My wife cried when she heard the news about Cheyenne.
She was inconsolable.
I’m so sorry to hear that.
My 12-year-old grandson said “Grandpapa - losing Cheyenne
is worse than the burning of Notre Dame and the Nazi occupation combined.”
He sounds fun.
Pardon me?
He sounds very intelligent is what I was -
You never mentioned that Cheyenne would be part of this trade.
Not even the possibility...
You should have consulted us.
Informed the Minister.
You’re so busy, I didn’t want to pester you with tiny details.
On what planet is Cheyenne Toussaint a tiny detail?
You gave me a mandate: get ticket sales up.
Ticket sales are up.
We have Tobias Bell.
There is great excitement. The trade is working.
And what’s your next stunt, Geneviève?
Trading our top opera stars to Disney?
In exchange for The Little Mermaid?
Or Buzz Lightyear?
Amusing.
Mishi is returning. That’s good, yes?
I promised to make that happen and I delivered.
Mishi returning was the entire point.
The only point.
She never should have been cut by the school in the first place.
And she wasn’t supposed to be in exchange for our top Étoile.
Pain au chocolat? Croissant?
Anyone? Just me?
And is it true, Ms. Lavigne, that you encouraged the company to go on strike?
I took too big a bite.
I did not encourage anyone to do anything.
We were told that you did.
By reliable sources.
They must have misheard me.
I was in New York...
There was honking, gunshots...
It’s a big job, the job you have, Ms. Lavigne:
General Director of l’Opéra Français and Le Ballet National.
“Interim” Director.
Interim, yes. For now. But hopefully -
And we expect you to be on top of everything, from our Étoiles on down.
I want to assure you that I am.
And I want to remind you - this trade with New York. It’s temporary.
Cheyenne will be back before you know it.
And then your wife will cry no more.
My wife is dead.
You said she cried. When Cheyenne left.
My wife cried.
His is dead.
2 years now.
You were at the funeral.
I was.
And it was very moving.
The eulogies - it brought her to life.
That’s why it felt like she was still alive.
I miss her so much.
Anything else?
Yes. The bull.
The bull?
The bull.
What’s happening with the bull?
Oh - the bull.
Yes, well, the problem with the bull has been solved.
Completely?
Good.
There’s nothing to worry about with the bull.
-There she is! -There she is!
The pride of Le Ballet National!
Our beautiful Mishi Duplessis!
Lucien!
I got you a gift.
I wanted to give you something that’s very precious to me.
These shoes belonged to my hero, the great Sylvie Guillem.
-Hold them up! -A photo, please!
-Mishi? -Where is she?
The Minister of Culture!
Am I dreaming?
Where is she? Where’s Mishi?
Get out of the way! Get out of the way, please!
Mishi, come to me!
Mishi, Mishi, Mishi...
What a day.
Pardon my emotion, ladies and gentlemen.
To France, a budding star returns.
But to me... To us...
Our daughter returns.
I can’t believe I finally have you back in my -
What are you wearing? Sweatpants?
Jack thought it would be funny.
Close your jacket.
Mishi’s talent and promise have always belonged here, in France.
And now she is back!
Our Mishi is back!
As she was meant to be!
We’re all happy she’s back.
I’m sure.
Old shoes?
These are very special shoes.
They belonged to Sylvie Guillem.
Oh. How about I just invite Sylvie for dinner instead?
Florent, let’s get this girl home.
Go earn some honest money.
Enough of this shit.
It says he’s here.
I think I spot him, Madame.
It’s a boulangerie, Madame.
My friend is really hungry.
So here, take this, now go away.
Here! Thank you!
-Alright. Goodbye. -Alright. Goodbye.
-Vivian! We’re home! -I’ll be in the studio!
May I take your backpack?
Oh no. I’m fine.
Would you like something to eat?
I had 12 people’s worth of fruit on the plane.
Vivian! Take Mishi’s backpack!
I should take your backpack.
But...
I’ll put it in your room.
How about some Nesquik?
I don’t need any...
Simi?
Simi!
Oh my Simi!
I can’t believe it.
What is it? What’s the matter?
Simi. It’s Simi.
Yes. So?
You told me she was dead.
No, I did not.
You called me. You had them pull me out of rehearsal.
You told me Simi’s dead. I had to be sedated.
Why did you tell her Simi’s dead?
Isn’t she?
She’s right here. I’m holding her.
It must have been Helga who told you that. She always got confused.
Who’s Helga?
Your nanny.
My nanny was Fiona.
That’s who died.
Right. Fiona died.
Fiona died?
Yes. But Simi’s fine.
Well, there is a thing with her stool.
Vivian can fill you in.
Who told the paparazzi?
About what flight I was on?
Mishi, your homecoming is a story, sweetheart. The prodigal daughter returns.
I’m not a prodigal daughter, Papa.
I returned because I got cut here and went to New York to work there
and then got sent back here.
Well, that’s not the story the publicist recommends.
We sit with the publicist in a half hour. You should change.
Vivian? What’s the thing with Simi’s stool?
It’s very messy, very runny! We need to change her diet!
-Is that the Minister’s daughter? -Yes, that’s Mishi Duplessis.
Alright everyone. Better.
It’s getting better. Slowly but surely.
But slowly...
That’s all for today.
-Hi Vincent. -Hi, it’s really nice.
Thank you.
New dancers place the barres in the center of the studio.
Come on, come on, faster.
Welcome back.
Thank you. It’s nice to be -
There she is, the spoiled brat.
How nice life is when no rules apply to you.
Well, she had to dance in New York.
That’s something.
Come to the barre, second position.
And...music.
...with the Metropolitan Ballet Theater in New York City
and our own beloved Le Ballet National.
This so-called “swap of talent” has dominated conversation
in cultural circles here in France.
And hello to everyone here in Paris.
I am Geneviève Lavigne,
Director of Le Ballet National.
I repeat: these trades are temporary.
No question. And that was always the intention.
I’d like to introduce the talented Americans
who have been gracious enough to join the Paris company.
First, I’d like to welcome the brilliant spark that is Mishi Duplessis.
Or should I say “Welcome home,” dear Mishi.
She speaks through her dance.
Also joining us, noted choreographer Tobias Bell.
What is this?
Fix this!
I’m trying!
The bull is in the square!
Not now!
I repeat: The bull is in the square.
Very inspiring.
Do you speak French, Top Gun?
I do not speak French.
You just did.
Yes, I speak a tiny, tiny, tiny little bit of French.
I want him.
Well, buy him flowers and just don’t talk too much.
The American. Maverick. I want to work with him, he’s mine.
You mean Tobias?
The strange one. Scared of statues?
You met him?
He came up to me. Sought me out. Said he wants to work with me.
Oh, really?
He may not remember it that way.
But you met him.
Yes. I want to work with him. Talk to Alain. Make this happen.
Please.
I’ll think about it.
And I need physical therapy on my right ankle.
I’ve been telling you that for -
No more arguments!
Give me Leo, he’s good with ankles!
I’m starting in accounting. I’ll check in with you in a half hour.
Well, make it enough time.