Noites Com Sol

The Night Sun is the story of a proud, honest and sensitive man who struggles in the world some centuries ago. His writhings relate to the mismatch between the indifference of people to one another and his ideals of compassion and intimacy, between the world's requirement of submission and debasement and a pride which accepts no tyranny.

Sergio Giuramondo searches for meaning in isolation, but is only bored and obstreperous, the blithe landscape, perhaps as metaphysical as physical, re-echoes the monotone of indifference he has encountered elsewhere, rutting scarabs in the bright sunshine suggest soulless lust in a world without God. Neither is hope or meaning to be found in the exalted echelons of the nobility.

The movie seems ambivalent, has Giuramondo, a talented brilliant man been offered his fill of the cup of life, and dashed it to the floor, his own worst enemy, a man at war with himself, or does he find contentment and meaning, and a route to a life beyond this veil, a white chalk path out of the green hills of life's wilderness.

In either case, the Tavianis created here a movie that lingers, a baffling pageant interspersed with longueurs, as it their wont and stamp.

The full body of the Taviani brothers is fascinating and I have only seen 10 of their 22 feature films. "Night Sun" is a fine adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's short story "Father Sergius."

At least four films have adapted the tale on screen: twice by Russian directors, once in 1917 (a silent film) and then by Igor Talankin in 1978; a French film in 1945; and finally, the Italian film by the celebrated Taviani brothers "Il Sole Anche de Notte," (Night Sun) in 1990.

The Taviani brothers' version with Julian Sands in the principal role is very close to the original tale, even though it replaces Russian locations with Italian ones and the modes of worship of the Russian Orthodox church with the Roman Catholic one. What is worth connecting, however, are the end of the Italian film version and the disappearance of actor Julian Sands 2 months ago.

The contributions of actresses Nastassia Kinski and Charlotte Gainsbourg, although small, make an impact. So also the contribution of the famed screenplaywriter Tonino Guerra with the Taviani brothers. Limited to two films--"Night Sun" and "Kaos"--both remarkable works of the Taviani brothers.

This was a good film and I enjoyed watching it. However, I also understand that while I could sit through the film, many others would be bored by both its slow pacing and the lack of emotional range from the characters. Julian Sands portrays this emotionally limited man and he seemed to do a good job with it--but people wanting action and excitement in their films will probably have a hard time sticking with the film.

So on the plus side were the acting, cinematography and musical score. One the negative side was the ambiguous plot. The exact motivations for Sands' character and the point the author (Tolstoy) is trying to make seem a little vague.

Overall, a decent film and worth seeing, though there are of course some better Italian films.

PS--in the original Tolstoy version, does it REALLY take place in Italy or was the setting Russia? I am curious to know.

great film. it is based on Tolstoy's novel, but when I first saw it I did not know that. I just felt there was something from Russia, maybe the enthusiasm under silence. Sergio, a nobleman with strong self-respect and vanity, found his fiancée used to be a mistress of his duke, he felt deeply hurt and betrayed, and he became a friar. after many years, he was known as a sage, but all faded out when a innocent girl was taken to him. though a Italian film, but the directors express in the most appropriate way the thought of religion and life. They added details like the pear tree at the intersection, applied to the hero's feeling and very lyric. I also very appreciate the scene when Sergio knew the truth of his fiancée, nothing was told, the hero just saw her stood in dark. nothing need to be told.

This is a beautiful, profound movie. It is based on a novel by Dostoievsky, which ads an existential dimension to the craft of the Taviani brothers.

The struggle of the lead character to extract himself from all human attachments is fascinating - and his ultimate failure should give some thoughts to a lot of self-proclaimed spiritual schools, from the Vatican to the Dalai Lama.

While this is a history piece, this movie retains the neo-realism style of some other works like "Padre, Padrone" mixed with a touch of surrealism as in "Kaos".

The Taviani brothers at their very best. One can only wish they had remained so inspired!