The Butcher

Helene is an unmarried teacher in a small town in southwestern France. She is the perfect lady: always neatly dressed and confident and controlled in her actions. That doesn't change when she meets Paul, whom everyone calls "Popaul." He returns from the war after 15 years and takes over the village butcher shop. The two are aware of their special position in the village as unmarried people and find understanding and closeness in each other. So they spend more and more time together: they eat together at her home or take long walks in the woods - which could attract the gossip of the village. While Popaul soon tells Helene about his feelings for her, she keeps him at a distance for fear of getting hurt. Nevertheless, she gives him a valuable lighter for his birthday. But shortly afterwards, during a school trip, Helene discovers the blood-covered body of a woman - and the lighter lying next to it. Helene comes to the logical conclusion that Popaul must be the murderer. This assumption remains unspoken between the two, is revised again, and is finally confirmed. Helene finds herself torn between attraction and fear towards Popaul, until he finally stands before her with a knife in his stomach.