Original subtitles

(HEART BEATING)

NARRATOR: Who was Ricardo Fort?

(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING)

NARRATOR: Where did he come from?

Where was he headed?

Did he get there?

Do you remember his first public appearances?

It was like a meteorite's fall.

He looked like a superhero.

Or a fighter.

More so.

-You think we would've made this series... -(OPERA MUSIC PLAYING)

NARRATOR: ...if this man hadn't been a millionaire?

But let's start at the beginning, which is how every good story starts.

More than a century ago, Felipe Fort, Ricardo's grandfather,

got off at the Buenos Aires port from a ship that came from Barcelona...

and shortly after he founded a chocolate factory.

No, no. Not that one. Lower.

But how old are you? Ten?

Twelve.

And isn't it too soon to think about earning money?

Twelve-year-olds want to eat candy. Not make them.

Evidently, this foreign mini-entrepreneur had a set idea.

The world wants chocolate.

NARRATOR: Felipe grew in the hellish rhythm of his business,

-until he drove it to bankruptcy. -(CROWD CHEERING)

NARRATOR: There, sniffing the smell of opportunity...

`(SNIFFS)

NARRATOR: ...his son, Carlos, bought the company from his own father.

The first thing Carlos did was create new chocolates.

Many chocolates.

The second one was to sell them in every corner of the country.

-(CAR HORN HONKING) -NARRATOR: And the third one

was to win everyone over.

Everyone in Argentina could get their Fel-Fort little delicacy

in exchange for a coin.

NARRATOR: One day in 2007, Carlos went missing for four days.

He was found at the morgue.

He left behind a working factory and three sons.

-Jorge, Eduardo and Ricardo. -(OPERA MUSIC PLAYING)

NARRATOR: It was the very Ricardo who took on identifying his father's body.

And at that very same moment, he inherited an unsurmountable fortune.

(OPERA MUSIC PLAYING)

NARRATOR: And what did Ricardo do with the millions?

He invested them in order to buy love.

That's when we found out he liked to sing.

Ricardo, as well, wanted to be famous.

But we all know that fame is glory that disappears when you touch it.

And that in order to touch it you have to work a lot,

and not exactly at a factory.

Ricardo Fort lived the way he wanted to, died how he could,

and became a digital Saint.

He's in your chats, in mine,

in that silenced group you never open in the streets,

in the schools, in stamps...

in plastic souvenirs, in Black Fridays...

NARRATOR: We saw Ricardo up high.

And down low.

Every day.

For five years.

But...

did we know what he felt? What he thought?

What was that perfect looking machinery hiding?

We could imagine, but we never knew.

Until now.

Welcome to the depths of Commander Fort.

(OPERA MUSIC FADES)

(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING)

PATRICIO: Good day, Ricardo.

We have to record something, a really short video.

They're waiting for you.

They're waiting...

DURING THE INVESTIGATION FOR THIS SERIES, RICARDO FORT'S DIARY WAS FOUND.

-(INDISTINCT CHATTER) -(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

NO-ONE KNEW IT EXISTED.

-RICARDO: Should I sit here? -PATRICIO: Yeah.

I'll leave you this.

RICARDO: What's this? I have to read it?

-PATRICIO: Please. -(GENTLE MUSIC FADES)

RICARDO: Which is my camera? Where do I look?

PATRICIO: This is your camera.

Where did you find this?

This diary is private, you guys! I have to read this?

PATRICIO: Please, Ricardo.

(SIGHS)

"I always thought fame was useful to teach something."

Good line, but no, I don't want to say this.

PATRICIO: Well, it's what's in the script.

Well, I mean, I can also say whatever I want.

Is this your series? I thought it was my series.

Who would be the script writer then? (CHUCKLES)

PATRICIO: Say it in whatever way you'd like.

Okay. Record this, please.

Hello. Welcome, boys and girls, to The Commander...

PATRICIO: Ricardo, could you say "Welcome, everyone"?

Everyone? I don't follow.

PATRICIO: Everyone, it's neutral. People talk that way now.

Okay, that's fine. I like it. Let's do it again.

Hello. Welcome, everyone, to Commander Fort, my series.

What you're about to see now is the part of my life I like the most.

The most fun. The one that made me famous. Quite the plan!

You can tell me about it later. We should do this again sometime.

(CHUCKLES)

Done?

Are we done?

COMMANDER FORT

Are you making series about everyone or just about the most important people?

1. PUBLIC PERSON

(WATER RUNNING)

-(WHIRS) -(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

-NARRATOR: This is Ricardo Fort's head. -(WHIRS)

NARRATOR: In it, there are many dreams. And an obsession that won't leave him be.

To be a celebrity.

When his father died, Ricardo Fort was about to turn 40.

It's about four decades picturing this moment.

At this stage of his life, with the millions at hand,

he can finally do every single thing he always wanted to do.

KARINA: He said it himself, "Now that my dad's gone,

"I'll have enough money to be famous."

KARINA ANTONIALI'S VOICE FORMER SISTER-IN-LAW AND FRIEND OF FORT'S

KARINA: That's where it all began.

Back then, he had an income

that he had inherited from the father. Bills, lands, and well,

he'd sell the lands to live his life.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

MALE VOICE 1: No, look at that! It looks good. Just two lines.

CAMERAMAN: Is the magic back?

-Ricardo Fort is back! -(WHIRS)

(INSPIRING MUSIC PLAYING)

CESAR: When his dad passed away,

he decided to invest part of his fortune in his dreams.

CESAR CAROZZA'S VOICE FORT FAMILY'S LAWYER

He loved what he was doing, and he loved the character he was creating,

and he was willing to live that life he had chosen,

and if the cost for it was his fortune, then it was his fortune.

(DOOR SQUEAKS)

CESAR: He made a plan to be famous.

Ricardo Fort is back! That's Peter.

-That's my hairdresser. The only one. -Much love to Argentina

We're back to Ricardo Fort. We're back to the original haircut.

CAMERAMAN: Are you pleased with the new...

I'm happy! Now I feel like myself again.

-CAMERAMAN: Watch out. -Well, shall we go in the car?

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

NARRATOR: Ricardo had a plan and a lot of money to see it through.

When you have fame, they buy it from you.

If you don't, it's your turn to buy it.

(INSPIRING MUSIC FADES)

JUAN: One day, he said to me, "Let's make a reality show."

"I want to go to the United States to buy everything, man."

JUAN DE RENZI'S VOICE CAMERAMAN "REALITY FORT"

"Let's go buy equipment and everything necessary for my reality."

If you buy something here, then take it there and it breaks,

I'm afraid I won't be able to fix it.

JUAN: "Microphones, consoles, cameras,

"look at the best, not at the price."

SHOP CLERK: I'm not looking for money. I'm shaking your hand.

(CHUCKLES) Uh.

NARRATOR: Before social media and influencers,

his idea was to get to the media by showing himself on the internet

like an eccentric, charismatic and capricious millionaire.

-(PLAYS PIANO) -CESAR: Ricardo was a visionary.

He started and became famous on the internet

when it was absolutely obscure to everyone.

MARCELA: At first, when he decided

to start recording himself...

MARCELA VILLAGRA'S VOICE RF'S FRIEND/PERSONAL TRAINER

MARCELA: ...after having his clothes line.

He had a friend then who had a model agency.

He transformed those boys into Ford Men,

and with them, he wanted to make the reality show, travel the world.

And so, he began.

There? Another?

CAMERAMAN: Yeah, one more. One more. Can you do one more?

(PLAYS PIANO)

No, another one. Let's see. What can I play?

CAMERAMAN: Change the rhythm!

(PLAYS PIANO)

We are here at Ocean Drive, a beautiful, spectacular day, really.

Not a single cloud in sight! We got here and it had rained for a week,

but Ricardo Fort got here and the sun came out, you guys!

So, we went shopping. We went shopping, like every day.

We bought the iPad, bought some tech things.

I bought some headphones, headsets.

The same Lady Gaga uses! Exactly the same.

Lady Gaga is the biggest thing there is right now, in the United States.

So, I wanted to buy what she uses...

NARRATOR: He traveled to the United States for equipment, because Ricardo Fort

prepared for fame like someone prepares to go to war.

(INSPIRING MUSIC PLAYING)

Inspired by the US reality shows at the time...

ROME

NARRATOR: ...Ricardo aired his own show on YouTube,

which he called "Fort Show."

RICARDO: I'm going to wake up these assholes

because I think their room is colder than mine and I'm not liking this.

So, I'll see if I like it better, change rooms, and make them go up.

NARRATOR: He traveled the world with many young, beautiful men,

whom he called "The Cats."

RICARDO: These two... Guys! Raise everything that goes up. Up!

Up!

They fucked up! (CHUCKLING)

NATALIA: Ricardo's first reality show was about a trip

around the world...

NATALIA ROMAN'S VOICE RF'S PUBLICIST

NATALIA: ...with the models from his agency,

who ended up being "The Cats."

Ricardo paid for the whole trip, and he expected them to follow

in everything he wanted to do.

-CAT 1: Now? -RICARDO: Now.

Oh, I pulled everything out...

Well, every room?

-CAT 1: What floor? -CAT 2: Third floor.

RICARDO: What are you doing here?

-CAT 3: You told us to... -RICARDO: No, go down.

And you turned off my air, man! Fuck you!

-CAT 3: But we're not hot, man. -How can you not be hot, man?

I'm staying here. Go up.

I'm staying here.

-Really? -RICARDO: Yeah, yeah.

But where do you want to sleep, Richard?

CAT 1: Where will we sleep?

-Upstairs? -RICARDO: I don't know. Why?

CAT 1: Because I want to go to sleep, man.

-Then go to sleep, man! -CAT 1: Really?

Yeah. If I decide to change again, I'll wake you up.

(CATS CHUCKLING)

CAT 1: No problem!

Go to sleep, man!

(ENGINE RUMBLING)

-(INDISTINCT CHATTER) -(INSPIRING MUSIC FADES)

-RICARDO: The other one, for whom? -VALERIA: Can I take a picture of you?

The other one, for whom?

CYNTHIA: Tell him what your name is, so he can...

-VALERIA: Valeria. -CYNTHIA: There we go.

VALERIA: He'll do it on the other side and we can cut it in half.

You see him, Cynthia?

-(INDISTINCT CHATTER) -Bye!

VALERIA: It's weird to see you in person. We watch you every day on TV.

-CYNTHIA: I love you! -Bye!

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

-I feel like an animal in the zoo, man! -SECURITY: Yeah!

(CHUCKLES)

NARRATOR: He lived and showed himself surrounded by a security circle.

He moved with the deployment of a world leader.

(ENGINE REVVING)

NARRATOR: He would take one step and be followed by security guards

as big as wardrobes,

with guns, motorcycles, receivers, blinking lights...

-Behind here... -(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

RICARDO: Excuse me. So fine!

Not fine at all. It looks like a motel, man.

CHRISTIAN: Ricardo was, like, hallucinating.

Having a custody gave him hierarchy.

CHRISTIAN PEPE'S VOICE FIRST RF CUSTODY

CHRISTIAN: Ricardo was always someone who needed affection, real affection,

and when we first started working with him,

he was like obsessed with us.

OSKY: What happened? I'm scared, man. (CHUCKLING)

I'm scared.

You missed Gustavo.

There's Claudia, and in the next room there's Gustavo.

-You're with Gustavo. -OSKY: Okay.

The next room, Guillermo with Guido,

who gets here tomorrow.

Yeah, he gets here tomorrow.

OSKY: You missed Micky. He arrives... When is he getting here?

-OSKY: Thursday. -CAT 3: Thursday.

RICARDO: Micky gets here on Thursday?

OSKY: Yeah. He's staying.

Well, then in the next room, there's Micky...

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

-OSKY: The upstairs one. -RICARDO: Yeah.

Micky with you. Who do you want to be with?

No, no. You know what I think, and it's what I said...

RICARDO: No, I don't know... Who do you want to be with?

OSKY: I prefer... My policy is, you say what room is available to whom

and the troop chooses a room. They know each other.

They have each a better rapport with someone.

That will generate a more calm living situation.

If it fails, boss, you give me the go. If they comply...

if they comply, I can demand anything. So, I need you to trust your team.

Between you guys, you do whatever.

I'll say what rooms I'll place security in and in which room I'll sleep...

OSKY: Perfect. That's what I was asking.

Then we're set. You make the pairs you like.

OSKY: Well, perfect.

Well, team, let's move to the rooms, and have a meeting.

Thanks, boss!

-Bye! -OSKY: Let's go upstairs.

They're going to tie him to a pole. (CHUCKLES) They'll get him...

I thought at first, he was pulling your leg, but...

No, he's very much like into the troop. He loves playing G.I. Joe.

RICHARD'S FRIEND 1: Isn't he the security guard?

No, he isn't. He was my security guard before.

RICHARD'S FRIEND 1: And the other guys, how are they taking to him being...

Oh, they want to kill him. (CHUCKLES)

RICHARD'S FRIEND 1: I thought he was already assigned as a boss, and they...

Willy!

Remember the troop needs to be up at 7:00 a. m. (CHUCKLES)

Quarter past seven we'll be ready, boss.

NARRATOR: The Secret is a famous American self-help book

that every celebrity in the world reads.

NARRATOR: This book states that dreams come true

only by wishing for them.

They're spoken aloud and that's it. They're decreed.

RICARDO: I want for everything I go through in life, to be my choice.

NARRATOR: But is it so easy to be the God of your own miracle?

I choose my future. If you're doing bad, it's because you chose wrong.

One has to learn things. You put obstacles in the way,

with your negative mind, sometimes, you put obstacles in the way,

so, from those obstacles, you can learn something and grow, rise spiritually.

-But there's karma... -Because the people from Haiti

had like a size 12 earthquake. They weren't all thinking...

There's a universal karma, there has to be a balance.

I think that happens from different places.

It's not going to be just as easy for you to go to Miami

than for someone who has nothing to eat.

But two months ago, did you think you'd have your ass

on a plane going to Miami, to Rio de Janeiro, to Mar del Plata...

-HERNAN: Cordoba... -Everywhere? No.

The first thing you'd have said is, "No, I can't go to Miami now. I can't..."

And you did all of that.

You took private jets, you had the best of the best.

You couldn't pay for it, all right. But Ricardo Fort fell into your lap.

-AYELEN: Right, but that's the thing. -The Universe sent Ricardo Fort your way,

-which allowed you to do it. -AYELEN: No, I...

Guys, I believe in The Secret and that's it.

The Secret is the best. Laws of Attraction.

What you think is what happens to you.

-That's it. -RICHARD'S FRIEND 2: Optimism.

The secret is the Law of Attraction.

That's the secret. The Law of Attraction. That's the secret.

It's true.

So, all I want, I imagine, as if it will happen.

I'm already imagining having my own show. I'm already...

Of course, I'm imagining being in the Dancing for a Dream jury.

Of course, I imagine myself sitting there. You have to affirm it.

I see myself there. I'm already there. I can imagine sitting there, them dancing.

RICHARD'S FRIEND 2: Jury for...

I'm imagining I'm in the jury there. It's what I'm talking about.

Fuck you.

(CROWD CHEERING)

("I KNOW YOU WANT ME" BY PITBULL PLAYING)

I know you want me You know I want ya

I know you want me You know I want ya

-MARCELO: Yeah, get it! -(CROWD CHEERING)

You know I want ya I know you want me

Watch out! Look at him dance...

One, two, three, four

They're dying for him.

Oh, but the jury is dancing and all. Stop for a bit! It's all set!

-The guys there, they're all in custody? -Yeah, where's the rest?

MARCELO: Where's the rest? How many are they, 22?

-How many do you have, Ricardo? -Five. Where... where are the five?

Guys, where's the five?

Uno, dos, tres, cuatro

Tick to the tock, on my way to the top Pit got it locked from goons to the locks

Before you sing, can we see a bit of your body, please?

Label flop but Pit won't stop Got her in the cockpit playin' with Pit's

Now watch me make a movie...

MARCELO: Please send in the first three girls.

Mr Ricardo Fort will see them.

No, it's not a love thing. The girls come over to have a contract

in the Mar del Plata season...

I know you want me You know I want ya

I know you want me You know I want ya

(CROWD CHEERING)

Ella quiere su rumba, rumba

Ricardo! Oh!

Sorry. Is he... That's Ricardo Fort. They'll have a fight!

-It's disturbing! (CHUCKLES) -The security people don't listen!

-You have to have balls! -Wait, let's have a test.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

NARRATOR: Ricardo walked into the homes of millions of Argentines

through Showmatch,

the most-watched show in Argentina.

To stay alive in the Marcelo Tinelli tank,

Ricardo had to have total control over his image.

That's how he started moving like the big Hollywood artists

on top of their game.

He was in every detail. He chose the clothes, profile, gestures.

Photoshoots lasted for hours.

He had no patience at all, except for that.

KARINA: He was always showing his Rolex,

always showing his clothes, where he bought it, this and that.

VOICE OF KARINA ANTONIALI R. F EX SISTER-IN-LAW AND FRIEND

But the people loved all of that, because they were tired of the misery.

MARCELO: To me, Ricardo, the new thing he brought with him

was the millionaire, who made a display of money, of travels, of cars,

which was a character that wasn't on TV.

There were some around the world, but not in Argentina.

MARCELO POLINO'S VOICE ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST

MARCELO: Not as extroverted and showing off

what they had, and their lifestyle.

I think this is what he brought to the table.

RICARDO: This whole idea began one day, when I was called,

they surprised me, I was in Mar del Plata doing the show Fortuna,

and I got a call from Mrs. Carolina Rabolini,

and I was like "Carolina is calling me?"

Many years ago, I had a dream,

besides what I'm doing in the theatre, TV and all of that, I had a dream,

which was to have a perfume.

I always believe, and I'm a big follower of The Secret, of the Law of Attraction.

And I always wanted to have a perfume with my name on it.

ATTENDEE 1: Hey, Guille!

-(INDISTINCT CHATTER) -MARITE: Ricardo, look this way!

I know you love Lady Gaga, and he saw her...

-Paula. -Hi, thank you!

-She's Lady Gaga's clothes designer! -CAMERAMAN: Come on!

-Tell me... -FEMALE VOICE 1: Ta-da! (CHUCKLING)

You go! My prince!

NARRATOR: Fame. A horrible winged goddess, with an awful eye in each feather.

-(INDISTINCT CHATTER) -NARRATOR: Age, over 2000 years.

(CHUCKLES)

NARRATOR: Its mission in this world, to promote immortality.

-All night! -You didn't give it to me all night.

NARRATOR: Fame is a hard drug

that makes you talk when you should be quiet.

To ask for things in an awful way...

I want my fucking fan! Fucking hell!

VIOLET: You lost it!

No, no, no...

NARRATOR: It makes you sigh, it makes you feel hot,

makes you wasted...

RICARDO: Dude!

NARRATOR: Fame is euphoria and high tensions.

We're in a pickle, and there's no cabs.

Babe, we're poor! War economy! Let's walk.

No, baby, we're not poor. There's no cabs. Let's not...

We're not poor. Okay? There's no cabs.

-(INDISTINCT CHATTER) -(PIANO MUSIC PLAYING)

(CROWD CHEER)

Go, Mendoza, damn it! Go, Mendoza!

They had to be from Mendoza.

NARRATOR: Fame is power.

And power is only friends with power.

The powerful smell each other from afar, look for each other,

and they find each other.

(PIANO MUSIC CONTINUES)

RICARDO: He reminds me a lot of my father. A lot.

Not just the physical part. The way he talks,

the intelligence...

RICARDO: And well, for my first interview,

CARLOS MENEM FORMER PRESIDENT OF ARGENTINA

I have even been with Madonna, talking, having dinner,

but the emotion I felt when listening to the President talk to me,

on the phone, calling me Ricky, asking after my children...

I don't think I'll ever forget about this.

I always considered, and I think I mentioned it a lot on the media,

that the ten years I lived in this country under Menem's presidency,

were the best ten years of this country, in my opinion.

And what I highlight

is how safe it was in our country.

Kids could play in the streets, the park, and it was normal to see them there,

one could buy a house on a credit, a car on a credit, the city was beautiful.

I always recall Christmas and New Year’s, for example.

Everything was lit up in the city, when it was Christmas and New Year’s.

The security, the stability there was.

Will we have Menem in the next elections?

(CHUCKLES)

On July 2nd, dear Ricky, I'm turning 80.

I'm willing to work, to keep fighting, but apart from that...

Look, because of politics,

and this is so people know, I lost everything I had.

The cellar, the vineyards, absolutely everything.

And a son.

And a son. Unfortunately, a son, which is what's most painful.

But economically speaking, I was left very bad.

I'm living off my pension as a former President.

-Hmm. -But the rest is in the wind.

I was left with nothing.

Do you want to borrow some? (CHUCKLES)

Everything I had, I put into politics.

Everything went into politics.

For an election, dear Ricky, you need at least 20 million dollars.

Where do you get those?

-I don't know. I wish I knew. (CHUCKLES) -(CHUCKLES)

-You're something of a wizard. -(CHUCKLES)

-Or your mom, who sings so... -(CHUCKLES) Yes, my mom sings tango.

(CAMERA CLICKS)

JOURNALIST: Can I...

-Yeah. -JOURNALIST: ... ask something?

You were someone who was persecuted.

RICARDO: No, no, no. Excuse me.

-I ask the questions. -JOURNALIST: Okay, perfect.

RICARDO: I ask what I want to ask. There we go.

What I asked, I think is correct and enough.

Again, to me, this is like talking to my dad, it makes me emotional.

-Really does. -Thank you, Ricky, dear.

(PIANO MUSIC FADES)

-It was a pleasure. -Give your mom a big kiss from me.

Tell her I really love her, and someday we'll meet up.

-Please. -At home.

-(INDISTINCT CHATTER) -(INSPIRING MUSIC PLAYING)

NARRATOR: For Ricardo Fort,

the United States were his second homeland.

Or his first.

He liked everything. He found everything attractive.

To him, there, everything was okay.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

NARRATOR: He traveled there to find inspiration, to find ideas,

to purchase clothes, to watch theatre.

He loved the Broadway musicals.

His plan was to import some of New York into Argentina.

CESAR: Ricardo was a thinking machine.

He didn't sleep. He'd sleep for one hour,

get up, sit at a table, fall asleep at a table,

go back to bed,

and that's how he went through all his years of fame.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

NARRATOR: Every once in a while, suddenly, the machine would stop.

Like in a shutdown.

He'd stop talking and lock himself up inside his head.

What would he think in those instants of introspection?

Impossible to know.

No-one could get in there.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

CORDOBA VILLA CARLOS PAZ

(CROWD CHEERING)

SANTIAGO: Life with Ricardo was totally unpredictable, dizzying.

No limits, no schedules.

VOICE OF SANTIAGO "WILLY" BENAVIDEZ GUARDIAN OF R. F.

There is a big difference between a businessman

who lives his life in Puerto Madero

or locked in a building and only goes to his office

and Ricardo, who went anywhere, anywhere he was invited to.

Ricardo was... He was just normal.

Ricardo got off anywhere at any time to take a picture

-with anyone. He fed on the people. -(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

-MALE VOICE 2: Diego, say hi! -(INSPIRING MUSIC FADES)

FERNANDO: We were doing a play in Mar del Plata...

VOICE OF FERNANDO NINO ACTOR / R. F FRIEND

FERNANDO: ...and Ricardo told us that Maradona wanted to meet him.

Diego went home, they got together in a room of the house

and they spent a lot of time chatting.

It is said that Ricardo gave him a Rolex

that Diego already had and that later Ricardo gave him another.

-(CROWD CHEERING) -FERNANDO: Diego had to leave

Mar del Plata and Ricardo invited him to see the play

and Diego said yes and changed his itinerary

and changed the flight to stay a couple more days

to be able to go see the play.

A round of applause for God. Diego Armando Maradona!

(CROWD CHEERING)

CROWD: Go, go, Diego!

Go, go, Diego!

FERNANDO: The day of the performance everything was a chaos.

-Diego went to Tío Curzio. -CROWD: Diego, Diego...

FERNANDO: They went to the terrace, to the balcony of Tío Curzio,

Ricardo and Diego, to greet the people...

-It was a historic moment. -Come on!

(CROWD CHEERING)

MALE VOICE 3: Diego!

CROWD: Go, go, Diego!

Go, go, Diego!

Diego, Diego!

RICARDO: For me, Diego is great, he is great.

And it excites me. All this excites me a lot.

How can I say it?

This is for those who speak nonsense!

(JET ENGINE WHIRRING)

NARRATOR: Fame is a job that cannot be given up.

If the fans don't come, you have to go find them.

(CROWD CHEERING)

CROWD: Here, here! A picture! Here!

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

NARRATOR: Ricardo Fort was a fan of his fans.

-ANNOUNCER: Who wants to see Ricardo Fort? -(CROWD CHEERING)

CESAR: One day, I remember we were in the Rolls Royce, he and I.

Well, thanks, guys, for the welcome. I love you so much.

CESAR: And there was a truck full of working people

and at a traffic light, the traffic stopped,

and two kids got out. At that moment I said, "Uh."

He lowered the window and the kid grabbed his hand

and said "I love you." I mean... He was like Evita.

-Silence, everyone. Silence. -(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

I ask the adults to go out and leave the boys.

I want to see the boys, I don't want to see the adults.

Since I arrived, all the mothers want to take pictures.

-I want to know the name of each one. -(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

What's your name? What? Brian?

-LUCILA: Lucila. -RICARDO: Lucila?

Facundo?

(CROWD CHEERING)

-FEMALE VOICE 2: Ricardo! -Bye, thanks a lot.

FEMALE VOICE 2: Ricardo, give me your hand.

-FEMALE VOICE 3: I love you, Ricky! -Get some rest.

-(CROWD CHEEERING) -(SIREN WAILING)

LEONARDO: In Esperanto, those who bought...

VOICE OF LEONARDO TRAVAGLIO

LEONARDO: ...French champagne were announced with a siren,

the person who had bought that champagne was named,

and from the bar to the table, there was like a ritual with sparkles.

Very colorful, very entertaining.

MARCELA: One of the boys, or two...

VOICE OF MARCELA VILLAGRA R. F FRIEND / PERSONAL TRAINER

...who were already regulars at Esperanto told him, "You have to go to this place."

And when he entered the place, he discovered a paradise.

And they let him sing and they celebrated everything he did

and he had all the people around him. A place where he was happy.

LEONARDO: Ricardo was capable of anything to have exposure.

VOICE OF LEONARDO TRAVAGLIO EX OWNER OF COCODRILO

LEONARDO: He was building his character as an eccentric billionaire,

composing all this fable or all this reality show.

RODRIGO: In 2010, we celebrated Ricardo's birthday

and I gave him a cake with his face on it.

VOICE OF RODRIGO ESPECTOR

RODRIGO: He blows out the candles,

makes a wish, ends the show, and all the lights go out.

I turn around and in the dim light I see Ricardo putting his hand in the cake

and eating a piece.

I told him, "Ricardo, it's your cake, you can take it."

"Really?" As if he was surprised. And I told him, "Yes, yes, it's yours."

And at one point he starts to cry

and says that it was the first time he had a birthday cake in his entire life.

-(UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING ON STEREO) -(CROWD CHEERS)

NARRATOR: Ricardo Fort wore off his body as he did his millions.

(PANTS)

NARRATOR: After having back surgery,

he decided not to follow medical recommendations.

MARCELA: He had a very pronounced scoliosis

that he did not take care of as he should have.

If he had to train, he trained more. He was extreme for everything.

And his back already began to hurt a lot.

NARRATOR: Because he didn't take orders. He gave them.

Doing rehab was a waste of time, the only thing he didn't have to spare.

I just came from the gym. I'm so tired.

I have to hurry to take a shower to go to This is the Show.

(SIGHS) They always talk about me. Come on, follow me.

(SMOOCHES)

(GRUNTS) Go, Daddy has to change his clothes.

(PANTS)

Today, they said a lot of nonsense online that I have to respond to.

As today I have to go to the Colón, I am invited by Macri...

They are criticizing me because I'm going to Colón.

(SCOFFS) People don't know that the Fort family

have had a box at the Colón all their lives.

My mother and I always went there. But hey... (EXHALES)

-(PANTING) -(WATER RUNNING)

Towel... I grab the towel.

(SIGHS)

(WHIRS)

Always in a hurry. I don't have a second of peace.

(SIGHS, SNIFFLES) And my leg still hurts.

(SIGHS, SNIFFLES)

(SIGHS)

MARCELO: One day, they had operated on his knee

so, they offered him to go off the air.

VOICE OF MARCELO POLINO ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST

MARCELO: And he said “No, no. I'm not going to quit my job.

"I fought a lot to be on television," he told me.

He stayed until the end. He loved the fame.

JOSE: He's a millionaire. The most eligible bachelor in Argentina.

-With us, Ricardo Fort! -(CROWD CHEERING, APPLAUDING)

JOSE: Hello, Ricardo.

-MALE VOICE 4: Welcome, Ricky. -(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Bye, guys.

-FAN 1: Hello, pal. -Hi, man. How are you?

-Fine, and you? -Hey, look, it's Ricardo Fort.

Ricardo Fort.

-Hey, man. -FAN 2: Everything okay?

-Do you have something to give us? -RICARDO: Everything okay?

Guys, you are always asking me for money. I don't...

I'm not a National Bank.

-FAN 1: Give me your cap. -Yeah, sure. It's very expensive.

(MARTA CHUCKLING THROUGH SPEAKER)

Did you see me? Was I okay?

-What? -Did you make up with Virginia?

-She doesn't want. -She's so lovely.

Guys, you don't know her. Don't talk if you don't know.

Don't talk if you don't know. What she shows on TV, is not her.

If you are crazy in love for her, go for it.

I am, she's not.

Those who are these unionists, I spoke perfectly well with them.

-Ricardo! -Hey, man!

-FAN 3: Everything okay? -Hi, guys.

-Good? -RICARDO: Yeah, thanks. And you?

-Good, good. -Thanks.

-We love you, Ricky! -Thanks, guys.

MARTA: (CHUCKLES) They are so sweet.

RICARDO: That are claiming something that doesn't make sense.

The only thing they are doing is is scaring the workers we have,

loyal and faithful to the company,

that my father has given them everything and has always supported them.

MARTA: I already said that.

MARINA: The entertainment world establishment always knew...

VOICE OF MARINA CALABRO

MARINA: ...that Ricardo was going to do and say whatever he wanted,

that there was going to be no kind of speculation

about future or potential jobs, for money...

I think he... he scared them.

I think it is something of the different, of the misunderstood,

who was also a threatening figure

because he had this divo image, like an aura of stardom.

So, he was a very awkward combo for the industry.

Mom, did you hear everything I said about Colón?

Giving a lecture about the Colón. Because in Internet,

they questioned my presence at the Colón.

-Hello. -FAN 4: Hello!

-How are you? -RICARDO: Fine.

-Everything okay? -Yes.

I love you. Ricardo Fort rocks!

-RICARDO: Thank you, kids. Bye. (INDISTINCT CHATTER)

NATALIA: Ricardo used television and television used Ricardo.

VOICE OF NATALIA ROMAN R. F PUBLICIST

NATALIA: It was like that until one night,

he had a fight on live television on Showmatch with Flavio Mendoza,

who is an Argentinian theater producer.

In the middle of the show, they began to argue

and it got out of hand.

Tinelli didn't like it, he intervened and Ricardo left the studio angry.

The next day, they called him saying he was not going to appear again

on any show of the network because they were not going to tolerate

any kind of violence.

There was a before and an after.

FRANCO: Fort fell into the trap, he took the media game very seriously.

VOICE OF FRANCO TORCHIA

FRANCO: But the fight with Flavio Mendoza on Showmatch

is framed in a series of confrontations typical of that reality show.

It is Tinelli's historical prowess in his show of facing minority sectors

against other minority sectors.

For a long time, he did it with women.

That time he faced two non-heterosexual men.

FLAVIO: He has to be put in its place. I'll kill this faggot.

Last night he showed his true colors.

FRANCO: Interpreting this fight as an isolated event

would be a mistake.

I hope that the artists who are with him realize about this

and leave him.

Because they are with a guy who is infecting them, contaminating them.

Leave him.

Adriana Salgueiro, Callejón... Leave him or you will get infected.

They are going to end up being vanished from the scene.

Unfortunately, by contagion.

Because we have to start eliminating Fort from everywhere.

He doesn't have to appear anywhere else.

RICARDO: I was called to go to the show.

Not forced, but I felt forced to go

because they were opening the doors of Ideas del Sur for me again.

They allowed Flavio to approach me twice

and they allowed an employee of that company to hit me, somehow.

And Marcelo Tinelli is disappointed in me.

VOICE OF CESAR CARROZA FORT FAMILY LAWYER

CESAR: One day Adrián Suar openly said, "When the fight

"with Flavio Mendoza took place, we are going to take some time off

"from Ricardo Fort for a while."

And they put him in a freezer.

RICARDO: The attacks I received...

I almost sought professional help.

And I'm not talking about a hired killer, no, no.

I'm talking about a psychologist.

But then I understood...

that it must not be easy for some...

to assimilate a rise and success as fast as mine

in this environment.

I'm sure they like it even less

that I'm demonstration that there is a better life

and that I am enjoying it.

Because there is nothing wrong with being the son of a millionaire.

It hurts me that they say that I think I am the rating of Showmatch.

Please.

I don't handle the rating.

I just handle my Rolls Royce.

I believe that love is the only thing that builds.

So, what's the problem with expecting them to love me?

I open my heart and my life to them

because I want them to love me for what I am, an artist.

-With money -With money

-What I want, with money -What I want, with money

-What I want will happen -What I want will happen

-With money, everything I can buy -With money, everything I can buy

Money, money, make anything possible

-Gold can buy many treasures -Gold can buy many treasures

-Everything but -Everything but

-Everything but -Everything but

Work

-Money, money, money -Money, money, money

Hey!

(CROWD CHEERING, APPLAUDING)

NARRATOR: After a fight that exceeded the limits accepted by television,

they told him, "Enough."

The character of Ricardo Fort had gone too far.

And so, expelled from prime-time paradise,

Ricardo returned to command, which is what he liked to do the most.

Build and destroy at his will.

He put all his energies into his role as a theater producer.

By the way, he took up an old passion,

singing.

-I'll install the cameras. -One or two?

-Maybe two. One on each side. -Sure.

-Marta, the shirt is fine. -Cut this part.

That suit is perfect, don't touch anything and shut up.

You don't understand what we're doing!

That has to be cut, put a Velcro, because they have to tear it apart

-in the last part of the frame. -Ricardo, what if you do this?

It's done, perfect.

RICARDO: No, but it would have to be someone to come and take off my pants.

With the shirt down it's different.

Yes, but it can't be done because the jacket is made...

It has to be one size larger than mine so, when we put the Velcro...

Okay, great. Bye, kid. Behave, sweetheart.

Please. And talk to the doctor about the insoles.

Maybe you need insoles, baby.

I really like it.

-There are very boring parts. -Mm-hmm.

-You! -ATTENDEE 2: What happened?

When I go out, they don't have to see me. I'm invisible and everyone looks at me.

Like, what are you doing here? Why are you doing this choreography?

And you kept looking at me.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Ricardo...

Mom, you are not helping me. No, it's done. It's done. It's done!

-I didn't like it. -But I love it.

I love it how it is.

-MARTA: I already told you what I saw. -RICARDO: You didn't tell me.

-I did! I'm yelling it! -That the mother is not necessary.

It's not!

-The little boy? -No, it's not necessary.

We need one more song.

He has two songs and we need one more.

Let him sing, because that's what people like.

Hello, my friends, welcome to my life

I'll show you who I am My mansion and my world

How do I know the entire play? I don't know. (CHUCKLES)

No, I'm not nervous at all.

-ATTENDEE 3: Anxious? -No, no.

I'm just in pain, so...

I'm not scared of it, but I have to do this daily

and it wears me out.

-(SOBS) -What happened?

I'm afraid I won't be able to do it.

-ATTENDEE 3: Poor you. -ADRIANA: What's wrong?

It's logical, I'd be pissed off too. It's a huge responsibility.

It's a lot of pain that I have throughout my body.

It has nothing to do with when I was doing Fortuna.

I don't know why I feel so bad. Why does everything hurt?

-ATTENDEE 3: Relax, Ricky. -(SNIFFLES)

It's incredible

that you can't find something to ease the pain.

Champagne is the only thing that eases my pain.

But I can't take it anymore. (SNIFFLES) And it's killing me every day.

I'm tired.

-Each of your dreams will come true, yes! -Each of your dreams will come true, yes!

CROWD: Ricardo! Ricardo! Ricardo! Ricardo!

Ricardo! Ricardo! Ricardo! Ricardo!

NARRATOR: From time to time he would return to television,

but as an interviewee.

Ricardo Fort was a victim of television? Or was he the one who used the media?

RICARDO: What I liked the most is that he said that when I was coming in,

he said, "I'm not a big fan of what he does, but hey."

-I almost left. (CHUCKLES) -(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

NARRATOR: In any case...

Now I'm going to clarify it.

NARRATOR: ...he was a mistreated customer.

-I'm hungry. -(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

I want some chicken...

with mashed pumpkin.

(MACHINE WHIRRING)

NARRATOR: The establishment hated him because he made it clear

that fame can be bought.

He was living proof.

-(INDISTINCT CHATTER) -(MACHINE WHIRRING)

I sing reasonably well.

RICARDO: The first thing I hear when I enter,

"I'm not a fan of this guy, I'm not a fan of what he does."

NICHOLAS: I don't follow what you do.

But I'm curious about your life.

Everybody is talking about you.

Today you talk about anything and he appears.

-Fort's face. -He could leave.

He was serious about what he said.

-(CHUCKLES) -He's being serious. He told me too.

"I'm leaving." He's capable of it.

No, I'm not leaving, but the first thing I hear is that.

-So, what I'm doing here? -NICHOLAS: Listen...

we're going to go for a short break

and when we return, Fort and I will have a great fight.

-(AUDIENCE LAUGHING) -We'll be right back!

(CROWD CHEERING, APPLAUDING)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

MALE VOICE 5: Move aside.

NICHOLAS: Does your knee hurt?

Can you move the table a little closer?

-Do you want to put your foot up? -PRODUCER: Let's roll?

NICHOLAS: Wait, let me move the table.

No, no. It's okay.

Move your glass.

-I won't reach it. -We can reach it for you.

Coming...

You're a self-centered guy, aren't you? You are sensitive.

-You heard me, say "No, no..." -I'm sensitive, not self-centered.

Maybe a little bit.

-A little bit of ego? -Yeah, just a little.

But I'm very sensitive.

When you travel to Miami, what do you put in the "profession" form?

Artist.

-Artist? -I was putting "businessman."

Always.

But on the last trip, I put "artist." And I liked it.

Although he doesn't consider me an artist. He says I'm mediatic.

For me you still have a lot to prove but you are on the right track.

NICHOLAS: It's amazing what happens to you with the public.

I've seen TV shows where you go outside and people loved you.

Because anyone would say, Jorge,

that the formula of showing wealth in a country that has so much poverty,

could be a negative formula.

RICARDO: Yes, but not because they know

that the wealth is made legally.

We are not politicians, it has not been stolen.

It is a company that was created in 1912,

and that my whole family has worked to do what we do

and we have invested in this country when everyone took their money abroad.

NICHOLAS: And somehow, isn't an act of obscenity?

-RICARDO: No, not at all. -NICHOLAS: Why does anyone need

three Rolls Royce?

JORDE: It's not necessary.

RICARDO: Why not? How many cars do you have?

NICHOLAS: No, because I have to have vehicles

for the country...

RICARDO: Well, but you have several, not just one.

NICHOLAS: No, I have more than one. I'm a fan too.

RICARDO: I'm a Rolls Royce fan!

FAN 5: Ricky!

NARRATOR: But for how long can you be so famous?

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

NARRATOR: The character we dream of being can die from one day to the other.

What will it be like to do that duel?

It is the terrifying phase of fame...

the fear of oblivion.

CESAR: I told him I had the depression of achievement.

He believed his pathological fiction.

He bought the character and couldn't get out of it.

Ricardo's environment was always very complicated.

They were all doctors, engineers, lawyers.

They all knew everything, none of them knew anything.

It really was a nest of snakes.

NARRATOR: At some point, the flame begins to fade.

That put Ricardo Fort in a very bad mood.

-Aye? -SECURITY: Outside, here.

Sorry, where are the guys?

Where are the guys?

-Where are the guys? -AYELEN: Which guys?

The Gatos.

(PIANO MUSIC PLAYING)

AYELEN: I did not call them because they told me

that there can't be too many people in the hospital.

-Call Felix. -AYELEN: Okay.

(GRUNTS)

Listen to me...

tell it as a joke.

Listen to me! Listen! For God sakes!

-He's a son of a bitch. -SECURITY: But seriously...

I don't care. I want him here. Period.

-SECURITY: Do you want to call him? -I have to stand up for him.

You just brought this here, didn't you?

-Hey, did you just bring this? -WORKER: Yes.

-And the cheese? -WORKER: I'll bring it now.

They can't do anything right.

They can't do anything right.

RICARDO: You can't argue with me.

You can't argue with me. You have to come to support me.

Marta, bring me the cheese, please.

RICARDO: I haven't seen my children for three days.

I saw them on Tuesday, they were up there in the attic.

They eat there, they live there, they sleep there. I don't see them a lot.

So, you can't argue with me.

Listen to what I say and support me.

GUSTAVO: Don't blame me.

No, because when you tell me something about her...

When you tell me those things, I support you.

I didn't even hear what she told you, I swear.

"I didn't hear it." Come on, you are here all day.

Your mother is driving me crazy on the subject of the Sheraton.

Didn't you want to celebrate New Year's Eve here?

Do you prefer the Sheraton? Why don't you do it here?

The Sheraton will cost you about twenty thousand pesos.

I don't know, what do I know?

Do you want it there because it's already settled?

I don't know, it's more fun. People can see me there. I'm here all day.

Fine, fine.

I asked you to bring the Rolls Royce. I told you I wanted the car here.

SECURITY: I went up to ask you, boss, and I didn't hear you.

Okay, we'll move it. We'll use this one.

RICARDO: Micky. Micky...

SECURITY: Yes, tell me.

RICARDO: No, no. You are my security guard.

You are my security guard. Before asking her, you ask me.

I don't care about my mom. You are my security guard.

Before doing something with my mother, you ask me and who I want to send.

I will not change my security for her, I will not give her my guards.

SECURITY: Okay, done.

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

(CELLPHONE RINGING)

(CELLPHONE BEEPS)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

NARRATOR: In the end, fame welcomes you in spring

and sends you off in winter.

It gave Ricardo Fort temporary happiness.

Fame gave him recognition in the streets, memorable moments

and even the illusion of immortality.

But how did he get to this point?

Who was the person behind the character?

What things did we never know about his past?

(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC FADES)