No…we didn’t experience one (I don’t think…).
Miracle in Milan is a film by Vittoria de Sica – you have probably heard of The Bicycle Thief – one of the most famous expressions of Italian post-war Neo-Realism.
About a month before our trip, a Twitter acquaintance wrote about seeing it. He graciously offered to send me a DVD copy made from an old VHS tape – because, unfortunately, there’s no DVD version for Region 1 (that’s us).
(It was – not surprisingly – featured right at the entrance of the Society of St. Paul bookstore that’s behind the Duomo.)
I meant to watch it before our trip, but didn’t, and I think I’m glad. I finally got to it this past weekend, and my enjoyment of it was enhanced by having been to Milan.
Not that most of the action takes place in the middle of the city – not at all. Most of it occurs in the outskirts (of the time – 1951) – where those displaced by war have settled in shantytowns. Miracle in Milan is a fable. An old woman finds a baby in a cabbage patch, raises him for a few years, then dies. He’s sent to an orphanage where he lives until adulthood. After he leaves the orphanage, he ends up in that shantytown and emerges as a cherub-faced, cheerful leader. There’s conflict involving those who would purchase the land on which the poor and displaced have created community, and a quite astonishing climax at the Duomo which is, in its own way, eschatological. Really.
Not the final scene – but one of the most arresting scenes in the film:
Toward a Kingdom where “Good morning!” really means Good Morning.
An interview with de Sica about the film.
I was introduced to this movie by the same guy — I came out very enthusiastic. I hope a DVD becomes available I’d love to show this off to more friends. Or maybe V will let me make a DVD off the tape.
Looks like a wonderful film. I hope it *is* issued in a format for Region 1.