VFF Exclusive: the YP2 reviewed !

The 1st September 2019 was a special day at the Venezia Film Festival: the Laundromat (with Meryl Streep) was presented, and so the Young Pope 2 by Paolo Sorrentino. I had the opportunity to watch the unveiled episodes 02x02 and 02x07.

Comment: What I liked about the first season of the YP was pope Lenny (Jude Law) being out of every imaginable scheme- a cherry Coke for breakfast? After suffering an heart attack, the pope is still unconscious in bed and Voiello and the pope's staff is searching for a substitute. An English gentleman is identified as a moderate substitute and in episode 02 we get to know this man and his family history. As time passes (ep 07), Larry wakes up and discovers he has lost is predominant position in the Vatican City. But the Saint Pope is no longer so extrovert and dynamic as we may be expected after watching this sneak peek...

Director Sorrentino has chosen an unexpected return to normality and the YP now, seems to me more classifiable as a church-genre telefilm than an open critic to some outdates laws and rules of the Vatican state and clergy. A little time is left to irony and the entertainment suffers this returning to "the clear path". 

Ciak Movie review: 3/5

Ciak Movie's worst 3 outfits from the VFF red carpet

Well, well, well. Not always "red carpet" is synonymous to "classy good looking outfit". Here, we have chosen the worst 3 we have seen this days in Venice...

And we begin with...

JUDE LAW 

Is that really Dickie Greenlaf?  (Law's character in The Talented Mr Rypley) Definitely not ! The (usually) handsome American actor Jude Law has failed this red carpet call completely. The full Armani's outfit, which in my opinion was loosely sporty didn't save the actor's charm... plus, you do need an haircut, mr Law ! Vote: 5/10

The second fail goes to... 

BENJI AND BELLA THORNE

The Italian starlets Benji and Bella, were applauded by the fans besides their couple's epic fail in the Red Carpet. Benji boots are unbelievably sloppy , and Bella's dress... touches one of the highest points of ugliness. Vote: 4/10

And the scepter of desperation goes to... 

ELETTRA LAMBORGHINI

Do we really need to comment ? Vote: 2/10

Micol Sartori 

Ciak Movie's top 3 outfits from the VFF red carpet

The Venezia Film Festival is well-known also for the red carpet appearances. Ciak Movies has chosen the best 3 outfits (since Thursday 3rd September) and the worst 3.

And  THE WINNER IS...

KRISTEN STEWART 

                     

For the presentation of her movie Seberg, the british actress wore a beautiful red coral couture Chanel, with a long gown and full coverage on the bust. Her unexpected feminine chic look was welcome with hestatics applauses; the look is completed with a rock hairstyle (as she as accustomed us) and a decisive makeup, with dark eyeliner and pink ombretto. Vote: 10/10. 

The SILVER MEDAL goes to... 

CATE BLANCHETT 

When in a fashionable event, queen Cate is implacable. Once again, the 50 years old Australian actress, who was at the VFF as Giorgio Armani's world ambassador, has enchanted each one of the fans, while stepping on the red carpet of Joker's premiere, wearing a dark strapless dress by Armani, with silver stripes enriched by pink beads. The natural makeup (Armani Beauty) completed the look with a beautiful pair of limited edition maya earrings. The grace that Cate beholds, was a plus. We have given her the 2nd place because she hasn't risk anything this time. Vote: 9/10.

And the 3rd PLACE goes to... 

mr. BRAD PITT 

We know. There were a lot of beautiful women, that needed a mention. There were Timotèe Chalet and Joaquin Phoenix, as well. Instead, we have chosen the fascinating, evergreen handsome Brad Pitt. In this suit, Brad has lit the red carpet for his newest movie Ad Astra, where he plays the astronaut Roy McBride ( the movie will come in theaters from the 26th of October). This fall will be the season of the American actor: finally Tarantino's Once Upon A Time in Hollywood (with Leo Di Caprio and Margot Robbie), will be released in Italy too. 

Micol Sartori 

An inside look: the 76th Venezia Film Festival

As a junior journalist, this year I had the opportunity to accomplish one of the greatest dreams of a movie lover, that is to say going to the Venice Film Festival with my first press pass. When the VFF staff had approved my request, I was fulfilled with excitement. Since I am a freelance (yeah, unfortunately entering a registered magazine is quite difficult), I had to organize all the trip on my own. So, this is, truly, a labour of love. The one and only love of my life, the cinema screen.

But, let's start with the beginning. The Venezia Film Festival, one of the competition organized by the  Biennale artistic org. (among these, the architecture exhibition and the art expo are the most well known), the VFF is located at the beautiful exclusive island of the Lido, in the Venice gulf. 

The entrance of the VFF, strictly under the security control, was just in front of the Lido's beautiful beaches, which every year attract thousands of tourist form all over the world because of its charm. 

The Mostra Internazionale del Cinema, every year presents the premiere of some expected movies: the 76th VFF was definitely the year of Joker - plus Ad Astra and the Laundromat. And I was lucky enough to attend the newest Joaquin Phoenix's movie red carpet (on 31th august at 6.30 pm). 

The  marvelous Cate Blanchett opened the Joker's red carpet: here is she, the Queen, in an asymetrical bob-rock hairstyle, embodying an enchanting black Armani Privè. And if you look carefully behind her left elbow, there I am, in a red dress. 

And, right after, the cast. After the director Todd Phillips, the probably contended of the Oscar statuette, Joaquin Phoenix. In this pic, he was probably glancing at her fiancée and actress Rooney Mara, in a beautiful Givenchy dress, as we can imagine from the border of this pic (taken by me). 

The public premiere aired in Sala Grande (the historical theatre of the VFF), at 7.15 pm. This picture is taken from the distinguished visitor's gallery, where hosts like Cate Blanchett, Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara and the Italian star Michelle Hunziker set. The movie received 8 minutes of applauses ! 

Micol Sartori 

  

The Young Pope reviewed (waiting for YP2)

I have heard a lot about the Young Pope, but I have never watched it until I read about the sequel. The  images of the YP2, with the former pope played by the magnetic Jude Law walking almost naked in a beach, turn up my curiosity. The YP series, produced by a combo of Sky, HBO and Canal+ and directed by Paolo Sorrentino, aired in 2016, a year when my entertainment was already fulfilled with amazing series such as GOT, OITNB and Narcos.

So, I didn't went through it, until now. Saying that the YP deserves to be watched only after the end of our beloved series, is inaccurate. The mini-series, composed by 11 episodes, is intriguing and singular. Or maybe, I have thought this after watching the first episode. Strage bedfellows have come in, when pope Pio XIII (Law) has visions about sex, masturbation and all the luxurious world, which is forbidden to a church man, most of all to the pope. But, if the Pope does not believe in God, something unexpected might come up... or not? The fact that Pope Larry (which is Pio's name) first is highly persuaded to not show up in public, and to guide a Church highly convicted in the Vaticano's walls without being the usual benevolent spiritual guide for all the believers, was something new. Pio XIII believed he was more handsome than Jesus, that he was a predestinate prophet and the world didn't need to watch openly his face, if not passing through preyers and evoking God's presence first. The sexualized eye-contacts with Pio and the christian Ester or, more spicy, the chemical attraction between Law and the Church's marketer assistant, needed more script to build up. Was it sinful to ask for some hot Law's sex scenes? 

In my opinion, director Sorrentino has shown to the public who the clergy is, men's with passions (like the secretary with the football team Napoli), which are hidden (Pio's best friend can be a main example), evil (the case of pedophilia), forbidden (Pio's thoughts) and so on. 

Being a church man does not mean being out-worldly, and we find this out when the secretary Voilello formulates the immortal question: " How stupid can be believing that a man cannot love God and a woman at the same time?". 

A really powerful character was, indeed, Larry's "mother" Mary (played by Diane Keaton) : she connect's the pope past as an orphan and believes in the creation of the "saint-pope", helping him to open to the world, as we see in the beautiful, final episode. The final scene makes us wonder about the YP2, hoping that the new season will solve at least some of the inner conflicts that I brought up in this article... even, a little more speed up of the events will help the designation of a more interesting story to watch. 

Micol Sartori 

The Sister Brothers

The Sisters Brothers (2018) is a dark comedy- western directed by Jacques Audiard, starring Joaquin Phoenix, John C.Reilly (who is also a producer), Jake Gyllenhaal and Riz Ahmed. The movie was presented at the 2018 Venezia Film Festival and won the Silver Lion for best direction. 

1815, somewhere in west America, in the middle of the Golden Rush fever.The Sisters Brothers, Eli (Reilly) and Charlie (Phoenix) are two hit men hired by the Commodore (high raking military commander, who exercises a great power in that geographical aerea). Because the Commodore has many interests, both in America and outside the country, and, most of all, is a very rich and influential personality, he decides to send the brothers after the chemical expert Warm. Apparently, Warm has discovered a special formula to detect gold in the rivers and guess what? He becomes one of the most "wanted" man in the Country. In order to capture the chemical, the Commodore has hired also a writer, Morris (Gyllenhaal), in order to entertain and guide directly to the Sister brothers Warm. But a great chemistry came up between the two men, who share the same ideals in life, so the writer decides to give up his mission to join Warm's search for gold. After a series of adventures in which we discover the personality and tragical family history of both Eli and Charlie, the two cowboys finally found Warm and Morries. But instead of killing them, they begun to pursue the Golden Rush themselves. The ending is quite unpredictable, with an important come-back to the Sister's lost humanity.

Why this movie is worth watching:

• After American Hustle, the Sausage Party and, most of all, Phantom Tread, Anna Purna pictures has taken a step forward towards maturity. Next summer stay tuned for "Where'd go Bernardette" starring Cate Blanchett.
• Joaquin Phoenix is rising his career in an incredible way. The talented actor, after Her, You Were Never Really Here, Don't Worry and Mary Magdalene (where he played Jesus!), is delivering another intense performance. Phoenix is simply the perfect drunkard, badass, disordered but irresistible character, no matter if the film is historical or set in an imaginary world. Can't wait to see him in Joker ! 
  
  
  
• I loved the moments between the two brothers: even if they are both rough men, Eli has always an eye on his little brother. Interesting to watch also the transition from a cowboy era to the modern era, with the experience of both pleasures and pain. 
• Charlie's craziness in the Golden Rush fever moment of the four men, was the symbol of how blind we are when it comes to become a rich man. Translate this into history, and we arrive straight ahead to the Indians genocide (which is not mentioned in the movie).
• I enjoyed the fact that Eli and Charlie speak all the time about the Commodore, and project to the spectator his fearful presence. But in the final scene, this incumbent person, is just another avid old man. 

Negative aspects (of a blurred ending): 

• The void that comes after the Commodore's death. The commander was the last stronghold of the western-world or the Gold Rush will continue, besides the barge of modernity?
• What will the Sister Brothers do them? After returning to their childhood, another life is possible for them?

Ciak Movie Rating: 4/5. 

Micol Sartori 

Sulla mia pelle (On my Skin): the complete review

Sulla mia pelle (On my Skin), directed by Alessio Cremonini and starring Alessandro Borghi is an Italian bio-drama. The movie has premiered in the Horizon section in the 75th Venice Film Festival and was strongly debated, because was released simultaneously worldwide via Netflix and in the theaters through the Lucky Red distribution's company.

THE PLOT: The movie is set in Rome's suburbs, where the 31 years old Stefano Cucchi is an ex drugs addict and dealer. One day, after having dinner with his parents at the family house, Stefano decided to pass the night out. While chatting with a friend in the car, Stefano lighted up a cigarette. Some Carabinieri (a section of the Italian police), noticed the car and ordered the two men to declare all their possessions. Unfortunately, the officers found some grams of hashish on Stefano and they bring the two guys at the police station in order to interrogate them. The friend is released, whilst Stefano is charged with both possession and drug dealing. Stefano appears in the courts room and the judge recalls the court hearing within a month. Stefano starts a downfall through the unknown injustice of the Italian law system.

THE DIRECTOR: Alessio Cremonini's masterpiece is more than a drama, because brings in it the essentiality of a biopic. Stefano is the one and only main character, and the little motions of the camera, the limited variety of sets, bring the spectator closer to Stefano's condition. Cremonini creates a strong empathy so we identify ourselves with Stefano, forgetting he is the "bad" guy of the situation. As drugs dealers are often considered without further examine the single situation.

THE ACTOR: Alessandro Borghi delivers a straight representation of Stefano Cucchi's character. He speaks the roman's accent, he moves like a "coatto" and is capable of portraying all the aspects of Cucchi's pain. The body motion is fantastic and the sensitivity of Borghi's acting is emotional: the actor has studied all the steps that had lead to Stefano's death and he brights to light even some aspect that Ilaria, Stefano's sister, said that she "wish she had known".

IMPORTANCE OF THE MOVIE: After Stefano's death in prison, after only a week on detention in "unknown" circumstances, his sister Ilaria and the Cucchi's family started their battle in defense of the basic human rights of the inmates.

THE DEBATE: The movie was one of the protagonist at the latest Venice Film Festival because of the topic and because of the channels of the distribution. Sulla mia pelle, produced in collaboration with Netflix, was one of the first movies to win a prize in an official film festival and distributed in streaming. On my skin marks the beginning of a new era?

VOTE : 5/5 ! The movie is strongly recommended. 💫Ciak Movie approved 💫

Micol Sartori