REALITY
****
Director: Matteo Garrone
Screenwriters: Matteo Garrone, Maurizio Braucci and Ugo Chiti
Principal cast:
Aniello Arena
Loredana Simioli
Nando Paone
Graziella Marina
Country: Italy
Classification: M
Runtime: 115 mins.
Australian release date: 4 July 2014
Previewed at: Sony Pictures Theatrette, Sydney on 12 June 2013
The opening scene of Matteo Garrone’s Reality is a long single take of a Neapolitan street from a helicopter. The camera follows a decorated horse drawing a lavishly adorned carriage, transporting a couple to their wedding reception in a massive reception centre housing a number of similar ceremonies. This is all quite normal in Naples, for we are in the land of the ‘bella figura’ which, for Italians, means that no matter what one’s economic status is, this special day has to stand out, no expenses spared; a concept that’s amply illustrated by Marco Onorato’s camera as it travels through the complex and we see the ‘rellies,’ who are likewise lavishly adorned in expensive finery and just as kitsch.
The main character in this story is Luciano (Aniello Arena), who dresses up in bad drag to entertain his family and friends. This is also considered quite normal in Naples. Luciano makes his living in a variety of ways, for not only is he a fishmonger, but he also makes a few euros on the side by pulling off little scams, together with his wife, Maria (Loredana Simioli). Luciano is convinced by his family to audition for the Italian version of Big Brother (Grande Fratello) after an encounter with a successful previous candidate, Enzo (Raffaele Ferrante), who manages to put in a good word for him. He sees this as an opportunity for escaping poverty and becoming a celebrity, as it seems that the whole of Italy is obsessed with TV and celebrity culture. Anyone who has visited that country and seen Italian television, much of it controlled by Silvio Berlusconi, will know that this is no exaggeration. As the commencement date for the new season approaches, Luciano goes into a state of heightened anxiety and makes major changes in his life, selling off his business, giving away his possessions, and putting all his faith in the fact he will be chosen as one of the candidates for the house.
Watch out for the particularly funny/sad scene when Luciano and his family are at a local pool, complete with an on-site fairground, when he receives a call from ‘Big Brother,’ and the surreal walk around the grounds of Cinnecitta studios in Rome when he goes for a final audition with other candidates. There are also wonderful moments in the market square where he works, which is crumbling around him, as is the ‘faded splendour’ apartment building in which he and his extended family live (not unlike the state of Italy today). For lovers of southern Italian culture, this is a little gem that will be embraced for its charm and craziness. It’s a very different film to Garrone’s last outing, the Mafia film Gomorrah; the director wanted to try a comedy after the toughness of that story. He has said, “Reality is born from a simple but true story that we transformed in order to move through, and reflect on, the landscape of today.” And it does, showing what can happen when the harsh realities of life clash with our internal wishes and desires. It is not for nothing that Reality won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 2012.
Screenwriters: Matteo Garrone, Maurizio Braucci and Ugo Chiti
Principal cast:
Aniello Arena
Loredana Simioli
Nando Paone
Graziella Marina
Country: Italy
Classification: M
Runtime: 115 mins.
Australian release date: 4 July 2014
Previewed at: Sony Pictures Theatrette, Sydney on 12 June 2013
The opening scene of Matteo Garrone’s Reality is a long single take of a Neapolitan street from a helicopter. The camera follows a decorated horse drawing a lavishly adorned carriage, transporting a couple to their wedding reception in a massive reception centre housing a number of similar ceremonies. This is all quite normal in Naples, for we are in the land of the ‘bella figura’ which, for Italians, means that no matter what one’s economic status is, this special day has to stand out, no expenses spared; a concept that’s amply illustrated by Marco Onorato’s camera as it travels through the complex and we see the ‘rellies,’ who are likewise lavishly adorned in expensive finery and just as kitsch.
The main character in this story is Luciano (Aniello Arena), who dresses up in bad drag to entertain his family and friends. This is also considered quite normal in Naples. Luciano makes his living in a variety of ways, for not only is he a fishmonger, but he also makes a few euros on the side by pulling off little scams, together with his wife, Maria (Loredana Simioli). Luciano is convinced by his family to audition for the Italian version of Big Brother (Grande Fratello) after an encounter with a successful previous candidate, Enzo (Raffaele Ferrante), who manages to put in a good word for him. He sees this as an opportunity for escaping poverty and becoming a celebrity, as it seems that the whole of Italy is obsessed with TV and celebrity culture. Anyone who has visited that country and seen Italian television, much of it controlled by Silvio Berlusconi, will know that this is no exaggeration. As the commencement date for the new season approaches, Luciano goes into a state of heightened anxiety and makes major changes in his life, selling off his business, giving away his possessions, and putting all his faith in the fact he will be chosen as one of the candidates for the house.
Watch out for the particularly funny/sad scene when Luciano and his family are at a local pool, complete with an on-site fairground, when he receives a call from ‘Big Brother,’ and the surreal walk around the grounds of Cinnecitta studios in Rome when he goes for a final audition with other candidates. There are also wonderful moments in the market square where he works, which is crumbling around him, as is the ‘faded splendour’ apartment building in which he and his extended family live (not unlike the state of Italy today). For lovers of southern Italian culture, this is a little gem that will be embraced for its charm and craziness. It’s a very different film to Garrone’s last outing, the Mafia film Gomorrah; the director wanted to try a comedy after the toughness of that story. He has said, “Reality is born from a simple but true story that we transformed in order to move through, and reflect on, the landscape of today.” And it does, showing what can happen when the harsh realities of life clash with our internal wishes and desires. It is not for nothing that Reality won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 2012.