Callas Forever (2002) - full transcript

- Where are they?

- Where's who?

- Bad Dreams.

- Probably still in bed.

- Not on the same flight?

- We announced I'd arrive alone.

- We thought that meant you weren't.

- So we fooled you!

- Why do you take the band to Paris?

- Paris loves stars.

Mistinguette, Piaf, Chevalier...

- Piaf didn't urinate on the crowd.

- That's not what I heard.

- Chevalier didn't flash his arse.

- Please!

- Aren't Bad Dreams a comedown?

- What do you mean?

You've presented Nureyev,

Fonteyn, Menuhin, Callas...

Bob Dylan and the Stones.

Don't be boring, it's 1977,

kids want groups like this today.

- Will you see Callas in Paris?

- Maybe.

You produced her last

tour to Japan, didn't you?

Yeah.

- It was a disaster!

- The Titanic was a disaster.

We're not here to talk about

Maria Callas, but Bad Dreams.

I hope you'll come

to their concert on Wednesday.

- Until tomorrow, at the Gare du Nord!

- They're coming by train?

Yes, the airlines won't take them.

Thank you.

Do you ever tire of all that?

- All what?

- All that bullshit.

Publicity is never bullshit.

- You're buzzing.

- Am I?

It's this.

I've never seen

a good-looking guy with one.

Sorry, I can't hear you flirting.

- Larry Kelly.

- I know.

- Sorry, I'm late.

- Don't worry, we've dealt with the press.

How was the flight?

Fine.

- How are the tickets doing?

- Sold out! - Good!

- What are the problems?

- Faulty wiring at the stadium.

Call Philip Pope in London,

he fixed Wembley in 10 minutes.

I can hear you from here.

- What?

- I can hear your thing.

Bullshit.

Don't you hate big cars?

Depends what happens in them.

- Fancy a lift?

- Why not?

I offered to carry your bags, but

you didn't mention six flights!

Didn't I?

- Is this your work?

- Yes.

I'm part of a group show next week,

and then I think I have my own show

in Tel Aviv.

Then maybe Capetown, where I was born.

- Are you impressed?

- Give me time...

Maria!

- I need her voice whenever I come home.

- Oh, God!

You're not one of those

ghastly Callas queens, are you?

Hardly.

I'm too young to have seen

her perform... unfortunately.

Unfortunately.

When I had my operation

to try to restore my hearing,

my mother sneaked a... cassette

player into the hospital room.

So that the first sound I would hear

would be...

I don't know...

unearthly.

Beauty not of this earth,

Callas.

- Will you do other concerts?

- No.

Her voice is shot.

I do have plans though.

I've got to go.

- Can I give you my card?

- No. - Ok.

How about dinner tomorrow?

- You mean a date?

- Are you too modern for that?

I'll pick you up at 9:00.

8:00.

Alright, 8:00.

But I'll be late.

There's nothing coming out of number nine!

Number nine is dead completely,

it's crackling.

Will you make coffee?

- Just a minute.

- The click track?

- They'll use earphones as usual.

- The backing track?

- Cheating, are we? - Sarah!

- Wasn't it supposed to be live?

Don't wind me up, every group

does it! What're you doing here?

- Doing an article on Wet Dreams.

- Bad Dreams!

- Did I ok this?

- You did!

I'm surprised your rag's interested.

Their music is appalling, but

their arrest record is fantastic!

The kids love them,

and they earn a fortune.

Aren't you a bit long in the tooth

for a punk band?

You're not a teenybopper either!

- Are they for me?

- She wouldn't take them. - What?

Her maid noticed they were from you

and sent them back.

This is your friend!

She said Madame Callas

is sailing in the Greek islands.

She hasn't been there since Onassis died!

She cancelled four lunches with me.

Haven't seen her in months,

friendship isn't in her repertoire.

- D'you have a light?

- Brendan, give her a light.

Why are you so upset

about an old has been?

- Don't you dare say that!

- Your arm! - Right.

I thought only musicians did that.

- Did what? - Shot up backstage!

- It's vitamins.

Get her on the phone.

We'll throw the flowers

on the stage after the show.

Is that Bruna?

Bruna, it's Larry.

Pass me Madame Callas.

I just want... Don't...

Shit!

A has-been?

- Did you ever hear her?

- She was before my time.

- Why do I always hire children?

- That question has been asked!

- This proves my point.

- What point?

- Point of my idea. - What idea?

- I'm not going to tell you!

A has-been...

The greatest opera singer!

I could fire you,

I think I will, you're fired!

You're right. Forget the flowers,

forget the phone, I'll go see her.

- Did I say that?

- No, but you thought it!

- Mr. Larry!

- Bruna, tell Madame I've come to call.

- Madame is not in.

- Yes, she is in. I know it. - No.

- You're lying!

- No, I'm not. Where are you going?

Maria!

Bruna, who is it?

Why do you want to come in?

Mr. Larry!

I'm out for anybody.

Who do you think you are?

How dare you push your way in?

I've looked for you for days!

Ferruccio, see this gentleman out, please.

- I just want to speak to you.

- Mind leaving?

- I want to speak to Madame Callas.

- Madame doesn't want... - Please.

Let go of him.

- Sorry, you're alright, you'll live.

- Well, well, violence...

When a lady says she's not at home,

she's not at home.

- But you are at home!

- It's a manner of speaking!

Well, in a manner of speaking,

I was passing by.

Nobody passes by Maria Callas.

Either they come to see me or they don't.

- What do you want?

- To say hello.

Ok. Hello.

Now goodbye!

I want to talk to you.

Another proposal?

After Japan?

Japan wasn't my idea.

- Whose idea was it then? Mine?

- Yes, as a matter of fact.

The genesis, so to speak

of an idea, is immaterial.

It happened.

Japan happened.

That's enough!

There, Japan.

I keep it to remind me.

- Of what?

- Never to set foot on stage again.

No matter what you thought

of your voice that night,

the audience still loved you.

People wouldn't notice if I barked!

Which I almost did that night!

So? You've come to suggest another

way to make a fool of myself?

Want me to join a Chinese circus

or show my derriere in public?

- I do read the papers!

- That's just show business.

What I'm suggesting is serious,

it's revolutionary!

It's too late,

I'm no longer on the market.

Let's talk about something else.

Tell me about yourself.

- When did you become a hippy?

- Don't play around!

- You look tired. - I'm fine.

- Do you eat enough? -Yes!

- Does anyone take care of you?

- I don't need that!

- You need a proper boyfriend.

- Well...

- Have you met someone?

- Maybe.

Thank God, gossip!

I want details!

- I thought you wanted me to leave?

- I do, but later.

- Some tea for Mr. Kelly, please.

- Yes!

- It turned out he was an artist, a painter.

- What's his name?

I don't know.

- He's hearing impaired.

- What do you mean?

He doesn't hear very well,

he's a little deaf.

- He doesn't have to listen to you.

- He has all your records!

- Can he hear them?

- Yes, he wears a thing.

You mean...

No, a little thing that sits

in there, you can't see it.

He'd better be attractive. Is he?

Good.

What are they doing up there?

- You practicing?

- Practicing for what?

Singing, this piano's out of tune.

I told you I don't want to sing again.

- You're deaf like your friend?

- Maria! Want to just vegetate?

The new generation has never seen you!

- They've missed their chance.

- Give them a second chance.

Don't speak to me about a second chance!

- Did Icarus have one?

- No, but...

No, he flew too close to the sun

and pow, into the water!

If he had artificial wings?

- What do you mean?

- The world is changing.

We have to change with it,

there are new technologies.

"Callas Forever", what a title!

I want to film you singing

your most famous roles

and match it to your old recordings

when your voice was in its prime.

Technically, it's possible. I've

laid it all out. Do me a favour.

Take it to bed tonight, read it,

and tell me what you think.

I know what it is,

I know why you look different.

- You dye your hair!

- Don't change...

"Callas Forever"...

There is no Callas!

- Jesus Christ!

- I denounce Maria Callas!

Let me alone, I have many things

to do. I'm on holiday.

I leave tomorrow for Sicily

and then the Greek Islands.

Bruna, is the luggage ready?

In a few months, I'm to visit

Egypt, to see the Pyramids again.

Don't forget anything!

What are you waiting for?

You still think there's money

to be made off of me?

I don't entertain leeches.

I don't know why I am here,

the band opens tomorrow.

They may eat chicken heads on

stage, but they're professional.

- They piss on the audience!

- Come on, Maria!

I haven't seen you in ages,

but you haven't changed one jot.

You're still a stupid, stubborn cow!

- How dare you say that? Get out!

- Alright.

Don't set foot in my house again!

- Don't worry!

- Do you hear me?

I don't want to see you no more!

Bad Dreams want ice cream

flown in from America.

Go and get it.

- Where do we send it?

- What d'you mean?

They've been thrown out of the

Ritz, they've wrecked four suites.

Good for them!

Rockstars are easy compared

with divas, they're easy!

Hello!

Maria!

- Some wine?

- Lovely.

- How's your omelette?

- Good.

Didn't expect to eat alone,

I thought we'd go out.

I don't go out,

out is over-rated.

What about fresh air, sunshine?

This is Paris, the most beautiful

city in the world!

What's a city?

Just a place, not home.

This is your home,

you've been here for 20 years!

I don't have a home.

I lived in Italy many years

as well. And Greece, America.

Do you think I've ever been

attached to a place, a country?

I don't speak correctly any language,

I don't know who I am.

I was born Maria Kalogeropoulou

and now I'm Maria Callas.

I'm neither one.

Ljust float.

A very interesting rendition

of Chekhov, thank you.

Why not float over here,

sit down, and have some food?

- I'm not interested in food.

- What was that for?

Something or other, does it matter?

There hasn't been a reason...

not a single reason...

to leave this house since he died.

I need a better frame for this.

- Beautiful, isn't he?

- Onassis?

Were you wearing glasses

when you looked at him?

I saw the beauty, she didn't!

Mrs Kennedy...

- She never understood him.

- You never understood him either.

He was a shit, you know it.

Turned you into a slave

on that stupid boat.

Just lying in the sun,

no piano, no practicing...

Losing your voice and all your friends.

Let's not argue, I don't have the energy.

- Sarah! I'm naked!

- I have to talk to you.

- Don't reporters knock?

- No, never. - What do you want?

- Just five minutes.

- Later, if it's about last night's concert.

- They were great, right?

- If you like self-mutilation.

- This is serious.

- A massage is serious.

Maria needs your help.

This is private.

You've got something to say, say it!

The feet, please.

You've got no idea how tense I am.

- We have to get her out of that apartment.

- So, hire a forklift.

Bruna tells me she's up all night,

listening to her recordings

and taking pills.

God knows what they are!

D'you have a lighter?

Please!

Sorry. I saw what you sent,

I read your proposal.

What?

It's a marvellous idea. It

could give her back her life.

- You tell her that, not me!

- Listen to me.

She doesn't eat, she's wasting away.

She's in mourning for her voice,

for her career, for Onassis.

It's like the last act of one

of her operas and she's only 53!

- You have to help her!

- I'm not a good Samaritan.

- Don't you care what happens to her?

- No.

Jesus, Sarah!

- What was that for?

- For lying!

If you can't sleep, you should phone her.

- Hello.

- Sarah.

Is it two o'clock?

I'm sorry.

Listen...

Where does she get the pills?

Who gives them to her?

Alright. Alright...

I'll talk to Bruna

when I get back from Hamburg.

- Good night.

- I'm sorry.

I woke her up.

She was not pleased.

Mr. Larry, please, leave.

Madame. Madame. Stop it.

Go to bed.

Don't cry.

- What do you want?

- One espresso.

- Here you are. Sugar.

- Thank you.

Good morning!

- What are you doing here?

- I've made some breakfast.

With help from Bruna. Up

a daisy, it's two o'clock.

Bruna!

It's a beautiful day, the sun's

shining, the birds are singing.

You can't spend all your time in bed.

Go on!

Drink your coffee.

Better now?

Your friends are very worried about you.

You do know you have friends, don't you?

Have you ever trusted anybody else,

I mean really trusted?

If you have, I want you to trust me today.

No questions, just trust me.

I beg you!

I actually beg you.

Think about it, finish your breakfast.

I want to see Maria Callas again.

Afternoon, Madame Callas.

We're going in here.

- Sarah!

- Maria! - Oh, my God!

Gerard, I'm suspicious

if my record company is present.

- You are gorgeous!

- You are too kind!

- What is this? -A conspiracy!

- Come and sit down, Maria.

- We have a surprise.

- Asurprise?!

- Would you like a cup of coffee?

- No, thank you. - And you? -Yes.

Roll the film.

- Is this a joke?

- There's a problem with the sound.

What's wrong with the sound?

You invaded my house,

virtually kidnapped me

to bring me here to watch

my most shameful performance!

- How could you?

- You're wrong.

When they fix the sound, you'll

see you've never sounded better.

You're mad!

- It was a mistake.

- Sit down.

Go again.

I told you so,

you'd never been in better voice.

I was in terrible voice!

What have you done?

What kind of trick is it?

This is your Japanese concert,

but the sound comes from

a recording you made 22 years ago.

We've married the sound

to the picture. It's simple.

- But it's dishonest!

- Why?

It's not me singing!

Then who is it? Renata Tebaldi?

No, it's your image, it's your voice,

it has to be you!

I'm very confused.

Am I selling my soul to Satan?

This is 1977, Satan is redundant.

Anyway, in theory,

he can make you live forever.

Vampires live forever.

- If anyone qualifies as a vampire, it's me.

- Why did you say that?

I'm a journalist, remember?

We suck blood.

Because, of course, we can't sing,

or dance, or paint...

I'd give anything to be Maria Callas!

You are and you don't want to be.

They came last night.

My phantoms, Medea, Violetta, Norma...

But one in particular is haunting me.

Who?

Carmen.

I never sang her on stage.

I only recorded her.

I never completed her.

And maybe...

- Maybe...

- No, it's too crazy.

- Maybe Carmen could be the exception.

- No.

It would be fresh,

I wouldn't be dredging up the past.

- Perhaps it could work.

- Perhaps? -Yes, perhaps.

Maria, no more "perhaps", I need a "yes"!

It's not a hard word to say!

You can form the words.

Please!

Alright.

- Yes.

- You sure?

Well, I...

Yes.

I have your guarantee?

Yes.

It's the most beautiful "yes"

in the world!

And you're the most beautiful

woman in the world!

The first film that we propose

is a role Madame Callas

has never performed on stage.

It's also one of the most popular

operas in the world:

"Carmen".

I've spoken to the distinguished

Spanish film maker, Esteban Gomez,

who is very keen to direct.

- And is Callas really committed?

- "Carmen" is her idea.

- She always reneges on contracts!

- Peter, come on!

I've known and worked

with Maria Callas for many years.

She's a consummate artist,

her record of honouring her

commitments is better than many.

Nevertheless,

we're gonna need some guarantees.

I'm your guarantee.

She is my guarantee.

I've never put up money

into my own projects,

but since I'm so convinced

of the importance

and good investment of this project,

I am putting up 50%

of the initial capital.

What we're offering is involvement

in one of the greatest cultural

events of the 20th century.

Maria Callas on film,

the greatest opera star

singing her greatest roles.

These films could open up

a new generation to her work.

After "Carmen",

we'll film her other great roles,

"La Traviata", "Norma", "Tosca".

With the emergence of the new

market in video cassette-players

not only will sales of her

records go through the roof,

but sales of her videos.

Royalties from those

will keep us warm in our old age.

It'll be alright.

- There he is!

- Maria, you look wonderful.

You didn't tell me

the press would be here!

- I tried to avoid this.

- Either they go or I go!

I can't ask them to leave, you'll

have to speak to them at some time.

You can handle them.

Madame Callas has nothing to say.

- Are you returning to the stage?

- Maybe.

- Why did you change your mind?

- Because I'm a woman.

Are you gonna make a movie?

Please, don't push!

When are you going

to sing again at the Scala?

When your audience will be more polite.

- How much money are you getting?

- Use your mind a bit.

(SPEAK GREEK)

- Are you going to perform Isolde?

- I'm not fat enough.

Do you get a percentage of the profits?

I'm not supposed to tell you.

You haven't come to terms yet

about my percentage, have you?

I'm glad they reminded me. You must

always have the press around.

- From the top of "Habanera".

- Everything satisfactory? -Yes.

I'm sorry.

- I must know where I took a breath.

- It's very simple.

Show me!

- I'll do my best. - Once more!

- Could you remove your necklace?

- Yes.

- Thank you. - Nothing.

- I'm ready.

- Thank you.

Yes, it works!

Beautiful!

This is very difficult.

I have to sing along to the tape,

I can't just move my lips, right?

Yes.

The vocal cords, neck muscles, the

diaphragm... everything is singing.

Exactly.

Which means when we cast

Escamillo and Don Jose,

they must be able to sing, even

if we won't hear their voices.

Am I correct?

But first we must find actors

who have the right look,

beautiful actors...

- When can we start seeing people?

- Tomorrow at noon.

I'll be there.

Beautiful voice, interesting.

If he can match...

Eugene, think there's a

problem with the match?

He'll be fine.

Ok.

Music and action!

- Studio.

- It's Michael. Is Larry there?

Not yet.

Hang on, he's just arriving.

Arrested?

I'll call the Minister.

- Who is it?

- The painter.

It's a madhouse here,

I just got in from Florence.

Just post bail. I can't hear you.

Forget it, he's just the drummer.

Why don't you come?

I can't hear, see you later.

Big kiss.

- The shawl is too small!

- What the hell's going on?

What the hell's going on?

I have no wig!

- She doesn't need a wig.

- How can I rehearse like this?

You look wonderful. You're nervous

'cause it's the first big scene.

- I'm terrified!

- Why?

The men of Sevilla are waiting

for Carmen, desiring her.

- How can I fulfil that at my age?

- You're ageless!

A nice word for "decrepit"?

You're saying a mature person

can't attract a young man?

- The Minister is waiting.

- Are you?

I've got an extraordinary idea,

in this scene, I'll put Escamillo!

What?

He's Spain's greatest

matador and he wants Carmen.

Bizet didn't think of that!

Let's try it!

Come on!

- I'm looking for Larry.

- He's not here.

- Know where he is?

- In a meeting.

So what else is new?

Now comes the moment of destiny,

Carmen sees Don Jose for the first time.

Where is he?

There!

Even more handsome in a soldier's uniform.

He's the only man in Sevilla

who ignores her.

She's attracted by that?

Yes, the danger of it,

like in a bullfight,

the bravery of the matador

is almost a dance with death.

You try now.

It's very important

to keep your shoulders back.

Keep your back straight,

hold your stomach.

Everybody's looking at you.

Alright?

Keep this position,

but holding your skirt.

Don't bend on your knees.

Let's go!

Perfect!

Start with the right, one and two.

Hold your head up!

Keep your shoulders down, mind your arms.

You must look as if you had

just seen the man of your life.

Conquer him!

Move your skirt!

Look at her eyes, she's loving it!

Hold it, that's not right!

Once again! Music!

She's in good form!

I don't know when I can do that...

Wonderful! Beautiful!

That was great, but now

we are going to take a rest.

- Take a rest?

- We have union rules, we must stop!

I don't care about the rules!

- I'll call you back.

- I don't tolerate laziness!

If you want to work with Maria Callas,

you must be ready to work

day and night, understand?

I don't care about Maria Callas!

I can't be surrounded

by people with stopwatches!

Every move I make must be perfect!

If I can't be a perfect gypsy,

I will not go on.

I didn't realise

this was an amateur production.

Go back to your Bad Dreams!

I should have known this was

a third rate operation.

- You ungrateful bitch!

- You tacky, stupid producer!

Shyster, son of a bitch!

I've missed it!

A good tantrum!

I've been so bored.

I'm exhausted.

No, I'm not, I'd like to do something.

Let's go out, we never do.

What about a dinner?

- You're not free?

- Could I bring Michael? - Michael?

- My friend.

- Now you know his name!

It must be serious!

- He's dying to meet you.

- I'd like to meet him.

- I'll be ready in 5 minutes.

- Put on something...

Chanel!

My God!

It's exactly

like the first act of "Boheme"!

Your paintings...

Wonderful red!

I adore red!

It's beautiful.

- It's you.

- What?

It's what I feel when I hear you.

I feel colours, vibrations...

sound waves woven into the air.

He's very good this boy!

I want to show you something special.

This is my favourite,

"Norma".

The splendour of the moon

with that incredible music

of "Casta Diva"...

a feeling of peace and serenity.

Sometimes...

I have visions inside my head.

You've read my heart.

Bad Dreams don't want to go

to Korea because they eat dogs?

They're a rock band, not gourmets!

I can't be bothered with them anymore.

I'm trying to edit a film,

I've got a nervous leading lady.

I can't wait to see it!

It's just a rough cut.

We just finished it.

- This morning? -Yeah.

- Right. - Go on.

It's spectacular,

looks like something out of MGM!

It's a real gipsy atmosphere,

that's why I brought gipsies from Spain.

- Where's Carmen?

- Now she's coming.

Here she comes!

I love that red shawl.

- Red's your favourite color.

- Yes. - Very sexy.

Bravo!

Bravo, Esteban!

Thank you so much!

She dances like a Spanish!

Lucia told me, gipsies dance

to relieve their tension.

- Carmen is very tense.

- Exactly.

Because she doesn't know

if Don Jose will come or not.

She asks the cards, the cards never lie.

My God!

- Perfect sync! What's his real voice like?

- Very good.

- Who's he studied with?

- Michelangelo.

- Shut up!

- Sorry.

Who is?

- It's Marco.

- Marco!

I just wanted to thank you.

What for?

They're beautiful!

My favourite color.

- Please sit down.

- Thank you.

Bruna, will you go fetch a vase?

- I'm out for anybody.

- Ok.

I want to speak with Marco.

Please, sit down.

May I ask you a question?

Of course.

Do you think I'll be able to sing Jose,

one day, with my own voice?

- In an opera house?

- Yes, it's very possible.

Your voice has a beautiful quality.

If you study well

and watch your breathing,

if you remember what I showed you...

- I will never forget.

- Have a drink.

I don't usually drink.

It helps the voice if you relax.

Thank you.

Cheers.

So your parents were upset when you left?

It's wine country, they've worked

in the vineyards for ages.

They expected you to stamp on grapes?

I suppose.

But you're meant to stamp on other things.

You're a handsome man.

You must have a string

of broken hearts lying behind you.

Not that many.

You're meant to break hearts,

it's your destiny!

Tell me about you.

Haven't you left something out?

I don't understand.

Is there someone you haven't

mentioned? Let me guess.

A girlfriend perhaps.

Well, yes.

- I've known her since...

- You were children.

No, teenagers.

I suppose you are faithful?

Because someday you plan to marry her?

Yes, that's the idea.

That's a long way off.

I'm not ready yet.

So many things have to happen

still in my life,

so many things to experience,

to discover.

I don't know what I'm saying,

I'm not used to the brandy.

Where is Bruna? Bruna!

We have to work together.

At the end of the day, only work counts.

But, Madame...

It's been a long day.

I'll see you tomorrow.

- You alright?

- It was a triumph, wasn't it?

It was magnificent.

- Atriumph is worse than a failure.

- What?

- If this price is too high.

- What are you on about?

It's like Faust, isn't it?

Faust won back his youth.

So did l, the sound of my youth.

Come on! He's a character

in an opera, he's fictional.

"Carmen" was a fraud!

Yeah, alright!

All performance art is a fraud.

When you gave those great

performances before,

didn't you stand

in front of painted scenery?

Yes, but...

When you played Medea,

when you were deciding

to murder your children,

weren't you looking at a man

with a stick in hand,

conducting an orchestra?

It's all a fake!

But you gave it its own truth.

The same thing with Carmen.

No!

What does it matter if it's

the young voice if it works?

And it does work!

It's given you a second chance,

take hold of it.

Stop this nonsense! I don't want

to worry about you when I'm gone.

Gone?

I've got to do my column

from New York for six months,

I leave on Wednesday.

Goodbye!

Alright.

I'll miss you.

I'll miss you.

- Oh, you!

- I'll miss you. - Oh, Maria!

You're right.

You don't have to worry about me.

I'm back on...

what is it in English?

- On the trail?

- Track! -Whatever.

- What on earth? - "La Traviata".

- I know! - Our next project?

- Wasn't he to do it last night?

- What are you saying?

- You said he would.

- Rocco will deal with it, he has to sgn it.

- Rocco's the man.

- I'll take care of it.

- See you.

- Be back later.

You look good.

Why do we have to meet in the car?

No telephones,

no assistants running around.

- Sounds ominous.

- Why'd she pick him up?

What's the problem?

I can't do "La Traviata".

You changed your mind overnight?

I never promised.

Is there a reason?

You're a professional, you understand.

I said everything

I have to say about Violetta.

Same is true of Norma, Lucia, Medea...

Carmen was different.

But forget the others.

Let's stop now.

What'll you do for the rest of your life?

Rot away in that stinking apartment?

If I choose, it's my life.

And you've chosen.

Well, thank you.

Stop the car.

I'm getting out.

- Where are you going?

- To spend my time with live people.

- We're in traffic!

- I'd rather get run over than stay here.

Larry, stop!

Perhaps Tosca.

Tosca?

I never had a picnic before.

It's very pleasant.

You can observe people.

Cut to the chase.

What do you mean?

You didn't bring me here

to listen to the birds.

Maria Callas doesn't arrange

a picnic in Bois de Boulogne

unless she wants to soften me up.

What is it?

Are we going to do "Tosca"?

I have so many problems with Tosca.

I did it many times and perhaps...

That was fun while it lasted.

"Tosca" was in production

for two minutes, a record!

Don't waste the sandwich!

That's what this charade's about?

To tell me you can't do "La Traviata",

but instead "Tosca",

but actually you can't.

I could kill you!

Sit down. Please!

I've been thinking seriously

about singing "Tosca" again.

- Singing?

- I'm only 53.

There are people giving concerts

who are almost 80!

"Carmen" was a great experience for me.

I found the excitement again of...

making something, creating.

I rediscovered my soul.

I'd given it away,

long before...

In exchange for what?

I've wasted so many good years...

- Maria...

- It's not too late.

Tosca may be the role

I'm still able to perform.

But this time, without your tricks!

I must be Callas again,

but Callas as she is today.

I understand...

I must work on my voice

and re-explore the character.

Maybe I should do a workshop.

I've changed so much

since I played Tosca...

We'll see if I have the voice.

I want to try.

You think I'm crazy?

No, not crazy.

It just turns my idea on its head.

Be prepared for people to say...

This time I'm asking you to trust me.

Ok.

No, just a small group.

Students.

People she can bounce off new ideas.

She's played Tosca a hundred times before,

she wants to find something new.

It won't cost us anything,

it's a rehearsal.

When she's discovered something,

we'll shoot!

See you there.

Yes! Bye.

It's me.

- I'd kill for a Scotch.

- It's on the side of the bed.

The ice probably melted.

I'm sorry I'm so late.

I spent the day trying

to persuade Philistines

that art's a good investment,

and I succeeded.

So good!

- What are you doing?

- Packing. - Why?

- My show in Tel Aviv is next week.

- Next week?

- I told you four times.

- Yeah, but...

People who hear don't listen.

When do you return?

I don't know. I have shows

in Amsterdam and Capetown as well.

- Places.

- Yeah, but...

Mike!

- Will I see you again?

- Who knows?

Did I fuck up?

Every time I've played Tosca,

I have, in my mind,

plunged that knife

into a different person,

someone I hated at that moment.

But...

she's still possessed by him.

When she sleeps,

she dreams of him.

When she's awake,

she feels his touch.

How can she break the spell?

Death!

Death can free her.

Only God can judge them both.

Callas will only film "Tosca"

if she can sing in her own voice?

Exactly.

Her voice is unusable, it's sad but true.

The voice doesn't matter,

the performance matters!

We should film "Tosca"

with Maria as she is today,

with her voice today.

The voice does matter.

There was a voice,

the audience expects to hear that.

- Gerard!

- It's opera!

Opera is voice, opera is music.

There's other kinds of music.

There's the music in the head,

in the heart...

There's unnameable music.

You are all deaf.

Gentlemen, I'm surprised she agreed

to do any of this project.

Let's look at the bright side,

we have the "Carmen" special.

Sales of her records

will go through the roof!

Larry. Your coat.

It doesn't matter

that they didn't understand.

There are other sources, other backers.

We'll take the project elsewhere.

- We've got to do it!

- They are not wrong.

That's the first thing you must say

to yourself, they are not wrong.

No matter how much I refine my knowledge,

the truth is, there is no voice.

Does that matter? No!

Yes, because once there was a voice.

Such a voice!

- You have other things...

- Larry. - Listen, you have...

We have to face the fact

that we are older.

Both of us.

- Have you lost money?

- That doesn't matter.

I'll earn with "Carmen".

What?

What were you going to say?

- Say it.

- I can't. - Come on!

- I have no right.

- Maria, be straight with me!

Destroy "Carmen".

"Carmen"?

You've got no right,

"Carmen" is beautiful!

I know.

Some of the best work you've ever done.

It's a legacy...

In a hundred years time, it will be there!

People will say: "There!"

That was Callas!

But, it's not honest.

It's a fake.

A magnificent fake, but still a fake.

Maybe no one watching will realise,

but I know.

Technology can create

the most extraordinary illusions.

But what I had, was never an illusion.

If it was nothing else, it was honest.

Even on a bad night,

when you wanted to close your ears

and hide your eyes,

it was honest!

Now, you're asking me to end

my career by announcing that...

Maria Callas was a fraud?

You want my legacy to be the opposite

of everything I ever stood for?

I know why I hate integrity.

It's great for the person who has it,

but pure hell for those around it.

It's admirable.

You know I own half of "Carmen".

I'll make sure that it's never shown.

What do you want?

My kidneys? My liver?

Thank you.

Take me to my car.

Michael sent this.

Ah, indeed!

Why don't we walk?

I need to walk.

- God answers prayers, you know?

- Does He?

Yes, contrary to popular belief.

The problem is

we ask for the wrong things.

I hated Maria Kalogeropoulou,

I wanted to be Maria Callas,

and for a time I was.

Perhaps I should've simply

asked to be a woman.

And maybe instead of juggling artists,

performance dates, continents,

and a roll in the sack,

you should've simply asked to be a man.

How happy would we have been?

As just a woman and man,

as nothing extraordinary.

As it is, we both gave everything

and received...

Well, for a time, everything!

Almost!

So it goes.

- What on earth are you doing?

- Sorry.

Wipe your eyes, please.

I'm sorry.

You used to dress better.

What do you mean,

this is an expensive jacket.

It costs a fortune.

What'll you do now?

Have I bankrupted you?

I am alright.

I still have Bad Dreams, as it were.

I thought maybe,

having the "Bolshoi Ballet" dance

"Spartacus" at the Coliseum...

Or whatever.

Maybe none of the above.

Perhaps I'll go to Tel Aviv

or Capetown to see an art show.

Maybe I'll stay home and read books.

I think I'll walk some more.

It's a beautiful day.

What will you do?

Don't ask questions

that can't be answered.

Maria Callas, born Kalogeropoulou,

died on 16 September 1977.

"The events depicted in this film

belong to both the fantasy of the author

and the memories

of his longstanding friendship

with Maria Callas."