Italian movies at the Paramount

There may not be a huge Italian population in Wellington, but no matter, the film buffs love their European movies, amd pick some good ones too. Already I've caught two very different   and entertaining examples of the Italian movie industry, and its not very flattering to the Italians, or to Italy. But having just returned from a holiday there early this year, I can vouch for the fact that Italy today is in a mess, and even a laughing stock for many. But they can laugh at themselves as their movies show.

The first movie was called Mozzarella Stories, naturally stemming from the Italians' love of their national cheese, made from Buffalo milk. A black comedy, lots of blood, a bit of sex, corruption of course, but this time aimed at the Chinese, the movie pokes fun at  family dynasties, Italian pop music, and essentially is a laugh-out-loud romp with some excellent cameo performances, and also good ones from the lead roles. Enjoyable but not a great Italian movie. 

My second choice was totally different, and successful in a very curious way. Funnily it also involved China, it seems finally Italy has allowed China in to help their hopelessly corrupt economy survive, or not! The heroine called Shaun Li, an immigrant factory worker, is beautifully played, as is her romantic attachment, who is also an immigrant, albeit, thirty years in Italy, from the former Yugoslavia. It is sensitively directed, touching the racist behaviour of some red neck Italians, and shows the simple beauty of the fishermen earning an honest and hard living, in the fast sinking, yet still wondrous city of Venice. No schmaltz here, it is an excellent rendition of real life and people's affection in today's economic basket-case of Italy. A good movie.