Film: What Is Left? (2014)
Film: Very Good
Transfer: n/a Extras: n/a
Label: n/a
Region: n/a
Released: n/a
Genre: Documentary / Hot Docs 2014
Synopsis: Filmmakers-satirists Gustav Hofer and Luca Ragazzi attempt to find out whether Italy’s current left-wing politicians have any firm ties to their classical antecedents.
Special Features: n/a
Review:
The makers of the festival favourite Italy: Love It or Leave It (2011) return with this satirical poke at Italy’s colourful political figures while genuinely searching for a definition (and contemporary equivalent) to what constitutes a left-wing, socialist party in Italy.
Not unlike Michael Moore, Morgan Spurlock, and the equally cheeky Mads Brügger, directors Gustav Hofer and Luca Ragazzi make themselves part of the story, asking assorted figures where they stand politically (and in some cases, pasta preferences), listening to clouds of rhetoric and nonsensical blather, and attending various rallies as an election date looms and Silvio Berlusconi still has a chance to return to power. Interspersed between these sections are amusing game show-styled vignettes in which the emcee becomes increasing frustrated by the directors’ inability to answer questions with one-word answers.
It’s a sometimes absurd and hysterical portrait of Italy’s colourful politics and the recent shift from left-leaning governing parties to centre-right stances.
© 2014 Mark R. Hasan
External References:
IMDB — Hot Docs 2014 Listing
Vendor Search Links:
Amazon.ca
Category: Blu-ray / DVD Film Review
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