WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Exoneration. Discharge. Freeing. Absolution. When we’ve been subject to any form of imprisonment, even when paying the cost of our own misdeeds or poor choices, the yearning to be away from it becomes paramount. To have the opportunity to once more go where we wish, do what we desire, but with an ideally changed mindset towards everything moving forward, is a fire within that can only be quenched by one thing–release. Yet, when achieved, is the freedom we so longed for as amazing as we envisioned–or just another cage we suddenly find ourselves within? For one unnamed inmate (Zoe Saldana), the day of facing this has arrived. As she is taken through the steps that both physically and inwardly guide her towards the outside world once more, all the reminders of what she’s actually leaving behind, and what others are about to experience, surface, putting a revealing, sobering reality into focus.
Next, my Mind:
The entirety of life behind bars, the ramifications of time spent there, a discovering of just how much worth we have found then experienced with others, the value of being a part of a larger whole, and the high inner cost of institutionalization that manifests from it when we find the “real” world may not be our actual place of contentment all gets succinctly but potently and compellingly illustrated through this 17-minute Oscar qualified short film from writer/director/producer Marco Perego, writer/producer Alexander Dinelaris, producers Mohammed Al Turki, Michael Cerenzie, Francesco Melzi d’Eril, Gabriele Bebe Moratti, Rob Quadrino, Zoe Saldana, Marie Savare, Enzo Sisti, and P.J. van Sandwijk, co-producers Eduardo Cruz and Rick Rapoza, plus executive producers Esmeralda Brajovic, Rico Briglio, Gianluca Curti, Paolo Gualdani, Vince Imerti, John Martella, and Michael Paletta. It’s been said “it takes a village…”, which here becomes an Italian prison, its occupants, and a newly freed inmate whose life is being altered significantly in LEAVING, with liberation and its benefit suddenly in question rather than fully or evidently embraced.
As such, the narrative focused on this day of emancipation and the present impact it is having while likewise becoming an affecting forecast of one woman’s newly provided future outside of everything we glean she’s known for a long amount of time, there is no dialogue offered here, but rather a wholly stirring series of imagery that follows our unnamed inmate as she goes through the motions of being set free while deeply and purposefully showcasing just what kind of impact she has had ON the grander community she’s been a part of and the growing sense of loss all around which is arising from her departure. Accompanied by an absolutely beautiful, highly ethereal music score, the atmosphere that’s created is nothing short of an emotional tidal wave washing over you as the viewer, drawing you into this woman’s story with an utter intensity that consistently keeps you engaged as you absorb the depth of human connection that’s being portrayed within what most of us would say is the last place anything this profound would occur.
This is the engaging force and sway the visual presentation elicits, and when you also apply the literal meaning of the film’s title to the events unfolding, it even more so paints that portrait of a bonded community that will be lessened by one of its key inhabitants being let go. But, then there is the ripple effect felt BY said individual who FEELS what she’s now being separated from, recognizing the BEGINNING of this same journey by another just arriving, and then the all-encompassing perception of loneliness and extrication from that which has been so integral to her existence, even when BEING where she’s been is her paying the price for poor choices in the first place. The fact that none of this is directly provided or explained actually lends itself perfectly to this narrative, somehow managing to add weight and intent to the story WITHOUT giving us all the facts about her incarceration. Again, the thematic paths that indicate camaraderie, earned trust, respected manner, and degrees of total appreciation for what she’s contributed in her time there, all meld together without spoken word, conjecture-driven yes, yet wholeheartedly conspicuous and unavoidably touching.
Having the backdrop of Venice is also magnificently effective, as it engenders both a wondrously vibrant yet undeniably haunting setting for the story without a doubt. This critic personally continues to love and applaud high profile Hollywood-based actors who choose to take on smaller projects like this, as I firmly extend that genuine gratefulness and commendation to Saldana, who utilizes her wide range of skills and deftly conveys a realistic, persuasive, heartstring-tugging persona through her role here as the unnamed prisoner whose arrived at her release day. As she navigates all the personally impacting moments with those she’s come to know, adore, and serve amongst while exiting the facility step by step, we watch the emotions we know are there slowly rising up, leading to a finale she faces that cements the sheer magnitude of just how much what most would think she’s been pining for may NOT actually BE what she truly yearns for. It’s that subtle fire, unequivocal level of quietly stewing energy, and grounded credibility Saldana brings with emotive poignancy throughout that makes this film what it is, a complete ode to the veteran actress’ wealth of acting talents.
Primary supporting roles come to pass through Marcello Fonte as a guard from the prison whom actually initiates the proceedings as we see him face a new day traveling the Venice canals at the dawn of a new day while heading to his job, Marilena Anniballi as Ioana, an apparently treasured roommate our unnamed former inmate has shared a valued bond with as they exchange final goodbyes, Flaure B.B. Kabore as another inmate, and Gaia Scodellaro as an incoming “resident” whom our protagonist more than feels for even as we further witness distressed, first initiations into what the newcomer is about to be a part of. So, in total, “Dovecote” definitively embodies its namesake on multiple levels, delivering a narrative that is as revealing as it is heartbreaking, supplying us with a fresh and captivating viewpoint on the meaning of inward and outward captivity, perhaps even to redefine the meaning of what freedom should entail but sometimes doesn’t.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
