Days and Clouds

Colour, 35 mm
Italy, Switzerland, 2007, 116 min
Section: Horizons

Synopsis

Michele and Elsa are a well-off, middle aged married couple who live in Genoa. They have raised a daughter together and their life would be the envy of many. The morning after their celebration of Elsa’s defence of her art history thesis, however, she receives shocking news from her husband: two months before he was sacked from the company he once co-owned. Their financial situation is so desperate that they are forced to move out of their beautiful flat. While Michele becomes increasingly dispirited by unavailing attempts to find a new job, his sophisticated wife takes on the role of the breadwinner and starts working as an operator in a telemarketing call centre, and conflicts between the two begin to culminate... The convincing tone of this intelligent and perceptive drama about the uncertainty of social survival in today’s world and the strength of true love is further enhanced by the impressive acting performances. Days and Clouds was nominated for the David di Donatello award in fifteen categories.

About the director

Silvio Soldini (b. 1958, Milan) studied political science and then graduated in film studies from New York University. In 1982 he returned to Milan where he began working as a translator and assistant director. A year later he made his medium-length road movie Landscape with Figures (Paesaggio con figure, 1983). The next year he established the production company Monogatari. He later began dealing with documentary production, beginning with the film Voci celate (1986). His feature-film debut, The Peaceful Air of the West (L’aria serena dell’ovest, 1990) garnered considerable acclaim among audiences. His greatest international success was the comedy Bread and Tulips (Pane e tulipani, 2000), which was awarded the David di Donatello award in nine categories, in addition to prizes at various festivals. The drama Burning in the Wind (Brucio nel vento, 2002) was shown at the Karlovy Vary festival.