1
00:01:31,308 --> 00:01:33,789
Film is magic.
2
00:01:33,832 --> 00:01:37,009
And in the right hands,
a weapon.
3
00:01:39,925 --> 00:01:43,842
Hello?
Yeah, you called me?
From the Vogue?
4
00:02:24,796 --> 00:02:28,365
You are late. Mr. Bellinger
is waiting for you.
5
00:03:17,240 --> 00:03:19,329
Mr. Sweetman.
6
00:03:19,373 --> 00:03:22,202
Mr. Bellinger.
7
00:03:22,245 --> 00:03:23,420
Wow, you have
an incredible collection.
8
00:03:23,464 --> 00:03:25,770
Thank you.
9
00:03:25,814 --> 00:03:29,339
I'm sure you have
some rare pieces of your own.
10
00:03:29,383 --> 00:03:31,515
Not really.
It's too expensive.
11
00:03:31,559 --> 00:03:37,260
Must be a torture--
hunting down pieces
for others,
12
00:03:37,304 --> 00:03:40,350
to have something
in your hands, only to
give it up immediately.
13
00:03:40,394 --> 00:03:42,439
Well, there's perks.
14
00:03:42,483 --> 00:03:45,529
When I track down a rare print,
I get to screen it.
15
00:03:45,573 --> 00:03:48,837
Quality-assurance purposes,
of course.
Of course.
16
00:03:51,579 --> 00:03:54,277
La Fin Absolue
du Monde.
17
00:03:54,321 --> 00:03:56,018
The absolute end
of the world.
18
00:03:56,061 --> 00:03:58,455
What do you know
about it?
19
00:03:58,499 --> 00:04:02,067
I know it played once,
opening night premiere,
20
00:04:02,111 --> 00:04:05,506
the Festival International
du Cinema Fantastique
de Sitges.
21
00:04:05,549 --> 00:04:09,205
Violence erupted
in the theater.
22
00:04:09,249 --> 00:04:12,382
When Hans Backovic,
the director, tried
to get it out of the country,
23
00:04:12,426 --> 00:04:15,080
the government seized it
and destroyed it,
24
00:04:15,124 --> 00:04:19,650
not realizing it was
a work in progress
and his only print.
25
00:04:19,694 --> 00:04:24,655
He quit the business.
That film's only been seen
by that one audience.
26
00:04:24,699 --> 00:04:26,266
You did your homework.
27
00:04:26,309 --> 00:04:30,095
But the government
didn't destroy the film.
28
00:04:36,754 --> 00:04:38,452
What's this?
29
00:04:41,063 --> 00:04:43,021
A prop from the film.
30
00:04:46,155 --> 00:04:49,550
I'm a bit obsessive about
La Fin Absolue du Monde.
31
00:04:49,593 --> 00:04:51,203
Why this particular film?
32
00:04:51,247 --> 00:04:56,339
I have a collection
of over 8,000 films,
33
00:04:56,383 --> 00:04:58,820
the most extreme images,
34
00:04:58,863 --> 00:05:02,345
created by some of the most
obscure filmmakers from
around the world.
35
00:05:02,389 --> 00:05:06,175
I'm not about to drag you
up here in the middle
of the night
36
00:05:06,218 --> 00:05:10,266
for something that made
a schoolgirl dizzy.
37
00:05:10,310 --> 00:05:13,313
I'm talking about
real power.
38
00:05:16,228 --> 00:05:19,275
Were you at the festival
- when this played?
- Yes.
39
00:05:19,319 --> 00:05:21,886
I even had tickets
for the screening.
40
00:05:21,930 --> 00:05:26,282
But I had seen
Backovic's previous work
and I wasn't impressed.
41
00:05:26,326 --> 00:05:30,330
So I went to see
the first Dr. Phibes instead,
42
00:05:30,373 --> 00:05:34,029
hoping to meet
Vincent Price.
43
00:05:34,072 --> 00:05:38,729
In '83, the Rotterdam Festival
announced a screening.
44
00:05:38,773 --> 00:05:43,343
By the time I'd flown there,
they had canceled it,
saying it was an error.
45
00:05:43,386 --> 00:05:47,477
The fact that the venue
had burned down must have had
something to do with it.
46
00:05:51,829 --> 00:05:54,658
Every mention of the film
since '71,
47
00:05:54,702 --> 00:05:57,400
every rumor about
underground screenings,
48
00:05:57,444 --> 00:06:00,838
the official report
from Sitges, Mr. Sweetman.
49
00:06:02,013 --> 00:06:03,406
Why are you giving me this?
50
00:06:06,714 --> 00:06:08,063
Isn't it obvious?
51
00:06:09,630 --> 00:06:12,154
I want you to find
the print for me.
52
00:06:14,461 --> 00:06:17,594
Finding a rare print
can be costly, even under
the best circumstances.
53
00:06:17,638 --> 00:06:21,163
La Fin Absolue du Monde
is-- it's infamous.
54
00:06:21,206 --> 00:06:22,773
It's rarer than rare.
55
00:06:22,817 --> 00:06:24,993
If there was a print of that
out there, I'd know it.
56
00:06:26,995 --> 00:06:29,214
It is out there,
57
00:06:29,258 --> 00:06:31,434
believe me.
58
00:06:31,478 --> 00:06:33,131
My sources
are unimpeachable.
59
00:06:35,960 --> 00:06:37,571
Follow me.
60
00:06:39,224 --> 00:06:41,183
I have to show you something.
61
00:06:55,719 --> 00:07:00,420
As you can see,
I collect more than movies,
Mr. Sweetman.
62
00:07:02,813 --> 00:07:05,773
Meet one of the stars
of La Fin Absolue du Monde.
63
00:07:22,703 --> 00:07:27,185
Tell Mr. Sweetman
what you told me.
64
00:07:28,404 --> 00:07:31,407
We are a part of the film,
65
00:07:31,451 --> 00:07:35,324
bound to the negative,
like soul to flesh.
66
00:07:35,367 --> 00:07:40,416
If it had been destroyed,
we would know.
67
00:07:40,460 --> 00:07:43,071
I did terrible things
in my life.
68
00:07:43,114 --> 00:07:46,988
I know full well
what will happen
69
00:07:47,031 --> 00:07:49,991
to this desiccated cobweb
I call a soul.
70
00:07:50,034 --> 00:07:55,213
Call me crazy, but I wanted
at least a taste of heaven
71
00:07:55,257 --> 00:07:58,347
before an eternity
of hell.
72
00:08:00,784 --> 00:08:03,526
Money is no object.
73
00:08:03,570 --> 00:08:06,094
I pay all your expenses
74
00:08:06,137 --> 00:08:08,357
and $100,000 on top.
75
00:08:10,707 --> 00:08:13,536
I'm not a well man,
76
00:08:13,580 --> 00:08:16,278
and my days are numbered.
77
00:08:16,321 --> 00:08:20,108
But I don't want to die
without having seen this film.
78
00:08:22,806 --> 00:08:24,112
Why me?
79
00:08:24,155 --> 00:08:27,768
Because you have great taste
as a programmer.
80
00:08:29,770 --> 00:08:31,772
Your theater is
a shit box.
81
00:08:31,815 --> 00:08:35,558
You have 800 seats,
82
00:08:35,602 --> 00:08:38,126
and you are happy to sell
50 tickets a night.
83
00:08:41,303 --> 00:08:43,044
Find this copy for me.
84
00:08:44,393 --> 00:08:46,656
And after I've seen it,
85
00:08:46,700 --> 00:08:49,529
I'll give it to you
for a two-weeks' run.
86
00:08:49,572 --> 00:08:52,401
I promise I wouldn't give it
to any other theater.
87
00:09:00,757 --> 00:09:02,498
You need it.
88
00:09:03,673 --> 00:09:05,196
200,000.
89
00:09:12,552 --> 00:09:14,031
200,000.
90
00:09:15,467 --> 00:09:16,860
A deal?
91
00:09:51,808 --> 00:09:53,593
There you are,
you son of a bitch.
92
00:10:33,589 --> 00:10:37,245
♪ Kirby Sweetman
93
00:10:37,288 --> 00:10:40,901
♪ Is my sweet man
94
00:10:46,036 --> 00:10:48,691
Are you my sweet man, Kirby?
95
00:10:52,216 --> 00:10:55,089
Will you take care
of me, always?
96
00:11:06,491 --> 00:11:08,537
Hey, Timpson, what's up?
97
00:11:08,580 --> 00:11:11,279
Our last show will be over
in about 15 minutes.
98
00:11:11,322 --> 00:11:12,846
Profondo Rosso,
ready to go.
99
00:11:14,586 --> 00:11:17,154
Did you, uh--
- you get your souvenir?
- Dude.
100
00:11:17,198 --> 00:11:20,114
It's Argento.
Had to do it.
101
00:11:20,157 --> 00:11:23,508
What's it with you
and the cigarette burns?
102
00:11:23,552 --> 00:11:26,729
When you're watching a film
and one of those bugs appears,
it lets you know,
103
00:11:26,773 --> 00:11:29,210
you know? Something's
gonna happen.
104
00:11:29,253 --> 00:11:32,082
"Hold on. Here it comes."
105
00:11:32,126 --> 00:11:34,955
You take 'em out...
106
00:11:34,998 --> 00:11:36,739
all of a sudden, it's anarchy.
107
00:11:36,783 --> 00:11:41,048
All right, Mr. Anarchy,
try not to burn the place down
when I'm away.
108
00:11:41,091 --> 00:11:44,573
Did you get a new client?
Yeah, yeah.
109
00:11:44,616 --> 00:11:46,967
An incredible offer.
The guy kind of freaks me out.
110
00:11:47,010 --> 00:11:49,796
What film is it this time?
111
00:11:49,839 --> 00:11:51,319
La Fin Absolue du Monde.
112
00:11:55,758 --> 00:11:56,846
No shit?
113
00:11:59,022 --> 00:11:59,980
No shit.
114
00:12:26,528 --> 00:12:30,401
Kirby knows absolutely
everything about movies.
115
00:12:30,445 --> 00:12:33,709
And the theater--
It's beautiful.
116
00:12:33,753 --> 00:12:35,798
It just needs a little work.
117
00:12:35,842 --> 00:12:39,236
Yeah. We could do it ourselves.
118
00:12:39,280 --> 00:12:40,934
Think of it
as a wedding present.
119
00:12:40,977 --> 00:12:44,589
Okay?
120
00:12:44,633 --> 00:12:48,376
Why don't you wait in the car,
sweetheart, while Kirby and I
work out the details?
121
00:12:48,419 --> 00:12:49,986
Okay.
122
00:13:06,002 --> 00:13:08,788
This is not a gift.
It's a loan.
123
00:13:14,097 --> 00:13:16,056
Get your shit together.
124
00:13:16,099 --> 00:13:18,754
Get her shit together.
125
00:13:20,887 --> 00:13:22,627
Don't make me sorry.
126
00:13:57,837 --> 00:14:00,709
Excuse me, sir,
but we're not open yet.
127
00:14:02,015 --> 00:14:05,148
Oh, Mr. Matthews.
128
00:14:05,192 --> 00:14:08,108
Listen, Kirby's not here
right now.
129
00:14:08,151 --> 00:14:10,066
I-I can tell
him you came--
130
00:14:12,416 --> 00:14:14,114
Oh, wow, look at that.
131
00:14:15,724 --> 00:14:18,596
You're a hard man
to get hold of.
132
00:14:18,640 --> 00:14:20,729
It's almost like
you're avoiding me.
133
00:14:20,772 --> 00:14:23,123
Why would I avoid you?
You're so much fun
to be around.
134
00:14:24,472 --> 00:14:26,604
We need to talk.
135
00:14:26,648 --> 00:14:30,739
Look, I don't have time
to talk to you right now.
How about a check for 200,000?
136
00:14:30,782 --> 00:14:32,697
Got time to talk about that?
I'll get you
your money.
137
00:14:32,741 --> 00:14:34,743
When?
Soon!
138
00:14:34,786 --> 00:14:37,746
No, I don't believe that.
139
00:14:37,789 --> 00:14:39,966
I don't believe
anything you say.
140
00:14:40,009 --> 00:14:45,362
Look, I know that
you're not gonna go away
until I get you your money,
141
00:14:45,406 --> 00:14:48,757
but every time you stop by,
every time you call,
142
00:14:48,800 --> 00:14:51,107
I feel like I'm getting
cut open.
143
00:14:51,151 --> 00:14:54,067
I see Annie's face every day,
all day long.
144
00:14:54,110 --> 00:14:57,461
You have no idea
what I'm going through
to get you out of my life.
145
00:14:57,505 --> 00:15:01,988
You've got one week.
If you can't get the money,
146
00:15:02,031 --> 00:15:04,947
I'll take great delight
in coming down here
147
00:15:04,991 --> 00:15:08,777
and tearing
this shit hole down.
148
00:15:32,279 --> 00:15:33,497
A.K. Meyers.
149
00:15:35,238 --> 00:15:38,546
I've read all this guy's shit.
Good critic.
150
00:15:38,589 --> 00:15:40,635
Big fan of the esoteric.
151
00:15:40,678 --> 00:15:43,638
Out of all Kale's disciples,
the most original thinker.
152
00:15:43,681 --> 00:15:48,295
"In order to fully appreciate
La Fin Absolue du Monde,
153
00:15:48,338 --> 00:15:51,167
"one must understand
the context in which
it premiered.
154
00:15:51,211 --> 00:15:54,344
"The Sitges Festival is still
young, but there is a boldness
to their programming
155
00:15:54,388 --> 00:15:57,391
"that makes this
an essential stop for any fan
156
00:15:57,434 --> 00:16:00,611
"of what are typically
thought of as lesser genres:
157
00:16:00,655 --> 00:16:04,093
science fiction, fantasy
or horror."
158
00:16:04,137 --> 00:16:08,010
What's he up to these days?
I don't know.
159
00:16:08,054 --> 00:16:12,101
He lives upstate in New York,
kind of a recluse.
I'll tell you when I get back.
160
00:17:15,860 --> 00:17:18,254
Mr. Meyers, can I speak
to you, please?
Go away.
161
00:17:18,298 --> 00:17:20,561
It's important.
It'll just take a minute.
162
00:17:20,604 --> 00:17:22,737
Who sent you?
163
00:17:22,780 --> 00:17:24,739
No one sent me. It's about
something you wrote.
It's about a review.
164
00:17:24,782 --> 00:17:27,350
I'm done with all that.
I won't discuss any review.
165
00:17:27,394 --> 00:17:30,005
It's about La Fin
Absolue du Monde.
166
00:17:37,447 --> 00:17:40,189
Mr. Meyers, did they
pass out any press notes
at the Sitges screening?
167
00:17:40,233 --> 00:17:41,451
They did.
168
00:17:41,495 --> 00:17:44,541
Did you happen to save
- any of those?
- I did.
169
00:17:44,585 --> 00:17:47,936
I'd love to read those or
anything else you have on
La Fin Absolue du Monde.
170
00:17:47,979 --> 00:17:50,112
Dangerous.
171
00:17:50,156 --> 00:17:53,072
Backovic said, "Film, in
the right hands, is a weapon."
172
00:17:53,115 --> 00:17:54,116
He was right.
173
00:18:02,429 --> 00:18:07,260
"La Fin Absolue du Monde
is not a movie,
but more like a bullet
174
00:18:07,303 --> 00:18:11,090
"fired directly into
the collective brain pan
of all those assembled,
175
00:18:11,133 --> 00:18:13,353
and the only rational response
is violence."
176
00:18:13,396 --> 00:18:15,790
We trust filmmakers.
177
00:18:15,833 --> 00:18:19,315
We sit in the dark,
daring them to affect us,
178
00:18:19,359 --> 00:18:22,101
secure in the knowledge
that they won't go too far.
179
00:18:22,144 --> 00:18:26,148
I've read your review
twice on the plane
180
00:18:26,192 --> 00:18:28,498
and I still have no idea
what this movie's about.
181
00:18:28,542 --> 00:18:30,805
Hans Backovic was a terrorist.
182
00:18:30,848 --> 00:18:34,374
He abused that trust
we place in filmmakers.
183
00:18:34,417 --> 00:18:38,204
He didn't want to hurt
his audience, he wanted
to destroy them completely.
184
00:18:38,247 --> 00:18:42,208
I've seen extreme gore
and it never made me crazy
or violent.
185
00:18:42,251 --> 00:18:45,298
What is it about
La Fin Absolue du Monde
that is so dangerous?
186
00:18:45,341 --> 00:18:48,605
Backovic was brilliant.
Yeah, but all that violence
in the theater,
187
00:18:48,649 --> 00:18:50,041
that was all
exaggerated, right?
188
00:18:53,436 --> 00:18:56,787
If anything, the incident
was downplayed.
189
00:18:56,831 --> 00:19:00,443
I watched four people die.
190
00:19:00,487 --> 00:19:03,707
It smelled like
a slaughterhouse.
191
00:19:03,751 --> 00:19:07,015
The center aisle
was slick with blood.
192
00:19:07,058 --> 00:19:10,323
Backovic knew
what he was doing.
193
00:19:10,366 --> 00:19:12,760
When Stravinsky's "The Rite
of Spring" premiered to riots,
194
00:19:12,803 --> 00:19:14,892
it was an accident.
195
00:19:14,936 --> 00:19:18,896
La Fin Absolue du Monde
was no accident.
He told me so.
196
00:19:18,940 --> 00:19:21,334
Wait. You spoke
to Backovic?
197
00:19:21,377 --> 00:19:23,510
At the start of the festival.
198
00:19:23,553 --> 00:19:26,861
He told me exactly
what was going to happen.
199
00:19:26,904 --> 00:19:28,428
I recorded the whole interview.
200
00:19:28,471 --> 00:19:30,081
Could I listen
to that tape?
201
00:19:32,562 --> 00:19:37,132
People weren't ready.
They still aren't.
202
00:19:37,176 --> 00:19:39,221
That review I published
was a joke.
203
00:19:39,265 --> 00:19:42,006
It doesn't begin
to describe the film.
204
00:19:42,050 --> 00:19:45,140
I was given the opportunity
to be the messenger
and I failed.
205
00:19:47,838 --> 00:19:49,710
But you'll see.
206
00:19:49,753 --> 00:19:54,018
People will understand
as soon as I finish
my new review.
207
00:19:56,151 --> 00:19:58,240
Is that what this is,
all of this?
208
00:19:58,284 --> 00:20:01,896
That one review?
Almost finished now.
209
00:20:05,247 --> 00:20:07,728
There's a chance that
there still may be
a print out there.
210
00:20:09,991 --> 00:20:12,602
I was hired to find it.
211
00:20:12,646 --> 00:20:14,038
To what purpose?
212
00:20:14,082 --> 00:20:15,779
To show it.
213
00:20:26,312 --> 00:20:28,357
You should know
what you're getting into.
214
00:20:31,752 --> 00:20:33,797
You're right.
215
00:20:33,841 --> 00:20:36,539
The film is still alive.
216
00:20:36,583 --> 00:20:41,152
Even if they tried
to destroy it, they couldn't.
217
00:20:41,196 --> 00:20:43,677
Some films are meant
to be seen.
218
00:20:45,069 --> 00:20:46,027
These--
219
00:20:46,070 --> 00:20:49,900
These will change
your life.
220
00:20:52,468 --> 00:20:53,730
Now, promise me.
221
00:20:53,774 --> 00:20:56,211
Promise me,
when you find the film,
222
00:20:56,255 --> 00:20:58,082
you'll let me see it again.
223
00:20:58,126 --> 00:21:02,739
I've dreamed about it
every night for 30 years,
224
00:21:02,783 --> 00:21:04,915
laying eyes on it again.
225
00:21:09,703 --> 00:21:13,489
Once you start this,
you can't just shake it off
226
00:21:13,533 --> 00:21:15,143
and walk away.
227
00:21:17,101 --> 00:21:18,799
It gets inside you.
228
00:21:30,941 --> 00:21:34,467
Mr. Backovic, this is
your third feature film.
229
00:21:34,510 --> 00:21:39,167
Well, I prefer not
to categorize any film.
230
00:21:39,210 --> 00:21:41,343
What difference
does running time make?
231
00:21:41,387 --> 00:21:43,737
The mechanics of film,
the language,
232
00:21:43,780 --> 00:21:45,608
that is what matters.
233
00:21:45,652 --> 00:21:48,176
Your work, so far,
has been experimental.
234
00:21:48,219 --> 00:21:50,744
You eschew
conventional narrative.
235
00:21:50,787 --> 00:21:52,659
Narrative is dead.
236
00:21:52,702 --> 00:21:55,575
Hollywood is shit.
237
00:21:55,618 --> 00:21:57,794
Film, it's not
entertainment.
238
00:22:51,631 --> 00:22:54,285
Bonjour, Monsieur Sweetman.
This is your wake-up call.
239
00:22:57,027 --> 00:22:58,159
Oh, fuck.
240
00:23:08,125 --> 00:23:11,607
So, you're on the hunt
again, Kirby?
Yeah, but this is different.
241
00:23:11,651 --> 00:23:14,044
I'm looking for something
that may not even
exist anymore.
242
00:23:14,088 --> 00:23:16,699
You chose an inopportune time,
I'm afraid.
243
00:23:16,743 --> 00:23:20,921
We are reorganizing
the archives. Everything's
in boxes, as you can see.
244
00:23:20,964 --> 00:23:23,924
But if you give me the title--
La Fin Absolue du Monde.
245
00:23:29,233 --> 00:23:31,714
Maybe I need to brush up
on my French, but did you
just call me a name?
246
00:23:31,758 --> 00:23:33,890
Who asked you to do this?
A private collector.
247
00:23:33,934 --> 00:23:36,893
Then he's the fool.
Don't help him.
I may not have a choice.
248
00:23:36,937 --> 00:23:39,940
I'm up to my neck in debt.
This one job could turn
everything around.
249
00:23:39,983 --> 00:23:43,030
Don't do it for
the money, Kirby.
It's not worth it.
250
00:23:43,073 --> 00:23:46,076
This guy came to me
because he heard
I could find anything.
251
00:23:46,120 --> 00:23:48,165
I'd kind of like
to prove him right.
252
00:23:48,209 --> 00:23:50,429
Besides, I'd like to see
the film.
253
00:23:50,472 --> 00:23:55,651
How much do you know about
La Fin Absolue du Monde
and Hans Backovic?
254
00:23:55,695 --> 00:23:58,567
Not enough. I talked
to A.K. Meyers about it.
255
00:23:58,611 --> 00:24:02,528
Nice choice.
Most people start with Sitges
and try to track it that way.
256
00:24:02,571 --> 00:24:05,095
Most people?
257
00:24:05,139 --> 00:24:08,882
You don't think you're
the first to look
for this film, do you?
258
00:24:08,925 --> 00:24:11,885
If you know so much about it,
why don't you try to help me
find it?
259
00:24:11,928 --> 00:24:16,542
You can use my assistant's
office next door.
But it's not in there.
260
00:24:16,585 --> 00:24:19,066
You have to earn this movie.
261
00:24:47,790 --> 00:24:50,619
What do you know about
Patton League?
The cinematographer?
262
00:24:50,663 --> 00:24:52,621
Yeah. You think
he can help me?
263
00:24:52,665 --> 00:24:55,798
A tragic story, that.
He went blind after
they made the movie.
264
00:24:55,842 --> 00:24:59,628
As I understand, he won't
even speak Backovic's name.
265
00:24:59,672 --> 00:25:03,153
The last person to ask him
about La Fin Absolue du Monde
266
00:25:03,197 --> 00:25:07,070
needed six stitches
from where League smacked him
with his cane.
267
00:25:07,114 --> 00:25:09,290
What's with all the mystery?
268
00:25:09,333 --> 00:25:12,902
There's a wall of silence
around this film,
around Backovic's whole life!
269
00:25:12,946 --> 00:25:16,253
If I could just talk to him
for a secon--
He's dead.
270
00:25:16,297 --> 00:25:18,255
There's no records
that he's dead.
Trust me.
271
00:25:18,299 --> 00:25:20,562
Backovic is quite dead.
272
00:25:20,606 --> 00:25:22,956
Who told you that?
His family? His friends?
273
00:25:22,999 --> 00:25:24,566
Anybody maybe you could
introduce me to?
274
00:25:24,610 --> 00:25:26,133
I'm sorry,
I can tell you no more.
275
00:26:28,891 --> 00:26:30,240
Henri.
276
00:26:30,284 --> 00:26:33,287
You disappoint me.
You should not be here.
277
00:26:33,330 --> 00:26:37,117
I thought we were friends.
But you know more
than you're telling me.
278
00:26:37,160 --> 00:26:40,120
That film that you're holding--
that's one of Backovic's
short films, isn't it?
279
00:26:40,163 --> 00:26:43,558
You do not understand.
I don't understand anything
that's happening to me.
280
00:26:43,602 --> 00:26:45,865
Last night I saw something I--
A circle?
281
00:26:45,908 --> 00:26:48,215
Huh? Like the reel change
in a movie?
282
00:26:50,347 --> 00:26:51,000
Yeah.
283
00:26:52,785 --> 00:26:54,090
Then it's started.
284
00:26:54,134 --> 00:26:56,179
You're already in it.
285
00:26:56,223 --> 00:26:57,659
It's only going to
get worse from here.
286
00:26:57,703 --> 00:27:00,575
What's started?
What's happening to me?
287
00:27:00,619 --> 00:27:03,578
The more you look
for this film, the more
you will see those burns.
288
00:27:03,622 --> 00:27:06,842
You'll pay for every step
closer you'll take.
289
00:27:06,886 --> 00:27:08,278
I'm trying
to do you a favor.
290
00:27:08,322 --> 00:27:10,672
I'm telling you to walk away
because I like you, Kirby.
291
00:27:10,716 --> 00:27:14,981
I've been where you are
right now. I've felt
that same building curiosity,
292
00:27:15,024 --> 00:27:17,505
like an unscratchable itch.
293
00:27:17,548 --> 00:27:20,377
I had to know.
294
00:27:20,421 --> 00:27:22,031
I had to see it.
295
00:27:26,079 --> 00:27:29,125
I was the projectionist
at a private screening
in 1988.
296
00:27:30,866 --> 00:27:33,129
The faces in that room--
297
00:27:33,173 --> 00:27:36,089
Famous, beautiful people
from all over Europe.
298
00:27:37,699 --> 00:27:39,875
When I threaded the film
into the projector,
299
00:27:39,919 --> 00:27:42,878
I saw those same dots
you described.
300
00:27:42,922 --> 00:27:45,185
And when I actually
started it running...
301
00:27:46,795 --> 00:27:49,755
I lost my nerve,
I looked away.
302
00:27:52,235 --> 00:27:55,456
It was playing right there,
right in front of me,
303
00:27:55,499 --> 00:27:58,502
and I was too frightened
to watch.
304
00:28:01,636 --> 00:28:06,075
When the screaming started
and the smell of blood hit me,
305
00:28:06,119 --> 00:28:08,730
I tried to stop the film.
306
00:28:08,774 --> 00:28:12,516
The projector wouldn't
shut off and I grabbed
the film to rip it out
307
00:28:12,560 --> 00:28:14,780
and then I saw
those same circles.
308
00:28:14,823 --> 00:28:17,783
And... I don't know.
309
00:28:18,827 --> 00:28:20,699
I must have blacked out.
310
00:28:20,742 --> 00:28:23,005
Time seemed to drop away.
311
00:28:25,921 --> 00:28:30,665
When I came to, the film
was over and my hand... Look,
312
00:28:30,709 --> 00:28:34,843
I appreciate you trying
to protect me, I really do.
But I need this.
313
00:28:34,887 --> 00:28:38,499
I won't watch the film,
and I won't play it
at my theater.
314
00:28:38,542 --> 00:28:40,240
I'll give it to this collector
and I'll walk away.
315
00:28:48,378 --> 00:28:51,642
If I were you,
I would not call this number.
316
00:28:51,686 --> 00:28:54,907
This man has
an excellent collection,
but he's dangerous.
317
00:28:54,950 --> 00:28:56,256
Does he have the film?
318
00:28:56,299 --> 00:28:58,562
No.
319
00:28:58,606 --> 00:29:03,089
But he does have items
given to him by
the Backovic estate.
320
00:29:03,132 --> 00:29:04,830
God knows why.
321
00:29:04,873 --> 00:29:07,876
He can get in touch
with them for you.
322
00:30:31,830 --> 00:30:36,486
It's not for me.
It's for a client.
323
00:30:36,530 --> 00:30:39,446
But you're curious,
aren't you?
324
00:30:39,489 --> 00:30:42,797
If Henri sent you to me,
then you've had
your first glimpses.
325
00:30:42,841 --> 00:30:46,670
Glimpses?
Glimpses of what?
326
00:30:47,933 --> 00:30:50,544
It's different
for everyone.
327
00:30:50,587 --> 00:30:52,981
What you see isn't
the important part.
328
00:30:53,025 --> 00:30:55,244
It's the way you change.
329
00:30:55,288 --> 00:30:57,856
It's what the film
does to you that matters.
330
00:30:57,899 --> 00:31:00,946
Have you seen the film?
No.
331
00:31:02,643 --> 00:31:05,080
Would you if you got
the chance?
332
00:31:05,124 --> 00:31:06,125
Of course.
333
00:31:08,649 --> 00:31:11,086
Is it true that you
keep in contact
with the Backovic estate?
334
00:31:12,653 --> 00:31:15,786
I've got a number
I've called a few times.
335
00:31:15,830 --> 00:31:18,964
I've managed to pry
a few items loose.
336
00:31:19,007 --> 00:31:22,489
Backovic's widow can be
difficult to deal with.
337
00:31:24,883 --> 00:31:26,580
I admire a man
like Backovic--
338
00:31:26,623 --> 00:31:30,236
unafraid to transgress,
339
00:31:30,279 --> 00:31:33,630
in life and in art.
340
00:31:34,805 --> 00:31:36,068
You see,
341
00:31:36,111 --> 00:31:39,245
I've always wanted
to make my own films.
342
00:31:41,595 --> 00:31:43,510
But I detest the falseness
of Hollywood.
343
00:31:45,599 --> 00:31:48,732
I would rather die
than make something false.
344
00:31:48,776 --> 00:31:50,299
Don't you agree?
345
00:31:52,693 --> 00:31:54,477
Yeah. Sure.
346
00:32:31,601 --> 00:32:33,995
Don't leave, Mr. Sweetman.
347
00:32:34,039 --> 00:32:36,041
There's so much more
for us to talk about.
348
00:32:38,260 --> 00:32:41,046
What is it that
you Americans say, huh?
349
00:32:41,089 --> 00:32:43,178
"Relax."
350
00:32:43,222 --> 00:32:45,006
"Chill out."
351
00:32:58,715 --> 00:33:02,763
The blade of a splicing table
can be used to create a lie
352
00:33:02,806 --> 00:33:06,549
or to tell the truth.
353
00:33:06,593 --> 00:33:10,075
It all depends
whose hand it's in.
354
00:33:10,118 --> 00:33:13,426
This may be larger than
an actual splicing blade,
355
00:33:13,469 --> 00:33:15,776
but you get the point.
356
00:33:24,654 --> 00:33:26,395
I believe in truth.
357
00:33:40,496 --> 00:33:41,671
One take.
358
00:33:41,715 --> 00:33:45,153
One uninterrupted shot.
359
00:33:45,197 --> 00:33:47,025
The only cut
was to her.
360
00:33:51,725 --> 00:33:54,945
I turned her into art.
361
00:33:54,989 --> 00:33:59,254
Something happens when
you point the camera
at something terrible.
362
00:33:59,298 --> 00:34:02,214
The resulting film
takes on power.
363
00:34:05,521 --> 00:34:08,394
No, it doesn't!
Cinema isn't powerful.
364
00:34:08,437 --> 00:34:11,571
It doesn't reveal
some hidden truth.
It's just fuckin' murder!
365
00:34:17,272 --> 00:34:20,275
You're not listening to me,
my friend.
366
00:34:20,319 --> 00:34:23,017
You come all this way,
367
00:34:23,061 --> 00:34:25,846
then you don't listen.
368
00:34:25,889 --> 00:34:29,154
You want to understand why
La Fin Absolue du Monde
369
00:34:29,197 --> 00:34:30,894
tore through the audiences.
370
00:34:32,896 --> 00:34:35,290
Backovic was
an exceptional editor.
371
00:34:35,334 --> 00:34:39,642
He understood the value
of a cut.
372
00:34:39,686 --> 00:34:42,819
But there was more to it.
373
00:34:42,863 --> 00:34:47,433
They say the movie
works subliminally
as you're watching.
374
00:34:47,476 --> 00:34:51,959
But the thing that made
the film a weapon?
375
00:34:52,002 --> 00:34:54,440
Blood.
376
00:34:54,483 --> 00:34:56,746
Spilt blood.
377
00:34:59,227 --> 00:35:03,275
What if you got hold
of an angel,
378
00:35:03,318 --> 00:35:05,886
a divine being
with the blood of God
379
00:35:05,929 --> 00:35:08,280
flowing through its veins?
380
00:35:08,323 --> 00:35:12,458
And what if you
sacrificed it... on camera?
381
00:35:15,896 --> 00:35:17,811
Something that profound,
382
00:35:17,854 --> 00:35:19,682
that personal--
383
00:35:19,726 --> 00:35:23,773
it changes everyone
who was part of putting
it on film
384
00:35:23,817 --> 00:35:25,558
and everyone who sees it.
385
00:35:25,601 --> 00:35:28,735
The closer you get
to the film,
386
00:35:28,778 --> 00:35:31,868
the more you'll be changed too.
387
00:35:31,912 --> 00:35:34,958
This was Backovic's secret.
388
00:35:36,525 --> 00:35:39,485
"Film is magic," he said.
389
00:35:39,528 --> 00:35:41,051
And he was right.
390
00:35:42,923 --> 00:35:44,620
What is it you see?
391
00:35:46,883 --> 00:35:49,756
Who is it who haunts you?
392
00:35:49,799 --> 00:35:52,846
Will they be waiting for
you on the other side?
393
00:36:08,862 --> 00:36:11,430
Fuck you.
394
00:36:11,473 --> 00:36:14,781
Fuck me? Fuck me?
Huh?
395
00:36:14,824 --> 00:36:15,999
Fuck you, psycho!
396
00:36:16,043 --> 00:36:19,351
Tell me where
the film is.
397
00:36:19,394 --> 00:36:22,092
Tell me who to talk to!
No!
398
00:36:22,136 --> 00:36:23,268
You have the film?
399
00:36:23,311 --> 00:36:26,096
Katja!
400
00:36:57,998 --> 00:37:01,958
Ah, bonjour. Can you connect me
to Air France, si vous plais?
401
00:37:21,848 --> 00:37:24,677
Yes?
Miss Backovic, can I speak
to you for a minute?
402
00:37:24,720 --> 00:37:26,679
I've come a long way.
403
00:37:46,742 --> 00:37:48,657
Are you my sweet man, Kirby?
404
00:37:50,920 --> 00:37:53,662
Will you take care
of me always?
405
00:38:00,626 --> 00:38:01,888
You're not real.
406
00:38:29,655 --> 00:38:33,180
You saw something that
upset you. In the elevator?
407
00:38:33,223 --> 00:38:36,009
You could say that.
Yet now you are here.
408
00:38:36,052 --> 00:38:40,013
You must want this very badly.
You're the first one to ever
make it this far.
409
00:38:40,056 --> 00:38:44,060
I didn't expect you
to be here. I thought you'd
be in Europe somewhere.
410
00:38:44,104 --> 00:38:47,150
This is still very much his
house. He's in every room.
411
00:38:47,194 --> 00:38:51,633
Hans moved us here because
he thought it would become
a place to make films
412
00:38:51,677 --> 00:38:54,375
more affordably
than Hollywood could.
413
00:38:54,419 --> 00:38:56,029
Twenty years later,
he's right.
414
00:38:56,072 --> 00:38:58,727
I have so many questions.
415
00:38:58,771 --> 00:39:02,340
I'm not sure I have
the answers you're
looking for.
416
00:39:02,383 --> 00:39:05,168
But we'll see.
417
00:39:05,212 --> 00:39:07,910
Do you have a print of
La Fin Absolue du Monde?
418
00:39:07,954 --> 00:39:10,217
That's not what
you want to know.
419
00:39:10,260 --> 00:39:13,481
You want to know if
the stories about
the film are true.
420
00:39:13,525 --> 00:39:14,656
Are they?
421
00:39:16,266 --> 00:39:18,486
Yes. Unfortunately.
422
00:39:20,358 --> 00:39:23,273
Why are you looking
for the film?
I'm being paid to.
423
00:39:23,317 --> 00:39:25,406
That is just an excuse.
424
00:39:25,450 --> 00:39:27,713
If someone paid you
to kill a man, would you?
425
00:39:27,756 --> 00:39:30,019
No, of course not.
426
00:39:30,063 --> 00:39:32,239
But you have been warned
about this.
427
00:39:32,282 --> 00:39:35,416
La Fin Absolue du Monde
is no ordinary film.
428
00:39:35,460 --> 00:39:39,464
That's what everyone keeps
telling me, like I'm going
to back off or something.
429
00:39:39,507 --> 00:39:42,423
I don't want to see an ordinary
film. I want to see
something extraordinary.
430
00:39:44,686 --> 00:39:47,820
You sound exactly like Hans.
431
00:39:47,863 --> 00:39:51,998
He would do anything
to make his films stand out.
432
00:39:52,041 --> 00:39:55,828
Who produced the film?
You're very direct.
433
00:39:55,871 --> 00:39:57,133
I just wanna hear
somebody say it.
434
00:39:59,005 --> 00:40:02,835
I asked Hans
the same question, many times.
435
00:40:02,878 --> 00:40:06,491
"The producers of this film
produce many other things:
436
00:40:06,534 --> 00:40:09,624
chaos, sorrow,
suffering, famine."
437
00:40:12,018 --> 00:40:13,715
What does that mean?
The devil?
438
00:40:13,759 --> 00:40:16,283
Hans never put a name on it.
439
00:40:16,326 --> 00:40:20,418
"Evil is evil," he would say.
"Does a name really matter?"
440
00:40:23,464 --> 00:40:24,770
Come with me.
441
00:40:24,813 --> 00:40:27,773
I have something to show you.
442
00:40:42,875 --> 00:40:44,529
This is nice.
443
00:40:44,572 --> 00:40:48,576
He kept it all
state of the art
until the year he died.
444
00:40:48,620 --> 00:40:51,536
How did he die? There was
no official obituary.
445
00:40:55,453 --> 00:40:57,977
Hans...
446
00:40:58,020 --> 00:41:01,023
became obsessed with
La Fin Absolue du Monde.
447
00:41:01,067 --> 00:41:03,591
During the last year
of his life,
448
00:41:03,635 --> 00:41:05,854
all he did was watch it,
449
00:41:05,898 --> 00:41:06,986
like a punishment.
450
00:41:09,423 --> 00:41:11,947
In the end,
he got too close to the fire.
451
00:41:11,991 --> 00:41:16,082
The film was too effective.
452
00:41:17,475 --> 00:41:21,522
It, um-- It got inside him.
453
00:41:21,566 --> 00:41:23,306
It made him crazy.
454
00:41:26,832 --> 00:41:30,879
He stopped by the kitchen
on the way to find me...
455
00:41:30,923 --> 00:41:33,055
in the bedroom.
456
00:41:33,099 --> 00:41:34,535
He meant to kill us both.
457
00:41:36,102 --> 00:41:39,758
But when he cut my throat...
458
00:41:39,801 --> 00:41:41,237
he only disfigured me.
459
00:41:41,281 --> 00:41:43,849
When he cut his own throat...
460
00:41:45,590 --> 00:41:46,895
he died.
461
00:41:48,244 --> 00:41:50,029
I'm not sure I got
the better deal.
462
00:41:51,552 --> 00:41:56,252
I was left to take care of
La Fin Absolue du Monde.
463
00:41:56,296 --> 00:42:00,039
I hate that film.
And I understand its power.
464
00:42:00,082 --> 00:42:02,563
I wish it had never
been made.
465
00:42:04,913 --> 00:42:08,134
Do you understand
what that's like, Kirby?
466
00:42:08,177 --> 00:42:10,266
Wanting to do penance
for something
467
00:42:10,310 --> 00:42:13,052
but knowing
it's too late.
468
00:42:18,536 --> 00:42:20,320
Yeah.
469
00:42:20,363 --> 00:42:21,930
I do.
470
00:42:21,974 --> 00:42:26,239
People said terrible things
about Hans.
471
00:42:26,282 --> 00:42:30,678
Some people said
he deserved his death.
472
00:42:30,722 --> 00:42:33,159
Maybe he did.
473
00:42:33,202 --> 00:42:35,770
But I miss him... terribly.
474
00:42:37,903 --> 00:42:41,646
Miss Backovic--
Oh. Katja.
475
00:42:41,689 --> 00:42:44,605
Katja, um...
476
00:42:44,649 --> 00:42:45,911
can I watch
the film?
477
00:42:53,745 --> 00:42:55,398
I put it here.
478
00:42:57,009 --> 00:42:59,577
I hate even having it
in the house.
479
00:43:01,927 --> 00:43:05,365
Ever since I've been tracking
this, I've been seeing flashes.
480
00:43:05,408 --> 00:43:09,717
Circles with images
inside of them.
The cigarette burns?
481
00:43:09,761 --> 00:43:12,720
Yeah. And every time
I see them, something--
482
00:43:12,764 --> 00:43:15,114
Terrible things happen.
When did they start?
483
00:43:16,681 --> 00:43:19,422
I heard a tape
of an interview with Hans.
484
00:43:19,466 --> 00:43:21,686
Ever since I heard his voice--
You were marked.
485
00:43:23,949 --> 00:43:27,822
That's how potent
La Fin Absolue du Monde is.
486
00:43:27,866 --> 00:43:30,520
It doesn't just affect you
when you're watching it.
487
00:43:30,564 --> 00:43:32,914
As soon as you start
getting close to it,
488
00:43:32,958 --> 00:43:35,351
it rubs off on you,
489
00:43:35,395 --> 00:43:38,398
like you're stepping
into quicksand.
490
00:43:38,441 --> 00:43:40,705
So go ahead,
take the film.
491
00:43:42,358 --> 00:43:43,621
It's already too late.
492
00:44:35,673 --> 00:44:37,675
I can feel it.
493
00:44:42,984 --> 00:44:44,943
It's worth every penny.
494
00:47:03,037 --> 00:47:03,951
Fuck!
495
00:47:09,000 --> 00:47:11,611
Timpson, yeah,
I just got back.
496
00:47:11,654 --> 00:47:14,701
I'm standing in front
of the theater right now.
Where the fuck are you?
497
00:47:14,744 --> 00:47:17,922
You were here? When
did he come back and
put the chains on?
498
00:47:17,965 --> 00:47:19,662
He said I had two weeks.
499
00:47:19,706 --> 00:47:22,709
All right, all right.
Relax, relax.
I've got the money.
500
00:47:22,752 --> 00:47:26,365
We'll be back
in business by tomorrow.
I'll take care of it.
501
00:47:26,408 --> 00:47:29,020
Yeah, I'm fuckin' pissed!
502
00:47:29,063 --> 00:47:31,631
No, man, I'm not
pissed at you.
All right. Bye.
503
00:47:36,505 --> 00:47:38,856
Hello?
504
00:47:38,899 --> 00:47:41,032
Bellinger?
505
00:47:41,075 --> 00:47:43,730
Yeah, but wai-wai-wait.
What happened?
506
00:47:43,773 --> 00:47:45,079
All right.
I'm coming right now.
507
00:48:15,457 --> 00:48:17,503
Mr. Bellinger!
Mr. Bellinger!
508
00:48:19,635 --> 00:48:23,988
Mr. Bellinger called me.
You brought the film
to this house!
509
00:48:24,031 --> 00:48:25,815
Look, I don't want
any trouble, all right?
510
00:48:25,859 --> 00:48:28,253
But you brought trouble
to this house, didn't you?
511
00:48:29,819 --> 00:48:31,125
And now you're back.
512
00:48:31,169 --> 00:48:32,300
Hell...
513
00:48:33,780 --> 00:48:37,958
I know what you want.
You want to see the movie.
514
00:48:38,002 --> 00:48:40,787
No, I don't.
Yes, you do.
515
00:48:40,830 --> 00:48:43,746
I hope you get
what you want,
516
00:48:43,790 --> 00:48:46,053
what you deserve!
517
00:49:36,756 --> 00:49:39,541
Bellinger?
518
00:49:44,285 --> 00:49:47,375
You missed the good part.
What's going on?
519
00:49:50,378 --> 00:49:54,469
Oh, nothing.
And everything is all right.
520
00:49:55,949 --> 00:49:58,038
You sure? Maybe I should
call a doctor.
521
00:50:00,475 --> 00:50:02,738
I have done terrible things
in my life.
522
00:50:05,828 --> 00:50:08,266
You don't make as much money
as I have...
523
00:50:10,790 --> 00:50:12,313
without burying a few bodies.
524
00:50:15,795 --> 00:50:18,015
You only can sleep at night...
525
00:50:19,755 --> 00:50:21,453
if they stay buried.
526
00:50:22,889 --> 00:50:24,369
They never do.
527
00:50:25,979 --> 00:50:27,459
You watched
La Fin Absolue du Monde?
528
00:50:27,502 --> 00:50:29,983
Yeah.
529
00:50:30,027 --> 00:50:33,987
I highly recommend it.
530
00:50:34,031 --> 00:50:37,034
It's... not a movie, however.
531
00:50:39,036 --> 00:50:41,603
It's a preview.
532
00:50:41,647 --> 00:50:45,999
It's the coming attractions
of the soul.
533
00:50:48,610 --> 00:50:49,524
In my case...
534
00:50:51,483 --> 00:50:55,095
a hell of an ending.
535
00:50:56,836 --> 00:50:59,839
You said on the phone
you needed help.
536
00:50:59,882 --> 00:51:02,189
I was going to ask you
537
00:51:02,233 --> 00:51:05,932
to find another movie
for me.
538
00:51:05,975 --> 00:51:09,022
After all, you did
a good job with this one.
539
00:51:11,590 --> 00:51:13,070
I don't need it anymore.
540
00:51:14,897 --> 00:51:18,466
I have been... inspired.
541
00:51:20,555 --> 00:51:24,124
I made my own movie.
542
00:52:07,080 --> 00:52:09,387
Jesus, Walter,
what are you doing?
What's going on here?
543
00:52:09,430 --> 00:52:13,086
What filthy fucking thing--
What is this?
544
00:52:13,130 --> 00:52:15,349
We don't wanna be here now!
You're right.
545
00:52:15,393 --> 00:52:18,831
Lately I've been spending
a lot of time doing things
I never would have expected.
546
00:52:18,874 --> 00:52:23,096
Like sitting outside your
theater for days at a time,
with a loaded gun
547
00:52:23,140 --> 00:52:27,187
or letting my business go
to hell while I figure out
ways to ruin your life.
548
00:52:27,231 --> 00:52:29,711
I didn't want
to throw my life away.
549
00:52:29,755 --> 00:52:33,628
But now, if you get
shot here,
550
00:52:33,672 --> 00:52:36,327
what's it matter,
who's going to notice?
551
00:52:36,370 --> 00:52:41,245
Just one more freak
on a stack of bodies tomorrow.
552
00:52:41,288 --> 00:52:43,682
Hey!
553
00:53:13,146 --> 00:53:15,366
No.
554
00:54:37,274 --> 00:54:39,624
Annie, baby!
Daddy?
555
00:54:41,190 --> 00:54:44,237
Hush, hush.
Daddy's here.
556
00:54:44,281 --> 00:54:46,500
Things'll be fine.
Everything's gonna be fine.
557
00:54:46,544 --> 00:54:48,676
Daddy?
I'm right here.
I'm right here.
558
00:54:50,678 --> 00:54:52,941
I'm so cold.
559
00:54:52,985 --> 00:54:55,553
Everything's fine.
560
00:54:55,596 --> 00:54:56,989
I'll get you out of here.
561
00:54:58,556 --> 00:55:01,080
Daddy?
562
00:55:01,123 --> 00:55:03,430
I'm sorry, honey.
563
00:55:03,474 --> 00:55:05,911
Everything will be
okay now, okay?
564
00:55:05,954 --> 00:55:08,740
I'm-- I'm hungry.
565
00:55:25,409 --> 00:55:28,107
I see now.
I understand.
566
00:55:29,500 --> 00:55:31,328
Annie?
567
00:55:31,371 --> 00:55:33,982
What's happening?
She was just here!
568
00:55:34,026 --> 00:55:37,334
Of course she was,
'cause you won't let her go.
569
00:55:37,377 --> 00:55:39,510
I loved her.
570
00:55:39,553 --> 00:55:42,643
I loved her too!
But I see now,
571
00:55:42,687 --> 00:55:45,080
since we can't
both let her go,
572
00:55:45,124 --> 00:55:47,300
it's like we're killing her
over and over again.
573
00:55:47,344 --> 00:55:50,303
And we'll never let her go.
574
00:55:50,347 --> 00:55:53,393
Not until we're both dead.
575
00:55:58,703 --> 00:56:02,141
Here's your fucking money.
576
00:56:21,726 --> 00:56:24,598
I love you. I'm sorry.
577
00:57:00,504 --> 00:57:03,594
Thank you... for this.
578
00:57:15,519 --> 00:57:17,912
Closed-Captioned By
J.R. Media Services, Inc.
Burbank, CA