All language subtitles for Scuola Elementare (Alberto Lattuada, 1954).ENG

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Participating in the film's final scene
are school teachers who've received

the "Educational Merit Award"
in the 1st year of its inception in Milan.

Direct from Rome? - Track 6.
- Thanks.

Hey, Pilade!
- The twins! Welcome back! Hello, Ma'am.

Leaving, Pilade?
- No, I'm looking for a friend.

Vacation is over, eh? - Yeah.
- See you at school.

I entrust them to you.
- I'm just an usher, Ma'am.

We have the same teacher?
- Who knows, dear?

Here's the train. Bye!
Goodbye, Ma'am!

Porter!
- Professor!

Pilade!
- Here I am. Give me the bags.

Anymore?
- No, I'll carry the small one.

Porter!

Porter!

Give it to me.
- OK.

Pilade!
- How are you, Sir?

Not bad, and you? - I get by.
- We all do, dear!

So much iron!
- We're in Milan.

What's the saying?...
- "Milan is too Milan". Come on.

Let's call a porter.
- A porter? No. - Yes.

I can't allow you...
- I'll allow myself. Come!

Thanks.

Don't worry,
you're with your countrymen.

A lot of people, eh?
The return from holiday.

Milan!
By the way...

I'd thought you'd went on vacation.

I preferred to stay in Milan.
- Affairs of the heart?

At our years?

Don't mention ages. I'm 20.
- Lucky you.

Are you staying long?
- Where? - In Milan.

I won an essay contest. I was
transferred. They want me as a teacher.

No!
- Off me! Be careful!

I'm very sorry.

Couldn't you have written me?
- I wanted to surprise you.

Let's go.

Say, do you have plans
to work at another school?

Not at all. - How will you manage?
- With my job.

You in our village, with your salary,
lived like a lord. You need more here!

What about you, then?
- I'm an usher, not a teacher.

I get by.
- How?

By moonlighting, a few sales, tips...

Let's go, OK? - No, I have
to tell you, you're acting crazy.

Listen to me and go back to Palestrina.
- Still the wiseguy!

I'm a wiseguy who knows about starving!
Eh, what the heck!

This is it. We've arrived.

Good day, Mr. Mucci.
- Good day.

I'll go ahead to clear the way.
- By all means.

This is my house.

The kitchen is that way.

And this, my room.

A few sales pays, eh? - I wish.
I inherited it, the floor is mine.

Oh, I get it!
- My Aunt Carolina left it to me.

She loved me like a son.
She was a single Mucci like me.

Everything you see was hers.
Good things, with taste.

Thanks.

Before she went, three years before
she died in a bombardment, she told me,

"Pilade, it'll be all yours."

"This apartment which cost us so
much toil, you must live here."

"Nobody else."
- Nice, Pilade.

A coffee?
- Definitely, I'm so nervous and

as much as I smoke, I've a sore throat.

Look at this lovely ashtray. I won
it at a fishing contest for charity.

Why don't we cool off a bit?
- I wish.

I also have a bathtub, you know?
Shall we hang our clothes there?

Yes.

This way.
- May I get a drink of water?

Of course, go to the kitchen.

No! A moment!
There's a trick to it.

There we go. You see?

It's just a noise, don't worry.
Go in.

Your jacket.

I have no words to thank
you for your hospitality.

But we're old schoolmates,
that goes without saying.

I don't want to take advantage. - OK,
but in the meantime, you can sleep here.

Tomorrow, we'll see what
we can do. It won't be easy.

Why, aren't there any rooms?
- No, it's the prices that are too high.

Why did you accept the job?

I was choking.

My mother has always
considered me a child.

Always over me.
The divine selfishness of mothers.

After her death, I realized that I was
living life in a perpetual childhood.

Now I want to live, dear Pilade,
and fight. I have ambitions!

You know what Carducci says? - What?
- "Life is beautiful, the future sacred".

The future! What's the rush?
At our age, a few years'll sort it out.

At our age! I'm only 20.
- Ah, I get it!

What?
- That you lost your mind.

I'd like to be the Education Minister
for five minutes! - To do what?

Send you right back to Palestrina.

FIRST DAY OF CLASS

Let's go! Get in!
Keep order in the yard!

Come on! Lady, give me the crying child.

No problem, see. Come on!

Let's go. But be good!
Be good! Come on!

What are you doing? What a face!

You mustn't cry! Shame! Smile!

What's your name?
- Gianfranco.

And you?
- Vittorio.

Now you're friends. Go to school. Go on!

Morning, Sir!
- Hi, Pilade! - Morning, Ma'am!

Here's our student.
- That never studies!

I leave him in your hands.
- Don't worry, Ma'am.

Can I see you today?
- OK.

Good morning, Ma'am.
- Morning.

Quiet!

One at a time!
This way!

Let the teacher pass!

Let him pass.
Good morning, Sir.

Come on, you can do it!
Ah, you're there too?

Repeating a class...

Do you know Milan?
- Oh, God...

I was here a few times, during the war.

A big city to outsiders.
If you need anything, just ask.

Good luck.
- Thanks a lot.

Careful, this class is a bit...
- Thanks.

Sit.

You, clean the blackboard.

Gimme a piece of paper.
- No.

Now then...

The holidays are over.
Are you happy to be back in school?

Honestly?

Not me, Sir.
- Good, I like sincerity.

What's your name? - Alessandro Bonfanti,
son of Alberto, industrialist.

And you, in the back?

Sir! He's Crippa, repeating.

Ernesto Crippa, right?

PARENT: None.

And you
- Brambilla.

Ah! The well known Brambilla family,

who naturally went on vacation.

Sit.

Today you left home to
start a new life, right?

You become part of
another great family, right?

Right! - Pilade?
- Eh? - You got a knife?

Of course, a Japanese one.
Look how smooth they made it.

Does it cut?
- It's Japanese!

It'll be difficult to tell you apart:
you're both the same!

A minute.

Looking for somebody?

No, no, sorry.

Good.

We'll do this:
you, Renato, go on the left;

and you, Roberto, you go
on the right. Got it?

But I'm Renato.

Fine, you go on the left.
Quick, get out your notebooks!

3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
and a balcony. No.

3 service lifts.
No.

One room with two beds.

There's a single bed!
- I'm looking for a small room.

Just a little room?

I wish.
- I get it, let's see.

"Room for rent..."

"30,000 lire for who finds
a lost Maltese, named Fof�."

What's a Maltese?
- Please! - May I...

30,000 lire! Excuse me.
- Thanks.

"Small furnished, quiet room.
Serious people only. 30,000."

What's left is a bed in a hall. 6,000.

Is my place so bad then?
- I don't want to take advantage.

Take advantage!
- Hey, who's renting here, you or me?

You...
- Well then!

I pay taxes...
- Excuse me, we'll be back.

You must check it out first before
you accept the price. Understand?

The very last Lombard!

What a madhouse!
- That's putting it mildly.

Did you know I published a book in Milan?

Bravo! - It was nothing,
but the editor liked it.

He congratulated me by mail.
- Mondadori? Rizzoli??

No, Foschini.

For what I'm writing now,
I'd like a showcase just like this.

You're writing a book?
- You know what it's called?

No.
- "Children Do Not Exist."

And who comes to class then?
- They're men.

Small, but men.

Do you understand?
- Let's go see Milan.

Machines!
- Industry, trade, business.

Have you chosen?

I'll take this.
- Alright, Miss.

Would you like it wrapped?
- No, thanks.

May I help you?
- 5 Nationals.

5 for me too.
- There you go.

Good evening, Ma'am.
- Evening.

Here in Milan,
the car is a must.

But someday I'll have one.

For my job as an usher
is only temporary.

I say Professor, here they
don't know who I am yet.

But someday they will.

Perhaps. Milan sure is different.
There's something electric in the air!

A coffee?
- Even better, some camomile.

Do me this favor, seeing that your
class is having a checkup. - Of course.

Attention!

A few minutes. The substitute
has already been called.

Yes, Sir. Don't worry.

At ease!

Dear children, here we are.

You seem good, behaved.
Is it because you're afraid of me?

No!
- Am I a scary person?

No!

School is not as bad as you thought.

But you were afraid of school,
but now, you no longer are.

Yes. - Yes.
- I was never afraid.

It shows.
Well, we'll see.

Who can tell me the name
of a quadruped you all know?

Let's hear it.
- Di... dinosaur.

Ah! You know him well?

Yes, Sir.
I saw it at the movies.

There was also a brontosaurus.

I mean the name of a smaller
animal that you see everyday.

You tell me.
- A puma.

Puma!

There we go: a puma!

Attention!
- Go ahead, Miss.

At ease.

I present to you one
of our best teachers.

Mr. Trilli, Miss Bramati.
- Pleasure.

Children, here's your new teacher.
Please, make your school proud.

What were they like?
- A little high spirited...

I'll leave you to your work.
Your first time?

Yes.
- You'll do a great job.

Good luck.
- Thanks.

Say "Attention".
- Attention!

At ease.

Let's start with introductions.

Very nice! We even have police!

Silence!
Who told you to do that?

The truth is that I...

Yes, but discipline must come
from within. Thanks, Pilade.

You may go. Erase that,
I don't even want to see it!

Aren't you ashamed to be
smoking at your age! Idiot!

In school, too!
Out of this class!

Don't be afraid, I won't hit you.
Walk! Go on!

What is it? You stop that!

And you Colonnetti, want to say something?
Stand up!

What did you say?

You're all dumb, eh?
Fine. Sit down!

Go behind the blackboard!
Go to your seat.

Now, let's see.

Yesterday we talked
about municipalities, right?

You, Roberto Locatelli.

Yes, you!

What year was the Battle of Legnano?

If you're on the right, then you're
Roberto. Answer like you did yesterday!

Don't you know? If I gave you an eight
yesterday, it means I was wrong.

Then I'll give the eight to Renato
and a zero to Roberto.

Is something wrong?
What is it?

Sir, Roberto is my brother.
I'm Renato.

Very nice!
You changed your places!

Zero for both, and at recess
you switch back. Sit down.

Boys, don't make me switch methods.
You want me to police you, punish you?

Nice way to educate:
obey out of fear!

No, you must be afraid of
doing wrong, not punishment.

I'm not here to be a tyrant,

but to teach you how
to govern yourselves.

Because today you must
elect a class president,

because each class
has one who deserves it.

I want to see whom you choose.

Get up, leave in silence,
two by two.

You...

You come out.

Do you realize what you've done?

If you act like that it means you have
no respect for me or your classmates.

You have any complaints
against your schoolmates?

Tell your mother I want to talk to her.

She can't. She works all day.

And is there anyone at home
that could...?

Look, you ought to be
more honest with me.

I don't know... you always
seem so introverted, alone.

Your schoolmates play with each other...

You don't speak to anyone.
- Can I go, Sir?

Yes, go.

Four at a time.
- Vote for me and I'll give you a cookie.

What, campaigning?

I'd like to see inside this child.

He always sees school as a punishment.

He's closed, not open to anything.

In a way, it's good to see
so much pride in a child.

Pride is not a solution.
- But it's a defense.

I don't think you can approach
children with such ideas, Miss.

Perhaps, I'm not cut out for this work.

On the other hand, I must live.

Well, they say Milan
offers better things...

Yes, I know. But I have a diploma.

Don't you think I'm capable
of teaching reading?

It's not just about reading.
A school must be more, everything.

We are instrumental in shaping children.

I don't know if I'm capable.
I don't have much trust in myself.

I know it's fashionable to be skeptical,
but your smile betrays you!

But there's a sure way with kids:
Look at them, one by one.

Children don't exist,
that's our invention

so we can ignore the responsibility.

Later.

Attention!
- Turn around, march!

Forward, march!

Attention: right!

Attention: right!

I cut myself with your knife!

They're Japanese and not
made for Italian shaving...

Fine, give me the knife.
- The Japanese?

How much? - Don't worry,
we'll talk later.

Now then...

elected class president
by 15 votes: Calcaterra.

I think you have chosen well.
- What do I have to do, Sir?

Be a good example. It may seem little,
but that's what all bosses do.

Go.

Don't let it get to you.
- I'm still in charge, all the same!

Pilade! Pilade!
- What is it?

What, Luciano?
A big boy like you!

Come on!
Just look at this...

Is that a "super"?
- No.

Are you going this way?
- No, that way.

You want to put on your coat?
- No, thanks, it's hot.

How's the new teacher?
- He's a good guy.

Let's see the grades.

Don't eat this, you'll get sick.
I'm always telling you!

Tip! Tip! Tip!

Stupid!

Brush! Brush!
Tip! Tip! Tip!

One of these days...
- If you're not afraid now...

Get out!
- I told you to leave him alone!

Don't touch me, moron!
- Go home, kids! Go!

I'm not afraid of you!
- Let's go, if you dare!

Let's go. Come on.

Shame on you!
If I were your father...!

You've all been warned:
I'm in charge of the class!

We'll see!

Everybody go home! Come on! Get!

Mr. Mucci.

15,000 deposit.
- Here you go.

Mr. Mateucci.

Miss Zavani.

Good afternoon.

The mail is ready.
Put a stamp on it

and ask the secretary for
the current accounts. Got it?

I've been waiting in the lobby
for two days. - He's busy.

Don't bother, I know very well
he won't see you today.

Mr. Oreggi.

Come, Oreggi.

Hello, Ma'am.
- Hello, Pilade.

Is my husband here?
- Yes, with Oreggi. - Thanks.

Look after my son.
- Rest easy.

How's the new teacher?
- Great, he's my friend.

Good morning, Ma'am.

Hello?
Yes.

Pilade.
- Yes.

3 million. Enter them in the account and
prepare them for shipping. Alright?

Thank you. Good day.

This is the total...
- Yes.

the current accounts
and the registered letters.

Mrs. Bonfanti just passed by.

So?
- Pretty lady, right? - Yes.

Ok. I'll try to set
an appointment for noon.

This package is certified.
- Good.

The stamps are all crooked.
Hurry up and go!

What if there are people?
- You told him I was here?

But like Oreggi: Nothing doing!

Tell your boss, I'll be back tomorrow,
if I haven't already sold the patent!

I will.

Insane! I come here bringing him
a fortune and he won't see me!

Hey!
- I'm going. Good day.

Sir, excuse me.
Please wait.

Would you tell me about the patent?

Shirt-pants.
All one piece. Interchangeable.

Listen, I'd like to hear more about it...

Good evening.
- Hello.

Merry Christmas to all.
- Thanks.

Best wishes to you and your family.

Thanks.
- All home tonight, eh?

I have two more than last year.
I'm a grandma now. - Congratulations.

My first Christmas in Milan.

Me too. We always used to
spend it in the mountain.

All of us together.

Certainly, you won't be
lacking for company.

In the mountain, it's another thing.

Mondini.
- Merry Christmas.

What about this year?

It'll be different.
I'm not going anywhere.

You want to say something?
- Not at all, uh... yes.

But later, there's no rush.
- Brilli! - You're being called.

Excuse me.
- Go ahead.

If I were tell you something, Miss,
what would you say?

I don't know what it's about.
- Oh, yeah...

But I can't, it's not time.
If I could, I'd go to the mountains too.

To Cortina. What am I saying?
I mean Switzerland!

Anyway, Merry Christmas.
- Thank you very much.

Fortunately Christmas brings extra pay,
but it never seems enough.

Do as I do: three salaries. In Italy
today, you need three salaries to live.

Everyone knows that.
- Or do like me: get out.

How so?
- Yesterday, I submitted my resignation.

Really?
- So suddenly?

What are you gonna do?
- Journalism.

I hope to see you again, Miss.
- Why, are you leaving? - Yes.

I'll be weekly editor: news, scandals,
fashion, deaths. - Congratulations.

This is what journalism has become.

You must give the public what it wants.

Goodbye.
- Good luck to all.

He's not the first to drop out.
He won't be the last. - You're right.

And we stay here, standing still.

We strike in support of others,

but when we needed them,
nobody moved.

People today are organized
by the left and right,

but we continue with
our independent union.

I know, our position is difficult, but...

for the state of culture
to be truly free,

then it must be independent.
- Bravo! I like to hear such words.

Merry Christmas.
- You too.

It's all the same to me.
- You're right. Merry Christmas.

By the way, I owe you 5,000, right?
- Yes. - Here you go. - Thanks.

Thanks. - Don't mention it.
- I owe you 800. Thanks.

Thanks. Merry Christmas.

Your enthusiasm is contagious.

I have yet to buy gifts!

Actually, me too...
- Let's go together then.

With great pleasure.

Goodbye, Pilade.
- Goodbye, Miss.

Merry Christmas.
- Thanks. And...

What will you be doing tonight?
- Don't worry about it. Thanks.

Good. The truth is that I have a date.

Bye.
- Merry Christmas.

Pilade!

Probably from Rome.

Do you have to buy anything else?
- No, that's it.

Let me take this.

This street is lovely.
- You think so?

Of course.
- I've never noticed.

We've always lived here.
I used to play here as a child.

It looks like the street
where Stendhal sought Matilde.

With gardens and balconies like these.

But, you've never been to Milan?
- No, but that's how I imagined it.

Intimate, with a taste of secrecy.

Now I understand many things:
snow on Christmas.

The truth is that
Christmas here is different.

We've arrived.

Here?
- Yes.

I've already made you
waste too much time.

No, indeed, I was thinking
maybe we could get a coffee.

Or maybe some tea.

As you wish.

Instead, why don't you have it at
my place? You can meet my parents.

It'd be a pleasure.

There's no one here.
Please make yourself at home.

No, let me...
- I'm used to it, thank you.

Take off your coat.

Excuse the mess.

Poor dad...

30 years a tailor and he
always messed up the shoulders.

Sit down, please.
- Thanks.

Excuse me.

I hope you like marsala.
There's nothing else.

Help yourself?
Excuse me a moment.

See, that was quick, right?

Something wrong?
- No, on the contrary.

Do you know?
I...

Are you also a tailor?
- No, I lack the patience. Only my dad.

But the model is mine.

Dad and I wanted to
do great things together.

But in order to be successful,

it's not enough to
have talent or imagination.

What do you think:
with or without earrings?

Um... are they real?
- I wish. I only bought them for Mass.

But they're graceful, modern.

But I'm a modern girl, don't
you think so? I'm even into sports.

It was officially recognized,
and even in the press.

Check this out.

That's you?

Last summer.
I had a taste of celebrity.

I went into that world.
It was very nice.

And then...

Then?

I got bored.
I went back to two hours a day.

And what did they
have to say here at home?

My mother rather liked it.

she wanted to realize
in me, all of her dreams.

When I told her I quit,
she was very hurt.

I dated a rich young man...
so handsome.

He said he loved me.

I believed him.

But I woke up,
just in time.

And so you resigned yourself to teaching.

Yes, and now I have to take that exam.
But it's so difficult and I'm not ready.

That's why I'm here.
If you need help, don't hesitate.

No, thanks. That would ruin any
good opinion you have of me.

But you're intelligent, have the will.
You've shown it!

Thanks.
Thanks for your confidence.

What shall we drink to?

Shall we say... our friendship?
- To your future.

Now, I must go.
- Where?

Over there with my relatives:
a family evening.

Of course.
It's Christmas.

Thanks for all.
You're very nice.

I'm sure you have your commitments.

Me? Um... yes, of course!

Well then, Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

No worries, Sir, go on, don't worry.

Hey, stop being a pain!

Good morning, Sir.
- Morning.

You see how the girls are today?

It's spring, dear, and above all, Sunday!

Good day.
- Goodbye.

Can you really convince him?
- Yes, but you must speak too.

As you wish, but what's
important is that he's convinced.

Trilli lacks the necessary competence.

Fine, but he's my friend.
He's honest and intelligent.

I'm not contradicting you.
- Allow me...

Please, don't get up.
- Thanks.

I need a vase.
- I'll get it.

Some coffee? - No, thanks.
- Did you see who's there?

Who is it?

Give me the vase.
- One moment, this is Mr. Serafini.

Pleased to meet you.
- I'll get some water.

You see this?
- What?

The shirt, naturally, comes out.

The only reason I mention it, is because
it's a common defect in all shirts.

Exactly.
- Here you are.

No doubt Mr. Mucci has told
you about my shirt invention.

There are so many suspicious...
- You don't say!

...like fishermen with flies.
But I'm different!

Note: stretchable and neat.
The mechanism for my invention

is very simple:
thanks to the zipper you can reach,

everything is united,
logical and interchangeable.

A minute.
Why, do you think

our grandfathers had
a buttonhole on their flaps?

Because it could hold the shirt and
pants well and maintain smoothness.

I've improved on it.
- What do you think?

Of the shirt-pants?
- Yeah.

No, this is an original Ciacci.
It goes here.

Voil�!

Lightweight and very fresh.
No annoying ripples,

always in order and decent,
even in moments of intimacy.

And it saves on the bottom of the shirt.

Do I tell it or you?

Yes, it's an interesting idea,
If you want to run the risk...

No, allow me. With my manufacturing
system, there'll be no risk.

Please, I haven't the slightest doubt.

But can you put on your pants?
I'm expecting company.

Alright.
- Well then, what shall we do?

Pilade, what exactly do you want?

To know whether I should
invest in this business.

No, you want me to decide for you.

But this business with
the shirt-pants seems risky.

OK, but you'd never have to change.
- You're a dreamer!

So you are, with the 20
years you think you have.

I'm sorry, but I can't wait anymore.

There's no harm in
reading the contract, right?

What contract? Show me.
- The lawyer's waiting.

I'm not moving from here.
- I'm sorry, good day.

Wait a minute. You've waited so long,
you can wait a little longer, right?

What's that? The St. Vitus dance?
- I'm as calm.

It's for me, I'll go.

Good day.
- Good day. Please.

You look very elegant today.

When seasons change,
I change skin.

You... look perfect as always.
And I must say, I didn't expect that.

Nothing special: last year's clothes.
- But it's taste that counts.

Thank you.

What beautiful flowers.
- Yes.

Do you like flowers?

Yes, but they make me sad.

Because you must be happy
in order to appreciate spring.

You yourself said I'm unpredictable,
but no matter.

Look, I've been
studying the whole lesson.

Dante.
"So gentle and so honest..."

You know that?

"So gentle and honest seems
my beloved..."

No, not like that!

"So gentle and honest seems
my beloved when greeting others,

"the tongue trembles and
remains mute and the eyes..."

Lawyer, make yourself at home.

You can sit in... the kitchen.

Please sit, Sir.

There was an ashtray...
Where did it go?

I've drafted two contracts.
- Yes.

If I may read it.
- Let's hear it.

"Pilade Mucci present here and
Vincenzo Serafini present here,"

"undertake, with this contract,
to respect the terms"

"of the following bilateral agreement."

The lawyer's here.

Go on.

"Considering that Vincenzo Serafini,"

"has patented his invention legally..."

"And so gentle in her actions
that no one can look on her"

"without sighing love."

This sonnet is dedicated to Beatrice.

You read it well as if you believed it.

Yes, and don't say you don't believe it!

Even if it were true,
what use is it to me anymore?

Why "anymore"?

Can you come here a minute, please?

Sorry, I'll be right back.

The lawyer has come. - So?
- You can read the contract.

Now? - Yes, now.
I have to get this to him.

You'll have to market
the product within 2 months.

if not the patent'll return to Serafini.
- Of course, if no one buys.

Do what you want,
the contract is fine.

Well?
- Where is it?

I wonder where my ashtray went.

Are you signing or not?

I don't know... here in the kitchen?
- Yes.

Yes, I know but at your age melancholy
is a luxury. Let's not be so romantic.

The time has come to tell the truth.

To show you who I really am.

Do you remember the young
man I told you about?

I was very much in love.

Completely.

I was his. That's how one says it, no?

Yeah, so then?

So then... nothing.

For him...

it was just a fling...

like so many others.

For me, though...

Ah, yes. The usual story.

The story I always thought
happened to others,

but it happened to me.
- But that's over, right?

Yeah, I know. Life goes on.

The proof is that I'm here.

But how do I explain,

what I feel now, feels so strange...

almost unreal.

Come now, Laura.
just think that in 2 months

you'll be before the examiners.

That's reality. There's little time.
You mustn't make me look bad.

Yes, you're right.
You're so nice. Thank you.

Now then...

"Education for Freedom".
That's a big problem today.

Sorry to interrupt, Miss,
but it's important.

Just a minute.

We must settle our accounts:
you owe me 35,000 lire.

Now?
- Yes, give it to me, please,

I need money for all this. I signed.

Look: lawyer, registration
and lots of other things.

I can give you this,
and the rest tomorrow.

Yes, why don't we go halfway?

You can ask for a loan?
- No can do.

Right.

Silence! What's so funny?

Give that to me!
What's this?

You wanted the map right away?

Newsletters for the 2nd quarter.
Pilade, the phone.

Silence! Now I'll collect the notebooks.

Excuse me.

Badini!

Brambilla!

Excuse me, Miss.

Yes, it's Mucci. - Miss!
- I can't right now.

Yes.
Take this, Miss.

No, no, don't tie it.
Cut the cloth. That's all you need.

You need to improve and stop
annoying your classmates. Go!

Excuse me.
- We're at it again?

Crippa.

You're not even listening.

This quarter was worse than the first.
What should I do? Tell me.

Take it. Go.

Mr. Trilli, please come to the office.

Yes, Sir...
Silence!

Boys, I'm counting on you. The president
will be responsible for discipline.

Mr. Trilli!

You said that after giving out grades,
we could elect a new president.

Fine. Meanwhile, prepare the ballots.
Don't move from there, OK?

Don't worry.

This time you're choosing me!
- What are you doing? Go to your seats!

Pilade, the phone.
- Who is it?

I don't know.
- What a day!

Guys, stay calm:
I'll be gone for a moment.

You go to the blackboard and write...
No, don't write anything.

I'll be right back.

Here, vote for me!
- Quiet, guys.

Keep quiet!
- The election must be clean.

You want end up like before?
- Go on.

Colonnetti, come here.
Let's go to Crippa.

Yes.
- Come on.

Tip! Tip! Tip!

Tip! Tip! Vote for me!
- Will you leave me alone?

Who are you going to vote for?
- Who I like. - He's the best!

Come on, Brushes, come on!

You idiot! Look...
- I'll kill you!

Go on, Colonnetti!

They published your article...
have you seen it? On the first page.

May I?
- Of course.

What's that?

What going on here?
Are you crazy? Silence!

Why were these children left alone?
- Crippa, come here.

Was it you?
- You, come here.

I made sure they weren't left alone.
- I was gone for only a moment.

Enough. You may go.
- Was it you?

What did they say?
What did they do?

Who did this to you? Speak!

I want to know what happened.
Someone's responsible! - Enough.

The discipline of the school won't
tolerate this kind of behavior.

You two are suspended for three days.
You'll come back with your parents.

And you will buy him a new smock.
Good day.

Attention!

Go back to your seats.
You two, go wash up.

Hello, Headmaster!
Mr. Trilli, I've seen the note.

May I have a few words with you?
- By all means.

You wait in the car.

Listen, is my son smart or not?

He's smart but he never studies,
not even a word. - Indeed.

But you could promote him and make
him study during the summer vacation.

You understand? In these last few weeks,
you could give him lessons, extra work.

You know that it is forbidden?
No, you're wrong.

Your son is suspended for now.

I'm sorry, but that's the way it is.

Too bad, I had already prepared for
you to stay at the Villa at a good salary.

Thanks, but it's not possible.
- Well, it's a question of point of view.

You may change your mind. Remember,
life can be harder than you, Mr. Trilli.

Goodbye, Sir.
- Farewell, and think it over.

Good day, Sir, Please, come in.

A shave? A haircut?
- A massage.

May I?
- Go right ahead.

What are you doing there?
Get the broom, move it.

The gentleman is served.
- Brush!

Tip!
- Thanks!

Thank you!

The gentleman is served.
- Magnificent! How true it is!

I'm pleased. People in Milan care
about their schools, in my opinion.

What is your occupation?
- I'm a teacher in Ripamonti.

Ah... I congratulate you.
- Brush!

Thank you.

Good day, Sir.

Come here.

Don't worry about the smock, we'll
take care of it. - I must pay it, Sir.

What did he want?
- He's my teacher.

Who can teach an ass like you?

Now then...

Tomorrow we visit a car factory,
the OMT. You've heard of it, right?

Yes!
- Who wants to go?

Me! Me! Me!

No, you're too many.
We can only pick ten. Let's see.

You want to go to the OMT?

Silence!
Let's look at the homework.

Did you do this?

You like cars?

Very nice. It's well done.

I'll award you for the drawing
and take you to the car factory.

What's that murmuring?
Calcaterra!

Nothing, Sir.

Nothing, eh?
Have the courage to speak honestly.

I treat you like men.
Show me that you are.

Don't keep hiding the truth.
Say what you have to say.

You don't think
it's fair I award Crippa.

And what you did the other day,
does that seem fair? Think well.

Who doesn't think
it was a little... arrogant?

or perhaps a little cowardly?

Sit.
You must stand and speak.

Come on, let's go
Go down carefully. Carefully.

For my boys, today is a great day.

Come on, forward.
- Quickly.

Excuse me.

Two by two.

Laura! How are you?
- OK.

You don't like seeing me again.
But I like it. A lot.

Allow me: Engineer Rivolta, Mr. Trilli.

A pleasure. - Engineer,
we're at your disposal.

And I, yours.
- May we start?

Please do.
- Thanks.

Was that him?
Did you know he'd be here?

You wanted to see him again?
- No.

Then you shouldn't have come.

It would've been cowardly.

It would've been only... prudent.

How long must I have to be prudent?

I can't always live with
the fear of meeting him.

You're right.
- Don't always tell me I'm right.

Come on, they're already inside.

This is the coil.
- What's that?

It gives the current to the spark plugs.

How many workers do you have?
- About 6,000.

Do they eat here?

We've a staff that provides for us all.

Clothes too?
- That too: pants, shirts...

Underwear? - Of course,
that goes without saying.

Thanks, very interesting.
- Why does it matter?

I have my reasons. Thanks.
- You're welcome.

Here's the oil.

Here's the water. - Here's the dynamo.
- No, it's here. - Right!

He knows it all.
- Then tell me this...

What does the dynamo do?
- It charges the battery.

This kid is smart.
- He's always drawing cars.

Would you like to work in a garage?

It'd be a good deed.
- Yes, that's true.

But not here, not at this time.

I'll send him to the Zanotti garage.

When I'm free, I'll call them.

Thank you.

Thank him.
- Thanks.

Come on, guys.
- Allow me to escort you.

Listen, Crippa:

When I'm older, I'm going to be a
pilot. You want to be my mechanic?

Extraordinary brakes.
- Does anyone want to try it?

Not everybody!

Will you come, Miss?

Go ahead.

After you.

Are you afraid?
- Afraid of what?

Only cars are perfect.

Get back!
- Be careful, guys!

Take care that the window is closed.
- It is.

Many's the time we ran off from Milan!

You remember the time we went to Como?

It was the first day.
- I remember it well.

Do you also remember this?

Everything.

If so...,

that means...

you still love me.

Don't lie.

You want to explain to me why?
- Yes, because I'm not for sale.

Let's not use big words.

They're simple and clear words.

Where did you hear that?
Come on, Laura, stop reciting.

The teacher's role doesn't suit you.

I offer something better.
I still think the same.

Me too.
- You said you loved me.

How strange...

Strange because you couldn't understand?

And to tell me this, you've
come on an official visit? - No.

Not exactly.

Honestly, I didn't think I'd see you.

But perhaps it's better like this.
It'll be the end of this story.

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

Get back, children.

Don't touch.
- Come on.

Boys, come to order!

How did it go?
- Very good. I wasn't afraid.

Did he say anything?
- Banalities.

LAST DAY OF CLASS

If the customer can't see
the product he won't buy it!

Hello, Sir. Thank you, Professor.

No, not you. Are you a teacher?

Enough chatter. You understand?
When you see the customer...

Happy holidays, Miss!
- Thanks.

Thank you.

30,000 lire for advertising in the
papers? I don't have that kind of money!

OK. OK.

Aren't you well connected?
Good day.

I told you so, right?
Go on.

Good day, Sir.
- Good day, Ma'am.

Good day, Headmaster.

Good day.

Goodbye, Trilli.
- Goodbye.

I thought the morning would never end.
- I know.

This course has also finished
and you may be tested.

Come on, we can study for two hours.
- No, I couldn't right now.

What's the matter?
- Nothing, it's the suffocating heat.

I need some air. Come on.
Trust in me.

You know what I have here?
- No.

A swimsuit.
Let's go to the beach.

Didn't they tell you, we also have
a beach? We're very organized.

Then, what do you say?
- I think I'm not in shape.

Don't say that, come.

Then, you've made up your mind?

Yes. - Even to convince me? - Yes.

I was confident you'd come.

I accept.
Excuse me a moment.

I understand. I feel more sorry than you,
but what can you do? Rules are rules.

And instead of everything,
it's only two subjects. You can study.

But Sir...
- Yes. Now, I've things to do.

Tomorrow, I'll bring you to the garage.
Are you happy?

Bye til tomorrow.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR BOYS

Who's this I see?

Seek not and ye shall find.

Don't move, please.
Your future is at stake.

No, I beg you, leave me alone...

I don't want to, get it?

92.
- Would you have another?

You want a one piece?
- Yes, I'd prefer it.

97...

98...

Go on, Sir.

Hello.

Are we here to go fishing?

Forget her.
- Well, excuse me...

Listen, Laura, it'll only be a moment.
Besides, I'm not asking for so much!

Will you leave me alone!

You heard her, leave her be!

Well then? - Listen,
knock it off, I have to do my job!

You don't have the scientific view!

Are you going to teach me journalism?

Journalism is something else.
- Come on, give me a hand!

And I'm the one who should give it?

You don't get it: being on the
front page would change her life!

Contracts would pour in:
radio, theater, TV...

But she has something else in mind.
She only wants her degree.

Why that'd be a great coup!
Think of the headline:

"The Girl of the Week Chooses School".

"She prefers to teach
in a small mountain village."

This is not a joking matter.
- Joking! It'll be a hit!

Stop a moment.
Thanks.

You still don't get it?
- You know you're crossing the line.

You have no right!
- What do you mean? Who are you?

Are you her husband or boyfriend
or father?

Let it be, come on.

No, you can't let your photo
be seen in such a magazine.

It'll be in everyone's hands!

Don't get upset, it happens to thousands.

But a girl like you...
- Don't worry, I've never had luck.

GIRL OF THE WEEK

Smile. Please, the magazine
needs to be seen.

Hurry.
Now, with a bouquet of flowers.

You come too.

The pose was perfect.
Now the parents.

You Come.
- Wait, Mom. I'll be back. Excuse me.

Dear Contessa, we'll see each
other again at the editor's.

You forgive me?

On the contrary, I have to thank you
for your company, your kindness.

What do you mean?
- For being nice

in being with me even
after I made a mistake.

Don't speak like that, it's not true.
- No, I was mistaken.

One only has to look at you,
to know I made a mistake.

Here are all the fashion magazines, Dear.

Let's hurry, the train is leaving!

Contessa, this is Maestro Trilli.

A maestro of light music?
- Well...

Goodbye.
- Goodbye.

Bon voyage, Miss.
- Thanks. Goodbye.

Bon voyage.
- Thanks. Bye, Mom.

Please write... - Yes! Bye, Dad! - Bye.

A last surprise:
a gift from the company.

So...

goodbye.

What are you doing here?

Nothing.

And you?

Nothing.

Has she gone?

You understand now?
- What do you mean?

Dear Professor, we both
got to dream. You were right.

You, too?
- Not like you.

At our age!

Look, there was my dream.

Just reach out your hand.

Rubber, department stores,
sweet rolls, steel, millions!

I was content with the crumbs.

But no, Sir, not even that... nothing!

Why?
- The product doesn't sell.

And I spent everything.
- But it must go well. It will!

No more crumbs!

All!
- He's gone crazy.

Don't worry, I've never been so lucid.

Yes, you were right and wrong one was me!

But there's still time.
You know what I'll do?

What?
- Ask for a leave of absence or quit!

Who?
- Me, Maestro Trilli.

And you'll see what we can do.

Do you trust me? - Yes, but...
- Do you trust me?

Of course, but I...

I want coffee.
I want coffee! - Yes.

No, look at the map of Milan.

Buyers don't travel to
Milan just to buy a shirt.

You have to supply all kinds of shops.

From the center to the periphery.

Only then can you reach everybody.

Couldn't you use less cellophane?

No, the cellophane is presentation.
This is what we need.

It's publicity!

Look here, we have publicity.
30,000 lire for two days.

Besides, we told everybody.
- What?

To pass the word.

That's publicity?

Wallpapering the city is a must.
You must excite the people's imagination.

Astound them!
You once said something very wise.

Tell me again what you said
about the invention.

I said so many things...
- Try to remember, say something...

Bring me a coffee!
- Practical, elegant, sporty...

No, keep speaking what you said,
any phrase even if it's stupid.

The shirt-pants:
an advance!

It even rhymes.
- No, stop, wait.

No, nothing... keep working.

Slowly, be careful of the dishes.
One moment!

I broke it and put it under there.
- How terrible!

Yes, it was horrible. It was wrong because
I was thinking about more important things.

I need a slogan for advertising.

Did you remember? Think.

I also said something about the flap.

Yes, grandpa's flap.
- That's it: grandpa.

Grandpa works. Grandpa...
- Good day.

Morning, Sir, please come in.
- Come on, boys.

Is everything ready?

Yes, I've prepared everything
for the home mortgage.

You have 15 promissory notes
worth a million and a half. Satisfied?

Please sit, Sir.

He'll be here in a moment.
Pilade, where are you going?

You go after him.
I'll be right back, Sir.

Pilade!
- I'm going to buy an ashtray.

But I have one. Come up, please.
Don't be a baby. Hurry!

He'll be here in a second, sorry, Sir.

At the notary's, you'll get the money.
- Fine.

Here are the notes, they need
to be signed. - Right away.

Here are the notes, sign them!
- I'll sign of course.

I've been doing nothing but signing.

Where are you going?
- To get my pen, if that's alright.

Sorry, Sir, he's not used to this.

Lucilla!

Who's there?
- We're waiting.

One moment
It's my house, isn't it?

Come on, let's go.

Sir, your pen, please.
- Here.

Can I still live in my house?

Yes, it'll be mortgaged but it's yours.

Just pay off the notes.
- OK.

Sign here, come on.

Have you signed?
- I'm not signing.

It's the last one!
- I'm busy, Sir, very busy.

Then the business is incomplete.

Then I'll sign,
I'm the fiduciary of the business.

I'll fix it with the Notary.

At worst, I'll pay it off with my pension.
- Pension? But you're not teaching.

While on leave,
if all goes well, I'll quit.

Bravo! Congratulations with
all my heart. You're right!

"Grandpa was right."

"Grandpa was right!"
That'll be the slogan, the flap!

What a find!
- Where's the publicist.

Are you any good?
- I did the manifesto for...

Very well! This slogan
will be worth millions!

It'll be the talk of Milan!
"Grandpa was right!"

Here it is, Mr. Mucci.

That'll be 5,000 lire?
- 5,000? I thought you said a 1,000?

Mr.Trilli said 5,000.
- I'm the one who pays! 1,000!

A 1,000 is nothing:
we're in Milan.

How does it come to 5,000 lire?

Here's how: 100 by 140, 6 in color
190 each, comes to 950 lire.

You save 50 lire because it should
be 200 per each, but you know Mr. Trilli.

Alright fine... 5,000 lire.

Anything else?

Of course! Not including
taxes or the glue.

What glue?
- Advertising needs glue.

Is the stuff ready? Hi, Pilade.
- Most of it's ready here.

The rest is coming.

Is this yours?

Damn! To each his own.

Mr. Trilli made it.
- Huh?

Good.
I'm happy.

I see we're making money
because to do this costs.

Today, to go into the business,
you really need to spend!

Because if not...
you'll get eaten up!

Any inheritance?

My house.
- Your house?

Excuse me.
- Of course.

Sold?
- Mortgaged.

Good. And surely there
were promissory notes?

Who was it?
- With the lawyer, Costarossa.

Good.
- How is it good?

Bad! Very bad!
You shouldn�t have done it.

But the shirt-pants is a safe bet!
- What about the competition?

But I have the patent.
- Patents can be copied.

How? - A change here,
a change there. It's done.

You should've consulted me.
You've known me for years.

Instead you got yourself in a real mess.

Sir...
- The bill, Mr. Mucci.

I thought I saved 950?
- It includes sales tax.

The sales tax!

One fights all one's life
for a house, and you instead...

Dear Pilade, I leave you with your work.

Sir!
- Go on, speak!

You're a business man. You
can help me, take charge of it!

With the millions you have,
my product would be good business.

You should've thought of that before.
I've too many obligations now.

I'll cede to you what it cost me.
I'm content with little.

What role has Trilli in it?
- The writer, nothing.

I'll take charge of it,
you should be thankful.

Accountant, can we go to your office?

Of course. - Fine.
I'll give you 100,000.

100,000 and we'll call it a day.
Pilade!

I want 20,000. I'll pay.
- Very good.

FIRST DAY OF CLASS

And you said I was a dreamer.

Thank you.

Now begins the greetings.
Today is the 1st day of class,

with the opening ceremony.

But you don't give a damn about school.

Now you'll find another place.

Do you want to evict me?
- No, now less than ever.

Now that I have no bills, I'm fine.

I saw some Japanese wallpaper.
You want to take a look?

Well, maybe later.

They're honoring Mr. Micucci.

Today, he's receiving a gold
medal for his 50 years of service.

Pleased to hear it. Give my regards.

See you at the office.

Good luck!

Good morning.
- Good morning, Mr. Trilli.

Have you thought of a slogan?
- I'm working on it.

Come, you're too modest.

When they told me you suspended
my son, I knew I could trust you.

That's why I wanted you.
Here we go.

This is your your work desk.

Your chair, cigarettes and music.

The ideas come from many places,
but they have to come in time.

I leave you to your work. If you
need anything, there's an intercom.

Check out the contract.
- Don't worry.

Good morning, Mr. Trilli.

You have an appointment
with the designer at 10.

He's expecting your decision
on the canned meat. - OK.

Have you read it? Do you agree?
- Yes... yes.

What did you say?
- I'm reading it!

Isn't the salary good?
- No, it's fine.

Read it calmly, and then sign.
- OK.

Urgent.

Good morning, Sir.
- Bonfanti!

What are you doing here? - I'm going to
the award ceremony. Aren't you coming?

Alessandro, take these, we're late.
Good morning, Mr. Trilli.

Good morning, Ma'am.
- Adalberto!

Hurry, the seats aren't reserved.

Yes, there are.
- What do you say?

Goodbye, Sir.
- Goodbye, Ma'am.

I want to stay, but I don't
want to disappoint the boy.

Don't forget the slogan.
I'll follow up at three.

I want a sensational idea.
Something new, unheard of.

I'll be taking a hard look.
- I'm on it.

Ah, the poster: a fly,
a mole, a beetle,

something to impress people,
you know?

Good job.

Ladies and gentlemen,
I have the pleasure and honor

to deliver here in your presence,
the educational merit awards.

The reasons for these awards are
far more eloquent than any speech.

Headmaster.

Elda Perini di Vercelli,

10 years in the Maternal Vanzone School,

At an annual salary of 47,250 lire.

She has devoted her youth,

to sustain a boarding school,
which would've been closed

if she hadn't kept it open
with so much generosity.

From 7:30 in the morning
to 6:00 at night, always smiling.

Usher, cook, teacher and mother to all.

Rosa Nerina Gaiba from Rome

has given 40 years
of her life to her school.

She strove to help the children
of soldiers, war orphans.

In 1926, she transformed the school into
a hospital to help the typhus victims.

She shut her herself inside to help
the students and their parents.

She never wanted to be awarded
or given a gift.

Today they call her
"Momma of the Gianicolo".

Subject: Resignation.

Dear Sir:

Regarding my desire for a leave,

Gaetano Libertino, 20 years
a teacher at Formicola.

who after the bombing
and burning of the village,

headed the volunteers
to clear out the rubble,

to supply food to the people,
to repair the destroyed bridges.

Following his example,
the teacher's colleagues

set up a private gym that served
until life returned to normal.

Arcangelo Verta Sant'Angelo
de Cetraro. Lost an arm in the war.

He has sacrificed his life
among his townspeople,

whom he never abandoned,
when with sweet insistence

he was called to his final post.

Always struggling for the people's needs,

achieved the restoration of the church,

the telephone, the school
and the public lights.

Clelia De Gaudenti of Milan. Blind.

A teacher of the blind since 1918,
in the Via Vivaio Institute.

Devoted to her students,
even when...

She's really blind.
- ...left the institute,

to comfort and help them
in their hardest moments.

She published a paper in Braille,
which she distributed freely,

traveled to the farthest places, to
help, to comfort and encourage.

Let me now introduce
to you our dear colleague,

Mr. Alfredo Micucci, today
celebrating 50 years of teaching.

The Gold Medal for educational merit.
- Thanks.

Come say something,
you'd make me happy.

Come, Mr. Trilli.
Come and greet Mr. Micucci.

Congratulations, Micucci.
- Bravo, Micucci.

Trilli! I heard you were...

Councilman, Sir, please
a few words for our listeners.

Headmaster, you do it, please.

Micucci, please, say a few words.

A few words!
- I can't do it!

Let him do it.
He's really good.

Yes! - Now, will speak Mr...
- Dante Trilli!

Mr. Dante Trilli,
who has dedicated his life

to the highest and most noble
goal: education. Go ahead, Sir.

Gentlemen...
- Louder!

Ladies and gentlemen,

we have seen what
elementary teachers are.

Let me tell you about one who...

Yes... one that by now...

I can't find the words worthy of them.

They are heroes.

As our Manzoni says,

"Courage... you cannot teach it."

Therefore,
not all have it.

And we must value those who do.

But these here,
who haven't hesitated for one moment,

who never boasted,

who have forgotten themselves
to remind others who they are.

And many others who aren't here.

To them, who represent our entire
country, from Trieste to Sicily,

let us remember them.

Because if they've sacrificed
themselves for their vocation,

then it's time to recognize their due.

And if any of you can't see us,

you must looks inwards,
because you'll find us

where everything that
is good, clean, true

remains, above all,
in our consciousness.

I say again, "Bravo".
When do you resign?

Well, I requested a leave.
- Goodbye.

Goodbye, Trilli.
Thanks for everything.

Thanks.
- I hope to see you again.

I hope so too.

Be quiet! Be good! Stay in line!
The substitute hasn't arrived yet.

Come on! The last ten go to A.
The others to C. Let's go!

But Mr. Trilli is here.
- Yes, we saw him!

Yes, he was below.
- So? He's not coming!

Come on! I told you to go to C!
Go! What are you waiting for?

The teacher!
- Sir! Sir!

Mr. Trilli, what's happening?
- Nothing at all.

See? We're causing a ruckus.
Go to class. - Let's go, come on!

Sit down!

Children, I have always
treated you like men.

I have only come in to tell you...

Crippa!

There was a lot of work
in the garage, so I'm late.

Fine, but what about summer school?

I passed, Sir.

Go to your seat.

Children, we are in 5th.

This year we have our diploma.
We have to work very hard.

Pilade? - What?
- Got a knife? - Of course!

But now it's a German one.
- How much?

Today, it's a gift.

English subtitles by sineintegral@KG