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COVID-19 Special: 'Rose Island' (15)



Director: Sydney Sibilia

Cast: Elio Germano, Matilda De Angelis, Tom Wlaschiha

Where can I watch?: Rose Island is streaming on Netflix.

Rating: 5/5

Review: Everything is a bit rubbish at the moment; every time you turn on the news, something dire is happening, and these long, dark, cold evenings aren't exactly food for the soul. I was feeling a bit glum when bae suggested Rose Island (or L'incredibile storia dell'Isola delle Rose, to give the film it's Italian title) as the evening's viewing, and I was initially unenthusiastic at the prospect of watching a light-hearted movie about an Italian idealist who decided to build his very own island in international waters in a bid to create a place that was truly free (and maybe to win over a girl as well). However, what we discovered was an absolute gem of a film that's heart-warming and cheering in equal measure. Characterised by quirky yet wholly believable characters, some genuine laugh-out-loud lines (I challenge you to find a funnier ministerial meeting!) and even a couple of moments of beautiful humanity, Sydney Sibilia's movie is gently warming, sort of like slipping into a warm bath. Uncynical in its humour and unashamedly optimistic, Rose Island takes you away from the reality of another night sitting on your sofa to a sun-baked, really quite ludicrous platform positioned about six miles from the Italian shore. Just don't call it a 'disco island'. 

A COVID-19 Must-Watch?: Quite simply, yes. It's quirky, it's charming, it's funny and thought-provoking, and it's so bizarre a story that it could only be true. Incredibly good-natured and peppered with likeable characters, Rose Island is an enchanting little oddity that's simply a must for days like these. 

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