Hell's Actor

'The most beautiful thing, the most satisfying piece of craft, often remains unknown. 'Culture and Collapse' comes to mind. Without it, Serenes would not exist.'

That thought somehow crept into the mind of the man sitting beside Director Groux.

'Out there is a painting more beautiful than any I've seen. In some corner of the world, there is a director who understands films better than my celebrated friends in the industry.'

He looked to be in his mid-thirties.

'But now, I've grown tired of films.'

He was an actor and one of the judges for the festival.

Emmanuel Echeverri.

His eyes were stuck to The Photographer shown on the screen.

'Who's the actor?'

He knew pretty much every good actor in the West, but this one was unknown to him.

He was expecting to have a hard time maintaining his concentration throughout the festival, but the movies had been palatable.

'The direction is impressive.'

The wide shots, the transitional scenes, and the unique utilization of depth reminded him of a movie he had long forgotten.

'The Fabulous Baron Munchausen.'

The old film's enchanting and artistic shots, like a picture come alive, could be seen in the camerawork of Lady Ethereal.

'He definitely took some inspiration.'

He eyed the director sitting next to him, who looked more immersed than anyone else in the room.

'Is he trying something new? A wide shot that removes depth. There is no symmetry, no detail. Barren and lonely.'

He liked it—the charm it created.

'It's the opposite of what Wes Anderson does.'

Clutching his satchel close to him, The Photographer trudged through the sand.

His sleeves were folded, and the cold prickled his skin. The sound of strings reached his ears despite the wind.

It was a violin.

The Photographer's steps came to a halt.

The source of the sound was before him: a girl at a campfire.

She was sitting on a log carved in the shape of a chair.

She was dressed like a traveller, with a faded brown coat sitting folded in her lap and an oversized hat clinging to her head.

The flames licked at her sandy loafers, but she continued playing the instrument, unbothered.

The Photographer took a seat on the log next to hers, warming himself at the fire.

"Headed to The City, fair traveller?" asked the woman.

The man nodded his head, his amber hair brushing against his pale skin. His round glasses reflected the swaying flames.

A pair of celebrities sitting near the cast took notice of Averie. Their faces indicated their thoughts very clearly.

'Is he the main lead?'

'Never have I ever heard about him.'

'Did they not have the budget for a big name?'

'Why is he dressed so lightly?'

Their confusion did not offend Averie. He was too busy admiring his visage on the big screen.

The Photographer opened his parched mouth, and a dry voice flowed out.

"Directions."

"Straight, no turns."

The wide shot captured The Photographer's side profile and the front of the violinist, while another character entered the frame from the right.

It was an older man in a tailcoat. He had an aquiline nose, red like burning coals. Adorning his head was a periwig.

He situated himself behind the violinist, an accordion in hand and a harmonica in his mouth.

And he played, synchronizing with her.

The Photographer retrieved a little tin box and placed it in the sand beside the fire.

He observed the pair playing the instruments.

It made for a good picture.

His eyes flickered with an indescribable emotion.

He unbuckled his satchel, and after a moment's hesitation, moved his hand towards the pencil tucked in a corner.

Shuffling through the pages of his diary, with a look of disappointment, he looked around.

Near the campfire was an open sardine can stuffed with reddish soil. A white plant grew out of it.

It was so far the only plant he had seen in this desert.

He plucked a leaf. It was the size of his palm, white with black veins.

Gingerly, he placed it on his thigh and straightened the edges. He sharpened the pencil with a razor blade.

Wordlessly, he sketched the scene. He drew the moon, the fire, and the pair.

But they had no eyes, no mouth, and no expressions. He had drawn an incomplete picture.

While gazing at it, he retrieved the box he had placed by the fire. It was hot by now and opened easily.

Inside was molten chocolate. He offered the pair some, but they refused, lost in their performance.

He dipped some biscuits in it and enjoyed the meal while gazing at the stars.

The song picked up pace as he cleaned up after himself and stood up.

He preferred the desert nights over the desert sun. And so, wordlessly, he departed as the sketch burned in the fire.

With the pair following behind him, playing a song for the night and the stars, he crossed the unguarded border.

The camera moved closer, transitioning into a close-up as it did. It showed the three-quarter view of The Photographer's pale face, the trail of musicians behind him.

The spots on his skin were visible in detail with the moon peeking over his ear.

Warm puffs of air escaped his lips. They spelled drifting words in the air.

A Jean-Louis Groux film

The sounds of the wind, the moving sand, and his breath became distant.

Josephine Petite

The music played with complete clarity.

Benoit Durand

Soft French vocals overpowered the accordion, and Averie understood not a word of it.

Margaux Delcour

The list of cast members continued, but Averie's name never arrived.

The desert ended, and the film continued in earnest.

The land across the border was completely different. There was no sand, only flowers and trees.

The Photographer travelled through a forest, the shore of a lake, and a flower field in a montage.

Days passed, and as dawn broke once again, the group of three arrived at their destination.

In front of them stood a massive stone dome known only as The City.