Série noire (1984–…): Season 1, Episode 21 - Grandeur et décadence d'un petit commerce de cinéma - full transcript
Filmmaker Gaspard Bazin is preparing a new feature film, so he urgently needs to find funding. And, although he asked for help from a fashion producer, Bazin is now in the lurch, because of...
Go to the car-wash and the bank,
meet you at Joseph's.
RISE AND FALL
A SMALL INDEPENDENT
PRODUCTION COMPANY
With the evidence we have,
they don't stand a chance.
Leave it to me, Sally.
Your part is over.
Now it's my game.
We'll share the loot.
The Italians demand
the letter of credit.
When reading his part, the actor
should challenge it thoroughly.
Before learning his lines,
he should remember
what challenged him most.
If he retains these moments
in his performance,
he allows the audience
to challenge him as well.
Gaspard, don't you find this
a little too scholarly?
Will we never cease
to theorize on things rather
than seeing them as they are,
those poor old things?
I hope so!
Why couldn't I help
playing the same all the time?
What I did today,
I already had done yesterday
and I would probably
redo tomorrow.
Had I lost my creativity?
Couldn't I tap
other resources in myself?
Why had I progressed so rapidly
to find myself in such a dead end?
As I was reflecting,
I heard noise in the tearoom.
Not wanting to attract attention,
I moved to the opposite corner
and spoke as low as possible.
To my great surprise, I realized
that this slight move
had totally changed my perspective.
I had discovered a secret...
Gina froze...
Suddenly she saw the
.38 he was pointing at her.
She had been in many tough spots
in her short life,
but nobody had ever
aimed a gun at her!
CASTING
She had never been confronted
with a killers deadly eyes.
She watched the gun
without a move.
THE OMNIPOTENCE OF TELEVISION
The day before the murder, a certain
Anne Loucas filed a complaint.
Her purse had been snatched.
Yet on that very afternoon, a woman
claiming to be Anne Loucas
rented a car for five days.
The attendant did not recognize her
because of her sunglasses and scarf.
It must have been Gina Lang...
Nowadays, we understand
that the right location is one
of the first elements of reality.
Characters are not the only ones
that imprint in the audience's mind
the accurate stamp of facts.
The places where a tragedy
occurred become a frightening
and inseparable testimony.
Don't you think we
should use real actors?
Too late... too expensive.
That's right.
It's time for life
to give back to films
all that it has stolen from them.
AN OLD STORY
Are you looking for something?
When is the social security audit?
Friday.
And the Paid Vacations Bureau's?
Usually a couple of days later.
What's the balance
on my current account?
For 86 it shows an
overdraw of 453,000 francs.
We need receipts.
I'll find some for you.
But no Xerox copies.
Originals!
There's also that receipt of
18,700 francs for two suits.
That won't go down well.
Why not? I had to test for a
part when the actor got sick!
The auditor might go
for a red satin jacket
but not a herringbone suit!
To hell with them!
It's the German marks that count.
You haven't found them?
You must be hiding something.
You are so clever.
Cut the bullshit.
I'm not in the mood.
Have you looked at
the 85 balance sheet?
I hadn't thought of it.
Get your act together.
Yes, Sir. I'm going out to lunch.
You are very "casual"
as the English say.
I'm doing my best, Sir.
It's odd: "casual" means "ordinary"
but fatal accidents are
also called "casualties".
So you're probably dead already...
I'm going out to lunch, Sir.
Ah, the proletariat's victories!
Original. Original...
Original... Origin...
RISE AND FALL
OF A SMALL INDEPENDENT
PRODUCTION COMPANY
AS REVEALED BY
THE CASTING OF A TV MOVIE
BASED UPON AN OLD NOVEL
BY J.H. CHASE
Put it in the account
and prepare the checks.
Without entering it in the books?
No, I won it at the Lottery.
You know, tainted money
makes me feel uncomfortable.
First, tell the others not to lean
against the walls and taint them!
This is the list for tomorrow.
What about the Argentinian bank?
Still no reply.
Telex, Marie Christine!
It really bothers me to take money
when I get unemployment benefits.
Can't you tell
where it comes from?
Do you know the origin
of the word "secretary"?
I don't understand.
Secretary... Secret...
You go first.
Wipe your feet. Don't smoke.
No talking, please.
Stay in line.
Quiet, please.
Wipe your feet. Don't smoke.
My name is Luigi Brancaccio...
Wipe your feet.
No talking.
Silence.
Wipe your feet.
No smoking, please.
Silence!
Stay in line.
Glory... Carole?
What?
Glory! How did
Madame De Stael put it?
Glory is the bright death
knoll of happiness.
That's why we won't
find anything.
Look, they all want glory!
On with it!
Her eyes shut, Valerie Barnett
was sprawled in her bathtub.
Next!
She ran to the balcony.
The white Mercedes was gone.
Next!
That's what worries me.
He hasn't driven since his accident.
Next!
He's driving a Mercedes.
He might cause a lot of damage.
One more time!
He's driving a Mercedes.
He might cause a lot of damage.
One more time!
He's driving a Mercedes.
He might cause a lot of damage.
Next!
It was in a 10 foot square room.
The odor of the nude lady's corpse
made the Captain's face...
One more time!
The odor of the nude lady's corpse
made the Captain's face grimace.
Next!
Hi, Valerie, he said.
Sorry about what happened.
Next!
They found an address-book in
her belongings with 200 names.
I suppose all these men
were her clients.
One more time!
They found an address-book in
her belongings with 200 names.
I suppose all these men
were her clients.
Next!
A few seconds elapsed.
The Captain was watching...
One more time!
Of course, she wasn't worth much,
but you don't disembowel a woman...
Next!
I could always tell this guy
it was Thursday and not Friday.
Next!
What the hell are you doing here?
Uh, I'm her brother!
Next!
Drop dead, she snarled.
If life hasn't disgusted you yet,
then go play with yourself!
Next!
The dark hand, wielding a knife,
slashed out.
Next!
Don't ask why I crave her.
I need her, that's all!
Here is the dough.
One more time!
Don't ask why I crave her.
I need her, that's all!
And here is the dough.
Next!
Go to hell!
What do you care, he's dead.
He's the only man I've ever loved.
He's dead!
One more time!
But what do you care?
He's dead. Go to hell!
He's the only man I've ever loved.
He's dead!
One more time!
Your name?
20 francs for an audition, right?
How much is deducted
for social security?
I don't know.
You don't know?
It's 1.91 francs.
Thank God for management!
Could you give me 30 francs?
I'll show you my tits if you want.
Not the company's style!
Next!
Your name?
20 francs for an audition,
minus social security.
Surely you don't know
how much is deducted?
I beg your pardon...
Do you think
I enjoy doing your work?
Next!
Could I have four 5F. coins?
I beg your pardon...
Next!
Here...
One coin for Lionel...
One for Michael...
And two for Mom and Dad.
THE NIGHT
The documents! Come on!
It will only take 5 minutes.
Hurry!
But what do you want?
Cigarettes.
The documents, come on!
Go and get your cigarettes!
Follow orders!
Etienne, go get her
some cigarettes.
Never mind, I'll go myself.
I don't know...
Because of the earrings, maybe.
Not very nice, but honest.
Why the grid-work in your office?
Because we're into TV.
Ever heard of the program grid?
I don't understand...
Doesn't matter.
No harm done.
What are these tests exactly?
I don't know.
Why did you ask me
to bring a friend along?
I don't know.
If you want to be in the pictures,
why not go for the power of TV?
What would we have to do?
I don't know, we'll find something...
With video, you can see...
if there is something to see.
Are you both free tonight,
around ten?
It won't be pornographic?
That's not the company's style!
Why at night, then?
In darkness you discover the light.
I don't understand.
What emerges in the light
is the echo of
what the night submerges.
I don't understand.
Never mind.
I'm willing to try, but I'll let you
discuss the money with him.
I'm willing to try.
So am I.
What is your name?
Anne Carel.
See you later, then.
Mine is Francoise Desportes.
See you later too.
Bring a bathing suit and pajamas.
You see, I knew it.
You know nothing.
See you tonight.
That's my seat.
Sure, sure, tonight at ten.
Order eggs and bacon!
Don't forget my 10%, Mr. Gaspard!
Tomorrow!
It will be 150...
Tomorrow!
Interested in an antelope coat?
I would stink with
that filthy rotten thing!
This guy got back from Kenya.
He tells us about his safari.
The first day, he killed
two lions, one giraffe, five
zebras and three notus...
STAND BY
On the third day, even better:
six gazelles, two monkeys,
one tiger, and seven notus...
So they ask him...
Yes, what are those?
Each time he was going to shoot,
there were big black shadows
that would wave at him and
scream: "Not us! Not us!"
Tell him not to forget my cut.
What cut?
Interested in an antelope coat?
Maybe Richard?
No, I'll stay here a while,
and think.
Did you see the two tarts
he was with?
It's his job.
And mine is to do the dishes?
We'll be late.
You're getting old, Gaspard.
You should face the facts.
I love a job well done.
It's the only love I've got left.
Let's split.
See you tomorrow, boss.
See you.
Kiss me...
No, the deluxe kiss.
This German officer is torturing
a poor Jew at the Gestapo.
The poor Jew is all bloody.
All of them...
All of them...
The lady asked me to give you this.
Who is she?
Never saw her before.
All of them...
Against the backdrop
of summer's luscious green
and fall's royal glaze
and winter's ruin...
You asked to see me?
To talk to you.
Is it okay?
Sure. There's no harm.
What are the Classics, exactly?
You discussed it with two girls.
No, not at all.
Yes. Just before telling one of them
that you liked her earring.
You hear everything, don't you?
Because I was interested.
You are in the movies?
Not really. Not anymore.
Now I do a little video work.
I do the best I can.
Are you Gaspard?
What did you say, you bloody cop?
Nothing. I swear, Mr. Bali“.
Later!
Who told you about me?
I would like you to help me.
I'd like to do theater or movies.
I'd prefer the movies.
The Classics, are they
the opposite of the Romantics?
A man I love told me
I had a classic face,
But he forbade me to discuss it.
He never wanted to explain.
You look a bit like Dita Parlo.
He said the same thing.
Was she a famous actress?
It was a beautiful era,
I believe...
I could never find books
about her.
I have one.
Was she more beautiful
than Romy Schneider?
She was in a couple of good films,
so she wasn't forced to kill herself.
The Classics and the Romantics,
It's the same thing,
two aspects of classicism.
But there's only one signal:
in and out, like with video.
And the Modems?
There haven't been any Moderns yet.
Maybe Freud, somewhat.
Then there is Rembrandt.
Is that what
you're working on now?
I'm doing my best.
But that would be better.
Here comes Christmas
and all its ancient fears.
The stores are full of weird junk
and stopped stocking what we need.
Yes, instead of this...
Val ran to the balcony.
The Mercedes was gone.
Do you get it?
You like novels,
but not murder mysteries?
I do, but this one is badly written!
If we didn't have murder mysteries,
how would we fall asleep?
Even readers who claim
to forget them immediately,
readily admit that they couldn't
live without them,
whereas they could live
till the end of time
without the great classic novels.
Precisely, what are the Classics?
Their great principle is
to hang up the laundry.
The laundry?
Because it's like a screen...
There is the desert.
Men are like the wind.
They leave on a journey.
When they return,
something settles.
Look at Giacometti.
I've never heard of him.
Sure, you have.
As a novelist, he was different.
He respected each blank page.
He didn't want to fill it at random.
Every sheet of his notebook
was different to him.
Now who's the man you love?
Surely you know him.
He's film producer.
There are hundreds of them.
Raoul Levy...
Killed in action!
Georges Beauregard,
Edmond Tenoudji...
Killed in action!
...and Jean-Pierre Rassam.
Killed in action!
Jean Almereyda...
Having a good time?
Sorry, Mr. Almereyda.
I don't know her.
She wanted to talk to me.
I forbade you to come here.
lean,I beg of you...
I don't like it, you know that.
I'm moving... Excuse me.
I knew it would happen one day.
She's my wife.
I didn't know you were married.
Eurydice... Gaspard.
How do you do?
I'm going back to the office.
Nothing for me.
I'm fine.
It's been going on for too long.
In a sense I said goodbye to her
a long time ago...
Often during these last two years,
in the middle of the night,
I realized it was
only a matter of time
before I'd lose her.
But it's different
when it actually happens.
A goodbye to the woman you love
isn't the same thing
as closing her eyes,
knowing they'll never open again.
But I'm happy she's dead.
Exactly. Open my eyes.
Make me alive again.
They are all dead.
Look at Gaspard.
The movies have killed him.
I didn't want that to happen to you.
That's all.
I don't want to have nothing to do.
What about a child?
Why don't we have any children?
Because!
When this Italian business is settled,
I'm folding Albatross Films.
Anyway, we planned it that way.
They may force you to stop,
but not of your own will.
When I met you, everything
was happening all at once.
Albatross Films is your life, Jean.
I don't have a “fie.
Let me share it at least.
I'll look for Etienne.
Gaspard, I paid.
Heads, we do what I want.
Tails, we do what you want.
Heads!
Yes, it's my life!
I know now why the first movies
were black and white as
were the first photographs.
They were a reflection
of the mourning of life!
Heads...
we comply.
Tails, we don't.
Heads.
So, comply and put on your coat!
Heads, the coin is good.
Tails, the coin is bad.
The coin is good!
It's a good game, isn't it?
So, this Jew?
Well, the poor Jew is all bloody
and the SS officer curses him
in German and broken French.
Suddenly, the phone rings.
The SS doesn't understand
the French-speaking voice.
So he hands the phone to the Jew
and shouts for him to answer.
His face all bloody, the Jew
picks up the phone and whispers:
"Hallo, this is BIum of the Gestapo."
I knew that joke.
OPEN AT NIGHT
She's not here.
And how was "Rocky IV"?
You didn't go?
I don't know.
She always says that,
but never does it.
I'm looking for a line for the extras
and I can't find it.
Did you know that
Almereyda was married?
Yes, but he doesn't want to.
We'll talk about it tomorrow.
Come in! Come in, one and all,
you things form the outside.
The door was open.
Over there.
Where is the camera?
The camera is there!
I found a bathing-suit.
The only problem is...
It's my little sister's
and it doesn't fit my rear.
Excellent!
I can't see the camera.
The camera is here!
Whom is she talking to?
I can't see the camera.
Where is the camera?
What are you doing here?
I'm meditating.
That's it for tonight.
It's over. You can go home.
Can I use the phone?
Sure.
Thanks.
Whom is that broad calling?
My fiance was going to pick me up.
Herve?
Don't come and pick me up.
No, we are not doing the photos.
Don't be silly.
You are such a dumbbell!
Don't come tonight.
That's all I'm asking.
It's no big deal.
You're really dumb, pal!
Cut the crap!
End of romance!
The party's over.
Listen, I'll tell you something.
No, that's it for the books!
Not books, paintings!
How many characters in this one?
I see three of them.
No use going on.
There are not three, but...
And in this one, how many?
I don't know.
Yd have to count them.
One, two, three, four...
No use going on, you lost.
Out! Out you go!
I'd like to stay.
Out, Woody Woodpecker!
Leave her alone!
What's essential is
the German marks.
I don't need your two cents.
What's essential is something else.
Wipe your feet!
Here she is, Dita Parlo!
Which film was it?
"Grand Illusion."
Now that's enough.
Let's go home.
I'm staying here.
It's mine too.
I owe 50% of the company.
At the time they didn't believe
in "Grand Illusion"
and then the war broke out.
You never believe me either.
Is it true that movies kill life?
That's what he keeps telling me.
These days it's rather true.
Please tell him to audition me.
Not a film, just screen tests.
Jean says you're the best for that.
I'm not Stiller's grand-son
for nothing.
Stiller?
Mauritz Stiller.
He brought Greta Garbo to Hollywood.
Let's go home. I'm cold.
I'm staying.
You're going with Etienne.
I'll stay 5 minutes with Gaspard.
I'll leave after that.
I wanted to ask her a question.
How many characters
in this painting?
I see two.
I see three.
No, only two:
Bacchus and Ariane.
And in this one?
Quite a few. I'd have to count.
But tonight I'm sick of numbers.
I see one.
Yes, only one character.
Very good. What is he called?
"The Origin of the Milky Way."
You think she might be any good?
I don't know, but we can try.
Yes, but it shouldn't last
two years, like with Adjani.
No, no, it will go fast.
Why do you say that?
The paintings.
In this one, I see dozens,
even hundreds, if one counts
the sky and all the colors.
Not at all.
She still sees like
in the old days.
It says: "The origin of the Milky Way."
So she repeats: "The Origin."
There's only one character:
the Origin.
You should like that.
You keep saying that
one should look to the past.
I'm cold.
Why doesn't TV buy our films?
This is only 86.
In 89 it will change.
No. We were wrong about Hitler.
We thought the night was ending
when it was just beginning.
It will last for ages!
Did Renald tell you about
the lost German marks?
No, boss.
Agreed: do whatever you want
with her.
I have to go away for a few days.
Don't tell the others.
Yes, boss.
We'll take it up on Monday.
No, we haven't heard
from him for two days.
Are you Renald?
I am.
How much will I be paid
for these screen tests?
I want to be paid like the others.
20 F. minus social security.
How much do we deduct?
1.91 F.
Congratulations.
I'm willing to give you a test,
but first I have to test mankind.
Please sit down.
We are auditioning people.
These are excerpts from a sentence.
Try to rearrange the sentence
while the others audition.
Ready?
I don't understand.
Think of it as of the ocean.
I'm only giving you the waves.
These are the waves.
Try to recreate the ocean.
All of them...
Against the backdrop...
Of summer's...
Luscious green...
And fall's...
Royal...
Blaze...
And winter's ruin...
Before spring...
Blossoms...
Again...
Are gathering together...
Slightly darkened...
By time...
And the climate...
And their perseverance...
But ever serene...
Unfathomable...
And remote...
Empty eyed...
Not like sentinels...
But...
As if they were defending...
With their huge...
And monolithic...
Weight and bulk...
The living against the dead...
Royal...
Remote...
Of summer's...
Defenseless...
Fall's...
But...
Blaze...
But ever serene...
Luscious green...
Or rather...
Not like sentinels...
Slightly darkened...
By time...
Before spring...
Unfathomable...
All of them...
The bones...
Before spring blossoms again...
Summer's luscious green...
And their perseverance...
Protecting...
And winter's ruin...
All of them...
All of them...
against the backdrop of
summer's luscious green
and fall's royal blaze
and winter's ruin
before spring blossoms again...
All of them...
By time...
Before spring...
Unfathomable...
The bones...
Are now gathering...
And winter's ruin...
Empty-eyed...
Again...
And their perseverance...
Protecting...
All of them...
With their huge...
And monolithic...
Against the angst...
Spring...
And the climate...
Hollow and shattered...
The dead against the living...
Against the backdrop...
No, we haven't heard from him
for two days...
Against the backdrop...
Of summer's...
Luscious green...
And fall's...
Royal...
Blaze...
And winter's ruin...
Before spring...
Blossoms...
Again...
Are now gathering...
Slightly darkened...
By time...
And the climate...
And their perseverance...
But ever serene...
Unfathomable...
Remote...
Empty-eyed...
Not like sentinels...
But...
As if they were defending...
With their huge...
And monolithic...
Weight and bulk...
The living against the dead...
Or rather...
Remote...
Of summer's...
Defenseless...
Of fall's...
But...
Blaze...
But ever serene...
Luscious green...
Or rather...
Not like sentinels...
Slightly darkened...
By time...
Before spring...
Unfathomable...
The bones...
And winter's ruin...
Empty-eyed...
All of them...
Monolithic...
Against the angst...
Of spring...
And the climate...
Hollow and shattered...
The dead against the living...
Against the backdrop...
As if they were defending...
On the contrary...
The harmless dust...
And the pain...
Of the human race...
Weight and bulk...
All of them, against the backdrop
of summer's luscious green
and fall's royal blaze
and winter's ruin
before spring blossoms again...
All of them...
All of them...
Against the backdrop...
Of summer's...
Luscious green...
And fall's...
Royal...
Blaze...
And winter's ruin...
Before spring...
Blossoms...
Again...
Are now gathering...
Slightly darkened...
By time...
And the climate...
And their perseverance...
But ever serene...
Unfathomable...
Remote...
Empty-eyed...
Not like sentinels...
But...
As if they were defending...
With their huge...
And monolithic...
Weight and bulk...
The living against the dead...
Again...
Of spring...
Are now gathering...
Slightly darkened...
By time...
And the climate...
And their perseverance...
But ever serene...
Unfathomable...
Remote...
Empty-eyed...
Not like sentinels...
But...
As if they were defending...
With their huge...
And monolithic...
Weight and bulk...
The living against the dead...
Or rather...
The dead against the living...
Protecting...
On the contrary...
The bones...
Hollow and shattered...
The harmless...
And defenseless dust...
Against the angst...
And the pain...
And the inhumanity...
Of the human race.
Are you happy now?
I'll be back in two days.
See you then.
Good luck with your work!
What's the matter?
Don't look back!
Ever!
THE ETERNAL HUSBAND
Will you make up your mind!
Move your ass!
But it's Godard!
Almereyda, how are you?
What the hell are you doing here?
This is my place.
Albatross Films?
I came to see Rassam.
He's dead. I took over
his offices three years ago.
I had a deal with him
and Romy Schneider.
She died too.
Almost at the same time.
I live far away now.
It took me some time to get here.
Where do you live?
I'll drop you off.
In Reykjavik.
Shit, that's in Iceland!
They held the world's
greatest chess game
and I figured
I had to be there.
Thanks a lot!
I might have to leave Paris too.
I heard your name oh the radio
two or three years ago.
I'd like to ask you something.
Why is Polanski getting 2.5 billion?
Roman? Dollars?
No, old francs.
But it's still a bundle.
To make a movie in the USS?
In the U.S., in Europe...
Just a movie!
Why are you so upset about it?
I could be making ten movies...
And he can only make one?
Right.
So what?
You're making a movie for...
For what... Ten, that means...
2.5 million francs.
You're making a movie for 2.5
while he's making one for...
10.5 million francs.
So he makes...
But he only makes one!
When I could make ten.
But you produce ten times more.
Is that what is upsetting you?
Exactly. It upsets me.
We are not pirates!
I've got to go. My wife
is doing screen tests in my office
and I'd rather be elsewhere.
Eurydice?
I am a faithful husband.
But I should not have accepted.
I did it because of that idiot Gaspard.
I remember Gaspard.
He was good with actors.
He's gone mad, but he's
clever and very logical.
Today you can't win anymore,
but you might as well try.
He's directing screen tests.
Screen tests? That's nice.
You get to see people.
But it lasts for ages.
And all the money I raised
is gone now.
Do you think Eurydice
could become a star?
She's got something old-fashioned...
Michele Alfa, Maria Schell, Jenny Holt...
Josette Day, Sylvia Bataille...
Odette Joyeux, Danik Patisson...
Not Danik Patisson! You're way off...
Sorry“
What I meant is that today...
So where do I drop you?
Everything goes backwards:
fashion, politics,
and therefore cinema too.
Paris - I hadn't come here
for a long time - is dirty.
It seems people
don't wash their ideas.
“THE ETERNAL RETURN “
Cinema is going backwards as well.
Since she is of another age,
Your wife might have a chance.
To each his freedom after all.
But you have to hit spot.
It's not a matter of time or era,
it's a matter of tempo.
Yes, of freedom... Just another way
of saying there's nothing left to lose.
Let's move on.
Screen tests are serious business.
Once the greatest of stars,
Ava Gardner, begged Harry Cohn
to screen-test her boyfriend,
the then unknown Frank Sinatra.
One look... One look...
One short look...
One more look...
Come over here.
Look at this.
At this painting?
Or that one?
You'll see this painting
if you look here.
It's Rembrandt...
He resembles Moliere.
The real mystery of life is
that a true gesture is beautiful.
That's not the movies!
I don't want to anymore.
That's not the movies.
I thought it was an art.
But what is art? Nothing.
What does it demand? Everything.
What does it need? Something.
The test is over.
That's all?
I haven't done anything yet!
You listened to some music.
What music?
I didn't hear anything.
There was music!
There sure was, boss.
I didn't hear anything.
That's had,
an actress who doesn't hear!
It's over.
I'll try...
I'll try...
Please...
GRAND ILLUSION
And now, can you hear?
I think so.
I don't hear a thing.
Silence!
Can you hear anything?
Silence!
WHATISART
Hurry up!
What is this bullshit?
"Empty-eyed", "The dead
against the living," "All of them,"
"As if they were defending..."
Gee, look at his stereo!
Maybe it's not bullshit.
"All of them," "Are now gathering,"
"As if they were defending,"
"The dead against the living..."
That's not bullshit.
Move it! We've got
to find those marks.
I hear something.
Kill the light!
Go and deliver these documents.
Meet you at the train station
in an hour.
And you, boss?
Stop asking dumb questions!
So, get moving.
See you at the station in an hour.
Come on, pal. To the station!
Why won't she look back?
Go tell her!
She doesn't want to look back.
She says she always looks
straight ahead.
Go and tell her what Hitchcock
said to Ingrid Bergman:
"My dear Ingrid, it's only a movie!"
All of them, against the backdrop
of summer's luscious green
and fall's royal blaze
and winter's ruin
before spring blossoms again,
are now gathering,
slightly darkened by time,
the climate and their perseverance
but ever serene, unfathomable,
remote, empty-eyed,
not like sentinels,
but as if they were defending
with their huge and monolithic
weight and bulk
the living against the dead
or rather the dead against the living,
protecting on the contrary
the hollow and shattered bones,
the harmless and defenseless dust
against the angst and the pain
and the inhumanity
of the human race.
JEAN ALMEREYDA
ALIAS JEAN VIGO
News update:
Jean Almereyda's body was found
in his company's backyard
with 4 bullets in the head.
A former matinee idol
of Italian toga and sandal epics,
he was known as a leading producer
of such New Wave classics as
"The Head Against the Wall" and
"The Red Desert"
His luck turned
after the flop of Parajanov's
"Sayat Nova"
like so many independent producers,
he succumbed to commercial TV.
A year ago, he made headlines again
with the mysterious case
of the lost German marks.
What has happened?
A gangland killing? A political crime?
Or simply vengeance?
Jean Almereyda was married
but his wife had left him
on the day of the murder.
The police are investigating
her involvement in this thriller
which turned fiction into reality.
And now let me remind you
not to go out without your umbrella
as heavy showers are expected
from Brittany today.
Next!
Your name?
Gaspard Bali“.
"For Gaspard of the Night."
The meeting is over.
Can I dean the Windows?
My dear Gaspard.
Sometimes, it was good.
Sometimes, it was bad.
But I realize I got all my ideas
while sitting on the john.
Since I was a child,
I've leaked from everywhere
and even lately from my ass.
So I've had to clean up.
Hence the hand towel's mystery.
It was simpler than
you and the others imagined.
My dear Gaspard, you may
have exercised your eyes.
Now you have to
exercise your heart.
If I see you again,
I'll try to explain.
While I'm writing and
you're chattering next door,
I'm still wondering.
The brats are bawling and
I'm chasing dollars and marks!
All this bread for a bunch of brats!
It's not easy to talk to you.
The cinema is a dream factory,
we used to say...
You keep the dreams and
leave me with the factory.
Movie people are not fools
but when in action they
feel compelled to act like them.
It's a great mystery to me
and I've lost the strength
to pretend that I control it.
I bid you farewell and
leave you with this enigma:
Who used the zoom?
And remember: The essential
is not our feelings
and past experiences.
Hello, Inter Video.
Is this the police?
That's enough!
There is this image of a man...
This isn't public television!
Come on, get out!
ALL OF THEM
Social security number?
Next!
Next!
Social security number?
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8...
It's too slow!
Speed it up!
21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26...
So what is essential?
Them.
The essential is love.
The essential is life!
Very good.
The essential is beauty!
Yes, that's right.
Very good.
The essential is joy!
Yes, that's right.
The essential is revolt!
No, not at all.
The essential is the essential.
Yes, very good.
Go ahead, please.
The essential? Not our feelings
of our past experiences
but our silent tenacity
in confronting them.
What is that crap?
Out!
Renald, throw him out!
Don't pay him!
20 francs for an audition
minus social security...
1.91 francs.
Gaspard, how are you?
So so.
And you?
Always the same bills,
the same fake receipts...
Here...
Hang in there.
See you.
One for Carole...
One for Jeanne...
meet you at Joseph's.
RISE AND FALL
A SMALL INDEPENDENT
PRODUCTION COMPANY
With the evidence we have,
they don't stand a chance.
Leave it to me, Sally.
Your part is over.
Now it's my game.
We'll share the loot.
The Italians demand
the letter of credit.
When reading his part, the actor
should challenge it thoroughly.
Before learning his lines,
he should remember
what challenged him most.
If he retains these moments
in his performance,
he allows the audience
to challenge him as well.
Gaspard, don't you find this
a little too scholarly?
Will we never cease
to theorize on things rather
than seeing them as they are,
those poor old things?
I hope so!
Why couldn't I help
playing the same all the time?
What I did today,
I already had done yesterday
and I would probably
redo tomorrow.
Had I lost my creativity?
Couldn't I tap
other resources in myself?
Why had I progressed so rapidly
to find myself in such a dead end?
As I was reflecting,
I heard noise in the tearoom.
Not wanting to attract attention,
I moved to the opposite corner
and spoke as low as possible.
To my great surprise, I realized
that this slight move
had totally changed my perspective.
I had discovered a secret...
Gina froze...
Suddenly she saw the
.38 he was pointing at her.
She had been in many tough spots
in her short life,
but nobody had ever
aimed a gun at her!
CASTING
She had never been confronted
with a killers deadly eyes.
She watched the gun
without a move.
THE OMNIPOTENCE OF TELEVISION
The day before the murder, a certain
Anne Loucas filed a complaint.
Her purse had been snatched.
Yet on that very afternoon, a woman
claiming to be Anne Loucas
rented a car for five days.
The attendant did not recognize her
because of her sunglasses and scarf.
It must have been Gina Lang...
Nowadays, we understand
that the right location is one
of the first elements of reality.
Characters are not the only ones
that imprint in the audience's mind
the accurate stamp of facts.
The places where a tragedy
occurred become a frightening
and inseparable testimony.
Don't you think we
should use real actors?
Too late... too expensive.
That's right.
It's time for life
to give back to films
all that it has stolen from them.
AN OLD STORY
Are you looking for something?
When is the social security audit?
Friday.
And the Paid Vacations Bureau's?
Usually a couple of days later.
What's the balance
on my current account?
For 86 it shows an
overdraw of 453,000 francs.
We need receipts.
I'll find some for you.
But no Xerox copies.
Originals!
There's also that receipt of
18,700 francs for two suits.
That won't go down well.
Why not? I had to test for a
part when the actor got sick!
The auditor might go
for a red satin jacket
but not a herringbone suit!
To hell with them!
It's the German marks that count.
You haven't found them?
You must be hiding something.
You are so clever.
Cut the bullshit.
I'm not in the mood.
Have you looked at
the 85 balance sheet?
I hadn't thought of it.
Get your act together.
Yes, Sir. I'm going out to lunch.
You are very "casual"
as the English say.
I'm doing my best, Sir.
It's odd: "casual" means "ordinary"
but fatal accidents are
also called "casualties".
So you're probably dead already...
I'm going out to lunch, Sir.
Ah, the proletariat's victories!
Original. Original...
Original... Origin...
RISE AND FALL
OF A SMALL INDEPENDENT
PRODUCTION COMPANY
AS REVEALED BY
THE CASTING OF A TV MOVIE
BASED UPON AN OLD NOVEL
BY J.H. CHASE
Put it in the account
and prepare the checks.
Without entering it in the books?
No, I won it at the Lottery.
You know, tainted money
makes me feel uncomfortable.
First, tell the others not to lean
against the walls and taint them!
This is the list for tomorrow.
What about the Argentinian bank?
Still no reply.
Telex, Marie Christine!
It really bothers me to take money
when I get unemployment benefits.
Can't you tell
where it comes from?
Do you know the origin
of the word "secretary"?
I don't understand.
Secretary... Secret...
You go first.
Wipe your feet. Don't smoke.
No talking, please.
Stay in line.
Quiet, please.
Wipe your feet. Don't smoke.
My name is Luigi Brancaccio...
Wipe your feet.
No talking.
Silence.
Wipe your feet.
No smoking, please.
Silence!
Stay in line.
Glory... Carole?
What?
Glory! How did
Madame De Stael put it?
Glory is the bright death
knoll of happiness.
That's why we won't
find anything.
Look, they all want glory!
On with it!
Her eyes shut, Valerie Barnett
was sprawled in her bathtub.
Next!
She ran to the balcony.
The white Mercedes was gone.
Next!
That's what worries me.
He hasn't driven since his accident.
Next!
He's driving a Mercedes.
He might cause a lot of damage.
One more time!
He's driving a Mercedes.
He might cause a lot of damage.
One more time!
He's driving a Mercedes.
He might cause a lot of damage.
Next!
It was in a 10 foot square room.
The odor of the nude lady's corpse
made the Captain's face...
One more time!
The odor of the nude lady's corpse
made the Captain's face grimace.
Next!
Hi, Valerie, he said.
Sorry about what happened.
Next!
They found an address-book in
her belongings with 200 names.
I suppose all these men
were her clients.
One more time!
They found an address-book in
her belongings with 200 names.
I suppose all these men
were her clients.
Next!
A few seconds elapsed.
The Captain was watching...
One more time!
Of course, she wasn't worth much,
but you don't disembowel a woman...
Next!
I could always tell this guy
it was Thursday and not Friday.
Next!
What the hell are you doing here?
Uh, I'm her brother!
Next!
Drop dead, she snarled.
If life hasn't disgusted you yet,
then go play with yourself!
Next!
The dark hand, wielding a knife,
slashed out.
Next!
Don't ask why I crave her.
I need her, that's all!
Here is the dough.
One more time!
Don't ask why I crave her.
I need her, that's all!
And here is the dough.
Next!
Go to hell!
What do you care, he's dead.
He's the only man I've ever loved.
He's dead!
One more time!
But what do you care?
He's dead. Go to hell!
He's the only man I've ever loved.
He's dead!
One more time!
Your name?
20 francs for an audition, right?
How much is deducted
for social security?
I don't know.
You don't know?
It's 1.91 francs.
Thank God for management!
Could you give me 30 francs?
I'll show you my tits if you want.
Not the company's style!
Next!
Your name?
20 francs for an audition,
minus social security.
Surely you don't know
how much is deducted?
I beg your pardon...
Do you think
I enjoy doing your work?
Next!
Could I have four 5F. coins?
I beg your pardon...
Next!
Here...
One coin for Lionel...
One for Michael...
And two for Mom and Dad.
THE NIGHT
The documents! Come on!
It will only take 5 minutes.
Hurry!
But what do you want?
Cigarettes.
The documents, come on!
Go and get your cigarettes!
Follow orders!
Etienne, go get her
some cigarettes.
Never mind, I'll go myself.
I don't know...
Because of the earrings, maybe.
Not very nice, but honest.
Why the grid-work in your office?
Because we're into TV.
Ever heard of the program grid?
I don't understand...
Doesn't matter.
No harm done.
What are these tests exactly?
I don't know.
Why did you ask me
to bring a friend along?
I don't know.
If you want to be in the pictures,
why not go for the power of TV?
What would we have to do?
I don't know, we'll find something...
With video, you can see...
if there is something to see.
Are you both free tonight,
around ten?
It won't be pornographic?
That's not the company's style!
Why at night, then?
In darkness you discover the light.
I don't understand.
What emerges in the light
is the echo of
what the night submerges.
I don't understand.
Never mind.
I'm willing to try, but I'll let you
discuss the money with him.
I'm willing to try.
So am I.
What is your name?
Anne Carel.
See you later, then.
Mine is Francoise Desportes.
See you later too.
Bring a bathing suit and pajamas.
You see, I knew it.
You know nothing.
See you tonight.
That's my seat.
Sure, sure, tonight at ten.
Order eggs and bacon!
Don't forget my 10%, Mr. Gaspard!
Tomorrow!
It will be 150...
Tomorrow!
Interested in an antelope coat?
I would stink with
that filthy rotten thing!
This guy got back from Kenya.
He tells us about his safari.
The first day, he killed
two lions, one giraffe, five
zebras and three notus...
STAND BY
On the third day, even better:
six gazelles, two monkeys,
one tiger, and seven notus...
So they ask him...
Yes, what are those?
Each time he was going to shoot,
there were big black shadows
that would wave at him and
scream: "Not us! Not us!"
Tell him not to forget my cut.
What cut?
Interested in an antelope coat?
Maybe Richard?
No, I'll stay here a while,
and think.
Did you see the two tarts
he was with?
It's his job.
And mine is to do the dishes?
We'll be late.
You're getting old, Gaspard.
You should face the facts.
I love a job well done.
It's the only love I've got left.
Let's split.
See you tomorrow, boss.
See you.
Kiss me...
No, the deluxe kiss.
This German officer is torturing
a poor Jew at the Gestapo.
The poor Jew is all bloody.
All of them...
All of them...
The lady asked me to give you this.
Who is she?
Never saw her before.
All of them...
Against the backdrop
of summer's luscious green
and fall's royal glaze
and winter's ruin...
You asked to see me?
To talk to you.
Is it okay?
Sure. There's no harm.
What are the Classics, exactly?
You discussed it with two girls.
No, not at all.
Yes. Just before telling one of them
that you liked her earring.
You hear everything, don't you?
Because I was interested.
You are in the movies?
Not really. Not anymore.
Now I do a little video work.
I do the best I can.
Are you Gaspard?
What did you say, you bloody cop?
Nothing. I swear, Mr. Bali“.
Later!
Who told you about me?
I would like you to help me.
I'd like to do theater or movies.
I'd prefer the movies.
The Classics, are they
the opposite of the Romantics?
A man I love told me
I had a classic face,
But he forbade me to discuss it.
He never wanted to explain.
You look a bit like Dita Parlo.
He said the same thing.
Was she a famous actress?
It was a beautiful era,
I believe...
I could never find books
about her.
I have one.
Was she more beautiful
than Romy Schneider?
She was in a couple of good films,
so she wasn't forced to kill herself.
The Classics and the Romantics,
It's the same thing,
two aspects of classicism.
But there's only one signal:
in and out, like with video.
And the Modems?
There haven't been any Moderns yet.
Maybe Freud, somewhat.
Then there is Rembrandt.
Is that what
you're working on now?
I'm doing my best.
But that would be better.
Here comes Christmas
and all its ancient fears.
The stores are full of weird junk
and stopped stocking what we need.
Yes, instead of this...
Val ran to the balcony.
The Mercedes was gone.
Do you get it?
You like novels,
but not murder mysteries?
I do, but this one is badly written!
If we didn't have murder mysteries,
how would we fall asleep?
Even readers who claim
to forget them immediately,
readily admit that they couldn't
live without them,
whereas they could live
till the end of time
without the great classic novels.
Precisely, what are the Classics?
Their great principle is
to hang up the laundry.
The laundry?
Because it's like a screen...
There is the desert.
Men are like the wind.
They leave on a journey.
When they return,
something settles.
Look at Giacometti.
I've never heard of him.
Sure, you have.
As a novelist, he was different.
He respected each blank page.
He didn't want to fill it at random.
Every sheet of his notebook
was different to him.
Now who's the man you love?
Surely you know him.
He's film producer.
There are hundreds of them.
Raoul Levy...
Killed in action!
Georges Beauregard,
Edmond Tenoudji...
Killed in action!
...and Jean-Pierre Rassam.
Killed in action!
Jean Almereyda...
Having a good time?
Sorry, Mr. Almereyda.
I don't know her.
She wanted to talk to me.
I forbade you to come here.
lean,I beg of you...
I don't like it, you know that.
I'm moving... Excuse me.
I knew it would happen one day.
She's my wife.
I didn't know you were married.
Eurydice... Gaspard.
How do you do?
I'm going back to the office.
Nothing for me.
I'm fine.
It's been going on for too long.
In a sense I said goodbye to her
a long time ago...
Often during these last two years,
in the middle of the night,
I realized it was
only a matter of time
before I'd lose her.
But it's different
when it actually happens.
A goodbye to the woman you love
isn't the same thing
as closing her eyes,
knowing they'll never open again.
But I'm happy she's dead.
Exactly. Open my eyes.
Make me alive again.
They are all dead.
Look at Gaspard.
The movies have killed him.
I didn't want that to happen to you.
That's all.
I don't want to have nothing to do.
What about a child?
Why don't we have any children?
Because!
When this Italian business is settled,
I'm folding Albatross Films.
Anyway, we planned it that way.
They may force you to stop,
but not of your own will.
When I met you, everything
was happening all at once.
Albatross Films is your life, Jean.
I don't have a “fie.
Let me share it at least.
I'll look for Etienne.
Gaspard, I paid.
Heads, we do what I want.
Tails, we do what you want.
Heads!
Yes, it's my life!
I know now why the first movies
were black and white as
were the first photographs.
They were a reflection
of the mourning of life!
Heads...
we comply.
Tails, we don't.
Heads.
So, comply and put on your coat!
Heads, the coin is good.
Tails, the coin is bad.
The coin is good!
It's a good game, isn't it?
So, this Jew?
Well, the poor Jew is all bloody
and the SS officer curses him
in German and broken French.
Suddenly, the phone rings.
The SS doesn't understand
the French-speaking voice.
So he hands the phone to the Jew
and shouts for him to answer.
His face all bloody, the Jew
picks up the phone and whispers:
"Hallo, this is BIum of the Gestapo."
I knew that joke.
OPEN AT NIGHT
She's not here.
And how was "Rocky IV"?
You didn't go?
I don't know.
She always says that,
but never does it.
I'm looking for a line for the extras
and I can't find it.
Did you know that
Almereyda was married?
Yes, but he doesn't want to.
We'll talk about it tomorrow.
Come in! Come in, one and all,
you things form the outside.
The door was open.
Over there.
Where is the camera?
The camera is there!
I found a bathing-suit.
The only problem is...
It's my little sister's
and it doesn't fit my rear.
Excellent!
I can't see the camera.
The camera is here!
Whom is she talking to?
I can't see the camera.
Where is the camera?
What are you doing here?
I'm meditating.
That's it for tonight.
It's over. You can go home.
Can I use the phone?
Sure.
Thanks.
Whom is that broad calling?
My fiance was going to pick me up.
Herve?
Don't come and pick me up.
No, we are not doing the photos.
Don't be silly.
You are such a dumbbell!
Don't come tonight.
That's all I'm asking.
It's no big deal.
You're really dumb, pal!
Cut the crap!
End of romance!
The party's over.
Listen, I'll tell you something.
No, that's it for the books!
Not books, paintings!
How many characters in this one?
I see three of them.
No use going on.
There are not three, but...
And in this one, how many?
I don't know.
Yd have to count them.
One, two, three, four...
No use going on, you lost.
Out! Out you go!
I'd like to stay.
Out, Woody Woodpecker!
Leave her alone!
What's essential is
the German marks.
I don't need your two cents.
What's essential is something else.
Wipe your feet!
Here she is, Dita Parlo!
Which film was it?
"Grand Illusion."
Now that's enough.
Let's go home.
I'm staying here.
It's mine too.
I owe 50% of the company.
At the time they didn't believe
in "Grand Illusion"
and then the war broke out.
You never believe me either.
Is it true that movies kill life?
That's what he keeps telling me.
These days it's rather true.
Please tell him to audition me.
Not a film, just screen tests.
Jean says you're the best for that.
I'm not Stiller's grand-son
for nothing.
Stiller?
Mauritz Stiller.
He brought Greta Garbo to Hollywood.
Let's go home. I'm cold.
I'm staying.
You're going with Etienne.
I'll stay 5 minutes with Gaspard.
I'll leave after that.
I wanted to ask her a question.
How many characters
in this painting?
I see two.
I see three.
No, only two:
Bacchus and Ariane.
And in this one?
Quite a few. I'd have to count.
But tonight I'm sick of numbers.
I see one.
Yes, only one character.
Very good. What is he called?
"The Origin of the Milky Way."
You think she might be any good?
I don't know, but we can try.
Yes, but it shouldn't last
two years, like with Adjani.
No, no, it will go fast.
Why do you say that?
The paintings.
In this one, I see dozens,
even hundreds, if one counts
the sky and all the colors.
Not at all.
She still sees like
in the old days.
It says: "The origin of the Milky Way."
So she repeats: "The Origin."
There's only one character:
the Origin.
You should like that.
You keep saying that
one should look to the past.
I'm cold.
Why doesn't TV buy our films?
This is only 86.
In 89 it will change.
No. We were wrong about Hitler.
We thought the night was ending
when it was just beginning.
It will last for ages!
Did Renald tell you about
the lost German marks?
No, boss.
Agreed: do whatever you want
with her.
I have to go away for a few days.
Don't tell the others.
Yes, boss.
We'll take it up on Monday.
No, we haven't heard
from him for two days.
Are you Renald?
I am.
How much will I be paid
for these screen tests?
I want to be paid like the others.
20 F. minus social security.
How much do we deduct?
1.91 F.
Congratulations.
I'm willing to give you a test,
but first I have to test mankind.
Please sit down.
We are auditioning people.
These are excerpts from a sentence.
Try to rearrange the sentence
while the others audition.
Ready?
I don't understand.
Think of it as of the ocean.
I'm only giving you the waves.
These are the waves.
Try to recreate the ocean.
All of them...
Against the backdrop...
Of summer's...
Luscious green...
And fall's...
Royal...
Blaze...
And winter's ruin...
Before spring...
Blossoms...
Again...
Are gathering together...
Slightly darkened...
By time...
And the climate...
And their perseverance...
But ever serene...
Unfathomable...
And remote...
Empty eyed...
Not like sentinels...
But...
As if they were defending...
With their huge...
And monolithic...
Weight and bulk...
The living against the dead...
Royal...
Remote...
Of summer's...
Defenseless...
Fall's...
But...
Blaze...
But ever serene...
Luscious green...
Or rather...
Not like sentinels...
Slightly darkened...
By time...
Before spring...
Unfathomable...
All of them...
The bones...
Before spring blossoms again...
Summer's luscious green...
And their perseverance...
Protecting...
And winter's ruin...
All of them...
All of them...
against the backdrop of
summer's luscious green
and fall's royal blaze
and winter's ruin
before spring blossoms again...
All of them...
By time...
Before spring...
Unfathomable...
The bones...
Are now gathering...
And winter's ruin...
Empty-eyed...
Again...
And their perseverance...
Protecting...
All of them...
With their huge...
And monolithic...
Against the angst...
Spring...
And the climate...
Hollow and shattered...
The dead against the living...
Against the backdrop...
No, we haven't heard from him
for two days...
Against the backdrop...
Of summer's...
Luscious green...
And fall's...
Royal...
Blaze...
And winter's ruin...
Before spring...
Blossoms...
Again...
Are now gathering...
Slightly darkened...
By time...
And the climate...
And their perseverance...
But ever serene...
Unfathomable...
Remote...
Empty-eyed...
Not like sentinels...
But...
As if they were defending...
With their huge...
And monolithic...
Weight and bulk...
The living against the dead...
Or rather...
Remote...
Of summer's...
Defenseless...
Of fall's...
But...
Blaze...
But ever serene...
Luscious green...
Or rather...
Not like sentinels...
Slightly darkened...
By time...
Before spring...
Unfathomable...
The bones...
And winter's ruin...
Empty-eyed...
All of them...
Monolithic...
Against the angst...
Of spring...
And the climate...
Hollow and shattered...
The dead against the living...
Against the backdrop...
As if they were defending...
On the contrary...
The harmless dust...
And the pain...
Of the human race...
Weight and bulk...
All of them, against the backdrop
of summer's luscious green
and fall's royal blaze
and winter's ruin
before spring blossoms again...
All of them...
All of them...
Against the backdrop...
Of summer's...
Luscious green...
And fall's...
Royal...
Blaze...
And winter's ruin...
Before spring...
Blossoms...
Again...
Are now gathering...
Slightly darkened...
By time...
And the climate...
And their perseverance...
But ever serene...
Unfathomable...
Remote...
Empty-eyed...
Not like sentinels...
But...
As if they were defending...
With their huge...
And monolithic...
Weight and bulk...
The living against the dead...
Again...
Of spring...
Are now gathering...
Slightly darkened...
By time...
And the climate...
And their perseverance...
But ever serene...
Unfathomable...
Remote...
Empty-eyed...
Not like sentinels...
But...
As if they were defending...
With their huge...
And monolithic...
Weight and bulk...
The living against the dead...
Or rather...
The dead against the living...
Protecting...
On the contrary...
The bones...
Hollow and shattered...
The harmless...
And defenseless dust...
Against the angst...
And the pain...
And the inhumanity...
Of the human race.
Are you happy now?
I'll be back in two days.
See you then.
Good luck with your work!
What's the matter?
Don't look back!
Ever!
THE ETERNAL HUSBAND
Will you make up your mind!
Move your ass!
But it's Godard!
Almereyda, how are you?
What the hell are you doing here?
This is my place.
Albatross Films?
I came to see Rassam.
He's dead. I took over
his offices three years ago.
I had a deal with him
and Romy Schneider.
She died too.
Almost at the same time.
I live far away now.
It took me some time to get here.
Where do you live?
I'll drop you off.
In Reykjavik.
Shit, that's in Iceland!
They held the world's
greatest chess game
and I figured
I had to be there.
Thanks a lot!
I might have to leave Paris too.
I heard your name oh the radio
two or three years ago.
I'd like to ask you something.
Why is Polanski getting 2.5 billion?
Roman? Dollars?
No, old francs.
But it's still a bundle.
To make a movie in the USS?
In the U.S., in Europe...
Just a movie!
Why are you so upset about it?
I could be making ten movies...
And he can only make one?
Right.
So what?
You're making a movie for...
For what... Ten, that means...
2.5 million francs.
You're making a movie for 2.5
while he's making one for...
10.5 million francs.
So he makes...
But he only makes one!
When I could make ten.
But you produce ten times more.
Is that what is upsetting you?
Exactly. It upsets me.
We are not pirates!
I've got to go. My wife
is doing screen tests in my office
and I'd rather be elsewhere.
Eurydice?
I am a faithful husband.
But I should not have accepted.
I did it because of that idiot Gaspard.
I remember Gaspard.
He was good with actors.
He's gone mad, but he's
clever and very logical.
Today you can't win anymore,
but you might as well try.
He's directing screen tests.
Screen tests? That's nice.
You get to see people.
But it lasts for ages.
And all the money I raised
is gone now.
Do you think Eurydice
could become a star?
She's got something old-fashioned...
Michele Alfa, Maria Schell, Jenny Holt...
Josette Day, Sylvia Bataille...
Odette Joyeux, Danik Patisson...
Not Danik Patisson! You're way off...
Sorry“
What I meant is that today...
So where do I drop you?
Everything goes backwards:
fashion, politics,
and therefore cinema too.
Paris - I hadn't come here
for a long time - is dirty.
It seems people
don't wash their ideas.
“THE ETERNAL RETURN “
Cinema is going backwards as well.
Since she is of another age,
Your wife might have a chance.
To each his freedom after all.
But you have to hit spot.
It's not a matter of time or era,
it's a matter of tempo.
Yes, of freedom... Just another way
of saying there's nothing left to lose.
Let's move on.
Screen tests are serious business.
Once the greatest of stars,
Ava Gardner, begged Harry Cohn
to screen-test her boyfriend,
the then unknown Frank Sinatra.
One look... One look...
One short look...
One more look...
Come over here.
Look at this.
At this painting?
Or that one?
You'll see this painting
if you look here.
It's Rembrandt...
He resembles Moliere.
The real mystery of life is
that a true gesture is beautiful.
That's not the movies!
I don't want to anymore.
That's not the movies.
I thought it was an art.
But what is art? Nothing.
What does it demand? Everything.
What does it need? Something.
The test is over.
That's all?
I haven't done anything yet!
You listened to some music.
What music?
I didn't hear anything.
There was music!
There sure was, boss.
I didn't hear anything.
That's had,
an actress who doesn't hear!
It's over.
I'll try...
I'll try...
Please...
GRAND ILLUSION
And now, can you hear?
I think so.
I don't hear a thing.
Silence!
Can you hear anything?
Silence!
WHATISART
Hurry up!
What is this bullshit?
"Empty-eyed", "The dead
against the living," "All of them,"
"As if they were defending..."
Gee, look at his stereo!
Maybe it's not bullshit.
"All of them," "Are now gathering,"
"As if they were defending,"
"The dead against the living..."
That's not bullshit.
Move it! We've got
to find those marks.
I hear something.
Kill the light!
Go and deliver these documents.
Meet you at the train station
in an hour.
And you, boss?
Stop asking dumb questions!
So, get moving.
See you at the station in an hour.
Come on, pal. To the station!
Why won't she look back?
Go tell her!
She doesn't want to look back.
She says she always looks
straight ahead.
Go and tell her what Hitchcock
said to Ingrid Bergman:
"My dear Ingrid, it's only a movie!"
All of them, against the backdrop
of summer's luscious green
and fall's royal blaze
and winter's ruin
before spring blossoms again,
are now gathering,
slightly darkened by time,
the climate and their perseverance
but ever serene, unfathomable,
remote, empty-eyed,
not like sentinels,
but as if they were defending
with their huge and monolithic
weight and bulk
the living against the dead
or rather the dead against the living,
protecting on the contrary
the hollow and shattered bones,
the harmless and defenseless dust
against the angst and the pain
and the inhumanity
of the human race.
JEAN ALMEREYDA
ALIAS JEAN VIGO
News update:
Jean Almereyda's body was found
in his company's backyard
with 4 bullets in the head.
A former matinee idol
of Italian toga and sandal epics,
he was known as a leading producer
of such New Wave classics as
"The Head Against the Wall" and
"The Red Desert"
His luck turned
after the flop of Parajanov's
"Sayat Nova"
like so many independent producers,
he succumbed to commercial TV.
A year ago, he made headlines again
with the mysterious case
of the lost German marks.
What has happened?
A gangland killing? A political crime?
Or simply vengeance?
Jean Almereyda was married
but his wife had left him
on the day of the murder.
The police are investigating
her involvement in this thriller
which turned fiction into reality.
And now let me remind you
not to go out without your umbrella
as heavy showers are expected
from Brittany today.
Next!
Your name?
Gaspard Bali“.
"For Gaspard of the Night."
The meeting is over.
Can I dean the Windows?
My dear Gaspard.
Sometimes, it was good.
Sometimes, it was bad.
But I realize I got all my ideas
while sitting on the john.
Since I was a child,
I've leaked from everywhere
and even lately from my ass.
So I've had to clean up.
Hence the hand towel's mystery.
It was simpler than
you and the others imagined.
My dear Gaspard, you may
have exercised your eyes.
Now you have to
exercise your heart.
If I see you again,
I'll try to explain.
While I'm writing and
you're chattering next door,
I'm still wondering.
The brats are bawling and
I'm chasing dollars and marks!
All this bread for a bunch of brats!
It's not easy to talk to you.
The cinema is a dream factory,
we used to say...
You keep the dreams and
leave me with the factory.
Movie people are not fools
but when in action they
feel compelled to act like them.
It's a great mystery to me
and I've lost the strength
to pretend that I control it.
I bid you farewell and
leave you with this enigma:
Who used the zoom?
And remember: The essential
is not our feelings
and past experiences.
Hello, Inter Video.
Is this the police?
That's enough!
There is this image of a man...
This isn't public television!
Come on, get out!
ALL OF THEM
Social security number?
Next!
Next!
Social security number?
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8...
It's too slow!
Speed it up!
21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26...
So what is essential?
Them.
The essential is love.
The essential is life!
Very good.
The essential is beauty!
Yes, that's right.
Very good.
The essential is joy!
Yes, that's right.
The essential is revolt!
No, not at all.
The essential is the essential.
Yes, very good.
Go ahead, please.
The essential? Not our feelings
of our past experiences
but our silent tenacity
in confronting them.
What is that crap?
Out!
Renald, throw him out!
Don't pay him!
20 francs for an audition
minus social security...
1.91 francs.
Gaspard, how are you?
So so.
And you?
Always the same bills,
the same fake receipts...
Here...
Hang in there.
See you.
One for Carole...
One for Jeanne...