Honolulu Weekly

Don’t let American, French or German film-buffs know that the Weekly has outed a movie truth: the first story-line movie was devised by Italians, which makes the scrappy little Italian movie-scene the most durable on Earth, withstanding WWII bombings, dictators and financial disasters. This week’s Cinema Italiano fest offers six features and nine shorts, and we’ve looked at five of them in order to give you the highlights and the low down.

Giovanni’s Father Don’t let the synopsis fool you: this is one of the best film dramas of the year, one that will stay with you. It’s 1939 in Fascist Italy, in the city of Bologna. A father, a dangerously naïve teacher, wishes only the best for his mentally-challenged daughter but sets into motion, by pushing her into certain social situations, a series of dramatic events, including murder. Directed by the great Pupi Avati.

The 1000-Euro Generation It’s a shaky world-economy, in which young people starting out have a lower income standard than did their parents (when young). This makes for job pressure, romance problems and doubling up in living spaces. A funny feel-gooder on the cusp of real insight.

Ex A glamorous romantic comedy (lavish settings, sleek locations, a cast who look as if they were bred on movie-star farms) about what we can learn, and what we can’t, when break-ups occur. Very pretty to look at but beware: this one has a stinger in its tail.

Il Divo A cutting-edge, visually-striking, almost hypnotic black comedy based on the shenanigans of former prime minister Giulio Andreotti, and certain Mafiosi. Winner of l4 international film awards, and, in some ways, a brave movie. It’s the best film in this year’s fest.

The Girl by the Lake A good murder-mystery about the secrets of a quiet community in the Dolomite mountains–secrets soon to be revealed by a police investigation. Atmosphere to die for (so to speak).

We Can Do That A charming, well-meaning comedy-drama (based on real events) in which Our Hero uses his managerial skills to engage a co-op of mental patients into work outside their oppressive reality. Can they work? Yes, they reply. “We’re crazy, but we’re not stupid.” Our sentiments exactly.