Review: Il Campione (The Champion)

Posted on 27 September, 2019

“Set in the glossy world of professional, millionaire footballers in Italy, this film wonderfully pairs the talents of versatile veteran Stefano Accorsi with an extraordinary Andrea Carpenzano in this story of friendship, betrayal, and learning who to trust.”

Ciao belle signore! The 2019 Italian Film Festival has started at Palace Electric Cinema (yay, a legitimate excuse for Prosecco) and with a sport film too (boo, I’m already over the Rugby World Cup–not really…love you big bear).

However—hold on to your athletic supporters please–this is a sports film worth your time and the price of a ticket.

I loved it, even relishing the soccer scenes which were almost balletic at times. The gist is that a talented player, plucked from school before he could get his diploma, is getting out of hand.

So the club president tries to discipline him with study–if he does not pass a weekly test, he cannot play football.

I really enjoyed this film, and not just because Carpenzano has cheekbones for days and broods like a post-millennial James Dean. And not just because veteran actor Accorsi plays the tutor we all needed in our lives with gentle grace and delicate humour.

I loved Il Campione because this story transcends borders and backgrounds. It could be kids in a ‘hood, kids in a camp or kids in mansions–we all need that guide, the one who shows us how to make our own decisions.

Excitingly, this is not the only film that promises great things at this festival. There is an Australian/Italian film–Promised—starring Tina Arena and Paul Mecurio, which looks really interesting and a Bernado Bertolucci retrospective that will keep you busy for days.

Italian comedy, gems from past festivals (this year is the 20^th anniversary), new filmmakers, new films, a documentary by Ron Howard on the great Pavarotti and films on every aspect of Italian life all get a screening.

There’s one called Let Me Introduce you to Sofia (Ti Presento Sofia) that includes a scene where a man in a suit walks through a hotel lobby with his girlfriend and daughter in matching in long, white dressing gowns, red frilly bathing caps and sunglasses.

The girl’s stuffed toy is also dressed to match. Now, aren’t you just dying to know what that is about?

The Lavazza Italian Film Festival is screening until 16 October at Palace Electric Cinema, NewActon. 

Roslyn saw this film as a guest of the Lavazza Italian Film Festival.