Genre: Drama

Language: Italian with English Subtitles

Director: Gianni Amelio

Cast: Kim Rossi Stuart, Charlotte Rampling, Andrea Rossi, Pier Francesco Favino

Released: 2004

Duration: 111 Minutes

Rating: PG

Distribution: Palace Films

Winner 2005 Globi d’Oro – Best Actor; Winner 2005 David Di Donatello Awards – Best Natural Sound; La Biennale di Venezia 2004 – In competition

From Gianni Amelio, the acclaimed director of ‘Stolen Children’, ‘The keys to the house’ is a compassionate, incredibly touching exploration of fatherhood and disability.

Abandoned as a child into the care of an uncle and aunt, Paolo is a physically and mentally challenged boy whose winning personality is evoked with wonderful sensitivity by Andrea Rossi.  His father Gianni (Kim Rossi Stuart) is asked to accompany Paolo to Berlin for medical tests, despite the two never having met before.  Everyone is hoping for a breakthrough for Paolo, many thinking it will only come if Gianni is able to forge an emotional bond with his son.

Featuring subtly powerful performances from the brilliant cast (which also includes Charlotte Rampling), ‘The keys to the house’ is an astonishing achievement, both thoughtful and redemptive.

“An intense, deeply felt film, which succeeds in combining gentleness and compassion with something darker: a sombre sense of alienation and withdrawal.  It stayed with me long after the final credits.”  Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

“Charlotte Rampling is marvelous.”  Philip French, The Observer

“‘The Keys to the House’ is a beautiful film on a very disturbing subject.  Painfully honest and witheringly compassionate.  3½ stars out of 4.”  Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune