La finestra di fronte (2003) Facing Windows
Order Description
1. The title of the movie in English is “Facing Windows”, but the title in Italian translates to “the window in front”. What do you think these two titles mean? Which do you think is more effective, and how do you relate them to the stories represented in the movie? Do you think that one of these titles incites more the idea of confrontation or rather looking into the future?
2. In the scene at the restaurant when Davide is seated with Giovanna and Lorenzo, you see the pan camera moving from right to left, substituting Simone with Lorenzo. Why do you think Ozpetek chooses to juxtapose these two characters? And what is the effect he wants to achieve by using this cinematic technique?
3. In the opening scene of the film, we see Davide kill the baker and escape from the bakery, leaving his handprint on the stone wall of the Rome Jewsih ghetto. What it makes this symbol so powerful? Why do you think Ozpetek chose to represent Davide’s actions with that image?
4. The final scene of this film shows a close up of Giovanna’s eyes. This reminds us of another scene in “The Garden of the Finzi-Continis”, when Micòl returns Giorgio’s stare, looking straight at the camera. What is the significance of this shot in “Facing Windows”? What and how do you think it compares to the other two scenes?