Miel

MIELE (Honey), Italian, 2013, Directed by Valerian Golino: Starring Jasmine Trinca (Miele) and Carlo Cecchi (Grimaldi) Viewed at Jameson CINEFEST, Miskolc, Hungary, October 2013:

The Italian film Miele had another unusual subject this week, Euthanasia, and a fascinating lead actress, I have never seen before but would like to see much more of after this. Jasmine Trinca is exceptionally beautiful, has a perfect face, globular eyes and slim body, and you simply cannot keep yours eyes off of her -- even dressed as she is in this film unglamorously in jeans, and with boyishly close cropped hair. Miele is basically the story (third time this week) of a relationship between a young woman and a much older man; Irene, 31, and Grimaldi (Carlo Cecchi) 74. Irene, nick named "Miele" (honey) has an unusual job which requires her to take trips to Mexico to procure dog killer, Latuna, ostensibly a substance "to put down dogs", but actually a poison to put terminally ill patients out of their misery. The subject is Euthanasia, and the complicated psychology of people who want to end it all. Irene is an illegal suicide assistant and gives the applicants every chance to change their minds, but in the end it is Mr. Grimaldi, a 70 year old man in perfect health but simply tired of living, who will make her change her own mind about the grisly way she has chosen to make a living -- administering illegal drugs and poisons to people who want to die. A bit thin in story line but the hypnotically beautiful lead actress turns it into a compelling sit through ; Jasmine Trinca, 31, was the actress playing Irene. The pic was directed by well known Italian actress Valeria Golino, her first turn behind the cameras, a modt promising debut to say the least.

Trinca, a leading light in Italian films since 2000, received the Italian Golden Globe "Nastro d'argento" best actress award this year for her work in "Miele" and the film itself was screened at Cannes in "Un certain regard" where it won a commendation by the Ecumenical jury, a body whose function is to show support for Good Christian values. One can easily see why since suicide is a mortal sin in the Catholic Church.

Ten stars -- Jasmine Trinca will give you a reason to live another day

Miele has an interesting and believable main character that pulls you in and keeps you entertained from start to finish. Its story revolving around the contrast between life and feeling alive, and death and the feelings death creates was very well crafted and shot. It's not mainstream but also not too weird to watch. It hits a sweet spot and also leaves a flavor of Italy (and a little bit of Mexico and Turkey) in a good way.

'Honey' is an Italian/French co-production about euthanasia. A young woman (Jasmine Trinca, who has absolutely gorgeous eyes) helps those seriously ill people who wish to end their suffering to do so. She does this work because she believes it is the right thing to do, although she's no campaigner. But her self-confidence is challenged by Grimaldi (Carlo Cecchi), a middle-aged man who requests her help to die not because he is suffering, but simply because he is tired of life. A relationship of - perhaps - mutual fascination forms between the pair as Honey tries to understand Grimaldi's choice and to convince him to change his mind, while Grimaldi stubbornly insists the whys and wherefores are none of her business - he simply wants to employ her to help him die.

Trinca does well in her leading role, convincing in a detachment that gradually turns into greater emotional involvement in what she's doing. In his role as 'grouchy old man', Cecchi is offered less scope. The film does not seem to judge whether euthanasia is right or wrong, but allows the viewer to make up his/her own mind. The ending is perhaps needlessly soppy, but done in a thankfully low-key way. All-in-all, well worth seeing.

Jasmine Trinca is Honey, a beautiful young woman enjoying the life of a free spirit, living alone in a beach front apartment in Italy. She seems to be without means but she is in contact with a hospital worker, a friend of hers, who pays her to assist dying patients in their death. She feels she's giving people relief but what she does is illegal.

She's handled all the emotional issues until one of her rules is broken and she's suddenly at risk of losing her moral compass. The movie then chronicles her struggle to maintain through her unexpected friendship with one of her older clients, Carlo Cecchi in a wonderful supporting role.

The movie is affecting and beautifully shot. The acting is mostly Trinca's responsibility and she carries it off so impressively that I couldn't help thinking how she's somewhat reminiscent of a cross between Keira Knightley and Winona Ryder but better than either. Ultimately what I liked best about this film is that it so convincingly matches or exceeds all other attempts to cover this sensitive topic I'm aware of.

MIELE, ("Honey") Italy, 2013

Directed by Valerian Golino: Starring Jasmine Trinca (Miele) and Carlo Cecchi (Grimaldi), Viewed at Jameson CINEFEST, Miskolc, Hungary, October 2013: The Italian film Miele had another unusual subject this week, Euthanasia, and a fascinating lead actress, I have never seen before but would like to see much more of after this. Jasmine Trinca is exceptionally beautiful, has a perfect face, globular eyes and slim body, and you simply cannot keep yours eyes off of her -- even dressed as she is in this film unglamorously in jeans, and with boyishly close cropped hair. MIELE is basically the story (third time this festival) of a relationship between a young woman and a much older man; Irene, 31, and Grimaldi (Carlo Cecchi) 74. The heroine, Irene, nick named "Miele" (honey) has an unusual job which requires her to take trips to Mexico to procure dog killer, Latuna, ostensibly a substance "to put down dogs", but actually a poison to put terminally ill patients out of their misery.

The subject is Euthanasia, and the complicated psychology of people who want to end it all. Irene is an illegal suicide assistant and gives the applicants every chance to change their minds, but in the end it is Mr. Grimaldi, a 70 year old man in perfect health but simply tired of living, who will make her change her own mind about the grisly way she has chosen to make a living -- administering illegal drugs and poisons to people who want to die. A bit thin in story line but the hypnotically beautiful lead actress turns it into a compelling sit through; Jasmine Trinca, 31, was the actress playing Irene. The pic was directed by well known Italian actress Valeria Golino, her first turn behind the cameras, a most promising debut to say the least. Trinca, a leading light in Italian films since 2000, received the Italian Golden Globe "Nastro d'argento" best actress award this year for her work in "Miele" and the film itself was screened at Cannes in "Un certain regard" where it won a commendation by the Ecumenical jury, a body whose function is to show support for Good Christian values. One can easily see why since suicide is a mortal sin in the Catholic Church. Ten stars -- Jasmine Trinca will give you a reason to live another day!