Stranizza d'amuri

Firework is strange. We take risks with what is potentially dangerous, and turn them into something beautiful. The explosion of gunpowder, rocket propelling skyward, to the stunning array of colors within.

While asking "what's your favorite color?" is considered a cliché for a first date, we commonly associate colors with our emotions. I believe it's because we experience life through a spectrum of colors from our earliest moments, from picking up our first crayon to gazing in awe at fireworks. When we take the time to delve deeper and ask why someone favors a certain color or what memories it evokes, we uncover a trove of life experiences, nothing less than a carefully crafted questions.

Love is strange. We take risks with what is potentially dangerous, and turn them into something beautiful. Now do i only understand that love is like firework, and it is the most powerful declaration of emotions.

Just like how Gianni and Nino's love ignited the establishment of the world's first Arcigay Association.

As a Sicilian origins I knew the story but I didn't expect to watch such a finest way to describe it.

This movie it's absolutely well made.

I got immediately in "nostalgia" mood from the first. Everything is well cured, photography, sound, light, costume, words, gestures, expressions. I could almost smell the tomato sauce, the coeffee on the table, the dry grass in the summer, the cicadas, the smell of the fireworks, even if the "carne simmenthal" with the lemon... Yes, it was really hard to watch the story, no easy/cheesy tears or stereotypes as you can expect but the movie gives to you a kick in the stomach, given by the ignorance, the lack of empathy and cruelty of the disgraced human being...and lot of anger.

For this reason the story its not only about homofoby.

Even if the direction seems to be quite light, silence, untold words, I can see the contrast with the real drama that seems coming from the narrative of Giovanni Verga, verist, realist, humble, pure and cruel as life unfortunately can be.

Beside all there's a delicate touch of innocence, a smile, a look, a "stolen kiss" and lot of silence full of meanings and understanding.

..."Quello che si fa di nascosto si può fare per cent'anni"...but shouldn't be like that!

Humankind is not fit for any redemption, no not even in a million years. We are jealous, greedy, nasty and just can't see another person happy. Gianni and Nino just two beautiful souls, will be together in each others arms, remembering their eternal pure love. It was heartfelt that Gianni was never treated the way he was or the way Nino was. Beautiful film so naturally played out and they have made this their own story. No one could have played it better. I was in tears in the end and wish more maturity among parents and civilization to let live and give space for love to flourish. Ah what a pity the civilization rides to oblivion without a heart.

As a Sicilian who was 13 during the World Cup, I find incredible levels of authenticity together with a representation of the places and of the social relationship that resembles more the 50s than the 80s. Nevertheless this film has given me real emotions, and appreciate the effort not to sugarcoat anything. But the story between the boys is so real and intense, and so delicate, didn't really need to have a brutal background to come forward. Maybe it was all like that, but that would have been a bit of an outlier, the place where the facts happened is a tourist destination and a commercial hub. Yet I've given 10 because in some places and at some time every single piece of land, language, dialogue, emotions, behaviour would have been real, and they are all portrayed magnificently.

A movie of sadness, joy, struggle, heartbreak, betrayal... it captivates the heart and mind through a most difficult time in Sicilian society in the 1980's. The enormous love shared by two won out over the ridicule and rejection of others. Watch this movie, it might be just above a snails pace at times, but overall is worth the time.

Gabriele Pizzurro and Samuele Segreto do an outstanding job in acting and the subtle expressions that make the movie so believable... then when you learn its based on a true story, it leaves you contemplating it for days. Very touching...

You will enjoy this movie very much.