Dust Draft 18

8/7/2019 Dust Draft 18

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(CONTINUED)

FADE IN:

1 1EXT. LAKE - LATE AFTERNOON

The lake is eerily quiet.

The concrete pillars of a bridge that spans thewater are reflected in its perfectly even surface.

Every now and then bird chirping cuts through thesilence, but otherwise, nature is holding itsbreath...

1A 1AEXT. LAKE - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS

...Until finally small bubbles start popping up bythe pillars of the bridge.

From the depths of the water two dark figuresslowly appear.

And then...

ELODIE and ELIAS burst through the surface, theirmouths gasping for breath!

They look at each other, floating on the spot for amoment, inside an ever expanding circle of smallrippling waves emanating from them.

Then they start swimming towards the shore.

2 2EXT. LAKE - ROCK UNDER BRIDGE - MOMENTS LATER

ELODIE and ELIAS swim past a sunken rowing boat andclimb up a rock that takes them out of the water.

Water is dripping off their naked bodies as theystop there.

ELODIE brushes her wet hair out of her face. Bothshe and ELIAS are about sixteen years old, buttheir coal black eyes betray an older soul.

Their eyes, together with their equally dark hairare in a striking contrast with their light, almostalabaster skin.


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(CONTINUED)

Elodie's and Elias' appearance, combined with thefluid elegance of their movement, make them seemlike they are not even of this earth, but merelypassing through.

As they make their way across the rock , they areleaving a trail of watery footsteps behind them.

They are very much in their own bubble and althoughthey are not talking to each other, one can sensehow attuned they are to each other's senses andmoods, how comfortable they are with each other's

presence.

3 3EXT. MEADOW - MOMENT LATER

ELODIE and ELIAS walk across the empty meadowadjacent to the lake, their feet sinking into thethick, lush glass as they leave the glisteningwater behind.

They are heading towards a small crooked tree wheretheir belongings are.

When they get to the tree, ELODIE grabs a towel to

dry her hair while ELIAS takes a glass bottle ofwater out of his knapsack. He takes a sip, thenhands it to ELODIE.

While ELODIE drinks, ELIAS looks around the meadow.Further uphill a group of cows is grazingleisurely, undisturbed by this human presence.

4 4EXT. LAKE - STREET ON TOP OF DAM - DUSK

ELIAS and ELODIE are walking along a road thatleads right by the water.

The clothes they are wearing have started to showtheir age: a frayed collar here, a loose buttonthere.

They are walking next to each other, close enoughthat their arms brush against each other every nowand then.


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(CONTINUED)

They take pleasure in listening to the clean soundof each other's footsteps resonating on the darkroad and automatically fall into step.

In the absence of any other sounds, the clickingrhythm of their footsteps is lulling them into astate of complete comfort and harmony with eachother.

ELODIE and ELIAS cross to the other side of thestreet. Here, there is no water to walk by, only ahuge wall with a steep drop.

TOP SHOT:

They are actually walking on top of a huge damwall, a man-made barrier for the lake they justswam in.

5 5EXT. HOME - BACK OF HOUSE - DUSK

ELODIE and ELIAS are walking through the woods. Thetrees shade the road from the sun, making for apleasant walk, especially with the wind rustling in

the leaves as it does now.

TRACK WITH ELODIE AND ELIAS:

As they head for a house that appears up ahead.

Hidden here in the woods, the large old house isisolated from the rest of the world. Inside, not asingle light is on.

They walk up to the back entrance. ELODIE opens theunlocked door and she and ELIAS slip inside, into

darkness.

6 6INT. HOME - FIRST FLOOR CORRIDOR - DUSK

Night has started to fall.

ELODIE and ELIAS walk down the dark corridor on thefirst floor.

ELODIE is carrying a gaslamp to light their way.She stops by the door to a room.


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CONTINUED:

We see the two of them silhouetted in theilluminated windows of their adjacent bedrooms.

They turn off their gaslamps almost simultaneously.

8 8EXT. ORCHARD - LATE AFTERNOON

A sunny day.

The camera tracks through the high grass of the

orchard, passing the majestic old apple treetrunks.

Amidst the sounds of grasshoppers, a ladder isleaning against a tree.

TILT UP TO REVEAL:

Balancing on a thick branch of that tree is ELODIE.She is picking fruits and putting them into a wovenbasket attached to a branch by a piece of string.

Behind ELODIE, up on the nearby tree, ELIAS isdoing the same.

CRANE UP TO ELODIE:

As she is looking for ripe fruits.

The sun is burning down on her and she wipes thesweat off her forehead.

In the out-of-focus background behind her ELIAS istaking a break. He's holding onto a thick branchwith one hand and eating an apple with the other.

He stands there looking at ELODIE.

Perhap s feeling his eyes on her, ELODIE turnsaround to find Elias watching her. She brushes a

strand of hair out of her face.

They stand there looking at each other, high abovethe ground. Each one on his own tree, the branchesreaching out towards one another, but too far awayto ever touch.

Below them the sound of grasshoppers rises in a

crescendo.


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6.

(CONTINUED)

9 9EXT. LAKE - ROCK UNDER BRIDGE - LATE AFTERNOON

ELODIE and ELIAS have gotten rid of their sweatyclothes and are striding over the rock . In one

fluid movement they dive off the rock into the coollake.

Side by side, they stretch out under the water andglide as far as they can without moving.

10 10EXT. LAKE - STREET ON TOP OF DAM - DUSK


As they are making their way home again across the

dam. Their hair is still damp from swimming in thelake.

Suddenly ELODIE grabs ELIAS' arm and makes himstop.

ELIAS also notices the pair of feet sticking outonto the road at the end of the dam. The rest ofthe body lies hidden behind a wall.

As they slowly step closer the body gradually comesinto view, lying motionless on the ground.

They step around him and look into the face of a

boy (GABRIEL) who is a bit older than they are. Hiseyes are shut and he is holding on to a knapsack.

ELODIE and ELIAS look at each other, unsure whetherhe is still alive.

GABRIEL's hair is messy and his clothes are dirty.He must have been on the road for some time.

ELIAS is the one to put his hand on GABRIEL's neck,feeling for a pulse.

He is still alive.

ELIAS touches a small dark wound in GABRIEL's

sleeve, at the height of his biceps. He feelssomething sticky and wet.

ELIAS shows ELODIE the blood on his fingers.


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(CONTINUED)

ELIAS immediately gets up and steps away fromGABRIEL.

ELIAS

That's from a gun.

He and ELODIE look at each other, afraid of whatthis means.

ELODIE eyes go down to GABRIEL whose breathing isvery shallow.

ELODIEWe can't just leave him here.

11 11INT. HOME - PARENTS' BEDROOM - NIGHT

ELODIE, carrying a bottle of disinfectant, entersthe bedroom, which is dominated by a large doublebed. She sits down on the bed where GABRIEL islying, still unconscious.

A gaslamp on the bedside table illuminates his paleface. His sleeve is turned up, exposing the woundon his arm.

ELODIE pours the disinfectant onto a shred of

linen. Before she dabs it onto the wound she looksacross the bed at ELIAS, who, as we only noticenow, has been sitting all this time in a couch bythe window.

Only when he leans forward does his face catch thelight from the gaslamp. ELIAS keeps a watchful eyeas ELODIE puts some disinfectant on GABRIEL'swound, making him stir and moan.

ELIAS steps towards the bed and grabs Gabriel's

knapsack . He starts going through it, alwayskeeping an eye on GABRIEL in case he wakes up.

ELODIE immediately notices when ELIAS findssomething disturbing in the knapsack.

He pulls out a gun.

ELIAS has never held a gun before. The cold metalfeels heavy in his hand.


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CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

They look at each other, not sure what to make ofthis.

GABRIEL stirs again.

An air of menace installs itself.

12 12INT. HOME - PARENTS' BEDROOM - DAWN

Outside, dawn is breaking.

GABRIEL stirs in his sleep as sunrays scratch hisface. He opens his eyes and finds an unknownceiling staring back at him. He looks around thisstrange room until he sees ELIAS and ELODIE who

have fallen asleep on the couch by the window.

Neither of them hear him sitting up.

GABRIEL discovers the bandage on his arm, thenlooks at them for a moment, sleeping peacefully,their faces bathed in the gentle morning light.

He stretches out his hand and touches ELIAS'sshoulder.

ELIAS winces, awaking ELODIE whose head is restingagainst his arm.

GABRIEL

Sorry.

Torn out of their sleep, ELIAS and ELODIE findthemselves face to face with GABRIEL.

GABRIEL (CONT'D)

Hi.

ELIAS and ELODIE sit up.

ELODIE & ELIASHi.

An awkward silence.

GABRIEL

What's your name?

ELODIE and ELIAS exchange a look.


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CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

ELODIEI'm Elodie.

ELIAS

Elias.

GABRIELI'm Gabriel.

GABRIEL runs his hand over his dressed wound.

GABRIEL (CONT'D)I'm glad you found me.

ELIASWhat happened?

GABRIELI *got shot at. By these two

*men I met up North.

*ELODIE

*Why did they want to shoot you?

*GABRIEL

*They wanted to keep me there. To

*work for them. I snuck away.

ELODIEDid they follow you?

GABRIEL(shakes his head)

I don't think so.

(beat)Do you live here?

ELIAS' and ELODIE's eyes meet briefly, checking

with each other whether they should reveal thatinformation.

ELODIEYes.

GABRIELBy yourselves?

ELIAS

Yes.

(beat)What are you doing here?


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CONTINUED: (2)

(CONTINUED)

GABRIELI came looking for family wehad there but... *I live in

*the South with my mother.

ELODIEHave you seen any people atall?

GABRIELExcept for those two guys, noone. You?

ELIASYou're the first one.

GABRIELYou haven't met anyone yet?

ELODIEWe haven't been looking.

GABRIELYou've been staying here allthis time?

ELIASYes.

GABRIELAre you two together?

ELODIE and ELIAS exchange a look.

ELIASWe're twins.

GABRIELSorry.

ELODIEPeople used to do that all

the time.(beat)

Do you want...

ELIAS and ELODIE glance at each other.

ELIAS...something to eat?


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CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

ELIASIs it... (that time of themonth again?)

ELODIEShould be.

ELIASYou're not late, are you?

ELODIEI don't think so.

(beat)

Don't worry.

The twins can hear steps approaching. They moveaway from each, their bubble of intimacy broken byGABRIEL bursting into the room.

GABRIELWhere's my gun?

The twins do not answer.

GABRIEL (CONT'D)Where is it?

ELIAS

We hid it.

GABRIELI want it back.

ELIASThere's no need for it here.

GABRIEL steps towards ELIAS. The two boys face eachother.

GABRIEL cannot use his injured arm, but he couldstill come to blows with ELIAS any minute.

ELODIE takes GABRIEL's healthy arm.

ELODIE

Gabriel?

GABRIEL looks at ELODIE.


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CONTINUED: (2)

(CONTINUED)

ELODIE (CONT'D)No one knows we're here.

(beat)You'll get it back.

GABRIEL accepts that.

14 14EXT. LAKE - LEDGE - DAY

ELIAS enters the frame and the camera follows himas he walks across the waist-high grass. He iscarrying a paper rubbish bag on his shoulder.

ELIAS discovers something in the out-of-focus

background.

PULL FOCUS TO REVEAL:

A pair of zebras are grazing there, far enough awaynot to feel threatened by the humans.

ELIAS turns towards GABRIEL who is following him.

ELIAS(whispers)

Have a look.

As the camera is moving slower than ELIAS, he getsahead of it, making room for GABRIEL to enters the

frame , also carrying a rubbish bag. He looks inamazement at the zebras.

GABRIELHow did they get here?

ELODIEThere was a zoo nearby.

By now the camera has caught up with ELODIE, who isthe last one in line. She enjoys the wonder andsurprise on Gabriel's face.

ELIASWe see them from time totime.

GABRIEL shakes his head in disbelief.


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CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

ELIAS is the first one to arrive at the ledge. Hethrows the bag over its edge, as does ELODIE.

From up here they have an amazing view overlooking

the lake.

Their lake.

GABRIEL has trouble handling the bag with his onegood hand, but he does manage.

The bag lands on a heap of decomposing rubbish bagsat the bottom of the ledge. The size of the heapgives us a hint at how long the twins have been by

themselves.

15 15EXT. LAKE - ROCK UNDER BRIDGE - LATE AFTERNOON

GABRIEL and ELODIE are sitting on the rock , theirfeet dangling above the water. They are fishing inthe lake. In the background the pillars of thebridge stand stoically as always.

There are three wooden fishing rods but no sign ofElias.

GABRIEL has trouble handling his fishing rod with

just one hand. ELODIE helps him.

ELODIEHow's your arm?

GABRIELIt's getting better.

ELODIEYour mother must be waitingfor you.

GABRIELAs soon as I'm well again I

should get going. She's thereall by herself.

ELODIEI miss my parents.

GABRIELAt least you still have Eli.


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15.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

ELODIEDid you have any brothers orsisters?

GABRIELA little brother.

That brings up memories.

Between the pillars of the bridge a rowing boatemerges with ELIAS at the oars. He is slowlyheading towards them.

GABRIEL (CONT'D)

I've never met twins before.

So who was born first?

ELODIEI was. But don't tell him Itold you that, okay?

GABRIELPromised.

They look at each other. When GABRIEL holds hisgaze ELODIE quickly lowers her eyes again.

She notices how quiet the nature around them is all

of a sudden and how loud her own presence feels incomparison to it.

It is almost as if all attention is focused on herat this particular moment in time, making her shiftuncomfortably.

GABRIEL (CONT'D)How old are you?

ELODIESixteen? Seventeen?

GABRIEL looks out at ELIAS who is steadily

approaching them with his boat. He is still too faraway to overhear their conversation.

GABRIELYou must be very close tohim.


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CONTINUED: (2)

(CONTINUED)

ELODIEYes.

16 16INT. HOME - ELODIE'S ROOM - NIGHT

TRACK IN TOWARDS ELODIE:

As she is lying in bed by herself. She cannot fallasleep.

17 17INT. HOME - ELODIE'S BEDROOM - DAWN

Outside the sun is about to rise. ELODIE's face isbathed in gentle early-morning light. She lying in

her bed, slowly waking up.

Suddenly she hears piano music floating into herroom, coming from downstairs.

ELODIE opens her sleepdrunk eyes and listens to themusic.

The piano intro turns into an old French song(L'Aigle Noir by Barbara) that she recognizesimmediately.

A smile appears on ELODIE's face.

*18 18EXT. HOME - *BALCONY - DAWN

Drawn by the music, ELODIE makes her way towardsthe *balcony.

She finds ELIAS in there, swaying his body to theslow rhythm of the vinyl record which is playing on

an old wind-up gramophone.

ELODIE watches her brother as he is completelyabsorbed by the music.

ELIAS finally turns around and notices his sister.His eyes light up and he holds out his hand,

inviting her to join him.

ELODIE hesitates, but when ELIAS waves her towardshim she gives in.


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(CONTINUED)

ELODIEI didn't know we still hadthat.

ELIASMe neither.

ELIAS gently takes her hand and they start dancingthe way they did when they kids, acting out thelyrics with ELODIE being the bird and ELIAS leadingher.

Their bodies are going back and forth, moving away

from each other and then coming back to oneanother, but always connected by their hands.

It is a very fluid and sensual dance.

ELIAS has ELODIE do a pirouette. He uses hertemporarily imbalance to pull her towards him andtakes her firmly in his arms.

ELODIEEli...

ELIAS

What?

ELODIEWhat if he sees us?

ELIAS(mumbles)

So what?

ELIAS continues dancing and ELODIE reluctantlygives in into his embrace. She puts her hands on

his shoulders.

ELIAS rests his head on her shoulder and closes hiseyes, smiling dreamily.

ELODIE thows a look towards the door, in caseGabriel shows up.

Just like all the other rooms, the library is veryspacious with high ceilings. The twins' house issimply too big for just two or even three people.


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CONTINUED: (2)

(CONTINUED)

Even while they are dancing like they are now, theyare still dwarfed by the empty space their presencedoes not manage to fill.

The house, like their world as a whole, is slowly

falling apart.

19 19EXT. VILLAGE - STREET - DAY

(The music continues playing over this scene)

TRACK WITH ELODIE, ELIAS and GABRIEL:

As they are walking through the village below the

dam.

The empty street which is littered with dead leavesand other debris that got blown there and neverpicked up. Weeds are sprouting through cracks inthe pavement. A flower or two have even managed topierce through the road's surface.

Nature is slowly taking over again.

The rumble of thunder can be heard.

ELODIE stops and holds up the palm of her hand.

It's starting to rain.

The three rush off.

20 20INT. EMPTY HOUSE - STAIRCASE - DAY

*Despite the daylight outside, an eternal twilight*reigns inside the dusty house - all the windows are*covered with thin white curtains that barely let

*any light in.

*ELODIE disappears up the stairs. She is completely*drenched, his wet hair sticking to his head.

*The rhythmic drumming of rain falling on the roof*fills the house.

*ELIAS crosses the corridor and disappears into a*room.

*GABRIEL appears on the bottom of the staircase as*well. He can hear Elodie upstairs.


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CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

*ELIAS (O.S.)*Here's salt!

*GABRIEL walks up the stairs.

*GABRIEL walks up the stairs, holding onto the*wooden banister.

Despite the daylight outside, an eternal twilightreigns inside the dusty house - all the windows arecovered with thin white curtains that barely letany light in *.

21 21INT. EMPTY HOUSE - OLD WOMAN'S BEDROOM - MOMENTSLATER

GABRIEL finds ELODIE in what must be the bedroom ofan elderly woman. The room is very tidy, if a bitstuffy. The big bed is covered with a decorativelinen sheet.

ELODIE is going through a heavy old wooden dressingtable. The diffused light from the curtains casts

her in an almost angelic glow. Her wet dress issticking to her body.

She notices GABRIEL in the mirror of the dressingtable. She turns around and shows him a pearlnecklace that she found.

ELODIEHave a look.

GABRIEL steps right next to ELODIE and takes thenecklace.

The pearls glimmer in the soft light. In the

background, next to the mirror, is the fadedphotograph of a young man in uniform.

ELODIE (CONT'D)These are real pearls.

GABRIEL is so close to ELODIE that he can smell thescent of her damp silky hair.


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CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

He leans in a bit and their naked arms brushagainst each other.

Both talk in really low voices that reinforce the

prickling intimacy between them.

GABRIELTake it.

ELODIEI don't know...

GABRIELIt'll look good on you.

ELODIE

When will I ever get anopportunity to wear them?

ELODIE and GABRIEL look at each other.

The attraction between them is clearly palpable bynow.

GABRIEL leans forward to kiss her, but just as hislips are about to touch ELODIE's, she moves herhead back.

GABRIEL can feel her breath on his face as shespeaks those disappointing words:

ELODIE (CONT'D)Please don't.

GABRIELWhy not?

ELODIE doesn't answer, but GABRIEL knows the reason

already.

GABRIEL (CONT'D)We don't have to tell him.

(beat)

Yet?

ELODIE shakes her head.

ELODIEIt's not right.

(beat)


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21.

CONTINUED: (2)ELODIE(CONT'D)

(CONTINUED)

Neither of us has ever beenwith someone else.

GABRIEL can't hide his disappointment and lowershis head.

ELODIE studies GABRIEL, drowning herself in thedetails of his face. His small earlobes, his longeyelashes, his thin nose, they all seem soinfinitely lovely to her.

If he looked up at her now, she would not be ableto resist anymore.

But he does not.

Instead GABRIEL turns around and slowly walks outof the room again, without looking back at her.

ELODIE is left by herself. The room suddenly feelsvery large without GABRIEL occupying the space nextto her.

The window ELODIE is standing by opens to the frontof the house and unseen to her, ELIAS brieflybecomes visible in the out-of-focus background

outside, as he makes his way towards the street.

The rain has stopped and he is carrying a basketwith things that he found in the house.

22 22INT. HOME - PARENTS' BEDROOM - NIGHT

TRACK IN TOWARDS GABRIEL:

As he is lying in bed by himself. He is running theday's events through his head and finds it

impossible to fall asleep.

23 23EXT. HOME - BALCONY - DAWN

The sun is about to rise.

TRACK WITH ELIAS:

As he crosses the dark corridor and heads towardsthe balcony . The day hasn't started yet and natureis still calm.


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CONTINUED: (2)

ELIAS(re:gun)

Don't worry.

GABRIELIt's my father's.(beat)

Have you ever thought ofgoing to look for otherpeople?

ELIAS shakes his head.

ELIASWe're happy here.

24 24EXT. HOME - GARDEN - WASHINGLINES - MORNING

ELIAS and GABRIEL are playing badminton in thegarden. One of the washing lines, from which theirlaundry are hanging, doubles as a makeshift net.

Unseen to them, ELODIE appears in the background.She is still wearing her nightgown and keeps behind

the laundry so that only her face is visible.

The boys are having fun, enjoying the physicaleffort in the sun.

ELODIE does not follow the game itself, but ratherher eyes go back and forth between her brother andGABRIEL.

GABRIEL does not get a clean hit on thefeatherball, making it spin off sharply.

ELIAS goes looking for the ball which landedsomewhere in the high grass.

GABRIEL takes this opportunity to catch his breath,

resting on his racquet. His wet T-shirt sticks tohis back. The bandage is still on his arm.

He notices ELODIE looking at him.

This time however she does not lower her eyes andholds GABRIEL's gaze.

ELIAS is still looking for the featherball.


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CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

25 25INT. HOME - FIRST FLOOR CORRIDOR - NIGHT

Night has fallen.

ELODIE, ELIAS and GABRIEL come walking down thecorridor. Both ELIAS and ELODIE are carryinggaslamps.

Elodie's room is up first and she stops by herdoor. ELIAS squeezes her hand.

ELIASNight.

ELODIE

Night.

GABRIELNight.

ELODIENight

ELODIE looks on as GABRIEL follows ELIAS down thecorridor. She lifts the gaslamp that she iscarrying to provide the boys with light.

ELIAS is the next one to get to the door to hisbedroom.

ELIAS(to GABRIEL)

See you tomorrow.

GABRIELBye.

ELIAS throws a last look at ELODIE beforedisappearing into his room and closing the doorbehind him.

But this time ELODIE stays in the corridor.

By now GABRIEL has come to the end of the corridor.

He stops by the door to his room, but does not openit yet.

He throws a look over his shoulder and finds ELODIE

still looking at him.


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CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

ELODIEGood. You?

ELIAS

Guess what! Lizzie gave offmilk again.

ELIAS picks up a glass jug filled with frothy milkfrom the table to show ELODIE.

ELIAS (CONT'D)Gabriel's still upstairs, buteh... I'm starving.

ELIAS points to the table.

ELODIESure.

ELODIE moves towards ELIAS who pulls out a chairfor her to sit down on.

ELODIE sits down and pulls the chair towards thetable.

ELIAS moves over to his side of the table. While hepasses behind ELODIE he gently runs his hand overher shoulderblades.

ELODIE starts pouring herself muesli when she

suddenly hears footsteps coming towards thegreenhouse.

Her heart skips a beat.

In the out-of-focus background behind her GABRIELappears.

ELIAS who is pouring the milk into glasses noticesGABRIEL.

GABRIELMorning.

ELIAS

Morning.

ELODIE can hear GABRIEL coming towards her and thetable, but she cannot see him because he is still

behind her.


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CONTINUED: (2)

(CONTINUED)

Only when he sits down on his side of the table sothat he faces both ELODIE and ELIAS does he appearin her field of view.

GABRIEL(to ELODIE)Hey.

ELODIEHey.

ELIAS finishes the jug of milk. One of the threeglasses is only half full.

He slides the two full ones towards ELODIE and

GABRIEL and gets up.

ELIASI'll get some more.

ELIAS walks past ELODIE and GABRIEL and slips outof the greenhouse.

ELODIE and GABRIEL are by themselves.

They can hear ELIAS outside, rummaging about.

29 29EXT. VILLAGE - CANAL - DAY

The water of the canal is very clear and one can

see the weeds growing at the bottom floating in agentle, but steady stream.

TRACK ALONG THE CANAL UNTIL:

The reflections of three people appear on thesurface of the water. One of the figures leans

forward and a metal bucket gets dunked into thecanal.

TILT UP TO REVEAL:

ELIAS who pulls out the bucket that is filled tothe brink with water now.

ELODIE and GABRIEL look on as he attaches thebucket to the end of a broomstick. On the other endis a same-size bucket.


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CONTINUED:

The three teenagers have been replenishing theirwater reserves. Each one lifts such a broomstickwith two heavy buckets onto their shoulders andthey start walking along the canal.

ELIAS takes the lead and GABRIEL follows him,walking past ELODIE who steps aside and consciouslyavoids looking at him.

ELODIE falls in line behind GABRIEL and findsherself looking at the backs of the two boyswalking ahead of her.

ELIAS leads them over the water to the other sideof the canal.

ELODIE is the last one to make the small jump overthe water.

GABRIEL throws a look over his shoulder.

The buckets are heavy and ELODIE is struggling withtheir weight. She looks up. Her and GABRIEL's eyesbriefly meet.

He wants to make sure that she is okay.

She is.

TRACK WITH ELODIE:

As she follows ELIAS and GABRIEL.

Every now and then she looks up at GABRIEL andELIAS who are walking ahead of her, the bucketsswinging back and forth.

30 30INT. HOME - ELODIE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Night has fallen.

ELODIE is lighting a pair of candles. Theirflickering light caresses her face.

The sound of the door opening makes her stop.

ELODIE turns around and faces GABRIEL.


29/74

29.

(CONTINUED)

31 31EXT. MEADOW - DAY

The sun has bleached the grass that ELIAS leadsGABRIEL through.

In the background a bunch of cows that are grazingpeacefully.

GABRIEL is carrying his gun. The boys stop by anold metal watertank trailer.

ELIASLet me do it.

GABRIEL hands ELIAS his gun.

ELIAS raises his arm and slowly takes aim. He pulls

the trigger.

Nothing happens.

ELIAS does not know what the matter is, but GABRIELdoes. He unhooks the safety for him.

ELIAS takes aim again.

A shot rings out, followed by a crashing thud in

the grass.

32 32EXT. HOME - GARDEN - DAY

WIDE SHOT OF THE GARDEN:

ELODIE, who has been picking vegetables that the

twins are growing, looks up.

She heard the shot.

33 33EXT. MEADOW - DAY

ELIAS looks on in horror at what he's done whileGABRIEL steps past him towards the cow that liesdying in the grass.

Blood is squirting out from its shredded neck tothe beat of its heart.

GABRIELFinish her off.


30/74

30.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

But ELIAS just bends over and throws up.

GABRIEL puts a hand on ELIAS' shoulder.

GABRIEL (CONT'D)You okay?

ELIAS shakes his head.

ELIASYou do it.

GABRIEL drops some folded sheet of linen that he'sbeen carrying and takes the gun away from ELIAS. Hesteps towards the cow.

ELIAS looks away while another shot rings out.

GABRIEL comes back to him. He lays down the gun andunfolds the linen, revealing a large hunting knife.

ELIAS (CONT'D)Please don't tell her.

GABRIEL takes the knife and heads back to the deadcow.

ELIAS still does not watch.

34 34EXT. HOME - GARDEN - AFTERNOON

TRACK WITH ELIAS AND GABRIEL:

As they are walking through the garden towards the

house.

They have slung the bedsheets containing the meat

of the cow over their shoulders. The linen isstained with blood.

ELODIE gets up as she sees the boys coming.

Although ELIAS is leading the way, GABRIEL iscarrying the gun with his bloody hands.

Her and GABRIEL's eyes meet as he hands her thegun. When she grabs it she can feel the cow's wetblood on its handle.


31/74

31.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

ELODIE notices that her brother has walked offtowards the house.

35 35EXT. HOME - GARAGE - AFTERNOON

ELIAS leads GABRIEL across the garden towards themakeshift garage, in fact a roof supported by fourtreetrunks open on all four sides.

They pull the cover off the car.

ELIASYou can take it if you want.

GABRIEL eyes the old, beat-up car.

GABRIELWhen was the last time youdrove that?

Unseen by the boys, ELODIE appears in thebackground. She is too far away to hear what theyare talking about, but she observes what they areup to.

ELIASThat must have been our

parents.

GABRIEL runs the tip of his finger over the hood ofthe car and looks at it: dust is sticking to it.

GABRIELThen there's no point.

ELIASWhy?

GABRIEL finally notices ELODIE watching them fromafar.

ELIAS, who has his back turned to her, does not

know she is there.

GABRIEL's attention is divided between ELIAS andELODIE, whose presence he does not want to giveaway and to whom he knows this must look like he isplanning to leave.


32/74

32.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

GABRIELIf you don't use batteriesthey break down. And youcannot fix them.

GABRIEL sees ELODIE disappearing into the house. Hewants to follow her, but is stuck with ELIAS.

ELIASIt might still work.

GABRIEL(points at the car)

Just try for yourself.

ELIASIf you'd rather walk that'sfine by me.

36 36INT. HOME - DINING ROOM - AFTERNOON

GABRIEL enters the house and crosses the corridortowards the dining room. He looks around forElodie...

37 37INT. HOME - STUDY - CONTINUOUS

...and finds her in the study.

GABRIELHey.

ELODIE has her back to him and does not turn aroundto face him.

ELODIEAre you planing to leavealready?

GABRIEL

That was Eli's idea.

They both notice ELIAS walking past the window.

GABRIEL (CONT'D)Would you rather I stayed abit longer?


33/74

33.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

ELODIE turns around to face GABRIEL.

GABRIEL (CONT'D)What about him?

ELODIE does not answer.

GABRIEL (CONT'D)I don't like hiding this fromhim.

ELODIEDo you think I do?

GABRIEL throws another look out of the window.

*ELIAS crosses in fromt of the window again.

He gently takes ELODIE's hand in his. She looks athim, but still does not say anything more on thesubject.

GABRIELI won't be able to stayforever.


ELIAS comes out of his room. He is already wearinghis pajamas. He crosses the dark corridor and heads

for his sister's room where a light is still on.

ELIAS enters without knocking...

39 39INT. HOME - ELODIE'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

...and finds his sister lying on her bed.

ELODIE has been expecting Gabriel and gets upbefore she realizes it's her brother.

ELIAS closes the door and sits down next to her onthe bed.

ELODIEWhat's the matter?

ELODIE expects Gabriel to walk through the door anyminute now.


34/74

34.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

ELIASWhy doesn't he want to leaveanymore?

ELODIEIt's his arm.

ELIASIt's been a while already.

ELODIEWhat's wrong with that?

ELIAS

I've been missing you.

ELODIEEli...

ELIASCan I stay a bit?


ELIAS wants to know why not.

ELODIE gently brushes his cheek.

ELIAS gets up and turns around to walk out of theroom.

ELODIE

Night Eli.

ELIASNight

ELIAS exits the room.

ELODIE is finally alone again.

40 40EXT. WOODS - DAY

TRACK WITH ELODIE FROM BEHIND:

As she is walking through the woods with GABRIELand ELIAS. The boys are picking berries and puttingthem into a woven basket ELODIE is carrying.

We enter mid-scene:


35/74

35.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

ELIASHow long is it going to takeif you walk?

GABRIELProbably about three fourweeks.

ELODIE keeps out of the conversation, but shecannot avoid the telling looks that the boys throwin her direction every now and then as they putberries in her basket.

The whole conversation between GABRIEL and ELIASevolves into a kind of back and forth dance of

which Elodie is the unspoken centre of attentionELODIE.

ELIASAnd there aren't any carsthat... don't need batteriesto start or something?

GABRIEL

I suppose some really oldones maybe.

ELIASLike how old?

GABRIELI don't know. From the war...Some military jeeps might bebuild that way. In case theyran out of batteries in the

field, they could still startthem again.

ELIASThere's a military basenearby, I'll take you there.

GABRIELSure.

41 41INT. HOME - GEENHOUSE - DAY

It is raining. Water is running down the glass

panes of the greenhouse, blurring the outside.


36/74

36.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

ELODIE is taking off the dressing of GABRIEL'swound.

They profit from Elias' absence as ELODIE gently

strokes his naked back from time to time whileGABRIEL puts his hand under her dress, caressingher.

We enter mid-scene:

ELODIEHow long were you there for?

GABRIEL

Two weeks.

ELODIEThat's a long time for a kid.

GABRIELHave you ever been?

ELODIEOnce.

GABRIELIt was great, wasn't it?

ELODIEI only stayed for a day.

GABRIELHow come?

ELODIE has taken off all the bandage and looks atthe wound.

ELODIE

I was supposed to go with Elione summer, when we wereeight, but then he broke hisleg. My mother insisted that

I go by myself. I'd neverbeen apart from him, I wascrying all the time. So theysent me home again after thefirst day.

GABRIELReally?


37/74

37.

CONTINUED: (2)

(CONTINUED)

ELODIEYeah.

ELODIE takes a new bandage and starts dressing the

wound again. GABRIEL makes her stop.

She looks at him.

GABRIELI'll do it if you don't wantto.


ELODIEThat'll only make it worse.

GABRIELHe's a nice guy.

GABRIEL's hand slips further under ELODIE's dress,caressing her. She is getting more and more excitedby his touch.

GABRIEL (CONT'D)I really love you.

ELODIEAlright. But let me do it.

GABRIEL gives her a long kiss.

GABRIELThanks.

ELODIE rolls up the unused bandage again.

42 42EXT. HOME - GARDEN - WASHINGLINES - DAY

There are several parallel washing lines runningthrough the garden. They are covered with clothesand bedsheets, slowly swaying in the wind.

GABRIEL picks off one of Elodie's blouses. Hegently folds it, stroking the creases out of the

silk, and puts it into a woven basket.


38/74

38.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

Next up is one of Elodie's printed summer dresses.When GABRIEL takes it down, he catches a glimpse ofELODIE and ELIAS through the swaying layers oflinen.

They are talking to each other in a corner of thegarden.

GABRIEL pauses.

He is too far away to overhear what they are sayingas the wind rustling through the clothes coverstheir already faint voices.

He puts the dress into its basket and takes down a

pair of trousers.

GABRIEL briefly spots the twins again. ELIAS turnsaround in his direction before disappearing behinda bedsheet again.

When he reappears a moment later, ELIAS is headingunmistakably towards GABRIEL while ELODIE isfollowing him a couple of steps back.

The fragmented glimpses that GABRIEL gets of them

are too short to make out their facial expression.He does not know what to expect.

GABRIEL continues sorting their washed clothes whensuddenly ELIAS appears in front of him.

ELIASLet's go fishing.

GABRIELI'll finish this first.

ELIAS notices that GABRIEL is not wearing thebandage on his arm anymore. He heads for the house.

ELODIE has appeared from behind a white bedsheet.

ELODIE(re: the washedclothes)

Thanks.

GABRIEL looks at her.


39/74

39.

CONTINUED: (2)

(CONTINUED)

ELODIE hasn't dared to tell Elias yet.

43 43INT. HOME - LIBRARY - NIGHT

ELODIE and GABRIEL are sitting on the couch,leafing through an old picture album. In thefireplace a couple of locks are crackling, castinga soft glow on its the thick pages.

From time to time ELODIE points out one of thephotographs.

ELODIE

That's them on their wedding

day.

ELODIE turns a page.

GABRIELOh is that you?

ELODIEYeah.

GABRIEL sighs.

Unseen to them ELIAS shows up. He watches them fora beat, before revealing his presence:

ELIAS

What are you two doing?

GABRIEL straightens up.

ELODIEI found some old photographs.

ELIASOh let me see.

ELODIE hands ELIAS the album. He sinks into in thearmchair opposite them and leafs through the thickpages.

ELODIE and GABRIEL exchange a look. They should use

this opportunity.


40/74

40.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

GABRIELI'll eh... I'll go get myselfsome water. Does anyone wantsome?


ELIASI'm fine thanks.

GABRIEL gets up and disappears into the kitchen.

ELODIE looks at ELIAS.

A smile appears on her twin's face because of allthe memories that the photographs evoke.

She knows she should bring it up now, but beforeshe can gather her courage, ELIAS looks up at her.

ELIAS (CONT'D)(whispers)

Does he have a crush on you?

ELODIE nods.

ELIAS (CONT'D)

Poor him. He's such a niceguy.

ELODIE

Yeah.

ELODIE hesitates. She just doesn't dare to bring itup now.

ELIAS becomes engrossed by the picture album again.

ELODIE let this opportunity slip away. Shebrusquely gets up and walks off.

ELIAS watches his sister disappear up the stairs.

A sneaking suspicion suddenly creeps up on him.

Could it be?

ELIAS dismisses the thought again, but the seed ofdoubt has been planted.


41/74

41.

CONTINUED: (2)

(CONTINUED)

GABRIEL appears again from the kitchen. To hissurprise Elodie is gone. Did she tell Elias?

ELIAS notices GABRIEL.

GABRIEL(beat)

Where did your sister go?

ELIASUpstairs.

GABRIEL hesitates, then returns back into thekitchen.

ELIAS is left alone, confused as to what is going

on here.

44 44INT. HOME - ELIAS' BEDROOM - NIGHT

TRACK IN TOWARDS ELIAS:

As he is lying in bed at night and cannot fallasleep.


The door to Elias' room opens and he steps into thedark corridor.

He silently walks up to Elodie's room where a faintlight is leaking out from under the crack of thedoor.


ELODIE and GABRIEL are sitting opposite each otheron the bed.

GABRIEL is already naked. He is in the process ofsliding the straps of the nightgown off ELODIE'sshoulders, exposing her smooth back and small

shoulderblades, when she suddenly covers his mouthwith her delicate hand.

ELODIE can feel Elias outside.


42/74

42.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

GABRIEL immediately realizes what the matter is andholds his breath too.

46A 46AEXT. HOME - DAWN

A new day is starting.

47 47INT. HOME - FIRST FLOOR CORRIDOR - MORNING

ELIAS comes out of his bedroom. He walks down thecorridor. When he passes the door to his sister'sroom, he cannot help but glance at it.

48 48INT. HOME - CORRIDOR & DINING ROOM - MORNING

ELIAS steps into the downstairs corridor. When hehears that someone is in the dining room already hebriefly hesitates.

TRACK WITH ELIAS:

As he heads towards the dining room anyway,uncertain of what will happen.

There he finds ELODIE watering the flowers by thelarge window.

ELIAS steps into the dining room. The squeaking

wooden floor announces his appearance.

ELODIE tenses up. Although she has her back to thedoor, she knows it's her brother.

ELIAS doesn't do anything, he just stands therelooking at her.

ELODIE sets down the watering can. She can feel herbrother's accusatory eyes piercing into her back.

The silence in the room is deafening.

Finally ELODIE finds the courage to turn around andface her brother. But she does not look at him.

ELIAS still does not say anything.

In the kitchen they can hear Gabriel rummagingabout.


43/74

43.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

ELODIE looks out for him.

That's the last straw. ELIAS spins around andrushes off.

ELODIEEli wait!

ELODIE runs after him.

When GABRIEL steps into the empty room, carryinganother watering can, the twins are already gone.

49 49INT. HOME - ELIAS' BEDROOM - MORNING

Footsteps approach from the outside and stop in

front of the door to Elias' room.

The handle gets pulled down, but the door islocked.

ELODIE (O.S.)Eli?

ELIAS (O.S.)Leave me alone.

The camera pans across the dark room, past the oldbed and shut curtains on to ELIAS who is in the farend of the room, facing away from the door.

ELODIEEli, let me in.

ELIAS(shouts)

Go away!

ELIAS retreats behind the bunk bed.

We can hear him crying.


ELODIE stands by the door to Elias' room, stillholding onto the handle. She can hear her brother

crying inside.


44/74

44.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

In the out-of-focus background behind her GABRIELappears on the top of the stairs. He overheard thewhole racket.

ELODIE sees him. She lets go of the handle andheads towards him.

He takes her into his arms and she starts cryingalso, her arms hanging limply down her body.

GABRIEL whispers soft words of consolation intoELODIE's ear, but they don't do any good.

51 51INT. HOME - FIRST FLOOR CORRIDOR - DUSK

Night is falling.

ELODIE comes up into the corridor, carrying a traywith a plate of steaming soup. She stops in frontof Elias' door and knocks.

ELODIEI made you some soup.

No answer.

ELODIE (CONT'D)I'm leaving it outside.

ELODIE sets down the tray in front of Elias' door.

She wants to say something more, remind him to eat,but then changes her mind.


ELODIE is in her bedroom, getting ready for bed.

The doorhandle is slowly pulled down.

ELODIE watches as GABRIEL comes in and gentlycloses the door.

All this sneaking around behind Elias' back.

GABRIELHe didn't touch it.

ELODIEI know.


45/74

45.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

ELODIE watches GABRIEL slip into her freshly-madebed. She wonders whether he is really worth losingher brother for.

GABRIELHe'll get over it.

But ELODIE shakes her head.

She lies down next to GABRIEL. He takes her intohis arms.

TRACK IN TOWARDS ELODIE:

She might find herself in GABRIEL's embrace but hermind is with her twin.


TRACK TO REVEAL:

ELIAS is sitting in the darkness of his room. Thewind ruffles the curtains and the crickets aregreeting the falling night.

He is feeling utterly alone.

54 54INT./EXT. HOME - LIBRARY & BACK OF HOUSE - DAWN

TRACK WITH ELIAS:

As he is walking through the dark library towards

the bay windows. He opens them and exits the twins'house.

Outside dawn is breaking.

It is cold and humid, summer has definitely turnedinto autumn by now. A thin layer of fog covers theground.

ELIAS walks away into the forest.

55 55INT. HOME - LIBRARY - DAY

Outside the sun is rising.


46/74

46.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

ELODIE puts the needle into the grooves of arecord. The twins' French song starts playing.

ELODIE turns up the volume. She is hoping that the

music will reach Elias upstairs.

GABRIEL watches.

56 56EXT. WINDMILL FARM - DAY

(The music continues playing over the followingscene.)

ELIAS is walking aimlessly. He hasn't slept allnight.

He crosses a field from whose ground mist isrising, enveloping his feet.

In the background half a dozen of windmills arelining the horizon. The blades of all but one arestill turning.

Remnants of a time past.

57 57EXT. HOME - BACK OF HOUSE - DUSK

ELODIE is sitting outside.

Waiting.

The music is still playing in her head while night

falls around her.

GABRIEL comes out of the house and stops behindher.

ELODIE looks up at him.

GABRIELWhy don't you come inside?


GABRIEL (CONT'D)He's only doing this to getback at you.

GABRIEL runs his hand through ELODIE's hair.


47/74

47.

CONTINUED:

GABRIEL (CONT'D)(whispers in her ear)

He'll be fine.

GABRIEL starts kissing ELODIE's neck. She closesher eyes. She cannot help but enjoy his caresses.

58 58INT. HOME - LIBRARY - EARLY MORNING

The library is seemingly empty.

The bay windows open and ELIAS enters.

He is back.

He crosses the library.

As soon as he passes the couch, he stops abruptly.

ELODIE's head pops up from the couch, followed byGABRIEL's. They must have fallen asleep there afterhaving made love.

ELODIE grabs a pillow to cover herself.

ELIAS hurries past them.

GABRIEL puts his hand on ELODIE's arm.

ELODIE listens to her twin brother's footsteps ashe heads up the stairs, crosses the creaking firstfloor corridor and disappears into his room. Thebedroom door falls shut.

ELODIE hesitates.

GABRIEL takes his hand away from her again. He

knows what is coming now.

ELODIE knows how much she is upsetting GABRIEL withher behavior. But the desire to go see her brotheris stronger.

She quickly slips into her dress and turns toGABRIEL as if to apologize. Then she follows herbrother, leaving GABRIEL alone on the couch.


48/74

48.

(CONTINUED)

59 59INT. HOME - FIRST FLOOR CORRIDOR - EARLY MORNING

ELODIE walks through the dark corridor and stops bythe door to Elias' room. She knocks gently.

No answer.

She opens the door anyway and...

60 60INT. HOME - ELIAS' BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

...finds ELIAS getting ready for bed.

ELODIE steps into the room.

ELODIE

Where were you?

ELIAS doesn't answer.

ELODIE (CONT'D)I'm sorry Eli. I really am.

ELIASYou're sleeping with him.

ELODIEEli, we knew this mighthappen one day.

ELIAS

You kept it from me.

ELODIEDid you really think it wasjust going to be you and meforever?

ELIAS did.

ELODIE doesn't know what to say.

61 61INT./EXT. HOME - LIBRARY - EARLY MORNING

TRACK WITH ELODIE:

As she comes back into the library.

But Gabriel is not there anymore.


49/74

49.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

ELODIEGabriel?

GABRIEL (O.S.)

I'm here.

ELODIE heads for the open baywindows. She findsGABRIEL outside, leaning against the wall.

IMPROV.

62 62OMITTED


ELIAS is standing by the window, looking out intothe night.

There is a knock on the door.

ELIAS turns around.

ELODIE appears.

ELODIE

Hey.

ELIASHey.

ELODIEWhy don't you come

downstairs?

When ELIAS doesn't answer straight away:

ELODIE (CONT'D)I'm cooking.

(beat)It's something you like.

64 64INT. HOME - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

GABRIEL is lighting candles on the dining table,set for two, when ELIAS comes in.

GABRIELHey.


50/74

50.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

ELIASHey.

This is the first time the two boys are by

themselves since Elias found out about Gabriel andhis sister.

ELIAS sits down at the table.

GABRIEL grabs an extra plate and cutlery and placesthem in front of ELIAS who does not say anything.

GABRIEL looks into kitchen where they can hearElodie cooking, but then decides to sit down at the

table with ELIAS.

No one takes the first step, until finally:

GABRIELI'm sorry Eli.

ELIASThat's alright.

GABRIELI hope we're still friends.

GABRIEL waits for ELIAS to answer, but he justplays with his knife.

An awkward silence descends on the room.

GABRIEL gets up and disappears into the kitchen tosee how Elodie is doing.

ELIAS is by himself again. He can hear themwhispering in the kitchen.

ELIAS gets up and heads back into his room.

65 65INT. HOME - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

GABRIEL and ELODIE finish their diner. Elias'cutlery and plate lie untouched on the table.

GABRIELThat was delicious.

ELODIE knows he's being kind to her on purpose. Shegets up to clean the table.


51/74

51.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

GABRIEL (CONT'D)Let me do that.

He starts collecting their plates, cutlery and

glasses.

ELODIE takes her brother's unused utensils and putsthem back into the drawer where Gabriel took themfrom.

66 66EXT. WOODS - STREAM - MORNING

ELIAS washes himself by a small stream that flows

towards the village where it joins the canal. The

water is cold and the wind is blowing, giving himgoosebumps.

ELIAS looks up at the field he is facing. The windblows rippling waves through it.

The sound is very comforting.


ELIAS walks through the dark corridor, carrying awet towel.

As he walks past the door to Elodie's room, he can

hear somebody moaning.

ELIAS freezes, uncertain of what he just heard. Butthere it is again, unmistakably Elodie, moaningwith pleasure.

ELIAS finds that impossible to take. He turnsaround and hurries back downstairs.

68 68OMITTED

69 69INT. HOME - ELODIE'S BEDROOM - MORNING

ELODIE and GABRIEL lie next to each other on thebed, bathing in the afterglow.


52/74

52.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

The booming sunlight gets diffused by the curtainsthat are drawn shut, picking up the glisteningsweat on their bodies.

ELODIE cuddles up to GABRIEL and catches herbreath.

GABRIELCan I ask you something?

ELODIESure.

GABRIEL

You said you'd never been

with anyone.

ELODIEYes?

GABRIELBut you have.

ELODIE turns her head away from GABRIEL.

Her silence is telling.

ELODIEOnly once.

GABRIEL sits up.

70 70EXT. VILLAGE - PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL - DAY

TRACK WITH GABRIEL:

As he is walking by himself through a meadow

littered with metal deckchairs, their white colorflaking.

GABRIEL is thinking of what Elodie just told him.

In the absence of any other sounds, his presence(footsteps in the grass, clothes rustling,breathing) is very strong, almost overwhelmingly

so.

Pain turned into sound.


53/74

53.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

He passes the swimming pool where only the deep endis still filled with water. But it is dirty andbrackish, its surface sprinkled with rottingleaves.

A lone sunchair has landed in there as well and isnow quietly rusting away.

71 71EXT. VILLAGE - STREET - CONTINUOUS

GABRIEL comes out of the public swimming pool andsteps onto the road.

He does not see ELIAS who is also in the street,

walking in the same direction as he, but still somedistance behind him.

ELIAS stops, surprised by GABRIEL's suddenappearance.

GABRIEL starts walking away from ELIAS withoutnoticing him.

After a while ELIAS starts following him.

GABRIEL is oblivious that ELIAS is behind him andkeeps on walking, lost in his thoughts.

ELIAS is keeping his distance and synching his

steps to GABRIEL's so that they make but one sound.

This goes on for quite a while until GABRIEL stopssuddenly.

ELIAS also stops.

GABRIEL listens up. As does ELIAS.

They both can make out the faint sound of a carengine. But it is very far away.

GABRIEL slowly turns his head around, following thepath of the car. He finally discovers ELIAS who hasno possibility to hide.

The two boys stand there, alone in the middle ofthe street, looking at each other.

A stand-off.


54/74

54.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

GABRIEL starts heading towards ELIAS.

ELIAS does not know what to expect and braceshimself for a fight.

GABRIEL stops right in front of him.

GABRIELWhere's that military base?

72 72EXT. MILITARY BASE - DAY

ELIAS leads GABRIEL to the part of the militarybase where the vehicles are parked.

GABRIEL starts looking around. He walks past the

vehicles that are covered with leaves and otherdebris, quietly rusting away.

ELIAS follows him.

GABRIEL eyes the jeeps and finally stops in frontof a very old one with flat tires.

*He reaches through the open window and feels the*inside of the door. He pulls out a crank to start*the jeep.

ELIASWill this one work?

GABRIELIt'll take some time to fixit, but yeah.

ELIASI'm not coming with. And

neither is she.

GABRIELShe loves me.

ELIASNot like she loves me.

GABRIELThat's why she'll come.


55/74

55.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

ELIASIf you take her away from meyou won't live to regret it.

GABRIELAnd how are you going to dothat?

ELIASI'll find a way.

The lines between the two boys are drawn.


ELODIE is sitting in the library, reading her book.

She hears the front door open and someone walk intothe dining room.

Who is it?

74 74INT. HOME - DINING ROOM & STUDY - MOMENTS LATER

TRACK WITH ELODIE:

As she finds ELIAS in the study, pouring himselfsome water.

ELODIE

Hey.

ELIASHey.

ELODIE

Have you seen Gabriel?

ELIASHe asked me to take him tothe military base.

ELODIEOh...

ELIAS

He knows, doesn't he?


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CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

ELODIE doesn't answer, but her silence speaks foritself.

ELIAS (CONT'D)

There is a jeep he can fix.

ELODIE realises the implications of this.

ELIAS (CONT'D)Please don't leave me.

75 75INT. HOME - GREENHOUSE - MORNING

ELODIE pours GABRIEL and herself milk into a glass.

GABRIEL covers his mouth with his hand as he yawns.

ELODIEDidn't you sleep well?

GABRIEL shakes his head.

ELODIE (CONT'D)Me neither.

GABRIEL

I found a jeep.

ELODIEEli said.

ELIAS comes in as well and joins them on the table.

ELIAS

Hi.

ELODIE

Hi.

Still no love is lost between the two boys, theyignore each other.

ELIAS helps himself to some muesli. ELODIE pourshim fresh milk.

That gesture does not escape GABRIEL.

ELIAS

Thanks.


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57.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

ELODIEThis is the last one.

ELIAS eyes GABRIEL.

ELIASHow long is that jeep goingto take?

GABRIEL looks up at ELIAS.

GABRIELAbout a week.

GABRIEL eyes ELODIE who keeps out of theconversation.

GABRIEL (CONT'D)I could do with some help.

ELODIE looks up at GABRIEL, but she refuses to takesides.

GABRIEL looks down at his bowl again. ELIAS alsocarries on eating.

The clicking of the spoons in the bowls is the only

sound left.

76 76EXT. WINDMILL FARM - DAY

ELODIE is walking through the windmill farm. She isin need of some time for herself.

She is dwarfed by the half a dozen or so windmillsthat line the horizon. Their blades whirring in anethereal chorus.

A requiem for a time lost forever.

77 77EXT. MILITARY BASE - DAY

ELODIE and GABRIEL are sitting on the jeep that heis fixing. It looks in much better shape already.

Gabriel is in the process of changing the tires.

GABRIEL is rubbing his hands with a towel, trying

to get the oil off.


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CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

ELODIEDon't worry.

ELODIE opens a box with berries that she brought

and starts feeding GABRIEL.

She looks at him as he starts chewing.

GABRIELThanks.

ELODIE wipes some juice off his chin.

GABRIEL (CONT'D)I don't care what happened(between you two).

ELODIEHe's my twin, Gabriel, Ican't leave him behind.

GABRIELI have to get back to mymother.

ELODIE holds another berry in front of GABRIEL'smouth, but he does not take it.

GABRIEL (CONT'D)I really love you.

ELODIE lowers the berry again and nods. But shecannot commit to anything yet.

78 78INT. HOME - PARENTS' BEDROOM - DAY

ELODIE is looking at herself in the ornate mirror

by the wardrobe. She is wearing a dress. She takesit off again and puts it back into the wardrobe.She picks another and puts that one on.

It is only now that she notices ELIAS, observing

her from the doorframe.

ELODIE looks at herself in the mirror again.

ELODIEWhat do you think?

ELIAS steps behind her.


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CONTINUED:

ELIASYou're almost as tall as shewas.

ELODIEThey still smell of her.

ELIAS smells the dress. He closes his eyes andtakes in their mother's scent. When he opens themagain there are tears in them.

ELODIE brushes her brother's cheek.

ELODIE (CONT'D)

Eli...

The twins look at each other in the mirror.

ELODIE (CONT'D)We can always come back here.

ELIASDo you still love me?

ELODIEI'll always love you.

79 79OMITTED

80 80EXT. HOME - GARDEN - DAY

TRACK IN TOWARDS ELIAS:

As he is working in the garden. He suddenly listensup.

He can hear the faint sound of an engine. It soongrows louder, coming towards the house.

ELIAS turns around.

This is the moment he's been dreading all thistime.


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60.

80A 80AINT. HOME - DINING ROOM & STUDY - SIMULTANEOUSLY

ELODIE steps out of the study into the dining room.She has also heard the jeep which stops right

outside the window.

She can hear Gabriel switch it off and head towardsthe house. He is coming in to talk to her.

81 81EXT. HOME - GARDEN & BALCONY - DAY

WIDE SHOT OF THE GARDEN:

ELODIE is walking up to ELIAS who has resumedworking.

GABRIEL is watching them inconspicuously from thebalcony. From here ELIAS is partially hidden fromhis view.

ELIAS gets up and brushes the dirt off histrousers.

Both seem unaware of GABRIEL's presence.

GABRIEL can see that ELODIE has brought up the

subject of leaving because ELIAS posture changesabruptly and becomes very defensive.

But ELODIE is talking insistently to her brother

and after a while he seems to give in.

ELODIE takes his hand into hers, making ELIAS raisehis head again so that they can look at each other.

He finally agrees with a nod.

ELODIE lets go of ELIAS again and makes her wayback to the house as GABRIEL watches.

As she comes closer to the house, ELODIE looks upand notices GABRIEL watching.

She stops.

They stand there looking at each other.


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61.

82 82INT. HOME - PARENTS' BEDROOM - DAY

ELODIE is in her parents' bedroom again. She takessome of her mother's dresses and puts them into her

suitcase.

She catches a glimpse of herself in the mirror andlooks at her figure.

ELODIE lifts her dress to expose her belly. Shetouches it and looks at it in profile.

Is it looking bigger?

Footsteps coming down the corridor.

ELODIE drops her dress into place again as GABRIEL

comes into the room.

GABRIELAre you ready?

ELODIEYes.

GABRIEL closes her suitcase and picks it up.

ELODIE follows him into the corridor. She throws alast look at her parents' room.


GABRIEL and ELODIE are walking past the library

when she catches sight of something in there.

ELODIE steps into the library where all thefurniture has been covered with white bedsheets.

ELIAS is sitting with his back to her on the couch.The bedsheet that covers it still has the faintstain from the cow's blood on it.

ELIAS looks up as ELODIE stops in front of him.

GABRIEL appears in the doorframe and observes thetwins as ELODIE helps ELIAS to tear himself awayfrom the house that they've spent all their lives

in.


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62.

(CONTINUED)

84 84INT. JEEP DRIVING (FOREST) - AFTERNOON

GABRIEL is driving the jeep through the forest.ELODIE is sitting next to him, while ELIAS has the

backseat all to himself.

GABRIEL puts his hand on ELODIE's which ELIAS doesnot fail to notice.

ELODIEHow long is it going to take?

GABRIELTomorrow. Or the day after at

the latest.

ELODIE looks out of the sidewindow.

GABRIEL throws a look at ELIAS through the rearviewmirror. Their eyes meet.

There is an uneasy tension in the car.

84A 84AEXT. JEEP DRIVING (COUNTRYSIDE) - DAY

They are driving through the empty countryside.

84B 84BEXT. JEEP DRIVING (COUNTRYSIDE) - DAY

They pass fields where the decomposing remnants of

big round straw bails are still drying in the sun.

84C 84CEXT. JEEP DRIVING (COUNTRYSIDE) - DAY

A tractor rusting by the road.

84D 84DEXT. JEEP DRIVING (COUNTRYSIDE) - DAY

A meadow where cows are grazing peacefully aroundthe carcass of a dead bull.

84E 84EEXT. JEEP DRIVING (COUNTRYSIDE) - DAY

FROM THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN:


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CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

ELODIE turns her head to look at the cows as thecar drives past.

ELIAS sneaks a look at his sister's profile.

But all to quickly ELODIE turns her head away fromhim again to focus on the road ahead, leaving ELIASwith nothing to look at anymore.

CUT TO:

Darkness.

85 85INT. JEEP DRIVING (MOTORWAY) - DUSK

Then a square of blooming light appears in the

darkness, growing bigger and bigger.

The car with the three teenagers exits the tunnelof a four-lane motorway.

The motorway is completely empty and GABRIELaccelerates.

The sun is hanging low over the horizon. Its warmlight gets broken up by the bridges that they pass

under and groups of trees that line the road.

A quiet, peaceful image that belies the reality ofthe situation.

86 86EXT. ROAD - DUSK

The road passes through a forest.

ELIAS is by the open trunk of the car. He takes off

his shirt.

Unbeknownst to him, ELODIE appears in thebackground. She watches him look for a new shirt inhis bag. He finds one and slips into it. Only oncehe's done so does she speak:

ELODIE

Eli.

ELIAS looks up at her.


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64.

CONTINUED:

ELODIE (CONT'D)Can you come for a minute?

ELIAS scrutinizes his sister's face before he

answers. He knows something is going on.

ELIASWhy?


ELIAS follows her anyway.

She leads him towards a fire where GABRIEL isheating a tin can. He does not know either whatElodie plans to tell them.

ELODIE(to ELIAS)

Sit down.

But ELIAS prefers to stand.

Both he and GABRIEL eye ELODIE.

But before ELODIE can tell them what the matter isshe has to gather her courage first.

ELODIE (CONT'D)I'm pregnant.

Stunned silence.

ELODIE's eyes go between ELIAS and GABRIEL to see

how they are taking it.

ELIASAre you sure?

ELODIE nods.

GABRIELBy whom?

ELODIEI don't know.

Her words hang in the night air.


65/74


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66.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

The twins don't have to say anything to each other.The simple fact that they are right next to eachother again, feeling each other's presence isenough.

A slight breeze ruffles their wet hair which issticking to their heads.

ELODIE and ELIAS turn their heads towards it,closing their eyes and enjoy the momentarilyfreshness that it provides.

ELODIE wipes her runny nose and gazes at her

brother. She is glad that he is with her.

For the first time all the negative feelingsbetween them seem to be abating.

With the mist surrounding them it feels like theyare floating in a cocoon, cut off from the rest ofthe world.

89 89EXT. FOREST & ROAD - DAWN


As they are heading back towards the road and their

jeep.

GABRIEL is putting their belongings into the trunk.He watches them arrive, but does not say anything.

Before ELODIE gets into the car she exchanges abrief look with him. She has nothing to hide.

GABRIEL slides behind the steering wheel and startsthe jeep.

90 90INT. JEEP DRIVING (COUNTRYSIDE) - DAY

The silence inside the jeep is deafening.

ELIAS is watching the two sitting up front.

GABRIEL glances at ELODIE from time to time. She iswatching the countryside go by.

He decides to take her hand, seeing how she willreact.


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67.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

She lets him.

91 91INT. JEEP DRIVING (CITY) - AFTERNOON

ELODIE and ELIAS are looking out of the sidewindows.

The buildings of a city get reflected in the glass,brushing over their faces.

The three teenagers are driving uphill and passunder a huge bridge that spans the valley.

Suddenly the engine starts stuttering and then goesout completely. The car rolls out to a stop on the

empty uphill road.

ELIASGreat.

92 92EXT. CITY - BOULEVARD - AFTERNOON

The three are walking in the middle of a wideboulevard.

GABRIEL is leading the way with ELODIE, while ELIASis lagging behind. The boys are dragging oldleather suitcases. ELODIE is carrying an emtpy

jerrycan.

Behind them the boulevard stretches out all the wayto the clocktower of the trainstation. It is empty,not a single car visible.

The sound of their footsteps resonates between thebig empty buildings that line this main arterythrough town.

Suddenly a shadow falls onto ELODIE and GABRIEL.Two huge structures made of dark menacing metal

block the path across a bridge that the boulevardcrosses.

GABRIEL and ELODIE walk between these angular metalshapes.

While they are making their way through thesunlight does not reach them anymore.


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68.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

Finally they get to the other side and back intothe sunlight again.

PULL BACK TO REVEAL:

The metal shapes turn out to be two huge tanks thatare silently guarding the bridge, their turrets andcanons aimed menacingly at the camera.

ELODIE wants GABRIEL stop and wait for ELIAS, buthe keeps on going, eager to return home to hismother.

ELODIE sets down the jerrycan and catches her

breath. ELIAS appears between the tanks.

GABRIEL turns around, but he is too far away tohear what the twins say to each other. He stops,eyeing them.

The twins continue in Gabriel's direction.

93 93INT. GABRIEL'S HOUSE - LATE AFTERNOON

The light from the windows does not reach for intothe living room of Gabriel's house where thefurniture is gathering dust.

Through the open door we can see a piece of the

dark corridor.

Weh hear the entrance door opening.

GABRIEL(aloud)

Mother!

GABRIEL steps into the corridor, followed by ELODIEand ELIAS.

GABRIEL (CONT'D)I'm back.

GABRIEL walks past the living room, but ELODIE

enters it.

ELIAS dissapears into the room opposite.

GABRIEL (CONT'D)Are you in?


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69.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

ELIAS runs his finger over a piece of furniture andshows it to ELODIE: dust is sticking to it.

GABRIEL (CONT'D)

Mother. Mo...

ELODIE heard GABRIEL's voice stop abruptly. Shelooks back into the corridor where she find ELIASlooking off in another room.

ELODIE heads for her brother who notices her. Thelook in his eyes tells her what she's about to see.

In the room she finds GABRIEL looking out of a

window. She steps towards him.

Outside in the garden, GABRIEL's MOTHER is lyingfacedown in the vegetable bed, her hand stillclutching a small shovel. Her mop of white haircompletely soaked from the wet ground.

Improv reactions.

94 94EXT. GABRIEL'S HOUSE - GARDEN - DUSK

ELIAS has digged a grave in the garden. There aretwo older graves next to it already.

ELODIE comes to give him a hand. She is carrying

another shovel.

ELIASHow is he?

ELODIEHe blames himself.

ELIASDoes he know what she diedof?

ELODIE

She was old.

The twins look at each other.

ELODIE (CONT'D)I can't tell him yet.

ELIAS understands.


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70.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

They start filling the grave. They can hear thedirt landing on the boyd of Gabriel's mother.

95 95INT. GABRIEL'S HOUSE - LANDING - MORNING

The following morning.

ELODIE comes up the stairs just as GABRIEL gets outof his bedroom.

ELODIEWhere are you going?

GABRIELOut.


GABRIEL (CONT'D)I know you want to go back.

GABRIEL walks past Elodie downstairs.

96 96INT. GABRIEL'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - MORNING

ELIAS is sitting at the dining table, eating from atin can. He hears GABRIEL come down the stairs andleave the house.

Shortly afterwards ELODIE shows up.

ELIAS

Where's he going?

ELODIEHe knows.

ELIASYou told him?


ELIAS (CONT'D)Is he going to come with?

ELODIEHe didn't say.


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71.

CONTINUED:

ELIASDo you want him to?

ELODIE

(improv line)

97 97EXT. CITY - BOULEVARD NO.2 - MORNING

TRACK WITH GABRIEL:

As he is walking through the empty town. The windis tearing at his clothes.

A lone figure on the wide boulevard.

97A 97AEXT. CITY - STREET - MORNING

ELIAS is also on his way through the empty town. Heis carrying the empty jerrycan.

Under a bench he finds a wallet. He picks it up andexamines it.

CUT TO:

98 98EXT. CITY - BRIDGE - MORNING

GABRIEL crosses the bridge in direction of the twotanks.

He walks to the middle of the bridge and stops by

the side to look out at the city.

99 99EXT. CITY - BOULEVARD OPPOSITE BRIDGE - MORNING

ELIAS is struggling to carry the jerrycan. It isfilled to the brim with petrol.

The bridge appears in the background. ELIAS spotssomething and stops.

TRACK IN TO O/S ELIAS AND PULL FOCUS TO REVEAL:

GABRIEL is sitting on the bridge. He does not seeELIAS who hides behind a tree.


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72.

(CONTINUED)

100 100INT. GABRIEL'S HOUSE - BEDROOM & CORRIDOR - DAY

ELODIE is changing her clothes in the bedroom.

Footsteps are coming up the stairs.

ELODIE moves over to the door to see ELIAS walkdown the dark corridor, away from her.

He enters the room opposite and cloes the door.

ELODIE walks over to the window and looks outside.

FADE OUT.

101 101EXT. GABRIEL'S HOUSE - DAY

The wind is blowing dead leaves and even an oldnewspaper through the empty street.

The naked tree branches are grasping for the sky.

One can see ELODIE's face behind one of the windowslooking out at the street.

She is waiting.

102 102INT. GABRIEL'S HOUSE - CORRIDOR - DAY

ELIAS is walking through the corridor. He stops bythe door to the dining room and peeks inside. Hewatches for a bit, then steps inside...

103 103INT. GABRIEL'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

...towards ELODIE who is sitting on the windowsill,looking outside.

ELIAS sits down next to her.

ELIAS takes her hand. She lets him.

The twins sit like that for a while.

ELODIECan you go get the jeep?


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73.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)

ELIASYou don't want to wait anylonger?

ELODIEHe's not coming back.

They get up.

104 104EXT. JEEP DRIVING (CITY) - DAY

ELIAS is driving the jeep. ELODIE is sitting nextto him.

They drive past office buildings, residential

houses, monuments, avenues, all empty.

105 105EXT. CITY - BRIDGE - DAY

The jeep turns onto the bridge and passes the pointwhere Gabriel sat.

The jeep drives past the two tanks. It heads downthe boulevard.

CRANE TO REVEAL:

Under the bridge deep down in the bottom of thevalley a dead body is lying in the small river that

flows there.

GABRIEL.

106 106INT. JEEP DRIVING - DAY

ELIAS and ELODIE are sitting next to each other,driving out of town.

ELIAS shifts gears as they go downhill. His darkeyes concentrate on the road ahead.

ELODIE looks at her twin. He looks back at her.

ELODIE(beat)

I hope it's yours.


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74.

CONTINUED:

ELIASMe too.

The dark black road stretches out in front of them.

They are driving through empty towns.

Empty villages.

Over motorways.

Through a forest.

Over bridges.

Through tunnels.

Through mist and rain and hail.

Day and night.

Through an empty world.

Further and further away from Gabriel and what

might have been.

FADE OUT.

Dust Draft 18

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Transcript of Dust Draft 18