Notturno

Notturno is an Italian documentary film directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Gianfranco Rosi. Released in 2020, Notturno is a haunting portrayal of life and survival in the in-between regions of the Middle East that have been ravaged by war, oppression, and conflict.

The movie encompasses a span of three years of shooting in a territory that borders Iraq, Kurdistan, Syria, and Lebanon. Rosi's attention to detail as a documentarian is evident as he captures the deeply poignant everyday experiences of people living on the fringes of war-struck regions, juxtaposed with stark scenes of the landscapes they inhabit.

In his signature minimalist style, Rosi delivers a deeply affecting narrative through the film. There is no voice-over nor any talking-head interviews, no statistics or facts, or even any keen context or explanation. The film unfolds entirely through intimate vignettes that offer a window into the lives of the people of these tumultuous regions. One notable trait of Notturno is its refreshing lack of exoticization or objectification of its subjects. Indeed, the dignity and resilience of those photographed are treated with the utmost respect and empathy.

Notturno paints a deeply human canvas of life amidst turmoil. From mothers clinging to the memories of their lost children, hunters in the midnight marshes, patients in a mental health institution reciting a play about the threats they face, to military cadets in vigorous training, it is a tableau of resilience and tenacity. It powerfully captures the unsettling and melancholic beauty of these crumbling ‘non-places’, and the struggle for normality in a land persistently scarred by war.

At a technical level, Notturno stands out for its mesmerizing cinematography. Rosi is keenly attuned to the contrast between the grim realities lived by the human subjects of his movie, and the eerie beauty of their physical surroundings. The film operates in the realm of visual poetry, portraying the raw realities and emotions of its character through vivid visuals and flawless camera work.

As the title ‘Notturno’ (which translates to nocturnal) suggests, a fair part of the film is devoted to the night – the hunting, the waiting, the conversations, and the lurking fear. In his film, Rosi uses darkness as both an aesthetic choice and a metaphor for the lingering uncertainties and fears. These scenes are often vivid and atmospheric, featuring hauntingly beautiful nightscapes, which contrast with the stark, harsh realities of the day.

Another strong aspect of Notturno is its soundtrack. Rosi employs the use of ambient sound often devoid of music. The everyday sounds only amplify the atmospheric tension, putting audiences at the heart of the unfolding reality.

Notturno professes no easy answers, no prescriptions, and no complete narratives. But what it does present is an emotionally charged picture of a war-torn world that's usually overlooked. The aim, as Rosi explained, was not to make a film about war, but rather to make a film of what's left behind, of the scars that war leaves on human beings, whether they be physical or emotional. The result is a visceral film that, without resorting to brutal war imagery, captures the human toll of conflict.

While the film doesn’t follow a conventional narrative arc, the images speak for themselves. You are left with a series of indelible images - a woman cradling her child, a group of soldiers marching into the night, a mental asylum patient acting out an imagined war scenario, young children in a classroom drawing their terrifying experiences - making Notturno an intensely emotional viewing experience that lingers in the mind long after you've left the cinema.

In conclusion, Notturno serves as a raw, close-up portrayal of humans surviving in conflict zones. It is a significant work of art that goes beyond the usual war reportage, entering into the realm of the poetic and the human. As with all works of art, it demands time, patience, and a willingness from the viewer to see and understand the human costs of war and violence. For those interested in socially relevant movies and films devoted to thought-provoking themes, Notturno truly stands out.