Original subtitles

Dear Mom,

No, no.

Dear Lydia,

I know it's been a while.

School wasn't what I hoped it would be,

but I made it through.

I wanted to let you know

I'll be back in New York soon, and...

No, no, no.

Dear Lydia,

I know I've been out of touch,

but things between us being so...

Lydia?

Tense...

I really needed to get as far away as possible

after Grandma...

No, no, no, no, God no.

Dear Lydia,

I made some decisions I'm really excited about,

and I'm headed back east,

so I'll drop by the store when I get settled.

Hope all is well.

Hope all is well?

Oh, God.

Forget it, Cece, just forget it.

♪ Cool Mama ♪

♪ She makes you wanna Holler for more ♪

♪ Cool Mama ♪

♪ She makes you wanna Holler for more ♪

Mm-hm.

Two minutes.

Okay, sugar, I'm coming.

All right, now Ronnie's gonna come and get you, okay?

Oh, come on now.

Come on, baby, now, you like Ronnie, don't you?

Don't... look.

I told you never to do that.

Don't cry!

Don't cry.

You start crying now over every little thing

you're gonna be crying for the rest of your life.

I want my daddy.

Well, your daddy left us.

How you doing, Cece?

Been having fun?

Now follow me, Cece.

Come on.

Follow me.

Let's play our little game.

Oh, come on now, I am tired of paying baby.

You got the gold card.

Put that shit over there, sugar.

Well, my, my, my,

look what the cat dragged in.

Cece, that you, girl?

You look good, you look damn good.

And lost all that weight, got yourself a fine figure.

And changed your hair, but it looks good now.

Jesse, I need to talk to my mother in private.

You gonna be all right?

I'm all right.

- You sure? - I'm sure.

All right, I'm gonna take off then, all right?

But you look good, Cece, you really do.

She must've heard you talking 'bout her,

that's why she came back.

Your baby girl has come home a woman.

So, you think you can just put folks out

of places they pay for?

I wanted to talk to you alone.

Yeah, well you haven't wanted to talk to me

for four years.

I came back to tell you I'm about to be in a film.

Acting?

You know how I hate that life.

So, you wanna get back at me by coming in here

and telling me some shit

about how you wanna go off...

Look, a lot has changed since I left, okay?

I am not the same big, scared girl that I was when...

Mm-hm, yeah, you lost what, 50, 55 pounds?

57.

Him.

So, now you got a new body.

Now you wanna be an actress.

I am already an actress.

If you just have to be in front of the camera,

then be a talk show hostess,

like Oprah.

Do something like that.

You're the one who raised me up

in every ratty little studio in the city.

I sat in screening rooms

the way other kids sit in daycare centers.

It's your grandma's doing,

always talking about "the theater."

Dressing you in them stupid ass costumes.

No, Lydia, she loved me.

That's all.

She believed in me.

Anyway, I just finally decided

that this is the career that I want.

Career?

No, let me tell you 'bout your so-called career.

Cause they just gonna have you playing a whore.

Or some other variation of a exotic Black vamp.

When they want you to take off your clothes,

now then they'll talk about your career.

- 'Cause they're gonna try... - No, Lydia.

This is not one of your famous Blacktress films, okay?

This is an art film. Quality.

Quality?

The only quality they're concerned about

is the kind that fills up your bra cup.

Yeah, well I'm not gonna have to worry about that.

Cause there are certain things that I will never do.

You wanna be an actress?

Don't ever say what you won't do.

Yeah, well, I would gain back all my weight

and play somebody's mammy

before I did something like that.

Yeah, well you might have to.

What, are you telling me

that all those roles you took,

you didn't have a choice?

What I am trying to tell you

is that it wasn't that easy.

Yeah, well, you sure made it look easy.

This time I'm not coming back.

Cece...

Cece!

♪ So is it any wonder You dream of showers ♪

♪ And the rain will pour Yeah ♪

♪ Is it any wonder where once A heart felt so insecure ♪

♪ Is now complete ♪

♪ Is it any wonder That loves as strong ♪

♪ As your lips are sweet ♪

♪ Follow your heart ♪

♪ Into the dreams That guide you ♪

♪ And you will find your way ♪

♪ Follow your heart ♪

♪ And if it seems to blind you Then close your eyes ♪

♪ And say I have no fear No, no ♪

♪ Follow your heart ♪

♪ Follow your heart ♪

♪ Follow your heart, yeah ♪

Good work here.

- Hi, I'm Cicely and... - You're tardy.

Tardiness costs money.

Sorry, the A train was stuck in the tunnel,

somebody pulled the brake...

Unreliable trains being a given in New York City,

this young lady and I left our homes early enough

to accommodate the situation.

I take it you're our Elena.

This is Winsome who will be playing

my daughter in the film,

and our Lucretia is unfortunately also late,

which I loathe.

You have a headshot and resume?

Well, my looks changed recently and I haven't gotten new ones...

It should've been your first priority,

young lady, when you decided to read for the part.

Every actor understands how important a headshot is.

Well, it's a waste of money if you ask me.

I mean, who really looks like their headshot?

Honey, I know I don't.

Who are you?

I'm Randi, Mr. B, your Lucretia.

You're tardy, tardiness costs money.

Have a seat.

Not sit on the desk, young lady, use a chair.

That's what they're for.

Have a seat.

Thank you.

I've attempted to get this script produced for years,

and no one would buy the idea of a Black man as an artist,

painting and sculpting female nudes

with seriousness and passion.

I've decided to produce Body of Art myself.

Good for you, Mr. B.

It's not my objective here...

I'd like to share something with everyone.

You don't have to raise your hand, my dear.

Well, I've done a lot of art modeling,

and really what happens is that the artist

begins to see you as not a body,

they start to see you as light and shadow and form.

Well, men watching a film

ain't gonna be interested in shadow and light,

they're gonna want body, okay?

Then these big Black woman hips

and big Black woman behinds

gonna give them all the body they can handle.

Uh, wait a minute,

Elena's character doesn't have to pose nude, does she?

Well, what do you think an art model is?

I know what an art model is,

but Joel didn't mention

anything about nudity to me.

Didn't he tell you what the film was about?

Yeah, but he just said it was a film about an artist

and I'd be playing some woman's best friend.

This is nudity in the tradition

of the best European filmmakers.

Nudity within context,

an unassuming piece of the overall mise-en-scéne.

You do understand that.

Well, isn't there some way that you can

shoot those scenes without my being nude?

Nothing in the script changes.

- Changes cost money. - But he...

In fact, this conversation is costing money.

Now, Joel tells me you're Lydia Love's daughter?

Is that right?

What's this really about, young lady?

What's what about?

This resistance.

Trying perhaps to step out

of your mother's well-endowed shadow.

Look...

I remember your grandmother.

Fine, fine actress.

The best.

When I saw her and Henry Esposito

do Porgy and Bess at the Beacon...

Yeah, I know the story.

Then help me out here, I'm confused.

Confused about what?

About your problem, that's what.

I don't have a problem.

I'm afraid you don't have a role in this film either.

Not if you can't do the part as written.

Thank you for coming in, however.

It's your loss.

Oh, I'm so happy we did this.

So am I.

You gonna give me a call?

Yeah, and we'll put it all together.

Okay, good, we'll go over all of the details for the stills?

- Yeah. - Beautiful.

- Bye bye. - All right, be careful.

Damn, Cece, I can't get over how good you look.

Was that your sister?

Yeah, that was Di,

she's gonna be the still photographer on the shoot.

She's still as thin as ever.

She never changes, but you,

look I know I said this already,

but the difference between... wow.

Does she eat dairy products?

Everything, as far as I know.

Look, why don't we stay in touch.

- Listen, Joel... - We better walk and talk.

We're already late for the rehearsal.

- Joel. - It's fate, Cece.

I'm telling you.

Us running into each other,

you wanting to act, me doing my first film.

Joel, I'm trying to tell you I'm not gonna be in your film.

Marcel just fired me.

What?

Seems like you forgot to mention

that my role didn't include clothing.

Excuse me, but how does one forget to mention...

Look, it's no big deal.

Just one small scene with you

posing for the artist while he paints,

nothing to it.

I figured with your new slammin' body and everything

you wouldn't have a problem with that.

- Not anymore. - Yeah, right.

Since my mother was Lydia Love

it should be a given that I wouldn't have

a problem with that, right?

Well, yeah.

Come on now, you know I totally

admire your mom's work.

I think her movies were fierce.

Cool Mamawas my favorite.

Yeah, well next time

you might want to ask me first

what I'd like to do with my own body, okay?

Come on, chill, Cece,

you know me, you know what I'm about.

Now, would I ask you

to do something if it wasn't in good taste?

I don't know, would you?

Look, Cece, this is me, Joel.

We got a history together,

now don't hurt my feelings, okay?

Yeah, well I told Marcel that I wouldn't do

the nude scene and basically he said adios.

Look, he can't do that without talking with me first.

Well, he did.

I'm the director.

Yeah, but he's the producer.

And the star.

And from what little my grandmother

told me about him, he's not about to let...

I don't give a shit about that,

no one gives ultimatums to my actresses.

Listen.

The last thing I need is to be in the middle

of some male power struggle

between you and Marcel Brown.

Tell me something, Joel, why did you cast me?

Because you're fine.

I wanna help you get your thing happening,

but you gotta trust me, okay?

I don't know if it's okay or not.

Look, I'll get your part back for you I promise.

You just start rehearsing your lines.

I got it covered.

Mr. Brown... listen,

I want to talk this over with you.

I just had this little chat with Cicely, right?

She says there's a bit of an issue with her role?

I call it more than a bit of an issue.

She refuses to do the part as I've written it,

- I can't use her. - Wait a minute.

It doesn't have to go there.

See, she and I go way back

and she's going through a little thing right now.

She used to be a lot heavier, you know.

She just lost all this weight so...

Her personal saga does not interest me one iota.

Now, just round up a couple of the callbacks for Elena

and bring them to rehearsal tomorrow.

Look, Mr. Brown, Cicely's my choice.

I cast her, she's who I want in the part.

Listen, as high quality as this film is,

it's an ultra, ultra low budget production.

Do you think I have time to fool around

with an actress suffering an attack of modesty?

I do not.

How many of your plays have I directed, Mr. Brown?

What's your point?

You know my work.

You know my reputation.

I Know your reputation in the theater.

I know nothing about this recent foray of yours into film.

I did choose to gamble on your potential,

but believe me,

it's fast becoming a scary venture at best.

You trying to threaten a man

who's won awards for his directing.

That's not gonna work.

Sure, you have awards.

But do you have a savings account?

She'll do the part.

And see to it that young woman gets some headshots.

Very, very pleased, very pleased with...

Hang on a second, okay?

Hey, how you doing?

- Okay. - Come on in.

Just give me one second, okay?

Yeah, send a messenger over to pick the stuff up if you can.

You have the address, right?

Okay, I'll talk to you later, bye.

So, can I get you something to drink?

No, thanks.

- Interesting photographs. - Oh, thanks.

Come, let me show you the rest of the studio.

I'm just getting headshots,

nothing from the neck down.

I didn't mean to come off like a bitch.

You have some issues, girlfriend,

and you need to deal with them.

All right, turn your head slightly towards me, please.

Okay.

Let's do it again.

This time with your full emotion.

Go.

Lucretia, I have to talk to you.

I really do.

Can't right now, Elena,

Walt wants me in the studio in five minutes.

You've got time.

No I don't, you know how he likes me

to be in my pose when he walks into work.

He's not gonna be there today, Lucretia.

What're you talking about?

What are you talking about?

How could you say something like that, huh?

Run through lines together for a minute, okay?

- Wanna do it again? - Let's do it again.

My charge to you was to find an actress

who was both sensuous with an air of innocence

for the part of Lucretia, not that...

Excuse me, Mr. Brown.

You were not at those open calls.

No, because casting was supposed to be your job.

It wasn't easy, okay?

Either I got mammy types

who were not about to take

their clothes off for any reason,

or I got a bunch of wannabe divas.

Look, let's face it.

It's not like these women get to cut their teeth

on Sam Shepard or Tennessee Williams.

Believe me.

If I'd seen sensuous with an air of innocence,

I would have cast her.

Randi is a walking sassy mama cliché.

I need to work with her, true.

But she is sexy

in an earthy, Afrocentric sorta way.

Now, you gotta admit that.

Watching what you perceive as a sexy woman

act poorly,

is like watching soap opera stars do Shakespeare.

I know a lot of brothers who wouldn't mind

seeing a fine sister on the big screen

no matter what she was doing.

Now, how many chances do we get to do that?

You were a director interested in talent.

What happened?

Okay.

Let's take it from Elena's line.

He's not gonna be there today, Lucretia.

What are you talking about?

He wants me to model for him now.

What? What did you just say?

How could you say something like that, huh?

How could you?

Wow...

Wow.

Winsome, what is wrong?

Why'd you stop me?

It's just so beautiful,

you know, the way that scene reads?

It's really, really powerful.

Why'd you stop me?

Randi, there needs to be real hurt in your voice.

But I think she'd be angry,

you know, I mean,

her best friend trying to slide under her action

with this man she is totally in love with,

this great artist she idolizes and everything.

I see her angry.

The anger is there to mask the hurt,

but we as the audience must intuit the distinction,

that's called acting.

Mr. Brown, if you don't mind,

I'd like to work alone with my actresses.

Yeah, Marcel, you are making us a little nervous.

Why don't we just run through it again?

Stanislavski said,

"An actor must make use of the physical apparatus

with which nature has endowed him, or her."

You, young lady, have an untuned apparatus,

and you would want to become more familiar with it.

I don't know what you're talking about.

He means that our bodies are our instruments, you know?

We use our bodies like, well, as tools.

Well, my therapist says the same thing.

Look, Mr. B, if you have a problem

with me working my stuff, you just say so.

All right,

I have a problem with you "working your stuff."

Can't we just stick to the script please.

You, young lady, need only concern yourself

with overcoming your modesty

so that you can disrobe at the appropriate moment.

As for the rest of you,

I've seen enough.

Good day.

I think that man is sexually frustrated.

No, no, I think he's really, really clear, you know?

Marcel.

- Marcel, wait. - Shouldn't you be rehearsing?

About Elena's modeling scene...

It's not changing, changes cost money.

But I have a suggestion about how you can save some money.

State your agenda, I'm busy.

Okay, in the script,

your character always paints Lucretia right?

Young lady, get to the point.

It's only at the end when he chooses

to replace Lucretia with Elena

that we finally see Elena's body, right?

Hooray, the actress actually read the script.

All through the film we've heard him talk

about how incredible Elena's body is.

Wouldn't the suspense be greater

if we never actually saw Elena's body

until it was on the canvas?

And so, you wouldn't have to do the nude scenes on camera.

- Yeah. - How convenient.

But you can render Elena's body any way you want

'cause it'll be a painting.

Why should I do that?

'Cause it's a more dramatic approach, that's why.

And it's a shorter scene, a little less film,

a little more money saved.

And it lets you off the hook,

which I'm not so sure is a good idea.

- I saw you at rehearsal. - And?

You play that cool other woman role well enough.

I wonder about your range.

I have range.

Well, Winsome for instance,

SO open, SO raw.

You seldom see that in an actress.

About my suggestion, Marc... Mr. Brown.

You, on the other hand,

I have yet to see that quality

that your grandmother, for instance, had in abundance.

If you're suggesting I don't have what it takes,

you're wrong, okay?

I can be as raw as the next actress.

Yet, you're standing here asking me to take away

the few raw moments you have in the film.

Yeah, but that scene

would hold much more visual weight,

you have to admit that.

No, no, I wrote that script, and you tampering with it...

Besides, you still have Randi

who's more than willing to do her nude scene,

so it's not as though you're gonna compromise

your vision aesthetically.

You sound more like that wannabe director

than a wannabe actress.

Yes!

God only knows why I let you convince me of this.

Thanks, Marcel.

You do know that emotional work

can leave you a lot more exposed

than taking your clothes off ever could?

How come you don't want any of this wine?

'Cause it has 80 empty calories per glass.

Stuff turns into sugar in your system.

Besides, I'm only on my fifth glass of water today,

I'm behind schedule.

How many glasses do you drink a day?

Ten to twelve.

Every day?

Damn, that's a lot of pissing.

Yeah, well,

I Know where a public restroom is located

in every single section of Manhattan.

Upper West, Lower East, Midtown...

You really handled that pompous ass Marcel yesterday?

Congratulations.

He's not so tough.

You just have to know how he thinks.

You were always good at figuring people out.

What makes you say that?

Oh, I just remember you were always determined

to get whatever you needed from whomever you needed it.

That's how you got me.

Oh, really?

Yeah, really.

When I saw you for the first time,

I thought you were... I don't know.

An old spirit.

You were a tough little something

to still be in high school.

Don't mention high school.

I hated that place.

You were like some kind of savior to me then, you know?

You rescued me from that whole scene.

Remember how you'd walk over to my tiny apartment

for lunch every day?

And we'd get together, we'd touch...

To everybody else, I didn't exist.

I probably had one date

my whole junior year.

But when I hooked up with you,

it didn't matter what party or dance

I wasn't getting invited to.

I had this older man I was seeing.

Baby, those days are over.

You're new and improved now.

Think so?

All you gotta do is look in the mirror.

Try not to do that too often.

C'mere.

Look at me, and I'll be your mirror.

You wanna know what I see?

I see the same person.

The package is different, but the woman is the same.

Hot, loving.

Sexy.

Sweet-lipped.

You haven't changed, you know that?

You sound surprised.

You went away and tried to forget

all about me, didn't you?

You were my first, Joel.

I couldn't forget about you.

C'mere.

Don't worry, nobody on the film

ever has to know.

The... the clothes stay on.

What?

The clothes.

Stay on.

Come on, Cece, I've seen your body before, remember?

Not this body, you haven't.

Your clothes have to come off though.

What?

Go on.

Undress.

Oh, this is some freaky feminine shit, huh?

Go on.

Wait.

♪ I want to play ♪

♪ Double Dutch in the sun ♪

♪ Watch all the children run ♪

♪ Run, run, to the sidewalk ♪

♪ They're saying it's my turn ♪

♪ Taking a partner To turn, turn ♪

♪ But not underhanded ♪

♪ Because you'll be stranded ♪

♪ Without a chance To jump, jump ♪

♪ Double Dutch in the sun ♪

♪ The fun days Are the sun days ♪

Hello?

She quit.

What?

Randi quit.

We only have five days left

before we start shooting.

Well, see, Marcel says that

Elena's character requires, like,

more emotion than you had,

and so, well,

he thinks that I have, like, a...

a reservoir of feelings, and, well,

he thinks that it would better if you played Lucretia,

and then, I'd play, I guess I'd play Elena.

I'm Elena.

Is he crazy?

You're cast as the artist's daughter.

Marcel completely wrote her out of the script,

Joel made us learn each other's lines...

This is crazy, okay?

It's because of me that Elena's character

doesn't take her clothes off at all,

and you're telling me that Marcel wants you...

And you've actually been an art model, Winsome,

I mean, what's up, I don't get it,

I just don't get it.

Well, because, it... it... it's one thing

when it's just you in a room with all these people,

like, drawing you, it...

it's like a cocoon, in a way.

But doing it in front

of all these people who...

who don't see your body as an "art object,"

or... or a form, or anything?

The only reason I'm doing this film...

Listen, Winsome?

We don't need to deal with this over the phone.

Why don't you meet me after your dance class,

here at my place?

Okay.

Okay, I mean, that's a good idea.

I'll make dinner. See ya.

"Lucretia crumbles, her feelings deeply hurt.

Elena looks at her best friend, and as she speaks,

slowly, silently cries."

Okay.

Ow.

No, you just spoil Cece too much, Mama,

that's what it is.

And sometimes at night she has nightmares.

All children have nightmares, Mama.

Of monsters under the bed and things flying...

She won't go out and play with the other children.

Hardly laughs, never cries.

That's not normal

for a little girl to hold things in.

Oh, and the amount of junk food that she eats.

What, you trying to blame me, huh?

I'm only saying that...

You have never approved

of anything I do.

What're you talking about?

This is about Cece.

My own mother won't even go

and see one of my movies.

We've been all over this before.

You know how I feel.

When I was coming along,

Negro actors took roles that showed our talent.

We danced, we sang.

Played beautiful music and wore lovely clothes.

And still got exploited.

Those were roles of integrity.

And you know it's not the role, Mama,

it's what you do with it.

Do you want white folks to think that we just...

Oh, come off that Negro mentality, Mama, please.

Shh.

Or you'll wake up the child.

And another thing, missy.

This Negro mentality

knows something about morals.

And I still say,

you cannot lie around with some man

up over your child, she might...

She might what, Mama?

No, go ahead and say it, Mama.

No, come on, Mama, say it!

She might end up like me, huh?

When... my daughter wakes up,

you tell her to be ready when I get back.

She's gonna come back and live with me again.

Cece?

Cece, baby.

Lord, have mercy on us all.

♪ There were no mirrors In my nana's house ♪

♪ No mirrors In my nana's house ♪

♪ There were no mirrors In my nana's house ♪

♪ No mirrors In my nana's house ♪

♪ And the beauty That I saw in everything ♪

♪ The beauty in everything ♪

♪ Oh, was in her eyes ♪

♪ Oh, Lord, was in her eyes ♪

Lucretia, try to understand.

He sees something new in my body.

You want him to keep exploring in his work,

don't you?

Hello?

Well, I really like the idea of playing Elena,

and, you know, only show my body, like,

the way I'm used to, on a canvas, you know?

Winsome?

But I see what it means to you and everything, and...

so, I really meditated hard on it this morning,

and it came up for me that, well,

I should play Lucretia, and you should play Elena.

Are you sure?

Uh-huh.

Good, so that's settled.

So, I'll see you later at the shoot, okay?

- Oh, wait. - What is it?

Well, is it true?

Does... does film really add, like, ten pounds?

Is that true?

You think I'm gonna look really big on screen?

When's your next group session?

8:30.

Definitely bring that up tonight.

Okay.

Good, you're fabulous.

All right, I've got it.

- I think that's it. - Is that it?

- It's over. - Ow.

So, girl,

this tie dye thing is fabulous.

And the color looks great on you, too.

Do you feel okay?

- Yeah. - Yeah?

You can get dressed if you want.

Oh, okay.

Wow.

This is beautiful.

Oh, thanks.

It's a nymph.

- Really? - Yeah.

Nymph, wow, that's great.

It has such a spiritual ring to it.

You know, I think I read about that in Greek mythology.

Nymph, wow, that's great,

I love the way that sounds.

I use it as an amulet.

A what?

An amulet.

To protect me from the negative influences of life.

You know she's the symbol of the goddess.

Nature, woman power.

Wow, maybe I need one of these.

Cece, you might consider getting one of these as well.

Him.

Yeah, well, it's gonna take a lot more

than a naked woman on a rope to make me feel safe.

Now, if it was made of pure chocolate

and I could eat it in case of emergency,

then maybe.

Can we eat?

And so, my therapist thinks what I should do is,

like, see it as a way

as opening up to the truth, you know?

Well, it's all about revealing yourself.

I mean, the camera knows when you're faking it.

That makes cameras a lot smarter than men, doesn't it?

Well, your work is so...

the women are so, like, comfortable,

but they look really powerful.

I don't think I've ever seen that before.

No, exactly.

I'm interested in trying to find a way for us

to reclaim our sexuality and our bodies.

Wow.

Yo, looking good!

Can I go?

- Yo! - Yo, I said, can I go?

Yo, man, that's one thing I can't stand,

is bitches acting all stuck up.

Yeah, I know what I like.

Hey, you, with the short skirt,

slim goody!

I'd like to give you some of what I got.

You want some of what I got?

Come on, come and get some of this.

I think I got some bad stuff, man.

Bobby always be lying about the needle,

shit wasn't clean.

Ugh, come on baby.

Ugh, you want a quickie?

Come on, baby, I ain't got no sores right now, ugh.

Let's get the fuck out of here.

Come on.

Asshole!

Shit.

I gotta go.

- I thought you were hungry? - I can't, I just can't.

What you do on film has a lot more impact

than what you do on the stage.

I mean, photographic images hold a tremendous power.

I mean, why do you suppose that guy said those things

to you back there on the street?

He's an idiot, that's my guess, what's yours?

Media, media images of women

half naked and prone.

What are you trying to say, exactly?

I'm not trying to say anything.

- Yes, you are. - No, I'm not.

- Hey, Diana, how are you? - Hi, how are you doing?

I'm pretty good, pretty good.

Let me introduce you to my friend Cicely.

Rae, Cicely.

- Nice to meet you. - You, too.

How's the food?

Oh, it's great, it's healthy, low fat,

just the way I like it.

Good, good.

- The place looks fabulous. - Oh, thanks a lot.

You know, I was thinking, I'd love to have

some of your pieces up in here.

Okay, I love hearing that, you know.

Oh, honey, your work is so fabulous.

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

Listen, nice meeting you.

- You, too. - Take care.

Okay, we'll see you.

I hope you're not saying what I think you're saying.

- What? - That just because

a woman is sexy in a film,

and an asshole like that goes to see it,

he now has the right to grab his crotch and say,

"Let me give you some of this?"

No, I'm simply saying that that asshole

is the product of a society that exploits women.

It's not totally his fault.

Well, whose fault is it, mine?

All I was doing was walking down the street.

And as for your brother's film,

Winsome has the nude scene, not me.

Keeping your clothes on is really not the point...

I mean, you're the one who's got

naked women hanging all over your walls.

Look, there's a huge difference

between artistic nudity and exploitation, okay?

- And in my work... - Excuse me,

but a naked body is a naked body.

You don't know the difference, that's your problem.

I don't have any problem.

So then, why are you getting so upset?

'Cause I don't like your attitude,

and I'm tired of people acting like I have a problem

just 'cause I don't wanna take my clothes off in a film!

Look, I'm just trying to help a sister's spirit

come to a better understanding of herself.

Well, I'm not looking for a sister spirit, okay?

- Damn, what's that all about? - Hey, girl, take it off.

Interrupting my lunch, man.

Shh, she's coming right back.

Sorry.

I lied.

I really could use a sister spirit right about now.

You're gonna learn,

the longer you live with this new body of yours,

whatever it looks like,

you're gonna have to deal with it.

I mean, believe me, I know.

Listen, do you wanna go to the Boston Comedy Club tonight?

There's this diva comic playing there.

Yeah?

Yeah, so, I went to this man's house for a drink,

and right away he assumed he's gonna get some.

You know, I got really angry.

I put my panties back on and I left.

He had nerve enough to have

mirrors all up on the ceiling,

like I wanted to lay there

and watch myself fake it,

I don't think so.

Thanks.

You're welcome.

Thank you.

So, do you always go into attack mode

when a friend of yours says something you don't like?

I don't have much experience with friends.

Well, I can see that.

Someone... I didn't tell you guys,

someone tried to steal my car.

But fortunately they didn't,

'cause I had this really great car alarm.

You know, the Whitney Houston car alarm?

St Andie

♪ Ee-I ♪

♪ Ee-I ♪

♪ Ee-I, will always... ♪

Took ten years, you know?

What?

Ten years to take off all the weight.

Ten years of bizarre diets and all sorts of pills.

I took so much speed for a couple of years...

You know, Cece, why don't you let me photograph you?

Oh, no, I don't think so.

I think it'd be really good for you.

No, I don't know.

Listen.

Why don't you go to my studio and chill out?

Take a look at my work.

But really look at the images, okay?

And then tell me what you wanna do.

- Hi. - Did you do this?

Yes, I did.

50 bucks.

It's not so bad.

Yeah, I know, it's a great price.

No, that wasn't what I was talking about.

Give it to you for 40 bucks.

Mm-hm.

The thrust of the scene is that you have to show

a real desire to be his model.

It's like a teacher-student relationship, really.

Yeah, well, the way that I see it,

it's just about this artist

trying to further his career, and he thinks that

hooking up with these girls is the way.

Will you listen?

An artist and his models

is like a choreographer and his dancers,

or a conductor and his divas.

He is the creator, and she is the conduit, you know?

Yeah, mm-hm.

Sort of like a director and his actresses?

It can be.

It's like the two form this force, this unit,

that nobody can fuck with.

I wonder...

Now, what's that supposed to mean?

Well, you know, it's just that I think that,

all men demand something from women.

Now, that's a hell of an indictment.

Well, that's just the way that I feel.

So you feel that way about me?

You have your motives.

My motives?

Well, like, you want me

to do certain things in this film

that'll help make it sell,

so that'll help make you look good.

It'll help you look good,

so what's wrong with that?

Nothing.

It just proves my point, you want something from me.

Everybody is after something, baby.

Exactly.

And that includes you.

Look, don't equate me with some asshole in the street.

I didn't mean to insult you.

Yeah, well, you did.

Forgive me?

Gimme a reason to.

I'll give you some of my broccoli and garlic sauce.

I don't want none of your broccoli and garlic sauce.

This is so strange.

I lose all this weight,

become this other person, really, and...

who do I find myself...

- Falling... - In love with?

Again.

Nothing like old friends, baby.

Oh, I forgot.

I do the striptease.

Just let me unbutton it, Cece.

You can't hide behind your clothes forever, baby.

Turn out the light!

How come you didn't tell me about this before?

Am I the only one you've told?

What about your mom?

Cece.

Don't you think it's about time you tell her?

What's wrong?

We're gonna be late for rehearsal.

All right, go.

Okay, everybody.

We've got a shitload of work to do

in three short days.

Hard enough for me to do my job

when the producer keeps making cast changes

without letting me know.

If you were doing your job,

you'd have made those changes.

That Randi woman was awful.

But to have offered Cece's role to Winsome

without even discussing it with me first,

that was wrong, totally wack!

I'm the producer.

Nothing I do is wrong.

You expect me to switch roles

like this is some kind of game of musical chairs.

I cast each actress according to the part written.

This is why I had Cece...

Anyone who doesn't like it may quit.

That would put you in a bit of jam, wouldn't it?

That would force me to push back production, yes.

I'd still make my film, however.

I'd just find a new, equally hungry

yet far more grateful group of unemployed artists

to work with.

Okay.

Winsome.

Action.

Uh, did he tell you what I think he told you?

About us?

I don't know what's wrong.

The way he used to study my body,

stroke the canvas with his brush.

I really felt like he was making love to me

through the work, you know?

Now, it's... it's like he's impotent or something.

He can't paint me the way he used to.

Walter wants me to pose for him now, Lucretia.

What?

What did you just say?

What?

How could you say something like that?

How could you?

Lucretia, try to understand.

It's just... he sees something new in my body. I mean...

No.

You want him to keep exploring in his work,

don't you?

That was good, Cece.

- Very good. - What do I look like to you?

That scene calls for tears, real tears!

If you can't emote on cue,

you have no business calling yourself an actress.

Look. As long as Joel gets the performance he wants,

what's the big deal?

The big deal is fakery fills the air

and I won't stand for it!

Look, Mr. Brown, let me handle this.

We can use glycerine spray for her close-ups.

Absolutely not!

You just don't like me, do you?

My feelings about you, young lady, are not the point.

You're sabotaging my film!

- That is the point. - My scenes are fine.

You just insist on every actor being just like you,

but your method is not the only way, you know?

My method, I'll have you know, is a delicate mixture

of Meisner and my own invention.

You, on the other hand, have no method.

You're as genuine as those tears you couldn't shed.

Why do we have to go there?

- You don't have to get personal. - Ah, but it is personal!

That's exactly what it is!

Dammit, Winsome, what is it now?

Well, this is just all so hard!

I am gonna be an actress no matter what,

and you cannot stop me.

No. But I can give you some advice.

Go back to your mother's video store.

At least that would be honest work.

I can't go back!

My mother is waitin' for me to fail at this.

This is all I have.

I can't go back!

Do your lines again, Cece.

Go ahead, just do it, please!

Just do it.

Lucretia.

Try to understand.

He sees... some...

At this moment,

you'd make your grandmother very proud, young lady.

I gotta get out of here.

Come on, let's go.

Yeah, so this is where I come

when I feel those negative vibes

closing in on me.

I used to just eat a bag of chocolate chip cookies

when I felt this way.

Here. Here you are, enjoy.

Good afternoon, Diana, how are you?

How you doing?

Hi.

So, we're here for the usual.

- The usual, okay. - Sauna and massage.

Oh, great, okay.

Here are your towels.

This is gonna be great for you.

You'll be able to get rid of all the dirt and toxins

in your skin, and you're gonna feel marvelous after this.

Oh. I'm gonna need a bathing suit.

You don't need a bathing suit in a sauna.

It's women's day today anyway.

If you have a bathing suit, I'd like to have it.

I'll see, I'll look, see what I can find.

- Thanks a lot. - Thanks.

I mean, it's all women.

I mean, it's not really a problem.

You come here a lot?

- Yeah, three days a week. - Will this do?

Oh yeah, great, thanks.

Okay, you're welcome.

- There's soap and a razor. - Let's grab some soap.

Here you are.

- And a razor. - What's that for?

In case I need to commit suicide.

You can just totally relax in here.

Getting too hot in here for you?

A little.

Do you wanna take a dip in the, uh, ice pool?

No, I don't know how to swim.

Didn't you take swimming lessons

when you were in school?

In junior high, but I hated it.

Why?

Getting undressed in front of all the girls

in the locker room.

The communal showers.

Cece.

Take off your bathing suit.

No.

You don't understand.

You're right. I don't understand.

I still feel ugly.

And dirty.

Whatever this is about,

it's time to stop feeling ashamed.

I mean, just look around you.

There's nothing to feel bad about in here.

Just not used to this sort of thing.

Mm.

Oh, the light.

It's okay.

You don't have to turn it off this time.

♪ It seems To me security ♪

♪ Is just a waste of time ♪

♪ What's here today Can blow away tomorrow, boy ♪

♪ So drop your guard ♪

♪ Your house of cards Is bound to fall sometime ♪

♪ Just let go And before you know ♪

♪ You'll be the king of hearts ♪

♪ Try taking a chance or two ♪

♪ And if you play the odds ♪

♪ You'll find Your wildest dreams come true ♪

♪ Baby, throw caution To the wind ♪

♪ Let my lovin' in ♪

♪ Passion is no sin ♪

♪ You can't believe It's true, it's true ♪

♪ Let me see you smile ♪

♪ Hang your hat And stay awhile ♪

♪ Boy, it's wild within ♪

♪ Throw caution to the wind ♪

♪ Let me see you smile ♪

♪ Hang your hat And stay awhile ♪

♪ Boy, it's wild within ♪

♪ Throw caution to the wind ♪

Cece, I don't think you wanna lose

any more weight, baby.

Why not?

I think I kinda like you with a little more meat on you.

Something to grab onto.

Yeah, well, I see someone who could stand

to do a few sit-ups.

Who?

Me?

These abs are lookin' a little flabby.

But I still like them.

Let me turn this light off.

Ow!

Ow.

- Keep going. - Clear the frame.

Roll sound!

Speak!

Body of Art, scene 16, take 2.

Mark it!

Frame.

Action.

I Knew you'd be the perfect model for my work.

It's figurative but not representational.

Been working on a few sketches here

that are not really finished, but...

What do you think?

It's organic.

It's got a real sort of vibrancy.

- It's you. - It's totally me!

Good, good.

- Can you start right away? - Cut!

- How'd it go? - Okay.

You know, Mr. Brown,

you might think about how you tell Elena

that you want her to be your model, you know?

- Be more casual about the... - You're tardy.

That's a nasty habit for an actor, young lady.

Cece, listen, I...

You gave Winsome my part behind my back

after all?

It wasn't me this time.

I had to make a directorial decision.

Winsome realized she couldn't handle the nude scenes.

What, your guru therapist changed your mind again?

No, I-I changed my own mind this time.

Get a couple of sandbags up here.

We need to weigh down the grip stand.

Look. Winsome was freakin' out.

I had to make a decision to save the production.

I don't believe this. I don't believe you!

I was on the phone for an hour with her therapist.

That didn't help.

- I don't fuckin' believe you! - Besides.

After the other night...

I just felt you were ready for this now.

I can tell you felt better about your body.

You're gonna thank me for this later, you watch.

What is this?

We're in the middle of shooting here.

We'll talk later, okay?

Just wait for me.

Were you planning this all along, huh, Joel?

No.

No!

But I had to make a snap decision.

Dammit, Cece!

For once, why can't you look at the position I'm in?

Well, it's funny how the snap decision

conveniently came after I slept with you.

What is this mess?

First Randi, now Cicely?

Randi?

You slept with Randi?

I did not sleep with Randi, okay?

She told me you were the reason she quit.

Look, wait a minute.

- Ugh. - Randi and I had a thing,

but that's been over a long time.

I told you about it.

She wanted to work with me again.

But not everybody is comfortable

in a situation with their ex.

I mean, what do you want me to do?

I don't fuckin' believe this!

Cece, wait a minute!

That camera's not even insured!

You're fired! I'll direct this film my damn self.

Wait a minute, Mr. Brown, calm down.

Now, look, I'll go after her.

- We'll talk... - Did you hear me?

You are fired!

Go back to a stage and some lights

where you can't do any more damage, stupid!

Maybe she needs some more time,

you know?

Cece!

Oh, baby, it's good to see you, I was...

Well, so, how's the film going?

Why did you ever take me away from Grandmama's?

An.

Obviously, something went wrong on the set, huh?

Like I told you it would.

So, you come in here to pick a fight with me,

is that right?

I asked you a simple question.

Well, I don't know what this is about,

but I really don't have time for this.

I was safe there.

Look.

Cece, I'm sorry about the last time.

And I really don't need this.

I don't know what your problem is.

My problem?

My problem... is that you were hardly ever home.

And I needed you.

Daddy was gone.

Yeah, that's right.

And I was out there tryin' to make a living

just to take care of you!

I don't even know why we're talking about this!

When I first started gaining weight,

I thought... I thought, "Well, at least

she will notice me now."

But you know what?

Bein' big made me different from you!

Oh, Cece.

Is that what you've been feeling all these years?

Oh, baby, I loved you no matter what.

Yeah, well...

You didn't love me enough to protect me.

Protect you from what?

From Ronnie.

Ronnie?

Cece, what are you talk...

Oh, God, Lydia!

Don't tell me that you did not know!

You had to know!

Lord, child, as God is my witness,

I do not know what you...

Did he do something to hurt you?

Sweet Ronnie?

He was good to me.

He was good to us!

Oh, really?

Yeah, well...

While you were out

becoming a movie star,

Sweet Ronnie...

Oh, yeah.

Do you remember this one?

It's Your Thing, yeah, well,

during this one, it was just a little feel, you know?

Just my breasts.

Oh, Gimme Some Good.

Now, that... that was Lydia Love hit number three.

Yeah, because by that time,

you were poppin' them out every six months,

those films were such high quality.

But that man...

That man was making me touch him!

And by the time you really hit it big,

you hit it big...

with Cool Mama, by then,

we had the routine down flat.

And we were doing all those things at once!

Oh, God!

No, baby!

Oh, God!

I didn't know!

Please, Cece, Cece, Cece, Cece.

Mama didn't know, I didn't know!

You motherfucker!

Dear Lydia.

A lot of things are hard to say,

and I've been afraid of a lot of things

for a long time, you know?

But I don't wanna be afraid anymore.

I guess I never really felt good enough.

I don't know.

Smart enough, pretty enough, even nice enough.

And although I still don't feel like

I'm all of those things,

at least, not all the time, that's for sure,

you're right:

I'm still your daughter.

And if you still love me,

then all that may not matter so much anyway, right?

Well, I wanted to send you these, because...

it was really hard for me takin' them, I mean.

But a friend of mine helped me realize

I didn't have to be ashamed of myself anymore

for anything.

'Cause I never did anything wrong.

And I guess I wanted to be able to tell you that

or show you that.

Anyway, these are for you.

And I love you too, Lydia.

Forever, Cece.

♪ Oh Look at this ♪

♪ Baby with a twist In her hip ♪

♪ What a beautiful sight Personality bright ♪

♪ Body, hair, no makeup And still look tight ♪

♪ But peek it ♪

♪ Early childhood Life was devastating ♪

♪ Hey, the men her mom Brought home ♪

♪ 'Cause when Her mom was gone ♪

♪ Silent screams and yields ♪

♪ Along line of females With the same story fo tell ♪

♪ Who you gon' talk to To help you get over ♪

♪ What you goin' through 'Cause, man ♪

♪ Ain't no way in the world ♪

♪ You could feel What she feelin' ♪

♪ The only way of dealing A plate of food ♪

♪ That's the feeling ♪

♪ Emotional stress Killin' her softly ♪

♪ A dream to be like Grandma In the feelings ♪

♪ A beautiful actress ♪

♪ That didn't have to expose Nothin' but talent ♪

♪ And kept her clothes ♪

♪ Played different In the '90s ♪

♪ Controversy if they don't See a little something ♪

♪ For the money ♪

♪ This is what I read In a fly girl's diary ♪

♪ This is what I read In a fly girl's diary ♪

♪ She got a body Out of control ♪

♪ That's the way The story is told ♪

♪ Her life wasn't too steady ♪

♪ It was about To make a right turn ♪

♪ And she wasn't ready ♪

♪ Oh, what a shock Panties and bra had to drop ♪

♪ Deja vu, is if coming true What your mother told you ♪

♪ Yeah, sometime It works out that way ♪

♪ The K, the Y, the double-M ♪

♪ Light brown slim Fresh Kymm from the O ♪

♪ I'm tight with my flow But back to her ♪