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Vanished into the Night (2024) | Transcript

A father, immersed in a difficult divorce process, embarks on a dangerous mission when his children disappear from their isolated country house.
Vanished into the Night (2024)

Vanished into the Night (2024)
Original title:
Svaniti nella notte
Genre
: Thriller, Mystery, Drama
Director: Renato De Maria
Stars: Riccardo Scamarcio, Annabelle Wallis, Massimiliano Gallo, Gaia Coletti, Lorenzo Ferrante

Plot: Elena is an American psychiatrist who came to live in Italy, in Puglia, for the love of Pietro, a man with a stormy past. They got married and had two children, but things didn’t work out, and soon Pietro and Elena broke up. One night, their children vanish into thin air while they are with Pietro at the farm. He looks for them everywhere and in the end, in desperation, he is forced to warn Elena, with whom he is in a dispute over custody of the children. Until they receive a phone call: their children have been kidnapped, to get them back they will have to pay 150,000 euros in cash within 36 hours.

* * *

[wind gusting]

[water lapping]

[gentle music playing]

VANISHED INTO THE NIGHT

Where did they go?

Where are the kids?

Where did they go?

Giovanni?

Bianca?

[ominous music playing]

[woman] Back in the States, I actually had a career.

But when I got to Italy, it was impossible to start over.

The patients were hard to follow.

I just don’t speak Italian well enough, I guess.

What was your job back in the US, Mrs. Walgren?

I was a psychotherapist.

Specializing in PTSD.

Post-traumatic stress disorder.

But in Bari, I’ve only ever been a mom.

I… I loved it.

But I was… It’s very hard for me here.

In America, I had a great career.

I had a life. And I just miss everyone so much.

I miss my friends and my family.

[man] Giovanni!

[Walgren] Bianca!

[judge] According to the record, Mrs. Walgren lent you a rather substantial sum of money to purchase an old farm.

Yes, it’s something we both wanted. It wasn’t just me.

Mmm… We were gonna start a B&B.

We’d planned to keep renovating the property.

I’d like to point out that the seed capital for this real-estate venture came entirely from my client.

And of course it’s no secret that, during the renovations of the farmhouse and property,

Mr. La Torre was gambling frequently.

He ran up significant debts.

Well, in that case, I’d be remiss if I didn’t add that Mrs. Walgren, who has access to a number of potent narcotics because of her profession, has a long history of substance abuse, specifically with opiates.

[La Torre] That’s true but, if I may, counselor…

My wife also had a… serious accident in the United States, a car accident.

And afterward, she was prescribed very strong painkillers, which, as you probably know, are… quite addictive.

[judge] Well, I’d say we have a complete picture.

This session is adjourned. And I reserve the right to appoint an outside consultant to examine the profiles of the two spouses and offer an evaluation in the judgment for custody.

[La Torre] Giovanni!

[tense music playing]

[both] Na-na-na-na-na! You didn’t find us!

[kids repeating]

That’s not funny, okay?

[La Torre] Never do that again. I told you guys, it’s dangerous out here.

[instrumental music swells]

[music fades out]

Morning, sir! How are you?

Salvatore.

How are you? How’s your family?

Fine, fine. Oh! Before I forget, I, uh…

I… I have some mail for you. Here. Here.

I really don’t understand why they keep sending it here.

It’s been a year since I moved.

Hold onto it. I’ll take it on my way out.

Perfect.

Ready for the match?

Yes, sir. I’m losing sleep over it.

I feel your pain. See ya.

[laughing] See you later.

[buzzing]

Hey.

You know you’re late, right?

The kids?

They’re getting ready.

[bubbling]

[gasps]

[La Torre] Hey, kids?

[toy gun fires]

[Bianca] Hi, Dad.

Oh hey, Papa! Mom bought me a brand-new pair of flippers.

That’s good. Don’t forget your masks.

Okay, I’ll get them.

And an extra bathing suit.

Come on, guys, hurry up.

[Bianca] Giovanni, will you hurry up?

Hey.

I’m really sorry about all that with my lawyer.

He was brutal. I’m sorry.

The second you get lawyers involved, it’s always brutal. It all sucks, huh?

Anyway, um, thank you for clarifying the stuff around my accident.

I appreciate it.

There is a limit to everything. At least for me.

Yeah.

When are you leaving?

Uh…

At eight o’clock.

Mm.

Did you get any food for the kids?

Obviously. Of course I got food. Why are you asking?

Just checking. You know?

Yeah.

I know how you can be.

God, you just never change.

Come here and say goodbye to Mama.

[Bianca] We’re coming!

[chuckling, kisses]

[Bianca] Mm.

Bye. Bye-bye, sweetie.

When will you be back?

Tuesday. You guys be good, okay?

‘Kay.

See ya.

Let’s go.

[kids] Bye.

Call me later, so I can say good night.

Yeah.

[atmospheric music playing]

Gio! Look, we got another one. It’s a good one, it’s purple!

Now we have a whole bunch.

Looks like 14!

Wow, look how big it is.

Go, go.

Leave these here, c’mon.

Tonight I’m gonna make some spaghetti, okay?

[man] Hey, you guys! Any luck with the fishing?

[kids] Papa, it’s Uncle Nicola!

[La Torre] Hey, Nico.

Hey, Pietro.

You come back empty-handed, as usual?

No, we caught 41 giant sea urchins.

[Nico] Oh, that’s great!

Uncle Nicola, can we come hang out on your boat?

Yeah, of course you can! But you have to ask your dad’s permission first, okay?

[Bianca] Papa, please, can we?

No, it’s out of the question. Please don’t call him uncle.

He’s not your uncle.

Come on, Papa, please! Why not?

[Pietro] No.

Pietro. Five minutes.

No. No, we can’t. We have stuff to do.

C’mon, just five minutes. Please?

C’mon! Aw, Papa! Five minutes.

Alright, five minutes, okay?

When I’m done tidying up here, we take off, got it?

Sorry, Nicola, I’m busy today.

Yeah, sure.

Come on, kids!

Let’s go!

Hey. That’s a scorpionfish. It stings, so hands off.

This nasty-looking guy is a monkfish. It’s ugly, but it’s good.

Alright, then, we have sea bass, grey mullet, and this one here…

This big sucker is my masterpiece.

Ma-ma-ma-ma.

See?

His face is freaking me out.

[laughing]

Your boat is so much bigger and fancier than Papa’s boat.

Lucky you.

[Nico] Hey, Pietro.

[Pietro] Yeah?

Why don’t you come over and watch the game with me tonight?

I have a big screen TV, a few friends are coming over, we could cook the fish.

C’mon, Papa, please say yes.

No, Nico, we’re not doing that.

Right, of course, you’re always so busy.

I guess since you became a father, you don’t wanna be in bad company anymore.

That’s right.

[Nico] Hey, kids, do you have any idea how fond I am of your father?

Hmm?

Hmm. It’s true.

Let’s just go.

[atmospheric music builds]

[Pietro] Come on.

I was just passing by and thought, “Maybe he’s home.”

Santo, I’m with my kids.

Just gimme two minutes.

Go inside. Okay, guys?

[tense music playing]

Why are you here?

You know why I’m here, huh.

Pietro. I haven’t seen you for months.

My patience has run out.

Listen, I told you, the house isn’t for sale.

The work’s not finished yet.

C’mon, you haven’t even started.

I had a few problems. But I’m getting back to it.

Ah.

Is that right?

How are you gonna pay us back?

Renting rooms at €100 a night?

You owe 250,000.

Listen to me.

Sell us the property, and we’ll call it even.

Look, I told you, the house isn’t for sale. Clear?

You’ll lose it to the bank.

Yeah, we’ll see.

I guess you’re just that stupid.

You have to tell me before you visit. We had an agreement.

You’ll have the money by Christmas. I just need a little more time.

[inhales deeply]

Fair enough. [exhales]

Okay, you got it.

Bye.

[car engine starts, revs]

[Pietro] Why are you still here?

I told you to go inside.

Here. Go.

Hey! Hey!

Guys, come on, stay still, please. Just stay still, alright? Just a minute.

Papa, was that guy out there trying to buy our house or what?

What are you talking about? He’s not buying anything.

If he does buy the house, maybe you can come back and live with us at Mom’s place.

Bianca, that man is not gonna take this house from us.

And I’m not going back to live at Mom’s.

Okay? Here, come over here. Come rinse off.

Ah.

Yeah, here we go. Okay.

[chuckling] Yeah…

[laughing]

There’s no escape.

Towel off, towel off!

I’m so cold.

Papa, it won’t work.

[toilet gurgles]

Gio, just push it twice. Watch. Like this.

[flushing]

Alright. Let’s go. Come on.

Here ya go. Oh God!

No, hey, Papa!

Oh my God, what’s happening? Oh no!

No! No!

Ahh!

No, no, no!

[kids yelp]

[all laughing]

[Bianca] Pillow fight!

[Gio]…smack you with my pillow.

No. C’mon, guys.

Yeah, yeah, yeah!

No pillow fights tonight.

C’mon, please!

Just lay down, there. Time for bed, okay? Come on.

Okay, here.

Mm.

Alright. There.

[Pietro sighs]

Good night.

Love you.

Good night, Papa.

[Pietro] Night.

[night bird calling in distance]

[sports announcer speaking on TV]

The star, Labriola, loses the ball. And Paponi… with the cross to Botta!

What a play by Botta after that steal!

Botta struggling to control it with his left foot with Paponi inside.

He just can’t get ahead of Rubén Botta’s pass!

Bari’s classic strategy here is to retain defensive control of the ball.

Giovinco breaks away. He’s keeping an eye on Botta.

Whistle from Maranesi. Pucino fires with his right foot, takes a shot!

[echoing] What a goal by Raffaele Pucino!

Just inside the 14th minute, Bari has taken the lead, one-nil.

On the left wing, Versienti takes the ball.

Passes to Pucino. Versienti puts the ball inside, and Giovinco returns…

Papa?

Giovanni.

There’s some serious booing…

Why are you still awake?

Hm. There’s a monster inside my room, and I’m afraid.

[Pietro] There’s monster in your room?

Here. [grunts]

Why don’t we… find him and kick him out? Where is he?

[Gio] In the wall.

[Pietro] Oh…

[Pietro] Are you sure?

[Gio] Yeah.

[sports announcer continues on TV]

[soft instrumental music plays]

Alright.

Where’s the monster? Let’s see.

It’s right there. Do you see the mouth?

These are just the branches of our trees, Giovanni.

There’s no monster.

Let’s get rid of it. Rawr, rawr, rawr, rawr, rawr.

You see? He’s not so tough.

Back to bed. It’s not a monster. Here.

Under the covers.

Alright.

I’ll be right in there. Okay?

Sleep well.

[announcer] It’s up for grabs, and looks like possession will go to Cheddira.

One and two… closes him off. Cheddira takes a shot!

But he just can’t get past that keeper.

Bari has them on the ropes in the first half, and it seems the pressure keeps mounting.

Bari’s offense has been explosive this season.

[announcer continues on TV indistinctly]

It was bad shot, and it goes high!

Double whistle from the referee to mark the end of the first half at the San Nicola Stadium.

The score is two-nil for Bari over Taranto, thanks to the goals from Pucino and Botta.

Giovanni?

Bianca?

Come on.

Look, guys, it’s not funny, okay?

[pensive music plays]

Giovanni.

Bianca.

That’s enough. I’m getting mad now!

Giovanni!

Bianca!

[tense music playing]

[metal clanking]

[Pietro] Guys, are you in here?

I heard you, alright?

[cat yowls]

[glass clattering]

[cat hisses]

[cat meows]

[dog barking in distance]

Bianca!

Giovanni!

[music intensifies]

Giovanni!

Bianca!

Giovanni!

[dog barking in distance]

Come on, guys!

It’s not funny. Come out right now.

I’m gonna get really angry, okay?

Giovanni!

[announcer speaking on TV indistinctly]

Bianca.

[ringtone playing on cell phone]

Elena.

Where are you?

[Elena] Hey, I literally just got in.

Everything okay?

Pietro?

Elena. Listen to me.

What?

Giovanni and Bianca. I put them to bed.

Then I was watching the game, and…

I went back to their room to see if they had fallen asleep.

And they… they were gone.

I can’t find them, Elena.

Wha… What do you mean, you can’t find them?

They’re gone. They’re gone.

What are you saying? They’re… just…

They’re probably just hiding somewhere!

No, that’s what I thought too.

But I looked everywhere, and I swear they’re gone.

Wait. This can’t be possible. They have to be somewhere.

I don’t know what to say.

Pietro.

I don’t know what to say.

You’re starting to scare me.

Have you looked everywhere?

It’s like they… they just disappeared into thin air.

Hello, Elena?

Okay, I, uh, um… I’m gonna get the first flight back.

Alright? You just… just don’t move.

And I’m… I’m… I’m coming home. I’m coming home.

Okay.

Giovanni!

Bianca!

[ominous music playing]

You guys!

Where are they?

I can’t find them. I looked everywhere.

What do you mean?

How did you lose our children?

Elena, please.

Don’t fucking touch me.

Did you call the police?

Not yet.

What are you waiting for?

I just wanted to wait for…

Wait for what? It’s the middle of the night. They’re two small children.

What the fuck are you saying to me?

So, you didn’t hear anything.

Nothing.

I told you, the game was on, it was loud.

You had three beers, two joints.

I should not have left them with you.

Elena, please. Please. Just…

[ringtone playing]

Who is it?

Hello?

Who is it?

[man] Both your children are with us. They’re doing fine.

We want €150,000 in cash by eight o’clock on Monday.

We will let you know where to deliver it.

And no police.

Otherwise, you will never see either of them again.

[line clicks]

Wait…

Did they say… €150,000?

By Monday morning.

[tense music plays]

[softly] Oh no…

No, just… Just… Call them back. Just call them back!

There is no number and no caller ID.

[sighs]

Who’s doing this to me?

Who’s doing this?

Why are they doing this to me?

We need…

Why are they doing this to me?

We need to find our children. Okay?

You need to find our children.

I’m gonna find the money.

We need to find the money.

I left them with you for one night.

Okay? You need to find my children!

We need to find the money.

How is this happening, Pietro?

[line ringing]

[voicemail] Hello, please leave your message after the tone.

[voicemail beeps]

Santo. What the fuck are you doing?

You out of your mind?

How am I supposed to get €150,000 in one day?

Okay. You can take the house. Got me?

You just take my house. But give the kids back.

Call me back. I’m begging you.

[Elena] Do you owe money, Pietro?

No, Elena, no.

Please, you look at me, and for once, you tell me the truth.

It is the truth.

Are you gambling again?

Oh, come on, please, don’t start again. You know I haven’t for years.

We should never have bought this place.

I wish I had never lent you that money.

I supported you, your passion projects, your dreams… For what?

Now it’s become my passion project. It’s very convenient.

And then the gambling started, and it was one lie after another.

You know there’s only one person who has this kind of money.

No.

Yes.

No, forget about it.

It might be our only option.

It’s out of the question!

I will never ask him for money! Never!

If you don’t, I will.

I will.

[tense music builds slowly]

I’ll go. Just wait for me here.

Are you sure you don’t want me to come?

Yeah, I’m sure.

I’ll be quick.

[Nico] Hey, Pietro.

So, what’s with the urgency?

Well, I need your help.

I need some money.

Ah.

I guess it must be a really serious situation

for you to come to me like this.

[Pietro] It is.

I need €150,000 in cash.

Christ.

[cup clatters]

That’s a lot of money, you know?

It’s about my children.

Why, what happened?

I can’t tell you anything.

[scoffs softly]

Pietro, Pietro.

[sighs]

You got into some trouble, huh?

We used to be like brothers, remember that?

But… then things started changing,

we took different paths in life.

Now we’re not even friends anymore because… you are ashamed of me.

Because… you think you’re so much better than me.

Listen, Nico. If you can’t help me, just tell me, and I’ll leave you alone.

[Nico] Mm-hmm.

I’ll help. But I’m doing it for the kids.

For Bianca and Giovanni, I’d do… Well, I’d do anything.

But… there’s a little job I’d like you to do for me.

It’s a really simple thing. And then I’ll give you the cash.

What’s the job?

It’s just a job. If you don’t work, how can you expect to earn?

I can get you the money, the full 150K, by tomorrow morning.

But I’m gonna need to borrow your boat.

I need you to take a trip to Greece, beyond the Otranto Channel.

It’s three hours by boat. You’ve been there, haven’t you?

Yeah. A few times. Where, exactly?

Well, I’ll send you the coordinates later on, alright?

Sunset, leave port.

You’ll have to reach a small harbor with a restaurant on the water.

It’s the only one there. You can’t go wrong.

Mm.

Then just sit down.

That’s it.

What do you mean, “That’s it”?

Done, finished.

You relax, you eat. [exhales]

They make the best damn moussaka in the world.

Then you wait. You don’t talk to anyone. You just stay quiet.

You’ll be… contacted shortly after that.

By who?

Don’t get all stressed out, Pietro. Someone will contact you,

and all you have to do is follow the instructions they give you.

Hm?

After that… they’ll get the goods, load them onto the boat.

Nico, I’m a father. I have two kids.

Ah.

You’re right. I’m sorry, forgive me.

Sorry, I completely forgot.

You’re father of the goddamn year, aren’t you?

[chuckles wryly] Do my best.

Yeah. I know.

But you came at the right moment for this little deal to work out.

You know what I mean?

Your boat is squeaky clean.

And you’re a clean, upstanding person.

Right?

[chuckles] Besides, what other choice do you have?

I’ll do it.

Perfect.

Once the… goods are loaded and all squared away,

I’ll transfer the money as a crypto payment.

Then they’ll check it on their phones to be safe.

After that, it’s all done, and you start the engine.

You’ll be home inside an hour. Easy as that.

With the money, let’s do half now, half when I’m done.

Hm.

When you’re done. Trust me.

Nico… This thing you’re asking me to do is dangerous, right?

It’s dangerous for me. Okay?

‘Cause you’re completely wet behind the ears, you’ve never done this before.

If you don’t want to do it, we can just forget about it.

I’m in.

[sighs]

Okay, give me your phone.

Why?

Have you ever heard of cell towers, remote tracking, monitoring technology?

See? You don’t know jack shit about any of this stuff.

Oh, and, uh, turn off the GPS on your boat.

[exhales deeply]

[door shuts]

[kids chattering]

So?

Nothing. That dickhead… didn’t want to give me the money.

Did you tell him it’s for the kids? That they’re in danger?

Of course I did.

But he said I have to do something in exchange, like a small job.

Wait, what? Well, when?

Tonight.

He likes the idea to have control of me.

No, that’s fucking bullshit.

I’m gonna go back.

Elena. Please.

You know it’s not gonna help. Let’s go.

[Elena] You can’t do it. It’s too dangerous.

[Pietro] I have to.

I have no choice.

I’m the one who fucked it up.

I need to fix it now.

Come on.

[somber music playing]

[clock ticking]

[tense music builds]

[music fades out]

I have to go.

I’m gonna be able to come back tomorrow, by 4:00, maximum 5:00.

They said they need the money by eight o’clock.

Okay.

Okay.

I’m so sorry about everything.

I want us to come to an agreement. I don’t want us to be enemies.

It’s too painful.

No.

I was never your enemy.

You know that.

[gentle music playing]

We need to think about the kids now.

There’ll be time to think about this.

Don’t let anyone into the apartment, please.

These people are crazy.

[softly] Okay.

Promise me.

I promise.

Bye.

Be safe.

[engine starts]

[somber music playing]

[no audible dialogue]

[music fades out]

[engine throttles down]

[indistinct chatter]

[music playing faintly]

[waiter] Be right with you.

One sparkling water. I’ll be right back with the beers.

Excuse me.

Yes, please.

Do you have a table?

You Italian?

Yeah.

Please, this way.

Thank you.

Just you?

Yeah, just one.

Just a moment.

[patrons laughing and chattering]

[loud chattering]

[upbeat music playing faintly]

[indistinct chattering]

[indistinct conversations]

[soft music playing]

[music turns ominous]

[no audible dialogue]

[ominous music fades out slowly]

Hey, excuse me. Is this the only restaurant here on the island?

Isn’t there another one?

No, no. We’re the only one around here. It’s just Poseidon.

Okay.

Excuse me. I need your help.

Um, I dropped my phone in the water, so I can’t make a call.

And I really have to call my… my wife. It’s kinda urgent.

Any chance you’d let me use your phone?

Here.

Thank you. I’ll be quick.

Thanks.

[phone chimes]

[phone ringing]

[tone beeps]

[sighs deeply]

[voicemail] Please leave your message.

[voicemail beeps]

Elena.

Look, I’ve… I’ve been waiting for hours, but no one’s… No one’s showing up.

I don’t know, maybe something happened. Maybe Nicola called it off.

I don’t have my phone, and I don’t know his number.

Call him. Ask him what I’m supposed to do.

Why aren’t you answering, by the way?

I’ll call you soon. Keep your phone on.

[pleasant music playing faintly]

[phone beeps]

Thank you.

Sure.

[Pietro] Thanks a lot.

[man speaks indistinctly]

[waiter] Thanks, guys, have a good night.

Excuse me, can I get the check?

[waiter] Of course.

No change.

Appreciate it.

Thanks.

GO HOME NOW

[ominous music plays slowly]

[engine throttling up]

[tense music playing]

[engines revving in distance]

Hurry, let’s do it.

Come on.

[bag unzips]

Okay? Do you know where to put this?

Hey! You know what to do?

Yes.

C’mon, speak up. Say your name, and that you received all of it.

[phone beeps]

I’m Pietro. I’ve received all of it.

Okay.

Now we wait for the payment to come through.

[tense music plays slowly]

Huh?

Keep a lookout.

If you want, I can call Nicola, or…

Shhh! Shut your mouth! Just keep quiet.

Why the hell hasn’t it come through?

Let me call Nicola, c’mon.

No! Shut your mouth!

Shut up! Don’t say another goddamn word.

[phone chimes]

We got it.

Alright.

[grunts forcefully]

Get going.

[engines start]

Let’s go.

[beeping]

[engine starts]

[engine grinding]

[rapid beeping]

[mechanical whirring]

Oh no, no, no, no.

[pensive music plays]

[grunts]

[Pietro coughing]

[grunting]

[straining]

[clanking]

[grunting, panting]

[groaning softly]

[groans]

[fabric ripping]

Ah. [inhales sharply]

[sighs, grunts]

[exhales]

[beeping]

Mayday, Mayday, Mayday.

This’s the vessel Santa Lucia. Vessel Santa Lucia.

Vessel Santa Lucia. Do you read me?

I need assistance with an engine failure.

Mayday, Mayday, Mayday.

I’m aboard the Santa Lucia. I need assistance with an engine failure.

[man] Vessel calling Mayday on channel 16, come in. This is Otranto Coast Guard.

Please switch over to channel 12.

[beeping]

[man] Vessel Santa Lucia from the Otranto Marine District.

How many people are on board? Is anyone injured?

Is there a fire on board?

No one is injured. There’s no fire on board, and I’m the only passenger.

Copy that. Please provide the GPS coordinates of your position.

Roger that.

[beeping]

[chiming]

[gentle music playing]

[music becomes tense]

[coast guard] Everything alright?

[Pietro] I’m okay.

Thanks for coming out here.

It’s our duty.

You run into any other problems before we showed up?

No, no, nothing.

Sergeant. Check if the vessel is taking on water.

Yes, sir.

No signs of leaking at the bow, captain.

Go and take a look at the engine, then.

Sir.

The sergeant is a good mechanic.

Oh, perfect.

Have you ever had these kinds of issues before?

No, this is a first.

Sir, would you mind showing me your boating license

and… the documents for your vessel?

Sure.

Thanks.

Here you go.

What happened to your arm?

Ah, nothing, I just cut myself while I was trying to fix the engine.

[captain] You need medical attention?

No, no, that’s okay.

What brings you out here so late at night?

I was fishing.

Ah.

I don’t see any fish in your hold here.

Yeah. Just bad luck tonight, I guess.

Thank you.

The boat’s navigation system should work, but we’ll have to keep the engine on low.

[Pietro] Excuse me, but what happened?

A sealing clamp on the power system must have come loose somehow.

It looks like there was a fuel spill that got the turbine wet.

It almost started a fire below deck.

Sergeant, you stay here on board with the gentleman in case he needs a hand.

I’ll drive alongside you to the port of Otranto.

Wait, Otranto? No, I have to go to Bari, I’m sorry.

Sir, this boat’ll never make it to Bari, not with your engine in this condition.

[captain] Otranto is the nearest port. Don’t worry. We’ll get you back safe.

Go ahead.

[beeping]

[engine sputters]

[sergeant] Nice and easy. Take it slow.

[pensive music playing]

Listen, are you sure you can’t push the speed a little?

No, I told you. It’ll be dangerous to rev the engine.

Don’t worry, we’ll be there soon enough.

I need to get to Bari as soon as possible.

Almost there.

I have to run, sorry. Gotta get to Bari.

Wait. We have to go to the office and…

I’ll go tomorrow. Really, I’ll be there, I swear.

The documents are inside, thank you.

I’ll expect you tomorrow, then.

Sure thing!

[tense music builds]

[Pietro] Bari?

[driver] Go ahead.

[Pietro] Thank you.

[music fades out slowly]

[bus hydraulics hiss]

[sighs]

[sighing heavily]

[bus engine starts]

[phone line ringing]

[phone ringing]

[voicemail] Please leave your message.

Elena.

Listen, I got into a little mishap.

Nothing serious, don’t worry about it. So… I’ll be home shortly, okay?

Alright?

Okay.

Thanks very much.

You got it.

[gentle music builds slowly]

[grunts]

[inhales sharply]

[exhales]

[bubbling]

[gasps]

Giovanni. Bianca.

[music fades out]

[exhales softly]

[sighs]

[tense music plays]

Taxi. Taxi!

Whoa! Are you crazy? Watch where you’re going!

Sorry. I’m sorry.

Hey. Need a hand?

No, no, no.

[scoffs]

[buzzing]

[bass thumping]

[buzzing]

[smacking door]

[exhales]

Who are you?

I’m looking for Nicola.

Who?

Nicola.

Right now?

Yeah, now. I have an appointment.

Gimme a sec.

Wait a minute, sorry.

[woman scoffs]

[upbeat electronic dance music playing]

Whoa! [laughs]

Hey!

You look like you just shit yourself!

What the fuck, Nico. Jesus.

Are you alone?

Huh? Are you alone?

Yeah, I’m alone.

Hey. C’mere, then. Here. Right over here.

Come here. Have a little blow.

Get rid of this stuff. Knock it off.

Come on, relax.

I brought the stuff.

I’m not really in the mood to talk business right now.

Relax. Let me get you a drink.

Hey everyone, this guy… This is, uh… This is my friend from childhood.

We’ve been through a lot… a lot together, but now he just…

He’s different around me.

He doesn’t love me anymore. Isn’t that right?

Listen, Nico. I almost got arrested. I’ve been awake all night.

So check this shit and give me the money already.

[Nico laughing]

Hey! I’ve only got 20 minutes left. It’s 7:40, come on.

C’mon, hey!

I’m doing this for you, my man.

You look so upset. I just wanna help you relax.

Yeah, I’m upset, alright.

Wait, why are you upset?

Everything went off without a hitch. I thought we were all good.

Yeah, we’re great, whatever.

Now check this shit out and give me the money. C’mon, man.

[clicks tongue] You’re right.

Alright, come on.

Here. Make sure it’s all there.

Now you got a real reason to be upset, huh?

What the fuck are you doing?

I’m kind and generous with you, and you treat me like this?

You’re kidding me, right, Nico?

What do you think?

Hey, just drop the gun.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hey.

You pretend you’re better than me, don’t you? But you’re not better than me.

You made your choices, I made mine.

No. She decided for you.

And that bitch doesn’t know jack shit about people like you and me.

But last night, you popped your cherry, my friend,

and now you and me are equal again.

I’m sorry. Okay?

Nicola, you’re pointing a gun at me.

Yeah.

Yeah. So what?

I’ve had a really rough night.

Huh?

I’m not in the mood for jokes.

Is that right?

Knock it off, okay?

Wait, let’s play a game.

Instead of, uh, €150,000, I’ll… I’ll give you double,

but you’re gonna have to let me… let me pull the trigger,

just to find out if I’m bluffing or not. That sound fun?

Three hundred. Huh?

But no, I ain’t gonna aim for the heart.

No, because no amount of money would be enough for that, no.

I’ll aim for the leg. Yeah, that’ll be good.

You gonna… just roll the dice on taking a bullet in your leg, or what?

Well, either way, turns out I’m bluffing, that means the gun is unloaded or fake.

Huh? You wanna try?

Let’s do it.

Nico.

All I want is to get my kids back, that’s it. Okay?

Please.

“C’mon, please. I want to save my kids.”

You are a disappointment, Pietro.

[gunshot]

[gasps]

[laughs]

Motherfucker!

[both grunting]

[tense music playing]

[Nico grunting]

[straining]

[panting, grunting]

[grunting]

[grunts, groans]

[Nico grunts]

[groans]

[grunts]

[grunts]

[both panting]

[straining]

[grunting]

[both groaning, sighing]

[Nico coughing]

Where the fuck is the cash?

In the… In the bag underneath the… the desk.

And your phone…

Your phone’s there too.

[Pietro panting]

[Nico chuckling]

[coughing, chuckling]

[Nico laughing]

I’m okay.

[coughing, laughing] Everyone’s alright.

[sighing]

[pensive music playing]

[bag zips]

[buzzing]

[pounding on door]

[pounding continues]

[sighing]

[door shuts]

[eerie music plays slowly]

Hi, Papa.

Are you okay?

Wait, is that blood?

What are you doing here?

What are we doing? Nothing.

We’re just, uh… we’re eating.

It’s a holiday, didn’t you know that?

Oh God.

When did you get back here? Huh? Who brought you guys back?

You know, we were home yesterday, Papa.

No, sweetie, that’s not true. You weren’t here yesterday.

Papa, we played all afternoon yesterday.

And then we watched a movie and went to right to bed. Like always.

Why are you acting so weird?

That’s not true.

[Elena] What are you doing?

Elena.

What happened to you?

When did the kids get back?

It was a nightmare.

My boat broke down.

I called the coast guard, then I had to take a bus.

I almost didn’t make it in time.

Calm down. Make it in time for what?

What do you mean? To pay the 150,000.

Why didn’t you ever pick up your phone?

I… I left it here.

You left it here? But I called you. I called you, and you wouldn’t answer!

Okay. Okay.

Sweetie. Come.

Let me talk to your dad for a little bit. Va’, va’, va’. Va’. Go, go, go.

Wanna tell me what’s going on here? You look terrible.

You tell me what’s going on!

I went to Greece and brought back ten kilos of cocaine

because I was trying to get money to pay the ransom for our kids!

Then I get back, and the kids are here! What the fuck is going on?

What… ransom?

[ominous music plays]

What ransom? What ransom?

Listen. I got €150,000.

In cash. You see? Huh?

Okay. Okay, listen to me. Listen to me.

Nobody kidnapped our kids, okay? You just saw them.

They’re safe. They’ve been here with me.

Alright? Why are you talking about drugs, and why do you have €150,000 in cash?

Nicola gave it to me. It was your idea to go to Nicola, ask him for money!

Do you realize you sound delirious? You sound crazy.

No, I’m not crazy. What is this? Are you playing a game?

You want to drive me crazy, right? Hm?

Is this a game?

No. No. I’m not playing a game.

You just walked in my house, and told me that you smuggled ten kilos of drugs

from Greece to Italy, and someone paid you €150,000 for it.

You know it’s true, goddamn it! You went with me to the port.

You were with me yesterday! You saw me take off in my boat.

Are you on drugs?

Have you taken something? Are you hallucinating?

Elena, please.

In my house?

I’m begging you. Please, why are you doing this to me?

We were looking for the children, the farm, you remember… please.

Don’t touch me.

You do not touch me.

I have no idea what you are talking about. Okay?

You need to keep away from me.

You need to keep away from my children. And you need to leave.

‘Cause you are scaring me, and you are scaring my children!

Get the fuck out of my house and take your shit with you!

[sadly] No.

What is this?

Oh my God, you’re not well.

You’ve gone fucking crazy.

Get out of my house.

Get out of my house before I call the police.

I will call the police.

Get out!

[quietly] What is wrong with you?

Get out, get out, get out.

[door shuts]

[pensive music builds]

[tires screech]

[breathing heavily]

Morning.

Hi. Fill it up.

[pensive music fades]

How much?

Fifty euro.

Thank you.

Okay, thanks.

[somber music playing]

[music fades out]

[phone alert chimes]

WHAT TIME ARE YOU PICKING UP THE KIDS?

[Pietro] I went to Greece and brought back ten kilos of cocaine

because I was trying to get money to pay the ransom for our kids!

Then I get back, and the kids are here! What the fuck is going on?

What the fuck?

[Elena] What… ransom?

[Pietro] What ransom? What ransom?

Listen. I got €150,000.

In cash. You see? Huh?

THIS MESSAGE HAS BEEN DELETED

[phone alert chimes]

Pietro, you’ve left me no choice.

I need to do what’s right for the safety of my children.

I’m taking them to New York with me tonight.

Our flight is at 9:00.

I need you to meet me at the airport and sign the letters of consent.

And if you don’t… I’ll be forced to use that recording against you.

[line beeping]

Come on.

[line continues beeping]

[phone beeps]

Elena.

What the fuck is this?

What is this shit?

You recorded me.

Are you blackmailing me?

Answer the goddamn phone, will you?

[engine revving]

[tires squealing]

[tires squealing]

[tires squealing]

[buzzing]

[buzzing]

[exhales]

Look who’s here!

Papa!

Hey, look, Papa! Look, I’m trotting.

Me too.

[Gio] So, today we’re going home with you?

But I thought Mom said she was gonna pick us up.

Okay, listen guys.

I came here to ask you about something really important.

You guys stayed over at the farm with me the other night, remember that?

Papa, are you okay?

Well, I don’t know.

What do you mean, “I don’t know”?

Do you guys remember that I tucked you in? Before that we took a shower together.

Huh? When you went to bed, I started watching the game on TV.

Then you woke up, and you told me there was a monster in your room.

You remember?

Yeah, fine.

I guess I do.

Yeah.

Can we go out today and get some pizza, Papa? I’m hungry.

Yeah, okay.

Bianca. Do you remember?

You slept at my place, and in the morning you were at Mom’s.

Yeah.

Alright. Did someone come to get you?

Papa, just leave us alone. C’mon, please.

Think for a second, will you?

Did someone come and get you? Huh?

Someone, who? Um, I don’t know.

What do you mean? C’mon. Try to remember.

You slept at my place, and you woke up in the morning at Mom’s. That true?

Answer me.

Papa, why’re you being like this?

I… just remember being at home, like we always are, with Mommy.

But you just said something different!

What are you doing here?

I told you to stay away from us.

Go. Wait in the car.

I just want to know what happened last night.

And I want to hear from them.

Do you realize you could go to prison for the crimes you committed last night?

Why did you record our conversation? Huh?

Are you blackmailing me?

No.

I’m just taking the necessary measures to protect myself and my children.

And whether you like it or not… I don’t answer to you anymore.

Listen to me carefully. You’re not gonna take the children anywhere. Clear?

Fine. Then I’m just gonna send that recording to my lawyers,

and we’ll let a judge decide.

You set me up. I can’t fucking believe it.

[ringtone playing on cell phone]

[phone clicks]

[ringing stops]

[phone alert chimes]

[Elena] Pietro, I’m on my way to the airport. Plane leaves in two hours.

[somber music playing]

[sighs]

[pensive music builds slowly]

Papa, it’s not working.

Gio, just push it twice. Watch. Like this.

[tires squealing]

[tires screech]

[buzzing]

[Salvatore] Yes?

Hey, Salvatore, it’s Pietro.

Morning, sir, how can I help?

I know it’s a holiday, but I really need to grab the keys from you.

Sure, right away.

Thanks.

Sir.

Hey. Sorry, Salvatore.

My wife’s leaving, but she forgot Bianca’s passport.

Not a problem. Hurry up, I wouldn’t want them to miss their flight.

Yeah, I’ll be back in no time.

Sure.

[tense music builds]

[music intensifies]

[engine revving]

[horn honking]

[tires squealing]

[horn honking]

[tires squealing]

[horns honking]

Elena. I’ll sign those papers.

I’m coming. Wait for me.

[engine revving]

[tires squealing]

[tires squealing]

[music intensifies]

[horn honking]

[ominous music playing]

[tires squealing]

[horn honking]

[toilet gurgling]

[engine revving]

[tires squealing]

[horn honking]

[engine starts]

[music fades slowly]

I just arrived.

Call me back.

[airplane engines roaring]

[announcement tones chiming]

[PA announcement in Italian]

[in English] Last call for flight AZ1435 leaving for Rome.

[PA announcement in Italian]

[in English] Last call for flight AZ1435 leaving for Rome.

Papa!

Hi, Papa. Are you going to come with us?

Hey, kids.

No, no. Daddy’s just coming to sign the papers, so we can go to America.

You need to be quick, we’re late.

CONSENT TO EXPATRIATION

Look, guys, there’s been a little change of plans.

Your mom’s leaving alone. You’re staying with me.

Why is Mom going by herself?

Because… there’s a problem with your passports.

Mm? You can’t leave right now.

So we’re not going to America anymore?

No. In fact, you know what? Stay there a minute while I talk to Mom.

Sit over there.

I don’t think you heard me. I said we’re late, you need to sign the papers.

Enough, Elena.

I know what you’ve done.

Oh, you do?

Yeah.

What did I do?

You drugged our children.

I found the box of your pills floating in the toilet.

You could have killed them.

You are getting on that plane… alone.

What are you gonna do, you gonna report me?

The mother of your children?

Yes, exactly.

Yeah, well, too bad nobody’s gonna believe a man like you.

Look at you, you’re a fucking mess.

I spoke to a physician.

And he told me that the traces of those opiates remain in the hair for a while.

If you take them, I’ll report you.

And then I’ll get the kids’ hair tested by someone in New York.

They were never in danger. I knew exactly what I was doing.

You know what you did was terrible. It was terrible.

What choice did I have?

Huh?

You never wanted to come to a compromise or any kind of agreement.

I had no way out.

[tense music builds]

This is not my life.

I can’t live like this anymore.

What’s wrong with you?

You were pretending to care about our children all along.

You left me at the mercy of a drug dealer.

You had the nerve to blackmail me too.

You put our kids’ lives at risk.

Look, things got out of control. Alright?

I never meant you to do that job for Nicola.

I just needed you to get dirty money.

I would never have put you in that kind of danger.

But I can’t leave my children.

You have no choice.

I’m giving you a way out.

And you know why?

Because I don’t want them to know

what their mother did to them.

[indistinct announcement on PA]

Hey, kids.

Say bye to Mama, c’mon.

[gasps softly] No.

Mama, I don’t want you to go away.

[sighs] It’s okay.

It’s okay.

When will you be back?

Soon. Soon.

I’ll see you soon. Okay?

Pietro.

That kiss.

It wasn’t a lie.

[Pietro] Okay, guys.

Since today was a little confusing and complicated,

no school tomorrow. Alright?

Really, we don’t have to go to school tomorrow?

And for 24 hours, you can do whatever you want.

Are you serious? Well… what time is it now?

Eight o’clock.

So that means we can do whatever we want

until exactly eight o’clock tomorrow night, right?

Yeah. Maybe not anything, but almost anything, okay?

[Gio] Okay.

[engine stops]

I’m gonna beat you!

No, I’ll get there first.

Hey, don’t run. Slow down.

[kids chattering indistinctly]

[ringtone playing on cell phone]

Santo?

[Santo] Hey, Pietro.

What’s with that message you left the other day? I mean, were you drunk?

What the fuck made you think that?

Listen to me, I’m gonna say this once, and I won’t tell you again.

We never touch children, okay?

Yeah, I’m sorry, Santo.

I just had a pretty rough day.

Yeah.

Listen, I have some money for you.

About time.

Come pick it up tonight.

[Bianca] I’m gonna get there first!

[Gio] No way!

[Gio laughs]

[Bianca] I’m gonna get you.

Come here.

[Gio laughing]

I’m gonna pick the movie, you doofus.

[Gio laughing]

[Gio] No, I will!

[both laughing]

[Bianca] Come here!

[both children laughing, grunting]

[gentle music playing]

[Gio laughs]

[both laughing]

[somber music playing]

BASED ON THE FILM “SÉPTIMO” BY PATXI AMEZCUA

[music fades out]

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