Spirits of the Dead Page #3

My secretary...

And this is Vicky Rosenthal

who will be your guide.

I trust you had a pleasant trip.

He is not bad at all.

Yes, just right for the role.

We couldn't have chosen better.

Please, step this way.

It's the first Catholic Western.

Christ's return to the

bleak, desolate prairie.

And is this not

the secret desire of all men?

A new incarnation of Christ.

in concrete, tangible form.

Christ already lives in us,

but to show him in

a violently mundane context...

It may seem a desperate

gamble.

Blasphemy, almost, I agree.

But I know an artist such as you,

whether a believer or not,

will understand

that structuralist cinema

can recapture sublime poetry

through primal images

that are spare,

eloquent in their poverty -

syntagmatic, as my friend

Roland Barthes would say.

Something between Dreyer

and Pasolini

with just a hint of John Ford,

of course.

As long as it reflects

the death throes and decay

of our capitalist system...

a Western can claim

to be militant.

That's what Lukacs says.

We'll create historical characters

sociologically contextualised.

Thus, our two outlaws represent

irresponsibility and anarchy.

The busty girl is the illusory

escape into the irrational.

The prairie is beyond history

and the bisons are

man's struggle for subsistence.

This film will be in color.

Harsh colors, rough costumes

to reconcile the holy landscape

with the prairie.

Sort of Piero della Francesca

and Fred Zinneman...

An interesting formula.

You'll adapt to it very well.

Just let your heart speak.

The producers promised me

a Ferrari -

latest model.

Where is it?

Yes, the Ferrari...

You'll get the Ferrari.

After the show.

You'll get it

after tonight's gala.

I can't hear you.

- Are you going to a funeral?

- Take some Librium.

Go ahead, don't stay here.

Stop the car!

I have to speak to him.

A thousand lire. Show me.

I see luck and happiness.

Here, read mine.

Curiosity, the need to know...

They're very human responses.

But to think that

one can influence fate...

I don't want to.

It scares me.

I'd rather not know.

I had seen her once again.

She was waiting for me

at the airport.

With her big, silent ball.

I told her to go away

but she kept coming back.

She seemed convinced that

eventually I'd join in her game.

You swore you'd leave me alone.

It's nothing. It will pass.

Tonight's guest

is an English actor

who needs no introduction.

His last film is still fresh

in our minds.

He's here now in Rome

to act in a film which treats

the biblical story of redemption

as a Western.

Ladies and gentlemen,

please welcome Toby Dammit.

What do you want?

What's going on?

I believe you've never been

to Italy before.

No.

What made you decide

to come now?

The Ferrari I was promised.

Do you use LSD or other drugs?

All kinds of drugs.

- Why?

- To get back to normal.

What do you like most in life?

No idea.

- What do you despise most?

- My audiences.

Some say you no longer have

any audiences. Is that true?

How did critics like

your Hamlet?

understand a thing.

Was your childhood

unhappy?

No. My mother always laughed

when she hit me.

Not her fault. She drank.

I've heard

you can't stand criticism

and that you have

a violent temper.

If you repeat that again, watch out

for that big nose of yours.

Will you marry me?

Do you think you're neurotic?

It's my one quality.

What is amiss in your life,

Mr. Dammit?

I'm happy

and it drives me to despair.

Is it true you've done

unsavory jobs?

Yes... yes...

but... l've never been

a TV reporter.

Pity.

- Do you know Italian cinema?

- I claim not to.

Why do both

men and women like you?

I'm feminine enough for women...

and masculine enough for men.

- Why hadn't you visited Italy?

- I went to Africa.

- Do you think you're witty?

- No. Do you?

Do you believe in God?

No.

What about the devil?

Yes, in the devil, yes!

How interesting!

And have you seen him?

Yes, I have.

Describe him for us.

Is he a goat, a bat

or a black cat?

I'm English... not Catholic.

For me the devil is friendly

and joyful.

He's a little girl.

He's a funny fellow.

What do you think?

If I had your cute looks,

I wouldn't have to act the fool.

He's certainly ugly...

but he makes you laugh.

Good evening,

ladies and gentlemen.

Welcome to the Italian 0scar

presentations.

Firstly, I thank the celebrities

from show business,

politics and the arts

who are here tonight.

I also thank the Minister

of Culture for his telegram...

Here's to my producer.

Allow me to shake your hand.

Bravo, Mr. Dammit.

Mr. Dammit, I'm known

as D'Artagnan.

I do voice imitations.

I'm a poet...

Can't I even say hello

to a friend?

This is my daughter Elizabeth.

An exceptional child.

- Smile, Elizabeth.

- Mr. Dammit.

Is she a virgin?

She's a child, Mr. Dammit,

believe it.

Lombardi. Assistant producer.

They're about to present the

Golden She-Wolves on stage.

Right after the fashion parade.

It would be good if you could

just before the awards,

say something, recite

some poetry.

A bit of Shakespeare, perhaps.

But keep it short.

Make it snappy.

The boss is right.

Shakespeare's a winner

as long as it's not too long.

I'm proud to present now

the highlight of the collection...

"Queen of Sheba."

"Nicht Plus Ultra."

"Flux within Flux."

"Humiliation."

"Lady Hamilton."

It's your turn, Mr. Dammit.

Stay there. I'll be right back.

Robert, please go on

with your star.

I'm your stand-in.

Could I have a photo with you?

Don't mess this up.

Yes, a photo of us three!

I know London very well.

I'm so glad to be

your stand-in.

I did Thomas Millan too.

I'm a stunt man too.

Machine-guns.

Keep twenty for me.

So, is London great?

As far as manners go,

the English are lords.

You wear a mini-skirt

and they don't turn a hair.

You'll be more

comfortable over here...

Just a little glass.

No. Calm down.

Later on,

if everything goes well.

You shouldn't drink so much.

I am the painter Stagni.

I won the prize

for the best film script.

For "Take Your Carcass Home."

You haven't read it?

I'm delighted to meet you.

I admire you so much.

Sit here, darling.

The poor fellow is almost blind.

Hello!

Don't you recognize me?

My magazine is putting together

a special edition.

It will be about

the ancient pagan gods.

The editors have chosen you

to represent

the young Greek god Mars.

Eight large photos.

Almost completely naked.

Can I look forward to it?

Bravo!

And now for tonight's

moment of truth.

But first let me again thank

our distinguished panel

who have selected the winners

of the highest award.

A Golden She-Wolf

to Marylou Lolo.

Her first film revealed

a generous nature

and a superlative ease.

A Golden She-Wolf to that

great duo,

the waltzing twins...

Lion and Tiger.

Come to the microphone, Miki

and share your feelings

with us.

Even if we expect it, it's always

an unforgettable moment.

I'm overcome with emotion.

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