This article will introduce you to the movie Nuovo Olimpo (or The New Olympus), a 2023 autobiographical Italian gay drama playing on Netflix.
About Nuovo Olympo
Firstly, Turkish-Italian Ferzan Ozpetek, a filmmaker renowned for creating emotional and personal narratives, takes us through his autobiographical journey that spans almost half a century. It is a film with a nostalgic, seductive, and melancholic feel.
In Nuovo Olimpo, two young men, Enea (played by Damiano Gavino) and Pietro (played by Andrea Di Luigi), meet in an erotic cinema in Rome during the 1970s. They experience a passionate and irresistible love but are separated by an unexpected political event. Over the years, they both hold onto the hope of finding each other again, and their bond transcends time.
Through Enea and Pietro, we glimpse the director’s youth and the moments of love and passion that have marked him.
Nostalgia is an essential element of the film. Over the decades, we have witnessed the evolution of the characters and their lives, but also the constant presence of that lost love that has never completely faded. The film is constructed as an LGBTQI+ melodrama. Still, it’s also a journey through time, marking how past experiences can influence the present and future.
Check out our article on the best gay movies and shows on Netflix for recommendations.
Damiano Gavino as Eneo
©Pierre Suu/GettyImages
The cast of Nuovo Olimpo
The cast of New Olympus, directed by Ferzan Ozpetek, features Andrea Di Luigi, Damiano Gavino, Alvise Rigo, and Luisa Ranieri. Each actor breathes life into the story, encompassing multiple decades, events, and memories. However, unlike Ozpetek’s previous films, this is not an ensemble movie in the strictest sense. Instead, it revolves around two men who are linked to different characters but share a passion for cinema, food, and the pleasures of life.
Andrea Di Luigi plays Pietro
©paolo.stucchi
Note: If you like this movie review, you might also enjoy our related article about The Fireworks – 2023 Gay Film.
Our review
Despite some inconsistencies and ups and downs, Nuovo Olimpo is an unapologetic love story between two men that transcends labels of homosexuality, bisexuality, or heterosexuality. It focuses on the essence of people, showing them as they are without restrictions or prejudices.
However, Nuovo Olimpo, after a promising start, sees a few quite unbelievable events that make us not believe in their wondrous love. Especially the political event that separated the two of them. But the acting is convincing, and the ending makes up for the duller second part.
Altogether, is it watchable? Yes, it is; we still recommend it. And ultimately, we’d like to share your opinions about the movie in the comments below.
Interested in more powerful LGBTQ+ storytelling on screen? Read our take on Fellow Travelers, the acclaimed TV series that traces a decades-long romance through some of the most turbulent moments in American history. Our article dives into the show’s compelling characters, emotional depth, and the social issues it explores. Find out why Fellow Travelers is a must-watch for anyone who loves drama, history, and unforgettable love stories.
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Photo credits:
Photo credits: Netflix
