Noble journey of an innocent passion!!
“What does mean by the great creation?”. Sometimes I get puzzled with such
nasty questions. If you belong to the culture of world cinema,film society and film festivals;
it becomes obvious to get busy with such questions.Film crazy people like me try to find the
answers of such questions in the films which they watch.This question is very difficult, isn’t it ?
Still this question worth an honest attempt. Let me try it,” Great creation is something which
makes some positive change in both creator and the people confront with it.”
Italian Poster of Malena
I find this defination littlebit sensible when I think of history. We can easily make
out that entire mankind is guided by creations of great creators like Rembrandt , Leonardo da
vinci , Shakesphere and Tukaram from ancient time.Every great creation has the potential to
make some positive change on human mind. Art of filmmaking is also not an option for this
Being a film lover,I have been hypnotised by so many great movies like
Benhur,Rashomon,Ashes and Diamonds…..Pyaasa….and so on…..! Thanks to all those great
film makers who have made this list so long…..! Each of these films have brought some positive
change in me; either subtle or noticable. ‘Malena’ is one of them. This film repeatedly peeps up
in my mind.It makes me uneasy,and forces me to think of every character portrayed in it.Today
Malena has proplled something out of me.I am just writing it down on the paper.
Giuseppe Tornatore Luciano Vincenzoni
Malena is an Italian film made in year 2000 by Film maker Giuseppe Tornatore.
It is liked by viewers as well as critics. This film is a heart aching story of a woman living in
Italy during Second World War (WWII). Her name is Malena Scordia (Monica Bellucci). It is the
cinematic adaptation of a short story by famous Italian scriptwriter Luciano Vincenzoni, who
is popularly known as script-doctor. Director Giuseppe Tornatore himself had developed this
story in script by weaving different characters and events which not only symbolize spectrum
of different streams of Italian society, but also its downfall. Film reveals the destroyed life a
woman in the backdrop of war, as well as it makes viewer to identify with an exciting journey of
an innocent passion of a kid. This journey is travelled by Renato (Giuseppe Sulfaro), another
leading character, who has just entered in early adolescence. He belongs to same place, where
Malena lives, a town in southern island of Italy, Sicily. He falls in love with Malena at first sight
of her and never succeeds in expressing it to her, but he always tries to help her. Film is an
absorbing and unforgettable experience with its perfect characterization of life, lucid dialogues
and sleek screenplay. Whole film is narrated by voice over of mature Renato.
Ronato’s love at first sight!!
Malena is divinely beautiful, as if nature has consulted Michel Angelo at the time
of her creation. She lives in a small town in Sicily. WWII has achieved its peak. Italy enters in
the war on the side of Germany against Allied countries. Every young man was forced to join
the army. As Malena’s husband Nino Scordia; is also fighting on war front, she is left alone
with her father who lives in same town. Her old father is an almost deaf man who works as a
Malena becomes a soft target of everyone in the town. Every man looks at
her with lusty and dirty eyes. Every woman is jealous of her divine beauty. Malena helplessly
tolerate evil, greedy eyes and pricking comments. She courageously neglects everything
and continues to search for a job in circumstances of dreadful economic crises because of
war. No woman in that town allows her husband to offer a job to Malena, as every woman
is apprehensive about her beauty. Her sufferings get worse when news about death of her
husband spreads in the town. Now people aggressively spread rumors against her, gossiping
that she is a woman with bad character, a prostitute. Her father loses job because of allegations
on her. Insulted old man amputates all relations with Malena. She undergoes huge mental
torture by her own countrymen .They file a case in court against her, blaming that she has an
affair with a dentist and a Germen soldier.
Slowly Axis power (Germany/Italy/Japan) begins to lose the War. Allies push
them back and invade their territories .One day Allies had a huge air drone bombing attacks
on the town. Town turns into ruins. Malena loses only support left for her, her old father dies
in this attack. Tremendous shortage of food and money forces everyone to lose their human
values. Malena has to make a great compromise. She decides to become a prostitute to make
ends meet, to achieve bread. Next day German Army breaks their promise of non invasion in
Italian territory. They took total control of town. This brings an opportunity of food and shelter to
Malena, as she chooses to be with them as their courtesan.
Malena becomes prostitute
Finally Allied Army arrives in town by pushing Germans back. They start to
punish everyone who belongs to fascist beliefs. People find it as the great opportunity to punish
Malena. They blame that she is a prostitute and had relations with several Nazi officers. Malena
was taken out of the cafeteria in centre of the town. She was brutally beaten up and humiliated
in front of crowd of hundreds of civilians and Allied soldiers. Mob cuts her hair and tear her
cloths. A Graceful woman becomes mere live hideous flesh. Malena finally leaves the town to
avoid the immoral humiliation.
Though this film is story of Malena, we see it through the eyes of Renato.
Filmmaker has chosen to keep everything simple and smooth in the storytelling. In spite of
having only two major characters cinematographer Lajos Koltai makes liberal use of wide angle
lenses. He gives equal importance to minute details in the background, making every frame
full of references. Wide framing and optimal camera movement captures innocence as well as
global perspective of this story.
Cinematographer- Lajos Koltai
Before getting empathetic towards Malena, we have to have a glimpse of social
and political scenario of that time. During “WWII” world was divided into different powers. Jerks
of Great Depression (1925) were not yet negotiated. U.S. and British led capitalism was robbing
the world. Russians undergone Red Revolution, which was later, proved as red capitalism.
Hitler led Nazi Germany occupied Poland and Austria to gain more land and resources. This
started the Second World War between Allied forces (U.S., Britain, France and Russia) and Axis
power (Germany, Japan). Some countries like Switzerland decided not to be on any side, but
Italy made an opportunistic entry in the war when Axis nations seemed to win it. Italy was under
the fascist rule of dictator Mussolini (Duce).Italy was already being paying price of First World
War, and was not at all ready for the war. Mussolini took the country from bad to worst. Italy; a
nation with the great heritage of Roman civilization, art and literature; ironically influenced by
Fascist philosophy. The beautiful country was totally destroyed in the war. Allied Army was very
cruel towards Italian civilians, thousands of men killed, thousands of women raped after war
got over. In spite of being in alliance German Army was too equally cruel towards Italians. This
dishonor is the most shameful chapter in the history of Italy.
German occupied Europe
Invasion
by Allies
Sicily Italy
Europe during WWII
The story of Malena represents iconicity of Italy. Though filmmaker has never
mentioned it in public, the divinely beautiful and dignified character of Malena remembers me
rich Roman legacy. She travels the same path of pain like that of downfallen Italy during WWII.
After all every war demands sacrifices from women, of their loved ones and lastly their self
Casting an artist for a character with historical reference is always a tedious
job, especially when it comes to portrayal of the difficult role like ‘Malena’. Fortunately, it was an
easy choice for Giuseppe Tornatore. He told story of Malena to famous model Monica Bellucci
on the location of an ad film, as he was truly convinced with Monica’s ability to play such a
difficult role. She was not known for her acting at that time, but still Tornatore promised her
that she is going to play Malena, if he has to make it anywhere in future. Few years passed
and Monica forgot about this talk. A sudden call from Tornatore surprised her, as he was ready
with his next project ‘Malena’. Monica has managed to go under the skin of character. There
was less chance for her to express through words, as Malena uses very few words throughout
the film. Monica has carried deep and painful grief of Malena through the eyes without making
it loud. She has effortlessly expressed the feelings of intimate ecstasy, anger and shameful
internal turmoil through eyes.
Monica Bellucci: - A model Monica Bellucci: - As Malena
Searching for child artist for role of Renato was not easy process like that for
Malena. Giuseppe Sulfaro was chosen from 2500 boys short listed. His age was only 14 at that
time. He took vacation for one year. This genius kid has caught the soul of Renato, making him
live, real and unforgettable.
Giuseppe Sulfaro as Ronato in 2000 Giuseppe Sulfaro in 2010
Throughout the film Renato is helpless like young generation of Italy at that time.
His madness and love for Malena reminds me love for nation; while his fantasy about her is
similar to fascistic grandiosity. Fabric of this story is enriched with plenty of appropriate symbols.
In one scene Renato furiously throws away a statue of Mussolini, similarly Fascist philosophy
was discarded in future by the young generation. Tornatore was very lucky to get an ideal
location for the film in Sicily which still has maintained its heritage. He has used it very cleverly.
Malena’s house is situated at the side of huge sea shore, a dead end where all roads get
ended. Malena’s life is also at the edge of dead end. Renato too often seats at the sea shore
helplessly thinking about her. Both of them decide to fight rather than give up.
Film starts with June 10, 1940 when Italy invades the Southern France. Mussolini
gives highly delightful speech on Radio. Every Italian is full of energy and enthusiasm, but
Renato is happy for some different reason. He gets his first bicycle on that day. As everyone
is listening to Mussolini, Renato is quite happy with his ride on bicycle. Renato’s bicycle ride
and Italy’s invasion in France both activities seem immature and ill-equipped. “Though gears
are French, frame is British, but chain is still Sicilian”. This was the comment of the man who
handed over bicycle to Renato. The chain of Renato’s bicycle remained intact but unfortunately
the chain of Sicilian social bonding got broken as war progressed. Renato belongs to a poor
family. His father has great hate towards Mussolini and Fascist Party; he always makes fun
of Mussolini, while Malena’s father is a teacher. Elder generation had no place in social and
political decision making at that time. Capitalists, racists and communists were playing with the
lives of innocent people like that of Renato’s friends killing an ant by using focused sunlight.
Events in film are meticulously planted, elegant screenplay and editing makes it
very smooth to navigate from one scene to another. When Renato see Malena at first time, he
gets sexually aroused by her enchanting beauty. He gets obsessed with her existence and falls
in love with her. He follows her continuously, and always keeps a close eye on the happenings
in her life. He soon realizes about the reality and asks god to help her till he grows old enough
to give her support and protection. This does not work at all and endless misery of Malena
continues. One day helpless Renato furiously destroys the statue of god, as if he has found
same helplessness in God.
In one scene Renato and his friends compare lengths of their genitals, they find
that Renato has a shorter Penis. Everyone start him teasing “Hey, you are still a kid. You have
smaller cock. You are not man. ” Renato gets angry and starts beating them. How true!! Never
ending race of power always ends in a war either it is a World War or Cold War.
Though for short time, love brings music and poetry in life of Renato and he listen
Malena’s favorite song for hours and hours. He beats his friends, when they use bad words
against Malena. Once he becomes hysteric and treated with faith healers. Everyone is surprised
with this change in him. Really minds of lovers and creators are totally isolated from the world.
Renato throws away the gramophone disk of Malena’s favorite song, when she lives the town.
Ennio Morricone, the Italian music wizard has created wide range of emotions in background of
the film. Music blends with the emotions of characters ranging from romantic euphoria of Renato
to inner mayhem of Malena.
Music wizard Ennio Morricone
Renato gets surprised when Malena’s husband comes alive from battle field after
earlier incorrect news of his death. He loses his right hand in war. This handicapped man
finds his world destroyed. He comes to know about sad story of Malena’s humiliation and
helplessness. He looks for her everywhere in town. He also tries to trace her at base of U.S.
Army, which has now occupied that region. “She was a whore, who served for many German
officers.” This was the heart bruising answer from U.S. Army. Renato, who is the mute and
helpless witness of Malena’s tragedy, finds her husband. Renato writes a letter to him telling
that his wife has lived with dignity. She is very honest woman. She had to do compromise
for survival. Renato also writes that he has seen Malena in the train which left for a nearby
city ‘Melissa’.
Filmmaker has used several subtle symbols throughout the film but he becomes
very direct when Malena becomes prostitute. In this scene she is cutting down hair, while in
background Italian propaganda is spreading news of false heroism and victory on the radio.
Next day Malena enters in the town with acquired mannerism of a prostitute and deep pain in
eyes. On the same day Germany occupies the town by breaking the promise. Finally Fascism
and Nazism forced devaluation on Italy and women like Malena.
After one year Malena again arrives in same town with her handicapped
husband. This time no one dares to use a single bad word against her. She was treated with
lot of respect by the same crowd which had forced a great humiliation on her earlier. Honest,
quit and resilient Malena finally wins the battle of morality. This film depicts the behavior of
the society towards a woman who has no support system. It unhides cowardice of society. It
questions cruelty and injustice towards women, as well as selfish use of soldiers. It tells an
inspiring tale; where a naïve boy and a handicapped man help a woman to get back her dignity
and respect. Italy too achieved its dignity and self-respect back with help of honest effort of
traumatized young generation.
Film undergoes transformation of different emotional shades. Sometimes
it becomes comic; erotically romantic but it still transfers deep and mute sorrow of Malena.
‘Malena’ is the bold and brave deception of origin of love and passion. Yes, it is in sexual
Limbic System controls emotions and sensitivity
desire! Even scientist agrees with this, as in human brain, center for regulation of love, passion
and sex is same. Renato’s passion makes a dramatic journey throughout this film. It starts
with lust, when he sees Malena for the first time. He gets obsessed with her beauty and then
with her existence, as if a creative person gets obsessed with his creation. Soon his juvenile
innocence overcomes his lustful, obsessive imaginations about Malena. Erotic passion finally
ends up in the pure love.
Human psyche has an invisible Renato within, who gets passionate, lusty
and empathetic towards his love. As we grow up we lose our innocence as a part of process
of maturity, but we never forget our innocent passion. We always try to reciprocate with it. We
search it in something like woman, creativity or some noble cause. No one can find it in absence
of innocence and honesty.
In the last scene Renato finds an ultimate moment of self actualization, an
equally overwhelming feeling when a creator finds his creation got alive. Malena looks into his
eye with deep smile for first time. Renato tries to live his whole life in that moment. He only
manages to say,” Good luck Mrs. Malena…” Battle of innocence and delinquent maturity finally
ends here. Renato starts running away from Malena on his bicycle, as if an innocent boy
is attracted towards the mature manhood. Here Renato realizes that Malena is the ultimate
passion of his life.
As we never forget our innocent passion, Malena acquires a special place in
his heart forever. Voice over by adult Renato gives proof for this, “Amongst all the woman who
met me and asked me to remember them, I always remember one who never asked me for
it……Malena…….!!”
Finally Malena looks into eyes of Ronato
