Original subtitles

INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY

The laws of physics nail the human race to the ground.

Today, though, you will witness a miracle.

A young, ethereal woman will rise up dancing in the air.

Because nature granted her a gift.

Miranda, queen of the air,

we implore you, fly!

For us!

Tell Paride to remove the nets.

Remove the nets.

Attention, ladies and gentlemen!

Miranda has just informed me of some extraordinary news.

Just for you, just for tonight,

she will fly for the first time without a net.

THE LAW ACCORDING TO LIDIA POËT

Men often talk about women as if they were essentially fragile.

They deny their scientific ability,

their civil and political intellect,

their strength.

And, mind you, I am not the one saying this.

They themselves acknowledge it through their laws.

But if they really believed what they said,

they wouldn't feel so threatened by women, right?

If we really were fragile and inadequate,

there would be no need to keep us under forced protection.

-Yes? -Professor Poët, if I may.

-What you are saying is wonderful. -But?

But, well, yes, your example suggests that in order to exercise her freedom,

day after day,

a woman needs the protection of a man like you need your brother,

Representative Poët.

I am very grateful to my brother for everything he has done for me.

But here's the truth.

If I am here today, in this classroom,

and a law that I wrote is in Parliament ready to be discussed and voted on,

it is mainly thanks to a woman.

When I met her, she was working in a tobacco factory.

I had just run away from my father's house.

I was alone, without enough money to eat.

I was unfit for life.

The first thing she told me was,

"You've never worked a day in your life, have you?"

She offered me a place to stay,

and she helped me pay my university tuition

without asking for anything but to be by her side.

Pardon me, sir.

Haven't they informed you that carriages with oil lamps

are temporarily banned? Right there, look.

There was an accident at the corner of Via Po.

If you continue on, you risk confiscation.

-Miss! -Thank you. Thank you very much.

Miss!

So it's true.

Maybe the time has not yet come

for a woman to be able to do without the men who hold the real power

to change things.

But you can look at the woman next to you

and join her in the same fight

so that the voice of one becomes the voice of all.

And above all, so that it reaches the ears of those who do not want to listen.

That's all.

Well?

Have you been waiting long?

Nine years.

You look…

-A bit older. -Beautiful.

I missed you.

I missed you too.

Let's talk about serious things. Will you introduce him to me?

-Who? -Don't be coy. The prosecutor.

It's nothing official.

-It's not? -No, we can't talk about it.

Does he know you'll eventually break his heart?

-I actually like him a lot. -Mum?

-Stop! Carabinieri! -Thank you. They're beautiful.

-Watch out, Lidia! -You son of a bitch! Leave me alone!

Oh God!

Hey. No. Stop!

This is called abuse of power, you know?

Step aside, ma'am. She killed a girl.

-That's no reason to break her face. -I didn't do anything.

Walk.

Ask for Enrico Poët. He's a lawyer.

-Great. Now she wants a lawyer too. -Enrico Poët, Member of Parliament!

-Your dress is torn. -That's the least of my worries.

No, it's very torn.

Oh fuck!

Sorry, dear. You must never use words like that. Never.

Nothing to see here. Move along.

-They make my blood boil. -I know.

Do you know how many times they arrest people without evidence?

There, done.

Thank you. It's perfect.

-Sleep here tonight. -We don't have our things. We have to go.

I'll lend you something. We have a house with 16 rooms. Let's use it.

-Shouldn't we ask Enrico first? -No.

Are you sure?

He'll be back tomorrow. He's with Teresa.

-And we haven't toasted yet. -Can I drink it too?

Mila, maybe in ten years, okay?

Why don't you explore the house?

See how members of parliament live.

Members of parliament are boring.

True, but their daughters have dolls.

And if you go to my niece's room, they're all still there.

She lives in Paris now, so we won't tell her. It's down the hall.

To us, my friend.

I have to tell you the truth.

There's a reason I came to visit.

I need a loan.

All right.

No, it's a lot of money.

I've accumulated some debts my husband knows nothing about, and--

How much?

2,000 lire.

I know, but I'll pay it all back.

That's not the problem, Grazia. I don't have it.

I don't.

-Can't Enrico help us? -Enrico…

I can try and talk to him.

We'll figure something out.

Don't worry.

Tell me, how did you--

Can I play with this?

Of course.

But first, come with me.

Let me show you something.

You do know your mum is a wonderful dancer?

No, I'm not.

-We'll show you. -No.

-Oh, yes. -No, please.

-The best part is you have no choice. -God.

Okay, put one hand here, the other here,

and spin it as fast as you can, spin, spin, and keep going.

Fine.

I'll be the man.

-Oh my, you're so graceful. -No, I…

Amazing!

No, no! I can't!

Wait, my skirt ripped again!

Okay, that's enough for today.

-Shall we keep going, Mila? -That's enough.

-Yes, she said yes! -Oh God!

-Faster? -Faster!

Help!

Weren't you supposed to come back tomorrow?

May I ask why you're in your underwear, Lidia?

Oh, well…

Don't get us wrong, Lidia.

We are very happy you found this friend of yours again.

But since she's sleeping at our house, we would just like to know who she is.

Enrico is now in Parliament and can't have random people in the house.

Actually, Enrico knows perfectly well who she is.

-He's pretending he doesn't. -I've never seen her before.

I wouldn't have finished university without her. You know it.

So you owe her?

Anyway, Enrico, I need an advance on my salary.

Okay.

About 2,000 lire.

Lidia, do you know how much this house costs?

Maybe not since you don't help pay.

What Enrico means is that serving as a representative is expensive,

and it certainly wasn't something he aspired to.

Can I at least ask you what you need it for?

So, no.

-I was simply asking. -And I gave you an answer.

I don't think I'm not helping with expenses.

Next time you need someone to write a closing argument for you--

-Good morning. -Good morning.

Good morning.

Mila, sweetheart.

That doll is very fragile.

-Oh, sorry. -It's not a problem.

-If you give it to me, I'll put it back. -Please have a seat.

Thank you.

Help yourselves. There's a bit of everything.

Thé au lait, croissant, chocolat chaud.

No, please.

I'll get it, Albertina. Excusez-moi.

No problem.

-Did you sleep well? -Yes.

-Did you talk to him? -Yes.

Things are complicated at the moment.

Maybe if you could wait a couple more days…

You can't? You both can't?

No, I told my husband we'd be back today.

Can't you write to him?

Tell him you're staying a little longer?

So we can spend some time together.

I can't, Lidia.

-We'll talk about it later. Don't leave. -I won't.

Lidia, these gentlemen had my business card.

Maybe you know why.

I'm Paride.

-From Laforêt Circus. -Hello.

Yesterday one of our artists was arrested and beaten.

-Her name is Lorena Guerri. -Yes.

Please make yourselves comfortable. My brother will be very happy to help you.

Last Sunday, during the afternoon show,

Miranda Laforêt performed on the trapeze without a safety net

and fell from a height of nine meters.

At first, it seemed like an accident,

but the coroner found signs of frequent injections

on the victim's thigh.

Evidence emerged that your client regularly injected the victim

with analgesics.

Come in.

Good morning, Your Honour. I'm sorry I'm late.

Turin's topography is quite mysterious.

Have you met the new king's prosecutor?

-Giovanni Cantamessa, I'm honoured. -Enrico Poët. The honour is mine.

To what do we owe the presence of this beautiful lady?

Lidia Poët is my legal assistant and also my sister.

You know Mr. Fourneau was appointed

prosecutor general of the Court of Assizes?

Yes, we heard.

He won't be missed, thanks to Mr. Cantamessa.

He was very thorough with this specific case.

It was my duty, Your Honour.

I had the circus wagons searched, and I questioned all the witnesses,

and as the judge has probably already told you,

I tracked down the syringe and vial used for the injection.

I had the substance in the vial analysed,

and as you can see from the report,

it turned out to be a soporific substance capable of knocking out a horse.

Why did you rule out the possibility of a mistake?

I don't understand the question, sir.

We were wondering why you immediately thought of a deliberate homicide

and not a mistake made in good faith.

Of course, a mistake is always possible. You're right.

It's strange that this mistake was made by Mrs Lorena Guerri,

married to Mr Rubino Guerri,

who is this person here and who, as you can see,

appears in all the circus advertisements together with the victim

in clearly lascivious poses.

LAFORÊT CIRCUS

So, in your opinion, the motive is jealousy?

We all know this, sir.

People only kill for two reasons. If it's not for money,

it's for love.

Miranda lost her parents when she was six years old.

She was like a sister to me.

My husband taught her the trapeze. And you're telling me that I was jealous?

I'm afraid the prosecutor is convinced that your husband and Miranda shared

more than a spiritual connection.

Who told the prosecutor that?

He's Southern. All they see is jealousy. Without wanting to generalize--

The problem is the vial and syringe that you used.

Yes, I gave her an injection before the show. So what?

She suffered from back pain. You can ask my husband.

He'll tell you Miranda insisted. She wanted to do her routine at all costs.

Are you absolutely sure you didn't use the wrong medicine?

How could I, sir?

The vial has a red label. I used that one all week.

-Are you sure he's good? -How dare you--

Yes, he is. What he means is that maybe someone who knew about these injections

could have replaced the painkiller with a sedative.

Someone who wanted to kill Miranda?

Why?

No, madam.

The point is, they hate us because we're gypsies.

And the prosecutor can get himself good press.

I sincerely hope that's not the case.

And if it is, they'll come and apologise to you on their knees.

I promise.

It'll be just the three of us and Ms Marianna.

I haven't heard from my brother.

-I'm sorry, ma'am. -It doesn't matter.

Forgive me, dear.

I wasn't sure how long you plan to stay with us.

Oh, we'll be leaving--

Oh, perfect.

My daughter is arriving on Good Friday, and she'll need the room.

Come in.

Ms Poët.

I'm surprised to see you.

Excuse me, I was looking for

the prosecutor general of the Court of Assizes.

You'll have to come back in two weeks when the appointment will be official

because I'm only here to organise his books.

Feeling a bit nervous?

I thought it would be worse.

Yes. At most, I'll miss the field investigations a bit.

But the real problem is that I feel ridiculous in a gown.

It's true.

Would it embarrass you if I came to your hearing?

No, it wouldn't embarrass me.

But I think that

it's better if you don't.

In order not to give rise to

gossip. That's all.

Then get the key to the door.

Yes, ma'am.

How's your friend?

The lecture you gave made me want to meet her.

I'll introduce you.

She should be staying a few more days, just long enough to solve some

financial problems she has.

Can I help?

This came yesterday.

The doctor who operated on me sent it.

And it's thin, so clearly it's not a book.

If it's not a book, I thought it might be a letter.

-But if a doctor sends a letter-- -Should I open it?

Please.

Yes.

What does it say?

Is it serious?

You're part of the history of medicine.

Look.

Look at my brain.

"Symptoms no longer present."

You're healthy.

You're alive.

You're also very handsome.

I would've never had the operation without you.

Never.

You're so romantic.

My young Werther.

THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING I COULDN'T WAIT FOR YOU - GRAZIA

Grazia left this morning.

I wasn't home, but I'm sure Teresa did everything she could to stop her.

What do you mean, she left? Why?

Anyway, it's a good thing because we have another visitor.

A wonderful visitor, I assure you.

A wonderful surprise.

Someone who never shows their face in Rome but has instead decided to see us at home.

-Welcome back. -Thank you.

Congratulations. You never write.

I do write. For my newspaper. Don't you get Il Martello in Turin?

We don't read it.

You're Consuelo…

Consuelo Vega del Carmen. Pleasure to meet you, Lidia.

Nice to meet you.

We met at the Opera House in Rome.

I was in the audience, and she couldn't resist my magnetism.

"Your magnetism."

-Yes. -It's all true.

This wretched man made me completely lose my head.

La traviata is playing tomorrow at the Regio, and she'll be Violetta.

That's why we dropped by unannounced.

It's good you did!

Consuelo, Jacopo should consider himself very lucky.

I know.

Forgive me, I just got back and have to…

I'll go to my room. I'll see you later.

I hope you'll stay for dinner.

No, we can't stay for dinner…

-Maybe we could spend Easter together? -Easter's a long way off.

We'll think about it.

Death was instant.

Fracture of the occipital plate.

As you can see, though,

there are bruises here from a series of injections.

Would you be able to tell us if the victim had actually taken any sleeping agents?

Well, it's hard to say,

but the syringe we found contained traces.

Excuse me. What is this?

It's a fairly recent wound.

Ten days old, maybe.

But it's very superficial. It couldn't have caused the fall.

What are you thinking?

Did you ever make a blood oath when you were a kid?

You swear to be friends forever and always tell each other the truth.

-I had normal friends, Lidia. -You didn't have any friends.

-Giorgio was my friend. -He was the gardener. He was 55.

We've talked about this.

What's your name?

I'm sorry, I really can't.

I promised Miranda not to tell anyone about her private matters.

Susanna, a person is in prison.

It's your duty to help us set the record straight.

No, we weren't having an affair.

I don't know why Susanna told you something like that.

The prosecutor is convinced that this is your wife's motive.

So if something happened, if anything happened,

we need to know.

I understand, you know?

I know how important an oath to a friend is.

We just want to rule out the possibility

that Miranda and Rubino were having a relationship.

Can we rule it out?

I don't know. Maybe Miranda made it up, right?

I cared about her. I really did.

But she made things up and was full of secrets.

And she was weird.

Weird how?

Last week, I saw her sitting in front of that big hotel, the Regio,

and I didn't go near her because I didn't want her to think

I was following her or anything like that. But it was weird.

Yes, but why?

Because it was as if she was waiting for someone.

I don't trust either of them.

It's not a matter of trust, Enrico.

We have to go to the Regio and ask if anyone saw Miranda.

What would that have to do with Lorena being jealous?

Nothing, but if Miranda really went there and didn't tell her best friend,

it means there was something she was ashamed of

or that could get her in trouble.

-What's going on? -I'll catch you up.

I can explain.

It's been forever.

I noticed.

I'm sorry, Lidia.

I just want to understand why you didn't wait for me.

-Because I couldn't wait. -Why not?

I don't have any debts.

I was trying to run away from my husband.

I'd found someone who would get me across the border,

but he wouldn't take your necklace.

Why didn't you tell me right away?

Because I was ashamed.

Grazia, you're embarrassed to talk to me?

Huh? To me?

I hate him, Lidia.

He controls me. He picks out my clothes.

He won't let me see anyone.

Once, I told him he'd been too harsh with Mila.

He almost beat me to death.

Then he kept me home for a month, telling everyone I was ill.

I can't go back home.

No. Of course not.

Have you thought about separating?

-Is that even possible? -It is.

Of course, both parties need to agree.

He'll never agree.

Then we'll sue him.

Don't cry.

Look at me.

Just think about me. Okay?

About the two of us.

About when we lived together in that awful place.

Without a penny.

And we kept warm with stolen coal.

And we're still alive, right?

And we deserve a strong drink.

A very strong drink.

Come.

Come on.

All right…

Pick one.

-I have to get changed? -To where I'm taking you, yes.

I'll be wearing one of Lidia Poët's dresses?

Humour me for five minutes, then we'll go to the bar.

-They'll think you're a tart. -That's the idea.

Everyone likes tarts, you know?

-No-- -Yes, really, if you…

Sorry, but you can't stay here.

We just wanted to have a drink.

Okay, may I at least ask you if you've ever seen this girl?

-She asked a question. What's the problem? -Your profession.

I guess not everyone likes them.

Look, my friend is Representative Poët's sister.

-She's in all the newspapers. -Lidia Poët.

Sure, and I'm Prince Vittorio Emanuele, and I'm in--

No, maybe you don't read newspapers. It's the truth.

-Security! -Okay. There's no need to call…

I can't believe it! Lidia Poët.

Join us, come on. We're all at the bar with the company.

-They're with me. Thank you. -An honour, Your Highness. Excuse us.

Gentlemen, look who I ran into by chance. Lidia Poët.

Pleased to meet you, miss.

Hello.

Evening.

Putain, putain, putain!

Both Jacopo and the prosecutor are here.

-Ah. How about I get you a drink? -Thank you.

-Prosecutor. -Madam.

Ladies and gentlemen, please be quiet!

Gentlemen, let's play a game.

A drinking game.

-Jacopo, explain the rules, please. -Yes.

Help me if I forget something.

Basically, the player whose turn it is must reveal an experience they never had.

-Right? -Out loud.

Out loud!

Everyone who, unlike our player, has had that experience

has to take a drink of cognac!

Olé!

Can we lie?

That's not the point of the game, but who are we to judge?

It's my turn!

Wait. The glasses.

Thank you.

Okay, so I have never

been

in love.

Consuelo, is this how you tell me?

My love, I'm only with you because you're handsome.

Madam, you're married, but you don't take a drink?

Poor husband.

I've never met a woman who married for love.

My sister!

And quite a character too.

Come on, it's your turn, Grazia.

-My turn? -Go.

I have never

worn a corset as tight as the one Lidia made me wear tonight.

You're shameless. You just want to get drunk.

What do you know about what I did in Paris, my love?

Is it my turn?

Yes, come on.

Okay.

I have never…

met a trapeze artist in person.

I have.

More than one, actually.

Mr. Calvart is a great French circus impresario.

After this glass, I definitely won't be able to stand.

May I have a word in private?

Yes, my pleasure.

She wanted to join my company.

Her family's circus wasn't enough for her. She wanted

a bigger audience, to travel the world, and

to become famous.

So I promised I'd come see her at the Sunday show.

The one where she had the accident.

Yes.

That one.

But I couldn't make it.

I heard about the accident in the newspaper.

I'm sorry, madam.

I'm afraid that's all the help I can give you.

Not at all. You've done enough already.

-Thank you. -You're welcome.

Madam.

I'm happy to see you.

Me too.

And I have a surprise for you.

Because I was thinking,

if being seen together in Turin is a problem,

and it is,

we could go somewhere else.

TURIN CENTRAL STATION - VIENNA

I got them this morning, yes.

Imagine, five days, you and me.

In a place where nobody knows us.

What do you say?

It's a wonderful idea.

Okay.

I just need enough time to sort things out with Grazia.

Yes.

Did you find the money to help her?

Luckily, I'd say, because she needed it

to run away from her husband and never be seen again.

I'm trying to convince her to ask for a legal separation.

What did he do to her?

He beats her.

And

she told me that he almost killed her once.

It's just that, in court, what she says won't be enough.

I know.

Good, that's it.

Good.

I told you I wasn't used to it anymore.

Yes, I can see that.

I'm sorry.

-Don't worry. -No, I'm really sorry.

I was doing something really stupid.

Running away is something desperate people do.

I can't run away my whole life.

It wouldn't be fair to Mila.

Nor to myself.

Let's go home.

Yes.

Those damn feathers!

You had fun, right?

"Article 150. Separation may be requested on the grounds of excess, abuse,

threats, and serious affronts."

Let's be clear.

Domestic violence is not a crime in our legal system.

And I strongly doubt the court would rely on your word alone.

In my opinion, it would be better to follow Article 158.

"Consensual separation."

-Yes. -Would my daughter stay with me?

If your husband agrees, yes.

He'll never agree.

For now, try to stay on good terms as best you can.

We'll talk to him.

We'll make him understand that it's best he give in

because we can take him to court.

I don't want to go home.

You're staying here.

For as long as you need.

Right?

Of course.

I don't know how to thank you.

Truly.

Thank you.

Now I'll go see if Mila is causing more trouble.

Okay.

-Put your jacket on. -Why?

Miranda wanted to run away from her family.

She wanted to join Calvart's circus.

That's why she wanted to perform at any cost that night.

Because it was the only chance she had to convince him.

And maybe someone wanted to stop her.

Do you have any idea who it might be?

I can only think of Paride.

He's Miranda's grandfather. He would've never let her leave.

-Of course. -But he couldn't have switched the vials.

No, of course not.

And yet--

Why? It all adds up.

It doesn't add up, Enrico.

If Paride had known his granddaughter had taken a sedative,

he'd never have let her get on the trapeze like that. Would he?

-No. -No, exactly.

He could have simply cancelled Miranda's act.

He didn't need to sabotage it.

It must have been someone with less power and less authority

who couldn't bear living without her.

It was someone who knew

but couldn't say a word to anyone

because they had taken a blood oath.

Stop!

-Come down. -If you come up, I'll jump.

-I won't come up. -I'll jump.

Relax, I won't come up.

Stop!

-I'll jump. I don't care. -No one's coming up!

Susanna, I know that you didn't want to kill Miranda.

You don't know anything!

Trust me, I know.

I took a blood oath with my best friend once too.

No secrets, right?

Then she got pregnant.

She got married.

And I'm still ashamed of the things I thought

because I didn't want her to get married. I didn't want her to become a mother.

So I wouldn't be alone.

You didn't know Miranda wanted to do the act

without a safety net.

You just didn't want Calvart to see her.

Because you were afraid of losing her, right?

Most of the time, people kill out of hatred,

but in the case of young trapeze artist Miranda Laforêt,

there is only one truth.

There was no intent to murder. It was an accident.

But at the root of this accident

was the noblest sentiment humans are capable of feeling.

Friendship.

And true friendship lasts forever.

But sometimes, friendship is so intense it becomes dangerous,

and the fear of losing a friend can push the most delicate and sensitive person

into horrible selfishness.

Susanna Garenne didn't want to kill.

On the contrary,

she would've wanted her friend to live with her forever.

That was her goal. Not death.

Therefore,

the charge of voluntary homicide is absolutely unjust

and does not correspond to the facts.

Spending Easter with my family…

Isn't that a bit much?

Why not just the two of us?

We can have roast lamb brought up to our room, champagne…

Honey.

If there's a problem with Lidia, just tell me.

Do you think she's still burning with love?

No, "burning with love" is an exaggeration. No…

It's up to you, Jacopo.

I don't want her to suffer because of me.

But it's been six months.

Maybe it's time to "tranquillise" things down?

Come on, don't laugh. I know I talk funny.

-No. -What?

No, my love. You don't talk funny. You talk old-fashioned.

You talk sweetly.

-Yeah? -My love, you talk poetry.

Yes.

-Come here. -Yeah?

Come here.

She's very good.

And nice.

-And beautiful. -Yes.

But she doesn't know me well.

Sooner or later, she'll realize she made a mistake. Right?

-I'm afraid so. -Yes?

-Yes. -Yes.

What about you?

Your prosecutor?

What prosecutor?

It's good.

I'm very happy.

Good.

Me too.

Good.

The angels in heaven could not match the harmony of your voice. Right?

-Congratulations. -Cheers.

Jacopo told me that your daughter likes music too.

-Oh yes. -I'd like to meet her.

Unfortunately, she gave it up.

Now she attends the École Supérieure in Paris.

How wonderful. Paris is amazing in spring.

Maybe, but she could have found time for her family for a week.

I know young people don't care much about traditions,

but Easter has a spiritual meaning that is very profound.

He's a polyglot. Spanish, French…

-Excuse me. -Enrico!

-Yes? -There's someone asking for you.

This is quite inappropriate. We just sat down.

You're right, ma'am. I apologize to everyone.

Dad!

Hi, princess.

I've missed you so much.

I wouldn't have been so inappropriate if it wasn't an urgent matter.

Please, Captain, join our humble table.

No need, sir.

If I may, I'd like to speak to my wife for a minute. In private.

You can speak freely in front of everyone if--

No, Lidia. It's fine.

Sweetie, go sit next to Jacopo.

Let's go.

Your father looks very handsome in his uniform.

Do you know who called before lunch to wish me a happy Easter, Lidia?

Who?

The gossips paint him as a vulgar simpleton,

but he's a delightful person.

He hasn't expressed a clear opinion on our law yet,

but he promised that when he becomes minister,

he'll offer me a very important position.

He already buried Depretis.

No, stay here, sweetie. Stay here.

He tried to kill me.

Subtitle translation by: Allen Di Benedetto