Sicilian Ghost Story (2017) - full transcript

In a little Sicilian village at the edge of a forest, Giuseppe, a boy of 13, vanishes. Luna, his classmate who loves him, refuses to accept his mysterious disappearance. She rebels against the silence and complicity that surround her, and to find him she descends into the dark world which has swallowed him up and which has a lake as its mysterious entrance. Only their indestructible love will be able to bring her back along.

Giuseppe!

Giuseppe!

Idiot!

It's not for you.

My name's on it!

Are you the only Giuseppe?

So there's another Giuseppe
you were secretly following?

I wasn't following you,
I was going home.

This way? This doesn't go anywhere
near your house!

Give it back.

If you tell me
who the lucky Giuseppe is!



You don't know him.

Impossible!

I know everyone in the village.

He's not from here!

I get it!

Peppe Pugliese!

The cheesemaker!

And so? At least

he's not an idiot like you.

Come on, I'll take you.

I want to see Peppe's face
when you give him it!

You're not funny.

Come on, let's go...

You can tear it up!



Will I give it to him?

Come on! Don't be such a sissy!
I'll give you it back.

Keep staring at it.

Ready?

What will you do about your bag?

I'll come tomorrow after school
and see what's left.

Aren't you afraid to go back there?

Why? Aren't we going back together?

Yeah, sure.

Here.

Even though after that heroic rescue,
I really deserve it.

A little kiss at least...

I can't!

The cheesemaker's really jealous!

See you tomorrow at school.

Wait!

Get on.

You can't ride this!

Yes, I can. Get on!

You're not 14.

I'll show you, I'm good at it!

But do your parents know?

What do you think?

My grandfather gave me it
for my birthday.

Your mother doesn't mind?

No, I promised to drive slowly.

What it you get caught by the cops?

Oh, stop all these girly questions
and get on!

My mum doesn't want me
to hang out with you.

Don't be afraid.

Thanks for bringing me here.

Do you want to try?

Maybe next time.

Next time.

Giuseppe!

Pegasus was a winged horse.

Look at the shape
of the constellation...

All I see are four stars.

When you look carefully,
you'll see it.

You're not going to regret this,
are you?

No way.

You realise how you've behaved,
don't you?

You come out of school and disappear.

I had to do some research on horses
and I went to the stables.

Really...

You couldn't do your research
with the horses in the village?

Do you really believe this nonsense
about doing research?

It's the truth, Mum.

You think I don't know
who you were with?

And it certainly wasn't homework
you were doing.

And till this time as well...

Leave me alone.

Come on, Saveria, that's enough.

Let's eat something.
With the insulin I can't...

You eat!

There's pasta in the fridge.

Try to get it into your head...

we've got nothing to do
with those people.

Everyone in the village saw you.

Hanging on to him on that scooter...

A school friend like any other.

Enjoy your meal.

What lovely little pages
about your knight...

He doesn't seem
like just another school friend.

Your writing and drawing are lovely.

You mustn't touch my stuff!

But not even a couple of lines
about his father, not even a picture.

How come?

He's an interesting subject.
What, don't you know where he is?

What's Giuseppe
got to do with his father?

You, my girl, you just need
to concentrate on studying.

Don't make the same mistake as me...

At my age,
I'm not planning on marrying anyone,

but who I see is my business!

Did love triumph?

Or your usual cowardice?

Mission...

accomplished...

Something...

weird happened...

Maybe he felt sick
and someone took him home.

Today he's still not well,
and that's why he's not at school.

And he left me there,
without saying anything?

Males!
Hypocrites, takes and traitors.

Trust me, I've got three brothers.
Three masterpieces.

Yesterday was so magical, Lori.

Was there a kiss?

Did he kiss you or did you kiss him?

Whoever did whatever, they did it.

Anyway, I've figured out
why he vanished after the kiss.

- Why?
- He must have read the letter!

What do you mean?

Jeez, it was mushy!

And the drawings on the envelope...
Gave me the shivers!

Some friend.

But what have you got in common?

Nada de nada!

Three things in his head :
horses, football and videogames!

You don't know him. He's really
clever and he makes me laugh...

Watch! Catch someone in the face
with those tits, you'll kill them!

Good morning! Is Giuseppe at home?

Conigliaro,
would you like to help your companion

who is obviously
in a state of confusion?

Miss, Giuseppe hasn't been to school
for 17 days.

Is he sick?

His family told the headmaster

that Giuseppe won't be coming
to school for a while.

Why not?

I don't know.

Something must've happened to him.

We'd have heard, wouldn't we?

We're his classmates and we want
to know why he's not here.

Concentrate on studying,

so when Giuseppe comes back,
we can all help him catch up.

When's he coming back?

Stop mucking about, you.

We don't know.

Maybe we could go and see him.

Only you could have found me.

Don't be scared.

I'm with you.

Good morning.
I came to give this to Giuseppe.

Why isn't he coming to school?

Has he gone to see his father?

What's going on? Can I come in?

Get in!

Giuseppe's not well
and can't see anyone!

I'll keep my distance,
he won't infect me.

You'll see him
when he comes back to school.

Giuseppe!

That's enough now!

And don't show your face
round here again!

Tomorrow I'll be back!

Giuseppe!

Giuseppe!

My boy!

Mum!

Mum, where are you?

Mum, help me!

Please!

How many times
do I need to tell you?

While I'm in here,

I want to be left in peace.

Somethings happened to Giuseppe,

I'm certain!

Calm down.

Wait for me in your room
and we can discuss this.

Promise me we'll do something.

Hello...?

Giuseppe!

Put your father on.

He's not in,
you'll find him at dinnertime.

I've been looking for him all day.

Who is this?

Giuseppe!

Don't worry, we'll deal with her.

There's another car
that will take her home.

Are you pleased
we're taking you to see your father?

Crouch down...

Where your father is staying
is a secret.

We need to be sure
no-one sees you with us.

Your father
is collaborating with the police

and has denounced
all these Mafia friends of his,

those pieces of shit and murderers.

Is that why
we haven't heard from him?

If you're a snitch,

you have to forget your family.

Lots of your father's ex-comrades

would like to see your father
in a nice coffin for what he's doing.

He's not scared of them!

What about you?

Where's my father?

Put this on.

You mustn't know where we are either.

For your safety, as well as his.

Let's go. Get him out.

Dad?

Your father is a real piece of shit!

If he doesn't stop talking to the
cops, you're not going home alive.

Take this!

Let's see it your father and
grandfather are interested in you.

Hold it up higher.

Higher!

A lovely smile, come on.

Don't make a sound or I'll kill you.

Help!

Dad's here, love...

Dad's here...

What was it, the usual nightmare?

You have to be patient, Luna.

The police and Carabinieri
are looking for him.

They'll do all they can
to bring him home.

Look, it's a beautiful day!

It feels like summer!
The air is so clear!

Get ready, Miss.

I've got a sore tummy...

I had bad cramps during the night.

Do you want to stay home?

No! Another day off?

Has school become an optional?

These sore tummies...

What are we going to do?

You've got your exams this year.

This way,
they won't even let you sit them...

That's all you care about.

All right, stay home.

I'll come and get you later
and we can go to the doctor.

And we'll get a nice ice cream.

Lemon for you, because
you're not well and chocolate for me.

This is your last day off, though.

She can phone and get her homework.

There's no need,
Loredana's coming this afternoon.

That's fine, then.

That's fine, then.

That great donkey,
she's already failed twice.

The Nobel Prize you'll both get.

In donkey-ology and confusion.

You're right.

Poisoned mice aren't good for you...

My turn now.

You don't need to do it as well.

But it was my idea!

Your father will kill you!

His appreciation yesterday.

I was busy with my homework
and forgot to milk the goats.

Never mind. I'll be enough.

One more slap's
not going to change my life.

I'm not letting you do this alone.

Come on! Phase one. Decolouration.

Get off your arse and shampoo me!

You don't think there are better ways
to play the rebel?

Who are you trying to impress?

Not me, I hope.

Or maybe it's to make Daddy happy?

Well?

"Giuseppe has vanished,
and what are you doing?"

Good question.

Let's try and answer it.

Giuseppe has vanished and you...

...stop studying...

...you get failed.

Giuseppe has vanished and you...

...dye your hair.

At least I'm doing something.

And what does it achieve?

Now your hair's blue,
is Giuseppe coming back?

Come on...

You're more intelligent than that.

So I should pretend
nothing's happened?

Like everyone else?
Life goes on, doesn't it?

Why not? Is that not how it is?

You know as well
that you're growing up.

Maybe we know the people
who kidnapped him.

Maybe they're here in the village!

We need to rebel against this,
all of us.

- Until he's found!
- Whatever...

Luna...

...try to think...

He's my life!
Do you understand what that means?

Thinking about him all the time,

always asking yourself where he is.

If he's alive, if he's dead.

Hearing his voice in your head,

do you understand what that means?

Knowing he needs help and not
being able to do anything for him.

Crying yourself to sleep every night.

Feeling sick at the idea of going
to school and not finding him there.

Do you understand what it means?

I can't help thinking about him.

And I don't want not to.

These equations are fairly easy.

I want to be nice to you
this morning.

You've got an hour.

Get out of that chair.
It's not yours.

Miss, it's written too small,
I can't read it from the last row.

OK, Lombardi, copy the exercises.

- Then go back to your place.
- I told you to move. Right now!

Miss, Conigliaro is hassling me.

Conigliaro, please. Go and sit down.

- Miss...
- I don't understand

why I can't sit here
if the place is free.

You know what?

From today this is my place.

- Conigliaro!
- Look at this loony...

All she needed was blue hair!

My hair can be sorted with a shampoo.

What's the cure
for your fucking face?

Whatever... I'm here

and here I'm staying.

Because the snitch's son
won't be coming back to school.

Lombardi!

You happy now?

Don't be an idiot...

No!

Giuseppe...

I'm writing to you from my room.

I spend most of my time in my room.

Only who I say can come in
and I do whatever I like.

I draw and write all the time.

What do you like
apart from horses?

The first time I wrote your name
in my diary

was at school
when I realised you were sad.

I thought how someone like you
could never be sad.

I asked you why. And you teased me.

"Luna, you're imagining things
that don't exist," you said.

Then at home I heard my mother
talking about your father

and I understood why you were sad.

The second time was when
you invited me to the beach.

But my mother wouldn't let me go.

That day it was my turn to be sad,

I really wanted to go to the beach
with you.

I listened to the radio
all day long in my room...

and, without realising,
I started dreaming...

...imagining things
that don't exist, like you say...

...but for me if you dream something

it means it might exist...

Just for a bit of variety.

You're a little man now.

When you finish eating, write
to that cocksucker of your father

that we're treating you well,
but we're starting to lose patience.

Why, did Grandfather not get
the other letters?

Of course he did.

So why write any more?

If Dad keeps talking with the cops,

it means he doesn't give a fuck
about me.

How could that be?

If that were the case, he'd already
have stopped being a snitch...

If I'm still here,

it means that you've decided
I'm not going back home.

I'm not writing any more!

I'll come and get it later.

Luna,

I don't know if I'll ever come back.

I want to cry,

but I'm not going to
in front of this lot.

I wish I could dream

like you...

...but I can't here...

Your father mustn't drink that.

You don't need to repeat it
every time.

With you two, I do.

Right, that's me finished.

I'll have a shave and we can go.

Will you light the stove in the sauna
before you go?

The sauna? In this heat?

It gets rid of the toxins,

It gets rid of the toxins,

it's purifying.

Stewed apples!

You eat one as well,

it's good for your stomach.

It's good for your stomach.

I wouldn’t even give these
to the dogs.

We should come here more often.

You say the same thing every time.

What peace and quiet...

What peace and quiet...

It's been a difficult year,

especially for you...

But at last it's behind you.

You did well.

You did well.

Despite me and your mum
and everyone else...

...you passed your exams.

And now secondary school in the city,

new classmates,

new friends... a new life!

New friends... a new life!

You know you're the most important
thing in my life, don't you?

I know, Dad.

Can you pass it to me?

Digestion's started!

Now what would you say to trying
to catch a few nice eels?

Now what would you say to trying
to catch a few nice eels?

Here.

Meanwhile... I've something to do...

Leave me alone!

Let...me go!

Let...me go!

- Luna!
- Let me go!

- Luna!
- Leave me alone!

Have you got a son?

I don't care if you tease me.

If I don't give you this letter,

I'll never be able to do anything,

or rather I'll end up only doing
things I don't care about.

or rather I'll end up only doing
things I don't care about.

I'm not exaggerating.

I lock myself in my room and dream.

I go to school
and I don't understand anything

because I'm dreaming.

When I have to go somewhere,

I get lost because I'm dreaming.

I get lost because I'm dreaming.

When there's a storm,

I sit
and look out the window and dream.

Instead when the sun dazzles me,

I close my eyes
and dream all the same.

When I'm sad, I dream,

and when I'm happy
it's because I dream.

Loredana has noticed too
and says I'm going daft.

The positive thing
is that my mother's voice

goes in one ear and out the other

because I keep dreaming.

But I can't keep going like this,

because thanks to dreaming alone all
the time,

I really will become a fool.

Only you can help me

because what I dream of is you.

I dream of you at every moment.
Day and night.

I dream of you at every moment.
Day and night.

I'm in this dream as well.

So to solve this problem

you have to answer
this very simple question:

Giuseppe,

do you want to get together?

If you say no, I'll stop dreaming.

I admit it, I'll cry,
that's normal.

Maybe we could stay friends,

that way, instead of copying
my homework, I could help you do it.

If you say yes, I'll dream the things
I've dreamt with you,

but it won't be a dream any more,

but the most beautiful thing
in the world,

us two together.

If we get together,

I'll still help you
with your homework,

and you can teach me to ride horses!

Let me out of here!

Open up!

I want to get out of here!

Let me out of here!

He's small but troublesome,
Puppy Dog!

You're nothing but cowards!

When's the new kennel
going to be ready?

He can't stay here any longer.

Watch, he bites!

You know what they say in Russia?

What?

That every time
there's a moment of silence,

a cop is born.

In Russia.

Here, it's a Mafioso that's born.

I've got nothing to tell you.

You can imagine
what hospital was like.

Stuffed with pills...

Tell me about you, come on, otherwise
another Mafioso will be born-.

Well, there is a bit of news...

You sure you want to know?

What is it, then?

I beat my father and my brothers.

Bye-bye, cheese and ricotta...

I'm going to secondary school!
In the city! Can you imagine?

Loredana the cheesemaker
at secondary!

And do you like it?

I don't know.

But something good
has already come of it...

Hold tight...

I've got a boyfriend!
No, it's not a joke.

Is he hot?

Hot? The word hot
does not render the idea.

He is literally superhot.

A force of nature. A cyclone!

Has he got a name,
this superhot cyclone?

Calogero...

and he likes music. Rap.

We sing together!

His cousin Nino writes the lyrics.

His cousin's nice as well.
You must meet them!

I hate rap.

OK, but who cares?

Saturday
we could do something together.

Loredana's right.

Go and enjoy yourselves, love.

Also because, when we go away,

you won't get to see each other
that often, love!

Don't pay any attention.

She's been like that for a while...

She became affectionate.

It happens, even to Swiss mothers.

"When we go away"?
Will you tell me what that means?

They say it's not good for me
to stay here,

that I need a change of air.

Which means...?

My mother is on the phone
to her brother every day

in Bümpliz.

I think
they're going to take me there.

When were you planning on saying?

The sea...

I can smell the sea!

I want to see it!

I want to see the sea!

I want to see the sea!

Never tell anyone.

I promise!

Can you see the sea?

But I can smell it.

Sure, in your head!

In mine at least there is the sea.

I recognised your voice...

...you were a friend of my dad's.

That's why you never said anything.

If you ever want to get home...

I won't tell anyone.

We need to go.

I won't tie it too tight...

Shit, that is so wild...so wild!

A guy with a face like a pig...

I first saw him
in front of Giuseppe's house,

then in the house in the woods...

So just in your nightmares?

They're not nightmares!

What are they, then?

We have to go that way.

Oh, what are you two doing?
Get a move on!

Well? What do you think?

So long as you like him.

You can say that again.

Nice vest.

You like it?

Especially with this cold.

Cold, hot, ice, sun,

like you teach us, little one,
it's all in our heads!

If you didn't rap
when you're speaking to me,

I'd really appreciate it.

Friendly...

What are you looking for?

A house.

The house under construction I saw
the night I nearly drowned.

When you tried to kill yourself,
you mean?

If you don't want to follow us,

as far as I'm concerned, your
presence isn't exactly essential.

The house didn't have planning
permission, right?

I wouldn't know. I think so.

It was ugly, that's for sure.

It makes me sad as well.

But to kill yourself for that?
I don't know...

Cousin, that wasn't the reason...

Imagine if there was a suicide

for every home
without planning permission.

Where we're from,

humanity would be reduced
to hardly anything.

Nature would prevail again,

the rivers and lakes
would be clean once more,

trees would grow everywhere,

human ruins
would be covered with vegetation

and our island
would again belong to the gods

who once lived here numerous

the nymphs ran around in the woods

and Pan's flute rang out.

I'd like to hear that...

I think about it all the time.

The house was there.

And now it's vanished.

Nature, like Nino says,
has won again.

Luna...

I hid here and then went in.

One thing matches...

...the water.

You're right...

Lots of water.

This puddle,

the cistern beneath the trapdoor...

They're not coincidences.

Stop!

Stop right now!

What is it?

It was him, Loredana!

Him who?

Pigface! It was him, I tell you,

it's the same car!

Luna, calm down...

We have to report this!

Let's go home.

The woods
was already a really bad idea.

Get on.

Let's go home, please.

I know what you're thinking.

Listen to me...

You can go...

I'm not leaving you here,
that's for sure.

You need to follow him!

And he'll take us straight
to Giuseppe?

Yes! Well, maybe not to Giuseppe,

but to those who were involved
in his kidnap, for sure!

Of course, because we're all idiots?

You said it!

Put Giuseppe's house
under surveillance and find Pigface!

Giuseppe's grandfather meets him...

Luna!

They'll have tried to resolve
the situation among themselves!

Mrs Conigliaro,
can you tell me what's going on?

Your daughter's a bit over the top...

You have to excuse her, sir...

My daughter...

was recently hospitalised...

Come on, let's go home.

Dad, you know him!

He was there at the marble factory
we went to.

Love, what nonsense are you saying?

Let's not waste the officer's time.
He's already been very patient.

I'm not talking nonsense!

- My husband and I are mortified...
- Leave me alone!

- But as you can see...
- Leave me alone!

My daughter's not well...

- Leave me alone!
- Luna...

You're a scumbag
just like everyone else!

Why did you call them?

Why?

Puppy Dog has totally shat himself!

What'll we do?

What d'you think?
We'll clean him up.

This is not for me.

This is not a job for me...

Look!

Look!

One, two, three!

Why not call Loredana
and ask her to come round?

Yeah, you should call her.

...There was a continent
affectionately known as Old Europe,

and in this Europe there was a little
peninsula in the shape of a boot

called... yes, Italy.

In the middle of this Italy
there was a tiny, small village...

We're leaving tomorrow

and you're not even going
to say goodbye?

It's important.

I don't want to do this...

I don't want to do this...

Come here!

I don't want to!

Come here!

Giuseppe!

Giuseppe!

Giuseppe!

I knew you wouldn't abandon me!

I'll never leave you again...

...never again.

You mustn't come with me.

Hug me.

Luna, don't fall asleep.

Face the wall.

Luna, don't fall asleep.

I'm coming!

Open up!

Loredana!

Come here!

What's going on?

Out the way!

Come on!

To Giuseppe Di Matteo (1981-1996),
the boy kidnapped by the Mafia,

held prisoner for 779 days,
strangled and then dissolved in acid.