Read the review and watch the trailer of an Italian film available on Raiplay, a deeply human story about relationships, dreams and expectations.
A father’s dreams, a son’s ambitions. There is so much humanity in the film to see on Raiplay “Lift your head up”, a film released in 2009 directed by Alessandro Angelini (“The clan of the Camorra”, “Everything can happen”, “The ghosts of Portopalo”).
Produced by the production company Bianca Filmin collaboration with Rai Cinemaand distributed by 01 Distributionthe film received an award nomination in 2010 Donatello’s David for best supporting actress and two ai Silver Ribbons for best subject and best leading actor.
“Raise your head” can also count on a cast made up of many good actors. Starting with Sergio Castellitto in the role of Antonio Mero, a single father and port operator with a passion for boxing which he passes on to his teenage son, Lorenzo, played by Gabriele Campanelli.
The presence of Anita Kravos (“Love, lies & soccer”, “Italians”, “The great beauty”), Duccio Camerini (“To Rome with Love”, “Loro”, “Esterno notte”), Giorgio Colangeli (“The family friend”, “The dinner”, “The star”) And Nello Mascia adds depth, richness and variety to the cast.
The one available on Raiplay it’s not simply a film about boxing, it’s rather a deeply human story about relationships, dreams and expectations. Angelini’s direction excels in conveying the physicality of sport, using boxing as a metaphor for the characters’ personal and interpersonal struggle.
The plot of “Raise your head” focuses on the relationship between Antonio and Lorenzo, with the former projecting his unfulfilled dreams of success in the world of boxing onto his son. Antonio Mero manages Lorenzo’s boxing career with dedication and iron discipline, pushing the boy beyond his physical and emotional limits.
Antonio’s desire to see Lorenzo succeed where he failed creates growing tension between the two, testing the bond between father and son. The narrative is enriched by secondary characters who offer alternative perspectives on the life and choices of the protagonists.
The performance of Sergio Castellitto is extraordinary: the actor manages to convey a complex range of emotions, from pride and determination to desperation and doubt.
The young Gabriele Campanelli, in the role of Lorenzo, offers a remarkable performance for intensity and credibility, holding his own against Castellitto in key scenes that require a strong emotional charge. The dynamic between the two is the beating heart of the film, and their relationship evolves in a credible and moving way, culminating in an ending that leaves the viewer with open spaces for reflection.
The film available on Raiplay it distances itself from the traditional sports genre, avoiding clichés and easy sentimentality. Instead, it presents a careful and sensitive analysis of its characters, exploring themes of parental responsibility, aspiration and sacrifice through a realistic and nuanced lens.
The screenplay, written by Angelini together with Angelo Carbone Francesca Marciano, skilfully intertwines these thematic threads. The result? a balance between the action in the ring and the emotional challenges outside of it.
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