Father and Master (Padre Padrone) (Padre padrone)

MY FATHER MY MASTER

This is Gavino Ledda, age 35.

Up to 18, an illiterate shepherd.

Today, a linguist and author of a best seller...

which narrates his life...

and which inspired this film.

The story begins in a Sardinian village...

in the elementary school that Gavino attended.

That morning his father burst into the City Hall...

where a few offices were converted into schoolrooms.

He always carried this.

Oh yes, thanks.

Miss Schoolteacher. I've come to fetch him.

I need him to tend the sheep.

I've come to fetch him. I need him to tend the sheep.

He's mine.

I'm forced to leave the herd when delivering milk...

to cut wood or to harvest.

The money I earn barely pays for clothing...

and whatever else a shepherd cannot produce himself.

That's ONE...

and TWO!

To come here I left my sheep prey to foxes and bandits.

Gavino has to tend them.

Gavino against bandits? But he's still a fledgling.

What do you know about shepherding?

Shepherds can fly without wings.

He'll go to elementary school...

when he reaches 18. Like me.

What's the Government want from me?

That my children die of hunger?

I'm taking the boy 'cause I need him.

I'm at peace. But the law is not.

It wants compulsory schooling. Poverty is all that's compulsory

and THREE.

He can't go

Come...

You'll earn your money long before your friends.

You'll be a very good shepherd.

Nobody laugh at Galvino!

Hands on your desks!

On the desk!

Today it's Gavino's turn...

tomorrow it's yours.

That's not true. It won't happen to me.

Mama swore it wouldn't.

We're rich, we have two cows.

Oh God, please, make papa die...

and I'll be good forever.

Have the donkey kick him in the stomach.

No, in the head so he won't know what hit him.

It's my brother's turn first.

He's ten months older...

even if he is shorter than me.

It's his turn.

Soon as I get home, I'll put a stool near the window.

I'll climb on it and then leap out.

I'll jump when everyone's at the table...

so they can see me and mama can stop me...

when one's alone way up there...

without a soul around...

really alone alone...

- I know, they took me up once -

the stillness isn't still, believe me.

It's overpowering...

like the tolling of a death bell.

I scared you, huh?

I did it...

because I want you to come back as soon as you can.

Before I turn forty.

Poor little thing...

what'll you do up there all alone?

Quick! Your father's waiting.

I'll take you to where the wild apples grow.

I'll dig chestnuts for you with my bare hands.

If you're quick, I'll teach you how to trap a hare.

You like nuts? You'll pick bunches of them.

And we'll go by the rocks, to the young ravens.

Yesterday, behind the sheepcote...

I found a blackbird's nest with 4 eggs.

You have to concentrate: Your eyes by day...

ears by night. Learn to know the fields and the woods.

You'll be alone a lot. You must learn to find your bearings...

in any given moment for yourself and the flock.

You hear the rustling?

Learn to recognize it.

Close your eyes.

I don't hear anything.

Listen more carefully.

It's from the oak that borders the area.

Turn your head.

That is the stream behind the woods.

We passed by it.

And this...

is Sebastiano who's returning from the village on his horse.

He smokes with the ash in his mouth...

so he'll not be a target in the night.

Ancient vendettas rest on his head.

Listen to the dawn...

and the many noises it brings.

Let's see if you're as strong as a man.

Lift up the pail of milk.

Without spilling it. Let your voice help you.

Tonight you'll stay here alone.

Mind the fold.

Don't leave the pen!

Back to the fold.

There's a snake!

Back there.

Don't be afraid of the snakes. They don't bite.

Even if they did, who cares?

This pasture and herd are ours...

to be defended and exploited.

I'll show you how to deal with snakes...

Don't take a step out of the pen.

Antonio!

Go away!

Go away...

no one's allowed near here.

Quiet! They'll hear us.

If my father catches us...

look what he'll do to me.

It was Gavino!

Go get the other pail.

Johannus!

I'll not touch you...

I won't touch you...

You rotten beast...

You want to do it again...

but I'm gonna plug up your ass...

I'll milk you first, then plug with your own shit...

your mouth, your eyes and ears.

I'll screw you when you turn your back.

You beat me...

and I'll shit in the milk...

then your father beats you.

You won't be able.

I'm keeping your ass plugged.

I'll do it all right, because you're stupid.

You shake. You sweat. And stink.

You can't milk me with those blistered hands.

If you hurt my tits, Gavino Ledda...

I'll shit in the milk.

Gavino is now twenty years old

Leze, guard the flock.

We're going to fair at Muros.

We took the wrong road.

Which way to Muros?

Hey, he doesn't talk.

Wait...

Wait!

He runs like Tarzan's monkey.

I'll trade this for that.

For this accordion?

One lamb, no, it's not enough.

- But the accordion's busted. - You ask him.

Two lambs, minimum.

No, not two.

Yes, two.

The accordion's worth double.

It sounds beautiful. Listen!

That way...

Two lambs. The bandits.

And they even cut your mouth.

I swear!

I swore!

Then what's there to be afraid of?

You'll do without cheese and sugar...

to repay me.

Salt in the milk will strengthen you.

Go to sleep.

Muros... fair... that way...

sound... accordion...

lambs... beautiful accord... beautiful...

fair... beautiful...

Somebody, help me...

help me...

I'm Gavino

son of Efisio, the shepherd...

who's the son of shepherd Luca.

The cold has filled

the herd with fleas.

The fattest ones

are under my armpits.

I'm Eligio, son of Giovanni, the shepherd...

who was the son

of Enrico, the policeman

I had to eat

cheese that was too fresh

If I breathe hard, it burns my tongue.

Angels of Paradise

who play so sweetly

I'm Matteo. I pray to you:

Please send a pail of boiling water...

to put my feet in so I don't freeze to death.

This is a prayer...

Gavino is slipping away.

I don't know how to hold him.

I'm getting old.

Or maybe...