email print share on Facebook share on Twitter share on LinkedIn share on reddit pin on Pinterest

BERLINALE 2006 Competition

Crime about to conquer Berlin

by 

After conquering Italy, it’s time for Crime Novel [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Michele Placido
film profile
]
to take on Berlin and to begin its journey towards international film screens. Confirming the Berlinale’s to focus this year on socio-political issues, the film is based on the acclaimed novel by Italian author and judge Giancarlo De Cataldo, and was directed by actor/director Michele Placido. The two men teamed up with screenwriter Sandro Petraglia to pen a story about a group of kids who dreamt of becoming drug lords and conquering Rome and. It becomes quickly apparent that their dreams were not to be underestimated as the suburban gang of the 1970s and 80s actually did manage to influence Rome’s underworld.

(The article continues below - Commercial information)

No newcomer to television and film projects about the Mafia, Placido chose to bring a surprising pop style to the the film’s dark theme. Fast editing, short sequences and musical hits come together to create an amazing rhythm, especially in the film’s first 20 minutes, when the characters are introduced in a choppy manner, an effective narrative technique that contextualises the character's social setting with its codes and internal contradictions. Somewhere between a gangster feature and a film noir (with recognisable femme fatale Anna Mouglaglis driving decent cop Stefano Accorsi crazy), Crime Novel is, despite its mainstream elements, a reflection on the dark side of Italy's recent history, when terrorism and corruption often lived side by side with police and politics. Some of the events reported are real ones, such as the death of former Italian Prime Minster Aldo Moro. However, both Placido and De Cataldo agree on the fictional side of the plot, without denying the eventual political resonances it may have today.

Kim Rossi Stuart, Pierfrancesco Favino and Claudio Santamaria play the three gang leaders Fredo, the "Lebanese" and Dandy, respectively. When asked during the Berlin press conference why the roles appealed to them, the answer was unanimously that it was important for actors from Rome to play characters from Rome. "I remember Rome", said Rossi Stuart. "We can bump into characters like these over there. I have a deep love for Rome and I was excited about making the film". Placido was especially direct in defending the three gangster “wannabes”: "They are human beings from a marginal background. They are bad but not as bad as the people on the top of the pyramid can be".

Co-produced by Cattleya (Italy), Aquarius Film (UK) and Babe Productions (France), in collaboration with Warner Bros. Pictures, Crime Novel recently picked up five Nastri d'argento awards. TF1 International is handling international sales.

(The article continues below - Commercial information)

Did you enjoy reading this article? Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive more stories like this directly in your inbox.

Privacy Policy