SPUTNIK PRESENTS
Based on a novel by Henri Murger
Merde.
Have I hurt myself?
My God!
Blood!
Written, directed and produced by AKI KAURISMÄKI
Going well, Marcel? - No.
What do you think, with the middle of my face smashed in?
Some red...
These glasses are smaller than a drunkard's hallucinations.
What did the publisher say? Any luck? - No. The swine!
Claimed it was too long, he demanded cuts-
but without promising or advancing me a thing. The lout!
Why not let me read it?
You? -Me.
You can read?
Are you joking?
I went to grammar school in Monçao before coming to Paris.
I can read it in the evening before retiring.
Why not?
You'll give me the people's appraisal -
and put the publishers to shame.
"The Avenger". A play in 21 acts, by Marcel Marx.
EVICTION NOTICE
Good morning, Monsieur Marcel.
You do recall that it is the eighth?
So soon? Time passes fast as a deer.
You're a bit slow in vacating the premises.
It is already half-past eleven -
and the new tenant may arrive at any moment.
Allow me to fetch a moving van.
By all means-
but first there is a minor formality to see to.
The three months' rent.
I'm certain you agree. - But of course.
Then kindly into my office and I will give you a receipt.
When I return. - Why not now?
I must go to the bank. I don't go around carrying that kind of money.
I see. No cash. Permit me, then, to take charge -
of what you're carrying so it doesn't burden you.
You think I'd carry off my belongings in a bag?
Those are the rules.
You are not to remove so much as a single hair until the rent is paid.
These are not hairs but shirts that I am taking to be ironed -
at he laundry just next door to the bank.
Please do not misunderstand me-
but experience has shaken my faith in tenants.
Hugo had best accompany you to the bank.
See this man? He's been casing the bank for three days now.
I live nearby... His companion is around the corner in an Alfa Romeo-
reading Le Monde. He has the paper upside down.
Of course I may be mistaken, but I wish to do my duty.
What do you suppose is in the bag?
My apartment- has it been vacated?
Not yet, Monsieur Schaunard, but very soon.
The previous tenant has just gone to fetch a moving van.
In the meanwhile, you may put your furniture in the yard.
I am afraid -
that it will rain and my furniture will be ruined.
You will forgive me if I ask your profession-
but you neglected to note it in the lease.
Leave the piano and return at once to my old lodgings-
to fetch the rest of my precious furnishings-
and works of art.
From the Ministry of War.
It's just arrived by courier.
From the Ministry of War.
It must be the pension -
I've been seeking all these years.
At last, some recognition of my achievements.
Dear Monsieur Bernard. Courtesy demands that I inform you-
of my having landed in such a predicament-
that I am unable at this time to observe the custom-
requiring me to pay my rent, especially when it's due.
Until this morning I had hoped to honor this lovely day-
by paying my rent. Delusion!
As I slept cradled in false certainty-
misfortune, ananke in Greek, dashed my hopes.
Sizable sums on which I had counted on were not forthcoming-
but our beautiful France and I will see better days-
have no doubt of that. The moment we do-
I shall hasten to inform you of it-
and to remove from my lodgings the precious possessions-
I leave to your safekeeping and the law's-
which restrains you from selling them for one year.
Until then you are at liberty to use the luxurious flat-
In which I have resided.
In affirmation of my consent, I here affix my signature. Marcel Marx.
Two half-trouts. - Yes, sir.
That was a curious order.
On the contrary.
This method yields on average a quarter more -
than when a full portion is ordered.
Where is my order?
Unfortunately the last of the trout went to this gentleman here.
May I invite you to partake of this course with me?
I would not deprive you of what is yours, sir.
You will deprive me, then, of the pleasure of expressing my good will?
That being the case, sir, then.
Permit me to refrain from serving you the head.
That I couldn't allow.
For if the head is man's noblest appendage-
it is the most unpleasant part of a trout.
Two heads...
This trout is bicephalic, a word coming from the Greek-
and meaning -
precisely this.
However, I harbor no regrets about eating this phenomenon.
The sauce was excellent.
True.
It was prepared in the city of Bearn-
and its fine reputation is richly deserved.
You seem very learned. You are not from here? - No.
I come from Albania-
and have lived in Paris only three years now.
Yet you have already mastered our language.
My nurse was French, from Barcelona.
My name is Rodolfo-
and I am a painter.
Marcel Marx, author.
May I offer you a bottle of wine?
Only on condition -
that I see to the coffee and accoutrements.
As a painter, don't you think-
that Malevich' black square on white-
is as lethal a blow to painting as-
the school of Vienna-Schoenberg, Berg, Webern and others -
is to music?
Let's go!
I live nearby. We may continue our discussion there.
I descended the impassive river-
unguided now by the bargemen's lines.
Howling Indians had struck them down-
and nailed them naked to colored stakes.
He's beautiful, Rimbaud.
Here we are.
Strange, the key is in the lock, although I put it in my pocket-
this morning-
where it is still.
Witchery!
Two keys.
Aviolin. This is not where I live after all.
May I be of any assistance?
I am mistaken. This is not my home.
I ask your pardon on my friend's behalf.
He is drunk as a pig.
We are home after all.
Is that not my finery?
And these?
My Turkish slippers, given to me by beloved hands?
"In consequence, Marcel Marx is obligated to vacate the premises-
by noon of February eighth."
And am I not the Marcel Marx-
the landlord has evicted?
The situation is as follows.
By law-
the premises are mine-
for you have been evicted and I have paid in advance.
For the premises, not the furnishings.
If I pay up, I may legally remove them.
I would, were it possible, even do so illegally.
Thus, you have furnishings but no lodgings, and I -
have lodgings but no furniture. - Precisely.
The room pleases me. - And me? It never pleased me more.
Pardon? - Never so much as now. I do know what I'm saying.
What say you we irrigate this explanation?
What a great pipe you have.
I have yet a handsomer one for when I am in society.
Would you care to try it? - With pleasure.
You appear to be a man of musical bent.
A composer.
I am writing a work called -
"The Influence of Blue on the Arts".
I can't see you now.
Why not?
Good morning.
Mademoiselle.
There is my answer. - I understand.
Just the same, you might lend me a thousand francs.
I'm out of colors-
and unable to complete my masterpiece.
You ask no small thing. I'm temporarily broke.
Couldn't you borrow it from the girl?
That would not do. Not yet. We met only yesterday.
And Schaunard? - Haven't seen him all week.
Good-bye.
Where are you going?
To your place-
to collect what you owe me.
You'll find I'm not at home.
I can't pay you back today.
I am waiting for a girl.
But you may pawn my ring.
There she is.
Get lost.
And what if she returns to you-
and you no longer have the ring?
She won't come back.
She ran off with an American.
He had a Cadillac.
It's a shame about the children.
They were left with me and there is no money for food.
They cry out from hunger in the night.
How old are they?
Fourteen, nine-
seven, six-
three, two, one-
and the youngest half a year.
So many.
We were young and in love.
It was spring.
You look strange. What ails you?
I think I am in love. - With whom?
I don't know, but she's sitting over there.
She's not bad looking.
Why not do something?
And what if she rejects me?
I could hardly endure that.
It is our custom in Albania first to... - Sit here...
and I will go and speak in your behalf.
I shall awaken in her heart a passion-
for you.
I'll lie shamelessly.
Good evening.
You see him over there?
He is in love with you.
But so am I.
Excuse me. Can I help you?
I fell asleep.
Where are you going? - Nowhere.
I am here-
but my girlfriend is not in. I was to live with her.
It is no use waiting.
She was taken to prison, for three years.
Now what I do?
I arrived today from Rouen and I know no one here.
If you like... I live in the next room.
Tell me are you a proper French gentleman? - No.
I mean, yes, I am-
but not French. Albanian.
That will have to do.
I am going now, and taking the dog with me.
He is sometimes noisy at night, from nightmares.
But why?
I can sleep on the couch.
It is too hard to serve as a bed.
And besides-
I am hot-blooded -
and you are very beautiful.
Then where will you go? - To a friend's.
He lives quite nearby.
Sleep peacefully.
I'll be back in the morning.
Baudelaire!
"I have gone to seek lodgings. Thank you for your kindness. Mimi."
Where is your black coat?
Can't you see?
You have ruined it.
I am lost.
Newspaper czar Gassot summons me.
He is founding a fashion magazine, The Girdle of Iris -
and plans to make me editor-in-chief.
If I appear in this get-up, he'll change his mind.
You cannot accept his offer anyway.
Gassot-
is a supporter of the Right.
Your principles prevent you eating bread -
bathed in the sweat of the people. - You're mistaken.
He's in the left of the parliamentary Right-
and voted for widows' pensions.
Besides, he knows people of influence from whom I can-
get commissions for your compositions and Rodolfo's portraits.
That changes everything.
When do you meet him?
At five.
There is no time to lose.
The shoes can be polished black-
so no one will notice that one is round-toed and the other pointed.
All I need is a black coat.
I would give ten years of my life and my right hand for one.
Is Rodolfo the painter in? - I am.
My cousin recommends your reasonable portraits.
I am told they are good likenesses.
More precise than photographs.
He is talented. He even took all the awards in school.
My son won an award, and he is only seven. - A talented child.
This portrait you want, Monsieur... - Blancheron, of Nantes-
manufacturer of sugar.
I have also written books on the subject.
The picture could be of... middle size.
Like that on... Who is it? - My mother.
How much would one of that size cost?
From 1,000 to 1,200 francs.
Depending on whether the hands show. - My cousin said five hundred.
It depends on the season. Paint prices vary with the by season.
How very interesting... just like sugar. - Precisely.
Make one for 1,000 francs. - That is a mistake...
For 200 more, he will paint your hands, holding your book on sugar.
It is essential. - Would that look good?
Exceptionally good. Is the painting to go in your home?
Yes, in the living room.
Then you must be painted in your smoking jacket.
Please sit in this chair-
and take off your coat.
I have no smoking jacket with me.
Not to worry- my friend will lend you his.
Marcel, please hang up the gentleman's coat.
How unfortunate that I will be late for supper.
The restaurant downstairs will bring us whatever we want.
I'll go see to the order.
I have several ideas-
for the improvement of the contents of The Girdle of Iris.
For instance, one could, perhaps, I'd suggest...
Publish a play, for example, and along with the play-
the characters dressed in a certain way-
and to present that as the fashion, the latest fashion, of course.
And one also could envisage something else.
Like, for example, how should I say it, -
a serial novel, the works of Baudelaire.
When may I fetch it?
I will complete it tomorrow and bring it to you.
I would prefer to pay at once rather than remain in debt to you.
We are alike in that respect.
My cash is at the hotel. You'll have it tomorrow.
If you would get me my coat.
It was very dusty, so I had it laundered.
They charged only forty francs. - You may put it on my account.
I'm paying nothing.
Merdel
The swine!
He wanted money-
for a few kilometres.
There must be 60,000 francs there.
15,240 francs, to be precise.
Advance payment for editing a sample issue of The Girdle of Iris.
Here is my plan.
Secure from life's material woes-
I intend to do some serious work. First I will get rid of these rags-
and dress decently so the fashion salons will respect me.
If you'll follow my example-
I can put you to work as advertising agents.
Until then let a strict economy govern our lives.
I accept wholeheartedly.
But to start with give me-
a couple of thousand francs. - Why?
To find advertisers I must have a car-
with which-
to seek them out in the provinces.
This is true.
Shall we order a table?
Yes, then I can tell you more about my new job.
There's an excellent restaurant a short way from here.
It is rather expensive-
but we can make up the difference in time saved.
But from tomorrow on-
we shall attempt to devise yet further means of economizing.
Instead of eating out, we shall hire a female cook.
It would be wiser to procure-
a manservant who could double as cook.
Our household would always be in order-
and we would have more time to work, with him to shine our shoes-
and see to our urgent affairs.
Then we will need larger accomodations.
That, in any case, is unavoidable-
that we may live in keeping with our new position.
I'll be back.
A pack of Celtiques, please.
Good evening, Mimi.
You found a job.
As you can see.
And a place to live?
With the job.
Are you going to the nightclub?
No.
Just escorting my friends.
I don't care for modern music.
I might have a drink though.
A glass of water, please.
Merde!
Who was that? - A regular.
He behaves like a peasant.
It's kind of you to see me home-
but this is nowhere near where I live.
Would that you lived in Moscow, -
that I might have your company that much longer.
That's a little too far.
We could take the boulevard.
Fancy that.
We have arrived by chance where I live.
Wouldn't you like to come up and meet my dog?
Very well -
but just for a moment.
I'll make some coffee.
In the meanwhile, you may view the city from my picture window.
They are dead.
Had I known that I'd have bought some made of plastic.
What' his name? - Baudelaire.
I'm out of coffee-
but I'll make some soup.
May I kiss your hand?
You are fast.
The sooner to reach the goal.
How much is this?
One hundred francs.
Fifty.
All right, fifty, for you.
Do you want this?
I live with two other girls.
They have a mutual male friend they're constantly fighting over.
I don't understand them.
The man is stupid, ugly-
and married besides.
Uglier than I am? - There's no comparison.
Next to him, you're a Lino Ventura. - Who's he?
An Italian movie star. You don't know him? - No.
Forget him. Let's talk about me.
Why not-
move in with me?
I'm against marriage in principle-
but we could make an exception.
You stop working, we can live off my paintings.
What would I do then?
Walk Baudelaire, -
clean, that sort of thing.
Are you serious?
No.
I'll clean and you can look out the window at the park.
In the evenings we'll go to the opera.
My wallet has been stolen.
Do you have any money?
Just a few francs.
Your passport!
Listen, how much was the check?
Four hundred and twenty.
Will you permit me to pay it?
You figure on getting your money from that bum?
It makes no difference.
Then as far as we are concerned, the matter is settled.
I have to go now.
My shift begins at nine.
I have to wait for my passport.
I'll be at your place tomorrow evening.
I'll be waiting.
Come with me.
Why?
Your papers are not in order.
You've resided in France for three years without a visa, -
a residence or work permit.
You claim to have come by rail from Spain.
But you choose not to talk.
There's nothing else to tell.
You will spend the night here.
We will decide your fate in the morning.
Can I make a call? My dog is home alone. - In the morning.
You are to be immediately deported to Albania.
The flight leaves in two hours.
If you are found within France's borders-
without the required papers-
it will mean a six-month jail sentence.
Can I call now?
Make it fast.
Mimi hasn't arrived yet.
I don't know.
Try again in a couple of hours.
There was a call for you just now. - Who?
Didn't say.
Set out a coffee for me.
Marcel?
Listen, -
I'm being deported.
Will you look after Baudelaire and my paintings?
I won't be coming back.
I'll wind up in jail -
if I do. You understand?
Good-bye, Rodolfo.
A Suze. - Problems?
No. Thirst.
What do you think?
1,800 francs.
Only thirty thousand on the meter. It has brakes and all.
Great.
Are you free this evening?
What's bothering you? You don't seem enthusiastic.
Rodolfo' been deported. No papers.
Merde. - I'll get Baudelaire.
Let's meet there tonight and haul the paintings to your place.
Right.
Looking for Rodolfo?
Yes, I am. We were supposed to meet. Where is he?
He's been deported. He was in the country illegally.
When? - This afternoon.
Is he coming back? - I don't know.
I must go. Shut the door when you leave.
SPRING
Hello, Musette. How's it going?
What does it look like?
How many today? The magazine must go to press by Friday.
Just one, but a full page. From Printemps.
I know. They called and cancelled it.
Coffee originated in Arabia, where it was discovered by a goat.
Balzac drank seventy cups of it a day.
What do you need the ladder for?
It is the link between me and my love.
Have you read Shakespeare?
Of course. He was a great philosopher.
Do you remember Romeo and Juliet?
Do I ever.
"It was the nightingale and not the lark, -
that pierced the fearful hollow of thine ear."
Do you not understand?
I've met the daughter of a good family-
but for some reason her father cannot stand me.
The girl's name is Juliet and her room has a balcony.
I came to borrow the bird -
to wake me in the morning before the old man rises.
I would be obliged -
if from now on you would call me Romeo Montague.
How do you like my plan?
Girdle of Iris, hello.
It's for you, Marcel, from abroad.
Right.
Where?
What time?
Forget about Juliet, we've got to go. - Where?
To the border. I'll explain on the way.
Let me have a few hundred. - There isn't any.
Where has it all gone?
To the printer, to ransom the magazine.
You could have let them keep it.
We need a photo for the cover.
Hold still.
There he is.
Let's get going so we can make Paris by morning.
When is Mimi in? - Mimi? She's not here any more.
But they stop by almost every evening.
They who? - Mimi and Francis, her boyfriend. Why do you ask?
I'm an old friend.
Someone's been asking for you. - Who?
Some old friend. He's sitting over there.
Mimi!
I believe that The Crossing of the Red Seais finished.
I feel empty.
If you get it sold, we can pay the rent.
Perhaps you could come down on the price. - No.
I will not sell it for less than two hundred francs.
I've already put more than 10,000 francs' worth of paint into it.
What if the landlord calls the police?
You still don't have a residence permit.
Come in.
What a surprise.
Mimi...
Offer our guest a glass of water.
To what do I owe this honor?
I was so inspired by your portrait-
that I have decided to become a collector.
I am now in need of a relatively large painting-
and you immediately sprang to mind.
You are in luck. I have just completed this-
and intend to send it off in the morning-
with some other works to an exhibition in New York.
But, if you would care to make an offer. As an old customer.
The work pleases me greatly.
I'll pay a thousand francs for it.
You're joking. - 1,200.
2,000. - 1,400.
1,700. - 1,500.
And two opera tickets for this evening.
Opera is a dying art form, but all right.
Go and pay the rent and then get dressed.
You can go to the opera with Musette.
I'll wait outside.
I have to talk to Marcel.
The poor girls, -
they are not made for a life like this.
Being men, and therefore stronger in every respect-
we make child's play of all misfortune.
Nordo we become depressed -
if our clothing isn't always neat.
But it's different for the women.
Even the slightest garment brings them joy-
nor should this be denied them. Secondly-
art and literature have been in great demand of late-
and we are at present earning nearly as much as porters.
This is true.
Works of art are selling like pancakes.
So it is agreed.
Tomorrow we take the girls shopping, indulging their female whims.
Sunday we will have a picnic in the countryside.
And what about me?
You have two days to find yourself a companion.
Who's to blame if your appearance sparks no female interest?
If you are unsuccessful, you may come along -
as our chauffeur.
Monsieur, there's a call for you -
in the kitchen.
Madame-
your eyes are like two full moons.
I hope their purchases will not exceed 600 francs.
Baudelaire!
And never come back.
They didn't like it?
The louts.
They are trying to crush me-
to get me to break up my brushes-
to jump out of the window.
Let's go and borrow some money from Marcel -
and then go out to eat.
I gave you -
a cash advance.
I want it back in two days exactly.
Not three, not five, but two days.
Good luck.
Good-bye.
What is this all about?
He' mad that I serialized my play. He claims it didn't fit-
the magazine's line. That readers complained. What readers?
Besides, as editor-in-chief, I exemplified policy.
He was merely the publisher. Capitalist.
I'm hungry. - So am I.
Come and eat atmy place.
I happen to have some funds.
While we're at it-
I can perform my latest composition for you.
I'm going to leave Marcel.
When?
This evening.
I'm already packed.
Does he know?
No.
I haven't been able to tell him.
I'm going back to Strasbourg.
There's this man there, a farmer-
not very pretty, but-
sweet and dependable.
Why?
He doesn't need me.
All he loves is his books.
I pawned my ring yesterday to get the rent.
I left the money on the table. When I came back he'd taken it-
and spent it all on first-edition Balzacs.
Poor Marcel.
He'll forget me in a week.
Or in any case faster than I'll forget him.
Men are like that.
See me to the station? - Of course.
I'll miss you.
Come and visit.
I'll send you the fare. The man is wealthy.
You can count on it.
Write to me care of poste restante.
Why there?
I don't know.
How's it going, Mimi? - Fine.
Can I give you a ride?
Home. You may.
Rodolfo.
Yes, darling.
I've found a place to work.
You don't need to.
I can't go on living like this, never having any money.
I can't breathe, as if l were suffocating.
I'll open the window.
That won't help.
Besides, it's already cold in here.
Shall I light a fire in the stove?
There's no wood or coal.
Some old poems of mine.
I thought I'd publish a collection -
someday.
At least they'll -
provide some heat.
I'm going for a little walk.
Don't be long.
Good evening, Rodolfo. - Good evening, Mimi.
I love you, you know that, -
but life is difficult.
Yes, -
I understand.
AUTUMN
What?
Nothing.
It's great, isn't it?
The voice of the people-
is the voice of God.
That-
is known as turkey stuffed with truffles.
What about that leg of lamb? What color!
Lamb is the favorite food of the gods-
and also my godmother's, Madame Chandelier.
And what about those trouts? They are superb swimmers.
They climb rapids as easily-
as we would accept a dinner invitation this evening.
Those fruit are known as pineapples.
I nearly ate one once.
Speaking of fruits. I wouldn't say no to that pheasant there.
Why this profusion of viands?
You do not know?
Today is All Saints' Day. The great family feast.
Care to spend the evening with me?
No money.
How much have you got?
I don't understand. I've lost my appetite.
The same here.
I can see-
the phantom of the past sits at this table.
But if you intend to waste away to nothing -
you may as well do it on a full stomach.
Am I disturbing you?
Come in.
I'm so cold.
I happened to be passing by-
and saw the light in the window.
I lost my apartment a week ago-
and I've been wandering the streets ever since.
I'm an artists' model these days-
but it doesn't pay very well.
I only show my head and hands.
I've been promised some wages tomorrow.
Then I'll move back to my apartment.
Where are you going? - To get some tobacco.
In Havana.
We'll be back tomorrow sure as arrows loosed from a steady hand.
Where have you been?
Don't ask me anything!
Just let me sit here by your side.
It's so warm here.
I'll stay with you until tomorrow. Do you want me to?
It's going to be very cold here.
That's good, -
then it will be like it was.
I'll clear the table.
The warmth has made me dizzy.
I can't stand up.
You have fever.
I'll help you to bed.
I'm going to get a doctor with Schaunard.
You stay here and keep Mimi company.
I've been awake all the time.
Rodolfo still loves me.
And you?
I've never stopped loving him.
Then all is well.
No.
I'm going away. Forever.
What do you mean?
I'm going to die soon.
Look.
Do you believe me now?
If I'd stayed quietly here-
with Rodolfo-
everything would be fine now.
Poor Rodolfo.
I'm ending up a burden to him once again-
but not for long.
The last dress he buys for me will be white.
Don't say that. You'll get better.
Rodolfo has gone for a doctor.
It took me an hour to climb the stairs yesterday.
Had there been another woman here-
I would have jumped out of the window.
Rodolfo knows everything.
She must go to the hospital.
I'll call an ambulance.
I have a car.
You must be brave.
I can relieve the pain, but I can't save her.
She will live-
until spring at the latest.
I can keep her in the private room but-
I must inform you -
although it may seem cruel, that it is very expensive.
I'll get the money.
Who painted this, Becker?
Open the curtains.
Spring is here-
and I want to look out.
It's so gray indoors.
Why don't you go and pick me some flowers?
She is dead.
Shall we come with you?
No.
I need to be alone.
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