Further dabbles in the Italian Film Festival: CATHERINE BISLEY on a broken family melodrama.

“FOOTBALL is for dickheads… Swimming is a noble sport” is one of the many great lines in Along the Ridge (Anche libero va bene). The directorial debut of prominent Italian actor Kim Rossi Stewart, this film examines the interrupted world of children; its emotional disquiet is palpable yet the film is also entertaining and charming.

Thomas, an eleven-year-old who hides his cow tongue dinner and climbs perilously on high city rooves, must navigate precarious emotional terrain. His mother Stefania periodically abandons the family. Leaving and returning, Stefania throws the lives of Thomas, Viola (his sister) and Renato (his father) in and out of chaos. The kids must deal with feelings of abandonment and loneliness as well as Renato’s increasingly erratic behaviour.

Thomas is played by Alessandro Morace. His sweet yet vulnerable presence provides a powerful central tone for the film. Thomas’s isolation is reflected in the many hours he spends submerged at the pool, his father urging him on through the glass wall.

As well as directing, Rossi Stewart plays the unpredictable Renato: he is demanding and harsh one moment, then endearingly quixotic the next. With the exception of Viola, whose hyperactivity was distracting (and who on the whole seemed pretty superfluous), the writing provides multi-faceted characters: their context is sharply drawn; you can see their positive attributes as well as their flaws. I found myself drawn close to the characters. Thus the film’s emotional punch was strong.

In one harrowing scene Renato rants about Stefania’s loose ways in front of Thomas: “A girl whose pussy is always itchy for more. It’s absurd.” Renato selfishly adds, “I’m telling you this cause by and by you will understand.” In many ways Thomas is more capable and mature than his father. In a moving moment of what could be, Thomas goes fishing with the father of a friend.

While the film’s pacing could have been better (some sequences came to abrupt ends, while others lingered too long), the sterling performances credit Rossi Stewart’s ability to direct actors. A great soundtrack (mainly electronic) is complemented by a solid visual style. It’s a film to see.

Along the Ridge screens at the 12th Cathay Pacific Italian Film Festival nationwide.