|
New Italian Cinema returns to San Francisco this November 11–18 with an eight-day showcase of contemporary Italian cinema.
All feature and short filmmakers are expected at the Embarcadero for Q&As with the audience. The City of Florence Awards for Best Feature and Best Short will be decided by the combined audience ballots from San Francisco and New York and announced at the Closing Night Award Ceremony Sunday, November 18.
Read article by Rod Armstrong. See calendar.
Sunday 11.11.07
OPENING NIGHT
6:00 pm Our Country
A casa nostra
dir. Francesca Comencini, 2006, 106 min
 The country’s financial focal point, Milan is also Italy’s center of fashion and glamour. It is a city where money dominates every transaction, as Comencini’s powerful drama attests. From a businessman whose phone is being wiretapped to an ex-con trying to rescue a prostitute from the streets, Our Country presents gripping stories of greed and corruption played out against the backdrop of a vibrant international metropolis. As the stories intersect and resolve, the lingering effect is a comprehensive portrait of a city in crisis. Comencini’s desire was to demonstrate that “Italy has lost its moral compass.” With this film, she does so brilliantly.
8:00 pm Opening Night Reception
9:00 pm Our Country
A casa nostra
Dir. Francesca Comencini, 2006, 106 min
The country’s financial focal point, Milan is also Italy’s center of fashion and glamour. It is a city where money dominates every transaction, as Comencini’s powerful drama attests. From a businessman whose phone is being wiretapped to an ex-con trying to rescue a prostitute from the streets, Our Country presents gripping stories of greed and corruption played out against the backdrop of a vibrant international metropolis. As the stories intersect and resolve, the lingering effect is a comprehensive portrait of a city in crisis. Comencini’s desire was to demonstrate that “Italy has lost its moral compass.” With this film, she does so brilliantly.
Monday 11.12.07
COMENCINI RETROSPECTIVE
6:45 pm I Like to Work (Mobbing)
Mi piace lavorare (Mobbing), 2004, 89 min
 Comencini’s intense workplace drama features a stunning turn by Nicoletta Braschi as Anna, a single mother with an ailing father who encounters further difficulties when the company where she works is taken over by a multinational. She finds herself persona non grata in the office, taking her breaks alone and suffering under sidelong glances from coworkers. Constant stress and overwork render her less capable of fulfilling other responsibilities. To tell this powerful story of dirty office politics, Comencini cast real unionists who came with their own stories and improvised many of the scenes.
9:00 pm My Father’s Words
Le parole di mio padre, 2001, 85 min
 The spoiled and shiftless thirtysomething Zeno (Fabrizio Rongione) is left reeling when his father dies. He introduces himself to wealthy merchant Giovanni Malfenti (Mimmo Calopresti), the father of four lovely daughters. As the older man takes the younger under his wing and into his home, Zeno finds himself falling for the eldest daughter Ada (Chiara Mastroianni) while another daughter Alberta (Claudia Coli) also makes a play for him. Updating a section of Italo Svevo’s famous novel Zeno’s Conscience and placing it in present-day Rome, Comencini has made a timeless film about desire and family ties.
Tuesday 11.13.07
6:45 pm Salt Air (w. Guinea Pig)
L’aria salata
Dir. Alessandro Angelini, 2006, 85 min watch clip
 An assured film that tells the story of Fabio (Giorgio Pasotti), a guilt-ridden prison counselor given to angry outbursts, who discovers that his newest case happens to be his long-estranged father. At first keeping his identity a secret and barely withholding his contempt for the older man, Fabio gradually allows empathy and understanding to enter the relationship. By offering knowing details about Fabio’s other close relationships (predominantly with his sister and girlfriend) in addition to the central conflict, director Angelini offers an unsentimental, honest and touching film about the complicated yet vital father/son dynamic.
Preceded by Guinea Pig (La cavia), dir. Antonello de Leo (17 min, 2007). A woman decides to put herself through a scientific experiment in order to heal her sick child. watch clip
9:15 pm Any Reason Not to Marry? (w. Scrambled)
Il giorno+bello
Dir. Massimo Cappelli, 2006, 90 min watch clip
 In this riotous romantic comedy, Leo (Fabio Troiano) and Nina (Violante Placido) are a perfectly happy and hip young couple, until they decide to get married. They initially decide on a simple wedding, free of religious trappings, parental conflicts and unnecessary presents, but are stymied at every turn. Nina starts caving in to tradition, forgoing sexual relations and removing her various piercings, while Leo begins to lament the impending loss of bachelorhood. Along the way to the altar, writer/director Cappelli uses different and clever techniques to satirize politics, religion, the challenges of the wedding registry and guest list and much more.
Preceded by Scrambled (Uova), dir. Alessandro Celli (4 min, 2006) A young girl creates a unique refuge from her constantly fighting parents. watch clip
Wednesday 11.14.07
6:45 pm The Ball (w. Everyone Saved)
Liscio
Dir. Claudio Antonini, 2006, 80 min watch clip
Having a single mother who sings in a nightclub and is a romantic free spirit is troubling and confusing for young Raul (Umberto Morelli) in this coming-of-age charmer. Rather than let her continue to make poor choices and have to fight his peers who criticize her lifestyle, the boy decides to set her up with the music teacher at his school. Cowriter and director Antonini is unafraid of showing the misguided, sometimes obnoxious side of kids, and leavens his story with humanity and humor. As Raul’s independent and beautiful mother Monica, Laura Morante (The Son’s Room) turns in another terrific performance.
Preceded by Everyone Saved (Tana libera tutti), dir. Vito Palmieri (15 min, 2006). A vivacious young boy tries to get his neighbor, Flavia, to recognize him. watch clip
9:15 pm Me, the Other (w. Supper at Emmaus)
Io, l’altro
Dir. Mohsen Melliti, 2007, 80 min
 Two friends come to blows when one suspects the other of being a terrorist in this suspense-driven drama set entirely aboard a ship. Fishermen Guiseppe (Raoul Bova) and Yousef (Giovanni Martaorana) begin their trip bantering over musical tastes, religious differences and soccer. A radio broadcast, announcing a manhunt for someone with Yousef’s exact name, brings their joshing to a quick halt. While adeptly building tension, Melliti also shows the way that economic hardship and racial and religious differences feed suspicion and fear. Secrets of both men are revealed as well as some uneasy truths about life in the post-9/11 era.
Preceded by Supper at Emmaus (La cena di Emmaus), dir. José Corvaglia (11 min, 2005). A frantic depiction of a wide-ranging game of hide-and-seek.
Thursday 11.15.07
6:45 pm One Out of Two (w. Carpa Diem)
Uno su due
Dir. Eugenio Cappuccio, 2007, 100 min watch clip
 Eugenio Cappuccio ( I Truly Respect You) returns to New Italian Cinema with an emotional drama about a cocksure, womanizing lawyer named Lorenzo (Fabio Volo) who is hospitalized with a mysterious ailment. He treats his best friend, his lover and his roommate with anger and contempt, full of rage at being incapacitated and vulnerable. As he gradually finds reasons to live, he also finds a path toward a less selfish and arrogant existence. With scenes of the gorgeous Genoa skyline and shore, including some terrific paragliding scenes, Cappuccio shows how unpleasant experiences can lead to personal transformation.
Preceded by Carpa Diem, dir. Sergio Cannella (2 min, 2006). A young girl must save her beloved fish from the wasteful habits of her younger brother. watch clip
9:15 pm Italian Dream (w. Goodnight)
Dir. Sandro Baldoni, 2007, 94 min watch clip
In this mystery-laden drama, a down-on-his-luck hotel clerk named Antonio is burdened by two kids and a suspicious wife, and fantasizes about owning a restaurant in London. This desire becomes possible with the appearance of Raniero, a strange man who keeps popping up bearing lucrative gifts and useful betting tips, greatly improving Antonio’s material wealth. An ulterior motive is revealed, however, when Raniero demands that the aspiring restaurateur kill him but states that this deed might result in Antonio’s own death. As the hapless potential assassin moves inexorably toward his destiny, Baldoni nicely weaves suspense and romance into the constantly twisting storyline.
Preceded by Good Night (Buonanotte), dir. Melo Prino (5 min, 2007). This sequel to last year’s Good Morning finds our hero struggling against nighttime difficulties. watch clip
Friday 11.16.07
6:45 pm Shelter (w. Only Five Minutes)
Riparo
Dir. Marco Simon Puccioni, 2007, 100 min watch clip
 When Anna (Maria de Medeiros), a wealthy shoe heiress, and her lover Mara (Antonia Liskova) return from Tunisia, they find a teenager named Anis stowed away in their car trunk. The maternal Anna invites him home, thus introducing a powder keg of race, sexual politics and class into their formerly bucolic life. As the boy becomes discomfited over the nature of the women’s relationship and turns to Mara for explanation and solace, Mara herself begins to chafe from the overly protective and materially dependent nature of their love.
Preceded by Only Five Minutes (Solo cinque minuti), dir. Filippo Soldi (6 min, 2007). A wheelchair-bound journalist must negotiate five flights of stairs to interview the actress Valeria Golino. watch clip
9:15 pm The Ball (w. Everyone Saved)
Liscio
Dir. Claudio Antonini, 2006, 80 min watch clip
Having a single mother who sings in a nightclub and is a romantic free spirit is troubling and confusing for young Raul (Umberto Morelli) in this coming-of-age charmer. Rather than let her continue to make poor choices and have to fight his peers who criticize her lifestyle, the boy decides to set her up with the music teacher at his school. Cowriter and director Antonini is unafraid of showing the misguided, sometimes obnoxious side of kids, and leavens his story with humanity and humor. As Raul’s independent and beautiful mother Monica, Laura Morante ( The Son’s Room) turns in another terrific performance.
Preceded by Everyone Saved (Tana libera tutti), dir. Vito Palmieri (15 min, 2006). A vivacious young boy tries to get his neighbor, Flavia, to recognize him. watch clip
Saturday 11.17.07
2:00 pm One Out of Two (w. Carpa Diem)
Uno su due
Dir. Eugenio Cappuccio, 2007, 100 min watch clip
Eugenio Cappuccio ( I Truly Respect You) returns to New Italian Cinema with an emotional drama about a cocksure, womanizing lawyer named Lorenzo (Fabio Volo) who is hospitalized with a mysterious ailment. He treats his best friend, his lover and his roommate with anger and contempt, full of rage at being incapacitated and vulnerable. As he gradually finds reasons to live, he also finds a path toward a less selfish and arrogant existence. With scenes of the gorgeous Genoa skyline and shore, including some terrific paragliding scenes, Cappuccio shows how unpleasant experiences can lead to personal transformation. watch clip
Preceded by Carpa Diem, dir. Sergio Cannella (2 min, 2006). A young girl must save her beloved fish from the wasteful habits of her younger brother.
4:30 pm Italian Dream (w. Goodnight)
Dir. Sandro Baldoni watch clip
In this mystery-laden drama, a down-on-his-luck hotel clerk named Antonio is burdened by two kids and a suspicious wife, and fantasizes about owning a restaurant in London. This desire becomes possible with the appearance of Raniero, a strange man who keeps popping up bearing lucrative gifts and useful betting tips, greatly improving Antonio’s material wealth. An ulterior motive is revealed, however, when Raniero demands that the aspiring restaurateur kill him but states that this deed might result in Antonio’s own death. As the hapless potential assassin moves inexorably toward his destiny, Baldoni nicely weaves suspense and romance into the constantly twisting storyline. (94 min, 2007)
Preceded by Good Night (Buonanotte), dir. Melo Prino (5 min, 2007). This sequel to last year’s Good Morning finds our hero struggling against nighttime difficulties.
watch clip
Io, l’altro
Dir. Mohsen Melliti
Two friends come to blows when one suspects the other of being a terrorist in this suspense-driven drama set entirely aboard a ship. Fishermen Guiseppe (Raoul Bova) and Yousef (Giovanni Martaorana) begin their trip bantering over musical tastes, religious differences and soccer. A radio broadcast, announcing a manhunt for someone with Yousef’s exact name, brings their joshing to a quick halt. While adeptly building tension, Melliti also shows the way that economic hardship and racial and religious differences feed suspicion and fear. Secrets of both men are revealed as well as some uneasy truths about life in the post-9/11 era. (80 min, 2007)
Preceded by Supper at Emmaus (La cena di Emmaus), dir. José Corvaglia (11 min, 2005). A frantic depiction of a wide-ranging game of hide-and-seek.
9:15 pm Salt Air (w. Guinea Pig)
L’aria salata
Dir. Alessandro Angelini watch clip
An assured film that tells the story of Fabio (Giorgio Pasotti), a guilt-ridden prison counselor given to angry outbursts, who discovers that his newest case happens to be his long-estranged father. At first keeping his identity a secret and barely withholding his contempt for the older man, Fabio gradually allows empathy and understanding to enter the relationship. By offering knowing details about Fabio’s other close relationships (predominantly with his sister and girlfriend) in addition to the central conflict, director Angelini offers an unsentimental, honest and touching film about the complicated yet vital father/son dynamic. (85 min, 2006)
Preceded by Guinea Pig (La cavia), dir. Antonello de Leo (17 min, 2007). A woman decides to put herself through a scientific experiment in order to heal her sick child.
watch clip
Sunday, 11.18.07
CLOSING NIGHT
12 noon Any Reason Not to Marry? (w. Scrambled)
Il giorno+bello
Dir. Massimo Cappelli watch clip
In this riotous romantic comedy, Leo (Fabio Troiano) and Nina (Violante Placido) are a perfectly happy and hip young couple, until they decide to get married. They initially decide on a simple wedding, free of religious trappings, parental conflicts and unnecessary presents, but are stymied at every turn. Nina starts caving in to tradition, forgoing sexual relations and removing her various piercings, while Leo begins to lament the impending loss of bachelorhood. Along the way to the altar, writer/director Cappelli uses different and clever techniques to satirize politics, religion, the challenges of the wedding registry and guest list and much more. (90 min, 2006) watch clip
Preceded by Scrambled (Uova), dir. Alessandro Celli (4 min, 2006) A young girl creates a unique refuge from her constantly fighting parents.
2:30 pm Shelter (w. Only Five Minutes)
Riparo
Dir. Marco Simon Puccioni watch clip
When Anna (Maria de Medeiros), a wealthy shoe heiress, and her lover Mara (Antonia Liskova) return from Tunisia, they find a teenager named Anis stowed away in their car trunk. The maternal Anna invites him home, thus introducing a powder keg of race, sexual politics and class into their formerly bucolic life. As the boy becomes discomfited over the nature of the women’s relationship and turns to Mara for explanation and solace, Mara herself begins to chafe from the overly protective and materially dependent nature of their love. (100 min, 2007)
Preceded by Only Five Minutes (Solo cinque minuti), dir. Filippo Soldi (6 min, 2007). A wheelchair-bound journalist must negotiate five flights of stairs to interview the actress Valeria Golino.
watch clip
5:15 pm Flying Lessons (w. Phaedra & Red Line) followed by Awards
Lezioni di volo
Dir. Francesca Archibugi 
Pollo (Andrea Miglio Risi) and his best friend Curry (Tom Angel Kharumaty) are two teenagers from Rome who travel to India after failing their final exams. After a robbery renders them penniless and Pollo falls ill, they meet Chiara (Giovanna Mezzogiorno), an aid worker, who takes them to a desert village where each of them learns something to take into their future lives. Using the backgrounds of the two boys—Pollo is Jewish and Curry is Indian—as guidepoints for these life lessons, this beautifully rendered drama sensitively delineates a variety of cultural details. (106 min, 2007)
Preceded by Phaedra, dir. Salvo Bitonti (10 min, 2006) and Red Line, dir. Francesco Cannavà (14 min, 2007)
8:00 pm City of Florence Awards Reception
9:15 pm Flying Lessons (w. Phaedra & Red Line)
Lezioni di volo
Dir. Francesca Archibugi
Pollo (Andrea Miglio Risi) and his best friend Curry (Tom Angel Kharumaty) are two teenagers from Rome who travel to India after failing their final exams. After a robbery renders them penniless and Pollo falls ill, they meet Chiara (Giovanna Mezzogiorno), an aid worker, who takes them to a desert village where each of them learns something to take into their future lives. Using the backgrounds of the two boys—Pollo is Jewish and Curry is Indian—as guidepoints for these life lessons, this beautifully rendered drama sensitively delineates a variety of cultural details. (106 min, 2007)
Preceded by Phaedra, dir. Salvo Bitonti (10 min, 2006) and Red Line, dir. Francesco Cannavà (14 min, 2007)
BUY TICKETS
Or phone 925-866-9559, Monday–Friday, 9:00 am–4:00 pm, until November 16.
PRESENTED BY
SPONSORED BY
MEDIA PARTNERS
VENUE SPONSORS
For event updates, sign up for eNews. |
 |
