Movie Review: Io Sono Li, or Shun Li and the Poet

       This film was chosen as a selection for the October Italian Film festival in the north Bay Area.  It was chosen on the basis of the many awards received in many categories, including best actress, cinematography, supporting actor, screen play, and more.
     The film is, of course, Italian in origin, and is filmed in and around the city of Venice, uniquely recognizable across many cultures.  The film tells the story of a young Chinese woman, brought to Italy as a contract worker for a group of Chinese businessmen involved in the garment trade and restaurants.  Shun Li is the young woman in the role of the contract worker.   After a stint in the garment world, she is sent to Venice to work in a newly purchased waterfront restaurant that caters to the local fishermen who ply the local waters to make a living from the famous lagoon.
     The poet, Bepi as he is known to his fellow fisherman, is a widower, well along in years, but not ready to call it quits as he finds meaning to his life on the lagoon and solace among the calm waters that surround his ramshackle house on stilts over the water.   In time, viewers learn that the owners do not want their contract workers to associate with Italians; it would be bad for business.  The boss threatens Shun Li: stop talking w/ the fishermen, or your work time contract begins again!  Bepi doesn't understand Shun Li's new silence, and resents his pals objections to any relationship with foreign workers.
    Later, Shun Li returns to the garment world and learns that her 8 yr old son has arrived from China and her bond has been paid by an unknown benefactor(not Bepi).  Now free, she returns one day to Venice to thank Bepi for his kindness only to learn he has died, and has left her his fishing station.  As a final request, Bepi asked her in a letter to give him a "poet's Funeral'.   With the help of another of Bepi's fisherman friends, they make a final visit to the shack, which Shun Li douses with fuel oil and ignites with a torch.
     A touching, moving film of different cultures coming together in very human ways.   Beautifully photographed, terrific acting by the principles with good dialogue that serves to complement the thoughtful production.   Much of the dialogue is in Chinese, with subtitles.
5 stars*****