Open Doors (Italian: Porte aperte) is a 1990 Italian film directed by Gianni Amelio, based on the 1987 novel of the same name by Leonardo Sciascia. Set in 1930s Palermo, the film follows a judge who challenges the prevailing support for the death penalty. His stance is tested when a man perpetrates a gruesome triple murder, sparking conflict with both the fascist regime and public sentiment, ultimately compelling him to confront his moral principles.
The film received an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film at the 63rd Academy Awards.
Contents
Plot
In 1936, in Palermo, a former judicial officer named Tommaso Scalia brutally murders the former top lawyer, Spatafora, who was responsible for his dismissal, along with his colleague who replaced him due to their association with a fascist organization. He then proceeds to assault and kill his own wife before turning himself in to the police. The public demands Scalia's execution, and the justice system, aligned with Mussolini's regime, is eager to comply. However, a jury member named Vito Di Francesco, opposed to capital punishment, attempts to uncover the true motives behind the crimes through subtle questioning of witnesses. Throughout the trial, he clashes not only with the prosecutor and court officials, who prioritize strict adherence to state laws even at the expense of humanity, but also faces hostility from the defendant himself.
Consolo, a modest landowner serving as a juror, supports Di Francesco's approach. Eventually, Scalia is sentenced to a prison term instead of execution. Shortly after, Di Francesco is transferred to a remote district court, where his idea that justice should be guided by principles of fairness rather than political agendas fails to attract attention.
Cast
Gian Maria Volonté as Judge Vito di Francesco
Ennio Fantastichini as Tommasco Scalia
Renato Carpentieri as Consolo
Tuccio Musumeci as Spatafora
Silverio Blasi as Attorney
Vitalba Andrea as Rosa Scalia
Giacomo Piperno as Prosecutor
Lydia Alfonsi as Marchesa Anna Pironti
Renzo Giovampietro as President Sanna
Awards and nominations
Won
1991 David di Donatello:
Best Actor - Gian Maria Volonté
Best Costume Design - Gianna Gissi
Best Film
Best Sound - Remo Ugolinelli
3rd European Film Awards:
Best Cinematography
Best Film
Discovery of the Year Award - Ennio Fantastichini
Italian Golden Globes:
Best Actor - Gian Maria Volonté
Best Film
Best Screenplay
Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists
Best Director
Best Supporting Actor - Ennio Fantastichini
Montpellier Mediterranean Film Festival
Critics Award - Gianni Amelio
Golden Antigone - Gianni Amelio
Nominated
63rd Academy Awards:
Best Foreign Language Film
1991 David di Donatello:
Best Cinematography - Tonino Nardi
Best Director - Gianni Amelio
Best Editing - Simona Paggi
Best Producer - Angelo Rizzoli Jr.
Best Production Design - Amedeo Fago, Franco Velchi
Best Screenplay - Gianni Amelio, Vincenzo Cerami
Best Supporting Actor - Ennio Fantastichini
3rd European Film Awards:
Special Prize of the Jury - Gian Maria Volonté
Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists
Best Actor - Gian Maria Volonté
Best Screenplay