An outstanding offering at this year’s Italian Film Festival is The Shadow of the Day, making its Australian premiere.
It’s an understated study of love and survival set during World War 2, a storyline which can be closely compared to that of Casablanca.
Luciano (played by Riccardo Scamarcio) is a respected restaurateur and World War 1 veteran. As with Bogart’s Rick, Luciano is highly capable and nonconformist. He holds the trust and confidence of many in the town; he will go to any lengths for the greater good, but under the radar of the Fascists to whom, on the surface, he is a sympathiser. Anna (played by Benedetta Porcaroli), an out-of-town woman looking for work and much more, will break his veneer and push his risk tolerance to the limit.
Outside the restaurant is an intriguing world that Luciano takes delight in watching: the female youth dancing on roller skates, the comings and goings of the local police and everyday villagers going about their day. It’s almost a show that is curated solely for his entertainment.
All of the characters draw you fully into their world, and I didn’t want the film to end. At just over 2 hours, nothing that these ordinary people could do or say is tedious or banal.
The Shadow of the Day is showing now at Palace Cinemas. Check your local guides for screening times.
About The Shadow of the Day
Length: 125 mins
Language: Italian with English subtitles
Rating: M
Directed by Giuseppe Piccioni
Stars Riccardo Scamarcio, Benedetta Porcaroli, Valeria Bilello, Lino Musella, Vincenzo Nemolato, Sandra Ceccarelli
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