Cinema paradise (1988)

[bunniefuu]

Best Foreign Language Film



SpecialJury Prize

Golden Globe Award

Hollywood Foreign Press Association



European Oscar "Felix"



Best Actor- Philippe Noiret

Nominee for French "César" for

Best Foreign Film

Nominee for French "César" for

"Best poster of the year"

Japanese magazine "Mainichi Elga"

Readers' Prize for Best Foreign Film

Japanese Golden Globe Nominee

Best Foreign Film

"EuropaCinema" Prize

Best Technical-Artistic Contribution

"Confédération International des

Cinema d'Essai" Prize

"Pasinetti" Prize

Union of Film Journalists



Best Musical Score...

awarded to Ennio Morricone



"Efebo d'Oro"



Presented at Film Festivals in:

[Woman] Yes, Salvatore.

Salvatore Di Vita.

What do you mean

you don't know him?

Yes, that's right.

This is his mother.

I'm calling from Sicily.

I've been trying all day.

I see. He's not there.

Then can you tell me, please--



Thank you. Good-bye.

Mama, it's no use calling.

He's a busy man.

He could be anywhere.

He won't remember anymore.

Come on, let it go.

He hasn't been here in 30 years.

You know how he is.

He'll remember.

I'm sure he'll remember.

I know him better than you.

If he finds out later

we didn't tell him, he'll be upset.

I'd like to talk

to Mr. Salvatore Di Vita.

This is his mother.

[Siren Wailing]

[Siren Continues]

[Tinkling]

[Woman Moaning]

Salvatore...

what time is it?

It's very late.

I'm sorry. There was no way

to let you know.

Go back to sleep.

Your mother called.

She took me for someone else.

What did you tell her?

I played along.

I didn't want to disappoint her.

We had a long talk.

She said you haven't visited her

in 30 years.

When she wants to see you,

she comes to Rome.

- She called just to say that?

- [Distant Thunder]

No.

She said someone died--

someone named Alfredo.

The funeral is tomorrow.

Who is he, a relative?

No. Go to sleep.

[Thunder Rolling]

[Wind Chimes Tinkling]

[Thunderclap]

[Tinkling Intensifies]

- [Tinkling Continues]

- [Man Speaking Latin]

[ Latin Continues]

- [Snoring Softly]

- [Priest Whimpers]

This boy will be

the death of me.

[Speaking Latin]

[Stumbling Over Words] Psst!

[Snoring]

- Psst! Toto!

- [Gasps]

[Continues In Latin]

- [ Ringing]

- Better late than never.

How often must I say it?

Without the bell, I lose my place.

You're always sleeping.

What do you do at night, eat?

Father, at my house

we don't even eat at noon.

The veterinarian says so.

That's why I'm tired.

I know why you're tired.

Don't think I don't.

Now run along home.

I've something to do.

- Can I come?

- No, you cannot.

- Yes, yes!

- Toto, out!

- I want to! I want to!

- [Door Opens]

[Wind Gusting]

[ Hissing]

Alfredo.

You can start.

Here we go again.

[ Projector Whirring]

♪♪ [Fanfare]

Fix the picture!

♪♪ [Strings]

[ Projector Whirring]

Pepe, one day we'll have it all.

We'll go away together...

live the easy life...

where no one knows us.

Forget it.

You don't love me anymore.

[ Muttering]

[Sighs]

♪♪ [Gypsy Violin]

♪♪ [ Humming]

♪♪ [Continues Humming, Off-Key]

♪♪ [Stops Humming]

[Groans]

- No!

- [Church Bells Tolling]

[Chattering, Hawking, Indistinct]

One pair, two pair!

One hundred lire! Real nylon!

♪♪ [Movie Music Building To cl*max]

You mustn't come here.

Can't you get it through

your thick skull?

If the film catches fire...

little as you are,

you'll go up--voom!

"And turn into a lump of coal."

[ Expels Breath, Groans]

Like to wag your tongue, eh?

One day I'll cut it off.

Like that.

[Man Shouting In Distance]

Can I have it?

Come on, can I have it?

Well, can I?

What, are you deaf?

I have to splice it back in

before I return the film.

You're such a pest!

Why didn't you splice these in

when you gave the films back?

Sometimes I can't find

the right place, so they stay here.

Anyway, they kiss too much.

Then I can have them.

No. Now look, come here.

Before I kick your behind,

let's make a deal.

All those are yours--

a present.

Thanks.

But one, you keep out of here,

and two, they stay with me. Got it?

All right.

Right. Then we agree.

Now scram.

♪♪ [Humming]

What kind of a deal is that?

If they're mine,

how come you keep them?

- [Growling]

- [Yelping]

Don't come back,

or I'll split your head open!

[Imitating g*nf*re]

"sh**t first, think later."

"This is no job for cowards,

you backstabbing dog!"

"Hey, you! Hands off the gold,

you rotten b*stard!"

"You dirty swine,

stay away from me...

or I'll smash your face in."

Mama, if the w*r's over,

why doesn't Papa come back?

He'll come back, you'll see.

One of these days.

I don't remember him.

Where's Russia?

It takes years to get there...

and years to come back.

Go to bed. It's late.

[Sewing Machine Whirring]

[Children Shouting]

[ Engine Chugging, Horn Honking]

You can fool your mother,

but not me!

Get your diploma

and join the police! Lazybones!

Good-for-nothing!

Well?

What is 5 times 5?

Thirty.

[All Laughing]

- [Grunts]

- [ Laughing]

Silence!

The fives times table, dimwit.

One times 5 is 5...









Forty.

[Children Laughing]

[Grunting]

[Stick Banging]

Silence!

Boccia...

twenty-five.

Learn your times tables,

or you'll never get a job.

For the last time...

what is 5 times 5?

Christmas!

[Students Laughing]

[Laughing Continues]

[Man Hawking, Children Laughing]

I paid to get in.

I'm seeing the movie.

Get down from there, you rascal.

Go back to your seat.

Worse than rabbits.

They're all over the place.

Little monsters.

[Children Shouting,

Whistling, Banging Seats]

[Audience]Shh!

I'm off to Oregon.

Wait for me at my ranch.

Wait for a dead man?

A star-studded cast...

featuringJohn Wayne...

Claire Trevor--

[Whooping]

Hello, everyone!

- Can't I say hello?

- It's a double feature today.

So? I'm here to sleep.

- Got some smokes?

- American.

- ♪♪ [Fanfare]

- Cut the news, Alfredo!

[Whistling, Shouting]

The men and women

who fought in secret...

our brave partisans,

are reunited in Rome...

for the first Resistance Rally...

organized by the CVL.

Parri is the acting president.

Sandro Pertini--

[Narration Continues, Indistinct]

[ Roaring]

[Bell Tolling]

[Angry Shouting From Audience]

- What does it say?

- I'm illiterate.

You too?

[Angry Shouting Continues]

Twelve hours of blood and sweat...

and what they bring home

barely keeps them from starving.

Yet when they pulled in

their nets...

they were full.

They wanted 750 lire.

It's always the same.

But they don't pay us enough.

That's how it's always been.

And it's never going to change.

- [Audience Boos, Whistles]

- I knew it!

In 20 years I've never seen

a kiss on the screen!

As if they'd let us!

[Whistling, Booing Continue]

Kiss my a*s!

- [Projector Whirring]

- ♪♪ [Ragtime Piano]

[Thud]

♪♪ [ Piano Continues]

- [Thud]

- [Children Laughing]

♪♪ [Cymbal Crash]

[Audience Laughing,

Church Bells Chiming]

- Don Vincenzo.

- You and you, to work.

What about me?

Go ask Stalin for a job.

His day will come.

You watch.

I always get left out.

Good movie.

The kid really acted well.

Too bad he was so unlucky.

What a jackass to buy that boat.

Idiot, you didn't get it at all.

Right, boys,

you work from dawn to dusk.

And don't ask how much it pays.

I've been looking for you all day.

Did you get the milk?

Where's the money?

It got stolen.

You spent it at the movies?

- [Crying]

- [Grunting]

Movies, always movies!

Signora Maria, stop.

Leave him alone. Take it easy.

And you,

why do you tell lies?

You know you got in for free.

Tell your mother.

Maybe he lost the money inside.

- How much did you have?

- Fifty lire.

What did you find

under the seats tonight?

A comb.

Two shoe lifts.

- A can of tobacco--

- And...

fifty lire.

- [Sniffling]

- [Church Bell Tolling]

See?

Thank you, Alfredo.

I knew where you were going.

The square is mine!

It's mine!

It's midnight. Midnight!

Out! Shoo!

I have to close the square.

Hard on the feet, eh, Father?

On the way there, it's all downhill

and all the saints help out.

But coming back,

the saints just watch.

If that's God's will.

See you tonight.

[Yelling]

What's wrong?

Your foot this time.

It's always something with you.

What can I do?

Alfredo,

did you know my father?

What a question.

Of course I knew him.

Tall, thin, friendly guy

with a big moustache like mine.

Always smiling.

He looked a lot like Clark Gable.

Now that I'll be

in fifth grade...

I don't say I should

come in the booth...

but can't we at least be friends?

"I choose my friends for looks,

my enemies for intelligence."

You're too sly to be my friend.

I always tell my children...

"Be careful

how you choose your friends."

You haven't got any children.

When I do, I'll tell them.

Don't cry, don't cry.

It's all right.

The fire's out.

It's over. Mama's here.

What happened?

Monster!

Your little sister

could have burned to death!

It's all your fault!

[Crying]

I told you not to keep your film

under the bed by the fire pan.

Even the photographs burned!

He could have set

the house on fire!

You and your stupid movies!

Aren't you ashamed to play

with a little boy at your age?

What did I do?

Who gave him the film?

Don't do it again.

He's crazy. Crazy, I tell you!

All I hear about is movies

and Alfredo.

Alfredo and movies!

Swear you won't let him in again.

Swear it!

[Children's Sobbing Continues]

You have my word.

May God grant me one wish.

May he send your father home

to whip you!

Papa won't come back,

and I know why.

He's dead.

That's not true.

I'll show you. He'll come back.

[Children Crying]

♪♪ [Orchestra]

[Cheering, Shouting]

They smoke like chimneys!

[Snoring]

No. Go buy a ticket.

No.

[Snoring]

What was that?

I'll make mincemeat out of you!

You'll have to reckon with me!

[Man On P.A. Speaking Italian]

Signora Anna!

♪♪ [Movie Theme, Muffled]

Alfredo.

Don't blame me. Your wife

told me to bring your lunch.

I told my mother

you didn't give me the film.

It wasn't your fault.

I thought it was a joke

about film catching fire.

I just wanted to tell you.

Now I'll go.

Toto, come here.

Come on and sit down.

Now listen.

I got into this business at age ten.

Back then, we didn't have

fancy machines.

Movies were silent.

You turned the projector by hand...

with a crank.

All the livelong day!

And that damn crank

was so hard.

If you got tired

and slowed down a bit...

like a shot--voom!--

everything went up in flames.

So why not teach me?

Now that there's no crank

and it's easier.

Because I don't want to.

This is no job for you.

You're like a sl*ve...

and always by yourself.

You see a film 100 times.

You've nothing else to do.

You talk to Greta Garbo

and Tyrone Power like an idiot.

You work like a dog.

Even holidays--

Easter, Christmas.

You only get Good Friday off.

And if they hadn't

stuck Christ on a cross...

we'd even work then.

So why don't you change jobs?

[Chuckles]

[Narrator Chattering In Italian]

Because I'm a nitwit.

Who else around here

could run a projector?

Nobody. It takes

an imbecile like me.

I never had any luck.

So, you want to be a stick-in-the-mud

like me? How about it?

No.

Attaboy, Toto.

I'm telling you

for your own good.

In here, you suffocate in summer

and freeze to death in winter.

You breathe all these fumes.

And you earn chicken feed.

Don't you like

anything about it?

Oh, you get used to it.

Sometimes you can hear...

that the house is full of people...

laughing and having fun.

Then you're happy too.

It makes you feel good

to hear them.

Like you're the one

who made them laugh--

who made them forget

their troubles.

- That part I like.

- [Audience Whistling, Shouting]

[Clicks, Film Chatters]

[ Laughs]

I might as well be speaking Greek!

What're you up to?

You pretend to listen,

then you trick me!

Your mother's right!

You're crazy!

How'd the rascal do it?

He learned by watching.

Toto!

I'm telling the cashier

not to let you in!

And I'll see Father Adelfio!

No more altar boy! Finished!

Alfredo!

Up yours!

I got it! I won!

I won the football lottery!

[ Laughing, Chattering]

The Neapolitan won the lottery!

Hey, Ciccio from Naples

won the lottery!

It's always the northerners

who get lucky.

The square is mine! All mine!

Hold still!

Got ants in your pants?

You got a lice factory up here.

Beat it.

What're you after?

Get out of here.

- [Screams]

- [Thuds]

A merchant owns two stores.

In one, he sells fruit.

Be seated.

Professor...

the night-school students are here

for the grade-school diploma exam.

[Children Laughing]

Silence!

[Sighs]

[Snickering]

[Whispering] Toto! Toto!

Rotten little stinker!

- Toto, help me.

- Silence!

I can't do this damn thing!

[Clears Throat]

[Whispers] Toto.

[Groans]

Si!

♪♪ [Dramatic]

Francesco Messana...

you're under arrest.

Good riddance!

Kiss my a*s!

Pencil pusher!

Right here is where

it can catch fire.

If it does, cut here and here,

or the whole reel will burn. Got it?

Si, Alfredo.

Never!

We'll never have that here.

Which side is the gelatin on?

It tastes good.

[Audience Whistling, Cheering]

The shipping invoice for the film.

Always keep these.

I will, Alfredo.

Don't ever forget them.

- [ Laughing Fiendishly]

- [Man Shouting, Indistinct]

[Audience Groans, Screams]

This is for you.

Today you load the reels yourself.

- It's so high!

- Now you can run it alone.

Hold it.

[Clicking]

- What a build!

- My turn!

Say good-bye to Peppino.

He's leaving for Germany.

Why won't you say good-bye?

My father says he's a communist.

God keep you, Mama.

Will he really find work

in Germany?

Who knows?

It's an adventure.

All you can do is hope.

Screw this country!

Go work in Germany,

you and your Stalin.

Good-bye, Mama.

Good-bye, Peppino!

Come back soon!

We'll see you.

Lucky thing Germany

is closer than Russia.

[Chuckling]

After six years,

the return of spring fashion.

Fresh and breezy,

unlike the stodgy wartime styles.

[Snoring]

[Boys Laughing]

[Choking]

I'll make mincemeat out of you!

[ Boys, Together]

"You'll have to reckon with me!"

[ Laughing, Taunting]

Another sad chapter...

in the tragedy

ofour men in Russia.

The Defense Ministry...

has released a new list

of Italian soldiers k*lled in battle...

until now considered missing.

The names will be posted

bylocal military authorities...

who will directly notify

the families involved.

However, we don't know

where he's buried.

Here's the form for the pension.

Sign it, please.

[Weeping Softly]

[Actress Speaking Italian]

[Audience Laughing]

♪♪ [Closing Theme]

[Grunting, Sighing]

♪♪ [Horns]

♪♪ [Cowbells, Wood Blocks]

♪♪ [Drums]

Get out! Go home!

We can't have another show!

It's late. Be reasonable.

We can't show it again!

Some people

sat through it twice!

We've been waiting for an hour!

- [Audience Shouting Raucously]

- [Other People] Shh!

Tomorrow we'll have

another movie.

A western. Word of honor!

Go home to bed.

They'll wreck the Paradiso!

All hell will break loose!

Alfredo, let us in!

What can I do?

"A mob doesn't think.

They don't know

what they're doing."

Spencer Tracy said that in Fury.

Well, what do you say?

Shall we let the poor devils

see their film?

Sure. But how?

"If you have no faith in me,

have faith in what you see."

Now get your butt off that stool.

[Actor's Voices, Distorted]

Get ready.

Abracadabra.

Look the other direction.

Go look out the window.

Alfredo, it's beautiful.

Over there! It's the movie!

[Cheering]

Bravo, Alfredo!

Thank you, Alfredo!

What's going on?

It's a movie!

To hell with you all!

There's no sound!

- Shall we make them happy?

- Si, si!

- [Soundtrack Crackling]

- [Crowd Cheering]

[Chuckling]

[ Dialogue Echoing, Indistinct]

[ Laughing Uproariously]

Want to go down?

Go on.

♪♪ [Background Music Plays, Distorted]

[Gasps]

[ Laughing]

- Look.

- Good Lord!

And Nunzio, half price.

You have to buy tickets, folks.

[ Mocking, Catcalling]

Reduced rates.

Up yours! The square

belongs to everyone!

Oh, no!

The square is mine! Don't joke

about that or you'll piss me off!

[ Laughter]

[Sound Stops]

[Crowd Gasps, Shouts]

[Grunts]

[Screaming]

[Clamoring]

Alfredo!

Someone, help me!

- Nunzio, what's wrong with you?

- I can't breathe!

[Toto Whimpering, Moaning]

[Screaming] Alfredo! Oh, no!

Alfredo! Alfredo!

Alfredo!

Alfredo!

Help! Help!

Poor Alfredo.

What a shame.

[ Laughing Hysterically]

All burned!

It all burned down!

[ Mad Laughter Continues]

What do we do now?

We have no more entertainment.

Nothing.

Where will we get the money

to rebuild?

[Sighs, Whimpers]

Take a look at Ciccio.

So spiffy, you'd hardly know him.

Who has that kind of money?

The new Cinema Paradiso!

Come in, come in!

[Chattering]

This theater is for you!

[Cheering]

He's just a boy.

What about labor laws?

I got the license

through connections.

Don't ask me

how their minds work.

Officially, I'm the projectionist,

but the money goes to Toto.

Stay on your toes, Toto.

No sleeping.

We've had enough disasters.

Do what poor Alfredo taught you.

And God bless you.

Thank you, Father.

What is this, a funeral?

Life goes on! Gaiety! Music!

♪♪ [Caribbean]

♪♪ [Man Singing In Spanish]

♪♪ [Woman Singing]

♪♪ [Ends]

- Get a load of that!

- [Audience Gasping]

Our Father!

[Audience Cheering, Jeering]

[Wolf-Whistling, Shouting]

By God, they're kissing!

[Applause]

I won't watch p*rn*graphy.

Three cheers for Ciccio!

[Actress Speaking, Indistinct]

Any room for me

in this new paradise?

- [Chuckling]

- Alfredo!

Bring him home after you close.

I'm going, Alfredo.

I'm glad you're here.

How're things at school?

Fine, but now that I'm working...

maybe I won't go anymore.

No. No, Toto.

Don't do that.

You'll end up

with egg on your face.

Why? What does that mean?

It means...

that this isn't your real work.

Right now

the Paradiso needs you...

and you need the Paradiso...

but it's a stopgap.

One day you'll go on...

to other things.

Things...

that are more important.

Definitely more important.

I know.

Now that I've lost my sight,

I see better.

Things I never saw before.

All thanks to you,

who saved my life.

I won't forget it.

And don't look like that.

I'm not senile yet.

Want proof?

Well, let's see.

For example...

right now, the film's out of focus.

Go check.

You're right!

It's out of focus.

How'd you know?

Too hard to explain.

♪♪ [Bongo Drums]

What's the idea?

Watch the screen, you perverts!

Don't touch.

[g*nsh*t In Theater]

I told you:

It doesn't catch fire.

Progress always comes too late.

[ Bawling]

Workers--

[ Blowing Raspberries]

[Laughter]

[Laughter Continues]

[Audience Laughing]

[Cow Mooing]

[Camera Whirring]

She's new.

Not bad.

She looks nice.

Her father's the bank manager.

Pride, pomp and circumstance.

Jerks off with his shirt

to keep his hands clean.

Go, man, go!

Excuse me.

You dropped this.

Oh, thanks.

I didn't even notice.

My name's Salvatore.

What's yours?

Elena.

My name's Elena.

I wanted to tell you, well,

the other day at the station--

♪♪ [Movie Theme]

The small projector?

Your footage?

What do you see?

Slaughterhouse workers

butchering a calf.

Blood all over the floor,

like a lake.

Another calf passes over the lake...

on his way to being slaughtered.

Why'd you stop?

What do we see?

Nothing. We don't see anything.

It's all fuzzy.

A woman.

It's a woman.

Yes, a girl I saw

at the station.

What's she like?

She's very nice.

My age, slim,

long brown hair.

Big blue eyes,

honest and direct.

A little beauty mark

on her lip.

Very small.

You only see it up close.

When she smiles, you feel like--

I don't know.

Love.

Love.

I know how it is.

The blue-eyed ones are the worst.

No matter what you do,

they'll never be your friends.

There's nothing you can do.

The bigger the man,

the deeper the footprint.

And if he loves, he suffers,

knowing it's a dead-end street.

That's nice,

what you just said.

But sad.

I didn't say it. It was John Wayne

in The Shepherd of the Hills.

- [ Both Laughing]

- You old pirate!

Hello, Elena.

Why are you running?

Because...

I wanted to tell you--

You remember when we--

Nice day, isn't it?

- [Thunderclap]

- [ Laughs]

Yes, really nice.

Excuse me, I have to go.

Bye.

What a jerk. What a jerk!

"Nice day, isn't it?"

What an idiot!

I told you so.

You thought I was joking.

But take it from me:

The blue-eyed ones are the worst.

But why? There must be a way

to make her understand.

Don't even try. With feelings,

there's nothing to understand...

and no way to explain.

You talk like you made the world!

With all due respect

to the Lord...

who made the world

in two or three days--

I'd have taken a bit longer...

but in all modesty,

I would've done it better.

Like I said:

You always have an answer.

Just for you, Toto,

I'll tell you a story.

Let's sit down a minute.

These old bones of mine--

Once upon a time...

a king gave a feast...

for the loveliest princesses

in the realm.

Now, a soldier

who was standing guard...

saw the king's daughter go by.

She was the most beautiful of all...

and he instantly fell in love.

But what is a simple soldier...

next to the daughter of a king?

Well, at last he succeeded

in meeting her...

and told her he could no longer

live without her.

The princess was so taken

by the depth of his feeling...

that she said to the soldier...

"If you can wait...

for 100 days and 100 nights

under my balcony...

at the end I shall be yours."

With that, the soldier went

and waited one day...

two days, then ten,

then twenty.

Each evening

the princess looked out...

and he never moved!

In rain, in wind, in snow,

he was always there.

Birds sh*t on his head,

bees stung him...

but he didn't budge.

At the end...

of 90 nights...

he had become...

all dry, all white.

Tears streamed from his eyes.

He couldn't hold them back.

He didn't even have

the strength to sleep.

All that time,

the princess watched him.

At long last

it was the 99th night...

and the soldier stood up...

took his chair...

and left.

What? After all that?

After all that.

And don't ask what it means.

I don't know.

If you understand it,

you tell me.

♪♪ [Folk Dance On Radio]

Only two days?

What do I care

if you've rented all the prints?

I've only had it two days.

They'll rip my head off here!

I wouldn't make it

even if I opened at 8:00 a.m.!

This is a big town,

and you know it!

If you screw me over,

I'll go straight to Rome!

You'll pay for this!

Don't mess with me,

'cause I'll split your skull open!

[Gasps, Sobbing]

We see the crib.

The child's asleep.

Rosa!

- [Sighs]

- Rosa. Rosa, no.

Help her!

"The lawyer told me.

Now I know."

The lawyer told me.

Now I know.

"And everyone must know.

Yes, everyone must know."

Everyone must know.

"You believe me?"

"Yes, I believe you."

"Our own home.

How I've dreamed of it!"

[Sighing]

"Tonino!"

"Mama."

"The End."

I don't like it!

[Audience Clamoring]

I cut the end credits

to go faster.

Hurry back with part one.

I'll show a newsreel.

I'll call the police.

Take him.

Just a minute.

Just a minute!

[All Shouting]

Give me part two.

Here's part one.

Hurry, the house is packed.

- What are you doing? Hurry up!

Light the coal, come on!

- [Audience Clamoring]

- The audience is protesting!

- Get her rolling!

Bunch of animals!

Quiet!

[ Panting]

[Audience Whistling]

Come on, Toto.

They're gonna explode!

It's been a half hour!

What can I do?

Where is that son of a jackass?

I'll be ruined!

Calm down, calm down.

I'll have you know,

just to see this movie...

I left my wife home

sick in bed...

and I haven't seen a thing.

If it's not here in ten minutes,

give us back our money...

me and everyone else here...

or I'll wreck the place

with this cane!

[Audience Clamoring]

Calm down!

Calm down and let me talk.

Tell you what.

I'll show part one over again.

Quiet, quiet!

I've seen the whole movie.

I'll tell you the plot.

[ No Audible Dialogue]

[Whispering]

[ No Audible Dialogue]

Alfredo, what is it?

I can't.

It's time for Mass.

Father, I need you urgently...

because I have doubts...

terrible doubts

tormenting my soul.

Your soul!

Father, I've sinned.

- We can discuss that later.

- But who--

Stay there. Don't move.

Just act normal.

It's Salvatore.

How'd you get in there?

[ Panting]

Alfredo, that's

a terrible thing to say.

I know.

But take the miracle

of the loaves and fishes.

What about it?

I always wonder:

How is it possible?

I had to talk to you.

[ No Audible Dialogue]

You're so beautiful, Elena.

That's what I wanted to tell you.

When we meet,

I can't say anything right...

because you make me tremble.

I don't know what others do

in a case like this.

It's my first time.

But I'm in love with you.

Father, I have sinned.

I absolve you

in the name of the Father...

the Son and the Holy Ghost.

Go in peace.

When you smile,

you're even prettier.

Salvatore, you're very sweet,

and I like you very much...

but I don't love you.

I don't care.

I'll wait.

What?

Until you fall in love with me.

Now listen.

Every night after work,

I'll come stand outside your house.

And I'll wait. Every night.

When you change your mind,

open your window.

That's all.

I'll understand.

You understand now?

Yes, I finally see the light.

[Sighs]

Next time, don't talk heresy.

You survived the fire

in the theater...

but no one can save you

from eternal fire!

[Thunderclap]

[People Laughing, Chattering]

[ Laughing, Chattering]

Fifteen seconds to the New Year!



[Whooping, Cheering, Fireworks]

[Celebration Continues]

[Glass Breaking, Fireworks Exploding]

[Thunderclap]

[Thunderclap]

Salvatore?

The movie's over!

Turn the lights on!

[ Both Laughing]

[Screams]

This is just the test drive.

[ Both Laughing]

How'll we get home?

Oh, God, it's my father!

Good evening, Mr. Mendola.

[Groans]

[Whooping, Yelling]

"Summer Screenings Will Be Held

at the Arena Imperia"

- [Whistle Blows]

- [Man Speaking Italian]

Standing room only!

[ Man On Screen Speaking Italian]

[Speaking Italian]

Come on in.

The show just started.

Have your tickets ready.

[Elena's Voice]

Salvatore, my love...

a whole summer with my family

far away from you...

my days here drag on forever.

I see your name everywhere:

in a book, a crossword puzzle...

a newspaper.

You're always before my eyes.

Today, alas, I have bad news.

In October we're moving to Palermo,

where I'll go to the university.

So we won't see each other

every day.

But don't worry.

Whenever I can get away...

I'll come to you

at the Paradiso.

[Cyclops Shouting]

By God's might, by man's actions!

Rise up!

[Cyclops Shouting]

[Shouting Indistinctly]

[Yelling Continues]

When will this rotten summer end?

In a film, it'd already be over.

Fade-out, cut to storm.

Wouldn't that be great?

[Thunderclap]

- [ People Chattering]

- Ahh.

Tell them I am Ulysses!

[Shouting]

Elena! But when--

I got back today.

You can't imagine the excuses

I made up to come here.

[Salvatore's Voice]

I have to do my military service

in Rome. I'm leaving on Friday.

[Elena's Voice]

I'll come say good-bye

at the Paradiso.

I'll arrive Thursday

on the 5:00 bus.

This film is too highbrow for us.

One day is more than enough.

Load the reels for tomorrow,

ready for the new guy.

All right.

Hey, cheer up!

I'll wait for you.

Don't worry.

The job'll still be here.

I'll wait, you hear?

Don't look so gloomy.

Come on, now!

Radioman Di Vita, 3rd Battalion,



They transferred her father?

It can't be!

And no one knows where?

Screw you if you won't tell me!

as*h*le son of a b*tch!

♪♪ [Radio]

♪♪ [Woman Singing In Italian On Radio]

[Whimpering]

You're thinner.

I can tell you've been unhappy.

They tell me you never go out...

and you never talk to anybody.

Why?

You know how it is.

Sooner or later a time comes...

when it's all the same

whether you talk or not.

So you might as well shut up.

[Gasps]

[Gasping]

It's hot in here.

Take me to the sea.

At a party, a lieutenant

pinches this girl's a*s.

She turns around.

It's the colonel's daughter.

Terrified, the lieutenant says...

"If your heart is as hard

as what I just felt, I'm a dead man."

[ Both Laughing]

You haven't seen her?

And no one knows where she is.

That's probably how

it was meant to be.

Each of us has his own destiny.

Get out of here.

This land is cursed.

Living here day after day...

you think

it's the center of the world.

You believe nothing

will ever change.

Then you leave

for a year or two.

When you come back,

everything's changed.

The thread's broken.

What you came to find isn't there.

What was yours is gone.

You have to go away

for a long time...

many years...

before you can come back

and find your people.

The land where you were born.

But not now.

It's not possible.

Right now,

you're more blind than I am.

Who said that? Gary Cooper?

James Stewart? Henry Fonda?

No, Toto.

Nobody said it.

This time it's all me.

Life isn't like in the movies.

Life...

is much harder.

Get out of here!

Go back to Rome.

You're young,

and the world is yours.

And I'm old.

I don't want to hear you

talk anymore.

I want to hear others

talking about you.

[Bells Chime]

[Bell Chimes]

[Bell Ringing]

[Ringing Continues]

[Ringing Continues]

[Ringing Fades, Stops]

Don't come back.

Don't think about us.

Don't look back. Don't write.

Don't give in to nostalgia.

Forget us all.

If you do and you come back,

don't come see me.

I won't let you in my house.

Understand?

Thank you.

For everything you've done for me.

Whatever you end up doing,

love it.

The way you loved

the projection booth...

when you were a little squirt.

He's gone.

Toto! Good-bye!

I got here too late.

What a shame!

[Buzzer]

It's Toto. I knew it.

[Footsteps]

[Door Opens]

- Toto.

- How are you?

See how nice the house is?

We had the whole thing redone,

all thanks to you.

I have a surprise for you.

Come.

Are you tired?

You have time to rest

before the funeral.

No, Mama,

it's only an hour by plane.

You shouldn't have said that

after all these years.

Come. I put all your things in here.

[Church Bells Chiming]

He must be glad you came, Toto.

He always talked about you.

Always.

Right up to the end.

[Sniffling]

He really loved you.

He left something for you.

Before you leave...

come see me.

When did you close it down?

Six years ago in May.

Nobody came anymore.

You know better than I, Mr. Di Vita--

the economy, TV, videos.

The old movie business

is just a memory.

The city bought the site

for a parking lot.

They're demolishing it Saturday.

It's too bad.

What's this "Mr. Di Vita"?

You used to order me around.

Now that you're a big shot,

it's a little different.

But if you insist, Toto.

Excuse me.

Who would've believed it?

Little Toto.

These are the things

he left for you.

- He never asked to see me?

- No, never.

Once your mother said to him...

that you'd surely come

if you wanted him to.

He was furious and said...

"No, Toto must never come back

to Giancaldo!"

He didn't say it to be mean.

He was a good man.

Who knows what was going

through his head?

Towards the end,

he started saying strange things.

A moment before

he closed his eyes...

he told your mother

she mustn't let you know.

[Audience Cheering, Whistling]

[ Horn Honks]

[ Film Rattles]

What are you thinking?

I was thinking that you and I

have never spoken, Mama.

And now, after all these years,

I thought I was stronger...

that I'd forgotten

a lot of things.

But in fact...

I find I'm right back

where I was...

as if I'd never been away.

And yet I look at Lia

and feel that I don't even know her.

And you, Mama...

I deserted you.

Ran out on you like a bandit...

without any explanation.

I never asked for any.

You don't have to explain

anything to me.

I always thought you did

what was right. Why dwell on it?

You were right to leave.

You did what you wanted to do.

Every time I call you,

a different woman answers.

But I never heard

in any of their voices...

that they really loved you.

I would've known.

All the same, I'd have liked...

to see you settled down...

in love with someone.

But your life is there.

Here there are only ghosts.

Let go, Toto.

[expl*si*n]

[Weeping]

It's my square.

The square is mine.

Check the leader.

Roll when you're ready.

- I liked your film. It was terrific.

- Thanks.

[ Beeping]

[ No Audio]