''Piccoli fuochi'' (also known internationally as ''Little Flames'') is a 1985 Italian drama film directed by

Peter Del Monte Peter Del Monte (29 July 1943 – 31 May 2021) was an Italian film director and screenwriter. He directed fifteen films between 1969 and 2021. His 1982 film ''Invitation au voyage'' won the prize for the Best Artistic Contribution at the 1982 ...

and starring Dino Jaksic and

Valeria Golino Valeria Golino (born 22 October 1965) is an Italian actress and film director. She is best known to English-language audiences for her roles in '' Rain Man'', ''Big Top Pee-wee'' and the two '' Hot Shots!'' films, particularly the olive-in-the-be ...

in her very first leading role. Golino won a

Globo d'oro The Globo d'oro (internationally known as Italian Golden Globe) is an Italian annual film award. It was established in 1960 and it has as jury the Rome Foreign Press Association. The first awards ceremony took place in 1960 and was won by the film ...

for Best Breakthrough Actress for her performance in the film.

Plot summary

The Italian childhood fantasy Little Flames (Piccoli Fuochi) concerns 5-year-old Dino Jakosic. Proving too much for his parents, Jakosic is often sent to his room, where he interacts with several bizarre "imaginary" playmates who bedevil the servants with their sadistic pranks (the audience is never certain whether the playmates are real or whether the boy is pulling off the pranks himself). Valeria Golino plays Mara, the family's new maid, whom Jakosic takes a liking to. He begs his playmates to leave Mara alone, but out of jealousy they plan an awful revenge on the poor woman.

Cast

: Mara * Dino Jaksic: Tommaso * Ulisse Minervini: Franci * Carlotta Wittig: Ada * Mario Garriba: Leo * Daniela Giordano: * Simona Tedeschi:

References

External links

*
Piccoli Fuochi
at Allmovie 1985 films 1980s Italian-language films Italian drama films Films directed by Peter Del Monte Juvenile sexuality in films Italian coming-of-age films 1980s Italian films {{1980s-Italy-film-stub