A TOWN'S MYSTERY BELOW THE SURFACE.

Byline: Evan Henerson Staff Writer

WHENEVER 10-year-old Michele finds himself either on the move or in some sort of precarious situation - and his friends seem more than willing to throw a little adventure-related peril his way - the boy starts reciting tales of monsters and heroes. A shrink would likely have plenty to say about this practice, but the coping mechanism seems an obvious one. Michele turns himself into the hero of his own adventure story. Forget about his mythical Lizard Man - a resourceful and persistent adolescent proves to be quite a worthy adversary.

Given the situation Michele faces, he'll need those resources. ``I'm Not Scared,'' directed by ``Mediterraneo's'' Gabriele Salvatores, proves a chilling little tale about a boy who uncovers a most unpleasant secret. And big-eyed little Giuseppe Cristiano appears to be the real deal.

The scene is a rustic southern Italian village during the summer of 1978. Michele (Cristiano), little sister Maria (Giulia Matturo) and their friends are dashing across rolling wheat fields en route to a meeting at a dilapidated building where the last to arrive must perform acts of punishment or humiliation. Later, when Michele returns in search of his sister's glasses, he comes across a concealed silo where a spooky little boy is being imprisoned. Who Filippo (Mattia Di Pierro) is and what he's doing there represents the kind of adventure - and revelation - that no child, no matter how strong, should have to endure.

Depicting everything from Michele's perspective, Salvatores gives the proceedings - at least up through the discovery - a frightening quality like the boy is living something out of a horror movie. As light spills into the previously pitch black hole, for example, a small foot is revealed, then a blanket. The boy, when we finally see him, is shrouded in a cloak and barely speaks. Michele takes what seems to be a huge risk by going down the hole to investigate. Later, he encounters strange people in his home - people who his parents (Dino Abbrescia and Aitana Sanchez-Gijon) don't bother to explain.

Niccolo Ammaniti, adapting his own novel with co-writer Francesca Marciano, is recounting, if not exactly a mystery, a kind of coming-of-age thriller. Quick-witted young Michele couldn't have dreamed up anything more expertly.

Evan Henerson, [phone]

evan.henerson(at)dailynews.com

I'M NOT SCARED (IO NON HO PAURA) - Three stars

(R: language, disturbing images)

Starring: Giuseppe Cristiano, Dino Abbrescia, Aitana Sanchez-Gijon.

Director: Gabriele Salvatores.

Running time: 1 hr. 41 min.

Playing: ArcLight Theatre, Hollywood.

In a nutshell: Kind of a coming-of-age thriller, creepy and well-acted.

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Photo:

An Italian boy with a very active fantasy life is thrust into reality when he finds a boy in a hole in ``I'm Not Scared.''