OLIVE GARDEN ITALIAN CINEMA FEATURE
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Monday, March 31, 6:30 PM - 8:15 PM at Enzian - Purchase Now

MY BROTHER IS AN ONLY CHILD (MIO FRATELLO È FIGLIO UNICO)
ITALY, 2007, 108 MIN
DIRECTED BY DANIELE LUCHETTI
In Italian with English subtitles
Charming and delightful, this film adaptation of Antonio Pennacchi’s Il Fasciocomunista reunites the screenwriters of The Best of Youth in a tale of sibling rivalry and brotherly love set against the turbulent Italian 1960s and 1970s. Brothers in the working class Benassi family, Manrico (Riccardo Scarnaccio) and Accio (Elio Germano) are both rebellious, but otherwise opposites: the former a handsome, charismatic firebrand who becomes a Communist; the latter an ordinary confused little brother who flirts with fascism, taken under the wing of a local MSI leader. Set in Latina in the area of Sabaudia, where Mussolini built model towns, the politics are there, with the filmmaker addressing Italy’s fascist past, but only at the service of character and story. Maintaining a mostly light touch, the film is nostalgic and entertaining. Who can’t laugh at a “defascistized” text for Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” or a “let everyone state their views” meeting? And there’s more than meets the eye--a jarring somber climax reveals dreams and disillusionment in this acclaimed dramatic comedy that was nominated for eight Donatello Awards (Italian Oscars), winning four including Best Actor and Best Screenplay.

After the film, head to Enzian’s patio to enjoy wine and cheese provided by the evening’s sponsor Olive Garden Italian Restaurants.