20 Cigarettes

20 Cigarettes is an Italian war film directed by Aureliano Amadei, starring Vinicio Marchioni, Carolina Crescentini, and Giorgio Colangeli. This hard-hitting and emotionally intense film was released in 2010, earning rave reviews and substantial acclaim for its unique narrative thrust and a gritty realism that managed to earn it the considerable accolade of Best New Director at the Venice Film Festival in 2010.

Based on true events, 20 Cigarettes is inspired by the life of the very director who helms it, Aureliano Amadei, bestowing the film with an autobiographical flavour. We follow the journey of an apolitical anarchist Aureliano (Vinicio Marchioni), an underachiever, and a wannabe film director who, in 2003, gets invited to Iraq by his friend, Stefano Rolla to work on a film project. Reluctant and fearful, initially, Aureliano eventually complies when he learns that the trip is partially sponsored, and he could smoke endless cigarettes without worrying about the cost.

Upon reaching Baghdad, Aureliano experiences a completely different world from his life in Rome. He's set up in the luxurious yet heavily fortified 'Italian Building,' a place housing most of the Italian and European Union officials working in the city. Despite the new surroundings, Aureliano sticks to his goal of smoking and lazing around, trying to stretch his cigarettes and time while figuring out his plans as a novice yet potential director, supervised by a professional team.

However, his fantasies are broken when a terrorist attack turn his world upside down. Amidst the chaos and catastrophe, Aureliano becomes the sole survivor of the unfortunate attack on the Italian compound in Nasiriyah by the terrorist organization, Al-Qaeda. The film then navigates him fighting for life, surviving 20 collapsed lungs, and the emotional trauma that follows.

Vinicio Marchioni, as Aureliano, provides a heart-wrenching performance, packing a powerful punch with a believable portrayal of a survivor grappling with guilt, trauma, confusion, and loss. His journey from being an apolitical individual to experiencing an event that redefines his perspective on patriotism, individualism, and loss, is a compelling watch.

Carolina Crescentini plays his romantic interest, adding a layer of emotional complexity to the otherwise war-dominated narrative. Being his anchor point back in Rome, their love story is also infected by the ripple effects of this attack, adding to their relationship's strain and making the storyline more gripping.

Giorgio Colangeli adds the political perspective to the plot. His portrayal of a high-ranking official with his ambitions and principles offers a stark contrast to Aureliano's laid-back character, stirring tension and interesting dynamics within the narrative.

20 Cigarettes stands out with its artful blend of intense drama, romance, personal struggle, political intrigue, and the devastated backdrop of war. It is not merely a survival film but offers a cogent commentary on war, patriotism, and personal ideology. The film is quite a reflection on the toll war takes on those who fight it, those who survive it, and those who stand by, helpless and horrified.

Through Amadei’s direction, the film offers an intimate insight into the world of conflict journalism, exposing its harsh realities, the rules of engagement, and the human cost attached to the profession. His storytelling powerfully questions the notion of freedom, the concept of war, and its impact on human lives. These aspects are further enhanced by the film’s aesthetic cinematography, capturing the violence of conflict, the beauty of Rome, and the stark contrast between the two.

20 Cigarettes is a visceral, disturbing, and emotionally gripping film that tells a tale of survival, trauma, resilience, and metamorphosis. With its phenomenal performance, compelling directorial vision, and an impactful narrative team, the movie serves riveting cinematic experience that's both thought-provoking and poignant.