New film opens Rome Film Fest
Paolo Genovese's The Sound of Something New has been chosen as the opening film for the 21st Rome Film Fest. The film is based on Genovese's own novel and delves into the theme of hidden truths in relationships, following three couples who live in deception to maintain their comfort.Themes of secrecy and confinement
Each character in the film hides something from someone else, such as a second job, an uncertain pregnancy, illegal activity, or a secretly taken contraceptive pill. The story shows how these deceptions, meant to preserve stability, eventually become restrictive and isolating.Visual style enhances tension
Cinematographer Fabrizio Lucci contributes to the film's claustrophobic atmosphere through out-of-focus shots and framing that isolates characters from their surroundings. Flashbacks are presented in a disquieting manner, emphasizing the past as a place of buried truths rather than resolution.Alba's complex portrayal stands out
Emanuela Fanelli's character, Alba, is the film's most compelling element. In a relationship marked by domestic violence, Alba faces psychological abuse that challenges her sense of self. Fanelli's performance captures both tenderness and inner strength, avoiding a simplistic portrayal of victimhood.Other characters lack the same depth
Other characters, such as Viola, played by Claudia Pandolfi, and the couple Andrea and Andreina, are less incisively portrayed. Their stories involve lies and unspoken desires but do not achieve the same level of emotional depth as Alba's. Another character, played by Claudio Santamaria, represents a different kind of isolation due to personal pain.Narrative structure feels familiar
While Genovese's exploration of relationship fractures is compelling, the film's ensemble structure—where seemingly separate lives are meant to intersect—feels overused. This approach sometimes lacks genuine surprise or emotional engagement, leaving the audience with a sense of déjà vu rather than deep connection.
