Michele, a
10-year-old boy, discovers a hidden cavern at an abandoned house
near lush fields where he and his friends play. The cavern holds
a secret that forces Michele to take matters into his own hands
even if it means going against everyone he respects.
CRITIQUE
I’m Not Scared
works in a number of ways. The plot is gripping and interesting, the
acting is superb, the cinematography is beautiful while effectively
symbolic and the score is hauntingly innocent. This is a film where
everything has come together seamlessly to produce an introspective
and compelling movie.
I’m Not Scared
was shot in
Southern Italy amidst flowing fields of grain where children from poor villages
have little more than their imaginations to entertain them. Michele,
a sweet child who watches out for his sister while filling in as the
man of the house while his father is away uses his creative mind to
conjure up elaborate stories that help to explain the world around
him. Michele’s integrity is tested early in the film when his friends
attempt to persuade a chubby girl to take her clothing off. Michele
watches in uncertainty before standing up to the group and offering to
perform a dare to get the girl off the hook. This is the first
instance of many to come where Michele must stand up in the faces of
people he has been taught to respect for something he believes in.
The true test comes when Michele discovers a figure in a cavern
that has been somewhat conspicuously covered by a piece of sheet
metal. At first Michele runs away in horror at the sight of what he
has discovered. The curiosity of a child overcomes and he returns to
the cavern where he delves into the mystery that surrounds it. During
his process of discovery, Michele learns that parents are not perfect,
true strength is not necessarily physical, and he makes a friend in a
very unusual place.
Director Gabriele Salvatores blends music, scenery and dialogue
together masterfully. The endless fields of grain become the canvas
of a child’s mind, unencumbered by the pressures of society, unscathed
by corruption, and open to limitless possibilities. Salvatores
captures the crisp blue sky, the ripe red of a bold sunset, and the
torment of a rainstorm on dry cracked land. More than just displaying
these visual cues, he weaves them into Michele’s life in such a way so
as not to not make them seem contrived. The simple melodies performed
by solo piano, or full orchestra compliment the earnestness of Michele
and melds harmoniously with his surroundings.
The acting is accomplished beginning with Michele (Giuseppe
Cristiano). Cristiano is sincere as Michele and does not turn his
character into another annoying overly precocious child. Mattia Di
Piero (Filippo) plays beautifully off of Cristiano and helps to turn
an otherwise far-fetched relationship into one that revels in its
sincerity.
I highly recommend this film. The only complaint I have comes in
the marketing of I’m Not Scared. Everything from the trailer
down to the DVD packaging insists that this is a horror film and this
just is not the case. I’m Not Scared offers two notable spots
where viewers will jump in their seats, however overall the film is a
coming of age story and a drama that is beautifully crafted.
THE
VIDEO
I’m Not
Scared
is presented in Widescreen (2.35:1) – Enhanced for 16x9 televisions.
The image is beautiful and clear. As I said above one of the most
impressive things about this film is its cinematography, and the DVD
does it justice.
THE
AUDIO
I’m Not
Scared
is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. Original language
track is Italian with English and Spanish subtitles. The audio levels
are fantastic. Great use of audio to build tension. Everything came
through the system very nicely.
THE
EXTRAS
None.
FINAL
THOUGHTS
I’m Not
Scared
is a fantastic film that I highly recommend. The DVD does not offer
any of the usual extras; which is a little disappointing, however the
film stands on its own. It does not need the extra features to make
it worth running out and getting the disc.
