Summary
If anyone ever questions why representation is important and reduces it to a myth, this Netflix short shows its significance.
Netflix short film What Would Sophia Loren Do? was released on the streaming service on January 15, 2020.
As we get older, we soon realise that certain stars on the big screen have a noticeable impact on your life. We hit our 30s and suddenly realise that those who have had a positive influence on us will soon no longer be in this world and what’s left is their legacy. It’s a surprisingly sad feeling and one that I never expected to feel. I now understand my long rants when my father spoke about a particular singer, and I rolled my eyes while enduring his music on a road trip.
What Would Sophia Loren Do? follows an Italian American grandmother and film buff who found hope and strength from the Italian actress, a Hollywood legend that has helped shaped the industry today. The Netflix short documentary proves that what we see on the big screen does impact our lives — we do have role models, and there’s a great message here for those who do bless the entertainment industry — there’s always someone you will be influencing.
Netflix’s What Would Sophia Loren Do? goes through the motions in its 30-minute short — showing details of the actress’s life and in contrast, shows how it resonated with the Italian grandmother at the same period of her life. There’s a beautiful connection to admire; both of Italian heritage, and how representation matters. If anyone ever questions why representation is important and reduces it to a myth, this Netflix short shows its significance. It shapes who you are as a human being.
My only criticism, while a small one, is that I would have liked more. Thirty-minutes does not seem like enough time to explore Sophia Loren and her impact — the famous actress is still winning awards and is prevalent in festivals and award ceremonies. This feels like a whistle-stop tour event from the perspective of an admiring supporter.
Who knows, maybe there will be a documentary about me one day and the impact Ricky Gervais has had on my life.
