[audience cheering, whistling, murmuring]
[in French] ♪ It's him for me And me for him in this life ♪
♪ He told me so ♪
♪ Swore it for life ♪
♪ And whenever I see him ♪
♪ I feel it inside me ♪
♪ My beating heart ♪
[applauding, cheering]
[in English] Bravo!
Bravo!
My dear friends, I'm honored to be here with you tonight.
We have much to celebrate.
But we have much to mourn as well.
I would like to ask you all to help me with something.
This next song is dedicated to those who have lost someone to the war.
If you are in mourning for a loved one, would you please stand?
[sighs] Christian.
No, I-- I cannot.
- For Catherine. - I am not in mourning.
Catherine will return home.
Do it for me then. For my father.
Be with me.
[in French] ♪ We were fond of each other ♪
♪ As lovers do ♪
♪ And then one day you left me ♪
♪ I've been heartbroken ever since ♪
♪ I see you all over the sky ♪
♪ I see you everywhere on earth ♪
♪ You're my joy and my sun ♪
♪ My night, my days, my clear dawns ♪
♪ You're everywhere 'Cause you're in my heart ♪
♪ You're everywhere 'Cause you're my happiness ♪
♪ All the things around me ♪
♪ I find that ♪
♪ Wonderful ♪
[patrons chattering, laughing]
[patron, in English] Christian. Jacques.
Georges.
Oh, you're presenting more splendidly than ever.
I'm so pleased to see you.
- Georges. - I simply adored your work
at Théâtre de la Mode, and I haven't had a moment to tell you.
- That's very kind. - Stunning, truly.
You restored glory to Paris couture.
Georges, you flatter too much.
I flatter to a purpose.
I'm on a hunt-- A cigarette?
- No, thank you. - No.
I'm on a hunt, uh, for a new designer to take over my role at Philippe & Gaston.
Boussac has elevated me to some upper management.
- [clicks lighter] - Might you know someone?
- [stammers] Georges, how can you... - Mmm.
...talk business
after such a transcendent performance by Mademoiselle Piaf, huh?
Don't you ever rest, Georges?
[chuckles] Boussac doesn't sleep, and so I don't either.
- Sounds exhausting. - Mm-hmm.
It is.
And now I'm on a quest to find my own replacement.
Is it true Balmain quit?
Well-- No, he left to open his own house.
And so, now Lelong has me interviewing other designers
to fill his shoes.
Oh. Seems fate has saddled us with similar tasks.
- Indeed. - Oh.
So, while I am interviewing, uh, designers,
if one does not quite, uh, meet our aesthetic
but might meet yours, then you will know.
Yes, please. Throw me a scrap.
However, the right person might be the one in the mirror.
No, I'm very happy where I am with Lelong.
Fair enough.
[people in hotel laughing]
[Coco chuckles]
[child chuckles]
Auntie, I love a sleepover.
[Coco] I love them too.
Did you know I never had any sleepovers when I was little?
- [child] Never? - No, never.
Why?
I was barely older than you are now and utterly on my own.
I had to do everything for myself.
Mmm.
That's so scary.
You'll never be alone, Gabrielle.
Promise?
Yes. [kisses]
Because you have me and your father to look after you. [kisses]
And Monsieur Claude.
Yes.
And Monsieur Claude.
[kissing]
[Coco chuckles, sighs]
[coughing]
[sniffs]
Mademoiselle, you always ask me to be direct.
Yes, direct is best.
Hmm.
André... [inhales deeply]
...your condition is severe and only getting worse.
That can't be. [stammers] He's following all of your directives.
He's resting. And he's going to rest even more.
I'm purchasing an estate with light and calm.
We're finalizing the contract this afternoon.
Tuberculosis is hard to turn around.
[sighs]
[doctor] But there's a colleague in Denmark
who is developing an experimental treatment
which is having some success.
- Then André must get it. [chuckles] - [André sniffs, exhales heavily]
W-W-What will we tell Gabrielle?
That you're getting better.
[employee] Monsieur Lelong is adamant that we interview more designers today.
- [Christian] Not now. - And your first is in one hour
with a young Italian tailor named Pietro, who just moved to Paris.
No, you are merciless. You know, the day dwindles.
I have work to do. I should be designing.
So Madame Zehnacker-- No, y-- Please, please, attend to this whatever--
this Italian, whatever his name is, please.
Oh, his name is easy to remember. He's changed it to "Pierre."
What? No, no, we can't possibly replace one Pierre with another.
Well, then call him by his last name, which is Cardin.
And I think he has talent.
So hire him.
One hour.
[interviewee] I can create much more than hats, skirts and evening gowns.
[roars]
[Zehnacker] Monsieur Pierre Cardin.
It has a-- a sexuality to it, yeah?
And a "rawrness."
Yes. And, uh, tell me, Mr. Cardin, did you, uh, design, cut, sew this blazer?
[scoffs, chuckles] Monsieur,
since seven years old, I have been sewing.
I know it better, way better, than I know how to breathe.
Hire me, and I will design and sew couture finer than you could ever dream.
- [employees gasping, chuckling] - [Christian] No, no!
[stammers, sighs]
Check the stitching, the line.
It is my-- my reason for living.
Are you always, um, this excited?
Monsieur Dior, may I have a minute?
Yes, okay.
[smacks lips]
Do I even want to know what's going on here?
That's up to you.
[all laughing]
[sighs] Monsieur Cardin, you are ve-- very entertaining.
Uh, we will be making a decision shortly.
It's very nice to meet you, uh, and your talent.
- [grunts] - [chuckles]
[sighs]
Did I get the job?
That is the first time I've seen Monsieur Dior laugh in months.
Put your trousers back on.
Yes.
[Zehnacker chuckles]
- [knocking] - [door opens]
I received a call this morning from Georges Vigouroux.
Ah, Georges. [chuckles] Yeah. He's looking for designers,
asked me if I knew any.
[Lucien] Mmm.
He was also asking if you were under contract with me.
It's been months, Christian.
You still haven't signed my offer.
Do you want better terms? More money?
No. It's not that, monsieur.
[Lucien] I kept the lights on during the war
so that we could arrive at this moment together.
It's Catherine.
She's coming home.
She is?
I'm so relieved. Why didn't you tell me? When?
[stammers] No, there's no exact date.
But when she does, I will need time to be able to help her
in whatever way I can.
Come. Let me show you. [sighs]
Look at all the orders that have been placed.
Have a read.
I need your creativity, your elegance of design.
I'm-- I'm grateful.
My advice? It's best to keep busy.
Do not let the years slip away, waiting for the unknown to become known.
- She's coming back. - You can't know that.
I don't mean to be harsh, and I'm not saying don't have hope,
but you can't know it.
You have had my contract for four and a half months.
It is time for you to commit, or I must move on to the next generation.
You must sign it. Now.
[slams book closed]
[chuckles] What do you think, sweetheart?
[Gabrielle] It's my favorite house I've ever seen.
[chuckles] Then I will buy it.
Hello, darlings!
[Coco] Hello!
[pants] Please forgive my tardiness.
Gabrielle approves of this house. We'll take it.
[chuckles] Forgive me, but I just spoke with the sellers.
Apparently, a slight problem has arisen
with the release of funds from your French bank.
Impossible.
[breathes deeply] The French government
is refusing to let your assets cross the border. [sighs]
Aunt Coco, do you see the view?
[André] We'll ask your lawyer to handle this.
Yes. Phone my lawyer, René de Chambrun.
He can simply get a promissory note from my Zurich account.
Credit is not being extended so easily, my dear.
The sellers are entertaining other offers.
[sighs]
Let me speak to these people directly.
Coco, it's not worth the stress. We'll find another home.
- Hmm. - [Gabrielle] We can't live here?
What will solve this problem?
Hard currency.
[whispers] Can you pay cash?
Selling your assets now would not be good for business, Coco.
This is not a business decision. This is a life decision.
[René] Well, as your friend, I'm telling you,
it's too volatile a market to raise cash in.
André needs this house to recover.
[René] And as your lawyer, you're paying me for my advice.
Well, today I'll pay you to follow mine.
Sell whatever's needed to raise the funds, René.
I need cash. I need this house. Get it done.
- [chattering] - [bell chimes]
I'm-- I'm s-sorry to bother.
Can I see your paper when you're finished?
Of course.
[patron whimpers, breathes shakily]
Madame, are you okay?
[patron] These camps...
What they're saying about them...
My daughter is in a camp.
But she will be okay. I know she will.
- She will. - Hmm.
After we finish shopping, I was thinking
we could eat cake and have some chamomile tea. Mmm?
Holy shit!
- [sprays] - [sniffs]
Mademoiselle, you've been spraying the perfume for five minutes now.
- You must make a purchase or leave. - [spraying continues]
Could you stop spraying it? Half the bottle is gone.
So you told me you're expecting a dozen more bottles?
This week. And another four dozen will be arriving at my uncle's shop.
[clicks tongue] I know for a fact there's a shortage of No. 5.
[inhales deeply] They must be counterfeit.
[scoffs] Please.
I'm sure Mademoiselle Chanel runs a well-guarded business
to protect against fakes.
I'll buy all 60 bottles.
Send them to the Hotel Beau Rivage.
- All of them? - Yes, all of them.
And to whom should I send the charge?
Mademoiselle Coco Chanel.
[inhales sharply] Coco Cha-- [stammers]
Have them sent straightaway. I'll keep this one for now.
- Thank you. - Y-Yes.
Gabrielle.
Do not get involved in this right now.
Who is making my perfume, René?
The Wertheimers.
They opened a factory in Hoboken, New Jersey.
I'm trying to find out how they're doing it,
but my calls are not being returned.
Sue them.
Don't underestimate the French thirst for revenge.
They want retribution against anyone with Nazi connections.
It's all lies. [stammers]
When you attempt to use the Aryan laws
to sever your partnership with the Wertheimers,
that did not go unnoticed.
You stick up your head right now, you'll get it sliced off.
Then I'll call Pierre Wertheimer myself.
Mademoiselle, step back from the ledge.
Let me take care of it.
André's not in good health.
Spend time with him and your beautiful niece.
You're right.
I don't need any more trouble. [stammers] I'm tired. [sighs]
Promise me you'll follow my advice this time.
Wertheimers are survivors. Th-They're seen as heroes.
And me?
I don't want you seen at all!
And I haven't sold the stocks as you asked because it was foolish.
[sniffles]
[phone ringing]
- [line connects] - [person] Hello?
Henri? I'm going to ask you a question, and I need an honest answer.
Have you produced any No. 5 in the last two years?
I-I-I-It hasn't been possible. [stammers]
I tried to grow the flowers, but the war--
I just need to know if you have somehow made or bottled any No. 5.
No. None.
And yet I found 60 bottles for sale here in Switzerland.
It's the Wertheimers.
Somehow, they're manufacturing my perfume in Hoboken.
I'm gonna send them to you.
I want to know what's in them, what formula they're using.
You'll be able to discern it?
[Henri stammers] Yes. But 60 bottles--
Please be careful with how you ship them. It's a small fortune.
- [French music playing] - [Balmain] Christian,
I may be a little bit under the influence, but...
[chuckles]
- [Balmain] ...I must speak my truth. - [Jacques] Oh, no. Please.
You made an horrible blunder, and you need to know it.
[Christian laughs] A blunder?
- I make blunders all the time. - [Balmain] Yes.
I just made one right now.
I refilled your glass.
We'll never recover. It's--
- Exactly. Exactly. - No, no, no...
- [laughing] - ...turning me down.
I begged you to start a house with me.
But now I can announce that I just secured 100,000 francs.
- Yes. Yeah. - Cheers to you.
Uh, I heard that a lady in your life gave you the money.
No, you have not gone to the other side. No.
- No, strumpet! Who is it? - [Balmain] Hmm.
His mommy. [laughs]
- [groans, laughs] - No.
- Last I checked, money is money. - [Christian] Oh, no. No.
[laughs] I'm sure your mommy wouldn't like to know
that her Pierre is gloating.
No, I would never, unless Lelong was here.
I'd gladly rub it in his obtuse, mangled visage.
- [chuckles] - I am very happy for you, Pierre.
Yes, it really is-- It really is quite something. It really is.
It's something?
You're always so tight-lipped, my dear Christian.
You don't think I'm worth it?
I-- Tight-lipped? [stammers] I'm--
[snorts, laughs]
You are so good, so-- so sly, so stuck.
Don't stay with Lelong.
[sighs]
Who here thinks it's a good idea for my Christian
to continue working for that charlatan
- for the rest of his life? - Pierre, come--
[Balmain] I don't want you to waste away
while that hideous quack steals your talents.
And no offense to your boss, Mr. Boussac,
the king of cotton, but mark my words.
Pierre Balmain will soon be the king of couture!
Right after I piss. [laughs]
[Georges] That reminds me.
Anyone you pissed on or passed over in your interviews
who you think could assume my former position
running Philippe & Gaston?
Ah... [chuckles, stammers]
...there is one very talented young man,
very high-spirited.
Lelong... [scoffs] ...he doesn't want him.
- [Balmain] Hire him instantly. - [chuckling]
What's his name?
Pietro. Pietro, but we made him change it...
[chuckles] ...to-- to Pierre.
- No, no, no, no, no, no, no. - [chuckles]
- [laughing] - No. There is only room for one Pierre.
[laughs] And-- And so... [exhales sharply] ...Lelong gave you a deadline to sign?
[sighing]
I told him that I would keep working,
but I need to be able to stop if she needs me.
Christian.
If who needs you?
Catherine.
When she comes back.
Christian. [stammers, sighs]
It's been too long now since she was taken and, uh--
[Christian sighs]
[Balmain sighs]
We've all lost parts of our heart in this damn war.
- We must accept it. - Listen, you can say this
about yourselves, but don't you dare say it about me.
Don't you dare.
[phone ringing]
- Your life still has to be your own. - It is my own.
[ringing continues]
[clears throat]
[Jacques clears throat]
Hello?
Yes, one moment. He's just here.
Your father.
Papa?
Yeah.
Yes.
What?
W-When?
Are you sure?
I'll come and see you tomorrow.
Um...
Something happened. Um...
They, um, found her.
Found who?
Catherine.
André?
[coughing]
[spits]
[knocking]
[Coco] What's-- [stammers] What's happening in there?
- [pants, spits] - [Coco] Everything okay?
- [pants] It's settling down. - [knocking]
[water running]
[knocking]
[breathes shakily, sniffles]
[coughs]
I'm going to send for Dr. Weber.
- I sound worse than I feel. - I'm not asking, I'm telling.
- Coco, I know I need to rest, but I-- - Well, we'll let Dr. Weber decide
what's best for you.
I'll make sure he gets here for lunch today.
[flute music playing]
[André] When do you get the keys to your new house?
Our new house.
Soon. I'm just waiting on some cash to come in.
I forgot to mention.
Your driver said he hadn't been paid in a while.
[scoffs]
He told you that?
He can wait.
Coco, have you paid him at all?
Of course. He's been driving me for months.
I just haven't had the cash at hand these past few weeks.
- [Weber] Oh, there you are. - Mmm, the good doctor.
- Join us. - [clears throat]
So, how soon until Dr. Lehmann comes to treat André?
Unfortunately, he's not interested in traveling to Switzerland.
You told him who was asking and what I'd pay? [chuckles]
Indeed I did.
But the good news is, um, he's currently in Paris
and would be glad to see and treat André there.
I'm not leaving you.
Lehmann's our best option?
He's your only option.
- [sighs] - André, if it were me,
I would go to Paris.
Then that's what he'll do.
Hmm? You don't need to worry about me.
She was discovered alone, uh, wandering near Dresden.
She escaped on a death march from one camp to another.
Got picked up by Allied forces.
[inhales deeply]
Schedule has her arriving in the next day or two. But, uh...
What is it?
The French Ministry told me...
that many people have been dying in transit.
I want you to meet her.
I don't think my heart could take it if--
She's made it this far. She will make it these last few steps.
And, uh, you must bring flowers.
I heard people are bringing lilacs for their loved ones who return.
I will bring flowers.
And I'll prepare her favorite supper.
- Christian... - Hmm?
...you were right all this time...
[inhales deeply] ...to keep hope alive while mine died.
[announcer] Mesdames and messieurs, please move up to the top floor.
Please remain orderly.
Ladies and gentlemen, they will be arriving in ten minutes.
Ten minutes.
[people chattering]
[officer] Step forward. Step forward.
[person in line] Auschwitz.
- Name? - Catherine Dior, D-I-O-R.
[announcer] Patience, ladies and gentlemen.
Catherine is my sister.
She was found near Dresden. She was in Ravensbrück.
[officer] Please, do not block the hallway.
Yes, I see her name.
They're arriving. You must wait to the side.
[officer] Yeah, keep on moving forward. [speaking French]
[in French] ♪ Come on, Children of the fatherland ♪
♪ The day of glory has arrived ♪
♪ Against us, from tyranny ♪
♪ The bloody banner is raised ♪
♪ Do you hear, in the countryside ♪
♪ The howling of the fierce soldiers? ♪
♪ They come right into our arms ♪
♪ To gut our sons, our women ♪
♪ To arms, citizens! ♪
♪ Form your battalions ♪
♪ Onward, let's march! ♪
♪ Let impure blood... ♪
- [coughing] - [singing ends]
[grunts]
[in English] Beatrice! Beatrice Fuzet!
- Catherine! Catherine Dior! - [relative 2] Dubois!
- [relative 3] Sylvie! Sylvie! - [officer] Everyone stay calm.
[relative 2] Jean Dubois!
[crowd clamoring]
[Christian] Catherine! Catherine!
[relative 4] I see him. I need to go in.
[officer] Please, calm down.
[relative 1] Beatrice! Beatrice Fuzet!
Are there, uh, more passengers? More people?
I'm sorry, sir, the trains are empty now. Everyone has arrived.
My sister was on that train. Why isn't she here?
I'm very sorry, sir, but some... [inhales deeply] ...didn't make the journey.
We lost quite a few. The bodies are here.
Sir, please. Wait until they're all taken off.
My sister isn't here.
She's supposed to be here. She was on the train.
It's impossible to know where everyone is.
I'm sorry for your loss, sir.
But if you wanted to come to Paris with us, you would.
Sometimes, my dear, things are not possible.
But if you loved us--
- I do love you. - No, you don't.
Gabrielle, don't ever say that.
I don't believe you.
Monsieur Claude doesn't believe you either. He wants you to come too.
Monsieur Claude is a stuffed animal. He doesn't want anything.
I can't go. People in Paris don't want me. Maybe they never did.
Now, I want you to promise that you'll call if you need anything.
I need you to take care of yourself.
[André coughs]
[cries] Be good, huh? That will help make papa healthy.
- You'll be here when we come back? - Where else would I go? [chuckles]
- I love you. - I love you. [cries, kisses]
Go. [cries]
Perfume's all there?
Yes, mademoiselle, 59 bottles. One broke in transit.
Did I pay for it?
No, mademoiselle. It was taken off the bill.
Oh. You will drive them now to meet the freight train in an hour.
A courier will be waiting to take them to Henri in the south of France.
Be careful. You know how valuable these bottles are.
May I trouble you?
It's been two months since I've received a paycheck.
It will be taken care of. Lock the trunk.
[driver] When?
I beg your pardon?
If you can afford this, can't you please consider me?
You will be considered.
Oh, my goodness. Gabrielle's bear.
Will we have time to catch them and still make the freight train?
I don't think so. It's two different directions.
We can catch them in time.
Mademoiselle, I really think you have to stay here
- because I need to speed. - Stop talking and drive.
[engine steaming]
[Coco] How did you let this happen?
You've been driving me around Switzerland for eight months now.
I'd think you'd know your way around the engine by now.
We'll never get Monsieur Claude to Gabrielle.
How are you going to get the perfume to the train?
[driver sighs]
- [footsteps approaching] - [engine rattling]
[Coco stammers] Hello!
Hello there. We seem to be stalled.
Do either of you know car engines better than Conrad here?
[gun cocks]
Just do what they say.
- [Coco] Don't let them take the car. - [robber] On your knees, both of you!
- [Conrad] Stop, mademoiselle! - [robber] Stop!
[Coco] Don't let them take the car! [gasps]
[screams, groans]
[breathing heavily]
[sighs, strains, groans]
[gun cocks]
[Conrad] Wait! No! Don't shoot her.
- Please don't. Don't shoot me. - [Conrad] Don't shoot her.
- She wasn't supposed to be here. - But she is.
[Coco] You know these men?
I'm telling you, don't shoot.
You owe him your life, mademoiselle.
Let's go.
[Coco whimpers]
[Coco breathing shakily]
[Conrad sighs]
I'm sorry, mademoiselle. I told you I needed money to pay my debts.
They're all fake anyway. They stink.
Go stink up your wife!
If you'd only paid me.
[engine starts]
Little fucker.
[sighs]
- [car approaching] - [gasps]
Please! Please!
[groans]
Oh, God.
[groaning]
[exhales heavily]
- [car approaching] - Please! Please!
Please!
Please! Don't you see me?
[chattering]
[guest] What?
[chattering]
[guest 2] Louis, who is it?
[sighs]
[gasps] Oh, my God, mademoiselle.
What happened? Are you all right?
I'm fine. I was-- Car trouble.
- Coco. - Huh?
Oh, René.
When did you get here?
André asked me to come make sure you stayed out of trouble.
It appears I'm too late. [clears throat]
- Let me help you. - No, don't touch me.
Coco, we need more evidence against the Wertheimers.
This isn't a fight we can win yet.
I don't want a fight.
You can't sue Jews.
I want a war.
Fucking sue them.
[door opens]
Catherine is not coming back.
Do you understand that?
You were wrong.
She will be here.
But she is not the answer.
The train came. She was not on it.
Christian, here is a truth.
I saw a garden when I met you.
When I touched your hand for the first time, I saw it.
The world covered in flowers. Overgrown.
I have something for you.
What is it?
As long as it's with you, Catherine will return.
Stop saying that!
I must stop thinking it.
She's gone. She's not coming back.
That is my future.
Christian, I merely deliver the message.
I'm telling you what it is. What will be.
Goodbye, madame.
[door closes]
[rotary dial whirring]
Georges, it's Christian.
I've been thinking.
Boussac, he wants me to run Philippe & Gaston, yes?
I want to talk.
Call him. Set up a meeting.
Thank you, Georges.
You know, 25 years ago, I launched a revolution
with the introduction of colored cottons.
I saw the potential, and I made it happen.
They no longer called me Marcel Boussac. [clicks tongue]
- I became King Cotton. [laughs] - [chuckles]
Interest, passion, risk. That's where it all begins.
You have to have your own ideas.
Something the Germans never understood.
They just took everything and pretended it had been theirs all along.
And a-anything they couldn't, uh, steal, they trampled or destroyed.
Let me tell you, that's no way to do business.
I might not know how to make a dress,
but I know how to make money. Hmm? I always have.
[liquid pours]
- [Marcel] Please. - [glasses clink]
Georges tells me you're the one I need.
Georges is very kind.
Hmm. Talks a big game.
That you're ascendant and determined.
[lighter strikes]
[inhales sharply] So, you'd like to run Philippe & Gaston? [blows]
- Well? - Uh, white lilacs.
Um, these were the flowers we brought f-for the survivors. Pardon me.
[stammers] I heard.
[stammers] The first arrivals from the camps.
You are mourning someone? Hmm?
I keep asking myself, you know, um...
how do we move forward?
How are we going to forgive them?
Ourselves?
Humanity?
I was standing in the hallway when the survivors stumbled out.
I thought...
"It's impossible."
The hopelessness in-- in everybody's eyes.
Hmm.
We all felt it.
And now it's spreading onto the streets, and it's predatory,
and it soon will be everywhere, I think.
[inhales sharply] I know what war is, Monsieur Dior,
but... [sighs] ...what do you propose we do about it?
My own house.
Pardon me?
I need you to give me my own house.
[scoffs]
Your own couture house?
It's the only way that I know to turn this-- this heartbreak into...
a return to joy.
That's what I propose.
People need to feel again. They need to dream again.
They need to live again.
And we-- we can create a new world for them.
We should build them a beautiful garden.
These are perhaps some seeds.
Hmm.
I haven't heard anyone else speak like this. Tell me more.
[kisses]
[water splashes]
[door unlocks]
Jacques, are you home?
I have some interesting news.
Christian? Thank God you are back.
I tried to reach you at Boussac, but...
[breathing shakily]
[stammers] She just arrived.
[Jacques] I called the doctor. He's on his way.
[breathing shakily]
[Catherine breathing heavily]