♪ In Italy before the war
♪ My father owned a barber store
♪ I watch him work, I sweep his floor
♪ Razor, mirror, comb, scissor. ♪
Ah.
Whoa!
Vai, Nino.
Too hot for fire.
It's for ombrello. Ombrello.
You think heatwave going to break, we get rain?
Umbrella not only for rain.
Can also catch sun.
Protect delicate heads.
Bravo, Nino.
OK?
If you took Dante's word for it,
the heatwave was only one more test.
If we had trust,
the rain would come as surely as a longed-for lover.
It would dance like a lover on a tin over our heads
and the roof beneath its pattering thread
would start to sing.
They made it here!
Dante dressed in his finest every arrivals day,
trusting this time, this time she'd come.
It's for you.
Hello.
No wife again today.
Avanti. Ah!
At each disappointment, he refused to give up hope.
Without trust, he said, we are nothing.
We open at 9:30.
It's 9:30.
It's 9:29 and some seconds.
You die. You die, dumpling-shape woman.
Good... morning, lady.
Good morning, sir. And how may I be of help?
Please to send a telegram.
Is it to wife in Italy asking why she no come.
Italy.
The overseas "Italy'?
Yeah, it looks like a boot.
In that case it's not a telegram you'll be wanting, laddie.
It's a cablegram.
Telegram, cam-blegram. Just send.
Afraid not, old chum. No this gibberish.
No gibber-fish. In Italiano.
Postmaster-General's Department only authorises me
to transmit messages in English.
National security.
Comprehende?
But what good is send message to Italy in English?
In Italy, people is Italian.
Wife Italian! No speak English.
Capisce?
A rule is a rule.
English.
Packet of Arduth, please, Maeve.
My dearest darling Diomira.
Are you sure you want "dearest' and "darling'?
You pay by word, you know.
Just put exact and exact as I tell.
Wife, I miss you very bad.
Thinking as that, you are going to be here.
Why don't you just put, "What's keeping you?"
Well, say this.
Come soon, my love.
My life.
My home, my land, my mirror, my first and my last breath.
Come soon before I melt with the heat of sun and the fire of your absence.
Done.
But you know how it is,
there are days when I can't bear to look at myself in a mirror,
especially not with a razor in my hand
and my throat exposed.
Do you have days like that?
Of course, you don't have this face to contend with.
The face that she had to look at
across a thousand breakfast tables.
Feel the stubble up against her cheek
as we foxtrotted and cha-cha'd late into the Liverpudlian night,
poor old Peggy.
Now I just stand there in front of the mirror
surveying this tired old...
Dante, Dante.
Good news.
Diomira's transferring from the overnight train
and should be on the 12 o'clock bus.
Domani? Tomorrow?.
No, no, no, oggi. Today.
In... less than half an hour.
Ah!
Sorry.
Come.
Please to leave, Professore.
Please.
Subito!
Senza ritardo.
Trimming of the hair, please.
You look lovely.
Right.
Oh, God, this face, eh.
A tragical, comical, historical, pastoral widower's visage,
if ever there was one.
Wouldn't you say?
I know what you're thinking.
"He can't complain. He's not a bad-looking bloke. "
"He's well preserved in his own way. "
That's what's on the tip of your tongue, eh?
Come on, speak up, spit it out. Don't be shy.
Professore, um...
I thought he wasn't keeping up his end of the conversation.
Diomira.
Dante.
Hello.
Avanti.
Cesare?
What is this?
Shoe of two colour? Non ci credo.
And this? Tweet-tweet.
You forgot to wash top lip.
Buongiorno. Welcome.
Cesare Vanzaghi.
Er, I'm sorry to rain on everyone's parade
but what's-his-name, the blasted barber, has croaked.
What?! Poor old Phil!
Poor old Phil nothing. What about my face?
Oh.
No, you speak English, please. What?
You don't speak any?
Did he teach you?
Don't be like so.
You want to know how I learn English?
All the time you make me sit and listen while you do your homework.
Business letter - yours faithfully.
Personal letter - yours sincerely.
Closing to RSVP - I remain, sir, your devoted servant.
You think I'm just machine who sit, listen, absorb nothing
while you repeat and repeat?
How come you never tell me?
You learn English, you come to Australia.
My job is to follow like Mary's little lamb in storybook.
You should have say something.
I'm here now. So let's we don't argue, huh?
Look,
I bring you something.
Then...
.. you do still...?
Because I still...
What?
You know. Say it.
Why woman always want us to say humiliating things?
Perhaps we no find them humiliating.
Allora...
Just say, "I remain, sir, your devoted servant. "
Not I, yours.
Come.
I show you something.
Here you will place your scarf and stocking.
Just as before.
Your fazzoletto. Hand-ky.
Your hand-ky...
.. we will place in this corner.
Like so.
Each one pressed and fold in half wrong way.
Again we will have order in our life.
And live side by each.
Side by each.
Like two pebble at the bottom of cool, cool well.
It sound even much more beauty in English.
Here... here we are destined to be very much happy.
This I know.
So you know Dante? I was his apprentice once.
So you too make...?
If it ever rains here, you'll be a very wealthy man.
I hear Dante was il grand maestro for ombrellificazione.
You hear this from Dante, yes?
He was the best, no doubt.
Lamb.
But times change.
Look at him.
Little squid ink.
I never forgive him.
After I teach him everything,
treat him as my own son, he...
He grew up, that's all.
Grew up and had to get away like true son always from true father.
I'm glad he not my true son, thank you very much.
He desert me, he destroy my business
by setting up shop... .. across the street.
He reason I leave Italy.
Now he come here to destroy me again, thank you very much.
He not here because of you, you not here because of him.
Would it hurt you so much to eat together?
I lose my appetite.
Cesare.
I was 17 when I realise I love her.
She 14.
Her father make us wait five years
before he even permit me to court her.
Five years?
He take me hunting with him one time
and he shoot fox.
Gorgeous fox.
Red like letterbox.
I thank the saints poor animal is dead
because otherwise I expect old bastard to say, "Break its neck. "
Instead, he give me big knife
and tell me, "Skin the thing. "
I took knife...
.. and cut her open.
It was a lady fox.
I cut her from tail to throat.
From her middle spilled three new baby fox...
.. with the rest of her guts.
It was test, and I think warning...
.. "Now you make my daughter pregnant. "
What a 'orrible old man!
It's just way of world.
Hard truth, sad fact.
It's what all men must teach son.
Or son-in-law.
Or apprentice, if you haven't got a son.
He no son...
.. no apprentice.
I sack him year ago. I squish him like flea.
Dante, don't get your knickers in a knot.
You're here now and your Diomira's by your side.
She's all that matters.
Your love, your life, your home, your land, you made it.
Remember.
Dio...
What?
Dio...
You are my...
What?
You are here.
Any more great revelation, don't wake me.
Mama need her beauty sleep.
Er, Signora Bev, I have special request.
Mm-hm?
I no wish to be send where Dante is send.
I no much care for sea
or sound of this salt spray, which I'm sure mess up my hair.
No, I used to like lake, but lately I think I go off water altogether.
What kinds of work are you skilled at?
Is there any particular area?
I wish to be send where Cesare is send.
Mr Vanzaghi? Yes. I have other request.
You have place here in camp single-women quarteri?
Yes.
I wish to stay in this single-woman place
till you can find me and Mr Vanzaghi job together.
Well... if you're absolutely sure.
Oh, certo.
I sure.
Where she's gone?
How I know?.
Where she's gone?!
How I know?.!
Where she's gone?! How I know?.!
You turn her against me!
She need no help from me for that.
What you do?
You want to take wife from me?
You fight me for her!
I no fight trembly leg old man.
I'll give you old trembly leg.
Put it up, partner! I'll teach you one thing or two.
Yeah, you teach me - finished a long time ago!
That's why my business flourish and yours go down the...
You make joke!
Surely your umbrella not keep person dry against...
You can talk! Hand shake so much you make nothing!
You like I prove it?! Anytime. Anytime.
Today! Now!
You on, mate.
You witness, Professore.
I'm not a witness to anything. I'm off into town to get my hair cut.
You witness! Capisce?
The two contestants will each use only the materials provided.
The winner will be the first to complete a fully operational model
capable of meeting our scientifically measured standards
of water resistance.
Yes.
Let me introduce the contestants.
In the black corner, Signor Dante Pozzi, reigning champion.
Hooray! Bravo!
And professor of umbrellaology at the University of Ravello.
And in the white corner,
or the two-tone corner,
the challenger from parts unknown...
Also Ravello.
Right. Yeah.
From unknown parts of Ravello.
The immaculately groomed Signor Cesare Vanzaghi.
Boo!
Aye, Professore, what's the prize?
The prize, my friends, is simply the honour of being named
Baringa's foremost umbrella-maker.
What could be more coveted than that, huh?
What about a big slap-up feed for the winner?
Perhaps a nice roast duck dinner tonight.
There's a certain shed I know of
where a plump duck is hanging in the window
just waiting to be cooked.
No, wait, it's my duck.
Illegally obtained.
And which I am perfectly entitled to impound
along with plenty of other contraband...
Don't do this.
Unless you also want to cook the duck,
in which case I might be prepared to turn a blind eye.
Yeah, OK, Corporal. And don't call me "Corporal'.
Yes, Corporal.
This is your beginners call, please.
Duck Neapolitano it is, then.
Scusi.
May I... bring a friend to this dinner?
You have to win first, squid ink. Yes, indeed.
So, on your marks, please, competitors.
Let the umbrellas begin.
This isn't a competition about roast duck, is it?
What will you do if Dante wins?
I cannot be won or lost in this way.
Just what did you and Cesare get up to on the boat?
Oh! Nothing!
He was attentive, I think that is the word.
And you encouraged him?
No, not exactly.
You didn't discourage him?
Not exactly.
Oh, can I help if I like attention?
And with Cesare it is welcome so. The dining, good wine...
Dancing? Mmm, perhaps.
The odd short one...
No, with Cesare, this attention arise from genuine, um...
.. desiderio -
lust.
Well, at least is better than worship.
And when you tire of desiderio?
Well, then I pat him on the head and send him walking.
In his little two-tone shoes.
Mmm.
Need any help? Not from you.
Bravo!
Hooray!
I think we may have a winner.
Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!
Ah-ah-ahh!
Belissima.
Bravo!
Bravo.
Bravo!
Bravo.
Diomira.
Signora, I must speak with Diomira.
Mira, it's me. She doesn't want to see you.
I am entitled to bring a guest to this dinner with Signor Stuffed Duck.
You should bring one dummy to spit.
Insufferable Dutch woman!
You move from the door or I have to...
What? Pull out your pin and explode?
Adrianna, I must speak to him.
Diomira...
.. why you turn your back on me?
On the boat, I think we finally come close.
We had our moments, but something changed.
Just now, when I see you prance on tabletops like a... like a...
Like a little buffoon?
Chh!
You insist, make me say.
I say...
.. surely something he never said to you.
Madam...
.. I love you.
You love you.
What do I have to do to matter in your eyes?
Grow this much!
Your husband teach you well, eh?
How to hurt.
He not teach me.
But I learnt from him.
You're making a terrible mistake.
A duck is a duck. Why turn down a good dinner?
I have nothing to wear.
You could wear this.
Pot.
Pan.
Stove.
Duck. Cook!
Giuseppe!
Giuseppe! Hey, Giuseppe.
Italia!
Giuseppe will kill me!
Guardi!
I have to cook duck for him and signora red-hair
and Corporal Bev and little man.
My... is gone!
Keep your shirt on. Isn't this tonight?
It's soon now. Two hour.
And Bev's definitely going to be there?
Si.
Ah! Ah! Ah!
Ah! Ah!
Ah!
She'll never know the difference.
So just the three of us, then, eh?
Very nice.
To the winner. Cheers.
Salute.
Is not Italian.
Where is it from?
Local. I bottle it myself.
Oh.
Buona sera. Buona sera, Signora.
I did not come for you. I came for me.
After all, I have a mouth.
Wait till you taste the wine.
Ahem.
Mmm.
Grazie.
Duck à la Nino.
You call this a duck?
It's local.
Quindi... to the local duck,
from an Italian duck
hoping she's still fresh enough to make a new start...
.. by herself.
Santa Luisa!
Sorry.
Enjoy your meal.
I...
Cretin!
I got Diomira a job in a pickle factory.
Pickle?
But... is far?
Near Shepparton.
Which one? Tell me where is.
I think that should remain confidential for the time being.
Si.
I think I go pickle myself.
Adrianna. How was it?
Strange.
The duck, she have traces of fur,
but not as much as the wine.
But who turned up? Did Cesare?
What did you make of Joe and the Corporal?
Oh! You!
Off or I brain you.
You hiding my wife!
Unhappy me!
Dante, shut up.
No! Not till you come back to our room.
I no come back. Not tonight.
Not ever.
Is all my fault.
Is my fault too.
Is fault of being poor.
You... you mean it?
You... not ever?
Perhaps.
When miracles are in the world again.
Dio!
Dio... please.
I need...
You are... you are... my mirror!
Ohh.
Unhappy me!
How was the victory dinner?
Give, please.
I have to wash the poison from my mouth.
Welcome.
I have to help our friend Mihaly. Come on.
You go first.
I have to find fire log.
Go.
For Mihaly.
Ahh!
Dante!
Pronto.
She's leaving us, old man.
You hear me?
I hear you.
You to kill me?
Get up.
Bring the bucket.
I... I no think I can move.
Just do it.
Scusi.
Your turn.
Why?
Trust.
Er...
I think... a bit higher.
You'll need this form when you get to the pickle factory.
Grazie, Signora Bev. My pleasure.
Good luck. Thank you.
Goodbye. Goodbye.
Dio! Dio!
Dante. Will you write?
Perhaps. When I have had time to think.
Perhaps when...
When... miracles are in the world again.
Dante.
You have a kiss for him.
You have anything for me?
Only pity, amore.
And that will never do.
Sun will only make you feel worse.
Ombrello...
.. is a word I never use again.
Si.
I too look for a fresh start, for a fresh career.
I don't know what but I will to think of something.
Let me bequeath this to you.
My last will and testament
to my only surviving almost-kin.
I remain, sir, your devoted servant.
And I yours.
You're my very first customer, Professore.
Ex-corporal Stafford say if I do good in the first week,
shop is mine.
Ah, well, just be gentle with me.
I normally seek professional help in the tonsorial department.
I am professional. Yes, I'm sure you are.
I'd just hate to needlessly increase my general sense of loss.
Ah, stupid me.
I remember hearing, now. You lost your wife to tragedy.
Yeah, that's right. You're lucky.
I lost mine because I am a stupid fool
who will not say one single humiliating 'ti amo' -
I love you.
Not too much off the top... Yeah. Alright.
.. if you find anything.
♪ In Italy before the war
♪ My father owned a barber store
♪ I watch him work, I sweep his floor
♪ Razor, mirror, comb, scissor... ♪
Your turn, Professore.
♪ In England during the war
♪ I lose my love My heart, a sore
♪ Now a heatwave bends my heart again
♪ Furnace, fire, thirst and pain. ♪
Now, now, Professore, no be sad.
You have beauty daughter to see you into old age.
Oh, God.
♪ In Bordertown, after the war
♪ The rain will come The heart will thaw
♪ The riverbank will burst again
♪ Make by moonlight din and rain. ♪
Listen.
Listen, Professore.
The roof is singing.
Thank you! Thank you, God!