LA TERRA DI ABBASTANZA/ BOYS CRY
Italy, 2018, 95 minutes, Colour.
Andrea Carpenzano, Matteo Olivetti, Milena Mancini, Luca Zingaretti.
Directed by Damiano D' Innocenzo, Fabio D' Innocenzo.
This film is tough viewing. It is in the 21st-century tradition of strong, sometimes graphic films about gangsters on the outskirts of Italian cities. The English title does not relate it all to the ironic Italian title which means the land of enough. And the question, when is enough enough?
The film focuses on two boys, studying, getting jobs delivering fast food, some vague prospects about their future life, working in a bar, chef…
However, they knock down a pedestrian and he is killed, they drive off, one of the boys having some scruple, Mirko. However, his friend, Manolo, takes them to see his father who offers to handle the situation, discovering that the man knocked down was actually a police informer and that his death is something of a service to the local gangsters. When the son agrees to become a hitman for the gangsters, eventually reveals this to his friend who then agrees. They are completely amoral – as one of the subtitles says “they don’t give a fuck about anything�.
They enjoy their work, proud of it, getting money, Mirko clashing with his mother who is ill, has a boyfriend and is looking after the little girl. The gangsters assign them a big hit but are prepared to get rid of them afterwards. The hit goes awry, has an effect on Mirko who, at the end of the film, after leaving money for his mother, is seen walking towards the police station when he is knocked down by a car – an accident or the gangsters getting rid of him?
A strongly depressing film about contemporary young people and amorality.
1. The title, The Land of Enough? Irony? And ineffectual English title?
2. The settings, the suburbs, ordinary Italian life, students, home life, background of gangs, violence, extortion? The musical score?
3. Introducing Manolo and Mirkoo, in the car, eating, chatting, their work, jobs, studies, home life? Prospects? Their age?
4. The suddenness of the accident, Mirko and his hesitation, driving on, Manolo and his urging him on, the decision to go to Manolo’s father, his help? Life resuming his normal? Mirko and the tension with his mother, her health, her teeth, her boyfriend, the daughter, her care for her?
5. Manolo’s father, finding out who the victim was, going to the games, ingratiating himself, Manolo becoming part of the gang, avoiding classes, the encounter with Mirko, Manolo telling the truth, suggesting Mirko become involved, Mirko’s willingness?
6. The change of life, not caring about anyone or anything, the money, meeting the bosses, getting the commissions, the first killing, in the shop, Mirko making sure the victim was dead? Going shopping, extravagance, gifts for his mother? Her querying them? The clashes, Mirko moving out? His coming to the birthday party, all the gifts for the little girl, his mother’s reaction?
7. The continued career as killers? No moral foundation? The mother and her suspicion about the money?
8. The buildup to the final hit, the discussions amongst the gangsters themselves, the young men as disposable after the job, talking them at the dinner table, the commission?
9. The job, the irony of the victim shooting Manolo and Manolo killing the victim? The effect on Mirko? Upset? Talking with his mother? Leaving the money for her?
10. His walking tour to the police station, his being knocked down by the car, an accident, or deliberately killed?
11. A moral fable about contemporary amorality amongst the young?
