Le Pupille Story:-
Le Pupille is a captivating Italian-language short film that immerses viewers in the world of a Christian boarding school and its strict orthodox customs. Written and directed by Alice Rohrwacher, and produced by Academy Award-winning filmmakers Alfonso Cuarón, Carlo Cresto-Dina, and Gabriela Rodriguez, the film boasts a runtime of thirty-nine minutes.
Movie Ratings
Release Date | 16 December 2022 |
Language | English |
Genre | Comedy, Kids & Family |
Duration | 37min |
Cast | Alba Rohrwacher, Melissa Falasconi, Greta Zuccheri Montanari, Carmen Pommella, Lady Maru, Luciano Vergaro, Carlo Tarmati, Valeria Bruni Tedeschi |
Director | Alice Rohrwacher |
Writer | Alice Rohrwacher |
Cinematography | Hélène Louvart |
Music | Cleaning Women |
Producer | Carlo Cresto-Dina, Alfonso Cuarón, Gabriela Rodriguez |
Production | Tempesta, Esperanto Filmoj |
Certificate | 13+ |
The ensemble cast includes Alba Rohrwacher, Melissa Falasconi, Greta Zuccheri Montanari, Carmen Pommella, Lady Maru, Luciano Vergaro, Carlo Tarmati, and Valeria Bruni Tedeschi. Notably, Hélène Louvart serves as the cinematographer, while Carlotta Cristiani oversees the editing.
The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a Christian orphanage during wartime, where rebellious orphan girls navigate the institution’s strict rules and regulations. From the outset, the film explores themes of freedom and routine, highlighting the challenges of conformity within the school’s orthodox environment.
The daily routine of the orphanage girls involves strict adherence to schedules, including waking up on time, making beds, and listening to war commentary in stoic silence. They are constantly reminded of the virtues of heaven and hell, with heaven depicted as a place of fire and extreme temperatures, designed to deter them from worldly temptations.
However, the plot takes an unexpected turn when one of the girls inadvertently changes the radio channel, disrupting the monotony of the group and sparking a spontaneous outburst of dance and emotion. Another memorable scene occurs during preparations for Christmas carols, where a visitor’s extravagant cake, made with 70 eggs during wartime, causes chaos among the nuns tasked with maintaining order.
These moments serve as poignant commentary on the restrictive nature of orthodox customs and the absurdity of their enforcement. The film cleverly infuses humor into its narrative, particularly evident in scenes where the girls are made to clean their tongues after singing along to a radio song, juxtaposing hilarity with the underlying themes of orthodoxy.
In conclusion, Le Pupille is a delightful and thought-provoking short film that elicits a range of emotions from its audience. With its blend of humor, wit, and social commentary, it offers a compelling exploration of freedom and conformity within the confines of an orthodox institution. Viewers can experience the film on Disney Plus Hotstar and are encouraged to share their thoughts in the comment section below.