THE SPARROW'S FLUTTERING
Say what you want. Say also that the mills damage the river.
But if you're an unbiased journalist you must also say
that we give many unemployed people a job.
And you, Mr Battistini, you think the same as your son?
In my day, the rivers were fit for fishing.
I'm the late Dino's wife. May I come in?
Won't you let me in?
You... are beautiful.
Just like I imagined you would be.
I came to thank you.
No, I insist on doing it.
And you deserve it.
I wanted to thank you, you probably gathered already,
for not having attended the funeral.
Some other woman, maybe, would have done so.
All the villagers were waiting for it, sitting by the window, as at the theatre.
You really let them down.
This way, you made an unselfish choice.
And I thank you. - You don't have to.
There's no reason.
I didn't go to the funeral because...
Because it was unnecessary.
I don't understand.
Ma'am...
I'll tell you a secret.
I never loved Dino.
I've never loved anyone.
I pity you.
It's me.
Sorry if I'm always turning to you, but, you're the only person that I hold dear.
I don't want to stay here anymore. What can I do here?
Yes, I'm free.
I could start working again.
Yes, I know it's difficult but I was skilled.
It's easy to get work in fashion.
Good morning.
I feel alone among strangers.
I think this village is breathing down my neck.
In front of the door, like a dog.
There. Can you hear it?
You like this singing blackbird? It can whistle 'The Triumphal March' from Aida.
Good morning.
I'd like to speak to you a moment, if you'll allow me to.
Don't be afraid, because...
We'll be talking about something important for you as well.
Ah! Really?
At least, I hope so.
I'm so sorry to disturb you.
Please. Do come in. - No, no. After you.
I'll be right back.
I'm pleased to meet you, at last.
I was... a good friend of the late Dino.
You two met in Milan? - Yes, in Milan.
I was working in the fashion business.
I don't know either how I ended up here.
If that's what you wanted to know.
Please, have a seat.
Sorry. I haven't even introduced myself. I'm Gabriele Battistini.
And I'm... what's the word?
A wealthy widower. - Dino mentioned you once.
You have a factory on the river? - Yes, a mill.
You know, that big machinery to break the gravel, right?
Anyway...
I didn't come here to talk about that.
I'd like...
You really must authorize me to provide for your needs.
At least for a while.
Thanks, but I don't understand the reason for your concern.
Excuse me...
But I'd rather tell you the truth.
I've been thinking about you a lot.
You might find my offer absurd...
But I'd like to take over the relationship with you from Dino.
To have the same attentions, the same regard...
And I'll say also one more thing: you may come and go, as you like.
With a little discretion, of course.
But free, in any case.
I won't ask much from you, anyway.
I'm old...
And you're young, I know.
Don't worry. I'm not asking for your love.
Just a little patience.
The patience to listen to me...
To be close to me.
To listen to my memories.
Maybe some of my fantasies.
I'd like you to listen to me without you getting restless.
Sweetly, as if they were words of love.
It's an absurd offer.
I don't know you. - You don't, indeed,
but I think you can trust me.
By this time, I only need... my memories.
To tell and remember.
Perhaps... It's surely my age, but...
To me...
No past love...
could equal a love which is told.
I'll keep to our agreement, don't worry.
You're beautiful.
But even if you were 100 times more beautiful, I wouldn't dare touch you.
I don't know if I will be able to listen.
And you to tell.
Maybe, we'll both get bored.
If we find it impossible, we'll give up.
And you'll be free once again.
I was going to deposit money in the bank.
I leave it to you.
Not much but you might need it.
I won't be back before tomorrow evening. So you've got time to think it over.
And to make up your mind.
What's up?
You tell me.
Why aren't they loading up the trucks?
The sand is still a bit sturdy. Better, no? So you can get some rest.
What makes you think I want to rest?
Your age, daddy.
Gabriele!
What are you doing here?
They told me you got angry.
Your children are rather too eager to put me aside.
Theirs is just a form of respect.
Respect is one thing.
But to make me realize that I'm just good at signing documents...
is quite a different thing.
One of these days I'll keep the ship afloat.
And I'll make them load up the gravel, you'll see.
Please, can you find a pumice stone for me?
No way you'll find any pumice round here.
Of course I will!
Here's one! Do you see? It's so rough.
Rub it against my feet.
Where did you learn that?
When I was young, we used to break stones along the river.
And then, I would rub my calluses...
as I was ashamed of giving my hand to girls.
When you gave it to me it was covered with big calluses.
Maybe because I had the serious intention of marrying you.
It's me. - Come in.
Thank you.
It's the first time, you know?
I've had enough experiences, but...
A thing like this has never happened to me before.
Neither to me.
Do they sing?
Yes, a lot.
They often flap their wings.
Frrr. They flutter.
It's the mating season.
Do you want to tell your stories in the bedroom?
No, neither on the bed nor on the couch. And not today, anyway.
Let's say...
Some other day.
You're in a hurry? I made some tea.
Don't go away at once.
Good.
Alright. I'll have a cup of tea and then, I really must go.
Because now, at this moment, I don't remember anything at all.
Sugar, milk, lemon?
Milk.
Please.
Thank you.
I might even be able to tell something, but...
I wanted to leave because I had a surprise for you.
And I don't know if you'll accept it.
I'd like to give you a present.
But on one condition: you mustn't say 'thank you'.
You only have to tell me whether you agree...
or not.
Do you want to live here? It's all yours.
No one lives in it.
It was a whim of mine.
I bought it a few years ago.
When I was young, I often worked here for the former owners.
I liked watching them.
I was spying on their life.
How the rich live.
I would hide among the trees. Every night.
Would you like to dine?
Do you know why I want you to live in this house?
So that you can be the setting for my stories.
A prince's wish, don't you think?
But maybe the one a kid would have, too.
I've toiled a lot during my life.
This luxury is a reward in my final days.
My memories... here...
And you, listening to me.
But what do you want from me in return?
I want to share a secret with you
which could contain all of my secrets.
And why with me?
Because you're not one of those who fall in love, Silvana.
How do you know that?
Take a seat.
Actually, sit down.
I feel like being informal with you.
Sit down here, near me.
Or maybe over there, if you like.
I'm here, beside you, full of wishes.
Wishes which I had to drop, reluctantly.
Because... The problem of an old man...
unfortunately, believe me...
is to live with his mind inside the cloud of his memories.
And I think this night is favourable for confidences.
I'll maybe begin... from the last meeting.
About 3 years ago.
A sort of a miracle, because I had given in by then. Instead...
I was at my friend's place...
where a small party among friends was held.
However, we went up to his study immediately
because my friend wanted to show me a pair of binoculars.
He had plenty of them.
That night, however, he didn't stay with me.
Usually, we would spend entire nights at the telescope...
watching the stars.
We were both passionate about astronomy.
Good evening. - Good evening.
Ah, no! If you want to see something, like this.
Thank you. - There. Now you can see. - Thanks.
Astronomy is fascinating, you know?
It is. It lets your imagination wander...
thousands of miles away, even millions of miles...
light years.
Yes.
For example...
Right now, I'm watching the North Star. And...
And I'm...
thinking that right now...
there are thousands and thousands of seamen...
of shepherds, who are doing the same thing.
At the same time.
I never wear panties.
It lets me move with greater ease.
It's a risk that makes me a bit more canny, suspicious.
After all, it's some sort of defence, isn't it?
I start watching the stars again. Or what I suppose to be stars.
Until my eyes shut... with emotion.
I'm sure The Virgin Mary tore at her own face
so as not to see all this junk.
No. She did it because she was getting old.
Remember how beautiful she was when she was young? - Yes.
I was a kid and I used to come here often to look at her.
Maybe I became a priest because of her.
Hello?
Is that you?
Done already? You're a phenomenon!
It's a nice job too. Thank you.
Yes, but, you see... To leave at once... I can't.
Now I'm busy with something.
I'll tell you the truth: no way am I doing that.
Right now... No! I haven't changed my mind!
Let me speak.
What's he like?
He must be about 30.
He's dark-haired. And he has such a voice...
In bed?
I've never felt such a thing.
Yes, he gives me presents.
A pair of little birds.
Crazy? Yes, I am, a little.
Just about enough.
No, come on! I'm kidding!
I'm starting to wait for him.
I'm waiting for his footsteps on his way home.
Excuse me. Bye. I'm sorry.
Why do you want me to come?
What happened?
The house is too big.
It scares me.
If you don't drop in for a few hours, I don't feel calm.
Besides, I got the urge to hear a story.
No, I'm sorry. I can't. See you tomorrow.
No, please. I really can't today, you know.
Dear Gabriele, I've decided to break our agreement.
From now on, I no longer want to depend on you
as a verbal mistress whom you can visit
when your real life allows you to.
I'm sorry to abandon your voice...
That unmistakable sound of the waking dream revealed.
Real, invented, imagination or memory...
I don't know... It was a familiar dream. Reassuring. It was my house.
When you were telling me your stories, I was feeling at the centre of the world.
Two steps away from jealousy, yet loved by you...
more than any of those women.
Because you brought them to me, you recalled them for me and with me
and you brought them back to life.
But, now, I'm nostalgic for the real things.
For the footsteps in the house, for a caress.
You're a refined man. A depraved man...
Too haughty for these trifles.
But I'm alone. I'm scared...
I'm cold. And I'm leaving this letter for you...
for the pleasure of imagining you reading it, elegant and ungainly.
And to miss you, finally. I, Silvana.
What time is the next train for Milan due?
It's still too early. In 4 hours.
Nothing before that?
Well? Won't you get out of the car? - Yes, I'm coming.
Such haste! - Come on, let's go.
It's a nice movie, you know. It's just started.
Go away! Away forever!
From the Paradise's baths.
Ask for his forgiveness. - God is someone who never forgives.
Get out!
What happened? - These young people drive like crazy.
They've hooked it on. It's being lifted up!
Go away! There's nothing to look at.
They decided to die together. Who knows? Out of love...
Slowly! Go!
To the right! Move it to the right!
Long live the bride and groom. Best wishes...
To Luisa... To Mario...
Best wishes... Every joy... Best wishes...
Why did you run away without even saying goodbye?
I dropped you a line.
And I left... almost all the money.
You wanted to go away? - Yes.
So why did you come back?
Maybe because of your stories.
I don't know.
I want to know how they're going to end.
I went to a nearby town to see an opera.
'The Barber of Seville' was playing.
I arrived late. It had already begun.
The theatre was packed.
You were there too. With Dino.
You were wearing a red dress and you were gorgeous.
But, it seemed to me you weren't happy.
You were worried, I guess.
I tried not to look at you. And right then...
You're here to help me remember.
If you want to go away, you only have to tell me.
Whatever you want.
I mean, I'm trying to solve the journey for you in the best possible way.
Thank you. - You're young.
You've got to go out.
You can't always stay home and wait.
Why don't you go into town?
You can take the bus, the train... That way, you can buy yourself something.
Maybe... You'll get a dress or shoes.
You have to look elegant.
If you don't go out and get dressed properly...
you'll never experience a true love story.
Do you want to spend your time listening to mine
which happened many years ago?
I don't want to be your warder.
Come on, come with me.
No. I'd rather wait for you here.
Miss!
Hey, Miss!
Excuse me, Miss.
You forgot your old shoes. Don't you want them?
No. Throw them away. They're of no use to me.
Besides, I like these now. I don't feel like wearing the old ones, thanks.
May I accompany you? - Aren't they waiting for you at the shop?
Yes, they are, but they can manage without me.
Besides, I'm always at the service of a customer.
You're really coming along with me? - Yes, I told you.
I'm at the service of my customers especially if they're pretty like you.
It won't leave until tonight. - Fine. So, let's take a walk.
I'm skipping the shop, anyway because it's lunchtime. Alright?
Let's go.
Can I give you a lift, daddy?
Are you going across the Presale bridge? - Yes. - I'm coming with you.
It's the first time I've seen you getting into a truck.
It's true. I've had to settle a matter for a long time.
We need to pull in for two minutes at a marble cutter's, in Pietracuta.
Anyway, it's along your route, right?
There it is! There's the sea!
The sea!
Are you sleeping? - No. The light's bothering me.
We could go for a swim, no?
I didn't bring my swimsuit.
Many people swim naked now.
You haven't put something into your head, by any chance?
Yes, I can't deny it.
Surely something enjoyable.
How old are you? - 23.
You're young. - You too.
A thing like this has never happened to me before.
I can't wait to leave.
When can I see you again?
Please, walk away without saying anything to me.
But I want to stay with you.
And I want to go home at once.
So... I'll come with you.
When will you decide to apologize to me?
Is it my fault if I like you?
Is it?
Do you have a girlfriend?
Yes, two. If I want to. - Good-bye.
Where are you going to?
If you don't tell me you're coming back, I'll leave with you.
If I come back, it's because I want to go for a swim.
The shop's phone number is written on that shoe box.
My name's Sandro.
Are you tired? - A bit.
Come. I've filled the tub for you. - Thank you. Good idea.
Were you waiting for me?
May I? - Come in.
It's a party.
Let's drink a toast. - What for?
A little novelty. Hope you don't mind.
I'll stay here... For a while.
Everyone's left.
Will you soap me?
Today, it's your turn to tell me something.
I have nothing to tell.
How come? You've spent a day out.
And you want to say that nothing happened to you?
You're the one who tells stories.
Not me. It's not in the agreement.
You're right.
While you were out today I remembered a story
which happened to me one summer day, in Rimini.
I was working in Rimini when I was young, you see.
It was a beautiful morning.
Calm and peaceful.
I was going home and while walking across the town square
I noticed a lady before me who was leaving a shop.
A young woman.
Wearing a new pair of shoes.
It was clear that she had just bought them
because she was walking... as though she was flying.
And her dress belted across the hips.
It was like lightning.
I followed her all the way to the station.
I was talking to her but she kept on walking in front of me.
I went with her up to the seafront and then to the beach.
We spoke a little...
and I hugged her at last in the shadow of a hut
coloured in yellow and red.
She was wearing a thin pale green shirt.
And over it, a pearl grey jacket.
The cries of the last swallows could be heard too.
At least, I supposed... them to be swallows.
Little cries. Sharp! High-pitched!
We made love standing, without even taking off our clothes.
And she told me...
that she had never felt... such a feeling.
Why are you looking at me like that?
Am I frightening you?
Not you.
Your stories.
And how does the story end?
Dry yourself off now. Or you'll catch a cold.
I no longer remember.
It's a good thing that you came back.
I was afraid that you'd run away again.
It's not true that you don't remember.
You don't want to tell me the ending.
It would be sad like all the past.
Tell me anyway.
Please.
The next time I saw her, it was even more wonderful.
Morning came rather soon.
And we immediately jumped into the water.
At that hour, no one was taking a swim.
When I walked her to the bus, it was still early.
So we got on another empty bus, stationary at the bus depot.
And there... we made love once again.
Other than for pleasure...
she looked like she was crying for joy.
She was so pretty.
I remember it as though it happened yesterday. A drop of water
which was slowly going down along the window.
And since it wasn't raining, I still wonder where did it come from.
That drop of water comes back often in my dreams.
On thousands of occasions and some of them are not happy.
But that dream is never a bad foreboding.
On the contrary, it always results in me feeling a little reassured.
Maybe just a little bit but it does reassure me.
From time to time, I too dream like this.
I mean, with the dreams that come back.
But I've got used to these by now.
Are they good or bad?
Just dreams.
To me, they are dreams. I don't clutch at them.
They come and go. I forget them now and then.
They're dreams.
But I know that dreams convey certain things.
They're warnings.
They don't go with the jacket.
You'll have to change it.
Can I do that?
You'll need to go back to town and find another one which suits you.
You only have to call the shop. Tomorrow, though.
No. Not tomorrow. - Tomorrow, yes.
Or it'll be too late.
Too late for what? What do you mean?
Too late to change it.
Sleep now.
Someone... Someone already knew that this would happen.
Somebody?
Who? I don't get you.
What does it matter? It's already too late anyhow.
I must go back home.
Where?
Far away, where I was born.
The shoe selling job is over.
Today is my last day at work.
And me?
We've just met.
Why don't you at least tell me that you'll come back?
Because it's not true.
Give me a hug!
"Why don't you at least tell me that you'll come back?"
And I replied to her: "Because it's not true."
I told her it was over.
But I knew it wasn't true.
I could feel her tears beneath my fingers.
Tiny, countless as ants.
I told her that so as to feel those tears.
She came back home by bus.
And I, on a day like this, at an hour like this...
I would've gone to see her.
She told me that in her village
there's a big square, a fountain and much silence.
And that she was living in a big house, in a park.
After arriving in the village...
I would've phoned her at once so that she could meet up with me.
Go.
Go!
I've just arrived. Will you meet me halfway? Or shall I drop by?
Yes, yes.
But... But you are...
No! I'm just someone who knows how the stories go on.
I don't know how you did it.
Whether you've made it all up.
Do you like it?
Do I look pretty?
I've never seen a prettier woman.
You're more beautiful than a story.
I'll miss your voice.
Sometimes... I would close my eyes when you were out.
And I could hear it.
Then, I would tell myself the stories I wanted to hear.
And I was the woman of your love.
Yes, I was jealous. Jealous of every woman.
I was waiting with a beating heart the sound of your footsteps.
I would've kissed your wrinkles.
I just wanted a caress from those old hands of yours.
Go away, now!
I have nothing more to tell you.
Where were you yesterday? - I went to buy a ticket.
When you'll be gone, I'll go on a trip.
Good-bye.
It's not hard to say it, after all.
It's late. He's waiting for you.
Close your eyes.
I want to tell you a secret.
The story... of a girl who was a good listener.
To the end.
My love.
To the end.
Don't go on that trip...
Or take me with you.
Forever.
English subtitles: marooned2 & knappen, KG