All language subtitles for Il Seminarista - The Seminarian (2013) English

(Let the children come to me)

The Seminarian

I think Davide would make
a mistake giving up now.

There are only two months left
till the end of the school year.

And besides, I will be internal examiner
this year, I can look after him.

- You mean "help" me!
- No, you have to make it on your own.

You can make it, Davide.
I know it and you know it.

This year I expect from you
a good dissertation.

I've a good theme
for your Italian dissertation.

Come to see me
and we'll discuss it.

- It's about time the boy gets his
high school diploma! - Let's hope so!

- Thanks, Professor Brizzi. - It's nothing.
C'mon, one last effort and we're through!

And remember, tomorrow I will test
you on Leopardi's "La Ginestra".

- Yes, professor.

Hi, Guido, this is Riccardo.
Call me when you can, it's urgent.

- Hi, Riccardo.
- Hi, Guido.

Hello, Madam.

Do you recognize me?
I'm Guido.

Drugs took my boy.

No!

Throw it! Throw it!

Ciao, ciao, bambina, un bacio ancora
(Hello, hello, baby, one more kiss)

e poi per sempre ti perderò.
(and then lose you forever)

Come una fiaba
(Like a fairytale) - Good morning!

Come una fiaba l'amore passa
(Like a fairytale love goes)

C'era una volta poi non c'è più
(Once upon a time, then there is no more)

Cos'è che trema sul tuo visino
(What is it that trembles on your little face)

- Good morning. - Good morning. I'd like
to speak to the Spiritual Father.

- I'll call him right now.
- Thanks.

Guido, I don't have the courage
to leave you here. You're only ten!

This place frightens me a little.
It's so sad in here.

Choosy as you are, when it comes to food,
here you do not have a choice.

And your hands and feet are always cold.
Who's gonna warm them up for you?

- May the Lord be praised!
- May the Lord always be praised, Father.

You must be Guido, right?

Your parish priest
spoke highly of you!

It was him who suggested
that Guido should enter the seminary.

"This child has the vocation"
he kept saying.

- That it is why we are here. - Think of
the privilege to be the mother of a priest!

Over the last few months, Guido spent
more time at church than at home.

- On Sundays he was the altar boy
for all the masses. - I Know, I know.

Truthfully he wanted to come here last
September but he was, and still is, so young!

- He didn't bring peace to me. - Don't
worry, he will quickly get on well here!

And then I'm sure he will know
how to make up for lost time. Right, Guido?

C'mon mom,
you know I'm happy with it!

Guido, you're so skinny.
Dont' forget to eat!

And if your feet are cold,
remember I put

in your suitcase a pair
of wool knee high socks.

God, I adore you, and love
you with all my heart.

I thank you for having created me and
for having preserved me during this day.

Take care of me while I sleep and
deliver me from all sins and danger.

Amen.

No, wait. Not until
the Prefect turns off the lights.

Don't worry, this has
happened to everybody.

My name is Sandro and you are?
- I'm Guido.

A priest must get used to sacrifice!
Take off your socks!

(The presence of God.)

(God sees everything)

Yes?

The barber is waiting for you downstairs.
Three at a time, starting from the back.

Giuliani, Brizzi and Pugliese.

- Aw!
- Lower your head!

- How do you prefer your taper, high or low?
- Low. And the parting on the right.

- How do you prefer your taper, high or low?
- Low. And the parting on the right.

But on the right
you've got quite a cowlick.

I said I want
the parting on the right.

Good heavens what a temper!
You really are a rebel, your hair says it all.

- What do you mean?
- Nothing, nothing cowlick!

This All Souls' Day
morning meditation

is dedicated to
Our Sister Death.

Only fools can
judge death an unworthy matter

to discuss
in front of such a young audience.

Thinking over our last days on earth
is the key to avoid sin.

Starting very young you have to learn
that if you want to die a holy death,

you have to live a holy life.

That's why I tell you,
"Live a holy behaviour!"

"You could be at the end of your life,
without knowing it!".

Now, together,
we pray the "Prayer for a Good Death".

When my feet,
benumbed with death,

shall admonish me
that my end is near.

Oh, Merciful Jesus,
have mercy on me.

When my eyes, dim and
troubled at the approach of death,

will be transfixed on you my God,

and my face, pale and livid, shall inspire
the beholders with pity and dismay.

Oh, Merciful Jesus,
have mercy on me.

When my soul
shall bid farewell to the world,

receive, my God, this
separation as a homage

that willingly I offer
to you Divine Majesty.

Amen.

My uncle told me that one day
they went to uncover the coffin

where rested a bishop
who was to become a saint.

- How come your uncle knows this?
- He's a bishop, too. That's why he knows it.

So, they found this bishop
with his mouth wide open,

his nails stuck into the coffin lid
and eyes wide open.

Good God!
Why is that?

He had woken up
and when he realized where he was,

he started to push the lid to open it,
screaming out loud.

- He died from asphyxiation.
- Enough talk!

Let's play some table tennis!

- Good! Let's team up!
- Let's team up!

No break for you!

Guido, don't get upset.

Bless, oh Lord, this refectory
and the food we are about to receive.

May it be the nourishment firstly
for our souls and then for our bodies.

Amen.

I want it thicker.

- Thicker, but still with some broth.
- Will you make up your mind!

- A little thick and a little clear.
- Thick Broth has spoken!

Thick Broth. Thick Broth!

Brizzi, eat your side dish!

C'mon, time is almost out!

- Do you want this?
- Pay me 50 Liras.

Did you enjoy those red turnips,
Cowlick? How gross!

- Odd.
- Even!

- I won, I pick.
- Choose me! - Choose me!

- Mazzetti. - Yes, okay! - Choose me!
- With me! - Choose me! - Him! - Thanks!

- Choose me!
- Barni! - Yes!

- Why don't you play?
- I'm not allowed to get tired.

- How come?
- Doctor's orders.

- I'll keep you company, then.
- Don't you worry, go ahead.

Fat as you are, nothing will get
through that goal post!

- Which team am I on? - No playing
time for you, keep that in mind!

- No!
- Here! Here! - Here!

May I go to the dormitory, Prefect?

Guido.

Guido!

- What are you doing here?
- I brought you

a slice of Mantovana cake.
- I don't want it!

Do you eat enough?
You look rather run down to me.

Don't worry mom, I'm fine!

- Why don't you play with your class?
- I don't feel like it.

Mom I have to go now.
If the Prefect sees me.

Go, go,
I'll see you in the parlour.

At home he didn't eat anything!

Inside there are also some cookies.

Mr. Giuliani, how are you?
- Good morning, Rector.

Dad is coming on Sunday.

Good morning, ladies.
Sit down, Sandro.

Why the Rector never stops by
to say hello to us as well?

Consider that Mr. Giuliani
gives money to the seminary!

- What does that mean?
- He pays

the boarding
for those who can't afford it.

- Why is that?
- It's because they are poor.

- Does he pay for us too?
- Thanks to God

we can pay! We have
what we need to live on.

- And then, who?
- Him, for example.

It is not proper to stare, Guido.
How many times have I told you?

- It's because he doesn't have a father.
- Ricci told me that his father died.

Luchetti says that
he went to Germany to find a job.

Now you're too young to understand.
When you grow up you'll understand.

- People, enjoy!
- One for each, guys!

- No! - Are you crazy?
- The custard! The custard! - It's mine!

Do you want some?

What's this?
It's disgusting.

I know what it is.
It's goat shit! Stinky!

Pugliese is a shit eater!

- Pugliese is a shit eater!
- The shit eater it's you!

You don't like to be called shit eater,
dirty southerner?

Stop it!

- Here he comes
our Goody Two-Shoes.

- Goody Two-Shoes
and his gang of bootlickers!

Dirty southerner!

So Guido, how are you?

I didn't think
life in the seminary could be so hard.

Sometimes,
sometimes I feel homesick.

Don't be discouraged, prove yourself
to be worthy of the calling of the Lord!

The path you've chosen is hard,
but beautiful too!

This will be
your first spiritual workbook.

In here write down your thoughts
and then

we will read them together
during our meetings,

twice a week.

I also give you this booklet,
The life of Saint Dominic Savio.

Do you get on well
with the others, Guido?

Well enough.

Be careful Guido,

even here in the seminary
not everybody behave like they should.

They disobey,
they say bad words.

On the other hand
Giuliani as a friend, he's a role model.

He's ill, and yet he does not care
if he cannot recover,

his goal is to become
a Minister of God and a Saint.

That's all he wants,
just like Saint Dominic Savio.

(My goal is to become
a Minister and a Saint)

Sandro, you have to go
and lay down to rest.

It's also time
for your daily injection.

- I bet you I can do it!
- Then drink it!

Pugliese! Pugliese!
Pugliese! Pugliese!

Pugliese! Pugliese!
Pugliese! Pugliese!

Pugliese! Pugliese!

What a greedy pig you are, Pugliese!

- How gross!
- You really are a shit eater, Pugliese!

How disgusting!

Everybody shut up! Little Bishop
is going to bless us! Kneel!

Et benedictio Dei omnipotentis,
(And may the blessing of Almighty God)

Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti
(the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit)

descendat super vos et maneat semper!
(come down on you and remain with you forever!)

Amen!

- "A Minister and a Saint"? That's my
goal too! - Is that so? I didn't know that.

- With this goal we will seal
our friendship. - Friends forever?

Friends forever!
Promise?

I want to give you this holy card.

Who gave it to you?

A Minister. He's going to be ordained
in a few days. - What is this?

The pelican, that injures his side
to provide food for his babies,

represents Jesus who gave
his life for the sake

of us all, just like a Minister
is expected to.

- Where did you learn all of this?
- I collect holy cards.

How many do you have?

For now, more than a hundred,
but I want to reach a thousand of them.

Do you want my duplicates?
I've got four

Saint Francis of Assisi and
five Our Ladies of Fatima.

- Cool! And then we can trade them.
- Agreed? - Agreed.

"Hoc est enim corpus meum".
(This is my body)

- Good-day, Father Fedeli.
- Good-day to you, Guido.

"Impòne, Domine,
(Place, O Lord,)

càpite meo gàleam salutis,
(the helmet of salvation upon my head,)

ad expugnàndas diabolicos incursus."
(to repel the assaults of the devil)

Please,
find on the missal today's liturgy.

Read it.

"The circumcision of Our Lord
and the Octave of Christmas."

Read the introitus.

"Puer natus est nobis, et filius datus est nobis,
(A baby is born, and a son is given to us,)

cuius imperium super humerum eius."
(upon whose shoulders authority rests)

Translate it, Guido,
it shouldn't be hard!

A baby is born
and a son was given to us.

"Super humerum, super humerum."

I'm sorry father, I don't know
what "super humerum" means.

Let me ask you this, how come
since you entered the seminary,

you've been taught Latin?

Have you ever wondered why?

Because in Rome the Pope,
the bishops, the cardinals,

to understand each other,
they speak Latin.

A good Minister is supposed to know
how to speak Latin, dear Guido!

Excuse me father, can you tell me
what "circumcision" means?

Can you believe what I have to hear
at this time in the morning!

Hurry up,
the nuns are waiting for us!

If you want Sivori, give me Corso,
Suárez and Mazzola.

Not a chance!
I'll only give you Corso and Suárez.

What could it mean? It's church stuff,
isn't it? It might be a Latin word.

When I asked Father Fedeli
he got angry.

That's odd,
Latin usually delights him.

I think it's a bad word.
Maybe in the library.

Library, library.
No, no need for the library!

Here there's everything,
even bad words!

- Circumcision.
- Circumcision, circumcision.

Circle, circulation,
circumcision. Here it is!

"From the Latin "circumcidere".

"Total or partial ablation of the
preputial ring to uncover the glans."

"Among the Israelites
it is considered a ritual practice."

- Can you figure it out?
- No.

- Find "preputial".
- Preputial, preputial.

Preputial.

"Preputial, adjective.
Related to the prepuce."

- Find "prepuce".
- Must be somewhere here.

"Pepuce,
epithelial fold that covers the glans."

We are going around in circles,
it's no use.

General examination
on the third declension!

May I help you?

I was looking for..., no I mean,
I'm collecting holy cards.

It will be hard for you to find
them this way! Come. Please, come.

I'm Fulvio, the librarian.

It's unusual to see
a child in here all alone.

- What's your name?
- Guido.

Listen, Guido, does your Prefect know
that you're here?

Don't worry,
this is a place for learning,

studying can do no harm.

You said holy cards?

When I'm cataloguing,
I find a lot of holy cards

in the books and afterwards
I put them here.

- But you, sir.
- What "sir", call me Fulvio!

- But you, sir, are you always here,
in the library? - No, just twice a week.

I come here, to the middle school seminary,
just to catalogue the books of the library.

- What about the rest of the week? - I'm
studying theology, in high school seminary.

Here, the holy cards.

If you like them, you can keep them!
Okay?

Giuliani, Mazzetti,

Paoli, Riccio,

Pugliese, Cappelli,

Ricci and Brizzi, to the parlour.

Wait a second.

Get back to your seat.

Get back to your seat!

I'm going to lower that cowlick of yours,
you can bet!

Guido!

Guido!

Guido!

Guido!

Today we start our Spiritual Retreat.

Three days of complete silence,

during which we'll suspend all our tasks,

which will be entirely devoted
to God

and spiritual care.

This first day is dedicated
to the Missions abroad.

That is why we invited here
Father Vincenzo,

who has been a missionary in Africa
for thirty years.

Today, my dear guys,

we the Christians must be open-minded
towards the whole world.

That is why we must pray Jesus,
not only

for the conversion
of Italian sinners,

or for the protestants
to return

to the bosom
of the Catholic Church.

We must also pray

for those
80 millions of Muslims,

and for all those infidels,

who are more
than a billion in the world!

But, above all, we must pray

for the conversion of Russia.

Never in the history of the Church

there has been
a more deceitful heresy,

and, above all, a more cruel

persecution
than the communist one.

Next to me here is Father Enrico,

who has been a missionary in China.

When those godless Communists came,

they imprisoned him to force him

to reveal the secret of a confession.

But in order to obey God

he cut off his tongue
with a razor blade!

For all the Christians persecuted
beyond the Iron Curtain!

For all the missionaries of Africa!

Do you want them, Pugliese?

- Why don't you eat them?
- I'm not hungry. - I don't like them.

- It's not true, you do like them! - Yes, but
I'm not feeling well, I have stomach ache.

- I can, really?
- Yes, you can.

Then it's ok, if I eat them?

To poor Guido.

Pepe! Pepe!

All right!

You see that lizard, there?
Bet you I can hit it with a single shot!

Okay, let's see!

- You missed it, Barni!
- Shut up! - You failed!

- Where did it go?
- It's up there!

It's too high.
Only Southerner can hit it!

Pugliese, come here!

Can you see the lizard?
Can you hit it?

Well done! Well done! Well done!
Well done, Pugliese! Well done!

What's all this?

Who did this?

So, are you gonna tell me,
or not?

You savages!
You don't have respect for animals!

That lizard too is a creature of God!

What is this? So it was you!
I should have imagined it.

Look at me!
You are a bastard, do you know that?

- It's no use to clean up! You remain
a dirty bastard! - You're the bastard!

Peasant bastard!
Dirty bastard!

Stop it! Stop it!

- Bastard!
- Stop it! Stop it!

Let this be a lesson to you all.
C'mon, line up in pairs!

C'mon, line up in pairs! Stop!
Leave him alone, that'll teach him!

And tonight no recess,
everybody silent! Go!

May I go to see the Spiritual Father?

May I go to see the Spiritual Father?

Pugliese, Pugliese.
I'm Guido, Pugliese.

Pugliese, Pugliese.

- Pugliese, are you ok?
Are you all right? - Yes, yes.

- Pugliese, are you ok?

- Stand him up.
- Come on!

So be it.

Let's go to the toilet.

Keep silent!

We can go now!

(Let's Not Lose Our Heads)

Six years later...

Keep your eyes down!

(Forbidden Universe)

- Well done, Sandro!
- Giuliani three!

- Mazzetti one! - Come on! He doesn't
make the grade. - No, he doesn't.

Two!

- Man, it's so hot today.
- Giuliani three! Brodosodo one!

- There, look!
- Mazzetti two!

- Look closely, the laundry.
- Brodosodo one!

Lucky it!

- Is the apple ripe?
- It's unripe. - Yes, I see.

Tufty,
what does "fanny" mean?

Watch your mouth, you idiot bastard?
You are a bastard! Keep silent!

- Does the Prefect always
call him a bastard? - Wait.

Because he doesn't
have a father.

I know, but I've never really
understood the situation.

- Some people say he's dead, others say
he went to America. - He is not dead, Guido.

Pugliese has a father, but the fact is
that when they did some "hanky panky",

they weren't married.

Bastard means that his mother
acted a bit like a whore.

- Hi, Guido.
- Hi, Fulvio.

- I brought you some holy cards.
- Thanks.

- One is rare, the border is in lace.
- Beautiful!

- Saint Michael the Archangel.
- I brought you a postcard too.

Saints Cosma and Damiano, Saint George
Martyr, Saint Margherita from Cortona.

- Who's she? - Mary Magdalene.
- Why is her hair so long?

Because according to the tradition
she went to the desert to atone for her sins,

and with the passing of time
her clothes wore out,

so she grew her hair
to cover her nudity.

Was Mary Magdalene
a..., whore?

She was a sinner.

You see, Guido,
the word you used is vulgar, offensive.

Think instead how Jesus treats
Mary Magdalene and the adulteress,

"He who is without sin,
let him throw the first stone.

You may go and leave
a sinless life".

And then Mary Magdalene
became a saint.

Why didn't you do your homework?

Are you going to tell me, or not?

This is lack of respect!

Do you want to challenge me
in front of everybody?

Look me in the eyes!

I'm going to get rid
of that giggle of yours.

Here!

Go back to your seat!

Who is smoking in there?

The shitty one!

Pugliese, come on!

I saw you!
What are you doing in there?

Open!

Open up! I tell you!

Open up!

Don't think you can
get away with it! Open!

What were you two doing?
Shame on you!

Pugliese, you are a pervert!

Pervert, me?!
And what does it mean?

Two seminarians who.

Do you know what awaits you?
The immediate expulsion from the seminary!

- To the Rector, right now!
- But, Prefect, just for a cigarette?

What cigarette?

This one.

For this time there will be no consequences,
but keep silent all day long!

You can't be left alone,
not even for a second!

One silver dollar,
bright silver dollar

Changing hands,
changing hands

Endlessly rollin', wasted and stolen
Changing hands, changing hands

Spent for a beer he's drinkin'
Won by a gamblers lust

- Come on, try! - But, I.
- You don't want to try?

I bet.

And lost in the blood red dust

He did nine!

One silver dollar,
worn silver dollar

Changing hands,
changing hands

Love is a shining dollar
Bright as a church bell's chime

Gambled and spent
and wasted

And lost in a dawn
of time

Guido.

Guido.

Guido.

You can't even trust
western movies!

I was told that it was
the story of a child

and that it was a movie
for everybody!

Unfortunately,

some impure images
get through the seminary!

You see, Guido, cinema has
a very dangerous influence on our society.

It triggers the desire of lust
in the masses and spreads materialism.

"La dolce vita" is still in the cinemas.
That movie is a disgrace for Italy.

And the authorities do nothing
to withdraw this movie

that qualifies good life
what is just a dissolute life!

And when you walk by
the movie theatre

and you see those
tempting images, just think,

"What if it was my mother
portrayed in those poses?".

Would you like to know that everybody
could see her, naked in the street?

And think again.

That woman body that now seems
so beautiful to you,

one day it will rot in the tomb
and will be devoured by rats!

Is it worth to betray Jesus
for what will become a heap of worms?

And when you find yourself in temptation,
think about Him.

Every time you sin
it's like a thorn on his head.

If you surrender to temptation,
it'll be like

you are driving
those nails in his hands.

- You know, Guido, tomorrow
I'll be hospitalized. - How come?

I need to check my heart.
I may have a congenital condition.

A congenital condition?!
C'mon, you'll be fine.

- Let's hope so.
- Yes, you will.

- I'm gonna say goodbye
to the Spiritual Father. - Okay.

- Bye! - Bye, Sandro,
see you when you'll be back.

Hey! Psst! Psst!
Altar boy! Altar boy!

- Hey! Psst! Altar boy!
- Come on, altar boy!

What do you do when it burns?

Hey! Hey!
Psst!

Hey, altar boy,
do you know this tune?

Once in an old dirty pub,

There were seven dirty sluts
and among all that fire,

there were only priests and monks
bonin' one another,

Give it to me, blonde!
Give it to me, blonde!

Hey, altar boy,
see if you like this Madonna.

You've never seen
a Madonna like that!

Today you have gravely offended Jesus.

You have bartered the holy image of God
for one made of paper.

Have you ever thought that one day
those hands will hold the Eucharist,

the body of Our Lord?

Do you know that it is also bad
for your health? You could go blind!

Be careful when you take a shower.
Try to avoid certain parts of your body.

Two years later...

"Ecce Agnus Dei, ecce qui
(Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him)

tollit peccata mundi."
(who take away the sins of the world)

"Corpus Domini nostri Jesu Christi."
(May the Body of Our Lord Jesus Christ)

"Corpus Domini nostri Jesu Christi."

"Corpus Domini nostri Jesu Christi."

"Corpus Domini nostri Jesu Christi."

"Corpus Domini nostri Jesu Christi."

"Corpus Domini nostri Jesu Christi."

"Corpus Domini nostri Jesu Christi."

"Corpus Domini nostri Jesu Christi."

"Corpus Domini nostri Jesu Christi".

"Corpus Domini nostri Jesu Christi".

Do you realize
that this is a sacrilege?

Associating the body of the Christ
with your carnal desires

is more than a sin,
it's a sacrilegie!

As penance you will say a hundred
Pater Noster, Ave Maria and Gloria Patri!

And tomorrow you will abstain from recess
to meditate on this.

Marriage, as a sacrament,

is not worth as much as priesthood.

In fact,
priesthood is the higher effort

a man can do to lift his soul

from the world of men to that of angels,
to get as close as possible to God.

And besides
you're idealizing the life outside,

the outside world
does not shine as it appears.

You have no idea, Guido,
how many sorrows are in marriage.

Look at my nephew, his wife is dead and he
finds himself alone with two little children.

One of my acquaintances
has a deaf-mute son.

Listen to me, Guido,
happiness, as you imagine it,

is a dream!

You can find real happiness
only in here.

Real happiness
corresponds to virtue alone,

and virtue is sacrifice.

When I saw her for the first time
in the church of the seminary

I thought, it was...,
it was God's will.

Don't bother Guido,
there's no need.

- At your age it's normal to fall in love.
- Well, Sandro, it's your age too!

Yes, but we're not
talking about me now.

If you realize that your path
is outside the seminary,

there is nothing wrong about that.

But as the Spiritual Father sees it,
the woman is a tempting demon.

He says I must forget her
if I don't want to betray my vocation.

- But you mustn't betray yourself either.
- Yeah, that's the problem.

But why am I supposed
to betray someone, God or myself?

Why should God
and this girl be rivals?

Why should my love for her be in competition
with my love for God and with my vocation?

Sandro, tell me the truth.

All these doubts I have,
have you ever had them too?

I, maybe because of my illness,

I have always felt
a sense of emptiness inside me,

a need for infinity.

And I've never found anything earthly
that could fill it.

Only God.

Lately I have had a sense of emptiness
inside, an emptiness I cannot fill.

I do feel like Guido.

Sometimes I can't say the reason
why I entered the seminary.

When I confessed
for the First Communion,

my priest told me I could
go to hell for my sins.

What sins could you have
possibly done as a child?

My mother is a seamstress
and when women came to try on clothes

I used to peek at them through
the keyhole once they undressed.

All those petticoats,
tights, garters.

It was this fear of hell
that pushed me to become a priest.

Do you want to know my reason why?
I came here to study for free.

My father clearly told me,

"You are the first born son, if you don't
want to end up being a labourer like me,

go somewhere to get an education".

Since I was a little boy
I used to say Mass for fun

and the parish priest trusted me.

Also because he knew
you were the bishop's nephew.

It's a long time you have been
getting on my nerves with this story!

Actually it is you
that keep on saying that!

What about you, Cowlick?

I was fascinated by that world too. The
pipe organ, the incense, the holy vestments.

The priest up there on the altar seemed
to me the most important man in the world.

The thing is that
now we're not ten anymore,

and those childish reasons
aren't there any more either.

Looking at me,
what you said is all bullshit.

I ain't got no father,
I never saw him,

and my mother does house
cleaning when she can.

Since I was three years old I've been in a
boarding school, it's normal to be here.

All your chatters on vocation

seem to me a luxury
for those who have a family.

- Ciccio!
- Here - Come on

Go! Go, Marini!

Head!

- Go!
- Left!

Pepe!

- Throw it!
- Riccio! - Riccio!

Dear boys, at the beginning of this year
you wore the priest's cassock,

this has been the first step
towards priesthood.

The next step will be tonsure.

This haircut means
that you renounce the world.

You must clearly know

that priesthood means
making yourselves available to God

to serve and to obey
with a full heart.

Unfortunately today not every priest
obeys his superior's orders.

A recent case is that of don Milani,
chaplain of San Donato in Calenzano.

This rebel priest,
who is widely considered a bit of a fool,

wrote a book about his pastoral experiences,
which has been condemned by the Church.

Luckily he was sent away,
so he can do no harm anymore!

- Hi, Fulvio. - Good morning, Guido.
I've got some holy cards for you.

No, thanks, Fulvio,
I didn't come for those.

- Do you know a certain don Milani?
- Of course I know him. Why do you ask?

The Spiritual Father
talked about him, he said

he's a priest who is badly
harming the Church

and that his book is dangerous.

- Have you read it?
- Yes, I have.

- What does it say that is so outrageous?
- It doesn't say anything outrageous.

You see, in this book don Milani
tells his pastoral experiences

of the evening school
he arranged for workers and peasants.

- And what's wrong with it?
- Nothing.

He just criticizes the religious practice
based only on rites and prayers.

What he wanted instead was to take care
of the real problems of his people.

The food, the housing, the unemployment,
the exploitation in the factory.

He criticized the priests that lure young
people in the parish using a pinball!

For him, school was more important than
processions, a school in service of the poor.

It seems to me that a priest like him
was going against their system.

This makes you understand that there are
two different ways to interpret the Gospel.

Which is the true one,
the right one?

It's not up to me to tell you,
you have to figure it out by yourself.

You see, Guido, I know that
it's hard and risky to think on your own,

but you shouldn't allow anybody
to put a stop to your thoughts.

"Vere dignum et iustum est,
(It is truly right and just)

aéquum et salutáre,
(our duty and our salvation)

nos tibi semper
(that we always and everywhere)

et ubique grátias ágere'.
(give thanks to You)

Dómine, sancte Pater,
(O Holy Lord, Father Almighty,)

omnipotens aetérne Deus."
(Everlasting God,)

"Per Christum Dominum nostrum".
(Through Christ our Lord)

"Dominus vobiscum"!
(The Lord be with you)

"Et cum spiritu tuo"!
(And with your spirit)

"Ite missa est".
(Go, it is the dismissal)

"Deo gratias".
(Thanks to God)

Guido,
the Prefect is looking for you!

Who gives you the money?

Tufty doesn't like mozzarella, Brodosodo
fennel, Little Bishop artichokes.

So, every time it's 50 Liras!

I only make an exception for Cowlick.
For him I eat turnips for free!

Smell,
it's French perfume!

So.

- One piece or two piece swimsuit?
- What's the difference?

- One piece swimsuit is 50 Liras,
two piece's 100. - Damn it!

- Sssh! - But that's twice the price!
- You see more, you pay more.

Take it or leave it.

- All right, give me the two-piece swimsuit.
- Keep.

- For me a two piece swimsuit too,
give me Pisces. - Pisces.

- I want Leo. - Why?
- Because she's blond like me.

- Also because of her nice butt!
- It's true!

Is Libra fine for you?

Let me see.
No, I prefer Cancer.

Cancer it is!

For me Capricorn,
I always liked the mountains.

- I like Aries, she's got a nice behind!
- Aries for you.

- Only those with a petticoat are left!
- What do you care, Cappelli?

You know, I prefer them.

- The less you see, the more you can
fantasize about them. - Ok, give me one.

Take this, Sagittarius.

- Is there a naked one?
- No, there aren't.

Not even in forbidden movies
you can see them naked!

- Ciuffino, tell him.
- I saw one. - Really?

- Where? Show her to us too. - I swear,
I saw her, but then I threw it away.

Of course.
Who are you trying to fool Guido?

Well,
which one do you want?

- Gemini. - Gemini?
- Yes, give it to me.

The Spiritual Father
has what you are looking for.

And this?

Who gave it to you?

I came to know that there was

something fishy
going in the Seminary.

- But I didn't expect that you were
involved in this! - No, it wasn't me!

Then, who?

Come on,
just tell me the facts.

If you speak, I'll promise
that nothing will happen to you.

"Dear diary, today in the church
I had a celestial vision."

"She was so beautiful!"

"Thank you God
for creating those eyes, those lips."

I'm really disappointed you wrote this.

The mere idea of putting the beauty
of an earthly creature before that of God!

But marriage is sacred
even for the Church!

Of course. But can we compare the love
between a couple with the love for Christ?

You lied to me, Guido, you didn't tell me
you were keeping a secret diary.

I believed to what I read
on your spiritual workbook.

What should I think now?

Should I think that those pages
we read aren't true? That those are lies?

- No, they're not! - But then,
if those aren't lies, these are lies!

How can you write these obscenities

and then write those beautiful pages,

full of profound feelings
for your vocation?

All that I wrote was true,

and I don't believe it's a sin
to write what I feel inside.

Anyway, the Prefect took it covertly
and I don't think it's right!

And who are you to decide
what is wrong and what is right?

It's up to the Church
and to your superiors to decide it.

- The diary is mine and I want it back!
- No, I can't give it back to you.

It is too dangerous for your spiritual
future. This diary must be destroyed!

Look, I know everything.

I know all what happens in the seminary
and in the library, too.

I know that once in a while
you go to the library.

Of course,
for my holy cards collection.

But you go there
when there's Fulvio.

Yes, because it's him
who gives me holy cards.

Tell me, the two of you
do you only talk about holy cards?

- We do nothing wrong.
- That's what you say.

Let me rephrase, the two of you
do you only talk about holy cards?

Also about a book,
written by a priest.

There you go!

Which book?

Don Milani's book.

- Do you know that the Church forbade
that book? - For now, but maybe one day.

That will never happen!
Do you think you know

better than superiors,
cardinals and the Pope?

If the Church forbade it, it means that it
is dangerous, today as it will be tomorrow!

The Church will not change
her opinion from one day to another!

Truth never changes,
truth remains always the same!

If that priest was banned from his parish,
and it was confined to Barbiana,

it means
that was the right thing to do!

I was so sure that that Fulvio
was a troublemaker for us in here as well.

If you don't stop certain ideas,
they will spread.

Well, I came here to get
back my workbook,

the Spiritual Father won't
give it back to me.

Nor will the Rector!

I'm aware

that forbidden meetings
take place in your dormitory at night,

and that during that time you make
forbidden trades and God knows what else.

You surely understand
that those things can't be tolerated.

Especially if the seminarians,

who should be grateful to this seminary,
are involved in them.

And what kind of reaction is that,
Pugliese?

Crazy!

The Seminary keeps you in here
"Gratis et amore Dei",

(By the grace and love of God)
for Christian charity,

and you destroy this place?

Pugliese, look at me,
I'm talking to you!

Do you know what kind
of behaviour is yours?

You are biting the hand that feeds you!

Now you've reached the bottom,
there is nothing left to do.

Fine, you scrounger.
What are we going to do with you now?

First of all we're going to call your mother.
She has to know what a disgrace you are.

How do you dare name her,
you dirty pervert!

Calm down! Calm down!

You're gonna regret it,
you bastard!

- Pugliese, calm down!
- Calm down, Pugliese, calm down.

Hi, Fulvio.
Sorry, is there Fulvio?

- No. Fulvio is not coming anymore.
- And why is that?

Orders from above.

Pugliese!

What happened?
What are you doing?

- I have to leave, can't you see?
- Is it for the calendar episode?

- That was just an excuse.
- Because you beat up the Prefect?

Then why?
I don't understand.

- Ask Tufty.
- What's with Tufty?

- He too was there when we saw him.
- Saw what?

Explain yourself, I don't get it!

A year ago, at night,

Tufty and I were smoking in the bathroom

and we saw the Prefect get out
of the toilet with one of the little ones.

Who,
the one who left unexpectedly?

He did not leave,
he was sent away!

Do you remember when the Prefect
caught us smoking in the toilet?

Do you remember how he called me?

- Pervert.
- Right.

He's the real pervert, not me!

- And I even told him that in front of
everybody! - I didn't pay attention to that!

Now he's scared that the fact
can become public.

But you didn't tell anyone,
did you?

I told the Spiritual Father about it.

At first he didn't want to believe me,
but then he told me to keep the secret.

He told me that he himself would talk to the
Rector about it, but I don't think he did.

- Then go tell him, now! - But it's an old
story that everybody wants to keep secret!

Think about the scandal. The Prefect
will be ordained priest in a month.

They will sent him in a far away parish,
where nobody knows him.

And that's the end of it.

In this case I will talk with Giuliani,
his father is a benefactor,

and he could do something about it.

I appreciate that, Guido,

but it's no use, trust me.

My situation is different.
I'm not like you, Guido, or Giuliani.

I'm a nobody.

We hosted him with generosity,

we hosted him for all these years, without
asking nothing in return, because we knew,

but your son betrayed our trust.

But what did he do?
Boys do stupid things.

Yes, you could expect it from a boy,
but not from a seminarian.

But it's May,
the school is about to end.

It's too late to enrol him in a new school.
Please, wait a month, just a month.

I'm sorry, he should have known
what to expect. He can always go to work.

But I wanted him to study,
to become a priest,

so he wouldn't live
the life I live.

Unfortunately, your son does not have
an aptitude for studying.

He has no future in the
theology field, or higher education.

Please, you can keep him
to work in the kitchen.

Impossible, the seminarians
would keep mixing with him

and this would put
their vocation in danger.

No, no, no.

When an apple is rotten,
the others will follow.

Let's go, mom.
Let's go.

Pugliese was sent away
because he could have spoken the truth.

They accused him of immorality
to hide the immorality of others.

Does that seem fair to you?

- No if what you say is true.
- Why? Don't you believe me?

I believe you. But you are telling me
things you heard from others.

You have to be sure
when you accuse someone of something.

You are accusing the Prefect
of impure acts with a child.

In a month,
he will be ordained priest.

Can you imagine the scandal?
What if it wasn't true?

Even if Pugliese was thrown out
just because of that calendar story,

tell me,
would Christ have acted like this?

To the end of the school
they send away the poorest

of us, and he'll lose
the entire year.

For him this means to quit studying!

Everybody here mistreated him!

And the most outrageous thing is that
all this happened in a seminary!

A seminary!

A place where you should

put into practice
brotherhood and charity!

I understand,
but we have rules here!

The rules, what rules?
Fuck the rules!

The only rules I follow
are those from the Gospel!

Where it's written that people
are more important than rules!

Do you really think, Sandro,
that once we will stand before God,

He will ask
if we have followed the rules.

Or how many rosaries and
how many prayers we have said

or if we have obeyed our superiors,
and if we have touched ourselves,

or will He ask if we have
loved our neighbours,

especially the ones
most in need?

Sandro, rather that standing
by the rules, I stand by Pugliese.

- Down! - Ciccio!
- Well done! - Well done!

- Come on!
- It's good! It's good!

The doctors always say that I can make it
but now I don't believe them anymore.

What do you have, precisely?

They call it dilated cardiomyopathy.

Meaning what?

My heart is bigger than normal
and it beats faster.

Well, I can honestly say that you have
the biggest heart of all the seminary!

- And, how are you, Guido?
- I feel down, Sandro, really down.

Sometimes I greatly need God,

but then I feel the desire
to hold someone special in my arms.

A girl scout, maybe.

She wrote me a note, you know.
I even know her name, Giulia.

- I'd like to give you a note, too.
- A note, for me?

Of course, I do not want
to be less of a friend than Giulia.

Please,
pass me that book?

It's a prayer poem.

I read it when I have those feelings
like you have now.

That's right!
I do have those feelings too.

I'm not as you have always imagined me.
I'm made of flesh and bone too.

"Oh, Lord,
I have an ordinary body."

Go on.

"And a heart devoted to love."

"But I have given all my love to You
because You needed it."

"Even if it's hard to give
my body to You.

A body that would like to be
with somebody else."

"It is so hard to love everybody,
renouncing to be in love with somebody."

"But You have chosen me,
You need me."

"That is why, oh Lord,

I give you my body,
I give you my heart."

Guido, it's good to renounce yourself
to devote yourself to others.

If you decide that this is your calling,

you have the qualities.

In my case, I do not know
if I will have enough time to get there.

Do you remember our friendship pact?
A Minister and a Saint.

- How could I forget it?
- Even if... - What?

This is my question,
why it is me who has to die?

Why me?

Why God.

I gave Him everything.

Sandro Giuliani,

is no longer among us.

Late yesterday night
he went back to God.

In paradisum deducant te Angeli,
(May angels lead you into paradise)

in tuo adventu suscipiant te martyres
(upon your arrival may the martyrs receive you)

et perducant te
(and lead you to)

in civitatem sanctam Ierusalem.
(the holy city of Jerusalem)

Chorus angelorum.
(May the ranks of angels.)

Guido!

Guido, are you there?

Guido!

Guido!
Are you there, Guido?

Guido!

Guido!

Giulia! Giulia! Giulia!

- Guido.
- Giulia! - Guido.

Giulia.

- Come on, Tonino, run!

- Come on, Marini!
- Go! - Marini! - Watch it!

- Come on! Come on! Come on!
- Throw it to Guido!

- Hit the ball!
- Always slow, isn't it?

The End

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