Manodopera

This little stop-motion film is fantastic. I loved the way where the reality of the little clay figures and their author interact, I loved how the tone is always measured, never shrill or pathetic, and how the story is simple and relatable, even if you are not an Italian or an immigrant.

I wish that I could conjure my grandmother how the author does, and portray my own family past in the same vivid way. I am surprised that this film, at the moment of writing, has only a rating of 7.2. This is a mini masterpiece, full of creativity and emotion.

There is a little mystery around the runtime: I saw it today at the Italian Film Festival in London, and it was definitely shorter than the advertised run of 1h 20m. Some themes, like the titular one of anti-Italian racism, are very underdeveloped, barely touched at all. I wonder if it has been re-edited after release.

Nevermind, go and see it, it's a delight.