Monella -1998- [top] -
Lola’s frustration leads her into a series of mischievous and voyeuristic adventures around her sun-drenched village. She uses her charm and beauty to tease those around her, including her mother’s lover, Andre (played by ), while simultaneously trying to provoke Masetto into breaking his vow of chastity. Key Themes and Style
Monella is fundamentally a critique of the rigid sexual and social norms of postwar Italy.
It explores the tension between Lola's natural sexual liberation and the rigid social and religious expectations of the time. Monella -1998-
Tinto Brass, known for his specific artistic approach to cinema.
For connoisseurs of his work, Monella is a perfect distillation of the "Brassian" aesthetic. The film is replete with all the director’s signature tics: a vibrant, sun-drenched color palette; a deep, almost obsessive focus on the female posterior, with the director famously believing that "the bottom is the mirror of the soul"; and a playful, uninhibited sexuality that sits somewhere between high-art eroticism and low-brow farce. The camera often lingers on Lola's body in intimate detail, whether she is riding a bicycle with her underwear exposed or navigating the enclosed, almost claustrophobic frames of her daily life, creating a dizzying sense of being trapped between her unfulfilled desires and the constraints placed upon her. Lola’s frustration leads her into a series of
This success was largely fueled by the immense controversy surrounding the film. A promotional spot (trailer) was released that outraged Catholic groups even before the film's official release. The trailer featured Lola riding a bicycle in front of two seminarians, and in the scene, the young men lean down to smell the bicycle seat she has just vacated.
Monella remains a charming, artistic, and undeniably bold piece of 1990s Italian cinema that continues to be discussed for its bold portrayal of female desire and its unique, stylized aesthetic. I can also help you find information on: The in the Veneto region Critical analysis from Italian film journals Other films by Tinto Brass with a similar style Let me know what you'd like to explore further! Share public link It explores the tension between Lola's natural sexual
Visually, the film is a feast. The production was filmed primarily in the small Lombardian communes of Pomponesco and Dosolo, whose timeless beauty evokes the bucolic Italy of the 1950s. This natural, sun-drenched setting, captured by cinematographer Massimo Di Venanzo, sharply contrasts with the provocative acts taking place within it, creating a distinctively lush and voyeuristic aesthetic.
After a public humiliation where Masetto finds Lola and André in a seemingly intimate moment (actually a staged photo shoot), Masetto storms off to Gisella. Lola, realizing she has pushed too far, stages an elaborate seduction at the town’s abandoned mill. She arrives dressed as a “bride” but essentially in fetishistic lingerie. The final scene is a lengthy, comic, and athletic sexual consummation between Lola and Masetto in the hayloft, intercut with voyeuristic shots of the priest and the townsfolk watching through cracks. The film ends with Lola smiling directly at the camera, victorious.
The movie follows Monella, a beautiful and free-spirited teenager, as she navigates the complexities of high school life. Alongside her friends, she finds herself entangled in a web of relationships, rebellion, and self-discovery. As Monella and her friends face various challenges, including family pressures, social expectations, and first loves, the film masterfully captures the essence of adolescent angst and the quest for identity.
The success of Monella 1998 can be attributed in large part to its talented cast and crew. Nicoletta Braschi shines as Monella, bringing depth and nuance to the character. The supporting cast, including Francesca Comencini and Alessandro Gassmann, deliver memorable performances that add to the film's humor and charm.