Lie a summer night

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Movie
German title Lie a summer night
Original title 4 passi fra le nuvole
Country of production Italy
original language Italian
Publishing year 1942
length 95 minutes
Rod
Director Alessandro Blasetti
script Cesare Zavattini
Piero Tellini
Aldo De Benedetti
Giuseppe Amato
Alessandro Blasetti
music Alessandro Cicognini
camera Václav Vích
cut Mario Serandrei
occupation

Lie a summer night ( 4 passi fra le nuvole ), also known on television as Four Steps in the Clouds , is an Italian film classic (1942) by Alessandro Blasetti . The comedy about family relationships does not omit tragic moments. Blasetti, Cesare Zavattini and the rest of the screenwriters contrasted the escapist films that prevailed in Italy during the fascist era with a different view. Trying to be realistic, they showed the petty bourgeoisie of the suburbs, the difficulties of the world of work, and the narrowness of overcrowded trains and family life; the scenes filmed outdoors in real locations play an important role. In these respects, this comedy is similar to the neorealist films made from 1943 and is often referred to as a transitional work to this movement. The longer part of the film takes place in the country and portrays life there as healthy, while the farmers' hearts have their hearts in the right place. In the middle of the war, the film criticized an authoritarian father figure trapped in wrong decisions about what could be interpreted as a commentary on the Duce and fascism. The main role was played by the later Peppone actor Gino Cervi , who up until then had subscribed to hero roles, and who then switched to comedy. Since then, the plot has been remade twice, with some significant changes, in 1956 in France and 1995 in the United States .

action

With the frustrating work as a traveling salesman for chocolate pralines and sweets, Paolo has to make ends meet with his wife, children and an unemployed cousin. However, he is not valued by the family. During the morning train and bus journey, his compassion and good nature towards the desperate young Maria put him in a tricky position.

Maria trusts Paolo and tells him what burdens her so much: That she is expecting a child from a guy who has run away. She is on her way to her parents' farm, but expects that her traditional and honorable father will chase her away. She knows nothing about Paolo except his kindness. He gives in to her pleading request to pretend to be her husband for a few hours and then move on about his business. Maria's father Luca was upset about the alleged marriage, but soon accepts the couple just as happily and generously as the rest of the family. A party is scheduled for the evening that Paolo cannot avoid. He avoids the prepared marriage bed and spends the night in the haystack. In the morning he is enthusiastic about country life, but he dutifully doesn't want to miss the bus. Before he can leave, Luca, who saw through the lie, confronts him. The angry father accepts Paolo's explanation and lets him go. Under the impression of Paolo's appeal to his fatherly heart, Luca gives in and allows Maria to stay in the house. Paolo returns to his monotonous everyday life.

criticism

For Jean A. Gili, author of a story of Italian film comedy, Lie a Midsummer Night is one of the indispensable works of this genre. With this, director Blasetti, who became known through dramas, proves his skill in all registers. The bus ride sequence has freshness and spontaneity, and Gino Cervi plays his role and role-in-the-role with finesse.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ [1]
  2. ↑ a b c Jean A. Gili: La comédie italienne . Henri Veyrier, Paris 1983, ISBN 2-85199-309-7 , pp. 64-65
  3. ^ Alfredo Baldi: Quatro passi tra le nuvole . In: Fernaldo Di Giammatteo (ed.): Dizionario del cinema italiano . Editori Reuniti, Rome 1995, ISBN 88-359-4008-7 , pp. 271-272