Original subtitles

-[♪ somber music playing] -[Giuseppe] Nobody comes in or gets out

of Palermo, not until the city is ours.

PREVIOUSLY ON THE LIONS OF SICILY

-May I know with whom I have the honor? -Giuseppe La Masa.

My husband and I sympathize with the cause.

I'll have the Revolution protect you then.

With your help and resources, we can make a new Sicily for all of us.

By supplying arms to the revolutionaries, you've taken their side, my friend.

When will this all end? If this Revolution fails,

they're going to punish everyone who helped it.

[Giulia] I'm proud of what you're doing for Sicily.

I did everything that was possible, fulfilling all you could think to ask.

Why would you bleed for Sicily anyway?

Do you actually believe you've done more for Sicily than I have?

[Giuseppe] I do, and your change of heart

won't be enough to get you back in the good graces of the king.

-Arrest him. -[Vincenzo] What are you arresting me for?

-[Peppe] Vicè! -Peppe, go back to the ha--

[guard] Stop! The king's lieutenant wants to see Signor Florio.

Prince Filangeri.

I can convince the king not to charge someone

who, uh, was friendly with the rebels.

-I don't know how to thank you. -Well, there is something.

-[crowd applauding] -[Filangeri] Your steamship.

It'll be annexed to the King's Royal Navy.

[crowd cheers, applauds]

-Then it's done. -[♪ music concludes]

MARSALA VINEYARDS, SICILY 1854

-[donkey braying] -[cicadas chirping]

[crows cawing]

Can you taste how sweet they are?

If they keep growing like this, we'll have another great year.

I'm sure of it.

Remember what you told me when you entrusted me with the vineyard?

You said, "The best or nothing. That's what you must aim for."

[exhales deeply]

Throughout my life, I've always believed that I had to do everything by myself.

But now, I'm sure I had great judgment when I let you run the vineyards.

All this kindness of yours is scaring me a bit, though. [chuckles]

Are you all right?

These last few years,

our prestige and our earnings have increased significantly.

But there are a lot of people who still look down on me.

And what will give you the prestige that you're after?

A title.

[♪ gentle music playing]

THE LIONS OF SICILY

[indistinct chatter]

[knocking]

[Carlo] Vincenzo, my friend.

Did you receive your invitation to my party?

But I can see that's not why you're here. You appear to be on a warpath.

-Warpath? That's right. -[Carlo] Hmm.

Pardon me for the intrusion, Prince.

But I'm afraid I found myself forced into making this inappropriate visit.

I just need to know one thing, Your Eminence.

Am I or am I not the governor of the Royal Bank?

Of course, you are.

Perhaps no one has told that to the president here.

Honorary Governor, since you never show up.

-He's never summoned me to the Council! -Is that true, President?

The governor rarely ever shows up at all,

so, I thought I was doing him a favor by not bothering him.

You heard him, huh? Such rude behavior. It's all to his benefit.

[Rossi] Please. You're the richest man in Sicily.

I see no reason for you to have interest in the everyday affairs of the Royal Bank.

You're obviously not concerned about my interests.

You have failed to show me respect.

If I had the title of a nobleman,

believe me, he wouldn't have dared to treat me like this!

I must correct you, Florio.

You're the one who doesn't show respect to this institution or to me.

I treat everyone in the same way. No matter their title.

-[huffs] -Don Vincenzo, please, calm down.

Mr. President, please excuse me.

I need to speak to Don Vincenzo in private.

Absolutely, Your Eminence.

I'm always looking forward to getting back to work. Are you?

-[door opens] -[Carlo clears throat]

-Was that really necessary? -[door closes]

I don't like Rossi, Prince.

I don't want him at the Royal Bank anymore.

You're so drastic. Couldn't you perhaps reduce these absences of yours?

To try to tame Rossi,

so, it doesn't have to, uh, come to this again, Vincenzo.

I'm a businessman, Your Eminence. I'm not… I'm just not a desk clerk.

I can't waste, uh, my time sitting in an office for things to get done.

Someone has to take a stand, to make a move.

-Let's fire him, that worthless scum. -Vincenzo, Vincenzo…

[indistinct chatter]

[♪ merry classical music playing]

[Vincenzo] Look, Ignazio, this is typical of Palermo high society.

They attend these events for no apparent reason.

-Isn't that what we're doing? -No. We do have a reason, don't we?

-Which is? -Vincenzo? At a party?

Do not talk to this man. He is a blatant liar.

You are a cheat and a blatant liar.

If there's one thing that the story of the Florios should teach you is this,

make sure you never listen to your old folks.

If Vincenzo had chosen to listen to his mother, right now, we--

Right now, we'd still be in Bagnara Calabra,

waiting for the next earthquake.

[both chuckle]

[Vincenzo] Oh.

Excuse me a moment. I'll be right back.

Well, that's my father for you.

As you can see, Ben, he only attends parties for work.

Since when does he have work ties with the Prince of Torrebruna?

Who doesn't have work ties with Vincenzo Florio?

Prince, have you considered what we discussed last time?

Come on, Your Eminence. Don't tell me that the idea

of getting your hands on the Florio fortune doesn't tickle you.

It is a tremendous fortune. If I had a daughter, believe me,

I would be very happy to unite our families in matrimony.

Ignazio is definitely a… a great boy and a hard worker.

But you do know I'm talking about my daughter, Angela, right?

She's almost 18, and I only want the best for her.

Florio, it so happens that business is one thing,

and you're the best when it comes to it. But family is a whole other thing.

Oh, really?

It's aristocrats like you who mix business with matrimony.

I'll be honest with you, Don Vincenzo.

Your daughters came into this world under particular circumstances,

Palermo still remembers all of it. Now, if you'll excuse me.

He doesn't seem very happy.

Your father has never been good at taking no for an answer.

-Let's go home. Ciao, Ben. -Ciao, Vincenzo.

Did something happen with Torrebruna?

Nothing that hasn't already happened thousands of times.

Listen, never let anyone call you a shopkeeper. Ever.

-Understood? -Don Vincenzo. You came after all.

Did you do it? Did you fire Rossi from the Royal Bank?

If you'll excuse me, I'll be right with you.

Rossi is a highly powerful and respected man

and very close to the Crown.

Why? Do you not think I'm close to the Crown?

I drowned in debt for King Ferdinand.

Am I not entitled to a bit of satisfaction?

-I promise I'll do all I can. -[Vincenzo] Hmm.

[Carlo] Since you're so young, please help me,

help me to understand why your father

is so relentlessly fixed on a role that doesn't suit him.

-It doesn't suit me, really? -[Carlo] No.

You were all born already knowing what you could expect from life.

Nobody has given me anything. So, I can't give anything up.

Don Vincenzo, please, just enjoy the evening.

Enjoy it with your son. Have fun.

Let's go home.

Father, everyone in here is afraid of you.

So what?

I don't know if I want everyone to be afraid when they see me.

If they don't respect you, at least it's better they fear you.

Let's go.

[Angela chuckles]

-[indistinct chatter] -[♪ gentle music playing]

-[both chuckle] -[Giulia] Love.

-Hmm. -Here he is.

We were waiting for you.

Leave me alone, Giulia. I'm not in the mood right now.

Stop with your complaining. Look at her. Isn't she beautiful?

-What is this dress? -[♪ music concludes]

It's the wedding dress sent from Valenciennes.

Angela wanted to show you.

-Send the dress back to France. -[♪ dramatic music playing]

[Giulia] You told us yourself to start preparing the wedding attire.

She's not marrying anyone. She'll never get married.

-[Giulia] Why? -[Vincenzo] Why?

Because our daughters will never be enough. That's why!

It doesn't matter if they speak French

or if they wear the finest lace and jewels.

For those who count, those girls will always be bastards!

-Vincenzo! -[Angela] Do you think

that it's our fault? That unlike Ignazio, we don't get invited to parties

and we're treated like poorly disguised maids?

Maybe the person to blame here is the man who doesn't recognize us

and treats our mother like a kept woman.

-How dare you speak to me like that! -Father, calm down. Father, calm down.

Yes, you're right. Calm down. [sniffles] You always listen to Ignazio, don't you?

-I said, stop talking, you insolent girl! -You stop talking!

Angela is right. This is all your fault.

I've always cared about our daughters, and apparently, I'm the only one.

[♪ music concludes]

-[grunts] -[indistinct chatter]

[horse neighs]

[distant bell tolling]

Grazie, Luigi, dear.

Welcome, Signora De Pace.

I'm a bit late, I'm sorry, Giulia. But this hip of mine has slowed me down.

If it wasn't for my son, I don't think I would even make it.

You must be Luigi.

You'll probably be bored around all these older ladies.

Not at all. Being in the company of you ladies is a privilege for me.

-He's a very kind boy, isn't he? -And you're a lucky mother.

Signora De Pace and her son, Luigi. Have a seat.

[guests] Good morning.

-[Giulia] Good morning. -[guests] Good morning.

Our husbands usually get together to discuss business matters,

so, I thought it would be nice if we could do the same thing too.

With an excuse.

[Madam De Pace] And what excuse would that be?

A custom borrowed from our English friends. Tea!

-Angela! -Good morning.

[Giulia] My daughter is extremely fond of the English culture,

and she'd like to lead this custom herself.

Angela, have you met Luigi De Pace?

You're the only ones of the same age here.

Good morning. We met once

at the launch of your father's steamboat, the Sicily.

I remember. Good morning.

[♪ mellow music playing]

[whispers] May I speak with you in private?

[indistinct chatter]

[Giulia] Can I speak honestly with you? What can you tell me about your son?

Luigi is a good boy, respectful and serious.

A hard worker.

But if you want to know if he's promised in marriage to anyone else,

then don't worry at all, he's still searching for his soulmate.

This place is very beautiful.

Well, not anymore, it seems.

-Really? -[chuckles]

My mother is mainly responsible for that.

-And are your intentions serious? -Very much so.

But to be honest, I still need to talk to my husband about it.

She has a good eye for home decoration.

Well, if your son officially proposed, obviously, that would go a long way.

If Luigi shows sincere interest for my daughter, Angela,

then our discussions can continue.

[♪ music builds]

It's been a pleasure to meet you, Signora Florio.

-The pleasure's mine. -Miss Angela.

-So? [chuckles] -[Angela chuckles]

-So? [chuckles] -I don't know!

I saw the way you looked at Luigi. Do you like him?

[giggles]

[inhales deeply] But we still need to talk to your father.

-[squeals] -Mm-hmm!

-[Angela grunts] -[♪ music concludes]

-[seagulls squawking] -[indistinct chatter]

Here we are.

[footsteps approaching]

[Luigi] Good morning, Don Vincenzo.

-It's past midday, I believe. -You are so precise. Luigi De Pace.

-My father is-- -I know who your father is.

Bartolomeo. I remember you. I do. You were so little.

How is your father?

-Good. -Hmm.

Problems at the site?

No, no, no. I'm not here for business.

You're not? To what do we owe the pleasure?

You see, Don Vincenzo,

I have decided to come here to ask for your consent, sir.

-Consent for what? -Consent for him to marry Angela.

Where did this idea come from?

Tell me. How can you even consider something as crazy as this?

Vincenzo, for God's sake.

Actually, I'm the one who should be saying that.

I'm the one who needs God's help.

-Don Vincenzo, allow me to explain-- -[Vincenzo] No, my dear boy,

there's nothing to explain. It's very clear.

-[Luigi] But I-- -My answer is no, thank you.

But, uh, uh… At least let me explain.

I won't let you say anything else. Luigi, isn't it?

-Yes. -Luigi, I like your father very much.

So, let's stop this here. Ignazio, escort Luigi to the door.

-You take care. -Take care, sir.

[♪ somber music playing]

I'm ashamed of you sometimes.

[Vincenzo] And sometimes I don't understand

how you come up with ideas like this.

Giving our daughter away to a family who doesn't have any titles,

and whose assets are ten times less than ours! Are you crazy?

-[Angela] See, Mother? -I'm so sorry.

-[Angela] What did I tell you? -[Vincenzo] What did you tell her, huh?

-[Giulia] Luigi is a decent boy. -[Vincenzo] Yeah.

[Giulia] He adores Angela, you understand?

And it's her happiness you should care about!

I would if that were useful in building an empire.

I can't take it anymore. I'm tired of being constantly humiliated.

Whether you like it or not, I will marry that boy.

Do so… and you'll marry into poverty.

-Hand to God, you will. -I'm not interested.

What are you staring at?

Do you also despise how I manage this family?

Father, if I may. We're the most powerful family in Sicily.

Why can't Angela and Giuseppina be able to have the lives they want?

I can't accept it, it's disadvantageous.

Father, but we have the means to support her.

Don't you meddle in this too.

Now, leave me alone.

[♪ music concludes]

What's going on?

[Giulia] Angela.

Hey.

Tell me you're not doing it just to provoke your father.

-Shouldn't I have the right to? -No, just because it's your life,

it doesn't mean you can throw it away out of spite. You have to do this right.

So, tell me… do you really like Luigi?

Then I'll go and face your father for you.

[♪ somber pensive music playing]

[Angela sniffles] I can't take it anymore.

We need to get away from here. Far away. [sobs]

I can't wait to get married and leave this home behind me.

I don't care.

-Angelina, how are you? -What do you care?

[♪ music builds]

Why would you say that?

Because you don't know what it feels like to be the unwanted child.

And you don't know what it feels like to be the favorite child.

The son who can't disappoint him. The son who is expected to be like him.

There are two of you, at least. You have one another.

But me, I'm all alone…

-with this weight on my shoulders. -Do you want our burden?

Never loved. Never considered. Never recognized.

[door opens, closes]

[inhales]

[Giulia] Your daughter hates you. Are you happy?

They're failing to grasp the point.

For once, just once, think about what's best for this family.

Is that what you tell yourself?

That you're doing what's best for our family?

You want a prestigious matrimony for yourself, not your daughter.

That's not the case.

-That has nothing to do with it. -[Giulia scoffs]

You still want a title

so you can get back at all those aristocrats.

Your problem is you're never satisfied.

You don't get that this obsession will be your doom.

Forgive me. Forgive me if I made you live the life of a queen.

I'm afraid I didn't know that disgusted you.

For a while, you were kind.

And in those moments, life smiled on you. Even you, Vincenzo Florio…

had found a light.

But then your demons came back and you started hoarding

one thing after another, after another, after another, and never stopped.

I don't intend to humiliate my daughters.

I don't want their husbands to despise them

or treat them as bargaining chips. You won't humiliate them either.

You'll give them a rich dowry

because you're the richest man in Sicily, Vincenzo.

[breathes deeply]

[Giuseppina] My boy.

You made me accept an unsuitable marriage…

I didn't want it.

Your daughter wants the same thing, and what do you do?

-You punish her. -[♪ music concludes]

Luigi is a nice young man, from a good family.

If he loves Angela, then why are you so against it?

[Vincenzo] Oh, you're one to talk! [scoffs]

You spent your whole life

spreading nothing but poison on this family,

and now, all of a sudden, you get sentimental?

Get away from me. You've been the ruin of my life.

[♪ tense music playing]

Do you want your children to feel the same way about you?

-[breathes deeply] -[♪ music concludes]

[indistinct chatter]

Vicè, even after all these years, Ignazio still can't bear the smell?

Put that away, will you? You're embarrassing me. [grunts]

We're the only ones teaching all these people here

a new way to process fish.

I brought in teachers and masters, so, their children can learn some things.

Really? Teachers and masters?

I learned to do it in England. All of your employees, Ignazio,

must always feel like they're a part of something important. Always.

The boss who came before me would never ever show up here.

The tuna plant felt abandoned. Just rocks and seawater.

I invested in it and gave it new life.

I gave dignity to all these folks. I improved their lives.

Could you say the same thing about your daughters' lives?

That you wanted the best for them?

[♪ pensive music playing]

Sometimes, we have to do things that we don't want to do…

-to give a future to our name. -Father, let me take care of that for you.

I will do whatever is necessary to bring honor to the Florio name.

On one condition.

Let Angela and Giuseppina marry whoever they want.

[♪ ethereal music playing]

Mother. What are you…

-[chuckles] Come. -[♪ music concludes]

What's going on?

Our father has accepted your marriage with Luigi De Pace.

He's accepted? [gasps]

-[Giulia] Mm-hmm. -What made you change your mind?

I did some reflecting. And I realized it's probably for the best.

I almost want to give him a hug. [giggles]

Yes! [chuckles]

[♪ uplifting music playing]

-[seagulls squawking] -[indistinct chatter]

[chickens clucking]

[♪ uplifting music continues]

[chickens clucking]

[♪ music concludes]

-[door opens] -[Vincenzo exhales]

Is that champagne?

Did you really have to get the wine from France?

It's champagne, they make it in France.

Everyone has to be impressed by this, Giulia.

Do these look polished to you? Do they look polished?

I want them to shine more. Just a bit more, right?

Here you are, Donna Giulia. Lilies and white roses,

like you asked for.

What do you think? One for each table.

What do I know?

Are they fancy?

Do you mean "Are they costly?" Very costly.

Grazie, Luisa.

Don't worry, my love. It's going to be a great wedding.

"Great." Great, it's not… Great is not enough.

All of Palermo must talk about it for months,

about this wedding for months. Years!

A Florio is getting married, of course they will.

You're mocking me, aren't you? You're teasing me right now?

You really can't ever take anything lightheartedly.

Lightheartedly? What do you mean, "lightheartedly?"

I'm spending a fortune on this wedding to… to give my daughter to a De Pace.

So, you'll gladly spend a fortune to impress everyone,

but it pains you at the same time because the groom is not good enough.

Don't make me think about it.

You take care of everything, you, uh… you're the expert anyway, so.

What's wrong with Vincenzo?

It's nothing. He's just never happy. You know him.

Where did he ever get that from?

-[chuckles softly] Who knows? -[Giuseppina chuckles]

Look. Nonna gave me a brooch to pin on my dress.

-It belonged to Uncle Ignazio. -It's beautiful.

I've never seen you wear it.

I only wore it once.

[♪ uplifting music playing]

Come, let's try it on your dress. We'll see how it looks on you.

[Giulia] You're going to look gorgeous.

[sighs]

[smooches]

[♪ music concludes]

[Vincenzo] Prince.

Florio. So, you do show up here every now and then.

[grunts] One shouldn't take gossip to heart. How's everything?

[Prince of Torrebruna] Well, thank you.

-How can we be of service to you? -I'm meeting with Rossi.

We don't need to bother the president. I'm here now.

Ah. You're here for a loan, aren't you?

Well… yes.

I've had some unforeseen expenses these last few months.

Um. Nothing important though.

Well, I wouldn't say it's not important, Your Eminence.

What is it? Are you planning a wedding, by chance?

Unforeseen expenses, like I told you.

Anyway, I don't foresee any problems with your loan. You can rest assured.

Well, I'm glad, Don Vincenzo.

Of course, I expect, um, a small favor in return from you.

-A gesture of your goodwill. -A gesture of my goodwill?

What kind of gesture?

[church bell tolls]

[Angela] I knew he'd ruin everything.

-[Giulia] Something must have come up. -On my wedding day?

[Ignazio] He's here. He's here.

You see? He's here.

-You're getting married. -I would even if he wasn't here.

Today is a very special day for you. Enjoy it.

Grazie, Mama.

-Is everyone here? -Everyone but you.

-I'm here. -Hmm.

We're going in.

[♪ gentle music playing]

-Do you feel nervous? -[clears throat]

No, no. I know this marriage isn't what you had in mind, Father…

but I'd much rather be happy with what life has to offer me.

I don't want to end up like you.

What does that mean, "End up like me"?

You're alone. Papa, you're alone.

[♪ music builds]

♪ Nothing else to say I'll do it on my way ♪

♪ My heart is by the sea A taste of bittersweet ♪

♪ I'm happy, but I'm sad ♪

♪ Always in your hands ♪

♪ I'm happy, but I'm sad ♪

♪ Always in your hands ♪

[♪ song concludes]

[♪ jolly classical music playing]

-[lively chatter] -[guests chuckling]

It's different, of course.

[chuckles] Such magnificence, my friend.

There can't be a single bottle of champagne left in France!

Vincenzo Florio is sending a message to the world with this wedding ceremony.

Do you care for me, Ben?

It's the first time I've ever seen you drunk…

-I'm not drunk. -…in all these years.

-Is it all the champagne? -Answer me. Do you care for me?

Of course I care for you! Come on! We've known each other for…

-Oh, God! -Uh.

-How long have we known each other? -Let's drink.

Now, that is something you can always count on an Englishman for.

-Ah! -Let's drink Marsala,

because I don't like champagne, to be honest.

It bloats my stomach. Try it.

-So, this is your famous Marsala? -Try it and tell me what you think.

[slurps]

[Vincenzo] How is it?

Forgive me for saying,

but this isn't at all the nectar everyone talks about.

That's right because this is English Marsala.

This is your Marsala, this one here.

-[chuckles] -[laughs]

You gave me 100 cases.

I had to get rid of them somehow, didn't I?

[both chuckle]

Look at who's here.

[Ben] What is the Prince of Torrebruna doing at a plebeian wedding?

[Vincenzo] I'll tell you later.

If you want to drink some good Marsala wine, go to my table.

[chuckles]

Prince, it's such a pleasure to see you.

You didn't leave me much choice, did you? So, here I am.

Standing like some wedding ornament.

You have asked the Royal Bank for a considerable loan.

Obtaining such a sum is worth a small sacrifice, don't you think?

I see that you've held nothing back to make this party a success.

I do the same with everything that I do.

And perhaps you think that respect can also be bought?

It can be bought.

-Everything can be bought. -[sighs]

I hope you enjoy your party.

Excuse me.

That man blatantly rejected Angela, didn't he?

Yet he shows up at her wedding?

Thanks to my position at the Royal Bank, Ignazio…

I have complete access to everyone's secrets.

Debts, promissory notes, assets.

I basically know the secrets of everyone in Sicily who matter.

So, I convinced the Prince

to come here due to some debts he owes to the State.

Ah, that's why you raised hell in order to keep that position.

You always have to be one step ahead of everyone, Ignazio. Always.

Are you drinking champagne? Huh? With what it's costing us…

[clears throat]

What's wrong?

Father, I'm not really sure I could be like you.

Neither did I. I didn't know I could be like this either at your age.

Don't worry about it.

[Giulia] Ignazio and Vincenzo!

Let's go celebrate your sister.

Let's make a toast.

[♪ uplifting music playing]

To the Florios!

-To the Florios! -[group] To the Florios!

-[♪ classical music continues] -[Francesco] Good evening.

May I have the honor of dancing with you, My Lady?

If you'll excuse me.

Who is that now?

-[Giulia] Francesco Merle. -[Vincenzo] Ah.

I know his father.

Good business, you know? What does he want from Giuseppina?

Mama.

[group cheers, chuckles]

-[♪ music concludes] -[crickets chirping]

-[♪ solemn music playing] -What's the matter, my sweet boy?

It's nothing, Nonna, nothing. Everything is fine.

Poor Ignazio Florio.

Your name has condemned you

to bear the torment of other people's decisions.

[exhales]

[breathes deeply]

[♪ gentle music playing]

Now, that's something you won't be seeing in France.

Someone wasting a bottle of champagne.

Sometimes you have everything, except for what you need.

You have the sea, that should be enough.

Would you believe me if I said I've never swum in the sea?

Would you turn around?

-What do you mean? -Turn around, Ignazio. Fais-moi confiance.

[Ignazio] What about you, madame? What is your name?

-Camille. -[Ignazio] Camille…

I don't believe we've ever seen each other anywhere.

What brought you here?

I'm here for the same reason as you.

I just wasn't really in the mood for the party.

-I meant here in Sicily. -I said turn around!

I lost my mother a few months ago, in Marseilles.

Some good friends of mine thought that a trip to Italy would do me well.

Given the circumstances.

And maybe they were right.

Wait, what are you doing?

Swimming in the sea.

[♪ music builds]

And you? Don't you feel like taking a swim in the sea, finally?

[♪ music concludes]

[♪ melodic pop song playing, “Durare” by Laura Pausini]

♪ Menomale che non sei normale ♪

♪ Come tutti quanti ♪

♪ Che lasci tutto e torni ♪

♪ Se ho paura anch’io e non lo sanno gli altri ♪

♪ E allora come mai ♪

♪ C’hai messo così tanto ad incontrarmi qui ♪

♪ A farne il tuo bersaglio ♪

♪ E poi portarmi in alto che la città è un puntino ♪

♪ Lo vedi quant’è bello dividersi un destino ♪

♪ C’è una notte stellata tra le ciminiere ♪

♪ C’è una vita pensata ed una da pensare insieme ♪

♪ Ed una da inventare ♪

♪ Ed una da capire ♪

♪ Ed una da durare io e te ♪

♪ Ed una da impazzire io e te ♪

[♪ song concludes]

Translated by Giuseppina Paola Bonica