The Unknown Woman (2006)
"La sconosciuta" (original title)

Haunted by a horrible past, a Ukrainian young woman calculatedly insinuates herself into the life of a rich Italian family.

Director:

Giuseppe Tornatore

Writers:

Giuseppe Tornatore (story), Massimo De Rita (screenplay)

Stars:

Kseniya Rappoport, Michele Placido, Claudia Gerini

18 wins & 17 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kseniya Rappoport	...	Irena (as Ksenia Rappoport)
Michele Placido	...	Muffa
Claudia Gerini	...	Valeria Adacher
Piera Degli Esposti	...	Gina
Alessandro Haber	...	Matteo
Clara Dossena	...	Tea Adacher
Ángela Molina	...	Lucrezia (as Angela Molina)
Margherita Buy	...	Irena's lawyer
Pierfrancesco Favino	...	Donato Adacher
Nicola Di Pinto	...	Irena's lover
Paolo Elmo	...	Nello
Simona Nobili	...	Policewoman
Elisa Morucci	...	Waitress
Giulia Di Quilio	...	Secretary
Pino Calabrese	...	Magistrate

Storyline

A Ukrainian woman named Irena calculatedly insinuates herself into the lives of a young, affluent Italian family. Stopping at nothing to become the couple's trusted maid and the beloved nanny to their fragile young daughter, Irena risks everything in her quest to uncover the truth about the family. Like an intricately constructed jigsaw puzzle, The Unknown Woman reveals piece by piece the enigma of Irena's past.

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Plot Keywords:

italian | maid | nanny | daughter | stabbed in the stomach | 

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some disturbing violent content involving rape and torture, graphic nudity, sexuality and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [United States]

Country:

Italy France

Language:

Italian Ukrainian

Release Date:

20 October 2006 (Italy)

Also Known As:

The Unknown Woman

Filming Locations:

Papigno, Terni, Umbria, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

€8,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$18,569 (USA) (4 April 2008)

Gross:

$18,569 (USA) (4 April 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Medusa Film, Manigolda Film, Sky

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Russian actress Kseniya Rappoport didn't speak Italian when she was cast in the leading role. She gradually learned the language in the few months of shooting.

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Connections

References Oliver Twist (2005)

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Soundtracks

"Giorgia On My Mind"
Written by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell
Performed by The Band
Courtesy of EMI Music Italy

User Reviews

best of Tornatore

"The Unknown Woman" is such an intense film that don't even think about "having a good time" while going to see it. "Cinema Paradiso" shouldn't be your reference for this "dark" Tornatore film. This is not for having a good time! This is for witnessing the lives that you can hardly think someone lived. This is feeling the pain of injustice in your veins. This is feeling shame that you live in such a world and can't and won't be able to do anything to change it. This is heart breaking! This is being absorbed by a touching story that is beautifully told. This is what cinema is for. One can only say,"Bravo Tornatore"!