Starring:
Giuseppe Cristiano as Michele
Mattia Di Pierro as Filippo
Adriana Conserva as Barbara
Fabio Tetta as Teschio
Giulia Matturo as Maria
Stefano Biase as Salvatore
Fabio Antonacci as Remo
Aitana Sánchez-Gijón as Anna
Dino Abbrescia as Pino
Giorgio Careccia as Felice
Antonella Stefanucci as Assunta
Riccardo Zinna as Pietro
Michele Vasca as Candela
Susi Sánchez as Filippo’s mother (as Susy Sánchez)
Diego Abatantuono as Sergio
Special Features:
None
Other Info:
Widescreen (2.35:1) Enhanced for 16×9 Televisions
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
English and Spanish Subtitles
Running Time: 101 Minutes
Synopsis:
This film was originally released in 2003 and is presented in its original Italian language. It is based on the novel by Niccoló Ammaniti. Here’s the text from the DVD cover:
“No one can be trusted and everyone’s a suspect when a shocking secret is revealed in this hypnotic suspense thriller from the acclaimed director of the Academy Award®-winning MEDITERRANEO (Best Foreign Language Film, 1991). For 10-year-old Michele, the familiar routines of childhood in his idyllic southern Italian village are about to be shattered by his chance discovery of an unspeakable crime! Soon beyond the point of no return, Michele will risk everything to expose the truth … only to learn that those he depends on the most may have the most to hide! Hailed by critics everywhere, this award-winning story of innocence and evil will have you riveted throughout … culminating in its stunning conclusion!”
“I’m Not Scared’ is rated R for disturbing images and language.
The Movie:
I typically don’t like foreign films, but “I’m Not Scared” actually captured my attention and held it till the very end. It was an intriguing thriller with a number of psychological twists and turns. I can’t fully discuss the film without getting into some spoilers, so bail out now if you don’t want the film ruined.
At the heart of the film is the fact that Michele’s parents are involved in the kidnapping of the child. It’s quite a dramatic twist if you didn’t see it coming. Not many films get into the stories of children of criminals. This took the traditional kidnapping and ransom tale and put a unique spin on it. Telling it from the point of view of the child of the kidnapper is unlike anything I’ve seen before. It also introduces all sorts of psychological drama. Does Michele help the kid and turn in his parents? Does he stay quiet and let the child be killed? How does Michele deal with the trauma of finding out that his mother and father are kidnappers? All these questions were explored well.
All of the acting in the film is excellent and Giuseppe Cristiano carries the film well as Michele. He has a lot of responsibility placed on him to make the movie work and he does so without any major problems. The only part of his performance I had a problem with was the way he reacted to some of the situations. I think a 10 year old boy would have had a less child-like reaction than Michele did. If a boy found a kidnapped child and helped him out of a hole, I hardly think they’d then go frolicking in the fields of wheat then return back to the hole. Anyway, it still was an entertaining and intriguing film.
The movie also looks beautiful. The southern Italian countryside is amazing and the director seems to be able to find beauty in the most mundane things. From wheat to flowers to ants, there are a number of scenes that are just works of art.
If you’re looking for an intriguing film filled with drama and a few scares, then “I’m Not Scared” is well worth checking out.
The Extras:
There are no extras included on this DVD.
The Bottom Line:
“I’m Not Scared” is a unique Italian film with twists and turns that will surprise you and have you hooked to the end. You may want to try something different and check it out.
