The Lady Without Camelias Page #4

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I don't know anybody

and I can't do anything.

I'm only good at buying fabric, and

only because I worked in a store.

What nonsense.

Do you want me to call your parents?

No, then three of us won't know what to do.

What do you want me to say?

I'm used to working, since always.

That's why I went to Ercolino.

- And he gave me this, he's enthusiastic.

- Oh, we know Ercolino's enthusiasm!

- Have you read it?

- I'm halfway through.

- Are you enthusiastic too?

- I don't know the ending, but...

- Let's read it now, together.

- Now?

It's not the right time

to be reading a script.

I'll read it tomorrow morning,

before you get up, I promise.

I've never failed you.

- Good day.

- Good day.

Thank you.

- Hello!

- Hello.

What a house!

So this is how your husband thinks

he can keep you from working?

- Hello there.

- Hello.

Have you already found

a famous director for this?

Yes, I've spoken to various people.

- Big names?

- Well...

- Why do you ask?

- No reason. You like it, right?

Yes.

Can you describe it to me in two words?

It's a story about a woman.

A story about a girl.

- Who...

- Good day.

Hello, dear.

Through a series of events...

What's he want?

What's with him today?

A series of obscene events.

You don't dare tell me what she becomes?

A prostitute, naturally.

We're dealing with actual problems,

the Merlin law!

So the law's an excuse

for her being a prostitute?

And you think she's right for it?

If we want Clara to do serious cinema

then I'm behind her.

But on a serious level.

For example?

A big film! An art film!

A film that would go abroad.

Clara, I've thought about

our discussion last night,

and we've hundreds of scripts

in the drawer.

But I've thought of something

really serious. Really important.

What's the subject?

Guess.

- Joan of Arc!

- What?

Don't tell me it's a new idea,

there's about three versions.

How many Othellos and

Juliet and Romeos have there been?

They're always good, they're classics.

It depends how you do it.

If you said The Lady of the Camellias

it would be better, it's romantic.

Don't talk to me about prostitutes,

Joan of Arc is an enormous figure!

What do you want me to say?

I can't see it, we need another subject!

We need a love story.

For me the formula is: sex, politics,

and religion. All together!

Unless...

Religion's in there and politics too...

Do you know if

in Joan of Arc's life, well...

she was a woman too?

You're a butcher! How can you speak

of Joan of Arc like that?

She's such a noble character!

Who also died very young,

and we'll do the first part of her youth.

So no battles, no trials and no...

formulas.

I've already got a director,

the film will get to Venice, understand?

I may be a butcher, but know what I say?

You're both crazy!

To do a story like that you need a brain

that neither I, nor you, nor she has!

Sorry, Clara, but it's the truth.

I know my limits.

You just speculate, you just want Clara

to work without doing anything for her.

I'll make her an actress

who'll make people tremble! Tremble!

Right! Tremble! So make your film

and I'll come and applaud.

But I won't give you my money for it.

Goodbye.

- But can't we find something else?

- Leave it, I'll do it all on my own!

- I'll find the finance!

- Good luck.

- No, wait! Why can't we ever...

- Clara!

Do you want to make films

or pornography? We'll stop now.

Why do you say such things?

Because you make me say them.

I offer you a unique opportunity.

One no other actress has.

A film made for you! Made by me!

With my own blood!

That's what I fear. I don't want you

to get into a mess because of me.

Don't want what? Don't you trust me?

I'll do it all on my own,

I'm even tempted to direct it.

With you I feel I could.

If there's something better to do,

what do you suggest?

Let's go to the movies,

if we get bored we can go for a swim.

- In this rain?

- It's great.

I'd rather go to the movies.

Whoever loves me will follow me!

Who's making you go to the Lido?

They've got good films

in the afternoon too.

Sure. Small film sometimes

can have notable actors.

Michele, we made Nardo

come over for the festival

and now it seem she's obsessed

with cinema.

I know! You must be if you want to see

la Manni in Joan of Arc.

I've never seen her on the screen and

this is her first serious film, I'm going!

I'm going to the projection room

To check on the screening, I'm nervous.

I won't wish anything for your husband.

But for you, Clara, I hope for the best.

Thank you.

- Seltzer, sir?

- Yes.

Here you are.

Don't tell me to be quiet.

Go, Joan...

- What a bore!

- Let's go for a swim.

- Yes.

- Come, Marisa.

Et voila!

Well done.

You will leave with three soldiers...

... free Orleans from the English siege.

The Dolphin will be King...

Shall we go? Its no good.

I want to see it all, there's always

somebody who'll say the end was...

What end?

Now you've left too,

there's no point my continuing to hide.

- Where are you going?

- To the hotel!

- She was a shop assistant in Milan.

- You can't tell.

- Talk to her and you can tell.

- It's not true, I knew her.

After Falconetti and Bergman,

how can she?

The presumption! The presumption!

I didn't like it.

- Good evening. Have you seen Clara?

- She left during the film.

- That was a while ago.

- Thank you.

San Marco!

No! It was a brave attempt.

Not good, but brave.

- You think the same as the others.

- If you'd listened to my advice.

- Your advice? I would be in a mess.

- No, you wouldn't.

I'd already seen it,

but seeing it again it was worse.

Thank you for not talking about the film.

I started crying like that,

in front of you who I hardly know.

I didn't say anything

because I didn't know what to say.

I'm not from your world and

don't know what this means for you.

Now there'll be the reviews,

the discussions...

- You left halfway through too, eh?

- That means nothing.

You can go to a movie even if

you're not interested in cinema.

I went to the film just for you.

Actually I'm in Venice

exclusively for you.

At least I've made you smile.

- When can I see you again?

- I leave immediately, tonight.

In Rome then?

I don't know. I'm in such despair.

I don't understand anything.

Thanks anyway.

Excuse me.

What pigs! All of them!

If I get my hands on them...!

You were wrong,

we should have stayed in Venice!

Please...

I don't understand. I'm going crazy.

Why do you take it so hard?

Why can't you see beyond

a single projection?

- I've seen more than beyond.

- Ah, yes! Who knows what you saw!

We got it all wrong, Gianni.

Your fault, my fault, I don't know...

Certainly more mine than yours.

For months we've been working

on this adventure.

You hurled me into it

without giving me time to reflect.

That's how you work!

So... so, here we are.

Like two strangers.

Worse! Because one's often

more sincere with a stranger.

I've always let you persuade me.

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