I recently saw this at the 2007 Palm Springs International Film Festival and of the 31 films I saw there this would make my top 5. Actor/writer/director Sergio Rubini cast himself as loan shark/nightclub operator and local villain Tonio and delivers a great sinister film character. Luigi (Fabrizio Bentivoglio) had been in exile from his village in the southern Italian area of Puglia as a teenager and has become a college professor in Milan in the north. He must return to his hometown to sign some papers concerning the family property that he owns with his brothers and becomes swept up in murder, intrigue, romance, revenge, his past and his dysfunctional family. Michel (Emilio Solfrizzi) is the local politician brother who is in debt to Tonio. Mario (Paolo Briguglia) is the youngest brother who has dedicated his life to community service in caring for the less fortunate and the handicapped. Aldo (Massimo Venturiello) is the macho and threatening half-brother who lives on and works the large family farm that has been in the family for generations. It's a crime drama with lots of dark comedy and a great cast in the roles of some great screen characters. Fabio Cianchetti is the cinematographer who photographed last year's La Bestia nel cuore that was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language film. Claudia Gerini as Laura, Giovann Di Rauso as Angela and Alisa Bystrova as Tania round out the cast. An entertaining and great looking film from Italy I would give this an 8.5 out of 10 and recommend it to all audiences.
