Original subtitles

DIARY OF A TEACHER

Loosely adapted from the novel "A year in Pietralata."

Excuse me, could you point me towards Tiburtino?

Keep going straight, turn at Via Anagnina you'll be at Tiburtino then.

Thank you.

Interpreted by children and inhabitants of the Roman villages

of Tiburtino Terzo, Pietralata and La Torraccia.

Good morning.

I'm professor D'Angelo, is there someone in the front office?

- Yes, I will let them know you're here. - Thank you.

Come in.

- Miss, professor D'Angelo is here. - I'll be right with you.

- Good morning, I'm professor D'Angelo. - I'm glad, it's a pleasure to meet you.

I apologize for the delay, I came as soon as I got the nomination.

Once I arrived to Rome, I couldn't find the address.

- Are you arriving from far away? - Yes, I was in Naples with my parents.

Could you please go to the front office and grab the yellow logbook?

You'll find it on the desk, alright?

Is the principal available?

No, he's rarely around these parts, the main office is located at Pantano.

Further up from Tiburtino.

That's too bad, I wanted to introduce myself.

Don't worry about that, you will find the chance later on.

This is the student list for the professor.

Gather them from the other classes and bring them here.

Inside the empty classroom, the furthest one.

- Alright? - Alright.

- This is your logbook. - Yes.

You can organize it however you want to.

Make sure to log attendance daily, the director is looking forward to it.

Your class is not-- Well, it's a peculiar class.

We have new students but we also have students repeating the school year.

Let's just say it's a complicated environment.

It's a shame we're already into the second quarter of the year.

I will try to make up for it.

You do whatever you can. Just keep them on a short leash.

- I hope I can handle it. - Don't underestimate them.

This environment, well... It is what it is.

- What do you mean? - Well, it's just that--

Don't worry about it.

I'm sorry but the class is waiting for me.

But if you need anything, you can always find me here, or in the front office.

- Alright? Good luck. - Thank you.

This is the first time I have an entire classroom for myself.

The "5-C" class of the Francesco Ruffini school, at Tiburtino Terzo.

One of the many boroughs in the outskirts of Rome.

I've waited years for this very moment.

Yes, thank you.

Take it easy, boys. Let's be quiet for a moment.

- This classroom smells old. - It's so dusty!

Look, it's torn apart!

Just moment of silence, alright?

Hey, that's enough. Calm down.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

Who is that?

- I am your new teacher. - Nice to meet you.

Thank goodness, it was about time!

My name is Bruno D'Angelo.

- Bruno...? - D'Angelo.

Where do you come from?

I come from a town close to Naples.

- Oh, Neapolitan? - Yes.

- Shall we start the roll call? - Sure.

There are more students missing than in attendance today.

Let's see who we have today.

- Betti, Sandro. - He's not here, he's working.

- What kind of work? - At the fruit stand, on the hill.

- Which hill? - The tall one. The hill of Tiburtino.

- Del Croce, Luciano. - Here.

- How old are you? - Eleven.

- Where do you live? - On the Pecoraro hill.

(Pecoraro = goat keeper) Pecoraro hill?

Why is it called Pecoraro?

Because it belonged to a goat keeper, and then--

No! Because there used to be goats!

Fine, goats, but then the people started to come in and they built houses--

- The goats! - They sold the land!

You can still find goats there.

- Munzi, Franco. - Here.

- How old are you? - Eleven.

- Are you well behaved? - Yes...

Don't listen to him. He's kind of stupid.

- Shut up, you just got out of juvie. - Veneto, Marco.

- I'm twelve. - You're Veneto? You're twelve?

Did you have to repeat a year?

- Which one? - Two.

- Two years? And which ones? - First and third year.

Because he was mean.

Sacco, Renzo.

- How old are you? - I'm eleven.

- So you're in good standing? - Yes.

- Where do you live? - At Tiburtino, here.

- Why did sit on your own? - Because I don't want to be with them.

- And why is that? - I don't want to.

- Ranuzzi, Fabrizio. - Here.

Sit down.

- How old are you? - I'm eleven.

Boys, let's try to finish this roll call, come on.

Have you seen these drawings?

- Tamasco, Remo? - He's not here!

- He's your friend? - Yes.

- Where does he live? - He lives next to me, at La Torraccia.

Tomasso. How--

- It's his brother! - No, there's Tamasco, and Tomasso.

How do you spell it? It's barely written here, Tomasso or Tamasso?

- Tomasso! - They are brothers.

- No, the other one is Tamas-- - Shut up! You don't even know!

- Where does he live? - At La Torraccia, after--

- Along the road. - Next to the saplings.

- Is it far away? - Pretty much.

They're slums.

- Can you inform them? - Yes.

Who else knows the other absentees?

Who are they?

- Betti, Piazza... - I know Betti and Borresignani.

I also know... Piazza!

- I know him too! - He knows him.

I am Valenti's brother!

- How come your brother is not present? - He's hunting for squid!

He's out hunting because he never comes.

Can you all inform the absentees? Can you talk to your brother?

- I'll tell Borresignani. - He was scared of the new teacher.

Now, let's hear what you studied last time.

- The French Revolution. - Shall we listen to someone present?

You want to stand up?

Come here.

- What's your name? - Mennuni, Giorgio.

- What do you know? - A poetry.

Can you repeat it?

"The Bricklayer" "The bricklayer, on top of the roof--"

- Speak louder, we can't hear anything! - Settle down.

A little bit louder and slower.

"The bricklayer laid paths on the roofs to walk between nests, barefoot..."

"And he sets the steps to look up into the sky..."

"And vertigo abandons those that roam..."

"With art and joy, he builds the house, clear and grand..."

"With small tiles, he jolts off the limestone from his uniform and sings..."

- Can you explain the poem to me? - It talks about a bricklayer.

And how he builds houses, on top of tall scaffolding.

He sees the heads of the-- Of the people down below.

You said "jolts", do you know what that means?

That he shook the limestone off the uniform.

Alright, you can go.

- Here. - The French Revolution.

- Yes. - Let's hear it.

- On the eight-- - Let's be quiet, boys.

On the eight-- On the eighteenth century...

In... The European society was suffering from an important crisis.

The scientific progress--

Let me just take a look, excuse me.

Listen, I think you learned this by memorizing it, right?

Tell me, with your own words, what you know about the French Revolution.

- With my own words? - Yes, what you understood about it.

The French Revolution was...

The French people rebelled because...

The most powerful rights to power were exclusive for clerics and nobility.

The citizens were only allowed to work and pay heavy taxes.

Meanwhile, the clerics and the nobility lived with enormous luxuries.

- Do you know who the clerics are? - Yes, they are the priests.

That at the time ruled and--

Yes, they ruled.

Even the kings were afraid because the priests could organize a revolution,

And so, since the citizens were tired of--

Keep quiet!

Since they got tired of paying these heavy taxes...

They--

On July 14th, 1789, they attacked the Bastille.

Armed with cannons and guns.

It was the only fortress in France...

That no other people were able to destroy.

What was the Bastille? What was inside it at the time?

It had weaponry.

All the weaponry that France owned, and also the politicians.

- Inside the Bastille? - Yes, they were locked inside.

To prevent the revolution from moving forward.

Before the revolution, there were several men that organized the attacks.

- And so, they were ready. - I understand, I understand.

That's alright. It's good enough, now--

What's my score, professor?

The score? We'll see later today.

The class favorite!

- What a liar! - There's no rush.

- He says he memorized it! - Then he will be able to do it.

Come on! Are you shy? - But don't interrupt him.

"I was taken by a guard in the cemetery,"

"Just as I stole a flower from the top of a man's grave."

"And I was taken away teary eyed, completely frightened,"

"To be interrogated in the police headquarters."

"- How old are you? - I just turned thirteen."

"Oh, you started your criminal career early!"

"What will your mother say later?"

"A son that doesn't know about humanity."

"The orphan gets on his knees and begs:"

"Forgive me, even beautiful mother has left me."

"And while passing in front of those red, red flowers like a flame,

"I stole a flower, yes, but only to bring it to my mother."

- Very good. - Louder!

- Oh, knock it off! - Silence, boys.

Long bones, short bones and flat bones.

A fully grown adult has 203 bones in his body--

You mean two hundred!

- And three! - Two hundred!

- The book says two hundred... - And mine says two hundred and three.

The rib cage contains the lungs, the heart--

(mocking) The liver, the trachea...

The first impression certainly wasn't encouraging.

They repeat facts without understanding what they're saying.

Names of kings, queens, rivers, mountains...

And the dates: War, peace, births and deaths.

They don't think understanding is important, they only memorize facts.

To achieve a high score, just to pass the exam. It's a disaster.

It means that... That the nobility and the clergy, well, they...

They have a full set of rights, while the Third State--

The bourgeoisie did not have the same rights as the other two did.

- Well, now I'll keep explaining, OK? - Sure.

There was a profound crisis.

And science had to make new steps toward that...

Louis XVI wanted-- He had intentions to develop a reform...

But the book doesn't explain what is happening in France.

- What? - It doesn't explain what happens there.

They don't explain what happens? What is the title of the book?

"The French Revolution", but they don't explain Louis XVI's role.

Boys, stop it now!

- What's your name? - Di Mascio, Romano.

And what do you know?

Enough already! Let's pay attention to Di Mascio.

Louder!

He will speak louder... But the rest have to pay attention!

Let's hear it, speak a bit louder.

Isabelle of Castille married--

Ferdinand...

Ferdinand II of Aragon.

And they formed Spain.

Isabelle of Castille had a new...

- What was that? - The palace of...

Stop it!

- Who is singing? - Buffalo Bill!

Stop that!-- I'm sorry, you can sit down.

Can you calm down?

You want to come here? Come forth then.

We are tired!

We want to go home.

Home! Home!

Enough! Boys, that is enough!

Stop it!

That's-- ENOUGH!

I have told you before, when one person speaks, everyone else must keep quiet.

Let's find an agreement.

We will be together for the entire year.

And we can't move on like this.

You are exaggerating.

- If you even reach the end of the year. - Shut up.

If one of your classmates is presenting, you must keep quiet!

That is respect.

Towards your classmates, towards yourselves and towards myself.

This is a disaster.

I'm renting a furnished room, not far from Via Tiburtina.

Not far from the school

There is a terrace.

The city stops here, at least you can see some green.

The rent costs 35000 lire a month.

That's too much for me.

With my salary, I can only go to the restaurant once a day.

At night, I'll have to figure it out myself.

- Why isn't he attending class? - He said he doesn't want to.

He stays at home, he plays soccer.

- Doesn't he work? - No. Yes, only when he feels like it.

- What about Borresignani? - He works.

He works for someone that sells things.

- And Piazza? - I know where he lives.

At via Diego Angelis, block A, apartment 2.

- Do you know why he's not here? - Maybe he had to work.

He has to work because...

The information given by his classmates is confusing, contradictory even.

They seem to be defensive, as if they did not trust me.

Tamasso, Remo and Tomasso, have you seen them?

- They have to sell garlic. - They sell garlic?

They start selling at 6 or 7 A.M, and return around 3 or 4 P.M.

- Where do they sell it? - Piazza Bologna, at Trionfale.

- Every day? - Of course.

Did you tell him there's a new professor?

Yes.

And they don't have any intention of coming? Neither of them?

Alright.

Listen, boys.

- What should we do now? - Nothing.

What a bore! You decide.

- Let's choose together something to do. - Nothing.

Let's-- Hold on! Let's write our thoughts.

- OK! - Just a couple of phrases will do.

Alright? Let's try at least.

- What are we doing? - Gives us some paper!

Does it work? OK, write. Let's change the paper.

Is this an essay?

- Do you have a pen? - Is this an essay?

- Who can give me a pen, please? - I do! I do!

- Can I borrow it? - Sure.

- Do we have to write our name? - Yes, write your name.

Write your thoughts, yes?

Let's say, for example, that you write about your family--

- No! - Why not?

- We already talked about it. - Come on.

I'm almost done.

- What did you write here? - "We are".

- With a C. - Put an accent on the E.

Professor!

Try to write at least one thought.

- About what? - Anything you want.

It doesn't have to be about family.

Did you finish? Let's see.

- "Composed of"...? - "Seven".

I would write this with an accent.

You could write a period right there.

What are your--

"The members of my family are..."

Yes, there you go.

- I finished it. - You finished? Keep it for now.

Let's hear what Romano has written.

"My family is comprised of seven people including my mother and father."

What an essay! It's the end of the world!

But this thought still counts, he gave information about his family.

- Mennuni? - That's me!

"My family." "My family is comprised of five members"

"Father, mother and three children."

They mingled four times!

- Who else wants to read? - "My family is comprised of five..."

"My mother is kind, but what angers me the most is my father."

"Because on Sunday, he is always bitter."

"When his soccer team loses."

It looks like some of you have added additional thoughts into the essay.

More than just the number of people.

Romano and Mennuni only gave the numbers.

"How many family members are there in your household?"

Sacco gave something more as well, isn't that right?

Sacco, do you want to read the last paragraphs of your essay?

"Every Sunday we leave the house, we either visit my aunt or grandmother."

You see? He gave us an extra bit of information apart from the usual.

- Can I go now? - Let's hear Bonini.

"My family is comprised of seven members."

"My father has a hydraulics shop near the Via Flamigna."

"He is 39 years old."

"My mother is 35, and she is a housewife."

"Then my grandmother, 70, my brother, 11 and my sister is 7 years old."

"This is my family."

Dry thoughts. With bad grammar.

Thrown in a hurry, just to make me happy.

But I am sure that they could do better, if they wanted to.

If only they'd understand that, they are not working for me, but for themselves.

- What's going on? - I don't know, hey, you're the new guy!

Pleasure to meet you.

A group of mothers came to protest because of the nursery.

It was promised a long time ago.

They wanted to talk to the principal, but he was not here.

Stop it! Stop it!

I can't handle it anymore!

Calm down, lady, calm down!

They were aggravated, and resentful.

For them, the daycare is important.

Otherwise, where would their children stay when they have to work?

This is a nightmare! It's an obsession!

We've done this so many times over!

- Let's go get a cognac. - No, what?

There you are Maria, thank you, take the water for the pills.

Did you see the scene they made? This is happening everyday here.

Are you really going to call the police?

It was a bluff, I was hoping they would get scared.

Don't expect those people to get scared by the police.

We have to file a report, they are trespassing!

- But they didn't just break in. - What?

This isn't our house, this is a public building!

- They put their hands on me! - They were beating her.

- Which one was it-- - They lost control.

We notify the principal and he will deal with it using his position.

- That would be the best. - Please, excuse me.

I haven't introduced the new professor, D'Angelo.

- You are from Naples. - Yes, from a town close by.

- Nice to meet you. - Good morning, nice to meet you!

What did I say to you yesterday? That the environment is what it is?

You saw it just now. You have seen it firsthand.

What are your thoughts about it?

I just got here. I don't feel like judging.

Yes, but you were present.

You saw it, you heard it. Talk, we are among peers.

Yes...

What happened was very shameful.

It was indeed.

But, I wouldn't know, I don't understand, maybe--

With patience and persuasion we could've gotten a better result, I think.

Right, with patience and persuasion...

Easier said than done!

Alright, did you need assistance with anything?

Yes, I am missing half of the class.

Here's the list.

And I wanted to know, for these boys, if we could--

Oh, yes. Yes.

These ones never show up.

- Don't worry about it. - Exactly!

I wanted to know if the families have been notified.

But of course we have warned them.

We wrote to them, and more than once.

"Betti, Sandro."

"Borresignani, Mauro."

- "Piazza, Sergio." - That one's a good boy.

- He was your student. - Good luck with that one!

- "Tamasco, Remo." - Mine! Fortunately, I got rid of him.

"Tomasso, Franco." From the slums.

He is the one that everyone feels pity for.

- I heard that some of them are working. - Call it work...

- And so? - They are younger than 14 years old.

We did our job. What were we supposed to do?

Bring them in by forcing them? It's out of our hands.

Maybe if the intervention was held on time.

Is there a guidance, a counselor? A social worker--

A what?!

Listen, it seems to me that I explained this very clearly yesterday.

You have an expendable class. They are leftovers, are we clear?

We had to reduce the other classrooms, you ended up with the worst elements.

I think you should do whatever you can.

Those that show up are already difficult.

What do you want? To search those that are already impossibilities?

In essence, you are inviting me to let them go.

No, just a moment. I am not inviting you, be very clear.

I am only giving you an advice, a personal advice.

Leaving them in the streets?

We are teachers, we are not dogcatchers.

If you care that much, why don't you get them yourself?

- Fine. - But don't come crying to me after!

Don't worry miss, I am not used to crying.

- Have a good day. - God bless you.

He just arrived and is already giving everyone a lesson!

- So arrogant. - I would say he's pretty naive.

- Where is he from? - From the South...

We'll see what he says in a couple of years.

When he reaches ten years of service, like us!

- Are you lost around these parts? - Somewhat, I got here yesterday.

- First time in Rome? - No, I've been here a couple of years.

But I lived near the university.

University? Did you graduate?

I'm missing a few exams, and the thesis.

Lucky guy.

If I could've done that, I wouldn't be here.

- Where do you live now? - There, at the Tiburtino hills.

You can drop me here then, I can walk, it's not far.

- Don't worry, I'll give you a ride. - Thank you.

Take the next right.

You're like brand new, right? First job?

No, I did some public schooling.

And a few replacements.

At Valmontone, Palestrina, Tolfa... Around Rome.

I understand, well, after you graduate and become a professor,

That's an entirely different story.

My wife is probably home by now, come in and have a drink.

- Thank you, but I'm leaving. - No, come, don't

- It's late, maybe some other time. - Alright, as you wish.

Listen, I wanted to say something...

I wouldn't advice you to be so zealous.

- They talked good about you before. - I know, but--

Right there, in front of the colleagues.

"You have a deadbeat class, do what you can."

What would I be? The janitor that keeps them quiet?

Yes, I may be starting, but I also know how to properly teach them!

But you don't know these boys!

Listen, last year, one of them broke into a teacher's car and drove off.

Another teacher had a nervous breakdown, she even had to go to the hospital.

They are delinquents, they bring knifes, slingshots, they fight...

You should thank God they are not showing up.

Now, you decided to take things in your own hands.

You put everyone against you, and they will write and complain about it.

You're new, it's not worth it.

- Well, goodbye, and thank you! - Goodbye.

One of these nights, you should come to dinner, I have the best sausages.

- Alright. - Bye!

That night, I couldn't stop thinking.

Even if they tried to put me in place, to persuade me...

I feel like I have to search the boys that didn't attend class.

I met with the parents of Marco and Renzo.

They talked to me about the origins of the district, it's history.

It's important that I establish a relationship with them.

Soon, we will have to talk about their children, and school.

They have to realize the problems with school, otherwise, it's worthless.

We went over to Valente's house in order to look for Giancarlo.

Giancarlo is not here.

She tells me he will soon start to work along with a craftsman.

Seven, or eight thousand lire a month, the family already gave him their word.

In some cases, it's very delicate to insist.

I try to explain Giancarlo's mother that he needs to pass at least the 5th year.

This sympathy towards animals is peculiar.

Contrasting against their violence.

Sergio Piazza's family lives in a brand new apartment.

They were assigned recently, after their house was demolished at Tiburtino Terzo.

The rooms don't have furniture, and the mattresses are laid on the floor.

Sergio is just 11 years old.

The situations here are very similar to one another.

There's not enough money for the house, and Sergio needs to start working.

Labor does not scare him, even being so very young and frail.

He tells me about his experience last year working with a plumber and butcher.

This time, he will be an apprentice at a bakery.

At La Torraccia, I had a meeting with Romano.

- Hello. - Good morning.

Which way should I go? Here?

- La Torraccia starts here? - Yes.

There are only shacks here, clumped together, right under the highway.

Keep going?

There are people from Casino that migrated from the war.

And groups of Neapolitans.

In the winter, the gypsies also arrive.

- Here? - Yes.

- Where should we go first? Franco's? - Yes.

- Does he live up here? - Right there, the one with the fence.

Let's go.

Go check if Franco's mother is here.

Good morning.

Good morning, madam!

- Is Franco here? - No, he hasn't returned.

- I'm the primary school teacher. - Of course, nice to meet you.

I want to know some information about Franco, why is he not attending class?

He just won't go to school, he likes to play around...

And he fails every year.

He reaches mid-year and then stops going to school.

But he has always been a good student.

He always studied, just not in school.

Franco's mother fears that I'm here to blame her for her son.

And right away, she starts to explain, to justify.

From her words, her attitude...

I feel the same sense of embarrassment, almost turning into mistrust.

Like I felt with the other families.

Should we go now? Yes?

If only I managed to explain to her that school is not just a duty.

But rather something important for their kids.

That would have been a big step forward.

A first concrete collaboration.

Franco is 13, he has worked ever since he turned 7.

He sells garlic around the markets, like every other boy from Torraccia.

And they also collect scrap metal to sell.

We met up with Remo by chance.

He is a smart kid, vibrant. From Neapolitan roots.

They're going back home.

- Are they your brothers? - No, just friends that finished work.

They live far away, so they have to catch a ride.

- Where were they going? - Back home.

Come here, professor! There's a white Giulia over here!

It's right here!

Look how washed up it is.

- What car is it? - It's an Alfa Romeo Giulia.

- First generation. - I can't even recognize it.

There's nothing left.

- What's that? The steering wheel box? - The box, yes.

- And this? - The suspension.

- How long has it been here? - It's always been.

- What are you doing? - I'm taking the aluminum lever.

Watch out, you could cut yourself.

They know how to recognize an accessory, any car part, at first glance.

They dismantle it with rudimentary tools.

They know the prices from the second hand market.

They keep the count in their heads, and they never fail once.

You take this part, and put it inside... Then you take that, and unscrew it.

These ones, instead, have the lever below.

Wasn't it here? Yes, that's it.

- They get unscrewed? - Yes

- Where do you take all of this stuff? - To the junkyard, down there.

- Where is it? - Near the tracks.

Oh yeah, there...

The junkyard was dismantled. Where do they keep the cars?

Down there, but the cars stopped coming in.

- There's nothing left? - No.

"Underpants..." That one is written properly.

"That you had teared..."

"They are..."

- Hold on. - They are...?

- Adjusted. - "... Adrejusted..."

And this should be together, one word.

Why Jesus? Because miracles are mentioned?

Look, what are you talking about? "When you get up in the morning...?"

- Mom. - It's about your mom.

It talks about your mother then.

- I told you. - Now it makes sense.

- Is it true? - Yes.

I took a look at the manuals and notebooks from the other slum boys.

Little thoughts about animals, seasons about family.

A fantasy world. Unhealthy.

Completely detached from their own interests, detached from their reality.

- How old are you? - Me, thirteen.

- Did you repeat a school year? - No, I started when I was already 8.

Why didn't you attend sooner? Where you already working?

- This house, is it new? - Yes, my brother built it.

- How old is he? - He is 29.

- Already married, yes? - Yes.

- Are these all your friends, Remo? - Yes.

Boys, wait for me here, OK?

I'll be at Remo's for a bit, but you wait here.

Come in, you can sit down.

- Thank you. - Would you like a drink?

No, thank you, just a glass of water.

Alright.

- Are these your books? - Yes.

- Do you like history? - Yes.

This book about Garibaldi, have you read it?

No, not yet.

- Little by little. - What's that?

Little by little.

- How come your mother isn't here? - She left, she had to work today.

Thank you.

- Do you want to look around? - Sure!

This way.

Did you see the lovely Christ?

- Who made it? - They painted it by hand, as a gift.

- This is where you and your mom live? - Yes.

It's good for two people.

Why's that? How many people are there in your house?

- I have to run the numbers. - What? How many?

About ten or more.

- You don't have electricity here. - No, we don't.

- Why do you have a chandelier? - For decoration.

It matches nicely with the wallpaper.

- And how does the TV work? - Batteries.

- Should we go upstairs? - Sure.

Stop it! What are you doing?!

Stop! Stop it!

Stop!

Go sit down, what is going on?!

Stop it, now!

Sergio is right!

Be quiet.

This is not possible, boys.

He took my pages! I was going to draw something.

You fight until you get hurt, with hate, how is that possible?

And you even took advantage of my absence!

Be quiet! You've even become disloyal.

He's annoying!

- And that's enough to begin a fight? - No!

- Yes! - Leave my cousin alone.

Why do you keep pushing around then?

- It's Tiburtina! You'll understand... - Yes, in Tiburtina this is how it is.

Shut up, you brat!

You're starting to fight with hate now? Eh, Giancarlo?

- How can this be? - Sergio, not Giancarlo!

Sergio, forgive me.

I should've punished the guilty. They knew they had it coming.

Sergio told me: "If you suspend me, you would do me a favor."

And he was right, from his point of view.

Of course, it would've been better to discuss it right away, together.

But we don't know each other that well yet, they wouldn't understand.

So I chose to ignore it.

I took a quick glance inside their books.

In the hopes of finding something decent, something useful for the class.

But without success.

After getting to know them a bit, after seeing how they live...

The idea of teaching them these things seems more and more absurd.

While waiting for those missing, I prepared the French Revolution.

A subject I thought they would be excited about.

Oh, this again?

So, what happened? Now that the citizens are protesting,

The bourgeoisie protested, to have freedom of action,

The king was aware of this situation,

And there were a number of ministers that proposed...

- We have to study the ministers too? - Shut up!

I need you to understand the reason, the cause,

That brought the Revolution forward.

And there were a few minsters that proposed these kind of reforms,

Like Scafati was saying.

I think he was named Calonne.

We can verify it in the book.

And he proposed a tax...

A universal land value tax.

But since the nobility, which had a tremendous power in the courthouse--

The lesson was a failure.

They didn't care, and they couldn't pay attention.

And why would they be interested in these distant events?

It becomes incomprehensible to them.

It was my own naivety. And the monarchy wouldn't have fell.

Curly!

Hey, handsome!

- Curly! - Is that a ghost I see?

- Come in. - No, I think he really is alive!

- Look at this guy! - Go over there, Piazza.

- How come you came back? - I like it here.

So... The citizens found themselves in a very precarious situation.

The arrival of Sergio Piazza had encouraged me.

His brother, Franco, also came in yesterday.

Slowly, the classroom is being repopulated.

But it's the teaching that I'm worried about.

I have to find a new, different way to teach in this school.

- 2,20. - And that makes 14.

2,20 + 2,20.

Alright, 14...

- Then, what's next? - 14 + 4,40...!

I made a mistake while counting...

- You failed! - It's just one number.

Four... What did you write--

I tried with arithmetic, a small problem based on a soccer game.

It worked, but it turned into a competition.

And there were many that couldn't keep up.

- I got 25. - We have to complete the operation.

Come here. First of all, let's say this...

- This post here, does it count? - No!

Very good, now, we have to consider that this is not part of the wood frame.

That means we have to subtract it, right?

So, first of all, we have to do this:

18,40...

Minus! This length right here, because it's not a post.

We don't need the wooden frame to make this one.

18,40...

I can't put them in competition, arguing against each other.

They need to learn how to work together, to help each other.

This one is real easy!

I've finally been able to trace back Giancarlo.

He has a strong, determined attitude.

It's going to be a problem bringing him back into class.

But I have to pull it off.

Give me your hand, Giancarlo.

You got it?

Give me your leg then.

Hold on, I'll help you.

Professor, could you help Ranucci?

Check it out.

- I took off my shoes. - I did too!

Get down.

- We shall kill it! - No!

- Yes! Throw it to the ground! - It's from the lizard family, right?

Yes, the "rascal" family. This is their offspring.

Let's kill it.

- Why do you want to kill it? - Yeah, let's kill it!

- Why do you want to kill it? - There, look! Squash it here.

- Why do you guys want to kill it? - I don't know.

We go around hunting lizards.

Should we set it free? Raise your hand if you want to free it.

I don't.

Well, then...

Leave it!

You're a jackass! What if they killed you instead?

- I vote yes. - But the others already voted against.

I hope you get the same fate!

- Mennuni, they decided against it. - I'll grab it back.

Leave it alone.

Hoping it was you getting the funeral!

They come out of the tree line, those trees over there.

- I'll come with you. - No, no, don't.

Come on, professor.

Come on up, Giancarlo.

Check if the water is clean.

It's pristine.

In some of the puddles we found fish. Only God knows how they survived.

- Come on! - You're killing them!

There is something serious about their relation with the animals and nature.

Those found in the wild, particularly.

Lizards, fish, frogs, birds.

They chase, capture and study them.

In their own way, of course. Sometimes tortured and killed.

But they apply certain rules, for example:

You never kill the female if it's pregnant.

Let's see who smashes the black brandy bottle first.

When we returned home, we were tired.

By staying with them, in their environment,

I learned more in one day than I would have in two years in the classroom.

You recognize it by these markings here, you see?

- Let me see. - These little markings.

- You see that? - This female is about to lay an egg.

The female one doesn't have markings.

Today was an important day.

I've never seen them so focused and interested.

The study of the lizards just came by, spontaneously.

- No, they stay together. - They bite!

Be careful, you could hurt yourself. Boys, let's settle down now.

Let's try to talk about this.

Let's put this over here.

Yesterday at noon, some of you joined me in an expedition.

Giancarlo, why don't you come here and explain what we did yesterday?

What we did yesterday... Right? When we got together.

As soon as Giancarlo finishes writing...

We can start to talk about our tour, the first thing we saw were nests.

He trapped a little "rascal".

- What's that? What's a little "rascal"? - The son of the rascal.

Rascal. What is that term? Do you think it's a correct term?

Sure it is.

No, because these are amphibians.

Like a frog.

I tried to make a first qualification.

Giancarlo, what do you mean by "rascal"?

- I mean, these, what do you call them? - Lizards.

- Very good. - Lizard.

But the process turned out abstract. And they barely followed my lead.

The discussion turned back around into their own direct experience.

Cruel, most of the time.

One time I had a lizard, and out of rage I had it tortured.

I tied it up and left it in a vase in the sun, after a while it was red.

I took one and tied its legs, then I put a lens to it and...

I burned the whole thing.

Who else has killed and massacred a lizard?

- Me! - I have!

I did, I had a lizard... And I took a piece of wood.

I nailed its limbs, and I electrocuted it.

Did you have to use some pliers for the current?

- Yes, it moved like this. - He liked lizards at first.

We adopted one and left it on a tree branch.

In the morning we called: "Greeno!" And it came running down to us.

- And the other ones...? - That's not true.

- You say your brother is lying? - No, it's true that we had a lizard.

But he didn't say "Hey, Greeno!" to make it come back down!

I let them talk. Of course, it was a messy confusion.

But they talked. About the things they knew.

They felt safe. And I wasn't considered a stranger anymore.

- You killed them? - No! I'm no maniac!

- You've never killed one? - No, maybe a passing one, but no.

But not like he does, when he grabs them and--

The things you've told me about the lizards, have done it to other animals?

Yes!

- About 500! - A entire flock of pigeons, like this.

In three days, I killed 500 pigeons.

We saw one fall dead into someone's grave.

Maybe even more than that!

And now, I'd like to invite you...

I'd like to propose something to you. Listen up, Del Croce.

- Why don't we kill these two? - No!

We could start a small zoo garden.

- We like them! - Hey, don't worry.

I won't killed them, I just wanted to see the reaction.

Silence, boys! Silence, let's settle down.

Wait!

Try to explain to me why you won't kill these ones.

They could be the classroom pets!

- What's going on here? - He wants to kill them with a needle.

No, Giancarlo. You won't do anything, understood?

- No, I didn't-- - Let's see now.

Who is against killing these lizards?

- These ones? - These ones.

Let's start here.

Look around, Giancarlo.

- Only me and Veneto remain. - Exactly.

Just the two of you, three if you count Piazza.

- "Piazza, the cannibal!" - You see now?

And now, we must respect what the majority voted for.

Sergio, at first you said you tortured the lizards, is that right?

Now, you have to explain to me why you're against killing these ones.

- Because... They're a couple! - It's a boy and a girl?

- Yes! Husband and wife! - And one of them is about to lay eggs!

Boys, please try to think now!

These ones are no different than the ones outside!

No! But... I don't know.

But we must know! Let's try to be reasonable now.

Why do you kill those in the fields and not these ones?

Because in the field they're free, they're everywhere!

Because the other ones run as soon as they see you!

These ones, instead, can't escape, they're trapped in a jar.

Good. Now, I must know who will kill the female even if it's pregnant?

- I don't! - I let it lay it's eggs first!

Very good, now, let's erase the list from the whiteboard.

Let's write: "We torture the animals."

After that, we write:

"We don't torture these lizards." Alright?

Let's number it. One, and two.

- Are these two different things? - Yes!

We can also add: "We don't torture..."

"Those that are pregnant." Alright?

You said both things.

Is it possible that people can contradict themselves?

No!

I saw that the situation became tense, briefly.

The situation almost slipped by my hands.

But in the end, their interest about the subject was even stronger.

They have been writing and drawing for half an hour. Everyone.

Now, the problem is: "How do we move forward?"

How do I make them focus from their direct experience

Into a proper way of studying?

Like that?

- Four, five... Make it six. - Thank you.

- What else did you ask for? - Notebooks. - Oh, of course.

Notebooks... No, I don't have any left. But I could give you...

- Loose papers. - Yes, that works just as well.

Do these boys leave everything at home?

Whatever they bring, is never enough.

They've told me you have achieved quite a few goals.

I try my best.

Here, some pens. I think that's everything.

- I wanted some erasers, too. - Oh yes, I forgot.

- And some glue, if you have it. - Glue?

No, I think we're all out.

That's OK.

I'm sorry for the other day, I...

I was so nervous that...

I hope I wasn't too impolite.

No, it was also my fault. I arrived at the worst moment.

In what I told there was, however, some truth behind.

You still have a manageable class, not very crowded.

And now you have to deal with these refractory and difficult elements,

You're risking to spoil everything, even the good ones.

It's an inevitable risk, miss.

There's some glue here, can I take it?

I'm so stupid, I didn't see it. Please, take it.

Did you tell the director that I wanted to see him?

Of course. But last week, he only stopped by for a few moments.

Just to sign a few documents, you know how busy he is.

Could you please remind him again?

I understand, if it's something urgent you could always tell me.

Thank you, but I would love to speak personally to him,

And I haven't even been able to greet him properly--

As you wish. I'll leave a message on his desk.

- That way it's set. - Alright.

- Thank you. - You're welcome. Oh--

Can I make you a personal question?

Of course.

Well...

For these boys...

Why are you so attached?

I don't think I'm going beyond my duty.

Yes. Yes, of course, but...

I just can't understand your tenacity, your... Stubbornness.

I roamed the streets as well, as a youth.

I know what it means.

Is this what you wanted to know?

- Excuse me, I left the class and-- - No, you should rather excuse me.

- Excuse me for asking. - Good day.

Good day...

Now in the winter, while hibernating...

- How long is that? - Between March and September.

Oh, hibernation!

- Between October... - And March.

Between October and February.

- Work, it's only you three. - No...

Come, Amedeo.

We formed three groups, and we joined the desks for their collaboration.

But I'm worried about Giancarlo.

He can't seem to work with the others.

You were drawing the other day, you drew a lizard on a blank page...

Why don't you make another one?

- It's white. - I need that!

It was bigger than that!

The one Roberto caught was a greyish brown.

- That was his. - That was my lizard.

Good. But since it's in the class, it belongs to everyone.

Everyone.

Boys, a moment, please.

We said that these lizards would have not been touched.

- Was it killed? - No, it wasn't killed.

Did we decide that these lizards would not be touched?

Yes!

Well, Giancarlo?

No, that one is mine.

- These don't belong to anyone. - I grabbed it myself yesterday!

It is a delicate moment for auto-discipline in the classroom.

In any moment, the situation could devolve into complete anarchy.

I have thoroughly decided not to use authority.

They have to get there themselves.

It's in the Nazionale di Roma street, not the fair. In the 25th.

- Look for the dates. - Is this OK?

This one here, paint it black.

- What's wrong? - Leave it!

Look, professor.

No, don't underline that!

You're stupid.

- You're stupid, put it back. - It was Piazza!

I was exasperated from the continuous manifestations of cruelty.

And I had thought that, once again, the guilt was on Giancarlo.

Do you want to go outside? It's not a good day, Giancarlo.

"A very shay animal" Shy, not "shay".

I would also add a period. So you'd need an upper case.

"Lives far from..." Look here, is it correct?

"from mankin." You're missing the last letter.

"And it lives by the walls."

"She..." You need a period there.

- "And he..." What is "he"? - That thing...

The lizard, right?

I kept thinking about Giancarlo.

Because I realized in the meantime that I had unjustly punished him.

The lizard. Not "he".

- Who was it? You or Giancarlo? - He went first, I was second.

- When I kicked him out... - Yes...

Who was it that grabbed the lizard?

When you sent Giancarlo from there to there?

No, when I sent him outside.

- You didn't send him outside. - I did, when I slapped his hand.

- Was it you? - Yes.

- Why didn't you say it? - Giancarlo did.

I wanted to hear it from you.

Why didn't you tell me? That I was wrong?

Because he told you.

- I was about to... - Now we have to apologize to him.

Alright?

As a protest, he climbed to the top of a tree.

It took a while to get him to come down.

I tried to explain the mistake, I tried to apologize.

But he didn't want to know. He left.

With the material ready, writings and drawings,

We composed three big displays, one for each group.

And we decided to raise them from the walls.

The boys are proud from the work they've done.

First, they described the lizards they already knew.

Their habits and characteristics.

Then, helped by the books, they expanded onto reptiles in general.

In the end, they wrote thoughts and considerations.

"The lizard lives in the fields..."

"To have peace and freedom..."

"Far away from civilization and from disorder."

It's important for a youngling to start off from it's direct experience.

That way, studying becomes research, a personal conquest.

The boy becomes an active subject, and not a passive one.

Nothing is imposed onto them. From above...

END OF FIRST ACT