Saimir (2004)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

Francesco Munzi

Writers:

Serena Brugnolo (writer)
Dino Gentili (writer)

Release Date:

29 April 2005 (Italy)

Genre:

Drama

Awards:

2 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Xhevdet Ferri	...	Edmond
Anna Ferruzzo	...	Simona
Lavinia Guglielman	...	Michela
Mishel Manoku	...	Saimir

Also Known As:

I girasoli (Italy) (working title)

Runtime:

Italy:88 min

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian | Albanian

Color:

Color

Company:

Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali (MiBAC)

Bleak but ultimately uplifting

On the face of it a bleak film due to the location, time of year and ways in which it was shot. However the film is narrated through the eyes of a teenager and although slow paced at times still manages to draw in the viewer through the characters sensitive acting and our awareness of the issues raised. The main theme is the relationship between Saimir and his father It depicts the father doing his best in providing a secure start for their new life as immigrants albeit by questionable means. Saimir initially the dutiful son but as his awareness grows of the business he's an accomplice in and coming of age clashes occur he ultimately leaves us with a feeling of the immigrant as a knight. The father and son relationship always simmers beneath the surface when not actually erupting into a clash. The acting by both key roles is strong and the other cast also. Their is some excellent soundtrack pieces, a particularly captivating scene is of the immigrants burglary on a rich house when they each satisfy their inner needs and are innocent to what is of instinctive value.