THE HAND OF GOD – Review by Jennifer Green

December 10, 2021December 21, 2021 Jennifer Green Filippo Scotti, italian films, naples, Paolo Sorrentino, Teresa Saponangelo, The Hand of God, Toni Servillo

0 Flares 0 Flares ×

Italy’s 2021 submission for the International Oscar is a beautiful coming-of-age story and a love letter to both director Paolo Sorrentino’s native Naples and the art of filmmaking. There are many memorable images in The Hand of God, mostly involving a contrast of dark interiors with the sapphire Mediterranean and the blinding sun of southern Italy. Likewise, the film’s characters and scenarios are extremely evocative.

Teen Fabietto (Filippo Scotti) lives with his loving parents, Saverio (Toni Servillo) and Maria (Teresa Saponangelo); big brother Marchino (Marlon Joubert)’ and a sister who never leaves the bathroom in The Hand of God (E Stata la Mano di Dio). Life is good in 1980s Naples — Fabietto has a large extended family and plans to study philosophy at the university. But when tragedy strikes, Fabietto has to redefine his life and his plans for the future. Continue reading.

0 Flares Twitter 0 Facebook 0 0 Flares ×

Jennifer Green

Jennifer Green is a regular contributor to Common Sense Media, The Hollywood Reporter, The Seattle Times and The San Francisco Chronicle. She was Screen International's correspondent in Spain for ten years. She launched the newspaper column and website Films from Afar to curate international films available for home streaming. She has served on film festival juries across Spain and North Africa and teaches journalism and film to university students.