The Shadow of the Day

Stories about Jews hiding during wartime are plentiful and this is another one in that category.

What distinguishes this film from most is that the outcome of the story is not obvious. The plot throws up little surprises every now and then and that keeps the viewer interested.

Piccioni is a fine director who has made some outstanding humanist films: "Fuori dal Mondo" (1999) and "Luce dei miei occhi" (2001). This film is not quite on the same quality level as the two mentioned but is in line with his interest in human nature.

The evocation of period (Italy at the outbreak of WWII) is pretty good and the characterisations are reasonable. The plot does not exaggerate the plight of Jews in Italy, which was nothing like their counterparts in Germany.

The film could have done with better cinematography however it is a worthy effort.