Santa Maradona

Set in Turin, Santa Maradona chronicles the adventures of 27-year-old Andrea, educated but unemployed, without a girlfriend or real sense of purpose in life.

Director: Marco Ponti
Cast: Stefano Accorsi, Libero De Rienzo, Anita Caprioli, Mandala Tayde
Italy/colour/2001/96 mins

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Set in Turin, Santa Maradona chronicles the adventures of 27-year-old Andrea (the ubiquitous Stefano Accorsi), educated but unemployed, without a girlfriend or real sense of purpose in life.

His time is spent on an endless series of fruitless job interviews and socializing with two very close friends: Bart (pitch-perfect Libero De Rienzo), his lazy, loquacious and loyal roommate, and Lucia (Mandala Tayde), an Italo-Indian with an unpredictable love life.

When a chance meeting introduces Andrea to the beautiful and elusive actress Dolores (Anita Caprioli), he embarks on a love affair as a turning point to a brighter future. Though at times it's got charm to burn and its two leading men give performances of substance and integrity, Santa Maradona does not succeed as a compelling film due to a misplaced narrative focus.

It's true that the heart of this story and indeed the most compelling moments are shared between Andrea and Bart. They create a portrait of a bonded male friendship that is at once playful and intelligent, juvenile and mature, combative and respectful.

When they are on the screen together in their bachelor pad, playing handball, debating women or butting heads over the directions of their lives, their chemistry is electric; funny and with a nice sense of lived-in familiarity.

Awards:
David Di Donatello Award for Best first time director, 2002
Mar Del Plata FIPRESCI Best Film 2002