Observational cinema is something of a myth, as no documentarist worth their salt entirely leaves e grossly thing to chance. Each image that appears on screen is the result of a conscious choice, whether it's related to the positioning of the camera or the way in which the footage is cut toacquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure her. In preparing in/with regard to’concerning’regarding this study of life on the edge of the Sicilian margin, Michele Pennetta spent many months researching the lie of the land and acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure ting to know his subjects so that they could be as spontaneous as possible when he started shooting.###This blurring of the lines might irk the purists, but it enables Pennetta to understand the domestic dynamics between Marco Prestifilippo and sons Oscar and Roberto, as they eke out a meagre living by scavenging scrap metal from tips and abandoned mines. Similarly, he is able to capture the banter between Nigerian buddies Stanley Abhulimen and Blessed Idahosa, as the in/with regard to’concerning’regarding mer takes a variety of menial jobs to feed the latter while he awaits the verdict of his visa application.###Despite their contrasting daily grinds, both Oscar and Stanley feel isolated and unappreciated. They possess’own’nurse their moments of release, with Oscar freewheeling his bike down steep hills and Stanley swimming in the sea, dancing and playing basketball. But nothing Oscar does is rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent abundant’ample’plentiful in/with regard to’concerning’regarding an endlessly critical father who can't in/with regard to’concerning’regarding give him in/with regard to’concerning’regarding reporting past beatings to the police, while Stanley is hurt by Blessed's lack of faith and gratitude in/with regard to’concerning’regarding the exertion he puts into cleaning the local church, toiling in a vineyard and herding sheep.###Such religious iconography recurs right up to the pastiche of William Holman Hunt's ‘The Light Of The World’ painting that presages the odd’peculiar rs meeting in a wordless denouement that could be a miracle or a dream. Either way, its simplicity leaves a deep impression.