""In the name of the Pope King"" ""Written in Rome, on 22 October..."" ""...in the year of our Lord, 1867..."" ""Most Blessed Father,..."" ""The undersigned, Monsignor Colombo da Priverno..."" ""...hereby declares..."" " Hold on, wait." "Let's put who you are, first." " Meaning?" " "Judge of the Supreme Tribunal..."" " "Declares." - "Bishop Auxilary of..."" " "Declares"!" " "Rector of the Pontifical College..."" " Start again." " From where?" "The titles!" "Are you done yet?" "Serafino, get to the point!" " As you wish." "Where were we?" " "Declares."" "Nothing." "I declare nothing." "We should write something more general." " Start erasing?" "Write." ""Given Rome's miserable state..."" ""...in these frightful, anxious days." - "...frightful..."" ""The entire city a fortress."" ""Empty streets, as if there'd been a cholera epidemic."" ""Cannons in the squares." "Barricades."" ""Bombs falling everywhere, day and night." - "Day and night."" "Did you leave something open?" " The sentence?" "No." "I feel a draft." " Everything's closed." "So what's this chill along my spine?" " You've had that for twenty years." "At least, as long as I've known you." ""Garibaldi's troops, marching around!"" ""And the revolutionary cry everywhere, 'Rome, or death!" "'"" "Yeah, all this "let's take Rome" mania!" "What will they do when they get it?" "The Italians?" " Yes, the Italians." " You'll see." ""But given even, Most Blessed Father..."" ""...your silence..."" " The informal "you"?" "It's just a draft." " "Your silence..."" ""...regarding the Trastevere massacre, committed by your soldiers..."" ""...where your holy heroes murdered 16 Romans."" "You want me to write that?" "Why?" "Isn't it true?" "Fine, fine." "It's just a draft, after all." " No!" "This stays in." "Now you're going to attack the Papal militia?" "Soldiers who answered the Pope's call." "Real Christians!" "Men of true faith!" "Okay, okay, they're well paid." "But they do protect us." "From Giuditta Davani Orquadi?" " Who?" "One of the 16 victims." " That lady?" "Oh, come on..." "How can - ?" "They hacked her to pieces." "Couldn't even stop hacking at her corpse!" "A 42-year old lady, pregnant, coming at you in a floral hat " " And a gun." " You can't forget that part." "Write, write." "Want to burn down the house, too?" " You own it?" " Go ahead." "Burn the tables, the chairs." ""The undersigned..."" "Etcetera, etcetera." ""Wounded by these events, and after many sleepless nights."" ""Sleepless." - "Listening to one's conscience..."" ""...and the exploding bombs at Orsini."" ""Exploding everywhere, these days." - "Everywhere."" "Though, did you notice?" "We haven't heard anything tonight." "Too soon to tell." "You jinxed it." "If anything, I'm just prescient." " Right, right, I was about to say that." "Where were we?" "I've lost my train of thought." "The point the undersigned was making." "That is, your point." "Right." "So let's put "declares" back in there." ""Declares..." - "Declares his inability..."" ""...given criminal investigations and the above-noted events..."" ""...we beg Your Holiness to release us..."" ""...from the position of Judge." "And all the attendant privileges."" "You're quitting?" "We're done, Serafino." "It's the last stop of a long internal journey." "Now?" "Son, moral crises don't happen by appointment!" "It happens when it happens!" " Right when the Italians are arriving." "It might be a coincidence, but, if I was Pope," "I'd be suspicious." "It might be a coincidence, and you might be Pope, but my balls are busted now." "You!" "You, the loyalest servant to the throne!" "The altar!" "Your firm, just hand cleaned away rebels!" "Assassins!" "You - you can't!" "If your hand trembles, it's all over." "It's not over because the Italians are coming." "The Italians are coming because it's over." "I don't get it." " Forget it." "You just write, "Prostrations, as ever, at the sacred foot..."" ""Many salutations, Colombo da Priverno."" ""Death to the priests."" ""Down with the Pope King!"" "Hey, that's Theresa!" "Quiet." "(yelling in Spanish) Theresa!" " Cesarino!" " What happened?" "Nothing." "I was waiting for you for an hour." "How'd it go?" "Fine." " And Gaetano?" " He'll meet us at home." "Let's go." "Clean yourselves up for Mom." "Good evening." " Good evening, Mari'." "Gaetano?" " He won't be long." "You'll stay for dinner?" " No, thanks, Sister Mari'." "The wife's waiting with the kids." "I'll just wait around and say hi to Gaetano." "He'll come." "Are you sure you won't stay?" " Yes, really." "Thanks." "That must be him." "He's coming by carriage?" "It's the Countess Flaminia." "Thank God you're all here." "No, wait, Gateano's missing." "Where is he?" " On his way." "You did a really great thing." " What?" "Who was at the revolutionary meeting after the massacre?" "You never received approval for revenge." " So?" "So?" "So know that the police already know who did it." "Because, thank God, we have ample spies in Rome." "And, given that the Papal soldiers' barracks were bombed tonight," "What do you think will happen to those who planted the bombs?" "Who was it?" "One is Giuseppe Mogni." "The second is your son, Gaetano Tognetti." "You're the third." "Cesare Costa." "Cesarino, you've never lied to me." "Gaetano was right behind you." " He's coming." "Have comfort." "You've only got one son in danger." "I have two." "Because I raised your son as if he was my own." "Nothing's a secret here." " And who cares who Mom is?" "Dad?" "Enough of this." " At least you understand." "I have a carriage outside." "Let's go." " We have to wait for Gaetano." "We can't!" "Maria, tell him - !" " Quiet." "We need to keep calm." "And we have to stay here." "Mom, thanks for the information" "But you should go now." "You don't know how to live on the run." " Neither do we." "Though we got used to it." "What was I telling you, Monsignor?" "My lady is very mixed up with that Cesarino Costa." "It's been months since they've been spending nights together." "Furtive meetings, midnight calls." "Evidentally, there's some understanding." "Don't take it too hard." " Patience is its own reward." "Thanks to the attack on the barracks, the little sir's earned himself charges of insurrection, arson and murder." "So I wanted to get him myself." "And reputation - well " "Certainly." "When we can avoid a scandal..." "We'll help." " And the third?" "Of course." "Also, the third." "Speak of the devil." "Here he comes." "It's Gaetano." "Well?" "Talk." "Anyway, I know everything." "I counted them." "As of now, 18 dead soldiers pulled out from the rubble." "What have we done?" " "What have we done"?" "Giuditta is avenged!" "Cheer up, guys!" "In the name of the Pope." "Open up!" ""Cheer up" my ass, boys." "No, sorry, I was just thinking." "Now that you don't want to be a judge anymore." "What are you going to do?" " I'll be a priest." "Isn't that enough?" "You'd always have a right to an estate." " What estate?" "Me, for example." "A simple priest" " Just a priest." "Has a right to a servant." " What do I know?" "Maybe not." "In which case, I'll have to get by." "I'll do it myself." " Right." "And so, just like that, after twenty years of free service" "Some guy says, "Serafino, see you later and thanks!"" "Do you know how much money that is?" "Twenty years of service?" "You're the house administrator." "You get the house." "You get everything." "I get nothing!" " So you get nothing!" "What do you want from me?" "!" "I can only bless you." "Want a blessing?" " That's it?" "!" "That's it!" "Someone's at the door." " Open it." "For free." " So don't open it!" "Countess Flaminia!" "Sorry if I'm intruding." "No, no, sorry if I'm dressed like this " " But since we were just about to go to bed " "Please." "Save him!" "You, who can!" "Save him!" "He was arrested tonight." "They took him to Nove prison." "He blew up a barracks." " Yes, uh, get up, please." "They blew up a barracks?" " You can save him." "You can do anything." "He's my life." "My everything." "He's your lover?" "I didn't expect that from you." " It's what people say." "My husband says it too." "That my lover is a kid." "Well, then, who is he?" "He's my son." "You have a son?" "I had no idea." "I never wanted anyone to know." "But now, given what's happened, I have to tell you." "Only you know." "Wait a second." "But someone who blows up barracks must be pretty big?" "No, he's young. 19 years old." "He's just a kid." "A kid with bombs." "He's a child of the revolution. 1849." "Of course he grew up like this." "Remember?" "Who could forget!" "1849." "Bullets flying everywhere." "Garibaldi at the Janiculum." " Gianomanara at Villa Spada." "Who asked you!" " The Republic." "Right." "The Republic." "A big mess." "Yes, but, for a moment, we too believed." "You." "I just did my job." "Giving last rights." " And me?" "Oh yeah, you worked as a nurse." "Mostly, I just tried to be useful." "And then that night, when we were looking for a place to sleep, wherever." "It was so cold." "Remember?" " Eh, trying to warm each other up!" "And we lay down with each other, so close." ""So close."" " Too close." "Seems like forever, but, uh, how many years ago was that?" "Just 19." "Like my son." "Curious." "What are you trying to say?" "You've already understood." "How?" "For one night?" "One night in a lifetime?" "Now you have two reasons to save him." "One, because he's my son." "Second, because he's also yours." " Don't say it." "Don't even joke about it." "I'm a priest." " No!" "You're the father!" " Who's father?" "!" "I don't even know who you're talking about!" "I don't even know this guy!" "It's not enough to tell someone, "You've got a son!"" "I..." "I'm not ready." "And while we wait for you to get ready, they'll behead him!" "Nothing." "I can't do anything." "I made a hard choice." "It's final." "I'm nothing now." "I'm not even a judge anymore." "I resigned today." " No!" "But the decision remains." "It was a moral decision." "A letter can be rewritten." "And a son can't be resurrected after he's been killed." "Put that on your conscience!" "Here we are." "Drink this, nice and warm, and then straight to bed." "What?" "What?" "Nothing." "Prepare my suit." "I'm going out." " Now?" "Actually, no, go run after Countess Flaminia." "Tell her to wait for me at Nove prison." "I'll go on ahead!" "And the resignation?" " I've changed my mind!" "Are you the so-called "Monti, Giuseppe"?" "Yes." " You're the only one with a wife and kids." "What three, Your Excellency?" " You and the other two that were arrested." "Oh?" "There were two others?" "I didn't notice." "Monsignor Colombo." "Your Excellency." "He's the first?" " Yes, sir." "We just started." "Please." "Imagine I'm not here." "We have enough evidence to condemn you without a trial." "But, before being judges, we are priests." "And there is no sin, however great, that can't be erased by forgiveness." "Confess your crime." "Declare that you're sorry." "And we'll extend you the fullest grace." "Fine, it was me." "I'm sorry, and thanks for the grace." "Can I go?" "Well, no, one minute." "That doesn't count." "Why not?" " Because, just as you'll receive the fullest grace..." "So we'll need a full confession." " Of course." "You couldn't have done it all by yourself." "Dragging barrels of gunpowder." "Igniting the flame." "You have to tell us who helped you." "At least some names." "Only like that is your confession complete." "Only like that am I a spy." "Let's not get into semantics." "The most important thing is grace." " Yes." "But since you only give grace to spies, I take it all back." "Also, because, it wasn't me." "What do you want?" "Leave it." "You won't get a spider from his hole." "He's too evil." "Bring in the next one." "I heard one of the others is a bit softer." "Just a kid." " Oh, yes, this one." "Both of them." "They're the same age." "Both born in '49?" " A good year for wine!" "Sure, right." "Are you the so-called "Tognetti, Gaetano"?" "I asked you a question." "Are you the so-called "Tognetti, Gaetano"?" "What happened to him?" "Nothing." "He must have fallen on the stairs." "You beat him up?" " No, Your Excellency!" "He looks like Christ at Golgotha!" "And you don't say anything?" " Speak." "Your Excellency asked you a question." "What should I say?" " Who blew up the barracks?" "No." "I want to know who beat him up." "Who did this to you?" "No one." "I fell." "Fine." "Sit." "Are you completely sure this kid...?" "They're all like this." "Angels on the outside." "Devils on the inside, Your Excellency." "Not like us." " Demons inside and out?" "You were born in Rome?" "Yes." " So your family's Roman?" "No, I mean, I'm not saying you thought of your family." "I mean, you've got a mother?" "Or a father?" " Let's not kid ourselves." "The "father"?" " Well?" "What's so funny?" "I never knew my father." "So... you don't know who he is?" "Got her pregnant and then dumped her!" " It's not true!" "Oh, come on!" " No!" "It's all in the files!" " Lies!" "Let him talk!" "He didn't marry her because of his ideals." "He had a mission." "He was a man of faith." "See?" "The more they're rascals, the more their kids love them!" "What "rascals"?" "He's a man of faith!" "Their faith!" "Garibaldi, Mazzini!" "He died defending the Republic." "Antonio Tognetti!" "Who?" " The father!" "Famous, very evil!" "It's certain?" " Huge file!" "Killed by eight policemen!" "Then tell me immediately!" "Why are we dragging this out!" "If he's his father's son then he's his father's son." " Exactly!" "Delinquency's in their blood, Your Excellency!" "Like father, like son!" "I don't think we'll get far with this one either." " No, I think if we " "No." "He's too tough." " Tough?" "Bring the third one in." "If you'll permit, I'd like to interrogate the third one alone." "It's your work." "I'm just here for some personal affairs." "I've been asked by someone who, let's say, really has these kids to heart." "Someone who, to remain discreet" "I can't say who " " Countess Flaminia." "Oh, you already know?" "That he's the Countess' lover, everybody knows." "Stay close because, afterwards, I'd like to ask you a favor." "And I have to ask you for one too." "Oh, uh, immediately?" " Well, since you're here." "You know, you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours." "It's risky to ask first, though." "What if I ask you something that you can't do?" "Oh, for you, Your Excellency, I can do anything." "Even to make this one's file disappear?" "Frankly, I'd make my mother disappear if I could become a bishop." "Nice guy." "Anyway, I can speak with His Holiness." "Would that be enough?" " I wouldn't know how to repay you." "You already have." "The file isn't gone yet, but..." " Assume that I've already eaten it." "All of it." "Page by page." "Guard!" "Damn, it's cold in here." "Didn't they give you a blanket or something?" " Who are you?" "The warden?" "If so, I have some complaints." " It'd go into the abyss, son." "I'm just a judge from the Tribunal." "It's not my job." " Right." "You just saw heads." "We know who you are." "And you're really not cold?" "Not at all." "I'm sweating." "Must be 'cause you're young." "I'm always cold, right in the bones." "Must be old age." "What's your name?" "You arrested me and you're asking my name?" "I just asked a question." "Cesare Costa." "Why Costa?" " Who knows." "No, I mean, your father was a Costa?" "My father's not in the picture." " How come?" "Unknown." " You can't say?" "My father's unknown." "And your mother never told you who he was?" "Who he is, or was." "I bet you'd like to find out some bizarre past." "What can I tell you?" "Some bourgeois affair." "High society, that shit." "Anyway, I never asked my mother anything." "It wasn't my business." "You're right." "And it's normal that the kids grow up full of rage." "No, I'm fine." " No, I understand, son." "Don't call me "son"." "Did I say "son"?" "I didn't notice, it's " " Just don't call me it." "It disgusts you that much?" "There are two things in the world that disgust me." "My father." "And priests." "Hey, buddy, you know what?" "You wanted to annoy me?" "It worked!" "Better this way, get it out of the way." "What's the point of making nice, getting all cozy - Do you think I give a shit?" "Who the hell are you?" " Are you drunk or something?" "Look, I'm here because they asked me." "And you're lucky, even." "And I've understood everything." "You're the worst of the three." "Why am I lucky, then?" " Because you're free to go." "They couldn't find any evidence." "You can go." "Where's the trap?" "There's a carriage waiting." "Your mother's there." "My mother?" "I get it." "Get what?" " I get your "personal interest" now." "Look, Uncle Priest, even if I'm a bastard, I'm still noble Roman blood." "And the nobility's loyal to the Pope." "And who does the revolution?" "Who does it?" "Who?" "Well?" " The proletariat." "Poor wretches." "People who have nothing." "And if someone with my blood strikes up with the plebeians, they can't stand it." "Well, I can't stand waiting here with the door open catching pneumonia." " So close it." "Go on." "Freedom's right there." "In the sewer?" "Is that where it is, Uncle Priest?" "Don't call me that, I'm not your uncle." " Thank God for that." "I'd die from shame." "I'll close it?" "How could you think I'd leave my friends here?" "What do you take me for?" "Look, I closed it." " And you did well." "Well?" "Huh?" " Aren't you taking him?" "Right, of course." "Go get him." "Certainly." "Come on!" "He doesn't want to." " Dear Don Marino," "If he'd allowed it, I would have brought him out already." "What should we do?" "If you can drag people into prison can't you drag them out?" "!" "It's very weird." "It's never been done!" " Well, you'll do it now!" "A couple kicks, and out." "Ready." "He's coming." "Well?" "He's coming." " Thank God." "I didn't even tell you which one was him." " I knew him instantly." "It had to be that guy." "There was one guy: sweet, gentle, polite." "No, someone else's son." "I said, "Go on - freedom's out there." "Where?" "In the sewer?"" ""Look," I say, "your mom's out there." "Who gives a damn?"" "Stuff to throw him against the wall." "What an attitude!" "Where'd he get it from?" "Yeah, huh?" "Figures." "There." "There." "Okay, let's go!" " What'd you do to him?" "Nothing, nothing." "I said "a couple kicks"." " They weren't enough." "They didn't even let me see my son." "Of course." "Cesarino's the son of a lady." "My husband's no one's son." "Sorry if I woke you." "Good news." "You know that young man that everyone thinks is my lover?" "He's been freed." "And don't try to play the spy again." "He's already across the border by now." "Praise the Lord, a beautiful day!" "Monsignor!" "Mamma mia, what a fright!" "What are you doing here?" "I just sat to think for a bit, I must have fallen asleep." "Listen to that!" "Wouldn't the nice, warm bed have been better, eh?" "Who goes to bed in the morning?" "I got back late." "I started writing a letter to the Pope and it was morning..." "Here." "I rewrote the resignation letter." " Blessed be he who understands you!" "Send it tomorrow." "Did you bite this?" "Me?" "You think I'm giving you my leftovers?" "You know what, the rats must have gotten to the pantry by now." "They must have nibbled." "They're God's creatures." " Yes." "What an ugly face you have." "It's the face of a bad conscience." "I did something wrong last night." "Sometimes even judges are wrong." "What does the shepherd do if he loses a sheep?" "He goes back and finds it." "And if he loses two more?" "Pretty unlucky, this shepherd!" " Just answer the question." "He goes back and looks for the other two." "Right." "Last night, I didn't do that." "Well, they still get to graze." "And if some sheep gets lost often the shepherd doesn't even notice." "It's not his fault." "That's our excuse?" "And grazing..." "What's the right pasture?" "When you find them, where do you take them?" "Do you know?" "I might be an asshole, but I have my own theories." " Go on." "Is it a secret or what?" "They graze here, there, wherever." "What counts is the grass." "Because the grass?" "Is all God's." "Serafino, now I know why you didn't become a priest." "You're a chosen soul." "When you die, you won't stink." "You'll smell like flowers, violets, balms." "You'll be a fragrant corpse." "And I kneel before you " "Who's that?" " Not for me." "For you?" "No!" "I did what I could, I didn't even do it well." "Hey, I'm not in." "I'm not in for anyone!" "He's not here." "He's not here for " " Call him." "Good thing I wasn't in for anyone." "What?" "What's going on?" "Sorry, but this guy started screaming along the way." "How could we get him out of town?" "You brought him here?" " If we brought him back to the Countess the Count would have - you know." "This place is safe." "Where am I supposed to put him?" " What's downstairs?" "It's just a cellar, a " "A piano!" " Would you shut up?" "Let's put him there!" " Wait, wait!" "Let's be organized." "This doesn't make sense." "I'm a judge, and I'm hiding convicts?" "If I take that off, what are you going to do?" "Scream?" "I wouldn't trust him." " Well, I trust him." "Anyway, if he screams, I'll give him a wollop." "See?" "With young people, you have to give them some faith otherwise, it's obvious they'll rebel and " " Help!" "Help!" "Help!" "Not like that!" "This guy'll land us all in jail." "Where should we put him?" " Put him in the cellar." "That's what I said..." "Wait, let me get you some light." "Serafino!" "Relax!" "We can see as well as cats." "What's happening?" " It's the cats." "Cesarino just fell." "Is he okay?" " He's fine, fine." "Hurry up." "Who is this Cesarino?" "Why do you want to know?" "Do I have to tell you everything?" "Go on!" "I think we're starting to overboard with the buddy-buddy thing." "What are you?" "Asleep?" " Is that not allowed?" "You were going on about how we're old, we sleep lightly, let's share a room that way we have a chat, pray or something." " That's what you said." "Me, as soon as I hit the pillow, I'm like a piece of lead." "What's the point of sharing a room then?" "You could have stayed in your own room!" "Plus, you're loud." "You shift, burp, fart, mumble..." "Look, that's you." "Coughing, smoking, and crying." "Oh, really?" " You don't realize it, but you cry all night long." "And I say, why don't you just go to bed?" "I can't." " Try counting sheep." "I do, I do." "But then I get to three and I'm stuck." "Fine." "Now, please explain why you're using my chamberpot." "It's nice being buddies, but that makes me uncomfortable." "Weren't you sleeping?" "Go to bed and stop busting my balls." "Some guy's serenading someone." "I sang under a window that never opened too, once." "And nearby, there was a weeping Madonna." "Until, one night, the window opened." "And a bucket of water came crashing down on me." "Leaving me and the Madonna, staring at each other." "Me soaked." "Her crying." "I got together with her." "A love that remains." "Sleep, sleep." "I'm just talking to myself, after all." "Again?" "Figures." "Who's there?" "No - it's just me!" "It's all drafty here." " What do you want?" "Nothing." "I was just passing by..." "Cold, huh?" " Of course I'm cold." "That's what I'm talking about." "It's stupid to say, "No, I'm sweating."" "When it's cold, it's cold for everyone." "At least it's something in common." "Want a blanket?" " I don't need a thing." "As you wish." "Want to have a chat?" "About?" "Whatever." "You know." "To get to know each other, be friendly." ""Friendly"?" "Okay, maybe "friendly" is too strong." "Maybe just to understand each other?" "Monsignor, what are you looking for?" "No, I mean, take your friend, Gaetano" "All blond, looks like a little saint." "A little saint that blows up the barracks." "And you - sure, you're arrogant, but you don't look " " Look like what?" "How can there be so much malice inside?" "And outside, nothing?" "Well?" " Can I answer with a question of my own?" "Who are you?" "Meaning?" " Historically speaking." "You all." "Priests, the Pope." "What do you represent?" "I guess, power?" "Sure, but a power that doesn't exist anymore." "You all will go ahead with your trial" "In the name of what law?" "In whose name?" "In the name of the Pope." " Exactly." "And you know what'll happen in the courtroom?" " Tell me." "The accused will become the accusers and the tables will turn." "Interesting." "But you're forgetting one thing." "We have all the arms." "You've lost." "Then why don't you let me stand trial?" "!" "Why are you keeping me here?" "!" "Cesarino, I'm patient when I listen, don't attack me." "No, I won't keep quiet!" "You lock me up, I won't keep quiet!" "What do you want from me?" "!" "Me?" "What do you want from me!" "Always with that finger, accusing!" "I was in bed, why'd you wake me and make me come down here?" "!" "Uh, Monsignor, are you okay?" "Go on back to bed." "Sure." "You're right." "I understand you." "It's normal." "A city full of priests." "Lonely men." "Sworn to celibacy." "Huh?" " No, I was just saying..." "I too, as a young man, fell in love with an altar boy." "Fortunately, it passed." "This too shall pass." " Oh, really?" "Let's do this." "From now on, you sleep in your own room." "Colombo." " What?" " I just said an altar boy." "Either way, I don't want you sleeping in my room anymore." "Okay?" "Good evening!" "The Countess is here and you didn't tell me anything." "I was coming to tell you!" "But I came up, and you were gone." "No, I mean, at our age, we sleep lightly, so we sleep together, but " "I mean, you shouldn't think..." "Whatever." "Think what you will." "Sorry for the late hour." "I had to wait for my husband to fall asleep." "How is Cesarino?" "He's fine." "You don't need to chase after him so much!" "I want to see him." "What's all this hurry?" "For twenty years, you sent him away." " Yeah!" "See what a good idea that was?" "Are you putting me on trial or something?" " She's right." "Don't you have something to do?" " At this hour?" "Why do I bother you?" " It's none of your business!" "It's not enough to pay allowance." " You won't believe it" "But Maria Tognetti never took a penny." "And what choice did I have?" "Should I have raised him amid fox hunting, servants, and carriages?" "Turned him into a Count?" "An idiot?" "So you sent him to the university of life." "And what did he learn?" "How to be a revolutionary." " These are ugly times." "We're going to Paris." " Paris?" "Things are more civilized there." "Safe." "Hey, if going to Paris is all it takes, I'll come too." "We can take morning walks with him along the Seine." "You know where our son should be?" "The gallows." "Why?" "Is he crazy?" " What the hell does that mean?" "That word doesn't mean anything." "Just explain to me how a 20 year old is so ready to die" "Meanwhile we, at our age, can't let life go." "We're stuck to it!" "Like barnacles." "What kind of kid is that?" " You're asking me?" "Oh, right." "I'm a woman." "You only ask for my opinion when it's convenient." "No one asked my opinion about marrying the Count." "The only thing I can do for Cesarino now, is to take care of him." "Have you ever asked yourself why he doesn't love you?" "You've been the father for two days, and you're already spitting judgment?" "I just want to understand!" " Well, I've given up on that." "I just want to take him to Paris." "And what have I always said?" "You want him to do only what you want!" "But kids are different." "And instead of being happy that they're not like us we want to make them in our image!" "And we don't even like ourselves!" "I don't know about you, but I don't like myself at all." "Okay, then let's send him back to prison!" "Let's send Cesarino to the guillotine just to make you happy!" "Me?" "Not for me." "But, if that's what he wants " "You scare me." " Likewise." "Serafino!" "Accompany the lady." "You won't even let me see him?" "It's better this way." " Yeah, it's better." "This isn't over." "You've got real troubles." "You heard everything?" " Everything." "After twenty years together, why all these secrets?" "You never told me anything." "I didn't know." "Plus, you think it's good news?" "Yeah." "But if you're the dad, what does that make me?" "Nothing." "As usual, the servant counts for shit." "Wanna play?" "Go on, cut it." "It's not my fault if servants aren't relatives!" "Should I tell him to call you "uncle"?" "Well, I can't!" "He doesn't even know I'm the father." "We're in such trouble." " Okay, we're in trouble!" "Shut up about it." "I cut it." "(Church Latin)" "The door!" "You saved your son." "You didn't save mine." "No." "Not from you." "Back in the day, men used to chase after women." "It's really true that the world's upside down." " Not yet, but hopefully." "I want to see Cesarino." " You too?" "It's a public obsession, we should go on tour!" "Anyone else want to see Cesarino?" "How about you, lady?" " No!" "I don't want to see nobody!" "Weird, she's not interested." "Wait." "Who's Cesarino again?" " I just want to know if he's hiding" "Or if you're holding him prisoner." "Would it make a difference?" "If he's hiding, I wouldn't waste time in loving him." "You're his girl?" "Okay." "Let's go to my house." "Monsignor, you're not going to pull some stunt on me at your house, right?" "If you're worried, don't come." "I won't force you." "Don't take it personal." "It's just that" "The first time I had to defend myself from a priest, I was 10." "And the last time I had to defend myself from a lady, I was 50!" "Look, Juliet, life's a struggle!" "You coming or not?" "Hey, this is roast " " Rabbit with potatoes!" "See?" "I guessed it." "Not for you!" " You're going to eat it all?" "It's not just us two anymore." "Eh!" "Oh yeah, there's a letter for you from the Tribunal." "It came like this?" "You've been summoned." "Tomorrow's the trial for the barracks thing." "Didn't you send my resignation letter?" "I have more work to do now." "I'll send it tomorrow." "Someone's knocking!" "I can't open it." "My hands are all dirty." "Fine, I'll get it." "I know who it is, anyway." "Be straight with me." "Is Cesarino here or not?" "Come and see for yourself." "Over here." "And this?" " Later." "It'll get cold." " What's all this rush and anxiety?" "Please." "I just wanted to cook him something, and you yell at me." " What?" "There." "Cesarino's in this room." "For real?" " Let's try." "Cesarino!" "Cesarino!" "Son, are you there?" "Don't call me "son", or I'll kick you in the face!" " He's in." "It's true that you've got him here!" "Wait." "You have a visitor." " Oh, leave it." "I'm not in the mood." "Should I send her away then?" "Theresa!" "All this food to waste." "Wouldn't it have been better if they had had a bite to eat first?" "Isn't it bad to do it on an empty stomach?" " What can I say?" "They're human." "Monsignor." "Come see." "What?" ""Human", huh?" "They're God's creatures." "On the other hand..." "Don't tell me you're getting turned on." "Well, a little, yes." " Come on." "Let's go." "Yeah, yeah, let's go." "What is it?" " Should we eat it instead?" "It won't be as good when it's cold." "What's this place turned into?" "Lust, gluttony." "Let's try to keep the grace of God." "Should we toss it?" " "Toss it"?" "What's this?" "Rabbit?" " Yes, but in the cosmic sense?" "Uh... the grace of God?" "Are you in the grace of God?" "No." "So I'll eat it." "Here." "A potato." "It's good." "Didn't I guess it?" "And it's not cold." "That's what I was saying." "It's good when it's hot." " Here." "Blessed Fathers, it appears self-evident that the recent revolutionary activities in particular, the explosion at the Seris Torri barracks are an integral part of the same strategy which aims to overthrow the state." "Even now, the noted enemy of the state, Garibaldi leads 5,000 men with 5 cannons, to Rotondo mountain at Mentana with the aim of entering this kingdom." "Oh, Monsignor, have you spoken with His Holiness?" "About?" " You've forgotten?" "One hand washes the other." "Oh yeah!" "How could I forget." "I've got an appointment for tomorrow morning." "I might not be able to make it." "But don't worry." "It's done." "Sure..." "Excuse me." "Pardon me." "And it's thus in the name of this principal, saldo publica suprema lexus " "May I?" " Please." "It's - it's " "Throat's irritated." "I was saying: without malice or revenge and invoking the omnipotent Lord to enlighten our judgment in these matters of insurrectionary violence from the night of 22 October, 1867 accompanied by fire and destruction of public property not to mention a number a significant loss of life" "It's furthermore charged that these were premeditated crimes" "Giuseppe Monti, bricklayer." "and Gaetano Tognetti, worker given Articles 84, 260 and 275 from the Penal Code and applying these laws, hereby requests the death penalty for the above-mentioned" "To be carried out by immediate beheading." "Monsignors!" "Before proceeding with the vote, I'd like to remind the judges the importance of this trial." "This is a period when people question the authority of the Pope and religion itself." "These rebels and assassins that attack the throne and altar are already cheered as martyrs by those who deny the legitimacy of the Church's secular power" "Hence any merciful act we take now even if it aspires to the highest principles of Christian charity could easily be interpreted as a confirmation of this misguided opinion." "Of course, I wouldn't want to sway your open discussion." "The judgment is yours." "Whosoever is in favor of the penalty of death, respond 'yes'." "Whosoever is not, repond 'no'." "And may God forgive him." "Monsignor Colombo!" " Huh?" "It's your turn." "I'm sorry." "I was lost in thought." "What are we doing?" "Didn't you understand Monsignor Procuratore's request?" "Oh, yes." " Good." "Put Don Colombo down as 'yes'." "No, wait, I only said that I understood the request." "What else do you have to say?" " I've forgotten." "My head's a mess." "Who knows why." "Old age?" "Monsignor, we're all old in here!" "Compared to us, you're a kid." "But do you want to delay us with idle chat?" "No, of course." "Though it feels like yesterday that lions were eating us in the Colosseum." "Monsignor, if you have something to say, be quick about it." "Afraid the hangman's going to die on you?" "Oh, right, even the executioner's decrepit." "He's been working since 1802!" "You find that funny?" "Was I laughing?" "Don't you think this trial is funny?" "The accused aren't here, neither are any lawyers, it's funny." "We're demanding the death penalty for two men who haven't even confessed." "Funny." "Thusly, allow me to read from the writings of Signor Marina." "What am I - ?" "Where are they?" "I read," ""We found Misters Monti and Tognetti's barrels, of such a size, that their guilt is obvious."" "Are you going to tell me that's funny?" "Why should it be funny?" "Now we understand each other." "A question then." "Is that enough for the death penalty?" "Are you insinuating we don't have enough evidence?" "If they're all like this, obviously no." "But let's assume we do have evidence." "Is that enough?" " Yes, it's enough." "It's more than enough!" "See?" "It doesn't change anything." "It only changes the speed." "But then, who would notice in Rome?" "You must think we're still condemning Giordano Bruno." "But when times change attitudes change." "Morality, and the law, change." "Our law doesn't change." "It comes straight from the Gospel." "Excuse me." "Sorry to disturb." " Where are you going?" "Why should I stay?" "Either we have a serious discussion or " " We desire only to hear your opinion." "Good." "Then, if you please don't say such things." "I was saying " "What was I saying?" "I was saying that, given that morality is changing the notions they have about guilt and innocence is just different from ours." "We still believe in obedience." "And they believe in bombs." "Of course, what they did is wrong." "But that doesn't make us right." "The trial is closed-door now?" "There's a draft." "Plus, open or closed, who's going to come?" "I'd like the Holy Spirit to come and enlighten us." "Well, if it ever came in, by mistake, I don't think it's coming back." "Monsignor!" "You're doubting the legitimacy of this Tribunal itself!" "Hey, guys!" "Rome's at war!" "It's useless to hide from it!" "These guys blew up 23 soldiers from our army!" "And who blew them up?" " Monti and Tognetti!" "Brave soldiers." "Soldiers from an army that isn't our own." "A civilian army." "But note this, Most Excellent Fathers it's an army of the people." "And you always slam into the people face-first." "Garibaldi at the gates!" "Plumed hat aloft, he comes through Porta Pia!" "Brothers, we're old." "Our days are numbered." "Can't we do one good deed before we die?" "Let's retire the hangman, and close up shop." "Let's try to be priests." "That's all I ask." "We don't lose anything, just being priests." "I'm done." "It's definitely finished." "I suppose, following this declaration, you'll vote 'no' now?" "No!" "Excuse me." "I'd like to." "But voting would implicitly legitimize this tribunal, so it's as good as a 'yes'" "Abstention then?" " Same thing." "Let's do this." "Pretend I don't exist." "Put "absent" and let's continue." "Can we go on?" " Don't ask me." "I'm not here." "Even better." "Please, Monsignors, let's continue." "And I'm a 'yes' too." "11 'yes', 11 present." "The Supreme Tribunal of the Holy Consult unanimously votes for death." "Coming." "Coming!" "One moment!" "I didn't do anything!" "I don't know anything!" " Out of the way." "Where's Cesarino?" " In the cantina, where you put him!" "Make way." " After you." "It's locked." " Open it!" " Yes, ma'am." "But Don Colombo has the key." "Cesarino!" " Shhh." "What are you doing in there?" " Sharing the load." "You're not sharing a thing." " No?" "Cesarino." "You're coming with me now." "Mom..." " Knock the door down!" "Let me." "It's broken." "This is how we open doors?" "Are you trying to knock my house down?" "Open it." " Wait." "It's not your decision." "What do you want to do?" "Want to go with Mom?" "I want to talk to you." " Likewise." "The keys were right there." " But you had to know it." "Go upstairs." "And us?" " Wait here." "It's my house." "I want you to wait here." " No!" "Keep the carriage ready." "How did it go in Tribunal?" " I need to talk to you about something else " "What did they decide?" "I'm sorry." "But the tables didn't turn." "11 'yes's, 11 present." "Good job, Monsignor." "You voted 'yes' too?" "It's not safe here for you." "You have to leave." " Where?" "To Paris with Mom?" " I saw troops this morning." "Frenchmen" "Garibaldi's at Mentana." "The circle closes." " And I go back into hiding?" "Even if you don't love your mom, think of Theresa." "That girl loves you." "She begged me to hide you." "And me too, I " "You too what?" "And me too." "I hid you." "A bit of thanks " " I don't owe anyone anything." "Then go!" "Go get killed with Garibaldi!" "Either way, it's better than the guillotine." "Here." "Use it well." "I said use it well." " Better than this?" "Monti and Tognetti are avenged before the axe falls." "The bullets." "It was my poor dad's." "Killed himself over a lady." "The only thing he left me." "Said, "Keep it safe." "You might need it."" "To me, ha!" "When fathers don't understand us." "Here." "And now, shoot me or don't shoot me." "I don't give a damn." "Because you already shot me." "In the name of the Pope, open up!" "I'll get it." "It's for me." " What?" "What are you doing?" "Stop him." "Where is he going?" "Over here." "In the other room." "There." "You in the cantina, hide!" "Over here." "Here." " Open up!" " Where the hell are you going?" "Open the door." "Open it." "Down, down!" "Quick!" "The door." " What?" "No, not you." "Serafino, get the door!" "Even the Captain's shown up." "Are you Monsignor Colombo da Priverno?" "There was a time when everyone knew me in Rome." "Follow us." " And the reason?" "The defense you made in Tribunal in favor of the criminals, Monti and Tognetti." "So, in other words, I'm under arrest?" "We've been ordered to bring you in for questioning." "If I may add a personal opinion, I suggest you comply." "Can I grab my cape?" "You defended them?" "Me?" "No, I was absent." "Truth is, I didn't even want to open my mouth." "But then I started talking, you know." "Improvising." "They must have taken it badly." "They're old." "Irritable." "No, they're vindictive." "They'll kill you." "So?" "What'd you want to do to me?" "Sorry." "What's all this?" "Children of mine - oh, I said "children"." "Sorry, Cesarino." "It's a priest thing." "Where are they taking you?" " Don't you get involved too now." "Cesarino." "Theresa, I'm going to Mentana." "Wait for me." "We'll see each other in Rome." "Can you imagine?" "No priests, and no Pope." "Here." "No." "No." " Mom, please." "It's my life." "I'm going." "But where?" "Go now, there's no one!" " No, don't go." "Goodbye." "Okay, I know I count for nothing, but not even a "good evening"?" "Cesarino!" "No!" "What have you done?" " What any husband would have done." "I killed your lover." "Who am I in trouble with?" "The Jesuits?" "His Eminence awaits." " What an honor!" "The black Pope." "Always really upbeat, you guys!" "Come, my son." "Don't be shy." "You recognize these poor Christian women don't you?" "Have a seat." "Don't feel judged." " How can I not?" "I've felt it since birth." " You're right, my son." "We are all judged." "Speaking of which." " Yes?" "This is a letter seeking pardon, written from Monti and Tognetti." "They've written to the Pope in order to abjure asking for forgiveness and late blessings." "Would you like to read it?" " No, I believe you." "I understand you would have appreciated them to be stronger." "More coherent." "Right?" "I'm familiar with your ability to persuade." "We did our duty to those poor devils." "And how could they remain deaf to their families' prayers?" "Just look at these women." "Look at these angels." "How could a father...?" "What he wouldn't do for his children." "Right, Monsignor?" " Uh, I wouldn't know." "Monti personally made sure that these poor creatures be taken in by the convent." "Isn't that true, Signora Lucia?" " By your kindness, Your Excellency." "Come here a bit, son." "We'll offer them to God." "Keeping in mind the father's mess we'll raise two brave Christian soldiers." "There you are." "Understand how things work now?" "When one wants to help people?" "Not the way you did." " What did I do?" "That's what I ask." "It's what we're all asking." "Even His Holiness was very, very hurt." "I'm very sorry." "Nonetheless, I don't doubt your good faith but the path was incorrect." "It went straight to the guillotine." "Where does yours go?" " To grace." "The grace of someone who seeks not revenge, but forgiveness." "Instead, you were an apologist for bombs!" "Thankfully, no one listened to me." " And you sinned badly against these poor women." "This is true." "I ask their forgiveness." " Good boy." "Only he who is humiliated is then raised up." "Don't give him these treasures." "Don't do it." "They'll raise them to hate their father." "Take them home." "You don't seem to be humiliated." " The contrary, I'm doing something else." "Go on, my daughters." "Go on." "Have faith." "His Holiness will kneel tonight in prayer with a request for grace under the pew's cushion." "To inspire himself, and decide whether to sign it." "But rest assured." "He'll sign." "He'll sign." "Goodbye." "Go on." "Go on." "Nice." "Simple, but expressive." "You don't believe in our good will." "Right?" "But we saved one, didn't we?" "Which one of the two?" " The third." "Or did you think you saved him?" "We allowed it." "You always know everything, right?" " No, we just know it first." "For example, that Cesare was your son." "You found out now." "We knew it since his birth." "You could have told me." "Confidentially." "We wanted to spare you a useless crisis of conscience." "And now?" "It's useful?" "Come here." "Look who's there." "It's the Pope." "His Holiness has deigned to come here." "Also so he can speak with the Confessor as soon as he's inspired by grace." "He could confess at home." " Yes, but you know." "He's odd." "He might decide to forgive them." " That would be bad." "In a moment like this, it would be a grave error." "Well, at least you're always handy." "No, not me." "You'll be there." "You'll be the one to convince him." "You'll be forced to convince him." "Why?" " Then we'll be sure about your loyalty." "We'll consider you rehabilitated." "This, my son, is even more important." "No, Your Excellency." "I won't condemn anyone else." "I don't believe anymore." "You don't believe?" "You've lost the faith?" "Don't be a Jesuit about it." "You know what I mean." "I just want to be a priest." "Let me do it." "It's hard enough." "But if you do that, you condemn your son." " Oh well." "I thought that would be the price." "But first you'll have to catch him." " If not him, we'll get you." "We have to get someone." "Then that settles it." "Can I go?" " You're still the boss." "Where are you coming from?" " Mentana." "Monsignor, Garibaldi's been defeated!" "We've won!" "Not less than 1,000 Garibaldi soldiers were left dead on the field - thanks to the French!" "Indeed." "The Foreign Legion at the Last Crusade." "Go on." "Did Cesarino leave?" " Almost." "What do you mean "almost"?" "He has to leave now!" "The police will be here any minute." "They know everything, they " "I'm a Roman volunteer." "They got me with the first shot." "He thinks we're Garibaldi troops." "He's convinced we're at Mentana." "I did my part in Rome with my two comrades." "The Count was waiting for him." "No." "I did it." "I should have known that he'd kill my lover." "General!" "You were in Rome in '49 when I was born." "Then you left and I was an orphan." "Now you're back." "And I've found a father." "We'll go to Rome together?" " Yes, son." "And we'll throw all the priests into the river." " Well..." "He promised." " Then we'll do it." "Maybe we'll spare one." "Who?" " One who tried to save Monti and Tognetti." "Is he your friend?" "I'm dying, you know." "But dying at 20 pisses a person off." "Rebels always die at 20." "Even when they don't die." " Poor lamb." "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." "He makes me rest in green pastures." "What did you say?" " Nothing." "He guides me to still waters, restores my soul." "Thanks to His name, he leads me to the paths of justice." "And for Rome?" " We're going." "And should I walk in the valley of death, I will fear no evil." "Because you're here." "Shh." " What?" "I thought I heard someone praying." "Must have been just a feeling." ""Most Blessed Father."" "From the start?" " Whatever." ""I learned now that the condemned Monti and Tognetti's request for grace has been refused." "And that you were up all night."" ""What happened, Holiness?"" ""The Holy Spirit didn't enlighten you?" "Or did a black crow come by dressed like a Jesuit."" ""Due to this, the condemned will be beheaded today at 7am - "" "Strike that." ""Were beheaded today at 7am."" "You're not writing?" " If only none of this had happened." "Serafino, the dead don't die." "Cesarino went to sleep." "And soon we will too." "How much time do you think we have?" "What's important is that one day we'll wake up." "We have faith." "So what do we care?" "Cesarino didn't have faith." "We have to make sure we wake up together." "Well, I gave him a passport in the meantime." "And for the rest, eh, Serafino..." "We're in His hands." "The door!" "What do these guys want?" "Me." "No." "Not for you." "For our fallen, Monti and Tognetti ...and Costa." "Regnum aeternum dona eis Domine." "Loosely inspired by "The Trial of Monti and Tognetti" (1869) and other historical documents" "The beheading of Monti and Tognetti was the last criminal sentence by the Vatican." "Three years later, the Italians entered the city from Porta Pia."