Vittoria (2024) by Alessandro Cassigoli, Casey Kauffman: A Mother's Irresistible Desire
- dailyentertainment95
- Aug 7
- 5 min read
Short Summary: An Irrational Longing
Following her father's death, a Naples hairdresser with a devoted husband and three sons becomes consumed by a recurring dream of a little girl. This inexplicable desire for a daughter pushes her to embark on a challenging journey of international adoption, risking her family's stability and her own well-being in the process.
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32038799/
About movie: https://www.intramovies.com/production/vittoria/
Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/it/film/vittoria (Italy)
Detailed Summary: A Dream That Changes Everything
Jasmine, a 40-year-old hairdresser living in Naples, seems to have a fulfilling life: a thriving salon, a supportive husband, and three loving sons.
Her world is upended after her father's death, when she begins to have a persistent, recurring dream about a young girl. This dream sparks an intense, almost "irrational" desire to have a daughter.
Jasmine decides to pursue international adoption, a complex and challenging process that her husband initially resists, arguing against it from a financial and emotional standpoint.
This decision creates a crisis within the family, as her husband and sons struggle to understand her new obsession. Jasmine's journey forces her to confront her own moral compass and the sacrifices she is willing to make to follow her dream.
The film, based on true events and starring the real people who lived the story, culminates in the family's shared realization that they must navigate this challenge together.
Director's Vision: Blurring the Lines Between Fiction and Reality
Cinema di Reale: Directors Alessandro Cassigoli and Casey Kauffman are part of a new wave of Italian cinema that blurs the lines between documentary and fiction. They call this movement "Cinema di Reale."
Authentic and Raw Emotion: The directors’ groundbreaking approach involves casting the real-life individuals involved in the story to play themselves. This allows for a unique and incredibly authentic emotional experience for the viewer, as the protagonists re-enact and confront their own personal histories on screen.
Exploring an Irrational Desire: The filmmakers were fascinated by the idea of following an "irrational desire" or a "gut feeling" even when logical reasons and social norms suggest otherwise. Their vision was to explore the human psyche's most profound and seemingly illogical desires.
Themes: Desire, Family, and the Meaning of Victory
The Power of an Inexplicable Longing: The central theme is the overwhelming power of a deep-seated desire that defies logic and reason. The film explores how an individual's yearning can disrupt an entire family dynamic and force a re-evaluation of what truly constitutes a complete life.
The Complexity of Family: The film delves into the intricacies of family relationships, showing how even a seemingly perfect and loving family can be thrown into crisis by one person's pursuit of a dream. It explores the tension between individual happiness and collective well-being.
"Vittoria" as Victory: The title, which means "victory" in Italian, serves as a central theme. The film questions what victory truly means. Is it about achieving a personal goal at any cost, or is it about the family's ultimate triumph in coming together and supporting one another?
Key Success Factors: A Groundbreaking Approach to Storytelling
Non-Professional Actors Playing Themselves: The film's unique success factor lies in its use of non-professional actors who are re-enacting their own lives. The film's critical acclaim is a testament to the trust and sincerity between the directors and the family, leading to raw, unvarnished performances.
A Gripping and Emotional Story: The film is bolstered by a deeply moving and empathetic story. The audience is drawn into Jasmine’s quest and invested in the family's journey, making the film's emotional candor its greatest strength.
A Timely and Universal Theme: While the story is distinctly Italian, its themes of family dynamics, loss, grief, and the desire for a child resonate universally. The film's exploration of international adoption also provides a window into a little-known and emotionally charged world.
Awards and Nominations: A Critically Acclaimed Festival Run
The film has received numerous awards and nominations from prestigious international film festivals. It won the Golden Alexander – Michel Demopoulos Award for Best Feature Film at the 2024 Thessaloniki Film Festival and the International Competition Naguib Mahfouz Award for Best Screenplay at the 2024 Cairo International Film Festival. It was also an official selection at the Venice Film Festival and the Istanbul Film Festival.
Critics Reception: A Deeply Moving and Convincing Account
High On Films: This review praises the film as an "earnest, deeply moving account of a mother's adoption journey." It notes that the film "succeeds enormously" in its use of non-professional actors, praising their "generosity of truth and lived experience."
Next Best Picture: This review offers a more critical perspective, suggesting that the film’s portrayal of Jasmine's actions is "selfish." However, it still acknowledges the "surprisingly strong" performances of the non-professional actors and finds the concept of re-enacting their lives "baffling" but ultimately compelling.
Overall Summary: The critical reception is largely positive, with most critics applauding the film's unique approach to filmmaking and the raw authenticity of its performances. While some debate the protagonist's motivations, the film is widely recognized as a powerful and emotionally resonant drama that showcases a new, bold style of Italian cinema.
Reviews: "A Generous and Heartfelt Film"
Dog And Wolf: This review calls Vittoria an "uplifting" and "lovely, positive fact-based drama about the mysteries of the human heart." It notes the "very moving" scenes of the family interacting with the potential child for adoption and praises the directors' ability to tell a story of an "irrational desire."
La Biennale: A review from the Venice Film Festival highlights the film's ability to make the audience feel like the characters are "your kind of people" and calls the ending "as unexpected and unique as the extraordinary stories that life itself creates."
Overall Summary: The film is consistently praised as a heartfelt, genuine, and moving experience. Reviewers commend the emotional candor and the authenticity of the story, as well as the skill of the directors in guiding non-professional actors through a highly personal narrative.
Why to watch this movie: For a Raw and Unforgettable Story
A Unique Cinematic Experience: This is a film that blurs the lines between documentary and fiction in a way you've likely never seen before. The authenticity of the performances creates a powerful and unforgettable viewing experience.
A Story with Deep Emotional Resonance: The film tackles profound themes of family, desire, and personal fulfillment with honesty and sensitivity. It’s a movie that will make you think and feel deeply.
An Insight into a Different World: The film offers a compelling glimpse into the world of international adoption and the emotional rollercoaster that families go through in the process.
A Critically Acclaimed Gem: With its numerous festival awards and positive critical reception, this is a film that stands out as a unique and important piece of contemporary cinema.
What Movie Trend film is following: Docu-Fiction Blending
Vittoria is a leading example of a growing trend in filmmaking that blends documentary realism with fictional narrative structures. Often called "docu-fiction" or "cinema di reale," this trend involves using real-life subjects to tell their own stories on screen, creating an unparalleled sense of authenticity. This style of filmmaking can be seen in other recent works that prioritize raw emotional truth over traditional cinematic conventions.
What Big Social Trend is following: The Redefinition of Family
The film taps into the social trend of the evolving definition of what constitutes a family. It explores how a family is not solely defined by biological ties but by love, desire, and the journey taken together. By focusing on international adoption and the emotional complexities of building a family, the movie reflects a broader cultural conversation about alternative family structures and the powerful bonds that transcend traditional notions.
Final Verdict: A Vital and Unique Piece of Cinema
Vittoria is a vital and unique piece of cinema that demonstrates the power of a deeply personal story told with radical authenticity. The film's use of non-professional actors re-enacting their own lives is a bold choice that pays off immensely, resulting in a raw, emotional, and compelling drama. While it may not always be an easy watch, its honesty and powerful themes make it a rewarding and unforgettable experience. This is a must-see for anyone interested in innovative filmmaking and stories with genuine heart.
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