THE HOUSE OF WOMEN
There's a very old tradition in the south of Italy.
The preparation and preservation of Italian tomato sauce.
Before the canning industry took over this business,
it was done by families.
The preparation of the product had several stages.
It coincided with the end of August and lasted one week.
Women were in charge of the procedure.
They gave men the hardest tasks to do
and young children joined in too.
In the end, they dropped, exhausted and triumphant,
like heroic soldiers after a tough battle.
This long and complex procedure
allowed the women to prove their mysterious abilities.
Nobody could interfere with the preparation of the sauce.
Everyone anxiously gathered together
around the gigantic cauldron,
waiting for the scarlet steam to rise
indicating a new beginning.
Even those who weren't directly involved
became captivated by this sacred celebration,
the celebration of the power of women.
For better or worse...
AUGUST 1980
There are women only in this house.
It's my family.
There isn't even one man left.
Some died and some ran away.
You're getting some fresh air?
We could do with a storm.
Can't you feel it in your bones?
You got the attic key, Raffaella?
Life at Grandpa Rocco's farm was more or less like this.
Grandpa Rocco! He slept with anyone!
Our family actually began here because of his passion for women.
Everyone who was related by blood or affection,
came to live here.
In the capital, Bari.
RICCI PEELED TOMATOES BRINGING TRADITION TO YOUR TABLE
AUGUST 1920
Great! Here's Roccuzzo!
Come on, let's go!
- Pasquale, where are you going? - Fuck you!
You're a slut, Marietta!
He's our boss! He's got plenty of women!
- He doesn't need you. - Right!
Should I be like you, Checchina? You just screw the seasonal workers!
Like that penniless Pasquale Sciancalepore!
Shut up!
I'm going to tell dad. Or maybe not..
I'll give you a good hiding!
You'd better show me some respect!
Grandma Checchina was Domenico's eldest daughter.
Domenico was a widowed farmer dependant on Grandpa Rocco.
She argued constantly with her sister, Aunt Marietta.
They fought for grandpa's attention.
He had already conquered the youngest
now he was ready to conquest the eldest.
They held an eternal grudge against one another.
This grudge grew with time, capturing a third girl,
who was destined to have an important role in our family.
Pasquina was an orphan and grandpa's maid.
She wasn't exactly beautiful.
Nobody thought that grandpa could be interested in her.
They were wrong.
Even Pasquina had entered into grandpa's perversions.
Pasquina, come here!
What are you saying, Pasquale?
You're the only one I love!
I don't give a shit about Rocco.
You looked at him the other morning when he arrived in his car!
I'm not blind. Rocco's good-looking.
He's rich and always well-dressed.
- But he hasn't got what you've got! - What have I got?
I'm just poor.
You're hot and passionate.
I'm wilting. Relight my fire! You're so good at it!
Damn you, mister!
You want to scare me to death? You shouldn't joke about death!
Who's joking? Were you worried?
- So you do love me? - What?
Didn't you know?
Go away.
You like breaking hearts.
Not those under a pair like these.
They're sweeter than kisses!
And they're tastier!
I'm stealing them from that bastard Rocco!
They're delicious, I'll take some to Pasquale too.
He can eat them with his bread.
Stuff you, Rocco!
He's always gawking and undressing you with his eyes!
All those pervy looks and weird behaviour.
He never acts like a real man.
Why doesn't he say it to my face? "You're beautiful. I fancy you."
I'm a woman and it's nice to hear things like that.
Then I could take Marietta's place!
If anyone's going to have him, it's going to be me!
I'm the eldest, it goes without saying!
What am I going to do with you?
Are you going to get down on your own?
Or do you want me to help you? So we can eat those grapes together.
I'm sorry, Mr. Rocco. They looked so good.
I only wanted a bit of fruit. It is Sunday!
I saw them from miles away!
- They'd only get eaten by birds. - These grapes are really tasty!
But they're mine!
- Domenico! - For fuck's sake, Rocco!
I was your dad's and your grandpa's servant before being yours.
That's why I haven't knocked your block off yet!
If anyone touches my daughters,
I'll give my life for them. I'll make them pay for it!
- What's up? - What the hell did you do?
I know... we're men.
I need to save my daughters' name.
- Get it now? - Yes... no, explain what you mean.
Checchina is pregnant. She's missed two periods.
The kid can only be yours.
Are we going to give this kid a father?
OCTOBER 1920
Damn you, Checchina!
You stole my man!
By deceiving him!
I was his woman.
I was a virgin when Rocco touched me!
I was immaculate.
Not like you, who'd already been with Pasquale!
You made that idiot believe you were a virgin!
Men are so gullible!
But I swear...
I swear on my poor mother who's watching me from above!
She can see how much I'm suffering! I swear!
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth!
Rocco'll never be yours!
Never!
Hoorah for the bride and groom!
Domenico!
SEPTEMBER 1921 You don't get it, do you?
You're married and a father!
You still go round knocking up women?
I was your dad's and your grandpa's servant before being yours.
That's why I haven't chopped your head off... the one down there!
- Get it now? - Yes.
- Marietta. - She's pregnant.
She's already missed two periods and the kid can only be yours.
So, are we going to give this kid a father?
What am I supposed to do? I can't now.
You can.
You supply the dowry,
the house and cover the wedding costs.
We'll find her a husband.
Dad, what about Pasquale?
He's poor, he could do with some money.
Then we'd all be happy!
We'll make a great family. Isn't that right, Marietta?
We know you're listening behind the door!
Pasquale!
Congratulations!
Here we are again, Pasquale!
I'm yours!
Rocco's mine, you bitch!
But I'm in charge, you slut!
AUGUST 1922
- Well, doctor? - It's a beautiful girl.
- A girl, again? - What can I do?
- You should be happy anyway! - Yeah.. right!
- How's Checchina? - Fine, she could have another ten.
Daughters? No, thanks, doctor.
Take the baby.
Listen, doctor.
Marietta told me that you found her kid a bit skinny.
You think I should take him to see a specialist in Bari?
No, it's just the heat. He doesn't like Marietta's milk.
He's got diarrhoea and he's losing weight.
You really care about your nephew!
Guido's like a son to me.
Right! A son!
And Fedora? And this other one?
What are you thinking of?
You got yourself into this mess!
But these poor kids...
all need to be loved equally, all of them!
Is that clear?
SEPTEMBER 1922
He took all the money.
Then he left without saying a word!
Of course, with a wife like you! What do you expect?
- He's done his duty. - You can say that! Checchina!
Stop stirring, you witch!
We're all God fearing respectable Christians here!
Yeah... sure, "Madame" Checchina!
That's enough!
My two daughters are like a pair of angry dogs!
Always at each others throats!
Why would a man stay here with you?
For the money? For the land?
No!
You can't buy peace and quiet!
And you, my dear husband, you're saying nothing?
How will your sister-in-law cope without her husband?
I'm such an idiot!
You're so generous and affectionate, you can comfort her!
But now... who's going to comfort you?
You think it's funny?
You know what?
From now on, my husband isn't going to comfort anyone!
No one!
Got that?
Why don't you say something?
Fucking money!
It keeps me chained up here!
If I was a poor and unemployed nobody...
Where's Pasquale now? Is he already in America?
I should be in Australia now, instead of here with you two!
My God, help me!
OCTOBER 1922 What's happening to me?
Help me!
I want to vomit, but I can't.
I know it's punishment for... My God, I know I was wrong!
Don't let me say anything else!
I know, certain things are wrong.
I swear on my life that I didn't want to do it.
But the boss is strong and powerful.
He was pissed off with his wife and sister-in-law!
You can't say no because he's the boss.
But he hurt me when he was on top of me.
I was thinking of you, the Virgin Mary!
You're a woman, just like me, vulnerable.
You can understand better than anyone.
Please help me!
Please help me to get over this!
I'm scared I'm going to die.
NOVEMBER 1922
You'll be in my double bed with me.
Your clothes can go in the trunk.
You're not going anywhere. You'll stay here with me.
We'll bring you food and things to wash with.
You can continue working but closed in here.
Nobody can see you.
Everyone knows you have a strange illness. We'll look after you.
We'll help you when the baby's born.
Me and Rocco will acknowledge the kid, as if it's ours.
That's how will it be for everyone.
Even when he grows up and is an adult,
for ever and ever... amen!
Is that clear?
Yes, Madame Checchina. Thanks.
Now get some rest.
You can work in the afternoon.
If things were as I said,
it meant that my grandpa Rocco, tireless breeder...
AUGUST 1923 ..hadn't had one legitimate child.
But he had four illegitimate children.
Fedora and Palma with Checchina, Guido with Marietta
and Giacinta with Pasquina.
If we're to listen to the rumours,
there would be seven children.
AUGUST 1940
My life will be like this from now on
I'll always have a glass of wine and you'll party around me...
always!
He's so handsome. His eyes are like spring meadows!
He's the man for me. He'll love me.
I'd like to be in their shoes...
to go back in time!
I got myself into real trouble with these three witches!
It's so great to be young and free...
I got you, Rocco!
Sciancalepore's daughters have settled down now.
Yes, Checchina. You're a bitch!
I've given Rocco the son he wanted!
They're so beautiful and they've been good to me.
Look at my daughter. My little princess.
How unfortunate for us!
Mother and daughter, boss and servant!
This party may be better than ours,
but no one can drive me away!
It's the same old story! Daughters and stepdaughters!
So one husband's as good as another!
My father, Raffaele, the accountant at Bari's Land Office,
married Fedora.
My mother wanted the wedding to take place quickly
to get away from a house where she never felt loved.
SEPTEMBER 1940 Once settled in the new flat,
the building where we live now,
my parents, Fedora and Raffaele, were followed by Aunt Marietta.
She didn't want to leave her son Guido,
who was doing his last year at high school.
Grandpa Rocco often visited the young newlyweds.
In actual fact, he came to express his desire for his sister-in-law.
Aunt Clotilde lived on the first floor.
She was my father's sister, and very fond of him.
She had married Romolo, the wannabe count,
who always boasted about the 100 castles he'd once owned!
He couldn't cope with the humble place where he lived now.
Opposite my parents' flat
was Romolo's sister, Aunt Viola.
She had just married Giovanni,
who was anti-fascist and dreamt of joining the political refugees.
War had just broken out
which proved that the country was heading for disaster,
even to those who were more conscientiously aware.
JUNE 1941
During that period the building was put on the market.
Grandpa Rocco had a prostrate problem
and wanted to go Bari to be cured, so he bought it.
He sold the farm and moved in to the empty flats
with his women.
He took over the first floor in the main part of house,
along with Checchina and Giacinta.
Aunt Marietta and her son Guido were put on the second floor,
at the centre of his sexual fantasies.
Aunt Palma had the flat next-door with her husband Damiano,
the old accountant from the farm.
In the end, Pasquina got the flat between the first and ground floor,
so she could act as porter, as well as wait on everyone.
JULY 1941
Giovanni!
What's happened?
- Viola! - Giovanni!
What's happened?
Viola, tell me what happened!
She's not well, make her sit down!
What's this racket?
You always have to stick your nose in!
Half naked and in Raffaele's arms!
- Has he really gone? - Yes, he left me!
He wants to join the Resistance!
As if he can scare Mussolini!
Serious consequences followed.
SEPTEMBER 1941
Raffaele, it hurts!
- What's the matter, Fedora? - My tummy.
- Your tummy? - I could do with some camomile tea.
Camomile.
- Have we got some? - No.
No?
I'll try to find some.
Camomile tea?
What are you doing?
Don't take advantage of a lonely woman!
You're so sexy! I haven't done it in ages!
Fedora's off-limits with that big tummy!
Raffaele!
To hell with it, let's do it. I've got to go to war!
Give me this treat!
Giovanni, forgive me!
- But you left me! - You like it?
Yes, but Fedora might hear us!
My God, these walls have ears!
What do you care?
Let them fucking talk, they're all idiots!
What's happened?
Fedora!
She's going into labour!
Get some towels for Fedora!
Rocco is born, my first grandson!
Fedora gave birth to a beautiful baby boy.
Grandpa Rocco was really proud
and didn't consider whether it was his legitimate grandson or not.
Raffaele was the boy's legitimate father,
but he was at war so he wasn't there to celebrate the birth.
He's beautiful!
- Don Rocco's grandson! - He's handsome, look at him.
He's really handsome!
SUMMER 1946 After my brother Rocco,
we were born in this order.
Clotilde had Giulia, Romolo's favourite.
She was retarded. This confirmed she had blue blood.
Teresa, Amelia and Vittoria were Damiano's daughters,
he was the only one who hadn't gone to war.
Giovanni was born healthy, even though he was Romolo's son.
My father conceived me while on leave,
which he was given because of an illness he'd got in Libya.
He returned so frail that he only managed to see me
and leave me his surname.
My mother Fedora was left with the duty of bringing up me
and little Rocco.
Aunt Viola had lost Giovanni forever.
His death was announced by a telegram from the authorities.
A funeral took place, even though the coffin was empty.
Viola's husband's name was given to Romolo's second son,
who had returned from the war healthy,
just like Uncle Guido.
JULY 1950
What are you doing?
You've flooded the place!
Rocco! Raffaella!
Who was it?
You've really made me angry!
It's been ten years. I'm tired!
When Romolo comes, we have to talk.
It's so hot!
What an exhausting day!
I've got a terrible headache.
What are you doing here?
I'll slap all of you!
Come here!
Raffaella! Rocco!
You really made me angry today!
Really.
Give me a little kiss!
My lovely little Giulia!
My little darling!
My darling!
Raffaella!
Rocco!
Come to auntie.
Let's play horsies!
Give auntie a little kiss!
More!
Giovanni!
Please, you have to keep still.
- You got that, Giovanni? - Yes, mom.
Keep still.
Auntie's little pet!
What did you do?
Your auntie's little treasure. Come here, my darling!
Auntie's little treasure!
Clotilde, where are you?
You be good now.
- I'm coming, Romolo! - Wife...
There is no work for me in this city!
But you refuse to try anything.
You think a count can accept any job?
How long do you want to depend on your sister?
It's been ten years!
This situation is humiliating for me! Viola reminds me every day!
I'm not like you. You accept to do anything!
Even serve Fedora!
I don't serve anyone!
Fedora pays me well to look after her children.
Your kids eat with the money I get! You'd let them starve!
What harm do I do?
I have a kindergarten in my house.
That's a job too, isn't it?
Will you stop it?
Cut it out!
We've got enough for the rest of the year!
It's yours by right, you're his daughter!
If it wasn't for me, how could Rocco buy this house?
Who'd have done the accounts?
Who'd have seen to the estates?
Who'd have argued with the labourers?
With everybody?
Who'd have risked to pay when they came to check?
- Yours truly! - That's right.
Everyone else sticks to their duties!
Get out of here!
Now!
My God!
- Viola. - Yes?
- You coming to Clotilde's to eat? - No, I'm eating alone today.
Lucky her, she doesn't work in the afternoon!
These shops are a nightmare.
There's just one hour break, then it's back to work.
I never see the kids.
Who'd have thought it?
- Dad hasn't eaten anything. - He's not well.
It's that damn prostate!
- What shall we do with all this? - Give it to Palma.
At least the kids will eat it.
Dad.
Don't you feel well?
- Let's get the doctor. - Forget it.
Maybe you need to change treatment.
I'm going out now, I'll call him.
Leave me alone.
I've got nothing left, what do you want?
Leave me alone, I've got nothing left!
Leave me alone, I've got nothing left.
What do you want from me?
Stop it!
I can't breathe! Help!
Stop it, I can't breathe!
Help!
Stop it, I can't breathe!
Help!
- What is it? - Get some water!
Get away!
Help me!
- He's sleeping! - Dad, wake up.
- What happened? - We're here with you.
Were you dreaming?
Calm down, you're fine.
It's all over. Calm down.
Everything's all right.
Get some rest, Don Rocco.
Rocco felt ill.
- Was it his prostate again? - Yes. The doctor came.
- How's your prostate? - I'm thirty years old!
- That's an old man's problem! - Yeah, right.
You work too hard for that lawyer. He exploits you.
How many times do I have to tell you?
I'm getting experience
so I can become a lawyer.
What are we going to do if Rocco dies?
Don't worry. I'll look after you.
Guido, my dear son...
why don't you get an office here, now that you've got experience?
- It's still too soon, mom. - Too soon?
- Well? - Don Rocco's not well.
The doctor gave him some medicine.
Rocco!
Doesn't time fly?
I'm off to clean the hall. The wind brought so much dirt in.
SUMMER 1950
SUMMER 1960
The tragedies announced over the past decades
reached an astonishing level over the next few years.
We were the involuntary characters, the youngest ones.
Giovanni, look after your sister.
Let's show her the pictures.
Here's your stick.
Clotilde, I'm going out.
You slut!
- Close the door, you idiot! - I saw your husband leaving.
I was hiding in the bathroom.
My shoulder!
- You've hurt yourself, help! - My shoulder.
He's hurt himself!
- It hurts! - What happened?
Don't touch him! You mustn't move him.
Go away, you slut!
Call an ambulance.
The gossiping started at Aunt Palma's house.
Poor Romolo!
- He's hurt his shoulder. - He's got too many problems!
- He didn't deserve it! - He called his wife a slut!
What? A slut?
Exactly.
She has no shame!
Fedora makes out she knows nothing. What can she say?
Since when has anyone admitted to knowing anything at your dad's?
Never!
Starting with your mother, your aunt and the others!
- Shut up! - They always kept everything quiet!
Shut up and think about your health!
Damn you!
I need an ambulance!
I need one.
How are you feeling, Rocco?
I know.
We've had it now!
- Where is he? - He went to sleep.
- What did they say in Rome? - Nothing else can be done!
A specialist like him doesn't know what to do?
It's cancer!
It's spread everywhere.
Where's that slut?
Slut!
Me!
That slut!
Giovanni! Where's that slutty mother of yours?
You're my darling.
You're the only one I want.
If it wasn't for you, Rocco,
I'd have killed myself in all these years.
Aunt!
Don't even joke about it.
I'll love you forever.
Forever.
Let me go.
Let me go now.
It's late.
I have to cook.
Raffaella might come up.
No.
Raffaella's at grandpa's.
She's with Aunt Giacinta. She won't come up.
Let me go.
Let me go now. It's late.
You know what your uncle will be saying about me now?
It's hell at home now.
Palma!
- Dad, mom's not here. - What's this stink?
- It's your turn today. - No, I cleaned him yesterday.
- Then it Teresa's turn. - I'm not the idiot here!
I'm waiting for mom!
The other day mom didn't give a shit.
Dad was all dirty and we died from the stink!
- Let's take him to hospital. - He hasn't got long left!
Dad's illness is all that we needed!
Aunt Giacinta, why aren't you married?
Jesus wanted it this way.
Why are so different, you, mom and aunt Palma?
- Different in what way? - I don't know.
Your looks and character...
How do you think of these things?
I know.
- What do you know? - I know.
One day I heard grandma and Aunt Marietta arguing.
Go on...
They were talking about the will.
They didn't know I was in the loo.
Aunt Marietta said that mom and Aunt Palma
weren't really grandpa's daughters.
And that grandpa would leave everything to Uncle Guido
who really is Grandpa Rocco's son.
They were shouting and I didn't catch everything.
They were talking about Pasquina and you.
What do you mean?
That you're Pasquina's daughter.
I don't believe that, auntie.
I don't believe it.
Come on, it's not true!
Auntie, it's not true!
Why are you crying? It's not true.
It's doesn't matter.
Is it true, auntie?
Who knows, my dear!
It was then that I understood
that what Grandma Checchina and Aunt Marietta had said was true.
Our family was a result of many interpersonal relationships.
Uncle Damiano decided to leave his four women,
since they were becoming more intolerant to his bowel movements.
Cirrhosis of the liver took its toll on him within the year.
SEPTEMBER 1961
Uncle Romolo's health continued to get worse.
He collapsed again for no reason.
Aunt Viola consulted the best doctors
but the outcome was terrible.
He had multiple sclerosis.
He would be completely paralysed soon.
Pasquina paid the price for a while.
Aunt Viola asked her to have Romolo stay in her apartment.
This was a ground floor apartment,
so it would be easier for him to go out.
Get out of my sight!
You've finally managed to get rid of me!
What are you saying?
Your sister wanted it. For your own good.
So you don't have to go up any stairs.
I doubt I'll ever go out again!
And you?
You'll continue being a slut in my house!
Don Rocco was a great man.
OCTOBER 1961
Now it was grandpa's turn.
He was a king in the countryside, but a nobody here!
You can begin. All the relatives are here.
We're all here.
- Good... - Please!
Firstly, I'd like to express
my deepest sympathy to all persons present for Don Rocco's death.
I'm going to read his last wishes...
Don Rocco put a lot of thought into
how to distribute his assets.
He decided to divide everything
depending on the love shared with each individual.
Consequently,
this first floor apartment will go to Miss Giacinta.
So this apartment will go to Giacinta!
Yes, she'll get this first floor flat.
But Madame Checchina will be made life tenant.
What are you saying? That's not possible!
One moment!
One moment, calm down!
Miss Giacinta shall also
become owner of two apartments.
A five-bedroom flat and a two-bedroom one, both in Via Suppa, 18.
Via Suppa!
Mr. Guido will get
the apartment occupied by his mother, Mrs. Marietta.
She will acquire life tenancy rights.
Mrs. Pasquina gets life tenancy rights
for the one-bedroom flat.
Guido also gets a three-bedroom flat situated in Via Suppa, 18.
Mrs. Fedora...
becomes owner
of the remaining second floor apartments.
And a legacy
to ensure nephew Rocco with accommodation.
Mrs. Palma...
will get the two remaining flats
on the first floor.
Please, let me finish!
There are many other bequests
for non-family members.
When the will was read it was like a bomb had exploded.
It shocked both the beneficiaries
as well as those who saw their hopes vanish.
Grandpa Rocco had enjoyed getting his revenge
by stating his last wishes.
AUGUST 1962
- Has Rocco written? - No.
He hasn't been in touch anymore.
Life as a soldier must be tough.
Eighteen months of hard work, for someone who was completely idle!
We're better off without him, don't you think?
Right.
Giovanni, keep an eye on your sister!
Yes, mom. We'll be down soon.
Hurry up and lay the table.
- Mom. - What?
Do you love me?
What sort of question is that?
We have to tell her, we can't go on like this.
We have to sort this out.
Let's talk.
Tell me.
Viola, why don't you bring Romolo home?
I don't mean to be rude,
but he never goes out anyway.
Guido and Roberta are getting married.
They have to do up the flat.
Try and understand.
All right. We'll bring him upstairs today.
We can look after him properly. My poor brother.
Poor Don Romolo. Jesus wants to have him near.
There was nothing I could do. It's a terrible disease!
Viola!
You see?
SEPTEMBER 1962 The walls aren't painted...
..the colour I chose, it should be darker, but not too dark.
You understand? Just a shade darker.
Come with me.
My poor son.
He chose a good one there!
She's a complete idiot!
RAI Television. Good morning.
This is the 26th edition
of the Levante Town Fair in the area of Bari...
Everyone knows.
She's no virgin.
It doesn't matter, auntie.
As long as they love each other.
Does Guido love her?
Yes, damn it!
I don't like her.
It's just evil gossip, Marietta.
Her abortion, Switzerland, her lovers!
You're exaggerating!
She chose my son just to use him as protector.
I bet she has other boyfriends!
That's what I said!
Maybe she wants to be serious with Guido.
Sure! Guido will sort her out!
- He's twenty years older than her! - And she wants...
a brand new house,
a thousand dollar white dress,
and one hundred and fifty guests.
My son has to foot the bill for the little bitch!
That's enough. The film's on now.
Uncle Romolo left us too.
There was just one wreath on his coffin which read,
"For Count Romolo, with devotion. Your friends from the Sports Bar."
People were crying left, right and centre on both floors...
- Come in. - May I?
Come in.
Go through.
There, on the armchair.
Here we are.
- She's here! - Madame Checchina!
I'm going to make a fantastic dress
for your nephew's wedding!
The material's beautiful.
You have to make dresses for everyone!
That'll be hard work!
Hurry up, Lucia!
Or we'll have to go to the ceremony in our underwear!
All right.
Madame Marietta,
I've made you an amazing dress for your nephew's wedding.
- I hope so! - It'll be a great wedding, won't it?
The daughter of Percuoco, the solicitor? She's well-known.
All that glitters is not gold.
- Mom, the shoulder's hanging down. - So it is.
Teresa, those flowers would look better on the armchair!
- Shut up, you look like a barrel! - Look who's talking!
Lucia, take it in here, at the waist.
But it won't hang right then.
My God! I feel like I'm wearing a sack!
Pass me the pins.
OCTOBER 1962
Uncle Guido's wedding was a memorable event.
When we got home, we were completely exhausted.
All the effort
put into meeting the in-laws proved to be useless,
and had destroyed us, in body and mind.
AUGUST 1963
Giovanni, your aunt has found you a great job.
Why are you being like this?
- Working will do you good. - Leave me alone.
Why? We all love you here.
- Me and your mother. - Yeah right... her!
I can't stand her.
Listen.
Tomorrow you must go to the tax office staff department.
Ask for Mr. Lavermicocca.
He's a friend of mine, he'll sort you out.
Well, Viola?
He got the job and left at two o'clock with the others.
Eight hours have gone by and he's not back!
In a couple of hours I'll go to the police.
Maybe he met someone...
No, he never talks to anyone.
Let's keep calm. He'll be back soon.
Raffaella, ask grandma if she's heard from him.
Giovanni!
Open the door!
- Come and eat. - I spoke to Mr. Lavermicocca.
He said he'll wait for a few days, if you're not well.
Come out. Don't be silly.
Get lost, you sluts! All women are sluts!
What's the matter with you?
Let me in.
Only me, I promise. Open the door.
Only you.
What's happened to you?
- What's happened to you? - You're all sluts!
Why are you saying that? You know it's not true.
Tell that slutty aunt of mine that I don't want the job!
Why not?
- She knows why. - Tell me!
They laughed.
They looked at me and laughed.
They said I'm the lover's nephew!
Me!
Mr. Lavermicocca with his sweaty hands!
The employees said,
"He's the lover's nephew!"
Now do you understand?
Aunt Viola and Mr. Lavermicocca!
That's why I got the job.
I'm the lover's nephew!
You women are all sluts!
Why are you saying that?
You're a slut too!
Giovanni never came out of that room. He refused to eat.
The people from the mental home tried to help him.
But they couldn't.
He was found hanging in the toilet at the psychiatric clinic.
SEPTEMBER 1963 Now you have to find a job...
and a nice girl.
You got that, Rocco?
My brother Rocco had got back from military service.
A veil was drawn over the tragedies.
Isn't Aunt Clotilde here?
Leave me alone.
Forget about me.
I'm no good for you anymore. Stop it!
Don't you think about me?
I've desired you for all these months!
I feel bad for Giovanni too.
But it's not our fault if he decided to do this!
Now you're suffering
but we'll get through it together.
Don't insist, Rocco.
It's over. I can't do it any longer...
Rocco, dinner's ready!
Come and have dinner, Rocco!
Are you coming? Hurry up!
Eat.
Eat!
Look at the state of you!
Have a shave!
Have a wash! You've been cooped up in there for a month!
When are you going to get a job? You're always in bed!
Rocco, you've got to sort yourself out!
I've worked all my life, I've had enough!
You're a man, you have to do something, understood?
Why aren't you saying anything?
What did I say? He's gone nuts!
And so Rocco resolved his problems once and for all.
JULY 1964
Hi.
Will you watch the baby?
May I?
Is that you?
No, Serena's not sleeping.
Me? I'm not just here to be milked like a cow!
What time will you be back tonight?
So late? Why?
Work! How will we manage when I go back to work?
'Bye!
The beach? On Sunday?
I have to wait till Sunday to see the sun?
Poor child, with a mother like that!
You see? The baby's been here since this morning!
The mother is out having fun and leaves her daughter with me!
- She works! - Isn't your job enough?
You have your own office! You can work!
- Don't start, mom. - Come on, Guido!
You're too good! You don't see what others see!
- Roberta, I must talk to you tonight. - Don't nag me!
It's important. Everybody knows already!
I need to clear things up. The baby stays with my mom until 10 pm!
Why don't you come home early instead of at 11?
- I work! - So do I. I'm a lawyer like you.
- Are you kidding? - Stop it!
You're old and boring! You're worse than my father!
If I'd known, I wouldn't have married you!
You want me to be your maid!
I'm Mr. Percuoco's daughter, the solicitor who taught you your job!
You want to boss me about? I've always been free as the wind.
Stop it, you old fool!
Guido, it's midnight.
She's not coming home.
Shut up, mom!
My dear son, think about it.
She's gone now!
You have to realize that!
Go to the police to report it.
No, she'll be back.
There's the baby.
So, be happy with being a cuckold then!
Aunt Marietta commented on her son's sad situation like this:
"My poor son! He should've listened to me!
She's not right for you! She's too young.
She expects too much, she's not simple like us!
Who does she think she is?
She's turned this place into a Hollywood mansion!"
The proceedings for Uncle Guido's and Roberta's separation
started at the beginning of the following year.
Uncle Guido admitted in front of the court
and in front of all the family and the whole town
that his wife had been unfaithful to him!
OCTOBER 1964
Roberta!
What is it?
Don't even try!
You know that you have no rights to the baby.
At least until the court case. Then we'll see. You'll see!
Serena is absolutely fine.
My mother is more than a mother!
You can't say that! How dare you?
You did nothing for the baby when you were here!
Damn you!
Damn the day I fell in love with you!
You don't deserve me!
I'm not old!
I worked like a dog to make you feel like a queen!
And you offend me like this!
You embarrassed me in front of all my family!
The whole town knows about me being betrayed!
What will my daughter say when she grows up?
What will they tell her about you?
This guilt will follow you for the rest of your life!
You've ruined us! You whore!
Guido!
Uncle Guido thought that life was about duty and sacrifice.
Sacrifice and duty.
The humiliation of being born almost secretly,
had made him feel unworthy and he struggled day by day.
But even his perseverance came to an end.
Now that there were no men left to be taken to the cemetery,
there was peace in the building.
And so came justice,
which put everyone onto the same sad level.
What happened? Is there an electrical problem?
Maybe a fuse has blown.
I'm going to get Giulia and Clotilde.
Raffaella, has your power been cut off too?
Yes, the whole building's cut off.
It had to happen today, on Grandma Checchina's birthday!
AUGUST 1970
Thank God we have enough candles for all those that died!
- Did Giovanni die? - No, Giovanni's in heaven.
- And Rocco too? - Yes, don't worry!
Serena, go with grandma.
Don't be afraid. We're going to grandma's.
I've got her a present.
- What is it? - It's a surprise!
Let's hurry up.
Or it will be too dark for the procession!
Come on! Come on!
It had to happen today of all days!
- Someone's put a curse on us! - I know who it is!
There's a power cut in the whole town!
You think God is punishing everyone?
Why not? People from Bari are no better than others!
Come on.
Is Serena here?
It looks like St. Nicola's procession!
Shut up, will you?
Thanks.
It's a bit eerie!
No, mom.
A candlelit birthday, it's poetic!
We all look red as if we've been to the beach!
Grandma, I've written a letter for you.
She's written a letter!
- Let's hear it. - I'm a bit embarrassed.
Of course, you're not Henry Shakespeare.
Shut up and let her read!
Read it to grandma, Serena.
"Dearest Grandma Checchina,
you're no chicken.
On the contrary, your head is full of dust,
and you're mom to all of us.
I wish you all the love in the world."
- That's it. - Is that it?
Yes, because the lights went out.
AUGUST 1979
It's so nice here.
It's great. How long have you lived here?
A few years.
Since I became a History of Art teacher.
I bumped into Felice the other day.
- Remember him? - Yes.
He was always taking part in demonstrations,
protesting and clashing with the police.
He distributed leaflets to the industrial workers.
We really got on their nerves!
The legend of poverty and sacrifice!
You know what he does now?
He's the managing director for the Abruzzo Workshops.
I asked him "What happened to the revolution?"
He replied that it was a hard life!
Then he got into his top of the range Mercedes!
What do you expect? Many years have gone by.
Many things have happened!
Divorce, feminism, abortion...
Yes, I was talking about history being changed.
But I knew that history had not played a great role in this house.
Life had always been ruled
by the laws set by our three matriarchs.
Raffaella, can I use your Latin dictionary?
Sorry... it was open. I didn't know...
It's all right.
I left it at school.
This is my cousin Serena.
Nice to meet you.
What does a nice girl like you do...
during these hot August days, apart from go to the beach?
You study Latin? Unbelievable!
I like Catullo.
I like him too. "Odi et amo."
They spoke about Catullo, love, jealousy and passion.
All feelings that I had experienced but that had vanished.
I looked at Riccardo and thought he could be the right man for me.
He was handsome, intelligent and cultured.
But like all men, as far as I was concerned,
he belonged to another dimension of time and space.
- Are you eating with us? - No, thanks. I have to go.
I'm allergic to tomatoes!
Right!
AUGUST 1980
Love! All of us here feel love.
I feel love for several things.
I love art, my work and my students.
My mother loves me,
my brother Rocco and those hurt by brotherly love.
Viola loves whoever she wants to, without being judged as a whore.
She loves her three dead loves, Giovanni, Romolo and the nephew.
As well as the two women who are almost dead!
Aunt Palma loves her three daughters.
She hopes that a husband will drop out of the sky for each of them!
There's no one good enough for them on earth.
My three cousins have what they love,
what they pine for.
Flans, pies and cakes!
Grandma Checchina loves her three daughters,
but what she really loves is giving orders.
Pasquina loves Giacinta and serving.
Without this, she would feel useless!
Giacinta loves God and those she helps.
Aunt Marietta loves Serena above all.
Serena is still a young girl.
As well as her love for her grandma and her mother,
her dead father, her aunts and cousins,
she's been struck by Cupid's arrows and she yearns for boys.
Serena is so young
and her greatest love of all is most certainly for life itself.
Subtitles by: Laser S. Film s.r.I. - Roma Corrections by: Vincenza Misceo (June 11, 2013)