Widow Clicquot (2023)

[bunniefuu]

[birds chirping]

[Barbe-Nicole] [VO] Looking back

on that first day with you,

I think I understood

immediately

why human beings

are compelled to create.

Why we must find some way

to lay down our lives,

however best we can.

[Franois]

Barbe-Nicole Clicquot,

welcome to the vineyards

of Verzy.

The most beautiful

in all of Champagne.

[birds chirping]

[Barbe-Nicole] [VO] It is so

that we might uncover

the secrets of ourselves,

better understand

the ones we love.

The time and place

in which we live.

And that with any luck,

100 years from now,

someone will know

that we were here.

[dramatic music playing]

[water drips]

[Franois] [VO]

Can we be a secret?

I mean,

can we live in a hideaway?

Our whole lives,

just the two of us.

Kept safe from

the rest of the world.

[Barbe-Nicole] [VO]

We can try...

-Not hidden from each other

though.

So, do you agree to be

my Emilie?

-Who is Emilie?

[Franois] [VO] The woman

Voltaire was

a true partner to...

The love of his life.

[dramatic music playing]

[Barbe-Nicole] [VO]

It seems impossible

that anything will ever

grow here again.

A great hush has settled

across the vines.

Your absence

clings to everything.

-[indistinct prayer

by the priest]

[Barbe-Nicole] [VO] I fear your

father blames me, privately,

for all that has happened.

And I fear that I might too.

[thunder roaring]

[door opens, slams]

-Where is Clem?

-You didn't find her?

[horse neighing]

-Madame.

-Madame.

-My heartfelt condolences,

Madame.

As neighbors, we feel your loss

alongside you.

-Thank you.

-Madame,

I wonder if I might

walk the vineyards,

to remember Franois.

-Of course, Monsieur Mot.

It's very kind.

-[retreating footsteps]

-[distant barking]

-Those beautiful slopes will

always remind me of him.

-Yes.

-I am going to walk the terraces

on my way home.

[door opens]

[distant bird squawking]

-There you are.

Oh, Clem.

[emotional music playing]

[pounding footsteps receding]

Clem?

[emotional music continues]

It will be

just the two of us now.

But we have each other.

We have each other, my darling.

[Franois] [VO]

And what do you smell?

-Floral. Like our rose garden...

in June, after a rain shower.

And burning leaves.

-Mm-hm.

-And twigs.

-An apple orchard when the trees

are at their tallest...

-[Barbe-Nicole chuckles]

-What do you think

about blending these two?

It could be quite...

-No... not together.

Or do you want more acidity?

-[Franois groans]

-You did want me to

speak my mind.

-Yes. Foolishly.

Please do not learn

as quickly as your mother,

because I want to be able

to teach you something.

[VO] One little something.

[thunder rumbling]

[footsteps approaching]

[knocks on door]

-Madame?

There will be a meeting

downstairs

that Phillipe

would like you to attend.

-A meeting?

-Evidently, Paquet has

drawn up a contract

for the sale of the hectares.

[door opens]

-Is it true?

[Phillipe] Barbe-Nicole,

let me put your mind at ease.

I want you and Clementine

to live comfortably,

without any worry at all.

-Thank you.

-Monsieur Paquet here has

secured a very handsome offer

for the property from Mot.

-Afternoon.

-I appreciate your... kindness.

But out of concern

for Franois' vines,

I will be continuing

to care for them myself.

-Wine is a very difficult

vocation, my dear.

You underestimate what

it will require of you.

-I know what it requires.

I've been in the fields

for years.

-As a partner with Franois,

Madame.

Not alone.

-It is not your place, Madame.

-I cannot allow you

to go to your ruin.

Come back to Reims with me.

-Could you and I

speak alone, Phillipe?

-Yes, of course.

[retreating footsteps]

[door closes]

-Have you seen those beautiful

purples and reds

this year, Phillipe?

Is their climb not the best

we have had yet?

Those are

Franois Clicquot grapes,

and his dream

is living in them.

-You risk losing everything

by staying here.

Do you think that is what

Franois would have wanted?

[Barbe-Nicole]

Franois willed the vines to me

because he knew

I would never sell.

I will be using my own savings

to cover

the vineyard's expenses.

-You have not heard me, my dear.

-Have you not heard me?

Those are Franois' vines,

and you want to sell them.

[tense music playing]

-Paquet? Droite?

[door opens]

Gentlemen, we will not sell.

Barbe-Nicole will continue here

for the time being.

[Paquet] [clears throat]

If I may, sir... I think...

[Phillipe]

No, Paquet. You may not.

That is all.

[footsteps]

-[Franois humming]

I have come to sing to them

since I was a boy.

It's supposed to

make them strong.

You try.

-No.

-[Franois] Go on!

-I can't!

[Franois]

They need it.

They need you.

-[Barbe-Nicole humming]

-[Franois chuckles]

They like you.

-They do?

-They think you're perfect.

[romantic music playing]

[Jeanne Marie] We'll take Clem

with us today,

out of this sad house.

[Barbe-Nicole] [VO]

It's our home.

Clem wants to stay with me.

-Barbe, you must think of her.

No sense in keeping her

out of the abbey

to help you

with your grief, my dear.

She should be with friends

to help her with hers.

-Thank you, Mother.

You didn't know him, Mother.

He was not just

someone's first love.

[footsteps receding]

[emotional music playing]

[Barbe-Nicole crying]

[Franois] [VO]

My darling Emilie,

I felt compelled

to write to you

this glorious summer morning

to let you know that I think

we might have found it.

The secret

to perfect happiness.

With each day, my love for you

grows stronger, fiercer.

It drenches me the way

the sun drenches the vines.

I am certain

of nothing in this life

but the fact of your strength.

I am hopelessly,

unequivocally yours.

[knocks on door]

[door opens]

-Madame, Mr. Edouard Werler.

He has come from the offices of

Mr. Phillipe Clicquot in Reims.

-Good day, Mr. Werler.

[Edouard]

Good day, Madame.

Your father-in-law has sent me

with the financial record

of the vineyard.

He wants you to be apprised

of your situation.

I apologize for coming

without warning.

[Barbe-Nicole]

Please.

-I am to take them back with me.

-Are you a clerk at his office?

[Edouard]

I am, Madame.

In accounts.

-Will you assist me?

[Edouard]

If you'd like.

[pages flipping]

The first column

is expenditures,

the second is profits,

the third losses,

and the fourth

projected earnings.

Because of the loss

of the last harvest,

there were expenditures

but no profit.

The next harvest

will only recoup that loss.

And the truth is,

your competition will monopolize

the market in France, Madame...

if no one can sell abroad

due to Napoleon's embargoes

against his enemies.

So you will not sell

next year either.

-[chuckles]

Thank you.

Will you thank Phillipe for me?

And tell him that I insisted

upon keeping the ledgers.

-Uh...

Madame.

[door opens]

[receding footsteps]

[Phillipe] You said there

would be a profit by this year.

The new planting

has not yielded.

-Yes, sir,

I apologize for overstating.

[Phillipe]

Many of your experiments...

-[Franois] Innovations...

-[Phillipe] have floundered!

-How do we know?!

How do we know?

It's too soon...

It's too soon to know, Father...

these are radical ideas.

And there is decent improvement

this year,

even with the excessive heat.

[Phillipe]

You can't just keep endlessly

experimenting without results.

Perhaps it's time

to admit defeat now.

Franois!

[door opens]

[]

-[Barbe-Nicole chuckles]

[Barbe-Nicole gasps]

-Droite never walks the fields.

He doesn't know the vines.

He doesn't know what they need.

He doesn't want to nurture them.

[Barbe-Nicole] He doesn't

understand how complex they are.

-He doesn't love them.

This is the transfor... What?

-Transformative?

-[chuckles]

-Moment for them?

[Franois] Yes.

-I am afraid for the vineyard

if anyone else manages it.

They have no right,

interrupting...

-Well...

he is the estate manager;

therefore, he thinks

he has the right.

-But you, you are the one

with the vision,

and the talent,

to change things.

You will change things.

[birds chirping]

[distant bell ringing]

[Clementine]

You're always in the vineyard.

-And I like having you

in the vineyard with me.

-And I like having you

in the house with me, Mother.

-Will you cut flowers

with me then?

-I like the pink ones,

and the white ones,

and the yellow ones!

[Barbe-Nicole] [VO]

As ever, the quiet prevails.

A new loneliness presses in,

but I will continue

the work you started.

Louis Boone

will arrive at noon.

I welcome

a friendly face at last.

[lively chatter]

Tomorrow

I face the workers alone,

for the first time.

Give me strength, my love.

Give me strength.

First, the new vines

will be planted

in a north-south configuration.

The upper slope will be

pulled up and turned.

[Droite] Uhm...

[Barbe-Nicole] Droite...

do you have an opinion?

-Yes I do, Madame.

These fields do not need

replanting,

reconfiguring,

or starting over again.

-I disagree.

Water is collecting

at the roots.

-The rain is good for

the vines, Madame.

-They need to struggle.

-Struggle?

-When they struggle to survive,

they become more deeply reliant

on their own strength.

They become more of

what they are meant to be.

Mr. Muller, where do we think

we could find premium glass?

-We have glass in stock, Madame.

-I want quality glass

without defects.

We can't afford to lose

another vintage.

-We were meant to buy

premium glass, Madame.

But your husband

decided to save money.

Monsieur Bohne will attest

to the dangers in that.

And if Muller is out searching

for glass, which is my job,

who is going to run the fields,

which is his?

Because you have not

done this before,

I cannot blame you

for not understanding

how a vineyard is run.

Without a strict adherence

to hierarchy,

there is chaos,

anarchy.

-I don't see it as a hierarchy.

[Droite]

What do you see it as?

-A wheel. A circle.

We are sitting together

at the table.

We will trade ideas, including

everyone in the decision.

-You make it sound like

a dinner party.

-These are mine

and my husband's ideas.

He thinks I'm inept.

-Are you seeking his approval?

-If Phillipe listens to him,

I might need to have it.

-But I was asking you:

Are you seeking his approval,

regardless of Phillipe?

It appears he plans to

undermine you with the workers.

But I could see

they are loyal to you.

-What do you think?

Am I inept?

-Well, he's right

about some things.

The wheel

is a beautiful notion,

but it's destined to fail.

If you are not willing

to dictate without hesitation,

you may lose the respect

of the men working under you.

You make them uncomfortable.

You undermine a system

that they have confidence in.

If you are unforgiving

of their mistakes,

they might even idolize you.

I do admire you,

trying to

run things as you want,

as a woman would.

-So the ability to listen

to others, to collaborate,

is not a sign of strength?

-[chuckles] No.

It might not ever be.

-Franois would not agree.

-Maybe not, but he was

an enlightened soul,

and we have been living

under monarchs for too long.

And Napoleon is even worse.

-Do you respect tyrants?

-Do I respect tyrants?

[Louis laughs]

Well, I have been known to

fancy a brute or two,

and it has been said

I could use a little discipline.

[Barbe-Nicole]

So hierarchy comforts you.

And I must give up

my idea of the wheel

because it makes men

uncomfortable.

-Because it doesn't

project power.

-There is something

I want to show you.

[drawer opens]

[Louis] Amsterdam,

St Petersburg, Moscow...

[Barbe-Nicole] If Napoleon's

embargoes are still a problem,

I want to stay ahead of him.

-Of Napoleon?

-Mm-hm.

-So, you're a criminal at heart?

-These borders are arbitrary,

and they could keep changing.

Why not begin a trade

that ignores unrest, wars,

that exists on its own?

Stateless, around the globe?

If you choose

not to distribute for me...

-My dear, if I choose not to

distribute for you,

you won't find anyone who will.

And if I decline your offer,

you must never tell anyone

of this plan.

Not a soul.

[tense, exciting music playing]

[Louis] It's dark.

It's very hard to tell

who anyone is

in a bed that large,

so I investigate it.

The hair is soft...

the body hard!

-No, please...

[both laughing]

Emilie! Come, please.

May I introduce Louis Bohne,

perhaps the greatest

wine salesman in all the world.

-Madame.

-Welcome.

-I read her Voltaire,

but these are...

-Please, please, darling!

-her love letters to me.

The sunnier the climate,

the more aromatic the berries,

but there is a limit.

Actually,

there is nothing more

loving someone

could write to me.

My true equal,

my partner in everything.

[both giggling]

-And what of Voltaire

is your favorite, Franois?

-God is a comedian

who plays to an audience...

[both]

that is too afraid to laugh!

[laughter]

-And you, Emilie,

what is your favorite?

-I should like to lie

at your feet

and die in your arms.

[Franois]

I love you.

-It is

too soon for you to leave!

[Louis] I know.

But I must go.

[Franois]

Happy hunting!

[Franois humming]

[glass clinks]

-Franois's last effort.

It's from one of the bottles

that survived the loss.

This mix is mine alone.

It's something

I have been developing.

[door opens]

[Droite] Sir.

-Droite.

What did you use?

-The pinot noir,

and I left the skin on.

-And the red?

-I would sell it to

a maker of inferior wine.

[Droite] But Madame...

we thought the red

must be our first offering.

It's what the buyers have

come to expect of this region.

-And what grape

do you favor, Madame?

-I favor a more powerful,

intense, and precise grape

than most of the makers

in the region.

-Why?

-I want the drinker

to feel as if

they stand

in the vineyard in Verzy,

as if they are tasting

the place itself.

The more intense,

the more precise the grape,

the more they can...

experience Franois'

unique contribution.

-You have done well, deciding

to sell off the red.

And I would continue developing

the pink champagne

with the skin on.

[Droite] The pink is weak,

Monsieur. It is too dry.

-Yes, well,

your job is to count the vines.

It most certainly is not to

judge the quality of the mix,

nor is it to sell the champagne,

which would be my job,

would it not?

In the hierarchy?

-Yes, Monsieur.

-I will sell

the widow's champagne,

provided the final tasting

goes well.

In say, a year.

I will see you and your

criminal enterprise then.

[horse galloping]

[Barbe-Nicole]

[VO] There is hope.

A way forward,

however unpredictable.

We can dance around the

petulant games of powerful men,

but... as ever, we are

at the mercy of the seasons.

[Franois]

[VO] At last, my love, spring.

The first...

[Barbe-Nicole and Franois]

[VO] ...buds break.

[Barbe-Nicole]

[VO] A hot, dry, July.

[Franois] [VO] As the land

holds its breath

for the harvest ahead.

[Barbe-Nicole]

[VO] We wait in anticipation.

Franois, your last song has

sung the grapes to good health.

All senses feel heightened.

[Franois]

[VO] Every moment matters.

[Barbe-Nicole] [VO] The time

of day the grapes are picked.

The way they're handled.

The first press.

Wish I could bottle this time.

[Franois] [VO] It is

a haphazard sort of alchemy.

[Barbe-Nicole] [VO]

I want our champagne to have

structure, depth.

[Franois] [VO] It must

reflect your elegance.

[liquid pours]

[Barbe-Nicole] [VO]

Your boldness.

[Franois] [VO]

Your light.

[Clementine] [VO] But I don't

want to go to the

abbey, Mother.

[Barbe-Nicole] [VO] I don't

want you to go either.

[sighs] The vineyard

is no place for a little girl.

-The vineyard

is no place for you.

-I know.

This will always be your home.

We belong to it.

[Barbe-Nicole sobs]

[fly buzzing]

-Morning, Barbe.

-Morning.

Will you leave it?

I'd like to do it.

It's ready for Louis.

-So what is it, Barbe?

[fly buzzing]

-Franois should have

been here today.

[clanking]

Thank you.

[Franois] [VO]

Happy birthday, my love.

-[Barbe-Nicole giggling]

Thank you.

-They are to keep a record

of your... discoveries.

-They are beautiful.

-Louis helped me choose them.

-You like him.

-Hm?

Yes. I do.

-I see the way you are

with one another.

-Are you jealous?

-No.

-Why not?

-Because I know you love me.

And because I believe

we must be free to feel

whatever we feel,

so that we never mistake

rebellion for reality.

Because I like his company too.

-You like his company?

-I do.

-It was too warm this summer.

And if the rain this winter

is anything like last year...

-So we adapt.

I was thinking,

perhaps we could help the vines

better this year.

[floor creaking]

[footsteps receding]

[bell ringing]

[wine pouring]

-[Louis sips, swishes]

-It's an improvement.

There's character there.

-[Barbe-Nicole spits]

It's not ready.

I'm going to continue mixing.

-Bottle it.

It's time for

the second fermentation.

And leave it a few months,

unless you prefer

the frog-eyed bigger bubbles.

-No,

I prefer the smaller bubbles.

[approaching footsteps]

-Madame,

George Christian von Kessler.

-Are you married, George?

-I will be interviewing you;

pay him no mind.

I really just want to

know one thing.

How many women

are in your family?

-My mother and my sister,

Madame.

-What do your mother

and sister think of me?

[George] They worry a woman

might not be a capable manager.

-What did you say to that?

-I said, "Aren't you able?

Here in your home.

Why shouldn't she be in hers?"

I know you are

in your fields every day.

You work hard, Madame.

-Do you want the position

of a field foreman?

-Foreman?

-Yes.

-Will the older staff

listen to me?

-If you prove yourself.

I have to prove myself

every day.

-Madame.

-He'll need new clothes

if they're to respect him.

Anne is an excellent tailor.

[George] Thank you.

[footsteps receding]

-[Barbe-Nicole chuckles]

[knocks on door]

Edouard! Come in.

Louis Bohne, the famous.

-Hello. Pleasure.

Truly a pleasure.

-Louis, this is Edouard Werler.

He is a gifted accountant.

-Mm.

Yes.

Well, I will leave you to it.

I can see you know exactly what

sort of man you are looking for.

I am to town.

-Happy hunting!

[Barbe-Nicole] [VO]

Finally, after too many months

of bottling,

no more frog-eyed bubbles.

The trade route

has been finalized.

The delivery negotiated.

So many obstacles ahead.

So much at stake.

Mustn't dwell on

what we cannot control.

Though, it seems a shame

not to dress you.

Something must announce you.

Something subtle, but smart.

Confident.

There.

That will keep you safe

across the seas.

Go well, my loves, go well.

[indistinct chatter]

-All dressed up

and ready to travel.

We will take a few days

to circumvent the front lines

and arrive in Amsterdam.

I'll be gone a while.

If I don't come back,

don't alert the authorities.

-For you, for the journey.

-Thank you.

-Let's go!

[Barbe-Nicole] [VO]

And now the wait.

For the first time in

as long as I can remember,

I am permitting myself

excitement.

Pure, unbridled excitement.

Good morning, Phillipe.

I hope you are well.

-Barbe,

I came to view the product

but it is nowhere to be found.

-Why do you need to see it?

-Where is it?

-[Barbe-Nicole chuckles softly]

We moved the sparkling.

-Come with me.

Are you selling abroad?

[scoffs] Barbe,

whether you tell me or not,

if you break this embargo

and you are found out,

I will be implicated.

Everything must be reported

to Droite and to myself.

We are partners.

-When I have proceeds,

I will send them to you.

-You understand our arrangement

can be terminated.

You have one last chance.

One.

[Barbe-Nicole] [VO]

There is a comet

burning a passage

through the sky,

day and night.

The world watches as one.

Whispers around Champagne

say it is portent of change.

A good omen perhaps,

for the coming harvest.

[Muller]Madame! Come quick!

First press!

-[Barbe-Nicole] I'm coming!

It's perfect!

-[Muller laughing]

[bell ringing]

[George] Whoa.

-Where is Louis?

-Louis stayed to sell the glass.

I'm sorry, Madame.

We made it to Amsterdam but...

the heat and the journey...

the champagne spoiled.

We lost everything...

Sorry, Madame.

-[Barbe-Nicole sobs]

[distant scream]

[flame crackles]

[Edouard] We could offer

to sell some of the hectares.

[Barbe-Nicole]

The Mots inquiring again?

-They made it clear

there is a standing offer.

For all of it,

or some of the fields, if...

-When. When I fail.

I understand.

Perhaps in the event

that I should be so foolish,

so arrogant, to send

the sparkling around a blockade

and lose it all to the heat.

-To bad luck, certainly.

-To bad judgement on my part.

-I'm not sure

all the responsibility

lies on your should--

-It was my decision.

-And you will be the reason

we succeed in the end!

-We have no money.

I cannot pay any of you.

Do you think Louis

intends to continue on with us?

You, Edouard?

We need to get to the bottling

stage of this vintage.

-We cannot wait too long

to tell Phillipe.

[Barbe-Nicole] [VO]

Selling off objects

to make up for the

lost shipment

in Amsterdam.

But I have kept

Clem's room untouched.

Try again. Think differently.

Work on what's in front of us.

[soft, sad music playing]

[wind whistling]

[huge door opens]

-This is for you...

It's not very good, is it?

But I did make it myself.

It's an owl, weeping

in a cathedral on the moon...

Beautiful.

You were disappointed when...

you first saw me, I know.

When your parents told you

that you were to marry.

I will try to make it up to you.

[Muller]

Come on lads, let's go!

Get more wood.

-Thank you!

[George] If we lose these

first shoots to a late frost,

we lose the harvest.

[Barbe-Nicole] I know.

-I'll keep these fires lit

till morning.

-I'll stay.

No one can fall asleep.

-Of course, Madame.

-Thank you, George.

-All right, lads, let's go!

[Droite]

Muller! Muller! Here!

[George] Come on, boys!

[indistinct]

up the hill as well, lads.

[Droite]

Here. Follow me.

Come on! Follow me there!

[chatter continues]

[fires crackling]

[Phillipe] [VO] Pick these up.

Pick these up now!

[Franois] [VO] Why?

Time does not bend, Father.

She's slow!

-Go and clean yourself up.

-It must clear!

-Meet me in the study.

Come and speak to me

when you are ready

to discuss things civilly.

I am afraid there is nothing

to be done about Franois.

[door opens]

[footsteps]

-Hello, Phillipe.

Thank you for coming.

-Of course.

-Edouard, would you like to...

to begin?

[Edouard] Yes.

Phillipe,

regarding the missing product,

we wanted to assure you

there will be no legal issues

for the vineyard.

There will be no evidence

of the shipment

having been sold anywhere.

-But how can you guarantee that?

There must be records.

-It was ruined in the heat.

-It's lost?!

The entire vintage?

-Yes.

-Edouard, you may go.

[receding footsteps]

[door opens, closes]

-God!

I am very disappointed in you.

-I understand.

-[Phillipe] You've confirmed

all my worst fears.

-I understand,

but I want you to consider

not removing me

until after this next bottling.

-And why would I do that?

-And if we can recoup...

-No. It is finished.

-Franois needed help,

and we failed to recognize it.

We failed him.

That is why he is dead.

-I could never allow myself

to think...

-Please, Phillipe.

While the vineyard

still bears his name.

-[sobs]

If Louis Bohne distributes,

agreed.

[door opens]

[thunder roaring]

[water dripping]

[liquid pouring]

-The damp will get

into your bones, Barbe.

You'll catch your death.

-Sit with me.

-That's very good.

-Just isn't good enough.

-You need to sleep.

[glass shatters]

-It's not right. It's not good.

This isn't right.

It's not good.

This is not good!

That is too loud!

It's too loud, it's too loud!

We are not safe here!

-Clem? Clem!

-[Franois] This is our home!

-Inside! Go!

Go inside!

[glass shatters]

[dramatic music]

-It's loud, it's too loud.

Taste it!

-[glass shatters]

-[Franois spits]

Would they have their own homes

suffer such harm?

Why is no one coming to help?

[dramatic music]

[glass shatters]

Barbe!

-[Barbe-Nicole groans]

[dramatic music]

[Barbe-Nicole breathing heavily]

[Franois]

Where were you?

Hiding...

You're hiding from me...

-I was waiting for you to calm.

-I can't.

-Will Clem be safe?

If you can't calm.

-If I can't, will that keep you

from loving me?

[tense, romantic music playing]

-[Franois moaning]

[tense, romantic music

continues]

[footsteps approaching]

-Monsieur Louis Bohne.

-Louis Bohne, after months

on a horse.

-Charles has told me

you are maintaining

the vineyards yourself.

You must be the only woman

I know who loves mud.

-Yes, well,

we keep moving forward.

-And what criminal activities

do you have in mind for us next?

-They are not so much criminal

as they are masking the extent

to which we are truly solvent.

-Excellent.

-You've been gone a long while.

-Yes.

-It's good to have you

back with us safe, Louis.

And I have control

of the vineyard

until the next bottling,

if you decide

to distribute for us.

After that...

-I know.

Phillipe told me.

After the disaster in Amsterdam,

I managed to salvage

eight bottles.

I then rode on horseback

to St. Petersburg.

A friend,

who has exquisite taste,

and is the sort who likes

the boast of his new

discoveries,

he sampled your champagne.

I gave him the bottles,

and he gave me this.

In advance of the next shipment.

You have sold, Madame.

Congratulations.

Provided the next tasting

goes well, of course;

we have to match

the same standard of

what we have already pre-sold.

-Of course.

For Phillipe.

And for you.

-No.

I will give this to Phillipe.

It did occur to me

that I might sell the red wine

to the nobles that I know

in Austria.

They hate the French,

but not me personally, I hope.

-To dislike you

would be against nature.

We sold the red.

Not at the price

you would have sold it for,

but I needed to pay the workers

for the harvest.

Louis, could you...?

Would one of your royals buy it?

It's the only possession

of worth I have left.

-[sighs]

If I had anything of my own

to sell, I would.

-[overlap]

I know, but you don't.

-No.

-We won't be solvent until

after the next vintage.

-I know.

But you have sold, Barbe.

And Phillipe will soon see that.

Don't sell it quite yet.

[mellow music]

[knocks on door]

[door opens]

-All right, that's enough.

-Louis.

[mellow music]

[floorboard creaks]

-Is that you, Barbe-Nicole?

What do you want, Barbe?

Your instincts

have always been so good.

You know what I am.

Why won't you

listen to yourself now?

-I don't want to.

-Why?

-I don't want to.

-Will you ask the workers

if they would accept these

in trade?

-I will, Barbe.

[]

[indistinct whispering]

-[Franois whispering]

-What would Voltaire say?

-He would not be happy with me.

-What are you praying for?

-To... stop...

loving you this much.

It... it's...

you are the only.

You are life...

for me.

And...

I...

I'm not...

I'm not.

I'm not.

[birds chirping]

No, no.

For my calm, for my sleep.

-Don't hide from me, love.

-[Franois groaning]

-[Barbe-Nicole gasps]

-[Clementine thuds, cries]

-Oh. Oh... darling. Clemy...

Silly Daddy. Silly Daddy.

I've got you. I've got you.

[Clementine] I want Mummy!

-Oh, I've got you. I've got you.

I've got you.

Darling.

-Stop.

Stop!

It's all right.

-[Clementine crying]

[soulful music playing]

-[Franois chuckling]

-[Clementine chuckling]

-[Franois mock growling]

[mellow music]

[door opens]

[door closes]

[footsteps]

[scratch of pen on paper]

-Napoleon's new regulations

on planting.

When does he find the time?

-He understands the value

of peace.

-He is not interested in peace.

[chair slides]

[glasses clank]

-I'm working.

-It's late. Everyone's asleep.

[kissing]

-Now get out of my office.

[]

[clattering]

[glass clanks]

[door opens and closes]

[Barbe-Nicole]

[VO] I shall name you

the Comet Vintage of 1811.

[bell blaring]

[maid] Monsieur Muller,

Monsieur Muller.

Quick. It's time!

-[Louis] Gather everyone!

-Sir, I'll ready the horses.

[Muller] Right! I need

all the carts loaded.

All the horses!

We need everyone.

Everyone to the caves!

Now!

-[woman speaking indistinctly]

-[horse neighing]

At least another dozen

bottles over there.

-[clattering and clanking]

-[indistinct chatter]

-You need to hide here

until the soldiers have gone.

They won't find you

in the caves.

Muller, go and get your family

once you're finished loading,

and any of the other men.

-Sir.

-No, no.

I need Muller to bring Clem.

-She'll be safer at your

parents' house in Reims, Madame.

-I must go to the house

to get Anne.

-Wait.

Go quickly, the Russians

could be here before sunset.

God knows what will happen.

-Leave the shipment

if anything happens.

-Go. Don't worry, go!

[bottles clanking]

Go. Keep to the woods.

Come on, keep loading!

[birds screeching]

[intense music playing]

[door opens]

-[Barbe-Nicole] It's here!

-[Anne] I know, I know!

[doors close]

-[Barbe-Nicole] Clem!

-[Anne] We have to hurry.

[Barbe-Nicole]

I need Clem. Oh god!

Oh my god, oh my god!

[intense music playing]

[doors bang shut]

[distant boom of canon-fire]

[horse neighing]

[Anne] Barbe, Barbe!

[suspenseful music playing]

[suspenseful music stops]

[birds chirping]

[Barbe-Nicole]

[VO] The w*r is over,

leaving such devastation

in its wake.

And yet no damage done

to the vineyards of France.

A miracle.

[Louis] [VO] My dear,

now that Napoleon has been

brought to his knees,

all of Russia wishes to

celebrate the end of this w*r

by drinking the Comet.

Your champagne is all sold.

I wish I had more to sell.

[Barbe-Nicole] [VO] I've been

turning the vessels each day

over the last few weeks.

And as I thought, sediment

has solidified in the base,

ready to be released.

[Louis] [VO] The Czar himself

said he would drink none other.

We must seize the moment.

[cork pops]

[glasses clinking]

[Barbe-Nicole] [VO] This is

most definitely the future.

Our shipments will be months

ahead of the competition.

[tense, exciting music playing]

-I can pay the workers now.

-Robert!

How are you?

Thank you, thank you

for taking care of the vines.

-Hello. Thank you very much!

-Thank you, Matthieu!

-Madame.

-So you're an inventor now.

And you would have me

return to Russia so soon.

-No, I would not.

Now that he has abdicated

and there is peace,

George can go.

-Oh.

I can go and join you

in the vineyards today.

-You're going to get

your hands dirty?

-Mm-hm.

-[bell ringing]

-Mud on your shoes?

-[Louis chuckles]

[bell ringing]

[Charles] Summons!

-[raven cawing]

-[horseman whistling]

-It's a summons for

Barbe-Nicole Clicquot.

[Edouard]

A claim has been submitted

that Madame Clicquot

is running a business

in violation of

the Napoleonic code of 1804

and further, that her vineyard

should be placed

in the hands of

an experienced executor.

We don't have much time.

We have to read

the entirety of the Code.

-Was this the plan all along?

[Edouard]

No, Madame.

It never occurred to them

you would succeed.

That you would fight

so very hard for every bottle.

[corks popping,

glass shattering]

[Muller]

Get out! Get out!

-No! No!

-It's too dangerous, Madame!

-[Muller] Come with me!

-[Barbe-Nicole] No!

-[Droite] Come with me!

-[Barbe-Nicole] Stop! Stop!

-[Droite] It's over!

-[Barbe-Nicole] Get off me!

Get off!

[corks popping,

glass shattering]

[emotional music]

-Where were you?

-[Franois] Where were you?

[Barbe-Nicole]

What are you doing?

-There are things written here

that you've never

shared with me.

You're hiding.

-They are things to remind me

of--of--of--

of what we have shared,

said to each other, decided!

-You were worried

about the glass.

-And I told you!

-[Franois] No, you didn't.

-Yes!

-No, you didn't.

-Calm, Franois. Calm, calm.

-[overlap] Calm? I am calm.

This is what you do,

you trick me!

-You were the one who said

we would never hide

from each other,

and now you are the one.

You hide.

You hide in these moods,

you rave and you disappear.

Is this what you want?

-How could this possibly be

what I...

[Franois groans]

-Did you send Clem to the abbey

because you didn't want her

to see me like this?

-Yeah. Yes.

I sent her to the abbey

because I didn't want her

to be ashamed of you.

Or afraid of you.

Or take care of you.

And she will remain there

until you are different.

-And you hid that from me?

-It was all I could do.

[receding footsteps]

[glass clanks]

-Go to sleep, my love.

[receding footsteps]

[sad, emotional music]

[Franois]

I love you, my darling.

[Barbe-Nicole]

I love you.

[sad music playing]

-[Barbe-Nicole sniffles]

[water dripping]

[bottle clanking]

[bell ringing]

[Anne] Madame,

the carriage is here.

[Jean Remy Mot]

[VO] It is with great concern

for the well-being of not only

the Champagne district,

but for

Madame Clicquot herself,

that we bring this claim.

I regret to say it,

but her champagne falls

well short of the high

standards of our district.

If she continues to sell first,

our vintage

will be judged as she is.

Perhaps a situation

such as this

is precisely what

Napoleon foresaw

when he insisted on a law

forbidding female management

of companies.

Monsieur Droite, who works

with Madame as estate manager,

has been observing her

for many years.

She has been seen

knee-deep in mud,

singing to the vines.

[crowd murmurs]

[Magistrate 2] Could you

tell me, Monsieur Droite,

why she was given

the vineyard to manage?

-Well, she was in a very fragile

and emotional state

when she pleaded

with Phillipe Clicquot

to run the business alone.

He had just lost his son,

she, her husband.

There were many substantial

financial offers for the estate

but she refused them all,

and now we are in a position

where,

due to constant borrowing,

we may have to default the bank.

I fear that she, a woman,

is not capable of

running this vineyard.

-And yet the reason

we are all here

is because

she is doing just that!

[Magistrate 1]

And you are?

-I am Edouard Werler, sir.

Madame Clicquot's accountant.

Forgive my interruption,

but this is the will

of Franois Clicquot

that states the land belongs

to Barbe-Nicole Clicquot

until such a time as

she wills the property

to someone of her choosing.

[Droite] Yes,

if she is in her right mind.

[Edouard]

Regarding the accusation

that she is forbidden to run

a business under the law,

I would cite a major point

of the Napoleonic code of 1804,

which states that a woman can

carry on her husband's business

after his death.

Monsieur Mot wants control

of her vineyard.

He doesn't care

to protect Champagne

or Madame Clicquot

from herself.

[Magistrate 1]

Monsieur Werler,

this court will hear testimony,

not opinion.

[Droite] May I speak on

the subject of her...

her private life.

Her deceit.

[crowd murmurs]

[Magistrate 1]

You may, but keep it clean;

there are women present.

[Droite] Madame Clicquot

is not what she seems.

She is in an intimate,

romantic relationship

with her wine merchant.

She is a widow

only in the eyes of the law,

to evade the law.

-[Franois humming]

Shhh... Do you hear them?

-Of course. Always.

-I don't. Not anymore.

-[Barbe-Nicole humming]

[Franois] [VO] I think...

all I ever wanted really

was to be happy.

Build a paradise here with you.

-Perhaps men were not

made for paradise.

-I want to die in your arms.

Do you still want to

die in mine?

-I do, but first,

I want to live,

and work, and learn.

-Do you remember when you said

that I was the one

who was

going to change things?

It wasn't me.

-Shh- shh.

-Oh, my darling.

It was never me.

[VO] It was always you.

[Magistrate 1]

Would you stand, please?

Are you remaining a widow

for the sole purpose

of running a business?

-I don't know.

[Magistrate 1]

Did you say you don't know?

-I don't know.

It's odd to listen to

how others define you

as if you are somehow fixed,

unchanging, one person,

instead of the many

that we all are.

I love my husband still.

And I love Louis Bohne.

I am not just one self.

[Magistrate 1]

Your husband is dead, Madame.

-My husband is not dead.

He lives in the vines.

[Magistrate 1]

Perhaps it is not best

to have you speak for yourself.

-Why would I not be

the authority

on the subject of myself?

I am telling the truth

as I know it,

even though I see

that telling the truth means

I might not be

readily understood... by men,

as it may not be what it is.

Familiar, expected.

But the truth is,

as I listened to you,

I was glad to be a woman,

even if I lose

the rights of men.

Men are so certain,

but does that mean

they know the truth?

Or does it just mean

they are certain of themselves?

[Magistrate 1]

Yes, we-- we see your point.

And yet, we need a clear answer

to settle this claim.

Are you remaining a widow

to evade the law?

-I am Louis Bohne, magistrate,

the wine distributor

in question.

Can I offer my assistance

in obtaining an answer

to your question?

[Magistrate 1]

You may, thank you.

-Understanding that I would run

the vineyard as I see fit,

with you by my side,

given everything you know of me,

and that we've never hidden

anything from one another...

Barbe-Nicole,

will you marry me?

-No.

[crowd murmurs]

[Louis]

Widow Clicquot...

[music fades out]