MARIE CURIE AND THE BLUE LIGHT
As you have seen, thorium doesn't exhibit significant radiation.
The emission of a given element which follows a routine
a trajectory can change...
Marie?!
Sit down!
It'll be all right...
André, come here quickly!
It'll be all right.
Will it be all right? I don't know... What are we going to do?
- Get me the midwife, now! - Breathe, Marie...
Marie, calm down, just sit down!
- Shall we call for help? - Yes, yes!
Be quick!
Hurry up!
What about Stockholm then'? When are we going? When can we drive?
It can wait a bit.
It's been a year already, they are asking again and again.
Some American wants to name a racer after me
and asks my permission.
Can horses get Nobel Prizes?
No, only men can get it.
Your mother is an exception. She is the first lady who won Nobel.
So I'll be the second.
Of course, why not?
Did I use to be so tiny?
You were, you were. And now watch out...
you are the biggest of us all!
Come, let's go!
A car from the Royal Academy will await you
in front of the hotel in an hour.
Thank you, but we prefer to walk.
Why don't we give them back their Nobel Prize?
Having all these journalists on our heads, we can't work.
Hmm?
They steal our precious time, time so needed.
Marie...
We get crazy, if we will not be able to live as we like.
After Henri Becquerel discovered the special radiating properties of uranium
Madame Curie has shown...
that thorium and its compounds possess the same properties
and called such substances "radioactive".
The experiments on radium lead to the assumption that...
certain particles have a velocity
very slightly below that of light.
That might probably modify
the fundamental principle of mechanics.
The consequences for the chemistry are perhaps even more important.
Finally in the biological sciences the rise of radium
could become a very useful ally
in the treatment of cancer.
The London Times doubts that radium is an element at all.
Quiet, please!
Radium is in no way
a helium and lead compound, as many of our distinguished colleagues pretend.
We are about to prove it!
Madame Curie and I believe that mankind
will derive more good than harm from this new discovery.
Every meaningful research is a gift to humanity,
but as the antique has taught us,
it can instantly turn into Pandora's Box.
The best example are the inventions of Alfred Nobel.
His powerful explosives enable performing impressive works,
they are also a terrible means of destruction
in the hands of the great criminals who are leading countries to war.
By accepting this Nobel Prize for physics, we call upon all citizens of Europe
to be vigilant.
It is our duty to work for peace!
Madame Curie and I want to pursue our work
with this goal in mind.
Professor Pierre Curie.
And Madame Curie...
It is a great pleasure.
Crown Prince Gustav was disconsolate
that you didn't show yourselves at last year's banquet.
If only you knew how much Monsieur Curie and I enjoy missing banquets.
When will they come at last?
You are even more impatient than your mom!
Besides, I am hungry!
Abracadabra! Here is an apple for you.
Thank you.
Above a certain altitude the air is cleaner
and I can observe better the changes
in the atmosphere's electric charge.
Have you installed your measuring instrument on the Eiffel Tower?
It is the highest tower in the world.
- On the top? - On the third floor.
The results are surprising.
We are organizing protests in front of Notre-Dame,
we demand religious freedom...
I have also discovered that in the air there are at least two other kinds of ions.
Ions twice as big as the ones we have known till now.
Freedom of religion for everyone!
Thank you.
And there's no freedom for me?
We're demonstrating tomorrow in front of Notre-Dame,
Will you come?
With you, mademoiselle, I would even charge on the Vatican.
What are you studying?
- You have mercy for no girl. - What are you up to?
I saw them! There they are!
Dad!
Dad, mum!
Oh, my favorite tornado!
I was so afraid!
- What were you afraid of, darling? - That you never come back!
But here we are. You know well that we always come back.
- Hi, father! - How was the trip?
48 hours in a row is no pleasure.
And how was everything with you?
Quiet as usual, no speeches, no vanity fairs.
Nothing but joy.
And this young lady wrapped me around her little finger.
What a relief!
You can't imagine how we missed you.
Have they already delivered the pitchblende, Andre?
- Yes, boss! - It's about time.
Shall we?
Yes?
Hurry up!
After you, Madame.
Our radium. It is radiating from inside.
Just like you.
A healing matter in a state of inner turmoil.
Either there is some demon in it, or the atom is not indivisible!
That would contradict all known theories.
I hope I didn't forget anything.
I love your lists!
- Does it hurt? - No, not at all.
We treated his inoperable tumor with radium bromide,
applied with a rubber-sleeve for two weeks, ten minutes a day.
It already decreased by half.
With smaller cartridges
we could measure the dosage of the radium more precisely
and apply its radiation more targeted
to protect the healthy cells.
The best solution would probably be
to inject the radium directly into the cancer cell.
Your name is Iréne, isn't it?
Iréne!
It looks like mum is calling you!
- Good bye, monsieur. - Good bye.
My reverence Madame!
- Already back from Stockholm? - Go to your room now.
Gustave Téry, chief editor of "I'Oeuvre".
"We talk aloud what others only think in secret".
Leave my family in peace.
How does it feel to be suddenly so famous?
Did you hear what is going on in Warsaw?
Nationalists robbed the public stock... look.
Perhaps your sister won't need your money anymore!
It is time for Poland to be independent again.
One should be able to speak Polish in his country.
You should become a politician, madame Skodovska.
Sklodovska!
He behaves as if everything was all right,
but during the trip he vomited several times and he didn't admit it.
He's had this supposed influenza for months!
I think it's anemia.
How come?
From your lifestyle.
Don't lie to me, Eugéne. Just tell me the truth.
Whatever this truth is.
Don't worry, I will examine him thoroughly.
Really, stop worrying.
Give me back the medal, give it back to me!
- It is mine! - Give it back!
- I'm better in math than you! - It's not true!
Kids! Stop fighting this instant!
Jean, give me the medal. This is not a toy.
- This is my medal. - Rubbish. Now, give it to me.
- She could lend it to me... - This is not a toy.
Where do you want to isolate pure radium?
I'm fed up with your shabby hangar.
What am I working with two Nobels for?
Honestly?
Well...
Wine?
You want to push cancer research forward. Fine!
But please give me a lab that deserves that name.
Pierre has appointment next week at the French Academy
to try and get some funds.
The world gets crazy about radium,
but no one cares about how one finances such a research.
- You should take Marie with you. - I never can say "no" to her.
Marie under the Dome of the Academy, that would be something!
If you patented your discovery,
you could afford building your own laboratory.
We're scientists, and no profiteers.
My Paul would deserve more recognition too.
Ah, Jeanne...
You play modest, but that's the fact.
We strive for results that could help everyone,
that's what counts for us.
Have you cured the tumor of that patient?
No, not entirely.
Do you understand now why I'm impatient? It's just a beginning!
For being sure of the results, we still need lots of tests and experiments.
Patience, patience, patience!
Here are the three pillars of our method.
- Eve is so sweet, she just fell asleep. - It belongs to Irene now.
The Nobel medal?
She can lose it, it'll land somewhere in the mud.
"Nobel Prize lands in the mud".
Sounds like a great headline!
Iréne you put it on back to front.
Never mind! Double knot keeps much better.
Especially when it's done by daddy.
Till evening.
Give it to your mum, will you?
I am going, see you in the lab?
Don't forget your umbrella!
What would I do without you?
Now it should keep well.
Gigantic is this begonia of yours.
True. It is growing much faster than the other one.
At least I've managed to control disruptions of our electroscope.
- Really? - Yes.
There was an accident.
On the corner Rue Dauphine.
He wanted to cross the street quickly.
Who?
Must have been deep in his thoughts.
He slipped.
He didn't see the carriage.
He is dead?
Oh, professor Amagat? Good morning.
Very modest for a Nobel laureate, isn't it?
But Madame did not forget to invite our minister of education.
He may be useful for her in the future.
Two times six... 2HCI-- 1 HCI times...
Manya, come back to Poland with me.
Without Pierre you will always be a foreigner here!
Pierre would like me to continue our work.
You can do it in Poland as well.
You perfectly know that it is not true.
What kind of future will my daughters have in Poland?
What are you talking about? Poland is at the start of big changes.
Your daughters will be better there than in a country
which has until this day not rehabilitated Dreyfus!
Their place is here.
You want to stay in France, yes?
I promised him to be always by his side.
I let him go alone. Why am I still alive?
He was such a better person than I am.
Manya, it was an accident.
Without Pierre I am nothing!
Iréne, can you pass me your plate?
- Thank you very much. - Iréne, more asparagus?
Kids, I baked some cake! It is still warm.
Cake? For me!
Do you intend to work yourself to death?
When I work, he is with me.
Nobody can work for two for ever. You not either.
If I can isolate radium in its pure metal form,
nobody will doubt its nature.
I'm going to build the radium Institute, Pierre dreamed of.
And make out of the Curie therapy the best method against cancer.
Do you know what it means?
Thousands of incurable patients saved by the radiation of this...
Your radium might destroy tumors but it also eats up fingers!
I'm so afraid to tell Iréne the truth.
You are lying, mum! You are lying!
Dad! Dad!
My Pierre. My good, beloved Pierre...
Another day which I was not destined to spend with you.
Our treasures are so little!
Shall I be worthy of you?
He is not here.
He is waiting for you in your dreams.
When you think of him, you will be able to hear his voice, see him.
Wait, Iréne. Please.
Do you believe in God?
God has nothing to do with this.
I don't believe any more. God is just a Santa Claus version for adults!
There is something to it!
Grandpa, do you really think I can see Dad in my dreams?
The Sorbonne calls for tenders for Pierre's chair of physics.
Do you want to apply?
You know well that there is only one person in the world
who can overtake this chair.
A woman has no chance.
And some one like me is much too expensive for them!
The dean is terribly busy today.
What time is he free then?
I can't tell, unfortunately.
I am Marie Curie.
I know, Madame. Your husband was a genius scientist.
My husband and I, we shared everything.
We wanted to explore the healing force of radium.
This is even dearer to me today.
That's why we started cooperating with medical researchers.
This issue needs great experience.
Nobody will oppose if you train your husband's successor.
We're about to break through.
I need a laboratory.
No one could be better suited to supervise it.
And if need be, I could take over Pierre's teaching.
If need be?
Madame, this sort of title is not transferable by marriage!
Who is talking about titles here?
I'm just asking for the job, not for titles.
You enjoy an excellent reputation, Professor Langevin.
You have good scientific relations all over Europe.
Shortly, I cannot imagine a better candidate for my projects.
That's also my opinion.
Thank you, gentlemen. Your timing couldn't be better.
Nowadays we make discoveries that abolish old principles of physics.
Not so fast, dear friend.
So far, Mr. Solvay is proposing a debate.
The task is quite difficult.
Take your time. Money is not a problem.
Thanks to my patents I have made a fortune.
Please excuse me, I will be right back.
Marie! Wait! Wait!
I'd like to introduce you Mr Ernest Solvay.
Hypocrites all around, it's loathsome.
Is Madame Curie also teaching at the Sorbonne?
The radium might be the latest thing,
but never ever a female professor.
"Malbrough goes to fight in war, nobody knows when he comes back..."
Why are you singing?
To scare the sparrows away. I won't have them vandalize our mirabelles!
But there are no plums yet!
It's never too early to do the right thing!
I don't like today's education system at all.
Children must have time for sport,
for developing artistic sensitivity.
- And you know well that... - Stop scratching yourself.
Nothing raises curiosity more than performing experiments.
But no! They force them into hopeless sapping, learning by heart.
And forbid girls to take part in any Physics classes.
Even when they're as talented as Irene.
And you will find a remedy to all of that?
- Yes, if need be. - Of course.
You'll just wave your magic wand
and everything will be as it should be.
Why should girls be less talented?
Do you have any slick rope?
As you wish.
Iréne?
Yes?
- You want to try? - Yes!
Your sister cries differently.
She fights on too many fronts simultaneously.
Finally she will hit her head against the wall.
Catch with your feet! Go on.
Not so fast.
The secret of a successful experiment is precision and care. Nothing more.
One should not be in a hurry. Try.
It will surface.
Clean up immediately, please.
The same principle as at sea.
Jean?
Why does the egg float in jar three?
Because salty water is dense and...
The egg has less density than salty water!
And what did Archimedes state?
If an object dips into fluid,
it looses its weight and the buoyant force of this object...
I'll show you something... Many small and wonderful things.
Iréne, come and see!
Here you are, all my magical products.
Forever young thanks to Iradium. The cream with radium
that revives your skin!
Exactly!
- May I open? - No, no, on no account!
It's bloody expensive.
"Radiante..."
Yes.
"Radioactive stockings for...
...always young and beautiful legs."
- Here they are! - For the young!
Young. I am sorry.
"Tho-Radia, a revolutionary remedy for hair growth".
Can't you read?
Surely I can. Two, three drops are enough
and the hair grows miraculously, thanks to the wonderful power of radium.
- And for Madame Marie I recommend... - And this is for me!
...the scientific lipstick for perfect lips!
May I?
- I will give you a bit. - Now my turn!
To think that my father thought my discoveries
would be useless!
It stings!
Radium fleece...
I had no idea how childish you could be.
- Good morning! - Good morning!
Isn't it time for math?
No!
We haven't finished yet.
Dear Madame Langevin, you are always a feast for the eyes!
Indeed, your colour.
Madame...
Don't you think it's highest time
to make the merits of your husband known to the world?
I have wanted to write about him for a long time,
but your husband never has time.
When my husband works, he forgets about everything else,
sometimes even about his own wife.
A wife always knows what's best for her husband.
I'll also sit in front, otherwise I won't hear anything.
Sorry.
Thank you.
Actually these seats are...
A foreigner at the Sorbonne...
And she believes she'll get such an audience's attention!
As Pierre Curie told you in his last lecture,
the progress made within last decade
in the field of physics turned upside down
our perception of electromagnetism or matter.
As for the new discoveries in the chemistry of radioactive matter,
we can only guess.
It is a very special field that I call:
"The chemistry of the imponderable".
Till now we managed to isolate only several decigrams of radium salt,
on which we used tons of pitchblende.
I worked up a fractional method of acquisition of pure
radium salts that I share with all interested labs.
Radium has many properties which show powerful results.
Its beams can penetrate even through several centimeters of lead...
Not bad as for a woman, right?
Congratulations, Marie! You showed them!
Pierre would also be proud of you.
Pierre was always proud of Marie,
but he would have hated this circus today!
Marie, how I admire you! I would have died of all the excitement.
- Where are you going? - To the lab.
Now? When we are drinking to your success?
Marie!
Don't you dare to congratulate.
For you!
Your preface?
So we can send the manuscript to the publisher next week?
That's just typical!
You only think what is to be done.
You were able to take this picture?
"Eusapia, the clever magician..."
"...who can make heavy tables fly!"
Pierre wanted to cast light upon her mystery!
Yeah, I know.
Thanks, Paul.
- Go now. Jeanne is looking for you. - Yes.
One more thing: I'll drop my corrections on chapter 4 by next week.
I promise.
If you need anything, just let me know.
Marie, congratulations!
That would contradict all known theories.
Life is trivial matter if you cannot think in pairs!
It's so exciting to explore new ideas together
that no one has yet investigated.
The radioactivity increases, but the percentage of radium
remains constant.
That can't be!
That means you can stop with the fractional crystallization.
Want some?
Eating supports thinking, Madame!
Pierre always knew what to do next!
What's going on with you?
I am getting stupid!
I won't make it by myself!
Right... I am going to a coffee.
- Good morning. - Good morning, André
Good morning, Madame.
Good morning.
When can I see the patient?
I don't want to offend you,
but I'd rather meet him alone.
Male patients confide better in men.
- Same dose as usual? - Yes.
Have you managed to sleep a little?
I am the doctor. Go back to bed.
In your condition you cannot take care of the children.
Be a good girl, wake your sister and put the milk on to warm.
I'll be down in a minute.
See? Everything is all right!
- For sure? - Yes!
Excuse me...
In order to discover something, you have to know what you're looking for.
What I am trying to say is, that for every new hypothesis,
the simple observation of a phenomenon is not enough.
You also need to figure out previously an explanation.
Are you asking me how new ideas are born?
Yes.
It's a very exciting question,
but it goes far beyond the boundaries of physics.
Like for everything else,
you have to rely on intuition and common sense.
Most scientific discoveries are a mixture
of talent and coincidence.
A good scientist needs a spirit of adventure to coax out the secrets of nature,
and must not be afraid of his own audacity.
Without forgetting about the necessarily methodical procedures.
But don't worry,
there's a spirit of adventure hidden in all of us!
I'd like you to remember that our freedom of mind is indispensable.
Take all measures to secure it.
This congress is very important for the future of science.
I assure you that this man has sincere intentions.
Show me one industrialist that has given the eight-hour day to his workers
without being forced to it by law.
I don't know.
Solvay insists on you to come, which shows his concern!
Indeed, Marie, if one need financial support,
one should not say no to such a generous benefactor.
Well, it's a pity.
I invited Albert Einstein too.
Did he answer?
Come and you will see.
Can you devote me half an hour?
I'd like to show you something.
Certainly.
No, turn off the light.
I can't believe it! Success!
Element number 88.
Melting point by 700 Celsius degrees.
This is it!
One can see it and touch it.
A bit dangerous, right?
As fire was discovered, people burned themselves.
But what would we do today without fire?
But I liked the colors of the radium salts better!
Let's go now. The drugstore closes
I forgot to pick up Eugéne's medicine!
- You cannot stay. - Can't I sleep here?
No way.
Thank you.
Where were you? We tried to lift him up, but he is too heavy!
- He fell down, all of a sudden. - Eugéne, dear God!
- We must take you to the hospital! - Come. Dance with me.
"Merry fowler I am...
...known in all the country, to old and young. All around the world."
Litre... litre...
Thank you.
Litre of oil...
For you. This will help you to get organized.
I am already doing all of this.
I am proud of you, my daughter.
For our next lesson, please revise Binomial Distribution...
Sorry to be late!
No problem. Want some tea?
Yes, please.
Have a nice day. See you, professor Langevin.
- André is not here? - Not yet.
- Good morning. - Good morning.
- How is Eugéne? - Not so good.
I am already late.
So you are covering for her now?
It can't go on like this!
Next year I send the children to normal school in Sceaux.
But we agreed that this school cooperative
was the best for our kids!
Of course, but I didn't know how far you would get into it.
She is exploiting you!
Rubbish, we work together!
Naturally... like all the rest...
living in your own world... you intellectuals
think that you know best!
Let's get out of here...
She may be famous scientist, but she doesn't have a clue
about the things of real life!
Don't bother.
Sing! I don't want the birds to eat grandpa's wild plums!
I saw in the program that Max Planck is going to talk
about the contradictions of radiation theory.
It's a pity we can't present our spectral images of Thoriums X.
Did you see?
- Right, I am jumping into the water. - Come on, you will catch a cold.
It's cold, but I can't help it...
He got mad. The water is too cold...
It is!
Marie!
Albert insists on presentation.
Albert Einstein, Marie Curie.
Your theory of the elementary particles was very inspiring for me.
Do you know why I agreed to take part
in this congress?
Only to discuss with you some of my ideas.
Albert thinks you are the most intelligent woman he ever met.
Well, the competition is rather limited.
Does that scare you?
Of course.
You're the best under the women.
Amongst men as well.
I love fresh air.
Walking stirs up thinking, right?
Oh yes, and the sea air.
It's very brave, the postulation of the existence of quanta of light.
Without risk there wouldn't be any progress in physics.
Splendid your "Treaty on Radioactivity"!
Madame Curie!
Without doubt a tremendous piece of work!
But at the pace science is progressing these days,
aren't you afraid that it'll be soon outdated?
You look like someone who is afraid of missing something.
I always take notes.
My note book is my alter ego, mister Einstein.
You never know, a new idea could pop up anywhere.
You certainly know what I mean?
No, I have very seldom "a new idea".
Madame Curie can laugh!?
You have no idea how the magic of the smile on your face works!
I know! Write.
Unusual discovery:
"Madame Curie is able to laugh".
Currently it seems that the key to radioactivity
is to be found in the mere nature of the atom.
I can even say that it has its origins
in regions which are so deep inside the atom
that you can only have access to them
when an atomic explosion occurs.
Gentlemen, I hope that our research
will only serve peaceful purposes.
Just like radium cancer therapy, which already saved many people.
He who, like us, is interested in the origins of life,
must protect that life at any price.
Altruism and integrity are essential elements of our work.
Gentlemen, thank you for your attention.
Thank you very much, Madame Curie.
I fully agree with you.
Physicists like ourselves work with enthusiasm
to unearth the mysteries of the universe.
But from a global point of view,
philosophers will have the final word.
I am convinced that this meeting
will play a remarkable role in the history of science.
Will it soon be possible to unite
radioactivity, quantum and gravitation theories
in a new theory of physics and chemistry?
Madame, Gentlemen, I am counting on you, our work continues.
This woman is ice cold,
but... fuckable.
Your wording is as low level as your researches, professor.
The radiated warmth comes from the kinetic energy
of the Beta- and Gamma rays.
You should apply your calculations to
one single electron in a magnetic field.
But assuming that the emission of the energy particle
is spontaneous, means Maxwell's equation is no longer valid.
Right! We would have to prove that the quantum hypotheses
is a theory in itself.
For that, we must first prove the equivalence of all systems of reference.
And how should we decide on which principles we can retain?
That's the most important question!
That was a compliment.
I wonder why we always
have to take our work so damn seriously.
Who are we doing it for? For the love of mankind?
- Aren't you doing it for the posterity? - What about you?!
Fine! I am a real bore with glasses...
Well, without glasses, but a bore nonetheless!
- Come with us to eat? - Oh, yes. I am hungry too.
We are going to miss the dinner!
Still hungry? After all we swallowed today?
I'm always hungry.
Are you glad to be here?
The reports were very interesting.
- And Einstein is... - Albert - A Curie admirer!
What?
Nothing. You make me laugh.
Shall we go swimming?
- Now? - Yes.
It's ice cold!
It's awful!
- I can't feel my heart anymore! - Well, that's a shame!
Dear Madame, Gentlemen...
- Wait, André... allow me. - Welcome.
Your statements on quanta are very brave...
Thank you.
...but not complete.
Here you are.
Maybe this reading will inspire you.
So I wish you a nice afternoon. And perseverance, ladies.
Goodbye.
- What happened? - Are you ashamed of me?
What are you talking about?
You came all the way to tell such foolishness.
And if I wanted to talk with you about your work?
You are very welcome. What exactly?
Maybe about "Kinetic theory of magnetism and magnetons"?
20.000 franks. They offer you 20.000 per year
and you reject the offer without consulting me?!
I don't want to work in industry. I'm a scientist, not a flunky!
Besides it's none of your business.
So if you allow me, my students are waiting.
I cook twice a day for six people. I work hard day and night.
All alone, as we cannot afford a maid.
I sew clothes myself,
using second hand rags. And you tell me it's none of my business?!
Ah yes, you are a scientist, that doesn't interest you!
Don't forget you are also a father.
Stop it! The kids are fine!
Whose merit is it? Whose?
Leave me alone!
Get out of here, Jeanne. You are of no use.
Of course. Go on living on with your head up in the sky.
Your children and I have to survive in the real world!
Jeanne?
Come back tomorrow.
Madame Curie.
- Paul! - Come with me.
Want some coffee? A glass of wine perhaps?
- Do you have a glass of water? - Yes.
- Thanks. - Welcome.
- So, this is your hideaway. - Yes. For slightly above a year now.
I would have gone crazy otherwise.
Mania.
How smooth is your skin, Mania.
Stay a bit longer.
I never thought I would be capable of that anymore.
Of what?
Of intimacy.
With a stranger.
Am I a stranger?
It's beautiful what you write about Pierre.
The piano must be tuned.
Oh, a beam of sunlight!
- What? Too frivolous? - Not at all! On the contrary.
You are beaming.
Stay a little more with us. Don't go back to Poland.
Do you really still need me?
Everything is nicer if you're here.
How to calculate a square root of the polynomial?
I forgot the rule.
It's too complicated for me.
I'll show you.
Your lack of concern terrifies me.
Why?
A married man, Marie.
Paul is unhappy with Jeanne. Everybody knows about it.
Don't be naive.
- Paul will never be Pierre. - I know!
You know nothing about the suffering of a betrayed woman!
Pierre applied twice, before they accepted him.
You will know how to convince them.
Come back to reality!
They'll never accept a dirty Pole in the French Academy!
You have done for France much more than all those so called patriots together!
All these behind-the-scenes political intrigues,
I am not made for this.
Madame Curie?
This letter and flowers I have to deliver to your very hands.
How beautiful.
- Yes. Have a nice day. - Thanks!
You will succeed, if you confront them.
That's for sure.
Hmm, delicious!
Enough, enough about work.
Try.
Not bad...
And here I have wild plums from my garden.
Yummy... Very much.
It will perfectly combine with Camembert.
Here you are.
Do you cook for your kids too?
My kids prefer simpler food.
It would be great if we could go and have a picnic all together.
I love you...
My beaming radium queen.
And soon the first woman in French Academy of Science.
And this is building up your vanity!
You have turned heads of so many ladies that the only trick
to make myself noticeable is the Academy of Science.
Are you coming back to your Polish whore?
- Stop it, you will wake up the children. - The children are at Perrins!
I could scream out my lungs: that woman is destroying my family!
Your family? You are just destroying it yourself.
You lying, repulsive coward!
How dare you, Paul, to come back all messed up!
Paul!
What a waste.
Look at me!
I have had enough!
I...
Look at me.
Go to sleep!
Paul! No!
Your candidacy is a great honor for the Academy.
With the Curie therapy you can heal an early discovered cancer.
But the objective is to heal all of the patients.
I could be so much more efficient within an Institute of Radium
where researchers would work side by side with doctors.
You will get your institute, Madame. Sure.
Your rival, Monsieur Branly,
can't hold a candle to you
in terms of international reputation. He operates...
Can I count on your support then?
May I?
Although emancipation lures us into unknown realms,
I can hardly imagine offering you a cigar.
A woman like you has the world at her feet.
Have I already shown you my Chinese room?
It used to belong to Count von Satur.
Would you like to? - It's a real treasure.
Are you coming from Rue Banquier?
Paris is a village, my dear.
Forgive me, I've had a long day.
Don't play the innocent!
It's not me that is your problem.
I was there for you when Pierre died,
I cared for your kids as if they were my own. Is that the gratitude I get?
- I will do the same for your children. - Don't you dare to talk about my children!
You've lost all trace of decency!
Look at yourself!
Even dressed in silk, you are nothing but a miserable laboratory rat!
Who cares what you think...
You are not the first to be seduced!
And you won't be the last. But he always comes back to me!
Paul is my life!
I'll kill you, if you take him away from me!
Marie, it's me! It's me!
What happened?
Nothing, I hit myself, careless stupid. Must have been distracted.
You smell divine.
Jeanne threatened me with a knife.
Oh, no! Damn it!
She's so often suspected me, calling me all kinds of names,
and two days later she's forgotten it all!
What you are to me
no other woman can ever be.
You don't have to be afraid of Jeanne.
I am not afraid of your wife.
I am not sure if I understand correctly your expectations.
Just write the truth.
Aren't you the one who says loud what others prefer to hide?
Why should I believe you?
A mother of four can depend on her instincts.
Wounded feelings are very bad advisors.
Especially, if it comes to a public person.
Don't you think that the French people will want to know that the State is about
to bestow the greatest honors onto an adulterous woman?
- A Jewish adulteress. - Jewish?
She is not Jewish, as far as I know. If you want to fight,
you must offer a bit more than her supposed Jewish roots.
We are deeply grateful, Madame.
Thanks to Mr. Solvay's and your help we can at last equip our laboratory.
Solvay is a great supporter of the Curie therapy.
And so am I.
Flowers seem to like you.
- Thank you. - See you next Tuesday!
Antoine, the new applicators will arrive next week.
Fantastic.
The structure has vividly changed.
How can you tell about radioactivity as if it was some trifle?
We all know perfectly that Madame Curie
could never have come to such results on her own!
No woman could have.
This woman is a visionary!
Excessively ambitious is more appropriate.
What has she done since her husband died?
She has only published results based in their joint work.
She will see to it that the name Pierre Curie
is completely forgotten.
Women now hunger for fame and fortune as well.
Which Madame and her deceased husband have had more than enough!
Did you read this?
What she achieved for the research against cancer
is unique in the world!
A seat in the Academy is not hereditary!
Do you want your grandchildren to ask you
why you weakened in front of a woman?
Quiet, gentlemen!
We can proceed to vote.
I remind you that a simple majority wins.
I can count on you?
Naturally. May she give her candidacy in London
- she is such a genius.
Or go straight back to Warsaw!
Her choice.
Gentlemen, this is a historical opportunity. Don't miss it!
Bravo, very eloquent.
Madame Curie: twenty eight,
Monsieur Branly: thirty.
I'd have been delighted to give my vote to you, but...
I prefer not to think how much time I wasted on this.
- Can you pick up Iréne? - Of course. And you?
- Where are you going? - See you at home.
Mania!
You don't know how sorry I am, Marie.
- Where are our letters? - What?
Jeanne knows that we meet here.
Are you sure that you did not hide them in some other place?
What are you going to do now?
- I'll get them back. - And that's it'?
What else are you expecting?
Is it my fault?
You always leave yours keys everywhere.
Even if Jeanne knows that we meet here, I would never think that...
Stop it, it's pathetic!
Wait! Marie.
Marie. I'll talk to her. I'll get our letters back...
I am sick of thinking that she interfered in our intimacy.
We both knew what we were going into.
Did we? Really?
Marie! Marie!
Where were you? Hurry up, we have a visitor.
- At this hour? - Come here at last, Mania.
Allow me to introduce myself, August Gyldenstolpe:
Swedish ambassador to France.
I have belonged for a long time to the circle of your greatest admirers.
And today I have the honour of presenting you some wonderful news.
The Nobel Committee decided to award you with this years's Prize for chemistry.
Marie! Nobody until now has been awarded Nobel twice!
Nobody!
You are the first one!
Will you forgive me.
I must share the news with my daughters immediately.
Of course.
Mum? There are journalists waiting in front of the house.
How can they know so quickly?
Dress up. I'll be in a minute.
Now they are making a Jew out of you.
Trust me, nobody will have mercy with you!
You must abandon him.
I haven't done anything that I should be ashamed of.
Do you want to destroy the work of your life?
Where are you going?
My distillation can't wait.
Madame Curie! Madame Curie! Here!
One question, please, Madame Curie!
Is it true that you will force professor Langevin to leave his wife?
How long have you been having the affair?!
You are destroying family values!
Are you Jewish?
Say that you didn't do it?! Say that the press is lying!
- You better help me! - They will raise hell here!
- We have a lot of work to do. - Work...
While everybody is talking about your love affair?
Paul asked me to be his second.
He challenged Gustave Téry.
No, not this!
We are to meet tomorrow in Vincennes.
We can't allow this! What else do you know?
André?!
You can't do this, Paul!
I don't control anything anymore!
Not if you leave your wife at last.
- She'll demand custody of the children. - Agree then.
That will put an end to her blackmail!
And we will find a way for you to see your children as now.
- No, no, no.
- Jeanne will never agree to this. - Learn to fight for your rights.
You need no gun to do this!
We will sue her for theft, defamation and privacy violation!
Marie.
But I can't publicly drag the mother of my children to the courts.
She threatened to kill me.
Your wife always used you for her advantage.
I don't mean living together straight away, we'll have to wait until...
Until what? Until I become more like Pierre?
You are afraid of divorce, but you are not afraid of playing with death?
It's a matter of honour, Marie.
Trivial matter, Paul.
Don't talk about something you can't understand.
Go away from there.
What you are for me no other woman can become, never.
Say you didn't do it?! Say the press is lying!
Marie, we will get crazy if we are not able to live as we like.
Mum!
Don't be naive. Paul will never be Pierre.
Life is so trivial if you can not think together.
Tomorrow at dawn in Vincennes Groove.
We can not allow this!
This is a matter of honour.
Go on! I will tell you where to stop.
Oh, Mum I thought you were dead!
I am sorry Iréne, I am so sorry.
Who are this people outside? Why are they calling you names?
I am, I am already now.
Time to go to sleep.
We will manage, Marie. We will survive this.
Gentlemen, shake your hands.
Ten, nine, eight...
I shall not deprive France of one of its most eminent minds!
Don't offend me, please! Shoot!
Long live France and its scientists!
Paul! Stop it!
Move along! Move along, everybody!
What would I do without you?
I don't want to hide anymore.
I don't understand why Langevin challenged Téry
to a duel if the accusations were groundless.
All this mess around your person has put
the Swedish Academy of Science in a difficult position.
We prepared an announcement in which you declare,
that you voluntarily renounce the Nobel Prize.
At least until this story with Langevin is settled.
This is the most elegant outcome in this situation. For everybody.
The Prize was given to me for my radium discovery.
A scientist's achievements has nothing to do
with his private life.
The European press writes for weeks only about your moral indecency.
Only because I am a woman.
If you want to exclude every male scientist who has had some love affair,
you will be left with nobody to give the Nobel Prize to.
Since I can't count on your cooperation,
and considering the amplitude of the scandal,
I have no other choice, but to forbid you to travel to Stockholm.
Must we really part with him?
The element 88 is, since today, property of the world!
I would have never managed without your help, Andree!
In case something happened to me,
I must be assured that nothing will be lost.
What are you talking about?
Here is a full list of our samples,
plus my instructions.
It's everything you should know.
Marie, you will outlive us all!
What will you tell your grandchildren, gentlemen,
when they one day ask you how could have been so blind?
Thanks to my isolation...
Full of contradictions...
Incalculable chemistry...
Flowers for Madame.
Leave me alone!
Madame. Mademoiselle.
Here is a miserable fool, standing before you with his mind limited
by the ideas of previous century.
Madame, please accept my apology!
Everyone should act according to their convictions.
Good luck, Madame.
If you allow me one last question.
Where will you put your second Nobel Prize?
Next to the first one.
I hope I have correctly interpreted the recognition of the Academy
assuming it refers to both,
mine and my husband - Pierre Curie's achievements.
We should be less curious to know people and more curious to know their thoughts.
The rejection of knowledge and the fear of creative thinking lead to lost societies.
One shouldn't be scared of anything in life, but strive to comprehend.
Who would we be without curiosity of mind?
I am one of these who consider science to be an expression of beauty.
I am happy to be able to devote my life to discovering
mystery of the universe.
In 1935, Iréne returned to Stockholm and was the second woman
after her mother to be awarded a Nobel Prize.
The fate of the Curie and Langevin families remained intertwined:
In 1950, Marie Curie's granddaughter, Héléne married Michel Langevin, the grandson of Paul Langevin.
Héléne and Michel are both physicists.
Marie Curie died in 1934 at the age of 66. In 1995, her remains were transfered together
with those of Pierre Curie to the Parisian Pantheon, where Paul Langevin was also interred in 1948.