Original subtitles

TENDERNESS

I'm innocent, I swear.

I'm innocent.

It's a mistake, I've been mistaken for someone else.

In Italy it's easy to mix up the names from my country.

We shall see.

Tell him only to answer our questions.

He says he arrived in Italy a week ago,

that he is desperate

and that he traveled with his wife and child, who drowned.

Your Honor, may I?

He's lying.

That's not up to you to establish.

Stick to yourjob, you must only translate.

Refrain from comments that don't concern you.

Let us proceed.

How is he?

I don't know, I haven't been in.

He doesn't want to see anyone.

How long have you been here?

Over an hour, I was waiting for that thing.

What thing?

The thing.

May God bless you, big sister.

Dad...

Lorenzo?

Lorenzo, how do you feel? Better?

Every day, Francesco asks when you're coming home

and every day I tell him: tomorrow.

Today, they caught another one.

Ayoung guy, he must have been about 18.

While I was waiting for the hearing, in the corridor,

his brother was on the phone.

He didn't know I was the interpreter

and he let himself go.

He said they paid him very little for this trip,

that the risk was high and he's sure he'll get off.

In the hearing I had to translate word for word,

because that's what they want me to do.

But you shouldn't.

You should translate...

the tone ofvoice,

the breathing, the eyes.

What they're thinking.

Pasquale!

Are we winning or losing?

It's a draw.

Good morning, have you been away?

To Ischia.

From tomorrow I'll deliver your groceries again.

Good morning.

I went out for a moment and left the keys on the table.

It's the third time this week.

What does it mean?

Does someone live there?

We live here: me, my husband and our two kids.

And you had to move in here?

Get up, you'll get dirty.

These stairs are filthy.

Come with me.

To your place?

You can trust me.

Where are you from?

From Trieste...

Ancona,

Livorno...

I'm from Ostia.

Central Ostia, the train stops there.

Michela.

Lorenzo.

Now you've left your keys.

I'll put them here.

- Are you a famous lawyer? - Infamous, more like it.

How did you know I was a lawyer?

It's written on your door-plate.

I left it for show.

Do you live alone or with your family?

I'm my family.

Thank God.

- Is this your daughter? - My wife.

She was older when she passed.

I'm sorry.

What a lovely kitchen. Tidy.

Someone's been here who shouldn't have.

Do you have a good cleaning lady?

We're looking for one, too.

I know quite a few, but they always get too familiar.

I prefer to do it myself.

That's your place.

Now...

So, that's who was here.

It was you.

It was always closed.

I've been on vacation.

Once, that part was mine too, then I had to sell it.

The stairs are still here,

I keep forgetting to have them taken out.

Here's the key...

and there's a lock up there.

Thank you.

Have you left a balcony door open?

All of them.

The lock's on the left.

Here it is.

The key.

Keep it, to be on the safe side.

I might lose it.

Then we'll both be locked out.

Thank you.

Hi, Francesco.

But weren't you dying?

At the last moment, I decided not to.

My teacher even made me write a prayer.

Keep it, it might come in handy.

I want to go back to school.

We're doing an open-air class.

Tell me the difference between succinct, instinct and extinct.

You're crazy.

Leda D'Argenio, Emilio Sabatella,

Rosi Sangiuliano née Laudisio. Giacinto Guaita, notary.

Noemi, exemplary wife and mother, 82 years old.

Ten, eleven...

Yesterday, 12 people died in Naples alone.

Was it an accident on the ring road?

No, natural death. Come here.

Sit down.

There's a scientific calculation by which,

knowing how many people die in Naples in one day,

you can figure out how many die worldwide.

You need to learn it. What's your teacher's name?

Silvana and she's not dead yet.

What did your mother say when I had the heart attack?

For you a heart attack would pass with a glass ofwater.

- Want an ice cream? - No.

- Something else? - No.

Do you love me?

No!

Give it to me, I'll help you.

There's no need, it's my workout.

The water, at least.

You want to work out, too?

Here, take the lot.

"...brings me the sun that sinks and vanishes

among the distant mountains after the cloudless day

and seems to say, that the beauty ofyouth diminishes."

Tired, huh?

Making fun of me?

Reciting a poem to me?

Leopardi, 'The Solitary Bird', didn't you do it at school?

If I ever actually went to school...

- You didn't like studying? - Zero.

You know when I first felt like reading? After my daughter was born.

In the evening... fairy tales on her bed...

I'll show you a photo.

What's wrong?

Your keys?

How did the poem go?

I know what you're thinking.

A man of my age, in an empty house, is strange.

It's strange for a guy to be alone without anyone to look after him,

to bring him groceries, to make sure he takes his medication.

Go on, say the dreaded word: carer.

No way!

I didn't think of it.

Everyone can do what they want in their own home.

This isn't my home.

Why?

Smile...

Smile a bit.

Smile.

More.

Having said that, the following is agreed and stipulated.

Clause one: these recitals are an integral part of this agreement.

Clause two: the parties appearing as detailed above,

who accept for themselves and their assignees,

formally assign as property the dwelling situated in Naples,

Via Banchi Nuovi, No.13, single stairwell, 5th floor, apt. 6.,

seven habitable rooms, adjoining with apartment 9 above

and apartment 4 below, next to apartment 7.

with the stairwell facing Via Banchi Nuovi and right ofway.

Read by me, notary, with the parties Elena and Saverio Bentivoglio,

who confirm that it is a true reflection oftheir wishes.

The house belonged to Angela Parrella, my late wife.

It's got nothing to do with me.

I'd leave it to them tomorrow.

The house is his,

will you explain that, please, notary.

Such kind-hearted kids.

They allow me the use of their inheritance.

Would you come here to sign, please, sir.

- Your children have ordered... - What they've ordered is fine.

I nearly got them free of me...

You're not even ready to become orphans!

Davide!

Where have you been?

Is that our house?

Hi.

Did they bother you?

It's all right.

I sleep too much.

I wanted to thank you for giving my wife the keys.

She had to get in somehow.

She's like that, she forgets everything... it's an illness.

I'm Fabio.

- Lorenzo. - A pleasure.

Your wife is very nice, she's a force of nature.

If nature took a break occasionally, it wouldn't be so bad.

Are you staying long in Naples?

Is that a threat?

You don't like this city?

No, it's just that...

I think only those born in Naples can live here.

And, modestly speaking, I was born here.

It's a beautiful city, absolutely.

It's just that it's a little...

No sooner did I arrive than they told me

that if I wanted more rooms my neighbor was about to die.

I mean...

By the way, are you better now?

I don't know...

Do you know when someone truly heals?

When they can go back to doing what they've always done.

Lawyer.

I've got to take that plaque off.

Lawyer is a big word.

Let's say the king of the ambulance chasers.

That is?

There's an accident, damages...

The insurance has got to pay, then we need lawyers.

What do you do?

What my mother wanted me to.

Thanks, again.

Did you lock the lock with the key?

Yes, don't worry.

So how will you get back in?

Right!

You keep it.

Button up yourjacket.

Good morning, counselor.

I heard you had a heart attack.

- Who told you? - Your daughter.

The one who works at the courthouse.

They say she's very clever, but she's got your character.

To look at you, you'd say you haven't had anything,

just the same as before.

What do you want, Satriano?

I'd like you to meet my nephew.

He just qualified last week in Padua.

In Crotone.

He'd like to get started in your profession,

because God says, no one should get hurt,

but they've still got to drive badly.

Davide!

Where are you going?

He's picked a table.

- Will this take long? - I'm done.

The kid needs a favor...

Don't run like that, I've told you again and again.

We've got to tuck this in.

This goes in here.

- Lighter, one euro. - No, thank you.

That guy who works for the insurance, Tatangelo, remember him?

Darling? Isn't this shirt pretty?

- Do you like it? - A lot.

I got it on sale.

- This? - No, thank you.

- What will we get? - Pearjuice.

Peach juice for me.

- Pearjuice? - Yes.

No, ifyou don't mind.

Sure you don't want pear like your brother?

Five...

I forgot, what did you say?

Socks...

Pearjuice.

Scarf, please...

No, thank you.

Now I'll call the waiter.

Socks...

I said no!

Do you understand me when I speak? Go away!

I don't want your filthy crap!

Get out of here!

You all come to me!

All to me!

All to me...

They all come to me.

I'm with my family...

It's an unending nuisance.

Where did he go?

Excuse me.

Daddy will be right back.

May I?

Lorenzo, I brought you a...

What are you doing?

I'm shaving.

I didn't think a man would...

This is nothing.

Every morning I do my laundry,

it's part of my gymnastics.

You're funny...

Next time I'll bring my husband's shirts.

No, I only take care of myself.

Don't think badly of Fabio because of the other day.

I don'tjudge, I'm a lawyer.

He's tired.

When he's tired he flies off the handle, but then he's always sorry.

My daughter knows how to talk to foreigners.

She lived in Egypt for years to learn to language.

I would have liked to do that.

You travel, you see places, you meet people...

My daughter met people, she traveled.

And she came back pregnant.

Did you tell my husband?

Better not.

This one's called... Saccolman!

No! I told you before!

His name's Metalman!

What's this one called?

- His name's Devil. - Diablo.

Devil! Can't you see he's red?

Yes, so...

This one's Kornak!

Yes... at least you know one name.

- Are there any vampires? - No.

I'm a vampire.

And I'm going to beat you.

I don't like garlic.

Mom uses a lot in her cooking, you'll die.

Vampires never die.

I've seen vampires on TV, they're young and you're old.

Am I old? I'm mature.

With wrinkles and a beard!

The wrinkles of maturity.

Let's see if I can guess...

You're an only child.

Yes.

And you've got at least four or five brothers and sisters.

Sure, four or five...

I'm an orphan, I was raised by my grandma and I ran away at 16.

Always chasing someone around Italy.

Until he blocked me.

I blocked her.

- I blocked you? - You blocked me.

You blocked me.

She was my first girlfriend.

You didn't tell me that.

People don't have to tell everything.

You blocked me, no point acting like that.

Excuse me, Lorenzo, every so often...

- Just the candied fruit. - Just the candied fruit.

I've got three kids, practically.

She's the third.

Don't listen to him.

Where are the kids?

Bianca!

Hello.

Please excuse the intrusion.

You're working,

but my grandson Francesco couldn't help himself,

he loves ships so much.

Really?

I'm glad you came.

Do you want to see one?

My hair!

He's like Samson, he's got sensitive hair.

Isn't that right you've got sensitive hair?

Know the biggest pity?

You spend less time with your kids when they're small.

You're very close to your grandson.

You're more than a father.

Whereas, I just can't do it with my kids,

I never know what to say.

What can you say to a kid?

Everything.

You can tell a kid anything.

You read him the Divine Comedy, it seems he doesn't understand,

but then a week later he tells you who Paolo and Francesca are.

Michela is very good, she's very patient with Bianca and Davide.

She still feels a bit out of place.

It's early days, it happens to everyone.

Have you ever changed cities?

No, never.

Rooted to Naples like the pine tree in the postcard.

Whereas I've never had a home.

When I was six, seven years old,

I was a very skinny child,

who stuttered, I was anxious...

At school I asked everyone,

"Are you my friend? Really?"

I once offered my desk mate some money.

"How much do you want to be my friend?"

In life, everything we do is just a pretext

so people will like us.

Do you agree?

Just go like that.

I live next door to you, you knock, I open.

That's how we do things here.

The first thing to remember is ragù can't be hurried,

it takes its own time.

But how long?

Hours and hours, a whole day.

Don't they sell it ready-made?

Of course,

but that isn't sartù, it's rice with tomatoes.

Would you pass me the wine?

Thank you.

Aren't you putting a bit too much in?

No, because rice absorbs.

I see.

Do you know what happens to me, Lorenzo?

If I use wine for cooking I end up drinking it.

A drop ofwine doesn't hurt.

I know, but if I open a bottle, I drink it all.

If I don't open it, I don't drink it.

I meant a glass.

Fabio can't stand it.

He only drinks water, flat.

You have two wonderful kids.

For Fabio they're a worry.

For me it was the same.

I suffered when they did.

Then they grew up and something strange happened.

I stopped loving them.

I don't believe you.

But it's true.

Why do our kids have to grow up?

Lorenzo, can I tell you something?

I think that...

you're scared that your kids get hurt like when they were crawling.

Only now they're big and they walk on their own two feet.

You're afraid you're not giving them anything and you don't want anything.

I don't know...

I don't know if I've explained it, it's just....

A little sip and I turn into a philosopher.

It's all ready. Don't worry.

Wait for it to form a crust

and then turn the oven off, but leave it in there.

Are you eating with us tonight?

I don't know, but I've got to go now.

Goodbye.

Thank you.

What can I get you?

Would you like something?

A coffee?

A coffee.

How much does this cost?

It doesn't cost.

- Meaning? - I'm not selling it.

Why is it there, then?

It's for show.

It's a rare piece.

- Where did you find it? - I don't remember.

I've had it for years.

What do you care?

I'll buy it from you. 200 euros enough?

No, I'm not selling it, I'm sorry.

500?

Is it for your son?

No.

It's not for my son.

It's for me.

See here?

I broke these windows with a nail

when I was little.

What's happened?

Where are you going?

- I'm Bentivoglio, I live here. - I can't let you through.

You can't go through.

- That's my house. - You can't go through.

Let me through!

- You can't go through! - Let go of me.

Good evening, what an ugly business...

Go inside, please.

What are you doing here? Go away!

You need to go.

I have to go up.

That's not possible.

Is it true she's still alive?

I don't know anything.

You have to sign the declaration like all the other occupants.

"I didn't see or hear anything."

- How dare you? - You can't move it.

- Or else? - Or else you're in trouble.

Did you know them?

I did.

I even played with their two kids.

Sign this statement.

I couldn't give a shit about your statements.

- Good morning. - Good morning,

Did you live at No.13 Via Banchi Nuovi?

My father's there now. Why?

- See what happened there last night? - No, what happened?

Read this.

A man shot his wife, a young man, 34 years old.

Then he shot his small kids and then he shot himself.

Everyone in the neighborhood heard it.

What's this got to do with us?

Have a nice day.

Take a seat here, for now.

Dad?

- What are you doing here? - We heard.

- It's nothing to do with you. - And you?

With me, it does.

I had lunch with them on Sunday.

Normal people...

More normal than me, you and your sister put together.

Then this happens.

But you're not even a member of the family.

A member of the family...

Excuse me, doctor...

What is it?

I wanted to know how she is.

Your daughter is in the hands of God.

God?

God's got nothing to do with it.

What does "your daughter" mean?

That's my business, go away.

No outsiders are admitted in this ward.

Come, sir.

She's here.

Osvaldo is Fernanda's cousin,

because her mother is the sister of his father.

And he was married to Fernanda's daughter,

but he didn't know Fernanda was his mother.

Will you measure my blood pressure?

Later, don't worry.

Unbelievable... And Fernanda's pregnant.

- With Osvaldo? - No, she doesn't know.

Watch out, her mother's arrived.

Madam, how are you?

Did you see your daughter?

Is it serious? Will she recover?

Had he shown signs of being unbalanced before?

What did you feel when you saw your daughter?

Will she make it?

Just one question.

Are you all right?

Forgive me, madam.

I'm Michela's next-door neighbor.

But I pretended I was her father to get into the ward.

They believed me

and they allowed to stay with her from the beginning.

Your daughter didn't have anyone.

But now you're here

and I'll leave her in your hands.

But I'm Fabio's mother.

I'm trying to remember.

Since I heard about it, I've been trying to remember, but...

nothing comes to mind.

Except one thing,

it's not relevant but I'll tell you anyway.

Fabio was little, not even ten.

He's an only child you know.

We were in the mountains one summer

and he didn't have any friends,

he always played by himself, he built slingshots...

He'd built himself a wooden playhouse.

One day, a kid of his age comes up to him

and they become inseparable,

two perfect friends.

But suddenly,

we don't see the boy anymore

and we find out

that he fell into a ravine and was saved by a miracle.

Fabio withdraws into this heartbreaking silence.

But he doesn't cry.

Not even when he hears his friend may die.

One morning,

while we're having breakfast,

his father was there then,

and out of nowhere, he suddenly says,

"It was me, I pushed him."

I remember that

I instinctively hugged him,

I held him tight for I don't know how long.

We decided not to talk,

not to involve him,

to avoid what would have happened.

We kept the secret, his father and I, for years.

The boy lived, thank goodness, he grew up just fine

and we repressed the incident.

Until, years later,

Fabio was at university,

we went back, him and me,

to that place in the mountains.

It was a beautiful day, clear, magical...

And he says to me, laughing,

"Mom, do you remember the boy in the ravine?

I lied to you,

I didn't push him, I had nothing to do with it."

I slapped him as hard as I could and shouted,

"That's not true! Now you're lying!"

He...

he stayed away from home for a month,

he didn't want to see me anymore.

A horrible story...

I couldn't help him.

Have you had a lot of deaths?

My wife.

I didn't love her.

Or maybe I loved her and I didn't realize.

And it's too late to change things now.

I don't know if I can make it to the hospital tomorrow,

I've got to bring the kids home.

We've got the family chapel.

An idea of my husband's that's always creeped me out,

but now it's useful.

You don't know how hard it is to find a spot in the cemetery.

Hard...

and expensive.

You know where the medication was?

In the trash.

What can I do?

I got the prescriptions, I got them filled out,

do I have to put the meds in his mouth too?

You don't give a crap.

Yeah, and you do?

He won't even talk to me.

Listen, I don't want to get involved in Dad's shit.

And he's fine with that.

You know what that means?

Either he really cares about his privacy...

or couldn't care less about me.

You're cut from the same cloth.

What are you talking about?

He's never taken an interest in me.

Remember when you were a little girl

and he took you to the movies, he gave you presents...

and you hid

those presents from me?

How long since you've spoken to him? Since Mom died?

You know he had another woman?

These things can happen,

but he brought her here, to our home,

when Mom wasn't here.

Just think, once I arrived...

Hello? Yes, I'm coming.

Yes, I'm coming.

You're already here? You're such a stickler.

Be five minutes late, then!

Yes, you're always waiting for me, I know...

It's like you're Swiss, what can I do?

Don't you feel well?

No, I'm fine.

Don't you want your ice cream?

I'm waiting for it to melt.

I get it, you're hungry, but you got no teeth.

Do you like living with your mother?

I don't see her much.

Thank goodness she works.

What does that mean?

She doesn't let me watch TV,

she doesn't let me use my PlayStation, she doesn't let me chat...

Have you ever thought of running away from home?

In a few years.

Let's do something.

Like what?

You come and live with me and I'll let you do whatever you want.

I want to go back to school.

Sit there and don't move.

I've got a boy and a girl, too, like you.

I was an only child,

but they're only children too.

They don't bond.

They're like hereditary princes,

that share the realm.

And then...

either you get mad like I've done till now,

or you do what you told me.

Do you remember?

You love your grown-up children in a different way.

The next time I'll bring a book and read it to you.

When I was a kid I went without food to buy books.

In my day, you were lucky ifyou studied.

My parents made huge sacrifices for me to become a lawyer,

but my grandmother didn't understand.

Once I was doing my homework,

my grandmother looked at me for a moment and said,

"What's the kid doing?"

So my mother says, "He's studying, okay? He's a student."

And my grandma,

"But why?"

My mother, very patiently,

"When you don't feel well,

do you call the doctor?

Then there are engineers who make houses,

professors, scientists..."

So, my grandma, lights up and says,

"Ah, yes, they're important people!

But what good are students?"

What are you doing?

Calm down...

Now I'll call the carabinieri and you'll lose yourjob.

Call the carabinieri, I'll speak to them.

My daughter's in there, a little respect.

- You're the father? - Yes.

You're that old shitbag lawyer, Bentivoglio,

known in every police station in Naples.

Call the carabinieri, counselor.

Come inside, they can see you!

Sorry.

People...

right.

What do you need?

Nothing.

Vincenzino's grown.

Yeah, he's grown.

Time passes for everybody.

What's your problem?

Nothing, I just came by to see you, that's all.

How's work?

I don't work anymore.

I walk, I watch people.

I wear out shoes.

Have you got another woman?

Rossana...

those days are over.

Doesn't she love you?

It's not about love.

- It's something else. - How do you know?

You used to leave here singing.

Now you look like you're going to cry.

I bought some pastries, want one?

Thanks, never mind.

It's late.

Evening, counselor.

Gennaro, have you seen her? How is she?

The same, stable.

Is that good?

- Why don't you go in? - How can I?

They're all sleeping at this hour.

I thought you might like to know.

Know what they said? That I mustn't see you anymore.

How do their minds work?

You want me here, don't you?

I bend over backwards to get in here.

Ifyou don't want me here, say the word, you'll never see me again.

Like Rossana.

She stopped seeing me from one day to the next.

Yesterday I went to visit her.

I couldn't go home, those stairs...

those doors, I can't look at them.

I hoped Rossana would slap me.

But she didn't.

Women put up with everything.

Even ifyou leave them for another.

But ifyou don't love the other one then no,

it's too much.

My wife found out everything,

she put herselfto bed and never got up again.

"I want to be alone..."

she'd say.

She went a month later.

You mustn't go.

Don't be like her.

She woke up! She opened her eyes!

What are you doing here?

- Come and see! - Calm down.

Calm down, the doctor will take care of it.

I was talking to her...

and she opened her eyes, she woke up.

And what does that mean? It means she's pulled through.

Now let's see what the doctor says.

I'll go get you a glass ofwater.

No.

What do you mean, no?

She opened her eyes.

Why don't you believe me?

Who are you?

You doctors are so arrogant.

But one day you'll be in a hospital bed

and you'll find out what it's like when they laugh in your face.

You can't smoke here.

Sorry.

I won't give you the articles ofthe law which I'm sure you know better than me.

No, tell me what they are,

maybe I've forgotten.

Here it says you don't exactly have a clean record.

Bear with me.

You've made hundreds offraudsters rich

with false accident claims.

People pretending to be crippled

claiming permanent damage...

Some of them wouldn't have had justice.

And was it to getjustice

that you came in this hospital under a false identity.

What's in it for you this time?

My father is a man on his own.

He sees a couple with two kids

living next door to him

and he grows fond of them.

Is that a crime?

He could be in the park doing crosswords

but instead he thinks about when the girl wakes up,

she'll need someone to hold her hand

and find the right words to tell her what happened.

Don't listen to her.

My daughter thinks I'm old and I'm losing my marbles

and so she wants to defend me, protect me...

So, tell me the truth.

He just wants to be kind.

That's what you don't understand.

An act of kindness.

What I want is my business.

Any more questions?

No questions, a warning.

Keep well away from here.

Sign here.

I knew it...

Lorenzo.

What are you doing here?

Do you want to be kicked out of all the hospitals?

You really shouldn't.

You're very ill and you need to take care ofyourself.

Have you taken your pills?

Have you?

Good.

Why don't you go home?

You'll see, they'll discharge me from that ward,

and we'll be able to chat again.

Are you really all right?

I could leave tomorrow.

I don't believe it.

I'm fine.

It's just that I can't do it anymore.

Do what?

Move my legs to dance.

I used to love it...

I wanted to be a ballerina.

I was good.

Then one day at practice I was injured.

A lot.

If I'd been a horse they would have put me down there and then...

Why don't you go, Lorenzo?

Go away.

You've only got me.

You're mad!

I've got Fabio, the kids...

Lorenzo...

Do you want to sit down?

No.

Sit here and do your homework.

- Have you heard from him? - Who?

Dad.

That girl, his neighbor...

She died yesterday.

They told me at the hospital.

What's that got to do with us?

He was there when she died,

I'm scared something's happened to him.

I've tried to call him, but he hasn't answered since yesterday.

Knowing him I wouldn't worry, it's not the first time he's disappeared.

And do you think he'd tell you?

He couldn't care less about others, deal with it.

He was coming to pick up Francesco during class,

behind my back.

If I wanted I could have stopped him.

Why didn't you?

Do you really not care?

Just look at the state we're in.

The opening's tomorrow night.

I don't understand why you always have to forgive him.

Because your father's your father.

So why are you raising Francesco without one?

Go on, slap me, I deserve it.

Don't worry.

I'd never have wished it.

What?

To hope that he was with you.

As you can see, he's not here.

I don't know where else to look for him.

Have you reported it to the police?

I can't, you know what he's like.

Would you like a coffee?

Thank you.

Why did you break up?

Ask your father,

it was his decision.

After my mother died?

Before, before...

It wasn't me.

I know.

He's convinced I told my mother about you two

and that I killed her.

He hasn't spoken to me for years.

He said the opposite,

he said you never spoke to him.

Will you take some advice from me?

Instead of knocking yourself out for him,

leave him be, don't think about him.

He's a cruel, selfish man.

The kind that says,

"My life is wrong, only with you can it be right."

That's what your father told me.

What can you do?

Help me find him.

You know where he is.

He came here, didn't he?

This is the last place he'd come.

If he's dead, don't tell me.

I don't want to know.

After you.

Nothing's been moved, it's all the way it was.

Hurry up and get what you need,

because they're throwing everything out.

There's nothing ofvalue, it's all papers,

then there's the couch where he slept when he worked late.

Was he a good lawyer?

He won every case,

then he ruined himself with his own hands.

Do you think he's an honest man?

In his own way, yes,

but being a lawyer and honest usually don't go together.

Could you leave me alone?

Of course, lock up when you're done, the key's in the door.

Thank you.

Put this one, then change.

Why the long face?

Shall I get you a drink?

Come on!

There's an old friend ofyours here, he came especially for you.

I spoke to her, she's over there.

I didn't say who you were.

Hi, Elena.

Giulio...

I've been in Munich for almost five years.

I couldn't wait to come back.

Fortunately, I lost myjob.

And you?

The same, nothing new.

Remember when I'd ring your buzzer and you'd come down...

and we used to kiss in the front doorway?

It's nice starting over with the same person.

It's nice when you get a text on your cell and it's her...

An emoji will do,

a smiley one.

I've never stopped thinking about you.

I thought about you in the morning, the evening, at work.

I even thought about you when Naples was playing.

He says it's not true,

that those things were planted in his backpack to get him arrested

and that all Italians think Arabs are terrorists.

Mr. Yassim,

you were deported from Italy on September 29 2014,

so you have already been here.

He has never been here before.

It's the first time.

In court, I mean.

It's the first time.

He disappeared for three days

we looked for him everywhere.

I don't know what he was thinking, only he knows.

All I can say is that I'm glad he's back.

An Arab poet says

that happiness is not a goal to be reached,

but a home to return to.

That it is not ahead.

It is behind us.

To return...

not to go.

Each one of us knows this.

translation Susan Adler