Mondocane uses overt symbolism throughout, as is usually the case where a great big crucifixion statue is paraded around. The whole concept seems to be a commentary on present-day class struggle as symbolized by the exploitation of children in the future. A kid’s desire to belong allows them to be manipulated by rule-bound organizations that can dispose of them at any time. As this is what’s offered by both the criminals and the government, there is a pervasive feeling of no way out. That’s a metaphor for modern society many will recognize.
Of course, metaphors go down easier with a spoonful of motorbike gangs. Celli’s team has created the most realistic depiction of dystopia yet seen in the genre. Giuseppe Maio’s stunning camerawork pulls you into the middle of this industrial fallout world. It’s amazingly intricate and utterly believable, thanks to Fabrizio D’Arpino’s production design and Laura Boni’s art direction. The rusty aesthetic dances with the eyes while imparting the scope of decay present in this godforsaken world. It is gorgeous wreckage.
“…represents the highest achievement of the genre…”
The costumes by Andrea Cavalletto best illustrate the two worlds Mondocane has a foot in. Cavalletto’s clothes for the citizens display the range of classes that is the theme, while the gang costumes hearken back to the Italian 80s post-nuke fashion. The sizzling score by Federico Bizozzi and Davide Tomat takes the synthesizers heard in the originals to new levels of sophistication. All the actors do a great job of maintaining a commitment to realism in the sci-fi setting. Borghi is especially effective at making Hothead seem eviler the nicer he acts.
However, in the end, it does feel like a couple of more set pieces could have been worked in to increase overall satisfaction. The action that is present is great, but there’s not as much as one might expect. The drama does burn bright, but a couple of sticks more outrageous action could have made it burn higher.
Regardless, Mondocane is the finest Italian post-apocalypse movie ever made. It represents the highest achievement of the genre, maybe even enough to start a new wave of posh-atomic films from Italy. That would paste a happy, happy mushroom cloud on the horizon.
"…the finest Italian post-apocalypse movie ever made."
