Hold Your Breath Like a Lover
December 30th, 2017. Two years before the Tokyo Olympics, due to a revision of the Constitution, a National Defense Force is created in Japan and it starts military operations. In an incineration plant, a dog goes lost, but when Tani goes looking for him, she finds nothing. In the plant, Yanais takes down the Christmas decorations and replaces them with the ones for New Year. Gou, addicted to survival games, comes to the plant during the night and starts playing video games with Ken, even if it is his day off. In the meantime, Adachi is just watching their game to kill time. However, all these men share similar problems: pregnancy, adultery, family issues and a friend who died in the war. Meanwhile, Tani, who is troubled with her immoral relationship with Adachi, begins to feel that her father, who was the plant’s manager and is supposed to be dead, seems to be around somehow.
Insights
Plot Summary
Set in the Calabrian region of Italy, the film follows Vincenzo, a young man caught between his family's criminal ties and his desire for a different life. He navigates a complex world of loyalty, tradition, and violence, struggling to find his own path amidst the expectations and dangers surrounding him. The narrative explores the suffocating atmosphere of his environment and the internal conflict he faces.
Critical Reception
Hold Your Breath Like a Lover received a mixed to positive reception from critics, who often highlighted its atmospheric tension and strong performances, particularly from the lead actor. Some reviewers found the pacing deliberate, while others appreciated its raw portrayal of life in Southern Italy.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its authentic and gritty depiction of Italian rural life.
- Applauded for its compelling central performance and strong sense of place.
- Some found the narrative's slow burn to be less engaging than its atmosphere.
Google audience: Information not available.
Awards & Accolades
None notable.
Fun Fact
Director Jonas Carpignano would later go on to direct critically acclaimed films like 'A Ciambra' and 'A Chiara', further establishing his distinctive cinematic voice in portraying Southern Italian life.
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