I had a gloriously life-affirming experience yesterday, when I saw a movie that simply blew me away.
There’s Still Tomorrow was Italy’s number one movie last year but I hadn’t heard of it, hadn’t read the summary and only went to see it because my mum suggested we go.
That in itself was surprising; Babs wanting to see a black-and-white Italian arthouse indie, with subtitles, was not on my 2024 bingo card.
But I’m glad she did because it’s a spectacular movie.
I live in south east Essex and whilst there’s a thriving comedy and theatre scene, it’s pretty bleak in terms of a movie industry.
I’m spoiled, I know. After working as an entertainment journalist, in Hollywood, for so many years and being lucky enough to visit the many historic cinemas and screening rooms on movie lots, which usually ended with the cast and director filing out on the stage for a q&a, the prospect of screen 14 at Basildon’s Cineworld, didn’t particularly thrill me.
But that’s not the point, is it?
The point is that seven of us in a screening room, that could maybe seat 30 people tops, were captivated by Paola Cortellesi’s story of an abused wife in post war Italy. I could have been anywhere in any decade because in a way I was suspended in time.
The ending moved me to tears and I can’t remember the last time a film did that.
I floated out of there in awe of Paola, who as it turns out, has roots in the comedy world. I could see it on screen. There’s Still Tomorrow is a drama but one that is driven by character and darkly comedic undertones. It was reminiscent of the movies of the great French auteur Agnès Jaoui, who starred in, wrote, produced and directed The Taste of Others, Look At Me and many, many more.
There seems to be a place in European cinema for women who are given free rein to express themselves in the most intimate of ways. Or at least, that’s how it seemed in the moment.
I was inspired, energised and comforted. I slept better than I’d slept all week. That in itself is a miracle.
It made me realise, like I didn’t already know but clearly needed a timely reminder, just how important art is to artists. Plugging into Paola’s world will motivate me to carry on creating my own worlds.
And that’s a gift I was ready to receive.
Lisa