ANDlio Germano and Matilda De Angelis are the protagonists of The incredible story of the Isola delle Rose. The film – released in 2020 on Netflix and on the air tonight at 21.00 on Rai 2 – is inspired by a true story, which happened in the late 60s. Directed by Sydney Sibilia, it received 11 nominations for the David di Donatelloobtaining 3 victories: De Angelis as best supporting actress, Fabrizio Bentivoglio as best supporting actor and best visual and special effects, awarded to Stefano Leoni and Elisabetta Rocca.
The incredible story of the island of rosesthe plot
The film is set in 1968. Giorgio Rosa (Elio Germano) is a newly graduated engineer, with many dreams and many projects. He lives in Bologna and the surrounding reality is tight for him: he wants to find his way through his inventions. He is something of a visionary, but hardly anyone appreciates his approach to him. On the evening of his graduation he meets Gabriella (Matilda De Angelis), his ex-girlfriend who is a law graduate and an expert in international law.
He tries to get closer, but she considers him an immature boy with many crickets on his mind and little substance. And, in his opinion, he is wrong not to adapt to society. Giorgio tries, but his true nature pushes him to look beyond and find alternative solutions. He finds the way of him imagining of build an island off the coast of Rimini, outside Italian territorial waters. A crazy and impossible undertaking, but he finds the support of his historic friend Maurizio Orlandini (Leonardo Lidi) and together they give life to the dream.
Once the island is built – a 400 square meter platform in the middle of the sea – the two begin to think about what to do. How can they use that space? Meanwhile it arrives the first inhabitant, Pietro Bernardini (Alberto Astorri). After that make arrangements with WR Neumann (Tom Wlashiha), a stateless man of German origin, as well as renowned event organizer. To help them there is also the young bartender Franca (Violetta Zironi).
The success of the island and the pressures of politics
In a short time, the Isola delle Rose becomes a meeting point for inhabitants and vacationers of the Romagna Riviera. Gabriella also arrives among the visitors, intrigued by the construction of her ex-boyfriend. When they meet again, informs him that she is about to marry Carlo (Ascanio Balbo). Giorgio tries to reason with her, to get a new chance, but the attempts fail. Also, Gabriella reminds him that creating the island was just a way to satiate her hunger for self-centeredness.
The umpteenth rejection of his ex-girlfriend pushes him to think even bigger. Isola delle Rose gives itself a governmentformed by Giorgio and his associates, a currency, a postal issue and an official language, Esperanto. He wants to gain recognition as an independent nation and decides to contact the United Nations.
The UN gives a favorable opinion, but the President of the Republic Giovanni Leone (Luca Zingaretti) asks the Minister of the Interior Franco Restivo (Fabrizio Bentivoglio) to resolve the issue. Once he arrives on the island, he tries to bribe Giorgio first and then the others. The only one who doesn’t give in is the engineer Rosa, but in a short time he finds himself alone against everyone. At this point, Gabriella suggests that he address the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.
Matilda De Angelis and Elio Germano in “The incredible story of the Rose Island”, in the role of Gabriella and Giorgio. (Netflix)
The ending of the movie
President Jean Baptiste Toma (François Cluzet) decides to help himdespite the reluctance of the Italian government. Meanwhile, Restivo convinces Leone to sign a declaration of war against the Island and send the cruiser Andrea Doria to bombard the platform. On the island there are Giorgio and his friends, who thus retrace their steps. However, the resistance does not continue indefinitely and is eventually blown up after recovering the occupants.
Therefore the Council of Europe refuses to comment because it is a dispute between two sovereign entities. To resolve this issue and avoid similar cases in the future, the border of the territorial waters is moved from 6 to 12 miles from the coast. A half victory for the engineer Rosa, who did everything to win back his Gabriella.
Elio Germano and Tom Wlaschiha (WR Neumann) in a scene from the film. (Netflix)
The true story of Isola delle Rose and the prizes obtained
The project of the real Isola delle Rose had a long gestation, from 1950 to 1967. It was proclaimed an independent state on May 1, 1968 with the name of Esperantist republic of the Isle of Roses. The Esperanto name is Esperanta Respubliko de la Insulo de la Rozoj.
The experiment lasted less than two months: on 25 June 1968 it was subjected to a naval blockade, only to be demolished by Navy divers. The union with Gabriella Chierici, on the other hand, follows a different path than the one told in the film. They got married in 1960 and their only son, Lorenzo, was born from their union.
In addition to the 11 David nominations, The incredible story of the Rose Island he also obtained seven nominations for the 2021 Silver Ribbons. Four wins: Best Actor a Elio Germano – who confirms his quick-change attitudewith a perfect Bolognese accent –, Best Comedy, Best Production Design and Best Casting Director.
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