Original subtitles

THE SLAVE

Music

Director of Photography

Written by

Produced by

Directed by

As you wish, but I hoped you'd come to Tokyo with me

It's a great city, but I hate all great cities

- Here - Thanks

When we married I thought you'd come with me

Seems you were wrong

I'm scared you'll forget about me when I go away

I'm too lazy for that

- Will you be here when I get back? - I'm not going anywhere

- I'm sure I'll find something to do - I have to go, bye...

I'll write

- Yes? - I want to see the lady of the house

- She's not here... - Ah! At last

Her photographer's here, you'll have to wait

I told her you're broke and need to earn some money

- I only work so I don't get bored - Best not tell her that

This is a strange house

You think so? It's a box of surprises

Wait till you see the rest of it

- Don't be shocked by anything - OK

One day she decided she'd like a secretary

On a whim, just like that

- Was she a big star? - I don't know

You must call her "Mistress"

All her other staff are just "miss”

But she's "Mistress"

- Let's hurry up - OK, in front of that light

Best be quiet

- And the eyes? - Yes, open them slowly

Let's sit down

- Enough - Just a sec

- Enough! - Hold it

- I can't go on - Hold it

I'm tired, I'll see you tomorrow

Are those real pearls?

- Yes, they're real - And you want to work for me?

Still, that's your business

I don't know if Dina explained

But I need someone who is always silent and obedient

Not a friend. Someone I pay...

...who has to put up with me because I pay them

You see, I always do what I like in my own home

I prefer to tell the truth, I find it much easier

I do and say what I want. You may have noticed that

I can't be around people who disapprove of me

Their smug faces, their air of superiority

Much better that she says nothing

She obeys, and I don't see her or hear her

- Think you can manage that? - I can try

Now, walk right over there

Go on

Now walk back this way

Now what should I do?

I throw something on the floor and you pick it up

Get used to picking up my things, I never do it

Go on, pick it up

I throw it on the floor again, and you pick it up

Yes

Good...

A little smile wouldn't scare me

You will obey me without asking why

Got it?

Think about it and let me know

- If you don't like me... - Who said that?

You can start now if you want. Wait here for me

I have to go now. We'll talk money when I'm back

Listen...

I like people who use soap and water...

I hope you're not clean on top, but underneath...

May 1?7

Yes, that seems fine

But I'd prefer you to wear a bra

Don't worry, I told you I was rude

Bye... Let's go

Don't worry about it. She likes you

Have a look round, play some records...

There's the TV, the bar's over there

- I'll see you later - Dina!

Coming!

- You the new one? - Yes

- My name's Vittorina, and you? - Silvia

Sit down

Thank you

What are you doing?

Sit down, sit down...

You'll get expensive shoes made by the Mistress's own cobbler

- Aren't mine OK? - No, the heel must be higher

- Hi Good morning, Mistress

Thanks

Give it to me

Half a kilo less, see, you did it!

- How much do you weigh, Silvia? - 51

- And how old are you? - 26, Mistress

More than me, but you don't look it

Dina tells me you never cut your hair

- You'll have to show me - Of course, Mistress

Is it longer than this?

No, not that long

A fun wig, isn't it?

Better than a dressing gown. Come...

- Mistress - What is it?

The dressmaker...

The invoice?

- Have you known Dina long? - We played together as children

Was she always like this?

Like what?

Like an idiot

Dina isn't like that, Mistress, she's had a hard life

She's not the only one

You wouldn't pity her if you knew what I know...

I'm going to be trying something new

I'm tired of commanding servants

Very well, Mistress

If I told you to cut off all your hair, would that hurt your pride?

Do you really want me to cut it?

- Would it upset you? - I don't know

They're yours, put them on

Give them to her

You know why I make everyone wear matching shoes?

I suppose it's a uniform

- An uncomfortable one - Right, but I'm the boss

And I have the right to be more comfortable than you

Iris! Why are you still here? Get out!

You see how big her behind is?

To embarrass her, I always make her wear tight clothes

Shameless!

Now, Silvia, why don't you sleep here?

There's a room on the ground floor

It'll save you the taxi fare

Thanks, you can go

You're not really going to stay?

It wouldn't be my first job

Anyway, I like being a ladies companion

I guess it relieves the boredom

But I don't see how you could enjoy it

I've never understood why you work, but it's very different here

- You see what she's like - She's very difficult

I thought you'd never put up with it

I have to earn a living... but you?

Such beautiful hair

- You called, Mistress? - Come and help me

Aren't they beautiful? Sit down

Sometimes you need to touch money...

Look! Or it isn't money at all...

...just numbers on a bank statement

See? This is real money

It's not like signing a cheque

I keep this here, as company for me

I know, that if I want...

...a whistle, a phone call...

the money's there, and I have everything I want

Sometimes, I think: how much is a prostitute?

10,000 lira? OK...

I can hire a thousand prostitutes for a regiment of soldiers

I once fell in love with a man just because he was rich

He seemed so handsome

When he lost his money he became like all the others

The affair continued, but there was no love left

It makes me angry how some men look down on a woman...

They say we love a man only for his money...

But that's all some men have

Read it

This is the best day of my life...

Cough... Spoot

Cough? Spoot?

What are you saying? You can't even read

Come on... Fight back! Come on, defend yourself

Come on, come on... Do something!

I'll show you

I'll show you, I'll beat you like a rug

Fight back! Defend yourself

You're lazy

You're lazy! You're soft! Soft!

Useless...!

You've seen my mechanical horse?

Look here...

Saddle up

Now you'll see it in action!

Are you ready, horse?

The Walk...

Faster!

The Trot!

Be a good boy, let's go now

The Gallop...!!

What is it? Can't I make love in peace?

What do you want? Wait here

Until I've finished

Go on, off to your kennel

Silvia! Come... In here

- Spartaco, send Maria in - Yes, Mistress

I need a smoke

Light

Light it

Why that look?

It's just convenient

In emergencies when my lover isn't available, and I don't want to wait...

- Waiting bores me - And Maria”?

I told them when I hired them

Get this - she's saving for her dowry

10,000 a time... I found out the price of a 2nd class call girl

Spartaco isn't worth any more, he lacks the gift of speech

Yes?

You called, Mistress?

Give her this

- From the Mistress - Thank you, Mistress

You see?

How many times a month do you make love, Silvia?

I don't know

Try always to have an answer

How many times a month do you make love?

Five, six times... It depends

That's not much. Practice is important in such things

Or you lose the skill, and the will

Making love is like eating

Understand?

You need a constant diet

At least three times a week

I always keep two lovers

So one of them is always available

At home, I have Spartaco...

For those times when I can't be bothered to talk to anyone

This keeps them at arm's length

I don't bother with boyfriends and husbands

Silvia, wake up...

- What do you want? - What's got into you, Silvia?

Wake up

- I'm tired, what is it? - Get up, the Mistress needs you

- What time is it? - Two in the morning

Get a move on

Here she is

- Have you ever been spanked? - I'm not sure, I don't think so

It's much better to give than receive, trust me

Come here

Look at us from behind

Well?

You're both the same size, more or less

Perhaps it's the hips

Yes, hers are slightly narrower

Take off your night dress

Her shoulders are narrower... but with clothes on...

Yes, with the wig... And she'll be wearing a coat...

No-one will know

Get the tape measure

- Silvia, what size are your hips? - 85 or 86, I don't know

Measure her

86

Good, I'm 90, just fatten her up a few centimetres

- Can you do that? - Yes, Mistress

They can shoot the scene with the slap later

For now, just fatten her up...

Milk and potatoes, good for her skin too

You'll be beautiful, firm, luminous

No fuss now...

No-one's slapping me. And it happens 3 times in the script

All for a film I didn't want to make

I can't sleep from thinking about it

They just had to include that slap, didn't they

If that fool Waldman had told me, I'd have torn up the contract

You understand what you have to do?

Yes, Mistress. I'm to take your place

You must look happier, though

You're my servant and if I want I could make you do it for free

I'll get you a contract as a stand in

You'll earn more than you do from working for me

As you wish, Mistress

You don't really know what it's like to get slapped

You know nothing

She's never had a taste of it

She'll get a taste now

Shall I call Spartaco?

Don't get too excited

Vittorina will do it

Vittorina, take care of it, slap Silvia

Step forward

- How should I do it? - However you like

Ready... Now!

You call that a slap? Harder!

Ready... Now!

You'll kill her if you carry on like that

- Was someone there? - Yes, a beautiful stranger

- No, that's just Silvia - Is she an actress too?

What's she doing here?

You want her?

No, I'm just curious

So...

This Silvia...?

Who is she?

A lunatic, she has a screw loose...

I'm doing her a favour looking after her

She's a strange one

We need to find a way to cure her...

- Heal her - Why? Is she ill?

Maybe

She looks at herself in mirrors

What else?

And she likes being a slave

Is there a lesbian in the house?

You had to say something stupid

You know I find them disgusting

If she were, I wouldn't have her here

Come on, let's go

Don't wait up, I'm working late...

And I don't want to be woken in the morning

- Mr. Waldman, Mistress - Thank you

- I'm changing everything - At your service, Empress!

The band will go here

- I want lights in the park... - Hello, Dina

- We'll hang the lanterns in a row - The very idea of it

Using the studio lights... And I need 3 or 4 make up artists

Of course, Empress

- You like them? - Yes, they're not too bad

But I'm better...

- How many have you made? -100

Why'd you change everything, and why a make up artist?

Just an idea

What's up? Empresses don't have ideas

Right, only you do. You should thank me...

If not for me, these parties would be a bore

Whose idea was it to put cocaine in the sugar?

Not yours, but it worked a treat

Except for the woman who jumped in the pool to cool down

- I've a better surprise this year - Ah?

- I've invented a living statue - And what's that?

We'll cover Silvia in plaster on one of these pedestals

Here, in the shadows, she'll look like a real statue

Our guests will love it!

Cover her in glue, if they touch her they'll get stuck

But is she happy to be naked and covered in plaster?

Why not? It'll be fun

- Will you introduce us? - Ah, you've never met

Waldman, this is Silvia

Try to keep still

- You're still not done! - It's almost finished

You might be good, but you're certainly slow

The party will be over soon if you don't hurry up

37.7, it's fine

You look like a boiled egg. You still want to do it?

Do you remember everything? Just wait for my signal, alright?

Let's hope it works. Hurry up, Rafaello

Come along, hurry up

You need to stand still. Don't move

Go away

Help, the statue is alive!

Good stuff, Margaret

Now watch, they'll pounce just like rabid dogs

Margaret, can I take her home?

I want to touch that hot marble!

See, I told you

- She's running away! - Let's get her...

See? They all fell for it

- She's vanished - She went that way!

- How do you feel? - Not great

Goon... Get out of here

I'll be deducting 10,000 lira from your wages...

You thought you'd get away with it...

And for free

If you want to sleep with my driver...

You have to pay, my dear Countess

I'm the Mistress, and I pay, and you're only the servant

Countess but also...

...a bit of a whore

What are you doing?

Look! Now you've made the sheets dirty

The doctor says the infection has cleared

She's faking it

Too bad for her, she can stay in prison

- The water's off? - 3 days ago

- But she still won't apologise - Then take the mirror away as well

You see? She's fine

Come on, eat

You should be grateful she only punished you

Take a look

You'll get the mirror back when you apologise

She's here, Mistress

I'm listening, what do you want?

- I want to apologise - She's seen sense at last

Good, you may go now

I may?...

Or I must?

Listen, Countess...

I don't know what you're doing here, or why you want to stay

What's more, I don't care

- But be careful - It's no secret, Mistress

Stop it, I don't want to hear your lies

I know you're up to something

- Too bad for you - It's the truth, Mistress

I don't like living outside

The noise, the people, it frightens me

Living here suits me

I obey you... and you heal me

- Like an expensive dog - Like an object

Very well, then stay...

Since the Countess is staying, clean her up, she's absolutely filthy

Look at the state of you

Let's begin the make-over. Sit down

Teresa?

- Yes? - Come here

I've decided to cut her hair, it's too long

What a shame, it's so beautiful

This should lower her pride

- Shall 1? - Go ahead, cut it

I told you when you first arrived

It doesn't matter if you cut it...

Anyway, she likes being treated like an object

Isn't that right, Silvia?

Turn round, turn round...

That's better. She had too much hair before

Yes, it was all too much

Turn around again

They've given you quite a fleecing

You've lost weight too, you look like a clothes peg

Your clothes don't fit her anymore

So, throw them away then

And I can have some fun dressing her

Good, come along now

Let's start with black

- This one? - No, I don't like it

Light colors are better... Try this one

Get undressed now

That's not too bad

Try this on

See how pretty you look

Now, let's slash it up the front

So everyone will know you aren't the Mistress

Now we'll put this on your head

There... Hold it still

Walk forward

Turn around

Turn around. Like that, good...

She looks like a hen

Wait, let's try with the lead

No one else has a walking, talking doll like this one

- She doesn't say very much - Ah, but she's thinking!

But what would she ever have to think about?

I don't feel like it. Take it away

Hello, little slave...

Come on, let's go

Get in with me

Wash my arms, don't scratch me with your nails

Don't get my hair wet

Now massage my legs, from top to bottom

Be careful, don't tickle me

- Excuse me, Mistress - What?

- Mr. Waldman - Ah... Show him in

Silvia, come here, quickly

- It's hot in here - So, it's true...

Empress and slave

- You didn't believe it? - No

Frankly, I didn't think you were capable of something so strange...

Yet so smart

Slavery, in this socialist century. My compliments...

You have my full admiration

- Unless... - I know what you're getting at

I have doubts...

I doubt whether I know your tastes as well as I thought

I expect nothing less from such a depraved man...

- But you know what I'm like - It's true, I apologise

And you? Why do you stay?

I don't know

I think you know very well...

You like being a slave

I don't, I just like doing this

You'll never get the truth out of her. She's false, and she's a liar, right?

- Then why keep her? - You really need to ask?

What are you suggesting? I'm not forcing her to do it

Don't get upset

Having a slave is nothing to be ashamed of

But, does she really do everything you order her to?

Silvia, get down

On the floor

She makes quite a good foot rest

What if you order her to undress in front of me?

Silvia, you heard. Undress

Stop!

No strip tease

Get dressed, and go back to bed

- I bore you, don't 1? - Yes

- I need you - Deal with it

Don't pull your head back before he slaps you

You have to be surprised by it

Or you just look scared, got it?

- I look like a sack of potatoes - Let's do it again, just the slap

- I'm sorry, Silvia - Encounter by the Lake, take 5

- Silvia, did I hurt you? - Al little, but I expected that

I just wanted to say sorry

- Have you acted before? - No

You wanted to try it...

Why? What are you doing here?

What do you do at Margaret's?

I work

You know Margaret thinks you're crazy

- Do you believe her? - No, of course not

That's only because you don't know

Don't know? Don't know what?

Silvia, what is it?

- Sometimes I believe it - That she's crazy?

- That I'm crazy - No

Silvial... Silvia!

What are you doing? Hurry up, the Mistress is waiting

- Talk to Alessio about the photos - Thank you, goodbye

Let's go

Poor Countess, wounded and hurt. Feeling better?

Let me see... No, it's nothing

- But he's an animal! - Margaret

- Aren't you dining with us? - No chance

I'm going back to my den. Goodbye

- You're not getting changed? - No, goodnight

Thank God today is over

Take off my boots

Massage them

Put some effort into it

Now you know why I don't like getting slapped around...

Right, it hurts... But for you, it's good...

It's good for you, Countess. If you knew how much I'd taken

Not only in the movies

Look at all this traffic

Wake up, Spartaco, overtake that car

And will you cheer up? You look like a frightened chicken

I'm fine at home. I never want to go out again

- Hello? - Sylvia? It's Franco

- Margaret's not here - Hello? Sylvia?

- Hello, Sylvia? - Margaret's not here

Don't you like being touched?

Please shut up

Look...

Do you like those two?

I'm cold

But it's so hot in here

I should probably leave, Margaret might come back

It's still early. Are you disappointed?

Me? Not at all. Why?

You thought I enjoyed watching us in the mirror...

You were wrong

But, if it pleases you, I can say you were the best I've ever had

- Happy? - But I don't know if you're happy

Do you want a drink?

Wait

Iris...! Maria...!

I heard footsteps

Someone's there

Now what?

It's only Vittorina

Margaret won't be back for hours

- We have time - Time! Time for what?

We're locked in

Here, get dressed

It's hopeless, we're trapped

What are you doing? You're still naked

She mustn't find us like this

- Break that mirror and escape - Yes...

That would make it obvious. She can't find out about us

We'll think of an excuse

Say you weren't feeling well

Would it really upset you?

Margaret means a lot to me

- Do you love her? - I said she means a lot to me

Now you'll be kicked out, and I'll be punished

You are crazy

I can punish her how I like

Say she had an expression on her face I didn't like

Or she stole something of mine...

...even just a comb, I'd throw it out the window...

And give her what she deserved

And you?

You think she has the right to punish you?

Well, then

- But she believes she does - Exactly

- She's also been whipped - Whipped?

Really? What happened?

Did you whip her?

Me? Are you crazy?

Vittorina takes care of such things

Perfect symmetry...

The Mistress, the Slave...

and the Witch

I guess there had to be some flagellation too

So, tell me what happened

She took me to the bathroom ...and told me to undress

- And you helped? - No

Your questions are starting to annoy me

Do you have any more?

Don't you want to get revenge on your Mistress?

Not at all

That's all I need!

She knows she deserved it

Vittorina, untie her

And massage her wrists and ankles

I've had enough, let's go

No, Margaret, I disagree, you're wrong to punish Silvia

It means you still treat her like a human being

You don't punish an object, you use it

Yes, you have a slave, but you still don't know...

...what it means to have another person at your beck and call

Who'll do anything you ask

And are thereby turned into an object

- So what should I do with her? - Silvia, come here

Sit down

Tell me...

What do you feel for her? Hate?

Go on, tell him

Love? Admiration?

She's the Mistress, she feeds me, clothes me...

-...she takes care of me - You don't have anyone else?

- Nothing else in your life? - Only irritation and boredom

And here...? You're happy here?

Not always

Not always

Only when the Mistress needs me...

Or when everyone's out and I'm alone

Being at home, with nothing to do or say...

At peace

Waiting only for my Mistress to return and give me orders

- She's lying - She's telling the truth

It's incredible...

Slavery in all its splendor

An empress just has to appear and the slaves come running

The world is full of submissive desires

It isn't just about sex, you know

Most people are scared of freedom, they don't want it

Freedom means responsibility, risk...

And people don't want risk, they want security

This one loves slavery so much, she falls in love with the master

You're wrong, she doesn't love anyone but herself

She loves what you do to her

And you can do whatever you want with her

What would you say if she turned you into an erotic object?

I don't think that's the Mistress's wish

She could watch us making love, without participating...

Sitting there, like a dog

Or we could cover her skin with gold leaf and precious stones

And perform a tiny operation on her vocal chords

Stop it. You're a monster

I'm only joking

Silvia is yours and mustn't be touched

But we could do so many things together

I could. Not you

Let me try for a moment, you'll find that you like it

And she'll like it, too. You'll see

Don't you want more?

To start with, get on your knees

- What's that? - To stop her talking

It used to be called the "Sphere of Angosh"

We can do anything we like to her with this, she won't make a sound

Stick out your tongue

Enough

Waldman, you're starting to disappoint me

- Your bed is ready, Mistress - I know, but I'm not tired

Well? You're still here?

I know how to get into bed. Now get out!

Shut the doors, and go to sleep

We're alone now, Mistress

- So? - Nothing, Mistress

You, bring me a magazine

Not that one, it's old. Idiot!

- Don't make that face at me - What face?

- You smiled when you looked at me - No, Mistress, I smiled afterwards

- But why did you smile? - I don't know

You don't know? You just can't be bothered

What should I say?

Get me a glass of water. Go on

- You did that on purpose! - No, Mistress

So insolent! You deserve...

Do you want to whip me, Mistress?

Yes, I want to whip you

Silvia... You're crying, Silvia

Come on, it didn't hurt that much

Silvia, stop it

I promise I won't do it again. Do you feel better now?

You know I was only joking

Now you're laughing!

Come here. Stay still...

Still, still, still...!

I won't stop. I'll do it till you die! Till you die! Till you die!

What horrible hands. You could use some nail polish

I'll get it, it has to be done

You know what? I'll paint each nail a different color

Yes?

Have you ever thought about having children?

No, never

To be honest, I never thought about it either

My career came first, but what about you?

You're healthy, and all that

What did you want to be when you were a kid?

I don't know. Nothing, I think

I never made my mind up. Not even then

Anything was fine for me, so long as it made lots of money

I was born to be a Mistress, to command

But what about you? You'll have to do something

I'm fine here, I never want to leave

Of course you'll stay, you know I appreciate all the things I own

You'll stay

And you...?

Aren't you tired?

Stay, if you want

Goodnight

Get out...! Go back to your room!

Get out!

It seems a rather boring thing to me

Yet, look at Indian temples

The endless use of the same image, like the symbol of life

So, do you consider vice an escape? Vice, or some other obsession

To escape from the routine?

Yes. Though vice too, can become too much, don't you think?

True, vice too can become routine

And so, we grow old

Goethe said men believe they mature when they grow old

In fact, they either harden, or rot

What does the Mistress want to do?

- Is she ready? - One moment

Hurry up, she's calling

Dina, what is going on?

Tell me

I told you so often to leave

At least I've an excuse, I have to work because I'm poor

But you?

Right, let's go

Come on

Put this on, the Mistress orders it

Here she is

As I told you, tonight I'm auctioning a slave to the highest bidder

Who is she?

- Is it a game? - No, it's not a game

She's a rival king's daughter, and my prisoner

A slave. Not a person, an object...

The buyer can do what they like to her

But who is she? Is she a film star?

No, she's a real slave, and I really am selling her

Vittorina, bring her on

Now, show her to these gentlemen

Beautiful, no?

- A luxurious object - Quite right...

Look at that perfect body, gentlemen...

Thanks Vittorina, you can go

Look at these hands, gentlemen, they're oozing class

You know it would be great if this was real...

To buy a woman like that... A slave like that

She must be a prostitute

But why? I like to think it's real

Just think, this used to be normal

What fools we've become

I think the idea of selling someone is quite exciting

Come here, you're an expert

Look at those legs

Look at the shape of the wrist

Look at the ankles

A superb specimen

What's the price?

- I'll buy her - No, hold on a moment...

You must bid, it's an auction

We start on a million, and go up in increments of 500

Who's going to start?

It's an exceptional offer!

Gentlemen, the auction is open. It's a magnificent specimen

Come on, gentlemen, come on...

- Who's going to buy her? - One and a half

- Two - Two and a half

- She's worth so much more - I assure you she's good value

To feed her, make her pretty...

Take care of her, educate her... It's been an expensive job

3 million!

3 million from the gentleman. Very good!

3 million going once...

3 million twice...

- Three and a half! - Don't be mean

She's very docile... House trained...

And she can be moulded according to her master or mistress's tastes

- Come on, we're at 3.5 - Can I bid as well?

- I'm not selling her to you - Three and a half

Four!

Four and half!

Five and a half!

Any more bids? No?

She's yours, sir...

The highest bidder

You were wrong, she's not what you expected

I'm sad you're leaving. I wanted to tell you...

You can always come to me if you need anything

- Goodbye, Mistress - You can go, Dina

Remember, it isn't a real contract...

You can always go back home and live a normal life...

You're not well, and you know it

I'm not strong like you, Mistress

If I fell in love, it's because with you I don't feel as alone as I used to

And that's why I sold you

To help your recovery

All I ever wanted was to look at you...

...and feel protected

Perhaps because I don't deserve it, or I've loved so few

Something is still waiting for me

Peace...

Or a certain balance

Look, I don't know if this is the reason...

But I do know that what happens next will depend on you

It frightens me to think about it

You always expect something from others

And this is wrong...

You must learn to live with people

I'm telling you, it's not as hard as you think

You have to do something...

You have to decide

You can't spend your life looking in mirrors

Good luck, Silvia... l really mean it

THE END