- 4 hours ago
Lover Under Mask
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:12everyone echo is here today we only discuss the exhibition no personal questions welcome back to
00:18the city i'm eli walker curator of this exhibition i've heard a lot about you likewise this piece
00:29silent night will be placed in the center of the main hall that is if our mysterious artist is
00:34willing to cooperate with basic publicity honestly talking about sincerity behind a mask is ironic
00:40my work speaks for itself my face is irrelevant or is it that your face can't be shown
00:46damien we are discussing the exhibition not staging a provocation
00:52echo wait have we met before no that's strange your voice the way you look at people
01:03it all feels familiar maybe you're mistaking me for someone else
01:09was that person important to you you don't remember someone this long if they didn't matter
01:27bad news someone posted photos of you and eli at the elevator last night
01:32damien's people who else would be this eager to start a fire
01:37i've heard a lot about you you've been off since last night i'm thinking about the exhibition
01:44you'd better be
01:47this isn't a public piece and it wasn't in the catalog your team sent me
01:51probably a discarded sketch that got mixed in during packing but it doesn't look discarded
01:55i've seen this place a lot of people have seen rooftops and stars but not many people can paint
02:01that cracked cement wall exactly like this sorry to interrupt but i'd like to remind everyone that
02:07our promo still lacks a proper frontal shot of the artist the contract is clear no face reveal the
02:13public has a right to know especially when an artist's story feels more like branding than art that's
02:18enough are you protecting him or your own curiosity if this gallery needs a face more than an exhibition
02:24we can terminate the collaboration right now it won't be terminated at least not for that reason
02:33i'm not here to push you then why are you here i just want to know why the things you
02:39paint feel like
02:40they're stealing my memories and your eyes they really remind me of someone
02:47two centimeters higher on the left no the starlight is crushing the figure's breathing space
02:52you see it well because i feel like i know the people in your pictures why are they always turned
02:57away from the viewer because one of them still isn't ready to turn around some reporters coming
03:02tonight are already asking whether ego playtrees his own persona you're setting fires and pretending
03:06to be the firefighter i'm just clearing the smoke damien out you're sounding less and less like someone
03:12protecting a project
03:25you almost slipped today he remembered that wall
03:30the issue isn't whether he remembers the issue is how long you plan to keep hiding
03:35i'm not afraid he'll recognize me i'm afraid the answer i never got 10 years ago will be the same
03:40now
03:45keep digging i want every address school record and family file eco had in the last 10 years
03:49especially why he vanished 10 years ago
03:55i stared at this painting for two hours last night it reminds me of someone i lost
04:02strange part is i'm starting to wonder if he came back in his place
04:05to find an artist's job isn't to return in someone else's place then what is your job
04:13to leave behind the words that were never said he's watching you and he's watching eli i think he's
04:18digging into your past my past is already all over these paintings but your identity isn't if you get
04:23exposed by force it won't just ruin your love life the art market will tear you apart
04:27echo are you in there don't forget you didn't come back here to die in front of him you need
04:31to attend
04:31tonight's media preview fine and if that person really matters this much to you you owe him an
04:36explanation what if the explanation comes too late it's still better than never coming no public
04:41identity his team scrubbed the records clean but there's one opening echo keeps dodging questions
04:46about the town like he's avoiding someone from his past he's not avoiding someone from his past he's
04:49afraid of an old lover then dig that person out for me i changed the opening sequence why because your
04:56work doesn't tell its story by chronology but by emotional wounds these works weren't originally about
05:00fame loneliness or mystery they've been waiting for an answer do you always read paintings like
05:05this no only yours echo the two boys repeated in your work are they from your own romantic history
05:12no personal questions today then at least answer this are these paintings dedicated to someone yes
05:18they are for someone i couldn't hold on to what you said out there was it true what do you
05:27think
05:28i think every time you say things like that you're not answering the press you're speaking
05:32to one specific person echo why do you affect me like this
05:40you can read this i don't know why but i can't walk away from your work then don't double the
05:46fee
05:47move faster i want his real identity and i want it now eli are you curating him or are you
05:51falling for him
06:00this wall has to stay empty
06:04a blank wall will break the emotional flow for the audience that's exactly what i want
06:11why because some people stop right there and never move forward the audience isn't here to experience
06:17your personal paralysis they need a complete narrative
06:22complete you think everything gets a complete ending
06:28you always sound like you're trying to provoke me
06:33maybe i just want to see whether you'll finally say something real
06:36are you two done at this rate the first thing to explode won't be the exhibition it'll be the two
06:40of
06:45you eli i like you not the kind of like between friends
06:56you
07:04you came you said you had something to ask
07:08a lot of the places from the town where i grew up are gone now
07:13only rooftops like this still bring me back you know what's strangest
07:21i don't even know you and yet every time i stand next to you it feels like i'm back 10
07:26years ago
07:30echo did you know noah
07:33the places in your paintings the way you speak even the way you look at me they're all too much
07:38like him
07:48why did you stop some answers shouldn't be spoken where the wind is too loud
07:53you're just like him always pulling back right when the truth is within reach
07:57if it were you would you disappear without a word too i'm coming down now
08:01you pull me in then say nothing do you know how cool that is
08:11you can't face the press like this so you're just gonna walk away again
08:15eli this is not the time i'm not talking to you
08:19what exactly do you take me for a collaborator
08:26you paint my past drag back the person i lost and then tell me i'm just a collaborator
08:32what do you want to hear i want the truth
08:35some truths even if i told you you might not be able to bear them it's not that you can't
08:40say it you
08:41won't
08:44the one who looks most like him is the one who refuses to admit him
08:52at this rate eli won't recognize you first he'll hate you first
08:59major identity turning point
09:02so that's what this is filter through all of his public activity over the past 10 years
09:07how deep do you want us to go deep enough that i can peel that mask off layer by layer
09:26yes i know someone's touching our private server
09:28damian
09:33do you recognize this
09:39i did write one even though i never sent it
09:41why are you showing it to me now because you make me feel like i'm about to lose the same
09:45thing a
09:46second time
09:47sorry to interrupt your early morning heart to quaint
09:51what are you doing here i'm getting more and more curious how many old acquaintances our eco really has
09:59too late
10:13so that's where you've been hiding
10:17don't touch the email it's a phishing attack noah grayson
10:33which one is waiting in this painting
10:42the one who never turned around
10:44then who's the one that keeps being too afraid to turn around
10:48maybe they're the same person
10:51this isn't just a memory painting then what is it
10:53it's one person staying where he was
10:56waiting for the other to finally face him
11:00who are you waiting for
11:04someone i thought would never answer
11:13someone is deliberately steering the narrative
11:17who put this here you'd better not know i need it faster i don't care about the process i want
11:21the results i'm trying but i can't hack into the system then find another way after opening nighting
11:26i want to know everything about you what if you regret it once you know it feels like someone hung
11:30his heart on the wall and forced another person to recognize it
11:36just give me a little more time
11:41noah grayson found you
11:52the key light is too cold
11:55a little colder feels more like loss
11:58loss isn't cold it's when the light is still on but it no longer reaches you
12:06you always say the things i don't dare to say maybe you just project yourself too easily onto my work
12:14and you who are you projecting into every painting someone who should never have been forgotten
12:22why does every painting feel like it was made for the same person because they were do you realize
12:29what you just said i'm talking about the work but what i heard wasn't just about the work the media
12:35confirmed tomorrow night's preview live stream echo you need to leave got it
12:45that didn't look like curating it's a strange feeling i've started envy the person he has painted for 10
12:59years
13:01you're still here i still have things to revise
13:07you've been strange lately ever since echo showed up you haven't looked at me the way you used to
13:13damien there was never a that way to begin with
13:23i'm leaving the person he has painted for 10 years you said too much last night i know
13:31i didn't come back just to retreat again
13:39i'm in love with you so i can't keep watching you get this close to him
13:46that's my business you don't get to tell me what to do then stay away from eco
13:56fine i hope you won't regret today's choice over a man in a mask
14:15sorry have we met somewhere before no but your eyes really look like someone i used to know
14:22a lot of people say that right this way the media area needs one more photo of you
14:31what are you hiding from i just don't like being studied by strangers but that didn't look like
14:37fear of a stranger the investors would love to meet our star artist
14:45if he finds out it's me will he still go silent
14:53you've been off all night you're overthinking if you really have nothing to do with my past why
14:59do you look ready to run every time someone mentions before so this is where you've been hiding
15:04something you need just a reminder the press is looking for echo
15:08of course some people may be looking for more than just echo
15:17this series should move a little deeper inside
15:24why because this shouldn't be the first place people see
15:27you say that like you've actually been there of course i've been there
15:32east district of the old town behind the abandoned water tower through the alley barely
15:38wide enough for one person up three flights of rusted stairs and and there's a cracked cement
15:43platform on top
15:50how do you paint this place exactly as it was
15:54art doesn't need to explain every source stop hiding
15:59that place other than me only one other person knew
16:10who are you echo the media vans arrived early looks like i came at an interesting time
16:18finish what you were about to say
16:22the harder a man hides the more valuable the face behind the mask must be
16:31echo is your refusal to show your face part of your artistic philosophy or are you hiding something
16:36a real artist usually doesn't need to hide a mask this is an interview not a personal provocation
16:43unless what some people are selling was never the work but the secret
16:51that's enough did i say something untrue the contract permits anonymity the curation supports anonymity
16:59if you can't tell the difference between professionalism and humiliation leave the floor now
17:05you humiliated me in public for him you crossed the line first you really are protective of him
17:15don't pay attention to him thank you
17:22if you're so determined to protect him i want you to move tonight
17:27hack mave's private email i'm not asking for a risk assessment i want the truth
17:47lift the left side a little
17:53i keep dreaming about him lately
17:57who
18:02that boy who disappeared
18:05in the dream he's still 17 standing on the rooftop looking at me like he's waiting for me to say
18:12something maybe he really is if he came back would i still have the right to explain some people
18:21aren't waiting for an explanation then what are they waiting for courage
18:29so it really is you that line it sounds like something he would say maybe you just miss him too
18:36much
18:38echo i need you backstage right now
18:43what did they get
18:49not everything yet but enough
18:53damien
18:53no one else would do this right before the opening
18:57some people aren't waiting for an explanation but courage
19:03where did you get that line you said earlier
19:07it came to me so i said it but it sounded like it was meant for me
19:11maybe some words were always meant for you
19:19you two look deeply engaged
19:23don't look at me like that i'm in a very good mood tonight
19:27stay away from him
19:31too late
19:38noah grayson
19:41no need on opening night i'll make everyone watch the show together
19:48if anything happens tomorrow you leave immediately this time i don't want to run
20:00we can still cancel your public appearance
20:05no
20:07you know how high the risk is tonight i've already run once i'm not running again
20:13then at least promise me this whatever happens don't carry it alone
20:23it's not the mystery it's that there's someone in those paintings who has been silent for a long time but
20:29never truly left
20:38when tomorrow night is over i want to know everything about you
20:43what if you regret it once you know then that should still be my choice
20:53don't leave me outside the door again
21:01after the opening i'll tell you
21:15i guess you'd still be here
21:20for the first time since this was hung i feel like it's finally complete
21:25because the exhibition is finally complete
21:28because i finally know what i need to do after tomorrow
21:34what
21:37tell you the truth
21:40why after tomorrow
21:44because some answers should be spoken after everything is over
21:49what if i say i don't want to wait anymore
21:52just one more night
21:54okay
22:01tomorrow night
22:03everyone will see it with their own eyes
22:07is there an issue with the back down access
22:11damn it
22:14after tomorrow night ends i'm coming to find you
22:18i'll wait for you
22:22the countdown has started
22:37welcome to echo's opening night
22:43who is noah grayson
23:10This isn't how it was.
23:17Looks like the secret revealed itself tonight.
23:24Don't touch him!
23:29It's him!
23:29We got him!
23:31Eli...
23:33So it really was you.
23:48Mr. Grayson, why did you hide your identity?
23:51What exactly is the relationship between Eco and Noah Grayson?
23:54Was this a carefully staged deception?
24:08Eli...
24:09Why?
24:09I wasn't trying to deceive you.
24:12Not trying?
24:14You stood in front of me every day.
24:17Heard everything I said.
24:19Watched me chase my own past like a madman.
24:22You'd rather wear a mask than say my name even once?
24:25When I came back, I thought you didn't need me anymore.
24:29So you made that decision for me?
24:32Back off!
24:33Everyone back off!
24:36Do you know what's most ridiculous?
24:38I almost believed you again.
24:39Leave now.
24:40Right now.
24:42The car is waiting at the side exit.
24:44I ruined everything again.
24:45Our collaboration ends here.
24:47The artist behind the million dollar Echo masks has finally been unmasked.
24:57Effective immediately, the gallery is terminating all collaboration with Noah Grayson and the Echo brand.
25:05This is the only way to contain the damage.
25:09Go make the announcement to the press.
25:16Eli signed the termination.
25:18Okay.
25:19You're not even going to fight it?
25:22The way he looked at me last night said everything.
25:25The gallery respects art and it respects the public's right to know.
25:29As for Echo's hidden identity, we had no prior knowledge.
25:34He's washing his hands clean.
25:36Let him.
25:46You look like you didn't survive the night.
25:49I was deceived by the one person who should never have deceived me.
25:52Or maybe it was someone most afraid of losing you, didn't know how to return.
25:55If that's the reason, why not say a single word?
25:58I'm not leaving.
26:03Why didn't you say a single word? You left for ten years!
26:06And even when you came back, this is what you do to me!
26:18You've only remembered that he left, but you never really looked at what he left behind.
26:27When was this?
26:28After graduation night.
26:30He came by the house the next day. You weren't there. He left this behind.
26:34He came back for me?
26:37Some people don't leave on purpose.
26:39They just believe no one would ask them to stay.
26:47I don't want the mask anymore.
26:49Then what do you want?
26:51I want to answer once.
26:53With my real name.
27:02If you don't hate me, come find me.
27:15This time, I won't leave you waiting alone.
27:21Call the print workshop.
27:23Did you name it?
27:25Answer.
27:30No one hasn't released any public statement.
27:32What is he planning?
27:33Maybe this time, he doesn't want to rely on explanations.
27:40This isn't a commercial job.
27:42This is a ten year late answer.
27:54Are you sure about this?
27:56Yes.
27:57This time, I won't use the name Echo.
28:01I'll answer as Noah Grayson.
28:16I'm asking that question again with my real name, ten years later.
28:30Mr. Grayson, is this your public response?
28:32Who are you speaking to?
28:33Do you realize this could cause even more controversy?
28:39But some things shouldn't stay hidden anymore.
28:51I'm asking that question again with my real name, ten years later.
28:54Mr. Eli?
28:56Cancel everything on my schedule.
28:57But the board meeting, cancel all of it.
29:23Step back.
29:25Give them speed.
29:32So you weren't forcing an answer from me.
29:37I just wanted you to know the question is still there.
29:40And so is the choice.
29:48That night, it wasn't that I didn't want to answer.
29:52I simply couldn't believe someone could love me like that.
29:58I thought you deserved someone better.
30:01Police are here!
30:09No, this time you don't have to wait for me.
30:13This time, I'm not running.
30:17No matter what your answer is.
30:19My silence back then wasn't rejection.
30:23I was afraid.
30:25Afraid I didn't deserve a love like yours.
30:31Will you still take it?
30:33That answer is very, very late.
30:36I will.
30:38Damien Hall?
30:38Yes.
30:39What is this about?
30:41You are suspected of illegally obtaining private information,
30:44hacking private email accounts,
30:46orchestrating public defamation.
30:48You need to come with us for questioning.
30:50Surprised?
30:55It was you.
30:57I told you not to touch what wasn't yours.
31:03This is a misunderstanding.
31:06It's her release.
31:07A misunderstanding?
31:09You illegally obtained Noah's identity records,
31:12hacked my private email,
31:14manipulated the opening night control system
31:16and orchestrated a deliberate public humiliation.
31:19I gave you time to stop at every step.
31:22You chose not to.
31:24You're not seriously taking their side, are you?
31:30It's not their side.
31:32You crossed the line a long time ago.
31:35As of now, all your permissions at the gallery are revaked.
31:39That includes management authority, financial access,
31:42and all project attribution rights.
31:44So the gallery is officially cutting ties with Damien?
31:47Mr. Eli, do you admit the gallery mishandled the eco situation?
31:51I admit the real mistake wasn't that someone wore a mask.
31:54It was that someone used another person's wounds as chips to win.
31:57If it weren't for him, you would never have walked away from me!
32:02I was never on your side to begin with.
32:05Mr. Grayson, will you continue working under the name Echo?
32:13Yes, I guess that's some mysterious sex, sir.
32:19No.
32:21But for the road ahead, I want to walk it under my real name.
32:26What is the relationship between the two of you now?
32:29We're the people each of us found far too late.
32:32But last, not too late to lose each other.
32:45Welcome back.
32:49Not back.
32:53It's a new beginning.
32:54For my silence 10 years ago, I should apologize too.
32:58For keeping you outside the mask for so long.
33:01And for the hesitation, anger, and hurtful things.
33:06Congratulations, you two bosses.
33:09You don't sound very congratulatory.
33:11Because I know the real challenge isn't the media.
33:14It's the two of you finally making decisions together.
33:16So you finally admit it.
33:19I'll admit that.
33:21What are you painting this time?
33:25Two people.
33:30But not from the back this time.
33:33Then where are they looking?
33:40The same direction.
33:44This time, will you run again?
33:48No.
33:50Because this time, you're finally by my side.
33:57This time, will you run again?
34:02No.
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