Watch The Right Distance

The Right Distance is a 2007 Italian drama film directed by Carlo Mazzacurati, starring Giovanni Capovilla, Valentina Lodovini, and Ahmed Hafiane. The movie is set in the present-day city of Milan and tells the story of a young Italian man named Lorenzo who works as a teacher and lives with his girlfriend Silvia, a lawyer. Lorenzo's world is turned upside down when he meets Yousef, a Tunisian immigrant who has just arrived in the city and is desperately searching for his sister. Despite their differences in background and culture, Lorenzo and Yousef develop a bond that challenges their preconceptions and the prejudices of the people around them.

The movie opens with a tense scene in which Yousef sneaks into Lorenzo's apartment to escape from the police. We then learn that Yousef's sister, who came to Italy before him, has disappeared and he has no idea where she is. Lorenzo, who is drawn to Yousef's vulnerability and determination, decides to help him find his sister. As the two men navigate the confusing web of bureaucracy and red tape that surrounds the immigrant experience in Italy, they form a deep bond that transcends their cultural and linguistic differences.

The relationship between Lorenzo and Yousef is complicated by the fact that Lorenzo is in a committed relationship with Silvia. While Silvia is initially wary of Yousef, she eventually comes to understand the depth of his troubles and the importance of his quest to find his sister. As Lorenzo becomes more invested in Yousef's search, he begins to neglect his relationship with Silvia, leading her to question whether she truly knows the man she loves.

The movie is punctuated by moments of tension and danger, as Yousef and Lorenzo encounter hostile police officers, xenophobic neighbors, and other obstacles in their quest to find Yousef's sister. The film is shot in a stark, naturalistic style that emphasizes the gritty reality of contemporary urban life in Italy. The city of Milan is presented as a harsh, unforgiving landscape where immigrants like Yousef struggle to survive against a backdrop of poverty, racism, and bureaucratic indifference.

One of the major themes of The Right Distance is the idea of distance, both physical and emotional. Throughout the movie, characters struggle with feelings of loneliness, isolation, and disconnection from the people around them. Lorenzo, who is initially distant from Yousef due to cultural and linguistic barriers, gradually comes to understand the importance of human connection and the need to reach out to those who are different from ourselves. Similarly, Silvia, who feels increasingly distant from Lorenzo as he becomes more invested in Yousef's search, must confront her own feelings of insecurity and fear in order to bridge the gap between them.

The performances in the movie are strong, particularly those of Capovilla and Hafiane, who bring depth and complexity to their respective characters. Capovilla's portrayal of Lorenzo captures the character's earnestness and generosity of spirit, while also conveying his sense of discomfort and unease as he moves further outside his comfort zone. Hafiane, meanwhile, imbues Yousef with a sense of dignity and determination that makes his struggles all the more poignant.

Overall, The Right Distance is a powerful and thought-provoking film that grapples with important issues of identity, belonging, and human connection. While it is undeniably a bleak portrait of life in contemporary Italy, it is also a movie that offers hope and the possibility of redemption in the face of adversity.