L'attesa (2015) - full transcript

[suspenseful music]

[indistinct chanting]

[whispering]

[knocks]

[furniture scraping on floor]

[knocks]

[door closes]

[door screeches open]

[door closes]

[phone rings]

[phone continues ringing]

Hello?

No, he's not here.

I'm his mother.

Come over.

I'll be waiting.

[hangs up phone]

[melodic music]

[airplane revving]

-[car revving]

-[wind howling]

[truck engine revving]

[door unlocks]

[footsteps]

We're back.

The girl's in the room

by the hallway.

[crickets chirping]

[footsteps]

Thanks.

Am I eating alone?

I'm not sure she'll be

coming down, she's not well.

I'm sorry.

Giuseppe's not here?

You should talk to her.

[cup rattling]

She'll be better in the morning.

[light switch clicks]

[footsteps]

[mobile vibrates]

[dishes rattling]

[footsteps]

[beeps]

[girl] I'm packing my bags,

what should I bring?

Should I buy something

for Easter, a gift?

You celebrate it, right?

I'll bring your glasses,

the broken ones,

you left them at my place.

Oh, [exhales] I have a bad

surprise for you.

You'll hate me,

but I bought a guidebook.

To make up for it

I brought the red dress.

Is it too light?

Call me back before I leave.

[beeps]

[crickets chirping]

[beeps]

Where are you, Giuseppe?

I told your mom

I couldn't reach you

and that I arrive

by plane tomorrow.

She sounded odd...

I must've come across

as an idiot.

Call me when you get

this message,

I don't know what to do.

You don't want me

to come anymore?

[beeps]

Answer me, please.

I just got to your house.

You invited me,

where on earth are you?

Should I wait up or go to sleep?

I'll leave the door ajar,

wake me when you get here.

I want to make love to you.

I'll be waiting.

[window creaks]

[wind howls]

[video game music playing]

[murmurs]

[indistinct chatter]

[breathes]

-Good morning.

-Good morning.

Are you feeling better

this morning, ma'am?

I'm Jeanne.

-Do we know each other?

-Aren't you Mrs. Remigi?

You must be looking

for my sister-in-law.

Sorry, I saw you here

and assumed you were her.

I came to give Anna a hand.

You've never met

my sister-in-law?

I arrived last night

and she wasn't feeling well.

-You arrived last night?

-Yes, Pietro picked me up.

[footsteps]

Jeanne...

Good morning.

I just made a fool of myself

with your sister-in-law.

[coffee pouring]

Has Giuseppe arrived?

I'll bring the guests

some coffee.

[footsteps]

I'll help you.

Be right back, excuse me.

Who's she?

She came from Paris last night.

I'm waiting

for the right time to tell her.

[footsteps]

[wind blowing]

[crickets chirping]

[footsteps]

Sorry about last night.

I wanted to be there

for your arrival but...

couldn't manage.

Did you sleep well?

Where's Giuseppe?

Why wasn't he here last night?

Why isn't he here now?

He knew I was coming.

We've suffered a terrible loss.

My brother died.

I'm sorry...

I didn't know.

It all happened so suddenly...

Is that why Giuseppe's not here?

I have to go back in,

they're waiting.

-[footsteps]

-[door closes]

[dog barking]

[Jeanne] Sorry,

I've been mad at you

since yesterday.

This morning I even hated you.

Your mom told me what happened,

I'm sorry.

I don't know if you're listening

to my messages...

I wish you were here.

I had that dream

about water again,

but I was in a tall tower

this time.

I wrote it down when I woke up.

You were in it too.

We had to climb a bunch

of stairs to reach the lake.

[chuckles]

High up above. [inhales]

Once up there it was really hot,

and I can't remember why

but I couldn't go in the water.

I want to sleep with you.

I want to sleep pristinely,

without dreams.

When are you coming?

What'll I do here alone?

[rap music playing on stereo]

[dings]

Pietro said I could help

myself so...

You don't have to explain.

Sorry,

I'll make you something warm.

-No need, ma'am.

-Yes.

[lighter clicking]

I'm wondering

if I've come at a bad time.

I wouldn't want to be a burden

to you.

No, you're not.

Maybe it's best

if I come back some other time.

Can you get the white wine

from the fridge?

Yes.

[Anna] And a glass.

[sizzles]

-Is the wine for me?

-Yes.

[Jeanne] Sorry,

but I don't drink.

Ever?

Giuseppe made that same face

the first time

we went out to eat.

How did you first meet?

At my house.

Ah, at your house.

I woke up and he was having

breakfast in my kitchen.

-You didn't know him?

-[Jeanne] No.

But my roommate did.

But she'd left for work,

so he and I had

breakfast together.

So you fought

with your roommate over him?

No, we still live together.

He wasn't dating her?

Not really, no.

[laughs]

[sauce pan rattles]

Can I help you, ma'am?

-Eat up.

-Thanks.

It's good.

Stay here, Jeanne.

[man] Will she stay tonight too?

[Anna] She'll be needing

clean towels.

[reporter] There was hope

that Pope John Paul II

would be present.

It's the first time

in 26 years of papacy.

The Pope hasn't spoken...

[indistinct shouting]

[indistinct chatter]

[footsteps]

[Jeanne] Hello.

Hello.

Do you need anything?

To sleep.

[music plays on tv]

I wanted to ask you something

without anyone else around...

I was thinking of buying flowers

for Mrs. Remigi,

but maybe it's inappropriate.

When was her brother's funeral?

No need to buy her flowers.

No need to do anything.

[indistinct shouting on tv]

[indistinct chatter on tv]

I'd like to go see the town.

Is there a bus?

There are no buses here.

-Morning.

-Good morning, ma'am.

You should've called me,

been up long?

I didn't want to bother you,

I wanted to go into town.

Into town?

It was just a thought...

There's not much to see.

With this heat, it's best

to walk around the grounds.

Let me show you around, come on.

[footsteps]

[helicopter whirring]

[birds chirping]

Can I take a swim, ma'am?

The water must be cold.

You can call me Anna

if you'd like.

Do you want to come, Anna?

No.

I'm used to seeing some parts

of my body only in the dark.

[exhales]

[helicopter whirring]

[wind howling]

[suspenseful music]

[breathes]

[waves breaking]

[breathes]

[panting]

[panting continues]

[breathes heavily]

[air deflates]

[gasps]

[birds chirping]

[Jeanne] Where are you?

Why won't you answer?

I haven't slept for two nights.

Your mom is odd.

Did you tell her

about last summer?

Is that why you're

not answering?

I thought that was behind us.

I stopped calling

when you said to,

I came back when you said to...

What must I do to make you

forgive me?

[footsteps]

[man] Your sister-in-law called.

You should call her back.

Is Jeanne back?

[man] Yes.

[footsteps]

Breathe slowly.

[breathes slowly]

It's too hot.

[Anna] But you have to stay

for it to work.

[exhales]

Did you sleep last night?

You look tired.

[Jeanne] I'm a light sleeper.

How are things with Giuseppe?

Fine.

Did he tell you about me?

Did you know I was coming?

Yes.

What did he tell you about us?

I'm his mother,

what do you think he'd tell me?

[breathes]

Lately he'd been... quiet.

You know how he can be.

He seemed sad.

[crickets chirping]

[dog barks]

Thank you.

[slurps]

[exhales]

Do you do that for every trip?

It's a method of mine,

so I don't get bored.

[exhales]

-Can I see?

-Yes.

I've never been able to.

You already knew Italian

when you came here?

[groans]

Not as well as you.

I hitchhiked here without being

able to say a word to anyone.

[chuckles]

My husband was the first

who spoke some French,

it was like a miracle for me.

-He gave you a ride, too?

-Yes.

[slurps]

When...

when I met

my husband's mother...

I didn't know how to behave.

You met her here?

Yes, they lived here then.

I didn't know...

how to present myself to her,

as a young and naive girl,

or as a self-assured woman.

What did you feel like?

Neither of the two...

I think I was eager

for her to like me.

Like you.

[footsteps]

[man] The mosaic depicts

ten women in bikinis

putting on a show

in honor of the goddess Tethys.

Judging from their bodies,

we can deduce

that beauty standards

were different than today.

In the first centuries,

three out of ten women died

in childbirth.

Wide hips, hence the chance

of surviving childbirth,

were greatly valued by men

ack then.

You thought Louis Réard

invented it?

-Huh?

-The bikini.

That's before your time.

[Anna] Feeling better?

Yes, thanks.

Thanks to the Turkish bath,

one of the few good things

my husband left me.

[Jeanne] You didn't see

eye to eye?

We did, very much.

Even when it came

to getting divorced.

[laughs]

I was the first woman to divorce

in this part of Sicily.

-Did you know that?

-Yes. [giggles]

Giuseppe told me.

He even told me

about his grandmother's divorce.

[exhales]

Yes.

When my mother-in-law realized

that God didn't strike me dead

after the divorce,

she wanted to do the same.

She began saying,

"I want to live my own life!"

What did she do after divorcing?

Nothing, she went to live

with her son.

One day I had

an overwhelming feeling

that it was over

between me and him.

I saw him from afar

with his lover,

a coworker who was half his age.

He was smoking

and gesticulating, being funny,

and she looked at him...

And laughed,

hung on his every word.

There was a veneration

in her eyes

that I would never again feel.

Never again.

Were you disappointed?

No, I knew he had a lover,

I wasn't jealous.

Feeling jealousy means

you still desire someone, right?

Are you jealous?

Very.

How about Giuseppe...

is he jealous?

Yes.

I was jealous...

of my husband when I still

wanted to make love to him.

We tried to pretend

for many years,

but couldn't manage.

Do you mind me telling you this?

No, why would I?

I don't know...

because I'm

your boyfriend's mother.

You must be thinking...

"Now what should I say to her?

[both laugh]

Maybe this, maybe not that..."

When Giuseppe invited me

to come here

we hadn't spoken

to each other in weeks.

He surprised me.

Our relationship was dissolving,

that's why he was sad.

-[water dripping]

-[footsteps]

[dog barks]

[water running]

[man] Rosa called again

this morning.

We argued, I won't speak to her.

[dishes clanking]

[Jeanne] Morning.

Good morning.

Did you sleep well?

-Come in, breakfast is ready.

-Thank you.

Since I didn't

welcome you properly,

I'd like to prepare something.

-No need.

-I want to.

-Can I help?

-No, Pietro will.

It will all be ready for you.

Can you buy those things

I wrote down, please?

I'm off,

so I don't ruin the surprise.

[Pietro] Excuse me...

if you want to see the town,

come with me,

I'm going shopping.

Thanks, but we got back late

last night.

Unless you need help,

I'll just stay here.

[footsteps]

How do you say papillon ?

Papillon...

-[boy] You stopped competing?

-Six years ago.

[boy] Why?

Too many rules,

too many impositions.

-What brings you to Sicily?

-I'm waiting for my boyfriend.

You wait all day

at the lake for him?

[Jeanne] I'm staying

with his mother.

We talk on the phone

but he has things to do.

He'll be back for Easter.

He'll be here for the holiday.

Let me see it.

[boy] What?

Butterfly.

[breathes]

[splashes]

[laughs]

How long have you known

each other?

Well, more or less forever.

But if I hadn't told him,

he'd still think

I was shy with girls.

No way, I knew he was gay

right away!

Don't say that

or he'll kill you!

[laughs]

I was concerned at first.

I'd pick up girls

just to introduce them to him.

-You sacrificed yourself.

-[boy] He sacrificed himself...

-Do you have a boyfriend?

-From Monday through Friday.

That's his mantra.

-Is it true or just for show?

-Just for show.

-This pasta is divine.

-Thanks.

It's easy to make.

[boy] Why is it dark?

I used some carob flour.

We saw a valley of carobs.

-What are they?

-They're gorgeous trees.

They produce brown fruit.

They dry on the branch

instead of falling off.

Jeanne...

[wine pouring]

Drinking?

-[Jeanne] Just a bit.

-[groans]

[both laugh]

To the girl who's

become a woman.

What are you two

secretly saying?

When Jeanne got here,

she was like a little girl

on a field trip, shy...

[laughs]

Polite...

but here we are

with two strangers!

[laughs]

You're no longer a little girl

who doesn't drink!

Sometimes I forget!

[both laugh]

[Jeanne] They didn't

seem dangerous.

-He's a bit dangerous.

-I'm not dangerous.

[laughing]

Pietro, Anna made some

delicious food.

Good evening.

-Come sit.

-[Pietro] No, thanks.

I'm tired.

May I speak to you, ma'am?

Yes. Be right back.

Put on some music if you'd like.

Why are you doing this to her?

We're dining with two guests.

What's wrong with that?

What'll you tell her tomorrow

when Giuseppe doesn't return?

Tell her the truth.

Let her leave.

If you don't want to help

with dinner, you can go.

[footsteps]

[melodic music]

[door creaks open]

[car revving]

[birds chirping]

[Jeanne] Good morning.

Good morning.

What are you doing?

Preparing for tomorrow.

-[Jeanne] Can I help you?

-No need to, thanks.

I saw Pietro leaving.

Yes, tomorrow's a holiday

for him, too.

What time is Giuseppe coming?

I don't know.

[Jeanne] You told me

he'd arrive today.

We were just dancing.

[Anna] What?

I saw how you looked at me.

[Jeanne] How did I look at you?

As if I was doing

something wrong,

but there wasn't anything wrong.

Sit down, Jeanne.

I...

I'm sorry, I should've told you

sooner but...

I wasn't able to.

Giuseppe won't be coming back.

What do you mean?

He doesn't want to see you.

He didn't know how to tell you.

How do you know?

It's because of last summer.

I didn't tell you anything

about last summer.

But Giuseppe told me.

Last night when I saw you

dancing...

I wasn't upset with you.

You could've fallen

for that guy.

But nothing happened.

I love Giuseppe.

I know.

Nothing happened

because you're waiting for him.

But Giuseppe won't be coming

back, just forget him.

-That's not fair.

-You're right, it's not.

But you'll get over him

and will forget him.

I can't forget him.

It will happen, Jeanne.

You're young, you'll forget

and fall in love again.

It could've happened last night,

and that's fine.

[sobs]

I can't live without him.

[sobs]

[panting]

You will live,

period.

You will because

that's what everyone does.

And Giuseppe will do it too.

Maybe he'll have a family

and kids...

he'll fall in love

with another woman

that you won't meet, maybe

I won't either, but he'll live,

far from you and your life.

That's that, Jeanne.

Let him go.

[Jeanne] You can't do this

to me.

I hate you.

I hate you! [sobs]

You should've told me,

not your mother!

I came here for you.

I hate you.

Why'd you just disappear?

I knew it.

I knew he wouldn't forgive me.

I should never have come here.

Well, I'm glad you came.

There are festivities

in town tonight,

want to go with me?

Thanks, but I'd rather

stay here.

I need to pack,

my flight's in the morning.

[footsteps]

[door closes]

[footsteps]

I thought you would miss

the festivities.

[knocks]

[Anna] Get out, it's late.

[man] I just got in.

Let me see your hands.

Are you going to punish me now?

Yes.

[exhales]

When you were small,

one day you said

that you would marry me

when you grew up.

So I explained that I was

already married to your father

and you said:

"Then I'll get married alone."

[man] I don't want you

to be alone.

You could've thought of that

before moving far away.

Why don't you stay

a few more days?

[man] I can't.

We didn't have enough

time together.

I miss you.

[sighs]

Will you talk to her?

When I imagine you away,

I prefer picturing

you with her than alone.

[man] You imagine my life?

I can't help myself.

[bells chime]

[indistinct chanting]

[marching]

[drums thumping]

[bells chiming]

[fire crackling]

[indistinct chatter]

[Jeanne] Where are you?

Why won't you answer?

Your mom is odd.

Did you tell her

about last summer?

What must I do to make you

forgive me?

I had that dream

about water again,

but I was in a tall tower

this time.

I wrote it down when I woke up.

You were in it, too.

We had to climb a bunch

of stairs to reach the lake,

high up above.

Once up there it was really hot,

and I can't remember why,

but I couldn't go in the water.

I want to sleep with you.

I want to sleep pristinely,

without dreams.

When are you coming?

What'll I do here alone?

Answer me, please.

I just got to your house.

You invited me,

where on earth are you?

I'll leave the door ajar.

I want to make love to you.

I'm packing my bags,

what should I bring?

Should I buy something

for Easter, a gift?

You celebrate it, right?

I'll bring your glasses,

the broken ones,

you left them at my place.

I brought the red dress

that you like.

Is it too light?

Call me back before I leave.

[Anna] Where are you, Giuseppe?

It's Mom.

Why aren't you answering?

Where are you?

It's pouring out

and it's almost dawn...

Has something happened?

Answer me, please.

Where are you?

[crowd cheering]

[footsteps]

[people laughing]

[footsteps]

[door creaks open]

[footsteps]

Have you packed everything?

This house will be empty now.

[luggage scraps on floor]

[sobs]

[breathes]

[footsteps]

THE WAIT

[ending music]

TO VERONICA

MARIO AND SIMONE