A Brief Vacation () is a 1973 melodrama film directed by Vittorio De Sica. The screenplay was written by Cesare Zavattini, was inspired by an Apollinaire adage ("Sickness is the vacation of the poor"). The film addresses issues such as the health care system, labor conditions, spousal satisfaction, and class struggle.
Plot A female factory worker from Calabria falls ill on the job and is prescribed a stay at a mountain retreat. She goes despite her husband's wishes, leaving behind her thankless work shift and her frustrating in-laws, but also her three children.
Cast Florinda Bolkan as Clara Mataro Renato Salvatori as Franco Mataro, the husband Daniel Quenaud as Luigi, Clara's lover José María Prada as Dr. Ciranni Teresa Gimpera as Gina Hugo Blanco as brother-in-law Julia Peña as Edvige Miranda Campa as Nurse Guidotti Angela Cardile as the redhead Anna Carena as mother-in-law Monica Guerritore as Maria Maria Mizar as Nurse Garin Alessandro Romanazzi as son Adriana Asti as Scanziani Christian De Sica as Mariani
Production Principal cinematography started in Milan on November 1972.
Critical reception The New York Times said in its review, "The director's personal warmth is unwavering throughout, and the film makes an honorable ending to his career."
The film was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film by the U.S. National Board of Review.
Florinda Bolkan won the inaugural Best Actress prize from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association for her performance.
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