On Friday, April 3rd, the “Comoedia” presented to the press the film La Città Proibita, directed by Gabriele Mainetti. Released in 2025 but previously unknown in France, this feature film was showcased as a preview at the Hallucinations Collectives festival. Blending action and revenge stories, this hybrid work takes us deep into the Esquilino, Rome’s Chinatown, for a narrative as intense as visually striking.
Synopsis: The story follows Mei (Yaxi Liu), a young woman who arrives from China to Rome with one goal in mind: to find her missing sister. Her investigation leads her to the heart of Esquilino, the city’s Chinatown. There, she meets Marcello (Enrico Borello), a local struggling to run the family restaurant under the pressure of the local mafia. But Mei is no ordinary tourist; she is a skilled martial artist. Together, they must confront “La Città Interdita,” a clandestine restaurant hiding less honorable activities.
Editor’s note: In “La Città Proibita,” the remarkable aspect is the choice of settings. The film transports us to a lively, noisy, and sometimes suffocating city, far from the touristy Rome and historical landmarks. This authentic neighborhood ambiance immediately places the viewer alongside the characters, in restaurant kitchens or dark back rooms.
Beyond the well-chosen settings, the success of this project relies heavily on its cast. Yaxi Liu embodies Mei with a quiet strength and contained emotion, avoiding the usual clichés. Enrico Borello portrays an “ordinary” Roman, somewhat overwhelmed by events, with whom viewers easily identify. Their initially forced and then sincere collaboration forms the true heart of the narrative. Marco Giallini’s solid performance adds a touch of wisdom and well-measured humor.
“La Città Proibita” remains an action film with depth, as the scenes never descend into exaggeration. Each blow feels real, and the stakes remain human. Mei’s martial arts mastery is portrayed as a survival tool rather than a mere technical display, making the confrontations even more impactful. The pacing is brisk, although the film allows necessary breaks to let emotions breathe, despite some perceived length in the final part.
Beyond the plot, the film offers an interesting but non-preachy view on coexistence between communities in Rome. It depicts a shift in mentality from old to new generations, showing how solidarity can arise from crisis situations, transcending language and culture barriers.
In summary, “La Città Proibita” is a generous and accessible work. It speaks of family, courage, and survival with undeniable efficiency. A solid cinematic proposal that we recommend experiencing for its energy and the accuracy of its interpretation.
