Obsession
Original Title
Ossessione- Director: Luchino Visconti
- Writer: James M. Cain; Luchino Visconti
- Producer: Libero Solaroli
CGiii Comment
The first example of Italian neo-realism...by the Count of Lonate Pozzolo.
Themes of infidelity, promiscuity, homosexuality, murder...poverty and greed...
Considering when this was made, where this was made...during the war, in deeply religious Italy...by a wealthy, gay aristocrat...no wonder the fascists tried to destroy it.
Marlon Brando has been [wrongly] credited with the birth of realism, not everything has to be born in America - the Italians were doing it years before...
The homosexuality is slight but hugely significant in its depiction...as far removed from the 'sissy' of Hollywood...
A massively important film and a remarkable debut from Visconti.
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
Gino, a young and handsome tramp, stops in a small roadside inn run by Giovanna. She is unsatisfied with her older husband Bragana : she only married him for money. Gino and Giovanna fall in love. But Bragana is inhibiting for their passion, and Giovanna refuses to run away with Gino.
Cast & Characters
Clara Calamai as Giovanna Bragana;
Massimo Girotti as Gino Costa;
Dhia Cristiani as Anita;
Elio Marcuzzo as Lo spagnolo;
Vittorio Duse as L'agente di polizia;
Michele Riccardini as Don Remigio;
Juan de Landa as Giuseppe Bragana;
Michele Sakara as Il bambino