Best Actor Award at the Cannes Film Festival
Best Foreign Film at the 1990 Oscar Awards
Best Foreign Film at the 1990 Golden Globe Awards
This is a special 3 hours director's version
Director: Giuseppe Tornatore
Marco Leonardi as the adolescent Toto
Salvatore Cascio as the child Toto
Jacques Perrin as the middle-aged Toto
Philippe Noiret as Alfredo
Music: Ennio Morricone
Producer: Franco Cristaldi
Screenplay: Giuseppe Tornatore
Yes, Salvatore, Salvatore Di Vita.
What do you mean you don't know him?
Yes, I'm his mother.
I've been calling from Sicily the whole day.
I see...he's not there.
Then, can you give me his telephone?
656-22-056. Thank you. Goodbye.
Mama, it's useless to call.
He's busy. He could be anywhere.
He won't remember anymore. Just let it go.
He hasn't been back in 30 years.
You know how he is.
He'll remember. I know he will.
I know him better than you do.
If he finds out later we didn't tell him,
he'll be angry.
I'd like to talk to Mr. Salvatore Di Vita.
I'm his mother.
What're you looking at?
Salvatore, what time is it?
Very late. I'm sorry.
I wasn't able to call you. Go back to sleep.
Your mother called. She thought I was someone else.
What did you tell her?
I played along, didn't want to disappoint her
We talked for a long time.
She said you haven't visited her in 30 years.
She'll come to Rome when she wants to see you
She called just to say that?
No. She said someone's died, the name's Alfredo.
The funeral is tomorrow. Who is he? A relative?
No, go to sleep.
The world is besieged by evil.
"With this cup of holy blood..."
"Please..."
Toto!
"Please absolve all our sins." Amen.
How many times have I told you?
Without the bell, I lose my place! Always sleeping!
What do you do at night? Eat?
At my house, Father, we don't eat at night.
The veterinarian says that's why I'm always tired.
I know why you're tired.
Don't think I don't! Now go home.
I've got things to do.
Can I stay?
No, you can't!
Yes, yes!
Toto, out!
I want to stay! I want to!
Alfredo. Alfredo!
Yes!
You can start.
Here we go again.
The frame! Always sleeping!
THE LOWER DEPTHS
STARRING: JEAN GABIN
DIRECTOR: JEAN RENOIR
Pepe, one day we'll have it all.
We'll go away together. Live the easy life...
Where no one knows us.
Forget it.
You don't love me anymore?
No.
Did you like it?
It was fine.
Good.
No!
One pair, two pairs! 100 lire!
Real nylon!
You mustn't come here.
I keep telling you but it's like talking to a wall!
If the film catches fire,
a child like you will just go up in smoke
Voom...
"And turn into a chunk of charcoal!"
Think you're clever, eh?
One day I'll cut your tongue off. Just like that.
Can I have this? Come on. Can I have it?
Can l?
No! I must splice it back before
I return the film. What a pest you are!
So, why didn't you splice these back?
Sometimes I can't find the right place,
so they stay here. Anyway, they kiss too much.
Then I can have them.
No, now come here.
Before I kick your fanny, I'll make you a deal.
All those are yours, a present.
Thanks.
But, one: get out of here
and two: they stay with me. Got it?
All right.
So we agree. Now, scram!
What kind of deal is that?
If they're mine, why'd you get to keep them?
Don't come back, or I'll thrash you!
"Shoot first, think later."
"This is no job for weaklings, you traitorous dog!"
"Hey, you dirty swine! Hands off that gold!"
"Blackhearted pig! Stay away from me,
or I'll smash your face in!"
Mama, the war's over,
why doesn't papa come back?
He'll come back. One of these days.
I don't remember him. Where's Russia?
It takes years to get there and years to come back.
Go to bed. It's late.
Move it! You can fool your mother, but not me!
Get your diploma and join the police!
Lazybones! Get in there and study! Or you're dead!
Move it!
How much is 5 times 5?
30.
Silence! The fives table, remember?
1 times 5 is 5.
2 times 5 is 10.
3 times 5 is 15.
4 times 5 is 20.
5 times 5?
40.
Silence!
Boccia!
25!
Learn your tables, or you'll never get a job.
For the last time, what is 5 times 5?
Christmas!
I paid to get in! I'm seeing the movie!
Get down from there, you little devil!
Go back to your seat!
They're worse than rabbits! They're all over the place! Little monsters!
I'm off to Oregon. Wait for me at the ranch.
Wait for a dead man?
Another classic
featuring John Wayne and Claire Trevor
Hello, everybody! Can't I say hello?
Double feature today.
So? I'm here to sleep.
What do you smoke?
Americans.
Cut the news, Alfredo!
THE RESISTANCE RALLY
This is important news, please be quiet!
"Italy won't forget the Resistance,
the men and women who fought in secret.
Brave guerrillas, reunited in Rome
for the first Resistance."
Welcome, everyone!
Hey, you're late!
THE EARTH TREMBLES
Starring: Sicilian fishermen
Director: Visconti
What does it say?
I'm illiterate.
-You, too? -Yes.
Italian is not the language spoken
by the poor in Sicily.
Twelve hours of blood and sweat,
to bring home barely enough to keep from starving.
Yet their nets,
were full when they pulled them up.
Only 7,750 lire each time.
That's all.
Those bastards squeeze everything we earn out of us.
It's always been like that.
It's the same with other villages.
I knew it!
20 years I've gone to movies, and I've never seen a kiss!
And when will we?
Kiss my ass!
You and you, go to work. What about me?
Go get a job from Stalin.
His day will come, you'll see.
I always get left out.
Good movie. They acted very well.
Too bad the kid was so unlucky.
It was a bad idea to buy that boat!
Idiot! You don't get it, do you?
Right, you'll work from dawn to dusk.
And don't ask how much it pays.
I waited all day. Did you buy the milk?
No.
Where's the money?
Stolen.
You spent it on the movie?
Movies, always movies!
Signora Maria, wait!
Stop it! Take it easy!
Why do you always tell lies? You know you got in free.
Tell your mother. Maybe he lost the money inside.
How much?
50 lire.
What did you find tonight... under the seats?
A comb...Shoe heels...A can of tobacco...
And 50 lire. See?
Thank you, Alfredo. Good night.
I understood right away.
The square is mine!
It's midnight! Out! I have to close the square!
Hard on the feet, eh, Father?
Going, it's downhill, and all the Saints help out.
But coming back, the Saints just watch.
That maybe God's will.
See you tonight.
What's wrong? ls it your foot this time?
It's always something. What do we do?
Alfredo, do you know my father?
Good question. I do.
Tall, thin, jolly, with a nice moustache, like mine.
Always smiling. A lot like Clark Gable.
-Alfredo... -Go on.
Now that I'm older and going to fifth grade..
I'm not saying I should come in the booth..
But can't we at least be friends?
"I choose my friends for looks,
my enemies for intelligence."
You're too clever to be my friend.
I always tell my children,
"Be careful how you choose your friends."
You haven't got any children.
When I do, I'll tell them.
Don't cry...It's all right. The fire's out.
I'm here, it's all right.
What happened?
You devil! Your sister could have burned to death, it's all your fault!
I told you not to keep your film by the firepan!
Even the photographs are burned! The house nearly caught fire!
You and your stupid movies!
A man of your age shouldn't act like you do, it's shameful!
Don't look at me! I've done nothing.
Who gave him the film?
Don't do it again! He's going crazy!
All I hear is movies!
You're only going to ruin him!
Swear you won't let him in again. Swear it!
You have my word.
God will send your father home to whip you!
Papa isn't coming back, and I know why! He's dead!
That's not true! He'll come back, you'll see.
TRUTH WILL NEVER CHANGE
TIME SLIPS BY LIKE A FLOWING RIVER
They smoke like chimneys.
No, go buy a ticket!
No!
What was that?
I'll make mincemeat out of you! You just wait and see!
Signora Anna!
Alfredo...Don't blame me.
Your wife told me to bring your lunch.
Give it here!
I told my mother you didn't give me the film.
It wasn't your fault.
I thought it was a joke when you talked about film catching fire.
I just wanted to tell you this. Now I'll go.
Toto! Come here. Come on, come sit down
Listen. I got into this business at the age of ten.
Back then we didn't have fancy machines.
Movies were silent.
You turned the projector by hand with a crank
The whole day! And it was hard, that damn crank.,.
If you got tired and slowed down a bit...
Voom! Everything burned.
So why don't you teach me?
Now that there's no crank, it's easy.
Because I don't want to. This is no job for you.
You're like a slave and always alone.
You see a film 100 times. There's nothing else to do.
You talk to Garbo and Tyrone Power like a loonybird.
You work like a mule.
Even holidays - Easter, Christmas.
You only get Good Friday off.
And if they hadn't stuck Christ on a cross,
we'd work then, too.
So why don't you change jobs?
Because I'm a nitwit.
Who else around here could run a projector? Nobody.
Only an imbecile like me. I never had any luck.
I grew up during the war.
And I'm still living in one.
So, you want to be a stick-in-the mud like me?
No.
Good for you! Toto! I only tell you for your own good.
You're cooped up here, suffocating in the summer, freezing in the winter,
breathing fumes, and you earn chicken feed.
But you like this job, don't you?
Oh, it grows on you.
Sometimes you hear the house full of people giggling and laughing,
then you're happy, too.
It makes you feel good to hear them.
Like you're the one who made them laugh...
made them forget their troubles. That part I like.
You wouldn't understand.
What are you up to?
You pretend to listen, then you fool around!
Your mother's right! You're a devil!
How'd he do it? He learned by watching?
Toto! Listen you!
I'll tell the manager not to let you in!
And I'll see Father Adelfio!
No more altar boy! Finished!
Alfredo! Save it!
I won! I won the football lottery!
The Neapolitan won the lottery!
Hey! Ciccio from Naples won the lottery!
It's always the Northerners who are lucky!
The square is mine!
Hold still! Horseflies bothering you?
You got a lice factory up here! Now, scram!
What're you looking at? Get lost!
A merchant owns two stores.
In one, he sells fruit...
Sit down.
Professor!
Here are the men taking the exam for the diploma.
Silence!
Toto! Ungrateful little devil!
Toto, help me. Silence!
I can't do this damn thing...
Silence!
Toto! All right!
Francesco Messana, you're under arrest.
Good riddance!
Kiss my ass!
Right here is where it can catch fire.
If it does, cut here and here
or the whole reel will burn. Got it?
Yes!
Which side is the gelatin on?
It tastes good!
Alfredo! The frame, Alfredo!
Always keep the paper for the films.
I will, Alfredo.
Don't ever forget.
This is for you. Today you'll load the reels.
It's so high!
Now you can run it alone.
Hold it!
-What a figure! -My turn!
Say goodbye to Peppino. He's leaving for Germany.
Why don't you say goodbye?
My father says he's a Communist.
God bless you, mama.
Will he really find work in Germany?
Who knows.
It's like playing the lottery It's all down to luck.
Screw this country!
Go work in Germany, you and your Stalin!
Goodbye, mama!
Goodbye, Peppino! Come back soon! See you!
Lucky thing, Germany is closer than Russia.
After six years, the spring fashion returns. Fresh and breezy,
unlike the pompous styles of wartime.
I'll make mincemeat out of you!
Wait and see!
ANNOUCEMENT FROM THE INTELLIGENCE OFFICE
Another sad page in the tragedy of our men in Russia.
The Defense Ministry has released
a new list of ltalian dead who until now were considered missing.
The names will be posted by local military authorities.
Their families will be notified.
However, we don't know where he's buried.
Here's the pension form. Sign it, please.
Another man is crazy about me.
Oh yes. He never leaves me alone.
Go home! We can't have another show!
It's late! Be reasonable. We can't show it again!
Some people sat through it twice!
We've been waiting for an hour!
Tomorrow! We'll have a western! I promise!
Go home to bed!
You can't close now!
They'll wreck the Paradiso! All hell will break loose!
Father, open the door!
Alfredo, let us in!
What can I do?
We've waited for 3 hours!
"A mob doesn't think.
It has no mind of its own."
Spencer Tracey said that in Fury.
Well, what do you say?
Shall we let the poor devils see their film?
Great! But how?
"Even if you have no faith in me,
have faith in what you see."
Now get your fanny off that stool.
Get ready...Abra cadabra!
And we pass through walls.
Go look out the window.
Alfredo, it's beautiful!
Over there! It's the movie!
Bravo, Alfredo!
Thank you, Alfredo!
What's going on? It's a movie!
To hell with you!
Alfredo, there's no sound!
Shall we make them happy?
Yes!
Want to go down? Go on.
Look! Good Lord! And Nunzio!
Half price!
You have to buy tickets, folks. Half price!
Come on! The square belongs to everyone!
Oh, no! The square is mine!
Don't joke about that! It makes me mad!
Alfredo! Help! Somebody help!
Poor Alfredo. What a shame.
All burned! It all burned down!
What do we do now? We have no more entertainment. Nothing.
Where will we get the money to rebuild?
Look, it's Ciccio!
Such a toff you'd hardly recognize him.
Who has that kind of money to rebuild?
THE NEW CINEMA PARADISO
The new Cinema Paradiso re-opened
Come in...
This theater, is for you!
He's just a boy.
What about the labor laws?
I got the license through my connections.
Don't ask me how their minds work.
Officially, I'm the projectionist,
but the money goes to Toto.
Stay on your toes, Toto. No sleeping.
We've had enough disasters.
Do what poor Alfredo taught you. And God bless you.
Thank you, Father.
What is this, a funeral?
Life goes on! Gaiety! Music!
You like that peasant?
Yes!
Is that him?
Don't you love me anymore?
What a girl!
Oh lord...
By God, they're kissing!
I won't watch pornography.
A big hand for Ciccio.
Any room for me in this new paradise?
Alfredo!
Bring him home after you close. I'm going, Alfredo.
I'm glad you came.
How are things at school?
Fine, but now that I'm working...
Maybe I won't go anymore.
No, no, Toto. Don't do that.
You'll end up regretting it.
What do you mean?
What I mean is... This isn't your real work.
Right now, the Paradiso needs you, and you need the Paradiso,
but it's only temporary.
One day, you'll go on to other things.
Things that are more important. Definitely more important.
I've lost my sight...but I see better.
I see things I never saw before.
I thank you for saving my life. I won't forget it.
And don't look that way.
I'm not senile yet! You want proof?
Yes!
Let's see, for example...
Right now...the film's out of focus. Go check.
You're right! It's out of focus. How'd you know?
It's hard to explain.
Only one print? You know I need two!
One for the Paradiso...
And one for the next town!
You promised! I already put up posters! must have the prints!
Don't try to screw me, you'll be sorry!
One print for two cinemas! You'll pay for this!
I'm from Naples! You will see Naples and die!
In my opinion...
the cinema in the next town is old.
What does that mean?
If we only show the film for 4 days,
we might as well forget it. Let's refurbish the cinema.
And get a projectionist from the city,
we can show the film on two floors.
That's easy to say.
I didn't expect this to happen.
The distributor only had one copy,
I had to fight very hard.
And they promised me two!
What about the second copy?
Gone!
We see the crib, the child's asleep.
"Rosa! Where's her medicine? Do something!"
The lawyer told me. Now I know.
"The lawyer told me.
Now I know."
Everyone must know
"Everyone must know."
Do you believe me?
"Do you believe me?"
Yes, I do.
"Yes, I do."
Our own home, a home we've been dreaming of.
"Our own home, a home we've been dreaming of."
Torino.
"Torino."
Mama.
"Mama."
The end.
I don't like it!
I cut the end credits to gain time.
Hurry back with Part One. I'll show a newsreel.
I'll call the police! Take him! He's watched it 10 times.
Wait! Wait!
Give me Part Two! Here's Part One!
Hurry, the house is packed!
Come on, move it!
Get her rolling!
Bunch of animals! Quiet!
To hell with them!
Toto! What's going on? Where's the film?
Come on, Toto! They'll explode!
It's been 30 minutes.
What can I do?
Where's that jackass? I'll be ruined! Calm down!...
Listen, just to see this movie,
I left my wife home sick in bed.
And I haven't seen a thing.
If it's not here in 10 minutes...
Give us back our money and we'll leave!
Otherwise we'll wreck this place!
Calm down!...listen to me.
I'll show part one at a later day.
This must end.
Silence!
I've seen the whole movie. I can tell you the story.
Boccia! Boccia! What's going on?
You son of a bitch!
Nice!
Get lost!
Nice!
What're you doing? Watch the screen!
Animals! Watch the screen!
I told you, it doesn't catch fire.
Progress always comes too late.
SEVEN COUPLES
Everybody!
Hey kid...
Take off your trousers, Toto. There's nothing to be afraid of.
But I'm scared of bleeding.
Bleeding?
You idiot. Come on, don't be afraid.
Well? Nothing, right?
Yeah, that's it.
You're such a good-looking man.
TRAIN STATION
She's new. Not bad.
Approachable.
Father's the bank manager. Proud and pompous.
Jerks off with his shirt, so he doesn't get his hand dirty.
Go, man, go!
Excuse me. You dropped this.
Thanks. I didn't even notice.
My name's Salvatore. What's yours?
Elena.
I wanted to tell you...the other day, at the train station...
You mean "Modern Times"?
Yes.
No one can forget a classic like that.
It was released 40 years ago,
the day my ex-wife died.
I only found out she died when I got off work
I was the last to know.
I was stunned. I can never forget it.
The small projector? Your footage?
-Yes. -What do you see?
Butchers killing a heifer.
Blood all over the floor like a lake.
Over the lake is another heifer. About to die.
Why did you stop? What do we see now?
Nothing. It's all fuzzy.
A woman. It's a woman!
Yes. A girl I saw at the station.
What's she like?
She's very nice. My age, slim,
long blonde hair, big eyes, so innocent.
A little beauty spot on her lip. Very small.
You only see it up close.
When she smiles, you feel like...I don't know.
Love.
Love. I know how it is.
The blue-eyed ones are the worst. No matter what you do,
it won't work. There's nothing you can do.
The bigger the man the deeper his imprint.
And if he loves, he suffers, knowing it's a dead-end street.
What you just said is nice, but sad.
I didn't say it. It was John Wayne.
You old fox!
Hello, Elena.
Why are you running?
Because...I...wanted to tell you...
You remember when we... It's a nice day, isn't it?
Yes, really nice.
Excuse me. I have to go. Bye.
What an idiot! What an idiot! "Nice day, isn't it?" How stupid!
I'm your partner for all eternity.
This didn't come from Marlon Brando.
What do you think about me? Ugly?
My dear Elena.
How did I do this time?
Is Elena there, please?
Elena. I'm sorry, you may not remember me.
This is Salvatore.
The guy you bump into every now and then.
Every time I see you,
I'm so thrilled that I don't know what to say.
Last night, I was up all night.
I can't stop thinking about you. I really like you.
Stop it, or I'll call the police.
Who are you?
I'm Elena's mother.
I'm sorry, I didn't know you were...My god!
I told you so. You thought I was joking.
But take it from me, the blue-eyed ones are the worst.
But why? There must be a way to make her understand.
Don't even try.
With feelings, there's nothing to understand and no way to explain.
Stop talking like a preacher!
I've had enough!
Hey listen, don't be angry.
I only say this for your own good.
Out of the way!
Toto! Where are you? He's pissed off.
You stay with me like a good boy, you hear?
With due respect to the Lord,
who made the world in two, three days.
I'd have taken a bit longer.
But, in all modesty, I would've done it better.
Like I said, you always have an answer.
Just for you, Toto. I'll tell you a story.
Let's sit down. Misery of miseries!
Once a king gave a feast... for his beautiful princess.
Now, a soldier who was standing guard...
saw the king's daughter go by.
She was a most beautiful girl, and he fell instantly in love.
But what is a simple soldier...
next to the daughter of a king?
At last he succeeded in meeting her,
and he told her... He could no longer live without her.
The princess was so taken by his love that she said to the soldier...
"If you can wait for 100 days...
and 100 nights under my balcony,
at the end of it...I shall be yours."
With that, the solder went and waited...
One day...Two days... then ten... then twenty.
Each evening the princess looked out, and he never moved!
In rain, wind, and snow, he was still there!
Birds sat on his head, bees stung him...But he didn't move.
However...On the ninety day...
He had become...pale and weak.
Tears streamed from his eyes,
He couldn't hold them back.
He didn't even have the strength to sleep.
And all that time, the princess watched him.
Finally, on the 99th night...
the soldier stood up,
took his chair...and left.
Is that the end?
Yes.
That is the end.
And don't ask what it means. I don't know.
If you figure it out, you tell me.
Alfredo, do me a favour...... keep the Father busy.
Alfredo, what is it?
I have a confession waiting.
Father, I need you urgently, because...
I have doubts,
they are tormenting my soul!
Your soul?
Father, I've sinned.
Do that after.
Who are you?
Stay there, just act normal.
It's Salvatore.
What are you doing here?
Alfredo, that's awful.
I know.
But take the miracle of the loaves and fishes.
What about it? Go on!
I always wondered, how is it possible?
My mother had told my father.
How could you not recognize my voice?
I'm sorry, I was an idiot.
But I had to talk to you.
You're beautiful, Elena. That's what I wanted to tell you.
When we meet, I can't say anything right because...
You give me the shivers. I'm at a complete lost.
It's my first time. I'm in love with you.
Father, I've sinned...
I absolve you in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost.
You're even prettier when you laugh.
Salvatore, you're very sweet,
I like you very much but I don't love you.
I don't care. I'll wait.
For what?
For you to fall in love with me. Listen.
Every night after work, I'll come stand outside your house and wait.
When you change your mind,
open your window. That's all. I'll understand.
Do you understand?
Yes. Finally, I see the light.
Next time, don't talk heresy. You survived the theater fire,
but from the Eternal Fire...
Eternal Fire... no one can save you!
What's with Toto? The film must be finished.
Ready! 15 seconds to the New Year!
11...10...9...
5...4...
Don't worry, I'm sorry he's with friends.
Come, a toast!
Happy New Year!
And a toast to Toto.
Salvatore.
God! I've never driven a car.
How will we get home?
Stop!
Oh dear, it's my father.
Hello, Mr. Mendola.
-Hello. -Hello.
Hello ladies and gentlemen.
Welcome to Double Puzzle.
A big hand for our presenter.
How do you do it?
How do you get pictures without negatives?
This is television, no negatives.
And you can buy the set and play it at home.
No way! I hate that burning smell, it stinks.
This machine is rented.
But for the future of the cinema,
maybe we should buy a new television
to enhance our facilities here.
The answer? Dante's "Magic Flute."
Does your father despise what I do?
Or because my family's poor?
Elena!
My parents are going away this summer.
We can get together then.
But I have to work in the country this summer
What can we do?
I can write you everyday. I love you.
Remember, come back soon when the summer's over.
Elena!
Outdoor movies: opening soon
Standing room only! Only pay when you come out.
Come on in! The show just started. Have your tickets ready!
"Salvatore, my love.
A whole summer with my family,
my days without you drag on forever.
I see your name everywhere,
in a book, a crossword puzzle, a newspaper.
You're everywhere.
Today, I have bad news.
We're moving to Palermo in October, where I'll go to university.
We won't be able to see each other every day,
but don't worry. Whenever I can,
I'll come to you at the Paradiso.
Who will open this for me?
Why do you get mail everyday? It's a hassle!
Are you jealous?
Elena...
When will this rotten summer end?
In a film, it would already be over.
Fade out, cut to storm. Wouldn't that be great?
"Tell them I am Ulysses!"
Elena! When did you come back?
Today. You can't imagine the excuses I made up to come here.
Still the same Sophia Loren.
Long legs, full breasts...
Hey boss, mail for Toto.
Can you give it to him?
What is it?
God, what do I do? What do I do?
What's with the City Council?
My father was killed in the war,
I should be exempted from the draft.
Maybe they've made a mistake.
I'm to report to Rome on Friday.
Don't worry, I'll be out in 10 days.
Come on.
I can't. I have to go home today. My father's picking me up.
I have something else to say to you.
Listen, I'm having a date.
With whom?
My father's colleague's son. We'll talk later.
I'll arrive Thursday on the 5 o'clock bus. We'll meet then.
Wait for me.
SHOWING TODAY: BEWILDERED
DIRECTOR: MICHELANGELO ANTONIONI
STARRING: ALIDA VALLI
Toto, maybe the army made a mistake.
Load the reels for tomorrow, ready for the new man.
All right.
Cheer up! I'll wait for you.
Don't worry. The job will be here.
I'll wait. You hear? Don't look so sad.
Expecting someone?
No. I came down to get you.
Stop pretending. Waiting for your girlfriend?
Do you want to wait here alone?
Or have me waiting with you?
I guess it's better I leave.
No. I need your help.
Listen to the sound...
Open the door!
Open up! Elena!
It makes me mad!
Toto! Where have you been? Where were you?
Relax. Sit down.
Was she here?
No.
Radioman Di Vita, 3rd Battalion,
9th Company, sir!
Have you got my discharge order yet?
We haven't got the notice.
Her father had her transferred? No way!
And no one knows where?
Screw you if you won't tell me! Asshole!
"Addressee unknown"
I was supposed to be a soldier for 10 days.
It's turned into a year, and no time off at all!
Your discharge papers have arrived.
You're thinner. So, you're finally out.
They tell me you never go out.
And you never talk to anybody. Why?
You know why. It's just a matter of time.
Whether you talk or not, it won't change anything.
So you might as well shut up.
It's hot in here. Take me to the sea.
There's a lieutenant at a party,
he pinches a girl's ass.
She turns around. It's the colonel's daughter
Terrified, the lieutenant says,
"If your heart is as hard as your ass,
I'm a dead man."
Have you heard from her?
No. No one knows where she is.
Probably that was meant to be.
Each of us has a star to follow.
Right now, what do you think?
One day...a commander said to a sergeant,
"There's a windmill over there."
the sergeant answered, "There's no mill but there is wind."
Remember the story you told me?
I know why the soldier did what he did.
Because he knows, on the 100th day,
if the princess reneged on her promise,
the soldier would have been heart-broken, and died of grief.
So he chose to leave on the 99th night,
this way the princess would remember him forever.
Do what the soldier did, Toto. Leave here...
This place is cursed.
Living here day after day,
you think it's the center of the world.
You believe nothing will ever change.
Then you leave. A year, two years...
When you come back, everything's changed.
The thread's broken. What you came to find isn't there.
What was yours is gone.
You have to go away for a while.
Make something of your life before you come back to your people...
to the land where you were born.
But now, no, it's not possible.
Right now, you're blinder than I am.
Who said that? Gary Cooper?
James Steward, Henry Fonda?
No, Toto. This isn't from a movie.
This time it's all me.
Life isn't like in the movies. Life... is much harder.
Get out of here. Go to Rome.
You're young. The world is yours.
And I am old. I don't want to hear you talk anymore.
I want to hear others talk about you.
Don't come back. Don't think about us.
Don't look back. Don't write.
Don't give in to nostalgia. Forget about us.
If you fail and come back,
I won't let you in my house. Understand?
Thank you... For everything you've done for me.
Whatever you end up doing, love it.
The way you loved the projection booth
when you were a little devil.
He's gone!
Toto, goodbye!
Toto!
I was too late. What a shame!
It's Toto. I knew it.
Toto! How're you?
Your sister is fine.
The children have grown up, too.
They write me all the time. See how nice the house is?
We had it refurbished. All thanks to you.
I have a surprise for you. Come.
Are you tired? You have time to rest before the funeral.
No, mama. It's only an hour by plane.
Don't tell me that after 30 years.
Come, I put all your things in here.
He must be glad you came, Toto.
He always talked about you... always.
Right up to the end.
He really loved you.
He left something for you.
Before you leave, come see me.
Hello.
When did you close it down?
Six years ago in May. Nobody came anymore.
You know better than me, Mr. Di Vita,
the economy, TV, videos.
The old movie business is just a memory.
The city bought the site for a parking lot.
They're demolishing it on Saturday. It's sad.
What's this "Mr. Di Vita"?
You used to order me around.
Now that you're a big shot... it's a little different.
But if you insist...Toto.
Excuse me.
Who would've believed it? Little Toto.
We want to go with granny to Rome,
and see what you do at the same time.
Sure. But don't hold much hope.
My work is boring.
Brother, you have no worries there,
they're all your fans.
So you're leaving tomorrow?
I'm not sure. I haven't decided.
They've called several times,
trying to find out when you leave.
A whiskey, please.
Excuse me. Are you Mr. Di Vita, the director?
Can you give me your autograph? Thank you.
Excuse me Miss. Sorry, I got the wrong person.
You must call more often.
Come and pick me up or we're finished.
Just joking.
Right, I've got to go.
What's up, Toto?
There's something I've been wanting to say.
You worked very hard to bring us up.
Now we're grown up,
but we aren't at your side to look after you.
One thing I don't understand...
When you were young, you were so pretty.
You should have had a good life.
So why did you choose to live such a lonely life?
We all have feelings... Why didn't you remarry?
Didn't you think about it?
I never paid attention to that before.
Thinking back, you should have.
I didn't hold much hope in those days that I'd fall in love again.
Your father was the only man I loved.
People like me do not change.
I'm like you,
I cherish what I love.
But, to tell the truth...
Though it wasn't always easy to be faithful,
my life was whole.
They're trying to get you back again.
Never mind, mama.
Frankly... I've always been scared to come back.
After all these years, I thought...I was stronger,
that I'd forgotten a lot of things.
Now... I realize I'm right back where I was.
As if I'd never been away.
Yet my sister looks at me like a stranger.
And you, mama...I abandoned you.
I ran out on you like a bandit...
without any explanation.
I never asked for any. You don't have to explain.
I've always believed you're right.
Why dwell on it? Well thinking of the past...
Every night, when we closed up before going to bed,
we never lock the doors.
Didn't we have locks in those days?
When you were working in the cinema,
before you came home, I never really went to sleep.
I'd wait until you came home.
Only after I heard you going into your room
and was sure you were asleep, did I sneak down
and lock the door.
Since you left,
I've put the lock by the door,
in case you came back and were locked out.
That was how I felt...
But you were right to leave.
You did what you wanted to do.
Every time I call you,
a different woman always answers.
I often thought to myself,
that probably these women weren't exactly your type.
I was just guessing anyway.
But...
I never hear love in their voices.
Sometimes I'd have liked to see you...
...settled, and loving someone.
But your life is there.
And all we have here are ghosts. Forget her, Toto.
Boccia?
Name...Vincenze.
Hello?
Hello? ls this Elena, please?
Yes. Who is this?
Salvatore. Di Vita. Salvatore Di Vita.
Remember?
I'm in a phone box outside your house.
Yes I remember.
Will you come down...and see me?
It was all in the past.
What's the point... in seeing each other now?
I just want to see you. We're both older now,
it's better we don't meet. Goodbye.
Hello?
Salvatore.
How did you know I'm here?
You used to like coming to the seaside.
So I came here...looking for you.
You're still beautiful.
Come on. I'm getting old.
Can't you see?
Why did you come back?
Alfredo is dead. Remember him?
Of course.
I was sad. He was very good to you.
I saw your daughter. She's beautiful.
She must have a lot of admirers.
Yes. But there're others you haven't met.
I have a boy, he's the oldest. And you?
No. I've never married. Are you happy?
I'm fine. The past was just a dream.
Do you know my husband?
Yes I know. Boccia.
What kind of work does he do?
Politics. He's a council member.
My classmate at the university.
Did your father agree?
No. He was against it.
Were you waiting for me?
I've never forgotten you.
And me you. Why did you suddenly disappear?
It's no use talking about that now.
You'd only think it funny if I cry in front of you.
Have you always been in Rome?
What do you mean by that?
Why didn't you come to Paradiso as we agreed?
You just left, without a word!
You know, I've waited for you for 30 years.
I did go to Paradiso.
But I was late.
My parents were having a big row over us.
I tried to talk to them. But it was no use.
They still...decided to move away.
And on that same night.
I was devastated, I didn't know what to do.
Finally, with me constantly begging...
they agreed to let me see you one last time.
I was planning...that once I saw you...
then we could...run away.
But when I arrived at Paradiso,
I only found Alfredo there.
I didn't have time to wait for you.
Hurry up, Elena.
So I told Alfredo,
that I'd be leaving that night.
And that he must tell you.
He was kind,
and he listened with genuine concern...
You must calm down.
Now, listen, Toto wants me to tell you this...
He thinks it's better that you two don't see each other again.
He's doing this for your own good.
Don't be sad. He doesn't mean to hurt you.
When a fire dies down, what's left is only ashes.
Can love last forever? No one knows.
So he doesn't want to continue.
Toto decides his own future.
So I can't say anything about his decision.
I don't understand either why he'd say that.
But you must understand his reason behind it.
Leave him. Do what he says.
Are you leaving tomorrow?
Why did Alfredo say that?
And you believed him.
I was just going along with him.
I left you a note.
When I was going downstairs,
I remembered he was blind.
So I went back to the booth.
He was sitting like a statue in front of the projector.
I took a piece of paper from the wall...
I wrote down my address...
"I'll wait to hear from you."
But you just disappeared.
I was looking all over for you...
but to no avail.
I wrote, I called...
I couldn't find you.
That's why I left here.
And never came back.
I only saw you in my dreams.
Time flies by...
I've met many other women...
but I never forgot you.
I've done well in my career,
yet you're always on my mind.
Like yearning for my father's return when I was a child.
You made me feel the same...
heart-broken.
I couldn't forgive Alfredo at first.
But after all these years...
I've come to realize why he did it.
Your silence means you understand, too.
I never saw your note.
It was so long ago. Maybe that paper...
is no longer there...or thrown away.
It doesn't matter. Don't think about it.
It's all in the past.
Alfredo had kept the truth from you.
But of all people, you must understand his reasons for it.
Just imagine, if we had gotten married.
Then you wouldn't have produced so many great movies.
I've watched every film you made.
But you didn't use your name...
You should.
Salvatore.
This is what he left for you.
Every time we had your movie on TV,
he'd be thrilled,
and sit in front of the TV.
He remembered every movie you made.
I'd tell him about the movie, he'd listen.
He wouldn't miss anything, even news about you.
He'd repeat what he heard to himself.
He never asked to see me?
No, never.
Once your mother said to him...
that if he wanted it, you'd surely come.
He was furious.
He said "No!
Toto must never come back here!"
He didn't say it to be mean. He was a good man.
Who knows what was going through his head?
Towards the end, he said strange things.
A moment before he closed his eyes...
He told your mother she mustn't let you know.
Where is it? Where the hell is it?
"Moby Dick"
"Dream of the Closet"
"Challenge"
"Way of the Wild"
"Stubborn"
"Bewildered"
"Salvatore...
forgive me.
I'll explain to you later.
First I have bad news for you.
My mother insists on leaving this town.
We're moving tonight.
You're the only one I love.
I swear my love for you will never change.
I left you my friend's address. Remember to write.
Love you forever.
See you.
Your Elena."
When are you leaving?
This afternoon.
Elena.
In future, we...
No. There is no future.
Only the past.
Last night was just a dream.
A beautiful dream.
A dream we couldn't realize when we were young.
Isn't that right?
I think, there can be no better ending than this.
I don't think so.
Never...
It's my square. It's mine.
Check the leader. Roll when you're ready.
I liked your film. Terrific.
Thanks.
What is it?
We have a new release this morning,
the press conference is in the afternoon.
All the crew must be present.
I just received the award confirmation,
Congratulatory calls are pouring in.
What's wrong? Aren't you happy?
Of course I am. We'll talk later.
The END