Good morning, ladies and gentlemen
I'm here to say a few words
to cut the waiting
we're waiting for James Miller,
who is a little late
he won't be able to blame the trafic,
because he's just upstairs !
I hope he'll be here soon.
We're here for the presentation of James' latest work,
"Certified Copy"
for which he just received
the prize of the best foreign essay of the year.
That's it,
I have finished,
James just arrived !
Please everybody, take a sit,
Please wait the end of the conference for dedications.
I won't introduce James to you,
he'll introduce himself,
probably better than anyboby.
- Good morning !
- I would like to thank my colleague
and friend Marco Lenzi,
who did "an" translation ...
... "a" perfect translation and ...
he succeeded in rendering the spirit of it.
His work permitted the italian publication and our meeting, here.
Congratulations and many thanks again.
- Would you like to take off the backpack? - No, I'm fine.
It's too heavy.
Come on.
- You ordered a cheesebuger? - Yes.
- Chips? - Yes.
Double?
- I know you do not eat them. - And the coke?
Could you look at me when I'm talking to you?
Coke?
Yes
How many of those books have you bought?
Six.
- Thank goodness you did not like them ... - I never said.
But I heard you say it to Pierre.
I did not say that I liked them, I said that I did not understand the steps.
Yes, but then he explained them, and then ...
Yes, he explained them, but I was not convinced.
And why have you bought so many?
To talk about them and give them away.
- To who? - Marie, too.
But she has it already ...
In fact I will give you an autographed copy.
It's a good idea, no?
You're doing this only because you want to see him again ...
- Do you want to see the man again! - Maybe ...
And the others, who are they for?
- There's one for Alain. - But you can not stand it!
I'll give a book that I do not like to a person I do not like.
- I have the right, right? - Yes, you have every right.
And I know what you said to that guy?
- What guy? - The friend of the writer.
No, look, you always know everything?
But you always say that we are friends and we have to tell everything.
But just because you said you wanted me to tell you about Elisa, right?
- Never mind, I already knew everything! - Very good!
I know very well that you like James, you've decided to fall in love with him
and you gave your number to his friend to call you.
But nothing! Yes, I left my phone number,
but that's not why I did it.
I want to know a little more about his book, it's my job,
I had no chance! You didn't let me listen,
you didn't stop for a moment, in the end we had to leave.
You weren't listening! All the time whispering
- in the ear of that ... Mark - you were not even listening,
You didn't stop playing with that thing for a moment!
At least I did, yes I have played.
At least I've heard, but you looked at him ...
Why do not you mind your own business!
There is no reason to be angry then. Here we are, me and you,
we chat a bit, eat something. ..
Yes, we chat ...
I really do not understand why you take it so badly.
I do not take it badly, you get on my nerves.
And you need to cut your hair, this fringe!
Just tell me this, OK, last question then I stop,
Just one thing ...
Why you did not want to put ...
- My last name in the dedication? - Enough!
- You're really exaggerating! - My name is ... Julien.
- I'm Julien, I have a last name. - I'm getting angry, stop.
A last name!
- Are you going out? - Yes.
- Are you coming back for lunch? - No, I don't think so.
Okay.
Tell Julien that he has rehearsals at two. The teacher is coming.
All right.
- You'll tell him? - Yes, of course.
''Better a good copy than the original.''
Yes?
But no, that's not possible.
What? Speak louder I can't hear you!
No, no, tell me later, I can't talk now.
Yes, but I can not talk right now, you know.
Listen, I do not know, and I can't tell you if I do not know.
I'm not very far away.
Listen, listen, I don't know yet.
Okay?
Yes, after everything I say.
Now I can not, tell us about yourself.
Okay? Till later anyway.
I don't understand.
The point is that ...
they believed that this was the original for many centuries,
but they found fifty years ago that it was not.
But it was painted ... I think it was a fresco of Hercules ...
dating back to Roman times.
Yes, the Roman era.
Because they wanted to have a great piece, ...
they wanted to be able to amaze and then just as I was saying ...
- His coffee is cold, now.
- He's like this, you know ...
- He's a good husband, I think.
- What ?
- He's a good husband, I'm pretty sure.
- How can you be so sure ?
- I can see it.
- Where do you come from, lady ?
- I ... come from France.
- And how come you speak italian ?
- I live in Italy for 5 years.
- Where ?
- First in Firenze, now in Arezzo.
- Why do you speak english ?
- He ... is english.
- And he doesn't speak your language,
- No, no.
- ... neither italian.
- No.
- Actually he only speaks his own language ...
- Yes, yes.
- And you speak english too. Congratulations.
- Yes, he has no interest in foreign languages,
Actually, he's not interested in anything,
only in himself and his work.
- It's better like this :
a man must like his job.
- And what about us, women ?
- Working keep them busy.
and we look after ourselves.
- I didn't get married to find myself alone !
I would like to share my life with my husband.
Am I expecting too much ?
By wanting a good husband ?
- Life is not so terrible, if the only problem is ...
a very busy working-husband.
Better a man busy for his work
than for another woman !
- We work too, but with moderation.
- We decide to be moderate, but them, they cannot stop working.
It's as if we asked them to stop breathing :
It's not possible.
- I never asked my husband to stop.
- Of course ! How could you ?
The world could stop working : don't put a spoke in their wheel
- My sister, she likes to know her husband is at work, most of the time !
- This is a particular case.
Don't you think that moderation should be in all things ?
- It would be ideal, but ideal doesn't exist.
- Wine, please ...
- I'm coming.
It would be stupid to feel miserable because of an ideal.
Please keep it secret. They don't need to notice that.
- How can I be happy with an absent husband ?
- They're not really completely absent :
your husband made you a married woman,
and this is what really matters.
You only understand that with age.
For how long have you been married ?
- For 15 years.
- Have you got children ?
- A son.
Last week,
my husband even forgot his son's birthday !
- I can't believe that !
- Like I said : he only thinks about himself and work !
- ... and about friends ...
- Yes, surely ...
- ... and about lovers.
- I don't know.
- But you're trying to find ...
... to whom he's talking on sundays.
- No, I'm just looking at him.
- Yes, but with suspicion,
while I'm admiring him.
- Why do you admire him ? Can you tell me ?
- With pleasure.
Most of the men like to have a lie-in, on sundays.
But your husband went out with you, took you to a coffee bar,
he told you stories with pleasure,
it seems that he's always trying to seduce you ...
- Really ?
- If he were shaved, he would be perfect.
- He only shaves every two days.
Even on our wedding day, he didn't shave !
- You should be used to, from now onwards.
- Yes. On the wedding day, my uncle asked me ...
... why my husband didn't shave. I told him I didn't know.
so he asked him :
" Shouldn't you shave on your wedding day ?"
My husband answered,
touching slowly his beard :
"I shave ...
... every two days !"
- Do you want another coffee ?
It's so strange that you don't speak italian
like your wife living here for 5 years with your son.
No, there is no one at home.
It's Sunday. It is closed. Search and you will find it.
There's no one at home, you'll have to find it.
Search ...
No, don't go, don't bother going to the nearby, go ...
Go upstairs to my office on the first floor! Go, I'll wait! Go!
Yes, you're in my office now? "Well, then ...
Pull the drawer, the middle one, right from your left.
It has three drawers and it's the middle one.
Then, pull!
- It is empty. - Pull, you idiot.
Pull, at the bottom.
It's empty, why don't you believe me?
Yes, I ...
If I come home and find it, I ... I'll kill you!
- No, no, no!
In the front! Look hard, try to find it!
Wait, I'm putting the phone down for a moment ...
Yes. Then you found it? It is at the bottom.
Well spotted! Now just sit down to study, okay?
I still do not know ... do not call me.
And don't even call Marie.
But you're coming back tonight?
I don't know, really, I don't know ...
Get to work! Hurry up! Study ...
Dumb!
The certified copy of his father. There is nothing to do!
He wants, he wants to, can not hear anyone, just does his own thing!
With children there is always a solution.
Yes, but I can not find it, and you're never ...
One of them has to be severe,
so the other can be sweeter.
A good and bad.
If there is one person who plays the two roles it's ...
impossible, I ...
And I'm supposed to play the role of the bad, right?
You do not need to pray, my dear.
The lady at the coffee shop said ...
in life you have a husband, good or bad,
let it be.
I told him that we got married here fifteen years ago
and we are back to celebrate the anniversary.
- Come on. - No thanks.
He's dying to take a picture, come!
He asked me if we are happy.
And I said, yes, very!
Please! Otherwise I'll be really embarrassed by ...
- No. - Come on.
Sir,
join us for a photograph
sorry
my wife would be really happy
I'm sorry ...
Ok, as you want.
We're waiting for you ...
for a long time.
Ok, we're coming soon.
Please, I insist, come and join us !
You can't say no, it's my wedding day !
You told him good things?
I do not understand why that ironic tone.
You're just like your son.
I like it.
What do you like?
Not having to explain anything or convince you.
I wonder how you can convince yourself.
You're a real art expert, right?
Do not see it as a work of art.
It is the subject that I like ...
The subject?
I like how she leans her head on his shoulder.
It's amazing how often you are ...
so banal.
For me it is amazing how often you are so ...
irresponsible.
Irresponsible, me?
But this man has nothing to do but
protect this woman.
For this he was made immortal.
Immortalized?
You can not be immortalized in this way,
it's ridiculous!
You do not understand ...
Look, I'm not going to
share this debate.
Share with a friend, you know what it means to share?
Have you ever shared?
Come on, you're really exaggerating.
You're right. I do not share your opinion.
The only thing you notice is a woman who rests her head
on the shoulder
of that ... monster.
Honestly, you embarrass me.
I embarrass you?
But that is because it protects reached eternity.
I know what I mean, who are you to say.
Do you not know the answer?
I will not answer, it's stupid.
Then, your book is stupid.
I thought you were not interested in the work itself, but the look.
The look, the one on her.
I thought ...
your approach was ... subjective, personal,
creative, inventive, I know.
What counts? The technique? The reputation of the artist?
The eye does not count? Answer! Answer me this!
No, I don't want to.
What you say makes me hate everything
art,
the original copies, this statue
you, all!
I know you hate me and I ... We can not do anything with it.
At least try, try to be more consistent.
In what sense?
I want us to quote parts of your book?
It's my right as a reader to ask you this!
We're going to see the sculpture, and then speak of its value.
- No. - Let's see it up close ...
No, I have nothing to say about its value ...
It is you who see it as a masterpiece.
Yes! And I want to show you exactly why. Come, let's see.
We're going to ask those people. Next, let's ask.
The only thing you need to do is wait.
Can you hear me? Wait ... it's not a decision you can make by yourself.
No, no way!
First of all, you do not have the right ... I do not have the right!
Listen, take your time and wait.
And do me a favor and do not contradict me.
You know that we talk about it together ...
And you also know it was wrong.
You're wrong! Ready?
I do not hear you anymore ...
Wait, I'm moving ... can not hear you.
Hello? Yes, there we are.
- Just tell her to call from the hotel. - Yes, I will call you back.
All right? Yes, a kiss for Anna ...
Excuse me, may I ask an opinion?
I am with my husband, an expert on the concept of cultural heritage,
and we were talking about the sculpture and I'd like to know what you ...
Would you mind repeating it to my husband? We were just talking about ...
Your husband? No, no, it's a pleasure.
- James Miller. - Good morning. Pleasure.
- Meet my wife. - I want your opinion.
Please my dear.
As I said, he is an expert on the concept of cultural heritage.
What interests him is the psychological impact of the work on the public.
- If you repeat your opinion ... - it's not the first time we have come.
- The fourth, I think ... - The fifth.
We are here essentially to admire the works of art.
Why, we all know, Italy is an open-air museum.
You know that one quarter of the heritage world heritage ... I say ...
- art belongs to Italy? - My husband is not interested in this.
He would like to know what you think of ... What you have said before is perfect.
- The idea of the power ... - I, I pointed out ....
that this statue ... or what the artist wanted to convey ...
is the omnipotence of man.
So, in a single block ...
It is only one block or are there more pieces? I do not know, I do not see well ...
May we approach a bit?
Repeat what you said before, it was a nice thing ...
You said that what struck you in this sculpture was ...
the serenity of the woman's face ... as it is rested on the man's shoulder.
It gave you the impression that she had found someone to count on...
- And that she did not feel alone anymore. - Yes, but you said ...
- But you were in agreement ... - Yes, it is a very good impression.
- But when you look at that statue ... - Excuse me, I did not catch your name ...
- J. .. James? - James is fine.
- I'll tell you something, can I talk to you? - Sure.
You clearly an educated man, seriously ...
and you could be my son ...
I would like to give fatherly advice ....
- Can I? - I'm listening.
Before I ask you ... I'm curious ...
No, I'll get straight to the point ...
I think the only thing she wants ...
is that you walk beside her and lay your hand on her shoulder.
It's everything you would expect.
But she is critical ...
I do not know what happened between you ... I can not know. And I do not care.
It does not concern me. But all your problems ...
could be erased ...
with a simple gesture.
This gesture.
Do it ... let go ...
Do not make things more complicated than they are!
Yes .. thanks for the advice ...
but now we must go. We are looking for a place to eat.
- A restaurant? - Yes.
- There is a great restaurant here in front. - Really?
I recommend it, it's really good.
- Shall we go? - Okay.
Glad to have met you. It was a beautiful evening ...
- Goodbye. - Goodbye ... Very nice ...
- Thank you, thank you very much. - Goodbye.
- Are you hungry? - Very ... yes.
But it's too late for lunch.
It's too early for dinner!
There is no one ...
Would you like red?
- There are some good wines here? - Yes ..
In short, they are not as good as ours, but better than yours!
Very nice!
I'm joking ...
What? What's happening?
Why did we come here?
What's wrong?
Taste ... and tell me.
Yes, it's a bit ...
Corked!
Yes, a lot...!
Yes, you can't drink it. We'll change it.
It is not a problem ...
It is a convention ... You taste it, you say that is good ... that's all.
- You're too demanding ...
you can not find an exceptional wine list in a small trattoria
lost in the middle of Tuscany! And then, well ...
the taste is not that bad ...
You're completely mad ...
Why do you do that?
Why not try to relax instead of complaining all the time?
Try to be more present ... Look around. Are you with me, you know?
Look, it's the first couple!
- God, I hate them! - It is them!
It is a beautiful place ...
See how beautiful they both are, they sound like lovebirds.
Look ... your wife ...
has made herself beautiful for you today ... Look!
Open your eyes!
So what is the right time?
Tell me when is the time right?
Even last night ... There has never ... when is the time right?
- Last night? - Yes, last night ...
For once you did not forget our anniversary.
You're back after a fortnight and I believe that travel was for work.
I leave the bathroom and what do I see? The man is snoring. Like a log.
I tried to move the pillow to see if maybe you would wake up ...
you moved slightly and then ...
I've looked for a moment and then ...
you went back to sleep. ... So tell me ...
- When is the right time?
Wait ... But that effort!
Am I dreaming?
I too am tired! Why can't you say that you love me anymore?
How are you?
Well! Very well, thank you!
And for what?
- Just ... Tell me.
- No, I've watched them enough,
- Then what do you have to say?
- Ah yes, what?
I'm all ears, as well.
Of course I remember, I have made that journey a thousand times at least.
- And I know what I say ...
I remember I was always alone, and that I had to drive back and forth.
So what should I remember?
- What are you getting at?
- Because I was tired ...
- But is not comparable ...
We are talking about the evening of our fifteenth anniversary.
It is not an ordinary day. Fifteen years of marriage!
Our anniversary and what do you do? You snore!
- It's shameful! You snore!
What? But I was getting ready. I mean, you're crazy!
I was looking good for you! You do not want that either!
I was putting on my makeup ... It takes time to look good,
- You should know ... after 15 years
- I wanted to settle down, but you ... you don't care
Check.
All right?
All right ...
If I knew that we were coming here I would not have put these shoes.
Nothing has changed here ...
You ... You are changed ...
I've changed?
I don't believe you've gone to church before.
I just wanted to take off my bra.
But I ... I saw you were praying. Right?
You were praying.
I wanted a little moment of solitude.
And the circles in the church?
Why?
I could not breathe ... I felt oppressed ...
Here's proof.
I have the marks of the bra, if you want I'll show you.
I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
You did not even notice that I had put on lipstick.
- Did you notice? - But yes, I ...
You were not even aware that I had and I had put on the earrings.
The point is that you do not see me anymore.
I, however, I realized immediately that you had changed your perfume ...
You could have shaved for me today?
For our anniversary ...
It is a habit ...
- I shave every two days. - I know.
Remember the hotel of our wedding night?
- It's around here? - See if you can find it ... it's nearby.
It's that one there.
No.
Search ...
Good evening,
I and my husband
spent our wedding-night here,
15 years ago,
in room 9.
Could it be possible
to take a look at it,
It seems to be free.
We want to remember that night.
Thanks.
Room 9, third floor.
Turn it off please.
Look out the window, see if you recognize something.
Look to the left.
You see?
Do you remember?
Don't you remember?
You do not remember anything! I can't believe you forgot.
Come, come and see this side.
Look.
Do you remember now? Right there, look.
See?
You know that I have no recollection.
So I've been put to the test ...
If I lie here ...
I remember everything.
You slept on this side, remember?
This pillow had your scent.
I remember all the details ...
Like what?
Want me to tell you them?
I can tell you, if you want.
You see, nothing has changed.
You are not changed ...
always you.
You're always sweet ...
fascinating ...
and cold.
I know that you do it to protect yourself ...
but you are always so cold.
That's not true.
What is not true?
- I've changed? - You?
You are even more beautiful.
- And more stupid ... - No.
I never said that ... never ...
If we were a bit more tolerant of the faults of ...
it would be less lonely.
I know you can ... you can be alone, but ...
Those first two ... those gentlemen ... I have come to envy ...
That pair of old guys ...
I don't know ...
Stay ...
... It is better for both of us, it's best ...
for you and me.
Give us this chance.
Like I said ...
I have to take a train at nine.
Yes, I know ...