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Directed by Cristina Comencini
Racial issues resulting from the influx of migrants have been present in films from many European countries (such as Britain and France) for decades, but Italy is only beginning to broach the topic. Two years after her Oscar nomination for Don’t Tell, writer/director Cristina Comencini has opted for humour and a small amount of melodrama to examine the bigotry that surrounds migrants of a different skin colour. She does not concentrate on the difficulties suffered by poorer migrants, of which there are plenty, but on prejudices faced by wealthier migrants who mix with the more educated (but not necessarily more liberal) part of Italy’s population.
The Italian Elena (Ambra Angiolini) is full of contradictions. Her wealthy family has a black maid who wears a white apron and a house full of trophies from the ‘Dark Continent’, yet she works at an African aid organisation. Her Italian husband Carlo (Fabio Volo) works with computers and is not at all interested in what might be happening in Africa. He is however interested in the wife of one of Elana’s work companions (Eriq Ebouaney). The beautiful Nadine (Aissa Maiga) is uncomfortable in her new country and, like Elena’s father many years before, Carlo is overcome by the desire to possess this exotic creature.
A strong cast brings Black and White’s interesting look at racial integration together, with the French actors Ebouaney and Maiga being particularly strong. The film has been described as a contemporary social comedy in the tradition of Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. It screens as part of the Italian Film Festival, which runs from 15- 29 October. See www.lunapalace.com.au for film info and ticket booking.
Lezley Herbert
