The Italian
by Andrei Kravchuk
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Andrei Yelizarov, Denis Moiseenko, Kolya Spiridonov, Sasha Sirotkin, Vladimir ShipovDirector: Andrei Kravchuk
Brand: Sony
DVD: Region Code 99
Audio: Russian (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled)
Format: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.66:1
Running Time: 99 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2007-05-22
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Sony Pictures
Movie Reviews of The Italian
Movie Review: A Boy's Adventure
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a good movie. If you know too much about the story much of the impact of the movie will be considerably lessened. So be forewarned: many of the reviews here reveal too much. Now back to the movie itself. If after a few minutes you are tempted to stop watching because of the grimy and sad look of provincial Russia as well as the bleak harshness of the orphanage, don't quit, keep on watching! Soon enough there will be plenty of intensity, suspense, and adventure. The film presents us with several subtly drawn characters and some surprises along the way--not everyone acts according to type. Ivan (Vanya), the main character, is a sensitive and good hearted boy who is also indomitable and resourceful. The child actor playing him does a superb job. A film well worth of your time.
Summary of The Italian
After discovering his mother is still alive a six year old russian boy escapes from his orphanage & sets out on a perilous journey to find her. Inspired by true events. Studio: Sony Pictures Home Ent Release Date: 01/22/2008 Run time: 99 minutes Rating: Pg13The Italian, a film that aims to expose the overcrowded, impoverished conditions in Soviet state-run orphanages, is a chilling portrayal of contemporary Russian life. Director Andrei Kravchuk conveys, from inside orphanage walls, the sense of responsibility that employees feel to the children, and how desperate economic straits drive these same dedicated employees to sell their kids for a few Euros. Vanya Solntsev (Kolya Spiridonov), nicknamed "The Italian," is a six year-old abandoned at birth. His jealous peers envy his invitation from an Italian family to move to Italy, but young Vanya is determined to find his real mother, which means forfeiting this rare opportunity for adoption. Kolyan (Denis Moiseenko), the gang leader Vanya "works" for, and Natasha (Polina Vorobieva), a gentle caretaker, try to convince him otherwise through scare tactics and beatings to no avail. With the help of teen prostitute, Irka (Olga Shuvalova), Vanya learns to read and catches a train to the city, living as a runaway hunted by his orphanage supervisors who want to sell him to The Italians. Shock sets in upon imagining a society of child vagrants roaming Russian streets, not to mention women abandoning children as expendables. Given the tragic subject matter, it is tempting to assume that this is a chronic social problem in Russia, but hopefully The Italian merely fictionalizes an extreme example of this sad topic. Convincing performances by Spiridonov and Shuvalova add to the film's documentary feel. If nothing else, The Italian serves as biting social commentary that is culturally enlightening though heartbreaking. --Trinie Dalton
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