Species 3 : Loig Allix Thivend Scenarios -The Scenario Factory II Film Synopsis

"-PAPA WON'T LEAVE YOU, HENRY !!"

Loïg Scenario Fac II:"Fun Division"(or not)

Following the original "Scenario Factory"'s triumph -still available here- we bring you... Part Two, en attendant Partie Trois (maintenant en-ligne) . Rappel : tout document ci-dessous propriété intellectuelle de Loïg Allix Thivend, MoFo', disponible pour toute adaptation mutuellement acceptable. Ta.

Rappel : when I started the Scenario Factory, the idea was to feature synopses from anyone who wanted to contribute, under their copyright of course. As it happens, contributions being what they usually are when sollicited (non-existent), I have been forced to concentrate on my own writings. Which doesn't really bother me -after all, isn't the Net the biggest vanity parlour in the world ?- but, to repeat my original proposition, : let us build, together, a substantial database of possible plots for producers (no less !) to choose from. Once again, everything underneath -as well as in the first Factory- is legally registered under his rightful author's name... i.e., er..., me, then.

"The Scenario" (or : "The Great Adventure")

Comedy : depicts the travails of two scriptwriters commissionned to wrote a come-back vehicle for an ageing filmstar. Sanjay, an astute Asian businessman (early thirties), contacts two University friends of his, a sensitive New Man (writer), and a maniac film buff ("otaru", as the Japanese would say ?) to write a thriller for a B-movie film star who his uncle, a local reasonably wealthy "Bollywood" type producer, has managed to sign up. The project represents a great opportunity for the uncle who wants to move into new, non-Asian, territory; Sanjay, who wants to prove himself as a savvy film decider; and the two writers, who are given their big chance to write a movie for real. The has-been "star" could be John Malkovich, Eric Cantona, Angus Deayton (-why, Le Grand "can-do-everything" Gerard Depardieu of course !); the caring writer type could be played by... Vinnie Jones : devoted to his wife and children. The film maniac, complete with goatee, lives in his videotapes- and cult memorabilia- covered flat (could be Jean-Hughes Anglade, or David Thewlis; think the comic bookshop owner in the "Simpsons".).

The uncle gives them "total artistic freedom"... but the ever-present go-between Sanjay always reminds them of not offending anyone : our film explores all the film cliches encountered by scriptwriters (cf. the numerous relevant websites) who set out to write something "really innovative and ground-breaking" (and will inevitably fall back onto hackneyed gimmicks), and the social "political correctness" issues (inhibiting artistic freedom), peppered with genuine cinema anecdotes. After many a discussion, the trio decide on a detective character investigating corrupt politicians -cos' nobody can possibly side with those; happy ending mandatory. The private personalities of the two "artists" come through : is it any surprise that caring literature graduate "V. Jones" watches violent porn secretly, and late adolescent "Gruff'" would love nothing more, some days, than to be just one of the lads down the pub discussing footy (scene in which he tries; but it's more comfortable for everyone if he assumes his eccentric persona). In the same spirit, they come across a woman of the verge of a nervous breakdown (name your favourite actress), who turns out to be a social worker. As for would-be entrepreneur Sanjay, exasperated with the two procrastinating ("ooh... whass the point... nobody will see it anyway..."), he finally gets down to it, and single-handedly writes the ending for them : the detective, as a lonesome rebel as they come (diehard indoors smoker), uncovers a paedophile ring, turns down his secretly enamoured secretary with a witty one-liner, and rides off -without his crash helmet- into the misty sunset.

The ending : they proudly hand over the scenario, which they have completed throughout the night, unaware of the news headline : "Troy McClure" the actor died the day before. There could be an "epilogue" detailing what happens to the protagonists next : the two get paid, and Sanjay gets his first "hit", as his uncle takes the actor's place in the tailor-made, vanity project, film.

Comments : a film for film lovers, with lots of film trivia, that don't have to be explained, but will be picked up by those who know their John Holmes from their Bertrand Blier (says Film-Incoherence's editor). Talking of which, special appearence by Nadia Nyce. Format : as a film, or preferably as a TV series, which would give us more time to explore the different topics tackled by the two intrepid scriptwriters. Basically, this should be a fun opportunity for all actors concerned to be used contra-type, or possibly caricature themselves.

One of my starting ideas was : here are two avid debunkers of (film/representation) cliches, who have no awareness of their own deficiencies (reality) : post-modern concept of fiction more exciting than reality, but not in a cynical way : it would be too easy, not to say demagogic, to show these two/three dreamers selfishly ignoring the harsh realities of life (don't we all ?); I want to keep the tone pleasant, so as to demonstrate the necessity of light-hearted humour, sometime. Also, I want some kind of happy end, as they somehow "get somewhere" ...even if it's not where they intended : they get the film -what's become of it- done.

As they go along, scenes from their dream-film featuring "Troy Mc Clure" -then record scratch sound-effect, actors freeze : voice-overs : "hang on, we can't show that ! he can't be seen doing this or that, because...". The two writers could be shown excerpts from the uncle's other productions, at the beginning : presentation of the fantastic, epic, artistic "Bollywood" genre, as well as truly appalling "sexploitation" straight-to-video thrillers (I want some baaaad typecasting acting here), the direction in which the uncle claims he would now like to move into : close-up on the sensitive soul's face (no music or comment needed); ecstasy on the cult afficinado's. Of course, between these two, the sensitive one will come up with the more outrageous suggestions; which executive producer Sanjay always cleverly manages to dumb down; any resemblance with existing situations... (with a nod to producer Rob Lowe in "Wayne's World".) Presentation of Asian community in Britain, including music (about time, too). Filmed footage of sci-fi fairs. Music : "Love Rears Its Ugly Head"-Living Color, and the fabulous "You've Got The Touch", by Candy something and The Source, why ? cos' I've just heard it on the radio. Finally, this is NOT a reworking of "The Producers" : I've never seen it, anyway; possible reference to "Bowfinger". Copyright Loïg Allix Thivend October 2000, I've got a fuzzbox and I'm gonna use it.

"Fanatismo dell' Senso" (Mania For Meaning = part of Antonioni quote)

Takes place in Africa, undetermined country. Civil war, with religious guerilla rising against corrupt government. The guerillas take to deface and destroy historical monuments, symbols of oppression (in their eyes) : "iconoclasts", literally. The Western world is appalled, and send a commando to recuperate some sacred statues before the religious fanatics get there. Mix of art historians (for their expertise) and mercenaries progress through the luxuriant, beautiful jungle deeper and deeper in enemy territory ("The Thin Red Line"'s hymn to mother Nature meets "Heart Of Darkness") : witness atrocities (all prisoners with their hands chopped off; women in veil, tapes and videos destroyed in funeral pyres). Debate about art's eternal qualities Vs. human life's triviality; the members of the raid all fight the "barbarians" for different reasons, to contain religious extremism / save the precious artifacts / support the West friendly government. Race for time : the surviving trio, after having fought his way out of the temple, is rescued by helicopter, with the precious statues. Then a rebel takes aims with his rocket launcher...

The two starting points. Inspired by the extraordinary fuss made about the Afghan Buddhas destroyed by the Talibans ...and the near total lack of concern for Afghan women held in slavery. Explores Art's engrossing fascination : its "sublime", escapist, eternal, quality, as opposed to boring daily life, ...and the horrors of this world. We could spend our whole lives enjoying Art, .... while people starve and suffer by the million, next door. This story (the recent Aghan precedent provided a perfect example) allows for juxtaposition of these two worlds, coming into conflict : reality / creation - painful / devoted to aesthetics - "temporal" / eternal. Is Art sacred ? What is sacred ? Life ? Religion's intolerant views, on the other hand; especially iconoclast islam.

Further twists . References to Algeria, corrupt regimes backed by the Western world (Nigeria's petrol and Shell), and French colonies in Africa. More on Art's topic : how the colonial powers looted the Third World (multiple examples), in the name of superior respectability. The "McGuffins" should, indeed, be a thing of beauty : would be cynical and cheap, otherwise. (But are they worth all these deaths ?) The esthetes, as they go along, have to get their hands dirty : there is no reasoning with fanatics. Importance of multiple genuine examples, such as ritual amputations in Sierra Leone; schools and hospitals closed as in Afghanistan (use of documentary footage ?); black Africa is, actually, the place where islam grows fastest. Mixture of different real situations / countries (a bit like de Bernières and "The War Of..." about Latin America) . What is History ? Only the past ? or what is being carved out, as we go along, chopping and editing ? -Multiple angles can be explored, via this entertaining, exotic, action thriller pretext. (even ref. to "TombRaider" / "Indiana Jones" !) All sorts of art presented, by the by : rock stars t-shirts; in-flight films, clothes... and their function / presence in everyday life.

+ the beauty of nature, as compared with the ugliness of war . Etc. : I have lots of ideas on the subject...

Soundtrack : Lisa Gerrard-Persian Love Song and Largo (two songs which I have requested for my own funeral !); Dire Straits-Brothers In Arms. Sparklehorse-More Yellow Birds; Sea Of Teeth -Copyright : Loïg 7 Allix O Mac' Van Thi , July 2001

"Everybody Wants To Be Somebody Else" (more of the same, idea came at night)

Hero is a dedicated "Good Samaritan" at night, answering suicide cases' phonecalls.

Various examples (from genuine experiences) ; for ex. conversation with aspiring porn star, bullied, who wants to get respect through that choice of career, and come back home (her rough neighbourhood) to haunt her tormentors(-true story) (maybe, he knows her and buys her product ? Hint later in the film, when he is shown buying porn mag : inspired by phonecall ?); has a regular caller, who only wants to talk to him; declines meeting face-to-face with callers (-true guidelines). Then, one day, "hero" reads about one particular caller, who killed himself after brief conversation ("I don't want to do it... but "they" are forcing me...") with him the night before. Gets convinced / suspects it's murder, against everybody's reassurances. (But maybe that, in fact, is his way of justifying / reassuring himself, since he wasn't much help )... He is given a few days off by his superior (mother figure), to take his mind off the job.

In his spiritual quest, talks to a jovial priest, who turns out to be very relaxed with the Rules (and tells him "Everybody Wants To Be Somebody Else"). As he takes stock, and observes what's going on around (as opposed to the usual rat race, when noone has any time for anything), he reflects on (undeserved ) fame, megalomaniacs (election taking place, with Berlusconi / Tapie / Archer character -true details), attractiveness (takes place in undistinguished, rough, town) -still, beauty salon the street (women magazines advertising everywhere) and its important contribution to self-respect...

Where must we draw the line ? Taking one's job to heart, and being able to switch off (like a doctor, policeman, psychiatrist, bouncer) ; dichotomy between his humble official daytime job, and his voluntary service at night. Lack of recognition; volunteers work in the dark : don't give their real name over the phone, etc. (genuine details : research here). His personal life is, of course, a shambles (cf. nurse character who smokes and drinks, stressed teacher who puts on a brave face during the day... and calls him at night); lives on his own (this is modern, atomised society, where families no longer apply); infatuated with neighbour over the road : they exchange glances, in the afternoon, from their opposite windows. (Possibility of him becoming, at some stage in the future, a suicide case himself... ?) Possible "flash-back" to how he started, and possible brother who went in a totally different direction (he is a doting uncle).

About communication : one way (advertising) / two-way (dialogue with priest; "religare" = to link) / boasting ("matamore" politician)/ helping / asking (for help; he won't)... All variations.

End of film : he accepts that his caller did kill himself, and learns how to "take it in his stride"; goes back to his post, where his regular caller awaits him. (Echo of "Pushing Tin" "Une Semaine de vacances"-Tavernier "Chacun cherche son chat")

The murder plot : just a "McGuffin", to stir up potential interest in a less "exciting" subject. Life is -sadly or not- entirely composed of thriller stories and wild sex : let us celebrate the humble facilitators, who work behind the scene, at the social infrastructure (school staff, administration, cooks, waiters, cleaners, midwives, grand-parents, go-betweens of all sorts...). The usual topics : involvement, altruism, obsession, double lives, recreating alternative bonds in atomised, impersonal society... Sndtrck : the Flaming Lips-"Everyone Wants To Live Forever"; teenage fannies-"Alcoholiday".

Copyright : Loïg 7 "ZenMeister" Allix Van Thi , July 2001 -but, hey, I'd be quite happy to sell my soul for a modest million or two, me...

(Not quite finished) "The Children's Factory" / "l'Usine à enfants".

A bunch of kids -at first, brother and sister, then with their friends- discover there is something very weird afoot with their parents... The family moves into this neighborhood; everything fine, at first (posh area, life of relative material luxury). But "Billy" (12) has nightmares about his dead elder brother, who disappeared about eight years ago. His cheery parents remain evasive about the circumstances. One day, as he goes through his dad's private things, he comes across a bunch of official letters from the "Ministry of Socal Affairs" concerning his -Billy's- forthcoming "graduation" (term not yet found); as he confides to his sister, "Mary", she too finds things belonging to her Mum's. They talk to their friends about it, quite excited at first; but one of their mate -nerd type noone believes- is not convinced this "graduation" is such a good thing. (Maybe this group could resemble Enid Blyton's Famous Five). They find out that a lot of children go missing, regularly, and all the adults hush it up, perfectly aware and even taking part in the abductions (ambulances / cars of goons without license plates ?). They investigate the official building, (their small size and penchant for climbing trees enabling them to escape security : what was shown as innocent, trivial fun at start of film proves now vital) where they realise that, regularly, children get "relocated" as they near puberty, never to reappear. Billy's blurred rememberances of his bro's disappearance become more precise (maybe as he has a joint or a drink ? oops, controversial) : "Joel" was abducted by officials with his parents' approval. What is going on, then ?

They discover that all (? or just a lot of) children get taken away by the government... to get eaten by adults / have parts-genes transplanted to insure world domination. Or maybe because of recent birth explosion : need to curb over-population for the time being (say, as a fifty year plan); in any case, the idea is : it has to be something completely rationalised, State-controlled; systemized, scientific slaughter using bona fide doctors and medical facilities, although with convenient terms ("double speak") to disguise the truth : nazi overtones. Every family providing, say, two children can keep the two remaining ones strictly necessary to perpetuate the race : and, of course, Billy is the next one in line.

Ending ? I suppose the group of kids run away; adults finally let them go into the wilderness (post-nuclear war ?) (off on a boat like Tom Sawyer ?), telling them they'll soon miss the far-reaching technological comfort of society ("friendly fascism"), and besides, they're not too bothered : they'll produce more offspring for the slaughter. Chilling prospect / The road to truth and liberty never is the easiest one. Ideally, I wouldn't stress the science-fiction aspect of the settings, but would rather go for the oft-portrayed all American, fifities style, white fences, Americana TV series have drugged us into (cf. David Lynch). Or, if not based in the USA, set plot into all too familiar, mundane, surroundings any viewer can recognise.

Inspirations : Orwellian's double talk to say the contrary (official terms yet to be defined) : "social care" = euthanasia, etc., plant = slaughterhouse, médaille de la famille = nombre d'enfants sacrifiés à l'Etat, etc.. Obvious reference to "Parents", but with a more general perspective; political allegory, on how adulthood eats up the young, how the rich literally absorb the weakest. Original idea was : what happens when the children can't trust adults, who are supposed to care for them ? They have to fend off for themselves. Conspiracy of silence from the ruling class in society (adults, that is, who are found to be all taking part). One generation at war against the other. Children have to take up the challenge of (their) future into their own hands. (Next scenario : children taking up arms Vs. grown-ups copyright El Loïg to follow !) Plus sexual subtext : puberty brings death, parents can't tolerate their children's new sexual status. Also, the bullying cycle : those who were now take it out on the youngest, in turn. (Unconscious echo : "L'Age de cristal".)

Problem to solve : do adults act covertly (suspense, conspiracy to uncover) ? Or / at the same time, they should be totally convinced of their right to do so, this is a State system at every echelon. Remember, common sense has it that "grown-ups are always right". Aha ! Solution : maybe our heroes come across the truth owing to their inquisitive mind, unlike the other kids already in the neighbourhood, who are force-fed escapist television day-long and don't / can't pay attention to more serious, pressing issues, even though these are staring them in the face (allegory of ourselves).

Copyright Loïg Thi Van March 2001. Soundtrack (as I type) : The SisterHood "Rain From Heaven". The Lovin' Spoonful "Do You Believe In Magic ?" Consolidated "This Is Fascism" dance remix.

"Damien All Over"

Modern day imperialistic "Gaston La Gaffe", who wrecks havoc wherever he goes : political comedy. Young William Damien Something, son of a British lord, starts by killing his mother at birth. Sent to pension, he wrongly accuses a maid/servant/woman teacher for a trivial incident (which he, air-headed and ignorant that he is, was responsible for), which leads his fellow pupils to a future life of misogyny (maybe they all get punished by that teacher in return, and turn their anger on her, instead of realising what happened : let their prejudices cloud their judgement). As a result of him failing his exams, his father sends him to spend some time in a pharmaceutical lab (which he owns), where he accidentally mixes/spills some vials. Next thing we know, there is a mysterious epidemics spreading, killing off the elderly and the ill-nourished; only those with perfect health don't suffer. Still, his father sends him away for his protection, somewhere in Africa. Where he starts off a tribal war, by repeating an offside comment/offending his hosts. His father, convinced the poor boy is cursed, has him flown back to England at great cost, amidst scenes of racial holocaust. ...But then, his pharmaceutical/arms company stands to benefit from the conflict, he reflects.

The whole film to be punctuated by TV news : patronising, middle-class, presenters. On his return, Damien gets interviewed about the "situation out there" (noone takes it seriously, 'bunch of savages slaughtering each other regularly), and suggests that maybe, for ex., a good little "nuking" would do the trick once and for all. Played on prime-timeTV, this remark gives US generals ideas.../public opinion swings in favour of eradicating such tribal warfare "for their own good" (and maybe giving former colonies a real new start ("tabula rasa") or) reinstating a Protectorate/Dominion after getting there to "reestablish order and civilisation". Meanwhile... Damien has become a rent-a-quote celeb, with that remark : demagogic talk-show hosts invite him for more (Howard Stern style); football supporters adopt him as a white-race "poster boy" (chantings, nasty T-shirts); and papers concoct an "exclusive revelations"/front page headlines/"close sources claimed yesterday that..." idyll with an idiotic minor pop star (Sunday-papers' sales explode). The Prime minister, in trouble for the mess in that former African colony (caused in fact in the first pace, of course, by Damien), courts him for easy answers, which Damien is all too ready to provide. He is selected as a Tory candidate by a weasel P.A. spin doctor . End.

Comments : Damien must not come across as necessarily nasty or explicitely loathsome, that would be too easy : only ignorant; stupid; also well-meaning : "the roads to Hell are paved with good intentions". What he represents is the colonial Western superpowers, who fucked up -and still do !!- the rest of the world with economic oppression, arms sales, etc. and then blame "them savages" for not wising up. (cf. the Iraqi situation; or recently (March 2002) : a GB girl got eaten by a crocodile in an African lake... that type of dwarf black crocodile was actually shipped in by GB explorers !) He always totally misunderstands (cultural, social, sexual, religious) otherness ..."with hilarious consequence" (cf. Jerry Lewis, or Jim Carrey); except they're not fun for others at all. They also get worse and worse as the film/he goes on. The film must be one-sided : no need for hackneyed counterpart/lonely voice of reason a la "Bob Roberts" : everyone is all too satisfied with him reinforcing all of their prejudices. The tone should be just slightly bitter at times, but mostly funny : after a while, no more need to point out, every time, the terrible consequences of his acts; just wait for the next news bulletin, that will refer to it in passing before the sacred meteo/sport/national Lottery. In a way, the anti-"Forrest Gump" (I think it's about time, no ?). Copyright LoÏg Allix Thi Van July 2000.

Came to me in a dream : (possible TV series) : "The Dream Catchers".

Story of an elite squad whose mission it is to wake up those who are about to unleash potentially subversive dreams, or act upon it once these uncontrollable forces are out in the open and given free reign. The squad are to keep in check and contain those powerful drives/urges : in that State, dreams must NOT go astray/unchecked. Every dreamer in society is, somehow, programmed with a microchip which aborts their dreams at a certain, critical, moment. But sometimes, only sometimes... people don't wake up, and their fantaisies take over/take place, and society can't have that, oh no. (Dyonisos and censorship, that kind of thing... ) Pretext for sci.-fi. visions of, for ex., monsters rampaging through normal streets; sexy überbabes multiplying in front of teenager gradually confronted with too many, and forced to run away; common experience : someone -preferably "posh", stuck up- finding oneself naked in public, with everyone staring; or some dignitary committing an unforgivable faux-pas when meeting the Queen (use of look-alike, here !) or a foreign president, thereby starting a war. Anything goes !

The hit squad : methodical, cold-blooded, killers dressed like doctors ? (Fascistic version) Or : young, sexy, heroes battling the forces of evil and subversion. The underlying critic could be, thus, "sugared"/disguised under apparent justification, slipping in alternative meanings / sub-plots under the guise of straight-forward condemnations. Copyright Loïg 7 Allix Thi Van No Sleep Til BedTime Sept. 2000.

"De la légèreté avant toute chose", idea for a short (court- métrage) on The Beautiful Game.

Not a single shot of players in action -we're talking footy here- but all eyes on the crowd : I just want to show the emotions sweeping through the supporters' faces throughout a match, to the crazee beat of an opera tune (grand, lyrical music which elevates your soul to the heights of tragedy, inbetween momentary lulls of expectation ...and the lows of own goals/Giggs's hamstring injuries). Introduction : players get onto the pitch : no music, just their legs and their warcries. Here we go. We could start with "tennis style" heads turning one way, then another in unison. Then elation : goal scored; open mouths; prayers; tragedy, etc. Mass reactions, and close-ups on individuals. Footage shot during several matches : I don't want to highlight one team in particular, that is not the point. Soundtrack : either a tune already existing, or, if not applicable, the musical score may have to be written for film . Length : about ten minutes would be enough; not too long : ideal for showing in planes or when rain interrupts Wimbledon (cheeky !). Easily distributed in the entire world : no dialogue; music is the universal language. Copyright Loïg "Cantona" Allix-Thivend 2000, allez l'OL.

"The Long Wait"

Film starts with action scene : brief, clinical, murder of a rogue informant. Unglamorous, but indicative of protagonist's trade : spy. He is then given orders for next mission : go and wait for contact at a highway "Little Chef" restaurant-hotel, however long it will take; and "act normal", as he will probably be watched by other service, who may also try to get in touch with whoever will introduce himself/herself to him. "Mr. Martin" does so, and checks in at the complex. Month of May : almost empty. He starts his long wait.

Opening credits/générique. (A good twenty minutes into the film.)

Basically, a few weeks elapse. "Martin" invents a story according to which he is a writer, and needs quiet to compose. At first, he told the staff that he just got separated from his wife, and was only staying here for a while. (His motives have to evolve, as well as his attitude; at first, quite genial, then increasingly silent, sullen.) This takes place in the middle of nowhere, and the hotel seems to get emptier, by the week -which reduces the number of possibilities.(Or has his contact left, before he got a chance to introduce himself, he wonders ?) Every time a car parks outside, for a quick meal, he has to go there and assess the situation : often a family. (Martin doesn't even know who to expect.) Lots of furtive glances through ajar doors, half-opened curtains, reflections in mirrors, glasses, etc.. Observes people passing by. Manic clubbers; travel sales rep. (représentant de commerce). Once, a lone truck driver turns up for a meal, with whom he gets to chat. Ambiguity : the other guy takes it for a homosexual advance, and leaves. Martin gets increasingly worried about the staff, who look (are ?) suspicious. Any little detail acquires importance : maybe his contact is one of them ? Maybe the rival service he's been warned against has planted their own agents among the staff ?

It's June, now, and Martin feels forsaken, until he comes across a mini-camera in his room : he has been under surveilance, possibly from the start ! He can't quite remember if he checked that particular place in his room, must have. "Act normal", he was told. And what if he was, himself, the subject of the mission ? Was it a test, all along ? Has he failed ? Or passed it ?

All of a sudden, he gets more cautious, and regains his composure, as he now suspects being spied from all directions, 24-7. Keeps up the game for a while longer. It's July now. Still no word from his superiors. For the sake of it, Martin enters into a relationship with the waitress : after all, that's what a normal man would do ? (At the same time, he remains vigilant about her possible, real, identity.) Summer has passed : yellow, end of afternoon, light on pale walls and ceiling. Finally, the waitress herself leaves, to go back to University. He still doesn't know what to do, and ends up calling his superiors on the phone. (Throughout the film, we will have seen him hesitating in front of the phone.) No answer. (Maybe something has happened, inbetween, which would account for his superior's silence ?)

He decides to pack up. Waits some more on his bed. He leaves. As he arrives back home, he gets executed as a traitor, in a scene reminiscent of the first one.

Notes : use of voice-over, but not too much, or maybe not at all : need for great actor, then. In that case, whole sections of silence. I believe it would be counter-productive to feature scenes of "outsiders" keeping an eye on him on TV screen : destroying the tension (would introduce extra dimension, distanciation). Settings inspired by "Alan Partridge" series. Continuous ambiguity : what part do the staff play ? On the other hand, if these have nothing to do with the spy plot, it is understandable that they wonder about his presence : they might tease him, on occasion, which, in turn, adds to his paranoia : sense of being tested. The truth is... somewhere between the two possibilities ...or nowhere at all ! Plot : echo of Auster's NY trilogy, "Truman Show", "le Désert des Tartares", (early Polansky ?) and "The Prisoner" : Martin as an allegory of Man vs. God, playing his part obediently without any understanding of his ultimate fate. "Martin" is, statistically, the most common name in France. But with humorous elements, too. Tension maintained by constant "white noise", ambient music."Grand angle" / "fish eye" camera : magnifying details in proportion to him (cf. Kieslowski's "Thou Shall Not Kill"). Feeling of useless, wasted, summer : not during gloomy winter. Empty commercial cheerfulness of staff, smily kitsch advertising, fake plastic trees. Any resemblance with a certain French man, whose life could be summed up by these words : "mainly, he watched people walking down the street, outside his window" would be too close to the bone.

"-maybe we forgot the meaning of the word individual"-a House. "I could have been a lot of things, one thing I know, and I will always be, I am the greatest." Copyright Loïg 7 Allix Thi Van 2001.

(Developed somewhere else; a bit late no, anyway) "Jesus Christ 2000"

In which Jesus does return, reincarnated in the swearing, tattooed, pierced body of a Faith No More roadie on tour (cue : rowdy concert scenes); pursued by the official Church who want to silent him (denunciation of these appalling US extreme right wing televangelists), and the police, because of his growing, destabilising influence everywhere he turns up : actual praxis of his commandments (need for Biblical knowledge required here), in contradiction with the Clergy's established hypocrisy, such as sexual/gender intolerance, greed and co... I wanted to pitch it to the great John Carpenter, so there you go. Copyright Me Me Me L. A.-T. 1999.

"The Race Against Time". "Course contre la montre" -perfect for easy translation of title : equivalent expression in every language.

Potential jokes on soundtrack : song titles about "time". Copyright... Loïg 7 "The Days Before You" Allix Thi Van May 2001.

A scientist finds the pathway to time's frame : device enabling its owner to control, speed up, or slow down the passing of time. If you control one of the parameters / dimensions of the universe, then you have leverage over the universe... : lots of secret services are on his tail. (Formula : something derived from "E=MC2".) Device : like a pistol, which can be pointed at someone (cue : scenes in which heroes progress tentatively, as they would, with a gun). Start of the film : in frantic, modern, European settings, let's say vibrant Barcelona, with mobile phones, laptops everywhere : instant communication / information, as everyone tries to "make time" and go ever faster. (With its other side of the coin : ref. to krach brought on by instant shares' / currencies' sale after rumours going round the -cyber- world.) Scientist takes refuge, at first, in Japan : there, he encounters the Buddhist tradition, which doesn't recognise permanence, where temples are regularly destroyed to get rebuilt, etc.. i.e. one doesn't have to feel the pressure of time ticking by.

But the baddies -to be defined- catch up with him, and he flees ... to the desert, after tour de passe-passe in airport, jumping from one terminal /check-out to another (scene choreographed à la "Thomas Crown") , ends up in Sahara, and also Iran, where the natives still live how they always lived. Cue : slower scenes, camera movements, music, etc. , after frantic chase scenes.

The device enables his younger, more manic, bodyguard -the heroic figure (played by Roy Keane)- to always save him "in the nick of time", as the young man is then able to speed himself up (SFX fight scene, a bit like the first one in "The Matrix"), and destroy all his enemies before these have time to react. On the other hand, he's also able to slow things down for romantic scene with his girlfriend, eh, eh... Other possible effect / scene not to miss : plant growing instantly from simple seed, to give fruit when needed, after the starving heroes got lost in the desert.

Race against time indeed : maybe the hero's little daughter needs (bone-marrow / kidney) transplant : none available so far... but surely one in the future : he needs to slow her system down, he has his own agenda. He manages in the end, but, as she is wheeled away for then operation, (is this the end of film ? music suggests so...) the baddie (our fave Christopher Walken ?) returns from the dead (plot twist !), and takes hold of the device. Is all lost ? No. Ironically, hero "slows him down" (gradually or not : more visual if so; maybe during fight), to almost maximum level, and turns him into an almost still zombie, frozen for near-eternity.

Ending could see scientist destroy the invention, as he realises the danger (cf. baddie getting hold of such device, especially as opposed to for a good cause, as just witnessed), in a gesture designed to ward off possible catastrophic consequences for humanity (reference to Einstein and nuclear bomb).

"The Coup". Setting : unnamed South American country (mixture of different nations). Opposition between the beauty of Nature and man's evil.

Lots of political tension, the governement being seriously criticised. Then, one day, a leading minister gets assassinated; then another dignitary. After initial shock, government calls for State of emergency. Leading extremist opponents arrested. Political "attentats" continue. Then it's the turn of trade-unionists, whose leaders are being taken to Ministry of Interior for emergency talks : they need to investigate themselves, where the destabilising threat comes from; officials come across as genuinely concerned, at a loss. Terrorism continues. -Scenes intercut with dates, such as over a week ("the second day, Thursday").- Things get worse, and more and more / gradually more important opponents get arrested. Guerilla Vs. the government escalates, apparently in response to this ensuing repression : vicious circle ?. Opposition members wonder what's going on, until one of them comes across the truth : it has all been a set-up by the powers-that-be from the start, who staged the assassinations of (secretly unimportant, or potentially dissident) ministers themselves, thereby creating an opportunity to crack down on the opposition (details of discovery to be confirmed). Ending could see the heroic figure locking himself in television studio to broadcast the truth to the nation.

Except I hate that kind of happy ending. After he's finished (triumphant music and all)... we discover that nothing has been transmitted : means of communication have been disabled, and only the junta have watched his testimony, chuckling along.

I am particularly interested in plot's original red herring and false ending, and dramatic twist : everything hitherto can be reviewed / revisited in that light : subtle hints/clues. Like : line, at some stage, about "striking first, element of surprise"; Mitterrand Machiavel figure; one political leader who faked attempt on his life, and maybe fell in river to that effect (Yeltsin / Mitterrand).Good deeds appearing, with hindsight, as covert scheming (from the military / State side) or acts of kindness (from the common people) with disastrous consequences : pointing towards the issue / dimension of "Collaboration" : de juro, or de facto. Secret service must be glimpsed as having covered every possibility before setting the ball in motion : rows of thick files à la "X Files", substantial staff working "underground". (Echoes of East Germany.) Possible gimmick : action scenes shot as TV footage. My point : there's a lot of stuff going on, we don't suspect at all. Details like : chief torturer is a Doctor (cf. Serbia, Rwanda); lower officers kept in the dark as to the bigger picture; greedy multinationals involved (Chili). Variations on networks : conspirators "outconspired" : just when some characters (trade-unions) feel they have a grip on reality, they discover it isn't so (Allende didn't fear Pinochet, because he too was a Free-Mason.)

"Chinese whisper, Russians Doll". (bad pun, but you get it.)

Film starts with Internet discussion forum registering hoaxes regarding pop stars (so and so is gay !, that kind of thing). Then more serious subjects : an Internet wind-up merchant is at work. The unseen prankster gets into proper hacking, into established companies, raising the alarm in some quarters. Scene in which newspaper editor complains about the rise of the Internet, where unsubstantiated rumours take shape, are transmitted, and instantly accepted at face value : journalistic deontological issue; perfect example of how papers, who need to check their sources, lose readership to online sensational rumour-mongers (cf . Drudge report, Luke Ford, etc.). Secret service is called up to intervene, and manage to catch the hacker. (Big military operation scene "7" style + cf. "Pump Up The Volume") ...Who turns out to be a lone 17 yr old "nerd", just doing it for fun, not money or a foreign power from his super-equipped bedroom.

Secret service officer offers the kid to work for them, instead of going down for a very, very long time in total isolation (reference to notoriously detained Israeli nuclear scientist). "Hidetoshi" (name to be confirmed) accepts, in exchange for immunity. His new superiors instruct him to sow rumours concerning the financial state of foreign companies, and the stability of foreign regimes. He does so, for a while. (Shade of "Nikita".) Until he senses that something's wrong, his activities, after initial satisfying successes, are going too far, get off-target, and actually start to discredit the Net's reliability, after a series of spectacularly icky / false "coups" : as the "tall stories" he's instructed to "plant" get more and more irrealistic, he starts to wonder why. Growing dichotomy between real life and endless wind-ups, until he finally "twigs" : there may be something out there, for real, that gets increasingly neglected : ...truth / reality ?

Doing his own research, he comes across the (financial) revelation that his superior (let's call him "Lieutenant X", as in "Langelot" !) is in cahoots with... a worldwide press baron (echo of early scene). He either contacts the mogul, or the mogul contacts him -probably second option best : opening up yet another door / dimension, through which he gets catapulted. (Was bugged himself all along.) The press baron explains to him, during a ride in his old, classic Rolls Royce, how paper is, in fact, a very valuable commodity... and that soon enough, people will realise how unreliable the Net is (crisis of confidence, and cyclical reaction away from technology), i.e. they will return to authoritative, traceable printed documents... which he will control / own , cf. Murdoch / Turner / Bertelsmann : media and edition empires dictating news/culture/ideology/mind-set production and distribution)(these media moguls hate the Net, which tended to get beyond their / States/ "official versions"' control)(liberalism lurking behind libertarianism). Scene continues outside, as they take a walk; mogul (James Bond villain) gets agitated, doesn't realise storm gathering around them, and, as he claims "God strikes me dead"... gets struck by lightning. "Oh, my god" says Hidetoshi looking up at light from heaven. End of film.

-More and more unreliable sources, boxes within boxes, who manipulates who, more and more dangerous

-more and more primal : technology (elaborate deceptions)- money (brutal domination)- nature (chance calamity), as visually demonstrated in settings used : the most advanced is Hide's room, then impersonal spy building, then old car, to finish outside

-more and more powerful : pop -business - secret service - power is information - lethal nature ; more and more brutal

-more and more influential than normal relations, in the increasingly ominous chain of command : culture (pop music) - businesses (money) - secret service (national interest , then destabilization of foreign countries) - multinational (global rule) - and ultimately, meteorological Nature in its indiscriminate, irresistible power ...or is it God Himself ? ("Messianic".) Little joke here, for those who choose to believe in Him : ambiguous (words used, and image) ending. In any case, either God or Nature : what you can't legislate against / try to manipulate and control. Film's end : is it yet another, heavenly, fantasy, level the kid reaches ? (Short of going totally OTT, science-fiction, which I wouldn't attempt. Besides : ingenuous possibility of more twists to come.) Starting point : what is more powerful than logic : rumour, human sensibility, our tendency to fall for gossip, reptilian brain. What is more powerful than The Law ? Secret services. More powerful than States ? multinationals, "globalisation". More powerful than anything ? Call it Fate, God, Nature.

The hacker hero must be a lone, immigrant, kid -probably Oriental, if the film is to take place in the USA (Vietnamese), or Indian if in England or germany. What starts as fun gets serious, then thrills of gaining influence, then the rule of money takes over and ruins everything, to be concluded withl unexpected (even though, in a way, normal : we all die in the end) death. Death, the ultimate breakdown of logic/ fun / enterprising spirit ; as well as the ultimate de-structuring event (if you see what I mean !).

Somebody once remarked that if the book / paper medium was invented now, it would be a world-changing discovery : no apparatus, equipment, electricity required, etc..

-cf., if you please, the Big One, in about twenty-two parts now. "Dogs will wag their tails, and birds will sing, and it's a hard world, ...for (us) little thangs"-SparkleHorse-The Ghost Of His Smile. "Black Eyed"-Placebo; the days before you : K***. Thank you for your attention, and goodnight. Cheques at the usual address (only kidding, noone ever bothers). L'Olympique Lyonnais, champions de France 2001 !

Merci.