Le pupille

"Le Pupille" is a beautifully crafted short film that delves into the cynicism of Catholic Church morals during the era in which it's set. While the general description refers to a Catholic boarding school, it's important to note that the setting is actually a Catholic orphanage, which adds depth to the story. The film's attention to detail, its satirical undertones, and the innocent yet sharp portrayal of the young girls offer a poignant commentary on institutional hypocrisy and the resilience of youthful spirit. A truly delightful and thought-provoking watch indeed.

P. S: Yes it is slow, watch and have the patience to not use your phone.

I loved this film. The children are all brilliant the the layered story about what giving and self sacrifice really mean is wonderful, and the look and direction are all expertly executed. Subtle yet strong gentle yet brutal this is a film that warmed my heart even thought I didn't see it at Christmas. And to get that many children having such great reactions is indicative of a very good director indeed. Although I should imaging that the schedule was long for a short. The costrules the feel and th me cinematography were all wonderful a true treat and Xmas confection for everyone. Bit of a pole in the catholic sides too!

Summary

An adorable Christmas story, never sappy or sentimental, where the Dickensian meets the ineffably Italian. A medium-length film in which Alice Rohrwacher admirably combines humor, irony, tenderness, musicals, pictorials, and comics to once again deal with power, religion, and micropolitics.

Review

The story takes place in a Catholic religious boarding school for girls during Christmas Eve and Christmas. We are in Italy, during World War II.

Based on a letter that the Italian writer Elsa Morante wrote to a friend, Le pupille is a wonderful Christmas story. The director Alice Rohrwacher, in less than 40 minutes, offers us a sensitive, humorous and deep story about that boarding school, with a relentless mother superior (Alba Rohrwacher, most just) and the preparations for her living nativity scene so that the convent raises funds in that such a difficult time.

One of the offerings that one of the aristocrats of the place will make (a devastated and funny Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi) will generate an unexpected conflict in the convent. It is in this conflict where Rohrwacher ends up introducing his usual and acute (never obvious or pamphleteering) treatment of power, religion and micropolitics. The economy of resources and the originality with which the filmmaker expresses the conflicts and accumulated tension is remarkable, and she does it purely on film, combining the pictorial, humor, irony, musicals, and comics. As light as intense.

The film is adorable (like its childish cast), but never sappy, combining the Dickensian, the ineffably Italian and that fair tone suitable for all audiences but not childish, in line with the best and most classic exponents of the Disney universe.

I did not like it. Although, the shooting style made my "not bad" reaction to the film. The production design was very good. The kids were very realistic. It was like a documentary. I was sad while watching the movie. It's still a matter of religion. We watch people who take their childhood away by imposing their ignorant narratives on children by naming them evil and bad. Alba Rohrwacher played so well that you hate the character. The nun who did not want to give the cake to the girls because she wanted to flatter the biship. However, after seeing religious and ignorant people in a movie, I got angry, as always. I hope one day everyone will understand the truth and investigate their religion. As a short film, it wasn't bad. Also, the singing scenes were very good.

There is no moral to this Italian Christmas short about orphans asked to make a sacrifice for Jesus. It's got goofy moments galore, some fascinating power dynamics, and some thoughts about morality, but mainly it's just a shaggy dog tale that wanders in an aimless but amusing fashion.

There is no way in the world you would ever see something like this from an American - the director is the person who brought My Brilliant Friend to TV, and she is unbound by the expectations of American TV.

I did, by the way, look up this sort of cake and I don't think it's portrayed accurately - all the recipes are of little single-serving-cup cakes!

Recommended.