School is Over
(la scuola รจ finita)
When chronically bored student Alex (Fulvio Forti) takes a drug induced free fall from the fifth floor of his high school and survives without a scratch, he becomes an idol among his peers.
Alex also piques the interest of two of his teachers, Daria (the luminous Valeria Golino) and Aldo (Vincenzo Amato), who were once married but are now divorced and continue their bickering through the school halls. Both teachers see a second chance in Alex and they take him on as a project.
Shot in a gritty, realistic style with naturalistic performances School is Over is at the other end of the school bus from uplifting student/teacher flicks such as Dead Poets Society. Here, the students are uninterested and the teachers have little control in their classes. This is a moving film about people desperate for meaning in their lives and some measure of success.
Writer-director Valerio Jalongo's documentary background is clearly evident throughout, and he has extracted layered performances from impressive newcomer Forti, Amato and the always outstanding Golino.
Feature film will screen with English subtitles
Sessions
"Refreshing (and) well-acted...an emotional pace that maintains sympathy for all three characters."
THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
Rome Film Festival 2010
In Competition
Director:
Valerio Jalongo, 2010 | 85'
Cast:
Valeria Golino, Vincenzo Amato, Fulvio Forti, Antonella Ponziani.
Website:
www.lascuolaefinita.it