Matteo Garrone’s refugee drama Io Capitano, an Oscar nominee this year for Italy in the best international feature category, was the big winner of this year’s 2024 David Di Donatello Awards, Italy’s equivalent to the Oscars, winning best film and director for Garrone.
Io Capitano also picked up prizes for best cinematography, editing, sound, and visual effects.
Paola Cortellesi’s There’s Still Tomorrow, a black-and-white feminist dramedy that became the top-grossing film in Italy last year, won Cortellesi the Donatello honors for best actress, directorial debut, and original script for the screenplay she co-wrote with Furio Andreotti and Giulia Calenda.
“I want to thank those who gave me the opportunity to write this role as I wanted it,” she said, accepting her actress honor.
Cortellesi’s film, a dramedy about an abused woman in post-wwii Rome that manages to combine serious social drama with situational comedy, sight gags and even a musical number,...
Io Capitano also picked up prizes for best cinematography, editing, sound, and visual effects.
Paola Cortellesi’s There’s Still Tomorrow, a black-and-white feminist dramedy that became the top-grossing film in Italy last year, won Cortellesi the Donatello honors for best actress, directorial debut, and original script for the screenplay she co-wrote with Furio Andreotti and Giulia Calenda.
“I want to thank those who gave me the opportunity to write this role as I wanted it,” she said, accepting her actress honor.
Cortellesi’s film, a dramedy about an abused woman in post-wwii Rome that manages to combine serious social drama with situational comedy, sight gags and even a musical number,...
- 5/3/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Matteo Garrone’s Oscar-nominated drama Io Capitano triumphed in Italy’s David di Donatello film awards on Friday evening, winning best film and best director.
The film about the trials and tribulations of two Senegalese teenagers as they try to make it to Europe via the Sahara desert and the Mediterranean Sea, also won best producer for companies Archimede, Rai cinema, Pathé and Tarantula as well as best sound, special effects, cinematography and editing.
Io Capitano premiered at the Venice Film Festival last September, where it won best director for Garrone and the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actor for Seydou Sarr.
The movie went on to enjoy a buzzy awards season, securing a Golden Globe nomination for best non-English language film and an Academy Award nomination for best international film.
“This film tells the stories of those who are not listened to,” said Garrone, on receiving the best director award.
The film about the trials and tribulations of two Senegalese teenagers as they try to make it to Europe via the Sahara desert and the Mediterranean Sea, also won best producer for companies Archimede, Rai cinema, Pathé and Tarantula as well as best sound, special effects, cinematography and editing.
Io Capitano premiered at the Venice Film Festival last September, where it won best director for Garrone and the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actor for Seydou Sarr.
The movie went on to enjoy a buzzy awards season, securing a Golden Globe nomination for best non-English language film and an Academy Award nomination for best international film.
“This film tells the stories of those who are not listened to,” said Garrone, on receiving the best director award.
- 5/3/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Nanni Moretti returns to the film-within-a-film format with a fitfully funny new comedy that, this time, offers two films-within-a-film (plus a surreal dream sequence). It is, frankly, a relief after 2021’s terrible, soapy melodrama Three Floors, and, at a crisp 96 minutes, so much easier to swallow. In some ways a companion piece to 2015’s Mia Madre, it finds the director putting all his neuroses back on show, pontificating on everything from movie violence to streaming platforms and why wearing slippers onscreen is a fashion no-no that can only be pulled off by Aretha Franklin in The Blues Brothers.
As is usual in Moretti’s self-reflexive pieces, the main film being made within the film is the kind of film that no director would ever make and that no modern audience would ever pay to see. Set in 1956, it sees Hungary’s Budavari Circus arriving in Rome’s Quarticciolo area, escaping the Soviet invasion of Budapest.
As is usual in Moretti’s self-reflexive pieces, the main film being made within the film is the kind of film that no director would ever make and that no modern audience would ever pay to see. Set in 1956, it sees Hungary’s Budavari Circus arriving in Rome’s Quarticciolo area, escaping the Soviet invasion of Budapest.
- 5/25/2023
- by Damon Wise
- Deadline Film + TV
Remember Titane? The day after Julia Ducournau’s Palme d’Or, a couple of summers ago in Cannes, Nanni Moretti took to Instagram and shared a selfie. The picture found him alone, staring––nay, glaring––at the camera, a halo of mercilessly grey hair framing his face, under-eye bags swollen. No filter. Moretti had traveled to Cannes for the premiere of his Three Floors, about which the less said the better, and waking up to the news that his film had lost to one where a Cadillac got a woman pregnant made him, per the selfie’s caption, “age overnight.” But the look embalmed on the ‘gram wasn’t that of a man trying to poke fun at his own mortality. It was the embittered frown of an artist who’d suddenly woken up to the fact that the world he once knew was changing, and would continue doing so...
- 5/24/2023
- by Leonardo Goi
- The Film Stage
Italian actor and director Valeria Golino is set to make her debut as a TV series director with “The Art of Joy,” an erotically charged female empowerment drama set in early 20th-century Sicily and produced by Sky Studios.
Golino’s high-end period skein about a Sicilian young woman named Modesta, born into an impoverished family in early 1900 and driven by a strong belief that she’s destined for a better life, was announced during a Sky Italy presentation in Rome where the pay-tv operator unveiled its upcoming lineup of 60 Italian originals – series and films – for 2022, most of which have been already announced.
The presentation’s standout, revealed for the first time, is “The Art of Joy,” which is based on an epic, and highly erotic, feminist novel by the late Italian author and actor Goliarda Sapienza.
“Art of Joy” has been a longtime passion project for Golino, who was very...
Golino’s high-end period skein about a Sicilian young woman named Modesta, born into an impoverished family in early 1900 and driven by a strong belief that she’s destined for a better life, was announced during a Sky Italy presentation in Rome where the pay-tv operator unveiled its upcoming lineup of 60 Italian originals – series and films – for 2022, most of which have been already announced.
The presentation’s standout, revealed for the first time, is “The Art of Joy,” which is based on an epic, and highly erotic, feminist novel by the late Italian author and actor Goliarda Sapienza.
“Art of Joy” has been a longtime passion project for Golino, who was very...
- 7/14/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Paris-based company Kinology has secured international sales to “Il Sol Dell’Avvenire,” from Italian auteur and Cannes regular Nanni Moretti. Pic is currently shooting in Rome.
The deal between Kinology and Domenico Procacci’s Fandango, which is producing in tandem with Moretti’s Sacher shingle and Rai Cinema, marks the first time Kinology has handled a Moretti pic.
Kinology, which is headed by Grégoire Melin, will be launching pre-sales on “Il Sol” in Cannes.
Moretti’s latest work has been described by the director as both an unconventional comedy and a period piece set in Rome between the 1950s and the 1970s amid the city’s circus world, but also involving the world of cinema.
Though that is quite vague, what’s clear is that Moretti seems keen to shift gears, moving into lighter fare following his ensemble melodrama “Three Floors,” which was in Cannes last year.
Last week in Rome,...
The deal between Kinology and Domenico Procacci’s Fandango, which is producing in tandem with Moretti’s Sacher shingle and Rai Cinema, marks the first time Kinology has handled a Moretti pic.
Kinology, which is headed by Grégoire Melin, will be launching pre-sales on “Il Sol” in Cannes.
Moretti’s latest work has been described by the director as both an unconventional comedy and a period piece set in Rome between the 1950s and the 1970s amid the city’s circus world, but also involving the world of cinema.
Though that is quite vague, what’s clear is that Moretti seems keen to shift gears, moving into lighter fare following his ensemble melodrama “Three Floors,” which was in Cannes last year.
Last week in Rome,...
- 5/17/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
In spite of a disastrous box office situation, the Italian film industry is staying buoyant thanks to increased exports, a friendly rapport with streaming giants and support from the government of Prime Minister Mario Draghi that is pumping money into a revamp of Rome’s Cinecittà Studios.
“Production never stopped and ailing movie theaters have been able to get subsidies,” says Francesco Rutelli, the former Rome mayor who heads Italy’s motion picture association, Anica. The org recently broadened its member base to include executives from Amazon Prime Video, Disney and ViacomCBS, after Netflix had joined.
This move — which is unique in Europe — indicates the level of friendly dialogue between film producers and streaming platforms in Italy, best encapsulated by Paolo Sorrentino’s “The Hand of God,” Italy’s international Oscar nominee. Sorrentino’s Netflix original film was released theatrically in November across the country before dropping on the platform...
“Production never stopped and ailing movie theaters have been able to get subsidies,” says Francesco Rutelli, the former Rome mayor who heads Italy’s motion picture association, Anica. The org recently broadened its member base to include executives from Amazon Prime Video, Disney and ViacomCBS, after Netflix had joined.
This move — which is unique in Europe — indicates the level of friendly dialogue between film producers and streaming platforms in Italy, best encapsulated by Paolo Sorrentino’s “The Hand of God,” Italy’s international Oscar nominee. Sorrentino’s Netflix original film was released theatrically in November across the country before dropping on the platform...
- 2/13/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Nanni Moretti is set to start shooting unconventional comedy “Il Sol Dell’Avvenire” in March. Pic will star French actor-director Mathieu Amalric and feature a cast comprising Polish multi-hyphenate Jerzy Stuhr.
Stuhr appeared in Moretti’s “We Have a Pope” and “The Caiman.” He will star in “Il Sol Dell’Avvenire” — which translates as “The Sun of the Future” — alongside Moretti regulars including Margherita Buy (“Three Floors”), Silvio Orlando (“The Caiman”) and Moretti himself.
Details of Moretti’s new film, revealed by the director in an interview with local trade publication Italian Cinema, have been confirmed by Fandango, which is producing in tandem with Moretti’s own Sacher shingle and Rai Cinema.
While the veteran auteur is keeping plot details under wraps, he has said that it’s a period piece set in Rome between the 1950s and the 1970s amid the city’s circus world, but will also involve the world of cinema.
Stuhr appeared in Moretti’s “We Have a Pope” and “The Caiman.” He will star in “Il Sol Dell’Avvenire” — which translates as “The Sun of the Future” — alongside Moretti regulars including Margherita Buy (“Three Floors”), Silvio Orlando (“The Caiman”) and Moretti himself.
Details of Moretti’s new film, revealed by the director in an interview with local trade publication Italian Cinema, have been confirmed by Fandango, which is producing in tandem with Moretti’s own Sacher shingle and Rai Cinema.
While the veteran auteur is keeping plot details under wraps, he has said that it’s a period piece set in Rome between the 1950s and the 1970s amid the city’s circus world, but will also involve the world of cinema.
- 2/13/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Despite Italy having been among countries hardest hit by the pandemic, film production almost never stopped. So there is a backlog of new titles ready to hit global festivals and markets starting from Cannes, as well as newer projects.
Below is a compendium of hot Cinema Italiano titles in various stages of production.
“Bones and All”
Luca Guadagnino started shooting this U.S.-set film in May, marking his first collaboration with Timothée Chalamet since “Call Me by Your Name.” Pic is adapted from the eponymous novel by Camille DeAngelis and tells the story of first love between Maren, a young woman learning how to survive on the margins of society, and Lee, a disenfranchised drifter, as they meet and join forces for a road trip through Ronald Reagan’s America.
“La Chimera”
Alice Rohrwacher will soon shoot her fourth feature revolving around the black market of stolen archaeological artifacts.
Below is a compendium of hot Cinema Italiano titles in various stages of production.
“Bones and All”
Luca Guadagnino started shooting this U.S.-set film in May, marking his first collaboration with Timothée Chalamet since “Call Me by Your Name.” Pic is adapted from the eponymous novel by Camille DeAngelis and tells the story of first love between Maren, a young woman learning how to survive on the margins of society, and Lee, a disenfranchised drifter, as they meet and join forces for a road trip through Ronald Reagan’s America.
“La Chimera”
Alice Rohrwacher will soon shoot her fourth feature revolving around the black market of stolen archaeological artifacts.
- 7/9/2021
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Golino’s second feature shows the difficult relationship between two brothers.
At the eve of the Efm, Italian world sales company True Colours adds Valeria Golino’s new film Euphoria to its slate.
Produced by Ht Film and Indigo Film, who are partnering again after the success of Sergio Castellitto’s Fortunata, together with Rai Cinema (Fire At Sea, Daughter Of Mine), Euphoria will be distributed in Italy by 01 in 2018.
The film is currently in post-production after finishing its 8 weeks of shooting in December.
Euphoria’s cast includes Riccardo Scamarcio (Them, John Wick 2) and Valerio Mastandrea (Perfect Strangers, The Place) as the two brothers, as well as Un Certain Regard Best Actress Jasmine Trinca (Fortunata, Honey) in a supporting role.
The film tells the story of the difficult relationship between two brothers with opposite characters. It is written by Valeria Golino, Francesca Marciano (Me And You, [link...
At the eve of the Efm, Italian world sales company True Colours adds Valeria Golino’s new film Euphoria to its slate.
Produced by Ht Film and Indigo Film, who are partnering again after the success of Sergio Castellitto’s Fortunata, together with Rai Cinema (Fire At Sea, Daughter Of Mine), Euphoria will be distributed in Italy by 01 in 2018.
The film is currently in post-production after finishing its 8 weeks of shooting in December.
Euphoria’s cast includes Riccardo Scamarcio (Them, John Wick 2) and Valerio Mastandrea (Perfect Strangers, The Place) as the two brothers, as well as Un Certain Regard Best Actress Jasmine Trinca (Fortunata, Honey) in a supporting role.
The film tells the story of the difficult relationship between two brothers with opposite characters. It is written by Valeria Golino, Francesca Marciano (Me And You, [link...
- 2/16/2018
- by Gabriele Niola
- ScreenDaily
Perks of Using the Star System: Tognazzi’s Tale a Tad Too Familiar
Maria Sole Tognazzi, daughter of famed actor/director Ugo Tognazzi, visits the mid-life crisis mode of the single female for her third feature, A Five Star Life. Featuring one of Italy’s most noted leading ladies, Margherita Buy, this rather reserved exercise feels far too buttoned up to make any lasting impression, genuine as everyone involved seems to be. The plotting, the scenario, and the eventual outcome are all far too familiar, (unique occupations aside) to register as anything more than standard cliché. Several subplots seem like a bid to pad out the running time rather than furthering the development of supporting characters.
A single, childless fortysomething woman, Irene (Buy) seems to have a dream job as a luxury hotel inspector. Sailing into extravagant lodges, she plays a mystery guest, ticking off demerits on the service and presentation.
Maria Sole Tognazzi, daughter of famed actor/director Ugo Tognazzi, visits the mid-life crisis mode of the single female for her third feature, A Five Star Life. Featuring one of Italy’s most noted leading ladies, Margherita Buy, this rather reserved exercise feels far too buttoned up to make any lasting impression, genuine as everyone involved seems to be. The plotting, the scenario, and the eventual outcome are all far too familiar, (unique occupations aside) to register as anything more than standard cliché. Several subplots seem like a bid to pad out the running time rather than furthering the development of supporting characters.
A single, childless fortysomething woman, Irene (Buy) seems to have a dream job as a luxury hotel inspector. Sailing into extravagant lodges, she plays a mystery guest, ticking off demerits on the service and presentation.
- 7/23/2014
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
A Five Star Life (Viaggio sola) Music Box Films Reviewed for Shockya by Harvey Karten. Data-based on Rotten Tomatoes Grade: A- Director: Maria Sole Tognazzi Screenplay: Ivan Cotroneo, Francesca Marciano Cast: Margherita Buy, Stefano Accorsi, Gianmarco Tognazzi, Alessia Barela, Lesley Manville, Henry Arnold Screened at: Review 2, NYC, 6/30/14 Opens: July 18, 2014 A typical five-star hotel in the more expensive areas of Europe, Morocco and China would cost, figure, oh, $700 a night and up. And that doesn’t include the enormous tip that would be expected for your butler, assigned to you only, waiting in the hall at your beck and call with room service treats that, of course, [ Read More ]
The post A Five Star Life Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post A Five Star Life Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 7/14/2014
- by Harvey Karten
- ShockYa
Me and You doesn’t feel like a typical Bernardo Bertolucci film. While some of the themes of his non-epic character dramas is there, what isn’t there are the beautiful vistas, bright colours, and enchantingly foreign (for us North Americans) locales. Frankly, Me and You feels more like something from Wes Anderson. It’s a movie about an introspective loner type who tries to create his own oasis away from the insanity of everyday life in a grimy basement, surrounded by dust, dirt and discarded artefacts of his mother’s home. Thinking more about it, there may only be three things that separate this from an Anderson film: it’s in Italian, it’s got some darker tones, and it lacks the elaborate mise-en-scène that Anderson’s basement hideaway surely would have had.
Bertolucci, of course, is a little more grounded than Anderson. His “hero,” Lorenzo (Jacopo Olmo Antinori...
Bertolucci, of course, is a little more grounded than Anderson. His “hero,” Lorenzo (Jacopo Olmo Antinori...
- 6/27/2014
- by Adam A. Donaldson
- We Got This Covered
Emerging Pictures recently announced “Cinema Made In Italy,” a major new initiative between Istituto Luce- Cinecittà, the Italian Trade Commission and Emerging Pictures that will pro-vide distribution and marketing support to five major Italian films with the goal of broadening the audience for Italian cinema in the United States. Emerging will oversee the initiative and distribute Gianni Amelio’s L’Intrepido, Marco Bellocchio’s Dormant Beauty, Bernardo Bertolucci’s Me And You and Valeria Golino’s Honey in 2014.
These four recent Italian works will receive marketing and distribution support from a fund created by Istituto Luce- Cinecittà and the Italian Trade Commission. The first film in the series was Paolo Sorrentino’s masterful Academy Award nominated The Great Beauty. Since it was released by Janus Films with support from the Cinema Made In Italy program, it has become one of the most acclaimed foreign language films of the year. It also won the Golden Globe, European Film Award and is nominated for the BAFTA and Film Independent Spirit Award for Best Foreign Film.
All five films will receive a nationwide release. Theaters will be announced shortly. Each of the films will have a full marketing and publicity campaign overseen by Emerging Pictures and supported by Istituto Luce-Cinecittà and the Italian Trade Commission.
Ira Deutchman, Managing Partner of Emerging Pictures, said, “Italian cine- ma has always captured the imagination of American audiences since the hey-day of Fellini, Pasolini, Visconti, De Sica and Rossellini. Our goal is to create a marketing and distribution initiative that will allow new Italian films to regularly enter the marketplace with a presence and to help create an ongoing new audience. We’re thrilled to be working with Istituto Luce-Cinecittà and the Italian Trade Commission to create this truly groundbreaking program.”
“Luce Cinecitta' is proud to test this new way to promote Italian cinema abroad,” said Istituto Luce-Cinecitta’ Chief Executive Officer Roberto Cicut- to. “Thanks to the funds provided by the Ministry of Economic Development and The Italian Trade Commission (Agenzia Ice) in addition to those provid- ed by the Ministry of Culture in partnership with Emerging Pictures, we will be able to give the largest theatrical distribution to recent Italian titles direct- ed by very prestigious auteurs. Italian cinema is well known worldwide for its glorious past and for such great contemporary directors as Bertolucci, Bellocchio, Moretti, Sorrentino, Garrone, Amelio and others. This new platform will give our movies the chance to be seen in a wide array of theaters throughout the U.S., and not just in specialized art houses in a few big cities. The recent outstanding success of Sorrentino's ‘Great Beauty,’ a Janus release, with our support, shows there is great potential here for Italian cinema. We look for- ward to increasing the availability of Italian films to our American friends.”
Dr. Carlo Angelo Bocchi, Trade Commissioner, Italian Trade Commission, said, "We have been working in the past two years with all the institutions mentioned by Roberto with two main goals: to get the Italian movie industry as the most important made-in-Italy tool for the commercial promotion of our country in the U.S., to try to reach the widest possible audience for viewing Italian movies. The support of different public institutions was central to building a project that was from the outset commercial: the movie industry is quintessentially important to promoting wine, food, fashion, design, technology, tourism and Italian style, together with the expression of our cultural values, trends and innovations. Italian cinema provides a single, comprehensive tool for achieving that meaningful goal. With ‘The Great Beauty,’ our first film, Cinema Made in Italy makes its debut in 25 cities, in more than 100 theaters in 15 states. This far-reaching exposure is exactly what we were searching for in our partnership with Emerging Pictures, and we are very happy that this first film in our Italian movie series is already appearing throughout the United States.”
About Emerging Pictures
Emerging Pictures, managed by Barry Rebo and Ira Deutchman, is the pre- mier all-digital Specialty Film and Alternative Content network of theaters in the United States. The company delivers independent films, cultural pro- grams and special events to a network of approximately 400 North American venues encompassing traditional art houses, museums and performing arts centers as well as commercial multiplexes including Allen Theatres, Angelika/ Reading Theatres, Big Cinemas, Bow Tie Cinemas, Marcus Theatres, Carmike Cinemas, Digiplex Destination Cinemas, Harkins Theatres, Laemmle Theaters, Muvico Theaters, Regency Theatres and others. The company also distributes live and captured live performances worldwide of the Bolshoi Ballet and some of the world’s foremost opera houses, including Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, under its Ballet in Cinema and Opera in Cinema brands.
About Istituto Luce-Cinecitta
Istituto Luce - Cinecittà (www.cinecittaluce.it) is the state-owned company whose main shareholder is the Italian Ministry for Culture. Istituto Luce - Cinecittà’s institutional work includes promoting Italian cinema both at home and abroad by means of projects dedicated to the great directors of the past and their classic films, as well contemporary ones. During the main In- ternational Film Festivals Istituto Luce - Cinecittà prepares multifunctional spaces that help to the promotion of our cinematography and it is the refer- ence place for all Italian and foreign operators Istituto Luce - Cinecittà holds one of the most important film and photographic archive both of its own pro- ductions, and private collections and acquisitions from a variety of sources. Istituto Luce - Cinecittà also distributes films made by Italian and European directors and guarantees they are given an adequate release on the national market. The team for the promotion of contemporary cinema continues to col- laborate with all of the major film festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Toronto, Shanghai, Tokyo, Locarno, New York , London, etc, by orga- nizing the national selections, the presence of Italian films and artists in the various festivals, and providing an expository and promotional space within all the major International film markets. We are also involved with the orga- nization of numerous events which take place in countries with strong com- mercial potential such as : The Italian cinema festival in Tokyo, Open Roads – New Italian cinema in New York, Cinema Italian Style in Los Angeles, The Festival of Italian cinema of Barcelona and The Mittelcinemafest. Istituto
Luce - Cinecittà also owns a film library, Cineteca, which contains around 3000 titles of the most significant Italian film productions, subtitled in foreign languages, which serve in promoting Italian culture at major national and in- ternational Institutes around the world. Istituto Luce - Cinecittà is also re- sponsible for editing a daily news magazine on-line: CinecittàNews (news.cinecitta.com) which delivers the latest breaking news on the principal activities involving Italian cinema as well as its developing legislative and in- stitutional aspects.
About The Italian Trade Commission The Ice-Italian Trade Promotion Agency is the government organization which promotes the internationalization of the Italian companies, in line with the strategies of the Ministry for Economic Development. Ice provides in- formation, support and advice to Italian and foreign companies. In addition to its Rome headquarters, Ice operates worldwide from a large network of Trade Promotion Offices linked to Italian embassies and consulates and work- ing closely with local authorities and businesses. Ice provides a wide range of services overseas helping Italian and foreign businesses to connect with each other
About The Films
Dormant Beauty (Bella Addormentata)
Release Date: Tbc Director: Marco Bellocchio Producer: Riccardo Tozzi, Fabio Conversi, Marco Chimenz, Giovanni Sta- bilini
Screenplay: Marco Bellocchio, Veronica Raimo, Stefano Rulli Cast: Toni Servillo, Isabelle Huppert, Alba Rohrwacher Festivals: Venice 2012, Toronto 2012
Three stories, taking place over the course of a few days, involving a con- science-stricken politician, an obsessive mother and two young protestors on different sides, are skillfully interwoven in this gripping, beautifully realized film. Set against the background of the emotional and controversial real-life 2008 euthanasia case of Eluana Englaro, Dormant Beauty is a subtle and complex depiction of recent Italian history.
The Great Beauty
(released by Janus Films) - In Release Director: Paolo Sorrentino (Il Divo) Producer: Nicola Giuliano, Francesca Cima Screenwriter: Paolo Sorrentino, Umberto Contarello Cast: Toni Servillo, Carlo Verdone, Sabrina Ferrili, Carlo Buccirosso, Iaia Forte, Pamela Villoresi, Galatea Ranzi with Massimo de Francovich, Roberto Herlitzka, and with Isabella Ferrari Festivals: Cannes (Competition) 2013, Toronto 2013, AFI 2013, Italy’s Official Entry to the 2014 Academy Awards Awards: 4 European Film Award nominations (Picture, Director, Screenplay, Actor and winner for Best Editing), Best Foreign Film nominee for British In- dependent Film Awards
Journalist Jep Gambardella (the dazzling Toni Servillo, Il Divo and Go- Morrah) has charmed and seduced his way through the lavish nightlife of Rome for decades. Since the legendary success of his one and only novel, he has been a permanent fixture in the city's literary and social circles, but when his sixty-fifth birthday coincides with a shock from the past, Jep finds himself unexpectedly taking stock of his life, turning his cutting wit on himself and his contemporaries, and looking past the extravagant nightclubs, parties, and cafés to find Rome in all its glory: a timeless landscape of absurd, exquisite beauty.
Honey (Miele)
Release Date: March 7, 2014 Director: Valeria Golino Producer: Viola Prestieri, Riccardo Scamarcio, Anne-Dominique Toussaint, Raphael Berdugo Screenplay: Valeria Golino, Valia Santella, Francesca Marciano, from the novel by Angela Del Fabbro with the same title Cast: Jasmine Trinca, Carlo Cecchi, Libero De Rienzo, Vinicio Marchioni, Iaia Forte, Roberto De Francesco, Barbara Ronchi, Claudio Guain, Teresa Acerbis, Valeria Bilello, Massimiliano Iacolucci Festivals: Cannes (Un Certain Regard) 2013, Toronto 2013 Prizes: Winner Special Mention from the Ecumenical Jury, Cannes 2013 Nominated for European Discovery at the European Film Awards 2013
Actress Valeria Golino makes her directing debut with Honey. Irene lives alone on the coastline outside Rome. To her father and her married lover, she’s a student. In reality, she often travels to Mexico where she can legally buy a powerful barbiturate. Working under the name of Miele ("Honey"), her clandestine job is to help terminally-ill people to die with dignity by giving them the drug. One day she supplies a new “client” with a fatal dose, only to find out he’s perfectly healthy but tired of life. Irene is determined not to be responsible for his suicide. From this point on, Irene and Grimaldi are unwill- ingly locked in an intense and moving relationship which will change Irene’s life forever.
L’Intrepido
Release Date - To Be Confirmed Director: Gianni Amelio Producer: Carlo Degli Esposti Screenplay: Gianni Amelio, Davide Lantieri Cast: Antonio Albanese, Sandra Ceccarelli, Livia Rossi, Gabriele Rendina, Alfonso Santagata
Festivals: Venice 2013, Toronto 2013
Set in modern day Milan, this is a Chaplinesque odyssey through the world of work – every type of work, but primarily unskilled manual labor – seen through the eyes of a kind, middle-aged man who takes on every conceivable temporary job in order to be useful and have self respect. This really is a por- trait of the highs and lows of modern life. At its heart is a sympathetic man (Antonio Albanese) who, despite loneliness and personal family problems, es- pecially around his gifted but troubled musician son, remains defiantly opti- mistic even when terrible things happen to him and the people he meets.
Me And You (Io E Te)
Release Date: To Be Confirmed
Director: Bernardo Bertolucci Screenplay: Bernardo Bertolucci, Niccolo Ammaniti, Umberto Contarello Producer: Mario Gianani Cast: Tea Falco, Jacopo Olmo Antinori Festivals: Cannes, Toronto
Lorenzo, a solitary 14-year-old with difficulties relating to his daily life and the world around him, chooses to spend a week hidden in the basement of his house. But Lorenzo’s fragile and rebellious stepsister, Olivia, appears at her brother’s place of refuge and disturbs the quiet.
These four recent Italian works will receive marketing and distribution support from a fund created by Istituto Luce- Cinecittà and the Italian Trade Commission. The first film in the series was Paolo Sorrentino’s masterful Academy Award nominated The Great Beauty. Since it was released by Janus Films with support from the Cinema Made In Italy program, it has become one of the most acclaimed foreign language films of the year. It also won the Golden Globe, European Film Award and is nominated for the BAFTA and Film Independent Spirit Award for Best Foreign Film.
All five films will receive a nationwide release. Theaters will be announced shortly. Each of the films will have a full marketing and publicity campaign overseen by Emerging Pictures and supported by Istituto Luce-Cinecittà and the Italian Trade Commission.
Ira Deutchman, Managing Partner of Emerging Pictures, said, “Italian cine- ma has always captured the imagination of American audiences since the hey-day of Fellini, Pasolini, Visconti, De Sica and Rossellini. Our goal is to create a marketing and distribution initiative that will allow new Italian films to regularly enter the marketplace with a presence and to help create an ongoing new audience. We’re thrilled to be working with Istituto Luce-Cinecittà and the Italian Trade Commission to create this truly groundbreaking program.”
“Luce Cinecitta' is proud to test this new way to promote Italian cinema abroad,” said Istituto Luce-Cinecitta’ Chief Executive Officer Roberto Cicut- to. “Thanks to the funds provided by the Ministry of Economic Development and The Italian Trade Commission (Agenzia Ice) in addition to those provid- ed by the Ministry of Culture in partnership with Emerging Pictures, we will be able to give the largest theatrical distribution to recent Italian titles direct- ed by very prestigious auteurs. Italian cinema is well known worldwide for its glorious past and for such great contemporary directors as Bertolucci, Bellocchio, Moretti, Sorrentino, Garrone, Amelio and others. This new platform will give our movies the chance to be seen in a wide array of theaters throughout the U.S., and not just in specialized art houses in a few big cities. The recent outstanding success of Sorrentino's ‘Great Beauty,’ a Janus release, with our support, shows there is great potential here for Italian cinema. We look for- ward to increasing the availability of Italian films to our American friends.”
Dr. Carlo Angelo Bocchi, Trade Commissioner, Italian Trade Commission, said, "We have been working in the past two years with all the institutions mentioned by Roberto with two main goals: to get the Italian movie industry as the most important made-in-Italy tool for the commercial promotion of our country in the U.S., to try to reach the widest possible audience for viewing Italian movies. The support of different public institutions was central to building a project that was from the outset commercial: the movie industry is quintessentially important to promoting wine, food, fashion, design, technology, tourism and Italian style, together with the expression of our cultural values, trends and innovations. Italian cinema provides a single, comprehensive tool for achieving that meaningful goal. With ‘The Great Beauty,’ our first film, Cinema Made in Italy makes its debut in 25 cities, in more than 100 theaters in 15 states. This far-reaching exposure is exactly what we were searching for in our partnership with Emerging Pictures, and we are very happy that this first film in our Italian movie series is already appearing throughout the United States.”
About Emerging Pictures
Emerging Pictures, managed by Barry Rebo and Ira Deutchman, is the pre- mier all-digital Specialty Film and Alternative Content network of theaters in the United States. The company delivers independent films, cultural pro- grams and special events to a network of approximately 400 North American venues encompassing traditional art houses, museums and performing arts centers as well as commercial multiplexes including Allen Theatres, Angelika/ Reading Theatres, Big Cinemas, Bow Tie Cinemas, Marcus Theatres, Carmike Cinemas, Digiplex Destination Cinemas, Harkins Theatres, Laemmle Theaters, Muvico Theaters, Regency Theatres and others. The company also distributes live and captured live performances worldwide of the Bolshoi Ballet and some of the world’s foremost opera houses, including Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, under its Ballet in Cinema and Opera in Cinema brands.
About Istituto Luce-Cinecitta
Istituto Luce - Cinecittà (www.cinecittaluce.it) is the state-owned company whose main shareholder is the Italian Ministry for Culture. Istituto Luce - Cinecittà’s institutional work includes promoting Italian cinema both at home and abroad by means of projects dedicated to the great directors of the past and their classic films, as well contemporary ones. During the main In- ternational Film Festivals Istituto Luce - Cinecittà prepares multifunctional spaces that help to the promotion of our cinematography and it is the refer- ence place for all Italian and foreign operators Istituto Luce - Cinecittà holds one of the most important film and photographic archive both of its own pro- ductions, and private collections and acquisitions from a variety of sources. Istituto Luce - Cinecittà also distributes films made by Italian and European directors and guarantees they are given an adequate release on the national market. The team for the promotion of contemporary cinema continues to col- laborate with all of the major film festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Toronto, Shanghai, Tokyo, Locarno, New York , London, etc, by orga- nizing the national selections, the presence of Italian films and artists in the various festivals, and providing an expository and promotional space within all the major International film markets. We are also involved with the orga- nization of numerous events which take place in countries with strong com- mercial potential such as : The Italian cinema festival in Tokyo, Open Roads – New Italian cinema in New York, Cinema Italian Style in Los Angeles, The Festival of Italian cinema of Barcelona and The Mittelcinemafest. Istituto
Luce - Cinecittà also owns a film library, Cineteca, which contains around 3000 titles of the most significant Italian film productions, subtitled in foreign languages, which serve in promoting Italian culture at major national and in- ternational Institutes around the world. Istituto Luce - Cinecittà is also re- sponsible for editing a daily news magazine on-line: CinecittàNews (news.cinecitta.com) which delivers the latest breaking news on the principal activities involving Italian cinema as well as its developing legislative and in- stitutional aspects.
About The Italian Trade Commission The Ice-Italian Trade Promotion Agency is the government organization which promotes the internationalization of the Italian companies, in line with the strategies of the Ministry for Economic Development. Ice provides in- formation, support and advice to Italian and foreign companies. In addition to its Rome headquarters, Ice operates worldwide from a large network of Trade Promotion Offices linked to Italian embassies and consulates and work- ing closely with local authorities and businesses. Ice provides a wide range of services overseas helping Italian and foreign businesses to connect with each other
About The Films
Dormant Beauty (Bella Addormentata)
Release Date: Tbc Director: Marco Bellocchio Producer: Riccardo Tozzi, Fabio Conversi, Marco Chimenz, Giovanni Sta- bilini
Screenplay: Marco Bellocchio, Veronica Raimo, Stefano Rulli Cast: Toni Servillo, Isabelle Huppert, Alba Rohrwacher Festivals: Venice 2012, Toronto 2012
Three stories, taking place over the course of a few days, involving a con- science-stricken politician, an obsessive mother and two young protestors on different sides, are skillfully interwoven in this gripping, beautifully realized film. Set against the background of the emotional and controversial real-life 2008 euthanasia case of Eluana Englaro, Dormant Beauty is a subtle and complex depiction of recent Italian history.
The Great Beauty
(released by Janus Films) - In Release Director: Paolo Sorrentino (Il Divo) Producer: Nicola Giuliano, Francesca Cima Screenwriter: Paolo Sorrentino, Umberto Contarello Cast: Toni Servillo, Carlo Verdone, Sabrina Ferrili, Carlo Buccirosso, Iaia Forte, Pamela Villoresi, Galatea Ranzi with Massimo de Francovich, Roberto Herlitzka, and with Isabella Ferrari Festivals: Cannes (Competition) 2013, Toronto 2013, AFI 2013, Italy’s Official Entry to the 2014 Academy Awards Awards: 4 European Film Award nominations (Picture, Director, Screenplay, Actor and winner for Best Editing), Best Foreign Film nominee for British In- dependent Film Awards
Journalist Jep Gambardella (the dazzling Toni Servillo, Il Divo and Go- Morrah) has charmed and seduced his way through the lavish nightlife of Rome for decades. Since the legendary success of his one and only novel, he has been a permanent fixture in the city's literary and social circles, but when his sixty-fifth birthday coincides with a shock from the past, Jep finds himself unexpectedly taking stock of his life, turning his cutting wit on himself and his contemporaries, and looking past the extravagant nightclubs, parties, and cafés to find Rome in all its glory: a timeless landscape of absurd, exquisite beauty.
Honey (Miele)
Release Date: March 7, 2014 Director: Valeria Golino Producer: Viola Prestieri, Riccardo Scamarcio, Anne-Dominique Toussaint, Raphael Berdugo Screenplay: Valeria Golino, Valia Santella, Francesca Marciano, from the novel by Angela Del Fabbro with the same title Cast: Jasmine Trinca, Carlo Cecchi, Libero De Rienzo, Vinicio Marchioni, Iaia Forte, Roberto De Francesco, Barbara Ronchi, Claudio Guain, Teresa Acerbis, Valeria Bilello, Massimiliano Iacolucci Festivals: Cannes (Un Certain Regard) 2013, Toronto 2013 Prizes: Winner Special Mention from the Ecumenical Jury, Cannes 2013 Nominated for European Discovery at the European Film Awards 2013
Actress Valeria Golino makes her directing debut with Honey. Irene lives alone on the coastline outside Rome. To her father and her married lover, she’s a student. In reality, she often travels to Mexico where she can legally buy a powerful barbiturate. Working under the name of Miele ("Honey"), her clandestine job is to help terminally-ill people to die with dignity by giving them the drug. One day she supplies a new “client” with a fatal dose, only to find out he’s perfectly healthy but tired of life. Irene is determined not to be responsible for his suicide. From this point on, Irene and Grimaldi are unwill- ingly locked in an intense and moving relationship which will change Irene’s life forever.
L’Intrepido
Release Date - To Be Confirmed Director: Gianni Amelio Producer: Carlo Degli Esposti Screenplay: Gianni Amelio, Davide Lantieri Cast: Antonio Albanese, Sandra Ceccarelli, Livia Rossi, Gabriele Rendina, Alfonso Santagata
Festivals: Venice 2013, Toronto 2013
Set in modern day Milan, this is a Chaplinesque odyssey through the world of work – every type of work, but primarily unskilled manual labor – seen through the eyes of a kind, middle-aged man who takes on every conceivable temporary job in order to be useful and have self respect. This really is a por- trait of the highs and lows of modern life. At its heart is a sympathetic man (Antonio Albanese) who, despite loneliness and personal family problems, es- pecially around his gifted but troubled musician son, remains defiantly opti- mistic even when terrible things happen to him and the people he meets.
Me And You (Io E Te)
Release Date: To Be Confirmed
Director: Bernardo Bertolucci Screenplay: Bernardo Bertolucci, Niccolo Ammaniti, Umberto Contarello Producer: Mario Gianani Cast: Tea Falco, Jacopo Olmo Antinori Festivals: Cannes, Toronto
Lorenzo, a solitary 14-year-old with difficulties relating to his daily life and the world around him, chooses to spend a week hidden in the basement of his house. But Lorenzo’s fragile and rebellious stepsister, Olivia, appears at her brother’s place of refuge and disturbs the quiet.
- 2/10/2014
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
The European Film Academy has nominated five titles for the European Discovery 2013 Fipresci (the International Federation of Film Critics) prize, an award presented annually as part of the EFAs to a young and upcoming director for a first feature film. The nominated titles are:ÄTA Sova DÖEAT Sleep DIESweden, 104 minWRITTEN & Directed By: Gabriela PichlerPRODUCED By: China ÅhlanderCALL GIRLSweden/Norway/Ireland/Finland, 133 minDIRECTED By: Mikael MarcimainWRITTEN By: Marietta von Hausswolff von BaumgartenPRODUCED By: Mimmi SpångMIELEItaly/France, 90 minDIRECTED By: Valeria GolinoWRITTEN By: Francesca Marciano, Valia Santella & Valeria GolinoPRODUCED By: Riccardo Scamarcio, Viola Prestieri, Anne-Dominique Toussaint & Raphaël BerdugoOH BOYGermany, 83 minWRITTEN & Directed By: Jan Ole GersterPRODUCED By: Marcos Kantis & Alexander WadouhLA Plagathe PLAGUESpain, 85 minWRITTEN & Directed By: Neus BallúsPRODUCED By: Pau Subirós The nominated films will be...
- 10/14/2013
- by Beth Hanna
- Thompson on Hollywood
The European Film Academy has announced the five nominees for the European Discovery 2013 - Prix Fipresci.
The award recognises an up and coming director for their debut feature film.
The nominees are:
Eat Sleep Die (Ata Sova Do)
Sweden, 104 min
Written & Directed By: Gabriela Pichler
Produced By: China Åhlander
Call Girl
Sweden/Norway/Ireland/Finland, 133 min
Directed By: Mikael Marcimain
Written By: Marietta von Hausswolff von Baumgarten
Produced By: Mimmi Spång
Miele
Italy/France, 90 min
Directed By: Valeria Golino
Written By: Francesca Marciano, Valia Santella & Valeria Golino
Produced By: Riccardo Scamarcio, Viola Prestieri, Anne-Dominique Toussaint & Raphaël Berdugo
Oh Boy
Germany, 83 min
Written & Directed By: Jan Ole Gerster
Produced By: Marcos Kantis & Alexander Wadouh
The Plague (La Plaga)
Spain, 85 min
Written & Directed By: Neus Ballús
Produced By: Pau Subirós
This year’s nominations committee was comprised of Efa Board Members Helena Danielsson (Sweden) and László Kantor (Hungary), Efa Members Pierre-Henri Deleau (France) and Jacob Neiiendam (Denmark), as well...
The award recognises an up and coming director for their debut feature film.
The nominees are:
Eat Sleep Die (Ata Sova Do)
Sweden, 104 min
Written & Directed By: Gabriela Pichler
Produced By: China Åhlander
Call Girl
Sweden/Norway/Ireland/Finland, 133 min
Directed By: Mikael Marcimain
Written By: Marietta von Hausswolff von Baumgarten
Produced By: Mimmi Spång
Miele
Italy/France, 90 min
Directed By: Valeria Golino
Written By: Francesca Marciano, Valia Santella & Valeria Golino
Produced By: Riccardo Scamarcio, Viola Prestieri, Anne-Dominique Toussaint & Raphaël Berdugo
Oh Boy
Germany, 83 min
Written & Directed By: Jan Ole Gerster
Produced By: Marcos Kantis & Alexander Wadouh
The Plague (La Plaga)
Spain, 85 min
Written & Directed By: Neus Ballús
Produced By: Pau Subirós
This year’s nominations committee was comprised of Efa Board Members Helena Danielsson (Sweden) and László Kantor (Hungary), Efa Members Pierre-Henri Deleau (France) and Jacob Neiiendam (Denmark), as well...
- 10/14/2013
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
The European Film Academy has announced the five nominees for the European Discovery 2013 - Prix Fipresci.
The award recognises an up and coming director for their debut feature film.
The nominees are:
Eat Sleep Die (Ata Sova Do)
Sweden, 104 min
Written & Directed By: Gabriela Pichler
Produced By: China Åhlander
Call Girl
Sweden/Norway/Ireland/Finland, 133 min
Directed By: Mikael Marcimain
Written By: Marietta von Hausswolff von Baumgarten
Produced By: Mimmi Spång
Miele
Italy/France, 90 min
Directed By: Valeria Golino
Written By: Francesca Marciano, Valia Santella & Valeria Golino
Produced By: Riccardo Scamarcio, Viola Prestieri, Anne-Dominique Toussaint & Raphaël Berdugo
Oh Boy
Germany, 83 min
Written & Directed By: Jan Ole Gerster
Produced By: Marcos Kantis & Alexander Wadouh
The Plague (La Plaga)
Spain, 85 min
Written & Directed By: Neus Ballús
Produced By: Pau Subirós
This year’s nominations committee was comprised of Efa Board Members Helena Danielsson
(Sweden) and László Kantor (Hungary), Efa Members Pierre-Henri Deleau (France) and Jacob Neiiendam
(Denmark), as well...
The award recognises an up and coming director for their debut feature film.
The nominees are:
Eat Sleep Die (Ata Sova Do)
Sweden, 104 min
Written & Directed By: Gabriela Pichler
Produced By: China Åhlander
Call Girl
Sweden/Norway/Ireland/Finland, 133 min
Directed By: Mikael Marcimain
Written By: Marietta von Hausswolff von Baumgarten
Produced By: Mimmi Spång
Miele
Italy/France, 90 min
Directed By: Valeria Golino
Written By: Francesca Marciano, Valia Santella & Valeria Golino
Produced By: Riccardo Scamarcio, Viola Prestieri, Anne-Dominique Toussaint & Raphaël Berdugo
Oh Boy
Germany, 83 min
Written & Directed By: Jan Ole Gerster
Produced By: Marcos Kantis & Alexander Wadouh
The Plague (La Plaga)
Spain, 85 min
Written & Directed By: Neus Ballús
Produced By: Pau Subirós
This year’s nominations committee was comprised of Efa Board Members Helena Danielsson
(Sweden) and László Kantor (Hungary), Efa Members Pierre-Henri Deleau (France) and Jacob Neiiendam
(Denmark), as well...
- 10/14/2013
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
VENICE -- Cristina Comencini's multilayered drama Don't Tell is a refreshingly insightful look at the lingering impact of child abuse, a subject that has been dealt with in all too many trite and exploitive television shows and feature films.
The well-crafted screenplay by Francesca Marciano, Giulia Calenda and Comencini, based on a novel by the director, explores how a brother and sister deal with their grown-up recollections of being abused by their late father.
The film, which screened In Competition at the Venice International Film Festival, goes beyond the fate of Sabina (Giovanna Mezzogiorgno) and Daniele Luigi Lo Cascio) to include their lovers, friends and children.
Powerfully moving but laced with incisive wit, Don't Tell has terrific performances with a wise tone and polished look that should find appreciative audiences well beyond art houses.
There is a Richard Curtis feel to the intertwining relationships although the subject matter is handled with a depth way beyond the shallow waters of Four Weddings and a Funeral or Notting Hill.
Sabina's nightmares begin after she arranges for her father's cremation and while she wants a baby with her genial actor lover Franco (Alessio Boni), the reality of it spins her into an emotional trauma. Seeking answers, she flies to America to see her older brother Daniele, but she quickly sees in his awkward dealings with his own children that he has been traumatized too.
There are searing scenes that leave Sabina with some answers but no resolution and when she returns to Italy, her pregnancy becomes the nucleus of all her fears. Her friends, Emilia (Stefania Rocca), who is gay and blind, and Maria (Angela Finocchiaro), who is divorced and lonely, lend their support and develop an unlikely liaison themselves.
Franco's director (Giuseppe Battiston) also plays an important role as the characters deal with their own failings and strengths, helping each other to find a kind of love that is understanding and forgiving.
The well-crafted screenplay by Francesca Marciano, Giulia Calenda and Comencini, based on a novel by the director, explores how a brother and sister deal with their grown-up recollections of being abused by their late father.
The film, which screened In Competition at the Venice International Film Festival, goes beyond the fate of Sabina (Giovanna Mezzogiorgno) and Daniele Luigi Lo Cascio) to include their lovers, friends and children.
Powerfully moving but laced with incisive wit, Don't Tell has terrific performances with a wise tone and polished look that should find appreciative audiences well beyond art houses.
There is a Richard Curtis feel to the intertwining relationships although the subject matter is handled with a depth way beyond the shallow waters of Four Weddings and a Funeral or Notting Hill.
Sabina's nightmares begin after she arranges for her father's cremation and while she wants a baby with her genial actor lover Franco (Alessio Boni), the reality of it spins her into an emotional trauma. Seeking answers, she flies to America to see her older brother Daniele, but she quickly sees in his awkward dealings with his own children that he has been traumatized too.
There are searing scenes that leave Sabina with some answers but no resolution and when she returns to Italy, her pregnancy becomes the nucleus of all her fears. Her friends, Emilia (Stefania Rocca), who is gay and blind, and Maria (Angela Finocchiaro), who is divorced and lonely, lend their support and develop an unlikely liaison themselves.
Franco's director (Giuseppe Battiston) also plays an important role as the characters deal with their own failings and strengths, helping each other to find a kind of love that is understanding and forgiving.
- 9/10/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
VENICE -- Cristina Comencini's multilayered drama "Don't Tell" is a refreshingly insightful look at the lingering impact of child abuse, a subject that has been dealt with in all too many trite and exploitive television shows and feature films.
The well-crafted screenplay by Francesca Marciano, Giulia Calenda and Comencini, based on a novel by the director, explores how a brother and sister deal with their grown-up recollections of being abused by their late father.
The film, which screened In Competition at the Venice International Film Festival, goes beyond the fate of Sabina (Giovanna Mezzogiorgno) and Daniele Luigi Lo Cascio) to include their lovers, friends and children.
Powerfully moving but laced with incisive wit, "Don't Tell" has terrific performances with a wise tone and polished look that should find appreciative audiences well beyond art houses.
There is a Richard Curtis feel to the intertwining relationships although the subject matter is handled with a depth way beyond the shallow waters of "Four Weddings and a Funeral" or "Notting Hill".
Sabina's nightmares begin after she arranges for her father's cremation and while she wants a baby with her genial actor lover Franco (Alessio Boni), the reality of it spins her into an emotional trauma. Seeking answers, she flies to America to see her older brother Daniele, but she quickly sees in his awkward dealings with his own children that he has been traumatized too.
There are searing scenes that leave Sabina with some answers but no resolution and when she returns to Italy, her pregnancy becomes the nucleus of all her fears. Her friends, Emilia (Stefania Rocca), who is gay and blind, and Maria (Angela Finocchiaro), who is divorced and lonely, lend their support and develop an unlikely liaison themselves.
Franco's director (Giuseppe Battiston) also plays an important role as the characters deal with their own failings and strengths, helping each other a kind of love that is understanding and forgiving.
The well-crafted screenplay by Francesca Marciano, Giulia Calenda and Comencini, based on a novel by the director, explores how a brother and sister deal with their grown-up recollections of being abused by their late father.
The film, which screened In Competition at the Venice International Film Festival, goes beyond the fate of Sabina (Giovanna Mezzogiorgno) and Daniele Luigi Lo Cascio) to include their lovers, friends and children.
Powerfully moving but laced with incisive wit, "Don't Tell" has terrific performances with a wise tone and polished look that should find appreciative audiences well beyond art houses.
There is a Richard Curtis feel to the intertwining relationships although the subject matter is handled with a depth way beyond the shallow waters of "Four Weddings and a Funeral" or "Notting Hill".
Sabina's nightmares begin after she arranges for her father's cremation and while she wants a baby with her genial actor lover Franco (Alessio Boni), the reality of it spins her into an emotional trauma. Seeking answers, she flies to America to see her older brother Daniele, but she quickly sees in his awkward dealings with his own children that he has been traumatized too.
There are searing scenes that leave Sabina with some answers but no resolution and when she returns to Italy, her pregnancy becomes the nucleus of all her fears. Her friends, Emilia (Stefania Rocca), who is gay and blind, and Maria (Angela Finocchiaro), who is divorced and lonely, lend their support and develop an unlikely liaison themselves.
Franco's director (Giuseppe Battiston) also plays an important role as the characters deal with their own failings and strengths, helping each other a kind of love that is understanding and forgiving.
It's not immediately apparent why the Weinstein Brothers dug into their admittedly deep pockets to pick up this mild Italian import about the relationship between a middle-aged musician and his young, beautiful singing protege, unless it was to showcase the stunning physical beauty of Claudia Gerini. As the title character, Gerini smolders through the proceedings with casual sexuality that gives the film whatever spark it has.
The director, co-screenwriter and star of "Iris Blond" -- the title onscreen reads "I'm Crazy About Iris Blond" -- is comic actor Carlo Verdone, but suffice it to say he won't match Roberto Benigni in Stateside appeal.
The film, opening exclusively today at New York's Angelika Cinema, is a combination comedy-drama-romance, centering around not-too-aptly named Romeo Spera (Verdone), a former star turned lounge singer reduced to playing piano on cruise ships. A fortune teller informs him that his life will be changed by a foreign woman who speaks in verse, and Romeo believes the prophecy has been fulfilled when he teams with Marguerite (Andrea Ferreol), a middle-aged Belgian singer who specializes in the works of Jacques Brel. After moving with her to Brussels, he joins her in a musical act, but the professional and romantic partnership go nowhere fast.
Then Romeo meets comely Iris (Gerini), a feisty worker at the local fast-food restaurant. Discovering that she sings in a choir and writes verse in her spare time, the smitten Romeo proposes a musical partnership. She agrees, and Romeo soon moves in with her; unfortunately for him, Iris -- otherwise quite generous in her sexual deportment -- insists that the relationship remain platonic.
It isn't long before the duo, Iris Blond and the Freezer, begins to achieve success in local clubs with their brand of overblown pop music. (Strangely, Iris, immediately after hitting it big, dyes her hair auburn.) Romeo is by now hopelessly in love with his musical partner, and his feelings -- not to mention their growing professional division -- soon create trouble for their relationship.
Although not without its moments, "Iris Blond" seems hopelessly divided as to what it wants to be, shifting awkwardly from broad comedy to mild romance to "A Star Is Born"-type drama. Balding, pudgy Verdone is not nearly as appealing as he obviously thinks himself to be and is unable to provide the charisma that might have helped us overlook the film's sloppiness.
Typical of the creative laziness on display is that the chief running gag involves the fact that Romeo's cigarette lighter never works, and a visual bit in which he cruelly imitates the deformed eye of one of Iris' co-workers is repeated ad infinitum. We are forced to endure several lengthy, painful musical numbers, and Miramax's heavy editing hands are apparent in the film's choppy continuity.
Still, Gerini is undeniably delectable, displaying acting chops as well as her lithe body. With the right vehicle to propel her, international stardom is a distinct possibility.
IRIS BLOND
Miramax
Director: Carlo Verdone
Story-screenplay: Francesca Marciano, Pasquale Plastino, Carlo Verdone
Producers: Vittorio & Rita Cecchi Gori
Executive producers: Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein
Color/stereo
Cast:
Romeo Spera: Carlo Verdone
Iris Blond: Claudia Gerini
Marguerite: Andrea Ferreol
Vincenzo Cecere: Nello Mascia
Fortune Teller: Nuccia Fumo
Running time -- 100 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
The director, co-screenwriter and star of "Iris Blond" -- the title onscreen reads "I'm Crazy About Iris Blond" -- is comic actor Carlo Verdone, but suffice it to say he won't match Roberto Benigni in Stateside appeal.
The film, opening exclusively today at New York's Angelika Cinema, is a combination comedy-drama-romance, centering around not-too-aptly named Romeo Spera (Verdone), a former star turned lounge singer reduced to playing piano on cruise ships. A fortune teller informs him that his life will be changed by a foreign woman who speaks in verse, and Romeo believes the prophecy has been fulfilled when he teams with Marguerite (Andrea Ferreol), a middle-aged Belgian singer who specializes in the works of Jacques Brel. After moving with her to Brussels, he joins her in a musical act, but the professional and romantic partnership go nowhere fast.
Then Romeo meets comely Iris (Gerini), a feisty worker at the local fast-food restaurant. Discovering that she sings in a choir and writes verse in her spare time, the smitten Romeo proposes a musical partnership. She agrees, and Romeo soon moves in with her; unfortunately for him, Iris -- otherwise quite generous in her sexual deportment -- insists that the relationship remain platonic.
It isn't long before the duo, Iris Blond and the Freezer, begins to achieve success in local clubs with their brand of overblown pop music. (Strangely, Iris, immediately after hitting it big, dyes her hair auburn.) Romeo is by now hopelessly in love with his musical partner, and his feelings -- not to mention their growing professional division -- soon create trouble for their relationship.
Although not without its moments, "Iris Blond" seems hopelessly divided as to what it wants to be, shifting awkwardly from broad comedy to mild romance to "A Star Is Born"-type drama. Balding, pudgy Verdone is not nearly as appealing as he obviously thinks himself to be and is unable to provide the charisma that might have helped us overlook the film's sloppiness.
Typical of the creative laziness on display is that the chief running gag involves the fact that Romeo's cigarette lighter never works, and a visual bit in which he cruelly imitates the deformed eye of one of Iris' co-workers is repeated ad infinitum. We are forced to endure several lengthy, painful musical numbers, and Miramax's heavy editing hands are apparent in the film's choppy continuity.
Still, Gerini is undeniably delectable, displaying acting chops as well as her lithe body. With the right vehicle to propel her, international stardom is a distinct possibility.
IRIS BLOND
Miramax
Director: Carlo Verdone
Story-screenplay: Francesca Marciano, Pasquale Plastino, Carlo Verdone
Producers: Vittorio & Rita Cecchi Gori
Executive producers: Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein
Color/stereo
Cast:
Romeo Spera: Carlo Verdone
Iris Blond: Claudia Gerini
Marguerite: Andrea Ferreol
Vincenzo Cecere: Nello Mascia
Fortune Teller: Nuccia Fumo
Running time -- 100 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 5/14/1999
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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