The blossoming young love between two teenagers is brutally disrupted by retreating Nazi soldiers who occupy their small village in rural Italy. This is Antonella Spirito’s The House That Stood.
“The House That Stood” is a poignant Italian drama that tries to give viewers the harrowing experiences of being an ordinary person during World War II. Set in a small Italian village, the film follows the story of Camillo and Bianca, a young couple who begin to fall in love but are cruelly interrupted by the arrival of Nazi soldiers.
All films have a distinct three-act structure, but the difference with Spirito’s movie here is that the main film’s narrative unfolds in three distinct chapters. Each one of them has its own unique visual style and this helps the audience differentiate the timelines and keep on track. During the war is where the first two take place and these are both filmed in black and white, making them seem old-fashioned and nostalgic. The third part is in colour and set in 1959, symbolising the shift to a more peaceful time. What’s good about this structure is that it allows the film time to explore the emotional turmoil and spirit of the characters in a meaningful way. The film explores the struggles and sacrifices of ordinary people as they navigate the challenges of war. The characters’ experiences serve as a reminder of the human cost of conflict and how strong people had to be in order to survive.
At the heart of the film is the love story between Camillo and Bianca. It is based on the true story of Spirito’s grandparents, and the personal nature of her script beautifully captures the complexities of the relationship, their hopes, fears, and the emotions of the time. Matteo Accardi delivers a compelling performance as Camillo, while Simona Lamorgese is also impressive as Bianca, portraying her character with nuance and depth. The supporting characters, particularly Claudia Cara as Camillo’s mother, add interesting context to the story.
The film’s cinematographer is Bo W. Giesen and she manages to capture the beauty of the Italian countryside as well as the stark brutality of war. Her black-and-white imagery of the war years evokes a sense of loss, despair, and the harsh realities of life under occupation while her work during the colour sequences of 1959 offers a glimmer of hope and a future free from the horrors of war. Along with the use of archive footage, it all adds a layer of authenticity and helps to transport the viewers back in time.
The film’s deliberate pace may not suit everyone as it does come across as quite slow, but this is essential to Spirito’s storytelling. With the slow pace allowing its audience to fully appreciate the characters their challenges and uncertainties. The downside is that despite the film being only an hour long it does feel longer.
“The House That Stood” is a thought-provoking movie that is another powerful reminder about the human cost of war and the enduring power of love, hope, and resilience. It also marks out its director, Antonella Spirito, as a name to certainly watch out for.
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