Ciao Bella

I recently saw this at the 2009 Palm Springs International Film Festival. writer/director Mani Maserat-Agha was in attendance at my screening for an audience Q&A. From a screenplay by Jens Jonsson Agha explained that he was inspired by the film Breaking Away to make this small budget film. Most of the cast are unknown teenagers including the two principal roles with Poyan Karimi as Mustafa/Massimo and Chanelle Lindell as Linnea. Mustafa is a nerdy Swedish soccer player of Iranian-born parents who along with his team is entered in an annual tournament in Gothborg. There he meets a team from Italy and begins practicing with them. He is groomed by one of the Italian players to attract girls and he takes up the persona of his invention in an Italian named Massimo. As Massimo he soon attracts the eye of the beautiful Swedish teen Linnea who as at the tournament with her flag team for the opening ceremonies. This is a bright and witty romantic comedy with two good lead performances, interesting characters and lot's of dry humor. Caution: it includes some nudity and sexual situations. I liked this a lot and would give it an 8.0 out of 10.