Original subtitles

RED DESERT

Our thanks to Piero Tizzoni

for the use of his pink beach in Sardinia.

GOLDEN LION - VENICE FILM FESTIVAL 1964

INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF FILM CRITICS' AWARD

“CINEMA NUOVO” AWARD

STRIKE

Romeo Salviati, what are you doing in there?

You're not a manager. You work to support your family.

Come join us out here.

Your wife's too ashamed of you to leave the house.

- Where'd you get that? - The store at the intersection.

- Can I buy it? - I've already eaten some.

It doesn't matter.

No, take it.

Valerio, come here.

Want some?

The steam temperature's high, sir.

Turn down the burners.

They say they have applicants, but not for work abroad.

They've gone crazy too finding specialized workers -

No, it's for a friend.

Why not give him some of your men?

Have you tried Beltrami? Wait, I have to call him anyway.

Miss, get me Philips.

Beltrami here. Who's this?

Oh, hello.

I wish I had some.

Ugo? Sorry to keep you waiting.

Are you crazy? Out of the question.

This is a government agency - no layoffs here.

Nothing doing, even at ANIC. I told you so.

Take these men.

They've had specialized training.

They were originally to work for us.

They're good. This one is a foreman.

What? He's in Ferrara?

That's 50 miles away.

We'll go to Sicily if we have to.

- I've been looking for you. - Come meet a friend.

Mr. Zeller. My wife.

I'll wait for you in your office.

All right.

It was raining. The road was wet.

She must have braked, but she hasn't been driving long,

and she's so absentminded when she drives.

Luckily, the truck stopped short.

Was she badly hurt?

Not really. Just a few bruises.

It was a tremendous shock more than anything.

She spent over a month in the hospital,

and the gears still don't quite mesh.

Now she wants to open a shop.

I have no idea what for.

On Via Alighieri.

Besides, I don't think it would look right.

Why?

Don't be eyeing my men. This is a protected game reserve.

Did you know that my father put up those silos?

I can't see you in this work.

Didn't you study mineral engineering?

I intended to go down, but now it's up instead.

What can you do?

Ever since my father died...

the responsibility's been on my shoulders.

That's just how it is.

Just above normal.

Almost 99.

That's normal.

I dreamed I was in bed,

and the bed was moving.

I looked down,

and it was on quicksand.

It was sinking

deeper and deeper.

Looking for me?

I was...

passing by,

and I saw you go in.

No, that's not true. I don't want to start with a lie.

Start what?

Nothing.

Just talking.

I'm sorry if -

Maybe light blue's better.

For what?

The walls.

And green for the ceiling.

Cool colors. They mustn't clash. - Clash?

With what I sell. The merchandise.

What do you think I should sell?

You haven't decided?

Yes. I'd like to sell ceramics,

but I know nothing about them.

Faenza's nearby. It's famous for its ceramics.

That's right. I have to write that down.

Write what down?

To go to Faenza.

Oh Lord! I have so many calls to make.

Did Ugo talk about me?

I mean...

he told me you have a child.

I knew he was married, but not to whom.

Nothing else?

Yes, about the shop.

Allow me.

- When did you get here? - This morning.

My bags are still in the car. Why?

Did you find a hotel room?

No, but why do you ask?

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

I mean...

where do you live? Bologna?

I live in Milan,

but I'm actually from Trieste.

I was born there.

When I was a child,

my parents moved to Bologna

and then to Milan.

I moved back to Bologna a few years ago,

but I have to leave again. It's a bit complicated.

Why?

The truth...

is that...

I'm not happy in one place or the other...

so I've decided to leave.

Where will you go?

You're leaving the light on?

Yes, it's best that way.

It's today's.

Are you tired?

Giuliana, are you tired?

I'm always tired.

No, not always. Sometimes.

Where are we going?

I don't know. I thought you -

Good-bye.

Can I give you a ride?

What are you doing now?

I should go to Ferrara.

Right now?

Because I have to go home now,

but perhaps this afternoon...

- Are these okay? - No, I want those.

- They cost more. - It doesn't matter.

They're still alive. - All right.

Some fish are amazing.

Down deep on the sea bed, there are even transparent fish.

Did you know that?

Please don't tell me these things. They scare me.

You can't imagine the things I'm afraid of.

So you have to love an animal to eat it?

Yes, perhaps that's true.

Give me an example.

I don't know.

Little chicks?

Or maybe kittens?

Soft, sleek little kitties?

Come on.

Could you eat me too?

If I loved you.

Is Mario home?

When is he due back?

In just a bit. But sometimes he's late.

May we wait?

Of course.

- Make yourselves at home. - Thank you.

A little wine?

Please don't bother.

I'll have some.

- Be honest. Did he tell you? - Who?

Ugo. About the accident.

Yes. But it was nothing serious, right?

He told me you were in the hospital a while

due to the shock.

- I met a girl. - Where?

- There. - In the hospital?

She was very sick.

She wanted it all.

Meaning what?

The doctor kept telling her, “You must learn to love...

someone or something.

Your husband, your son,

a job, even a dog.

But not husband, son, job, dog, tree, river...”

Did she ever tell you what she was feeling?

Like there was no ground beneath her...

like she was sliding down a slope...

sinking...

always on the verge of drowning...

with nothing around her.

Not even her husband?

Not even him. And anyway, he was away.

Not even her son?

Yes, he was there.

But that girl...

had no children.

By the time she left the hospital, she was wondering,

“Who am I?”

She asked me...

to explain it to her.

But she's all better now.

Where's your husband working now, ma'am?

At a radio observatory in Medicina.

Did you come to offer him a job?

One that pays very well.

Where?

If it's far away, I'd prefer things stay as they are.

It might not be for long.

Once he went away for a family funeral,

and I thought I'd go crazy from fear.

If you like, you could join him later.

Does your wife do that?

Know what we'll do?

We'll go talk to him in Medicina.

He won't say no.

There he is.

Hello.

- Oh, it's you. - How are you?

- Are you well? - Yes.

I'm fine. And you?

I'm very well too, thanks.

This man wants a word with you.

May I ask you something?

Go right ahead.

Who owns all this?

The University of Bologna.

Aren't you scared up there?

No, I'm used to it.

What's all this for?

It's a radio telescope to listen to the stars.

- May I listen? - You'd have to climb up here.

- You knew him and didn't tell me? - No, I just met him.

No, the other one.

He used to live near me.

What did he say?

Nothing doing.

I'd have to offer him a fortune.

What?

Good-bye now.

What a shame.

Waste from all these factories has to go somewhere.

Well, you've all stopped fishing here now.

We stopped for a sandwich in Medicina the other day,

and a man in the restaurant - You remember?

He complained that his eel tasted like petroleum.

I haven't been here in two years. I've let it fall apart.

Sometimes I feel like I have no right to be where I am.

Perhaps that's why I keep moving.

- Take my gloves. - I'm warm enough like this.

With all your shoes, you come out here in those?

Know what we'll do?

Let's wait for them in the car. We can turn on the heat.

- Shall we? - Sure.

Where were you the day of Giuliana's accident?

In London. Why?

Did you come back?

No, they said there was no need, that I could -

Did Giuliana complain about that?

No, not at all.

Then why do you ask?

There's smoke over at ANIC. ls the strike over?

I don't know. I think so.

Are you a leftist or a rightist?

Why do you ask such a question? Are you interested in politics?

Good Lord, no. I was just wondering.

It's like asking, “What do you believe in?”

Those are big words that call for precise answers.

Deep down...

one doesn't really know what one believes in.

One believes in humanity...

in a certain sense.

A little less in justice.

A little more in progress.

One believes in socialism... perhaps.

What matters is to act as one thinks right -

right for oneself and for others.

In other words, with a clean conscience.

Mine is at peace.

Does that answer your question?

That's some bunch of words you strung together.

There they are.

- Mr. Corrado Zeller. - German?

No. I'll lay out my whole pedigree, if you like.

Actually, my name's half German too. I'm Max.

My wife.

- Pleased to meet you. - How are you?

This wasn't a great spot to meet.

It's my fault.

I knew that already,

so I had some fish cooked up at my shack on the water.

Caught fresh from out at sea.

Shall we?

- Let's go. Where's Mili? - She's meeting us there.

Giuliana, are you coming?

What are you looking at?

Come on.

Trust me. These are quail eggs.

Yeah, sure.

Think I don't know? I raise quail.

The eggs contain a stimulating substance. Right, Ugo?

It's true. They're an aphrodisiac.

- Much more than fertilized eggs. - Than what?

What are you talking about?

Where are you from? Don't you know about them?

Hatched eggs.

There's a treatment you do from fall to spring.

You swallow them on the ninth day,

just before the yolk turns into a chick.

I've had them. I got them from the monks.

They had two dark spots, and I'd ask,

“What are those, Father?” “The eyes, my son.

Down the hatch without looking.”

And that's what you did.

I never touched your eggs.

Mili, eggs or no eggs, you always have bedroom eyes.

Where's Augusto?

- I dumped him. - Since when?

I can't go to bed with a man who earns less than me.

- You know this game? - What game?

What do you feel?

Not much.

Try me. You'll get a better reaction.

Man, is that nice!

Don't get carried away, dear.

What is it?

What have you got in there?

- Does it work right away? - Does it ever!

Eat 'em all.

Come on. They could make her sick.

Would you bring me one? You could have told us, Max.

Keep quiet. You're too excited as it is.

Turn on that radio.

- Well? - What do you feel?

Nothing yet.

- It's too soon. - It's only been a second.

I may be wrong...

but I really think...

I want to make love.

Let's drink to that, everyone!

Oh God, I'm sorry.

- Sorry. - Don't worry.

Look who's here.

Sorry, Mr. Max. I had no idea that -

Don't worry, Orlando. Come in.

Who's the lady?

Come on in, miss.

Get a load of that!

Have a drink. The wine's on the table.

One of my workers.

He's a stallion - a new girl every other day. He's incredible.

What's this lovely lady's name? - lole.

Just like my boat.

You two would be interested in our conversation.

Didn't you tell me about that ointment -

What ointment?

The one some Africans use... to last longer. What was it again?

Oh, that. It's nothing.

Just some crocodile fat and pungent herbs

that they smear on before they - - Smear on what?

Mili, don't play dumb.

It works for hours.

Hear that, Mili?

It works for hours.

I don't believe it.

It's true.

You have no idea what men in other countries do.

For example, in Jordan I saw men eat

mutton fat and honey for breakfast.

What about the Chinese? They eat ground rhinoceros horn.

Dried shark fin is an energy booster too.

I confess that I've tried royal jelly, and it works. Right, Linda?

- What's that? - Honey from the queen bee.

It's rejuvenating. Remember that in your old age, miss.

Assuming she still wants to make love then.

What do you say to that?

I'd rather do certain things than talk about them.

- Good for you! - Why?

When all else fails, I like talking too.

Because you're a pig.

Why's it so cold in here?

Aren't you cold?

Yes, I am.

- Max, where's the firewood? - It's there. Look around.

- This isn't much. - I'll find you some.

Look.

What's going on?

Maybe due to the fog.

It's stopping-

Any like that come from South America?

Yes, big ships that tie up at the SAROM offshore rig.

It gives me an idea.

Why not load equipment here instead of Naples or Genoa?

It'd be quicker and probably cheaper.

They go back empty, right?

Mili, if you're interested,

that guy oughta be horny.

He hasn't seen a woman in two months.

I liked that game. Know any more?

Lots.

Where did you learn them?

Just where do you think?

You little devil.

- I hate him. - Who?

Your husband.

He's like a vulture, always ready to swoop down

on a factory in bankruptcy or a woman in distress.

You'll see.

He'll end up getting his way with me too.

They're usually oil tankers, right? Would they take on cargo?

Probably. There's always a dry hold.

Here.

You know...

it's true what I said. I do want to make love.

But how can we?

Want to know a secret? Never chase after deals.

I let them come to me.

I'm not chasing after anything.

I look for them because I enjoy it.

Because...

sometimes you need a fresh direction in your life and work.

Traveling makes sense...

if you change your historical setting, if I may.

Otherwise what's the use?

I'm not convinced.

In two years I've bought two lots

and immediately resold them.

This shack - - You're selling this too?

Already did - to that worker of mine.

Buy quick and sell quick.

What are you doing?

I'm freezing to death.

Come on, help me.

Come on. Stop it.

Come on.

Stir the fire. It'll catch better.

Let's burn the whole thing.

- Who cares? - Take this.

Orlando just bought it.

What about this one?

It's never still.

Never.

I can't look at the sea for long...

or I lose interest in what's happening on land.

Sometimes I wonder...

if it isn't pointless taking our work so seriously.

Don't you find it absurd too?

I feel like my eyes are all wet.

What do people expect me to do with my eyes?

What am I supposed to look at?

You wonder what to look at.

I wonder how to live.

Same thing.

It's the doctor!

He's come for the person who cried out a while ago.

- The ship wasn't even here yet. - What do you mean?

It pulled up while I was building the fire.

You're crazy. It's been there half an hour.

Did you hear a cry?

I wasn't listening.

Is this a joke?

You read it in your novel.

You think so?

Maybe.

I heard it.

Let's drop it, please. What's it matter?

It matters.

Someone cried out. Linda didn't make it up.

All right, Giuliana. Someone cried out.

Don't just agree as if I was -

Who could have cried out? We're practically out at sea.

Linda, why did you say maybe?

Did I?

Good heavens!

It has to be smallpox, cholera or leprosy.

Don't get carried away.

- One or two flags for infectious diseases? - One.

Let's get out of here.

Please, Ugo, let's leave right now.

- It's probably just a precaution. - A case of colic.

- I say we wait for the doctor. - You even know him, Giuliana.

We'll ask him - - We won't ask him anything.

Where are my gloves?

Let's go.

Have you got my purse?

It's on the step.

I'll get it.

No, forget it! I don't care!

I've had shots for everything.

I don't care! I don't want you to!

- There's no risk. - No, I tell you!

Don't be silly. Get in the car. I'll go.

Corrado, wait. I'll go.

I'm sorry, Ugo. I made a mistake.

Didn't you see the ship? First you're scared, and then -

No, I didn't see it.

I just wanted to drive home.

The fog confused me, and I made a mistake.

I swear it!

What are you crying about!

Very nice.

I'm packing your bags. How long's your trip?

Five or six days.

Mommy, how much is one plus one?

- Two, of course. - No. Look.

Let's see.

Careful.

How many are there?

One. It's true.

Imagine that.

Why not ask Linda to stay here while I'm gone?

Why?

So someone's there if you wake up in the night.

Yes...

I could ask her.

Maybe I better not.

Look how nice.

See that?

You see?

Look how it spins.

Stand it on its edge.

Know why it doesn't fall? There's a gyroscope inside.

What's that?

A device used on ships to steady them on rough seas.

Good-bye.

It's half the cost in materials and labor.

It docks in Buenos Aires, but that's fine.

What are you taking with you?

Generators, cranes, pipes - equipment for the factory.

No, I mean your things.

Personal belongings.

Nothing.

Two or three bags.

If I were to go away,

I'd take everything.

Everything I see.

All the things I use every day.

Even the ashtrays.

Then you might as well just stay put.

You'd just end up missing everything:

the street where you live, your city.

You see in classified ads:

“For sale. Owner must relocate.”

As if it were an excuse to abandon everything...

or almost.

Why? It shouldn't be like that.

How can you predict what you'll need?

And the things and people you leave behind -

will they be there when you go back?

And will they be the same?

Maybe you don't go back.

If I were to leave never to return,

I'd take you with me too.

You're part of me now.

I mean, part of everything around me.

If Ugo had looked at me the way you have these few days,

he'd have understood lots of things.

About the accident?

And your friend at the hospital?

Was that girl you?

I didn't want to tell you this.

I was ashamed.

Not even Ugo knows.

The doctors promised not to tell.

I tried to kill myself.

Remember that worker in Medicine?

He was in the hospital when I was.

He was very sick.

Did he try...

to kill himself too?

No, he didn't.

He must be better if he's back to work.

And how are you?

Fine.

As you see, Patagonia is near the South Pole.

You arrive in Buenos Aires and then fly

to Comodoro Rivadavia.

From there we take you inland, 300 miles from Caleta Olivia.

And housing?

- Who guarantees our wages? - One at a time.

- What? - What about housing?

Prefabs with every comfort.

How do we know you'll pay to the end?

Can we get a guarantee?

A deposit in a bank or something?

We'll discuss all that.

One thing at a time. Be patient.

Is there a hospital?

Yes, very well-equipped, with an Italian doctor,

from Turin.

When can we send for our wives?

It'll be at least a year.

But you can phone once a month. - Who pays?

The company. Of course, if you call more often -

- Can we get the sports newspapers? - Yes.

You can get all the Italian newspapers, though a few days late.

Is there TV?

Do the women there really go topless?

Now you're pushing it!

He says he can't stand up. His legs hurt.

What's all this about?

What's going on?

Where's it hurt?

Here?

What about here?

Here?

Does this hurt?

I can't feel it.

You can't feel it?

You can't feel this?

I know.

You don't want to go to kindergarten this morning.

Look at that!

Come see the nice ship.

It's so big!

It's all white.

Come look.

Come look.

My love...

if you don't tell me what hurts, what can I do?

Tell me. What do you feel?

- I'll try to pick him up. - Yes, do.

There.

My God, you can't stand up!

Darling, please tell me.

Or else how can I help you get better?

Hold him up.

How can this be?

Come here.

My darling...

how did this start?

Tell me.

Did you wake up this way,

or was it last night?

Tell me, sweetheart. Get a thermometer.

Has he had all his polio shots?

Of course. Think the doctor would overlook that?

Then why 24 hours for a diagnosis?

No, I can't wait that long.

I'm calling another doctor.

I'm tired of this game.

Draw me another picture.

Why don't you tell me a story?

I've told you all the stories I know.

How about the story from yesterday?

- Which one? - About the kite.

Why don't you rest a while?

I'll tell you the story later.

There was a girl who lived on an island.

Grown-ups bored her and frightened her too.

She didn't like kids her age. They all pretended to be grown up.

So she was always alone...

with the cormorants...

seagulls...

and wild rabbits.

She'd discovered a small beach far from town

with crystal-clear water and pink sand.

She loved that spot.

The colors of nature were so beautiful,

and there was no noise.

She'd leave

only when the sun did too.

One morning...

a sailing ship appeared.

It wasn't like the usual boats that passed by.

This was a real sailing ship...

the kind that had braved stormy seas all over the world...

and who knows - maybe even beyond.

Seen from afar, it was a splendid sight.

But up close...

it took on a mysterious air.

There was no one aboard.

It paused for a few minutes

and then turned

and sailed off...

as silently as it had come.

She was used to people's strange ways, so she wasn't surprised.

But no sooner was she back on shore when...

One mystery is all right, but two are too many.

Who was singing? The beach was deserted like always,

but there was that voice,

sometimes near,

sometimes far.

At one point it seemed to come from the sea itself...

or from an inlet among the rocks,

the numerous rocks...

that she had never realized...

were like flesh.

And the voice...

in that spot...

sounded so sweet.

Who was singing?

Everything was singing.

Everything.

Ma'am.

Your magazines.

What's this?

Why did you tell me -

- What room is he in? - Who, ma'am?

Who?

Do you remember the name?

The name...

Corrado.

Mr. Zeller? Room 309.

Do you have some ID?

Get me 309.

Your son?

No, he's fine.

He doesn't need me.

It's me who needs him.

What's going on?

My hair hurts...

my eyes,

my throat, my mouth...

Am I shaking?

- A bit. Maybe it's the cold. - Yes, I am cold.

I'm cold.

You don't love me, do you?

Why do you ask that?

I don't even know myself.

I never get enough.

Why must I always need other people?

I must be an idiot.

That's why I can't seem to manage.

You know what I'd like?

I'd like everyone who's ever cared about me...

here around me now,

like a wall.

Won't you tell me what's happened?

Nothing.

Go figure.

Nothing.

I didn't get better.

I'll never get better.

Never.

You brood on your illness,

but it's just an illness, like any other.

We all suffer from it a bit.

In one way or another, we all need to get better.

I wonder if there's some place in this world

where people go to get better.

Probably not.

You're probably right.

We run around and around but end up the same as before.

That's what's happening to me.

I feel no different than six years ago.

But I don't know...

if that makes me want to leave or stay.

When are you leaving?

I don't know.

- What are you looking at? - There.

Sometimes I want to attack someone.

Is that a bad sign?

Because sometimes I too -

Help me.

Help me, please.

I'm afraid I just won't make it.

- I'm scared. - Calm down.

What are you scared of?

Streets, factories,

colors, people - everything!

Giuliana, what are you planning to do?

- Nothing. - This is absurd.

It's no use worrying about me. That's all anyone's done for months.

I see the doctors, who tell me all about myself,

but it's when I'm alone that I feel sick!

I can't take it anymore!

I've done everything...

to “readjust to reality”...

as they say at the hospital.

It seems I may have succeeded...

and even managed to be unfaithful to my husband.

You mustn't think about these things.

Sure, just don't think about them.

Great solution.

There's something terrible about reality,

and I don't know what it is.

No one will tell me.

Even you didn't help me, Corrado.

Excuse me. Could you tell me -

I didn't mean...

Does this ship take passengers?

I mean, I haven't really made up my mind yet.

I can't decide...

because I'm not a single woman.

Though sometimes...

I feel sort of... separated.

No, not from my husband.

Our bodies are all separate.

If you prick me...

you don't suffer.

What was I saying?

Oh, right. I've been sick...

but I mustn't think about that.

I mean...

I have to think...

that everything that happens to me

is my life.

That's all.

I'm sorry.

Forgive me.

Valeria.

Valerio, let's go.

- Why's it do that? - I don't know.

Careful.

Why is that smoke yellow?

Because it's poisonous.

You mean if a little birdie flies there, it'll die?

The little birdies know by now.

They don't fly there anymore.

Let's go.