DAGUERROTIPO
- Yes? - Hello.
I'm Jean Malassis. I called yesterday for the interview.
It's you. You're early.
I will return later.
No matter, come in.
Right after the green gate.
All right. Thank you.
Good Morning. Come on in.
Follow me.
Wait for me here.
Where are the other candidates?
There's no more.
Why not?
Most of them studied photography, so they were discarded.
When I talked to them on the phone I knew it would not work.
You're the only one left.
You'll like Stéphane, I'm sure.
Thanks for waiting. Come with me.
Who is this?
The young man who applied for the assistant job.
I see.
Hi. Jean Malassis.
Stéphane Hegray.
He is Louis.
He has a bad back. Can't work on the shots.
Now he manages the house.
I'm leaving.
Listen, sir...
I am not a professional photographer.
- I do not have experience. - All right.
But I like it.
It has always interested me.
It is what it is.
I knew it.
Just do what I tell you.
What is that?
A camera.
- All that? - Yes.
Push the plate towards me.
Push.
Help me carry it, I can't do it alone.
Grab the frame!
Carefully!
Watch out.
We'll put it there.
This is mercury.
Bring me another.
Carefully.
Where do I put it?
What is this?
It is the device used to immobilize my models.
Immobilize?
Life-size daguerrotypes require extreme precision.
The perched lasts long.
If the model moves, even slightly, it would be a big problem.
I think I saw your model before.
A lady with old clothes. Was it her?
Yes.
These daguerreotypes were made 170 years ago.
They disappeared.
I attempt to recreate them here.
Come.
This is a photo?
This is what should be considered real photograph.
It looks like someone who lived 170 years ago, like the rest.
Their very being is part of the silver plate.
Marie, my daughter.
One second, I'm almost done.
Take your time.
- Dad? - Yes?
How long did the perched last today?
Sixty minutes.
It was very long.
Yes.
At one point, I got scared.
Of what?
I don't know.
Fear wasn't specific. It was like a premonition.
You think too much.
They are only 60 minutes.
Like waiting for a bus or a train.
Sing mentally.
You've taken many photos of me.
Is there anything left to photograph?
Parents photograp their daughters.
All yours.
Here, Stephane.
And old Louis?
He no longer works in the shots.
I hired a guy in his place.
Inexperienced, but skillful.
- Hopefully it will be like that. - Jean, rotates the reflector.
Quick, the light is running out.
Ready.
Well, Miss, come on.
She sneezed! She cannot sit still for ten seconds!
Again. Jean, another plate.
A natural pose would be good, don't you think?
If what you want is digital, any will do.
I'm sure Jean will do fine.
It's the era we live.
Shouldn't fashion photography evolve with the times?
You never listen to me.
Vincent... look.
Look at that idiot.
She thinks she can relax...
be natural before the camera, but her work is the opposite.
She must give part of herself...
part of her being to the target!
In that sense, Denise was the perfect model.
- We did not come to talk about Denise. - I am sorry.
Anyway, your photos are in high demand.
Ready.
Please Miss, just 20 more minutes.
Could you give me 20 minutes of your life?
Sorry, time to go.
Marie Hegray, 22 years old.
- Correct? - Yes.
Why do you want to work in Jardin des Plantes?
Because I love plants. That's it.
What do you think would bring?
We do not see plants move in the naked eye.
We tend to ignore them. Like the stones.
But its roots penetrate the earth and control the environment.
It is their dedication...
and not only its beauty...
or its purity what fascinates me.
- I did not answer your question. - It's okay.
You did not studied botany and horticulture.
How did you learn about plants?
I read many books.
- And I have experience. - Experience?
Yes.
Since I was a child...
we grow plants in the greenhouse of my garden.
A greenhouse? Do you live in a mansion?
Not at all.
A suburban house with some land.
I see.
Your profile is unusual, but you know botany.
Unfortunately, it's not what we're looking for.
Your enthusiasm is admirable. There is a job...
that would suit you much better...
elsewhere, and I would recommend you.
Yes! Thank you.
Yes, it is in Toulouse.
- Toulouse? - Yes.
If hired, you would have to leave you mansion.
Agree.
- Hello. - Hello.
- Are you the new assistant? - Yes.
- There is mercury over there. - I know.
That's why it can't be thrown anywhere.
Come see.
The greenhouse is contaminated.
You're right.
What do you think my father?
I don't know.
We cultivate rare plants.
Watch this.
Each spilled drop kills a plant.
I am sorry.
- I count on you. - You can do it.
- Hello. - Hi, Jean!
- A beer. - Sure.
It's been weeks.
- Where have you been? - I was busy.
- I wrote you. - And I answered.
Briefly.
This is what I owe you.
- Do you a lot? - I don't complain.
You got lucky.
I went to all agencies. There's no longer work.
I'll have to go back to Lens.
No work there either, but I will live for free at home.
- You should do the same. - You're right.
There's no place like home.
Allow me.
There.
¿Jean?
- Yes? - Ready?
We start now.
The perched today is 70 minutes long.
BOTANICAL GARDEN OF TOULOUSE
We received your application and we are interested in hiring you...
What's up, Marie?
- How are you? Today was very long. - All right.
- Jean? - Yes?
I talked to the Botanical Garden in Toulouse.
They might hire me.
Crazy, right?
I never felt anything so wonderful.
That's great.
I've had good fortune.
I'm glad for you.
Me too.
If I leave, who will look after the greenhouse?
Don't worry, I'll be here.
And my father?
What will he do without me?
He will be sad, but no matter.
We can look for a new model.
That will be difficult.
He could take up fashion photography.
Many expect him to.
I have to live my life.
He can not say anything.
It is Get out!, I understand.
It's natural.
We're going to start.
Stay still, atmospheric changes appear in the image.
The perched will last 20 minutes.
Thank you very much.
Payment, as agreed.
He is an artist, Mr. Hegray.
¡Marie!
Marie, wait.
Get away. Formaldehyde smell.
What happen?
You profane the dead.
No.
It's not that...
It's like a treatment for grieving family.
It helps relieve your pain and sadness.
It's like a ritual.
It's my job, Marie.
When my mother died, he was so broken...
He didn't even looked at the coffin.
He's been confused photography and reality for a long time...
no longer differentiates the living from the dead.
He needs treatment.
Mom was hospitalized a long time.
Then she is hanged herself.
In the greenhouse.
Sorry, I did not know.
Do not be sorry.
It's useless.
No, it's not.
Stéphane.
¡Stéphane!
¿Denise?
So...
Sodium thiosulfate, good.
Iodo.
I don't have the usual mercury. I gave you recycled one.
It works with photographs as well.
- You're sure? - Yes.
There it goes.
Let's see...
You're lucky, it's cheaper.
Take it. Your change.
- Thank you. - Bye.
Hi.
If I'm not mistaken, you are...
- Jean. - Stéphane's assistant.
I'm Vincent. Finished?
- Yeah. - Will you join us for coffee?
I'll introduce you.
We were just talking about Stéphane.
- Another coffee, please. - Yes sir.
No sugar.
- Thomas, my cousin. - Hello.
Jean is Stéphane's assistant.
Sit.
We were talking specifically about Stéphane's land.
Stéphane's land?
Thomas will explain, he is a real estate developer.
Mr. Hegray's land is in the midst of a major project.
If he sells now, he would earn a lot of money.
Do you think he will sell it?
How do I know?
It is not only lucrative, it's an ambitious ecological project.
Supported by the government.
What do you think, Jean?
I do not know.
Thomas asked me for advice.
I tried to convince Stéphane. He didn't want to know about it.
Is he such a tough guy?
- He is an artist. - Of course.
But he has spent all his savings.
If he wants to stay in photography...
he will have to sell sooner or later.
What about his daguerreotypes? They are all his life.
He could buy land in the country and continue his work.
He will have enough to live the rest of his life.
He would not have to take those fashion photos he hates so much.
- Would he earn a lot? - Five million euros.
Maybe six, if he sells now.
He didn't even flinch when he heard the figure.
Maybe because I said it.
Sometimes I think he thinks...
that I do not care about his interests.
I understand but...
If explained well, I could convince him.
If you didn't convinced him, you try.
That's we were saying when Vincent saw you.
I finally get to meet a real artist.
True.
Get out!
Just take a look at the project.
Look.
I will leave it here.
I will not sell my land!
Do not ever enter this house!
Hello, Jean.
Do you know him?
Actually, no.
¡Throw him out, then! ¡Throw him out!
Now!
What temperament.
He does not look good.
Thank you.
Perhaps I was too optimistic.
It's not easy to win his trust.
Here, take it.
Who knows? Perhaps he'll consider.
When he's calmer.
- Right. - This is the first step.
See you later.
¿Jean?
We're finished.
It's over.
¿Marie?
¡Marie!
You're good?
How long did it last?
- 120 minutes. - It was very long.
- Come. You can walk? - Yes.
Jean, help me remove plate.
Wait, she is still pale.
She is used to it.
- I'll take you to your room. - Don't.
Help Dad, I'm fine.
- Are you sure? - Yes.
- Jean! - Yes?
- You're good? - Yes.
One minute and forty.
What are you doing?
Testing.
¿Testing what?
I had an idea, I wanted to try a photo.
You know what you're doing?
It's ridiculous.
Sorry.
Where is the top?
Get her out of here already.
INNOVATION IN THE HEART OF YOUR PROJECTS
OUR ONLY MODEL INTEGRATION
It's a great ecological project.
And we should sell.
Your father does not want to.
In fact, I think dad also wants to leave.
Really?
Despite his attachment to the house.
What shall we do with my plants?
I think with five million you could relocate them.
- Seriously? - Sure.
That would be brilliant.
And maybe we can reconstruct dad's study and my greenhouse?
Yes.
But what will you do?
That is a good question.
I will continue with odd jobs.
- Waiter, dishwasher... - No.
Sure you know...
Reality dictates that I...
I have to organize myself, do something with my life.
Me too.
But what does that mean?
Take risks, try things.
Or accept a normal life.
As we have now.
Wilted geranium.
It's bad for your hands to dig into the ground.
Dad...
what do you think of the project?
I believe...
it's a scam.
We do not know if it will take place...
and even if it happens, there is no guarantee of a better future.
We can not stay forever.
It may not look like it, but I think about the future.
You're a great model.
When I reach a certain status in my current job...
I will go back to fashion photography.
You will be the best.
I'll come back to surprise the whole world!
Dad, wait!
I have to tell you something.
I should've told you before.
I decided to move to Toulouse.
It had to happen someday, right?
Louis went home.
And you what?
I, too, will go soon.
Agree.
Can you stay the night?
I'm uneasy.
Well, if you want...
See you later.
Stéphane...
¡Denise!
Are you back?
Why are you still mad at me?
You also wanted immortality. Daguerreotypes gave it to you.
Now I am nothing.
I lost confidence in myself.
I know.
I know...
You gave me everything, you were with me until the end.
I never thought I'd end up like this!
Denise, stop playing with my nerves.
Anyone there?
Dad?
¿Jean?
¡Marie!
What's happening?
What happened? Marie!
I don't know.
He fell.
Call an ambulance.
For what?
Call! Do something, damn it!
It's too late.
Come on!
Then I will do it.
Marie...
Shit.
¿Marie?
Hey, ¿Marie?
¡Marie!
Shit!
I looked for you everywhere.
¡Marie!
Come.
I'll take you to hospital.
Jean, I just want to go home.
No, you...
Let me see your wound.
It seems like it isn't there anymore.
- You sure you wanna go home? - Yes please.
- You'll be fine? - Yes.
Stay here. I get nervous when you leave.
I know. Don't worry, I'm here.
When did you get back?
Not long ago.
It took you a lot.
I heard noises upstairs.
Marie is at home. She's better.
¿Marie?
Yes.
How can you be so calm?
- About what? - About Marie being here.
I do not understand. Marie is not dead.
Marie woke up in the car. The wound was not serious.
You distort reality to your will.
It is not persevering. You live in an imaginary world.
You're kidding. And you say it? It's incredible.
It's over. All I had disappeared.
I can not make you believe me.
Get up.
You want to sell the house.
You want me to sell the house, right?
You want me to sell it, and I will, to whoever wants it.
With memories and everything!
Marie's dead!
Marie...
Marie is dead.
¿Jean?
Are you better?
Yes.
- Did you stay all the time? - Yes.
What were you thinking?
In nothing.
In fact...
your father thinks you died after falling.
- Seriously? - Yes.
I was thinking...
If we let him believe that, perhaps he will sell the house.
We will tell him the truth later.
He will will be furious, of course.
But it is for his sake.
And ours.
I hope that Marie is resting in peace.
Try not to lose you temper.
Thanks for helping us.
All these years.
I'm leaving.
If someday you return to photography...
you'll certainly need an assistant, call me.
You know I will.
Jean, I leave you in charge.
Adiós, Louis.
Do not worry, I'm here. I'll take care of everyday tasks.
Daily...
Daily life is over for me. Life ended.
- Hello. - Hello.
- How are you? - All right.
- I'm glad you called me. - Sirs?
Nothing, thank you, I will not stay long.
The situation changed. I think we can convince him.
Great.
- Wine? - No thanks.
- Will I see Mr. Hegray? - No, it's my thing.
I'm the only one who understands.
I see, but...
The time is gold. I need a quick sale contract.
- Or the customer will go elsewhere. - I know.
The other day you told me...
that the land is worth five or six million, right?
Yes.
There is a difference.
It was an approximation. There are many variables.
What if I convince him...
to sell it for 4.5 million?
Let's talk in my office, okay?
Excuse me.
- My car. - Yes sir.
Thank you.
I'll pay the bill.
Go to the car.
To compose the contract...
I need the written consent of Mr. Hegray...
and the original writing.
I'll show you an example.
Follow me, Jean.
It's a document like this.
If you get a property of 5 million for 4.5...
you earn a commission of 500,000.
That's clear.
Great.
¿Stéphane?
Wake up.
Come on, you have to eat.
It would be much easier if I became mad.
Wouldn't it be better to sell the house and move?
Your property is worth 4.5 million euros.
You could buy a big house in the countryside.
Follow your passion in peace.
What do you know about it?
You should consider it. Really.
Marie, it's me.
It's going very well.
- Did you hear me? - Yes.
Hi.
It's very dark.
I'm cooking what I found.
Did you find dishes in this chaos?
Yes, as you can see.
This place is a pigsty.
Do not worry, everything will change.
We will win a lot of money.
Say a figure.
I don't know.
Guess.
I don't know, tell me.
500.000 euros.
Amazing!
What would you do with all that money?
I don't know. I have never thought about it.
- Never thought about it? - No.
There must be something. Tell me.
I really do not know.
And you?
I...
You know, all I care about is being with you.
Let's leave the future for later and live in the present.
The plan will work, for sure.
It's good.
Really?
I'm glad.
It has many interesting objects.
Right?
But do not get excited.
- It's better than throwing it all. - It is.
I think I've seen everything. I'll give you a figure next week.
Great, thank you.
I hope I wasn't a burden.
I saw a girl on the stairs.
I was a little surprised.
I think I scared her, but she said nothing.
There's no girl here.
Really?
Then forget it.
- Are you here? - Yes, why?
Nothing. I thought you left.
I was here all day.
Thank you for bread.
What were you doing?
I thought about the past.
There were so many flowers then. It was nice.
But I prefer now.
These walls, even the ceiling...
Everything is new to me.
How is dad?
He's okay.
¿Marie?
You know, being here with you...
Sometimes I cannot believe it.
I do not know how to explain it.
It's as if all of this were false.
As if we were not real.
You know?
We are happy like this, aren't we?
Of course.
This is reality?
Where is the limit?
Marie...
Please tell me if you...
What?
Nothing, forget it.
You're very persistent.
If you would see it from a different angle, you'd be happy too.
Where is the writing?
Dad?
Did you hear him too?
I did not hear anything. Enough.
- Marie! - Where?
You do not see her?
- Where? - There! Just there!
Do not be ridiculous, there's nothing there.
Shit.
Anyone would hallucinate in this madhouse.
Can I borrow your car?
Hi. Nice to meet you.
Hi.
The door was open.
It's you, isn't it?
I've heard so much about you.
Where do I sit?
I am somewhat impatient, but I will still live a few more hours.
- Come on, make it quick. - What?
He will make my picture, right?
Yes of course.
He's scared?
Yes.
Death is an illusion.
For you young people, death seems like a cruel reality...
but for someone my age, whose time is almost up...
death is an illusion.
Thank you very much.
Console yourself with that.
Every day is the same.
It seems that a boy was fishing here and told everyone...
he saw something at the bottom of the river.
I hope that does not cause us many problems.
I'll say it again.
Now convenience is what matters.
I trusted your ambition and speed, but...
You know Stéphane is complicated.
- We're not moving. - I'm close! Slow but safe.
What you're asking me takes time.
Stéphane is...
strange and complicated.
You said that you would convince him.
Give me a few more days.
You are so small.
Did you get your revenge?
Look at Marie, she is of actual size.
Look, Marie, your mother.
They could be happier.
Now they are immortal.
That's how you thank me? Stay there if you want.
¡Denise!
I am sorry.
I knew it...
It's fate.
¿Stéphane?
You find what you wanted.
I do not know. Is it this?
I don't know.
It seems to be.
Now you must sign the consent.
Wait.
What is that?
This?
It isn't revealing. I had never seen it.
It is a muscle relaxer.
I used it to immobilize my wife.
It is toxic.
The immobilizing instruments stopped working.
It is harmless in small doses.
Did you algo give this to your daughter?
Sometimes, a little.
You're a horrible man.
Yes.
Despicable.
I am, and you too.
¿Marie?
"Hereby, I accept the offer of 4.5 million for my property...
and grant legal power to Jean Malassis. "Okay?"
I should have done this from the beginning.
A few days more and we'll get out of this horrible situation.
¿Jean?
It's time for me to go home.
Let me fix this and come back, okay?
Agree.
What the fuck do you care?
What is the difference if I sign for him?
Mr. Hegray lost his mind, he is gone.
The goal is to buy his land. That he sells it.
So what does it matter who signs?
You've been through a lot of trouble.
It is better for a professional take over.
I'v been dealing with this for three months.
Are you trying to keep with the whole commission?
- No, but Jean... - What?
As a friend, I wanted you to be involved.
As a friend?
This is friendship to you?
Okay, deal.
Would you like Hegray to sign? I'll bring him.
Oye, ¿Jean? Jean!
How are you? Long time no see!
What's wrong? Are you sick or something?
- Why do you say that? - You don't look good.
- Are you still working at that place? - Yes.
- Great. - Yeah, but...
- I'm tired, it exhausts me. - Yes?
Are you going to watch the game on Saturday? - We'll see.
Answer the phone, you never you pick up!
I'm out of battery.
Nothing!
There is it.
- I am sorry. - Nothing's happening.
We'll do it?
- Go to Toulouse? - Yes.
I'll go see your father now.
Agree.
¿Stéphane?
Open up, we need to talk. It's important.
Your daughter is alive. She's not dead.
We didn't say anything beacuse we thought...
that you would sell and we would all go to Toulouse...
we would find a home for your study...
and Marie woud do what she loves.
But you must meet with the buyers and sign a paper.
I will take care of Marie while you're alive. I promise you.
¡Stéphane!
Listen!
- Yes? - Jean? I'm Thomas.
Is Hegray there?
Well...
I want to talk to him.
Open.
This is all your fault.
What are you talking about?
What do you have in your hand?
You did it.
You killed him, Jean.
You killed him.
Calm down.
Put the gun down.
¡Marie!
¡Jean!
What happened?
I don't know.
Your father...
Look.
It is my fault.
I ruined everything.
Everything will be fine.
We'll go to the country.
The passion flowers are blooming.
What if we got married?
Here.
Now.
Yes.
How do we do it?
We marry ourselves.
I saw it in a movie.
Wait.
Marie, do you want to Jean as your husband?
Yes, I do.
Jean, do you want to Marie as your wife?
Yes, I do.
Until death do us part.
You can kiss the groom.
Sorry. The church does not open until 11.
Sorry, we were leaving.
That zone is prohibited.
But...
You find it funny, don't you?
What do we do now?
Whatever you want.
Want to go home?
No, it's fine by me.
Okay.
Everything is fine with me if we're together.
Yes.
It was a very nice trip.
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