The First Beautiful Thing

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The First Beautiful Thing (La prima cosa bella)

The First Beautiful Thing (La prima cosa bella)

original title:

La prima cosa bella

directed by:

cinematography:

set design:

costume design:

distribution:

country:

Italy

year:

2010

film run:

116'

format:

35mm - colour

release date:

15/01/2010

festivals & awards:

Summer, 1971.The youthful, stunning Anna Nigiotti is dubbed Miss Mamma of Livorno’s most famous bath house. Unaware of rousing the unwelcome attention of the male population; the suspicions of her husband Mario;the hidden embarrassment of her son Bruno.
Today. Ever the heartthrob-despite her terminal illness-Anna blows the doctors away with her irresistible, contagious verve. Bruno instead has burned all bridges with his hometown, his family, his past. A passionless teacher in a trade school, he leads an obstinately disengaged life. But his sister Valeria persuades him to come home to see his mother for the last time. So Bruno makes his reluctant return to Livorno, to visit that vibrant, beautiful ball of energy, who seems to defy all the medical odds. That meeting, after years of hostility, forces Bruno to come to terms with the tumultuous past he had tried to forget at all costs. Those days and nights, years ago spent wandering in search of a place to stay, with his still naïve, fragile sister. Thrown out of the house by their jealous father. Yet pressed on by their mother’s buoyant,dogged optimism.A family drama set against the narrow-mindedness of provincial Italy that craves new desires, embodied in the indolent,fickle men who’d like to take advantage of Anna’s sensual charm and candor,but ultimately lack the courage and the strength;and especially in the malicious manoeuvring of Aunt Leda to usurp her talked about sister’s husband and children. After the eleventh-hour discovery of unknown brother,a surprise wedding and separation,our trio’s adventures lead to an unexpected reconciliation.A final life lesson,from an unconventional,unique mother.About keeping the faith in the little joys that life holds in store.