Henko

Henko is a Japanese word that means "variable or with"

"an unusual light" is a concept that refers to changes

in perception, in our way of seeing things. It refers

to a deeper change, with no chance of going back.

Interviewer: Good evening ladies and gentlemen, tonight we're having

an important host, the director and playwright Antonio Ferrara!

Good evening everyone

Master, are you excited to share your next work with the audience?

Actually, I feel more like a mother giving birth.

A woman doesn't give birth to a child for the joy of other people.

A woman do this and nothing more.

Which is the main purpose of a great director?

I think that the purpose of a great director and

playwright is to find the true essence of life.

That's what I'm looking for, the essence, the divine.

Finding the essence of life for bringing it on the stage,

because by living it, we don't realise its meaning.

We must fulfill it, to rebuild it on that stage,

at any cost.

It doesn't matter if people can't understand.

Even if you don't understand.

About that, I'd like to make a toast to our Vanessa

Who organized this amazing dinner in this beautiful location,

and I want to wish you good luck for your new

production, which I'm sure it will be amazing!

Thank you very much.

And I want to make a toast to you, who decided to come here tonight,

and to Elvio, who agreed to work with me.

I don't want to sound pretentious, but I'm sure you'll shine under my direction!

It really would have been unthinkable

- Everyone Cheers! - Cheers

Good evening everyone!

Antonio, hi! I thought you weren't coming anymore!

It seems I'm too late, you've already had a toast without me.

That's why we should make another one!

Thank you, you didn't have to!

Did you have dinner?

Do you want to eat something? I can ask to the cooks if...

Don't worry, I'm good, thank you.

As you wish.

Good evening Antonio!

If you keep smoking so much, you'll get cancer eventually.

What, you don't want to greet an old friend?

Hello Antonio.

"Hello Antonio"...

Nice party eh? Vanessa picked a nice place.

Yes!

Are you excited to work with her?

Yes, I am, I've never been so excited in my life...

Good kid, nice...

When I was younger, I used to throw these splendid

parties to bribe the actors to work for me

Of course, I'm sure it's not your situation, is it?

Antonio, what do you want?

Me? I don't want anything.

I'd just like to know if you're really convinced about your choice

Even after you heard the rumours about Vanessa...

Yes, I heard the rumours about Vanessa,

and I decided to not care about them because I'm not a shallow person.

It's time for me to challenge myself, to work with new people,

it's part of my journey as an actor.

Even my manager told me to accept this role,

it's the right time to take some risks.

Yes, I agree...

After all, it seems that things are going well for you...

Many awards, good reviews, work proposals...

Indeed. And I think it's the same for you.

No, it's not.

How? Your last play was acclaimed everywhere.

Honestly, my last play was everything but a masterpiece.

You just have to do something politically correct

and bam! Suddenly everyone is by your side.

Antonio, you know that it's not always true.

Yes, it is. Yes, it is!

It has been years since I've been feeling

obligated to follow the taste of the audience,

the fashion.

To be successful basically I have to sell out myself.

And you too...

Me too what?

And you're doing the same thing dear.

You accept lousy parts;

You don't use even a bit of your potential

but you're still winning awards you shouldn't get...

But I don't think that...

Listen to me, Elvio.

I want to make something that no one did before,

I want to build a play around you.

I want to involve you in the creative process

Elvio, you're the only one who can do this

I appreciate that but...

Listen to me, Elvio.

Come back and work again with me. You won't regret it, believe me...

Listen Antonio. You know how much I'm grateful for

everything you did for me and how much I respect you, ok?

But you're offering to me something that would take too

much time and energies, and I have other priorities now.

I'm honoured that you asked me, but I really can't accept your proposal.

I see.

After all, it's a very important decision, you can't take it on the spot.

Why don't you take some time, maybe sleep on it? Then we'll talk.

I already made my choice.

Never say never.

Do you really have to smoke in the bedroom? You know it bothers me.

Elvio:

What's going on? You seem worried.

It's about Antonio, isn't it?

What did you talk about?

He asked me to come back working with him, but I refused.

And how did he react?

I don't know.

I made a decision

He was quite certain that I will change my mind.

We both know that he can be very persuasive,

but there is a reason if you stopped working with him.

I know, I know,

but it's hard to say no to the person who literally launched your career.

He's a man without moral.

Think about it and ask yourself what matters the most to you right now.

Antonio, why did you make me come here?

You're right, sorry.

It's just that I needed to talk to someone

that child makes me crazy!

He's famous just because of me, and he refuses to work with me?

How dares he!?

Well, did you try to explain to him what this is about?

Of course I did, what do you think?

But Camilla it's more important than a good part!

Sex, money and fame, those are the only things he has in mind.

But personal relationships are important from a person.

It's obvious that he wants to make her happy.

Screw that!

Screw personal relationships, this is much more important!

I need him, otherwise my work can't go on.

Honestly Antonio, I don't know what to tell you.

After all, you're the one who knows him best,

maybe even better than Camilla.

Try to leverage something to...

I must take advantage of his weak spots, of course! I didn't mean that, I...

You're right, you're absolutely right! Thank you..

Thank you very much, you had a great idea, thank you!

Good morning!

It's 10 a.m., I think we can begin.

Let's start from scene six. Everyone, get in place.

Start any time you want.

Elvio: Here I am, Serena, I beg your mercy, I didn't come

to take you away, but my father forbidden me to come.

Nothing makes me happier than seeing you.

I've been locked in my room for days, torn apart by your absence, by the sadness.

I... I overcame a thousand plights to find you again, to say goodbye

one last time. Fate is against us; It doesn't want us to rejoice...

Have they been rehearsing for much time now?

No, they haven't. They're rehearsing scene six.

These words are for me sharper than a sword!

They run through my heart, and they make me sullen.

Love has no cost, and a life without love doesn't deserve to be lived.

Stop, please, stop.

That's terrible.

Elvio, I demand concentration.

You can't slow down everyone just because you still haven't learnt your lines.

We've been rehearsing for a week.

Elvio: Alright.

Alright. Everyone, take a break,

5 minutes then we start again.

Antonio, hi, what an honour to have you here! My dear.

I came to nose around a little.

That's nice but I know that's not true,

I'm sure you came here to steal Elvio from me!

But I think he didn't notice you, he's a little bit distracted these days

Elvio, look who's here!

So, you were saying he's not focused?

It seems he has the head in the clouds, I don't know...

Elvio is an intense actor.

Well, I'll learn to manage him too...

I'm sorry, I didn't see you.

I'm sure you didn't.

Listen, may I speak to you for a minute?

I... Yes, of course.

We're going to grab a coffee then.

So, have you thought about my offer yet?

Yes, I had, and I didn't change my mind.

I want to have new experiences, Antonio, to work with different people.

I'm sorry, but I'm sure that your play will be amazing even without me.

I'm sure it will too but think about it.

Only I can help you reach your full potential;

The best of your potential

we both know that.

I know, and I'll always give you credit for this,

but I must move on for me and for Camilla.

Maybe it's time for you to face the fact

why are you giving up this chance for?

To give a sop to your girlfriend?

To act in lousy productions?

Don't you dare judge my choices.

Camilla is part of my life, but I choose for myself,

and you don't have nothing to offer to me anymore.

Ah. So, you mean my works became so boring that you're not interested in them anymore.

I... I didn't mean that. But I made a decision,

and I ask you to respect it. Please.

I'm sure you'll regret this.