A Second Life (2025) Movie Script
To guarantee the accessibility of the
film to deaf or hard of hearing people,
all of the dialogue
is subtitled in French.
You have to always be drunk,
it's all there, that's the only question.
To avoid feeling the burden of time that
breaks your shoulders
and bends you towards
the earth, you must get
drunk without respite.
I wake up thinking about
those words you said to me.
I'm far away now, but
I followed your advice.
I was intoxicated with dawns, at a time
when the world seemed so empty, so intact.
I got drunk with work.
I spent nights immersed
in a language that I master,
in this world of tech,
until I felt empty.
I got drunk on sound.
When I lost part of
my hearing 5 years ago,
I clung to the few
sounds I heard.
The song of birds,
the rustling of leaves in the fall.
I didn't want to forget them.
I became intoxicated with beauty,
as if it were a perfect and untouchable
landscape, in which I could get lost.
I was intoxicated with love.
With you.
Those were my best years.
I still think about it.
I hope to meet you by chance
or just receive an email from you,
even though I know it won't happen.
I got drunk on it all.
But that's not enough anymore.
How to commit
suicide with medication?
How much is needed?
You probably suffer from depression.
Contact a psychologist
or a prevention center.
Let's get together.
Let's get together!
Come on, gather!
Come on, come on!
- Okay, are you okay?
- Hello, boss.
- We saw each other earlier.
- How are you?
Sit on my desk.
OK, uh, good.
Today, friends...
It's the big day.
The best or worst day of the year.
But please stay motivated.
All right? That's it!
Let's dominate these Games.
The athletes are you,
the concierge champions.
Our gold medal, these
are the five-star reviews.
That's all I want, okay?
Small reminder:
the bridges will be
closed from 4 p.m.,
due to the opening ceremony.
I'm reminding you, for those with the memory of a
goldfish. Remember one thing, and I'm serious here:
today, our customers
pay triple the usual rate.
We have to be impeccable, okay?
Personalized welcome, of course,
and of course, ultra premium services.
And here is the bathroom.
It'll be fine.
Okay.
So, the living room has
three different spaces,
a relaxation area, a reading
area, and the dining room area.
Here we have a magnificent
fully equipped kitchen.
- It's not necessary.
- Okay.
And a welcome basket for you.
With all the...
A baguette.
Here are your keys.
Do not hesitate to contact
me, for any... request.
For everything, at any time.
By message, it's better.
Bye.
Bye.
[muffled sounds]
Welcome.
Here you have the bathroom.
Do you want to die?!
Damn.
Elisabeth, I have guests
arriving in twenty minutes.
Elisabeth, we're going to have to discuss
a comment, you need to explain it to me.
"At that price, she might smile."
Two stars.
We are here for the
Games. I can't believe it.
- It's historic.
- Yes.
Ok then...
Bedroom, living room, bathroom, kitchen.
Wi-Fl.
I'm doing my best,
but they won't validate
your trial period.
I need to renew my visa.
I know.
Work hard today, so you're
hired and you have your visa.
Okay.
[phone ringing]
Elisabeth, it's Steve.
I am impressed by your profile.
I'm in Paris for the day.
Let's meet after 6 p.m.
I can help you find work.
Pardon.
[sound sirens]
And there you have it.
If you liked the service,
could you leave a comment?
Yes, why not?
[muffled background sound]
I can't hear you well.
Is it yes or no?
You must do it now.
How?
I can't hear you.
Yes, rue de la Roquette.
- Okay, I'll send a text.
- Hi.
Sorry. I didn't mean to scare
you. I'm coming for the apartment.
- You don't have a suitcase?
- No, they lost it.
But no suitcase, no problems,
no problems, no problems.
You have an intense look.
OK, it's this way.
Wow.
Are you French?
- Pardon?
- Are you French?
American.
Awesome.
He's coming. Take the
elevator, it's on the 3rd floor.
I go up on foot.
I'm coming with you.
But finally!
- What?
- Don't you hear?
[moans]
- No.
- There are people who fuck.
What?
- I don't hear anything.
- I promise.
It's so French.
You can't book the
same apartment twice.
You spoil me.
Don't worry, I'll take care of it.
Cover for me.
Be nice to him.
Try to smile.
I'm sure you have a beautiful smile.
- Got it, ciao.
- I'm sending you everything.
I spoke to my boss,
we will upgrade you.
The new accommodation is much better -
- and cheaper.
- All right.
Let me just call you a taxi.
I'll get the keys and join you.
I'm coming with you,
to collect the keys.
- No need, I'll see you there.
- Come on!
I love walking in Paris,
with the locals.
It will be fun.
Okay, fine.
It's over there.
What's your name?
- I didn't hear.
- You didn't tell me your name.
Elisabeth... Vogler.
Vogler?
Is it a German name?
A German name, a French accent,
but you're American.
- How does that work?
- Pardon?
- What is your story?
- I don't have one.
Come on, everyone has a story.
Even that pigeon over there
has a long line of ancestors.
Uh, okay.
My German parents
immigrated to the United States.
I was born in Hong Kong.
Then in Senegal, I
went to French school.
We lived in Germany, Argentina,
and the USA, which I hated.
I started looking
for a place to live,
I struggled a bit,
then I landed here.
Croissants.
We should go.
"Vogler" is weird.
I like weird things.
Not on a sexual level,
but I don't judge, you see.
Hey, I love your tattoos!
Thanks.
Everything is so...
extraordinary here.
It's so beautiful!
You must love living here.
No?
It's heaven on earth.
Do you really think so?
No.
Parisians go to McDonald's, watch
Netflix, and fuck like on YouPorn.
Exactly like elsewhere.
Will you take a photo of
me? In front of the courthouse.
- The town hall.
- The town hall.
It's for my mother.
And one for dating apps.
- Are they good?
- Magnificent.
You made a video.
How do your hearing aids work?
Don't worry, they work.
Is it difficult?
- No, it's even easier sometimes.
- How so?
Sexist comments from assholes
in the street, for example.
Are there a lot of assholes here?
They're everywhere, right?
And why "the fucking Games"?
What do you mean?
Earlier, you said:
"These fucking Games!"
It's just that there are a lot
of people around right now.
Isn't that a good thing?
It's just...
a massive scam.
The opium of the people, and all that.
You are a Marxist.
Maybe.
Isn't it a good thing,
all these people from all over the world
coming together in
one place for the Games?
For "those fucking Games".
I mean,
humanity... We are above all a species
that likes to play, don't you think?
How old are you?
How old do you think I am?
I don't know, 12?
Yes, approximately.
We'll see if you're still a
"player" in twenty years.
You walk fast!
I'll get the keys.
Are you waiting for me?
- Yes.
- I'll only have a minute.
Your grade has dropped
again. One-star review.
Something about the elevator.
Eh?
- Look.
- She's sick.
I took his suitcase down to him.
Forget it,
just manage your client
- and stay focused.
- Okay.
- Yes.
- Yes, Serge, excuse me.
- Hello?
- It's Steve.
My schedule has changed, can
we see each other in ten minutes?
At 4 p.m.?
Yes, 4 p.m. is good. Should
I send you an address?
- Yes. I'm waiting for you.
- See you right away.
Fuck!
Elisabeth!
You have to meet
this awesome person.
This is Mitchell.
Sorry. Is that right?
- Michele.
-
He has a luxury dog
grooming salon.
He gives them haircuts.
Great, right?
He brings people to his... studio?
- Yeah, a big studio.
- I have...
I have the keys, can we go?
Elisabeth will show
me my apartment,
- and then I can write to you on Instagram.
- Yeah.
- Buddy, I gotta go.
- Okay.
But I thank the
universe for our meeting.
Guys, good luck.
It's going to be great.
I will think of you.
- Nice to meet you.
- Me too.
- See you later!
- Hi.
Sorry, sorry.
- Are you sure?
- Yes.
- Do you think you'll see him again?
- Who?
Oh, no. Well, who
knows? Never mind.
What matters is the present moment.
Then the universe decides.
- Okay.
- Hey, buddy!
No way!
- I told you it was him!
- How are you doing?
- Are you okay, man?
- How are you?
- She's beautiful.
- Yeah.
- You don't deserve her.
- A stunner.
How are you doing?
I'm okay,
but I'm a little jet-lagged.
I'm sorry,
but I have an appointment nearby.
Can we meet in 25 minutes?
- At the same bar?
- Of course.
- You'll be there, right?
- Yes, yes.
- In 25 minutes, exactly.
- Thanks.
- Good morning.
- Elisabeth.
Sit down.
I'm delighted.
The pleasure is mine.
I've been waiting for this all week.
People think they know everything,
but you really know your stuff.
I spend a lot of time on Reddit,
looking for experts in datasets
and artificial intelligence.
You're very talented.
Thanks.
What are you doing at the moment?
I work for a concierge
service, managing short-term rentals.
Then I'm in the right place.
You're wasting your talent.
I can find you a
more interesting job.
I hope so.
Tell me about your studies.
- Sorry, I didn't...
- Did you go to college?
No.
- Are you self-taught?
- Yes.
Awesome. That makes you
even more interesting.
When you prepared for this interview,
did you think about what
you really wanted to do?
Yes.
What would really make sense to
me is working for an NGO.
So, tell me why an NGO.
I think my
skills would be useful to an NGO. I
think I would like to
contribute to a better
world,
or at least not make anything worse.
That's perfect.
I want to contribute to that, too.
I think the only difference is that
I want to make the world a better
place and help people
like you make money.
As I told you, what interests me
is making things better.
The financial aspect is...
I'm not sure it's
compatible with...
- You know...
- I'll be direct.
You have rare know-how
in a highly sought-after field.
I have friends all over the
world looking for people like you.
In my opinion, you could make
a fortune. And frankly, so could I.
I want to be useful to you, too.
I'm going to head out.
Thanks for coming.
Bye.
- She's your friend!
- Elisabeth!
Chad, Naomi, this is my friend Elisabeth, a
wonderful person who thinks everything sucks.
Hi, Elisabeth.
There are two ways of thinking.
Either,
wanting to change is a form of conditioning to
the world, which amounts to forgetting who we are.
[throbbing whistling sound]
We remain unhappy
because it's something familiar.
Is it viable to remain in
this state of ignorance?
- Sorry...
- I specialize in that.
Here are the keys, you have the address.
- I'll leave you with your friends.
- No!
- I'm leaving.
- I'm coming with you.
- Where are you going?
- To my apartment.
No, no, I'm fine if you
stay with your friends!
- I don't know them.
- See you later?
- You won't escape us.
- Write to me.
You didn't ask me a single question.
I asked your age.
You don't know my name.
- I didn't hear it.
- What's my name?
- I have it on the app...
- So you don't know and you don't care.
I can't remember the names of all my clients, or
make friends... I'm sincerely interested in you.
This world may be horrible,
but I am interested in others.
My name is Elijah.
[telephone ringing]
Well,
it's nice to meet you, Elijah.
Nice to meet you, too...
- Hello?
- Elisabeth.
Phone.
Do you hear me? Pablo,
get your feet off my desk.
- Yeah.
- Hello?
Your 11 a.m. client
says there are bedbugs.
- Oh, shit.
- I know. He wants to scratch.
Can you go check?
- Okay, I'll call you back.
- Hang in there.
- It's not that way!
- Let's go through the park.
No, no.
What is it?
Everything is fine.
Is this the face we make
when everything is going well?
What brings you to Paris?
I mentally prepare
athletes for the Olympics.
It was set up at the last minute
and it's a great opportunity.
So you give them a pep talk?
No.
I specialize in hypnosis.
Hm?
Sorry. Those things
don't work on me.
It's like with psychologists,
I think I'm immune.
- Do you think so?
- I'm pretty sure of it, yes.
Why not try?
- I don't have time.
- Come on.
It will take five minutes.
- It won't work.
- So you have nothing to fear.
- And then, will you follow me?
- Wherever you want.
- And quickly?
- Very quickly.
Five minutes.
- Promise me.
- Come on.
Good.
They say that when
we enter a state of
hypnosis, it makes
us explore something
freer, something a little unstable or...
It's like exploring something
in motion, you know?
You'll feel less connected
to the outside world,
but it will be a big relief
to be less connected.
I'm going to bring my hand to your face.
I'm going to move it
away and bring it closer.
It's going to be like a wave.
When it gets closer, you exhale.
And when it moves away, you inhale.
Exhale.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Inhale.
You'll feel like the air between my
hand and your face is getting heavier,
as if space is becoming denser.
I'll come next to you.
Breathe.
Each breath will
become more and more...
automatic.
You will feel like
you trust your breath,
letting your breath begin to guide you.
It's like letting go of
the bicycle handlebars,
you know the bike will move forward
because you trust it.
You are aware of the
voices around you,
the earth under your feet.
But it all seems far
away, in a certain way.
And now...
You breathe.
You breathe.
You feel the world around you.
You are aware of space.
And at the same time,
everything seems very far away.
Your mind is no longer totally anchored,
it floats, it discovers
a new place.
This universe is familiar.
It is comforting,
as if you had always known it.
All of this exists within you.
NOW,
you're going to dive
even deeper into it.
This thought
weighs down your head.
This heaviness
descends into your body
and your body falls onto my hand.
And you relax.
Shit! What the hell is this?
- Did I sleep for an hour and a half?
- You were so serene.
You ruined my day with
your spiritual bullshit!
Was it so terrible?
I can't take you to the apartment anymore.
Go ahead, the address is on the keys.
I'll stay with you a little.
You look rested.
You don't understand, I need
this job to be able to stay in France.
Why do you want to stay?
I live here.
When I feel bad somewhere,
I go elsewhere.
- And Mexico?
- I'm happy here!
I have never been so happy!
Look!
Sorry. I'll help you
with your next client.
Yeah, right.
I'm serious.
- We'll see.
- Trust me.
That's not true.
Oh, there, there!
Real pigs.
They arrive in twenty minutes.
Twenty minutes...
Okay.
Do you have a song in mind?
- No.
- Okay.
[muffled music]
Come on.
It's okay, I'll just turn it over.
It's disgusting.
Hi! Come in!
Welcome to your home.
I'll take your bags.
This is Elisabeth,
my assistant.
Come on in.
We're going to start the tour.
You have closets, a guest room.
The bathroom, the toilet,
the shower, the sink...
You don't speak French?
Um, do you want to
drink wine with cheese?
- Okay.
- Okay.
The kitchen, the gas
stove, the cooktop.
And look at that sofa!
You've never seen
such a beautiful sofa!
Try it.
You will never have
sat so comfortably.
And the pice de rsistance,
the City of Light, Paris.
- Wow...
- Wow...
- Isn't that beautiful?
- Yes, yes.
If necessary, call Elisabeth.
Send me a message instead,
I'll answer you quickly.
Here are the keys.
Settle in nicely.
No parties, no smoking,
no hard drugs.
- Bye.
- Bye.
A text from the clients.
- They hated you.
- Well,
I would have tried.
They're here!
Hey, guys!
- Yeah!
- I'm happy!
I'm so happy!
- Did you miss me?
- Yes!
Here he is! My
friend. How are you?
- Yes.
- It shows.
Well, I have a client to deal with, I'm
going to give you the keys to the apartment.
- We don't break up the band.
- We don't do that, no.
It's for work... We will
be very professional.
Very professional.
You know me.
We're Americans, but
we know how to behave.
I've been calling
you for... two hours.
I've been itching since this morning.
Can I come in and check?
You don't understand.
There's no way I'm staying here.
Sir, we understand
your frustration.
Do you want to see my
skin? It's making me itch!
I've had bedbugs before,
I'm an expert.
- Let's find them!
- She knows what she's doing.
Facing a river, take a boat.
- No, nothing.
- I don't see anything.
If I were you,
I wouldn't go near the sofa.
- Why?
- That's where I was sitting.
Ah, the source!
They say a criminal always
returns to the scene of the crime.
- Sorry, Chad, I'll pass.
- Yeah.
You may have brought them.
Have you frozen your clothes?
I just took a train and a taxi.
- You have an English accent, right?
- That's right.
I'm half English.
Don't tell anyone, but I
have no idea what I'm doing.
I love your laugh.
Can I see your bites?
- Check behind the baseboards.
- Show me.
I need a break.
- It's here.
- Sorry,
but it's a mosquito bite.
No, it's too small.
It's tiny!
It looks like a mosquito.
It's a mosquito.
I have a mosquito bite and
it's exactly the same thing.
With this heat... I would
recognize a mosquito bite.
Sir, I'm sorry, but I
really don't see anything.
You may be a little stressed.
I'm on vacation.
Why would I be?
- Alcohol?
- A breakup?
Do you suffer from a chronic illness?
Are you taking medication?
Because with the heat...
- No.
- Did you get fired?
Are you happy?
Of course I am.
- Let yourself go.
- Guys, I'm fine.
- Sit back, relax.
- It'll be OK.
Not there! We don't
know where it comes from.
There is nothing!
We checked everything.
- It'll be OK.
- It works wonderfully.
- Put that on the bite.
- Just a little bit.
Put your finger there,
it will relieve you.
- It will be better in 20 seconds.
- Relax.
Look at me and listen
to the sound of my voice.
Focus on your breathing.
When I move forward, exhale.
Think about your breathing and count: One,
two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight...
Exhale.
Inhale, that's good.
Inhale, exhale.
- Inhale.
- That's it.
Guys, guys...
My client is waiting
for me. Shall I join you?
- Yeah, okay.
- Great.
[cheers]
[muffled sound]
Here are the keys, I'll
send you the instructions.
I'm writing to you,
I can't talk to you.
Elisabeth!
What is it?
What's wrong?
What's happening?
Your hearing aids?
I lost them.
Hey, look at me!
Don't move, I'll get help.
Don't move.
[silence]
Don't worry, we're here.
You are not alone.
We'll find your devices.
We'll find them.
Stay here.
Don't move.
- Do you speak English?
- Yes.
We are looking for hearing
aids, in a little black case, this big.
- I don't see anything.
- Thanks.
- Have you looked in this direction?
- Yes, go that way.
Haven't you seen a hearing aid?
[muffled sound]
Hey!
How are you feeling?
You know what?
You, I can hear you.
Really?
It's a matter of frequency.
And also, I think I hear
better when I trust the person.
Hey, man?
What's wrong?
Are you feeling good?
How are you?
Hey.
What is it?
Hey, hey, it's okay.
You're doing well.
It's going to be okay, everything's okay.
Hey!
Everything is fine.
[sudden return of sound]
- Oh my God!
- Are you okay?
He's having an anxiety attack.
Step aside, let him breathe.
- Come on.
- Here we go.
- Good.
- Everything is fine.
How are you?
It's okay, go ahead.
Hold on to me, hold on.
It'll be OK.
- Do you know him?
- Yes, he's a friend.
It's over, you're out.
It's okay, it's over.
Yeah.
How are you?
Lean on me, it's going to be okay.
- Where are we?
- Gently.
What is this place?
He's asking where we are.
We're near the Seine, but people
are going to the opening ceremony.
Let's breathe together, okay?
Focus on me.
Take a deep breath.
And exhale.
You had a seizure, but we got
out of the metro, everything is fine.
You're fine, okay.
Are you feeling a little better?
- Thanks.
- It's normal.
Are you trying to get up?
Yeah, shall we try?
Come on.
We have to go.
I'm going home.
- What?
- I'm going back.
Oh no, come on! We're not
going to part like that.
I'm tired.
At least come to the
opening ceremony.
Hey, you wanted to see Paris, right?
Right?
This is where it's happening tonight.
Literally right there.
How can you refuse?
Come on, let's go!
- Where is it?
- I think it's over there.
Are the bridges closed all night?
The bridges.
I don't know, until later,
until after...
- You're stuck with us.
- You have no choice.
How are you?
- Good morning.
- Good morning.
My friends and I would like to see
the ceremony... I don't speak English.
Why?
What is happening?
No, it doesn't work.
All right.
Have a very good day, Sir.
Thanks.
Bye.
Where are we going?
I think we'll try somewhere else.
And this one?
Why? Why is it impossible?
Thanks.
You know what?
We'll stop there.
- Do you want to come?
- Oh, sorry.
Okay, that's enough.
We're going to a bar!
Here.
No, there.
- Let's try here.
- Yes.
Come, come.
Yeah!
She doesn't dance very well.
- What is it?
- Long live France!
Long live France!
Greece!
I love Greece.
Here we go!
Let the party begin.
- Girls, cider.
- Who wants a beer?
And there you have it.
My baby.
- A beer. Cheers.
- Cheers.
[muffled sound]
Chad is looking at us.
- What?
- He's staring at us.
Don't pay attention to him.
He likes it.
How so?
Well...
We are in an open relationship.
- Oh, really?
- Yes.
- Don't worry.
- All right.
How are you?
Are you sure?
Why are you smiling?
I, I'm not smiling.
- The keys.
- Elisabeth, come on!
Elisabeth?
Elisabeth, read my lips.
I am truly sorry for everything
you have endured in your life.
I know what you're going through.
No, not at all.
You don't know!
You go to a cafe
and make friends.
You're like them!
One of those poor idiots.
Look at you! Everything
about you is wrong.
Come here.
Aren't you going to talk?
Aren't you going to talk?
Call me. I'm worried
about you. I'm really sorry.
- Postman.
- Postman.
Basin.
Basin.
Lemon.
Lemon.
File.
File.
Twins.
Twins.
Pebbles.
Pebbles.
Sleep.
Hoop.
- Buffet.
- Buffet.
Ball.
- Boss.
- Boss.
Beggar.
Neighbor.
Your hearing
hasn't changed at all.
You will be able to leave
with your devices.
I'll get them.
You have six new messages.
Yeah, Elisabeth.
Listen, I'm sorry, but I
won't be able to keep you on.
But hey, with yesterday, I
can't do anything else.
Um, well, I hope you
find something better.
Hi, Elisabeth.
Glad to hear from you.
I got your message.
I hope you're well.
And yes, of course, we can see
each other whenever you want.
Come on, hello.
Hi.
Sorry.
Hi.
- Is the apartment okay?
- It's fine.
But I made a mess of it.
- Really?
- I ruined everything.
It's really awful.
I knew you were a troublemaker.
- I'm a thug.
- I know!
- You can see it right away.
- You're right.
Do you want to go for a walk?
You're probably busy, but since the
weather is nice... I have plenty of time.
Okay, then let's go.
- SO?
- SO?
How are you doing?
Are you satisfied with your work?
But who are you?
I try.
I do my best.
My life is going well and
my work deeply satisfies me.
Thank you for your questions.
It's really adorable.
- I'm not adorable.
- That's what I'm saying.
You're not adorable at all.
But so much the better!
When I was 16,
I almost died.
I had no one to confide in,
no one understood what I felt.
I felt...
so alone, you understand?
But I survived.
And I understood something.
I understood...
that I had been given a second life
and that I had to do something with it,
don't live it half-heartedly.
That's kind of the goal.
You have to get on
stage and do something.
Even if we pretend a little.
I think all we do is...
We are trying to find...
a way to live,
I have the impression.
I'm really sorry.
- Thanks.
- I...
I was so caught up in my own
problems that I didn't even see...
- Elisabeth...
- I blame myself.
- You are a beautiful person.
- Stop.
No...
You have a beautiful soul.
Whatever.
You scared me.
- Really?
- Yes.
I wish there were
places frozen in time.
Pictures from children's books.
My hometown.
The house where I was born.
The tree near the pond, planted
by my parents the day I was born.
The attic of my childhood.
All these memories,
hidden under a layer of dust.
But these places do not exist.
Regrets only breed dead things.
[muffled sound]
[the sound becomes clear again]
The flowers he painted, Monet.
When he began to create the
Nymphas, it was the start of the war.
His son died a year before,
his other son went to war...
It's dark.
When he paints, it's dark.
It is as if he, with his paintings, were mourning the
loss of all humanity, which is tearing itself apart.
But he also grieves with that.
It is as if, in this painting,
we saw those he had lost.
At that time,
Monet had a cataract.
He painted all this
while being almost blind.
He hardly sees anything anymore,
but he paints with the
memory he had of colors.
But at the same time
there is something luminous.
It's incredible.
Do you see the sky in the water?
You have to have crazy faith
in life to succeed in all this.
And when you look at everything...
Excuse me.
Are you taking a photo of us?
Of course.
Is it good?
It's perfect.
film to deaf or hard of hearing people,
all of the dialogue
is subtitled in French.
You have to always be drunk,
it's all there, that's the only question.
To avoid feeling the burden of time that
breaks your shoulders
and bends you towards
the earth, you must get
drunk without respite.
I wake up thinking about
those words you said to me.
I'm far away now, but
I followed your advice.
I was intoxicated with dawns, at a time
when the world seemed so empty, so intact.
I got drunk with work.
I spent nights immersed
in a language that I master,
in this world of tech,
until I felt empty.
I got drunk on sound.
When I lost part of
my hearing 5 years ago,
I clung to the few
sounds I heard.
The song of birds,
the rustling of leaves in the fall.
I didn't want to forget them.
I became intoxicated with beauty,
as if it were a perfect and untouchable
landscape, in which I could get lost.
I was intoxicated with love.
With you.
Those were my best years.
I still think about it.
I hope to meet you by chance
or just receive an email from you,
even though I know it won't happen.
I got drunk on it all.
But that's not enough anymore.
How to commit
suicide with medication?
How much is needed?
You probably suffer from depression.
Contact a psychologist
or a prevention center.
Let's get together.
Let's get together!
Come on, gather!
Come on, come on!
- Okay, are you okay?
- Hello, boss.
- We saw each other earlier.
- How are you?
Sit on my desk.
OK, uh, good.
Today, friends...
It's the big day.
The best or worst day of the year.
But please stay motivated.
All right? That's it!
Let's dominate these Games.
The athletes are you,
the concierge champions.
Our gold medal, these
are the five-star reviews.
That's all I want, okay?
Small reminder:
the bridges will be
closed from 4 p.m.,
due to the opening ceremony.
I'm reminding you, for those with the memory of a
goldfish. Remember one thing, and I'm serious here:
today, our customers
pay triple the usual rate.
We have to be impeccable, okay?
Personalized welcome, of course,
and of course, ultra premium services.
And here is the bathroom.
It'll be fine.
Okay.
So, the living room has
three different spaces,
a relaxation area, a reading
area, and the dining room area.
Here we have a magnificent
fully equipped kitchen.
- It's not necessary.
- Okay.
And a welcome basket for you.
With all the...
A baguette.
Here are your keys.
Do not hesitate to contact
me, for any... request.
For everything, at any time.
By message, it's better.
Bye.
Bye.
[muffled sounds]
Welcome.
Here you have the bathroom.
Do you want to die?!
Damn.
Elisabeth, I have guests
arriving in twenty minutes.
Elisabeth, we're going to have to discuss
a comment, you need to explain it to me.
"At that price, she might smile."
Two stars.
We are here for the
Games. I can't believe it.
- It's historic.
- Yes.
Ok then...
Bedroom, living room, bathroom, kitchen.
Wi-Fl.
I'm doing my best,
but they won't validate
your trial period.
I need to renew my visa.
I know.
Work hard today, so you're
hired and you have your visa.
Okay.
[phone ringing]
Elisabeth, it's Steve.
I am impressed by your profile.
I'm in Paris for the day.
Let's meet after 6 p.m.
I can help you find work.
Pardon.
[sound sirens]
And there you have it.
If you liked the service,
could you leave a comment?
Yes, why not?
[muffled background sound]
I can't hear you well.
Is it yes or no?
You must do it now.
How?
I can't hear you.
Yes, rue de la Roquette.
- Okay, I'll send a text.
- Hi.
Sorry. I didn't mean to scare
you. I'm coming for the apartment.
- You don't have a suitcase?
- No, they lost it.
But no suitcase, no problems,
no problems, no problems.
You have an intense look.
OK, it's this way.
Wow.
Are you French?
- Pardon?
- Are you French?
American.
Awesome.
He's coming. Take the
elevator, it's on the 3rd floor.
I go up on foot.
I'm coming with you.
But finally!
- What?
- Don't you hear?
[moans]
- No.
- There are people who fuck.
What?
- I don't hear anything.
- I promise.
It's so French.
You can't book the
same apartment twice.
You spoil me.
Don't worry, I'll take care of it.
Cover for me.
Be nice to him.
Try to smile.
I'm sure you have a beautiful smile.
- Got it, ciao.
- I'm sending you everything.
I spoke to my boss,
we will upgrade you.
The new accommodation is much better -
- and cheaper.
- All right.
Let me just call you a taxi.
I'll get the keys and join you.
I'm coming with you,
to collect the keys.
- No need, I'll see you there.
- Come on!
I love walking in Paris,
with the locals.
It will be fun.
Okay, fine.
It's over there.
What's your name?
- I didn't hear.
- You didn't tell me your name.
Elisabeth... Vogler.
Vogler?
Is it a German name?
A German name, a French accent,
but you're American.
- How does that work?
- Pardon?
- What is your story?
- I don't have one.
Come on, everyone has a story.
Even that pigeon over there
has a long line of ancestors.
Uh, okay.
My German parents
immigrated to the United States.
I was born in Hong Kong.
Then in Senegal, I
went to French school.
We lived in Germany, Argentina,
and the USA, which I hated.
I started looking
for a place to live,
I struggled a bit,
then I landed here.
Croissants.
We should go.
"Vogler" is weird.
I like weird things.
Not on a sexual level,
but I don't judge, you see.
Hey, I love your tattoos!
Thanks.
Everything is so...
extraordinary here.
It's so beautiful!
You must love living here.
No?
It's heaven on earth.
Do you really think so?
No.
Parisians go to McDonald's, watch
Netflix, and fuck like on YouPorn.
Exactly like elsewhere.
Will you take a photo of
me? In front of the courthouse.
- The town hall.
- The town hall.
It's for my mother.
And one for dating apps.
- Are they good?
- Magnificent.
You made a video.
How do your hearing aids work?
Don't worry, they work.
Is it difficult?
- No, it's even easier sometimes.
- How so?
Sexist comments from assholes
in the street, for example.
Are there a lot of assholes here?
They're everywhere, right?
And why "the fucking Games"?
What do you mean?
Earlier, you said:
"These fucking Games!"
It's just that there are a lot
of people around right now.
Isn't that a good thing?
It's just...
a massive scam.
The opium of the people, and all that.
You are a Marxist.
Maybe.
Isn't it a good thing,
all these people from all over the world
coming together in
one place for the Games?
For "those fucking Games".
I mean,
humanity... We are above all a species
that likes to play, don't you think?
How old are you?
How old do you think I am?
I don't know, 12?
Yes, approximately.
We'll see if you're still a
"player" in twenty years.
You walk fast!
I'll get the keys.
Are you waiting for me?
- Yes.
- I'll only have a minute.
Your grade has dropped
again. One-star review.
Something about the elevator.
Eh?
- Look.
- She's sick.
I took his suitcase down to him.
Forget it,
just manage your client
- and stay focused.
- Okay.
- Yes.
- Yes, Serge, excuse me.
- Hello?
- It's Steve.
My schedule has changed, can
we see each other in ten minutes?
At 4 p.m.?
Yes, 4 p.m. is good. Should
I send you an address?
- Yes. I'm waiting for you.
- See you right away.
Fuck!
Elisabeth!
You have to meet
this awesome person.
This is Mitchell.
Sorry. Is that right?
- Michele.
-
He has a luxury dog
grooming salon.
He gives them haircuts.
Great, right?
He brings people to his... studio?
- Yeah, a big studio.
- I have...
I have the keys, can we go?
Elisabeth will show
me my apartment,
- and then I can write to you on Instagram.
- Yeah.
- Buddy, I gotta go.
- Okay.
But I thank the
universe for our meeting.
Guys, good luck.
It's going to be great.
I will think of you.
- Nice to meet you.
- Me too.
- See you later!
- Hi.
Sorry, sorry.
- Are you sure?
- Yes.
- Do you think you'll see him again?
- Who?
Oh, no. Well, who
knows? Never mind.
What matters is the present moment.
Then the universe decides.
- Okay.
- Hey, buddy!
No way!
- I told you it was him!
- How are you doing?
- Are you okay, man?
- How are you?
- She's beautiful.
- Yeah.
- You don't deserve her.
- A stunner.
How are you doing?
I'm okay,
but I'm a little jet-lagged.
I'm sorry,
but I have an appointment nearby.
Can we meet in 25 minutes?
- At the same bar?
- Of course.
- You'll be there, right?
- Yes, yes.
- In 25 minutes, exactly.
- Thanks.
- Good morning.
- Elisabeth.
Sit down.
I'm delighted.
The pleasure is mine.
I've been waiting for this all week.
People think they know everything,
but you really know your stuff.
I spend a lot of time on Reddit,
looking for experts in datasets
and artificial intelligence.
You're very talented.
Thanks.
What are you doing at the moment?
I work for a concierge
service, managing short-term rentals.
Then I'm in the right place.
You're wasting your talent.
I can find you a
more interesting job.
I hope so.
Tell me about your studies.
- Sorry, I didn't...
- Did you go to college?
No.
- Are you self-taught?
- Yes.
Awesome. That makes you
even more interesting.
When you prepared for this interview,
did you think about what
you really wanted to do?
Yes.
What would really make sense to
me is working for an NGO.
So, tell me why an NGO.
I think my
skills would be useful to an NGO. I
think I would like to
contribute to a better
world,
or at least not make anything worse.
That's perfect.
I want to contribute to that, too.
I think the only difference is that
I want to make the world a better
place and help people
like you make money.
As I told you, what interests me
is making things better.
The financial aspect is...
I'm not sure it's
compatible with...
- You know...
- I'll be direct.
You have rare know-how
in a highly sought-after field.
I have friends all over the
world looking for people like you.
In my opinion, you could make
a fortune. And frankly, so could I.
I want to be useful to you, too.
I'm going to head out.
Thanks for coming.
Bye.
- She's your friend!
- Elisabeth!
Chad, Naomi, this is my friend Elisabeth, a
wonderful person who thinks everything sucks.
Hi, Elisabeth.
There are two ways of thinking.
Either,
wanting to change is a form of conditioning to
the world, which amounts to forgetting who we are.
[throbbing whistling sound]
We remain unhappy
because it's something familiar.
Is it viable to remain in
this state of ignorance?
- Sorry...
- I specialize in that.
Here are the keys, you have the address.
- I'll leave you with your friends.
- No!
- I'm leaving.
- I'm coming with you.
- Where are you going?
- To my apartment.
No, no, I'm fine if you
stay with your friends!
- I don't know them.
- See you later?
- You won't escape us.
- Write to me.
You didn't ask me a single question.
I asked your age.
You don't know my name.
- I didn't hear it.
- What's my name?
- I have it on the app...
- So you don't know and you don't care.
I can't remember the names of all my clients, or
make friends... I'm sincerely interested in you.
This world may be horrible,
but I am interested in others.
My name is Elijah.
[telephone ringing]
Well,
it's nice to meet you, Elijah.
Nice to meet you, too...
- Hello?
- Elisabeth.
Phone.
Do you hear me? Pablo,
get your feet off my desk.
- Yeah.
- Hello?
Your 11 a.m. client
says there are bedbugs.
- Oh, shit.
- I know. He wants to scratch.
Can you go check?
- Okay, I'll call you back.
- Hang in there.
- It's not that way!
- Let's go through the park.
No, no.
What is it?
Everything is fine.
Is this the face we make
when everything is going well?
What brings you to Paris?
I mentally prepare
athletes for the Olympics.
It was set up at the last minute
and it's a great opportunity.
So you give them a pep talk?
No.
I specialize in hypnosis.
Hm?
Sorry. Those things
don't work on me.
It's like with psychologists,
I think I'm immune.
- Do you think so?
- I'm pretty sure of it, yes.
Why not try?
- I don't have time.
- Come on.
It will take five minutes.
- It won't work.
- So you have nothing to fear.
- And then, will you follow me?
- Wherever you want.
- And quickly?
- Very quickly.
Five minutes.
- Promise me.
- Come on.
Good.
They say that when
we enter a state of
hypnosis, it makes
us explore something
freer, something a little unstable or...
It's like exploring something
in motion, you know?
You'll feel less connected
to the outside world,
but it will be a big relief
to be less connected.
I'm going to bring my hand to your face.
I'm going to move it
away and bring it closer.
It's going to be like a wave.
When it gets closer, you exhale.
And when it moves away, you inhale.
Exhale.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Inhale.
You'll feel like the air between my
hand and your face is getting heavier,
as if space is becoming denser.
I'll come next to you.
Breathe.
Each breath will
become more and more...
automatic.
You will feel like
you trust your breath,
letting your breath begin to guide you.
It's like letting go of
the bicycle handlebars,
you know the bike will move forward
because you trust it.
You are aware of the
voices around you,
the earth under your feet.
But it all seems far
away, in a certain way.
And now...
You breathe.
You breathe.
You feel the world around you.
You are aware of space.
And at the same time,
everything seems very far away.
Your mind is no longer totally anchored,
it floats, it discovers
a new place.
This universe is familiar.
It is comforting,
as if you had always known it.
All of this exists within you.
NOW,
you're going to dive
even deeper into it.
This thought
weighs down your head.
This heaviness
descends into your body
and your body falls onto my hand.
And you relax.
Shit! What the hell is this?
- Did I sleep for an hour and a half?
- You were so serene.
You ruined my day with
your spiritual bullshit!
Was it so terrible?
I can't take you to the apartment anymore.
Go ahead, the address is on the keys.
I'll stay with you a little.
You look rested.
You don't understand, I need
this job to be able to stay in France.
Why do you want to stay?
I live here.
When I feel bad somewhere,
I go elsewhere.
- And Mexico?
- I'm happy here!
I have never been so happy!
Look!
Sorry. I'll help you
with your next client.
Yeah, right.
I'm serious.
- We'll see.
- Trust me.
That's not true.
Oh, there, there!
Real pigs.
They arrive in twenty minutes.
Twenty minutes...
Okay.
Do you have a song in mind?
- No.
- Okay.
[muffled music]
Come on.
It's okay, I'll just turn it over.
It's disgusting.
Hi! Come in!
Welcome to your home.
I'll take your bags.
This is Elisabeth,
my assistant.
Come on in.
We're going to start the tour.
You have closets, a guest room.
The bathroom, the toilet,
the shower, the sink...
You don't speak French?
Um, do you want to
drink wine with cheese?
- Okay.
- Okay.
The kitchen, the gas
stove, the cooktop.
And look at that sofa!
You've never seen
such a beautiful sofa!
Try it.
You will never have
sat so comfortably.
And the pice de rsistance,
the City of Light, Paris.
- Wow...
- Wow...
- Isn't that beautiful?
- Yes, yes.
If necessary, call Elisabeth.
Send me a message instead,
I'll answer you quickly.
Here are the keys.
Settle in nicely.
No parties, no smoking,
no hard drugs.
- Bye.
- Bye.
A text from the clients.
- They hated you.
- Well,
I would have tried.
They're here!
Hey, guys!
- Yeah!
- I'm happy!
I'm so happy!
- Did you miss me?
- Yes!
Here he is! My
friend. How are you?
- Yes.
- It shows.
Well, I have a client to deal with, I'm
going to give you the keys to the apartment.
- We don't break up the band.
- We don't do that, no.
It's for work... We will
be very professional.
Very professional.
You know me.
We're Americans, but
we know how to behave.
I've been calling
you for... two hours.
I've been itching since this morning.
Can I come in and check?
You don't understand.
There's no way I'm staying here.
Sir, we understand
your frustration.
Do you want to see my
skin? It's making me itch!
I've had bedbugs before,
I'm an expert.
- Let's find them!
- She knows what she's doing.
Facing a river, take a boat.
- No, nothing.
- I don't see anything.
If I were you,
I wouldn't go near the sofa.
- Why?
- That's where I was sitting.
Ah, the source!
They say a criminal always
returns to the scene of the crime.
- Sorry, Chad, I'll pass.
- Yeah.
You may have brought them.
Have you frozen your clothes?
I just took a train and a taxi.
- You have an English accent, right?
- That's right.
I'm half English.
Don't tell anyone, but I
have no idea what I'm doing.
I love your laugh.
Can I see your bites?
- Check behind the baseboards.
- Show me.
I need a break.
- It's here.
- Sorry,
but it's a mosquito bite.
No, it's too small.
It's tiny!
It looks like a mosquito.
It's a mosquito.
I have a mosquito bite and
it's exactly the same thing.
With this heat... I would
recognize a mosquito bite.
Sir, I'm sorry, but I
really don't see anything.
You may be a little stressed.
I'm on vacation.
Why would I be?
- Alcohol?
- A breakup?
Do you suffer from a chronic illness?
Are you taking medication?
Because with the heat...
- No.
- Did you get fired?
Are you happy?
Of course I am.
- Let yourself go.
- Guys, I'm fine.
- Sit back, relax.
- It'll be OK.
Not there! We don't
know where it comes from.
There is nothing!
We checked everything.
- It'll be OK.
- It works wonderfully.
- Put that on the bite.
- Just a little bit.
Put your finger there,
it will relieve you.
- It will be better in 20 seconds.
- Relax.
Look at me and listen
to the sound of my voice.
Focus on your breathing.
When I move forward, exhale.
Think about your breathing and count: One,
two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight...
Exhale.
Inhale, that's good.
Inhale, exhale.
- Inhale.
- That's it.
Guys, guys...
My client is waiting
for me. Shall I join you?
- Yeah, okay.
- Great.
[cheers]
[muffled sound]
Here are the keys, I'll
send you the instructions.
I'm writing to you,
I can't talk to you.
Elisabeth!
What is it?
What's wrong?
What's happening?
Your hearing aids?
I lost them.
Hey, look at me!
Don't move, I'll get help.
Don't move.
[silence]
Don't worry, we're here.
You are not alone.
We'll find your devices.
We'll find them.
Stay here.
Don't move.
- Do you speak English?
- Yes.
We are looking for hearing
aids, in a little black case, this big.
- I don't see anything.
- Thanks.
- Have you looked in this direction?
- Yes, go that way.
Haven't you seen a hearing aid?
[muffled sound]
Hey!
How are you feeling?
You know what?
You, I can hear you.
Really?
It's a matter of frequency.
And also, I think I hear
better when I trust the person.
Hey, man?
What's wrong?
Are you feeling good?
How are you?
Hey.
What is it?
Hey, hey, it's okay.
You're doing well.
It's going to be okay, everything's okay.
Hey!
Everything is fine.
[sudden return of sound]
- Oh my God!
- Are you okay?
He's having an anxiety attack.
Step aside, let him breathe.
- Come on.
- Here we go.
- Good.
- Everything is fine.
How are you?
It's okay, go ahead.
Hold on to me, hold on.
It'll be OK.
- Do you know him?
- Yes, he's a friend.
It's over, you're out.
It's okay, it's over.
Yeah.
How are you?
Lean on me, it's going to be okay.
- Where are we?
- Gently.
What is this place?
He's asking where we are.
We're near the Seine, but people
are going to the opening ceremony.
Let's breathe together, okay?
Focus on me.
Take a deep breath.
And exhale.
You had a seizure, but we got
out of the metro, everything is fine.
You're fine, okay.
Are you feeling a little better?
- Thanks.
- It's normal.
Are you trying to get up?
Yeah, shall we try?
Come on.
We have to go.
I'm going home.
- What?
- I'm going back.
Oh no, come on! We're not
going to part like that.
I'm tired.
At least come to the
opening ceremony.
Hey, you wanted to see Paris, right?
Right?
This is where it's happening tonight.
Literally right there.
How can you refuse?
Come on, let's go!
- Where is it?
- I think it's over there.
Are the bridges closed all night?
The bridges.
I don't know, until later,
until after...
- You're stuck with us.
- You have no choice.
How are you?
- Good morning.
- Good morning.
My friends and I would like to see
the ceremony... I don't speak English.
Why?
What is happening?
No, it doesn't work.
All right.
Have a very good day, Sir.
Thanks.
Bye.
Where are we going?
I think we'll try somewhere else.
And this one?
Why? Why is it impossible?
Thanks.
You know what?
We'll stop there.
- Do you want to come?
- Oh, sorry.
Okay, that's enough.
We're going to a bar!
Here.
No, there.
- Let's try here.
- Yes.
Come, come.
Yeah!
She doesn't dance very well.
- What is it?
- Long live France!
Long live France!
Greece!
I love Greece.
Here we go!
Let the party begin.
- Girls, cider.
- Who wants a beer?
And there you have it.
My baby.
- A beer. Cheers.
- Cheers.
[muffled sound]
Chad is looking at us.
- What?
- He's staring at us.
Don't pay attention to him.
He likes it.
How so?
Well...
We are in an open relationship.
- Oh, really?
- Yes.
- Don't worry.
- All right.
How are you?
Are you sure?
Why are you smiling?
I, I'm not smiling.
- The keys.
- Elisabeth, come on!
Elisabeth?
Elisabeth, read my lips.
I am truly sorry for everything
you have endured in your life.
I know what you're going through.
No, not at all.
You don't know!
You go to a cafe
and make friends.
You're like them!
One of those poor idiots.
Look at you! Everything
about you is wrong.
Come here.
Aren't you going to talk?
Aren't you going to talk?
Call me. I'm worried
about you. I'm really sorry.
- Postman.
- Postman.
Basin.
Basin.
Lemon.
Lemon.
File.
File.
Twins.
Twins.
Pebbles.
Pebbles.
Sleep.
Hoop.
- Buffet.
- Buffet.
Ball.
- Boss.
- Boss.
Beggar.
Neighbor.
Your hearing
hasn't changed at all.
You will be able to leave
with your devices.
I'll get them.
You have six new messages.
Yeah, Elisabeth.
Listen, I'm sorry, but I
won't be able to keep you on.
But hey, with yesterday, I
can't do anything else.
Um, well, I hope you
find something better.
Hi, Elisabeth.
Glad to hear from you.
I got your message.
I hope you're well.
And yes, of course, we can see
each other whenever you want.
Come on, hello.
Hi.
Sorry.
Hi.
- Is the apartment okay?
- It's fine.
But I made a mess of it.
- Really?
- I ruined everything.
It's really awful.
I knew you were a troublemaker.
- I'm a thug.
- I know!
- You can see it right away.
- You're right.
Do you want to go for a walk?
You're probably busy, but since the
weather is nice... I have plenty of time.
Okay, then let's go.
- SO?
- SO?
How are you doing?
Are you satisfied with your work?
But who are you?
I try.
I do my best.
My life is going well and
my work deeply satisfies me.
Thank you for your questions.
It's really adorable.
- I'm not adorable.
- That's what I'm saying.
You're not adorable at all.
But so much the better!
When I was 16,
I almost died.
I had no one to confide in,
no one understood what I felt.
I felt...
so alone, you understand?
But I survived.
And I understood something.
I understood...
that I had been given a second life
and that I had to do something with it,
don't live it half-heartedly.
That's kind of the goal.
You have to get on
stage and do something.
Even if we pretend a little.
I think all we do is...
We are trying to find...
a way to live,
I have the impression.
I'm really sorry.
- Thanks.
- I...
I was so caught up in my own
problems that I didn't even see...
- Elisabeth...
- I blame myself.
- You are a beautiful person.
- Stop.
No...
You have a beautiful soul.
Whatever.
You scared me.
- Really?
- Yes.
I wish there were
places frozen in time.
Pictures from children's books.
My hometown.
The house where I was born.
The tree near the pond, planted
by my parents the day I was born.
The attic of my childhood.
All these memories,
hidden under a layer of dust.
But these places do not exist.
Regrets only breed dead things.
[muffled sound]
[the sound becomes clear again]
The flowers he painted, Monet.
When he began to create the
Nymphas, it was the start of the war.
His son died a year before,
his other son went to war...
It's dark.
When he paints, it's dark.
It is as if he, with his paintings, were mourning the
loss of all humanity, which is tearing itself apart.
But he also grieves with that.
It is as if, in this painting,
we saw those he had lost.
At that time,
Monet had a cataract.
He painted all this
while being almost blind.
He hardly sees anything anymore,
but he paints with the
memory he had of colors.
But at the same time
there is something luminous.
It's incredible.
Do you see the sky in the water?
You have to have crazy faith
in life to succeed in all this.
And when you look at everything...
Excuse me.
Are you taking a photo of us?
Of course.
Is it good?
It's perfect.