04/09/2006

As a Shadow by Marina Spada is the portrait of a 30 year-old single woman, Claudia, in the superbly photographed concrete jungle that is Milan. As a typical member of consumer society (that is, of a society where everything has already been consumed – in fact, Claudia does not take pleasure in eating or drinking, and has passionless relationships), she is fairly narrow-minded, blasé, and expects nothing ("What on earth could happen?!" she says).

In the beginning of the film, her daily routine is depicted in an infinitely subtle way, and with a realism enhanced by the way the images are framed – there is always something in the foreground through or behind which we can see her insignificant life unfold.

Olga represents what Claudia fears most, although she works, ironically, in a travel agency: change. She is indeed not open to novelty, as is revealed when Claudia calls Olga "nice" because "she minds her own business". Yet, this refreshing character breaks Claudia's boundaries, not only by getting her to – reluctantly – do new things, but also by voicing (through a song) something Claudia probably never realised before: her loneliness.

In comparison to Olga's all-encompassing enthusiasm, Claudia's ideas seem all based on clichés (a girl dresses up to pick up guys, one has to look forward to going on holidays, finding work is difficult), an utterly banal way of seeing things Olga even makes fun of her by describing, in joke, a postcard Ukraine.

Although Olga has only been here for a few days, her disappearance gives Claudia something to look for. However imperceptibly, her life is changed – discreetly, reminding us once again of James Joyce's "Dubliners", a discretion underscored by Olga's last wish "to be forgotten". Spada delivers here, with admirable integrity and a minimalism that indicates a complete mastery of her subject, a splendid, profoundly sad, mood-piece.

We can only hope that this film, produced by Ombre Film and Film Kairòs, who also handles international sales, will soon find distributors.

(Translated from French)