Released in theaters on March 30, the Italian film Freaks Out tells the story of people endowed with supernatural powers. To prolong the pleasure, here are 5 feature films from our transalpine friends to absolutely discover!
Freaks Out takes us to the Rome of 1943. Under the Nazi occupation, the Eternal City houses the circus where Matilde, Cencio, Fulvio and Mario work as freak freaks.
Israel, the owner of the circus and father figure of this small family, tries to organize his escape to America, but he disappears. Deprived of home and protection, in a society where they no longer have a place, the four “Freaks” will try to survive in a world at war.
This story, halfway between the worlds of Guillermo del Toro, Albert Dupontel and the X-Men, was directed by Gabriele Mainetti. This Italian filmmaker, a great admirer of popular superhero culture, became known in 2017 with Jeeg Robot, his first feature film.
He is not the only small prodigy of transalpine cinema, which is not lacking in nuggets released in recent years. To prolong the pleasure provided by Freaks Out, here is a selection of 5 Italian movies to watch urgently!
WE CALL IT ROBOT JEEG
He soon realizes that he has supernatural powers: superhuman strength and regenerative abilities that he decides to use for his criminal activities. The director managed to put together a superhero movie without a Hollywood budget but with a lot of heart and mastery. A nugget to see absolutely!
Available on DVD and VOD.
THE HAND OF GOD
This unexpected encounter with the soccer star will be decisive for the young man’s future. With this feature film, Paolo Sorrentino returns to his hometown to make his most personal film, which combines destiny and family, sports and cinema, love and lost hopes. Starring the sacred monster Toni Servillo, this film is of incomparable beauty, as well as funny, moving and captivating.
DOG
Confident at first, Marcello reluctantly allows himself to be drawn into a criminal spiral. He then learns of the betrayal and abandonment, before imagining a fierce revenge. Tough and uncompromising, Dogman is a hard-hitting movie that accomplishes the feat of gripping our guts as much as it touches our hearts. Marcello Fonte, Award for Best Performance at Cannes 2018 for his interpretation, is masterful.
Available on DVD and VOD.
BLOOD BROTHERS
Between gangster cinema and social work, Blood Brothers adopts the opposite vision of a certain glamorization of the environment, without hesitating to show it to us in a hyper-realistic way, like Matteo Garrone’s Gomorrah. It’s no surprise to learn that the directorial duo, Damiano and Fabio D’Innocenzo, are close to the Italian filmmaker, with whom they collaborated on Dogman.
IN MY SKIN
Starring one of Italy’s most talented actors, Alessandro Borghi (Suburra), On My Skin will knock you out with its sticky atmosphere and cruel ending, based on a news story that shocked an entire country. For his interpretation, the artist received the David di Donatello for best actor, the equivalent of our Caesar in the land of Dante.
PURE HEARTS
He, 25 years old, has grown up between traffic and the occasional robbery, and wants to free himself from his surroundings by accepting a job as a security guard. When they meet, he draws hope for a new life. This beautiful feature film, somewhere between romantic comedy and social cinema, is superbly performed by two young comedians in a state of grace, Selene Caramazza and Simone Liberati.
Available on DVD and VOD.