''The Keys to the House'' ( it, Le chiavi di casa) is an Italian 2004 dramatic family film based on the story ''Born Twice'' (

Italian Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance language *** Regional Ita ...

title: ''Nati due volte'') telling the story of a young father meeting his handicapped son for the first time and attempts to forge a relationship with the teenager. The film was

directed Director may refer to: Literature * ''Director'' (magazine), a British magazine * ''The Director'' (novel), a 1971 novel by Henry Denker * ''The Director'' (play), a 2000 play by Nancy Hasty Music * Director (band), an Irish rock band * ''D ...

Gianni Amelio Gianni Amelio (born 20 January 1945) is an Italian film director. Early life Amelio was born in San Pietro di Magisano, province of Catanzaro, Calabria. His father moved to Argentina soon after his birth. He spent his youth and adolescence with h ...

Plot

Gianni (

Kim Rossi Stuart Kim Rossi Stuart (born 31 October 1969) is an Italian actor and director. Early life and career Rossi Stuart was born in Rome. His father, Giacomo, was an actor of Italian and Scottish descent (his mother was Scottish). Kim's mother, Klara M ...

) has left his handicapped son Paolo ( Andrea Rossi) in the care of others since his birth. He has not been able to cope with Paolo’s mother’s death in childbirth or that Paolo has not developed like other children because of his handicap. Paolo is now fifteen and is about to meet his father for the first time. Gianni has been asked by his son's caretakers to bring him to a

Berlin Berlin ( , ) is the capital and List of cities in Germany by population, largest city of Germany by both area and population. Its 3.7 million inhabitants make it the European Union's List of cities in the European Union by population within ci ...

hospital for yearly tests and check-ups. According to their doctor, the "shock" of meeting his father could help Paolo in his treatment. When Gianni boards the night train on which Paolo is already travelling, it is Gianni who is in for a shock. Paolo does not seem particularly impressed nor disturbed by this first meeting with his biological father. He seems more interested in his Game Boy instead. Gianni and Nicole ( Charlotte Rampling) meet accidentally in the Berlin hospital and, even though he feels awkward and almost ashamed at being seen as having fathered "such a child", they connect. Nicole has spent her life caring for her daughter and could teach Gianni something if only he were willing to listen. Through a series of chance encounters aided by a book left behind by Nicole (''Born Twice'' Italian title: ''Nati due volte'', incidentally the book on which the film is based), they meet several times and get talking.

Awards

The film has won nine awards and fourteen nominations.

2004

In the same year of its release (2004) it won four awards and one nomination in the

Venice Film Festival The Venice Film Festival or Venice International Film Festival ( it, Mostra Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica della Biennale di Venezia, "International Exhibition of Cinematographic Art of the Venice Biennale") is an annual film festival h ...

2005

In the second year (2005) it won: One award and six nominations in the David di Donatello Awards: Three awards and five nominations in the

Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists The Nastro d'Argento, also known by its translated name Silver Ribbon, is an Italian film award awarded each year since 1946 by the Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists (Italian: ''Sindacato Nazionale Giornalisti Cinematografici Italiani ...

: and two nominations in the

Young Artist Awards The Young Artist Award (originally known as the Youth in Film Award) is an accolade presented by the Young Artist Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 1978 to honor excellence of youth performers, and to provide scholarships for young ...

2006

In the third year (2006) it won: One award in the Turia Awards:

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Keys to the House, The 2004 films 2004 drama films Films directed by Gianni Amelio Italian drama films Films based on Italian novels Films set in Berlin Lakeshore Entertainment films