take 8: 8.8.2012

Bella Italia!

opening 20h:
20h30, Italy 1975, 125min., italian with english subs

Absurdist political thriller from legendary director Elio Petri (Indagine su un cittadino al di sopra di ogni sospetto) with a dream cast.

Plot:

1970's Italy.  While an unnamed epidemic is killing the nation's citizens, Italian politicians enter a secret underground religious retreat, under the guidance of maverick priest Don Gaetano.  Amongst vicious infighting, one by one, the politicians begin dying.

 The film is notorious because Gian Maria Volonte's character, called simply 'M', was clearly a lacerating portrait of Christian Democrat politician Aldo Moro.  Two years after the film was made Moro was kidnapped and assisinated, probably by the Red Brigade.  To date this film has not received a DVD release.  It's a great shame because the film utterly transcends its period.  It features a fearless piece of acting from Volonté who gives a performanc unlike anything else I have seen of his.  Marcello Mastroianni is similarly brilliant, completely different  from his roles in Italian comedies.
The supporting cast members, who work in marvellous co-ordination with one another other, are all excellent.  Set Design and cinematography are also amazing.  The best underground bunker since Dr Strangelove.

Todo Modo is loosely based on the novel of the same name by Leonardo Sciascia.  The English translation of the title is One Way Or Another.

Trivia: Director Elio Petri commisioned a jazz score from Charles Mingus.  However, it was not used.  Ennio Morricone (never one to leave the telephone unanswered) was on hand to create a highly unsual expressionistic soundscape as a substitute.

ca. 22h50, Italy 1967, 99 min., english subs

A rather unusual agenda from Tinto Brass who obviously found later his niche in "t&a" movies. Col cuore in Gola is a psychedelic, pop art giallo that can just come from the great era of the late 60´s/70´s. Starting from the nice credits and music you immediately like this film and this is just the beginning!

 Trintignant founds in a nightclub a corpse beside the lovely Aulin who just says "I wasn’t it". Convinced that she is innocent he wants to help her and want to find out the murderer, Aulins brother should solve this case and both are searching for him. Though not quite without problems... a dwarf in raincoat is following them in companion with some gangsters who kidnap Aulin. Jean is now searching for Aulin, Aulins brother and (of course) the murderer.

 The Story itself is not that convincing (rather unimportant) but what here is really of interest is the unconvential style of brass : splitscreen (even tripple split screens!) some scenes in black and dark yellow filter and more.., and in the "middle" of course the presence of two very convincing leads: cool Trintignant and hot Ewa Aulin.
(imdb user comment)