Original subtitles

Concerta Rizzuto became pregnant at seventeen.

Her father beat her until she revealed her lover's name:

Rocco Caramazza, 41, a miner...

married, father of 9 children.

Caramazza made amends, finding work for Concetta's brothers.

But took Acla under his wing at age 11.

Concetta, dress Salvina.

Acla, Maurizio, clear the beds.

Maurizio, move it!

Patrizia, get Maurizio.

Maurizio, who fakes sleeping to avoid helping,...

is the last boy. He's 9.

Then come Patrizia and Daniela, who should've been the last.

Instead...

Concetta's disgrace brought us Salvina.

We could've killed her, and her baby too.

But now, we all go crazy aver her.

We'd give our lives for her, starting with me,

a mother of 8, not counting miscarriages.

Concetta is 18.

How could she bear to become pregnant...

by such a disgusting man?

Papa and the older boys are at the Floristella sulphur mines.

They return Saturday night, and leave Monday at dawn.

So they'll be here tomorrow.

Next time...

Acla will go with them,...

and we'll earn 500 liras in "death warranty".

Acla turned out as white as a goat, like his grandmother.

Even Maurizio and Daniela are light-skinned like her.

Francesco died at 12.

This is the only picture we have of him...

taken at my brother's wedding by a photographer.

My son, Salvatore, 19, joint the Army.

Domenica married Tano Inchiaturi.

They left right away for Australia. They're doing well,...

have two children, and expecting a third.

Occasionally, they send some money and photos.

Then came the first Patrizia, but she died of worms.

Get up, idiot!

Or I'll smother you with a mattress.

You hear?!

I said get up!

Or I'll skin you!

Acla, another one!

How many now? This makes five!

Another!

Give it to me!

You got a lot? A whole sack!

A lot?

Look!

Rub hard!

I got sulphur in my bones.

Easy! You're in a hurry today, aren't you?

Maurizio, next Saturday it's your turn.

Next week I can eat meat too, right?

If you deserve it!

I'll load 200 baskets. Yeah, like hell!

You caught all these today?

Maurizio, let's swap.

A piece of meat for a piece of frog.

Come on!

You'll have to earn the meat, next Saturday

Get up, Papa.

Don't you dare help me.

I'll get up alone.

Move it. The good times are over.

I'll call Papa, then!

You're ready for the mines? Yes?

Acla does what he's told without being whipped.

We'll see.

Wait here for the other helpers.

I'll be back after I walk your father to his pit.

We're going to another pit. If you need anything,...

there's always your brother Pino.

Hey, what a pretty boy! Yeah, prod him!

Who wants his ass?!

Get Totuzzo, he sticks his cock into anything.

Listen in here they lower your prick and pride.

You mean somebody like him can get it up?

Here's the 500 liras death warranty.

Every day, except Sundays, your son's mine for the next 8 years.

He's reliable!

He seems cocky to me.

I suggest you mind your hands,...

because he's no donkey, he's a horse,...

and a horse doesn't take to a stranger's whip.

Rizzuto, if he runs away, you pay back everything.

He won't run.

This far, you can keep your clothes on...

because there's a breeze outside, and it's cool inside.

It's liveable.

You'll sleep here in this nice space...

on these comfortable mattresses.

But below, you undress completely,...

Otherwise you'll die of the heat.

Feel it? Undress, boy. Go on!

My clothes?

You take them down...

by the baskets, where I work.

Are you ashamed? I'm cold.

This is my pit

My sulphur.

Everything here is mine!

You included!

You loaders have to carry the sulphur...

to the main landing.

As your father knows, everyone steals a little sulphur.

This is sulphur, no name's attached to it.

When the buyers come, it's taken away.

But when they're gone, one of you keeps watch. Understand?

Load up!

Wait here.

That's enough. Let's see!

It's heavy.

Show him.

You see him?!

Within a week you must carry 25 kilos,...

like the others

I have to get used to it.

What a poor boy.

You're lucky it's the first day.

Get used to it soon, am I clear?

Move it!

Stop this racket!

If the ball hits a lamp, we'll go up in flames you idiots!

Take it away or they'll never stop.

If they don't, I'll make them eat it!

We got a new one.

A blond one...

with a pretty little ass!

Have a sulphur-cream cock!

Hands off my brother, clear?!

Your brother?

If he's like you, we're set!

Even the walls know about you and Melino.

Your mouth still reeks of cock.

Get out!

Maurizio, you're the only male now.

Pick up the mattress. Be a man!

Well?

Move, help us!

I knew it. The boy was used to comfort.

He still thinks he's at home.

Go to the well. Bring back a pail of water.

Cold. Very cold. Go on!

Excuse us, sir, if we woke you...

accidently.

Hey, Toti!

Damn, Caramazza!

If he died...

we could keep the warranty and go home!

Wait!

A smoke?

Why so serious?

I'm waiting.

For what?

For the sulphur.

Can't someone rest up a minute?

Enough? Yes?

Start loading.

Let me feel.

Good! In just 2 days you reached 25 kilos.

Go on, unload.

I'm fine.

Tired?

A little.

Good morning.

How's your pit in San Martino?

We dig, like always.

Any good wine there?

-I'll come with you. -As you wish.

Hey, Acla, give me an almond.

Shut up, you. Gimme!

Jeese, that's bitter!

Wait!

Let me see.

If I catch you, I'll skin you alive!

Stay there.

You'll pay for this, guaranteed!

See him? It's Linuzzu.

He's going there, to the picker...

Ciccu Mantarbanu.

He's doing it with him in the old cave.

For each go, Ciccu subtracts 2 days of your warranty...

and gives you 4 olives.

Let's go watch them. Have some fun.

I'll kill you! I warned you, you little bastard.

Make him stop! What for?

He'll learn next time.

That's enough. Take it out on the rocks!

Who are you to give me advice?

Mind your fucking business!

You know, Pino, your brother Acla has a nice butt.

He should be happy.

It's a miner's fate...

to screw boys during the week...

and wives on weekends and holidays.

In a week his ass will be renamed too,...

like his brother's!

Look!

That's Melino. He does it...

with your brother, but he's touchy.

He's got an ass like a sow's!

Yeah, like your wife, your daughter, and your mother!

Come here!

Suck this!

See? You're a man now!

Oh, let me breathe!

Where's my bed?

You took it?

What a silly sister.

So you took Acla's place!

How're you doing?

What do you think?

-Am I good? -Very good. Rinse me now.

Now. I'm the washed, not the washer.

Maurizio, work!

Hey, I'm tired, you idiot!

Dumb prick!

What are you doing?

Arcla, are you a man only when it suits you?

The meat's for me. You get just potatoes.

Gimme a piece without letting Mama see you.

When Papa gave you meat, you didn't share it.

So, tough!

Acla, you're mud!

Don't get too cocky now.

Gianni Lupu!

I'm ready.

Papa's inside.

I'm allowed in now. You mind the kids.

Mind the kids! I'm going in!

Quiet, you idiot!

Hey, friends!

We got another client. My new work-boy!

Wine for everybody!

A chair for my son.

Pretty, my new work-boy, isn't he?

Long live my work-boy!

Who's next?

I am!

He can't hold it in!

What's on your mind, Calogero?

His girl! The whore?

Cut it. Your brother doesn't like whores.

He wants to marry. Yeah, the Queen!

This is your second week.

You'll take turns at night, guarding the cleaned sulphur.

They need the sulphur to make bombs!

The first night you'll be with Toti and Gnaziu. Got it?

-Where you going? -Rizzuto...

The Rizzuto family...? Is the letter from America?

-Australia. -Ah, from their daughter

Where's the fire?

Well? What is it?

My daughters letter from Australia.

Oh Blessed Mother of God's Infinite Patience!

On the table there.

Put your children in our boarding-school

None of you can read, not even the cat.

Even cats know how to read?

See how ignorant you are! You want...

to be another dunce?

It's getting late.

Dearest parents,...

the Lord blessed me...

with the birth of another child.

It was born a girl,...

and so, we called her...

Giovanna, like my loving Mother.

Everything went well. There in the hospi...

in the hospi...in the hospital.

It's the way she writes,...

if it's her who wrote this.

Within a week...

as soon as they're ready...

we'll send you pictures of her.

Because she's pretty, she's big...

and has a lot of hair,...

and looks like my beloved Mother,...

her dear grandmother

I miss you all...

day and night.

I send you this money and I hope you're not offended.

We hear...

we 'here', she meant,...

are well off, and miss you always,...

and love you.

I cry writing this letter.

Kisses and more kisses.

Your loving Dominica...

who thinks of you, always.

Here's the money. A can change it into liras

My husband will do it.

He's always in the mine!

The Lord be praised.

I'll be there tomorrow to collect the children.

You're sons of bitches.

You're just shits, like your fathers!

We only rested a couple of minutes.

Get down, or else!

It was less than a minute.

His back was hurting.

His back, huh? Your ass will hurt in a minute!

Come down! God help me, I'll kill you!

Have pity, I beg you.

I'll kill you next time!

What's with you? Answer me?

Sir, you're not to touch me!

If I catch you standing around...

you'll get touched all right. Move!

What's that?

-Want to earn four olives? -No.

Five olives and a sardine? -No.

They keep stealing the sulphur.

Who does?

Some of the work-boys and their bosses.

And Caramazza?

He never asked me to steal any.

Anybody steal on you? Yeah. I fell asleep.

What happened when Caramazza found out?

He whacked me, and scaled down some warranty money.

Then my father...

started beating me too.

When does your warranty end?

Another 7 years.

Mine runs 8 years.

Until I'm 19.

I gotta stay with Caramazza.

Then...I'll go to Australia.

Yeah, and to the moon!

I'm not spending my whole life in the mines.

Never!

-Talk, talk. -Australia's got everything!

The sea,...

toilets inside the houses. My sister wrote to us.

It's all true.

Can you swim?

So what good...

is the sea?

To spit in your face!

Take me with you.

To the moon?

To Australia. Take me along.

I'll give you my olives.

Who needs your olives?!

Take me along.

All right, but stop whining!

My mother too?

I gotta marry an Australian girl.

Me too.

Who marries you? You're cross-eyed!

But I'm hung like a horse.

Oh, really? Let's take a look.

Looks like a little rat to me.

Your mother's a whore!

That's it!

You're still shy 16 trays.

14.

16. Let's go!

Go to work.

See you.

No, no boarding-school!

You'll have fun there.

Are they ready? My husband said no.

Does he want them illiterate?

Children should stay with their parents.

They'll make them study, eat and drink!

Even rich children leave their families...

and go there.

Then take the rich kids.

Good for you! You'll have the honour...

of raising children who can't even write their names.

Like animals!

I can write my name.

Don't talk nonsense!

Get those children...

they're ready.

I can write!

The nuns will let you play soccer.

You'll eat...

pasta, and chicken.

Come on, kids!

Good boy, I'll get in with you.

Let's go. Hurry!

It'll be fun.

You'll be home for All Soul's Day and Christmas.

They swiped the sulphur.

What?

They stole everything!

Let go! I'll kill him, I'll kill him.

Acla, I'm gonna kill you!

Have you seen Acla?

-Where's Acla? -Don't know.

Where's your brother? Where should he be?

I'll kill him!

Where's Acla?

-What do you do here? -I'm not going back...

Mama, Acla's not going back to the mine!

Want us to go hungry?

I'll work, but in Australia.

You're crazy. He paid your death warranty.

With that, he has more claim to you than your mother.

You'll be sorry!

Better to die than go back there.

Damn you! What a disgrace!

I'm not going back, Papa. I'm not.

Damn you!

Already tired of loading?

No, but of being beaten?

A jackass only learns when you beat him.

Isn't that so?

-Isn't that so? -I don't know.

Isn't that so?!

I said to go back. Go on! Move!

Don't they understand, that the Baron is coming?

Go! Get back!

They're coming!

That's enough! Get into place.

Baroness,...

Baron, sir,

An applause for our Baron!

Even music this time! Very nice!

I received the June accounts.

Our dear Floristella mine...

is always flourishing!

Before going to boarding-school...

I wanted my son to visit the mine.

He mustn't forget his roots, his land.

-Baronet? -No, thank you

This is your land. The sulphur is your land too.

Papa, I can't see anything!

He's a Baron's son...

and yet they put him in boarding-school/

It must be beautiful. Made of marble. With toilets inside.

Inside!

I asked Acla if he wanted some olives.

What'd he say? Always no.

He's not like his brother.

He's a kid. His balls are still hairless.

Maybe not?

He always wears his cloth.

There's little to cover.

He needs coaxing.

Don't worry, Acla, we'll find you some pubes

...and make you a man!

Yeah, take...

-your cloth off. -Leave my brother alone, you hear me?!

Lend a few pubes to your brother.

He gave them all to Melino.

Fresh pubes from a dry cock!

Fresh pubic hair!

Stop sulking, stupid. Can't you take a joke?

You are among friends.

We can't help living like dogs down here.

Laugh! Enjoy yourself.

Laugh!!

I say screw Saint Stephen!

The Saints only come around for money.

The Saints are always with you, but you refuse them.

Another sermon?

Don't the Saints see how we live?

Does the Baron eat and drink as he pleases...

because the Saints said so?

You were created free, you can even sin.

But you miners are a race of pigs and dunces.

Slaves of lust!

What's lust?

It's God that has us screwing each other...

during the week, and our wives on weekends.

That's lust!

You animal!

Well, what is lust, Father?

God had Sodom destroyed, leaving no survivors.

So what's that to us?

Sex between men is a mortal sin...

of the worst kind!

So on St. Stephen's day...

you put the squeeze on the miners?

It's a step towards forgiveness.

I'll donate...

only because I'm devoted to St. Stephen.

It's always welcome!

God made you not only sulphur miners,...

...but also ignorant.

Where's Acla? Inside, probably.

Look!

Papa said one for you, and one for Acla.

Rizzuto.

Acla ran off. He's gone.

I'll kill him!

I knew he was too cocky!

I'll murder him!

Where is Acla?

I don't know. Where could he be?

He's disappeared.

Run away?

And this on St. Stephen's Day!

Papa.

-Did you find him? -No

Where's the sea?

Who knows?

Never saw it?

-Can I touch them? -They'll run away.

Ruffle! Big prizes!

Ruffle!

Come and see who's going to win the cash!

-A ticket, please! -Ten centimes.

-What if you lose? -I'm gonna win!

Who'll win the pig?

First prize - ten liras!

Miss Furtune will pick a number.

Start praying!

Attention.

One,...

Five and Seven!

I'll win the second prize, or the third.

Let's check the number: First prize...

ten liras, and the piglet!

Second prize!

Let's take a little peak.

Two numbers!

Seven and Seven!

Seventy-Seven, 2nd prize to this lovely lady.

Did we win?

Shut up! All you do is bring bad luck!

-Is the sea far? -Very far!

-How far? -Two pair...

of shoes.

Have you seen the sea? Yes, during the war.

-What is it like? -Big and beautiful.

Bigger than me? Oh, many times bigger.

Does it go to Australia?

The sea reaches everywhere.

-Which way is it? -This way.

Papa. He's nowhere.

Search, search! Only one, sweetie.

Good girl! Let's see now.

We have three numbers!

One...

Nine and Five!

Friends, the ruffle is over, but the feast goes on.

Has he come back?

When I was four, my father died...

in a mine explosion.

I became a work-boy at seven.

Ever since then...

I donate 10 liras for these fireworks in his memory.

I gave 7 liras. May the fireworks reach...

my beloved Giovanni in heaven.

On every feast of St. Stephen, I pray...

that I might join him.

I gave 5 liras for my poor brother Stephen...

named after the Saint...

who protects him in heaven. And 5 liras...

for my sister, Serafina, who sent money...

from America.

When did you see him last?

Tuesday night.

Wednesday morning he was gone.

Why did he run away?

Did you beat him?

Officer,...

with all due respect,...

you Northerners don't understand how things work here.

I paid a death warranty.

This gives me the right over his labour. Ask his father.

It's true. I received the warranty money,...

which gives him rights...

over my son, Acla, from Monday to Saturday.

All rights!

Is he hiding?

He can only hide in the countryside!

Where else? He doesn't know anybody.

I'll kill him!

Signora,...

did you see a young, blond boy?

I didn't see nothing!

Is this the sea?

What sea?

Which goes to Australia.

Are you crazy?

Listen, if Acla doesn't come back...

I'm taking Maurizio, adding a year of warranty time.

If he does return, I'll beat him senseless...

-and add 6 months. -Don't worry.

So help me God. I'll break him in two.

Agreed. It's either Acla, or your son Maurizio.

You bastard! I'll kill you!

Quiet, they mustn't hear you!

I'm not going back! I'm not going back!

That's enough, you're killing him!

Enough!

And I don't want to go either!

I'm not going to the mines!

I'm not going, I'm not going.

Hey, dog!

Acla, if you want, I'll go in your place.

-Where were you? -He got lost

He won't again?

Never again.

What happened to your face? Ran into a door?

Into a wall.

Laugh, stupid. Life is beautiful!

Let's go.