About 'Youth'

'Youth' is a 2015 drama film written and directed by Paolo Sorrentino. The movie is a contemplation on the nature of life, aging, youth, and the oddity of human experiences. The story revolves around famous composer Fred Ballinger (Michael Caine) holidaying in a Swiss spa resort with his longtime friend Mick Boyle(Director, played by Harvey Keitel). Given an invitation to perform for Prince Philip's birthday which Fred declines, Mick is busy with his final screenplay, which is supposed to be his "testament". They reminisce about their lives while dealing with age, memory, love, regrets, and the complex nature of their past.

Making / Production

'Youth' is Sorrentino's second English language film and was shot in various locations in Switzerland, Venice, and Rome. They spent several weeks filming in Flims, in the Swiss Alps, to achieve the perfect shot of the serene and spa-like setting. The screenplay was written by Sorrentino and is said to be partially influenced by Sorrentino’s own experiences.

Actors

• Michael Caine: Portrayed the central character, 'Fred Ballinger'. His poignant portrayal of an ageing composer grappling with nostalgia and regret was well-received.
• Harvey Keitel: Plays 'Mick Boyle', a film director who's working on writing his last important film. Harvey brought vigor and emotional depth to the complex character.
• Rachel Weisz: Played Fred's daughter Lena Ballinger. Her performance perfectly captures the emotional upheavals Fred's daughter experiences in the course of the film.
• Paul Dano: He played the part of Jimmy Tree, an actor who's best known for his role as a robot, successfully dealing with the existential crisis of his character.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Despite playing a composer, Michael Caine can't read music in real life.
• This is the second movie in which Harvey Keitel played a film director, the first one was 'Who's That Knocking at My Door' (1967).
• The film is also known by its Italian title, 'La giovinezza'.

Awards

'Youth' has been nominated for numerous awards including an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Simple Song #3" written and composed by David Lang. The film also won Best European Film at the 28th European Film Awards.

Quotes

• "You say that emotions are overrated. But that's bullshit. Emotions are all we've got." - Mick
• "You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!" - Fred
• "The most important thing I've learned in life...is to be yourself. Accept yourself as you are." - Lena

Music, Soundtrack

• Simple Song #3 - Performed by Sumi Jo
• Reality - Richard Reed Parry, featuring Son Lux and Bryce Dessner
• Wood Symphony - Composed by Mark Kozelek
• You Got the Love - Performed by The Retrosettes Sister Band