If you are passionate about Italian films and everything to do with the Italian Film Industry, you will be climbing the walls heading for a proverbial breakdown during these hot summer months, there are few Italian films being released from June onwards, non on the horizon in fact before October; films are being short during the summer so at least some news are leaking out, of course, it is winter in Oz so various splendid Festivals are on the horizon, yet it is the bikini clad actresses and Italian stallions in their speedos, prancing on a beach keeping an ever watchful eye on the Paparazzi, not wanting to miss their chance to be in Diva e Donna or CHI magazine, that we are left with for a daily update. I have done my research, you would expect nothing else, right? the resounding excuse is ”it is too hot to go to the Cinema during the summer months”. What a load of old tosh, Italy is full of stunning open air cinemas and even air-conditioning has arrived in the boot, so you can watch a
film in the cool comfort of a snug screening room. ”Nooooo, Italians would not want to see any new films while on holiday”…… Tell that to JK Rowling and Harry Potter, they have opened to full houses and have taken more than 10 million in Italy during its first 6 days, Transformer 3 has taken 7.5 million since the 01.07.2011 and the 3rd placed film Cars 2 has taken 9.5million since the 24.06.2011. Italians will go to the Cinema no matter what the month of the year, they have kids needing entertainment even if the sun does shine every day for 3 months. So please distributors of Italian films can we see some releases between June and September 2012 please, your public awaits you.
Why is Italian Cinema Hibernating During the Summer?
5 (Cinque)
Director : It is Francesco Dominedo first feature, he has previously appeared in a number of TV films here in Italy, will this film be his opening onto the International Film Festival Circuit? That is the million dollar question, as Italian films goes it is not bad, the editing is good, the camara work is well above average, usually the two immediate obstacles for success. The story line ? Well, there are so many sub stories going down, that you will need to be on full alert
throughout. Matteo Branciamore (Manolo) was seen for the first time outside The Cesarone, he has turned ”BAD”. Also very good acting from the other 4, known for their TV work, so why am I not excited? Dominedo has tried to compete with the American Gangster Movies and although he often hits the spot, he fails overall possibly because of a low budget, it was released into only 5 cinemas in Italy so has not had a good start in life.
Cast: Matteo Branciamore, Stefano Sammarco, Christian Marazziti, Rolando Ravello, Alessandro Borghi, Lito Vitale, Massimo Bonetti, Angelo Orlando, Giorgia Wurth, Franscesco Arca, Francesco Venditti, Cladua Zanella, Loredana sofizi, Alessandro Tersigni.
Synobsis: We find our group of 5 in Quarticcilo east, a Roman suburb that lends itself perfectly to petty crime. Our 5 friends have all been to the same correction center or ”riformatorio” reformatory center, where they have served time for their senseless crimes. Our little group grow up, get married leading lives of petty crime until they decide to hit the big time with a large robbery… it worked and there was a bonus in the shape of a briefcase…… belonging the The Russian Mafia in Rome…..it is all very much downhill from there, as the 5 begin their fight for survival.
Rocco Papaleo, a big resounding ”NO” to Woody Allen
Yep, our much-loved Italian actor Rocco Papaleo has no time for Woody Allen this August, Papaleo did the screen test and was offered a role in Woody Allen’s new film Bella Ciao, Bop Decameron or ? currently shooting in Rome. You will know this Italian as the director and screenwriter of Basilicata Coast to Coast and his latest role as an actor in Nessuno mi puo giudicare, No One Can Judge Me directed by Massimiliano Bruno. Has this usually down to earth actor Papaleo gone all arrogant on us this summer ? No, not at all Woody Allen’s production team was not able to give him and exact filming date he was asked to keep all of August free, Papaleo had promised his son a holiday in August so had to turn Allen down, that is what I call a family man, if Italy does not have a ”Father of the Year Award” I think it is time they did, we have a clear winner.
Allen has started shooting in Rome and although the name of the film is still up in the air it seems to be going well. What exactly Benigni and Scamarcio are doing in the same film is beyond me and Benigni…. I should not wonder. Perhaps they will not be in the same story line, cannot wait to see the outcome either way. Below a list of possible stars, could change a short notice.
State side: Woody Allan, Alec Baldwin, Penelope Cruz, Judy Davis, Ellen Page, Greta Gerwig and the lovely Jesse Eisenberg
Home front: Roberto Benigni, Antonio Albernese, Riccardo Scamarcio, Ornella Mutti, Alessandro Tiberi, Alison Pill, Flavio Parenti, Alessandra Mastronardi and our opera singer Fabio Armiliato
