Ciao bambino

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.