Baaria is an 2009 Sicilian- Italian autobiographical film directed by Giuseppe Tornatore, screening throughout Australia with the Lavazza Italian Film Festival.
Plot
We are introduced to a young Peppino (played as an adult by Francesco Scianna ) and his friend Nino (played as an adult by Ficarra), in the small Sicilian town of Baarìa (Sicilian slang for Bagheria). Here, we are privy to the life, loves and struggles of the town throughout three generations: starting from the 1920s stretching all the way to the 1980s. We follow the community during the Fascist period, World War II and its political falling out; the clash of Socialism and Communism all against a backdrop of the lives of Barria’s occupants.
Review
The movie looks absolutely lush with its golden earthy hues within the towns architecture and beautiful Sicilian countryside landscape, and obviously has a great budget behind it. A lot of cinematic techniques are employed throughout: from epic looking camera sweeps to the use of CGI from grand architecture, natural landscapes down to very small objects.
The rustic town looks beautiful, however, as one review mentioned, perhaps a little too perfect, as if the film was made with tourism in mind; selling Sicily overseas like a product. This of course is quite unfair: the directors’ choice of presenting an idealic setting as a character within itself, reaches us in a way that we believe and understand that this place and its community is worth fighting for, similarly what Baz Luhraman did with Australia, which of course did have a tie in with Tourism Australia ( a far cry from Lara Bingle to be sure).
It is fascinating to watch the political changes stretching through such a long time in one location, and to also witness the effects such changes have on a relatively small scale, such as the communities’ lives. One needn’t have a grasp on the political ideals however to appreciate the ramifications felt throughout the community.
Like many ‘epics’ there is a lot happening: there are many characters and there are many sub-plots. It is confusing at times keeping track with all the characters, especially as they age and morph into different actors.
Contrary to its long running time, the film does go at a cracking pace. It is as if it is a Martin Scorsese film being edited by Chrisopher Nolan’s editor, Lee Smith. A lot of ground is covered very swiftly, with multiple story threads going on, but too tight editing keeps us a little confused as to what exactly is happening.
It was very amusing to have spotted Monica Belluci’s ‘guest starring role’, and have to wonder if it wasn’t for her past collaborations with the director, such as in Malena, if she would have agreed to such a small, but very impressionable part.
Rating
The viewing experience was marred as, whilst watching the movie, I had two ladies behind me speaking in Italian throughout. However, as it was a Sunday afternoon with a beautiful day outside, I obviously was the intruder in this particular movie viewing period. Anyway, the Italian language may have added to it.
Baaria is a solid piece of filmmaking and a very satisfying experience. 3.5 out of 5 buns
Check the movie out at IMDB, see what Margaret and David had to say, and watch the trailer.
Luke McWilliams October 2010
