Emanuele Crialese
Nuovomondo

Calloused hands and stained blisters graze the sharp rocks of a steep mountain ascent. In search of the religious symbol to ask for the acceptance of supplications and the invocation of help for a choice in the near future, one goes with a stone in their mouth. The stone passes through the lowest clouds, partially stained by the red vital nectar, and is placed on the lithic pile of others' prayers.

The sign arrives through phantom giant vegetables and trees that weep coins. We must prepare for the long journey that will take us to America! The best animals are sacrificed to obtain garments, shoes belonging to nobles from remote Sicilian villages, or to landowners and bandits who imposed their class. One cannot go to America dressed as a pauper, one must go dressed as a prince. One is also obliged to convince a somewhat reluctant mother to this type of experience. A mother too experienced in "piccio" and "scanto," in the trick to dazzle believers in the evil eye, prophecies, and curses.

To go to America, one must have a photographic portrait, some minimum reference requirements. In poor Petralia, the only guaranteed requirements are blood and sweat to get by daily. Some girls join the departing family and temporarily joins a delicate young lady previously repatriated for the same goal: finding a husband for a quick wedding. This is also needed to enter the "Newworld."

Two distinct crowds looking at each other from different heights are divided by the only sea they recognize by its scent. One descends into third class and struggles to find a bunk. A popular song is sung, and experiences and origins are exchanged. Everyone is kind to the sweet red-haired girl, pure and simple, who knows English and is seeking a partner. The head of the family is willing to do anything to have her by his side. They arrive in America, and complications begin. The girls who hoped for the young man find themselves with a second father but accept it all the same. The reluctant mother becomes even more convinced of the mistake made, too convinced that roots should never be uprooted. One son doesn't want to speak, the other is intimidated by the ways of the new men, the head of the family fails to move the rigid selector when he builds a house and a stable with puzzle pieces or, if desired, a tool for hanging clothes.

In the end, the mother is recognized as weak-minded, and the mute son finds words to convince the head of the family to desist. The head of the family tries to persuade the sorting staff. In such a large country, a feeble-minded mother and a mute son who works like a mule do not create inconvenience. They may even stay home locked up, but they do not cause trouble. Perhaps they govern a house on the hundredth floor, where to go up or down there is a wooden box that works without man's assistance. No use. They are not admitted and must return home. Perhaps swimming in a sea of milk...

The viewer will likely be moved by the sweet naivety that pervades the characters in this beautiful film by Emanuele Crialese. After the contemporary Sicily of "Respiro," he returns with almost the same cast to tell the story of a poor Sicilian family at the dawn of the 20th century, seeking to secure a better future by attempting to reach the United States. Vincenzo Amato, Francesco Casisa, and Filippo Pucillo are excellent. Quattrocchi is dislikable but effective. The enchanting Gainsbourg disarms every gaze with a sweet smile. The use of the camera, especially in the aerial shots, is masterful. Memorable are the scenes of the initial climb, the ship's departure from the dock, and the flow of people in the reception center, where it seems like watching one of Escher's paradoxes. Moving is the assembly of wooden pieces for the test. Agnes Godard predominantly uses cold colors for an excellent photography. In the running for the Oscar and no statuette. Hollywood more and more disgraceful.