Harassment and homophobia, important and current issues, are at the center of the vibrant dramatic comedy *Un bacio* by Ivan Cotroneo, presented last Friday at the Espace Magnan in Nice during the 32nd Italian Cinema Days (it can be seen every day starting tomorrow and until the festival’s closing, next Saturday). The Neapolitan director could not be present for health reasons.
“*Un bacio* will be released in French theaters on April 26 with distribution by Optimale,” Ivan Cotroneo explained to us by phone. “The meetings with schools for the *Un Bacio Experience* in Italy were incredible, with students sharing their experiences and confronting their points of view both among themselves and with adults. They also produced texts accessible on the Facebook site and on the *Bacio Experience* website. And screenings for schools continue.”
Concerning the French reality where homosexuals can marry, a reality nonetheless marked by strong social tension leading to populism and the extreme right, Cotroneo shares his opinion: “I think the world is finally changing, and that leads to a strengthening of extremism. But I hope and believe that these are the last vestiges of an obscurantist past that we are finally leaving behind us.”
Drawn from the eponymous short story by Ivan Cotroneo published in Italy by Bompiani, *Un bacio* tells the story of the friendship between three 16-year-olds in a high school in Udine, each with their issues: Blu (Valentina Romani) is a rebellious and solitary girl, Lorenzo (Rimau Grillo Ritzberger) is an orphan adopted by another family after an initially unsuccessful attempt, he is exuberant and openly gay. Antonio (Leonardo Pazzagli) is shy and insecure, still traumatized by the death of his older brother whom he loved, Massimo.
Without the blandness of TV fiction style, the director deeply addresses the adolescent unease exacerbated by the danger of exposure on social networks and the difficulty of relationships with adults, avoiding political correctness.
The dreamlike musical inserts, created in collaboration with choreographer Luca Tommassini, add an original touch. *Un bacio* is a film for everyone, with strong educational potential, ideal for a debate on the difficulties of today’s youth.
“I would like *Un bacio* to be primarily a film for young people,” concludes Cotroneo. “Young people who value friendship above all. Who feel alone. Who are terribly afraid of being different and being judged. And of being labeled in any way.”
Roberto Schinardi
