Buio (Darkness)

Film Commission Torino Piemonte

Buio, is Emanuela Rossi’s feature film debut, co-written by herself and Claudio Corbucci respectively. The film follows three girls living in isolation during the aftermath of what their father claims to be a solar apocalypse. Buio, is filled with critiques on feminism, abuse, and liberation. Along with what it is like trying to cope in a fabricated sense of reality that puts heavy emphasis on dated gender roles and ideals. 

 Denise Tantucci’s role as Stella, the eldest of the three daughters, is shown at the forefront of this film. Stella along with her two younger sisters ­— Luce played by Gaia Bocci and Aria played by Olimpia Tosatto — are forced to live in solitude believing that they are one of the only few people left on Earth. Their concerns and emotions are displayed masterfully by the seemingly effortless camera angles and effects that make their circumstances that much more connectable to audience members. 

Valerio Binasco plays the father of these three girls in a bold and gripping performance. His character is the primary source of abuse in their lives; he misleads them about how weak they are and restricts them from ever going outside due to a non-existent apocalypse that he has fabricated. The oppressive behaviour he shows provides a source for liberation towards the end of the plot which Rossi uses as a separate narrative for feminism. This emphasises the message of the strength it takes to become empowered in the face of extreme adversity. 

Rossi persists in depicting the message of her characters through her clever use of scenery. The tense emotions and inner turmoil’s experienced by this dysfunctional apocalyptic family is always represented in every element of this film. Whether that be through riveting dialogue or thematic scenery. Rossi turns the most common settings, both interior and exterior, into one of great complexity and natural ornamentation. 

The dialogue shares similar characteristics, due to there not being much of it during the beginning of the film. This trend even goes to the extent of Aria, the youngest daughter, having one line in the entire film. Buio is an excellent example of less is more, despite the lack of conversation in many scenes, the thoughts and emotions of these characters are deafening.

The structure of this film was also incredibly unique. Frames that depicted illustrations and phrases of what was to come were held for a moment between crucial plot points in order to anticipate later scenes further. These subtle breaks in the film coincided generously with the numerous transition sequences that are all blended naturally. 

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