Movies: Pranzo di Ferragosto (Mid-August Lunch)
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Mid-August Lunch (Pranzo Di Ferragosto)
- Production year: 2008
- Country: Italy
- Runtime: 75 minutes
- Directors: Gianni Di Gregorio
- Cast: Alfonso Santagata, Gianni Di Gregorio, Grazia Cesarini Sforza, Maria Cali, Maria Calli, Marina Cacciotti, Valeria de Franciscis
A month or two ago, my wife, Brigit, an I went to see the Italian film entitled 'Mid-August Lunch (Pranzo Di Ferragosto)', by first-time Italian film director, Gianni Di Gregorio, of whom we had never heard before in California. Thus, that Sunday afternoon, we didn't know what to expect by going to the Lark Theater, in Larkspur, California, as we had no clue as to the movie script.
The movie turned out to be a pleasant surprise, and we both loved it. We got sucked into the film's atmosphere so much that afterwards we 'had to' go for dinner to Benissimo, where we had a good Italian meal and drank a bottle of Italian wine. In the following days, we kept talking about the movie from time to time then, as usual, life moved on and we forgot about it. That is, until today I received an e-mail with a clip from the guardian.co.uk, the online version of the British paper, Guardian, with the review by Antony Lerman of the DVD of the film. Reading the article brought back to mind the overall ambiance evoked by the movie, the sweetness of some of its scenes, and the underlying, underscored, quietly accepted, desperation which filled others.
In any case, the food, and even more the wine, especially for the main character, Gianni, and his friend, Vichingo, who always seemed to find the way and the time to sip a glass of Chablis, or to drink a bottle of Prosecco.
The Lunch
The movie is sweet and lovable, in addition to being a veritable snapshot of one aspect of life in Italy. I grew up there and have met the Gianni character, or better said, the kind of men who inspired the Gianni character –a bit sleazy, slightly hypochondriac, likeable, good cook, gourmand with a penchant for wine, and a pinch of the 'ormai', or 'by now', syndrome, which makes many Italians pliant and soft toward life, accepting what may comes because 'by now ..., what else can be done ...?'
To quote Lerman, who sees the character through the cultural filter of a British critic, "Gianni, fallible and seemingly unremarkable, is blessed with magical treasures like patience and simple kindness."
The movie trailer
The movie feels real and most of it takes part in the rooms of a Roman condominium. This film is a must-see, especially if you:
- are an Italian living abroad,
- have an interest in Italy and/or are studying Italian or plan to,
- are a foody and/or a wine lover,
- enjoy movies which tell simple stories,
- appreciate good story-telling in movies.
After the show, I suggest that you plan to go to a trusted Italian-style restaurant with a good wine list. I promise that you will enjoy your dinner more than usual.
Buon appetito e alla salute!
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