As you wish, but I hoped you'd come to Tokyo with me
It's a fine city, but I hate all great cities
When we married I thought you'd come with me
Seems you were wrong
I'm afraid you'll forget me when I go away
I'm too lazy for that
- Will you be here when I get back? - I'm not going anywhere
- I'm sure I'll find something to do - I have to go.
I'll write
I want to see the lady of the house
- She's not here... - At last
Her photographer's here, you'll have to wait
I told her you're broke and need to earn some money
- I only work so I don't get bored - Best not tell her that
This is a strange house
You think so? It's a box of surprises
Wait till you see the rest of it
Don't be shocked by anything
One day she decided she'd like a secretary
On a whim, just like that
- Was she a big star? - I don't know
You must call her "Madame"
All her other staff are just "miss"
But she's "Madame"
- Let's hurry up - In front of that light
Best be quiet
- And the eyes? - Yes, open them slowly
Let's sit down
Enough
- I can't go on - Hold it
I'm tired, I'll see you tomorrow
Are those real pearls?
- Yes, they're real -And you want to work for me?
Still, that's your business
I don't know if Dina explained
But I need someone who is always silent and obedient
Not a friend. Someone I pay...
...who has to put up with me because I pay them
You see, I always do what I like in my own home
I prefer to tell the truth, I find it much easier
I do and say what I want. You may have noticed that
I can't be around people who disapprove of me
Their smug faces, their air of superiority
Much better that she says nothing
She obeys, and I don't see her or hear her
- Think you can manage that? - I can try
Now, walk fight over there
Go on
Now walk back this way
Now what should I do?
I throw something on the floor and you pick it up
Get used to picking up my things, I never do it
Go on, pick it up
I throw it on the floor again, and you pick it up
A little smile wouldn't harm me
You will obey me without asking why
Do you understand?
Think about it and let me know
- If you don't like me... - Who said that?
You can start now if you want. Wait here for me
I have to go now. We'll talk money when I'm back
Listen...
I like people who use soap and water...
I hope you're not clean on top, but underneath...
May I?
Yes, that seems fine
But I'd prefer you to wear a bra
Don't worry, I told you I was rude
Don't worry about it. She likes you
Have a look round, play some records...
There's the Television, the bar's over there
I'll see you later
Coming.
You're the new one?
My name's Vittorina, and you?
Sit down
What are you doing?
You'll get expensive shoes made by the Madame's own cobbler
- Aren't mine suitable? - No, the heel must be higher
Give it to me
Half a kilo less, see, you did it.
- How much do you weigh, Silvia? - 51
- And how old are you? - 26, Madame
More than me, but you don't look it
Dina tells me you never out your hair
- You'll have to show me - Of course, Madame
ls it longer than this?
No, not that long
A delightful wig, isn't it?
Better than a dressing gown. Come...
- Madame - What is it?
The dressmaker...
The invoice?
- Have you known Dina long? - We played together as children
Was she always like this?
Like what?
Like an idiot
Dina isn't like that, Madame, she's had a hard life
She's not the only one
You wouldn't pity her if you knew what I know...
I'm going to be trying something new
I'm tired of commanding servants
If I told you to cut off all your hair, would that hurt your pride?
Do you really want me to cut it?
- Would it upset you? - I don't know
They're yours, put them on
Give them to her
You know why I make everyone wear matching shoes?
I suppose it's a uniform
- An uncomfortable one - Right, but I'm the boss
And I have the right to be more comfortable than you
Iris. Why are you still here? Get out.
You see how big her behind is?
To embarrass her, I always make her wear tight clothes
Shameless.
Now, Silvia, why don't you sleep here?
There's a room on the ground floor
It'll save you the taxi fare
Thanks, you can go
You're not really going to stay?
It wouldn't be my first job
Anyway, I like being a ladies companion
I suppose it relieves the boredom
But I don't see how you could enjoy it
I've never understood why you work, but it's very different here
- You see what she's like - She's very difficult
I thought you'd never put up with it
I have to earn a living... but you?
Such beautiful hair
- You called, Madame? - Come and help me
Aren't they beautiful? Sit down
Sometimes you need to touch money...
Look. Or it isn't money at all...
...just numbers on a bank statement
See? This is real money
It's not like signing a cheque
I keep this here, as company for me
I know, that if I want...
...a whistle, a phone call...
the money's there, and I have everything I want
Sometimes, I think: how much is a prostitute?
10,000 lira?
I can hire a thousand prostitutes for a regiment of soldiers
I once fell in love with a man just because he was rich
He seemed so handsome
When he lost his money he became like all the others
The affair continued, but there was no love left
It makes me angry how some men look down on a woman...
They say we love a man only for his money...
But that's all some men have
Read it
This is the best day of my life. ..
Cough? Spoot?
What are you saying? You can't even read
Come on... Fight back. Come on, defend yourself
Come on, come on... Do something.
I'll show you
I'll show you, I'll beat you like a rug
Fight back. Defend yourself
You're lazy
You're lazy. You're soft. Soft.
Useless....
You've seen my mechanical horse?
Look here...
Saddle up
Now you'll see it in action.
Are you ready, horse?
The Walk...
Faster.
The Trot.
Be a good boy, let's go now
The Gallop.....
What is it? Can't I make love in peace?
What do you want? Wait here
Until I've finished
Go on, off to your kennel
Silvia. Come... In here
- Spartaco, send Maria in
I need a smoke
Light
Why that look?
It's just convenient
ln emergencies when my lover isn't available, and I don't want to wait...
- Waiting bores me -And Mafia?
I told them when I hired them
Get this - she's saving for her dowry
10,000 a time... I found out the price of a 2nd class call girl
Spartaco isn't worth any more, he lacks the gift of speech
You called, Madame?
Give her this
From the Madame
You see?
How many times a month do you make love, Silvia?
I don't know
Try always to have an answer
How many times a month do you make love?
Five, six times... It depends
That's not much. Practice is important in such things
Or you lose the skill, and the will
Making love is like eating
Understand?
You need a constant diet
At least three times a week
I always keep two lovers
So one of them is always available
At home, I have Spartaco...
For those times when I can't be bothered to talk to anyone
This keeps them at arm's length
I don't bother with boyfriends and husbands
Silvia, wake up...
- What do you want? - What's got into you, Silvia?
Wake up
- I'm tired, what is it? - Get up, the Madame needs you
- What time is it? - Two in the morning
Get a move on
Here she is
- Have you ever been spanked? - I'm not sure, I don't think so
It's much better to give than receive, trust me
Come here
Look at us from behind
Well?
You're both the same size, more or less
Perhaps it's the hips
Yes, hers are slightly narrower
Take off your night dress
Her shoulders are narrower... but with clothes on...
Yes, with the wig... And she'll be wearing a coat...
No-one will know
Get the tape measure
- Silvia, what size are your hips? - 85 or 86, I don't know
Measure her
86
Good, I'm 90, just fatten her up a few centimetres
- Can you do that? - Yes, Madame
They can shoot the scene with the slap later
For now, just fatten her up...
Milk and potatoes, good for her skin too
You'll be beautiful, firm, luminous
No fuss now...
No-one's slapping me. And it happens 3 times in the script
All for a film I didn't want to make
I can't sleep from thinking about it
They just had to include that slap, didn't they
If that fool Waldman had told me, I'd have torn up the contract
You understand what you have to do?
I'm to take your place
You must look happier, though
You're my servant and if I want I could make you do it for free
I'll get you a contract as a stand in
You'll earn more than you do from working for me
You don't really know what it's like to get slapped
You know nothing
She's never had a taste of it
She'll get a taste now
Shall I call Spartaco?
Don't get too excited
Vittorina will do it
Vittorina, take care of it, slap Silvia
Step forward
- How should I do it? - However you like
Ready... Now.
You call that a slap? Harder.
You'll kill her if you carry on like that
- Was someone there? - Yes, a beautiful stranger
- No, that's just Silvia - ls she an actress too?
What's she doing here?
You want her?
No, I'm just curious
So...
This Silvia...
Who is she?
A lunatic, she has a screw loose...
I'm doing her a favour looking after her
She's a strange one
We need to find a way to cure her...
- Heal her - Why? ls she ill?
Perhaps
She looks at herself in mirrors
What else?
And she likes being a slave
ls there a lesbian in the house?
You had to say something stupid
You know I find them disgusting
If she were, I wouldn't have her here
Come on, let's go
Don't wait up, I'm working late...
And I don't want to be woken in the morning
- I'm changing everything -At your service, Empress.
The band will go here
I want lights in the park...
- We'll hang the lanterns in a row - The very idea of it
Using the studio lights... And I need 3 or 4 make up artists
Of course, Empress
- You like them? - Yes, they're not too bad
But I'm better...
- How many have you made? - 100
Why did you change everything, and why a make-up artist?
Just an idea
Anything wrong? Empresses don't have ideas
Right, only you do. You should thank me...
If not for me, these parties would be a bore
Whose idea was it to put cocaine in the sugar?
Not yours, but it worked a treat
Except for the woman who jumped in the pool to cool down
- I've a better surprise this year -Ah?
- I've invented a living statue -And what's that?
We'll cover Silvia in plaster on one of these pedestals
Here, in the shadows, she'll look like a real statue
Our guests will love it.
Cover her in glue, if they touch her they'll get stuck
But is she happy to be naked and covered in plaster?
Why not? It'll be fun
- Will you introduce us? - You've never met
Waldman, this is Silvia
Try to keep still
- You're still not done. - It's almost finished
You might be good, but you're certainly slow
The party will be over soon if you don't hurry up
37.7, it's fine
You look like a boiled egg. You still want to do it?
Do you remember everything? Just wait for my signal.
Let's hope it works. Hurry up, Rafaello
You need to stand still. Don't move
Go away
The statue is alive.
Good work, Margaret
Now watch, they'll pounce just like rabid dogs
Margaret, can I take her home?
I want to touch that hot marble.
See, I told you
- She's running away. - Let's get her...
See? They all fell for it
- She's vanished - She went that way.
- How do you feel? - Not well
Go on... Get out of here
I'll be deducting 10,000 lira from your wages...
You thought you'd get away with it...
And for free
If you want to sleep with my driver...
You have to pay, my dear Countess
I'm the Madame, and I pay, and you're only the servant
Countess but also...
...something of a whore
What are you doing?
Look. Now you've made the sheets dirty
The doctor says the infection has cleared
She's faking it
Too bad for her, she can stay in prison
- The water's off? - Thee days ago
- But she still won't apologise - Then take the mirror away as well
You see? She's fine
Come on, eat
You should be grateful she only punished you
Take a look
You'll get the mirror back when you apologise
She's here, Madame
I'm listening, what do you want?
- I want to apologise - She's seen sense at last
Good, you may go now
I 'may'...
Or I 'must'?
Listen, Countess...
I don't know what you're doing here, or why you want to stay
What's more, I don't care
- But be careful - It's no secret, Madame
Stop it, I don't want to hear your lies
I know you're up to something
- Too bad for you - It's the truth, Madame
I don't like living outside
The noise, the people, it frightens me
Living here suits me
I obey you... and you heal me
- Like an expensive dog - Like an object
Very well, then stay...
Since the Countess is staying, clean her up, she's absolutely filthy
Look at the state of you
Let's begin the make-over. Sit down
Come here
I've decided to out her hair, it's too long
What a shame, it's so beautiful
This should lower her pride
- Shall I? - Go ahead, cut it
I told you when you first arrived
It doesn't matter if you cut it...
Anyway, she likes being treated like an object of desire
Isn't that right, Silvia?
Turn round, turn round...
That's better. She had too much hair before
Yes, it was all too much
Turn around again
They've given you quite a fleecing
You've lost weight too, you look like a clothes peg
Your clothes don't fit her anymore
So, throw them away then
And I can have some fun dressing her
Good, come along now
Let's start with black
- This one? - No, I don't like it
Light colours are better... Try this one
Get undressed now
That's not too bad
Try this on
See how pretty you look
Now, let's slash it up the front
So everyone will know you aren't the Madame
Now we'll put this on your head
There... Hold it still
Walk forward
Turn around
She looks like a hen
Wait, let's try with the lead
No one else has a walking, talking doll like this one
- She doesn't say very much -Ah, but she's thinking.
But what would she ever have to think about?
I don't feel like it. Take it away
Hello, little slave...
Come on, let's go
Get in with me
Wash my arms, don't scratch me with your nails
Don't get my hair wet
Now massage my legs, from top to bottom
Be careful, don't tickle me
- Mr. Waldman - Show him in
Silvia, come here, quickly
- It's hot in here - So, it's true...
Empress and slave
You didn't believe it?
Frankly, I didn't think you were capable of something so strange...
Yet so smart
Slavery, in this socialist century. My compliments...
You have my full admiration
- Unless... - I know what you're getting at
I have doubts...
I doubt whether I know your tastes as well as I thought
I expect nothing less from such a depraved man...
- But you know what I'm like - It's true, I apologise
And you? Why do you stay?
I don't know
I think you know very well...
You like being a slave
I don't, I just like doing this
You'll never get the truth out of her. She's false, and she's a liar.
- Then why keep her? - You really need to ask?
What are you suggesting? I'm not forcing her to do it
Don't get upset
Having a slave is nothing to be ashamed of
But, does she really do everything you order her to?
Silvia, get down
On the floor
She makes quite a good foot rest
What if you order her to undress in front of me?
Silvia, you heard. Undress
Stop.
No striptease
Get dressed, and go back to bed
I bore you, don't I?
- I need you - Deal with it
Don't pull your head back before he slaps you
You have to be surprised by it
Or you just look frightened, Understand?
- I look like a sack of potatoes - Let's do it again, just the slap
- I'm sorry, Silvia - Encounter by the Lake, take 5
- Silvia, did I hurt you? -A little, but I expected that
I just wanted to say sorry
Have you acted before?
You wanted to try it...
Why? What are you doing here?
What do you do at Margaret's?
I work
You know Margaret thinks you're mad.
- Do you believe her? - No, of course not
That's only because you don't know
Don't know? Don't know what?
Silvia, what is it?
- Sometimes I believe it - That she's mad?
That I'm mad
What are you doing? Hurry up, Madame is waiting
Talk to Alessio about the photos
Let's go
Poor Countess, wounded and hurt. Feeling better?
Let me see... No, it's nothing
- But he's an animal. - Margaret
- Aren't you dining with us? - No chance
I'm going back to my den.
You're not getting changed?
Thank God today is over
Take off my boots
Massage them
Put some effort into it
Now you know why I don't like getting slapped around...
It hurts... But for you, it's good...
It's good for you, Countess. If you knew how much I'd taken
Not only in the movies
Look at all this traffic
Wake up, Spartaco, overtake that car
And will you cheer up? You look like a frightened chicken
I'm fine at home. I never want to go out again
- Hello? - Sylvia? It's Franco
- Hello, Sylvia? - Margaret's not here
Don't you like being touched?
Please shut up
Look...
Do you like those two?
I'm cold
But it's so hot in here
I should probably leave, Margaret might come back
It's still early. Are you disappointed?
Me? Not at all. Why?
You thought I enjoyed watching us in the mirror...
You were wrong
But, if it pleases you, I can say you were the best I've ever had
- Happy? - But I don't know If you're happy
Do you want a drink?
Wait
I heard footsteps
Someone's there
Now what?
It's only Vittorina
Margaret won't be back for hours
- We have time - Time. Time for what?
We're locked in
Here, get dressed
It's hopeless, we're trapped
What are you doing? You're still naked
She mustn't find us like this
Break that mirror and escape
That would make it obvious. She can't find out about us
We'll think of an excuse
Say you weren't feeling well
Would it really upset you?
Margaret means a lot to me
- Do you love her? - I said she means a lot to me
Now you'll be kicked out, and I'll be punished
You are insane
I can punish her how I like
Say she had an expression on her face I didn't like
Or she stole something of mine...
...even just a comb, I'd throw it out the window...
And give her what she deserved
And you?
You think she has the right to punish you?
Well, then
- But she believes she does - Exactly
- She's also been whipped - Whipped?
Really? What happened?
Did you whip her?
Me? Are you mad?
Vittorina takes care of such things
Perfect symmetry...
The Mistress, the Slave...
and the Witch
I guess there had to be some flagellation too
So, tell me what happened
She took me to the bathroom ...and told me to undress
And you helped?
Your questions are starting to annoy me
Do you have any more?
Don't you want to get revenge on your Madame?
Not at all
That's all I need.
She knows she deserved it
Vittorina, untie her
And massage her wrists and ankles
I've had enough, let's go
No, Margaret, I disagree, you're wrong to punish Silvia
Lt means you still treat her like a human being
You don't punish an object, you use it
Yes, you have a slave, but you still don't know...
...what it means to have another person at your beck and call
Who'll do anything you ask
And are thereby turned into an object
- So what should I do with her? - Silvia, come here
Sit down
Tell me...
What do you feel for her? Hate?
Go on, tell him
Love? Admiration?
She's the Mistress, she feeds me, clothes me...
...she takes care of me - You don't have anyone else?
- Nothing else in your life? - Only irritation and boredom
And here...? You're happy here?
Not always
Only when Madame needs me...
Or when everyone's out and I'm alone
Being at home, with nothing to do or say...
At peace
Waiting only for my Madame to return and give me orders
- She's lying - She's telling the truth
It's incredible...
Slavery in all its splendour
An empress just has to appear and the slaves come running
The world is full of submissive desires
It isn't just about sex, you know
Most people are afraid of freedom, they don't want it
Freedom means responsibility, risk...
And people don't want risk, they want security
This one loves slavery so much, she falls in love with the master
You're wrong, she doesn't love anyone but herself
She loves what you do to her
And you can do whatever you want with her
What would you say if she turned you into an erotic object?
I don't think that's the Madame's wish
She could watch us making love, without participating...
Sitting there, like a dog
Or we could cover her skin with gold leaf and precious stones
And perform a tiny operation on her vocal chords
Stop it. You're a monster
I'm only joking
Silvia is yours and mustn't be touched
But we could do so many things together
I could. Not you
Let me try for a moment, you'll find that you like it
And she'll like it, too. You'll see
Don't you want more?
To start with, get on your knees
- What's that? - To stop her talking
It used to be called the "Sphere of Angosh"
We can do anything we like to her with this, she won't make a sound
Stick out your tongue
Enough
Waldman, you're starting to disappoint me
- Your bed is ready, Madame - I know, but I'm not tired
Well? You're still here?
I know how to get into bed. Now get out.
Shut the doors, and go to sleep
We're alone now, Madame
- So? - Nothing, Madame
You, bring me a magazine
Not that one, it's old. Idiot.
- Don't make that face at me - What face?
- You smiled when you looked at me - No, Madame, I smiled afterwards
- But why did you smile? - I don't know
You don't know? You just can't be bothered
What should I say?
Get me a glass of water. Go on
- You did that on purpose. - No, Madame
So insolent. You deserve...
Do you want to whip me, Madame?
Yes, I want to whip you
Silvia... You're crying, Silvia
Come on, it didn't hurt that much
Silvia, stop it
I promise I won't do it again. Do you feel better now?
You know I was only joking
Now you're laughing.
Come here. Stay still...
Still, still, still...l
I won't stop. I'll do it till you die. Till you die. Till you die.
What horrible hands. You could use some nail polish
I'll get it, it has to be done
You know what? I'll paint each nail a different colour
Have you ever thought about having children?
No, never
To be honest, I never thought about it either
My career came first, but what about you?
You're healthy, and all that
What did you want to be when you were a child?
I don't know. Nothing, I think
I never made my mind up. Not even then
Anything was fine for me, so long as it made lots of money
I was born to be a Madame, to command
But what about you? You'll have to do something
I'm fine here, I never want to leave
Of course you'll stay, you know I appreciate all the things I own
You'll stay
And you...?
Aren't you tired?
Stay, if you want
Get out.... Go back to your room.
It seems a rather boring thing to me
Yet, look at Indian temples
The endless use of the same image, like the symbol of life
So, do you consider vice an escape? Vice, or some other obsession
To escape from the routine?
Yes. Though vice too, can become too much, don't you think?
True, vice too can become routine
And so, we grow old
Goethe said men believe they mature when they grow old
In fact, they either harden, or rot
What does the Madame want to do?
- Is she ready? - One moment
Hurry up, she's calling
Dina, what is going on?
Tell me
I told you so often to leave
At least I've an excuse, I have to work because I'm poor
But you?
Right, let's go
Come on
Put this on, the Madame orders it
Here she is
As I told you, tonight I'm auctioning a slave to the highest bidder
Who is she?
- Is it a game? - No, it's not a game
She's a rival king's daughter, and my prisoner
A slave. Not a person, an object...
The buyer can do what they like to her
But who is she? ls she a film star?
No, she's a real slave, and I really am selling her
Vittorina, bring her on
Now, show her to these gentlemen
Beautiful, no?
- A luxurious object - Quite right...
Look at that perfect body, gentlemen...
Thanks Vittorina, you can go
Look at these hands, gentlemen, they're oozing class
You know it would be great if this was real...
To buy a woman like that... A slave like that
She must be a prostitute
But why? I like to think it's real
Just think, this used to be normal
What fools we've become
I think the idea of selling someone is quite exciting
Come here, you're an expert
Look at those legs
Look at the shape of the wrist
Look at the ankles
A superb specimen
What's the price?
- I'll buy her - No, hold on a moment...
You must bid, it's an auction
We start on a million, and go up in increments of 500
Who's going to start?
It's an exceptional offer.
Gentlemen, the auction is open. It's a magnificent specimen
Come on, gentlemen, come on...
- Who's going to buy her? - One and a half
- Two - Two and a half
- She's worth so much more - I assure you she's good value
To feed her, make her pretty...
Take care of her, educate her... It's been an expensive job
3 million.
3 million from the gentleman. Very good.
- Three and a half. - Don't be mean
She's very docile... House trained...
And she can be moulded according to her master or Madame's tastes
- Come on, we're at 3.5 - Can I bid as well?
- I'm not selling her to you - Three and a half
Four.
Four and half.
Five and a half.
Any more bids?
She's yours, sir...
The highest bidder
You were wrong, she's not what you expected
I'm sad you're leaving. I wanted to tell you...
You can always come to me if you need anything
- Goodbye, Madame -You can go, Dina
Rem ember, it isn't a real contract...
You can always go back home and live a normal life...
You're not well, and you know it
I'm not strong like you, Madame
If I fell in love, it's because with you I don't feel as alone as I used to
And that's why I sold you
To help your recovery
All I ever wanted was to look at you...
...and feel protected
Perhaps because I don't deserve it, or I've loved so few
Something is still waiting for me
Peace...
Or a certain balance
Look, I don't know if this is the reason...
But I do know that what happens next will depend on you
It frightens me to think about it
You always expect something from others
And this is wrong...
You must learn to live with people
I'm telling you, it's not as hard as you think
You have to do something...
You have to decide
You can't spend your life looking in mirrors
Good luck, Silvia... I really mean it