Jacqueline Lustig Movies
- 2007
Legislation affording much-desired marriage rights to homosexuals receives short shrift in Italy - squelching the hopes of many a gay and lesbian couple - in Suddenly, Last Winter, documentarists Luca Ragazzi and Gustav Hofer's witty and urbane look at homophobic Italian politics. As the film commences, eight-year romantic partners Hofer and Ragazzi rejoice with the knowledge that the right-wing administration of prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has dissolved, in favor of a more progressive, left-wing administration by Romano Prodi. Unfortunately, this appears to do little - if anything - to facilitate gay marriage rights, for bills encompassing the said proposals (known as DICOs) are ultimately dismissed by the Italian senate; meanwhile, right-wing groups (including family values-oriented parties) and the Catholic Church crusade aggressively against such bids. Ragazzi and Hofer observe the minutiae of the Italian bureaucracy as it attempts to get the legislation passed, then incorporate interviews with individuals on both sides of the national debate and work in television news footage of the right-wing opposition. Throughout, the filmmakers also interpolate up-close and personal footage of themselves vacationing with their parents and spending quality time with young nephews and nieces. A trip into the right-wing fray - in which Hofer and Ragazzi encounter fervent resistance to their lifestyles and modes of thought - further establishes the sense that such rights may be far off, even as the filmmakers do their best to retain optimism and hope for the future. The title is a humorous nod to Suddenly, Last Summer, the Tennessee Williams play on which Joseph L. Mankiewicz based his 1959 film. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frank Dabell
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
- Starring:
- Sergio Castellitto, Jacqueline Lustig, (more)
- 1999
This Norwegian comedy (filmed entirely in Italy with Italian dialogue) tells of a serial womanizer who gets his comeuppance. Angelo likes to find women through personal ads; he seduces them and then drops them for his next conquest. Moreover, he keeps a diary of his exploits, rating each woman for looks and talent in bed. He answers an ad placed by Alba, a stunning young lass looking for love. After coupling, Angelo discovers that Alba has handcuffed him to the bed and will not let him go. S.O.S. was screened at the 1999 Haugesund Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gian Marco Tognazzi, Jacqueline Lustig, (more)
- 1999
Recalling the works of the great Pier Paolo Pasolini, documentary filmmaker David Emmer directs this sensitive portrait of a mother and her son. Upon returning home after military duty, Gianluca (Yuri Gugliucci) discovers that his mother (Adriana Asti) has been evicted from their home. He puts his dreams of being a forest ranger on the back burner and takes a job as a fisherman. From there, the ever-optimistic Gianluca drifts from one job to the next until he slides into a life of crime. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ninetto Davoli, Jacqueline Lustig, (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)
