[DOOR OPENS]
[FOOTSTEPS ON STAIRS]
HOW DID YOU LET THIS PARAGON OF CITIES
TURN INTO A CESSPIT OF VICE AND DEPRAVITY?
FOR AS THE WATERS FLOW THROUGH VENICE EVERY DAY
AND WASH AWAY THE FILTH...
SO THE LORD WILL WASH AWAY THIS EVIL.
DO YOU NOT AGREE, MY FRIEND?
I THINK NOT.
A SOUL IN TORMENT IS A SOUL WITHOUT GOD.
ALL FLESH IS GRASS.
WE MUST ALL MEET OUR MAKER.
TO THIS END, WE MUST ALL COME,
EVEN VENETIANS.
YOU CAN BE SAVED, MY BROTHER.
IT'S YOUR DESIRE THAT MAKES YOU WEAK.
YOU CAN CURE ME OF MY DESIRE...
YOUNG IDEALIST?
NO.ICAN'T.
TONIGHT'S TOO MANY HOURS AWAY.
MY AFFECTIONS AREN'T MINE TO GIVE YOU TONIGHT.
WHAT?
I HAVE MOUTHS TO FEED LIKE YOU.
I'LL SUPPORT YOU.
NO.
NO. THERE WILL BE NO MONEY BETWEEN US.
SO YOU'D...
YOU'D CONTINUE WITH THIS LIFE?
I HAVE NO CHOICE.
THIS IS THE LIFE I WAS GIVEN.
NO. YOU DO HAVE A CHOICE.
IF I WERE YOURS ALONE,
YOUR PROPERTY, CHASTE AND SILENT,
YOU'D SOON TIRE OF ME.
YOU'RE WRONG.
AM I?
IF YOU CARED FOR ME, YOU COULD NOT DO THIS.
DO NOT ASK OF ME WHAT YOU CANNOT GIVE YOURSELF.
YOUR WIFE IS WAITING.
WHAT AILS YOU, MARCO?
WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
I WANT TO BE A GOOD WIFE.
PENDING DEPRIVATION...
ALWAYS MAKES ME HUNGRY.
MY DEAR, YOU'RE NOT EATING.
BUT YOU ARE, THOUGH, DARLING.
THERE'LL BE NO MORE OF THESE LITTLE DELICACIES
IF THE SULTAN TURNS NASTY.
[BELLS RING IN DISTANCE]
WHY ARE THE BELLS RINGING AT THIS TIME OF NIGHT?
MARCO! MARCO!
THE SULTAN HAS ATTACKED.
SUNK EIGHT SHIPS NEAR MALTA.
IF WE DON'T SAIL FOR CYPRUS BY EASTER,
WE WON'T BE SAILING BACK.
Marco: SOONER, I THINK.
I WE CAN'T RALLY FRANCE, WE WON'T BE SAILING BACK.
THE TURKS HAVE 3 SHIPS TO OUR 1.
WILL THE KING OF FRANCE HELP US?
IF WE AMUSE HIM.
KING HENRY'S A BOY IN MAN'S BRITCHES.
A POWERFUL BOY.
A BOY NONETHELESS.
Domenico: WHO COMMANDS A LOT OF SHIPS
AND HAS NO LOVE FOR THE TURKS.
YOUR WIFE BELIEVES SHE HAS BEWITCHED YOU.
WHAT HARM IS THERE IN BEWITCHING A MARRIED MAN?
THAT MAN HAS TO HAVE HEIRS.
HE'S TO BE A SENATOR SOON.
SO HE SHALL.
WHAT GOD AND GREED HAVE JOINED TOGETHER...
LET NO LOVE PUT ASUNDER.
THE WOMAN YOU LOVE IS NOT GOOD.
NOT PURE, NOT MEEK.
I AM A COURTESAN.
IT'S THE ONLY THING YOU LET ME DO,
AND I DO IT WELL.
I CAN'T BEAR IT. I CAN'T BEAR IT.
I KNOW I HAVE NO RIGHT,
BUT I WON'T SHARE YOU.
BUT I MUST SHARE YOU.
I MUST BEAR THAT. I HAVE NO CHOICE.
PLEASE DON'T ENVY GIULIA.
SHE WILL NEVER HAVE WHAT YOU HAVE.
PLEASE TRUST ME.
I DON'T KNOW HOW.
I'LL EARN YOUR TRUST.
LET ME.
YOU'LL GO OFF TO WAR AND DIE.
NO. NOT WITH YOU TO COME BACK TO.
STAY WITH ME FOR AS LONG AS WE HAVE.
I'LL BE YOUR PRIVATE WHORE.
NO. DON'T EVER SAY THAT.
YOU'RE VERONICA FRANCO.
YOU'RE A POET.
AND YOU'RE MY LADY.
CANCEL MY APPOINTMENTS, PLEASE.
IT'S A TREACHEROUS GAME YOU'RE PLAYING,
MY LITTLE IDIOT.
YOU OUTDID ME LONG AGO.
I KNOW THAT.
AND THE IRONY IS IT'S NOT BECAUSE...
YOU'RE PRETTIER THAN I WAS,
BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT.
NOR THAT YOU'RE A BETTER LAY THAN I WAS,
BECAUSE YOU AREN'T.
IT'S BECAUSE YOU ARE SMARTER THAN I AM.
YOU HAVE A GIFT. DON'T THROW IT AWAY.
FOR GOD'S SAKE, MOTHER.
HAVEN'T I DONE ENOUGH?
HE'S A CLIENT LIKE ALL THE OTHERS.
LOVE HIM AND YOU LOSE.
I MUST GO. KING HENRY'S COMING.
I'LL GET MY THINGS.
AH, IT'S BEEN SELFISH OF YOU, NEPHEW,
KEEPING HER HIDDEN AWAY.
WE COULD USE HER COUNSEL.
YOU CAME BACK JUST IN TIME
TO SEDUCE THE FRENCH KING.
HE'S ARRIVING TOMORROW.
HE'D LET ALL PARIS BURN FOR A GOOD LAY.
HE'LL HARDLY FIGHT FOR VENICE.
DEPENDS ON HOW WELL VENICE LAYS HIM.
I DON'T MIND FIGHTING,
BUT I PREFER TO FIGHT A WAR THAT I CAN WIN.
WITHOUT FRANCE'S SHIPS, IT'S A SUICIDE MISSION.
IT'S AS SIMPLE AS THAT.
IT'S ALL RIGHT, SIR. THE NAVY IS NOW STRONG.
IT MAY BE STRONG, BUT WE STILL CAN ADD MORE SHIPS.
[APPLAUSE]
GLORIOUS ARCHITECTURE.
INDEED.
GOOD HENRY! GOOD HENRY, WE MUST FIGHT!
WE MUST FIGHT THE INFIDELS HERE
BEFORE WE CAN BEAT THEM ABROAD.
OR WE CAN FIGHT THEM AT HOME.
TAKE THIS PAPER TO THE KING.
NO! I'M A MAN OF GOD!
GIVE HIM THIS PAPER!
FRANCE HAS THEM, TOO.
I PREFER A HERETIC TO A ZEALOT. THEY'RE NOT SO SERIOUS.
THE ZEALOTS ARE CREATING DIFFICULTIES EVERYWHERE.
OUR CAPTAINS TELL US
THE MUSLIM TURKS HAVE BEEN SPOTTED NEAR CYPRUS.
HMM.
RATHER PRESUMPTUOUS, DON'T YOU THINK?
RATHER PRESUMPTUOUS, DON'T YOU AGREE,
TO THINK THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH WOULDN'T COME TO ITS DEFENSE?
WHAT ABOUT THESE COURTESANS VENICE IS SO FAMOUS FOR?
I'M SURE THE SULTAN IS FAR TOO EXPERIENCED TO GAMBLE HIS OWN--
I'D LIKE TO MEET THEM.
YOU GOT THEM NEARBY?
WHO'S THAT?
SHE'S NOT WITH THE OTHERS.
VERONICA FRANCO, YOUR EXCELLENCY.
THE POETESS.
IS SHE A COURTESAN?
SHE IS, YOUR HIGHNESS.
TELL HER TO COME FORWARD.
I WANT HER.
MOST EXQUISITE.
YOU DO ME GREAT HONOR, MAJESTY.
I TAKE YOU FROM THE ONE YOU LOVE.
I COME WILLINGLY.
YOU HAVE TO SAY THAT BECAUSE I'M A KING.
I HAVE TO SAY THAT BECAUSE VENICE NEEDS YOU.
WHAT DO YOU YEARN FOR, KING HENRY?
UNH!
YOU'VE HEARD THE RUMORS, VERONICA.
YES, SIRE.
THE KING'S A PERVERT.
WHAT DO YOU REALLY YEARN FOR, KING HENRY?
TEARS.
TEARS FOR WHOM?
YOUR TEARS.
YOU YEARN FOR MY TEARS?
I DON'T THINK SO.
THEN WHAT DO I YEARN FOR?
WHY DON'T WE FIND OUT?
ARMS, HUP!
YOU'LL GET YOUR SHIPS.
[CHEERING]
POET TO KINGS.
A NATIONAL ASSET. MORE THAN A HUNDRED FRENCH SHIPS.
PERHAPS WE SHOULD MAKE YOU AMBASSADOR TO THE EMPEROR.
HE DOESN'T DESERVE HER.
WOULD HE SOONER WE DIDN'T GET THE SHIPS?
HE WOULD RATHER HE HAD THE RIGHT
TO REFUSE EVEN A KING YOUR HAND.
I COULD NOT REFUSE.
COULDN'T YOU?
I THINK YOU LIKE IT.
AND YOU LIKE WHAT IT HAS MADE ME.
I DON'T LIKE WHAT IT MAKES ME.
THEN WHY DID YOU NOT STOP ME?
YOU'RE NOT MINE TO STOP.
AND WHOSE FAULT IS THAT?
YOU SLEEP WITH GIULIA EVERY NIGHT FOR DUTY'S SAKE.
I SLEPT WITH THE KING OF FRANCE ONCE FOR DUTY'S SAKE.
WHO DOES NOT FORGIVE?
PERHAPS I JUST CAN'T LIVE WITH IT.
BUT I LOVE YOU.
MARCO?
MARCO!
I PRAY GOD TO WATCH OVER YOU.
SAVE YOUR PRAYERS, VERONICA.
THE DEVIL'S GOT MY HEART NOW. GOD HASN'T A CHANCE.
[WHISPERING PRAYERS]
[SHOUTING]
RAAH!
WE WERE HOPING YOU COULD TELL US WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH THE WAR.
WHAT DO YOU KNOW?
JUST THAT WE'RE FIGHTING THE TURKS AGAIN.
THAT'S ALL?
THEIR SULTAN SENT US AN ULTIMATUM.
EITHER WE SURRENDER CYPRUS OR HE TAKES IT BY FORCE.
OUR FLEETS HAVE HEADED EAST TO DEFEND IT.
IS CYPRUS SO IMPORTANT
THAT WE MUST SEND OUR HUSBANDS AWAY TO BATTLE?
WITHOUT CYPRUS WE LOSE CONTROL OVER THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN.
IF THEY CANNOT BE CONTAINED,
THE TURKS WILL FIND THEIR WAY TO CHRISTIAN SHORES.
I KNOW WE OWN IT, BUT WHERE EXACTLY IS CYPRUS?
MY HUSBAND...
DO YOU KNOW IF HE IS ALIVE OR DEAD?
ALIVE AND WELL, SIGNORA PREGADAN.
AND MINE?
THE ADMIRAL IS ALIVE AND A HERO.
AND MY HUSBAND?
WHO IS YOUR HUSBAND?
VICCO. MY HUSBAND IS PIETRO VICCO.
HE'S YOUNG AND STRONG. I'M SURE HE'LL COME HOME SAFELY.
YOU KNOW HER HUSBAND WELL.
NOT AT ALL WELL, BUT HIS REPUTATION PRECEDES HIM.
GO ON. ASK HER.
ASK HER WHAT YOU'RE LONGING TO.
ASK HER WHAT DRAWS OUR HUSBANDS BACK TO HER...
AGAIN AND AGAIN.
LIKE PIGS TO A TROUGH.
THE LATIN FOR BANANA ISARIANE.
BANANA TREE ISPALLE.
A WOMAN'S GREATEST AND MOST HARD-WON ASSET
IS AN EDUCATION.
JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN SAY IT IN LATIN
DOESN'T MAKE IT ANY LESS OBSCENE.
JUST BECAUSE YOU TOOK A VOW
DOESN'T MEAN YOU KNOW HOW TO LOVE.
EITHER THAT WHORE LEAVES OR I LEAVE.
NO CHRISTIAN WOMAN COULD TOLERATE SUCH BEHAVIOR
UNDER HER ROOF.
YOU'RE UNFIT TO BE A MOTHER.
AT LEAST I AM A MOTHER.
YOU WON'T BE ONCE LORENZO HEARS OF THIS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE, SIGNORA FRANCO.
HE'S ALIVE.
YOU MADE MANY ENEMIES TODAY.
THEY WERE ALREADY ENEMIES.
NOW THEY WILL BECOME MORE SO.
IS THAT WHY YOU CAME, TO WARN ME?
WHEN MY DAUGHTER IS OLD ENOUGH,
I WANT YOU TO MAKE HER A COURTESAN.
[LAUGHS]
I WILL NOT PIMP YOUR DAUGHTER.
LOOK AT THE LIFE YOU LIVE.
THE FREEDOM THAT YOU HAVE.
WILL YOU DENY MY DAUGHTER THE SAME CHANCE?
TURN RIGHT UP AHEAD.
LOOK.
LOOK OUTSIDE.
GET AWAY!
[LAUGHING]
THIS IS WHERE WE GO TO DIE.
YOU WILL NOT END HERE.
LIVIA, VENICE'S REIGNING VENUS.
GET AWAY!
A JEALOUS LOVER DID THAT.
WHO WANTS HER NOW?
MY CAGE SEEMS BIGGER THAN YOURS,
BUT IT'S STILL A CAGE.
IF YOU WANT SYMPATHY FROM ME, YOU WON'T GET IT.
I DON'T WANT YOUR SYMPATHY.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT MY DAUGHTER'S NURSE TOLD HER THIS MORNING?
THAT IN A GIRL'S VOICE LIES TEMPTATION.
A KNOWN FACT...
ELOQUENCE IN A WOMAN MEANS PROMISCUITY.
PROMISCUITY OF THE MIND LEADS TO PROMISCUITY OF THE BODY.
SHE DOESN'T BELIEVE HER YET, BUT SHE WILL.
SHE'LL GROW UP JUST LIKE HER MOTHER. SHE'LL MARRY,
BEAR CHILDREN, AND HONOR HER FAMILY.
SPEND HER YOUTH IN NEEDLEPOINT
AND RUE THE DAY SHE WAS BORN A GIRL.
AND WHEN SHE DIES,
SHE'LL WONDER WHY SHE OBEYED ALL THE RULES OF GOD AND COUNTRY
BECAUSE NO BIBLICAL HELL COULD EVER BE WORSE
THAN THIS STATE OF PERPETUAL INCONSEQUENCE.
[BELL TOLLING]
Veronica: SILENT GOD IGNORES MY PRAYER
AND RENDERS LOST WHAT ONCE WAS FAIR.
ONCE BLISSFUL FORTUNE'S FAVORED CITY,
NOW WHEELED FATE TURNS,
NO TRACE OF PITY.
[BELL TOLLING]
Man: CITIZENS OF VENICE!
LOOK AROUND YOU NOW AT THE DISEASE AND DEATH
THAT HAVE TAKEN OVER OUR ONCE BEAUTIFUL CITY
AND TELL ME THIS PLAGUE IS NOT A PUNISHMENT FROM GOD!
WE ARE SURROUNDED BY HARLOTS AND COURTESANS!
WE MUST CAST OUT THOSE WHO TEMPT US
FOR WE ARE A CITY OF SHAME,
OF FORNICATION, AND CARNAL PRACTICES
THAT DEFY DESCRIPTION!
WE WILL GO THE WAY OF SODOM AND GOMORRA
AND BECOME DUST IN THE SANDS OF TIME!
Ramberti: MARCO!
THERE IS NEWS FROM VENICE.
[WOMEN CRYING AND SCREAMING]
Man: THE CORRUPTION OF THEIR FLESH,
THE PAINT ON THEIR FACES,
THE VILE COLORING OF THEIR HAIR,
THEIR WANTON DRESS,
LOOK ON THEM, AND LOOK WITHIN YOURSELVES AT THE LUST!
[MEN SHOUTING]
MY LIFE...
YOU'RE ALIVE.
FORGIVE ME. FORGIVE ME.
[BABBLING]
PLEASE FORGIVE ME.
[CRYING]
I'M SORRY.
BACK.
Woman: IT'S GOD'S VENGEANCE ON YOU, WHORE.
[SHOUTING]
Woman: DIE!
SIGNORA VERONICA FRANCO, I HEREBY SUMMON YOU
TO APPEAR BEFORE THE TRIBUNAL OF THE HOLY INQUISITION.
YOU HAVE NO JURISDICTION HERE, SENATOR.
I SPEAK FOR THE CHURCH.
THE INQUISITION?
IN VENICE?
WE HAVE 56,000 DEAD.
THE LIVING WANT ANSWERS.
THEY MAY BE WRONG, BUT THEY WANT THEM.
JUST BE GLAD THOSE BASTARDS AREN'T BURNING US OUT.
YOU CAN STOP IT!
IF THE DOGE OF VENICE WERE TO COME OUT IN DEFENSE
OF A NOTORIOUS COURTESAN--
NOW SHE'S NOTORIOUS!
BEFORE SHE WAS A NATIONAL ASSET!
IT WOULD TOPPLE THE GOVERNMENT.
THESE ARE GRIM TIMES, SENATOR.
I CAN NO LONGER BE A PARTY TO THIS TRAVESTY!
YOU ARE AN ELECTED OFFICIAL.
YOU CANNOT REFUSE YOUR OFFICE.
IF YOU COMPEL ME TO CONTINUE,
THEN YOU COMPEL ME CONDONE THESE PROCEEDINGS.
AM I MISTAKEN, OR IS VENICE STILL A FREE REPUBLIC?
DO YOU THINK RUINING YOURSELF WILL HELP HER?
[DOOR OPENS]
[SHOUTING]
[CANE THUMPS]
BY THE ORDER OF THE POPE, THE HOLY INQUISITION
HAS COME TO VENICE TO SEEK OUT HERESY AND BELIEFS
ANATHEMA TO THE CHURCH.
VERONICA FRANCO...
YOU HAVE BEEN DENOUNCED ON THE CHARGE OF WITCHCRAFT...
A MORTAL SIN PUNISHABLE BY DEATH.
SHOULD YOU CONFESS AND REPENT
AT ANY TIME DURING THESE PROCEEDINGS,
YOU WILL BE MERCIFULLY WELCOMED BACK
INTO THE BOSOM OF THE HOLY MOTHER CHURCH.
YOUR HOLINESS, I MAY ONLY--
SILENCE!
THE ACCUSED SHALL MAKE NO UTTERANCE
EXCEPT TO ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS OR TO CONFESS.
PROCEED, MONSIGNOR.
VENICE...
EVER A NOBLE REPUBLIC...
HOME OF LEARNING...
ART...
COMMERCE...
HAS BEEN BROUGHT LOW BY WAR AND PLAGUE.
DO YOU KNOW WHY, SIGNORA FRANCO?
I AM NOT THAT WISE, YOUR GRACE.
TELL US...
HOW MANY OF THE WORTHY MEN OF THIS CITY
HAVE YOU TAKEN INTO YOUR CHAMBER?
I HAVE NOT COUNTED MY LOVERS.
MORE THAN 20?
YOU WILL ANSWER THE QUESTION.
YES.
MORE THAN 100?
I DON'T KNOW.
YOU CANNOT REMEMBER THEM.
YET FOR EACH YOU PARADED YOUR MILKY BREAST AND COPPER HAIR.
FOR EACH YOU LEARNED HIS UNIQUE, FAVORITE TOUCH,
ENCHANTED HIM TO BELIEVE HE WAS THE ONLY MAN IN THE UNIVERSE?
WHAT WAS THE AVERAGE NUMBER IN A SINGLE WEEK?
I TOLD YOU, I ENCHANTED NO ONE.
DID YOU FEIGN LOVE WITH MORE THAN 10 WEEKLY?
OR WERE PERHAPS 5 OR 6 ENOUGH TO SATE YOU?
I NEVER FEIGNED LOVE.
THEN FOR WHAT DID THEY PAY YOU?
FOR THE DREAM OF LOVE...
AS IT CANNOT EXIST IN THIS WORLD THAT YOU'VE CREATED.
FOR THE HOPE THERE MIGHT EXIST
ON EARTH SOME CORNER OF THIS PARADISE--
PARADISE?
WHEN 56,000 HAVE FALLEN, YOU SAY THIS?
YOU WHO FILL YOUR HOME WITH FEASTING AND DANCING
WHILE VENICE SUFFERS?
WHO CREATES A SUMPTUOUS WORLD
OF FLESH AND DEPRAVITY?
OF ORGIASTIC RITES INVOKING THE DEVIL?
THE ONLY DEVILRY HERE IS YOUR SPITE!
SILENCE!
HE IS JEALOUS OF WHAT HE CANNOT HAVE!
YOU WILL NOT INTRUDE INTO THE PROCEEDINGS.
I AM A SENATOR OF VENICE.
THE INQUISITION IS HERE BY OUR CONSENT.
THIS IS AN ECCLESIASTICAL COURT.
YOU ARE HERE BY MY CONSENT.
THIS IS A PERSONAL VENDETTA.
YOU WILL ABIDE BY OUR RULES OR BE REMOVED.
IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?
THE SENATOR SPEAKS THE TRUTH.
I WAS BEWITCHED BY THIS WOMAN.
IN MY WEAKNESS, I FELL UNDER HER SPELL
TO PATHETIC RUIN.
IT IS ONLY BY THE GRACE OF GOD THAT I STAND HERE TODAY.
I DID NOT SEEK YOUR LOVE.
BECAUSE I COULD NOT PAY YOUR FEE.
NO?! NO.
NO. I LOVED ANOTHER.
IN OTHER WORDS,
YOU CAST YOUR SPELL OVER ALL WHO CROSS YOUR PATH
WHETHER YOU WANT THEM OR NOT.
YOU COMPEL SACRED LOVE TO GARNER RICHES.
WHAT IS THIS IF NOT WITCHCRAFT?
NO. NO?!
DID YOU EVER GIVE YOURSELF TO A MAN WHO COULD NOT PAY?
I GAVE MY HEART WHERE RICHES--
ANSWER THE QUESTION!
I DID WHAT WAS NECESSARY TO LIVE!
DID YOU EVER GIVE YOURSELF TO A MAN WHO COULD NOT PAY?
WHAT OTHER PROFESSION WILL YOU ALLOW ME?
HOW SHALL I SURVIVE IF I CANNOT MARRY?
YOU WILL ANSWER THE QUESTION!
WHY, WHEN YOU'RE DETERMINED TO DAMN ME WHATEVER I SAY?
[MURMURING]
LOOK AT HER. FEEL HER WRATH.
HER POWER.
SHE, WHO LURES THE NOBLE FATHERS OF VENICE
FROM THEIR WIVES, THEIR CHILDREN,
THEIR VERY ABILITY TO LEAD THE REPUBLIC!
SHE AND HER KIND HAVE TURNED GOD'S HAND AGAINST US!
YOUR GRACE, YOUR GRACE...
WE MUST DO OUR DUTY.
VERONICA FRANCO,
YOU HOVER AT THE BRINK OF EXTERMINATION AND HELL.
YOU WILL RETURN TO THIS ROOM TOMORROW
TO HEAR GOD'S MERCIFUL JUDGMENT
AND, I HOPE, TO REPENT BEFORE THAT JUDGMENT TAKES ITS COURSE.
REMOVE THE PRISONER.
[DOOR OPENS]
YOU MUST SAVE YOURSELF.
HOW?
CONFESS TO WHATEVER FOOLISHNESS THEY PUT BEFORE YOU.
THAT I AM A WITCH?
WHAT DOES IT MATTER WHAT YOU SAY TO THESE HYPOCRITES?
I WILL BE SAYING IT!
THERE IS NO HONOR WITH FOOLS LIKE THESE.
GOD WILL FORGIVE YOU.
MARCO, IF I GIVE THEM THAT LIE,
I GIVE THEM MY SOUL.
RENOUNCE EVERYTHING I EVER WAS.
MY LOVE, MY WORDS, MY HEART--
YES, BUT YOU WOULD LIVE.
AS SOMEONE ELSE.
I'VE LET YOU GO TOO MANY TIMES.
I CAN'T DO IT AGAIN.
THERE IS NO CHOICE.
I WILL NEVER SEE YOU AGAIN.
[DOOR CLOSES]
[SOBBING]
[CANE THUMPS]
VERONICA FRANCO, YOU HAVE BEEN DENOUNCED A SORCERESS.
EITHER CONFESS AND PLEAD MERCY
OR STAND TO RECEIVE MY JUDGMENT.
I WILL CONFESS, YOUR GRACE.
[MURMURING]
THAT WILL PLEASE GOD. PROCEED.
I CONFESS THAT AS A YOUNG GIRL I LOVED A MAN
WHO WOULD NOT MARRY ME FOR WANT OF A DOWRY.
I CONFESS I HAD A MOTHER
WHO TAUGHT ME A DIFFERENT WAY OF LIFE.
ONE I RESISTED AT FIRST, BUT LEARNED TO EMBRACE.
I CONFESS I BECAME A COURTESAN,
TRADED YEARNING FOR POWER,
WELCOMED MANY RATHER THAN BE OWNED BY ONE.
YOUR GRACE, SHE DOES NOT SPEAK TO THE CHARGE.
I CONFESS I EMBRACED A WHORE'S FREEDOM
OVER A WIFE'S OBEDIENCE.
THIS IS NOT REPENTANCE.
YOUR GRACE, WHAT AM I TO DO?
I MUST CONFESS MY EVIL AS THE CHURCH INSTRUCTS.
THESE ARE MY SINS.
YOUR GRACE, HER MORTAL SINS ARE NOT AT ISSUE.
SHE MUST REPENT WITCHCRAFT OR BE CONDEMNED.
SHE'S JUST BEGINNING, YOUR GRACE.
PERHAPS SHE HEADS IN THAT DIRECTION.
SENATOR, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
THE CHURCH CANNOT DENY HER RIGHT TO SEEK GOD'S MERCY.
THAT'S THE LAW. CONFESSION IS SACROSANCT!
DO NOT INSTRUCT ME ON THE LAWS OF THE CHURCH!
THEN I CALL UPON THE DOGE TO DEMAND
THAT THE INQUISITION ABIDE BY THEM!
[MURMURING]
IF CHRISTIAN MERCY IS GONE,
THEN AT LEAST VENETIAN JUSTICE STILL EXISTS.
I PRAY YOUR GRACE HAS HEARD ENOUGH OF THIS.
IT DOES SEEM ODD, YOUR HOLINESS, THAT THE HOLY MOTHER CHURCH
WOULD DENY A SINNER CONFESSION.
I SEE NO HARM IN HEARING HER.
SHE WILL SAVE OR DAMN HERSELF.
THE PRISONER HAS ALREADY DAMNED HERSELF.
BUT IF IT PLEASES THE ESTEEMED DOGE OF VENICE,
SHE MAY CONTINUE HER HERESY.
I CONFESS I FIND MORE ECSTASY IN PASSION THAN IN PRAYER.
[MURMURING]
SUCH PASSION IS PRAYER.
I CONFESS...
I CONFESS I PRAY STILL
TO FEEL THE TOUCH OF MY LOVER'S LIPS...
HIS HANDS UPON ME...
HIS ARMS ENFOLDING ME.
VERONICA, STOP!
SAVE YOURSELF, PLEASE.
SUCH SURRENDER HAS BEEN MINE.
I CONFESS I HUNGER STILL TO BE FILLED AND ENFLAMED.
TO MELT INTO THE DREAM OF US,
BEYOND THIS TROUBLED PLACE...
TO WHERE WE ARE NOT EVEN OURSELVES.
TO KNOW THAT ALWAYS, ALWAYS, THIS IS MINE.
YOUR GRACE...
IS THIS NECESSARY?
SHE HOPES TO BEWITCH US ALL.
IF THIS HAD NOT BEEN MINE,
IF I HAD LIVED ANOTHER WAY,
A CHILD TO A HUSBAND'S WHIM,
MY SOUL HARDENED FROM LACK OF TOUCH AND LACK OF LOVE,
I CONFESS SUCH ENDLESS DAYS AND NIGHTS
WOULD BE PUNISHMENT FAR GREATER THAN ANY YOU CAN METE OUT.
ARE YOU FINISHED?
NO, YOUR GRACE.
YOU, ALL OF YOU,
YOU WHO HUNGER SO FOR WHAT I GIVE,
BUT CANNOT BEAR TO SEE SUCH POWER IN A WOMAN,
YOU CALL GOD'S GREATEST GIFT...
OURSELVES, OUR YEARNING, OUR NEED TO LOVE,
YOU CALL IT FILTH AND SIN AND HERESY.
ENOUGH.
ONE LAST TIME BEFORE YOU ARE CONDEMNED.
DO YOU REPENT OR NOT?
I REPENT THERE WAS NO OTHER WAY OPEN TO ME.
I DO NOT REPENT MY LIFE.
THEN, VERONICA FRANCO, THE HOLY INQUISITION
HAS HEARD THE EVIDENCE AGAINST YOU AND IS SATISFIED.
IN THE NAME OF THE POPE--
NO!
THERE IS MORE CONFESSION TO BE HEARD!
IN THE NAME OF THE POPE--
I DEMAND THE SAME RIGHT OF CONFESSION!
YOU ARE NOT ON TRIAL!
WE ARE STILL ON CONSECRATED GROUND.
I CONFESS I AM HER ACCOMPLICE.
[MURMURING]
IF SHE IS A WITCH, THEN I AM DAMNED WITH HER.
DAMN ME BECAUSE I DO NOT REPENT.
I WILL NOT LIVE WITHOUT HER.
YOUR GRACE, THIS IS A CYNICAL TRICK.
HE DOES THIS TO SAVE HER.
SHE'S A WITCH!
PROVEN AND CONVICTED, THE DEVIL IN OUR MIDST,
AND I AM HER ACCOMPLICE!
CONDEMN ME IF YOU WILL, BUT ARREST ME, TOO!
ARREST THE SENATOR OF VENICE FOR WITCHCRAFT!
YOU THINK I SHRINK FROM JUDGING THE RICH AND MIGHTY?
NO, I WELCOME IT. I WAIT FOR THE SHACKLES.
HE SPEAKS WITH HIS HEART AND NOT HIS HEAD, YOUR GRACE.
HE IS BLINDED BY HIS OWN LUST.
IF SHE IS A WITCH, THEN SO IS EVERY WOMAN IN VENICE.
[LOUD CLAMOR]
SILENCE!
WE ARE A STRANGE CITY, YOUR HOLINESS.
PERHAPS ACCURSED.
BUT PERHAPS WE LIVE IN A PECULIAR STATE OF GRACE.
I AM NOT ALONE IN LOVING THIS WOMAN,
THOUGH I LOVE HER FAR, FAR MORE THAN THEY.
WE ACCOMPLICES WERE MANY...
AND PROUD.
IF WE DO NOT SPEAK NOW,
IF VENICE DOES NOT STAND UP NOW
AND ACKNOWLEDGE WHO SHE IS, THEN WE ARE ALL DAMNED.
NOT BEFORE THIS COURT.
BEFORE ETERNITY.
IF WHAT HE SAYS IS TRUE,
THEN YOU MUST SPEAK THE NAMES OF YOUR ACCOMPLICES.
YOUR GRACE...
THE MEN WHO LOVED HER WERE UNDER HER SPELL.
THEY HAD NO VOLITION.
SHALL WE PUNISH EVEN THE VICTIMS OF HER EVIL?
IF THE SOUL OF THE CITY IS CORRUPT
AND YOU HELP ME ROOT IT OUT, I WILL SPARE YOUR LIFE.
I HAD NO ACCOMPLICES, YOUR GRACE.
STAND.
STAND!
ALL OF YOU WHO DEFILED YOUR SACRED MARRIAGE BEDS
AND DECLARE YOUR SIN! STAND UP WITH ME!
AS WE STOOD AGAINST OUR ENEMIES AT SEA!
THERE.
YOU SEE, YOUR GRACE?
THERE ARE NO ACCOMPLICES.
HE DOES THIS TO RESCUE HER FROM YOUR JUSTICE.
THEN I STAND ALONE FOR VENICE
AND FOR THIS WOMAN.
ARREST THE SENATOR.
HIS TRIAL WILL COMMENCE TOMORROW.
MINISTER.
DO YOU WISH TO SPEAK?
I REPEAT, DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY TO THIS COURT?
I AM STANDING.
YOUR GRACE.
PERHAPS THERE IS ANOTHER WHO WOULD LIKE TO STAND.
PERHAPS WE'VE BEEN HASTY, YOUR GRACE.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
WITCHCRAFT MAY BE TOO HARSH A CHARGE.
[MURMURING]
IS EVERYTHING I HEARD ABOUT THIS CITY TRUE?
SURELY THE HOLY INQUISITION NEED NOT SULLY ITS HANDS
WITH A COMMON WHORE?
THIS IS A MATTER FOR THE STATE, DON'T YOU THINK?
I LEAVE THIS WOMAN TO VENICE...
WHICH RICHLY DESERVES HER.
[LOUD CLAMOR]
CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY WARNER BROS.
CAPTIONING PERFORMED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE, INC.
PUBLIC PERFORMANCE OF CAPTIONS PROHIBITED WITHOUT PERMISSION OF NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE