I'm Not Scared... I'm Impressed
February 4th 2008 18:33
When trust and betrayal, survival and greed, courage and recklessness exist in the shadows of one another, how do you know whether you are trapped in the dark? Do you fear the consequences of your actions, or inactions? Do you cover your own eyes? Do you cut out another’s? Or do you wait, powerless, fearing the blinding salvation of light?
I’m Not Scared [Io Non Ho Paura] is the 2003 Italian film by Gabriele Salvatores, based on the book of the same name by Niccolò Ammaniti, which in turn is loosely based on the true story of a kidnapping gone wrong.
Set in a small village in South Italy, in the scorching summer of 1978, the film depicts a series of doomed and ultimately disastrous events as seen through the eyes of nine-year-old Michele (Giuseppe Cristiano), a boy whose family is living on the periphery of poverty.
Michele’s life changes forever when, while playing at an abandoned property in the countryside, he finds a young boy, the same age as himself, chained to the ground in a covered pit. The boy’s name is Filippo (Mattia Di Pierro), and he is being held for a ransom from his wealthy parents, in a poorly conceptualised scheme executed by a group of impoverished villagers – including Michele’s father.
Filippo is listless and confused. He believes himself dead, and to Michele, doesn’t seem far from it. Michele promises to visit Filippo, bringing him food and water, gaining the trust and devotion of the less spirited boy. All the while, he keeps his friend a secret as he slowly puts together the truth of Filippo’s captivity.
It’s not until Michele confides in his best friend, Salvatore (Stefano Biase), that matters begin to escalate. The situation becomes dire as the kidnapping goes awry at every turn, leaving Filippo’s abductors desperate. Not content to watch as the villagers create a tragedy, and with his youthful innocence all but lost, Michele sets out late at night to right the terrible wrongdoings wrought from the devastation of poverty, loss, greed, shame, anxiety and dishonour. He takes his fear head-on, and shoulders the tremendous weight of the failures of those who were supposed to be infallible to a boy of nine. Alone, this one small child subverts a terrible tragedy – but no-one will emerge from the darkness of that night unscathed.
I’m Not Scared is a real accomplishment. The cinematography is stunning, the acting – even with so many children – is truly impressive. Told from Michele’s point of view, the film holds tremendous power over its audience, as this compelling young character grapples with the cruel, wrenching loss of his innocence at a most desperate time in a suddenly uncertain world.
Michaelie Clark
Giuseppe Cristiano as Michele - Image courtesy of abc.net.au
Michele looks down into the pit - Image courtesy of brightlightsfilm.com
Set in a small village in South Italy, in the scorching summer of 1978, the film depicts a series of doomed and ultimately disastrous events as seen through the eyes of nine-year-old Michele (Giuseppe Cristiano), a boy whose family is living on the periphery of poverty.
Michele with his fallen hero, his father - Image courtesy of theage.com.au
Michele’s life changes forever when, while playing at an abandoned property in the countryside, he finds a young boy, the same age as himself, chained to the ground in a covered pit. The boy’s name is Filippo (Mattia Di Pierro), and he is being held for a ransom from his wealthy parents, in a poorly conceptualised scheme executed by a group of impoverished villagers – including Michele’s father.
Michele and Filippo in the pit - Image courtesy of thecia.com.au
Filippo is listless and confused. He believes himself dead, and to Michele, doesn’t seem far from it. Michele promises to visit Filippo, bringing him food and water, gaining the trust and devotion of the less spirited boy. All the while, he keeps his friend a secret as he slowly puts together the truth of Filippo’s captivity.
Michele listens to what is planned for Filippo - Image courtesy of hollywoodjesus.com
It’s not until Michele confides in his best friend, Salvatore (Stefano Biase), that matters begin to escalate. The situation becomes dire as the kidnapping goes awry at every turn, leaving Filippo’s abductors desperate. Not content to watch as the villagers create a tragedy, and with his youthful innocence all but lost, Michele sets out late at night to right the terrible wrongdoings wrought from the devastation of poverty, loss, greed, shame, anxiety and dishonour. He takes his fear head-on, and shoulders the tremendous weight of the failures of those who were supposed to be infallible to a boy of nine. Alone, this one small child subverts a terrible tragedy – but no-one will emerge from the darkness of that night unscathed.
Michele in turmoil - Image courtesy of thecia.com.au
I’m Not Scared is a real accomplishment. The cinematography is stunning, the acting – even with so many children – is truly impressive. Told from Michele’s point of view, the film holds tremendous power over its audience, as this compelling young character grapples with the cruel, wrenching loss of his innocence at a most desperate time in a suddenly uncertain world.
Michaelie Clark
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Comment by Joanne Fedler
Can I? And I'd love your feedback and to hear yours.
Jo
ps thanks for being such a fabulous commentator on my posts.
Comment by AmyHuang
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Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
I'm not really expert at anything other than sleeping and sale shopping but would love to hear your list! I have tried to make one of my own before but just can't pin it down. I have a general idea but there are too many and they are always shifting out of position!
Would be wonderful to have a peek at yours
Michaelie
Comment by katyzzz
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All of the above, will do me.
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
It really is an excellent film - the book is wonderful too - from 2003. It's not hard to find, and I think SBS shows it from time to time so keep a lookout for it, it's well worth it.
Thanks!
Michaelie
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Michaelie
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
This is a film that I meant to see but haven't done yet...this is a good reminder to do it soon.
Tracy
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Do get onto it because it's really good. I reckon you would also like the book - you perhaps get a stronger sense of Michele and although it finishes more open-endedly, you get a sense of how it winds up from the perspective of his story-telling... if that makes sense without giving anything away!
Thanks again
Michaelie
Comment by Joanne Fedler
In no particular order:
The Crying Game
The Big Lebowski (oh ok this is my all time favourite, but it has to do with the combination of Jeff Bridges - be still my beating heart, and John Goodman who I think is the sexiest man on earth - and the little part played by John Tarturro as Jesus)
Miss Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing and Charm School (discovered this little-publicized gem when I put my back out... it is gorgeous)
Waitress
Notes on a Scandal
Nacho Libre (I know, I know but I ADORE Jack Black)
Secretary (adore James Spader and Maggie Gylenhall - I think this is possibly the most erotic movie ever made)
Pulp Fiction
Reservoir Dogs
Kill Bill 1 and 2 (I do have a thing for Tarantino on a good day)
Adaptation (Nicholas Cage...yummm)
The Runaway Jury
Little Miss Sunshine
Japanese Story
Throw Momma from the Train
Groundhog Day
Pay it Forward (Kevin Spader can have me any day)
The Machinist
Eve's Bayou
Cinema Paradiso
Bread and Tulips (divine!)
Thelma and Louise (gotta love Susan Sarandon and Gina Davis)
Babette's Feast
Dear Frankie
The Fisher King
The Butterfly Effect (acting dodgy, great idea)
Rainman
Zoolander
Girl Interrupted
The Four Burials of Melquiades Astrada (directed by Tommy Lee Jones)
The Life of David Gale
Weatherman
Matchstick Men
The Piano
Grease (still one of my favourites)
The Hours
Any overlaps with yours?
Jo
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
OK, here we go. (I love this!)
These would be on my list: The Crying Game, The Big Lebowski, Secretary, Pulp, Kill Bill, Reservoir Dogs (I adore QT too, wrote a post about my strange obsession), Adaptation, Eve's Bayou, Thelma and Louise, Babette's Feast, Rainman, Zoolander (cracks me up every time), The Life of David Gale, The Piano, Grease.
I like these but don't know that they would quite make it: Notes on a Scandal, Runaway Jury, Little Miss Sunshine, Japanese Story, Groundhog Day, The Machinist, Dear Frankie, Girl Interrupted, The Weatherman, Matchstick Men, The Hours.
To these I say nay: Nacho Libre (I love JB too but NO. lol) Pay it Forward (there's something I just don't like about it), The Butterfly Effect (you're right, great idea, but terrible execution)
Have yet to see these: Miss Marilyn (have never heard of it but will write it in my notebook of 'movies to see and watch out for') Waitress, Throw Momma From The Train, Cinema Paradiso (this is going in the notebook too, saw you mentioned it above), Bread and Tulips (notebook: is this one Italian too? Feel like I should know it...), The Fisher King, The Four Burials (I love Four Weddings though, haha).
I did a post of Aussie movies I love (I find it easier to list if I break it down into categories). And I adored most of the film adaptations of Roald Dahl's stories. And lots of other kids' movies. And many Johnny Depp films. And ones by Richard Curtis.
Others off the top of my head in no order - these are just a few, there are so many:
Sex and Lucia
What's Eating Gilbert Grape
My Fair Lady
Fight Club
Casablanca
Rocky Horror Picture Show
The English Patient
The Shawshank Redemption
Face/Off
North and South
Jane Eyre
Borat
The Departed
The Last King of Scotland
Iris
Irreversible
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Taxi Driver
The Godfather
Michaelie
Comment by Aimzster
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Comment by Miswanderlust
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Hipnotherapy
Great review. I was unfamiliar with this film. I will check it out!
Mis
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
It is really good. I always try to read the book first, though in this case I don't think the movie is a let-down in comparison, which was a nice surprise!
Thanks!
Michaelie
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Do, it's worth it. Beautiful yet tragic, with a moral of sorts, though it's a bit different and not rammed down your throat.
Thanks for swinging by
Michaelie
Comment by Cibbuano
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Saw this one on a promo DVD a while back and it drew me in with its richness of character.
Good work as always Michaelie.
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Thanks,
Michaelie
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
'Richness of character' is a wonderful way to decribe it.
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
My intuition tells me to read the book first on this one ... however, as time runs as it does after 40.. no doubts I will watch the film first.
This certainly looks like one worth watching, thanks for the heads up.
Lilla ...
PS I just loved Girl Interrupted, not to mention the Shoreshank Redemption, ooh and Face off was so good to... a couple great lists there.
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
The book is wonderful and a great read, but, unlike many adaptations, this one actually does the book justice so if you don't have time you shouldn't be disappointed if you watch first.
Sounds like you are in tune with the faves of me and Jo too
Thanks!
Michaelie
Comment by Ash
Flashes of memories
I don`t want to read too far into your review, but you have caught my attention on this one. I'm at odds as to whether to read the book first or watch the movie.
Thanks for the heads up on this one!
Ash
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
It's hard to know whether to go with the book or film first with adaptations. Sometimes it spoils the story, or causes the movie to seem a disappointment... It's something I'm discussing in my next post.
Thanks Ash!
Michaelie
Comment by Joanne Fedler
Will check out your other blogs on some of those topics.
May have to watch Nacho Libre WITH you, so you can see what is so BLOODY hilarious about it. The song he sings at the party about Ramses? The song he makes up for the nun? The stance in his frilly blouse? I guess maybe it's because you don't belieb in God, you only belieb in Science.... ' (sorry the references may be lost to you, I've watched it DOZENS of times with my kids who know it off by heart)
Jo
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Nacho Libre... alright, you have convinced me to give it another go and watch it properly this time. I do really like Jack Black.
I am very interested in checking out a couple you mentioned, and will let you know what I think of them soonest!
Comment by Anonymous
I'm sure my kids may have had to read "Running Scared" as part of their VCE studies. It's probably floating around the house somewhere.............I might just see the film instead - it will be quicker and safer?
Great post as always.
Pamela
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
I'm Not Scared is a great book, but also a great film. You won't lose anything from the story either way.
Thank you!
Michaelie