Elda Alvigini Movies
- 2002
Francesco Falaschi's comedy I Am Emma stars Cecilia Dazzi as a woman who suffers from an unusual disorder. Emma is a town councilwoman whose husband (Marco Giallini) has taken a mistress because he dislikes her repressed behavior. Her demeanor changes radically when the town pharmacist runs out of Emma's daily dose of depressants. Emma has a disorder in which she is naturally outgoing and upbeat. Her marriage gets rocky as she expresses her true self. The town responds poorly to a woman being so brazen, but Emma's best friend (Elda Alvigini) is inspired by Emma to make a major life change. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cecilia Dazzi, Marco Giallini, (more)
- 2002
Italian writer and actor Francesco Apolloni makes his directorial debut with Let's Have the Truth About Love, an adaptation of his own stage play. The talky comedy involves the interwoven romantic lives of several young adults. Monica (Carlotta Natoli) likes her co-worker Lorenzo (Apolloni), but he likes the Dutch model Olga (Barbara Snellenburg), who is sleeping with photographer Luca (Alberto Molinari). Olga shares a flat with musician Michaelanglo (Pierfrancesco Faviano) and his girlfriend Betta (Elda Alvigini), who's friend Giulia (Veronica Logan) is having problems with her sexually experimental boyfriend Gabriele (Giacinto Palmarini). Meanwhile, bachelor Angelo (Yari Guglicci ) is left in the middle of things. The conclusion finds everyone sharing a Valentine's day dinner, revealing their secrets, and swapping romantic partners. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elda Alvigini, Francesco Apolloni, (more)
One of the masters of Italian cinema, Marco Bellocchio, who has made his name with political films, has been continuing his work with mostly adaptations from literature. La Balia, inspired by a novella of Luigi Pirandello, continues this tradition. The period costume drama takes place during a very turbulent period in Italian history. Neuropsychiatrist Moori and his young wife have just had a little boy who refuses his mother's milk. Mori chooses young Annetta as the nanny after having spotted her at the train station among handcuffed soon-to-be-deported subversives. The illiterate country girl seems to be in good health and suitable for the job. Mori makes a contract with her to abandon her own newborn son and instead feed and care for his child. It turns out that Annetta is not just an ordinary nanny, but a woman with a personality and history. Her presence, particularly her loving relationship with the child, threatens the stability of the family to the point that the natural mother, Vittoria, who has been depressed since the birth, leaves the house in desperation thinking this is the best thing for her child. Bellocchio has no pretensions about bringing a new narrative language to cinema with this film. He tells his story simply and convincingly. Particularly noteworthy is the way he juxtaposes the personal conflicts of the characters with the class conflict that forms the background. Cinematography, décor, lighting, all display distinct professional qualities. Acting by Valeria Bruni Tedeschi and newcomer Maya Sansa is worthy of mention. In competition at the 52nd Cannes Film Festival, 1999. ~ Gönül Dönmez-Colin, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Fabrizio Bentivoglio, Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi, (more)
- 1999
This film was inspired by a news item from the 1970s and a novel on the same subject called Le notte di Arancia meccanica. The heroes are a bunch of criminals from the suburbs of Rome who earn their living robbing the richer neighborhoods. They attack their victims on the street and force them to go to their homes. This proves to be a very effective technique. Remo Guerra, a tough and angry young man, has a regular job as a policeman alongside his criminal activities, which causes a personal crisis. He also has difficulties getting along with the other members of the gang. As he can't stand his own face anymore, he begins to contemplate plastic surgery until he comes to the realization that he can change his face but not his conscience. The film mixes hard-core realism with symbolism, trying to reflect the psychology of the criminals. L'odore della notte was screened at the 1999 International Film Festival in Rotterdam. ~ Gönül Dönmez-Colin, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Valerio Mastandrea, Marco Giallini, (more)
