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Malena
Malèna
2000 108 min Italy, United States of America R 18+
★7.3
Drama
Director: Giuseppe Tornatore
Trailers
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EN
EN
Description
12-year-old Renato experiences three significant events on the same day: the beginning of the Second World War, getting a bike, and witnessing the arrival of the gorgeous Malèna. Through his eyes, we see the curse of beauty and loneliness of Malena, whose husband is presumed dead, and, through his soul, we see his love for her.
US Gross:
$3.45M
Worldwide:
$14.49M
Starring
Monica Bellucci
Actor
Giuseppe Sulfaro
Actor
Luciano Federico
Actor
Awards
Academy Awards 2001
— Best Original Score
Academy Awards 2001
— Best Cinematography
Golden Globe 2001
— Best Original Score
Golden Globe 2001
— Best International Feature Film
Berlin International Film Festival 2001
— Golden Bear
European Film Awards 2001
— Audience Award – Best Actress
European Film Awards 2001
— Audience Award – Best Director
BAFTA 2001
— Best International Feature Film
Key opinion
Malèna is a visually and aurally stunning drama that examines the destructive power of envy and social condemnation in wartime Sicily. While its atmospheric beauty and score are widely praised, the film's characterizations divide critics between those seeing psychological depth and those seeing simplistic archetypes.
| Cinematography | The sweeping, visually striking cinematography masterfully captures the Sicilian setting. | |
| Score | Morricone's evocative score serves as a powerful auditory highlight. | |
| Acting | Monica Bellucci's subtle, non-verbal performance effectively conveys the character's silent suffering. | |
| Theme | The film offers a stinging critique of small-town hypocrisy and the cruelty of collective envy. | |
| Screenplay | Character portrayals divide critics, with some finding them psychologically profound and others viewing them as exaggerated, simplistic archetypes. |