Sangue: La morte non esiste

Libero Di Rienzo's directorial debut is a sort of explosion. Swiped under the rug by a distribution that, clearly, didn't know what to do with it but that I'm sure will gather momentum with the passing of time. I discovered it by accident, in fact, I heard a foreign film director, talking about this movie with passionate enthusiasm, I went to look for it, couldn't find it on VHS or DVD anywhere until last night. De Rienzo's view of the world is chaotic and yet romantic, Elio Germano and Luca Lionello are nothing short of sensational and Libero Di Rienzo plays a cameo that, in itself, is worth the price of admission. In a way this is an Italian film that makes you hope for new and great things to come. Unfortunately, so far, it hasn't been allowed to breath and find its audience.

I knew Libero De Rienzo as an actor for "Santa Maradona" but I didn't know he had directed a movie. Some time ago, an American director, Martin Donovan, directing an Italian movie spoke of "Sangue, la morte non esiste" as a movie that showed the infinite possibilities of the new Italian cinema. He used words to describe Libero De Rienzo that were full of genuine admiration. I felt kind of ashamed because I hadn't even heard of the movie and here I had, a non Italian, that was singing its praises. It took me a while to get the movie but now that I've seen it I have only one thing to say - Wow! and then the question-how is it possible that a one hundred per cent Italian movie that breaks every rule and does so, not only successfully, but aggressively upfront can be ignored in his own country? I'm sure there is an answer for that and the answer could explain the sadness of the present landscape as far as Italian movies are concerned. Besides the performances by Elio Germano (fantastic!) and Luca Lionello (hilarious!) there is a few minutes cameo by Libero De Rienzo himself that would be enough reason going to the movies for. Complimenti!