THE VOICE OF THE MOON
Story and screenplay by FEDERICO FELLINI
Loosely based on the novel IL POEMA DEI LUNATICI
by ERMANNO CAVAZZONI
Script co-written by TULLIO PINELLI, ERMANNO CAVAZZONI
Musical commentary NICOLA PIOVANI
Director of photography TONINO DELLI COLLI
Production designer DANTE FERRETTI
Costume designer MAURIZIO MILLENOTTI
Salvini, Salvini, Salvini, Salvini...
Ivo Salvini.
Did you hear that, too? They called my name.
We're going to see some pussy. Pussy, pussy.
We're going to see some pussy. Pussy mussy, long live the pussy.
Pussy, mussy, long live the pussy.
Have you all paid? You haven't. Pay me for the previous time, too.
It's so hard it could bring down a wall.
- Does he want to come, too? - Yes, where are we going?
- Be quiet. - Open it a bit more.
No, she could see us.
Ah, there she is.
- Last time we saw more. - The curtains were more open.
What are you doing?
Why doesn't my wife have tits like that?
Give me the money. Come on.
- Why? - To see my aunt's tits.
I've got scissors. I'll cut you open.
- You still owe me from last time. - Be careful.
Come here. My legs are longer than yours.
- Stop him. - Let me go.
He didn't do anything.
I can't give him money, I haven't got any.
Juno, Jupiter's wife, had two big tits like that lady.
Do you know that story when she fell asleep under a tree?
With her breasts nude. And little Hercules was there.
He sees her big tits and he begins to suck and suck...
- What are you doing? - You think you're smart? Pay up.
As I was saying... all at once Juno woke up.
All the milk squirted up all over the sky.
That's how the Milky Way was born.
Now she stopped undressing. Well done.
- I bet you did well at school. - Yes, I was promising.
You bunch of drunk bums!
Go away, there are people here who want to sleep.
- If only Ottavio was here, he'd show you. - I am here, Auntie.
How lovely to have a nephew like you.
Goodbye.
Have a good night.
- Can you walk? - I'm fine.
I haven't seen my friend Salvini in a while.
- I'll come with you. - Yes, Mr. Pigafetta. Certainly.
Never a quiet moment around here.
My aunt wasn't like that. She was very skinny.
She used to comb my hair when I didn't expect it.
And she always wanted to know if I had defecated or not.
What were you doing here at this hour?
Are you doing it again?
No, I swear.
Believe me, I do try to resist.
When I close my ears, I hear them even more.
Last night was the first time that well called me.
"We have to tell you something very important."
Don't listen to the wells, they are traitors.
They make you dream nice dreams, but also ugly ones.
They should be closed at night.
- But then I... - Stay away from those wells.
- I don't want you to see it. - I have to do my job.
I have to talk to you. Watch out.
It's full of potholes here. Let me help you.
- Lady Gertrude, can I help you? - It's you, Pigafetta.
I'm late, they insisted I make stuffed zucchinis.
It took a lot of time to get them right.
You go ahead, I'll come in a while, pretending to be just passing by.
Fine.
Angelino, I'm going in. Or it'll go off.
Of course. You're nervous tonight.
- Angelino, how are things? - Fine.
Let's go for a walk. Come in, then.
You're getting bigger. Many people come here.
- Nobody wants to leave. - That reminds me, Mr. Pigafetta.
I have to tell the mayor about all this. You can't just do as you please.
You're just a gravedigger. What were you thinking?
The professor asked me to help him. He's a friend.
Is it a problem if he wants to sleep here?
- Prices are so high nowadays. - Exactly.
- Right. - I didn't bring him here. He followed me.
Who is the other guy?
He's with me, don't worry.
Well, speak up. Can you still hear it?
I sleep at night.
I just have two questions to ask you,
so I can make a good impression on my boss.
There are no questions, and there are even less answers.
- He'll only say I'm crazy. - But you are.
He got a degree at the conservatory.
He became a professor, and look where he is now.
My father saw right through him. "Don't marry him," he said.
Even in church he signaled to me, "Run while you still can."
But I was enchanted by his music.
Oh, yes, we keep on saying these silly things.
But music should be forbidden by law.
It's invasive.
Excuse me, but did your instrument show its aggression?
Tell him. He says his oboe moved his furniture.
Certain notes, a triplet of semiquavers, "sol la do mi".
In the Middle Ages, that combination was called Diavolus.
Think of a lizard that runs from your coccyx to your neck.
That night, at my place... Do you remember, Gertrude?
We were doing a concert at the Teatro Comunale.
I was going over my notes. And there they were, those four notes.
- Gertrude. - What?
It moved, just now.
Am I crazy?
- Am I seeing things? - Yes.
- Did you not see who was in the kitchen? - Please tell me, who was it?
One night, I was rehearsing...
What are you doing here?
Who are you?
I am the big eater.
I eat everything.
He ate everything.
Then, one night, they showed up at my house.
The ringleaders.
Gentlemen, what an honor.
Thank you.
I was rehearsing.
There's this passage, this infernal interval.
It should be forbidden to write certain chords.
Don't tell me you don't know which ones.
The phantoms enter exactly in those pauses, those intervals.
The dark, the cold.
The music then does with you as it pleases.
How can you defend yourself from something that never keeps its promises?
Tell me, what did it promise you?
The same things it promises to everybody. Joy, serenity.
Oblivion.
And that we'd all be happy and accepted. Including me.
But that's not true.
Gertrude.
It's gone.
But some nights, when the Moon is full, even down there, deep in the earth,
it keeps on playing, and I can still hear it.
It won't come. It's too late, it won't come tonight. It's too humid.
Here is my grandad.
Up there.
Always the same question.
How is it possible that nobody knows anything about you anymore?
Yes, you are all dead, I know. You did well.
Very well even, it can't be easy. I never managed.
I can't even imagine how you do that.
But afterwards we can't meet anymore. We shouldn't, right?
But where are you all?
Sometimes I think, "There must be a place in the world
"where there's a hole, an opening, to the other side?"
I'm here, you see?
- The raven doesn't betray. - Where have you been?
Now the heel of my shoe has broken. I'm so tired.
Tomorrow evening, I'll make mashed potatoes. Good night.
It's raining.
That's how I imagined God the Father in a coach.
Like my granny said when it was thundering. It's so beautiful.
Already when I was a child, I loved the thunder.
I didn't hear my granny calling me, "Pinocchino."
Pinocchino!
Pinocchino, come inside!
Get under my skirt.
Now you're burning your shoes, too.
You're becoming more and more like Pinocchio.
- Pinocchio didn't have a real dad. - No.
Neither do I. Is it obligatory to have one?
But you did have one, my poor boy.
Yes, I know.
I did have a dad.
Granny, I didn't see Daddy on the coach of God the Father. Mommy neither.
He can't only carry those two around. There are other people, too.
- There are so many. - So that's why.
Have you finished your milk?
Let's go to bed.
Is the Moon coming later tonight?
- I became a poplar tree this morning. - Well done, what a good result.
Let me tell you how. It's not hard to become one.
It happened very naturally. I sat down next to one and said,
"How are you?" It made me feel it.
My feet sank into the earth, and my toes grew like roots, all around.
All at once, I had 4, 10, 100 arms.
I felt a fresh air in my hair. A clean wind. I breathed with my leaves.
My hair had turned into a million leaves.
I was in heaven, it was very high.
The farmhouse had become very small.
I saw you, in the farmyard. You were so small.
I called you, I was calling you, "Granny, granny."
Come down now, even poplar trees have to go to bed.
- Did you not hear me call you? - Come, Pinocchino.
I have to check under the bed first.
There's nothing there. It's getting cold, come back.
But it's beautiful here and there are so many things.
Just look at the fire.
Where do all those sparks go? Where does the fire go when it goes out?
It's just like music. Nobody knows where it goes when it ends.
I always get so many ideas here in bed.
But they fly away, like those sparks.
How can we stop them, granny?
Can you stop them?
Granny?
I love remembering. More than living.
What's the difference anyway?
I remember that same night, in that thunderstorm,
I felt like paying a visit to...
- Go away, go home. - How are you?
- It's the middle of the night. - Are you asleep?
I have a letter. It's not mine, but you'll want to read it.
Shall I come up? Just for a moment, I swear. It's late.
Wait there, you fool, I'll come down.
- Come in, idiot. - I'm coming.
My family got into trouble because of you.
- Be quiet. - As a mouse.
- You're all wet. - Just a bit.
You have to get out of these wet clothes.
Thank you.
- Hold this. - The candle?
This is not a good place to get dry. We should get upstairs.
Upstairs I'll be dry in no time. Please.
Only for 30 seconds. You'll be perfectly safe.
- That's not possible. - Oh, come on. You go first.
Mind the step, sweet Susina.
I dream so often that I get here at night and walk up these stairs.
- Every night. - You're naughty.
Now I do it for real, thanks to you.
Listen, you. Don't you even like me just a little?
I feel a lot more for you than just kindness and attraction.
But I have to respect you. Let me go.
I will just look at you from the door, that's all.
- Where are you going? - I'm not going in, I'm staying here.
- Go away. - Let me look at you from the door.
- Go away. - Just a quick look.
- I'll scream. - I won't wake her up.
- Why are you doing this? - Be quiet.
Oh, my God.
Lift the candle so I can see her. Please, do as I say.
If you care for Aldina, then go away.
Let me look at her for just a moment.
Stay here.
She's just like the Moon.
She is the Moon.
What are you doing, Moon, up in the sky? What are you doing, tell me, silent Moon?
My life is difficult, and it still is,
and it doesn't change style, oh, my beloved Moon.
Who are you? Help!
- Susy, help me. - Be quiet, Aldina.
Susy, help.
Help.
There's nobody. It was raining. It's just the thunderstorm.
No, it wasn't. Who was that?
Gonnella, I give you my word that I'm not spying on you.
Why don't you just go home, like everybody else?
You'll get ill, we are all worried about you, you know that.
How dare you bother the passers-by on the street?
I'm here because I'm working.
I don't doubt that. But who do you expect to find at this hour?
Nothing will happen if you do as I say for once.
Go home and take some drips from the green phial. Just do as I say.
You're nobody to me, and I don't even believe you're a doctor.
Leave me alone. I don't need you to accompany me.
Oh please, Mr. Gonnella.
I am the Prefect, I'll have you know.
I demand you call me that. This is my home town.
Please forgive me. I will light up the way for you.
There we are.
While awaiting better suited accommodation,
my dear, though undesired, escort, this is where I live for now.
So switch those lights off and get the heck out of here.
- All right, good night. - Much obliged.
I was getting worried, it's so late. Did you get wet?
But you did get wet.
Why don't you come to us?
Come and have a glass of wine with people of your own age.
- It would be such an honor. - No, I'm tired.
What a shame. He is such a nice neighbor.
Shall I tell him?
Dr. Gonnella, come here. Do you know who's here?
Do you remember?
- She so wants to say hello to you. - Please, come to us.
We baked a lovely cake for you, Mr. Gonnella.
It's nice and warm and quiet here. Please, Your Eminence.
Wait here, I'll go and have a look.
Dr. Gonnella, sleep well.
We are here. All you have to do is sleep.
We'll take care of everything. Can I get you anything?
A chamomile tea?
I can't even get peace in my own bedroom anymore.
As soon as I close my eyes, you lot walk in with your bad breath
to infect me!
But I'm warning you, I know martial arts.
Where is the old girl?
Those dirty insects want to infect me with their horrible illness: old age.
But I'll resist. I can defend myself, they won't get to me.
Women, I'm giving everything away!
Come to me, for a good bargain. I'm the Redhead.
He's my partner, he's been in a lunatic asylum. As a nurse.
But I don't believe that.
He was mad, and now he's passed his madness onto me.
Stop. May I? I'll give it back in a second.
Do you see how many silver disks come out of the clock?
They enter here and go silently through my head.
You can't see them on the photo.
Soon we'll be able to photograph things others can't see.
Japan is always the first to develop those things.
I thought it was bigger. Let's take it to church.
- See you Sunday, Your Excellency. - In church.
- The statue's beautiful. - Go worship it.
- Have you called Detroit? - They are all here, even the chairman.
Isn't this emblematic proof that the Holy Marys can be considered a race?
I'm sure of it. It gets the Father angry.
I can't believe that a serious attorney such as yourself says such silly things.
I don't see why my theory should be considered blasphemous.
I didn't say a people, I said a race.
Holy Mary, please help my nephew get the money for the scooter he has sold.
- That's enough. - They prefer to live in the countryside.
Hidden by the tree tops. They appear to passers-by.
Preferably shepherds, the young ones.
Have you got nothing better to do?
Why do they only appear to ignorant people and never to well-educated people
who could ask them very precise questions?
Hey, wait for me.
You don't know where to put her.
Do you want to show her the whole church?
- The bishop still has to bless her. - He isn't here yet.
- Have you ever seen him? - No.
You haven't.
I think I've got the wrong person. Excuse me.
Women, I'm here, Mad Redhead. I was a nurse in an lunatic asylum.
- There's Redhead, let's go away. - I went mad. And now I work for you.
- Hello. - I want to ruin myself.
- How are you? - I'm very well, thank you.
The women are happy all right.
Buy three dresses and pay for only two.
Look, I do my exercises. I'm perfectly okay.
I recognized you from the entrance downstairs.
- How nice to meet you on this nice day. - It's spring.
I told you so many weird things. Do you remember those taps?
You can't imagine how happy I am to hear you say this. Well done.
- The taps have been repaired now. - Let's sit down and have a chat.
Is that okay?
It's true that that tap made me think the weirdest things.
That feels like a previous life.
The rolling shutters have stopped shutting by themselves for some reason.
They used to come down, out of the blue, making a lot of noise in the process.
I remember very well. I would make you angry.
I'd say, "They must have opened them," and you'd say there were closed.
I'd say it was better that way, God knows what an open shutter could get up to.
It was a providence, it was for your protection.
Clearly you have friends.
You are very smart.
- I have to go. - What a shame.
- I mustn't keep you. - Does it need mending?
Is that Cinderella's little shoe?
What a lovely idea, I'm so glad you said that. Thank you very much.
Now I really have to go.
The point is I can't stand it anymore to be always waiting for something.
It's like I'm standing on a threshold. This waiting never stops.
Please help me understand. Not just for my sake.
Also for hers, for yours, for everybody's sake.
It's becoming more and more urgent. I know there's not much time left.
Thank you, doctor. Good luck.
Giovannino says he will spit on that spy's head, sooner or later.
My brother is nervous today, but don't you worry.
He wouldn't hurt a fly, and I've noticed he likes you.
He wants to talk to you.
Can I go down and have a look?
- I don't understand a word. - We invented that language.
So the headmaster wouldn't understand. We lived in a boarding school for years.
Me too. Which one? The one that was a fortress and then a convent?
Yes, that one.
He says the spy decides the punishments.
And that he has to stay down there in hell.
Because every now and then it crumbles, it gets rusty.
He says hell is an iron pipe that runs through the whole city.
Here and there it's so narrow, you have to move like a snake.
- I'm going down. I can do this. - No, you're not.
- So, fire, torture, devils? - I've never seen anything of the kind.
There are little worms that manage to get into the pipes, that's all.
Sometimes they get out of the taps in bathrooms and kitchens.
He says that they are the devils.
And it's the big spy's fault, like always. He sees her right now.
- Watch, he says. - What should I watch?
The Moon, she has spied on us for thousands of years.
What can we do about it?
We have to get rid of her, she is of no use to us anyway.
Bye, I hope the work goes well.
Marisa is moving out.
She's obtained a separation and she's taking the furniture with her.
Be careful with it, you'll break it!
This all belongs to Marisa Maldovani, my daughter.
She can do with it as she pleases. The magistrate signed it yesterday.
Do you believe me now? Give me back my handbag.
Marisa, darling.
I knew it would end like this, but she wouldn't listen.
- I have beautiful wallets. - You sold me one the other day.
It costs 5,000 lire, that's all.
Hi there, friend. How is your head, are you okay?
I'm fine.
Why are you crying all these tears, Ms Marisa?
I'm sad, I didn't want it to end like this.
We could have come to an agreement. I'm a sensible person.
- That's really bad, I know. - What did you say?
Nobody understands us, the sensible ones.
- I love him. - That can be a good thing.
- I had grown so fond of him. - Don't act like a child.
You knew he wasn't the right one for you. Come here, my little horsey.
You are like my motorbike, pure dynamite.
I am your bomber, I am just what you need.
We are an atomic couple.
How can you call a lady "horsey", "dynamite", "motorbike"?
I just can't imagine how you do that.
How come they allow this poor lost soul alone on the streets?
- Can someone hold my glasses for me? - I can do that.
Don't get angry. He's a sweetheart, really.
- Let's go, get away from here. - Right now.
I put pretty Marisa here.
Goodbye, everybody. Including the poor lost soul.
Good luck. Always at your service, Marisa.
He doesn't know she'll make him suffer. He'll find out, though.
- Nestore? - Yes. Come up.
I can't give you the decree. No, you can't buy one.
No, you got a newspaper for Christmas.
- Ivo. - Nestore.
- You look well. - You haven't changed.
- Neither have you. - But we must.
Come in.
I know him, but it's been a while.
Listen how it echoes.
Because they took everything away.
No, they left me this.
This was left behind, too.
Have you ever heard the mysterious voice of the spin of the washing machine?
The sound becomes like a voice.
The voice of a siren that sings just for me.
I call her "My beautiful washerwoman."
Marisa treated it without any respect, she was rude and impatient with it.
Yet at first she was so loving, so sweet.
The ideal woman.
I used to look at her for hours, spellbound. Do you remember?
Ms Marisa? But of course.
That lady was so beautiful, with those big lips of hers.
- I told him to sell. He got 800 million. - Keep still or I'll cut your hand.
- Is it true what they say? - That I'm hopelessly in love with you?
Everybody knows that. But are you going to get a television channel in our town?
- I don't know yet. - Mom, I'm fed up.
How can I cut your hair like that?
If everybody does that, the square becomes a mess. Pick it up.
- Bye, Pino. - Always at your service.
Marisa.
Goodbye, and thank you.
Safe journey.
Please, sit down. Hello there.
- Manicure? - Yes, thank you.
- Here I am. - He's in heaven already.
Here you are at last.
Hi, girl!
I haven't seen you in a while. How are you?
- You have grown a real beard. - You advised me to do so.
- Would you like the newspaper? - No, thanks.
You have to look after your fine hands.
- I've started to play the mandolin. - Marisa is right. Your hands are so fine.
- Stand still, will you? - I was born to dance.
- Did I hurt you? - No, not at all.
What a long life you will have. An extremely long life.
- Have you had your hand read? - Only once.
This mount of Venus is the indicator of sensuality. You're quite a naughty boy.
- If you say so, I'll believe it. - My aunt used to see everything.
But she got it wrong when she said I would marry very young.
- I'm still a spinster. - Are you not married?
- No, nobody wants me. - I'd marry you straight away.
Without a doubt.
Hurrah for the most beautiful bride in Europe.
Thank you.
Thank you, everybody.
You have really married me. I didn't think you would.
But here we are. Look how cute we are.
- Long live Nestore. - Long live us all.
- I want more sparkling wine. - Fill the glass up completely.
Come out of the kitchen. Give the chefs an applause.
How lucky you are, Nestore.
Give Dad a kiss. I've given you my little angel.
Give Mommy a kiss, too.
And the little ones.
Marisa, here's to you.
Nestore. You were my best friend.
- A brother. - Let's hand out the sugared almonds.
I wanted to marry him myself.
But I had to take a step back for Marisa.
- Father Antonio celebrated the wedding. - I want a picture close to Gullit.
Me and Gullit.
Is this okay? Then take the picture.
Long live the bride.
It's time for the sugared almonds.
Thank you for doing us this honor, Professor.
You are all so very kind.
Please.
Here you go.
Well done, you have made the right decision.
He's right. Congratulations.
Didn't I tell you so?
Fascination.
Do you remember this one?
Hold me.
Such a beautiful song. It makes me cry.
Are your feet strong enough to carry you? Then let's show them how to dance.
I always need this mystery...
- Well, wife? - Oh, yes.
The court decided in Marisa's favor.
She's moving in with Zardetto, the horse meat butcher. She adores him.
He has a calling for horse meat and we all must have one in our lives.
- You did have one. - To sit on the roofs.
Ever since I was a child.
There's nothing nicer than to sit on the roof of your choice.
And to be happy to be nothing else but air.
Look at all those wells, spread over the whole earth.
You know, at night, I always dream of flying, flying away.
Now listen. I owe everything to Marisa.
At first I didn't understand.
She'd look at me with shining eyes. You know when women become like cats.
She'd speak with a voice that left me weak.
Nestorino, Nestorino. Be a good boy and come here.
Don't keep me waiting.
This poor little bride is always waiting.
Off to our big bed.
What are you doing, sleeping? It's not good to sleep like that.
Don't leave me alone, Nestorino. Let's talk for a while.
Are you leaving without saying goodbye to your little darling?
I didn't want to wake you. I gave you a kiss.
- I want at least a hundred kisses. - I'm going to be late.
- Kiss me. - I'm running late.
- Do you know what I was thinking of? - No, I can't imagine what.
Of that corner. It's the only spot where we haven't made love yet.
- But we have. - It's not fair on that poor little corner.
- Come here, be good. - Don't you remember we have?
Be careful. That's enough. We'll do it tomorrow, I promise.
I have to make a phone call. My back hurts.
Embrace me and take all your clothes off.
Look at the Moon.
- Nestorino. - Yes, Marisa.
Here I am.
- I love you so much, so much. - Yes, I love you too. Very much.
Oh dear, what's happening?
Where are you going? My love, come here.
- Where does that smoke come from? - Don't stop.
It's paradise. It's paradise.
Nestore, couldn't you pull the brake and get off?
No, I couldn't. I was just a cog wheel in the mechanism.
Until one day, the one thing happened that I'd waited for, since forever.
I have to thank Marisa and her way of making love on those rails.
I felt I was lifted up, above the power lines and the tree tops.
I was flying.
I've always wanted to live floating in the air, and now I know how to do it.
Everything depends on this here. The petals of this flower have to open.
It's right in the solar plexus.
What a nice shoe, it's all covered in silver. Whose is it?
Now I know what to do with it. Can you wait here a second?
I'll be right back. First I have to find my way.
- Keep walking. - Mom, there's a cat.
- Where? - On the roof.
- That's not a cat, it's a man. - Do you see him?
- There's a man up there. - But that can't be.
Look at all those people. Just when I shouldn't be seen by anybody.
Don't worry, I'm fine.
I guess it's this one.
Aldina, Aldina.
Ivo, what are you doing up there? Are you sunbathing or what?
We're coming to get you, sir. Or were we on more confidential terms?
Anyway, we'll be right there, sir.
Terzio, my brother, is coming up.
- How many brothers are there? - Four more never got born.
It's better that way, don't you think?
I think it's good to be alive, it's all good.
Where are you going? Let me handle this.
I can see so many things from here.
Here we are. The party is over, let's go down.
- Give me your hand. - Aldina.
Hold on.
I'm hiring you as my assistant.
Well done.
It's you, Ivo Salvini.
- I've saved you in style. - The hippogriff.
Our other machine goes even higher. So high that your ears nearly freeze off.
Here, taste this sausage.
I'll tell you a secret. I want to make my mad brother happy.
He thinks the Moon is angry with him. But the Moon has no time for him.
With a steel fork I'm able to modify something in the other machine.
If the company lets me do it, I'll have it done in no time.
When she hangs between the branches.
Or when she sits on the roofs and can't find her way back up.
Leopardi says it too:
"The Moon rests in the gardens, on the roofs..."
Nothing is impossible. It's just a matter of when.
You just have to wait. When the Moon is full, she can fall into your arms.
Oh Moon, can you tell me why there's so much suffering down here?
Will we be better off without you, Moon?
- No. - You're so nice.
- Terzio, I have to get down. - You look so much like my Isolina.
My friend.
He will help me catch the Moon, too.
- He's agreed to it. - He did it all, I didn't do anything.
Donald Duck jumps on the pack, and he goes quack, quack, quack.
That's not a duck, it's a penguin.
Penguin, you look like a cretin.
Aldina. It's Aldina.
- Susy, you tell her. - She's nervous. Let me handle it.
- I just want to give her shoe back. - Wait.
- Aldina, he wants to give you something. - I said no. Leave me alone.
The poor boy just wants to return the shoe you threw at him.
Tell him I'll get him arrested.
Imagine that, she says she'll get you arrested.
No, it was just a joke. You know what she is like.
- What's wrong? Don't be so childish. - Go away, leave me alone.
She wants to get me arrested.
I'm sorry.
I see. They're sending the gentle ones, the skinny ones now.
So that all seems so nice and innocent.
But I don't believe that, you can forget it.
It's like a slope, everything falls down. It's happened to me before.
I don't think so. Do you mean everything is upside down?
No, not metaphorically, but physically.
- Aren't you about to fall down? - No. Maybe you better sit down.
She said she'd get me arrested. That's what she said.
It's none of my business, but maybe she is right.
Forgive me, I didn't introduce myself. I am Prefect Gonnella.
Pleased to make your acquaintance.
You're out of luck. Until three months ago every case passed through my hands.
I could have helped you out. Nothing would have happened to you.
But those idiots haven't even kept one, not one...
Not even one. Do you know what that means?
- Not even one. - There you are. We found you at last.
Dad, I knocked at your door but you weren't there. I got no answer.
I found the doctor in a bar, he offered me a coffee. We're just having a walk.
Dad, do you want to have lunch with me?
- I'm busy with this gentleman. - Yes.
The umpteenth victim of injustice and the usual infamous maneuvers.
- So leave me. - But tonight you're coming?
Of course he is. Come, I need to tell you something.
- I'm counting on it. - Mr. Gonnella, you look so well.
And you know it, too.
Did you hear them? Did you notice anything?
Anybody would believe them.
Good. It seems that you don't...
I can see it in your face that you don't fall for it. Well done.
I really like you.
- I've never seen you before, have I? - I don't think so.
Can I ask you a favor?
Go and have a look. I bet they're hiding behind the corner.
Would you like me to go and check? If you want.
Behind the corner.
Here, this is handmade.
Sir, do you need glasses?
I don't see them.
I don't see them, but the square is full of people.
Just as I thought. They're old school, they're really very good.
I'd best sit down here.
They train them to interpret their own part.
Did you see how the doctor was dressed? Exactly how a doctor dresses.
You couldn't tell him apart from a real one. But it's all fake.
- But your son is... - He is the best of all.
He really is a piece of art.
He is the archetypal son. He's the platonic ideal.
I would like to show you something.
Doesn't that man on the bicycle look like a real gentleman with those glasses?
And that person that just passed? He looks just like a passer-by.
And those two who are arguing about something.
It looks like they're talking about something very important.
That man on the phone is busy justifying himself.
He puts up quite a show, but it's all a lie.
The truth is that they have nothing to do. Nothing at all.
It's all show, they're all performing. None of it is real.
But that's not all.
Promise me you won't get scared.
Please, come with me.
Follow me. Come on.
Beautiful necklaces. With colored garlic.
Very nice necklaces with colored garlic.
Very beautiful necklaces...
- The gnoccata is from the 18th century. - 127 years ago, 1862, to be exact.
It was a protest against the taxes that the millers couldn't pay.
Over to my colleague. Giosetta, are you there?
I'm here. So is the king gnocco of last year.
- Why did you lose this year? - Politics.
- I'll make you win. - Leave your arm at home.
- You're Miss Farina. - She's white as snow.
- There's the mayor and the headmaster. - Good evening.
May I ask you something? What new rules have you introduced to the gnoccata?
Well, this is the first year we're doing it.
Let's not focus on the well-known clashes
with the people who are stuck in the past, who never want any changes.
We made sure that all new ideas were in line with the tradition.
The gnoccata and the gnocco fritto become a test
about holding onto certain cultural models that have to allow space
for other initiatives, due to more dramatic and actual requirements.
This morning, Ms Donatella, very modestly told me that...
- I think Ms Bonfanti should win. - Why is that?
She is more gnocca than anyone else.
- She weighs 87 kg. - How much do you weigh, Donatella?
Almost... I'm not saying.
We're there. Let's stop here.
There are the Misses!
- The Misses are here. - The boat we've all waited for.
A big boat full of lovely beautiful girls
from all the towns and villages of our region.
Where is it?
They came in the boat of Gianni the Beast.
One of these beautiful girls will be chosen.
- And she will become Miss Farina 1989. - Let's cut the ribbon.
Here they come, all the beautiful girls. Long live Miss Farina 1989.
Aldina. Dance, dance.
You're the prettiest.
You can't go there.
Stop him.
You have to wait in the bus. Come on, get a move on.
- Where is Aldina? ls she there? - I haven't seen her.
- Where is he? - No idea.
Aldina!
- Rossella. You haven't seen me. - Okay.
- Come on. - No, don't shut it.
He's still under there.
They've locked him in. He's still down there.
Look what's happened now.
We've waited for this fair to bring you news of historic importance.
Our town will have its own private channel,
we'll get our own station, like all the big capitals of Europe.
We now ask the man who's made this possible, what the station will be called.
Cip. C. I. P. Carmela is my wife.
Irene is my oldest daughter, and Patrizia is the young one.
I like the name C.I.P.
- Are you proud of your husband? - He should've bought cattle.
Give me that.
He saw all he had made and fried, but he wasn't very satisfied.
"What did I forget, what's gone wrong?" That's when the gnoccata came along.
Long live the gnoccata.
My God, this tastes like shit.
I shouldn't have let those bastards trick me into coming.
It's been two years since the last time we went out together.
Move away.
We mustn't be seen together. We're surrounded by spies.
They want to accuse me of immoral behavior, of concubinage.
This song is so nice.
I played the violin when I was young.
He spent three years in a concentration camp. He eats for those who died there.
And now the moment we have been waiting for all evening.
The crowning of Miss Farina '89.
Queen gnocca and King gnocco together with the jury and its chairman
will judge these 12 beautiful girls as they walk by,
who are mounting the stage now, radiant with joy and excitement.
Let me out now.
The jury members are discussing the girls. They don't seem to have decided.
The last votes have been made. The envelope's been sealed. This is it.
I'm going to have a look. But don't worry, I'll go and stand far away.
I'm so excited. This envelope contains the name of the winner.
Please, Mr. Chairman, go ahead.
- I'm sure who'll win. - I need to stand on the chair.
And?
The jury has unanimously decided that Miss Farina of '89
is Miss Aldina Ferruzzi.
No!
Aldina, I'm so glad you've won, because now I can, metaphorically speaking,
tie you up with this Miss Farina sash.
I put it the wrong way around, that's because you've got me all confused.
Well done, Aldina. Well done.
Give her an applause. Well done.
- We knew you would win. - Now we all have white hair.
Only you could have won.
- I told you. - I'd have let her little sister win, too.
Let me out.
Can you hear me? It's Rossella.
There's someone locked in here.
- They're going to let you out. - Give me a hand. There you go.
- There he is. - What were you doing there?
- Is there someone else down there? - No, no one.
- What a nice smell. - That's mine.
- Rossella, thank God you heard me. - Aldina looks so nice. She's up there.
Some rhythm. Can you feel it?
I'm off.
- Does it taste good? - Much better than last year.
The potatoes had gone too mushy.
- I'm getting some. - They're over there.
- Can I get some? - It's hot.
Can I have some more sauce? A lot more.
More. That's how I like them, full of sauce.
- My granny made them... - And now some cheese over them.
- Can I eat them here? - Of course. Enjoy.
They melt in your mouth like zabaglione.
They're good for you. Better than injections.
I told you so.
I see you want to put on weight. They're so good.
This finger.
This one, too.
- Oh, that's hot. - Help.
I'll get him, doctor.
Oh, my dress.
I smell a rebellion, at last. I'm on your side.
I'll help you unmask them.
Eat this crap yourselves.
Redhead, let me get away. Help me escape. I didn't do anything.
I'll make sure they can't catch him. We're about to enter my territory.
Follow me, young man. This way, quick.
They won't have the guts to get to us here.
They can bombard us as much as they want. Sit down.
It's just like that empty room at home.
Next to my room there was a completely empty one.
There were only apples and medlars on the floor.
It all started in that room.
When there was a tense silence, like this one.
It's the sort of silence in which you hear birds and bells tolling.
I hear words and I think I understand them, but I don't.
I know that trick of theirs. What do they say exactly?
They are so fast I only grasp a word here and there.
Like "That's why," or "Anyway."
One time they clearly said: "So." "So, so, so."
Those cowards. They want you to make the first move.
If they had got to you, you'd have been in trouble. They declared war.
This has been completed by a so-called expert. Here we are.
"Gonnella Adolfo, born on et cetera..."
"Rather fat and heavy." Nothing new there.
"Neurasthenic deafness. He won't speak."
But they would only insult me.
And to top it all:
"He's from a modest family."
I'm not saying this to make you feel uncomfortable.
I'm a descendent of the French Biancamano.
I'm a De La Gillette. The lady who was sitting next to me, who you didn't see,
as you were chased by those rogues, she is the Duchess of Alba.
Severino! Severino!
- Salvini! - Terzio, what are you doing here?
Fate clearly wants us to stay together. We keep on bumping into each other.
- Did you go down with a bucket? - To steal watermelons?
- We don't keep them there now. - We caught you in the act.
- I'm your friend. Speak up. - I know I can tell you.
I knew this time they didn't want to make fun of me.
Even the frenzy with which the birds, as usual, came to warn me, was different.
"Run, Salvini, run. It's now and never," they said.
I found the well straight away.
But when I went down the well,
there were all kinds of noises that got me all confused.
Yet at the same I felt I was about to understand it all.
All was going to be revealed to me.
Wouldn't it be great to be finally free, in your heart?
It's so easy, it has always belonged to us.
I could cry when I see that everything is still so dark and far.
I only see insults and injustice.
Like Aldina. Where is she, did she escape, was she taken away?
Is that justice? ls that progress?
Is that how things have to continue? Without ever hearing a friendly voice?
Nothing is stable, or certain.
Maybe they want to help us?
They don't know who to talk to. They just randomly pick someone.
I have to understand. But there is this noise of all these bees in my head.
I hear the infinite echo of thousands and thousands of voices.
I have to learn to understand them. I have to understand, Terzio.
- Come, brother. - One day when we are alone...
- You're crazy, like always. - I need to tell you something.
I'm sorry, but I have to go. We have to work all night.
Tonight we'll be able to do it, says Giovannino.
You made me cry when you were saying all those things.
Promise me you won't go roaming about at night.
You were lucky this time.
Salvini.
Now?
Yes.
Go to work. So is this the machine?
- The Moon's days are counted. - We'll catch her yet.
- Young man. - I'm sorry, but I had to...
Good.
I listened very carefully to all the things you said.
I have just one objection. You don't make sense.
You just talk a lot of nonsense.
But we don't have much time to lose and it's not a joke anymore,
so I'm forced to trust you.
And I'm comforted by the fact I always know when someone is worthy.
Now get on your knees.
From this moment on, I appoint you my lieutenant.
And also my right arm.
Many people would love to have your job.
- A lot, I imagine. - I'd say.
You may get up. If you don't mind, I will show you the borders of my prefecture.
Please, you first.
Let's put our trust in the path.
The prefecture is very big.
Do you think it's strange I demanded highly reliable and qualified personnel?
- Shall I continue? - Absolutely.
Guess what I'd find in the paperwork?
Bits of cheese and slices of mortadella.
They said I suffered delusions of persecution.
Do you know how this ended?
I had to take early retirement due to progressive mental stultification.
Do I look like I need early retirement, young man?
"Intellectual aberration." "Motor prostration."
"General senile decay."
Oh, yes, why not?
Doctor Gonnella, what a coincidence.
How long have we been walking for?
It seems my whole life is just this night.
Young man.
Come here, quickly.
Walk bent over. Stay down.
Stay down, I said.
We have come to the extreme consequences. The big moment is near.
Look into my eyes. Are you up for it?
I understand if you don't and I won't resent you for it. I'll manage on my own.
By now, I know that fate is on my side.
Otherwise I wouldn't have been able to come so close to their lair.
I'll show you. Look, that is their headquarters.
Stay down. Come on, we'll go together.
We'll catch them in the act. Red-handed, that is.
We'll go that way, and we stay behind them.
- Shall I stay down? - And don't make a sound.
- Listen, I have to ask you something. - What is it?
You have to forgive me.
Good luck.
Thank you, likewise.
- Why do you wish me good luck? - Because you'll need it.
The moment of truth is here and if it should go wrong...
Go on.
One thing, though. Why did I meet you?
It would've been too risky on my own.
I had to find an ally, and I'd been watching you for a while.
Okay. Besides, it's only curiosity that makes me get up in the morning.
They've seen us.
They're coming our way. Do you see them?
Don't move. We'll wait for them here.
Come on, dance and jump for joy.
Let us see how happy you are. Jump, that's it. Higher still.
I'm sure you women know something that we don't.
And you don't want to tell us.
What is your secret?
- Won't you tell me? - It has to remain a secret.
Oh, please, end my suffering.
Tell me what makes you look like the women you are.
First, make sure people recognize you.
Why don't we just confide in each other?
- Who did you steal this from? - But it's yours.
I brought it back for you. Let me put it on your foot.
You're making me fall.
I've searched for so long. I've waited so long.
Wake up, and move!
It fits perfectly. It's yours, it was yours.
I'm not at all sure it is hers, you know.
No?
Let's try it on you, maybe I was wrong.
- Do it. Get on your knees. - It should fit straight away.
We'll try your foot. Yes, it fits you too. It's yours.
- That shoe is mine. - That's possible.
- Try it on me, too. - We're trying the foot of...
Fulgenzia.
It fits you like a glove. It's yours, Fulgenzia.
What a lovely perfume.
Don't look at me like that. You have that same look.
You too. That smile is just like hers.
At last, there you are.
Yes, I recognize you all.
That's why I can't let anyone of you go.
How could I ever?
Never, never.
I discovered what your secret is.
There are many of you, but you are all one.
You are all Aldina. All of you, you are Adina.
All of you!
Get up, come on, I want to see you dance.
Who are you? I'm ordering you to reveal yourselves, barbarians.
Destructors. You're killing the music, too.
Drums from hell, scrap iron, clangors of death. Silence.
Be silent.
This is the center of Africa, the malebolge.
I'm not afraid of you. Life has abandoned you.
You are only some sad bones that dance in orgy and corruption.
Yes, go on. Again, again. Come on.
Of course. How could you know anything about it?
Have you ever heard the sound of a violin?
No, because if you had heard the voices of the violins, like we did,
you'd be silent and you wouldn't be so bold as to believe you were dancing.
Dance is an embroidery.
It's a flight.
It's like seeing a glimpse of the harmony of the stars.
It's a declaration of love.
Dance is a hymn to life.
Robby, Vicky, come help me.
What are you laughing about? Get out and help me.
- Why don't you get in, too? - Who is this?
- He's sweet, he recited a poem for me. - Robby, Vicky, where are you? Robby.
- Ivo. Ivo. - Let him stay here.
- He's my brother. - He's very nice.
- Osvaldo, I'm here. Come here. - What's wrong?
- What is it? - Let's take him home.
- Good night. - I'm sorry.
- He just wanted to sleep a bit. - Come on.
- They're taking me home. - Bye, thanks for the poem.
How did it go? "Lovely rain, the girl is driving me insane."
What a lovely surprise. Where have you been all this time?
So many things can happen in a trip.
So many things happened to me.
But I never forgot you.
Adele, my little sister.
You look well, just as I remember you.
I'm very happy that you don't have to worry about me anymore.
I'm working on some projects. They could change my whole life.
How comforting it is to go home.
- We are going home, aren't we? - Of course we are.
Now I feel nice and sleepy, like I used to.
Bang, bang... The laser beam.
- I'll take it to the kitchen. - Don't worry, I'll do it.
- Come and sit at the table, you two. - Ultrasonic beam!
- Good evening. ls that you, Ivo? - Vincenzone.
You've come home. I'm glad.
Aren't you ashamed? ls this how you treat your uncle?
- Uncle, the ultra robot is on. - I haven't found any lemon verbena.
- Have a pear. - Even better.
It's not the season for lemon verbena.
- We want an ice-cream! - All they do is watch TV.
I always fall asleep after a while.
- Your bed is ready, if you're tired. - I want to stay up a bit longer.
- I wanted to wash your clothes. - You always do.
I'll do it tomorrow. You're staying here for a few days, I hope?
- Right, Osvaldo? - It's still his house.
- I knew I'd find you. - May we come in?
- Adele, may we come in and say hello? - Mr. Luigi.
Welcome back. Do you remember us?
You run the bookshop. I'll come to see you tomorrow.
- You look well. - Enjoy your walk.
Have a good evening. How strange to see Mr. Luigi.
- Night, girls. - Say goodnight.
- They're all dead now. - No, they're just asleep all clay.
Tomorrow we'll go for a walk in the woods, okay, Malimba?
- No! - How do you handle them?
- I'm not Malimba. That's her. - I see. You are Malimba, she is Kuriele.
You got it all wrong.
- Daddy will switch off the TV now. - Good night, Ivo.
We wanted to make the kitchen bigger, but in the end we didn't.
I'm sure you'll sleep very well here.
I bought a mosquito repellent from Geraldo.
And now they are all gone.
Except one, maybe.
It's hard work trying to protect him from the girls.
Adele, over there...
That empty room, is it still there?
Well, good night.
Call me if you need anything, I'm right below.
- Sleep well. - Likewise.
Good night.
Bye.
Nestore.
I came to tell you first. They did it.
Look outside, there are processions from all over the villages.
That's wonderful news. We've waited so long for this.
I'm so happy, for me, for you, for all of us.
Do you hear the church bell?
It's tolling for the harvest. Have a look. We must go.
Look at all those lights. What a feast.
We are entering the central square, swarming with people.
The church is totally lit up.
There is a big screen on each side,
under which the town's highest authorities are seated.
There's a representative of the Ministry of the Interior.
Monsignor Degli Esposti has come from Rome.
Most Reverend Eminence. Dear Minister.
Esteemed provincial and regional authorities.
Minister, the party leader.
It's such an honor for me, a mere commentator, to give this news.
- No, I won't. Call me tomorrow. - You know what I'm talking about.
The Moon, the satellite of Earth, the pale sun of our nights,
the star of lovers, in a historical undertaking never seen before,
has been captured by three inhabitants of our town.
- It was our own TV station... - Only our people could do this.
...in its first live broadcast,
that told the world of this unique and unforgettable event,
which makes this whole experience even more unsettling.
- Man has gone to the Moon. - Oh, come on.
But the Moon had never come to us before.
Now we'll show the interview with the Micheluzzi brothers,
that we recorded a few hours ago in the studio of Professor Falzoni.
- We have to put it back, of course. - This is not some watch mechanism.
It's true that she spied on us. But someone has to keep an eye on us.
He says we can't live without her.
Calm down now, I told him.
You all know the Micheluzzi brothers.
They work with pipes and taps on the roads, in the fields and at your homes.
Let's listen to what they have to say.
We all wonder how this was possible. How did you do it?
It was very easy, in fact.
It's all she ever wanted.
The Moon is a woman.
She is the biggest symbol of femininity.
So what do you think she wants? To be taken.
- Maybe, but practically... - We gave her earrings and blew kisses.
Then she fell on the machine like a ripe pear.
- Where have you put her? - She's still there, for now.
At Migliorini's farm.
These are the unsettling images of the satellite at the farm.
Sheer disbelief, dismay, awe.
That's what we read on the people's faces while they watch the captured Moon.
She's been anchored to our ground and she can't get up.
Superstitious reverence, fear.
As if it were an unknown divinity.
Many people are crying, others are praying.
They ask for mercy, forgiveness, intercessions of grace.
I've been asked to comment on this fantastic event.
Forgive me, I have to confess I'm not able to do that.
I can only quote the poet:
"We know nothing, we imagine everything."
Can you comment on what happened?
We've always taken a firm, unequivocal and courageous position.
- Every voice has to be heard... - Hey, wake up.
...in a context that is social, civil, democratic,
national, international and now interplanetary, too.
His Excellency wants to see me. I'll wait in the car.
Your Eminence, please forgive the clumsiness of my question.
But unfortunately that is my job.
What would you ask the Moon, if she could talk?
What would I ask the Moon?
But what could one ask her?
The Moon has nothing to unveil.
For us, everything has already been revealed.
Of course, Your Eminence. Forgive me, and thank you.
I have a question I want to ask.
I want to know whose fault it is.
Go on then, ask the question.
- What did he say? - He wants to know whose fault it is.
- What did he say? - No idea.
- He wants to know whose fault it is. - Of what?
I don't know, maybe of everything.
That's not a bad question, is it, Minister?
Thank you, I'm honored, Lady Television.
One thing, though. Can I change the question?
Of course.
I would like to know why I was born into this world for.
Your Eminences, Lady Television, forgive me,
if here and now I ask
how come that nobody has explained to us
what we are here for, why were we born?
And what do you mean, everything has been revealed?
Where, when, to who?
My dear friend, listen to me. You are right.
- But we have a duty to offer hospitality. - I want to know right this moment.
I won't leave before I get an answer. Why was I born?
They have to put it down in black and white.
Why deny it? We have been signed up for this ridiculous thing called life.
Angelino, look, you're on fire.
If we have been signed up, I want to know the terms of the contract.
What are we doing here?
Father Antonio, how would you reply?
It's understandable.
People can feel they've been left to their own devices.
And they grow tired of it.
For example, does this fantastic paradise exist or not?
- Well, if you don't know... - It would be so handy to know.
- It's embarrassing. - I'm sure.
It's been years since we heard anything, and people are fed up.
That's true.
What can I do about it? When they ask, I can't swear to it.
- But I'd say it exists for 50%. - That's certainly better than nothing.
Be serious, don't waste our questions.
We're 50 years ahead of the others. We are in the future.
I beg you, make Tommasino healthy. Have mercy on me.
No, don't. Let me pray.
Save my dear Tommasino.
Please help me.
Say something, you ass of stone.
Stop him.
Stay back. Get the car.
Hold him down.
Where is Redhead?
Find me Redhead.
- Did you have to ruin it all? - Help me get up.
Will you be careful with my neck, please?
Doctor, they're pulling my neck, tell them they're hurting me.
Everybody, please stay calm. Remember we have very illustrious guests.
It's our duty to make sure nothing happens to them. So please, stay calm.
Stay back. No, get back.
Get back, it's falling. Watch it.
Oh, Minister, forgive me, but...
Could you tell him you asked to see me
because you wanted to ask me about the situation in this district?
- Drive. - You really missed an opportunity.
Once again, to my bitter regret, I see that we never ever miss a chance...
to show our eternal immaturity.
I'm ashamed of you. We really are a people of assholes.
Angelino, I see someone coming.
Look, we got engaged.
- We did well. - I agree.
We just love to dance. One, two, three.
What a funny face you have.
That's why Granny couldn't stop laughing when she looked at you.
Have you heard voices? Have you run from one well to the other?
Aren't you happy?
It's a gift, you're lucky, Ivo Salvini.
What do they want from me? They make fun of me.
I don't understand what they're saying.
Even better. I'm jealous of all your good fortune.
It would only be bad luck if you understood.
What on earth would you do then?
You only have to listen. You just have to hear those voices.
Just hope they never get tired of calling you.
I'm so melancholy. My poor heart doesn't know what to think anymore.
Oh, you made me forget the most important thing. Hold on a second.
Commercial!
Yet, if there was a bit more silence,
if we all were a bit more quiet,
maybe we could understand something.