I went to a very special presentation at the Italian Cultural Institute in Westwood of this very touching film which was based on the real life of Rita Mancuso (Veronica D’Agostino) and director Marco Amenta’s documentary , “One Girl Against the Mafia: Diary of a Sicilian Rebel”.
Being a dad myself I could feel the inner conflict that this young girl would suffer when she loses her dad and also has to face the reality of who he really was. Dads love their daughters and always want to protect them and treat them in a special way which comes straight from their heart no matter what their real occupation is and there will be secrets. Having lived in Italy and seeing how close families are, I was taken in by the intricacies of this film. I felt that I was peeking inside and seeing the daily lives of townsfolk which evolved into a drama and loss. You are placed into this situation which this young girl endures and then seeing how courageous she is when she faces the opposition of her mother and the Mafia.
Veronica D’Agostino is stunning in her portrayal and moves you to tears and you fear for her own safety even though you know that it will not be a Hollywood ending. Director Marco Amenta is from Palermo, Sicily so he has the vision and knowledge that only an insider knows and you can feel it as you watch his film. The prosecutor from Palermo (Gérard Jugnot) who also is the father of a daughter the same age as Rita shows the tenderness and understanding as his character but knows from inside the dangers she must face when her testimony based on her diaries and photographs which will lead to the convictions of a large number of Mafia members.
Directed by Marco Amenta; written by Mr. Amenta, Sergio Donati and Gianni Romoli; director of photography, Luca Bigazzi; edited by Mirco Garrone; music by Pasquale Catalano; production designer, Marcello Di Carlo; costumes by Cristina Francioni; produced by Simonetta Amenta, Tilde Corsi, Gianni Romoli, Raphael Berdugo and Mr. Amenta; released by Music Box Films. : Veronica D’Agostino (Rita Mancuso), Gérard Jugnot (Prosecutor), Marcello Mazzarella (Don Michele Mancuso), Lucia Sardo (Rosa Mancuso), Mario Pupella (Don Salvo Rimi), Miriana Faja (young Rita), Primo Reggiani (Lorenzo) and Francesco Casisa (Vito).
I highly recommend this film
Film opens at the Nuarte theatre on September 10 and the director will be present for a Q&A on September 10 and 11