The Unknown Woman (2006)

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), Giuseppe Tornatore (screenplay)

Stars:

Kseniya Rappoport, Michele Placido, Claudia Gerini

20 wins & 26 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	...	Avvocato Irena
Pierfrancesco Favino	...	Donato Adacher
Nicola Di Pinto	...	Magistrato
Paolo Elmo	...	Nello
Simona Nobili	...	Poliziotta
Elisa Morucci	...	Cameriera
Giulia Di Quilio	...	Segretaria
Pino Calabrese	...	Magistrato

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:

dark past | maid | female in a shower | full frontal nudity | female full frontal nudity | 

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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 USA:

$18,569, 6 April 2008, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$18,569, 6 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

Italy's Official Submission to the Best Foreign Language Film Category of 'The 80th Annual Academy Awards (2008) (TV)'.

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Connections

References Oliver Twist (2005)

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Soundtracks

Donna non vidi mai
from "Manon Lescaut"
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Libretto by Luigi Illica, Marco Praga and Domenico Oliva
Courtesy of Ricordi Music Publishing

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"!