Upside-Down World

(IL MONDO ALLA ROVESCIA) ((ITALIAN))

By DAVID ROONEY

An Istituto Luce release (in Italy) of a Gaundri Film/Overlook production, in association with Istituto Luce, Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri, Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia.
 

Produced, directed by Isabella Sandri. Screenplay, Giuseppe M. Gaudino, Giuseppe Rocca, Sandri. Experimental features are relatively rare on the Italian panorama, independent productions mostly being scaled-down examples of what's on offer from the mainstream. "Upside-Down World" is unlikely to reverse the trend. An overlong, only occasionally intriguing mood piece set in the bleak provinces, Isabella Sandri's debut looks destined at best for a tour of fests catering to commercially challenged fare.

Somber story focuses on two children born and baptized the same day in the northern provinces near Venice. As they grow up together and eventually become lovers, a picture gradually forms of their problematic family lives and the yawning absence of future prospects.

Chiara (Francesca Antonelli) is unable to relate to her parents: Her mother is quietly going to pieces, her status-seeking father's health suffers, and his boss is arrested for crooked office dealings. Nino (Marcello Ferrari), who was orphaned at birth, is raised by his loving, boozy grandmother Rosa (Anna Recchimuzzi). He borrows a continuous stream of gambling funds from her, deceiving her into believing the money is being used to build a house.

The minimal narrative becomes increasingly melancholy and abstract as it ambles on its rather long-winded course. With occasional stylized interludes, the film touches on ideas concerning life's lost hopes, cruelties and frustrations, likening the state of the world to the upside-down realm depicted on an ornate antique clock, the last remaining thing of value in Rosa's possession.

Director and co-writer Sandri has some bold creative ideas, but the film is low on coherency and high on forced lyricism. Acting is on the stilted, often amateurish side.

Camera (Technicolor), Tarek Ben Abdallah, Fabio Iaquone; editors, Jacopo Quadri, Gaudino; music, Epsilon Indi; art direction, Gaudino; costume design, Gaudino, Paola Marchesin; sound (Dolby), Mario Iaquone, Eliana Matania; assistant director, Luigi Marangoni. Reviewed at Turin Young Cinema Festival, Nov. 11, 1995. (Also in Rotterdam Film Festival.) Running time: 115 MIN.
 

With: Francesca Antonelli, Marcello Ferrari, Anna Recchimuzzi, Dada Morelli, Renzo Rossi, Remo Remotti, Lucia Andreotti, Rossana Spadoni, Silvana Bosi, Ludovico Pesce.