The Camp Followers (Le soldatesse)

"On October 28th, 1940, Mussolini,

to be on par with the German allies in Europe,

declared war on Greece,

convinced they would surrender within a few weeks:

and, thus, polite men of ancient civilization

clashed fiercely on the mountains of Epirus.

The Greek army resisted heroically

and, at the end of winter, retaliated with a counter-attack,

which pushed the front line back to Albania,

It was a long, tragic and useless massacre:

23,755 deaths

50,870 injured ...

12,268 frozen, of which ...

over 3,000 underwent amputations.

The war, however, was won.

Under unendurable pressure by the Germans,

who eventually intervened, Greece capitulated on April 22nd, 1941."

Attention, attention, everybody to the shelters and the basements of their houses.

Attention, attention.

A year later...

the Greek people were on their knees.

Hunger, hardship, and epidemics.

They had dug a deep rift of pain and humiliation,

much more serious than the bloody one

created by the war.

We were helping as best we could,

but it was nothing.

A drop in a sea of tears,

and we were aware of it.

There were no values left,

facing the specter of hunger,

and bread, ptsomí,

became the only currency of exchange,

an irresistible key that would open any Greek door.

For me, a reserve lieutenant,

sent to rot on the shores of a lake

along the Albanian border at the end of operations,

coming to Athens on leave

had gradually lost its appeal.

It was the city of the dead.

A large illegal cemetery,

where ghastly scenes took place

and no one could put it right.

So, I couldn't wait to leave.

Happy with a truck. Anything.

But you're going north, lieutenant.

The further north they take, the better.

I have one, but it'll stop here in Piraeus.

Ah! But, lieutenant, you're going back to Ocrida.

So, you're fine. There's a truck,

but you'll need to report immediately to Colonel Gambardella.

- Why? - I don't know.

But if an officer is going that direction,

I have orders to send them to him immediately.

Come in.

One moment.

It ... is difficult.

Who are you? What do you want?

Lieutenant Martino, sir.

My dear friend, I don't have time.

Sony, but at the vehicle depot, I was told to come to you immediately.

I need to go back to Ocrida and the Marshal...

Ah! Ocrida! Why didn’t you say, son?

Come with me.

Come on,

How many years of service?

28 months.

- Are you single? -Yes, sir.

As provided

by the Occupation Headquarter in Greece,

auxiliaries of the army will receive

a daily wage of four liras,

regular meals of the troops

and the chance to buy what was agreed

at the canteen of their division.

We will now begin the distribution of food for three days.

Antea Creriesa.

Aspasia Anastasio.

Satuli Emantri.

Sofia Karamicali.

No, enough. The combo is more.

Lydia Urak.

It is the commission.

With all those tin cans, at the end of the war, that piranha

will be able to afford a three-story brothel.

- Ebe Bartolini. - Here.

I am Italian, Colonel. Venetian.

I've been in Abyssinia and Spain.

Promoted with honors in bed.

Look who's talking! Fuck you!

Eftikia Damidatis.

- Eftikia, come! - Eftikia Damidatis.

I'll collect for me and my friend, Eftikia.

Okay, take it.

- You are Eleni Carabolis? -Yes, I am.

Give her a double ration.

Thank you.

How old are you?

And how old do you think I am, Colonel?

More or less the same age as my granddaughter.

- Done? - Yes, sir.

Everything is in order.

Okay.

That's it! 11 recruits and a glorious veteran

to deliver to our military locations from here to Ocrida.

Sergeant Castagnoli knows the route like his hands

and he'll be helpful because of his incredible experience.

You're so kind, Colonel.

It's all here: itineraries, statements, medical certificates

and record of the girls.

From now on, they're auxiliaries of our army

and you're responsible for them, understand?

Well, I have not received orders.

And having no instructions for such a mission...

I'm giving you instructions now.

Not happy? A beautiful journey in good company.

All the girls are happy to go with Italians.

Take this. I can't understand you.

Are you a volunteer?

Yes, sir.

And perhaps even fascist.

I don't care about politics.

Listen carefully...

and don't interrupt me,

because when I talk too much I get asthma.

When I was studying and you were not even born,

distinguished professors taught us

that this country was the cradle of civilization

and that today we would be barbarians without the ideal of beauty,

sensed by the ancestors of these wretched women.

And when these professors, between 1921-1924

were beaten, humiliated and exiled,

were weak to move a finger and that's why...

you were taught to clap your hands off.

When a stupid teacher says he wants to tear apart the kidneys

of a people on their knees,

that dignity is between the buttocks of your sisters

and that you sleep with whores in the dark

and you don't drive around with them like human beings.

So?

So, you get what you deserve, because mine is an order.

And if you want, write a report.

Yes, sir.

If you're done, I have something to do.

Go ahead.

You'll leave tomorrow at 9:00 am., at the depot.

- Have a good trip. -Thank you.

Hey, you! Move those things, I sit in the corner!

Calm down, sweetie! I've figured you out, at the first stop...

Sorry, but I've already chosen my stop.

Me too, the first one!

- Sergeant, are we ready? - Ready, Lieutenant.

- Panayiota! - Careful!

Panayiota!

- Hold on here! - Come with us!

- What's happening? - That's a good start!

Must be the patriot.

The sooner you get rid of her, the better.

Stop a moment. I'll check.

What's happening? Hey! Who is that?

You heard him. Get out of here!

Who is she?

Tula's sister. She jumped on the truck,

she could have broken her neck. She wants to join us.

She needs to get off. Now!

Go and get her.

You better get down. Don't make things worse.

- That is not for you. You are too young. - Not

- Let me go! - Leave her alone...

Get your hands off her!

Lieutenant, let her go! Or she'll start working in the street

- and that'll be much worse, poor thing! - Get off! No fuss!

Well, did you make up your mind?

Are you crazy?

- I am hungry too. - I'll leave then.

I'll leave then.

You, there! Come here!

Go back to the truck!

- Move! - Lieutenant! What about her?

Let her stay. The police will deal with her

at the first roadblock. Get off! Let's go.

You do not move!

Castagnoli, hurry up!

Start the engine!

Lieutenant!

Are they 12?

Yes, but there's an extra woman.

She jumped on covertly. Get her down, please.

Tell me who she is.

Show her to him.

Lieutenant, since you're going north,

if you don't mind, there's a Major from the troops

coming from Italy. He's heading to Porta. Could you give him a ride?

If he fits in.

He will fit in for sure!

- For the Italian brothels? - Yes.

- How many? - 12 women.

Lieutenant, if he realizes that there are 13 girls,

the extra one will be in trouble!

He left.