FeatureFilm
The First Beautiful Thing
- Rated: M - contains violence, sexual references & offensive language
- Running Length:1hr 58mins
- Cast:Valerio Mastandrea, Micaela Ramazzotti, Stefania Sandrelli
Session Times
Summary
Winner of three Donatellos (Italian Oscars) and the hit of the 2011 Italian Film Festival, The First Beautiful Thing is a nostalgic and touching comedy. Jumping between the present day and the colourful early ‘70s, it tells the story of a misanthropic so returning home.
In 1971 a gorgeous young wife and mother is roped into a beauty contest at the popular Tuscan beach resort where she is holidaying with her family. Her husband is appalled by the wolf-whistles and flies into a jealous rage at the attention his wife garners. Bruno, aged eight, is disturbed by the spectacle, but his younger sister, Valeria, thinks it’s all great fun and enjoys every minute of it.
Flash to the present where Bruno is visited by his sister who informs him their mother is ill. He tries to worm out of returning to the small port town of Livorno, but finally agrees to go. The trip brings on an assortment of memories, some good, some bad.
Gorgeously shot and beautifully acted, The First Beautiful Thing was Italy’s nomination to the 2010 Academy Awards.
www.italianfilmfestival.co.nz/films/2011/01_thefirstbeautifulthing.html