In grazia di Dio, released here as Quiet Bliss, translates to “in God we thank”, a more apt title for this simple and touching movie by Director Eduardo Winspeare about three generations of women who uproot their lives to start afresh at the family’s olive grove in Puglia.
The plot starts out with a family textile mill in Salento forced to shut down as they are unable to compete with the Chinese labour market. Visually you are taken across the country side of this beautiful town.
The Director has cleverly included no music – there is simply dialogue and the dramatic emotional rollercoaster this family endures during hardship.
No professional actors were used in this movie apart from Celeste Casciaro, the Director’s wife, who plays the cold and volatile middle-generation matriarch. The movie beautifully captures the struggle of a family during economic hardship, who somehow remain optimistic about finding happiness.
I particular like the aesthetic landscape setting, authenticity of characters working the land to make a living, and the diversity of the family members, although this could have been further explored emotionally.
Quiet Bliss screens again on Saturday 18 October 2014 at 3.45pm. Classified 18+
Reviewed by Terri Ponzo
Rating out of 10: 6.5
The Lavazza Italian Film Festival runs from 2 – 22 October 2014 exclusively at the Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas.
More News
