First Love (2004)
"Primo amore" (original title)

Vittorio is looking for a woman who matches his ideal. Through a classified ad he meets Sonia, a sweet, pleasant, intelligent girl. However, she weighs 125 pounds -- which according to ... See full summary »

Director:

Matteo Garrone

Writers:

Marco Mariolini (book), Matteo Garrone (screenplay),

Stars:

Vitaliano Trevisan, Michela Cescon, Elvezia Allari

6 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview:
Vitaliano Trevisan	...	Vittorio
Michela Cescon	...	Sonia
Elvezia Allari	...	Anna
Paolo Capoduro	...	Paolo
Roberto Comacchio	...	Sonia's Brother
Paolo Cumerlato	...	Waiter
Claudio Manuzzato	...	Cook
Marco Manzardo	...	Marco
Antonella Mazzuccato	...	Antonella
Gianluca Moretto	...	Mopi
Alberto Re	...	Doctor
Pierpaolo Speggiorin	...	Real Estate Agent
Antonio Viero	...	Mario
Deni Viero	...	Mario's Son

Storyline

Vittorio is looking for a woman who matches his ideal. Through a classified ad he meets Sonia, a sweet, pleasant, intelligent girl. However, she weighs 125 pounds -- which according to Vittorio is way too much. A goldsmith by trade, Vittorio is obsessed with the desire to shape Sonia's body and mind as does a fire with gold. Almost imperceptibly Sonia becomes a passive participant and the relationship grows into a reciprocal masochistic game. When the two lovers isolate themselves in a country house in the Veneto hills, they dangerously lose touch with reality and the rest of the world.

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Plot Keywords:

goldsmith | insecurity | control freak | director on camera | long take | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

13 February 2004 (Italy)

Also Known As:

First Love

Filming Locations:

Vicenza, Veneto, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fandango, Medusa Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Primo amore"
Written and Performed by Banda Osiris

User Reviews

A beautiful, disturbing experience

I have not seen this director's work before, but will now watch out for it. This film is best watched in reflective silence, to allow the characters to sink in. It asks many questions: how far are we willing to go for love? How can we transform ourselves into ideals without losing our self.. How can we reconcile the cruels hooks of the body with the splendors of the mind? Goldsmith Vittorio obsesses with form, over the essence of things, and finds in his willing, sensual girlfriend Sonia the clay to shape into his idealized form. She sacrifices her cupcakes and cookies to the altar of love, but the desire to find perfection can become the first brush of an abusive spiral.. This is is not a date movie. A movie that leaves the taste of ashes, and yet one that you'll remember.