Damiano and Fabio D'Innocenzo, already known in the Italian film world thanks to "La terra dell'abbastanza" and "Favolacce", present at the Venice Film Festival "America Latina", a psychological thriller that stands out for its mastery. The film follows Massimo Sisti, portrayed by Elio Germano, a dentist in Latina whose quiet life is disrupted by the discovery of a girl tied up in his basement. "America Latina" takes us on a gradual and tragic journey into Massimo's existential hell, whose seemingly serene world crumbles after the unexpected event. Elio Germano delivers an extraordinary interpretation of the character, while the D'Innocenzo brothers guide the audience through an intimate and profound experience. The film effectively blends elements of thriller and psychological drama, portraying Massimo's house as a deformed place reflecting his troubled psyche. The symbolism-rich cinematography draws inspiration from Italian horror cinema, while the meticulous sound design adds a sense of growing unease. However, the choice to subtract rather than add details in the plot could prove problematic, making the narrative progression less impactful. Although the mystery surrounding the tied-up girl creates constant tension, it may leave some viewers with few answers. The film explores the contradiction between the apparent tranquility of Massimo's life and the darkness lurking behind the facade, shedding light on the human and narrative ruins of the outskirts of Latina. While some viewers may appreciate the baroque approach and the reflection stimulated by the subtraction of details, others may feel lost in a labyrinth of elusive meanings."America Latina" represents a bold experiment in Italian cinema. While it may be too abstract for some, others may be fascinated by the dark shadows permeating the narrative, anchored by Elio Germano's masterful performance.
America Latina
2021 [ITALIAN]
Drama / Mystery / Thriller
Plot summary
Massimo Sisti is a reputable professional with a nice house, a happy marriage, and two loving daughters, whose life is turned upside down when one day he finds a little girl tied up in his basement.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
September 07, 2023 at 12:46 AM
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Among the mists of the domestic, the shadows of the soul
A deja vu story lacking basic skills
Seen this plot over and over yet besides a decent acting from Germano and an above average photography, it remains a below the average movie that does not deserve accolades and the time to watch it.
The overwhelming weight of uncertainty
This is a strange, distressing, unpredictable, painful, touching and fascinating film, which stages the true power of the mysteries of Life and Mind, true regulators of our doubts and desires, the most unknown and shocking ones to ourselves even before to anyone else.
The D'Innocenzo twins continue their already impactful cinematographic journey with a third film that reconfirms their sincere desire to bring a direct and incisive cinema without accepting compromises and putting into play all their inspiration that allows them to realize every kind of story in a sincere and competent way, bringing a clear breath of fresh air to the cinema scene, not only Italian, of recent years.
A truly peculiar story that from the very first frame throws the viewers without warning into a quick journey without restraints, making them walk side by side with the protagonist himself, an ordinary man who leads a stable life and seasoned by success at work and by the unconditional love of his wife and daughters, 'til the most unexpected and chaotic discovery that will truly turn everything he knows upside down.
This is a real Thriller capable of putting in check and mercilessly hitting every certainty of those who take part in it, both as a spectator and as an integral part of the story, starting with Massimo, rendered by Elio Germano who as always releases his essence of a true actor able to adapt to any atmosphere, transmitting all the sensitive fragility of a man who has everything but who, forced to face such an incredible unexpected event, finds himself exposing even more the suffocating elements that surround his not so sure existence, despite the evident affection of his loved ones.
The direction of the twins immediately keeps us in suspense, always using very close-ups that directly crush the settings and faces to outline a feeling of ample vastness and at the same time of claustrophobic oppression, thanks also to the great photography and the unique sets that illustrate a Latina immersed in the glowing atmosphere of radiant growing instability.