Original subtitles

"When in heaven an angel doesn't do as he should,

the Lord locks him up in a dark, dark cell for good."

"When in heaven an angel doesn't do as he should,

the Lord locks him up in a dark, dark cell for good."

THE CONFESSIONS

Do you want me to transcribe the equation, sir?

There's no need.

You know...

I've lived in Italy.

l really love your language.

Would you have a book of yours to give me?

I'm afraid not, sorry.

Happy birthday.

Cheers l

- Cheers. - Happy birthday, Daniel.

Thank you, but I never eat in the evening.

It was very kind of you to accept my invitation.

Forgive my terrible Italian.

- We can speak French if you prefer. - Thank you.

First of all, I admit that there was a reason for inviting you.

I would like you to hear my confession.

The last time I went to confession was twenty years ago.

I also rarely hear confessions.

- Why? - The sins of others trouble me.

Are you a believer?

I've never known for sure, but I was baptised.

Why the urgency to confess?

I'm not in the habit of wasting time.

Wasting time has never harmed anyone.

This way, please.

Mr. Roché?

Mr. Roché?

Mr. Roché?

Hello?

I've been looking for you for the past hour.

You had me worried.

You know you mustn't leave my side.

Good morning, father.

May I ask you what you were doing in Mr. Rohé's room last night?

Someone saw you leave at 4am.

- We talked. - What about?

- I'm afraid I can't tell you. - Why?

M r. Roché confessed.

Perhaps you should tell me.

Mr. Roché died.

When?

Soon after you left, I presume.

How can that be?

We know that you...

took a digital recorder into the director's room.

- It's my hobby, I always carry it. - Could you please show it to me?

I can't find it.

But I left it here.

If that's the case, it must still be here.

We'll help you find it.

A journalist asked me what epitaph I want on my tombstone.

I quoted a phrase by my favourite author:

"Life seems bearable only if you are able to avoid it."

Well, dealing with money has allowed me to avoid life without getting bored.

Evil too... is a response to boredom.

No, I'm talking about generating money thanks to other money.

It's like a drug.

I know that my profession lacks the so-called humane aspect.

You've still not told me why you chose me.

I admit I discovered your books by chance.

I found them when I stayed in a friend's mountain chalet.

Jesus loves chance.

I MIL.

Nevertheless... you wanted to see me and here I am.

I'm truly grateful,

it's been ages since I've had the privilege of talking to someone.

My time is dedicated exclusively to the Monetary Fund.

You see, the present doesn't exist for us.

We try to erase it to make way for the future.

You talk of time, as if it were something you can control.

In actual fact, time doesn't exist.

Somebody said that it's just...

a variance of the soul.

You may find this blasphemous,

but money creates time.

This is why I want to make something that doesn't yet exist happen.

What?

It's a secret.

It's a bit cold, isn't it? Shall we go inside?

"Eternal rest grant unto them, Lord. Let perpetual light shine upon them.

May they rest in peace, Amen."

ls there anything you want to tell me, father?

I may sound arrogant, but all my life,

I've always been able to afford the best.

I studied with the best professors.

I indulged in many varieties of vices and love.

I'm surrounded by prestigious collaborators.

By asking you to come here, I used the same criteria.

I chose the best.

You know what I like about you?

Your disdain for everything which I like.

I take it you've been informed.

Why did he choose to die here?

He could've done it at any time.

Why won't you answer me?

You're the only one who knows.

If Roché chose you as his confessor, there must've been a reason.

You obviously don't want to talk, I'll go.

No, please. Stay.

Forgive me... I respect your silence.

But as a writer I think people need to know.

You're a writer?

I write children's books, I expected you to know that at least.

Figures show that my books generate the same revenue as an industry.

You don't seem very pleased.

I don't feel guilty, if that's what you mean.

Excuse me, father.

Would you be so kind as to answer a few questions?

All is fair in war.

Freedom l Justice l

Freedom l Justice l

Let me go!

Freedom l Justice l

I asked you to come here so that no one can hear us.

I checked for land contamination.

The hotel is full of bugs.

The Americans are recording everything we say.

They're obsessed.

I don't know... what Roché told you about me,

but I don't agree with going ahead with the chosen proposal.

But...

- I'm outnumbered. - Sometimes that's a privilege.

You're the only person I can confide in, father.

I'll gladly hear any advice.

- A question too? - Go ahead...

Do you have any regrets, do you think you've acted wrongly?

No, I've not acted wrongly nor do I have any regrets.

I think it's now time for me to face the truth,

but my conscience is clear, I had no choice.

- You're interested in the truth? - Of course.

Even if it means revealing the decisions you've taken?

All our decisions are bound by secrecy, father.

Like with confession, we can't talk about them.

Well, it's best I go then.

No... please.

I...

My colleagues and l who objected to the plan, may end up getting burnt...

Others share your doubts?

Two, but one is more against it than the others.

Our Canadian colleague, she's a well-to-do person...

- Unlike the others? - That's not what I meant.

But you see...

If someone were to start talking

and the secret were to become public...

Something very unpleasant may happen.

- What? - Something that...

You can't even imagine.

There is a way of freeing yourself from the weight of your burden.

What would that be?

Confession.

I can't.

- Why? - Experience tells me that...

when people try to make the world a better place, they make it worse.

Ah...

- Maybe we should end our meeting here. - As you wish.

What are you afraid of?

That my reputation...

in association with this plan, will be tarnished.

You're still in time to change things.

- Have you finished? - Yes.

Have a seat.

Father, you are...

under investigation in connection with the death of Mr. Daniel Roche.

Under the circumstances...

it's routine procedure.

The bag you kept your recorder in was the one found on Mr. Roche's head.

Of course, you have the right to request a lawyer.

I don't need one, thank you.

I advise you to consider your rights.

And I trust you will decide to cooperate.

In that case all these problems would be avoided.

I still haven't worked out what kind of priest you are.

Neither have I.

Father?

They can't treat you like a criminal.

Why won't you talk?

I realise you don't trust them, but...

You could trust me.

We're on the same side.

They've taken a decision that will make some countries poorer still.

But they're not all in agreement.

- Some have doubts. - Who?

The Canadian minister.

She's a woman, perhaps you could talk to her.

You want to use me.

You're free to do what your conscience tells you to.

I would just be an instrument in your hands.

- In the hands of God. - Too bad I've never believed in Him.

I can assure you that He exists.

Even now.

Here.

I'm rambling on, sorry.

How long does a confession last, usually?

That depends on you, on what you want to tell me.

For St. Augustine confession was a cry from the soul.

How long do you wish your cry to last?

One thing is certain, the free market develops by trial and error,

based on a fact that has remained unchanged since the dawn of time:

the fact that the world is unfair.

As you know, democracy is a fib.

There are decisions that not even our politicians are informed of.

And as you have seen,

today's parliaments are basically made up of...

nothing but dead souls.

Crime, money laundering...

Governments won't stop at anything, let alone banks.

The politicians of today

are businessmen.

Illusionists.

If they're good, they all succeed

in taking just a few years to accumulate the same capital

that in the past would've been accumulated over four generations.

That's the way the world is.

And for certain, moralists won't put a stop to it.

But God sees everything.

- Are you sure? - Yes.

He'll know I have cancer then.

I'm screwed.

Sit, Rolf l

Father?

Can I talk to you?

Of course.

My name is Caterina, I work for the welcome committee.

There's lots of us who work here.

What's this about?

I think you're in danger.

You know things you shouldn't.

That's the privilege of confession.

I know.

"The servant knoweth not what his lord doeth.

For the master tells him only the act and not the intention.

This is why he often obeys slavishly and defeats the intention."

But Jesus Christ has told us the object.

And you...

You defeat this object.

It's one of Pascal's reflections, I'm flattered that you know my books.

I admire them greatly.

But they're considered rather unorthodox by some.

I have no interest in orthodoxy.

What I care about is compassion.

That's the only frontier worth fighting for.

Now if you have nothing else to say, Caterina, I'll go.

It's been a real pleasure talking with you.

And with all of you.

I'VE MADE A FINAL DECISION I ACCEPT YOUR INVITE

COME TO MY ROOM ANTONIO VALLATI

Have a seat in that armchair.

I'd rather you don't see my face.

I'm ashamed.

That's honourable.

My teacher, even though he was a very influential economist,

never sold himself out.

What about you?

I did.

You know what sentiment best describes us?

Impotence.

A mix of...

arrogance and mediocrity.

We are selected

on the basis of this special...

Pedigree.

The supremacy of the States no longer exists.

Men like Roche can crush it whenever they like.

And...

The great chiefs of the worlds...

hang on their every word.

You know what Daniel said?

"You Italians invented an invincible kind of power,

but you've never been able to make it work."

He was talking about the Mafia.

He also said that banks are...

modern secret societies.

And that like the Mafia,

they don't need to answer to anyone.

And as it is...

During recessions such large amounts of capital are at stake...

that whole countries are at risk.

And the weakest are always hit first.

A long time ago a friend offered me a great deal.

He told me a man wanted to sell a Cézanne that was untraceable.

An undocumented Cézanne.

I called this man, told him I was interested and...

he said I could see it in Brooklyn.

He gave me the address of a kind of warehouse

with a super-modern alarm system...

But when he told me the amount he was intending to sell it for,

an absurd price,

I asked myself whether it was worth spending all that money.

I began to doubt whether I knew what money was anymore.

What are we buying when we spend a fortune?

I don't know...

I no longer own anything.

Apart from this tunic and my sandals.

And the silence that no one can buy.

ls that what you think?

I inform you that I've made a donation to your convent,

a substantial amount.

This means that as of now you're indebted to me.

You would like to have people's lives in your hands,

but you won't succeed with me.

My life doesn't belong to me.

Father?

You were right.

The summit is being held to take an unprecedented decision.

Marechal didn't agree, they forced her to say yes.

You're the only one who can upset their plans.

What more can I do to help you?

Try to use your imagination.

Paul Kis, have a seat.

You know things that I don't.

- Perhaps. - Excuse my bluntness, but...

you are the black box of an event that...

will have no other reporters. If you don't talk

the recording will delete itself.

It's already been deleted.

I was Daniel's best friend.

His only friend. Do you know what I mean?

A banker committing suicide is an unusual event.

Artists are more likely to do it.

Only they refuse to accept that life is so...

imperfect.

You need to be somewhat conceited to expect to change things.

Tell me why he killed himself...

Perhaps he was unhappy.

No, a profession like ours doesn't allow for unhappiness.

I'm sorry, the pain is starting to manifest itself.

But I have a remedy.

I think that...

You economists also have to...

take unhappiness into account.

A certain degree of despair is part of life.

So for you...

Hunger and poverty are only an ingredient for progress?

Unfortunately, yes.

Mathematical formulas can explain it better than words.

I prefer words.

Although I don't always understand yours.

For example?

What is creative destruction?

It means that in order to grow,

the economy must first destroy that which is superfluous.

Like forests regenerate after a fire.

Do you follow?

Who starts the fire?

The unpredictable nature of the system is a given fact.

Economists simply suggest we take advantage of this.

Destroying to preserve is the trademark of capitalism.

You Italians have always suffered catastrophes

and you're convinced you can still survive.

But not this time.

This calls for drastic measures.

The tree needs pruning, someone has to go.

Who 7

This matter...

is bigger than you...

and me.

You're only being asked to cooperate.

To facilitate a forceful act.

Crime...

injustice, death...

they wouldn't be possible, if God didn't exist.

You're wrong.

Evil serves no purpose.

"The last form of freedom is silence."

A verse that seems very fitting for you.

I'm sure you remember who wrote it.

- A Greek poet. - A great poet.

For a failed country.

There are much worse failures than financial ones.

Father l Father l

Come with me l

You're in danger. You mustn't go to your room.

"n m...

I've spied on you the past few days.

Don't take any more risks for me, I'd better go.

No.

Sta)’-

- Did you record what I said? - No.

No, don't worry.

I like recording the sound of birds.

During these silent years, I've recorded thousands of sounds,

and since I've been here I've found other wonderful ones.

If you want, I'll let you hear some.

I have to go.

Father...

Father, you can write it here.

- Here? - Yes.

As if it were a sheet of paper.

Reading your books I found out you took your vows quite late.

May I ask you what you did before then?

I was a mathematician.

What do you think of this?

You see, we economists need to give a certain order to things.

Unfortunately some events elude our simplifications.

We call them "black swans".

This equation is an empty shell,

a formula which doesn't correspond to anything.

But if I so wanted,

by way of this formula,

I could inject, in a short amount of time,

an enormous amount of money into the market.

That's my power.

Mainly, it's thanks to my ability to face the unknown.

I've always preferred that which hasn't happened yet, not that which has.

In this sense, my profession has something in common with yours,

we both deal with uncertainty.

If I were to show this formula to my colleagues,

they would consider it an undisputable truth.

More than anyone, politicians need to believe

that they can control that which is not visible.

What do you want from me?

Forgiveness.

The Lord alone is our judge.

It's not for me to judge.

You're used to asking yourself: "What will I get in return?"?

But what will God get in return?

You think you can choose what to tell me.

And you're hiding the most important thing.

- What? - The action you approved yesterday.

And that you yourself compared to the Apocalypse.

It's secret, I can't tell you about it.

God's mercy is infinite.

But if you don't truly repent, I cannot absolve you.

Let's forget it then.

You won't absolve me and I won't tell you anything.

We'll go our separate ways.

With no regrets.

Did you think I would tell you such an important secret?

Yin...

It's been many years since I've frequented the world.

But I know the sorrow man feels.

Every day, somewhere,

we are asked to prevent innocent people from being harmed.

But who ensures this doesn't happen?

Who has the power to stop those who are strangers to good?

Our brother Roche has now fallen into what we call eternal sleep.

And no one can ask him to answer for his secrets.

Not even the most important men in the world.

These men are the same men to which the Lord said:

"Like cages full of birds, their houses are full of deceit.

Therefore they have become great and rich.

They are fat, they are sleek,

They excel in wickedness, they do not do not plead the cause of the orphan,

They do not defend the rights of the poor.

Shall I not punish them?

Shall I not avenge myself?"

Horrible things happen even] day.

Appalling things.

So I ask you: does no one...

Does no one regret being evil? Or ask themselves: "What have I done?"?

Do not fret about accumulating treasure on earth.

The rust, the woodworm will consume it and thieves will steal it.

Woe to you who diligently pay taxes

and set aside all hope.

Justice, compassion.

Give and you will receive.

For with the measure you use,

it will be measured to you.

What's your name?

Rolf?

I don't like it.

How about from now on I call you...

Bernardo?

Come, Benny.