MARCO FERRERI

Bil’s rating (out of 5):   BBB.5

Original title:  Storia Di Piera

Italy/France/West Germany, 1983.  Faso Film, Sara Films, Ascot Film.  Story and Screenplay by Marco Ferreri, Piera Degli Esposti, Dacia Maraini, based on the book by Piera Degli Esposti, Dacia Maraini.  Cinematography by Ennio Guarnieri.  Produced by Erwin C. Dietrich, Achille Manzotti.  Music by Philippe Sarde.  Production Design by Lorenzo Baraldi, Luciana Levi.  Costume Design by Nicoletta Ercole.  Film Editing by Ruggero Mastroianni.  

Isabelle Huppert plays Piera, a young woman who grows up under the parentage of two extremely original overseers: both her mother (Hanna Schygulla) and father (Marcello Mastroianni) have incestuous relations with her before they are committed to insane asylums.  Based on a semi-autobiographical synopsis by actress Piera Degli Esposti, the film focuses mainly on Piera’s viewpoint of her mother as she watches her navigate the world with both her charismatic charm and her damaged sense of sexual freedom. Oddly enough, the film features postcard-pretty images that recall innocent memories, but, of course, they’re just dressed that way. Huppert has the thankless, mild role here, while Schygulla shines as the fiery matriarch whose indulgence of passion leads her straight to the loony bin.

Cannes Film Festival Award:  Best Actress (Hanna Schygulla)