Saw this in the library, and thought it might be interesting to watch with another new year on the horizon. Noticed Alice Rohrwacher involved in this project, and while I feel this film is sort of up to the viewer in terms of what s/he might take out of it, her "Happy as Lazzaro" is highly recommended for all, especially for those who enjoy film and reading as a way to travel beyond the boundaries of their selves and their countries.
As for this documentary, clearly based in Italy, there is a universal feel. I'm pretty old, older than the sum of decades spent on this planet, but I remember being young. I do appreciate the revolution is never wasted on the youth, but a reactionary response can lay waste to the youth.
I had heard some about Venice restricting tourism, which is mentioned in the travels herein. Sadly, I must admit I knew less about the Diaz School and the cruel cabineri response to that. The shadows of that event are cast on a latter segment in the movie, but through-out there is a sense of youth having an agitated energy towards the trappings of their station, no matter if it is a beauty or boxing school.
It was interesting that the interviews were exclusively captured on youths in packs. The camera would take a slow portrait of the members and then key in on one or two speakers, sometimes while tracking others reactions. Maybe more a function of technique, than trying to lump individuals into a generation/crowd.
I don't trust crowds much, and I do remember being young and not trusting older people. Maybe the camera would be too much of a drug if filming single dreamers, but dreams might be harder to ride like kites in the air when 10, 15 or 20 others are all attached?
Was there one segment from years ago. I think so, and that recalled the "Seven Up" series which is far more triumphant in my mind, while still tackling that same sort of energy that is ready to rise up. Going back and back to those individuals, we see a more balanced view of how youthful ideals and aging get intertwined to the point where one is not sure where the weed is, and where the flower is.
Anyways, I hope 2024 keeps idealism and rebellion driving our world forward. I am keenly aware of my "status quo addiction" and do want to feel that progress is possible, and well beyond the mere financially measured aspects of it.
One thing I have to say I found humorous. The closing shot we have a young boy, on a snowy expanse wandering away from the camera. I assume one it is a ~5 year old child of one of the three directors. The child pushes his independence in playful defiance, but in distant background cars are hurtling past. The credits roll, the child continues his expedition....alone....and then we see off to the right and parent. Not exactly helicoptering, as the phrase goes here in the US, but perhaps akin to a shepherd. At first gently, and carefully on her own, but then with more and more purpose to secure the kid before possibly wandering into danger. It is unlikely the kid would have strolled onto the highway. Or that drivers on the highway would have been unaware.
But I found that a funny little coda to the voices of youth. Trust me, I realize at a point (where my kids are now) that telling them about trouble is next to worthless, experience will speak 100 times more loudly, but like the mother figure shepherding during the closing, we really would like to avoid anything horrific for any child, especially those we somehow brought into this harsh, cold while simultaneously beautiful and amazing world.
Also in Italian is the Future necessarily female? Maybe it needs to be these days, and maybe that was a subtle subtitle to this? Although there are definitely groups of young men and young women and sometimes mixed. Anyways, kind of caught my attention. Of course so did the shadow of Covid and masks, as this was all recently captured footage. That certainly adds to frustration and dread for anyone, old or young these past nearly four years. Sigh.
Again, like I just did above if you want to bring more to this film, have at it. Maybe even watch it with your teen or young adult kids/cousins/friends? Or maybe just listen to them better. I know I will try.
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