A mafia drama like no other
The film is set in Corsica in 1995 at a time when the island was experiencing deadly mob feuds as well as intense conflicts between nationalist groups. Colonna has deployed locals rather than professional actors which adds to that believability. The cast is led by Ghjuvanna Benedetti who is stunning in every possible way. She plays 15-year-old Lesia – roughly the age Colonna would have been in 1995 – and she's our point of view.
She lives with her aunt in a village where school is out for the summer. (I'm a sucker for what I call 'the one long hot summer' film.) She flirts with a handsome boy. She heads to the beach with her friends. After a hunt she field-dresses a strung-up boar. Blood splatters her face. It's expected. It's the Corsican way. Violence is customary, always in the air.
Her summer changes when she is whisked away to stay with her father Pierre-Paul (Saveriu Santucci). He's a crime boss, holed up in a villa, on the run from the police as well as rival gangsters. Their tit-for-tat killings appear to have been going on for ever. He adores her but he does not know her. Lesia isn't a talker. She is quietly watchful and sullen but he promises her a week of fishing and swimming.
It's all change again, however, when Pierre-Paul and assembled 'uncles' gather round the television and watch a report on a car bomb that may well have been intended for him. From now on it's all safe houses, disguises, overheard conversations, glimpses of Pierre-Paul sending his lieutenants out in bullet-proof vests with guns. He tries to return her to the village but she smuggles herself back. At some level she comprehends that she has a limited time in which to bond. They're on the run together and she must now face the dangerous realities of his world and 'the kingdom' that he has created and that she will inherit. Or will she? Will she be able to break the cycle of retribution? (Colonna's father's father was also murdered by the mafia. Not a 'car crash'. Shot dead.)
The film is understated, naturalistic, sultry, intimate, with a pervasive undercurrent of dread while Lesia and her father's relationship grows deeper. Pierre-Paul treats his daughter tenderly and with affection yet she knows, as do we, that he is capable of truly brutal acts elsewhere. How do you love a man like that? It certainly doesn't make being a mobster look like any fun, even though the fabulous cinematography makes Corsica looks stunning. You want to tell them: 'Pack it in and go for a nice swim, fellas!'
It's not, I should have said, an especially bloodthirsty film. Most of the 'whackings' take place off camera, although it does ramp up at the end. The performances are terrific – as is the chemistry between the two leads. And I doubt you'll be able to take your eyes off Benedetti for a single second.
It's Colonna's first major film and I hope there are many more. He may get to live a long life.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
2 hours ago
- Metro
Incredible moment dad who battled cancer tells son he's won on the EuroMillions
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video We all know the lottery is a game of pure chance, but sometimes it feels like the prize money has gone to someone who really deserves it. This is true in the case of Paul Harvey, a single dad from Norfolk who just scooped £1million on the EuroMillions. He's had a difficult couple of years battling bowel cancer while trying to look after his teenage son and daughter. But the 51-year-old is now hoping for some happier times with his two children after scooping the massive prize. He claimed a £1million prize during the EuroMillions draw on July 4 – and the heartwarming moment he shared the news with his son was caught on video. Paul knew he wanted to capture the moment, so he set up his phone and recorded it after an agonising wait for them to get home from school. He said: 'It felt like forever waiting for the kids to get home from school so I could break the news. 'Their reactions were hilarious and heart-warming. We all feel ridiculously excited and relieved in equal measure. It just doesn't seem real! 'I wanted to tell the kids in person so when my son got home I set up my phone to record it. 'I got a massive lump in my throat as I asked him 'how many millionaires do you know?' He said, 'zero', and I replied: 'well you do now'! 'I then added 'I swear on my life' – I do like to joke but when I say those words, my kids know to take it seriously. 'Life hasn't always been easy, but the kids mean the world to me, and they always come first. 'We have never been away abroad together, and I would love to take them both to Greece. But first we need to get our passports!' As well as a dream holiday together, Paul wants to buy his daughter a second-hand car, a Fiat 500, so she can learn to drive. He also hopes to help them kickstart their careers as they both near the end of full-time education. Paul explained: 'I am so proud of what the kids have achieved already in life. 'They both have big ideas about what they want to do when they leave school, and I cannot wait to help them in their chosen careers. 'It's the important stuff like helping them to learn to drive and getting them a car and insurance so they can get to college and then work. 'My daughter has a driving test later this year and I would love to get her a second-hand Fiat 500 for her to practice in.' Paul didn't even realise he was a millionaire for an entire week after the draw. He checked his account as normal after the EuroMillions draw on July 4 to find he had won £5 plus a free Lucky Dip ticket. A week later, he got an unexpected email from the National Lottery urging him to check his account again and to get in touch urgently. Paul was suspicious of the email, explaining: 'It didn't look like the normal email I get. I thought this must be a scam. 'I read the email again and then Googled the National Lottery Line where I saw the telephone numbers matched. 'It was then that I allowed myself to get much more excited.' It turned out Paul had won the £1million as part of the EuroMillions Millionaire Maker draw. During each draw, every ticket is allocated a unique code which is entered into a raffle where one winner will take home the prize. The huge sum is going to make a massive difference to Paul and his family's lives. He explained: 'We can afford our very own home, and I can finally have my own bedroom rather than sleeping downstairs. 'And to go on a family holiday altogether will be fantastic. I can speak Greek fluently and I can't wait to show off to the kids. 'I lived in Cyprus for 12 years when I was younger. I would love to go back one day but for now it's a holiday in Greece for me and the kids. 'This win gives us so many more options, but I want to take my time and do it right.' More Trending Paul isn't the only person who's recently picked up a life-changing lottery win. A family from Cork who won a £216million jackpot said they intend to stay in their home city – although they might treat themselves to a Rolex watch. And two friends picked up £168,000 each after reading a horoscope which suggested a Pisces and Taurus – their star signs – would win the lottery if they entered together. It's not long since someone won the £208million EuroMillions jackpot, the maximum amount. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: EuroMillions £157,000,000 winning jackpot numbers revealed MORE: Unclaimed premium bond prizes reach £100,000,000 – have you won big? MORE: UK's youngest lottery winner finds new love after split with boyfriend
Glasgow Times
2 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Paul C. Brunson to host special live experience in Glasgow
Paul is known for starring in the likes of Cheat: Unfinished Business alongside Amanda Holden and Married At First Sight, where he guides and coaches participants in their quest to find love. READ NEXT: Shaun Ryder says THIS Scottish singer is his 'f****** hero' (Image: Image of Paul from PA) Now, Paul is inviting people to join him off-screen for an 'unforgettable' evening. The evening is all about helping people to create the conditions for meaningful connection with others and themselves. Paul C. Brunson: Love Better will be an interactive show rooted in Paul's signature Make Space Method. The event will include insights from Paul's work with real-life couples and singles through his dating agency, audience participation, live music and frameworks and tools to help attendees make space for love and connection. READ NEXT: Barrowland's 'number one fan' to be celebrated after sudden passing The show will take place on Saturday, November 1 at the Old Fruitmarket in Merchant City. Tickets for the event will be available to purchase from August 8 at 10am. To purchase tickets, visit
Spectator
13 hours ago
- Spectator
A mafia drama like no other
The Kingdom is a mafia drama like no other. It's directed by Julien Colonna whose father was a Corsican mob boss who died in 2006 (officially in a car crash although it's generally believed he was 'whacked'). And it's told through the eyes of a young girl. Think of it as The Godfather from the point of view of a teenage Connie Corleone. Or The Sopranos from the perspective of Meadow. Or just take it for what it is, which is tense, brilliant and rivetingly convincing. The film is set in Corsica in 1995 at a time when the island was experiencing deadly mob feuds as well as intense conflicts between nationalist groups. Colonna has deployed locals rather than professional actors which adds to that believability. The cast is led by Ghjuvanna Benedetti who is stunning in every possible way. She plays 15-year-old Lesia – roughly the age Colonna would have been in 1995 – and she's our point of view. She lives with her aunt in a village where school is out for the summer. (I'm a sucker for what I call 'the one long hot summer' film.) She flirts with a handsome boy. She heads to the beach with her friends. After a hunt she field-dresses a strung-up boar. Blood splatters her face. It's expected. It's the Corsican way. Violence is customary, always in the air. Her summer changes when she is whisked away to stay with her father Pierre-Paul (Saveriu Santucci). He's a crime boss, holed up in a villa, on the run from the police as well as rival gangsters. Their tit-for-tat killings appear to have been going on for ever. He adores her but he does not know her. Lesia isn't a talker. She is quietly watchful and sullen but he promises her a week of fishing and swimming. It's all change again, however, when Pierre-Paul and assembled 'uncles' gather round the television and watch a report on a car bomb that may well have been intended for him. From now on it's all safe houses, disguises, overheard conversations, glimpses of Pierre-Paul sending his lieutenants out in bullet-proof vests with guns. He tries to return her to the village but she smuggles herself back. At some level she comprehends that she has a limited time in which to bond. They're on the run together and she must now face the dangerous realities of his world and 'the kingdom' that he has created and that she will inherit. Or will she? Will she be able to break the cycle of retribution? (Colonna's father's father was also murdered by the mafia. Not a 'car crash'. Shot dead.) The film is understated, naturalistic, sultry, intimate, with a pervasive undercurrent of dread while Lesia and her father's relationship grows deeper. Pierre-Paul treats his daughter tenderly and with affection yet she knows, as do we, that he is capable of truly brutal acts elsewhere. How do you love a man like that? It certainly doesn't make being a mobster look like any fun, even though the fabulous cinematography makes Corsica looks stunning. You want to tell them: 'Pack it in and go for a nice swim, fellas!' It's not, I should have said, an especially bloodthirsty film. Most of the 'whackings' take place off camera, although it does ramp up at the end. The performances are terrific – as is the chemistry between the two leads. And I doubt you'll be able to take your eyes off Benedetti for a single second. It's Colonna's first major film and I hope there are many more. He may get to live a long life.
