Welcome back to Movie Prairie’s review series on stop-motion films! In this fifth article, we explore the heartfelt and visually captivating film, No Dogs or Italians Allowed. Directed by Alain Ughetto, this stop-motion animation delves into his family’s history, blending nostalgia, struggle, and love in a unique and charming way.
If you are interested in keeping up with the stop-motion series, be sure to check out my other articles, including:
- “Ernie Biscuit (2015) Review: A Tale of Silence and Strength”
- “Harvie Krumpet: Embracing Life’s FAKTs and Misfortunes (2003)”
- “The Quirky Brilliance of Mary and Max: A Film Review (2009)”
- “The Tower (2018): A Movie Review”
Now, let’s dive into the review of No Dogs or Italians Allowed and explore the captivating world of this 2022 stop-motion masterpiece.
See the movie details below and checkout the trailer for No Dogs or Italians Allowed on the movie page!
- Year of Release: 2022
- Production Studio: Les Films du Tambour de Soie
- Distributor: Indie Sales
- Directors: Alain Ughetto
- Screenplay: Alain Ughetto
Voice Cast
The voice cast includes:
- Ariane Ascaride as Cesira
- Alain Ughetto as Himself
- Stefano Paganini as Luigi
No Dogs or Italians Allowed: The Plot
No Dogs or Italians Allowed tells the story of Alain Ughetto’s grandparents, Luigi and Cesira, who dream of a better life amidst war, famine, and disease. They bravely cross the Alps from Italy to France in search of opportunities. The film spans the early 20th century, portraying the Ughetto family’s struggles and triumphs through two world wars, the rise of fascism, and the Spanish flu epidemic.
Despite facing widespread anti-Italian discrimination, the family persevered. Ughetto’s film, based on his grandmother Cesira’s stories, captures their resilience. Though he never knew his grandfather Luigi, who died when Ughetto was an infant, the family’s story shines through Cesira’s memories.
Central Themes of the Movie
Below are the central themes of the movie.
Luigi and Cesira’s Journey: The film follows Luigi and Cesira as they leave their Italian village, Ughettera, and make the arduous journey over the Alps to France, driven by hopes of finding a better life.
Daily Struggles: The Ughetto family faces numerous hardships, including poverty, dangerous working conditions, and anti-Italian discrimination. Scenes like the children sharing a single potato for dinner starkly illustrate their impoverishment.
Dangerous Work: Luigi and his friends undertake grueling and perilous jobs, such as building tunnels and roads, often witnessing tragic accidents and deaths among their fellow Italian laborers.
Separation and Sacrifice: Many Italian workers, including Luigi, travel to France for months at a time, leaving their families behind. This separation is a recurring theme, highlighting the sacrifices made for survival.
Balancing Tragedy with Comedy: Despite the hardships, the film balances tragedy with moments of humor, such as Luigi and his comrades humorously nodding in agreement to any kind of work, regardless of the dangers.
Cultural Identity: Another main theme of No Dogs or Italians Allowed is cultural identity. The film delves into themes of cultural identity and heritage, particularly in the context of Italian immigrant experiences. Some family members attempt to integrate into French society, even changing their names, reflecting the challenges of maintaining cultural identity amidst assimilation pressures.
Legacy of Skills: Alain Ughetto emphasizes the manual skills passed down from his grandfather and father, who were handymen, to himself as an animator, illustrating a legacy of craftsmanship.
Family Resilience: The family endures numerous hardships, including the bombing of their home by fascists and the loss of children to illness and accidents, yet they persist in their quest for a better life. Through this, the film explores the strength and resilience of the family unit in the face of adversity and discrimination.
No Dogs or Italians Allowed: The Animation
The animation in No Dogs or Italians Allowed is nothing short of magical. Ughetto uses stop motion and claymation to bring his family’s history to life with a whimsical touch.
Broccoli stands in for trees, sugar becomes snow, and sugar cubes transform into bricks. Cardboard houses and other everyday items are ingeniously repurposed, creating a unique visual style that is both charming and symbolic.
Cesira and Luigi
Cesira wore her brown hair up in a bun, adorned with an extra-long wooden knitting needle. She was dressed in a light blue dress with buttons and had white and yellow daisies pinned to it.
Luigi sported a black wide-brimmed hat and checkered long-sleeve shirts. He often wore brown or blue overcoats, worn pants with patches, and heavy-duty work boots.
Cesira was often depicted knitting or patching clothing, even mending a sock for Alain in one scene. This particular scene highlighted the unique artistry that the stop-motion medium can be. This scene seamlessly blends live-action with animation.
Crafting Family History
Director Alain Ughetto incorporates himself into the animation, his hands appearing throughout the film. This personal touch emphasizes his connection to his family’s story. We see Alain creating his grandmother from clay and cloth, with his hands frequently helping Cesira, who narrates the film.
I enjoyed the first couple of scenes where Alain crafts his grandmother, Cesira, and brings her to life through stop motion. These scenes made the hair on my arms rise! I thought it was wonderfully done.
I also enjoyed when Alain would break the 3rd wall and join the story. This happened when he was shown cheering up his child’s father, grabbing an axe whenever he was asked to do so by Cesira. These additions to the traditional animation style added Alain to his own family story.
This technique highlights the theme of generational skills and bonds, as Alain follows in the footsteps of his father and grandfather who built with their hands.
No Dogs or Italians Allowed: My Take
I found No Dogs or Italians Allowed to be a wonderfully moving film. It offered a historical view through the lens of one family. I found myself fully engaged throughout the film and was impressed by the mix of comedy through the traffic stories.
The stop motion and claymation were done in a way that made the characters feel tangible and real. Alain Ughetto’s creative choices, such as depicting Cesira’s long knitting needle and Luigi’s patched clothing, add authenticity and charm.
I also really enjoyed the personalities and development of the characters throughout the film, especially Cesira as the narrator. She began her story as a young mother who endured multiple pregnancies, sometimes without the support of her husband due to his work and wartime absence.
As she grew older, her personality became more straightforward and confident as she took on many roles, caring for the household and keeping everything running smoothly.
Favorite Quotes
One of my favorite quotes from the film is, “We are not from a country. We are from our childhood.” This line really describes the main theme of the film. It shows us that our childhood experiences can shape our thoughts and beliefs as adults.
Another memorable quote is when Luigi explains to his son why a sign says, “No Dogs or Italians Allowed,” by saying, “Because they are afraid the dogs will bite the Italians.” This bittersweet humor illustrated the discrimination faced by Italian immigrants while also showing how Luigi wanted to shield his children from it.
My Favorite Scene
My favorite scenes are the interactions between Luigi and Cesira. Their love is beautifully portrayed through simple yet meaningful gestures. One scene shows Luigi cutting a flower with his pickaxe, which magically flies into Cesira’s hair. This recurring moment symbolizes their enduring love despite the hardships they face.
Another scene I liked was when Cesira and Luigi were by a lake, skipping rocks. Cesira’s rock formed the shape of a heart on the water. A similar occurrence happened with a flower at the dining room table. Their son joked that they shouldn’t play with their food.
Recommendation
No Dogs or Italians Allowed is a must-watch for fans of stop-motion animation and those interested in personal, historical narratives. The film’s unique visual style, combined with its heartfelt storytelling, makes it a standout piece.
No Dogs or Italians Allowed Conclusion
Have you seen No Dogs or Italians Allowed? Do you have a favorite character or a quote that stood out to you? Share your thoughts in the comments below. And as always, keep watching!
Thank you for joining me on this journey through the world of stop-motion animation. Stay tuned for more reviews and insights into this fascinating genre!
As a movie lover, especially classic 2D animation, I launched this blog as a guide to keep fellow enthusiasts updated on the latest news and information about films and shows. Through Movie Prairie, I strive to share my insights and recommendations, inviting you to explore and appreciate the magic of movies just as much as I do. Join me on this as we delve into the captivating world of film together.
