Elio Germano (Massimo Sisti); Watch AMERCA LATINA and other titles for free at the Italian Film Festival from Sept 29 to Oct 2, 2022, Venice Cineplex, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig.
Written and photographed
By Jude Bautista
AMERICA LATINA by prodigious twins Damiano and Fabio D’Innocenzo is the kind of film that stays with you long after you’ve watched it. Your mind is still figuring out what is reality, what is delusion.
The story forces the viewer to go on that slow descent to madness. OR was he mad all along? When and how is just as important as what’s real. It’s all there for you to piece together.
How much of a verbally abusive parent damages a child? When that child becomes a parent how much of the pattern of abuse does he or she repeat?
It’s as dark and psychological thriller as a film can be. So it’s not for the faint of heart. But if you go on that journey, doing so can be rewarding in its own way.
Center: Italian Amb. Marco Clemente with from left: Festival Dir. Antonio Termenini and Brillante Mendoza at the opening of the Italian Film Festival, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig, September 30, 2022. Photo by Jude Bautista
You can watch AMERICA LATINA for free in Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKinley Hill, Taguig. The movie is part of the Italian Film Festival along with many more titles running from Sept 29-Oct 2, 2022. There’s a latest selection of titles, from the comedy of Una Notte Da Dottore (DOCTOR ON CALL) to the romance of La Sciarsi Un Giorno A Roma (BREAKING UP IN ROME).
Venice Cineplex, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig. Photo by Jude Bautista
Perfect World
Elio Germano (Massimo) seems to live an idyllic life as a successful dentist. He lives in a Mid Century Modern house, with its own pool. His wife Astrid Casali (Alessandra) is always supportive and affectionate. Daughters Laura and Ilenia take after their attractive mother. So much so, their angelic faces are reminiscent of renaissance paintings of cherubs. Ilenia, played by Federica Pala, is a piano prodigy who writes her own music and also draws well.
Watch AMERCA LATINA and other titles for free at the Italian Film Festival from Sept 29 to Oct 2, 2022, Venice Cineplex, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig.
From left: Carlotta Gamba (Laura Sisti), Astrid Casali (Alessandra Sisti) and Federica Pala (Ilenia Sisti). Watch AMERCA LATINA and other titles for free at the Italian Film Festival from Sept 29 to Oct 2, 2022, Venice Cineplex, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig.
Massimo’s perfect world is shattered when he discovers a girl tied up and gagged in his basement. He couldn’t get away from the questions. Who put her there? Was he the one who kidnapped her and tie her up? Was his drinking buddy Simone trying to extort money from him? IF Massimo did it, why can’t he remember, when or how he did it? If it was Simone how did he pull it off without him knowing?
The story of the film is about retracing his steps and figuring out the mystery.
Sara Ciocca (Lucia); Watch AMERCA LATINA and other titles for free at the Italian Film Festival from Sept 29 to Oct 2, 2022, Venice Cineplex, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig.
Elio Germano
Elio Germano, who plays the main character Massimo, gave a powerful performance. As someone who is trying to piece together his memory, his own sanity. Elio is multitalented as he also raps occasionally, collaborating with artists such as BestieRare and Teho Teardo. His forays into music have a strong social commentary dealing with issues like unemployment, homelessness and ‘Fascist violence’.
Elio Germano (Massimo Sisti) and Federica Pala (Ilenia Sisti); Watch AMERCA LATINA and other titles for free at the Italian Film Festival from Sept 29 to Oct 2, 2022, Venice Cineplex, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig.
This is Germano’s second film with the D’Innocenzio brothers. He played Bruno Placido in Favolacce (BAD TALES-2020 ). Which won best Screenplay in Berlin.
Elio is widely recognized as one of the most brilliant actors in Italy. He has won several Best Actor awards among them: the David di Donatello (MY BROTHER IS AN ONLY CHILD-2007), Venice (LEOPARDI-2014) and from Cannes (LA NOSTRA VITA-2010).
Elio Germano (Massimo Sisti); Watch AMERCA LATINA and other titles for free at the Italian Film Festival from Sept 29 to Oct 2, 2022, Venice Cineplex, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig.
His most recent win is for HIDDEN AWAY also at the Berlin International Film Festival (2020). The role is reclusive painter Antonio Ligabue, where he also portrayed someone dealing with mental illness.
Elgio Germano has a very striking resemblance with Italian actor / filmmaker based in the Philippines: Ruben Maria Soriquez.
Ruben Soriquez is a PH based Italian Actor and director. (10)
Incidentally, Soriquez’ work THE SPIDER’S MAN (2019) is currently part of the Cine Europa film festival here in the Philippines. This year there are public screenings in Rizal Park as well an online component. For schedules and details log on to: cineuropaph.com
Federica Pala (Ilenia Sisti); Watch AMERCA LATINA and other titles for free at the Italian Film Festival from Sept 29 to Oct 2, 2022, Venice Cineplex, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig.
Cinematographer Paolo Carnera
Putting to screen the D’Innocenzio brothers’ vision for LATINA isn’t as simple as it sounds. Fabio in an interview was talking about a world beneath the surface. You can see it with their use of reflections, whether on glass or the smooth surface of the piano. The reflections of characters faces, seem to mirror that inner workings of the mind or reality if you will.
Composing the camera where windows, walls become a framing device. The viewer sees Massimo is a prisoner in his own mind. Extreme close ups are not enough for the D’Innocenzo brothers. Macro shots of body parts like eyes, skin, eye brows, take the viewer inside Massimo’s mental state. You see details of the skin. The camera is taking you into the world within.
Watch AMERCA LATINA and other titles for free at the Italian Film Festival from Sept 29 to Oct 2, 2022, Venice Cineplex, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig.
The challenge was fulfilled by cinematographer Paolo Carnera. Incidentally he won his Nastro d’Argento (Best Cinematography) award for his work on BAD TALES, also with the brothers and Elio Germano in the lead role.
Carenra was born in Venice, the famous city that inspired the design of Venice Grand Canal Mall in McKinley Hill, Taguig.
Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig. Photo by Jude Bautista
Title
For the twins, LATINA is their third film, that is tied together via theme. Each story is independent of each other but has the similarity of parental and filial relationships. Their first is BOYS CRY (2018) and BAD TALES (2020).
Writer Directors Damiano and Fabio D’Innocenzio; Watch AMERCA LATINA and other titles for free at the Italian Film Festival from Sept 29 to Oct 2, 2022, Venice Cineplex, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig.
There are many questions I myself have not figured out completely. One of them is the title AMERICA LATINA. Latina is self-explanatory as that is the town just outside of Rome. The actual film location. America for me is not as clear.
Watch AMERCA LATINA and other titles for free at the Italian Film Festival from Sept 29 to Oct 2, 2022, Venice Cineplex, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig.
Could it be a metaphor for the colonial experience of Latin American countries? Where European colonial rulers (the parents) ‘abused’ the people and resources. And in a way their ‘children’ are the former territories, in places like Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, arguably even early in the history of the U.S.A.? A pattern of colonialism that the U.S. repeated with its own conquered territories, including the Philippines.
Carlotta Gamba (Laura Sisti); Watch AMERCA LATINA and other titles for free at the Italian Film Festival from Sept 29 to Oct 2, 2022, Venice Cineplex, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig.
These are the questions and topics you can have, if you watch AMERICA LATINA with your barkada. Because its free you can watch it more than once, affordably. Debate as passionately as you want over beers, pasta, wine in PONTE RIAL and other restaurants in Venice Canal Grand Mall: Italiani’s, TGIF, Cobalabamba and many more.
Two of many masked mimes who greet you in Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig. Photo by Jude Bautista
Elio Germano (Massimo Sisti); Watch AMERCA LATINA and other titles for free at the Italian Film Festival from Sept 29 to Oct 2, 2022, Venice Cineplex, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig.
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Maurizio Lastrico (Simone); Watch AMERCA LATINA and other titles for free at the Italian Film Festival from Sept 29 to Oct 2, 2022, Venice Cineplex, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig.
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Elio Germano (Massimo Sisti) and Astrid Casali (Alessandra Sisti); Watch AMERCA LATINA and other titles for free at the Italian Film Festival from Sept 29 to Oct 2, 2022, Venice Cineplex, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig.
Elio Germano (Massimo Sisti) and Astrid Casali (Alessandra Sisti); Watch AMERCA LATINA and other titles for free at the Italian Film Festival from Sept 29 to Oct 2, 2022, Venice Cineplex, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig.
Elio Germano (Massimo Sisti) and Astrid Casali (Alessandra Sisti); Watch AMERCA LATINA and other titles for free at the Italian Film Festival from Sept 29 to Oct 2, 2022, Venice Cineplex, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig.
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Watch AMERCA LATINA and other titles for free at the Italian Film Festival from Sept 29 to Oct 2, 2022, Venice Cineplex, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig.
Federica Pala (Ilenia Sisti); Watch AMERCA LATINA and other titles for free at the Italian Film Festival from Sept 29 to Oct 2, 2022, Venice Cineplex, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig. (27)
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Modern take on stained glass at the Venice Cineplex, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig. Photo by Jude Bautista
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Astrid Casali (Alessandra Sisti); Watch AMERCA LATINA and other titles for free at the Italian Film Festival from Sept 29 to Oct 2, 2022, Venice Cineplex, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig.
From left: Carlotta Gamba (Laura Sisti), Astrid Casali (Alessandra Sisti) and Federica Pala (Ilenia Sisti). Watch AMERCA LATINA and other titles for free at the Italian Film Festival from Sept 29 to Oct 2, 2022, Venice Cineplex, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig.
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Elio Germano (Massimo Sisti); Watch AMERCA LATINA and other titles for free at the Italian Film Festival from Sept 29 to Oct 2, 2022, Venice Cineplex, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig.
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Carlotta Gamba (Laura Sisti); Watch AMERCA LATINA and other titles for free at the Italian Film Festival from Sept 29 to Oct 2, 2022, Venice Cineplex, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig.
Watch AMERCA LATINA and other titles for free at the Italian Film Festival from Sept 29 to Oct 2, 2022, Venice Cineplex, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig.
http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ ,
http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , https://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ ,
http://judebautista.wordpress.com/
http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ ,
http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , https://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ ,
http://judebautista.wordpress.com/
http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ ,
http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , https://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ ,
http://judebautista.wordpress.com/
Watch AMERCA LATINA and other titles for free at the Italian Film Festival from Sept 29 to Oct 2, 2022, Venice Cineplex, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig.
Watch AMERCA LATINA and other titles for free at the Italian Film Festival from Sept 29 to Oct 2, 2022, Venice Cineplex, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig.
http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ ,
http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , https://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ ,
http://judebautista.wordpress.com/
Watch AMERCA LATINA and other titles for free at the Italian Film Festival from Sept 29 to Oct 2, 2022, Venice Cineplex, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig. (40)
Watch AMERCA LATINA and other titles for free at the Italian Film Festival from Sept 29 to Oct 2, 2022, Venice Cineplex, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig.
http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ ,
http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , https://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ ,
http://judebautista.wordpress.com/
Watch AMERCA LATINA and other titles for free at the Italian Film Festival from Sept 29 to Oct 2, 2022, Venice Cineplex, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig.
http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ ,
http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , https://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ ,
http://judebautista.wordpress.com/
Watch AMERCA LATINA and other titles for free at the Italian Film Festival from Sept 29 to Oct 2, 2022, Venice Cineplex, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKInley Hill Taguig.