Lamerica

1995

Lamerica

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

Lamerica Photos

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Movie Info

An opportunistic Italian swindler heads to Albania and finds himself involved with the life of an impoverished local in this somber political drama. Gino (Enrico Lo Verso) and his partner in crime Fiore (Michele Placido) come to Albania with a money-making scheme designed to capitalize on the surrounding political chaos. For the con to work, however, they need an easily exploitable native Albanian, and they recruit Spiro (Carmelo Di Mazzarelli). Easily confused and utterly impoverished, this elderly former political prisoner seems the perfect choice, until he unexpectedly disappears. Gino is assigned to find him, setting out on a journey that leads him to discover Spiro's tragic personal history and become intimately acquainted with the full extent of Albanian poverty.

Rating:

NR
Genre:

Art House & International, Drama
Directed By:

Gianni Amelio
Written By:

Andrea Porporati, Gianni Amelio, Alessandro Sermoneta
In Theaters:

Oct 4, 1995 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

May 25, 2004
Runtime:

125 minutes
Studio:

Arena Films

Cast

Enrico Lo Verso
as Gino

Michele Placido
as Fiore

Carmelo Di Mazzarelli
as Spiro

Piro Milkani
as Selimi

Elida Janushi
as Selimi's Cousin

Sefer Pema
as Prison Warden

Nikolin Elezi
as Boy Who Dies

Artan Marina
as Ismail

Besim Kurti
as Policeman

Esmerald Ara
as Little Girl

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Critic Reviews for Lamerica

All Critics (11) | Top Critics (2) | DVD (1)

It's built on deceit but evolves into something more complex--a shared yearning that links the Italian past to the Italian present. Amelio's eloquent but unsentimental humanism asks us to reconsider our relationship to the wretched of the earth.

Feb 22, 2018 | Full Review…

David Ansen
Newsweek
Top Critic
The film's intention is to put a human face on a complex situation, and while this is successful, it is the depth of the film's characters that draws the audience's empathy.

Sep 17, 2004 | Full Review…

Leo Goldsmith
Not Coming to a Theater Near You
A mesmerizing film that will soften your heart towards the plight of refugees all over the world.

Feb 28, 2002 | Full Review…

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice
Chocked full of universal messages the director feels impelled to get across.

Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: B- | Full Review…

Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

View All Critic Reviews (11)

Audience Reviews for Lamerica

Oct 18, 2012

This film is incredible, to say the least. From start to finish, the film has an energy that continually draws the audience into the characters and forces them to see their point of view. Phenomenal visuals.

Jason 123 D Super Reviewer
Aug 16, 2012

toccante viaggio per le strade del tempo che ha distrutto la fugace memoria del popolo. Ma, la lontana sperenza non mostra nessun segno de morte.

Pierluigi P Super Reviewer
Apr 20, 2009

There's nothing wrong with it and it's a nice little story, but there's nothing memorable about it. Maybe I just couldn't connect with the subject matter.

Brandon K Super Reviewer