Prime luci dell'alba (2000)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Lucio Gaudino

Writer:

Nicola Molino (writer)

Release Date:

9 June 2000 (Italy)

Genre:

Drama

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Gianmarco Tognazzi	...	Edo
Francesco Giuffrida	...	Saro
Laura Morante	...	Anna
Roberto Nobile	...	Nino Procida
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Antonino Bruschetta	...	Mirko Zappalà

Also Known As:

First Light of Dawn (International: English title)

Runtime:

Germany:86 min (Berlin Film Festival)

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Trapani, Sicily, Italy

Company:

Caviar Produzioni

Brothers

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Edo, an Italian engineer, working abroad, returns home to learn his parents were killed in Sicily three months before. He has been away from home for quite some time, having left years ago. Edo calls his brother Saro right away and leaves everything to go home. Saro, who is wheelchair bound, is happy about his brother's return. This young man was deeply affected by the tragedy and still sees his mother's presence in the house.

We get to know the real cause for the horrible fate of the couple: they were killed by the local mafia because their refusal to pay extortion money for the protection of their shoe store in the center of the town. Evidently, some people have been slain because of their non compliance with the illegal requests.

Saro feels as though his brother had abandoned him. Obviously, his condition has a deep impact in the way the loss of his parents have had on his well being. Edo, who is involved with a woman, Anna, in Milan, is torn in the way he feels about both his present life and his duty to his brother.

Lucio Gaudino, the director, has a lot of affinity in the way he has developed Nicola Molino's fine screenplay. The complex relationship between the two brothers is convincing. While Saro's mind is set in staying home, and perhaps continue with the family business, Edo is not completely taken with the idea of returning to a small town atmosphere where he feels he doesn't belong.

Adding to the enjoyment of this deeply moving film is the performance of the two stars, Gianmarco Tognazzi, who appears as Edo, and Francesco Giuffrida as Saro. Both actors make an excellent team and elevate the film to make their characters come alive. Laura Morante has a small role as Anna.

The film is recommended because of the fine work of the principals and the effortless direction of Lucio Gaudino.