Ciao, Professore! Pt. 1

I'm really enjoying this movie. The children are hilarious with their grown-up attitudes, swears and livelihoods. There is always chaos in and out of the classroom until the professor accidentally hits a student.  He finds out that the only way to get their respect is through physical abuse, but he is not willing to use that method because it is shameful. Still, the next day he apologizes and they still listen to him; they are still being respectful. They were even waiting in class for him to arrive. After that day of class the professor decides to stay in Corzano to help these kids.

Corzano is a twisted place. The adults are all corrupt, and useless. They have children, but then lay around too drunk all day to take care of them. So instead, the children have to grow up early to take care of their siblings and even work for their family illegally. These children have no childhoods. And even worse, the adults don't care about what the children are missing out on by becoming adults right away. They don't receive an education. They will end up just like there parents; washed up.

The professor automatically sees 100 things wrong with the school system, let alone Corzano. He wants to make changes for the better, but Mimi and the principal don't want anything to change. They scold the professor every day for his nerve, complaining about their system. Mimi and the principal don't care about the needs of the children, only about themselves. I'm sure some great changes will happen by the end of the movie, I can't wait to find out!

The Gomorrah

I wrote my blog, but never posted it - Oops!

The realism of this movie truly impressed me. I was completely blown away. As many others pointed out, this film focuses on the parts of Italy tourists don't go to. The parts that aren't in the movies, aren't on post-cards, etc... This part of Italy needs money to go into the community, to the people. It needs reform and uncorrupt authority. The people living there are stuck. The Mafia is in charge, and if someone owes them something they aren't allowed to leave. But, even if your debt is complete, there is always something else they will keep you around for. There is no getting out and so this poor community will never grow. The mafia has all the money and power, and they don't care about what the people need. This is depressing. When most people think about italy they think about famous ruins, great food, festivals, art, music, etc... No one thinks about some of the needs Italy has, it's mostly seen as a get-a-way vacation spot.

The Leopard

It was hard to get into this film, but once I did I truly enjoyed it. The pacing, plot line, and structure was not traditional to narrative storytelling, which made things seem very slow. But once I realized that intentions of the film it made sense. It seems to me that besides the Prince and the political struggles of the time, the most important aspect to show the audience is how the people lived. I love period piece films, and this is one of the best ones I've ever seen. The whole movie had realistic costumes, props, locations, etc... I was very impressed with the ballroom scene. It lasted a very long time, but it was beautiful. There were so many extra scenes of dancing, crowds of people talking, intimate couples, eating, drinking and more. I feel like nothing was left out. The party lasted until dawn, and I can imagine everything that happened because of all the details included. 

Overall, the art direction of the film was fantastic. All the shot choices and locations were amazing. Each shot had so much depth and texture to it. Once again I'm impressed by the beauty of this film and how much effort went into it. There are many times where the emphasis is put on the location. The film was established well with the beginning sequence of homes and countryside. Also there are many landscape shots and views of the residential area of Sicily. It seems to give a constant reminder about the people who are living there. It reminds of what the Prince said. He said that the people of Sicily are asleep, inactive. That nothing will change unless they want the change. During all the landscape and residential shots, the land seems so calm and serene; almost like the whole area is asleep. 

It also reminds me of Roman holiday in that it made Sicily seem like a dream vacation and a wonderful place to go to. Though it was unstable at first, it ends in a state of happiness and rebirth, symbolized by the new engage couple Angelica and TanCredi (spelling?). 

It was very long, but I think it was worth the watch!