Original subtitles

Do you remember how your bitchy friends looked at him?

- Did you see the belly he has now? - That's normal at his age.

He has surrendered, pays fees and never comes to a match.

- What time did you say? - Between 21 and 21.30.

Did you order the fish?

Sure.

"With the sun in their eyes"

No, leave it alone.

I said no! Leave it.

I have nothing.

Today we celebrate our 21th marriage anniversary.

Giorgio and I celebrate every anniversary here in Fregene,

in the house that Dad illegally built on the beach.

From experience we know that marriages become fragile...

but ours proceeds safely, protected from any attack.

- Gently, who wants to taste first? - I do!

- Here. You want some too, love? - No, thanks.

It is very good!

♪ But what do we care, but what does it matter, ♪

♪ if we haven't digested the pagliata? ♪

♪ We'll tell him and we'll sing to him: ♪

♪"By eating two sausages we'll digest it".

- Here's the cake, guys. - Attention! - Best wishes!

A boat full of immigrants sank in the Sicilian Channel.

A two year old girl was kept afloat by a shipwrecked adult...

until help arrived...

- You have fun, love? - She's getting more and more beautiful.

That's how children are. Two years ago she looked like a piglet.

- What about the adoption? - We gave up, we are better off on our own.

- They say that couples without children are more stable. - That's bullshit.

Carla, you said that only children give meaning to a woman's life.

- Why did you change your mind? - I was just stupid.

- Are you really happy? - Why are you asking me that?

What are friends for?

There are unaccompanied minors traveling alone...

and some are children of 11 years.

Nice party.

- Do you know what Julia's son told me? - What?

He said there are no children here and I asked him how he knew.

He replied: There are no toys.

We're okay like this, aren't we?

You fool!

What did you say about the two children? The smallest...

Good morning.

He wanted to be with his mother, but he changed his mind before the court.

I'll talk to Giorgio and let you know, I just arrived at the office.

Hello? Yes.

Carla arrived.

- Hello. - Hi.

- Did the headache go away? - Yes.

At 11 o'clock you'll meet Grossi, the sports agent.

Yes I remember.

Can you take care of the custody of the Manziana children?

- Yes. - Okay.

De Marchis wants to know if he can buy a house...

or if it would become his wife's.

- He must wait for the homologation. - He won't give up.

- Did you register it? - I'll do it right away.

- Hello. - Hello.

- How are you? - You look different. - How?

Your husband as well.

You still remember how to have sex?

Idiot.

Thanks.

- Luisa. - Hello.

- Hello. - How are you?

- Fine. - Hi.

Carla, do you remember Gilberta Gardi?

Her separation was consensual and then legal.

- Vaguely. - It was a delicate case.

This is Luisa, I spoke well to her about your law firm.

You set her free from a criminal, you're magicians.

She too has to divorce...

but the lawyer is asking too much money.

- Come and visit us so we can talk. - I'd like to.

My husband really wants to ruin me,

but yes, I'll call this week.

- We'll see you in the office. - Yes, good evening. - Good evening.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

I have to tell you something.

What?

- It's kind of hard. - What is it?

After twenty years in the field, in what have we become the best?

I don't know.

We understand that when something ends between two people...

both are right.

It's her.

It felt horrible and unfair to keep this from you...

and she also wants it in the open because she's not a child anymore.

Shall we fix something to eat? Maybe there's Prague ham.

Carla, let's not be like those idiots.

We know that these things happen.

- You're leaving tomorrow? - I'm sorry.

If you need anything, Olga will be here tomorrow morning.

Thanks.

Without warning, everything changed...

and I suffered from this change almost with a sense of guilt.

I hid in a house in the suburbs.

I left the office and changed my phone number...

so he wouldn't find me, but especially to feel better.

This type of pain must be consumed all the way through.

Hurting yourself by thinking that you used to be happy

You have to go back to the places where you felt loved and protected...

before falling into a definitive loneliness.

This ordeal helps you to find the courage...

to make up your mind about withdrawing from everything, forever.

I had found courage on the way back to Rome...

after having suffered at our house in Fregene.

Fill it up, please?

Hey!

Who are you?

How did you get in here? Did you get lost?

Why are you showing me the picture? This is you.

- Lady, I'm done. Can you move the car? - Right away.

- Do you know that kid? - There's a kind of care home.

He's here every day showing that picture. I'm gonna take care of him!

What are you doing? Stop it! Are you crazy?

It won't do him any harm!

He's used to it, he doesn't even move! Surely he's expecting someone.

The bodies of the victims are put in plastic bags.

There are not enough wooden boxes for everyone.

A plane and a ship loaded with coffins will arrive in the next hours.

An endless row of coffins, there are 94 bodies.

That kid who was begging me,

showing me a picture of three children, with the sun in their eyes,

appeared to me as a gift, an unexpected opportunity...

to not give up my life, to force myself to make sense of it.

- Have you lost something? - No. Where can I find that child?

Along the fence is a road that leads you to them.

Excuse me. Is this an orphanage?

No, it's a refugee center for minors.

Ask for Miriam.

The Sunflower

The Sunflower Shelter for minors

- Lady! - Me?

- Tell me, do you need anything? - Yes... No.

Yesterday, down there, there was...

- What? - Yesterday?

- Are you Miriam? - Yes.

Yesterday, in the bushes near the gas station, there was a child...

who showed me a picture.

- I thought he was looking for help. - Good morning. - Good morning.

- Marhaba. - Marhaba. - Marhaba is his name?

His name is not Marhaba.

We don't know anything about him, he was saved from a shipwreck...

off the coast of Lampedusa along with other Syrians.

Marhaba was the only thing that he said.

- It means 'welcome' in Arabic. - And the photo he was showing?

He had it with him. It's the only thing he had with him.

He shows it to everyone. We think that they are his two brothers.

Despite the research we know nothing about the other two.

- This photo means a lot to him. - He's looking for them.

He is looking for them, that's all he does.

We think they are brothers, he doesn't confirm, he doesn't talk.

- He is violent. - Really? He didn't give that impression.

We pulled him out of school because he would beat all the children

Okay. Thank you. Sorry.

No, actually I wish there were more people like you.

- What? - Like you, who care for others like this boy.

Doesn't anyone else care?

Sure. When they disembark everyone is curious.

Interviews, newscasts, hugs from politicians, promises.

They only do it for publicity, then they disappear

- Are you volunteers? - More or less.

- Can you manage? - More or less...

There's a trick to succeed.

- What? - Getting on the right side of things.

What is the right side of things?

You know what it is, you always know. We all know it, but it's tough...

and many times it's avoided.

Thanks.

- Eat everything. - And you too.

- You too. - Excuse me.

- You go on. - All right.

I'm not a girl anymore, but if you need help...

I'm not afraid of work.

- What's your name? - Carla Astrei.

I am a lawyer. I have a degree in International Law and a Master.

For washing the floors here, elementary school is enough!

- Will you take me? - Are you crazy? You'll regret it.

I won't regret. Ever!

- Eat everything. - Well!

- Do you have children? - No.

- Experience with children? - No.

- These are special children. - I can imagine.

They don't solve our despair, it's us who have to solve theirs.

In here we have to bring serenity. Do you think you can?

Hello! Excuse me.

I'm glad that you've joined the group.

Thanks.

- Can we kiss? - Kiss...

- Like a welcome kiss. - You kiss when...

- Okay. - With the new ones even more.

- Okay. - Can I?

- Welcome. - Done.

Sorry, but with girls I'm a disaster.

Ah, but it's been a long time since I was a girl. Bye.

Hello, Alba?

I sent the entire jurisdiction including the legislative proposals by email.

- I don't need it. Found anything on the Syrians? - On whom?

On the Syrians children who arrived here without documents.

I'll introduce you to everybody. This is Marzio.

- I've met him already. - This is Walter. - Pleased to meet you.

- A pleasure. - I'm a Juventus fan.

- Good morning. - Nice to meet you.

- This is Carla. - Nice to meet you.

- This is Adele, the psychologist. - Good morning.

- What about the problem with City Hall? - We'll solve it later. Our lawyer.

Goal!

They are the other children.

The boat was set on fire and capsized, it was night, 2 years ago.

100 miles from Lampedusa.

He was saved, he was almost in a complete state of asphyxia.

Cardiac massage. He was taken to a primary care center.

But he refused to give his identity.

Wait.

Here.

- Abdul Fattah is his real name? - No, it's a made-up name.

This is how we call all children we can't identify.

There is a birth date, January 1, 2007.

It's assumed. The orthopedists establish it by an x-ray of the wrist.

From it they try to figure out the possible date of birth.

You don't know anything about him?

Only the date of the shipwreck and the rescue at sea.

They are all Syrians who fled the war.

There were 250. They only saved 122.

17 were children. 15 drowned at sea.

He is one of the survivors.

He can't possibly have been alone on that boat, can he?

We imagine that those on the photo are his brothers.

- You think they drowned? - I think so.

We're not sure.

- He doesn't know. - No, he's waiting for them.

No, come on!

Let's put him here.

Calm down.

Surely he can understand the meaning of many words...

and maybe even speak.

The speech therapist says that if he knows how to say "Marhaba"...

- he can say any other words. - What can be done?

His refusal to relate with others...

is like a form of self constraint.

And if we have him meet people of his country?

We had him meet other Syrians.

But he refuses to speak with them.

We can try with other people.

My name is Carla Astrei and I'm looking for news about a Syrian child

Sending mail in progress

It's not possible, Juventus plays almost every day!

Why isn't there a satellite dish? If you put one in, I'm staying.

- If you want, I'll stay. - Seriously?

I don't mind. I'll take the opportunity to familiarize with this place.

I have all your numbers.

Carla.

Carla!

Good morning.

Good morning.

- Breakfast. - Don't worry, I brought croissants.

The kids love them. There's a bakery under my flat.

- Shall I pour it all? - Yes. What's it like to sleep on the table?

Is it comfortable? We also have some spare beds, you know?

It's a bit weird.

- What is? - Nothing.

The sea is full of floating corpses.

The announcement of the Libyan navy tells about the latest shipwreck.

The overcrowded boat sank east of Tripoli.

Of the 200 on board only 30 survived.

We have no means to save them, the officials said,

while the beaches are crowded with others, desperate to leave.

An appalling number of unprecedented massacres.

Rescuers don't even have the time to understand how the latest disaster occurred,

that they have to update again the death toll of the previous one.

Let's go to the sea.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

I made coffee.

- Thanks. - Let's go to the beach.

With an "R".

- Giuseppe, could you do it? - Yes, I'll take care of it.

contact me at the following number: 380 3105411, Habib Aziz

- What's going on? - Hello.

I need a favor, but you'll really have to work hard.

If I can.

- You speak Arabic? - Yes.

You must tell Marhaba that I need that photo with his brothers.

I have to show it to someone who knows many Syrians in Rome...

and it's the only way to find his brothers.

It's not easy. He holds on to it like a relic.

It's just for half an hour.

- Okay, I'll take care of it. - Thanks.

Thank you for your confidence.

Speaking Arabic

Ouch!

No way! And he also bit me.

I'm sorry, does it hurt?

- Let's put some ice on it. - It's nothing.

Did anyone tell you that you resemble a French actress?

I don't remember her name, but I saw her film the other day.

A film in black and white.

- You do it yourself? - Yes.

- I'm at your disposal for anything. - Thanks.

Marhaba.

Marhaba.

Marhaba.

I know you're sad, that you feel alone.

And you're afraid of everything.

But I'm here to help.

I'm doing this to see you happy...

like when you were with your family.

That's why I need the picture.

I want to help you find your brothers.

This is the picture that shows them all.

It wasn't easy to convince him to give it to me. He's the smallest.

He's been in Italy for nearly two years and refuses to talk.

I really think they are brothers, but it's the eldest who has to speak.

It's the eldest who decides what to say or not to say. That's the custom in our country.

Probably he doesn't know of their deaths.

But I must be sure that they are really dead.

- If I go to Lampedusa... - A pointless trip.

If you want, I can meet him.

- I would be very grateful. - Goodbye. - Goodbye.

- Good evening. - Good evening.

- Miriam. - Good evening.Welcome.

Thanks.

- That's him, on that bench. - But don't expect too much.

- Sure. - Thanks.

Speaking in the home language

Well?

He hardly said anything, but we have a hint.

- What? - A sword.

- A sword? - Yes, a sword.

The smuggler was wearing a shirt with a drawing of a large sword.

- A shirt with a sword? - Yes, a sword. I wish you luck.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

- Good luck. - Goodbye.

I'm going to Lampedusa prepared to find nothing.

To search among thousands of people...

for someone who remembers a smuggler with a shirt with a drawing of a sword.

Yet Marhaba is convinced that I'm able to find his two brothers...

and to bring them back.

I knew from the moment he gave me the photo that ties him to his family.

I told you so.

- Good morning! - Good morning!

- Sorry, I'll call you back. - I'm Carla Astrei, I called yesterday.

- Welcome! - Thanks.

Come, I'll give you the room we usually give to big politicians.

- Do they come here? - No, but should they ever come... Give it to me.

It's beautiful, isn't it?

Of course a sea view.

- Is that the refugees center? - Are you from the television?

No. I am looking for information about a person.

- They don't let anyone in. - He's a child, he was there in 2012.

Perhaps there is someone who could help you: My son in law.

- They let him go in? - No, he's a cook.

Sometimes they call him for assistance.

If you had a photo, he could show it around.

Yes, here it is.

The one on the right, the smallest.

May I?

20 copies are enough to start with and any way I ran out of paper.

Draw a circle around his face. Please.

Good! On all copies. Tomorrow my son in law will hand them out inside.

You may consider offering something in exchange for information.

Sure. How much?

For now 100 euro for who knows something about this child. Write it down.

- Here? - Yes, perfect.

Good.

100 € for anyone knowing something about this child

- Thanks. - You're welcome.

- Pull! - Wait! - Go!

Come on, come on! Come on! Come on!

Go! Go! Go!

Go! Go! Go! Go!

Go slowly! Go!

Go!

- See you later. - See you later.

Good morning! Good morning.

- Good morning, ma'am. - Has someone called? - No.

- Here's your key. - Thanks.

- Are you still there? - Yes, still waiting for a contact.

I put up some information, now I just wait and see.

Did he notice I'm not there?

Yes, he's waiting for you.

He doesn't go down to the gas station anymore to show the photo.

He expects you to bring his brothers back to him

This is a wine we produce here. Old fools here believe it brings good luck.

- Then have a drink with me. - Thanks.

If nothing happens by then, I'll be leaving tomorrow morning.

You expected to get information about a child who was here...

over 2 years ago, on an island where thousands of desperate people arrive?

That's not an easy task. Can I ask you a question?

Why I care about this child?

Because I owe him a debt of gratitude.

And how do you plan to repay him?

By trying to find what is left of his family.

That's really nice.

Excuse me.

- Sometimes the old fools are right. - What?

It's for you.

- Can you transfer it to my room, please? - Sure.

Hello?

Excuse me, but my client only just saw that photograph.

I'm his lawyer, he asked me to call you.

- Who is your client? - A Syrian engineer who was on that boat.

- Can we meet? - He doesn't want to be seen or recognized.

- Then ask him what he remembers... - 5,000 euro.

What?

It's the amount that he wants to say what he knows, 5,000.

Prove to me that he's not a pretender.

You must take his word for it, they don't like it when you doubt them.

Wait. Wait.

Ask your client what shirt one of the smugglers was wearing.

What drawing was on the shirt?

Hello? Hello?

- Hello? - I'm leaving tomorrow morning.

Tomorrow morning?

- Yes, there should be a ferry. - At 7am.

- It didn't go well? - No.

- I'm sorry. - Thanks.

- Hello? - That person is calling again..

- Shall I switch the call over to you? - Yes.

- Listen... - A black T-shirt with a large Turkish saber.

Did you hear me?

- Yes. - You want to speak with my client or not?

Yes, of course.

Tomorrow afternoon someone will bring you flowers.

I hope you like them. Give the boy the envelope with the amount.

Come. She's over there.

At St. Gerlando's, today at 16.30.

I think it's those two. I'm staying here.

- Mrs. Astrei. - Good morning.

- Good morning. - Thanks.

I and Engineer Massud are here to answer your questions. Go ahead.

He was on that boat and says he recognized the child from the photo.

But did he see him during the rescue or during the trip?

No, long before. When his parents bargained with the captain.

He also saw the other two children before they climbed on board...

struggling to try and get a bit of space.

Speaking Arabic

He says that all 3 children were entrusted...

to a neighbor, who was trying to make the crossing...

and that they lived in Damascus near the Umayyad Mosque.

- That mosque is important. - Does he think they are brothers?

According to him they are certainly brothers.

And what happened to the other two during the shipwreck?

When the boat capsized, they went underwater...

otherwise they would have saved the smallest one that couldn't swim...

and that was saved by someone of the Coast Guard.

He saw him two days later at the Temporary Refugee Center...

and he was asking everybody about his two brothers.

He's still looking for them.

The engineer is very sorry for the death of the two children,

they certainly drowned.

I know that here they buried those castaways who didn't make it...

and those who haven't even been identified by those who survived.

Perhaps Marhaba's brothers are here.

They ended their journey here, forever.

How can I return to him without being able to give him any hope?

- I'll take you to the ferry. - Thanks.

I'm sorry you're leaving, you brought some adventure.

Out of the way. Miriam!

- She arrived. - There she is.

- There she is. - Hello.

- Hello. Welcome back. - Hello.

- They were truly his brothers? - It seems so.

- Hello, Carla. - Hello.

- They drowned in the shipwreck? - It seems so.

- Now how do we tell him? - He's waiting for them.

He thought you wouldn't come back alone.

Marhaba?

Marhaba.

I've done everything possible to find them, I swear.

But I didn't, I'm so sorry. So very sorry.

Thanks.

You have done everything possible to make him happy.

- Apparently, to no avail. - So what?

Now that we are sure that he has nobody,

we could try to give him a real home.

- You? - I.

He's a difficult child, he can get very dangerous.

You know? And you have no experience with children.

You're not used to having them at home and he is a very difficult child.

- At least I want to try. - You know that I'm his guardian?

I know they can give me temporary custody.

The judge might not entrust him to you.

Will you let me try?

- Yes, because I love you. - And I love him.

Are you sure that you do that for him?

Carla!

- Carla has arrived! - Hello.

- Ah... it's you. - Tell everyone to come here.

Guys, Carla's here, come!

- So you came back here. - Yes, but for a particular undertaking...

- that I want us all to commit to. - What?

Custody of a child we know nothing about and who doesn't collaborate.

- And who would want a child like that? - I do.

- A child, you? - Yes, why?

I don't mean to mind your business, but when Giorgio was still here...

I know. When Giorgio was here, you did all you could to mind our business

Why are you doing this?

We'd like us to do something else other than just make money.

- Yes, but not losing it. - It wouldn't be so bad if we lost it, for once.

The situation in which Giorgio left us is bad enough!

He would never get involved in a case like this.

Anyone who doesn't agree can say so.

- We'll start right away, we should hurry. - Yes.

What about the juvenile court?

Every decision is handled by the Juvenile court.

Hopefully we get the right judge.

I thought that was your specialty: Getting the right judge.

Can I connect you with the person responsible for the child?

Answer.

Yes? The child has been registered with a generic name, Abdul Fatah.

Here are all the laws of the European Charter for Children.

Here.

So... Applications for custody.

- Marzio, you have a visitor. - Who is it?

- Good morning. - Hey!

- Good morning. - Hello.

- Carla, this is Nadira. - Sure.

- Hello. - Pleased to meet you.

Nadira is Eritrean. She's also my "habibi".

What's a "habibi"?

How to translate it? We're dating, she's my girlfriend.

Habibi, it's more like engaged, we are betrothed.

Ah! Best wishes. Sorry.

- Hello, Alba? - Hello Carla.

- Well? - We have the name of the judge.

- Are you sure? - It's Orlandi, Third Chamber of the Juvenile Court.

I got it.

They chose the judge, the hearing is next week.

Who is it?

He's called Orlandi, Third Chamber of the Juvenile Court.

Listen. You know that I've never said "no".

Of course I do.

But if he's entrusted to you, I don't know if you can handle him.

I've seen too many cases like these.

He has saved me and I will try to save him. I am repaying.

It's here, it's here... Sorry, why don't you get it? It's here.

It's here! Come on!

Look who's there.

I don't know if you understand me, but we'll try to live together, you and me.

I never had children, so I'm a bit scared.

The Juvenile Court of Rome, in a final ruling,

gives custody of the minor Abdul Fatah to the lawyer Carla Astrei...

- and he shall live with the forenamed. - Thanks.

Ma'am, you must sign the operative part of the judgment.

Where?

We made it!

Talking Arabic

I thought for the first week, just to be safe,

one of us will be here with you.

- Okay. Who's first? - I am.

Ah! Sounds good to me, but doesn't it create problems?

What problems?

Maybe your girlfriend prefers to have you at home.

No, we talked. She totally understands.

Remember if you want, you can always come back.

But be happy, you know that Carla loves you. Bye.

- Go! - Bye, Marhaba!

- Here we are, it's not a big house. - Oh!

Your room is here, come.

So? Does it look like a kid's room?

It's perfect!

You'll have to settle for the couch in the living room, okay?

Of course.

In this drawer are pants, shirts. You tell him?

Talking Arabic

Shirts... (He speaks Arabic) Ah! You should like this a lot too.

It's the latest model. (Speaks Arabic) It's yours, you can play whenever you want.

Here we are.

- Look at this! - Have you seen how nice?

A huge portion for Marhaba.

This is lasagna.

- It is good. - One for Marzio.

A big one for Marzio...

Lasagna! In Italian, lasagna.

- Here we are. - Here.

Eat.

- And there's chicken. - Then there are cutlets, fries...

He must be tired.

I can't hear anything.

He's tired.

- Shall we have a drink? - Great!

- Red? - I take what's there.

- Why are you doing this work? - Just by chance.

Like everything in my life.

I graduated in Psychology, but I didn't get the license.

Everything happens by chance to me. Even Arabic, I learned it for Nadira.

- She's your... - She was my girlfriend.

- She was? - I broke up.

- Really? You told me everything was all right. - We had a talk.

I explained to her and she has returned to Asmara.

I'm sorry. You must be sad.

I suspected it a bit. It wasn't a relationship...

You're going through a difficult period too.

It's not the same thing.

No. I didn't mean it's the same thing.

But we do have something in common.

Even a feeling that somehow...

- We have... - Marzio, I understand.

Even so, what would be wrong with it?

No problem. For a woman it's always nice to be courted.

- Some time ago I would have... - You wouldn't have scorned me.

No, I would not have scorned you. But it would have been different.

Now... You know.

- You scorn me. - Eh? A bit.

Marhaba!

- I'll call the police. - Let's wait a bit.

I work for a children's community.

- We should have called the police immediately. - One moment.

Over there!

Damn.

Marhaba!

Two, please.

With small steps, little by little, our relationship is changing.

He is getting used to me, perhaps trusting me.

We're getting to do the simple things a mother does with her child.

It's a wonderful feeling that I've never experienced...

and he is giving me a chance.

Ma'am, we have cream, lemon, pistachio, strawberry, black cherry,

- yogurt and chocolate. - Give me a bit of everything.

- Everything? - Everything.

- Is it a big party? - Yes.

Where are you taking me?

The skateboard. You like it? Do you know how to ride it?

I'm too big for these things.

Come, we'll buy it.

Carla.

You're back from...

Yes, two weeks ago. I wanted to call you... Who is he?

- It's a long story. His name is Marhaba. - Hello.

- Brazil? - No, it didn't work out.

Another language. I'm too old to get involved in another country.

- Your... - We broke up some time ago.

- And you? - Fine.

I see. Listen, shall we meet for dinner one evening?

- Okay. - So you can tell me.

- I'd love to. - Your number is still the same?

- Yes. - Mine too.

- Bye, Giorgio. - Bye.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

I want the skateboard in the window.

Yes, I'll show it to you.

- Good morning, children. - Good morning.

- We have a small intrusion. - You see how many children?

The problem seems to be his refusal to speak...

but he understands everything. He's an intelligent child.

- He doesn't even speak in his own language? - No.

I thought we could put him with a support teacher...

if you decide to let him stay here.

I would try, he seems intrigued by the other children.

- That's a good sign. - Yes.

To the stadium to watch the match.

It was the first time for me too.

You don't know how much he enjoyed watching the others.

- Is he happy? - I don't know.

But I really wish he were.

Marhaba. Do you want carbonara? (= Italian pasta dish)

Honey, let's go.

Bye, sweetheart.

Be good.

- Hello? - Gamal Habib, I hope you remember me.

Yes, the one in charge of the Syrian center in Rome.

- I've been looking for you in the community. I have great news for you. - What?

I think I found the boy's brothers in Germany.

A response from the International Red Cross.

It's a list of children from the Middle East, adopted in Germany.

- The school bus is here. - Not now, close the door.

They say it won't be easy.

They don't have much information, but they will search.

Who is this Gamal? What interest does he have?

How did he get this information? Can we trust him?

I don't know.

Marhaba, don't you want to say something?

Not even one word?

I know that you can.

It's important that you'd say something.

If someone asked you how you've been with me...

If you have been well or if you would feel like staying with me.

What would you answer?

Fabulous intervention by the goalkeeper...

Goal!

- What did you say? - He scored a goal.

- Thank you, ma'am. - Miriam! - Goodbye, thank you.

Miriam... He talked.

Marhaba talked. I was in the kitchen, he watched the game on TV.

Then I thought I heard something and I ran to the other room.

I asked: "Did you say something?" And he said "goal" 2 times.

Do you understand what I said? He talked!

I have to tell you something.

I just spoke with the Embassy, they called back from Berlin.

It seems they found a very wealthy family in Potsdam...

who adopted two children, 9 and 11 years old, Syrians...

a year and a half ago, coming from Damascus.

They survived the shipwreck of October, 2012.

Apparently they had a little brother, believed to be missing.

We're not sure...

but there are many coincidences.

It's all right, love. Everything is alright.

No one will separate us.

And now we're going to buy us a nice gift.

A huge gift!

Now let's go, my love.

Let's go home!

Wait.

Hello?

Yes.

Yes, of course.

Thank you, goodbye.

I wanted to make so many trips with him to show him the world!

He doesn't know anything, he thinks it's a holiday.

Or perhaps he senses something and keeps it to himself.

You're pulling me.

Do you want to buy a cell phone?

Do you want this? What do you need it for?

- This? - Yes, thanks.

- Thank you, goodbye. - Goodbye.

- Please. - Good morning.

Thanks.

- Check-in luggage? - Yes, one.

Put it on the belt.

- Thank you, good trip. - Thank you.

Goodbye.

Talking in German

Talking in English

You like it?

Now we order dinner.

Hello. I would like to have dinner now.

Good evening. You can leave it here. Thank you.

How is it?

What do you want? This?

This? No?

Here.

Good night, love.

Do you know how they say "I love you" in German?

"Ich liebe dich."

In a few hours I will know the truth and so will he.

We will both know if what we experienced together is the beginning...

of a time where he'll have a central role in my life,

or if it was just a moment, unforgettable for me.

Good morning. We have an appointment with the vice-consul, I am Carla Astrei.

Okay. One moment.

Please.

- What's your name? - His name is Marhaba.

Very good. Do you like it here?

- Vice-Consul General. - I am Carla Astrei.

Pleased to meet you. That's him?

- Yes, he's Marhaba. - Did anyone follow you? - Who?

There are Italian journalists who go crazy for situations...

- of possible reunification. - I don't think so.

Mr. and Mrs. Bassermann want to meet with you, not the boy.

- I know. - Please.

Please, the boy will wait here, it's messy, but it's only for a little while.

Just go, baby.

Don't be afraid, I'll be back, I won't leave you here.

Please.

Mr. and Mrs. Bassermann, Ms. Astrei. Welcome.

Thanks.

I speak a bit of Italian, my husband doesn't,

- but maybe it's better to speak directly. - Sure.

Do you think that Marhaba is our two children's brother?

Very likely.

- It's not possible that they are brothers. - Why?

They left together from Damascus, we have a witness.

The children told the authorities that there was a little brother with them.

Yes, but they said he disappeared in the water and couldn't swim.

Our two children have witnessed the death of their brother.

- Look at the photo. - Please, no photo.

It's just a photo.

I don't want to see the photo, nor the boy.

We made so much effort to make our children forget...

all the horrors they experienced.

Until recently, they were awake every night.

Shouting...

having nightmares.

They haven't had a normal childhood.

They saw the bombing, blood, death...

and now they want to forget, do you understand?

And they have the right to forget.

For two years, my husband and I tried to help them to forget.

My husband declined becoming bank president in order to be with them.

No photo. I'm very sorry.

I understand, but he has been looking for them for two years.

For two years he showed this picture to those he met...

hoping that they knew something about his brothers.

Suffering, I didn't know a child could suffer so much.

Now please, look at the photo.

You guys are taking a big responsibility, you know?

Certainly.

(In German) What do you want from us? Tell us what you want.

- What? - Nothing.

(in German) - It's no use. - Did someone tell her we got money?

What did he say?

He asks if someone said something about us.

- What? - He asks if someone said we're wealthy.

Are you kidding? You think we're doing this for gain?

Talking in German

I'm a divorced woman, my husband and I never had children.

Marhaba was entrusted to me a month ago and I've lived with him...

waking him up in the morning, helping him dress, making him have a good time.

We have lived together...

and these have been the 4 most beautiful weeks of my life.

Marhaba has changed my life, rather he gave it back to me.

It made me realize what it means to be happy.

Tell your husband to shut up, I didn't want to get that phone call...

telling me of your existence...

but nevertheless, for the sake of that child,

for the good of the child who is now locked in some room...

I can not deprive him of the opportunity to see his brothers.

I hope you understand.

She's totally desperate. She's really looking for his brothers.

- Can't we... - But you just can't do this.

Yes, we agree to meet him.

- The boy? - Ma'am, one moment.

Tomorrow they'll call to inform you how they can meet. Are you happy?

For years, I didn't go into a church and I don't know what kind this is.

But I don't know where to turn to. My mother, in moments of despair,

prayed to Him, she said just to not feel alone.

But I enter this church without knowing what to ask for,

for my good or for Marhaba's, which are two different things,

two different fates, no longer the same thing.

I only ask not to be left alone.

We have an agreement with the parents of the two children.

- All right. - They consulted the psychologist.

He said that they should spontaniously recognize each other.

and everything must take place in absolute casualness.

Of course.

Tomorrow at 11am at the Volkspark, where children play soccer,

their children will join the others. See you tomorrow.

See you tomorrow.

Do you want me to help you?

It's too big.

Marhaba!

You're scared? You didn't want to be alone?

Careful, goal!

Go play at the fountain, there are many children.

Go!

- To me! - To me!

Come!

Do you want to leave?

Where are you taking me? Instead of going to the hotel, let's take a walk...

Swaim!

Swaim! Swaim!

Ubay! Swaim!

This is a consent form...

authorizing the Bassermanns to take care of the child.

Please, sign here.

- Here? - Yes.

Now we can say goodbye to the child.

Rather not, he should now get used to them.

- The sooner he forgets me, the better. - I understand.

- Please. - Thanks.

Hello?

Marhaba!

Marhaba, is that you?

Yes.

So good to hear your voice. Is everything alright?

- Yes, thanks. - No, Marhaba, thank you.

Thanks for everything you did for me.

- Ma'am, where are we going? - Via Cassia, 431.

Actually no, take me to Aurelia Street.

- It's not the same thing. - I know.

- You didn't even go home. - I didn't want to lock myself up there.

Sorry, but maybe it was the right thing.

Of course, it was.

- It must not be easy for you. - Well...

- If you think that I can still be useful... - Here? Of course!

Subtitles by Subransu with help from Archimede

"With the sun in his eyes"