"May I borrow your blue sweater?" "Everybody has gone crazy around here... since they put the soldiers on the other side of the compound." "Poor boys." "They have been prisoners for years." "Now that they are back home, they want to have a little fun." "What did she say?" "She said, "What about those who are here, because they don't know... what happened to their families and have no homes to go back to?" My soldier is still trying to find out... where his father and mother are." "They lived in Cassino, and the police say... they did not come back after it was evacuated." "He went to Rome twice... hoping to find them." "Karin, there is your troubadour." "See you later." "Good luck." "I'll try." " Hello." " Good evening." "Beh?" "What do you say?" " It's cool tonight." " What?" "It's cool!" "Cold!" "Brr! Cold, cold." "I don't understand you." "I can't say in English." "I like you very, very." "You decided?" "Say me:." "O prendere o lasciare." "I don't know — I don't know what — I — I don't understand it." "Or take me or leave me." "Why do you laugh?" "You're so crazy." "You don't know anything about me." "We've spoken to each other a few times... over the barbed wires, and now you want to marry me?" "Sure." " I can't make you out." " I like you very, very." "Later, if you find out I'm different from what you think?" "I know women, and if you are different — Now, what does that mean?" "I have learned this one and that." "I know this one and that." "This means here." "Oh, you'll spank me." "You must decide — If you really mean it, I will let you know..." " tomorrow night." "He's simple and nice." "He comes from an island in the Mediterranean Sea." " Do you like him?" " He says it's beautiful." "His English doesn't make sense." "He's amusing enough." "He's just a boy." " What will you do?" " I don't know." "What can I do?" "He wants to marry me." "He's crazy." "We'll see tomorrow." "It all depends if I get the visa for Argentina." "Otherwise, I know what I'll do." "Buenos dias." " Buon giorno." " Buenos dias." " Your name, please?" " Karin Bjornsen." " Place of birth?" " Kovno, Lithuania." " And the date of birth?" " May 8, 1 920." " Father's name?" " Karl Bjornsen." "Your mother's maiden name?" "Maria Pasvalys." " And your occupation?" " None." "And now tell the consul something about yourself and how... you happen to be interned here." "Lived in Czechoslovakia before the war." "Married to an architect who died after the German invasion." "Emigrated to Yugoslavia." "Following the German occupation, moved to Italy... because wanted by the German police." "Entered Italy secretly." "Took up residence here... with false identification papers." "After September 8... managed to remain unmolested... during the German occupation." "Then — Then I was interned... by the Italian authorities." "Do you have a recall affidavit to emigrate to Argentina? The consul says the letter you submitted is not enough... to authorize your transfer to Argentina." " I see." " Buenos dias." " Grazie." "Grazie." "I'm cold." "It's better down there." "Let's go." "Give me my coat." "I'll put it on." "I was a prisoner too, in Australia." "I was in South Africa." " Going to Stromboli?" " Yes." "I work at the lighthouse." "Il vulcano." "Come." "Guarda." " Is it always active?" " Yes." "Look, look." "The stones are falling in the sea." "Wait." " My suitcases." " Yes." "Sit down." "Vincenzo! I'll see you when I come back from the lighthouse." "How do you do, Father?" "How do you do?" "So you received the papers I sent you and were married properly?" "Fine, fine." "I understand English." "It makes me happy when someone comes back... and brings his wife here to raise his family." "You see, so many of our people have left already... or are waiting to leave for Argentina..." "Australia, America, France, England... wherever they have relatives who send them money to go." "The earth..." "life is very hard." "St. Bartolo, our patron saint, will bless you." "It was St. Bartolo who stopped... the lava and the fire up there." "With his hands... he saved our homes." "You will be happy here, won't you?" "This is your home now." "Grazie, padre." "Good-bye, Father." "È un bambino." "Why did you kiss the hand of the priest?" "It's the custom." "This is a ghost island." "Nobody lives here." "If there was nobody here, there would be no bambino, no?" "Zia Rosaria." "Karin, this is my Aunt Rosaria." " How do you do?" " Pleased to meet you." " Oh, you speak English." " I've been in America many years ago." "Lots of people here have been in America." " In America, and you came back here?" " This is my home." "Let's go." "Is my boat still good? How is the fishing this year? Yes, but he left for Australia." "You have nobody to send you money." "His sister sent him the money." "Guarda." "He died in the war." "His family go to the continent." "Everybody left." "This is our home." "Come." " Soon everything like before." " Before what? Guarda." "Look." "Come." "This is bedroom." "Look, Karin, how beautiful." "Karin." "Karin, come! See?" "I understand." ""From the mountain."" "Houses... fields — destroyed." "The strong people no go away." "Understand?" "All must build again." "Terra." "New terra." "See?" "We plant again — barley, vines." "Leave me alone!" "I don't care about your barley... or your vines... or your new terra." "I want to leave this island and go away, far away." "Like all the others who lived here and were born here... and went away, far away! Listen." "This is my home." "You're my wife." "You stay here because I want to." "1 9,377 lire." " That's all you have?" " Yes." " What do you think you can do with that?" " Plenty." "I am your wife... and this is your home, but I'm not like you." "You slept very well last night, huh?" "But I didn't sleep." "I'm different." "I'm very different from you." "I belong to another class." "I can't live like this in this filth!" "This is no life for civilized people." "Keep on counting your 1 9,000 liras." "You need much more for a woman like me." "Parla slow, slow." "I don't understand." "That!" "You understand that?" "Money, money, money." "You'd need much more money for a woman like me." "I'm a civilized human being... and I'm used to other things, better things." "What do you think you can do with that money?" "Here everything, everything must be changed." " Yes, everything change." " Yes, but when?" "You must do it right away." "I am your wife, and this is your home." "But I have to live in it too, and I'm not an animal." " Yes, sure." "I understand." "You will see." "Yes, I will see." "I want to get out." "What's the matter?" "Che... che c'è?" "Huh?" "You cry?" " No." " No?" "Well, it's not you." "Bambino... il nome?" "Si si." "Say something." "Say something more." "No." "Oh, talk to me." "Talk." "Talk." "Who are you?" "Those people work in America." "America is a big country, beautiful." "Your husband sent us to work in this house." "Lots of people was in New York." "I had a son in America... and I was working —" "And I make good money too." "On Sunday I even go fish in automobile." "I even go in automobile... to get my relief check." "Everybody in America drive automobile." "We come all to Stromboli." "You see that hole?" "Volcano is very dangerous." "Sometime blow up... and lots stones go up and come down... break the floor and make big hole... and burn everything, like in 1 944." "Why did you leave America?" "I leave America — America is good for young fellows." "I am old man, and I come back to Stromboli." "This fellow too old... and stupid in the head." "I don't want to die here." "I want to go back over to my son in Brooklyn... and he saves money for my trip." "I am going back in Brooklyn in about 1 0 years." " How old are you?" " Seventy-three." "Signora!" "Signora! Good morning." "How are you today?" "Good morning, Father." "I was wondering how you're getting along." "You can see for yourself." "I stay out here." "My house is filled with little old men who speak about America all the time." " Sit down." " Thank you." "Well, with a little time and patience, everything will be all right." "Everything?" "You mean this island and the volcano too?" "No." "I mean your home and you." "Maybe I can help you." "I told your husband it was all right to take the tiles from the Moletta house." "The Molettas left this island 26 years ago." "I don't think they'll mind." "You see..." "I'm sort of a trustee for the properties... of those who have gone abroad." "I think the tiles will make your room a little brighter... and nobody will mind a little robbery." "Those who have gone away help those who are left behind." "And I, well, I act as the middleman." "Then try to help us, Father." "I can't take life like this." "Antonio is still a boy." "Yes, I love him... but he doesn't understand how a woman like me feels." "I think he does." "I know how hard he try to get work." "The fishing season has started... and the boats have full crews already." "You see, there are only four boats from Stromboli." "The rest come from other islands." "Yet Antonio has managed to find a place." "He sacrificed his pride." "He owned a boat of his own once, you know." "He has done it all for you." "I know it because I talked with him." "Yes, I suppose he's doing his best, but can't he realize that — that I can't live here and that he should take me away?" "You need money to emigrate, and a place to go." "Those who were born here — all they wanted was to leave." "You can imagine how I feel, Father, a stranger." "These black rocks, this desolation... that — that terror." "This island drives me mad, Father." "Won't you help us, please?" "You are both young." "Make Antonio save his money instead of spending it." "Help him, and perhaps you will be able to leave too someday." "But while you have to stay here... make a good home for yourself and for him." "It will make it easier for both of you to wait." "If you do this, merciful God will help you." "With me, God has never been merciful." "Karin!" "Guarda." "Look." "I caught many, many fish." "We are rich!" "I'm going to Messina to sell all the fish." "What fish?" "What are you talking about?" "Like this, you see?" "Many, many." "Fantastic." "We sell the fish." "Ciao." "Signora!" " Yes?" "All finished." "You want to see?" "Yes, I'm coming." " How do you like?" " O bravi!" "Bellisimo!" " How do you like it?" "It's wonderful." "Just wonderful." "Thank you." "Thank you very much." "Did you finish painting that bench?" "I want it in here right away." "I cut the chair." "Is it all right?" "No, you haven't." "I want you to cut the legs off." "I did cut them." "But you want them shorter?" "Yes, but I want them like the other chairs." " I want all the chairs real low, you see?" " Yes." "All right." "Thank you." "Good morning." "Would you like to come in and see the house?" "Molto gentile of you to come and see me." "I'd like you to come in and see the house." "En— Enter." "Entrate." "Please, translate for them." "Tell them I would like them to come in." " Did you tell them?" " Yes." " What did they say?" " You heard: just nothing." "Good morning, Rosaria." "Would you like to come in and see the house?" " No." " But what is the matter?" "Why are you all against me?" "I haven't hurt anyone." "Why does everyone act like this?" "Why you do things like this?" "You are not modest." "But I haven't done anything wrong." "It's not my fault if I'm different." "I look different, I act different, and I feel different." "I've tried to make the house better for me and my husband." "What in the world can you have against that?" "You have no modesty." "The weather's clearing up, huh?" "Too much wind on the other side of the island." "You don't think my husband will come home tonight?" "No, don't think so." "Then do me a favor and take me to the woman who has the sewing machine." "The one who fixed the curtains for me." "I'd like her to help me with my new dress." "It will be easier to wait if I have something to do." "That woman is not so good." "Her reputation is cosí cosí." "I don't care if her reputation is cosí cosí." "I'm old enough to take care of myself." "How far is she?" " On the other side of the church." " Wait." "I'll get the material, and then you can take me there." "Why did she do that to me?" "Maybe not on purpose." "This is the house." "This is the — Does she speak English?" " No." " Will you come in and help me?" " No." " Why not?" "Because my wife is very jealous." "Oh." "All right." "Good night." "Thank you." "Bye." " Buona sera." " Buona sera." "Could you cucire for me onthe macchina?" "Si." "Cosi." "Si." "There." "Oh, it's you." " What's the matter?" "Are you sick?" " No, just malaria." "Oh, malaria." "What's going to happen to your lighthouse when you're gone?" "My mate is there." "Poor fellow." "He has to stay on that rock all alone until you get well?" "Si si." " Signora?" " Hmm?" "Grazie." "Fine, thank you." "I can try it on." "Oh, it's already dark." " Karin!" " You came back." " Let's get out of here." " Let me change." " You don't want to make me look ridiculous —" " We're going now! Come on." "Cammina." "I break your face!" "What's the matter?" "I haven't done anything wrong." "I went there to use her sewing machine." "You went to the house of a bad woman." " I'll show you." " Yes, yes, you'll show me." "But you don't scare me!" "Cammina." "The money went to your head." "I suppose you came back rich... and that's why you're acting this way." "Well, how much did you get selling your fish?" "Here." "This." "How much is it?" "30,000 lire." "About $40." "30,000 lire." " My partners got more money than me." " Why?" "They took advantage of me because you are different." "They know I have to take care of you." "They know I cannot wait for better job." "They give me a smaller share... that i will work more for you." "I will work more for you." "Don't worry about it." " Give me a match." " Yes." "So —" " You change everything." " Mm-hmm." "Pictures." "Yes, the pictures of your family, I put them away." " Madonna?" " The Madonna too." " My mama put the Madonna there." " All right." "I didn't throw it away." "I just moved it." "Look here." "A tree... in the house." "Yes." "You don't like it?" "Yes." "Maybe." "I did as you suggested." "I changed the house to make it better for him, for me." "To make the waiting easier." "But when he saw it... it bothered him." "He didn't have the courage to say anything, but I —" "I knew he was hurt... and this morning he went through... all the old things that I'd put away — the awful furniture, pictures, holy images — and when he held them in his hand, I could feel his great nostalgia... and his resentment towards me." "I understand him." "Antonio is a good, simple boy." "In all his life, his only experience has been his military service." "Yes, I understand him too, Father... but who understands me?" "You are the only man here... who can understand, perhaps." "Please advise me and help me." "I — I'm going mad." "I'm so unhappy, Father." "I suffer, believe me." "You must have courage." "I told you:" "You're both young." "Must I waste my youth here?" "It's inhuman." "I can't go on." "What is it you want to do?" "I — I don't know." "You must try to find a way, Father, to help me." "Help me." "Antonio — you know how poor his English is." "If I don't speak to him like a child... he doesn't understand." "One word is enough to upset him." "Will you explain to him, Father?" "He doesn't need explanation." "The boy is just as unhappy as you are." "Maybe even more." "Then there is no way out?" "No hope?" "Be patient and calm." "Perhaps I can write to some of our people in America or Australia... and see if there is a way they can bring you there." "Please, please do." "Do you think it is possible?" "I think so." "The people who were born on this island... are very good people." "Take, for instance, Francesco Dimattina, who went to America." "He died lately, a widower without children... and left $3,000, all his fortune... to Stromboli... for the old and to keep up the cemetery." "He left the money in my care." "I knew right away that you would be the only one who could help us." "I'm only a poor churchman, but I understand human suffering." "The dead find their peace in desolate cemeteries... swept by the wind and burned by the sun, while we the living —" " I know." "I know." " Don't you think the memory of your friend would be more honored... if you gave the money to two young people who want to live?" " Perhaps, but I can't —" " Please listen to me." "You —" "You don't know about me, and you don't know my past." "I —" "I have been lost." "I have sinned." "I have chased after illusions, adventure... as if an evil force were in back of me." "Now I realize how wrong I've been... and I want to make something out of my life... but this is too much." "You-You can't go from one extreme to another." "I've known this all along." "I sympathized with you from the day you came to the island." "That's why I tried to give you whatever spiritual help I could." "Oh, you're a good man." "Grazie." "This will calm you." " Drink it." " I'm so ashamed, Father." "I may have done wrong... but all I want now is a little happiness." "Where I was born, we had a nice home." "We lost everything in the war." "Then I met a man... an officer in the invading army." "He seemed more human than the rest." "He was young, always gay." "I was trapped, like all the rest." "I — I have sinned, but I've paid." "You — You're a sensitive... experienced man." "I am only a poor priest." "But I can be frank with you." "I couldn't with Antonio." "But you are the one man who can give me comfort." "I am no more than the parish priest of a little community of fishermen." " But your human qualities I can see —" " I am a priest!" "And I can only assist you during confession or through prayer." "You — You —" "Your God won't help!" "You —" "Say anything you want." "All I can have for you... is a deep feeling of pity." "May the Lord guide you." "Compose yourself." "Meditate." "Think." " You're home already." " Yes." " I didn't expect you." "Why are you so early?" " Where you been?" "Oh, I took a walk." "I passed by the church." "Oh, what's that?" "i bought it." "Un furetto." "A ferret." "How much did you pay for it?" "Tomorrow begins tuna fishing." " And these?" " Coffe." "To catch fish." "What did you buy this little animal for?" "To catch wild rabbits." "Rabbits?" "How?" "Do you want to see?" "Look." "What do you intend to do?" "You're crazy!" " No, dammi." "It's awful!" " Stop it!" "Stop it!" "Quick!" "The poor animal!" " It's fine." "Stupid!" "Stupid!" "Stop!" "It's cruel and savage!" "Idiot! Oh, hello." "How are you?" " Do you feel better now?" " Sí sí." "What was it?" "Un polipo." "Look here." "Look!" "Eccolo!" "Cornuto! Cornuto!" "Cornuto! There's food on the table." "i don't want to eat." "What's the matter with you?" "Are you cra— What have I done?" "Stop!" "Come." "Mass begins now." " Let's go." " Stop there." "Don't dare muovere." "Antonio!" " Che fai?" " Nothing." "I just want to surprise you." "Accosta." "I hope you're not sorry that I came." "Huh?" "I had to see you." "I want to be with you." "And you change too." "Relax." "Smile." "I'll go right away if you want." " I don't want to embarrass you in front of the other men." " That's all right." "Wait." "We have fish." "Gesù e Maria." "Gesù e Maria." "Grazie, Gesù." "Grazie, Maria." "Let's go." " How do you feel?" " Better." "Did you like the fishing?" "No, it was horrible." "What's the matter?" "I don't feel well." "Why?" "You think — hmm?" " Mm." " Maybe —" "Yes, it's three months now." "I believe I'm pregnant." "Karin." "Mio Dio." "I am so happy." " Are you?" " Yes." "Yes, I'm happy too." "That motorboat — has it come to help us?" "No." "It is from Ginostra." " What is Ginostra?" " Ginostra is a village... the other side of the island." "See?" "Our home is safe." "Yes." "Listen, I want to talk to you." "I don't want to stay here any longer." "So?" "So I want to go away." " I don't want to have a child here." " E allora?" "And?" "And I'm leaving." "I'm going crazy here." "Rather than have a child on this island, I'd —" " During the eruption of '30 —" " I saw enough yesterday." "I'm not interested in 1 930." "I'm going." "Nothing can keep me here." "But, Karin, listen —" "Give me what money you have." "I hope you won't refuse me." "It's so little anyway." " Yes, too little." " I know, but I'm not afraid to face life, as long as I'm free... as long as I can fight and defend myself." "I know it." "You're not going to keep me here, are you?" "It's no use looking at me that way!" "It won't do you any good!" "Nothing can keep me here!" "Antonio!" "Go down to the well and get me some water." "I want to wash." "Did you hear me? Antonio!" "Antonio!" "Antonio!" "What are you doing?" "Open up!" "Antonio!" "What's the matter with you?" "Open up the door!" "Antonio!" "Hello!" "Hello!" "You!" "You!" "Come." "Come closer." "Can you hear me?" "I need help." "I can't get out." "My husband nailed the door from the outside." "I need help." " Why he do that?" " Get me out." "I'll tell you later." "Come around." "The stairway's on the other side." " Oh, thank you." " What happened?" "Let's not talk here." "It's dangerous." "Come." "Nice, isn't it?" "It's peaceful here." "Let's sit down." "My husband is jealous." "He's a brute." "He's jealous of you." "Remember the night you had malaria... and I came to the house to have a dress made?" "He made a terrible scene." "Afterwards, when he found out I'd met you again — remember when you fished the octopus?" "Mm-hmm." "He beat me like a beast." " Mm-hmm." " I can't stand it anymore." "I want to go away, but I can't... without help." "It's impossible to escape." "If I could reach the village... on the other side of the island, then —" "But I haven't any money." "If you want to, I can help you." "You would?" "He's capable of anything." " You're not afraid?" " I am not afraid." "I can ask a leave from the lighthouse." "I don't want to see him again." "I want to go right away." " I take you to Ginostra in a boat." " No, no." "Not you." "They find out everything here." "I'll go alone." "No, you can't go that far." "I'll walk." "You'll have to go by way of the volcano." "I don't care." "I have to get there." "And then?" "In Ginostra they have larger boats, motorboats." "I'll find someone that can take me to Lipari or maybe Messina." "You don't want me to help you?" "Of course I do." "But you can't leave here." "In a few days I can, when I have my leave." "But I can't wait." "I would like to, but I can't." "I give you the money." "Oh, my God." "Enough." "Enough." "Enough." "I'm finished." "I haven't the courage." "The courage..." "I'm afraid!" "I'm afraid!" "I'm afraid! Oh, God." "What mystery." "What beauty." "No!" "i can't go back!" "I can't." "They are horrible." "It was all horrible." "They don't know what they're doing." "I'm even worse." "I'll save him." "Oh, my innocent child." "God!" "My God!" "Help me!" "Give me the strength... the understanding... and the courage! Oh, God!" "Oh, God!" "God! Oh, my God!" "Merciful God!" "God!" "God!" "God!"