The Life Apart | Italian Film Festival 2025

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https://italianfilmfestival.com.au/films/iff25-the-life-apart

Date Reviewed: 09/09/2025

            'A Life Apart' (La Vita Addanto) is an Italian film (subtitled in English), directed by Marco Tullio Giodana, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Marco Bellochio and Gloria Malatesta. It is based on the acclaimed novel by Mariapia Veladiano, winner of the Calvino Prize.

            The drama is set in Vicenza, within classical settings, and tells the story of Rebecca, born with a prominent purple birthmark covering half her face. Although eagerly anticipated, the birth sets into motion emotional anguish and turmoil in the form of rejection and family secrets. 

            Throughout, Maria her mother struggles with her daughter’s physical disfigurement and the bitter past it rekindles. She is a tormented soul, and one cannot help but feel that something much more than her daughter's disfigurement is driving the torment she seems unable to escape.

            It is Erminia, Rebecca's aunt, a renowned concert pianist, who realises the exceptional musical talent Rebecca possesses; a talent which offers her the opportunity to escape the seemingly hopeless situation of her disfigurement. 

            The film features the original and at times haunting music of acclaimed composer Dario Marianelli.

            It stars Valentina Belle in the role of Maria, Sonia Bergamasco as Erminia, Beatrice Barison as Rebecca (adult), and Paolo Pierobon as Osvaldo, Maria's husband. 

            I was impressed by Roberto Forza's cinematography and Francesa Calvelli and Claudio Misantoni's editing, which capture the deep emotion and mystery embedded within the plot. As such, the storytelling is not dependent solely on the dialogue but is confidently carried by the images and symbols that are presented.

            As a whole, the film is a deeply emotional story that explores the concepts of identity, beauty, and the impact of hidden secrets on the lives of those involved.

            For one that runs just short of two hours, there is much to keep you interested and keen to learn more. 

            As you quickly discover, this is not just one story but several complicated tales that intertwine and weave their way toward an ultimate conclusion. What initially seems straightforward as a plot evolves into so much more. 

            The story, which began with the birth of Rebecca, progresses, as if in chapters, over the next seventeen years through her growth and development and ultimate realisation of the forces that have shaped her life.

            Overall, this is a film worth catching. As with all good stories or films, it allows the audience to leave their world behind for the moment and enter into the lives and experiences of those on the screen; as they, like us all, seek to find resolution to life's challenges and continue on their way forward.  

Reviewed by Vincent Brincat