Contempt ending explained

What happens

Camille leaves with Prokosch, and Paul decides to quit the film and return to his own writing. Then the two are killed when his car crashes. The marriage ends without the explanation Paul wanted, while Lang goes on filming.

The last image

By the sea at Capri, Lang calls for the next shot as Odysseus looks toward Ithaca.

What it says

Camille's death settles nothing: Paul never gets his answer, and the film he walked away from carries on. The Odyssey's journey home is still being staged while the couple have lost theirs. Art goes on, and love cannot be repaired.