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Ernesto
Ernesto
Directed by	Salvatore Samperi
Written by	Umberto Saba (book); Barbara Alberti; Amadeo Paganini;
Produced by	Jose Frade; Michael Fengler
Starring	Martin Halm; Michele Placido; Virna Lisi;
Cinematography	Camillo Bazzoni
Music by	Carmelo Bernaola
Release date	1979;
Running time	98 minutes
Countries	Italy; Spain; Germany;
Language	Italian

Ernesto is a 1979 film directed by Salvatore Samperi and starring Martin Halm. The movie is loosely based on Umberto Saba's novel of the same name.

Plot

In Trieste, Austria-Hungary (Italy after the end of World War I) in 1911, Ernesto (Martin Halm) is a 17-year-old boy who lives with his widowed mother in the home of his violin-loving Jewish uncle and works in an office at a routine job. He espouses socialist views largely to cause his uncle distress. He discovers his homosexuality when he meets a stableboy (Michele Placido), who is not identified by name. They become infatuated with each other and have an intense sexual relationship, which develops against a realistic depiction of the social setting. Ernesto loses his job when his sexual behavior is discovered and reveals to his mother his same-sex relationship, which he continues to view as shameful. He is dishonest with his same-sex partner, and their relationship ends when Ernesto begins to visit a prostitute for sex.

Ernesto takes violin lessons where he meets 15-year-old Rachel and her twin brother Emilio, both depicted by the same actress (Lara Wendel). Both of the twins fall in love with Ernesto, who marries the sister, resolving his problems with his mother and uncle as well as his former employer. Having outgrown his years of spontaneity and exploration, Ernesto denies his sexual past when he encounters his first lover and refuses to recognize him.^[1]

Cast

Martin Halm as Ernesto
Michele Placido as The Man / The stableman
Virna Lisi as Ernesto's Mother
Turi Ferro as Carlo Wilder
Francisco Marsó as Uncle Giovanni
Conchita Velasco as Aunt Regina
Lara Wendel as Ilio/Rachele
Gisela Hahn as Mrs. Luzzato
Renato Salvatori as Cesco
Stefano Madia as Andrea

Awards

The film was entered into the 29th Berlin International Film Festival, where Michele Placido won the Silver Bear for Best Actor.^[2]

References

^ Lupi, Giordano (5 November 2014). "Ernesto (Film, 1978)". Futuro Europa (in Italian). Archived from the original on 24 October 2018. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
^ "Berlinale 1978: Prize Winners". Berlinale. Retrieved 14 August 2010.