Original subtitles

Seneca was a senator and was

considered the wisest man in Rome.

He also had the job of tutoring Nero

on all matters and became a life coach

of the mass-murdering president for life.

A bad idea that would later cost Seneca her life.

"I understand the sorrow at the

loss of some friends from our midst."

I understand the sorrow of certain

friends who have passed from our midst.

No... "I understand the grief

about the passing of some friends..."

Do you notice? Understand, depart, friends?

Sounds presidential.

Yes!

"If there are fishermen among us today, or fisherwomen..."

If there are any fishermen among us today, or fisherwomen...

Correct! Be a friend of the common people.

-Pretend you're one of them! -Yes!

"I share your concerns and your problems.

I'm just a little ten million times better than you!"

"You know, when you find a rotten shell..."

You know, when you see a rotten clam...

Not "rotted". "Rotten" suggests old, senile, demented.

"When you find a rotten shell, you have to...

... throw it away or it will spoil our whole meal."

When you find a rotten shell, you have to...

-...you have to throw them away... -...throw them.

Otherwise the whole meal is spoiled.

Very good! And now start again.

I know people are sad, even angry, that certain

people from our midst have had to leave.

But all fishermen know if

you have... a rotten oyster...

...throw that thing...

... in the broth...

to eat!

All right then...

Again. From the beginning.

Seneca was the establishment in Rome

and the ruling class queued up

to pay him for his deep thoughts,

who usually told his wealthy clients exactly what they wanted to hear.

What makes a good life? One worth living for?

peace of mind and serenity.

My friends, do not neglect your

spirit, which nature has gifted you with,

by pursuing only bodily pleasures.

eat less

Not nothing, my dear. Certainly not.

Certainly not. But less.

strive for virtue. Luck will follow.

Although Nero was married to Octavia, he was addicted to the charms of a whore.

And yet reason is what gives the universe its form.

Reason fights back passion and leads to a good life.

A life that is simple and in harmony with nature.

It was rumored that Nero shared a love of drugs with her.

A lower-class vice that often

ruined the looks of young girls.

Mister President!

You are my only scholar.

Seneca should teach Nero how the world works.

But for Nero, who owned the world, the

"honeymoon" with his teacher was quickly over.

Lord, purely visually...

or ethically speaking, physically

harming your wife is a shaky thing to do.

A President is to be feared. I only expect one thing from this job.

And that would be: to be on everyone's lips because of my cruelty.

I understand. And frankly, I admire it.

I know someone like you has this irrepressible...

... male nature,

who seeks to express themselves, but....

The average commander commands with fear.

A good one with respect.

But a great, one of a kind guide

show mercy and demonstrate

gentleness with every gesture,

that he can reign without fear of spreading.

The gesture that will bring him eternal glory

is not the hand that chokes the

throat but the fingertips that gently

caress the bloody plumage of an injured pigeon.

Be quiet!

Does anyone ever tell you that?

That you should save your stupid wisdom

and just shut up!

don't look at me The boy is right.

-You're acting up. - Madam, I...

You think you're a Socrates, but you really have no

more profound wisdom than my son's wrestling coach.

Lord, I must beg your mercy for the sake of your wife, Octavia.

She is an old and dear friend of mine.

Are you dumb?

Stop talking.

I told you not to.

Shut up if you don't want your brains crushed with that stick.

Look at him!

-Yes, this is a stick. -Exactly!

So stop bugging me

and maybe... maybe...

I'll let you go again today.

I do what I want.

Whether you agree or not.

Everyone listen up!

Nobody harms this man today.

He's a very respectable man. You all know who he is.

He believes that grace is mightier

than strength because of the noble man

who values ​​grace more highly.

So be it.

I don't believe in that noble spirit.

And I don't believe in grace.

From today on I don't want to hear any more of these bad ideas.

Never again!

We will play by different rules from now on.

From now on!

Nero's wife Octavia was tied up.

Her veins were slashed.

Nero sent her head to Poppaea, his new bride, as a wedding gift.

This man had the power of life and death

by a quarter of humanity on earth.

And Seneca knew the odds were all too

good that Nero, that unstable, manic child,

would soon take on him too.

Senator, I know you're history savvy.

Surely you know the story of President Tiberius and

his teacher Vipsinius on their journey through Africa?

Vipsinius said to Tiberius:

"You must show yourself as a leader, and as a figurehead!

You have to lead the caravan and show the

people that you lead the world." Literally.

That flattered Tiberius.

And he went to the top and marched...

and as expected...

bang!

A damn panther suddenly appeared.

He bared his teeth.

Luckily, Tiberius' bodyguards came

with 100 spears

and turned the panther into a porcupine.

That same evening at dinner

boasted Tiberius

Vipsinius.

Vipsinius said:

"Mr. President, aren't you upset?

I delivered you to a panther!"

"On the contrary," he replied.

"You taught me the most important lesson of my life.

Even for a president is to

overcome fear and shame

the most important thing in life."

But then...

Vipsinius was dragged deep into the jungle after supper,

where a tribe of cannibals awaited him.

And it was the cannibals' greatest pleasure

to nail him to a tree trunk and eat him alive.

While he was fully conscious, they cut strips of his flesh from his body

and to the music of his howling they ate and laughed

and had fun until he bled to death and finally died.

madam?

What am I supposed to learn from this?

You are an expert when it comes to survival!

You know your only job is to

look my son in the eye and say:

"Yes, Mr. President.

In fact, it's the smartest choice you could ever make."

Then go home and count your money.

Not that I still regret saving you from exile.

I hope your kidneys are better

Seneca had been exiled many

years earlier for his outspoken ways.

That was a brutal punishment.

Exile did not mean withdrawing to

lick your wounds, but more or less

abandoned naked in the wild and forced to feed on vermin.

Most became ill, starved, or killed themselves.

But Seneca survived.

And he knew he wouldn't survive a

second round of this kind of abuse.

Nero was getting more and more out of control and becoming more and more unpredictable.

He had killed his wife, poisoned

his stepfather and half brother.

All this under the supervision of his mother.

But nothing could save Agrippina,

as Nero's heart once turned against her.

Nero planned a shipwreck, but Agrippina miraculously survived.

I survived!

My child, I live!

Seneca!

I saved you!

I rescued you from exile!

made you rich!

Please!

Seneca! Don't pretend you're hard of hearing!

I bought you your first house!

Seneca became immeasurably rich by writing speeches

justifying Nero's crimes, such as murdering his mother.

i am the mom Don't hurt mom.

mom loves you!

He was nicknamed "Seneca praedives": Bonzen-Seneca.

ABOUT THE BIRTH OF EARTHQUAKE

As Nero became more and more extravagant and unapproachable,

many ordinary Romans fell into abject poverty.

The elites were fed up with Nero. They were fed up.

Eventually, Senator Gaius Piso called his friends

to kill Nero and restore order to the state.

We're gonna take out the damn guy. Right now.

But his co-conspirators couldn't shut up.

Nero used the elimination of the conspirators to clean up.

And one face he wished never to see again was that of Seneca.

Nero knew that Seneca had nothing to do with

Piso's conspiracy, but he felt a deep contempt

for this old man's hubris.

In addition to cheerful life advice for

Rome's wealthy, Seneca led a double life.

figs!

He directed brutal and nightmarish horror plays for the chic upper class.

It is wonderful!

I think beauty is good for the soul, don't you?

Seneca knows that.

It's just his childish sense of humor that gives us this whole...

disgusting stuff.

We dream of justice but cannot believe in it.

Except as fairy tales that our grandparents told us.

Anyone who has ever looked at Argos with love

or affection, felt a certain attachment to home,

he shall appear now, for heaven's sake,

to prevent a calamity beyond imagining.

Let anger run free, without limit, without shame, only

monstrous evil, like sparks that strike hateful flames.

Feast on this bloody spectacle

that I have prepared for you!

Feast on this explosion of

evil until your bellies burst!

I must dare something terrible!

-Not something political again? -Something outrageous!

Destroy my brother's

spirit to heal mine!

Lord, have you learned nothing from your mistakes?

That violence, physical violence against one's

own flesh and blood, is an unpardonable sin?

A President is to be feared!

Oh shit! I knew it was going to be political again.

He loves to mock the President.

He thinks he can talk his way out of anything.

Let the rabble praise what they fear!

His temper cannot be contained.

This irrational passion, this anger, this rage

must lead to disaster!

If you force recognition through fear, fear and hatred will come upon you.

True fame, true respect comes

not by command but by the heart.

I've been brooding over my revenge for years!

All right then. Which weapon should it be? The sword? Fire?

My brother Thyestes himself will be the weapon.

THYESTES BOOK AND DIRECTED BY SENECA

Let the father eat the

flesh of his children.

Let him drink the blood of his blood.

To gnaw at the bones of his own flesh!

So that he feels the same burning

hatred for himself that I have for him!

And you will make sure that no one finds out about our plans!

The whole planet should shudder

and shatter, but we know how it will.

Everything goes on as usual

and evil becomes the norm.

God in heaven! Far too clumsy.

This fashionable pessimism! Everyone picks on past crimes.

He would get an award for it if there was only one sympathetic character.

I'm sorry!

No no.

Please don't!

Caught! The whole brood.

Ah, how the thought of their pain delights me!

My bloodlust, my anger!

What unbearable bliss!

How nice to see my brother!

The greatest happiness of an exile is to be back home.

It's time for tears of happiness!

I have never begged, but please take my beloved children.

-As proof of my good intentions. -My brother!

Wear this crown while I offer

the chosen sacrifices to the gods.

Now they're going to kill the little slave boys?

I hardly ate, my stomach can't take it.

No!

No Please!

Please no!

-Is that real? - Better not ask.

Damn Seneca! Always one over the target.

are you shocked

If crime had stopped here, it would have been a blessing!

Even the sun was startled by the

horror it saw and stole from the sky.

But too late to make the cruel feast unseen,

which Atreus offered to his own brother.

Now I know how the gods feel.

Her power flows through me, fires my synapses.

The world must submit to my will alone.

It's good to be a man, better still a

king, but a god with infinite power,

this is the best thing in the world!

So...

The human soup is served.

The father cuts up the bodies of his

children, chews the flesh of his flesh.

He sips blood-soaked wine to wash

down a chunk of flesh in his throat.

Poor Thyestes' last mercy is

his ignorance, but it doesn't last.

The blow has already been dealt and

what follows is the pain, the realization

how sick the world is

Insane and sick.

Finally home, safe and sound, my exile over, my worries forgotten!

The only thing that would sweeten my evening now are my children.

your children are here They can never be taken from you again.

I promise your paths will never part.

Your boys will feed you. They will fill you up.

-I swear. -I am happy to accept this feast.

Thank you my brother!

Let's drink wine in honor of the gods and get drunk!

Go crazy!

Moment!

What about me? I can't move my hands.

The cup is like lead. The wine doesn't want to cross my lips.

what came over me

Something is wrong here.

What is that?

I feel a tremor in my stomach, a tremor.

I hear sounds coming from my stomach that aren't mine!

My heart beats with fear!

-My children! -Brother, here I have what you ask for.

That's unbearable. What are we going to tell him?

How...

can life go on after such evil?

How can all this shit, piss, all this poison

not enter the heart of the earth and blast it?

"I want my kids back!

God give me back my boys!" There you have it!

So hug her. kiss them

Bite her little lips.

Be gentle and give me...

... their remains so I can give them a proper burial.

What's left of them you already have.

What's not left of them... you have that too!

What is this riddle? Are they being eaten by beasts?

There's only one person who ate them, and that's you!

You yourself devoured your sons!

Who has ever seen such a terrible deed?

Aren't there any limits?

Is there no decency in this world?

No humanity?

Who made this world what it is?

Where are they who protect the innocent?

Whoever is in charge here, for

your honor, for the world you rule,

send down upon us your mighty cleansing wrath!

Burn these scum with your righteous fire!

It does! Now! I beg...

No, I ask it of you!

I challenge you! Go now!

We all deserve death!

Or...

admit once and for all that there is nothing up there.

Nothing but black emptiness.

And then we must worship the

night and the cold and learn to die

the corruption, the lies

and to love the hate, because that's all there is.

Everything else was just imagination.

The gods have forsaken us and the

earth is nothing but a miserable lump.

Why has everything beautiful disappeared?

Why did night come to banish

all light in the middle of the day?

Either we lost the sun

or we drove it away.

Of all generations, are we the ones

who deserved the ruin of the earth?

And their fall from the cosmic axis?

Could it be?

Applause please!

Come on! Come on! Get up you motherfucker!

Come on, you damn pig! Come on!

Come on! Come on!

March, march, march, march, march!

I told you to come up! So get your ass up!

I'll count to three, then I'll get you moving!

One!

Two!

Three!

What the hell did I tell you? Do your damn duty!

-Do your damn duty! -Excellent!

I love him.

Guys like him have their uses, Mr. President.

But I'm a little concerned...

... around this one. He has a lot of energy and deals well.

But I wonder if he can keep that under control.

Watch this. You can learn something from me. I know how to tenderize that.

Use the time you have and do it right.

Listen!

i have a job for you

You seem like a good guy.

Don't be afraid to lend a hand if you have to.

If someone did something...

You know: something bad.

Do you know who Senator Seneca is?

No.

Oh that is good.

I'll bring you a horse.

Friends! Here your nightmares come true!

A tremor, a cold shiver.

Truly not for the faint of heart.

Well, there's a moral to our story.

It wasn't senseless violence, after all.

What is required of those allowed to sit at the table with the President?

What are the conditions for a comfortable life?

For the many benefits, the food, the drink?

Exactly this:

to smile at the atrocities committed against your

loved one and say, "Thank you, boss. Any more?"

You eat the shit they serve you and you ask for more.

As in love, everything is based on transactions. Unfortunately!

Whether it is worth paying such a high

price for life is another question entirely.

We know what drives you to write those gruesome stories that are

so far removed from anything you say to Rome's decision makers.

You spend so much time advising this soulless bunch on how to

live righteously, but only tell them what they want to hear.

-This will drive you mad. -I don't want to be a know-it-all.

I can sense that something is brewing in you that makes you want to attend these events.

I can't say for sure, but it's not conducive.

Let's not read into it too much.

The play isn't about modern-day Rome, is it?

But about ancient Greece.

Oh, you are terrible!

But I care about you All that political stuff.

You have to be more careful when you talk about the President.

Nero would hang you by the balls before the end of the break.

If he knew we were watching, we'd believe in it right away.

Keep going! Go Go! Don't let up!

Don't let up!

There were rumors... rumors going through the

capital that Seneca had fallen from grace.

But Seneca, Mr. Establishment, could talk his way out of anything.

Tonight's theater-goers, the crème de la crème, were

happy to be guests of the great man at his country estate,

the most coveted spot for supper in posh Rome.

At least at the beginning.

Remember, we die every day.

Death follows us everywhere.

How useless, then, to fear or shun death!

Let's say a noose chokes your throat.

Or you fall off a cliff: Flatsch! Right on a rock.

However you die, even if it's

horrible, at least it's over quickly!

How embarrassing to have spent so much time

to fear something that will be over in a second.

Better to keep imagining our doom before

it happens so it can no longer frighten us!

Drink up, kids. It's later than you think.

Listen, I understand. We expect a certain quid pro quo from this world.

You have done everything as the gods commanded you.

You may even have learned to practice abstinence

today for even greater enjoyment or security tomorrow.

And yet one day...

So...

do you ask yourself:

Why do bad things happen to good people?

people like us.

people like you, my darling.

And you, you connoisseurs... whoops!

even you

And me.

The answer is: so that others learn to endure through us.

Do you understand? This is our privilege.

We are born to serve as role models.

Well, I don't want to pat myself on the back too much...

... but fear is not on my content list.

can i help my friend

I'm looking for the senator by name...

S... Seneca?

I am Seneca

I...

Would you come outside with me for a second?

Anything you have to say to me can be said among my friends.

No...

I don't think so, sir. With all due respect.

Be it an overdue tax bill or a neighbor wanting

to move the boundary between our properties,

or a distinguished citizen who thinks I've struck

up a friendship with his marriageable daughter.

For me, all these quarrels are only a reason for

a conciliatory conversation between decent men

and therefore also intended for the ears of my best and closest friends.

Nothing that happens to me I will ever take on with a dark expression.

So...

President Nero has decided that you should be

executed for leading the plot to assassinate him.

And...

he himself said to me that he wanted

to give you a "very special present".

You can take your own life.

Because the way I'm supposed to do this...

That would be terrible, sir!

I wouldn't wish that on a dog.

So, in your place...

I would follow his advice

and do it myself, Lord.

Officer, what's your name?

Felix, sir.

Felix, there's been quite a commotion at court lately.

Pretty much fight. Loud voices. bickering!

Sometimes these disputes get out of hand...

-No, sir... -Go back.

-Tell him I'll go see him... -No.

-Lord... -We'll clear this up.

I will come to him whenever it suits him.

And so I invite you to dine with us, and over a cup of wine...

Mister!

No! No!

Mister!

The President said you must die! And that's it.

He said you would try all sorts of tricks.

Don't try to make excuses. That's useless.

You should realize that you're going to die.

Either the hard way or the soft way.

It's up to you, but there's no other way.

There's no way out, sir.

I can dump you right now.

But I swear it won't be nice the way he wants it.

Or...

I'll come back tomorrow

and collect your corpse.

And you do it much nicer yourself.

Then you are with your friends if you want that.

My wife will be right back. She'll be here any minute.

I can do it, but you don't want that. Really not.

I understand. Thank you my Lord.

May I offer you a meal before you head back out?

no sir

You have a lot to think about now.

I won't take up any more of your precious time. Have a nice evening.

Have a good trip, sir.

-...it's not poison, but... -Paulina!

-Uh! just look at you! -Paulina!

Paulina, look at you!

-How fresh you look! -I recognize this kind of silk.

From spiders from Madagascar!

Look how your skin glows!

All the anger and worry just melted away!

-As a friend, I can tell you that. -Oh, darling!

My dear man?

Is something wrong?

With the garden, I mean. On the property?

The servants didn't steal anything?

Nothing I need to worry about?

Lover. Please. Would you?

With me...

-This green! -Who did she fuck for the dress?

Seneca would not pay for it.

Beloved, outside.

Please...

She needs a new designer.

What is she wearing on her head? A snake?

Don't look for a suitable phrase. What happened?

So...

the president...

-Please what? Just say what it is!

Look, love... Well, the fact is this:

He... He has...

... condemned me to death.

Please dear... Listen.

Listen.

-Listen. -What did you do?

What?

Why did you have to get involved with these people?

There were so many sponsors who would have given you vineyards.

-Instead of taking them away from you! -Favorite...

Why did you get involved with these evil people?

I always told you, not only do they have no manners,

they... they don't even

have feelings or morals or...

These aren't people! They are miserable donkeys!

Or jackals!

Or... or hyenas!

-Did you try to kill him? -Of course not!

I know you love drama and all. But we have to fix this.

What do we have to do or pay to get out of there?

That's not an option. I will...

You understand... How should I put it?

-You're going to kill me. -No.

-But. -No!

-But. -No!

No! No!

-No! -Stop it!

Why is everyone hitting me today?

You are a self destructive ass!

Look! Look in the mirror! Look at your face!

Does that look like one with a healthy lifestyle?

A virtuous adviser to the state?

Looks more like an old drunk to me

who eats too well.

And Nero...

your masterpiece!

You choke on the ashes of the relationships you burned yourself.

My mother never wanted me to marry you.

-She said you were my ruin. -Stop it.

That I would sacrifice my best, most beautiful years for you.

-And she was right. -Stop it.

I never told you but I

told her I owed it to you

because you are a great man...

and you have earned my respect!

And now look at me! Look at me!

what will become of me

Everyone knew the President was a lunatic.

What idiot would even take that job?

Knowing that he...

People! You won't believe the surprises I brought you!

Don't be so damn timid!

You won't break the water tonight.

As Nero celebrated, his

armies colonized more territories,

to gain resources for Rome.

When asked to comment on this, Seneca remarked:

"A leader has the right to take what he believes his people need."

Like many respectable men before me, I was

willing to support a corrupt government.

But you know I did this for Rome, my friends.

You understand? For our traditions.

Don't we have to preserve our wonderful traditions?

We cannot simply let

such cranks run our country.

If I had left the Senate or my

position as Advisor to the President,

Nero would have been an even worse president,

and Rome would have faced even worse abuse.

He owes me!

He owes me.

I'm not talking about money.

Everything about him that resembles a human he owes to me.

I'm good with him.

In your plays he appears as a sadistic fat man.

-You mocked his singing. -Right under his nose!

My point: I risked my

life to protect the people

from a very dangerous child with far too much power.

Always hoping...

to mold his mind into something more mature.

I have tried...

teaching someone

born with a scorpion brain

about mercy.

No! For heaven's sake, forget mercy!

I could just tell...

of my attempt to teach him

anything at all about reason itself.

I realized something about you today, Senator.

They should enlighten the rich

but you only put your heart and soul into it when

it comes to your terrifying theatrical performances.

They enjoy constantly frightening spoiled little brats.

direct hit! And now you've become a spectacle yourself.

Devastatingly insightful. I am in agony.

-It reminds me of a story... -Listen, Seneca.

I have to go. I have a busy day ahead of me.

-And you've got a lot on your plate. -Yes!

It's not a good time for socializing.

You have decisions to make, deals to do.

to fix things.

Ah, I've dealt with a thousand times worse!

-Sit down, I'll get you some wine and... -Really, the children are already asleep...

You will miss an important moment in the history of rhetoric...

Don't you hear what he's trying to say? We don't feel safe here.

And with everything that's going on, there's

nothing we can do and we have to go now.

Cecilia, my darling...

I don't want you to think I'm harassing or preventing you.

we go too In such a chaotic situation.

Everything is very emotional.

-You are very emotional. -We're sure you'll bend it.

We don't want to leave you alone, but it's hard.

We don't want the government breathing down our necks.

-You are a unique man! -Listen!

Everyone, no matter who they are, succumbs to panic

when our senses sense that an earthquake is coming.

Is there anything that causes more horror

like the whole world going "bang, bang, bang" all of a sudden?

Imagine. The whole world collapses in on itself.

You can't do anything about it. So there is no reason to panic either.

Because you do what you can, but

let's accept that that's all we can do.

After all, what loophole do we have?

What help can we hope for when

the world itself is the cause of our ruin?

Only one security remains for the vanquished:

that they cannot hope for safety.

Yes OK. But you are a great man!

What she wants to say: We are not philosophers.

We just want to survive.

You're Rufus, right?

-I only know you through your wife. -Everybody knows Balbina.

You were invited here because

of your wife's beauty and charm?

Does not matter!

I appreciate a man who recognizes his big opportunity and uses it.

Although I don't share your taste in clothes.

allow me a question Do you know why you hit your wife?

You hit her to ease the pain

and terror in your own heart

But it only increases the shame in you.

In a few miserable years you'll be dead and all

the pain, misery and shame wasn't worth a damn.

Trumpet! Lessons over!

So you can go. Come on. Go away. Disappears.

Tonight I leave the legacy of my

life to those who truly deserve to hear.

People who should be reminded themselves.

So go out and be disappointed.

Goes! Yes!

you damn...

you damn...

You damn, damn, damn rich snobs!

You have too much to lose to maintain any semblance of virtue.

Senator?

It's hard to accept such nasty rich bashing from someone who, and

I'm not saying it out of jealousy, lives like a maggot in a bacon.

That sensual voice you have

will definitely be good if you get fucked.

But, "Why are you mocking me, Senator,

when you value wealth as much as I do?"

-Is that what you meant? -Yes, exactly!

They don't deserve your anger!

I am Seneca

I warn, I awaken

I admonish, I accuse

but I know no anger.

Do you want to know how differently we deal with wealth?

Just out with it!

Wealth has a place in my life. In yours, he is the center of attention.

In summary: My wealth is mine, you are your wealth.

I see wealth as a slave,

you see it as your master.

So stop banning philosophers from having money.

No one condemned wisdom to poverty.

Got it folks?

And now fuck off! I'll have you pack food for your dogs.

At that moment, Seneca

felt the penny drop.

As he had thrown the guests out of his

house, the realization suddenly hit him

like a bolt of lightning: This is the day he would die.

And he would die soon.

It is very unpleasant to throw out unwelcome guests.

And now you might not feel welcome here either.

My God!

If you could taste the berries I ate last week!

From the center of Africa. I forgot the name of the city.

But... they just really blow you away!

You know, what's special about this

berry isn't just the visions it causes,

but what happens to you.

I was carried away

in a sea of ​​stars!

It was like a hundred million campfires.

I felt the power

of a hundred million

souls uniting into one,

in line.

can you feel it

Do you feel the stars gently caress us?

And now I have the strength to take in all

the love and sweetness and pass it on to you.

can you feel it through my fingertips

how the universe wraps you in affection and care?

And wraps you up like a baby in a blanket?

I want everyone to stop!

Close your eyes!

Feel the love in the heart

and the sweetness and kindness to yourself,

that my journey has given you.

It's a special gift.

Use it while it still flows through this room!

Dear Lucia, you are...

How should I say?

Well, shit... You're totally on drugs.

And...

before you know it

your girlish beauty will be gone

and you will look like your sister.

Just ignore it, Lucia.

-He taunts those he loves most. -Oh really?

Or maybe the people who don't love him anymore. After that!

You get moody and suddenly we're the worst people in the world.

-I try to help you! -I don't need that kind of help.

-It gives me a fucking headache. -Oh yes?

Well then...

I want to tell you something,

Senator that you

may not be aware of:

Most senators and most

people who work in the senate

see you as this great wise man

with great life advice.

And then you see these ridiculous leather

ankle boots with extravagant double lacing,

greased with a special butter of virgin fingers.

And do you know who they're looking at?

A hillbilly!

A country bumpkin!

An ass-licking upstart who wants to fit in

to noble people he will never understand.

-Aristocrats! -Stop it. That's enough now!

Stop it when it's at its worst, kid!

-You are a walking opium crisis. -They laugh at you.

The great, stoic

preacher of the simple life,

who became filthy rich as Nero's ghostwriter!

You're a vain, hypocritical moron.

And a coward.

You wanted to have slaves' hair made into a wig,

to hide your cuckold bald head!

Didn't you know?

Get your damn paws off!

It's time for you to go madame.

It's getting dark. Night is slowly falling.

That was an enlightening conversation.

Have a safe journey home.

And should you ever need anything, whatever,

like protection from common robbers,

don't hesitate to ask me for help.

Good luck!

I curse you! Only you!

Not your child bride. But your legacy.

Let this curse haunt your words

not your stinking carcass!

For a hundred thousand years.

And no matter how much

cheap blood and gut trash theater you write,

it won't change anything.

You think we're scum don't you?

And you're a big man, a superman?

Now listen to me, my dear!

Let's have a chat.

What absolutely no one says to your face is...

The old woman is disturbed.

Your son has died. She is mad with grief.

Uh, that was her sister's nephew. Strictly speaking.

Actually? Anyway.

Here we are.

I have a present for you my darling.

my sweet little one

I've been travelling. Believe me, I'm showered with gifts.

I have so many gifts.

I have such an ostrich egg...

Not that kind of gift.

I mean the ultimate gift.

Something we can achieve together as two

lovers who have enriched their minds together.

darling...

I'm so tired.

I don't like puzzles.

take my hand and come

I'll show you what I mean.

We used to be here all the time. You know what?

Our secret place. That was long ago.

-Favorite. We had many quarrels. -A lot.

If I had known how difficult it would be

to sleep next to someone so much older...

Favorite! My love. Please.

I'm just saying. If I had known about all your

digestive problems, let alone your erectile dysfunction,

your "special preferences": the nurse, the table tennis bat.

Back when you finally got rid of the chili peppers, and...

Dearest, shhh!

Please! For me. just listen to me

You know, despite all our differences,

I love you more than anything.

So much so, it feels like my chest could explode.

Yes I...

I know you feel this way!

I'm sorry I hit you. I...

Love, let me tell you what it's like here.

-Here? -Here on this our earth.

Yes! I love that! Even when I was your student.

you explained everything to me

Why things are the way they are.

-You don't do that anymore. -Darling, yes!

just listen

You may think that aging is the worst thing

to be exhausted and die or as my generation says

to fade.

We don't suddenly collapse and disintegrate.

We're slowly drying up.

Like I said about your body parts.

All the things Paulina that are so beautiful about you, that

are special about you, and I don't mean your physical beauty...

-I want you to know that... -That would be absurdly superficial.

-I don't even think about it anymore. -Because you are a strong personality.

Very strong.

But I want you to know that all

the things that are special about you

your erudition, your

great sensitivity,

your compassion for animals,

your tenderness towards children...

That's a different story. I never got over it.

The loss, the emptiness...

Couldn't we have a child somewhere?

We could afford an orphan.

-You wouldn't have to worry about it! -Honey, stay on topic.

Pay attention. By simply...

Simply listen.

We all know we have to go at some point.

But when the time comes and death knocks on our door,

we cry and tremble and ask, "How can I get out of this?"

Save your breath.

Every journey has an end and I must go.

And you, Paulina, it takes the same

course with you as with all things.

That's how it was with your parents, that's how

it would be with our children if we had any.

And now our time has come.

Just the two of us.

It's time for a great exit!

Think of the billions and billions of people who will die after us.

And isn't it wonderful that you,

Paulina, are so much braver than she is?

So much braver. You were only an actress for a short time.

But you were very good.

You know we don't applaud and give awards

for the most acting, but for the best acting.

And you should always do everything

end with a good, absolutely unforgettable finale.

You gave them something to remember.

And you will remember Paulina at the

absolute peak of her beauty and charm.

I know this isn't what you imagined.

But listen...

I promise you:

If you do that, the name

will become Paulina

reverberate so loud for all eternity.

We are so privileged.

So privileged.

-So honored. -Will you...

-I'm afraid to ask that. -No no. Go ahead.

Will they not only remember

my name but also my face?

It's so stupid and wrong, but...

I want to be remembered as young and beautiful.

They will remember your face for all eternity.

And beyond.

Tonight...

on this special evening

I hand you

my faithful friends, the fruit

of my lifelong contemplations.

The humble wisdom of a

common man, a provincial teacher,

if you want to think of Rome

as a small town, which it is.

I want to entrust my legacy to you.

And PS: Paulina and I are not in the least

afraid of letting the curtain fall forever

tonight.

It is well known, almost part of the Roman cultural canon,

that Socrates' last words before his death were:

"Crito!

We owe Asklepios a cock!"

A-S-K-L-E-P-I-O-S.

"Please, Crito, do not forget to pay our debt."

Since Asclepius is the god of healing,

many have concluded that Socrates gave him

for a good and peaceful departure from this world.

Or maybe it was meant as a vulgar joke! You know:

"Cock" means "cock", i.e. "tail".

However. Socrates...

Who can look into the genius mind of

this suicide Olympic Games record holder,

in whose shadow we all live and above all die?

He ext...

cup of hemlock and said, "I can't wait to see

what's going to happen in the next world."

Old prankster! But seriously friends...

Wow what a night! Not true?

First of all I would like

to thank you, dear people,

for my smooth departure from this world.

Above all probably

you, dearest Paulina,

for being my salvation beautiful

and comfort you.

Well, friends, you know that

when a man suffers, it's his own fault

for he can put an end to his misery at

any time by putting an end to himself.

I imagine God saying:

"Of all things in this life I have made nothing easier than dying."

Pick any vein. Slit them open and bleed.

I promise. You'll be gone in less than three minutes.

Suicide is a real superpower!

death is coming He rides at night.

Show grace and let him be.

Be nice to him and don't

resist the snaffle in your mouth.

Death comes to

make us all equal.

Here is death, my love.

Not as sweet as my little Paulina

but still very cute.

Friends...

we are ready to go

ready to go, ready to go

Ready to go. Ready-ness-ness!

No. I insist.

I'm getting ready for death just like I'm getting ready for bed.

Just as cozy, just as happy.

Just like I would jump into bed and pull up the covers

so I will jump into my grave and cover myself.

Here. feel my pulse Calm down.

Not a bit increased.

I have lived well! Now I will die well.

That is, happy to die.

Friends!

My humblest thanks.

Farewell!

Friends! Oops! Where are your philosophical beliefs?

Your reason, with which you prepare yourself for the threatening darkness

and prepared the downfall?

Haven't you read my works?

Look at Paulina, this girl.

She got it, my best student.

My only masterpiece, equal to me.

-When we met, she told me... -Love!

i am here to follow you

My love, you prefer the glory of dying.

I don't want to begrudge you your noble example.

Our bravery in the face of our brave end

may be the same, but may your passing

win the respect of all the women who will be born after you.

I live to live up to your legacy, master.

I'm coming with you.

No, I'll do it sober. Take him, dear friend Statius!

Gentlemen!

I think we still have to cut something there.

friends, one more time. It's time!

The grand finale.

That's it!

my legacy

My own death is my ultimate...

Legacy. It is...

Isn't it a wonderful thing to learn how to die so thoroughly?

Those who have learned to die have escaped from slavery. He is...

How could the grids...

How could...

How could...

How could the bars of a prison...

The room spins, really spins!

... frighten this educated man? His way out is clear.

There is only one shackle that binds us to life and that

is the love of life itself, and so I say to you: Farewell!

-Sir. -No, I insist. Time to go.

Senator, I'm sorry. We can't take this any longer.

-What? -The girl!

Sacrificing this beautiful girl for

your theatrical fantasies is just...

You should be terribly ashamed!

What? Gentlemen!

Gentlemen!

Don't ruin this moment for me!

This is a historic moment!

wait!

Do I no longer have authority in my own house?

It's nothing!

It's nothing! There's no reason to tackle me in my own house!

I am peaceful!

I am peaceful!

Let me go!

Seneca...

What?

Take a look at yourself!

Obviously that doesn't work.

Just like I always said:

I really have sawdust in my veins!

We should move to a more traditional solution.

Lucilius, I always keep some

hemlock handy for contemplation.

Prepare me a cup of hemlock!

This poison is obtained from hemlock herb.

Thank you, my faithful friend, for letting me...

into the next scene of our drama.

Do I give my best Seneca when I play Socrates?

Farewell my friend!

Guys... So again.

One last time.

The...

is the end.

Really.

My eyes look back on many centuries.

The different epochs pass by.

I see kingdoms rise to wealth

and fame only to fall into oblivion.

I see glorious cities degenerating into hellish places.

I see vast lands sinking beneath a rising sea level.

Realize that there is no such thing as

permanence, the whole concept of duration!

Time destroys everything you've ever loved.

Everything you've ever laid your eyes on.

Time is our landlord and has the last word in everything.

And not only people are toys and victims of time.

Time doesn't give a shit if we exist or not.

Also entire planets,

galaxies, galactic star systems

will be wiped out!

Mountains completely leveled!

seas evaporated!

Evaporated! Evaporated!

Affiliates, trade, leveraged.

Complete. Everything, all ties dissolved.

Cities devoured by chasms, shaken by earthquakes.

Stinking, contaminated with plague fumes.

And with a devastating deluge

the planet itself will wipe out entire species and

cause a worldwide conflagration that no one can escape!

And all that now shines in beautifully

arranged splendor will perish in a single fire,

until all is destroyed by the flames!

Such thoughts always cheer me up somehow. Weird, is not it?

Even if it gets so bad that I'm lost for words.

'Cause how can anything

else exist when I'm dead?

That's it.

Finally. Last but not least. The end.

I can see it.

I see the end drawing near.

The soul falls silent.

Mute. For all eternity.

I dreamed of candies and chocolates. So...

Not dead. Uff!

Look!

Very cold.

The hemlock...

does not lead to the goal.

That worked for Socrates, but not for me.

My friend...

My good friend...

My helper, my countryman.

My favorite co-worker in my life's work.

let's end it now

Run me a bath so boiling hot...

that even the rising steam may scald you.

And without hesitation, throw

me in even as I beg for mercy.

throw me in there I say let's end it!

Do it. Please. I don't care if you burn my skin off.

I can't stop shaking...

-... endure from the cold. -Master...

Do not call me that. Please. Never.

You know it stands for everything I despise.

But sir, senator, my friend!

Yes. Clear. That's what we are... Of course... What?

Sir, I know you well. I know your philosophy well.

And I feel...

-I can pass on your legacy. -My legacy! That's why we're here.

About the thoughts

to shape all future generations.

I've had enough and I know

enough of your thoughts to add.

No! No!

-I am not ready yet! -Yes Mr.

-But the fact is, I'm not safe here. -Not ready!

-As you can see. -No, Lucilius.

-Yes, and therefore... -I assure you, dearest friend...

Nothing will happen to you. zero, nothing.

What's more important now are these words of mine, these specific ideas.

These last words of noble Seneca,

Senator Seneca, big shot Seneca, smiling kindly at every dollar.

These words, these conceits, these fantasies,

spasms of curiosity and spontaneous perceptions,

Memories, flashes of thought, tender tremors of sensation.

They will be the foundation

of the future civilized world.

They become the spine

and the blood and the nutrient

of this new world that will redeem this fallen world.

This cruel world that devours us.

Don't you want to be part of it?

A co-creator?

Do you understand? You'd share the glory with me then!

How can you refuse this glory I offer you as a gift?

You've talked enough!

We've heard enough. And we've listened long enough.

There are enough of you, Lord, for all eternity.

I take your words with me and you have my word

that I will share them with the world after you.

But now let me go, dammit!

Noble, kind, good-natured Lucilius!

There was a time when I had more followers than anyone else in Rome!

I need followers!

We had a deal.

An agreement between gentlemen that you

won't come back for my body until morning.

In the morning! It's not even morning yet!

You promised me!

You promised.

I lost a tooth when I slipped.

I think I swallowed the tooth.

What happened to Paulina?

Where was she going?

My wife!

Wait! Wait!

Wait! My tooth hurts!

The president told me you were making silly things. And indeed!

Instead of preparing to die, you tell jokes to your friends!

These aren't jokes!

These are life lessons!

The gentlemen write down my life wisdom.

For the future generations.

-Time is up. -You promised me until morning!

You promised.

You promised me till morning.

Do you know what a code is, sir?

Honor?

Surely you know the word. I bet you gave a speech about it once!

Where I come from, honor means doing one's duty.

You are ordered to go into battle, then go!

Death awaits. You march anyway.

Crying and moaning won't help. There is no procrastination.

You go in there and you do what has to be done!

And you don't whine about it!

Now!

-Go! -You said see you tomorrow.

It's not time yet. just give me

Just give me fifteen minutes!

Is it really true? Are my words just stupid empty talk?

Am I only speaking brave thoughts?

Or do I feel them too?

Was my contempt...

all wealth only played?

Nothing more than a mediocre afternoon performance at the Stadttheater?

How are we supposed to know if our end is really virtuous

or just another self-deceiving gimmick in the life of a

man who was not only the playwright but also the star?

the day is here

where all masks and disguises fall.

The props have been put away, the make-up removed.

The moment has come when I have to examine

my behavior and judge myself harshly.

Everything I've said or done so far

means nothing more.

Now it's getting tough.

No turning back.

Death will make the final judgment on me.

I will not shirk my duty, good man.

Oh no.

Everything has it's time.

And now will...

harvested.

And I'm prepared for it.

Wait! Wait!

One second!

I'll see you in the morning.

My followers!

Gentlemen!

My killer!

did you leave me too

Doesn't matter.

I will continue.

Until the last.

So...

there I am.

Finally.

The end.

We are born for a very short lifespan.

A short lifespan.

And even these...

Time...

flies by.

So fast, so fast that...

all, with very few exceptions,

give themselves away from life

and feel abandoned.

Is it worse for a lamp to

be kindled or extinguished?

We are also set on fire and extinguished.

And, ah, you know what?

The most uncomfortable part of life happens in between.

What am I doing here?

Giving consolation.

The desperate.

you protect.

Before her... terrible...

Fear.

This is my task!

What is the word...

for a candle...

This thing.

Not that, it's different.

It's brown.

It's round.

It's small.

It's a thing...

What is this thing?

leaving words...

... me.

How...

my friends.

Can not...

Can not...

die...

Can not...

do not die...

won't die

Because my heart and...

Brain...

and lips and tongue

don't want to give up.

Because they are afraid.

I'm afraid.

It hurts.

It hurts!

It hurts me.

mommy...

it hurts me.

And in the end, the civilization that Seneca

valued so much was torn by hundreds of fractures,

like tiny cuts along the veins of a fragile and old body.

Rome did not "fall" as much as we often hear,

but slowly disintegrated.

Nero later left his post as general.

He was sentenced to death in absentia.

He killed himself, more cowardly than Seneca,

but faster.

It was reported by Seneca's scribes that

his last words were a quotation from Cicero,

which Seneca often repeated as if they were his own.

The words perhaps apply more to our world than to his.

bad started,

ends badly.

© 2022 Film Gallery 451 Subtitles: A. Bitter, H. Kimber et al.