"Yara" is a gripping Italian film that delves into the real-life disappearance of 13-year-old Yara Gambirasio in the quiet town of Brembate di Sopra, north of Milan. The young girl mysteriously vanished in November 2010 while returning home from the gym.
Her tragic fate was discovered three months later when her body was found. The film masterfully dramatizes the relentless pursuit of truth by prosecutor Letizia Ruggeri, whose investigative methods are hailed as one of the most extraordinary in Italian criminal history.
The Film's Reception
Netflix, known for its vast collection of true crime documentaries and films, has found a gem in "Yara". Since its release on November 5, it has topped Netflix's "non-English movie" chart.
The platform's new data release method reveals that "Yara" accumulated a staggering 17,950,000 hours viewed in just a week (November 8-14), placing it among the top 5 most-watched films globally.
A Heartbreaking Tale Told with Sensitivity
The narrative retraces Yara's last known activities, drawing from her personal diary entries. On the fateful night, Yara visited her gym to hand over a stereo to her instructor and lingered briefly to watch a hip-hop class. By 7 pm, she hadn't returned home, leading to a frantic search.
The subsequent discovery of her body in February 2011, with visible injuries, shifted the investigation's focus to identifying the perpetrator. The film commendably portrays the painstaking investigative process, highlighting Ruggeri's unwavering determination amidst skepticism and criticism.
The use of DNA tracing, unprecedented in Italy at such a scale, becomes central to the story. Despite the grim subject, director Marco Tullio Giordana ensures a tactful representation, maintaining objectivity throughout.
Where to Stream
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Critical Acclaim and Audience Response
Directed by Marco Tullio Giordana and featuring performances by Isabella Ragonese, Alessio Boni, and Thomas Trabacchi, "Yara" is described as a "slow-burning murder mystery".
It meticulously showcases the extensive investigative process, from locating Yara to identifying her killer using groundbreaking DNA tracing techniques in Italy. An IMDb review encapsulates the sentiment, stating, "Ok, it's not a masterpiece, but it's very engrossing... A must-watch for all crime thriller watchers."