Original subtitles

If I wasn't Bob Dylan,

I'd probably think that Bob Dylan

has a lot of answers myself.

Throughout the film, he wonders if he should keep quiet or speak out.

If he should be humble or arrogant.

If he should keep in shape or let himself go completely.

Love one woman or love 100.

Each day, he changes his mind and so does nothing.

He's in the middle of everything. Nowhere. He's nothing.

He just has the feeling he's never where he needs to be.

Because of that, he's slowly vanishing, he's becoming a ghost...

He's vanishing.

No, I can't come to the pool.

Because.

Because I can't swim, that's why.

Yes, it's true.

It's ridiculous but it's how it is. I never learnt.

And I really have a lot of work on.

Yes, take care.

Take care.

Who's in the film?

- Laurent Lucas. - Don't know him.

- Working with Laurent again? - Well, yes.

Can we move the coffins?

I'm sorry?

- Can we move them? - No.

Want to move them, Bertrand?

Not for now.

How much is a coffin?

It depends. Which one?

I don't know. I like the location in any case.

Good.

Right, I have to be going.

- I'm closing. - You're closing?

I'm sorry. I have to go. I'm closing now.

- Excuse me... - Yes?

Is there any way I could stay a while?

Could I lock up, for instance, and bring you the key tomorrow?

I'd like to think things through.

Being here alone for a while would be a huge help.

That way, I won't bother you. I always can come back but...

What's it about?

What?

The film. What's it about?

I'm not sure yet.

What are you shooting here?

It's someone who thinks a lot about death.

He's fairly young but he thinks about it a lot.

So he spends time in funeral stores, looking at the coffins.

He comes back regularly.

He says he's there for his father but it's for him.

He comes often, buys nothing.

He asks questions. He looks at them. He touches them.

There. That's all.

Louise, it's me.

You're probably asleep by now. I wanted to talk to you.

Sorry I didn't call

but I'm having trouble keeping on top of everything.

I miss you.

Lots of love.

Lots of love.

Anybody here?

Anybody here?

Anybody here?!

Let me the fuck out of here!

Are you ok?

I'm ok.

Are you ok?

You're ok...

Good evening.

I'd like to know if Katia's free tonight.

And Sofia?

Yes, right away.

Is a duo possible with Igor?

No, if Igor isn't free, I prefer Sofia on her own.

In cash.

8, Rue des Lions Saint Paul.

Ask her to call me on my cell first.

Thank you.

Hi, I just called about Sofia. I'd like to cancel.

Something has cropped up. Thank you.

Where R U, little fox?

Miss U. Waiting at yr place.

You want to go in?

I don't know.

No, not really.

Are you sure?

Why? You have the keys?

No, but we can open it if you want.

All right. Yes, please.

I had an incredible experience the other night

and I feel totally lost because of it.

I don't know what to do.

You have to live it out again.

You have to go back.

No. I spent a whole night in there.

I don't want to live through that again.

However, I'd like to experience the state I was in again.

Return to that state but...

in the open.

Can you describe it?

Once I realized I could breathe

and simply needed to stay calm and wait,

I sank down into something that was totally sublime.

The sublime is hard to describe

but it's the only word I can find to talk about it.

Delightful...

Ecstatic... I don't know.

I understand.

I can't spend my life in a coffin.

I can't spend my life in a coffin.

Come, let's take a walk.

I'm no older than you but I've had a good time.

I mean, a really good time.

I've met people who were funny, intelligent,

deep and carefree.

And now?

Where are they?

These days, there's no more grace.

Everything is contrived.

If you see it all through, you have to stand aside,

put up with loneliness, sluggishness, defeatism,

give up.

And I don't want to give up.

I'm not dead yet.

It's just that our times no longer permit joy.

Are there still things that can bring us pleasure?

In this society of ours,

there are hardly any.

Yet the world is full of them.

I'll come back soon.

Book I The Nature of War

What's wrong?

I don't know. I don't feel well.

You may be a lieutenant soon.

You'll carry the sword, Pierre. You hear me? You'll carry it.

- You can't give it now. - I know.

Wait outside, my brother. I'll join you.

Maybe I should have left a note or something...

No, frankly it's wiser.

For my mother...

You'll be back soon.

It's all right. Come on.

What happens now?

You'll stay with us for two weeks. And then you'll go home.

No, I mean now. Right now.

Right now? You're going to rest.

I'm going to rest?

Either we take fulfilment or we rest.

I'll show you the dormitory.

Another thing...

I wanted to know...

How does this work?

I mean, do I pay?

No. You don't pay, you feel free.

Are you coming?

Yes, I'm coming.

Take this one.

Thank you.

What did "You'll carry the sword" mean?

If this is a military order, I'm not into it.

It's a military order, but not a belligerent one.

Carrying that sword is a fine thing.

When you manage it, it's beautiful.

You'll see.

See you later.

Remember. Either we take fulfilment or we rest.

Yes, I remember.

Hello...

Are you ok?

It just went off.

I'm ok.

I've been told about joy, the sublime, pleasure...

Ecstasy...

Let's just say I'd like to be...

dazed by life.

That makes you fierce.

I don't mind becoming fierce.

Fierce doesn't mean unsociable. It means fierce.

Like them.

They're beautiful.

They seem so present.

It may sound stupid but...

I admire people who are present when they're present.

A lot of the time, I'm not.

What's your name again?

Bertrand.

Come here, Bertrand. Come closer.

Come closer.

Come on...

Don't be afraid.

Today, pleasure

is something you have to win, like a war.

So you have to fight like a warrior.

But I'll help you.

You don't bother about anything here.

You're going to think, make love,

drink, play...

You're going to win wars.

You want to be dazed by life?

You will be.

But you have to believe in me.

If you no longer believe,

then you leave.

All right.

You agree?

I agree.

Welcome to the Kingdom...

Near the river, there's a tree that we watched daily at sunrise.

Still...

Bertrand?

Yes.

Come.

You have sad eyes.

No, I'm not sad. I refuse to be sad.

I just want some peace. I want society off my back.

No more forms. No more visits to the bank or the post office.

I can't take anymore.

Joy, yes, I'm all for that.

I may not look it, but I am.

For instance,

I would like to film joy

but I don't think I'm capable of it.

At one point, I wanted to make a film

about a guy madly in love with a woman.

This guy, who's the gloomy type,

spots a stunning girl who's unusually beautiful.

She has a weird little face

and a big nose.

They fall madly in love.

One day, when the guy is a bit drunk,

he dives into a pool without seeing that it's empty.

He smashes his nose and has to have it redone.

So he decides to get the nose he loves the most.

Namely, the girl's nose.

And so he tells her:

"I love you and I think it's beautiful to do this.

"We never do beautiful things

''because that means doing something surprising

"and that means taking risks.

"I want to take risks with you.

"Besides, it's only a nose."

Of course, on him, the nose doesn't work.

It's hideous. He becomes very uncomfortable,

more and more obsessed with her.

So he wants to go even further

and have his whole face done to resemble hers,

the face he loves the most.

And he tells her again,

"We never do beautiful things because that means taking risks."

They do it.

And the guy vanishes

inside her.

I think you were right to come here.

I don't know. Maybe, yes.

Perhaps my one true misfortune

is that I can't sing.

A guy like Bob Dylan can't be totally unhappy.

You make that sound...

That magnificent sound of your voice when you sing.

The things he mulls over are sublime.

He can't be unhappy.

You neither.

Come with me.

We'll make love.

You'll come beautifully and powerfully.

Listen...

I think I'll carry on alone.

I think it's better.

Ok?

Fine.

You know...

I'm not sure this is right for me.

I wasn't expecting this kind of thing.

The exercises, the meditation, fine, but it's just that...

I don't think I understand.

What did you understand in your coffin?

Nothing.

That's just it. Nothing.

We're not together for that.

That's it. I've never been the community type.

What do you mean? I'm talking about you.

All right. Maybe. I'll try.

Do you know where I can find a phone?

What for?

To make a phone call.

Is someone close dying? A friend?

No. Well, I don't think so.

For the first two weeks, no phones.

I need to call people.

Who?

My job. My mother. A few friends. So they won't worry.

Forget that.

Disappearance.

Anonymity. It's necessary.

No responsibilities. No fault. No guilt.

I don't mean abandon it all,

just forget. For two weeks. You'll see.

- I think I'll go and rest. - No.

Not now.

"I'm squatting on my heels

"and Sophie bends down over me.

"She starts sucking my cock,

"spitting on it

"until it is covered with saliva.

"Then I topple onto my knees,

"keeping Andre's ass parted with one hand

"'and lubricating my cock with the other.

"I press the head of my penis to his asshole

and grab him by the hips to hold him in place

"as I slowly sink into him.

"I start fucking him hard,

"with my belly slapping his ass,

"while Sophie clings to me to pull me back

"after each forward movement.

"She slips a finger up my ass and it's delightful.

"And the pendulum motion that we create

"makes my hand move back and forth

"and I start riding him faster

"as my breath quickens

"until I feel that my heart is going to stop.

"I hear him moan:

"Slowly, slowly.

"Don't come just yet."

I'm a lieutenant.

Really?

I didn't understand the experiments

on the fragmentation of light and dissolution.

It doesn't matter.

I see now that I Iike myself

but that I'd made the wrong choices.

My dreams are once again inhabited by emotional presences.

I'm a lieutenant.

Look.

There. That's it.

All right.

Look. The cracks in the celling form the shape...

of a dinosaur.

I mainly see a house falling in ruins

that we don't have the money to renovate.

We hardly have money left for anything.

Do you have money?

A little.

Over the next three days, we could not eat,

speak or sleep.

I didn't eat, speak or sleep.

I don't feel very well.

I won't make it.

Yes, you will.

You think you're here because you're outside of life.

But you're in life.

The others are outside of life but you're in life.

I want you to take from my eyes.

I want you to take from my hands,

from my breasts,

from my heart,

from my belly,

from my mouth...

Come, tonight we'll open doors.

I can't swim.

I can't swim.

I'm happy!

So am I.

There. It's been two weeks now.

You're going home.

Yes, I know.

You're not sad?

No, I'm pleased.

It's ok. I feel good.

I want to go home.

To do things.

You were very beautiful these two weeks.

You have won battles.

But you also need to know

that you will feel anxiety on returning home.

It's natural.

In any case, I'll always be here,

if you want.

See you soon.

Return safely, my brother.

Thank you.

What are you doing?

I'm drawing a rabbit.

It doesn't have paws.

No, it doesn't have paws.

I agreed to enjoy today

without anything special happening.

Here I am.

I'm back in Paris.

Since this morning.

I know, I didn't call. I couldn't.

I was wiser no to call, it's true.

But believe me, it was worth it.

There.

I had a beautiful experience.

And I want to share it with you.

I think I've won a battle. A very important battle.

I've met someone.

A woman.

Thank you.

No, I didn't sleep with her.

Even if I had, what would it matter?

But I didn't.

I just saw some beautiful things.

Very true things.

- Excuse me. - Precise things.

Yes, we're open until 7:30.

Yes, but not before September.

You're welcome. Goodbye.

I don't know where to start but I recall one moment...

A masked young girl was swimming in the water.

After several days without eating,

she hadn't slept for nights,

she had made a journey

in which doors had opened for her

and I was watching her move away in the water.

She was full. She had lived.

The sun was rising.

We could go back to battle.

But we did nothing

and it was delightful.

The sun was rising.

You could go back to battle.

But you did nothing and it was delightful...

Yes.

I could go back to battle and it was delightful.

I think we should live together.

I don't mean live like a normal couple.

I mean live like an extraordinary couple.

An uncommon couple. The most beautiful couple ever.

More beautiful than Jean-Jacques Schuhl and Ingrid Caven.

Even if we have a child, we won't be like couples with children.

Even at the supermarket, we won't be like others.

Because we'll have requirements.

And we won't put off living until later.

We're companions. That's the word.

You're my companion and I'm your companion.

That doesn't sound like a couple.

You're not my girlfriend or fiancee.

You're my companion.

You accompany me and I accompany you.

We travel the road together.

I think I'm going to kill you.

Listen.

I'd love to travel the road rather than do the cooking.

But...

if we go to the supermarket, we'll look like an ordinary couple.

But it doesn't matter.

It's beautiful.

It doesn't put you off doing it.

I find that beautiful. It doesn't matter.

But it does matter. lt really matters.

Laurent...

I know...

I'm back. I've had a great idea. I need to talk to you about it.

What?

I can't hear you.

I'm nearly home. I'll cal you back...

Is someone there?

Did you sleep well?

What are you up to?

I've come to tidy up.

To air the place.

It's ok. I surrender.

Two weeks without a word. I didn't complain.

Two weeks. So don't complain either!

- Did you sleep well? - So-so.

Your mail's an the table.

Will you get back to work now?

l don't know. Why?

Aren't you making a film?

Not really.

What do you mean, not really?

I don't have to make it.

And I'm not going to.

Didn't they already pay you?

So?

So you can't give up now.

Yes, I'm giving up. That's right.

- I'm giving up. - You're giving up?

I'm giving up.

Everyone makes films.

You're staying here?

Actually, I don't know.

Can you tell me where you were?

I was in a place...

where you feel good. It's peaceful.

The people are nice. There are trees,

you eat, you talk,

you sleep, you dance. You have everything you need.

An asylum was it?

No, not an asylum. They aren't mad.

And you like the countryside now?

Yes. Before, I hated the countryside but now I like it. That's all.

Finished cleaning?

Your father would have had you locked away for that.

- l doubt it. - It's true. Believe me.

You wouldn't have had me locked away.

l know that.

My brother.

Hello, my sister.

You're back.

Welcome.

Come.

How are you?

- It's good to see you. - Same here.

I'm won over.

I know. You were right to come back. Outside, it's all shit.

That's definite now.

We have to win others over.

All right.

- I have money for you. - Later.

The main thing is you're here.

I must go to the city for a few days. We have enemies.

I don't want you to leave again.

But I'm here. I don't want to leave. I'm ready.

What do we do now?

There are a thousand things to do. Rest first.

I don't want to. I want to do things. I want to be active.

It's war?

It's war.

Book IV Commitment

Come.

Stay silent.

Let yourself go.

Don't be afraid.

In fulfilment,

you also have the fulfilment of horror.

Have you ever made horror films?

No, not really.

I've always wanted to.

Why haven't you?

The fear of ridicule, probably.

There's nothing ridiculous. Or morbid.

Look at this one.

Now I feel like a little child.

- Did you hear that?. - Yes.

False alarm.

We're here.

If we take up position at "E", we'll be facing the attack

and exposing our lines.

We need to get to here.

Then they'll be facing us.

We can do it in an hour.

It'll be tricky.

I don't want to fight the war.

"Slowly...

"Slowly. Don't come just yet."

You were beautiful in the trenches.

Thank you.

Don't thank me. It's not me. It's you.

War means coming into contact.

It's a dialogue.

The trenches are still human.

You were committed. Demanding.

You were in it.

You're not ridiculous when you're in it.

Yes.

I think my only true misfortune is that I can't sing.

Here he is.

You were worried about me?

A little.

You mustn't be.

I'm well. I'm very well.

Are you sure?

Yes. I promise.

Want to go home?

I'm not asking you to.

I don't mind. It's a change.

It's nice here.

Come on, I'll show you.

Meet Maria and her children.

Louise...

Welcome.

There.

Do you find me pathetic?

I've just never seen you like this.

What? As a fox?

No. Like this.

- I'm glad you're here. - Me too.

Let's go and rest.

These are my children

and I can't even cry anymore.

Perhaps you are crying

but you don't know it.

You chose war,

didn't you?

Yes.

I chose war

because I don't want to fall apart,

that's all.

And you're a good warrior, so there are no tears.

I don't know.

I don't want to lose my children.

You know, children...

after a while...

they leave.

I want to move forward.

Why do you bandage your breasts?

Remove your bandage.

Haven't you ever hoped that the sky would rend before your eyes?

Yes, often.

And the sky

has never opened.

No.

We'll open it.

We'll rend it.

Come on.

A friend of yours is here. He wants you to leave.

What's the rifle for?

Nothing.

It's just in case.

Just in case what?

Just in case... I don't know...

something happens.

Nothing will happen. You can put it down.

Yes.

Put it down.

You can put it down.

There.

Shall we sit down?

So what are you doing here?

Nothing special.

I'm resting.

Yeah, you don't look very well.

I'm well.

I'm in great shape.

For instance, last night, I caressed my forearm

very slowly for half an hour, an hour...

You don't know how good it felt.

How happy I was.

You do that all day?

That and other things.

Exercises, music,

pure existence...

I rest

and we await the prophet's return.

And this prophet...

Where is he?

We're going to leave now.

We'll leave quietly. And I'll take you home.

You've sold your place but you can stay with me for now.

Then you can get around to making your film.

With me.

With Laurent.

That's kind but...

I think I'm going to stay.

Really, I think I'm going to stay.

And I think you're going to leave.

All right?

All right.

So take your jacket and go.

Take your jacket and go!

Calm down, Bertrand, I'm going. Calm down.

I feel like crying.

Haven't you ever hoped that the sky would rend before your eyes?

Book VII Attack

After several hours, I spotted my first animal.

I don't want to die.

I want to grow old.

I had won.

I was a lieutenant for a reason.

I had to kill Colonel Kurtz!

Everything indicated that Kurtz had gone mad.

I had to kill Colonel Kurtz.

They'd give me commander's stripes for that.

And I wasn't even in their fucking army anymore.

Everyone wanted me to do it.

Especially him.

I could feel him up there,

waiting for me to end his suffering.

But he wanted to go as a soldier.

Still standing.

Even the jungle wanted him dead.

And he took his orders from the jungle.

Dad?

I had just killed a god.

I was a god.

You think now that you can

return to your life.

Go back to things where you left them.

But that's not true.

You are a force now.

You are safe from passing time

and from pain.

You are a force

but no one knows it away from here.

And nothing much happens here anymore.

The Kingdom is slowly fading away.

And that it contemplates now is its own pleasure.

There's nothing concrete now.

It's not dead but it needs to be reborn in a world that will be new.

As new as the love of a brother and a sister.

You've had access to what you always sought

and now you don't know what to do with it.

You'll never sing like Bob Dylan.

But that's ok.

You're here.

You're here at last.

On War