Italian coffee and a movie? I’m in!
Does the sound of “sensual tales that explore the spectrum of human emotions” tickle your fancy? If so mark your calendar for the 2013 Lavazza Italian Film Festival.
Arguably the largest Italian film festival outside of Italia itself, the event is presented by Luna Palace Cinemas (and sponsored by Lavazza coffee) and shall commence its 14th season at Cinema Paradiso on Thursday 10 October and Luna SX on Friday 11 October.
Tickets go on sale tomorrow from here.
Continuing its tradition of unveiling a ‘semplicemente superbo’ selection of contemporary Italian cinema, the Festival will present 26 features and documentaries showcasing the talents of Italy’s internationally renowned film industry.
Launching the 2013 Festival at Opening Night Galas nationally will be The Great Beauty (La grande bellezza) from writer/director Paolo Sorrentino who gained worldwide acclaim with his 2008 drama, Il Divo.
A sweeping, evocative tale in the style of Rossellini and Fellini, starring famed Italian actors, Tony Servillo and Carlo Verdone, The Great Beauty garnered many plaudits at this year’s Cannes International Film Festival and tells the story of a celebrated, yet jaded journalist whose glittering but empty lifestyle is instilled with fresh hope through the memories of a past love and the promise of one to come.
Additional highlights of the Festival’s 2013 programme include:
Honey (Miele)
Director: Valeria Golino
Starring: Jasmine Trinca, Carlo Cecchi, Libero De Rienzo & Vinicio Marchioni
Officially selected for Un Certain Regard at Cannes 2013, this finely-tuned drama is the outstanding directorial debut of actress Valeria Golino, known to English-speaking audiences through her lead roles in Rain Man and Hot Shots. Irene (Jasmine Trinca, The Son’s Room, LIFF 2001) is an angel of mercy. Going by the pseudonym Honey, she works under the radar and outside the law to assist the terminally ill to pass-on peacefully and with dignity. However the work is not without its costs and Irene lives a largely insulated life with personal relationships kept at arm’s length. But when retired architect Carlo (Carlo Cecchi) enlists her services, a tense yet caring relationship results, causing her usually fierce code of ethics to be tested.
Salvo
Writer/Director: Fabio Grassadonia & Antonio Piazza
Starring: Saleh Bakri, Sara Serraiocco, Luigi Lo Cascio & Mario Pupella
A henchman for the Sicilian Mafia, Savlo is solitary, cold and ruthless in this Italian film noir, which won the Critics’ Week Grand Prix at the 2013 Cannes International Film Festival. After being ambushed by a rival Mafia clan, and winning the shootout, Salvo sneaks into the house of one of the last members to finish the job. Upon entry he discovers Rita, a beautiful, young blind girl who powerlessly stands by while he assassinates her brother. After sparing Rita’s life, Salvo escorts her to an abandoned factory where she is held captive. He battles with his duty to dispose of this witness while his fascination with her grows. An intense part-miracle results in what will be an unbreakable bond between the two.
The Interval (L’intervallo)
Director: Leonardo di Costanzo
Starring: Francesca Riso, Alessio Gallo, Carmine Paternoster & Salvagore Ruocco
17-year-old Salvatore, or Toto as he is nicknamed (Alessio Gallo), spends his days selling lemon crushed-ice from a cart in a run-down area of Naples. Setting out for business one seemingly regular day, he is forcefully enlisted by the local Camorra boss, Bernardino (Carmine Paternoster, Gomorrah) to temporarily guard 15-year-old wild child Veronica (Francesco Riso) in a dilapidated warehouse. Toto is initially resentful, unaware of the reasons for being handed this task. Meanwhile Veronica loathes her imprisonment and her ‘babysitter.’ However, as time passes, a friendship develops, despite the sense of impending doom that prevails as they anticipate the return of Bernardino and the fate that awaits Veronica. Reflecting the omnipresent power of criminals that resides beneath the buff and shine of Silvio Berlusconi’s Italy, The Interval is deservedly receiving accolades worldwide and won Best New Director for Leonardo di Costanzo at the David di Donatello Awards.
The 2013 Lavazza Italian Film Festival comes to Luna Palace Cinemas 10 – 23 October at Cinema Paradiso (Northbridge) and Luna on SX (Fremantle).
Tickets on sale Wednesday 28 August (Luna on SX sessions) and Thursday 29 August (Cinema Paradiso Sessions) @ http://www.lunapalace.com.au(see Special Events).
