''The Past Is a Foreign Land'' ( it, Il passato è una terra straniera) is a 2008

Italian Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance language *** Regional Ita ...

neo-noir Neo-noir is a revival of film noir, a genre that had originally flourished during the post-World War II era in the United Statesroughly from 1940 to 1960. The French term, ''film noir'', translates literally to English as "black film", indicating ...

film directed by

Daniele Vicari Daniele Vicari (born 26 February 1967) is an Italian director, screenwriter and producer. Life and career Born in Collegiove, Province of Rieti, Vicari graduated from Rome's University La Sapienza in History and Critics of Cinema under Guido A ...

. It is based on the novel with the same name written by

Gianrico Carofiglio Gianrico Carofiglio (born 30 May 1961) is a novelist and former anti-Mafia judge in the Italian city of Bari. His debut novel, '' Involuntary Witness'', published in 2002 and translated into English in 2005 by Patrick Creagh, was published by the B ...

, who also collaborated to the screenplay. It entered the competition at the 2008

Rome International Film Festival International Rome Film Fest is a film festival that takes place in Rome during the month of October. The name in Italian is Festa del Cinema di Roma. Sections The Rome Film Festival official program is divided into several sections: Cinema d'Og ...

, in which

Michele Riondino Michele Riondino (born 14 March 1979) is an Italian actor. Born in Taranto, Riondino enrolled at the Silvio D'Amico National Academy of Dramatic Art, graduating in 2000. In 2006, he acted in ''The Black Arrow'', a TV series broadcast by Canale ...

was awarded best actor.

Plot

Bari: Giorgio, a classic good guy and a law graduate, feels a bit out of place in circles he frequented with his girlfriend. During an elegant Christmas party he defends a stranger, Francesco, with whom he forms a solid friendship that introduces him to a world totally unknown to him, that of gambling - poker, in this case -, in which the two play couple cheating. The new experiences inebriate Giorgio and drag him into situations much greater than him. The boy is progressively engulfed by a whirlwind of illegality and immorality: he regularly visits the house of a married woman, buys a luxurious car with the proceeds of poker and reacts violently to the questions of his parents, who worry more and more. One day Francesco informs him of his imminent departure for Spain; Giorgio decides to follow him despite discovering, with an initial repulsion soon overwhelmed by excitement, that his friend intends to devote himself to the cocaine trade. In Barcelona, the two come to live increasingly wild experiences, leading to sexual violence against a young bartender. After returning to Bari, Francesco becomes nowhere to be found. One night Giorgio tracks him down as he leaves a club; shortly after Francesco chases the bartender who works there, Antonia, and attacks her. The friend intervenes, a fight arises and the carabinieri arrive. After being beaten to death, Giorgio is released because the girl testified on his behalf. He also claims to the commander that he only vaguely knows Francesco, with whom the young man catches a last glance through a window - he too was beaten to death by the carabinieri -, leaving the barracks. Some time later, Giorgio is an established lawyer; after an audience Antonia approaches him to thank him for having saved her the night of the attempted violence. Without speaking, Giorgio watches her go.

Cast

Elio Germano Elio Germano (born 25 September 1980) is an Italian actor. He is the recipient of many accolades, including a Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor and a Silver Bear for Best Actor. Life and career Born in Rome to a Molisan family from Duro ...

: Giorgio *

: Francesco *

Chiara Caselli Chiara Caselli (born 22 December 1967) is an Italian actress. In 1994, Caselli won the Nastro d'Argento for Best Actress award as well as the David di Donatello for Best Actress award. Caselli has appeared in American films including ''My Own Pr ...

: Maria *

Valentina Lodovini Valentina Lodovini (born 14 May 1978) is an Italian film and television actress. Life and career Born in Umbertide, Lodovini grew up in Sansepolcro and attended the School of Dramatic Arts in Perugia, then moved in Rome to continue her studies ...

: Antonia * Marco Baliani: Franco *

Daniela Poggi Daniela Poggi (born 17 October 1954) is an Italian film and stage actress and television presenter. Background Born in Savona, at young age Poggi studied ballet, then graduated from Linguistic High-school. Following her family she moved in Mila ...

: Anna * María Jurado: Ángela * Romina Carrisi: Giulia *

Lorenza Indovina Lorenza Indovina (born 5 October 1966) is an Italian actress. Life and career Born in Rome, the daughter of the director Franco Indovina, she studied acting at the Silvio d’Amico Academy of Dramatic Arts, graduating in 1991. She made he ...

: Alessandra

References

External links

* 2008 films Italian drama films 2008 drama films Italian neo-noir films Films directed by Daniele Vicari 2000s Italian films Fandango (Italian company) films {{2000s-drama-film-stub

Plot

Cast

See also

References

External links