Terraferma

Set on the melancholic and picturesque island of Lampedusa, the Italian film, Terraferma, released in 2011 and directed by Emanuele Crialese, is a timeless tale of hardship, tradition, and change. Starring Filippo Pucillo, Donatella Finocchiaro, and Giuseppe Fiorello, this thought-provoking drama intimately explores the scope of human morality, and captures the socio-political climate surrounding issues of migration and asylum.

Terraferma, which translates to ‘solid ground’, takes the audience into an immersive journey on the Mediterranean, where the azure Italian skies and crystal-clear waters conceal struggles between old ways and new realities. Filippo Pucillo, who plays the young protagonist Filippo, is part of a family of fishermen who have made their livelihood from the sea for generations. Giuseppe Fiorello portrays Ernesto, Filippo’s hot-headed cousin, while Donatella Finocchiaro plays Giulietta, the mother carrying the weight of the family's future.

The narrative of Terraferma revolves around the ethical, political, and personal dilemmas faced by these primary characters, as they grapple with the impact of burgeoning migration in their life. It masterfully juxtaposes the serenity and beauty of the island, with the poignant human tragedy of migrants striving for a better life.

Ernesto, the seasoned fisherman, fiercely holds on to his values, customs, and the code of the sea – which includes aiding those in distress, irrespective of their nationality or status. His young nephew, Filippo, on the other hand, embodies the struggles of a new generation, caught betwixt tradition and modernity. He finds himself drawn towards tourism, which he sees as a more lucrative and stable livelihood, against his family's history and the dwindling fishing industry.

Giulietta, Filippo’s strong-willed mother, is a figure torn between the desire to protect her family’s livelihood and her innate sense of compassion towards the migrants. Roles are reversed as she moves from safeguarding her family's interests to recognizing the plight of the migrants.

The pivotal turn in the narrative of Terraferma arrives as the family rescue a pregnant Ethiopian woman, Sara, and her son, from the sea. Sara’s plight and determination humanize the harrowing face of illegal migration. Despite the law dictating that they should have turned their unexpected guests over to the authorities, the family takes them in. Even though Sara and her son are the extras in the script, their story deeply intertwines with the narrative of the protagonist's life, amplifying the paused reality for the migrants.

This ethical, humanitarian choice creates a conflict that tests the resilience of tradition and poses poignant questions about solidarity and compassion. The dilemma amplifies when the islanders are instructed not to aid illegal immigrants. Whether to observe the traditional laws of hospitality or abide by the rules set by the state becomes the central tension of the film.

Director Emanuele Crialese beautifully deploys classic arthouse imagery, symbolism, and purposeful silences to display the melancholy, fear, and dignity that both the islanders and the migrants embody. The dichotomy of tradition versus state laws, and the search for stability versus palpable danger, are themes that Crialese tantalizingly explores.

Terraferma, awash in Mediterranean light and painted in muted pastel tones, achieves a delicate balance between the grandeur of cinematic aesthetics and the gritty realities of social issues. It offers no easy solutions or resolutions, leaving the audience to grapple with the humanistic questions it poses.

The cinematography of the film deserves a mention too, as it adds a visually stunning layer to the narration. Each shot of the azure sea, under a sultry or tempestuous sky, contrasts starkly with the human drama unfolding on its surface or the firm ground. The sea becomes a character in itself, embodying uncertainty, risk, and life's unpredictable nature.

Terraferma is an in-depth exploration of Italian culture and modern-day migration issue, wrapped within the warm tones of a family drama. With its talented ensemble cast, evocative visual storytelling, and profound narrative, the film presents an honest, compelling, and riveting watch. It reminds us of our shared humanity and the global responsibility we carry towards each other.