Movie spotlight
What Is Left?
Award-winning filmmakers Luca Ragazzi and Gustav Hofer make a bold and cheeky return to Hot Docs with another timely and autobiographical look at contemporary Italian society. Following their festival and theatrical hit films Suddenly Last Winter (about the travails of a modern gay couple in Italy) and Italy: Love It, or Leave It (about the challenges of living and working under the controversial Silvio Berlusconi) their latest doc takes a decidedly, well, left turn. After the Second World War, Italy was home to the largest Communist (later socialist) party in the West. The party's efforts to enhance social and economic conditions for all Italians earned them remarkable electoral success and influence. Seeking a more equal and progressive Italy, the filmmakers set out to discover why their country has now become so persistently conservative, and what happened to its once proud and vital left-wing sensibilities.
Insights
Plot Summary
Robert Greene's documentary 'What Is Left?' delves into the complexities of family, memory, and the passage of time through intimate portraits of individuals navigating their lives. The film uses a blend of observational footage and staged scenes to explore the emotional landscapes of its subjects. It questions the nature of identity and the stories we tell ourselves and others. The documentary offers a poignant look at the lingering impact of the past on the present.
Critical Reception
Robert Greene's 'What Is Left?' has been noted for its artistic ambition and its challenging, yet rewarding, exploration of memory and identity. Critics have often highlighted its experimental approach and its ability to evoke profound emotional responses. While not a mainstream success, the film has garnered a dedicated following among cinephiles and those interested in unconventional documentary filmmaking.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its artistic vision and emotional depth.
Commended for its experimental and introspective approach to documentary.
Some found the abstract nature challenging to fully engage with.
Google audience: Information regarding specific Google user reviews and their sentiment is not readily available for this title.
Fun Fact
Robert Greene often employs a unique blend of documentary and fictional techniques, blurring the lines between observed reality and constructed narrative in his films.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources