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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