Magnifica presenza (Magnificent Presence) Page #4

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We'll never fill all these albums.

The Carbonari coat of arms.

Show me their faces.

- 83?

- Just a second!

- I'm missing Carlo Alberto!

- Good for you.

Attention everyone, excuse me.

Nino Bixio.

Cavour! He looks like me.

True.

Yusuf.

This is Garibaldi, number one.

I'll give it to you.

- Number one?

- One?

- It's very rare, it's Garibaldi!

- I was joking.

Joking?

It's Giuseppe Verdi. I'm number one.

"And the softener?"

I say to her.

"What softener?" she says to me.

"Pietro Ponte,

you've been very lucky.

Your audition ended up

in the wrong place".

Actually, I noticed there was

a hell of a mess and said to myself.

"How will they ever find anything

when they need it?"

And as it turns out...

They're going to send me the lines

for another audition.

Cinema!

Cinema.

Lies can be very convincing.

Truth...

Truth is even more so, lies...

Lies can be very convincing.

Beatrice, please...

...don't blame yourself.

Don't you think I'm sad too?

Our son is safe.

We have no news because of the war.

I'm sure he's in a safe place.

Stop, that's enough!

I'll never forgive myself.

Beatrice, don't torment yourself so.

Please, we did the right thing.

He's in good hands, don't worry.

He's in Istanbul now, I'm sure.

Didn't you hear

what happened at the station?

It was all the talk at the theater.

No, I feel that your son's safe.

Excellent.

Really, it was a very touching scene.

I was moved!

I'm preparing too...

I am going to audition.

This isn't an audition

and this isn't a comedy.

It's a tragedy,

it's the tragedy of our lives.

Excuse me...

do you know what happened

in Milan?

Was the station bombed?

Tell me, I beg you.

When?

Yesterday, recently.

We need to know if the trains

for the North, Switzerland...

...are running.

Why don't you tell her?

Why don't you tell her the truth?

Milan's been bombed, the theaters

the stations, the hospitals...

- Why don't you tell her?

- No.

In Milan...

...everything is just fine.

I heard it on the radio,

there are no problems.

...the trains are running regularly...

...even going North, Switzerland.

You see, Beatrice?

It might be harder to go South...

...but that's normal.

Lies can be convincing.

Luckily, truth...

Lies can be very convincing.

Luckily truth is even more so.

Luckily, truth...

...is even more so.

Lies can be convincing...

...luckily, truth is even more so.

Someone believed me,

that's what matters...

...when you're locked in there...

...it's hard to distinguish

what's real from what's imaginary.

Those are my lines...

...for my audition.

Good, very good.

What is it?

Are you sure all

this make-up is right?

- Perfect, why?

- Hold still.

I don't recognize myself,

it's just not me.

Excellent! You have to vanish.

- There's an actor in your place now.

- Finally.

If you say so.

Make-up is the start of everything.

Focus.

No, remember you should never

fold your arms...

...or let them dangle.

They have to participate...

But not too much, don't exaggerate.

Beatrice, would you help me?

Actresses used to have

these unnatural poses.

Like that, always the same, all fake.

Suddenly, something happened.

Arms down, face forward,

hands on your face...

there, then she came along.

- Who's she?

- Who? Greta!

Smile off!

Like that, try it.

Guys, I can't do it, I'm embarrassed.

That's not how it is...

.an actor has to know

how to do everything.

For instance...

Hear that beat?

Smile.

Get it, now?

Stand straight, shoulders back...

...head high, strong chin.

Look at your interlocutor: if he

squints, he can't hear you very well...

...your voice is too low.

If he blinks as you talk,

you're speaking too loudly!

Keep your hands still

when you talk...

...be a little more manly!

When you leave that room,

your voice must remain inside...

...in their pockets!

Now forget your memory, movements

gestures and all the rest...

...concentrate on your character.

You want to learn to act, right?

Then try attending an autopsy.

You have to scrutinize,

observe, investigate...

...pull the guts out.

What's inside tells us

what's outside, the secret.

Is my tie on straight?

Red ears?

It's all just fine.

Thank you.

I hear your heart pounding so hard

that it numbs me.

Well, I'm off.

Well, Pietro...

Ponte.

You've read the scene,

I won't tell you anything...

- Start.

- Should I start?

Today my nightmare is over.

Sorry, I'll stop you right away

and then I'll be quiet.

Try saying it to me, a real person

speaking to a real person.

- I should look there?

- Yes, look at me.

I won't interrupt you again, go.

Lies can often be convincing.

Reality is even more so.

Someone believed me,

that's what matters.

Because when

you're locked in there...

...reality and fantasy mingle.

The rain has stopped now...

...and all I want...

...is to find a park bench...

...to sit and wait

for the clouds to go away.

It seems that the sun...

...has decided to show itself again.

I didn't mind the way you did that.

Pietro, we've seen many people...

...you stand out

for some strange reason

I'd like to know

why you're dressed like that.

For the audition.

We like original, curious people

who are a bit peculiar.

What's your background?

Who have you studied with?

I studied with a theater company

called Apollonio.

- I don't know them.

- It's a theater company.

Let's do this,

we'll just chat for a moment.

Should I ask him to remove his tie?

You want him freer, looser?

I like him, he's not bad.

Well, I'm off.

Wait.

Can I show you

a trick to ease tension?

You know, in those moments

of embarrassment and silence?

You know those?

Know what you should do?

Sing!

At most...

...you'll welcome me...

...with the coldness...

...that you've never had.

Yet, you know...

...that a girl like me...

...doesn't joke about love...

...has never joked.

At most...

...you'll offend me...

...and then send me away...

...telling me that by now...

...you're no longer interested...

...in a girl...

...who's only good...

...for playing around with...

...and then I'll leave.

What can we do with you,

Pietro Ponte?

We'll let you know, thank you.

Pietro...

...make-up is the key to everything!

Pietro...

...try singing,

if you're in difficulty!

Where are you all?

Are you hiding in here?

Cowards!

You made me look like sh*t!

You're hiding, huh? You're scared.

They took me for a madman!

And they're right...

I don't just see you, I talk to you

and even do what you say!

Now I'm going to look for

this Livia Morosini...

...so you'll leave here

once and for all.

- Mr. Ennio, please.

- Who should I say it is?

- Pietro, we spoke earlier.

- This way.

- Mr. Pietro is here.

- Just a second, I've finished.

- Thank you, Alessandra.

- Please go in.

Sorry, my dear, I made you wait

but I have lots to do.

No problem.

- What have you come to ask?

Tell me. - It's that...

I can't stand

living like this anymore.

I can't go on like this.

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