There are some movies that just aren't meant to be understood, Napoli Velata is one of them without a doubt. Maybe it doesn't have the most amazing plot, it's quite intricate, but I found that the best thing about this movie is the breathtaking sceneries that the city offers, even if just inside a house.
Many have said that it doesn't feel whole because Naples is barely there, but I think that the film just shows a different version of the city that perhaps the "outsiders'" eye can't catch and isn't used to. I was born in this city and one thing that really moved me is actually the way the city is depicted. It's impressive how Ozpetek managed to take the city and use it as the protagonist but at the same time as the background to the story.
It's evidently the point of view of someone that went well beyond the stereotypes (finally) and deep into the roots of the culture and the customs, elements that very much characterize a Neapolitan's identity such as theatre, superstitions and numbers. The movie doesn't want to give a definitive and defined definition of what it shows and I really appreciated it.
13 Reviews
A veiled mystery play
fuzzbringer18 December 2020
A mystery play set in the Naples with unmistakably European flavor, if you've watched Italian giallo it's hard not to see gentle nods to that direction. The plot mystery and hints at side plots however don't get exhausted can feel frustrating for more straight forward Hollywood oriented storytelling perhaps. Some audience might not get that. In here every shown picture and each piece of mystery isn't used and explained and they're not really ment to satisfy curiosity - but rather add to it. Veil it, instead of unveiling, if you please.
The Ghosts of Ozpetek
imursel31 October 2018
a poem
Kirpianuscus11 July 2018
... or a portrait. portrait of Naples. using pieces from Fellini and the love as axis. a film about a world. honest, touching, labyrinth - like. usefull. for the sentimental geography. for the story like arena. for cultural references. maybe, for courage. and for seductive beauty.
unreal confused mind in pretty historic napoli
WILLYWU_200@HOTMAIL.COM4 December 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I don't know about the director. i just admire the whole movie setup, the romance of coast line of napoli and its people. artistic movie always makes us confused. this one is kind of a mild version of watching french film. most of the us used to get bored, and i expected it.
her emotion is brought out by the other imaginary bf stuck in her head. a little feels like "the fight club" . the story was all base on the beginning of her seeing her family tragedy. it is the trigger for her imaginary bf. at least the movie drew me into napoli, trip to italy
her emotion is brought out by the other imaginary bf stuck in her head. a little feels like "the fight club" . the story was all base on the beginning of her seeing her family tragedy. it is the trigger for her imaginary bf. at least the movie drew me into napoli, trip to italy
"Ferzan Özpetek's cinema" is getting worse.
Amarcord066 November 2018
horrible
rossorame30 September 2018
That was possibly the worst movie i have ever seen. films with gay and lesbian characters can do extremely well at the box-office, so director ozpetek tried to shock moviegoers with this "mysterious and sensational" movie at the cryptic and (do not know why) dark and decadent world of naples. this supposedly noir-erotic drama generated in me nothing but annoyance: napoli velata, promised steamy situations thanks to its title but plot only delivered boredom and predictability. what also makes this badly watchable is that ozpetek shoots every scene on a weird angle, so many actors were really, really ugly. it's impossible not to be somehow grossed out and a little bit puzzled that ozpetek tried to fulfill this ambition with an inexistent plot, static characters (I thought they had dark side... but they're just vulgar, sloppy, embarrassing) and ugly, coarse and melodramatic actors. i think that his view about naples is completely wrong and ultimately injurious.
If you're willing to suspend your disbelief for a moment, you'll love this film
activateyourdna30 August 2018
In theatre, they call it "suspending disbelief". That is an art of the audience of which many Americans have lost their talent. The Europeans, less so. If you are willing to suspend your disbelief; to play in the world of possibility, of love, of romance, of momentary insanity, and redemptive goodness, then this film is for you.
No, it doesn't hand you the answers on a silver platter, but what fun is knowing the certainty when the unknown, the mystery, is so rich in possibility?
For those willing and able to play, to be compassionate to, in brief, be a little more European, this film will please you in every aspect of the word.
No, it doesn't hand you the answers on a silver platter, but what fun is knowing the certainty when the unknown, the mystery, is so rich in possibility?
For those willing and able to play, to be compassionate to, in brief, be a little more European, this film will please you in every aspect of the word.
Do not trust the low ranking!
alicebilotta13 February 2022
This is actually a great movie. Extremely poetical and suggesting in its photography, this movie has also a compelling plot and some good psychological insights.
It's probably at its best if watched in the original language, so as to appreciate Italian (expecially Naples') culture and images.
It's probably at its best if watched in the original language, so as to appreciate Italian (expecially Naples') culture and images.
FO rules!
katie-kordys30 April 2020
AMAZING FILM
guidoabbondanza-3825318 November 2018
A beautiful creation
RoyMince28 September 2023
One recommendation I'll start off with is watching this movie in the native Italian language with subtitles, because in my opinion, it just provides a much better movie experience. With that being said, there are some pretty disturbing scenes in this movie and I don't mind because I find comfort in being disturbed if you have thin skin be prepared. Overall this Director did a fairly good job with the poetic storytelling and the cinematic shots that helped tell that story. My final recommendation is this film deserves to thumbs up for its originality and creativity. This is a film that I would recommend to many people. This is a film that I would recommend to many people.
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