Delos Santos, Carmela N.

2018-03193

Set in Milan during 1983, Si Può Fare tackles social issues that are relevant to this day.
From mental health to the labor union, the film opens your eyes to the realities different people
with different experiences have. It is so fun to watch an Italian film now as I can actually
understand certain words that I have learned in the class. I also learned new adjectives and phrases
through this movie, and even the right way to pronounce words with an Italian accent.

From Nello and Sara’s love story, I realized that sometimes you get too caught up with
your passion and dreams that you forget the people who are there for you, waiting for your attention
and love. That sometimes, we overlook their efforts for us and take them for granted. I do not want
to be like that and so I will try the best that I can to appreciate and give back the love and effort
given to me. Moreover, I developed a crush on Sergio (Gigio) as he progressed in the film. He was
so cute and just so sweet, and I loved the part where the group got together so they can give him
advices on how to deal with women. It is just so unfortunate that he decided to do that.

As a Social Work student, this film speaks to the values, theories, and principles I have
learned in the course. The norm back then was that mentally ill people should only be given
medicine; that talking to them and assessing their environmental situation, not just internally, are
not the things to be done. This belief still upholds until the modern times, where there are still
people who deem mental health as something that can be cured just by the intake of chemicals. In
Social Work, you are taught that every individual has worth and dignity and is free to choose for
them to achieve self-fulfillment. The participation and self-determination of the clients are vital to
the work relationship. What Nello did, creating an assembly and discussing with the patients was
such a good thing to watch! He explained thoroughly to the patients, understanding that they are
mentally ill but not stupid, and even gave them the right to vote and decide for themselves. As
time passed by, the patients grew confidence and felt empowered because of Nello’s approach,
even with just a simple detail like addressing them as Signor and Signora.

It can be done! And they did. This film was heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same
time, something that will be etched not only in my mind but also in my heart. It definitely taught
me lessons about love and life. I would surely recommend this to my friends, and I hope that they
enjoy the film as much as I did. Thank you for this, Prof. Kiteng, as it shed light and brought new
knowledge to my life.