UNA GIORNATA PARTICOLARE (A SPECIAL DAY)

Italy/Canada, 1977, 105 minutes, Colour.
Sophia Loren, Marcello Mastroianni, John Vernon.
Directed by Ettore Scola.

A Special Day is a drama principally concerning two people, but set on the Special Day for Italy when Hitler visited and Rome went wild with enthusiasm. Sophia Loren (superb as a slow-witted, busy housewife with six children and devoted to Mussolini) teams again with Marcello Mastroianni (a homosexual radio announcer about to be deported). The special day shows the encounter of these two very different people and the sparks of compassion and love that can be lit. Within this framework of politics which led to downfall (helped by the initial newsreel footage and continued radio coverage during the day), the personal drama of the encounter between Antonietta, and Gabriele, takes place. Confined to mainly two rooms in an apartment block, the encounter is convincing because of the feeling and the excellent performances by Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni. National and personal dramas intertwine skilfully and we are offered insight into human nature in a particular national and political context. The film confirms Sophia Loren's position as a great actress in her graceful middle-age.

1. The quality of the film? Critical praise? Enjoyable? The reaction of an Italian audience, pro-Fascist audience?

2. The significance of the title, its ambiguity as regards the social aspects of that special day in Rome, the special day for Antonietta and Gabriele?

3. The importance of the structure of the film and its being confined to one day, the theatrical device of confinement of place, time, two main characters, reliance on dialogue? How well could audiences be involved with characters and themes through the structure?

4. The importance of the opening: the lengthy newsreel, the amount of detail given, the re-creation of the times via the newsreel, Hitler and Mussolini, the atmosphere, the political tone, the expectations of Italy and their response to Hitler? How well did this open out the situation for the special day, enabling the drama of Gabriele and Antonietta to be played without specific reference except for the radio?

5. The importance of the political situation of the 30s, the status of the Fascists and Mussolini and public support, public fevered support? Relationship with Germany, approval of the Nazi regime? Hitler as guest? His train trip almost as a pilgrimage? Fascist values? Ironically portrayed as they affected Gabriele?

6. How was this political atmosphere an important context for the personal special day? The importance of the uniforms of Antonietta's family, the fact that everybody was going to the rally, the crowds, the concierge and her saluting everyone, Antonietta's scrap book? Fascism and support from Mussolini as the taken-for-granted atmosphere? Antonietta's husband remarked of the pride in the future when people looked back at that day? The irony for the audience because of the history of Fascism and World War II?

7. How effective was the use of the radio, to highlight the passing of time, the time of the day, the progress of the rally? The ironies in relationship with Antonietta and Gabriele?

8. The importance of the setting of the apartment block? The long panning and craning shots at the beginning to give the atmosphere of the apartment, the courtyard, the roof? Angle shots to show the two apartments in relationship to one another? People's views? Distanced views?

9. The character of the concierge and what she represented? Her political attitudes, her giving the salute to the crowds going to the rally, her snooping, her visits to Antonietta, her outbursts against Gabriele? The film's critique of her attitudes?

10. The importance of the portrait of the family: Antonietta and her immediate impression, her husband and his attitudes - boorish, proud? The number of children and waking them up? The attention to detail of the apartment, the facilities, the children themselves, the breakfast, the atmosphere of joviality and yet friction?

11. How was Antonietta the centre of the film? The impression made by Sophia Loren and her style of performance? As a Roman woman, as mother and wife, as housekeeper? Her being tired? Her dress and appearance? Her not going to the rally but her pride in Mussolini, Fascism and her scrap-book? Her ignorance? As a symbol of ordinary indoctrinated people?

12. The film showing her in her housework at detail and the impression that this made? Reality and authenticity? The importance of Rosmunda and her talking, her flight? Creating an occasion for the encounter with Gabriele?

13. The introduction to Gabriele via our gazing at him through the window with Antonietta? The transition to his apartment, indications of himself and his moods, addressing the envelopes and his frustration and anger? His despair, the gun? The impact of Antonietta's visit and the irony when the truth was known about him? His awkwardness, courtesy, tenderness? His explanations about his friend? The humour of the rumba dancing - and the music being overpowered by the political songs? His offer of the gift of The Three Musketeers? These details and the revelation of the character of each?

14. How credible was Antonietta's attraction, her resistance? Her lies to herself? Her reaction when Gabriele returned the visit, brought the book? Her concealing him from the concierge?


15. The motives for Gabriele's visit: his talking, his hiding from the concierge, his grinding the coffee and spilling it (and Antonietta making herself up to be attractive), his having a look at all the details of her home, her scrapbook? The importance of their talk, personal, political implications, especially victimization? Her inability to understand him, her sharing the concierge's reactions? His convincing her by his personality?

16. The dramatic build-up to the sequence on the roof-top, the kiss and her involvement, his lack of involvement? His condemnation of her hypocrisy? Matters of morals, adultery, homosexuality, double standards? Antonietta's reaction?

17. How well did we get to know Gabriele? Was his homosexuality convincingly communicated? Its repercussions for his personality, relationships, his work, place in the Fascist State? The importance of his radio work and of his being dismissed and the reasons given? The critique of Fascist authority? The story of his friend and his deportation? Their return to his apartment, the bonds between them?

18. The dramatic importance of the love-making sequence? Its place in the film, Antonietta and this experience, as not being usual in her marriage? The effect on her? Tenderness and appreciation? Her explanation of her husband's affairs? Gabriele indicating that it would not change him even though it was a moment of tenderness and importance for him? How would this sustain him later during his deportation? The effect on Antonietta as she returned to her family?

19. The change of mood as the people returned from the rally, the family chatter, Antonietta wandering the house, looking at The Three Musketeers, watching Gabriele from the window? What had been the significance of her special day?

20. The contrast with Gabriele, the men who came to get him, his packing, covering the painting, his leaving and Antonietta watching him go down the stairs? What had been the significance of his day?

21. How was this a microcosm of Europe in the 20th century? The social situation, the personal world, the interaction of both? The sadness of the experience of life?