A good serving of Solino

Whoever said that we learn things the best from movies, I’m sure they meant every word of it.

We had worked many hours on the wide-varied themes of Population in and out-flux and of the job-thriving Ruhr valley in the 70’s- the endless stretch of pristine land that were all ready to harvest black-gold from deep within the soils which led to many people from neighboring countries to move to Germany. Although a dirty job, I consider it only because one had to work under the earth without the cozy shine of the seamlessly glowing sun in dingy and damp underground locale where the only respite is when you strike Gold. (I’m once again referring Coal to Gold- a metaphor) Unemployed, strife ridden countries which thrived with many young and old lads- Poles, Turks, Italians, Spaniards and all alike moved to the land of opportunities.

This movie was screened as a part of the class activity so that we got a better insight of the theme under discussion.

The movie ,, Solino ” was fast paced and the crew comprised a few very recognizable Germans actors including the very talented Moritz Bleibtreu and Bernby Metschurat who was equally a promising actor.

The title usually speaks about the movie but by,, Solino ” none of us could get the big picture till we started watching ,, The Big Picture “ Although the sideline sounded like it was a promising movie - Brüder sind die engsten Freunde - und auch die bittersten Rivalen. (Brothers are the closest friends - and also the bitterest rivals )

In a sunny and lazy town Solino( Get, why the movie was named so ?) somewhere in the heel of Italy, the Amato Family decides to immigrate to the industrial region of Ruhr. The family of four- Gigi(Metschurat), Giancarlo(Bleibtreu) and their parents find the German way of living a stark contrast to their Italian way. Be it the living option, the jobs, the people, the food, the language were foreign to them. They did face difficulties like every emigrated family does in other soils.

In the Italian town of Solino from where the Amatos moved out, the young Gigi who adores a sweet girl of his age and promises to get Snow back to her from Germany while Snowing in that part of Italy was not a comfort they enjoyed. Although at the end of the movie, it’s shown that neither did it snow in Ruhr. While his brother, Giancarlo always eyed for the better things Gigi had and soon picks up the tendency of a kleptomaniac getting stuffs to woo the fairer sex and did fail many a times.

Soon the bread winner Amato, tired of the job swears not to work a day more in the dark mines and to that follows an exchange of words and expletives with his wife. The lady Amato who was tired of German culinary specialties plans to start an Italian Pizzeria (Named it Solino) so as to keep alive the palate of many other mine-working Italians. Soon Gigi befriends a usual customer who apparently happened to be a German director and picks up an interest for Photography. Giancarlo thrives on thieving little things from around the pizzeria.

The ties between the Parents and their sons go sour and awry and they part ways as Papa Amato wanted the intelligent Gigi to study about Food and cuisine and later help him with widening the hotel biz. But young Gigi yearned to be a Film maker while Giancarlo with no particular ambition, didn’t want to work further in the Pizzeria.

The duo soon move in with a girl and over time Gigi’s short film is selected for a film-festival but eventually the jealous Giancarlo take credit for it while Gigi is away looking after their ailing mother in Solino where he soon discovers back his roots with his childhood girlfriend and with her help put up a open theatre in the southern town screening his films. A happy ending where the ruptured hostile relationship between the brothers is set alright and also eventually Gigi finds happiness among his people, although he didn’t make the cut as a film-maker.

The movie was pragmatic and does a fair job of portraying the life in bustling Germany and in traditional Italy. Altogether it was a cinematic treat with a portion of Brother Drama, Love story and with plenty of music and Pizza flowing.

Sang