Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- earnest
- melancholic
- tender
- quiet evening
- historical drama night
What critics said
Critics broadly responded positively to this biographical musical drama, especially praising Matteo Simoni's committed performance and the film's accessible emotional storytelling.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Rocco's movement from immigrant child and mechanic toward becoming a singer and accordion player structures the drama.
Salvatore relocates from Calabria to the Belgian coal mines, bringing his family into barracks life and restrictive labor conditions.
Rocco and Helena's relationship is challenged by her father's racism toward Italian immigrants.
Rocco's accordion playing and aspiration to sing offer an alternative to the mine and mechanic's work expected of immigrant children.
Films like Marina, and why
The Pianist
shared biographical storytelling, immigrant experience, musical ambition, and warm dramatic tone
La Vie en Rose
shared working-class family struggle, music-centered aspiration, and cross-cultural romance
The Sapphires
shared immigrant family narrative, period social prejudice, and uplifting musical coming-of-age elements
Movie Details
- Director
- Stijn Coninx
- Release Date
- 2013-11-06
- Runtime
- 123 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (103)
Cast
- Matteo Simoni
- Luigi Lo Cascio
- Donatella Finocchiaro
- Evelien Bosmans
- Maité Redal
- Cristiaan Campagna
- Federica Marinò
- Marte Bosmans
- Mattias Van de Vijver
- Landerik Boie
Common questions
- What is Marina about?
- A Calabrian immigrant family builds a new life in Belgium while young Rocco pursues music and love beyond the limits imposed by the coal mines.
- What is Marina like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Marina as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Marina violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Marina as mild.
- What did critics think of Marina?
- Critics broadly responded positively to this biographical musical drama, especially praising Matteo Simoni's committed performance and the film's accessible emotional storytelling.
- Which films are like Marina?
- Films with a similar feel include The Pianist, La Vie en Rose, and The Sapphires.
- How long is Marina?
- Marina runs 123 minutes.
