Fuori (2025) by Mario Martone: An Unlikely Bond Forged in a Roman Prison
- dailyentertainment95
- Aug 4, 2025
- 6 min read
Short Summary: An Insider's Look at Outcasts
Fuori (meaning "Outside") is a poignant Italian biographical drama directed by Mario Martone, based on the life of writer Goliarda Sapienza. The film follows Sapienza, a respected writer who, after a surprising and impulsive act, finds herself in an all-female prison. Inside, she forms an authentic and unbreakable bond with a group of young inmates, a friendship that endures after her release and leads her to an unconventional new life, away from the intellectual circles that once defined her.
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt34768402/
About movie: https://le-pacte.com/france/film/fuori
Link to watch: https://www.primevideo.com/detail/0R2ZOK3P09VRLB4A9CA4X35KH9/ref=dvm_src_ret_it_xx_s (Italy)
Detailed Summary: A Writer's Reckoning
The story is set in Rome in the summer of 1980, where we are introduced to Goliarda Sapienza (Valeria Golino), a celebrated writer and intellectual.
After a "crazy and unexpected act"—stealing jewels from a socialite friend—she is imprisoned in an all-female prison, a new and alien world for her.
Inside, she meets a diverse group of young inmates, including Roberta (Matilda De Angelis) and Barbara (Elodie), who are considered outcasts by society.
Against all odds, Goliarda forms a deep and authentic bond with these women, finding a sense of community and freedom that she never experienced on the outside.
After her release, Goliarda is shunned by her former high-society friends, but she maintains her friendship with her former "jailbirds." This new group of friends becomes her chosen family, a bond that is more real and meaningful than anything she had before.
The film explores how this experience forever changes Goliarda, inspiring her to write and providing her with an invaluable and "unconventional" perspective on life.
Director's Vision: The Freedom of a Poet's Soul
Mario Martone, a renowned director known for his historical dramas, adopts a more "naturalist style" for Fuori, a deliberate departure from the lavish aesthetics of some of his contemporaries. His vision was to capture the "soul of a poet" and the spirit of the real-life Goliarda Sapienza. The film is set in the sun-drenched, often seedy parts of Rome, and Martone uses this setting to create a sense of authenticity and intimacy. The director aims to show how Goliarda finds a truer form of freedom inside the prison walls and in the company of society's outcasts, a life that she prefers to the stifling conventions of the intellectual elite.
Themes: The Nature of Friendship, Social Class, and Artistic Inspiration
The Nature of Friendship: The film's central theme is the exploration of an unconventional and authentic friendship that transcends social class and background. It highlights how genuine human connection can be found in the most unexpected places.
Social Class: The film serves as a critique of the hypocrisy and superficiality of Rome's intellectual and social elite. It draws a stark contrast between Goliarda's former world and the real, raw world she discovers inside and after prison.
Artistic Inspiration: The film is a powerful commentary on the source of artistic inspiration. Goliarda's time in prison and her friendships with the inmates profoundly change her and inspire her work, showing that art can come from the most unlikely of places.
Key success factors: An acclaimed director, a star-studded cast, and a compelling true story
A Masterful Director: Mario Martone, a respected name in Italian cinema, brings a high level of craftsmanship and storytelling to this biographical drama.
A Stellar Cast: The film is carried by an excellent cast, including the critically acclaimed Valeria Golino in a subdued but powerful performance as Goliarda Sapienza, and strong supporting roles from Matilda De Angelis and pop star Elodie.
A Gripping True Story: The film is based on the fascinating life of Goliarda Sapienza, a rebellious and unconventional writer whose story provides a rich and compelling narrative.
Festival and Box Office Success: The film's premiere and its impressive worldwide gross of over $2 million confirm its success in both the arthouse and commercial markets in its home country.
Awards and Nominations: A Festival Contender
Fuori has already garnered significant attention on the film festival circuit, with 2 wins and 10 nominations total. This early recognition positions it as a strong contender in the upcoming European awards season, particularly for acting and directing.
Critics' Reception: A "Thoughtful" and "Refreshing" Biopic
Critical reception for "Fuori" was largely positive, with many critics praising the film as a unique and thoughtful character study. It holds a 7/10 score on Next Best Picture, with an emphasis on its strong performances and period recreation.
"Refreshing Biopic": Damon Wise of Deadline described the film as a "refreshing biopic" and a "thoughtful" character study that successfully captures the struggles of a failing writer. He highlighted Valeria Golino's performance, stating she "exudes humanity and patience."
"Vibrant Performances": Camillo De Marco of Cineuropa praised the film for breaking away from the classic biopic formula and making use of the "vibrant performances" of Valeria Golino and Matilda De Angelis. He noted that the film's strength lies in its ability to present "vivid fragments" of Sapienza's life rather than a comprehensive, conventional portrait.
"Elusive" but "Nonconformist": Deborah Young of The Film Verdict called the film an "ambitious, urgent" work that "sparkles" with Valeria Golino's performance. She described the film as an "elusive but pleasingly nonconformist feminist tale that takes a timely stand for personal liberty."
Summary: Critics were widely positive on "Fuori," applauding Mario Martone's thoughtful and refreshing take on the biopic genre. Reviews highlighted the film's strong, non-conformist tone and the outstanding, nuanced performances from its lead actresses, Valeria Golino and Matilda De Angelis.
Reviews: A Writer's Rebirth in a Roman Prison
Reviews detail the unique, non-linear plot of "Fuori," which focuses on a specific, transformative period in the life of Italian writer Goliarda Sapienza.
The Protagonist's Crisis: The film begins in 1980s Rome, where Goliarda Sapienza (Valeria Golino) is a celebrated but struggling writer. Her magnum opus, The Art of Joy, has been rejected by every major publisher, and she is in financial distress.
A Life-Changing Crime: Desperate and with a mischievous, radical streak, she steals some expensive jewelry and is sent to prison. Her time in Rome's Rebibbia prison is not a traumatic experience but a transformative one, where she finds a surprising sense of freedom.
A Found Family: Inside the prison, Sapienza forges deep and life-altering friendships with a group of young women, including the intelligent and passionate Roberta (Matilda De Angelis) and the radiant Barbara (Elodie). Sapienza, who sees herself as a "story thief," is fascinated by the lives and resilience of these women, who become a new source of inspiration.
A Story of Friendship and Freedom: The film is not about the crime itself but about the "profound and decisive relationship" that Sapienza builds with these women, particularly Roberta. This connection revitalizes her zest for life and her desire to write. As one review from the Alliance of Women Film Journalists notes, the film explores "the deep, heady love of these women" and how a prison environment can, paradoxically, erase class barriers and lead to a new form of freedom.
Summary: "Fuori" is a biographical drama about Goliarda Sapienza, a writer who, after a short prison sentence, finds renewed purpose through the deep friendships she forms with her fellow inmates. The film focuses on the emotional and creative "rebirth" she experiences through these relationships, using her time in prison as a vehicle to explore themes of freedom, identity, and the transformative power of female bonds.
Why to watch this movie: A Tribute to a Rebellious Spirit
A Powerful and Authentic True Story: The film is a moving tribute to the life of Goliarda Sapienza, a writer whose story is both a celebration of artistic rebellion and an exploration of the true meaning of friendship.
Exceptional Acting: Valeria Golino's performance has been singled out as a career highlight, making the film a must-watch for fans of strong acting.
A New Perspective on Martone's Work: The film offers a look at a different, more naturalist style from director Mario Martone, proving his versatility and talent.
An Insight into a Different Rome: The film offers a unique look at a specific time and place in Rome, moving away from tourist-heavy landmarks to explore the city's grittier and more authentic side.
Movie Trend: The Art-House Biographical Drama
Fuori fits into the trend of the art-house biographical drama, a genre that moves away from the traditional, chronological biopic to instead capture the essence, or "soul," of an artist. These films often use a more poetic and intimate style to explore the specific moments and relationships that defined an artist's life and work.
Social Trend: The Chosen Family
The film taps into the social trend of the "chosen family," which is the idea that the bonds we form with friends and community can be just as, if not more, important than the family we are born into. Fuori celebrates this idea by showing how Goliarda finds a more authentic and loving family among her fellow outcasts than in her own social circle.
Final Verdict: A Flawed but Fun Ride
Fuori is a poignant and unforgettable biographical drama that serves as a powerful tribute to a rebellious spirit. With Mario Martone's masterful direction and an exceptional performance from Valeria Golino, the film is a moving exploration of friendship, social class, and artistic inspiration. While it may not appeal to all audiences due to its unconventional narrative and poetic style, it is a significant and rewarding work of Italian cinema that is a must-see for anyone who appreciates a story told with a deep sense of humanity and authenticity.
Comments