Happy as Lazzaro is a gently surreal Italian drama centered on Lazzaro, a kind-hearted youth living in a marginalized rural community. As a wealthier world encroaches, the film blends neorealist detail with fable-like shifts to examine labor, class, and exploitation while celebrating generosity and resilience. Alice Rohrwacher crafts a hypnotic, humane portrait of friendship across social boundaries, where innocence meets a world of inequity with quiet courage and fragile hope.
Is Happy as Lazzaro worth watching?
"Happy as Lazzaro," directed by Alice Rohrwacher, is widely regarded as a unique and thought-provoking film. It combines elements of magical realism with social commentary, telling the story of a naive young man, Lazzaro, who becomes entangled in the lives of a group of peasants. The film has received critical acclaim for its beautiful cinematography, strong performances, and exploration of themes like exploitation and innocence. If you appreciate introspective cinema with a blend of fantasy and reality, it is definitely worth watching.
What is the movie Happy as Lazzaro about?
"Happy as Lazzaro" is a 2018 Italian film directed by Alice Rohrwacher. The story follows Lazzaro, a naive and kind-hearted young man living in a rural, feudal-like community. He becomes friends with a wealthy young woman named Tancredi. After a series of events, Lazzaro's life takes a surreal turn as he navigates themes of innocence, exploitation, and social inequality. The film blends magical realism with a poignant critique of societal structures, ultimately exploring the nature of happiness and human connection.
Is Happy as Lazzaro Based on a true story?
"Happy as Lazzaro," directed by Alice Rohrwacher, is not based on a true story but is a fictional narrative. The film follows Lazzaro, a naive and kind-hearted young man living in a rural Italian community who becomes involved in a series of surreal events. While it reflects real social issues and historical contexts, particularly the exploitation of labor, it uses an allegorical approach rather than depicting actual events or individuals. The story blends realism with elements of magical realism to convey its themes.
Where did they film Happy as Lazzaro?
"Happy as Lazzaro" was filmed primarily in the Italian region of Tuscany. The picturesque landscapes and rustic settings of the area provide a backdrop that enhances the film's themes and aesthetics. Key locations include the village of Lucignano, where much of the social and cultural context of the story unfolds. The film, directed by Alice Rohrwacher, captures the essence of rural life and the relationship between its characters against the stunning Italian countryside.