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Ignorant Fairies (2001)

Director: Ferzan Özpetek

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From Time Out Film Guide

The third film from the Turkish-born director Ferzan Özpetek (Harem Suare) is his first based fully in Italy. Antonia (Buy), a Rome doctor, is aghast at the sudden death of her beloved husband Massimo - and the discovery that he had a male lover, market worker Michele (Accorsi). The bereaved pair move through phases of animosity, curiosity and attraction, and Antonia finds herself embraced by Michele's extended family - an outsiders' collective, loudly cutting through categories of class, culture and sexuality, and making for vivacious, engagingly shot ensemble scenes. With its sultry soundtrack, Ignorant Fairies is about irrevocable attachments as well as secret identities. The plot is perked up by several well-timed wry asides, not least from Antonia's helpful mother. At heart, the film is deeply sentimental, right through to its final frames, but thanks to classy performances, what might have lapsed into slush is transformed into something appealingly tender.

Author: AHa 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Time Out Film Guide

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User reviews of this film

rufus Foshee said...

Posted on Jan 01 2009 05:08 I dislike the word gay because it characterized nothing. I generally run from films with homosexual themes.
But in the synopsis of this one I was willing to try it. I think if one approaches
Ozepetek's film with ideas, as with any other, one will not be pleased.
This film is so superior to any other I have seen that I don't want to pick at it.
Ozepetek's approach if one of looking into a culture, in this case several, that gathered in one place. That has made all the difference.
Best of all, the director sees these characters, as individuals and each has tried to find a place. Unlike some suggestions, I do not see them as reject, of if so not more, than many who feel they have been rejected, and didn't have nearly as much fun.
I would have preferred that the the director not have played up the extending relationship of Antonia and Michele. That does not ring true and too convention for this film.

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