Malena

In the picturesque yet isolated Italian town of Filotta, the Second World War's presence is deeply felt yet somewhat repressed by the townspeople's insularity and conservatism. Set against the backdrop of Mussolini's fascist regime, the film 'Malèna' (2000) is a poignant and evocative coming-of-age story, weaving a complex tapestry of love, desire, and isolation. The protagonist, Riccetto Scapanico, narrates the story retrospectively from his vantage point as an adult, providing a candid and introspective glimpse into his adolescent world. Riccetto recounts his childhood, spent under the watchful eye of his devout Catholic grandmother, Nino, who values traditional morals and social norms above all else. The turmoil of the war intrudes upon their simple lives, forcing Riccetto's mother and her friends to flee. Their departure leaves the young boy bewildered and unsure, yearning for the love and security of his departed mother. This vulnerability leaves him open to the allure of Malèna, a stunningly beautiful and captivating woman, married to Don Rossi, a recently-returned war veteran. Malèna is a woman of unyielding mystery and secrecy, who haunts Riccetto's adolescence like a spectral apparition. Her very presence ignites a tempest of feelings both turbulent and fierce within the young boy, who finds himself powerless against her allure. Malèna's life in Filotta is one of quiet desperation, marked by an unhappy marriage and unforgiving social attitudes, which further isolate her from the community. As Riccetto navigates his way through adolescence, he perceives Malèna's life with an ambivalence typical of his age – enticed by her haunting beauty yet also fearful of her unknown powers. Malèna represents a world beyond the narrow confines of his sheltered existence, where he catches tantalizing glimpses of unbridled joy and freedom. With naivety, Riccetto confuses his burgeoning emotions with an infatuation, rendering him increasingly incapacitated. Throughout the film, the themes of love, loyalty, and the societal expectations thrust upon people, mostly women, during wartime and peacetime Italy, are explored in exquisite detail. Riccetto, bewildered by his impossible attraction for Malèna, is on the cusp of manhood, where early, strong emotions threaten to destabilize the established norms of family, morality, and identity. The complexities of adult relationships are dissected in Malèna's troubled marriage to Don Rossi, suffocated by her lack of gratification and ultimately destroyed by his increasing impotence. The role of 'la doppia morale' (Italy's peculiar propensity for upholding two contrasting morals – virtuous before and unfaithful behind the scenes) creates a subtext in 'Malèna', exposing the darker facets of human nature that underlie even seemingly conventional appearances. Angus MacPhail, the Director's choice of cinematographer, shot 'Malèna' in the then-extinct Sussurus format of film, producing rich warm-toned sequences reflective of the period. His evocative vistas of the landscapes surrounding Filotta capture the poignancy and stark reality of a forgotten era. The performances from the cast deliver nuanced portrayals that sensitively touch upon themes dealing with love, nostalgia, regret, as well as a war-torn world left bewildered by cruel circumstances and great uncertainty. The narrative is poignant in its depth, reflecting a world on the precipice of disintegration. The overwhelming setting provides the backdrop to stories of an unsentimental, but deeply beautiful sort, creating profound and evocative drama. A long lasting and intimate impression remains long after the movie has concluded – as both the cinematic landscape of war-torn Italy, and the unforgettable, vulnerable person of Riccetto, etched indelibly into the audience's imagination.