I'm Not Scared petrifies

I'm Not Scared is a heart-wrenching, gut-twisting film; it is the story of young Michele, whose childhood innocence is shattered by the discovery of a pale, mutilated, kidnapped boy, Filippo, trapped in a hole in the golden fields of Southern Italy.

Driven by compassion and curiosity, Michele helps the boy and does what he can to find the villains who committed such a vicious crime--until he finds that his own parents are amongst the perpetrators. Tension escalates as authorities come closer and closer to finding Filippo until the kidnappers finally decide to kill the boy to keep him from talking. In a desperate attempt to save his friend's life, Michele rescues Filippo, putting his own well being in extreme jeopardy.

Michele, played by Giuseppe Cristiano, is an overwhelmingly good-natured boy with a strong sense of what's right. All around him is greed, poverty and desperation, which makes his bravery and purity that much more impressive. With barely a thought for his own good, he ends up risking his life for Filippo (Mattia Di Pierro), who is wholly ungrateful and uncooperative.

Michele's family is composed of an overworked mother, a younger sister and a frequently absent father. The search for work drives the father abroad, but he can still only afford necessities. The arrival of a new toy is a rare and joyous occasion.

All of this is captured with absolute realism. Every little detail is there, right down to the incessantly loud chirping of field insects. The way the camera follows Michele--bouncing along when he's on his bicycle, hovering over him as he peers into the depths of Filippo's pit--gives the impression of looking over his shoulder. This isn't a movie; it's a portal to Italy in 1978 to witness a horrific tale.

The only reminders that this is fiction are the omnipresent crows and corpses of small animals that litter Michele's path to discovery and foreshadow the horrors to come. Even the score of bare strings and piano blends seamlessly into the background.

The most grievous aspect of the film is the subtitles, which make it impossible to shield your eyes and still follow what's going on, but such is life.

I'm Not Scared is rated R for disturbing images and language. It runs 101 minutes and is in Italian with English subtitles. It is playing at select theatres.