Original subtitles

ASHES Starring Eleonara Duse

First part

To Eleonara Duse. "Cenere" is the story of a poor woman from Sardinia. Abandoned by the first man

she loved, expulsed from home, and living on the mercy of another woman,

after years of misery, she leads the son of her guilt to the door of his father,

because only the father can provide a good future - And she disappears into the shadows.

I entrust this story of love and pain to you, my dear friend,

because only you can illuminate it with the light of your soul

and make it live with your great sincere art.

Grazia Deledda

Rosalia Derios (Eleonora Duse) Anania, her son (Febo Mari)

The kid's childhood. The separation from the mother.

At the foot of the Gennargentu massif

- You beat me? I'll tell my mom.

- But which mom, bastard!

The cruel words and the poverty urge the mother to separate herself from the child.

And Rosalia put the sacred amulet around his neck and commanded him to never take it away.

- Where are we going, mother? - To your father's

- Is it far away? - It's far away!

...towards Nuoro... ...towards separation...

- The man who is at the millstone? - Yes, that's your father.

I'm the son of Rosalìa Derios.

Your wife brings you bread and something else... your living flesh.

And the compassionate wife of the father of Anania welcomed the little bastard.

Margherita, the little schoolmate, comforted Anania and cared about him.

The child hears his mother calling in his sleep.

Son, son!

She's no longer there...

Time had flown by... The mother was hiding on her island...

The son studied in Rome... but the same thought of pain united them.

Once a stitch is broken, the threads can't be retied anymore...

My dear Margherita, During these 20 days I have been busy,

and I did not have time to write you.

And I have much to tell you - When will it come true,

the dream of babies' kisses that is hatched to our soul?

I am alone and you are my world. You are the life, the past, the family,

the fatherland, the dream. Soon we...

In Rome. The students who have been promoted... ...the ones who failed...

End of the first part

Second part

What is love?

It was here... Why did my mother leave me?

Dear Margharita, I am climbing to Fonni and I will look for the place where my mother was born.

I won't rest before I find her again... Anania

Don't you recognize me? I'm Anania.

Is my mother alive? Is she dead?

Your mother is afraid of you.

- Woman, call her. I want to see her. She will stay with me. - Here, tomorrow.

Why did you give birth to me?

"I am just what you see" (That's who I am)

No. I didn't ask you anything, so let me go.

It is definitely necessary that I do you well...

Mother! Mother!

Don't be afraid. I have a future, I will be somebody.

Son, you're in love with Margherita. I know she thinks I'm dead.

Let me go... for your own good

I will disappear, carried by the wind.

Noooo! Weep, wail, but don't leave from here.

And where would you go?

Wherever God wants.

I am no longer the child you left. Oh no! Now I'm in charge.

What I've done, I had to do it for you, son! Enough now!

Margherita will know. If she loves me, she will not renounce my mother. I will write you.

I cannot read. Send me a sign: the "rezetta". If the answer is positive, send it in white cloth. If not, send it in colored cloth.

End of the second part

Third part

I feel that my mother is alive. Her ghost has risen before me -

as she's miserable, foul and old from illness and pain, it is my duty to redeem her.

You will live with me - whereas she gave me life,

we are both in your hands. Margherita, love from your Anania.

Waiting.

Why did you deceive me? I knew who you were and I loved you.

I was sure that a mother who abandoned her child is dead for him...

But I was mistaken... So be it! Take care of her, but away from us...

This woman should live with us...

Farewell to Margherita

The woman, no longer waiting

Everything is ashes: life, death, mankind, fate.

Search for Anania, I have to go back.

To mother.

Mother...

Ashes...

...ashes...

...ashes.

The end