Dead Star (2025)

[bunniefuu]

What shines the brightest lives

always on the edge of darkness.

What are you drinking?

Water.

Since when do they sell

water in cans?

Since when plastic has

become the modern-day evil.

Plastic is not the evil.

The people are.

Well, Stella.

As I explained you last

night, our film is drifting.

There are plot holes, the

main character is missing,

and I realized that I'm unable to create

a character without knowing the actress.

During casting, we saw many actresses,

some of them even better than you,

but Claudio is not looking for this.

He is looking for something different.

I need true emotions.

I need real stories, real people.

We already live in a world of lies,

I don't want to create

more fiction within fiction.

Have you read the script yet?

Yes, is a classic noir, nothing new...

It sounds like a story I know very well.

The story of my life...

It's like your movie,

but it really happened.

Would you like to tell us about it?

Do you have 60 minutes?

If it's worth it, yes.

I want to tell you the

story of my own death.

You don't look dead at all.

There are many ways to be dead.

Yes, well, the heart

don't have to stop beating.

Have you ever thought that we can still see the light

of stars that have already died a long time ago?

Yes, I have thought about it.

The story begins two years

ago. I was living in Milan.

The sudden death of my father

forced me to return to Apulia,

where the person I hate most on the

face of the earth was waiting for me

my mother.

Come in!

I made some crepes for

dinner, do you want one?

Only if we are alone.

Yes, finally...

Thank goodness, I

couldn't take it anymore.

And what could I do?

It was a good vigil

but I hate our relatives.

Well, come on, dinner is ready.

I'm coming.

You always make me crepes when I'm sad.

Someday you will have to make it to me.

Yes, but at a certain age you

have to be careful about diabetes.

What a b*tch!

Why didn't you come home earlier?

When you called me to tell me about

dad I was on set, I was working on a film.

I was so upset that I

had to drop everything.

But then I talked to the director and he said they

would have finished the scenes with the other actors

and that I could have continued next month.

And what is this new project about?

It's an independent movie.

They don't even allow

me to take pictures on set.

It will be distributed only

in the foreign market...

This sounds like a big deal, I'm surprised!

What do you mean, sorry?

I don't know if this is good

for you, Stella, but it's your life.

Am I mistaken or did you tell me last

night that you had never passed a casting?

That's right.

I used to tell my mother a lot of bullshit.

I could never have admitted in

front of her that I was a failure.

I escaped immediately! From the vigil!

I took a nice tour among

the old memories of my youth.

I didn't want to stay alone,

so I asked my friends Stevan and Nora to

meet in the abandoned RV like old times.

However, no one showed up in the end...

Did that record player work for real?

Of course!

It's so f*ck' punk to run away from your

father's vigil to smoke joints in an abandoned RV.

Everyone faces pain in their own way.

And now the most important person

in my life is entering the scene...

Tommaso!

We were high school sweethearts,

he was the coolest guy in school.

He was the first person I contacted

as soon as I returned to Apulia.

I didn't want to admit it, but

I was still in love with him.

But there was just a little problem...

Married?

More than married.

So, some habits die hard...

If you only knew how

much I missed this place!

There is so much peace here,

something you could never find in Milan...

How long have you been back?

Some days.

So you couldn't even

take a bath in the sea...

But I can't swim!

Anyway, I would never do it in

this weather, not even in summer.

You are the only one in the

whole Salento who can't swim.

But what did you do as a child?

I liked watching other guys having fun.

So, what are you hiding from?

Even these things never change.

I'm hiding from my mother.

And what about you?

If you only knew...

When I was little, I hoped that once I became an

adult, my mother would have stopped teasing me.

And here I am! Having the same

problems as when I was fifteen.

Well, you are not alone! I used to believe that

marriage was the achievement of absolute happiness.

And yet it only took me one

year to k*ll all expectations.

I used to have a job in Taranto,

then my company went bankrupt,

and now I can only help

her in her beauty salon.

We share everything, anxiety, stress,

everything... We are always together!

And what about you?

Well, I have two projects going on now.

It was hard at first, however, I made it.

It must be really cool to live there.

In Milan, no star is shining.

On the other hand, they

shine too much here.

And they are so far away...

Good morning! I'll be right over...

That's it!

A smooth crease, right?

Yes.

Can you work on it?

Of course.

Here we go...

- Back to the high school look?

- Why not?

I remember that you were the girl with

the smoothest hair in the whole class.

Well, I got tired of wavy

hair, I like changing!

Well, your curls looked great on you.

And then you got blue hair...

Don't tease me, you had dreads!

Unintelligible words

What did he say?

It's a secret!

- Do you want one?

- No, I quit.

C'mon! You never quit smoking for real.

- Do you believe in luck?

- It depends on what you mean.

People don't have the nerve

to admit how important luck is.

We think we can control our lives, but most

of the time we are just victims of events.

We can find comfort in illusions.

We are all so convinced that

things will go in the right way...

Then, there is that something that forces

you to wake up from your narcissistic dream.

And you can't do anything

but reckon with reality.

You are so cynical!

- You weren't like this a few years ago!

- You've never been interested in knowing me deeply!

Exactly like you!

Maybe we are not that different...

Why?

To tell the truth, I had great expectations

but reality shattered them all.

So things are not going

the way you told me?

Nope.

But not admitting reality

makes things more bearable...

Well, I wasn't that sincere either.

I told you the sweetened version of things, but

I'm actually on a ship that is about to sink.

What do you mean?

Most married couples are bound by a simple

contract, which can be canceled within a few months.

But that wasn't enough for

us and we made another one.

Do you know how Giorgia

opened her beauty salon?

Hypothecating our only home.

- Is business going well at least?

- Not at all!

We barely cover the salon's expenses,

We are late with the mortgage payment...

If I could only convince

her to sell the salon...

At least, we will be sure not to

end up on the street next year.

And then she told me:

"You know, I would be less lonely

if you knew how to be a husband!"

- Is she mocking me?

- Why are we talking about her?

You are right!

I don't want to spoil our date...

It's just that she pisses me off!

I can't even relax for a couple of hours.

- Are you angry?

- No...

Hey love, I can't talk now.

You know I hate using the phone

while driving... it's dangerous.

All right, ciao.

You looked very uncomfortable.

You know why.

Would she be very annoyed if she

knew we were having dinner together?

Well, she doesn't like

me to hide things from her.

You know I think we should

do something we enjoy.

Sounds good!

I really need some fresh air.

Shall we take your boat?

Giorgia would find out...

Do you still like photography?

Yes, however, I'm out of practice.

I'm in no shape to take pictures.

You need to be in shape

to take some pictures?

Analogue cameras can be very heavy!

Anyway, I think you are talented.

I remember, you used to come to my

father's darkroom to develop photos.

Do you still have the darkroom?

Yes, but it is unused.

No one brings me rolls anymore.

What if we try to give it a new life?

Why not?

Ok! Ok!

Let's go slower, please!

Go on, stand there!

Wait, wait.

You are distracting me!

This is my favorite one!

We did a good job!

I love this one...

Why?

Because I finally see you smiling.

We haven't taken my favorite one yet.

And what would that be?

The one where we kiss.

We can take it now.

This gift is the most beautiful and

the most trivial I have ever received!

Nothing is trivial on you...

Do I look good?

You don't need an answer.

I love you.

I love you too.

See you tomorrow?

I can't.

Friday then?

All weekend busy.

I'll pick you up on Monday, okay?

All right. Ciao!

You haven't been very smart...

No.

We were such assholes.

Mom!

What the hell is this stuff?

Calm down, what are you talking about?

It's about this sh*t!

Now let's talk about it like

two civilized people, Stella.

What do you want to do,

are you selling this house?

What's wrong with it?

Maybe, since this is my house too, you

had to ask me for an opinion, don't you?

I remind you that you no longer

live in this house, I never see you!

Anyway, the house is in my name, not yours.

And where do you want to go? In a hospice?

Aunt Ester was widowed, me too,

so we decided go to live in Cortina.

We need to live in a peaceful place...

b*tch, please, what could be more

peaceful than this place? Come on!

I was your father's sl*ve for thirty years

and your personal servant for twenty more...

Let me do something nice

for me in my life, for once.

A sl*ve? A personal servant?

You've been a trophy wife all

your life, who are you kidding?

That's enough, Stella! This

discussion must end here!

I've finally discovered your beauty secret!

However, this house is still yours because I never

told dad that you were cheating on him when I was 12.

You are just ungrateful!

- Did she sell the house in the end?

- No, I had and ace in the hole...

This was originally a farmhouse, my

husband's grandmother built it in the 1930s,

and she called it "The Shell",

so, let's continue our tour, please.

Let's do the introductions

properly, shall we?

Are you the ones who will take my house?

I wanted to be sure that you know that your savings will

end up in a mansion in Cortina that I will never see.

My daughter always wants to joke!

She likes to embarass people

to get their attention, right?

Maybe.

Have you already met

our neighbor, haven't you?

He loves loud music all night long.

Least but last, every time it rains

this house floods, did you know that?

- Excuse us for a moment.

- You have to tell them these things!

Of course, of course.

What the hell are you doing to me?

You want to fool me, but I

also want to fool you too...

What are you talking about?

I'm just trying to fix things, Stella.

Yes, to fix your life, but who's

going to take care of mine?

Daddy would never let you

do that, you know that, right?

You have no right to lecture me,

since you are only telling me bullshit.

Ok, then I'll tell you something true.

Every time you arrange a house

tour, I'll be here to screw it all.

You pull a prank like that again today, and I

swear to God I'll get you a restraining order.

Were you and Giorgia friends or what?

I knew her since we were little

girls but I have never f*ck' liked her.

- Did you bring her to our house?

- Our house?

What the f*ck are you saying?

Every time you act

hysterical I would k*ll you...

You're betraying me

and I'm the hysterical one?

Who betrays you? Who?

Listen, if I find you with

her, I'll cut your ba*ls off.

You are a child. And a witch.

I don't know what to do with you anymore!

In short, Giorgia had Thomas by the ba*ls.

You bet, that girl was

only thinking of herself.

We all think only of

ourselves, don't you think?

This story proves it.

Can you tell me what's wrong?

So what?

She has found a Polaroid.

- How?

- I don't know.

You dropped it, left it

lying around, I don't know.

But I'm sure that I took them all with me!

But she found it!

Do you think she understood something?

She found out everything!

Everything!

Don't you remember what

kind of pictures we took?

We couldn't go on like this

forever, and you know it.

I'm in deep sh*t.

That harpy will take

everything away from me.

I just want to k*ll myself!

Ok, then...

Now you calm down, okay?

Nothing will happen.

She won't take anything away

from you and you won't k*ll yourself!

I'll help you to find a solution.

What did she say to you?

I told her that I just wanted

to console you for your father.

And she certainly believed it.

I think she hoped it was just a fling.

I've been up all night looking

for a solution, but nothing!

The total vacuum, nothing!

I'm f*cked up!

The next time she will find us

together and it will be the end!

Or I could leave you... I leave you!

Then I throw myself under a

car and die like a f*ck' animal!

There's one thing I didn't tell you...

My mother will sell this house and buy

a mansion in Cortina with my aunt Ester.

I won't take a penny, I won't have a property, and I

won't even be able to pay my rent in Milan very soon.

I don't have a job or money.

You are her daughter!

Why doesn't she do a sh*t at all?

My father used to support me. She

hates me, she can't wait to get rid of me.

Some people should disappear

from the face of the earth.

Let's think about it...

When you have an obstacle what

do you do? You eliminate it, right?

So what?

You said you spent all night up looking

for a solution without ever finding it.

What if you didn't try hard enough?

Stella

I think I'm drunk, sorry.

Do we make your mother buy the salon?

No no, I'm talking about

removing the obstacle!

Explain better...

Try to think about it! There is

something called survival instinct.

In the end, we are animals, right?

When you smell danger there

are only two things you can do:

you can run away, a luxury we absolutely

cannot afford, or you can attack.

- Are you serious about this?

- Violence is part of the natural order of things, right?

And then don't forget

that we are the victims!

And if we get caught?

Most murders are unsolved.

Besides, it's not like in the movies.

In reality, justice

doesn't exist, think of us.

I'm listening.

I get rid of my mother,

and you get rid of Giorgia.

We make them look like two accidents.

- And does it sound credible to you?

- Reality exceeds fiction!

And how do you plan to do that?

I can't think about it now. I

have to study a definite plan.

I don't know.

I don't want to k*ll my wife.

So you're going to let her k*ll you?

Tommaso, listen to me.

I see a light in your eyes.

But if you allow her to do

this to you, that light will go out.

My mother is back.

Get out of the courtyard!

You know, this story reminds

me of an old Billy Wilder movie.

What movie?

The original title was "Double Indemnity".

But then in Italy some genius thought it wasa good idea

to change the title, calling it "The Flame of Sin."

I knew it, I had to take

that bartending course...

In the end I chose another profession...

Maybe it was the best choice.

Cheers!

Now we can go on.

Why are you doing dishes now?

With this headache, the

noise is driving me crazy.

I can only do it now, since

I'm at the salon all day long.

I'm sorry, it's just that the

baby didn't let me sleep a wink.

I didn't think it could be so tiring.

It may be so, but I would love it.

But did you talk about it with Tommaso?

Yes, but it's like I'm talking to myself.

In my opinion, it's not

that he doesn't want it.

Maybe, who knows, he is

distracted from other things.

One day he will understand

how important it is.

I don't think so.

Tommaso is so disillusioned with life that

sometimes I feel like talking to my grandfather.

He spends all his time worrying for bills, he always

sees the glass as half empty and forgets to live life.

Mmh, even when dating Stella?

He told me that they just went out a couple

of times because she was sad for her father.

Or maybe to remember the old days

when they were together in high school.

But it lasted barely six months.

And then, Thomas was such

a heart breaker in high school.

Maybe it was an important thing.

Trust me.

If it was like that, he would not only have invited you to

go out with them, but at least he would have warned you.

I trust him.

Come on honey, however things stand

there's only one way to hold on to a man.

Wich is?

Make a child!

There's one thing I don't understand.

How do you know all these details?

It's a small country, people murmur...

Are you sure this is a good idea?

As long as this is my house,

I can do whatever I want.

Is it appropriate for me

to come here so often?

Last time your mother almost caught us.

Take it easy, she went to

Cortina to see the houses.

- And when is she coming back?

- On Friday.

Anyway, I thought about it all night.

The best way to do

something well is to do it simply.

- So we have decided that we are doing it?

- We have no choice!

- As Hemingway said, somehow everyone kills everyone else.

- We can't stick to metaphors.

- And then it's immoral.

- And what could be more intriguing than something immoral?

C'mon!

Tell me the thing you thought.

Then, we must be cool, clean and rational.

Wait a minute.

Listen, I don't want

Georgia to know it was me.

I don't want to look straight

into her eyes while it's happening.

I had already thought about this.

First of all, we must

have an indisputable alibi.

And what would that be?

Shall we go out for dinner?

Let's talk about Georgia first.

I thought we could stage a domestic

accident. Something painless and clean.

One night, after Georgia goes to sleep,

you will close the windows of your house,

but leave the door to your bedroom open.

Then you will turn on the gas,

and nature will do everything else.

And what do I do? I just stand there,

have coffee and wait to die with her?

No.

Because you will have the nerve to eat a

walnut, and give yourself an allergic attack,

and go to the emergency room

to get the cortisone injection.

So they will have to keep you in the

hospital all night for medical examination,

and you will have a perfect alibi.

And what did you think

for your mother instead?

I am different from you, I

want a more direct approach.

This is the most eye-catching mansion in the country,

there could be a robbery. It has already happened to us.

What are you planning to k*ll her with?

A g*n. I know a person, she owes

me a favor. It won't be a problem.

I don't know.

I don't think I can do it alone.

I have to find the courage.

But you are not alone, I am with you.

And then the two of us

can do anything together.

You are right!

And then we don't have

a f*cking thing to lose.

I know a very effective

way to relax the nerves.

The first time I smoked pot

we were together, didn't we?

Yes, we were in this room.

- I knew that sooner or later we would get close again.

- I was crazy about you.

What about now?

I know another way to soothe the nerves...

Come on, let me try.

I really want to see if you

can do better than that.

I don't retaliate just

because I love your sweater.

Enough of this!

- Wait a minute...

- No!

- Stop, stop, stop...

- f*ck you!

Not like this! Look...

So you lashed out with

canvases or with people?

With both.

k*ll her! k*ll her!

What's going on?

No, nothing. I had a bad dream.

Come on, don't think about

it. Just go back to sleep.

I'll be right back.

You really don't like Italian, huh, Stevan?

You know why I'm here, right?

9mm... Am I on the right way?

What do I have to do?

She told me he owes you a favor.

You don't have to do anything.

Just wait 'till next Friday.

She will wait for you

near the lighthouse, 6 pm.

What?

Just one thing...

Can't one of you teach me how to sh**t?

Hit the road Jack!

Stella, can you come for a moment please?

What's up?

Look, I'm too tired, do you want to

help me today with the acquerents?

Are you kidding me?

Stop this, please help me for once!

Well, yeah, just for today.

Woah! Thank you!

I wanted to tell you that I've decided to go back

to Milan, so I can help you just for these days.

How come you are going back to Milan?

I have a couple of job interviews.

I hope this is the right time...

Since I'm going to lose my home,

what's the point of staying here?

Could you give me your car for

the trip? I have a lot of stuff to carry.

That's fine, but when you'll came back, bring

back my car and take your gaudy one with you.

Thank you.

I guess you weren't

really going back to Milan.

I needed an alibi, and I had to help her or

someone would have accused me of having a motive.

Why did you ask to swap cars?

The Alfa Romeo would have been too conspicuous

and then it would have been inconvenient.

Have you ever read "Crime and Punishment"?

I don't like Russian writers.

Ouch, you hurt me, be more careful!

What?

I said: You hurt me, be more careful.

Just a second...

Can you cover for me?

Why?

I don't feel good...

Yes, of course...

- Hello?

- Hi, are you Stella D'Abramo?

Yes.

My name is Mirko Devangelio, I

am an organizer of local events.

I saw your paintings on your

Instagram, I liked them very much.

I would be interested in meeting

with you to discuss about an exposure.

Seriously?

Can we meet tomorrow morning?

I would like to see them personally...

It is in Francavilla. I'll

email you everything.

Absolutely!

All right, then see you tomorrow!

Great, thank you. Have a good day.

Ten phone calls!

You won't believe it, but ten different

national newspapers will talk about the event!

- Seriously?

- Yes.

You have an extraordinary talent,

and we are just getting started!

I am going to take you around

the whole province of Taranto,

and if we're lucky, within six

months, we'll get all the way to Naples!

You are an extraordinary

person, you know that, right?

Here you are!

- Put in the amount you want for your first ten paintings.

- Whoo!

- Don't make me become a homeless man!

- Quiet.

- I'm going to bed, I'm too tired. You do the dishes!

- Yes, I'll take care of it.

You didn't, right?

The time wasn't right.

Maybe I'm not ready for divorce yet.

Well, well...

Tommaso, realizing that he loved Giorgia,

decided to back out by messing up

the plan he had devised with Stella.

Stella, in desperation, decided to

end her life by jumping into a wild river.

For Tommaso, a new life began.

Giorgia was expecting a child.

Directed by.

Are you kidding me?

Yes!

I'm joking.

I would never make a movie like this.

I would never have the

courage to k*ll myself.

But you would k*ll someone else...

Well, k*lling is different.

Yes...

k*lling is different.

To k*ll yourself you must have ba*ls.

Even to k*ll someone else...

- How is the book going?

- Very well, however, it's not ready yet.

I don't want to let you

read it until I finish it.

- And what is it about?

- It's a love story

I was inspired by the two of us.

How much have you been

inspired by the two of us?

Pretty much, however, if I understand what

you're worried about you don't need to worry.

Will you publish it anonymously

or pseudonymously?

No, I will use my name. Why?

Nothing, I was just curious.

Hello? Hey, hello Mirko!

An exhibition at a venue in Venice?

I also have to meet a flm director in Milan.

Think about how many planes I'll have to take!

Everybody will understand it...

What's wrong?

Sorry, I can't do it tonight.

You can't or you don't want?

I can't do it here...

Why?

- Maybe because my wife died here?

- But we've had sex a million times in this bed!

I know, but I didn't think about it before.

What do you mean, you

want to sell the house?

This is the last thought.

I'm stressed, I can't relax.

- I can't do it.

- But why? Everything went well.

Don't talk like that.

Afraid someone bugged the place?

Deficient.

Are all those eggs for you?

Yes, why?

I've never seen a person

eating four eggs by himself...

- Did you need them?

- No, no...

Hey, look.

I'm sorry about yesterday.

I'm sorry.

That's okay, no worries.

That's all folks!

What?

We don't have an ending

yet, we have come this far.

No, no, no.

Wait, wait, wait.

So you are telling me this is all true?

Yes!

I still don't believe you.

Why would a m*rder*d confess

his sin to a director and a producer?

Because then you can make a movie about it.

I just wanted to be heard...

In this world no one

wants to listen anymore...

- Do you know that we could report you?

- Yes, I know, but you won't...

And at least, if you'll

report me it will be too late.

- Why too late?

- You will find out.

I guess I drank too much, but I

think you are perfect for the role.

Are you serious?

Of course I am.

I don't want a m*rder*r on one

of my sets, but I know you're not.

Why not?

Well, you don't look like a m*rder*r.

What do murderers look like?

You convinced me.

You sounded sincere.

And you know what I think?

I think you used the metaphor of m*rder to

make your story more intriguing and mysterious.

Yeah.

I believed in your story

from the beginning.

I think you are perfect to this role.

Yes, for being only in the

beginning, you didn't go badly.

So am I in the movie?

Of course you are, congratulations.

I can't believe it!

It's getting late, is it okay if

we continue another day?

Yes, I'd say that's enough for today.

I'd better sleep for a few hours. Tomorrow

Tommaso is taking me out for a boat ride.

- So Tommaso is real!

- You will have good news to tell him.

Thank you for everything.

Wait, I have one more question for you.

- Does Alfa Romeo really exist?

- Yes.

Well, then you could bring it to the

set. It could be your character's car...

It will be done.

Did you bring Giorgia here?

Yes.

I asked her to marry me here.

And when will you ask me?

- What kind of question is that?

- I was just curious, that's all.

- Would you marry me?

- Sure, I love you.

At this point you

should say I love you too.

Why can't you just enjoy this day?

You don't love me anymore?

I know that you don't give a sh*t about me.

- Are you crazy?

- You don't care about me.

That's ridiculous, I got into trouble

for you, don't you remember that?

No, I got into trouble myself.

You were just thinking about yourself!

There is something I don't know, Tommaso?

Are you betraying me?

Do you want to put this

in your bullshit novel too?

How could you? I told

you it wasn't ready yet.

What did you write, Stella? The story of two lovers

involved in the disappearance of the man's wife!

What are you worried

about? It's a fictional novel!

You made me k*ll my wife.

You did it all by yourself.

I was vulnerable.

I was alone.

And you just used me.

You made me do what you

wanted me to do, for your interests.

And that's it.

We were expecting a child, you know?

That's the problem.

You feel guilty about what you did and you

treat me like sh*t, blaming on me... Great!

And fighting with you

is a useless mistake.

I am a real as*h*le.

Yeah!

I still love you...

WHITE NIGHTS - Tragedy. The body of

Stella D'Abramo found in the Ionian Sea,

investigators torn

between m*rder or suicide.

Are you ok?

CUT!