Condemned Dreams (2025) Movie Script
1
[ discordant music ]
I know why you brought me in here, boss.
I'm not getting the numbers you want.
Lauren, you're not
getting the numbers I need.
I'm doing my best, I'm following the trends
and I'm trying to connect
with what people want to read.
You're trying, you're
working, you're failing.
I'm going to keep pressing.
I know I can.
I don't think so. You're
missing something essential.
It's not about tapping into the
zeitgeist or following the trends.
It's about the truth.
Wait, what are you accusing me of?
I never made-up a story or faked a source.
That's what I'm talking about.
You're missing the
point. It's not about facts.
Any dipshit can write the facts.
Hell, all the photos and videos that
get posted we're inundated with facts.
Then what are you talking about?
Talking about the truth.
What do you believe in?
What kind of truth do you
want to share with the world?
You've lost the passion.
You need to get that
fire back in your belly.
What happened?
I don't know.
It doesn't matter. What
matters is you fix it.
How?
I want the best for you.
When you're your best,
that works the best for me.
I know all of you talk about me.
But the truth is when
you succeed. I succeed.
I need to surround myself
with the best people.
Right now, you're not the best.
Take some time off. Find yourself.
Find your passion. And when you're ready?
Let me know.
[ kisses doggy ]
You're surrounded.
There's nowhere else to go.
Come out peacefully.
Always remember. This will
keep you safe from everything.
For our present troubles are small.
And they will not for last very long.
Yet they bring us a glory
that vastly outweighs them,
and will last forever.
Don't leave me.
We all can't live forever.
Will you please stay?
This is your last chance!
If we come in there, it'll be worse.
It will keep you safe.
We're coming in!
[ intense music ]
[crying]
[gunshot]
Fuck, what the hell?
You have the right to remain silent.
Anything you say can and will be
used against you in a court of law.
You have the right to an attorney.
Get off of me you fucking bastards!
[ pulsing music ]
[ piano music ]
God!
What the fuck!
Good evening.
This is Mimsy Mack with today's news.
Top story is the conviction
of the famous criminal Shy.
The judge called her crimes revolting and
a terrible attempt to
undermine social order.
The jury agreed. Shy
waved her right to appeal.
She called the whole
justice system a farce.
Shy has declared that it is impossible,
in this day and age to seek justice
and she has refused media interviews.
Stay tuned tomorrow
where we are interviewing the jury foreman.
Hello?
Hey, it's Lauren.
Yes, I know it's Lauren.
Everyone has caller ID.
I know the story I want to write.
Shy said she's denying
all media interviews.
I know. But if I get it,
I'll be the only one, right?
Yeah, I guess so, but...
I have to do this.
You were talking about passion before.
And this is what you're passionate about?
I have to get this interview.
It'll take me back to the top.
The top.
That's what you want?
Yes.
You're sure it's not because...
Don't say it.
It's got nothing to do
with him. This is about me.
Seems like you've
given it a lot of thought.
I have.
All right, if you get the
interview. I'll publish it.
Thank you. Thank you.
Bye.
[ eerie music ]
Dear Shy, my name is Lauren.
I know you have denied any
interviews and I respect your choice.
I believe you are brave and
reveal your character and resolution
in the face of making the
ultimate sacrifice for your principles,
and I'm so grateful for you
taking the time to read my letter
and consider my request.
I really believe I can write your story so
that your message can be heard by everyone.
You deserve to have a chance to make
the change in the world that you dream of.
I look forward to hearing
from you soon. Sincerely, Lauren.
I don't know, it's not a good
idea to use company property on...
personal matters like this.
You better not get me in
trouble with this nonsense.
I won't.
I don't understand you. You're
always thinking too much.
You should just, I don't
know, focus on the right things.
I know.
Me, it's easy, it's simple.
There are rules in life and
we have to follow them.
Right, everyone knows the
rules ever since we were little.
Follow the rules, you get the rewards.
Is that what we're doing?
Yeah, damn right that's
what we're doing. I mean...
It's a beautiful life.
What do I get? I get a steady paycheck,
a wife who loves me, and uh
two sons that keep me moving
forward towards the future.
I mean, what more do you want?
I'm not sure.
What happened to Johnson? Right? I mean,
he was thinking too much.
That's what made him depressed.
All that thinking really hurt him,
you know, he didn't
know how good he had it.
You know who doesn't get depressed?
Those of us who just take care of business.
Focus on the right things.
Yeah.
Now you with this freaking reporter?
I don't understand it.
I don't understand how anybody could have
so many questions about the whole thing.
It's, I mean, it's obvious what happened.
It's all right there in front of your face.
Listen, I know the chief
told you to talk to her and...
Cushion the whole PR thing.
It's annoying. We've all had to do it.
But uh...
You're young and you're
green. So I want you to just
remember the training they gave you.
Don't tell him too much.
Don't give him anything
they can use against us,
and uh, just please don't be weird.
Here she comes.
Oh, wonderful. All right.
I got to get some more coffee anyway.
You want anything? No, I'm good.
Good luck kid.
I'm Fox. He's Marshall.
Good luck.
Thank you for taking the
time, Detective Marshall.
You're a journalist. I know
what you're trying to do.
Why?
Everyone's story deserves to be told.
What does that have to do with me?
You're the one who caught Shy.
There was a year long manhunt.
How did you find her? Luck.
You're modest.
You pulled off something nobody else could.
Are you going to stake out or something?
Something like that.
Well, if anything. I'm lucky that
you're talking to me right now.
You know the universe
is over 3 billion years old.
And as far as I can tell,
in about 4 billion years
the sun is going to blow up and
annihilate any trace of our existence.
So I'd say it's the most
ridiculous stroke of luck
that you and I are even
sitting here right now.
You're right. It is all luck.
I guess that's why my therapist says
I should recognize so many
things I should be grateful for.
Like what?
Well, I have this gratitude list.
Nothing's on it. I haven't done it yet.
But I am grateful that
you're willing to talk to me.
Like I said, you're the one who got shy.
What did that feel like?
I was just doing my job.
Doesn't it matter that she was caught?
Look, it was the judge who made the news.
He's the one who said she
undermined all civil society.
Do you believe that?
I think it's a good thing
that she's away from society.
But they're doing more
than taking her away.
They're going to execute her.
The law is the law.
But isn't the law wrong sometimes?
A lot of people believe that the
death penalty is cruel and unusual.
Well, if we did it more,
it wouldn't be unusual.
That's ridiculous.
You don't think it would be OK if
everyone just... started
eating babies, would you?
I mean.
Everyone knows that it doesn't deter crime.
At least it doesn't deter crime
more than life in prison does.
Look around at this fucking city.
It is just a pigsty.
Nobody cares, nobody cares.
Everyone's just littering
and shitting all over the place.
Why do you think?
There are a lot of social factors at play.
But if we executed all the litterers
and the shitters right away, guess
what would happen right away?
The place would clean up,
nobody would litter anymore.
You don't really think that somebody
deserves to be killed for littering.
So you know what people deserve?
I know nobody deserves to be killed.
But doesn't she deserve to be
punished in kind for what she did?
I mean, the people should fight for
their laws as they fight for themselves.
Yes, of course.
But she actually might be
innocent. A lot of people think so.
But the system has
ways of dealing with that.
She refused appeal.
Yeah, she did. But that's
because your system isn't fair.
Just like more minorities are
executed than white people.
Racism.
That's a problem with the system then.
Yeah, that's what I'm saying.
Yeah, but if you really believe that,
you would be against the whole system.
All law and order, not
just the death penalty.
Do you really think that all
criminals should just roam free?
No, of course not.
Some people deserve punishment.
There you go.
You got a lot of knowledge
on what people deserve.
But nobody in any society
would agree to be killed.
Nobody would agree to
sacrifice herself for the society.
There's something called the greater good.
Yeah, that's exactly my point.
If nobody would agree to sacrifice
herself, then there's no way that the
greater good would
require someone to be killed.
Yeah, but no one would agree
to be arrested or punished either.
That doesn't make sense. Come on.
How can we say that killing
is bad but then kill criminals?
All killing isn't the same.
Killing in self-defense it's not
the same as what serial killers do.
But the death penalty isn't self-defense.
The criminals already behind
bars. She can't hurt anyone.
So if someone kidnaps and cages
someone we shouldn't kidnap and cage them?
Arrest and imprison them, huh?
Just punishment.
It's not the same as serial
killing and all the rest.
One's morally justified, one's not.
Like I keep saying, it is not morally
justified to kill for any reason.
Sometimes it is.
Just like sometimes kidnapping and
caging someone is morally justified.
But death is so final.
So different from everything else.
And some crimes...
Are so different from everything else.
[ eerie music ]
Miss Shy.
I'm so grateful that
you're talking with me.
A lot of media people reached out to me
even after I said I
wouldn't talk with anyone.
I bet.
You're the only one I decided to talk to.
It's a privilege.
Aren't you curious to
know why I'm talking to you?
The question had crossed my mind.
Do you think you're a good writer?
I've trained, I've got some experience.
Some articles are better than others.
But on a whole, yes,
I'm the best journalist you
can speak with right now.
I think you're full of shit.
OK.
You're not the first to say
that, and you won't be the last.
But then.
Why did you pick me?
Along with all the other shots you sent me.
I saw one of your articles.
Which one?
"It is one and the same
to be alive or dead."
You picked that one?
Surprised?
I mean, it's a great article,
that's why I sent it, but...
I thought some of the others,
the ones about political justice,
would appeal to you more.
Those are all trash.
You don't know shit
about political justice.
Why me then?
Anything that has to do with justice
has to make sense with the
world and with the universe.
OK, what does that mean?
Most people, they don't
know shit about reality
even when it hits them in the fucking face.
You don't think I know reality?
Your article told me that you're
on the cusp of understanding.
OK.
Why are you laughing?
The deepest truth, the greatest justice,
the knowledge of the
mind of God, it's all one.
But you want to separate
everything, don't you?
Don't you realize we live one whole life?
Who's separating everything?
You're not making any sense.
I've only got this one life, and so do you.
How we make all of this
a unified, flourishing life,
that's the key thing we're striving for.
A holistic vision.
Everything that surrounds me.
It's integrated into my life.
All of this is meant to be lived.
Is that what you got here?
Some holistic vision?
The more risks taken, the
more interesting the life.
[ piano music ]
[ lounge music ]
So I'm glad to see
you're back on the horse.
Yeah, I found a story
that I'm passionate about.
I knew you would.
These things sometimes take time, you know.
But I saw the numbers.
It's not bringing the response I hope for.
You can never predict these things.
I know, but what does that mean?
Oh, about money? It's OK,
you can talk about money.
Right, so?
It's a business.
We need to bring in the money.
I always believe that good storytelling
brings in the money.
Are you saying that my stories aren't good
if they're not bringing
in eyeballs and money?
God, I hate how we have to
chase dollars just to prove ourselves.
Calm down, you misunderstood me.
There's always a market for good content.
So the market determines
if it's good content?
Fuck that.
Wait a second.
Sit down.
You've heard that man is
the measure of all things.
Yeah, but if men are all stupid and can't
recognize good writing when
it's right in front of their face,
then who cares?
What?
So you think you have the
direct hotline to true goodness?
There are standards.
We've got to keep our standards high.
I can't go low just because
we don't appeal to the masses.
OK, but think about what you're saying.
Think about what I'm saying.
Of course you and I are on the same page,
but in order to keep our standards high,
we need to reach as
many people as possible.
What do you mean?
What I mean is, in a free society
where everyone is competing for eyeballs,
we need to convince people
about our high standards.
You're a journalist because you
like to spread and share the truth.
It's almost, it's like,
it's like you're a teacher
teaching people about
the truth that's happening.
Yes, of course.
And part of the truth that you're teaching
is our high journalistic standards.
Yeah, I guess so.
Come on, look at me.
What we're doing is convincing people
who don't agree with you
and getting them to
understand and agree with you.
But they should know the difference
between good journalism and bullshit.
Maybe, maybe not.
I tend to believe that most people don't
know the difference, and
that's why we need to help them.
But that's not my job.
My job is to write stories.
Do you believe in what you're doing?
Yes, I do.
Do you believe you're writing
stories people want to read? (Yes)
Do you believe that you're
telling the truth in your stories?
Yes.
Well, then there you go.
Then it's up to you to make the
people understand what you're saying.
I'm not in sales.
We're all in sales.
Bullshit.
That's the problem with capitalism.
Everything is commoditized,
like we have to be in
competition with everyone.
Well, we are competing
with every idea out there,
even the bullshit.
And that's why we need to
learn how to play the game.
Are you suggesting that
my stories aren't valuable?
Oh my God, you are such a piece of
work. You have so much wax in your ears.
You're so angry. You can't listen
to what anyone else has to say.
OK, I'm listening.
You know what? Your stories,
especially this story, is so important.
Keep helping people get what they need,
and keep helping people
discover what they need.
But that's what I'm doing.
If you believe that's what you're doing
and you're doing your best,
then you'll get what you want.
But Lauren,
if you're not getting what you want,
then think about it. The people are not
getting what they want.
[ kisses doggy ]
You have a lot of stuff in here.
Makes me feel comfortable like at home.
I didn't know the rules allowed for that.
Man's rules don't matter to me.
If it isn't in line with the
divine law, it is no rule at all.
But you're in here right now,
condemned for your crimes.
Doesn't that prove
that man's laws are real?
All that proves
is that these laws are
made by criminals,
and they're enforced by criminals.
If someone points a gun at
you and asks for all your money,
it's a criminal, isn't it?
But this is the government
we're talking about in your case.
A government of criminals.
Says who?
Says anyone with reason and
anyone with the ability to think.
I know a lot of reasonable people
who don't believe in any divinity.
All that shows is that there's a lot of
foolish people who appear intelligent.
Very good.
But is it heavenly transcendence
or demonic possession?
I don't know what you're talking about.
But I think for myself.
Yeah and guess where thinking
for yourself has gotten you.
All that shows is that there's a lot of
people in power who
are also the most wrong.
They're unthinking,
unexamining and uncritical.
And people like you.
They just wander around like zombies,
never questioning the world around them.
I'm here because I want to listen to you,
I want to hear what you have to say.
I want to help you speak to the world.
Nothing I say is new or interesting.
Anybody with reason can
come to the same conclusions.
So, is God reason?
I never said anything about God.
You said that without God's
law, man's law doesn't matter.
I said the divine law.
Well, isn't God the
same thing as the divine?
I don't know what God is.
I don't think you do either.
You said that people
disagree about what God is,
but we can all recognize
divinity. It's inside all of us.
Even here.
I don't think I believe in any of that.
It's not merely what I believe, honey.
I'm also talking about what I know.
I know a lot of atheists
who would disagree with you.
The atheists are the same as everyone else.
The fact they're the ones I'm mostly
talking about, that doesn't make any sense.
Here's what makes sense.
We've been through the Enlightenment
and we know things about the world
that our grandparents
couldn't have ever dreamed of.
So we think we got it all figured out,
or at least that we don't
need a God to explain anything.
But there's still something missing.
We've all got a God
shaped hole in our hearts.
And that silence it...
Tells us that there's so much more.
Divine is merely the cover we throw
over the mystical to give it shape.
I don't know.
Changing up the words doesn't
seem to eliminate any confusion for me.
It's just as controversial.
Is it controversial that we all
deserve dignity and respect?
Is it controversial
that we should all come to
terms with our own personality?
Well, of course, obviously.
And where does that come from?
You know, I don't have to believe in God
or divinity or whatever magic
to believe in human rights.
Yes, but human rights?
Freedom, equality,
those are all just as divine
as any magic that you choose to deny.
They're starting points, not
negotiables that give us morality.
Yes.
But where does that
starting point come from?
You said that human rights
helps explain all your other notions
of morality, but what
explains the explanation?
It just is.
That's what I call the divine.
The unexplained explanation.
[ jazzy music ]
Thank you, Detective
Marshall for seeing me again.
Believe it or not, this is
actually part of the job.
Where's your camera?
Is your surveillance over?
How are your interviews going?
They're everywhere.
You haven't heard about them?
I don't read the newspaper.
Me neither. Nobody reads the newspaper.
I mean, they're all over
social media and the Internet.
I don't read any of that either.
Then how do you get your news?
I don't.
Don't you want to know
what's happening in the world?
No.
Not even sports? Nope.
OK...
I do what my superiors tell me,
I work on the cases before
me and that's enough for me.
Is that how you're caught Shy?
Somebody told you where
she was and you just went?
In any effective system,
there's a hierarchy.
Otherwise, everything just falls apart.
But there's more to life
than just hierarchy, isn't there?
I wouldn't know, that's not my job.
That's what I'm saying, there's
more to life than just your job.
Hey, maybe there is, maybe there isn't.
Is this why you brought me here today?
To ask me questions about my life?
Where even are we? What is this?
I share the studio with an artist.
But thank you for getting us back on track.
I want to know if you believe
that justice was served in Shy's case.
I think that we all have to do our part,
And my job is to make sure
that the bare minimum is met.
What is the bare minimum?
It's that thing that you
were just talking about.
Justice.
Well, how do we know we
meet the bare minimum?
Rules we have to follow.
Like cops?
No, like all of us.
You want to talk to me about my experience,
so you call me and I
agree to speak with you.
But what if I didn't agree?
Well, I would just beg a little bit more.
But if you refused,
I would have found a
better angle for my story.
Maybe one of your colleagues.
Right.
But you can't force me to do it.
No, of course not.
And that's what I mean by justice.
It's that bare minimum
respect that we give each other.
I don't see too much of
that going on around here.
Well, that's why there's people like me.
People like you.
Cops.
Not just cops, though.
Judges, lawyers, the whole system really.
The bare minimum needs a lot of support.
But the bare minimum
doesn't get us very far, does it?
I think that mutual respect for one another
is a lot.
If we had that, it would be nice.
But there's lots of people
out there who don't
have to deal with the
worst elements of society,
nor do they have to
write about political issues.
And I've got a lot of
respect for those people.
Just respect.
What do you mean?
Like I was asking you before,
isn't there more to life than just respect?
What more would you want from people?
Well, I for one...
would like to find love one day.
Well, I'm not in that business.
Well, still, isn't there more
to life than just mere justice?
I'm a cop.
You know what I mean. The business of life.
No, what is your point?
The respect you're talking
about is just too cold.
It's too alienating.
Oh...
So maybe I should love
these criminals that I chase.
Maybe I give them a little foot
rub after I put them in handcuffs.
In fact, you're not too
far off from my point.
What the fuck? Are you serious?
Just hear me out.
Maybe love is a bit too far.
I can't love everybody.
That would take too much out of me.
I tried that once, didn't workout too well.
Funny.
But I'd like to have
relationships and friendships
with those people around me,
and that requires a little
bit more than respect.
We got to love a little bit more, too.
Once again, that's not my job.
My job is to make sure that people are not
hurting each other, and
if they are, I stop them.
I'm not saying that.
What I'm saying is that
there's just more to life
than right and wrong.
There's good and bad.
What's the difference?
It's right that you catch criminals,
and it's right that you stop
people from hurting others.
But are you living a good life?
What does this have to do with your story?
Why are you asking me all these questions?
It has everything to do with everything.
Look, I wasn't there when
you apprehended Shy,
nor am I there for every part
of your job you do every day.
Yes, I respect you, but
I care about you too.
Look, I don't know what
you're struggling with.
But it's clear that you're
dealing with something.
Why do you care what I'm going through?
Because you're helping me
understand my story better.
You're part of my world now,
so how can I not care about you too?
That's.
That's very thoughtful of you.
Thank you.
But I'm all right.
I can take care of myself
and me talking to you,
that's just part of the job.
I know,
but remember...
There's more to life than just the job.
Yeah.
I'm uh...
I'm trying to figure that out too.
[ eerie music ]
I'm back.
Why are you here?
Get the fuck out.
I've been looking through your case.
Are you a lawyer now?
No, but I've been talking to some people.
I think we can get you released.
How would that work? I
waived my right to appeal.
Well, in the short time we've
been talking, you've taught me a lot.
I've learned a lot.
What, you learn about justice?
Yes, but other things too.
You made me understand my purpose.
Why I do this.
What so you want to like, follow me now?
Not quite.
But I do know that my
purpose as of right now
is to get you your freedom.
Want change? We can make change.
This is what this is all about, right?
I can reach people.
I can change people's
minds with your story.
Maybe you're the one who needs to change.
This happens all the time.
We can change people's minds.
We can lead society
down a less violent path.
Why?
Because of you.
You did it for a reason,
because you believed in something.
You still believe, don't you?
I believe, but...
About what?
I believe in myself and my principles,
but I don't believe in anyone else.
You can believe in me.
I'm in this situation because
of other people's beliefs.
What the fuck can you do about
the people who put me here?
There are other people out there.
Other people we can convince.
Other people who can help you, like me.
Why should I have faith in you?
You already have faith in me,
that's why you brought me here.
Like I said.
We can get you free on appeal.
Like I said, I don't want that.
But they're going to kill you.
Don't you want to live?
I wish I never had to die
and I could live forever.
I don't know about the second
part. But we can help you with the first.
Doesn't mean I have to live in a system
that lies about me, wants
me to forget who I am.
It's a strange world
and an odd kind of life.
There will always be detractors.
But I want you out of
here with people like me.
So you can tell the truth
about who you really are.
Fucking clowns.
Refusing to take off
their ridiculous outfits.
They wear it like skin.
Like it's impossible to change.
You're right, there are
a lot of clowns out there.
But we don't need to convince the clowns.
We only need to convince one judge.
The judges are the
ringmasters of the circus.
The crimes they convicted
me of are meaningless.
They've already made-up
their minds about who I am
and that I'm different
from the rest of society.
You're not going to do
anything to change their mind.
But if we play the game a certain way,
it can save your life.
What game?
How do we play it?
Have I got a sacrifice who I am?
It wouldn't require sacrifice.
Doesn't sound like a game I want to play.
Even if it saves your life.
There's a difference
between doing something
and doing it for the right reason.
We can decrease your sentence.
To what?
The worst would be life sentence, but
we might get you completely free.
It's not good enough.
Then what do you want?
I deserve a life pension.
I could stay at home, work at my leisure,
and they would have to
send me weekly paychecks.
Stop being ridiculous. This is serious.
I didn't do anything wrong.
They're the ones who are ridiculous.
They stole dignity
and respect for me and so many
others, and you call me ridiculous?
You should ridicule them right back.
They're the ones who aren't serious.
I don't deserve any of this!
If I wasn't behind these bars right now,
I would have already bitten off their faces
and eaten out their eyes.
Violence is not the answer.
Bullshit. Violence is all we have.
It's all we are.
It's the only reason I'm here right now.
You claim that you were never violent.
Not me you fucking idiot,
them the governments that's why I'm here.
Is but due to their violence, not mine.
Well ideally they keep the peace.
I want to help you, but come on.
We've got to be grateful for our community.
We've benefited in so many ways.
Bullshit. My community
started with my family.
No loving family needs a government.
They only act with guns and tell me.
What kind of education did
we get with guns pointed at us?
There were no guns in my teachers hands.
Don't pay your taxes, disobey the rules,
do what I did, then
you'll see the guns appear.
They're kept out of sight for the just
below the surface, ready
to come out when needed.
I'm not saying that our
government is perfect.
But the benefits outweigh the risks.
Did you forget where
the fuck I am right now
you stupid bitch?
Your situation notwithstanding.
Good government is what
we're all striving to make.
There is no such thing as good government.
You go to the government to solve my
problems, they're only going to make the
problems worse, and then they're
going to create new problems.
The problem is that they don't
step in to fix things that need fixing.
And then tell people like you
become dependent on government.
It's never your fault, is it?
When things go wrong, it's
the government's fault, right?
There are a lot of people who
have the deck stacked against them.
You did.
Somebody's got to fix that.
Who the hell do you think made the deck?
That's why we need to change things,
to make the deck fair.
How do we rely
on the deck makers to
change how the deck is made?
No matter the game,
all the decks are fucked.
I say to hell with all these cards,
I want to make my own fucking game.
That's impossible.
Somebody's got to be in charge to ensure
that equality, justice and
fairness can become real.
I thought you didn't believe in God.
I don't. This is different.
We're not talking about a
government made by God.
We're talking about a
democracy made by people.
The last God, people
believe in is the government.
I promise you.
Believe me.
Everything good in my life
was without government
and everything bad in
my life is because of it.
Time's up.
OK.
I hope we can continue this tomorrow.
And before I go.
I've got something for you.
I thought of you when I saw it.
[ dark music ]
Good morning.
I'm sorry, we were cut off last night.
That's funny because
that usually happens to me.
I'll be chatting all night
at a cafe with friends
and they'll kick us out
because they're closing.
Let's start with a different
kind of question today.
Why are you here?
You know why I'm here.
But people want to
hear it in your own words.
Well, they call what I do illegal.
Staged a trial, found me
guilty and punished me.
You knew what you were doing was illegal.
I did what I had to do.
If you make flying against
the law, then birds are criminals.
If you make swimming against the law,
then fish are criminals, but
it doesn't matter to them.
Fish still have to swim, birds
still have to fly, yadda yadda.
It's the same for me.
But you're not a bird or a fish.
There's lots of people who
haven't done what you did.
So it's kind of stretching your metaphor
a bit to say that you had to do it.
Why do you write?
What?
What about you?
Why are you here right now?
I told you I want to tell
your story. I want to share...
Don't be stupid. You're avoiding the
question. Why are you here right now?
Because this is what
I do. I'm a journalist.
It's who I am.
Oh, yeah. There's an aspect of
it that you just can't help, right?
It's the same for me. I'm an artist.
How are you an artist?
I create museum pieces for the future.
I look at the world around me.
I want to create something
else, something new.
What do you want to create?
I'm revolted everywhere I look.
I see the catastrophe that is this world.
Emanates from everything entering
and structuring our everyday life.
It takes a lot of courage
to try to change the world.
It's all about the politics of the world.
Story of life and beauty.
I'm trying to find moments when
I lose myself.
Trying to find moments
when the self disappears.
For an artist, anything is possible.
But in here, nothing is possible.
So what?
I've been violated and abused.
They confiscated my freedom.
I'll challenge your status
quo as long as I'm alive.
They're going to kill you.
You've been condemned to death.
Being condemned is crucial.
Look at what they did to Jesus Christ.
Look, I'm not an aggressive person,
but I'm trying to change the world.
If that means I'm a
criminal, that's their problem.
Nothing I do is good unless
I'm convicted and punished for it.
How does an artist do that?
We let our emotions out.
Emotion is more real than
everything that surrounds us.
Everything you call reality
is so phony in the light of pure emotion.
You sound disconnected
from reality. You're delusional.
What you call delusion is
just another way of being.
I can create a new way to see,
to perceive, to experience life.
What you call ugly, I see as beautiful.
But what is beautiful?
Physical beauty is not what interests me.
It's always the experimentation.
Discovering something I never imagined.
Understanding the nature
of the human phenomena.
And if it leads you to madness?
Madness?
You call me insane to challenge
your prescribed ways of living.
I wish to subvert your rules of society.
That's what you call crazy or unrealistic?
I call it freedom.
But you're in prison.
What kind of freedom is this?
I'm not just talking about my freedom.
I'm talking about a freedom
for all, for everyone who suffers,
for everyone in the
poverty that you've created.
For everyone murdered
by the madness that you call
civilized society.
I want that freedom
to transform everything ugly in the world.
Everybody wants that.
But how can your art do any of this?
They're trying to drown me.
But I've always felt peace under the sea.
Down there I can make all the colors sing.
I can make music paint the walls like
sculptors sculpting the light
that pours in through
the windows of our soul.
Looking at you, I don't see any of that.
That's what they do.
They forbid artists
from exhibiting the truth.
But the fire still burns
and I keep creating my art.
What can you make on death row?
You wouldn't understand.
Life and freedom burst
out for me even in this cage.
My mind, my heart, my
soul. They keep dancing.
The cage is irrelevant. Completely nude.
I dance in a building where the walls are
made of heaven and earth and
the ceiling is a transparent blue sky.
That's beautiful. But it's not real.
Your reality is full of
violence and hatred.
The only violence allowed in my dream is
the struggle of being an
artist, the struggle of creating.
I'll never give up that
dream. I'll never stop.
I love it. But it's just a fantasy.
What good is it if you're
not sharing it with everyone?
Share what?
Love? Simplicity?
The sun, beauty and monstrosity
songs that achieve nothing?
That's why I brought you here.
[ waterfront wind and birds ]
How's your research going?
It's going great.
Once everybody hears the complete story,
people will understand.
Yeah, why do you think
people will understand?
They'll hear her story.
They'll see where she's coming from.
They'll be able to see
from her perspective.
Her perspective?
You see, you're not even getting it.
You know, there are other
ways of viewing the world.
You know the octopus?
What?
It's a mollusk that lives under
the sea. I know an octopus is.
I was watching the show about
the octopus. I learned a lot.
Then octopus is a mollusk?
That, but that's not what I mean.
What are you gonna
tell me what you learned?
I really hate these animal shows.
You know, in fact, I'd like to
ask you a few more questions.
All these shows, they pretend to be about
animals, but really they're only
about man's perspective on animals.
There's usually some celebrity trying to
become some Doctor Dolittle or pretending
to care so much about the animals,
but really he's only in it for himself.
To be rich or famous or some stupid shit.
That's not true. They do care.
They're out there raising awareness.
Maybe, but only on human terms.
It's never for the animals as
animals in and of themselves.
What?
They were calling the octopus
one of the most mysterious animals.
They said it was an alien here on Earth.
Nothing can be further from the truth.
There's nothing mysterious
about the octopus.
An octopus does what an octopus has
done for hundreds of millions of years.
They were here before the dinosaurs.
And only a human would ever say something
that's basically been here
forever is mysterious or alien.
I've never thought about it that way.
You know alien means?
It's from the Latin for "other".
Or better from another like how
space aliens or from another planet?
Or like illegal aliens. Or like alienation.
Feeling of not belonging.
Unable to identify with your place.
There is no fucking way
that an octopus is an alien.
Or anything like an alien.
An octopus is exactly where it needs to be.
If anything, it's humanity that's alien.
It's people who are out of
place, out of touch with the world.
We're the ones who don't belong here.
At the very least, nobody belongs at the
bottom of the sea with a fucking camera
chasing an octopus around and
then calling it a mysterious alien.
You know what? I actually like
Octopus. And you're making me hungry.
Do you want to get something to eat?
Yeah.
Sure. I'm a little hungry myself.
Do you know an Octopus place around here?
Things are really turning around. All
the lawyers say they can win the appeal.
We've got a real good
reason to be optimistic here.
You don't have to do anything, but it
would be nice if you could
sign some of these papers.
Humor me. If you die.
You won't be able to share
your message. Maybe, maybe not.
No one will benefit from your art.
You're wrong. Everyone
will see the brilliance in what
I've been saying all along.
You'll be dead.
Everyone will say my name when
they're fighting against the system.
They might understand or
not, but that doesn't matter.
They'll have a symbol to
fight with, a symbol to fight for.
You'll martyr yourself for a symbol?
Big one as well. I'll give it to them.
I don't have a choice, do I?
But they'll have to suffer
an even worse punishment.
They'll have to live with their
wickedness, and I'll be at peace.
There is so much more you can accomplish
with a longer life, even
if you're trapped in here.
I've never wanted to live a long life.
I've only wanted to live a virtuous life.
So let me help you live that
virtuous life. You're alive. Live.
Whether they kill me or
not makes no difference.
It's just a coin flip anyways.
Fine, so let's flip the coin.
There's a chance that it might turn
out No, I've already lost the coin flip.
When I was born in this world.
Even if I escaped, where would I
escape to? Where do you want to go?
Even if there was somewhere I
wanted to go, it wouldn't matter.
I've never owned myself. Everyone
else has taken charge of me.
Told me what to do,
what to say, where to go.
That doesn't sound like an artist.
I've tried to inspire in my own life.
At every attempt had been stopped.
I'm already dead in my soul.
So let's show the world it
can't take your life so easily.
My last breath will be the
argument against this world.
And then I'll be at peace.
Maybe I'll get to talk to all
those who died before me.
All those who were put to death
for stupid crimes by foolish courts.
If you're too stubborn to save yourself,
then some of us will have to do it for you.
[ taps keyboard ]
There's a story that's been told to us,
ingrained from childhood, that we are
free, that they've dismissed all
past injustices, that we've recognized
our past mistakes and everything is better.
They say that there is equal
opportunity to do anything.
Anyone can become rich, anyone can
become president, anyone can do anything.
Then what are we supposed to say about
those who have nothing, who've
had everything taken away?
It's their fault, right? They could
have done it, but they failed.
They didn't play by the rules. But
what? What are the rules anyway?
They say the rules are about
equality, justice and freedom.
And if you don't play by those rules then
your criminals, terrorists or anarchist.
But how did those rules
serve the wrongly convicted?
How did those rules serve
those in poverty, those exploited?
The rules were created by the
privileged who already had every benefit.
Maybe the rules were about controlling the
weak? Justice is about helping the rich.
Justice Let's police
officers kill innocent people.
Oh, and what about when justice
comes after those corrupt officers?
Sure, they capture the
killer cop sometimes.
But maybe that's just them throwing us a
bone, tossing us the
scraps from their table.
And what did we do? We
are happy with the scraps.
We are happy they invited
a few of us to the table.
Because we believe in their stories of
equality, opportunity and fairness, we
imagine that could be us one
day eating with the big boys.
But isn't it just all bullshit? It's
just a farce that we've fallen for.
Or is it? I feel like I'm in
control of my destiny, don't you?
To be honest. I don't know
what to believe about all of that.
Maybe each side has their own point. Maybe
I am in control, or maybe I'm a puppet.
Maybe the game's already rigged,
or maybe there is something I can win.
I do know one thing though. It is
wrong to kill those who disagree.
Shy is one of those people
who thinks differently.
Some people think she's done such
horrible things that she should be killed.
Can't we have a discussion about this?
Can't we debate like civilized people?
Can't reasonable people disagree
on important things? I think so.
But if you kill those who disagree,
there is no debate, no reasonableness.
It is only a world where the strongest
exert their will over others, and
the weak suffer what they must.
[ piano music ]
[ phone notification ]
Hey, I sent all the paperwork
to the lawyers. I know.
No, I haven't heard. What channel?
Welcome back from our commercial break.
Despite efforts from many human rights
groups, the appeal of the
infamous Shy has been denied.
Her execution will take place on Monday,
July 15th at 12:01 AM
as originally scheduled.
Of course, the many demonstrators and
social justice advocates will not be
deterred as they carry on unabated.
[ eerie music ]
[ jazzy music ]
[ knocking at door ]
Come in.
Hey. Yeah.
To what do I owe the pleasure?
They told me you're not
with the Force anymore.
Yeah, I guess I figured
it was time to change.
They know I'm working the case.
They told me where I could find you.
I didn't know you were
making a career change.
Well, it just seemed
like the right time. Why?
Maybe it was you and all your questions.
Dinner was nice the other night.
Yeah, that's part of what...
Helped remind me that I needed a change.
I'm really thankful for
everything you've given me.
Context behind a story is always good.
Context? What do you mean?
You know it's the background information.
Well, why would I know anything about that?
Well, in order to capture her, you
must have researched something.
Background checks, surveillance, something.
Are you looking for excuses?
Are you trying to justify what she did?
Not excuses, but explanations at least.
There's nothing to explain. She
committed the crime, She was caught.
She had a fair trial.
It's just the way it goes.
It seems like it was stacked up
against her from the beginning.
There is no hope to change anything.
Well, maybe that's just
the way of the world.
But that's not fair.
She never had the opportunity to.
What about you? What about me?
What do you mean?
If she was destined to do what she did.
Then I was destined to do what I did.
And then it was always inevitable that you
would be asking me
these questions right now.
OK, I think so.
So why are you doing any of this?
Because she deserves to be
free. It's not fair that she's doomed.
I thought we were talking
about something else.
I'm talking about her being free.
I'm talking about any of us being free.
Of course we're free.
Well, science tells us that since The Big.
Bang, every atom in the universe
has been following the laws of physics.
And we are no different.
We're just a big bundle of atoms.
But we are different.
You're different. I'm different.
So is Shy and so is everyone else.
Oh yeah.
What kind of a magical powers
do you kind of assume that we have?
It's not magic, it's...
It's what the soul inside your body.
Is it God? No, I do not
believe in any of that.
Why not?
Because it doesn't help explain anything.
Not in this world, no.
If anything, it only confuses
everything. And so does free will.
But without free will, there's no such
thing as right or wrong, good or bad.
Imagine that.
There's more to life than just science.
Like magic, right?
That's not what I mean.
What I mean is that science can't
explain everything like morality.
Science can't explain that.
It kind of sounds like you're trying
to invent something out of thin air.
I didn't invent it. Everyone believes this.
Oh, I don't see morality anywhere.
All I see is misery and
suffering. And that is everywhere.
That's all around us.
I mean, look at the animals that murder
each other, they kill
each other after they fuck.
And then there's the volcanoes
that just split a mountain apart.
Everything, it's all atoms.
It's it's stars and rocks and.
Emptiness. And we're no different.
Now all existence is completely naked of
this absurd clothing that you're
calling morality or freedom.
You're missing something
important. Humanity. That's the magic.
I knew you had to believe in
some sort of magical mumbo jumbo.
It's not mumbo jumbo. It's something else.
Like what? It's like some
wizardry that just changes
the course of atoms and electrons.
Like quantum randomness. Randomness?
That's not freedom. Gibberish.
You may know a lot of things.
But you know nothing
about humanity or freedom.
It's the explanation for
everything that matters.
Maybe I can't predict the future.
I couldn't save Shy.
But the only good in this world is
because of you, me, and everyone else.
Without it, you're absolutely right,
nothing would matter. But we do exist.
We are part of the universe,
of nature, of this world.
I guess.
There is nothing more
natural than humanity.
I don't know what you mean by freedom, but
if this isn't it, then I don't
know what else it could be.
Maybe I'm on a train with only one track.
But I'm going to try and enjoy the ride.
But you're still on a train
and there's only one track.
Maybe you're not happy with the one
that you're on, but I'm happy with mine.
I want to be here with you right now.
Well, you're just lucky that you're
on a nice track today. But tomorrow?
You could crash into a wall, then what?
But that's life, isn't it?
Eventually all trains run into walls.
But I'm happy on the
path that I'm on right now.
That's all the freedom I need.
That's all the freedom there is.
You lost with Shy.
She'll be executed.
I know.
It is nice though. I kind of wish
someone would have done that for me.
What do you mean?
Oh, do you think I really want to be a cop?
I don't know, I guess I just assumed.
Well, you know what they
say when you assume, right?
No, what?
OK, never mind. I just, I
wanted to be a photographer.
Like an artist.
Hmm, but no one ever had faith in
me and I definitely had no faith in myself.
I'm sorry to hear that.
But when I first met you. I was impressed.
Impressed about what?
Well, everyone always told me that it
would be too hard to be a photographer
and you can't make a living doing it.
Like did anybody ever tell
you that about being a writer?
No. My parents supported whatever I wanted.
Well, I don't remember my parents.
But tell me about yours.
What were they like?
My dad was a reporter.
He won a Pulitzer in the
60s. I wanted to be like him.
That sounds special.
But when I was 16, he died.
Ever since then. I've been
trying to live up to his example.
It was a little bit different for me.
I graduated high school and I had
absolutely no idea
what I would do for a job.
So I went to college for a little bit, a
junior college, and they just let anybody
into those, you know, And, but I, I
didn't even know like what I would study.
I didn't know what kind
of jobs were out there.
I didn't even know what college was for.
I guess it was to help me get a
job. And so I'm looking down the list.
I see anthropology first, and
I think, what the hell is that?
So then I just keep going down
the list until I see criminology finally.
That's the first thing that
makes sense to me and.
They just told me the force was hiring so.
Well, I'm sure the world is a safer
place because of you and what you do.
You made a difference. No.
I didn't know if it wasn't me
it would just be someone else.
I was just a cog in the machine.
But the first camera I ever got,
it was this little disposable thing
that the art teacher in high
school gave me, Mr. Williams.
And before this I totally thought
the whole thing was bullshit.
Like you just point it and click the
thing like there's nothing to it, you know?
But after using it all
up, all 36 exposures.
And then getting the pictures
developed, something happened.
Like I made those.
And I remember just sitting there and I
would look through
them over and over again.
I made that.
Oh, I didn't even know what it meant to be
a photographer, and I definitely
didn't know you could do it as a job.
You've never seen a photo in a book
or a magazine or anything like that?
OK, yes, No, of course I'd seen
photos. I'm not that stupid. I just never.
I don't know. I guess I never
put two and two together. I never.
Maybe it does sound stupid.
I just never thought that there were,
like, professional photographers
who were making those photos.
So when I went to college, I mean, I was
nowhere in my mind to study photography.
Like who goes to college
to study photography?
I know lots of people
who studied photography.
Of course you do.
But I didn't and it just, it
seemed like a pipe dream.
I don't know, that's my point.
Then why do you have that camera?
Oh, I love this camera.
This is the first camera that I
ever bought with my own money.
I got it a while ago, right
after I arrested shy actually.
The technology has
changed a lot since then.
But and I'm really not
that good with all that shit
but I'm learning. OK look.
Is that what you're going to do now?
Maybe we'll see.
I know a little bit more
about the world now.
I know a little bit more about photography.
I still have absolutely no idea how
I would make a living doing it, but.
Yeah, I've saved up a little bit of
money, so I've got a nice little cushion.
While I try my hand at figuring things out.
You can do it.
Yeah, we'll see. Maybe. Do you know
anybody looking for a photographer?
No, not right now, but
I will keep you in mind.
Please do.
Well, that was interesting.
I know I'm not in the best form lately and
I'm a bit out of practice, but interesting?
Clearly I'm a bit out of practice too.
I mean, the only idiot
would say interesting.
I'm glad we both agree you're an idiot.
This must be some kind of
improper work relationship.
I don't have to worry about
any of that shit anymore.
HR any of that bullshit.
There's always some bullshit
right around the corner.
Or right in my bed.
What the fuck is that supposed to mean?
I guess this makes things a little
bit more complicated, doesn't it?
Well, you're a big boy and I'm a
big girl, so I think we can handle this.
I just, I'm not sure where to go from here.
Maybe you're not as big a
boy as I thought you were.
No, I'm like, I mean, like I was
saying last night, it's just everything is.
So wide open now, like I've never
felt this much freedom before in my life.
I thought you didn't believe
in freedom. I don't. I don't.
But at least before there
was a path before me.
Now it's just.
You know you don't have
to take on all this alone.
I guess after last night,
you are a part of my world.
[ phone buzzing ]
Is everything OK?
Yeah, it's just.
Shit! Shit shit shit
I'm late for my thing.
I can give you a ride.
No no no. It's not necessary.
But we will continue
this conversation later.
Last time you looked so
upset, now you look normal.
Last time I was trying
everything I could to save you.
You must have heard the news. You failed.
They're killing me
tonight. I know we tried.
But were powerless over certain things.
I know I'm going to die.
Are you scared?
You might be frightened at
death or. It might give you vigor.
That is a part of life. Sad,
but romantic at the same time.
It is the end of one thing.
Leaves room for the new.
What's the new thing?
It's made me think of past things.
I wonder if
my chosen profession has made me
better equipped to consider such things.
Mortality. Purpose. Fulfillment.
You know, when I was caught,
I had a friend by my side.
We were together in all of this.
She was ready for death.
We were both there in the bunker,
surrounded. She told me that.
She was so grateful for this
life. That she lived a full life.
And she reminded me that
we wouldn't live to be old.
It's OK, she said.
Some people die in childhood, so
we'd be somewhere in the middle.
Even still, some of those very old
people don't have very much life at all.
Some of those children live life so
full of meaning and Joie de vivre that.
They burst from this world as if
the earth couldn't contain them.
I couldn't believe. She
was talking like this.
We were trapped, surrounded on all sides
by people who wanted to kill us, and
just out of the blue, she started praying.
You think praying would
be natural, but it wasn't.
He had never prayed before.
Never.
Her prayer wasn't normal either.
She started with Dear God and.
And then went on to
ask for peace to everyone.
She asked God to forgive our friends.
So that they could be free of pain.
It's funny because. Vivian
suffered from chronic pain.
She asked God to forgive our friends who
had already died so that they could
go to heaven and find eternal peace.
Then she prayed for me.
She asked God to protect
me. To look after me.
She asked so that I might be
free and find happiness despite.
All the insanity in the world
and all the hardness in my heart.
But she never prayed for herself.
She never mentioned herself
once, not even to save her own life.
All I could do was hold her hand.
I squeezed her so tightly.
And then you know what happened.
They got us.
But not before shooting her dad first.
You've been lying there
dead with a bullet in her chest.
She was still smiling. Looking at me.
I'm sure she died happy.
Maybe happy isn't the
word. I don't know. She was.
The opposite of a cynic and
a pessimist, she always was.
But I didn't have that experience at all.
I still don't have that experience today.
When I look back on my life, I...
Think of all the things I didn't do.
They were right there in front of me,
but I didn't take it when
it was right in front of me.
I think of all the
relationships I wish I had.
All the time I wasted.
I could have accomplished so much more.
But instead I did this and I'm here and.
It's funny, if I didn't do this I
wouldn't have made it this far anyway.
This was my only path.
It gave me a purpose and.
Help me make sense of
those relationships I wanted.
I made other relationships,
but they're with dead people.
Or people I don't know.
Actually, I don't think this
path solved all of my problems.
Actually, I think it gave me a lot more.
Well, sometimes I
wonder if it helped at all.
So that's what I've been thinking
about. Trying to come to terms with it.
Trying to come to terms
with not being understood.
Tomorrow I won't be here at all.
'Cause nobody at all understands me.
I wish you could understand.
You don't really understand me. I
haven't convinced you of anything.
None of that will change by tomorrow.
And what does that
mean? I don't know, but...
Maybe one day.
I hope I won't be forgotten.
So I, um...
I want you to have this.
It's it's a symbol of who I am.
Who I was throughout my life.
It's funny, isn't it? People don't
keep such things anymore, do they?
Maybe they should.
But anyways. Please
take it. I trust you with it.
In any case. There's no one else.
I'm sorry.
[ tense music ]
[ gasp ]
This paralyzes you. But
you'll feel everything.
[ metal tools clanging ]
You've done well enough.
Now I will take charge.
[ menacing music ]
We start at the feet. And
we moved to the head.
[ flesh smashing ]
[ gasp ]
[ flesh cutting ]
panting
[ flesh cutting ]
[ gasps ]
[ intense music ]
[ intense music ]
Clean up this mess.
In other news, government officials
have reported that the execution of the
infamous Shy occurred earlier this morning.
Witnesses have said
that she died peacefully.
Oh, what's this?
There are my articles. My
podcasts are in there too.
Why are you giving them to me and
not scheduling and publishing them?
They're yours. You can do
whatever you want with them.
I'm done.
You're done?
I'm done with all this.
What?
I can't work here anymore? Why not?
Was it something I said?
You know I love you and your work.
You told me to write what I
believe in, what I'm passionate about.
And this last piece of work
is dripping with passion
and it didn't make a
damn bit of difference.
We lost. It's all bullshit.
You can change the world with your stories,
your perspective, the
voice you bring to it all.
That's the victory. It
just isn't doing it for me.
You're a part of something
bigger than yourself.
This thing you're a part of, it's
bigger than you. It's bigger than me.
It's about the world and all its history.
It's been going on for thousands of years.
It might not seem like it's
getting any better, but it is.
If you think for a minute
of how things used to be,
it's so much better than it was before.
But from our limited view, all
we see is what's right in front of us.
But if you pay attention to
the broad view, the global view.
Things are flourishing so much
better than they were before.
It's not enough.
No, it's not enough, but
that's why we stay at it.
It's never going to be
enough for Shy or you
or a significant chunk of humanity.
But. It's not about us.
It's about the future.
Nothing's going to change.
Maybe, maybe not, but
we have to have faith.
It's been amazing working with you.
Thanks. You too.
Got any plans?
Not really. I need some time
to think about some things.
Good luck.
Thank you.
And if you ever... Ever want to come back?
[ cars and street sounds ]
[ inquisitive music ]
You fucking bastards
[ electronic music ]
I don't deserve any of this
[ discordant music ]
I know why you brought me in here, boss.
I'm not getting the numbers you want.
Lauren, you're not
getting the numbers I need.
I'm doing my best, I'm following the trends
and I'm trying to connect
with what people want to read.
You're trying, you're
working, you're failing.
I'm going to keep pressing.
I know I can.
I don't think so. You're
missing something essential.
It's not about tapping into the
zeitgeist or following the trends.
It's about the truth.
Wait, what are you accusing me of?
I never made-up a story or faked a source.
That's what I'm talking about.
You're missing the
point. It's not about facts.
Any dipshit can write the facts.
Hell, all the photos and videos that
get posted we're inundated with facts.
Then what are you talking about?
Talking about the truth.
What do you believe in?
What kind of truth do you
want to share with the world?
You've lost the passion.
You need to get that
fire back in your belly.
What happened?
I don't know.
It doesn't matter. What
matters is you fix it.
How?
I want the best for you.
When you're your best,
that works the best for me.
I know all of you talk about me.
But the truth is when
you succeed. I succeed.
I need to surround myself
with the best people.
Right now, you're not the best.
Take some time off. Find yourself.
Find your passion. And when you're ready?
Let me know.
[ kisses doggy ]
You're surrounded.
There's nowhere else to go.
Come out peacefully.
Always remember. This will
keep you safe from everything.
For our present troubles are small.
And they will not for last very long.
Yet they bring us a glory
that vastly outweighs them,
and will last forever.
Don't leave me.
We all can't live forever.
Will you please stay?
This is your last chance!
If we come in there, it'll be worse.
It will keep you safe.
We're coming in!
[ intense music ]
[crying]
[gunshot]
Fuck, what the hell?
You have the right to remain silent.
Anything you say can and will be
used against you in a court of law.
You have the right to an attorney.
Get off of me you fucking bastards!
[ pulsing music ]
[ piano music ]
God!
What the fuck!
Good evening.
This is Mimsy Mack with today's news.
Top story is the conviction
of the famous criminal Shy.
The judge called her crimes revolting and
a terrible attempt to
undermine social order.
The jury agreed. Shy
waved her right to appeal.
She called the whole
justice system a farce.
Shy has declared that it is impossible,
in this day and age to seek justice
and she has refused media interviews.
Stay tuned tomorrow
where we are interviewing the jury foreman.
Hello?
Hey, it's Lauren.
Yes, I know it's Lauren.
Everyone has caller ID.
I know the story I want to write.
Shy said she's denying
all media interviews.
I know. But if I get it,
I'll be the only one, right?
Yeah, I guess so, but...
I have to do this.
You were talking about passion before.
And this is what you're passionate about?
I have to get this interview.
It'll take me back to the top.
The top.
That's what you want?
Yes.
You're sure it's not because...
Don't say it.
It's got nothing to do
with him. This is about me.
Seems like you've
given it a lot of thought.
I have.
All right, if you get the
interview. I'll publish it.
Thank you. Thank you.
Bye.
[ eerie music ]
Dear Shy, my name is Lauren.
I know you have denied any
interviews and I respect your choice.
I believe you are brave and
reveal your character and resolution
in the face of making the
ultimate sacrifice for your principles,
and I'm so grateful for you
taking the time to read my letter
and consider my request.
I really believe I can write your story so
that your message can be heard by everyone.
You deserve to have a chance to make
the change in the world that you dream of.
I look forward to hearing
from you soon. Sincerely, Lauren.
I don't know, it's not a good
idea to use company property on...
personal matters like this.
You better not get me in
trouble with this nonsense.
I won't.
I don't understand you. You're
always thinking too much.
You should just, I don't
know, focus on the right things.
I know.
Me, it's easy, it's simple.
There are rules in life and
we have to follow them.
Right, everyone knows the
rules ever since we were little.
Follow the rules, you get the rewards.
Is that what we're doing?
Yeah, damn right that's
what we're doing. I mean...
It's a beautiful life.
What do I get? I get a steady paycheck,
a wife who loves me, and uh
two sons that keep me moving
forward towards the future.
I mean, what more do you want?
I'm not sure.
What happened to Johnson? Right? I mean,
he was thinking too much.
That's what made him depressed.
All that thinking really hurt him,
you know, he didn't
know how good he had it.
You know who doesn't get depressed?
Those of us who just take care of business.
Focus on the right things.
Yeah.
Now you with this freaking reporter?
I don't understand it.
I don't understand how anybody could have
so many questions about the whole thing.
It's, I mean, it's obvious what happened.
It's all right there in front of your face.
Listen, I know the chief
told you to talk to her and...
Cushion the whole PR thing.
It's annoying. We've all had to do it.
But uh...
You're young and you're
green. So I want you to just
remember the training they gave you.
Don't tell him too much.
Don't give him anything
they can use against us,
and uh, just please don't be weird.
Here she comes.
Oh, wonderful. All right.
I got to get some more coffee anyway.
You want anything? No, I'm good.
Good luck kid.
I'm Fox. He's Marshall.
Good luck.
Thank you for taking the
time, Detective Marshall.
You're a journalist. I know
what you're trying to do.
Why?
Everyone's story deserves to be told.
What does that have to do with me?
You're the one who caught Shy.
There was a year long manhunt.
How did you find her? Luck.
You're modest.
You pulled off something nobody else could.
Are you going to stake out or something?
Something like that.
Well, if anything. I'm lucky that
you're talking to me right now.
You know the universe
is over 3 billion years old.
And as far as I can tell,
in about 4 billion years
the sun is going to blow up and
annihilate any trace of our existence.
So I'd say it's the most
ridiculous stroke of luck
that you and I are even
sitting here right now.
You're right. It is all luck.
I guess that's why my therapist says
I should recognize so many
things I should be grateful for.
Like what?
Well, I have this gratitude list.
Nothing's on it. I haven't done it yet.
But I am grateful that
you're willing to talk to me.
Like I said, you're the one who got shy.
What did that feel like?
I was just doing my job.
Doesn't it matter that she was caught?
Look, it was the judge who made the news.
He's the one who said she
undermined all civil society.
Do you believe that?
I think it's a good thing
that she's away from society.
But they're doing more
than taking her away.
They're going to execute her.
The law is the law.
But isn't the law wrong sometimes?
A lot of people believe that the
death penalty is cruel and unusual.
Well, if we did it more,
it wouldn't be unusual.
That's ridiculous.
You don't think it would be OK if
everyone just... started
eating babies, would you?
I mean.
Everyone knows that it doesn't deter crime.
At least it doesn't deter crime
more than life in prison does.
Look around at this fucking city.
It is just a pigsty.
Nobody cares, nobody cares.
Everyone's just littering
and shitting all over the place.
Why do you think?
There are a lot of social factors at play.
But if we executed all the litterers
and the shitters right away, guess
what would happen right away?
The place would clean up,
nobody would litter anymore.
You don't really think that somebody
deserves to be killed for littering.
So you know what people deserve?
I know nobody deserves to be killed.
But doesn't she deserve to be
punished in kind for what she did?
I mean, the people should fight for
their laws as they fight for themselves.
Yes, of course.
But she actually might be
innocent. A lot of people think so.
But the system has
ways of dealing with that.
She refused appeal.
Yeah, she did. But that's
because your system isn't fair.
Just like more minorities are
executed than white people.
Racism.
That's a problem with the system then.
Yeah, that's what I'm saying.
Yeah, but if you really believe that,
you would be against the whole system.
All law and order, not
just the death penalty.
Do you really think that all
criminals should just roam free?
No, of course not.
Some people deserve punishment.
There you go.
You got a lot of knowledge
on what people deserve.
But nobody in any society
would agree to be killed.
Nobody would agree to
sacrifice herself for the society.
There's something called the greater good.
Yeah, that's exactly my point.
If nobody would agree to sacrifice
herself, then there's no way that the
greater good would
require someone to be killed.
Yeah, but no one would agree
to be arrested or punished either.
That doesn't make sense. Come on.
How can we say that killing
is bad but then kill criminals?
All killing isn't the same.
Killing in self-defense it's not
the same as what serial killers do.
But the death penalty isn't self-defense.
The criminals already behind
bars. She can't hurt anyone.
So if someone kidnaps and cages
someone we shouldn't kidnap and cage them?
Arrest and imprison them, huh?
Just punishment.
It's not the same as serial
killing and all the rest.
One's morally justified, one's not.
Like I keep saying, it is not morally
justified to kill for any reason.
Sometimes it is.
Just like sometimes kidnapping and
caging someone is morally justified.
But death is so final.
So different from everything else.
And some crimes...
Are so different from everything else.
[ eerie music ]
Miss Shy.
I'm so grateful that
you're talking with me.
A lot of media people reached out to me
even after I said I
wouldn't talk with anyone.
I bet.
You're the only one I decided to talk to.
It's a privilege.
Aren't you curious to
know why I'm talking to you?
The question had crossed my mind.
Do you think you're a good writer?
I've trained, I've got some experience.
Some articles are better than others.
But on a whole, yes,
I'm the best journalist you
can speak with right now.
I think you're full of shit.
OK.
You're not the first to say
that, and you won't be the last.
But then.
Why did you pick me?
Along with all the other shots you sent me.
I saw one of your articles.
Which one?
"It is one and the same
to be alive or dead."
You picked that one?
Surprised?
I mean, it's a great article,
that's why I sent it, but...
I thought some of the others,
the ones about political justice,
would appeal to you more.
Those are all trash.
You don't know shit
about political justice.
Why me then?
Anything that has to do with justice
has to make sense with the
world and with the universe.
OK, what does that mean?
Most people, they don't
know shit about reality
even when it hits them in the fucking face.
You don't think I know reality?
Your article told me that you're
on the cusp of understanding.
OK.
Why are you laughing?
The deepest truth, the greatest justice,
the knowledge of the
mind of God, it's all one.
But you want to separate
everything, don't you?
Don't you realize we live one whole life?
Who's separating everything?
You're not making any sense.
I've only got this one life, and so do you.
How we make all of this
a unified, flourishing life,
that's the key thing we're striving for.
A holistic vision.
Everything that surrounds me.
It's integrated into my life.
All of this is meant to be lived.
Is that what you got here?
Some holistic vision?
The more risks taken, the
more interesting the life.
[ piano music ]
[ lounge music ]
So I'm glad to see
you're back on the horse.
Yeah, I found a story
that I'm passionate about.
I knew you would.
These things sometimes take time, you know.
But I saw the numbers.
It's not bringing the response I hope for.
You can never predict these things.
I know, but what does that mean?
Oh, about money? It's OK,
you can talk about money.
Right, so?
It's a business.
We need to bring in the money.
I always believe that good storytelling
brings in the money.
Are you saying that my stories aren't good
if they're not bringing
in eyeballs and money?
God, I hate how we have to
chase dollars just to prove ourselves.
Calm down, you misunderstood me.
There's always a market for good content.
So the market determines
if it's good content?
Fuck that.
Wait a second.
Sit down.
You've heard that man is
the measure of all things.
Yeah, but if men are all stupid and can't
recognize good writing when
it's right in front of their face,
then who cares?
What?
So you think you have the
direct hotline to true goodness?
There are standards.
We've got to keep our standards high.
I can't go low just because
we don't appeal to the masses.
OK, but think about what you're saying.
Think about what I'm saying.
Of course you and I are on the same page,
but in order to keep our standards high,
we need to reach as
many people as possible.
What do you mean?
What I mean is, in a free society
where everyone is competing for eyeballs,
we need to convince people
about our high standards.
You're a journalist because you
like to spread and share the truth.
It's almost, it's like,
it's like you're a teacher
teaching people about
the truth that's happening.
Yes, of course.
And part of the truth that you're teaching
is our high journalistic standards.
Yeah, I guess so.
Come on, look at me.
What we're doing is convincing people
who don't agree with you
and getting them to
understand and agree with you.
But they should know the difference
between good journalism and bullshit.
Maybe, maybe not.
I tend to believe that most people don't
know the difference, and
that's why we need to help them.
But that's not my job.
My job is to write stories.
Do you believe in what you're doing?
Yes, I do.
Do you believe you're writing
stories people want to read? (Yes)
Do you believe that you're
telling the truth in your stories?
Yes.
Well, then there you go.
Then it's up to you to make the
people understand what you're saying.
I'm not in sales.
We're all in sales.
Bullshit.
That's the problem with capitalism.
Everything is commoditized,
like we have to be in
competition with everyone.
Well, we are competing
with every idea out there,
even the bullshit.
And that's why we need to
learn how to play the game.
Are you suggesting that
my stories aren't valuable?
Oh my God, you are such a piece of
work. You have so much wax in your ears.
You're so angry. You can't listen
to what anyone else has to say.
OK, I'm listening.
You know what? Your stories,
especially this story, is so important.
Keep helping people get what they need,
and keep helping people
discover what they need.
But that's what I'm doing.
If you believe that's what you're doing
and you're doing your best,
then you'll get what you want.
But Lauren,
if you're not getting what you want,
then think about it. The people are not
getting what they want.
[ kisses doggy ]
You have a lot of stuff in here.
Makes me feel comfortable like at home.
I didn't know the rules allowed for that.
Man's rules don't matter to me.
If it isn't in line with the
divine law, it is no rule at all.
But you're in here right now,
condemned for your crimes.
Doesn't that prove
that man's laws are real?
All that proves
is that these laws are
made by criminals,
and they're enforced by criminals.
If someone points a gun at
you and asks for all your money,
it's a criminal, isn't it?
But this is the government
we're talking about in your case.
A government of criminals.
Says who?
Says anyone with reason and
anyone with the ability to think.
I know a lot of reasonable people
who don't believe in any divinity.
All that shows is that there's a lot of
foolish people who appear intelligent.
Very good.
But is it heavenly transcendence
or demonic possession?
I don't know what you're talking about.
But I think for myself.
Yeah and guess where thinking
for yourself has gotten you.
All that shows is that there's a lot of
people in power who
are also the most wrong.
They're unthinking,
unexamining and uncritical.
And people like you.
They just wander around like zombies,
never questioning the world around them.
I'm here because I want to listen to you,
I want to hear what you have to say.
I want to help you speak to the world.
Nothing I say is new or interesting.
Anybody with reason can
come to the same conclusions.
So, is God reason?
I never said anything about God.
You said that without God's
law, man's law doesn't matter.
I said the divine law.
Well, isn't God the
same thing as the divine?
I don't know what God is.
I don't think you do either.
You said that people
disagree about what God is,
but we can all recognize
divinity. It's inside all of us.
Even here.
I don't think I believe in any of that.
It's not merely what I believe, honey.
I'm also talking about what I know.
I know a lot of atheists
who would disagree with you.
The atheists are the same as everyone else.
The fact they're the ones I'm mostly
talking about, that doesn't make any sense.
Here's what makes sense.
We've been through the Enlightenment
and we know things about the world
that our grandparents
couldn't have ever dreamed of.
So we think we got it all figured out,
or at least that we don't
need a God to explain anything.
But there's still something missing.
We've all got a God
shaped hole in our hearts.
And that silence it...
Tells us that there's so much more.
Divine is merely the cover we throw
over the mystical to give it shape.
I don't know.
Changing up the words doesn't
seem to eliminate any confusion for me.
It's just as controversial.
Is it controversial that we all
deserve dignity and respect?
Is it controversial
that we should all come to
terms with our own personality?
Well, of course, obviously.
And where does that come from?
You know, I don't have to believe in God
or divinity or whatever magic
to believe in human rights.
Yes, but human rights?
Freedom, equality,
those are all just as divine
as any magic that you choose to deny.
They're starting points, not
negotiables that give us morality.
Yes.
But where does that
starting point come from?
You said that human rights
helps explain all your other notions
of morality, but what
explains the explanation?
It just is.
That's what I call the divine.
The unexplained explanation.
[ jazzy music ]
Thank you, Detective
Marshall for seeing me again.
Believe it or not, this is
actually part of the job.
Where's your camera?
Is your surveillance over?
How are your interviews going?
They're everywhere.
You haven't heard about them?
I don't read the newspaper.
Me neither. Nobody reads the newspaper.
I mean, they're all over
social media and the Internet.
I don't read any of that either.
Then how do you get your news?
I don't.
Don't you want to know
what's happening in the world?
No.
Not even sports? Nope.
OK...
I do what my superiors tell me,
I work on the cases before
me and that's enough for me.
Is that how you're caught Shy?
Somebody told you where
she was and you just went?
In any effective system,
there's a hierarchy.
Otherwise, everything just falls apart.
But there's more to life
than just hierarchy, isn't there?
I wouldn't know, that's not my job.
That's what I'm saying, there's
more to life than just your job.
Hey, maybe there is, maybe there isn't.
Is this why you brought me here today?
To ask me questions about my life?
Where even are we? What is this?
I share the studio with an artist.
But thank you for getting us back on track.
I want to know if you believe
that justice was served in Shy's case.
I think that we all have to do our part,
And my job is to make sure
that the bare minimum is met.
What is the bare minimum?
It's that thing that you
were just talking about.
Justice.
Well, how do we know we
meet the bare minimum?
Rules we have to follow.
Like cops?
No, like all of us.
You want to talk to me about my experience,
so you call me and I
agree to speak with you.
But what if I didn't agree?
Well, I would just beg a little bit more.
But if you refused,
I would have found a
better angle for my story.
Maybe one of your colleagues.
Right.
But you can't force me to do it.
No, of course not.
And that's what I mean by justice.
It's that bare minimum
respect that we give each other.
I don't see too much of
that going on around here.
Well, that's why there's people like me.
People like you.
Cops.
Not just cops, though.
Judges, lawyers, the whole system really.
The bare minimum needs a lot of support.
But the bare minimum
doesn't get us very far, does it?
I think that mutual respect for one another
is a lot.
If we had that, it would be nice.
But there's lots of people
out there who don't
have to deal with the
worst elements of society,
nor do they have to
write about political issues.
And I've got a lot of
respect for those people.
Just respect.
What do you mean?
Like I was asking you before,
isn't there more to life than just respect?
What more would you want from people?
Well, I for one...
would like to find love one day.
Well, I'm not in that business.
Well, still, isn't there more
to life than just mere justice?
I'm a cop.
You know what I mean. The business of life.
No, what is your point?
The respect you're talking
about is just too cold.
It's too alienating.
Oh...
So maybe I should love
these criminals that I chase.
Maybe I give them a little foot
rub after I put them in handcuffs.
In fact, you're not too
far off from my point.
What the fuck? Are you serious?
Just hear me out.
Maybe love is a bit too far.
I can't love everybody.
That would take too much out of me.
I tried that once, didn't workout too well.
Funny.
But I'd like to have
relationships and friendships
with those people around me,
and that requires a little
bit more than respect.
We got to love a little bit more, too.
Once again, that's not my job.
My job is to make sure that people are not
hurting each other, and
if they are, I stop them.
I'm not saying that.
What I'm saying is that
there's just more to life
than right and wrong.
There's good and bad.
What's the difference?
It's right that you catch criminals,
and it's right that you stop
people from hurting others.
But are you living a good life?
What does this have to do with your story?
Why are you asking me all these questions?
It has everything to do with everything.
Look, I wasn't there when
you apprehended Shy,
nor am I there for every part
of your job you do every day.
Yes, I respect you, but
I care about you too.
Look, I don't know what
you're struggling with.
But it's clear that you're
dealing with something.
Why do you care what I'm going through?
Because you're helping me
understand my story better.
You're part of my world now,
so how can I not care about you too?
That's.
That's very thoughtful of you.
Thank you.
But I'm all right.
I can take care of myself
and me talking to you,
that's just part of the job.
I know,
but remember...
There's more to life than just the job.
Yeah.
I'm uh...
I'm trying to figure that out too.
[ eerie music ]
I'm back.
Why are you here?
Get the fuck out.
I've been looking through your case.
Are you a lawyer now?
No, but I've been talking to some people.
I think we can get you released.
How would that work? I
waived my right to appeal.
Well, in the short time we've
been talking, you've taught me a lot.
I've learned a lot.
What, you learn about justice?
Yes, but other things too.
You made me understand my purpose.
Why I do this.
What so you want to like, follow me now?
Not quite.
But I do know that my
purpose as of right now
is to get you your freedom.
Want change? We can make change.
This is what this is all about, right?
I can reach people.
I can change people's
minds with your story.
Maybe you're the one who needs to change.
This happens all the time.
We can change people's minds.
We can lead society
down a less violent path.
Why?
Because of you.
You did it for a reason,
because you believed in something.
You still believe, don't you?
I believe, but...
About what?
I believe in myself and my principles,
but I don't believe in anyone else.
You can believe in me.
I'm in this situation because
of other people's beliefs.
What the fuck can you do about
the people who put me here?
There are other people out there.
Other people we can convince.
Other people who can help you, like me.
Why should I have faith in you?
You already have faith in me,
that's why you brought me here.
Like I said.
We can get you free on appeal.
Like I said, I don't want that.
But they're going to kill you.
Don't you want to live?
I wish I never had to die
and I could live forever.
I don't know about the second
part. But we can help you with the first.
Doesn't mean I have to live in a system
that lies about me, wants
me to forget who I am.
It's a strange world
and an odd kind of life.
There will always be detractors.
But I want you out of
here with people like me.
So you can tell the truth
about who you really are.
Fucking clowns.
Refusing to take off
their ridiculous outfits.
They wear it like skin.
Like it's impossible to change.
You're right, there are
a lot of clowns out there.
But we don't need to convince the clowns.
We only need to convince one judge.
The judges are the
ringmasters of the circus.
The crimes they convicted
me of are meaningless.
They've already made-up
their minds about who I am
and that I'm different
from the rest of society.
You're not going to do
anything to change their mind.
But if we play the game a certain way,
it can save your life.
What game?
How do we play it?
Have I got a sacrifice who I am?
It wouldn't require sacrifice.
Doesn't sound like a game I want to play.
Even if it saves your life.
There's a difference
between doing something
and doing it for the right reason.
We can decrease your sentence.
To what?
The worst would be life sentence, but
we might get you completely free.
It's not good enough.
Then what do you want?
I deserve a life pension.
I could stay at home, work at my leisure,
and they would have to
send me weekly paychecks.
Stop being ridiculous. This is serious.
I didn't do anything wrong.
They're the ones who are ridiculous.
They stole dignity
and respect for me and so many
others, and you call me ridiculous?
You should ridicule them right back.
They're the ones who aren't serious.
I don't deserve any of this!
If I wasn't behind these bars right now,
I would have already bitten off their faces
and eaten out their eyes.
Violence is not the answer.
Bullshit. Violence is all we have.
It's all we are.
It's the only reason I'm here right now.
You claim that you were never violent.
Not me you fucking idiot,
them the governments that's why I'm here.
Is but due to their violence, not mine.
Well ideally they keep the peace.
I want to help you, but come on.
We've got to be grateful for our community.
We've benefited in so many ways.
Bullshit. My community
started with my family.
No loving family needs a government.
They only act with guns and tell me.
What kind of education did
we get with guns pointed at us?
There were no guns in my teachers hands.
Don't pay your taxes, disobey the rules,
do what I did, then
you'll see the guns appear.
They're kept out of sight for the just
below the surface, ready
to come out when needed.
I'm not saying that our
government is perfect.
But the benefits outweigh the risks.
Did you forget where
the fuck I am right now
you stupid bitch?
Your situation notwithstanding.
Good government is what
we're all striving to make.
There is no such thing as good government.
You go to the government to solve my
problems, they're only going to make the
problems worse, and then they're
going to create new problems.
The problem is that they don't
step in to fix things that need fixing.
And then tell people like you
become dependent on government.
It's never your fault, is it?
When things go wrong, it's
the government's fault, right?
There are a lot of people who
have the deck stacked against them.
You did.
Somebody's got to fix that.
Who the hell do you think made the deck?
That's why we need to change things,
to make the deck fair.
How do we rely
on the deck makers to
change how the deck is made?
No matter the game,
all the decks are fucked.
I say to hell with all these cards,
I want to make my own fucking game.
That's impossible.
Somebody's got to be in charge to ensure
that equality, justice and
fairness can become real.
I thought you didn't believe in God.
I don't. This is different.
We're not talking about a
government made by God.
We're talking about a
democracy made by people.
The last God, people
believe in is the government.
I promise you.
Believe me.
Everything good in my life
was without government
and everything bad in
my life is because of it.
Time's up.
OK.
I hope we can continue this tomorrow.
And before I go.
I've got something for you.
I thought of you when I saw it.
[ dark music ]
Good morning.
I'm sorry, we were cut off last night.
That's funny because
that usually happens to me.
I'll be chatting all night
at a cafe with friends
and they'll kick us out
because they're closing.
Let's start with a different
kind of question today.
Why are you here?
You know why I'm here.
But people want to
hear it in your own words.
Well, they call what I do illegal.
Staged a trial, found me
guilty and punished me.
You knew what you were doing was illegal.
I did what I had to do.
If you make flying against
the law, then birds are criminals.
If you make swimming against the law,
then fish are criminals, but
it doesn't matter to them.
Fish still have to swim, birds
still have to fly, yadda yadda.
It's the same for me.
But you're not a bird or a fish.
There's lots of people who
haven't done what you did.
So it's kind of stretching your metaphor
a bit to say that you had to do it.
Why do you write?
What?
What about you?
Why are you here right now?
I told you I want to tell
your story. I want to share...
Don't be stupid. You're avoiding the
question. Why are you here right now?
Because this is what
I do. I'm a journalist.
It's who I am.
Oh, yeah. There's an aspect of
it that you just can't help, right?
It's the same for me. I'm an artist.
How are you an artist?
I create museum pieces for the future.
I look at the world around me.
I want to create something
else, something new.
What do you want to create?
I'm revolted everywhere I look.
I see the catastrophe that is this world.
Emanates from everything entering
and structuring our everyday life.
It takes a lot of courage
to try to change the world.
It's all about the politics of the world.
Story of life and beauty.
I'm trying to find moments when
I lose myself.
Trying to find moments
when the self disappears.
For an artist, anything is possible.
But in here, nothing is possible.
So what?
I've been violated and abused.
They confiscated my freedom.
I'll challenge your status
quo as long as I'm alive.
They're going to kill you.
You've been condemned to death.
Being condemned is crucial.
Look at what they did to Jesus Christ.
Look, I'm not an aggressive person,
but I'm trying to change the world.
If that means I'm a
criminal, that's their problem.
Nothing I do is good unless
I'm convicted and punished for it.
How does an artist do that?
We let our emotions out.
Emotion is more real than
everything that surrounds us.
Everything you call reality
is so phony in the light of pure emotion.
You sound disconnected
from reality. You're delusional.
What you call delusion is
just another way of being.
I can create a new way to see,
to perceive, to experience life.
What you call ugly, I see as beautiful.
But what is beautiful?
Physical beauty is not what interests me.
It's always the experimentation.
Discovering something I never imagined.
Understanding the nature
of the human phenomena.
And if it leads you to madness?
Madness?
You call me insane to challenge
your prescribed ways of living.
I wish to subvert your rules of society.
That's what you call crazy or unrealistic?
I call it freedom.
But you're in prison.
What kind of freedom is this?
I'm not just talking about my freedom.
I'm talking about a freedom
for all, for everyone who suffers,
for everyone in the
poverty that you've created.
For everyone murdered
by the madness that you call
civilized society.
I want that freedom
to transform everything ugly in the world.
Everybody wants that.
But how can your art do any of this?
They're trying to drown me.
But I've always felt peace under the sea.
Down there I can make all the colors sing.
I can make music paint the walls like
sculptors sculpting the light
that pours in through
the windows of our soul.
Looking at you, I don't see any of that.
That's what they do.
They forbid artists
from exhibiting the truth.
But the fire still burns
and I keep creating my art.
What can you make on death row?
You wouldn't understand.
Life and freedom burst
out for me even in this cage.
My mind, my heart, my
soul. They keep dancing.
The cage is irrelevant. Completely nude.
I dance in a building where the walls are
made of heaven and earth and
the ceiling is a transparent blue sky.
That's beautiful. But it's not real.
Your reality is full of
violence and hatred.
The only violence allowed in my dream is
the struggle of being an
artist, the struggle of creating.
I'll never give up that
dream. I'll never stop.
I love it. But it's just a fantasy.
What good is it if you're
not sharing it with everyone?
Share what?
Love? Simplicity?
The sun, beauty and monstrosity
songs that achieve nothing?
That's why I brought you here.
[ waterfront wind and birds ]
How's your research going?
It's going great.
Once everybody hears the complete story,
people will understand.
Yeah, why do you think
people will understand?
They'll hear her story.
They'll see where she's coming from.
They'll be able to see
from her perspective.
Her perspective?
You see, you're not even getting it.
You know, there are other
ways of viewing the world.
You know the octopus?
What?
It's a mollusk that lives under
the sea. I know an octopus is.
I was watching the show about
the octopus. I learned a lot.
Then octopus is a mollusk?
That, but that's not what I mean.
What are you gonna
tell me what you learned?
I really hate these animal shows.
You know, in fact, I'd like to
ask you a few more questions.
All these shows, they pretend to be about
animals, but really they're only
about man's perspective on animals.
There's usually some celebrity trying to
become some Doctor Dolittle or pretending
to care so much about the animals,
but really he's only in it for himself.
To be rich or famous or some stupid shit.
That's not true. They do care.
They're out there raising awareness.
Maybe, but only on human terms.
It's never for the animals as
animals in and of themselves.
What?
They were calling the octopus
one of the most mysterious animals.
They said it was an alien here on Earth.
Nothing can be further from the truth.
There's nothing mysterious
about the octopus.
An octopus does what an octopus has
done for hundreds of millions of years.
They were here before the dinosaurs.
And only a human would ever say something
that's basically been here
forever is mysterious or alien.
I've never thought about it that way.
You know alien means?
It's from the Latin for "other".
Or better from another like how
space aliens or from another planet?
Or like illegal aliens. Or like alienation.
Feeling of not belonging.
Unable to identify with your place.
There is no fucking way
that an octopus is an alien.
Or anything like an alien.
An octopus is exactly where it needs to be.
If anything, it's humanity that's alien.
It's people who are out of
place, out of touch with the world.
We're the ones who don't belong here.
At the very least, nobody belongs at the
bottom of the sea with a fucking camera
chasing an octopus around and
then calling it a mysterious alien.
You know what? I actually like
Octopus. And you're making me hungry.
Do you want to get something to eat?
Yeah.
Sure. I'm a little hungry myself.
Do you know an Octopus place around here?
Things are really turning around. All
the lawyers say they can win the appeal.
We've got a real good
reason to be optimistic here.
You don't have to do anything, but it
would be nice if you could
sign some of these papers.
Humor me. If you die.
You won't be able to share
your message. Maybe, maybe not.
No one will benefit from your art.
You're wrong. Everyone
will see the brilliance in what
I've been saying all along.
You'll be dead.
Everyone will say my name when
they're fighting against the system.
They might understand or
not, but that doesn't matter.
They'll have a symbol to
fight with, a symbol to fight for.
You'll martyr yourself for a symbol?
Big one as well. I'll give it to them.
I don't have a choice, do I?
But they'll have to suffer
an even worse punishment.
They'll have to live with their
wickedness, and I'll be at peace.
There is so much more you can accomplish
with a longer life, even
if you're trapped in here.
I've never wanted to live a long life.
I've only wanted to live a virtuous life.
So let me help you live that
virtuous life. You're alive. Live.
Whether they kill me or
not makes no difference.
It's just a coin flip anyways.
Fine, so let's flip the coin.
There's a chance that it might turn
out No, I've already lost the coin flip.
When I was born in this world.
Even if I escaped, where would I
escape to? Where do you want to go?
Even if there was somewhere I
wanted to go, it wouldn't matter.
I've never owned myself. Everyone
else has taken charge of me.
Told me what to do,
what to say, where to go.
That doesn't sound like an artist.
I've tried to inspire in my own life.
At every attempt had been stopped.
I'm already dead in my soul.
So let's show the world it
can't take your life so easily.
My last breath will be the
argument against this world.
And then I'll be at peace.
Maybe I'll get to talk to all
those who died before me.
All those who were put to death
for stupid crimes by foolish courts.
If you're too stubborn to save yourself,
then some of us will have to do it for you.
[ taps keyboard ]
There's a story that's been told to us,
ingrained from childhood, that we are
free, that they've dismissed all
past injustices, that we've recognized
our past mistakes and everything is better.
They say that there is equal
opportunity to do anything.
Anyone can become rich, anyone can
become president, anyone can do anything.
Then what are we supposed to say about
those who have nothing, who've
had everything taken away?
It's their fault, right? They could
have done it, but they failed.
They didn't play by the rules. But
what? What are the rules anyway?
They say the rules are about
equality, justice and freedom.
And if you don't play by those rules then
your criminals, terrorists or anarchist.
But how did those rules
serve the wrongly convicted?
How did those rules serve
those in poverty, those exploited?
The rules were created by the
privileged who already had every benefit.
Maybe the rules were about controlling the
weak? Justice is about helping the rich.
Justice Let's police
officers kill innocent people.
Oh, and what about when justice
comes after those corrupt officers?
Sure, they capture the
killer cop sometimes.
But maybe that's just them throwing us a
bone, tossing us the
scraps from their table.
And what did we do? We
are happy with the scraps.
We are happy they invited
a few of us to the table.
Because we believe in their stories of
equality, opportunity and fairness, we
imagine that could be us one
day eating with the big boys.
But isn't it just all bullshit? It's
just a farce that we've fallen for.
Or is it? I feel like I'm in
control of my destiny, don't you?
To be honest. I don't know
what to believe about all of that.
Maybe each side has their own point. Maybe
I am in control, or maybe I'm a puppet.
Maybe the game's already rigged,
or maybe there is something I can win.
I do know one thing though. It is
wrong to kill those who disagree.
Shy is one of those people
who thinks differently.
Some people think she's done such
horrible things that she should be killed.
Can't we have a discussion about this?
Can't we debate like civilized people?
Can't reasonable people disagree
on important things? I think so.
But if you kill those who disagree,
there is no debate, no reasonableness.
It is only a world where the strongest
exert their will over others, and
the weak suffer what they must.
[ piano music ]
[ phone notification ]
Hey, I sent all the paperwork
to the lawyers. I know.
No, I haven't heard. What channel?
Welcome back from our commercial break.
Despite efforts from many human rights
groups, the appeal of the
infamous Shy has been denied.
Her execution will take place on Monday,
July 15th at 12:01 AM
as originally scheduled.
Of course, the many demonstrators and
social justice advocates will not be
deterred as they carry on unabated.
[ eerie music ]
[ jazzy music ]
[ knocking at door ]
Come in.
Hey. Yeah.
To what do I owe the pleasure?
They told me you're not
with the Force anymore.
Yeah, I guess I figured
it was time to change.
They know I'm working the case.
They told me where I could find you.
I didn't know you were
making a career change.
Well, it just seemed
like the right time. Why?
Maybe it was you and all your questions.
Dinner was nice the other night.
Yeah, that's part of what...
Helped remind me that I needed a change.
I'm really thankful for
everything you've given me.
Context behind a story is always good.
Context? What do you mean?
You know it's the background information.
Well, why would I know anything about that?
Well, in order to capture her, you
must have researched something.
Background checks, surveillance, something.
Are you looking for excuses?
Are you trying to justify what she did?
Not excuses, but explanations at least.
There's nothing to explain. She
committed the crime, She was caught.
She had a fair trial.
It's just the way it goes.
It seems like it was stacked up
against her from the beginning.
There is no hope to change anything.
Well, maybe that's just
the way of the world.
But that's not fair.
She never had the opportunity to.
What about you? What about me?
What do you mean?
If she was destined to do what she did.
Then I was destined to do what I did.
And then it was always inevitable that you
would be asking me
these questions right now.
OK, I think so.
So why are you doing any of this?
Because she deserves to be
free. It's not fair that she's doomed.
I thought we were talking
about something else.
I'm talking about her being free.
I'm talking about any of us being free.
Of course we're free.
Well, science tells us that since The Big.
Bang, every atom in the universe
has been following the laws of physics.
And we are no different.
We're just a big bundle of atoms.
But we are different.
You're different. I'm different.
So is Shy and so is everyone else.
Oh yeah.
What kind of a magical powers
do you kind of assume that we have?
It's not magic, it's...
It's what the soul inside your body.
Is it God? No, I do not
believe in any of that.
Why not?
Because it doesn't help explain anything.
Not in this world, no.
If anything, it only confuses
everything. And so does free will.
But without free will, there's no such
thing as right or wrong, good or bad.
Imagine that.
There's more to life than just science.
Like magic, right?
That's not what I mean.
What I mean is that science can't
explain everything like morality.
Science can't explain that.
It kind of sounds like you're trying
to invent something out of thin air.
I didn't invent it. Everyone believes this.
Oh, I don't see morality anywhere.
All I see is misery and
suffering. And that is everywhere.
That's all around us.
I mean, look at the animals that murder
each other, they kill
each other after they fuck.
And then there's the volcanoes
that just split a mountain apart.
Everything, it's all atoms.
It's it's stars and rocks and.
Emptiness. And we're no different.
Now all existence is completely naked of
this absurd clothing that you're
calling morality or freedom.
You're missing something
important. Humanity. That's the magic.
I knew you had to believe in
some sort of magical mumbo jumbo.
It's not mumbo jumbo. It's something else.
Like what? It's like some
wizardry that just changes
the course of atoms and electrons.
Like quantum randomness. Randomness?
That's not freedom. Gibberish.
You may know a lot of things.
But you know nothing
about humanity or freedom.
It's the explanation for
everything that matters.
Maybe I can't predict the future.
I couldn't save Shy.
But the only good in this world is
because of you, me, and everyone else.
Without it, you're absolutely right,
nothing would matter. But we do exist.
We are part of the universe,
of nature, of this world.
I guess.
There is nothing more
natural than humanity.
I don't know what you mean by freedom, but
if this isn't it, then I don't
know what else it could be.
Maybe I'm on a train with only one track.
But I'm going to try and enjoy the ride.
But you're still on a train
and there's only one track.
Maybe you're not happy with the one
that you're on, but I'm happy with mine.
I want to be here with you right now.
Well, you're just lucky that you're
on a nice track today. But tomorrow?
You could crash into a wall, then what?
But that's life, isn't it?
Eventually all trains run into walls.
But I'm happy on the
path that I'm on right now.
That's all the freedom I need.
That's all the freedom there is.
You lost with Shy.
She'll be executed.
I know.
It is nice though. I kind of wish
someone would have done that for me.
What do you mean?
Oh, do you think I really want to be a cop?
I don't know, I guess I just assumed.
Well, you know what they
say when you assume, right?
No, what?
OK, never mind. I just, I
wanted to be a photographer.
Like an artist.
Hmm, but no one ever had faith in
me and I definitely had no faith in myself.
I'm sorry to hear that.
But when I first met you. I was impressed.
Impressed about what?
Well, everyone always told me that it
would be too hard to be a photographer
and you can't make a living doing it.
Like did anybody ever tell
you that about being a writer?
No. My parents supported whatever I wanted.
Well, I don't remember my parents.
But tell me about yours.
What were they like?
My dad was a reporter.
He won a Pulitzer in the
60s. I wanted to be like him.
That sounds special.
But when I was 16, he died.
Ever since then. I've been
trying to live up to his example.
It was a little bit different for me.
I graduated high school and I had
absolutely no idea
what I would do for a job.
So I went to college for a little bit, a
junior college, and they just let anybody
into those, you know, And, but I, I
didn't even know like what I would study.
I didn't know what kind
of jobs were out there.
I didn't even know what college was for.
I guess it was to help me get a
job. And so I'm looking down the list.
I see anthropology first, and
I think, what the hell is that?
So then I just keep going down
the list until I see criminology finally.
That's the first thing that
makes sense to me and.
They just told me the force was hiring so.
Well, I'm sure the world is a safer
place because of you and what you do.
You made a difference. No.
I didn't know if it wasn't me
it would just be someone else.
I was just a cog in the machine.
But the first camera I ever got,
it was this little disposable thing
that the art teacher in high
school gave me, Mr. Williams.
And before this I totally thought
the whole thing was bullshit.
Like you just point it and click the
thing like there's nothing to it, you know?
But after using it all
up, all 36 exposures.
And then getting the pictures
developed, something happened.
Like I made those.
And I remember just sitting there and I
would look through
them over and over again.
I made that.
Oh, I didn't even know what it meant to be
a photographer, and I definitely
didn't know you could do it as a job.
You've never seen a photo in a book
or a magazine or anything like that?
OK, yes, No, of course I'd seen
photos. I'm not that stupid. I just never.
I don't know. I guess I never
put two and two together. I never.
Maybe it does sound stupid.
I just never thought that there were,
like, professional photographers
who were making those photos.
So when I went to college, I mean, I was
nowhere in my mind to study photography.
Like who goes to college
to study photography?
I know lots of people
who studied photography.
Of course you do.
But I didn't and it just, it
seemed like a pipe dream.
I don't know, that's my point.
Then why do you have that camera?
Oh, I love this camera.
This is the first camera that I
ever bought with my own money.
I got it a while ago, right
after I arrested shy actually.
The technology has
changed a lot since then.
But and I'm really not
that good with all that shit
but I'm learning. OK look.
Is that what you're going to do now?
Maybe we'll see.
I know a little bit more
about the world now.
I know a little bit more about photography.
I still have absolutely no idea how
I would make a living doing it, but.
Yeah, I've saved up a little bit of
money, so I've got a nice little cushion.
While I try my hand at figuring things out.
You can do it.
Yeah, we'll see. Maybe. Do you know
anybody looking for a photographer?
No, not right now, but
I will keep you in mind.
Please do.
Well, that was interesting.
I know I'm not in the best form lately and
I'm a bit out of practice, but interesting?
Clearly I'm a bit out of practice too.
I mean, the only idiot
would say interesting.
I'm glad we both agree you're an idiot.
This must be some kind of
improper work relationship.
I don't have to worry about
any of that shit anymore.
HR any of that bullshit.
There's always some bullshit
right around the corner.
Or right in my bed.
What the fuck is that supposed to mean?
I guess this makes things a little
bit more complicated, doesn't it?
Well, you're a big boy and I'm a
big girl, so I think we can handle this.
I just, I'm not sure where to go from here.
Maybe you're not as big a
boy as I thought you were.
No, I'm like, I mean, like I was
saying last night, it's just everything is.
So wide open now, like I've never
felt this much freedom before in my life.
I thought you didn't believe
in freedom. I don't. I don't.
But at least before there
was a path before me.
Now it's just.
You know you don't have
to take on all this alone.
I guess after last night,
you are a part of my world.
[ phone buzzing ]
Is everything OK?
Yeah, it's just.
Shit! Shit shit shit
I'm late for my thing.
I can give you a ride.
No no no. It's not necessary.
But we will continue
this conversation later.
Last time you looked so
upset, now you look normal.
Last time I was trying
everything I could to save you.
You must have heard the news. You failed.
They're killing me
tonight. I know we tried.
But were powerless over certain things.
I know I'm going to die.
Are you scared?
You might be frightened at
death or. It might give you vigor.
That is a part of life. Sad,
but romantic at the same time.
It is the end of one thing.
Leaves room for the new.
What's the new thing?
It's made me think of past things.
I wonder if
my chosen profession has made me
better equipped to consider such things.
Mortality. Purpose. Fulfillment.
You know, when I was caught,
I had a friend by my side.
We were together in all of this.
She was ready for death.
We were both there in the bunker,
surrounded. She told me that.
She was so grateful for this
life. That she lived a full life.
And she reminded me that
we wouldn't live to be old.
It's OK, she said.
Some people die in childhood, so
we'd be somewhere in the middle.
Even still, some of those very old
people don't have very much life at all.
Some of those children live life so
full of meaning and Joie de vivre that.
They burst from this world as if
the earth couldn't contain them.
I couldn't believe. She
was talking like this.
We were trapped, surrounded on all sides
by people who wanted to kill us, and
just out of the blue, she started praying.
You think praying would
be natural, but it wasn't.
He had never prayed before.
Never.
Her prayer wasn't normal either.
She started with Dear God and.
And then went on to
ask for peace to everyone.
She asked God to forgive our friends.
So that they could be free of pain.
It's funny because. Vivian
suffered from chronic pain.
She asked God to forgive our friends who
had already died so that they could
go to heaven and find eternal peace.
Then she prayed for me.
She asked God to protect
me. To look after me.
She asked so that I might be
free and find happiness despite.
All the insanity in the world
and all the hardness in my heart.
But she never prayed for herself.
She never mentioned herself
once, not even to save her own life.
All I could do was hold her hand.
I squeezed her so tightly.
And then you know what happened.
They got us.
But not before shooting her dad first.
You've been lying there
dead with a bullet in her chest.
She was still smiling. Looking at me.
I'm sure she died happy.
Maybe happy isn't the
word. I don't know. She was.
The opposite of a cynic and
a pessimist, she always was.
But I didn't have that experience at all.
I still don't have that experience today.
When I look back on my life, I...
Think of all the things I didn't do.
They were right there in front of me,
but I didn't take it when
it was right in front of me.
I think of all the
relationships I wish I had.
All the time I wasted.
I could have accomplished so much more.
But instead I did this and I'm here and.
It's funny, if I didn't do this I
wouldn't have made it this far anyway.
This was my only path.
It gave me a purpose and.
Help me make sense of
those relationships I wanted.
I made other relationships,
but they're with dead people.
Or people I don't know.
Actually, I don't think this
path solved all of my problems.
Actually, I think it gave me a lot more.
Well, sometimes I
wonder if it helped at all.
So that's what I've been thinking
about. Trying to come to terms with it.
Trying to come to terms
with not being understood.
Tomorrow I won't be here at all.
'Cause nobody at all understands me.
I wish you could understand.
You don't really understand me. I
haven't convinced you of anything.
None of that will change by tomorrow.
And what does that
mean? I don't know, but...
Maybe one day.
I hope I won't be forgotten.
So I, um...
I want you to have this.
It's it's a symbol of who I am.
Who I was throughout my life.
It's funny, isn't it? People don't
keep such things anymore, do they?
Maybe they should.
But anyways. Please
take it. I trust you with it.
In any case. There's no one else.
I'm sorry.
[ tense music ]
[ gasp ]
This paralyzes you. But
you'll feel everything.
[ metal tools clanging ]
You've done well enough.
Now I will take charge.
[ menacing music ]
We start at the feet. And
we moved to the head.
[ flesh smashing ]
[ gasp ]
[ flesh cutting ]
panting
[ flesh cutting ]
[ gasps ]
[ intense music ]
[ intense music ]
Clean up this mess.
In other news, government officials
have reported that the execution of the
infamous Shy occurred earlier this morning.
Witnesses have said
that she died peacefully.
Oh, what's this?
There are my articles. My
podcasts are in there too.
Why are you giving them to me and
not scheduling and publishing them?
They're yours. You can do
whatever you want with them.
I'm done.
You're done?
I'm done with all this.
What?
I can't work here anymore? Why not?
Was it something I said?
You know I love you and your work.
You told me to write what I
believe in, what I'm passionate about.
And this last piece of work
is dripping with passion
and it didn't make a
damn bit of difference.
We lost. It's all bullshit.
You can change the world with your stories,
your perspective, the
voice you bring to it all.
That's the victory. It
just isn't doing it for me.
You're a part of something
bigger than yourself.
This thing you're a part of, it's
bigger than you. It's bigger than me.
It's about the world and all its history.
It's been going on for thousands of years.
It might not seem like it's
getting any better, but it is.
If you think for a minute
of how things used to be,
it's so much better than it was before.
But from our limited view, all
we see is what's right in front of us.
But if you pay attention to
the broad view, the global view.
Things are flourishing so much
better than they were before.
It's not enough.
No, it's not enough, but
that's why we stay at it.
It's never going to be
enough for Shy or you
or a significant chunk of humanity.
But. It's not about us.
It's about the future.
Nothing's going to change.
Maybe, maybe not, but
we have to have faith.
It's been amazing working with you.
Thanks. You too.
Got any plans?
Not really. I need some time
to think about some things.
Good luck.
Thank you.
And if you ever... Ever want to come back?
[ cars and street sounds ]
[ inquisitive music ]
You fucking bastards
[ electronic music ]
I don't deserve any of this