All language subtitles for Tempi Nostri (Alessandro Blasetti, 1954).ENG

# These are "Our Times",
of "Times Gone By" the children are.

# Like "Times Gone By",
but a different repertoire.

# Those of the boom boom! - Tarate!
- Zoom zoom! - Pa-pa-pa-pa-papa!

# If we could.. - Pass over it!
- Forget it! - Erase it!

# How could we erase it?

# Passing over quickly..
- The days of our papas.

# We'll find a few smiles..
- Because everyone's gone gaga.

# We'll put to bed the idea:

# Things too many.. - Been said briefly.
- Been done quickly.. - Perhaps justly..

# Perhaps crazy, who knows?

For example, in dad's time,
do you remember..

# when we got on for
the first time in a taxi!

# And then the skirt was at the knees.

# What Jazz! - Du-du-du-du-du!
- What swing! - Po-po-po-po-po!

# What rock!
- Da-du-da-du-da-du-dap!

# And the ladies?

# With the hair short as a boy's!

# And what charm had
then the Ville Lumi�re!

# With Josephine, with Chevalier!

# At Maxim's, Louis Javet, Sacha Guitry,

# the world sang then, "�a, c'est Paris"!
- Paris! - Paris! - Paris!

# Then came the radio.
- You curled the yo-yo.

# And the silent film..
- Croaked then spoke.

# Al Jolson singing,
into your ears did scream:

# Oh, Sonny Boy!

# And the women went crazy
for Rudolph Valent�n!

# And Valentino how
many tangos he danced!

# And with those sideburns,
how many hearts he romanced!

# And upon his photos
that inundated the world,

# Oh, how many, crazy kisses,
kisses, kisses there were!

THE KISS

How funny life is.

One always thinks that these
things are going to be divine,

and after the first moment
has barely passed,

quite a pleasant thrill,
sufficiently pleasant for the contact,

it's nothing to write home about.
I don't feel any strong emotion. Indeed..

I don't feel any emotion at all.

I can easily think of anything else.

Ah, by the way,
tomorrow I have to get my hair cut.

But..

how different we women are from men.

It's amazing!

We don't experience any other pleasure,
then what we give to them.

Because if I said I felt
a tenth of the intoxication

that overwhelms that dear boy,
I'd be a shameless liar!

Oh, I have a run in my stocking!

If it begins raining!

Oh, you want to bet my hat falls off?

Fine, I'll count up to 30.
No, up to 20. And then..

You make me die!

# He makes her die!

# To die of love,
two great joys in one!

# Who will ever try?
- Ever try..

# Such a luck will never befall us,

# in this time where we just fly!

# For us, it'll be,
"Run here, run there". Lallal�!

# Everyone up,
the working class train is leaving!

# Where are we going?
- Who knows?

# But let's go, let's go, let us go!
- Go there! There!

# All ready to leave, to return.
- One, two!

# But who wants to talk.. - He can talk!
- What talk? - He can do it because..

# of love!

THE LOVERS

Which of these two loves the most?
Who loves the least?

The discussion between
the two lovers is on that topic.

The girl has already made comparisons
between the intensity of his love

and some imponderables
like the sea, the sky, the universe..

I've always loved you more!

Come on, my love,
admit it and put an end to this.

If only!
I would die for joy then!

Oh, no! But, no! Don't you see
this is all just a game to you?

What game? If I told you..
- Pardon, dear, have you ever been afraid?

Never. - See?
- Afraid of what? - You say "of what"?

When you love, you're always afraid.
You don't even know why.

Of everything..
or maybe nothing.

No, no, believe me, dear,
I'm the one who's always loved more. Me!

You?
- Me.

You wouldn't know.. Besides,
you're a man, it's not your fault.

You don't even know what love means.

Besides, I knew for a long time.
- What? - That the two of us, we..

That you, my little saint,
have never understood me.

Never? - Never.
- Never?

Never, never, never.
- Never, eh!

Luisa, please!

Why do you take it like that?
- Now.. - Now what?

Now the spell is broken.
Let's sit down and finish this.

Outside or under a car roof,
it's all the same to you.

So..

It'd be difficult now to pretend.

The negotiations won't allow
for an optimistic forecast

upon an agreement on the verification
of the quantity of affection.

She, logically, intends above all
to latch on to what was said before,

to the very origins of the dispute.

Rehashes once again, the business
of his sour looks for every new hat,

of the dance parties given up,
etc, etc.

And while trying to stay courteous,

reaffirms her point of view:
it's she who loves the most.

The affirmation seems overwhelming.

In vain, the young man tries
to delay his defeat

by admitting that she loves him,
but only a little.

"You're so stupid!" is exactly
her legitimate reaction.

A conclusive graph is produced
comparing the love he has given

and that which she's entitled to,
contractually speaking.

The young man tries to save face.

He never said she doesn't love him,

only that she loves him less
than before and loves less than he.

She should have the courtesy
to at least admit it!

"You can have squat!",
is the girl's response.

She demands any agreement has the clause

that she loves him more
and more than ever.

The young man to avoid
dragging on the controversy,

proposes a "modus vivendi".

I'll admit,
that in exceptional circumstances,

that at certain moments, your
affection may.. seem superior to mine.

What moments?
I know what you mean.

Pig!
- Oh, no, no, no!

My God!
Why I was born to be deceived so?

Deceived by whom?
- Why do you hate me so? - Me!

Yes, you, you!
Why don't you kill me then?

But I do nothing but say over and over
that I'd do anything for you!

Like what?
- I don't know right now.

Would you throw yourself under a train?
- A train? Why?

You see? You see how you dodge now?

If it'd make you happy..
- What?

Maybe you think I want
to see you under a train?

You're the one who brought it up!

You told me to throw myself under
and to make you happy, I'd do it!

Well if it's an effort..

Isn't it an effort to throw
oneself under a train?

I meant to say it's a nice effort.
I'd like to see if you would.

So you really want me to do it?

Would you? - You want me too?
- I asked you first.

Nothing doing! You want me to?

Move! Quickly, out of way!

Get out, now!
- But why?

Because I want to go under a train alone!
- What train? - Any!

I hope it's one with 100 cars!

Don't be stupid! Let go!
- Give me the key! - No!

Give me the key. - No!

Where did you put it?

For the moment, the dispute seems
to be resolved in a satisfactory manner.

Carlo!
- Luisa!

You see? According to you,

which one of us loves the most?

Me! Me!
I have always loved more.

If only!
I would die for joy then!

Why, didn't you die from
joy a little while ago?

Oh, no! But, no! Don't you see
this is all just a game to you?

What game? I swore..
- Pardon, dear, have you ever been afraid?

Never.
- See?

# It's a speech that
our trouble resembles,

# it never stops, just ambles.

# Like a fine day, you don't understand
what to do.. and then you go!

# And go, but what do you do
if you go?

# You leave with doubt,
but the doubt remains,

# if you're walking on your feet
or on your brains.

# And up becomes down,
less becomes more.

# Black, white.
- Then white, black.

# If you have a white shirt on,

# it'll be black before the day is gone.

# And up becomes down,
what a mystery!

# The telephones are no longer ebony!

# They've become white.
All, all, all are white! Like this!

# Like this!

# Like this!

# Like this!

PARDON ME, BUT..

Yes?

Oh, sorry, baron, but ma'am is busy
and can't come to the phone.

But I told you she can't.
She's kissing Bubbi Bitonti.

Yes, Buvetto!

Excuse me,
but the commendatore's home.

Ma'am said she's not to be disturbed.
She's inside with a friend.

Always inside!
And with her friends!

Oh, but this one is such a cutie!

And in a bit he has to leave for
an appointment at 8. - Yeah, OK..

But I'd like to know what a man
and a woman could possibly talk about

for so long in a locked room.

I'd really like to know!

When did he come? - Around 5.
- That's 2 and a half hours!

I don't know, you'd think that they're
doing it out of spite, like children.

What's the matter?
- Nothing.

I'm sorry, but this childishness,
this waste of time I don't understand.

If it were a lady, fine:
you'd need to talk, to gossip. I see that.

But with a man? Explain that!
- You had to start shouting.

What an impression you make!

Now he's heard you.
- And who is he?

Excuse me, ma'am.. Oh, sorry.
- No, it's nobody. Just my husband.

A very lucky man.
Am I intruding?

Heavens, no. - You intrude?
Why would you ever say that?

Let me be clear: in my house,
at this hour, I prefer..

May I say "prefer"? - Of course.
- I'd prefer not to find anyone here.

But Constantino!

Wow!
- It's unheard of!

When one thinks so,
excuse me, it must be said.

Sorry, I can't read your mind, can I?

And it needs to be said.
It's also a matter of form, excuse me.

Sorry, but that's how I am.
- Fine, I say it's wrong.

My dear, you must pity him,
he's always had certain ideas..

And he's so tired at night.
- Must he take it out on me?

I'll deal with you later!

Ma'am? - Darling?
- Where's my vest?

But didn't you leave it inside?
- No, ma'am.

Then it must be in here.

What now? - What?
Can't we even look for a vest?

Who said otherwise?
You're sure you left it there?

What are you saying? - It happens many
times that one is convinced and then..

Continue! Don't stop!
Insinuate that I've never had a vest!

Ah, wait a second.

You see? - What?
- Oh, you're always ignorant.

Look, what's this? - Ah, it was inside.
- He insisted, all right!

Ma'am, it was the jacket.
- Ah, yes, the jacket!

Mean!

What do they think
they're trying to tell me?

They were looking for the vest,
looking for the jacket!

You see that he's leaving right away?
What did you say to him?

You get upset too easily.

You should apologize
now that he's leaving.

If not, Mr. Bubbi won't come back
and how would that make ma'am look?

The fact that once you come to the door
and don't leave is something that..

Get up. Up.

I'm really sorry for what happened.
- It's useless to try to make amends.

Why not, ma'am?
If life were easy, but it's not.

There's a need for
much misunderstanding.

No, ma'am, be friends with your husband.
As for me, no hard feelings.

Come on, commendatore,
let's not act like kids. - What the heck!

So, what do you say to tomorrow, ma'am?
- Tomorrow is Tuesday. - You can't?

The day after?
- The day after. - Yes.

You see that?

Oh, how nice he is!

I'm not arguing,
but I.. I don't know.

Dinner is served.
- Oh, he's a wonderful person.

Perhaps!

# Perhaps..

# Maybe they'll be beautiful dark eyes,
maybe they'll beautiful blue.

# But the legs! But the legs,
I like too!

# Maybe they'll be beautiful dark eyes,
maybe they'll beautiful blue.

# But the legs! But the legs!

# But the legs! But the legs!

# I'm singing
that tune that's got me ringing!

# And makes that doodoo-doodoo.

# Doodoo-doodoo.

# When sings Rabagliati,
they go crazy!

OUR TIMES

Sorry, it's taken.

May I?

Here. - Me too, please.
- Yes, miss.

Were you reading?

Weren't you reading?

Mute?
- Not exactly.

She was about to say something.

Go for it!

You know them? Your friends?
- No, they're here every night.

That widow and her son,
Mrs. Anna and her dog.

The dog's name is Filippo.
And those other guys there.

If you stay a little while longer,
you'll see the professor.

Thank you. - He's an old man with
a beard who always talks about astronomy.

If anyone pays him any mind, he'll show
how the earth doesn't turn. - What?

No, the earth turns.
- Of course it does. - I thought so!

Good, eh?

How much is it?
- 80 lire. - I'm good then.

Are.. are you alone?
- Looks like it.

Is it interesting?
- Uh.. a great book.

No, I don't know it.
Books cost more than eggs now.

Yeah.

What's your name?
- Mara. And you? - Vasco.

Mara..
Mara..

Mara's a nice name.
Why are you laughing?

You said,"Mara.. Mara". and I thought,
"I bet he says it's a nice name."

And you did just that!

You realize that were becoming friends?
- Yes. I mean, no. Do you mind?

It's good. I like you, you know.

Come, let's go.

Do you like to read?
- I used to when I was a kid.

I made it through middle school,
and after I just didn't have the time.

I guess I didn't feel like it.
- Not me, I'm always reading.

You can never learn enough,
especially from novels.

Florence is beautiful.
- Ah, yes, beautiful.

Look at this.

Are you also a writer?
- Yes, or rather I hope to become one.

Meanwhile, how do you pay you
for meals, movies, cigarettes..

You see, I teach in the mornings,
I'm a teacher.

The kids are wonderful, you see.

You talk to them and they listen,
look at you with those eyes.

Like you're doing now.
Truly.

There's a kid in my class
whose eyes are just like yours.

Here.

Watch your step.

You smoke?
- Yes, thanks.

Have you read that book before?
- Many times, but I always reread it.

What's it about?
Love, I bet.

There's love, of course, but it's mainly
the story of a family of fishermen.

Does it end well?

Why do you laugh?
I like happy endings.

Come on, tell me.

So, in the end, Alessi marries
Annunziata and gets back the house.

There, happy?
- Yes.

Poor people!

Who wrote that knew them well.
- Of course!

And telling it like that
doesn't do it justice. - Yeah.

You must follow the characters
page by page to get to know them.

If you don't know a person inside and out,
how can you understand them?

And what do you think of me?
- Of you? Oh, I think..

Go on.
- Let's see.

I know your name is Mara,

that you like your eggs,
Charlie Chaplin films,

and that you finished middle school.

Is that enough?
- That's up to you.

Oh, yeah.

And I doubt you're from Florence.

I'm not too far, I'm in Querceta.
Have you ever been there?

I'd like to, it's the town of biscotti.

Exactly, that's where I worked.
- No! - Yes, making biscotti.

I started after my father died,
who worked there for 30 years.

I had the right, no? - Sure.
- You can imagine the pay.

And when one is alone,
how can one survive?

And then there are so
many beautiful things.

Look, a taxi.
I've never taken one.

So many beautiful things..
Why must I do without? Who said I should?

You're right.
- Oh, no.

What's important is getting that money.
They're right.

Who's right?

I'm sorry,

but is that a way to look at things?

We have duties in life,
first of all to ourselves.

Shall we go?
- Where?

Your home, right?

Honestly, the only way I've
found here is to be servant.

You see that I'm right?
It's useless to run, you know?

Florence or Querceta,
it's always the same thing.

You're a clever guy.
You talk just like out of the books.

Don't be offended! I envy you, you know?
At least you can still dream.

It's not about dreams, on the contrary.

The truth is you should never
admit defeat. That is what counts.

Excuse me, you have your own ideas;
you probably think I'm talking bunk.

But for me it's true, and I believe it!
Listen..

It's normal that after
a meeting like ours..

a man thinks about getting lucky, right?

And you don't think like that?
- No. I'm honest, you see.

But with you, after a second I felt
comfortable. With you I can talk.

It's not easy to talk to a girl.

In short, we've met.

And if we've met, it's not by accident.

Nothing ever happens by chance, you know.

Me and you..
- Me?

But do you know who I am?

See that door over there?

You know what that is, don't you?

A few days ago, I was at a cafe.

I hadn't eaten.
I was there just like this.

A man came to sit at the table
and asked me to go in there.

And..
I agreed, for tomorrow.

You're serious?

I took 1000 lire in advance.
I went through that tonight.

That's how it is.

A year or two,
and then I won't have any more bosses.

But me, on the other hand,
I'm up there.

You'll see.
You'll see how nice it is in the day.

See, we've the world at our feet.
And we'll conquer it together.

Yes.

Why are you laughing? - You said
some crazy things last night. Oh, lord!

Such airs of a hardened woman who
believed in nothing. And what did I find?

A little girl, just a little girl.

Just born..
love.

Did you like it?

Darling, darling, darling..

What did I say?
Chance doesn't exist.

We just had to meet last night.

Well, shall we go now?

Today, I'm not going to school.
A new life. We must make future plans.

Do you think it's a good idea
to start a new life by playing hooky?

What?

And those kids with the big eyes,
what will they think?

Fine.

I told you, from now on you're the lady
of the house. I'll go to school then.

Take some coffee, ma'am?

Unfortunately, there's
not enough for two.

Never mind, I'll go get some.
There's always a remedy for everything.

Well!

Listen..

let's not do anything crazy.

At the dairy, I've an unlimited credit.
You see, I'm a teacher.

And then payday is coming up
and for a few days..

See that pile of books?
They've been chosen for sacrifice.

They're sold, they're bought back..
It's almost like an annuity.

You see? - Yes.
- You'll come get me at the bell? - Yes.

Later.

Goodbye.

Ah, the sugar!

I meant that the sugar
for coffee is in there.

Come.

Goodbye.

Good Morning.
- Good morning. Coffee.

Kids, what are you still doing here?

We're in a good mood today, eh, sir?
The usual cappuccino then?

Wrap them up, please.

Here you go.
- Thanks.

Cecchi, let the boys in class.
I'll be there in five minutes.

You go, Lucia, you go!
- Yeah, go.. if I had your years.

What is that one still doing here?

Mara?

Mara.

You could at least do my room.
I didn't come back last night.

Hi.

You see, I thought the bell wasn't
coming fast enough.. and I..

I don't know..

If someone comes my way,
I can't even give them a cup of coffee.

No, it's not for me.

Listen here,

I'm not saying let's get married.
I'm saying only let's give it a try.

We could be making a mistake, but..
we can try.

THE BABY

Tonino, run, the car's here!
- Mama, look, the car!

Get back.

Give them to me.

Children, be good now.
Let me pass. Go now. Be good.

Here I am, ma'am. Good morning.
Over here. Thank you.

Well? - It's all done. - Good.
- But you must come too.

Me?
- Of course.

No..
- Why not?

I can't.
- What do you mean?

Later.

But after all we've done?
- I know, I'm sorry.

We moved heaven and earth itself.

Go.
Normally, things are simple,

but now the institute had to accommodate
some pregnancies from Cassino.

I know, I'm sorry.
- But I don't understand.

But I'm telling you, ma'am,
I thought you knew.

Be good, Gino, or you'll get it.
How you deserve to be punished!

Over there. Play in the corner.

You see? You think I can go in
an institute with these?

And them? Who'll mind them?
- There must be somebody..

Who? I only have my husband.

He's out all day trying to find
work and get some time in at Campo..

Campo Ra.. Ra.. what's it called?
Well, it doesn't matter.

If he stays home to watch the kids,
how will we eat?

Can you tell me?
- I know, I know, but..

If you understand, ma'am,
no sense in discussing it.

Ma'am, you're so good,
but you must believe me:

I'd love to stay there for three months
eating, drinking, doing nothing.

I always dreamed of the hospital
as a kind of paradise.

Gino, will you stop?

But I can't, I can't..

I have them, my husband..
- And he?

Your first duty is to him.

If you stay here, the little milk
that you have.. kiss it goodbye.

And the artificial feeding,
apart from the price,

is another thing, as you well know.
No, dear, don't touch. That's mama's.

Mama mia! Mama mia!
How you deserve to be punished!

Stay here.
You're going to get it.

Would you like me
to speak with your husband?

Maybe we can find a solution,
he'll realize it too.

Ma'am..
couldn't they just take him?

For a few months,
at least until he's able to sit.

With what I earn and what
my husband brings in, we'll be flush.

My child, there's no use talking about it!

Here.
You stay here and play.

Delinquents no, but reckless yes.
And they get in the way.

Is this the way to raise kids?
They're right.

So, they won't take him? - No!
Only if I go to breastfeed him.

And what are you doing here?
Let me put this stuff away, else the kids..

And just think I agreed with
Arturo to go work for two hours!

Can't you still go?
- No! With the baby, no!

They told me, they don't even want him!
- Alright, something will turn up.

I'll find something, too, OK?

But why won't they?
Orphanages since time began..

What does that have to do with it?
That's for abandoned, illegitimate kids!

He has parents.

Then we'd need to die.
What can we do?

Gino! Come here.

I'll tell you what we can do.
There's little choice.

Either we die or he becomes illegitimate.

I'll go make the semolina.
This way there'll be milk.

Maria, I'm being serious.

Serious about what?
- Didn't you hear me?

What? Haven't you read the papers?

Sometimes they put their photo in.

I wish. It's one way to get a portrait.

But of course.
Perhaps he'll be fine.

And I bet that if they find him in
a church, they'll say, "Some mother!"

But they'll be more kind.
I'm sure he'll have everything.

Maybe if we wait until he's older,
it'd be easier to teach him.

Yes, when he's older.
Let me find a steady job and you'll see.

Why? If he's good..

Kids become like your own kids
when they grow on you.

When you raised six..
- What do you mean?

Nothing, it's better to leave him.

I'm happier now, for real.

Eh, how sentimental you are!
I'm serious.

We decided to leave him?
- Eh.. - Then let's leave him.

Let's go.

Move it! Come!

What are you doing?

Are you crazy? - Why? - Who knows
if he'll remember when he's older?

How could you leave him there?
Who can find, see him there?

Maybe it'll get dark and he'll be in
there without nobody noticing.

What were you thinking?

Where do you want him to go?
Better than St. Peter's?

This is the best church in the world.
- What does that matter?

We need something else.
A small church.

Where he can be seen and
they can focus on him, right?

Take him.
There are so many. Let's go.

You like this one?

Are you sure that's a church?
- Why wouldn't it be? - Let's go see.

Hey, go check to see
if any priests are here.

Are you for real?
- I want to see.

To see if they're really priests.
Fine, I'll do it.

Give him here, I'll do it. You wait
outside. - You drive me crazy!

Are you convinced?
- No.

Why, isn't he a really a priest?

But if the child when he opens his eyes
and sees all this stuff going on,

won't he get scared?

Not even this one then.
- Are you nuts?

You really want to drive me crazy.

I can't help it. It may be a church,
but I want one that I like.

There are almost 10,000 churches in Rome.
It ain't happening!

You pay for the truck, I'll take you.

Yeah, let's walk back to the village.
- Fine, we'll walk back.

When he's no longer with us..
How about that!

This one's drunk on air.
He's slept for two hours, the dear thing.

You know what? This sucks.
- Where do you want to go now?

You pay for the truck, that's what.

That church seems made just right.
Beautiful, ancient..

Built for the tombs.

You have to know how to choose,
where you're going, be aware.

Oh, stop it. Stop! Stop, won't you!

Will you stop? Hey!

What the heck were you thinking?
- Nothing. We have nothing to think about.

Isn't it beautiful?

And here one gets a certain feeling.
- A feeling of what?

A feeling that the people do believe.
- Yeah.

Fine then.
- I agree.

This is a natural place to leave a baby.
- Thank heavens.

Where do we put him?
- Eh.. let's find a place.

Just do it quickly.

Oh, look at the little angels,
I didn't notice them.

Were not putting him in the air, are we?
- Aren't they beautiful?

Look, let's put him on
the chair behind there. - Wait.

Better put him over there.
Get that chair.

We'll put him next to the wall.
- Yes. - This way he won't fall.

Yes, yes.
- Give me him.

Maria, have you decided?
- Eh.. here.

Let's go.

Make the sign of the cross,
you're not in a tavern.

There, there.

He's hungry. I must give him some to
keep him quiet. - Is that necessary?

What? Did we do something?
- My girl, this is a church!

Go outside, have some courtesy!
- What's wrong? The child's hungry.

If he's hungry, feed him,
then come back to church.

We didn't want him to cry..
- I understand. You must go outside.

Nobody wants my poor son.

It's you who don't want to leave him
and that's the truth. Admit it.

You think I don't know you?
- Yeah? I should left you back there.

I wish. - Yeah, you. You hear that?
Without a second's thought.

How I wish! - You know how sick
I am of you? - Who are you touching?

How sick I am of you!

I'm very sick of you, you know?

You know what makes me angry?
I'd like to know what's inside your head.

One moment, you're right.
The next, I don't know.

In the end, he's your blood, isn't he?

Should we leave him in
a box like cat food?

Here, do it, do it! Get off!
- Get away..

Since you're so smart,
tell me what we're going to do.

Nothing. The churches are closing,
so we'll try again tomorrow.

Maria, either we do this now or..

You just want to argue!
- Me..

I don't have the energy.

It's you who's jumpy as a snake.
- I'm nervous.

Then you know what I say?

Churches are beautiful things,

but the priests have too many
unfortunates to worry about.

It'd be better to give him to some
private person. - Give him to me!

Oh, what did you do?
- Keep walking. - What have you done?

Keep moving? - Where did you put him?
- Don't worry, he's fine.

Come on, let's go.
- Wait.

Wait, listen..
- Be good, Maria. - Let go.

Maria, come here.
- Let me see him! - Maria..

Maria, this was the way to do it.
It felt like an inspiration.

You'll see that they're good people.

They're trusting people.
They leave their car doors unlocked.

And if not, they'll take
him to the institute.

I wrote down the license number.

You'll see that in misfortune..
- No, I'll go to the King and tell him all!

The King's not here anymore, dummy!

What do I care? They'll be
somebody else in his place, right?

I want to tell!
I'll tell somebody.

Now that you've taken him away!

I'll tell and ask if it's fair that one
can't have the children one wants!

Hey! Hey! Come here! What
are you taking? - Me? Nothing.

You think I'm an idiot?
You're stealing. I'm calling the police.

But I told you..
- What's it to you?

This is my son!
What the hell are you doing?

Me? What about him?
I saw him next to my car..

What do I.. - What car!
I spit on your stupid car!

I'm calling the police.
You were trying to kidnap my child!

Me? What did I do?
- Oh, yeah?

You and your wife could never have
a baby like this if you had a 100!

Mama's sweetie,
what did they try to do with you?

Let's go. He's not worth the trouble.

Crazy stuff! I steal a baby?
It only takes one to ruin it all!

Get out! - Someone should kill
you at once! Someone should!

"Kill him at once"?

Say, did you really go back to get him?

Me?

There are enough parentless
children in the world.

It's better that this one has
the misfortune of having parents.

A SCENE OUT IN THE OPEN

Hey, where are you taking those flowers?

Morning. - Morning.
To the cemetery? Theater no.1! Eh!

Count, you come with me.
Turn around!

It's the costume designer
who's picking the types.

Turn around!

It's possible that you'll get
4 or 5 scenes. - Thanks.

It's nothing. I like refined people.

Let's go, count.

After the director gets here,
you'll see.. Oh, here he is.

Morning, director.
We're good to go.

Sir, I've a letter from
His Excellency.. - Excuse me.

I said you must wait.
- Let us work, please.

How many do we have to dress?

30 men and 30 women.
- And three kids. - Fine.

Yes..
this one in riding clothes.

These two ladies: pants, boots,
hats and umbrellas with tassels.

Let's see. We'll make
her a Boldini type with boa.

It's very 1920, take note.

She'll be the nurse with baby.
Many ribbons.

This one..

This one as is. You, ma'am,
are perfect. Will you please walk?

Maybe give her a boa?
Forget the boa. Just as she is.

Please, lean. Perfect.

Boys, get ready. You stay here.

Black suit, a stick,
waistcoat and flower.

Do you ride? - Yes. - An officer.
I ride too. - Another officer.

Gray suit, stiff collar and bowler hat.
The Boldini style.

This is a letter from the minister..
- Excuse me.

This one..

this gentleman, we'll leave as he is.
- Very good.

Maybe some bright gloves.

Excellent. They'll do.

Spats? He has them.
Did you already dress him? - No, sir.

He's fine as he is.
- Director! - Et voil�!

Guys, go get dressed!
And please, don't start sneaking off!

Let's hope our paychecks don't sneak off!
- No sneaking off!

Do you have a light?
- I wish.

Excuse me..
You!

But we know each other!

Lidia!

Ferdinando, how nice to find you here!

Oh, I can't believe my eyes. Lidia!
- Ferdinando..

Excuse me, eh! I mean you!
- Di Carlo, Boni!

Donna Lidia, what are
you doing in this new Babel?

Generally speaking, I'm making movies.
And you?

Me too, Donna Lidia.

I had to choose between a job
and the movies and I chose the movies.

But why haven't we met before?

You wanted a light, right?
- Very kind. A cigarette? - Thanks.

Inexcusable, I left it at home.
- Thanks all the same.

At my age, I don't smoke so much.
Usually, I only smoke a half at a time.

So.. right, why didn't we meet before?

I do historical films:
salons, balls, and so on.

I've just done two weeks in Tosca.
- How delightful!

Is this garden for us?
- It's for tomorrow's scene.

Lidia, you haven't changed a bit.
- Neither have you.

You still believe in compliments.
I don't.

After this little, topsy-turvy war,
since we find ourselves..

Of course, movies gotten worse.

You remember when at Baldoni's
house, we recited.. what did we recite?

"Who knows the game, never teaches it."

"The worst step is out the door".
- Yeah, Martini.

Ferdinando Martini.
He recited excellently, excellently.

Proverbs have come to an end,
no one reads them anymore.

Sit down.

But you are just like I saw you last.
Exactly on..

When?
- Well, I believe..

1920. The Equestrian Competition,
Piazza di Siena.

You rode Beelzebub.
- Beelzebub! I remember Beelzebub.

And in the last course,
you fell in the ditch. - Yeah!

My memory of you is rather..
rather dusty.

After that you disappeared.
How come?

I remember that you wore a straw hat
with a ribbon of pink velvet.

Fuchsia.
- Fuchsia, yes. Oh, you were beautiful.

Incorrigible.

I still have the hat. The beauty,
along with many other things, is now..

I'm 48.
- 48? You mustn't say that.

It's strange, isn't it?

But in the end, you realize
that many things are unimportant.

Just think when I was a girl,

I made up my mind to never grow old,
even if I were very rich.

And now that I've been
stripped of every vanity,

I'm an extra, in order to live.
- Excuse me, ma'am.

Oh, yes, of course.
- Excuse me. Excuse me.

Over here.
- Yes.

Donna Lidia, now that we've met,
I hope we can see each other again.

Sure!
You can come see me whenever you like.

I moved to another place though.
I'm a guest of Lidia's.

Lidia Pignatelli?
- No, Lidia Tucur, my maid.

I'm very fond of her and won't leave her.

They say much on the fidelity of servants,
but never about the masters.

I have a nice room. Naturally,
I'm like an au pair. - Au pair?

Well, yes. I don't help with the chores.
But I eat at the table with them.

Lidia and her husband
are very tactful, yes.

And you? Tell me about yourself.

Well.. - Jumping into all sorts
of trouble, I can imagine.

Here they are.. - Ah-ah.. let's go!
- Let's go, count!

Must I lead you by the hand?
Come on, let's go!

The script! - It's in the car!
- Did you put it there? - Yes.

You two, come with me.

On the racecourse.
- Lidia, come on!

I don't know, change the lens,
I don't care.

What are you two doing there?
Come with me.

Leave them here. I already
spoke to the director. - How come?

They're serving as "background".
- Silence! Be quiet!

Is it possible for us to have
a little quiet? Heavens!

Shut up!
- Ready, there? - Ready.

Ready for the rehearsal? Places!
- Everyone in their places!

You? - The couple for the buggy,
they seemed the most doable.

Excellent.

Is the buggy here or not?
- It's here. - Bring out the buggy!

Do I have to everything around here?
The buggy! - Here it is! Look!

You two get up. Can you drive it?
- I suppose.

Do you know or not know how to drive?
- I know how to drive.

Oh, good boy.
He knows how to drive.

Start from over there and go towards
the direction of these two gentlemen.

You'll be in the background
of this scene. Got it?

Ready for rehearsal!
- All is ready!

Excuse me, sir, do we converse?
- Sure.

And what do we say?
- Whatever you want, nobody'll hear you.

Talk about the moon, your first love.

You're an old genteel couple
who enjoys reminiscing.

OK? Go on, my children, drive!
Ready! At your places!

Luisella!
- Eh! This junk is hiding everything!

Enough! No more mirrors and combs.
Now you're ready. Let's start the scene.

Say, "I'm not ashamed of what I've done."

"I'm not ashamed of what I've done."

No, a closed "o". You should
be ashamed. Say it right.

I'm not ashamed..
- "I'm not ashamed of what I've done."

Bravo, just like that!
And how do you respond?

"Would you do it again?"
- Good, but louder, OK?

Good, go!
The cart goes away! You go away!

Come!
Attention! Action!

No, I'm not ashamed of what I've done.

And would you do it again?
- Yes.

Let's talk then. Tell me,
do you have any family? - No, I'm alone.

And how do you live?

Right now, I manage with films
and Renzetti helps me a little.

Baron Renzetti?
- Yes, my partner, a good person.

Oh, his business went kaput,
but he's a good person.

Pardon, if I'm being indiscreet,
but didn't you fight Renzetti?

Yes, but that was almost two wars ago.

It was for a woman, if I'm not mistaken.
- No, we fought.. about business.

But since we're gentlemen,
we said it was for a woman.

Two gentlemen fighting because of
business.. the horror! - Yes, awful.

But you know..

Ferdinando, up till now, I had
always thought.. - What did you think?

Very good, excellent!

But he was blocking me! - He wasn't
my angel, on the contrary. Let's shoot it!

Everybody ready!
At your places!

Let's shoot!

Perfect! Excellent.
A perfect couple!

Hold the horse for me just
a little more tightly, but just a bit.

Like it was nothing. - Exactly.
Please, don't stop talking.

But naturally.
I want to feel the naturalness.

You're an old couple who likes to go
for a ride in the autumn of their lives.

OK?
Your places.

Silence!

The clapper in the field. - Where is
the clapper? - Here! - Sound!

Ready!
- Go away.

"The Vamp", take one.
- Bring out the buggy! The buggy! Action!

No, I'm not ashamed of what I've done.
- And would you do it again?

You heard the director? We're two
old people who like to go for a ride.

Let him talk. - Oh, no! Even a director
can tell an old man from a youth.

Usually, youth talks about old age,
because it thinks it's immune.

I'm beyond that. Old age!
It's a state of mind!

I've never felt as young before
as I do today.

Look at this park, these flowers..

Ah, spring!
The sun, this pony..

And you..

aren't you happy to be here,
to be part of this moment?

Yes, very happy.
- Then, tell me, what were you thinking?

Oh, nonsense, of course.
- Tell me.

Well, I thought that..

that you fought because of me.
You and Ranzetti.

No, we didn't fight for you.

You were always above suspicion.
- Unfortunately.

Remember my husband?
He always rebuked me for it.

If I fought because of you,
I would've killed him. - Oh, why?

Really?
- Of course, I would've killed him.

Now don't tell me you loved me,
please, don't be cruel.

I won't.
- You always had so many women..

Because I couldn't have one.
You, for example, were married.

You could've came forward as a lover.
- Would you have accepted? - No.

But you could've tried.
You should've..

Tried? You would've
liked it if I had tried?

Stop! Great. - But he's blocking me!
- Oh, no! - What am I supposed to do?

I've already this junk and this costume,
and you get in front of me..

It was not to kiss you.
- You kiss me! - Kiss her!

Like I care!
- Look, my mustache is coming off.

Let's go! Move! Quickly!
This way!

Bring out the cart!

The cart at its place.
- Move it with the cart!

Back, back, go back!
Ready! Attention, silence!

Silence! - Silence!
- Where is the clapper?

Here he is!
- Let's go. Sound!

Sound, sound, sound! - Ready!
- You get out!

"The Vamp", take two.
- Silence! Action!

No, I'm not ashamed of what I've done.

Now tell me,
you would've wanted me to try?

I don't know, it's been years.
- How could you not know?

Please. - I don't know,
I know that I expected it.

I remember that we stood there
for a moment just after the race.

You with dust everywhere,
with an arm hanging in a sling,

me with my big hat with fuchsia ribbons.

I was expecting you to.

I guess I should console
myself with your Golzano:

"I don't like the roses I didn't pick."

Ferdinando, how old are you?

Almost 60.

It shows. It's a lot.
- Yeah! Too many..

Especially, when you realize
you've wasted 25 of them. Yes!

We're two old people who love
to go for a ride. Irredeemably old!

''Dans le vieux parc solitaire et glac�
deux formes ont tout � l'heure pass�''.

Enough with your poets!
- You used to like it. - Yes, used to.

But what use are they now?

They help me to feel more alone,
sadder. I hate them..

I'm not 48.

I'm 53.

Actually, 54!

You see me now?

You're happy? Good.
Let's do it again. - Again?

Yes, but don't twist your neck,
we still see you. - Bring out the buggy!

You two talk too much.

You're a couple from 1920,
not two gossips from today.

Excuse me, ma'am,
but next time, be more quiet.

Just a few words!

You give him a smile..
he responds and that's it!

More restraint, kids.
Are we ready then? Sound!

Ready. - "The Vamp", take three.
- Silence! Action!

No, I'm not ashamed of what I've done.

Why are you smiling?
Is there anything to smile about?

The director said so.
You smile too.

After all, they're paying.
- Oh, please.

We can't talk much..

What would you say if..

we finished our days together?

Shall we be together?

Get married?

And why not?
After all, it's an idea! - Isn't it?

It's an idea.

I should ask Lidia's permission.
- Will you ask them? - Yes.

Ask her!

No, the car is there, don't you see it?

Hey, you two, stop!
- You two, stop!

Stop!

The buggy! Halt! Stop!
- Where are they going?

Those two!
- Those two aren't stopping!

Where are you going? Come here!
Where are you going? Count? Count!

Damn them, where are they going?

OTHER PEOPLE'S HOUSES

I was pastor for 30 years at Montelice.

3 hours by mule to just get there.

Seven houses, a pond, a canal,

and all around a war which
had even devastated the rocks.

The new priest from Braino had
come by to make my acquaintance.

He asked me immediately a ton of things.

On dancing, communists, morality, etc.

And so, I thank you for
your information, father.

In any case, I think it'll do well

to start your ministry in
a mountain village like this one.

Of course, but there is much to do.
To look for new ways.

Naturally. - Every age,
calls for new methods, I believe.

You are of those who are the youngest
in the world. Or perhaps the oldest.

Why the oldest? - Why, it's
that old story of the medical officer.

He arrives here freshly graduated;
imagines himself doing this and that,

and he likes the idea of
being a bit of a martyr.

He goes around the mountain by mule,
enters the stables and so on.

And finally he realizes
there are only cases of arthritis.

Sciatica and arthritis.

So there's nothing else to do
than to prescribe some iodine..

and a fattening diet!

Yes, just like me.
- Oh, heavens, I would never say that.

I know very well what you're thinking.

But have you ever been in
a mountain village like this?

Isolated for a month with nonstop rain
and maybe two months of snow.

And when it snows, it snows!
Not like what you get in town below.

You mean.. that's what happened to you?
- And for more than 30 years.

30 birthdays. You understand what I mean?

And what happened then?
- Nothing.

Nothing. Just snowing and raining,
raining and snowing.

People in their stables,
closed, mute..

watching the rain and snow
along with the mules and goats.

To watch and hope or not to hope,
depends on us.

Well, it's time I go.
A pleasure to have met you.

Goodbye, father.
And thanks again for everything.

Goodbye.
Come again if you want.

But that nothing ever happened
wasn't true, at least for me.

The old woman was always there.

Her name was Zelinda.

She was left with only one goat.

For some time,
she never said a word to anyone.

But there was something I wanted
to ask her.. but I hesitated.

That day, however, I decided I would.

Maybe it was because
of the little priest from Braino.

So Zelinda,

I've been passing by
here for three months.

you look at me but don't say a word.
Well then?

Sorry, father, but it's no use.

It was nonsense, nothing else.

But if you have something to tell me,
my God, tell me.

I only wanted to ask one thing..
- Go on. Let it out.

Is it true..
or is it not true that..

that even the Church admits that
two who are married can be divided?

Are you joking, Zelinda?
Come on.

The Church doesn't say that at all.
- Oh, yes, I know it does.

The Church always says so.
Bobbio's priest says so too.

I would like to see that.
Even in China, even in Africa,

and in the most remote places
wherever there's a priest, they say it.

It's right they say so.
They're required to. - Required?

Required to do what? It is so!

Not even a bishop can change it
one jot, let alone a priest.

I know, father.
I know the rules.

I meant that sometimes
there are special cases..

and exceptions are made.

The dissolution of marriage?
Never ever. - They told me yes.

But when? When the marriage
is recognized as invalid.

But those are very rare cases.

It's like they didn't exist.

But they do.

Then the rule has an exception.
So it's no longer a sin.

Zelinda, are we playing games now?

It takes practice that lasts years,
sometimes 10, 20 years.

Am I clear?
- 20 years?

Yes, and even more sometimes.

Come on, what's all this
talk about marriage?

We've had our first communion
together long ago, didn't we?

Come on, spill the beans, Zelinda.

Can you be anymore stubborn?

To keep on another night
and another one,

and who knows who many more
having this eat away at you?

And make your priest worry
about what's eating Zelinda.

Eh?

Maybe another time, father.
- "Another time"! Bah!

Another time? - I will come to you
again, don't worry. - Ah, yes?

Fine, I'll wait. It's easier to
reason wth the stones than you.

But the next day it was the same.
And so the next day and the day after.

At the same time,
when I passed by, there she was,

leaning over slabs of stones,
plunging the rags in the water..

and she turned and looked at me.

And me..
I looked around, waiting..

But nothing.

No good, she wouldn't speak.

Until one summer day,
I was returning tired from the rectory..

The women from Gradappa are here.
- Fine..

Fine, fine.
- Augusto! The slippers!

Ah, father..
- Father Silvio.

I was awaiting your visit.
Come and sit down.

Ah, you're here too?

If I didn't call you, who knows what
you'd expect getting that tooth pulled.

Right?

And this crazy guy here!
I'll have to deal with him!

Come on, get up!
Please sit down.

Now then, this pilgrimage..

has been postponed for too long
and it's my fault. You must pardon me.

It must be old age.
I get nowhere nowadays.

Now then, let's make a list of
the women who want to participate, eh?

Guess who brought these?

You know who?
Poor Zelinda.

Ah, Zelinda?
The laundress?

She's finally decided and comes
just when she knows I'm not here.

What did she say?
- Nothing.

They were to be given
to you with a letter.

But.. where is it?

She took back the letter when
she came back later. You were upstairs..

What? And you gave it to her?
- Why not? She left the candles.

I thought she left the letter
by accident and needed to mail it.

But.. this letter was it for me or not?

Of course. She told me to give it to you.

How could this be? Let's go!

Get me my shoes again.

Now this!
Just what I needed!

Where was your head?
Move it, my hat.

As for you, I'll send the list tomorrow.
I can rely on you.

Yes, father, but what about the maids?
- What maids? Excuse me.

He said all the maids can be accepted or
at least those with 20 years of service.

Yes, all of them is understood.
It seems quite clear. - But in that case..

Look, tomorrow morning I'll come to
Gradappa and bring the list, OK?

And your "in that case", we'll talk
over tomorrow. Don't worry.

You wait here. You've already
waited so long, an hour more or less..

Father, but then we..

If you want to wait for me, wait then.

And when do you come?
You come when you know I'm not there.

Look, I'm a poor priest.. dead tired..

Thanks a lot, Zelinda!

I break my neck to get here
and you shut the door in my face.

And now you won't come and
tell me you came to see me, eh?

I never said that, father, no.

But the truth is I threw that
letter in the river. - What?

Some more nonsense, don't be upset.
Good evening, father.

Good evening? Don't even say
that in jest! That would be too easy!

But that letter.. was mine.
From the moment you delivered it.

It's mine like my books, my table!

I know, I know. But then I thought there
are certain things you can't understand.

What?
- And even the others too.

Alright, I'll go over there.

I'll stay over here.
And I'll stay here.. the whole evening.

And even the night.

And even tomorrow, if necessary.

Because this nonsense has been going
on long enough and must come to an end.

I know I look like a goatherd
but I don't like this anymore than you.

But that letter, if you hadn't taken
it back, I would've read by now.

And everything would've been made OK.
- You're right.

Listen, Zelinda..

you and I are alone here.

Both of us already have
one foot in the grave.

I think we can tell each
other anything, no?

For me, it's different.

For me, everything is different.

We are all different.

Every morning, I get up at 5:00..

and I go down to the valley
with her to get the rags.

At noon a bit bread with oil,
then I come back..

to the river, washing.
Washing until you pass by.

Then I come back home,
always with her,

and then to sleep..
the two of us.. inside here.

And the next day's the same.

And the next day..
and everyday of my life.

The only difference between us
is that she eats grass and I, bread.

Only that she..

How long does a goat live
in this world? - A goat?

What, you don't know?
Well, no more than 20 years. - See.

20 years are enough.
I'll be 63 this winter.

Is this what the letter said? - Ah, no,
you already know this, why write it?

I agree.
So, Zelinda, take heart.

You gave a finger, now give a hand.

I'm here only to take it.

I wanted to say..

I have been a devotee of Mary.
I went on a pilgrimage to Loreto,

all on foot.

I've always done what God said to do.

And I've never committed any grave sins.
- I know, Zelinda, that's obvious.

And so I though that God
may want to do me a favor.

Make an exception to the rules.

So it wouldn't no longer be a sin.

What sin, Holy Virgin?
- See, you're already getting angry.

And I know you'll never agree,
not even for all the gold in the world.

On the contrary, Zelinda.

For every question there's an answer.
Everyone must know how to look for it.

And two can search better, you see?

Alright. - Good.
- I'll tell you.

But turn your head and
don't look me in the face at all.

Here it is.

In the letter, I wrote that..
I didn't want to offend God in any way.

But since mine was a special case,
without any disrespect to anybody,

I asked..

"Without any disrespect to anybody,
I asked.."

If in some special case,
different from anybody else,

someone may have permission..
to end a little earlier.

What?

To kill oneself, yes!
- Kill oneself!

But what are you saying?
My God, are you crazy?

Don't you know that
life is a gift from God?

A gift from God, understand?

And therefore it has no price.
Even if we don't understand it.

Why do you cry, father? I always
considered it a thing of no importance.

One morning, while leaving the house,
instead of stepping that way,

I step here and I'm on the other side
before I realize it.

For what's my life worth? Less than
nothing? - What? Less than nothing?

What good is life, father?

But.. what do you want
to understand from life, eh?

You from yours, me from mine?

It's neither yours nor mine:
it's life!

A gift from God!

A gift and a mystery that can't be
explained. Because words..

Father!

Father!

Father!

If it wasn't for you.. eh?

No, life had not been
generous to that poor old lady

nor had it been with me.

But to each his own..
and so be it.

Hey!
- Who said I wanted to be in a race?

Wake up, Raffael!
- Wake up! At this hour?

It's time to wake up.
Gimme me a light.

Corrad�n, night is for sleeping.

Night is made for resting.

And didn't I say that? When I
want to rest, I go to sleep, don't I?

Fool, you must rest with your eyes open.

Look at the world, savor it,
move, live.. Understand?

Corrad�n!
- Resting means living.

Night is made for rest,
day is made for sleeping.

The day? Where? At work?
- Wherever.

Look, look, look! - It's that the one
you had.. - Look at this eye candy!

Let me stop. Let me stop!
- Ugh! - Here we are.

Evening, do you need anything?
- Corrad�n!

Hey, are you deaf?

Do you need anything?

Wow!

Nothing at all? Too bad.
Then "goodnight".

Buenas noches y muchas gracias.

Ah, buenas noches!
How fine you are!

Come on! Let's get out of here!
- Pedro!

Pedro, it'd be so much better,
if you minded your own business.

I thought.. - Speak when I tell to you!
Will be here long?

Not much, a few minutes.
- Way too long!

Could you take me to the Hotel Excelsior?

Of course! Right away!
- Corrad�n! Bus depot! Depotta!

The Hotel Excelsior is on the other side.
- Muchas gracias!

Just look at this gift from God!
Look!

Madam, yonder is Mergellina!
Blue sea.. a paradise!

Corrad�n, night's made for sleeping.
Open up, stinker, you understand?

He said, "Buenas noches".
- "Buenas noches".

This disorganization,

for the lack of devotion to duty,
for the arrangement and improvisation

in which we resolve any technical issue.
- Bicarbonate? - Ah, yes.

We've created abroad and in the north
this reputation for disorganization.

Half a teaspoon?
- Full. Raffael,

Don Corrad�n Scognamiglio is playing
a very dangerous game with me.

Enough is enough! - Here you go.
- Thanks. Out of my way.

Raffaele!

Where's Corrad�n? - How should I know?
I haven't seen him since last night.

What a stinker! He phoned
saying he was doing the night shift.

And he went with a woman, right?
- If he did, it was none of my business.

He left with the bus. - Driver and porter
must go together. What does it mean?

They're never apart,
like the carabininieri.

But Scognamiglio didn't return last night.

I left this morning. - And you left
with him? - And I came back tonight.

Hey, Raffael, I'm not stupid!
Scognamiglio, where is he?

Corrad�n, the controller's pissed off.
He's like a tiger.

Raffael, I leave you at night yet
you're always nervous in the morning?

But do you realize what you've done?
- Man's a man. Nature calls.

She didn't want to get down.
She was a foreigner with clear intentions.

Jesus, if I didn't do what I did,
how would we look to foreigners!

Clean your neck.
- OK, I've washed up, scented soap..

Smell me. Hot water and so forth.
- After that? - Give thanks to God.

She left on the back of your neck,
an obvious mark.

A souvenir!

Boss, here I am, on time. I bring
the exact time: 5 minutes to departure.

You bring me nonsense and waste time.

Last night..
- I waste no time 'cause I love you.

Last night.. - Last night, I returned.
- What do you want?

We're never apart..
- Go to your place! Beat it!

But why do you always
look like a sourpuss?

This is what duty looks like!
- You should try some grace and sympathy.

I, Amedeo Stigliano, when I wear
this uniform and put on this cap,

neither dislike nor like anyone.

But service mustn't suffer!

I let it suffer? I give you
that impression? - Impression?

Look what cheek!

So, it was my impression
when you covered your entire cap

with fireworks,
bottlerockets, fritters

and had it explode all the way from
Piazza della Borsa to Piazza Divina?

It was my name day. A little fun!

Yeah, fun! And I had to report it
in the morning that it had torn..

Because you love me.
- What love?

Because it happened on
the anniversary of my mother's death.

And you, for all the thanks I get,
get in trouble everyday!

But last tonight.. - Excuse me, boss.
Do you want a coffee? - I want to talk!

Last night, a reporter unexpectedly
arrived, a Swiss journalist.

He was given in charge to me by
the Director General personally.

Nice!
- Scognam�!

Scognamiglio, I pray to God
that he winds up on your car.

Look me in the eyes!
Scognamiglio, you'll pay for everything!

OK.

Hi, baby, what are you doing here?
- Hello. - Hello.

Have we slept well?
- And you, Don Corrad�n? - Eh!

You look fresh as a rose this morning.
- Thanks.

Maybe you lost a petal or two!

I twice thank you because
when a rose begins to lose its petals,

it means that it's at the prime
of its skill and sincerity.

The trouble is when a rose
has never dropped its petals!

It withers before it opens.

Nanni, what do you want?
- Nothing, not even a drop of sweat.

Why are you wearing that kerchief then?

Because if I do sweat, I'm good to go.

But tell me what you're doing here.
And button up this blouse.

Stir your coffee or it'll be bitter.
- Will you answer me?

Will you button up this blouse?

I went with Michele.
- What did you do?

Are you crazy? When did it happen?
- Here, drink.

This morning. - Why? What happened?
- Will you drink your coffee?

Nothing. I'll go with you
and during the ride I'll explain.

Nanni, how stupid you've become!

If my mother, when she found you, baby,
in the rubble of the bombing,

could've imagine
the trouble you get me into!

Nanni!
Nanni, listen to me.

Nanni, you.. you must understand that
I'm tired of playing your guardian angel.

And with Michele,
you found a way to get rid of me!

But I can work and take care of myself!
- Nanni!

Nanni, I.. I don't like this attitude.
While you're in our house, you'll obey me.

If your late lamented
father could speak..

he'd give you a couple of slaps.

Now go home, if I don't find you with
my mother, I'll speak to Michele tonight.

OK, drink your coffee, it's now ice cream.
- Michele is a nice boy.

He's well-mannered,
has an iron constitution..

He's made for you.

Well to do, eh?

Goodbye!

Nine sharp!

Open shirts are for singers.
Button up that collar! - Oh, boss!

Kid!
- Let's go.

Get a move on!

Get in from the back!
- Raffael, they're American!

America is sending us a ton of stuff.
Let's make a good impression.

I'll open it myself, got it?

Thank you. You're very kind.

Please, among strangers..
- "Strangers"?

It's about time there was more
kindness among strangers, no?

No!
- Alright. Via Chiaia..

Vermicelli, spaghetti, clams?
- No, shops. "Negociation".

In Naples, there just aren't
pasta and clams,

there are many other beautiful
things for foreigners!

"Foreigners", understand?

Excuse me, driver, but you're
supposed to look forward not backward.

Ma'am, I must look forwards and
backwards. Anything can happen anywhere.

Of course!
Kid, when did you get on?

When you stopped the bus to play the fool.
- You don't want to listen me, do you?

No, I'm not going home.
You marry Michele!

Are you going to button that blouse,
yes or no? - It came unbuttoned itself.

Corrad�, the bus stop!
- Eh, maybe it is!

Will you open it?
- Really, what has Michele done to you?

You want to know when a man
annoys a woman? He annoys me.

But what did he do exactly?
- He annoyed me.

Jesus, when he comes to me
to ask me why you left him,

what will I say? - He's annoying!
- Corrad�, he's annoying!

I'll open it or else
we'll annoy all of Naples!

Annaying? - Anneeing?
- Not aneeing, annoying, ladies!

Annoying. - Annoying.
- Annoying. - Nice!

What nice? It's bad, ladies!
Anything but annoying!

Annoying.. annoying!

You've annoyed me!
I'm pissed off, damn it!

Alright?

And did you decide he was annoying
this morning when you woke up?

I never woke up.
I walked the entire night..

because when one's a big liar,
I can't fall asleep.

Why, did Michele tell you any lies?
- Never mind.

And so? - And so he's a man
and that's enough. All liars.

You said last night you couldn't
come home because you had to work.

Indeed, I didn't. Why, did Michele
have to work the night too?

You want me to believe you didn't
return 'cause you were working!

Leave it alone, Nanni, it's my job!

It must've been grueling!

And why not? All night, planted here.
Back and forth, up and down.

Yeah, you poor martyr! One can see
it on your face! - What did Michele do?

When we're married,
he'll come home in the morning.

With lipstick stains behind the collar,
which he'll wipe with a handkerchief.

I'll have to wash the handkerchief and
must believe it's a hard night's sweat!

Kid, you want to convict
him for future lies?

Think, when a husband tells you lies,
it means that he loves you.

If not, what else could make him
sink to the ugly means of telling a lie?

May I? - Corrad�, where's your head?
- What do you want? It's open.

What "open"? The nuthouse is
open too and you'll drive me there!

Naples is fun, viva Naples!
- Thank you!

Viva Napoli! Viva the world!

Let's "viva" everybody, lady!

What are you saying?
- Uh, uh, picture! Uh.. how do you say..

Ah, a photo!
A photo is never refused!

Ready?

You're made for pictures, eh? A woman
must be deaf, dumb and blind with you.

Now who's being annoying? It's like
having a mother-in-law without a wife!

If after getting married, I realized
I had a husband like you, I swear,

he wouldn't live three days!
- That's why you're marrying Michele.

You think so? My head would have so
many horns like a basket full of snails!

Hey!
- Eh? - Nothing.

Nanni, those horns belong to snails,

but those of wives are something
else entirely. They're.. halos.

What? - Halos, ma'am, like saints.
- Like saints!

When that event happens, that fatality,

the husband always sees
the wife as a saint, a martyr.

And the wife must thank him then?

Of course, a wife is another thing.
She only comes once and forever.

The wife is there, and goes on,
like taxes, like Vesuvius!

What a nice driver!

The wife must understand that
everything else is a passing cloud,

caprice, fantasy..,
gymnastics!

Then find an idiot. Because I say,
gymnastics for you, gymnastics for me!

Nanni, calm down,
we've arrived at the last stop!

If you don't want me to have
Michele slap you, go home. Got it?

You must tell him you
taught me about gymnastics.

And tell him just try and slap me!

Nanni, if you really want,
I can give them to you!

Corrad�, there's the Swiss journalist.
The inspector sent him to you. - Yeah?

You understand, Nanni?
Excuse me!

Raffael, you must give this man
who won't get off another ticket.

Can we get off?
- I want to see what happens!

Please, stay where you are.
- Who's moving? - Don't worry, I won't!

Nanni! - Yeah, "Nanni"!
Such a sweet man!

A lady lets you know she's betraying
you and you, not a word, just "Nanni"!

Sir, you're getting off?
- And how? - "And how" eh!

Nanni, what are you doing?

You've been talking like trash
since this morning. What did Michele do?

Did he treat you badly?
Did he make love to another?

He didn't do a thing. I'm just crazy.
- Tonight you'll make up. Passing clouds.

Tonight you'll go to the movies,
maybe a kiss and it'll be fine.

I'll do gymnastics,
but not only with Michele!

I want to do it with everybody like you.
And I'm not eating tonight or tomorrow.

Nor the day after. Not even
a teeny weeny piece of bread!

I want to become dry and ugly,
so when people see me, they run away.

Then I'll get a bad disease.
One that'll kill me slowly.

And when I die,
no priest, no communion!

Are you an idiot, Nanni?
By God, I don't understand you.

You want to understand Americans,
cashier girls, but not woman!

What woman, you? - Yes, me!
I'm going, you'll never see me again!

Nanni!

Nanni! - Sant'Antonio!
- Eh, Sant'Antonio! - Corrad�!

Let's go! - Nanni, what are you doing?
Where are you going with this old crook?

What "crook"?
Move it or I'll run you over!

Where you'll never see me again!

Nanni!

Gentlemen, if you're in a hurry,
get off! Not getting off? - No!

You won't see me ever again!

Stop!
Just look at that good for nothing!

This time, if he manages
to stay at the company, I quit!

It's either him or me!
Get going!

Stop!

Stop the traffic!
I must follow that wretch!

Damn it!

Be still. One, two,
three, four, five.. That's it.

Let me do it. Make way!
Make way! Let's get a move on!

Over there!
- Where is he?

Hurry up!
That way!

Get this thing out of my face!

I need to stop..
Miss, I'm empty! I'm empty, miss!

Damn it the hell!

Nanni! Nanni, what are you doing?
- Leave me alone! - Nanni!

Scognam�!

What do you want to do?
- Afraid I'll kill myself? Well, I won't!

And if I want to kill myself, why should
you care? - What are saying? - Scognam�!

Finally, we meet face to face,
you and I,

and for the last time, thank God!

Nanni, what do you mean? - Everybody!
It's not Saturday, but I hit the jackpot!

Why do you follow me?
- It's not Sunday, but my horse won!

Finally, I can say to this rake,

from now on he can keep track
of his female troubles on his own time.

Corrad�, you're fired!

Goodbye!

Are you crazy, inspector?

You call this kid a "female",
whom I respect like a lil' sister?

No! I don't want to be respected!
I don't want to be anybody's sister!

How moving these sisters are
who aren't daughters to our parents!

Look me in the face!
- You look me in the face, in the eyes!

Tomorrow you go to
administration to be fired. Understood?

Everybody in the bus. I'll drive.
- Nanni! - Wait, inspector!

Nanni! - What are you doing?
It was my fault! - Let him go.

It was my fault! - When I say no,
it's no! Don't waste my time!

Boss, when'll you realize
the best time is that you can waste?

How long do you want to live, boss?
200 years? My bag, Raffael!

Everybody, we're leaving.
Either get on or I leave you here.

Corrad�, the bag. - Thank you,
give it here. And don't make that face!

What? Is this a death sentence?

Come, take this hat
of general Pulcinella, go!

Thank you, Corrad�! Damn it!

Urge the passengers.
Either get on or I leave you here.

Boss, now that we're leaving each other,
won't you just once.. smile?

Just a half of one.
You can then be at peace with yourself!

I am. Don't worry, I am.

At evening, when
I'm free from all responsibility.

When I light my only cigarette of the day.

Because if I don't feel at
ease with my conscience,

I DON'T SMOKE THE CIGARETTE!

This way I walk with head held high
and nobody can laugh at me!

I laugh at you?
Well, it's healthy for all!

You're unhealthy!

Unhealthy?
That's some nerve!

With that sourpuss even his
wife'd drop dead with just one look!

Corradino's unhealthy?

Any woman would want him
morning, day and night!

Quiet, Nanni,
don't you see my gray hair?

Enough of this nonsense!
And will you button up that blouse?

Don't you see that I love you?

You do? - I do. If you don't know this,
my love, you'll never know anything.

Look hair is hair! I look in
those eyes which are always laughing.

I grew up and was raised with bombs,
thieves, misery and sourpusses.

That's why I love you.

But in such a strong and lovely
way that I could just pinch you!

Give me these ears!

Let me muss this hair
which isn't gray, it's silver!

And this was the sister!

Immoral! In front of people?
Before the eyes of strangers?

Go smoke a cigarette!

Nanni, you make me die of shame.
- Then die! I want you to die so!

You'll die of hunger, abject poverty!
- What hunger? What abject poverty?

You call this misery?

Boss, you keep your eyes closed
and life.. you don't see it anymore!

Open your eyes, because when
we have to close them by force,

that which you lost,
with the regulations and the service,

no one will ever give it back to you!

Come on, boss! Let's go!

As tomorrow, I'm getting fired,

Corradino and Nannina offer
lunch for all. You're invited too, boss!

What's done is done!
Come, let's go!

No need!

The bus is leaving!
You'll stay here! - Hey, "Cigarette"!

Father, you tell them!

I'll leave you here!

I'll send you all to the railway!

Get off me! Hey, what are you doing?
Put me down!

Put me down! I won't eat a thing!
Not one thing! Maybe just a glass..

THE CAMERA

It'd be great to win a camera.

Let's go look at a camera.
They have one here.

Where is it?
- This here, this is a real camera.

It has a zoom lens, automatic shutter..
- Not now!

Sorry, I want to try again.
- Enough, knock it off!

I hate to see money thrown away.

Thrown away? Excuse me, my good man,
I think the lady wants to have fun, eh?

That one has parallax,
a magical eye for focusing,

a tripod with spyglass,
automatic light,

automatic shutter.. - We get it!
- How many holes do you need to win?

Just one, if you get the white ball.
- And the black one?

The gift's the same: a candy.
- A candy. - Drop it? - No.

Bye-bye then. - Go away!
- Let's go. - Good night.

Yes, let them go. People like
that are better lost than found.

Young lady, I like you. You know why?
Because you've got grit.

At this point, I'd do anything
just to see a white ball.

How hot!
- What?

You said that you'd do
anything to see the white ball.

But would you really do anything?
Whatever it may be?

What does it matter?
It was just something to say.

Excuse me, are you speaking to me?

Who else could be the barman, me?
- Sorry, I don't know French.

Give me that device.
- Eh, someone's fast!

You first must win it, right?
- Why don't you think I..

Here's the proverbial
optimism of the Italians!

What are you then? - International.
Yes, ma'am. - Interesting.

I was born in Battipaglia,
confirmed in Nocera, lived in Spoleto.

As you see, I'm country-less.

Here we go again. What sir?
- How many holes does this machine have?

300, sir.
- 300? OK.

Why, you speak a little English?
- By Jove. - Ah, yes?

You see this Montgomery?
- Yeah. - The pipe, the hair..

Sir, look, the holes cost 100 lire each.

100 lire? Oh, I thought it cost more.
That's not expensive at all.

Well then..
- Excuse me, eh? - Go on.

7x8 = 56. 7x8 = 56, carry 4,
bring down two digits and Porta Nuova..

And Porta Nuova.. - You can take the tram.
- What tram? Let me do it!

You said Porta Nuova..
- Porta Nuova.. Door no. 9, door no. 9..

9 into 8.. 9 into 8 doesn't go.
- No, it doesn't. - It's not that.

I think not. - If you wanted to
it could go into it. - How?

Make 8 bigger, push the 9.. yes!

And carrying over 100.. 1000.

And a 1000 can march from the Fourth..
1, 2, 3 and 4.

Black ball.
A candy.

I gave you five. I get one more ball.
- Excuse me. - No cheating, eh!

Heavens no!
- They cheat.

Oh, God! Oh, God!

Ah, it's finally mine!

And won't you let Diorillo take a photo,
who helped you win? - Of course.

Let's do it, eh?
- Quickly, OK?

No, not there.
Let's get more over there.

Near the car?
- More there, yeah.

No, not there, I don't like it.
Let's go over there.

Hey, sir! - What is it?
- Sir, what are you doing? You must pay!

But I won!
- Yes, but you must pay for the holes.

I'll take a few photos of the miss
and be right back. What the heck!

Here's my new Fiat, a 1100.

These things never happen in America!

Let's go over there, next to..

Are we playing hide and seek?
- Hide and seek? Come, come!

I prefer to play doctor, shall we?
- What?

Shall we? - The photo?
- Yes, how stupid, I forgot!

On that thingy over there?
- Ad hoc!

Like so.

It's a ruin, eh?
- And the photo?

We'll do it after, eh?
- After what? Eh?

After..

After we've chosen the pose.

Oh, shall we do like Paolina Borghese?
You lie down.

Do you know it? - No.
- No matter, leave it to me.

Leave it to me.
Paolina Borghese is a historical piece.

So..

Like so! Like so!
Divine!

Divine!

Yes!

Yes, super divine!
- Is it OK?

Like that!

When you're done, send me a postcard, eh?

What?
- You'll let me know?

But I thought you..
would like it. - The photograph.

And.. and later?
- Later? Who knows?

The camera, no?
- I see, of course.

Later the camera.
- Sure.

But say.. - Eh?
- I just thought of something.

You didn't think that I with
the excuse of.. photography..

Me! No, God forbid.
- Ah..

Right, didn't I say so? - Yes.
- Modestly speaking, I'm a gentleman.

They all know me in Rome. My name
Diorillo is a byword for "climax".

But you didn't really think so?
- No. - Not even a teeny-weeny bit?

Be honest. - Eh. - Be good.
- Yes. - Indulge me. - Yes.

You didn't think so? - Truly no.
- Really? - No. - No?

Eins, zwei, drei.. ya think!

How dare you?
- How dare me? How dare you?

Look how you dress?
Don't you see it's too much?

What abuse! What overflow!

What did you think I am?
One.. one of those?

I'm not, I'm one of these!
You're wrong! Are you kidding?

Me? Why are you getting excited?
- I'm all excited! The heck!

You wanted a photo with an
automatic shutter, so let's do it then.

But afterward, you must be silent!

You know you're really cute?

What, what, what?
- You're really cute!

Oh, God. I get that a lot.

Excuse me!

And so? - And so the sun is going
down and we're here wasting time.

And so I fly to the automatic shutter.

But I'll pick the pose.
- As.. you wish.

The pose will be a pleasure.

Do you prefer this?
- Eh..

I'd prefer that too.
- No, how about this?

That one, that one! That..

Be a little bit more..
a little more..

Ah, like this?

Don't move, eh? Just like that.
Like that! And me like this! - Yes.

The automatic shutter?
- The shutter. Ad hoc.

I'll wind it, OK?

What was that?

What can you do? Wind it again.
- I'll do what I can.

I'm an only child. Ooh!

Now this time..

Moisten your lips.

Why isn't it working?
- Maybe you wound it too much.

Was it too much? - Yes.
- I'll go check. - Yes.

I'm going, OK?
- Yeah.

Is that your "magical eye"?
Damn your mama!

But why.. Now you're being a bastard!
Now you're a bastard!

But why are you acting so? See how
I wind you? I wind you so sweetly!

Now you'll make a widdle picture?
For your Diorillo, you will, won't you?

He said yes. Ah, cherie!

He's doing it! He's doing it!
- Come on, this time'll be good, right?

Like so. Don't move, OK?
- Move that!

Like so?
- Like so!

Why?
- Who knows how nice a picture it'll be.

But let's do another.
- Yes. Allah, Vishnu, Mohammed, please.

He won't move.

I could kill you!
Will you get out of here?

Just look!
The jerk!

Filthy beast, if I catch you..!

Here's where I wind it.

Smile, this time'll be good.
- Yes.

When does it click?
- How should I know?

Damn it!

Damn!

Damn it!
Now, I'll break you!

That gentleman said he'd help us.
He said he'd do it. - Ah, yes?

Right? - A bit further.
- More gauche? - Yes.

That's fine. - Like so?
- Facing?

A small step back.
- Again?

Another small step.
- Yes.

A jog!
Stop! Stop!

God, he's going away!
- No, he's a gentleman!

I'm a psychologist, he'll give it back.
- But he's a thief!

Thief! Thief! - Ah, I've got you!
Give me back my camera!

He has it around his head, hurry!
You can't trust anyone, run!

What do I do now?

English subtitles by sineintegral@KG