MOVIE REVIEW
Riot in a Women's Prison (Prigione di donne)
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Genre: Crime, Drama
Year Released: 1974, 2024 Kino Lorber Blu-ray
Runtime: 1h 31m
Director(s): Brunello Rondi
Writer(s): Brunello Rondi, Leila Buongiorno, Aldo Semerari
Cast: Martine Brochard, Marilù Tolo, Erna Schurer, Katia Kristine
Where To Watch: available now here: www.kinolorber.com or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: RIOT IN A WOMEN'S PRISON invites viewers on a journey back to the 1970s, spotlighting the ordeal of Martine Fresienne, a French tourist whose innocuous Italian getaway quickly devolves into a nightmare. Martine, portrayed by Martine Brochard, becomes entangled in a wrongful drug possession charge during a random police raid. This misfortune catapults her into the foreboding confines of a women’s prison overseen by authoritarian nuns, setting the stage for a gritty survival saga under the cold oversight of a particularly formidable Mother Superior, played by Maria Quasimodo Cumani.

Once behind bars, Martine confronts the bleak realities of incarceration, where any hope for justice dissolves amidst the daily cruelties imposed by both the guards and fellow inmates. The film plunges into the Women in Prison genre, presenting a raw depiction of systemic abuse while mixing in the personal stories of the prisoners. These narratives span from battle-hardened protesters to victims of oppressive gender policies, reflecting the broader socio-political strife of the era. Unfortunately, the film’s potential for meaningful exploration is often eclipsed by its inclination towards the genre’s more exploitative elements.

Amid the harsh backdrop, the movie indulges in scenes that cater more to the voyeuristic expectations of the genre rather than striving for substantial thematic depth. A notable example is a scene in the communal showers that transforms into a controversial display of indulgence, only hinting at underlying themes of autonomy and domination without truly fleshing them out. Additionally, the film struggles with pacing issues, with extended dialogue sequences and mismatched dubbing that disrupt the flow, detracting from moments meant to be impactful, like Martine’s unsettling initiation to prison life.

The buildup to what should have been a climactic uprising unfolds with disappointing mildness, lacking the intensity promised by its title. The riot scene, brief and disorderly, concludes abruptly without allowing the opportunity for character development or a fulfilling plot resolution.

As the film nears its conclusion, the resolution feels rushed. The narrative wraps up too neatly, neglecting to probe the lasting emotional and psychological scars of the ordeal, leaving the conclusion unresolved and superficial.

RIOT IN A WOMEN'S PRISON hits a few provocative notes typical of its genre but ultimately fails to leverage its platform for more profound social critique. The film’s strict adherence to the expected tropes of shock and titillation prevents it from transcending its roots in exploitation cinema. The result is a film memorable not for its narrative achievements but for its miss, with all the potential to deliver a poignant commentary on the real issues it only briefly touches upon. What remains is a film that is as fleeting in substance as it is in its moments of intrigue, another installment in the Women in Prison catalog that leaves viewers pondering what might have been.

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[photo courtesy of KINO LORBER, RARO CINEMA ART VISIONS]

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