In Sardinia, a father storms into his son's classroom, demanding that he stays at home to look after the herd. He reluctantly agrees, and is forced to life as a uneducated Shepard, constantly being bossed around and beaten by his father. The story skips to when Gavino is now 20 years old. He attempts to leave for Germany, but his father refuses to sign the form. Eventually he is enrolled into the army, where he is taught education and the wonders of classical music.
The Taviani brothers have an impressive repertoire of work, ranging from 1970 to present day. They directed 'Kaos', a film my dad insists I watch, and the emotional Epic 'The Night of San Lorenzo'. This is the first film I have seen of theirs, and it's not what I expected. The synopsis above, makes the film sound like a neorealist Rossellini film, which it is... Sort of...
The film does indeed start off as a neo-realist film, with the father storming into the classroom and taking the child away, but as the film progresses, it starts to look more and more like a Pasolini film. It first became visible from the running around the tent, but was confirmed with the sheep milking and the farting. It's completely bizarre to combine the seriousness of child abuse, with the farcical humour of Pasolini and Fellini.
The film is based on the life of author Gavino Ledda, and he actually appears introducing and concluding the film. After introducing the film, the camera tilts up to show the father about to enter the classroom. The real-life Gavino walks up to the father and hands him the stick saying "my father had this as well". This was my favourite moment in the film, as he purposely breaks the forth wall, for no reason at all. It's genius while simultaneously being pointless. This isn't the only experimenting done in the film, there is a scene where the child Gavino, talks to a sheep in his mind. Another where Gavino is sitting on a hilltop playing the accordion, when white writing appears on screen. I always like experimenting in films ('Hausu'), but it doesn't match the tone of despair which is apparent throughout the runtime. Neo-realist and farcical really do not mix well, and that is the film's downfall.
Everything else, from the barren cinematography to the typical Italian acting is great. The film feels like an Epic, spanning 13 years, and deals with many subjects (including bestiality), so it is deserving of the Palme D'Or.
TO CONCLUDE
Not what I was expecting. The strange atmosphere works in some situations but not others. I feel very mixed, but I would say it's worth watching, just for how bizarre it is.
SCORE
71
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