By 
By Roger Costa
Open Roads: New Italian Cinema kicks off the 2019 edition at Film at Lincoln Center with a selection of award-winning films capturing this generation’s behavior, aspirations and other issues. The celebrated festival runs June 6-12.
PIRANHAS
Influenced by the members of the Mafia who populate his neighborhood, collecting protection payments from residents, including his dry-cleaning mother, a 15-year-old boy is seduced by his own criminal instincts, building an audacious empire along with his delinquent friends. Reckless and hot-headed, he’ll do anything to protect his mother, the girl he becomes involved with, but mostly he’s fighting to gain his own territory, in order to turn himself into a respected boss. For that, he must face the veterans, criminals who have been active for years in every corner of the city, venturing in the drug dealing business. Determined and impressively fearless, Nicola becomes the target of both sides in a gang rivalry, while gradually taking control of the dark business. His life is at continuous risk, as well as his uncontrolled behavior, as well as the relationship with mother, brother, girlfriend and rivals. Returning to the field of adolescence and premature criminality, award-winning director Claudio Giovannesi composes an alarming, shocking portrait of youth’s inclination to violence and modern days ego, scoring his most accomplished film-to-date. Newcomer actor Francesco Di Napoli, who plays the protagonist, is magnificent in his embodiment of a coming-of-age teen experiencing a turbulent phase, involved in heavy stuff, though caring for his loved ones, but mostly interested in his own glory: fulfill his greed and confidence. Utterly violent and superbly acted, it’s a thrilling portrait of the first steps into criminality. (Screens June 6, 12.)
SELFIE
Filmed entirely on the selfie camera of their cell phones, this inclusive documentary follows the struggles of two best friends dealing with capitalism, prejudice, rejection and violence, all while learning of themselves in their transition into manhood. Focusing on the killing of a teen by a police officer, it reveals the effects of aggression and oppression in a youth neighborhood trying to avoid the underground business. Director Agostino Ferrente allows the pair of friends Alessandro and Pietro to go around and interview their buddies, capturing essential revelations, and their perspectives and reactions on the uncertain future- they’re living a growing era of competition and insecurity. The result deeply demonstrates the powerful role of truthful friendship, and its transformational haven. (Screens June 9, 11.)
IF LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS
Actor Giampiero De Concilio gives a heartfelt performance as an aspiring soccer star fighting the system to keep living with his mother, despite her extremely wild temper. Ciro D’Emilio’s highly dramatic and thoughtful feature debut gives Neo-realism a new wardrobe, as it depicts a mother drown in addiction and mental illness, being supported by a mature young son, with impressively raw techniques. Anna Foglietta, who plays the out-of-control mother, was nominated for the Best Actress prize at the David di Donatello Awards. She steals the show with a courageous performance that includes moments of madness, embarrassment and desperation. But the film belongs to Giampiero, whose strong, firm presence, as a determined young man working hard to pass the trials, and to rescue his mother’s sanity, proves him to be one to watch. (Screens June 8.)
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