Going Away (2013) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A transient teacher becomes involved in a child's family difficulties and returns to the estranged family history he had tried to leave behind.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

A Boy Left Waiting

Baptiste prepares to leave his teaching post but discovers Mathias has been left waiting because of confused weekend arrangements. Taking the boy to his father brings Baptiste into contact with Sandra.

Key Events

• Baptiste Prepares to Leave — The temporary teacher prepares to leave rather than settle into a lasting attachment. Characters: Baptiste Cambière Location: School
• Mathias Is Left Waiting — Baptiste discovers Mathias has been left waiting after confusion about weekend arrangements. Characters: Baptiste Cambière, Mathias Location: School
• Baptiste Takes Mathias to His Father — Baptiste takes Mathias to his father and encounters the boy's family circumstances. Characters: Baptiste Cambière, Mathias, Mathias Location: Mathias's father's home
• Baptiste Meets Sandra — Baptiste meets Mathias's mother and learns that Mathias lives with his father. Characters: Baptiste Cambière, Sandra, Mathias Location: Mathias's father's home

A Fragile Offer of Help

Baptiste spends time with Sandra and Mathias, and he and Sandra discuss their transient lives. When Sandra reveals debt and plans to leave, Baptiste offers them a place near his school in Arles.

Key Events

• Time at the Seaside — Baptiste spends time at the seaside with Sandra and Mathias. Characters: Baptiste Cambière, Sandra, Mathias Location: Seaside
• Lives of Impermanence — Baptiste and Sandra talk about their transient ways of life. Characters: Baptiste Cambière, Sandra Location: Seaside
• Mathias Struggles at School — Mathias struggles with schoolwork as the adults around him face difficulties. Characters: Mathias, Baptiste Cambière Location: School
• Sandra Reveals Her Debt — Sandra admits she owes money after a failed business venture. Characters: Sandra, Baptiste Cambière Location: Unspecified
• Sandra Plans to Leave — Sandra plans to leave, prompting Baptiste to consider how he can help her and Mathias. Characters: Sandra, Baptiste Cambière, Mathias Location: Unspecified
• An Offer Near Arles — Baptiste offers Sandra and Mathias a place to stay near his school. Characters: Baptiste Cambière, Sandra, Mathias Location: Near Baptiste's school in Arles

Return to the Cambière Home

Short of money and tired of living out of a suitcase, Baptiste approaches his estranged family. Sandra accompanies him and is welcomed to lunch, though she feels uncomfortable in the family setting.

Key Events

• Baptiste Seeks Family Help — Tired of suitcase living and short of money, Baptiste decides to approach his estranged family. Characters: Baptiste Cambière Location: Unspecified
• Arrival at the Family Home — Baptiste visits the family home, where Liliane and other relatives receive him. Characters: Baptiste Cambière, Liliane Cambière, Emmanuelle Cambière, Gilles Cambière, Thomas Cambière Location: Cambière family home
• Sandra Joins the Family Lunch — Sandra feels uncomfortable among the family but is welcomed to lunch. Characters: Baptiste Cambière, Sandra, Liliane Cambière Location: Cambière family home

Confronting the Lost Years

Liliane recalls Baptiste's institutionalization and the family's long separation, leading to an emotionally painful confrontation. Baptiste asks for money, is directed to Gilles, and finds records indicating that his family followed his education.

Key Events

• A Painful Family History — Liliane recalls Baptiste's institutionalization and says she eventually believed he was dead. Characters: Baptiste Cambière, Liliane Cambière Location: Cambière family home
• Baptiste and Liliane Confront the Past — Baptiste says Liliane arrived too late; she replies that she thought of him every day. Characters: Baptiste Cambière, Liliane Cambière Location: Cambière family home
• The Family Directs Him to Gilles — After Baptiste says he needs money, the family directs him to Gilles. Characters: Baptiste Cambière, Gilles Cambière Location: Cambière family home
• Records Reveal Years of Attention — Baptiste finds records showing his family followed his education, including a map made with his father. Characters: Baptiste Cambière Location: Cambière family home
• An Uncertain Future — Baptiste faces renewed family ties while his future with Sandra and Mathias remains uncertain. Characters: Baptiste Cambière, Sandra, Mathias Location: Unspecified

Story Breakdown

• Baptiste's Departure — Baptiste's preference for moving between teaching jobs is interrupted by an unexpected responsibility.
  • A Temporary Post — Baptiste prepares to leave his school rather than settle down.
  • Mathias Left Waiting — Confusion about weekend arrangements leaves Mathias waiting, and Baptiste steps in.
• Mathias's Family — Taking Mathias to his father introduces Baptiste to the boy's divided family circumstances.
  • Meeting Sandra — Baptiste meets Mathias's mother and learns Mathias lives with his father.
  • School Difficulties — Mathias struggles with schoolwork while the adults around him face problems.
• Seaside Encounters — Baptiste spends time with Sandra and Mathias and begins to understand Sandra's outlook on life.
  • Shared Seaside Time — The three spend time together at the seaside.
  • Transient Lives — Baptiste and Sandra talk about their unsettled ways of living.
• Sandra's Financial Crisis — Sandra's debt and plan to leave force Baptiste to consider practical help.
  • Debt Revealed — Sandra explains that she owes money after a failed business venture.
  • Offer Near Arles — Baptiste offers Sandra and Mathias a place to stay near his school.
• The Family Visit — Baptiste returns to his wealthy, estranged family because he needs money.
  • Seeking Assistance — Tired of suitcase living and short of money, Baptiste decides to approach his relatives.
  • Sandra at Lunch — Sandra joins the visit, feels uncomfortable, and is welcomed to lunch.
• Liliane's Recollection — The visit brings the history of Baptiste's separation from his family into the open.
  • Institutionalization Recalled — Liliane describes Baptiste's commitment to an institution and the family's failure to keep in touch.
  • Believed Dead — Liliane says she eventually believed Baptiste was dead.
• A Painful Confrontation — Baptiste and Liliane express their different experiences of the long separation.
  • Arrived Too Late — Baptiste accuses Liliane of arriving too late.
  • Thought of Every Day — Liliane replies that she thought of him every day.
• Records and Uncertainty — Baptiste finds evidence of his family's attention to his education, while his plans with Sandra and Mathias remain unresolved.
  • Gilles Handles Money — The family directs Baptiste to Gilles after he says he needs money.
  • The Old School Map — Baptiste finds records of his education and a map he once worked on with his father.

Directed by

Nicole Garcia

Key Cast

• Louise Bourgoin — Sandra
• Pierre Rochefort — Baptiste Cambière
• Dominique Sanda — Liliane Cambière
• Déborah François — Emmanuelle Cambière
• Eric Ruf — Gilles Cambière