"We'll record the concert live, here, in your theatre, with the audience." "We recorded the other album in studio and I didn't like it." "The band performs better live." " I think it's a good idea." " We've already sold all the rights!" " We can write your theatre's name on the album's cover, if you want." " OK." "It's settled, then." " You'll give me a small discount on the rental of the venue, of course." " Obviously." "You're really a..." "Shh!" "My son's here somewhere." " What about the press office?" " It's working on it." "There are posters up all over the city." "The radio stations are playing the songs." "It'll be a great success, you'll see." "Okay, you've talked me into it." "Sign here." "You must also initial every page." "All right." " See you on 15 July, then." " Till next time." " Bye." " Bye." "Gianluca?" "Gianluca!" "Gianluca?" "Based on a true story" " Rome, 1992 " "Good morning." "Hi." "Come on, hurry up!" ""The employees of the Government Tobacco Monopoly" ""will keep blocking the distribution of cigarettes until Thursday."" "Gianluca?" " Have you everything ready, darling?" " Yes." "Today I'll play as a regular from the first minute!" "What did I tell you?" "See?" "Did you hear, honey?" "Gianluca will play as a regular!" "At last!" "Gianluca, when the match is over, please go straight to the locker room." "Don't stay there, all sweaty, playing with your friends, or you'll feel ill." " Aren't you coming with us?" " I..." "Hello?" "Oh, how are you?" "The record will be ready at the end of the month." "Don't worry." "He's not coming with us." "Sure." "No... certainly no earlier than a week." "(Antonello Venditti) # ...ancora più mia" "# Amore," "(Gianluca sings along) # dimmelo tu cos'è # quello che ancora ci manca, # quello che ancora non c'è (...)" "Why doesn't Dad organize another Venditti concert?" "You really liked him, didn't you?" "What's under here?" "Score 3 goals." "Dad" "Pass it!" "Pass it!" "Come on!" "Tighten up!" "Come on, pass it!" "That's good!" "Look: that kid is a prodigy!" "Go, Gianluca, go!" "Calm down, Giovanni." "He's a kid, but you aren't:" "you had a heart attack a month ago." "Wasn't that enough?" "Come on, press them!" "Hello." "I've made it!" "I had almost lost hope, though." " How long ago did the match start?" " It's almost over." " What's the score?" " 0-0." "Go!" "Go!" " It's a goal!" " Yeah!" "Well done!" "Come here!" "Great!" "Gianluca!" "Gianluca!" " When we arrive home, I'll call you." " What do you want for Christmas?" " Roller skates!" " No way!" "I'll drive." "Dad!" " We've already discussed this." "If you fall and get hurt... goodbye, football!" " Oh!" "But you'll be careful, won't you?" "Giovanni!" "Giovanni!" "Let's go!" "It takes a 3-hour drive to get to Avellino!" " That's true." "Maria's right." " Goodbye." " Goodbye." " Goodbye, Giovanni." " Bye." " Bye." " Bye." " Have a nice trip." " Drive safely." "Bye." " Say goodbye to Grandpa and Grandma." " Goodbye, Grandpa!" "Goodbye, Grandma!" "9 November 1992 - 7:45 am" "Come on, Gianluca!" "It's late!" "Gianluca!" "Coming!" "Go now." "I'll pick you up after school." "Hello?" "Pino?" "Pino?" " What happened?" " He felt unwell." " Where is he?" " Come." " He fainted on the stairs." " Have you called a doctor?" " Yes, he's coming." "He's there." "Excuse me." "Gianluca..." "Gianluca..." "Can you hear me?" "Gianluca, darling..." "I can't hear him breathing." "He's not breathing!" "Gianluca, darling!" "Breathe, darling!" "Breathe!" "Gianluca!" " My God!" "Breathe!" " Gianluca!" "Go with him!" "Go with him!" "I'll follow you by car." "Gianluca..." "Gianluca!" "Go!" "Rush!" "Go!" " Are you Mr. Rosati?" " Yes." " Have you brought your medical history?" " Yes." "Carlucci?" "Here I am." "Thanks a lot." "I'm going to ask them." "Listen..." " Excuse me..." "Excuse me..." " Yes?" "I'm the father of the child admitted 4 hours ago, the "Code Red"." "Please wait, sir." "We don't know anything yet." "Couldn't you ask someone?" "He's 10." "He was unconscious when he entered 4 hours ago." "We'll let you know as soon as possible." "Don't worry." " How can I possibly not worry?" "!" " I have to close the door." "Mr. and Mrs. Sciortino?" "Please go in." "Your son had a brain haemorrhage." "He had to undergo emergency surgery." " A haemorrhage?" " The operation was very complex:" "we removed a haematoma." "All vital signs are normal, the procedure went well, but, unfortunately, I cannot tell you any more at this stage." "How could this happen?" "Our son was perfectly fine." "It's hard to say for sure." "Probably a congenital malformation." "I'm sorry." "And how is he?" "Right now... he's in a coma." "No one can say if and when he will awake." "I'm sorry." "We can only... wait." "But..." "Excuse me, but this has already happened once." "My son had his adenoids removed at Fatebenefratelli Hospital." "Do you remember, Pino, when..." "Well, in short..." "After the operation, all the other children woke up, except him." "How scary!" "So I got near him, I took his hand, and he woke up!" "Gerarda..." "I'm really sorry, madam, but this time it's different." "Do you want to see him?" ""Mr. and Mrs. Sciortino, this is Mr. Sartori, the headmaster." ""We called the hospital but they didn't tell us anything." "His teacher, his classmates and I" ""wanted to wish Gianluca a speedy recovery." "We're waiting for him!"" ""Gerarda, this is Maria." "Where are you?" "!" "Call me."" ""This is Vanessa." "Corvio, the pianist, called." ""He's worried about Saturday's concert:" "you didn't go to the appointment." ""Please call me at the office, when you can."" ""Gerarda, it's Mom."" "Hello, Maria, it's me." "I'm speaking softly because I don't want her to hear." "Maria, can you please come here?" "I can't leave her alone." "No, don't say anything to your father:" "his heart wouldn't stand the shock." "Don't tell your mom, either." "Now is not the time." "Okay." "If there are any changes, I'll call you." "Thank you." "What do we do now, Pino?" "Gianluca is alive." "That's all we have to think about." "He was about to die, but he's still with us." "That's the most important thing." "You'll bring Gianluca back to me, won't you?" "I'll bring him back to you." "I'll bring him back to you, my love." "10 November - 2nd day" " Excuse me, Doctor..." " Yes?" "We'd like to ask after our son." "He was admitted here:" "Gianluca Sciortino." "Visiting hours are later." "Didn't you know?" "Yes, but nobody has told us anything yet." "If you haven't been told anything, then there's nothing to know, otherwise you'd have been called." "Have a nice day." "Listen..." "Excuse me..." "We're not leaving until they give us an update on Gianluca." " Excuse me, madam..." " Yes?" " We're the parents of the boy who had surgery yesterday." " You can't visit him yet." "I know." "We just wanted to have an update." "I don't know anything about him." "But he's coming up right now for a CT scan." "He's coming through this aisle." " What are you doing?" " Don't they realize it's draughty here?" "Gianluca!" "It's Mom." "I'm here." "Sorry, madam..." "please stay back." "Gianluca!" "Remember?" "You once mentioned a physician who had operated on your drummer." "Yes, give me his number." "Go ahead." "Thank you, Antonello." "You're a friend!" "Ladies and gentlemen, you can enter now." "Good morning." "Intensive Care" "Restricted Area" " Good morning." " Good morning." "He's there." "Gianluca, darling..." "Is this the way they let us see him?" "!" "Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to leave." "Time's up." ""Time's up"?" "!" "We waited an hour to enter and, after 5 minutes, we already have to leave!" " You know the rules." "I'm sorry." " Please!" " If I don't visit that poor woman, who else can do it?" "I'm alone." " This way." "Listen..." "Please..." "My son is only 10." "Give me a few more minutes." "I'm sorry, madam." "Visiting hours are over." "Come on, Gerarda." "Let's go." "Yes, he's 10." "He has just turned 10." "Of course." "I'll bring you all the medical records." "Thanks again, Professor." "See you tomorrow." "I have to talk to him!" "I'm not leaving!" "Wait here." "Yes?" "Excuse me, sir." "I've cancelled all your appointments, but that singer, Franco Baldi, has come anyway." "Is he here?" " Would you like some?" " No, no, thank you." "I know, people lose their appetite." "But I haven't lost it, despite this misfortune." "And... how long...?" "Five months in two days." "A motorbike accident." "You not eating won't help your son get better." "You too have to be strong." " Teresa Cantatore." " Gerarda Sciortino." "Nice to meet you." "I'm really sorry about your son." "I'd rather die than disturb you now." "But it's for my tour, you know." "If you don't even tell me the dates and the cities, how am I supposed to go on tour?" "I know, Franco, you're right, but this is a bad time." "Yes, yes, I know..." "Damn it!" "Anyway, don't worry: there's still time." "Sorry, but I have to go now." " Goodbye." " Sure." "Thanks, and sorry for bothering you." "Best wishes for your son!" "Thanks, Maria, but there was no need." "Don't mention it." "Just focus on Gianluca now." " Hello?" " Hello?" " Dad..." " Maria?" "!" " Yes, this is Maria." " What are you doing there?" " What am I doing here?" " Yes." "Nothing." "I'm in Rome on business and Gerarda asked me if I could come by." "Put her on." "She's in the bathroom." "I'll see if she can answer you." " Hello?" "Dad, how are you?" " How am I?" "You ask me how I am only when I call you." "It's just that I've been helping Pino with his work lately." "He has a lot of problems." "What about Gianluca?" "Does he have problems at work, too?" "Come on, put him on the phone." "I can't put him on the phone, Dad." "Why?" "What is he doing that is so important?" " He's out with Pino." " At this hour?" "Well... yes." "Pino forgot something at the office and he wanted to go with him." "You know how he is..." "That little rascal!" "Tell him that I love him, okay?" "Yes, yes..." "Bye, Dad." "Say hello to Mom for me." "Bye." " Pino..." " Honey..." "You're back." " Hi." " Hi, Maria." "What happened?" "My parents called." " You didn't tell them anything, did you?" " No, no." "I managed to talk to a professor in Lausanne." "He gave me an appointment." "For when?" "Tomorrow morning, at 10." "I'm leaving right now." "I'll travel at night to arrive there in the early morning." " If there's another chance, he'll find it." " Thank you, God." " Maria, can you stay over?" " Sure!" "I'll stay here with Gerarda." "Gianluca, darling..." "Come." "Come." "11 November" " Lausanne - 3rd day" "The tobacconists' strike is just what we need!" "We can't even find comfort in a cigarette now!" "The removed haematoma was large, and, from what I see, it damaged an important region of the brain." "Can you explain to me what that means exactly?" "The brain tissues responsible for speech and movement have both been affected." "That's clearly visible." "The situation is undoubtedly serious." "We've already been told it's serious, in Rome." "Professor, I hoped you could tell me that there's a glimmer of hope, a chance." "Your son's actual recovery cannot be estimated now, nor can it be estimated until the haemorrhage is fully reabsorbed." "For now, he can only be kept under continuous ultrasound monitoring." "Mr. Sciortino, I know what you want to hear from me, and I wish I could say it," "but he's in a severely compromised condition." "I cannot tell you any more." " I'll bring you the test results." " Yes." " I'll leave them in your office." " Thanks." " Okay." "See you later." " See you later, then." "Excuse me, Doctor..." "I'm Gerarda Sciortino." "Remember?" "Yes, madam, I remember." "There's no news." "Excuse me, but I have a lot of work to do." "I'm staying here, in case Gianluca awakes." "Madam, has anyone had the honesty to tell you that Gianluca could also... die, at any time?" " Why are you telling me this?" " Because it's my duty." "Because someone has to do it." "And his parents must have a clear picture of the situation." "Your son is in critical condition, madam." " But Dr. Antonioni said that he could..." " ...awake." "Sure." "But in what state?" "The haemorrhage might have compromised his ability to relate to the outside world." " He might awake aphasic, unable to speak, unable to recognize people." " Please, stop it." "I don't enjoy telling you this, but you asked for my opinion, and I must tell you how things really are." "Write everything down." "Come on..." "Sometimes doctors have different opinions, you know." "Why don't you talk to Dr. Antonioni again?" "You can still find him, if you hurry." "I talked to Dr. Crisanti." "Madam..." "Dr. Crisanti is an excellent physician." "But he's one of those who love diseases more than patients." " Yet, he's very precious in this ward." " I don't care who he is." " I want to know if what he said is true." " What did he say?" "That... my son... could die at any time." "Is it true?" "I thought you had already figured it out." "So you agree with him..." "I can't tell you anything for sure, believe me." "We're doing everything possible, day after day, minute after minute." "We have to wait." " Let me see him, then!" " No." "I need to see him, touch him." "Let me see him, and not through those dammed windows." "That's really not possible, I'm sorry." "That's your son, right?" "How would you feel if you knew that he's suffering, that he's ill, and you're not allowed to see him?" "Listen, Doctor, I'm a simple woman, and I've never caused anyone trouble;" "but, if you don't let me see my son, I may do something crazy." " Madam..." " No, no..." "It's not a threat." "It's just that without my son..." "I'm nothing." "You understand that, don't you?" "(in French) Yes!" "That's good!" "Go!" "A cigarette?" "Yes, please." " It's an awful time, isn't it?" " What?" "I mean, when... when one walks out that door..." "Listen... take one more." "During the strike, it will be difficult to find them." "Please." "Thank you." "Pino..." "Where's Maria?" "Ah..." "She went to Avellino." "My father wasn't feeling very well." "She'd better stay with them." "How did it go?" "He was very kind." "Really." "He has taken him to heart." "He told me that children, in these cases, are amazing." "He wants to study the situation and then he'll call me." "Ah..." "Hello?" "This is she." "Dr. Antonioni, yes..." "Excuse me?" "Ah." "Yes, that's okay with me." "Thank you." "Thank you." "See you tomorrow." "Thank you." "What did he say?" "They'll let me see him, Pino." "They'll let me in." "They'll give me a special permit." "Yes, I'm his father." "OK." "I'll call you back." "How do I look?" "My compliments, madam." "You look gorgeous today." " Your son will be happy to see you." " Thank you." " Good morning." " Good morning." " Who is it?" " Gerarda Sciortino, Gianluca's mom." "Please..." "Good morning." " Please stay no longer than 5 minutes." " Okay." "He's there." "Please." "Gianluca." "Can you hear me, darling?" "It's Mom." "We're right here with you all the time, you know?" "Don't be afraid." "Do you know that... everyone is asking about you?" "Your classmates, your teacher..." "everyone." "And we're telling them that you'll soon be back." "Madam..." "you should leave, please." "Leave?" " But I'm not bothering you." " Sorry, but we have to change a patient." "Ah." "But I won't look." "I'll turn around." "Madam..." "Please, madam..." "How many times must I tell her?" "!" "The blood pressure is normal." "Gianluca, I'm not going to leave you here." "Understand?" "I'll take you home." "I'm not going to let you die here." " Stay with me." " Please, madam, you have to leave." "Yes?" "Excuse me, sir:" "these invoices are due soon." "Okay, leave them there." "Sciortino Management?" "No, Mr. Sciortino isn't here." "I don't think he's coming back today." "16 November - 8th day" "Let's have a drop of wine to cheer ourselves up." "It's watered down." "Do you know how many hours I've already worked this morning?" "Eight." "I always get up earlier than nuns!" "Maybe I should become a nun!" "They do nothing all day." "They receive room and board..." "They have to pray, though." "But what have I done in the last 5 months, other than pray?" "Listen... do you know that old man who is always here?" "What old man?" "The one in a coat, who is always smiling." "He seems to be a good person." "I've been here for 5 months, but I've never seen him." "Hey..." "Marco moved all fingers today, you know?" "Actually, he had already moved his right index finger." "Today he moved all fingers!" "Except the thumbs..." "He's coming back." "Good." "Some values have slightly improved, even if..." "Even if...?" "...even if the general situation has remained unchanged." "This is his current condition, but tomorrow he might get worse." "We're playing it by ear." " Let me go back to him." " Gerarda..." "He needs me." "He also needs me..." "It can't do him any harm!" "Please..." "OK." "Starting tomorrow, you can see him 10 minutes a day." "Thank you!" "Thank you!" "Madam, you're going to get me fired!" "There." "Good." "A mother doesn't need to be told what to do." "You have to do that as often as possible, because his skin tends to dehydrate." "He's getting better, Pino." "He knows we are there." "And that makes him feel better." "Maybe so..." "But did you hear what the doctor said?" "Let's stay grounded." "Even he said that something has changed." "Why don't you believe me?" "Listen... we mustn't get our hopes up." "Dr. Antonioni has seen many cases like Gianluca's." "He knows more than we do!" "No!" "No!" "No!" "Doctors don't know it all." "And even he said they're playing it by ear." "Listen, Pino:" "everything Medicine and Science say is logical and makes sense." "But there's something else, I've felt it." "And, every time I enter that room and I see him, I always think... that he's only sleeping, after all." "Gianluca's not sleeping, Gerarda." "Gianluca is in a coma." "What are you doing?" "Look what I've brought you:" "Paciugo." "You used to stroke it before falling asleep." "It used to keep you company." "Remember?" "Feel how soft it is!" ""I saw it with my own eyes", said the Corsair calmly." ""Is he still hanging from the gallows?"" ""He'll hang there for 3 days."" " Do you see this shadow, here?" " Yes." " You're making some exceptions!" " I'm following the rules." "You follow the rules only when it suits you!" " Excuse me, but I'm working." " Why can't I enter, touch her, speak to her?" "I'm just following the rules." "No, you're not following the rules!" "You're making some exceptions!" "Here she is." "Let's go." " They're letting you in, aren't they?" " Well, yes, but just for a few minutes." " I have a 10-year-old child, try to understand." " Don't worry, madam." "We all know that." "However, since you can enter, will you tell my daughter I think about her all the time, and I'm waiting for her to come home?" "Would you please put this under my husband's pillow?" "He's in the fourth bed, near the doorway." "Would you also say hi to my mother?" "Of course." "Don't worry." "Thank you." "Thank you." "Excuse me, sir:" "Franco Baldi's on the phone." "It's the fifth time he's called." " Hello?" " I've been trying to reach you for 2 days." "Your secretary is like a wall!" " That's no way to behave, Pino." " Yes, I know." "You've abandoned me." "You don't give a fuck about my career!" "Fortunately, there's someone who believes in me." "You know Colora?" "All his artists are high in the charts." " He said he'll take me on." " That seems like great news to me." "See?" "You don't give a fuck!" "But I'm done with you!" "Vanessa, call all our artists." "Explain the situation to them, and tell them they can find another manager." "They'll find another one anyway." "We're closing down." "I'm sorry." "But... sir..." "I can continue to pay your salary for some time, at least until you find another job;" "but, starting tomorrow, you won't have to come to work anymore." "Listen: wait before you close down." "Except for Baldi, nobody else has complained." "On the contrary, everyone has been asking me if there's anything they can do." "Venditti, too, keeps calling to ask after Gianluca." "Everyone says they can wait." "And don't worry about me:" "I have a lot of unused vacation time." "This work is your life." "Don't throw it all away." "I'm sure your wife and your son would disapprove, too." "23 November - 15th day" ""I'm gonna kill you!"" "Can you feel it?" "Huh?" "Gianluca?" "Can you feel it?" ""I'm going to Gianluca." "I'm going to Gianluca."" ""I'm going to Gianluca."" "When will these nice legs run again?" "These are a champion's legs!" "That's a bedsore." "They should turn patients more often, but they say they're understaffed." "What do I have to do?" "You have to work something out." "Gerarda, I have something to tell you." "Marco's better." "I can take him home." "Teresa, you don't know how happy I am to hear that!" "Gianluca will be discharged soon, too, you'll see." "Yes." " Please, madam, you have to leave." " Yes..." "I'm leaving now." "Hello, Marco." "I'm Gerarda... the mother of Gianluca, the child next to you." "I spoke with your mother." "I'm glad you're better." "She asked me to tell you they're all waiting for you." "Go back home soon." "Hello." "How are you?" "Get well soon." "Don't worry; everything is going to be all right." "I come here every day, don't worry." "Your wife asked me to caress you." "And... also to give you this." "And also to tell you that she always thinks about you." "She's your wife, don't forget her." "See you tomorrow." "I spoke to Sister Vincenza." "She talked to Dr. Antonioni, who told her that, at this rate of improvement, Gianluca will be taken off the ventilator." "We must do more, Pino." "We must do something different." "I've done all I could do... to no avail." "Don't say that, Pino." "You're our strength." "Without you, we're nothing." " It's not true, darling." " Yes, it's true!" "28 November - 20th day" "Let's have lunch now." "Gianluca, I've made some tortellini for you." "Here you are." "Want some water, Gianluca?" "And what did he say?" "That his theatre is already booked, so... no concert this year." ""But that's probably just an excuse." "He doesn't like the band, in reality." ""He's got me into trouble, though, because I have to cancel some tour dates."" " What are we supposed to do?" " I don't know... something for Gianluca." "Sit down, everyone." "Take your geography notebooks." "Italy... is washed by the Adriatic Sea in the east," "by the Ionian Sea in the south," "and by the Tyrrhenian Sea in the west." "Come on, run, one after another!" " Quick!" " Come on, Gianluca, pass it!" "Gianluca, kick the ball harder!" ""Jump forward when you shoot!"" "Gianluca, pass it!" "Hurry!" " That's good, kids." " Well done!" "Keep going!" "Quick!" "Go on like that!" ""One after another!"" "Come on!" "That's good." "Come on, hurry!" "Come on, Gianluca, shoot!" ""Do you know that a new bakery has opened nearby?"" ""Taste this bread."" ""It must have opened recently." "I haven't seen it yet."" ""Have you seen it, Gianluca?"" ""It's good." "It's really good."" ""Tomorrow I'll make a snack for you with it."" "See?" "The tobacconists' strike is over." " Hello?" " Thank God you've answered!" "Mom and Dad are coming to you." "They decided at the last minute." "They're coming to me?" "!" " When did they leave?" " 2 hours ago." " I've tried to call you." "They'll be there in an hour." " Thank you, Maria." " I haven't seen him in a month!" " He has even stopped calling us." "You know, he's busy with school, with football..." "Right now he's at a friend's house." "He also slept at his place." "Kids grow up..." "Nonsense!" "You're hiding something from me." "What are you saying, Dad?" "How can you even think that?" "What are your plans for the holidays?" "Are you coming to our place?" "I don't know..." "Pino may have to work." "Since when does he have to work at Christmas, Gerarda?" "!" "We'll be at home for Christmas." "You do as you like." "Let's go." "11 December - 33rd day" "Mom..." "Will you buy me some skates now?" "Don't insist, Gianluca." "You're too young." "And your father won't let you skate." "And don't think you can convince me because you've been ill." "Please..." "You're really a little rascal." "Your Grandpa's right." "Mom?" "Mom?" "Answer me, Mom." "Mom?" "Mom?" "Mom?" "Madam?" "Madam!" "Gerarda..." "Pino..." "What happened?" "You fainted." "You passed out while you were with Gianluca." "You're too tired." "You can't go on like this." "Go home now, and have some rest." "And, if this happens again," "I can't let you in anymore." "You realize that, don't you?" "Try to get some sleep tonight." "Pino..." "He moved an arm." "I've only just realized it." "Initially, he had both arms at his sides." "Then, just before I left, he had a hand towards his face." "Are you sure you didn't move him or touch him?" "I don't know." "I don't know." "I'm not sure about anything anymore." "Good morning, madam." "How are you?" "As usual." "How come you're always here?" "Do you have someone here?" "Yes... in a certain sense." "But things are better now." "Did you tell the doctors that Gianluca moved an arm?" "No!" "They wouldn't believe me." "Maybe you're right." "How do you know Gianluca moved an arm?" "It's normal, Doctor." "You were supposed to take care of his bedsores." "All I asked you was to place these under his feet." "Don't push your luck, madam." "You've been allowed to stay here." "You've been allowed to do things never seen before in this ward." "Your son needs quiet, but all you do is pester him." "I'm his mother." "I know what my son needs." "You've handled this situation badly from the beginning." "And we were wrong to make all these concessions to you." "The truth is that you think that I'm delusional, that nothing is going to bring my son back." "You said the same to Teresa." "But that's not what happened, because she didn't lose hope." "And now she has finally seen her son leave this ward." "He has been discharged, hasn't he?" "I saw his bed empty." "I'm sorry about that young man, but you can't go on like this." "Gianluca needs you." "Gerarda..." "Gerarda, are you listening to me?" "What do I have to do to help you?" "Pino... why don't you go to him next time?" "Gianluca needs you." "It can't do him any harm!" "Do you really think so?" "You are his father!" "I think he's wondering what happened to you!" "Put on your scent." "It's important for him to smell it." "Yes." "Please come in." "Thank you." "Hi, Gianluca." "It's Dad." "Your Dad." "Listen... about those skates..." "I'm sorry for not buying them." "But, as soon as you get out..." "They're calling the doctors." "I have to go." "Bye, Champ." "So?" "If that's what's left of my son, then I'll kill myself!" "Pino!" "Pino!" "Pino!" "Okay, say it, then." "What?" "That you think I'm crazy, too." " Do you really want me to tell you what I think?" " Yes." "Okay." "I think you saw things that never happened." "Maybe you needed to see them." "I understand that." "But you should have kept them for yourself." "Gianluca won't awake." "He's no more." "They told us so, but you pretended not to understand." "And the sooner we get over it, the better." " But..." " Enough, Gerarda!" "Enough." "OK, give him back to me in the condition you want him to be." "Just don't let him suffer." "Otherwise, take him back with you." "Madam..." "Nice to see you!" "How are you?" "No..." "No, it's not like you." "Give me one of your smiles." "Come on." "There." "Good." "This is what I wanted to see." "You're a strong woman." "Don't get discouraged." " I won't." " Good." "Good." " And Merry Christmas!" " Merry Christmas..." "Come on, let's do something." "Let's listen to some music." "Let's listen to Antonello, whom you like so much." "(Antonello Venditti) # Le valigie da portare giù (...)" "The concert in Pescara..." "Do you remember it?" "You insisted so much on going to see it that..." "Dad and I eventually gave in." "To close the concert and do all the accounts," "Dad and I worked till very late." "You wouldn't hear of going to bed." "And..." "And we saw the sunrise together... for the first time." "(he whispers the lyrics) "quello che ancora non c'è"" ""e che ti prende alle spalle e non ti fa tornare indietro"" "What's going on, madam?" "Where are you running to?" " Gerarda, please..." " Pino, I know you think I'm crazy, but this time it's true." "Do you believe me?" " Why didn't you tell the doctors?" " They won't believe me!" "But someone must give us an explanation." "Pino..." "OK." "I'm going to make a few calls." "This is Pino Sciortino." "I'd like to speak to Prof. De Piano." "Thank you." "Hello?" "Turn on the TV." "You're in the news." "Bye." "Who was calling?" "Maria." "She told me to turn on the TV; we're in the news." ""Apparently, the child woke up after listening to a Venditti song."" ""The famous singer refused to make any statement."" " Make a statement!" " A little quiet, please!" " Here they come." " Mrs. Sciortino!" " Let's go." " Please tell us a few words:" "does your son know Venditti personally?" " How did he wake up?" " Wait!" "How long has your son known Venditti?" "Is he a fan of his?" " Let them through." " Was it Venditti's song to wake him from his coma?" "Are you Venditti's manager?" " Nobody said he woke up from his coma!" " Is there a medical bulletin?" " Why are you saying he didn't awake?" " We need to talk." "Come to my office." "No, I'm going to Gianluca." "It often happens that some patients give signs that could lead us to think that they're awaking." "But?" "But they aren't awaking." "Those are just conditioned reflexes that can deceive us." "Those reflexes don't mean they're returning to normal life." "They aren't awaking." " Where are you going?" "!" " Let me pass." "See what you've done?" ""The singer's miracle", that's all we needed!" " Let me pass." " Listen: your son may be able to speak, but repeating sounds is one thing, coming out from a coma is another." "You've turned this ward into a circus." "Gianluca isn't our only patient." "Everyone here is entitled to our utmost attention, and, above all, to absolute quiet." " You're afraid." " Really?" "Of what?" "Of all the humanity that is in here." "There's a lot to learn here, Doctor." "But you don't have enough strength for such a big task." "And I feel pity for you." "And now, excuse me, but I have to go to my son." "Mr. Sciortino, you've seen what's happened." "All this fuss, the reporters..." "It'd be better if you explained to your wife what I told you." "We, unfortunately, haven't been able to do it." "Gianluca, Dad is here." "Do you want to say hi to him?" "Gianluca, it's Mom." "Can you hear me?" "It's Mom." "Come on, Gerarda, let's go." "18 December - 40th day" "Remember when we used to come here?" "He had fallen in love with those radio-controlled boats." "How old was he?" "2... 3 years old?" "He had already turned 3." "I remember that he didn't need a stroller anymore." "I used to tell him that he was too young to play with a RC boat, and that I'd buy him one when he was older." "You think you have plenty of time to spend with your kids." "24 December 1992 - 10:30 pm" " The bar was closing." "I asked them to make you some tea." " Thanks." "Ah..." "No..." "It's useless for you to wait here tonight." "I don't think they'll let you in." "A Christmas Eve party is being held in the nurses' station." "Why don't you go too?" "No, thank you, Sister Vincenza." "I'd rather stay here." "Maybe they'll let me in to wish Gianluca a Merry Christmas." "You go, if you want to." "I'll tell you what:" "go downstairs." "I'm on duty tonight." "I promise to let you know if you can enter." "Hello?" "Yes." "Mrs. Sciortino: you can go in now." "But just one of you." " You go." " I'll give him a kiss from you." "Hello, my darling." "Mom and Dad are right here with you." "You know..." "It's Christmas Eve." ""Christmas."" "Yes, my love." "It's Christmas." "Best wishes, Mom." "But I didn't say that." "You're not repeating." "Gianluca." "I love you, Mom." "Gianluca..." "Gianluca..." "You're back, my love." "You're back." "I knew you would come back." "I knew it." "Don't ever leave me again." "Ever!" "You're back!" "He's back!" "Gianluca Sciortino awoke on 24 December 1992, after 46 days in a coma." "In the following years, his parents continued to fight at his side, during his long and difficult rehabilitation." "Gerarda Sciortino founded an association to assist intensive-care patients." "Music has never stopped being a part of Gianluca's life." "Real Gianluca as an adult and footage of his rehabilitation as a child" ""How I woke my son up"" ""A real Christmas miracle"" ""After my son's case, I'm helping other people to live again"" "English subtitles by YRR and Alex"