The legend of Orpheus is well-known.
In Greek mythology, Orpheus was a troubadour from Thrace.
He charmed even the animals.
His songs diverted his attention from his wife Eurydice.
Death took her away from him.
He descended to the netherworld,
and used his charm to win permission
to return with Eurydice to the world of the living
on the condition that he never look at her.
But he looked at her
and was torn to pieces by the Bacchantes.
Where does our story take place...
and when?
A legend is entitled to be beyond time and place.
Interpret it as you wish...
The day I have a car like that I'll have to have a lot of money.
Heurtebise, help Cegeste across the square.
I'm not drunk!
Yes, you are.
Orpheus!
- Greetings! - Are you crazy?
Sit down for a minute.
- I've driven everyone away. - You've entered the lion's den.
I wanted to find out -
- What will you have to drink? - Nothing, thanks. I had a drink.
It was rather bitter.
You're brave to speak to me.
I'm no longer in the battle.
I gave up writing at 20. I had nothing new to say.
They respect my silence.
No doubt they think I have nothing new to say,
and that a poet should not be too famous.
They're not very fond of you.
Actually, they hate me.
Who's the not very amiable young drunkard
who doesn't seem to be averse to luxury?
That is Jacques Cegeste. A poet.
He's 18 years old and adored by all.
His companion, the princess, finances the review
that published his first poems.
The princess is very beautiful and very elegant.
She's not from here, but she needs to be among us.
Here is her review.
Every page is blank!
It's called "Nudism."
It's absurd.
Less absurd than if it were full of absurd writing.
No excess is absurd.
Orpheus, your gravest fault
is knowing just how far to go too far.
The public loves me.
The public is alone.
They're talking about us.
It seems they change everything and publish texts.
I have his poems.
Hold on to them. In his current state he's apt to leave them anywhere.
Give them back!
I'll kick your ass!
Will you calm down? I hate scenes.
Of course.
Police?
The Poets' Cafe. There's a brawl.
Good-bye.
Your cafe amuses me.
It thinks it's the center of the universe.
It is.
You know it, and it hurts you.
Is my case hopeless?
No. If it were, they wouldn't hate you.
What should I do?
Join in the battle?
Surprise us.
Your identification.
My apologies, sir. I didn't recognize you,
though my wife's room is full of portraits of you.
- The gentleman is with me. - My apologies once again.
You're in too well with the police.
- Me? - I advise you to disappear.
You might be blamed for this unpleasantness.
That's too much!
Let me go!
You have no right to treat him like this!
- He has no identification. - I vouch for him.
- You can explain it at the station. - This is outrageous!
We're just doing our job.
Let me go!
Scum! Swine!
Let me go!
- The little bastard bit me! - Watch out!
- Get the license numbers. - We couldn't see them.
Put the other units on alert.
Put him in my car and take care of this pathetic crowd.
Heurtebise, help them.
And to think it happened here, where no one even passes through!
Don't stand there like a lamppost.
Yes, you!
Make yourself useful.
I need you as a witness. Get in. Quick!
Give me your handkerchief.
He looks badly wounded.
Don't make useless remarks.
The hospital is behind us.
You don't think I'd take this child to a hospital.
Don't touch him!
But...
this young man is dead.
Will you mind your own business?
When will you stop meddling in other people's business?
It was you who told me to come with you.
Will you please be quiet?
Take the usual route.
The radio.
Silence
goes faster backwards.
Three times.
I repeat.
Your attention, please.
A single glass of water lights up the world.
- Where are we going? - Must I force you to be quiet?
A single glass of water lights the world.
Twice. I repeat.
Hello there!
But... those are the men who knocked this boy down.
You're being stupid.
Please, stop asking questions.
Get out and let my men handle this.
Take the body out of the car and take it upstairs.
Are you sleepwalking?
I must be.
Everyone is dawdling. I don't like this dawdling.
Wait for me here, sir.
Lay him on the floor.
Follow me.
You're clearly asleep.
Yes, I'm asleep.
It's very strange.
- You must explain - - No, I won't.
Sleeping or dreaming, the dreamer must accept his dreams.
I have a right to ask for an explanation.
You have every right, my dear man, and so do I...
so we're even.
Turn off that music!
There's a dead man in the next room and the men who killed him.
- I repeat... I demand - - And I demand you not touch that radio!
- Message: The mirrors would do well... - Calm down and have a seat.
to reflect further.
Three times.
You're unbearable.
Sit down.
Wait for me in this room.
My servants will bring you some champagne and cigarettes.
Make yourself at home.
You try too hard to understand what's going on, my dear young man,
and that's a serious mistake.
But they expect me at home.
Let your wife wait.
She'll be all the more pleased when you return.
- Is everything ready? - Yes, ma'am.
Cegeste, get up.
Hello.
- Do you know who I am? - I do.
- Say it. - You are my Death.
Good. From now on you will serve me.
I will serve you.
- You will obey my orders. - I will obey your orders.
Excellent.
Now, come with me.
Hold on to my dress.
Do not be afraid. Don't let go.
Where are we?
- I said, "Where are we?" - I don't know.
I'm supposed to wait for you and take you back.
Where is the princess? Where is the villa?
Sir, if you will kindly get in the car -
Yes, yes!
The woman was staying at the Hôtel des Thermes.
Call the manager for me.
They want to speak to the manager.
Yes, Hôtel des Thermes... Hello?
This is the chief inspector speaking.
I'm sorry to trouble you again.
Have you conducted your investigation?
Hello? Hello?
I can only repeat what I've told you, Inspector.
There is no woman here fitting that description,
nor have I seen any Rolls-Royces.
I'll drop by at 2:00. Forgive me.
It's unbelievable.
Not at the Thermes, not at the Fabius,
and not at the Hôtel des Deux Mondes.
He'll never come back.
There, there, calm down.
Men always come back.
They're so absurd!
But where is he? Where can he be?
There's no point in lying to you. He's with that woman.
No, no! I don't believe it!
Inspector, tell her it's not true. You know Orpheus!
- Tell her it's not true. - It's difficult to say.
Yours is a perfect marriage, but sometimes men lose their heads.
- It's a messy story. - Will the press create a scandal?
No, I gave strict orders.
Besides, the reporters don't know anything yet.
- It's a reporter, Inspector. - What?
What is it?
I've been sent by the Sun. Is your husband in?
My husband can't be disturbed. He's sleeping.
Is that so?
He worked all night.
I came by to see him, but I didn't want to disturb him.
Fine. I'll go then. Can I drop you off somewhere, Inspector?
- Not necessary. I have my car. - What was it you wanted?
I wanted to talk to him about the accident.
The young man is not at the hospital, and his friends are concerned.
Everything's fine. I'll stop by your office.
Well done!
This is terrible!
Let's not panic.
I'll stop by the office and speak with them.
Come now. Be strong.
Follow me, and be as quiet as possible.
I'll open the garage.
Then it's agreed?
My wife would never understand.
I'm a reporter from the Sun.
So you're asleep, huh?
I'll let you sleep on, Orpheus. Pleasant dreams!
Get out of here!
My newspaper will take your attitude into account.
Clear out.
- You'll regret this! - To hell with the press!
- That's something new. - Yes, it's new.
Eurydice, he's back!
- What are you doing here? - Charming!
Orpheus, if you abandon your wife, it's only normal
that she should call on those who love her.
I was frantic with worry. I called Aglaonice.
And the inspector?
I don't think you realize how serious the situation is.
What I realize is that I come home and find the police
and a woman whom I've forbidden to ever enter my house!
You've gone too far with your bad manners.
You'll live to regret those words!
Coming, Inspector?
You seem as unwelcome as I am.
Go on. I'm not holding you back.
You're to come to my office tomorrow.
Aglaonice is dangerous!
Her League of Women is powerful. You're crazy!
Perhaps I am going mad.
- Where were you? - Oh, no! Not that!
No cross-examinations, please!
But you've never stayed out all night. It's only natural that I ask you -
Nothing! Ask me nothing!
Orpheus, you never drink!
I do now! Do you mind?
And here I was waiting for you to come home
to tell you some great news!
I don't want to hear any more stories!
I especially don't want to hear any news!
The news I get is always bad news, and I'm tired of it!
Leave me alone. I want to sleep!
Sleep!
- Who are you? - I brought your husband back.
Where was he?
I'm the chauffeur for the woman whose car he got in yesterday.
Did he spend the night with her?
No, ma'am.
My employer was transporting a badly wounded man.
Your husband was at the scene and got in the car.
But my boss doesn't like people meddling in her affairs.
And so?
She left us on the road.
She had a small car waiting for her near her villa.
She drove off on her own with the wounded man.
And my husband?
I had a problem with the ignition.
It was better to wait till day.
Your husband slept in the car.
He was very worried about you.
I'd like to believe it.
I might lie to you if I were a real chauffeur, but I'm not.
- What are you? - A student - without a penny.
I only got the job two weeks ago.
My name is Heurtebise.
You make me feel better.
- Do you know my husband? - Who doesn't?
My husband adores me... and now we've had a fight.
He's not himself. He's been drinking.
You dropped your work.
I was going to tell him the big news.
He wouldn't listen. He saw nothing and heard nothing.
He stepped right on it without even noticing.
He's tired. It's hard to sleep in a car.
Perhaps it's that. He said he wanted to sleep.
But you must be exhausted.
I'll make you some coffee.
Where are you supposed to meet your employer?
Forgive me - this "lady."
Sit down.
I have no orders.
I'll wait for her in town.
Stay here if you like.
There's a little room above the garage.
It's not much, I'm warning you,
but you can park your car next to ours and wait.
Tell the truth.
You want me under your thumb because I'm part of the story.
Nevertheless, you are charming.
You're wrong. I'm very ordinary.
You must realize that women like me
have much to fear from certain people.
Your husband wouldn't lose his head easily.
He's very handsome and very famous.
It's a miracle that he's still faithful to me.
The water!
- Please, forgive me. - The gas!
- What about it? - It's still on. Be careful.
I dislike that smell...
and for good reason.
I committed suicide by gassing myself.
Since my death, the smell has pursued me.
Your death?
I mean... since I almost committed suicide.
You don't look like a ghost.
I was in love with a girl. She was quite ugly.
It's a pity she wasn't like you.
- Your name is Eurydice, is it not? - At your service.
But I've forgotten yours.
Heurtebise, at your service.
The bird sings with its fingers.
Once.
I repeat.
And that first night
Orpheus' Death entered his room
and watched him sleep.
Two days later...
There are other radios besides this one.
I can't get this station anywhere else.
So I have to live in this car to spend time with you?
- Nobody's forcing you! - Darling -
38...
39...
40.
Twice.
I repeat.
Seems like nothing but meaningless words to me.
But there was a terrific message yesterday.
Rest awhile.
So the messages can start again as soon as I turn my back? Thanks.
You can't spend your life in a talking car.
- It makes no sense. - No sense?
My life had begun to pass its peak.
It was rotting, stinking of success and of death.
The least of these phrases is much more than any of my poems.
I'd give all that I've written for even one of those little phrases.
I'm on the trail of the unknown.
Orpheus, little phrases won't feed our child.
There's a woman for you, Heurtebise.
You discover a world
and she speaks to you of baby clothes and bills.
I admire Orpheus.
I could have listened a thousand times and not paid the slightest attention.
Where could they be coming from, Heurtebise?
They're on no other station.
I'm certain they're meant for me.
Orpheus, nothing matters but this car.
I could die and you wouldn't even notice.
We were dead and we didn't notice.
Beware of the Sirens!
It is I who charm them.
Your voice is very beautiful.
Be satisfied with your voice.
Attention.
2,294. Twice.
What fascinating poetry!
Who can say what's poetry and what isn't?
Besides, if you're not happy, you don't have to stay.
I just want to be left in peace, that's all.
Take her away. She'll drive me mad.
That car will drive you mad.
Take her away, Heurtebise, or I'll do something I'll regret!
Orpheus was horrible.
No, he's a genius, and every genius has his moods.
It's not that talking car that I fear.
It's what he's looking for.
But he'd be the same with that woman.
All he's interested in is those phrases.
Heurtebise, I may be foolish
but I feel things.
It's the first time he's treated me like a dog.
Don't exaggerate. It's just a little family quarrel.
It starts with little family quarrels.
You're going to lie down and close your eyes.
Would you answer it for me?
Yes, this is Orpheus' house.
No, this is not Orpheus.
Yes, Inspector.
Yes, I'll give him your message.
The inspector called. He's expecting you.
- And your wife doesn't feel well. - It's natural in her condition.
- Go see her. - All right. Would you get the car out?
- My car? - No, mine.
No one must suspect the other car is here.
The whole town knows that car.
What's wrong?
- Don't you feel well? - Very well.
- Would you like me to get you a nurse? - A nurse?
I can't leave you all alone. I have to go into town.
I won't be alone.
Forgive my bad temper.
I've been resting on my laurels.
I've got to wake up.
Hurry home.
Do you forgive me? I'm all nerves.
What is it? Did I scare you?
I'm all on edge. I couldn't drive.
Aren't you afraid they might recognize me if I drive?
You can drop me off and wait somewhere where no one will recognize you.
I'm going to police headquarters, and then I'll be back.
One never knows if one will return from police headquarters.
Very funny.
Excuse me. Have you seen a dark-haired woman pass by?
Hello, Orpheus. Hot under the collar?
Excuse me -
Have you seen a young woman pass by?
Chasing girls, Orpheus?
She's very thin and very smart, and she walks very fast.
That's me!
- Orpheus, your autograph, please. - I don't have the time.
- Please, sign my book! - I don't have anything to write with.
Monique, lend me your pen.
It's him, it's him!
Let me go!
Idiot!
Over here! Come quick!
I see why he steers clear of us. Read this.
Troubling article...
Speak one at a time or we'll never get anywhere.
You were saying, sir, that this phrase is a poem.
No one should know better than you.
Go ahead and speak.
Orpheus sent me the texts yesterday morning.
I found them quite astonishing.
I showed them to my friends.
I noticed that one of them - quite an astonishing one -
reminded me of something.
I believe this is the text.
"The bird sings with its fingers."
I quote without prejudice.
On the day of the accident, the guy was smashed.
Are you speaking of the victim?
Jacques Cegeste. He was to give us a poem.
After the brawl, I found these pages at The Poets' Cafe.
He wrote the phrase you have in your hand.
Orpheus didn't know Cegeste.
He was sitting with me when he saw Cegeste for the first time.
The young man disappears under tragic circumstances,
and his poem comes back to us through Orpheus, who was in the car
and who claims he doesn't know what became of Cegeste.
Madam, you run a women's club, "The Bacchantes."
One can drink late into the night there.
- Just champagne, Inspector. - That's right.
What can you tell me?
Orpheus married one of my former serving girls.
We're very fond of her.
When she's sad, she comes to us.
She told us she was very unhappy.
Ladies and gentlemen, I don't doubt your good faith,
nor your wish to assist justice.
But this evidence is too flimsy to accuse a national hero...
Orpheus!
Don't forget we call a fanfare of trumpets
"Orphean music."
Ladies, gentlemen -
To hell with national heroes! We'll take care of justice ourselves!
I'm expecting Orpheus at any moment. I'm sure he'll explain -
If justice refuses to intervene, then we will.
Good-bye, Inspector.
Gentlemen, gentlemen!
Did you read the article?
- No, and I won't read it. - Good choice. It's disgraceful.
Don't mention it to my wife.
Did you see a lot of people?
It seemed to me that the streets were oddly empty.
All I found were girls asking for autographs.
- And you? - No. Wait - yes! My employer.
She passed by in a convertible.
She slowed down and shouted to me that the Rolls was fine at your place,
and that I should wait for her.
You should have gone after her, shouted for her to stop.
A chauffeur doesn't give orders. He only takes them.
Did she give you any orders?
No. She told me to wait for orders at your place.
- What did the inspector tell you? - I didn't go to see him. He can wait.
Each night, Orpheus' Death
returned to his room.
- No, Eurydice, no! - I must go, Heurtebise.
I'll go to Aglaonice. I must!
She's the only one who can advise me.
Orpheus would not like it!
He doesn't care about anything but that woman's car.
Even if I drove you, he'd see you. He's in the garage.
I'll take my bicycle. I do it all the time.
- In your condition it's crazy! - I'm going!
I don't have the authority to forbid you,
but what if I begged you?
I'd still go.
It wouldn't stop me. I'm going mad!
Aglaonice can't tell you anything new
and you'll be dead tired.
Hello.
Come along, Cegeste. Get used to following me.
- Close the door. - What door?
The mirror! You never understand what you're told.
The mirror and the trapdoor.
Is everything all right?
That depends.
What do you mean by that?
Nothing, ma'am.
Good.
I can't stand impertinence.
Is Orpheus in the garage?
Yes, ma'am.
Well, now, Cegeste,
what does that look mean?
Perhaps you expected to see me with a scythe and a shroud?
My boy, if I appeared to the living the way they portray me,
they would recognize me,
and that wouldn't make our work very easy.
Heurtebise will help you. You'll never manage on your own.
I'll close the curtains myself since none of you have bothered to.
Leave nothing on the table except the transmitter.
Cegeste, send the messages.
Come on, get a move on!
Not drinking doesn't suit you.
I have no time to waste.
"A young widow's mourning shroud
is as brief as a noonday candle."
Once. I repeat.
Your phrases are an exquisite stroke of inspiration.
Thank you.
- Where are my gloves? - They're not in the bag.
Did you forget them? That's the last straw!
Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry.
I knew it. Give me yours. Quickly!
You know I demand absolute discipline
like on a ship.
Do you have orders?
What did you say?
I asked you if you had orders.
When I carry out my orders, I expect mine to be carried out.
That's exactly why I ask if you have orders.
You dare to ask?
If you had had orders, your butchers would have completed their task.
Are you in love with this idiot?
What if I am?
You have no right to love in any world.
- Nor do you. - What?
- You can't escape the rules. - I order you to be quiet!
You're in love with Orpheus and you don't know how to handle it.
Shut up!
Transmit your messages.
Make something up - anything!
Could I appear and disappear like ?eurtebise?
You're too clumsy. Transmit.
"Jupiter gives wisdom
to those he would lose.
I repeat."
Orpheus! Orpheus!
What? Can't I ever be left alone?
Your wife is in great danger.
- Follow me. - Be quiet!
I'm telling you, your wife is in great danger.
- I can't hear. - Will you listen to me?
Let me finish writing this.
Orpheus, your wife is dying!
You don't know her.
It's just a trick to get me back in the house.
Get up.
Do you know who I am?
- I do. - Say it.
My Death.
From now on you belong to the other world.
From now on I belong to the other world.
- You will obey my orders. - I will obey.
Excellent.
Ah, there you are.
Orpheus must have refused to follow you.
I will report this.
And so will I.
I have a lot to say.
Don't forget the apparatus. You forget everything!
I suppose, Heurtebise, that you want to stay on Earth?
You look like a gravedigger in that trapdoor.
You are quite ridiculous!
I'm not the only one!
I'll make a note of your insolence.
Cegeste!
Won't you ever learn not to look back?
People have been turned into a pillar of salt for that!
Let's go.
I warned you. You're too late.
- Too late? - Come up.
What are you doing in my room?
Come in through the window you find so handy for climbing out.
I asked you what you're doing in my room.
- Your wife. - What about my wife?
Your wife is dead.
Are you joking?
That would be a strange joke.
You refused to listen to me.
Eurydice.
Orpheus, listen to me.
It's too late for regrets.
Listen to me.
But how...
and why?
She had a bad fall
and, I suspect, other things as well.
What?
It's not possible.
Talk to me.
Look at me.
There's one way to undo your foolishness.
This is part of the same dream,
the same nightmare.
But I'll wake up - Somebody wake me up!
Listen to me.
Will you listen to me, Orpheus?
It's all useless.
You have one chance left.
What chance?
Orpheus, you know Death.
I've spoken of her...
I've dreamt of her...
I've sung about her.
I thought I knew her...
but I didn't know her.
You know her... in person!
In person?
You have been with her.
With her?
In her room. In her very room!
- The princess? - That's right.
My God!
The mirror.
I'll give you the secret of secrets.
Mirrors are the doors through which Death comes and goes.
Look at yourself in a mirror all your life...
and you'll see Death at work
like bees in a hive of glass.
How do you know these frightening things?
Don't be naive.
Could I be her chauffeur without learning certain frightening things?
Heurtebise, there's nothing more to be done.
Yes, there is. You must join her.
No man can do that
unless he kills himself.
A poet is more than a man.
But my wife lies dead there on her deathbed!
It's one of her forms,
as the princess is one of Death's forms.
It's all false!
Your wife is in another world.
I invite you to follow me there.
I would follow her to hell!
You needn't go that far.
I want to find Eurydice.
You don't need to beg.
I'm offering it to you.
Look into my eyes.
Is it Eurydice you wish to find, or Death?
But...
I'm asking you very clearly:
Is it Death you wish to find, or Eurydice?
Both.
And, if you can, betray one with the other?
Let's hurry!
I am proud to no longer be alive.
Someone left their gloves here.
- Gloves? - Put them on.
Come on, put them on.
With these gloves you will pass through mirrors
as if they were water.
Prove it.
Try it.
I'll go with you.
Look at the time.
Hands out in front.
Perhaps you're afraid?
But this mirror is a mirror,
and in it I see an unhappy man.
You do not have to understand.
You just have to believe.
Where are we?
Life is a long death...
This is the Zone.
It is made of men's memories and the ruins of their habits.
Does every mirror in the world lead here?
I suppose so.
But do not give me too much credit.
Do not think I know much more than you do.
Keep moving.
It's hard to follow you.
You move, but you're motionless.
It's different for me.
Glazier!
Why are these people prowling around? Are they alive?
They think so.
There's nothing more habit-forming than habit.
Are we going far?
The words you use have no meaning here.
There's no wind.
Why do you seem to be heading into the wind?
"Why?" Always "Why?"
Ask no more questions. Keep moving.
Must I take you by the hand?
Did you receive orders to transmit your messages?
Yes.
Did you receive orders to transmit certain messages?
Didn't you have to submit the texts first?
Be careful how you answer.
No. I invented the phrases and numbers.
I myself sent some phrases I had written earlier.
Did you notice anything peculiar
about Heurtebise's behavior?
I admired how he could appear and disappear at will.
I wished I could do that,
but Death told me I'd never be able to.
- That I was too clumsy. - Enough.
Take the young man away.
Bring the next person in.
May I sit down?
Be seated.
May I smoke?
If you wish.
Having been given orders -
or at least permission -
to take a young man into your service...
you are accused of having taken his wife as well.
Furthermore, of having undertaken a private enterprise,
and of having used initiative.
What do you have to say in response?
Nothing.
It was a series of circumstances.
There are no circumstances allowed here.
There are only orders.
Did you have orders?
The laws of the other world are so different from ours.
Perhaps I overstepped my authority without realizing it.
Before continuing the enquiry,
we must wait for another suspect and a witness.
They're here.
Hello.
We've been cornered.
Make no mistake, gentlemen. These are my judges.
Stay calm.
Come forward.
So, Heurtebise...
now is the time to say what you have to say.
I have nothing to say.
You are accused of taking part in an intrigue
in which Death was involved without permission.
Do you have a valid excuse?
I was her aide. I followed her.
You lingered in the human world for personal reasons,
which you had no right to do.
Perhaps.
There is no "perhaps" here.
Answer.
I didn't mean to disobey.
Come forward.
You. You!
- Me? - Yes, you.
Your name.
- Your profession? - Poet.
The card says "writer."
- It's almost the same thing. - There is no "almost" here.
What do you mean by "poet"?
To write, without being a writer.
Do you know this man?
Yes.
Do you admit you took his wife?
Yes.
To get her out of the way and have this man for yourself?
- Gentlemen - - Silence.
Calm down.
- Keep calm. - Do you love this man?
Yes.
Is it true you entered his room to watch him sleep?
Yes.
Sign this paper.
Do you have a pen?
I forgot you're not a writer.
Show these two people out.
Not you.
Stay here.
Come forward.
Do you recognize this man?
Of course. It's Heurtebise.
Did he attempt to speak to you in your husband's absence?
Did he say anything shameful to you?
Shameful?
Of course not. It's Heurtebise.
Heurtebise, do you love this woman?
I repeat: Do you love this woman?
- Yes. - That is all we wanted to know.
Sign here.
And you told them yes?
One cannot lie here.
My love.
I loved you even before we met.
I must have seemed very stupid to you.
What can we say to each other?
I don't have the right to love anyone...
and yet I love.
You are all-powerful.
In your eyes.
Here Death takes on innumerable forms.
Young and old, they receive orders.
And if you disobeyed those orders?
They can't kill you. It is you who kill.
- What they do is worse. - Where do the orders come from?
They are sent back and forth by so many sentinels
like the tom-toms of your African tribes...
the echoes of your mountains...
the wind whispering through your trees.
I will go to he who gives those orders.
My poor love, he exists nowhere.
Some say he thinks of us...
others, that we are his thoughts.
Others say he sleeps and that we are his dream...
his bad dream.
I'll take you away from here when they set us free.
Set us free?
I never want to leave you.
I must leave you
but I swear I will find a way to bring us back together.
Say "forever."
- Forever. - Swear it.
I swear.
But now -
- Now their police are here. - A miracle will happen.
Miracles only happen in your world.
All worlds are moved by lovers.
In our world no one is moved. One goes from judge to judge.
Come.
Go on. I love you.
Do not be afraid.
I don't want to lose you again.
If you resist, you will lose us.
Follow me.
Gentlemen.
I shall now pronounce the verdict.
"We, this tribunal,
release Orpheus' Death and her aides on bail.
Orpheus is free
on condition that he never speak of what he has seen.
Eurydice is free to return to life in the other world
on condition that Orpheus never look upon her.
A single glance at her and he will lose her forever."
- But - - Silence!
Here is your wife.
Be careful! Don't look at her!
You've made a good start.
May I be permitted to accompany Orpheus to his house?
I'm afraid he may find it difficult to comply with orders
without supervision by one of our people.
You may accompany the couple.
Under our watchful eye, of course.
- Do you have the gloves? - No.
- Oh, yes. In my pocket. - Put them on.
Close your eyes. I will guide you.
It will be easier that way in the beginning.
And... her?
May I look at her?
Under no circumstances.
You must not open your eyes under any circumstances!
Take hold of him by the shoulders. It will be safer that way.
Come.
Where are the judges?
The swine!
Cegeste...
If I were of our former world,
I'd say
let's have a drink.
How could it be 6:00?
We entered the mirror at 6:00.
You must not speak of these things. You gave your word.
There's a letter.
I'll go.
Call out from the garden, "I'm coming back in..."
and Eurydice will hide.
- ?ow convenient. - What a nightmare!
Be careful!
Why shouldn't I look at myself?
If Orpheus comes in, he might see you in the mirror.
It's a good thing you came.
You're not angry with me for what I said at the tribunal?
What did you say?
Excuse me.
When Orpheus comes in, hide under the table.
An anonymous letter, written backwards.
Look out, Eurydice! He's coming!
Be careful, Orpheus.
- Eurydice, are you under the table? - I am.
Where is he?
- Where are you? - Over there, under the table.
That's great.
YOU ARE A THIEF AND A MURDERER WE WILL MEET ON YOUR GRAVE
Beware of mirrors.
- No need to tell me. - I meant her reflection.
Heurtebise forbids me to look at myself in the mirror.
Get rid of that stupid letter!
May I come out?
Just a minute. Turn your back.
You can come out.
I can't even say how difficult this is...
the tension such an absurd thing causes!
We will get used to it.
Funny thing to get used to!
It's better than being blind...
or losing a leg.
We don't have much choice.
It even has its advantages.
Orpheus won't see my wrinkles.
Fine!
You seem to be taking this well!
I don't see what else your wife could do.
- What else she could - - Careful!
You're dangerous, my friend.
I'm not going to live with blinders on!
I'll get you a drink. Close your eyes.
Heurtebise will sit you down while I'm in the kitchen.
I'll tell you what else my wife could do:
She could realize the awful position I'm in.
You think she doesn't suffer too?
You're wrong. Women adore complications.
Close your eyes.
- What if I put on a blindfold? - That would be cheating.
It's wiser to get used to it right from the start.
It won't be easy, I know, but we'll manage.
Bring a chair. Sit down.
I'll turn my back.
It's when you're moving around that you're dangerous.
A picture of your wife is not your wife.
I'm so tired.
A decision has to be made about how to handle this situation,
and it's up to me to make it.
We can't spend our lives playing hide-and-seek.
Do you want me to go live somewhere else?
- Always exaggerating! - Come on, Orpheus.
We can't share the same room.
I'll sleep here on the sofa.
Now who's exaggerating?
Be careful!
It's her fault! She could provoke even a corpse to turn around!
- I should have stayed dead. - Tell her to be quiet!
I'm incredibly on edge. I could do anything!
You've made your wife cry.
Since I annoy everyone, I'll leave!
- Where are you going? - To my room.
Try to calm down.
He hates me.
If he hated you, he would not have snared you from Death.
For that he will always be remembered.
He didn't come for me.
You know that.
Just like you know where he's going
when he goes into his car.
Orpheus was lost to Eurydice.
She could not bear to live this way.
She wanted to save him from herself...
and there was only one way to do it.
Do you love this man?
I'm asking you if you love this man.
What is it? Is that you?
It's me, Eurydice.
I know you often fall asleep with the lamp on,
but since the electricity has been cut off for an hour,
I came down to find a book.
A book? To read in the dark?
Try to understand.
Think of the risk you're exposing us to with your carelessness.
Go upstairs and close the trapdoor.
You've scared the wits out of me.
- Do you forgive me? - Of course.
Go upstairs and sleep.
A short black-out
had made her miss her chance.
She had to go on living,
and the next day -
You've come just in time. Do you understand the code?
Stock market quotations.
- What about this? - Be careful, your wife is coming.
Don't push her too far.
- May I come in? - Close your eyes for a minute.
Yes, come in.
Your husband was listening to the stock market.
- Get in the back. - Am I bothering you?
I was listening out here so I wouldn't disturb you in the house.
- That noise frightens me. - Don't take risks.
What risks?
Orpheus can't see me, but I can touch his cheek.
It's wonderful!
The mirror!
That was bound to happen.
It had to happen.
It had to happen, Heurtebise.
I had enough of half-measures and arrangements.
There's no getting used to that. You have to go all the way.
Stones. You can make a statue of me with them!
You must not stay outside.
There they are, the swine! I've been expecting them.
The letter, Heurtebise. The anonymous letter.
I'll talk to them.
What does marble think when it's being sculpted?
It thinks, "I am struck, insulted, ruined, lost."
Life is sculpting me. Let it finish its work.
- Cowards! - Threaten them with this.
This is your house!
Give me that revolver. I'm ordering you to give it to me.
And I order you to get out.
I forbid you to set foot on my property.
- I'll come onto your property as I like. - Do you want to kill me?
We want to know where Jacques Cegeste is.
- Is he here with you? - Stay back or I'll shoot.
I'll shoot!
- Step away from the door. - Keep calm.
He's only wounded. No one will harm you.
Is it done?
It is done.
- Cegeste. - Madam?
This is the first time I have almost understood the notion of time.
Waiting must be frightful for men.
I no longer remember.
- Are you bored? - What's that?
Forgive me.
I was talking to myself.
This is no longer the same journey.
Heurtebise leads Orpheus
where he should not lead him.
No longer the wonderful motionless journey,
Orpheus and his guide trudge on,
forced backward then forward
by a great unexplained wind.
They are here.
I found a way to come to you again.
I cried softly for so long that you finally came.
I heard you and waited for you.
I did not want you to stay among men.
- Where shall we hide? - We no longer have to hide.
- We will be free. - Forever?
Forever.
Hold me, Orpheus. Hold me tight.
You burn like ice.
You still have a human warmth.
- It's nice. - I love you.
I love you.
- Will you obey me? - I will obey you.
- Whatever I ask? - Whatever you ask.
Even if I condemned you? If I tortured you?
I belong to you
and I will never leave you.
Never again.
- You know what I expect of you. - But madam -
It's our last hope, and we haven't a second to lose.
- Reconsider - - There is no need to reconsider.
There is nothing worse in any world.
Are you a coward?
The Death of a poet
must sacrifice itself
to make him immortal.
For the last time, I beg you...
do not try to understand what I am going to do,
for in truth it would be difficult to understand even in our world.
- Stand here. - Quick.
Cegeste, to work!
Orpheus, don't move. Stay still. You promised.
Work, work!
Heurtebise, I'll help you. I'll work along with you.
Don't weaken.
Count... calculate. Labor as I labor.
Seal him up. You must!
Without willpower we are cripples.
I can do no more.
You must will it, Heurtebise. You must!
- I can't. - You're not trying.
Don't speak. Go deep inside yourself
and escape from yourself. Run! Overturn all obstacles!
You're nearly there.
You're there.
I see it.
I'm almost there.
A final effort, Heurtebise.
Do it.
Are you there?
Answer me. Are you there?
I'm there.
Then set out.
Go back in time.
What has been must no longer be.
Glazier!
- I'm very tired. - I don't care!
Work. Work, I command you!
Where are you?
In the room.
The gloves.
Get the gloves, quick!
Were you watching me sleep?
Yes, my love.
- I had a terrible nightmare. - You don't feel ill?
- No. A little headache. - I will cure you.
- Were you working? - I was working.
You work too hard. Try to rest.
My books don't write themselves.
- But they do! - I help them.
How is the young boy behaving?
- It might be a girl. - It's a boy!
He's kicking me.
- He'll be as unbearable as his father. - Unbearable? You?
Many people find me unbearable.
Poor you! They love you.
- And they loathe me. - That's a form of love.
There's only one love that counts:
ours.
Is it done?
It is done.
Madam, your own aides.
They're here to arrest you?
Yes, Cegeste.
Flee!
Where?
When they arrest you here...
what happens?
It's not pleasant.
It's never pleasant.
Here less than anywhere else.
Thank you.
It was nothing.
We had to return them to their mire.
Farewell, Cegeste.
T?E END