2017’s Caffè Sospeso
(Coffee For All), directed by Fulvio
Iannucci and Roly Santos.
Starring Glodier Biedma, Elisabeth Cardiello, and Martín
Malharro.
What is it about?
Based off of a Naples tradition in coffee cafes, the
practice of Caffè Sospeso is based around
the idea of a consumer paying for more java than they use, and leaving their
extra payment (called, “suspended coffee”) in advance for somebody else to use.
Caffè Sospeso follows a number of
individuals in different countries all connected to the culture of coffee and
how it connects people every day.
Why is it worth seeing?
I’ve never really been a coffee person- I remain baffled at
the social encouragement of what largely appears to be a international
addiction in which it’s more likely to be ostracized for not participating in,
the chemical compulsion that may not be that good for you, than if you do. But
social scientists have spoken to the need for people to have a place with other
people to go to- a place that isn’t your home, or your job, in order to feel
fulfillment socially. A coffee shop is as good a place as any, as the set
designer for Friends would tell you.
We’re introduced to a number of individuals, who’s lives have all been impacted by the culture of coffee. We meet Giancarlo, a Romanian immigrant who lives in Naples with his wife and newborn, serving his probation at a coffee shop who’s owner gives sentenced felons chances in order to have mercy and compassion. Elizabeth, a entrepreneur who lives in New York city and sells bags of coffee, always remembering her Italian heritage, rich in espresso. And there’s Martin the author, who’s prominence in the Argentina café is as influential to the shop (and some of its staff, including Glodier) as the coffee itself. All speak to their loving relationship with coffee, and to the spirit of generosity in terms of suspended coffee. It’s about more than someone getting a cup of coffee who can’t afford it- it’s about spreading compassion, in showing mercy towards the less fortunate.
The intentions of the filmmakers is noble, and it’s lovely how it globe jumps and skips to different characters. But the command of its different characters’ arcs are modest (the NY segment being the weakest), and ultimately fall a little flat- some ending in strangely abrupt ways. And there are several segments of strange people who I’m not sure why they are shown. It’s always nice to be shown a window into the ways people try to enjoy the world, or even make it a better place, but it’s even better when it’s less cloudy.
We’re introduced to a number of individuals, who’s lives have all been impacted by the culture of coffee. We meet Giancarlo, a Romanian immigrant who lives in Naples with his wife and newborn, serving his probation at a coffee shop who’s owner gives sentenced felons chances in order to have mercy and compassion. Elizabeth, a entrepreneur who lives in New York city and sells bags of coffee, always remembering her Italian heritage, rich in espresso. And there’s Martin the author, who’s prominence in the Argentina café is as influential to the shop (and some of its staff, including Glodier) as the coffee itself. All speak to their loving relationship with coffee, and to the spirit of generosity in terms of suspended coffee. It’s about more than someone getting a cup of coffee who can’t afford it- it’s about spreading compassion, in showing mercy towards the less fortunate.
The intentions of the filmmakers is noble, and it’s lovely how it globe jumps and skips to different characters. But the command of its different characters’ arcs are modest (the NY segment being the weakest), and ultimately fall a little flat- some ending in strangely abrupt ways. And there are several segments of strange people who I’m not sure why they are shown. It’s always nice to be shown a window into the ways people try to enjoy the world, or even make it a better place, but it’s even better when it’s less cloudy.
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