Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Margherita Buy | ... | Antonia | |
Stefano Accorsi | ... | Michele | |
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Serra Yilmaz | ... | Serra |
Gabriel Garko | ... | Ernesto | |
Erika Blanc | ... | Veronica (as Erica Blanc) | |
Andrea Renzi | ... | Massimo | |
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Koray Candemir | ... | Emir |
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Lucrezia Valia | ... | Mara |
Filippo Nigro | ... | Riccardo | |
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Ivan Bacchi | ... | Luciano |
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Maurizio Romoli | ... | Angelo |
Carmine Recano | ... | Israele | |
Luca Calvani | ... | Sandro | |
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Rosaria De Cicco | ... | Luisella |
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Edilberta Caviteno Bahia | ... | Nora |
AIDS doctor Antonia's husband is killed by a car. She gets depressed until she learns he had been cheating on her with a man. Following her newly born curiosity for life, she goes to see her husband's lover, Michele, and finds a huge apartment that he shares with gay and transgendered friends, including a Turkish immigrant and a prostitute. Antonia is reluctant to tell these people of her relationship to the dead man, but needs prompting to move on to a new phase of her life. Written by Sujit R. Varma
This is my first encounter with a film by Ferzan Ozpetek and a more than satisfying one. This modest drama about a woman's growing understanding of the often hazardous and confusing life the homosexual friends of her dead husband lead is extremely convincing.
Almodóvar came to mind when seeing the commune of transsexuals and gay characters so lovingly and believably portrayed. Without the hysterics of the Spanish master Ozpetek manages to show the witty bitchiness, the hurt of and compassion for the Aids victims.
Mature is the word that springs to mind when the story unfolds and its old fashioned but unforced warmth pervades you. Without winning prizes for originality this film shows that, when made with heart, involvement and wit, one can tell an old tale over and over again.
It's also nice to find exploitation veteran Erica Blanc in a quirky but well perceived bit part.