A Quiet Place in the Country

The city is full of beautiful surprises.

I found an underwater television for scuba diving,

an electric toothbrush, a transistor refrigerator,

an electric knife sharpener,

an erotic electromagnet,

and an electric coffee grinder,

and an electric shoe cleaner,

and an electric fruit mixer,

and an electric water pick.

And a tiny automobile to go around from room to room.

Happy?

Come on.

We had nearly everything. Nearly everything.

What a pity.

You slept badly.

I dreamt you killed me.

- Jealousy? - No, sadism.

Are the police after me?

I don't know. You woke me up.

Let's see who was killed today.

Go and do some work.

- Don't forget to leave me some money. - Is 10 okay?

Twenty.

Fifteen.

Thirty.

Twenty.

Ten.

- Hello? - Is this Leonardo ferri, the painter?

Yes.

I'm calling on behalf of the international association of art for orphans

to ask you to contribute a sketch to our cause.

How do I know this isn't the usual swindle?

If you like, I could bring a few orphans to your home.

Hello? Are you still there, Mr. ferri?

Give me le monde.

Playboy-

- le nouvel observateur. - Sexy.

- The Paris review. - Sexy boy.

- Encounter. - Sexy man.

- Réalités. - Playgirl.

- L'osservatore Romano. - Supersex, bang!, screw, sexmate,

bosom buddies, sex play...

Venice

come on, come on with me.

"Don't cry, little girl. Dry those tears."

"It's because I'm still a virgin."

"Keep your virginity."

"No, take it, it's the cause of all my troubles, my suffering."

"I want your body to burn with the same flame as my desire.

"This night will last for..."

"John takes her leg.

"'Where is Helga? Where is she?'

"'oh, Robert, quench this thirst in me.

"'Take this body, it's yours, Robert, right now.

"'Devour me!

"'I am aflame with desire. Put it out. Put it out!'

"'come here, you little bitch. Are you a virgin or not?'

"'yes.

"'Show me.' His breathing was heavier."

- It could be somebody important. - Stay here.

Hello?

It's a call from ziirich.

I can't go on like this. I'm sick.

It's just the telephone. You can always disconnect it.

I don't know what's happened to me.

I've got to get away.

I can't work like this. I've got to get away from the city.

I must get out of Milan.

This is an ideal part of the country for an artist.

There it is. Stop here.

The house I told you about.

- Let's take a look at it. - Leonardo, we're late already.

The count is expecting us.

Leonardo.

Please.

He's your most important buyer. It would be silly to offend him.

Please make an effort.

Driver, go on.

Leonardo, take my word for it,

the count's villa will be the perfect place for you to work in peace and quiet.

I guarantee it.

Hello.

Hello.

- How are you? - It's good to see you.

- I think you look marvelous. - Hello, count zavattero, how are you?

- Fine, thanks. - I'm sorry we're a little late.

Don't tell me this isn't the country.

- We had a wonderful trip down. - Tiepolo worked here.

You can't ask for more than that. We've got a surprise for you.

Leonardo ferri, 1962, going very cheap.

It didn't cost a penny then, remember?

Giambattista tiepolo, 1743.

Now, my old master, how's this for a quiet place to work?

You know, flavia, I've had faith in Leonardo

from the beginning, and I've never regretted it.

You have a flair. One must always buy young painters.

It's the young horses who win.

Leonardo, have a drink.

Come on, I'll introduce you.

This is Leonardo ferri.

Potential buyers as well as friends, Leonardo.

They've been wanting to meet you for a long time,

and now they've got you for three months.

Yes, but don't forget Leonardo came here for some quiet, so he could work.

I think this period of tranquility is going to be very productive.

But you really should do some kind of physical exercise

like chopping wood, for example.

Flavia and I have organized this little exhibition

to make you feel at home here, but if you like, we can always take it down.

- Why do you buy my paintings? - Sorry.

Because I admire you, and also because they're a good investment.

You put it back.

I don't feel very well. I must get some air.

- How do you like this wine? - Delicious.

Wait a moment.

In my opinion, it's as good as any French wine.

Anybody here?

There was an air raid during the war.

What are you doing here?

Don't tell me how you got in. I can guess. I have the keys.

I'm attilio bressan. The caretaker.

I'm looking for a quiet place in the country.

Only death could be quieter than this.

I know. I've lived here all my life.

- Could I rent it? - It's for sale.

And has been for a long time. They might consider renting it.

- Do you know the corniata family in padua? - No.

They're the people who own the property.

- Maybe they'd rent it. - Thanks.

Maybe.

Flavia, I must have that house.

I never heard of a man before who had to have a villa near venice,

-so he could work. - I want it.

It's not a good investment. Everybody's told you so.

I don't give a damn about investments.

Can't you understand that?

Listen, I don't exist to make profits. I'm not a stockbroker.

And I will never become a millionaire.

If you like that kind of a man, why don't you go back to your husband?

If you don't care about making profits,

why do you make me ask so much for pictures?

I'm obliged to sell them in the market.

The price is fixed there.

You're a hit painter. You're on top of the market.

We have to protect you and help you and defend your interests

as well as your investments,

even if you don't like it, which you never do.

Darling Leonardo, you can't kill me with that.

It's just a big paper clip.

Come to bed.

I haven't been able to finish a painting for two months.

Come here.

I've already spoken to the estate agents about the house.

It's going to be yours.

I don't know where we're going to find the money,

but don't you worry about it. I just want you to paint and be happy.

Want a hand?

Hey, what're you doing?

Leave me alone!

Let go of me.

You want some coffee?

No, thank you.

- Good night, egle. - Good night, sir.

Ese?

Who is it?

It's me. Open the door.

- Didn't you hear anything? - Me, nothing.

He's my little brother. He's keeping me company.

Go on. Go ahead.

- Did you do this? - No, we were in bed all night.

Are these yours?

No, when I cleaned up today they weren't there.

- You put them here? - Me, no, no. I never...

Afraid?

So am I.

It's over 25 years since I last stepped inside that villa.

And life was much different in those days. I was a young man then.

Nowadays, whenever I drive past it, i feel old. Very old.

- You believe in spirits? - Oh, indeed I do.

Shakespeare said, "there are more things in heaven and earth

"than are dreamed of in your philosophy." He was right.

Oh, yes, I believe in spirits, there's no question in my mind.

I suppose you heard the girl died near the wall of the villa.

- What girl? - The young countess.

It was this way.

It was an English fighter plane that started strafing the villa.

You can still see all the marks there that the bullets made in the wall.

Oh, god, I remember her as though it were yesterday.

She was the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen.

Leonardo!

Leonardo!

- Your witch is here! - Hey, welcome!

Stop, you're making me dizzy.

How are you?

You were right. A fine place for working.

- Who is he? - He's with me.

He's going to do an article on you and the house.

The house, yes. The paintings, no.

We have to start thinking about your publicity for next season.

Then you just do pictures of the house. Come on.