Padre Padrone

---

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 cub.

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?

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.

No one laughs at Gavino!

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 frightened you?

I did it...

...so you'll come back

down soon.

Before I'll be

forty years old.

Poor little dickybird...

what'll it do way up there?

Hurry! It's your father.

I'll take you to where

the wild apples grow.

And with my nails

dig up the earth chestnuts.

If you're quick, I'll teach you

to catch a hare with a lasso.

You like hazelnuts?

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 pasture and the woods.

You'll often be alone. You must

learn to find your bearings...

...in any given moment

for yourself and the flock.

You hear this rustling?

Learn to recognize it.

Lower your eyes.

I don't hear...

Listen more carefully.

It's the oak tree,

that marks our pasturage.

Turn your head.

And this...

is the torrent behind the wood.

We passed by it.

And this...

...is Sebastiano who's returning

to the village with his horse.

He smokes with the ash

in his mouth...

...so he'll not be a target

by night.

Ancient vendettas stalk

his every move.

Also learn to hear the dawn...

...its many sounds.

If you've the strength

of a man...

...lift up the pail of milk.

Without spilling it.

Let your lungs help you.

Tonight you'll stay here alone.

Mind the fold.

Keep inside the pen!

Back to the sheepfold

There's a snake!

Behind there.

You mustn't be afraid.

They're harmless.

And even if they're not...

...the pasture is ours,

the flock also...

...we must defend it

and utilize it.

I'll show you how to deal

with snakes...

Don't go out of the pen.

Antonio!

Go away!

Go away...

...no one's allowed here.

Quiet! They'll hear us.

If my father catches us...

...look what he'll do to me.

It was Gavino!

It was Gavino!

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 sh*t...

...your mouth, your eyes

and ears.

I'll fix you when you turn.

You whack me...

and I crap in the milk...

...then your father whacks 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 crap the milk.

GAVINO REACHES:

HIS TWENTIETH YEAR

Leze, take over the flock.

We're going to feast at Muros.

We took the wrong road.

Which way to Muros?

He won't talk.

Wait...

He runs like Tarzan's monkey.

I'll trade this for that.

For the accordion?

One lamb, no, it's not enough.

- But the accordion's busted.

- You ask him.

Two lambs, minimum.

Two, no.

Yes, two.

All our accordions...

...have a beautiful tone.

Listen.

That way...

Two lambs.

And bandits besides...

...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 your milk

is fortifying.

Go to sleep.

Muros... feast... that way...

...sound... accordion...

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

...beautiful...

...feast... beautiful...

Somebody, help me...

...help me...

I'M GAVINO

SON OF THE SHEPHERD, EFISIO

WHO IS THE SON:

OF SHEPHERD, LUCA

THE COLD HAS FILLED

OUR PENS WITH FLEAS

THE FATTEST ONES

ARE UNDER MY ARMPITS

I'M ELIGIO,

SON OF SHEPHERD GIOVANNI

WHO WAS THE SON:

OF THE CARABINIERE, ENRICO

I HAD TO EA:

CHEESE THAT WAS TOO FRESH

WHEN I BLOW ON MY TONGUE

IT BURNS:

ANGELS OF PARADISE

WHO PLAY SO SWEETLY

I'M MATTEO, AND I BEG YOU:

LET A BASIN:

OF BOILING WATER APPEAR

THAT I CAN PUT MY FEET IN

FOR I'M DYING OF COLD

MINE IS A PRAYER

Gavino is slipping away.

If only I knew how to

lure him back.

Am I getting old?

Or maybe...

I'm not as intelligent...

...as I thought I was.

I have to concentrate.

I have to keep my mind nimble.

Don't tremble, little mare.

Look, I'm steady.

No, I tremble a little too.

But if Signor Gellon spoke

the truth...

...we'll meet and make

peace forever.

Let this day mark peace.

I'm grateful you accepted

to shear...

...the flock with me...

...as custom wants.

Stop!

I'll tell you when he's dead!

He's already dead!

Gellon!

Signora, I'm going.

I'm leaving a guard in front

of the house.

Efisio, you take care of

selling everything.

I'm going to my relatives

in Australia...

...before they kill me too.

You're like my own family.

Get rid of the houses,

the livestock...

...the olive grove.

I'll take care of everything

Though I've little money.

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