Original subtitles

'The Ceremony of the Senses'

Careful, he might be dangerous.

He went and crashed straight into the roadworks.

They've finally put him in an ambulance.

The car's on fire!

- Who were they? - I don't know!

- Are you okay? - No.

Let me help you.

- Where do you live? - I live up there.

Come on, you can do it.

Finally, I really thought I wasn't going to make it.

Excuse the mess.

- Have you got any disinfectant? - Yes, over there.

You know, it's the first time anyone's treated me like this.

I didn't think a man could be so sympathetic.

So kind. So delicate.

The world outside is so cruel.

It deprives you of the will to live. To be yourself.

To express yourself.

It wants to dehumanise you.

It deprives you of all the enthusiasm and joy there is in the world.

Mankind created society purely for economic reasons.

And through its structure it has created weak spots in individuals.

The system oppresses you.

It creates misfits, frustration, complexes.

It takes a lot of courage to get over all that.

We have to be strong.

But what about the weak?

Yes, the weak.

Don't they also have a right to live?

So what do they have to do to live?

No, to survive.

They look for an escape.

They try to recreate their own world.

Far from those who want them to be different.

They try to recreate their own identity, their will to live.

You know, I'm like them as well.

I also drop acid to recreate a different world.

Yes, drugs give me the ability to survive.

I've dropped some acid.

And now I'm smoking something to lighten the effects.

Soon I'll be in another dimension.

You'll guide me, and you'll make the trip more enjoyable.

I don't want to know who you are.

Or where you come from, or your name.

I want to believe you really are Him.

That you came to find me to restore my faith in men.

To give me your love.

Yes, you're too kind to not be his incarnation.

I'm sure of it. Please say you are Him!

Tell me you'll love me.

Just the thought that the sacred and the profane...

are about to be conjoined makes me crazy.

I want you. Please.

Don't deny yourself. Don't be afraid.

Come.

Let's close some other company and then we'll see.

Our money's safe.

Why don't you finance some fascist groups as well?

You know they're very useful for instilling fear in the public.

The people are scared and we could always have control of the situation.

They'll cover us.

Sitting on those sofas gives them numerous possibilities.

Yes, but we've got to create the right characters.

We can fool everyone with our military secrets.

We don't speak and we're always free.

Even if we create the biggest mess!

We're going.

You're worse than a philanderer.

Yes, dear... Look!

Something's coming out.

Now it's going back inside.

Now look! Look, look!

There's a surprise.

Organising a party like this isn't easy these days, public opinion...

I don't give a damn what those peasants think.

I'm protected on all sides, I think I've proven that.

A lot of people need my parties.

You as well. You know perfectly well.

Don't all your ideas come from here?

She's good, isn't she?

Look at the fat one!

You have to make some more documents disappear.

Look at how much the chief magistrate is enjoying himself.

Chief magistrate? We're all in the cauldron.

He's also waiting for another big earthquake to destroy a large area...

so he can pocket a few million.

It's happened before, to people who weren't too smart and got caught.

I wasn't expecting that!

Thank you.

You can go now, dear. Grab your things.

Gentlemen, once again I will not disappoint you...

with the erotic game I've prepared.

But I warn you, you've all got to take part, I mean everyone.

No one can refuse to do what I will do.

And each one of you, be they man or woman...

will have to give it their very best.

And I'll end the proceedings with a unique surprise!

- Are we all agreed? - Yes!

Yes, yes, okay.

Turn of the lights!

And you, bring in the rugs and cushions, create a large space.

Now everyone take their place.

It's a wonderful game.

Here's the surprise!

Don't keep us waiting! Now shit! Pee!

Show us your bums!

Don't let us down, gentlemen! Have a little piss as well.

Everyone in the middle!

My compliments for taking the initiative, Father!

Aren't our guests great? That's it, pee!

Have you seen our work of art, sir?

Look at the example!

Yes, it looks familiar.

- Do they remind you of something? - Yes, they look like our capital!

Come on, get to work!

Lick the General, the Minister, and the Cardinal's asses!

Stop! Stop!

Get out of here!

You've reduced the country to a toilet!

To a mountain of shit!

This has to stop!

Everyone must know who runs this country!

You've ruined it!

Get out! Everyone out!

Everyone must know! Yes, everyone must know!

We're supposed to trust you! Out!

Police? Thank god!

You must send some men to Via Giorgione right away.

Thank you.

We've been attacked by some madmen, hurry!

They're killing us! Yes, the chief magistrate's here.

Five minutes? Hurry!

Yes, thank you, thank you!

Murderers!

Thieves! Criminals!

Criminals!

Go away! Out!

Nobody move! In the name of the law!

Take them outside!

Let's make this quick. Criminals!

Come on! It's always the same ones!

- Sheep! - Move it!

Look at them, always the same faces.

Now be quiet, got it?

Go back to your post, I'll deal with this.

You filthy scum!

You'll talk.

You'll talk!

We'll see if you won't admit to belonging to those subversive left-wing groups...

who go around creating disorder! We'll see!

Tomorrow everyone will know. Yes, everyone!

They'll see what kind of criminals are disrupting the lives of honest citizens!

- Call them. - Yes, Inspector.

Piece of shit! You'll talk!

You'll talk!

Take him.

I'll make you spit blood!

Well, well.

Now the fun begins.

So...

Do you want to tell us what happened?

Why did you start a riot in that lady's house?

Listen.

Give us a statement that we can use.

And you'll leave this room with both your legs.

Look at the Inspector when he's talking to you, shithead!

Leave him.

You'll talk, you'll see.

You want to cooperate with us, don't you?

Isn't that right?

Come on, stop wasting our time.

We'll tell you what to write, then we'll let you go.

The others will pay for you.

Bastard!

You dirty son of a bitch!

You continue.

Teach him a lesson. The usual.

The one you're so good at.

We can't release him in this condition.

Pick him up.

Hurry up, let's go!

Hurry up, let's go!

He was feeling sick. He fell from the window.

They killed him.

All you have to do is believe in me.

And you'll see.

Open your eyes.

Now do to the others what I've done for you.

And you throw away those crutches and walk.

Go now. Go.

A paranormal event is unfolding in our country.

A person, so far unidentified, appears to be performing miracles.

Meanwhile, these miracles have manifested in revelations of alleged scandals...

involving major players in political and economic power.

The fact is, the foundations of our society being put in danger...

by the reaction from the masses who seek clarification about the scandals.

A state of emergency has been declared to combat the protests and rioting.

As you can see in our report.

Crowds of demonstrators are pouring into city streets across the country.

Who are demanding the immediate resignation of all the ministers involved.

And that all the facts of the case are made public.

The authorities are making great efforts to quell these ongoing protests.

The situation is becoming increasingly tense.

Ministers and those in positions of political and economic power...

in fear of the current situation are fleeing the country.

Inspector, your inefficiency is unbelievable.

This youth is continuing to fuel this popular uprising.

The nation is getting increasingly restless.

He's managed to distance political figures.

To reveal wrongdoings.

They all worship him as though he were the messiah.

So what do we do?

We just stand by and watch. We can't get our hands on him to stop him.

Do you realise that we're all in serious danger?

What would happen if the public were to find out all of this?

Gentlemen, we're doing everything we can to get him.

We're using all our means.

You rightly said that the public see him as the new messiah.

- They say he can perform miracles. - Don't talk nonsense.

It's taken centuries to get them to believe in miracles.

And all this to condition the public and make them our slaves.

And now you come here and talk to me about a messiah?

Don't you realise how absurd this is?

Who more than us knows just how far fetched this all is?

And who says he not using the very same politics as the church?

Enough of this pointless discussion.

Let's start thinking of a way to get rid of him.

We're among the worst affected.

He's exposing scandals and political maneuvers to seize power.

And other things it would be best not to mention.

Things that you know as well as I do.

Good morning. Sorry I'm late.

But with everything that's happening, I spoke to you know who.

Everyone's scared.

None of us can sleep at night.

If it continues like this, everything we've done in the last few years...

will fall apart in a few seconds.

And any political compromises will be worthless.

The public won't believe anyone anymore.

We've got to start something that will create confusion, fear and tension.

Make them believe that he too, along with his henchmen, is a menace to society.

Yes, I believe the best tactic is to create a strategy of fear.

You'll see, the fear will render them incapable of understanding or thinking.

We've done it many times before and we can do it again.

What matters is that we don't lose our cool.

Hold on, I might have an idea.

Didn't you say they call him the messiah due to his ability to perform miracles?

What if we were to exploit this ability in our favour?

Hear me out.

As we've explained, we must speak to him urgently.

He's the only one who can help the country in this unusual time.

We're all in his hands.

The nation calls him, it praises him, he can't refuse to help.

His faith, his mercy, will save the country from this a of tension.

Help the country. We beg you.

We know who you are, you were sent here to deliver justice.

To bring peace to mankind.

Listen to us.

You, and only you, can put an end to the nation's troubles.

We know we've done wrong.

But we're all humbly disposed to do whatever it takes...

to restore peace to this nation.

The people must be defended.

We need to find a way for them to live.

All the abuses of power and all the injustices must cease.

Only a good man, devoted, with your abilities can do this, but...

But he's dead, and now we're in your merciful hands.

Yes, bring him back to life, you who can do it.

We know nothing is impossible for you, don't refuse us.

We all beg you, it's the country, it's the people who ask.

We want peace. A fair way to govern.

Bring him back to life, you who can do anything.

The people will be grateful.

Take me to the deceased.

He's buried here.

In the name of God, bring him back to life.

Remove the cover.

Come out.

We'll plan terrorist attacks.

We'll destroy the population with fires.

With devastating famines.

With bombs!

We'll create bloodthirsty anarchists.

So then people will lose faith in political organisations.

And we'll have the public on our side.

It might be an idea if some of us lay low for a while.

Yes, and leave the country momentarily.

In time we'll recreate a new political virginity.

Cheers!

He wanted to perform a miracle and he didn't even do one.

To his health!

Well he sure gave us a miracle.

- Did you see what he's capable of? - Yes, yes!

My compliments, I heard you managed to get that lunatic involved in your plans.

It's over now. People won't trust him anymore.

And you can relax and continue doing whatever you want.

Thank you.

I brought some girls to celebrate his downfall.

They've been fasting for quite a few days now and they're starving.

Perhaps with a little imagination we'll manage to do something new.

- Where are they? - In the other room.

At your disposal.

Quick, bring them in.

Right away. Girls!

I think I'll feed that little brunette over there.

Impossible!

Listen.

What are you up to? You can tell us.

Girls, clean these gentlemen's feet. After they'll give you something to eat.

Little girl.

Come and eat.

Come out.

Who are you?

Listen, what do you want?

What is it?

He came here and he doesn't know what he wants.

Damn it, that's the guy we're looking for!

Put him in a cell.

I know he's busy. It's urgent.

Okay.

Inspector.

There's a call for you.

Yes?

Yes. Of course it's me.

What?

Yes.

Yes, I'll be there in ten minutes at the most.

Brigadier.

Don't say a word to anyone else about this.

Gentlemen.

I have some very interesting news for you.

The messiah is finally in our hands!

And here we are, all together again.

Now we're going to have a little chat. You'll tell us who you really are.

And which political group you belong to.

I'm talking to you. Answer me or I'll lose my patience.

Son of a bitch! After all the trouble you caused, you even dare to remain silent?

Don't be so hasty, my dear friends. This dear boy will talk.

He'll talk, you'll see.

- You fell for it. - You won't hurt us again.

The marvelous period of the inquisitions.

Those times really were teeming with enthusiasm.

With our methods we could make people say whatever we wanted.

I've heard that many of the clergymen enjoyed it.

Torturing the prisoners.

Talk.

Talk! Son of a bitch!

Talk!

What a dream!

That really was terrible.

Thank goodness it was just a dream.

What a nightmare.

But it all seemed so real.

You can't run away from me like in a dream!

It's a dream! Go away!

This is a dream!

Mercy, mercy!

No!

I don't want to see you!

Go away!

Go away!

Who are you?

You don't answer! Go away!

Everyone go away!

I don't want to see you anymore!

Who are you?

You don't exist! Go away!

Go away!

What are you doing?

Let go of me!

Why?

No! Please!

Stop!

Please! Stop!

Stop!

Let me go. What have I done?

Why? Let me go!

Stop!

Please stop! Why?

- You're a fraud! - Why? Let me go!

A fraud!

You know what you are? A shit! Who do you think you are?

Look at the state of you!

Shame on you, peasant!

Why?

He's deluded.

Stop!

We are the law!

The faith!

Defenders of the nation!

We know the chaos you've caused and so we condemn you!

You wanted to be the messiah? You'll be condemned like him!

You too will be crucified!

Delinquent!

Insane and deluded!

Let me go!

No, not the crucifix!

We know you're in there!

Let us in or we'll kick the door down!

Go away! I don't want to see you!

Go away! I don't know who you are!

I don't know you!

Let us in!

Go away!

Go away!

He's a crazed lunatic!

He's dangerous!

He's over the worst of it. He's out of danger now.

That accident could have cost him his life.

'The Ceremony of the Senses'

Subtitled by Elio Pier Paolo Ferroni March 2020