Un Bacio is an Italian foreign language film which follows the story of three high school outsiders who become friends in a small, conservative Italian town.
The film focuses on each of the three characters as they each live fairly different private lives.
Un Bacio is sometimes referred to as the Italian version of The Perks of Being a Wallflower as the two films share many similarities, including a comparable trio of main characters.
The film touches on many important themes revolving around the stigmatization of LGBTQA youth and growing into your skin during your teenage years.
Synopsis
Un Bacio centers on three main characters: Lorenzo, a comical and flamboyant teen, Blu, a misunderstood girl who can't be bothered by people her age and Antonio, who is a loaner and student athlete.
Lorenzo is new to town, having been adopted by a fairly progressive couple. Being the new kid at school you'd think he'd be quiet, shy or awkward; right? But Lorenzo is nothing but. He is over the top, embraces life and wants to be the center of attention. Lorenzo and Blu click right away and become best friends.
The two friends spend more time together and decide to ask Antonio out on a group date so the three of them can hang out. And just like that the duo become a trio.
The remainder of the film follows the trio as they each deal with different things that pop up in their life and we watch as their friendships grow over the course of the school year.
Important Themes
Un Bacio touches on a host of themes, most specifically on issues relating to having left of center lifestyles and the stigmatization of being gay in Italian high schools.
It's no surprise that Italy is a country that sticks close to 'traditional' and conservative values. As the Vatican is in Rome and the practice of Roman Catholicism is correspondingly widespread across the country.
While being gay in Italian society isn't as accepted like it is in other European countries, Italy is making some steps in making life more inclusive for people, rather than shutting them out.
Just in 2017, a court in Florence made it legal for same-sex couples to adopt children. And in 2015, the country became the last nation in Western Europe to recognize civil unions for same-sex couples.
However, it is important to note that this progress came to fruition because of the painstaking efforts of many activists, protests, lawsuits and other court cases which have lasted for years.
Moving on to Italian high schools, a study held in 2013 states that 40% of straight students refuse to have gay friends.
Another study found that 73% of the LGBTQA population of Italian students have experienced some form of discrimination or prejudice during their time in school.
For more of a read on the political, cultural and societal aspects of Italian policy relating to LGBTQA rights you can read this article published by EuroNews in 2016.
Conclusion
Altogether, Un Bacio is well-produced and tells a very intimate story focusing on friendship. It follows the story of three friends growing into themselves in a small Italian town over the course of a school year.
And before I forget to mention, Un Bacio has one hell of a soundtrack.
If you are all about music like I am, the film will be that more enjoyable. Loud Like Hell by Placebo for sure was a perfect choice for the film.
Un Bacio is full of moments of laughter, tears, animosity, strength and betrayal. You won't want to miss it. It is a tremendous film worth every minute of your time.
