ROSE ISLAND

★★★

OUT NOW (NETFLIX) / CERT 12 / 118 MINS

DIRECTOR Sydney Sibilia

CAST Elio Germano, Matilda de Angelis, Leonardo Lidi

There is something of the spirit of Ealing comedies in Rose Island. To live by his own rules, lovelorn engineer Giorgio (Elio Germano) decides to construct his own steel island in neutral waters off the coast of Rimini. While it proves a destination for hedonists, it also raises the ire of the Italian government as Giorgio applies for his haven to become an independent state. It’s predictable and gets bogged down in too many scenes depicting bureaucratic red tape, but Germano makes for a winning dreamer and Sydney Sibilia’s film is shot through with infectious optimism. Unlike its hero, the film takes few risks, but Rose Island is a colourful, enchanting and entertaining space to stay for a couple of hours.