Original subtitles

TΗE RED DESERT

Romeo Salvati, why have you gone into the factory?

You're not a director you're an ordinary worker

Come out here. Strike with us

Your wife is ashamed of you

- Where did you buy that? - At the shop on the corner

- Will you sell it to me? - l've eaten some

Never mind

- The steam temperature is high. - Reduce the burners

You'll find that nobody wants to work abroad

They had trouble finding specialists to send to. . .

Can't you spare some of your men?

l'll ask Beltrami; l need to talk to him anyway

Get me someone at Phillips

Beltrami speaking

l haven't enough men as it is

Ugo? Are you crazy? We don't fire anyone

We're nationalised

Nothing doing' even at ANlC . l told you

These are skilled workers who should have come to us' but. . .

Boni' for instance. Ηe's a foreman now

Ηe lives at Ferrara? But that's far away

We pick them up even from Sicily if we have to

- l've been looking for you. - Meet a friend of mine

Corrado Zeller' my wife

l'll wait for you in the office

lt was raining' the road was slippery. She must have braked

She hadn't long passed her driving test and her mind is always elsewhere

Luckily the truck stopped quickly

- Was she badly hurt? - No' not badly

A few bruises. Terribly shocked' though

She was more than a month in hospital

and she still can't. . . mesh

She wants to open a shop of some sort

ln Via Alighieri. lt doesn't quite seem the thing' really

Why?

Take your eyes off them. This is a game reserve

Did you know my father put up those silos?

Your new job seems out of character. Weren't you in mining?

l began with the idea of going down' now l'm going up

What else could l do?

Since my father died'

l've had to take on all responsibilities

Just above normal

lt's very high

l dreamt l was in bed and the bed moved

l looked' and it was quicksand

lt sank further and further. . .

Looking for me?

l was passing and l saw you go in

That's untrue. l don't want to start with a lie

Start what?

Talking. l'm sorry that. . .

Light blue would be best

- What for? - The walls

And a green ceiling

Cold' non-disturbing colours

They shouldn't clash with the merchandise

What should l sell?

Ηaven't you decided?

Yes' l like ceramics' but l don't know anything about them

Faenza isn't far away; it's famous for ceramics

l must note that

- Note what? - Faenza. l must go there

So many phone calls to be made

Ηas Ugo talked about me?

Well' he told me you have a child

l knew he was married' of course' but that's all

Nothing else?

Yes' about the shop

- When did you arrive here? - This morning

My bags are still in the car

- Ηave you got a hotel? - Not yet. Why are you concerned?

- What do you do? - What do you mean?

Do you live in Bologna?

l live in Milan, but l'm from Trieste really

l was born there, then my parents moved to Bologna

Then l went to Milan

l've been back in Bologna for a few years

Now l must move again. lt's rather complicated

Why complicated?

The truth is. . .

l don't like to stay in one place

So l've decided to leave

Where are you going?

- Leaving that light on? - Yes' it's best

lt's today's

Are you tired?

Giuliana, are you tired?

l'm always tired

No' not always. Sometimes

- Where are we going? - l don't know. l thought you. . .

Can l give you a lift?

- Where are you going now? - To Ferrara

At once?

l must go home now, but this afternoon, perhaps. . .

On the sea bed, in the depths,

there are transparent fish

Please don't tell me such things, they frighten me

You can't imagine the fears l have

So to eat an animal you must love it?

Yes, perhaps

- Give me an example. - l don't know

Ηow about chicks?

Or kittens, so small, soft and sleek

Could you eat me?

lf l loved you

ls Mario at home?

When will he be back?

Soon' but some days he's later than others

May we wait?

- Would you like some wine? - Please don't bother

l'd like some

Tell me the truth. Did Ugo talk about the accident?

Yes, but it wasn't serious, was it?

Ηe told me you were in hospital because of the shock

- l met a girl. - Where?

- There. - ln the hospital?

She was very ill

She wanted everything

ln what way?

The doctor told her,

"Love a person or a thing

"Love your husband, your son,

"a job, even a dog

"But not husband-son- job-dog-trees-river. . ."

Did she ever tell you about her feelings?

There was no floor beneath her

The sensation of sliding down a slope

Down

Of being on the verge of drowning

With nothing

Not even her husband?

No, and he wasn't there, he was away

Not even her son?

Yes, him

But that girl had no children

When she left hospital, she had to ask herself:

"Who am l?"

She had to have it explained to her,

by me

She's cured now

Where does your husband work now?

At a radio installation in Medicina

Ηave you come to offer him a job?

Yes, it's a very good, well-paid job

Where?

lf it means him going away, l'd rather he didn't take it

lt may not be for long

Once he went away to a family funeral. l thought l'd go crazy. l was afraid

You could join him

Will your wife go with you?

Know what we'll do?

We'll talk to him at Medicina; he won't refuse

Are you well?

l'm very well, too

This man wants a word with you

Can l ask you something?

- Who owns this lot? - Bologna University

Aren't you afraid?

No' l'm used to it

What's it all for?

lt's a radio-telescope, to listen to the stars

- So you know that man. - No, l've just met him now

l meant him

Ηe used to live near me

- Did he take the job? - No

Ηe said l would have to offer him a fortune

What a shame

Well, factory effluent must end up somewhere

Anyway, you've all stopped fishing here now

When we were in Medicina the other day,

we heard a man in a restaurant complaining

Ηe said his eel tasted of petroleum

l've not been here for two years. l just let it fall apart

Sometimes l feel l have no right to be where l am

Perhaps that's why l always want to go away

- Take my gloves. - No, l'm quite warm

You shouldn't wear such shoes in this weather

We'll wait for them in the car, where it's warmer

Where were you when Giuliana had the accident?

ln London. Why?

Did you come back?

No. l was told it wasn't necessary

Ηas Giuliana complained about that?

Not at all

So why ask?

ls the strike over? The ANlC chimneys are smoking

Perhaps. l don't know

Are you Left or Right?

What a question. Are you interested in politics?

Good Lord, no. l just wondered

lt's like asking, "What do you believe in?"

Big words, Giuliana, that call for precise answers

After all, one doesn't quite know what one believes in

One believes in humanity, in a sense

ln justice, a little less

ln progress' a little more

ln socialism, perhaps

What matters is to act as one thinks right -

right for oneself and for others

A clear conscience, in other words

Mine is clear

Does that answer your question?

You've strung together a nice bunch of words

Ηere they are

This is Corrado Zeller

- German? - No, it's a long pedigree

My name's half German, too; l'm Max

My wife

lt was a mistake to come here

My fault, l'm afraid

l knew it, so l've had some fish cooked at my place,

in my hut by the sea. lt's sea fish

- What about Mili? - She'll join us there

What are you looking at?

l know all about such things

They're quail's eggs

They have an ingredient that arouses you

They're aphrodisiac

- More than fertile eggs. - What?

- What about fertile eggs? - Surely you've heard of them?

Fertilised hen's eggs. There's a treatment you do from autumn to spring

You drink them on the ninth day, when the yolk is about to become a chick

l've had them. l used to get them from the monks

The yolk has two black dots. l asked what they were

"The eyes, my son. Swallow without looking"

And did you?

l haven't tried your eggs

You don't need to, Mili

- Why didn't you bring Augusto? - l dropped him

l can't go to bed with a man who makes less money than me

Do you know this game?

What do you feel?

Not much

Do it to me. You'll get a better reaction

What have you got?

- Does it work quickly? - Eat the other

Bring me one

You keep quiet, you're well away as it is

- Well? - Nothing yet

lt's too early, you must allow a little time

Boys, l'm not joking

l really believe. . .

l want to make love

Let's drink

Look who's here

Sorry, Signor Max. l didn't know. . .

Never mind, Orlando. Come in

Who's the girl?

Ηot stuff

Ηave a drink. lt's on the table

Ηe's one of my workers

Ηe has a different girl every day; he's fantastic

- What's this pretty lady's name? - lole

The same name as my boat

You'll be interested in our conversation

Wasn't it you who told me about that grease, Orlando?

The stuff the negroes use

so as to last longer

Well, it's made from crocodile fat and some spicy herbs

They spread it on before. . .

On what?

Mili, don't be stupid

The effect lasts several hours

Several hours, Mili

l don't believe it

lt's true. You've no idea what men do in some countries

ln Jordan, l saw them eat rams, fat and honey for breakfast

The Chinese eat crushed rhinoceros horn

Dried sharks' fins, too

l've even tried royal jelly. Effective, isn't it, Linda?

- What's royal jelly? - Queen bee food

lt's rejuvenating; note that for your old age

lf she still wants to make love then

Ηow about that?

l'd rather do certain things than talk about them

l like to talk about them, failing all else

Because you're a sow

lt's cold in here

- Aren't you cold? - Yes, l am

Where's the wood?

- This isn't much use. - l'll find you some

Look

That's unusual

lt's because of the fog

Do boats from South America call here?

Yes, but they're big. They tie up at the SAROM offshore rig

Our supplies could be loaded here instead of Naples or Genoa

lt would be quicker, and probably cheaper

The ships go back empty, don't they?

Look, Mili, he hasn't seen a woman in two months

- Do you know other nice games? - Lots

- Where did you learn them? - Now where do you think?

- l hate him. - Who?

Your husband. Ηe's always ready to pounce -

on a bankrupt factory or a woman in difficulties

You'll see, he'll end up getting his way with me, too

Do tankers take any general cargo?

They usually have a dry hold

lt's true what l said. l do want to make love

Ηow can we?

Don't chase after business. Let it come to you

l'm not chasing after anything

l'm going because l want to

Because. . .

l think one should change direction sometimes

Travelling makes sense if one changes. . .

one's historical setting, as it were. Otherwise it's pointless

l haven't got much faith in that

ln the last two years. . .

l've traded two bits of land, even sold this hut to the worker you saw

l'm freezing to death

Ηelp me

lt never keeps still. Never

l can't look at the sea for long

otherwise l lose interest in what happens on land

l sometimes wonder if it's worth it -

the effort one puts into a job l mean

Don't you think it's ridiculous?

l feel as if my eyes are wet

But what do people expect me to do with my eyes?

What should l look at?

You say "What should l look at?"

l say, "Ηow should l live?"

lt's the same thing

A doctor

So they've come for that person who cried out a little while ago

Ηow could someone have cried out? The boat's only just come

lt's been there for half an hour

- Did you hear a cry? - l wasn't listening

- Are you joking? - You read it in your novel

Do you think so? Maybe

l heard it

What's it matter if there was a cry or not?

lt's important. Linda didn't imagine that cry

All right, so there was

You shouldn't just agree with me as if l were a. . .

Who could have cried out? We're almost in mid-ocean

Why did you say "maybe"?

Did l?

Smallpox, cholera or leprosy

ls it one or two flags for infectious diseases?

Let's go away from here at once

- lt may just be a precaution. - Perhaps someone with colic

- Let's have a word with the doctor. - We know him anyway

We won't wait for that. Where are my gloves?

Ηave you got my bag?

lt's on the step

Don't go. lt doesn't matter

l'm inoculated against everything

Giuliana, don't be silly. Wait in the car

Wait, Corrado. l'll go

l'm sorry, Ugo. l made a mistake

First you were afraid and now. . .

l didn't see it was the wrong way

l made a mistake. l wanted to go home

lt was because the fog mixed me up. l swear it

Why are you crying?

- Ηow many days are you away? - Five or six

What's one and one?

- Two, of course. - Wrong. Look at this

Ηow many?

One so it is

lmagine that

Why not ask Linda to stay here while l'm away?

- Why? - Well, if you can't sleep. . .

l could ask her

Better not, perhaps

Do you know why it doesn't fall? Because of the gyroscope

Gyroscopes help keep ships steady in rough sea

lt costs me half in materials and labour -

they unload in Buenos Aires

What are you taking?

Generators, cranes, pipes - everything for the plant

l mean what personal possessions are you taking?

Just a few suitcases of things

lf l left

l'd take everything

Everything in sight

All my everyday things

even the ashtrays

Then you might as well stay as you'd miss everything -

the street where you live your city

You see in small ads "Ηouse for sale. Owner gone away"

As if it were an excuse to abandon everything,

or a part

Why? lt shouldn't be like that

Ηow can you predict what will be useful?

And when you return, will you find the same things and people?

Will they be the same?

Maybe you don't return

lf l left for ever,

l would take you, too

Because now you are part of me

One of my everyday things

lf Ugo had looked at me as you do,

he'd have understood many things

About the accident?

And your friend at the hospital?

She was you

l didn't want to tell you;

l was ashamed

Not even Ugo knows about it

l had an agreement with the doctors

l had tried to commit suicide

Remember that man at Medicina?

Ηe was at the hospital with me

Ηe was very ill

Did he try to die, too?

No, not he

Ηe seems to be fully recovered

- And how are you? - Fine

As you see Patagonia is near the South Pole

You'll fly from Buenos Aires to Comodoro Rivadavia

From there, we'll drive you to Caleta Olivia in the interior

Ηow about accommodation?

- Ηow about accommodation? - Comfortable prefabricated buildings

What about payment?

Couldn't our pay be deposited in a bank here?

We'll talk about that in a moment; one thing at a time

ls there a hospital?

Yes, very well equipped. The doctor is ltalian, from Turin

When can wives join their husbands?

After about a year but you can phone home every month

Who pays?

The company. You can phone more often at your own expense

- Is La Gazzetta dello Sport there? - All ltalian papers are sold there

ls it true the women are bare-breasted?

Ηe says he can't stand up

What game is this?

Does it hurt? Tell me

Does this hurt?

l can't feel it

Can't you feel anything at all?

You're just trying to get out of going to school

Ηow lovely

Come and look at this beautiful boat

lt's so big

and all white

Love, if you don't tell me what sort of pain it is. . .

Tell me what do you feel?

l'll try to pick him up

Love, do try to tell me

Or else how can l make you better?

Ηow can it be?

Tell me how it started

Was it when you woke up? Or during the night?

Polio immunisation

Ηe's been immunised; the doctor knows he has

So why does he need 24 hours for a diagnosis?

l can't wait for that. l'm going to call another doctor

l'm tired of this game

Make another drawing

Tell me a story

l've told you all l know

What about the one you told me yesterday?

The one about the kite

Now why don't you rest for a while?

l'll tell you a story later

There was a IittIe girI who lived on an island

She got bored with grown-ups, and they frightened her, too

She didn't Iike chiIdren her own age because they pIayed at grown-ups,

so she was aIways aIone

among the cormorants

and sea guIIs

and wiId rabbits

She had found a IittIe beach far away from the viIIage

where the sea was transparent

and the sand was pink

She Ioved that pIace

Nature had such beautiful colours,

and there was no noise

She left only when the sun left

One morning,

a sailing boat appeared

It was different from other boats

A real sailing boat

It could brave the tempests and oceans of the world

Maybe even beyond, who knows?

Seen from afar, it looked splendid

But near to, it was mysterious

It seemed to be unmanned

After a few minutes,

it began to turn

and it went away

as silently as it had come

She wasn't surprised; she was used to the strangeness of men

One mystery is all right, two is too many. Who was singing?

The beach was deserted,

yet the voice was there,

sometimes near,

sometimes far

At one point. she thought it came from the sea

A little cove among the rocks

So many rocks

She had never realised

they were like flesh

And the Voice. . .

In that place,

the voice was so sweet

Who was singing?

Everyone was singing

The papers

Why did you do it?

- What's his room number? - Whose, madam?

Ηave you forgotten the name?

Corrado Zeller? Room 309

Your son?

Ηe's all right

Ηe doesn't need me

lt's l who need him

My hair hurts, my eyes hurt,

my throat, my mouth

Am l trembling?

A little; because of the cold, perhaps

You don't love me, do you?

Why do you ask?

l don't know why. l never get enough affection

Why should l need others always?

l must be an idiot

That's why l can't look after myself

You know what l'd like?

Everyone who's ever cared for me

l'd like them all around me like a wall

Tell me what happened

Nothing

lmagine that -

nothing

l've not been cured

l never shall be

You brood on your illness, but it's just an illness like any other

We all suffer it a little

More or less

we all need to be cured

ls there a place in the world

where one goes to feel better? Probably not

l expect you're right. One travels but ends up the same as before

That's what happened to me

yet l feel just as l did six years ago

l don't know whether that urges me to leave or to stay

- When are you leaving? - l don't know

What are you looking at?

Sometimes l want to attack somebody

ls that a symptom? Because l do, too, at times

Ηelp me

Ηelp me, please

l'm afraid l won't cope

What are you afraid of?

The streets, factories,

colours, people - everything

Giuliana, what is it you want to do?

- Nothing. - But that's ridiculous

You needn't worry about me. Everyone does that

Doctors talk to me about me

lt's when l'm alone that l'm ill

l can't take it any more

l've tried everything. . .

to reintegrate myself with reality. . .

as they say at the hospital

Now it seems l may have succeeded

l've even succeeded in becoming an unfaithful wife

Don't think of such things

That's right don't think of such things

The perfect solution

There's something terrible in reality and l don't know what it is

Nobody tells me

Even you haven't helped me

Please

could you tell me. . .

l didn't want. . .

Does this boat take passengers?

lt's not that l've made up my mind

l can't decide because l'm not a single woman

Although, sometimes,

sort of separated

Not from my husband, no

The bodies are separated

lf you prick me,

you don't suffer

What was l saying?

l've been ill, yes

l mustn't think about it. . .

l mean, l have to think. . .

that everything that happens to me is my life

l'm sorry

Excuse me

Why does it do that?

Why is the smoke yellow?

Because it's poisonous

Then if a little bird flies through it, it will die

The birds have learnt that

and they don't fly through it