Synopsis:
FACING WINDOWS is a haunting, romantic story of love, history, memory, and politics from director Ferzan Ozpetek, the Instanbul-born Italian transplant whose gay-themed films STEAM: THE TURKISH...
FACING WINDOWS is a haunting, romantic story of love, history, memory, and politics from director Ferzan Ozpetek, the Instanbul-born Italian transplant whose gay-themed films STEAM: THE TURKISH BATH and LE FATE IGNORANTI earned him a large degree of cult status and notoriety. He breaks into slightly more mainstream material with this drama that centers around Giovanna, a young housewife who at 29 has found herself stuck in an unhappy marriage and a job she despises. Her marriage to Filippo (Filippo Nigro), a respectable working-class auto mechanic who has been forced to make do with pumping gas for a living, has crumbled into one long argument, and she has been forced to set aside her dreams of being a pastry chef to keep accounts for a chicken packaging factory. Giovanna's hopes for a better life crystallize in her growing obsession with the handsome bachelor whose window faces hers, and whose bedroom activities she takes to spying on; unbeknownst to her, however, Lorenzo is looking back, watching Giovanna and entertaining fantasies of his own. When Filippo takes in a confused old man he meets in the streets (longtime veteran of world cinema Massimo Girotti), Giovanna is a reluctant caretaker until the truth about his past, as well as his talent as a baker, begins to emerge. The infirm old man becomes the catalyst for the two voyeurs to meet as they piece together the mystery of the octogenarian's true identity suggested by his concentration camp tattoo, his constant repetition of the name "Simone," and his frequent confusing of past with present.
Ozpetek has woven together a tale of tragedy and love out of lush, beautiful photography and stunning performances delivered by all his actors; the wisdom that is couched in Girotti's subtle, restrained performance is truly remarkable. In the vein of Hitcock's REAR WINDOW, this complex film works on many levels and is layered with insightful touches throughout, which keeps the somewhat soap-operatic storyline from becoming excessive. FACING WINDOWS swept the David di Donatello awards, the Italian equivalent of the Oscars, and won "Best Film at the 2004 Seattle International Film Festival.
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