Le amiche (Italian for “The Friends”) is a 1955 Italian drama film directed by Michel Antonioni. The screenplay, written by Antonioni, Sergio Amidei, and Ennio Flaiano, is based on the 1950 novel Le amiche by Alberto Moravia. The film stars Anna Maria Ferrero, Eleonora Rossi, and Lilla Brignone, among others, and was produced by Carlo Ponti.
Plot
Set in post‑war Milan, the narrative follows a group of upper‑middle‑class women whose friendships are tested by love affairs, personal ambitions, and social expectations. The central character, Clelia (Ferrero), becomes involved in a love triangle that exposes underlying tensions within the group, leading to moral and emotional confrontations.
Production
- Director: Michel Antonioni
- Producers: Carlo Ponti (through Ponti‑Cine)
- Screenwriters: Michel Antonioni, Sergio Amidei, Ennio Flaiano
- Cinematography: Gianni Di Leo
- Music: Giovanni Fiorentini
- Editing: Eraldo Da Roma
Filming took place primarily on location in Milan, utilizing the city’s modernist architecture to underscore themes of alienation and societal change. Antonioni’s visual style, characterized by long takes and an emphasis on composition, is evident throughout the film.
Release and Reception
Le amiche premiered in Italy on 23 December 1955 and was later shown at international festivals, including the 1956 Cannes Film Festival (out of competition). Contemporary critics praised the film for its psychological depth and the subtle performances of its female cast, though some reviewers found the pacing deliberate. Modern scholarship regards it as an early example of Antonioni’s exploration of existential disconnection, prefiguring his later works such as L’avventura (1960).
Legacy
The film is frequently cited in studies of Italian neorealism’s transition to more introspective, character‑driven narratives. It contributed to the international reputation of both Antonioni and Moravia, and it is regarded as a significant work in the representation of women’s interpersonal dynamics in mid‑20th‑century cinema.
Home Media
Le amiche has been released on DVD and Blu‑ray in several regions, often paired with other early Antonioni titles. Restorations have been overseen by the Cineteca di Bologna, which provided a digitally remastered version for contemporary audiences.
References
- Bondanella, Peter. Italian Cinema: From Neorealism to the Present. Continuum, 2001.
- Marcus, Millicent. Italian Film in the Light of Neorealism. Columbia University Press, 1993.
- “Le amiche (1955).” Cineuropa. Accessed June 2026.
Note: The information presented reflects data available from established film reference sources and scholarly publications.