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Thank you for being so numerous.

The writer we are going to talk about today is not here with us,

but whoever already knows him will not be surprised.

In fact, no one has ever seen Serge Novak.

No one knows his looks, except for his agent, David Ginsburg,

the sleepy man who sits next to me and who looks good when betraying his friend.

Novak is in fact a pseudonym, and as far as I know,

he is one of the most successful literary secrets

We don't know much about his life, if not for the conjectures of some of his biographies,

which attribute him to the same age of the character to whom he owes his international consecration,

his hero, Laszlo, the protagonist tormented by the winter trip.

His fame began in 1978 with this epistolary novel,

which left more demanding critics than a vast audience.

I would like to ask Davide to tell us something.

He is one of the most erudite men I know,

even if in the environment of international publishing,

it is pleasant to be considered a cynical businessman.

I thank Claire very much for this wise attempt to ennoble me.

When I started this job,

my only and only rule of conduct was to disappear,

to leave the scene only to the author.

Since I've been dealing with Serge Novak,

I can only transgress it.

And sometimes I have the impression of, how to say, of doing some spiritism.

The eyes of reason have recognized the strange pleasure that is felt when you are seen.

Seen against your own will.

Because she is one who lives only the moments she betrays.

I thought you wouldn't have found the time.

I wanted to greet you.

Come in.

So, how did your trip go?

Very well. I discovered only now that I write better out of the house.

Hey, what an elegance!

Do you like it?

It's a dress that my Sarto made for me in Paris.

It's cool, isn't it?

I come from the Mazarine library.

I wanted to see how the convention was going,

which they had the bad idea of doing on me.

I imagine how much fun you would have.

Yes, how can it be fun to go to your own funeral?

Do you sleep here tonight?

No, dad, I can't. I'm taking the plane again.

I have to go to Italy for Fabrizio's wedding, you know?

Of course, you never cared much about this son you found, did you?

Who is this pen from?

It arrived here a few weeks ago under your name.

Along with this photo.

It wasn't written on it.

Yes, I did it well.

Wasn't there a note or something?

No, no, nothing.

Well, you're about to hear the last thing they told me.

All right, if you really care, go.

So there are two Martians who happen to meet in America.

What's your name?

And you?

Don't you have Mary of a Jew?

I'm sorry, I lost the boat.

Maybe it's better this way.

Will you forgive me?

No, I'll take the first one tomorrow morning.

I'm sorry, I shouldn't have listened.

It doesn't matter.

Are you staying long?

Two days.

Are you on vacation?

No, if you don't wait, we can take the same taxi.

With you?

I'm sorry, I lost the boat.

Maybe it's better this way.

Do you want to take the same taxi?

With pleasure, thank you.

Yes, now I'm in Naples, in the hotel.

But don't worry, I've been informed.

I'll take the first bus in the morning.

Are you angry?

Not so much.

It's the first time I do it.

My life is about to change.

Meanwhile, I ask you to express in front of the Church

your intentions.

Fabrizio and Mila,

you have come to contract marriage

in full freedom,

without any constriction,

aware of the meaning of your decision. You are willing, in the new way of

marriage, to love and honor each other for the rest of your life. You are willing to

responsibly welcome with love the children that God will want to give you and educate them

according to the law of Christ and His Church. If therefore your intention is to unite you in marriage,

Give yourself the right hand and express your consent to God and to His Church.

Fabrizio, do you want to take Mila as your wife,

promising to always be faithful to her in joy and pain,

in health and illness, and to love her and honor her every day of your life?

Mila, do you want to take Fabrizio as your husband,

...promising to always be faithful to joy and pain, to health and illness...

...and to love and honor Him every day of your life.

No one dares to separate what God has united. Amen.

Mom, where's Daniel?

He's gone, as usual.

Who's that?

The wife's witness. Her only guest.

Have you seen Mila? Isn't she beautiful?

Now you understand why Fabrizio wanted to do it in such a hurry.

This is a family affair, isn't it? You too wanted to do it in a hurry.

How stupid! I knew you.

Are you sure? And what do you know about her?

Everything there is to know.

Let me guess.

She lands in Paris.

She's a model. She's in the cast of the young Rampollo.

No, stop it.

I just hope she keeps Fabrizio away from trouble.

Mila, here's the important character of the family, the invisible man.

It's a pleasure to meet you.

Can we have some of yours?

Daniel, then have fun.

Have you decided where to go?

To Guatemala.

Ah, it's a nice trip.

Yes, I hope so.

And you? Are you still staying?

No, I don't think so.

Let's go.

I've been thinking a lot about you these days.

I don't think I was very lucky to meet you.

We'll see each other again. It's impossible to avoid it.

Who did you see?

Not much. In fact, we never moved out of the hotel.

Why not?

It's my fault. Or rather, Mila's fault.

Now that you're back, what are you going to do?

I'm not going to model it. I'm not going to let it go.

What else can you do?

Liar. You speak four languages perfectly.

It's not true.

Yes, it is.

Really? Which ones?

Fabrizio is exaggerating.

In addition to my language, I speak English, French and Liddish.

Where does this talent for languages come from?

I have no idea. It's the thing that makes it easier for me.

When I was little they thought I was a prodigy.

My mother had the myth of France and so she sent me from a friend in Paris to study for two years.

That's where I wanted to learn Liddish, my grandfather's language.

Where are you from exactly?

Mine were from Bielopole. I was born there too, but I always lived in Grecovia.

My family is also from Cracovia, but I've never been to Poland.

Unbelievable! Daniel talks about his family.

I have an idea. Maybe Mila could help you.

You weren't looking for someone for translations.

You know that Daniel has some particular rituals when he writes.

Couldn't you have him answer for once?

I don't need anyone.

How kind of you. It's a real pleasure to be in your company.

Fabrizio, please.

It's been ten years that I have to be careful not to irritate the great writer.

Now I'm broken.

What did you come to do?

I don't want you to think that I asked Fabrizio to work for you.

It was his idea.

Everything here?

Why are you treating me like this?

I don't like acrobatics.

I couldn't imagine what would have happened.

Then behave as if it had never happened.

I can't.

I don't have to think about you.

Instead, for me, this story hasn't even started.

Those like you think they can control everything, but they're wrong.

Why did you marry him?

Don't pretend to worry about Fabrizio.

He told me you always cared about him.

What does David say?

He hasn't read it yet, but it's not important.

Why not?

Because this time it's your opinion that interests me.

It will be something different, something more personal.

What do you mean?

This time there will be no Aslo.

Have you decided to leave him?

It's been 20 years since he took me away.

And why right now?

He gave everything, he has nothing more to say.

I didn't expect it.

I'm very curious.

It's just the beginning.

I'd like to read it soon, but maybe I'll be disappointed.

I don't think so.

You could be wrong.

It never happened.

Did you see? It was Daniel.

Down there, in the car that passed by. He pretended not to see us.

Maybe he's embarrassed in front of you.

In front of me? Why?

Because he knows he'll never have you.

Why did you tell me that thing about Daniel?

Does he betray Nicoletta?

Not exactly, but...

he's a libertine.

And what do you know about them?

I can see that.

They seem inseparable.

In fact, they love each other.

But if you had read his novels,

you would know that girls of your age like him a lot.

It's strange that you trust me.

What do you mean?

The story of the pseudonym.

It's strange that he accepted that you told me about it.

He didn't accept it.

He suffered it.

I know you entered my life.

I don't want to get out of it anymore.

You can see that it's painful.

There's a lot. It's different from how it used to be.

It's been a thousand years since I've followed your work.

Yes, it's true. You chose almost everything.

I wouldn't have done it without the architect.

I had never built a house.

You should stop being so modest.

It's not modest, it's the truth.

Pray for the truth, from time to time.

Believe in me.

I'm going to see if there's anything I need.

I don't know where it ended.

No, I haven't seen it.

To yours.

To your love.

We were nice, weren't we?

But we're very close.

It's just that our relationships have changed a little recently.

If you're in a complicated situation, it seems to me.

Nicoletta is looking for you.

But looking at Fabrizio and Mila, I realized something.

I'm a little ashamed to tell you.

No, no, say it.

It's one of those thoughts that should never be confessed.

I realized that what keeps them really united is that they do nothing but spit.

And I must say that, in a certain sense, it excites me.

Oh, yes, certainly. Excuse me for a moment.

Here it is.

Your husband is here.

He's in his son's office.

Do you want me to call him?

No, no, it doesn't matter. I don't have time.

See you later.

I saw your party.

You like to get involved in the lives of others.

It's true. Eva is new everywhere.

I can only stand her because she was Milla's best friend.

In fact, she still hasn't told me what she thinks of you.

You can't say she doesn't have character.

I was expecting a less diplomatic answer.

What do you want to know?

If you like her. If you think she's the right person for me.

I think you'll never get bored with her.

Listen, I wanted to tell you that if she's still interested, I need someone who works for me.

Yes, I'll call her right away. She'll be very happy.

I'll pass it to you.

Mila, it's Daniel. Listen, about that job...

Why are you making me call Fabrizio?

We have to agree. If you want, you can come tomorrow.

We'll talk about it.

I can't tomorrow.

Well, when you want.

Who was it? I asked you who it was.

You're breaking my balls now.

It was him.

Yes, it was him.

What did he tell you?

He wanted to see me.

Don't say yes right away.

It's what I did.

I like that one. I'll give it to you as a gift.

There's not a single copy of your books.

And does it surprise you?

Have you read any of them?

All of them.

Do you like them more?

The first one.

Why exactly that one?

When I read The Winter's Journey, I fell in love with the character of Laszlo.

Now that I know you, I can't understand if you look like him.

I've never understood it either.

And yet you should know how much there is of you in that novel.

It's difficult.

You didn't answer.

What do you want to know?

The story of the hero's mother.

If I remember correctly, she died during her birth

after being survived by Auschwitz.

Yes, that's right. You remember perfectly.

I've always wondered if it was your story.

And that of your mother?

Did you invent it?

A story that a friend told me.

The inscriptions always do this, they steal the lives of others.

Talk to me about this friend.

What do you care?

Tell me how it was.

He was not happy to have only one life. He committed suicide at the age of 20.

What do you think of my favorite reader?

This time I believe that the readers of Serge Novak will have a surprise.

I really hope not.

The readers hate surprises.

Can you imagine if Graham Greene had abandoned God, sin and grace if he had started writing romantic scenes?

And can you imagine if instead of writing the Ulysses and Joys, he had continued to write for the rest of his life to people of Dublin?

Stop denying it like a child and at least let me explain why it moved me.

It's the first time that the enigmatic, the cerebral, the contorted Serge Novak

lets us see a little bit of his life.

And, if you allow me, also mine.

No, dear, I don't agree at all.

Writers always lie.

And I never believed in Hemingway's dances during the war.

and at least at 10,000 scops of Simenon.

Eva's bitch wants to get away from you.

She says you can only hurt me, that we have to stop her.

Maybe you're right.

I don't think it's what you want, but if it's what you think, then you're a bitch too.

It wasn't even the first time.

What are you doing?

How come you, Daniele, hear him so often?

He calls you more than me.

You're the one who suggested I work for him.

I saw you two arguing tonight.

Emilia, for a moment I was wondering if instead of helping you you're not creating problems.

No, it's not like that.

You need a method, you're young, you have to learn.

No doubt.

I did it just to please you.

I know, and I thank you.

But I don't want you to feel stuck.

A friend of mine asked me to help her find someone.

Can we take advantage of it?

It's too late, she would be offended.

You know, she never seems fragile.

It doesn't seem fragile to me.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Has Davide left?

Half an hour ago.

Excuse me, I have to run, I'm late.

See you tonight.

Do you want to talk to Mila?

She's sleeping.

Wake her up.

Come to Eva's house immediately.

Do as I told you.

Don't answer.

You could turn it off.

I see you want it, I'll be right back.

Sometimes I wonder why you married me.

Why did you marry me?

Because you're rich.

Where are you? I need to talk to you.

I have a plane in ten minutes.

Don't take it. Wait, I'm coming.

Can't you tell me what it is?

Not by phone.

What happened? Why are you looking at me like that?

Who are these?

Eva's parents.

What do you know about them?

I knew them this year.

So? What's the problem with this picture?

How old is Eva?

Her father was already dead when she was born.

Yes, it's true. I never met him.

He only found out recently that he was his father.

At least that's what he told me.

But how do you know him?

Didn't your friend tell you that?

Who would have had to tell me?

Why don't you answer?

You know nothing.

What does this story have to do with it, Paul?

I found it in the same house where they took the other picture.

Whose house is it?

Who is this woman?

The book was so successful that when it came to me,

it told me about her story with Paul Dembinski.

I thought she was a poor midwife, looking for money.

What's her name?

Pesco, I think.

But you can't take care of a ghost.

And then, even if Eva was his daughter, she can't do anything to you, you know?

Instead, it's the other picture that should worry you.

It's a job for professionals, they know who you are and they want to hit you in your weak spot.

Why are you talking in the plural?

Well, you still haven't understood.

It's Mila and her friend.

Yes, and Mila has nothing to do with it. It would be crazy.

She should have married Fabrizio just to trap him.

It's absurd.

And her friend Eva.

But how do you exclude him?

What do you know about her?

Nothing, she came out of nowhere.

What are you looking at?

I have to talk to Mila.

Mila, look who's here, your friend.

Now he can't take a step without you.

I'll leave you alone.

What are you doing here?

I want Eva's address in Cracovia.

In Cracovia? Why?

When did you get it?

This morning, when I called you.

They kicked me out of Eva's house.

Why didn't you tell me right away?

I wasn't sure.

About me?

And now?

Fabrizio is watching us.

Why did you have to do it?

What do you think?

You can expect everything from her.

I didn't think she would take advantage of me.

Did she ask you for money?

She hasn't come back since yesterday.

I'll send her.

I have the impression that you didn't understand well.

Look to your left, you can hear me well.

I was going to find your wife at her studio.

She just left a message.

Good morning.

Did they leave something for me?

A girl left this letter a few hours ago.

Thank you.

Does she want you to have his wife?

Oh, what a nice surprise.

Why are you here?

What's up? You look upset.

My father is sick, I have to go.

I wanted to tell you.

What's wrong?

I don't know.

I'm sorry.

I hope it's nothing serious.

Are you sure you want to go alone?

You don't want me to come with you?

No, Grazia, it's not the case.

I'll call you as soon as I get there to put this sum together.

When did you steal your romance?

I've already asked enough.

Nina Pesco lives here, right?

I don't know anything.

We just wanted to ask you something.

Nina Pesco has not been alive for two years.

I'm sorry.

I said Nina Pesco is dead.

Yes, I know. I understand. Let her talk.

Andrzej's husband is also dead.

What's his name?

Andrzej wasn't Ewa's father.

He was just thinking.

And I told him everything before he died.

Ewa's father was another man,

I think he was a writer.

But since then Ewa has disappeared.

He never saw her again.

She didn't even come to the funeral of the one who raised her.

This beautiful girl is Ewa.

But I think you know very well

about that.

They say she lives in Switzerland, right?

Daniel, are you there?

How are you?

Very well.

And you two, how are you?

I'm fine.

But Daniel isn't there with you.

I must have made a mistake.

I'm sorry if I disturbed you.

Are you sure everything is fine?

I'm hugging you.

I want you to be at home.

Fabrizio, is that you?

Sorry if I'm calling at this hour, but I can't find Daniel.

I went on a trip, but I was distracted. I don't remember where he went.

I thought he might have told you something.

I have no idea where he might be.

Who is it?

I'm sorry. Give me a minute.

I asked you who it was.

My lover.

If you found out you had a lover, I'd kill him.

What would you do to me?

I have to think about it.

Do you know Debno's forest?

Yes, of course.

He talks about Debno on the road to Tarnov.

How long does it take to get there?

No more than an hour.

Very well, let's go.

Have you always done this job?

I've been in the police for more than 20 years.

But I never had fun.

That day we had left in a good time train

to reach the house that mine had abandoned forever.

A house of which I kept very few memories.

The landscape of that region seemed elementary.

There were meadows, meadows everywhere,

ruined roads that led to the woods.

Laszlo seemed unusually curious and excited by that visit.

He didn't show in any particular way that he had to listen and be silent.

He had to have a childish fear of words,

because he knew full well the power.

He had the precise feeling that his silence had something to do with a form of precaution,

Almost as if he didn't want to touch the lives of others with his own words,

fearing that an unexpected effect would come out of him.

Deep down, I still didn't know anything about him.

He's the guard.

He seems to have always lived here.

He confirmed to me that right in this villa,

the young writer committed suicide.

Before he was confiscated, the house belonged to his father,

an aristocrat.

They lived in Paris.

He came back to do some research on his family for a novel.

He killed himself for no apparent reason.

Who owns the house now?

It's on sale.

Mr. Boltanski?

My name is Giosta.

I'm a correspondent for the Real Tribune.

I'd like to ask you a few questions.

Me? What for?

Some printing companies are spreading the news about it.

What news?

It seems that behind Serge Novak, the author of Best Seller,

there is you, but that's not all.

The same agencies claim that at the origin of this pseudonym there would be a plagiarism

that dates back to several years ago, of which she would be guilty.

She is her literary agent, David Giesbeck,

at the expense of a certain Paul Denbinsky.

What are you doing? Put it down!

Stop! It's happening!

Don't worry, these pieces are going away.

I give you a piece of advice, Novak.

In your place, I would avoid taking it so much.

I'm just the first.

Who are they?

After me, others will arrive and they will ask the same questions.

But who are they? What do they want from you?

What's happening to you, Daniela?

Do you want me to understand?

There's nothing to understand.

How is your father?

He's much better, there's nothing to worry about.

I'm sorry for this mess.

Maybe I should take a shower.

If you want, I'll prepare something to eat.

Thank you.

I suppose they came from you too?

Yes, they came, they broke the asses all day.

I contacted Seligman.

They don't have anything in hand, but someone needs to make them feel like it, definitively.

I want you to organize a press conference.

What do you mean? What do you want to do?

Say it, Novak. It doesn't make sense now.

It's bullshit. There's no reason for it.

I've decided, David. They've also asked me for money.

You'll never have any guarantee that you'll quit.

But you have to pay.

It's the only way to keep Nicoletta out of this story.

I know.

And Mila?

When your lover gives you an appointment in a place like this, it means it's over.

Do you have another solution?

Yes. It depends on us.

What did you find in Cracow?

Eva, your friend's story.

She used you to get close to me, to get back at me.

It's a complicated story to do with her real father.

She never told you?

What if she didn't get back at us?

I don't think it's possible.

She wouldn't have anything left in her hands.

And Fabrizio, Nicoletta?

But you don't have the courage to start another life.

It's too bad that he loves us. I'm sorry.

Fabrizio is waiting for me.

You have to promise me to leave Fabrizio out of all this.

I prefer things to stay the way they are between him and me.

Mila must not suspect anything.

A little attention, please.

A few days ago, a press agency published two news,

a false and a true, on the account of my client, Mr. Daniel Boltanski.

As for the truth, Mr. Boltanski decided to reveal to the public

his identity as a writer, which corresponds to the name of Serge Novak.

As regards the alleged appropriation by my clients 20 years ago

of a manuscript novel by Mr. Paul Dembinski,

it is evident that it is an invention without any foundation.

It is obvious that if it were reported by the press,

we will reserve the right to defend ourselves in the chairs

and in the ways we consider appropriate.

I have nothing more to add.

If you want, you can ask some questions.

Mr. Seligman, don't you think that your presence here is an evidence of the concern of your clients?

My client, Mr. Boltanski, has written up to now nine novels that have been in the first places in the bestseller rankings of the world.

Do you think he has subdued them all to dark writers in the grass?

Mr. Boltanski, today you are a very rich and very famous man,

thanks to the success of the novels published with the name Serge Novak,

a name that only today we can relate to yours.

I would like to ask you why a pseudonym?

So as not to leave one like you the minimum control over my life.

Mr. Novak, you certainly know what Standal wrote about the pseudonym.

He claimed it was a problem of shame.

Standal was ashamed of his father, and you, Mr. Boltanski Novak,

Mr. Boltanskinovac, what are you ashamed of?

Our meeting ends here.

Well, thank you for your attention.

Why did you pay it? There was no reason to do it anymore.

It's a problem of mine, David.

As you wish, it's my money.

You're making a big mistake.

Even with Nicolette.

I did what I could.

You didn't stop in time when it was still possible.

Where are you going now?

You tried to disappear for 20 years.

Isn't that enough for you?

Evidently not. Goodbye, David.

Why don't you say anything? What's wrong?

Will you be with me?

Because you love him.

Take your part.

Thank you, I already took it.

What the fuck is going on with you?

You put me in this fucking story?

I've been playing for you all these years?

And then you leave me, right?

I'm talking to you.

We'll see.

I don't think so.

At least as far as one of the two is concerned.

A few years ago, they were stopped

at the exit of a disco in a state of slavery.

They are also suspected of misuse.

They were released.

But a year later, the youngest, Eva Pesco,

was sentenced to theft and drug use.

Of the two, she is the one who had the most problems with justice.

And she is the most difficult.

Today, they are both residents in Switzerland.

Officially, before leaving Poland, Eva Pesko was an actress, the other one was a model.

That's all I've been able to know.

Is there something wrong?

The photos are different from how I expected them to be.

Excuse me, what do you mean?

Don't talk to anyone, please.

Don't worry.

Thank you.

I liked to stay under the trees.

I liked to disappear and reappear in the varkas of light left by the fog.

At the age of 13, under one of those trees, you invented and drew a story.

Then you forgot it.

When it bloomed again, after a while, you thought of writing it.

I think that's how my game of hiding began.

The game of a child who doesn't know what he fears or wants more,

whether to stay hidden or to be discovered.

When you read this letter, I won't be here anymore.

The manuscript I entrust you is the only copy of this novel.

There are no copies.

As you will understand, Laszlo, the seducer's character, is you.

To tell his secret, I used your life, even your mother's story.

The ghost that nourished your silences, your neuroses.

I don't know how much this is forgivable.

I don't have to worry about it anymore.

It will be up to you to decide how much this story belongs to you.

Or if it is not a simple process.

A strange destiny wanted our life to reflect itself in the same story.

I just have to trust you.

We would like to ask you a few questions, if you agree.

I must ask you something indiscreet,

even though it is clear that it is about suicide.

We were lovers. You wanted to know.

How long has your infamy lasted?

A month.

What did Mr. Boltański do?

They say he was very rich.

He was a writer, a great writer.

You didn't guess anything?

Why didn't you ask me that?

He wrote in the will that he wants to be buried in Dębno,

in the Jewish cemetery, next to his friend Paul.

Could you tell me where Paul Dębno is in this photo?

How to move in the shadows, how to spy without being seen.

The grandestinity and the secret have an infallible memory.

But often the motivations of a secret don't hide anything reprehensible.

And the secret is simply our melody.

Stupendous testimonies of the life of the three.

Have you ever started writing without a secret?

That's all there is to it, to tell a story.

The invisible thread that ties us to the memory,

to the fact that events and people return as shadows.

The day we leave the enchantment behind

and finally have the desire to tell a story,

that day we'll be just a memory.