Ciao bambino

It is the first screening of the series of new directors' debuts.

It's nice that director feels like making a film that captures a complex of emotions deep in rather than telling a thrilling, cheesy story. I have seen too many of those in the festival this year and frowned too much.

This piece of work shot in monochrome on films is beautiful to eyes, but unfortunately the underpinning emotions are somewhat sparse thus making this film a little bit pale. The entire film is immersed in a slow pace and proceeds without tension until the climax in the end.

Slow films are quite demanding in emotions, failing to meet which would result in a dull one. It's the deep flow that distinguish still water from a stagnant one.

This is a multi layered story. On the surface it's quite simple. A love narrative about a street thug named Bambino and a Ukrainian refugee. But while the story unfolds you learn about Italian life in a poor provincial city, complex family relationships, doings of a criminal underworld. Every single thread of it is extremely convincing and well developed.

What I loved the most is the visual language. It's reminiscent of the good old masters like Antonioni or De Sica yet with its own flair. It's breathtaking. The deliberate choice of black and white color works extremely well. It adds sophistication and nostalgia.

Whole film is dynamic and extremely engaging, I was glued from the first shot until the very end. The ending is shocking (don't want to spoil anything) and perfectly wraps up the movie.

I've seen it in Tallinn on POFF 2024 and it's one of the few films that really stayed with me weeks after screening.

It's a must see if you get a chance. Highly recommended and I wish great luck to the new rising star of Italian cinema - Edgardo Pistone.