email print share on Facebook share on Twitter share on LinkedIn share on reddit pin on Pinterest

FILMS Italy

Two usual fools embark on a Christmas challenge

- Hitting theatres today is I 2 Soliti Idioti, the sequel to the 2011 box office hit starring Francesco Mandelli and Fabrizio Biggio

Just in time for Christmas, I 2 soliti idioti [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
, the sequel to last year’s box office hit (making €11 million), is being released today. Francesco Mandelli and Fabrizio Biggio are its screenwriters and actors. Medusa will be distributing the Enrico Lando directed film in 500 movie theatres across Italy. Milanese pop-rap group Club Dogo will feature as will old-school comedian Teo Teocoli, playing the austere figure of a professor inspired by prime minister Mario Monti. 

(The article continues below - Commercial information)

Cult television duo Mandelli and Biggio are just two more in an extensive and rich cast. Others include Ruggero and Gianluca De Ceglie, as well Milanese louts Patrick and Alexio, the mamma esco children, Niccolò and Gigetto, marketing priests Padre Boy and Padre Giorgio, farting policemen, two Russian killers and guru Paraguru.

The storyline, slightly more developed than last year’s instalment, is doted with a certain amount of irony. It sees De Ceglie father and son fleeing Russian gangs, as Gianluca marries Fabiana and Ruggero gets involved with caretaker Perla Madonna (Miriam Giovanelli) just as his frankfurter sandwich-built fortune is starting to crumble. Ruggero speaks in Roman dialect, swearing every other word. The comic value of being this crude was subject of much debate during last year’s film’s release. The success of the duo probably lies in the sublimation of vulgar comedy and in the paroxysm they manage to give each one of their characters. It is difficult not to laugh at the Mini Pony shaped bruise Gianluca has on his head. 

Great attention was given to the photography (Massimo Schiavon) and a solid soundtrack by Nu Quartet and Filo Q consolidate a product ready for export: producer Pietro Valsecchi has already announced an English version of "Soliti idioti" filmed in New York.  "Semiologists are already on the lookout for equivalent swear words in English,” he joked.

(The article continues below - Commercial information)

Did you enjoy reading this article? Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive more stories like this directly in your inbox.

Privacy Policy