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#ICFF16 Interview: Actor Stefano Grillo on his role in Checco Zalone's "Quo Vado?"

May 23, 2016, 7:19 am
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Born in the historic seaside city of Crotone, Calabria, actor Stefano Grillo is about to reach North American shores.

"Quo Vado?" is Checco Zalone's box office record-breaking film and it's in the lineup of this year's edition of the Italian Contemporary Film Festival in Canada. Grillo plays the part of Don Michele Vannucci, the pastor in a fictitious village in Calabria, called Castrovizzo. Don Michele Vannucci is a priest who fights against organized crime and because of this, ends up being transferred elsewhere.

The focus of "Quo vado?" is on Checco Zalone (Luca Medici aka Checco Zalone). Born into a life of relative comfort and privilege among his peers in his small town in southern Italy, he is one of the lucky few to have a posto fisso, or guaranteed job as a public servant. When a new reformist government vows to cut down on bureaucracy, Checco is forced to accept ever-worsening public-sector postings in order to maintain his guaranteed pay, benefits, and lifetime employment. While on assignment at Italy’s Arctic research station, Checco meets Valeria and falls in love with her. Checco cannot help but be enchanted by her Norwegian progressive, merit-based society. Ultimately Checco must choose between his secure yet parasitic place in Italy or a new and uncertain life with Valeria. The film opened on January 1, 2016 in over 1200 theatres across Italy. In the first eight days alone, the film earned €47 million in box office takings, beating "Star Wars".

I asked Stefano Grillo about his experience working on one of the most popular films in Italy's history and why the subject will be understood beyond the borders of his country. Our interview was done in Italian, so both versions are included.
 
Tell me about your experience making this film and working with Checco Zalone ..
My experience was fabulous. On the set, I met great professionals and at the same time beautiful people. Working with Luca (Checco Zalone) was magnificent. He is a great artist, very attentive to every detail.
I am especially grateful for Massimiliano Moretti's casting. I owe my part in "Quo vado?" to him. He was the first to give me a chance and audition me. After working on the film together, we have become very good friends He is a great professional, and the Italian film scene is so much in need of people like him.
 
Raccontami la tua esperienza nel fare questo film e lavorare con Checco Zalone..
La mia esperienza è stata favolosa,sul set ho trovato grandi professionisti ed allo stesso tempo bellissime persone. Lavorare con Luca (Checco Zalone) è stato magnifico, è un grande artista molto attento ad ogni dettaglio.
Volevo ringraziare particolarmente il casting Massimiliano Moretti, se faccio parte del cast di "Quo vado"  lo devo anche a lui. È stato il primo a provinarmi. Dopo l'esperienza "Quo vado"  siamo diventati molto amici, è un grandissimo professionista  e in Italia, specie nel panorama cinematografico italiano c'è tanto bisogno di persone simili. 
 
In your opinion, why has "Quo Vado?" been so successful in Italy?
Because Zalone and Gennaro Nunziante (the director) manage through sharp humor to describe the positive and negative aspects of our country.
 
Secondo te.. Perché "Quo Vado?" ha avuto tanto successo in Italia?
Quo vado è molto amato dagli italiani perché zalone e Gennaro Nunziante (regista) riescono attraverso una comicità pungente a descrivere per filo e per segno gli aspetti positivi e negativi del nostro paese.

Can you give me an example of these negative and positive aspects?
One of the negatives is the attachment to the state jobs as if they were the only reason for living. This is just because today in Italy, young people do not have steady jobs and therefore having a stable job of any kind means to be privileged. The positive aspects are the ease with which people can adapt and the devotion to family. Love in the movie wins over everything and everyone.

Puoi raccontami questi aspetti positivi e negativi?
Gli aspetti negativi sono ad esempio l'attaccamento ai posti di lavoro statali come se fossero l'unica ragione di vita, questo proprio perché oggi in Italia i giovani non hanno un lavoro stabile e di conseguenza avere un lavoro stabile di qualsiasi tipo adesso in Italia significa essere privilegiati. Gli aspetti positivi sono l'adattamento, l'attaccamento alla famiglia, l'amore che nel film vince su tutto e tutti.

Do you think the message of the film will be understood by audiences outside of Italy?
The message of the film will be captured perfectly outside Italy because it has a universal message! Love fails to question everything, even the comforts to which we are accustomed from childhood.
 
Credi che il messaggio del film sarà capito dal pubblico fuori dall'Italia?
Il messaggio del film verrà captato perfettamente al di fuori dell'Italia perché è un messaggio universale! L'amore riesce a mettere in discussione tutto, anche le comodità alle quali siamo abituati sin da bambini.

You can see Stefano Grillo in "Quo Vado?" on the following dates:

Screening times and locations:
June 9 @ 7:00pm TIFF - Toronto
June 10 @ 9:00pm Colossus - Vaughan
June 10 @ 9:15pm Colossus - Vaughan
June 11 @ 4:00pm Film House - Niagara
June 12 @ 7:00pm Museum of fine Arts - Montreal
June 13 @ 7:00pm Cinematheque Quebecois - Montreal
June 14 @ 7:00pm Cinema Guzzo - Montreal
June 14 @ 7:00pm Cinema Cartier - Quebec City

Click here to watch the trailer and to buy tickets.

You can see Checco Zalone in person:

June 9th, 2016
7:00pm Screening "Quo Vado?"
Opening Party
9:30PM
June 10th, 2016
Colossus Theatre
9:00pm Screening "Quo Vado?"
Buy Tickets
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The Lineup for Giovanna Taviani's SalinaDocFest Announced

May 25, 2016, 5:40 am
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It's just been announced that Gianfranco Rosi's"Fuocoammare" will open the 10th edition of Giovanna Taviani's SalinaDocFest, an annual film festival held on the Aeolian Island of Salina that features documentaries and feature films with themes of human rights and relevant social issues.
 
Rosi's film will be shown as a special event, not in competition. Listed below are the ten films, in two categories of competition along with the screening times.


"Sponde. 
Nel sicuro sole del Nord"
Concorso Internazionale Madre Mediterraneo
International Competition- "Mother Mediterranean"

"Due Sicilie" by Alessandro Piva
Friday 10 June h-15.30 | Malfa – Centro congressi 

"Sponde. 
Nel sicuro sole del Nord." by Irene Dionisio
Friday 10 June h-17.00 | Malfa – Centro congressi

"Nella mia testa una rotatoria" (Dans ma tête un rond point) by Hassen Ferhani
Saturday 11 June h-15.30 | Malfa – Centro congress
 

"Les Sauters"
"They Will Have To Kill Us First" by Johanna Schwartz
Saturday 11 June h-17.30 | Malfa – Centro congressi 

"Shashamane" by Giulia Amati
Domenica 12 giugno h 10.00 | Malfa – Centro congressi 

"Les Sauters"by Moritz Siebert, Estephan Wagner e Abou Bakar Sidibé in collaboration with Biografilm Festival

Domenica 12 giugno h 11.30 | Malfa – Centro congress 



"Magic Island"
Concorso Nazionale Sicilia.DocSicilian Documentary Competition

"‘U Ferru" by Marco Leopardi
Giovedì 9 giugno h 15.00 | Malfa – Centro congressi 

"Sicily Jass. 
The world’s first man in jazz" by Michele Cinque
Giovedì 9 giugno h 16.30 | Malfa – Centro congressi 
"Magic Island" by Marco Amenta
Mercoledì 8 giugno h 17.00 | Malfa – Centro congressi 
Watch the beautiful trailer
 
"Triokala" by Leandro Picarella
Mercoledì 8 giugno h 15.30 | Malfa – Centro congress

 
With Giovanna Taviani inRochester, NY 
Giovanna Taviani is the daughter of the iconic filmmaker, Vittorio Taviani.. one half of the filmmaking duo, the Taviani Brothers. Although she had a part in her father's 1984 film, "Kaos", she has chosen a path behind the camera as a director specializing in documentaries. The festival, which began in 2007 ,has become a huge success with critics, filmmakers and the public. With each passing year, the festival grows, showcasing new productions of the narrative documentary made by promising young filmmakers.
 
Taviani has made a number of thought-provoking films, which reflect on society and the assimilation of immigrants. My personal favorite is her 2010 film, "Fughe e approdi", which showcases the cinematic magic of the beautiful Aeolian Islands where she grew up. Read my review and watch the trailer. 
 
The SalinaDocFest runs June 7-12 and will take place on its namesake island of Salina. For more information, visit the festival's website.

 
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#ICFF16 Roberto Minervini's "The Other Side" Returns to Toronto

May 26, 2016, 8:07 am
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In March, Italian documentary filmmaker Roberto Minervini received a special mention Nastro d'Argento (Il Nastro Speciale) for his film, "The Other Side." It's recently been shown at the Palm Springs FilmFestival and Lincoln Center. On June 10, it will return to Toronto where it origianally premiered last year at the Toronto Film Festival.

The title, "The Other Side" presumably refers to “the tracks,” this being a disquietingly graphic portrait of America’s dirt poor, subsisting on a diet of beer, tobacco, heroin and crack in trailer homes in Louisiana and Texas. Brace yourself: Italian filmmaker Roberto Minervini will not flinch. You get more than a hint of what’s coming in the film’s opening scene, when a man wakes up in the bushes stark naked. This is Mark, and we’ll be seeing a lot more of him: shooting up, screwing, dealing, breaking into a school and shooting up some more. For all that, Mark’s a likeable guy, mostly. Which is more than can be said for the militia that pops up later, avowed libertarians training for the forthcoming revolution. Uninterested in (or oblivious to) documentary ethics or the supposed demands of narrative fiction, Minervini is carving out his own truth here. It’s an unpalatable one, to be sure, alternately pathetic and alarming, but you won’t doubt its authenticity, or its validity.  This is the other side of the American Dream: the human detritus, angry, abandoned, high as a kite.

Minervini is becoming known for his hybrid form of filmmaking, which shows people essentially play themselves, creating the look and feel of a documentary, while the director clearly intervenes to create situations rather than observe them. His work is among the most interesting to emerge from the US in recent years, which may be surprising considering he is an Italian who has decided to poke his camera into the margins of American society. On the heels of his superb trilogy of Texas-based films (The Passage, Low Tide, Stop the Pounding Heart), Minervini moves his focus to Louisiana, where we come face-to-face with a group of people who seem to have stepped out of "Deliverance." Faces carry the lines and scars of hard living, clothes are tattered, living conditions are chaotic. Some of his subjects are drug addicts; others are libertarian fanatics who hate the federal government. Yet Minervini finds a compassion and tenderness behind their gruff exteriors. Much of the film focuses on a small-time drug dealer and the girlfriend he lives with (and shoots up with). But, as "The Other Side" gradually shifts its attention to a group of local militia who are convinced that the feds are on the verge of declaring martial law and taking away their freedom, we are shown a more disturbing image of contemporary America. Sometimes it takes the eye of an outsider to provide a new perspective. Minervini is one such outsider. We feel he is at home with his subjects, as he peers into corners that many Americans choose to ignore.

The film will be shown on June 10 at 6:30pm at TIFF to mark their partnership with the Italian Contemporary Film Festival. The theater is located at 350 King Street West in the city of Toronto, Canada. Click here to join TIFF's Facebook event page. Watch the trailer...
 
 
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Verdone, Sorrentino and Tognazzi in the lineup of Basilicata's Maratea Film Festival

June 1, 2016, 1:21 pm
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Oscar winner and Neapolitan filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino has just been named the guest of honor at the Maratea Film Festival, which will take place July 25-29 in Basilicata. Carlo Verdone will be attending the festival for a retrospective of his work and Maria Sole Tognazzi will present her film "Io e lei".

The festival will feature numerous cultural events and a series of cinema talks set along the gorgeous Lucania coastine known as the "Pearl of the Tyrrhenian". The complete program will be unveiled shortly.
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Interview: Cristina Scabbia of Italian Heavy Metal Band- Lacuna Coil

June 6, 2016, 2:04 pm
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Photo by Jeremy Saffer (http://store.jeremysaffer.com/collections/tenthirtyoneinc)
Lacuna Coil is a heavy metal band whose unique sound and creative music videos have catapulted them to international stardom. The band consists of Cristina Scabbia and Andrea Ferro on vocals, Marco Coti Zelati on bass, Cristiano Migliore and Marco 'Maus' Biazzi on guitars and Cristiano 'CriZ' Mozzati on drums.   

All members hail from Milan and bring to the table their own signature talent. A few years ago, the internet buzz about Lacuna Coil's music videos prompted me to check them out on YouTube. I've been hooked ever since. Their videos are creative vignettes shot all over the world, directed by cutting edge filmmakers in Europe and the United States.  Although Lacuna coil is considered a heavy metal band, the unique melodies in their songs are rarely found in traditional heavy metal. 

The range of the band is also something you rarely see in this genre of music. This is especially apparent in their songs "Heaven's a Lie" and "I Like It". The first is just a great hard rock song, and the video is mesmerizing to watch. It was shot in Sweden and features a gothic-like interior, which acts as the perfect backdrop for the intensity of the song. "I Like It" which is featured on their album, "Shallow Life" is a fun, lighter song, which showcases the band's more playful side. The video was shot in Kansas City and utilizes the members' acting talents as they take on a whole host of characters. 

I talked with lead vocalist Cristina Scabbia about the band's beginnings, those infamous music videos and a possible second career as a leading lady on the big screen. 

When did you join the band?
I met Andrea and Marco (Coti Zelati), the first original members in 1994. They wanted to produce a promo tape to send to some different record labels. They knew that I enjoyed singing even though I wasn't in a band. They asked me to do some choruses. They liked the result and asked me to stay. 

Catching up with Lacuna Coil on the band's U.S. tour
What is your musical background? Has your singing been influenced by other artists?
I listened to a little bit of everything because I was the last one of four brothers and sisters. My older brother was listening to Genesis and Pink Floyd. My other brother was listening to punk and hip-hop and my sister was listening to traditional Italian music. Metal was not that present back then. As far as influences, there are so many artists that I like but in general, I always liked R&B singers because their voices are really warm and they have a lot of feeling when they sing.  When I was younger, I admired Madonna. I think that I got something from her spirit. I like the fact that she changes all the time and is not afraid of experimenting with different styles. That is something I really love because I think you have to evolve as a musician. Of course, you shouldn't regret anything you did in the past but it's normal that you add something new. It's really important to have an open mind. 

Tell me about your videos. They are very creative and dramatic. What is the process of making a video? 
Thank you, our videos have been very dramatic, but we did something completely different with our video for the song "I Like It" and made it funny. Our process for making a video really depends on the song but first we have to decide who will be the director. We always love to be really involved with our videos. That's why we pick out the clothes, for example, and decide on the storyline. 
 
Watch the video for "I Like It"..


What do you do to prepare for the videos?  Have you taken acting lessons?
No, not at all. I think that every band takes a different approach to music and to the performing side. Of course the technique is really important because you have to play a proper show and you have to play good. You also have to offer a visual side which is done by your attitude onstage and how you can act in videos. We always have a lot of fun whether it's playing live or making videos. 

Do you have any plans to act professionally? 
I would love to try and act just for fun, for something different. It would be great to play a little cameo in a movie. I don't consider myself an actress yet, though. So far, I'm just a singer. I've actually been asked to act but now I'm completely focused on Lacuna Coil. I would love to do it when I have some free time. I'd love to explore acting. 

How does the band write songs?
It usually starts from the idea of a riff and most of the time Marc is the main composer of the music but every member of the band gives different ideas. For example, Andrea and I are responsible for vocal lines and lyrics. Then Cris can write a part of a guitar. Let's say that Marc is the coordinator of everything. He writes a lot of stuff but he also puts together everybody's ideas. Then we go to the practice room to add stuff or to take away stuff. So until we're actually in the recording studio, nothing is really certain because we change a lot.

Tell me about your experience with Film Director/Musician Franco Battiato.
I love the man. He's really a gentleman. I got an email from his management saying that he wanted to work with me and I thought it was a joke because our types of music are completely different. I wasn't even aware that he knew of me. I accepted immediately because I have a huge respect for him. He's one of the few Italian artists who took Italian music to another level. It's something that is just him. No one can be compared to him. So I accepted immediately and recorded my parts. I was in America, so he sent all the music files to me and I recorded them in Los Angeles and then when I went back to Italy, he invited me to the concert and they made a DVD. It was one of the best experiences I've ever had. 
 
Watch Cristina Scabbia and Franco Battiato perform "I'm That"..
 
 
You've been spending a lot of time in American lately. What do you think of the Italian Americans here?
I love the fact that they're so proud. I love it! We don't always get this kind of pride in Italy, so I'm really happy to see it here. Everyone we meet who is even half Italian is like "I'm Italian! I'm Italian!"  So I say, "Oh can you speak Italian?" And they say "No but I want to because my grandmother spoke Italian!"  They're really, really proud and I love it. I absolutely love it!

Lacuna Coil is currently on tour in the United States. For tour dates and more information on the band, check out their website at www.lacunacoil.it.
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"The Power of Change" - A conversation with Gabriele Mainetti

June 13, 2016, 10:39 pm
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With Gabriele Mainetti at Lincoln Center in NYC
There’s an expression in Italian… "Mezza altezza, mezza bellezza". My interpretation is that if you’re tall, you’re already halfway to being beautiful. This came to mind when I met Gabriele Mainetti. Even if he’s young and hip, there is a certain elegance about him. He stands tall and carries himself with confidence. Then when he opens his mouth to speak, this beautiful English with a slight southern accent comes out. When we sat down to talk, I commented on his accent right away and he told me that he studied filmmaking at the Tisch School of the Arts and that his sister lives in New York and his grandmother was raised in New Jersey. I kept this in the back of my mind. When I began to look into his background for this article, I researched his sister in New York and what a fascinating world I found. 

Gabriele Mainetti's action-packed thriller "Lo chiamavano Jeeg Robot" (They call me Jeeg Robot) premiered at the Festa del Cinema in Rome last October. After a wildly successful run in Italian theaters earlier this year, it just won an Italian Golden Globe for Best Film and also won a whole slew of David di Donatello’s- for Best Director, Best Actor (Claudio Santamaria), Best Actress (Ilenia Pastorelli) and Best Supporting Actor (Luca Marinelli). These are well-deserved honors for a film that is absolutely spectacular in every sense. A classic tale of good guys vs. bad guys, the film starts with a chase through the streets of Rome that leads to the banks of the Tiber River, where the bad guy, who eventually has a change of heart and becomes the good guy, jumps into the river to hide from the police. While submerged, he is exposed to radioactive materials that give him superhuman strength. Upon this self-discovery, he runs to the nearest ATM machine and literally pulls it out of the wall and carries it home. The whole thing was caught on tape by a surveillance camera and he instantly becomes a YouTube star. He ends up falling for the gorgeous daughter of a fellow criminal who is convinced that he's an actual superhero all the while a competing thug is becoming insanely jealous of his sudden fame. This sets the stage for one amazing brawl and chill-inducing final scene that embraces the inherent magic of cinema.
 
From the performances to the effects to the dialogue, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this film. “Lo Chiamavano Jeeg Robot” is the Italian version of a Hollywood action film. The difference is in the development of the characters rather than the plot. Although the plot and effects are intense, the audience falls in love with or grows to hate the characters. The good guy (Claudio Santamaria) tugs at your heartstrings while the bad guy (Luca Marinelli) is the epitome of detestable. The performances by these two actors are nothing short of stellar. When directing, Mainetti says that his characters’ ability to change and make some kind of personal transformation is key to his films. "In Lo Chiamavano Jeeg Robot, the main character comes from this bad suburb of Rome called Tor Bella Monaca. It’s a dangerous area in Rome. Those guys in jail think their destiny is written and they can’t change. There’s that monologue that Enzo does when he’s with Alessia when he says- 'That was my life. I thought that my moment was arriving. They were gonna kill me and something changed.' That’s the power of changing."

"Lo chiamavano Jeeg Robot" is director Gabriele Mainetti’s feature film directorial debut and his first film to arrive on American shores. It was recently shown in New York at Lincoln Center’s annual film series, Open Roads: New Italian Cinema. However, Mainetti’s family has a long and intriguing history in America- New York in particular. His father, Valter Mainetti, runs the Sorgente Group, a real estate and investment company based in Rome. There are three divisions. They are located in Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States. Gabriele’s sister, Veronica, is the president of the Sorgente Group of America.
 
Veronica Mainetti by 60White.com
She oversees restoration projects of historical buildings and landmarks, many of which are located in Manhattan. The company also owns the majority of shares in the city’s iconic Flatiron building. In an interview with the New York Times, Veronica Mainetti talked about the history of the family business. “My great-great-grandfather started it in 1910 in Italy; it was a company that manufactured iron back then. My great-grandfather actually moved to New York in the beginning of the last century, and in 1919 founded a company that was concentrating on just building load-bearing frames. My grandfather, in Italy, was a mechanical engineer. And my father had his beginnings with ground-up development, which then led to the reorganization of the company, Sorgente Group, which in 1999 started the establishment of real estate funds through which we now invest into historic and also iconic property. This is what we do here in the U.S.” Mainetti’s mother, Paola Mainetti is Vice President of the Fondazione Sorgente Group and is an art aficionado. Among the works in her collection are paintings by the 17th century artist Il Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri). The foundation hosts art exhibitions and events at various spaces around the Eternal City, including one of my favorites- the Galleria Alberto Sordi. So it’s no wonder why Gabriele is so talented. Creativity, talent and smarts run rampant in his family.

Simone Santini in "Tiger Boy"
In addition to his success as a director, Mainetti is also an accomplished actor and musician. He landed his first feature film acting role in Sandro Cecca’s 2000 drama “Maestrale” (Winds of Passion) and also worked with Ivano De Matteo on "Ultimo stadio". He worked steadily as an actor for about a decade before shifting his focus to directing. Perhaps it was that 10 years of experience in front of the camera that enables him to empathize when directing his actors to draw such powerful performances from them as he did in his acclaimed short film "Tiger Boy"- the story of a child dealing with a painful secret. Mainetti told me the story was inspired by the cartoon "Tiger Mask", a Japanese manga series. He manages to fit a compelling story with heavy, disturbing subject matter into 20 minutes without wasting a single frame. Like "Lo chiamavano Jeeg Robot”, the performances by his actors are outstanding, especially Francesco Foti, whose character is simply despicable. I spoke with Foti about his character. "An interesting thing about my character is that I've noticed so many friends with children looking at me perplexed after seeing the film. It was a tough role but still when Gabriele and Nicola (the writer) or others tell me that I was brave to take on this character, I say that it was a huge gift that only a fool would refuse and I am very grateful to them for offering it to me." Speaking again to the ability to change, Mainetti stressed the importance of this theme in his work. “The power of change is a theme that really interests me. The truth is that it’s very difficult to change. So, when you look at my short films and my movie, you see that change is possible.” This is strongly apparent in “Tiger Boy” with the lead character Simone Santini. The transformation he undergoes makes the tough subject matter a little easier to bear in the end. Click here to watch "Tiger Boy" on Vimeo.

The next scheduled North American screening of "Lo chiamavano Jeeg Robot" will take place on June 14 at the Italian Contemporary Film Festival in Vaughan, Canada. Click here to purchase tickets.
 
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#ICFF16 Director Renzo Martinelli to Present "Ustica" in Toronto

June 15, 2016, 7:58 am
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Marco Leonardi in a scene from "Ustica"
On June 15, Director Renzo Martinelli along with actor Marco Leonardi will present the film "Ustica" in Toronto at the Italian Contemporary Film Festival. Based on a true story, Martinelli explores the unsolved mystery of a downed passenger plane in the Tyrrhenian sea between the islands of Ponza and Ustica, located in the stretch of sea between Rome and  Palermo.

On June 27, 1980 at 8.59 pm, a DC9 belonging to the private Italian airline ITAVIA disappeared from radar without launching any emergency signal. The airplane was flying at cruise speed at an altitude of 7,600 meters, along the airway “AMBRA 13” when it suddenly crashed around the “CONDOR” point between the islands of Ponza and Ustica, sinking in the  “Tyrrhenian trench”, which is 3,500 meters deep. All 81 people onboard died, including 14 children.

The wreckage and bodies that were recovered indicate something happened to the aircraft while in the air, whether that be an explosion or collision. Evidence shows the plane broke into two main sections. Many hypothesis have been raised to explain the possible cause of the crash such as structural failure of the airplane, a bomb in the rear bathroom, a missile or a mid-air collision with an American fighter jet, which is explored in depth in the film. As we see in the film, the few workers who actually saw what happened with their own eyes mysteriously died in the months following the crash. I thought this was fiction but after doing some research, I was surprised to see that those people really did pass away.


Director Renzo Martinelli
I recommend seeing "Ustica" because the plane crash is a part of recent history and an event that many North Americans don't know much about. However, I have a few criticisms. The film stars Marco Leonardi and my biggest issue is that his voice was dubbed. The film was made in English. Leonardi has appeared in a number of American films and lived in the United States for many years. So it's a mystery to me why the choice was made to dub his lines, especially since his wife in the film has a strong Italian accent. If I was attending the Q&A, this would be my first question. My other criticism is with the contrived script, which made it hard for the actors to recite their lines naturally. I think this film would have been much better if it was made in Italian and presented with English subtitles. With that said, I think it's an important history lesson on a somewhat recent current event and should not be missed. If you are unable to attend the screening, check out the website for the museum in Bologna- Museo per la memoria di Ustica, which houses the wreckage and personal belongings that were recovered in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Screening times and locations:
June 15 @ 9:30pm TIFF - Toronto
June 15 @ 7:00pm Cinema Cartier - Quebec City
June 16 @ 9:00pm Cinematheque Quebecois - Montreal

Click here to purchase tickets.

Watch the trailer.. (which is actually dubbed in Italian)



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My Complete Interview with Edoardo Leo

June 17, 2016, 8:28 am
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Edoardo Leo (photo: ResetVFX)
Starting his career as an actor, Edoardo Leo grew to be uninspired by the roles he was being offered, so he took matters into his own hands. Following in the footsteps of his film idol, Carlo Verdone, he decided to begin writing and directing as well as acting. Those efforts culminated recently in "Noi e la Giulia", Leo’s 2015 film about a group of 40-somethings looking to reboot their lives. The film won a host of prizes all over the world and is truly a masterpiece.

Although the success of “Noi e la Giulia” has taken Leo’s career to another level, he wasn’t doing so bad beforehand. Upon graduating college in 1999 where he majored in literature, Leo formed an acting troupe with his good friend Marco Bonini, with whom he still collaborates. He perfected his craft while building a solid career as a theater, TV and film actor, but found himself playing the same role over and over again. Tired of being pigeonholed as the handsome guy who saves the day, he seized the cinematic reigns, reigniting his passion for acting while reflecting his own vision as a filmmaker.

His first project as writer-actor-director came in 2010 with the drama “Diciotto anni dopo” (Eighteen Years Later). Mirko, a businessman played by Leo and Genziano, a mechanic played by Marco Bonini are two brothers who have not spoken for eighteen years since a car accident that caused the death of their mother. When their father passes away, the two brothers meet again at the funeral. To honor their father’s last wish, they are forced against their will to travel together to Scilla, Calabria to place his ashes beside the grave of their mother. Going to Calabria forces them to take the same stretch of road where their mother was killed. The film was a huge success and won awards at festivals all over the world, including the United States. 

Leo earned much critical acclaim for his performance in Sydney Sibilia’s wildly successful comedy, “Smetto quando voglio” (I Can Quit When I Want). The story speaks to a group of professors and scientists who have lost their jobs and are forced to find work washing dishes and pumping gas to make ends meet. Completely fed up, Pietro (Edoardo Leo) comes up with a plan to develop a legal drug that he could sell to club kids looking for a quick high, much to the dismay of his wife, a social worker, played by Valeria Solarino. He enlists the help of his fellow down-on-their-luck geniuses, which include an economist, chemist and anthropologist. The group goes on to make money beyond their wildest dreams. But with the money comes a whole new host of problems. What ensues is a hilarious adventure watching these self-proclaimed ‘nerds’ take on ‘tough-guy’ roles and try to assimilate into the underground world of drugs and corruption. Leo presented Pietro as an endearingly flawed character with a serious streak of bad luck. The film was shown at numerous film festivals and series across America and is still making its rounds on festival circuits throughout the world. Filming for a "Smetto Quando Voglio"trilogy began in March.

 
American audiences also had the chance to see Leo in Woody Allen’s 2012 film, “To Rome with Love”.  Leo had a small part as the reporter in the barbershop scene alongside Roberto Benigni’s character.

I had the priveledge of meeting Edoardo Leo in Toronto last summer at the annual Italian Contemporary Film Festival. He was there promoting "Noi e la Giulia". I found him to be humble and sincere, truly loving to talk about his work and his idols, Carlo Verdone and Bruce Srpingsteen. I published one part of the interview last year in an article for my series, "Basilicata: Terra di Cinema". Now, in recognition of my feature article about Leo in this month's edition of Chicago's Fra Noi Magazine, I am publishing the rest of our interview.


Tell me about your road to becoming such a great comic actor. You have impeccable timing and you’re able to be self-depricating without losing your dignity or respect as an actor. In other articles that I have written, I have compared you to Marcello Mastroianni because you possess many of his qualities. You’re handsome, you’re funny, your expressions often say more than you could say with words. So how did you develop this talent?
I don’t know. (Laughs) I’ve worked a lot in the last 20 years on myself and on my work- my acting, my writing- my way of directing other actors. Maybe the secret in this moment, in the last 5 years is that I’m really loving what I’m doing. I work a lot on the scripts, with my crew and with my cast. So I feel to be in the real heart of life in this moment. In the beginning of my career, I usually acted in roles as a hero, a policeman, a biker and I found that kind of role very boring. So over the years, I realized that I wanted to work on my face and my body for being a good comedian. I love destroying myself. As you can see in "Noi e la Giulia", with the strange hair and strange clothes. It was very funny. I really found the hero role a little bit boring. I wanted something different like an anti-hero role. So in the last 5 years, I've been able to write my own roles and I decided to write different and tp write for myself. In my first movie as director, I created a role about a stuttering man. The title was "18 years later". It won a lot of awards all over the world. And people said to me, you have the opportunity to write something really big and important, but I really like to just destroy my image.

Carlo Verdone has done that too in some of his films where he makes fun of himself. Would you say that you’ve been influenced by him?
Yes, a lot. Carlo Verdone is one of my heroes. He is a great actor, director and writer. Maybe if I decided to work as a writer, director and actor, it’s because I really love him. He is great. He sent me a very nice message after I talked about him in an Italian interview. He’s a comedian but in his movies, you can really feel his feelings. Inside the movie, there is a sadness. Not only the comic way of movies but a sadness. He can make you laugh with sadness and only a great comedian can do this.
Verdone likes to tell the struggles of the Roman man. What do you feel in this period are the struggles of the Roman man that you would like to convey in your work? For example, what do you feel on a daily basis are the struggles facing a guy in his 40’s?
Well in Italy, we are in the middle of a great crisis, both economic and cultural. For my generation, I really feel that a lot of my friends are struggling with decision like whether they want a family, if they choose the right job, if they can lose the job. So that’s why this is my third film as director and I decided to face this problem in the third film because we may have a wrong cultural model. For twenty years in Italy, under Berlusconi, we followed the wrong way. What I would like is that every man and woman asks themselves what they really love, what they really want to do. In "Noi e la Giulia", I take pride in being a failure. It’s an ode to being a failure. You can fail and you can say to yourself, I am 41 or 42 but maybe I can restart but to restart, you have to say to yourself, I am a loser. We always follow the cultural reference of winners. Everybody wants to be winners on social media like Facebook and Twitter. I never read a status like, Oh I’m a loser. Instead it’s like, I am cool, I am happy- but never I am a loser. We are very fearful about losers. But we need to say it, to admit it and make changes to start a new life. And that is what my characters do in "Noi e la Giulia".

There has been a huge surge in film production in Basilicata during the last year with movies like “Ben Hur”, “007” and your film, “Noi e La Giulia”. Tell me about your experience there.
It was a great experience. In “Noi e La Giulia”, I never mention Basilicata. I wanted to shoot a sort of symbol of the south of Italy, never mentioning Campania or Cammora or the Sicilian mafia. I just wanted to be in the heart of the south. Now in Basilicata, they have a great film commission so I was able to shoot with fantastic people in a fantastic place, so I am very happy.  


How did you find the farmhouse?
We saw the farmhouse when we started to scout locations. Sometimes you can spend more than 20 days to find the perfect location. In this movie, we just used the one location and it was the first one I saw. It was a real miracle, but after seeing that farmhouse, we were all convinced that it was perfect. We said, let’s continue to look for something else but we were all convinced that that place was perfect for the movie. Basilicata is a great place and I would like to come back to shoot another film.

What makes Basilicata such a great place to shoot a film?
It’s quiet with great color and great light.

Did you enjoy the culture and the food, in particular? We can’t talk about Basilicata without mentioning the amazing food and of course, Matera’s famous bread.
(Laughs) Yes, the food in Basilicata is great, really great. Every night, we went to Matera to eat the fish and traditional food of the region.. and the bread, too. It all was great.

What do you think of all the support for your film and the pride of the people of Basilicata?
They are very active and they’re very proud of their region. When you talk about Italy, you always talk about the south of Italy, and you mention Sicily, Calabria or Puglia. But in the last three or four years, they really have made Basilicata shine, and they’re right. I think in the next 10 years, more tourists will come to Italy to visit Basilicata. That is what I dream for them.

So where’d you learn English?
Through Bruce Springsteen lyrics. I always loved the Boss and when I was a child, I studied and learned all his lyrics by heart and read the translation.

Edoardo Leo is following in the footsteps of his great predecessors and becoming an example and a voice for his own generation. For more information, visit him online at http://www.edoardoleo.com/.
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Matteo Persica's Biography on Anna Magnani Headed to America

June 20, 2016, 6:14 am
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A new biography by Matteo Persica is currently being translated into English and will arrive on American shores soon. I've known Persica for many years through social media, and he is passionately dedicated to preserving the memory of his beloved Anna Magnani. The biography has been well-received in Italy, so I am looking forward to the English translation.
“Anna Magnani. Biography of a woman” translated directly from the Italian title, "Anna Magnani. Biografia di una donna", was bestowed the prestigious Italian literary awards “Ferrovie dello Stato” and the national “Borgo Albori”earlier this year. Many critics consider his work the best book to this date on the actress.

Through films such as Roma città aperta, l’ onorevole Angelina, L’ amore, Bellissima, La rosa tatuata, Mamma Roma, readerscan relive Magnani's innate talent as well as the thoughts, feelings, joys and troubles of a woman who lived life in an attempt to stay loyal to herself. That meant embodying core values such as moral integrity and professionalism, even if it she had to pass on major film productions to do so. She was sometimes considered difficult and her films we not always the biggest money-makers but she preferred to maintain her human and artistic dignity rather than reduce herself for the masses. Thanks to the passion, commitment and compelling prose of author Matteo Persica, we are presented with a clear and concise account of Magnani's life and work.
The book was published by Odoya Publishing House in Italy with the preface written by Maurizio Liverani, introduced by a memory of Fabrizio Sarazani. We will keep you updated on the progress of the English translation and its availability in America.
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Interview: Director Francesco Cinequemani on His New Film "Andron"

June 23, 2016, 12:20 pm
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Set in the 22nd century, the new sci-fi movie “Andron”, follows a group of young men and women who wake to find themselves in a confined maze. At first they don't remember anything about their lives but slowly their memories return and all they want to do is find their way back into civilization. But in order to break out of this underground world, the members of the group must find their inner strength and work together. This means learning to decipher codes, quickly interpret signs, and overcome the tests they are forced to face all the while the outside world watches through a game, placing odds on their fate.


"Andron" is visually stunning with a combination of scenes shot on the Mediterranean island of Malta and computer-generated imagery (CGI). The element I enjoyed the most though, was the exchange among the characters. The film features a crop of beautiful, young protagonists with some pretty sharp acting chops. There are some lines that may seem a bit hokey, or as I interpreted- a way to slip in some comedy relief. For example, "Clearly, we're not in Kansas anymore." But, it just enhances the viewing experience because the script for this kind of film is not written for the way we talk in everyday life. So there is an element of fantasy just in watching the actors recite their lines. I enjoyed watching the scenes with Baldwin and his fellow veteran actor Danny Glover. Even if their lines were few, it was a pleasure to see these two American screen artisans work together.


Francesco Cinquemani directing Alec Baldwin
The sci-fi genre is not one that has really interested me in the past but I was drawn to this movie for two reasons- Alec Baldwin and the director Francesco Cinquemani. I grew up with Alec Baldwin’s work in the 80’s, first on television with "Knots Landing" and then with films like "Beetlejuice" and "Great Balls of Fire".. and he's just been non-stop ever since. I remember when he left acting for a while and hosted a music series on the New York classical radio station WQXR. Then being from upstate New York, we were treated to some funny promotional work he did for the Wegmans grocery store chain where his mother is a dedicated customer. I consider Alec Baldwin one of the most versatile and bravest actors of our time, always taking on new and interesting roles. He has never given a weak performance, so I was interested in seeing what he’d do with this role and genre. Francesco Cinquemani is an acquaintance I met a few years ago in Rome. He was introduced to me as a "top journalist in Italy". We became connected on social media and then recently, I noticed he directed this film. 

I had some questions about the making of "Andron"- the cast in particular, as well as a curiosity as to what goes into transitioning from journalist to sci-fi film director. So I took my questions right to the director, Francesco Cinquemani.


Cinquemani with his producers Monika Bacardi and Andrea Iervolino
Where’d you come up with the idea for this film?
I have always been fascinated by the fantasy genre. I was born in Rome and I live near the Colosseum. The gladiators have always fascinated me since childhood and that fascination was marked by old movies like “Rollerball” and “The Tenth Victim” (which is Italian). My background as a journalist led me to mix power, media manipulation, reality and gladiators in a vision of the future, even if it's slightly pessimistic. “Andron” began as a TV series. A pilot of the series was commissioned by RAI in 2011 and implemented in 2012. It was called “The Place”. I shot it in Italian with Italian actors. Then due to an excessively high budget for Italy, the series did not continue, but the pilot has been shown in several festivals. The recent success of “The Hunger Games” has brought this type of genre back into fashion and allowed my dream for this series to become reality. My producers, Andrea Iervolino and Monika Bacardi viewed “The Place” and they asked me to develop it as a film.

The cast is very impressive and quite diverse. Did you have the actors in mind while you were writing the screenplay?
When I write, I hear the voices of the different characters. It's strange but true. For me, it’s as if they were alive and I see them and hear them. I never think of the actors first because it would influence and alter the characters. But there was an exception in “Andron” because I’ve known Gale Harold for years and I respect him as an actor, and as a friend, I readjusted the character I had created for the TV series to accommodate him.

 
Speaking to the effects, how did you create the city?
Through months and months of work by interacting with my VFX (Visual Effects) supervisor, Peter Nalli and his incredible team of special effects wizards. Everything was discussed and decided beforehand. It was planned, designed and modeled in 3D, made with the other elements, inserted in the actual scene and eventually animated. In the scene of the dolly in which we see the city appear behind Michelle Ryan, there are over a hundred moving elements incorporated that we discussed and decided on in post-production. From the shape of each individual in the building where the river would form the inlet, the quantity and quality of the powder that had to be suspended in the air. In the film, there are nearly a thousand VFX. In the first installment of "The Matrix", there were just over 400.

What did you shoot in Malta?
All of the exterior scenes were shot in Malta. We shot most of the film in an underground power station located in Malta where there are several kilometers of studios. The rest was shot in Rome.

How did Alec Baldwin get involved?
He got involved thanks to Bruno Rosato, my casting director and to Danny Glover's conviction. I had already filmed the scenes with Danny and he spoke well of me as a director. Alec really liked the script and the character. He is a fan of science fiction. He understood all the irony that I had incorporated into the script. "Andron" for me is a bit of parody of this kind of movie where the hero always does well. The film tells the story of the bad guys. It starts with them and ends with them. For me it's the story of the rise to power of Adam (Alec Baldwin). There's a joke that he tells, pointing to the contestants: "You do not even understand the rules of the game." If a game like "Andron" existed in reality, competitors would not have any chance of escaping.

What was it like working with him?
He is a kind and extraordinary person with an exceptional talent. Baldwin is like a charge of nitroglycerin ready to explode. He likes to experiment and is wide open to improvisation. It's like having a Stradivarius in your hands, a tool with which you can play anything. He is always energetic and ready to go. Between takes and during down time, he doesn’t even sit because he doesn’t want to lose his energy.

Is "Andron" your first feature-length film?
It's my first feature-length fiction. Before, I had only made a documentary for an hour and twenty minutes, but when you are used to turn twenty-one episodes per year of a TV show, as I did from 2010 to 2012 when I had my own sitcom on RAI, it is not difficult to manage the timing of a film.
 
Tell me about your transition from journalist to filmmaker.
I wanted to be a director since I was six-years-old and saw “The Thing” and “The Invasion of the Body Snatchers”. Then as I grew up, I realized that it was difficult to find a job working in cinema in Italy. So, I abandoned my dream and I started to study electrical engineering. To pay for school, I started writing articles and was published right away. I was eighteen and this crazy 23-year-old publisher asked me to run his company. It went well. I ended up publishing 30 magazines and in the end, I never became an engineer. Years later, I received another offer and I switched to another publishing house. Things were going well until one morning when I looked into the mirror and saw my old dream. I said to myself: "You're getting old. Soon, you're not going to have a choice. You either try now or live with regret for the rest of your life." So, I went into work that morning and quit my job. Six months later, I had my first TV series on Sky Cinema.
 
So the moral of this story is- Follow your dreams before it's too late. "Andron" opened in 10 cities at the beginning of June and is available right now on VOD.
 
Watch the trailer..

 
 
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Interview: Director Gianfranco Pannone on his film "The Smallest Army in the World"

June 26, 2016, 5:58 am
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The history of the Vatican's Swiss guards can be traced back to the 16th century Renaissance when the soldiers were call upon due to their qualities of loyalty and courage. Pope Julius II declared the troops "Defenders of the Church's Freedom" in 1512. Since then, they have been stationed at the Vatican to protect each and every pope. 

Gianfranco Pannone’s documentary “The Smallest Army in the World" (L’esercito più piccolo del mondo) explores the training that goes into preparing the Swiss boys to become soldiers of the Vatican. Pannone takes his camera to Switzerland, where the journey begins for the young recruits, and then inside Vatican City as they are trained and fitted for their famously colorful uniforms. The young men, who come from all walks of life, offer their thoughts on how the Catholic Church should change with the times in order to stay relevant and modern. There are tender moments in which we see Pope Francis greeting people and one scene in which he is just calmly walking by himself.

Thanks to the Film Society of Lincoln Center, Luce Cinecittà and the Italian Trade Agency, the film made its North American premiere in June at Lincoln Center's annual series, Open Roads: New Italian Cinema. Pannone came to New York to present the film, which was well-received by the audience and critics. The film is scheduled to be shown at other venues throughout the United States in the Fall. I've been connected with the director for years on social media, so it was great to see his work reach American shores. I enjoyed the film and learned so much about the Swiss Guard. I talked with him about the making of "The Smallest Army in the World" and what it was like to work with our beloved Pope Francis. Our interview was originally done in Italian, so both versions are included.


Why did you want to make this film?
The “Smallest Army in the World” was brought to me by the Vatican Television Center. The great thing about it was instead of just commissioning me to make a film, they gave me a lot of creative freedom in telling the story of a group of Swiss boys who go to serve the Church and the pope. It was a great privilege and I enjoyed the freedom I was given during the eight months of filming and then during post-production. In the end, I felt the film was my own, perhaps because of the long and intense path, which I found both informative and entertaining. It was Don Dario Viganò, the Secretary of Communications for the Vatican that asked me to maintain a secular feel to the film so that it would also be understood by the average layperson. 

Perché volevi fare questo film?
L'esercito più piccolo del mondo me lo ha proposto il Centro Televisivo Vaticano. Ma la cosa più bella è stata quella di non essere stato cercato per un lavoro su commissione, ma di concedermi, piuttosto, un bel po' di libertà creativa nel raccontare la storia di un gruppo di ragazzi svizzeri che va a servire la Chiesa e il Papa. Ho avuto un grande privilegio e non poco mi ha sorpreso la libertà di cui ho goduto lungo otto mesi di riprese e poi nel corso del montaggio. Il film, infine, l'ho sentito mio, forse perché ho intrapreso un percorso di lungo respiro e molto intenso, oltre che istruttivo e divertente. Ed è stato proprio Don Dario Viganò, oggi Prefetto per la Comunicazione in Vaticano, a chiedermi di mantenere uno sguardo laico. 
 

In making this film, did anything surprise you or change your way of seeing the Swiss Guard?
The goal of the film was to create a sort of "behind the scenes" look into the Swiss Guard, not just limited to the beautiful uniforms and ceremonies, but to tell, rather, fragments of the lives of the boys who are, by choice, in the face of centuries of history. I’ll be honest that in the beginning there was a bit of prejudice in me that they could send me only boys who by faith decide to become "soldiers of the Pope". But I soon realized that wasn’t the case and that these young people are in fact very different from just being beautifully-placed statues in the Vatican. The protagonist René along with the two other officers we followed for over a year were the ones who made me realize this. René is a young theologian and almost not at all afraid to express his doubts about the meaning of the Swiss Guard and therefore, to question its purpose.
 
C'era qualcosa che ti ha sorpreso delle guardie Svizzere dopo aver appreso la loro storia?
Obiettivo del film era quello di realizzare una sorta di "dietro le quinte" della Guardia svizzera, insomma, di non limitarsi solo alle belle divise e alle parate, ma di raccontare, piuttosto, frammenti di vita di alcuni ragazzi come ce ne sono tanti altri, ma che si trovano, per loro scelta, al cospetto di una storia millenaria. Non nascondo che all'inizio c'era un po' di pregiudizio in me: cosa avrebbero potuto trasmettermi dei ragazzi di provincia che per fede decidono di diventare "soldati del Papa". E' andata poi diversamente, perché ho compreso molto presto che questi giovani sono ben diversi dall'essere delle belle statuine. E chi mi aiutato a capire tutto ciò, insieme ai due ufficiali che mi hanno seguito lungo un anno di gestazione, è stato proprio il protagonista del docufilm, René, giovane quasi teologo e per nulla timoroso di manifestare i suoi dubbi sul senso della guardia svizzera e, dunque, di mettersi in discussion. 
 

Speaking of René, why did you decide to focus on him and Leo? What was it about their points-of-view that you wanted to share with your viewers?
René and Leo are very different from each other, if not opposite. René, as I said, is going to become a theologian. He is an intellectual. Leo, however, is the son of a forester, which is a profession of peasants. Choosing them was almost natural when I went to meet six of the boys in Switzerland before they left for Rome. Then, I really liked the friendship that developed between the two of them, human and sincere. Humanity and sincerity accompany us throughout the whole movie, in the spirit of that great pope who is Francis. 

Perché hai deciso di concentrarti su Leo and René? Cosa c'era dei loro punti di vista che volevi dimostrare?
René e Leo sono molto diversi tra loro, se non addirittura opposti. René, come ho detto, sta per diventare teologo, è un intellettuale. Leo, invece, è un figlio di contadini di professione guardaboschi. Sceglierli è stato quasi naturale, quando sono andato a incontrare in Svizzera sei di loro, prima che partissero per Roma. E poi mi è molto piaciuta l'amicizia che si è creata tra loro due, umana e sincera. Un'umanità e sincerità che credo accompagnino tutto il film, nello spirito di quel grande Papa che è Francesco. 
 

It was beautiful to see candid shots of Pope Francis. Tell me about the scenes you shot with the pontiff.
My crew and I crossed paths with the Pope three times and it was very nice to see his smile. I enjoyed an advantage. Alongside me and my director of photography, Tarek Ben Abdallah, was Cesare Cuppone, who is pope's the cameraman/photographer and therefore could meet up with the Holy Father with relative ease. I was very impressed by the simplicity of Pope Francis' gestures. For example, in one scene, after he greeted the Swiss guards, he got into a small car and sat in the passenger’s seat next to the driver, rather than having a whole convoy. It’s these things that impress me and give a different perception of men with power. There is no doubt that Pope Francis is an inspiration to all, believers and non-believers. 

Raccontami le riprese con Papa Francesco. Com'è andata?
Con la mia troupe ho incrociato il Papa tre volte ed è stato bello avere in regalo il suo sorriso. Godevo di un vantaggio, ad affiancarmi insieme al mio direttore della fotografia, Tarek Ben Abdallah, c'era Cesare Cuppone, che è l'operatore del Papa e che, dunque, ha potuto riprendere il Santo Padre con una certa facilità. Mi ha colpito molto di Francesco la sua semplicità dei gesti. Per esempio, in una scena, una volta salutate le guardie svizzere, si allontana su un utilitaria sedendosi di fianco all'autista, non dietro, e senza che alle spalle dell'auto ci sia qualcuno che lo scorti. Sono cose che impressionano, che danno finalmente una percezione diversa del nostro guardare agli uomini di potere. Non c'è dubbio, Papa Francesco è un esempio per tutti, credenti e non.
 


I’d like to talk a bit about the soundtrack, which really stood out to me. With the magnificence of the Vatican and its rich history of art and culture, you could have used dramatic music but instead you chose simple piano notes. What was your reason for this?
With Stefano Caprioli, who wrote and directed the music for “The Smallest Army in the World”, a beautiful tune was created. He understood that to show the everyday life of the Swiss Guards, but also the magnificence of the Vatican manned by the young soldiers who wear colorful uniforms of 500 AD, there was no need for heightened rhetoric, but rather the soundtrack should serve another function, and that is to show great respect for ancient history, in a secular way without sacrificing the power of imagination. That was the alchemy I felt while we were editing. I asked Stefano to limit the tools and we worked together in the studio, relying primarily on the piano and then the odd percussion instrument, which is the tongue drum, subtracting rather than adding. It was great and inspiring to work with him. 

Vorrei parlare un po' della colonna sonora. Con la grandezza del Vaticano ..con la ricchezza  dell'arte che dispone. sculture, dipinti afreschi e tutta la testimonianza della Chiesa cattolica,  potevi utilizzare un tratto di musica impegnativa e forte ... Perché hai preso la decisione di semplici note uscite da un pianoforte?
Con Stefano Caprioli, che ha scritto e diretto le musiche de L'esercito più piccolo del mondo, si è creata una bella sintonia. Ha capito che per restituire il quotidiano di alcune guardie svizzere, ma anche la magniloquenza del Vaticano presidiato da giovani militari che vestono variopinte divise del '500, non ci fosse bisogno di calcare retoricamente, ma che piuttosto la colonna sonora dovesse servire ad altro e cioé a restituire un'emozione mista al grande rispetto per una storia millenaria, in modo laico e partecipato; beninteso, senza rinunciare all'evocazione. E l'alchimia io l'ho sentita al momento del montaggio. Ho chiesto a Stefano di limitare gli strumenti e insieme abbiamo lavorato in studio, affidandoci prima di tutto al pianoforte e poi a quello strano strumento di percussione che è il tongue drum, sottraendo piuttosto che aggiungendo. E' stato bello e stimolante lavorare con lui.
 

Did you receive any feedback from the Vatican?
I perceived everything entirely positive, except for a few elements by the most conservative fringe of the Vatican. I know that Pope Emerito Ratzinger also saw it and appreciated it. Now the Vatican will produce other documentary films, which I think could be pigeonholed, so to speak, into popular pastorals. It is not by chance that you could see during this time, a film about Pope Francis made by a director of Wim Wenders’ caliber. 

Quali sono i pensieri del Vaticano sul film?
Quello che ho percepito è del tutto positivo, salvo poche resistenze delle frangie più conservatrici del Vaticano. So, per esempio, che l'ha visto anche il Papa Emerito Ratzinger e che lo ha apprezzato. Ora il Vaticano produrrà altri docufilm, che non credo saranno solo incasellati in un ambito, per così dire, divulgativo-pastorale.  E non è un caso che a realizzare in questo periodo un film su Papa Francesco sia un regista del calibro di Wim Wenders.

“The Smallest Army in the World” will soon be released on home video by San Paolo Film, and will be available in bookstores and video stores throughout Italy. There will be a screening in the U.S. on October 18 at the United Nations in New York and another in Washington D.C. We’ll keep you posted on future dates. In the meantime, check out the trailer..

 
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Basilicata protagonista dell'Ischia Film Festival

June 26, 2016, 7:41 am
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Una presenza significativa e rilevante quella della Basilicata al quattordicesimo Ischia film festival, premio cinematografico internazionale sulla diversificazione culturale dei territori e che si svolgerà dal prossimo 25 giugno al 2 luglio nella scenografica location del Castello d’aragonese. 
 
Marco Leonardi in "Ustica"
Il programma della kermesse segna due lungometraggi di successo come “Un Paese quasi perfetto” di Massimo Gaudioso e “Ustica” di Renzo Martinelli, tre corti finanziati dal Bando alla crisi, due documentari in vetrina, un Focus dedicato alla Basilicata e presenze significative al convegno internazionale della manifestazione che ha lanciato nel mondo il neologismo del cineturismo grazie all’intuito del direttore artistico della manifestazione Michelangelo Messina che sin dal primo edizione ha posto l'accento sulle potenzialità economiche e turistiche di sviluppo provenienti dal connubio tra produzione cinematografica e territorio. E al prestigioso convegno internazionale di questa edizione su “Lo sviluppo del cineturismo in Europa a 14 anni  dalla sua nascita: analisi e prospettive” insieme ad esperti internazionali come Sue Beeton e Adrian Cotton registrerà l’intervento istituzionale della regione Basilicata  Rilevante e significativo anche il contributo della dirigente dei sistemi turistici  culturali della regione Basilicata, Patrizia Minardi che ad Ischia presenterà il progetto “Tourism movie" approvato dalla giunta regionale e candidato alla promozione nazionale dell' ENIT, nell'ambito dei progetti interregionali "South route" e in coerenza con l'anno dei cammini 2016. Il progetto lucano presenta tre percorsi fruibili  di cineturismo e  si svilupperà, nella prossima triennalità, ancora su altri percorsi coinvolgendo tutto il territorio regionale.
 
Tra i relatori della giornata di studio anche il direttore della Lucana Film Commission Paride Leporace che si confronterà con diversi colleghi italiani ed esteri presenti ad Ischia e Giuseppe Lalinga che con il Gal Bradanica ha da tempo avviato la significativa esperienza di Cineturismo experience nella collina materana.
 
La Lucana Film Commission ha contribuito ad ideare il focus dedicato alla regione Basilicata che vedrà uno dei momenti più salienti con la prima assoluta del documentario “L’utile meraviglia. Gli orti saraceni di Tricarico”
 
Il film, realizzato grazie al Comune di Tricarico in collaborazione con la Lucana Film Commission, esplora il ricamo della terra che genera visioni da land art. Il viaggio dell’acqua, il percorso del più prezioso bene che l’uomo ha saputo raccogliere, goccia per goccia, ha portato la troupe diretta da Bentivenga nei giardini con frutteti, nelle cisterne, nei canali, per le scalette di pietra antica fino alle miriadi di orticelli, molti ormai abbandonati. E’ il percorso dell’acqua, il filo conduttore di questo film documentario. 
 
Rilevante la presenza dei cortometraggi del “Bando alla crisi” in gara e fuori concorso. In anteprima nazionale sono stati selezionali  per il concorso  “Papaveri e papere” della giovane regista lucana Adelaide De Fino e “Centosanti” del materano Roberto Moliterni, che dopo essersi distinto come sceneggiatore e scrittore vincendo numerosi premi nazionali esordisce alla regia. I due lavori sono accomunato dal fatto di aver ambientato la storia nella Matera degli anni Cinquanta. L’epoca della modernità invece per “Cenere” di Gianni Saponara che ha molto valorizzato in questo suo ultimo lavoro la recitazione del protagonista interpretato dall’attore lucano Nando Irene.
  
"La transumanza in Basilicata, una storia vera"
Completa la ricca offerta la proiezione del documentario “ "La transumanza in Basilicata, una storia vera", scritto e diretto da Mario Raele, e girato lo scorso anno tra le campagne ed alcuni storici tratturi della regione.
 
"La transumanza in Basilicata, una storia vera"è stato inserito nel cartellone delle opere "Fuori concorso" ma per l'autore, e la società di produzione, la lucana Rvm Broadcast srl," la selezione in un contesto di settore così importante è motivo di grande felicità e soddisfazione, poiché premia un lavoro lungo e non semplice, che mai si sarebbe potuto realizzare senza l'attiva ed entusiastica collaborazione dei massari protagonisti, e che, ancora una volta, promuove il territorio raccontando le sue antiche tradizioni e gli sforzi compiuti dalla comunità per mantenerle vive". 
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Interview: Raoul Bova on Second Chances and the New Generation of Italian Filmmakers

June 26, 2016, 10:04 pm
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Actor Raoul Bova recently presented two of his films in Canada at the Italian Contemporary Film Festival and the Niagara Integrated Film Festival: Carlo Vanzina’s time travel comedy "Rewind and Reboot" (Torno Indietro e Cambio Vita) and the romantic comedy “All Roads Lead to Rome”, which he presented alongside cinema legend and co-star Claudia Cardinale.

Bova’s acting career spans more than two decades and it has been a joy to watch him grow and evolve as an actor. He’s not afraid to take on complex characters like Lorenzo in Ferzan Ozpetek’s“Facing Windows” while he seems to embrace and have fun with lighter storylines like the two he just presented.  

I had the great pleasure of meeting Raoul Bova in Niagara Falls where he presented “All Roads Lead to Rome" with Claudia Cardinale. He had a full schedule lined up that day with very little time for interviews, but I managed to slip in three quick questions and he was graceful enough to take the time to answer them. He spoke about the message of his new film and the evolution of cinema on an international scale.
 
"All Roads Lead to Rome" is being shown all over North America now. What do you think audiences will take away from this film and from the Eternal City?
You can watch all the beauty we have in Italy but the most important thing is the story, the love you have between this American woman and this Italian guy. They didn’t have the chance to show each other how much they loved one another. So they are given this second chance. I find that when you have a second chance, you say, now I have the time to show what I really have inside and they finally did. It’s the kind of story where sometimes you’re not ready for that kind of love but after 10 years, you are.
 
What was it like working with such an international, diverse cast? There are newcomers, a legend (Claudia Cardinale), Italian actors and Sarah Jessica Parker. That's quite a crew, quite a group of people.
It was very interesting because it was one way to see our jobs as actors and then with this movie business. It makes you understand that it’s not the language you speak but the feeling you have because it’s always the same. It’s like mathematics. You are in front of the camera. You have your close-up. You have the story and you have to work on the script. The crew was the best. You have an Italian crew. You have an American crew. You have a great European crew- The DP is from Hungary. The crew was from all over the world, and right now the movie business is full of different languages. So we were prepared and it was very easy. 
 

You had a production company a few years ago and you worked with young filmmakers.. What do you think about the new generation of Italian filmmakers and what they’re doing? For example, the success of Gabriele Mainetti’s“They Call Me Jeeg Robot”..
That was a very unusual production. The director was also the producer of the movie and he was very brave because in the movie industry not only in Italy but all over the world, when you have success with one type of movie, they repeat it again and again and again- the same story with different actors in a different production but it’s still the same story. I’m very happy that Jeeg Robot was successful because it’s a new way to see movies. It also gives encouragement to new directors. It's a different way to see cinema because it’s new, it’s modern.

Raoul Bova currently has three films in pre-production, slated for 2017 releases. In the meantime, "All Roads Lead to Rome" is available in the U.S. on..

YouTube

iTunes

Amazon Video

Vudu

Google Play Movies & TV
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Michelangelo Antonioni: The Master of Improvisation

June 28, 2016, 10:06 am
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Nothing is what it seems. If one had to describe the films of Michelangelo Antonioni with one phrase, that would do it. Antonioni made a career out of mesmerizing audiences with his films of complicated relationships that raise questions, but leave many of the answers to the viewer. In a 1969 interview with American film critic Roger Ebert, Antonioni described his shooting as a constant departure from the script. “I may film scenes I had no intention of filming; things suggest themselves on location, and we improvise. I try not to think about it too much. Then, in the cutting room, I take the film and start to put it together, and only then do I begin to get an idea of what it is about.”
 
Michelangelo Antonioni was born in 1912 in Ferrara, located in the region of Emilia Romagna. He attended college in nearby Bologna during the 1930’s where he became involved in theater and painting. After graduation, he freelanced as a film critic for a local newspaper. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Rome and tried to make a documentary at of all places, an insane asylum. The project fell through, but some have said that his experience in making that film would go on to influence future works, in particular, "Tentato Suicidio"in 1953.
 
Many great filmmakers begin their careers with documentaries, and the same can be said of Antonioni. His first completed film documented the lives of residents living in a region near Ferrara, Italy. "Gente del Po" was released in 1947 and revealed Antonioni’s distinct style of filmmaking that went unparalleled in his time. The success of his documentaries paved the way for his feature length films. In 1950, Antonioni’s first feature film, "Cronaca di Un Amore" was released. The film echoes noir but the traditional plot recipe belonging to noir was compromised in order to shift focus to the intense feeling of the characters. Antonioni is known for his complex, well developed characters who don’t always make morally sound choices.
 
"L'Avventura"
His first widescreen film and my personal favorite was his 1960 masterpiece "L’Avventura" in which he tells the story of a missing person through the experiences of the people heading the search. Those people, the missing woman’s fiancé and best friend end up having their own affair. Antonioni's partner and muse Monica Vitti starred in the film and gave a powerful performance with a brilliant air of indifference. "L'Avventura" along with his other works of that period, La Notte (1961), L’Eclisse(1962) and Il Deserto Rosso (1964) all share a consistent style, theme, social setting and plot. Those works brought his career to the level in which it has remained through the years. He is something of an international art house legend, a classic, golden age director with an unprecedented, ageless method to his filmmaking. His influence has long reached beyond the borders of Italy. 
 
"L'Avventura"
Despite the success of his films of the early 60’s, the world was just getting a taste of his talent and unique vision. One can say that Michelangelo Antonioni reinvented himself with the making of "Blow Up" for which he earned two Oscar nominations. The film tells the story of a disenfranchised fashion photographer. When he takes a photograph in a London Park, he realizes something mysterious in the background, setting the stage for the 1966 drama, which co-stars Vanessa Redgrave. To this day, the film stirs up conversation and draws criticism due to its vast room for interpretation.In addition to the Oscar nominations, "Blow Up" won the Golden Palm at the 1967 Cannes Film Festival and earned a nomination for Best English-Language Foreign Film at the 1967 Golden Globes.  

In 2012, I attended a fascinating exhibit in Rome by the artist, Jacopo Benci. “The Mystery of the Park" featured a collection of instant photographs, digital photographs and a video. The subject of these photos was Maryon Park in southeast London, the location of a key scene in "Blow Up".  Benci's fascination with gardens and parks lies in the way that we generally regard parks as "spaces prepared for living in the magic of daylight, for contemplation or for play, for meeting or solitude.." That is quite a poetic thought for a simple and beautiful exhibition of photos. If you are familiar with the film and the scene that was shot in Maryon Park, you will find irony in the peaceful, still portraits that graced the walls of the Roman gallery  where they were displayed. I found the exhibit to be a beautiful union of art and film, which captured the tranquility and vast landscape of one location, and I appreciated the fact it kept relevant an iconic Italian filmmaker of days gone by.

"Indentificazione di una donna"
Antonioni made films throughout the 70’s and 80’s, which experimented with different lighting techniques and different ways to use the camera to add his signature style to each scene. He created several layers to his films with the way they were shot, the intensity of the characters’ personalities and the political backdrop of the subjects.  The combination of his style of filmmaking and the mainstream market of the late 70’s clashed, forcing Antonioni to eventually give up some of his strong, alternative ways for a more commercial approach.  The first product to emerge from that way of thinking was, "Identificazione di una donna" in 1982. It would be his last film until 1995. 

"Al di là delle nuvole"
"Al di là delle nuvole" was Antonioni’s comeback film after he suffered a severe stroke and was unable to work for thirteen years. His comeback was welcomed among critics, even if the film got mix reviews. The project was co-directed with German filmmaker, Wim Wenders. The movie consists of four vignettes tied together by a story filmed by Wenders, who you may remember worked with Italian actress Giovanna Mezzogiorno on the 2008 film "Palermo Shooting". The ensemble cast of "Al di là delle nuvole" includes John Malkovich, Vincent Perez, Jean Reno, Marcello Mastroianni and Jean Moreau as well as a recognizable selection of pop music. Each story, as Antonioni himself said, invites the viewer to an inner travel “towards the true image of that absolute and mysterious reality that nobody will ever see.”
 
Michelangelo Antonioni never really managed to connect with mainstream audiences.  He had his own way of telling and shooting a story. He saw things when he looked through the lens of a camera that you and I don’t see. It’s been said that one should see Antonioni’s films several times over to truly appreciate the way he tells a story through the visual medium. He passed away in 2007 at the age of 94. His films are still very relevant and available online.
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Checco Zalone Opening the 2016 Edition of the ICFF in Toronto

April 18, 2016, 8:13 am
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With Checco Zalone at the ICFF press conference in Toronto
Updated 6/2016- Checco Zalone was born Luca Pasquale Medici in the southern Italian city of Bari in 1977. He attended a local high school and then studied Law at l'Università di Bari "Aldo Moro". He performed with local musicians and then made his comedy debut in 2004 along with Giacinto Lucariello e Pierluigi Morizio. They hosted a local beauty pageant called, Ragazza Cinema Ok.

A few years later, he landed a spot on the television variety show, Zelig and his career in comedy took off. In 2009, he made his first feature film, "Cado delle nubi" (Fall from the Clouds). Directed by Gennaro Nunziante, Zalone plays a down-on-his-luck dreamer, just dumped by his girlfriend and dealing with the political incorrectness of accepting the fact that his cousin is gay.

Gennaro Nunziante at the ICFF press conference
His 2011 follow-up film, "Che bella giornata", also directed by Gennaro Nunziante broke box office records, taking in 2.5 million euro during in just two days. "Che bella giornata" is the story of a clumsy security guard who unknowingly falls in love with a terrorist. The film was wildly successful in Italy and paved the way for "Sole a catinelle" and his latest film, "Quo Vado". If his last films broke records, his latest blew those numbers out of the water. "Quo vado?" currently stands as the highest-grossing Italian film in history. With box office earnings of €52.1 million in the first 12 days, the film beat out "Star Wars: The Force Awakens".

"Quo vado?"was the first of Checco Zalone's films I've seen. It was just shown at Canada's Italian Contemporary Film Festival. after seeing it, it became obvious why his films are so popular in Italy. For the first 10 minutes, I did nothing but laugh. The pace is fast moving with joke after joke, many of which poke fun at the southern Italian culture. If you grew up Italian American or if you have spent time in Italy, you will get the humor right away. With that said, subtitles are needed.There is no way that his films could be understood outside Italy by someone who doesn't speak fluent Italian unless you are watching with subtitles. The dialogue is quick, sharp and filled with irony and cultural reverences. Thanks to the ICFF for providing subtitles to the North American audience, the entire theater was roaring with laughter throughout the entire film.
 
Gennaro Nunziante and Checco Zalone on the Red Carpet in Toronto
"Quo vado?" follows the now infamous character Checco as he does whatever it takes to keep his secure government job, which provides him sick leave, benefits, paid vacation and a Christmas bonus. When he refuses to accept a buyout from government officials in Rome, he is forced to do the jobs that no one wants. However, he seems to have a talent for making the best out of a bad situation, so everything hilariously works out in his favor. There are some pretty crazy storylines that would only work in a Checco Zalone film.
I attended the press conference in Toronto where the actor appeared with his director and longtime friend Gennaro Nunziante. They were down-to-earth and very accommodating to the room full of press. The journalists were able to ask one question and mine pertained to the comedy genre. Since the duo has clearly mastered the this genre, I wondered if they'd ever venture into different territory.. perhaps drama. Checco Zalone's animated and lengthy answer generated hysteric laughter and in the end, the answer was no. I guess there's no reason to fix what's not broken.

It was just announced that his next film is slated for a 2017 release. We'll keep you posted. In the meantime, watch the trailer for "Quo vado?"..

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Checco Zalone Opening the 2016 Edition of the ICFF in Toronto

April 18, 2016, 8:13 am
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With Checco Zalone at the ICFF press conference in Toronto
Updated 6/2016- Checco Zalone and his director Gennaro Nunziante were the talk of the town in Toronto, Canada recently during the Italian Contemporary Film Festival's screenings and opening gala. Crowds packed theaters all over Canada to see the latest collaboration between the Pugliese duo- "Quo vado?", which currently stands as the highest-grossing Italian film in history. With box office earnings of €52.1 million in the first 12 days, the film beat out "Star Wars: The Force Awakens". 
Checco Zalone
 
The now infamous character, Checco Zalone was born Luca Pasquale Medici in the southern Italian city of Bari in 1977. He attended a local high school and then studied Law at l'Università di Bari "Aldo Moro". He performed with local musicians and then made his comedy debut in 2004 along with Giacinto Lucariello e Pierluigi Morizio. They hosted a local beauty pageant called, Ragazza Cinema Ok.

A few years later, he landed a spot on the television variety show, Zelig and his career in comedy took off. In 2009, he made his first feature film, "Cado delle nubi" (Fall from the Clouds). Directed by Gennaro Nunziante, Zalone plays a down-on-his-luck dreamer, just dumped by his girlfriend and dealing with the political incorrectness of accepting the fact that his cousin is gay.

Gennaro Nunziante at the ICFF press conference
His 2011 follow-up film, "Che bella giornata", also directed by Gennaro Nunziante broke box office records, taking in 2.5 million euro during in just two days. "Che bella giornata" is the story of a clumsy security guard who unknowingly falls in love with a terrorist. The film was wildly successful in Italy and paved the way for "Sole a catinelle" and his latest film, "Quo Vado". If his last films broke records, his latest blew those numbers out of the water. "Quo vado?" currently stands as the highest-grossing Italian film in history. With box office earnings of €52.1 million in the first 12 days, the film beat out "Star Wars: The Force Awakens".

"Quo vado?"was the first of Checco Zalone's films I've seen and after seeing it, it became obvious why his films are so popular in Italy. For the first 10 minutes, I did nothing but laugh. The pace is fast moving with joke after joke, many of which poke fun at the southern Italian culture. If you grew up Italian American or if you have spent time in Italy, you will get the humor right away. There is no way that his films could be understood outside Italy by someone who doesn't speak fluent Italian unless you are watching with subtitles. It's just not possible. The dialogue is quick, sharp and filled with irony and cultural references. Thanks to the ICFF for providing subtitles to the North American audience, the entire theater was roaring with laughter throughout the entire film.
 
Gennaro Nunziante and Checco Zalone on the Red Carpet in Toronto
"Quo vado?" follows Checco as he does whatever it takes to keep his secure government job, which provides him sick leave, benefits, paid vacation and a Christmas bonus. When he refuses to accept a buyout from government officials in Rome, he is forced to do the jobs that no one wants. However, he seems to have a talent for making the best out of a bad situation, so everything hilariously works out in his favor. There are some pretty crazy storylines that would only work in a Checco Zalone film.

I attended the press conference in Toronto where the actor appeared with his director and longtime friend Gennaro Nunziante. They were down-to-earth and very accommodating to the room full of press. The journalists were able to ask one question and mine pertained to the comedy genre. Since the duo has clearly mastered this genre, I wondered if they'd ever venture into different territory.. perhaps drama. Checco Zalone's animated and lengthy answer generated hysteric laughter and in the end, the answer was no. I guess there's no reason to fix what's not broken.

It was just announced that his next film is slated for a 2017 release. We'll keep you posted. In the meantime, read my interview with Stefano Grillo, one of the actors in "Quo vado?" and watch the trailer..

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Checco Zalone Opening the 2016 Edition of the ICFF in Toronto

April 18, 2016, 8:13 am
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With Checco Zalone at the ICFF press conference in Toronto
Updated 6/2016- Checco Zalone was born Luca Pasquale Medici in the southern Italian city of Bari in 1977. He attended a local high school and then studied Law at l'Università di Bari "Aldo Moro". He performed with local musicians and then made his comedy debut in 2004 along with Giacinto Lucariello e Pierluigi Morizio. They hosted a local beauty pageant called, Ragazza Cinema Ok.

A few years later, he landed a spot on the television variety show, Zelig and his career in comedy took off. In 2009, he made his first feature film, "Cado delle nubi" (Fall from the Clouds). Directed by Gennaro Nunziante, Zalone plays a down-on-his-luck dreamer, just dumped by his girlfriend and dealing with the political incorrectness of accepting the fact that his cousin is gay.

Gennaro Nunziante at the ICFF press conference
His 2011 follow-up film, "Che bella giornata", also directed by Gennaro Nunziante broke box office records, taking in 2.5 million euro during in just two days. "Che bella giornata" is the story of a clumsy security guard who unknowingly falls in love with a terrorist. The film was wildly successful in Italy and paved the way for "Sole a catinelle" and his latest film, "Quo Vado". If his last films broke records, his latest blew those numbers out of the water. "Quo vado?" currently stands as the highest-grossing Italian film in history. With box office earnings of €52.1 million in the first 12 days, the film beat out "Star Wars: The Force Awakens".

"Quo vado?"was the first of Checco Zalone's films I've seen. It was just shown at Canada's Italian Contemporary Film Festival. after seeing it, it became obvious why his films are so popular in Italy. For the first 10 minutes, I did nothing but laugh. The pace is fast moving with joke after joke, many of which poke fun at the stereotypes of the southern Italian culture. If you grew up Italian American or if you have spent time in Italy, you will get the humor right away. There is no way that his films could be understood outside Italy by someone who doesn't speak fluent Italian unless you are watching with subtitles. It's just not possible. The dialogue is quick and sharp. Thanks to the ICFF for providing subtitles to the North American audience, the entire theater was roaring with laughter throughout the entire film.
 
Gennaro Nunziante and Checco Zalone on the Red Carpet in Toronto
"Quo vado?" follows the now infamous character Checco as he does whatever it takes to keep his secure government job, which provides him sick leave, benefits, paid vacation and a Christmas bonus. When he refuses to accept a buyout from government officials in Rome, he is forced to do the jobs that no one wants. However, he seems to have a talent for making the best out of a bad situation, so everything hilariously works out in his favor. There are some pretty crazy storylines that would only work in a Checco Zalone film.

I attended the press conference in Toronto where the actor appeared with his director and longtime friend Gennaro Nunziante. They were down-to-earth and very accommodating to the room full of press. The journalists were able to ask one question and mine pertained to the comedy genre. Since the duo has clearly mastered the this genre, I wondered if they'd ever venture into different territory.. perhaps drama. Checco Zalone's animated and lengthy answer generated hysteric laughter and in the end, the answer was no. I guess there's no reason to fix what's not broken.

It was just announced that his next film is slated for a 2017 release. We'll keep you posted. In the meantime, read my interview with Stefano Grillo, one of the actors in "Quo vado?" and watch the trailer..

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Basilicata protagonista della XIV edizione dell'Ischia Film festival: la kermesse cinematografica dedicata al cineturismo

June 29, 2016, 6:50 am
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Basilicata presente da player principale in un autorevolissimo convegno con studiosi provenienti da tutto il mondo, Film Commission nazionali, della Gran Bretagna, dell'Austria, dell'Andalusia e molti altri ancora.  Significativo l'intervento dell'assessore regionale Braia, che ha ribadito come la Regione stia puntando con decisione su questa particolare filiera. Da segnalare anche l'intervento della fondazione FEEM, da sempre impegnata nello studio e la ricerca degli effetti del cinema sul turismo, un lavoro che sarà continuato in sinergia con il GAL Bradanica. La dirigente regionale Patrizia Minardi ha illustrato tre pacchetti turistici basati sui percorsi di cineturismo. Il direttore Leporace ha raccontato il lavoro di promozione della cinematografia lucana, svolto in questi anni in contesti nazionali ed internazionali.
 
Spazio anche alle proiezioni dei lavori made in Basilicata: hanno raccolto applausi e l'interesse del pubblico sia il cortometraggio Cenere del regista lucano Saponara, presente al festival con l'attore Irene, ma anche "Papaveri e Papere" della regista potentina De Fino, anche lei presente ad Ischia con l'attore Dino Paradiso ed il direttore della fotografia Ugo Lo Pinto.
 
Proiettato in anteprima il documentario "L’utile meraviglia, orti saraceni di Tricarico", del regista Prospero Bentivenga. Grande apprezzamento per questo documentario che si appresta a girare in Italia e nel mondo. Presente anche il sindaco di Tricarico che, con la Lucana Film Commission, ha sostenuto questa opera.

Nel festival dedicato ai luoghi del cinema non poteva non trovare spazio "Un paese quasi perfetto", proiettato alla presenza di Silvio Orlando e Nando Paone, protagonisti del film girato tra Castelmezzano e Pietrapertosa, e del regista Massimo Gaudioso. Ai tre la Lucana Film Commission ha voluto dare un premio per aver contribuito notevolmente alla promozione della Basilicata e del cinema lucano.

Il programma lucano dell'Ischia Film festival prosegue con la proiezione di "Cento Santi" di Roberto Moliterni, e del documentario “La transumanza in Basilicata, una storia vera”, inserito nel cartellone delle opere “Fuori concorso”.
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Interview: Vincenzo Mosca of TVCO on "My Italy" and Italian Cinema throughout the World

June 30, 2016, 12:59 pm
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The 13th edition of the Italian Screenings, the only annual marketplace event dedicated solely to Italian productions is underway in Bari, located in Italy's southern region of Puglia. Organized by Istituto Luce Cinecittà, 130 professionals from 30 countries are expected to attend. The purpose is to sell Italian films to buyers throughout the world.

Among those professionals is Vicenzo Mosca. He and his business partner Sesto Cifola run the world sales and production company TVCO that recently partnered with CristaldiFilm to make Italian films available throughout the world. Cristaldifilm is operated by Massimo Cristaldi and Zeudi Araya. Massimo is the son of Franco Cristaldi, a monumental movie producer and three-time Oscar winner for some of the most beautiful, timeless films ever created, including Pietro Germi's "Divorce-Italian Style", Federico Fellini's "Amarcord" and Giuseppe Tornatore's "Cinema Paradiso". The partnership between these professionals so passionate about Italian cinema is a match made in heaven.

Mosca and Cifola are in Bari to present their film "My Italy". Directed by Bruno Colella who also stars in the film along with an ensemble cast that includes Luisa Ranieri and Rocco Papaleo, "My Italy" tells the story of a director and his assistant traveling around Europe in search of financing for a feature film about four great contemporary artists. Along the way, they meet up with a whole cast of characters and problems which greatly affect the outcome of the film.

I recently spoke with Vincenzo Mosca about his collaboration with CristaldiFilm and Italian film distribution around the world.

How is your recent collaboration with CristaldiFilm going?
Our collaboration with Massimo Cristaldi and Zeudi Araya is very good. The library is so rich in masterpieces. Buyers are interested in most of them. 

Tell me about "My Italy." What was it about this film that made you want to represent it?
Do you think the message is universal and will be understood outside of Italy, helping world distribution of the film?
"My Italy" is an extraordinary combination of contemporary art and comedy in the best Italian way. I found it extremely entertaining and at the same time innovative about Italy, her beauty and contradictions through the eyes of four of the leading contemporary artists who play themselves. I believe this will appeal to world audiences.

Can individuals purchase your films here in America or do you just sell to theaters and distributors?
We first look for distributors to maximize exposure, but we do run our own TVOD channel where a selection of our Italian and European films are available for individual buyers.

In your experience, how do you feel about Italian cinema on a global platform? Is there a big demand for it?
I believe we do have to increase and foster the demand of Italian cinema on a global platform. My idea is to create one single or a few strong platforms dedicated to our cinema. I am sure that would work.

For more information about the vast library of films available through TVCO's partnership with CristaldiFilms, click here- TvcoVOD.

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Fellini Retrospective begins in New York

June 30, 2016, 1:43 pm
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IFC Center presents “Fellini,” an 11-film retrospective of the legendary Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini, July 1-September 25 in the ongoing “Weekend Classics” program. With a signature style that combined baroque and fantastic flourishes with more earthy concerns, Fellini (1920-1993) was not only one of the twentieth century’s most beloved filmmakers, but has proven one of its most influential as well. Among numerous awards and distinctions, Fellini’s films won four Oscars, along with prizes at Cannes, Venice, Berlin and other film festivals, with Fellini himself receiving career achievement awards from Cannes in 1974 and Venice in 1985, followed by a special Oscar for Lifetime Achievement in 1993.

The program kicks off with Fellini’s international succès de scandale blockbuster LA DOLCE VITA (1960), screening daily at 11:00am Friday, July 1-Thursday, July 7. An epic portrait of the dawn of tabloid culture, set in the decadent postwar Roman demimonde and starring Marcello Mastroianni and Anita Ekberg, the film was denounced by censors around the world for glorifying immorality, despite winning the Palme d’Or for Best Film at Cannes.

The series continues weekends at 11:00am through September 25. Other highlights of the program include the early black-and-white masterworks I VITELLONI and LA STRADA, the semiautobiographical AMARCORD, the historical fantasies FELLINI’S CASANOVA and FELLINI SATYRICON, the recently restored CITY OF WOMEN, and a Labor Day weekend presentation of 8½, a meditation on creativity starring Mastroianni as a frustrated filmmaker that’s a perennial entry on Top-10-of-all-Time lists.

A related exhibit of rare, international Fellini posters is on display in the Posteritati at IFC Center gallery on the theater’s second floor. A complete film schedule is below.

 “Fellini” – Weekends at 11:00am, July 1-September 25 at IFC Center
 
JUL 1-7: LA DOLCE VITA(1960)
JUL 8-10: I VITELLONI (1953) – 35mm print!
JUL 15-17: LA STRADA (1954) – 35mm print!
JUL 29-31: IL BIDONE (1955)
AUG 5-7: GINGER AND FRED (1986) – 35mm print!
AUG 12-14: AMARCORD (1973)
 – 35mm print!
AUG 19-21: ROMA (1972)
AUG 26-28: FELLINI’S CASANOVA (1976)
SEP 2-5: 8 1⁄2 (1963) – 35mm print!
SEP 9-11: FELLINI SATYRICON (1969) – 35mm print!
SEP 23-25: CITY OF WOMEN (1980)
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