| Feature Film Melusine by Lauren Lonergan Lauren Lonergan candidate number: 1548 East Centre number: 18212 A2 Film Studies FM3 Creative Project May 2012 |
01. EXT. FOREST. POITOU, FRANCE. 1100. NIGHT
The camera travels from the image of the full moon to the forest. On screen the titles “POITOU, FRANCE. 1100” appear.
(V/O) NARRATOR; A GIRL, 15/16
Her name is so familiar, known to all in Christendom as far away as the isles of Greece. She can be found running through forests and bathing in sacred springs.
Those in the northern countries know her by another name where from the glazed ice she rises.
She is a mystery. Is she a witch, a disciple of Satan? Or an angel, sent from god to deliver us from evil?
This is her tale.
02. EXT. FOREST. FOUNTAIN OF FAYS. NIGHT.
A large pool of water with a waterfall pouring down from the cliffs above. THREE WOMEN (MELUSINE, 18), (MELILOT, 18) and (PALATINE, 18) wearing white dresses, are playing in the water; swimming, splashing one another etc.
MELUSINE is the eldest, with hazel hair and blue eyes. MELILOT is the middle-child, with brunette hair and brown eyes. PA0LATINE is the youngest with blond hair and blue eyes. Each girl is middle sized with a slender figure.
A MAN (RAYMOND, 21) is watching in the bushes. The sound of a twig breaking startles the girls who hide under the water.
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RAYMOND comes forward and stands at the edge.
RAYMOND(Whispering)
Melusine.
MELUSINE rises from the water.
He smiles at her and she smiles back.
The title MELUSINE appears on screen.
04. EXT. RAYMOND’S MANOR HOUSE. DAY.
The manor house is of an 11th century style. There are large glass windows. A flag with RAYMOND’s coat of arms is flying from the highest point.
AMERIC,57 (V/O)
It is high time that boy married.
05. INT. AMERIC’S CHAMBER. DAY.
A bed is situated in room with red curtains surrounding it. A table is situated by the window has stacks of paperwork. There is a bookcase.
A MAN (THOMAS, 35) is sitting at the table with a quill in his hand and writing on a piece of paper.
AMERIC is in the room with MEMBER OF COUNCIL (LOUIS, 46).
LOUIS
I agree sir. But what would be a good enough match for him?
AMERIC
We have the whole of Christendom to choose from? What of the new king of England’s daughter…..Matilda FitzRoy?
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LOUIS
An bastard child from one of his mistresses. She is betrothed anyway to… The Count of Perche, I think. What of The Count of Anjou’s daughter?
AMERIC
Too old. What we need is girl who is both legitimate and tamable.
THOMAS, who has been writing, puts down his quill.
THOMAS
May I make a suggestion? Agnes of Aquitaine. Her family is very powerful and wealthy. A very good choice for our young Count.
LOUIS
I agree.
AMERIC
Very well, the Aquitaine girl it is then. Thomas, write to her father the duke proposing marriage between our two great families.
THOMAS gets up with his papers, bows to AMERIC and LOUIS then leaves.
There is noise of horses coming from outside. LOUIS goes to the window and looks out.
LOUIS
Raymond is back. And he is not alone.
06. EXT. RAYMOND’S MANOR HOUSE. DAY.
RAYMOND enters through the gates on a horse with MELUSINE seated behind him; holding onto his waist. Behind them are MELILOT and PALATINE, who are on separate horses.
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TWO STABLE BOYS(GUSTAVE, 16) and (AUGUSTE, 15), both help the ladies off the horses.
MELUSINE takes a good look at the manor; while taking of her gloves.
07. INT. OUTSIDE THE DOWAGER COUNTESS’ CHAMBERS. DAY.
MELUSINE is outside the door of the chamber; twiddling her thumbs, anxious at entering. RAYMOND comes out.
RAYMOND
She wants to see you.
MELUSINE
Now? What if she doesn’t like me?
RAYMOND
She will. Her bark is worse than her bite, trust me. She is a real softy underneath.
RAYMOND leaves.
MELILOT and PALATINE hurry down the hallway; running to their sister.
MELILOT
Sorry we are late. Somebody wanted to visit the kitchen.
PALATINE
I was hungry. I haven’t eaten since we left the fountain last night.
MELUSINE
She wants to see me. Now.
The three girls enter through the door.
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08. INT. THE DOWAGER COUNTESS’ CHAMBERS. DAY.
The room is covered in paintings and tapestries; filled with art. There is a door leading to another doom.
A WOMAN (MARGUERITE, 64) is sitting on a red chair, while another WOMAN (NICOLE, 17) is standing behind her.
MELUSINE, MELILOT and PALATINE curtsies to them.
MARGUERITE
Don’t just stand there child. Come closer so I can take a look at you.
MELUSINE steps forward. MARGUERITE gives her a gesture to turn around in a full circle. She does this slowly while MARGUERITE looks; examining her.
Well you are a pretty thing, aren’t you? Where do you come from?
There is silence.
Well speak up. Girls don’t just fall out of the sky.
NICOLE giggles. Her MOTHER then looks at her.
Tell me, where do you come from?
MELUSINE (stuttering)
We were raised on an island called Avalon. It is off the coast of Wales. We left many moons ago.
MARGUERTE
And who are these two young ladies?
MELUSINE
These are my sisters, Palatine and Melilot.
As the girls are introduced they curtsy.
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MARGUERTE
Well welcome to each of you. Raymond is my only surviving son. You will be a good and dutiful wife to him. Won’t you?
MELUSINE
Of course I will, my lady.
MARGUERITE
Mother. You must call me mother from now on. For that is what I am now.
MELUSINE, MELILOT and PALATINE make a final curtsies and leave with MELUSINE in front.
That went very well, I think.
NICOLE
It did indeed mother. If you would excuse me.
NICOLE hastily runs to door and exits.
07. INT. AMERIC’S CHAMBER. DAY.
AMERIC (to LOUIS)
How dare he do this? To me, his own uncle? To his family? To his people? To marry a common whore from god knows where.
LOUIS opens his mouth ready to speak but AMERIC stops him.
Well we have to get rid of this girl. We can say it was a simple accident. Or we can have it done quickly. Smother her with a pillow in her sleep. Anyway she needs to go.
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