Original subtitles

TO ANDREA

No, I can't do it...

Look at me, Teresa. You can't give up now.

Come on! Breathe.

What's the matter? It's been eight hours.

- What's the matter? - It's all good.

No, he's not coming out.

Yes, he does.

Yes, he does.

Teresa, let's try on the couch.

Good!

He can't wait to meet you.

Push!

Come on. We're almost there!

A nice push. Push!

Sweetie.

- Give him to me. - Let me clean him up.

No. Give him to me now.

Sweetie.

Oh, God.

There.

Oh, God.

Sweetie.

Sweetie.

See? He came out.

All this happened 27 years ago.

- Hi, Andrea. - Hi.

Yep.

I'd be 27 today.

Sometimes I wonder how my life could have been.

Maybe I would have studied in the USA...

I would have learned to ski, I would have written my first song...

I would have.

If only I hadn't decided to...

Well, you know what.

No, sweetie, no.

Mom's not going to cry.

THE BOY WITH PINK PANTS

Where's your mom? Is she there?

They called me Andrea because it sounded gentler than my last name...

Spezzacatena.

I always liked the name Andrea,

Maybe because there were so many around.

Hey, dad! Look how tall we are.

That name made me...

invisible.

Every time I watch this old DVD,

I can't tell when the war between my parents started.

They were so happy.

We were so happy.

Why did you stop playing the scales? You're unfair.

It's a song like any other, Mom.

Our song, a song like any other?

- How dare you? - I'm joking.

- Mom, the phone's ringing. - Thanks.

Hello?

Yes?

Thank you.

It's your school. Need to tell me anything?

I didn't do anything, I swear.

There must be a reason if the principal's calling us, right?

Maybe you didn't realize it.

If I didn't realize what I did, how can I tell you what I did?

You're right.

Yes, I'm here.

Oh.

No. I assumed the worst.

Sure, we'll come to the meeting.

Have a nice day.

So, what did I do?

Not only you're the best in your class, but in your entire school.

So they granted you a small scholarship for next year.

Really?

- How small? Money? - Money?

- Yes, money. - Will you buy me crazy stuff?

Nope. They're for studying.

But we'll get you something. Come here.

- You're rich, uh? - Yeah, right.

- Go, go! - I'm going, stop!

Ok, turn! Watch out!

- Who's the winner? - Us!

We are the winner!

Come, come!

I don't remember much about that day,

but something stuck with me for life.

The look in my mother's eyes.

So proud.

So happy.

- You're so smart. - Yeah, right.

- Very smart. - Twenty tokens, five minutes.

- It was 25 tokens. - And him, 30 in two!

Oh, fucking finally!

- I've been calling you for hours! - Don't yell in front of them.

- Hi, Dad. - Hi, guys.

- Hi. - Andrea, can go to your room with Daniele?

You could listen to some music.

Yes. Come.

- Well? - Well, you need to calm down.

- Let's dance. - Okay.

Andrea's been awarded a scholarship.

And you were there until now?

No, we went to the funfair to celebrate.

Thanks for leaving me out of this too!

Fuck, I just told you he won a scholarship and you don't care.

I know Andrea is a prodigy, that's not the issue.

The problem is his mother!

Sure, father of the year speaking!

- Give me your hand. - You're never around...

Because you don't involve me!

But you live with us!

Fuck! I work, Teresa. I work!

You know that thing people do to bring money home?

Spending eight hours out...

You don't want to dance?

- Come on! - No...

...the phone! If you paid more attention to what's going on around you...

- Put your backpack on. - Where are we going?

Put your backpack on.

Come on, let's go.

- I work my ass off in here. - Doing what?

- And I'm studying. - Study what?

- I do lots of things! I'm happy. - Yeah.

Stop fucking yelling!

I'm so bored.

Hey.

- What's up with you two? - Nothing.

- We couldn't listen to music, so we left. - What are you talking about?

Let's go. Come on.

Let's go. Get up.

Come here.

I know we argue sometimes,

but it's not necessarily a bad thing.

It means we care so much for one another,

that we try really hard to meet halfway, to try and talk it out.

If we didn't care, why would we fight?

So the day you'll stop fighting you'll break up?

Exactly.

It's okay with us then.

Keep on arguing.

Come on, let's go.

Easter meant a week in Calabria.

Going back there was magical,

it was good for us all.

If I was alive today, I'd move to Calabria.

- Hurry up! - Calm down!

I always felt very much at ease here.

- Dad! - No, no, no...

I was special here.

- Daniele! - Ah!

Are you ready?

One, two...

Imma!

Imma! Come down, they're here.

- Coming! - Here we are!

Grandpa!

How are you?

- Hi. How are you? - You're still around, I see.

Welcome!

- You've grown. - It's all good?

- How was the trip? - Good, it was good.

Do you want to play pirates?

- Wait for me! - What are we going to do?

- Yes! - Look at this.

Nice! How did you do it?

Andrea is just like Tommaso when he was his age.

Yeah, they're very similar.

On the hunt for Moby Dick!

He's better than him at playing the piano, you know?

He's growing up fast.

Why is he always so restless?

Why is he always acting like a clown?

Let's attack!

He's a happy kid.

On guard, captain!

Easy, Daniele...

Maybe.

Or maybe he just wants to make other people happy.

Let's start over. You stray here and paddle, ok?

Done.

Where do I stand?

Daniele, be quiet and do the watchman, alright?

What are you doing?

Well done!

Well done, brother!

Your son can really sing.

- Did you teach him? - Me? No, I'm totally off-key.

His mom and YouTube, I think.

You should get him an audition in Rome.

This is where I teach, Chorus luvenum.

He might even have the honor of singing for the Pope.

Singing for my grandparents was one thing.

Here it was getting serious.

I was terrified.

We all were.

All except one.

I remember thinking, "How can he be so calm and collected?"

Andrea Spezzacatena.

Yes.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

Andrea, what are you singing for us today?

Schubert's Ave Maria.

Goodbye.

Well done! You were great.

- Really? - Yes.

- Funfair? - Christian Todi.

- I'd rather watch the others. - Fine. Sure.

I'll sit there, okay?

- What are you singing, Christian? - Jesu.

Jesu Rex.

Wake up! It's the first day of school. Come on, let's go.

It's 7:40. We need to hurry.

- What? 7:40? - I made coffee. Let's go!

It's so late!

We have the only kid in the world who's happy to go to school.

Just one moment...

Mom, come on!

Go. Hurry up.

- Bye. - Hurry up.

- Bye. - Later.

There you are. Hurry up, you're late!

Good morning.

And you are?

Late, I guess.

He cracked a joke.

I'm Andrea Spezzacatena.

What?

Take a seat.

Okay, now we can go on.

We were talking about social realism.

From the beginning of the 19th century,

social realist novels and short stories

are concerned with the social aftermath of the Industrial Revolution.

Let's begin the rehearsal, kids. Sopranos and altos in their spots.

Bea, you too. Thanks.

Todi, switch place with Borsei, please.

Horrible fate!

- Okay, get your scores. - But I didn't give up.

Christian was my best friend.

He just didn't know it yet.

Let's start.

- Who told you about this place? - My colleague Leonardo.

- I'm starving. - I'm starving too. Where's the food?

The food's coming, sweetie.

Come on, now. In the meanwhile, let's toast...

to Teresa Spezzacatena, doctor in Political Science.

Big deal.

They offered me three unpaid internships and one with a cost refund of 400 euros.

You have to start somewhere, right?

What are you saying?

At my age, I should work eight hours a day for 400 euros?

The babysitter would cost us twice as that, Tommaso.

Let's not think about it today. Just enjoy the view, uh?

Why are you always afraid to call things by their true name.

This place sucks.

That's the way it is.

Are you upset?

- No. - You look upset to me.

I'm simply trying to enjoy this.

That's exactly the problem right there.

You'd rather tell yourself everything is good just to go on, Tommaso.

- It's not your fault, that's who you are. - Cut it out.

- Enjoy what you have! - No.

- Instead of focusing on what you don't. - No!

I won't settle for this. You do it. You settle. Fuck!

Great job.

- Mom, I'm hungry. - Yes, I know you're hungry.

I'm hungry too.

Andrea.

- Hey, buddy. Hey. - Go away.

Why?

Why?

I don't know.

There's never just one reason why two people argue.

- Things are good between mom and me. - Right.

You'll split up and Daniele and I will suffer.

It won't happen.

Andrea, it won't happen.

Promise me.

I promise.

Now let's go back.

Get your literature books.

Last time we talked about Moby Dick

and the captain Achab's obsession for the whale he wants to capture...

I always loved Literature.

At 12 I had already read 100 books.

I wrote them down in a notebook. And I gave them a vote.

Despite showing fear of a close encounter with the terrifying creature,

enhance its very beauty.

Who remembers how?

Were I still alive, I'd have read 500 by now.

Todi?

I'm here.

What did I just ask?

Why, you don't remember?

Very funny. Want a demerit?

Why don't you ask Spezzacatena?

I'm sure he's dying to tell you.

I don't ask him because he studies.

He works hard.

He's the only one who's interested in what we're doing here.

Why is that?

- Because he's good. - The fuck I am.

How dare you?

"The fuck I am", Andrea? "The fuck I am", really?

He said "fuck", he said "fuck".

Daniele!

You're grounded for a month. Okay?

No internet, no TV. Your life will be school and home, and that's it!

"The fuck I am."

May I?

It's your house.

Will you tell me what happened?

How about this.

I'll try to guess.

You hate Mr. Gioli.

No.

Wanted to defend someone?

Wanted to impress someone?

Honey.

Honey.

There's nothing wrong with that.

We all want to impress someone eventually, but there's a right way and a wrong one.

- And today's was-- - Wrong. I know.

Keeping you grounded makes no sense. You never gave us trouble.

I'll talk to Dad.

Okay?

Just go back to be the Andrea we know.

- Yeah? - Yeah.

Mom?

What?

Wait before telling Dad about being grounded.

Why?

I don't want you to fight.

And Dad's right, you know?

I deserve being grounded.

Alright.

Why are you always alone?

What?

I said, you're not the shy type. How come you're always alone?

I'm a secret agent on a mission.

What mission?

I'd have to kill you if I told you.

I'm Sara, 3C.

- Andrea, 3B. - I know who you are.

Everyone knows since yesterday.

Mr. The Fuck I Am.

I'm sorry.

I didn't know a demerit was enough to become popular.

He flunked last year. But...

How cool is Todi?

He's cool and a jerk, that's for sure.

A jerk? Why?

Are you friends?

In a way we are.

What are you doing later?

Dunno.

Look how fast he is. He's so good.

Do you think we'll run like that too someday?

I don't care.

He's so handsome.

What if we decide to go to the movies every Saturday afternoon?

We choose a movie each. The other reviews it and rates it.

At the end of the year... Wait for it... We'll choose a winner for best movie.

Yeah, okay.

We'll call it, "Saturday at the movies".

The name needs some work... Uh, hold on...

We can use this. What do you think? It's nice.

Okay. But you keep it. I'll choose the first movie.

Deal.

Let's go.

See you later. Bye.

Well, Martina...

I think she'd fall for it.

- I'll write to her, okay? - You have to try.

- Okay, let's go. - I'll finish this.

See you later.

Spezzacatena.

You showed some guts with Gioli.

No big feat.

Listen.

Would you help me with homework?

Yeah, but I'm, like, grounded forever and I can't go out.

What's the problem?

- I can come to your place. - No, my parents won't allow that.

In two days I'll be free. I'll come.

Literature?

Math, History, Geography...

I mean...

Everything except gym class.

Your phone.

Here. That's my number.

I looked at him and asked myself...

How is it like to wake up every day being Christian Todi?

I gave him a nickname.

Mr. Plus.

Honey, can you sit down please?

Me and dad...

- We decided to-- - Why?

Things happen sometimes, Andrea.

Me and mom will keep caring for each other.

- And for you. - Yeah.

Does Daniele know?

- No. - We wanted to tell you first.

Relax, I'll talk to him.

I'll be living here for a while, and...

I'll look for a house.

We'll see each other every day, okay?

It's going to be okay.

Yes, mom, I know. I have a lot of friends with separated parents.

It'll be okay.

- Andrew? - What?

Tell me...

Could Jack from Titanic fit on the wooden board?

- Of course. - No, I don't think so.

It was her who wanted to save only herself.

No.

If Cameron decided it had to end like that...

That's how it had to end.

Absolute masterpiece.

What's wrong?

Something with your parents?

Yes.

I guessed that much.

They're splitting.

Okay.

Heavy, sad, ugly, weird.

But no one died.

I know. I'm mostly worried about Daniele.

He's still a kid, you know.

You worry too much about other people.

You're a kid too.

GIVE ME ANSWER NUMBER 2

I didn't know how to react to that.

COME OVER ON SATURDAY TO STUDY?

Luckily he wrote it down, or I would've thought I got it wrong.

Instead, on that grid patterned relic,

there was an invitation.

An invitation to the lion's den.

This way.

So cool.

- You like it? - Yeah.

It's amazing.

No!

Wow, you have so many books!

- Yeah? - Did you read them all?

You're joking, right?

Let's see...

Here it is.

I only read this one.

Many times.

Ah, The Hobbit!

This is my bible.

I love Tolkien too.

Who?

Oh, the writer.

Let's go.

That's just about everything on World War I.

Done.

Alright.

Anyway, thanks for helping me.

If I flunk here too, my dad would send me to the Military Academy.

No sweat. At least I can get out of my house.

Everything okay?

Yeah.

Come on.

You can tell me.

We're friends now.

My parents are getting a divorce.

You can imagine the vibes...

Oh.

I can understand.

My parents divorced when I was born.

It hurts. It's normal.

It's never easy.

You suffered too? For how long?

What a drag!

Why do we need to know stuff about World War I?

We have to study the wars to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

I guess.

Okay, fine.

There must be movies about it. I'll watch those.

Fuck!

I have to go. I'll explain later, okay?

- Alright. - Bye.

Hello. One ticket, please.

- It started one hour ago. - I know.

Thanks.

Despite being labeled as The Three Fools, everyone liked them.

When she found out, Katherine invented a game: The Village Fool.

The village was the table.

They took turns to play the fool.

Sabine was truly irresistible.

- Sorry if I-- - Ssh!

I'm sorry, really.

I'm not mad at him.

I'm not mad at Katherine nor Albert.

I'm gradually letting go of her.

That is, on the idea of life itself.

He's skilled. Look at them, running there.

Guys? Come here.

- Let's go. - We're up.

You're cheating.

Nineteen...

Fifteen.

It ended in?

- Take it! - I got it!

- In 1912. - Are you dumb?

I'm going back, okay? Actually, I'll race you.

You'll win anyway.

Hey, what's that?

I'm about to score. Hey!

No!

Louder.

Hey, pay attention! Hold on, start over.

Pay attention, you two.

Okay, let's start again.

Fifth bar, from the chorus onward.

CANDIDATES FOR THE EXHIBITION IN HONOR OF THE POPE

I did it!

I'll be in front of the Pope.

Yes!

SPEZZACATENA ADMITTED TODI NOT ADMITTED

Everything was going great, but then the Pope got in the way.

Here I was kicked down from Christian's pedestal.

I really thought we were friends.

But it was all in my mind.

Fuck. Fuck.

Sara.

Have we met?

Listen...

Sorry if we didn't hang out lately.

Andrea?

I know what you did.

You replaced me with Mr. Plus.

Now he's ignoring you, you come back to me.

I forgive you for one reason only.

What?

I'd have probably done the same.

We can say it, Spezzacatena. We're two doormats.

Well...

Anyway...

The new Robert Pattinson's movie's out.

What should we do?

- Don't let me down. - Go to the movies?

- There. - Let's go to the movies.

Okay. See you tonight, 7:30 sharp at my house. I don't want to be late.

Get your backpack. Come on, let's go.

Move!

Ready... Go!

Hey. You okay?

- Yeah. Can I go change earlier? - Alright, go.

Thanks.

Now we do the skip.

Go!

Ok, let's do the butt kicks.

Go!

- Hey. - Hi.

How's it going at home? With your parents, I mean.

It's bad.

Really bad.

They don't talk anymore.

How are you?

Not good.

I've been having nightmares for two nights.

And...

I wet my bed.

Shit.

My mom wants me to talk to someone.

A doctor or an exorcist, maybe.

Well, it's okay.

It'll pass.

Christian.

I'm not singing for the Pope tomorrow.

- Cut the bullshit. - I'm serious.

- You're my friend, so... - Exactly.

Your friend, right?

So I'm happy for you.

And you'll sing for the Pope.

- Agreed? - Okay.

Spezzacatena, you're late! Hurry up, the Pope is already here.

Andrea, you studied a lot.

It'll be fine.

Go, big brother.

Come on, let's go.

- He was good! - Indeed, very good!

That was my only public exhibition with the choir.

My voice was changing.

I remember I felt different too that day.

ANDREA QUEERCATENA

I never felt so humiliated.

Of all the questions that echoed in my head,

there was only one I couldn't answer.

Why do I hear only his laugh?

- Andrew? - What?

Can you believe we'll be done with middle school soon?

Please. Don't tell me you're still mad for that thing with Christian.

- I didn't get mad, you know? - Yes, you did.

Listen, I get it.

But let's try to see the glass half full.

Now you know he's an asshole.

No second thoughts.

- You'll soon be free. What do you care? - How do you know I'll be free?

Maybe he'll come to Donizetti too.

No, I checked, he's going to Pollini, and there's more...

It's five miles from our high school.

My dear, we're officially free.

We're free!

We're free!

- We're leaving! - Bye!

- We're free! - We're free!

I had spent two years staring at his back, hoping he'd turn around.

Now I was looking beyond it.

And I could see that...

with the bullshit he was writing, he was going to get flunked.

Hey.

Andrea. Help me out.

No.

Todi, seven!

Bravo!

Todi, seven!

I got ten.

Ten! Ten!

We got full marks!

How great are we?

Instead, he didn't flunk.

With a thin margin.

I got rid of him.

With a thin margin.

The first day of high school is like the first kiss.

You don't forget it.

Victor Hugo wrote,

"He who opens a school door, closes a prison".

And Sara and me never felt so free.

We even ended up in the same class.

Everyone has cool backpacks...

However...

Okay. I'm about to say something only a loser would say.

I missed Christian.

Despite what he had done to me,

I cared for him.

Spezzacatena?

- Wake up. - Yes, I'm here.

Drug addiction

is a pathological condition of substance abuse,

like marijuana, cocaine, heroin, crack,

amphetamine, ecstasy, ketamine, speed.

The prolonged use of these substances

leads to social and occupational impairment...

Social impairment.

That's what I was. Socially impaired.

I needed to detox.

But changing school helped me.

Not seeing him every day was doing me good.

I could make it.

Actually, I was almost completely over it!

Christian.

Spezzacatena.

- What are you doing here? Weren't you-- - At Pollini?

I tried.

It wasn't my thing.

All my friends are here. I switched.

Are you happy?

I'll keep kicking your ass at Athletics. You still running?

Yeah, of course.

- What's your section? - C.

- If you'd help me find my classroom... - Come, it's right next to mine.

What's up?

It was almost like hearing a conviction to five years in jail.

Just one, actually. Geography.

Without parole.

- Anyway, today I was wait-- - Shh, be quiet, it's starting.

Shh!

Wouldn't you want to cross the Desert of Shadows?

Every man for himself and the devil for everyone.

- Mom! - Hi!

How was your evening?

Good. We saw two movies. A western and Drive.

Nice. What's your favorite?

Drive. It's way cooler and the soundtrack's amazing.

How's Sara?

- How is she? Fine. - Good.

What's that?

- For me? - They won't fit me for sure.

I love them. Can I wear them tomorrow at school?

- I need to wash them first. - Who cares?

No, they're gross. It's no big deal.

I'll wash them.

I'm glad you like them.

Oh, my God.

I'm sorry.

They stained everything. Look.

They're better like this.

- Really? - Yeah.

There you go.

- You're my idol. - Do you like them?

Totally, Andrea.

Spezzacatena!

Nice pants.

Do they make them for men too?

Let's go.

Hey, Andrea.

I'm joking.

You're not mad, are you?

- Christian, ditch the loser. - Hey!

Don't you dare. We've known each other since middle school.

Well?

- Apologies accepted? - Yes.

I had longed to see him again.

But now, as I stood close to him, I felt something I'd never felt before.

- You're a dick! - What do you want?

I was scared.

- He's a loser! - Shut up.

Instead of focusing on his sadism towards me,

I focused on the fact that he'd called me by my name.

Sara!

Four words were enough.

Andrea is my friend.

Who is it?

Your mom.

- Everything okay? - The usual.

How did it go with the pants? Did Sara like them?

Yeah. But someone made fun of me.

Really?

For a pair of pink pants?

You don't have to wear them.

And let them win?

Do you love him?

I don't know.

I hope you do.

We all need a bit of love.

My fault.

- It was gross. - Damn gross.

Go on, have at it.

It was confusing. One goes to Romania, the other has superpowers...

- Forget it. - No story, zero script.

Cinematography was gross as well.

Hold on.

Listen...

Tomorrow's Valentine's Day.

Do you celebrate with someone?

Me? Yeah. Can't you see the line?

Perfect. Me neither.

Listen...

We celebrated 14 Christmases, 14 New Year's Eves, 14 Easters.

Never a Valentine's Day.

Do you want to be the only one not celebrating it?

You want to have a fake Valentine's Day with me?

It wouldn't be fake.

We love each other, right?

Isn't that a little lame?

Yeah, it is.

Alright, then. It's perfect for us.

Anyway...

These pants are super cool.

I know. I love them.

So cool.

I was so excited for my very first date.

It's so nice here. Super nice.

- Taste this. - Thanks.

Nothing binds more than teenage despair.

I'm growing a mustache, you know?

You're so dumb.

I started thinking that...

we were already a thing without even knowing.

This is my favorite song.

Really?

No!

Oh, God, I'm so sorry.

What if our first date was also the last?

What?

Sara?

I love you.

- Andrea, we were pretending. - Didn't you hear what I just said?

Yes, I heard you.

I care for you.

- But it's not enough. - Why?

Why not?

- Really? "Why"? - You're still into Christian.

Christian? Why are you bringing him up?

You think a guy like him would go with a girl like you?

Look at you!

- That's what you think? - Yeah.

So a girl like me should settle for a guy like you?

Fuck you.

When they say: "You don't need be a poet to suffer. Being a teenager is enough",

they are talking about me.

What a shitty age.

At this age,

if for some reason you convince yourself you're a loser or a cool guy,

you think it'll be like that until the end.

Nothing could be more wrong.

Need an example? Now Christian is forty pounds heavier.

He's unemployed and alone.

Small satisfactions from the afterlife.

- Throw! - Get it!

Come on!

- Yes! - Hand it here!

- Go. - There he goes. Get the ball.

Guys!

Visit is in five minutes!

Let's go!

Good job, Spezzacatena.

Why are you alone?

- Where's your friend? - We're taking a break.

I get it.

- Who are you hanging out with now? - I don't know.

Why the long face? We'll adopt you.

Guys. He's one of us from now on.

Just know we're a bit like animals.

In what way?

In all ways.

- Do you have a profile? - Yeah.

Okay.

Let's see...

Andrea... Spezzacatena.

- That one? - Yeah, the first one.

Perfect.

Andrea, what are you doing?

You're going with him?

Jealous of Mister Plus?

Get over it.

Andrea, look at me.

Think.

Hey.

We're not kids anymore.

His name's Christian, he's an asshole and you know it.

You're right, we're not kids anymore.

People change and we did.

- Have I ever told you? - What?

- Have I ever told you? - What?

- What? - You're a shitty runner.

Fuck you.

- I almost got you. - Yeah...

What are you doing?

In the south-east sector of Palazzo Evans,

we can find the so called domestic quarter.

Probably destined to the royal family.

There were luxuriously decorated rooms and halls, spread over four floors.

Ready?

Come on!

- No! - That's a bummer!

Go, go, go!

Good job!

- Bravo! - Bravo!

Anyone not jumping is a loser!

Anyone not jumping is a loser!

Anyone not jumping is a loser!

Anyone not jumping is a loser!

Anyone not jumping is a loser!

Anyone not jumping is a loser!

Anyone not jumping is a loser!

Anyone not jumping is a loser!

Anyone not jumping is from Pollini!

Anyone not jumping is from Pollini!

Anyone not jumping is from Pollini!

- Hey, Andrea. How are you? - Fine.

What's up?

You were great at the race.

You killed it.

So we decided that...

you're ready to know our secret plan.

Meaning?

Sit there.

It's the end-of-year party. Those guys are from twelfth grade.

Cool, right?

They went dressed as zombies and raised hell.

They already have 12.000 views. Shit!

It's our turn this year. We're aiming at 15.000.

It's crazy.

- Fifteen thousand? - Hey, Andrea.

No one has to know or they won't let us in.

You'll make the videos.

What are we going to wear? Did you decide already?

We'll dress like whores.

Fishnet stockings, high heels, lipstick.

Why like whores?

The theme is The Rose Ball this year.

Everybody will be elegant, with tuxedos. Girls dressed up. Can you imagine?

So, guys,

be good whores, with a capital W.

Isn't it a bit too much? You're practically naked.

A bit too streetwalker.

Mom, it's the party's theme. It needs to be exaggerated.

- Alright. Okay, then. Let's see. - I'll take it off.

I can't take it off.

Look how cute is this one.

Try it.

- Ouch. - There.

Ouch...

Which one?

- Black ones. - The black?

- What's that? - It's shiny, it matches.

Look how pretty I am.

So pretty.

- Uh? - Yeah, but chin up, be proud.

- Like that? - Yeah.

On the sides, too.

Look how pretty these are.

- Wonder why I never wear them? - Why?

Well, they're a bit... Your dad gave them to me.

- How do I look? - You're beautiful. Gorgeous.

Do we have to pick up any of your friends?

- No. - Oh.

They'll be waiting for me in the toilet.

- In the toilet? - I meant in the hall. I got mixed up.

Oh, God, our song.

Guys, they almost saw me.

But don't worry, nothing happened...

The fuck are you doing?

- Oh, my God. - Christian.

What the fuck are you wearing?

- Did you see? - A real slut.

- Let go of me! - Slutty earrings too!

- I said let go! - Come here!

- Get off me! - No, me first.

Have you even shaved?

Come here.

Christian, help me!

You're disgusting.

- Yeah, hold him! - Gosh, you're almost perfect.

- I can tell you like it. - A perfect girl!

Christian, let me go.

Know what we'll do now?

We'll all go to the dance.

Let's smudge the lipstick.

Much better.

Guys...

The show begins.

Stop! Let me go!

SARA INCOMING CALL

How'd you do?

Hey. What are you doing?

Mom, I'm hungry.

- How about a snack? - You're always hungry.

- Bread and oil. - Alright.

- Want something? - No.

Come on, let's go.

You're a bit confrontational today.

Weren't you expecting to fail some subjects?

Well, it's a miracle I didn't flunk altogether.

First year of high school. Next year will be better.

Good. You took the words out of my mouth.

Grandma?

Do you believe in God?

Of course. You don't?

I think I do.

But?

Why doesn't he do something when someone hurts us?

Because there's too many of us, I think.

Imagine having to deal with everything.

He gives the example.

It's up to us to follow it and solve our issues.

Sure, God never went to high school.

Hey, there he is.

That was so embarrassing.

Poor guy. What a shitty joke.

It was the second year of high school.

The good news was I only had four years to go until the end of high school.

The bad news was I still had four years to go until the end of high school.

Saturday night, you can't imagine.

When you're a teenager, you don't see much difference

between being socially dead and being really dead.

Look who's there.

Three months had gone by since that party.

That's the beauty of technology.

It follows you wherever you go. Forever.

Even if I changed school, I would always be that thing.

Forever.

I felt like I was about to crash against a wall,

I thought I had no choice, but to speed up.

To make it quicker.

Here she is. The trans girl.

Nice pants. Do you match your lipstick with them?

You have nothing to say, uh?

You should thank me.

I only helped you.

Now you can stop pretending, don't you think?

Christian, stop.

"Oh, Sara, be with a guy like me.

You could never be with a guy like Christian."

- What a fucking loser. - Christian, please.

Anyway...

Don't worry, I took care of that.

I did that thing you could never do.

- Andrea! - Hey! Watch out.

- What? - Easy.

- Huh? - Andrea, calm down.

Chill out.

THE BOY WITH PINK PANTS

GROSS - LOSER - QUEER

YOU GUYS ARE ASSHOLES I'D KILL MYSELF IF I WERE YOU

QUEERCATENA

FAGGOT IS THAT YOUR SCHOOL?

BITCHY QUEEN I'D KILL MYSELF IF I WERE HIM

Honey.

What happened?

Let me see.

God, what happened?

Andrea, who did it?

Andrea, will you talk to me?

Fuck.

What am I supposed to do? You won't tell me anything.

You know what?

I'll talk to the principal. I need to know what's going on.

And I'll talk to someone.

Sorry, honey.

Sorry, I got scared.

Being 14 is hard, I know.

You'll soon be 15.

We'll have a nice party.

An amazing party.

Things will get better, you'll see. It will get easier.

And then you'll soon be 18. We're almost there.

I'll enroll you in driving school.

- You'll get a license-- - Mom.

Can we celebrate at the funfair?

Aren't you too old for that kind of stuff?

I'm still a kid.

Please.

Of course.

Of course.

Listen... I'm sorry.

I never meant to say those ugly things. I was angry.

You're my best friend--

Now we're even.

You're my best friend too.

And...

Sorry I won't be there for your birthday tomorrow.

My parents are taking me to Paris.

Paris?

Wow.

I got you a present, though.

Only Amy Winehouse and Adele on the playlist.

I have something for you, too.

You keep it.

I'll choose the next movie.

I love you.

Being a child again is nice.

Everything was much easier.

My last day on Earth was peaceful.

I was happy again after a long time.

I think mom knew.

HAPPY 15TH BIRTHDAY ANDREA

Maybe she realized after I said goodbye.

I didn't want to break away too soon.

Ten more seconds.

Ten more and another ten.

Words are like flowerpots falling from balconies.

If you're lucky they miss you.

And you keep on walking.

But if you're just a bit more...

Let's say, slow...

They hit you hard.

And kill you.

That's what my son Andrea told me.

One day, at the funfair.

TO MY KIDS...

ANDREA, BEYOND THE PINK PANTS

MAY THE SACRIFICE OF ONE BE THE REDEMPTION OF ANOTHER

Andrea Spezzacatena took his own life on November 20, 2012

without leaving a note.

After Andrea's death,

his mother found out a Facebook page created to mock him.

Using the password her son had given her, she accessed his Facebook account

and uncovered the full extent of Andrea's experiences.

Teresa Manes has dedicated the rest of her life

to speaking about the dangers of bullying and cyberbullying

to thousands of students across Italy.

In 2022, for her work raising awareness

Teresa was awarded the title of Knight of the Republic

by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella.

"I've certainly made mistakes with my son,

but letting him wear those pants wasn't one of them." - Teresa Manes

THE BOY WITH PINK PANTS