Henko (2022) Movie Script

Henko is a Japanese word
that means "variable or with"
"an unusual light" is a
concept that refers to changes
in perception, in our way
of seeing things. It refers
to a deeper change, with
no chance of going back.
Interviewer: Good evening ladies
and gentlemen, tonight we're having
an important host, the director
and playwright Antonio Ferrara!
Good evening everyone
Master, are you excited to share
your next work with the audience?
Actually, I feel more
like a mother giving birth.
A woman doesn't give birth to a
child for the joy of other people.
A woman do this and nothing more.
Which is the main
purpose of a great director?
I think that the purpose
of a great director and
playwright is to find
the true essence of life.
That's what I'm looking
for, the essence, the divine.
Finding the essence of life
for bringing it on the stage,
because by living it, we
don't realise its meaning.
We must fulfill it, to
rebuild it on that stage,
at any cost.
It doesn't matter if
people can't understand.
Even if you don't understand.
(Music)
About that, I'd like to
make a toast to our Vanessa
Who organized this amazing
dinner in this beautiful location,
and I want to wish
you good luck for your new
production, which I'm
sure it will be amazing!
Thank you very much.
And I want to make a toast to you,
who decided to come here tonight,
and to Elvio, who
agreed to work with me.
I don't want to sound pretentious, but
I'm sure you'll shine under my direction!
It really would have been unthinkable
-Everyone Cheers!
-Cheers
Good evening everyone!
Antonio, hi! I thought you
weren't coming anymore!
It seems I'm too late, you've
already had a toast without me.
That's why we should make another one!
Thank you, you didn't have to!
Did you have dinner?
Do you want to eat something?
I can ask to the cooks if...
Don't worry, I'm good, thank you.
As you wish.
Good evening Antonio!
(Music)
If you keep smoking so much,
you'll get cancer eventually.
What, you don't want
to greet an old friend?
Hello Antonio.
"Hello Antonio"... (sighs)
Nice party eh? Vanessa picked a nice place.
Yes!
Are you excited to work with her?
Yes, I am, I've never
been so excited in my life...
Good kid, nice...
When I was younger, I
used to throw these splendid
parties to bribe the
actors to work for me
Of course, I'm sure it's
not your situation, is it?
Antonio, what do you want?
Me? I don't want anything.
I'd just like to know if you're
really convinced about your choice
Even after you heard the
rumours about Vanessa...
Yes, I heard the rumours about Vanessa,
and I decided to not care about
them because I'm not a shallow person.
It's time for me to challenge
myself, to work with new people,
it's part of my journey as an actor.
Even my manager told
me to accept this role,
it's the right time to take some risks.
Yes, I agree...
After all, it seems that
things are going well for you...
Many awards, good
reviews, work proposals...
Indeed. And I think
it's the same for you.
No, it's not.
How? Your last play was
acclaimed everywhere.
Honestly, my last play was
everything but a masterpiece.
You just have to do
something politically correct
and bam! Suddenly
everyone is by your side.
Antonio, you know
that it's not always true.
Yes, it is. Yes, it is!
It has been years since I've been feeling
obligated to follow the
taste of the audience,
the fashion.
To be successful basically
I have to sell out myself.
And you too...
Me too what?
And you're doing the same thing dear.
You accept lousy parts;
You don't use even a bit of your potential
but you're still winning
awards you shouldn't get...
But I don't think that...
Listen to me, Elvio.
I want to make something
that no one did before,
I want to build a play around you.
I want to involve you
in the creative process
Elvio, you're the only
one who can do this
I appreciate that but...
Listen to me, Elvio.
Come back and work again with
me. You won't regret it, believe me...
Listen Antonio. You know
how much I'm grateful for
everything you did for me
and how much I respect you, ok?
But you're offering to me
something that would take too
much time and energies,
and I have other priorities now.
I'm honoured that you asked me,
but I really can't accept your proposal.
I see.
After all, it's a very important
decision, you can't take it on the spot.
Why don't you take some time,
maybe sleep on it? Then we'll talk.
I already made my choice.
Never say never.
(city ambience)
Do you really have to smoke in the
bedroom? You know it bothers me.
Elvio: (exhales)
What's going on? You seem worried.
It's about Antonio, isn't it?
What did you talk about?
He asked me to come back
working with him, but I refused.
And how did he react?
I don't know.
I made a decision
He was quite certain
that I will change my mind.
We both know that he
can be very persuasive,
but there is a reason if you
stopped working with him.
I know, I know,
but it's hard to say no to the person
who literally launched your career.
He's a man without moral.
Think about it and ask yourself what
matters the most to you right now.
(music)
Antonio, why did you make me come here?
You're right, sorry.
It's just that I needed
to talk to someone
that child makes me crazy!
He's famous just because of me,
and he refuses to work with me?
How dares he!?
Well, did you try to explain
to him what this is about?
Of course I did, what do you think?
But Camilla it's more
important than a good part!
Sex, money and fame, those
are the only things he has in mind.
But personal relationships
are important from a person.
It's obvious that he
wants to make her happy.
(Antonio screams)
Screw that!
Screw personal relationships,
this is much more important!
I need him, otherwise my work can't go on.
Honestly Antonio, I don't
know what to tell you.
After all, you're the
one who knows him best,
maybe even better than Camilla.
Try to leverage something to...
I must take advantage of his weak
spots, of course! I didn't mean that, I...
You're right, you're
absolutely right! Thank you..
Thank you very much, you
had a great idea, thank you!
(mumbles)
(Car arriving sound)
Good morning!
It's 10 a.m., I think we can begin.
Let's start from scene
six. Everyone, get in place.
Start any time you want.
Elvio: Here I am, Serena, I
beg your mercy, I didn't come
to take you away, but my
father forbidden me to come.
Nothing makes me happier than seeing you.
I've been locked in my room for days,
torn apart by your absence, by the sadness.
I... I overcame a thousand plights
to find you again, to say goodbye
one last time. Fate is against
us; It doesn't want us to rejoice...
Have they been rehearsing
for much time now?
No, they haven't. They're
rehearsing scene six.
These words are for
me sharper than a sword!
They run through my heart,
and they make me sullen.
Love has no cost, and a life without
love doesn't deserve to be lived.
Stop, please, stop.
That's terrible.
Elvio, I demand concentration.
You can't slow down everyone just because
you still haven't learnt your lines.
We've been rehearsing for a week.
Elvio: Alright.
Alright. Everyone, take a break,
5 minutes then we start again.
Antonio, hi, what an honour to
have you here! My dear. (Kisses)
I came to nose around a little.
(joking) That's nice but
I know that's not true,
I'm sure you came here
to steal Elvio from me!
But I think he didn't notice you,
he's a little bit distracted these days
Elvio, look who's here!
So, you were saying he's not focused?
It seems he has the head
in the clouds, I don't know...
Elvio is an intense actor.
Well, I'll learn to manage him too...
I'm sorry, I didn't see you.
I'm sure you didn't.
Listen, may I speak to you for a minute?
I... Yes, of course.
We're going to grab a coffee then.
So, have you thought about my offer yet?
Yes, I had, and I didn't change my mind.
I want to have new experiences,
Antonio, to work with different people.
I'm sorry, but I'm sure that your
play will be amazing even without me.
I'm sure it will too but think about it.
Only I can help you
reach your full potential;
The best of your potential
we both know that.
I know, and I'll always
give you credit for this,
but I must move on for me and for Camilla.
Maybe it's time for you to face the fact
why are you giving up this chance for?
To give a sop to your girlfriend?
To act in lousy productions?
Don't you dare judge my choices.
Camilla is part of my life,
but I choose for myself,
and you don't have nothing
to offer to me anymore.
Ah. So, you mean my works became so boring
that you're not interested in them anymore.
I... I didn't mean that.
But I made a decision,
and I ask you to respect it. Please.
I'm sure you'll regret this.
Why would I?
I think 5 minutes have passed;
We can take it from when we left.
Antonio, do you want to stop by?
Maybe you'll give me some advice...
No thank you.
I've already seen enough.
Keep going, great job! Thank you!
Bye Elvio.
C'mon Elvio, go back on the
stage, I want you focused.
My love... It's not healthy to stress
out like that. You need to relax a little.
Leave me alone. You don't understand.
Of course I do. Since we met, you've been
practicing day and night
to make perfect every part,
and I'm sure this time won't be any
different, so try to loosen up a little.
No, I can't, I can't get into
character, that's what pisses me off!
And you're not helping at all.
Look Elvio. We've been
rehearsing the same scene for days;
I even memorized the lines!
But this isn't my job, it's
yours, I can't to more than this.
You don't even have a job,
at least you can be useful.
Don't you dare bring that up.
You know I quit my job to help you.
No one forced you to do this.
You're right, no one forced
me, but you always asked me to
help you, as if I were your
assistant and not your girlfriend.
But of course, you think
the world owes you, isn't it?
Everyone must bend and obey
to the great actor Elvio Vittorini.
What are you talking
about? Have you gone mad?
No Elvio, I'm not mad.
I always let go, I always settled
for compromises, but I've had enough.
You refused to meet me
halfway, you never kept a promise.
And we're still here,
with you acting like a
self-centered superstar
and me still trying to
tolerate your behaviour!
Again, no one forces to put up with me.
In fact, you can leave me alone, so I
can focus on something that really matters!
You want to be alone?
Okay then, as you wish, I'll leave.
Fuck you Elvio.
Antonio: I'm glad you called me.
Don't delude yourself,
this isn't about your offer.
I see. So, troubles in Heaven?
How do you know?
Just a lucky guess.
Camilla and I had a bad argument.
Is that serious?
No, not really.
It's just a rough time,
it's hard to bring
together family and career.
I see.
I don't even know why I asked you to meet.
You just want me to
come back working for you,
you don't care how I feel...
Maybe you're even
pleased to see me like this.
Of course not, I care about
you, that's why I'm here.
Anyway, I hear you,
the situation with Vanessa
seems odd to me too.
Vanessa? What is it with her?
It's nothing, I don't want
you to get any weird ideas.
Speak.
I can't believe you didn't notice.
Notice what? What are you talking about?
Didn't you see them at dinner?
Or the other day, during rehearsals?
They just met, and
still, they're so close
You have to agree with
me that this is very curious!
Furthermore, after
knowing that Vanessa is gay...
Vanessa is gay? I don't buy it.
You didn't know? Maybe I'm wrong...
I don't care if it's true or not.
Camilla won't ever cheat on me.
Of course, I'm sure.
And besides, what would I know?
I haven't been in a relationship
for years, women have changed...
Oh, and don't worry about
the part, I'll find someone else.
Oh... Nice. You did well.
It's time for me to go, it's getting late.
I was happy to see you, talking
like the old times... Yes, me too.
Goodbye Antonio, see you around.
(Door opening sound)
(Door closing sound)
(Waking up)
Ah
So, you finally deigned to come back.
Where have you been all night?
You didn't even answer the phone.
Listen Elvio. Last night we
both said things we didn't mean,
so I preferred to walk away for a bit.
You were very tired and...
I don't care.
Where have you been last night?
You really want to do this again?
I won't ask you another time.
I was with Vanessa.
We met for a drink,
I told her what happened
and since I didn't want to see you,
she offered me to sleep at her place.
Oh, good, I see...
Sleeping at her place, eh? Of course.
Yes, sleeping.
What should have we done?
Well, you tell me.
Elvio, what are you talking about?
You know very well, don't deny it.
And to think that I
refused to believe it
But it's obvious now.
I still don't understand.
Besides being a
cheater, you're a liar too!
What the... Wait,
you think I'm cheating on you with Vanessa?
You realise this is absurd, right?
There's no need to mess with me.
Elvio, let's calm down and
talk about it before it's too late.
It is already too late,
since you tried to screw me!
How could you even
think something like that?
Stop denying, you're just a slut!
And you're an arrogant
bastard, with no talent!
(music)
What are you doing?
Where do you want to go now?
I don't know and I don't care.
Everywhere will be better than here.
Well, you can leave,
but don't you dare come back!
You disgust me.
(closing door sound)
(music)
No, no! That's enough!
Elvio did you forget your
talent at home this morning?
I don't want to hear any excuses. Buck up.
Sara, nice job.
I'm going to take a coffee.
I won't allow you to screw up
the most important work in my life.
Catch up.
(music)
(Turn off light sound)
(Turn on light sound)
(music)
Camilla
you came to see me!
So, have you seen the rehearsals?
What do you think about my new part?
It's different from everything
I've done in the past!
Camill Yes, I have...
(sarcastic) It's very different,
but it seems it suits you well.
Thank you my love...
You know, I tried to reach
out to you, but I couldn't.
I didn't want to speak to you.
I also tried to call your mum,
but she didn't want to
tell me where you were,
I don't know why...
You don't know?
Are you joking?
Sigh
Well... I wanted to
apologize for the last time,
but I'm very stressed and...
Elvio, you're really trying to
excuse yourself for hitting me?
Or for lying to me?
What do you mean?
Cut the bullshit,
I know about Sofia.
Sofia?
What are you talking about?
I don't want to talk about
the past. Let's talk about us.
Let's talk about how you made
up an infidelity and how you hit me.
You did cheat on me, then you left.
And after three weeks you
finally decide to show up?
You have no right to consider
yourself better than me.
For the last time, Elvio, I did
not cheat on you. I would never.
I loved you,
but you didn't have to lay a finger on me.
Trusted you, and you
managed to ruin everything.
What can I do? How can I fix this?
You can't.
I'm leaving, Elvio, and I
don't know if I'll come back.
No, no...
No, please, no... it
can't be over, please...
It's too late Elvio
(Elvio cries): Please...
It's too late Elvio
Take care of yourself.
No, you're not leaving,
not if I don't allow it!
(Gun clicks and stop music)
(Clapping hands sound)
Good job, both of you, very realistic!
Nice done Sara, perfect.
Elvio... bravo, bravo, bravo!
Listen, I know you have a lot on your mind
but think of this part as an escape patch.
Focus on the character
and forget about Camilla,
Vanessa, and everything else,
okay?
C'mon!
C'mon, let's do it one more time!
Thank you, Good job.
Bartender: You can't smoke here, genius.
Interesting.
(Cracking glass)
I'm going to piss.
(City night ambience sound)
Who was it?
Who the fuck stole my things?
Bartender: Look, either you
leave or I'm going to kick you out.
Fuck you, I found them anyway.
(tense music)
(tense music)
(Door opening sound)
Antonio: Elvio! Elvio, good morning.
Now listen to me I left this scene
last because it's the most important.
The audience must
understand that Davide isn't
a murderer, but a victim of a cruel fate.
It will empathize with him,
it will pity him, love him.
I don't care where you
spend the night or why you
showed up two hours late
in these poor conditions
Look at me, look at me I
demand you do your best.
Do you think you can do it?
Elvio: Yes, I... I don't
want to disappoint you.
Good, then don't do it. Right?
I'll give you one minute to get ready.
Sara, get in your place.
C'mon!
(tense music)
Okay, when you're ready.
(elvio cries)
What am I doing...
(Gun shooting sound)
Yes, yes, I felt it, I felt
it! The divine becoming...
(Sara screams) Elvio... Elvio..
Antonio, call an ambulance! Antonio...
Elvio! Antonio, call a
fucking ambulance! Elvio!
Antonio: No... no, no, no...
Mr Ferrara?
Mr Ferrara!
Oh, good morning
good morning. You came early today.
Yes, they recommended me
to come to you immediately.
Did you sleep well?
Yes, I just had a nightmare...
I'm sorry. Do you want
to describe it to me?
No, it's nothing important,
I don't want to bore you
Where is Elvio? Isn't he there yet?
The doctor will be here soon, don't worry.
No, I don't need him anymore!
I'm talking about my actor, Elvio!
Where's Elvio? He always
does what he wants!
The screenplay? Where did you put it?
Mr Ferrara, you said you wanted to
work on it with the... Scenographer.
Of course, but I will need something
to rehearse on with the actors, won't I?
Where's Elvio? Why is he always late?
That boy always does what he wants!
Don't get upset.
Elvio will be here later,
together with the doctor...
Later?
Later? Art cannot be
delayed! Art cannot be delayed!
I've already got everything in mind,
I just need to put it into practice!
Why are you so annoying today?
Why are you so annoying today?
Ah, I get it,
you're still mad about Elvio!
I'm sorry doll, but it's
not my fault if he's taken!
What can I do?
Do you know what?
Take him, Elvio, you and the other one
I don't know her name, just take
him, since you all crave him so much.
And try to work with him, to be
with him. He'll be impossible to handle,
because only I can work with him, because
unlike you I don't make compromises.
Only I can bring out
the best in him, only I!
Where's the wheelchair?
- Franco should be bringing it now.
Only I can bring out
the best in him, only I!
Doctor! Of course, I took risks,
I made mistakes, I did immoral
things, but you can't be big
without getting your hands dirty!
You can't walk paths that
have already been walked
Originality is the key... of everything!
Originality is the key of
everything! Originality... Originality...
You're absolutely right, but
now why don't you drink this...
Originality ..
Yes..yes
Originality... originality..
See? It didn't take too
long. Where's Franco, anyway?
He's coming.
Franco: COMING!
Franco: Here I am guys!
Franco: Good morning Antonio, how are you?
Antonio: Listen...
If you one something really good
you need to sacrifice anything!
It had to be... magnificent...
An example of human
life, of its suffering
It doesn't matter...
It doesn't matter If the
others didn't understand
If even he didn't! It doesn't matter...
It doesn't matter..
If it was too much, Elvio
too much to handle for me,
for everyone...