Twice Born
Twice Born

Twice Born

2012Movie127 minItalian

Full-throttle melodrama about an ill-starred romance set against the backdrop of the siege of Sarajevo. A mother brings her teenage son to Sarajevo, where his father died in the Bosnian conflict years ago.

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Insights

IMDb6.1/10
Google Users52%
Director: Sergio CastellittoGenres: Drama, War, Romance

Plot Summary

A single mother, Gemma, brings her teenage son Pietro to Sarajevo to confront the ghosts of her past. Years ago, during the Bosnian War, she fell deeply in love with Diego, an American photographer. Their passionate romance was cut short by the conflict, leaving Gemma pregnant and Diego behind. Now, returning to the city where their love story unfolded amidst tragedy, Gemma hopes to reconnect with her son and find closure.

Critical Reception

Twice Born received mixed to positive reviews. Critics often praised the emotional performances, particularly from Penélope Cruz, and the film's ambition in tackling themes of love, loss, and war. However, some found the narrative occasionally melodramatic or predictable, and the portrayal of the Bosnian War as a backdrop for a romance was sometimes criticized for its superficiality.

What Reviewers Say

  • Penélope Cruz delivers a compelling performance as a woman torn by love and war.
  • The film attempts to intertwine a personal romance with the historical backdrop of the Bosnian War.
  • Some critics found the plot to be overly sentimental and lacking depth in its historical context.

Google audience: Audience reviews suggest a divided reception, with many appreciating the romantic storyline and Cruz's acting, while others found the film to be too melodramatic and the historical elements underdeveloped.

Fun Fact

The film is based on the novel 'Venuto al mondo' by Margaret Mazzantini, who is also the wife of director Sergio Castellitto.

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