Notturno

Gianfranco Rosi's "Notturno" (2020) presents itself as a visually striking, yet thematically fragmented documentary that attempts to capture the raw essence of life in the Middle East's war-torn regions. While the film's ambition is admirable, it suffers from several significant flaws that detract from its potential impact.

Firstly, the film's length is a major drawback. At over two hours, "Notturno" feels unnecessarily prolonged, with many scenes stretching beyond their welcome. This extended runtime exacerbates the film's lack of a clear narrative thread. Without a discernible red line connecting the various vignettes, the audience is left to navigate a series of disjointed moments that lack coherence. This absence of a central narrative theme makes the film feel more like a loosely connected collage than a cohesive documentary.

The decision to forgo a musical score further hinders the film. While the absence of music might be intended to emphasize the starkness of the realities depicted, it instead leaves the film feeling monotonous and emotionally flat. Music could have provided a much-needed emotional anchor or rhythm to the film, guiding the viewer through its otherwise repetitive and rhythmically inert sequences.

Speaking of repetition, "Notturno" suffers from a noticeable lack of variation in its shots and scenes. The visual compositions, while often beautiful, become redundant over time. The consistent use of similar framing and pacing contributes to a sense of stagnation, making the film's already slow pace feel even more sluggish.

Moreover, the editing choices leave much to be desired. The film's montage lacks rhythm, and the pacing feels uneven, contributing to a viewing experience that drags rather than engages. The slow, deliberate pacing might be meant to evoke a sense of contemplation, but instead, it often feels ponderous, testing the audience's patience.

Finally, "Notturno" provides little to no context for the scenes it presents. While Rosi's observational style aims to let the images speak for themselves, the lack of explanatory background leaves the viewer grasping for meaning. The film assumes a level of prior knowledge about the region and its conflicts that not all viewers may possess, making it difficult to fully grasp the significance of what is being shown.

In conclusion, while "Notturno" is visually impressive and undoubtedly captures powerful moments, it is weighed down by its excessive length, lack of narrative cohesion, repetitive visuals, and absence of musical or rhythmic structure. The film's minimal context further alienates viewers, leaving them to wade through a disjointed and often tiresome portrayal of life in a conflict zone. Gianfranco Rosi's ambitious vision ultimately falls short, resulting in a documentary that, while occasionally poignant, fails to fully engage or enlighten.