Italian twins Damiano and Fabio D’Innocenzo, who made a splash in Berlin last year with “Bad Tales,” are back on set with dark thriller “America Latina” toplining Elio Germano, who was at Berlin 2020 with two pics: “Bad Tales” and “Hidden Away,” for which he scored a Silver Bear.
Shooting started March 1 on “America Latina.” Its story details are being kept under wraps other than it’s “a love story and like all love stories it’s obviously a thriller,” as the brothers cryptically put it recently speaking to the Italian press.
“Bad Tales,” in which Germano played the sadistic father in a dysfunctional suburban family, won the Berlin 2020 best screenplay award.
“America Latina” is being co-produced by Lorenzo Mieli’s The Apartment, a Fremantle company, and Vision Distribution, which will release the film theatrically in Italy. Le Pacte is also on board and will be distributing France.
Vision Distribution, which...
Shooting started March 1 on “America Latina.” Its story details are being kept under wraps other than it’s “a love story and like all love stories it’s obviously a thriller,” as the brothers cryptically put it recently speaking to the Italian press.
“Bad Tales,” in which Germano played the sadistic father in a dysfunctional suburban family, won the Berlin 2020 best screenplay award.
“America Latina” is being co-produced by Lorenzo Mieli’s The Apartment, a Fremantle company, and Vision Distribution, which will release the film theatrically in Italy. Le Pacte is also on board and will be distributing France.
Vision Distribution, which...
- 3/1/2021
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Amka Films, the Swiss indie shingle founded by prominent producer Tiziana Soudani – who sadly passed away in January – is carrying on its activities under a trio of women led by her daughter Amel Soudani.
The company is known for its involvement in prizewinning films by prominent directors from nearby Italy, such as Alice Rohrwacher (“The Wonders”), Silvio Soldini (“Bread and Tulips) and Fabio and Damiano D’Innocenzo (“Bad Tales”) as well as by emerging talents in Switzerland and Africa.
Among Amka projects in the pipeline is high-profile doc “L’Afrique Des Femmes,” selected for the lineup of the Locarno fest’s The Films After Tomorrow initiative that will award cash prizes to works-in-progress forced to halt production due to the pandemic.
The long-gestating doc portraying strong resourceful women from different African nations and social classes was close to completion when the coronavirus crisis struck, blocking the editing process, which was being done in Italy.
The company is known for its involvement in prizewinning films by prominent directors from nearby Italy, such as Alice Rohrwacher (“The Wonders”), Silvio Soldini (“Bread and Tulips) and Fabio and Damiano D’Innocenzo (“Bad Tales”) as well as by emerging talents in Switzerland and Africa.
Among Amka projects in the pipeline is high-profile doc “L’Afrique Des Femmes,” selected for the lineup of the Locarno fest’s The Films After Tomorrow initiative that will award cash prizes to works-in-progress forced to halt production due to the pandemic.
The long-gestating doc portraying strong resourceful women from different African nations and social classes was close to completion when the coronavirus crisis struck, blocking the editing process, which was being done in Italy.
- 8/7/2020
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Credits included ‘Happy As Lazarro’ and ‘Bread And Tulips’.
Swiss producer Tiziana Soudani, the long-term producer of Alice Rohrwacher, has died after a long illness. She was in her 60s.
Soudani, who hailed from the Italian-speaking Swiss canton of Ticino, founded Lugano-based company Amka Film in 1988 with her Algerian filmmaker husband Mohammed Soudani. It takes its name from the first names of their daughters Amel and Karima.
The couple had strong ties with Africa and many of their early productions were made on the continent including Ivorian director Roger Gnoan M’Bala’s 1993 comedy Au Nom Du Christ, which premiered at the Locarno Film Festival,...
Swiss producer Tiziana Soudani, the long-term producer of Alice Rohrwacher, has died after a long illness. She was in her 60s.
Soudani, who hailed from the Italian-speaking Swiss canton of Ticino, founded Lugano-based company Amka Film in 1988 with her Algerian filmmaker husband Mohammed Soudani. It takes its name from the first names of their daughters Amel and Karima.
The couple had strong ties with Africa and many of their early productions were made on the continent including Ivorian director Roger Gnoan M’Bala’s 1993 comedy Au Nom Du Christ, which premiered at the Locarno Film Festival,...
- 1/27/2020
- by 1100388¦Melanie Goodfellow¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Swiss producer Tiziana Soudani, who through her Amka Films shepherded prizewinning films by prominent directors from nearby Italy, such as Alice Rohrwacher and Silvio Soldini, as well as by emerging talents in Switzerland and Africa, has died after a struggle with brain cancer.
She was in her mid 60s, though her exact age was not immediately verifiable. Soudani’s death was announced on Sunday by several Swiss media outlets and by the Locarno Film Festival, Switzerland’s preeminent film event, with which Soudani had a long rapport.
Born in Locarno, the lakeside town in the Italian-speaking portion of Switzerland, Ticino, Soudani founded Amka Films in 1988 with her Algerian husband Mohammed Soudani, a former professional soccer player turned documentary director.
The previous year, in 1987, while attending the Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou, in Burkina Faso, Soudani had been profoundly struck by the film “Ablakan,” the first work by Roger Gnoan M’Bala...
She was in her mid 60s, though her exact age was not immediately verifiable. Soudani’s death was announced on Sunday by several Swiss media outlets and by the Locarno Film Festival, Switzerland’s preeminent film event, with which Soudani had a long rapport.
Born in Locarno, the lakeside town in the Italian-speaking portion of Switzerland, Ticino, Soudani founded Amka Films in 1988 with her Algerian husband Mohammed Soudani, a former professional soccer player turned documentary director.
The previous year, in 1987, while attending the Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou, in Burkina Faso, Soudani had been profoundly struck by the film “Ablakan,” the first work by Roger Gnoan M’Bala...
- 1/27/2020
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Rajendra Roy, the Celeste Bartos Chief Curator of Film at the Museum of Modern Art with Istituto Luce Cinecittà’s Camilla Cormanni, Alice Rohrwacher, and Alba Rohrwacher Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
At the Istituto Luce Cinecittà opening night reception for The Wonders: Alice and Alba Rohrwacher at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Julian Schnabel circulated through the crowd, Sony Pictures Classics Michael Barker chatted with Magari (If Only) director Ginevra Elkann and Rome Film Festival Artistic Director and Le Conversazioni founder Antonio Monda held court.
Alba Rohrwacher on Alice Rohrwacher’s The Wonders: “I can say it's my life, but from her point of view.” Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
There is only one actress linked to Gianni Zanasi’s Troppa Grazia (Lucia’s Grace); Giorgio Diritti’s L’Uomo Che Verrà (The Man Who Will Come); Luca Guadagnino’s Lo Sono L’Amore (I Am Love) and Part...
At the Istituto Luce Cinecittà opening night reception for The Wonders: Alice and Alba Rohrwacher at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Julian Schnabel circulated through the crowd, Sony Pictures Classics Michael Barker chatted with Magari (If Only) director Ginevra Elkann and Rome Film Festival Artistic Director and Le Conversazioni founder Antonio Monda held court.
Alba Rohrwacher on Alice Rohrwacher’s The Wonders: “I can say it's my life, but from her point of view.” Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
There is only one actress linked to Gianni Zanasi’s Troppa Grazia (Lucia’s Grace); Giorgio Diritti’s L’Uomo Che Verrà (The Man Who Will Come); Luca Guadagnino’s Lo Sono L’Amore (I Am Love) and Part...
- 12/8/2019
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Valerio Mastandrea on Abel Ferrara: "An American frame by Abel is different from any other one. Because he moves people to feel cinema inside, you know." Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
At Open Roads: New Italian Cinema in New York, first-time director Valerio Mastandrea of Laughing (Ride), starring Chiara Martegiani, told me how he was influenced by Ettore Scola, Mario Monicelli and Aki Kaurismäki. Valerio talks about getting inside the story with the directors he has acted for, including Silvio Soldini's Garibaldi's Lovers (Il Comandante E La Cicogna) opposite Alba Rohrwacher, Marco Bellocchio's Sweet Dreams (Fai Bei Sogni), and Valeria Golino's Euphoria (Euforia) with Riccardo Scamarcio, Jasmine Trinca and Isabella Ferrari.
Valerio is Nico Naldini, confidant to Pier Paolo Pasolini, played by Willem Dafoe in Abel Ferrara's Pasolini.
Valerio Mastandrea on Abel Ferrara: "The way Abel looked at me who observed - that's the difference that he can...
At Open Roads: New Italian Cinema in New York, first-time director Valerio Mastandrea of Laughing (Ride), starring Chiara Martegiani, told me how he was influenced by Ettore Scola, Mario Monicelli and Aki Kaurismäki. Valerio talks about getting inside the story with the directors he has acted for, including Silvio Soldini's Garibaldi's Lovers (Il Comandante E La Cicogna) opposite Alba Rohrwacher, Marco Bellocchio's Sweet Dreams (Fai Bei Sogni), and Valeria Golino's Euphoria (Euforia) with Riccardo Scamarcio, Jasmine Trinca and Isabella Ferrari.
Valerio is Nico Naldini, confidant to Pier Paolo Pasolini, played by Willem Dafoe in Abel Ferrara's Pasolini.
Valerio Mastandrea on Abel Ferrara: "The way Abel looked at me who observed - that's the difference that he can...
- 8/16/2019
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Acclaimed Italian cinematographer Luca Bigazzi will be honored with this year's Campari Passion Award, a prize handed out by the Venice International Film Festival to honor below-the-line film talents, such as cinematographers, editors, composers and set and costume designers.
A versatile and adaptable filmmaker, Bigazzi has worked with a wide range of directors, including Iranian helmer Abbas Kiarostami (Certified Copy) or Italy's Michele Placido (Romanzo Criminale) and Silvio Soldini (Bread and Tulips). But he is best know for his long-running collaboration with Italian director Paolo Sorrentino, having lensed Sorrentino's Il Divo, Youth and The Great Beauty, among others.
Bigazzi also ...
A versatile and adaptable filmmaker, Bigazzi has worked with a wide range of directors, including Iranian helmer Abbas Kiarostami (Certified Copy) or Italy's Michele Placido (Romanzo Criminale) and Silvio Soldini (Bread and Tulips). But he is best know for his long-running collaboration with Italian director Paolo Sorrentino, having lensed Sorrentino's Il Divo, Youth and The Great Beauty, among others.
Bigazzi also ...
Acclaimed Italian cinematographer Luca Bigazzi will be honored with this year's Campari Passion Award, a prize handed out by the Venice International Film Festival to honor below-the-line film talents, such as cinematographers, editors, composers and set and costume designers.
A versatile and adaptable filmmaker, Bigazzi has worked with a wide range of directors, including Iranian helmer Abbas Kiarostami (Certified Copy) or Italy's Michele Placido (Romanzo Criminale) and Silvio Soldini (Bread and Tulips). But he is best know for his long-running collaboration with Italian director Paolo Sorrentino, having lensed Sorrentino's Il Divo, Youth and The Great Beauty, among others.
Bigazzi also ...
A versatile and adaptable filmmaker, Bigazzi has worked with a wide range of directors, including Iranian helmer Abbas Kiarostami (Certified Copy) or Italy's Michele Placido (Romanzo Criminale) and Silvio Soldini (Bread and Tulips). But he is best know for his long-running collaboration with Italian director Paolo Sorrentino, having lensed Sorrentino's Il Divo, Youth and The Great Beauty, among others.
Bigazzi also ...
Rome-based Summerside Intl. has acquired international sales rights to Klaudia Reynicke’s “Love Me Tender.”
The second feature from Peru-born and Switzerland-based filmmaker will receive its world premiere at the Locarno Festival in its Filmmakers of the Present competition, which focuses on first and second features.
Summerside Intl. is the world sales agent, excluding and Lichtenstein and Switzerland. The film, also written by Reynicke, will be distributed in Switzerland by First Hand Films.
“Love Me Tender” is produced by Tiziana Soudani, Muchela Pini and Gabriella De Gara at the Ticino-based Amka Films, founded by Soudani in 1988. Its credits include Alice Rohrwacher’s 2018 Cannes Festival best screenplay winner “Happy as Lazzaro” and 2014’s “The Wonders” which took a Cannes Grand Jury Prize, as well as Silvio Soldini’s “Bread and Tulips,” a big box office hit which swept nine David di Donatello awards.
Italian-language Swiss public broadcaster Rsi Radiotelevisione Svizzera co-produces.
The second feature from Peru-born and Switzerland-based filmmaker will receive its world premiere at the Locarno Festival in its Filmmakers of the Present competition, which focuses on first and second features.
Summerside Intl. is the world sales agent, excluding and Lichtenstein and Switzerland. The film, also written by Reynicke, will be distributed in Switzerland by First Hand Films.
“Love Me Tender” is produced by Tiziana Soudani, Muchela Pini and Gabriella De Gara at the Ticino-based Amka Films, founded by Soudani in 1988. Its credits include Alice Rohrwacher’s 2018 Cannes Festival best screenplay winner “Happy as Lazzaro” and 2014’s “The Wonders” which took a Cannes Grand Jury Prize, as well as Silvio Soldini’s “Bread and Tulips,” a big box office hit which swept nine David di Donatello awards.
Italian-language Swiss public broadcaster Rsi Radiotelevisione Svizzera co-produces.
- 7/23/2019
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Chiara Martegiani with Laughing (Ride) director Valerio Mastandrea on crying: "For me it's a nightmare." Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
In the Film at Lincoln Center and Istituto Luce Cinecittà Open Roads: New Italian Cinema program of films in New York, Valerio Mastandrea has a duel role. The director/screenwriter of Laughing (Ride) also stars with Riccardo Scamarcio, Jasmine Trinca and Isabella Ferrari in Valeria Golino's Euphoria (Euforia) which had its première in 2018 at the Cannes Film Festival.
Valerio Mastandrea was Nico Naldini, confidant to Pier Paolo Pasolini played by Willem Dafoe in Abel Ferrara's Pasolini, and Andrea Bottini in Roberto Andò's Long Live Freedom (Viva La Libertà) with Toni Servillo and Valeria Bruni Tedeschi. He also starred opposite Alba Rohrwacher in Silvio Soldini's Garibaldi's Lovers (Il Comandante E La Cicogna).
Valerio Mastandrea: "Maybe you've got to reach something and stay in the scene even before crying, just...
In the Film at Lincoln Center and Istituto Luce Cinecittà Open Roads: New Italian Cinema program of films in New York, Valerio Mastandrea has a duel role. The director/screenwriter of Laughing (Ride) also stars with Riccardo Scamarcio, Jasmine Trinca and Isabella Ferrari in Valeria Golino's Euphoria (Euforia) which had its première in 2018 at the Cannes Film Festival.
Valerio Mastandrea was Nico Naldini, confidant to Pier Paolo Pasolini played by Willem Dafoe in Abel Ferrara's Pasolini, and Andrea Bottini in Roberto Andò's Long Live Freedom (Viva La Libertà) with Toni Servillo and Valeria Bruni Tedeschi. He also starred opposite Alba Rohrwacher in Silvio Soldini's Garibaldi's Lovers (Il Comandante E La Cicogna).
Valerio Mastandrea: "Maybe you've got to reach something and stay in the scene even before crying, just...
- 6/10/2019
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Moments ago, the Venice Film Festival announced their lineup for this year, and it again seems to suggest a strong brewing Oscar race. Coming hot on the heels of the initial Toronto International Film Festival slate, there’s a lot of overlap between the two. Auteurs like Darren Aronofsky, George Clooney, Guillermo del Toro, Martin McDonagh, and Alexander Payne will be in Italy this time around. Each is hoping to make an Academy Award case for their latest work. Time will tell if that happens, but there’s definitely potential here. Read on to see some of what will be playing in Venice at the end of August/the beginning of September… Among the 2017 entrants of note for this fest, we have Downsizing from Alexander Payne, First Reformed from Paul Schrader, Lean on Pete from Andrew Haigh, mother! from Darren Aronofsky, The Shape of Water from Guillermo del Toro, Suburbicon from George Clooney,...
- 7/27/2017
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
ZamaThe programme for the 2017 edition of the Venice Film Festival has been unveiled, and includes new films from Darren Aronofsky, Lucrecia Martel, Frederick Wiseman, Alexander Payne, Hirokazu Kore-eda, Abdellatif Kechiche, Takeshi Kitano and many more.COMPETITIONmother! (Darren Aronofsky)First Reformed (Paul Schrader)Sweet Country (Warwick Thornton)The Leisure Seeker (Paolo Virzi)Una Famiglia (Sebastiano Riso)Ex Libris - The New York Public Library (Frederick Wiseman)Angels Wear White (Vivian Qu)The Whale (Andrea Pallaoro)Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (Martin McDonagh)Foxtrot (Samuel Maoz)Ammore e malavita (Manetti Brothers)Jusqu'a la garde (Xavier Legrand)The Third Murder (Hirokazu Kore-eda)Mektoub, My Love: Canto Uno (Abdellatif Kechiche)Lean on Pete (Andrew Haigh)L'insulte (Ziad Doueiri)La Villa (Robert Guediguian)The Shape of Water (Guillermo del Toro)Suburbicon (George Clooney)Human Flow (Ai Weiwei)Downsizing (Alexander Payne)Out Of COMPETITIONFeaturesOur Souls at Night (Ritesh Batra)Il Signor Rotpeter (Antonietta de Lillo)Victoria...
- 7/27/2017
- MUBI
On the heels of the Toronto International Film Festival announcement earlier this week, Venice Film Festival have now delivered their full lineup and while there’s no Terrence Malick as rumored, there’s a plethora of highly-anticipated titles. Along with the previously-announced opener Downsizing and the expected Suburbicon, mother!, The Shape of Water, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, there’s Lucrecia Martel’s Zama, Andrew Haigh’s Lean on Pete, Abdellatif Kechiche’s Blue is the Warmest Color follow-up Mektoub, My Love: Canto Uno, and Brawl In Cell Block 99, the latest film from Bone Tomahawk director S. Craig Zahler.
Also in the lineup is Errol Morris’s Netflix crime drama Wormwood, Paul Schrader’s First Reformed, Frederick Wiseman’s Ex Libris – New York Public Library, Hirokazu Koreeda’s The Third Murder, Takeshi Kitano’s closing night film Outrage Coda, Michaël R. Roskam’s Racer and The Jailbird, the Kirsten Dunst-led Woodshock,...
Also in the lineup is Errol Morris’s Netflix crime drama Wormwood, Paul Schrader’s First Reformed, Frederick Wiseman’s Ex Libris – New York Public Library, Hirokazu Koreeda’s The Third Murder, Takeshi Kitano’s closing night film Outrage Coda, Michaël R. Roskam’s Racer and The Jailbird, the Kirsten Dunst-led Woodshock,...
- 7/27/2017
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Venice Announces 2017 Lineup, Including ‘The Shape of Water,’ ‘Suburbicon,’ ‘mother!,’ and Many More
Will 2017 be the year that Venice gets its king-making mojo back? After a steady run of debuting recent best picture winners — from “Spotlight” to “Birdman” — the festival missed out on last year’s big winner, “Moonlight,” which bowed at Telluride. This year’s lineup is a promising one, and while it’s still very early in the process, it’s difficult not to pick through today’s announcement of the festival’s slate and not search for the big contenders.
As was previously announced, the festival will open with Alexander Payne’s social satire “Downsizing,” starring Matt Damon and Kristen Wiig. The festival will also play home to the premiere of the Netflix original “Our Souls at Night,” as part of their planned tribute to stars Robert Redford and Jane Fonda. Annette Bening will lead the competition jury, ending an 11-year succession of male jury chiefs.
Read MoreIndieWire Fall Film...
As was previously announced, the festival will open with Alexander Payne’s social satire “Downsizing,” starring Matt Damon and Kristen Wiig. The festival will also play home to the premiere of the Netflix original “Our Souls at Night,” as part of their planned tribute to stars Robert Redford and Jane Fonda. Annette Bening will lead the competition jury, ending an 11-year succession of male jury chiefs.
Read MoreIndieWire Fall Film...
- 7/27/2017
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Emmanuelle Bercot also cast; Celluloid Dreams, Avenue B pact for feature.
Paris-based Celluloid Dreams has boarded French director Sebastien Marnier’s high-school-set thriller School’s Out, featuring Laurent Lafitte and Emmanuelle Bercot in the cast (pictured).
Caroline Bonmarchand of Avenue B is producing. She previously collaborated with Marnier on his well-received debut thriller Faultless (Irréprochable), starring Marina Foïs as a down-on-her-luck estate agent who is hell-bent on getting her old job back at an agency in her provincial home-town, whatever it takes.
For School’s Out, Elle co-star Laurent Lafitte is set to play protagonist Pierre Hoffman, a substitute form tutor, brought in after his predecessor commits suicide by throwing himself out of the classroom window in front of his teenage students.
Actress and film-maker Emmanuelle Bercot will play another teacher in the school. Other cast members will include French rapper Gringe, Pascal Greggory, Greg Montel, Thomas Scimeca and Véronique Ruggia.
Lafitte’s character...
Paris-based Celluloid Dreams has boarded French director Sebastien Marnier’s high-school-set thriller School’s Out, featuring Laurent Lafitte and Emmanuelle Bercot in the cast (pictured).
Caroline Bonmarchand of Avenue B is producing. She previously collaborated with Marnier on his well-received debut thriller Faultless (Irréprochable), starring Marina Foïs as a down-on-her-luck estate agent who is hell-bent on getting her old job back at an agency in her provincial home-town, whatever it takes.
For School’s Out, Elle co-star Laurent Lafitte is set to play protagonist Pierre Hoffman, a substitute form tutor, brought in after his predecessor commits suicide by throwing himself out of the classroom window in front of his teenage students.
Actress and film-maker Emmanuelle Bercot will play another teacher in the school. Other cast members will include French rapper Gringe, Pascal Greggory, Greg Montel, Thomas Scimeca and Véronique Ruggia.
Lafitte’s character...
- 5/2/2017
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Celluloid sets down at Efm with biggest slate in years, adding two new Italian productions.
Paris-based sales agent Celluloid Dreams, at the European Film Market (Efm) this week with one of its biggest slates in recent years, has boarded sales on two high-profile Italian titles, Silvio Soldini’s [pictured] Emma and Marco Tullio Giordana’s Nome Di Donna.
Soldini’s Emma stars Adriano Giannini as a womanising creative director at a trendy ad agency who falls under the spell of a beautiful, married and blind osteopath. It is now in post-production. Videa has acquired Italian rights.
Tullio Giordana’s Nome Di Donne stars Cristiana Capotondi as a single mother who works at an old people’s home, where she discovers that the manager is sexually abusing the staff and she sets out to bring him to justice.
Celluloid Dreams president and head of acquisitions Hengameh Panahi acquired the films through her long-time contact, Lionello Cerri at Lumière...
Paris-based sales agent Celluloid Dreams, at the European Film Market (Efm) this week with one of its biggest slates in recent years, has boarded sales on two high-profile Italian titles, Silvio Soldini’s [pictured] Emma and Marco Tullio Giordana’s Nome Di Donna.
Soldini’s Emma stars Adriano Giannini as a womanising creative director at a trendy ad agency who falls under the spell of a beautiful, married and blind osteopath. It is now in post-production. Videa has acquired Italian rights.
Tullio Giordana’s Nome Di Donne stars Cristiana Capotondi as a single mother who works at an old people’s home, where she discovers that the manager is sexually abusing the staff and she sets out to bring him to justice.
Celluloid Dreams president and head of acquisitions Hengameh Panahi acquired the films through her long-time contact, Lionello Cerri at Lumière...
- 2/10/2017
- ScreenDaily
Directors' Assembly
In 2013, the Directors’ Assembly became the exceptional platform of worldwide filmmakers, where they exchange with professionals and share with the public their experiences and their ideas. The event takes place in the frame of the Directors' Fortnight.
Edition 2014
What do Filmmakers want for tomorrow's Europe?
Last year, many filmmaker, from different backgrounds, came together for cultural diversity, demanding the exclusion of audiovisual and film services from the commercial agreements between the European Union and the United States. One of the interesting timing coincidences of 2014 is the European elections taking place directly following the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, which gives a unique opportunity to directors to discuss their expectations from the future European Commission and Members of Parliament
With the support of the following directors
Clio Barnard, David Cronenberg, Joe Dante, Amat Escalante, Emmanuel Finkiel, Stephen Frears, Matteo Garrone, Costa-Gavras, Valeria Golino, Anurag Kashyap, Naomi Kawase, Ágnes Kocsis, Joachim Lafosse, Pablo Larraín, Ken Loach, Sergei Loznitsa, Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, Cristian Mungiu, Yousry Nasrallah, Raoul Peck, Christian Petzold, Nicolas Philibert, Javier Rebollo, Walter Salles, Andrea Segre, Silvio Soldini, Bertrand Tavernier, Pablo Trapero, Joachim Trier, Felix van Groeningen, Andrey Zvyagintsev
The Assembly will be held
Sunday, May 18 - 5 Pm
Fnac Cannes (83 rue d'Antibes)
Open to all
Follow the Assembly on
www.quinzaine-realisateurs.com...
In 2013, the Directors’ Assembly became the exceptional platform of worldwide filmmakers, where they exchange with professionals and share with the public their experiences and their ideas. The event takes place in the frame of the Directors' Fortnight.
Edition 2014
What do Filmmakers want for tomorrow's Europe?
Last year, many filmmaker, from different backgrounds, came together for cultural diversity, demanding the exclusion of audiovisual and film services from the commercial agreements between the European Union and the United States. One of the interesting timing coincidences of 2014 is the European elections taking place directly following the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, which gives a unique opportunity to directors to discuss their expectations from the future European Commission and Members of Parliament
With the support of the following directors
Clio Barnard, David Cronenberg, Joe Dante, Amat Escalante, Emmanuel Finkiel, Stephen Frears, Matteo Garrone, Costa-Gavras, Valeria Golino, Anurag Kashyap, Naomi Kawase, Ágnes Kocsis, Joachim Lafosse, Pablo Larraín, Ken Loach, Sergei Loznitsa, Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, Cristian Mungiu, Yousry Nasrallah, Raoul Peck, Christian Petzold, Nicolas Philibert, Javier Rebollo, Walter Salles, Andrea Segre, Silvio Soldini, Bertrand Tavernier, Pablo Trapero, Joachim Trier, Felix van Groeningen, Andrey Zvyagintsev
The Assembly will be held
Sunday, May 18 - 5 Pm
Fnac Cannes (83 rue d'Antibes)
Open to all
Follow the Assembly on
www.quinzaine-realisateurs.com...
- 5/14/2014
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Title: Per Altri Occhi (Other Eyes) Director: Silvio Soldini and Giorgio Garini Starring: Enrico Sosio, Giovanni Bosio, Gemma Pedrini, Luca Casella, Felice Tagliaferri, Mario Santoni, Aldo Grassini, Daniela Bottegoni, Claudio Levantini, Michela Marcato, Piero Bianco, Loredana Ruisi. The documentary by Silvio Soldini and Giorgio Garini, focuses on the world of the blind. An extraordinary group of ordinary people, who have the handicap of not seeing, lead their daily lives with great energy and skill. Ten hyper-active individuals work, enjoy sports, from baseball to sailing, from skiing to archery. Enrico is a physiotherapist, and as soon as he has time off he goes sailing; Giovanni is an entrepreneur who loves to [ Read More ]
The post Per Altri Occhi (Other Eyes) Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Per Altri Occhi (Other Eyes) Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 10/3/2013
- by Chiara Spagnoli Gabardi
- ShockYa
Exclusive: Jean-Luc Godard and Ursula Meier are among 14 directors set to participate in an omnibus film that will mark next year’s centenary of the First World War.
Speaking exclusively to ScreenDaily in Locarno, Meier - who has become known to international festival and cinema audiences through her last two features Home and Sister - confirmed that she and 83-year-old Godard will be making short films for the omnibus project Les Ponts de Sarajevo.
The omnibus will be coordinated by Paris-based production house Cinétévé.
The film will be part of a week-long event from June 21-28, 2014, titled “Sarajevo: Coeur de L’Europe”, organised in collaboration with the City of Sarajevo, the Sarajevo Film Festival, Jazzfest Sarajevo, Centre André Malraux, Goethe-Institut and the British Council.
“Most of the contributions will be documentary or essay-type films, but I am one of a couple of film-makers who will be making a fiction film,” Meier explained...
Speaking exclusively to ScreenDaily in Locarno, Meier - who has become known to international festival and cinema audiences through her last two features Home and Sister - confirmed that she and 83-year-old Godard will be making short films for the omnibus project Les Ponts de Sarajevo.
The omnibus will be coordinated by Paris-based production house Cinétévé.
The film will be part of a week-long event from June 21-28, 2014, titled “Sarajevo: Coeur de L’Europe”, organised in collaboration with the City of Sarajevo, the Sarajevo Film Festival, Jazzfest Sarajevo, Centre André Malraux, Goethe-Institut and the British Council.
“Most of the contributions will be documentary or essay-type films, but I am one of a couple of film-makers who will be making a fiction film,” Meier explained...
- 8/14/2013
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
Peter Strickland’s Berberian Sound Studio was named best film by members of the Toronto Film Critics Association at the finale of the second annual Italian Contemporary Film Festival (Icff) on Saturday night [6].
The awards ceremony of the 11-day Canadian celebration of Italian and Italian-themed features and shorts included a life achievement award for Bread And Tulips director Silvio Soldini.
The Icff jury recognised Soldini’s closing night screening Come Undone (Cosa Voglio Di Più) with an honourable mention for best film.
Festival winners included Frank D’Angelo’s Real Gangsters, recipient of the Ic Savings Award; Paolo Genovese’s Una Famiglia Perfetta (A Perfect Family), winner of the People’s Choice Award; and Alessandro Marinaro’s Buongiorno Signor Bellavista (Good Morning Mr Bellavista), which took home the inaugural award for best short film and a $1,000 cash prize.
On hand to present the awards were Icff artistic director Cristiano de Florentiis and managing director Maurizio Magnifico. “We are...
The awards ceremony of the 11-day Canadian celebration of Italian and Italian-themed features and shorts included a life achievement award for Bread And Tulips director Silvio Soldini.
The Icff jury recognised Soldini’s closing night screening Come Undone (Cosa Voglio Di Più) with an honourable mention for best film.
Festival winners included Frank D’Angelo’s Real Gangsters, recipient of the Ic Savings Award; Paolo Genovese’s Una Famiglia Perfetta (A Perfect Family), winner of the People’s Choice Award; and Alessandro Marinaro’s Buongiorno Signor Bellavista (Good Morning Mr Bellavista), which took home the inaugural award for best short film and a $1,000 cash prize.
On hand to present the awards were Icff artistic director Cristiano de Florentiis and managing director Maurizio Magnifico. “We are...
- 7/8/2013
- ScreenDaily
Italian filmmaker Silvio Soldini is to receive the Italian Contemporary Film Festival’s inaugrual Lifetime Achievement Award.
Soldini will receive Icff’s first Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his body of work that spans a career of over three decades, amassing 11 awards and 14 nominations for his shorts, documentaries and feature films.
Soldini will be in Toronto on July 6 to receive his award and will introduce two of his films: infidelity drama Come Undone (Cosa voglio di più) and For Other Eyes (Per Altri Occhi), a documentary about the blind living in a world designed for those with sight.
Come Undone will be the Icff’s Closing Night Film.
“We are delighted to present Silvio Soldini with the Icff’s first Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of the exceptional and inspiring quality of the body of his work,” said artistic director Cristiano de Florentiis.
“It is a great pleasure to welcome Silvio to Toronto to present him with...
Soldini will receive Icff’s first Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his body of work that spans a career of over three decades, amassing 11 awards and 14 nominations for his shorts, documentaries and feature films.
Soldini will be in Toronto on July 6 to receive his award and will introduce two of his films: infidelity drama Come Undone (Cosa voglio di più) and For Other Eyes (Per Altri Occhi), a documentary about the blind living in a world designed for those with sight.
Come Undone will be the Icff’s Closing Night Film.
“We are delighted to present Silvio Soldini with the Icff’s first Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of the exceptional and inspiring quality of the body of his work,” said artistic director Cristiano de Florentiis.
“It is a great pleasure to welcome Silvio to Toronto to present him with...
- 6/21/2013
- ScreenDaily
From Page To Screen | Bradford International Film Festival | Belfast International Film Festival | Italian Film Festival
From Page To Screen, Bridport
Curated by novelist Joe Dunthorne, this festival of literary adaptations takes in everything from Patricia Highsmith thrillers (Plein Soleil, Strangers On A Train) to comic-book films American Splendor and Ghost World, and films based on plays, like new vampire flick Byzantium, which comes with a masterclass from producer Stephen Woolley. Dunthorne introduces Richard Ayoade's adaptation of his own Submarine, and its key influence The Graduate, and there's a special screening of Kubrick's The Shining at the precarious, disused Burton Cliff Hotel.
Various venues, Wed to 14 Apr
Bradford International Film Festival
Bradford is rarely the first city that springs to mind when you think of British cinema, but it's home to our National Media Museum and is a Unesco City of Film, no less. And its festival is an embarrassment...
From Page To Screen, Bridport
Curated by novelist Joe Dunthorne, this festival of literary adaptations takes in everything from Patricia Highsmith thrillers (Plein Soleil, Strangers On A Train) to comic-book films American Splendor and Ghost World, and films based on plays, like new vampire flick Byzantium, which comes with a masterclass from producer Stephen Woolley. Dunthorne introduces Richard Ayoade's adaptation of his own Submarine, and its key influence The Graduate, and there's a special screening of Kubrick's The Shining at the precarious, disused Burton Cliff Hotel.
Various venues, Wed to 14 Apr
Bradford International Film Festival
Bradford is rarely the first city that springs to mind when you think of British cinema, but it's home to our National Media Museum and is a Unesco City of Film, no less. And its festival is an embarrassment...
- 4/6/2013
- by Steve Rose
- The Guardian - Film News
With the release of a second teaser trailer of Paul Thomas Anderson's "The Master" this morning, we got another look at one of the most anticipated films of the year. And with the picture already slated for an October 13th release, for some traveling film critics and fans, and those prepared to head to Italy, the Venice Film Festival could be where the film makes its world premiere, with artistic director Alberto Barbera suggesting a few weeks back that Anderson was heading to the Lido for the fest, which kicks off on August 29th.
With the announcement of the opening film due any day now -- it was on June 21st last year and today, the fest announced their lineup of rare and restored films that will unspool -- and "The Master" trailer reminding us that its one of the candidates, it seemed like a good opportunity to look...
With the announcement of the opening film due any day now -- it was on June 21st last year and today, the fest announced their lineup of rare and restored films that will unspool -- and "The Master" trailer reminding us that its one of the candidates, it seemed like a good opportunity to look...
- 6/19/2012
- by Oliver Lyttelton
- The Playlist
Alberto Barbera, the festival's new director, has said he wants a 'less glitzy' event this year
The new director of the Venice film festival has promised a "more sober, less glitzy" event for the 69th edition later this year.
Artistic director Alberto Barbera, who was appointed in December, has revealed plans to cut the number of films showing on the Lido. There will be fewer than 50 films in total at this year's festival, with only 18 showing in competition, he told Italian reporters.
"We're starting a change in Venice's skin, in which within two or three years we will have a nice rebirth," Barbera told Italian journalists. "The festival is like a grand old lady, a refined lady, but one in need of being freshened up. I believe a festival should take responsibility for its choice, and not to simply select dozens and dozens of titles."
Us film-makers being considered for...
The new director of the Venice film festival has promised a "more sober, less glitzy" event for the 69th edition later this year.
Artistic director Alberto Barbera, who was appointed in December, has revealed plans to cut the number of films showing on the Lido. There will be fewer than 50 films in total at this year's festival, with only 18 showing in competition, he told Italian reporters.
"We're starting a change in Venice's skin, in which within two or three years we will have a nice rebirth," Barbera told Italian journalists. "The festival is like a grand old lady, a refined lady, but one in need of being freshened up. I believe a festival should take responsibility for its choice, and not to simply select dozens and dozens of titles."
Us film-makers being considered for...
- 5/29/2012
- by Ben Child
- The Guardian - Film News
Director: Silvio Soldini Writers: Silvio Soldini, Doriana Leondeff, Angelo Carbone Starring: Alba Rohrwacher, Giuseppe Battinston, Pierfrancesco Favino Anna (Alba Rohrwacher) and Alessio's (Giuseppe Battinston) relationship begins to come undone when a charming waiter named Domenico (Pierfrancesco Favino) enters the picture. Prior to Anna's first interaction with the talk, dark and handsome Domenico (he is from the south), we sense that her relationship with Alessio is friendly and comfortable but there is nothing sexy about it. Even their body types -- Anna is attractive and petite, Alessio is frumpy and rotund -- signal that they might be romantically incompatible. (I often found myself wondering how Anna and Alessio became a couple in the first place.) The affair between Anna and Domenico is clumsy from the get go, as they not so clandestinely exchange each other's digits outside of the insurance office where Anna works as an accountant. At their first rendezvous,...
- 4/4/2011
- by Don Simpson
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
Best known for his now viral performance as Hitler in the brilliant Oliver Hirschbiegel film, Downfall, actor Bruno Ganz is finally about to get his day in the spotlight, thanks to the European Film Academy.
According to Anne Thompson, the actor, and star of the wonderful Wim Wenders film, Wings Of Desire, will be given a special award at the European Film Awards, when they take place on December 4.
Personally, this has been a long time coming, and something that is more than deserved. Continuing to work today in films like The Reader, the actor has a marvelous filmography, particularly the Criterion staple Wings, a powerful and visually striking film, that features a performance from Ganz that is so haunting, that it is easily one of the best that I’ve ever seen. If you haven’t given the film a chance, Wings Of Desire is an absolute must own,...
According to Anne Thompson, the actor, and star of the wonderful Wim Wenders film, Wings Of Desire, will be given a special award at the European Film Awards, when they take place on December 4.
Personally, this has been a long time coming, and something that is more than deserved. Continuing to work today in films like The Reader, the actor has a marvelous filmography, particularly the Criterion staple Wings, a powerful and visually striking film, that features a performance from Ganz that is so haunting, that it is easily one of the best that I’ve ever seen. If you haven’t given the film a chance, Wings Of Desire is an absolute must own,...
- 9/19/2010
- by Joshua Brunsting
- CriterionCast
Younger folks probably know Bruno Ganz best from those endless YouTube Hitler parodies taken from Oliver Hirschbiegel's Downfall (2004); but he is one of the world's great actors and thus I am delighted to report that the European Film Academy will honor the legendary Swiss actor at their European Film Awards. Ganz's resume includes Wim Wenders' Wings of Desire (1987), Silvio Soldini's Bread & Tulips (2000), Werner Herzog's Nosferatu The Vampyre (1979), Francis Ford Coppola's Youth Without Youth (2007) and Stephen Daldry's The Reader (2008). Ganz, 69, was elected with actress Iris Berben as president of the Germany Film Academy earlier this year and will receive this Lifetime Achievement Award at the EFAs on December 4 in Tallinn. [Pictured: Ganz, in Downfall as Hitler, Die Marquise von O and The Reader]...
- 9/15/2010
- Thompson on Hollywood
The 46th Chicago International Film Festival is coming, and The Scorecard Review will be there will exclusive interviews, movie reviews and red carpet events beginning October 7, 2010.
Here’s the first 20 films announced for the festival. Below is the news release.
October 7 – 21, 2010
Chicago, August 25, 2010 – Cinema/Chicago is proud to announce the first 20 new films that will appear at this year’s Chicago International Film Festival. Among them are some of the most anticipated domestic and foreign films featuring well-respected talent and directors as well as the work of exceptional newcomers. From Slumdog Millionaire and Resevoir Dogs to Martin Scorsese and Werner Herzog, The Chicago International Film Festival has consistently brought the brightest and boldest new films and filmmakers to Chicago first. Audiences will be delighted to find that this year’s Festival will be no different. Below is just a taste of the more than 150 films that will be shown at...
Here’s the first 20 films announced for the festival. Below is the news release.
October 7 – 21, 2010
Chicago, August 25, 2010 – Cinema/Chicago is proud to announce the first 20 new films that will appear at this year’s Chicago International Film Festival. Among them are some of the most anticipated domestic and foreign films featuring well-respected talent and directors as well as the work of exceptional newcomers. From Slumdog Millionaire and Resevoir Dogs to Martin Scorsese and Werner Herzog, The Chicago International Film Festival has consistently brought the brightest and boldest new films and filmmakers to Chicago first. Audiences will be delighted to find that this year’s Festival will be no different. Below is just a taste of the more than 150 films that will be shown at...
- 9/10/2010
- by Jeff Bayer
- The Scorecard Review
Chicago – Cinema/Chicago is proud to announce the first 20 new films scheduled to appear at the 2010 Chicago International Film Festival, October 7th – 21st. The Chicago festival continues to combine the films of established directors/talent with promising newcomers. Expect some foreign and domestic film surprises.
Screenings will take place at the AMC River East Theater in downtown Chicago during the October festival run. Festival passes are on sale now and individual tickets go on sale September 24th.
Gemma Arterton in ‘Tamara Drewe’
Photo Credit: Sony Pictures Classic
Here are the first 20 films slated for the Chicago International Film Festival in the announcement made on August 25th.
UK – ‘Tamara Drewe’
Director: Stephen Frears
When former ugly duckling Tamara Drewe sashays back into her hometown, life for her neighbors is thrown upside down. Now a devastating beauty, Tamara sets a contemporary comedy of manners into play using the oldest magic in the book: sex appeal.
Screenings will take place at the AMC River East Theater in downtown Chicago during the October festival run. Festival passes are on sale now and individual tickets go on sale September 24th.
Gemma Arterton in ‘Tamara Drewe’
Photo Credit: Sony Pictures Classic
Here are the first 20 films slated for the Chicago International Film Festival in the announcement made on August 25th.
UK – ‘Tamara Drewe’
Director: Stephen Frears
When former ugly duckling Tamara Drewe sashays back into her hometown, life for her neighbors is thrown upside down. Now a devastating beauty, Tamara sets a contemporary comedy of manners into play using the oldest magic in the book: sex appeal.
- 8/25/2010
- by PatrickMcD
- HollywoodChicago.com
Berlin -- Rob Marshall's musical "Nine," Jo Baier's period epic "Henry of Navarre" and "L'Illusionist," the new animated film by French director Sylvain Chomet ("The Triplets of Belleville") will get the red carpet treatment at the 2010 Berlin International Film Festival as part of the event's special screenings program.
The non-competitive sidebar will also feature the world premieres of Doris Doerrie's new romantic comedy, "The Hairdresser," Silvio Soldini's "What More Do I Want" and "Boxhagener Platz," a German-language mystery from director Matti Geschonneck.
Several documentaries will be included in program, among them "How Much Does Your Building Weigh, Mr. Foster?" a Spanish-British doc on star architect Lord Foster and "Dancing Dreams" from German filmmakers Anne Linsel and Rainer Hoffmann on legendary choreographer Pina Bausch.
But the can't-miss highlight of this year's program is the newly restored, and finally complete, version of Fritz Lang's "Metropolis," which will have its world premiere on Feb.
The non-competitive sidebar will also feature the world premieres of Doris Doerrie's new romantic comedy, "The Hairdresser," Silvio Soldini's "What More Do I Want" and "Boxhagener Platz," a German-language mystery from director Matti Geschonneck.
Several documentaries will be included in program, among them "How Much Does Your Building Weigh, Mr. Foster?" a Spanish-British doc on star architect Lord Foster and "Dancing Dreams" from German filmmakers Anne Linsel and Rainer Hoffmann on legendary choreographer Pina Bausch.
But the can't-miss highlight of this year's program is the newly restored, and finally complete, version of Fritz Lang's "Metropolis," which will have its world premiere on Feb.
- 1/21/2010
- by By Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
12th Annual EU Film Festival Highlights, Week One: ‘I’m All Good,’ ‘Zift,’ ‘Kisses,’ ‘Shall We Kiss’
Chicago – The Annual European Union Film Festival at the Siskel Film Center has become a calendar-clearing event for foreign film and arthouse movie lovers in the city of Chicago, but working your way through what to see of the five dozen films can be overwhelming. Let us guide the way.
This year’s edition, running from March 6th to April 2nd, includes high profile films from world renowned filmmakers like Peter Greenaway, Francois Ozon, Agnes Varda, Nicholas Roeg, Shane Meadows, Olga Malea, and Olivier Assayas, along with some movies that probably won’t be seen outside of the EU in the Windy City.
The 12th Annual European Union Film Festival includes 59 feature films, all of which are making their Chicago premiere. If you’re interested in seeing something off the beaten path, the EU is the fest for you. Week by week, every Wednesday, come back to HollywoodChicago.com for...
This year’s edition, running from March 6th to April 2nd, includes high profile films from world renowned filmmakers like Peter Greenaway, Francois Ozon, Agnes Varda, Nicholas Roeg, Shane Meadows, Olga Malea, and Olivier Assayas, along with some movies that probably won’t be seen outside of the EU in the Windy City.
The 12th Annual European Union Film Festival includes 59 feature films, all of which are making their Chicago premiere. If you’re interested in seeing something off the beaten path, the EU is the fest for you. Week by week, every Wednesday, come back to HollywoodChicago.com for...
- 3/4/2009
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
By Aaron Hillis, GreenCine Daily
Days and Clouds (Giorni e nuvole)
Directed by Silvio Soldini
2007, 115 minutes, In Italian with English subtitles
Film Movement
It's not that we need another reminder of the demoralizing economy, but Bread and Tulips director Silvio Soldini's modest new captivator -- about a middle-aged Genoa couple whose relationship begins to buckle under the weight of financial duress -- exposes the tenuous politics of potentially every marriage with perceptive nuances, not the archetypal plate-throwing hysteria or maudlin austerity of countless European art-house dramas.
Days and Clouds (Giorni e nuvole)
Directed by Silvio Soldini
2007, 115 minutes, In Italian with English subtitles
Film Movement
It's not that we need another reminder of the demoralizing economy, but Bread and Tulips director Silvio Soldini's modest new captivator -- about a middle-aged Genoa couple whose relationship begins to buckle under the weight of financial duress -- exposes the tenuous politics of potentially every marriage with perceptive nuances, not the archetypal plate-throwing hysteria or maudlin austerity of countless European art-house dramas.
- 2/4/2009
- by underdog
- GreenCine
By Aaron Hillis, GreenCine Daily
Days and Clouds (Giorni e nuvole)
Directed by Silvio Soldini
2007, 115 minutes, In Italian with English subtitles
Film Movement
It's not that we need another reminder of the demoralizing economy, but Bread and Tulips director Silvio Soldini's modest new captivator -- about a middle-aged Genoa couple whose relationship begins to buckle under the weight of financial duress -- exposes the tenuous politics of potentially every marriage with perceptive nuances, not the archetypal plate-throwing hysteria or maudlin austerity of countless European art-house dramas.
Days and Clouds (Giorni e nuvole)
Directed by Silvio Soldini
2007, 115 minutes, In Italian with English subtitles
Film Movement
It's not that we need another reminder of the demoralizing economy, but Bread and Tulips director Silvio Soldini's modest new captivator -- about a middle-aged Genoa couple whose relationship begins to buckle under the weight of financial duress -- exposes the tenuous politics of potentially every marriage with perceptive nuances, not the archetypal plate-throwing hysteria or maudlin austerity of countless European art-house dramas.
- 2/4/2009
- by underdog
- GreenCine
Eleven ACE features (Ateliers du Cinema European) have been recommended for a nomination for the European Film Awards to be announced December 6, 2008! 'Moscow, Belgium' by Christophe Van Rompaey, produced by Jean-Claude Van Rijckeghem (A Private View), 'Eden' by Declan Recks, produced by Martina Niland (Samson Films), 'The Class' by Laurent Cantet, produced by Carole Scotta (Haut & Court), 'Giorni e nuevole' by Silvio Soldini, produced by Tiziana Soudani (Amka Films Productions), 'Home' by Ursula Meier, produced by Denis Delcampe (Need Productions) and Helena Tatti (Box Productions), 'I am from Titov Veles' by Teona Strugar Mitevska, produced by Diana Elbaum (Entre chien et loup), 'Lemon Tree' by Eran Riklis, produced by Bettina Brokemper (Heimatfilm), 'Love and Other Crimes' by Stefan Arsenijevic, produced by Herbert Schwering (Coin Film), 'Black Ice' by Petri Kotwica, produced by Steffen Reuter (Schmidtz Katze Filmkollektiv), 'Waltz with Bashir' by Ari Folman, produced by Roman Paul (Razor Film Produktion), 'Wolke 9' by Andreas Dresen, produced by Peter Rommel (Rommel Film).
Full list of recommended films: European Film Academy.
Full list of recommended films: European Film Academy.
- 10/29/2008
- Sydney's Buzz
London -- The European Film Academy unveiled the 44 movies on this year's long list for the upcoming European Film Awards, scheduled for Dec. 6 in Copenhagen.
The 44 titles come from 27 countries across the continent including four from the U.K.
Joe Wright's "Atonement," Nick Broomfield's "Battle for Haditha," Mike Leigh's "Happy-Go-Lucky" and Steve McQueen's "Hunger" will all hope to make the nominations' list with titles such as Kornel Mundruczo's "Delta" from Hungary and Andrzej Wajda's "Katyn" from Poland vying for a place.
In the 20 countries with the most Efa Members, members have voted one national film directly into the selection list.
To complete the list, a selection committee consisting of Efa board members and invited experts have included 24 other titles.
Over the next few weeks, the 1,800 members of the European Film Academy will vote for the nominations in the different award categories.
The nominations will then be announced Nov.
The 44 titles come from 27 countries across the continent including four from the U.K.
Joe Wright's "Atonement," Nick Broomfield's "Battle for Haditha," Mike Leigh's "Happy-Go-Lucky" and Steve McQueen's "Hunger" will all hope to make the nominations' list with titles such as Kornel Mundruczo's "Delta" from Hungary and Andrzej Wajda's "Katyn" from Poland vying for a place.
In the 20 countries with the most Efa Members, members have voted one national film directly into the selection list.
To complete the list, a selection committee consisting of Efa board members and invited experts have included 24 other titles.
Over the next few weeks, the 1,800 members of the European Film Academy will vote for the nominations in the different award categories.
The nominations will then be announced Nov.
- 9/4/2008
- by By Stuart Kemp
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
By Neil Pedley
This week finds the U.S. Army bringing war games to a whole other level, a '60s sex icon getting an exposé, Ron Perlman returning as the defender of small fluffy kittens everywhere and Eddie Murphy taking cinema egotism to new heights.
"August"
After the warm reception his first feature "Xx/Xy" received at Sundance in 2002, director Austin Chick returned to the snowy slopes of Park City to debut his sophomore effort, which seemed to impress our own Matt Singer when he saw it in January. Assembling an noteworthy ensemble that includes the likes of Robin Tunney, Naomie Harris, Rip Torn and David Bowie, Chick follows Tom and Josh Sterling (Josh Hartnett and Adam Scott, respectively), two brothers desperately trying to right the sinking ship of their failing dot-com company in the weeks leading up to the devastating September 11th attacks.
Opens in New York.
"Days...
This week finds the U.S. Army bringing war games to a whole other level, a '60s sex icon getting an exposé, Ron Perlman returning as the defender of small fluffy kittens everywhere and Eddie Murphy taking cinema egotism to new heights.
"August"
After the warm reception his first feature "Xx/Xy" received at Sundance in 2002, director Austin Chick returned to the snowy slopes of Park City to debut his sophomore effort, which seemed to impress our own Matt Singer when he saw it in January. Assembling an noteworthy ensemble that includes the likes of Robin Tunney, Naomie Harris, Rip Torn and David Bowie, Chick follows Tom and Josh Sterling (Josh Hartnett and Adam Scott, respectively), two brothers desperately trying to right the sinking ship of their failing dot-com company in the weeks leading up to the devastating September 11th attacks.
Opens in New York.
"Days...
- 7/15/2008
- by Neil Pedley
- ifc.com
MOSCOW -- The 30th Moscow International Film Festival wrapped on Saturday with twin wins for the Iranian drama "So Simple", directed by Reza Mir Karimi.
The film, which collected awards for best film from the festival and the Russian Film Critics' Guild, details the tribulations of a middle-class Iranian woman. It stars Hengameh Ghaziani, featured in last year's Iranian Toronto entry "Unfinished Stories".
"So Simple" won best film, screenplay and actress awards in February at the 26th Fajr International Film Festival, Iran's principal film forum.
At the awards ceremony, main competition jury head Liv Ullman highlighted the political undertones of the decision by taking Ghaziani's hand onstage and remarking about how two women from different cultures, "one covered and one uncovered," are standing together, and this is "as it should be."
Mexican director Rene Villarreal won best film from the Perspectives jury for "The Cumbria Connection". French director Marion Laine's "A Simple Heart" won the Special Jury Prize and best director went to Bulgarian Javor Gardev for his film "Zift".
Richard Jenkins won best actor for Tom McCarthy's American indie film "The Visitor", and the best actress award went to Margherita Buy for her role in Silvio Soldini's "Days and Clouds".
The film, which collected awards for best film from the festival and the Russian Film Critics' Guild, details the tribulations of a middle-class Iranian woman. It stars Hengameh Ghaziani, featured in last year's Iranian Toronto entry "Unfinished Stories".
"So Simple" won best film, screenplay and actress awards in February at the 26th Fajr International Film Festival, Iran's principal film forum.
At the awards ceremony, main competition jury head Liv Ullman highlighted the political undertones of the decision by taking Ghaziani's hand onstage and remarking about how two women from different cultures, "one covered and one uncovered," are standing together, and this is "as it should be."
Mexican director Rene Villarreal won best film from the Perspectives jury for "The Cumbria Connection". French director Marion Laine's "A Simple Heart" won the Special Jury Prize and best director went to Bulgarian Javor Gardev for his film "Zift".
Richard Jenkins won best actor for Tom McCarthy's American indie film "The Visitor", and the best actress award went to Margherita Buy for her role in Silvio Soldini's "Days and Clouds".
- 6/29/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
- I can't say I'll be rushing out or putting an X on the calender in anticipation of this family drama - over the years I've become highly intolerant to the form - Italian filmmakers have trouble in this domain. Here's the trailer (yawn) below. Film Movement are prepping up some courses in Italian this summer with the art house release and subsequent of Silvio Soldini (Bread and Tulips)'s Toronto, London and Rome film festival shocased family drama. Set for a June release, Days and Clouds (Giomi e Nuvole) revolves around Elsa and Michelle, a well-to-do couple who break up after the stress of Michele's unemployment wears on their relationship. Eventually, the two re-unite after realizing that their greatest possession is the love they've shared. ...
- 3/11/2008
- IONCINEMA.com
Film Movement has acquired the North American rights to the Italian family drama Days and Clouds, directed by Silvio Soldini.
The film revolves around Elsa and Michelle, a well-to-do couple who break up after the stress of Michele's unemployment wears on their relationship. Eventually, the two re-unite after realizing that their greatest possession is the love they've shared.
Set for a June release, Days was an official selection at the Toronto, London and Rome film festivals.
"It is a real honor to be able to add another beautiful film by Silvio Soldini to our collection," said Adley Gartenstein, president of Film Movement. " 'Days and Clouds' reaffirms Soldini's sensibility and talent for capturing the human spirit using both humor and heart."
The deal was negotiated by Gartenstein and Rebeca Conget, vp acquisitions and distribution, and Adriana Chiesa, of Adriana Chiesa Enterprises.
Film Movement also distributed Soldini's 2004 romantic comedy Agatha and the Storm.
The film revolves around Elsa and Michelle, a well-to-do couple who break up after the stress of Michele's unemployment wears on their relationship. Eventually, the two re-unite after realizing that their greatest possession is the love they've shared.
Set for a June release, Days was an official selection at the Toronto, London and Rome film festivals.
"It is a real honor to be able to add another beautiful film by Silvio Soldini to our collection," said Adley Gartenstein, president of Film Movement. " 'Days and Clouds' reaffirms Soldini's sensibility and talent for capturing the human spirit using both humor and heart."
The deal was negotiated by Gartenstein and Rebeca Conget, vp acquisitions and distribution, and Adriana Chiesa, of Adriana Chiesa Enterprises.
Film Movement also distributed Soldini's 2004 romantic comedy Agatha and the Storm.
- 3/11/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
RomaCinemaFest
ROME -- Silvio Soldini, best known for his multiple award-winning Bread and Tulips from 2000, may have toned down his lyrical ways in Clouds and Days, but he has not strayed from his favorite subject matter -- a middle-aged couple in crisis. Here Soldini forgoes his trademark fairy tale or literary touches (such as in 2002's Burning in the Wind) for austere naturalism, complete with handheld camerawork that may not be entirely justified but lends itself to the film's verite feel.
A universal story with which almost anyone can identify, the film was released domestically Oct. 26 on 176 screens, coming in fifth at the boxoffice with nearly €725,000 grossed from its opening weekend -- over half of what Soldini's previous title, Agata and the Storm (2004), took in overall at home.
In the U.S., Days will be most-successful among highbrow audiences with a taste for smart European fare and the Italian realism of a bygone era. It should also win back European audiences -- in particular in Switzerland and Germany, where he has a large following -- ready for a more mature story from the director.
Although Michele (Antonio Albanese) has a solid marriage, he waits until his wife Elsa (Margherita Buy) has obtained her art history degree to tell her that he was fired two months earlier by the company he helped create. They will have to sell their lavish home immediately. Reeling from shock over the abysmal state of their finances, she quickly finds part-time work as a telemarketer while he goes on fruitless job interviews for positions for which he is overqualified.
Depressed, Michele begins skipping the interviews to do menial work, first as a moped messenger then as a handyman with two of his former employees (Giuseppe Battiston and Antonio Carlo Francini). Eventually, he refuses to get out bed, forcing Elsa to accept a full-time office job and take over his role as the family breadwinner. As their life of privilege slips further away, they start taking their frustrations out on one another and their 20-year-old daughter Alice (Alba Rohrwacher).
The intelligently crafted plot (by Soldini, his longstanding collaborator Doriana Leondeff, Francesco Piccolo and Federica Pontremoli) is balanced by comedic moments that keep it from becoming bleak. The film relies more on nuance rather than dramatic peaks. One particularly gripping, wordless scene comes when Alice, oblivious to her parents' problems, pulls up next to Michele, who is on a moped delivering a package, at a stoplight.
Soldini also reigns in Albanese (a renowned comic prone to hamming it up) and Buy (who has perfected the role of the neurotic urbanite), drawing from them two sober, highly credible performances that reflect how life's unexpected struggles can wear away at even the most loving relationships.
However, two hours on the exhaustive, day-by-day fallout of these struggles weighs down rather than heightens the tension and threat to Elsa and Michele's livelihood and love (even when she begins flirting with a co-worker). At times Days seems more of a social commentary on the shrinking middle class than the will-they-or-won't-they-make-it story at the heart of the film.
DAYS AND CLOUDS
Lumiere & Co., Amka Films, RTSI
Credits:
Director: Silvio Soldin
Writers: Soldini, Doriana Leondeff, Francesco Piccolo, Federica Pontremoli
Producer: Lionello Cerri
Executive producer: Tiziana Soudani
Director of photography: Ramiro Civita
Production designer: Paolo Bizzarri
Music: Giovanni Venosta
Costume designers: Silvia Nebiolo, Patrizia Mazzon
Editor: Carlotta Cristiani
Cast:
Elsa: Margherita Buy
Michele: Antonio Albanese
Alice: Alba Rohrwacher
Vito: Giuseppe Battiston
Riki: Fabio Troiano
Nadia: Carla Signoris
Salviati: Paolo Sassanelli
Luciano: Antonio Carlo Francini
Running time -- 117 minutes
No MPAA rating...
ROME -- Silvio Soldini, best known for his multiple award-winning Bread and Tulips from 2000, may have toned down his lyrical ways in Clouds and Days, but he has not strayed from his favorite subject matter -- a middle-aged couple in crisis. Here Soldini forgoes his trademark fairy tale or literary touches (such as in 2002's Burning in the Wind) for austere naturalism, complete with handheld camerawork that may not be entirely justified but lends itself to the film's verite feel.
A universal story with which almost anyone can identify, the film was released domestically Oct. 26 on 176 screens, coming in fifth at the boxoffice with nearly €725,000 grossed from its opening weekend -- over half of what Soldini's previous title, Agata and the Storm (2004), took in overall at home.
In the U.S., Days will be most-successful among highbrow audiences with a taste for smart European fare and the Italian realism of a bygone era. It should also win back European audiences -- in particular in Switzerland and Germany, where he has a large following -- ready for a more mature story from the director.
Although Michele (Antonio Albanese) has a solid marriage, he waits until his wife Elsa (Margherita Buy) has obtained her art history degree to tell her that he was fired two months earlier by the company he helped create. They will have to sell their lavish home immediately. Reeling from shock over the abysmal state of their finances, she quickly finds part-time work as a telemarketer while he goes on fruitless job interviews for positions for which he is overqualified.
Depressed, Michele begins skipping the interviews to do menial work, first as a moped messenger then as a handyman with two of his former employees (Giuseppe Battiston and Antonio Carlo Francini). Eventually, he refuses to get out bed, forcing Elsa to accept a full-time office job and take over his role as the family breadwinner. As their life of privilege slips further away, they start taking their frustrations out on one another and their 20-year-old daughter Alice (Alba Rohrwacher).
The intelligently crafted plot (by Soldini, his longstanding collaborator Doriana Leondeff, Francesco Piccolo and Federica Pontremoli) is balanced by comedic moments that keep it from becoming bleak. The film relies more on nuance rather than dramatic peaks. One particularly gripping, wordless scene comes when Alice, oblivious to her parents' problems, pulls up next to Michele, who is on a moped delivering a package, at a stoplight.
Soldini also reigns in Albanese (a renowned comic prone to hamming it up) and Buy (who has perfected the role of the neurotic urbanite), drawing from them two sober, highly credible performances that reflect how life's unexpected struggles can wear away at even the most loving relationships.
However, two hours on the exhaustive, day-by-day fallout of these struggles weighs down rather than heightens the tension and threat to Elsa and Michele's livelihood and love (even when she begins flirting with a co-worker). At times Days seems more of a social commentary on the shrinking middle class than the will-they-or-won't-they-make-it story at the heart of the film.
DAYS AND CLOUDS
Lumiere & Co., Amka Films, RTSI
Credits:
Director: Silvio Soldin
Writers: Soldini, Doriana Leondeff, Francesco Piccolo, Federica Pontremoli
Producer: Lionello Cerri
Executive producer: Tiziana Soudani
Director of photography: Ramiro Civita
Production designer: Paolo Bizzarri
Music: Giovanni Venosta
Costume designers: Silvia Nebiolo, Patrizia Mazzon
Editor: Carlotta Cristiani
Cast:
Elsa: Margherita Buy
Michele: Antonio Albanese
Alice: Alba Rohrwacher
Vito: Giuseppe Battiston
Riki: Fabio Troiano
Nadia: Carla Signoris
Salviati: Paolo Sassanelli
Luciano: Antonio Carlo Francini
Running time -- 117 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 10/31/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
- Now in only its 2nd edition, Rome has whipped up quite the festival. A mention-worthy selection of titles, some U.S pics for glam and a jury process that I especially like not 5 or 6 but a group of 50 - this year No Man's Land director Danis Tanovic serves as the jury head for 50 international cinema-goers. Notables are Francis Ford Coppola's Youth Without Youth.Below you'll find the complete stats on the fest that begins in less than 3 weeks from now. When: October 18th to 28th, 2007 Counting Down: updateCountdownClock('October 18, 2007'); Where: Rome, Italy Official Website: www.romacinemafest.orgNot just a great city, but the city of cinema par excellence, will host the Fest which will transform its centre - the Auditorium Parco della Musica - in the Parco del Cinema for nine days. The second edition of Cinema. Festa Internazionale di Roma - RomeFilmFest will be held from
- 9/28/2007
- IONCINEMA.com
- The N.I.C.E. Festival (New Italian Cinema Event) is celebrating its 15th Anniversary this year with yet again another group of eclectic Italian films. N.I.C.E. has helped nurture new Italian filmmakers from obscurity to world wide recognition boosting a list of filmmakers including Marco Risi, Antonio Capuano, Matteo Garrone, Pappi Corsicato, and Silvio Soldini, among others. N.I.C.E. holds events in New York, San Francisco, Moscow, Amsterdam and soon in Philadelphia. This year’s festival is filled with diversity and these filmmakers surely will become known in Italy and abroad in the coming years. A short film plays with each film. For more information regarding all of these films and the organization that runs the event go to: www.nicefestival.org. The independent film theater the Quad Cinema @ 34 West 13th Avenue in New York City is the venue to see all of these films.
- 11/14/2005
- IONCINEMA.com
Silvio Soldini's "Bread & Tulips" has seemingly won more film awards than "Gladiator" and "American Beauty" combined. So as it enters the homestretch of its triumphant worldwide tour in the United States, it's surprising to discover how unfulfilling and relentlessly saccharine the movie is. What a sad commentary on the state of adult comedies that this artificial concoction can win such plaudits.
With aggressive marketing by First Look that emphasizes all of those festival and Donatello awards, the film should open strongly in specialty venues. After that is anybody's guess. But Italian feel-good movies tend to win over audiences whatever their deficiencies.
In the early going, a young boy in a car on a highway holds up a sign reading "New Parents Wanted". That essentially sums up the situation in this film -- only in reverse. A bored housewife, played as a perpetual klutz by Licia Maglietta, desperately needs a new family. Only she doesn't realize it yet. Her husband is too busy with work and his mistress to pay her much heed. Her two teenage sons simply ignore her.
Opportunity arrives unexpectedly when she gets left behind at a rest stop during the family's annual bus holiday. She impulsively hitchhikes to Venice, where several scruffy folk teach her the joys of cheerful impoverishment and determined selfishness in the face of life's hardships.
At the heart of the story is a strange relationship that develops between Maglietta and a forlorn, aging waiter (veteran actor Bruno Ganz) who speaks in a vague foreign accent -- he claims to be Icelandic -- and absurdly flowery language. Maglietta discovers an accordion and remembers she once played the instrument. Ganz remembers he once sang on cruise ships. Duet, anyone?
This is the kind of movie where characters' occupations -- a detective-plumber and a holistic beautician/masseuse -- are funnier than the characters. The pudgy detective-plumber and coy masseuse fall for each other for no clear reason. (This being Venice, one is tempted to say there must be something weird in the water.)
The actors do their best -- perhaps even more than their best because overacting is the order of the day here. But there is not a shred of credibility in this connection even for those who are, in the original English-language title of this movie, "Hopelessly Romantic".
Seldom is one so aware of a moviemaker's strain at creating "enchantment." Each character is given some shtick, such as Maglietta's clumsiness or the masseuse's New Age accouterments, but no sense of character. Even Maglietta's bored housewife has no real personality.
At 116 minutes, the movie staggers rather than prances to the finish line. Technical credits on the well-crafted movie are adroit as Soldini and his crew show off a nontouristy side to Venice and its fabled canals.
BREAD & TULIPS
First Look Pictures
Instituto Luce/Monogatari SRL/RAI Cinema
Producer: Daniele Maggioni
Director: Silvio Soldini
Screenwriters: Doriana Leondeff, Silvio Soldini
Director of photography: Luca Bigazzi
Production designer: Paola Bizzarri
Music: Giovanni Venosta
Costume designer: Silvia Nebiolo
Editor: Carlotta Cristiani
Color/stereo
Cast:
Rosalba: Licia Maglietta
Fernando: Bruno Ganz
Costantino: Giuseppe Battiston
Grazia: Marina Massironi
Mimmo: Antonio Catania
Running time -- 116 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
With aggressive marketing by First Look that emphasizes all of those festival and Donatello awards, the film should open strongly in specialty venues. After that is anybody's guess. But Italian feel-good movies tend to win over audiences whatever their deficiencies.
In the early going, a young boy in a car on a highway holds up a sign reading "New Parents Wanted". That essentially sums up the situation in this film -- only in reverse. A bored housewife, played as a perpetual klutz by Licia Maglietta, desperately needs a new family. Only she doesn't realize it yet. Her husband is too busy with work and his mistress to pay her much heed. Her two teenage sons simply ignore her.
Opportunity arrives unexpectedly when she gets left behind at a rest stop during the family's annual bus holiday. She impulsively hitchhikes to Venice, where several scruffy folk teach her the joys of cheerful impoverishment and determined selfishness in the face of life's hardships.
At the heart of the story is a strange relationship that develops between Maglietta and a forlorn, aging waiter (veteran actor Bruno Ganz) who speaks in a vague foreign accent -- he claims to be Icelandic -- and absurdly flowery language. Maglietta discovers an accordion and remembers she once played the instrument. Ganz remembers he once sang on cruise ships. Duet, anyone?
This is the kind of movie where characters' occupations -- a detective-plumber and a holistic beautician/masseuse -- are funnier than the characters. The pudgy detective-plumber and coy masseuse fall for each other for no clear reason. (This being Venice, one is tempted to say there must be something weird in the water.)
The actors do their best -- perhaps even more than their best because overacting is the order of the day here. But there is not a shred of credibility in this connection even for those who are, in the original English-language title of this movie, "Hopelessly Romantic".
Seldom is one so aware of a moviemaker's strain at creating "enchantment." Each character is given some shtick, such as Maglietta's clumsiness or the masseuse's New Age accouterments, but no sense of character. Even Maglietta's bored housewife has no real personality.
At 116 minutes, the movie staggers rather than prances to the finish line. Technical credits on the well-crafted movie are adroit as Soldini and his crew show off a nontouristy side to Venice and its fabled canals.
BREAD & TULIPS
First Look Pictures
Instituto Luce/Monogatari SRL/RAI Cinema
Producer: Daniele Maggioni
Director: Silvio Soldini
Screenwriters: Doriana Leondeff, Silvio Soldini
Director of photography: Luca Bigazzi
Production designer: Paola Bizzarri
Music: Giovanni Venosta
Costume designer: Silvia Nebiolo
Editor: Carlotta Cristiani
Color/stereo
Cast:
Rosalba: Licia Maglietta
Fernando: Bruno Ganz
Costantino: Giuseppe Battiston
Grazia: Marina Massironi
Mimmo: Antonio Catania
Running time -- 116 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
Silvio Soldini's "Bread & Tulips" has seemingly won more film awards than "Gladiator" and "American Beauty" combined. So as it enters the homestretch of its triumphant worldwide tour in the United States, it's surprising to discover how unfulfilling and relentlessly saccharine the movie is. What a sad commentary on the state of adult comedies that this artificial concoction can win such plaudits.
With aggressive marketing by First Look that emphasizes all of those festival and Donatello awards, the film should open strongly in specialty venues. After that is anybody's guess. But Italian feel-good movies tend to win over audiences whatever their deficiencies.
In the early going, a young boy in a car on a highway holds up a sign reading "New Parents Wanted". That essentially sums up the situation in this film -- only in reverse. A bored housewife, played as a perpetual klutz by Licia Maglietta, desperately needs a new family. Only she doesn't realize it yet. Her husband is too busy with work and his mistress to pay her much heed. Her two teenage sons simply ignore her.
Opportunity arrives unexpectedly when she gets left behind at a rest stop during the family's annual bus holiday. She impulsively hitchhikes to Venice, where several scruffy folk teach her the joys of cheerful impoverishment and determined selfishness in the face of life's hardships.
At the heart of the story is a strange relationship that develops between Maglietta and a forlorn, aging waiter (veteran actor Bruno Ganz) who speaks in a vague foreign accent -- he claims to be Icelandic -- and absurdly flowery language. Maglietta discovers an accordion and remembers she once played the instrument. Ganz remembers he once sang on cruise ships. Duet, anyone?
This is the kind of movie where characters' occupations -- a detective-plumber and a holistic beautician/masseuse -- are funnier than the characters. The pudgy detective-plumber and coy masseuse fall for each other for no clear reason. (This being Venice, one is tempted to say there must be something weird in the water.)
The actors do their best -- perhaps even more than their best because overacting is the order of the day here. But there is not a shred of credibility in this connection even for those who are, in the original English-language title of this movie, "Hopelessly Romantic".
Seldom is one so aware of a moviemaker's strain at creating "enchantment." Each character is given some shtick, such as Maglietta's clumsiness or the masseuse's New Age accouterments, but no sense of character. Even Maglietta's bored housewife has no real personality.
At 116 minutes, the movie staggers rather than prances to the finish line. Technical credits on the well-crafted movie are adroit as Soldini and his crew show off a nontouristy side to Venice and its fabled canals.
BREAD & TULIPS
First Look Pictures
Instituto Luce/Monogatari SRL/RAI Cinema
Producer: Daniele Maggioni
Director: Silvio Soldini
Screenwriters: Doriana Leondeff, Silvio Soldini
Director of photography: Luca Bigazzi
Production designer: Paola Bizzarri
Music: Giovanni Venosta
Costume designer: Silvia Nebiolo
Editor: Carlotta Cristiani
Color/stereo
Cast:
Rosalba: Licia Maglietta
Fernando: Bruno Ganz
Costantino: Giuseppe Battiston
Grazia: Marina Massironi
Mimmo: Antonio Catania
Running time -- 116 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
With aggressive marketing by First Look that emphasizes all of those festival and Donatello awards, the film should open strongly in specialty venues. After that is anybody's guess. But Italian feel-good movies tend to win over audiences whatever their deficiencies.
In the early going, a young boy in a car on a highway holds up a sign reading "New Parents Wanted". That essentially sums up the situation in this film -- only in reverse. A bored housewife, played as a perpetual klutz by Licia Maglietta, desperately needs a new family. Only she doesn't realize it yet. Her husband is too busy with work and his mistress to pay her much heed. Her two teenage sons simply ignore her.
Opportunity arrives unexpectedly when she gets left behind at a rest stop during the family's annual bus holiday. She impulsively hitchhikes to Venice, where several scruffy folk teach her the joys of cheerful impoverishment and determined selfishness in the face of life's hardships.
At the heart of the story is a strange relationship that develops between Maglietta and a forlorn, aging waiter (veteran actor Bruno Ganz) who speaks in a vague foreign accent -- he claims to be Icelandic -- and absurdly flowery language. Maglietta discovers an accordion and remembers she once played the instrument. Ganz remembers he once sang on cruise ships. Duet, anyone?
This is the kind of movie where characters' occupations -- a detective-plumber and a holistic beautician/masseuse -- are funnier than the characters. The pudgy detective-plumber and coy masseuse fall for each other for no clear reason. (This being Venice, one is tempted to say there must be something weird in the water.)
The actors do their best -- perhaps even more than their best because overacting is the order of the day here. But there is not a shred of credibility in this connection even for those who are, in the original English-language title of this movie, "Hopelessly Romantic".
Seldom is one so aware of a moviemaker's strain at creating "enchantment." Each character is given some shtick, such as Maglietta's clumsiness or the masseuse's New Age accouterments, but no sense of character. Even Maglietta's bored housewife has no real personality.
At 116 minutes, the movie staggers rather than prances to the finish line. Technical credits on the well-crafted movie are adroit as Soldini and his crew show off a nontouristy side to Venice and its fabled canals.
BREAD & TULIPS
First Look Pictures
Instituto Luce/Monogatari SRL/RAI Cinema
Producer: Daniele Maggioni
Director: Silvio Soldini
Screenwriters: Doriana Leondeff, Silvio Soldini
Director of photography: Luca Bigazzi
Production designer: Paola Bizzarri
Music: Giovanni Venosta
Costume designer: Silvia Nebiolo
Editor: Carlotta Cristiani
Color/stereo
Cast:
Rosalba: Licia Maglietta
Fernando: Bruno Ganz
Costantino: Giuseppe Battiston
Grazia: Marina Massironi
Mimmo: Antonio Catania
Running time -- 116 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
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