The Lovemakers (Italian: La viaccia) is a 1961 Italian drama film directed by Mauro Bolognini based on a novel by Mario Pratesi. The film which stars Claudia Cardinale and Jean-Paul Belmondo, was entered into the 1961 Cannes Film Festival.
Contents
Plot
The original Italian La viaccia is the name of the family farm which motivates the plot. The death of a wealthy patriarch in 1885 sets off an interfamily power struggle. Son Ferdinando buys out his other relatives in order to gain full control over the dead man's property. But Ferdinando's country-bumpkin nephew Amerigo holds out. Amerigo's stance is weakened when he heads for the city and meets prostitute Bianca. To support her in the manner in which she is accustomed, Amerigo steals from his uncle. Disgraced in the eyes of his family, Amerigo decides to stay near his beloved Bianca by becoming a bouncer in her brothel.
Cast
Jean-Paul Belmondo as Amerigo
Claudia Cardinale as Bianca
Pietro Germi as Stefano
Gabriella Pallotta as Carmelinda
Romolo Valli as Dante
Paul Frankeur as Ferdinando
Gina Sammarco as Maîtresse
Marcella Valeri as Beppa
Emma Baron as Giovanna
Franco Balducci as Tognaccio
Claudio Biava as Arlecchino
Nando Angelini as young man
Duilio D'Amore as Bernardo
Giuseppe Tosi as Casamonti
Paola Pitagora as Anna
Gianna Giachetti as boarder at brothel
Rosita di Vera Cruz as Margherita
Dante Posani as Gustavo
Olimpia Cavalli as boarder
Aurelio Nardi as ball-man
Maurice Poli as uncle Cesare
Renzo Palmer
Rina Morelli