Holly came from Miami, FLA…
All right. Come on.
Hurry, we got stuff to take care of, Val. Come on! Move it!
Now, before I died, I asked you for two important things.
-The first was start acting like a family. -Mm.
That's gone south, but they're hanging in there just 'cause of you.
You know I can't depend on the rest of them. No.
The second thing is the most important.
My children need to grow up together.
How many times did I say it? And yet, Libero is in a group home.
Not an option, man. Absolutely not.
It's the worst possible outcome.
They're brothers, Val. Make it right.
They have to grow up together like you and I did.
And you're the only one who can do something about it.
It's on you. Bring him home, Val.
Take a walk on the wild side
And the colored girls go
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do Do-do-do-do…
Val, I know you've been busting your ass.
Don't give up, you've done really well. But there's one thing you can improve.
Ya gotta dance. You need to relax.
-Yeah. -Yeah!
Come on, hands out here. Move 'em around. Dance.
Yeah! Turn, and turn again.
Doo-do-doo-do Doo-do-do-do-do
You gotta dance, Val! Dance!
Wake up, Ercole.
Cross fire, I'm gonna win the race.
Three?
Whoa. That's good.
Thank you.
It's been a year since Fausto left us.
Ma, c'mon…
I know.
Ercole, what do you have there?
They're Libero's comics. So he has something to read.
We gotta convince him to come home, hon.
Bringing him comics isn't gonna do that.
-Mom. -Huh?
If that's your attitude, you might as well stay home.
Sorry, but your way of gentle parenting hasn't brought any results.
-Whoa! Hey! -Hey yourself!
I'm sick of saying the same thing over and over again, Ma.
Look, we can't force him to do anything.
He has to come because he wants to.
Yeah, right. Then we'll be waiting forever, Val.
You think so too? Demetrio!
-Pretty much. -The fuck does that mean, "pretty much"?
-Good morning. -Hello, everyone.
Uh, I'm sorry, but he won't come down.
We come every single week, and he won't even see us.
I tried to insist,
but if he doesn't want to, we can't force him.
-You have to be patient. -No, I'm out of patience.
-Can I go up and talk to my grandson? -Mom, no!
-We already talked about this. -And this is the result.
Seem normal to you?
Demetrio, say something to him!
What do you want me to say? I don't know.
Want to wait five minutes? Maybe he'll change his mind.
-What do you think, Lucia? -Never mind. Shut your mouth.
Libero!
I brought you your comics!
Libero!
You can keep the comics. They're all yours.
-Libero! -Come down for a bit, Libero!
-Hey, Libero, come down! Just a minute! -Hon!
He didn't say hi.
-Libero, come on! Let us say hi. -Well… all right, then.
-Goodbye. -See you next time.
Ercole! Let's go.
Nothing.
-It's your fault, Val! -Me?
-You shut up, Demetrio! -Me? What did I do?
-Why is it my fault? -It's no one's fault.
Come on, Demetrio.
MY FAMILY
-What are you doing? -Throwing things away.
And must you clean this up this very second, Valerio?
Ma, nothing else will fit in this room.
You really think this is the right day to do this? You couldn't wait?
No I couldn't, 'cause thinking of Fausto makes us all sad.
No, no. You're making yourself sad.
Mom, stop it, huh?
If we don't do this now, we'll never even move on.
Not everything is up to you. What if I'm not ready to move on? Huh?
He's my son, and I don't want to.
STRICTLY PERSONAL DO NOT OPEN
Today is March 12, 2022…
This is the first entry of my video diary.
If you wanna keep watching, be aware that these are the musings of someone
who is certain he's about to die.
Therefore, I'm about to say things I would never say to you if I were alive.
I really tried to be a good father.
You don't need to be a psychoanalyst to figure that out.
Also, because… my father was a complete and utter failure.
My brother and I didn't get lucky with him, because…
My dad, he was never there for us.
Ercole, want to go to the movies later?
Why did the judge decide that Libero had to stay in that group home?
Libero asked to stay at the group home, bud.
And the judge decided that it's better to let him stay, for now.
But why did he ask to stay in that place without any of us?
Because he doesn't want to stay with us, honey.
They should let him go with our mom.
He can't, Ercole. The judge decided he can't be with her.
It's so complicated, though.
Yeah.
-And who's this? -Can I get it?
Yeah, go.
You get a perm or somethin'?
-Hey, Libero! -I'm not Libero. I'm Ercole.
Oh, Ercole, Libero. Strange names they gave you.
Well…
Your dad here?
Huh?
Fausto, where are… Hey!
The king is back!
Admit it, you're a little happy to see me again. Huh?
You're all here, then. Ah…
Hey, Gaetano! How are you? Demetrio!
What's been going on with you?
'Cause you really look like a total trainwreck.
Huh?
-Hello, Gaetano. -Ciao.
-No. -What?
-Is that Grandpa Gaetano? -Yeah.
Where's Fausto at?
Hey!
Where…
Faustino! Fausto!
I'm back! I'm bumming a cigarette. I need to talk to you.
I got some big plans! Big plans!
Where… Mm.
Where the hell is he? He at work? I'll go get him. Where is he?
-Fausto is gone. -What… what does that mean?
He's dead.
-When was this? -A year ago.
A year ago?
He's been dead an entire year, and you didn't say a word?
Not a word.
Best if you leave now.
Hey, Ma, come sit down.
Demetrio brought pastries.
What?
Nothing.
We were too hard on him.
No, Ma, I think we did what we should have done.
Yeah…
But why didn't he know that my dad's gone?
All right, listen up.
Let's pretend like what just happened never did and move on, okay?
We were doing just fine before, and we'll keep doing just fine now.
All right?
I know he made things hard for us.
He never paid child support, never gave a fuck about us,
but we could've at least offered to give him a plate of pasta, don't you think?
Isn't that what a good Christian would do?
Then let's go find him.
We'll make him something to eat, maybe without letting him in the house,
but make… a sort of meal to go, you know?
Is he a bum to you?
Lucia, I don't want to be insensitive, but maybe since Gaetano is in Rome,
we can have him sign off on the divorce.
-The divorce? -He should've signed it 20 years ago.
We're saying we want to get married, so why not do it for real at this point?
-Did I say the wrong thing again? 'Cause-- -No, no, no.
So, you're saying that I should go up to him and say,
"Listen, Gaetano. Since you're here now,
and since you just found out that your son has passed away,
give me the divorce."
Sergio, you know I care about you,
but sometimes I just cannot put up with you.
Take this.
Go.
-Watch the ball. Go. -We didn't need that, huh?
-What? -Your father.
Come on, I know you guys are all furious he's here.
Demetrio, I'm all good.
Nice and easy. Toss first, then swing.
Good try.
Uh…
Look, I lost my father when I was five.
And I miss him even more now than when I was little.
Hey, wanna know what I think about him being around here?
I really just don't give a fuck.
Yeah, Ercole!
Go again.
Mm. He's not great, is he?
He's learning. Give him a break.
-I know, but… -He's learning. He needs practice.
-He needs a little more encouragement. -Mm.
Hey, will you go pick up Maria at the airport tomorrow?
What do you think?
-Tomorrow? -You deaf?
-She's coming home? -Yeah, Demetrio. She didn't tell you?
No, not a word.
She gets in tomorrow, and… she asked me if I could pick her up.
What's the situation with you and Maria?
Uh, what situation?
She sent me just two photos from her trip.
Well, then you have to meet her and surprise her at the airport tomorrow.
-Just go. -No, man. Not happening.
She asked you to get her, you go.
You upset about this, then?
-Me? -Yeah, you!
-Come on, no way. -You're upset about it.
Not at all, Val. I seriously don't even care.
I don't even feel anything for her anymore.
What?
Ah, come on. You can't fool me. Clearly you do.
Watch it, asshole!
Here we are.
Hey!
You not coming?
No, I'd… I'd prefer to stay in the car. I don't wanna go.
Then it's all on me?
The hospital brings back bad thoughts. I can't go in, Val.
I knew this mess would end up falling on me.
Can I help you?
Evening.
Hey. Valerio.
He's… he's my… my son. That's my son.
-Come on. -What happened?
He's all right. His heart's fine. Everything's under control.
His blood pressure dropped, that's all.
That's not what happened. It was… like an electric shock.
All the way up the legs and feet till my head felt like it would combust, Val.
-It was bursting. -You ain't got shit.
What do you mean?
But you'll keep him here, right? 'Cause he clearly can't be by himself.
He needs to go with you.
There's just no room. This guy needs to go home.
"This guy"?
Turn it off. It's late.
Ercole's here, and he's sleeping.
-Help me, Valerio. -With what?
I can't get up on my own.
Help me go to the bathroom.
What is it?
My head's spinning, Valerio.
Where's Lucia?
In her bedroom. I guess.
Tomorrow, he's outta here.
I don't give a fuck if he had a stroke or if he's about to die.
-Tomorrow, he's gotta go! -Shh, Valerio.
Yes, of course he has to leave. It's just for one night, all right?
Lucia.
I need a towel for the bidet.
It's 3:00 in the morning. Keep your voice down.
Stay here, Lucia. Don't leave.
Don't yell, Gaetano.
I'm here.
-Can your grandma make pancakes? -Grandma can't really cook.
-The food here is bad. -Yeah… Yeah, I know, I know.
When we were married, I did the cooking. Huh?
Do you know what your father's favorite dish was? Huh?
Hey, what's wrong, you shy?
No, Uncle Valerio doesn't want us to remember Dad.
Ah.
Wanna know when a person really dies?
It's when you forget them.
When we forget them, the dead die twice, you know?
Remember that.
All right, come on, let's eat.
I was a cook, you know? For years.
You have a restaurant?
I used to. It just so happens that my partners fucked me.
Screwed me 'cause I'm a schmuck.
Your dad must have told you I'm a schmuck?
No, he said you were more of an asshole.
You're already getting on my nerves. You're just like Valerio.
So where's your brother at?
-He left home a few weeks ago. -But why?
Because the judge decided that he can't stay with Mom.
And Libero doesn't want to live here.
You know, I was the only one who cared about your mom, kid.
I'm a sort of a linguist.
What, what's going on?
We can't talk about your dad, we can't talk about your mom.
How the fuck are they raising you in this household?
Remember one thing.
You lost your dad.
But I lost a son.
Good morning.
Outliving your own son… is the worst punishment that…
that a man could receive. Remember that.
-You think that's appropriate? -Yes. Yes, I believe it is.
You're raising him in a bubble. No wonder this country's going to shit.
Come on, now.
Dad told us that one time, you went to a campground…
Yeah.
And then it started raining at night and you were inside the tent
and all of a sudden, you heard a wolf scratching the tent with its paw.
That's true.
He also told us that sometimes, in the summer, you'd take him on vacation.
And when you wanted to meet a lady, you'd tell Dad to get lost
and say that he wasn't your son.
-You really were an asshole. -My God, Gaetano.
Mm.
Mm-hmm.
You didn't even call me for the funeral.
Jeez, Lucia.
But why?
I don't…
You're right, Gaetano.
I'm sorry.
Ma.
Hey, Ma.
Mom?
At your service.
-He's gotta go! -I know. He leaves today.
And let's not mess around.
Valerio, I'm not an idiot. I've known your dad since I was 16.
But do you realize what we've done to him?
What kind of monsters are we not to tell him that his son is dead?
Go, come on, go pick up Maria. It's getting late.
What now? Leave!
-All right. Bye. -Go, honey.
Bye, Ercole.
Hello, Demetrio.
Didn't expect it, huh?
-I thought that Valerio… -Valerio's in the car.
He's parked right over there.
He'll drop us off at my place. You're staying with me, no?
No, no. I had asked Valerio to book an Airbnb.
Why would you spend money on a hotel?
C'mon, I moved apartments. It's much nicer.
I'm not sure that's a good idea because I'm not…
-I missed you a lot. -…by myself.
Ciao. Valerio?
No, uh, I'm… Demetrio.
Oh, Demetrio. Your ex?
Actually, just a friend.
This is Pau.
My boyfriend.
Ciao, Demetrio. I am very happy to meet you.
-Maria told me a lot about you. -Oh, yeah?
Yeah.
You know… well… falling in love with her
has surprised me
because I never would've imagined
that I'd fall for such a… passionate woman.
Yeah, well, these things happen.
Exactly, and… It's just that now Lucia and I want to get married…
-Oh. -But it will be a symbolic ceremony.
Because since you two never really got a divorce, uh…
That's why it will only be symbolic. Yeah.
Oof.
Listen, Sergiolino. I wanted to ask you a question.
Go ahead.
-Are… are you rich? -No, I'm a nurse.
Ah. You must own some properties?
-Nope. -A trust fund?
Not even close. Yeah.
-It's curious, you see? -What is?
Well, it's curious… that a woman like… uh… like Lucia
would want to get herself… I don't know.
Get involved in this kind of situation.
I mean, love is love, you know, of course, but I wonder…
Do you know what adjectives your family uses to describe you?
-No. -Ah. Let's see.
Um… unreliable, liar, crook, insensitive,
and piece of shit!
-What happened? -Going to work. I have the night shift.
See you later.
-You say something bad to him? -I am very disappointed in you, Lucia.
I never in my life would have guessed you'd be with such a lame-o,
but as a friend, he's okay, but do not insult me like that!
My God, you're a pain in my ass. You've always been such a pain.
It's not possible.
I bet he'll snap out of it sooner than later.
Snap out of it? It's been three weeks! Are you serious?
Give me a break, Valerio.
Every day that Libero spends in there, we are failing Fausto.
Failing his wishes, you know?
I understand that, Maria.
But if Libero doesn't want to live with us,
then why should I force him?!
Maybe since you're the adult,
the mature one.
-And he's a child. -All right.
Let's say that we force him and he hates us, what do we do?
I don't know, but we have to find a way.
On top of it all, your father decides to show.
Talk to my mother, Maria.
He's gotta leave. You know that man deserves nothing.
Fausto was adamant about not letting him get close.
I know, Maria.
And you, Demetrio?
-What is it? -Never mind. Forget it.
No… don't listen to Demetrio, Maria. He's always secretly admired my father.
-You know he hit on me? -Are you serious?
-Forget about it, Pau. -Typical.
The father?
Maria, that's not… No es la verdad. That's not true.
He just wanted to take you to Tenerife.
You're making it up.
Making it up? You think I can't tell when someone's trying to get with me?
Fine, okay, whatever. Whatever.
'Cause you're a woman, you know what we have to deal with? Right?
What a mess. He's so embarrassing.
-Is this it? -Yeah.
-Get the door, Demetrio. -The backpack.
I almost forgot it.
-Val, can I play you something? -Hm.
Hi, Maria. How are you? When are you coming back?
It's not bad here. It's not that.
It's just… Sometimes, when it rains, I feel… a bit sad.
I've got 20 messages like this.
-And then this is Ercole. -Him too?
Libero doesn't want me as a brother.
I'm the problem. He hates me. I know he does.
Enough with all this.
Val, it's not your fault, and I know that.
But it's a tough situation. You need some help to figure it out.
You know what, Maria? Since you know what to do,
take over the situation, and let me know how it goes.
I knew it. I'm not surprised, 'cause Lucia warned me
that trying to get through to you lately is impossible.
No, no, no. You got it twisted, Maria.
You spent months in Chiapas.
You come back with a Spaniard,
and you're trying to tell me what I gotta do?
Get the fuck outta here.
You're doing your best. I know you're trying to.
But calm down, yeah?
Are you sure we're not bothering you, Demetrio?
Not at all.
-You sure I can't help with that? -Yeah, why? I can handle it.
I can sleep on the floor, really. I mean, I'm used to sleeping anywhere.
Guys, do I need to go to a hotel? I'll go to a hotel.
Fine.
We'll just… go shower while you make the bed.
Stop busting my balls. How many times do I have to repeat myself?
I'll sleep on the couch. What did I fucking buy it for?
Here… we are.
-Have a good vacation. -Thank you.
-Bye. -Bye.
Valeria?
Hey.
What are you doing here?
Hi, piece of shit.
-I don't get it, sorry. -Why'd you disappear, dude?
I was dealing with family shit. I told you that.
I sent you a message three months ago,
and you never bothered to reply though.
Because I was dealing with family shit, like I said.
Yeah, but I could care less what you were doing.
Is this still your vehicle?
-Yeah. -Wonderful.
What are you doing?
Hey!
Five minutes.
Hm?
Hurry up though, okay?
How do I look?
-Great. -Hm?
Butt good?
-Butt great. -Is it too see-through?
Uh, a little, but it's right at the limit.
Thanks.
Oh, also, I left my bag in there.
Wait, your bag?
-Hoe! -C'mon, get the fuck off the stage.
Don't be a pain in the ass.
-Get the fuck off! -Look at this bitch, man!
-Bye. -Trash! Who do you think you are?
Unbelievable!
Why is she here? What is she doing?
You have to leave!
-You have to leave! I told you! -Get your fucking hands off me!
-Get out of here! Turn off the music. -Get your dirty hands off me!
-You can't be here! -Get your hands off me!
Yo! Yo!
Don't touch her!
Don't put your fucking hands on a woman! What's wrong with you?
Who the fuck are you?
Enough!
-Stop it, Valerio! What the fuck?! -You motherfucker!
I'll break your fucking face!
-Enough! -Get out! Get out!
-Piece of shit! -Hey, fuck yourself.
And fuck you too! Don't come back here again!
Here they are. I told you I had some tissues. Hm.
I'm cleaning the blood, Valerio.
-Yeah, I am. -No, you're doing it on purpose.
Hey, I'm short, so if you lift your head, I can't see you.
You did right beating up that bastard.
-You didn't have to, but… -Well, he beat me worse, though.
Sorry.
It's true, dude. You're right, I'm really sorry.
So fucking embarrassing.
I mean, it's unbelievable.
I just keep getting myself in fucking trouble.
Seriously, I can't help it.
I can't even… go dancing in the clubs anymore.
Know why? I've been kicked out of everywhere and everything.
Just because last week I slapped that stupid bitch
who was dancing before me.
That blonde, tall one with the long legs.
But if you look like a stupid bitch, come on,
you deserve to get smacked.
But now, because of this bullshit, you know what else?
-My dance partner called it quits on me. -No.
Yeah, so now I can't even dance with a partner anymore.
As if I was plagued.
Everyone, they're all treating me like shit.
But if I can't dance, then what is the point of living?
-Why aren't you saying anything? -Come on…
-Don't just stand there. Say something! -Uh….
I was doing just fine. Why the fuck did I follow you?
What?
-Why in the hell did I follow you? -No, no, I heard you.
I mean, sorry.
But… I apologized to you. No need to make me feel guilty.
I understand, but I try to do everything right.
I'm trying so hard, and you come and fuck it all up!
-Whoa! I already said sorry. -How's it possible?
Man, enough now!
-Yeah, fine, all right. -Okay.
-It's late, go on. -What?
It's late, get going.
You serious?
Yes, I'm serious.
You are fucking weird, you know?
Don't take it personally. Yeah?
Valerio, fuck you. It is personal.
Valeria!
Oh my God, Val.
Everything's fine, Ma.
Go to bed.
Hey.
-Did you get in a fight? -Now you wanna be a father?
And at the end of the day, well… I had a pretty fortunate life, I think.
Yeah, you could definitely say that despite the catastrophic circumstances
that I grew up with.
I found it by chance.
No, no, no. No, let it play.
The most catastrophic part of it all was probably our father.
Dad really… let us down a lot.
But while, with me,
he was able to sort of show some signs of love,
uh, Valerio didn't get anything…
Not even those small, occasional gestures of love that
I would receive.
And this absence, um… did a number on him.
So Valerio is stuck where he is because of my dad.
Let me stay a couple more days, Lucia.
And then I'll go.
No, Gaetano. It's not a good idea.
-Just a day or two. -Why did you come here?
What did you want from Fausto?
I had some trouble with the guys at the restaurant.
-I was looking for support. -Mm.
So basically, you needed money as usual, right?
Let me stay another day or two.
I'm so scared of being alone.
-Turn it off. -No.
-No, wait. We're not doing anything wrong. -Turn it off.
Give me that! How dare you go through my things, huh?
We're not doing anything wrong, Val.
Fausto wanted nothing to do with you. Not a damn thing.
You're exaggerating.
I can show this video to the rest of the family if I want to, understand?
You can do whatever you want.
But he's not part of this family. And he has to leave, Ma.
I see there isn't even the slightest chance of having a civil conversation.
-You want a civil conversation? -Yes, I do.
Let's ask him what the fuck he did to Fausto, Ma.
-I didn't do anything to Fausto. -You didn't?
He didn't want us to tell you that he was dead.
-He didn't want you at his funeral. -Never done anything.
Not even at his fucking funeral for fuck's sake!
Valerio, that's enough! Stop, Val. Enough.
Either he goes or I go.
-Oh, yeah? -Yeah.
I'm not answering you when you get like this. Go, then.
Fine, I'm good with that.
Libero, I think I'm making a mistake, bud.
I thought I was doing the right thing, but I don't know anymore.
I just wanted to see how you were. Yo, what the fuck was that?!
-What do you want? -I was looking for you.
-Just one question. -What question?
-You think you're better than me? -Val.
You're not better than me!
-Val. -What? Huh?
You got a place for me tonight?
So what? Do I gotta make you dinner?
No, I'm good in the kitchen.
We'll see.
-Wait up. Hey, wait up. -You got a helmet?
It happens every time!
Because Valerio always suffered the most.
This is the result of all the mistakes you made in your life!
Listen to me, Lucia.
I'll take the blame for all the mistakes that I committed, all except one.
-Which one? -The one that Fausto said in the video.
What do you mean?
I think the time has come, huh, Lucia?
To finally make things right.
This death is an opportunity to tell the truth once and for all, Lucia.
That truth. That important one.
No, Gaetano. I won't say it.
I won't deal my son the final blow, so stop talking about it.
Thanks.
-Good night. -Good night.
Anyway, despite all of Dad's disasters,
there were moments when we really were a family.
Brief intervals, you know, when Dad decided to show up again.
We spent the whole summer together once.
We were on a paddle boat, all four of us,
and Dad lost his watch in the water.
And he really loved that watch.
We all dove in to look for it, but who ended up finding it? Valerio.
I found it!
-There you go, Valerio! -Attaboy, Valerio!
I've never seen my brother as happy as he was that day at the beach.
That's all Valerio needs.
For someone to say, every now and then,
"Good job, Val."
Libero.
Hey, I'm okay, I swear.
And it's not your fault. I love you, Uncle Valerio.
Thanks for being how you are with me. I really mean it, you're the best.
Libero, I love you, buddy.
Good night.
ve you, buddy.