Original subtitles

Writers basically take readers hostage.

You're forcing someone to spend

five, six, seven, eight hours in your brain.

People have less time now.

10 years ago, you had a minor bestseller.

Now people are saturated with information.

They have every excuse not to read.

The fact is, writers have less legitimacy now

than ever before.

Not to discourage you,

but 10 years ago was the wrong time

to leave and become a shrink.

I felt so bad, it was like a suicide.

A deliberate waste of talent.

I felt that I cut myself off emotionally.

Right.

- Sorry to be so frank. - No, go ahead.

But you need to know the score.

You say writing is your priority again.

Fantastic.

But we both know inspiration is a lie

and hard work is pointless.

People write like crazy

and end up with nothing.

They think they have an idea,

but fiction is not a subject.

Fiction is about elements

triggering a process.

Or it can be a pre- existing process,

like a news item.

That can work.

Julien Dars wrote about an American

who killed her roommate in Italy,

caught between two justice systems.

A crazy case, beauty on trial...

Adèle Simonie has a book coming out

about the text message murder case.

This girl texted a suicidal friend

until he killed himself.

Talk about great chick lit!

Thanks for your advice, Basile.

Listen, I'm here to help you.

I'm glad you're back.

- Send me your stuff. - Perfect.

Boris, what I have to say isn't easy.

For personal reasons,

I must put an end to our work together.

I'm so sorry. It has nothing to do with you.

I have no choice.

I have highly competent colleagues who can meet you.

They know.

I can call them for you.

You don't give a damn.

Think I come here for your competency?

I'll help you make a smooth transition.

Isn't it terrifying enough to have lived this life?

And on top of it,

to have to tell it all to a stranger?

Look at it another way.

You won't repeat your actions.

You're fucking with me!

You're stealing my work!

Seven years of my life!

You're taking them away.

I'm gonna drop dead!

Electricity's down. That game was getting old.

Got a present for you.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

I've got news.

I'm writing again.

I left most of my patients.

Why'd you do that?

So I can focus wholly on my novel.

It's the only way.

I think it's great.

OK.

But how will your patients feel?

What if a surgeon left an operation?

"Bye, I'm off to write."

A bit of guilt never hurts.

Just a bit.

Hello?

- Hello. - Yes?

Your colleague at the hospital gave me your number.

Sorry, I know it's late, but I'm hurting so bad!

Everything's wrong.

I need to see someone.

I'm sorry, I'm no longer taking patients.

I didn't inform the hospital yet.

Sorry, but maybe you could call them back.

They have highly competent therapists.

Excuse me, I'm sorry to bother you.

- No worries. - I don't want therapy.

I just need to make a decision.

I understand...

but you should tell someone who can follow up with you.

OK?

I hope it works out.

I'm so sorry, once again.

Goodbye, good luck.

Billionaire Robert Durst

Accidentally Admits his Crimes on Television

Here are two colleagues you can call.

I can give you other names if need be.

I'm two months pregnant, but can't keep it.

I'm so scared! I can't tell him.

What will I do about work?

Everything I've built will come crashing down.

I'm so tired of lying!

In my dreams,

people unmask me.

I'm afraid to sleep.

Who's the father?

An actor.

He's an actor.

He's famous, I can't tell you.

How many did you quit?

Twenty-seven.

I still have five.

I feel like I'm weaning off my patients.

I kept a few. I'm working towards abstinence.

- Are you tempted to drink? - Not at all.

I'm in a very positive place.

I'm mainly obsessed with writing.

It's intoxicating too, but words are the drug. It's safe.

I don't want to be my mother.

Weigh my child down with my failures.

Blame him for my disillusions.

I never want him to think he prevented me from thriving.

I'd rather he suffer my selfishness than my sacrifice.

If you abort, he won't suffer at all.

You seem to have decided.

I'm not strong enough to keep it.

I have to work.

If I lose this job, I lose everything.

I'm not judging you.

But when you called me,

you said you had to make a decision.

Is making the decision alone the hard part?

You don't understand. He got me the part.

I owe him so much.

Why didn't you tell him?

What're you afraid of?

He's crazy about me.

He wants children with me.

He's extremely sensitive. He couldn't handle it.

And you feel he might jeopardize your role in the film?

I didn't mention he's with someone.

The director of the film.

You quit patients to write, then take this girl?

She was in a critical state.

It was complicated to reject her.

You don't reject, you guide.

I chose to guide her to my office.

So it was your choice.

We all have a weakness for some of them, right?

Sure, but you have a weakness for writing.

Are they mutually exclusive?

My job is to say yes.

Are you in love?

I don't know.

Want to talk about the sex?

I didn't think...

I would.

No subject is off limits.

There was this one time...

Sorry, I don't think I can.

If you started,

it may be important.

We were sleeping.

I woke up and saw him looking at me.

I sensed his desire.

We didn't speak.

It was like he'd waited for me.

I started touching myself.

He did too.

He tried to come close, but I motioned for him to stay away.

I tried to temper my excitement by staring at the door.

But his gaze,

the very idea that he'd been gazing at me like that,

was so powerful,

I came before he did.

I moved close to kiss him.

The intensity was insane.

We hadn't even touched yet.

When I kissed him, I tasted tears.

He'd experienced my pleasure just by watching me.

It had flowed into him.

Something like that.

I think he cried because he really saw me.

Me.

It was beyond sex.

Is it your turn or mine?

- Yours. - Sorry.

- Buying? - No.

Why not?

You'd have all four.

I don't understand your mind.

You'll lose.

I don't love you.

I'm not into you.

Our friendship means fuck all.

I'm playing alone.

I'm beating you bad.

My turn to ask the questions.

OK, go ahead.

What's your favorite place?

- In Paris, or anywhere? - Anywhere.

Right here.

My office.

Because it's my very own space.

I know what you want.

What do I want?

For me to tell you mine.

See you next week?

Mine is...

my grandmother's laundry room.

♪ When you put your arms around me ♪

♪ I got a fever that's hard to bear ♪

♪ You give me fever ♪

♪ Everybody's got the fever ♪

Oops, mistake! And something.

♪ You all know ♪

♪ Romeo loved Juliet ♪

Please, I must see you tomorrow. 6 pm?

See you tomorrow, 5:30 pm.

Erase message.

Tomorrow morning, 6:30.

I'm not gonna let you pick the time.

You're making me handle her alone.

I can't watch someone destroy herself.

Then do something!

She's not someone, she's your mother!

- Not now, guys. - Can't you see this is private?

Keep your ass out of it!

So you're avoiding drinkers now?

You're so imperious. Your boyfriend's influence?

I'm trying to quit, as it happens.

Gabriel has helped me more than any of you ever did.

He believes in me.

He alone believes I can be a writer.

He saves me from you. From this family who...

You need to be saved from me?

Do you hear what you're saying?

We can't communicate. You're in some kind of denial...

And you're in a fucking ivory tower.

Just stay there, nice and warm.

Don't come out or you'll get dizzy.

You're blind, look at you.

A slave to her selfishness.

Fine. Go sing your crappy little songs.

Have a great new year.

Meanwhile, I'll just...

disappear from your life. For real.

How do you feel?

Hot.

Do you still associate Gabriel with alcohol?

Sometimes I know exactly what you'll say.

You brought it up!

What's it been? Eight or nine years?

Gabriel is a ghost.

What is he? He's gone.

He's active but harmless.

You decide whether to keep him at bay.

Seen your actress?

Yes.

Anything to tell me?

No.

Go on, I'm listening.

I did it. I told him.

Tell me exactly what happened.

He was wild with joy.

Look at the bigger picture.

What's happening is a sign.

Don't be afraid.

You bet I'm afraid, Igor.

How can I hide it?

At first it won't show.

We'll be on an island!

Sorry to interrupt. Mika's on her way.

Thanks.

You can do the film and have the baby.

I don't want to keep it.

- I won't let you do that. - Meaning?

- She wants you on set now. - OK.

Things will get violent.

Afterwards...

he apologized.

He realized how brutal he'd been.

I understand you don't want a baby now.

It hurts me to say it, but...

I know I can't force you.

We have plenty of time for babies.

Unless you never want one.

That's fine too.

Mika came to us.

She wanted to rehearse a scene.

We couldn't do it.

I looked at Igor

and felt a rage rising up in me.

I couldn't believe he was using his power...

so brutally, so shamelessly.

I wanted to kill him for the emotional blackmail.

That non-existent child

suddenly changed everything.

Our bond was no longer about

desire.

Or rather, desire had taken on

a tangible form.

It was no longer fantasy.

"Take this child from me

and you'll lose your job,

I'll destroy your life.

You cannot win this."

What's going on?

I had a nightmare.

I saw Mom.

Her body in the car.

It was horrible.

You and I were carrying her body

by the side of the road for hours.

I couldn't figure out what I was seeing.

Her jaw was gone

and her tongue was sticking out of her neck!

Calm down.

Calm down. It's over now.

It's over now.

You'll be alright.

- Are you OK? - Yeah.

I think I need a drink.

Go ahead, I don't want to know where it is.

- I'm sorry. - It's OK.

Everything I hate in myself

comes from her.

I don't want to be her!

You're not your mother!

You're nothing like her!

You embrace life, you move forward.

You'll never end up like her.

- It was an accident. - No, suicide!

It was raining. It's tragic, but it happens.

She was dead drunk. It was no accident.

I don't think I should be staying with you guys.

I'm in your way.

In our way? You're never in our way.

You're never in our way. The kids love you.

I know, I love them too.

It's just that...

I feel like

you've managed to build a life.

I'm alone.

I work odd jobs, I'm 36 and still doing my thesis.

Don't be silly.

Seriously, I think I'm in the process

of becoming a loser.

Nonsense.

You're the freest person I know.

You're never complacent.

You'll be OK, don't doubt yourself.

I miss Mom so much!

Don't you?

No.

How do you hold it together so well?

I fake it.

Has the abortion been scheduled?

Yes.

We're going for an ultrasound first.

I believed it all.

But two hours later, I began to wonder.

I'm not sure what he told me is true.

I never told you.

Before Mika, there was a woman who got pregnant.

When she gave birth, the child was dead. Still born.

His tears were like in a film I love where he plays a widower.

At the time,

I absolutely believed he was sincere.

Only when I was alone did I begin to doubt.

But I'd already given him hope.

When is the abortion?

It was yesterday.

But I got it postponed three days.

Then I'll fly to the island for the shoot.

What do you want?

I think I need your help.

I can't think, I can't trust my decisions.

- I'm trying to help you. - No.

You have to see him.

Come to the shoot. I can't think anymore.

No, impossible.

I can't do that and it wouldn't help.

We're on Stromboli in four days.

I'm nearly three months along. I'm terrified.

I can't do it.

A young woman...

actress...

just starting out...

first film...

Characters...

Margot, Gabriel...

No, no, no, no. Selma, you know that's off limits.

I just read the writing.

Nothing's written. It's my work.

- Edith, please. - Come here.

You need to learn

to manipulate your mom.

It'll come in handy later, too.

Tell her you feel she doesn't love you.

Or less than your sister.

Or say you feel she's disappointed in you.

Or that at school,

someone you like hates you. Make her pity you.

You've got two things going on with her.

She's your mom, and she's a shrink.

Moms hate to see their children suffer.

But for shrinks, it's a crime!

Get it? Go see her.

Act really unhappy,

and say, "Mom,

I'm afraid I lack the tools to make it in life."

Sad puppy eyes. Cosette.

Go on.

That's it. Lay it on thicker.

Perfect. Go get her.

- Mom... - Yes?

I'm afraid I lack the tools to make it in life.

Honey!

What're you talking about?

You're far too young to worry about that.

Why do you say such things?

You bet you have the tools.

She's got strange worries for her age.

Remember how she looked at you in the maternity ward?

You know, I'd never imagined my child would...

judge me or even look at me.

I felt her eyes asking me,

"Who are you?"

You have to have fun,

play with the monster inside you.

I don't believe in the whole method acting thing,

digging deep down almost religiously.

I believe in lies. Making things up.

Deep down inside, I'm often empty. Totally empty.

I gotta make it happen somehow. That's what they pay me for.

Mika is...

a woman I truly admire.

I have deep admiration

and respect for her.

I'd even say she's the first woman I've loved this way.

Liar.

See, that's something I really don't like about him.

He's lying all the time... you never know when he is straight.

Absolutely private, you know.

You must imagine...

I... I didn't know for four year that he is playing the piano.

He is so private that he didn't even tell me.

So, one day I come home and there was

this beautiful music and I thought

he put a record on maybe there're something or whatever,

and then I saw him on the piano and he was actually playing the piano.

Perfectly well. I was shocked!

Because it's not something that you hide from somebody,

it's not something stupid that you do.

So there's really no reason to just not say it.

So I get really angry and he gets really angry,

we get really angry each other, walk out of the room...

Just to meet him once.

No way, there's no reason.

She's testing you. Say no.

Your role is to stay in the fantasy.

But you want to?

No, but... I need to know who I'm dealing with.

Who Margot's dealing with. Not you or your character.

Want to talk about Gabriel?

I'm so happy your book is out.

What can I do for you?

Get out of my life.

You take up too much space. You're too alive.

You're cutting me in half.

I'm starting to resent helping you.

You found your place. I probably helped.

It's all good, I'm happy for you.

Almost happier than I would be for myself.

You're leaving because you helped me?

You took on the role of helping me

because your pride wanted to save me.

But I never saw you that way.

Deep down, maybe you preferred me

when I was down.

You can't handle me up?

In life, we change, we evolve.

Nothing's clean or set in stone!

It's crazy to reject that!

You're pathetic if you don't accept that.

I'll be a shit for you.

Prefer me weak?

I'll be a shit.

Must see you. Aborting at 11 tomorrow, then off to island...

Missed call

Hate to bother you, need session urgently...

Can you please call me?

I'm going crazy...

Must see you. Aborting at 11 tomorrow,

then off to island... I'm lost.

You're cruel to abandon me...

Your silence is killing me.

Please, we must talk before 11

Failure to assist

I NEED YOU! I'M GONNA DO IT

Call Margot Vasilis.

Margot Vasilis. Leave me a message.

Your grandmother's laundry room.

Why is it your favorite room?

Because it locks.

Why do you need to lock it?

One question only, Doctor.

That's the rule.

Hang on a sec.

Why no answers? Did you get my messages?

Margot, I didn't call because

it was your choice to make, alone.

Think I made the right choice?

Yes, I think you did.

I didn't do it, I didn't go.

I didn't get the abortion.

I needed to hear that yesterday.

What was the right choice? Who's Margot?

None of your business.

Some people are unhappy their whole lives.

They can't shake it.

They take tons of stuff to forget they're alive.

What stuff?

Alcohol, pills...

Or both. Helps them feel better.

But not entirely.

And then, when they have the energy,

they use it to ruin other people's lives.

I'm very worried. Period.

Even if you don't want to talk to me,

tell me how you're doing. Period.

Send to Margot Vasilis.

What do you do in your grandmother's laundry room?

I listen to a song.

Give me the dice.

From now on, the rules have changed.

Two questions per lost roll.

What song?

Fuck off.

God,

grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

the courage to change the things I can,

and the wisdom to know the difference.

That girl's driving me insane.

I hate her.

Are you in love?

What?

Are you sure?

What're you doing?

We can't do that anymore.

That's it.

I did it.

What did you do?

I did what you told me to do.

What'd I tell you to do?

I did it, I got the abortion.

I never told you to...

The hospital was disgusting, it took hours!

Then I told Igor.

He went nuts.

Hang on.

Come back to Paris if you need to.

I can't, I'm contractually obliged to stay.

I'm stuck here.

Explain it to me. What happened with Igor?

He told Mika everything.

The challenge now is to...

finish the film in an atmosphere relative to harmony.

You know, uh...

As you can probably imagine,

I would like to fire you both right now,

but as you can also imagine, it's impossible, so...

Yeah. Just to let you know,

there's no chance in hell that I let you two ruin my film.

Of course...

They need you at the wardrobe.

Because Karin and Mario are having in issue

- and it's not looking good. - Ten minutes.

Twenty minutes.

She has no sense of priorities

So...

on her fucking film!

As I was saying, you know, heh...

sometimes, having a breakdown is a luxury. Yeah?

I don't have it right now, so...

I admire you.

I mean, I didn't expect such...

such a good reaction.

You were, uh, expecting something?

No. No, no. No, no, it's the way I choose my words...

OK. Can I make a quick request?

'Cause we are running out of time and da-da-da.

Can you go see Igor? Can you please make this right?

- Yes. - Yeah?

Oh, you know, uh, no.

It's an order, not a request. Thank you.

Mika, Mika, I really want to tell you

acting is everything I have and it's a luck to be in your movie.

I would do anything for your movie, I swear!

Margot! The more you thank me, the more I hate you!

And if we weren't seven weeks into the shoot,

I would destroy you.

So go to make up, please, we're shooting in 20 minutes,

and don't forget to put some cream on your skin.

We're on a boat!

This is not good.

Ask the producers to let you fly to Paris Saturday.

We must see each other.

We'll go to a doctor to make sure you're OK.

You need to be examined.

You're not alone.

Do you hear me?

I'll see you when you arrive.

OK?

Thanks for helping me.

You helped me in your own way.

I believed for years, but I don't anymore.

Believed what?

That I could overcome my background.

But I've failed.

I'm filthy. I'm filthy!

There's something filthy in me. It'll never come out.

You can't build on a foundation of shit.

Everything is built on shit.

- Stop writing about her. - I'm not.

She's just one of many influences.

It's a confluence.

You're out of line,

transgressing every rule of our profession.

Recording her sessions, meddling in her life...

- No... - You are!

I've been seeing you six years. You've crossed a line.

Stop analyzing her. You can't even analyze yourself.

OK, let's analyze me.

I'm obsessed with her.

I advised her to abort...

You never advised her to abort.

She made you think you were

important so you'd give her more.

You fell for it and went right off the rails.

In your head, at your computer, alone. Not in her life.

I'm afraid she'll kill herself.

Live with that fear. That's your job.

I can't be cold as ice.

It wouldn't be your fault.

What'd you say?

Are you implying I'm cold as ice?

No, I think you do exactly as you should.

Can I get some Celexa?

Sure.

- How long? - Two months.

What did you feel when you learned

she'd aborted?

You're forcing me to be an asshole

because I will not raise that child!

You don't have to.

You're forcing me to abandon a

child and consider myself an asshole!

I understand your position.

I won't change my mind.

We're separated.

Make me suffer if you like, but not an innocent child.

Do you miss him?

I don't let myself go there.

Try to go there.

I do miss the intensity

and the love we had, yes.

Selma is so much like him.

It hurts sometimes.

Margot?

No, hello. Sorry, it's Igor.

Igor Maleski. She asked me to call.

Why doesn't she call?

I just found her.

She'd gone missing for two days.

She took a bunch of pills and vomited.

She's better now, but...

she's asking for you.

Says she can't do it without you.

It's gotten very complicated.

We can't shoot. The film's on hold.

I know it's a bit strange,

but she only wants to talk to you.

It made me crazy.

We were close again.

I loved her so much.

It feels like a betrayal.

Sorry.

I'm not angling for pity.

- Can I ask you a favor? - Yes.

Don't be against me on principle.

Communicate with me.

I know it's delicate.

She says a lot of things I can't control.

The subjectivity of her words must seem objective to you.

I'm not against you.

You have been through a lot, okay?

So I gave you corticoids and the voice will come back.

But first of all, you need to sleep.

Promise?

I'm being manipulated, I know it!

It's not paranoia.

These people are twisted enough

to make sure you fail,

to ruin your career.

You need to calm down, for a start.

I'm here to help you.

But I need to know what you expect from me.

I don't want him speaking to me on set.

He has to go through you.

OK.

Thanks for coming.

It'll be OK.

It'll be OK.

Cut!

Please, please, please, please, please, please, please,

please go back to the first position, please.

Can you make it look like you're really playing?

Try at least. Thank you.

We start again! Take it from the top, please!

Positions! Quiet! Rolling!

Stop. I can't work like this.

I can't do it.

She's giving nothing. You're totally empty!

Igor. Don't ever interrupt a take, OK?

And Margot, please, we need a little more depth and complexity:

you're tempted, charmed, amused but weary and then you crack!

He makes you laugh, so we go again.

Uh, close up on Margot.

- Yes. - Excuse me. Excuse me.

Do you think Sibyl could do it instead of Igor?

She can play Igor and I prefer...

No, impossible.

He's not in the shot, right?

No! Uh, no, it's impossible.

Please, let's go. I will not cater to your every whim.

It's OK, I leave.

Igor, please!

Give me the mic.

Let's get back to it.

Uh, listen, I never did acting.

Uh, I didn't expect to...

- Can you sing? - No. Kind of.

OK. Give her the lines please.

Sibyl, I know you came here to help us

and here's your chance, yeah? Okay?

Uh, just do your best.

And relax, you're off camera.

Ready. Quiet. Rolling.

Thank you very much.

Ready?

Ready?

Sibyl, it's Basile.

I read what you sent, it's great.

War of the sexes on a backdrop of social revenge, love it.

Love the alternating female narrators too.

When we learn she may have made

it up, the actress is terrifying.

The other woman is even crazier.

I'm totally hooked.

Sibyl, excuse me.

I just wanted to say...

I can't do it without you.

Thanks.

Yes?

Can we talk?

Sure, of course.

I need a drink.

- May I? - Sure, go ahead.

You okay?

You know, she's out of her mind.

You need to bring her back to reality.

Yes, I know but...

That's what I'm trying to do, really, but...

I also need to help her to give what you want.

For that, she has to trust me. You understand?

Of course I understand!

I'm a human too. You know?

Yes.

But she keeps pushing me... you see that, right?

And if she keeps pushing me all the time, I will snap.

And if I snap, I will lose everything!

I will lose my boyfriend, I will lose the film!

It's a very complex situation for you.

You know, I cast Margot because Igor was pushing up her talents.

You know?

He insisted I would audition her,

and in the beginning, I thought, "OK, it's a bit strange,"

but then when I saw her,

I mean, I immediately understood what was going on.

And why did you cast her if you knew that she was with Igor?

I figured, it was just a... "petite histoire," you know?

And I thought that not casting her would make the feelings

even stronger, whereas, if they would see each other

every day on set, you know?

I would just have to sit back

and watch reality destroy things.

I never thought that she would get pregnant.

There was a time when I really

wanted to have a child with Igor.

And, uh, it became clear that he didn't want one with me.

And, um...

it took me some time, but I... I learned to accept that.

It's OK, but...

you know, having one with someone else now

is really a completely different story.

OK, you promise me you will not talk about this with anyone?

- I can count on you? - Yes, you can count on me, yes.

And you keep me informed about them.

What they do?

I need you on my side, really.

I'm on your side. Okay?

Thank you very much.

- Shape up. - Don't touch me.

Cut! Thanks.

Let's do another one, we're not quite there yet.

Don't touch me!

- Shape up. - Don't touch me.

It hurts when you use your open palm. Control yourself.

Don't talk to me. Talk to Sibyl.

Sibyl, tell her to quit hurting me on purpose.

More.

Sybil...

Sybil...

Uh, tell her that she has to be a more convincing drunk.

- So far I don't buy it. - Okay.

Mika wants you to be drunker,

like you'd had a few more.

Thanks.

- Be drunk, be angry, slap softly... - OK.

OK.

For once, can't we try to create emotion

without resorting to simplistic impulses?

OK, guys, keep the drama fictional,

if you don't mind.

Thank you.

Ready?

Action!

- Shape up. - Don't touch me.

That was perfect! Thank you!

Jaque!

Sibyl! Was I good?

Okay! Let's go! Another one!

Ready. Quiet.

Rolling.

Do you enjoy hurting me?

Do you enjoy hitting me like that?

Humiliating me?

Humiliating me...

I can't do this anymore.

Can't we try to create emotion...

Create emotion...

fabricate emotion...

without resorting to simplistic instincts, impulses?

Simplistic impulses...

That's exactly what I'm trying to do.

How was I?

Tell me.

Really?

Sibyl...

I just wanted to say,

I can't do it without you.

Thank you.

I don't trust anyone on set.

I'm being manipulated.

I'm going crazy.

Was I good, really?

No one can talk to me on set.

They have to go through you. Understand?

Thank you.

Thank you, Sibyl.

I'm hurting so bad.

I feel filthy.

Filthy!

Sybil...

- Hi. - Yes?

Hi?

I'm the Italian co-producer.

- Ah, nice to meet you! - Let me get you a drink.

Oh. No, no, thank you. No.

I understand you made a great deal for the film.

Oh.

I... I do my best.

- That's your cigarettes? - Yes.

May I? Thank you.

Between you and me, they're a little sick in the head.

It reassuring for me to have a level-headed person

like you on the set.

Let me give you my number.

Feel free to give me a call if you need anything, eh?

- Okay. - I'll check in from time to time

to see if everything's going smoothly.

OK.

Thank you.

OK.

- You want? - Oh, no, thank you.

- Sure? - Sure, sure, sure.

- All good? - Yeah, you?

I'm good.

- Gin tonic? - No thanks.

- No? - No.

Sorry.

I didn't mean to scare you.

I needed to clear my head.

I'm going for a walk. Care to join me?

Okay, let's do it again.

Quiet. Rolling.

Uh, Margot! I want you drowning in tears.

OK? He betrayed you. You're not just upset. OK?

You are devastated. Action.

Stop! Igor, we really have to see the...

We have to feel the love and the desire in your eyes.

Otherwise we will think you really did betray her

and the film is fucked, you know.

Okay, but the camera is behind me.

Yeah, I know, I put it there, yeah.

But do you want to have the discussion now

about what I see, what I don't see,

when you turn your back towards me?

- I don't think we have time. - Time.

Positions. Quiet, please. Rolling.

Sixty-seven, four, four.

And Margot, now is the moment

you can do everything you want

to get in this state that you have to be in.

You can scream at the sea,

everything that's inside that has to be coming out,

and you can yell at me, whatever.

One more.

Action.

Margot. Kiss him. Kiss him!

Stop! Igor...

What the hell are you doing?!

What is it?

Do you have a problem with your nose in the way or what is it?

I can not read it!

It was beautiful, it was perfect, right?

It was perfect and then you started kissing her

and something was going on inside your head, I have no idea.

I don't know what it is,

but it looked like you were kissing your sister.

Yeah, I'm sorry. We are mounting to watch the climax here.

It's desire taking over, animal instinct,

all the stuff that I wrote in the fucking script!

So, do you really want me to tell you how to desire her?

OK. Margot. Your feelings are contradictory.

It's a...

He disgusts you from the moral standpoint,

but at same time, you're attracted to him deep down.

Can you please give them

something that will make them work?

I don't know, do you have any pills,

Valium, something, please?

- Help me. - Yeah, I will find something.

- OK. - Yes.

Mika?

We can't waste so much time with this scene any longer.

You know, the weather is changing.

Yeah, I know.

And you have to settle down.

I know, I know! You're my only friend.

I'm sick of that German bitch.

She just said it was great.

- It's her approach. - Let's go!

Great!

Time!

Positions! Quiet!

Rolling.

Sixty-seven, four, twenty-two.

- Set. - Action.

No, Igor, I'm sorry. It's...

No, don't look at me. Please stay in the situation.

It's, it's not Dirty Dancing, you know. It's a bit less...

OK.

More intensity, please.

Yes. The hands, very good.

Now lay her on the ground, please.

Good.

Now stop kissing. Look at each other

in a long gaze and then you start kissing again,

even more passionately this time, please.

I'm sorry.

What? What, what, what, what, what is it?

I'm sorry.

No, I don't think you're sorry.

I'm... No! I'm not going to take this anymore!

It's not a joke! We're not making a comedy!

I don't know what's wrong with you!

- I'm sorry. - I don't understand!

We don't have time!

I shut off. I'm done. I'm done.

No, no, Mika, we're almost there.

I'm done! It's over!

She'll get her act together, OK?

Mika, please!

No, I want you to take me back to the shore right now

- or I will jump and swim back. - No, Mika, calm down...

Calm down, OK? We'll start again, it's gonna be alright.

Mika, please! What are you doing?

Mika! Mika!

Come on, we have no time for this!

Finish the film without me.

They can't stand me anymore and the feeling is mutual.

Maybe Sibyl could direct us?

OK, let's do that.

Ready. We'll fix it in editing.

Positions.

Let's start with you lying down.

Let's start.

Talk us through it, it helps.

Margot, surrender.

But you're not passive. Look at him.

Caress her.

How was the water?

I'm sorry.

I think you'll be happy. They were great.

- Yeah? - Come take a look.

Ready?

What's that sound?

I'm not OK...

What's going on?

Hmm?

I'm hurting so bad, Edith!

- Andrea, what is it? - No, no, wait, wait, wait.

What do you mean?

I never should've come here. I'm an imposter.

I'm an imposter.

Where are you? You need to calm down.

No, you don't understand.

I've gone off the rails.

I'm not in any reality.

I slept with the actor.

Everything I do, everything I do...

is nothing.

Galotin will drive you to the airport. Right?

Sure.

I'm pretty sure that...

everything you're about to say

will not surprise me so much.

So, sometimes it's better to say nothing and just go.

No, I beg you, not that!

Madam, hello. I have white wine,

red wine and champagne.

Also soft drinks and fruit juice.

What's your pleasure?

Champagne.

Thanks.

- Hi, guys! - Mommy!

Mommy!

All that is for you.

Chocolates!

Girls...

Go to your room, please.

Make it snappy!

Go to your room, girls!

Why that song?

It's the last song my mom and I heard before she died.

I listen to it in the laundry room.

I need to be alone.

I need to be sure no one will bother me.

I remember her smell.

Her perfume.

You know, Daniel, you're allowed to be sad.

You're allowed to cry.

Does this mean

I don't need to come anymore?

I don't know.

Are you sick of coming?

No.

See you next week?

See you next week.

10 months later

It's absolutely wonderful.

The style just flows.

You really capture the urban anxiety.

It's so skillfully rendered.

I found it truly powerful.

- Bravo. - Nice, thanks.

I didn't analyze every line,

I devoured it.

It awakened things in me, brought up strong feelings.

What about the lifeguard?

You know, the one who...

Probably my favorite character.

He touched me deeply. I love your subtle treatment of him.

There's no lifeguard, honey.

And a candy apple, please.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Ten Euros please, young man.

Thank you.

- Let go? - Yes.

- Who's she? - She's... an old friend.

Wow.

- Yeah... - You guys are so cute.

What're you doing here?

I'm with friends. Run along, be right there.

Don't you live down south?

I came back a month ago.

Right, I see.

- How've you been? - Good.

- Still writing? - Yes.

- Cool. - Yeah.

So are you... living in Paris?

I'm looking for an affordable apartment.

I know a good website.

I'll send you the link.

It's cheaper than agencies.

Sounds good.

OK. So you work in Paris?

Yep, still teaching lit. Got a job in Nanterre.

- I miss Paris. - Right.

Is she here?

I'll be going now. Have a nice day.

I loved working with you.

The whole experience felt like a dream.

That's what we try to do.

Making a film is like making a dream.

I hope you will all dream along with us.

For me, it was more of a nightmare.

I mean, who shoots a film on an active volcano?

Well, I hate that guy.

That's how Mika shows affection.

No, no. Because I hate you too.

What can I say?

Let the screening begin.

- How's it going? - Fine.

- Hello. - Hello.

The film's great.

Very beautiful.

I mean...

Thanks.

I just wanted to say, I think your acting is...

I think you...

I think your talent...

No. I mean, your talent...

That's all.

Nasdrovia!

Oops.

- Hello! - Hi.

- How're you? - Good, you?

- All good? - You bet.

Super.

I think love stories, I mean,

it's the first stories that you think of when you...

when you...

A friend of yours, or...?

Uh, yeah. She helped us with the movie in Stromboli. She's a...

Why did you choose Stromboli for the,

for your movie? It's a place you wanted to shoot or...?

Oh, because it's really far away.

Sometimes it's good to, to go away.

Okay.

Hello.

She didn't feel well, so I brought her home.

Did you read my book?

No, I will later.

Life has no meaning, does it?

She's been gone five days.

Sorry, but you're not coming in.

Not in the state you're in.

The kids won't understand. You know that.

I love them more than anything.

They deserve better than a drunk.

I bought your book.

Some things may...

make you feel...

Some characters may resonate or seem familiar.

I don't mind.

In a way, I'm flattered.

Hello, my name is Sibyl. I've been sober three weeks.

I no longer think of Margot.

Or Gabriel.

I've started a new novel.

I've stepped back from those around me.

I see them as characters.

Etienne has no access to me.

No doubt fueling the suspense.

I feel nothing concrete with him.

But I like what he represents.

I see very clearly now.

And I understand.

My life is a fiction.

I can rewrite it however I like.

I can do anything,

change anything, create anything.

I'm at the heart of every choice.

Gabriel is dead to me now.

Who was my father?

What makes you ask?

Why don't I see him?

I told you.

He left before you were born.

Then why did you guys make me?

We loved each other very much.

That makes no sense. Why'd he leave?

Was he unhappy when I came?

No, he was very happy.

He loved you even before you were born.

But...

he had things to do elsewhere.

Never doubt his love.

Do I look like him?

Yes.

Do you think of him when you see me?

Yes.

It's as though part of him lives inside you.

Do you like it?