It Was the Son Poster

It Was the Son 2012

★ 6.979 votes90 min📅 2012-09-01

In Daniele Ciprì's darkly comic crime drama *It Was the Son* (2012), the Ciraulo family's struggle in Palermo's grim Zen district takes a surreal turn after a violent tragedy leaves them with an unexpected luxury car.

Director: Daniele Ciprì

Cast

Toni Servillo
Toni Servillo
Nicola Ciraulo
Giselda Volodi
Giselda Volodi
Loredana Ciraulo
Alfredo Castro
Alfredo Castro
Busu
Fabrizio Falco
Fabrizio Falco
Tancredi Ciraulo
Aurora Quattrocchi
Aurora Quattrocchi
Nonna Rosa
Benedetto Raneli
Benedetto Raneli
Nonno Fonzio
Giacomo Civiletti
Un amico di Nicola
Gino Carista
Gino Carista
Il prete
Mauro Spitaleri
Avvocato Modica
Piero Misuraca
Masino

Frequently Asked Questions

What is It Was the Son (2012) about?

The Ciraulo family, living in Palermo's impoverished Zen district, faces tragedy when one of their sons dies in a mafia shootout. Their unexpected compensation buys them a luxury Volvo, but their troubles escalate when another son damages the car, revealing the absurdity of their desperate circumstances.

Who directed It Was the Son?

Daniele Ciprì, the acclaimed Italian director known for blending dark humor with social critique in films like *The Mouth of the Wolf*.

Who stars in It Was the Son?

The film features Toni Servillo in a standout role, alongside Giselda Volodi, Alfredo Castro, Fabrizio Falco, and Aurora Quattrocchi.

Is It Was the Son (2012) worth watching?

If you enjoy crime dramas with a side of dark comedy and sharp social commentary, *It Was the Son* delivers a unique blend of tension and humor. While not a mainstream hit, it offers a compelling look at Sicilian life through Ciprì's unflinching lens.

How long is It Was the Son?

The film runs for 90 minutes.

About It Was the Son (2012) — A Sicilian Crime Comedy with Dark Humor and Family Drama

In Daniele Ciprì's darkly comic crime drama *It Was the Son* (2012), the Ciraulo family's struggle in Palermo's grim Zen district takes a surreal turn after a violent tragedy leaves them with an unexpected luxury car. When one of their sons is caught in a mafia shootout, the family receives compensation—and promptly invests it in a sleek black Volvo. But what starts as a symbol of upward mobility quickly spirals into chaos when another son, Trancredi, recklessly damages the car, exposing the fragile tension between desperation and absurdity in their lives.

Ciprì crafts a biting satire of Sicilian life, blending raw drama with moments of pitch-black humor. The film's stark atmosphere mirrors the moral decay of its characters, caught between poverty and the allure of fleeting wealth. With its sharp social commentary and unflinching look at fate's cruel ironies, *It Was the Son* (2012) lingers as a darkly entertaining critique of survival in a broken system.