Looking for Paradise (1995)
"Facciamo paradiso" (original title)

The life and times of Claudia Bertelli, born in Milan in 1949 from bourgeois parents, educated in England, rebel and single mother, then feminist and married woman and again doctor in the ... See full summary »

Director:

Mario Monicelli

Writers:

Leonardo Benvenuti, Suso Cecchi D'Amico,

Stars:

Lello Arena, Margherita Buy, Tigana Camara

1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Lello Arena	...	Calabrone
Margherita Buy	...	Claudia Bertelli
Tigana Camara	...	Son of Claudia as a child
Ubaldo Carosi	...	Briglia
Dario Cassini	...	Lucio
Aurore Clément	...	Mrs. Bertelli
Giovanna Coletti	...	Vincenza
Renato Fornasari	...	Calonghi
Gabriella Franchini	...	Maddalena
Gianfelice Imparato	...	Bellocchio
Victor Kanu	...	Son of Claudia as an adult
Elisa Lepore	...	Shalimar
Barbara Marciano	...	Anita
Gea Martire	...	Lawyer
Micha Michel Sennfors	...	Emily

Storyline

The life and times of Claudia Bertelli, born in Milan in 1949 from bourgeois parents, educated in England, rebel and single mother, then feminist and married woman and again doctor in the developing countries and mystical nun who dies peacefully in 2011.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

22 December 1995 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Looking for Paradise

Filming Locations:

Pavia, Lombardia, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Clemi Cinematografica

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Finding the promised land

Claudia Bertelli, the daughter of a successful Milanese industrialist, has a difficult time adapting to what is expected of her. Since early childhood she has always questioned authority and discipline. Her quiet life is about to change when she enrolls in Milan's university. The rebel students in Claudia's class decide they want to create their own style of education which borders in anarchy. Claudia finds a true friend in Calabroso, a good hearted soul, who stands no chance in winning her affections. Instead, Clauda falls for Lucio, the leader of the insurrection. Lucio is made to go abroad to avoid a sure jail sentence, leaving Claudia back home to fend for herself.

Claudia leaves her palatial home to live by herself. She will become involved in leftist causes throughout her life, while dabbling in the women rights movement that took the country by storm. In the process, Claudia gets pregnant. To the amazement of her parents, she gives birth to a black baby a Ghanan father sired, but who has decamped Italy. After that Claudia gets involved with an enigmatic Jewish man, Adamo, with whom she will settle down and have a daughter.

The story spans about fifty years and at the end of her life, Claudia is still searching for a sort of paradise she never finds. Only her loyal friend Calabroso stays with her after Adamo is no longer around.l Mario Monicelli, wrote and directed this film. It must be noted, this is not one of his best efforts, and yet, it offers some rewards to his many fans.

Best of all is an inspired Margherita Buy, one of the best actresses of her generation. Her Claudia goes from a sassy young woman to an evolved human being that decides to leave her comfortable life to get involved with causes that never get her real happiness. Lello Arena is Calabroso, the only true friend of Claudia. Dario Cassini plays Lucio, the idol who dumps Claudia, and Moni Ovadia appears as Adamo, the other man that influenced her life. The great Philippe Noiret and Aurore Clement are the aristocratic Bertellis, although they are seen briefly throughout the film.