Adored: Diary of a Porn Star (2003) User Reviews

A Brilliant Debut Film Embracing Love, Family and Gender

[gradyharp · 28 November 2004]

ADORED (or "Poco piu di un anno fa") is a superb film that smacks of brilliance on every level. The fact that this is the writing, directing AND acting debut of Marco Filiberti should alert the cinema world that a major talent has arrived. This is a film about a very lovable young man who just happens to be a gay porn star and how that choice of career affects his life, his family, his philosophy, and his impact on all those around him.

The film opens with some odd commentators who we find are being utilized for a documentary in the year 2014 on the life of Riki Kandinsky (Marco Filiberti) who died in 2002. The men making the film are steered by one 'Pietro'. We discover that Riki was born in France to a wealthy, stuffy family, but fled to Rome when his mother died, leaving his brother Federico (Urbano Barberini) and his father behind. In Rome Riki Soldani becomes Riki Kandinsky, the most sought after male porn star in Italy, lusted after for his muscular good looks, his infamously grand sexual equipment, and his scintillating sexuality. Riki is not a hustler, though he does frequent bars and bathhouses for his gratification. His friends include a fellow porn star Claudio (Claudio Vanni) and a loopy female named Luna ((Rosalinda Celentano). He lives in a splendid home, is obviously making a lot of money, and yet he is not partnered: Riki believes relationships, even with men, are too transient and are doomed from the start.

Riki's father dies, he returns to France to his home, where his family cannot accept his lifestyle. He returns to Rome, convinced he is alone in the world except for his extended family in the porn industry. Soon Federico visits him in Rome to implore the wealthy Riki to help resolve the fact that their father's death left mountains of debt, the family mansion being the only viable asset. Federico confronts Riki about his disgusting life, but to Riki's credit he brings Federico to a point where Federico is not only accepting, but embracing Riki's friends and occupational life!

When Riki observes an auto accident that kills a Lesbian mother, leaving her young son an orphan, Riki is at last touched by a 'fellow-traveler': young 'Plapla' (his real name is Pietro) understands the gay world despite his young years and longs to have Riki as his foster parent, much to the chagrin of his grandparents who barely know this son of a lesbian daughter. Federico assists Riki in his efforts to obtain guardianship, but the attempt is unsuccessful. Decimated, Riki flies to France, to the Gay Olympics and the adulation of being a champion soccer player as a means to amend his inability to gain a 'son'. The film's conclusion is sad: a life comes to an end and this end is the raison d'etre for the documentary we observed at the beginning of the movie. And you must see this magical film for yourself to tie all the threads together!

Though many will find aspects of the film bordering on the surreal or pushing credibility over the edge, Marco Filiberti has produced so much food for thought, tender discussions about acceptance of who we are, our need for connection, and a 'fabulous' look into the gay porn industry, that those who are not moved by this film will be few. The cinematography, costumes, set decor, music, and above all, the acting is all of the very highest caliber. Filiberti has a unique method of storytelling that gives notice of a true creative mind on his initial venture. Not only is he a fine writer and a very fine director, he is a feast for the eyes and an actor whose magnetism in front of the camera is impossible to ignore.

By all means this is a film to see and purchase, as it is one of the 'sleeper giants' of the year.

porn star's sad life

[esh04676 · 1/10 · 9 February 2005]

This was evidently a labor of love (if you'll excuse the expression) for Filiberti who seems to have been involved in all phases of the planning and production. Too bad! It just doesn't come together very well, in large part because the star does not convey in his person or his acting much that is interesting about the life of a porn star. There is some amusement as we watch the reactions of his family when they learn how the son and brother they threw out of the ancestral home in France has earned his living. And it is pleasing to see how he is reconciled with his brother. I found the extras on the DVD more interesting than anything in the film, particularly how simulated sex is filmed to look real. But basically, I'd call this a boring show.

Bizarre tale of a gay porn star.

[Hoohawnaynay · 3/10 · 21 July 2003]

I just saw this at Outfest here in Los Angeles. The most unbelieveable aspect of this film is that a gay porn star can become as famous as he is portrayed here. I can't even think of a straight porn star that is that well known, except maybe John Holmes and that was 20 years ago. This movie had a few funny moments but now that I know the star was also the director and writer I understand why it was filmed in such a narcisstic fashion. Every other shot panned up and down the stars body in various stages of undress. This movie tried to imply that there is more to a porn star than what we see on screen (his brother accepting his lifestyle & trying to adopt a kid) but in the end followed the cliche as to what happens to many in real life (drugs, suicide, etc). The actor who played the brother was probably the best actor in this movie but that isn't saying much.

Surprisingly sweet film

[haslup · 8/10 · 16 August 2004]

I went to see this film at a film festival recently only because my gay guy friend wanted to see it in hopes of seeing some hot, naked Italians. However, the film proved to be surprisingly serious and not nearly as cheesy as anticipated. There was no full nudity (but plenty of cheesecake to look at for those who want it). I thought the story was really quite sweet though. It focused on the reunion of 30-year old Riki with his estranged brother. His brother learns that Riki is both gay and a famous porn star. Although he is initially horrified, he learns to look past it and love his brother despite his career. Its not nearly as cheesy as it sounds. The film is both funny and sad, addressing the humor inherent in the cheesy porno business as well as the loneliness experienced by this star who is lusted after by millions but loved by no one. I give it an 8 of 10 for being funny, sweet, sad and different.

Self-indulgent and ultimately boring

[syzygy121 · 2/10 · 3 February 2007]

"Am I a egoist?" Riki asks several times in this excuse for a film. Well, I'm not sure about Riki, nor do I care, but I can tell you about Marco Filiberti. Not only is this an embarrassing ego trip for an aging celebrity (pretending to be 29, LOL), in the end "Riki" is the least interesting character here. The supporting cast and characters have much more depth and "freedom in their eyes." Filiberti looks like he's had plenty of work done, and he is not particularly attractive. What an ego trip! Did you notice that every other "porn star" in the film is hotter than he is? If I were him, I would have cast uglier, older men. The cast must LOVE him to give him such an embarrassingly egoistic vehicle.

Stylized cinema that hits the mark! (some spoilers)

[tevanson · 8/10 · 18 October 2003]

One of the great quandaries of "modern" filmmaking (post-"Bonnie and Clyde") is that audiences demand "realistic" scripts and plots from dramas. Dramatic-comedies can get away with the most outrageous plot failures, while even the most gentle of dramas will be raked over the coals for failing to be realistic.

"Poco più di un anno fa"--which is screening in the U.S. as "Diary of a Male Porn Star"--is one of those films which, I think, has managed to walk the fine line between lack of realism and making its dramatic points.

The plot concerns Riccardo Soldani, a Frenchman whose father clearly favors his older brother Federico. Upon their mother's death, Riccardo flees to Rome, where he becomes a famous (for his good looks, huge erection and sizzling sexuality) gay porn star known as Riki Kandinsky. The film is told largely in two flashbacks. The bookends of the film occur in the year 2014, as some documentary filmmakers attempt to document the life of Riki Kandinsky. The main section of the film is a flashback by Federico, who thinks back to the magical year of 2002 in which he and Riccardo became reacquainted with one another.

In many ways, the film is amazingly unrealistic. Riki seems to be making hundreds of thousands of dollars off porn, when in fact even the best-paid performers (like Ryan Idol and Ken Ryker) make maybe $7,500 per film (and make only a film a year). Riki doesn't escort, yet that is how most gay porn stars make their living. The Italian gay porn industry seems to be huge, when in fact it is nonexistent (except for the presence of Lucas Kazan, who makes only a few films a year). And the set of Riki's films seem to include as many as 15 or 20 people, when in fact gay porn sets rarely contain more then 3-4 people (usually only director, camera, sound and gofer). Perhaps the most realistic film about gay porn is Washington Westmoreland's terrific "The Fluffer."

Yet, all this really doesn't matter much. What matters is the way that Federico--divorced (and not involved in his ex-wife Julie's life, nor that of his prodigy-son Guillaume), locked into a materialistic and loveless engagement to an American bitch of a journalist, and refusing to acknowledge that daddy was an embezzler who left his son nothing but massive debts--desperately reaches out to Riccardo in an attempt to bring his much-younger brother back into the family. At first, Federico can't really even believe that his family estate is falling apart, that his family has no more money, or that Riccardo might be living a life that is worthwhile even though it doesn't involve mega-deals, Mazerattis or silk suits.

Riccardo/Riki's life is stunningly unrealistic as well. Riki has only two friends, the neo-albino woman Luna and the fellow porn star Claudio. He is superbly well-educated, but never went to school. He is an outstanding soccer player, but never practiced a day in his life. He is the ideal "straight-acting" gay man -- right down to the super-stylish modernist home (but without feminine touches).

In retrospect, Federico's downfall (both financial, as he realizes the family is bankrupt, and emotional, as he realizes his idolized father was a crook) and acceptance of Riccardo's sexuality (which includes homosexuality, a porn career, and a "free love"/hippie-lifestyle philosophy) are rather trite storytelling devices. Federico's acceptance of "Riki" comes literally overnight. Within days, Federico is transformed into a high-fashion club-kid who has abandoned his stuffed-shirt ways. This transformation was done so much better in Ferzan Ozpetek's "Hamam (Steam)".

Yet, the acting is just superb. Marco Filiberti, the writer-director-star, is dead-on magnificent as Riki/Riccardo. He has just the right amount of gravitas, philosopher, sex appeal, humor (especially the scene where Federico's fiancee finds Riki's porn films) and compassion to make the character and film work. For a first-time director, AND first-time writer, AND first-time actor, this is nothing short of astounding.

Urbano Barberini is just as good. He brings a refreshing realism to his role, which is just the right counterpoint to the stylized musings of Riki. The writing sometimes forces him into situations that make him seem a bit out of character (why is he so accepting of Luna, when everything that has come before would indicate that he would be defensive and closed off to someone like her?). But he handles every scene with real emotional responsiveness.

The film has its multiple twists and turns, which may throw off some viewers. Early on, you hear Riki admit to having slept with all of four women in his life. Later, we find Riki wanting to adopt the son of a dead local lesbian who "somehow" had a child. This boy's name is mentioned only once: Pietro. For the rest of the film his nick-name--Plapla--is used. Yet, if viewers pay close attention to the prologue, what is the name of the documentarian? Pietro! (It's a secret blatantly given away at the end of the film.)

This sort of surrealism is a bit difficult to handle. It can come off sappy, maudlin, and seem far too pat. But the rest of the film is so good--the acting, the dialogue writing, the ease with which the narrative moves the characters along in their emotional development--that it really doesn't matter.

The film stumbles only toward the end. Riki tries to become a foster father to little Plapla, but of course he fails to gain custody of the child from his maternal grandparents. This strains credulity. How could anyone think that a court would rule that a gay porn star is a fit parent? Even if your view is that gay porn stars are fit parents (and I feel they are), the audience knows full well that no court would ever rule in favor of a gay porn star. This devastates Riki. This plot point seems a bit too contrived for my taste.

The film contains some real musings about the nature of love, marriage, homosexuality and fame. In some ways, the pace of the film is a little off because of some of these lengthy set-piece dialogues. Filiberti is much more effective as a writer and a director when he has regular people engage in these conversations as part of their lives (such as when Plapla's bigoted grandmother confides in she-doesn't-know-he's-a-porn-star Riki, or when Riki gently turns down Claudio's fumbling sexual and emotional advances because he doesn't believe in falling in love and then getting hurt). Audiences may not agree with Riki's belief in loneliness as an acceptable and natural condition, or that love is nothing more than romantic nonsense. But the film is nothing else if not engaging on these points. And since it rarely falls into preachiness, audiences accept this.

The biggest problem with the film is the ending. After Riki loses custody of Plapla, you know that tragedy is in the offing. Riki lies, and tells Federico that he is going home to Rome. But in fact, Riki flies to Paris, is the star player in the Gay Gaymes there and receives the adulation of tens of thousands, then commits suicide in a hotel room that very night. The film seems to be saying that being a porn star and a homosexual is all right with the rest of the world, no matter what your own family or Plapla's grandparents or the family court judge might think. But the film hits you over the head with this conclusion. And the whole segment about soccer and adulation and such is stretches credulity far beyond the breaking point.

"Gone With The Wind" isn't a realistic film about the antebellum South. "Jaws" is not an accurate film about shark fishing. Yet, these films are considered classic, masterpieces even. In many ways, Marco Filiberti has created a film that is blatantly unrealistic in its depiction of gay porn stars and family relationships, but which manages to still convince you that these are real people with real feelings, having real discussions about real philosophical issues. I left the theater thinking, "I wish life were like that." I wish gay porn stars weren't egotistical bean-heads. I wish society treated them like gods. I wish the beautiful people of the world really cared about lesbians and orphans and the poor and downtrodden. I wish some schmoe could waltz onto the Italian gay soccer team and become its captain without having to spend a minute in practice. Okay, so that's not going to happen. But if it did, I would want the world to be like it is in "Diary of a Male Porn Star."

Kudos to Marco Filiberti for writing and directing such a terrific film, to his cinematographer, set designer, costumer and editor for crafting such a beautiful movie, and to his cast for creating a world to believe in.

how bad can a film get?

[miffymental · 1/10 · 12 July 2003]

I saw this film at the screening in Berlin Film Festival. It could be described as quite a long commercial of it's director/leading actor. 70 % of the film was the almost naked body, fake blonde hair and shiny lips of the actor/director blown up to full screen. It's story lacked the depth of even the cheesiest Brasilian TV series. What astonished me most is how such a bad film could be screened in one of the most prestigious festivals of the world.

The total package

[foxface · 8/10 · 3 February 2007]

This film has a lot of ideas and messages, and also contains a love story. This is the story of two brothers who fall in love with each other (not in an incestuous way) but in the way of two people, who learn to accept each other, despite their different perspectives on life.

I think the introduction for the film, where you find Riki at a photo shoot, initially puts people off. You think you are just going to watch a bad porno film, full of close ups of Marco Filiberti (which isn't such a bad thing). Once you get beyond the opening, the film takes on a quiet, reflective nature. I was surprised to find a plot that did keep me engaged in the film.

Filiberti (who wrote, directed and starred in the movie) does a good job of presenting Riki as someone who is vulnerable and sad, because he doesn't have love in his life. Once he reunites with his brother, Frederico, (the fantastic Urbano Barberini) he meets his polar opposite. Suddenly Riki has to account for, defend himself, and is forced to own up to the reality of what he does for a living. And once Frederico reunites with Riki, he has to own up to the fact that he doesn't know his brother, their father was a crook, and the life he is leading is a lie. Both brothers were perfect foils for each other, because after meeting and spending time with each other, they began to let go of values that were holding them back and of no use to themselves, and began to embrace a fuller way of living.

The comments on class and what is means to be acceptable in society, which are sprinkled throughout the film are interesting, particularly for a viewer who is American. One has to wonder would Riki be more acceptable as a gay man to his family, if he were educated and did something else for a living.

The supporting characters are interesting also. We have Claudio (the restorer/porn star) who persistently tries to restore love to Riki's life. You also have "Luna" who is the female version of Riki, a person who alienates love, and wraps herself in skin tight clothing, which seems to alienate her from physical contact. She states she is unable to accept pleasure. Luna is very affected by Riki and considers him an accomplice in their way of living "life without pleasure." However, Luna, after sensing Riki's release from that way of living his life, his growth and his acceptance of love (from Frederico, Claudio, Plapla) feels abandoned and decides to leave. Julie seems to be a woman of clarity. She hatches a plan to save the family estate and is the one who seems to realize Riki is gay upon first meeting him, but embraces him anyway, without judgment. Plapla is the character the pulls Riki out of his ego, and is the person Riki is willing to make a sacrifice for.

This film does have some flaws. You have to wonder how Plapla's grandparents didn't know Riki was gay and why they never asked him what he did for a living or at least check out his background. I was willing to forgive this fact, because the grandmother is fantastic in her scene where she condemns Riki for his lifestyle and not being truthful with them. But this may be the point about Riki, he is who others need him to be at times, he is an illusion at times.

The film does a great job of spoofing porno films (the silly plot lines, the costumes)and those moments were actually funny and probably makes the audience at ease with what they are seeing on film. I liked the film's use of Debussy's music (the recurring "Ballade") during the serious moments and flashback scenes.

The use of Pietro/Plapla was good throughout the film. It was very touching to hear the character refer to Riki as "Papa." This character added some intrigue to the plot. The little talk between Plapla and Riki regarding Riki being gay, and his grandparents intolerance is touching. The kid that played little Plapla was great! All in all the ending is sad and foreshadowed a lot throughout the film. I thought the film had comedy, drama, love, and tragedy-the total package.

Sexy and Touching. ****

[JM1-2 · 21 July 2003]

I saw this film at "Outfest," the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian film festival. Yes, the writer/director/star DOES seem to give his face and body a fair amount of screen time. But he plays a porn star! Hello?? Like Mel Brooks might say, "If you got it, flaunt it." The film has some very moving moments, great dialogue, artful performances. All in all, of the half-dozen or so pictures I saw at "Outfest," this one was the best.

Excellent portrayal of Self-Loathing

[wtcouncil · 9/10 · 26 November 2005]

I am an avid fan of foreign films, so i understand if the dimwits west of the Atlantic Ocean are baffled by what the auteur is depicting in this film.

It is about the soul-sucking world of pornography and how it can leave even its most "Adored" stars empty inside when they decide to not let their "work" define who they are as humans.

While the idea that a stranger could insinuate himself into the life of a child for whatever good-hearted reason, is preposterous, it does exemplify how we as society are unforgiving; even, when we profess to be "christians." GO figure.

I enjoyed the film and can only pity those who judged it for its outside appearances. But, then that is ONLY ONE of the messages that the films delivers...Judge not the book by its cover.

A sweet movie......

[Icons76 · 4 April 2004]

i was happy to see this smaller italian film in LA...always very nice

to see flicks from my country of origin...released here in the States! A very touching,deeply moving and heartfelt feature debut,this

one... I was quite impressed by the elegant and personal visual style of

this young and handsome director who is also the star of his

picture! And by the storytelling which is most compelling and never gratuitous,even considering some slightly oversentimental

moments.... What really pleasantly surprised me was to notice of how well all

the supporting characters were developed giving the movie insight

and quite a defining flavor,and also to finally see an italian movie

dealing with porn,homosexuality,sex and personal choices without

moral tones or any judgements establishing quite a modern tone. A special mention goes also to the technical support especially to

the cinematographer and production designer who photographed

and dressed Rome with a melancholic yet very hip look. I'd like to see a new movie soon from this young and talented

director hoping that he will keep all of his fresh sensitivity and

cinematic quality,and since i am an actor who loves stories on

people with actors bringing feelings to the screen,i hope he will

always be in touch with the emotions of all of his characters,like in

Adored......