A Estranheza de Amar

A movie of sadness, joy, struggle, heartbreak, betrayal... it captivates the heart and mind through a most difficult time in Sicilian society in the 1980's. The enormous love shared by two won out over the ridicule and rejection of others. Watch this movie, it might be just above a snails pace at times, but overall is worth the time.

Gabriele Pizzurro and Samuele Segreto do an outstanding job in acting and the subtle expressions that make the movie so believable... then when you learn its based on a true story, it leaves you contemplating it for days. Very touching...

You will enjoy this movie very much.

As a Sicilian origins I knew the story but I didn't expect to watch such a finest way to describe it.

This movie it's absolutely well made.

I got immediately in "nostalgia" mood from the first. Everything is well cured, photography, sound, light, costume, words, gestures, expressions. I could almost smell the tomato sauce, the coeffee on the table, the dry grass in the summer, the cicadas, the smell of the fireworks, even if the "carne simmenthal" with the lemon... Yes, it was really hard to watch the story, no easy/cheesy tears or stereotypes as you can expect but the movie gives to you a kick in the stomach, given by the ignorance, the lack of empathy and cruelty of the disgraced human being...and lot of anger.

For this reason the story its not only about homofoby.

Even if the direction seems to be quite light, silence, untold words, I can see the contrast with the real drama that seems coming from the narrative of Giovanni Verga, verist, realist, humble, pure and cruel as life unfortunately can be.

Beside all there's a delicate touch of innocence, a smile, a look, a "stolen kiss" and lot of silence full of meanings and understanding.

..."Quello che si fa di nascosto si può fare per cent'anni"...but shouldn't be like that!

AUTHENTIC CHRONICLE OF A FATEFUL LOVE AFFAIR OF YESTERDAY IN THE PRESENT TIME

Italy doesn't currently stand out on the global independent scene (much less the LGBT+ scene), and that's a shame, since, along with the French, they were the pioneers of independent cinema. They have a rich and abundant history of works, many of which are cult titles around the world. But here we have perhaps a future cult work. I hope I'm not mistaken.

We have a film based on real events, about a love affair that began in the last century, in the early 1980s, where its characters wander through a town in southern Italy (which still stands out for its prominent conservatism today), going back and forth between circumstances that anyone could easily identify with. The plot itself, while widely touched upon in independent cinema (and practically a standard) with thousands of films that have already addressed this subject of first love, here the optics and perspective are totally different from other films with similar plots.

There are no stereotypes here. And if there are any, they are minimal and necessary for the work. The director (as far as I know, this is his debut film) was quite emphatic in showing us the somewhat atypical perspective of the characters, never overstepping or focusing on those who, narrowly, attack, and this is so evident even in the most tense scenes. This treatment is subtle, as if this film were a powerful denunciation of the hypocrisy of Italian society at that time (and which still persists in various places in Italy) and, why not, in Europe and the world. A kind of protest film, albeit sweetly crafted so that the casual viewer wouldn't be scared or bored, although its pace is somewhat slow, it was necessary because the director wanted to take the time to show, with the patience of a monk, the daily lives of his protagonists. This was so evident at the end. It seems you have to guess what happened or assume it. Or better yet, investigate the real case on which the film was based (interestingly, its director is originally from Sicily, where the events actually occurred).

The performances were sublime. From what I could see, the actors are natural. This gives it a unique and unrepeatable tone of spontaneity. This, combined with the excellent production, direction, and stunning photography (as if a nod to the Argentine scene, so distinctive for its rich photography), makes this film a modern gem, which hopefully will elevate Italian cinema to the status it once held. There are examples.

Perhaps if this film were made during the same time as the legendary and controversial Pier Paulo Pasolini, the consequences would be similar to those of the director of this film. Perhaps with that precedent, he shows off a delicate and well-crafted film to, as I already mentioned, make a subtle but powerful protest against this hypocritical society that condemns plausible things but ignores more worrying facts.

If you're looking for a very interesting film to watch, for a truly memorable weekend... you might even weep your eyes until you get there, this will be the film for you.

The title of my review was taken from the song "Demasiado Corazón" by Willie Colón.

This movie captivates the senses with its meticulously crafted visuals and poignant storytelling. Every frame of this film is a testament to the director's vision, blending realism with a touch of whimsy to create an immersive experience. The deliberate pacing and composition of each shot invite the audience to engage deeply with the narrative.

The characters are portrayed with authenticity that resonates with the times, making their journeys all the more compelling. The natural performances by the cast add a layer of sincerity to the narrative, further drawing the viewer into the world of the film. The editing complements the storytelling as well. Every frame has a purpose.

The cinematography is truly exceptional, with each shot crafted to convey both intimacy and artistry. The setting of 1980s Italy, depicted with golden hues and a nostalgic atmosphere, adds a layer of charm to the film.

Maybe honesty is the basic virtue of this film about teenagers, their love, about Sicily and answers to what can not be accepted .

It is a film of details, landscapes, people, tastes, colors, forms of seduction and intimancy.

And , in same measure, it is an admirable expression of freshness , from acting to dialogue, from the moments of pure happiness to clashes in so many senses.

A true story sounds, foer many reasons, a good kick to see it. But Stranizza d amuri has the precious gift to be an universal story, out of gay case, out of a place from Europe, out of cliches or melodrama.

In many senses, a simple confession about love, people and rules of a land.