No. 71 (2023) THE EIGHT MOUNTAINS (LE OTTO MONTAGNE) Palace Italian FF. Oct. 7th.

 

Film No. 71  (2023)  October 7th.  1:10 PM  LUNA LEEDERVILLE,  Cine 5, Leederville.

 

"I didn't expect to find a friend like Bruno in my life. Nor that friendship was a place where you put down roots." (Pietro narrates the opening words to this epic tale, depicting a friendship that shapes his life).

WINNER: (Felix Van Groeninger, Charlotte Vandermeersch)  : Jury Prize; Cannes FF (2022). WINNER: Best Film; Donatello FF.

 

To listen to co director Charlotte Vandermeesch talk of the journey it took to get the best selling novel by Poalo Cognetti to the screen is to hear about an odyssey which parallels this epic story of friendship, family and life itself. Actor Vandermeesch and her partner, director Felix Van Groeningen co created MONTAGNE (The Eight Mountains) on the Italian Alps, bordering France, in 8 months. They had to overcome challenges of isolation, weather, and resource issues, by the hour. But you need to see this quite wonderous film to appreciate how difficult the shoot must have been. 

From the first narration, we are in the hands of Pietro who is reflecting on how blessed he was to have had a friend in Bruno. This is not a docudrama about well known people, it's the story of two boys who meet as young lads, then grow into men. Over the next three decades, their friendship shapes who they are, and who they become. All of this is set, in the main, in surroundings so harsh and breath-taking (seasonal) that the substance of the friendship matches the alpine beauty. 

So often a film cannot match the power of a novel. The descriptions of relationships, sweeping landscapes and emotional healing, told over time, through the written word, has greater aesthetic depth. Here, however, the magic of scenes of silent contemplation, along with a thoughtful musical backing, means THE EIGHT MOUNTAINS gathers that real depth. The country/folk soundtrack  has a real relevance to the images. The scenes on the side of the mountain, as the two build their cabin (a symbol of their lasting bond), will be the lasting image you take away. We all have friends we cherish for the strengths we share. It's likely the reason THE EIGHT MOUNTAINS has struck a chord with so many. 11GUMS.