Thank you. Merci.
- Let's have a drink. - I'm not gonna join you tonight.
Beautiful work tonight, though.
Thank you, guys. See ya.
Killed it.
God, I've missed you so much.
- You're here. You're here. - Yeah.
I saw your bags when I came back from the studio.
Yeah, I had them dropped off. I was late for rehearsal.
They wouldn't let me leave.
I had to do the fire scene.
Fire scene in space?
We get hit by an asteroid
and the circuit blows, then the spaceship sets on fire
and it starts spinning faster and faster and faster
and enter another dimension.
This green screen stuff, it is so fucking tedious,
but I was thinking about you the whole time.
That was why you crashed into that asteroid.
Must be careful.
I wanted to see you in your space suit. I could've come to set.
It's done, the rehearsal, for ages.
When did we last see each other?
Four weeks ago in Reykjavík. That's way too long.
From now on, two weeks, tops.
Unless something incredibly important comes up and then we'll leave.
- And then I will say, "Bye-bye." - Obviously.
I kind of like that we have to start from scratch every time.
Fun! Wait, who are you? What's your name?
- Hey, at least it's not boring. - I mean, I have no problem with boring.
I long for a boring life.
How was the show?
Great. It's just the usual sea of rabid 11-year-olds.
Sounds amazing.
I'd give anything to cross over into a more mature audience.
Mature audiences fall asleep on the couch watching Netflix.
Is that what you want?
- Yeah, my ego does. - Yeah, but the little kiddies love you.
- They go ape-shit for you. - I'm 31 years old.
- That is not good. - Stop whining.
The album's amazing. It got amazing reviews.
It's a "New York Times" Critic's Pick. It's done.
Will you marry me?
I wish people bought it.
Didn't sell, it didn't translate.
Kids are bored by it, and I just don't interest adults.
I think, maybe you're being in danger of being unfair on your fans.
I love my fans. I fucking love them, okay?
It's just the shows. They, they have this weird vibe.
Half of the audience wants to be there
and they're screaming like I'm a K-pop star.
I don't even think they can hear the music, they're so loud.
And the other half are their parents, or even worse, their poor grandparents,
and would probably rather die than listen to my music.
They probably will die which is why you should stick with the 11-year-olds.
- That's where the money is. - At least you know what matters, baby.
I heard Mira was in town.
Yeah. She's doing some random series.
I don't know what it is. She told me, but I forgot.
Do you see a lot of her?
No, we had a drink once. She used me as her therapist.
Why didn't you tell me you saw her? I'm not jealous.
Why would you be jealous?
Because she's beautiful and successful, and you were very much in love with her.
You're the most beautiful girl in the world, and that was two years ago.
It's nothing. Nothing.
Two years? Are you serious?
I mean, think about it, that's only four weeks times 12 times two.
Dude, where is this going?
I don't know. Nowhere. You're in Paris, you're bored, alone,
maybe you need a little comforting.
Bubba, I spend my days in a space suit
hanging from wires staring at green screens.
When I get home, I fall asleep in the bathtub.
- Watching Netflix? - Yeah.
- Masturbating? - Yes.
- So, she reached out to you? - She called. We spoke.
She's not a part of my life.
I think if I'm honest, I would happier if she was okay,
but there's nothing I can do about it. It's like, we have everything.
You don't have any feelings for her? Anymore? At all?
No.
Come here.
- We could try again. - Yeah, I want to.
You are so cute. I love you so much.
- Here is your new key. - Thanks.
ZELDA MISSED CALL
- What's the panic? - Where the fuck were you?!
I've been trying you nonstop for an hour!
Have you changed your meds or do you have news?
I have unbelievably good news. Are you sitting down?
Oh my god, yeah. I worship him.
I know you do. We both do.
Yeah, but he makes, I don't know, one film every five years?
Are you sure it's actually happening?
It is greenlit, okay, starts shooting in six weeks,
but they will need you in two for rehearsals.
I'll read it tonight.
- Well, there's no script. - What do you mean?
Well, there is a script, but no one is allowed to read it.
You haven't read it?
I haven't, but everyone who has says it's going to sweep the Academy Awards.
Okay, so, how am I supposed to make up my mind?
You've made up your mind. It is a done deal.
You know, in this case, I'm fine with that.
Don't worry, I'm in a good mood today.
Any actress would kill for this part. I myself would kill for this part.
You do not know how excited I am about this for you.
- And for me. - Okay, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Just give me a minute.
This is gonna change your life.
So, I will go straight from "The Vampires" to whatever it's called?
"Kingdom Come," but you did not hear that from me.
"Kingdom Come"! Is it adapted from the novel?!
- Which novel? - What do you mean which novel?
- Sorry, I didn't hear. A novel? - It was a huge bestseller.
- I loved it. - Looks fascinating.
Yeah, it's an amazing part.
What's her name?
Meredith? Yeah, that's it. Meredith something.
Whatever. You're his first choice.
He hasn't considered any other actresses.
And now, he wants to meet you in person.
Where does he live again?
Shetland Islands, but he can meet in London.
Only problem: he is notoriously claustrophobic.
Okay. So, what do we do about that?
He's okay to meet in Kensington Gardens,
and he will bring chocolate milk and cookies.
- Chocolate milk and cookies? - Yes, it's a well-known fact.
- He likes chocolate milk and cookies. - Right.
I could meet him the day after tomorrow in the morning.
We're shooting nights this week.
Let me confirm and come back to you, okay?
Okay, great.
- Yes? - Your London trip is booked.
Eurostar, cabs, everything.
But not a word to Regina, the driver, any frogs on the crew.
If the press gets wind of this, we are dead meat.
Got it.
It is late in Paris and you have to shoot tomorrow, so I will let you sleep.
- 'Kay. - Gotta go. Bye.
Bye.
Next!
- Galatée? - Yes.
Hello.
Would you like something to drink? Coffee, maybe?
A glass of water, please.
- Do you know the basics? - You're looking for a young actress.
I suppose it's for the role of Philippe Guérande's wife.
Yes, he's gotten over Marfa's death.
I know the Vampires kidnap her and try to kill her.
But I haven't watched the whole serial yet.
It's very slow and in black and white.
So, where you from?
It's a silly question, but... We'll speak in English.
- I grew up in New Jersey. - Yes. Okay.
But I moved to Paris when I was still a child.
- So, your parents moved. - No, not exactly.
My birth parents died in a car crash.
So, I was raised by my aunt and my grandmother.
- I'm so sorry to hear that. - Mais tant pis.
I hardly remember my parents. And I had a happy childhood.
So, did you always want to be an actress?
I have been lucky.
I had the right teacher, met the right people,
ended up in drama school.
- I'm in my second year. - Been in movies?
- Never. - Do you want to?
Well, I'm here.
But truth is...
- I'm sorry, I haven't seen your films. - No, no, no, no. Don't feel bad.
- They are not so easy to find. - Well, tell me about Philippe's wife.
It's a way people lived back then.
She's a housewife. Her hobby is knitting.
Knitting? I have no idea how to knit.
But behold, behold, behold!
There is a twist.
What's the twist?
I won't spoil it, but you will be surprised.
Come in.
Am I disturbing you?
No, not at all.
Do you mind if we talk?
- Anything serious? - No.
Is this your costume for the scene with the medium?
You like it?
- Spooky. - Thanks.
Mira, I want to thank you.
You brought me back from the brink.
Yeah,
you had sunk pretty low.
I had lost trust in myself
and in this project.
You mean you lost confidence.
- Possibly. - No genuine art stems from confidence.
- You should be grateful for the doubts. - My anxieties are the meanest.
How dare you be so arrogant?
I'm fully convinced that my anxieties are far worse than yours.
- Have you seen the set? - No.
Pretty creepy.
It's filled with evil spirits, but don't worry.
I had it exorcised.
- Yeah. - Okay.
I'm impressed. How'd you go about it? Hire a psychic?
Technically, each Diocese has their own designated exorcists,
but they are only summoned for persistent paranormal activity.
- Which I'm guessing is not our case? - No, no, no.
It was just a pre-emptive exorcism.
- Jellybeans? - Thanks.
The priest came on his own and he examined the set very thoroughly.
He burned some incense, and he said a few prayers.
- Amazing. - And he gave it his blessing.
- I'm so relieved. - I knew you would be.
- Look at me. - No.
Look into my eyes, Augustine.
Like that.
Let yourself go. Close your eyes.
Listen only to my voice.
You cannot resist.
You are mine. Listen only to my voice.
You want to obey. Say, "I want to obey."
I want to obey.
Repeat, "I am entirely in your thrall."
I am entirely in your thrall.
At 2:00 this morning,
you will open the door of Philippe Guérande's apartment.
You will open it for The Vampires.
Who will you be opening it for?
For The Vampires.
I will obey.
I'll do your will.
Now wake up. You've forgotten everything.
What happened?
Did you make contact with the spirit of your husband?
Maybe.
It was like a dream. Everything's fuzzy.
Cut! We have it. Aurelia, you were great!
That's a wrap. Thank you all! Sorry for the long hours!
We'll start an hour later tomorrow. Check the call sheet!
Everyone got that?
You have a late call tomorrow and there's this party tonight.
- Could be fun. - With the crew?
More like with girls.
- You asking me out? - I won't stay late. Feel like coming?
No, I don't think so.
It's very low-key.
It's not the kind of crowd that's gonna make a big deal about who you are.
I wasn't worried.
Couch, quick.
You seem fond of this place.
You remember the last time we were here?
I do remember.
You danced to this cheesy, old pop song.
How can you call "99 Luftballons" cheesy? It's genius.
I felt you were dancing for me that night.
- Were you? - I was four drinks in, I think.
Is that an easy way out?
If I don't wanna hurt you, yes.
- I get it. - I don't think you do.
Hey, I like you, Zoe.
I mean, I...
- I care about you. - I do, too.
I was in love with Laurie.
And I guess, in a way, I still am.
- I was hoping I could help. - You do.
It's just, I'm desperately attracted to Laurie,
even when she's being horrible to me. Maybe I'm even more
attracted to her when she's horrible to me,
but...
I don't even think I'm into girls.
You are. No, you are.
- No. - You just suppress it.
No. I don't think so.
With other girls, I've just tried to recreate what I had with Laurie.
Don't think she's even that much into girls either.
She dumped you for a basic douche.
You're so wrong.
Laurie, she's into snatch, but, where there's gold,
Laurie digs.
Will you dance for me?
- If you do me a favor. - What type of favor?
- Can you give me a ride? - Where to?
- Eurostar. - What?
I'm off to London. I have an important meeting there in the morning.
And I'll be back before we start tomorrow.
Dance.
- Is that a yes? - That's a yes.
- Is this the bus lane? - I don't know.
- Thanks. - What kind of meeting is it?
Can't really say much, but, I'll see you on set tomorrow night!
- And don't tell anyone, okay? Promise? - Promise!
Tell your London girlfriend I say hi!
Looks pretty good.
I think with the Japanese robe...
it'll be even better, you'll see.
Look.
Yes. Much better.
Any news from Mira? We can't reach her.
She texted me. She's running late.
Ok.
- I love your robe! - Cool, right?
I'm so into those Japanese silk prints.
We can't reach her.
I'm on it. She told Zoe she's on her way.
Those slamming doors.
- Can I go smoke? - You have plenty of time.
- You got a light? - Yeah.
- You play Philippe's wife? - I do.
And you're Regina Moritz, Mira's assistant.
- I am. - Such a fan of hers.
- It's kind of intimidating. - No, she's really easygoing.
There's talk on the set.
You're leaving Mira and directing a feature.
Yeah, shooting in the U.K. Do you want coffee?
- Sure. - Let's go.
I've seen your shorts. They're so powerful.
That's very kind of you.
Can I ask what your film is about?
If you can't say it's cool.
Yeah, but it's kind of funny you would ask.
- Why is that? - 'Cause you're the first. Not even Mira.
Everyone's thrilled I'm moving on, but no one really cares where.
- Is Mira in it? - No.
Whole cast is pretty young, late teens. Mostly unknowns.
- Small budget? - More like no budget.
But that's fine by me, honestly. That's the way it should be done.
Well, the main character is a young girl.
There's a brutal civil war on her planet,
and to protect her, her parents fly her to Earth on a spaceship,
promising they'll come back,
but she waits and waits and they don't come back,
so she has to learn on her own how to survive in this strange world.
I love it.
But it's a sad story.
I mean, she adapts, and finds some sort of happiness on Earth.
Still. It's sad.
And it's scarily similar to my own story.
Similar?
My parents were American. They died.
They left me on my own.
I was adopted myself, and movies were a refuge.
I understand.
I'm usually too embarrassed to ask but I'd really love to be involved.
If I could attend the shoot, even for a few days.
Are you sure? There's hardly any money involved.
It doesn't matter. I don't see it as a job.
I mean, I'll think about it. I could use an assistant.
- What happened? - It's The Vampires. They just fled.
No! Damnit!
We missed them again.
Thanks, bye.
- You good? - Yeah.
- The basement set is ready. - I want to see the dance rehearsal.
Upstairs on the left.
- The choreographer's waiting. - I'm on my way.
I'll fix a few movements for the dancers' energy.
It's 90 seconds. I can shave off 30 seconds if you like.
No, I want to see it all.
I'll start by showing you the first dance for the wedding.
It starts with two random Vampires, see?
The energy must build to a crescendo.
- Right. - Mind if I play it loud?
- No, I love it. - Ok.
Come in.
Hi.
Hey.
So, something urgent you want to discuss?
Yeah, I have a favor to ask.
Please, anything you want.
In the story, once the police break into the wedding party,
the Vampires flee in a panic. It's chaos. And then the balcony collapses.
- Yeah. - Most of 'em die.
- Yes. That's the idea, yeah. - Okay.
Maybe you don't need Lily Flower for those scenes?
No, no, no, no, no, no. She is part of the gang, so.
Okay, but in Feuillade's version, we don't see her.
No, but I tried to flesh her out.
Yeah.
- Do you mind if I grab myself a beer? - Oh no, of course. Yeah.
Do you have...
- I don't have one to open that. - Yeah, okay.
- Whoops. - Excuse me, excuse me.
- Here, here. - Sorry.
I had to show off.
- Well... - It's okay. It's okay.
- Don't worry. - Yeah? Okay.
Sometimes less is more.
- Meaning? - Meaning, let her disappear.
Who cares about seeing her dead body?
So, you want to leave a day earlier?
If that's fine with you.
I feel like I've been away for too long.
I can do my last scene today and then leave tomorrow?
- I disappointed you. - No, no, no.
Why would you say that?
I imagined you would be Jade's surrogate.
But you have Mira. She's the surrogate.
I wanted you to be the spirit of Jade,
haunting the film.
But Lily Flower is no Irma Vep.
And Cynthia Keng is no Jade Lee,
which is fine by me.
- And I still had fun. - I understand.
And also, you shouldn't worry.
Jade's spirit has been with us.
What do you mean?
She has been watching over us.
- You sure about that? - Positive.
Can I ask you a question?
Of course.
Have you ever met Jade in Hong Kong?
She's kind of a recluse nowadays.
If you ever meet her,
can you say hello for me?
You know my heart, Sire.
And I can say
that never did it sigh for the Empire.
Rome's grandeur, the purple others prize,
has never proved attractive to my eyes.
I loved, Sire,
wanted to be loved, no less.
This day, I will admit, I was distressed.
I thought your love had run its course.
I know my error.
You love me far more.
Thank you, Galatée,
for your heartfelt rendering of Berenice's last monologue.
I'd just like for you to emphasize the verse
"I loved, Sire, wanted to be loved no less."
- What was wrong? - You sped through it a bit.
One of the most beautiful French verses. No need to overplay it.
But you must revel in its beauty.
The Perrier's for me, thanks. Can't stay long, I'm shooting today.
- Coke Zero. - What are you shooting?
A series for some platform. A small role, but cool.
What kind of role?
- I can't tell you. - Cut it out.
They're remaking Feuillade's Vampires. You posted about it!
- I'm the one who kills Mira Harberg. - You kill Mira Harberg! Fuck! How?
- I shoot her point-blank. - Some fucking part!
I hear she's cool.
- Who gets the second herbal tea? - Me.
They're almost done. They wrap today.
Too cool! Last day, you kill Mira Harberg.
- I'm so jealous. Who's directing? - René Vidal.
- Buzz kill! He's a total has-been. - He made some good stuff, right?
I saw part of a film on YouTube. Didn't stick with me.
- Honestly, why remake a silent classic? - Shot a century ago.
Unless you want to see Mira Harberg in a catsuit.
- Works for me. - What a sexist twat!
- Guilty as charged. - Same here.
We'd rather see Mira in a catsuit than Vidal's whole oeuvre.
What?
- So? So, let's so. - So what?
- How did the meeting go? - What meeting?
I have my spies.
- Spies? - Yeah, yeah. Even in LA.
- Especially in LA. - Especially in LA.
- Yeah, you know, news travels fast. - I see.
- Do you mind if I sit? - Of course not.
Right.
The meeting...
was great.
He's the nicest person.
So unassuming.
I never met him myself,
but, so I've heard.
Do you mind if...
You will play Meredith in "Kingdom Come," right?
Such a beautiful part.
- I have you to thank. - Why?
- It's such an obvious bit of casting. - I wouldn't have been ready for it.
That's very kind.
- No, it's very kind, but I don't agree. - Don't.
- I don't agree. - Doesn't matter, it's true.
Or let's say that Irma Vep, she taught me.
Sounds more like it.
She reconciled me with acting.
You know, I was angry. I was really angry with acting.
- The pleasure was gone. - How did she do that?
By showing me that acting is more than acting.
But, you always knew that, didn't you?
Yeah, but I think I was a bit afraid of it.
- You were afraid of the spirits. - Possibly.
But spirits are good if you welcome them.
- And to act, you have to welcome them. - Yes.
But the other day, I felt
like I was losing the spirit of Irma Vep.
Of course. That's the way.
That's the way? Why do you say that?
She will only inhabit you while you embody her in our film.
But when your thoughts move away,
when your fate
takes you elsewhere,
she will look for another vessel.
You mean, she doesn't need me anymore?
Or you could also turn it around and say you don't need her anymore.
Because...
you will meet other spirits.
- Like Meredith. - Meredith is another breed.
She has nothing to do with darkness.
- But everything to do with the light. - She does.
You will embrace her.
- But heed her. - I will.
Because light
is more difficult to reach
than darkness.
- Go, go, go. - Hurry up, guys!
Come on! Hurry up!
Go, go, go!
Given my star status, I had to go out with a bang.
- Mr. Feuillade awaits you. - Thank you.
It was the last episode.
With this gun, you will kill Musidora.
Here.
Shoot.
- Roi-des-Puces! - Shoot again.
The gun's jammed again. This is the third time.
It's an antique.
It'll go off in someone's face!
The pretty newcomer, Miss Zouzou Lagrange,
would blow Irma Vep into obscurity.
Shoot!
She was nervous and terrified.
- Better! - Much better.
- So, who's the gunshot for?
You. You're getting killed. Finally.
The Police Chief will be thrilled.
Meet Zouzou Lagrange. Top of the class in drama school.
Roi-des-Puces, bring us a piece of sheet metal to practice on.
Better safe than sorry with these things.
Lean it here, against the barrel, please.
Go ahead, they're blanks.
Shoot.
That was too close-range.
- What's wrong? - Shrapnel impacts.
- Isn't that dangerous? - Zouzou, step back a yard or two.
- Ok. - Musidora...
You go to the door.
Zouzou, sit down.
Wait, safer to move the crate back. There. Sit down.
Take out your gun.
Aim, not too close to Musidora, and shoot.
- Manichoux, we're rolling. - Yes.
Rolling.
Action.
More expression!
- Musidora, take your time dying! - Musidora, are you hurt?
Alas, in a panic,
Zouzou forgot Feuillade's instructions, and shot at too close-range.
I fell, screaming in pain.
I was more frightened than harmed.
With Zouzou Lagrange having killed me,
our faithful audience needed a new evil heroine.
So, several weeks later,
Feuillade hired me for his next film, with the mysterious title, Judex.
Hello.
Mira's not answering. She must be packing.
Very well, I'll wait.
Hello, sir.
Could you tell Ms. Harberg that her chauffeur has arrived?
Sorry. Ms. Harberg checked out early this morning.
Hi! I'm producing the Dreamscape photoshoot.
Is everything ok?
Mira will be happier at the Plaza. I got her one of their best suites.
- There may be a change of plans. - What's wrong?
Mira is gone.
- Since when? - She was here last night.
It was our last day. The death of Irma Vep.
- Did you call her agent? - She never answers.
I'll handle this.
Zelda always takes my calls. She respects me.
It's very cool. Thanks.
This one?
You know what, I think she'll prefer this one.
Yeah, thank you.
Ok.
Got it. I'll call him right now.
Mr. de la Parcheminerie? Angus needs to speak with you urgently.
Right, thank you, David.
- Hello? - Am I bothering you?
- Yes, you are. What's the fuss. - I'm on the Dreamscape photoshoot.
Excellent.
- Is Mira happy? - Hard to say.
What do you mean?
She wasn't at her hotel.
- Where is she? - We don't know. She left this morning.
- I bet she's gone home. - Which would be a disaster.
Of course, she's gone home. You know what?
I've been expecting this.
- Should we lawyer up? - No. You don't sue Mira Harberg.
We'd be in the wrong.
The public identifies with her because she trusts her instincts. She's free.
We're trying to buy a bit of her freedom for our band.
- We can't whine about it. - So we wait?
- As long as she wants. - What if she's a no-show?
Then too bad. Too bad for us.
When you shoot a film, you enter an alternate reality.
- It's way beyond cinema. - It's like a dream?
Yes. And one day you wake up.
The bubble bursts. Dissipates.
Mira Harberg becomes herself again. It's inescapable.
- I guess so. - She leaves your fantasies.
Yes.
The shoot ends, and the illusion fades away.
It's much more than an illusion.
It's a far more profound experience.
A trace of it remains, though. The films.
You may be right.
Once a film is finished,
it takes on a life of its own.
That's their magic.
Their black magic.
You conjure them, they awaken you,
and then they leave you stranded.
- In limbo. - Right. Between reality and imagination.
You lose yourself. Ask any filmmaker.
Meanwhile, the films live their lives.
Yes, well... their lives are often extremely dull.
No doubt. But it's no longer your concern.
- And what's more... - What's more?
Well... you move forward.
- You rebuild your fantasy world. - Yes.
You can always try.
- There are no guarantees. - The beauty is in the risk.
You're always a step away from failure.
One step away from stagnating
in the dullness of daily life.
Daily life is never boring.
But you have to overcome the past and leave it behind.
Like Mira's left me behind?
The police are raiding us, and on my wedding day.
You will pay for this.
You think it's over for The Vampires,
but I am The Vampires, and they will never catch me.
Be warned,
vengeance will be mine.
Cut, cut! Can we try one more, please?
Galatée, please, can you wait a bit before shooting?
And Mira, please wait a second before you fall, okay?
97/1, take six.
And action.
The police are raiding us, and on my wedding day.
You will pay for this.
You think it's over for The Vampires,
but I am The Vampires, and they will never catch me.
Be warned.
- Hello? - Hi, it's me.
- How are you? - I'm ok.
The kids are happy to be in the countryside.
Me, less so.
Guess what?
We're done, we finished. It's in the can.
Good. Do you realize it's been two weeks since you called?
It's been a tough 2 weeks.
But that's behind me, I'm better now.
Always a bit weird when it all comes undone.
Mira's gone.
The crew has moved on to other films.
Right.
It's always the same story. You should be used to it.
I know.
So, can we come back, or must we remain with my mom in the boondocks?
Of course. Come back.
I miss you.
- I miss you, too. - Really?
I love you.
I love the kids.
As much as your films?
More.
That wasn't an honest answer.
It is. Because you deserve the truth.
- So, that's the new truth? - No, it's always been the truth.
I just...
I just needed to reassess it.
You know...
movies take me so far away,
but love
always brings me back to you.
Revised and Synchronized by FAST TITLES MEDIA