Franco Lolli is not an instantly recognizable name on the international cinema circuit. He last made a splash in 2014 when his feature Gente de Bien picked up several awards at Cannes.
His new work, Litigante, opened the 2019 Critic’s Week Program at Cannes.
The title is both a hint and a re-direction: the lead character is a lawyer, working for a government department. But despite the fact that she gets caught up in an all-too-frequent corruption scandal, this is no court-room drama.
Silvia is a single mother, with a sister and mother. Her mother, Leticia, is dying of cancer. Whilst dealing with this, she is juggling the corruption accusations at work, and also meets a Abel, with whom she develops a relationship. On one level a simple family drama, on a deeper level it is an examination of contemporary Colombian middle-class society, and of the life of a Western woman in the sandwich-generation (those women raising children and caring for older parents, at the same time). This work speaks to women across cultures.
What makes this film outstanding is the combination of writing and performances. The authenticity that jumps from the screen could make the viewer mistake it for a fly-on-the-wall documentary. Many scenes seem almost improvised, particularly when Silvia and Leticia butt heads. This is partly a tribute to the unusual casting: the entire film is populated by unknown actors. Silvia is played by Lolli’s cousin Carolina Sanin. An author and academic, who completed her doctorate at Yale, Sanin proves to be an actor who could teach most veterans a few things. Leticia is played by Lolli’s mother, Leticia Gomez. She gives a breathtaking authenticity to Leticia, a retired lawyer and strong matriarch, who is prepared to die, but not to suffer. Alejandra Sarria is fantastic as Maria-Jose, Silvia’s sister, and Vladimir Durán gives a heart-breaking depth to Abel. Silvia’s five-year old son Antonio is portrayed by Antonio Martinez, a natural child-actor.
Lolli’s co-writers, Maria Amachoukeli-Barsacq and Virginie Legeay bring a Gallic sensibility to the work, allowing the narrative arc to unfold through the slow-burn, but never letting up on the tension. The audience is left caring deeply for every character.
This is beautiful, authentic and masterful film-making. No doubt the name Franco Lolli will soon be writ large in international cinema.
Litigante opens on July 30th.
Click here for further information.
EXTRAORDINARY 4.5 stars
More News
