Kong watched De Sica's 1955 classic Umberto D this morning and immediately fell in love with it.
The movie opens on a march of pensioners demanding a larger allowance because they cannot afford even the most modest of living standards on what the Italian government is giving them, but the police quickly disperses the marchers because they lack a permit. It is after this march is over, and inside of a soup kitchen where our protaganist, Umberto Domenico Ferrari, is revealed to us.
Umberto is a retired government empoyee whose pension has not covered his expenses and he has fallen into debt with his landlady who is eager to kick him out of the room he has rented for twenty years. Life, and the whole world has changed for Umberto; his security has vanished, many friends have died, his family is never seen...for the most part it is just Umberto and his dog. The shabby room he has rented for so many years has come to symbolize his life, and most of the film centers around the actions he takes to pay off his debt and keep his room.
For a film with such a small scope it is surprisingly deep, and richly layered. It can be viewed as a purely personal story, as a tale of class struggle, or even as a commentary on inter-generational relations and treatment. No matter how you view the film though, it is intensely emotional, and engaging. It's one of the most simplistic stories ever filmed, but also one of the most emotionally complex as well. A terrific achievement. The film's issues are still pertinent and resonant.
Kong could go on and on about this wonderful film, but will just end by mentioning that this film has become Kong's new favorite so see it if you haven't already.
Note: Umberto D is not on DVD yet, but Criterion will be releasing it in July.
The movie opens on a march of pensioners demanding a larger allowance because they cannot afford even the most modest of living standards on what the Italian government is giving them, but the police quickly disperses the marchers because they lack a permit. It is after this march is over, and inside of a soup kitchen where our protaganist, Umberto Domenico Ferrari, is revealed to us.
Umberto is a retired government empoyee whose pension has not covered his expenses and he has fallen into debt with his landlady who is eager to kick him out of the room he has rented for twenty years. Life, and the whole world has changed for Umberto; his security has vanished, many friends have died, his family is never seen...for the most part it is just Umberto and his dog. The shabby room he has rented for so many years has come to symbolize his life, and most of the film centers around the actions he takes to pay off his debt and keep his room.
For a film with such a small scope it is surprisingly deep, and richly layered. It can be viewed as a purely personal story, as a tale of class struggle, or even as a commentary on inter-generational relations and treatment. No matter how you view the film though, it is intensely emotional, and engaging. It's one of the most simplistic stories ever filmed, but also one of the most emotionally complex as well. A terrific achievement. The film's issues are still pertinent and resonant.
Kong could go on and on about this wonderful film, but will just end by mentioning that this film has become Kong's new favorite so see it if you haven't already.
Note: Umberto D is not on DVD yet, but Criterion will be releasing it in July.