345. Sicilian Ghost Story; movie review

SICILIAN GHOST STORY

Cert 15

114 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong threat, language, gore

I love movies such as Goodfellas, The Godfather and The Untouchables despite them glorying in violence prompted by the mafia.

Similarly, Sicilian Ghost Story is engaging because it conjures up the reality of the Cosa Nostra.

It is a story of love, betrayal and violence and the devastating impact of crime on the young.

Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza's film centres on Giuseppe (Gaetano Fernandez), a 13-year-old boy with an impish grin who suddenly disappears.

This prompts desperation in a young girl, Luna (Julia Jedlikowska) with whom young love has recently sprung.

Sicilian Ghost Story focuses on Luna and how she can't comprehend why nobody, including schoolteachers or her parents are even willing to discuss her beloved Giuseppe.

Only, after quite a while, does it become clear that they are in fear of becoming embroiled in a mafia tit-for-tat.

I would imagine that the audience for Sicilian Ghost Story will be split into two - those who are aware of the real-life abduction upon which it is based and those who are not.

Apparently, among those with prior knowledge, it has gone down particularly well and is even being shown at schools in Italy.

Those were unaware of the facts might be a little baffled by a plotline which jumps around and uses much surreal imagery.

I enjoyed the movie but, yet again, was left wondering why its makers did not stick more closely to the devastating true story.

That said, it is a showcase for the considerable talents of young Jedlikowska and Fernandez and it contrast the beauty of Sicily with the ugliness of mafia violence.

Reasons to watch: Intriguing adaptation of shocking true story

Reasons to avoid: Maybe too surreal at times

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 7.5/10

Director quote - Fabio Grassadonia: "t was not easy to deal with this story because it’s really, really very sad and full of horror. We needed a new approach to it. We found a story recently, a short story which was telling the story of Giuseppe through the eyes of a schoolmate."

The big question - Will the mafia ever go away?

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