The Lord of the Ants

2022

2h 10m

Drama

Biography

History

List

70%

Tomatometer

10 Reviews

Based on Italy’s late 60es true events, Italian poet, playwright and director Aldo Braibanti is prosecuted and sentenced to prison for the love he shares with his barely of age pupil and friend, Ettore. Amidst a chorus of voices of accusers, supporters and a largely hypocritical public, a single committed journalist takes on the task of piecing together the truth, between secrecy and desire, facing suspicion and censorship in the process.

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Jude Dry

indieWire

Post-Berlusconi Italy has miles to go before dealing with its homophobic past and “Lord of the Ants” may mark an important historical reckoning.

Rated: B-

Sep 10, 2022

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David Rooney

Hollywood Reporter

A quietly stirring portrait of institutional intolerance.

Sep 7, 2022

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Guy Lodge

Variety

As much as one wishes for Amelio to tell his story with a little more nerve and raw candor... “Lord of the Ants” is stirring and plangent when it needs to be.

Sep 6, 2022

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Roger Salvans

Fotogramas

Gianni Amelio's latest film is articulated from the pain and dignity that vindicates memory to face times that, rather than moving forward, seem to regress. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 4/5

Jul 18, 2023

Full Review

Brandon Judell

Brandon Judell (Medium)

A hard-hitting look at Fascism’s attacks on Queerdom. With a first-rate script that refuses to depict the poet as totally sympathetic, plus a solid cast & picturesque scenery, here’s an offering that in earlier decades would have been an art-house smash.

Rated: 8/10

Jun 9, 2023

Full Review

Frank J. Avella

Edge Media Network

This highly ambitious historical endeavor, like Austria's "Great Freedom" last year, shows just how malevolent a society and government could behave towards same-sex love.

Rated: B+

Apr 18, 2023

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Andrea C

Estremamente elegante, coraggioso e di una qualità sopraffina. Lo Cascio è un protagonista semplicemente meraviglioso ma la prestazione di Leonardo Maltese è una scoperta incredibile. L'immensa qualità del film sta nel fatto che le brillanti interpretazioni non sono fini a se stesse ma sono ottimamente integrate con la trama del film. Manca forse il picco che vada a sublimare un racconto emozionante ed intimo, ma forse è proprio la scelta del regista quella di non renderlo epico e di non discostarsi dalla quotidianità esattamente come il suo protagonista si ostina a farlo davanti alla sua giuria. Finale dolce, ancora più elegante del resto del film e triste, estremamente triste. Un grande plauso al regista Gianni Amelio.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/05/23

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Gianni Amelio

Director

Luigi Lo Cascio

Aldo Braibanti

Elio Germano

Ennio Scribani

Sara Serraiocco

Graziella

Leonardo Maltese

Ettore Tagliaferri

Davide Vecchi

Riccardo Tagliaferri

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Synopsis

Based on Italy’s late 60es true events, Italian poet, playwright and director Aldo Braibanti is prosecuted and sentenced to prison for the love he shares with his barely of age pupil and friend, Ettore. Amidst a chorus of voices of accusers, supporters and a largely hypocritical public, a single committed journalist takes on the task of piecing together the truth, between secrecy and desire, facing suspicion and censorship in the process.

Director: Gianni Amelio
Screenwriter: Federico Fava, Edoardo Petti
Production Co: RAI Cinema, Kavac Film, Tenderstories, IBC Movie
Genre: Drama, Biography, History
Original Language: Italian
Runtime: 2h 10m