A NETFLIX SERIES
BASED ON THE NOVEL OF THE SAME NAME BY ELENA FERRANTE
Before leaving home, my father told my mother that I was ugly.
CHAPTER 1 BEAUTY
He didn't say it directly. He used a metaphor.
He spoke in a low voice,
but I still heard him.
All right, then.
Where do we even start?
Italian. Hmm…
Italian? She got a D.
Physical education, she won't do it.
Greek?
Unbelievable. She got an E+.
Hmm. And geography?
Geography? Shameful. Who's doing geography anymore?
She's haughty and arrogant.
Oh, but the true masterpiece?
Mathematics. She got an F.
-Can you get less than that? -Yeah.
Is that possible? An F's not a grade. That's just being cruel.
Andrè, she's in trouble.
She won't do anything to improve. If she continues like this, she'll fail.
I understand.
She has to roll up her sleeves. I'll hammer it into her head. You'll see.
No, that's not the issue.
-What is it, adolescence? -It's not adolescence.
I've already figured it out.
She's starting to look just like my sister.
You mean Vittoria?
Yeah. Just like her, a spitting image.
Don't say that. She's a monster.
-Nella. -What?
She's her spitting image.
Oh my God. I really hope not.
One word of disapproval from my father had always made me cry.
He had always told me that I was beautiful.
What did he see in my face now that I couldn't see?
What was happening to me?
Since then, everything has stood still.
Naples.
The cold of February.
My mother…
and those words too.
When you're little, everything seems big.
When you're grown-up, everything seems small.
But not for me.
I found myself caught in a story that wasn't mine.
A story that never really started
and one no one ever bothered to put an end to.
And I found myself slipping into this strange pain.
Without redemption.
-Oh, hi there. -Hello!
-Hi! -You both look gorgeous!
Thank you.
-Good evening, Professor. -Good evening, my ass.
-Here. -Mariano, I miss you.
Come on.
What's wrong with this girl? She's so grim.
-I'm not grim. -Listen, "grim" isn't an insult.
It's a manifestation of a state of mind. Don't get upset. Damn.
Ugh, Mariano, you just walked in.
It just means you look upset. Let's go somewhere else.
-They're going for a smoke. -No way.
-They're going for a smoke, I know it. -No they aren't. Hey, no smoking!
The guy from the finance department has been trying to contact me.
-Oh? -And do you know why?
Tell me.
He was vouching for the Naples Bank guy.
To each their own. No one knows.
This morning, I saw some boys breakdancing over there.
-Really? -On those.
-Yeah. -Well, what did they look like?
I like the way they dance. I'm not interested in boys.
Are those new?
-The shoes? -Mm-hm.
No.
-Why? -I don't remember seeing them.
Is there something wrong with me?
No, why?
I don't know. If you just noticed a pair of shoes I've had for ages,
it means there's something wrong.
Giovà, you're just being paranoid.
Why do you still listen to my asshole father?
When he speaks, turn down the volume.
That's what we always do.
Will you take a look at me for a second?
Do you think I look weird? Am I getting ugly?
Just tell me the truth.
Maybe a little bit. But not physically.
No, physically, you're beautiful.
It's… it's just that, um… maybe you get a bit uglier because of your worries.
But nothing else.
Girls!
Angela and Ida were like first cousins to me.
-We had the same left-wing upbringing. -Girls, hurry!
All books and critical thinking.
-What took so long? -I was a great reader.
Ida was a great writer,
and Angela was a funny chatterbox whom I was very fond of.
Did you know Professor Galway and Professor Dealer
from Harvard University
have published a study where they showed actual scientific evidence
that our eminent prime minister
is actually a piece of dog shit wrapped in a leaf.
Oh, how nice.
Well, there you go.
Now that we've said our prayers, let's have dinner.
Our life still revolved entirely around Vomero.
We really knew nothing about the city.
Every detour tempted us and… seemed exciting.
Oh my God, what did I do?
-Are you okay? -Yeah, I'm… I'm fine.
Hmm.
Keep eating, keep eating.
When you're little, everything seems big.
When you're grown-up, everything seems small.
To each their own.
Hey. What's wrong?
My stomach hurts.
-Is it your period? -It's probably coming.
There's some medicine in the cabinet.
Are you two finished?
-Do you want the hot-water bottle? -No.
Go back to bed for a while, okay?
Apparently, Aunt Vittoria's face disgusted my father so much
that he scraped the face off every single photo of her.
What are you doing?
Are you dressing up for a carnival?
We can make it better.
Will you show me how to put your makeup on?
No one makeup can suit everyone.
Each face is a little different.
Come here.
Let's try with this.
Close.
Just like that.
Your touch has to be as light as a feather.
Then spread it with your finger.
Then on the sides, keep blending as far as you can.
Never overdo it.
Every mark makes you look slightly different.
Then you stop.
And then you look.
And now you're ready.
I'm off.
I have that conference about Luther.
On a Sunday?
You two are so pretty.
I'm so damn lucky.
Bye.
What a clown.
Why are you looking at all these family photos?
Dad keeps talking shit.
He says I'm not pretty.
That I'm starting to look like Vittoria, who is a monster.
And you were looking for a picture of her?
Tell me what she looks like.
It's not just her looks.
I remember, when she was around, I felt uncomfortable,
like I had a lizard on my leg.
You have nothing in common with her.
For us, "Aunt Vittoria" is just a joke.
Sometimes, when your father is being annoying,
I'll tell him, "Andrè, be careful. You're looking like Vittoria."
Is she that bad?
She's a resentful woman.
More than anything, she can't handle your father's achievements.
Like what?
Your Aunt Vittoria takes everything and everyone
as some sort of attack against her personally.
But what bothers her the most is your dad's existence.
And to think that he saved her.
From what?
Oh, never mind. Just forget it.
Maybe she didn't want to be saved.
Maybe Dad should mind his own business.
No one should mind their business when someone is in trouble.
Anyway, she paid him back by being as mean as possible.
Can't they just make peace?
To make peace, for Vittoria, your father would have to become an ordinary man.
Like everyone else she knows.
And since this can't happen,
she has turned the whole family against him.
You haven't seen her for so many years.
But when you were a kid, we used to go over to see them sometimes.
You remember?
No, I don't remember.
Yeah, that was a long time ago.
-What work does she do? -She's somebody's servant.
And she blames your dad for that as well.
-Why ask? -I wanna see what she looks like.
I have to see her.
Oh.
All right, then.
-Do you know Via Miraglia? -No.
Via Stradera?
No.
Poggioreale.
Piazza Nazionale, right here.
The Arenaccia, It's industrial.
-You know Pianto, don't you? -No.
-You don't know the Pianto? -No.
Then you must study.
Here's the street map of your city.
After you study and you feel ready, you tell your dad.
Then you should go see your aunt on your own.
Take it.
MONUMENTAL CEMETERY
NEW CEMETERY CEMETERY OF COMPASSION
All those unknown street names my mom had told me about
were still on my mind.
The Pianto in particular.
It must have been a place of sadness, where people were suffering.
Or maybe it made you suffer.
That's where my aunt lived.
Hello?
-Hi, Nello. -Hi, Dad.
Hey.
What are you doing?
Nothing.
-Where's Mom? -In her bedroom.
How's your homework?
It's coming along.
Aah.
-Is there anything you don't understand? -No, nothing.
-Anything you want me to clarify? -No.
Don't leave this around.
Giovà, you have nothing in common with my sister.
You said I do.
Just remember this. She enjoys causing me pain.
She'll use you to hurt me.
She'll try to deprive me of your love, and for me, that's… unbearable.
Hm?
Come here.
Now, when you see her,
be like Ulysses and the Sirens.
Put wax in your ears and don't listen to her.
So you're taking me there?
Yes.
What's wrong?
Nothing. You smell funny.
Hmm. Understand me?
-Yes. -Good.
Good girl.
I didn't understand anything.
Hey, girls. Where you going?
-The school's been occupied. -Really? Who's occupied it?
Peppe O Dragone and his mates.
-Yeah, right, Peppe O Dragone. -Yeah, we're all good then.
I'm going to Officina. There's a concert.
Wanna come with me?
Hop on.
Okay.
Follow me.
Hey, man, give me a dime. Black hash.
…stabbed and shot!
♪ Saint Anthony, come here
Take a hit.
Hmm.
Giovà, we are in trouble.
We don't smoke joints, we don't give blow jobs.
We don't even play the guitar.
The guitar, that's a big deal.
Who's this stuck-up bitch?
You know that with the money you spend on clothes,
a worker could live for a year?
So tell me, is it better for workers to dress their asses in rags like you?
-Watch it, fascist. You don't want me mad. -Who's a fascist?
I've read the whole Communist Manifesto.
What have you read besides the instructions on a syringe?
Who let you in anyway, you shitty fascist? Back up!
Oh!
-Whoa! -Whoa, what the fuck?
-What the fuck are you doing? -Hey, bitch!
Press it against your eye, or it'll swell up.
Thanks.
Does it hurt?
-And you? -Mm.
I need to go there.
-What for? -I'm meeting someone.
I'll explain later.
I wanna know everything.
Be careful.
Hello. Good morning.
Hold on.
-Does it still hurt? -Yes.
Okay, I tell you what. Hm?
You give me your eye, I'll get it fixed up
and bring it back to you brand-new.
-Hm? -Okay.
Oh, by the way, I wanted to ask you something.
I've been thinking about this since this morning.
Who is the most beautiful little girl in Naples?
-I don't know. -Come on!
Try to remember. Who is she?
Me?
Well-done.
-Your answer is correct! -I thought so.
Do you remember the song we sang at the rallies?
Now second gear.
And third gear.
-Have I shifted? -You got it.
Come on, sing!
Good girl.
Was it here?
No, wait, I went the wrong way.
See what it's like here?
This is where I was born and raised. This was my home.
This is where Vittoria is still living.
Go on. I'll wait here.
Want some crackers?
Here.
What's up?
Don't go anywhere, okay?
Go on, go. I won't move a muscle.
What if she holds me up?
When you get tired, tell her, you know, "I'm sorry, I have to go. See you later."
What if she won't let me go?
All right. One hour tops, I'll come and rescue you.
No. You stay here. I'll come back on my own.
For fuck's sake!
Oh my God!
Oh! She doesn't seem to get it!
You have to suffer a little if you wanna look good, right?
-Right, exactly. -Yeah!
She's pretty.
She looks like a little doll.
Excuse me. Trada?
Right there, the door over there. First floor.
Go on, honey, she's waiting for you.
Let's go.
What are they doing with my TV?
Hey, what the hell!? Calm down.
I'm coming.
What is it? Are you okay? You gotta pee?
No.
Then what is it?
Why are you breaking my door down?
Aunt, I'm Giovanna.
I know who you are.
But if you call me "Aunt" again, you better turn around and leave.
Mmm.
Hey, sir. Could you buy me a coffee?
What? Get outta here.
Oh, wow. No manners.
-Goodbye, prick. -Go away.
-Yeah, screw you. -Bye. Bye.
So, how did it go?
Good.
That's it? Come on, tell me.
Well, she offered me some orange juice, but it was full of seeds.
-So I spat them out. -Mmm.
And then she wanted to know if I had friends,
so I told her about Angela.
I see.
-She ask about me? -No.
-Never? -Never, no.
-What about Mom? -No, she didn't.
-That music, what was it? -What music?
Well, at some point, I heard some very loud music coming from up there.
No, I didn't hear it.
Well, was she kind?
Mostly.
Did she say anything mean?
She's a bit unpleasant.
Well, what did I tell you about her?
Have you satisfied your curiosity now?
Now do you realize she's nothing like you?
-Yes. -Good.
Give me a kiss.
Do you forgive me?
I forgive you.
No! No, your beard scratches my cheek.
Oh yeah? Your aunt must scratch even worse with that mustache of hers.
She doesn't have a mustache.
-Yeah, she does. -No!
Okay, fine, she doesn't.
I mean, God forbid you wanted to go back
to see whether she actually has one or not.
I don't wanna see her anymore.
Okay.
-Aunt, I'm Giovanna. -I know who you are.
But if you call me "Aunt" again, you better turn around and leave.
What's that?
-Does it hurt? -No.
You want a fresh orange juice?
No, I don't wanna bother you.
Yes or no?
-Come on. -Okay, yeah.
Mm. Here.
Mm.
Mm-mm-mm!
Be careful. It's broken. Sit over here.
Take off that jacket. What's the problem? Where's the fire?
-Here. -Is that for me?
No. Your sister.
Giannì.
Don't you… Why didn't you wear your bracelet?
What bracelet?
The one I gave you when you were born.
I guess my mom made me wear it when I was little.
Until I turned one or two, and then it didn't fit anymore.
You're very clever, Giannì.
That's the truth.
Are you afraid of me?
Yes.
Well, that's good. Fear keeps you vigilant.
It didn't take you long to find an excuse to save your dad's ass.
Brava, Giannì.
But now, you haven't saved your own.
I didn't give you a bracelet that was meant for a child
but for an adult.
An important bracelet.
Mmm!
Go ahead.
It's healthy.
I'm not like your father.
He's so attached to money and material things.
I don't give a shit about objects.
I only care about people.
I used to own one thing, only one thing.
That bracelet.
And when you were born, I had a thought,
"When she's a young woman, an adult, she can wear it."
I even wrote that on the card I gave you.
What card?
A card that I carefully put inside of the mailbox,
together with the bracelet.
"Give it to her when she grows up."
Maybe you shouldn't have left it there.
-Thieves probably came and stole it. -What thieves?
What the hell are you even saying?
Just drink your juice.
Your mother wouldn't even know how to make you one.
Light, you damn thing!
Damn it. Light!
And light. Good, good…
Listen, I had to put it in the mailbox
because if I had walked up,
your father would have kicked me out for sure.
My father would never kick anybody out.
Your father is an asshole.
He thinks he knows absolutely everything.
He stays safe in his own little world.
And if you tell him that he's wrong, he'll erase you!
He erased me.
Even Enzo.
My Enzo too.
Your father will erase everyone who's better than him.
He's always been like that, you see. Even when he was a kid.
He thinks he's so intelligent, but he's never been intelligent.
He's a motherfucker, and he'll do everything in his power
to make you believe you can't live without him.
When we were kids,
every time he left, I felt like they had taken the sun from me.
And I thought, "I'm gonna die."
So I would do everything he wanted.
He made the rules.
"You can do this, but you can't do that."
He even had me believe that God didn't exist.
He went that far.
But I changed my mind right away.
As soon as I met my Enzo.
Son of a bitch!
For your dad, you only have a right to be in this world
if you hold a book in your hands.
That bastard.
That piece of shit.
That dog!
With my Enzo, first he convinced him they were friends.
But then he stole his soul.
He tore him to pieces.
Giannì! Come on.
Giannì!
Are you sleeping?
Come on!
I want that dog to hear this.
So that he can remember!
The very first time I met my Enzo, we were at a dance party.
And we danced together like this, to this song right here.
Was it a long time ago?
It feels like yesterday.
-And where is Enzo now? -Giannì, you're not growing up right.
You believe more in lies than in the truth.
Hm?
I bet you don't even know how to dance.
-I know how to breakdance. -Breakdance! Oh!
Mm!
Give me your hand.
One. Two.
Mm! Follow me.
Move those hips!
Move!
What's wrong?
Well, I'd really like to meet Enzo now.
-Seriously? -Yes.
All right, then. One of these days we can go see him.
Mm. Where is he?
He's… in the cemetery.
Oh.
When you're little, everything seems big.
When you're grown-up, everything seems small.
Each to their own.
Nobody knows.
Each to their own.
Nobody knows.
When you're little, everything seems big.
When you're grown-up, everything seems small.
Each to their own.
Nobody knows.
Each to their own.
Nobody knows.
Each to their own.
Nobody knows.