The Ignorant Fairies
The Ignorant Fairies (Italian: Le fate ignoranti; released on DVD in the US as His Secret Life) is a 2001 Italian drama film directed by Turkish-Italian film director Ferzan Özpetek.
| The Ignorant Fairies | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Ferzan Özpetek |
| Produced by | Tilde Corsi Gianni Romoli |
| Written by | Ferzan Özpetek Gianni Romoli |
| Starring | Margherita Buy Stefano Accorsi Serra Yilmaz Gabriel Garko Erika Blanc Andrea Renzi Koray Candemir |
| Music by | Andrea Guerra |
| Distributed by | Strand Releasing |
Release date | 16 March 2001 (Italy) September 2002 (U.S.) |
Running time | 106 minutes |
| Country | Italy |
| Language | Italian |
The story follows a woman who discovers that her recently deceased husband had been having an affair with another man.
Plot
When Antonia's husband Massimo is killed in a car accident, she accidentally discovers that he has been having a same-sex affair with a produce wholesaler named Michele. Although she's initially devastated by the news and hostile toward Michele, she soon develops a friendship with him and his and Massimo's circle of gay, transgender, and straight friends, among whom are a Turkish immigrant, a playwright and a boutique owner. As she gets to know these people and become a part of their lives, the new relationships dramatically transform Antonia.
Production
The director Ferzan Özpetek, who is himself gay, has a cameo appearance in the scene where two characters are searching gay companies to find a friend of theirs, who is sitting next to them, and viewing some photos on the Internet, where Özpetek is clearly seen.
Awards
- 3 Nastro d'Argento Prizes (Best Actress: Marghertia Buy - Best Actor: Stefano Accorsi - Best Producer: Tilde Corsi and Gianni Romoli)
- Public's Choice, Image-Nation Festival
- Best Film, New York Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
- Best Film, Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival