Italian Cinema Today

One aspect about contemporary Italian filmmakers that I have appreciated since I started interviewing them over a decade ago is the respect and gratitude they show for their predecessors. Whether I’m talking with an actor, director, producer, or screenwriter, most likely there is a mention of a “great” such as Vittorio Gassman, Sergio Leone, Claudia Cardinale, Pier Paolo Pasolini or Sophia Loren, just to name a few. Actor Jack Gallo is no exception. He credits the likes of Alberto Sordi as well as American actors Al Pacino and Robert De Niro for influencing the choices he’s made in his career. In fact, he quotes Giancarlo Giannini, “For me, this work is a game. An actor should not imitate anyone. Rather, he should try to understand himself before attempting to portray a character. What ends up happening is that after interpreting so many roles, you realize the character you are always playing is actually yourself.”   Born Giancarlo Ciordo in Crotone, Calabria, Jack Gallo ...

This morning, the winners of the Nastri d’Argento for Best Documentary were announced. Among the winners is Antonietta De Lillo, a director I’ve admired for years. I first saw her work at the 2005 edition of Open Roads: New Italian Cinema, an annual film series held at Lincoln Center, which showcases contemporary Italian films. There, she presented “Il resto di niente”, a beautiful story about courage and determination set in the 17 th century, adapted from Enzo Striano’s novel. Her latest film, the documentary “Oggi, insieme domani” (OIDA or in English- Today Tomorrow Together) is a film which speaks to the complexities of love and relationships in this day and age, and the current social revolution happening in Italy- in particular with same-sex marriage. I asked De Lillo a few questions about the making of this film and the current situation of modern love in her country. Our interview was done in Italian, so both versions are included. What inspired you to create this proje...

Update: May 5, 2016 It's just been announced that "Tutti gli Uomini hanno un Prezzo" will be featured in the 2016 Cannes Film Festival in the section- Short Film Corner. See the festival's catalog for more information. (Intervista anche in italiano) At just 23-years-old, Andrea Filardi is getting international recognition for his poetic style of storytelling inspired by his southern Italian roots. His short film, “Tutti gli uomini hanno un prezzo” (All Men Have a Price) was a project he and his classmates created during a filmmaking course in his region of Basilicata. Top-notch actors, dedicated instructors, an enthusiastic crew and the passion they share for talking about a grave issue facing their land, led to a momentous student film and a beautiful, poignant story about the connection to one’s origins shadowed by the desperation for survival. The film has received its share of well-deserved praise and just recently, was acknowledged in the U.S. by three...

For decades Massimo Gaudioso has given voice, personality, idiosyncrasies and life to some of the most memorable and fascinating characters in Italian cinema. His 17-year collaboration as a screenwriter with director Matteo Garrone resulted in contemporary classics like Gomorrah , Reality and Tale of Tales .   According to Gaudioso, their fateful meeting took place two decades go at the Torino Film Festival where they were debuting their films. They had a lot in common- in particular the desire to make a self-produced, independent film, which did not follow the usual guidelines, instead was made solely out of their enthusiasm and passion. The exchanged ideas on cinema and immediately found common ground. They vowed to work together someday. “We then made a short film together for a tram in Rome that ran through the city. Matteo asked me if I wanted to help him write his third film Estate Romana (Roman Summer) and since then, we have been together and we’ve developed this beaut...

The Film Society of Lincoln Center's "Film Comment Selects Series" kicked off tonight and will run through February 24. The series will close with Marco Bellocchio's 2014 mystery, "Blood of My Blood" (Sangue del mio sangue).    It's been described as dark, troubling and enigmatic- one of the strangest and most haunting films in Marco Bellocchio's long and illustrious career.  S et between two very different time periods, there are echoes of a vampire film with interlocking narratives. The film opens with a bearded man arriving at a monastery to find a nun hanging from the ceiling from her feet. Federico Mai (Filippo Timi) has come to save his deceased brother's soul after he committed suicide and therefore cannot be buried in consecrated ground unless his lover, Sister Benedetta (Alba Rohrwacher), confesses to their sin. Benedetta faces trials by water and fire- and questioning by the apostolic hierarchy. We are then proje...

Last week, "Milionari" opened in theaters across Italy. Inspired by one of the Camorra's most  notorious Neapolitan crime bosses, the film is an action-packed, emotionally-charged drama, which offers a glimpse into the life of an infamous gangster and the trauma one woman endured as she stood by the man she loved. I talked with actress Valentina Lodovini about her role portraying that fascinating woman, Rosaria. Our interview was done in Italian, so both versions are included. Tell me about your character. Rosaria is a woman, not a criminal. She has nothing to do with the business or power of the Camorra. She has just fallen in love with a man who is a criminal. My character, otherwise, is just one aspect of organized crime. We call this the Omertà, which describes a person who does not complain about the injustices that lie before him or her. It is someone that prefers not to know and not to ask questions.    Raccontami ...

The Berlin Film Festival’s European Film Market has some serious Italian contenders this year. Heading the pack is “Summertime”, Gabriele Muccino’s return to filming in Italy after spending years in the United States.   Still in production, Summertime is featured in RaiCom’s line-up. The company also has other leading Italian films ready for buyers, including the brand new release, “They Call Me Jeeg Robot”.   Below is the complete list of Italian films that will be up for grabs at this year’s European Film Market..For more information, visit the market online . Accabadora | L'Accabadora   Italy   Rai Com   Andron — The Last Labyrinth   USA, Italy   Ambi Distribution   Anna   Italy   Rai Com   Arianna   Italy   Rai Com   The Beginners | Alaska   Italy, France   Films Distribution   Burning Love | Pecore in Erba   Italy   True Colours   The Complexity of Happines...