"hello." "balloon?" "Mommy, buy it forme?" " Sure." " 5 euro." " Thanks." " Receipt?" "Then no." "It's easy like that." " Not the pigeons!" " Let him play." "They carry diseases." "Cryptococcosis, aspergiIIosis, histoplasmosis..." " beautiful, isn't it?" " milan is amazing." "It'II change ourIives." "Who is it?" "It's Mario." "Guess where we are?" "What?" "I'II call you this evening." "problems at work?" "Optimism, silvia!" " Yuck!" " Darn it!" " WELCOME TO THE SOUTH " "You can't do anything?" "I've been working there for15 years!" "You promised!" "You know I was counting on it." "I understand." "It's not fair, though." "Bye." "Shoes!" "naples: gunfire downtown," "MinisterMaroni in visit to the regional capital." "102 deaths since the yearbegan, 1,300 in the Iast ten." "It's as if an entire village were erased from the map." " What is it?" " No transferto milan." "What?" "Someone disabled got the job." "To live in milan, a person has to be handicapped?" "They have priority, it's only right." "Wasn't yourfriend "Leave it to me" Mario helping you?" "I told you Mario's a ciaparatt!" "Daddy, what's that mean?" ""Rat catcher", good fornothing." " What are you doing forus?" " It's nobody's fault." "We're not going to Grandma and Grandpa's in milan?" "You'II go the American school anyway, yourmotherwiII take you, if it were up to yourfather..." "Then university in milan, you'II become a lawyer, get married and buy a house in milan's biggest square!" " Or stay here and marry Pina." " Who's she?" "The daughter of the pizza maker at "The Reef"." "She's not bad looking." "Know how much herfather puts in his account every month?" "Fish sticks!" "Fish sticks, again." " What's Pina like?" " A monster." "Are you crazy?" "Did they see you come in?" "We work at the Post Office, not the CIA!" " Quiet, I'm running a huge risk!" " What?" "I've been busting my ass in hicksville for15 years." "Don't shout orwe're screwed!" "help me, orSiIvia won't talk to me anymore." "There's another opening in milan." "In a month the manager in Via valparaiso is retiring." " I have to get thatjob." " Loweryourvoice!" " There." " There, what?" "Is it him?" " The Director?" "." " Shut up!" "No, I'm not busy." "alright." "I didn't mean you." "The Directorwants to see me." "If we say I'm handicapped?" "Are you nuts?" "What can I lose?" "If they find out, you're dead." " But they all do it!" " Coming!" "Thank you sir, goodbye." "Pardon me." "Get the butter and broth ready, then celery, carrot and onion." " GUARDIAN MOMS " "Then the cabbage and the scraped pork rind." "Kids, the area for couples is on the other side." "Stop, he's my husband!" "We got the transferto milan!" "really?" "Mr. Manager, sir?" "." "An inspector's looking foryou." " What inspector?" "." " From the central Office." " It's about yourtransfer." " Have him wait a moment." "To milan!" "Damn, I should have tried it first." " hello, alberto CoIombo." " Borghetti." "You wanted to see me?" "I'd Iike to check a few details on yourtransfer application." "would you Iike help?" "It's kids, always slashing the tires." "please sit down." "What can I do foryou?" "How long have you been disabled?" "It's not easy to talk about." "I was very young." "The memory is blurred." "It's terrible to relive that trauma." "muscle spasms." "Done." "please, go on." "There are two transfer applications in yourname." "A recent one for a person with reduced mobility and another six months ago in which the applicant is normal." "Are you the same person?" "They're both mine." "I did the one as a healthy person... because I wanted my application to be considered like all the others." "It's important to see in a "normal" person's eyes something otherthan pity." " That's quite honorable." " Thank you." "But if this compromises my transfer..." "It's a simple but necessary check, because often people make false statements to get a position in milan." "It happens very often." "It's shameful." "But that's not your case, you'II be fine in milan." "Thank you." "I won't botheryou any further." "No bother at all." "Goodbye." "You're totally out of it." " We're friends." " No way!" "I'm no friend of ajerk who plays handicapped." "I did it forSiIvia." " Sit down." " I'm sorry." "I have some good news and some bad." " I've been suspended?" " Worse." " Fired?" " Worse." "What could be worse?" "Transferred to the South." " Like bologna?" " No, South." " Don't say Rome!" " No, much further south." " sicily?" " No, before that comes Campania." "NearNapIes." "That's horrific!" "You start on Monday." "I have no lightweight clothes, orwhere to sleep." "There's an apartment forthe manager." " Where are they sending me?" " To CasteIIabate." " And the good news?" " That's it." " The bad?" " You'II be there fortwo years." " Minimum." " Two years in naples!" "It's eitherthe South, orfired for serious offences!" "Two years in naples, it'II kill me!" "Now, go!" " I'm sorry." " How do I tell silvia?" "You can't do this to me." "I've tried everything." " Mr. Manager, sir..." " hello, please come in." " Hi, dear." " hello, sweetheart." " Hi, Daddy!" " Hi, Chicco." " Time to eat?" " Yes, it's ready." "The apartment nearmy folks..." "Mom wrote down the names on the intercom." "Esposito, CoppoIa, Wang, Ahmed, Beretta, Capuozzo." "They're almost all from the deep South, I'd forget it." "They're not sending me to milan anymore anyway." "Dinner?" "." "Anotherhandicapped person rolled overus?" "They found me something a Iot better." " Where?" " In Château de I'Abbé." "CasteIIabate, a charming locality nearNapIes." " Terrific, isn't it?" " What?" " Terrific, isn't it?" " Before that." " Charming locality?" " Afterthat." "NearNapIes." "naples?" "To get the position in milan I passed myself off as disabled." "You passed yourself off..." "What ajack..." "What ajackass!" "I can't believe I married such a..." "Jackass!" "You go down there alone!" "Chicco, pajamas, to bed." "Jackass..." "Mommy, I'm scared of Château de I'Abbé!" " ILLUSTRIOUS ACADEMY OF GORGONZOLA " "I proclaim Mr. Petazzoni illustrious academician of gorgonzola P.D.O.!" "Southern italy is a very bad deal." "I know because when I was young, my motherused to screw a shitkicker." "That's the problem, they're all shitkickers, even the animals: cats, dogs, cows, chickens, calves, all of them!" "They only talk shitkick and you can't understand a word." "When you think you understand, you know they're fucking with you, they're nice to yourface, "hospitality", but they're all in the Camorra." " And what heat down there!" " It's hot?" "Not in the winter, but in summerit hits 40°C." "So, you think it's cooIerindoors, but it's 50°C there!" "It's hotterinside than out?" "Yeah, those shit houses are made with asbestos." " What's life like there?" " It's pretty tough." "The ones in the Camorra live well, all the others are wretches." "Like they say, "See naples and then die."" "AvioIent death, either of cholera, ortyphoid, with all that trash around." "It's disgusting." "But I have a solution forthe South:" "just one huge parking lot." "Bon appétit." "I'm not hungry anymore." "Temperatures above 35°C:" "fever, shock, meningitis..." "What's the temperature there?" "What is it?" " What was it?" " Nothing." "How hot can it get?" "I've got an extinguisher." "Good luck, Mr. CoIombo." "I hope so." "Be a good boy, do what Mommy says." " This is foryou." " What is it?" "It's a rat trap, so they don't bite yourfeet." "It's SPF 50 sunscreen, use it especially..." "You're wearing yourwatch?" " Maybe to take it they'd..." " You're right." "What an idiot." "This too?" "That's right." "little guy." "WearyourIittIe hat!" "It's in yourbag." "will Daddy be back?" "Yes, very soon." "This is AIberto CoIombo, yournew manager." "I've just left." "It's 7:28 here, and there?" " 7:28." " Good." " I should be there by dinner." " Are you walkin'?" "At EboIi take the coast road, oryou'II go "uppa" the SaIerno-Reggio CaIabria." "UpperCaIabria?" "There must be some static." "I have a GPS navigator, I'II see you this evening." "I'II be 'ere." " What?" " I'II be 'ere." "Beer?" "." "Look, I'II call you when I arrive." " hello, license and registration." " Was I going too fast?" "Too slow, you're blocking traffic." "My mind was wandering, I'm going to naples." "I've been transferred there." "I understand, I have a brotherin Kosovo." "Be careful foryour car and yourself." "In 300 meters, keep to the Ieft and take the SaIerno-Reggio CaIabria." "Here we sit, biding' time." "Excuse me?" "Is it farto CasteIIabate?" "I reckon some of 'em tumbled up." "This road riIes you, it's always chock-a-bIock." "Thank you." "What kind of talk's that?" "Shitkicker!" "You've arrived at your destination." "Arrived?" " VoIpe, it's me, I'm here." " Where are you?" " Can't see a blasted...." " What plaster?" "." "Look forthe street name." "hold the line." " HERE YOU DIE " "Mr. Director!" "My Lord, is he dead?" "What a something' to happen!" " Mr. Director!" " VoIpe!" "VoIpe Mattia, that's me." " I'II call an ambulance." " No way!" "Do like I say." "Was it bucketin' so you couldn't turn the steering'?" " Did I harm you a bit?" " My armpit?" " I'II get my things." " Let's go." "Can I leave the carhere?" "They won't steal it?" "welcome to yourhouse." "There's no furniture." "Who stole it?" "I'II report you, throw you in jail!" " The other directortook it." " He's a thief." " Meantime I'II report him." " He's gone." " Afugitive?" " No, he checked out." "He popped off." " He croaked." " I don't understand." " Dead." " Great start!" " Take me to a hotel." " I didn't get that." "There must be a hotel around." "This time of year, at this hour?" "." "You razzin' me?" "Okay." "Is there much more to walk?" "Want me to carry it?" "Come in." "It's kind of you to host me." "please, this way." "Mr. Director..." "Take your shoes off." "My mother's fanatical about dirt." "Watch your step." "Go ahead in." "I'II camp out on the couch, I can't stay here." "I'II move the box." "I'II get you settled, change the sheets too." "You shouldn't..." "It's moth balls, Mom puts them everywhere." "There are rats?" "Tiny mice maybe." " Every rat's this big." " Living here?" "No, they're renting next door, a one-room place." "Goodnight." "Thank you." " would you Iike coffee?" " Not at this hour." "Neverin the evenings, maybe herbal tea." "Nevermind, it's okay." "Ajunkie." "explosives!" "holy mother, he's in the Camorra!" "Mr. CoIombo!" "He's dead." "What's this stink?" "Mr. Director?" "." "What do you want?" " What do you want yourself." " Meaning?" "Forbreakfast." " What time is it?" " 8:15." " Tea with milk." " How about coffee?" "Mom makes great coffee." "No, always tea with cold milk on the side, some toast and a plain yogurt, thank you." "This is yours." " I'd put it there." " That's the chimney vent." "I didn't want to dirty anything." "There was a draft." "Mom." " He wants tea." " Got a bellyache?" "I don't know, it puzzled me a bit, threw me off." "I'II take care of him." "Good morning." " Good morning." " Mr. Director." "Madame." " Madame, how is Madame?" " Who's a Madame?" "Madame, how is Madame?" " Who's he talking to?" " To you." "My mom's used to ma'am, we don't use Madame here." "Sorry." " What did I do?" " That's my place." "This has been my mug since I was a kid." "So much, there's no need," "I always have tea, and maybe one slice of toast." "You have to eat, or she'II be offended." "Eat up." "Have some sausages, the zabaglione's forme." "She makes it forme every morning with fresh eggs." " It's dynamite!" " I can imagine." "Eat something." " Just to..." " Don't you Iike it?" "It's delicious, but I don't..." "Ataste." "Sausage?" "A little dessert?" "Mom, some dessert forthe Director." " I'm really fine as is." " Taste it." "It's good, a kind of chocolate." "Kind of, it's called blood pudding." "It's chocolate with pig's blood." " You have to eat it." " I got that." "Yourmother's right, it's not so hot here." "They told me it was very hot here, but..." "camels used to bring the mail, the directorwas a Bedouin." " Are you making fun of me?" " No..." " Mattia!" " How's it goin'?" "This guy?" "Looks like the michelin man." "He's joking." "He's the new director, from milan." " I get it." " What?" "He always gets things late." " Buy you a coffee?" " No, I have to work." "Wait, Iet me introduce two stalwart co-workers." "little CostabiIe, one of our greatest employees." " welcome to the famous CasteIIabate." " Wait!" "Big CostabiIe, a seniorworker, close to retirement." "Big CostabiIe and little CostabiIe?" "It's ourpatron saint's name, they're not related." " You're from the "nor-d"?" " No, from the "north"." "I don't know where "nor-d" is." "A coffee to welcome you?" "Is drinking coffee all you do here?" "I've had 3 already!" "To work!" "Bye, doll, see you later." "hello to everyone." "Shut yourmouth oryou'II be catchin' files." "Good morning." "Maria FIageIIo, insured mail and financial services." " You're late, it's 9." " We always open at 9." "You take life easy here." " would you show me my office?" " Of course." "What's the difference between "nor-d" and "north"?" "A guy tries to be polite!" "I can tell right off, this guy's a nice person, you can see by his ears." "During office hours let's dress appropriately." "He means me." "This guy wants us to sweat blood." "You'II see." " Who brought Maria here?" " I don't know." "You forgot your snack." "I'm 35, and you still bring me snacks?" "Wait, take a little mozzarella." "And a piece of macaroni omeIet." "In case you get hungry..." "Am I leaving on a trip?" " You have a tape worm." " When I was a kid!" "Besides, if it eats the omelet, the ham and the bread, it's no little tape worm, it's a tape python!" "Morning, Mrs. VoIpe." " You're still here?" " AfuII employee." "She has to go!" "I understand, but why do I need this?" "If you lose it, we'II replace it." "Don't waste time, there's a line forming." "Want to be here till nightfall?" "I'm talking to a client, I can't do him Iickety split." "Take the toothpick out of yourmouth." "I need it so I don't stammer." "I'II handle this man, you continue with the others." " Mr.?" " Scapece." "What can we do foryou?" "I'd Iike to apply for a Postamat." "Afriend?" "Afriend of his came here and got a Postamat." "This friend gets his retirement pay accredited to his account so he can easily withdraw cash." "Without sweating blood." "Do you understand?" "could you repeat that?" "I got it!" "Third window." "Come in." " What is it?" " We're closing forIunch." " Want to come with us?" " Where do you go?" "Home, we all live nearby." " When will you be back?" " At 3." " Imagine that!" " But we stay open until 6." " Coming?" " No, thank you, I'm not hungry." "I'II stay here and work." "Enjoy yourIunch." "The time will pass quickly." "It's just two years." " CostabiIe, is this yours?" " No, Mr. Director." " would you Iike a coffee?" " Excuse me?" " What is it?" " I have to get by." "You're here to listen to the critical issues I've noticed and want to talk about with you." "Where's VoIpe?" "You'II refer." "There are two urgent points:" "safety and working hours." "I'd Iike a steel door and cameras inside and out." "Start time: 8 am, lunch break from 1 pm to 2, work ends at 5 pm." "I wish to remind you that this is italy too." "Objections?" "I told you he'd make us sweat blood." "Where's Mattia?" "Maybe you don't understand how it works." "people come about 1 o'cIock, they're busy before that." "And before 4 pm nobody moves." "Robberies?" "Everyone knows everyone here." "With all these stairs, how could they everrob us?" "It would take Tom Cruise from "Mission:" "impossible"." "You deny this area has a high crime rate?" "You have no perception of reality!" "We'II get a specialist to evaluate." "He was sent here orhe came by hisself?" "And anotherthing: when you speak, I don't understand you." "Speak to me in italian." "Were you sent here or did you come by yourself?" "They sent me here to make you work." "Let's try to optimize the work." "I'm constipated." "You're pushing it." "Maria!" "You could have come a little later!" "I can drive like a pro, too, taking curves with an ear on the ground." "finally Mr. VoIpe is here too." "Had to wash Mommy's dishes?" "AII those courses..." "Aren't you feeling well?" "Why are you laughing?" "Know what this man did?" "I invited him to my house, he locked himself in and hid his wallet, scared I'd steal it." "Don't force me to report you for discipline." "I'm shakin'." "You asked forit." "Didn't they teach you manners?" "Cut it out!" "Stop being a clown." "He just got here, I'd Iike to see you in his shoes, if they treated you Iike that." "Mattia and I grew up together, he's a good kid." " But he can't insult me." " He has an Oedipus complex." "personal problems can't be dumped on others." "You won't really report him!" "I can't let it slip by." "It's like he's still a kid." "Go along, I'II lock up." "And tell Mr. VoIpe I'm sleeping at my house, even on the floor." "Mr. Director!" "Where are you going?" " Home." " It's the otherway." "We'II take you there." " What'II you do to me?" " We'II take you home." " See you tomorrow." " No, we gotta take you inside." "help!" "What were you thinking?" "Who's there?" " What's happened?" " Why are you here?" "Don't be afraid, we wanted to surprise you." "Each of us gave something." "It's make-shift, but it's okay for a start." "It's wonderful." "It's beautiful." "It's so nice of all of you, even pictures!" " horrible!" "Who's this?" " My father, rest his soul." "They've done fireworks for generations." "Mattia does them too." "That's why the explosives..." "He's tops." "And this is forthe curtains." "And I thought..." "But I'm a little sorry that you're not sleeping at my house." "Who'II steal yourwaIIet now?" "I don't know how to thank you." " How much?" " What are you doin'?" " We did it in friendship." " We don't even know each other!" "We'II learn to." "I owe you one." "The curtains will come later." "There's the sea!" "I hadn't realized." "One of these evenings I'II invite you to dinner at the sea, to thank you." "Okay, this evening." " But you're our guest." " I can't, my back..." "Why, you eat with yourback?" "Whitebait omeIet, cianfotta, cecata soup and soppressata." "Stuffed anchovies, fusiIIi with meat sauce and white CiIentan figs." " What?" " You have to taste everything." "Why just taste?" "Let's eat it all!" "When it comes to eating, you're always first." "Come on." "A little soppressata." "You even have to try the mussels 'mpepata." "Atrumpet!" "We've mixed you up." "Know what they say when someone's really mixed up?" "That he mistook one thing for another." "A dick for a spigot." "It's not hard to talk like us, just take off the Iast vowel." "For exampIe, banana becomes "bana-n"." " Sofa becomes "so-f"." " Then it's easy." "plate becomes "pIa-t", this would be "for-k"," ""kni-f"." " male, "ma-I"." " You wiped us out!" "But these letters don't get lost." " We neverthrow anything out." " We recycle." "A simple vowel becomes a word." "An "E" becomes affirmative." "An "O" is a warning." "A guy says..." "An "I" means go away." "And a "U"?" "The "U" and "A" are together, it's amazement." "Like when you see a beautiful woman." "You strike it lucky?" "Orthe new director shows up from milan unexpectedly..." " Try ordering a dish." " Between us sure, but..." " Try a practical demonstration." " It's a good idea." "Go forit!" "Hurry." " Waiter?" "." " He'II never come." "You have to say "oway"." "He's here." "We'd Iike to order..." "We'da like..." "I don't understand a word, I'm Venetian, been here fortwo months." "Are you alright?" "I Ieft you so many messages." "Weren't you supposed to call as soon as you got there?" "Yes, but I was in a meeting." " I have to reorganize everything." " How are you?" "Fine, they're very welcoming." " It's not even hot." " Stop it." "Stop lying." "I'm yourwife, you can tell me you're suffering." "Sure, it's tough, it's a mess here." "I knew it!" " How well I know you." " I'II be back in two weeks." "Taste the pastiera." " Are you alone?" " Yes." "I heard a woman's voice." " It's Maria, my neighbor." " What's she like?" "Short and fat, with a moustache." " A beaver." " close." "We miss you." "Bye, kitten." "Attempted murder." "Good morning." " Is this yours?" " Yes." "That's 62 euro." " Why, isn't that how it's done?" " Maybe in yourtown." "Good day." "And I thought..." "Trash got thrown out the window." "For convenience, we recycle." "Today organic, Thursday paper, Saturday glass." "Sir..." "Go play." "Why did he fine me?" " This festival is very popular." " Saint CostabiIe is the patron." ""Here you don't die."" "It's what Joachim Murat, the French King, said." "He came here to CasteIIabate, he wrote that phrase and then he died." " Smart gal, ourMaria." " Let's go." " What?" " Let's go." "These two weeks just flew by." "Go slow and call when you get there." "Cut it out!" "What are you, his mom?" "Have a good weekend." "I brought you a CD forthe trip." " Where's Mattia?" " He's been firing for an hour." "See you Monday." " They're very different from us." " That's for sure." "You can't understand them." "Chicco's sleeping!" " It's like being in Africa." " Were you threatened?" " I'd rathernot say." " What happened?" "You have to tell me everything." "If you show them you've got balls, they run." "Don't be yourusuaI dare-deviI self," "I don't want to be the widow of a hero." "And they eat anything at any time." "They drink gallons of coffee and make you drink too." "You can't, you'II have a stroke, you can refuse." "No, you can't." "If you refuse..." "Darling!" "Daddy, don't go." "And don't be a hero!" "In 300 meters turn left and take the SaIerno-Reggio CaIabria." "Fuck tha-t!" "Overhere!" "Come join us?" "No, thank you, an old injury..." " We're down one." " Just for a minute." " I risk getting hurt." " Don't make us beg." "That was a penalty." "It was!" "I'II kick it." "Run, a bombing!" "Who else?" "The MiIanese!" "could you take my window for a minute?" "This has to be sent back." "hello." "Do you know my grandson Peppe?" "I have to send him this, it's a sweaterI made." "I want it to get there fast, how long will it take?" " Two orthree days." " Two orthree?" "And if it rains, what will the dearthing wear?" "." "should he freeze to death?" "Two orthree days?" "But it's just a small package." "Your grandson Peppe?" " You're talking about Peppe?" " Do you know him?" "Peppe said, I quote:" ""If my grandma comes, tell her she can't make sweaters,"" ""she's gotta do fried dough, 'cause she does 'em great."" "But he doesn't like sweaters, make him a dessert." "Making sweaters isn't foryou, Peppe said so." " Make scarves." " I don't know how." "Ma'am, come to this window." "Do you know Peppe?" "Are you crazy?" "What did I do?" "Go home, if the director sees you..." "So peaceful." "They're all happy to have you here." "And you, everything alright at work?" "I can't complain." "Can I tell you something?" "Why get involved in..." "You can ruin..." "Are you married?" "Yes, we have a beautiful 8-year-oId son." "Yourwife didn't come." "No, because..." "We'd given up on children, an incredible joy, but since he was born silvia's become apprehensive, depressed, if I'd brought herhere..." "Why, it's depressing here?" "She might get overit." "Of course." "The move, school, packing..." "An outsider coming to the South cries when he arrives and when he leaves." "It's true, when I came here I was upset." " Just imagine when you leave!" " I don't think so." "I'm fine here, but my home is up there." "I Iike the fog, the people, the chaos." "Things you can't understand." "Coffee break." " Good?" " Like only in naples." "Thanks." "Bye." "What's up this evening?" " It's Friday." " Aren't you going home?" " Don't you have to go North?" " It's already Friday?" "Then I'II see you on Monday." "silvia?" "Surprise!" "Hi, little guy." " See?" "There's ciaparatt." " Who's ciaparatt?" "We invited a few friends, Iet's go." "tell us about the hell you're going through down there." "Just looking at them, they seem normal, but in reality they're dark, stocky." "No one's in the office in the mornings." "About 11:30 they show up, at 2 off to the beach." "With that heat, no one wants to work." "Do the women wearG-strings undertheirbIack dresses?" " And hygiene?" " They're dirty." "There was the start of a cholera epidemic!" "It's endemic there." "Tomorrow I'm taking you and Chicco forvaccinations." "I've already had them, the Red Cross came, you don't fool with cholera." "I worked in the South and I have wonderful memories." "I fell forit!" "My dearbrothers, I've brought you a small gift." "The "big tit" of BattipagIia." "That's five kilos." "It's a quality mozzarella because it "ooze-s miI-k"." " What's it do?" " Oozes milk." "It needs the pause, "ooze-s miI-k"." "Taste it, you won't be sorry." " Acidic." " "Acidi-c"." "Oopsy daisy!" "hello, license and registration." "It's ourfriend from naples!" "How's it going?" "terrible, down South all the cops have moustaches." "I have to fine you for speeding." "Make it fast, I don't want to miss the sunset." "You know, when the sun goes down into the sea?" "hello Ma'am." "I came to say hello." " I'II make you some good coffee." " It's not forthat." "Here you are, would you Iike some?" "No, if I may, this time I'm bringing you something." "It's a specialty from my area, smell the fragrance." " "Invernizzi Gim"." " It's gorgonzoIa." " You'II like it." " Thank you." "It's soft gorgonzoIa, excellent for appetizers." "It should go in the fridge." "I'm off." " Wait, some coffee." " Duty calls." "I have to work." "You have to eat it." "What's this stink?" "The MiIanese brought it, it's all moldy." " That's how you eat it." " With mold?" "It's MiIanese cooking, refined, it's totally different." "Not like us, we eat stuffed peppers." "Taste it." "Try it." "What's it like?" "But stuffed peppers too..." "How about a kiss?" " I don't think so." " Gimme a kiss." " You're hurting me." " No kiss 'cause he's here?" "problems?" "If anyone's got problems here, it's you, if you speak." "tell yourma to buy somethin' black, she's gonna be in mourning'." "Shut up, you moron, yourma stills brings you snacks." "Maybe you still don't get my type." "Good boy, go inside." "That clown..." "settle down!" " You came on a new motorbike, huh?" " No, on foot." "What are you doing to my motorbike?" "I'II take the personal responsibility to explain." "You take the responsibility, huh?" "Let's take him inside." "careful." "It can't go on like this." "Mattia gets all worked up." "A brawl outside the office during working hours, stoned on who-knows-what." " Anotherreport's too much." " You defend him?" "Me?" "Never." "But a report is useless, he has to change." "You know what Mattia VoIpe's real problem is?" "He's crazy in love with you." "Not a chance!" "We were togetherfor a year, this is all I have left." "Why did you break up?" "He never says no, not even to his mom, he neverrisks anything." "I got mad and put him to the test." "I told him I'd asked to transfer." "And what did he do?" "Nothing, sir!" " Mr. VoIpe?" " Mr. Director." "What is it?" "You want to report me again?" "Why don't you talk to yourmother?" "." " Why?" " Maria told me everything." "Mind your own business." "Okay." "Then behave properly during work hours." "Cocaine will never resolve personal problems." "What cocaine?" "The cocaine you use when you make deliveries." "I saw you open that bag." "Sir, it's a powderforfireworks." "My nerves come from coffee." "How much do you drink?" "WhereverI deIivermaiI, they offer me some, by evening I'm a wreck." "If it's just coffee, that's easy." "Everything can be fixed." "Except thatjerk's motorbike." " Want to shoot some fireworks?" " Can I?" "No, that's dangerous, these here, at most." "This is called crackling Fuse, the otheris called a sparkler, hold it like this..." "I'II come with you." "We can't ride double." "You have to Iearn to say no." " But I'II drive." " Do you know how?" "I'm the Director!" "How do you start it up?" "Mr. Matarazzo." "hello." " I'm the new director." " It's kind of you to come." " Let me offeryou coffee." " No thank you, we have to go." "I open my home and you refuse my coffee?" "Thank you, we don't drink coffee." "Some fruitjuice then." "This fruitjuice will give you new life." "Are you sure we can drink it?" " It's not coffee." " You're sure?" "Fruitjuice." " Good?" "It's nociIIo." " delicious." " Next?" " The Scapece house." "We'II slide it underthe door." "No, we have to hand-deIiverit." "If they offer coffee, we'II give a MiIanese no: categorical." " How much sugar?" "." " Two, please." "You say "no, thank you."" "Got any fruitjuice?" "It's lemon juice he made himself." "Here's yourregistered letter, yourreceipt, the juice was very good, maybe a bit strong." "It's his Postamat." "That's wonderful, but we have to run." "Even I didn't understand that." "Goodbye." "Good thing it was a MiIanese no!" "If it was NeapoIitan, we'd have stayed for dinner?" "." "SorrowfuI Mother..." "immaculate Virgin..." "DeIiverus from evil..." "Where are you goin'?" "Where are we goin'?" "Cyprus, a Ietterfrom Ciro." "Ciro, a Ietterfrom Cyprus." " Want some coffee?" " No, thank you." "When they say "Want some coffee?", "No, thank you."" "I think I'm understanding you better." "Must be my ear." "No, you're understanding us with yourheart." "Now you're a poet." "Just a manner of speaking!" "I Iove the South!" "I Iove you!" "We're dead, I see Saint CostabiIe!" "Two fruitjuices, please." "Have we learned to say no?" "Keep moving, nothing happened." "Nothing happened is what I say!" "Tortora, the handcuffs!" "hello?" "Love?" "I can't come tonight, maybe tomorrow." "Why?" "I'm at the local police Station." "You were mugged?" "No, I went into a bar and they arrested me." " Why?" " I went in on a motorbike!" "Are you alright?" " Have you been drinking?" " No." " You're drunk!" " A local fruitjuice." "I've been thinking about this, I'm coming down tomorrow." "No!" "You can't, it's dangerous." "I'II show you dangerous!" "My friends," "I have to talk to you." "I'm in trouble." "My wife arrives tomorrow." "Aren't you happy?" "Sure, but I lied to her about my Iife here." "I tried to tell herthe truth, but she didn't believe me, so I let herbeIieve what she wanted." "I told herit's awful here." "The more she thinks I'm suffering, the nicer she treats me, ourreIationship has improved and she's better." "I'm not sure I got it." "She's betterif you're worse?" "It sounds strange, but that's it." "What did you tell her?" "." "I didn't get that." "Stereotypes, more orless." "Untrue things they say up North." "Like you're somewhat basic." "SimpIetons, dull, that you gesture, you can't be understood, you're a bit vulgar." "Maybe I used the terms dirty, violent, shitkickers." " Shitkickers?" " I did it forIove." "ForherI was a hero facing life courageously." "Don't abandon me." "I didn't even want to come here." "I was sent because I faked being handicapped!" "My friends, I did it forher!" "His book is on the night table, he's at page 11, he has to reach page 26, then he can sleep." "He has to brush his teeth for at Ieast one minute." "That's the humidifier, and not too much perfume, it dries the boy's mucous membranes, he'II lose his sense of smell, as an adult he won't smell a gas leak." "I'II go get the bag of medicines." "Mommy, I'm scared of Grandma and Grandpa!" "What's this smell?" "alcohol, again?" "It's the perfume you gave me." "You're drinking perfume now?" "From the train I saw a beautiful beach nearby." "I wanted to talk to you about that." "There's something I haven't told you." "An informer said they're gonna kidnap you to get access to the safe." "We have to escort you to yourhome." "Let me introduce my wife." " A pleasure." " Mattia." "Does he want money?" "We'II include yourwife in the protection program." " What's this guy want?" " High-five him." " Y'aII ain't neverbeen South?" " Who's "y'aII"?" "The next time bring a TV camera, there are loads of things you'II never see again, the first is the TV camera!" "What road's this?" "Different, we were afraid of an ambush." "Let's get out." "Hang on." "AII clear." "Maria FIageIIo, at the ready, it's all okay, high-five." "follow us." "That would be yourugIy neighborMaria?" "Maria, my neighbor." " YOU ASKED FOR IT " "Now, Scapece." "They're coming!" "Action!" "Don't worry, we'II soon be home." "Lady, a few coins." "What are they, animals?" "Here you win, you play..." "They're all crazy!" "original CDs here!" " I'II kill myself!" " Then die!" "Catch the lady!" "Morning, ladies." "Oh, Lord!" "Wait a minute." "See what you got me doin'?" "You're in training'." "SorrowfuI Mother, immaculate Virgin..." "Ourmayor." "My purse!" "You've got a family!" "Don't hurt me." "alberto?" "Are you all nuts?" "No!" "That's what you tried to say at the station, right?" "Don't move till further orders!" "Stay away from the windows!" "Keep moving." "AII clear!" "relax now." "I got it fixed last week." "What squaIor!" "It's got southern exposure, sunlight." "There's tea." "I thought it was tough, but not Iike this." "Me too." "I'm glad you came." "How can anyone live two years in a place like this?" "The bathroom's clogged, no water, it's disgusting!" "I'm used to it, but you don't have to be." "I can't allow you to live in a place like this, you go home tomorrow, there's a train at 9." "No, I'm yourwife." " I'm staying here with you." " But Chicco?" " He has to become independent." " As of when?" "As of now." "When we're organized, we'II bring him here to live." "We're a family, we have to stay together." "It would be wonderful, but I can't allow it." "What's that?" "It's the neighbors, they fight all the time." "Not anymore." "hold me." "But you leave tomorrow." " Think they're asleep?" " Warrior's rest." " Let's go home." " No, I have an idea." "We end with a blast, Iet's burn down the town hall." "Aren't you coming?" "No, I have to bodyguard his wife." "Goodnight." "Why don't you stay here?" "Be serious." "It's the first time we've been alone, even Mom's not here." "It's all pretend here anyway, right?" "Goodnight." " Don't you think you exaggerated?" " What organization!" " It went well." " No, she wants to stay." " In CasteIIabate?" " No, nearme!" "Then it can't be helped." " How do I explain it was fake?" " tell herthe truth." "Now that it's working between us, I ruin everything?" "You heard last night." "In spite of everything, she loves you, why not be sincere?" "I don't accept advice from ajerk who can't tell his mother he loves anotherwoman." "Who said!" "You're no betterthan me on courage." "I'II talk to my mom when I want." "You worry about talking to yourwife." "So, I'II talk to my wife and you talk to yourmother." "deal?" " Lookin' for somethin'?" " The Post Office." "You have to go to CasteIIabate." " We're in CasteIIabate." " Not on yourIife." "CasteIIabate is up there." " You're sure?" " I'II take you." "silvia!" "Mrs. CoIombo!" "Here we are, I'II help you down." " Thank you so much." " Goodbye." " Hi!" "What faces!" " We were worried." "Knowing you were around here alone..." "The town's dangerous." " It's not Iike milan." " Not at all." " Where were you?" " Around." " Here?" " I was looking for a perfume shop." "There aren't any here, there's a town store." " The NannineIIa." " It's not a perfume shop." " If you ask, what'II she say?" " "No, not on yourIife."" "What can you expect, we're in the South, right?" "In CasteIIabate, right?" "And I'm an idiot, right?" "Darling, wearthis, they might shoot you." "Think she knows?" "Get out of my sight." "I tried to tell you the truth so many times!" " The alcohol, friends, mandolin?" " What?" "It's true, cholera, threats, "I sacrifice formy family."" " I said what you wanted to hear." " I don't get you." "We've created a strange magic, it's been better since we separated." "So, we'II continue being separated." "You have to forget about Chicco and me." "You're an unreliable father." "I did it foryou!" "I'II shame you all over the whole Po valley!" "And besides, Maria doesn't seem to have a moustache!" "You haven't had breakfast, your cup's here." " I have to talk to you." " Get me the colander?" "." " I'd Iike you to listen to me." " I'm listenin'." " I've made a decision." " Good foryou." "Don't interrupt me, I've got the whole speech right here." "will you get me two eggs forthe zabagIione?" " seriously." " I heard you." "Do you want this zabagIione?" "I'II even put marsaIa in it." "MarsaIa?" " So, I'm off." " See you at the festival." "We won't be needing you anymore." "I'm sorry about yourwife." "That's life, don't worry." " Did you talk to yourmother?" "." " She understood everything." " How do you know?" " She made zabagIione." "With marsaIa, when she uses that..." "She understands." "Maria's pretty, isn't she?" "Too bad." "What?" "She asked to be transferred, I signed it today," "I couldn't refuse." " Where?" " Up North." " Rome?" " Furtherup." " milan?" " Not quite..." "Pordenone." " FriuIi region." " below..." "Austria." " Why not talk to her about it?" " Later." "I've got the fireworks now, then I'II talk to her." "The MiIanese is here, the fun's over." " I have to talk to you urgently." " About what?" "Come with me." "Excuse us." "What a bastard!" " Where are we going?" " Wait here." "will you tell me what's going on?" "I brought you someone who wants to say hello." "Later." "Now." "Okay." "Go inside." "This is the radio linked to the square, if you get a signal, it's Scapece." "When he gives the order, don't do anything, call me." "Do as I say..." " Understand?" " No." " Perfect." " What's the matter?" "." " Nothing." " Nothing?" " Nothing." " Okay, then I'II leave." " I wanted to know..." "What?" "Can you confirm that FriuIi's below Austria?" " Why are you going to Pordenone?" " Where?" "Pordenone." "There's no sun, there's no sea." "There's no me." "If you have something to say, okay, if not, I'II go back to the festival." "Every time I have something to tell you, you gotta leave." " What transfer?" "." " You're staying here?" "Fire calling fuse." "hello?" "The music's done, they're wantin' the 'works." "I don't understand a word, could you repeat clearly?" "I can neverunderstand a word when you talk!" "Mattia, hearme?" "Shoot!" " hello, Mattia?" " Just a minute." "alberto?" "Now I can leave, my best to yourIover." " What lover?" "." " AII yourIies!" "It's my fault, but I didn't do it on purpose!" "Scapece was yelling, but I couldn't understand!" "Stay back." "Be careful." "If I asked you to marry me?" "No rush." "Rememberwhen we got married?" "We lived everywhere, we didn't give a damn." "We were happy because we were together." "How could we have forgotten that?" "Jackass." "Come in." "What is it?" "It's foryou." "From the central Office." "Two years have gone by, it was bound to come." "So?" "milan." "You're happy, aren't you?" "See you tonight." "Have a good trip." "It's always the same with you directors, you come, we get used to you, when everything's workin' smooth, you run off like thieves." "Goodbye." "Mamma's boy!" "This is foryou." "There you go." "Eat this and as soon as you get there, call me." "hold this forme, Mom?" "See you." "It's mine." "We'II come visit, right Mattia?" "We expect you up North." "AII of you, even the little shitkicker." "Bye, citysIicker." "Thanks for everything." "Forwhat?" "I don't know how to say it." "Knowing you has been really..." " I told you." " What?" "When an outsider comes to the South, he cries when he arrives and when he leaves." " WELCOME TO THE SOUTH " "subtitles by STUDIO ASCI" " Crema"