To Forget Venice
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film industry |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Founder | Franco Brusati |
| Products | Drama film |
To Forget Venice () is a 1979 Italian drama film crafted and directed by Franco Brusati. It received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film during the 52nd Academy Awards.
Plot
Nicky has been residing in Milan alongside his partner Picchio for three years, while his sister Marta, a former opera singer, lives in their family’s villa located in Veneto with their elderly caretaker Caterina. The villa is also home to Anna, a distant relative, and Claudia, a shy teacher who has sought shelter with Marta.
When Nicky visits the villa, he reconnects with memories from his past. Upon Picchio's arrival, they keep their relationship private. The group spends an evening at a nearby trattoria, where Nicky encounters an old childhood friend, and Marta is invited to perform despite hiding her serious heart ailment. They arrange a journey to Venice, but Marta tragically succumbs to a heart attack.
After Marta’s passing, Anna and Claudia face unresolved issues from their histories. Anna, who once shared a romantic relationship with Claudia, develops an attraction to Picchio but is turned down. With Marta no longer present, Anna and Claudia choose to abandon their previous lives and move to Milan with Picchio to begin again, whereas Nicky stays behind at his childhood residence.
Cast
- Mariangela Melato as Anna
- Eleonora Giorgi as Claudia
- Erland Josephson as Nicky
- Nerina Montagnani as Caterina
- David Pontremoli as Picchio
- Hella Petri as Marta
- Fred Personne as Fossino
- Armando Brancia as Restaurant Owner
Critical response
In 1980, Roger Ebert rated the film 2.5 out of 4 stars, commenting that "To Forget Venice feels less like a narrative and more like the concept of one."
Derek Winnert gave it a perfect 5-star score in 2019, describing it as "a moving, insightful, and exceptional film" that was "rightfully nominated for an Oscar" and "in fact should have won."
Awards and nominations
- Nominee for the Academy Award: Best Foreign Language Film
- Winner of the David di Donatello: Best Film
- Recipient of the Nastro d'Argento: Best Actress (Mariangela Melato)
See also
- List of submissions to the 52nd Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film
- List of Italian submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
- List of Italian films of 1979