Camille is captured and sent to Poulo-Condor - a high security prison that does not permit visitors, and not even Guy can free her. He confides to Éliane that Camille's only chance for surviving the prison is to become a dedicated Communist. Éliane lobbies government officials for Camille's release to no avail. After five years, the Popular Front comes to power and releases all political prisoners, including Camille. Éliane goes to the prison to take her home but, rather than go and live with her mother and son, Camille joins the Communists to fight for Vietnam's independence. She does not wish for her son to know the horrors she has witnessed, and tells her mother that French colonialism is drawing to an end.