Sweet Dreams (2016)

Massimo's idyllic childhood is shattered by the death of his mother. Years later, he is forced to relive his traumatic past and compassionate doctor Elisa could help him open up and confront his childhood wounds.

Director:

Marco Bellocchio

Writers:

Massimo Gramellini (novel), Edoardo Albinati (screenplay)

Stars:

Bérénice Bejo, Valerio Mastandrea, Fabrizio Gifuni

5 wins & 18 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Bérénice Bejo	...	Elisa
Valerio Mastandrea	...	Massimo
Fabrizio Gifuni	...	Athos Giovanni
Guido Caprino	...	Padre di Massimo
Barbara Ronchi	...	Madre di Massimo
Dario Dal Pero	...	Massimo adolescente
Nicolò Cabras	...	Massimo bambino
Emmanuelle Devos	...	Madre di Enrico
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Mario Acampa	...	Doctor
Pier Giorgio Bellocchio	...	Desperado
Giulio Brogi	...	Cavalieri
Roberto De Francesco	...	Padre Baloo
Piera Degli Esposti	...	Madre di Simone
Dylan Ferrario	...	Enrico
Roberto Herlitzka	...	padre Ettore Abisso

Storyline

Always inseparable with his beloved and joyful young mother, 9-year-old Massimo, now has to endure the tremendous blow from her death and the insufferable burden of accepting his loss. But no, this can't be true, his mother could not have died of a sudden heart attack, moreover, she simply cannot be his guardian angel from heaven, because Massimo, strongly believes that his vital mother is very much alive, temporarily residing in the United States. As the years pass by, profoundly traumatised little Massimo still refusing to accept the tragic event, he will silently continue carrying grief's heavy load on his shoulders, growing up to become a distant and detached journalist who chose to shut down his emotions, not out of revenge, but in order to survive. However, inevitably, after the death of his father, Massimo will need to confront his past in the very source of his persisting anguish, his house, react to the pain, refuse to be a victim, and ultimately, face courageously a ...

---

Plot Keywords:

looking at oneself in a mirror | death | grief | doctor | journalist | 

---

Genres:

Drama | Romance

---

Details

Official Sites:

article Official site [Japan]

Country:

Italy France

Language:

Italian French

Release Date:

10 November 2016 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Dulces sueños

Filming Locations:

Corso Giovanni Agnelli, Turin, Piedmont, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

EUR5,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,898,410

Company Credits

Production Co:

IBC Movie, Kavac Film, Rai Cinema

Technical Specs

Runtime:

131 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital (as Dolby 5.1)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was shot entirely in Turin and the filming began on 4 May 2015 and lasted eight weeks.

---

Quotes

Ettore: 'If' is the mark of losers. In this life one grows up 'despite'.

---

Connections

References Belphégor (1927)

User Reviews

A late masterpiece from Bellocchio

Perhaps only a director who has lived as long as Marco Bellocchio could tackle the subjects of death and grief with the degree of empathy that's shown here. A young boy, Massimo, is devastated by the sudden death of his mother; years later, as a man, he must try to come to terms with his grief. "Sweet Dreams" is, indeed, an old man's film; there is a lifetime of observation and affection on view. This isn't the kind of film the enfant terrible that Bellocchio once was might have made but a slow, measured, grown-up and deeply moving view of childhood and what lies beyond and as the very young Massimo, Nicolo Cabras is quite extraordinary, (as the adult Massimo, Valerio Mastandrea is also outstanding in what really is a superb ensemble). It's also a decidedly old-fashioned film; there is nothing ostentatious about it. It is a film full of memories but they aren't handled in the tricksy fashion of so many younger directors. Indeed, this is the equal of anything in the director's canon and if we are speaking of late masterpieces this is certainly one. It really shouldn't be missed.