Are those your children?
Yes.
- Do you have any parents? - Yes, over there.
Is this your daughter? Do you have a mother?
Is she your daughter?
Don't you have a tent?
Do you know anybody here?
Are those your children?
Those two, yes.
She's my niece.
Where's her mother?
She died.
Don't cry and don't say anything.
She's my daughter, she's nine.
It's my daughter. She's nine.
What do you think?
How old are you?
- 26 years old. - No, your real age!
26 years old.
You don't look like the photograph.
Gather your hair.
And lose some weight.
Natarajan Dheepan, was 35 years old.
His wife, Yalini, was 24.
His daughter, Illayaal, was 9.
They died 6 months ago.
Now, you are this family.
Is she really your daughter?
Is she a relative?
Do you know her?
No. Why?
Are you going to leave us here?
No, but you'll be in charge. Do you understand?
Where do we take the plane?
In Madras.
Where are we going? England?
We're not going to England.
Where then?
France.
The first group, move forward!
Hurry up, first boat!
The others, second boat! ¡Move!
Hurry up!
Cheap, two euros.
Good evening.
Two euros.
You can't be here. Move on.
Good evening, madam. Two euros.
Cheap.
Lighters. Two euros.
Key chains.
Two euros, madam.
Dheepan, cops! Let's go, quickly!
Shit, I can't do this.
Get up.
Have any money?
In my jacket.
Close the shutters.
Nine. Years.Nine years.
Nine years.
First floor, sir.
The Mouradia family.
The Natarajan family.
The Natarajan family?
The Moussayef family.
Go away, we need to talk.
It's not going to work.
They'll realize we are lying.
What you propose?
I'm tired of waiting.
I'll go to England, to my cousin.
With the girl?
Why should I take her?
You found her, you keep her.
Can you tell me why and how you left Sri Lanka?
I was working for an NGO.
I was a journalist and peace activist.
The Sri Lankan government accused me of...
I know your story.
The one about you being a «peace activist».
Was it your coyote that fed you that story?
Which group did you fight for during the war?
What about you?
What's happening? Can you please translate?
It's a little confusing, I don't understand very well.
What's your real name?
Sivadhasan.
What does «Sivadhasan» mean?
It's the name of a town north of Sri Lanka.
I thought you were dead. Is your family still there?
They're all dead.
What do I say to him?
Say that the Tigers recruited you by force,
that the Sri Lanka army captured and tortured you
and that they tried to kill you.
The army was searching for me.
They tortured me and tried to kill me.
The army captured him, they accused him to have fought for the Tigers
- and they tortured him. - All right.
How old is the girl?
Are you sure this is the right train?
What does «Le Pré» mean?
«Le Pré», what does it mean?
It's where we'll live.
What does it mean?
«Meadow, pastures».
The employment agency told me you were going to arrive much later.
I haven't opened the apartment yet.
My name is Youssouf.
I will see to it that you get electricity.
Hey, this way!
Come, I'll show you the apartment.
Will I have my own bedroom?
The faucet for hot and cold water are reversed.
I don't know. We'll see about it later.
But it doesn't matter. You'll need some drapes.
Is this all you have? No furniture?
Maybe you'll find some in the basement.
Is anybody there?
Over here, it's housekeeping. Your job.
People come to get their mail here.
We can't use the mailboxes because of stealing.
You'll have to sort the mail.
All right? Do you understand, yes?
You'll have to sort everything, right?
Do you understand french?
OK then, this
is to keep a record of your expenses, OK?
Everything that you spend.
Try to translate what he says.
Let me know what you need.
Rags, brooms, whatever.
He talks very fast, I don't understand
It doesn't matter.
Ask him if the water is OK.
- Is the water OK? - What?
- Can we drink the water? - Of course, this is your home.
These buildings are A, B, C, D and those over there E, F, G, H.
E, F, G, H were under construction but they're finished now.
Anyway, you'll only deal with A, B, C and D.
The others, not your problem.
You can do as you please in the courtyard.
- This is the new caretaker. - Good morning.
Hi, boys. This is the new caretaker.
Wait a second. Everything OK?
Is he talking about us?
No.
OK, come in.
- Hi, how's things? - Everything OK, what about you?
He's the new caretaker, I'm showing him around.
They occupy building D and they're not always around.
You'll have to wait until they leave to do the cleaning.
Tell him.
They're out between 7;OO and 11:00 am, then it is OK to clean.
From 7:00 to 11:00 am, you get it?
The milk, the honey, the sugar and the lentils...
these foods I offer to you,
Oh, God with the elephant head, pure as diamonds...
give me the Tamil of the three «Sangam».
Oh, God Ganesh...
keep us safe...
and help us so everything will be all right here.
Come and eat.
Here.
Take a spoon.
You can eat with your fingers.
Tomorrow, at school, she'll need to eat with a spoon.
I can't find my school pouch.
Go to bed.
Do you have a pillow?
You're a girl.
You don't need one.
I'll sleep over there.
Move further.
He's the new caretaker and she's Illayaal.
Does she speak a little french?
A little.
Did she go to school in Sri Lanka?
No?
Why?
- It burned down. - Your school?
It burned down?
Why did it burn down?
What does she say?
Who burned down the school?
- How do you say «government»? - «Government».
The government? The government burned down the school?
OK. She'll join the «UP2A».
It's a special class so she can learn french.
Do you understand? It's a special class.
Do you have any more questions?
They ask about a lot.
«Who burn down the school, why, how?».
Everybody burn down schools.
Why do you say that?
I don't want to!
I want to stay with you!
Don't leave me!
Look at me.
The three of us have a secret.
I don't want to go.
Don't forget it.
We, the grownups, have to work.
And you
have to go to school and learn french.
You need to speak the language with the other children.
Otherwise, we'll have to go back to Sri Lanka.
Do you want to go back there?
Do you?
Me neither.
Look at me.
Are you going back to school?
Get up.
Let's go, let's go.
Zaoui.
Building B.
«Z».
Samir Ben Cherif »S».
Take these, try it. Sort them.
Harek.
«D»...
It's easy.
I don't know them. Can you ask Youssouf?
What's he going to think if we bother him all the time?
Each one has a slot.
People knock on the door, you open it.
They take their mail and that's it.
And then?
What do I say to them?
What do you want to say?
«Good day». «Thank you». «I'm the caretaker».
You introduce yourself, you act nice and that's it.
Dheepan!
I'm here.
- Come! - Why?
¡Come, quickly!
What is it?
My name is Aziz, I live in Building A, upstairs.
I'm Mourad, from «B».
It's all right, she got the names mixed up.
She thought she had to sort by first name, not surname.
Here, for example: «B» for «Bouchenak». You understand?
Ben Sherif.
If you didn't know, why did you ask me to do it?
Let them talk.
Do you understand them? What are they going to think of me?
Shut up!
Don't fight, it's not worth it.
We'll teach you.
«C», Certaoui, it's my apartment.
What is it?
She's crying.
It's OK. She's tired. Go to sleep.
Now what?
Can I stay with you?
Come.
This was supposed to be a children's room.
«India's participation in the Tamil Tigers conflict»...
Give me a kiss, like the others.
What do you think you're doing?
I, caretaker. Cleaning.
Do you live here?
You can't come in, we're not finished. Come back later.
After, later.
Don't stand there, take off!
- Good morning, madam. - Good morning, sir.
I can't do everything myself.
It's as if I have to take care of two children.
Couldn't you work?
Isn't this work?
Get a job, make some money.
When I go out, people stare at me.
We're new here, it's normal that people stare.
We'll get used to it.
Around here, many women cover their heads.
You could do the same.
Head cover, it's not my religion.
I'm not talking about religion,
but trying to look like the others.
And stop getting upset every time I say something.
How are you doing?
I found her a job.
It's an elderly man, he's a little ill but he's OK.
She has to cook and do the cleaning.
He lives in Building G, 9th floor.
It's for an older gentleman in Building G.
Cooking and cleaning.
- Youssouf, how much do they pay? - 500 euros a month.
It's good pay.
How much?
It's a lot, but pretend is sufficient. 500 euros.
500 euros?
What did I say? Say yes and that's it.
- So, then? - She doesn't speak french.
That's no problem.
Who'll look after Illayaal?
- Can our daughter go with her? - No, she can't. No children.
I'll take care of her.
- What do you say? - Yes.
500?
Are you trying to figure it out in rupees?
- In one month... - 500 multiplied by 170...
85,000?
- Who's she? - The caretaker's wife.
Show me your purse.
Where are you?
Youssouf?
- Mr. Habib, how are you? - Good morning.
She's your new...
Mr. Habib, is Karine here?
Karine!
- Good morning. - Good morning.
- She will take your place. - I'll take her.
Here's the bathroom.
Here, the bedroom. You have to clean it.
The kitchen. He eats here.
Over there is the cleaning stuff.
I'll show the living room door. When they're here
you can knock if you need anything.
And they'll tell you to come in.
Do you understand?
Knock on the door...
Come in.
Is Mr. Habib OK?
Yes. He just finished eating.
- Who are these guys? - I don't know, they're like the ones downstairs.
What do they do with the old man?
They lock themselves up in the living room.
They talk, like it's their office.
- Who are they? - Crooks.
Gangs? Like the Vannilas and the Minnals?
Something like that, but less dangerous.
Youssouf says that it's normal around here.
- Can I play with you? - No!
One, two, three...
No!
Did this also happen in Sri Lanka?
I'm sorry.
"They are my friends to the end"
"Without my friends, I'd be lost»."
"Without my friends, you..."
What does it mean?
It's a poem.
About friendship.
«Without my friends...», you're a fool.
«Without my friends...», you're shit.
«Without my friends...», you know nothing.
«Without my friends...», you don't understand anything.
«Without my friends...», I don't want you.
«Without my friends...», you're ugly.
«Without my friends...», you're shit.
Are you making fun of me, eh?
Who do you think you are?
I don't want to see you! Get out!
I hate you!
My mother is dead. I don't have a mother anymore.
You could at least treat me decently.
I don't know how to deal with children.
I know nothing about children!
Did you have children in Sri Lanka?
Brothers, sisters?
Two younger brothers.
Did you get along with them?
Yes.
Then, do the same with me.
By January of this year, government forces were involved
on a shrinking conflict zone, killing thousands of Tamil civilians.
However, both independent journalist and observers were
preventing from getting anywhere near to the scene.
There have been rumours that atrocities took place.
But this has been a war without witnesses.
It least, that's what we thought.
We now know one soldier had a mobile phone
and today, 8 months later, his footage have been found.
Come in.
Is there some more left?
It's very good.
Do you understand Chinese now?
I'm sorry.
Take this. Can you bring some more water?
This is a little too spicy for the old man.
- How are you, Brahim? - All right! What about you?
- It's so good to be free, right? - Of course!
- It's nicer outside, isn't it? - Yes!
Listen, if you see Tifa, tell him to come up!
How do you feel living here with your husband?
You, happy here?
Yes.
Were are you from? India, Pakistán?
Sri Lanka.
- Where is that? - Eh...
India, here... Sri Lanka, eh...
here.
- It's like India. - No, it's below India.
Never mind.
- Want a drag? - No.
Looks like your husband is doing good work. He's doing good.
Thank you.
If you need anything, help you tell me.
Or if Youssouf is bothering you too much.
All right.
I'm leaving.
I'll leave this for the meal.
Your cooking is very tasty.
Thank you.
Turn it on! - What?
- Turn it on! - OK!
- Push the button! Done!
Push the button! Any floor!
Shit.
Can I ask you a question?
Do you think people here are funny?
I don't know. Why?
Sometimes, they say things and laugh.
I understand all the words
but they don't sound funny.
It has nothing to do with the language.
What is it, then?
It has to do with humor.
French humor?
Just humor.
You're not funny.
Even in Tamil, you're not funny.
Ever?
What?
This, it's OK.
What?
That we talk like this, it's good.
We're not from «Pré».
We're from Sermaise, Marcheval.
We get paid by the day.
To hide the junk, protect and secure the business.
They prefer to hire people from the outside, that are not connected to those living here.
If you live here and know all the people, you're likely to talk or hear something.
In the end, they screw you.
But if you're from other parts, you don't give a shit about their lives.
You get your dough and apply the rules.
You don't relax.
Still, it's a shit job.
- Do you want to eat? - Yes, of course.
Can you serve it here, please?
Yes.
Thanks.
- Are you finished? - Yes.
- The old man sleeping? - Yes.
Are you leaving?
Do you like football?
I don't mind.
Don't stand there, sit down.
Sit down.
What's that?
Nothing. It's an ankle monitor.
- To race? - No.
- Actually, it's so you don't run. - Oh?
Why?
Thanks to this gizmo, people can keep track of me.
My name is Illayaal. I live in France.
I like to dance.
- Good evening. - Good evening.
It's your turn now.
My name is Dheepan.
What are you doing?
It's funny... it feels like being in a movie theater.
Do you see that dog?
I know it.
Do I take everything?
No, just this.
First, we go to temple.
And then?
Hi!
Did you take everything?
The rolls...
the «rolls».
You were telling me about Shoban.
He's in Dortmund now.
Can you get his number?
Did you find Ravi?
The one in Dortmund.
I can get Shoban's number through Ravi.
He's my brother. Hhave you seen him?
Two for 5 euros.
How are you, Dheepan?
What's new with you?
You know...
the Greeks would chop the heads off of those who came bearing bad news.
Colonel Cherán is there.
He wants to see you.
- Is he alone? - Yes.
Wait here.
He's there.
Be careful.
Relax.
- Are you OK? - Yes.
¿Do you want some water?
Tell him to come in.
Come in!
Sivadhasan!
It's been so long.
How are you?
I'm happy to see you.
They told me they had chopped your head off,
that they had identified you.
I have an important mission.
To raise money.
I am in contact with the Lebanese.
They want 100,000 dollars for the weapons.
Do our people here continue to support the cause?
What do you want weapons for, Colonel?
To send them home!
What home?
To the comrades!
Colonel...
it's over.
I lost my section in Nandhikadal.
My wife died.
My children are dead.
The war's over.
What are you saying?
Repeat it!
It's OK, Colonel.
The war's not over.
But for me...
it's over.
Your breath stinks.
How are you?
What happened?
Are you sure you're alright?
Why did you sleep with us?
I have no idea.
Did you have a nightmare.
I've been living here for 30 years.
Before that, my father was around but they caught him.
They almost caught my uncle.
I'm next on the list.
Sometimes, I get up and think: «this has to stop».
But, what can one do?
Do you understand what I'm saying?
Do you understand just a little?
A lot? Nothing?
It doesn't matter.
What about you, anything to tell? Do you have anything to share?
What do I know? Your daughter, your husband?
Daughter.
You can tell me, I don't understand anything.
She's not my daughter.
And he's not my husband either.
It's all a charade.
What does it mean when you do...
this?
Is it a «yes» or a «no»? Or «go to hell»?
Back in Sri Lanka
when you fall, you smile. When you get hurt, you smile.
Here,
if you smile too much
people think that you don't understand
or that you're making fun of them.
«How are you?».
«The weather is nice today».
It's ideal for a couple. It's 22 karat gold.
You can appreciate the fine finish.
- How much is it? - 7,000.
7,000 euros.
- Both of them? - Yes.
I also have others a little less expensive.
- Rubies, emeralds. - How much?
5,000.
- How much? - 5,000.
What are you looking for, exactly?
I'll think about it.
¿Do we know her or not?
Ready?
- Espinach. - Espinach.
- Es-pi-na-ch. - Espinach.
Potatoes.
- Potatoes. - Potatoes.
Stop, you son of a bitch!
Go to your room!
- Why are you doing this? - Shut up!
Go to your room!
Are you asleep?
What are you doing?
- I'm leaving. - Where to?
To England.
To my cousin's.
I called her.
We came here to wait for our documents.
I never thought there would be shootings.
Don't you remember anything?
It's not the same.
Why not?
Because over there, it was you doing the shooting?
Whose is this?
How did you get your passport?
What do you think?
What can you do to stop me?
I'll go anyway!
I'll go to England.
I'm the caretaker.
Wait, can I check your purse?
- Don't frisk her. - What?
Don't frisk my wife, please.
Stay out of it.
I'm not your wife.
Go ahead, frisk me.
- Go ahead! - I told you, don't frisk her.
What are you doing? Damn bastard!
What's happening? Are you fooling around, guys?
Let him go.
She's the caretaker’s wife.
Come on, relax.
Stop fussing, I don't give a shit if he's the caretaker!
- Do your job. - Let them through.
- I'm gonna fuck up that caretaker. - Don't say that.
We're gonna kill you!
What's wrong with you?
Let me go or I'll scream!
Would you leave Illayaal behind?
Yes.
Can you abandon her?
What did you think?
¿You finally ended believing the whole fairytale?
You think I'm her mother?
You think that she thinks I'm her mother?
You're not my husband, Dheepan.
I'm not your wife.
And she's not our daughter.
Speak.
Say something!
What?
I won't leave.
¡Hey, caretaker! Do you think this is a football field?
What are you doing, sir?
You could make a road for all I care!
What happened, the curry didn't agree with you?
This damn son of a bitch! Open up, you bastard!
Open up, son of a bitch!
Block it!
Let's go, help me.
- Don't shoot! - What's that bastard saying?
Here... don't shoot.
Son of a bitch!
We're gonna kill you, you'll see.
The school master wants you to sign this.
What is it?
It's for an appointment.
What for?
She wants me to join the regular class.
Come and eat.
What are you doing?
I'll be back in five minutes.
Is this you new army?
What's your plan?
Are you going to train them?
Are you going to buy weapons?
Do you have everything?
Yes.
Have a nice day.
You too.
- How are you? - OK.
Why do you no longer work at Mr. Habib's?
I don't want to work in his house.
He needs you.
I don't like it there.
OK, listen.
Brahim ask me to take you to him. He wants to talk to you.
Come in.
Why aren't you coming anymore?
Do I frighten you?
You know,
I'm only a businessman.
Chaos doesn't suit me.
The frisking, the concrete barriers, the elevator,
I didn't even know.
They told me.
But your husband has to stop with this business in hall D
and the white line
or I'm gonna have to kill him.
Did you go to see him?
No.
Youssouf came for me.
Why you?
Because he knows me.
Why didn't you tell me?
What are you going to do?
Why are you involving us in this?
«Us» who?
An undesirable threatens to kill me and you react like this?
You don't even blink?
- It's for your... - Shut up!
What do you want?
Why are you touching me?
I'm sorry.
Why do you react like this?
I don't want to!
I don't want to.
"Demons and wonders»."
«Winds and tides. Far away the sea retreats».
«Demons and wonders. Winds and tides».
«And you, algae softly caressed by the wind,
in the sands of the bed, stir while dreaming».
«Demons and wonders. Winds and tides».
"Far away the sea retreats»."
Take off your coat.
Can I go to Yasmine's birthday?
Ask you father.
Dheepan?
What are you doing?
When are you coming back?
I don't know.
I saw the passport and the money.
Thanks.
I'm going to call my cousin.
I'll be going to England with Illayaal in the summer.
I'll notify the school.
Come back.
I'm gonna kill that son of a bitch!
Hi.
Yes? I just had a talk with Farid.
We need somebody here! Where's everybody?
Are they all on holidays?
Tell them to come up. Right.
Mr. Habib is finished. Do you want to eat?
No.
Shit!
I... wanted to tell you...
my husband is not a bad fellow.
He's a good man.
It's... the war that...
affected him.
Don't hurt him.
Has everybody decided to break my balls today?
- You want tea? - Yes.
Forget it. It's all right, you can go.
Help me. We have to get out of here.
Quick!
Help me.
Stay, please.
Please... call your husband.
Calm down, tell me what's happening.
Who's gonna kill you?
Where are you now?
Where are you?
Hey, get out of here!
I don't want to see anybody here!
Get out!
caretaker.
I don't give a shit! Get out!
caretaker.
Let's go, damn it¡find him!
Don't move!
Where are you?
Where is he?
He's dead.
It's me.
Look at me!
All this blood...
Are you wounded?
It's you blood.