Three Floors finally made it to the US. It did not receive theatrical distribution, but at least the film is viewable on Mubi. How is it possible that the films of one of the most important living filmmakers today are so hard to see? An author whose films are consistently selected at Cannes?
The title Tre Piani refers to the three floors of an apartment complex in Rome, and the lives of its occupants, but also to the three time periods that are covered in the film, and likely to the at least three layers of interpretation of the film.
Three Floors was poorly received at Cannes in 2021. It is certainly not a typical Moretti film, but that's what makes it new, refreshing and intriguing. It is an austere film, unclassifiable, moving from dramatic to emotional to disturbing from scene to scene. It defies expectations consistently, taking the audience on a true discovery journey. Rarely have I watched a film that was so unpredictable.
Like all great films, it contains many layers of interpretation, and I will not claim to have even fully explored the first layer. But what I can say is that even at its first level, the movie is engaging, emotional, and thoughtful at once. The screenplay and the acting are exceptional, as so is the directing, of course.
One of the main questions the film asks is "how do you film a truly dramatic story?" or even "how do you make a melodrama?" While remaining honest, non-manipulative. Three Floors provides a definitive answer, touching our hearts and souls, while respecting every character as well as the audience. A film not to be missed.
