker turn me in?
My name is François Mercier.
French, not Jewish. My jewelry shop!
Blanche!
Why not Levy's tailor or Cohen's pharmacy?
The yellow star is obligatory.
Blanche!
Where are we going?
Where are you taking me?
Listen!
I'm a friend of Commandant Jünger's. Call him!
Tell him it's François Mercier!
He's my friend!
Commandant Jünger! At the Kommandantur! François Mercier!
- He's my friend! - Shut up!
Put your picture here.
Get packed. You must leave before curfew.
Hurry!
Here.
-No, I can't accept this. -It's your money. From your jewelry.
When the war is over,
once you've come back for your store,
please tell everyone my husband hid you.
Thank you.
Last night, the former owner of my shop,
a JEW named JOSEPH HAFFMANN, returned with a spare key...
arrested the 9/28/1942 - Jew