The Solitude of Prime Numbers
Encyclopedia
The Solitude of Prime Numbers is a 2010 Italian drama film
based on the novel of the same name by Paolo Giordano
, and directed by Saverio Costanzo
. The film was nominated for the Golden Lion
at the 67th Venice International Film Festival
.
The title is explained by arguing that Mattia and Alice are like twin primes: both lonely, close to each other but separated by an even number.
Mattia and Alice (children in 1984, teenagers in 1991) are both traumatized, and considered weird by the people around them.
When he was a child, Mattia's retarded
twin sister Michela died while he was supposed to look after her. He is intelligent and becomes a successful scientist, but he sometimes cuts himself on purpose.
When Alice was a child she had a skiing accident; she has a scar on her thigh. As a teenager she is bullied by female classmates.
They meet while teenagers and become friends, but lose contact when Mattia goes to work in Germany. Eight years later Alice writes him a very brief request to come back to Italy, which he does, and they reunite.
Drama film
A drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, poverty, class divisions, violence against women...
based on the novel of the same name by Paolo Giordano
Paolo Giordano
Paolo Giordano is an Italian writer who won the Premio Strega literary award with his first novel The Solitude of Prime Numbers.- Biography :...
, and directed by Saverio Costanzo
Saverio Costanzo
Saverio Costanzo is an Italian film director.He was born in Rome, the son of journalist and TV presenter Maurizio Costanzo. His debut was Private in 2004. In 2007 his second feature In memoria di me was presented at the 57th Berlin Film Festival...
. The film was nominated for the Golden Lion
Golden Lion
Il Leone d’Oro is the highest prize given to a film at the Venice Film Festival. The prize was introduced in 1949 by the organizing committee and is now regarded as one of the film industry's most distinguished prizes...
at the 67th Venice International Film Festival
67th Venice International Film Festival
The 67th annual Venice Film Festival held in Venice, Italy, took place from September 1 to September 11, 2010. American film director and screenwriter Quentin Tarantino was head of the Jury. John Woo was awarded the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement prior to the start of the Festival...
.
The title is explained by arguing that Mattia and Alice are like twin primes: both lonely, close to each other but separated by an even number.
Plot
The film is set in Italy in 1984, 1991, 2001 and 2009 and jumps back and forth in time.Mattia and Alice (children in 1984, teenagers in 1991) are both traumatized, and considered weird by the people around them.
When he was a child, Mattia's retarded
Mental retardation
Mental retardation is a generalized disorder appearing before adulthood, characterized by significantly impaired cognitive functioning and deficits in two or more adaptive behaviors...
twin sister Michela died while he was supposed to look after her. He is intelligent and becomes a successful scientist, but he sometimes cuts himself on purpose.
When Alice was a child she had a skiing accident; she has a scar on her thigh. As a teenager she is bullied by female classmates.
They meet while teenagers and become friends, but lose contact when Mattia goes to work in Germany. Eight years later Alice writes him a very brief request to come back to Italy, which he does, and they reunite.
Cast
- Isabella RosselliniIsabella RosselliniIsabella Fiorella Elettra Giovanna Rossellini is an Italian actress, filmmaker, author, philanthropist, and model. Rossellini is noted for her 14-year tenure as a Lancôme model, and for her roles in films such as Blue Velvet and Death Becomes Her.-Background and early life:Rossellini is a...
as Adele - Alba RohrwacherAlba RohrwacherAlba Caterina Rohrwacher is an Italian actress.Alba Rohrwacher was born in Florence, the daughter of a German father and an Italian mother. She studied acting at the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia in Rome. Her first movie role was in 2004 in L'amore ritrovato. In 2008 she was awarded the...
as Alice (adult) - Filippo Timi
- Luca Marinelli as Mattia Balossino (adult)
- Maurizio Donadoni