Original subtitles

My colors... my colors...

They run hot in my veins...

Soft. So soft...

My colors are soft like the Fall,

hot like fresh blood...

The liquid flows down my arms

My colors... they transcend me

into darkness.

My colors

take me into the yellow decay

My colors

they flow through my veins

My colors

in my veins,

creating

a brutal nobility

God... My colors will paint death clearly

Death, purity, death... Purification... holding me

at their mercy. My colors... yellow, soft, dripping from

their eyes. Purity. Purity of death. My colors.

Good morning. I am Solmi.

Glad to meet you.

No, take hers, instead.

But no... women prefer to carry their own these days.

Anyway, welcome to our village. Coppola! The bags.

I am the one who wrote to you the mayor who hired you

to restore the fresco, the painting of St. Sebastian.

Let's go directly to the church,

so you can see it. This is a tourist town.

The newspaper's beginning to give us bad publicity.

Something must be done to attract more tourists.

Driver, to the church!

I'm sure you'll do a good job.

- I hope so. - The original painter,

Legnani, died a short while ago,

and he didn't finish the job. The painting will remain

- an honor to him. At least. - Yes, I understand.

The painter was good, but he suffered

from a dark soul.

And those women... Death was inevitable.

Hey! Are you sleeping?

No, not at all.

The pastor of the church is in charge of the fresco.

I'll introduce you. He's a good person. You'll like him.

This church was built, destroyed and rebuilt 6 times.

Many times I threatened to leave...

...but here I stay.

Solmi says you have done a wonderful job here.

Thank you, he's kind. Yes, this church

used to be an embarrassment! A mess!

There were even cadavers piled in here

from past funerals. I had my work, yes. It was a mess.

After everything was cleaned up, I hired the local artist, Legnani,

to paint a giant fresco of St. Sebastian.

But there were many problems, and the painting

remains unfinished. Here, see what you think.

I am amazed! What an artist!

To have done such a job! It's breathtaking!

It's truly magnificent!

But Legnani had a problem. He was eccentric.

Legnani couldn't even get dressed by himself.

His mind was somewhere else.

God gave him an amazing talent, but he abused it!

They used to say he's crazy... ...maybe that's true.

- Are you starting now? - No, I'm just checking.

Well, I'm going to get something to eat.

I haven't eaten anything since yesterday,

and I'm starving.

I hope you can make that fresco beautiful!

Good luck!

Some people are so rude. They never stop being nosy.

Take this. Thank you.

Who is it?

There's a phone call for you.

- It's over there. - Thank you.

- Hello? - Go away.

- You're here for the fresco... - Pardon?

- Who's on the phone? - Don't touch the painting!

- Hey, you look great! - How are you?

I'm fine.

Here's the cheese. Want coffee?

Yes, thank you.

Hello. Aren't you the man I saw at the hotel?

At first you startled me.

- Are you busy? - No, not really.

Sit down...

- This seat is already taken. - Antonio!

- Excuse us. - I'm gonna sit over there.

What are you doing here?

I came here for a good meal.

I'm surprised to find you

in such a desolate place!

- Are you still researching? - For the moment...

Do you think I'm stupid? Look around.

There's something weird going on in this village.

- Did you break up with Marcella? - That old bitch?

Don't say that to him.

Do you know who this creature is?

Yes, she's a teacher, and she's been fucked by everyone!

If you want to screw her make sure you wear a condom!

- Did you meet with Solmi? - Yes, this morning.

- Then you already saw the fresco. - I saw it.

Don't talk to anybody.

Believe what I'm going to say.

I'm gonna tell you a strange story.

Can I trust you, Stefano?

- Are you okay? - I'm okay.

I have to go now.

I've decided to tell you later.

Hope things go alright.

I think your friend drinks too much!

You have a nice room here. Is it yours?

No. The school provides it.

Antonio says you're a teacher. Is that right?

- Yes, that's right. - Who do you teach?

I teach kids... who do you think I teach?

- Oh, I don't know. - How much sugar?

- Not a lot, thank you... - Watch out. It's hot.

Don't spill it. I just washed the blanket.

With you I feel younger.

Let me tell you something. You have a sad face.

Don't be angry.

I feel like I'm getting old. Not good.

If you feel lonely, come back. You know the way.

I'll be waiting for your visit. Not morning, I'm in school.

I'll remember that.

For you to understand what I have to say...

I must take you to a special place.

It's a house with odd windows.

Are you finally going to tell that story from yesterday?

Or will this be bullshit?

Do you know what we call him?

- Painter of Agony. - I think that's true.

You think you know...

I'm talking about someone who lived for death.

Come here, Foresti!

Here you go, doctor.

Thank. See you tomorrow.

Antonio, what about this story of agony?

Good morning. Doctor, that stuff you ordered for us...

...it should be here soon.

Listen, save your money.

I don't need it after all.

I told you it wasn't urgent.

Hey, you know what? I've got to start working too.

Later!

- Do you mind if I come along? - Not at all.

- What were you talking about? - Nothing much.

The Painter and something about death.

You have a bizarre friend.

Somebody threatened me on the phone. Tried to scare me.

- Who might do this? - Some people abuse the phone,

and they get into trouble. Sometimes they arrest

a poor guy, but these tricksters

only stop when they want to.

Who put those flowers there?

I don't know. Why? Don't you like them?

- That's it! - No more!

Don't hit me anymore!

- Stop this! - You're going

- to break everything! - Stop!

Don't hit me anymore!

Stop it, understand?

Don't talk to me like that.

Go home... leave!

Can I have a cigarette?

It's finished.

- Thank you, marshal. - Good night.

Sorry about the trouble.

This is the only restaurant

in the village. By the way,

- how do you find our food? - Very good. I love it.

- Even though we have problems. - The kitchen is very good.

It's good that the problems don't affect it

I work hard, and thanks to Solmi.

He has helped a lot.

He's done much for this village.

He's a brave man.

Though not tall, he's big. He has railed the village...

...to unity and prosperity.

I'm sure you find these pictures beautiful.

Like the one we have in the church

These were painted by the same artist

These paintings are the most important thing in the village.

My wife. Everything in this house belongs to her.

But how she suffers! She's very sick...

She lives upstairs now... this is her home. She wanders about...

She walks all over. Always. This is her favourite painting.

- May I? - Yes.

It was Legnani's first.

My wife is the model.

Quite startling... the detail! Joy from the Painter of Agony.

Poor guy.

Never a success with women.

Overpowered by them...

A problem for him.

Maybe because he didn't know his mother.

But one day he stripped down

and started painting his body.

Hello. Who's this?

One moment... It's for you!

- Hello? - Don't mention my name.

I must speak with you. I must tell you...

...the rest of the horrible story... I'm at this hotel.

Someone pushed him from upstairs!

Call a doctor!

No, he's dead!

It's impossible!

God!

Listen, I know how you must feel...

...he was your friend.

Marshal, I'm sure someone pushed him. I saw a shadow...

Besides, he had no reason to commit suicide.

But there is no motive, no reason for us to think

that someone killed him. There is non evidence!

Nobody wanted to kill him.

He was a loner. Unhappy.

There is nothing to do here

except drink.

The young women... all left.

Your friend was alone.

Very alone.

Hello? Yes... Sir, it's for you. Phone's over there.

Hello?

Go away. Leave the fresco alone.

If you're trying to scare me by phone calls...

...you're wrong.

- Go away. Leave. - I'm not leaving. Understand?

Excuse me, sir, one of our best clients

from out of town arrive this morning.

- We gave him your room. - What are you saying?

This man came to the hotel.

There was no room for him, so we gave him yours.

We are very sorry, sir...

Do you like it?

I still have some left

from my fishing trip.

Want some?

You know, there are lots more around here.

It's great!

- What's inside that box? - What?

A secret.

Hey, let's go! Are we going or what?

Hurry up!

How's my singing? Not bad, huh?

Are you coming or not?

Hurry up!

If you stay here... you can do what you want.

Come on! Here you go.

- Who does it belong to? - That's not important.

Come here. This way.

Come on.

It's you?

- Is there something to eat? - There is nothing here.

What did you do with the money I gave you? Thief!

If you don't like what I bring, go to a restaurant, old lady!

Why do you punish me like this?

- Who is this? - Good morning.

He's a kind man. He's gonna stay here

for a while... until he finds a place.

It's been a long time since I was visited by someone...

I'm all by myself here. The silence is unbearable.

Where's the man who took my room?

- Who do you mean? - The new client.

There is no one. Who would want to visit this village?

Who is it? Ah, it's you...

I didn't want to disturb you. I thought you were sleeping.

Sleep? Me? Not quite.

How can a woman in so much pain... sleep?

Can I ask you a question? Do you hear noises at night?

- Noises? - Yes.

- Last night? - Yes. Noises.

The only person who could bump into here is me...

and I'm not in that good of shape to be walking around.

I don't think you're in that bad of shape.

Come, young man. Come next to me.

It's been a long time since I've talked with anyone.

It makes me happy someone is concerned about me.

So, how's the weather? Is it nice out?

Yes, it's a beautiful day.

You'll come and see me often, right?

- I promise. - Goodbye, young man.

Is somebody there?

My colors. They are mine.

Let them run in my veins.

They are soft... soft.

They are soft like Fall,

hot like fresh blood...

the liquid flows down my arms.

My colors...

...they transcend me into darkness.

My colors...

...take me into the yellow decay.

My colors... they flow through my veins.

My colors, in my veins, creating a brutal nobility.

Oh God, my God, my colors...

...will paint death clearly..

Death, Purity, Death, Purification, holding me...

...at their mercy. My colors. Yellow. Soft... dripping from

their eyes. Purity of death.

My colors... they purify death through my veins...

Open up!

Is anyone home?

Yes?

Excuse me, I need to see the woman who lives here.

She's no longer here. Do you know what time is it?

Excuse me.

She left three days ago. I'm her replacement at school.

She was transferred to another district... won't you come in?

I'm sorry... but I was sleeping. Excuse the way I look.

Please, do come in.

Earlier I ordered food from the restaurant downstairs,

but I couldn't eat the escargot.

They are still alive! I didn't have the heart to kill them.

Do you know how to cook them?

No. I don't think I could eat them anyway.

- What's your name? - Francesca.

Well, I'm going back to bed.

I hope we see each other again.

Hey! I put a live animal in your friend's coffin...

...to keep him company.

Sir, I'm concerned about the two women in the painting.

The killers of St. Sebastian seem to be enjoying it...

Perhaps too much. What do you think?

I think we have the wrong idea.

The painter did not have the intention of depicting

the agony of the Saint. Everybody says the artist

is a sensitive genius, but all he does...

...is paint death... of a human, without compassion.

Fishing is good around here. The fish are very hungry.

Have you noticed much change here, over the years?

The village suffered from war after- shock. Everybody worked.

They rebuilt with courage and hope.

Tell me about the woman living at the house where I'm staying.

- Who? Paraplegic? - Yes.

I don't see her much.

She's the type who doesn't invite me to her house.

She hasn't left her bed in years.

People say she has a venereal disease.

But I wouldn't know. She doesn't go to confession.

Was she friends with painter Legnani?

Please, don't ruin my day with this kind of talk.

This kind of talk is even scaring away fishes.

- What is this mumbo- jumbo? - I didn't think you'd come back.

I came anyway. I was waiting for you.

I've been here for 2 hours... Curiosity made me play it.

- Who is the man talking? - I don't know.

- Why do you live here? - The priest suggested it.

Are you alone here?

No. There's an elderly woman upstairs. She's nailed to bed.

I can't stop smoking. It calms me down.

Do you still want a cooking lesson?

- Escargos? - No. Something much better.

- Do you know how to set a table? - Yeah.

You'll find everything you need in this drawer.

- I'll be in the kitchen. - Good.

I find a book in the old lady's library...

..."Cooking For Romance".

What did you think of the teacher I replaced?

- Did you like her? - Pardon?

- Do you have a lighter? - Right there.

Did you make love with her? Your silence proves you did.

We stopped!

B. L.

Whose lighter is this? Do you know a painter named Legnani?

No, it was a gift. It's a friend's lighter.

The gloomy... darkness is romantic. Right?

While eating this plate, the lady and her knight

will feel love overpowering their souls and desire is strong.

Do you have a lot of luggage?

One suitcase.

You could bring it over here.

What are you doing there?

Is there where Legnani lived?

- Who? - The painter...

Can you drive me home?

Yeah. Hurry up.

Go ahead... sit in the front.

- Must I go directly home? - Would you like to get a drink?

No. They won't serve me. They think I should

be drinking fruit juice. Like I can't handle liquor!

Thank you. The next one's on me.

Just tell me about Legnani.

- Right now? - Yes.

The painter... he went to Brazil with his mother

and 2 sisters, to find their fortune.

When they returned,

they were apparently wealthier than before they left,

but mother was dead.

They came back and built that little house.

Excuse me.

- How did they live? - What?

- How did they live? - He was poor...

He borrowed from everyone... Even though they had a fortune,

he had nothing. His sisters controlled the money.

You know, I knew him.

I was 7 or 8 years old.

She was dying. My mom was sick. He came to draw her.

We called him the Painter of Agony. He liked to paint

people who were dying.

He was a little crazy.

We could also say the same

about his sisters.

By painting death

he was trying to control nature,

to confront death.

He was obsessed with death. And the dying.

Could you recognize the sound of his voice?

Could you recognize it?

It's the kind of voice

you don't forget.

He talked like a psycho! Like a machine gun...

Then suddenly he would stop and start chanting.

- Psycho! - Wait.

He was really crazy because of his sisters.

- Plug it in. Quick. - Yeah. Okay.

Listen to this.

There's nothing on this damn thing!

- Did you touch it? - Not since the other night.

This tape was important to me, bitch!

What's wrong? I didn't touch it!

I'm sorry...

I'll be right back.

Francesca!

Coppola?

Are you awake?

I slept a little bit,

but I had a bad dream.

I'm sorry.

I'm scared, you know.

Me too, but for me it's different.

I'm more afraid when I sleep.

There are a lot of things here, and they're heavy!

- Is everything packed? - Yes, just take it downstairs.

Incredible. Look, dear...

"To verify the death experience of these models to reproduce

the very last moments of death, his sisters provided him

with victims for his art"... ...Sisters!

Why did he write in third person? Like a researcher,

to communicate with the dead mother of Legnani.

He talks of communion...

...and human sacrifice.

There's a possibility that a man, today,

can communicate with the dead,

during the ritualistic painting.

Stop it!

That's enough!

Shut up! I'm begging... stop talking about it!

I can't stand this place anymore. I want to leave.

Rio de Janeiro.

From Rio de Janeiro.

What? What is it? Tell me.

Probably the answer to all the craziness.

Who is it?

- I'm sure it's them! - Them?

- I must leave now. - Take me with you.

No, stay here, get some rest. Don't open the door for anyone.

Beautiful flowers,

beautiful flowers in the garden,

show my love for you.

Beautiful flowers,

beautiful flowers in my garden,

how do they grow, my lord?

Even today the sisters are committing murder though art.

- What does this mean? - Who's there?

Ah, it's you! What are you doing here?

It's them! I tell you the painter's sisters are...

...the killers in the fresco! Look! Take a look!

It's true, they look the same. Where did you find the picture?

We're beginning to understand what my friend had figured out

- before he died. - I don't know

- why you're so excited. - I feel possessed by this!

The painting...

...the death of Antonio... it's all too strange!

Yes, I believe you, but I may not be on the right path.

I look at that cross and have serious doubts.

- You're scared too? - Yes.

God forgot to give me courage. I'll admit it...

Promise me you'll stop this crusade, heading the wrong way.

Why?

I've seen many like you break down in the confessional.

Did you know the old lady at the house is dying?

I was visiting her... I gave her the last- rites.

Let me see.

Yeah, it's definitely them.

But tell me, where did you find this picture?

It even surprises me that those two would allow

a picture to be taken at all. I've never seen one before.

Yeah, I know.

Well, what can you do? I think being a psycho

is contagious.

When my wife was young she was beautiful.

She was infatuated with Legnani,

but he would only talk about what he did with his 2 sisters.

A sad little house, close to the railroad tracks...

They moved there after the trip to Brazil,

and they brought back a beastly savage religion.

One night, after he worked on the fresco, Legnani decided

to end it all. Whenever he painted, he was in such frenzy...

...madness engulfed his soul.

He couldn't separate the reality from the illusion.

Blood and colors mixed together in his tortured brain.

His sisters pushed him... He finally stopped it all.

He forced them to watch as he covered his body

with alcohol and set it ablaze.

He ran into the wilderness, his body was never found.

- I told you: "presumed death". - Why "presumed death"?

How many times must I repeat?

If it says "presumed death"...

4th of June, 1931, it says "presumed", not "confirmed".

Do you understand? Presumed!

Caught on fire.

Run off. Period.

- Must I repeat it again? - No...

Presumed death... So he could still be alive.

What! With burns all over his body,

such a man wouldn't be too difficult to recognize!?!

I need 3 copies of these certificates for tomorrow.

Look them up in the master file.

How many times do I say it. This is not my job.

By the way, you haven't finished your work at the church, right?

- No. Why? - Because it's been destroyed.

Can you tell me who did this?

I don't know anything about it. Someone, perhaps.

Maybe it was the Holy Spirit!

You poor son of a bitch.

Maybe we should call a real specialist.

Leave me alone, you degenerate.

Who's there?

Who's there?

Francesca!

Where are you?

Ah, there you are.

- It's been over an hour. - I made a phone call.

- To whom? Do I know him? - No, you don't.

I called the home office in Rome.

I resigned my teaching job.

- You don't want to stay here? - No.

Stefano, you know I hate it here.

I hate the ambiance in this house.

I want to run away.

Something bad is going to happen at any moment.

You said we would always be together.

You're never here... ...I feel so alone

and I'm so scared.

Understand?

Do you want to leave me?

No, I won't leave you.

There's a train that leaves tomorrow...

...at nine o'clock... let's go.

So stop crying.

Why didn't you wake me? Are you going back to the church?

Last night you promised we would leave together.

Why did you lie to me?

I didn't lie. I have a bit of time.

I need to check something. You can count on me.

I'll give up everything for you.

My love.

Somebody there?

Good day.

I brought back the bike. It's outside.

- So you're leaving. - Yeah, I'm leaving.

- Can you tell me something? - Sure.

- Do you sell muriatic acid? - Of course. Want some?

Who brought some recently?

It was used to destroy the fresco.

I sell it often to everybody in the village...

...Who knows?

You don't write it down?

Why? I know everybody.

Everybody buys it. It's used to clean.

I sell it to everybody.

Take me home. I need to pick up Francesca.

- I beg your pardon, sir? - They abused me.

Who?

Them, all of them.

They were afraid I would talk,

but she thought she could buy

my silence with a bit of booze.

But no more! The last drink!

The sisters are still here.

Alive.

Get closer. Listen... I'm the only one

who has seen them in action, and it's horrible.

- What do you mean? - They tried to get me,

but I escaped.

When I was little, I went to school with them.

Everybody thought I was stupid

because I didn't go to church, but I had a good reason.

I knew what was there. I knew the danger. I don't want to...

...die there. Others shut their eyes. Ignored it. But me...

...Coppola is still alive! Why Coppola is still alive?

Because I ignore the others.

- You think I'm rotten? - No.

- For real? - Yeah.

Here the walls have ears.

My friend died because of that.

True?

I don't know about your friend,

but I know...

You're curious.

There's a place where people like you...

...lose their heads!

Come with me! Quick!

Is it you?

It's here.

This is a weird house.

Many people have disappeared here.

Why'd you bring me here?

I know the missing people are all here. Buried here.

There's an example.

Once, I thought I would end up in this hole too.

Stefano?

Stefano?

You weren't expecting me, were you?

You take care of kids, right? So take care of me!

You aren't scared of me, are you?

- Nobody's scared of Lidio. - No!

You like me, don't you? There are many things I want!

Your skin drives me crazy! Don't you want me?

Give yourself to me! Why resist. I'm stronger!

Stop it!

Why are you fighting me, bitch?

- Don't scream! - Stop it!

You'll wake up the old lady!

- Shut up! Don't fight me! - No! No!

I'll take you to a house with odd windows... smiling...

Go get Francesca. I'll wait for you.

Stefano, don't take long.

Come fast!

Francesca!

Francesca, are you ready?

Francesca, are you there?

Madam, have you seen...?

Francesca!

No!!

Francesca!

Coppola!

Yeah, it's here.

Follow me. This way!

I know where they took her.

- There, right there. - Hurry up. Dig!

Cigarette?

What now, chief? Continue?

This probably surprises you, but nothing's here.

I'm sure there's something.

I saw bones, blood...

Who showed you that? Who brought you here?

Coppola, Mr. Solmi's chauffeur.

- Coppola? Are you sure? - Yes.

Okay me, let's go. Coppola is a drink idiot.

He made you look stupid,

but you're not the first.

Hey you! Where did you find him?

By the ravine near the church.

We'll get him to you in a moment.

- He's heavy as a bull. - Pull a little.

There must be more alcohol than water in his body.

What are these scars? I've never seen them before.

They're war injuries. He stepped on a mine.

God, he looks terrible.

Take the body to the morgue.

Come on, men.

Does anybody know where he was all day?

No, he hasn't been home for a week.

Oh well, check on it.

You. I don't want you to go anywhere. Stay with me.

No, better yet. Come to my office in the morning.

Understand? Sir?

I understand.

Come on, let's go. I'll take you to the hotel.

- I have to find them first. - It's not the right time. Let's go.

Yes? One moment.

- You're wanted on the phone. - Who?

I don't know.

- Hello? - Hi...

...It's me, Francesca.

Come! I'm waiting for you...

...at the house.

My love...

...I'm scared.

I'm waiting for you at home.

Come now... hurry up!

You degenerate! Aren't you ashamed?

Come, come closer.

I'm going to show you something.

See. It's my little brother.

He will return to us soon.

We continue to bring models to him.

He lived through others people's death.

Come with me.

You are a friend of our little brother,

aren't you, sir?

My colors... from my veins...

Purity, Death...

Do you know how we keep him? Formaldehyde.

Lidio brings us new formaldehyde every day,

but today Lidio stopped to see your girlfriend.

He raped her, he killed her. We had planes for her,

but he messed everything up. We had to find a replacement.

Come, don't be scared.

He looks like the man in the fresco, doesn't he?

Bravo! You didn't miss!

Hold him!

He's moving too much!

Get him from the other side!

He's probably hiding in this bushes.

It's useless to keep looking.

He won't get far.

Tomorrow we'll come back and get his body.

We'll get him.

Please, I beg you!

Open up!

Solmi!

Hello, give me the police.

Open up!

My God, Stefano! What happened?

You're my only hope.

I know what's going on here, it's them.

I know everything.

Call a doctor, please.

The painter's sisters...

Legnani's sisters are still alive!

Alive...

...still alive...

One of them owns the house!

- The paraplegic? - Yeah, they're alive.

The other one... I didn't see her face...

That's a nasty wound. It would make a nice portrait.

Legnani would make a masterpiece out of it!

But you are...

Beautiful flowers,

beautiful flowers in the garden,

show my love... for you... my lord...

Laura, come see!