I just cant understand what so great about this film, looks so depressing...maybe you can tell me something that i dont know, i would like to know thanx.
"I Love the wind..when i die i going to be a part of it".. (Marlon Brando)
I haven't seen this film yet, but personally, I think both the quality of a film and the satisfaction I get from it, do not depend on the overall emotion it conveys. "Umberto D." is a sad but beautiful film, as is "Au Hasard Balthazar" (to name just two films similar to this one). Although I think there are limits, like extremely nihilistic films such as "Salo".
What hbrethouwer said, basically. (Come to think of it, the endings of those first two examples literally made me cry - it seems I'm moved by animal stories.) All the best films are depressing, rami_11, you kerrazy cat. The human condition is all about depression. </slight hyperbole>
That said, this is far from the bleakest thing you'll ever see. It's just people doing what they need to do in order to survive - with varying degrees of success. And because they're peasants living in a less technologically sophisticated era, the passing of the seasons, disease, religious dogma and unscrupulous landlords have a more profound influence than most of us would tolerate barely a century later. A much more heart-rending prospect than a million CGI apocalypses, no?
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I suppose on a clear day you can see the class struggle from here.
I saw this movie about 30 years ago and it made a HUGE impact on me. I saw it on a large screen with friends, who like me, sympathized with the down trodden people in the film. I was extremely idealistic and fell in love with the goodness and innocence of the people in the film.
I watched it again on video about 5 years ago, and it did not have the same impact, but I felt that was due to the poor quality of the picture. (It was too dark)
I'm not sure why, but that was the best movie I ever saw. I also loved: Three brothers (Tre fratelli), La notte di San Lorenzo (Night of the Shooting Stars), and 1900.
What makes you think that anythings is much better right know?
shareI am watching this right now, in 3 - 1 hour sessions, I have 1 hour still to go.
It is what I call a "slice of life" film, there is very little plot, but that need not be a bad thing. The film is mildly educational on peasant life, but in reality life was like this for all of Europe at some point or another. The cinematography is ok I wouldn't say brilliant. Even though there is no plot the film is watchable and does offer some element of storytelling and holds enough interest to want to find out what will happen next but it is not really interesting.
It is not worth the current 8 out 10 stars on IMDB, I'think it's 5/10
I watched this in three parts also, which I think is okay because it is quite episodic, plus it was made for television.
I reckon 8/10 is about right, if for no better reason that it's unique. I can't think of another film which depicts a place and a way of life so subtly and convincingly; and that's to say nothing of the film's sense of humanity, and its celebration of the human spirit.
One of my favorite films though I have not seen it in many years. Its exploration of 19th century Lombard life is intimately fascinating. It is real but explores it from more than a "documentary" view, you can see an artist behind the scenes. Some of the scenes are beautiful while some are heart breaking (some are disgusting). Some scenes (I will not spoil) put you into the position of the characters when there are no options and facing the unknown is inevitable. Been into Italian cinema since the late 60's and this was always one of my most beloved films.
shareMade for television? Source?
shareSo, if I understand you correctly the only way to make great art is for no pay? Everyone, even great artists, deserves to be fairly compensated for their labor. Aren't you compensated for the work you do or are you independently wealthy? It's called living in the material world, and to think otherwise is horribly naive.
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from the Troll Janowitz:
"And film directors get paid tons and tons of money."
I won't even address an arrogant fool directly, but just say that a film like this almost never makes much money at all. Even "October Sky" wasn't a smash, for example.
I think Janowitz is probably a clever troll, but why troll around on the boards of a beautiful film like this?
Also, why are any of us even involving ourselves in a debate with someone who hasn't even seen the film?
"It's just nothing at all...."
-- a line from "Whiskey Galore"
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I'm watching it now and I find it very depressing and boring. Oh god I'm such a philistine.
My ancestors lived on Italian farms, so their lives would have been like in the film.