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The film follows several inhabitants of the Italian town during the end of World War II. Defeat is certain for the Germans, and the front is retreating back to Germany, leaving a path of destruction in their wake. The Germans plan to bomb several buildings in the town, and have told all the villagers to congregate in the town's church. Approximately half of the town decides to stay, and place their trust in the church. The rest of the town dresses in dark clothing, and go out to seek the Americans, who are rumored to be nearby, liberating towns as they come to them.
The film follows several inhabitants of the Italian town during the end of World War II. Defeat is certain for the Germans, and the front is retreating back to Germany, leaving a path of destruction in their wake. The Germans plan to bomb several buildings in the town, and have told all the villagers to congregate in the town's church. Approximately half of the town decides to stay, and place their trust in the church. The rest of the town dresses in dark clothing, and go out to seek the Americans, who are rumored to be nearby, liberating towns as they come to them.

==Criticism==
The film was given a rapturous review by the critic [[Pauline Kael]] in ''[[The New Yorker]]'' : " ''The Night of the Shooting Stars'' is so good it's thrilling. This new film encompasses a vision of the world. Comedy, tragedy, vaudeville, melodrama - they're all here, and inseparable...In its feeling and completeness, ''Shooting Stars'' may be close to the rank of [[Jean Renoir]]'s bafflingly beautiful ''[[Grand Illusion]]''...unreality doesn't seem divorced from experience (as it does with [[Federico Fellini|Fellini]]) - it's experience made more intense...For the Tavianis, as for Cecilia, the search for the American liberators is the time of their lives. For an American audience, the film stirs warm but tormenting memories of a time when we were beloved and were a hopeful people." <ref> [[Pauline Kael]], review reprinted in ''[[Taking It All In]]'', p 446-451 </ref>


==Cast==
==Cast==

Revision as of 23:27, 29 November 2009

The Night of the Shooting Stars
DVD cover
Directed byPaolo Taviani
Vittorio Taviani
Written byPaolo Taviani
Vittorio Taviani
Giuliani G. De Negri
Tonino Guerra
Produced byGiuliani G. De Negri
StarringOmero Antonutti
Margarita Lozano
CinematographyFranco Di Giacomo
Edited byRoberto Perpignani
Music byNicola Piovani
Distributed byUnited Artists Classics (USA)
Release date
September 16 1982
Running time
105 mins.
CountryTemplate:FilmItaly
LanguageItalian

The Night of the Shooting Stars (Italian: La Notte di San Lorenzo, also known as The Night of San Lorenzo) is a 1982 Italian fantasy war drama film directed by Paolo Taviani and Vittorio Taviani. It was entered into the 1982 Cannes Film Festival where it won the Jury Special Grand Prix.[1]

The film follows several inhabitants of the Italian town during the end of World War II. Defeat is certain for the Germans, and the front is retreating back to Germany, leaving a path of destruction in their wake. The Germans plan to bomb several buildings in the town, and have told all the villagers to congregate in the town's church. Approximately half of the town decides to stay, and place their trust in the church. The rest of the town dresses in dark clothing, and go out to seek the Americans, who are rumored to be nearby, liberating towns as they come to them.

Criticism

The film was given a rapturous review by the critic Pauline Kael in The New Yorker : " The Night of the Shooting Stars is so good it's thrilling. This new film encompasses a vision of the world. Comedy, tragedy, vaudeville, melodrama - they're all here, and inseparable...In its feeling and completeness, Shooting Stars may be close to the rank of Jean Renoir's bafflingly beautiful Grand Illusion...unreality doesn't seem divorced from experience (as it does with Fellini) - it's experience made more intense...For the Tavianis, as for Cecilia, the search for the American liberators is the time of their lives. For an American audience, the film stirs warm but tormenting memories of a time when we were beloved and were a hopeful people." [2]

Cast

References

  1. ^ "Festival de Cannes: The Night of the Shooting Stars". festival-cannes.com. Retrieved 2009-06-12.
  2. ^ Pauline Kael, review reprinted in Taking It All In, p 446-451
Awards
Preceded by Grand Prix Spécial du Jury, Cannes
1982
Succeeded by