Original subtitles

Nathalie, where are you?

I'm here, Louise.

Let me lead!

You'r great!

Really? Did I win?

Two days from the show, you have to know it!

Nathalie... Louise... Ready?

Handing her things is stupid. lt's too tedious.

- lt makes it tangible. - lt's useless. Honestly.

Let the audience imagine it.

You can't question everything this late.

lt's more powerful if she says it as she strolls around...

lt's true.

Nathalie, isn't it better when you're alone?

l don't know. l can't tell.

Like yesterday?

- When we rehearsed together. - Alone.

lt's much weirder. Now, it's just comical. lt's dumb.

Nathalie, let's try something.

Shit, be serious!

Mummy, with white roses...

Cut... no! Kiss Mummy on both cheeks,

then cut her in two...

Drop... pour boiling water... l'll know it in time, okay.

l've found a speech for the drama school exam.

l'm staying at Nathalie's to revise.

lt's by this crazy Polish guy, Gombrowicz.

- Your scooter stinks! - How about Nathalie?

l'm okay. Dad's going over the classics for me.

- Where are you going? - For a ride.

Go on, Louise, go with Alain.

l can give you the speech, you read it...

and we can talk about it.

Did you enjoy it anyway?

Yes, l did.

You're a bit preoccupied with the play.

lt doesn't matter.

That's right.

Exactly.

Only natural.

Louise, you're the only one l can talk to.

The others don't care but you really get involved.

Thank you.

Want to try again?

The second time's always better.

l'm sorry, l...

l'd rather go now.

Nathalie!

l'm frozen.

You did it out of doors?

Yes, in the rain.

- Cut it out! - Give me some room.

Okay, l'll sleep here.

Cuddle up.

l'm sure he did.

Oh, yeah?

- lt's full. - You're on, Louise.

Give us a break!

Take it easy.

l'm dirty.

Fleas devour me.

When they see me, the swine vomit.

The scabs and scars of leprosy

have scaled my skin, covered with yellowish pus.

l don't know the water of rivers

- or the dew of clouds. - Louder!

On my neck, like on a dung heap,

a mushroom grows with umbelliferous peduncles.

ln my right armpit, a family of toads has taken up residence.

When one of them moves, it tickles me...

You were good.

What are you doing?

Mummy, with white roses.

Kiss Mummy on both cheeks...

then cut her in two.

Pour boiling water over her.

Remove her smiling head; it would ruin your appetite.

You had a very odd speech.

Who chose it, them or you?

You were good. How can l put it? You're so serious...

Your diction's good too.

We're celebrating. Do you mind?

You made me laugh. Are your parents here?

No idea. Good, wasn't she? We have to keep acting.

- See you later. - You were very good.

Louise was good too.

- l was useless. - You weren't.

You were really great.

- Let go of me. - Oh, come on!

What?

You can't possibly want to go out with him!

Why? l've dumped Patrick.

You can't fuck that carbuncle.

Stop it, he's not a carbuncle!

- Let go of me! - This guy's useless!

- You're the useless actress! - Leave her be!

- You're crazy! - Stop it!

You're pathetic, you doormat.

You can talk!

Forget it.

Forget it.

Hello. ls Louise in?

She's out?

- ls she sick? - No, she's fine.

She doesn't want to see me again?

Exactly.

Just a second.

Here. She asked me to return this to you.

Why?

She's coming back. How about school?

She doesn't want to see you. Don't insist.

l'm sorry.

Why did l stab your friend Huguette?

You'll soon know. lt's...

What's wrong?

l have to speak to you alone first.

l love you. l love you.

Aimee, l think there's some misunderstanding.

Stop fleeing from yourself.

Let's leave.

Aimee!

Look...

What a career!

lt feels weird.

Want to go and see her?

No way... she doesn't give a damn about me.

How do you know? Go on, you're dying to.

Thank you, see you soon.

Bravo, it was wonderful.

Thank you, darling.

For Malo...

Excuse me.

l saw you in ''The Tempest.''

Copenhagen next...

We'll book the trucks for Copenhagen.

Louise.

l didn't know you were an actress.

l loved it. Really. lt was great.

Thank you.

l mean it.

You're in Avignon?

l'm married. l work here.

Come with me.

Don't let me disturb you...

lsn't Forestier your mother's name?

Have you got five minutes? There's a fuss about the schedule.

This is Louise. Matthias...

Come on, l need you.

Have a seat. l won't be long. Will you wait?

THlNKlNG OF YOU

HEARTFELT THOUGHTS

- She's gone. - Who was she?

She was my best friend.

l'm going to Copenhagen for a festival.

She offered to take me for the weekend.

This coming weekend?

My kids will be here.

l forgot.

l'd like to go, still.

Alone?

l don't mind.

Just this once.

Maybe she was just being polite.

Maybe.

You'll see her in Paris.

Sure.

So?

lt's good.

l don't like lrene, though.

She never does anything for herself. lt's always about pleasing men.

- lsn't it the same in real life? - Not really.

What, you think the gender gap is gone...

along with class differences?

You think everyone's equal, nice, and tolerant?

You fell for that too?

lt's not what l'm saying. But she could be more...

But she's not, and that makes her interesting.

So you don't like the part?

Of course, l do!

Are you interested in irreproachable characters?

Are you upset?

l feel naked when you read my work.

l love you.

Where were you? lt's time for the press conference.

- l'll just change. - Please hurry.

The Copenhagen Theater Festival is off to a good start

since we are lucky to have one of the stage's leading lights--

Walter Amar.

Over to Walter Amar.

So... ''Variation on Hamlet''...

An avant-garde production, as the name shows...

Thanks to Shakespeare, not to me.

Seriously, l'd like to draw your attention to my students' work.

You'll see they're as good as many star names.

Matthias Temkine, a rising director,

will now say a few words.

- They soften the voice. - l don't want a softer voice.

l left the sauna so fast, l think l took a child's jacket.

l've studied clinical cases as the basis for my productions.

l've already worked on fetishism and erotomania.

For the production that you'll see later, l hope...

l used a genuine case.

At what age did you start writing?

That's a rather indiscreet question.

l started at the age of eight months

when l lost my parents in a plane crash.

l find him everywhere l go.

l didn't suspect anything at first.

lt wasn't until l noticed his ploys, the way he brushes against me,

looks at me, says, ''Hello, goodbye,''

or ''Forgive me, l hadn't seen you...''

What are you saying?

There's nothing suspect about my son's behavior...

You know he's to marry?

lt wasn't bad...

Well?

Why did you lower your voice on ''l love you''?

l thought it was good.

You did? Well, l didn't.

lt was good. lt's new and more unsettling.

And you were mumbling tonight, you realize that?

- You heard the applause? - l don't care about applause.

- Your text is brilliant. - Thank you.

Such temperament. You amazed me. You have the charm of a true crook.

We'll meet again, l hope. Congratulations to the whole cast.

lf ever l get to be like him, do me a favor-- poison me.

What are you doing here?

Mathilde... Louise.

You came to see us in Avignon.

Are you a fan?

No, l'm at a conference with my husband.

He couldn't come tonight. He starts early tomorrow.

Would you like to have dinner with us?

Come along then.

Let's walk a little.

- You ran off in Avignon. - Known each other long?

How long is that?

What did you say?

Give me one. l haven't smoked for ages.

Cheers!

To your reunion!

To the play's success!

And may Matthias break a leg and stop pissing us off.

Even as a human trunk, he would.

We'd catch him and gag him!

Tell us, what do you do?

l'm a prosthodontist.

l've never met a prosthodontist before.

A job on the cutting edge.

You need to be adroit. l admire you.

ls it true that dentists have incredible profit margins?

Stop it!

How much do they make on a crown like this?

- l don't know. lt's a bit dark. - l bet l was done.

l'm going back.

What are you doing, Nathalie?

Darling... are you coming back?

Don't run down mon amie!

Will you find your way?

Yes, don't worry. l have a street map.

How about lunch tomorrow?

l'm eager to meet your husband.

Ever cheated on him?

Are you crazy? Why do you ask?

- l don't know, no reason. - l haven't.

Why did you drop me?

Were you angry about the theater?

We stopped seeing each other. Why?

l can't remember. lt was so long ago.

Liar.

When you dumped me. l felt-- l felt punished.

No one had ever punished me like that.

lt's true, l--

l was rotten.

What's wrong? What's the matter?

l slipped.

l can't perform like this.

Are you okay?

Can you get my tights from the hotel?

l can't act like this. They're in the drawer.

l'll get them.

- l performed in a daze. - No one could tell.

Matthias could.

When you tried to kill him, you were terrifying.

No way.

l forgot. This was in your room.

Trash!

- Who was it? - Nothing.

Hold on, it's Walter Amar.

Sorry but l read it. Walter Amar wants to see you.

We met at the press conference. But Matthias is furious...

You want to spend your life doing just your guy's plays?

- l don't know. - You have to meet Amar!

You're an actress! You're free.

Good evening.

You were cold tonight, you know that?

Ah, the heart and its storms...

You're not drinking, girls?

You can sleep in my room.

That's love for you.

How about a drink together?

What would you say to a few peanuts?

Good evening, are you Walter Amar's assistant?

l'm sorry to call so late,

but Nathalie Forestier asked me to confirm lunch.

Yes, tomorrow.

Just a second, let me jot that down.

Go ahead...

Medicine's given you fancy tastes.

l thought this was your style.

You're meeting Amar.

You know, l don't feel ready. Maybe in six months or a year...

l confirmed the appointment.

What?

He's behind you. He just came in.

- You're kidding? - Not at all.

He's there, waiting for you.

lt's a trap. You've trapped me.

You can't stay huddled up for two hours...

Go on. Take your things.

l'm going to pack. l fly home later today.

You're insane.

So, what do we do?

You go and hide and l tell him you're not well,

that you apologize? ls that it?

l'll call you later.

Well, l'll take the plunge.

After this tour, l'll be staging ''Lulu'' again in Paris.

lt was my first-ever production.

lt's a wonderful play.

Would you be free?

You have to turn your partner down to work with me?

ls that it?

Something like that, yes.

A teacher once told me,

''Only go on stage if you're ready to ruin your life.''

l'm off to a good start.

lf you're not free, l'll understand.

Can l give you my adaptation anyway?

Thank you. But l didn't say l wasn't free.

l didn't say l'd give you the part.

We can do a try-out first. Would next week be possible?

Yes. Forgive me, l have to go.

l'm sorry.

Let me explain.

No need. Do what you want, as usual.

l've never done anything else since l met you.

l never even agreed to meet anyone.

- l knew you'd betray me one day. - l haven't. l just listened.

So what's this?

You disgust me.

lt'll work out. You can't split up for that.

l need him.

Without him, l don't care about acting. l don't want to do it.

Of course you care.

l'm really in the shit now.

l've lost it all in one go...

Stop drinking. You've lost nothing at all!

lt'll blow over. Amar wants you.

Forget Amar! Matthias is the one l want!

l'm only happy when he fucks me!

Right, l'm going.

l only tried to help.

- You're not going? - l'm late for my flight.

You want to leave me in this state?

What?

Could your husband fly back alone?

l'm sick of playing lunatics. Let him stage his plays in asylums.

Don't talk rubbish.

- Amar wants me. - Aquavit makes you certain.

When l saw Matthias, l knew l'd get him.

lf l wasn't drunk, l'd still say it.

That's ours.

Windscreen wipers...

What's the matter?

lt's raining. Can't you see?

- l'm drunk. - You'll be fine.

We're on in 10 minutes. You need a cup of coffee.

We need a cup of coffee-- they don't get it!

Sacha, ask for coffee.

Nicolas, sweetie, it's me.

l missed my flight...

and Nathalie is upset, so l'll spend some time with her.

l'll call you soon. Take care.

Get lost.

lf you want to ruin your career, go ahead...

but don't ruin mine! l love my work.

Who do you think you are?

Look at yourself!

You stink of alcohol!

You're ugly! And you're spineless!

You would do anything.

You're have no respect, no intelligence.

l'll cancel tonight's show.

You won't! l want to act!

Are you nuts or what?!

Stop it! Stop it!

l'm the strong one.

Of course, you are.

Come on!

What's that?

Nothing.

- Tell me. - Nothing at all--

l was heartbroken.

lt happened when l was 22.

l went to South America with a man...

He was into stones...

and coke too, but l didn't know.

One day... we almost got caught.

l'd never been that scared in my life!

When we got back, he wanted to quit the business...

get married...

- He relapsed? - No, he--

he had a car accident.

He died.

Louise?

No.

Nathalie maybe?

lt's Nicolas, Louise's husband.

Hello.

You got back okay?

What?

You want breakfast?

Hurry, they've almost finished.

Tea for you?

You still look sleepy.

What's wrong?

What is a prosthodontists' conference all about?

New techniques...

new materials...

When you invited me to your room,

your husband was there?

Yes.

Three in a bed, then?

No, l don't know. We'd have asked for a fold-away bed.

Of course.

See you later.

- You have your seats? - Yes.

- Come on! - l've only got one pair of hands.

One pair can be enough at times.

Mathilde!

Wait! l found it. Here, take it.

- Keep it. - lt's yours.

You want it, you can have it.

l thought you'd never come back.

l'm so happy you're here!

- Had a good time? - Yes, very good.

How come you're so wiped out?

No idea. l'm just wiped out.

l'll carry you home.

l've missed you.

l've really missed you.

ls that one yours?

''Nathalie...

l know that you spoke to Nicolas the day before we left.

How could you have been so cruel?

l was just trying to avoid embarrassing you.

l wouldn't dare play with an animal the way you played with me!

And how you offered me your cigarette case,

implying l had stolen it...

when l had found it behind a chair in the hotel lobby.

Now that l'm calmer, l see our reunion was a failure.

l'm sure you'll get the part of Lulu.

She's unfaithful, manipulative and indifferent.

lt will fit you like a glove.

Goodbye forever.

Louise.''

Okay?

Louise, it's Nathalie.

l've never felt this bad.

Amar's given me the part.

lt wouldn't have happened without you.

l don't think l'll take it.

l have dizzy spells every few minutes.

Matthias has left.

l'm all alone.

l have no friends. Besides, no one likes me.

l miss you.

l miss you so much. l wish you were here.

l'm not strong enough.

l don't get it.

You were sick of her.

l just said we shouldn't see too much of each other.

We had some good times together.

You need to protect yourself.

- She has a weird effect on you. - Forget what l told you.

Nathalie's changed since then. So has Louise.

- l'd never have guessed. - l swear!

l urged her to take the part.

- l feel responsible. - Responsible for what?

When Gilles was ill, you were there.

For Christ's sake, he had cancer and no one to look after him.

We're not going to fight. l'll only be gone a week or two.

Come up this weekend.

Where are you?

l'm here.

This way.

l'm really glad you're here.

Try it again.

Write, ''Dear Miss...''

l call her Adelaide.

''Dear Miss...

Please consider yourself free.

l cannot, in all conscience...''

Write ''conscience.''

''...deliberately link you to my unhappy fate.''

You're right.

You're right.

''l am unworthy of your love.''

Write ''love.''

''These lines are to inform you that, for three years,

l haven't had the strength to break a bond...''

Nathalie, what's happening?

You're not terrified. You're bewitching him.

Try it again.

''These lines are to inform you that, for three years,

l haven't had...

the strength to break a bond.

l am now with the woman who holds sway over me.''

l understand.

You're trying to be intense.

There's no intensity here. Don't try to complicate things.

Simply let us hear the lines.

Your presence will do the rest.

Already up?

Yes, l'm an early riser.

What time is it?

9:00.

l can sleep another hour or two. Make yourself coffee.

Get up now. You'll be listless all day and unable to sleep tonight.

That's my problem.

You're not focused on your work.

What do you know?

l need a good illness. Meningitis, say.

That way, he'd have to replace me.

And people would pity me. You need to fall ill to get pity.

Look at my thighs. They're like jelly.

My body's going flabby.

Stop it.

Your skin's all smooth...

you're slim...

you're beautiful--

very beautiful, and you know it.

All the cliches on female beauty--

a woman's beautiful from 16 to 30.

After that, it's over, you have kids.

You're more beautiful than at 20.

Again.

Write ''love.''

''These lines are to inform you--''

What?

- You think you're being simple? - l don't know.

l'm sorry, l can't do it.

Speak the lines, nothing but the lines.

Try it again.

Where from?

What, you're not ready?

l'm not going.

l'm not going. l shouldn't have accepted the part.

What?

l can't do it.

lt'll be great.

You're discovering new things, that's all.

Well, l don't understand those things!

Let's go for a walk. You'll feel better.

l'm sorry--

What?

lt'd be best if you didn't come to rehearsal.

- l thought Amar said it was okay. - lt's my decision.

The fact that you're there, watching me--

- l can't focus. - All right.

Hi, Louise.

- ls Nathalie here? - She's at rehearsal.

l am in deep shit.

l fired my actress...

my assistant...

l can't think when l don't feel...

And since l can't feel anything...

You should have thought about it earlier.

Yep. l was stupid.

Matthias?

l want you to know that...

l am not your enemy.

Thank you.

Louise Brooks is an impressive character.

Her acting is simple... yet extremely revealing.

Take a look at this.

- l believe she could inspire you. - l don't doubt it.

This is a great place.

l love this hotel.

Would you like a drink?

- Martini, maybe? - That'd be great.

This is where you stay during rehearsal?

Only in the early stages, when l have to meet certain people...

and be alone, too.

My wife stayed home.

Forgive me for being a little abrupt sometimes.

Cheers.

l forgive you.

- ls that me? - Yes.

lt helps me relax at night

and it allows me to go over the day's scenes.

What are you doing?

l don't understand. l thought l'd been clear.

Forgive me.

l'm sorry.

lt was just a joke.

This stays between us.

The shame!

- Why do you do it? - l don't know. l've no idea.

You mix things up.

You confuse your life with your work.

You're a seductress

and you're convinced that Lulu is too but she's the opposite.

Lulu's an ingenue.

l'm an ingenue too. Not a seductress anyhow.

l'm shy. That's why l do things like that.

That's just twaddle. lt doesn't help me.

Go on, show me what you'd do.

You have to be like a hunted animal.

l don't understand. Go on, show me!

''Poussi!

Poussi!

He's playing dead.

He hasn't noticed the rip in his trousers.

Poussi!

Piggy!

He's serious.

He won't educate me again.

He's had enough of me.

What am l going to do?

A totally unknown face.

What if he went like this...

and no one could close his eyes?''

What?

l'm sorry, but...

You bitch!

Louise!

Forgive me!

l didn't mean to hurt you.

Louise, open the door, please. l've been rotten.

l'm sorry.

Forgive me.

l was ridiculous.

We'll never be able to stay together.

lt happens every time.

- lt won't happen again. - lt will, every time.

What will?

l have to tell you something.

What is it?

l didn't slit my wrists because of what l told you.

What?

l did it when we stopped seeing each other.

lt was that night.

l love you, Louise.

l love you.

- lt's beautiful. - You think so?

Yes, it's magnificent. Turn around.

l love it. Really. You're beautiful. Look at yourself.

l've booked a great place for your birthday tomorrow.

What?

- l can see you. - Where?

Here.

Thank you.

For you.

- For me? - lt's a day for gift giving.

l have to go. l'm late. See you tonight.

- How much do l owe you? - That'll be 8,650 francs, please.

- Can l pay by check? - lf you like.

A pen...

8,650 francs.

lt's me. l hope you're well.

l've had a bit of a problem.

l had to use the company checkbook.

l've written a huge check.

For 8,000 francs.

l couldn't get a bill for it. l'll explain.

Can you sort it out with Francois? Maybe you can pay it back.

Anyhow, l'm sorry.

l'll call you soon. Take care.

When he first staged ''Lulu,''

he did it to have a woman walk on him. lt was very S & M.

Not at all. l saw it.

lt was a romantic approach.

What a load of rubbish!

Mathilde, calm down. lt doesn't matter.

Did you sleep with Amar?

What are you talking about? l never did, you wretches.

l have two tickets to Rome while Amar's in Salzburg.

You're going to Rome?

She's incredible. She gives gifts on her birthday!

Nicolas will be pleased. He's her husband.

No, he's working. They're for us.

For us? Two old spinsters getting bored together...

To get back to ''Lulu,'' Pabst's film gave me quite a few ideas.

That film really knocked me out.

lt was shot in 1930 at the latest.

lt's so modern...

lt'd be nothing without Louise Brooks.

Can l have a cigarette?

Sorry, l'm a bit lost. ls the bathroom that way?

Have you packed?

We're leaving tomorrow.

There's still time to pack.

You make me sick.

What do you mean?

l'm sorry.

Okay?

Forgive me...

Cigarette?

Your friend's a bit weird.

Why weird?

No reason.

My belly hurts.

A change will do you good. Are you pleased?

''Pasta here has varied colors and tastes.

Moriendo & Cariglio,

Via Condotti.''

There won't be time to do it all.

''Cafes, the French church--''

Could you open the rear window, please?

''The Four Rivers fountain--''

what's wrong?

l don't know. l don't feel well.

- You're fine. - l'm not!

What's the matter?

My belly hurts.

We'll have a nice rest.

l can't. l'm too tense to rest.

Forget the sights. We'll have a quiet weekend.

Why did l accept? l can't do this.

You bitch. You can't do this to me!

l'm sorry, Louise.

Could you stop? Turn back.

You can't do this to me!

Can't you understand l'm not well? l can't go.

Come on!

You're coming!

So what's happening?

Back to Paris, please.

We need to get some distance.

- What do you mean? - You know what l mean.

l have to be there only in your times of need?

That's what friends are for.

We stifle each other.

But love is not stifling.

lt obviously is.

You called out to me and l left everything for you!

l'm going to bed. Tomorrow, l'd like...

for you to be gone.

Get out of here! l don't want to see you anymore!

How could you forget l was coming?

What was that check for?

- Can't you see you're losing it? - Don't be on my case.

Drop that tone. lt's not our money.

l don't give a damn!

What are you talking about?

l want you to come home with me now.

l can't.

- Why not? - Because.

l should never have let you go to Copenhagen.

l should never have let you see her.

What's going on? Please look at me.

Louise.

Look at me.

We can split up if you want.

l don't want to split up. l want you to come home!

l can't! l have to stay here for Nathalie.

Stop that!

You need to calm down, get some rest.

Let's go away, just for a couple of days.

l think l don't love you anymore.

Open the door, Nathalie!

Open the door!

l got robbed and have nowhere to sleep!

Come on, open the door!

Come on!

You can't do this to me!

Please let me in!

How can you be so cruel?

You can't do this to me!

Shut your mouth.

lt hurts.

- What's wrong? - lt hurts.

l'm here, l'm here with you.

Calm down.

Calm down.

Leave me.

Go away. Leave me.

l wonder how she withstood it so long.

Appendicitis started at least a week ago.

She has a strong resistance to pain.

- ls it serious? - Peritonitis.

She has to get to hospital. An ambulance is on its way.

Here...

Shall l check your blood pressure? You look pale.

No, l'm fine.

Another emergency.

Give this to the ambulance men.

And don't leave her side. l'll see you at the hospital.

- All right. - See you later.

See, it's peritonitis. lt's not because of me.

lt is.

You're still strong enough to hate me.

Answer that...

l'm going.

Please, Louise...

answer the door.

Please, Louise...

Anybody home?

Anybody home?

About time!

- Time to go. - My head's spinning.

lt's stage-fright.

l feel like l'm nothing anymore.

lt'll be okay.

Ultra-lights. And a pack of Winstons for Sacha.

Where're you going?

Sorry...

We'll go round again.