A Gigolette

A fragmentary silent melodrama that feels like a faded, cautionary dream of betrayal and survival, its missing reels leaving an ache of incompleteness.

Directed by

Vittorio Verga

Genres

Drama

Starring

Amélia de Oliveira, Jaime Costa, Augusto Aníbal

Overview

Only a fragment of the film survives. Taking advantage of Carnival season, Álvaro devises a Machiavellian plan to seduce a young woman. When she shows up at his house to deliver a bundle of clothes, he shows her a beautiful gigolo dress and invites her to the town's dances. They would only be for two or three hours. Liz accepts, and together they go out dressed as a gigolo, he as an Apache. Liz has fun with Álvaro, and at one point, they decide to go to the beach. Dizzy from champagne and dancing, she loses consciousness, waking up alone. Desperate, Liz runs to Álvaro's house and discovers that he has left for the north. Disoriented, she wanders the streets until she meets Maneco, an employee of Dr. Elzman. Maneco takes her to the doctor's house, and Liz tells him everything that happened. The doctor, fond of the young woman, decides to protect her.

How it feels

Melancholic, dark, earnest and tense. Measured and needs your attention.

About

Betrayal, isolation, survival, class

Content

Mild sexual content. No violence, gore or swearing.

Note

Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

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