The arrangements for your parents' burial...
..will be completed in a few days.
We'll hold the caskets here until we can assign them a plot.
How long will that take?
I don't know, exactly, but they'll call you. Are you an only child?
My brother lives in America, but I have his authorization.
- Your parents' professions? - Both high school teachers.
Here are the photos.
- He shouldn't have accepted. - That's what I said.
Who knows what goes through some people's minds! Here we are.
- I fell asleep. - If you knew how tired I am!
Okay...
- We're back now! - Then let's start over.
We'll take it from ''Shut up, bitch.''
- Want to see it without sound? - No, let's just record it.
Thanks.
120, take four.
- Ah! - Shut up, bitch!
Oh, God, let me go!
Shut up or I'll kill you!
Don't hurt me!
I won't turn you in!
- No! - Hold still!
No! Let me go!
No...
- How was it? - A bit long on the first one.
- I know. - But we can tighten it up, can't we?
Sure, or we can overlap.
- Ok. - We'll use the rest as is.
Heavy breathing is the same in every language.
Oh, excuse me!
- Excuse me, where's the director? - He's looking for Negri.
- I have an appointment with Negri. - I'm going that way. Follow me.
No, this way.
Go to make-up, please!
Just a moment.
How many talk? Two.
I want two actors who can deliver a line...
..and who can repeat it more than once.
Hi.
- You know about the role, don't you? - Yes, my agent...
Can I get some lunch here? Shit!
- Yes, Andrea, I'll get it right now. - Thank you!
- Sorry. - Listen, I've already got a part in a play, I'm sorry.
Interesting! Do theater at night...
..and during the day you play the doctor. No, the anesthesiologist.
You have a whole episode to yourself. Your patient dies on the table.
Fantastic.
When someone asks you what you do, what do you say?
- Let's not joke around. - No, I'm really interested.
Sit down.
Come on, what do you say?
- I say I'm an actor. - Exactly. An actor only exists for an audience.
No one goes to the theater anymore, so it's as if you didn't exist.
- Oh! - Here's your sushi. - Thanks.
Want some? Raw fish. Low fat, you won't gain weight.
- No, thanks. - For my last series, audience share was almost 10 million.
- I'm happy for you. - It's a job like any other.
A job like any other that's watched by 10 million people.
Do you think the director gets to decide anything around here?
The director's the last one hired. If not you, someone else.
You shoot what you get: sick kids, murder victims, family fights.
- I've done a lot of theater, too. - I know, I've seen your shows.
You have?
- Did you like them? - I especially liked ''Oedipus Rex''.
Yeah, I know...
I used to be good.
It's 20 minutes past 2.
Hi, Jacob! Honey bunch!
- Hi. - Hi.
- Sorry I'm late, traffic was bad. - Don't worry about it.
- What did you bring me? - A gardenia.
It's a beautiful day today.
- Good. Your mom's? - How did it go?
If my brother had been there, I would have felt less lonely.
- Couldn't Franco go with you? - No, he had an audition.
- Couldn't he postpone it? - No, it was important.
More important than what you had to do, as usual.
I don't understand why you get so mad.
And I don't understand why you never get mad!
I realized I don't remember anything.
A few images, but no clear memories of them, of myself, of Daniele.
Not even the house. It's as if it never existed.
It did exist! I came over every day to do my homework.
And their deaths, even after two years...
..both from the same illness. It seems so unreal.
Sometimes I ask myself how I managed to erase everything.
You keep your distance from things that upset you, so you won't suffer.
But you really love to suffer.
- Do you have to go already? - I have a session at 4.
- Emilia. - What? - Promise me you won't get sad now.
I'm not sad. I'm thinking.
I'll try to come by Tuesday. I'll let you know.
Remember to water the plant.
- Hi! - Hi.
Hi, honey.
- How did it go? - Never mind.
Are you sure it's so embarrassing? I've heard of that director.
- He can't be that bad. - I don't want to do television.
- Is it a series? - Yeah, 24 episodes. If it goes well, they'll do another.
- At least you'll make some money. - That's what everyone says.
- No one's making movies. - Want an omelet or some pasta?
- No, I'll cook. You're tired. - I feel like cooking.
- Do you still love me, even though I've compromised? - So what?
I had big ambitions as an actress, now I dub films for TV.
Unlike me, you know how to adapt. Maybe that's a good quality.
Maybe.
Anyway, I still have to give them an answer.
In any case, I'm still going to rehearsal tomorrow.
Do you think it's true that I'm too wishy- washy?
- You're sweet... not wishy-washy. - But Emilia said I was.
The idea of coming home every night and seeing you makes me happy.
And I'll take the television job, so you can take it easy for awhile.
I'd like to have a baby.
Really?
Does that seem so strange to you?
Sweetheart, what's wrong? It's me.
Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you.
It's nothing, go back to sleep.
Daniele studied in the room next to yours.
It was quiet... concentrated.
Your parents were often home, correcting their students' papers.
Now and then your dad helped us with our Latin exercises.
He was almost always in his study.
He was stern, he never laughed. But he was nice.
Your mother was in the living room.
She brought us tea and cookies at 5.
It was a nice, quiet place.
I always felt at home there.
Sometimes I stayed for dinner and your dad always said the same thing.
Emilia like Via Romana.
Emilia and Sabina, two Roman names.
He always said that. He wanted to be friendly. It always embarrassed me.
- My father was a Martian. - What's wrong?
Nothing... I had a horrible dream. I can't even tell you about it.
Maybe because you'd been to the cemetery.
Maybe... Anyhow, I've got to run.
I'll see you the day after tomorrow. Sorry for dropping in like this.
- Drop in whenever you want. - Bye!
My eyes hurt. All I want to do is go home.
And put my feet up!
- Should I buy that for Franco? - I don't know...
There's another one that's...
What's wrong?
- What's going on? - That salesgirl!
- It's her... You know who I mean? - No.
My husband dumped me for her!
How old is she? Maria!
She and my daughter Carolina studied for their exams at our house.
They studied until late at night...
..and I didn't want her to go home by herself.
She seemed a bit mixed-up. So my husband used to drive her home.
Now they're living together and they'll probably have a baby.
I shouldn't have worried!
Why didn't you tell me she was so young?
- I'm ashamed. - Of what?
That my husband's fucking a girl his daughter's age.
- It has nothing to do with you. - I don't want people to think...
..we were a family of monsters.
He was a terrific father, and a tender husband.
- Didn't you ever notice anything? - No.
But now that it's happened... I can imagine everything.
The conversations in the car... the silences, the glances...
There must have been a moment when he said to himself...
..that there was nothing wrong in thinking about it, then doing it.
- And your daughter? - She never wants to see him again.
We don't even call him by name, we just say ''him''.
- How can something like that happen? - I've hunted for an explanation...
..then one day, a friend... enlightened me.
- How so? - He told me: I'm with a girl 30 years younger than I am...
..because she turns me on. There's no point in philosophizing.
Sabina, what's wrong? Do you feel sick?
- No, no... - What do you mean, no?
- No, I'm fine. - Are you sure?
Yes.
I made breakfast for you. There's even some cake.
It's early. Let me sleep some more.
What are you doing?
Looking at you.
Hello, Daniele? It's Sabina.
Did I wake you, is it late there?
I'm surprised. In all these years, you've never gone to see him.
I want to see my brother, get to know his children.
- I've only met his wife once. - I understand.
- And Franco? - What about Franco?
Doesn't he mind you leaving him all alone at Christmas?
- I don't think so. He's working. - He's not like me, is he?
- Meaning? - He can get along without you.
I want to spend one Christmas with my family.
I don't know if I have one anymore, or if my brother's family is mine.
- Do his kids speak Italian? - But my brother's wife...
..is studying Italian. - My daughter always loved books.
He used to read her one every night.
- All ready? - Yes.
- What time is the taxi tomorrow? - 7 AM.
I'm sorry you're going.
- I'll be back soon. - I know, but I'm going to miss you.
- Shall we go out for dinner? - Whatever you want.
I'm going to take a shower.
Today we shot everything hand-held, down the hall, into the elevator...
..right into the operating room.
Negri is good. He's wasted in television.
You're in a good mood, aren't you?
What did you say?
You said you were sad I was leaving, but you're really glad.
- What's with you? - That series made you sick...
..and now it's a masterpiece! - You're mad because I'm happy.
I'm happy to be working. Is that a crime?
Why are you upset with me?
I'm afraid of what might happen while I'm away.
Afraid of what... What's the matter? I don't get it... what is it?
I know you. You don't know how to be alone for such a long time.
You'll take someone to bed as soon as I'm gone.
You're crazy!
Then explain why a 50-year-old man would dump his wife...
..to screw a young girl! What can he possibly share with her?
Nothing! He just had to fuck her!
What's this got to do with me?
Because you're like all the others...
..when you get horny, you have to fuck someone...
..and if you can't do it with me, you'll do it with someone else.
Know what? It's good you're leaving.
A brief separation is a good idea.
Wait!
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry... I was wrong.
- What is it? - It's my last night, I wanted to be with you.
- Forgive me. - What's going on with you?
I need... to be with Daniele.
And talk... about a lot of things...
..that have to do with just me. Okay?
- Okay, you don't have to worry. - Really? I don't have to worry?
Leave me alone!
- Who's there? - Maria. I'm a friend of Sabina's.
She gave me something for you. But I'm afraid of dogs.
Shut up! Come here, Jacob!
- Just leave it outside the door. - No... I can't.
It's an email. I have to read it. Otherwise what will you do?
Then don't be such a wimp. He's only a basset hound.
- Maybe... maybe you could call him. - Jacob!
- If you'd just call him... - Come here!
Maybe... thanks.
Please, come in.
Now I'm going to get hurt... Sorry, but I can't see a thing.
- Good morning. - Good morning.
Here it is...
But I need some light to read by.
- Be good, Jacob. - I'll... I'll just sit for a second.
- Mind if I smoke? - I hate smoking. - Lucky you!
I smoke two packs a day. I hope I can hold out!
I'll just read it and leave.
Okay... Dearest Emilia...
..first of all, let me introduce a new friend, Maria.
We work together. She's very nice. Yeah, well, never mind...
I'm sure you'll become very good friends. Ah... here.
It's been wonderful to see Daniele again.
He's more mature and more handsome.
Maybe fatherhood has transformed him.
How are you?
- Fine. - How was your trip?
- A bit long. - Are you tired?
Anne didn't come, so we could see each other alone first.
- It's been such a long time! - Bill wasn't even born yet.
Anne has signed up for a course in Italian literature.
- She can't wait to see you again. - Are you glad to see me?
Of course, I'm very glad.
Charlottesville is very small. Only the university is big.
Those are neo-classic buildings designed by Thomas Jefferson.
He was inspired by the ancient Greeks and Romans.
That's the famous Rotunda. It's an imitation of our Pantheon.
Maybe I'll take you to see it.
Jefferson wanted to give the new world the perfection of antiquity.
I know, I read the guidebook.
- You're not coming back, are you? - Never.
Here, we teachers have the best of everything.
Being Italian is a big advantage.
Maybe you'll meet some colleague of mine...
..fall in love and stay here, too. - I doubt it.
Still with that actor?
Hi, Sabina!
- Hi! - How are you?
Fine. You look great!
Hi, Bill!
Thanks. I was starving!
How you've grown!
My darling, I'm having a wonderful time, but I miss you a lot.
Forgive me for being so difficult lately.
There are lots of things you don't know. I'll tell you when I'm back.
One in particular has to do with us.
That's enough, shit!
Got a light?
I don't smoke.
- Have we met? - I'm the dead girl, the one you give the wrong dose to.
- Besides that? - We did an audition together 10 years ago.
- Were you in grade school? - More or less?
In fact, you hardly looked at me then, either.
But you were great onstage. A real star!
- Don't exaggerate. - I mean it. - Come on!
- How did you end up here? - The director corrupted me.
- Good morning. - Hi. You look good in death makeup.
Should I go out like this? It's so cold!
- Here. - No, no, no. - Come on, don't be silly!
- The patient always comes first. - Franco, Negri wants you.
- What did you do to him? - I don't know, I've become his conscience.
In your opinion, would they say this bullshit during an operation?
No. But in a TV series they can say anything.
Franco, let's make some changes.
- What would you say in a situation like this? - Nothing.
I'd think about operating.
If we argue about all the lines, we won't get out of here alive.
- You have another twenty episodes to shoot. - Twenty?
Twenty.
- I have to talk to you, sit down. - I have to get back to makeup.
Once I wanted to make a film. I had it all in my head...
..and I thought about it all day long.
Then I gave up on it.
Here, I don't know why I put the camera here, or there.
It's all fake, it's all gratuitous.
The more I try to make it real, the more fake it is.
- You knew that already. - Yeah, but I thought everything was like that.
I thought there was no help for it, that it was modernity. What bullshit!
I'm the one who can't do anything.
Mommy!
There are these incredible species of birds.
They come from all over America to see them.
- In springtime a chubby little blue bird arrives. - Yeah?
He's a stranger to these parts.
He sits in the highest branches and fills the air with his song.
I stopped by our old house.
- All the shutters were closed. - Oh.
Dear Emilia, you know how closed my parents were. Daniele, too.
It's hard for him to express any feelings.
The four of us were shut up in the silence of that house.
You have to get out of your house. A kennel starts to stink after awhile.
Let me tell you, as one who was born in a kennel.
I do care about you, Emilia, though not the way you care about me...
..but more like a sister. There's nothing wrong with being blind.
You can share your love and awareness with others...
..maybe even more than others can. You always have with me. A big kiss.
Sabina.
She's a lovely person, she really is.
I...
I have to go.
I have to do some shopping before the stores close.
Jacob, come here.
- You're not going out yet. - Who walks him?
- My mother. - Well, then...
..I'm going.
Wait.
If you haven't got other plans, stay for dinner.
Plans...
I'm warning you, I'm not a very good cook...
I am!
- 265 grams. - Who's that?
Very clever!
Were you and Sabina involved with each other?
- No. - But you've been in love with her since you were schoolgirls?
- Did she tell you that? - No.
No, no, no. You can tell from the letter.
You must have had other affairs.
Are you only interested in my sex life or can we change the subject?
You're right.
I've become too direct as I've gotten older.
Ever since my husband dumped me...
..I've thought it would be much simpler to be with a woman.
- Why haven't you ever tried it? - It seems kind of makeshift.
And I think it must feel strange to touch a body just like your own.
Plates are over there.
Telephone.
I know, I'm not deaf.
Hello?
Hi, Mom.
No, don't bother.
He's already gone out today, it's no big deal.
Yes, I'm busy.
Mom, please, I'm cooking.
Yes, I'm fine. Bye.
These are all chipped. Why don't you get new ones?
I like having things I'm used to touching.
Things I remember.
You're too young to have old things.
If you want, I'll take Jacob out for a pee later.
How can I ever look my family in the face again?
How can I embrace my children?
For a mere 2 milligrams of atropine my whole life has been destroyed!
I'll have to commit suicide.
Stop!
- Okay? - Darling, I hope you don't feel too lonely during the holidays.
Lately, I realize I'm feeling very vulnerable.
I've begun to feel a terrible distrust of other human beings.
Words of affection seem phony to me.
At Christmas, we need to hear a poem.
- Never mind. - Will you teach me, Daddy?
Yes. We'll help you.
O tender stars of the Bear, I never thought I would return...
..to contemplate again your shining light upon my father's garden...
..To lean out from the window and discuss with you...
..this place I dwelled in as a child...
..and where I saw the end of all my joys.
Good night.
Why don't you tell her the story of the film?
Come on, Andrea. All right, I'll tell her.
- He wrote a love story about two garbage collectors. - What the fuck?
They're two garbage collectors.
They're two wonderful riders of the night...
..who roam the deserted city in their truck...
..cleaning up all the disgusting crap left by human beings.
To the riders of the night!
Since you don't give a shit, let's talk about agents, or TV shows.
Shut up. Go on!
- It's wonderful. - They're two beautiful kids, Anita.
Like you and him. They talk, they can't help dreaming...
..even amidst the stench and noise...
..of the iron maw that's chomping everything up.
Then...
..one night, in a trash bin...
..they find a newborn baby boy.
Tiny, and very clean.
In the middle of all that garbage.
Most of my classes are in that building down there.
We have 19 courses that cover a bit of everything: Homer, Greek lyrics...
..tragedy, mythology. That's my office over there.
I'll make you some hot tea later.
But I want to show you the library. It's extraordinary.
And this is their 'Pantheon'.
In the spring, I teach my classes here in front.
Everything around them is a copy of something else.
- Hi, Daniele! - Hi!
In effect, from here the original seems wonderful.
- Like the poem by Leopardi that Anne recited. - Daniele...
..there's something I want to tell you. I came here...
I wanted...
- There's something I've wanted to tell you since I got here. - What?
I'm expecting a baby.
What great news!
Why are you crying? Aren't you glad?
- And Franco? - He doesn't know.
But why are you crying?
I wanted to talk to you.
Ask you so many things.
I was so miserable before I came.
I wanted to talk to you about it.
Why miserable?
I had...
I had... a horrible dream...
..I was a child in our old house. I don't know what it means.
What did you dream?
I can't tell you.
It was only a dream.
Come on, don't be this way.
Let's go have some tea.
Hold on, Jacob! Let's go.
- Are you sure? - Yes, let's go.
Here we go.
You just stand right here. Wait a moment, sorry.
I have to close the door. Okay...
- Shit! - Wait! - I don't want to go out.
- My mom and Sabina know what to do. - Give me some time.
A dog and a blind girl.
Couldn't you have gotten a seeing-eye dog? Poop!
- Watch out. - You can stop calling me blind.
I call things by their right name.
- Why don't you buy something? - No.
Come on! Let's go look at some pants, or a jacket.
- Look at? - Yeah, I mean... no. I'll look, then I'll tell you.
- I don't need anything. - If I were blind, I'd be a shop- a- holic.
When I'm down, I'll buy any old thing for myself, or my daughter.
- You have a daughter? - Yeah.
- How old is she? - 22. She's studying in France.
When I was 8 years old they told my mother...
..I would become blind when I was around 20.
I figured it out little by little.
I tried to keep everything in my head, to remember it all.
But after awhile I realized it isn't easy living on memories alone.
You feel too lonely.
You're telling me!
I'm sorry, but she's a bit difficult.
- She likes things that look a little old. - Retro.
No, too severe. She already tends to be that way, better not.
This might work.
Lovely! This one.
- We found another two. - I want something simple.
This one's black, with a...
With nothing.
Here, try it on. And this other one's gorgeous.
- What color is it? - Deep burgundy.
And it's really simple.
Here. Try it on...
- Do you need my help? - No.
Let's hope not.
Sorry.
- Can you help me? - Excuse me.
What...
What... what... Everything's on the floor!
- You gave me all of them at once. - No, one at a time.
- Pick up your feet. - I didn't even want to come!
Hold still and I'll put it on you. Try this one.
Lift your foot.
Come on!
Okay... The other one.
Yes.
How do I look?
- Do you like how I look? - Very much.
- What's she like? Describe her. - You're crazy.
What do you want to know?
What's she wearing?
Jeans and a red jacket.
Hair?
Black, long and straight.
Has she got a nice ass, pretty tits?
How should I know?
She's thin... and...
- And what? - And young.
She's very young.
- There he is. - Who?
- Is he there? - Can we go now, please?
You don't know how many men I fucked afterwards. Disgusting men...
..they were all worthless.
I was the one...
..who felt totally worthless.
Don't cry.
Do you know what he said before he left?
He said: What do you want from me, Maria?
Do you want me to get old next to you?
You're so young, Maria! You're so beautiful!
How can you say that, when you can't even see?
Put it over there.
Farther down.
- Daniele is a good father. - Yes.
- That took some time. - How come?
- Really? - Yeah.
Then very slowly, with therapy.
- He's been in therapy? - For a long time. Didn't you know?
- Surprise. - Hi!
- Weren't you going to a party? - I came to pick you up.
What a nice place!
It's really beautiful.
Something smells good!
What were you making?
Roast beef.
What are you doing?
- Are you wearing new perfume? - Yeah, I bought it today.
It's warm.
It smells good on your skin.
- Did you do it for me? - No, I just wanted new...
I don't know, maybe. Maybe unconsciously.
- Do you mind that I'll never know what you look like? - No, it's better.
- That way, you can imagine I'm... - But I know what you look like.
You can know a lot of things...
..about a body close to yours, without even seeing it.
Shall I tell you?
You have clear, delicate skin...
..two gray-green eyes, like certain cats have...
..a few lines under your eyes...
..and you get dark circles when you've been working too hard.
Soft lips...
You're strong.
As a girl, you were very thin and athletic.
You still have nice, muscular legs.
Your waistline's a bit wider...
..but you have lovely breasts.
You don't show them off too easily.
But tonight you're wearing a low-cut dress. It looks wonderful on you.
Haven't you ever thought of being a director?
No. I don't like telling other people what to do.
I like acting.
What I like about acting is the relationship between body and mind.
Why are you laughing?
You always exaggerate. But maybe we really don't control anything.
We do things... and we don't even know what we're doing.
Yeah.
Instinct takes over.
Isn't there anything else to drink?
Here, finish this.
You'll be late for your party, I'll call you a taxi.
You'll never get a taxi, it's almost midnight.
Come in, sweetie.
Leave me alone, I don't want to think about it.
Fifteen, fourteen, thirteen, twelve, eleven...
..ten, nine, eight, seven, six...
..five, four, three, two, one...
..happy new year!
You have to stand back! Okay?
Congratulations! Happy new year!
Daniele told me about the baby. It's wonderful!
- Thanks. - Now you're safe. - Safe from what?
I love you.
Safe from what?
- Hey! - Safe from what?
Safe from what?
From what?
Safe from what?
For a long time, when I was a boy, I didn't realize anything was wrong.
It happened at night.
It seemed almost normal to me.
That was the hardest thing to overcome in therapy.
What?
The idea of my docility. I thought it was normal.
During the day, he sent me out to buy cigarettes.
He asked me about school. He came to talk to my teachers.
He was normal, paternal.
He never touched me.
Oh, god! I'm sorry.
That's why I...
..can't touch my own children.
I can't even hug them.
Oh, god! I'm sorry.
Don't say you're sorry. There's nothing for you to be sorry about.
Go on.
At a certain point during the night I'd hear his footsteps in the hall.
I'd put my head under the pillow, hoping he'd change his mind.
But he'd open my bedroom door...
..and after a few seconds, he'd say: ''Daniele, come here.''
In a pleading voice.
During the day he had an stern, authoritative voice...
..but at night it changed.
He had the voice of a whining child.
That's why...
- Don't cry. - I'm not crying for myself.
I'm crying for that little boy, because I feel so sorry for him.
I think of how he'd hear that pleading voice.
He'd get up obediently, he'd follow and do what he's asked to do.
That little boy didn't know what he was doing, but he obeyed...
..because he'd learned that you always obey your parents.
And mamma...
..where was she when he went to get you?
In the kitchen correcting homework.
One day, he bent over your bed to caress you.
He did it in an innocent way, like a father.
But I realized that sooner or later... he would do it to you.
A few nights later, when he opened my bedroom door...
..I threw a marble ashtray at him. I'd hidden it under the sheet.
It cut him on the head.
I told him I would kill him if he tried it again.
He wept.
He said: All right, all right.
I hated him more than ever.
That was when I realized I hated him.
Then mamma came in.
She sat down on my bed.
I kicked her and punched her. She let me do it.
Then she held onto my hands and she told me...
..It's a vice. He doesn't mean to hurt you. He's sick.
He's weak, but you're strong like me.
She begged me not to say anything.
We're a family, she kept saying.
You mustn't tell anyone because these things just happen.
We're a family.
I told her that I would kill him if he ever touched you.
Why did I have that dream?
Because it happened to you.
Twice. You were very little.
He confessed it before he died.
He told me I should send you to a doctor.
Maybe he'd seen some program about it on television.
He knew he was about to die and he wanted to get it off his conscience.
I didn't have the guts to tell you. Anne has always scolded me about it.
You stayed with him until the end. How come?
Maybe I wanted to show him that I was superior.
Or maybe because I wanted to see him die.
I took care of him. I washed him and changed him.
I watched his body getting thinner.
I thought: You're dying, just as I will die.
Then, what he did could be inside me, inside anybody.
I asked myself: What was the use of all his knowledge...
..if he could do what he did?
When he told me about those two times...
..in the morning he told the nurse he'd hadn't slept all night.
It wasn't true. He slept like a baby.
I thought of you the whole time. You, and him... and those two times.
I made him take a double dose of morphine.
He went into a coma. He died within a few hours.
You did that?
- You bought flowers, too? - Yeah.
Shall we go out to eat? Then we can talk a bit.
- I'm tired. Could we stay home? - Sure, I'll cook. Take a shower.
Everything's ready. Wow!
- How did it go with Daniele? - Good.
We talked like we never did before.
I really like Daniele's kids, and Anne, too.
She's very practical and efficient, but really nice.
Did you manage all right without me?
- Franco... - Yeah?
I have to tell you something, but it's really hard for me.
What?
I'm pregnant.
Darling... darling!
Dear Daniele, I couldn't tell him. I don't want his compassion.
He might not have been able to touch me again without thinking about it.
I wouldn't have had the courage to look him in the eye.
I don't want to lay the weight on him that you laid on Anne.
It seems like the baby knows everything, though.
How is Daniele? You never told me anything.
Here.
Daniele is strong. He's indestructible.
Even as a kid.
Yes, he seemed strong.
What do you mean, seemed?
Things seem fine in families. You never know if they are, or not.
How did it go in America?
Fine.
Don't you have anything to tell me? If it weren't for Maria...
- What did she tell you? - That something...
..inexplicable has happened to her.
- Being with a woman? - Being in love again.
Daniele, the hardest thing has been to associate mom and dad...
..with those two voices he had, the everyday voice...
..and the infantile one that called you at night. Maybe we all have two.
Like actors do when films are dubbed.
I wonder if the way he smiled at my dance recital...
..was the way any other father smiled.
I think it was. That's the hardest thing to accept.
At that moment, he was a father.
- Yes! - Read the script right away. We have to shoot it immediately.
Thanks, Sabina. Everything's great. Tell him to read it.
- Before you come to the beach. - I told you I would!
- My future is in your hands. - Good night. - My hat.
Read it.
- He's nuts. - He's really likeable, though.
A secret like ours...
..can't be mixed up in the lives of ordinary people.
Dear Daniele, I'm glad you're coming with Anne and the boys for the baby.
This past month has been incredibly hot.
The pregnancy has protected me and the baby from everything...
..and I don't want to be separated from him.
- Does Franco's friend have a wife? - He's already had two.
- He doesn't seem like a family man. - How would you know?
Sorry, you're the expert on families.
In my opinion, he's looking for the right woman to start a family.
The eternal dream... everyone has it.
I think men and women are made to be together.
- Want to go take a walk in town? - Sure.
- How's it going? - It's too hot.
- Want to take a walk with us? - No, I'm too tired.
- See you later. - Okay. - Shall we go?
That was great!
- Know what I like best about my film? - What?
The idea of showing a man starting with his defects...
..starting with everything he hides in the garbage.
The things we hide are the ones that tell the most about us.
Where's Sabina?
What am I doing at this guy's house? I don't even know him, and you...
..just hang out with your friend! - Are you jealous of Sabina? - No!
I would have been better off staying with my daughter.
You always start talking about her when you want to make me angry.
- It's moral blackmail. - You don't know what having a daughter means!
- You're such a bitch! - I am? You're no slouch, yourself.
That's enough! Street.
I'm tired of arguing. We made a mistake. Stairs.
We kept each other company at a difficult time, but now...
Would you rather go back to crying over your husband...
..or see if that director is free? - You're jealous! - I am not!
I like men, okay? I haven't given them up!
If my husband had stayed home, I would still be with him.
Then go back home, and get fucked!
The baby they find in the garbage bin sort of gets born two times.
No one would ever keep a baby they found in a trash bin.
- Why not? - It's illegal. They would take it to the police.
- You've been doing too much television. - Sweetheart!
- Where have you been? - I went for a walk.
- In this heat? - Sabina, want a little wine?
No, thanks, I'm tired. I'm going to lie down for awhile.
Have you had a fight?
I don't understand what's going through her mind. She's avoiding me.
She doesn't want me to touch her.
She's pregnant. It's hot. Put yourself in her place.
She came back from America, told me she was pregnant, then she changed.
- Did she figure out about Anita? - What the fuck are you saying?
- That didn't mean anything. - Women understand everything.
I got dumped for the same reason and I never confessed a thing.
That ought to make me think.
- Can't take it anymore? - No, I feel like an elephant, but I'm fine.
- Maybe you want your old body back? - I don't know.
I wasn't thinking about it. Maybe you're the one who wants it back.
- Anything wrong with that? - No.
- We can't go on like this. - Like what?
Everything has changed since you came back from America. Why?
- Are you mad at me? - No.
- Did I do something wrong? - No.
Why won't you tell me?
I can't tell you, I'm too ashamed.
Then... something did happen?
I have to tell you something, too.
While you were away...
Afterwards I felt like a worm. I don't even know why I did it.
I wanted to tell you, but when you told me about the baby, I couldn't.
- Was she an actress? - Yes. She was working with me.
Did you fuck her?
Once.
And you?
It was something very different. Nothing to do with us, anyway.
I didn't want to tell you. Maybe I never would have told you.
It's better that you had this adventure while I was away...
..because I wouldn't have been able to make love...
..after the baby was born. It's hard to understand...
..but it happens, and people survive.
I'd like...
..you to hear me out, without interrupting me.
- What? - Have you seen Sabina?
- No. Why? - She's disappeared. I can't find her.
What do you mean, disappeared? She must have gone for a walk.
She took everything with her. Her suitcase, her clothes...
Franco, we'll find her.
I'm sure nothing bad happened to her.
You had a fight. She'll come back.
We didn't have a fight. She left me. I'm such an asshole!
We have to find her.
- 0832... - We should split up.
We'll go back to Rome and see if she's there. What's the number?
- 757. - You two stay here in case...
- In case... - What is the number? You have to do two things at once.
- 824. - You two stay, so if she returns...
- I don't think she will. - What do you know? And if she does?
- Hello. We're looking for... - You have to ask for Maternity.
Could you transfer me to Maternity?
If anything's happened, that's where they'd take her.
- You're right. - Even we men are capable of a certain sensitivity.
Oh, yeah?
- No. I've only shot 40 episodes in a hospital. - You see!
Mom!
Help me!
He's my father.
He's my daddy.
- I'll go park. - Okay.
On the right.
- Where is she? - In here. She's sleeping.
No, she's waking up.
- Where is she? - Here. Go ahead.
How are you?
We were scared to death.
Where's Franco?
Have you seen him?
No, not yet.
How are you?
I'm still in pain, but not too much.
Come here, Franco.
- Let's go. - Where's Maria? - Outside, having a cigarette.
I'll go to the police and sign the report, then I'll come back.
- Well? - Well, what?
- What do you want to do? - I'm going home, do what you want.
- Why are we breaking up? - I'm tired.
- I'm too old to suffer again. - I don't want you to suffer.
I want you to be happy.
I love you.
Don't leave me alone in that house. I hate it.
I want to do everything with you. Go for walks, go dancing!
Don't leave me, Maria.
- Maria. - Emilia, I'm over here.
Fuck you!
Oh my god, how tiny you are!
Who do you look like?
Nobody. You don't look like anybody.
Don't grow up too fast. I have to put you in a trash bin.
I'll let you play the leading role.
Excuse me. What are you doing with that baby?
- I was offering him a job. - Are you the father? - No.
Only the parents can touch the babies.
- Says who? - That's the rule.
Nice rule!
Dear Sabina, I'm so thrilled about the birth of Daniele.
Every time I look at his picture I get mushy all over again.
I want to write you many things, but one thing most of all.
It's impossible to heal from certain wounds, and ours is one of them.
But we can still walk among other people with our heads high.
Now that you're a mother, you'll understand how important that is.
A scar is an indelible mark, but it's not a disease.
We thought they'd taken our lives from us, but we can take them back...
..even though to do it we've had to erase...
..the memory of the children we once were.