DURING THE SUMMER
As in all his films, Olmi's interest is in ordinary people, and he observes them with equal sympathy and understanding.
In During the Summer, the central character is a professor (we are not told what he teaches) who, out of love for his fellow men &ndash: and to make a little cash on the side &ndash: confers mythical aristocratic titles on alf and sundry—mostly poor and rather ordinary people.
One day he befriends another free spirit, a girl who finds her love life less than satisfactory, and a brief affair develops between them. As an expression of his love for her, he makes her a Princess—free of charge. I But their happiness comes to an abrupt end when he is arrested for defrauding old-aged pensioners of their pittances.
”In ‘During the Summertime', the city and its hinterland is opened like a magic box, just as the professor turns the girl into his princess. In shot after shot, Olmi transforms the common &ndash: place into a blaze of heraldic glory.” Jonathan Raban, New Statesmen
”...another small masterpiece, whispering major truths while others shout little ones. A marvellous film.” Ken Wlaschin, Films and Filming