Human Voice (Voce umana)

a film by

inspired by

written by

Under the bombardments I lost my husband.

I lost myself.

The war was over, and so was I.

I drew a curtain on my days.

Then you walked into my life.

You brought breath back to my voice.

Your caresses swept

the ashes from my heart and revived my happiness.

You flung open my arms like a window.

You let the light in, the wind...

and all those voices.

Hello. Hello?

No, lady, the line's overcrowded. Hang up. I'm expecting a call.

Just hang up!

Operator, what am I supposed to do?

Get that woman off my line!

I'm expecting a call, and I can't get through!

Hello? Is that you?

No...

but I can barely hear you

with these other voices on the line.

So call me back. All right.

Signora, the eggplant slices are dry. Should I start frying them?

You told me to slice the eggplant and dry it in the sun

for your dinner with the signore.

But are you sure the signore is coming tonight?

What day is today?

- Tuesday. - Exactly!

The signore is coming at 8:00 p.m. like every Tuesday.

It's already 4:00 p.m.

Go start frying.

No one makes a parmigiana like we do.

That's for sure.

Hello?

I can finally hear you.

Are you all right?

Yes, I'd just gotten in when you called earlier.

Are you home?

Last night I went to bed early, but I couldn't sleep,

so I took a pill.

Yes, around 9:00 p.m.

I had a headache, but it got better.

Today? I got dressed, and Assunta picked me up.

I just got back from her place.

Yes, she was just wonderful.

You were right, as usual.

What am I wearing?

My pink dress and my black hat.

In fact, I still have the hat on.

And you? What are you doing?

Ah, you're working at home. On a trial?

No, darling.

I don't hold anything against you.

On the contrary.

We've always been open with each other.

It would've been terrible if you'd left me without warning.

At least now I have time to get used to it, to understand.

No, no. Strong.

I'm very strong.

I'm putting on a show? Me?

Why would I put on a show?

You know me better than that. I couldn't do such a thing.

Why?

You think I'm the sort who hides things?

No...

I decided to be brave, and so I will be.

Our love ran up against too many obstacles.

I had to choose:

Turn down five years of happiness, or decide to risk everything.

I have no regrets.

No regrets. Not one.

I wanted to fall head over heels,

be swept off my feet.

Darling, let me talk. It's all my fault.

Don't you remember that Sunday at Capodimonte?

So I was the one who insisted on coming.

I was the one who didn't let you talk...

who told you it was the same for me either way.

I was the one who called you that Tuesday.

Tuesday the 27th.

I know all our dates by heart.

Why?

I didn't know there was such a rush.

So then wait, I'll have your suitcase ready by this evening.

You come over, we have our dinner together...

Today is Tuesday.

I'm preparing the parmigiana, as usual.

What gloves?

Oh, the leather ones for driving.

I don't know. I haven't seen them.

If I find them, I'll give them to you tonight, okay? Hello?

You can't hear me? How's that possible? I'm yelling!

Can't you hear me?

I hear you like you were right here next to me!

I hear her.

So does the whole neighborhood.

Everyone can hear her except the signore.

Now I'm the one who can't hear you.

You can hear me now?

Great, we're taking turns.

There's a strange echo on your line.

It doesn't sound like your home phone.

I see you.

Which handkerchief?

The red one.

And you've got your sleeves rolled up.

Your left hand? It's holding the receiver.

And the right, your fountain pen.

And you're doodling: figures, hearts, stars.

You're laughing?

I have eyes in place of ears.

No, darling, please don't look at me.

Frightened?

No, I'm not frightened.

It's worse.

I try not to look at myself in the mirror.

In the bathroom I've stopped turning on the light.

What can you do?

The years pass.

Oh, sure. I have an exquisite face.

What a sweet-talker.

That kind of compliment is good for a poem, not a person.

I preferred it when you'd say, "Look out for that funny face."

I know, I know.

"Piano"? What "piano"?

No, darling.

I said "I know".

You never got used to my speaking Neapolitan.

What laughs when you'd mistake one word for another.

Remember that street vendor

selling calf's feet and nose?

I asked you, "Wanna try the feet and nose?"

And you thought I said, "Wanna try the feeding hose?"

And you made such a face.

Where are you? Hello?

Operator, I got disconnected. Place the call again, please.

Hello? Yes.

No, operator, the line got disconnected.

Is it busy?

I don't understand.

Someone's trying to call me?

All right.

Ah, it's you, Amelio?

Yes, it's me... the signora.