03x04 - Isabelle

[bunniefuu]

I still have your bite marks on my wrist.

- They might never fade away…
- Oh, my poor darling!

I just had a human being
crawl out of my loins…

- Sorry! My bad…
- No anesthesia, too.

Sorry, I'm an idiot.

But... it was crazy, Andréa! Crazy!

You were already my hero,
but now it's like...

Yeah, it'll be a day to remember...

For sure! So what's her name?

Flora.

That's a beautiful name. Flora...

And... I found a name
for our pet project, our "baby".

"Agents of Happiness"!
Do you like it?

Hello? Andréa, are you there?

Hmm, yeah, yeah. I don't know.

"Agents of Happiness"
is a good name, right?

Happy times!

I'm so happy to be working
with reasonable people,

who know their stuff
and respect other people's work!

Of course!

Okay, great...

Keep in touch. Bye!

- You okay?
- Yeah...

There's a discrepancy
in your contracts here.

Isabelle Huppert, right now,

is sh**ting Gary Sedwick's
She is the Femme Fatale,

Yeah! They just started sh**ting.

And she's also doing Cédric Kahn's
Marie de Médicis?

Yeah. They're almost done, by the way.

All right. But in the American contract,
it says "exclusive".

It means
it's an exclusive deal, correct?

So she's not allowed to sh**t

another movie simultaneously, correct?

I'm just trying to understand…

No, wait. Let me explain.

There's just a bit of overlap.

An overlap everybody is aware of...

- No. Not really...
- There you go!

What the hell did you do, Gabriel?

This is totally illegal!

Come on! I only did my job
as an agent, Hicham!

Isabelle Huppert is an icon,

A legend of that caliber…

Everybody wants her.
When she's offered a great role

she's passionate about what she does,

so she doesn't want to miss out!
So we find a way, all right?

We sort things out…

'Cause we wouldn't be representing her
if we didn't.

And Isabelle Huppert
would find herself a new agent!

So if we like her, we make do!
And I like her.

Yeah, but how does she do it?

It's very simple:

during the day she works for the Yanks,
and at night she works for the French.

- What?
- It's only three days,

with just two days to go!

Unbelievable.
She must be exhausted!

Nope! Isabelle is…
a force of nature!

She has the stamina of a Nepalese Sherpa!
Don't worry about it.

- Right here!
- Thank you very much!

Isabelle?

Isabelle?

Isabelle? Are you okay?

You startled me!

I'm sorry! I knocked, but...

You didn't hear me rehearsing?

No…

- How are you, Gabriel?
- I'm fine.

Give me a minute,
I need to highlight my lines.

So…

"Horatio. Wretched queen, adieu!

You that look pale
and tremble at this chance,

Had I but time... But let it be.

Horatio, I am dead! Thou livest.

I am dead! Report me and my cause aright
to the unsatisfied!"

Is that Marie de' Medici?

No... That's Hamlet!

Remember? Hamlet
at the Odéon in March!

Hold on, you're playing
in a Hamlet production in March?

No, that's not it,
I'm actually playing Hamlet!

I'm playing Hamlet.
I'm gonna be Hamlet!

Well, that awesome!

Yes, it's awesome…

You sure you mentioned it to us?
I don't remember...

I wouldn't have gone behind your back.

You want a cup of tea?

Please.

Let me handle it.

Tell me something...

You remember you're sh**ting
with Claire Denis in March, huh?

Hmm, yeah. We'll make it work!
Thespians work at night!

I couldn't say no
to playing Warlichovski's Hamlet,

starring... What's her name again?

Whose name?

That chick
that was always walking around Tokyo!

You know, in the Sofia Coppola movie!

- Scarlett Johansson?
- That's it!

- Yeah, she's playing Ophelia!
- That's great!

Yeah…

Then again... What I think is...

just do what you gotta do!
So how's it going?

You're not feeling drained, are you?

I won't lie to you, I'm drained...

Tell me about it…

But I realized…

that when you get beyond tired,
you go into this state...

How can I explain it?

It's like a trance...
It like a mood-enhancing high!

Obviously, yeah…

Wait! What are you doing?
Are you doing dr*gs?

Of course not, Gabriel!

It's a cortisone sh*t, for my vocal cords.

[Clears throat]

Gabriel! Who do you think I am?

My only drug is dried fruit mixes.
Want some?

No, I'm good. That's sweet…

Yes?

Isabelle? Excuse me
but they’re waiting for you…

Yes, coming!

Where's my wig?

You don't wear a wig
when you play Delphine,

in She is a Femme Fatale…

With Delphine, it's the hat!

With Marie, it's the wig!

Sorry for asking you over...

I'll be busy all day.
I won't have any breaks.

Don't worry about it.
We all work like madmen.

Last week,
we did manage to have dinner

with the Manuels and the Perelmans.

- How are they doing?
- Good.

What about Catherine?

She's fine, thank you.

Good to hear!

So how're things at ASK
since Samuel d*ed?

It's been pretty hectic!

We eventually found a buyer.

I wasn't enthralled, but hey...

I didn't really have the choice.
I'm not alone anymore.

Our most talented people stayed though,
which is the most important thing.

Listen, Mathias,

I'm not really allowed to do that, but...

we've known each other for 30 years,
and I can't remain silent.

There's some stuff going on
in your agency.

Is it Janowski?

No. Other collaborators.
You should be on your guard.

Andréa Martel?

I can't tell you anything.

She's gonna leave?

If I were you,
I'd watch my back. That's all.

Thank you, Charles.

I thought about it,
we need more writers...

They're the ones
that get things started.

And they're way easier
to deal with than actors!

Yeah.
But they have no sense of fashion!

And it can get excruciating
when you have to talk to them.

Moving on,
it's workshop presentation season

in the drama schools.

I split them up between us randomly.

Seriously? You got all the best ones!

- Not at all.
- Hold on!

No,
the Conservatoire is non-negotiable.

I have an actor there, I need to go!

You can go to "L’atelier Scènes",
it's a very good school.

Yeah,
but it's in the 20th arrondissement…

What's the problem?

I don't go to the two-digits ones,
too far away.

Come on,
if you want to be Camille Valentini,

you can't be such a snob!

- Hello.
- Hello…

Don't stop because I'm here,
keep talking…

It's true that this plant
is beautiful, but...

It needs a lot of water...

What is it, Mathias? A fern?

I don't know...
Can I talk to you for a minute?

Camille,
the agency is like family to me.

And you're my real family
within that family.

Huh. Yeah. So?

I couldn't stand being betrayed.

Why would you say this?

If... if anything was brewing

that could jeopardize ASK,
you'd tell me, huh?

Yeah, of course I would.

'Cause you're my daughter and all...

That's more important than anything.
I need to be able to trust you.

Yeah, of course.
But everything's fine. I promise.

Can I go now?
I got so much work to do...

- Yes, yes, of course…
- With Andréa on maternity leave…

Yes, please. I'm tired of these...

What the hell are you doing?

Can't walk on the childbirth stain.

It's too much for me.

So?

I think he suspects something…

What do you mean? What did he say?

He was pretty vague.

He said
he couldn't stand being betrayed,

and that I'd have to tell him

if something could jeopardize the agency.

That's good. He doesn't know anything.

Why is that?

He's not the type
to b*at around the bush.

If he knew,
he would've disinherited you.

So why did he tell me all this?

I don't know.
Your father's a paranoid man...

Even when we run out of coffee,
he'll play the victim.

What's this?

Lancôme's Youth Activating Serum!

It's Luchini.

Oh! Can you finish this up?

You don't need to take it…

Yes, I do! I can't drop off
the face of the earth…

Yes, you can.

No! I can't lose Luchini.

Hello? Fabrice, how are you?

Thanks! That's sweet.

Well, the baby's really...

Oh yes, he does! There should be
a plane ticket for your dog.

We arranged that with the producers.
Oh, all right!

You need to check with my assistant...
No! She's great!

- Come on! Don't worry…
- Hello!

- Hello!
- The hemorrhoid cream…

I'll leave it here!

- Thanks…
- Is everything okay? Is she eating well?

Yes, she is.
She had a good meal last night.

Did you have a bowel movement?

No. I mean, she's the mom, not me.

Oh, right! Sorry.
So you're that lady couple.

They told me, but it slipped my mind.

Everything all right?
Did you have a bowel movement?

Hmm, no. Fabrice,
I'm sorry, can I call you back?

Something turned up.

- Not yet…
- No.

Hey, can't you cut Gabriel some slack?

Yeah, when he sorts his sh*t out.

I don't trust him yet.

Look, my dog, Jean Gabin…

When I keep him on a short leash,
he gets annoyed.

So he gets agitated, he barks,
and he's ready to bite.

Well, it wouldn't hurt Gabriel

to have a little bit more bite.

Until he chews out his leash
and runs away.

Watch out, Hicham.

If you won't cut him some slack,

you could end up alone.

I don't believe it.

That he may want to leave?

He's not the type.

He wouldn't have the guts.

Perhaps. Perhaps not.

Better not to tempt fate.

- Gabriel!
- Yes?

We were just talking about you.

- Oh yeah?
- Yeah.

We were saying
you're really devoted to ASK.

- Oh yeah. Totally!
- Yeah.

Hey! I saw Isabelle Huppert yesterday.

- Oh yeah?
- She's doing great.

It's gonna go real smooth,
that overlap thingy.

She was so full of beans…

Hello, I'm here to see Gabriel…

He's not in his office right now...
Here he is!

What's going on?

Well, the Americans
changed the schedule,

they're reshooting
some outdoor night scenes!

I'm sh**ting with Cédric tonight!

That's bad! What do we do?

Let's go talk in my office.

Cut him some slack!

Sorry for barging in like this...

Don't worry about it. I'm glad you did.

You didn't put up any pictures of me?

Er, no I didn't. sh**t, you're right.

So what are we gonna do?

Look...

The problem with the Yanks
is they're very strict about legal stuff.

Yes, but sometimes desire

can be stronger than Law!

Yeah, I agree.

But I'm not sure they'll understand.

Look, Gabriel, they know me!

I once got four nominated films
at Cannes,

so there had to be some overlap, right?

Yeah... Of course. But...

You know what?

We're gonna work it out
with the French producers.

We'll tell them
you can't make it tonight,

that they need to postpone it. Done.

Come on, I did my homework.

They're renting a private mansion,

and it's incredibly expensive.

And they only have it for a few days.

So we have to sh**t tonight.

I'm telling you, we're in a pickle!

And with the Americans,
I can't think of anything.

No need to panic! Look, in Bollywood,

they sh**t six movies in a day!

We're just sh**ting two movies
the same night.

Yeah, but still…

Come on, Gabriel. We'll make it work!

You always sort things out, right?

You still have a picture
of Cécile de France?

You're lucky we're in deep sh*t,
I could've been annoyed!

"To Flora, all the best".

Mathias, it's for a baby.

Can't you do it instead?

Certainly not!

You have a heart, don't you? Use it!

Hurry up, I gotta go to the hospital.

You're not focusing on the baby.

Sorry about that.

Mathias, we've learned

that it would be best
not to mix work and play.

- Yes.
- Let's stay focused...

"For Flora, our ASK baby." There you go!

That's way better! Andréa will love it!

You know what?
I'll go to the hospital with you…

Whatever you prefer…

Oh, thanks, it's adorable…
It's so cute…

Hold on, it can also play music.

- Oh yeah?
- Check it out,

you pull the tail…

- Hush.
- Oh, I'm so sorry!

We'll put it in her crib.

There you go!

Here you go Flora,
it's a present from Mathias

and Auntie Noémie.

Auntie Noémie's the lady
who pulled you out onto the carpet.

Poor thing!
I hope it didn't leave her traumatized!

It's amazing, isn't it?

She was born at our office,

at our agency.
In a way, she's a child of ASK.

Yeah, that's not how I see it, but hey!

That's how you gave birth to her.

Now, there's an unshakable bond
between all of us,

and also between all of us
and the agency…

We were all pretty close,

but now we're a real family.

I'm sorry but I'm overwhelmed!

Sorry…

How heartfelt of you.

You can go give her a bath now.

Great! I mean, thanks!

Let's go. Thanks.

I think the present
hit her right in the feels!

Hmm, hold on Noémie. I forgot my scarf.
Wait here.

Wait for me, I'll be right back!

Mathias, what are you doing?
No!

Mathias.

Stop it now!

A nurse is coming,
I can hear someone coming.

I'm sorry, but you can't do this!

I had to, I had no choice!

The agency's future is at stake.

Why is that?

Andréa and Gabriel want to leave.

I had a hunch,
but now it's been confirmed.

What? Where would they go?

They want to start their own agency.

I didn't get to see everything,

but there are pictures
of their potential offices.

Mathias, we got to stop them!

That's what I plan to do!

I can't believe I put my hands

inside her vag*na
to give birth to her kid!

The gall on this girl!

So this is how she thanks us!

No Noémie, not a word to anyone!

To anyone!

Of course! Who do you think I am?

It wouldn't be the first time
we share a secret.

With Italians or Spanish dudes,
no problem,

you negotiate. But for f*ck's sake,
with Americans,

you can't take that kind of risk!

Yes, you do!
In our line of work, you do!

Their contracts are so hard to fulfill.

sh**ting day and night,
it's such bullshit!

I knew there'd be a problem!
Told you so!

Damn, you still don't get

that 90% of our job is to fix problems?

You're always upset
when there's a problem,

but if there weren't any problems
at all,

there'd be no ASK!

If you go nuts every time
a problem arises,

then... you should've gone into...

I dunno... The sink business!

I dunno!

Okay, then show me how it's done!

You know what?
You're on your own this time.

I won't help you with that bullshit!

I'd rather die!

There you go, he bit you. Happy now?

And I cut him some slack. Happy now?

It's a Buddhist pine.

It's so much fun to take care of.

It's like silent meditation…

I'm touched!

How long do you have to keep
that neck brace?

Oh, I'd say at least another two weeks.

- Right…
- Because it's kind of...

- Yeah.
- Catherine, did you...

Did you want to see me?

No, darling.

I came to see our little Noémie!

I'm so glad to see
she's as radiant as ever.

Oh, thanks!

It's true!

What are you doing tonight?

I... I… I don't know…

Want to come over for dinner?
I invited a few friends,

including Alexandre, my physiotherapist.

He could help you!

He's extremely talented,
on top of being charming!

She's gonna love him, right?

Certainly, but Noémie,
you may have other plans...

Yes, it's true that...

I do have a lot of work piling up.

No, no, no.
Your boss is giving you the night off.

His wife said so!

Oh yeah?

Noémie, you need to relax a bit!

Oh, well... All right then!

Wonderful!

You could've told me.
You can't improvise...

It's nice
to improvise from time to time.

You'll see, it's gonna be fun!

You know, I'm really,
really fond of that girl.

Oh yeah, I'm fond of her too…

She's a bit of a country girl,

but she's generous,
with great depth of character,

she's a good person.

She doesn't deserve to be alone.

I'm sure she'll hit it off
with Alexandre!

- Don't you think?
- I dunno..

I only met him once
and found him a bit shallow.

Shallow?

Doors are opening.

No, I don't think so.

- See you tonight!
- See you tonight!

Yes, Isabelle?

You okay?

Yeah, but I'm meeting Moss
and Downing right now…

As it happens...

I was rehearsing Hamlet
and this is what I stumbled upon...

Listen: "Beware
Of entrance to a quarrel,

but being in,
Bear ’t that...

th' opposed may beware of thee."
It's awesome, right?

Bear that in mind
when you meet them, okay?

I'll do that, I promise. Anyway,
I'll call you when it's over. Bye!

Do you have a plan?

I'll appeal to their human side.
That's the only way to go...

What I mean is...
there's a human side to everyone,

and this also applies
to American producers.

Here they come!

Prévu.

We could also do this
in French if you'd like.

Yes, I prefer that, thank you, Scott!

So… I was saying that...
unfortunately, tonight...

Isabelle can't change
her schedule, because…

that's not how it was planned...

But it is an exclusive contract.

We have access
to Isabelle any day, anytime.

That was the plan all along.

But... tonight is a very special night.

It's her eldest son's wedding!

Of course,
it's his first time getting married,

and maybe the last time too,
you never know!

And family is so important to her...

I was thinking that...

you could let her go around 10 p.m.

So she doesn't miss the speech
and the cake.

Sorry?

We need Isabelle tonight.

It didn't work?

No. I'm in deep sh*t now,
Mathias. I have no other choice

but to call
Cédric Kahn's producer to tell her...

Isabelle won't be able
to make it tonight. Yeah.

She'll go to a new agency.

And I'll have to tell Hicham that I…

They're both sh**ting in Paris?

Yeah. But, forget about it.
There's no way out.

She can't do both…

Maybe not…

but Noémie has a gift
for fixing conflicting schedules.

She's amazing!

She can get round pegs
into square slots!

She bailed me out so many times…

Really?

We could give it a sh*t!

Give her an hour
and we'll see if there's a sh*t.

Don't you have stuff to do?

I do, but it doesn't matter.

Mathias, are you okay?

I'm fine, thank you!

You sure you want to help me?

Cut the snark, Gabriel!

I said I wanted to help you
and I mean it.

Oh, thank you!

You're welcome. It's only natural.

We need
to stick together in hard times.

Like this?

Yes, that's perfect.
And I'd love a cup of coffee, please.

With milk…

I'll get it.

Gabriel, you're making a mess!
Look at the daily call sheet!

- My bad!
- Unbelievable!

So there's 4.6 km between both sets.

That's roughly a 25-minute drive…

Yeah, that could work…

Except you're driving through Le Marais

when the Happy Hour's ending...

Thursday nights
are the new Saturday nights.

Hush!

You avoid the traffic
by going through Place de la République.

That's it.

I found the opening
in the Medici schedule.

Tell us!

Isabelle needs to ask Cédric Kahn

to start with the deathbed scene…
She needs to give it her all,

so it doesn't last too long…

She's good at that…

Then it's the wake scene,

which means she's actually dead!

So she can ask for a body double.

It's her legal right, isn't it?

Absolutely.

Okay.

Then she says this to Cédric:

"Look, I just went through
an agonizing death,

I gave it my all, I'm drained,

I need a bit of rest now that I'm dead."

Then she heads
to her dressing room.

This gives us roughly 3 hours

before they sh**t the last scene
with the confidante in the gardens.

You hit the gas pedal

on the riverbanks
to get to the Yanks!

- I told you she could do it!
- Amazing!

Thank you, you're the best!
Thank you so much, Noémie!

The Queen of Scheduling! Thank you!

You're welcome. I… I'll let you call
Isabelle to let her know.

All right, I'm off…

And what are your plans with her?
A Formula 1 race?

Look, I'm really sorry.

There's an emergency
and I promised Gabriel I'd do it.

It's vital for the agency.

Don't bother, honey… I'm used to it!

Don't worry,
we can have fun without you!

Noémie will feel more comfortable
without you around.

- Yes?
- It's me, Noémie!

I'll buzz you in! Third floor.

Thanks!

Oh, we're headed to the same place.

Oh, you must be Alexandre?
The physiotherapist?

I am.
And you must be Noémie, the Shaman?

Oh, huh, right, that's me!

Nice to meet you! How's your back?
Not too painful?

Well, it's okay.

It's at night
that it gets tough because…

I like to sleep in the fetal position,

and now, it's no longer an option!

I could show you other positions...

Oh yes, I'd love that! Yeah.

I always forget how much room I take up…

My son... He cast me away.
May God forgive you, my child!

Oh, my leg!

Oh!
Are you going to cut my leg off?

No. Don't you worry…

Henry, Henry!

I can see you!

Oh, Henry!

Henry, I'll join you soon!

Promise me our hearts
will be united again...

in La Flèche.

I promise you...

Cut! Cut!
You were splendid, Isabelle, bravo!

And it's cut! Set change.

This is ridiculous!

I keep telling you this.

"I want some close-ups on Isabelle,

close-ups on Isabelle!"

We had an opportunity!

Isabelle, Isabelle, Isabelle!

We'd like to sh**t again
to get a better close-up.

No! I'm sorry, but I just went through
seven agonies!

Cédric, let me remind you
that during the duel scene,

you told me you needed more stuff,

so it wouldn't cost anything to…

Hold on! I'm sorry...

Let me chime in. The problem
is it actually costs me a lot!

I'm not a machine, you know!

I don't die like that
at the snap of a finger.

I'm aware of that, Isabelle,

but Cédric needs material
to go the cutting room.

Absolutely! Absolutely.

But you need to learn to respect

the director's vision.

That's what...

being an assistant is all about.

If Cédric sees it as a sequence sh*t,

he may not go for a music video look.

Do you grasp the difference?

Isabelle's right,
we got everything we need.

Get some rest. See you later.

See you later Cédric! Bye!

Let's go!

I admire
how your agents stand up for each other.

You had nothing better to do?

It's a pleasure…

Acting like a private driver?

There's water and candy at the back…

Hello?

Oh, yeah, of course!
No, I'm on my way! Sure.

I'll be there… in 5 minutes…
See you soon!

Was it the Americans?

No, it was Laure Adler…

I'm late
for a live interview on the radio.

It's been planned for weeks.
It slipped my mind.

No, we can't do it, Isabelle!

Mathias! It'll be 20 minutes tops!

I can't ditch
Laure Adler! That would be rude!

Time is crucial in my line of work...

The duration of a sh*t,
the time period…

the duration of a gaze.

It can also be a moment of nothingness.

When you feel this oblivion
that fills you up,

that builds you up…

You really need
this emptiness, Isabelle?

Absolutely.

Mathias, come on!
I'll sit up front…

These shoes are k*lling me!
Did I do okay?

You were wonderful!

- Hi!
- Where do I need to be?

- On the barge?
- No, no, no… I'm coming down.

Where's Gary? Oh, I also need my hat!

Alex, can you bring my hat, please?

- Hello, Isabelle!
- Hi, Sharon.

We'll be ready soon…

But... this is today's scene.

Yeah, I know my lines!

Oh no… Sharon! Wait! Wait!

You guys changed everything!

It's way shorter!

Yeah... But Gary thinks it's better now.

It flows better.

Well, maybe,
but he cut out all my lines!

Yeah,
but having a good flow is important.

The scene needs rhythm and a fast pace,
especially today.

Yes, Mathias, but please!

I'm not here to be an extra.

Yes, I get it…

Can I have a look at your lines…

Thanks.

Well, it's a very good scene!

You still have quite a few lines!

Mathias, please!
You have no idea what's going on!

An entire monologue was reduced
to virtually nothing.

The scene has all its substance.

We've had readings, it was greenlit…

So where's Gary?

Can we see him?

We need to talk about this!

Okay, thanks everyone,
see you on Thursday!

Janis, you need to work on your lines!

You're talented, but if you want
to unleash your emotions,

you need to know your lines!
You can't act if…

Miss! To be honest,
that scene with Creon,

you got to me…

Oh, well. Thanks… That's… That's nice…

Do you have an agent?

Er, no… I mean, not yet…

We'll meet again…

Here's my card.

Oh, you work for ASK?

You just dislocated my shoulder.

Come on, I barely bumped into you.

Or maybe
I don't realize how strong I am.

Just so you know,
you're talking to Camille...

- Valentini, a new agent at ASK…
- Oh no.

Oh, I messed up. I…

What can I do to make it up to you?

You could get me a glass of wine.

- Okay.
- I'm sorry,

but I got to go.
I'll call you back and... thanks!

Stoke the fire inside you!

I'm a freshman…

We showed our work last week…

That's a shame. I missed it…

Yeah… Anyway, I only had a small part.

There are no small parts,
only small actors.

That's nice.

Oh, my bad! It's a Stanislavski quote.

It means a good actor
can shine even in a small role.

I mean, I would've loved seeing you,
even in a small role!

And what about you?

You're a small agent
in a big agency, right?

That's right…
A small agent with a bright future…

who finds the stars of tomorrow…

Some of them may even be around us…

Do you have an agent?

No, not yet.

Okay, I need to go now... I…

Bye, Camille.

Bye…

Hold on! What's your name?

Valentin.
Like Valentini, but without the "i".

Bye…

"We do... French Women!"
I mean...

"this is the way we do
French Women" sounds a bit weird…

And at the end,
there was that reference to...

An American in Paris,
which I loved…

So we add the end too?

And while we're at it, we could also

add some meat to it,

because every time I read it,
I'm like

"is that all?"

Mathias, stop pacing back and forth…
because...

we're really trying to focus here
and it's very annoying.

There you go. Thank you so much...

So… Yeah,

I remember that.
It used to be longer, right?

No, no… we're good.
It's very good as is!

Fix the layout
and we're good to go!

Obstacle has been overcome,
obstacle has been overcome!

We can still make it on time!

- Really?
- Yes!

Damn! Thank you, Mathias,
I love you! Thank you.

Isabelle,

is everything all right?

Yes… Yes, yes…

Do you need anything?

No, no thanks…

Thanks. Yeah,
I didn't start out so well,

but I'm about to speed things up.

Yeah... You need to be highly focused,

Keep going forward, and fast.

One wrong turn…

and we'll crash…

Isabelle, have you seen Ben?

No…

Sharon! Sharon!

"Ben" is Ben Stiller…

- I know…
- Very nice guy. We get along great!

Sharon? What's going on?

Ben doesn't like the latest version.

What?
It doesn't matter one way or the other!

That's how it's supposed to go.

He says you got rid of all his lines.

Don't look at me like this, Mathias!

Well, I'm ready to go!

What is Ben Stiller up to?

He's a nice guy but he can be
such a control freak…

Yes, Gabriel…
How are things on your side?

Hold on…

They're setting up the garden,

with the confidante…
Are you guys on your way?

No. We're in deep sh*t.

Now Ben Stiller's rewriting his lines.

We'll never make it on time.

Oh f*ck! Oh no…

Yeah, I know. So close to the goal.
Tough.

What the hell do I tell them, Mathias?

Honestly…
There's no other choice…

Okay, I'll go for "I know"…

You'll have to...

Good luck!

Thanks…

Isabelle!

What's going on?

I don't know. She could have fainted.

Isabelle! It's Cédric! Isabelle?

Yes?

She's not here?

I know…

We need to start sh**ting!

I know…

We need to sh**t tonight,
it's her last scene!

- I know…
- So what do we do?

Gabriel Sarda, what do we do?

- I don't know.
- "I know, I know,

I know, I don't know…"

Can't you say anything else?

What are we waiting for?

Gabriel, if you come to watch me on set,

don't spend all your time in my trailer!

Where were you?

I was on set!

We've been looking for you
for half an hour!

All right,
I went to the late-night pharmacy.

I didn't want to tell everyone
about my flatulence problem.

I don't need everybody to know.

So when you want to be discreet,

you don't even tell us?

Well, I don't see a problem with that…

Despite your looks,
you're very square, Cédric…

Well… We'll be waiting on set!

All right.

- See you in a minute!
- Yes!

How did you do it?

It went sideways
between the director and Ben Stiller,

they almost came to blows…

The director of photography...

I told him his lighting wasn't great…

sh*ts were fired…

So the sh**ting's postponed!
Pretty cool, right?

But how did you change?

I know, right?
I could play Arturo Brachetti!

Should we go?

Do you need any help?

No, I'm good.

Thank you, Mathias…

Without your help, Hicham
would be f*ring me right now.

Is that why you want to leave?

To avoid him f*ring you one day?

I know, Gabriel.

The real estate agent
for your office... I know him.

I've wanted to leave a few times too!

But I love ASK too much.

We need to stick together…

Like we did last night.

I know we don't always see eye to eye.

I know Andréa isn't that fond of me…

But we're a family.
And the odd man out is Hicham.

If he left, would you stay?

If he left...

Maybe...

Thanks again, guys!

You're welcome… And get some rest!

Yeah…

I'm gonna drop by
at the Chanel show first.

It's Fashion Week!

Hugs and kisses!

This woman just never sleeps.

Never ever!

I'll finish your food, Andréa…

Oh, I love them…

The slippers your mom knitted?

They're really cute, right?

No, my boobs!
I'd almost be tempted to breastfeed…

Hi girls...

- Hi…
- Hi...

How are you?

It's kind of overwhelming, right?

It's not that bad...

Welcome, Flora…

You're very, very, very beautiful…

She really looks like Leïla,
my little sister.

No, she's Andréa's spitting image…

I think
she looks like Gérard Depardieu…

Hello?

Noémie, it's Mathias…

Am I bothering you?

No, it's okay…

I wanted to tell you we managed to...

get through this crazy night
with Isabelle Huppert. It worked out,

mostly thanks to you.

Oh, that's great… I'm...
I'm really happy for you…

I mean for us… I mean…

You're not with Alexandre, are you?

No, not at all…

And you're not with your wife, are you?

No.

I'm downstairs,
I brought warm croissants.

All right…

Ring the intercom. I'll open the door...

Coming…

- Sorry.
- Sorry.

I'm so sorry. I forgot to ask you.
Do you want coffee?

No, I want you…

I can't live without you…

Oh Mathias… Me neither…

Sorry, but with my back and all, I…

I won't be able to do much.

No problem. We won't do anything…

You could do a few things…

Your wish is my command, Madam…

Bye…

Thank you for that little teddy bear!

- Hello!
- Hello.

Sorry to interrupt,
I'm the registrar,

I'm here for the birth registration…

Oh yes! Of course… Come in…

Thank you.

- Take a seat.
- Thanks.

So…

Mother's name?

Er... Marteau.

Like the French for "hammer"?

- Father's name?
- Janowski.

- No father!
- As a matter of fact...

I didn't get that…

Hicham, we've already discussed this

with Colette,

and… We were thinking
you could be the godfather…

Godfather?

Like a Catholic godfather?

No… you can be a non-Catholic godfather…

You'll be really important to her.

Hold on.
Are you the father or not, sir?

- I am.
- No,

He's the progenitor,
I'm the co-parent!

Very well… So…
This is what we could do, then.

I'll leave you the form and…

You can come to the town hall
when it's all sorted out.

All right. Thank you.

So as to avoid any confusion,

you need to know
that birth registration

and recognition
are two different things.

The birth
must be registered within three days

after the child is born.

It informs us that there's a new citizen
on our territory.

Whereas recognition,

by the father, can be done at any time.

In a month, a year, in ten years...

He just needs to come over
and sign a paper.

You guys would let us know, right?

- Who?
- Us, the moms!

Oh, no...

The mother doesn't need to consent.

He just signs the paper.

So any dude walking by

could recognize a child,

and I got to jump through loads of hoops

to prove that I'm a good mom?

You know
what I've been doing for months?

I've been gluing pictures for my file,

I've asking people to vouch for me…

to prove that I'm around,
I'm taking care of Flora!

Then we'll see a judge

so we can answer his questions…

And then, two years from now,
if it goes smoothly,

he'll decide whether or not
I can sign that paper!

Look, I'm sorry,
I didn't make these laws.

Bye…

You know what? Take her.

I'm giving her to you guys.

There you go.

I used to have such an easy life.

I'd take care of my actors,
who can be just like kids.

I'd sleep
with the most beautiful girls in Paris.

Nothing major to worry about…

And now, after a threesome
that went awry, my life's been turned

upside down,
my stomach is in knots,

I'm no longer in control…

Hold on,
it all started with a threesome?

With Colette and a dude?

Look, Arlette,
I'm going through an existential crisis,

I don't want to talk about sex right now!

Sorry,
but you're the one who brought it up.

I shouldn't have had this kid…

Bullshit!
Your hormones made you say this.

Why didn't you tell me?

I'm childless.
What did you want me to say?

Yeah... Exactly!

Do you have any regrets?

I don't do regrets, you know me…

I was a free woman…

at a time when it wasn't easy
to choose that way of life.

People looked at me funny…

I partied hard…

I worked hard…

traveled a lot…

I had many lovers…

Yeah, so you have no regrets.

I do…

There's one thing I wish I'd had:

a mother's love for her child…

That's a special kind of love.

It never goes away.

Yeah, I would've loved
to experience that!

It can be kind of frightening too…

You gotta experience that.
Live your life to the fullest.

We dodged all the b*ll*ts,
it was crazy!

Congrats Gabriel!

You know what?
I've been wrong about you.

Oh, but Gabriel
is more resourceful than he looks!

- Thanks…
- Hey, what's going on here?

I could use a glass of champagne!

I'll pour you one, Arlette,
you deserve it!

ASK Agency, hello.

So what are we doing
for ASK's 30-year anniversary?

Why don't we throw a big party?

I haven't danced in ages!

Oh yeah, we all need it!

Can I help you?

No, I'm good. Thank you.
I'm looking for Camille Valentini.

Is he expecting you?

Yeah…

This administrative supervision
isn't so bad.

It drove you into a corner,
but you escaped.

Yeah…

Yeah!

That's for me!

- What?
- That's for me!

Where the hell is he going?
I got too much foam!

Er... Hi!

Doors are closing.

You can't barge into my office like this!

I didn't have your number

and I wanted to see you…

There are rules. You gotta call first.

You can't just turn up without calling.

Imagine if I came onstage
while you're acting to say:

"Well, I wanted to see you again."

Hey... so you wanted to see me?

Yeah... Totally.

So I'm from Clermont-Ferrand.

School wasn't my thing…

I never graduated from high school.

It's overrated…

Totally…

And then, I moved to Paris
two years ago. I was in love.

Oh, great…

Then my lover left, and I stayed here!

Even better!

So... What about you?

How did you become an agent?

Did you have to go
to a special school?

So the best way to become an agent
is to go to vet school...

Seriously, I've always loved movies.

My mom took me to loads
of art-house films

when I was a kid…

So I started out as an assistant…

And then,
I was made an agent this year

so I could build up
my own client portfolio.

I... I brought you a few pics…

and a demo reel.

- Oh yeah?
- Yeah…

I put it together last night…
I made it specially for you.

I shall watch it
with the utmost consideration.

I don't really know the rules
of the game, but…

if we do end up working together,

will I still be allowed to kiss you?

We're not working together yet.

Sorry.

So,

Mathias knows the real estate agent,

that's how he knew about it…

I tried to get him to relax,

told him it wasn't decided yet,

that it wasn't a done deal…

Can you stop it with that whipped cream?

Sorry, my bad.

You know. He was... very nice to me.

And he really helped me out last night!

Watch your back with him, though.
I always say

there are two sides to his coin.

Oh! Hold on…

It's Isabelle.

I gotta take it!
Hugs and kisses, and get some rest!

Bye…

How are you, Isabelle?

Sorry… I can't hear you.
There's no sound!

I can't hear you! I'll call you back!

What do you mean you lost your voice?
Did you try cortisone?

"Didn't work"?

So she saw her doctor, and…

She's on leave for a week,
she can't do the American movie.

So what's the deal then?

Oh well… it's an occupational accident,

so the insurances will cover

the costs of the sh**ting interruption.

Actors can get sick,
it happens all the time.

I imagine that a week-long interruption

on that kind of movie
would be very costly.

We're talking a few million dollars.

- Yes.
- And if there's one thing I know

about insurances, it's that...

they're gonna nitpick.

Yeah, they're gonna give hell
to the Americans.

They're probably already arguing

about work conditions, overtime pay...

I hope they're doing it by the book.

Well, we broke the contract.

They could hold it against us,

they could make us take the blame.

Stop overthinking this!

The insurances are doing their job,

the Americans won't have a clue,
and we'll be fine!

If you say so…

He is indeed very photogenic…

Come on, he's sublime!
Look at that cleft!

Yeah, but that's not enough,
don't you agree?

He has no experience!
Worked as an extra

and in three self-produced shorts.

Turns out you're the total snob!

We can't just take in actors from...

the National Academy of Dramatic Arts!

Well, we'll know soon enough…

I've been in this game long enough,

I've developed excellent instincts,

even with raw talents…

All right, then. Let's check him out…

Hello, I'm Valentin Chollet, I'm 23…

- 23…
- And I'll do...

an Andromache soliloquy.

He's getting ready…

What a swing of the arm...

"Madam!

it’s done, yours was the Kn*fe!

Pyrrhus has yielded up
his faithless life.

Dying…"

Darn it.

Sorry, I've got to fix this…

"Dying!

And our Greeks, still angry,

Bathed him in blood, for his perjury.

Andromache, my beloved!"

On the huge disappointment scale,

what do your instincts score?

I knew you'd say that!

Look, he had no help.
He just mocked it up overnight…

He needs to work on the production,
the lighting. It's expected.

It's very raw…

Come on, he sucks at acting!

No, I don't agree at all!

This is very special, it's innovative!

It's funny that you... can't see this.

Other great actors
had an unusual acting style,

and they still succeeded.
Jean-Pierre Léaud,

Mathieu Amalric… Jean-Paul Belmondo!

Belmondo, when he was starting out,

no one believed in him!
Even the Conservatoire!

Come on! The only way he can make it

is if he specializes
in unintended comedy!

Camille Valentini can't represent him!

Well, I believe in him.

You can't turn down such a stud,

I'm sorry…
Do you feel the fire inside him?

He has a huge potential.

Are you talking for the both of us

or just for yourself?

I'll get him to train, to rehearse…

I'll be his Pygmalion.
I'll turn him into a star!

One day, you'll thank me.
France will thank me.

I'm begging you, Camille...
Let's do it…

Okay, we'll sign him.

Hervé…

I'm a little worried about you…

Don't!

That's a beautiful picture!

Thanks a lot. It was sorely needed!

So... How's it going?

Good…

I hate myself.
I'm trying to do too much.

I've been letting people down...

Not at all...

And… Are you sure that…

the insurance will be able

to cover the costs for the interruption?

That's not your problem.

The producers
and bankers will deal with it.

That's their job.
Yours is to get some rest

and to come back completely recharged.

Yeah, I'm not going anywhere

now…

Read a book, relax, you can also…

It's… a friend of mine…
He's staying here for a while.

But… Is that's Shin Sang-Hoon,
the Korean director?

Yes… He just happened to be in Paris…

What are you guys doing?
Are you sh**ting a movie?

No, not really. Just a short...

It's experimental…

I had a few days off, so...

Shin asked me to do this.
Quick work.

Yup.

It's about a mute!

But, you can't be doing this!
You need to rest!

We're just fooling around!
No dialog, no contract, no producer...

It's just the camera and me!

That feels very, very good…

I may have a way to save ASK…

We'd keep Gabriel
and Andréa, and Hicham would be out.

That'd be like hitting the jackpot!

Yeah... I'm not sure,

it's risky…

Risky for you?

For me, for the agency…

Hold on, Mathias,

I need to show you something…

The I Ching.

What is it?

It's amazing!

It's a Chinese method…

It's great work!

It helps you figure out
where you're at, what to do,

what decisions to make…

I've used it in my own life

so many times! Do you know
when the last time was?

No…

When your wife introduced me
to Alexandre…

The I Ching told me
something about us.

It told me our bond was evolving,

that it was finding its balance
and that it would last…

And the next morning, you were here.

Mathias, that's awesome!
It's our breakthrough!

"A breakthrough
after a long accumulation of tension

as a swollen river
breaks through its dikes,

or in the manner of a cloudburst…

It refers to the time
when inferior people

gradually begin to disappear!

As a result of resolute action,

a change in conditions occurs,
a breakthrough!"

This is amazing, Mathias!

It's happening right now!

Go get them, Mathias!

Break through!

Break through! Break through!

Break through!

LATE NIGHT COURIER SERVICE

Hello, I need a courier, please.

Paris. 1st arrondissement.

Thank you.