Margot la Rouge (1983)

Margot is set in a tavern on a Parisian boulevard frequented by pimps and prostitutes, who are laughing and bickering among themselves as the opera begins. Lili Beguin is teased by Nini about her interest in a man known as “The Artist” who belongs to Margot La Rouge. Totor breaks up the quarrel, and leaves Lili drinking despondently with the patronne.

A storm breaks, and another bunch of clients and girls comes in from the rain. La Poigne orders hot punch for the mall, and the gossip continues to center on the rivalry of Lili Beguin and Margot La Rouge for L’Artiste.

The door opens again and three soldiers come in; they are rather hesitant when they see what sort of a place it is, but the pouring rain outside is even less inviting, so they let the girls draw them inside. Two of the soldiers start to discuss the merits of the girls on offer, but the third, their sergeant, is silent, gazing fixedly at one particular girl. At last he dreams out loud, revealing the deep feelings and memories she stirs up in him. He hears that her name is Margot and asks, “Is it possible?” His friends leave him, and Sergeant Thibault starts to talk to Margot. He tells her she reminds him of a dear dead girl he once loved in his village, and describes the idyllic Sundays they spent together. She disappeared one December night five years ago; her name was Marguerite. At this, Margot cries out Thibault’s name, and he knows she is his lost love.

Soon they are in each other’s arms, reliving the joys of the past, and are planning to leave the evils of the city behind (Margot’s lover included) when the door opens and Lili Beguin leads in L’Artiste, who bars their way and threatens violence if they leave. His nickname, the Artist, he tells Thibault, is for his skill in inflicting injury. A fight over Margot is inevitable, which neither the pleading of the patronne, who is worried about her license, nor of Lili Beguin, who is afraid things have gone too far, can prevent. Margot declares her hatred of L’Artiste, and as he lunges at her with his knife, Thibault comes between the and is killed. Before L’Artiste can make his escape, Margot picks up Thibault’s sword and kills him too. The police arrive asking for Margot La Rouge, and as she cradles Thibault’s body in her arms she raises her bloodstained hands to show them who she is.