BITTER RICE
Exteriors and interiors were filmed in the rice paddies near Vercelli
As in China and India, rice has been grown in Northern Italy for centuries.
It grows on a huge plain
spanning the provinces of Pavia, Novara and Vercelli.
Millions of women's hands have left indelible signs all over this plain.
They have manipulated and rearranged it for 400, 500 years.
It is hard and unchanging work.
Legs in the water, back bent with the sun beating down overhead.
And yet, only women can do it.
Small and fast hands are required,
the same hands that thread a needle and cradle an infant.
This is Radio Turin.
We decided to offer our listeners an extraordinary show today.
We're standing among the trains that transport the rice workers.
Every year in May, the workers leave for the rice plains.
They come from all over Italy.
Women of all ages and professions.
Mostly peasants, but also factory workers, clerks, seamstresses.
The rice picking season lasts 40 days.
Forty days of hard, hard work.
Let's hear from a rice worker, one of many.
Hey, you, come here. What is your name?
Cerri Severina from Monselice.
Listen up,
because Severina Cerri is going to share with you
the impressions, needs and ideals of the workers.
Let's hope we don't miss him in the middle of the crowd.
What bounty.
Who's watching the underpass?
Donadio and Bonfiglio.
- Fourteen. That's 14, Reverend. - Yes, 14.
- Come on, let's go. - I'm counting on you, Amelia.
Be careful. Stay together.
Be watchful, with all this terrible confusion.
- Don't worry, Reverend. - Be careful.
Police. Show us your ID, please.
Attention.
- Over there, on track 6. - Departing from track 6,
the first train for Vercelli.
It's reserved for the rice workers.
Candy, cookies. These rice workers have it pretty good.
In the past we've raised money for them,
but this year we only have food.
Who do you work for?
Are you bringing gifts too?
I'm bringing good wishes, kisses and... cash.
I've got you, thief.
Don't resist. Hands up.
Let's go. Come with me.
- Help! Help! - Thief!
After him!
- What happened? - A thief!
- Did they arrest him? - No, he got away.
- Oh, no! We're in danger! - He had a light trench coat.
A light trench coat? It will be easy to spot him, then.
Francesca.
Walter.
What happened? I was about to call the hotel.
Embrace me. Embrace me.
What's going on? What's the matter?
We'll see each other soon. It's not like I'm going to America.
Don't worry. Embrace me, I said!
Don't look around, you idiot.
The police recognized me.
Hold still.
Attention, attention.
The second train for the rice workers is now boarding
on track 4.
Our train has left.
I waited an hour. I bought our tickets.
What are we going to do? - We can't leave. The train is a trap.
Come.
Two cops are coming. What's the plan?
If something happens, mingle with the rice workers.
Don't worry about me. I can take care of myself.
Keep the loot with you at all times, on your person. It's worth millions.
Stop or I'll shoot.
Stop or I'll shoot!
Get out of the way, you idiot!
Mingle with the rice workers. Go with them and wait for me.
Out of the way!
Did you see that? He was a criminal.
Such a handsome, refined young man.
- What did he do? - Who knows?
- He stole the cash from the bar. - No, he must have robbed the train.
- It was so scary. - What happened, Reverend?
Get on. It's none of our business.
Girls, be careful.
Jewels worth five million stolen last night at the Grand Hotel.
Buy the morning Stampa and read all about the theft at the hotel.
Five million worth of jewels stolen last night at the Grand Hotel.
- Are you done in there? - Hurry up. Are you laying an egg?
- Excuse me. - Hang on a second.
What do you want?
Here, it belongs to your friend.
- What friend? - The one who ran away.
He left you in the lurch, didn't he?
You can talk to me. I'm not a cop.
I saw everything at the station. - I saw you too.
Yeah, but he embraced you before he ran away.
Embraced me.
He almost got me killed.
He used me, like he danced with you.
I guess that's how he is with women.
He seemed like a gentleman.
And he really knew how to dance.
You were the better dancer.
In my town we dance every night.
Besides, I have a knack for learning new dance moves.
Hey, leave my gramophone alone!
Lisa, don't let anyone touch it. - Okay, Silvana.
So after that you decided to come with us?
- After what? - After he ran away.
Did you read that in your magazine?
I need a job.
I've been unemployed for six months.
Boy, you're really unlucky.
Besides, these magazines don't lie. It's all true.
Do you even have a contract?
No.
Don't worry. There's room for all of us.
We're hired by the Labor Department,
but the boss always hires more girls.
They call them “illegals,”
and they even hire them on the train.
Come with me. I know a boss who will put you in the book.
Come on.
Hi there. How's business?
Go sit down. I'll take care of it.
Take a seat.
There was a racehorse in this car before us.
Does your cousin know we take a cut of her pay?
Who doesn't know about your dirty dealings?
Listen up, kid. We do it for their own good.
Without us they'd be at home, unemployed.
No way.
We've already put 40 extra girls in the book. We can't do it.
Well, if it's a favor for you -
Keep your paws off me, pal.
All right, we'll put her down.
What are you talking about?
All right, all right.
See? I took care of everything.
You have nothing to worry about. - Thank you.
But you shouldn't stay here.
What about your luggage? - My friends will watch it.
I don't like staying in the same car all the time.
LONG LIVE THE RICE WORKERS KISSES TO THE RICE WORKERS
Here, take this.
- Irene, you're back. - Hi, how have you been?
- So many soldiers! - They're lodged here.
The owner of the rice fields let them lease the land for a while.
But now he's kicking them out because we're here.
How do you know?
That soldier is from my hometown.
I'm going to see him tonight. - You don't waste any time.
I do what I can.
Forty days is a long time. Don't you agree?
So now it's our turn in the barracks.
Imagine how they'll stink.
Good thing I've always liked soldiers.
How about you?
I've seen more soldiers than a retired general.
From their stink, I can tell what regiment they belong to.
- What's your name? - It's Emilia, but call me Argentina.
Excuse me.
You said your fiancé would meet us, but I don't see him.
He must be busy.
He works at a farm where I was a rice worker last year.
That's where I met him.
Once we're married, I'll see him all the time.
I'm afraid, Anna. What if I can't hold up?
I'll try to work for two, Gabriella. We must bring the rice home.
We have to make it. Let's go.
Let's choose a bed right away. Otherwise they'll swipe them all.
- This straw is damp. - Don't worry about it.
- What are they doing? - They're filling their mattresses.
You can go do yours later. There's no rush.
I don't have to. I brought my wool mattress.
I like to sleep in comfort.
Hey, beautiful! What's your bust size?
I LIVE DYING IN THE BARRACKS
NOT IN TIME OF WAR BUT IN TIME OF LIFE
SERGEANT MARCO GALLI
I like this. It's like a sleeping car.
There's room for both of us. Top or bottom?
- Top. - I wouldn't recommend the top.
You've got a really hard head.
So you want to settle in here?
I would.
Francesca, you can go over there. All the slats are missing here.
There's only room for one.
A perfumed handkerchief.
What have you got in here?
Candied almonds?
It's mine.
You carry candied almonds as a reminder of your fiancé?
You can keep them.
Wedding favors don't mix well with military life.
If you think of marriage while you're in the army, you're crazy.
What would two people eat? Lottery tickets?
Come on. Give me a hand.
In two minutes you'll inherit my entire kit and caboodle
with all 200 of the bedbugs that live here.
- What? - Bedbugs.
Bedbugs?
Thanks a lot!
Are you scared?
I like to sleep at night. Don't you?
You'll get used to it.
I've had 10 years to get used to them.
From the front lines to the barracks, the barracks to the front lines.
Sleep is not an option.
But it's my thoughts that keep me awake.
They're going to discharge me any minute, so I can't sleep a wink.
- Are you from around here? - No, from Lombardy.
And you? - From Ferrara.
- What's your name? - Silvana.
Why, do you want to write me a letter?
Yes. Tons of kisses from Marco.
See you around.
WHO WANTS A LITTLE LOVE...
Don't read the garbage they've written on the walls.
I already read it.
“Love” can stay.
What a strange way of courting me.
How do you know he was?
Men are always courting me.
Hurry up, girls! Get on with filling those mattresses!
Go on. Get it over with.
- My back already hurts. - You always exaggerate.
If you don't have a contract, come with me when you're done.
I have to talk to you.
What's going on? Don't they want them this year?
It wouldn't be the first time.
It's their own fault. Why don't they go through the regular channels?
Silvana was here, but she wanted to switch with me.
She'd rather be close to the door.
What are you looking for?
It was here. I just put it here.
- Tell me what it is. I'll help you. - No, it's nothing.
Do you mind that I took this bed? It's easier, with the baby.
My name is Andreina. I had to bring him with me.
I had nowhere to leave him.
What's going on?
It looks like they've decided to send home
the ones who don't have a union contract.
I've always said it's not worth it to come here without a contract.
No.
They can't send us away.
It's not fair.
We're here to work, not to steal!
Let me speak.
If it were up to me, I'd take you all.
But it's the boss's orders.
He's not all wrong. The union is mixed up in it.
What if we get an inspection?
We want to stay. You won't be able to send us away.
I'm just passing along the order.
No contract, no job.
They'll pay for your return trip.
Even a full day's work.
A full day for each of you.
We're not asking for charity.
All we want is to stay here and work like all the others.
- We're human too. - That's enough!
Pack up.
I'd better not find you here tomorrow morning!
Calm down, girls!
Enough with the talk. Calm down!
We'll see what we can do.
The young women to planting, the old ones to picking.
What are you still doing here?
Don't you understand?
You're forbidden from entering the fields.
What do you think you're doing?
We could try the other rice fields, but it would do no good.
It's too late to find work now.
But wait!
If we can blend in with the regulars, we'll be all right.
Come on, let's see if you can get them to keep us on.
- You make it sound easy. - You shut up!
You think I like the idea of losing my cut of your wages?
Come on, then.
What are we waiting for?
Come on. Let's go.
Why not? Let's go.
We've opened the water on the Fontana Nuova.
Water opened on the Maurizio field.
What are you doing here?
The illegals came anyway.
They must like working for free.
Now it's up to you.
You have to really dig in, break your backs if necessary.
You have to work twice as hard as the others.
When they see what you're capable of,
they won't dream of kicking you out.
Now go and do your 'yobs. - Come on. Go, go!
Are you crazy? They have to go. Those are the boss's orders.
Just watch. Don't worry. You'll thank me later.
Our girls get more work done and much faster too.
It's to your advantage as well.
Your girls will have to keep up.
You'll look great with the boss. You'll save time and money.
No doubt about it!
Hurry up the planting! Hurry up the picking!
Come on!
Put some elbow grease into it, come on!
Maintain the proper distance.
Let's not waste any time.
Let me help you. That way you'll work faster.
Closer together!
Not so spread out!
Get going, you have to work faster!
Look how far the illegals have come.
I can't keep this up anymore.
Come on! You have to hold on until sundown.
Otherwise, good-bye contract.
Look how far behind they are.
There's no way they'll catch up now.
What are you doing, Silvana? Going for a stroll?
No talking while you work, damn it!
There's no talking on the job.
If you have something to say, sing it. That's how it's done.
Look how fast the illegals start
They make the rest of us look slow
That's how they betray us
Illegals, no, no, no, no
That's how they betray us
Illegals, no, no, no, no
Better to hurry in the early mom
'Cause later the sun shines hot
Poor thing, the illegal
Who works so hard when you do not
Poor thing, the illegal
Who works so hard when you do not
How hot the sun, how thick the air
This way of life isn't fair
How hot the sun, how thick the air
This way of life isn't fair
Hey, sleepyheads, don't you see them?
Keep up the pace!
Foreman, you yell too much
We know how the job is done
The scabs, the scabs, the scabs
You should watch them, every one
The scabs, the scabs, the scabs
You should watch them, every one
- Don't listen to them. Keep going. - Quiet!
Work faster!
Andreina is too old
She can? handle the rice fields
Andreina is too old
She can? handle the rice fields
What are you doing? Keep working!
Scabs! Traitors! Cowards!
What do you want from us?
Stop it, stop fighting! Stop brawling!
Only one woman is at fault. It's her.
She's the leader of the scabs.
I saw her.
She told the others to work faster than we do.
Well, I -
What do you want from me?
Why aren't you talking? Do you have a guilty conscience?
Go on, talk!
Stop!
Why did you set them all against her?
Do you want them to murder her?
Have you gone crazy? Are you trying to get someone killed?
What business is it of yours? She's a scab.
That's no reason to lynch her.
Because of her we have to work twice as hard.
You believed that idiot?
But she was right. This woman is responsible.
Yelling like this will get you nowhere.
No one does anything without a reason.
Maybe she needs work more than you do.
Yes, they're trying to send her and her friends away.
So they were defending themselves. Isn't that right?
They never stopped to think of the damage they were doing to us.
What about you? What did you do to help us?
You know perfectly well how desperate we are.
Can't you see that arguing amongst yourselves is useless?
What if you all got together and worked something out?
Exactly.
Did you hear him? We all have to agree.
Right. They shouldn't be mistreated.
What if we all go to the boss?
Either we all go, or we all work.
Come on. What are you waiting for?
I'm in. Let's go see the boss.
If you help us, we'll help you.
Come on, girls. Let's show them what we're made of.
Go ahead with the targets. I'll catch up in a bit.
Silvana.
Were you there too, in the middle of all that chaos?
Why did you accuse me?
What have I done to you?
Go away.
- Tell me what I've done to you. - Leave the rice fields!
No, you have to tell me.
Why do you want me to leave?
Because you're a thief. You're a thief!
I've taken nothing from you.
You're the thief. - So what's this then?
You stole it with your friend. Thief! Thief!
I took it from where you hid it. I figured it all out from the start.
Thieves don't belong here with us.
What's going on?
Hand her over to the police. She stole this necklace.
Why are you so upset?
Well...
are you going to turn me in?
I don't meddle with stuff like this.
It's not up to me to judge you.
You should stay out of it too.
Give her back the necklace.
How much do you think it's worth?
I don't know.
I've never seen stuff like that up close.
It's not for people like us.
What do you want me to do?
I'm at your mercy. - I'm no snitch.
It's up to you to decide.
Shouldn't she go to prison?
Prison was invented by people who have never been there.
Jail isn't the only solution.
And prison never saved anyone.
You see, Silvana...
if Francesca had a different face,
I might have turned her in.
Don't you know it's the face that counts?
Ever since I put on this uniform,
I've seen millions of faces.
Even here, among you, there are all kinds.
Each one has her fate and no one can change it.
Sergeant, they're calling you to the field.
Good-bye.
And then?
Then I was a maid for a rich woman.
She was young and beautiful.
- Was she very elegant? - She had everything.
I dressed her, undressed her, put on her stockings, her shoes.
Why? Was her back injured?
Why are they yelling?
What are they yelling about?
They're arguing with the boss about the illegals.
Fingers crossed.
Come on, tell me more.
Why do you want to know about me?
After that house, where did you go? What else did you do?
They fired me because I was going to have a baby.
I had met him.
He was a gentleman, and I fell for him like an idiot.
He gave me so many presents.
I knew he was special.
He said that with a new dress I would look like a lady.
When he won at cards, he would rent a car and take me on trips.
Were you there when he gambled?
No, it's dangerous.
Once they put him in jail.
Francesca, will you give me my shot?
He only had this six-inch one.
I guess they're used to horses here.
As they say, the more the better.
Did you two make up? - It's none of your business.
Opposites attract.
Do you like him?
He's a sailor.
He's traveled as far as Shanghai.
I've been around too though.
- Did you two break up? - I broke up with him.
They cut him loose, and he expected me to support him with my work.
But I'd had enough.
Where were we? Oh, what happened to the baby?
It was never born.
I was happy.
But he didn't want it.
You know how men are. - Here. Smoke.
He said kids are just a nuisance,
that they only bring trouble.
So I did everything he wanted.
But I had nothing. Just him.
And he was ruining me.
But he was all I had.
I envy you so, Silvana.
I wish we could trade places.
At least you've lived a little.
You haven't always been in this miserable state of poverty.
You've seen some wonderful things.
- Are you feeling a little better? - It's nothing.
- Maybe it's the rice they feed us. - Sure, blame the rice.
There are many reasons to throw up.
Yeah, like seeing certain faces.
How did you end up taking the necklace?
One day he came to see me.
He had found me a job in a hotel.
If he didn't pay a debt, he was going to go to jail.
He had worked it all out.
The time, where the key was.
He got on his knees to convince me.
He was nearly in tears.
Did you put it in the mattress again?
Yes.
- Don't worry. I won't touch it. - I wish I had never touched it.
Did you hear what that sergeant said?
I'd like to talk to him again.
I've thought about it a lot.
Do you think your friend will come?
Who knows?
I bet he will.
You would have been in trouble if you hadn't found the necklace.
Does he beat you?
What, don't you love him anymore?
I don't know.
Girls, we won!
The boss said he's going to hire the illegals.
It looked like you didn't want the cops to see you.
- Your faith in me is touching. - What a pain in the ass!
I've known you for two hours. What do I know about you?
I talk and talk. I've told you my life story, but you -
Don't you know the Arab proverb?
“Why talk when you can be quiet?”
Here.
But did you ask after the women? - Yes.
Nothing doing, not even here.
Neither mine nor yours.
Here, eat. But I'll find her. You can count on it.
And when I find her -
Later we'll try over there. Maybe we'll get lucky.
“I've been thinking of you for 12 months. Augusto.”
Who knows an Augusto?
“We danced together last year. Antonio.”
Hey, does anyone know Antonio?
Hey, girls, look up here!
We've got what you want.
Come over to the wall, beautiful.
Hey, brunette!
Hey, blondie!
Isn't Marisa here this year?
Marisa, someone's looking for you.
I'm Marisa. Who's asking?
Someone who can't forget you!
Is there anyone from Treviso?
- Who wants a girl from Treviso? - It's me, Severino.
- I don't know you. - We danced together at the party.
I danced with lots of guys.
Step aside, Angelo.
- Who are you? - It's me.
- Oh, it's you! - Remember?
I sent you a Christmas card.
- Hurry up and load the truck. - All right, Sergeant.
Hold it right there. It's going to be the best photo of the season.
Smile. Go on, smile.
Hey, what are you doing? You're ruining the composition.
- Is this good? - I liked it better before.
They always ruin my art. - Hurry up.
Ready? Steady. Look at the birdie.
Hold it. Done!
- Two copies. - They'll be ready in an hour.
Step right up, girls!
The good stuff is here!
I have the latest styles, the most chic, all for you.
Just look at these brassieres.
What did you do that for? It ruins everything. I told you.
I have to want it.
I'll let you know when the moment is right.
You're a real puzzle.
What about you?
You don't seem like the same serious man you were the other day,
when you said all those things to Francesca.
Keep your hands to yourself.
I don't want to be serious now.
What a necklace though!
Who knows how much it's worth?
It might as well be worthless. She has to keep it hidden.
If anyone sees it, they'll arrest her.
She's rich anyway.
Because she stole?
- But you forgave her. - I didn't forgive anyone.
What are you talking about?
I see, so you were just talking like that to impress me.
No, it's very simple.
That girl's fate has already been decided.
So has mine.
Look, read my palm.
Who's to say?
All I know is that my fate lies far away from the uniform.
As soon as I can, I'm leaving. I'm going abroad.
Why would you want to do that?
I would stay in Italy if I had a home and a job.
I've waited 10 years to get rid of this uniform.
And now I find myself afraid to dress as a civilian.
That's why I thought about it for so long before I put in my papers.
I spent so much time in the trenches
that now, even if I go dancing,
I still hear the bullets whistling past my ears.
I know how to do so many things, how to handle so many weapons,
but I have no trade.
I can do anything and at the same time nothing.
So if I have to start over,
I might as well go far away where it might be easier.
Where do you want to go?
Maybe South America.
They say there's work there.
It's virgin territory.
That may be.
But you never read anything about South America.
But in the North everything is electric.
Yeah, even the chair is electric.
So, do you want to come with me?
It's hard to go far away alone.
I'll be discharged in a few days, and then we can leave.
- Who says that's my destiny? - I do.
Try it and you'll see.
Stop it. Don't start again.
All right.
It's getting late.
The soldiers have loaded the truck.
Will I see you tonight?
I don't know.
Hold it right there, chickies. Don't budge.
The army ruins my art.
- Sergeant. - Oh, it's you.
Look over here. Steady.
Look at the birdie!
The other day, we didn't finish talking.
My story is complicated.
I would like to explain. - What?
- I feel that I can trust you. - Me? Why?
I don't know why,
but when I see you, it feels like I'm meeting a friend.
I'm glad to hear it.
Don't worry, Francesca.
I have to go now.
Good luck. - Good-bye.
Come on, I walked 30 miles to see my fiancée.
I found a spot under the poplars.
The grass is this high.
Papa is offering us a cow as my dowry. What do you think?
You want the cow or the money?
The cow is much better.
Walter, wait.
I'll talk to her later.
I don't know why she's wearing the necklace.
But no one else knows anything.
Don't worry.
I'll take care of it.
Stop.
Sorry.
I had a score to settle with this girl.
You sure showed him!
Are you crazy? What are you doing?
Walter, stop. You've already risked too much exposure.
Who is that guy?
I don't know. Her fiancé, maybe.
But look, here's the necklace.
It's fake, you idiot!
Don't you know you took the wrong one?
It's in all the papers.
What a great job you did.
- Fake. - Yes, fake, you idiot!
That's enough.
Let's get out of here now. First Nanni, then you, Peppe.
We'll meet up at the usual spot, all right?
- You think we got 35 pounds? - Maybe even a bit more.
Give it to me. Go on.
Behave.
You're not men. You're ants.
You carry off one grain of rice at a time.
Who are you?
A man who's been watching you for three days.
What are you doing here?
I live upstairs.
With the housing crisis, the prisons are all booked solid.
There sure is a lot of rice in here.
How much do you think there is in all the warehouses combined?
You want a smoke?
How much, do you think? - Who knows?
Twenty or 30 tons.
If you carry on at this rate, it'll take you a hundred years.
Are you thinking of stealing it all in one go?
Why?
Does that sound like a bad idea?
You'd need all the trucks they have.
That's the spirit.
How much do you think just the rice in here is worth?
Even if we undersold it, at least seven million.
We just need to find someone to buy it.
No. We just need to get it out of here.
Right.
We can make a plan together.
You can always find me here.
Now get rid of these little bags.
You could ruin everything for a few pennies and end up in jail.
Good night.
Overcooked rice again.
Don't they serve anything else?
What did you say to those men?
It's just business.
Why don't we leave this place? What are we waiting for?
Where do you want to go with no money?
Straight into the arms of the police?
This is the best place for both of us.
You can work and make some money.
And who's going to find me, holed up in here?
Besides,
I might have found a way to get us a big wad of dough.
But that girl knows everything.
She's a hothead. You never know what she's thinking.
She's in it too, at this point.
Did you tell her it's a fake? - Of course not.
In that case, don't worry.
She'll feel responsible and won't talk.
I can smell these things.
She might be dangerous though. She's just a child.
You call that a child?
I know quite a few fellows who would like to play with her.
And those legs!
Oh, go on. Yours are nice too.
Stop it.
I don't like your nonsense.
We're involving people who have nothing to do with us.
If they're not involved now, they will be.
I'm in charge.
That's all you ever say.
No one else counts but you.
At the station you needed help,
and, of course, I was there ready to do your bidding.
I was even willing to die.
Give me a kiss.
Don't you like me anymore? - Cut it out.
I'm leaving.
My workmates are already in the dorm.
Hey, you girls! Are you afraid of the water?
- That dirty water? - It's freezing!
Throw me some soap!
- Aren't you going to bathe? - No, I'm going back to the farm.
Is he waiting for you?
- Who? - Your friend, Walter.
I told you. He's not here anymore.
He left.
Don't you believe me? - If you say so.
Is he coming back? - I don't know.
I never know what he's going to do.
If he does, it's proof he loves you.
Yes.
I agree. If he comes back,
it's because there's someone he likes.
Here comes the rain.
In an hour it'll be pouring.
Quick, let's get out of here.
Silvana.
So now you have to guard me when I'm undressed?
You talk as if you haven't given me reason to.
What do you think you're doing? Let go and turn around.
Who was that man?
How should I know?
All I know is that he sure can boogie-woogie.
Boogie-woogie, novels, cheap tabloids, that's all you know.
Right, that's all I know,
with my feet in the water all day long.
What do you know about me? - There's not much to know.
After what I told you, you put on the necklace,
and now you're involved.
You're getting so worked up just because I wanted to have some fun.
There was no danger. No one noticed anything.
They probably thought it was costume jewelry.
Don't you get it?
You shouldn't have touched it.
Even if it was just a pin, it was stolen goods.
Then why didn't you report Francesca?
All you do is preach. Report her, report her!
Report her?
Don't you know that in the eyes of the law, you're her accomplice?
Me? What did I do?
Enough to go to jail.
- No, Marco. No. - Why didn't you listen to me?
Your fate is the one I proposed, with me.
The offer is still good.
Let me go and get out of here. I never want to see you again.
What are you doing?
Are you crazy?
What do you want from me? I certainly didn't seek you out.
You're right.
We would be so miserable together.
I'm starting to think so too.
You're absolutely right.
Luckily we realized it in time.
If you want to know the truth, I realized it a long time ago.
I'm not right for you.
You'd better stop coming around the farm.
Well,
I doubt that I'll want to... anymore.
It's better this way.
Silvana, hurry! It's cold!
Good-bye, Marco.
See? It's almost finished.
How do I look?
It'll make a nice mosquito net if your fiancé ditches you.
Miss Rice Worker and her orchestra!
Cut it out! You're ridiculous!
Boy, are you crabby.
It's worse than a funeral in here.
You'll see at the end, when they say,
“Here's your pay and your rice,
but we're giving you 10 pounds less because it rained
and you spent five days sitting around.”
Do you remember 1942?
One week of rain and 15 pounds less rice in our bags.
Clothing, perfumes, cigarettes.
Do you want an aspirin?
We write love letters.
Come on, girls. Summer rain makes you beautiful.
Miss, write your boyfriend a letter.
Out of sight, out of mind.
If you don't write, you'll lose him. Come on, write a love letter.
A perfect one, well written, with no spelling errors.
Originality, feeling, passion.
Oh, it's you.
Were you hoping for something better?
- I thought you had left. - I had, but I came back.
- What for? - To dance with you.
Thanks a lot, but after that night I swore off dancing for good.
Then we could just chat a while.
Yes, but not here.
Why not?
It's raining outside.
Besides, it's better if I don't show my face.
Scared?
Come on.
We haven't spoken much,
but I feel as if I've known you a long time.
I do too.
Aren't you tired of these folks?
What else should I do? There's only 15 days to go.
You need a more refined job.
These are the hands of a lady. You just need to take care of them.
- Nonsense. - Now you're scared.
Every time we've seen each other, something bad has happened.
At the station - - Were you scared then?
No, but there was a lot of trouble the other evening.
You see?
That's why I feel as if I've known you a long time.
Without exchanging a word, we've already done many things together.
We're almost intimate.
Are you glad you met me?
- Who knows? - Don't be coy.
Not every girl can say she's had an adventure with a guy like me.
You think you're so special?
Well,
not if you prefer types like that sergeant.
Men who spend all day rotting away in barracks.
He's truly in love with me.
I can't bear those needy types. - Good girl.
I knew you were a free spirit.
Besides,
men like him don't deserve a beauty like you.
Stupid girl.
Leave it open. At least we'll get some fresh air.
Look at them!
Come on, it's your turn.
No, not me!
You know what?
You've cleared my head.
We're up to our knees in water all day
and we let a little rain scare us off.
It's already the sixth day, and we've lost 12 pounds of rice.
We have to make up for lost time.
Because if we go home late,
many of us will lose our harvesting contracts.
If you're up to it, we'll show this weather what we're made of.
We'll go to work anyway.
I'm in.
- Me too. - Me too.
This doesn't concern us.
- Let's go. They're all going. - She's right. Let's go.
Leave them alone.
What do we care if they don't want to come?
Let them go.
For every extra day we stay, we make a little more.
They may not pay us, but they have to at least feed us.
But when they wanted to kick out the illegals, they helped us.
- You'd better not come. - Don't worry. I feel fine.
Come on, girls. Let's get to work.
Every day is another two pounds of rice.
What's a little rain?
The damp in here is killing us anyway.
- Where are you all going? - To work!
We'll get soaked to the bone.
Don't you know that rain water makes your hair curly?
- Really? - Of course. Come on!
- Stay here. Listen to me for once. - No, I want to go too.
I'm going with them.
Get away from there. Do you want someone to see you?
Can't you see you're getting all wet?
I've got to go. Let me go.
- Won't you give me a kiss? - Yes, but stand back.
Leave me alone. Let me go!
- Silvana hasn't shown up yet. - We called her and called her.
She must have something better to do.
Not like that. You're doing it wrong.
We're pulling the weeds, not the rice.
What's wrong?
Can't you see?
The rice is the plant without the white line on the leaf.
Are you ill? - No.
I told you not to come!
It's almost over. Don't worry.
This could be dangerous in her condition.
We have to do something.
Let's take her to the embankment.
Warn the other teams. Sing!
Gabriella wants you to know
That she's covered in blood
We're going to lay her down
Using the embankment as a bed
We're going to lay her down
Using the embankment as a bed
Gabriella is desperate
Her love left her high and dry
We've welcomed her with open arms
To give her comfort in her hour of need
We've welcomed her with open arms
To give her comfort in her hour of need
Blood of love and of pain
The consequence of falling in love
Enough! Enough!
She fell like a flower
Like a trampled flower
She fell like a flower
Like a trampled flower
Let me go! Let me go!
Enough!
No, let me go!
Enough!
It looks like the authorities are coming
to the party for the rice workers.
It was in the paper. - Good thing I brought my hymns.
Come on, down there.
- The authorities, what for? - To congratulate us.
- What do they know about us? - They always know everything.
We're going to have a great band. They know all the latest songs.
The accordion player is handsome.
For back pain, there's nothing better than dancing.
If you're young-
I'm going to dance until I'm old.
Here.
Come on.
I want to dance until I drop.
This is the first time the party for the workers begins with a wedding.
What a crazy idea, getting married on the last day.
- Come on. Pull the string. - Untangle that balloon.
Is there a light bulb inside?
What do you expect, matches?
I know who I'm going to dance with. How about you?
I'll find my girl at the party.
- I hope there's enough food. - There'll be plenty for everyone.
Like that, good. The bride is lovely.
And Papa and Mama? Wonderful!
It's going to be a masterpiece, the best photo of the season.
Come on. Look alive!
Watch out for the birdie! The birdie! Hold it!
Done.
Come on, girls. Line up.
I'm giving out the rice bags.
There's no way 90 pounds of rice will fit in here.
It always has before.
- Give me one. - And me.
When are they giving it out?
Tomorrow morning, before we leave.
These trucks won't be enough to take all the workers to the station.
We'll make two or three trips.
You came early. You would have had time to come tomorrow morning.
And let you have all the fun tonight?
But you're just going to leave the trucks there
when you go to the party?
- Who would touch them? - Right, who would touch them?
Leave it. He'll take care of it.
Here, have a smoke.
Listen, with a full tank of gas,
how far can a truck like this go?
130 miles? - Are you crazy? At least 300.
There's an extra tank in there. - Amazing.
How about a drink with all of us tonight?
Why not?
With all this meat, there must be a steak for us too.
Of course, there's enough for everyone.
It only comes around once a year.
At the end of the season, they give a party for the rice workers.
Don't worry about my bag, Andreina. I've already taken care of it.
All right.
What about our bags?
Here, Anna, give this to Gabriella.
Tell her to remember Silvana.
What about you?
I'll manage.
Thank you, Silvana.
They'll be thrilled at home. And Gabriella too, of course.
- Why did she give you her share? - I don't know.
She may be a little crazy, but she's not a bad person.
It's done. Getting the trucks will be child's play.
There's a ton of rice ready to go.
But how do we get past the gate? It's going to be guarded.
Everyone will be at the dance.
But one yell and they'll attack us all at once.
Too bad you're not all mute like him.
No, Nanni says there are going to be lots of policemen there.
The prefect is coming to the dance.
Aren't you afraid of getting trapped in here?
Get the trucks ready.
Be prepared to leave as soon as it gets dark.
And no more blabbering.
I'll take care of the rest. Okay?
They'll even wish us happy trails.
Where were you? I was worried.
We've got everything ready.
It's your turn now.
You want to help me, don't you? - I'll do whatever you want.
Yes, but you need to be enthusiastic.
I know. I don't like it either.
But for us it's everything.
What's wrong with you?
Tomorrow they were going to divide this rice among my friends.
And it's not even that much.
I'll tell you the truth.
I don't understand why we have to take it,
to steal it when you have a necklace that's worth so much more.
Listen...
the necklace...
you like it, don't you?
Good.
Then I'll give it to you.
It's my engagement present to you.
- To me? - Yes, to you.
You can do whatever you want with it.
Yes.
And anyway we'll be rich, right?
As soon as we get the money for the rice,
we'll go and rest up in a big hotel.
Tell me the truth.
I've been meaning to ask you for a long time.
Do you ever wear a mask?
What?
A black mask.
Walter.
That other one is coming, Francesca.
I'll be right back.
Long time no see.
- We need to talk. It's important. - What is it?
Listen,
we're not among rich people where it's okay to steal.
They've all worked like mules for weeks and weeks.
The government will give you an honorable mention.
They'll give you an award.
No, they won't give us anything.
Only what we've earned.
The rice that you're planning to steal.
I know what you're plotting.
Good girl.
Once upon a time, it took you longer to catch on.
But I can't take you back on the team.
Your place has been taken.
I don't care.
I'm never coming back to you.
But stay away.
This is the only honest place I've ever known.
I'm afraid I have to disappoint you.
Get out of here
before I report you.
Now you listen to me.
It's the biggest job I've ever done. Stay out of it.
Rice worker or maid, you're still connected to me.
Don't forget it.
All the way to jail.
Besides...
jail isn't the worst thing that could happen to you.
Well?
Are you done talking?
Just clearing things up.
Yeah, everything's clear now.
- Okay, that's enough now. - Yes, it's enough.
But you're coming with me. - Am I now?
He'll ruin you
for life.
Like he did with me.
No, we're getting married.
I told you. I'm sick of being poor.
Don't you see what happened to me?
This is different. He really loves me.
- And you believe him? - We got engaged today.
He gave me a present. Do you know what he gave me?
We've put up with you long enough. Get out of here.
And remember what I said.
It's so wonderful to be in love.
Now I need you to prove your love.
I told you I need your help for the plan to work.
You can go to the rice fields without attracting attention.
In order to clear the way for us while we load the trucks,
we need to create a disturbance.
Listen carefully.
Here's what you have to do -
- Good luck, Sergeant! - Stay a bachelor though!
- Send us a postcard! - We'll soon be discharged as well!
Have you come to see me off?
- So you're leaving? - Yes, I've been discharged.
I know you don't like talking to me, but you must listen to me.
Something terrible is about to happen.
We have to act immediately. I have nowhere else to turn.
What's going on?
MISS RICE WORKER 1948
I'll marry the prettiest girl.
What do I get if I vote for you?
Not even a wooden nickel!
Come here. Come here, Greta Garbo!
Go to hell.
- I'm voting for the fat one. - Look how gorgeous she is.
- Can't you see she's bowlegged? - And you think you're handsome?
We're the jury!
She had to end up like this, with a criminal.
We can't abandon Silvana. You can still save her.
Me?
Luckily I'm a civilian now. I can go wherever I want.
There are tons of people at the farm. Tell them.
It's hard for me.
The girls treat me as if I were one of them.
I would have to explain everything,
tell them what I've done.
It's hard, but we have to learn to take responsibility.
You're right.
That's what I'll do.
There are tons of people at the farm...
even the police.
Silvana! Silvana! Silvana!
She's not here.
We can't find her.
- What's Silvana doing? - I don't know why she's late.
JURY
There she is!
She's coming! The loveliest of them all! The winner!
Hurray for Silvana!
Water in the fields!
What's going on?
Come! Quick!
- Come, quick. - The fields are flooding!
- What's happening? - Stay calm. Don't be afraid.
I'll go check it out. Maybe they caught Silvana.
All our work! The sluice gates must have given way.
We'll have to break the embankments
in order to let the water out.
If we don't hurry, the flooding will make all the rice rot.
- Here, give me a shovel. - Me too.
- What happened? - Come on. Give us a hand.
- Is this what you were afraid of? - Yes.
- They did this. - It may be too late already.
- What can we do now? - Come with me.
- What about the fields? - We're no use here.
They opened the sluice gates so that everyone would come here.
Let's get to the farm. Maybe we can still stop them.
Francesca and the sergeant are right behind me.
Quick, come with me.
Did you hear that? A gun!
If he gets in trouble, we beat it.
Let's beat it now. If we stay, they'll catch us.
Yeah, let's go. It's his fault for getting a woman mixed up in this.
- Right! - You take that one. I'll take this one.
All right.
Leave it.
Worry about him.
- Let's get out of here. I'll help you. - No.
I want to see it through.
We're stuck.
We'll never get out of here.
You rat, you bitch! I'll make you pay for this!
Where are you going? Can't you see I'm bleeding?
There's a first-aid kit. There must be some bandages inside.
If you go all the way over there, they'll shoot you, you idiot.
Do something.
My wrist, my shoulder.
I won't be able to defend myself.
Francesca, where are you going?
Stay back!
Don't worry. I won't shoot.
As long as you stay put.
All your poisonous blood has to drain out of you.
Your career ends here.
Get my gun. It's here in my pocket.
Good, give it to me.
You try.
No, don't shake.
Yes, that's good. Good girl.
Take the safety off.
Good, that's right. It's ready now.
The lightest touch to the trigger -
Listen carefully.
There are five bullets. You mustn't waste them.
Take aim carefully.
No, extend your arm.
Extend it.
- Hold still! Don't move! - Shoot.
Shoot!
Don't shoot. You could miss from here.
You imbecile! You wasted three shots.
There are only two bullets left.
I got you into this mess.
I've been nothing but bad luck to you.
I would have liked it to be just the opposite with you.
I'm a fool to talk like this now.
This has nothing to do with you. I would have met Silvana regardless.
I didn't get it.
I guess my fate was to be alone after 10 years in the army.
Or at least -
I wasn't meant to be with Silvana.
- What are you doing? - You should turn the wheel that way.
- Look! - The farmers are coming.
Look! They're stealing!
- Give it to me. - No.
No more shooting.
I can't do it.
Are you afraid?
I knew you'd be afraid. Are you afraid?
Too much blood.
Silvana!
Do something, Silvana.
Tell us what you want to do, and we'll help you.
We can still save you.
Have you lost your nerve?
Look outside.
The fields are flooded.
The entire harvest could be lost.
Why won't you answer me, Silvana?
Answer!
I'm your friend. I know you're not bad.
Save your breath, imbecile!
Do you think any woman could fall in love with you?
With those rags you've been wearing for the past 10 years?
She loves me.
She does only what I tell her. Isn't that right?
Francesca is perfect for a bum like you.
I'll give her to you gladly. She's yours.
Francesca!
Kill her!
Quick, kill her!
Don't come any closer!
Here's the necklace. Take it.
Take it. It's yours.
Francesca, it's all we've got.
Let us go.
The necklace...
is fake.
It's worthless. Do you understand?
He's known all along.
That's why he gave it to you.
He used it to seduce you.
It's fake, just like him. - Stop!
You coward.
Silvana, where are you going?
What's she going to do?
What are you doing?
Come back down, Silvana!
Where are you going, Silvana?
Go on. It's time for you to leave.
The trucks are waiting. Come on.
There's nothing left to see here. It's time to go.
And so, another season of rice picking has passed.
It's time to go home.
Some will go back to the sewing machine.
Others will fan out across the wheat fields for the harvest.
Yet others will go back to the factories.
Then next year, in May,
they will return to the rice fields.
Maybe the very same ones we've come to know.
From Arceto, Schio, Nonantola,
from Rio Saliceto, Casumaro, Cento,
from Emilia, Veneto, Lombardy,
from every northern town.