Italian Cinema Today

The 2017 David di Donatello award show, which took place on Monday, was an exciting event that celebrated many great contemporary talents of Italian cinema.  I was fortunate to have seen most of the nominees.  Among my personal favorites  is Michele Vannucci's  Il più grande sogno  simply because it is based on one of the most inspiring, beautiful stories I've ever  heard, and the person behind that story is as authentic and down-to-earth as they come. The film won the 3 Future Award, which is determined by the public. With Director Michele Vannucci and Actor Mirko Frezza I first saw  Il più grande sogno last September when it premiered at the Venice Film Festival. I didn't make it to Venice, but thanks to a great online platform called Festival Scope , which offers a handful of premieres to be screened on the web, I felt like I was there. The film itself blew me away, and then when I realized it was based on a true story, I knew t...

(In inglese e italiano) Max Nardari's second feature film,   La mia famiglia a soqquadro will premiere March 15 in Matera at the International Meeting of Independent Cinema.    Starring Bianca Nappi and Gabriele Caprio, the story follows Martino, an 11-year-old in middle school who one day realizes that he is the only one in his class having parents still married. Through his schoolmates, Martin also learns the benefits of having divorced parents, like always being at the center of attention and most of all, both wallets. He grows tired of his boring life and finally makes a plan to have his parents split up. Al via a Matera mercoledì 15 marzo il MICI – VI Meeting Internazionale del Cinema Indipendente, ci sarà l’anteprima serale del film “La mia famiglia a soqquadro” di Max Nardari, proiettato al Cinema Comunale alla presenza del regista e degli interpreti Bianca Nappi e Roberto Carruba.  Martino è un bambino di 11 anni che entr...

Another great edition of the Festa del Cinema di Roma just wrapped up and what a diverse celebration of cinema it was. From documentaries to book presentations to Hollywood stars to Italian cinema maestros and newcomers, there was definitely something for everyone. Among my favorite selections this year was a sleeper hit for me.. a film I knew nothing about beforehand. Karen Di Porto's thought-provoking comedy, Maria per Roma follows a 30-something Italian actress struggling to make ends meet with small roles and her job as an Airbnb host along with her dog, Bea, who never leaves her side. Her chaotic days consist of running to auditions, taking calls from tourists, meeting them at their vacation apartments and occasionally receiving a pep talk from her father's ghost. I loved this film and I believe that you have to relate to the struggles of Maria and her friends to truly feel the same way. With that said, you will be especially moved by this film if you have on...