Original subtitles

This story was inspired by real events that occurred in America, Egypt, and Italy.

However, any reference to people living in the past or present is fictitious.

This story does not offer psychoanalytical or social explanations.

It represents the mystery of insanity portrayed as collective, not at the individual level.

It sums up the fairy tale of humanity...

where history is made through monstrous massacres...

that are immediately forgotten.

Life, life, what do you give me?

At least give me him. And he never comes.

Why does he never come?

Life, life, what do you do?

You don't even give him to me.

And he will never come.

Why will he never come?

Life, life, yes, my life I'd give you.

My life I'd give.

But don't take him from me

Because I only have him.

Life, I only live for him.

You do what you want.

I'll do what you'll see.

And you'll notice that--

Lea!

- At last! - Is this the house?

- It's the front! - I don't like it!

You'll change your mind, you'll see. Let's go!

This is a civilized city.

And most of all, it's rich, because people do work here!

Really?

Here's the damn Southerner.

What are you doing here?

You asked to be transferred because you worked too hard in the south?

What does that have to do with it? Coming here meant a promotion!

- And getting the license for a lottery shop. - Ah.

These people have hearts of gold. They bend over backwards to help you.

Most importantly, they mind their own business.

Here! This is the entrance to the lottery shop.

This one? Go pay the cab driver, but don't give him too much!

Yes, don't worry.

Welcome!

We couldn't wait for you to get here.

You look beautiful, Miss Lea, as fresh as a daisy!

I mean it! And after such a long trip!

- Let me get that for you! I will help you. - No, not this one. Take that one.

As you wish.

Let's do this. I take one and you can take the other.

- Be careful, okay? - Yes, don't worry!

What are you doing?

Maybe it's better-- No, wait.

- By the way, I'm Lisa. - Nice to meet you.

I can't help it. I must lend a hand!

- Really? - I can't help it.

So what?

- Well, no. Maybe--well, just a moment! - Let's go.

- Can we get this done? - That's it.

See? See how easy it is?

- That's it. - Thanks.

You are welcome! I'll come visit as soon as I can.

- Goodbye! - Take care.

For me?

Lisa helped you, right? She's a nice girl.

I know you like her. You even wrote that to me.

Michele and I couldn't have done it without her!

Who knows? Who knows!

- Are all the children's portraits here? - Yes, all of them.

God, did you not notice that this house faces north?

Don't you know it's bad luck?

- And it's too big. - It's old and sturdy!

- Yes, but I'm the one who needs to clean it. - We'll hire a girl to help.

Where did you get the money for all this stuff?

I financed it.

- Did you pay a lot for it? - I'm paying in installments.

In installments!

And this is the kitchen.

Do you like it?

Well, it's functional.

You got this one right.

Later.

Mom!

Mom! You are already here?

Stop right there, you heartless son! What's your mother to you? What?

A cook! A servant!

You are blushing, aren't you?

Come here. Give me a kiss!

Oh, Mom! My beautiful mom.

I made you a sweater the same color as your eyes.

Enough kisses. Go!

You'll see how great we'll do here.

We will--

Rosario, stop making those wide eyes now!

Michele, call a doctor! I told you this house was bad luck.

I told you that, right? Come on now, stop. Stop it!

I said enough!

Tina, make sure he drinks all the milk! With me, he spits it out.

Michele! Michele! Wake up! Wake up!

- Are you sleeping? - Yes.

Come on, or you'll miss the train!

When will you finish medical school? When can I see you as a surgeon?

Come on, let's go, or no cake!

You have to take it! The doctor said it's good for you.

It's impossible to talk to you. You always want to have the last word!

I don't understand you.

How did you think of becoming paralyzed like this?

There you go. He did it again.

Easy on the left side, okay?

Because when the stroke hits the right side, the left side suffers.

And when it hits the left side, what side suffers?

Lea, it happened! 38, 88, 83.

- Good evening, ma'am. - Cards are never mistaken.

How much did we win? Will it be enough?

Calm down and let me check.

- Well... - So?

This time, you will make it to America!

Only a witch like you could give me these numbers.

I didn't do anything!

I gave you two non-sequential numbers: 38, 83...

which wasn't drawn for 88 weeks.

Give me a kiss.

- Come on, sit down. - Oh, good Lord!

So, did you really make up your mind?

Do you really want to go to America to be with your husband?

Just imagine, in three days it will be 20 years since I've seen him.

- What's this? - I made it.

- Cheers. - Cheers.

Poor Gino, now that he got old, it's only fair to go be with him...

to keep him company.

The Great War was just over...

and he was in America waiting for me.

But one day, I changed my mind, and I sent him my sister instead.

Oh, Jesus!

- All dead. All dead. - Ah!

My sister, her sons, who were like my own, even a servant.

All dead except for him.

- All of them? - All of them.

And to think that with the ovaries I always had, my dear,

I could have had a daughter at 11.

- I didn't have an easy life either, you know? - Oh, really?

Look, my first pregnancy went bad when I was four months along...

and the following two ended the same way between the sixth and the seventh month.

After that, the children were born alive.

But death took them all away. That's right.

That's Antonio. When he passed away, he was just a year old.

- That's Vincenzo. - Cute.

He died very soon after that. He was a month old.

Then there's Giacomo. He died at two months.

It was as if death was making fun of me...

because the following ones were all stillborn!

You know...

Berta, I... I saw death!

- Come on! - Yes!

One night, it came over, pretending to be a little old woman.

She said, "Just give me crumbs."

I said, "Take anything, but leave my children alone!"

She took them instead, one after the other.

Twelve.

She took twelve from me in 15 years.

I did everything I could.

I even ripped off all the nails from my left hand.

I offered my hair to the Virgin Mary,

but I could have saved that...

because they were dying all the same.

So I decided to become friends with death.

We made a pact.

Do you understand?

Then Michele was born, and he's still living!

My handsome, sweet Michele is living.

He is alive, and I won't let anybody take him away from me.

I will keep this one for myself.

No matter what it takes, I'll keep him for myself!

I'm wondering what strange circumstances led us to become friends.

Where's Berta?

As usual!

Who's that woman over there, the one with Michele?

Ah, yes. She's from out of town.

- What does she do? Does she work? - Yes, she teaches gymnastics.

- In short, she's a dancer. - No.

- And where does she live? - I think she stays at Palma's.

What do you mean at Palma's?

I don't know. She may be sharing a bedroom with Stella.

- Should we go? - Yes.

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

- Sorry I'm late. - How come you are so late?

I met an old flame.

Tell the truth.

You already got the Easter egg, right?

Well.

Oh God, he is so handsome. Look at him.

Holy Mary, Mother...

Fold it well, not as usual.

- Hello. - We aren't bothering you, are we?

Father Onorio, your sermon today was wonderful.

With all the due respect, can I ask you a question?

Yesterday you said we are made of dust.

Today you said we are made of mud instead.

It must have rained in the meantime!

Ladies, don't play with fire. Not today!

If you don't play while alive, Father...

- Have you heard? Berta is leaving. - Knock on wood!

I think it's great she's going to join her husband.

- A husband is always a husband, right? - Indeed.

America is so far away, though.

All the better! This way, war won't get here. All those poor souls being slaughtered...

Christ has just resurrected. Better leave him alone.

Come on, Miss Lea. That's it.

Please accept these eggs.

- They are blessed. - Really? Thanks.

Later, I will send you a lamb. Save a little bit for me, please.

Unfortunately, my sister isn't a great cook like you.

Don't pay attention to him.

He wants to flatter you because the bell tower is tumbling down...

and we have no money to restore it.

- If you don't take care of it, Lea... - Me?

A little donation is definitely needed.

Or a straight five, like with Miss Berta's jackpot.

If the numbers are drawn, though, you have to kiss her.

Father, I'll do everything I can.

But now I need to go. I have a bit of a problem myself.

Happy Easter!

- Happy Easter! - For your tower bell, Father.

Lisa, what are you doing still here?

Oh, Lea, it's awful, I...

I saw the devil again, but not in a dream.

- I saw him here. - Here?

Yes! As soon as you got up, he took your place there, right by me.

In the reserved pews.

- Did you do... - Everything you told me to.

I hung up the garlic on every door. I also barred the windows.

But wherever I turn, he is right there!

Last night he did terrible things, obscene things.

But, so... I saw him with my own eyes, sitting on the table, completely naked!

- Oh, my God! - Wait...

Many saints had to deal with the devil. Make the sign of the cross.

- What? Lea... I can't! - Try!

I can't. No, please!

That's it. See?

Happy Easter, Lisa.

Oh, good Lord!

Yes. Yes, sure.

Just a moment!

Yes, all right. I'll be waiting for you. See you soon, piggy.

- Stella! - Lea!

How chic.

Does this make me look fat? It's so easy to look ridiculous.

Anyways, what difference does it make?

I was beautiful and sophisticated and ended up alone.

I'm a musician and I'm alone.

- Maybe it's better to be ridiculous. - That's true!

After all those abortions, I've become another woman too.

I have never been myself again, inside or out.

Where does the young virgin girl sleep...

the one Michele brought to church?

- Where does she sleep? Here? - No, not here. In there.

She's a very good girl.

She dances for a living, doesn't she?

No, she doesn't dance! She teaches.

She teaches? All the worse!

Well, I need to go.

Bye, Lea.

Is she going to a funeral?

No, she has a regular appointment.

She has done this for 15 years, but he never shows up.

- Poor girl, indeed! She's a woman. - Huh, yes, she's not a horse.

- Are you allowed to bring men in here? - I am.

I can't stand any rules. I've been like that since I was a young girl.

My father had great qualities as a man.

- He used to break walnuts in the brothels. - Walnuts?

Yes, with his "thing"!

My mother was a character too.

Red hair, boobs, ass, everything in order.

She was so snooty, though.

She claimed to be frigid...

but later, in bed, I could hear them.

It was like being at the drive-in. So many sounds!

How many groans from the redhead while he was screwing her!

Those screams could wake up the dead!

Oh, really?

I had mine sewed up and they brought me to a doctor.

They thought they should reverse the therapy.

They wanted to stir me up with hormones. If I were born a man...

Ah, men.

Do you know what Michele did this morning?

He brought her to church, because he wanted to make sure I saw her.

He wanted my opinion, you see?

- Would you like my opinion? - Tell me.

- Honestly? - Yes.

- She can mentor your son. - That little sexy kitten, imagine that!

By the time I was her age, I already had four miscarriages!

What should I say, then? Still waiting for my period!

Bye, Stella! I have things to do, sorry.

Bye.

Just a little cut, and the skin comes off like a glove.

See? These are the guts.

Stomach, duodenum, offal, they are great with sage and pepper.

The ancients used to burn them to keep away war.

The heart, that's useful.

What love makes you do

Love is a flag, a light flag.

Wind passes and makes it fly.

Ah, the loin must be roasted.

Did you see? There's so much blood.

- Blood! - Blood! Well said, Tina!

- Blood! - Blood!

See? You can say it!

Just try hard and say: "Blood".

You can do great things with blood.

In my hometown, they still do human sacrifices.

With death, you keep away death.

Do you understand?

Young lady, don't be cruel. I'm touched, I'm upset.

Don't refuse those few moments of joy You can give me

I love you, cicche cicche I long for

Cicche, cicche that woman Cicche cicche so much

Cicche Cicche beautiful Cicche Cicche thing

Cicche Cicche rose

Cicche Cicche what do you think

Ah, what a night Who can tell about the endless

Repeated fights

But that game going on for a while

Bent my knees

Come, cicche cicche Hold, cicche cicche hug

Cicche Cicche push Cicche cicche strain

Cicche Cicche damp down on

Cicche Cicche we have

Cicche Cicche come to an end

You ladies, who long for love

Don't weaken, don't turn white

Who goes slow and steady Wins the race

And don't ask for too many encores

Come, cicche cicche hold Cicche cicche hug

Cicche Cicche push Cicche cicche strain

Cicche Cicche damp down on

Cicche Cicche we have

Cicche Cicche come to an end

Here's my cookies. They melt in your mouth!

- Would you like some, Lisa? - No, not today.

I'm not feeling well. I'll just have tea.

- Well done! - Here I am, Berta. I'm coming.

What a great cook you are!

Lea, let's make the coffee table move.

- Are you crazy? - No.

Do you want to see me in hell?

If I make things fly, I can kiss my absolution goodbye!

- Are you hinting at me? I believe in that. - Really?

We had a lot of fun in seminary.

- Really? - Yes.

- Seminary and coffee table? - Sure.

- How did you get in touch with the afterlife? - There was no contact.

Those were experiments to test the magnetic force...

in the human body.

Human body... oh, my God.

For example, by creating a magnetic field around someone sitting here, we can lift that person.

You just need to touch their armpits with a straight finger... like this.

I didn't learn that in a seminary, but I can confirm it's true.

When you touch something, it rises up.

- I swear! - Please!

Berta, all your jokes are about the same thing!

What?

Cake!

Give him what he wants, or else he will die just to spite us!

On another subject, I'd like to know why priests...

with the exception of those present...

are so against love...

the only consolation we have.

But they are careful not to say a word against war!

It's because priests don't have sons.

In the meantime, hate keeps sending millions of poor souls to death

without even knowing why!

- My glasses! - Thanks, my dear.

They're not yours! They're mine.

I apologize! I never had to wear glasses.

Tina! Tina!

Tina?

Father Onorio, I-- excuse me.

I'd really like to ask you...

I'd like to ask you for advice on a specific matter...

but... it's... it's about a friend of mine. You need to know that--

- Constantly! - Really?

- This friend of mine... Four times. - That's enough.

Going crazy, because he looked like a man, but...

- but he had horns! - Oh, my God, the devil!

Lisa. Come here. Later you have to tell me what--

I feel like crying.

No! What are you saying?

Leave me alone! This is unbelievable!

Maria.

I will miss you, Berta.

Happiness is not a station you arrive at, but a manner of traveling, you know?

- But you are still leaving us. - You're felling lies.

What other dream did you have?

- I want to give you something to remember me by. - No. No!

I want to give it to you!

- It doesn't even come off my finger. - Don't take it off. It's bad luck.

If you give it to me, it's like you won't ever come back.

I have a bad feeling about this.

- Promise you'll write! At least once a week. - At a minimum!

- Rosario, not the cake. - Here's the sparkling wine.

So, my friends, are we going to make a toast for Berta?

- Sure! - Yes, sure!

To Berta.

May she find happiness in that new world, so far away.

All the best, Berta. While there's life, there is hope!

There is a remedy for everything except death.

- Did you see how beautiful it is? - Oh, my God... the boat.

- Look! - Oh, my God, it's so big!

No, no, no. I'm scared. I won't get on!

- What are you doing? - I'm scared!

Gino waited for a long time. He can keep on waiting!

Come here! Let's go!

I can't! I feel I will never get to America on that.

I'm not feeling it!

Getting on board and then that ocean with all those waves...

- No! - That's enough!

I'll get angry if you keep doing this!

A boat like that cannot sink.

- But I'm afraid! - Stop it!

Now I'll go to Michele, and you be good. Go get the ticket! Go!

Go! Go! Go!

- Berta! - You hurt me.

- Come on. - Huh, come on...

I'll wait for you by the train.

NORTH AMERICA - SOUTH AMERICA THE AMAZON - SOUTH AFRICA AUSTRALIA

- Good morning. - Is that cake good?

Michele, please.

Michele is not here.

Young man, you're a big liar. Where is he?

- I swear he is not here! - Michele? Michele!

- Michele? - He's taking anatomy lessons!

That's not true! I'm not mistaken. I'm sure my son is here!

- Why don't you talk to me? - Michele.

Okay, come with me.

- Michele! - Phew!

- Tosca! - Mr. Michele!

- I'll do it myself. - They are crazy!

- Michele? - Here I am! Coming!

Michele!

Mom, what's going on? What are you doing here?

What am I doing here?

What do you mean? I wrote you I was coming, and you leave me outside...

and let your friends make fun of me!

Ma'am, don't be surprised! I'm not ashamed.

Mom, this is Sandra.

Michele, you come back home with me right now.

Come on, go pack!

- Go away, please. - You are ungrateful.

You locked yourself up in here with someone I don't even know!

And you left your mother outside, all alone!

Me, the person who gave you everything!

My breath, my life, my nails!

I even gave you my hair and my teeth! I gave you everything!

And now, someone you just met wants to take you away, to replace me?

Forget it! Let's go!

- Sorry, Sandra. - Let's go!

Go!

Mom, listen!

- Michele! - Please. How embarrassing!

And in front of everybody!

Shame on you. You haven't seen anything yet!

And I'm not done! You'll get the rest once we get home!

- Pick up your stuff and let's go! - No, Mom. I won't go.

Uh... what a life.

Who knows what became of Gino.

Why did I let him leave? Why?

Why did I give the ticket he sent me to my sister?

The look on his face the last time I saw him, up on that boat.

He was waving goodbye.

He was waving a hankie. He was crying.

Oh, my God, who knows why I'm having these thoughts?

It was a ship filled with men.

That I remember, and quite well.

So many men...

How many...

They were so handsome.

That's it. Now I'm ready.

Hi, Lea.

- Are you already here? - Did you forget?

You told me to come over and sleep here tonight. I can see from your face that--

- No, no! Don't be silly! - Look at your face!

- I would have never done it. - Come on in.

Lea, look.

Young ladies, don't look at sailors. Oh, oh

Do I look good for a cruise?

You are brave, you know? Come on, let's go.

Young ladies, don't look at sailors. Oh, oh

I got everything ready. You'll be comfortable.

The crazy woman just arrived.

Which one? They are all crazy.

The most beautiful one.

Let's go see from the other room.

Don't touch me! You know I can't stand it.

It's not my fault you have never been touched!

You get lost too!

Lea!

- Lea! - Go to sleep!

There.

And I'm thirsty now.

Lea?

Lea?

Lea.

Lea.

I'm so thirsty.

I don't know what's the matter with me.

- What's the matter with you? - I don't know. I can't go to sleep.

What's wrong? Are you going to change your mind again?

No way! I've already sent my luggage, with the name tags on.

Would you go to America?

I see.

Come on, have a seat. I'll make a good decoction for you.

My feet hurt.

Life is beautiful, my dear.

All of my loves have been just like your abortions.

Giancarlo was married.

Gianni was not, but he kept his pants on when we were doing it.

What a view, my dear.

Valerio was lionhearted, as faithful as a dog.

He made love like a rabbit, "wham barn" and done, but his thing was so small.

And with him, my dear, you always had to talk after.

He kept talking and talking.

Berta hit me. Maybe he; was; right.

I was such a crazy woman.

With Galeazzo, Umberto, Ignazio, many letters, many arguments.

Many tears.

Luciano...

How was Luciano?

He gave me this ring, but I almost completely forgot him.

He had a mustache.

Yes. Yes, Luciano had a mustache.

No! No, that one was--

it was Piero who had--

I had so many men, my dear, that I almost forgot all of them. Imagine that!

A lot of men, but a few satisfactions. Nothing, nothing, nothing!

And with these ovaries that...

if they cut them off when I was 15, it would have been better.

Men are all pigs, rascals, and selfish.

And now I should go be with that one in America.

I barely know him!

He's nothing. He's nobody, He's a stranger. And he is old.

LYE

it will be: a good year.

Sandra will be far away from here, and Michele will do well on his tests.

What do you think bones are, in the end? Cartilage, phosphorus, and calcium.

You are really good, you know? You are faster than me!

Do you know how much calcium I had to give Michele...

so that he could grow up healthy and standing straight?

What's up?

Oh, this...

that's phosphorus!

Phosphorus! It's good for the brain. It makes you smart.

They should have thought about it when you were a child.

It would have been good for you!

Good...

Come on, go to work.

My baby...

- What a nice bath. - Give me your arm.

I'm so happy when you come back home! I shouldn't let you leave!

- Do you remember? - What, Mom?

That's the pinkie, that's its little brother, then there's mom and dad.

Here we are!

- By the way, tonight we are going to a dance. - Where?

I told you, didn't I? Have you ever heard Stella singing?

- No. - Well, Lisa will be there...

You want to come with me, don't you?

Sure! I like that.

If you only knew how much I love you! You are my life.

I could cover you with kisses!

Matilde, what are you doing?

- Help me, come on. - How embarrassing.

- Let's pick it up. - Yes, but it's heavy!

- What's wrong? - Nothing.

Michele, why are you looking at me like that?

- I don't know. You look different. - You mean older?

No. No, quite the opposite! Young and beautiful.

There he is.

Sorry, Mom. I'll go and say hi to Sandra.

You don't mind, do you?

One moment.

- Hello. - Hello.

Here's Stella! Look.

This is the variety show

Where you stay because light shines

Here's the variety show

Where you'll see a star raising

Come to the variety show If you don't want to take your sister

If she has an eczema, you'll see that She skins herself

But under her armpit

If she has a cough, a breast bursts

So, all of you, come to variety show!

If you don't want to take your sister

She's ugly, but agile

If she has a cough, a breast bursts

- Ehi, Lisa! - Ehi, wonderful!

This is a variety show Where you stay because light shines

Isn't she a bit too naked?

- No, I think she looks great. - Really?

- She looks very sexy. Seriously. - Come on!

Look, I'm doing my part too!

- Eh, yes, but me too! Look-- - Let me see.

Look! Such nice shoulders! You look fabulous!

- Are you surprised? - They don't have anything on you!

If she has a cough A breast bursts

So, all of you, come to variety show!

Mom?

Mom?

Isn't it a bit late to be coming home?

- I had to take Sandra to the train station. - Why?

- Her father died. - I'm sorry.

So that means Sandra will need to go back to her mom...

- 54, 29... - Nothing.

You'll see. We won't win. Not even this time. I know that.

Wait, it's not over yet.

Venice: 77, 7-7,

46, 89,12...

- Say goodbye to a new bell tower. - It didn't go well, but we must persevere.

This evening I will read the cards again.

Oh, well. This year doesn't look great, though.

I think it was much colder last year.

What does that have to do with anything? I wasn't talking about the weather.

There are rumors about a war.

Be quiet! Don't mention the war with Lea, God forbid!

- Be careful, Tina. - Here she is.

Ready!

We were talking about the soap you gave us. It's very good.

- Really? - Yes.

Congratulations, very well made.

And it's homemade, so you know what's in it.

Moreover, we save money.

I'm so silly!

I keep forgetting that Berta is no longer with us.

That's true. It seems impossible.

- Who knows why she never writes? - Writing wasn't her strong suit.

"Wasn't"? You talk as if she were dead.

"Leaving is a little bit like dying." I can never remember who told me that.

Lea always says that, doesn't she?

I sang in New York. I bet there's still someone who remembers me.

- Palma! My glasses! - I'm sorry.

They look funny!

I never saw anything like it.

How long have you been wearing glasses?

Since I was born.

Here I am! And here's the "dead man's bones."

Taste them.

They are very good.

I made them with my own hands.

Take one, Maria.

Taste them and tell me if you like them.

- So? - It's delicious!

You put anisette in it, right?

You are absolutely right. And this is for Lisa.

Palma!

Stella...

It's to die for!

They are not made with flour, tough. Am I wrong?

Sure, but not only with flour.

There's also something they send me from my hometown, in the south.

It's a kind of very hard bark that you need to crush with the mortar...

for a long time, like this...

- because it contains... - Phosphorus!

Yes! Yes, phosphorus!

Lea, you are so good. You can do anything!

No, not anything.

But when I do something, I do it well.

- Who would like another one? - Me!

- That's it. - How can you refuse?

- Hi, Mom. Good evening. - Darling.

No! There's too much sugar.

I spent a lot of money fixing his teeth.

Hmm, dentists!

- Do you like it? - May I have another one?

- Sure. Here. - Oh, thanks.

Here she is.

Matilde, she's about to come out. Let me talk, all right?

Be careful.

- Good morning, Miss Lea. - Good morning.

- Excuse us. - We learned that--

It's about that soap. You know, we are very interested.

I'm sorry. It's sold out.

I just gave away the last pieces few minutes ago.

Next time, okay?

- Okay. We'll count on it. - Oh! Wait a second.

How lucky! I have one piece left. Here it is.

- Take this and try it. Let me know. - For me.

- How much? - God forbid! It's a gift.

Many thanks, You are very kind.

- Goodbye. - Yes, you are really very kind.

Let's not be fooled. What chutzpah!

- Did you feel the skin on her hands? - All scaly!

Welcome back, Miss.

I heard about the tragedy. My deepest condolences.

Thanks, Giuseppe.

Hurry up!

By the barre, quick!

It's your turn now! This time, you need to help me.

That woman is already back!

If a dog died instead of her dad, she would have stayed longer.

Instead, she put some black rags on, and she's back!

All she thinks about is down here. That's all she thinks about, and about my son!

I much rather send Michele to America. To America!

- Berta. - Ah.

Berta.

She's far away now. She forgot all about us.

And she was of no use. She was of no use.

Get up, come on.

Oh, the shoes.

If I hadn't noticed, you would have taken a bath with your shoes on!

Tina, are you a virgin? Are you still a virgin?

Holy Virgin come

You don't even know what that means.

That means you are a good girl. You are a virgin.

And it's important, you know? Yes. Otherwise, it's not okay.

Go, now. Go!

Tina!

Are you crazy?

Who taught you these things?

No, Tina! What are you doing?

Do me a favor. Cover up and go back to your room.

You have to go, Tina. Understood?

You cannot stay here.

Come on, go.

Go.

Lea! Open up, I'm begging you!

No, not you!

Let me in, for God's sake! Let me in!

Lea, please! You must help me!

- I need help. I'm going crazy. - Yes, I think so too.

You look strange. Come in.

I'd rather die than keep living like this.

Well, let's see. Tell me, Lisa.

- This... - I can't take it.

This tempter devil, is he at least handsome?

He's horrible, he has a-- Oh, my God, I'm so ashamed!

But it's so huge! I didn't think such sizes even existed!

It's huge, Holy Virgin! And moreover...

...arrogant.

Calm down. You'll see. You'll stop thinking about that now.

- Come on in. - My Lea, if you knew...

My heart was telling me to reject him, but I couldn't!

Tell me what to do now. I'm no longer a virgin!

Again, right?

- Oh, my God, it was burning so much! - That doesn't mean anything.

It just happens sometimes, if I remember correctly.

- To you too? - It happened...

Let me fix you something warm. I promise you'll feel better.

- No... - Come on.

There's nothing that can make me feel good!

You need to calm down.

It's all right.

This will make you feel better right away.

It's true. I want to die.

If don't die, I'll go crazy.

He knows I'm a weak person, and he takes advantage of that.

He's such a coward.

He caresses me. He touches me everywhere.

He even bites me.

He tears my clothes, and then he insults me!

He even hits me.

Do you want to see the bruises? Look what he did!

No, no, no! I don't want to see anything.

I'll take your word for it! I believe you, Lisa.

OkaY-

You know what I would do if I were you? I would take off.

Do you remember the time I sent you to the lake?

You flourished.

- Yes, but I came back alone. - That was your fault.

You barely showed a knee to try and win that man over.

Better if you showed him your jewels, your money.

Maybe, but I am not brave.

I am not.

Here it is. Drink it. You'll feel better.

Here. Your headache will be gone right away.

- It's good, you know? - I told you that.

You should try it with my "dead man's bones." Delicious!

- It's sweet. What's it called? - It's called "old woman's milk".

- It's so red. - You know, it's a special thing.

An old recipe. I'll share it with you later.

How strange!

I'm already feeling better.

To the devil!

Lea, if I didn't have you...

To the devil!

May he be handsome. Yes, as handsome as an angel.

As fragrant as a lily, fiery like hell,

without burning too much!

And may he have a little dick, very short, right?

Come with me.

Come here.

Now...

Now lie down here.

Make sure your head is off the table, to help with blood circulation.

On the table, come on.

That's it, like that.

Good job!

Ah, how wonderful. It's true.

You are right, you know? My blood is circulating better.

Lea, it wasn't true.

It wasn't true. I was lying before.

When I told you I wanted to die, I really wasn't even thinking about that.

No, I wasn't even thinking about that.

But now, believe me, I'm telling the truth. I'd really like to die.

I mean it, I'd like to die. How beautiful!

Lea.

- Did you see that she keeps adding wood? - She has been making soap for two days.

Strange woman... what does she add to the fire to make that black smoke?

- What? - What?

- What? - What is this?

- Blood. - Blood?

Yes, blood.

Good morning.

Good morning. I'd like to cash these bonds, please.

- It's a nice sum of money, isn't it? - Well, yes.

- Pardon me, ma'am, but if I were you-- - "Miss", please.

- Miss? - Yes, Miss Lisa Carpi.

Lisa.

If I were you, miss, I would reconsider...

because the value of bonds is expected to increase.

That would be in your interest, of course.

Thanks, but I need money right now.

As you wish.

Well, Miss Lisa Carpi.

Look at it carefully.

It's the smell we really don't like.

Since that soap bar came into our house...

we can't fall asleep.

It's like the devil is inside.

Go away. Get out of here!

I don't want to see you anymore.

We just wanted to have our house blessed.

We felt it was our duty.

For everyone's sake.

You'll see. We are not mistaken.

This cake is very good. You are a wonderful cook, ma'am.

Thank you. I see you have a good appetite.

Michele, why didn't you take me here before?

And then?

As I was saying, the young man's body was found in the dark, covered in sand...

with a cutthroat.

- Tina! - Sandra, please. Later, okay?

Will you ever learn to cook as well as Mom?

It will be hard to become as good as your mother, but I'll do my best.

- Ma'am, you spoiled him a bit too much. - And then?

But the most horrible thing was his belly, ripped by stabs.

Tina. Tina! Don't fall asleep.

Come on, bring us some coffee.

And pardon the expression, his genitals were cutoff.

- How was the murderer's love life? - A mess.

He had no friends. He had no women.

He was only close to his mother.

He only loved her.

Who knows what the hell that girl did now?

- May I? - Excuse me.

I knew it. Tina! Go. I'll take care of it.

Mom, you don't like Sandra, do you?

She's like that. She doesn't know when to stop.

But she's a good girl.

I'm sure. Come on, help me.

And so?

The second victim only had a tiny hole right here.

Tina.

Come.

Excuse me.

- Michele. - It's nice.

Blood.

Tina!

Tina, listen. Now promise you won't do this again.

Is that clear?

I won't do this again.

Repeat that until I tell you to stop!

- Go away! - I won't do that again.

I won't do that again!

- Miss Lea! - I won't do that again.

- Miss Lea! - What's up'?

What's up?

My sister is sick. She needs you! Come down!

I always tell her not to lock herself in the bathroom... with her sick heart!

I heard a shout.

I kicked in the door, and I found her on the floor.

- Oh, God gracious! - Maria.

Oh, Jesus, poor girl. And what happened then?

Nothing, she kept saying, "The soap, the soap!"

And then she fainted.

The soap.

- Father, go get a doctor. Quick. - Yes.

I'll take care of Maria.

I hope I'll find him at home. He wasn't there earlier.

Maria.

Maria, open your eyes.

Maria, can you hear what I'm saying?

Do you know who I am?

Maria, wake up. Open your eyes.

The soap.

- The soap you made. - What's wrong with my soap?

The ring.

- I found the ring. - Yes, I know. Do you mean this one?

- It's Berta's. - Yes, I know. She had lost it.

It happened when she came over, the night before leaving.

I looked for it for so long!

- I'm sure, I do remember. - No, no! Tina must have found it.

That poor girl is so-- chances are she dropped it in the pot.

No, that's not true, I'm sure. Berta couldn't take it off.

When? When did that happen?

That night at your party.

So maybe this is not her ring.

We might be wrong. It might just look like it.

That's it!

It's her ring.

- I'm scared! - Maria.

Maria, don't do that.

If you don't calm down, you'll feel worse!

Where's Berta?

Why are you asking me? You know, don't you?

She's finally happy. She's far away, in America!

That's not true. She never left.

- What do you mean? - When my brother comes back...

I'm telling him everything.

What do you mean you'll tell him everything?

I'll tell him everything!

Everything what?

- Eh? - Please, tell me...

You see, I'd like to tell you, Maria.

If you only knew how much I need to talk...

but that wouldn't be good for you.

Even though, you see, I thought about telling someone

because this burden is too much for me to bear!

But how can I do that?

Is she dead? Is that what you mean?

Dead.

Dead.

- Lisa too? - Lisa too, yes.

Well, as you wish.

- Now listen to me carefully. - Berta... Lisa...

- It's not possible. - Yes, it's possible.

I told you it's possible!

I killed them! I killed them with my own hands!

But look, they didn't suffer.

I gave them a hot herbal tea first,

and then I hit them with a hard, harsh blow right here on the neck!

And after cutting their heads off, I quartered them...

and then I tore them to shreds to fit them in the pot.

Do you think it was easy for me to do that?

No! Go away!

It was really hard...

to saw feet and hands, boil everything, and wait till it all melted.

It took so long!

I kept adding packs of caustic soda, so that fat would melt first, right away.

Berta... Ber...

Think about it! What did you think I was using to make all that soap?

And there's something else you need to know. Do you remember the parties at my place?

Maria, do you remember those cookies you loved so much?

Yes, the cookies!

Do you know what I used to make them? Bones!

With crushed bones! Like this!

After all, who did I really kill?

What kind of women were they? They couldn't even bear a child.

What right did they have to live?

Maria! You are so beautiful.

And now, let me say goodbye to her as her brother.

I wish all your friends were here, Berta, Lisa...

who you longed to see again.

Death in Christ doesn't part us, but joins us...

even if it's difficult to understand and accept sorrow.

Where does the feeling of death and resurrection come from?

In part, from nature itself. Grain has to die to resurrect.

He who frees us from the anguish of death will enlighten us...

- Who's that man over there? - In this time, full of events that threaten...

- He's the new chief. - to destroy peace in the world...

Who will free us from doubt?

Because evil will come to light...

even if the Earth covered it all.

The next one will light up.

Miss Berta Maner, your dear friend, never made it to America.

What do you mean?

And there's no evidence she even boarded the boat.

I have here with me a notarized letter by a Mr. Ludovico Maner...

a cousin of this lady.

He stated that he waited for Miss Maner by the train departing for Genoa...

where they had agreed to meet.

"Since I did not see her and was worried...

"I had the station's staff call her over the loudspeaker, three times...

"but to no avail.

Hope you will be able to help. Best regards, Ludovico Maner."

I'd really like to meet this cousin.

I'd like to know where he was when we walked up and down that station...

for twenty minutes with the loudspeaker calling!

Where was that cousin? Where was he?

And by the way, don't you think he could have been hiding on the train?

What do you mean?

Well, nothing.

Rather, do you happen to know if Berta Maner brought money with her?

- Or if she had already transferred it? - I really don't know that.

You know, this entire story has upset me.

The death of that girl and...

you asking me so many questions. I feel like I'm on edge!

I'm sorry.

You should think twice...

before interrogating honest people.

People are capable of anything!

They called the police on me!

And you, stop smoking these cigars! You understand?

The doctor said you have to forget about them!

Is that clear?

And from now on, I'll be bad! I'll do nothing but evil!

Only evil!

People don't love a German woman.

Who knows what people think?

They say: "Stella Kraus is a whore." So what?

"Stella Kraus pays young men.

They cleaned her up, took all her money!"

Thus, nothing is right. Not how I make money, nor how I spend it!

What a sad thing to be alone and be a foreigner.

Well, yes. I understand you. At least I have Rosario!

What a consolation, right?

At least Palma solved her problem.

She gulps down half a bottle of sleeping pills...

and then you need gunshots to wake her up!

Stella, you overcame a lot of difficulty and trouble.

It was ugly.

But mine were worse than yours.

Sometimes, you know...

- Sometimes, I feel like I'm going crazy. - Crazy?

- Yes. - Really crazy, you mean?

Yes, indeed!

And what about me? I've been crazy all my life.

It's not easy, you know?

You don't go from Sesto Calende to the Schwartz Ballet by being sane.

- It's hard to speak German. - Aren't you German?

No, I'm from Lombardia!

- Stella! Sing a song. - Now? This late?

Yes, in your language.

All right, agreed. I'm going to sing a song in dialect.

Screw it!

And to think that I could have married a rich man myself...

I've got a good appearance. I can embroider.

I like classical music.

It's better to lick a bone than a stick.

Poor you.

My girlfriend goes to a wellspring

With a little copper and silver bucket

Yes, but that water she puts in

Is my love languishing for her

A wave raises, it looks like a sea

I go swimming in that sea

I swim, yes, but I cannot swim

And I end up drowning in that sea

Tina, wake up.

There's some dirt under the piano. Clean up well, and then go back to bed.

I've to go out.

"Moreover, two gold chains were allegedly stolen from her...

"some charms and a cultured pearl necklace.

"Stella Kraus, former singer of the Schwartz company...

"committed the robbery while the victim was deeply asleep.

"The singer's hasty escape is certainly related...

to the mysterious disappearance of two friends, Berta Maner and Lisa Carpi."

- Have you heard this? - This is fishy.

You know what that thief, Stella, told me? That she was coming here in the evening.

- That's not possible! - And I even cared about her.

Don't you remember?

Last time I saw her I was with you, in church...

at poor Maria's funeral.

Why would she come here to spend the evening?

- There was no reason, right? - Who would expect that?

- Careful, there's a pair of glasses right there. - Where? I can't see anything.

- On the floor. I'll take them. - Someone may have forgotten them.

- Give them to me. - No!

I saw someone wearing these.

- Wait, I'm trying to remember. - Forget it, Palma!

Come to the kitchen with me. You're too upset!

I'll make an herbal tea.

It's good for you, and you'll feel much better!

Come on. Let's go.

- Can you see her? - What is she doing?

- She got a hatchet! - A hatchet? Stop, get off!

Get off and let me see.

Come on, push hard!

- Why a hatchet? - I don't know.

Whose glasses are these? It'll come back to me.

I made it. Taste it!

- I'll be right back. - Yes.

Well...

What do you want?

Good morning, ma'am. This is for your son.

No, it's a mistake. It must be for another apartment.

He must report at the station within 24 hours.

No, it's a mistake!

My son must become a surgeon!

You understand? Go away! Get out!

- Mom. - Michele!

Don't worry. They'll keep me for a couple of weeks only.

- You'll see. - Michele... I can't believe it! No!

Oh, Sandra! I'm so glad you will be staying here with me.

- How is your mother? - Fine, thanks.

That's the woman who came to your bank, isn't it?

That's her.

Very well. So come here. Sign here, please.

Be careful.

Do you like the room?

- Do you think you'll be comfortable here? - Yes, thanks.

Mom, wait.

- I don't want you to take me to the station. - Ah, well.

- Michele, I don't like being here. - Why?

I don't like it without you.

Tina and your mother... I don't understand them.

I don't feel comfortable here.

- And I don't understand you. - Don't you see how strange this house is?

I know, you see it through your eyes, but I find it really oppressive.

All these saints, these dead people.

What else is wrong?

The numbers? The potions? My mom's other obsessions?

Listen, Sandra, do as you wish.

Find a good excuse, though.

Okay?

- Mom! - Michele! Michele!

Why did you come?

I forgot the cake.

- Don't cry. - I forgot the cake! I had it...

Michele, I had it!

Calm down, please.

Why are they so cheerful? Why are they laughing?

They should be crying instead. They will take you to your death!

- Come on, don't be like that. - All of you, all of you!

- Now, stop crying. - Yes.

When you mother created you...

Do you know what she used?

And then, Mom?

Now I'm telling you everything.

Apples, sugar, and cinnamon made this beautiful mouth.

Michele!

What's up?

Yours.

- No, it's not mine. It's Miss Lea's. - Yours! Yours!

But it's not mine.

All right. But later, we'll give it back to her, okay?

Go, Tina.

Lea... Lea!

- Blood! Blood! - Tina! What's going on?

- Blood! Blood! - Tina!

- Tina, come here! - No! What are you doing?

Go to you bedroom! Go!

She had another one of her crises.

I'll have to put her in a mental hospital tomorrow.

- I don't like how you treat Tina. - Really? You don't like that?

Well, great! You already want to rule my house, don't you?

Understood.

I know you don't like me that much.

I'm here for Michele, because I love him.

I know what love you are talking about.

- You have no rights to meddle in our feelings. - You can't understand.

Stop with the baths, the wool t-shirts, the cakes, and the cookies.

I'm glad he's going into the military. It's about time he turns into a man.

It's right for him to have children, two, three, four, ten!

- And I'll be able to bear them. - Michele is only mine!

When you understand that, you understand everything.

He sees things like I do. Do you know another war is coming soon?

But he won't go because I'll help him come back.

And he knows that.

- And you're afraid of me. - I'm not afraid of you!

We'll see.

I scare you, don't I?

I'm pregnant.

What?

Go, go! And don't let anyone close!

This way.

This way!

You did enough.

I did many things.

But what I did will be nothing compared to what you'll do.

They will kill you.

They will kill all of you.

There will be a terrible war.

I tried. I did my best, I swear.

I wanted to save my son.

Take her away.

Rosario, only God knows why I killed.

No. Only I know that.

Oh. There's some cake in the cabinets.

Ask Tina to bring it to you. If you can.

Miss Lea!

- Monster! - Monster

Who me?

Are you crazy?