Religious Power Grapples With Personal Rights

Read Time:4 Minute, 14 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Kidnapped: The Abduction of Edgardo Mortara
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Genre: Drama, History
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 2h 14m
Director(s): Marco Bellocchio
Writer(s): Marco Bellocchio, Susanna Nicchiarelli
Cast: Paolo Pierobon, Fausto Russo Alesi, Barbara Ronchi, Enea Sala, Leonardo Maltese
Language: Italian and Hebrew with English subtitles
Where To Watch: find the showing nearest you at www.cohenmedia.net as it expands to select theaters, including the Gene Siskel Film Center and more, starting May 31, 2024

RAVING REVIEW: After KUNG FU PANDA 4 was released in theaters, I realized I had never watched the third one and missed my opportunity to see this one in theaters. Thankfully, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment sent me a copy to screen and review for my followers. In KUNG FU PANDA 4, the much-loved hero Po (Jack Black) finds himself on the brink of significant change. Revered throughout the Valley of Peace, he faces a demanding new challenge that questions his role as the Dragon Warrior. Under the guidance of Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman,) Po is pushed towards a spiritual path previously walked by the legendary Oogway, sparking a quest for physical prowess and profound personal discovery. This sequel continues the solid outings for the franchise with a mix of humor, heart, and action, welcoming viewers to explore the deeper conflicts within its central character.

Bellocchio's KIDNAPPED delves deep into the heart of personal and societal conflict during Italy's Risorgimento (a 19th-century movement for Italian unification culminating in establishing the Kingdom of Italy in 1861.) With his directorial style, Bellocchio navigates through a narrative rich with emotional and historical complexities. The screenplay intricately sketches the period’s societal shifts alongside the personal saga of the Mortara family, whose pain is portrayed by Fausto Russo Alesi as Salomone Mortara and Barbara Ronchi as Marianna Padovani Mortara.

Francesco Di Giacomo’s cinematography stunningly captures the era's essence, utilizing a visual language steeped in dramatic contrasts. This adds depth to the film's aesthetic and enhances the dynamic storytelling, putting you on the streets during this time. The meticulous attention to authentic costumes and sets transports viewers directly into the chaotic heart of 19th-century Bologna, making the historical drama a visual and emotional journey.

The narrative's heart beats strongly in the interactions between young Edgardo and the various father figures imposed upon him, particularly the clergy. Sala, portraying young Edgardo, navigates his role with a remarkable blend of vulnerability and growing awareness. His scenes with Pius IX, brought to life with a stern gravitas by Paolo Pierobon, are particularly compelling, adding layers of conflict and introspection to the film's exploration of relationships.

KIDNAPPED revisits a significant historical episode and engages with its lingering impacts on personal and societal levels. The film thoughtfully addresses the manipulation of power within religious and political arenas, weaving a narrative that strikes a chord across universal themes of identity and justice.

The resilience of the Mortara family is highlighted against the broader canvas of societal strife, with support from the global Jewish community illuminating the period's religious and racial conflicts. This aspect of the film provides a powerful commentary on the seeds of anti-Semitism and their long-reaching consequences, which are skillfully portrayed against the personal story of loss and struggle.

Bellocchio's journey through KIDNAPPED is intimate and expansive, balancing the personal tragedy of the Mortara family with the broader historical narrative. The film serves as a potent reminder of cinema’s role in exploring and discussing our collective past, with its power to influence contemporary perspectives on identity and oppression.

KIDNAPPED is a compelling exploration of young Edgardo's forced separation from his family and a critical examination of the forces that shaped modern Italy. The film portrays the tragedy of lost innocence and the cynical manipulation of power, resonating profoundly and affirming Bellocchio’s reputation as a filmmaker who confronts challenging historical realities with courage and insight.

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[photo courtesy of COHEN MEDIA GROUP]

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