Original subtitles

INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY

TURIN NOVEMBER 3, 1883

Adele? Where's Adele?

Has anyone seen her?

Enough with this thing!

Adele isn't here today.

Then take her place. Get a costume.

Everyone else on stage, quickly!

- The storeroom key is missing. - Here's the master key.

- Bring it back when you're done. - Thank you.

Quick. It's finishing.

THE LAW ACCORDING TO LIDIA POËT

So? What do you say?

Commendable commitment. Room for improvement in execution.

"Room for improvement"? We should get right to it.

LAWS AND DECREES CRIVELLARI - CRIMINAL CODE

JUDICIAL ACT NOTIFICATIONS COURT OF CASSATION SENTENCES

THE PENAL CODE FOR THE KINGDOM OF ITALY

- No way. - Miss Poët.

I have to answer it. It's the landlady.

It's the landlady.

Come on!

I know you're in the bedroom.

Miss!

- Yes, coming! - Open up!

You don't have someone with you, right?

No, madam! You told me that was forbidden.

I'll be here for a while. Let's meet again?

I like you, but you need to find a girl who doesn't make you leave via the window.

You deserve better.

Bye.

Here I am.

What's going on?

This lady would like to speak with you.

You are Miss Poët, the lawyer, right?

Yes, I am.

- Do I owe you money too? - No.

I've been told that you're a lawyer, and you don't charge much.

Less than a man, I mean.

True.

Excuse me, madam, but we need some privacy.

I need the rent.

The rent's coming. Slowly but surely.

It's coming.

My son Pietro was arrested last night.

They came to the house to get him. They took him to Le Nuove prison.

They say he killed a girl.

The principal dancer of D'Angennes theater.

But he's innocent. I swear.

Good morning. I need to speak to one of my clients.

A client? And you want to meet him here?

His name is Pietro Baiocchi, and I am his lawyer.

Lidia Poët.

It is authentic.

It wouldn't look so bad if I didn't have to show it every time.

What are you doing here?

Hey, honey!

Hey there!

Sweetie!

Hey there!

Look at you!

- What a beauty! - Stunner!

Baiocchi, your lawyer's here.

You have five minutes.

Good morning, Pietro.

I am Lidia Poët.

Your mother hired me as your lawyer.

You're a lawyer?

Yes. I am a graduate and registered member of the Order.

Please, don't ask to see my paperwork. We have very little time.

If you are remanded, you risk the death penalty.

How long had you known this Adele Valery?

Did you know she was supposed to marry the Marquis di Clermont in a few days?

She would never have married him.

Because I know she was in love with me.

Did she tell you that?

That she loved you? Are you sure?

Police records show you were stalking her.

Adele asked the theater director to kick you out several times.

I can also believe she loved you.

But to convince the judge you're innocent, I need something solid.

They're things that are unsaid.

They're gestures, looks.

She loved me.

Tell me the truth. Did she ever speak to you?

Were you at the theater on the evening of November 2nd?

Haven't you ever been in love?

That isn't relevant.

I felt like I was burning when away from her.

There was a rehearsal at the theater, so I went to see her.

I'd made her a portrait.

But she wasn't there.

They saw me and sent me away.

Time's up. You have to leave.

- Hello. - Oh, hello.

When I saw you were in the Order, I didn't want to believe it.

- The world is changing fast. - I've been qualified for three months now.

I have an important case now.

What to say? Fata volentes ducunt.

The D'Angennes murder.

Nothing better than starting your career with a disaster.

- The prosecutor will destroy you. - Okay, Enrico.

Thank you. I've missed you too.

Send my regards to your wife and daughter if they haven't killed themselves yet.

Anyway, if you need help, ask.

You're still part of the Poët family. We don't want to look bad.

Poët, Esquire.

- Yes. - Yes.

Lidia Poët.

On the night of November 2nd,

Gen. Valery reported his daughter Adele missing.

In the theater the next day,

they realized the storeroom was locked, and the key was missing.

Here it is.

They opened it with the master key and found this.

Baiocchi has a murky mind, prone to morbid fantasies.

He'd been infatuated with the victim for months.

He sent her flowers, poetry, drawings.

He'd stand for hours outside--

Come in.

Mr. Prosecutor.

Do you know Miss Poët?

- She's defending Baiocchi. - Lidia Poët, Esquire.

I was just telling her

that Baiocchi had cultivated an unreciprocated obsession for months

until the night of November 2nd, when he managed to meet the victim.

Upon being rejected, he strangled her.

Thank you, Your Honor.

The elements gathered by the prosecution are very clear.

But I'd imagine that you've also gathered some elements in favor of the suspect?

Do you want to teach me how to do my job?

No, absolutely not--

If I had found any favorable evidence, I would have told you.

Of course.

Maybe, if I may, Your Honor.

I was wondering if you had given the order to check for fingerprints

in the area in which the body was found?

It is a very simple procedure.

Even Dr. Henry Faulds wrote about it

in the scientific periodical Nature a few months ago.

I thought I'd heard it all, but this...

- You said "fingerprints"? - Fingerprints, exactly.

With all due respect, Your Honor, we're wasting time.

Even a murderer like Baiocchi has the right to a real defense lawyer.

What is this, a joke?

Would you perhaps be afraid of losing to a woman?

I fear only the discredit that will fall upon the profession

if women ever start getting involved.

In any case, we don't have the time

nor the means to gather these "fingerprints," whatever that means.

May I at least see the body?

Be quick. The body is about to be given to the family.

Of course. Thank you, Your Honor.

Have a good day at work, everyone.

Same to you.

The body was in that chest for more than 18 hours.

She was suffocated.

The killer was obviously much bigger and stronger than her.

Here, see? He pressed here and here.

Pressing with his thumbs until she died.

She was so young.

Seventeen.

If you want to do this, you'll have to get used to it.

Did you take off the ring?

She had no rings when they brought her here.

Listen, I'll give you two more minutes, then I have to send you away.

Madam, I assure you that among the emperor's court,

I have never seen beauty like yours.

You're making fun of me.

On my honor, I could never.

Here's Lidia. Ask her. I will say no more.

Lidia, does this lady have the elegance and posture of an oriental dame or not?

What are you doing here?

Your boyfriend was offering to pay all your arrears.

- No, he's not my boyfriend. - I'm not, but I can lend you the money.

No, thank you. And you cannot come here without notice.

She's very proud and doesn't want to be indebted.

No, I'm like this because I don't need a man to pay my way.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm tired, I have things to do,

and we aren't allowed guests here.

- Right? - No!

- If the young man wants to stay-- - Absolutely not, madam. Rules are rules.

Rules are rules, so I'll leave.

I'll bid you goodbye. I'll gather my things.

Madam, keep it. Think of it as a gift. A sign of my devotion.

You know where I am if you change your mind.

Otherwise, I'll see you when I get back. Bonne nuit.

I'm sorry, madam.

I promise you'll have everything I owe you tomorrow.

I hope so for your sake, or you'll have to return your keys.

Miss.

This came for you.

From the court.

Thank you.

I hope it isn't bad news.

Fuck.

The court upholds the appeal against Miss Lidia Poët...

and declares void her registration

with the Bar Association of Lawyers of the City of Turin.

It is clear to the court

that the Bar Association is an office in which women should not meddle.

In fact, it would be a sore and unseemly sight to see women argue

in discussions beyond the limits of what the fairer sex should observe.

We do not need to mention the risk to the credibility of sentences

should the lawyer's gown be seen covered in such strange and bizarre clothing

as is often imposed on women by fashion.

We, therefore, must not call on a woman to carry out duties

to which she is not suited by her own organic design

or that prevents her from performing and carrying out other tasks

more suited to a woman, particularly within her family role.

It's outrageous, Your Honor.

What do you expect me to tell the clients I represent?

To find themselves a good lawyer, Miss Poët!

Stop here.

Stop here!

Hello, Enrico.

They've withdrawn my registration with the Bar Association. I'm destitute.

I have no home.

Furthermore, I was working on the D'Angennes case,

and I do not want to lose the defense of Pietro Baiocchi.

Must I keep humiliating myself, or may I come in?

You should

hear the motivations.

They are arrogant, pedantic bigots--

Lidia, the court is right. Women should not get involved in the law.

Please don't start, Enrico.

Our father used to say it all the time.

Do not mention Father to me. I'll kill you.

Moderate your language.

Excuse me.

How long will you stay, Auntie?

Marianna, don't ask silly questions.

It depends on your parents if...

My landlady kicked me out.

I guessed something was wrong from the luggage.

It's a big house, but my brother Jacopo lives here too.

Maybe she could have the green room until she finds--

The green room?

- It's ugly. - It's cold.

- The chimney doesn't work. - It's fine by me.

Thank you.

Forget about me defending Baiocchi. It's a hopeless case.

I'll do it all. I'll write the memos, verify the prosecution's findings.

You go to the courtroom, say what I tell you to, sign a few things.

Lidia, the court's ruling is very clear! You cannot practice!

I know! That's why I'm proposing that I be your assistant.

If you help me with this case, I will help you with yours.

Great. Now she's helping me!

- No. Forget it. - Enrico, please, I'm desperate.

That man could get the death penalty.

Let's do this.

If I take on Baiocchi's defense, you stop the pretense of being a lawyer.

You said it yourself. The court's ruling was clear.

- I know how to do the presentation. - I can win.

- You won't. - Don't be so damn pessimistic!

I am not a pessimist. I am a seer. I foresee trouble, and I prepare for it.

So, tell me, what should I do?

You have a teaching diploma. Teach.

Or get married, like all normal girls do.

Marriage is well-regarded in this house. Mother is already organizing mine.

It's just a dance, Marianna.

All right.

If you help me with Baiocchi, I won't appeal.

I swear.

Also, because, Lidia dear... Excuse me, darling.

...if God wanted you to be a lawyer, he wouldn't have made you a woman.

Right?

Right. Thank you, darling.

There we go, good. Pray.

Father, it's nothing. It's for Enrico's penal procedure exam.

I was copying the most important articles for him.

Your mother's looking for you.

She needs a hand with tonight's dinner. Do not make her wait.

Who are you?

I am Jacopo Barberis.

My sister is married to the son of that man there.

Who are you, sorry?

Lidia, the daughter of that man there.

Oh! The crazy sister!

We should toast to this meeting with whiskey.

I think you've already had enough tonight.

You know you look nothing like your brother?

We have the same nose, unfortunately.

- He would like that. - We do the same job.

And you would like that.

The appellate court has withdrawn your license.

I even wrote an article about it for the Piedmont Gazette.

You can write in the Gazette that I will appeal the court's decision.

Actually, don't write that. It's a secret.

Listen to me. You're just wasting your time.

The Albertine Statute does not mention any specific prohibitions.

- The judge will have to accept-- - Is the judge a man?

I have no other questions.

Now let me offer you some whiskey.

No. I have to get up early tomorrow morning.

I have important things to think about.

What is more important than drinking in good company?

My brother and I are defending Baiocchi

for the D'Angennes murder.

Interesting.

And did he do it?

You think I'd tell a journalist that?

I don't know. Tell me,

do you think he's guilty?

He's not guilty?

He's guilty?

Not guilty.

Let's say that while everyone thinks he is guilty, I have my doubts, yes.

And in these cases, how do you proceed?

Have you ever studied philology?

Philology? No. Is that bad?

No.

When a text is passed down in various versions,

the simplest one is also often the most improbable.

So I set it aside and focus on all the others.

- There you go. - And there you go.

So, I'll see you tomorrow at the Monumental?

At the cemetery?

Adele Valery's funeral is at 10:00 a.m.

- Don't tell me you didn't know. - Of course. I knew very well.

But I don't need your help. Thank you.

I imagine you didn't need Enrico's help earlier either.

Cheers!

So, the man in full dress uniform is Gen. Ruggero Valery.

The father, with his wife.

Next to him is the fiancé, the Marquis Carlo of Clermont.

The man with the mustache is his father, Marquis Ludovico, with his wife.

There's also the corps de ballet of the D'Angennes.

Adele Valery was the principal dancer.

It would be odd if they weren't here.

Where are you going?

To talk to them.

I don't think they'd voluntarily talk to the alleged murderer's defender.

A female lawyer? Don't be ridiculous.

It's okay.

My condolences.

- Thank you. - Thank you, miss.

Were you a friend?

ROUSSEAU FRENCH HIGH SCHOOL

She was my best pupil

at the Rousseau.

A special girl.

She was

incapable of hurting anyone.

She had an extraordinarily sweet and elegant nature.

Out of love for Carlo, she would even have given up ballet.

We held out hope for a whole night.

Instead, she was in the theater, dead, without anyone having noticed.

They even had to knock the door down.

- Stop, Ludovico, please. - I'm sorry.

Excuse me. I'll be right back.

Forgive us, miss.

Did you discover anything?

The day is still young.

We certainly live in a progressive time.

And yet women are still prevented from participating in most professions.

One might wonder if it makes more sense for a modern woman

to pursue her happiness in a foreign but more civil country

or to waste her whole life engaged

in a Don Quixote-style battle against the windmills of the Quirinal Palace,

Montecitorio Palace, Palazzo Madama, and the Vatican.

I have met a woman who has chosen the latter path.

I have spoken to her, and I have looked into her eyes.

What I saw was an untamed rage.

A rage, however, that is but a veil.

And it is not enough to hide the desperation and emptiness.

GISELLE NEW DATES

If you carry on like this, you won't make the premiere.

Who are you?

Lidia Poët, legal assistant to Enrico Poët, Esquire.

We're trying to understand what happened to your friend Adele if you can help me.

I had nothing to do with Adele's death.

I wasn't even in the theater when she was killed.

But you have taken her place, correct?

You think I would've killed her to take her place?

You weren't best friends. Apparently.

Judging by the way Carlo treated you at the funeral.

Listen, you're right.

I didn't like Adele at all.

She thought she was the best, and I wanted her place.

But sooner or later, I would've had it anyway.

Because you're the best?

This was supposed to be her last show.

If you marry the Marquis di Clermont, you know you can't be a ballerina anymore.

You see? I had no reason to kill her.

Perhaps not.

Did she ever mention Pietro Baiocchi?

Yes. The one who'd send her flowers?

Once she took one and put it in her hair.

Then she went on stage, knowing that he would notice.

She'd make a big fuss about it, but she liked it.

MISS LIDIA POËT BY JACOPO BARBERIS

Gently.

I want an explanation immediately. You have no right to write--

Well, good morning, Lidia.

This is Maya.

What's your surname, honey?

Cristallo, mon amour.

Maya Cristallo is a professional.

How dare you write such nonsense about me!

You gave me no backstory on Baiocchi. I had to write something.

There is no emptiness in my eyes.

No!

Look, I'm sorry if my article bothered you.

It was in your defense.

You are a small, pathetic man. You know that?

You use people. You do not know me at all.

But you don't know me either.

We could get to know each other better, no?

No.

What did I do wrong?

I think she likes you.

No.

And you aren't jealous?

I am a professional.

Enrico, I need to confess something.

I really do not like being called by that fucking bell.

Watch your tone, and sit down.

The court has sent me the evidence delivered by the prosecutor.

These... I don't even know what to call them,

were done by Pietro Baiocchi.

They are drawings.

We aren't defending Caravaggio.

- No. Caravaggio actually was guilty. - This is pornography!

I have no intention of my office's name being connected with defending a pervert!

I'll sign an authorization for you to enter the prison.

- Calm down. - Go there.

Apologize to Baiocchi for giving him false hope,

and tell him to find another lawyer.

Can I try to change your mind?

No.

Adele's killer hid the body inside a chest, right?

He locked the door and left.

Have you ever wondered what happened to that key?

Go on.

Imagine a person who has just killed a girl.

He is shocked.

So he mechanically puts the key in his pocket and forgets he has it.

They didn't find any keys at Baiocchi's house.

They only found these drawings, which prove absolutely nothing.

Have I convinced you?

Do you know where this key is?

- No. - Then you haven't convinced me.

Go and tell Baiocchi to find another lawyer.

End of discussion.

If you don't agree, you can always go and complain to Judge Genovesi.

No, you can't.

Au revoir.

You're such a piece of shit.

I'm sorry.

Without my brother, I cannot work on your case.

Does he think I'm guilty too?

Pietro, unfortunately, in a trial, opinions do not matter much,

but appearances matter a lot. So...

Of course.

It's always the same.

Just like Adele,

her wedding, the marquis...

All fake.

Just appearances!

Tell me something.

Did Adele always wear this ring on her finger?

Yes, ever since I've known her. But she took it off a while ago.

I think you were right.

She wouldn't have married him in the end.

What good will being right do me?

Miss? Your visit is over.

Stop fighting windmills.

- What are you saying, sorry? - It's written here.

It says you fight windmills.

So, you repeat everything you read in newspapers?

I believe newspapers.

Of course.

- You're a genius. - Are you pulling my leg?

Pietro, stay strong.

I know what to do.

- Miss Poët! - Hello.

I thought you were angry.

No. In fact, I've been a little impulsive.

Having reread your article,

I realized you did a great service to all women, myself included. Thank you.

But I was insensitive. You're right.

If I may, Miss Poët? Attila Brusaferro.

If this oaf mistreats you, remember me.

My pleasure.

I don't think you're only here to tell me you're in a better mood.

Touché. I need to know where the Marquis di Clermont's residence is.

In San Carlo Square.

In front of the bronze horse.

But... why are you interested?

If I tell you something, do you promise to protect its source?

Only if it deserves the front page.

You tell me.

Come on!

- What was that, miss? - Nothing.

- Hello. - Good morning.

You are Adele's teacher, right?

No. I have to be honest. Lidia Poët.

My brother Enrico is Mr. Baiocchi's lawyer.

- But you said-- - I know. I'm sorry.

I need to ask you a few questions.

If you loved Miss Valery,

you would want to see her real killer arrested.

The real killer is already in prison.

Someone will see you out.

Just one second.

Please, I only want to know what happened to the engagement ring you gave Adele.

I don't see how that matters.

- Maybe your client took it. - No, it doesn't appear so.

What's going on, Carlo?

She claims to be Baiocchi's lawyer.

Mr. Marquis, did you know Adele Valery had broken off her engagement

to your son just a few days before she died?

Miss, I have not quite understood who you are or what you want from us,

but I am sure you shouldn't be here right now.

Excuse me.

What are you doing?

You see?

Each of us leaves marks.

Unique marks.

Without even realizing.

These are specifically called fingerprints.

The investigating judge has ordered

that the fingerprints the offender left on the chest

in which Adele's body was found be collected.

The investigation will be over at dawn the day after tomorrow.

Then we will know who the real killer is.

And nobody will doubt Pietro Baiocchi's innocence.

Very good, thank you.

Giuseppe, can you show the lady out?

I know the way. Excuse me.

Putain!

Newspapers! The Piedmont Gazette. Morning edition!

Newspapers!

Thank you, sir.

Newspapers!

The Piedmont Gazette. Morning edition!

"According to some sources near the prosecutor's office,

the police are waiting for the judge's authorization

to collect fingerprints at the crime scene."

"This procedure is still unknown to the general public,

but we can speculate..."

"We can speculate that it will soon be impossible

to carry out an investigation without using them."

Your uncle writes well.

Have you read this?

"Disbarred for being a woman. The story of Lidia Poët."

You're getting famous.

Infamous, more like.

Tell me something, niece.

The gardener, Lorenzo. He's cute, right?

No. Stop it.

As your lawyer, I can offer you confidentiality.

You aren't a lawyer anymore.

Bitch. But if you like Lorenzo, there's nothing wrong with that.

Not even if you like Uncle Jacopo?

You have such an imagination. I don't like your uncle Jacopo.

Liar!

Did you know he lived in Paris for ten years?

He met this woman named Nicole there.

They were together.

How did it end with this Nicole?

Because she died.

She died many years ago, sadly.

- Good morning, darling. - Good morning.

- Have you already read the Gazette? - Yes, have you?

The judge must have changed his mind.

As if. It's that idiot Jacopo.

He'd make anything up just to sell a few copies.

Thank God we don't have to deal with this nasty story anymore.

Speaking of which, I wanted to apologize.

I pushed it too far. I realize that.

It doesn't matter.

- Everything's fine now. - No, I mean it.

To make up for it, I took the liberty of buying Giselle tickets.

Yes, Father. It's beautiful!

So we can go together.

Your tip about the fingerprints was false, you know?

- You don't say. - Indeed.

The prosecutor asked us to run a retraction in tomorrow's edition.

- I'm sorry. - I'm not sure that you are.

You wanted revenge for my article,

and you got it by making me publish those lies.

You used me.

Yes, I'd say so, but for a just cause, I assure you.

- Lidia. Here we are! - Enrico.

What are you doing here?

I could ask you the same. I didn't know you liked ballet.

You don't know many things.

That's why you write nonsense in that fish wrap you call a newspaper.

Enrico, did you notice the investigating judge in the stalls?

- Where? - See?

I got him a ticket too.

That was a great idea. It is essential to maintain good relations with people.

Do me a favor during the intermission and bring him to the storeroom

in which Adele's body was found.

Maybe with a couple of police officers if you can. Thank you.

What are you saying, Lidia? We have given up the defense.

We haven't given it up, have we?

And that fake article?

- You're in cahoots with her, aren't you? - No! She tricked me too.

Enrico, listen.

You have to trust me.

You were the one who told me I had to find the key

to convince you that Pietro's innocent.

If we're lucky, we'll convince the judge tonight too.

I'm going. Thank you so much!

Enrico, I'll wait for you.

What are you doing here? Go with her.

If they kill her, you can at least write an article, make some money.

Go on, go!

I'm going.

Wait!

What do you want?

- Enrico asked me to protect you. - Be quiet!

- Where are you going? - Hurry up!

- Is it locked? - Yes.

Perfect.

Come!

- Where are we going? - Get in!

Now you can tell me.

Who killed Adele Valery?

Adele was supposed to get married, right?

But she certainly wasn't in love.

Maybe she loved ballet more than him.

The killer erasing his fingerprints... Are you sure about that?

Want to bet?

If I lose, I'll buy you a bottle of cognac.

And if you win, I'll buy you dinner.

Someone's coming.

Shameful bastard.

Good evening, Marquis.

What are you doing here?

You could not tolerate the idea

that Adele had called off the wedding to your son.

After all, it was also a chance for you to connect with Gen. Valery's family.

I don't know what you're talking about. I was looking for the exit.

How strange of you to look for it behind the stage.

Not so strange, to be honest.

The marquis knows there is a door at the back.

The same door he used on the night of November 2nd.

You came here to convince Adele to marry your son.

But once you realized she wouldn't change her mind,

you lost your temper and strangled her.

Then you put her body in that chest, and you locked the door.

Maybe at the time, you didn't even realize

that you had taken the key, but then you remembered.

And you were convinced that the door had been knocked down.

Remember? You told me at Adele's funeral.

"They had to knock the door down."

Miss, I really am quite fascinated by your imagination.

Very feminine.

Without imagination, I wouldn't have got you back here.

As you will read in tomorrow's Gazette, no one's coming to take fingerprints.

And you think you can take all this to court? I don't think so.

Because I'll kill you!

Can you explain how you got ahold of that key?

You cannot ignore what we have just seen.

Your Honor, I can explain. It's just a huge misunderstanding.

You'll have a chance to explain yourself in court, Marquis.

But in the meantime, you are under arrest

for the murder of Adele Valery.

Take him away.

This is scandalous, Your Honor.

And you, miss, will seriously regret this!

Miss, I hope you realize your actions were barely within legal boundaries.

However, tomorrow morning I will give the prosecutor

an order demanding Pietro Baiocchi's release.

Now, if you'll excuse me.

- I'll come with you. - Thank you.

Well, I'd say I won the bet.

And we're still alive.

I've never been so happy to lose.

Cognac...

I need cognac. Cognac.

You were right. It wasn't such a hopeless case.

So, was I right to do what I wanted?

- Did I say that? - No, but--

"No, but" nothing. You were lucky.

So, you haven't changed your mind? Can't I be your assistant?

Forget it.

Perhaps you can copy my letters.

And you can stay at the house until you find a job.

What are you doing?

- Nothing. - Lidia.

There are clients!

THE FOUR COLUMNS TAVERN

- Are you Lidia Poët? - Yes.

I was told to give you this.

Thank you.

I am terribly sorry. I won't be able to join you.

An emergency at the newspaper. Jacopo.

Good evening. A cognac.

Good evening.

What is it? Never seen a woman before?

Well, not alone.

There's a first time for everything.

Nicole?

Are you here?

Appeal

of Miss Lidia Poët...

graduated in law.

LOOSELY BASED ON THE LIFE OF LIDIA POËT

EVENTS AND CHARACTERS ARE THE RESULT OF CREATIVE ELABORATION

Subtitle translation by: Jaclyn McLoughlin