TEHRAN- “Three Floors” (“Tre Piani”), a 2021 comedy film by Italian film director Nanni Moretti, was reviewed at the Arasbaran Cultural Center in Tehran on Sunday. 

Film critic Kurosh Jahed attended a screening of the film followed by a review session.

"Three Floors" follows the interconnected lives of three families living in a building in Rome. The film begins with a dramatic scene, where a car crashes into the building's ground floor, injuring a woman and leading to the arrest of the driver, Andrea, the teenage son of judges Dora and Vittorio.

As the story unfolds, we see the struggles of Monica, who is expecting her first child, but feels abandoned by her husband Giorgio's frequent absences. Her visions of a mean black bird hint at a deeper psychological turmoil, similar to her mother's experiences. Meanwhile, Giorgio's reactions to his new role as a father are unenthusiastic and even violent, revealing a deep-seated anger.

The third family we meet is that of Sara and Lucio, who entrust their seven-year-old daughter to the care of their elderly neighbors, Renato and Giovanna. However, when Lucio becomes convinced that Renato has abused their daughter, he lashes out at him without evidence or logic. As the story progresses, the characters' lives continue to intersect in unexpected ways, with new characters entering the scene and old conflicts resurfacing.

The second half of the film accelerates in pace as it jumps forward in time, with the title "Five Years Later" appearing twice. The storylines continue to unfold without much resolution, leaving viewers with a sense of unease and disconnection. Despite its talented cast and intriguing premise, "Three Floors" ultimately feels like a disjointed and aimless exploration of human relationships and emotions.

"Three Floors" stars a talented ensemble cast including Margherita Buy, Riccardo Scamarcio, Alba Rohrwacher, Adriano Giannini, Elena Lietti, Alessandro Sperduti, Denise Tantucci, and Moretti himself.

The film premiered at the 74th Cannes Film Festival on July 11, 2021, where it received a standing ovation of eleven minutes. It also screened as a special presentation at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival.

Nanni Moretti is a renowned Italian film director, screenwriter, and actor. Born in 1953, in Italy, Moretti has established himself as one of the most respected and acclaimed filmmakers of his generation. He is known for his introspective and emotionally charged dramas that often explore themes of identity, relationships, and the human condition. His films often feature complex characters and storylines that are both deeply personal and universally relatable.

He has made a significant impact on the film industry, winning numerous awards for his work, including a Palme d'Or at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival for "The Son's Room" and a Silver Bear at the 1986 Berlin Film Festival for "The Mass is Ended". His films often explore themes of identity, relationships, and the human condition, and have been screened at various international film festivals.

He is an outspoken political leftist and has been involved in protests against the government of Silvio Berlusconi. His films often reflect his views on politics and society, as seen in "Il caimano" (2006), which deals with Berlusconi's controversies.

SAB/