Gabriele Salvatores
Mediterraneo

Warning: the following text reveals the plot of the work in whole or in part.

Gabriele Salvatores always manages to surprise me with his ability to combine comedy, intelligence, and in some cases, drama. He manages to make a very funny film without ever making it stupid, and that’s no small feat. Among the most well-known actors are Diego Abatantuono, Claudio Bisio, Claudio Bigagli, and Ugo Conti.

The film, dated 1991, is set during the Second World War, specifically in June of 1941, when a troop of fascist soldiers is sent to a remote island in the Aegean Sea. Upon landing, they expect to deal with German troops but find no one except a peaceful population, the few Greeks who remained on the island. Before long, they realize they must stay on the island longer than expected, and in the meantime, they adapt to this new way of life, remaining completely isolated from the world, with everything happening outside of that island not reaching their ears. A flame also sparks among the soldiers: Vassilissa, the village prostitute, with whom soldier Farina falls in love. Time passes without them realizing it, among the old men sitting in the square talking and the children playing. One day, an Italian reconnaissance plane lands on the island, and thanks to the pilot, it becomes known that two years had passed: it was the winter of 1943, Mussolini had been arrested, and fascism was in disarray. Everyone leaves the island, except for Farina, who does not want to separate from his beloved. Sergeant Lorusso (Diego Abatantuono) tries to convince him but to no avail. The two will meet again many years later, the war will have long been over, and the ailments of old age will now be felt.

The film, despite being set during the Second World War, is a message of nonviolence, a kind of reflection on all types of wars, both black and red. Interestingly, but not coincidentally, in the same year the film was shot, the Gulf War broke out, so the film aimed to represent a kind of modern conflict. And for this reason, it seems very strange that it could win the Oscar, which it fully deserved. Gabriele Salvatores manages to fully exploit the characters, who give their best, especially Abatantuono.

Music, poetry, comedy, and reflection contained in a single film, which touches, if not reaches, in my very humble opinion, masterpiece level.