All language subtitles for Callas Forever (2002)_EN_25fps_(with song)_M-4

(∮The Clash: Complete Control)

Callas Forever (2002)

(People shouting) Mr Kelly!
(Man) Mr Kelly, where are they?

Where's who?
Where are 'Bad Dreams'?

'Bad Dreams' are probably still in bed.
We assumed you'd be on the same flight.

My office said I was arriving alone.
We thought that meant you weren't.

So we fooled you.

Mr Kelly, why are you
bringing this band to Paris?

Because Paris adores stars -

Mistinguett, Piaf, Chevalier.

Piaf didn't urinate on her audience.
That's not what I heard.

Chevalier didn't drop his trousers
and flash his arse.

Oh, please. Thank God!

Aren't 'Bad Dreams' a comedown for you?
What do you mean?

You've presented Nureyev and Fonteyn,

Menuhin, uh, Callas.

And don't forget Bob Dylan and the Stones.

No, but don't be boring.

I mean, it's 1977, the kids want
groups like 'Bad Dreams' today.

Will you be seeing Madame Callas
while you're in Paris?

Maybe.

You produced her last tour to Japan,
didn't you, Larry?

Yeah.
It was a disaster, though.

The Titanic was a disaster.
Have a sense of proportion.

But we're not here
to talk about Maria Callas,

we're here to talk about 'Bad Dreams'.

I hope you're all going to cover
the concert on Wednesday.

Maybe I'll see you tomorrow
at the Gare du Nord.

(All shouting)
(Man) They're coming on the boat train?

Yes, yes, yes,
they're coming on the boat train

because the airlines won't take them.
All right?

Thank you, gentlemen.

(All shouting)

(PA) Alitalia flight AZ21 5 from Milan Linate
is delayed by 20 minutes

You ever get tired of all that?

All what?

All that bullshit.

Publicity is never bullshit.

(Electrical whistling)

You're buzzing.
Am I?

It's this.

(Whistling stops)

I've never seen a good-looking guy
with one of those.

Sorry, I can't hear you flirting.

(Larry chuckles)

Larry Kelly.

Oh, I know.

Larry, really sorry I'm late.
Don't worry, we're early, I think.

No problems, really. We dealt with
the press, everything's good.

How was the flight?
Erm

the flight was fine.

(Larry) So, how are the tickets doing?
Sold out.

Good! What are the problems?
Faulty wiring at the stadium.

Well, don't forget. Cancel dinner
with Rocco tomorrow night.

Listen, get Annie to call
Philip Pope in London.

When Wembley blew
he fixed it in ten minutes.

I can hear you from over here!
What?

Your thing. I can hear it.

Bullshit.

Don't you just hate big cars?

Depends what happens in them.

Fancy a lift?

Why not?

When I offered to carry your bags,
you didn't mention it was six flights.

Oh, didn't I?

Hmm.

(Larry groans)

Hmm.

Is this your work?
Yes.

I'm part of a group show here
in the Place des Vosges next week.

And then I think I have a show,

my own, only me,

coming up in Tel Aviv.

And then maybe Cape Town,
where I was born.

Are you impressed?

Give me time.

(∮Maria Callas: Bellini's Casta Diva)

Maria.

I need her voice
whenever I come home.

Oh, God.

You're not one of those ghastly
Callas queens, are you?

Hardly.

I'm too young to have seen her perform,
unfortunately.

'Unfortunately'.

When I had my operation

to try to restore my hearing,

my mother

sneaked a cassette player
into the hospital room

so that the first sound

I would hear

would be

I don't know.

Unearthly.

Beauty not of this earth.

Callas.

(Larry) Callas.

Are you gonna be doing
more concerts with her?

No.

Her voice is shot.

I do have plans, though.

(Sighs) Look, I've got to go.

Can I give you my card?

I don't want your card.
Oh. OK.

Why don't we just have dinner
tomorrow night?

You mean a date?
What, are you too modern for that?

(Lighter clicks)
I'll pick you up at nine.

Eight.

All right, eight.

But I'll be late.

(Door shuts)

(Discordant electric guitar)

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!

Whoa!

There's nothing Philip!

Philip, there's nothing coming out
of number nine, it's dead.

What number?
Number nine is dead completely.

It's crackling, there's something
Get me a coffee.

(Woman) OK, Larry.

Just a minute. Listen, how are they
going to know about the click track?

If we ever get this working.
They'll hear it on the earphones as usual.

And is the backing track all right?
Yes.

Cheating, are we?

Sarah.
Vocals on a soundtrack?

I thought this was supposed to be live.

Don't you try to wind me up.
Every group does it, you know.

What are you doing here?

The magazine asked me
to do an article on Wet Dreams.

'Bad Dreams'. Did I OK this?

(Sarah) You did.

Well, I'm surprised your rag's interested.

Well, they're not at all interested
in their music, it's appalling.

But their arrest record is fantastic.

Yes, well, the kids love 'em
and they earn a fortune.

Aren't you a bit long in the tooth
to be covering a punk band?

Well, you're not exactly a teenybopper
yourself. Or hadn't you noticed?

Those are nice. Are they for me?
She wouldn't take them.

What?

Apparently her maid noticed they were
from you and sent them back.

She This is your friend.

But, anyway, she said that Madame Callas
is sailing in the Greek islands.

That's bullshit. She hasn't been in
the Greek islands since Onassis died.

She does the same to me.
She's cancelled four lunches.

I haven't seen her in months.
Friendship isn't in her repertoire.

Do you have a light?
Brendan, give her a light.

Why are you so upset
about an old has-been?

Don't you dare call her that.
Your arm.

What?
Your arm.

Oh, right.

Good God. I thought
only musicians did that.

Did what?
Shot up backstage.

It's vitamins, Sarah.
Get her on the phone again.

OK. Don't throw those flowers away.
Ooh.

We'll throw them on the stage
at the end of the show. Is that Bruna?

It's the maid, yeah.
Bruna, it's Larry.

Bruna, just put me through
to Madame Callas, would you?

Bruna I just want

Don't Shit!

A has-been? Did you ever hear her?

She was before my time.
(Larry sighs)

I'm surrounded by children.
Why do I always hire children?

Well, that question has been asked.

Of course, this only proves my point.
What point?

The point of my idea.
What idea?

I'm not going to tell you.
Oh!

A has-been!
The greatest opera singer in the world?

I could fire you for saying that.
I think I will.

You're fired.

(Larry) Of course, you're right,
you're absolutely right.

Forget the flowers, forget the phone.
I've got to go and see her.

Did I say that?
No, but you were thinking it.

Brendan, get the car.

(Car approaching)

(Ringing)

Signor Larry.
Bruna.

Tell madame I've come to call.

No, she is not at home.
No, she is at home.

No, no
Liar!

I'm not a liar.

Maria! Maria!
Where are you going?

Maria!

(Maria) Bruna, who is it?

Signor Larry.

(Maria) Bruna, I'm not in for anybody.

Who do you think you are?

How dare you push your way
into my house?

I've been trying to get
in touch with you for days.

Ferruccio, see this gentleman out, please.

I just want to speak to you.
Would you mind leaving, please?

I just want to speak to Madame Callas.

Sorry, madame doesn't want
to see anybody.

Just leave me alone!
Let go of him.

I'm sorry, Ferruccio.
You're all right. You'll live.

Well, well. Violence.

When a lady says she's not at home,
it means she's not at home.

But, Maria, you are at home.

That is, how do you call it,
a manner of speaking.

Well, in a manner of speaking,
I was just passing by.

Hmm. Nobody passes by Maria Callas.

(Chuckles)

Either they come to see me or they don't.

What do you want?

I just wanted to say hello.

OK. Hello.

Now goodbye.

And I've got something
I wanted to talk to you about.

Another proposal?

After Japan?

Japan wasn't my idea.

And whose idea was it, then? Mine?

Yes, as a matter of fact.

The genesis, so to speak, of an idea

is immaterial.

It happened.

Japan happened.

That's enough.

(∮Callas: Puccini's O Mio Babbino Caro)

∮E se I'amassi indarno∮

∮andrei sul Ponte Vecchio,∮
∮ma per buttarmi in Arno!∮

∮Mi struggo∮
There. Japan.

I keep it to remind me.

Remind you of what?

Never to step foot on a stage again.

No, no matter what you thought
of your voice that night,

the audience still loved you.

People wouldn't notice if I barked.

Which I almost did that night.

So?

Have you come to suggest another way
for me to make a fool of myself?

Do you want me to join a Chinese circus

or show my derrière (Hips) in public?

I do read the papers.

That's just show business.
What I'm suggesting here is serious.

It's a It's revolutionary.

Oh, don't. It's too late.
I'm no longer on the market.

Let's talk about something else.

Tell me about yourself.
No, no, I

When did you become a hippy?
Don't play around.

You look tired, mm?
No, I'm fine.

Do you eat enough?
Yes, I eat enough.

Doesn't anyone take care of you?
I don't need anyone to take care of me.

You need a proper boyfriend, you know.

Ah, well
Have you met someone?

Maybe.
(Gasps) Thank God, gossip!

I'd like details, please, hmm? Bruna?

I thought you wanted me to leave.

I do, but later.

Bruna, bring some tea for Mr Kelly, please.

Ah, yes. Right away, yes.

(Larry) And it turned out that
he was an artist, a painter.

What's his name?

I don't know.

(Laughs)

But he he's hearing-impaired.

What do you mean?
Mm.

He doesn't hear very well,
he's got he's a little deaf.

(Chuckles) You mean he doesn't
have to listen to you.

Matter of fact, he listens to you.
He's got all your records.

Can he hear them?
Oh, yeah. He wears a thing.

You mean a
No, no, a little thing

that, you know, sits in there.
You can't see it.

Oh. He'd better be attractive. Is he?

Ohhh

(Laughs) Bravo.

What are they doing up there?

(Piano playing)

Are you practising?

Practising for what?

Singing. This piano's out of tune.
You're an opera singer, for Christ's sake.

I told you, I don't want to sing again.
Are you deaf like your friend?

Maria. What are you going to do,
just vegetate here?

Come on, there's a whole new generation
out there who's never seen you.

Well, they've missed their chance.

Well, why don't you give them
a second chance?

Oh, please. Don't speak to me
about a second chance.

Did Icarus have a second chance?
No, but

No! He flew too close to the sun

and, pow, into the water.

But what if Icarus,
if he'd had artificial wings?

What do you mean?
Well, the world is changing, Maria.

We have to change with it.
There are new technologies we can use.

Humph! Callas Forever, what a title.

What I plan to do is to film you
singing your most famous roles

and match it to the soundtrack you made

on your old recordings
when your voice was in its prime.

Technically that's perfectly possible.
I've laid it all out in here.

Do me a favour, eh?

Take it to bed tonight and read it
and tell me what you think.

I know what it is.

I know why you look different.
Oh, come on.

You dye your hair.
Maria, don't change

Callas Forever! Don't humiliate me.
There is no Callas.

Oh, Jesus Christ.
I denounce Maria Callas.

And, please, let me alone.
I have so many things to do.

I'm supposed to be on holidays.

I have to leave tomorrow for Sicily
and then the Greek islands.

Bruna, have you packed?

And then in several months
I'm to visit Egypt.

I want to see pyramids again.
Oh, yeah?

And make sure not to forget anything.

You're still here. What are you waiting for?

You think there is still money
to be made off me?

I don't entertain leeches.

I don't know why I'm here.
I've got a band opening tomorrow night.

They may eat chicken heads on stage
but at least they want to work,

at least they're professional.

Professional? They piss on the audience.

Oh, come on, Maria.

It doesn't matter how long it is since
I've seen you, you haven't changed one jot.

You're still a stupid
stubborn cow.

How dare you speak to me like that?

Get out.
All right.

Don't dare set foot
in my house ever again!

Don't worry!

Do you hear me?

I never want to see you again.

(Door slams)

'Bad Dreams' wants ice cream
flown in from America.

Good. Get it.
But where do we send it?

What do you mean?
They've just been thrown out of the Ritz.

They wrecked four suites
and a news stand.

Have they? Well, good for them.

Rock stars are easy, believe me.

Compared with divas,
they're com-fucking-paratively easy.

(Bell tolling, telephone ringing)

(Bell and telephone continue)

Hello.

Maria.

(Maria) Some wine?
(Sarah) Lovely.

How was your omelette?

It was fine.
Oh, good.

Didn't expect to eat alone.

I thought we might be going out.

Hm, I don't go out. Out is overrated.

What about fresh air? Sunshine?
(Lighter clicks)

This is Paris,
the most beautiful city in the world.

What's a city? Just a place.

It's not home.

Oh, don't be ridiculous, Maria,
this is your home,

you've been here for 20 years.

I don't have a home.

I lived in Italy many years as well,

and Greece, and America.

Do you think I have ever
been attached to a place,

a country?

I don't speak correctly any language.

I don't know who I am.

I was born Maria Kalogeropoulou.

And now I'm Maria Callas.

And I'm neither one.

I just float.

Well, that's a very interesting rendition
of Chekhov, thank you.

Why don't you just float over here

and sit down and have some food?

I'm not interested in food.

What What was that for?

Oh, something or other. Does it matter?

There hasn't been a reason

(Lighter clicks)

..not a single reason

to leave this house since he died.

Oh.

I need a better frame for this.

He is beautiful, isn't he?

Beautiful? Onassis?

Were you wearing your glasses
when you looked at him?

I saw the beauty. She didn't.

Mrs Kennedy.

She never understood him.

You never understood him either, Maria.

He was a shit, and you know it.

Turned you into a slave on that stupid boat.

Just lying in the sun,
no piano, no practising,

losing your voice,

and losing all your friends.

Let's not argue. I don't have the energy.

Sarah!

I'm naked, for Christ's sake.
I have to talk to you.

Don't reporters knock?
No, never.

What do you want?
Just five minutes.

Later, if you want to talk about
the concert last night.

They were great, weren't they?
If you like self-mutilation.

It's not them, this is serious.

A massage is serious.

It's Maria I'm here about.
She needs your help.

Oh, look, er

Get This is private.

If you've got something to say, say it.

(Larry) The feet, please.

You've got no idea how tense I get.

Look, we have to get her
out of that apartment.

So hire a forklift.

Bruna tells me she's up all night every night
listening to her recordings

and taking pills, a lot of them.

God knows what they are.

Do you have a light anywhere?

Oh, Sarah, please.

Sorry.

Ah, yes. Look, I saw what you sent.

I I read your proposal.

What?
I think it's a marvellous idea.

I mean, it might just work.
It could give her back her life.

Of course it will work.
You tell her that, not me.

No, look, listen to me.

She doesn't eat, she's wasting away.

She's in mourning for her voice,

for her career, for Onassis.

It's like the last act
of one of her damned operas.

And she's only 53.
Larry, you have to help her.

I'm not a Good Samaritan.

Don't you care what happens to her?
No, absolutely not.

Ow! Jesus, Sarah.

(Groans) What was that for?

For lying.

If you can't sleep, you should phone her.

(Sarah) Hello?
Sarah.

lt's two o'clock in the morning.
Is it? Two o'clock?

I'm sorry.
Well, l'm glad you're sorry.

Listen, erm

where does she get the pills?

How do l know where she gets the pills?

Yeah, but who gives them to her?
The doctor prescribes them.

Bruna gets them
Yeah, all right. All ri

All right, Sarah, I'll
(Sarah continues, indistinct)

I'll talk to Bruna
when I get back from Hamburg.

OK.
Good night.

I'm sorry.

I woke her up.

She was not pleased.

(∮Callas: Puccini's Un Bel Di Vedremo
(playing on stereo)

∮Nave appare.∮

∮Poi la nave bianca∮
∮entra nel porto,∮

∮romba il suo saluto!∮
∮Vedi! È venuto!∮

∮Io non gli scendo incontro. Io no∮
∮Mi metto là, sul ciglio del colle∮

∮e aspetto,∮
∮aspetto gran tempo∮

∮e non mi pesa∮
∮la lunga attesa.∮

∮È uscito dalla folla cittadina∮

∮un uomo, un picciol punto∮
∮s'avvia per la collina.∮

∮Chi sarà? Chi sarà?∮
∮E come sarà giunto?∮

∮Che dirà? Che dirà?∮
∮Chiamerà 'Butterfly' dalla lontana?∮

∮Io senza dar risposta∮
∮me ne starò nascosta∮

∮un po' per celia∮
∮e un po'∮

∮per non morir∮
∮al primo incontro,∮

∮ed egli alquanto in pena∮
∮chiamerà, chiamerà:∮

∮'Piccina mogliettina,∮
∮olezzo di verbena',∮

∮I nomi che mi dava∮
∮al suo venire.∮

∮Tutto questo avverrà,∮
∮te lo prometto!∮

∮Tienti la tua paura,∮
∮io con sicura fede I'aspetto!∮

Signor Larry.

Signora.
(Sobbing)

Signora, signora.
That's enough.

That's enough, signora.

Come now.

What will you have?

An espresso, please.
Right.

There you go. And sugar.

Thank you.

(Maria moans softly)

Good morning.
(Birdsong)

What are you doing here?

I've made you some breakfast.

With a little bit of help from Bruna.

Up-a-daisy, come on, it's two o'clock.
Bruna?

It's a beautiful day.

The sun is shining,
the birds are singing.

And you can't spend all your time in bed.

There.

Well, go on.

Drink your coffee.

Better now?

Mm.

Maria, your friends are
very worried about you.

You do know you have friends, don't you?

Have you ever really trusted anybody else?

I mean really trusted.

Well, if you have,
I want you to trust me today.

No questions, just trust me.

I beg you, Maria.

I actually beg you.

Think about it. Finish your breakfast.

I want to see Maria Callas again.

Afternoon, Madame Callas.

(People muttering)

(Gasps)

(Muttering continues)
(Woman) Callas.

(Woman) Do you see? It's Callas.

(Man) Maria Callas.

(Woman) Madame Callas.

(Larry) Everything all right?

(Man) Morning, sir.
Good morning.

(Woman) Good morning, sir.

We're going in here.

(Maria) Ah, Sarah.

Oh, Maria!
(Sarah) Oh, my God!

Oh!
Maria!

So beautiful!

I'm very suspicious
if my record company is present.

You are absolutely sublime.
Oh, you are charming.

What is this?
(Sarah) A conspiracy.

Ah. Come and sit down, Maria.

We have a surprise.
A surprise?

Madame Callas,
would you like a coffee?

No, thank you.
And you, madame?

Yes.

Roll the film.
(Maria whispering)

(Piano playing)
(Sarah) Shhh!

(∮Callas: Puccini's O Mio Babbino Caro)

∮O mio babbino caro,∮
∮mi pia∮

Is this a joke?

Sorry, there's something wrong with
the sound. What's wrong with the sound?

Will you deal with that soundtrack?

You invaded my house,

virtually kidnap me,

so you could bring me here to watch

the most shameful performance
I have ever given in my life?

How could you do this to me?
As a matter of fact you're wrong.

If you'd wait till they fixed the sound
you'll find you've never sounded better.

You're mad! He's completely mad!
(Sarah) It was a mistake.

Come and sit down.

Go again.

(Orchestra playing)

(∮Callas: Puccini's O Mio Babbino Caro)

∮O mio babbino caro,∮
∮mi piace, è bello, è bello∮

∮vo' andare in Porta Rossa∮

I told you so.

You've never been in better voice.

I was in terrible voice, you know that.

What have you done?

What kind of trick is this?

The concert is of course
your Japanese concert,

but the sound comes from a recording
you made 22 years ago.

All we've done is we've married
the sound to the picture.

It's simple.

But it's dishonest.

Why?

But it's not me singing.

Then who is it?

Renata Tebaldi?

(Laughter)

No, Maria, it's your image
it's your voice.

It has to be you.

∮Buttarmi in Arno!∮
∮Mi struggo e mi tormento!∮

∮O Dio, vorrei morir!∮

∮Babbo, pietà, pietà!∮
∮Babbo, pietà, pietà!∮

(Cheering)

I'm very confused.

Am I selling my soul to Satan?

This is 1977.

Satan is redundant.

Anyhow, in theory he can
make you live forever.

Hmm, vampires live forever.

Humph! If anyone qualifies
as a vampire, it's me.

Why do you say that?

I'm a journalist, remember.

We suck blood.

Because, of course,

we can't sing or dance

or paint or whatever.

I'd give anything to be Maria Callas.

You are, and you don't want to be.

(∮Callas: Bizet's Habanera)

∮L'amour est un oiseau rebelle
que nul ne peut apprivoiser∮

∮et c'est bien en vain∮
∮qu'on I'appelle∮

∮s'il lui convient de ref user.∮
∮Rien n'y fait,∮

∮menace ou prière,∮
∮I'un parle bien, I'autre se tait.∮

∮Et c'est I'autre∮
∮que je préfère.∮

∮Il n'a rien dit,∮
∮mais il me plaît.∮

(Music stops)

They came last night,

my phantoms -

Medea, Violetta, Norma.

But one in particular

is haunting me.

Who?

Carmen.

You know, I never sang her on stage.

I only recorded her.

I never completed her.

And maybe

Maybe?

No, I shouldn't say it. It's too crazy.

Maybe Carmen could be the exception.

(Maria) Mm

It will be fresh.
I would not be dredging up the past.

And perhaps it could work.

Perhaps?
Yes, perhaps.

Maria, no more perhaps.

No more maybes. I need a yes.

No.
It's not a hard word to say. Yes.

Y-E-S, yes.

You know it, you can say it,
you can form the word.

Please.

(Chuckles)

All right.

Yes.

You're sure?

Well, I

Yes.

I have your guarantee?

Yes.

Then it's the most beautiful yes in the world!

And you are the most
beautiful woman in the world!

(Larry) The first film that we propose

is a role Madame Callas
has never performed on stage.

It's also one of the most
popular operas in the world.

Carmen.

(Man) Carmen?
(All muttering)

I've already spoken to the distinguished
Spanish film-maker

Esteban Gomez,

who is very keen to direct.

Callas is really committed?
Carmen is her idea.

Come on, she's famous
for reneging on contracts.

Peter, Peter, Peter, come on.

I've known and worked with Maria Callas
for many years, as you know well.

She is a consummate artist.

In fact, in my experience,

her record of honouring her commitments
is better than many.

Nevertheless, Larry, we're gonna need
some guarantees here.

And I am your guarantee.

She is my guarantee.

I've never before put up money
into my own projects,

but since I'm so convinced
of the importance

and, indeed, good investment
of this particular project,

I'm putting up 50% of the initial capital.

(Man) 50%?
(Muttering)

So, what we are offering is involvement
in what could turn out to be

one of the greatest cultural events
of the 20th century.

Maria Callas on film, the greatest opera star
the world has ever seen,

singing her greatest roles.

These films could open up
a whole new generation to her work.

(Quiet chatter)

After Carmen, we will film
her other great roles -

Traviata, Norma, Tosca.

And I believe that with the emergence
of the new market in video cassette players,

it won't only be the sales of her records
that will go through the roof

but the sales of her videos.

And the royalties from those, gentlemen,

will keep many of us warm in our old age.

(Laughter)

(Chatter)

(Woman) She's coming!

(Man) Excuse me. Excuse me.

(Cheering)

(People calling out)

(Brendan) Oh, Jesus.

It'll be all right.

(Crowd noise continues)

Ah, there he is.
(Larry) Maria! You're looking wonderful.

You didn't tell me the press would be here.
I'm sorry, I tried to avoid this.

Either they go, or I go.

Now look, I can't ask them to leave.

You have to speak to them sometime.

(Man) Madame Callas!
You can handle them.

(Man) This way!
Madame Callas has nothing to say.

(All shouting)

Madame Callas, could this
be your great comeback?

Perhaps.

Madame Callas,
why did you change your mind?

Because I'm a woman
and a woman can change her mind.

Madame Callas, are you going
to make a movie or what?

Stop pushing, please!

Please, please, don't push!

When will you sing again at La Scala?

When the Milanese audience
have learned better manners.

(Woman) How much money
are you getting?

Oh, use your mind a bit, if you have one!

Have you signed a contract?

I don't want to talk about it.

Would you like to sing Isolde?

I'm not fat enough.

Madame Callas, will you have
a percentage of the profits?

Frankly, my dear, why should I tell you that?

You haven't come to terms yet
about my percentage, have you?

I'm glad they reminded me.

You must always have the press around.

Come on.

(All shouting)
Larry! Larry!

From the top of the Habanera,
please, Antoine.

Is everything to your satisfaction?
Oh, yes.

(Orchestra playing)

(Singing on recording)

(Coughing)

Sorry.

Hold it.
I need to know where I took a breath.

It's very simple.
Show me, show me.

(Both singing)

OK, OK, I'll try, I'll do my best.
Once more, Antoine, please.

Madame, could you also
remove your necklace?

Oh, yes, of course.

Thank you.
OK.

I'm ready.
Thank you.

(Orchestra playing)

(∮Callas: Bizet's Habanera - Carmen)
(Singing on recording)

∮L'amour est un oiseau rebelle∮
∮que nul ne peut apprivoiser∮

∮et c'est bien en vain∮
∮qu'on I'appelle∮

∮s'il lui convient de ref user.∮
∮Rien n'y fait,∮

∮menace ou prière,∮
∮I'un parle bien, I'autre se tait.∮

∮Et c'est I'autre que je préfère.∮
∮Il n'a rien dit, mais il me plaît.∮

∮L'amour.∮

∮L'amour.∮

∮L'amour.∮

∮L'amour.∮

∮L'amour est enfant de bohème.∮
∮Il n'a jamais, jamais connu de loi.∮

∮Si tu ne m'aimes pas, je t'aime,∮
∮si je t'aime, prends garde à toi.∮

∮Si tu ne m'aimes pas,∮
∮si tu ne m'aimes pas, je t'aime.∮

∮Et si je t'aime,∮
∮si je t'aime,∮

∮prends garde à toi!∮

Yes! It works!

Marvellous! Marvellous!

Ah, actually this is very difficult.

You know, I have to really
sing along to the tape,

I can't just move my lips. Isn't that right?
Yes, even though nobody will hear it.

So, really, everything -

the vocal cords, the muscles of the neck,
the diaphragm -

everything is singing.
Exactly.

Which means also

when we cast Escamillo
and Don José

they must be able to sing, even if
we will not be hearing the voices.

Am I correct?
Mm-hm.

Yes, yes, yes, Maria,

but first we must find actors
who have the right look.

Beautiful actors.

When can we start seeing people?

Tomorrow morning at noon, if you like.

OK, I'll be there.

(∮Puccini's Donna Non Vidi Mai)

(∮Puccini's Donna Non Vidi Mai)
∮Donna non vidi mai∮
∮simile a questa.∮

∮A dirle io t'amo,∮

∮a nuova vita∮
∮l'alma mia si desta.∮

∮Manon Lescaut∮

Beautiful voice. Interesting.

And if he's able to match

And, Eugene, you think there's no
problem with the match? Matching it?

I think he'll be fine.
OK.

(Singing continues)

(Esteban) Music and action!

(∮Carmen overture)

(Children shouting)

(Lively chatter)

(Thunder)

(Chatter)

Studio.
lt's Michael. ls Larry there?

I'm sorry, Michael, he's not here yet.

Oh, hang on, he's just arriving.

Larry
(Brendan) Hold on.

Arrested?

OK.

Hey.
(Brendan) Larry!

Who is it?
It's the painter.

Ah.

Michael.

It's a madhouse here,
I've just got in from Florence.

Everything's in chaos.
Just post bail.

What? I can't hear you.

Forget bail, he's just the drummer.

Erm, listen, why don't you come on over?

Look, l didn't forget, it's just l didn't
know how to get in touch with you.

Larry, look, I
Jump in a taxi, l'll pay for it.

Look, I'll see you in a minute.
I can't hear a word you're

I'll see you later. Big kiss. Bye.

This shawl is far too small!

Maria, what the hell's going on?

They're all waiting.
Huh? What the hell's going on?

Yes.
I've no wig, I've no costume.

She doesn't need a wig.
How can you expect me to rehearse?

You have a rehearsal costume
and you look wonderful.

You're just nervous
cos it's the first big scene.

Nervous? I'm terrified.

Why?

All the men of Sevilla
are waiting for Carmen.

Well!
Desiring her.

Look at me.
How can I fulfil that at my age?

You're wonderful and you're ageless.

Mm-hm. Ageless is a nice word for decrepit.

What? Are you saying that a mature person
cannot attract a young man?

Larry, the minister is ready.

Are you?
Maria, I've got an extraordinary idea.

In this scene I have put Escamillo.

What?
Yes! He is Spain's greatest matador

and he wants Carmen.

That's a clever touch.
Something Bizet didn't think of.

Let's try it.

Come on, then.

(∮Bizet's Carmen)

∮Carmen! Sur tes pas∮
∮nous nous pressons tous!∮

∮Carmen! Sois gentille,∮
∮au moins réponds.nous∮

Why are you all here waiting for me?

∮Et dis-nous∮
∮quel jour tu nous aimeras!∮

Excellent. I lovin' it.

∮Quand je vous aimerai∮

∮ma foi, je ne sais pas.∮

∮Peut.être jamais!∮
∮Peut-être demain!∮

∮Mais pas aujourd'hui,∮
∮c'est certain.∮

I'm looking for Larry.

Well, he's not here, is he?

Do you know where he is?
In a meeting.

Ah, so what else is new?

And now comes the moment of destiny

when Carmen sees Don José
for the first time.

Where is he? Where did you place him?

Oh, there.

Mamma mia, even more handsome
in a soldier's uniform.

He is the only man in Sevilla
who ignores her.

And she's attracted by that, hm?
Yes. The danger of it.

Like in a bullfight.
The bravery of the matador

is almost a dance with death.

(Orchestra playing)

(Gate clunks)

(Laughter)

∮L'amour est enfant de bohème.∮
∮Il n'a jamais, jamais connu de loi.∮

∮Si tu ne m'aimes pas, je t'aime,∮
∮si je t'aime, prends garde à toi.∮

(Piano playing, castanets clicking)

(Dancers) Olé!

Come, Maria, let's rehearse a bit.

Come, let's go.

So, remember,

it's very important to keep
your shoulders back.

And the chest high.
Tummy in.

So that everybody looks at you.

All right? Good.

Now, keep this posture
but let's pick up the skirt.

Hey! Remember.

Don't crouch.
Like this, see?

Come on.

That's it.

With the right foot, all right?
One and two.

One and two.

Come on, watch the head.

..and two. Lower the shoulders.
Watch the arms.

With a nice face, as if you were
looking at the man of your life.

Conquer him!
Conquer your man. That's good.

Come on with the skirt.
Come on.

Look at her eyes. She's just loving it.
(Piano playing)

(Whispering) One, two, three, four, five

No, no, stop, stop.

It's not good, it's not good!
Again, please, again.

Music!

(Piano)

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven

Pam, pam, sha!

No, no!

She's, er, in good form.

No, I don't know when I can do that.
I've got the notes somewhere, but

Music!

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven
Marvellous.

Wonderful. OK, OK.
Thank you, Maria, that's marvellous,

but now we are going to take a break.
A break?

We have union rules.

We have to stop.

I don't care about the rules.

Call you back.

I don't tolerate laziness!

If you want to work with Maria Callas,

you must be ready to work day and night!
Do you understand?

I don't care about Maria Callas!

I can't be surrounded
by people with stopwatches!

Well, I know, but
Every move I make,

every gesture, must be perfect!
I know.

If I can't be a perfect Gypsy,
I will not go on with this project.

I did not realise this was
an amateur production.

Please, don't say that
Go back to your 'Bad Dreams'!

Will you can it, Maria?
I should have known this was a

third-rate operation!
It's not a third-rate operation!

You are nothing but
a tiny, stupid predator! Shyster!

Stop shouting at me! Shut up!

Son of a bitch!

(Laughs)

Ah, I've missed it.

(Both laugh)

I've missed it.

Ah, a good crisis, a good tantrum.

Mmm! I've been so bored.

(Sighs) Aaah, I'm exhausted.

(Chuckles)

No, I'm not!

I'd like to do something.

Let's go out. We never go out.

What about a dinner? Hm?
Erm

You are not free?

Could I bring Michael?
Michael?

My friend.

Ah, now you know his name, ah?

Mm, my God, it must be serious.

He's dying to meet you.

I'd like to meet him.
I will be ready in five minutes.

All right. Put on something (Clicks tongue)

Chanel.

(Engine roars)

My God.

It's exactly like the first act of Bohème.
(Larry chuckles)

All your paintings, mm-hm.

Mm, wonderful red.

I adore red.

Oh, it's beautiful.

It's you.
What?

It's what I feel when I hear you.

Because I feel colours, vibrations,

waves of sound woven into the air.

He's very good, this boy, ah? Very good.

I want to show you
something very special to me.

This is my favourite.

Norma.

The splendour of the moon

with that incredible music of Casta Diva,

a feeling of peace and serenity

Shh.

(∮Piano playing Casta Diva)

You know that sometimes

I have visions inside my head.

You've read my heart.

Are you saying 'Bad Dreams' don't want to
go to Korea because they eat dogs? Look

they're a rock band, for fuck's sake,
they're not gourmets.

Oh, Jesus, fuck 'em.
I can't be bothered with them any more.

I'm trying to edit a film here,
I've got a very nervous leading lady.

(Chatter)

(Maria) Hello.
(Esteban) Have a seat.

Good morning.
Hi, Michael.

Ah, I can't wait to see it, mm.

It's just very early stages, just a rough cut,

and we've just finished it now.

Finished this morning?
Yeah.

Right.

OK, go on.

(Orchestra playing)

(Laughter, lively chatter)

Esteban, it's really spectacular.

It looks like something out of MGM.

It's a real Gypsy atmosphere. That's why
I brought the Gypsies from Spain.

(Larry) Yes.
Uh-huh.

Where's Carmen?
Shh. Hush, she's coming.

Here she comes.

I love that red shawl.
Mmm.

Red's your favourite colour.
Yes.

It's very sexy.
Mm.

(∮Les Tringles Des Sistres Tintaient)

∮Les Bohémiens à tour de bras∮

∮de leurs instruments∮
∮faisaient rage.∮

∮Et cet éblouissant tapage∮
∮ensorcelait les zingaras.∮

∮Sous les rythmes de la chanson,∮
∮sous les rythmes de la chanson,∮

∮ardentes, folles, enfiévrées,∮
∮elles se laissaient, enivrées,∮

∮emporter par le tourbillon!∮

∮Tra la la la, tra la la la,∮
∮tra la la la, tra la la la,∮

∮Tra la la la, tra la la la,∮
∮tra la la la, tra la la la,∮

∮Olé! Olé!∮

(Larry) Bravo!

Ah, bravo, bravo, bravo, Esteban!
Bravo! Wonderful.

Thank you so much!

She dances like a Spanish one.
Ah! (Laughs)

And you know, Lucia told me,

Gypsies dance to relieve the tension.

And I know Carmen is very tense.
Exactly.

Yes, because she doesn't know
if Don José will come or not.

She asks the cards.

The cards never lie.

My God.

(∮La Fleur Que Tu M'avais Jetée)

∮Je me prenais à te maudire,∮
∮à te détester, à me dire:∮

∮Pourquoi faut.il que le destin∮
∮I'ait mise là sur mon chemin!∮

∮Puis je m'accusais de blasphème∮
∮et je ne sentais en moi.même∮

Perfect sync.
What's his real voice like?

Oh, very good.
Mm.

Who did he study with?
Michelangelo.

Oh, shut up, please.
Well

∮Un seul espoir:∮
∮Te revoir, ô Carmen, oui, te revoir.∮
Oh, shut up, please.
Well

∮Un seul espoir:∮
∮Te revoir, ô Carmen, oui, te revoir.∮

∮Car tu n'avais eu∮
∮qu'à paraître,∮

∮qu'à jeter∮
∮un regard sur moi∮

∮pour t'emparer∮
∮de tout mon être,∮

∮ô ma Carmen!∮
∮Et j'étais une chose à toi.∮

∮Carmen, je t'aime.∮

(Music ends, loud click)

Who is it?

It's Marco.
Oh, Marco.

I just wanted to say thank you.

What on earth for?

Oh, they're beautiful.

What beautiful flowers.

My favourite colour.

Please, sit down.
Thank you.

Bruna, why don't you look for a nice vase
for these wonderful flowers?

And I'm not in for anyone.

All right.
I want to have a quiet chat with Marco.

Please, sit down.

May I ask you a question, Madame Callas?

Of course.

Do you think I would be able
to sing José one day?

With my own voice.
I mean in an opera house.

Yes. It's very possible.

You know, your voice
has a beautiful quality.

And if you study well
and watch your breathing,

if you remember what I showed you

I will never forget.

Have a drink. Please.

Oh, I don't usually drink.

Ah?

It helps the voice
if you relax every so often.

Thank you.

Cheers.

So, your parents were upset
when you left, hmm?

(Clears throat)

Ours is wine country. They worked
in the vineyards for generations.

They expected you to stamp on grapes?

I suppose.
Mm.

But you were meant
to stand on other things.

Come on, you are a very handsome man.

You must have a string of broken hearts
lying behind you.

No. Not that many.

But you are meant to break hearts.

That is your destiny. (Laughs)

Mmm.

Tell me a little bit more about yourself.

Haven't you left something out?

Mm?

(Chuckles) I don't understand.

Isn't there someone
you haven't mentioned?

Let me guess.

A girlfriend, perhaps?

Well, yes.

I have known her since
You were children.

No, teenagers.

And I suppose you are faithful to her, mm?

(Chuckles) Well

Because someday
you plan to marry her, hm?

(Clears throat)

Well, yes, that's the idea.

But that's a long way off.

I'm not ready to marry yet.

So many things have to
happen still in my life.

So many things to experience.

So much to discover.

(She sighs)

Oh I don't know what I'm saying.

It's the brandy. I'm not used to it myself.

Where's Bruna? Bruna!

We have to work together,

and at the end of the day,
work is the only thing that counts.

Hm?

But, madame
Mm.

It's been a long day.

I'll see you tomorrow.

(Sobs)

(Crowd cheering)

(∮Carmen - motto theme)

(∮Crowd) Olé!

(∮Choir singing Les Voici)

∮Carmen. - Il est là.∮
∮Qui donc? Lui,∮

(∮Carmen, Un Bon Conseil)

∮Don José.∮
∮Prends garde.∮

∮Je ne suis pas femme∮
∮à trembler devant lui.∮

∮Prends garde.∮

∮C'est toi.∮
∮C'est moi.∮

(∮Final Duet)

∮L'on m'avait avertie∮
∮que tu n'étais pas loin,∮

∮que tu devais venir∮

∮I'on m'avait même dit∮
∮de craindre pour ma vie∮

∮mais je suis brave!∮

∮Je n'ai pas voulu fuir!∮

∮Tu ne m'aimes donc plus?∮

∮Tu ne m'aimes donc plus?∮

∮Non,∮

∮je ne t'aime plus.∮

∮Mais ne me quitte pas,∮
∮ô ma Carmen!∮

∮Ah, souviens.toi,∮
∮souviens.toi du passé.∮

(∮Audience cheering and applauding, faint)

Are you all right?

It was a triumph, wasn't it?

It was magnificent.

A triumph is worse than a failure.

What?

If the price is too high.
Oh, what are you on about now?

It is like Faust, isn't it?

You know Faust.

He won back his youth. So did I.

The sound of my youth.

Oh, come on, Maria. You only know Faust
because he's a character in an opera.

He's fiction, not real.

It was a fraud. Carmen was a fraud.

All right! Yes!

Only in the way
all performance art is a fraud.

I mean, when you were giving
those great performances before,

weren't you standing
in front of painted scenery?

Yes, but
And when you played Medea,

when you were deciding
to murder your children,

weren't you also looking at a man
standing in front of you

with a stick in his hand
conducting an orchestra?

I mean, what's real about that?
It's all a fake.

But you gave it its own truth, Maria.

That is the same thing with Carmen.
No!

What does it matter
if it's the young voice, if it works?

And it does work.

It's given you a second chance
and you should take hold of it.

You should damn well take hold of it
and stop all this bloody nonsense.

I don't want to have to worry
about you when I'm gone.

Gone?

I've got to do my column from New York
for six months, and I

I leave on Wednesday.

Oh, well, then goodbye.

Hoh!

(Chuckles)

(Maria) I'll miss you.

I'll miss you.

Oh, you
I'll miss you.

Oh, Maria.

And

I'm sure you're right.

And you don't have to worry about me.

I'm back on, er What is it in English?

On the trail?
Track.

Hm, whatever.

∮Libiam' ne' lieti calici∮
∮che la bellezza infiora∮
Hm, whatever.

∮Libiam' ne' lieti calici∮
∮che la bellezza infiora∮

(∮Tenor singing)
∮Libiam' ne' lieti calici∮
∮che la bellezza infiora∮

∮Libiam' ne' lieti calici∮
∮che la bellezza infiora∮

What on earth?
Traviata.

I know it's Traviata.
Our next project?

(∮Chorus singing)

∮Libiam' ne' dolci fremiti∮
∮che suscita I'amore,∮

∮poiché quell'occhio al core∮
∮onnipotente va.∮

∮Libiamo amore, amor fra I calici∮
∮più caldi baci avrà.∮

(∮Callas: Verdi's Libiamo)

∮Tra voi saprò dividere∮
∮il tempo mio giocondo.∮

∮Tutto è follia nel mondo∮
∮ciò che non è piacer.∮

∮Godiam', fugace e rapido∮
∮è il gaudio dell'amore,∮

∮è un fior∮
∮che nasce e muore∮

(∮Callas: Puccini's Vissi D'Arte)

∮Sempre con fe' sincera∮

∮Ia mia preghiera∮
∮ai santi tabernacoli salì.∮

∮Sempre con fe' sincera∮
∮diedi fiori agli altar'.∮

∮Nell'ora del dolore∮
∮perché, perché, Signore,∮

∮perché me ne rimuneri così?∮

∮Perché me ne rimuneri così?∮

I thought he was going to do it
last night. So what are you saying?

But you said he would.
Well Well, get Rocco to deal with it.

I mean, he's got to sign it. Rocco's the man.

All right, I'll take care of it.
Call Rocco, OK?

See you.
I'll be back later.

(Sighs) Well, you look good.

Mm.
So why do we have to meet in the car?

No telephones,
no assistants running around.

(Larry) Sounds ominous.

Why's she picking him up?

OK, what's the problem?

I can't do Traviata.

You change your mind

overnight?

I never promised.

Do you have any explanation?
Is there a reason?

Listen to me, you're a professional,
you understand.

I've said everything
I have to say about Violetta.

The same is true of Norma and Lucia
Yeah, but

and Medea.
(Sighs)

Carmen, no. Carmen was different.

But forget the others.

Let's stop now.

What are you going to do
for the rest of your life?

Rot away in that stinking apartment?

If I choose. It's my life.

Ah. And you've chosen.

Well, fine, thank you.

Ferruccio, stop the car.

Stop the car here, I'm getting out.
Where are you going?

I'm going to spend my time
with real live people.

But we're in the middle of traffic.

I'd rather get run over than stay here.

Larry, stop!

Stop! Larry!

Taxi! Taxi!
Larry!

Perhaps there is Tosca.

Tosca?

(Birdsong)
I never had a picnic before, you know?

It's really very pleasant.

You can observe people.

Cut to the chase.

What do you mean?

You didn't bring me here
to listen to the birds.

Maria Callas doesn't arrange a picnic
in the middle of the Bois de Boulogne

with hampers and sandwiches
unless she wants to soften me up.

So what is it? Come on.

Are we going to do Tosca or are we not?

You know, I have so many problems
with Tosca.

I did it so many times, and perhaps I

Well, that was fun while it lasted.

Tosca was in production for two minutes.
Even for you that's a record.

Oh, don't waste a good chicken sandwich.

So that's what this charade's all about?

To tell me you can't do Traviata,

but instead you can do Tosca,
but that actually you can't do Tosca.

(Sighs)

I could kill you.

Oh, come on, sit down.

Please, please.

(He sighs)

You know, I've been thinking seriously

about singing Tosca again.

Singing?
Well, I'm only 53.

There is people giving concerts
who are almost 80.

Carmen was a great experience for me.

Oh

I found the excitement again
of making something,

of creating.

I rediscovered my soul.

(Sighs)

I'd given it away.

Long before.

In exchange for what?

I've wasted so many good years.

Maria, I
But maybe it's not too late.

Tosca may be the role
I'm still able to perform.

But this time without your tricks.

I must be Callas again,

but Callas as she is today.

Mm?

I understand, but
Of course, I must work on my voice

and re-explore the character.

Mm?

Maybe I
I should do some sort of workshop.

I've changed so much since I played Tosca.

And we will see if I have the voice.

I want to try.

Do you think I'm crazy?

(Maria) Hm?

No.

Not crazy.

This turns my idea on its head.

But, Maria, you must be prepared for
Larry. Larry.

This time I'm asking you

to trust me.

(Maria) Mm?

OK.

No, no, no, just a small group.

Mm, students, you know.

Just some people
she can bounce off new ideas.

She's played Tosca a hundred times before,
she wants to find something new.

No, it won't cost us anything.
It's an extension of what we normally do.

It's a rehearsal. When she's discovered
something, then we'll shoot.

All right. I look forward to seeing you there.

(Laughs) Yes. Bye.

(Groans)

It's me.

(Sighs)

I'd kill for a Scotch.

(Michael) It's on the side of the bed.

Ah.

(Sighs)

The ice has probably melted by now.

I'm sorry I'm so late.

I spent the day trying to persuade Philistines
that art is a good investment.

And I succeeded.

Mmm, ohh, so good.

What are you doing?
Packing.

Why?

My show in Tel Aviv's next week.

Next week?
Told you four times.

Yeah, but Oh, sh

It's always the people who can hear
who don't listen.

Nyah, nyah, nyah.

When are you going to be back?

I don't know.

I have shows in Amsterdam
and Cape Town as well.

Places
Yeah, but that

I Mike

I'm going to see you again, aren't I?

Who knows?

Hey.

(Sighs)

Did I fuck up?

(Sighs)

(Maria) What you must bear in mind

is that at the end of the second act

Tosca kills another human being.

What brings her to this?

Every time I have played Tosca,

I have in my mind

plunged that knife into a different person.

Someone that I hated at that moment.

(∮Piano playing)

∮Tosca! Finalmente mia! Aah!∮

∮Maledetta! This is the kiss∮
∮of Tosca! Help! I'm dying!∮

∮Die accursed!,∮

∮Die! Die! Die!∮

∮He is dead!∮

∮He move forward∮

∮trembled before him all Rome.∮

∮But∮

∮she is still possessed by him.∮

(∮Piano playing)

∮When she sleeps,∮

∮she dreams of him.∮

∮When she's awake,∮

∮she feels his touch.∮

∮How can she break his spell?∮

∮Death∮

∮Death can free her.∮

∮Only God can judge them both.∮

Are you trying to tell us
that Callas will only film Tosca

if she can sing in her own voice?

Exactly.

Her voice is unusable.

It's sad but it's true.

But the voice doesn't matter.
It's the performance that matters.

We should film Tosca
with Maria as she is today,

with the voice that she has today.

The voice does matter, Larry.

There was a voice.

The audience expects to hear her voice.

Gerard
But it's opera.

Opera is voice. Opera is music.

Look, there's other kinds of music.

There's There's the music
in the head, there's

(Sighs) ..there's the music in the heart,

there's

there's unnameable music.

You're all deaf.

(Gerard sighs) Frankly, gentlemen,

I'm surprised she agreed to do
any of this project in the first place.

But let's look at the bright side.

We have the Carmen special.

And the sales of her records

will go through the roof.

(Chatter)

(Grunts)

Larry, your coat.

Oh, yeah.

Maria, it doesn't matter
that they didn't understand.

I mean, there are other sources,
I've got other backers.

We can take the project somewhere else.

We've got to do it.

They are not wrong.

That is the first thing
you must say to yourself,

that they are not wrong.

No matter how much
I refine my knowledge,

the truth is, there is no voice.

Oh, but does that matter? No!

Yes. Because once there was a voice.

There was such a voice.

But you have other things.

Larry, Larry.
No, listen to me.

You have We

I think we have to face the fact

that we are older.

Both of us.

Hmm?

Have you lost money?

Oh, that doesn't matter.

I'll make some of it back on Carmen.

What?

No, what were you going to say?

Say it.

I can't.
No, come on, say it.

I've no right.
Maria, be straight with me, come on.

Say it.

Destroy Carmen.

Carmen?

No, you've got you've got no right.

Carmen's beautiful.

I know.

Carmen is some of the best work
you've ever done.

It's a legacy, it's

In a hundred years' time

It will be 'There'
people will say:

'There'
(∮Carmen - Final Duet)

'There'
∮elle est née,∮

∮et libre elle mourra!∮

∮C'est moi que tu suivras.∮
∮Non! Non! Jamais!∮

∮Je suis las de te menacer.∮

∮Eh bien.∮

∮Frappe.moi, donc,∮
∮ou laisse.moi passer.∮

∮Pour la dernière fois,∮
∮démon, veux-tu me suivre?∮

∮Non! Non!∮

∮Cette bague, autrefois,∮
∮tu me I'avais donnée. Tiens!∮

∮Eh bien! Damnée!∮

'There'
That was Callas.

But it's not honest.

(Larry sighs)

It's a fake.

I'm willing to admit, a magnificent fake,

but still a fake.

And maybe no one watching it
will realise that,

but I'll know.

I understand that technology can create
the most extraordinary illusions

but what I had was never an illusion.

If it was nothing else

it was honest.

Even on a bad night, on a really awful night

when you wanted to close your ears
and hide your eyes,

it was honest.

And now you're asking me
to end my career

by announcing that Maria Callas
was, after all, a fraud?

You want my legacy to be

the opposite of everything
I ever stood for?

(Sighs) I know why I hate integrity.

It's great for the person who has it.

It's pure hell for those around it.

I mean, it's sure, it's admirable.

You know perfectly well
I own half of Carmen.

(Tuts)

All right, I'll make sure
that it's never shown.

What do you want now?

My kidneys? My liver?

Thank you.

(Larry) Yeah.

Will you take me to my car?

Hm?

(∮ Piano playing)

Michael sent this.

Ah.
'Ah' indeed.

Why don't we walk?

(Car door shuts)

I need to walk.

(Birdsong)
(Maria) God answers prayers, you know?

(Larry) Does he?
Yes. Contrary to popular belief.

The problem is we ask for the wrong things.

I hated Maria Kalogeropoulou.

I wanted to be Maria Callas instead,

and for a time I was.

Perhaps I should have simply
asked to be a woman.

And maybe, my friend,

instead ofjuggling artists
and performance dates and continents

and an occasional roll in the sack,

you should have simply asked to be a man.

But then how happy
would we have been, hm?

As just a woman, a man,
as nothing extraordinary?

As it is, we both gave everything and

received

(Chuckles) well, for a time Everything.

Almost.

So it goes.

(Larry sobs)

(Tuts) Oh, what on earth are you doing?

(Larry) Sorry.

Wipe your eyes, please.

I'm sorry.

Oh. You used to dress better, hm?

What do you mean?
It's a very expensive jacket.

This lot cost a bloody fortune.

What will you do now?

Have I bankrupted you?

I'm all right.

I still have 'Bad Dreams'.

(Chuckles) As it were.

I thought maybe

having the Bolshoi Ballet dance Spartacus
at the Roman Coliseum.

Whatever.

Maybe none of the above.

Perhaps I'll go to Tel Aviv or

Cape Town and see an Art show.

I don't know, maybe I'll just
stay home and read books.

I I think

I'll walk some more.

It's a beautiful day.

What will you do?

Don't ask questions

that can't be answered.

(Birds singing)

(∮Callas: Casta Diva)

∮Casta Diva,∮
∮Casta Diva che inargenti∮

∮queste sacre∮
∮queste sacre, queste sacre∮

∮antiche piante,∮

Maria Callas, born Kalogeropoulou
Died on 16 September 1977
∮antiche piante,∮

Maria Callas, born Kalogeropoulou
Died on 16 September 1977

∮a noi volgi il bel sembiante∮
∮a noi volgi, a noi volgi,∮
Maria Callas, born Kalogeropoulou
Died on 16 September 1977

∮a noi volgi il bel sembiante∮
∮a noi volgi, a noi volgi,∮

∮Il bel sembiante,∮
∮senza nube e senza vel!∮

∮Tempra, o Diva,∮
∮tempra tu de' cori ardenti,∮

∮tempra ancora∮
∮tempra ancora, tempra ancor∮

∮Io zelo audace.∮

∮Spargi in terra quella pace∮
∮spargi in terra, spargi in terra∮

∮che regnar, regnar∮
∮tu fai, tu fai nel ciel.∮

∮Tu fai, oh sì, tu fai nel ciel.∮

'The events depicted in this film

belong to both the fantasy of the author

and the memories
of his longstanding friendship

with Maria Callas.'