Review of Lamerica (1994) by Pierluigi P — 02 Feb 2011

This isnt just a story of we should all get along, its far more intricate. It is a story about historical continuity, colonialism, immigration, Europe vs. east, rich vs. poor, ex-communism. All of these ideas come together into this film.

From when it begins we are given shots of Albania under Mussolinis occupation, then seamlessly brought into the world of 1991, as if nothing has changed. An Albanian guide who comes to greet the new Italian investors gestures to them by making a quasi fascist salute.

The movie transitions quickly from an embezzlement scheme to a movie about human misery and suffering. The two main actors from the film (Enrico Lo Verso and Carmelo Di Mazzarelli) begin with very subtle roles that eventually grew until the climax of the film.

As they travel together across Albania they seem to resemble two distinct worlds brought together in this land trapped in time. One still imagines that he is young soldier in army of Mussolini, the other lives fifty years ahead, both are trying to get back home; yet both live in separate worlds.

The complications of their relationship are built off of this very difference and similarity. The older one is also trapped, experiencing the horrors of war and instability from an inside perspective (as it was occurring in Italy); the other from without.

The impossibility of Talaricos dreams are not what is important, he himself seems to be an unreal figure in that world. What is important are his very dreams, the dreams and fears that represent a generation of Italians themselves By the end of the film, when pride is finally humbled and the situation for Gino has become no different than that of Albanians, we see a final sequence on a boat headed for Italy.

An image reminiscent of the old days of immigration to New York. Who is Italian? Who is Albanian? Everything is confused.