"#Some smoke out of habit,# #some out of boredom,# #some because it makes you look good, #some only because they can't quit.#" "#Some smoke because they like to.#" "#They like lighting up,# #holding it between their fingers,# #feeling it between their lips.#" "#I, simply put,# #think this cigarette is revolting.#" "#Still, I just can't do without it.#" "#This too is an addiction,# #so I'm an addict.#" "#I can't quit because smoking# #is the only stable thing in my life, #all the rest# #has always been temporary.#" "#I smoke so not# #to think of all the rest.#" "#A cigarette is a break.#" "#I'm still addicted to pauses,# #despite what happened to me# #seven years ago...#" "#when the Great Pause# #almost caught me.#" "NO REMORSE IN ANY CASE" "#In 2003 I was 28,# #an anarchist, an immune carrier# #of chronic short-term employment,#" "#I was studying to be an actor# #and dreamed of becoming# #a director of video clips# #and social documentaries,# #of biting reality !" "#" "#Meantime, before reality bit me,#" "#I'd spend my time at the social# #center between a concert# #and an anti-war demonstration .#" "Mr. Courage with a lion heart !" "Come with me." "For now it's in the monster room, the only one available." " Come on." " Where ?" "We'll load this on the truck for the demonstration." "#Nassiriyah is a tranquil city...#" "Bullshit !" "More bullshit !" "During the news, we'll dribble red gelatin, like blood." "Awesome !" "It slides down..." "#If anyone had told me# #just a few days from then#" "#I'd be with those soldiers,#" "#I'd have thought my worse nightmare# #was coming true.#" "Who said you can film here ?" "Are you a spy ?" "It's just a visual diary." "Let's see what's on it." "I have nothing to do with this !" "Wait !" " Put this on." " A uniform, no !" "I hate the military !" "I pretended I was gay to get out of the service." "I hate Bush and his shit war !" "#No, that's not how it went.#" "#It went surprisingly different.#" "Relax, the guns have safety catches." "Never be too careful." "Sorry." " What are you doing here in Iraq ?" " A film." " A film ?" " I'm going to shoot a film." " What are the actresses like ?" " We're still doing screen tests." "Can I film something ?" "I'll film everything I see." " But put us in the film." " My camera !" "Where the fuck did I put it ?" "Big deal !" "I'm a nutty, pedal freak, a normal anomaly." "Change that note !" " Great !" " Remember Stefano Rolla ?" "Remember ?" "Let me say hello !" "Aureliano, I'm starting a TV production, a film, not a documentary." " I was asking your mother..." " A loan for $5,000." "I'm not the director this time, I'm the creative producer." " I want a bright guy, experienced." " It would be a real job !" "And in filmmaking !" " Yeah, but not as an actor." " A tiny part might come up." "Where are we going ?" "Exactly... here." "To Iraq ?" " Fantastic !" " When ?" "I leave today, take your time:" "the day after." "The demonstration against the war in Iraq is in three days." "If you'd rather demonstrate against intervention in Iraq..." "I'd be taking you to the center of history." "The center of the war." "No way, we're with a peace mission." "You want to make films ?" "Then make them, wake up !" "Have you ever seen the desert ?" "It's incredible, a journey inside yourself, an inner place." "You get there and feel so small, especially at night and when the moon's out." "Not our constipated moon, the moon's enormous there !" "It stands out against the sky, illuminating the dunes with a whitish glow, waves on a motionless, icy sea." "Hello." "Want anything ?" "A glass of wine ?" "Beatrice, a glass." " Ready to leave ?" " More or less..." "Don't be afraid !" "The war ended in May." "We've all the authorizations:" "Ministry of Culture," "Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Defense." "If they say it's all okay !" "Sure..." " As assistant director..." " What ?" "Stefano says great things about you, he's expecting you." "#Directing class three years ago,# #first lesson:# #when you face a new environment,# #start with a master shot.#" "Then close-in on the main characters, #moving in to close-ups.#" "I toast to our dear collaborationist, sold out to the enemy, who, for money, has burned his ideals on the altar of imperialist materialism." "It's just a job, you'd have done anything to go." "To our friend Aureliano, missing in Iraq." "Blown up by a mine in fulfilling his duty, and for free." "Good luck !" "#And end everything with# #an unusual shot# #of the main character# #as he powerfully# #wards off bad luck.#" "My turn !" "In the end, the Italian soldier, after a series of explosions that I command..." "Of course !" "Saves the Iraqi girl and brings her to Italy..." "And she ends up working as a maid with no benefits." " No, he marries her." " Come on !" "That's the storyline, but it's cool, isn't it ?" "No." "Claudia, assistant director !" "Know what that means ?" "Almost director." "Straightforward ?" "I think it's a bunch of crap." "It's the usual military propaganda." "I don't see why you're going to Iraq." "Can't you shoot somewhere else ?" "It's not a documentary." " It's a film." " Then you're dimwits." "Best case scenario, they kidnap you all, there's a war on." "There was a war, now there are just Italian soldiers..." "Who are divvying the spoils." "You said that just three days ago." "You know I don't like to be filmed." " Film your girlfriends." " I'll take you with me to Iraq." "I don't want to go with you !" "Watch this !" "#Claudia's a friend of mine.#" "#Actually she's my best male friend.#" "#Sometimes we end up in bed,# #but it's just an excess of fun.#" "#I have an official girlfriend.#" "Angela called five times." "Why's your damned phone off ?" "Yoga really relaxes you !" "I had to tell her myself that you were leaving today." "Why ?" "You know how she nags." "Sixth time, she's sobbing." "Thank you." "#I met Angela in Rio# and brought her back to Rome with me." "#What a relief when she went home !" "# #She's too possessive.#" " She even brings bad luck !" " What did she say ?" " What happened ?" " She had a premonition." "Something will happen to me." ""Don't go !"" "#Angela, like many Brazilians,# #is the glory of spirituality.#" "#She and my mother# #are made for each other.#" "Tarot cards or coffee grounds ?" " A witch from Bahia !" " Never underestimate a premonition." "In Bahia !" "Normal people have premonitions every 20 seconds, just imagine a witch !" "What's the difference if I'd left two days from now ?" " This looks so good on you." " A silk suit, in the desert ?" "A party, an invitation from an emir..." "Are there emirs in Iraq ?" "Aureliano, wait !" "Did you talk to your father ?" "He'd agree, you always get your way with him." "I'm your mother, I have a right to be worried." "Mom... 28 years ago, on a beach in Columbia," "I almost died of sun stroke, remember ?" "While you and Dad were tanning your butts, together with your nudist friends." "I was nine months old." "I still have the scars." "If you didn't worry then... why are you breaking my balls now ?" "By the way:" ""Aureliano, have a good trip." "Be happy and have fun"." "Is this your first mission ?" "No, we've been in Afghanistan." "And in Kosovo, but now... wait." " Why ?" " Plug your ears." "What ?" "Your safety belt's backwards, you'll get appendicitis." "Is it always this cold ?" "You get used to it." "Pass that blanket." "Are the missions paid well ?" "You manage to take some money home." " And you, are you paid well ?" " Forget it." " I might not get paid at all." " So, why did you come ?" "Do you go just for the money ?" "No, I believe in this." "It's my second stint, I can't wait to see my colleagues." "This is my first time abroad, I'm a little scared." "You could have stayed home, you can't do this for money." "Can't I be a little nervous ?" "We're not all Rambos like you." "Roll call 1 00 meters to the left." "airport in Tallin, Iraq" "November 1 1 , 2003" "#First cigarette in Nassiriyah.#" "Here, you can smoke." "Here, you can't." " You're a civilian ?" " Yes." " What the fuck are you doing here ?" " I'm making a film." "What ?" " A film." " In Iraq ?" "Yeah." "Why, it's calm here, isn't it ?" "If you're armed, sure it is." "Not a shot's been fired yet !" " Who said that ?" " They say that in Italy." "In Italy you don't know anything about what happens here." "People want their steaks, they don't want to know how the cow was killed." "Thanks, you've already made me shit in my pants." " Amedei ?" " Amadei." "Welcome." "Lt. Parigi." "This is Lt. Ficucello." "We'll go to passport control, then travel in a motorcade." " Got a sleeping bag and boots ?" " No." " We'll get them at the PX." " What's that ?" "An American megastore in the desert." "The American build little Americas everywhere." "There's even a "Burger King"." "You'll find everything in this store." " Where are we going ?" " To the White Horse barracks." "Is Stefano Rolla there ?" "Rolla's a character, out all day, back when it's dark." "Is the situation calm here ?" "Not so good lately." "Relax, you're in our care, Amedei." "Amadei." "They were shooting in the air." "When you hear shots, that means they didn't get you." "Must have been a wedding, they shoot in the air." " Where are they going ?" " Nassiriyah, 1 5 kms from here." "Weapons get emptied here, those are the rules." "Too bad I left my camera home." "We can't go around base camp with loaded guns !" "Finally some good news." " Don't worry, you can smoke here." " Good." "It's the second, I'm well below my average." "When you're done, I'll show you where we get some extras, where you can get a beer, go off and smoke." "When you like." "This is where we phone home, if you have to call..." " I'm all set." " It's like a local call." "Mom, everything's okay." "It was like an outing." "They're all nice." "I left the camera on the couch, find a way to send it to me." "Yes, I'll call you every day." "My camera !" " Mothers !" " Make another if you like." " I'll buy myself a card." " Got a girlfriend ?" " Yes, but she's in Brazil, far away." " Yeah..." "I'll make one more to Rome, price of a local." "Her answering machine !" "Hi, Claudia." "I got here and I've already heard shooting." "They shot at us." "They're all a little up-tight, I'm a little worried." "But, I'm here and have to bite the bullet." "Don't worry though." "Say hi to everyone." "Now I really feel at home." "They pay attention to the few pleasures allowed soldiers." "They try to make us feel good." "Finding your own space, feeling at home is important for the outcome of the mission." "Some are a little demanding..." "It's right, but you have to learn to relax." " Find an equilibrium." " It seems you have." "I come from civilian life, I'm in the reserves." "I do my months of mission, then..." "You're not a real soldier !" "It's in my blood, my father's a general." "#Ficucello gives me a nice feeling.#" "#If I had the camera,# #I'd film him like this,# #from below against the sky,# #to make him seem# #like a protective giant.#" "#I feel as long as he's there,# #nothing can happen to me.#" "Ficucello, you're stealing my guest ?" "Great !" "You made it !" "How was the trip ?" "Like it here ?" "Have you already been around ?" "Let me answer ?" "Take a breath !" "Max must have given you a special tour !" " Max ?" " Massimo." "He's seen it all except your lodgings." "We eat and sleep together and especially we work together." "Enjoy these last few hours, tomorrow I'll be pushing you, we're not on vacation here." "I certainly wouldn't come here for a vacation." "I don't even know how I got here or where my bags are." "Here they are !" "Mr. Giant, warrant officer Olla !" "Can I put this in here ?" "I'll put them here." "Need anything else ?" "Yes sir, I need a sleeping bag and a pair of boots." "Addressing me with "sir" ?" "Big as you are, I'd even say "sirs"." "How many are inside you ?" "Silvio, pleasure." "I'll dig up those things for you." "Thanks." " Rolla, you're a great !" " Always." "Tomorrow we'll scout around, in the afternoon you start screening." " I've got the list of characters." " Thanks." "That ?" " Something wrong ?" " What's it for ?" "A dinner, maybe, a happening..." "A happening !" "In Italy nobody knows anything about your mission." "No news report, no official declaration can speak directly to the soul, but a film can." "Films touch the hearts of those who watch them." "You've already convinced the authorities, you have permission, we'll give you all the support possible." "I know, and I thank you, but I'd like you to collaborate, not because of orders, but because you're convinced." "Cinema is..." "Cinema thrives on enthusiasm." "Is Rolla always like this when he works ?" "Stefano is a powerhouse !" "He'd sell oil to the Iraqis, if they could afford it." "I mean..." "Aureliano, right ?" "Can I ask you something ?" " In confidence ?" " Sure." "How the fuck are you dressed ?" "You're a genius !" " I made an ass of myself." " You're joking !" "You were fantastic !" "I love people who make asses of themselves." "Someone has to do it !" "Society needs them, the state should pay them." "If you can find a way to make money by doing this," "I'm your man." " It happens twice a day to me." " Okay, give me the second one." "Got the camera ?" "We'll film it." "I left it at home..." "that's the second one." " I glad you came here." " Me, too." " I don't know how to thank you." " For what ?" "You asked me here to be assistant director !" "I owe you a clarification." "The real assistant director is in Rome working with the actors but the producer promoted you on the field." "It was his idea, not mine." "I'm glad anyway." "Don't get me wrong !" "I know how you feel now, it's normal, but that's movie business." "It takes patience, waiting, struggle." "You'll get there." "Everyday you have to say:" ""I have all the time"." "We have all the time." "I don't know how to thank you." "I have to ask you a favor." "At night..." "What ?" "At night, I snore a little..." "they say." "The way I sleep, not even helicopters can wake me." "Then you're an ideal companion." ""A little", my foot !" "My seventh cigarette in Nassiriyah." "Or the sixth ?" "It's forbidden to smoke almost everywhere here." "But I can smoke all I like in the desert tomorrow." "Aureliano, it's so reassuring to have such deep objectives !" " Good kid." " Thanks." "NOVEMBER 1 2, 2003, 9:00" "Wake up !" "Come on, guy !" "You're not out of bed ?" "Let's go, it's late !" "The alarm didn't go off." "You must have forgotten to set it." " There's no time." " Not even for breakfast ?" " I wanted to see flag-raising." " It's too late for breakfast." "For flag-raising, your own will have to do." " I had set it !" " What time ?" " At 7." " Italian time, it's 9 here." "I'll wait for you at the main gate, hurry." "Cigarettes !" "Hurry, it's late !" "This is Aureliano, my assistant." "Mereu, the driver." "You know Massimo." "You know Olla." " Piras." " My pleasure." "Get in." " Is that everyone ?" " Yes." " The escort ?" " We're the escort." "There's no escort, we're the escort." "Stop !" "Aren't we forgetting something ?" "Fuck, my rifle !" "Let's say that Piras is the human side of the Army." "It's upside-down !" "These fucking military maps !" "You understand anyway, right ?" "No." "The park where we went with that carabiniere !" "I don't know anything." "What's it called ?" "I did all the scouting with him." "Why didn't he come ?" "Must have been assigned other duty, we need to know in advance." "It looks all the same here !" "We can't even spread the map." "Piras, pull the flaps down !" "It won't work, we have to stop." "If this is the road..." "You have to find section H7." "Found it ?" "It's marked by a yellow line." "See the wider line ?" "Can I help ?" "I can't..." " Did you find it ?" " No." "Let's move, it's not safe to stop here." "I'm sorry, I'd say to go to the Carabinieri base, maybe we can find him there, I don't see any other way." " What's wrong with your eyes ?" " It's sand." "Rubbing them makes it worse." "Look at these guys !" "Good, the first take's good !" "Americans !" "They think they're in a reality show, with a camera around their necks, poor guys !" "If we stop, they'll ask for water." " Then why don't we stop ?" " For coffee maybe !" "Come on, we're almost there." "What the fuck's he doing with a gun ?" "I'll help, open your eyes." "I'll clean it for you." "Stay still !" " Better ?" " I can see better now." "Hello, we're with Stefano Rolla, the director." "Where do we empty the guns ?" "Right, there's no cube here." "Come on, we'll empty on the ground." "I'll introduce the team." "This is Corporal Melis, anything you need, ask him." "Rolla, you know him." "His assistant." "Piras, Mereu, I'll show you where to park." "My dear friend !" "Great !" "You're still here ?" "Shouldn't you be gone ?" "It was for Saturday, but we'll be here another week." "This is warrant officer Fregosi." "With him, I ate in a head tribesman's tent." "So much for anti-bacterial prevention !" "Remember the heat ?" "It was at least 140 degrees !" "You here too ?" "This is Trincone." " The woman warrant officer ?" " Don't start." " Where is she ?" " Inside." " Is she still..." " She's prettier and prettier." "But look, don't touch." "Fantastic, I have to introduce you." "When she's in uniform, she seems to step out of a 1 970s movie." ""Woman Soldier at the Great Maneuvers"." "Only military maneuvers though..." "Run !" " What do I look like ?" " And me !" "My foot !" " They're shooting on all sides." " Got a gun ?" " No !" " Why not ?" "I don't have one either." "We'll never make it, they're coming." "Give it to me, I know the place best." "Help !" "Help me !" "Come and help me !" "I'm burning !" "Help me pull them out." "They're already dead." "Under here !" "If we go out, they'll get us !" "Who knows what the fuck's in this tank !" "If it's fuel, we're under a bomb." "We have to go out, or we're dead." "It's water !" "We have to go out anyway." " They're shooting less, right ?" " Doesn't mean a fucking thing." "We have to go out." "I can't stand it, I'm going out." "Run !" "Why did we stop ?" "Why ?" "He's dead." "He's dead !" "The boy is dead." "Where the fuck are we going ?" "Where the fuck are they taking me ?" "How many of the fucking things have I smoked ?" "Twelve, thirteen ?" "If it's the last ?" "Fucking bastards !" "Here, kid !" "I speak Italian." "What's your name ?" "Listen, you were the victim of an attack." "They took you to the Nassiriyah Hospital." "Then the Italian one, both were full, so you're in the American Hospital." "I'm Dr. Fester." " My foot !" " I'll take care of your foot." " Understand ?" " Don't cut it off." "I'll do only what's best for you." "What the fuck are you doing ?" "Is this some kind of competition ?" "There was no serpentine path protecting the barracks." "The truck drove in and exploded." "What truck ?" "It was a truck bomb, they were kamikazes." "I saw it, it blew up." " Did people die ?" " They say 1 5, but it's not sure." "News about Stefano Rolla ?" "The director ?" "Must be at the Italian Hospital where they took the first ones." "I cleaned your wounds." "I cleaned your most serious wounds and stabilized the fracture." "Will it go back to normal ?" "We have to operate again." "Not exactly normal, but you'll walk." "Want morphine for the pain ?" "No, I might get used to it." "Can I have a cigarette ?" "Sorry, no smoking here." "Then I'll take the morphine." "Come on !" "Nineteen... and twenty." "Just the time to finish the pack." "It's not important." "How's it going, kid ?" "How do you feel ?" " A little better." " Did you see them ?" "It was a truck." "It broke down the entrance bar." "They were shooting..." "I didn't see anything." "I turned and ran with the others." " Were you with NCO Olla ?" " Yes." "And Lt. Ficucello." "Max, yes..." "They're all dead." "You were lucky, my boy." " And Stefano ?" " Stefano Rolla ?" "I saw him running off to the left." "He's dead too." "It's a miracle you're alive." "Let's go." "#Wait, I have# #something to tell you.#" "It's important, Stefano, don't go away." "I absolutely must tell you, wait !" "Don't go away !" "Rome Ciampino, November 1 5, 2003" "Turn on that wreck and let's go." "Hi, I'm Tino." "As of today, you're in my care." "Don't make that face, you're in good hands !" "I know, there are potholes." " We're on the Appia ?" " Yes, right." "Next time you can drive, now just relax." "Schumacher, you missed one, want to go back ?" "We're in Rome !" "Your ankle bone is mangled." "We could try to reconstruct it, but chances are high on complications." "Will I be able to walk again ?" "You'll have to face a long series of operations." "You'll need physical and moral bolstering." "Your parents are here." "Are you up to seeing them ?" "I'm fine, don't worry." "I'm alive." "I know." "What did you do ?" ""Dad, I didn't do a fucking thing !" "I kicked a box and it all blew up !"" "You're so beautiful." "You too." "Everything hurts." "All three of us together." "We look like a nativity scene." "Claudia ?" "Who'd wake up at dawn for you ?" "He's arisen !" "You've been sleeping since yesterday." "The sergeant told me everything." "I brought you some toiletries:" "a razor and shaving cream." "I'll help you." "I'm glad to see you." "Hey guy !" "You shit in your pants, huh ?" "I gotta thank you, you and the other Iraqis." "You Iraqi too ?" "Thanks !" "Till yesterday no one cared a hoot about this ward, now look:" "lights... 28 inches, not bad !" " She's your girl ?" " No." "Good for you anyway !" "I'm Tino." "We've never had it so good in this ward !" " Need something' ?" "Tell Tino here." " A real favor." "Find a wheelchair and take me for a smoke." "What fucking wheelchair ?" "You're the boss here !" "Want to smoke ?" "Like these ?" "Or want a joint ?" "Want a joint ?" "Mind if he smokes ?" "Nice leg-guard !" "Just ask." " Is he always like that ?" " He's an institution." "He seems nuts, but he's a great nurse." "Tell me you don't mind if I smoke." "No, but if I get a tumor I'll sue you." "It's bedlam out there." "TV, politicians, generals..." "They're making the rounds of the rooms, you two up to it ?" "Keep it up, you'll make it." "How many fucking people do you know ?" "How come no one's up your ass ?" "Broken nose, injured hand, ripped knee ligaments." "Obvious I've got less than you." "You weren't in the attack, that's all." "I just fell off the truck, because of the rocks the Iraqi police throw on the street to keep attackers from escaping." "But they think I did it on purpose, to get sent home." "You were lucky to get saved by that soldier." "What soldier ?" "Melis, he says he saved you." " You're sure ?" " Yes, I asked around." "I even asked the military in the hall." "Melis started shooting at a vehicle that entered the base and made it drive off." "Dad !" "Not allowed ?" "I'll leave it for you." "Trust me, it dilates the blood vessels." "Then Melis started saving people." "First he saved a certain Mereu, then another, I don't remember the name, then you..." "Who is he, Rambo ?" "Can you find me a wheelchair ?" "Let us through !" "Watch it !" "Where are you ?" " I'll wait outside ?" " Yes." "Hello, you've got a visitor." "The director !" "Weren't you about to die ?" "I definitely was." "But I came alive when echo of your gestures reached me !" "What a guy, Melis !" " What did you do ?" " Just my duty." " Why do you say you saved me ?" " Who put you under the tank ?" "Me, by myself." "You came after with Piras, Mereu was there before you." " I don't remember a thing." " I do, every instant." "It's like a tape recording in my head." "You've made your own film, tell him." " He saved me." " Sure, with Mereu and Piras." "Wasn't that enough to get you a medal ?" " Why drag me into it ?" " The usual megalomaniac." "What do you know about military techniques ?" "You don't decide whether I deserve a medal or not." "Who says you recall everything ?" "Recall a white car before the truck ?" "There was just one truck, just in front of me." "You don't remember." " Are you all crazy ?" " Hi, Claudia !" " What are you doing here ?" " We were discussing something." "Why did you let him out of bed, you're irresponsible too !" "You were parking the van, you weren't even there." " He said he felt up to it." " I felt up to it." "Father and son, just the same, two little kids." "He even put a Celtic tattoo on his cast, incredible !" "You're incredible, I can't leave you by yourself for one second." "Slow down." "Carefully !" "Stay like that... okay." " You told him where I was, you spy !" " It was a military secret ?" "You want to be right ?" "In your condition, you act like an idiot !" "Aren't they giving you enough morphine ?" "Excuse me..." "Countess !" " You're beautiful when you're mad." " Fuck off." " You're really pissed off." " Yes, and not just today." "There are some previous things !" "What did I do to you ?" "Don't let me start." " That was the Countess, got to go." " Yeah, it's best." "If something's wrong, best air it." " Not here and not now." " I'll go out." " No, I'm going to work." " What is it ?" "You've got the courage to ask ?" "For how you'd been treating me, I hoped you'd step on a mine, but since you're an asshole, you went overboard." "Go back to your Brazilian friend !" "She's in love ?" "Everyone within 1 0 meters of you died." "There's no scientific explanation, we've done all the ballistics." "Maybe you were in a shadow cone of the explosion." "You must have been lifted by the pressure wave, before being hit by the blast." "Then you crawled under the tank." "What happened then ?" "They were shooting at us." "It seemed the shots were coming from everywhere." "The shots you heard... there was no attack, just the truck-bomb." "I heard shots." "No one was shooting at you, that was the depot." "The ammunitions depot caught fire." "What depot ?" "I was almost killed by those shots." "I saw people shooting back." "And we were under the tank too." "I know, it must have seemed like a battle." "What a disaster !" "You bring them peace and see how they repay you." "It's no humanitarian mission." "We should withdraw the troops and drop an atomic bomb." "You're making the beds ?" "So when he comes back from X-ray, it's all in order." "Here, you people are all in the papers." "No, it's all bullshit." "They did three re-enactments of the attack yesterday on TV, all three were false." "Will you stay still ?" "So if some other politician comes, it's all in order." "If one comes, you'll say the hero is sleeping." "Would you come here, please ?" "What is it ?" "They're operating me tomorrow, I signed all the papers." "They'll have no responsibility if things go wrong." " They won't." " How do you know ?" "I just do, actually..." "I brought you something." "A good luck charm." "When I was little, our country house burned down." "This was the only thing left intact," "I've kept it all these years." "I told my mother to talk to Angela." " What's that got to do with things ?" " Let me talk." "If you really have to talk about her..." "She called, wanting to know how I am, but in all this period," "I thought about my mother, my friends, and you, especially you." "So, I told my mother to tell her... well, you know." " Couldn't you do it yourself ?" " You know I'm a coward." "Who knows what she had to dream up." "I only said to tell her that I've now impotent." "What an SOB !" "You're my heroes !" "You went there with the best intentions..." "Will he get better ?" "Who are you looking for ?" "I'm signing up and wanted to say hello." "I suffered so much for all of you and wanted to tell you." "It's the wrong room, I'm the only civilian here." " Where are the soldiers ?" " Everywhere." "General..." "May I ?" " General !" " Please, no." " We're looking for Mr. Amadei." " Aureliano, the general's here !" "Another one !" "We didn't want to wake you, we'll leave right away." "No, please, I'm used to it." "At least you're not journalists or politicians !" "You were with the director, weren't you ?" "Stefano Rolla, yes." "Was Max part of your escort ?" "We're Massimo Ficucello's parents." "He was with me." "He'd said his father was a general." "We'd become friends the day before." "Don't cry." "I swear, he didn't suffer." "I was running next to him when the explosion hit." "I didn't feel a thing, so neither did he." "I'm sorry !" "Please, don't cry." "You have to concentrate on healing and forgetting." "You're so young." "Don't take it like that." "Whatever you need, we're here." "Please, don't cry." "Don't cry." "I'm sorry." "two years later ... this book tells my story, I ended up lame, half deaf, and have panic attacks." "But I've never felt I was a victim." "I'm not a victim:" "not of terrorists, not of the Iraqis, or the Italian soldiers who underestimated the risk." "Because I believe I'm an executioner too." "A tiny part of a mechanism that feeds daily on blood." "A system which puts us altogether:" "Rolla to make a film," "Italian soldiers to watch over a territory and terrorists wanting to blow themselves up." "All are more executioners than victims and all are human beings." "But this wasn't mentioned at the funeral." "Appearance is the major factor." "A parade more than a funeral." "The whole city poured into the streets." "It seemed like everyone needed to take part in a private pain that had become public." "The politicians were at the coffins, as if their sons had died." "Some parents were at the rear, some even had to stand." "In the sermon, not one word against war." "The most common word was "God", twelve times, added to "The Lord", makes seventeen." "Heroism, mentioned only eleven times." "Country, five times, but increased later, when a soldier speaks." "Ficucello, zero." "Olla, zero." "Rolla, zero." "Iraqi children dead in the attack, zero." "Aureliano, stop !" "Ficucello, Olla, how can you put them on the same level as the Iraqi children ?" "I can't believe it !" "You've changed, you don't convince me." "Aureliano, will you see to him ?" "Yes, I'll see to him." "Sleep." "Sweetie, here I am !" "Here's daddy." "Now you'll spend some time with daddy." "We'll have a nice chat." "He's dead !" "The boy is dead !" "He's dead."