Ciao Professore!

Lina Wertmuller’s Ciao, Professore! is freely adapted from the novel Io Speriamo Che Me La Cavo by Marcello D’Orta. It tells the story of a northern Italian elementary school teacher, Mr. Sperelli played by Paolo Villagio, who through a computer error is as-signed to teach in a poor crime-riddled pro-vince in the south. While attempting to interest his students he is challenged by the spirited and cynical children and encounters the Mafia and a school bureaucracy headed by a useless principle. The story is told through Sperelli’s eyes and we feel his frustration in trying to inspire his pupils, only to become disturbed when he finds himself unconsciously absorbing the southern ways of how to get things done. The children are inspired by Mr. Sperelli but his revelations make him wonder who has become the most changed, the children or their teacher.