However, the post-war reality offers only disappointment. Seeing the same people who flourished under Fascism now comfortably transitioning into the new democratic era, Luca falls into a deep malaise and decides to "let himself die". His salvation comes through two women:
Upon release, the film was a lightning rod for criticism. Detractors labeled it exploitative, focusing heavily on the voyeuristic gaze of the camera. However, proponents of the film argued that Lado captured the confusion of adolescence with an unflinching, almost painful honesty.
However, the post-war reality offers only disappointment. Seeing the same people who flourished under Fascism now comfortably transitioning into the new democratic era, Luca falls into a deep malaise and decides to "let himself die". His salvation comes through two women:
Upon release, the film was a lightning rod for criticism. Detractors labeled it exploitative, focusing heavily on the voyeuristic gaze of the camera. However, proponents of the film argued that Lado captured the confusion of adolescence with an unflinching, almost painful honesty.