Starring: Yile Yara Vianello, Deva Cassel, Nicolas Maupas, Alessandro Piavani
Director: Laura Luchetti
Country: Italy
UK Distributor: Film Movement
When Ginia (Vianello) arrives in Turin with her brother (Maupas) in 1938, the looming rise of the fascist government is overshadowed by her own personal awakening. Successful as a seamstress for a fashion house, she is bewitched by the free-spirited Amelia (Cassel), a beautiful woman who poses as a model for the numerous artists living in the city. As her newfound sexual liberation clashes with societal norms, she must reconcile her new life with reality beyond bohemia.
A slow-burning romantic movie that focuses much upon life inspiring art, this deeply personal coming-of-age story is a compelling time capsule of mid-twentieth century Italy, reminiscent of My Beautiful Friend. However, like the latter, it supposedly lives within the macro-context without really justifying its very specific moment in history. The final year before the declaration of WW2, there is strangely little about the rise of fascism and sparse on references to the PNF… which it wouldn’t be prudent to expect.
The chemistry between its leads is palpable, but its decision to include a major storyline about STIs is confusing. It might be trying to create realism about life amidst the avant-garde 30s, but this is neither an effective romance nor a historical piece. The result is a meandering drama that isn’t summery or beautiful, but instead a plotless character moment that doesn’t actually have anything to say.
UK Release: 8th August 2024 on VOD, released by Film Movement
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