Certified Copy (2010) - full transcript
James Miller has just written a book on the value of a copy versus the original work of art. At a book reading, a woman gives him her address, and the next day they meet and take a country-side drive to a local Italian village. Here, they discuss various works of art found in the town, and also the nature of their relationship - which gets both more revealed and concealed as the day progresses.
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.
Just a few words while you're waiting.
As you know,
James Miller will be joining us.
He's a little late.
He can't blame the traffic.
His room is upstairs.
I hope he won't be long.
We're here for the presentation
of his latest book,
Certified Copy,
that was awarded
best foreign essay of the year.
Well, that's about it...
Here's James.
Please, take your seats.
Autographing will be
after the conference.
I'd intended
to briefly introduce James to you,
but who better than himself.
Over to you.
Good morning.
I'd like to sincerely thank
my friend and colleague Marco Lenzi,
whose translation
is simply perfect.
He's really conveyed
the spirit of my book
and made this Italian edition possible,
as well as our meeting today.
Well done and thanks again.
"A good copy is better
than the original."
This is the famous Musa Polimnia,
the portrait of a woman
whose dramatic story is told
on the cartel next to the painting.
For years, this painting
was believed to be Roman art.
It wasn't until the 20th century,
about 50 years ago,
that it was revealed to be the work
of a skilled forger from Naples.
However, the museum decided to conserve
this fabulous portrait as an original.
It is actually as beautiful
as the original.
When was it made?
In the 18th century.
And it was considered
as an original for 200 years.
After the Second World War,
in-depth research revealed
even the name of the forger
who made this amazing work.
The museum then decided
to keep it with great care.
In a sense, it's our Mona Lisa.
The original is in Herculaneum,
near Naples.
The story of the discovery itself
is interesting.
It was part of a Roman fresco.
And the excavation director
happened to be from Tuscany.
He commissioned the forger
to make this perfect copy,
so as to claim
that it was found in his region
and use its prestige for Tuscany.
- A coffee and a cappuccino.
- Coming up.
It's ready.
His coffee's going cold.
That's how he is.
He's a good husband though.
Sorry?
He's a good husband.
- How do you know?
- I can tell.
Where do you come from?
I'm from France.
Where did you learn Italian?
I've lived in Italy for five years.
Where?
First in Florence,
now in Arezzo.
How come you speak English together?
He's English.
And he doesn't speak your language?
Nor Italian?
He only speaks his own language.
But you can speak his.
Good for you.
He's not into languages.
He's not into anything.
Except himself and his job.
That's good.
- A man must love his job.
- What about us women?
It keeps them busy.
And we live our lives.
I didn't get married to live alone.
I'd like to live my
life with my husband.
Is a good husband too much to ask for?
Our lives can't be all that bad
if all we can complain about
is our husbands working too hard.
You see,
when there's not another woman,
we see their job as our rival.
We also work, but with moderation.
Moderation is our choice,
whereas they can't help it.
For them, not working is like
not breathing: impossible!
I never asked my husband to stop.
Of course not. How could you?
The world would simply stop.
But we put the brakes on.
My sister keeps encouraging
her lazy husband to work.
There are exceptions.
Don't you think there should be
a happy balance?
Ideally, yes.
But that doesn't exist.
- Bring us some wine.
- Coming.
It'd be stupid of us
to ruin our lives for an ideal.
But mum's the word.
They don't need to know.
But how can I put up with a husband
who's never there?
They're never totally absent.
He makes you a married woman.
That's what matters.
At my age, you understand that.
How long have you been married?
Fifteen years.
- Do you have children?
- Yes, a son.
It was his birthday last week.
He didn't even bother to call him.
- I don't believe it.
- It's true.
All he cares about is
himself and his job.
- And his friends?
- And his friends, of course.
And his mistresses?
That, I don't know.
That's why you're wondering
who's calling him on Sunday, right?
I'm just looking at him.
But with suspicion.
Whereas I admire him.
May I know why?
Sure.
On Sunday mornings,
what do most men do?
They sleep in.
He doesn't.
He takes you out for a coffee,
he tells you stories
with a lot of pleasure.
He looks like he's still courting you.
Tell me about it!
If only he'd shaved,
he'd be perfect.
My husband shaves every other day.
Even our wedding day
was a no-shave day.
Now, you're used to it.
On our wedding day,
my uncle asked me why he hadn't shaved.
I said I didn't know.
So he asked him:
"Couldn't you have shaved this once?"
Know what he replied?
He calmly stroked his beard and said:
"Yes, but I only shave
every other day."
It's cold. I'll change it.
How strange you don't speak Italian
after five years here with your family.
Sir...
Come and take a photo with us.
Sorry, no.
My wife and I would be very happy.
I'm sorry, but...
As you wish. Thanks.
Hurry up.
We've been waiting for ages.
We'll be done in a minute.
Excuse me...
Can you come take a photo with us?
I beg you. it's my wedding day.
You can't say no.
Sir, please, you can't refuse!
Thank you.
Just a second.
Just a moment, I'm coming.
Please.
Thank you.
A bottle of red wine, please.
Straight away.
- What kind of red wine?
- A good one.
They're all good.
Red, straight away.
Congratulations.
I can't open it.
Congratulations.
Take care.
Good evening. Excuse me...
My husband and I spent
our wedding night here 15 years ago,
in room 9.
We were wondering if we could
have a look at it, if it's free.
We wanted to remember
the good old days.
Room 9. Third floor.
Just a few words while you're waiting.
As you know,
James Miller will be joining us.
He's a little late.
He can't blame the traffic.
His room is upstairs.
I hope he won't be long.
We're here for the presentation
of his latest book,
Certified Copy,
that was awarded
best foreign essay of the year.
Well, that's about it...
Here's James.
Please, take your seats.
Autographing will be
after the conference.
I'd intended
to briefly introduce James to you,
but who better than himself.
Over to you.
Good morning.
I'd like to sincerely thank
my friend and colleague Marco Lenzi,
whose translation
is simply perfect.
He's really conveyed
the spirit of my book
and made this Italian edition possible,
as well as our meeting today.
Well done and thanks again.
"A good copy is better
than the original."
This is the famous Musa Polimnia,
the portrait of a woman
whose dramatic story is told
on the cartel next to the painting.
For years, this painting
was believed to be Roman art.
It wasn't until the 20th century,
about 50 years ago,
that it was revealed to be the work
of a skilled forger from Naples.
However, the museum decided to conserve
this fabulous portrait as an original.
It is actually as beautiful
as the original.
When was it made?
In the 18th century.
And it was considered
as an original for 200 years.
After the Second World War,
in-depth research revealed
even the name of the forger
who made this amazing work.
The museum then decided
to keep it with great care.
In a sense, it's our Mona Lisa.
The original is in Herculaneum,
near Naples.
The story of the discovery itself
is interesting.
It was part of a Roman fresco.
And the excavation director
happened to be from Tuscany.
He commissioned the forger
to make this perfect copy,
so as to claim
that it was found in his region
and use its prestige for Tuscany.
- A coffee and a cappuccino.
- Coming up.
It's ready.
His coffee's going cold.
That's how he is.
He's a good husband though.
Sorry?
He's a good husband.
- How do you know?
- I can tell.
Where do you come from?
I'm from France.
Where did you learn Italian?
I've lived in Italy for five years.
Where?
First in Florence,
now in Arezzo.
How come you speak English together?
He's English.
And he doesn't speak your language?
Nor Italian?
He only speaks his own language.
But you can speak his.
Good for you.
He's not into languages.
He's not into anything.
Except himself and his job.
That's good.
- A man must love his job.
- What about us women?
It keeps them busy.
And we live our lives.
I didn't get married to live alone.
I'd like to live my
life with my husband.
Is a good husband too much to ask for?
Our lives can't be all that bad
if all we can complain about
is our husbands working too hard.
You see,
when there's not another woman,
we see their job as our rival.
We also work, but with moderation.
Moderation is our choice,
whereas they can't help it.
For them, not working is like
not breathing: impossible!
I never asked my husband to stop.
Of course not. How could you?
The world would simply stop.
But we put the brakes on.
My sister keeps encouraging
her lazy husband to work.
There are exceptions.
Don't you think there should be
a happy balance?
Ideally, yes.
But that doesn't exist.
- Bring us some wine.
- Coming.
It'd be stupid of us
to ruin our lives for an ideal.
But mum's the word.
They don't need to know.
But how can I put up with a husband
who's never there?
They're never totally absent.
He makes you a married woman.
That's what matters.
At my age, you understand that.
How long have you been married?
Fifteen years.
- Do you have children?
- Yes, a son.
It was his birthday last week.
He didn't even bother to call him.
- I don't believe it.
- It's true.
All he cares about is
himself and his job.
- And his friends?
- And his friends, of course.
And his mistresses?
That, I don't know.
That's why you're wondering
who's calling him on Sunday, right?
I'm just looking at him.
But with suspicion.
Whereas I admire him.
May I know why?
Sure.
On Sunday mornings,
what do most men do?
They sleep in.
He doesn't.
He takes you out for a coffee,
he tells you stories
with a lot of pleasure.
He looks like he's still courting you.
Tell me about it!
If only he'd shaved,
he'd be perfect.
My husband shaves every other day.
Even our wedding day
was a no-shave day.
Now, you're used to it.
On our wedding day,
my uncle asked me why he hadn't shaved.
I said I didn't know.
So he asked him:
"Couldn't you have shaved this once?"
Know what he replied?
He calmly stroked his beard and said:
"Yes, but I only shave
every other day."
It's cold. I'll change it.
How strange you don't speak Italian
after five years here with your family.
Sir...
Come and take a photo with us.
Sorry, no.
My wife and I would be very happy.
I'm sorry, but...
As you wish. Thanks.
Hurry up.
We've been waiting for ages.
We'll be done in a minute.
Excuse me...
Can you come take a photo with us?
I beg you. it's my wedding day.
You can't say no.
Sir, please, you can't refuse!
Thank you.
Just a second.
Just a moment, I'm coming.
Please.
Thank you.
A bottle of red wine, please.
Straight away.
- What kind of red wine?
- A good one.
They're all good.
Red, straight away.
Congratulations.
I can't open it.
Congratulations.
Take care.
Good evening. Excuse me...
My husband and I spent
our wedding night here 15 years ago,
in room 9.
We were wondering if we could
have a look at it, if it's free.
We wanted to remember
the good old days.
Room 9. Third floor.