Agostina Belli & co in "Profumo di Donna" [1974 Italy]

Any record of Italian cinema is incomplete without the inclusion of one director named Dino Risi. He was one of the most important and prolific contributors to Italian mainstream cinema, and more specifically to that uniquely Italian genre called Commedia All'italiana.

While I can't claim to have gone through his entire filmography, I think I've seen enough Risi's works to make some observations. His early style of film making was reminiscent of Antonioni, particularly in terms of composition and lighting. His actors are often top-draw artistes of the day, and one of the reasons for his commercial success. Many times his films have brilliant starts, but occasionally they get unnecessarily convoluted and finish in a hurry. I've heard a celebrated director once say that the ending is the most creatively challenging part of making any film, and that's what separates a great director from the rest. But what I would be grateful to Risi for is the moments of sheer magic that appear in some of his scenes - they're so perfect that I doubt they could be shot in a better way, and whether or not we remember the film's storyline, that single magical scene will be etched in your memory for ever, even if they may have little to the main plot. Like the beautiful romantic scene in the moonlit cobbled streets of Rome in "Un amore a Roma". Or like in his 1974 masterpiece "Profumo di Donna" [Eng. Title: Scent of a Woman], later to be remade in Hollywood with an Oscar-winning performance from Al Pacino.

I'm not getting carried away when I say Risi's original is far superior in every way to the US remake. The original has a lot of depth, excellent screenplay and characterisation, subtle humour, equal or perhaps even a better performance from the lead actor Vittorio Gassman (he won at Cannes and also got a David for this film), and a scintillating soundtrack. On the whole, it is a marvellous example of Italian cinema at its best. Needless to say, Highly Recommended Viewing..!

Amazon DVD Link
English Subtitles




Storyline:
Fausto, a retired army officer, blinded in an accident, is travelling from Turin to Naples, and as part of his perks is assigned young cadet Giovanni aka Ciccio as his escort for the journey. They will pass through Genoa and Rome to allow Fausto perform some errands along the way. He is after all making his final visit before planning to kill himself - he and another blind colleague have made a secret pact - to end their existence of misery and others' pity. During those five days, Ciccio will learn a lot about Fausto, having been initially put-off by his outwardly brash and exuberant behaviour. Ciccio will also have matured beyond his age by then, as he begins to understand the value of dignity and self respect through his middle aged travelling companion. Even more so after meeting the beautiful Sara, who is deeply in love with Fausto, her deceased father's former colleague. But Fausto persistently discourages her intentions, not even letting her have a private moment with him. He doesn't want to be loved for the sake of pity. But Sara is determined to win his love...




Dino Risi's magic:
I last watched this film many years ago, but the scene that stood in my mind every time the film's name is mentioned, is not even a pivotal scene. Upon reflection, I think it is the timing of its insertion and the graceful way it has been filmed that shows what Risi is capable of producing - a memorable moment of magic. They're in Genoa, and while Fausto uses the services of a prostitute, Ciccio hangs out in the terrace where the prostitute's daughter is playing, shielded from her mother's chosen profession. Later in the scene, after a generous tip from a satisfied Fausto, the prostitute offers Ciccio some of her time for free, which he politely refuses. On a different note, this will unfortunately also be the actor playing Ciccio, Alessandro Mommo's last work, loosing his life in a motor accident shortly after completing this film.




Compilation:
Agostina Belli, Marisa Volonnino, Elena Veronese, and Stefania Spugnini
There is only brief nudity in the film, but they're a joy to watch, not least for the drop-dead gorgeous Agostina Belli in the prime of her youth. And considering one could count on top of the head at least a dozen such outstanding beauties working in Italian cinema simultaneously, men of that era must have had a 'nightmare' even constructing their little fantasies..! :D



Scene Guide:

• Fausto and Ciccio at a nightclub in Rome catered by topless waitresses. Don't you just love the seventies..!
• No nudity - this is more of an excuse to see the stunning Agostina Belli in daylight as her character Sara tries to catch Fausto alone, but after noticing her presence he immediately summons Ciccio to come and sit with them.
• The girls - Ines, Michelina, and Candida are changing into their bikini to go swimming when Fausto barges in taking advantage of his condition and liberally gropes them, who are a flirty bunch of tease in any case. Bespectacled Candida is Sara's younger sister while the others are her friends. Ines, Michelina and Candida are played by Marisa Volonnino, Elena Veronese, and Stefania Spugnini respectively.
• Sara, who'd been hiding all the while is 'spotted' by Fausto who could 'sense' the scent of a woman (hence the title). But once he realises who it is, Fausto shows his mean streak by asking Ciccio to come in and see. A furious Sara leaves in a hurry.
• No nudity but further groping by Fausto at a dinner where he 'spots' the girls by feeling their buttocks..! :)

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Scenes from "Napoletans" [2011, Italy]

OK this is one of those entries that occasionally need to make their appearance here...

First-time director Luigi Russo's comedy, "Napoletans" [Eng. Trans: Neapolitans] is a typical Christmas pudding, something that would never form part your staple, but just okay once in a while. It has those familiar ingredients that apart from inducing nostalgia, makes you think of seriously hitting the gym come new year. Nothing may be new here story or comedy-wise - it's just an excuse to forget about the financial crisis for an hour and a half. I'm not going to bother with the storyline here, all I'll add is that part of the film's plot is straight out of "L’Infermiera di Notte". Now, let's move on shall we...

Amazon DVD Link




Compilation: Francesca Ceci, Susi del Giudice, Margherita di Rauso, and Nina Senicar
There's only brief nudity in the film, so I've included other typical goofy-sexy moments to spice up the compilation, entertaining nevertheless...



Scene Guide:

• Kids spying on their school teacher Tani, who also seems to be the object of the head teacher's affections. Sig.ra Tani is played by Francesca Ceci.
• Gennaro the dentist taking time off work to play one of his customary kinky games with mistress, played by Susi del Giudice. Here he's the traffic policeman stopping a hapless motorist..! :-)
• The head teacher at a function gets a bit carried away dancing with Sig.ra Tani.
• 'Aphrodisiac' gag coming up - Mrs. Gennaro mistakes hubby's secret stash for herbal tea and suddenly becomes a 'lioness'. Anna is played by Margherita di Rauso.
• Angela is the night nurse employed to look after Gennaro's ailing guest. A silly dog makes her spill coffee on herself (pantyhose alert), and she's forced to take a shower. Little does she know that the youngest son had placed a camera in the bathroom just for such an occasion. Angela is played by Nina Senicar.
• ...and Angela just happens to be dating the eldest son of the household.
• It appears all male members of the family is lusting after Angela - this time Gennaro himself fantasises while watching her cycle ahead of him on the road.
• Frustrated at Gennaro not making it to their regular rendezvous point, the angry mistress comes looking for him at the surgery, and finding just his assistant, asks him if he likes what he sees. Oh well - you get the idea...

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Scenes from Giuseppe Tornatore's "Il Camorrista" [1986 Italy]

Giuseppe Tornatore made his directorial debut with the crime drama "Il Camorrista" [Eng. Title: The Professor]. This would be our first glimpse of Tornatore's prodigious talent, which will blossom gloriously in his next project two years later - a film that I still consider possibly the greatest ever made. In case you're wondering, that is "Nuovo Cinema Paradiso" - if you love cinema and enjoy a hearty laugh and a cry in front of a screen, you must watch it. While I sometimes wish Tornatore had made a few more films, a part of me is glad to see him build his creative appetite by taking big time-off between projects - the result - every film of his is worthy of mention in the cinematic hall of fame. On another matter, if I ever venture south of Rome, it'll be thanks largely to watching his films.

Back to the debut, Tornatore scripted the screenplay loosely based on a biopic of a real-life Camorra leader - Camorra being the Neapolitan equivalent of the Sicilian Mafia. It charts the rise and fall of 'Il Professore', from a childhood of extreme poverty to the leader of the 'Reformed' Camorra, and moving among the rich and powerful including the American Cosa Nostra, even while a wanted fugitive. It is a gritty, very well-lade crime drama that portrays life and politics as it was when these syndicates cast their long shadow over the lives of every southern Italian against a hopelessly inert State apparatus. Shot in the style of a docu-drama, Tornatore adds an air of urgency to happenings with tactical use of rough edits, giving a journalistic feel to it, and the film is ably aided by the soundtrack - elements that I think were necessary considering the fact that the voice of Ben Gazarra (who plays 'Il professore') was dubbed, and he certainly ain't no Al Pacino. It is nevertheless a fine film, and definitely Recommended Viewing.

Amazon DVD Link (Italian original)
English Subtitles




Compilation: Gilla Novak and others
The film's brief scenes of nudity occurs courtesy of 'Pelle-di-pesca' (Peachy skin), an aide to the Cosa Nostra representative in Milan. She befriends and seduces Ciro, a close associate of 'Il Professore', who will be betrayed. As retribution, both Ciro and Pelle-di-pesca will meet a terrible end in the hands of Il professore's sister Rosaria, played by the fine Spanish actress Laura del Sol. 'Pelle-di-pesca' however, is played by a bold-as-ever Gilla Novak.



 



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Marcella Braga in "Exit - Una storia personale" [2010 Italy]

Actor Max Amato's directorial debut, "Exit, Una Storia Personale" [Eng. Title: Exit - A Personal History] is an ambitious film whose storyline holds quite a bit of promise. Whether it realised its potential is another matter.

The topic is as contemporary as can be at a time when people are seriously debating the ethical and moral dilemmas posed by euthanasia. If it is all about ending one's suffering, how do we determine they've reached the limit beyond which allowing them to live would be considered inhumane. And should such suffering qualify only when it is physical. And how much can family and therapy help in curing mental illness. The film tries to address these issues through its protagonist, with some degree of success. Marco has some serious issues bordering on schizophrenia and had been in therapy for the longest at his clinic. His brother Davide tries his best to help even if he finds it hard reigning Marco's increasingly psychotic behaviour. Marco knows he is ill, and after a fellow patient kills himself by jumping out of the clinic window, he decides to end his life too but as humanely as possible. He travels to Amsterdam for an assisted suicide. Davide and girlfriend Nina follow hoping to find Marco before it is too late. We are left wondering if one can ever be stopped from taking his life, if he thinks it is his human right.

On the whole it is an honest attempt by Amato to address an issue, and since I hate to be overly critical of directors making their cinematic debut, all I'd say is that depite the decent characterisation and interesting story, the film could have done with some additional work on the screenplay.

Amazon DVD Link




Compilation: Marcella Braga and Joanna Pavoni
There only brief nudity in the film, the first is of Marcella Braga (Nina) with a lover, and the second is when Marco visits a prostitute in Amsterdam, played by Joanna Pavoni.





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Isabella Ferrari & co in "Arrivederci amore, ciao" [2006 Italy]

Michele Soavi's excellent crime thriller, "Arrivederci amore, ciao" [Eng. Trans: Farewell my Love, Goodbye] is probably the finest modern Italian noir I might've seen. Relentlessly unforgiving, the film takes the viewpoint of what one might consider plain evil - Giorgio - by giving him the soapbox to justify his motives. It is an extreme example of what one could end up becoming as his dream goes sour. When I saw it for the first time, I couldn't get the film out of my mind, and neither the haunting song by Caterina Caselli which offers the film title its name. I was tempted to post this film earlier, but I decided to wait for some time before watching it again, much like a kid holding on to his candy a little while longer before unwrapping it. While the story is pretty straightforward, what makes it special is the excellent casting and screenplay. I was never really a great fan of Alessio Boni - handsome as he is, he could be wooden at times and never convincing enough, but he fits the character like a glove here as a cold, calculating, and merciless individual. Michele Placido is already known to have a gripe with cops, and one couldn't have chosen anyone better to play this menacing and totally corrupt police officer. The direction is fluid, the cinematography stylish, and the editing just right for this type of film, and more importantly the story, deeply affecting. Needless to say, Highly Recommended Viewing..!

Amazon DVD Link




Storyline:
Giorgio, an exile for fifteen years in South American jungles is wanted back in Italy for terrorism. Missing his home country, he decides to give himself up to authorities provided he gets a lenient sentence, he would in return help rounding up former comrades and testify against them. Thanks to Asst. Commissioner Anedda (Michele Placido), he gets out of prison within two years, and soon finds himself working for a former prison colleague 'Vesuviano' who runs a club cum brothel. But Giorgio is ambitious, and earns for a 'normal' life, with family, kids, financial security, and 'independence'. And he would stop at nothing to reach his goal, even if it means betraying friends, double-crossing colleagues, or murdering people who care about him...






Compilation: Isabella Ferrari, Alina Nedelea, Sueli Odila Ferreira, and others
There may only be brief nudity from the unassuming Isabella Ferrari, but the veteran actress sure has the extra something to bring out the beast in us. The nudity however is taken care of by various uncredited actresses who make up the staff at the 'club'.



Scene Guide:

• Giorgio is shown around the establishment by his ex-prison pal 'Vesuviano' - apparently one of the girls is only seventeen - did Berlusconi ever come visiting by chance..? :)
• The winged black angel sure is a 'knock-out' alright, the beauty is played by Sueli Odila Ferreira - apparently also owner of the most suitable surface from which to sniff coke if you ever wanted to.
• No nudity but sexy - a hitherto disinterested Giorgio at a shoe store suddenly is interested when Flora comes forward to assist. Giorgio after all is there for a reason - to remind Flora that he knows her husband who's running up huge debts at the establishment he manages, with all those prostitutes and drugs he'd been partaking in. Flora the horny MILF is played by Isabella Ferrari.
• Flora reluctantly agrees to 'pacify' Giorgio so he could keep his hands off her husband. When she's reluctant to kiss him in the mouth, Giorgio will have none of it - he wants a full-on wet kiss, apparently just as teenagers do it.
• Reluctant participant Flora has now begun to thoroughly enjoy Giorgio's company as long as it lasts, and so does he...
• It doesn't, as is often the case, but Giorgio has also moved on, among more 'sophisticated' circles, and is now betrothed to the lovely but utterly conventional Roberta. They move together into a new apartment, and when Roberta tries out their new music player, memories come flooding back to Giorgio. There's no nudity in the scene, but what the heck it's nice, and Roberta is played by the even nicer Alina Nedelea.

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Florinda Bolkan in "Indagine su un Cittadino al di sopra di ogni Sospetto" [1970 Italy]

Elio Petri is one of those important auteurs who breathed politics into Italian cinema during its 2nd golden era and one who could broadly be compared in inclination to the likes of Antonioni, Scola, and Pasolini. His was also a productive life cut short prematurely due to cancer, who'd otherwise have gone on to make many more memorable films. An ardent left-winger, he was even a member of the communist party and participated in protests at an early age, once even getting dismissed from school for his activities. Even though he has worked across several genres, he has this propensity to portray some of his political convictions in typical ironic style, and with an air of urgency.

The 1970 crime drama, "Indagine su un Cittadino al di sopra di ogni Sospetto" [Eng. Title: Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion] is one of his classics built in the style of a noire. It also deservedly won an Oscar for best foreign language film the following year, and a handful of David's to boot. The film casts an extremely cynical view on how people in authority can get away with murder. But it is beautifully done though, and every aspect of the film production is exemplary, be it the screenplay, direction, cinematography, performances from the main actors, the editing, or the brilliant score from the ever prolific Ennio Morricone, it is a wonderful gem that one can watch and admire for hours. Here's actually an interesting review of the film from British filmmaker Mike Hodges (Get Carter, Black Rainbow), who also throws in some interesting anecdotes for those interested. Needless to say, Highly Recommended Viewing..!

Amazon DVD Link




Storyline:
The film starts with Panunzio (brilliantly played by Gian Maria Volenté) murdering his lover, the already married Augusta in the most cold-blooded manner. He is meticulous, precise, and purposeful, getting back into his designer suit after cleaning himself up. Before leaving, he removes some evidence of his presence, but purposefully plants some that could incriminate him - he is the outgoing chief of the Homicide division, soon to take up the post of Police Commissioner of the political division. The police arrive, gather their clues, but quite simply couldn't come to consider Panunzio as suspect - he is after all, a citizen totally above suspicion. So goes a brilliant piece of monologue from Panunzio, "...I have left clues everywhere... not to mislead the investigations... but to try to prove for myself... of my being above suspicion. But still, if this leads to an innocent being condemned, my being above suspicion will remain unproven..!" While this clearly smacks of cynicism for the way politics and sycophancy make men in power 'untouchable', there's also a parallel drama running between Panunzio and Augusta through various flashbacks, with their kinky sessions, her infidelity, her apparent fascination for people in power and rampant promiscuity, and his deep anxiety to be taken seriously by her - in one passage of play, Augusta deliberately taunts him by calling him and his lovemaking 'childish'. This leaves Panunzio in a predicament with a point or two to prove...




Compilation: Florinda Bolkan
This is also a great film to introduce the classy Brazilian actress Florinda Bolkan to the blog. As beautiful as she is talented, this is also one of her more remarkable films where she plays the kinky housewife Augusta having an extramarital affair with police chief Panunzio. Her character also demands she wear no panties while at home. But there is only brief nudity shown even if Ms. Bolkan is practically naked under her flimsy but sexy garment, thanks to Petri's intention of not distracting the audience from what he's trying to say..! :)



Scene Guide:

• Funny and sexy - Augusta calls Panunzio at work and acts out her 'damsel in distress' fetish, pokes fun at his dress sense and complains of him smelling of shoe polish, as all policemen apparently do. She tells him she'd do anything to be interrogated in police fashion, but hangs up rudely, possibly after hearing his suggestion. Augusta of course, is played by the ravishing Brazilian beauty Florinda Bolkan.
• Play-acting continues when he enters her apartment, as an officer answering a call.
• She chops off his 'unsightly' tie...
• Further play-acting in the beach, as she runs away from an 'attacker'..! :)
• Looking for Augusta in the changing rooms, he catches her in somebody's arms.

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Cristina Fassio & co in "Autodafé" [2010 Italy]

Up and coming director Emilano Cribari also wrote and produced his film "Autodafé" [Auto-da-fé], a drama that also aims to be a thriller. It is an interesting film, but perhaps could have been better with a more well-rounded characterisation, particularly that of the protagonist. But I hasten to add that I simply love these neat little independent films however imperfect they may be, as they're pure and devoid of glossy trappings. Most of the actors are fairly unknown as they come from a theatrical background, but it is cinema made in a sincere manner, and therefore Recommended Viewing..!

Amazon.it DVD Link




Storyline:
Carlo's father had just died, and he's struggles to cope with the loss. At around the same time, he observes a few things like a framed photo keep getting dislodged in his household. Initially he fears it could be some poltergeist activity, but it becomes worrying when anonymous emails and phone calls start arriving to disrupt his balance. And he also keeps getting a recurring dream involving his father and the women he knew, along with a mysterious nude woman who doesn't show her face at first. He tries to discuss his dreams with childhood friend and colleague at work, the already married Silvia, but she presumes he's just feeling lonely and tries to cheer him up by talking about her fetishes and encouraging him to watch her sexual shenanigans through video chat. The anonymous emails relate to a specific date from his childhood, and he struggles to remember its significance - he suspects everyone around him of trying to blackmail him for some reason. As he strikes off each name from his list of suspects, the face of the mysterious woman in his dream begins to take shape. But who is she, and what did he do on the aforementioned day from his childhood..?




Compilation: Susi Amerio, Barbara Esposito, Cristina Fassio and Patrizia Camatel



Scene Guide:

• Carlo having a weird dream about his father, his nurse - played by Chiara Pavoni, the cleaning lady, Carlo's friend Silvia, and a mysterious naked woman he doesn't remember seeing before. The woman is played Susi Amerio.
• After Katia the cleaning lady accepts his invitation to stay for dinner, Carlo admits to feeling lonely after his father's death and grabs hold of her hand, and things happen. Katia is played by Barbara Esposito.
• Silvia trying to cheer Carlo up through video chat - she had brought along her friend and fellow colleague Lucia too. When he enquires if her husband was around, Silvia tells him it shouldn't matter, claiming that even when found out, a man wouldn't mind sleeping with two women. Silvia and Lucia proceed to give Carlo a nice little lesbian show. He keeps thinking about what he saw last night even at work. Silvia is played by Cristina Fassio, also the film's assistant director, and Lucia is played by Patrizia Camatel - both of them sexy and refreshingly wholesome ladies.
• The following Wednesday, another session with Katia beckons...
• And another - and naughty Katia is supposedly married..! :)
• This time Silvia gives Carlo a show with her husband.
• After returning from hospital following an accident, Carlo lets Silvia know that he wants to get away for a while.
• And confronts a ghost from the past as he pieces together his memory - the mysterious woman again, now he sees her. A mini montage of scenes.

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