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Showing posts from August, 2015

TIFF15- Federica Foglia's Courageous Plight of Immigration

Federica Foglia posing for a selfie with child refugees Immigration is a very hot topic across the globe right now. Whether the headline is about young Syrians escaping their war-torn homeland to seek refuge in Europe and build new lives for their families- or the boatloads of North African refugees populating the shores of southern Italy and Lampedusa- or leaders of the United States looking to build a wall at the border of Mexico, it seems that immigration is affecting just about everyone these days. Indie filmmaker, Federica Foglia, took her own story of immigration and turned it into a film that was selected for the Short Cuts Program of the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival. Foglia is an Italian who immigrated to Canada. The process of assimilating was not an easy task. So she delve into her love of art and film to set some roots and feel at home. That experience inspired her to make the short film, Exit/Entrance about a young artist who wanders the streets

New Director Irene Dionisio Begins Filming First Feature

Cineuropa is reporting that filming has started in Torino for Le ultime cose , the debut film by Irene Dionisio. The film, which tells three stories that intertwine at the ‘Banco dei Pegni’ (the offices of the State moneylender) in modern-day Torino, stars Fabrizio Falco Alfonso Santagata, Christina Andrea Rosamilia, Roberto De Francesco, Maria Eugenia D’Aquino, Salvatore Cantalupo and Anna Ferruzzo. “One day, around the same time I entered into discussions over my first film with Tempesta, I walked into the Banco dei Pegni and was struck by how meaningful and lively this ‘debt office’ was”, said the director. “I spent a long time exploring the impact of financial pressure on people’s lives. The Banco dei Pegni became a place of observation for me for several months. Through dialogue, the relationships people have with objects and individual stories, I wanted to paint a tragic yet grotesque picture. I hope I have succeeded in my film in making this place into a metaphor for a soci

Italian-Born Director to Represent Germany in Race for the Oscars

Updated 8 March 2016 The new movie by Giulio Ricciarelli, the acclaimed director of Labyrinth of Lies is among seven projects selected by the Italian-German Committee of the Fund for Co-production Development Activities between Italy and Germany. The committee,which convened in Rome on 3 March, evaluated a total of 16 projects: eight were Italian, seven were  German and one was a parity co-production project. See Cineuropa for more information. A nine-member jury assembled in Munich has selected the German candidate for the nominations for the Oscar for Best Foreign-language Film:  Labyrinth of Lies  by Giulio Ricciarelli . Born in Milan in 1965, Ricciarelli is an actor and producer, known for Rossini (1997), Black Money - Verfilzung... Macht... Korruption (1990) and Und die Braut wusste von nichts (2002). Even though he was born in Italy, he is considered a German filmmaker, as he primarily works in Germany. "Labyrinth of Lies" is his directorial debut.  The f

Inaugurazione della 31° Biennale di Arte Grafica di Lubiana

OVER YOU/YOU è il titolo della trentunesima Biennale di Arti Grafiche a cura di Nicola Lees.  Il titolo è tratto da una breve nota posta nell’angolo di un disegno di Martin Kippenberger. Sembra un’irrisolta equazione o supposizione che sta ad indicare l’instabilità dell’immagine che può esser riprodotta. La Biennale esplora il modo in cui le tecniche di riproduzione sono usate dagli artisti visivi per le strategie di comunicazione e circolazione. Allo stesso tempo essa esamina il potenziale di ciò che può essere infinitamente copiato, focalizzandosi sugli innumerevoli possibili modi di concepire il concetto di riproduzione. La Biennale si concentra sull’artista che si oppone alla completezza e all’unicità dell’opera d’arte con “anti-singolarità”. Questo risultato è ottenuto dalle pratiche contemporanee che fanno riferimento alla storia della dispersione estrema. L’immagine in movimento è un concetto fondamentale per la nostra contemporanea economia dell’informazione. Ponendo l’immag

Interview: Anna Ferruzzo on her role in "Pecore in erba"

     "Pecore in erba" is our must-see pick for the 72nd Venice Film Festival. We talked with our friend, actress, Anna Ferruzzo about the film, her role and the beautiful, historic Roman neighborhood of Trastevere.   I read that "Pecore in erba" is a "mock-u-mentary ", meaning that it was made in a documentary-sty le, but the story is not true. Can you tell me more about the genre of the film? "Pecore in erba” is a comedy set and played in the Roman neighborhood of Trastevere. It talks about Leonardo Zulliani's life. He‘s a young activist, a genius of communication. His sudden disappearance became a true national case. But who is Leonardo Zulliani and why did he disappear? This is the very heartbeat of the film, but I can’t tell you more. You have to discover it on the screen. I can say only that this story is an excuse to talk about anti-Semitism in a clever way.   Since it's an ironic documentary, is the story based on a real

72nd Venice Film Festival: Our Top Pick - "Pecore in erba"

Although it's certain that Italian filmmakers will shine at this year's Venice Film Festival- (check out our Venezia 2015 archive below for a recap) and we are really looking forward to hearing all about Marco Bellocchio's, "Sangue del mio sangue",  Italian Cinema & Art Today's Top Pick - Must-See film for the 72nd Venice Film Festival is "Pecore in erba"... and here are three reasons why... 1) It stars our beloved Anna Ferruzzo 2) It takes place in the gorgeous, historic Roman neighborhood of Trastevere 3) It'll be shown in the Venice Sala Web , which means you don't have to attend the festival to see it! The film is set in July of 2006 when Trastevere native, Leonardo Zuliani has vanished. The news  turns into a real national emergency, while a huge throng of followers gathers around the young activist’s house. His mother is beside herself with grief and the entire neighborhood is paralyzed. He’s on every TV channel and the aut

New and Classic Cinema Meet Under the Stars of Palermo

Beginning 24 August, debut pieces, showcasing talented new directors and celebrating the history of Italian cinema will be featured at ESCO (allo scoperto) . The cinema event, organized by Andrea Inzerillo with Cultural Association SudTitles , will be held at the Complesso Monumentale dello Spasimo di Palermo. The event will conclude  on 6 September with a special tribute to Mario Monicelli and the screening of one of his most acclaimed films, "The Passionate Thief", starring Totò, Anna Magnani and Ben Gazzara.     This event is true marriage of yesterday and today, and a beautiful reflection of how Italian cinema evolves, always holding onto its roots. That unique quality will be celebrated by audiences as they practice the century old tradition of feature films being preceded by short films.  Fuori dal coro by Sergio Misuraca The event will open with Sergio Misuraca's debut feature film,  Fuori dal coro .  Other debut films by young filmmakers will fo

Comedic Maestra - Paola Cortellesi

Whether she’s the romantic lead or the evil nun, Paola Cortellesi is one of the most versatile actresses working in Italian cinema today. Born in Rome in 1973, Cortellesi didn’t waste much time before leaping into show business. At just 13-years-old, she landed her first job as a vocalist for the theme song of the popular RAI TV show, “Indietro tutta!”. A few years later, she enrolled at Rome’s famous Teatro Blu, where she studied the art of acting. Upon graduating from acting school, Cortellesi launched her professional acting career in television, and before long, her natural talent for comedy emerged. In 2000, she began working on the TV show, Mai dire Gol , created by the trio of TV and radio commentators known as the Gialappa's Band. The show made her famous for her parodies, and throughout the years, she’s had fun impersonating a number of famous Italians, the more recent hilarious parody being the mayor of Milan, the very prolific politician and business woman, Leti

A Conversation with Piccola Patria's Vladimir Doda

Vladimir Doda was born in Albania but his dreams of being an actor brought him to the Eternal City. Vladimir Doda is a versatile actor that goes from screen to stage with remarkable ease. His breakout role came in Alessandro Rossetto’s Piccola Patria , a heavy film, which speaks to Italy’s problem with immigration, clandestine immigrants in particular- the prejudices they face and their complicated assimilation into society. Doda took on the role of Bilal, the Albanian boyfriend of one of the main characters. He gave a passionate, heartfelt performance, and in the midst of some very dark subject matter, he shined, and his performance stole the show. When I initially saw the film in New York City last year during Lincoln Center’s annual Italian film series- Open Roads: New Italian Cinema, I had some pretty negative feelings about it and didn’t give it a great review. Through a mutual friend on social media, Doda saw my review and contacted me to help me better understand the story.

Basilicata: Terra di Cinema- Documentary Film, "Mater Matera" at the Lucania Film Festival

A new documentary is about to make its Italian premiere at the Lucania Film Festival , and the stunning panoramic images alone make it worth seeing. Shot in the ancient town of Matera, the film, titled, "Mater Matera" recounts the city's folklore, traditions and culture. From the unique landscape of the Sassi to the local culinary traditions to the festival of Matera's patron saint, Madonna della Bruna, the film is a true feast for the eyes and a beautiful portrait of this southern Italian city named the 2019 European Capital of Culture. The project is the brainchild of filmmakers, Andrea di Consoli e Simone Aleandri, who wanted to capture the soul, passion and pride of the city's inhabitants. It was produced by Clipper Media in collaboration with RAI Cinema. The film was first shown earlier this year in Lisbon during the 8½ Festa del Cinema Italiano , in which a section was dedicated to filmmaking in Basilicata. According to Paride Leporace, the Lucana Fil

Edoardo Leo & Marco Giallini in "Loro Chi?"

Just because I love this poster....    

Two Generations- Two Films- Tons of Laughs: Verdone-Albanese-Leo-Giallini

In what was originally a blog announcing a new project by Carlo Verdone and Antonio Albanese just became the story about two generations of genius comedians who are teaming up to make two separate films that are both grabbing headlines. According to ANSA news agency, Carlo Verdone and Antonio Albanese recently began production on a film that will be in theaters next January. The two jacks-of-all-trades- actors , directors and comedians  are taking on this adventure that Verdone describes as "a comedy full of twists, turns and daring escapes".  Click here for the ANSA report in Italian. This November, a new film, titled, "Loro chi?", starring Edoardo Leo and Marco Giallini will hit Italian theaters. I found this description on the movie website, "Coming Soon".. David , 36-years-old has one single ambition : to be promoted   to manager of his company . Finally, it looks like his dream will come true when he  presents a revolutionary patent that

Basilicata: Terra di Cinema: Ben-Hur Official Teaser Trailer Released

  Back in January, we told you about the magical atmosphere of the historic Cinecittà making its way south to the Sassi of Matera, where the remake of "Ben Hur"  took place. Now the first official teaser trailer , which consists of a montage of set photos, has been released. Directed by Timur Bekmambetov with "Boardwalk Empire" star Jack Huston in the title role, which was originally played by Charlton Heston, the set of ancient Jerusalem was constructed on the Cinecittà back lot for the four-month shoot. The script was co-written by Oscar-winning "12 Years a Slave" screenwriter John Ridley along with Keith Clarke, who sold the original script to MGM. Check back here for more information and release dates.

Interview with Indie Filmmaker Fulvio Risuleo

Photo: www.lastampa.it Fulvio Risuleo is a young Roman director that has indie filmmaking down to an art form. Schooled at Rome’s legendary Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia, Risuleo’s unique style and talent for lighting has earned him coveted spots at the last two editions of the Cannes Film Festival. I became familiar with his work a few months ago when his latest short film, Varicella (Chickenpox) was being shown at Cannes. I found the trailer to be so random and fascinating, I just had to know more about the film. Contacting Risuleo and seeing more of his work just raised more questions for me. He really thinks and works outside the box, so I wanted to know more about his vision and from where he gets his inspiration. Our interview was done in Italian, so below is the original along with an English translation. Claudio Spadaro and Federica Zacchia in a scene from Therein Your work is very unique. The atmosphere of your films has a dark feel to it. I’ve seen you