It is an Italian drama film . (Italian : I fidanzati ). Written & directed by Ermanno Olmi. Starring Carlo Cabrini, Anna Canzi.
It tells the story of a young Milanese worker , Giovanni ,who moves to Sicily for a job, leaving behind his long time fiancee, Liliana.
He works as a welder in a Milanese factory. His superiors offer him a job in their dependence in Sicily with the prospect of a promotion. He accepts the offer to the resentment of his long time fiancee , Liliana. As he is getting accustomed to his new surroundings, he remembers both moments of estrangement from & mutual happiness with her.
He starts exchanging increasingly candid & emotional letters to her. She observes that their physical distance has re-awakened the love in their habitual relationship.
The film was shown in competition at the 1963 Cannes Film Festival. It has 1963 OCIC award at the Cannes Film festival.
It was screened as part of retrospectives at the Berlin International Film festival in 2002, at the Harward Film Archive in 2015 & repeatedly at the Cinematheque francaise.
Piero Bianchi titles it as ‘a subtle elegy, a work in a minor but accurate & profound tone’. He also commended Olmi’s choice of the main actors. In 1964, Bosley Crowther of The New York Times certified Olmi’s ‘remarkable ability to make images speak’ & The Fiances a ‘profound agitation of mood’.
Today the subject remains relatable. So is the dilemma.
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