LA BESTIA NEL CUORE 

ITALIA – 2005 – DCP – colore – 116’

Direction: Cristina Comencini

Screenplay: Giulia Calenda, Cristina Comencini, Francesca Marciano from the same novel by Cristina Comencini

Cinematography: Fabio Cianchetti

Editing: Cecilia Zanuso

Set design: Paola Comencini

Music: Franco Piersanti

Costumes: Antonella Beraldi

Cast: Giovanna Mezzogiorno (Sabina), Alessio Boni (Franco), Stefania Rocca (Emilia), Angela Finocchiaro (Maria), Giuseppe Battiston (Andrea Negri), Luigi Lo Cascio (Daniele), Valerio Binasco (padre father), Francesca Inaudi (Anita)

Producers: Riccardo Tozzi, Giovanni Stabilini, Marco Chimenz

Production: Cattleya, Rai Cinema

Distribution: 01 Distribution

synopsis

Sabina leads a seemingly happy, problem-free life, as she is fulfilled in both her relationships and career. However, when faced with the relocation of her parents’ graves, she realizes that she has only fragmentary memories of her childhood. From that moment on, she begins to be haunted by disturbing recurring nightmares. Soon after, she discovers she is pregnant and confides in her brother Daniele. He brings out into the open their “beast in the heart,” namely the truth of their father who had abused them both during childhood, coupled with the complicit silence of their mother. Finally, Daniele took revenge years later by taking his father’s life during his hospitalization. The confession unites the two siblings even more, but the resurfacing of the truth is not without consequences that will have to be faced.

critical note

“It is not surprising that the best “family” drama from the recent past is the one that takes on the body of a character, like (…) Don’t Tell, intimately linked to Giovanna Mezzogiorno’s performance. (…) It is a bold and risky position to choose. Rarely today is it possible to focus for two hours on the face of an actor or actress without touching on the ridiculous. Cristina Comencini gives it a try, and in addition to imparting a certain verve to the supporting characters (…), she manages to enter with the right intensity into the depths of a woman grappling with a traumatic past, a doubtful present and an uncertain future.” (Pier Maria Bocchi, Panoramiche no. 41, 2005)

main awards

2005 Mostra di Venezia – Competition: Coppa Volpi a to Giovanna Mezzogiorno, Wella Prize a to Angela Finocchiaro, Young Cinema Award, UNICEF Award

2006 Silver Ribbons: Giovanna Mezzogiorno candidata come Miglior Attrice nominated as Best Actress, Migliore Produttore Best Producer, Attrice Non Protagonista Supporting Actress (Angela Finocchiaro), Fotografia Cinematography

2006 David di Donatello: Giovanna Mezzogiorno nominated as Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress (Angela Finocchiaro)

2006 Golden Graal: Giovanna Mezzogiorno nominated as Best Actress, Best Dramatic Director, Best Dramatic Actor (Luigi Lo Cascio)

2006 Oscar: candidato in cinquina come Miglior Film Straniero