Yellow: le cugine (1969) Movie Script

The Mill of the Virgins

(Yellow: The Cousins)

- And Valentina?

- She's been notified.

I don't know if she'll come.

Just in time.

Here, at least put this on.

Even in death he gets to you.

Francesco Belardino Gambini Scotteri.

1753 to 1826.

Bishop.

- And a martyr.

- No, he made martyrs of others.

It's a family trait.

This is Maria, a viscountess,

I'm not sure how she ended up here.

- A virgin, of course.

- Ten children.

With that face.

My love, it isn't just

a woman's face that counts.

- And that's my grandfather's father.

- You mean your father's grandfather.

Aside from a father and grandfather

he was also a Garibaldino.

Every family in Italy has a

grandfather who was a Garibaldino.

Come.

Let's finish the tour.

This is the dining room

for the big occasions.

- Do you like it?

- It makes a perfect morgue.

Typical Marta, everything

covered, and tidy.

She's obsessed with order.

I'm curious, is there anything

in this house that isn't locked?

My dear, handmade in Veneto in the

early 1700's, all valuable pieces.

And half of this is yours?

You really are a little treasure.

Do you like it?

17th century ashtray, handy.

Pierre, come.

- And this is our terrible grandfather.

- That bastard?

- You're joking, he was a great man.

- A great bastard.

Alright, he wasn't nice,

But he was my grandfather.

Admit it, you liked him.

Grandfather's bed.

It was sacrilege for us girls

to come into this room.

A profanation.

No.

Stop.

Alright, I'm impatient.

I can assure you I won't

be staying long.

When I've got a tidy pile of cash

I know where to go to enjoy it.

Don't forget you're in my house.

Our house, I'd say.

Listen, you know I've paid

dearly for this house.

I know, it can't have been easy

putting up with grandfather.

I'll sell you my share

for a reasonable price.

- We won't argue, you'll see.

- What does Pierre think?

Does he agree?

Agree?

Of course.

Pierre manages to waste his

money, yours, and that of others.

He's an expert at it.

And you?

Aren't you an expert as well?

- Very expert.

- You never had any dignity.

No, I'll leave the dignity all to you.

I wouldn't know what to do with it.

I just want to enjoy my life

and my splendid lover.

Why don't you try looking

at things more positively.

- You might like it.

- Really?

What do you know about life?

You had everything,

you've never suffered.

- Even grandfather spoiled you.

- Right, and so does Pierre.

He spoils me so splendidly.

He's a marvellous lover.

Do you know what love is?

- Please stop.

- What a fool, of course you do.

It happened many years ago.

One hot summer's day.

A fling with some chap.

Remember?

What the devil was his name?

I told you to change the

subject, enough.

Yes, I think it was Riccardo.

I wonder why grandad didn't

take too kindly to him?

He wasn't of our heritage,

but who cares?

He would have been great

in bed, don't you think?

Or didn't you even have

the time to find out?

Please, Valentina.

We have to live together.

Live together?

That's impossible with

someone like you.

You're cold, Marta.

You've become an old spinster.

Don't fool yourself, nobody

could bear to be with you.

Nobody.

No, dear, nobody.

Go away.

Go away from here.

Look. We used to pretend we were

pirates when we were children.

- The mill was our ship.

- Not bad.

Magnificent. Listen, I have an idea,

why don't we move in here?

- Just the two of us?

- It might be interesting.

Yes, we could play Tarzan and Jane.

Two days and you'll

have your dream nest.

I prefer Tarzan and Jane.

Look who's here.

Hello, cousin.

I'd be grateful if you

moved your car.

I'll be right down.

You enjoyed that.

Listen to her.

If I find a door that isn't

locked I'll become a monk.

Marta won't be able to sleep out of

fear someone's going to steal something.

Calm down, don't let it get to you.

She's looking after my interests as well.

What is it, Romolo?

They've taken the angel,

I saw them.

- Which angel?

- The angel in the fountain.

- Now they're picking my camellias.

- They?

- Yes, the little one and her husband.

- I'll talk to them, don't worry.

Don't worry.

Anyway, who cares about the angel?

But they shouldn't touch

my camellias.

I'll cut their hands off

if they try again.

- Don't joke.

- I'm not joking.

Here they come.

- That's enough, get back to work.

- I'm going.

Sure, I'm going.

It's better for everyone.

- Who's Romolo upset with?

- With you, dear.

You shouldn't pick the

flowers when they're budding.

Nonsense, they're more beautiful.

Anyway, they belong to me.

Dear, speaking of your things...

The notary's coming to read

the will tomorrow.

Let's hope grandfather didn't

leave all the camellias to Romolo.

I'm going to have a shower

and change, I won't be long.

Alright, I'll wait.

Pity.

- What?

- Your legs, you shouldn't hide them.

They're very beautiful.

Let's try to avoid any

misunderstandings.

Certain compliments don't interest me,

I consider them exquisitely vulgar.

I suggest you save them for the type

of girls you usually spend time with.

Come on, Marta, there's

no need to be like that.

After all, we're family.

It's all happening so quickly.

A river of silk.

Please....

With the aim of helping my two

nieces adhere to these principles...

which I have always

professed in my life...

I declare that the entire

Villa Alba estate...

be entrusted to my niece,

Valentina Poseti Garbini.

while the use of the same property

be reserved for my niece...

Marta Luisa Garbini Scotteri.

I'm certain my nieces will be

pleased with my decision...

that will allow them to live together

in a place that's dear to them.

Furthermore, I entrust the sum of

two million lira to Romolo Turi...

to thank him for his services and those

of his father and grandfather before him.

I've also arranged for

my dear Giuditta Simonini...

who raised my nieces

with such devotion...

and took care of me in

the final years of my life...

be given the use of

the property in Sant. Anna...

for fifty years from the

date of my death.

I further bequeath ten million lira

to the Holy Virgin of Pisa Church...

managed so wisely by the

merciful Marcellini sisters.

Not wanting such a modest

donation to attract publicity...

I've arranged for it to be

given anonymously.

To my dear friend, the notary...

who has carefully looked after the

family estate for so many years...

I leave the Canaletto painting.

A 70x42" canvas,

with a golden frame...

depicting a large canal

with gondolas.

For his professional work

as the curator of my will...

he will be paid the sum

of five million lira.

Now that my property has

been divided...

all that remains is to remind

my nieces of my last wish...

The restoration of the chapel in Poggio

Alto which was always very dear to me.

Signed, Bernardo Garbini Scotteri.

Very well, Valentina, from this moment

on you're the owner of Villa Alba.

A property I can't do anything

with because you live in it.

Grandfather really played us,

but it was to be expected.

No, you're wrong, it was the only way

to keep the property together.

Sorry to interrupt, but there's

something I'd like to know.

- When will we see any money?

- Money?

Silver, cash, greens.

Will it take long to release

the cash from the bank?

I'm in a hurry to collect.

Right, we're in a hurry.

I'll try to speed things up.

I'll call you.

And now, Marta, I'll need your

authorisation for the inventory.

If you ask me this is the

right place to concentrate.

Don't be afraid, there are

no ghosts in the family.

We're all flesh and bone here.

Listen...

- Give me a cigarette.

- You never buy them.

We have five friends for dinner.

- Is there anything to drink?

- Patience, I'll take care of it.

This is Marta, my cousin.

The beautiful ice-maiden.

Pierre's told me a lot about you.

You like music.

A piano virtuoso.

- Pierre talks too much.

- No, Pierre only speaks the truth.

Then I also declare that you're

a virtuoso on the sitar.

And tonight my soul will

play only for you.

Evidently you don't like the music.

- Evidently I don't like your music.

- Pity.

You'll miss the best part, he plays

fantastically when he's drunk.

And that's his way to get drunk,

he reaches a kind of erotic trance.

You'd better go back, don't

deprive yourself of this pleasure.

- I'd prefer to stay here.

- I smell a virgin.

Something preciously rare these days.

Let go of me.

It's always been there,

covered in mud.

- We called it the drowned angel

- I'll try to resuscitate it.

- It might be worth the trouble.

- That won't be easy.

- Well, I'd like to try.

- Then you'd better get back to work.

Yes, of course,

but you see, the door's locked.

Take it, that's the key.

No, let go of me.

Don't worry, dear,

these things happen.

Go on, continue,

it's just a kiss between cousins.

Give me those photographs.

We don't want any trouble.

Don't even think about it.

I really want to see if you're

photogenic, Marta.

Come on, don't waste time.

You can have him all day...

but don't tire him out because

I'd like to use him myself tonight.

It's a family of whores.

Pig.

I've got good taste.

Right, a pig with good taste.

Not from today.

Of course, I knew it.

Did you make love to her at least?

No, not yet.

You're not making a very

good impression.

- She spent all day in her room.

- Perhaps tomorrow will be better.

- Count on it.

- Certainly.

She's never had a man in her life.

It won't be hard to get

her into bed, darling.

Yes, very easy,

but I want those photographs.

- Pay and you'll have them.

- Payment in kind?

No, this time it's cash or nothing.

I understand.

You're a business woman now.

Deduct it from my account.

What account?

An account that goes up

every time I go down on you.

Rotten pig.

You know what?

You're a bastard.

A dirty bastard.

The great penniless artist.

You're a pimp, that's what you are.

A dirty pimp.

I swear you won't get

another penny out of me.

Worm. Run to Marta,

let her pay for you.

It's over between us.

Go away.

Leave this house.

It's mine, and don't think you're living

off my back like you've done till now.

Go away.

What are you doing here?

Get back.

And what are they doing here?

Send them away.

Yes, I drank a lot

and I fell asleep straight away.

I didn't even hear her arrive.

When I saw Pierre leaving the

house, heading towards the mill...

I went to her to scold her.

She regretted what she'd said.

She asked me to drive

her to Pierre.

I left her just before the

crossroads, it isn't far from the mill.

In answer,

the undersigned replied...

"I stopped the car just before

the crossroads by the mill."

"My cousin thanked me and headed

towards the above-mentioned mill."

"I can only assume..."

"that my cousin,

finding the door to the mill closed..."

"tried to gain entry

through the window..."

"but upon reaching the ledge,

one of the posts collapsed..."

"causing her to fall to her death."

Full stop.

Is there anything else you

remember that you'd like to add?

We often played there as children,

and it was also dangerous then.

Add this as well.

"An examination of the planks

by the ledge was carried out..."

"and in correspondence

with the window..."

"it appears that one of them

was broken recently."

"Read and confirmed by the undersigned,

Marta Luisa Garbini Scotteri."

It was him.

What?

He killed her.

You don't seem drunk.

I haven't touched a drop since

the other night, but it was him.

I don't know how he did it,

but he's definitely involved.

Luckily, the thought of murder didn't

even cross the Inspector's mind.

Our family is above certain suspicions.

Look at that hypocrite, he managed

to commit the perfect murder.

Enough, Pierre,

no more fooling.

Fooling?

I'm not fooling at all.

It's my fault, I shouldn't

have taken her to you.

No, you shouldn't have.

You know what the French say?

Above all, don't be overzealous.

Which means, mind your own business.

Ever been to Paris?

Very bad, you must go.

As soon as I've got what's due to me

from Valentina's share, I'm going back.

I'm not hanging around.

- Goodnight.

- Wait.

The funeral bill.

I really don't understand

why they gave it to me.

- Because you were her husband, perhaps?

- Yes, agreed.

But I'm not famous, dear, and what's

more, I don't have a penny.

I know who that top belongs to,

and I know what those marks mean.

Why did you go back to

clean the cistern?

I don't know.

You wake up and you think;

I'm going to do some cleaning today.

- That's all.

- Listen to me, Romolo.

You were born in this house

and I imagine you'd like to stay.

- Of course.

- Then forget everything.

And never mention it again,

to anyone.

The thought of murder didn't even

cross the Inspector's mind.

Your words,

if I'm not mistaken.

You could call it the perfect murder.

Almost the work of a professional.

Only you're not a professional,

and murders are never perfect.

What are you getting at?

I don't like riddles.

So you're saying it was murder,

but we're above suspicion.

I advise you not to say any more.

You might be able to convince

me you're innocent...

but certainly not a judge.

A judge wouldn't be so naive,

or indulgent, if you prefer.

- What are you thinking of doing?

- I don't know, yet.

Maybe nothing, for the moment.

I suggest you abandon your

plans to return to Paris.

Pay him, and make sure

he signs the receipt.

- Down here?

- Yes, there.

- Are you going to the city?

- Sure, just to get out.

Here.

Don't be late.

Who are you?

A fellow.

Where are you?

There you are.

- A gift for you, they're very sweet.

- No, not now.

Please.

No, I told you I don't want them.

Try them, they're delicious.

Good morning.

Please excuse me,

they told me I'd find you here.

- Mr. Cheri?

- Exactly.

- And who are you?

- Excuse me, Saccara.

Shall we go inside?

I don't mean to trouble you...

but the Inspector asked me to

look into the death of your...

- Cousin, I believe?

- Yes, my cousin.

I'll need a few more details

before I can archive the case.

I've read Marshal Fiore's

report on the events.

A tragic death, for a woman

so young and so beautiful.

I believe your wife was only 23.

- Almost 23.

- You've got to be strong.

I know it's hard but you've got to

find the strength within you.

You're still so young.

And you, madam.

And now, if you don't mind, will

you help me reconstruct the facts.

What facts?

How the accident happened.

Why do you worry?

He said it's simply a formality.

It's always trouble when

those people are involved.

Besides, he might find something.

He won't find anything.

Not him, or anyone else

will find anything.

I don't doubt that you were

careful, but the others?

That old man, for example,

the gardener.

Romolo?

Don't worry, he won't talk.

- What are you doing there?

- Just looking around.

- What are you looking for?

- I'm a police detective.

An officer of the law.

In that case, go right ahead.

Do you need it for the irrigation?

- Or to fill up the cistern?

- Depends.

I see it's been cleaned recently.

I'll need to ask you a few questions.

Where will I find you?

I'm always here.

You'll find me.

He asked about the cistern...

and then he asked me a lot

Yellow: le cugine (1969) - full transcript