Starring
Pio Amato, Koudous Seihon, Damiano Amato, Francesco Pio Amato,
Iolanda Amato, Patrizia Amato, Rocco Amato, Susanna Amato. Directed
by Jonas Carpignano. (2017/119 min).
AVAILABLE
ON BLU-RAY FROM
Review
by Fluffy the Fearlessđș
The
Amatos are a large, multi-generational family of gypsies living in
Romani. Pio, a street-smart 14-year-old, idolizes his older brother,
Cosimo, who helps support the family by stealing anything he can get
his hands on, then selling it to Italian mobsters or local African
refugees. When Cosimo gets caught and arrested - along with his
father - Pio takes tries to become the man of the family, boosting
cars, stealing luggage and fencing whatever he finds.
Though
he talks & acts tough - smoking, drinking and hanging out at the
same bars Cosimo did - Pio is still just an impressionable boy and,
despite some car-boosting tips from his brother, quite naive and
inexperienced. He comes to rely on help from Cosimo's African friend,
Ayiva (Koudous Seihun), to fence whatever he manages to steal.
 |
| Guess who took the last roll. |
Eventually,
circumstances force Pio to make some extraordinarily difficult
choices between friendship and family, and clinging to what's left of
his childhood versus a life like his brother's, which he'll likely never be
able to leave. These quandaries are the crux of A Ciambra,
though the story takes a considerable amount of time getting there. A
great deal of the film focuses of Pio - who's in nearly every scene -
and the world he's been raised in. He's not a particularly nice kid,
or even outwardly likable. However, Pio's obviously a product of his
environment, and though he seldom shows it outwardly, his love for
his family is repeatedly demonstrated through his actions,
questionable as they are.
The
most interesting aspect of A Ciabra is that the Amatos are a
real family playing fictionalized versions of themselves. They
actually live in that ramshackle house in the very village most of
the film takes place. That writer/director Jonas Carpignano manages
to get authentic, convincing performances out of all of them is quite
remarkable (a stunt Clint Eastwood failed to do with The 15:17 to
Paris). Pio himself is particularly impressive, able to carry
most of the movie's emotional weight on his inexperienced shoulders.
 |
| Reservoir Pups. |
The
episodic narrative does meander quite a bit. Just because what we're
seeing looks, sounds and feels authentic - augmented by intimate
hand-held camera work - doesn't mean it's always interesting. Pio's
relationship with Ayiva is engaging, but hanging out with the
Amatos - especially his siblings - is sometimes an endurance test.
However, the third act, particularly the very last shot, packs a
hefty emotional punch.
Well-intentioned
and occasionally revealing, A Ciambra is certainly worth
checking out, as it takes a unique approach in showing us a culture
that exists on the fringes of society. Considering his age and
experience, Pio Amato is also quite a revelation. But its
inconsistent pacing, not-to-mention an overall air of hopelessness
that hangs over the proceedings, probably discourages repeated
viewings.
EXTRA
KIBBLES
"A
CIAMBRA: THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY" - Revealing
behind-the-scenes documentary.
FEATURETTE
- "From A Ciambra to Cannes"
DELETED
SCENES
SHORT:
"YOUNG LIONS FOR GYPSY" - This was the basis for the
feature film.
TRAILER
KITTY CONSENSUS:
NOT BAD. LIKE CAT CHOW.
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