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Showing posts from February, 2017

Italian Filmmakers in the Lineup of the 2017 New Director/New Films Series

Two Italian filmmakers are in the lineup of the Film Society of Lincoln Center's annual series: New Directors/New Films. Ravenna-Born video artist Yuri Ancarani will present his film, The Challenge . The film documents the history of the hunting sport, falconry, which dates back to 2000 BC. In the West, it was the favorite sport of the medieval aristocracy, and in contemporary Arab culture, its prestige remains unaltered. Yuri Ancarani crosses the Persian Gulf to accompany a falconer to an important competition, and what follows is the story of an intense weekend in the desert. Alessandro Comodin will present his second film,  Happy Times Will Come Soon  ( I Tempi felici verranno presto ). Set in the woods of northern Italy, Happy Times Will Come Soon is the story of the mysterious fate of two young fugitives that decades later has become something of an urban legend. Through dramatizations, interviews and speculations about the wolf-infes

Elisa Amoruso's new documentary to be released on International Women's Day

A poignant documentary film will be released on March 8 on the occasion of International Women's Day. "Strane Straniere" ( Strange Foreigners), the new film by Elisa Amoruso was presented at the 2016 Rome Film Festival in the program dedicated to young filmmakers-  Alice nella città, in the section- Kino Panorama Italia. The film tells the story of five women:  Ana, Ljuba, Radi, Sihem and Sonia five that have left their countries for various reasons in search of a new life in Rome. The one thing these women have in common is that they are  entrepreneurs, each starting her own business. Over the course one day, Amorous explores the process of assimilating and reinventing themselves in this beautiful, but foreign land. From work to family to business, the film touches on the  interwoven stories of five strong, determined women. Watch the trailer....

Gianfranco Pannone's "Lascia stare i santi"

A documentary film that premiered to a standing ovation at the 2016 Festa del Cinema of Rome is gaining momentum as it's being shown all over Italy. Gianfranco Pannone's "Lascia stare i santi" (Leave the Saints Alone) is a mesmerizing portrait of catholic tradition in Italy. From the southern region of Basilicata all the way up to isolated communities in the mountains of the North, Pannone's documentary takes us on a cultural tour along with some of Italy's most ancient traditions. Through music, processions, worship and firsthand accounts, Pannone creatively explores faith and the deeply sentimental rituals used to express it.  Watch the trailer.. Narrated by two of Italy's most esteemed actors, Fabrizio Gifuni and Sonia Bergamasco, who remind us that we are watching actual events because at times, the ceremonies seem so surreal, it feels like you're watching a fictional movie. Composer Ambrogio Sparagna wrote the powerful music score, wh

New Series Shot in Matera to Air on RAI TV

A new drama will premiere March 9 on Rai Uno. Written by Ivan Cotroneo and Monica Rametta, and directed by Cinzia TH Terrine,  Sisters is the story of Claire (Anna Valle), a brilliant lawyer who lives independently in Rome, unmarried without children. Despite not having a great relationship with her family, she decides to return to her hometown of Matera to shed light on the disappearance of her sister Elena and to be closer to her nieces and nephews. Cinzia is forced to face people and secrets related to her past, but this will lead to a new life that she never would have believed possible.  Other cast members include Loretta Goggi in the role of Antonia, the mother of Chiara and Elena. The male lead is Giorgio Marchesi and other actors include Alessio Vassallo and Irene Ferri. Matera-based actors Antonio Andrisani , Nando Irene    and Vito Nicoletti were also cast. The series was shot throughout Matera and shows beautiful views of the ancient Sassi. Follow the series on F