Original subtitles

♪

[waves crashing]

♪

Posthumous

[narrator] Death.

Death is a funny thing.

See, people usually think it's about being in the wrong place wrong time.

In this story,

it's about being in the right place at the right time.

But I'm probably getting ahead of myself.

It all started with the bees.

They're dying. And no one knows why.

They just leave their hives and disappear.

But why should we care about the bee?

Well...

bees pollinate our food supply.

With their demise, our own is not far behind.

Still, in our human world, who has time to think about the bees

when there are clearly much more...

serious issues at hand.

Kaleb's art can be viewed as deeply rooted in the pop minimalism of Aureur or Baer.

A continuation of their dialogue.

[indistinct chatter]

I feel like I'm back at the office.

[man] Daniel?

-Oh, Eric, good to see you. -Hey, good to see you.

-Hello. -Hi.

-How's New York been treating you? -Can't complain.

I just bought a spectacular four bedroom condo in Tribeca that we're having renovated

and, uh, yeah, it's good.

Hmm. And how long are you in Berlin for?

Uh, a few more weeks, with this project.

Good. Good.

So what do you think?

I like that the composition is almost painterly.

My only concern is the timing.

-I mean, if we went with him for the opening-- -Enough.

Why don't I introduce you to him and the two of you can work it out?

Sure.

I'll be right back.

[indistinct chatter]

[speaking in German]

-I do not speak-- -It's for my art blog.

-Okay. -Wow, that's awesome.

Oh, God.

Here, the link's on the card.

Okay. Okay.

[thudding]

[man grunting]

Oh, shit.

Hey, Daniel, I think you gotta come down.

We have a little situation here.

Should I try to stop him?

Can you calm down so we can talk about this?

I guess not.

Oh, for Christ's sake, Liam, just stop it!

You know what? You don't give me a show for three years

and you let that amateur display his Tetris games.

Kaleb is a very exciting digital artist.

-Exciting? -Yes.

It's copy and paste cerebral crap.

It's got no fucking heart.

For Christ's sake, I expected more from you.

From me? Look at you.

You're the, the walking dead.

You have to get out of the rut you've been in.

Rut? I'm not in a bloody rut.

I work every single minute of every single day.

You know, it's people like you is the reason that...

Art is this, this product to sell.

But it's not.

It 's a process that takes time to explore.

Oh, yes, your explorations, your artistic integrity.

I haven't heard that one before.

And while you're on your process,

what am I supposed to do to keep the lights on here?

Look, Liam. I love you very much, you know that.

But I'm very sorry, I cannot sell your stuff now.

But, but, but I've watched you turn this whole thing on its head.

Your last show was a disaster.

I told you I wasn't ready for that show but you insisted.

The art world has a short memory, I was trying to save you from being obsolete.

And quite honestly, this starving artist persona is completely passe.

You have to practical now.

Want me to do? You want me to make a painting to match someone's fucking couch?

I never said you should. You've got talent, all right?

No-one's questioning that.

You and I both know that talent only goes so far in this business.

Well, if that's true...

I might as well just kill myself.

Very dramatic, huh?

Why does everything always have to be life and death with you?

You're impossible. I have no time for this.

Oh, just leave it.

Your client just asked me to change my timing.

If one more person asks me a stupid question... we're done

It's a misunderstanding, Kaleb. It's a misunder--

-And I think you know exactly where I'm going. -I don't.

[indistinct chatter]

What's this about?

Oh, nothing.

It's just one of Daniel's artists, Liam Price.

He was a hot shot years ago, but, you know...

His period kinda came down recently,

so he became a bit unhappy.

But he will be fine, trust me.

A bit dramatic.

Artists.

[mechanical whirring]

Did you know that there are 250,000 words in the English language?

It seems like a lot, but I do not know.

There are all these great words in other languages

that say things that we just can't say in English.

And what is it that you want to say?

I guess nothing specific, but it's an interesting idea, right?

For example, there is tartle

which is Scottish for the act of hesitating while introducing someone,

because you've forgotten their name.

Or jayus which is Indonesian for a joke that is so poorly told

and so not funny that one has to laugh.

I feel like I must miss out on so much by only speaking one language.

Now that I'm not working I should to learn German.

Don't bother. Trust me, German...

is an impossibly difficult language to learn.

At least that's what I heard.

Here's one for you.

Cafuné.

The act of tenderly running one's fingers through someone's hair.

Portuguese.

[chuckling]

♪

[metallic squeaking]

[mumbling]

[leaves crunching]

[speaking in German]

[humming]

Come, Kunst.

[dog whining]

[man] We found this book next to the body.

These are Liam's, yeah.

Do you really think this was a suicide?

We get a lot of jumpers on those tracks.

[speaking in German]

Did he have any family we should contact?

Not that I know of.

When was the last time you spoke to Mr. Price?

Just yesterday.

And did he say anything that might lead one to believe he might have been suicidal?

No any more than usual.

What exactly did he say?

Well, something like, uh...

"I might as well kill myself. " but you know, it's ...

I'm sorry, but this didn't alarm you?

[speaking in German]

Look, I work with artists.

Being depressed and dramatic is practically in the job description.

If I paid heed to every...

I was his dealer, not his psychiatrist.

[speaking German]

We're going to need someone to come ID the body.

[hinges squeaking]

[screaming]

[speaking in German]

Yeah.

Good.

Thanks.

[indistinct chatter]

[speaking in German]

♪

♪

I'm sorry, the gallery is not open.

I'm not here for the exhibition.

One of your artists.

The one who started the fire.

Yup. Terrible.

I was up all night looking at those images of his you posted on your blog.

May I come in?

I love that you shared his sketchbook. It feels so intimate.

Do you have it here? Would you mind showing it to me?

[speaking in German]

Daniel.

Bring me a bottle of Belle Epoque 2004.

We're celebrating.

Look, I do not know that this is what Liam would have exactly wanted.

This is what any artist would want.

You sold everything you owned of his at auction last year.

-It was a sellers' market. -You screwed him, Arman.

Dumping all his stuff at once, it scared everyone.

Look, let's not harp on the past.

You can't buy publicity like this.

Daniel.

Figure out the inventory. Make a selection.

Put together a show. And then I'll buy half of it.

Face it.

Dying is the smartest career move Liam's ever made.

It's fascinating, isn't it?

How something tragic can give birth...

to such... beauty.

[engine revving]

[melancholic music]

♪

[metallic clanking]

Hello?

[screaming]

Would you get... What the fuck?

What the hell are you doing?

What am I doing?

What are you doing?

You're not dead.

What are you talking about? What do you want?

Don't touch that! Do not touch anything!

Where the hell have you been?

What the, what the fuck do you care?

I don't believe this.

I'm so glad you didn't...

But everybody thinks you're...

How am I going to explain now?

I've already sold half the...

How am I going to explain that?

I think I've twisted my ankle, shit.

Yeah, have some aspirin.

Aspirin's not going to fix this.

-Liam? -What are you doing here? How'd you even get in ?

Your landlord gave me the key.

Oh, don't tell me you're helping him evict me. That's what I fucking need.

No, no, no, no, no. I, uh, I mean...

Tell me, Liam...

are these, are these new?

Don't touch that. If you touch anything in this studio, I'll break your fucking fingers.

I'm not kidding.

I knew you've been working, Liam, but these are good.

Oh, fuck off, of course they're good.

Is that why you came here, to tell me how good I am all of a sudden?

Well, no, I, uh...

Actually, I, I, I was told that, uh...

What?

Liam, actually I was told that you were...

-Dead? -So what?

Well, I mean, I did some research and it seemed

that he was pretty successful when he was young.

and I think there's a very interesting story there about how

sensationalism and drama--

We are not Artnet, McKenzie.

You know we don't do art reviews.

This is not an art review.

I know I didn't leave on the best of terms,

but you said that I could contact you if I had a good story, and--

Did I say that?

Yes.

Look, this guy Liam

He dedicated his entire life to his work, and his work is good

and then he has this moment where he--

goes off the deep end, but that does that say about our culture when

when that's what it take to--

Tell you what, why don't you send me something in an email?

Okay, okay, Okay.

Great to hear from you.

Justin, where did you put those pine cones?

What are you doing?

So what you're saying is my being dead is actually better for business?

Liam, you must realize that selling art is as much about selling a story

as it is about the actual art it self.

Yeah, well, going by your last show, you'd probably sell a piece of dog shit

if the story is good enough.

Oh, Liam.

I'm awfully glad you're still with us.

And I'm sorry I've haven't said this to you before, but...

I'm gonna say it now.

I think you have something that I never had.

A gift.

And it would really pain me to see you waste it.

So what now?

Well, I guess I'll have to tell Arman to cancel the show.

Wait.

What if you didn't?

What?

You just said art's about selling a story.

So why not let them have their story?

I do not know.

It's risky.

Exact. What's art without risk?

This is different. And we're dealing with some very powerful people here.

Then we wouldn't wanna disappoint him, now, would we?

I do not know.

You want what's best for both of us, right?

That way, I can be free to create what I want,

and you can sell what you need to sell.

What if you never saw me here today?

I see your point, yes.

I guess I could wait till after the show to...

explain the little misunderstanding.

But you would have to keep a very low profile.

In that case, you better get yourself down to the store.

I'm out.

[indistinct chatter]

Careful, careful.

Right here. Yes.

[pre-war style music playing]

[whistling]

♪

So what do you think?

I...

had my doubts.

But you really pulled through.

It's a wonderful show.

Thank you. Thank you.

Camille, what a surprise, you look as sublime and sophisticated as always.

I came into town a day earlier.

I thought I'd drop in.

Pay my respects.

Thank you. Liam would have appreciated it.

There's been a lot of hype about Mr. Price and

I wasn't sure if this was merely a case of emperor's new clothes.

And so what do you think?

Are you going to expose us by revealing the Emperor's nakedness?

Not just yet.

I think the view is better from the inside.

Maybe.

Gracias.

Oh, hello. Uh, thanks for coming.

Where's Erik?

Oh, he must be held up at work, but I'm sure he's on his way.

Ah, good, good. Excuse me.

What the...

[indistinct chatter]

-The work is so inspiring. -It is.

[indistinct chatter]

Yes, but you have to see it. The artist is interesting, it's close to...

Good to see you. Thank you.

...a fusion of chaos and horror in his work.

This piece, for example, seems to challenge the viewer to explore the rules

encoded in the psyche that shape our aesthetics.

No.

[speaking in Spanish]

Fancy show, you've put on here.

I'm sorry, sir, you can not smoke in here.

Says who?

Liam, what part of "low profile" didn't you understand?

Someone could recognize you.

Relax. You hardly recognized me.

Get out of here right now.

I'm sorry, am I interrupting?

No, no, no, we're just ...

So, how are you enjoying the show, um...

-McKenzie. -McKenzie. That's right.

It's inspired. Thank you for the invitation.

You know, I didn't realize that he was so popular.

He wasn't.

I'm a writer.

and I'm very interested in doing a story on Liam

and I would love to sit down and talk with you--

-I appreciate your interest-- -That's wonderful, we love stories, don't we, Daniel?

-Sorry, who are you? -Ignore him, he's a student.

Actually, I was very close with Liam.

-Oh, no, he isn't, he wasn't. -Really? How so?

It's all right, Daniel.

I'm Liam's brother, Jackson.

Oh, I didn't realize Liam had a brother.

Most people didn't.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

So rude of me not to introduce myself. I am--

McKenzie. I know. I heard.

-Excuse us. -Excuse us.

Hey, watch the suit!

Everything is going just as planned. What the hell do you think you're doing here?

You agreed to this, remember?.

For you to sabotage both our careers, I never agreed to that.

Liam.

Liam, this is what you've always wanted.

For the work to sell itself, so that you can concentrate on creating.

And after this, what's the plan then?

Well, after the show, I'll...

I'll tell everyone what happened, that I...

found you in the studio, alive.

It's the truth, isn't it?

Where do I say I was this entire time?

I do not know. You're the creative one. Make something up.

Jackson?

Can you follow that guy on the bike there?

I think he's turning down the street.

Oh, my God, I can't believe I'm doing this.

Yeah.

To the left. He's going left.

-Can you wait just one minute for me? Thanks. -Okay.

♪

[squeaking]

[door closes]

[German programme on TV]

Oh, hey.

I'm sorry my dinner ran late.

Do not worry about it. I didn't mean to wake you. Go back to sleep.

-How was the show? -Packed.

Daniel says there's already a waiting list for even his back-stock.

Unbelievable.

Don't worry, I made him an offer that he can't refuse.

I did not know that you liked Liam Price's work.

It's not about what I like.

It is an investment for our future.

♪

[cello music playing]

♪

-The usual? -Make it two.

[knocking]

-Look , whatever you're selling, I'm not interested. -I'm not selling. It's McKenzie.

Graham, we met last night at the show.

-How did you...? -Oh, I followed you.

I mean, just because you left so quickly.

What do you want?

-Sugar? -No.

-May I come in, for just a moment? -No.

I thought we could talk a bit about your brother.

It's probably not a good idea.

-You know, you said last night that a story-- -And I changed my mind.

If there's nothing else, I got to get back to work.

Um...

May I use your bathroom?

What?

You got to be kidding.

-Go ahead, make it fast. -Thank you.

And don't touch anything.

This is Liam's studio?

The bathroom's this way.

No.

-Wow. -Right.

[Liam] Are you almost done in there?

How do you like it?

It's from my favorite coffee shop, it's just around the corner from my hotel.

I go there every morning.

Sorry.

This must be really hard on you.

Yes, it's very, very hard, which is why I want to be left alone.

Tell me, why exactly are you doing this?

There's so much life in Liam's work,

He's so talented. I just wonder...

why he would give it all up.

Here, let me make this simple for you.

Why don't you tell me what your angle is,

and I'll tell you what you wanna hear.

I just want to know the truth of what he was about.

Believe me, the last thing you, or anyone else wants to hear is the truth.

What you want is a story.

A good story contains a discovery of some kind of truth.

Paint.

What?

On your...

Just right there.

Oh, for God's sake, please, can you just leave now?

I think it would do you a world of good just to get out of here for a little bit.

Why do not you let me take you to lunch?

I don't eat.

I was the same way when my grandmother passed.

Which is so not the same thing, because she was old.

Are we done now?

I'm sorry.

I thought this was gonna go better than it's going.

I, uh, I'm just a little bit out of practice, you know?

-Is this plaster? -Hey, don't, no. Can you just not...

Actually, you know, I could use the fresh air. You're right.

You said you wanted to know truth about Liam.

Wait. Where, where are we going?

So, I don't have a bike, 'cause I just took a cab, so maybe, you know...

It's all right. Hop on.

-Oh God, no. I don't hop on. -Why not?

Don't you trust me?

♪

Where, where are we going?

Are you sure that this is safe?

I can hold it for 24 hours.

[Speaking in Italian]

Are we trespassing?

You have to stop asking questions.

It must be nice that Liam's work is getting the recognition it deserves.

Bloody fucking right.

Not that it's any consolation to him being gone.

But if he didn't have this fabulous death they never would have recognized his talent.

Oh, I don't know.

I'm sure they would have recognized him eventually, cream always rises to the top.

You see, that's the difference between you and me.

I'm more of the philosophy that shit floats.

What is that?

A bee. Massive amounts of them just mysteriously dropping dead.

They're calling it Colony Collapse Disorder.

So it could be an apocalypse. It's fascinating.

Here. This way.

It's creepy.

What is this place?

It smells like cigarettes and urine.

That's the smell of creativity.

A little out of the element?

Absolutely.

It's amazing.

[guitar and voice]

Why did Liam choose Berlin?

Because it was cheap.

Undiscovered, in a way.

But isn't art supposed to be inspired by beauty?

This place is so bleak.

That's what makes it interesting.

But it's a little depressing.

Because you can feel the weight of history and struggle around every corner.

See, that's what breeds great art.

Struggle?

Yeah.

Why?

Because it curbs contentment.

Contentment is like...

death.

I'm sure there are a great many people on the planet who would disagree with you

and tell you that death is death.

So, what is it that you do, Jackson?

I'm a lawyer.

You don't seem like a lawyer.

Well, things aren't always what they seem.

Why did you choose law?

I didn't.

It's what my father always wanted me to be.

Where are your parents now?

I don't understand how this helps.

You're my best chance to get to know Liam.

Good luck with that.

You know, I think that Liam probably...

wanted what we all want.

Which is?

To be understood.

To matter.

And you think you can help with that?

I think I can try.

Did you ever think that maybe Liam killed himself because he wanted to be left alone?

Okay, you wanna know the truth?

I have to write a great story to impress my old editor,

who fired me because I was not essential.

And you're the first person I have told that to.

I lied to everyone and said I quit,

because I couldn't bear the idea like people to feeling sorry for me.

Bullshit.

You're embarrassed about the failure.

Yeah, I was.

I was humiliated.

So why are you telling me all this?

It's easy to tell the truth to strangers.

Anyway, I'm very happy about it now, I mean...

I'm free to do whatever I want and Erik has been very supportive

and I feel lucky.

I feel very, very lucky.

So what are you doing here with me instead of at home being lucky?

You say that like I'm sneaking around.

-Well, are you? -No.

I wanna write a great story.

So that I can remember why I wanted to write in the first place.

No, you just want them to regret ever letting you go.

Yeah.

I wanna prove myself.

And I wanna prove them wrong.

What's so bad about that?

Nothing.

I think it's fantastic.

It seems like you're the one who wants to be heard,

or understood, as you said.

Yeah, I...

think that's enough.

And here I was, just getting ready to pour my heart out to you.

♪

-McKenzie. -Thanks for taking time to meet with me.

Of course.

Now, about this story of yours

I'm not saying that it's not a good idea

but maybe it's a little premature, you know?

Liam was a very complicated man.

He... he wasn't easy to read,

What is this?

That? Oh.

It's a present from Liam actually.

Creepy, huh?

Huh, bees.

Look, I'd be perfectly happy to talk to you about him,

if what you're interested in is profile.

-Aside from that-- -Absolutely.

Nothing but a profile.

I promise.

I liked him immediately when we met. He was very charming.

We had a close relationship.

A friendship. Yes, I think you definitely could have called it friendship.

Why?

Why? Why what?

Why are you doing this?

Running a gallery.

What drew you to it?

I love art.

And I love introducing people to good art.

It's been difficult, hasn't it?

When the gallery has been struggling the past couple of years?

Well, I think most galleries have seen a slower period.

So this scenario is working out for you then?

And Liam has conveniently become much more profitable...

since his death.

I think that this scenario, as you call it,

has enabled people to finally see what they have overlooked for years.

Liam's true talent.

And also yours.

I mean, you've never brokered an artist's career to this level.

It must be nice to be finally recognized for your talent.

If I were concerned only with recognition and monetary gain, Miss, um...

Miss, uh...

I'd fare much better in almost any other business beside this one.

The whole art world thinks this guy's dead and I'm walking around Triflesberg with him.

And you're the only one who knows about this?

As far as I can tell. I mean, I don't know what they're planning but I'll get to the bottom of it

Well, if you can really get this story you've pitched,

then I'll publish it.

You can't imagine how happy I am to hear that.

What are you doing?

Uh, moving the table by the window.

I can see that, but why?

I thought I might start writing again.

We don't live here, you can't just move things around.

Nobody lives here. I'm sure they won't mind.

I'm sorry...

for...

not giving you enough attention lately.

Is this what this is about?

No, you're working, and I understand that.

So what's wrong?

Please, just...

talk to me.

I didn't quit.

Well, what?

My job.

I didn't quit my job.

I was fired.

That's all?

It's... it's okay.

-It's fine. -It's not fine.

I lost my fire for the work.

They were cutting corners and they said that I was one of the expendable ones, and I was.

But it's okay because I have this idea for a story.

-It's so good. -What kind of story?

Okay.

After the show, I followed Liam Price's brother home.

Well, he introduced himself as Liam Price's brother.

But when I went to the gallery, there was this head with all these dead--

Wait, wait, slow down. You did what?

What if I told you...

that Liam Price...

is alive?

How do you mean?

The art market is all about branding and timing,

so what if an artist went so far as to fake his own death...

-Ah, no, please. -To prove his life's work.

That's, uh, that's ridiculous.

It's genius. I mean how well do you really know Liam Price?

Well enough.

And I know Daniel Volpe for years, he would know if Liam was alive.

-But what if he's in on it? -In on what?

A hoax!

Look, I know you...

You want to write an exciting story to prove some kind of point to...

get your job back, but, be realistic.

If someone was trying to pull something this absurd

word would get around, and, believe me,

I'd be the first to know.

Yeah, no, you're right.

It's an interesting premise though.

Yeah, you've always been creative.

♪

[Daniel] Why do you insist on being so difficult?

You know how I feel about showing other people's work.

I want you to go out for one second.

Go and enjoy the fresh air.

[Liam] I don't want anyone in my fucking studio.

[Daniel] You're a cliché, you know that, don't you?

[Liam] I'm fucking cliché? Have you seen yourself?

Please, go look at yourself in the mirror, Daniel.

[indistinct chatter]

[Liam and Daniel arguing]

[Liam] I don't want anyone in my fucking studio.

[Daniel] How am I supposed to explain that Liam Price,

who's supposed to be dead, doesn't want anyone in his studio.

[Liam] How you explain it isn't my problem.

You do what you have to do, I don't care.

Camille is extremely important. She sees your work and--

I don't care.

[indistinct arguing]

[Liam] I'm not having anyone in my studio.

I'm not asking you to sell your soul, I'm just asking you to...

McKenzie?

M, McKenzie?

-Hi. -How are you?

-What the hell? -I knocked, but no-one answered.

So I took the... the roof.

You know, McKenzie here is an unbelievable writer.

Yes, I know. We, we talked.

How's your story coming along?

Oh, it's, uh, developing.

You know what, Daniel? Bring whoever you want here.

Knock yourself out.

-No no no. Wait, wait, wait -It's all right. It's okay.

I'm sure McKenzie and I can find plenty to talk about.

[cell phone ringing]

Do not you think we should to be reasonable, and talk about this, Liam? Jackson?

Dammit! Dammit!

Hello, Camille.

What was that all about?

I just can't stand studio visits, I feel like I'm in a fucking zoo.

Liam was a pretty private person, I guess I'm just being protective.

You shouldn't be so hard on him.

Who?

Daniel. I mean, I think he has Liam's best interests at heart.

-Anyway, I should get back. -Oh, no, come on.

Forget about it for a day, let's go do something.

You can tell me more about Liam.

-I can't. -Why?

Don't you trust me?

♪

-Want one? -No.

What a fucking mess.

What is that?

Did Liam also not enjoy food like you, Jackson?

What's everyone's obsession with food, it eats up time.

[McKenzie laughing]

[McKenzie] Linda? Who's this Linda?

[Liam] Well, there was this artist

who put up these images all over the city,

saying that this girl, well, she broke his heart and he was asking her to take him back.

[McKenzie] That seems desperate. But romantic.

[Liam] More and more these images started to pop up

and then people in the community started to get involved

someone posted a newspaper ad saying,

"Oh, he loves you, Linda, take him back!"

Others wrote next to the images "He's a cad, don't do it."

Shit, it's too fucking clean.

[Liam] And then one day, the artist actually came out to the public

And you know what? Linda wasn't real.

[McKenzie] So it was all a lie?

[Liam] It was a story.

[knocking]

Coming.

Hello. Come on in. Welcome.

Come in. Come in. Hello.

So...

this is where Liam spent most of his time

both, working and, and living.

You know that, of course, the quality of his work...

So what was it that inspired Liam's work?

What inspires anyone. Life.

Yeah, but he chose to leave it.

Doesn't add up, does it?

You don't understand.

Try me.

What was it? He needed fame? He needed more money?

I don't know.

Maybe.

What's that?

Oh, that's nothing. It's unfinished and nothing worth mentioning.

On the other hand, there is a very interesting new series of paintings that he.--

[cell phone ringing]

Excuse me. I'm sorry. I won't take this.

Oh, no, no. You can take it, go ahead.

Are you sure? Thank you. I'm sorry.

Hello? Yes. I can't really talk to you right now.

Take this one down.

So where were we?

What do you think?

Do you like it?

No.

No.

I love it.

But do you really think Liam would have been happy with all of this?

With the success and...

No.

No.

Why not?

I mean, he's become more valuable.

Everybody likes him.

I don't give a shit what everybody likes.

It's not about being liked.

It's about feeling something.

Anything.

Our whole world has become so disconnected from any real emotion,

we barely even communicate anymore.

We're just a bunch of liars.

We lie to each other, We lie to ourselves.

We don't say how we really feel, God forbid, who we really are,

'cause we're too bloody scared.

Instead, we just try to be liked.

It's terrible.

[cell phone rings]

Oh, my God, that's me.

I have this new phone I...

Sorry.

-Hello? -Hello, honey, hi, it's me.

-Hi, honey. -Hey, we got that dinner tonight, right, don't forget.

-Oh, that's great. -Yeah. Nine o'clock, will you be there?

-Yeah, I'll meet you there. -Got to go. I love you.

-I love you too. -Bye, bye, bye.

Yeah, bye.

I'm sorry.

Where were we?

Nah, it doesn't matter.

So what's next?

All right, so what brings you to Berlin?

My boyfriend.

Fiance?

Well, he was my boyfriend, and then he got promoted.

To fiance?

To head art consultant for a new hotel in Berlin.

So you just followed him?

There is nothing wrong with following someone you love.

Anyway, this, let's keep this about Liam.

What kind of relationship did he have?

He didn't have relationships he was married to his work.

What kind of life is that?

You know, a life dedicated to something greater than himself?

A life dedicated to something that drove him over the edge?

I mean, no matter how much he loved art, art couldn't love him back.

All right, what about? What's so special about your relationship?

Erik?

He's perfect.

And that's what you want, is it? Perfect?

There's nothing wrong with having someone to go home to.

Oh, you think you know everything.

You don't.

You're getting defensive.

You're getting disrespectful.

And you're getting interesting.

Fuck off.

Which is it? You want me to fuck off or you want me to help with the story?

You're so...

[shivers]

Here.

Thanks.

[quacking]

Hey. Look.

Bye.

-What is he doing? -He's pulling over, come on.

-No. -Come on.

-God. What are we doing? -Come on.

Wait, seriously.

-Here we are. -Oh, my God.

Okay, after you.

Watch your step.

[man] Welcome aboard.

Where are we going?

[barge Capitan] Don't worry about it.

♪

[laughter]

[indistinct chatter]

[indistinct chatter]

[laughing]

Come on.

I can't really dance.

♪

-You all right? -Perfect.

I think you might be a little drunk.

I have only had...

As long as you're enjoying yourself.

I am.

Are you?

Yeah.

I am, actually.

Maybe you should to do that more often.

Enjoy yourself, I mean.

What?

You have another question, don't you?

Come on, give it to me.

Was Liam happy?

When you think about people you admire most in the world,

you didn't admire them because they lived a happy life.

It's always the unhappiness,

risks and sacrifices they made, the agony they endured.

What we admire most isn't happiness, it's greatness.

So you'd rather be great than happy?

Wouldn't you?

When I was in kindergarten,

I had a project

where everybody had to make a thumb print on this card

and underneath we wrote, "I'm someone special."

The point was to show that every print was unique.

But then you grow up.

And you realize you're somebody special all right.

Just like everybody else.

I mean I know we all about building kids' self esteem,

but maybe we should just tell them the truth.

Many of you are not special,

so don't go setting your expectations too high,

because most of you will not achieve greatness.

In the real world it's like so many things happen

that are just way beyond your control, and you find yourself at some point

suddenly willing to settle for any bit of comfort and security that you can hold on to.

But there are those of us who are courageous and maybe stupid enough to keep fighting.

But for how long?

At what point do you just accept your life?

Maybe accepting is the path to happiness.

Or maybe that's just giving up.

I understand what you're saying, but...

I honestly believe that every person on this world

has the potential to do something great.

And maybe what we really need is just a bit of encouragement.

I need to tell you something.

[cell phone ringing]

♪

-How long are you gonna be-- -So what are you gonna--

You go.

No, I just...

You should get going.

You got somebody waiting.

Yeah.

I'll leave you here then.

Thanks.

I hope you got what you wanted for the story.

What are you gonna do now?

Whatever inspires me.

[indistinct chatter]

It's nonsense. It's exactly what the press likes, and...

Oh.

So sorry I'm late.

Are you all right?

I was worried.

-McKenzie. How Lovely. -Hi.

Well, thanks to Camille's recent acquisition,

there is absolutely no doubt in my mind

that Liam Price will soon be in the consensus ranking

of the top contemporary artists.

Hear, hear.

Well, I am curious to see how this will all develop.

Congratulations, Daniel.

Of course, I know that the circumstances in which

Liam's works have regained recognition and appreciation are

far from ideal.

Nonetheless, there is no question that it is well deserved.

♪

What?

I'd bet all my money that we are the most beautiful couple in this place.

[indistinct chatter]

Like those pop-ups, what do you think of...

[speaking in French]

I'm not feeling so well.

Not? What's wrong?

I'm not... I just need to go back to the hotel and lie down.

-I'm sorry. -You haven't even touched your food.

I'm sorry.

Is she okay?

[panting]

What are you doing here?

-There's something you have to know. -I don't need to know anything.

You don't understand. I can't let you go through with this.

-Please go. Just stop. -McKenzie, listen to me.

-Stop! -Hey, what's going on here?

McKenzie, who was that?

-Well, actually, it's a very funny story. It so happens-- -It's no-one.

It was some random guy on the street. I was feeling sick.

-Will you take me home, please? -Sure.

Come on, let's go. Bye, Daniel.

♪

Daniel, what's wrong? You look like you've just seen a ghost.

I need another drink.

You haven't said a word since we left the restaurant, is everything okay?

I want to write the story.

I really wanna write this story, and I realized that I cannot write this story.

[Erik] Still with this story?

The art world is complicated. You don't wanna get involved.

That's the thing, I do wanna get involved I wanna be excited.

-And I wanna do something great. -I know.

And I know it was painful to lose your job, what I'm asking

is how long are you gonna keep trying to prove yourself?

Maybe as long as it takes.

You know what, I thought bringing you with me on this trip would cheer you up

and maybe it wasn't such a good idea,

since you're obviously not feeling any better.

Why don't we go home a few days earlier?

I'm done with my project anyway.

Okay?

[sighing]

Yeah.

Let's go home.

♪

[telephone ringing]

[Daniel] Liam, what the hell is going on? Call me.

[telephone ringing]

[Daniel] Liam, should I be worried? Call me back.

♪

[telephone ringing]

[Daniel] Liam, please, call me.

Please.

It's Daniel, by the way.

Shit.

[floorboard creaking]

You're right about the coffee.

What are you doing here?

-You can't just show up-- -Uninvited, demanding your time?

What kind of person does that?

You came to me looking for the truth about Liam.

Give me a chance to explain.

Erik's waiting.

Meet me then.

Tonight.

I'll tell you everything.

You'll be able to write a hell of a story.

♪

♪

[McKenzie] Liam.

Liam.

Liam!

What?

Why, you just...

So how long have you known?

Does it matter?

You don't exactly play the most convincing lawyer.

God, I'm such an idiot.

And here I was waiting to give you this big story, and you've known all along?

You've been lying to me all this time.

Look who's talking.

No, that's different.

I was honest about the things that mattered.

I told you my life.

What, you were just using me?

Well done, I guess you found your angle, after all.

Christ, what you must think of me.

Oh, you don't care what people think about you.

No, not people, you.

I care about what you think.

Oh, come on, you're just saying that so I won't expose you.

Go ahead and expose me.

-Is that a challenge? -Absolutely.

Don't challenge me, I'll do it.

I know you will. That's what I love about you.

You're like this very bright flame.

And you're on all the time.

Listen, people, they won't be able to stand that, but that doesn't mean you have to change.

You just have to find someone, who not only loves you,

but can fuel that fire.

♪

Oh, my God, what am I doing?

You don't have relationships, remember?

You are selfish.

And unpredictable.

And temperamental.

And totally insane.

Tell me that's not true.

So how can you expect me

to give up everything I have

to be with you?

I don't expect anything.

You know, you were right.

There's nothing wrong with having someone to go home to.

Just make sure it's to the person who's your biggest fan.

I have to go.

♪

♪

[indistinct chatter]

[honking]

[Daniel] Liam.

-Liam! -Leave me alone, Daniel.

Oh, for God's sake, for once in your life

don't make a spectacle and get in the bloody car.

[honking]

Liam!

You're still awake.

I was waiting for you.

I feel...

confused.

Like I don't know where you've gone.

-I told you I was just gonna go-- -I, I, I...

don't just mean tonight.

How long do I have to...

keep putting up with this?

I don't want you to put up with me.

-I want you to love me. -I do love you.

And I'm trying to make you happy, but I...

I just don't know what it is you want.

I guess I need to let you go and figure it out.

All right?

-I fucked up, Daniel. -No kidding.

What in the world were you thinking?

She is a reporter, for God's sake.

You were wrong, I'm not special or different, I'm a fraud.

-You're not a fraud. -Well, she thinks I am.

You're sacrificing everything you've ever worked for, for her?

You're never... We'll never be taken seriously ever again.

I can't keep lying.

I put my name on the line, and I will not make myself ridiculous.

Your name? Is that what's most important?

The name is everything in this business.

It's all I've got.

I'm sorry.

What am I gonna do now?

I'll fix it.

[Daniel] How?

-Well, it's risky. -Oh, God.

I'm not saying I deserve it,

but I'm just asking you to trust me one more time.

I don't know, Liam.

It's no joke what we've pulled here. It's probably illegal.

We're gonna be facing huge fines and lawyers and lawsuits,

and even jail even.

It's, it's, it's...

It's art.

[door closes]

[McKenzie] Death is a funny thing.

It is all about timing.

Like it or not, the ending of a story

changes the context of everything that preceded it.

What was once a love story

becomes a lie.

What was once worthless

becomes valuable.

And what was once forgotten

can be rediscovered.

Liam Price's death led me to discover a hoax.

A near perfect con.

That of my own life.

Because, as I've learned,

the most convincing lies

are those ones we tell ourselves.

McKenzie.

I got the story.

Not exactly what I was expecting.

It's better, actually.

It's more complicated and provocative

than anything you've ever wrote on staff.

Your voice is really developing.

This story has a signature.

That's, I'm, I'm thrilled to hear that.

What do you think about going back on staff?

There's an opening in our London office.

Oh...

Wow.

Uh, thank you, that's...

You know, I think I need to stay freelance for a while.

I have a couple of things here I need to explore.

[pounding]

♪

[pounding]

♪

♪

[sobbing]

♪

[metallic clanking]

♪

[birds chirping]

[indistinct chatter]

[speaking in German]

You know, Liam and I were very simpatico.

I think we could have been great friends.

I really doubt it.

[Arman] Fantastic idea.

Everyone's here. Cool.

Memorial. How thoughtful of you.

Excuse me.

Daniel.

Hello, McKenzie, how are you?

What is this about? What is this?

-Well, what does it look like? -I don't understand.

Come on.

Well, thank you everyone for coming here today to honor Liam's life.

On an occasion like this

I think it's important to tell the truth,

and that's exactly why I am here right now.

Of course, I know that Liam would prefer to let his work speak for itself.

So allow me to present Liam's newest posthumous work.

Delivery, from Liam Price.

-Wait a minute, he's alive? -I don't understand.

[indistinct chatter]

-Are you kidding me? -That's crazy.

[woman] Does this mean he didn't kill himself?

Can you believe this? He's making a mockery out of us.

[laughing]

♪

So you came then?

Of course I came.

I'm your biggest fan.

Good.

Because I am yours.

♪

["Reckoning Song"]

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