Original subtitles

IRIS IN BLOOM

Look...

Something's written on the glass.

Oh yeah.

Do you see many movies?

Some.

What kind?

Comedy? Action? Horror?

She likes porn.

Are you inseparable?

She's my other half.

I'm in good company tonight.

I was junior foil champion in France.

What's foil?

Fencing.

Right.

We can go to my place if you like.

I'm sick of his fake innocence. I'm going home.

So that's it?

Saint Iris is going home?

This place sucks.

Come on. Don't you want to live life?

You don't want to die stupid.

Or in some stupid guy's bed.

For all we know he could be a psychopath.

Afraid he'll whip out his little sword?

Here, let me.

Don't move.

- What're you drinking? - No idea.

You remind me of someone famous.

An actress or a singer.

Scarlett Johansson?

Whoever it is, you're perfect.

Really perfect.

- Does that tickle? - Your hands are cold.

Better?

I feel like dancing.

You're so beautiful.

Get lost.

I gave it back.

Isaid I gave it back!

Turn out the light.

Relax.

"I gave it back"... whatever.

Not sleeping?

I took a pill but it did nothing.

Poor daddy.

May I ask what he's doing here?

I'm helping him out.

I don't see why you help that guy.

- He disgusts me. - Stop it, Iris.

Seriously, he disgusts me.

I don't care for the selfishness you've been displaying.

You never used to be this way.

I don't care for this discussion.

- It's a broken record. - What'd you do tonight?

Nothing special.

You can talk to me.

You want to hear about my nightlife?

Why not.

Feel free.

You're nuts.

This isn'ta hotel.

- Sir, are you really leaving us? - In a sense, I'm through too.

- Did we burn you out? - Alittle.

Not too much.

"Victor Hugo says,

"The grass must grow and children die.'

"I say the cruel law of art is that beings die,

"we must die after exhausting all suffering,

"so that the grass,

"not of oblivion but of eternal life,

"may grow, fertilized by works

"upon which future generations will gaily picnic

"without a care for those who sleep beneath it."

TI got your message.

Forget it. Ishouldn't have sent it.

Why, didn't you mean it?

I can tell you don't want to.

I didn't say that.

You didn't say you did either.

Let me think about it.

Alexandre?

Come here a minute.

T want you to meet someone.

- Where are you from? - Wuppertal.

- What's that? - A small town in Germany.

- It blows. - What do you do?

I drink vodka, see?

- Nothing better to do? - What do you mean?

- And you go along with it. - What do you expect?

You're a drag, you don't even realize.

- Coming? - like it here.

I'm sure you do.

You burnt my hair.

What's that guy's name again?

- I don't know who you mean. - Yes you do.

What's with you?

- You mean Hector? - Thanks, Isabelle.

Of course, Hector.

- What about him? - He was Brazilian.

- Need help? - If you don't mind.

First chicken dinner?

Tris, don't be a wise ass.

Gotta start somewhere.

- Are you from around here? - Yes.

I mean no, I'm not from around here.

Do you like it?

Yes.

It's sunny.

It died

The sunshine died

When you left me behind

Summertime died

Love and sunshine are no longer mine

Got plans for next year, Isabelle?

Thanks.

I'm moving to Paris.

I gotan offer there.

Where will you stay?

With Philippe.

He's got a place in Montmartre.

Who's Philippe?

You're full of shit.

Maybe.

It takes money to live in Paris.

You don't even speak English.

You lack ambition.

You're gonna rot in this hole.

Get married in this hole.

Who do you think you are?

It'll be with Alexandre.

You're insane.

You can have him. He's not my type.

He took me to the top floor of a modern building.

We sat on the couch.

He asked if I wanted to watch a film.

He turned it on. I felt dizzy.

I went to the bathroom.

When I came back, he'd put on music. We danced.

I clung to him to take my shoes off.

He said I could go, I was free...

but that he thought I was cute.

What'd you do, stay?

He also told me

he felt like a prisoner of his job,

that it wasn't easy for him.

He couldn't get girls anymore,

he had to go on internet.

He'd never had that problem before.

He was making my head spin.

I was hot, so I took off my sweater.

My head was still stuck in it

when I felt him kiss my stomach

and unbutton my jeans.

He was on his knees.

It seemed like he was praying.

Know what I mean?

Yeah.

I closed my eyes.

The music kept playing.

I laid on the floor:

He laid on top of me, like a shroud.

Not sleeping?

Yeah I am.

I was waiting for you to wake me up.

I know the way out.

Bye.

I don't know what I think. I don't want to lie.

Ihave a favor to ask, you don't have to accept.

I don't want to go home, I want to stay with you.

It doesn't mean we're together.

What do you want me to say?

Yes or no.

I can't say no to you.

Homework coming along?

Not really.

Tris might move in with us for a while.

Any coffee left?

I'll do it.

I need help at work tomorrow.

Are you free?

Not really.

Make an effort.

No, I'm really not into it.

Miss, would you mind helping me?

Why not.

Go down the aisle and throw out any trash

you find on the seats,

in the bins, on the luggage racks...

Check under the seats.

Put the elbow rests down, they all need to be down.

Move at a brisk pace.

Make sure all the bins are empty.

When your bag is full, seal it and set it outside.

Got it?

Finish this car, I'll do the one behind.

Excuse me...

Are you from around here?

I'm looking for the town center.

Me too.

If you show me, I'll drop you off.

I don't even know where we are on this map.

We're here.

What's ZAC mean?

I don't know.

The Z stands for zone.

Sorry.

No worries, my car's a trash can.

Where should I put it?

Anywhere.

The glove compartment.

First ime I've seen gloves in a glove compartment.

It's a well-organized trash can.

Want some?

Sure, thanks.

What are these?

Photos from a film.

What do you do?

I'm an artist.

- Are you famous? - Kind of.

Are you a painter?

No.

Sculptor?

No.

Next you ask, "Do you make a living?"

1 was also wondering...

Do you make a living?

What are you doing?

Stopping for gas.

The sandwiches look good.

Seriously?

What do you take pictures of?

Places.

Roads, dockyards...

or places like this.

Do you like it?

They say such places

are just transitory, they have no soul.

I disagree.

You never photograph people?

Almost never.

I'm tired, I worked all day.

What do you do?

Kind of like you.

I work in a transitory place.

Do you like it?

It's temporary.

What's next?

Next?

I don't know.

Tenvy you.

It's scary though.

Yeah, it's hard.

Knowing what to do. Eternal question.

It's impossible for me to imagine my future life.

It feels like science fiction.

Why?

Do you think youth is a privilege?

Seems like old age is a privilege. Not everyone grows old.

Though it doesn't really interest anyone.

Do you feel privileged?

That's the kind of question where you should say no.

Even if you think the opposite.

I often say the opposite of what I'm thinking too.

Like what?

Ask me a question.

Can we be friends?

No.

Tris is really beautiful.

You're lucky.

I say that because you don't seem to realize.

Tell me, since you know everything...

Can you explain this saying,

"Woman is the future of man."

It's a bit obscure.

I don't think it means anything.

Wait, let's apply deductive reasoning.

- What is man's past? - The ape.

Exactly.

So man today, in all logic, is stuck between ape and woman.

We're an evolutionary compromise, destined for extinction.

One day there will be only women.

What are you talking about?

Our future.

You make a pretty girl.

What's on your mind?

Nothing, I'm floating.

- Floating? - Yeah.

Floating where?

I don't know.

Over there.

I've thought it over.

I'm not sure you should be here.

Want me to be homeless?

Don't be so dramatic, you're not homeless.

Don't worry, it won't be forever.

That's not what I mean.

It's too weird.

There's no rhyme or reason.

You're here but we're not together.

I don't know what you want.

I let you come because I thought we'd get closer.

It's totally absurd.

I was right.

You make a convincing girl.

This town makes me sluggish.

In Paris people buffet you on all sides,

propelling you forward.

I'm ready.

So Isee.

What are you doing?

I feel like canceling.

It's a bit late.

It's never too late, make that your motto.

They made such an effort.

We're leaving in a week.

I don't feel like going out.

They admire you so much.

- Why do you say that? - They told me.

And they put you in this nice flat.

The idea of going to their stupid, pseudo-chic restaurant...

I don't give a shit about shaking the owner's hand.

Whatever.

I neglected the press.

What are you on about?

I let myself

succumb to prejudice about media exposure.

- Is this a good time to discuss it? - A perfect time.

At least you're creating something.

Nobody's stopping you.

Not me, anyway.

But we're on your schedule, forcing a choice.

Between what and what?

Your work and whatever I might do.

There's room for two. You always say you're adaptable.

Ispend my time following you around,

playing assistant.

I thought you enjoyed traveling, using your litte dictionaries.

Yeah, but I'm not the one they invite.

Doesn't mean you can't take advantage.

Did you think about me?

Absolutely not.

What brought you here?

Someone loaned me a flat for a while.

To work. Makes a change from Paris.

You find it exotic.

In a sense, though I'm not seeking exoticism.

- What are you seeking? - A form of ennui.

I know it sounds bizarre,

but sometimes I need

to isolate myself in an unwelcoming environment.

Ineed to...

feel unsettled.

Sometimes I get really close to feeling I can't do it.

A negative impulse, emanating from the void.

The void, that old enemy I humor

till the last minute, letting him think he'll win.

So I came here looking for my old enemy.

But that's not who I found.

I think I'l take a bath.

Always escaping to hot water.

To life.

Without life, no death. Without death, no life.

We brought you some shellfish.

- What are they? - Abalone.

We bought them from our neighbor.

Do you eat them raw?

No, you pan fry them, like steaks.

They should go in the kitchen.

I'll cook them for us.

We've got enough food.

I'm sure you do.

But these are hard to find.

They're long to prepare, but delicious.

They're very rare.

Truth be told, it's illegal to harvest them.

Who wants to help me? Alexandre?

I understand my husband hired you?

That's nice.

You must be happy.

It's ok.

But I won't last five days.

She's right, it's not very exciting.

It was nice of her to accept.

So, do you have a family?

Yes.

They're in a trailer just down the road.

Waiting for your ok to move in.

You have to pound them, otherwise they're too tough.

They're pure muscle.

Look at this mess!

You'll see, they're delicious.

Have you got a skillet?

Come back when you're done.

Your girlfriend seems lost.

I'm fed up.

You smell like wine.

I've been drinking for hours.

Be patient.

You don't give me any hope.

Give me a decision by next week or you'll have to go.

What's this film about?

A woman leaves a man after a night of arguing.

After that, she meets a stockbroker.

She hangs out with her friends, listens to music, dances...

and sees the stockbroker.

After two or three dates, she ends up in his office.

They spend some time together.

They make plans to see each other again.

But neither of them shows up.

It that all?

Seems like quite a bit.

One day...

my father

told me he'd met a girl in the street,

back when he was a student.

He invited her to a bar and they talked

all day long without stopping.

They exhausted every possible subject of conversation.

Cinema, politics, music...

the places they dreamed of going,

their aspirations.

They were flirting but neither dared make the first move.

The girl had a train to catch.

In the end he said, "I'm out of things to say"...

and that's when they kissed.

Did they see each other again?

I'd like to say yes, but no.

He was already engaged to my mother.

So it's hopeless.

- Your place is huge. - Tknow.

It's my mom's. She's never here.

- What does she do? - I don't really know.

She's gotten into business.

Whatever.

- How are they ordered? - There's no order.

I reject all forms of order.

How do you find them?

I don't need to find them.

They find me.

What do you mean?

I choose one at random,

and open it on exactly the right phrase.

The one reflecting what's on my mind.

For some reason it's usually about death or human fragility.

You think about it a lot?

Yes.

It's still fuzzy but I sense it'll become clearer with time.

I recently met a guy who does photography.

Interesting.

You know what they say?

Primitive peoples hid their faces from cameras,

fearing their souls would be stolen.

They were wrong.

It's the photographer who loses his soul.

I can guarantee you that.

See?

Did you feel anything?

No.

Idid.

Their souls were stolen anyway, by other means.

- Like a drink? - Yeah, thanks.

Alexandre wants me to move to Paris with him.

What would you do?

You can ask me anything, Iris, but not that.

Does your book thing work for everyone?

Try it and see.

"Love is giving what we don't have to someone who doesn't want it."

Your thing is lame.

I told you it works.

I don't care much for questions.

Why not?

They're like little attacks.

I feel like I'm always answering questions.

No one cares about the answers.

It wears me out.

It puts me to sleep.

People need to converse.

Imagine if everyone talked like a textbook.

Hello Iris. Is awareness necessarily liberating?

Can experience prove anything?

Talk about being tired.

- You're making fun of me. - Not at all.

Tell me one of your characteristics.

Curiosity.

And imprudence, obviously.

What quality do you prefer in a man?

Shyness.

Why?

Aman who struggles to express himself is more sincere.

In a woman?

Resistance.

Your main flaw?

My parents.

Idea of perfect happiness?

These purple boots I'saw in a window.

Worst thing imaginable?

Realizing one day I'd become what I most despise.

Favorite pastime?

Doing my homework.

I'm kidding.

The thing you hate most.

People who are always in a good mood.

Why?

They're either lying or blind.

Special power you wish you had?

The ability to irresistibly attract luck.

How would you like to die?

My cup running over.

See you tomorrow.

You work here?

As you can see.

- Where are you going for vacation? - Wine country.

Beaches bore me, but I'm interested in intoxication.

I'm looking for a film, I don't know the name.

Is it recent?

I don't know.

What's it about?

Two people who get their wires crossed.

Doesn't ring a bell.

Doesn't matter.

Good luck.

- You've seen it? - No way.

I gave you 10% off.

Come have coffee later.

Ok.

See you.

Did we forget anything?

- I don't think so. - Let's go.

Incredible.

They're all gone.

Fortunately we're still here.

Say something, my dear Monika. Do I scare you?

Not at all.

I don't know why,

my sons make me out to be a monster.

They don't get it. I've been through so much more than they have.

I don't want to sound outdated,

but back then we had this thing called the war.

- Tknow about it. - Maybe.

You know,

people used to come here. It was great fun.

All such good people.

Jérémie, could you close the window?

We're suffocating.

It doesn't bother me.

Is there any salad?

No, I didn't think we'd need it.

No matter.

But there is dessert.

No thanks.

I think I'l have a nap.

See you later.

She hates sweets.

I didn't know.

Must he conduct his social life from here?

- He's been swamped. - Poor thing.

What do you see?

A row of poles with wires,

making a grid in the scenery.

A construction worker walking by at the bottom.

Here, Isee a blotch, maybe an animal or a plant...

or an old plastic bag.

Here I don't see anything.

I can't tell what it is.

Here...

She's looking at me. Her eyes are...

inquisitive and naive.

Maybe she's defying me.

I feel like she's asking me something.

I'm not sure what she wants.

Neither is she. That's why she's anxious.

Actually I do know what she wants.

How about if we went out?

What for?

- Get some air. - No thanks.

Whatever you want.

I think I'll watch TV.

That's what people do when there's fuck all to do.

Hello, my name is Jean, life is good.

Monika and I are happy, we've been together ten years.

We love each other.

Keep going.

Building

a lasting relationship is perhaps the most beautiful thing in life.

Then one day you realize you haven't fallen in love in years.

At first you feel ridiculous. You have to dig down deep

to remember what it felt like.

Then it comes back to you. It was different.

It swept away everything in its path.

Unlike a one-night stand,

it alights on you, simply,

innocently.

You try to conjure up her face,

but her features escape you.

You try to remember her exact expression.

The time spent imagining her stokes the fire.

Soon it's no longer enough. You must see her, verify.

You desire her entire being.

But nothing exists yet.

The path is long, you don't know which way to go, where to start.

The day she gives you that look...

you know she really is there.

All the doubt and hesitation is gone.

I hear her murmur.

I read her lips.

I spent entire nights in the dark conjuring your face too.

Believing I could see you, though you kept eluding me.

"Impeccable head, flawless tiara..."

- What? - Paul Valéry.

Adgenius.

He was understood, at least.

You feel misunderstood?

Are you a genius?

Isn't she charming.

Tell us about your love life, I'm sure it's fascinating.

I have nothing to say.

What does one talk about at eighteen?

What did you talk about at eighteen?

That was a different time.

We had ideals.

I hate to say it, but it was far more interesting.

That's reactionary.

I don't see why.

We experienced much more.

We did it all.

Sex, drugs...

politics, engagement.

What do you have?

If you were my age today,

what would happen?

Would you start a revolution?

I think not. You'd be like everyone else.

It's the same for me.

It's easy to knock us because we're different.

You have no idea what interests us.

Careful with your cigarette.

There's not much after all.

Seven minutes from school to the park.

Twelve minutes to cross the mall. You always run into someone.

At 7:30 the streetlights come on.

Traffic thins out.

We'll live together, and both see other people.

It won't always be love.

But it'll still count because we'll be living.

That's what we'll ake away from it.

All that matters today we will unwittingly replace.

There will be other places,

other cafés, other parties.

All seemingly irreplaceable.

After a while, we'll mix them all up.

I want to remember now for later

But now is never good.

Live in the moment, yeah right...

Might as well pick a rotten fruit.

We're leaving all this behind.

I'm happy, I'm not sad.

- Been here long? - What?

Been here long?

Yeah, well... a while now.

It's complicated, I'll tell you later.

And you?

I'm sharing a place.

What?

- I'm sharing a place. - No need to shout.

But you're deaf!

Good way to start.

What?

Not going to introduce us?

Tris, a friend.

Gérald.

Gérald is my stage name. My parents named me Claude.

You're beautiful.

Look at me.

You've still got some make-up.

Take it off.

Subtitles by Sionann O'Neill

Subtitling TITRA FILM Paris