Going and Coming Back (1985) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A survivor reconstructs a wartime family tragedy through memory, refuge, betrayal, and a return to the place where the loss began.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

A Friendship Before The Storm

In 1939, the Rivière and Lerner families become friends in Paris. Vincent's unreturned love for Salomé develops as war begins to threaten their lives.

Key Events

• Salomé Presents Her Memoir — In 1985, Salomé appears on television after writing a book about her life. Characters: Salomé Lerner Location: Television studio
• The Story Returns To 1939 — Her memoir opens the musical reconstruction of her wartime past. Characters: Salomé Lerner Location: Television studio
• Two Families Become Friends — The Rivières befriend the Lerners before the war reaches Paris. Characters: Roland Rivière, Hélène Rivière, Simon Lerner, Sarah Lerner Location: Paris
• Vincent Pursues Salomé — Vincent falls in love with Salomé, but she does not return his feelings. Characters: Vincent Rivière, Salomé Lerner Location: Paris
• War Threatens Paris — The Rivières plan to leave for Bourgogne if war breaks out. Characters: Roland Rivière, Hélène Rivière, Simon Lerner, Sarah Lerner Location: Paris
• The Rivières Leave Paris — War begins, and the Rivières relocate to their Burgundian village. Characters: Roland Rivière, Hélène Rivière Location: Paris

Flight To The Château

The Rivières leave Paris for Burgundy, while the Lerners remain hidden until a denunciation forces them to flee. They find shelter at the Rivière château.

Key Events

• The Rivières Leave Paris — War begins, and the Rivières relocate to their Burgundian village. Characters: Roland Rivière, Hélène Rivière Location: Paris
• The Lerners Hide In Paris — The Lerners remain discreet in Paris to avoid raids. Characters: Simon Lerner, Sarah Lerner, Salomé Lerner, Saloman Lerner Location: Paris
• The Family Flees Paris — After being denounced by their concierge, the Lerners flee Paris. Characters: Simon Lerner, Sarah Lerner, Salomé Lerner, Saloman Lerner Location: Paris
• Refuge At The Château — The Lerner family takes refuge with the Rivières in Burgundy. Characters: Roland Rivière, Hélène Rivière, Simon Lerner, Sarah Lerner, Salomé Lerner, Saloman Lerner Location: Rivière château
• Vincent Renews His Courtship — Vincent resumes pursuing Salomé, who avoids him. Characters: Vincent Rivière, Salomé Lerner Location: Rivière château
• The Refugees Stay Hidden — For safety, the refugees are forbidden to leave the château. Characters: Simon Lerner, Sarah Lerner, Salomé Lerner, Saloman Lerner, Roland Rivière, Hélène Rivière Location: Rivière château

A Dangerous Disguise

The refugees are confined to the château, where Saloman plays the piano and Vincent continues pursuing Salomé. Hélène invents a fictitious engagement and stages a village party.

Key Events

• The Refugees Stay Hidden — For safety, the refugees are forbidden to leave the château. Characters: Simon Lerner, Sarah Lerner, Salomé Lerner, Saloman Lerner, Roland Rivière, Hélène Rivière Location: Rivière château
• Saloman Plays Rachmaninov — Saloman plays the Rachmaninov Concerto on the château piano to pass the time. Characters: Saloman Lerner Location: Rivière château
• Hélène Creates A Cover Story — Hélène proposes a fictitious engagement for Vincent and Salomé. Characters: Hélène Rivière, Vincent Rivière, Salomé Lerner Location: Rivière château
• The Engagement Party — A large party presents the fictional engagement to the villagers. Characters: Hélène Rivière, Vincent Rivière, Salomé Lerner, Roland Rivière, Simon Lerner, Sarah Lerner Location: Burgundian village
• The Village Accepts The Story — The staged engagement is used to officialize the Lerners' presence among villagers. Characters: Vincent Rivière, Salomé Lerner, Villager Location: Burgundian village
• A Dangerous Calm — The families remain together while the threat surrounding the château persists. Characters: Roland Rivière, Hélène Rivière, Simon Lerner, Sarah Lerner, Salomé Lerner, Saloman Lerner Location: Rivière château

Arrest And Aftermath

German police arrive at the château and arrest the Lerner family after a denunciation. After the war, Salomé returns alone to seek the truth about the family's fate.

Key Events

• A Dangerous Calm — The families remain together while the threat surrounding the château persists. Characters: Roland Rivière, Hélène Rivière, Simon Lerner, Sarah Lerner, Salomé Lerner, Saloman Lerner Location: Rivière château
• German Police Arrive — German police arrive at the château and expose the refuge. Characters: German officer, Simon Lerner, Sarah Lerner, Salomé Lerner, Saloman Lerner Location: Rivière château
• The Lerners Are Arrested — The German police arrest the Lerners after the family realizes they were denounced. Characters: German officer, Simon Lerner, Sarah Lerner, Salomé Lerner, Saloman Lerner Location: Rivière château
• The War Ends — At the end of the war, Salomé remains the sole survivor of her family. Characters: Salomé Lerner Location: France
• Salomé Returns For Truth — Salomé returns to the château seeking to discover what really happened. Characters: Salomé Lerner Location: Rivière château

Story Breakdown

• Memoir Frame — The older Salomé presents her life story, which becomes the gateway to the wartime narrative.
  • Television Appearance — Salomé appears on television after writing a book about her life.
  • Musical Memory — The past is presented through a musical reconstruction centered on Salomé's memories.
• Parisian Friendship — The Rivières and Lerners form a friendship before war transforms their lives.
  • Families Meet — Roland and Hélène befriend Simon and Sarah in Paris.
  • Unreturned Courtship — Vincent falls in love with Salomé, who does not reciprocate his feelings.
• War And Flight — The outbreak of war forces the characters to abandon ordinary life and seek safety.
  • Rivière Departure — The Rivières leave Paris for their château in Burgundy.
  • Denunciation — The Lerners flee Paris after being denounced by their building concierge.
• Château Refuge — The Rivière château becomes a protected but increasingly dangerous refuge for the Lerner family.
  • Hidden Refugees — The Lerners must remain inside the château for their safety.
  • Piano Consolation — Saloman plays the Rachmaninov Concerto on the château piano.
• Fictitious Engagement — Hélène creates a public cover designed to make the Lerners' presence appear legitimate.
  • Protective Scheme — Hélène proposes that Vincent and Salomé pretend to be engaged.
  • Village Celebration — A large party presents the fictional engagement to the villagers.
• Betrayal And Arrest — The protective disguise fails when German police arrive at the château.
  • Police Arrival — German police reach the château and expose the danger surrounding the refugees.
  • Lerner Arrests — The German police arrest the Lerners after they understand that they were denounced.
• Survivor's Return — After the war, Salomé returns to the château to confront the unanswered past.
  • Sole Survivor — Salomé is identified as the sole survivor of her family.
  • Search For Truth — She returns to the château seeking to discover what happened.

Directed by

Claude Lelouch

Key Cast

• Annie Girardot — Hélène Rivière
• Jean-Louis Trintignant — Roland Rivière
• Françoise Fabian — Sarah Lerner
• Erik Berchot — Saloman Lerner
• Michel Piccoli — Simon Lerner