005 int- night – smoking room in an opium den Noah, a dark, stormy 22-24 year old (WE’LL LEARN LATER THAT HE IS LUCA’S BROTHER), is lounging on a small wooden bed in a opium den. Here and there, old chinese men in their 60s, dressed maostyle, move between the beds, serving the groggy smokers (very few caucasians). The place looks like an old chinese shadow theatre, all in wood, like tintin and the blue lotus. An old asian man, easily in his 60s, stooped and tired, approaches noah. He is carrying a tray on which is placed a small ebony and satin box. Upon seeing the boy’s vegetable state, he mutters to himself:
Astarot performs an exaggerated, ironic military salute, then drifts away, sighing.
purse, and returns to her tanning session. End split-screen – saturation
Satan (to behemoth) And you, behemoth, this is your last chance to prove that you are not completely worthless. I advise you to try your best for once.
009 int - day - living room in a luxurious apartment
Saturation 007 int - day – italian ambassy in paris years old, very classy and poised, is sitting at a (WE’LL LEARN LATER THAT HE IS LUCA’S FATHER).
Old asian man (disenchanted) White people just don’t know how to smoke… Then he bends over noah and opens the box. Inside, there is a small black ball. Old asian man My master sent me to bring you this present… Noah nods slightly, eyes half closed. The old man places the ball near the boy’s face and leaves quietly, heading to a small door which he opens. 006 int - night – back room of the opium den
Someone knocks at the door. Luca’s father Si! A woman wearing a suit, approx. 35 years old, sticks her head in the door. Secretary The minister is waiting for you in the grand salon, mr. Ambassador.
Satan How many times have i told you to never disturb me during training?! Back to work! The old man gets up shamefully and leaves the room, head bowed. Satan claps his hands together twice and everyone stops what they are doing to listen. Satan Soon, we will be going into action. I want all of you to be ready for the next full moon. Behemoth! Astarot! Come here! The tall black capoeirist cautiously approaches satan. Behemoth Yes, master? Satan (yelling) Astarot!! A beautiful woman approx. 30 years old, pale face, yellow eyes and snakes instead of hair, is is making exaggerated faces. At the call, she jumps. Disenchanted, she joins behemoth. Satan (to astarot) Astarot, you are the general now, so stop your foolishness. I want your warriors operational in 4 days!
Malia’s mother (annoyed, she cuts malia off) It’s the best thing that could have happened to you. What are you complaining about?
SPLIT SCREEN : THE IMAGE SPLITS IN 2 TO ALLOW US TO SEE THE FOLLOWING SCENE :
Malia’s mother Lower your voice, yann could hear you!
008 int - day – beauty salon
Malia So what! Do you think he doesn’t suspect anything? His father left him like a shit and isn’t coming back! What do you think i told him? (taking on an ironic tone) Oh, don’t worry darling, daddy just took a vacation
In a posh beauty salon, a very beautiful bour-
Satan lowers himself toward the old man and pushes him back against the wall without even touching him.
Malia’s mother seems not to care at all what her daughter is saying, but fakes interest.
The woman leaves and closes the door behind her. Luca’s father picks up one of the 2 telephones on his desk and dials.
Secretary Very well, sir.
Old asian man (to satan) Please excuse my intrusion, master… i’ve just delivered the magic ball to the young boy’s brother. The curse should begin as of this evening. You will be able to manipulate him as you wish.
Malia He’s gone, mom!
Malia (perplexed) What are you talking about? I’m telling you that the father of my son, you know, the man with whom i’ve shared my life for the last 6 years and whom i should’ve married, has just left me without warning, and you, all you can think of to say is: (she imitates her mother’s voice) It’s the best thing that could have happened to you!
Luca’s father Grazie, giulia. Tell him i’ll be there in 5 minutes.
(LINKING SCENE)
completely walled in wood which looks like the lower interior of an enormous old cantonese boat. There, satan, dressed like an chinese nobleman, is suspended in space. Beneath him, 2 beautiful russ-meyer-like women are wrestling in bathing suits. Here and there, boys dressed in mao vests practice martial arts exercises, beijing opera style. A tall black man practices capoeira and young skateboarders practice fencing with their boards.
In the living room of a superb apartment located at the end of ile st. Louis with a view on the seine, malia is perched on the edge of a large armchair. She is facing a bourgeois-looking woman (nouveau-riche looking) who is lounging on a large sofa (on which she is taking up 2 places), her feet up on the coffee table between her and malia. At the other end of the room, a small boy with light dreadlocks, approx. 6 years old, very calm, is sitting legs crossed in front of a tv, showing a manga cartoon.
in a tanning bed. She seems to be in her 40s, although it is not sure. (WE’LL LEARN LATER THAT SHE IS LUCA’S MOTHER)
Her cell phone rings. Cursing, she disengages herself from the tanning bed to pull her phone out of her purse. Standing naked, she answers.
you. But maybe he’ll miss you and that will make him come back…
Luca’s father Marianna, it’s me.
Malia’s mother (annoyed) Yes, you’re right, you only need to tell him the truth! That his father is a good-for-nothing who made enough money off of my back in paris, and has only to spend it until he chokes to death on it!!!
Luca’s mother What is it ?
Malia jumps up, raises a hand against her mother, but doesn’t hit her.
Luca’s father I just wanted to tell you that i’ll be home late this evening and that you shouldn’t hold dinner for me.
Malia’s mother (very calm) Oh right, go ahead, what are you waiting for? Hit me. That’s the only thing missing from your trophy case!
Luca’s mother Hello !
Luca’s mother Well, i won’t be there either. I’m going to the club. You know very well that thursday is my bridge night. Luca’s father And the children? Luca’s mother What about the children? They not crippled, as far as i know! They’re not 4 years old anymore,
Malia scoffs, which causes her mother to lose control: she delivers her an open-handed slap, knocking her backwards into her chair. Malia’s mother (raising her voice, towering over her daughter) I’ve had enough of your problems. Enough that you never do things as you should. Enough that you entangle yourself constantly in impossible situations! Look at me, i’m 48 years old and one would say i’m closer to 60… all because of you!
Luca’s father Exactly my point. I think we should spend more time with them…
Malia (calmer now) You should’ve thought of that before you adopted me…
Luca’s mother Right, ok. Look, i’m busy right now. I’ll see you this evening.
Malia’s mother (calming herself sitting down) Listen, calimero, if life was like disney, i’d be married to donald trump and living like a queen on 5th avenue.
She closes her cell phone, puts it back in her