Roberto Nobile Movies

With Quiet Chaos (Caos Calmo), acclaimed Italian helmer Nanni Moretti steps away from his standard directorial role to essay the lead and co-author the script in a gentle psychological drama directed by Antonello Grimaldi. Moretti stars as Pietro, a film executive whose life takes an irreversible and devastating turn one fateful morning. During a trip to the beach with his brother, Pietro's path intersects with that of a woman, Eleonora (Isabella Ferrari), who is drowning in the ocean; horrified, Pietro rushes in to save her. He subsequently returns home only to discover that his wife, Lara, just died in a nasty falling accident; devastated to the core, this nascent widower must make the necessary psychological accommodations to adjust to life as a single parent, with sole responsibility for raising his ten-year-old daughter, Claudia (Blu Yoshimi). Almost instinctively, as a reaction to Lara's death, Pietro opts to sit and wait for his daughter to finish school each day (in a park across from the school), in lieu of abandoning her to his own priorities and commitments. This means that the fellow's colleagues in the film industry must, by necessity, come to do business with him in the park. Through it all, Pietro remains silently dumbfounded that the tragedy itself hasn't shaken him more, that the grief (the "quiet chaos" of the title) is subtly agonizing instead of grossly traumatizing and debilitating. Nevertheless, he ultimately begins to approach a full realization and acceptance of his loss, and gains an enhanced awareness of himself and others from the potentially crippling events thrust into his path. Valeria Golino (Rain Man) co-stars; Roman Polanski appears in a cameo as one of Pietro's industry colleagues. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide

Lucio Gaudino directs this family drama about a pair of brothers grudgingly reunited after their parents are killed by Mafia extortionists. After learning of the murders, affluent yuppie Edo leaves his abode in northern Italy to visit his family's home in Sicily. There he and his resentful brother, wheelchair-bound Saro, argue, reminisce, and debate the pros and cons of living in a beautiful coastal area where Mafia executions are common. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide

This intelligent Italian comedy centers on an academically and physically run-down school and is presented from the viewpoint of the teachers. The main character is Vivaldi, who passionately believes that the purpose of education is to allow students to creatively express themselves. To this end, he comes up with all sorts of crazy ways to enliven his history class so that the students will pass their final exams. On the other side, is Sperone, a dour disciplinarian who inspires fear in all who encounter him. Vivaldi is romantically interested in the comely physics teacher Majello, but apparently she and Sperone are having a hot affair. The reasons for Vivaldi's assumption are made clear during a flashback. On the final day of the school year, the situation comes to a rapid boil as Majello has had a major fight with her husband, Sperone is bitterly disappointed, and Vivaldi desperately tries to pass a student who spends the entire day imitating a fly. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

This Italian thriller is based on the true story of a young Sicilian public prosecutor murdered in 1990. The young magistrate Rosario is considered a revolutionary in his hometown of Canicatti, which is largely run by the Mafia. He is a serious young man, deeply religious and devoted to his parents with whom he still lives. He firmly believes that justice must prevail no matter what the cost. He does not hesitate to defy public opinion in his quest for justice. His parents fear for him. His boss is irritated by him. Fearing an early death, he dumps his fiance, Angela. So rigid a straight arrow is he, that even the other young prosecutors avoid him. Rosario is eventually gunned down by Mafioso Renato Carpentieri's henchmen. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Set during the Mussolini years, Open Doors stars Gian Maria Volonte as an old-line judge. Volonte tries to remain faithful to the letter of the law, despite the "improvements" made by the Fascists. His insistence upon justice over dogma results in government reprimands, and ultimately poses a threat to Volonte's well-being. The honesty vs. corruption theme transcends the film's period settings, resulting in an allegorical masterpiece that has significance in any country, any time. Open Doors was a nominee for the "best foreign picture" Academy Award. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide