Simona Cavallari Movies

The second feature of Steano Incerti, who learned his trade as assistant director to established fellow Neapolitan filmmakers Mario Martone and Pappi Corsicato, Prima del Tramonto (Before Sundown) is set on Italy's southern coast, a transit point for every kind of human and illegal cargo from around the Mediterranean border. Ali (Said Taghmaoui) is a young and charming Moroccan man who works as a waiter for Nicetra, the old boss of the local criminal ring. At 8 o'clock in the morning, we see him getting ready to marry the daughter of the boss with dreams of settling down comfortably. But at the last minute, he decides to reject the security of an easy solution and deserts the ceremony to take his destiny in his own hands. He finds shelter in a seedy hotel with Assia, who is also from Morocco and is hopelessly in love with him. They make love and plan to run to the airport when it gets dark. Ali falls asleep, only to be woken up by two thugs of the boss, who did not forgive his desertion. Assia has disappeared; probably she has betrayed him. Ali starts to run across hostile land with two men on his tail who are determined to take revenge for their boss. The film is a contemporary thriller, which explores the crisis of values in a society in transition towards a new, multi-ethnic identity. Prima del tramonto was screened in competition at the 1999 Locarno International Film Festival. ~ Gönül Dönmez-Colin, All Movie Guide

This European existential drama utilizes complex symbols inspired by abstract psychological theories to explore the effects and reasons behind a young classical actor's decision to stop talking. No one knows why Massimo has vowed to stop talking. Other than speaking dialog from classical plays, Massimo refuses to say a single word. His father, a classic-literature professor believes it reflects to a disappointing love affair. His new girlfriend thinks Massimo is rebelling against his mother, a poet. A director learns of Massimo and commissions his mother to write a play about him. Though Massimo plays himself in the play, and does speak, he returns to silence when the play is finished. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

To seek work, Maria's husband was forced to leave their Sicilian village for Germany after the birth of their son. That was years ago, and he has never returned, though Maria knows he is still alive. This is a common situation in the poverty of Sicily, and the women who suffer from it are called "white widows." Maria has another friend, Carmella, who is in the same boat. Carmella thinks that since Maria's son is well into his teens, she has waited for her husband long enough and it's time for her to seek some male companionship. Maria finds company in the arms of a fine doctor but then is laid low by an illness. After she dies, her son is upset enough to want to make somebody pay for his mother's suffering. He makes plans to travel to Munich and confront his long-absent father, perhaps to kill him. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide