After Freaks Out, the 5 Nuggets of Italian Cinema That You Urgently Need to Catch on Netflix or VOD

Freaks Out takes us to Rome, in 1943. Under Nazi occupation, the Eternal City hosts a circus where Matilde, Sensio, Fulvio, and Mario work as freaks.

Israel, the owner of the circus and the figure of the father of this small family, tries to arrange their escape to America, but he disappears. Deprived of home and protection, in a society where they no longer have a place, the four “tricks” will try to survive in war.

This story between Guillermo del Toro, Albert Dupontelli, and The X-Men was directed by Gabriele Maynett. This Italian filmmaker, a big fan of superhero popular culture, made a name for himself in 2017 with Jeeg Robot, his first feature film.

It is not the only small wonder of transalpine cinema that has not lacked the nuggets released in recent years. To extend the enjoyment provided by Freaks Out, we offer a selection of 5 Italian movies to watch right away!

We called it the JEEG robot

Jigi Robot Is the first film he has directed Gabriele Mainet. It tells the story of Enzo, a little robber. Chased by the police on the streets of Rome, he falls into the waters of the Tiber and comes in contact with a radioactive substance that contaminates him.

He soon realizes that he has supernatural powers: superhuman strength and the ability to regenerate, which he decides to use for his criminal activities. The director managed to make a superhero film without a Hollywood budget, but with great heart and mastery. Nugbar to see absolutely!

Available on DVD and VOD.

The hand of God

The Hand of God, released on Netflix on December 15, takes us to Naples in the 80s. Fabietto Schisa, an evil teenager, lives with his eccentric and colorful family. But his daily life suddenly turns upside down when Diego Maradona, a planetary football legend, arrives in Naples and miraculously saves him from a terrible accident.

This unexpected meeting with the football star will be crucial for the future of the young man. With this feature film, Paolo Sorrentino returns to his hometown to shoot his most personal film, combining fate and family, sports and cinema, love and lost illusions. This film, shot by St. Monster Tony Servilio, is incomparable in beauty, at the same time funny, disturbing and attractive.

Dogman

Directed by Matteo Garone, author of Gomorrah, the action Dogman takes place in an unprotected suburb of Rome. We follow Marcello, a wise dog caregiver who values ​​everyone. He sees his friend Simoncino returning from prison, a former boxer addicted to cocaine, who catches up very quickly and brutally breaks up with a neighbor.

The self-confident Marcello allows himself to be drawn into a criminal spiral, despite her. He then learns about betrayal and abandonment before imagining brutal revenge. Rough and uncompromising, Dogman is a subtle film that manages to capture our guts as it touches our hearts. Marcello Fonte, the 2018 Cannes Best Interpretation Award for his performance, is masterful.

Available on DVD and VOD.

ᲫᲛᲔᲑᲘ ᲫᲛᲔᲑᲘ

Blood Brothers, released in November 2018, introduces us to Manolo and Mirko, inseparable friends. They go to high school and do weird things on the outskirts of Rome. One evening Mirko, by car, struck a pedestrian and forced Manolo to flee. Opportunity for their lives! The man was looking for a mafia clan to hire them. Their criminal careers begin.

Between gangster film and social work, Blood Brothers takes the opposite view of a certain glamorization of the environment, not hesitating to show it in a hyper-realistic form like Matteo Garrone Gomorrah. Not surprisingly, the directorial duo, Damiano and Fabio D’Innenzo, are close to the Italian filmmaker with whom they collaborated on Dogman.

On my skin

Released on Netflix in September 2018, On my skin is still a real nag to see right away! The work, based on a horrific reality event, roughly and painfully tells the story of Stefano Kuchi. Following his arrest, the latter endured ill-treatment by the Italian police and the disturbed judiciary.

With the participation of one of the most talented actors in Italy, Alessandro Borg (Subura), On my skin will amaze you with its sticky atmosphere and its brutal result, based on a novelty that has scandalized the whole country. For his performance the artist was awarded David Di Donatello for Best Actor, the equivalent of our Caesars in the country of Dante.

Pure hearts

As a bonus, a little good feelings with a nice love story in Pure Hearts. Agnes and Stefano live in Rome in two opposing worlds. He is being raised by an 18-year-old believing mother who asks for a vow of chastity before marriage.

He, 25, has grown up between trafficking and occasional theft and wants to be fired from his job as an environmental worker. When they meet, hope for a new life arises. This very beautiful feature film, between romantic comedy and social film, is perfectly interpreted by two young actors, Selen Karamazza and Simon Liberat.

Available on DVD and VOD.