''L'isola di Arturo'' (internationally released as ''Arturo's Island'') is a 1962

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

drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. The drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular ...

directed by

Damiano Damiani Damiano Damiani (23 July 1922 – 7 March 2013) was an Italian screenwriter, film director, actor and writer. Poet and director Pier Paolo Pasolini referred to him as "a bitter moralist hungry for old purity", while film critic Paolo Mereghett ...

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

Elsa Morante Elsa Morante (; 18 August 1912 – 25 November 1985) was an Italian novelist, poet, translator and children's books author. Her novel '' La storia'' (''History'') is included in the Bokklubben World Library List of 100 Best Books of All Time. L ...

. The film won the

Golden Shell The Golden Shell (; ) is the highest prize given to a competing film at the San Sebastián International Film Festival. It was introduced in 1957. In 1953 and 1954, the highest prize had been called the Gran Premio. In 1955 and 1956 it was replace ...

at the

San Sebastián International Film Festival The San Sebastián International Film Festival ( SSIFF; , ) is an annual FIAPF A category film festival held in the Spain, Spanish city of Donostia, Donostia-San Sebastián in September, in the Basque Country (autonomous community), Basque Countr ...

.Lino Micciché, ''Storia del cinema italiano'', Edizioni di Bianco & nero, 2001

Plot

Arturo, a 14-year-old boy, confined to the insular life of

Procida Procida (; ) is one of the Phlegraean Islands off the coast of Naples in southern Italy. The island is between Cape Miseno and the island of Ischia. With its tiny satellite island of Vivara, it is a (municipality) of the Metropolitan City of Na ...

, a small island in the

Gulf of Naples The Gulf of Naples (), also called the Bay of Naples, is a roughly 15-kilometer-wide (9.3 mi) gulf located along the south-western coast of Italy (Metropolitan City of Naples, Campania region). It opens to the west into the Mediterranean ...

, is left to his own devices after being orphaned by his mother and seldom visited by his distant father, Wilhelm. Wilhelm, preoccupied with his frequent travels, returns one day with Nunziata, a 17-year-old he recently married in Naples, bringing along their child, Carmine. Amidst this family dynamic, Arturo develops feelings for Nunziata, culminating in an ill-fated kiss. Rejected, he turns his attention to Teresa, a bold woman whose husband is believed to have emigrated to

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

. Simultaneously, Wilhelm, indifferent to his family, unveils a dubious connection to Tonino Stella, a prisoner in the local jail. Tonino exploits Wilhelm's interests for the money owed to him due to a mistake that landed Tonino in prison. Desperate to fulfill his promise, Wilhelm orchestrated Tonino's transfer to the Procida prison, even pledging him a cruise. Arturo discovers that Wilhelm's prolonged absences were not far from Procida, shattering the image of his father as a courageous man. Upon Tonino's release, he manipulates Wilhelm, beating and robbing him before their final parting. Nunziata, rejecting Arturo once more, takes charge to rebuild a tranquil future for her family. Matured by these harsh experiences, Arturo decides to leave the island permanently after turning sixteen. During his journey, he painfully contemplates forgetting his father as a distant memory but acknowledges that Nunziata will remain unforgettable. He reflects that although she may not be extraordinary, her memory will persist, and any future love he encounters will feel like it's taken from her.

Cast

* Vanni De Maigret: Arturo * Key Meersman: Nunziata *

Reginald Kernan Reginald is a masculine given name in the English language meaning "king". Etymology and history The name Reginald comes from Latin meaning "king" and "ruler" symbolizing authority and leadership. It comes from combining Latin “ rex” meaning ...

: Wilhelm *

Gabriella Giorgelli Gabriella Giorgelli (born 29 July 1941) is an Italian film and television actress. She appeared in more than 70 films between 1960 and 1998. Biography Early life Born in Fossola, a ''frazione'' of Carrara, Giorgelli was the daughter of a bus ...

: Teresa

References

External links

* 1962 films Films directed by Damiano Damiani Italian drama films 1962 drama films Films based on Italian novels Films scored by Carlo Rustichelli Films scored by Nino Rota Films set in Campania 1960s Italian films 1960s Italian-language films {{1960s-Italy-film-stub