Diario di un maestro (1973–…): Season 1, Episode 1 - Episode #1.1 - full transcript
DIARY OF A TEACHER
Loosely adapted from the novel
"A year in Pietralata."
Excuse me, could you point
me towards Tiburtino?
Keep going straight, turn at Via Anagnina
you'll be at Tiburtino then.
Thank you.
Interpreted by children and inhabitants
of the Roman villages
of Tiburtino Terzo, Pietralata
and La Torraccia.
Good morning.
I'm professor D'Angelo, is there
someone in the front office?
- Yes, I will let them know you're here.
- Thank you.
Come in.
- Miss, professor D'Angelo is here.
- I'll be right with you.
- Good morning, I'm professor D'Angelo.
- I'm glad, it's a pleasure to meet you.
I apologize for the delay, I came
as soon as I got the nomination.
Once I arrived to Rome,
I couldn't find the address.
- Are you arriving from far away?
- Yes, I was in Naples with my parents.
Could you please go to the front
office and grab the yellow logbook?
You'll find it
on the desk, alright?
Is the principal available?
No, he's rarely around these parts,
the main office is located at Pantano.
Further up from Tiburtino.
That's too bad, I wanted
to introduce myself.
Don't worry about that, you
will find the chance later on.
This is the student list
for the professor.
Gather them from the other
classes and bring them here.
Inside the empty classroom,
the furthest one.
- Alright?
- Alright.
- This is your logbook.
- Yes.
You can organize it
however you want to.
Make sure to log attendance daily,
the director is looking forward to it.
Your class is not--
Well, it's a peculiar class.
We have new students but we also have
students repeating the school year.
Let's just say it's
a complicated environment.
It's a shame we're already into the
second quarter of the year.
I will try to make up for it.
You do whatever you can.
Just keep them on a short leash.
- I hope I can handle it.
- Don't underestimate them.
This environment, well...
It is what it is.
- What do you mean?
- Well, it's just that--
Don't worry about it.
I'm sorry but the
class is waiting for me.
But if you need anything, you can always
find me here, or in the front office.
- Alright? Good luck.
- Thank you.
This is the first time I have
an entire classroom for myself.
The "5-C" class of the Francesco
Ruffini school, at Tiburtino Terzo.
One of the many boroughs in
the outskirts of Rome.
I've waited years for this very moment.
Yes, thank you.
Take it easy, boys.
Let's be quiet for a moment.
- This classroom smells old.
- It's so dusty!
Look, it's torn apart!
Just moment of silence, alright?
Hey, that's enough.
Calm down.
- Good morning.
- Good morning.
Who is that?
- I am your new teacher.
- Nice to meet you.
Thank goodness, it was about time!
My name is Bruno D'Angelo.
- Bruno...?
- D'Angelo.
Where do you come from?
I come from a town close to Naples.
- Oh, Neapolitan?
- Yes.
- Shall we start the roll call?
- Sure.
There are more students missing
than in attendance today.
Let's see who we have today.
- Betti, Sandro.
- He's not here, he's working.
- What kind of work?
- At the fruit stand, on the hill.
- Which hill?
- The tall one. The hill of Tiburtino.
- Del Croce, Luciano.
- Here.
- How old are you?
- Eleven.
- Where do you live?
- On the Pecoraro hill.
(Pecoraro = goat keeper)
Pecoraro hill?
Why is it called Pecoraro?
Because it belonged to a goat keeper,
and then--
No! Because there
used to be goats!
Fine, goats, but then the people started
to come in and they built houses--
- The goats!
- They sold the land!
You can still find goats there.
- Munzi, Franco.
- Here.
- How old are you?
- Eleven.
- Are you well behaved?
- Yes...
Don't listen to him.
He's kind of stupid.
- Shut up, you just got out of juvie.
- Veneto, Marco.
- I'm twelve.
- You're Veneto? You're twelve?
Did you have to repeat a year?
- Which one?
- Two.
- Two years? And which ones?
- First and third year.
Because he was mean.
Sacco, Renzo.
- How old are you?
- I'm eleven.
- So you're in good standing?
- Yes.
- Where do you live?
- At Tiburtino, here.
- Why did sit on your own?
- Because I don't want to be with them.
- And why is that?
- I don't want to.
- Ranuzzi, Fabrizio.
- Here.
Sit down.
- How old are you?
- I'm eleven.
Boys, let's try to finish
this roll call, come on.
Have you seen these drawings?
- Tamasco, Remo?
- He's not here!
- He's your friend?
- Yes.
- Where does he live?
- He lives next to me, at La Torraccia.
Tomasso.
How--
- It's his brother!
- No, there's Tamasco, and Tomasso.
How do you spell it? It's barely
written here, Tomasso or Tamasso?
- Tomasso!
- They are brothers.
- No, the other one is Tamas--
- Shut up! You don't even know!
- Where does he live?
- At La Torraccia, after--
- Along the road.
- Next to the saplings.
- Is it far away?
- Pretty much.
They're slums.
- Can you inform them?
- Yes.
Who else knows the
other absentees?
Who are they?
- Betti, Piazza...
- I know Betti and Borresignani.
I also know... Piazza!
- I know him too!
- He knows him.
I am Valenti's brother!
- How come your brother is not present?
- He's hunting for squid!
He's out hunting because he never comes.
Can you all inform the absentees?
Can you talk to your brother?
- I'll tell Borresignani.
- He was scared of the new teacher.
Now, let's hear what
you studied last time.
- The French Revolution.
- Shall we listen to someone present?
You want to stand up?
Come here.
- What's your name?
- Mennuni, Giorgio.
- What do you know?
- A poetry.
Can you repeat it?
"The Bricklayer"
"The bricklayer, on top of the roof--"
- Speak louder, we can't hear anything!
- Settle down.
A little bit louder and slower.
"The bricklayer laid paths on the roofs
to walk between nests, barefoot..."
"And he sets the steps to
look up into the sky..."
"And vertigo abandons
those that roam..."
"With art and joy,
he builds the house, clear and grand..."
"With small tiles, he jolts off the
limestone from his uniform and sings..."
- Can you explain the poem to me?
- It talks about a bricklayer.
And how he builds houses,
on top of tall scaffolding.
He sees the heads of the--
Of the people down below.
You said "jolts",
do you know what that means?
That he shook
the limestone off the uniform.
Alright, you can go.
- Here.
- The French Revolution.
- Yes.
- Let's hear it.
- On the eight--
- Let's be quiet, boys.
On the eight--
On the eighteenth century...
In... The European society was
suffering from an important crisis.
The scientific progress--
Let me just take a look, excuse me.
Listen, I think you learned this
by memorizing it, right?
Tell me, with your own words, what
you know about the French Revolution.
- With my own words?
- Yes, what you understood about it.
The French Revolution was...
The French people
rebelled because...
The most powerful rights to power were
exclusive for clerics and nobility.
The citizens were only allowed to
work and pay heavy taxes.
Meanwhile, the clerics and the nobility
lived with enormous luxuries.
- Do you know who the clerics are?
- Yes, they are the priests.
That at the time ruled and--
Yes, they ruled.
Even the kings were afraid because
the priests could organize a revolution,
And so, since the citizens
were tired of--
Keep quiet!
Since they got tired of
paying these heavy taxes...
They--
On July 14th, 1789,
they attacked the Bastille.
Armed with cannons
and guns.
It was the only fortress in France...
That no other people
were able to destroy.
What was the Bastille?
What was inside it at the time?
It had weaponry.
All the weaponry that France owned,
and also the politicians.
- Inside the Bastille?
- Yes, they were locked inside.
To prevent the revolution
from moving forward.
Before the revolution, there were
several men that organized the attacks.
- And so, they were ready.
- I understand, I understand.
That's alright.
It's good enough, now--
What's my score, professor?
The score? We'll see later today.
The class favorite!
- What a liar!
- There's no rush.
- He says he memorized it!
- Then he will be able to do it.
Come on! Are you shy?
- But don't interrupt him.
"I was taken by a guard
in the cemetery,"
"Just as I stole a flower
from the top of a man's grave."
"And I was taken away teary eyed,
completely frightened,"
"To be interrogated in the
police headquarters."
"- How old are you?
- I just turned thirteen."
"Oh, you started your
criminal career early!"
"What will your
mother say later?"
"A son that doesn't
know about humanity."
"The orphan gets on his knees
and begs:"
"Forgive me,
even beautiful mother has left me."
"And while passing in front of
those red, red flowers like a flame,
"I stole a flower, yes, but only
to bring it to my mother."
- Very good.
- Louder!
- Oh, knock it off!
- Silence, boys.
Long bones, short bones
and flat bones.
A fully grown adult
has 203 bones in his body--
You mean two hundred!
- And three!
- Two hundred!
- The book says two hundred...
- And mine says two hundred and three.
The rib cage contains
the lungs, the heart--
(mocking)
The liver, the trachea...
The first impression certainly
wasn't encouraging.
They repeat facts without
understanding what they're saying.
Names of kings, queens,
rivers, mountains...
And the dates: War, peace,
births and deaths.
They don't think understanding is
important, they only memorize facts.
To achieve a high score, just to pass
the exam. It's a disaster.
It means that... That the nobility
and the clergy, well, they...
They have a full set of rights,
while the Third State--
The bourgeoisie did not have the
same rights as the other two did.
- Well, now I'll keep explaining, OK?
- Sure.
There was a profound crisis.
And science had to make
new steps toward that...
Louis XVI wanted-- He had intentions
to develop a reform...
But the book doesn't explain
what is happening in France.
- What?
- It doesn't explain what happens there.
They don't explain what happens?
What is the title of the book?
"The French Revolution", but they
don't explain Louis XVI's role.
Boys, stop it now!
- What's your name?
- Di Mascio, Romano.
And what do you know?
Enough already!
Let's pay attention to Di Mascio.
Louder!
He will speak louder...
But the rest have to pay attention!
Let's hear it, speak a bit louder.
Isabelle of Castille married--
Ferdinand...
Ferdinand II of Aragon.
And they formed Spain.
Isabelle of Castille had a new...
- What was that?
- The palace of...
Stop it!
- Who is singing?
- Buffalo Bill!
Stop that!--
I'm sorry, you can sit down.
Can you calm down?
You want to come here?
Come forth then.
We are tired!
We want to go home.
Home! Home!
Enough!
Boys, that is enough!
Stop it!
That's--
ENOUGH!
I have told you before, when one person
speaks, everyone else must keep quiet.
Let's find an agreement.
We will be together for the entire year.
And we can't move on like this.
You are exaggerating.
- If you even reach the end of the year.
- Shut up.
If one of your classmates is presenting,
you must keep quiet!
That is respect.
Towards your classmates, towards
yourselves and towards myself.
This is a disaster.
I'm renting a furnished room,
not far from Via Tiburtina.
Not far from the school
There is a terrace.
The city stops here, at least you
can see some green.
The rent costs 35000 lire a month.
That's too much for me.
With my salary, I can only go
to the restaurant once a day.
At night, I'll have to
figure it out myself.
- Why isn't he attending class?
- He said he doesn't want to.
He stays at home, he plays soccer.
- Doesn't he work?
- No. Yes, only when he feels like it.
- What about Borresignani?
- He works.
He works for someone
that sells things.
- And Piazza?
- I know where he lives.
At via Diego Angelis,
block A, apartment 2.
- Do you know why he's not here?
- Maybe he had to work.
He has to work because...
The information given by his classmates
is confusing, contradictory even.
They seem to be defensive,
as if they did not trust me.
Tamasso, Remo and Tomasso,
have you seen them?
- They have to sell garlic.
- They sell garlic?
They start selling at 6 or 7 A.M,
and return around 3 or 4 P.M.
- Where do they sell it?
- Piazza Bologna, at Trionfale.
- Every day?
- Of course.
Did you tell him
there's a new professor?
Yes.
And they don't have any intention of
coming? Neither of them?
Alright.
Listen, boys.
- What should we do now?
- Nothing.
What a bore! You decide.
- Let's choose together something to do.
- Nothing.
Let's-- Hold on!
Let's write our thoughts.
- OK!
- Just a couple of phrases will do.
Alright? Let's try at least.
- What are we doing?
- Gives us some paper!
Does it work? OK, write.
Let's change the paper.
Is this an essay?
- Do you have a pen?
- Is this an essay?
- Who can give me a pen, please?
- I do! I do!
- Can I borrow it?
- Sure.
- Do we have to write our name?
- Yes, write your name.
Write your thoughts, yes?
Let's say, for example, that you
write about your family--
- No!
- Why not?
- We already talked about it.
- Come on.
I'm almost done.
- What did you write here?
- "We are".
- With a C.
- Put an accent on the E.
Professor!
Try to write
at least one thought.
- About what?
- Anything you want.
It doesn't have to be about family.
Did you finish? Let's see.
- "Composed of"...?
- "Seven".
I would write this with an accent.
You could write a period right there.
What are your--
"The members of my family are..."
Yes, there you go.
- I finished it.
- You finished? Keep it for now.
Let's hear what Romano has written.
"My family is comprised of seven people
including my mother and father."
What an essay!
It's the end of the world!
But this thought still counts,
he gave information about his family.
- Mennuni?
- That's me!
"My family."
"My family is comprised of five members"
"Father, mother and three children."
They mingled four times!
- Who else wants to read?
- "My family is comprised of five..."
"My mother is kind, but what
angers me the most is my father."
"Because on Sunday,
he is always bitter."
"When his soccer team loses."
It looks like some of you have added
additional thoughts into the essay.
More than just the
number of people.
Romano and Mennuni
only gave the numbers.
"How many family members
are there in your household?"
Sacco gave something more
as well, isn't that right?
Sacco, do you want to read the
last paragraphs of your essay?
"Every Sunday we leave the house,
we either visit my aunt or grandmother."
You see? He gave us an extra bit
of information apart from the usual.
- Can I go now?
- Let's hear Bonini.
"My family is comprised
of seven members."
"My father has a hydraulics shop
near the Via Flamigna."
"He is 39 years old."
"My mother is 35,
and she is a housewife."
"Then my grandmother, 70, my brother, 11
and my sister is 7 years old."
"This is my family."
Dry thoughts.
With bad grammar.
Thrown in a hurry, just
to make me happy.
But I am sure that they could
do better, if they wanted to.
If only they'd understand that, they are
not working for me, but for themselves.
- What's going on?
- I don't know, hey, you're the new guy!
Pleasure to meet you.
A group of mothers came to protest
because of the nursery.
It was promised a long time ago.
They wanted to talk to the principal,
but he was not here.
Stop it! Stop it!
I can't handle it anymore!
Calm down, lady, calm down!
They were aggravated,
and resentful.
For them, the daycare
is important.
Otherwise, where would their
children stay when they have to work?
This is a nightmare!
It's an obsession!
We've done this
so many times over!
- Let's go get a cognac.
- No, what?
There you are Maria, thank you,
take the water for the pills.
Did you see the scene they made?
This is happening everyday here.
Are you really going
to call the police?
It was a bluff, I was
hoping they would get scared.
Don't expect those people
to get scared by the police.
We have to file a report,
they are trespassing!
- But they didn't just break in.
- What?
This isn't our house,
this is a public building!
- They put their hands on me!
- They were beating her.
- Which one was it--
- They lost control.
We notify the principal and he will
deal with it using his position.
- That would be the best.
- Please, excuse me.
I haven't introduced the
new professor, D'Angelo.
- You are from Naples.
- Yes, from a town close by.
- Nice to meet you.
- Good morning, nice to meet you!
What did I say to you yesterday?
That the environment is what it is?
You saw it just now. You have
seen it firsthand.
What are your thoughts about it?
I just got here.
I don't feel like judging.
Yes, but you were present.
You saw it, you heard it.
Talk, we are among peers.
Yes...
What happened was very shameful.
It was indeed.
But, I wouldn't know,
I don't understand, maybe--
With patience and persuasion we could've
gotten a better result, I think.
Right, with patience and persuasion...
Easier said than done!
Alright, did you need
assistance with anything?
Yes, I am missing
half of the class.
Here's the list.
And I wanted to know,
for these boys, if we could--
Oh, yes. Yes.
These ones never show up.
- Don't worry about it.
- Exactly!
I wanted to know
if the families have been notified.
But of course we have warned them.
We wrote to them,
and more than once.
"Betti, Sandro."
"Borresignani, Mauro."
- "Piazza, Sergio."
- That one's a good boy.
- He was your student.
- Good luck with that one!
- "Tamasco, Remo."
- Mine! Fortunately, I got rid of him.
"Tomasso, Franco."
From the slums.
He is the one that
everyone feels pity for.
- I heard that some of them are working.
- Call it work...
- And so?
- They are younger than 14 years old.
We did our job.
What were we supposed to do?
Bring them in by forcing them?
It's out of our hands.
Maybe if the intervention
was held on time.
Is there a guidance, a counselor?
A social worker--
A what?!
Listen, it seems to me that I explained
this very clearly yesterday.
You have an expendable class.
They are leftovers, are we clear?
We had to reduce the other classrooms,
you ended up with the worst elements.
I think you should do
whatever you can.
Those that show up
are already difficult.
What do you want? To search
those that are already impossibilities?
In essence, you are
inviting me to let them go.
No, just a moment. I am not
inviting you, be very clear.
I am only giving you an advice,
a personal advice.
Leaving them in the streets?
We are teachers,
we are not dogcatchers.
If you care that much,
why don't you get them yourself?
- Fine.
- But don't come crying to me after!
Don't worry miss, I am
not used to crying.
- Have a good day.
- God bless you.
He just arrived and is already
giving everyone a lesson!
- So arrogant.
- I would say he's pretty naive.
- Where is he from?
- From the South...
We'll see what he says
in a couple of years.
When he reaches ten years
of service, like us!
- Are you lost around these parts?
- Somewhat, I got here yesterday.
- First time in Rome?
- No, I've been here a couple of years.
But I lived near the university.
University? Did you graduate?
I'm missing a few exams,
and the thesis.
Lucky guy.
If I could've done that,
I wouldn't be here.
- Where do you live now?
- There, at the Tiburtino hills.
You can drop me here then,
I can walk, it's not far.
- Don't worry, I'll give you a ride.
- Thank you.
Take the next right.
You're like brand new, right?
First job?
No, I did some
public schooling.
And a few replacements.
At Valmontone, Palestrina, Tolfa...
Around Rome.
I understand, well, after you
graduate and become a professor,
That's an entirely different story.
My wife is probably home by now,
come in and have a drink.
- Thank you, but I'm leaving.
- No, come, don't
- It's late, maybe some other time.
- Alright, as you wish.
Listen, I wanted to say something...
I wouldn't advice you
to be so zealous.
- They talked good about you before.
- I know, but--
Right there, in front
of the colleagues.
"You have a deadbeat class,
do what you can."
What would I be?
The janitor that keeps them quiet?
Yes, I may be starting, but I also
know how to properly teach them!
But you don't know these boys!
Listen, last year, one of them broke
into a teacher's car and drove off.
Another teacher had a nervous breakdown,
she even had to go to the hospital.
They are delinquents, they bring knifes,
slingshots, they fight...
You should thank God
they are not showing up.
Now, you decided
to take things in your own hands.
You put everyone against you, and they
will write and complain about it.
You're new, it's not worth it.
- Well, goodbye, and thank you!
- Goodbye.
One of these nights, you should come
to dinner, I have the best sausages.
- Alright.
- Bye!
That night, I couldn't
stop thinking.
Even if they tried to put me in place,
to persuade me...
I feel like I have to search
the boys that didn't attend class.
I met with the parents
of Marco and Renzo.
They talked to me about the
origins of the district, it's history.
It's important that I
establish a relationship with them.
Soon, we will have to talk about
their children, and school.
They have to realize the problems with
school, otherwise, it's worthless.
We went over to Valente's house
in order to look for Giancarlo.
Giancarlo is not here.
She tells me he will soon
start to work along with a craftsman.
Seven, or eight thousand lire a month,
the family already gave him their word.
In some cases,
it's very delicate to insist.
I try to explain Giancarlo's mother that
he needs to pass at least the 5th year.
This sympathy towards
animals is peculiar.
Contrasting against their violence.
Sergio Piazza's family
lives in a brand new apartment.
They were assigned recently, after their
house was demolished at Tiburtino Terzo.
The rooms don't have furniture, and
the mattresses are laid on the floor.
Sergio is just 11 years old.
The situations here are
very similar to one another.
There's not enough money for the house,
and Sergio needs to start working.
Labor does not scare him, even
being so very young and frail.
He tells me about his experience last
year working with a plumber and butcher.
This time, he will be
an apprentice at a bakery.
At La Torraccia, I had a meeting
with Romano.
- Hello.
- Good morning.
Which way should I go? Here?
- La Torraccia starts here?
- Yes.
There are only shacks here, clumped
together, right under the highway.
Keep going?
There are people from Casino that
migrated from the war.
And groups of Neapolitans.
In the winter, the gypsies also arrive.
- Here?
- Yes.
- Where should we go first? Franco's?
- Yes.
- Does he live up here?
- Right there, the one with the fence.
Let's go.
Go check if Franco's mother is here.
Good morning.
Good morning, madam!
- Is Franco here?
- No, he hasn't returned.
- I'm the primary school teacher.
- Of course, nice to meet you.
I want to know some information about
Franco, why is he not attending class?
He just won't go to school,
he likes to play around...
And he fails every year.
He reaches mid-year and then
stops going to school.
But he has always been
a good student.
He always studied, just
not in school.
Franco's mother fears that I'm here
to blame her for her son.
And right away, she starts to
explain, to justify.
From her words,
her attitude...
I feel the same sense of embarrassment,
almost turning into mistrust.
Like I felt with the other families.
Should we go now? Yes?
If only I managed to explain to her
that school is not just a duty.
But rather something
important for their kids.
That would have been
a big step forward.
A first concrete collaboration.
Franco is 13, he has worked
ever since he turned 7.
He sells garlic around the markets,
like every other boy from Torraccia.
And they also collect scrap metal
to sell.
We met up with Remo by chance.
He is a smart kid, vibrant.
From Neapolitan roots.
They're going back home.
- Are they your brothers?
- No, just friends that finished work.
They live far away,
so they have to catch a ride.
- Where were they going?
- Back home.
Come here, professor!
There's a white Giulia over here!
It's right here!
Look how washed up it is.
- What car is it?
- It's an Alfa Romeo Giulia.
- First generation.
- I can't even recognize it.
There's nothing left.
- What's that? The steering wheel box?
- The box, yes.
- And this?
- The suspension.
- How long has it been here?
- It's always been.
- What are you doing?
- I'm taking the aluminum lever.
Watch out, you could cut yourself.
They know how to recognize an accessory,
any car part, at first glance.
They dismantle it
with rudimentary tools.
They know the prices
from the second hand market.
They keep the count in their heads,
and they never fail once.
You take this part, and put it inside...
Then you take that, and unscrew it.
These ones, instead,
have the lever below.
Wasn't it here?
Yes, that's it.
- They get unscrewed?
- Yes
- Where do you take all of this stuff?
- To the junkyard, down there.
- Where is it?
- Near the tracks.
Oh yeah, there...
The junkyard was dismantled.
Where do they keep the cars?
Down there, but the
cars stopped coming in.
- There's nothing left?
- No.
"Underpants..."
That one is written properly.
"That you had teared..."
"They are..."
- Hold on.
- They are...?
- Adjusted.
- "... Adrejusted..."
And this should be together,
one word.
Why Jesus?
Because miracles are mentioned?
Look, what are you talking about?
"When you get up in the morning...?"
- Mom.
- It's about your mom.
It talks about your mother then.
- I told you.
- Now it makes sense.
- Is it true?
- Yes.
I took a look at the manuals and
notebooks from the other slum boys.
Little thoughts about animals,
seasons about family.
A fantasy world.
Unhealthy.
Completely detached from their own
interests, detached from their reality.
- How old are you?
- Me, thirteen.
- Did you repeat a school year?
- No, I started when I was already 8.
Why didn't you attend sooner?
Where you already working?
- This house, is it new?
- Yes, my brother built it.
- How old is he?
- He is 29.
- Already married, yes?
- Yes.
- Are these all your friends, Remo?
- Yes.
Boys, wait for me here, OK?
I'll be at Remo's for a bit,
but you wait here.
Come in, you can sit down.
- Thank you.
- Would you like a drink?
No, thank you,
just a glass of water.
Alright.
- Are these your books?
- Yes.
- Do you like history?
- Yes.
This book about Garibaldi,
have you read it?
No, not yet.
- Little by little.
- What's that?
Little by little.
- How come your mother isn't here?
- She left, she had to work today.
Thank you.
- Do you want to look around?
- Sure!
This way.
Did you see the lovely Christ?
- Who made it?
- They painted it by hand, as a gift.
- This is where you and your mom live?
- Yes.
It's good for two people.
Why's that? How many
people are there in your house?
- I have to run the numbers.
- What? How many?
About ten or more.
- You don't have electricity here.
- No, we don't.
- Why do you have a chandelier?
- For decoration.
It matches nicely
with the wallpaper.
- And how does the TV work?
- Batteries.
- Should we go upstairs?
- Sure.
Stop it!
What are you doing?!
Stop!
Stop it!
Stop!
Go sit down,
what is going on?!
Stop it, now!
Sergio is right!
Be quiet.
This is not possible, boys.
He took my pages!
I was going to draw something.
You fight until you get hurt,
with hate, how is that possible?
And you even
took advantage of my absence!
Be quiet!
You've even become disloyal.
He's annoying!
- And that's enough to begin a fight?
- No!
- Yes!
- Leave my cousin alone.
Why do you keep
pushing around then?
- It's Tiburtina! You'll understand...
- Yes, in Tiburtina this is how it is.
Shut up, you brat!
You're starting to fight
with hate now? Eh, Giancarlo?
- How can this be?
- Sergio, not Giancarlo!
Sergio, forgive me.
I should've punished the guilty.
They knew they had it coming.
Sergio told me: "If you suspend
me, you would do me a favor."
And he was right,
from his point of view.
Of course, it would've been better
to discuss it right away, together.
But we don't know each other
that well yet, they wouldn't understand.
So I chose to ignore it.
I took a quick glance
inside their books.
In the hopes of finding something
decent, something useful for the class.
But without success.
After getting to know them a bit,
after seeing how they live...
The idea of teaching them these things
seems more and more absurd.
While waiting for those missing,
I prepared the French Revolution.
A subject I thought they
would be excited about.
Oh, this again?
So, what happened? Now that the
citizens are protesting,
The bourgeoisie protested,
to have freedom of action,
The king was aware
of this situation,
And there were a number of
ministers that proposed...
- We have to study the ministers too?
- Shut up!
I need you to understand
the reason, the cause,
That brought the Revolution forward.
And there were a few minsters that
proposed these kind of reforms,
Like Scafati was saying.
I think he was named Calonne.
We can verify it in the book.
And he proposed a tax...
A universal land value tax.
But since the nobility, which had
a tremendous power in the courthouse--
The lesson was a failure.
They didn't care, and
they couldn't pay attention.
And why would they be interested in
these distant events?
It becomes incomprehensible to them.
It was my own naivety.
And the monarchy wouldn't have fell.
Curly!
Hey, handsome!
- Curly!
- Is that a ghost I see?
- Come in.
- No, I think he really is alive!
- Look at this guy!
- Go over there, Piazza.
- How come you came back?
- I like it here.
So... The citizens found themselves
in a very precarious situation.
The arrival of Sergio Piazza
had encouraged me.
His brother, Franco, also
came in yesterday.
Slowly, the classroom
is being repopulated.
But it's the teaching
that I'm worried about.
I have to find a new, different
way to teach in this school.
- 2,20.
- And that makes 14.
2,20 + 2,20.
Alright, 14...
- Then, what's next?
- 14 + 4,40...!
I made a mistake while counting...
- You failed!
- It's just one number.
Four... What did you write--
I tried with arithmetic, a small
problem based on a soccer game.
It worked, but it turned
into a competition.
And there were many that
couldn't keep up.
- I got 25.
- We have to complete the operation.
Come here.
First of all, let's say this...
- This post here, does it count?
- No!
Very good, now, we have to consider
that this is not part of the wood frame.
That means we have to
subtract it, right?
So, first of all,
we have to do this:
18,40...
Minus! This length right here,
because it's not a post.
We don't need the wooden frame
to make this one.
18,40...
I can't put them in competition,
arguing against each other.
They need to learn how to work together,
to help each other.
This one is real easy!
I've finally been able
to trace back Giancarlo.
He has a strong, determined attitude.
It's going to be a problem
bringing him back into class.
But I have to pull it off.
Give me your hand, Giancarlo.
You got it?
Give me your leg then.
Hold on, I'll help you.
Professor, could you help Ranucci?
Check it out.
- I took off my shoes.
- I did too!
Get down.
- We shall kill it!
- No!
- Yes! Throw it to the ground!
- It's from the lizard family, right?
Yes, the "rascal" family.
This is their offspring.
Let's kill it.
- Why do you want to kill it?
- Yeah, let's kill it!
- Why do you want to kill it?
- There, look! Squash it here.
- Why do you guys want to kill it?
- I don't know.
We go around hunting lizards.
Should we set it free?
Raise your hand if you want to free it.
I don't.
Well, then...
Leave it!
You're a jackass!
What if they killed you instead?
- I vote yes.
- But the others already voted against.
I hope you get the same fate!
- Mennuni, they decided against it.
- I'll grab it back.
Leave it alone.
Hoping it was you getting the funeral!
They come out of the tree line,
those trees over there.
- I'll come with you.
- No, no, don't.
Come on, professor.
Come on up, Giancarlo.
Check if the water is clean.
It's pristine.
In some of the puddles we found fish.
Only God knows how they survived.
- Come on!
- You're killing them!
There is something serious about their
relation with the animals and nature.
Those found in the wild, particularly.
Lizards, fish,
frogs, birds.
They chase, capture
and study them.
In their own way, of course.
Sometimes tortured and killed.
But they apply certain rules,
for example:
You never kill
the female if it's pregnant.
Let's see who smashes the
black brandy bottle first.
When we returned home, we were tired.
By staying with them,
in their environment,
I learned more in one day than I would
have in two years in the classroom.
You recognize it by
these markings here, you see?
- Let me see.
- These little markings.
- You see that?
- This female is about to lay an egg.
The female one doesn't have markings.
Today was an important day.
I've never seen them
so focused and interested.
The study of the lizards
just came by, spontaneously.
- No, they stay together.
- They bite!
Be careful, you could hurt yourself.
Boys, let's settle down now.
Let's try to talk about this.
Let's put this over here.
Yesterday at noon, some of you
joined me in an expedition.
Giancarlo, why don't you come here
and explain what we did yesterday?
What we did yesterday... Right?
When we got together.
As soon as Giancarlo finishes writing...
We can start to talk about our tour,
the first thing we saw were nests.
He trapped a little "rascal".
- What's that? What's a little "rascal"?
- The son of the rascal.
Rascal. What is that term?
Do you think it's a correct term?
Sure it is.
No, because these are amphibians.
Like a frog.
I tried to make a first qualification.
Giancarlo, what do
you mean by "rascal"?
- I mean, these, what do you call them?
- Lizards.
- Very good.
- Lizard.
But the process turned out abstract.
And they barely followed my lead.
The discussion turned back around
into their own direct experience.
Cruel, most of the time.
One time I had a lizard, and out
of rage I had it tortured.
I tied it up and left it in a vase in
the sun, after a while it was red.
I took one and tied its legs,
then I put a lens to it and...
I burned the whole thing.
Who else has killed and
massacred a lizard?
- Me!
- I have!
I did, I had a lizard...
And I took a piece of wood.
I nailed its limbs, and
I electrocuted it.
Did you have to use
some pliers for the current?
- Yes, it moved like this.
- He liked lizards at first.
We adopted one and left
it on a tree branch.
In the morning we called: "Greeno!"
And it came running down to us.
- And the other ones...?
- That's not true.
- You say your brother is lying?
- No, it's true that we had a lizard.
But he didn't say "Hey, Greeno!"
to make it come back down!
I let them talk.
Of course, it was a messy confusion.
But they talked.
About the things they knew.
They felt safe. And I wasn't
considered a stranger anymore.
- You killed them?
- No! I'm no maniac!
- You've never killed one?
- No, maybe a passing one, but no.
But not like he does,
when he grabs them and--
The things you've told me about the
lizards, have done it to other animals?
Yes!
- About 500!
- A entire flock of pigeons, like this.
In three days,
I killed 500 pigeons.
We saw one fall dead
into someone's grave.
Maybe even more than that!
And now, I'd like to invite you...
I'd like to propose something to you.
Listen up, Del Croce.
- Why don't we kill these two?
- No!
We could start a
small zoo garden.
- We like them!
- Hey, don't worry.
I won't killed them,
I just wanted to see the reaction.
Silence, boys!
Silence, let's settle down.
Wait!
Try to explain to me
why you won't kill these ones.
They could be the
classroom pets!
- What's going on here?
- He wants to kill them with a needle.
No, Giancarlo.
You won't do anything, understood?
- No, I didn't--
- Let's see now.
Who is against killing these lizards?
- These ones?
- These ones.
Let's start here.
Look around, Giancarlo.
- Only me and Veneto remain.
- Exactly.
Just the two of you,
three if you count Piazza.
- "Piazza, the cannibal!"
- You see now?
And now, we must respect
what the majority voted for.
Sergio, at first you said
you tortured the lizards, is that right?
Now, you have to explain to me
why you're against killing these ones.
- Because... They're a couple!
- It's a boy and a girl?
- Yes! Husband and wife!
- And one of them is about to lay eggs!
Boys, please try to think now!
These ones are no different
than the ones outside!
No! But...
I don't know.
But we must know!
Let's try to be reasonable now.
Why do you kill those
in the fields and not these ones?
Because in the field they're free,
they're everywhere!
Because the other ones run as soon
as they see you!
These ones, instead, can't escape,
they're trapped in a jar.
Good. Now, I must know who will
kill the female even if it's pregnant?
- I don't!
- I let it lay it's eggs first!
Very good, now, let's erase the list
from the whiteboard.
Let's write:
"We torture the animals."
After that, we write:
"We don't torture these lizards."
Alright?
Let's number it.
One, and two.
- Are these two different things?
- Yes!
We can also add:
"We don't torture..."
"Those that are pregnant."
Alright?
You said both things.
Is it possible that
people can contradict themselves?
No!
I saw that the situation
became tense, briefly.
The situation almost
slipped by my hands.
But in the end, their interest
about the subject was even stronger.
They have been writing and
drawing for half an hour. Everyone.
Now, the problem is:
"How do we move forward?"
How do I make them
focus from their direct experience
Into a proper way
of studying?
Like that?
- Four, five... Make it six.
- Thank you.
- What else did you ask for?
- Notebooks. - Oh, of course.
Notebooks... No, I don't have any left.
But I could give you...
- Loose papers.
- Yes, that works just as well.
Do these boys leave
everything at home?
Whatever they bring,
is never enough.
They've told me you have
achieved quite a few goals.
I try my best.
Here, some pens.
I think that's everything.
- I wanted some erasers, too.
- Oh yes, I forgot.
- And some glue, if you have it.
- Glue?
No, I think we're all out.
That's OK.
I'm sorry for the other day, I...
I was so nervous that...
I hope I wasn't too impolite.
No, it was also my fault.
I arrived at the worst moment.
In what I told there was,
however, some truth behind.
You still have a manageable class,
not very crowded.
And now you have to deal with
these refractory and difficult elements,
You're risking to spoil everything,
even the good ones.
It's an inevitable risk, miss.
There's some glue here,
can I take it?
I'm so stupid, I didn't see it.
Please, take it.
Did you tell the director
that I wanted to see him?
Of course. But last week,
he only stopped by for a few moments.
Just to sign a few documents,
you know how busy he is.
Could you please remind him again?
I understand, if it's something
urgent you could always tell me.
Thank you, but I would love
to speak personally to him,
And I haven't even been able
to greet him properly--
As you wish.
I'll leave a message on his desk.
- That way it's set.
- Alright.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome. Oh--
Can I make you a
personal question?
Of course.
Well...
For these boys...
Why are you so attached?
I don't think I'm going
beyond my duty.
Yes. Yes, of course, but...
I just can't understand your tenacity,
your... Stubbornness.
I roamed the streets as well,
as a youth.
I know what it means.
Is this what you wanted to know?
- Excuse me, I left the class and--
- No, you should rather excuse me.
- Excuse me for asking.
- Good day.
Good day...
Now in the winter, while hibernating...
- How long is that?
- Between March and September.
Oh, hibernation!
- Between October...
- And March.
Between October and February.
- Work, it's only you three.
- No...
Come, Amedeo.
We formed three groups, and we joined
the desks for their collaboration.
But I'm worried about Giancarlo.
He can't seem to work with the others.
You were drawing the other day,
you drew a lizard on a blank page...
Why don't you make another one?
- It's white.
- I need that!
It was bigger than that!
The one Roberto caught
was a greyish brown.
- That was his.
- That was my lizard.
Good. But since it's in the class,
it belongs to everyone.
Everyone.
Boys, a moment, please.
We said that these lizards
would have not been touched.
- Was it killed?
- No, it wasn't killed.
Did we decide that these
lizards would not be touched?
Yes!
Well, Giancarlo?
No, that one is mine.
- These don't belong to anyone.
- I grabbed it myself yesterday!
It is a delicate moment
for auto-discipline in the classroom.
In any moment, the situation
could devolve into complete anarchy.
I have thoroughly decided
not to use authority.
They have to get there themselves.
It's in the Nazionale di Roma street,
not the fair. In the 25th.
- Look for the dates.
- Is this OK?
This one here, paint it black.
- What's wrong?
- Leave it!
Look, professor.
No, don't underline that!
You're stupid.
- You're stupid, put it back.
- It was Piazza!
I was exasperated from the continuous
manifestations of cruelty.
And I had thought that, once again,
the guilt was on Giancarlo.
Do you want to go outside?
It's not a good day, Giancarlo.
"A very shay animal"
Shy, not "shay".
I would also add a period.
So you'd need an upper case.
"Lives far from..."
Look here, is it correct?
"from mankin."
You're missing the last letter.
"And it lives by the walls."
"She..." You need a period there.
- "And he..." What is "he"?
- That thing...
The lizard, right?
I kept thinking
about Giancarlo.
Because I realized in the meantime
that I had unjustly punished him.
The lizard. Not "he".
- Who was it? You or Giancarlo?
- He went first, I was second.
- When I kicked him out...
- Yes...
Who was it that
grabbed the lizard?
When you sent Giancarlo
from there to there?
No, when I sent him outside.
- You didn't send him outside.
- I did, when I slapped his hand.
- Was it you?
- Yes.
- Why didn't you say it?
- Giancarlo did.
I wanted to hear it from you.
Why didn't you tell me?
That I was wrong?
Because he told you.
- I was about to...
- Now we have to apologize to him.
Alright?
As a protest, he climbed
to the top of a tree.
It took a while to
get him to come down.
I tried to explain the mistake,
I tried to apologize.
But he didn't want to know.
He left.
With the material ready,
writings and drawings,
We composed three big displays,
one for each group.
And we decided to
raise them from the walls.
The boys are proud
from the work they've done.
First, they described the lizards
they already knew.
Their habits and characteristics.
Then, helped by the books,
they expanded onto reptiles in general.
In the end, they wrote
thoughts and considerations.
"The lizard lives in the fields..."
"To have peace and freedom..."
"Far away from civilization
and from disorder."
It's important for a youngling to
start off from it's direct experience.
That way, studying becomes research,
a personal conquest.
The boy becomes an active subject,
and not a passive one.
Nothing is imposed onto them.
From above...
END OF FIRST ACT
Loosely adapted from the novel
"A year in Pietralata."
Excuse me, could you point
me towards Tiburtino?
Keep going straight, turn at Via Anagnina
you'll be at Tiburtino then.
Thank you.
Interpreted by children and inhabitants
of the Roman villages
of Tiburtino Terzo, Pietralata
and La Torraccia.
Good morning.
I'm professor D'Angelo, is there
someone in the front office?
- Yes, I will let them know you're here.
- Thank you.
Come in.
- Miss, professor D'Angelo is here.
- I'll be right with you.
- Good morning, I'm professor D'Angelo.
- I'm glad, it's a pleasure to meet you.
I apologize for the delay, I came
as soon as I got the nomination.
Once I arrived to Rome,
I couldn't find the address.
- Are you arriving from far away?
- Yes, I was in Naples with my parents.
Could you please go to the front
office and grab the yellow logbook?
You'll find it
on the desk, alright?
Is the principal available?
No, he's rarely around these parts,
the main office is located at Pantano.
Further up from Tiburtino.
That's too bad, I wanted
to introduce myself.
Don't worry about that, you
will find the chance later on.
This is the student list
for the professor.
Gather them from the other
classes and bring them here.
Inside the empty classroom,
the furthest one.
- Alright?
- Alright.
- This is your logbook.
- Yes.
You can organize it
however you want to.
Make sure to log attendance daily,
the director is looking forward to it.
Your class is not--
Well, it's a peculiar class.
We have new students but we also have
students repeating the school year.
Let's just say it's
a complicated environment.
It's a shame we're already into the
second quarter of the year.
I will try to make up for it.
You do whatever you can.
Just keep them on a short leash.
- I hope I can handle it.
- Don't underestimate them.
This environment, well...
It is what it is.
- What do you mean?
- Well, it's just that--
Don't worry about it.
I'm sorry but the
class is waiting for me.
But if you need anything, you can always
find me here, or in the front office.
- Alright? Good luck.
- Thank you.
This is the first time I have
an entire classroom for myself.
The "5-C" class of the Francesco
Ruffini school, at Tiburtino Terzo.
One of the many boroughs in
the outskirts of Rome.
I've waited years for this very moment.
Yes, thank you.
Take it easy, boys.
Let's be quiet for a moment.
- This classroom smells old.
- It's so dusty!
Look, it's torn apart!
Just moment of silence, alright?
Hey, that's enough.
Calm down.
- Good morning.
- Good morning.
Who is that?
- I am your new teacher.
- Nice to meet you.
Thank goodness, it was about time!
My name is Bruno D'Angelo.
- Bruno...?
- D'Angelo.
Where do you come from?
I come from a town close to Naples.
- Oh, Neapolitan?
- Yes.
- Shall we start the roll call?
- Sure.
There are more students missing
than in attendance today.
Let's see who we have today.
- Betti, Sandro.
- He's not here, he's working.
- What kind of work?
- At the fruit stand, on the hill.
- Which hill?
- The tall one. The hill of Tiburtino.
- Del Croce, Luciano.
- Here.
- How old are you?
- Eleven.
- Where do you live?
- On the Pecoraro hill.
(Pecoraro = goat keeper)
Pecoraro hill?
Why is it called Pecoraro?
Because it belonged to a goat keeper,
and then--
No! Because there
used to be goats!
Fine, goats, but then the people started
to come in and they built houses--
- The goats!
- They sold the land!
You can still find goats there.
- Munzi, Franco.
- Here.
- How old are you?
- Eleven.
- Are you well behaved?
- Yes...
Don't listen to him.
He's kind of stupid.
- Shut up, you just got out of juvie.
- Veneto, Marco.
- I'm twelve.
- You're Veneto? You're twelve?
Did you have to repeat a year?
- Which one?
- Two.
- Two years? And which ones?
- First and third year.
Because he was mean.
Sacco, Renzo.
- How old are you?
- I'm eleven.
- So you're in good standing?
- Yes.
- Where do you live?
- At Tiburtino, here.
- Why did sit on your own?
- Because I don't want to be with them.
- And why is that?
- I don't want to.
- Ranuzzi, Fabrizio.
- Here.
Sit down.
- How old are you?
- I'm eleven.
Boys, let's try to finish
this roll call, come on.
Have you seen these drawings?
- Tamasco, Remo?
- He's not here!
- He's your friend?
- Yes.
- Where does he live?
- He lives next to me, at La Torraccia.
Tomasso.
How--
- It's his brother!
- No, there's Tamasco, and Tomasso.
How do you spell it? It's barely
written here, Tomasso or Tamasso?
- Tomasso!
- They are brothers.
- No, the other one is Tamas--
- Shut up! You don't even know!
- Where does he live?
- At La Torraccia, after--
- Along the road.
- Next to the saplings.
- Is it far away?
- Pretty much.
They're slums.
- Can you inform them?
- Yes.
Who else knows the
other absentees?
Who are they?
- Betti, Piazza...
- I know Betti and Borresignani.
I also know... Piazza!
- I know him too!
- He knows him.
I am Valenti's brother!
- How come your brother is not present?
- He's hunting for squid!
He's out hunting because he never comes.
Can you all inform the absentees?
Can you talk to your brother?
- I'll tell Borresignani.
- He was scared of the new teacher.
Now, let's hear what
you studied last time.
- The French Revolution.
- Shall we listen to someone present?
You want to stand up?
Come here.
- What's your name?
- Mennuni, Giorgio.
- What do you know?
- A poetry.
Can you repeat it?
"The Bricklayer"
"The bricklayer, on top of the roof--"
- Speak louder, we can't hear anything!
- Settle down.
A little bit louder and slower.
"The bricklayer laid paths on the roofs
to walk between nests, barefoot..."
"And he sets the steps to
look up into the sky..."
"And vertigo abandons
those that roam..."
"With art and joy,
he builds the house, clear and grand..."
"With small tiles, he jolts off the
limestone from his uniform and sings..."
- Can you explain the poem to me?
- It talks about a bricklayer.
And how he builds houses,
on top of tall scaffolding.
He sees the heads of the--
Of the people down below.
You said "jolts",
do you know what that means?
That he shook
the limestone off the uniform.
Alright, you can go.
- Here.
- The French Revolution.
- Yes.
- Let's hear it.
- On the eight--
- Let's be quiet, boys.
On the eight--
On the eighteenth century...
In... The European society was
suffering from an important crisis.
The scientific progress--
Let me just take a look, excuse me.
Listen, I think you learned this
by memorizing it, right?
Tell me, with your own words, what
you know about the French Revolution.
- With my own words?
- Yes, what you understood about it.
The French Revolution was...
The French people
rebelled because...
The most powerful rights to power were
exclusive for clerics and nobility.
The citizens were only allowed to
work and pay heavy taxes.
Meanwhile, the clerics and the nobility
lived with enormous luxuries.
- Do you know who the clerics are?
- Yes, they are the priests.
That at the time ruled and--
Yes, they ruled.
Even the kings were afraid because
the priests could organize a revolution,
And so, since the citizens
were tired of--
Keep quiet!
Since they got tired of
paying these heavy taxes...
They--
On July 14th, 1789,
they attacked the Bastille.
Armed with cannons
and guns.
It was the only fortress in France...
That no other people
were able to destroy.
What was the Bastille?
What was inside it at the time?
It had weaponry.
All the weaponry that France owned,
and also the politicians.
- Inside the Bastille?
- Yes, they were locked inside.
To prevent the revolution
from moving forward.
Before the revolution, there were
several men that organized the attacks.
- And so, they were ready.
- I understand, I understand.
That's alright.
It's good enough, now--
What's my score, professor?
The score? We'll see later today.
The class favorite!
- What a liar!
- There's no rush.
- He says he memorized it!
- Then he will be able to do it.
Come on! Are you shy?
- But don't interrupt him.
"I was taken by a guard
in the cemetery,"
"Just as I stole a flower
from the top of a man's grave."
"And I was taken away teary eyed,
completely frightened,"
"To be interrogated in the
police headquarters."
"- How old are you?
- I just turned thirteen."
"Oh, you started your
criminal career early!"
"What will your
mother say later?"
"A son that doesn't
know about humanity."
"The orphan gets on his knees
and begs:"
"Forgive me,
even beautiful mother has left me."
"And while passing in front of
those red, red flowers like a flame,
"I stole a flower, yes, but only
to bring it to my mother."
- Very good.
- Louder!
- Oh, knock it off!
- Silence, boys.
Long bones, short bones
and flat bones.
A fully grown adult
has 203 bones in his body--
You mean two hundred!
- And three!
- Two hundred!
- The book says two hundred...
- And mine says two hundred and three.
The rib cage contains
the lungs, the heart--
(mocking)
The liver, the trachea...
The first impression certainly
wasn't encouraging.
They repeat facts without
understanding what they're saying.
Names of kings, queens,
rivers, mountains...
And the dates: War, peace,
births and deaths.
They don't think understanding is
important, they only memorize facts.
To achieve a high score, just to pass
the exam. It's a disaster.
It means that... That the nobility
and the clergy, well, they...
They have a full set of rights,
while the Third State--
The bourgeoisie did not have the
same rights as the other two did.
- Well, now I'll keep explaining, OK?
- Sure.
There was a profound crisis.
And science had to make
new steps toward that...
Louis XVI wanted-- He had intentions
to develop a reform...
But the book doesn't explain
what is happening in France.
- What?
- It doesn't explain what happens there.
They don't explain what happens?
What is the title of the book?
"The French Revolution", but they
don't explain Louis XVI's role.
Boys, stop it now!
- What's your name?
- Di Mascio, Romano.
And what do you know?
Enough already!
Let's pay attention to Di Mascio.
Louder!
He will speak louder...
But the rest have to pay attention!
Let's hear it, speak a bit louder.
Isabelle of Castille married--
Ferdinand...
Ferdinand II of Aragon.
And they formed Spain.
Isabelle of Castille had a new...
- What was that?
- The palace of...
Stop it!
- Who is singing?
- Buffalo Bill!
Stop that!--
I'm sorry, you can sit down.
Can you calm down?
You want to come here?
Come forth then.
We are tired!
We want to go home.
Home! Home!
Enough!
Boys, that is enough!
Stop it!
That's--
ENOUGH!
I have told you before, when one person
speaks, everyone else must keep quiet.
Let's find an agreement.
We will be together for the entire year.
And we can't move on like this.
You are exaggerating.
- If you even reach the end of the year.
- Shut up.
If one of your classmates is presenting,
you must keep quiet!
That is respect.
Towards your classmates, towards
yourselves and towards myself.
This is a disaster.
I'm renting a furnished room,
not far from Via Tiburtina.
Not far from the school
There is a terrace.
The city stops here, at least you
can see some green.
The rent costs 35000 lire a month.
That's too much for me.
With my salary, I can only go
to the restaurant once a day.
At night, I'll have to
figure it out myself.
- Why isn't he attending class?
- He said he doesn't want to.
He stays at home, he plays soccer.
- Doesn't he work?
- No. Yes, only when he feels like it.
- What about Borresignani?
- He works.
He works for someone
that sells things.
- And Piazza?
- I know where he lives.
At via Diego Angelis,
block A, apartment 2.
- Do you know why he's not here?
- Maybe he had to work.
He has to work because...
The information given by his classmates
is confusing, contradictory even.
They seem to be defensive,
as if they did not trust me.
Tamasso, Remo and Tomasso,
have you seen them?
- They have to sell garlic.
- They sell garlic?
They start selling at 6 or 7 A.M,
and return around 3 or 4 P.M.
- Where do they sell it?
- Piazza Bologna, at Trionfale.
- Every day?
- Of course.
Did you tell him
there's a new professor?
Yes.
And they don't have any intention of
coming? Neither of them?
Alright.
Listen, boys.
- What should we do now?
- Nothing.
What a bore! You decide.
- Let's choose together something to do.
- Nothing.
Let's-- Hold on!
Let's write our thoughts.
- OK!
- Just a couple of phrases will do.
Alright? Let's try at least.
- What are we doing?
- Gives us some paper!
Does it work? OK, write.
Let's change the paper.
Is this an essay?
- Do you have a pen?
- Is this an essay?
- Who can give me a pen, please?
- I do! I do!
- Can I borrow it?
- Sure.
- Do we have to write our name?
- Yes, write your name.
Write your thoughts, yes?
Let's say, for example, that you
write about your family--
- No!
- Why not?
- We already talked about it.
- Come on.
I'm almost done.
- What did you write here?
- "We are".
- With a C.
- Put an accent on the E.
Professor!
Try to write
at least one thought.
- About what?
- Anything you want.
It doesn't have to be about family.
Did you finish? Let's see.
- "Composed of"...?
- "Seven".
I would write this with an accent.
You could write a period right there.
What are your--
"The members of my family are..."
Yes, there you go.
- I finished it.
- You finished? Keep it for now.
Let's hear what Romano has written.
"My family is comprised of seven people
including my mother and father."
What an essay!
It's the end of the world!
But this thought still counts,
he gave information about his family.
- Mennuni?
- That's me!
"My family."
"My family is comprised of five members"
"Father, mother and three children."
They mingled four times!
- Who else wants to read?
- "My family is comprised of five..."
"My mother is kind, but what
angers me the most is my father."
"Because on Sunday,
he is always bitter."
"When his soccer team loses."
It looks like some of you have added
additional thoughts into the essay.
More than just the
number of people.
Romano and Mennuni
only gave the numbers.
"How many family members
are there in your household?"
Sacco gave something more
as well, isn't that right?
Sacco, do you want to read the
last paragraphs of your essay?
"Every Sunday we leave the house,
we either visit my aunt or grandmother."
You see? He gave us an extra bit
of information apart from the usual.
- Can I go now?
- Let's hear Bonini.
"My family is comprised
of seven members."
"My father has a hydraulics shop
near the Via Flamigna."
"He is 39 years old."
"My mother is 35,
and she is a housewife."
"Then my grandmother, 70, my brother, 11
and my sister is 7 years old."
"This is my family."
Dry thoughts.
With bad grammar.
Thrown in a hurry, just
to make me happy.
But I am sure that they could
do better, if they wanted to.
If only they'd understand that, they are
not working for me, but for themselves.
- What's going on?
- I don't know, hey, you're the new guy!
Pleasure to meet you.
A group of mothers came to protest
because of the nursery.
It was promised a long time ago.
They wanted to talk to the principal,
but he was not here.
Stop it! Stop it!
I can't handle it anymore!
Calm down, lady, calm down!
They were aggravated,
and resentful.
For them, the daycare
is important.
Otherwise, where would their
children stay when they have to work?
This is a nightmare!
It's an obsession!
We've done this
so many times over!
- Let's go get a cognac.
- No, what?
There you are Maria, thank you,
take the water for the pills.
Did you see the scene they made?
This is happening everyday here.
Are you really going
to call the police?
It was a bluff, I was
hoping they would get scared.
Don't expect those people
to get scared by the police.
We have to file a report,
they are trespassing!
- But they didn't just break in.
- What?
This isn't our house,
this is a public building!
- They put their hands on me!
- They were beating her.
- Which one was it--
- They lost control.
We notify the principal and he will
deal with it using his position.
- That would be the best.
- Please, excuse me.
I haven't introduced the
new professor, D'Angelo.
- You are from Naples.
- Yes, from a town close by.
- Nice to meet you.
- Good morning, nice to meet you!
What did I say to you yesterday?
That the environment is what it is?
You saw it just now. You have
seen it firsthand.
What are your thoughts about it?
I just got here.
I don't feel like judging.
Yes, but you were present.
You saw it, you heard it.
Talk, we are among peers.
Yes...
What happened was very shameful.
It was indeed.
But, I wouldn't know,
I don't understand, maybe--
With patience and persuasion we could've
gotten a better result, I think.
Right, with patience and persuasion...
Easier said than done!
Alright, did you need
assistance with anything?
Yes, I am missing
half of the class.
Here's the list.
And I wanted to know,
for these boys, if we could--
Oh, yes. Yes.
These ones never show up.
- Don't worry about it.
- Exactly!
I wanted to know
if the families have been notified.
But of course we have warned them.
We wrote to them,
and more than once.
"Betti, Sandro."
"Borresignani, Mauro."
- "Piazza, Sergio."
- That one's a good boy.
- He was your student.
- Good luck with that one!
- "Tamasco, Remo."
- Mine! Fortunately, I got rid of him.
"Tomasso, Franco."
From the slums.
He is the one that
everyone feels pity for.
- I heard that some of them are working.
- Call it work...
- And so?
- They are younger than 14 years old.
We did our job.
What were we supposed to do?
Bring them in by forcing them?
It's out of our hands.
Maybe if the intervention
was held on time.
Is there a guidance, a counselor?
A social worker--
A what?!
Listen, it seems to me that I explained
this very clearly yesterday.
You have an expendable class.
They are leftovers, are we clear?
We had to reduce the other classrooms,
you ended up with the worst elements.
I think you should do
whatever you can.
Those that show up
are already difficult.
What do you want? To search
those that are already impossibilities?
In essence, you are
inviting me to let them go.
No, just a moment. I am not
inviting you, be very clear.
I am only giving you an advice,
a personal advice.
Leaving them in the streets?
We are teachers,
we are not dogcatchers.
If you care that much,
why don't you get them yourself?
- Fine.
- But don't come crying to me after!
Don't worry miss, I am
not used to crying.
- Have a good day.
- God bless you.
He just arrived and is already
giving everyone a lesson!
- So arrogant.
- I would say he's pretty naive.
- Where is he from?
- From the South...
We'll see what he says
in a couple of years.
When he reaches ten years
of service, like us!
- Are you lost around these parts?
- Somewhat, I got here yesterday.
- First time in Rome?
- No, I've been here a couple of years.
But I lived near the university.
University? Did you graduate?
I'm missing a few exams,
and the thesis.
Lucky guy.
If I could've done that,
I wouldn't be here.
- Where do you live now?
- There, at the Tiburtino hills.
You can drop me here then,
I can walk, it's not far.
- Don't worry, I'll give you a ride.
- Thank you.
Take the next right.
You're like brand new, right?
First job?
No, I did some
public schooling.
And a few replacements.
At Valmontone, Palestrina, Tolfa...
Around Rome.
I understand, well, after you
graduate and become a professor,
That's an entirely different story.
My wife is probably home by now,
come in and have a drink.
- Thank you, but I'm leaving.
- No, come, don't
- It's late, maybe some other time.
- Alright, as you wish.
Listen, I wanted to say something...
I wouldn't advice you
to be so zealous.
- They talked good about you before.
- I know, but--
Right there, in front
of the colleagues.
"You have a deadbeat class,
do what you can."
What would I be?
The janitor that keeps them quiet?
Yes, I may be starting, but I also
know how to properly teach them!
But you don't know these boys!
Listen, last year, one of them broke
into a teacher's car and drove off.
Another teacher had a nervous breakdown,
she even had to go to the hospital.
They are delinquents, they bring knifes,
slingshots, they fight...
You should thank God
they are not showing up.
Now, you decided
to take things in your own hands.
You put everyone against you, and they
will write and complain about it.
You're new, it's not worth it.
- Well, goodbye, and thank you!
- Goodbye.
One of these nights, you should come
to dinner, I have the best sausages.
- Alright.
- Bye!
That night, I couldn't
stop thinking.
Even if they tried to put me in place,
to persuade me...
I feel like I have to search
the boys that didn't attend class.
I met with the parents
of Marco and Renzo.
They talked to me about the
origins of the district, it's history.
It's important that I
establish a relationship with them.
Soon, we will have to talk about
their children, and school.
They have to realize the problems with
school, otherwise, it's worthless.
We went over to Valente's house
in order to look for Giancarlo.
Giancarlo is not here.
She tells me he will soon
start to work along with a craftsman.
Seven, or eight thousand lire a month,
the family already gave him their word.
In some cases,
it's very delicate to insist.
I try to explain Giancarlo's mother that
he needs to pass at least the 5th year.
This sympathy towards
animals is peculiar.
Contrasting against their violence.
Sergio Piazza's family
lives in a brand new apartment.
They were assigned recently, after their
house was demolished at Tiburtino Terzo.
The rooms don't have furniture, and
the mattresses are laid on the floor.
Sergio is just 11 years old.
The situations here are
very similar to one another.
There's not enough money for the house,
and Sergio needs to start working.
Labor does not scare him, even
being so very young and frail.
He tells me about his experience last
year working with a plumber and butcher.
This time, he will be
an apprentice at a bakery.
At La Torraccia, I had a meeting
with Romano.
- Hello.
- Good morning.
Which way should I go? Here?
- La Torraccia starts here?
- Yes.
There are only shacks here, clumped
together, right under the highway.
Keep going?
There are people from Casino that
migrated from the war.
And groups of Neapolitans.
In the winter, the gypsies also arrive.
- Here?
- Yes.
- Where should we go first? Franco's?
- Yes.
- Does he live up here?
- Right there, the one with the fence.
Let's go.
Go check if Franco's mother is here.
Good morning.
Good morning, madam!
- Is Franco here?
- No, he hasn't returned.
- I'm the primary school teacher.
- Of course, nice to meet you.
I want to know some information about
Franco, why is he not attending class?
He just won't go to school,
he likes to play around...
And he fails every year.
He reaches mid-year and then
stops going to school.
But he has always been
a good student.
He always studied, just
not in school.
Franco's mother fears that I'm here
to blame her for her son.
And right away, she starts to
explain, to justify.
From her words,
her attitude...
I feel the same sense of embarrassment,
almost turning into mistrust.
Like I felt with the other families.
Should we go now? Yes?
If only I managed to explain to her
that school is not just a duty.
But rather something
important for their kids.
That would have been
a big step forward.
A first concrete collaboration.
Franco is 13, he has worked
ever since he turned 7.
He sells garlic around the markets,
like every other boy from Torraccia.
And they also collect scrap metal
to sell.
We met up with Remo by chance.
He is a smart kid, vibrant.
From Neapolitan roots.
They're going back home.
- Are they your brothers?
- No, just friends that finished work.
They live far away,
so they have to catch a ride.
- Where were they going?
- Back home.
Come here, professor!
There's a white Giulia over here!
It's right here!
Look how washed up it is.
- What car is it?
- It's an Alfa Romeo Giulia.
- First generation.
- I can't even recognize it.
There's nothing left.
- What's that? The steering wheel box?
- The box, yes.
- And this?
- The suspension.
- How long has it been here?
- It's always been.
- What are you doing?
- I'm taking the aluminum lever.
Watch out, you could cut yourself.
They know how to recognize an accessory,
any car part, at first glance.
They dismantle it
with rudimentary tools.
They know the prices
from the second hand market.
They keep the count in their heads,
and they never fail once.
You take this part, and put it inside...
Then you take that, and unscrew it.
These ones, instead,
have the lever below.
Wasn't it here?
Yes, that's it.
- They get unscrewed?
- Yes
- Where do you take all of this stuff?
- To the junkyard, down there.
- Where is it?
- Near the tracks.
Oh yeah, there...
The junkyard was dismantled.
Where do they keep the cars?
Down there, but the
cars stopped coming in.
- There's nothing left?
- No.
"Underpants..."
That one is written properly.
"That you had teared..."
"They are..."
- Hold on.
- They are...?
- Adjusted.
- "... Adrejusted..."
And this should be together,
one word.
Why Jesus?
Because miracles are mentioned?
Look, what are you talking about?
"When you get up in the morning...?"
- Mom.
- It's about your mom.
It talks about your mother then.
- I told you.
- Now it makes sense.
- Is it true?
- Yes.
I took a look at the manuals and
notebooks from the other slum boys.
Little thoughts about animals,
seasons about family.
A fantasy world.
Unhealthy.
Completely detached from their own
interests, detached from their reality.
- How old are you?
- Me, thirteen.
- Did you repeat a school year?
- No, I started when I was already 8.
Why didn't you attend sooner?
Where you already working?
- This house, is it new?
- Yes, my brother built it.
- How old is he?
- He is 29.
- Already married, yes?
- Yes.
- Are these all your friends, Remo?
- Yes.
Boys, wait for me here, OK?
I'll be at Remo's for a bit,
but you wait here.
Come in, you can sit down.
- Thank you.
- Would you like a drink?
No, thank you,
just a glass of water.
Alright.
- Are these your books?
- Yes.
- Do you like history?
- Yes.
This book about Garibaldi,
have you read it?
No, not yet.
- Little by little.
- What's that?
Little by little.
- How come your mother isn't here?
- She left, she had to work today.
Thank you.
- Do you want to look around?
- Sure!
This way.
Did you see the lovely Christ?
- Who made it?
- They painted it by hand, as a gift.
- This is where you and your mom live?
- Yes.
It's good for two people.
Why's that? How many
people are there in your house?
- I have to run the numbers.
- What? How many?
About ten or more.
- You don't have electricity here.
- No, we don't.
- Why do you have a chandelier?
- For decoration.
It matches nicely
with the wallpaper.
- And how does the TV work?
- Batteries.
- Should we go upstairs?
- Sure.
Stop it!
What are you doing?!
Stop!
Stop it!
Stop!
Go sit down,
what is going on?!
Stop it, now!
Sergio is right!
Be quiet.
This is not possible, boys.
He took my pages!
I was going to draw something.
You fight until you get hurt,
with hate, how is that possible?
And you even
took advantage of my absence!
Be quiet!
You've even become disloyal.
He's annoying!
- And that's enough to begin a fight?
- No!
- Yes!
- Leave my cousin alone.
Why do you keep
pushing around then?
- It's Tiburtina! You'll understand...
- Yes, in Tiburtina this is how it is.
Shut up, you brat!
You're starting to fight
with hate now? Eh, Giancarlo?
- How can this be?
- Sergio, not Giancarlo!
Sergio, forgive me.
I should've punished the guilty.
They knew they had it coming.
Sergio told me: "If you suspend
me, you would do me a favor."
And he was right,
from his point of view.
Of course, it would've been better
to discuss it right away, together.
But we don't know each other
that well yet, they wouldn't understand.
So I chose to ignore it.
I took a quick glance
inside their books.
In the hopes of finding something
decent, something useful for the class.
But without success.
After getting to know them a bit,
after seeing how they live...
The idea of teaching them these things
seems more and more absurd.
While waiting for those missing,
I prepared the French Revolution.
A subject I thought they
would be excited about.
Oh, this again?
So, what happened? Now that the
citizens are protesting,
The bourgeoisie protested,
to have freedom of action,
The king was aware
of this situation,
And there were a number of
ministers that proposed...
- We have to study the ministers too?
- Shut up!
I need you to understand
the reason, the cause,
That brought the Revolution forward.
And there were a few minsters that
proposed these kind of reforms,
Like Scafati was saying.
I think he was named Calonne.
We can verify it in the book.
And he proposed a tax...
A universal land value tax.
But since the nobility, which had
a tremendous power in the courthouse--
The lesson was a failure.
They didn't care, and
they couldn't pay attention.
And why would they be interested in
these distant events?
It becomes incomprehensible to them.
It was my own naivety.
And the monarchy wouldn't have fell.
Curly!
Hey, handsome!
- Curly!
- Is that a ghost I see?
- Come in.
- No, I think he really is alive!
- Look at this guy!
- Go over there, Piazza.
- How come you came back?
- I like it here.
So... The citizens found themselves
in a very precarious situation.
The arrival of Sergio Piazza
had encouraged me.
His brother, Franco, also
came in yesterday.
Slowly, the classroom
is being repopulated.
But it's the teaching
that I'm worried about.
I have to find a new, different
way to teach in this school.
- 2,20.
- And that makes 14.
2,20 + 2,20.
Alright, 14...
- Then, what's next?
- 14 + 4,40...!
I made a mistake while counting...
- You failed!
- It's just one number.
Four... What did you write--
I tried with arithmetic, a small
problem based on a soccer game.
It worked, but it turned
into a competition.
And there were many that
couldn't keep up.
- I got 25.
- We have to complete the operation.
Come here.
First of all, let's say this...
- This post here, does it count?
- No!
Very good, now, we have to consider
that this is not part of the wood frame.
That means we have to
subtract it, right?
So, first of all,
we have to do this:
18,40...
Minus! This length right here,
because it's not a post.
We don't need the wooden frame
to make this one.
18,40...
I can't put them in competition,
arguing against each other.
They need to learn how to work together,
to help each other.
This one is real easy!
I've finally been able
to trace back Giancarlo.
He has a strong, determined attitude.
It's going to be a problem
bringing him back into class.
But I have to pull it off.
Give me your hand, Giancarlo.
You got it?
Give me your leg then.
Hold on, I'll help you.
Professor, could you help Ranucci?
Check it out.
- I took off my shoes.
- I did too!
Get down.
- We shall kill it!
- No!
- Yes! Throw it to the ground!
- It's from the lizard family, right?
Yes, the "rascal" family.
This is their offspring.
Let's kill it.
- Why do you want to kill it?
- Yeah, let's kill it!
- Why do you want to kill it?
- There, look! Squash it here.
- Why do you guys want to kill it?
- I don't know.
We go around hunting lizards.
Should we set it free?
Raise your hand if you want to free it.
I don't.
Well, then...
Leave it!
You're a jackass!
What if they killed you instead?
- I vote yes.
- But the others already voted against.
I hope you get the same fate!
- Mennuni, they decided against it.
- I'll grab it back.
Leave it alone.
Hoping it was you getting the funeral!
They come out of the tree line,
those trees over there.
- I'll come with you.
- No, no, don't.
Come on, professor.
Come on up, Giancarlo.
Check if the water is clean.
It's pristine.
In some of the puddles we found fish.
Only God knows how they survived.
- Come on!
- You're killing them!
There is something serious about their
relation with the animals and nature.
Those found in the wild, particularly.
Lizards, fish,
frogs, birds.
They chase, capture
and study them.
In their own way, of course.
Sometimes tortured and killed.
But they apply certain rules,
for example:
You never kill
the female if it's pregnant.
Let's see who smashes the
black brandy bottle first.
When we returned home, we were tired.
By staying with them,
in their environment,
I learned more in one day than I would
have in two years in the classroom.
You recognize it by
these markings here, you see?
- Let me see.
- These little markings.
- You see that?
- This female is about to lay an egg.
The female one doesn't have markings.
Today was an important day.
I've never seen them
so focused and interested.
The study of the lizards
just came by, spontaneously.
- No, they stay together.
- They bite!
Be careful, you could hurt yourself.
Boys, let's settle down now.
Let's try to talk about this.
Let's put this over here.
Yesterday at noon, some of you
joined me in an expedition.
Giancarlo, why don't you come here
and explain what we did yesterday?
What we did yesterday... Right?
When we got together.
As soon as Giancarlo finishes writing...
We can start to talk about our tour,
the first thing we saw were nests.
He trapped a little "rascal".
- What's that? What's a little "rascal"?
- The son of the rascal.
Rascal. What is that term?
Do you think it's a correct term?
Sure it is.
No, because these are amphibians.
Like a frog.
I tried to make a first qualification.
Giancarlo, what do
you mean by "rascal"?
- I mean, these, what do you call them?
- Lizards.
- Very good.
- Lizard.
But the process turned out abstract.
And they barely followed my lead.
The discussion turned back around
into their own direct experience.
Cruel, most of the time.
One time I had a lizard, and out
of rage I had it tortured.
I tied it up and left it in a vase in
the sun, after a while it was red.
I took one and tied its legs,
then I put a lens to it and...
I burned the whole thing.
Who else has killed and
massacred a lizard?
- Me!
- I have!
I did, I had a lizard...
And I took a piece of wood.
I nailed its limbs, and
I electrocuted it.
Did you have to use
some pliers for the current?
- Yes, it moved like this.
- He liked lizards at first.
We adopted one and left
it on a tree branch.
In the morning we called: "Greeno!"
And it came running down to us.
- And the other ones...?
- That's not true.
- You say your brother is lying?
- No, it's true that we had a lizard.
But he didn't say "Hey, Greeno!"
to make it come back down!
I let them talk.
Of course, it was a messy confusion.
But they talked.
About the things they knew.
They felt safe. And I wasn't
considered a stranger anymore.
- You killed them?
- No! I'm no maniac!
- You've never killed one?
- No, maybe a passing one, but no.
But not like he does,
when he grabs them and--
The things you've told me about the
lizards, have done it to other animals?
Yes!
- About 500!
- A entire flock of pigeons, like this.
In three days,
I killed 500 pigeons.
We saw one fall dead
into someone's grave.
Maybe even more than that!
And now, I'd like to invite you...
I'd like to propose something to you.
Listen up, Del Croce.
- Why don't we kill these two?
- No!
We could start a
small zoo garden.
- We like them!
- Hey, don't worry.
I won't killed them,
I just wanted to see the reaction.
Silence, boys!
Silence, let's settle down.
Wait!
Try to explain to me
why you won't kill these ones.
They could be the
classroom pets!
- What's going on here?
- He wants to kill them with a needle.
No, Giancarlo.
You won't do anything, understood?
- No, I didn't--
- Let's see now.
Who is against killing these lizards?
- These ones?
- These ones.
Let's start here.
Look around, Giancarlo.
- Only me and Veneto remain.
- Exactly.
Just the two of you,
three if you count Piazza.
- "Piazza, the cannibal!"
- You see now?
And now, we must respect
what the majority voted for.
Sergio, at first you said
you tortured the lizards, is that right?
Now, you have to explain to me
why you're against killing these ones.
- Because... They're a couple!
- It's a boy and a girl?
- Yes! Husband and wife!
- And one of them is about to lay eggs!
Boys, please try to think now!
These ones are no different
than the ones outside!
No! But...
I don't know.
But we must know!
Let's try to be reasonable now.
Why do you kill those
in the fields and not these ones?
Because in the field they're free,
they're everywhere!
Because the other ones run as soon
as they see you!
These ones, instead, can't escape,
they're trapped in a jar.
Good. Now, I must know who will
kill the female even if it's pregnant?
- I don't!
- I let it lay it's eggs first!
Very good, now, let's erase the list
from the whiteboard.
Let's write:
"We torture the animals."
After that, we write:
"We don't torture these lizards."
Alright?
Let's number it.
One, and two.
- Are these two different things?
- Yes!
We can also add:
"We don't torture..."
"Those that are pregnant."
Alright?
You said both things.
Is it possible that
people can contradict themselves?
No!
I saw that the situation
became tense, briefly.
The situation almost
slipped by my hands.
But in the end, their interest
about the subject was even stronger.
They have been writing and
drawing for half an hour. Everyone.
Now, the problem is:
"How do we move forward?"
How do I make them
focus from their direct experience
Into a proper way
of studying?
Like that?
- Four, five... Make it six.
- Thank you.
- What else did you ask for?
- Notebooks. - Oh, of course.
Notebooks... No, I don't have any left.
But I could give you...
- Loose papers.
- Yes, that works just as well.
Do these boys leave
everything at home?
Whatever they bring,
is never enough.
They've told me you have
achieved quite a few goals.
I try my best.
Here, some pens.
I think that's everything.
- I wanted some erasers, too.
- Oh yes, I forgot.
- And some glue, if you have it.
- Glue?
No, I think we're all out.
That's OK.
I'm sorry for the other day, I...
I was so nervous that...
I hope I wasn't too impolite.
No, it was also my fault.
I arrived at the worst moment.
In what I told there was,
however, some truth behind.
You still have a manageable class,
not very crowded.
And now you have to deal with
these refractory and difficult elements,
You're risking to spoil everything,
even the good ones.
It's an inevitable risk, miss.
There's some glue here,
can I take it?
I'm so stupid, I didn't see it.
Please, take it.
Did you tell the director
that I wanted to see him?
Of course. But last week,
he only stopped by for a few moments.
Just to sign a few documents,
you know how busy he is.
Could you please remind him again?
I understand, if it's something
urgent you could always tell me.
Thank you, but I would love
to speak personally to him,
And I haven't even been able
to greet him properly--
As you wish.
I'll leave a message on his desk.
- That way it's set.
- Alright.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome. Oh--
Can I make you a
personal question?
Of course.
Well...
For these boys...
Why are you so attached?
I don't think I'm going
beyond my duty.
Yes. Yes, of course, but...
I just can't understand your tenacity,
your... Stubbornness.
I roamed the streets as well,
as a youth.
I know what it means.
Is this what you wanted to know?
- Excuse me, I left the class and--
- No, you should rather excuse me.
- Excuse me for asking.
- Good day.
Good day...
Now in the winter, while hibernating...
- How long is that?
- Between March and September.
Oh, hibernation!
- Between October...
- And March.
Between October and February.
- Work, it's only you three.
- No...
Come, Amedeo.
We formed three groups, and we joined
the desks for their collaboration.
But I'm worried about Giancarlo.
He can't seem to work with the others.
You were drawing the other day,
you drew a lizard on a blank page...
Why don't you make another one?
- It's white.
- I need that!
It was bigger than that!
The one Roberto caught
was a greyish brown.
- That was his.
- That was my lizard.
Good. But since it's in the class,
it belongs to everyone.
Everyone.
Boys, a moment, please.
We said that these lizards
would have not been touched.
- Was it killed?
- No, it wasn't killed.
Did we decide that these
lizards would not be touched?
Yes!
Well, Giancarlo?
No, that one is mine.
- These don't belong to anyone.
- I grabbed it myself yesterday!
It is a delicate moment
for auto-discipline in the classroom.
In any moment, the situation
could devolve into complete anarchy.
I have thoroughly decided
not to use authority.
They have to get there themselves.
It's in the Nazionale di Roma street,
not the fair. In the 25th.
- Look for the dates.
- Is this OK?
This one here, paint it black.
- What's wrong?
- Leave it!
Look, professor.
No, don't underline that!
You're stupid.
- You're stupid, put it back.
- It was Piazza!
I was exasperated from the continuous
manifestations of cruelty.
And I had thought that, once again,
the guilt was on Giancarlo.
Do you want to go outside?
It's not a good day, Giancarlo.
"A very shay animal"
Shy, not "shay".
I would also add a period.
So you'd need an upper case.
"Lives far from..."
Look here, is it correct?
"from mankin."
You're missing the last letter.
"And it lives by the walls."
"She..." You need a period there.
- "And he..." What is "he"?
- That thing...
The lizard, right?
I kept thinking
about Giancarlo.
Because I realized in the meantime
that I had unjustly punished him.
The lizard. Not "he".
- Who was it? You or Giancarlo?
- He went first, I was second.
- When I kicked him out...
- Yes...
Who was it that
grabbed the lizard?
When you sent Giancarlo
from there to there?
No, when I sent him outside.
- You didn't send him outside.
- I did, when I slapped his hand.
- Was it you?
- Yes.
- Why didn't you say it?
- Giancarlo did.
I wanted to hear it from you.
Why didn't you tell me?
That I was wrong?
Because he told you.
- I was about to...
- Now we have to apologize to him.
Alright?
As a protest, he climbed
to the top of a tree.
It took a while to
get him to come down.
I tried to explain the mistake,
I tried to apologize.
But he didn't want to know.
He left.
With the material ready,
writings and drawings,
We composed three big displays,
one for each group.
And we decided to
raise them from the walls.
The boys are proud
from the work they've done.
First, they described the lizards
they already knew.
Their habits and characteristics.
Then, helped by the books,
they expanded onto reptiles in general.
In the end, they wrote
thoughts and considerations.
"The lizard lives in the fields..."
"To have peace and freedom..."
"Far away from civilization
and from disorder."
It's important for a youngling to
start off from it's direct experience.
That way, studying becomes research,
a personal conquest.
The boy becomes an active subject,
and not a passive one.
Nothing is imposed onto them.
From above...
END OF FIRST ACT