Italian Cinema Today

In “Astolfo” (“Never Too Late for Love”), director Gianni Di Gregorio delivers a coming-of-age film for the golden years of life about a retired professor who leaves Rome to return to a tiny mountain village in Abruzzo. The film opens with the title character, played by Di Gregorio, walking through the streets of his Roman neighborhood, groceries in hand, only to find his landlord waiting for him when he arrives home. She is there to announce that he will have to vacate his humble residence to make way for her daughter, who is getting married soon.  After some contemplation, he calls his ex-wife to ask her about an old family castle he split with her in their divorce. When she confirms that a portion of the castle is his for the taking, he gleefully returns to his spacious new home only to discover it has been occupied by a squatter, who turns out to be an acquaintance from his childhood who is also down on his luck. Without hesitation, Astolfo adopts the man as his roommate. ...

Check out this brand new dreamy short film by Matteo Garrone for Dior and click here to read a beautiful article by Stefano Monti with all the details behind the making of it.

Marcello Fonte in a scene from “Aspromonte: La terra degli ultimi” A gifted actor, Marcello Fonte has made a career out of effortlessly transforming himself into every character he plays. Born in Melito di Porto Salvo at the southern tip of Calabria, Fonte learned his craft on the fly while working a variety of jobs, including fruit vendor, butcher and barber. During those years of balancing day jobs with small parts, he landed roles in Alice Rohrwacher’s “Corpo celeste” (Heavenly Body) and Martin Scorsese’s “Gangs of New York.” In 2015, Fonte stepped behind the camera to co-direct as well as act in “Asino volo” (Donkey Flies), a coming-of-age story about Maurizio, a headstrong 7-year-old who has to fight to realize his dream of playing the snare drum in the town band. He does so with the counsel and support of a wise donkey and in the face of resistance from his mother, who views music as a luxury the family can’t afford. The film made its North American premiere at Canada...

We all know Campari for its iconic Italian apéritifs. Over the last few years, the brand has teamed up with Rome’s Cinecittà Studios to create enchanting short films to promote its cocktails.  The series, Red Diaries , consists of short films by contemporary Italian directors Matteo Garrone ("Gomorrah”), Stefano Sollima (“Suburra”) and Academy Award winner Paolo Sorrentino (“The Great Beauty”). Each inspired by a specific Campari cocktail, the films are psychological thrillers that contain a strong element of mystery.  Clive Owen in Killer in Red Click on the links below to watch the films.. Killer in Red by Paolo Sorrentino The Legend of Red Hand  by Stefano Sollima Entering Red by Matteo Garrone Campari's website also features recipes for its cocktails, including the infamous Negroni and Americana as well as the Campari story with past art and film campaigns. So make yourself a cocktail and check out these intriguing work...

GRUPPO CAMPARI Following up his 2018 short for Campari, The Legend of Red Hand,  Matteo Garrone's latest, Entering Red , marks the 100th anniversary of the famed Negroni cocktail. Starring Ana de Arma and Lorenzo Richly, the film "traces the journey of the evolution of a woman who, through a series of experiences related to mysterious events, goes through a process of development that will lead her to become a more self-aware individual. [Actress] Ana [de Arma]'s path is a journey of discovery into the world of Campari, an elegant world, a dreamlike and at the same time glamorous dimension," explained Garrone in a recent interview with  Forbes .  Check it out.. In case you didn't catch it, here is the 2018   The Legend of Red Hand..

Edoardo Pesce (left) and Marcello Fonte in a scene from Dogman Marcello (Marcello Fonte) is an animal lover who runs a neighborhood dog grooming business. He adores his pre-teen daughter and takes her on scuba diving expeditions. The two dream of visiting exotic places like the Red Sea, Hawaii, and the Maldives. Marcello also has a frailty about him and sometimes seems to feel inferior. He doesn't speak up on his own behalf, and people take advantage of him, especially the local bully, Simone (Edoardo Pesce). Marcello goes along with Simone's antics and even saves his life after he was hit during a drive-by shooting. However, things start spiraling out of control, and Simone makes a demand that Marcello strongly opposes. After Simone roughs him up and makes it clear that he won't take no for an answer, Marcello caves and ends up taking the fall for Simone. When he finishes doing time for the crime he didn't commit, he finds himself a changed man. Prison opened his ...

Update May 19, 2018 Two Italian filmmakers were awarded prizes at Cannes - Best Screenplay went to Alice Rohrwacher for Lazzaro Felice .. Best Actor went to Marcello Fonte for his role in Matteo Garrone’s Dogman & Gianni Zanasi's comedy Lucia’s Grace was named Best European Film in the Directors’ Fortnight Stefano Savona's Samouni Road won the L'Oeil d'or for Best Documentary given by the French Society of Multimedia Authors ( Scam ) Congratulations! Original Post Five Italian films made the official program of the 2018 Cannes Film Festival plus one in the Directors' Fortnight category. They are: AS IT IS ON EARTH by Pier Lorenzo Pisano: Cinéfondation Selection The village was small, and now it's even smaller; only four houses still standing and a street. There is no one around. Nobody to say "hi" to, no one to whine about the heat to. The earthquake didn't even spare the sound of breathing. The stor...