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Based on true events from the imagined lif of Fernande Grudent, aka Madam Claude,
born in Angers on July 6, 1923.
NETFLIX PRESENTS
While I'm cozy here, my girls are working hard all across Paris.
Business is going well.
I take 30%.
My rates: 500 francs for two hours.
It adds up quickly.
With good management, I'll be set for life.
Early on I realized that men treat us like whores.
I decided to become the queen of whores.
To turn our bodies into a sword and shield.
Never be a victim again.
How are you?
-Thank you. -Very good.
-Hi. How are you? -Hi.
I'm good.
Happy birthday to you
Thank you.
Happy birthday, dear Nadège
Happy birthday to you
My name is Sidonie.
I grew up in Lyon.
Private high school.
A nanny.
I like girls…
boys my age…
speed…
luxury and challenges.
I see. You'll have to focus your energy.
Good luck.
-Excuse me? -Focus my energy.
I dream about it.
Go ahead. Walk.
Take off your top.
I've always wanted to be someone.
First, I chose my name.
A name to match my ambitions.
And I sure had ambition.
Hello, yes, Claude speaking.
Two seconds, please.
You're hired on a trial basis. Enjoy the party. I'll join you.
So?
So, good. So…
Very good.
A whirlwind.
-Really? -Yes. Exceptional.
Smart, elegant, cultured.
Not for men who dislike being outshone.
-But, for me, she's top-notch. -The one from Tuesday, Geneviève?
Good.
Conversation?
Pleasant.
Quite an appetite.
In bed?
At the table… quite a big eater.
Her thighs are a bit thick, no?
My strong suit: discretion.
Some even doubt that I exist.
See you later.
Others think I'm a man.
I would've liked to be a man.
Jacques Chabeau. Mystery surrounds
the murder of Stefan Marković from Yugoslavia,
the former assistant and bodyguard of actor Alain Delon.
The First Brigade are spending another sleepless night over this mystery…
Mind you, I was off to a bad start, born in the wrong place.
At 17, I found love…
Well, a man passing through.
Got pregnant. Problem.
It was over.
I didn't want this life.
I left my daughter with my mother, and went to Paris.
You're pretty.
You like it? It's yours when you grow up.
Cupboards, plenty of storage. You'll be happy.
The bathroom.
Lovely marble.
-You like it? It's nice, right? -Well, you know…
I've always lived in the country. I won't be comfortable here.
Yes. Welcome to Paris!
I promised you.
-Don't make that face! -No, I'm pleased.
For the little one at least.
Yes. Well, yes…
Here, darling. It's for you.
Take it.
Come on.
You happy? Do you like it?
Hello, yes, Claude speaking.
On whose behalf are you calling?
Charles. Yes, he's a friend.
Yes, of course.
Yes, my girls are always well-behaved.
Tuesday next week. Perfect.
It's good to hear from you.
-What's your first name? -Clarence.
From now on, it's Virginie. Clarence is impractical.
-Can I get dressed? -Not yet.
Very important: hygiene.
Show me how you clean your privates.
Follow me.
Come on. Take the glove.
No, not like that. Your mom didn't teach you?
First off, use the bidet. It's not for dogs.
Come on. Give it here.
There you go.
See? It's not complicated.
Behind.
Very good.
You're already here. You're early. I'll be with you in two minutes.
There's a lot to do, but I believe in you.
All done. That wasn't so bad.
-No. -Come on.
Goodbye.
Did it go well?
Did the client complain?
-Never say "client." Say "friend." -Sorry. Friend.
He was delighted, raved about you.
I have a gift.
Tell me, Sidonie.
Why should I hire you?
I have 200 exceptional girls working for me. Much prettier.
Because I'm loyal.
I have an address book.
And I come from their world.
You don't need to teach me their ways. I know them.
It saves time.
You had a genius idea.
Take money from the source.
Penetrate the upper class with girls who act like them.
Seize power and fuck them from the inside.
It suits me to fuck them from the inside.
Rest assured, my mom taught me how to wash my privates.
But not to knock before coming in.
I have things to do. Come. We'll walk and talk.
If you tone it down, we can do great things together.
-How about a drink to celebrate? -I don't drink.
You work too much. You never go out.
-How do you know? -I go out a lot.
Castel, right? I can't stand it.
Take me somewhere you like.
Paris wasn't like I'd imagined.
Upon arrival, I made friends and found myself on a street corner.
Stop!
You like hitting girls?
-Hi. How are you? -Good, thanks.
-How are you? -Fine.
-You look banged up. -Yes.
How are you, Nicole?
Let me introduce you to Sidonie.
I'll be five minutes.
These are the three judges who settle conflicts in our circle.
The Panzani brothers from the Le Lutetia bar.
A real racketeering institution.
Here's Marcantoni, a Corsican who presides from Les Trois Canards.
And Jo Attia.
It's ridiculous right now.
The guys, Italians, I think. Three of them came.
Threatened us. You see Filou's face?
Now they're after me.
They're hungry.
Desperate. No respect anymore.
I propose the cops handle it. I have a contact who owes me one.
-Meaning? -Let's not get our hands dirty.
We work with cops now?
Right now, we best be discreet, especially you.
That loser, Marković, what's his story?
They say photos will surface.
I heard you were friends. He get in your way?
You were misinformed. I heard one of your girls is in the photo.
No, I fired her a long time ago.
-You're the one who's misinformed. -Don't forget, Fernande.
The less we know, the better.
That way, if anyone asks,
you don't know.
Champagne for Fernande.
Let me introduce you to Sidonie.
Is Jo an old friend?
In this business, you need friends.
When you start making money,
it attracts jackals.
Let's drop the formalities? It's exhausting.
With pleasure.
Got a secret boyfriend?
I don't have time.
Look at the guy over there.
Not bad. Do you know him?
No.
Meh.
A bit feeble.
I can ask him over. He won't stop looking.
I don't have time for love.
Good evening.
Buy you a drink?
Why not?
Get them the same again.
Pleased to meet you. André.
Do you dance?
Love is a sickness.
You can't live with a sickness.
At 25, I fell in love, and I wanted to die.
I took pills.
And I didn't die.
I woke up.
I was cured.
Not bad.
Turn around.
Not bad at all. You like it?
-I find it very elegant. -So?
What a doll!
Splendid. Jackie Kennedy.
-Really? -But prettier.
Anne.
-You don't say "thank you"? -Thank you.
Is that how you thank me?
-I was starving at your age. -I don't care.
I'm taking you home.
You don't want your bag?
No. I don't want to be like you.
I've never felt comfortable around pigs.
But that's the game. We scratch each others backs.
The cops look the other way. The taxman too.
I'm asked to keep an eye out.
You're late.
This'll be quick. I have an important meeting.
-An important meeting? -Exactly.
I'm listening.
Here are files on two new friends.
Oh, my…
What a bastard!
It looks bad for Mr. Operation Clean Hands.
The more powerful they are, the more they want to lose it in bed.
Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
-You're such a pain. -There's something else.
Some assholes are pillaging Pigalle.
The Italians.
They haven't come for me, but they will.
I'll handle it. Promise.
Relax. Do you have info on the Marković matter?
The word in Paris is he throws orgies, take pictures, and blackmails the idiots,
including idiots high up in the government.
Orgies, that's your field.
-I'll see, but I don't know the guy. -No?
Your buddy Marcantoni, he's friends with Delon?
-So I hear. -So you hear?
Okay, I'm off.
-Okay. Ciao. -Ciao, gorgeous.
Daniel!
Have a seat. Look at this. It's not for kids.
Likes sodomy.
Likes to get pissed on.
"Urinated on."
Bravo, Mr. Minister.
Very good.
It's perfect.
Good work. I'm pleased.
Walk.
The posture is no good.
Shame. You've a beautiful ass.
The dress is nice.
Claude speaking.
Where are you? You idiot!
Unbelievable!
The wrong client! Imbecile!
How is that even possible? How?
What do you mean, Italian? A Spanish or an Italian accent?
You notice anything strange?
Don't forget to get paid.
Sidonie. It's Claude.
You can sleep later.
That idiot Sophia went to the wrong client.
Yes, the wrong client.
Go to the Royal and salvage this.
Where's the wolf? Where is it?
Don't worry. I won't tell your father.
Chalk it up to experience.
Thank you.
You reacted quickly. That's good. You saved me.
"Here are a few questions to determine
which of the two partners should make an extra effort."
"For women: Are you eager to see your husband come home from work?"
"Would you change dresses to please him?"
"Do you often tell him that you love him?"
"Do you mean it?"
"Would you send your kids to bed early
in order to talk in peace with your husband?"
Do you think Claude likes sex?
I bet she gives orders when she fucks.
For sure.
Has she lectured you on blowjobs?
No, not me.
Yeah, but you're special. You're like a grand lady.
And you're her favorite.
You don't need it.
Maybe she like girls.
That's it.
-I don't think she likes girls. -Does she have friends?
-She's too harsh. -To do what?
Shut up. She's here.
Come on. Clean up this mess. Marlon Brando arrives in 15 minutes.
Come on!
The coffee, the cups, the cigarettes.
Come on, girls.
Always be ready. These are the friends who get you by.
Here. Stay here.
Hello, nice to meet you.
In ten years, I had become a bourgeoise.
Respectable and respected by the Parisian elite.
I had money,
a man.
I had erased my poverty.
Erased Fernande.
Come on!
Nothing could stop me.
Untouchable.
Your mom's at the door.
Tell her I'm not here.
-Sorry, she's not here. -She's not?
She went out on an errand.
Can I take a message?
This can't go on. Can't even take care of her daughter.
It's not healthy for the child.
I don't want her to end up a whore like her.
Here, give her the keys. She'll understand.
Goodbye, ma'am.
Did you hear?
-Hello? -Hello, it's me.
Oh, it's you.
We caught your Italians. It's settled.
Don't forget to tip me off on Marković.
This thing's getting big. Did you watch the news?
No, not yet.
You should.
Later.
You're here already?
It's not like you to be early.
I love the performing arts.
It's the best show in all of Paris.
-A cigar, André? -Yeah, sure.
Thanks.
I'll leave you to it. I have work to do.
Have fun.
"Enjoy," as they say.
Fernande.
What's this Marković crap?
I hear there's photos of Madame Pompidou in action.
De Gaulle is pissed.
His old minister's involved. It looks bad.
So he invited them to dinner to save his own ass.
Stop quivering. It's none of your business.
I'm not quivering. If you go down, we're all in trouble.
There's no reason why I'd go down.
Leave us, Fernande. We have things to discuss.
All this is bad for business.
They've got nothing.
Come here.
I don't know what you know, but keep your mouth shut.
Your new friends, the cops, the people in power…
If you keep your mouth shut, it'll all be fine.
None of that in my house.
And not with Fernande.
Understood?
You never talk about yourself.
Tell me a bit about yourself.
It's not interesting.
I don't talk. I act.
You don't have to lie to me.
I'm on your side.
I'd rather you go home.
I have to get up early.
Now?
-Hello? -Yes, this is Virginie.
Is the address 22 Villa Hortensia?
I'm at a phone booth across the street.
I rang several times. No answer.
Well, ring again. Don't be an idiot.
Suzanne!
Suzanne, call Josie over. I broke a nail.
Yes, of course.
I wanted to tell you, Madame,
I think I'm going to get married.
-Really? -Yeah.
Well… I got a message from Frédéric de Grimbert.
It said, "Josie, I'm organizing you…"
That is, "I'm organizing us a huge homecoming feast."
He brought me to his château.
I met his cousins and everything.
And he spoke to me about marriage.
Would you be upset if I left?
Not at all. I'd be delighted.
Dirty whore!
-Would you come? -Of course.
It's Virginie.
My God. Come in.
What happened?
Did they do this to you?
Spit it out. Talk.
Yes, it's them.
They ambushed me.
They caught me in the garden like a rabbit.
Did they pay you?
200,000.
All right, come on.
Calm down. Don't work yourself up. It'll be okay. Really.
Oh, dear.
There, there. No, but…
Your white skin bruises easily, but it'll be gone in two days.
It's nothing.
A nice shower, a good night's sleep, and that's the end of it.
Come here, my little rabbit.
-Hello? -Hello, yes, it's me.
They arrested Marcantoni.
They analyzed the mattress slipcover where the body was found,
and the idiot bought the same one.
He'll be extradited.
You're probably not surprised.
I wanted to warn you. There'll be fallout.
Thank you, Georges.
From the moment I saw Sidonie, I knew she'd go far.
In no time, she became my right hand.
Although, I still had reservations.
André and I had found a balance.
All for themselves, and happiness for all.
I preferred Georges. I couldn't stand this one. So pretentious.
I was sure he'd given me a tacky code name to piss me off.
-Hello, Violette. -Hello, Serge.
-Hello. -Hello.
See that street on the right?
There's a bar 100 yards away. You can't miss it. It's the only one.
He's here a lot…
Pompidou had been elected. I'd moved up.
I got stuck dealing with the Intelligence Services.
He'll be looking for you.
You must find him ASAP.
I can't guarantee your safety before you reach the bedroom.
In the bedroom, he's all ours.
-Okay? -Yes. Very well.
I'll let him come to me first, and then after…
Very good. Good luck.
Very good choice.
I have a little something for you.
Thank you.
Diplomat. He arrives tomorrow.
There's a 20,000 bonus because we have a special request.
There's a problem. This guy's not among my friends.
He will be.
We need a girl we can trust. He's a bit… twisted.
Twisted?
Really twisted.
You know, that never-ending business with Marković.
It's made a mess of everything.
And your friend,
Marcantoni.
He's not my friend.
From now on, you serve France.
Your fate is tied to your country's, Claude.
Being France's madam was dangerous.
I had become an institution.
So I expanded.
In addition to the Marignan, I rented a private mansion on Boulainvilliers.
So we'd get together, like one big family.
-Hi, how are you? -Very good.
Have a good time.
-How are you? -Very good, thank you.
-My dear Paul. -How are you?
I'm sweating so much!
Animals sweat. Men perspire. Women settle for feeling hot.
-That's quite the education. -The Visitandines taught me well.
You were with the Visitandines?
Who is this idiot?
I'm provincial.
My father was the mayor of Angers. I got a lot from my Visitandine education.
I started lying in school.
I made up a big house, different parents.
…in the Resistance.
It can't be easy running all this… on your own.
A woman. You must have support.
The bigger the lie, the more they believe.
Enough about me. I'm boring you with my stories.
I'm told one never gets bored with you, Claude.
Flattery will get you nowhere with me.
It wasn't flattery.
I had to meet my daughter's employer.
You must be mistaken.
No.
Sidonie.
You see, I'm too old to be mistaken.
Believe me.
Me too.
Here's Geneviève.
Is that all right?
Oh, yes. On the house.
I'll leave you to it.
Would you like to sit?
Yes, thank you.
Would you like a drink?
I'll have another whiskey, please. Thank you.
Come here.
That guy there.
If he causes trouble, throw him out. Don't hold back!
At the center of Paris, in the working-class area near city hall
between les Halles and the Marais, the Contemporary Arts Centre
will be built in 1975.
The immense metal-and-glass structure…
…the idea is to link the wealthy areas with the working class districts.
Of the 700 architects from around the world,
that participated in the competition,
the judges picked the design of an Italian company.
The project consists of an immense glass box…
Yes, hello?
Were you asleep?
I left my glasses at your place.
Were you asleep?
Yes, I was asleep.
Fucking hell.
-What is it? -Fuck.
-Get dressed. -What did she say?
She's coming here. I'm sure of it.
This construction is on such a scale that,
just like in ancient times
when cathedrals appeared from--
Where is she?
What are you talking about?
Your cock that you stick everywhere!
You were screwing, right?
Okay. Very well.
You're with me for the money.
You're a whore.
You should've told me.
I'm not one of your employees. I'm not a whore.
Yes, you're a whore.
At least my girls have the courage to say they fuck for money.
So be honest.
Be honest!
You're with me for the money.
Claude, stop.
Don't touch me.
I understand why your mother and daughter left.
-What did you say? -Nothing.
What did you say?
My kitten.
Please, calm down.
Stop.
Sit down.
Sit down, Claude.
I love you.
It's not what you think.
I love you.
I really love you.
I love you.
Cold and sensual.
Of course.
It's booked. Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
Speak to you soon, Louis.
Goodbye.
I told you to answer the phone, not to take my place.
At least, you're not dead enough to replace me.
Dead?
Yes, dead inside.
You still love life too much.
Here.
Kate is back from Chad.
Did I do something wrong?
Claude?
It's André.
He's hopeless.
I'm going soft. It's no good.
I'm sure it's one of my girls.
I'll find out eventually.
Well, it's not me. Too old.
You don't seem to find Jo too old.
-Am I wrong? -What are you talking about?
Oh, your father's in Paris.
-How do you know? -I met him yesterday.
Came to intimidate me in my own house.
A real bastard.
Deal with it. Sort your shit out.
Two minutes, please!
What does your dad do?
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Yes?
Let me introduce you to Lola. She wanted to meet you.
Come see me later. I have a delicate mission for you.
Delicate?
A diplomat.
Your world.
It'll help get your head straight.
You okay, Sidonie?
Coming.
Did Claude tell you off?
Did you do something wrong?
It has nothing to do with that.
You okay?
Don't worry. He'll come to in three hours with a splitting headache.
Won't remember a thing.
I won't lie. His ass will hurt too.
ARMAND JAMMOT PRESENTS
THE FILES OF THE SCREEN
-Do you love me? -Yes, I love you.
Get us something to eat. I'm hungry.
Aye-aye, Captain.
UFO. In case you've forgotten, I'll remind you that it means…
Should I get the usual?
…more commonly known as flying saucers,
provide an explanation
that is 98% rational…
What happened?
After closing,
some lunatic came in and shot Filou.
Point blank.
Then he kidnapped Nicole.
I'm told he dragged her out by the hair.
It drove me crazy.
The cops found her four hours later,
naked, in the Forest of Saint-Germain.
Alive.
Thank God.
We'll cut off his balls.
Trust me, the guy's dead.
What are you doing here?
If there's anything I can do…
A delicate mission.
Sidonie has a real gift.
She's my best earner.
A pussy prodigy.
If you only knew…
I'll go see Nicole.
Don't worry. You'll find him.
Bad guys always get theirs in the end.
Every year, I'd take a few of my girls on vacation.
My favorites.
A kind of seminar. It would strengthen our bond.
Come on!
Stop!
Virginie?
-Are you okay? -Yes, I'm fine.
Say…
the photos of the diplomat are perfect.
Such skill.
My girls have all the skills.
By the way, the lunatic who wreaked havoc at Jo's is in jail.
He was arrested this morning. It's not what Jo wanted,
but the cops got there first.
First, Marcantoni. Now Jo.
No one's untouchable, Claude.
Enjoy your holiday.
…in a week.
-What? -You can't swim?
Yes.
Isn't this nice?
Paradise.
Yes, I know.
I've been to hell.
I didn't have friends when I was little.
My best friend was a goat.
Smarter and more dependable than most humans.
I left them to each other, to their idiocy.
I stayed with my goat.
I liked its smell.
I could trust it.
The US embassy insisted,
"The President can't know it's one of your girls."
"Introduce her as the ambassador's daughter or niece."
I said, "No problem. I have a charming English girl."
-I immediately thought of Kate. -Yes. Kennedy was a real gentleman.
Handsome, charming, courteous.
Don't get excited. You're just a failed Jackie lookalike.
He called you because you're sluttier.
No one can ever tell you guys the truth. When you put on weight, I told you.
-He's the most powerful man in the world. -Was.
Well, he loved me.
Yes, right, he loved you. "He loved me."
Did he say, "I love you"?
But he really did fall in love. He really fell in love with you.
-It's true. -Yes.
So you believe me?
Well, the one who pays the best,
even if he's ugly, not that it matters,
is the Shah of Iran.
A weekend of luxury and orgies.
On a boat all day, then the palace.
It went on and on. I'll spare you the details.
I had Salvador Dali.
You should've seen her face when she got back.
Covered in cum!
Alban!
No, but it's true! You said so yourself!
I was tired.
I had--
Not the food!
Who did that?
No. Shut up.
She apologizes, or I get a plane ticket now.
Claude!
Stop!
Stop being so annoying!
All is well.
Even a bit too well.
I'm so happy here with my family.
My real family.
Everything's bright.
The money ensures it, and we all take advantage.
There you are. You disappeared.
I wasn't far.
Thank you.
I love you.
I'm drunk, and you hate feelings, but I don't care. I love you.
So?
Was that fun?
Villa Hortensia. They know how to have fun.
You like to have fun, Nadège?
Did you enjoy the hostage game?
Show me.
You didn't do too badly.
You're not too badly beaten.
You're clever.
You want more? Had enough?
Had enough? Or do you want more?
Answer me, you whore!
Don't worry. Your beloved is on his way. I called him.
We love each other.
-What did you say? -We love each other, Claude.
What are you doing?
You're going to hit your mom?
Look at me!
Look at me! Lower your hands!
Your beloved is here.
Here you are.
I knew it was Nadège. That's great. You chose the filthiest one.
That's right. Scram! You little whore!
You little shit!
Listen, Claude.
Shut up!
We love each other.
You wouldn't know about that.
You've never loved anyone.
Get out!
I've made an important decision.
No more men in my life, or at least no more love affairs.
That's a bit sad.
I'm not giving up or being bitter. It's a choice.
You have to know when to stop.
To each their own.
What matters is to be happy in life.
No longer depend on anyone.
Protected by money,
power.
Stop, damn it!
No vulnerability.
No weakness. No Achilles heel.
What is she doing?
I don't know.
I think you should go see your father
instead of throwing your life away.
We spoke. He's a good man.
You know my father?
-Hello, girls. -Hello.
How are you, Claude?
Very good.
It's okay, Sidonie. You can leave us.
-I have to talk to you. -Later.
Your friend Marcantoni is out of jail.
Bail was at 60,000.
The cops will keep after him.
Heads are rolling. It's just a start.
No more formalities? That's new.
Times are changing, Claude.
Count yourself lucky to be alive.
Times are changing, for sure.
But for now, I'm the boss.
Your friends are cozy in my address book.
If I asked you to kill someone, would you do it?
It depends who.
You really are an odd girl.
This isn't a game, you know.
He's a very mean old man.
Yeah?
What did he do to you?
What you shouldn't to your seven-year-old daughter.
I'll be on my way.
Sure you don't want to come?
I really don't feel like it.
Why on Earth would I go to Castel?
I'm not horny like you.
You're headed for trouble.
You look awful.
All right, I'm off.
Come on, darling.
Don't worry. Everything will be okay.
I hope so.
Sure it will.
I swear, I'm such an idiot.
I've never been so far away.
I know, but three days isn't long.
Come on.
Foam is useless. It doesn't clean.
Comet, a new all-purpose laundry powder.
Comet cleans much better and brighter.
No boiling, no foam.
Comet. And what a lovely smell!
No news from Virginie.
There must be something we can do.
We're doing all we can.
All we can, my ass.
Calm down. We're not in Pigalle.
You're scaring the ducks.
We're talking about state business. You understand?
It's no good getting all worked up.
I'm very calm.
I don't need you to serve my country. When I joined the Resistance--
Not with me. Spare me your bullshit.
We'll find her.
The Central African Republic and Chad are complicated.
In fact, tell Kate she's can't go to Chad anymore.
It'd be great if she laid low for a while.
That goes for everyone.
Virginie never came back.
She too was gone.
In the wrong place at the wrong time.
She was a good girl.
Ending up like that…
Many of my girls end up well. I console myself with that.
Acting or singing careers.
Some have even become princesses.
You're not eating, darling?
I'm not hungry.
You were a stubborn eater when you were little, remember?
I was telling Serge, you always did what you wanted.
I met your boss.
She's eccentric.
She thinks she's above the law, but no one is.
More importantly, no one is above death.
You'll pay for what you did to me.
-What do you mean? -You know.
You're raving. It's the drugs or the shame of being a lesbian.
I might put a hit on you or press charges.
You talk a lot.
But you're weak-willed.
You lack the nerve.
-Merry Christmas. -Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
Here.
Thank you.
TO ANNE MERRY CHRISTMAS, MY DAUGHTER
-What are you doing here? -Can we talk?
-Of course. -It's important.
-Is something wrong? -I'm fine.
-You look pale. -No, I'm okay.
I don't know if it came from above or below, but someone wanted me dead.
There's nothing I can do for you. It's out of my hands.
Your friends are abandoning you.
Don't go to the police.
I know.
You overreached.
From now on, assume you're on your own.
You're not doing well.
The police came. They searched everywhere.
They received a call saying there was a body here.
Watch the window, please.
-What are you afraid of? -Everything.
Sidonie, go back upstairs. Call the girls. I'm closing shop for the day.
The TV, see if it's on the news.
The problem is that Jo is out of commission.
Marcantoni's been burned.
If word gets out I'm weak, they'll extort me or have me killed.
Did you know Jo was ill?
Yes, but he didn't want you to know.
He didn't want me to know?
But it wouldn't be so bad…
Turn it down, please.
Turn it down!
-Yes? -Have you heard?
I haven't heard a thing.
So you don't know who paid that chink bitch to kill me?
All I know is it's the end of an era.
The end of an era, my ass! It's not the end of anything!
Let's talk about that coup in Chad!
Who do you have to thank for Bokassa's gang?
Marcantoni getting out of jail?
You've made a lot of enemies. Count yourself lucky to be alive.
He hung up on me, the asshole!
Asshole!
Claude.
-Serge knows my father. -What did you say?
Serge knows my father.
I knew I shouldn't have trusted you! I knew it!
We're not from the same world!
It's always the same people who get stiffed! Don't you see?
Bringing me girls! I should've known!
-You think it's my father? -Yours not yours who cares?
He's nobody!
Stop looking at me like that!
I've ruined everything.
All that for nothing.
All that I've gone through, all that I've built, for nothing.
I've ruined everything.
Leave me alone.
The girl's taken care of.
We'll do better next time.
We closed down Boulainvilliers for breach of peace.
She's cornered. Don't worry. She'll fall.
Our agency is taking care of it.
Good. Thank you.
-Can I buy you a drink? -With pleasure.
Please.
Look at her goat.
She's ugly, like you.
I went to the country while things cooled down.
With Boulainvilliers closed, my girls began working from home.
Most of them already were, so it didn't impact business.
But the good times were over for our family. It couldn't last.
Happiness never lasts long.
-How are you? -Fine.
I've been thinking.
I'll take my father to court.
They don't care that your father banged you.
They don't give a shit.
It's happened to others.
For me, it was my uncle. I kept my mouth shut.
Times change, you know.
Nothing changes.
Nothing at all.
Men make the decisions. They hold the power.
That never changes.
You should take some time for yourself.
You've got money.
You're getting old.
Keep your advice to yourself.
Look at yourself, poor girl.
You're completely high. You don't respect yourself.
You're telling me about respect?
Listen, if you came here to piss me off, don't bother.
Back home, I've got 300 girls waiting for me, relying on me.
They're not rich brats like you.
They're not doing it for fun.
So take your lover boy and get lost.
Get lost!
Goodbye, ma'am.
She's finished.
Time for that hag to retire.
Don't be mean.
It's not mean. It's true.
Ever heard of the sexual revolution? Woodstock?
Nobody bothers paying for sex anymore.
What do you know?
I'd like to press charges.
For rape.
Against my father.
The one joining the government?
Shit.
-You sure? -Yes.
It's not a good idea.
-Why? What happens if I press charges? -Nothing.
-Nothing? -Nothing.
It'll be your word against his. They'll never believe you.
You're a whore.
I've got nothing against you. It's not personal.
My advice — get out of this shitshow.
Claude has problems. It won't end well.
You're educated, from a good family.
Start a new life.
Lack of respect is what killed Jo. He died from it.
I'll miss him.
Me too.
You were right about my dad.
I won't press charges.
It's useless.
See? I told you.
Now you just have to bear it.
Nothing was ever the same after.
"Pompidou is dead."
With those three words,
we learned at precisely 9:45 p.m.
from an AFP newsflash
that the President passed away.
The news took everyone by surprise.
For example, it surprised the members of…
Giscard had just been elected. With him would come a new era.
My notoriety was a problem.
Judicial officers! Open the door!
-Yes? -Hello, ma'am.
-Hello. Calm down. -We have a warrant.
The French government gave me a ten-month suspended sentence
and an 11-million fine. I was cornered.
Good evening, Claude.
Don't be surprised to see me.
I'm your guardian angel, after all.
Nothing surprises me anymore. I've seen it all.
That's actually why I came.
You shouldn't talk about what you've seen.
That broadcast is a bad idea.
Really?
Interviews are the latest thing.
I'm adapting to the times.
I advise you to keep quiet.
The money I'm making pisses you off.
It takes balls to do that.
Tell your friends that I know what I'm doing.
You're not from their world.
You never will be.
Get lost, lackey.
I'm telling you because I like you.
We're on.
So I invited you,
and you accepted, because you've just published your memoirs
in a book explicitly titled Hello, Yes.
This suggests that the telephone was your main tool.
It was my tool, yes. It's always been.
I have to say,
the picture of human suffering that you present
is not without surprise.
We get the impression from your book
that you've been doing humanitarian work for the past 15 years.
Yes, practically.
You gentlemen have times when you're a bit lonely, a bit sad.
I tried to fill those sad times
with a few moments of joy.
What nonsense!
If they only knew…
She won't divulge everything on TV.
Remember when those two idiot journalists wrote that book
and she did everything to stop them?
The phone calls, the threats…
There's plenty to say.
Like Virginie.
Classified case.
Why are you looking at me? There are stories about you, about me.
…more odious than me, for example, they call your work "pimping."
Anne?
What are you doing here?
I was in the area and saw you on TV.
Get in.
Things aren't too hard?
A bit.
They'll get me in the end.
I know they will.
It's the tax authorities. It's not like I killed my kid.
You look well.
I'm fine.
Still have my ring?
Is that a wedding ring?
Yes, I'm married.
Do I know him?
No.
I'm pregnant, Mom.
Aren't you a bit young?
No.
Well, then. I'm going to be a grandmother.
-You could have told me. -How? You changed your address.
Don't complicate things, okay?
I have enough problems.
Well, I came to tell you.
I wanted you to know.
Do you want a boy or a girl?
I don't know.
I hope you have a boy.
Leaving so soon?
I'm tired.
I've been thinking about your father.
All my life, if I wanted to do something, I was told I wouldn't succeed.
In the end, I succeeded.
I caught them off guard.
They were going to get me for tax evasion, like Al Capone.
I left for the US.
They didn't get me.
That same year, the Marković case was dropped.
Fernande Grudet, it's time. Today's the day.
America. I stayed there a few years.
Not the country for me.
Immigration got on my case. I was deported.
Back to France.
I tried to lay low, and I went back to doing what I knew best.
Well, she doesn't pull any punches.
No kidding.
I was arrested by Mrs. Monteil, the first woman commissioner.
That took the cake.
Who does she think she is?
I did my time.
Six months of detention.
I'll attend my trial a free woman.
SEPTEMBER 1992
Yes, it's her, in the flesh.
The living legend of high-class prostitution.
Madame Claude, 69 years old, real name Fernande Grudet,
slightly annoyed by her media success.
"Because," said Madame Claude, "it's not that big a deal."
Did Madame Claude reestablish a network of 20 or so girls?
"Oh, a very small network with five regulars."
Recruitment?
"I wasn't short of candidates."
And the rates?
"In the afternoon, 5,000 per visit. In the evening, 10,000 francs."
Hello, you've reached Claude. Please leave a message.
Hello?
I…
I just wanted to tell you that…
you've been one of the most important people in my life.
You're the reason I was able to press charges.
He was convicted.
A bullshit sentence but still.
The girls were exploited, according to the magistrate.
Fernande Grudet made too much money in her life
to be bankrupt now, as she claims.
Claude, I also wanted to tell you that…
I loved you like I never loved anyone else.
I only left because…
I had to go before you hurt me
like you hurt the others, like you hurt yourself.
Think of your goat.
Defense attorney Mr. Szpiner requested leniency at trial
for this undeserving old woman.
Madame Claude left the court shocked by the harsh conviction.
Three years in prison, six months of which were already served in detention,
and a fine of one million francs.
I might steal a million francs to hand to the court.
I don't have it.
It's a cruel dilemma.
We'll see tomorrow.
I have no reason to complain. I live well.
Solitude?
I've never been afraid of it.
Death?
We'll see tomorrow.
MADAME CLAUDE DIED IN NICE ON DECEMBER 15, 2015.
Subtitle translation by Dimitri Ly