Gianfelice Imparato Movies

As directed and co-written by Denis Rabaglia, this deeply whimsical coming-of-age tale unfurls in Italy, circa 1956, on the picturesque island of Amatrello. In this locale, a most unusual custom has emerged - one where each father determines his daughter's premier romantic liaison by soliciting elaborate presents from local suitors and picking the most impressive one. A local boy named Marcello scoffs at this notion until he lays eyes on Elena, bewitching daughter of the mayor of Amatrello - and realizes that his only chance of winning her heart lies in offering the Mayor the most impressive gift imaginable - a neighbor's pet rooster that will wake the Mayor, regularly, every morning. Unfortunately, to lay claim to this prized bird, Marcello must barter with nearly everyone in the village, and it seems that each resident has a different request. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide

Award-winning filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino (The Family Friend) writes and directs this cinematic portrait of seven-time Italian prime minister Giulio Andreotti, whose controversial legacy peaked when he was tried for Mafia ties and subsequently acquitted. A leader with close ties to the Vatican, Andreotti was also tried and acquitted for the murder of an Italian journalist, and remains a senator for life. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Ernesto (Sergio Castellitto of Va Savoir) is a successful artist and devout atheist who finds out that his mother, whom he despised, is being considered for sainthood. Ernesto's young son, Leonardo (Alberto Mondini), influenced by his religion teacher, has developed a fear of God, whom he tries to shoo away like a pest. "If He's everywhere," Leonardo reasons, "then I'm not free -- even for a second." Ernesto's estranged wife, Irene (Jacqueline Lustig), encourages Leonardo's faith, and seems to be on the side of Ernesto's family, who are greedily clamoring to get Ernesto to participate in the canonization process. His mentally unstable brother, Egidio (Donato Placido), who will speak only to Ernesto, murdered their mother years earlier, and holds the key to her beatification. At a party, Ernesto insults a deranged monarchist, Conte Bulla (Toni Bertorelli), who then challenges him to a duel. Ernesto goes to complain to Leonardo's religion teacher, expecting to find an ugly old woman, and instead finds Diana (Chiara Conti), an impossibly beautiful young woman who admires his work. Ernesto meets the Cardinal (Maurizio Donadoni), and tells the man that his mother was "stupid" and "had no passion." "Loving someone is the best way to declare my atheism," he declares. But as he gets caught up in all the intrigue, Ernesto recognizes a connection to his hated mother that he cannot escape; he has the same mocking smile. Marco Bellocchio's My Mother's Smile was shown at the 2002 New York Film Festival and at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival, where it won a Special Mention for the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide

To everything there is a season and the same is true for professional boxers as can be seen in this contemplative winner of the 1995 FIPRESCI (an international critics' choice honor) award in Turin. Using a semi-professional cast, some of whom are actual fighters, Italian filmmaker and screenwriter Lino Caplolichio examines four boxers, each in different stages in their career. All the stories are imbued with a sense of disillusion and the violent fights are presented without undue romanticism or glorification. The story of boxing great from the '40s and '50s Tiberio Mitri , told via archival clips of his major fights and includes the one in which he was pummeled by world champion, Jake La Motta, provides the framework for the other three stories. In the first episode, Ciro, a 16-year old rookie impresses those who watch him spar in a run-down gym in working-class Naples. Later he must fight his sparring partner and closest friend in the regional championships. This creates much inner turmoil for Ciro. In the following vignette, a rising champion tries to psyche himself up for the most important match of his career. He is stuck in an English hotel during a terrible rainstorm and his preparation and attempts to master his considerable fear are constantly undermined by his manager, who continues barging in, and a snoopy reporter, whom he suspects was hired by the opposition to rattle him. The final story follows the humiliation of an older fighter struggling to maintain his title. Unfortunately he suffers a terrible defeat. In the end, Mitri gets the last words as he reflects upon his own career. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

This Italian version of Henry IV is based on the Luigi Pirandello play rather than Shakespeare's historical work. Moreover, the Henry depicted herein is not the English king, but the 11th-century Holy Roman emperor. In addition, central character Marcello Mastroianni doesn't play emperor Henry, but instead a contemporary man of wealth who thinks he's Henry. Also, Mastroianni's delusion is not a delusion, but a subterfuge. Well, we told you it was based on a Pirandello play, so enter ye and leave all sanity behind. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide