Land lamenting under the weight of turbo-capitalism
The highly anticipated film "The Cities of the Plain" by Francesco Sossai is set to release on September 25. This film, which was elected Film of the Critic at Cannes, has been praised for its unique style and captivating characters.
Set in the Veneto region, "The Cities of the Plain" portrays a lost world, with its setting and characters reflecting the region's transformation due to turbo-capitalism. The film's protagonists, Carlobianchi (Sergio Romano) and Doriano (Pierpaolo Capovilla), are two fifty-year-old men who navigate an impossible route, masterfully portrayed by the actors.
The film's style can be described as a grotesque and melancholic comedy of the absurd. It opens with a generically homogenous ugliness, setting the tone for the film's exploration of a world that has lost its way.
Carlobianchi, nicknamed Charliewhite, and Doriano run away from their lives, seeking an escape that doesn't exist. Their journey is intertwined with the mysterious figure of Genio, who appears when Cavalier Fadiga, a blend of Berlusconi and Del Vecchio, gets off a helicopter. Cavalier Fadiga is the owner of an eyeglass factory, serving as a metaphor for a family.
The film's director, Francesco Sossai, surprises the protagonists in their car at night, submerged in an alcoholic sleep. The ritual of drinking has become a ceremony of forgetfulness in the film, adding to its melancholic tone.
Adriano Candiago, a screenwriter involved in the script adaptation for "Cities of the Plain", has co-written the film "Last One for the Road" along with Sossai. The film features a scene where the protagonists, Carlobianchi and Doriano, join a girl's graduation party in Venice, adding a touch of tenderness and hilarity to the narrative.
"The Cities of the Plain" has been described as having a gentle wit and a secret irony. Critics have praised the film, with "Le Figaro" describing it as "Tender and hilarious" and "Variety" calling it "Enchanting".
Sossai, who was raised in the Belluno Dolomites, brings a deep understanding of the sweet and squalid sides of the province to the film. His previous work, "Altri cannibali", was made in black and white, featuring faces found in bars, shops, and streets of his places. In "The Cities of the Plain", he continues to explore the human condition in a world that has been transformed beyond recognition.
With its unique style, captivating characters, and thought-provoking narrative, "The Cities of the Plain" promises to be a film that will leave a lasting impression. Mark your calendars for September 25 and get ready to immerse yourself in this enchanting and melancholic world.
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