By 
By Roger Costa
The Film Society of Lincoln Center and Istituto Luce Cinecittà present the 2017 edition of the acclaimed festival Open Roads: New Italian Cinema, showing contemporary productions that have recently gathered praises in European festivals. Among the selection, here are seven irresistible films that showcase the colorful, contagious music culture, and its festive influence in Italy’s lifestyle, both cheerful and romantic; the films also focus on youth perspectives, the troubles of being young, and the conflicts of relationships between themselves, and between parents and children. Open Roads runs June 1-7 in New York.
THE WAR OF THE YOKELS
A fresh and inventive comedy entirely performed by young children, narrated in fantastical tone, as two groups engage in the annual Summer war. Shot with bright lenses creating an ingenious adventurous atmosphere in a Favela-like structure, as well as exuberant seaside landscapes, directors Davide Barletti and Lorenzo Conte allow the cast to explore their comic skills, extracting a surprisingly vivid collective work from the kids. They are responsible for the real grace, as the Yokels fight against the Masters, fall in love, deal with a drought and a vanishing dog named “Moses”, creating an admirable fable.
CHILDREN OF THE NIGHT
Edoardo and Guilio are friends and roommates at a privileged boarding school. They are both in the same emotional situation, as they feel abandoned by their parents, and uncertain of the future. They find escape frequently visiting a Brothel in the outskirts, where they explore their sexuality, and eventually are caught by their unbalanced emotions, mixing the private with the disposable pleasure. A look at this generation’s sense of loss and confusion, Andrea De Sica’s directorial debut looks for many ways to adjust these young souls with complete devotion to the duo. An intense and provocative ambiguous thriller, it also examines the manipulation and corruption of capitalism.
FIORE
This intense, observational drama, narrated with the influences of Neo-realism, looks at a recovery facility where a thief entering womanhood develops a dependable connection with a male prisoner. They secretly exchange intimate, revelatory and passionate letters putting themselves at risk and at everyone’s attention. Daphne Scoccia gives a moving performance as the impulsive tough girl in director Claudio Giovannesi’s documentary-style, tender and thoughtful portrait of troubled young women trying to reintegrate and to overcome their inner conflicts.
WORLDLY GIRL
A smart take on faith and perseverance in modern days, Marco Danieli’s twisted romance follows Giulia, a young Jehovah’s Witness member who has been defying challenges regarding her belief. Things get turned upside down when she decides helping a hopeless mother, giving her son’s a job, and falling for him. The guy, an ex-con attracted to easy-money, will lead her to experience the opposite of all she’s ever known. With flawless performances, elegant eroticism, and depicting controversial issues, it’s an intriguing analysis on moral values and the inescapable consequences of love.
INDIVISIBLE
Edoardo De Angelis’s coming of age story folows Dasy and Violet, the gorgeous talented twins conjoined who act as musicians, as well as healing saints. Reaching the age of 18, and intrigued by a doctor’s promise of separating them, they dream of sex, fame and success while dealing with their parents disapproval and physical and emotional obstacles. A satire filled with philosophical references about the importance of family and freedom, it offers vibrant musical moments and incredible personifications by newcomers real-life twins Angela and Marianna Fontana, heartbreaking observations on their condition and darkly funny moments of absurdism.
SUN, HEART AND LOVE
In this optimistic urban drama structured as a soft screwball comedy, two interconnected stories revolve around women’s strength and endurance, as it follows an over-worked waitress supporting her unemployed husband and a dancer exploring new aspects on stage and in an unsolved lesbian relationship. Both women are traversing an existential crisis, but director Daniele Vicari creates a safe atmosphere for the players, reassuring them some sacrifices are worth-taking in order to succeed. A sensitive and humanitarian observation on marriage, commitment and the struggles of the lower class.
TWO SOLDIERS
Golden Globe nominee director Marco Tullio Giordana returns with the final take on his organized crime trilogy. A harsh depiction of violence, blending war zone scenario with dark city streets blown by gangsters bullets, the film finds its core on Maria, a woman grieving the death of her groom in Afghanistan, catching up with a wounded Mafioso stranded to an apartment. While avoiding being discovered, they delve into a self analysis in this complex, fiercely acted and impactful thriller.
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