IL SIGNORE DELLE FORMICHE/ LORD OF THE ANTS

Italy, 2022, 132 minutes, Colour.

Luigi lo Cascio, Elio Germano, Leonardo Maltese.

Directed by Gianni Amelio.

Drama dealing with issues of sexual orientation in Italy in the 1950s and 1960s. Reviewers note that the director, the veteran Gianni Amelio, a leader in Italian cinema for many decades, came out later in life and this permeates his treatment of the story of an Italian academic, Aldo Briaibanti, who was arrested in the late 1960s and charged with the crime of “plagiarism” which is the translation of an Italian accusation, plagiaro which means someone taking over the mind and personality of another for immoral purposes.

While the second part of the film shows the court case, the early part introduces us to the character of Aldo, academic, a student of Ants, their behaviour, with a collection of species, but also tutoring young students in philosophy, putting on avant-garde drama, a group of disciples. His harsh towards one of the students but very favourable to his younger brother, Ettore (Leonardo Maltese)  who has brought him an ant sample. The younger brother falls under the sway of Aldo, defies his Conservative parents who are condemnatory of homosexuals, and moves away from home, studying, admiring Aldo, sometimes in a sexual relationship with him.

On the dramatic side, his parents abduct Ettore, seclude him in an institution and he is subjected to shock treatment (reminiscent of scenes in Suddenly, Last Summer). He is also called in, in his debilitated state, as a witness against Aldo in the court.

Luigi lo Cascio is a dignified Aldo, with his convictions, with his personal pride, generally silent in the court. However, there is another character, a journalist, Ennio (Elio Germano) who works for the Communist newspaper, writes about this case despite wariness and criticisms from the editor. His girlfriend is very much involved in public protests and campaigns on behalf of Aldo.

Which means that this is an excursion back into Italy of the 1960s, an era where freedoms were emerging but with the authorities’ strong stances against homosexuality.

1. Based on actual characters and events? A historical reappraisal?
2. Italy, the 1950s and 1960s? The Po Valley and its atmosphere? The contrast with Rome? The vistas of Rome, the city, the courts, the monuments, the demonstrations? The musical score?
3. The title, the focus on Aldo, his studies, expertise? The imagery for human behaviour, connections, community?
4. The opening perspective of Ennio, observing Aldo? His observations, interest, growing sympathy, inviting the audience to observe?
5. 1966, Aldo and Ettore, very, will the relationship, love, the mother and brother coming, the raid, Ettore being taken, Aldo pursuing, hospital, the electric shock treatment, the consequences?
6. Perspectives on homosexuality in Italy in the 1950s and 1960s, the Catholic tradition, the Communist Party and its antipathy, illness, hospital, electric shock treatment? The issue of Plagia, the crime of taking and appropriating a personality? (Abolished in 1981).
7. Audience response to the relationship, the behaviour of the mother and brother, the electric shock? Sympathy for Ettore?
8. 1959, Aldo and his centre, the students, Ricardo and his relationship, Aldo condemning him for not having intelligence to read the book, the other students, philosophy, abstract reflections, imagery, the avant-garde theatre and Aldo’s impatience and demands? Ettore coming with his brother, interested, presenting the ant, the discussions, books, the family dinner sequence, the young brother taking Ettore’s book, the father and his comments, the condemnation of Aldo and his sexuality? The brother continuing with Aldo, hostile, the bike riding with Ettore, forbidding him to go back?
9. The discussions returned Aldo and Ettore, the interest, Aldo and his reputation, with students, sexuality, grooming, relationships? Ettore and his response, the break with the family, wanting to paint?
10. The arrest, the imprisonment and the charge, the court sequences? Aldo and his silence? The prosecutor and his laughing, aggressive attack? The charges, the witnesses, Ettore’s mother and her emotional condemnation? Ettore himself, the powerful sequence, the focus on his face, the effect of the electric shock, his speaking his mind, hesitation, strongly? The declaration for Aldo?
11. Ennio, his relationships, his work with the paper, the attitude of the editor, taunts, encouragement, firing him? Ennio and his hat, his dress, style? His girlfriend, her brother and the antagonistic conversation, later meeting him in the Piazza? The articles, the article on Aldo’s mother? Covering the case, talking with Aldo? Persuading Aldo to speak – and Aldo’s speeches in the court? His taking the letter to Ettore?
12. The judgement, the protests, against homosexuality, the Communist protests?
13. The focus on Aldo’s mother, sympathetic, as a character, support of her son, the graffiti on the house, her grief, present at the court, anxious, upset at the judgement, thanking the supporters, her death, Aldo’s visit after she died?
14. Aldo’s visit to Ettore, his painting in the fields, Ettore and his reading of the letter, keeping it with him, not answering, asking forgiveness? The exchange of the poem?
15. The final information, Aldo two more years in prison, release, living alone, no contact with Ettore?
16. The changing perspectives during the 20^th century on homosexuality,, legalising, within the Italian social, cultural and religious context?