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Beauty, we’re told, is in the eye of the beholder. There are some types of beauty that go beyond the subjective, however — the kind that stops traffic, turns modest men into Tex-Avery-style wolves and have entire feature films centered around them. This is the category that the title character of Paolo Sorrentino’s Parthenope falls into. She is named after the beguiling siren of Greek and Roman mythology, as well as the ancient handle for Sorrentino’s hometown of Naples. She is introduced emerging from the sea as if...

At the outset of Paolo Sorrentino’s Parthenope, a young woman gives birth in the Mediterranean Sea while her son looks on from the beach. “Let’s call her Parthenope,” the newborn’s godfather triumphantly bellows as he gestures toward Mount Vesuvius, invoking the mythological siren who lent the city of Naples its original name.

Though there’s no clear allegorical parallel between the myth and the story that Sorrentino will leisurely spool out, the connection between the title character and the land of her birth makes explicit the film’s thematic agenda. As much a city symphony as was Sorrentino’s 2013 Roman odyssey The Great Beauty, Parthenope presents itself as a meditation on youth, beauty, and the passage of time but finally unfurls as an ode to Naples itself—the director’s own birthplace, and likewise the setting for his autobiographical The Hand of God from 2021.

“It is impossible...

“Parthenope” is a new live-action France/Italy-produced ‘coming-of-age’ drama feature, written and directed by Paolo Sorrentino, starring Celeste Dalla Porta, Stefania Sandrelli, Silvio Orlando, Luisa Ranieri, Peppe Lanzetta and Isabella Ferrari, opening February 7, 2025 in theaters:

“…in Greek mythology, ‘Parthenope’ was a ‘siren’…

“…who lured sailors to their deaths with her seductive and enchanting songs.

“Her name comes from the Greek words ‘parthenos’ meaning ‘maiden/virgin’ and ‘ops’ meaning ‘voice’.

“In legend, Parthenope threw herself into the sea after failing to seduce ‘Odysseus’ and a city was named after her.

“In the film, an Italian woman searches for happiness…

“…during the long summers of her youth…

“…falling in love with her city and its many memorable characters…”

Click the images to enlarge…...

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This February, we are getting a ton of entertainment on various platforms, including streaming services, television networks, and, last but not least, theaters. This upcoming month, we will finally see the release of the much-anticipated Marvel Studios film Captain America: Brave New World and Osgood Perkins‘ buzzy new horror dark comedy film The Monkey. So, we are here to sort out all of the brilliant upcoming movies that you might not want to miss seeing in theaters.

Love Hurts (February 7) Credit – Universal Pictures

Love Hurts is an upcoming action comedy film directed by Jonathan Eusebio from a screenplay co-written by Matthew Murray, Josh Stoddard, and Luke Passmore. The upcoming film follows Marvin Gable, a hitman who left his life violence behind to become a successful realtor, but when his past comes knocking back, he must fight to protect his new life.

Italian filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino has set his next feature and will re-team with his longtime collaborator Toni Servillo who has signed on to star.

The film will be titled La Grazia. Fremantle confirmed news of the project with us this morning. There are currently no details about the film’s plot, but we understand it will feature a love story. Sorrentino has penned the screenplay. Shooting will begin next spring with Annamaria Morelli producing for The Apartment alongside Sorrentino’s Numero 10 outfit in association with PiperFilm. Piper will release the film in Italy.

Servillo is perhaps best known internationally for his collaborations with Sorrentino. The pair have made seven films together. Their joint credits include Loro, Il Divo, The Hand Of God, and The Great Beauty, which won the Best International Feature Oscar.

Sorrentino’s latest film Parthenope is currently on release in Italy via PiperFilm. The film debuted at...

“Parthenope” is a new live-action France/Italy-produced ‘coming-of-age’ drama feature, written and directed by Paolo Sorrentino, starring Celeste Dalla Porta, Stefania Sandrelli, Silvio Orlando, Luisa Ranieri, Peppe Lanzetta and Isabella Ferrari, opening February 7, 2025 in theaters:

“…in Greek mythology, ‘Parthenope’ was a ‘siren’…

“…who lured sailors to their deaths with her seductive and enchanting songs.

“Her name comes from the Greek words ‘parthenos’ meaning ‘maiden/virgin’ and ‘ops’ meaning ‘voice’.

“In legend, Parthenope threw herself into the sea after failing to seduce ‘Odysseus’ and a city was named after her.

“In the film, an Italian woman searches for happiness…

“…during the long summers of her youth…

“…falling in love with her city and its many memorable characters…”

Click the images to enlarge…...

"She's not in love you." "But I am. My whole life." A24 has unveiled an official trailer for the new seductive Paolo Sorrentino film called Parthenope, which originally premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. It's now set for a US release in theaters starting February 2025. "Partenope is a woman who bears the name of her city. Is she a siren or a myth?" The extraordinarily beautiful Celeste Dalla Porta stars as Parthenope – born in the sea of Naples in 1950, she searches for happiness over the long summers of her youth, falling in love with her native city of Naples (aka Napoli in Italian) and its many memorable characters. From Oscar-winning filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino comes a gorgeous and deeply romantic story of a lifetime. This also stars Stefania Sandrelli, Gary Oldman, Silvio Orlando, Luisa Ranieri, Peppe Lanzetta, and Isabella Ferrari. The film is crazy obsessed with Dalla Porta's beauty,...

While this year’s Cannes competition titles such as Anora, All We Imagine as Light, The Seed of the Sacred Fig, and The Substance are in the spotlight right now, one you may have all but forgotten was Parthenope, the latest from Paolo Sorrentino. A24 has now set the film for a release this winter on February 7 and have unveiled the first trailer.

Here’s the synopsis: “Parthenope, born in the sea of Naples in 1950, searches for happiness over the long summers of her youth, falling in love with her home city and its many memorable characters. From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino comes a monumental and deeply romantic story of a lifetime.”

See the trailer below for the film starring Celeste Dalla Porta, Stefania Sandrelli, Gary Oldman, Silvio Orlando, Luisa Ranieri, Isabella Ferrari, Silvia Degrandi, Lorenzo Gleijeses, Daniele Rienzo, Dario Aita, Marlon Joubert, Alfonso Santagata, Biagio Izzo, and Peppe Lanzetta.

Paolo Sorrentino is immersing himself in the land of milk and honey for his latest ode to intangible beauty, “Parthenope.”

Titled after the myth of Greek sirens who lured men to their deaths at sea, “Parthenope” stars Celeste Dalla Porta in the lead role. While the literary legacy of Parthenope had the character drowning herself after her songs failed to seduce Odysseus, Sorrentino’s version centers on a wealthy woman who slowly drives her family insane by her beauty.

The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, where A24 acquired it. The distributor describes “Parthenope” as a “monumental and deeply romantic story of a lifetime.”

The official synopsis reads: “Parthenope, born in the sea of Naples in 1950, searches for happiness over the long summers of her youth, falling in love with her home city and its many memorable characters.”

Oscar winner Sorrentino writes and directs the feature, which also stars Gary Oldman,...

Look out, Challengers; another scorcher of a love triangle film is coming for your crown. Only instead of just two guys, this is about a woman who's managed to capture the hearts and minds of an entire city's worth of men. She and Zendaya should form some sort of Avengers-esque squad.

La película llegará a los cines de España próximamente de la mano de BTeamPictures. © BTeamPictures

Ya se ha publicado el primer tráiler de Parthenope, la nueva película de Paolo Sorrentino (Fue la mano de Dios), que tuvo su estreno mundial en el pasado Festival de Cannes.

La película sigue el largo viaje de la vida de Parthenope, desde su nacimiento en 1950 hasta hoy. Una epopeya femenina, desprovista de heroísmo pero rebosante de una pasión inexorable por la libertad, Nápoles y los rostros del amor, todos esos amores verdaderos, inútiles e indecibles. El perfecto verano de Capri, el desenfado de la juventud. Que acaba en emboscada. Y luego todos los demás: los napolitanos, hombres y mujeres, observados y amados, desilusionados y vitales, sus olas de melancolía, sus ironías trágicas y sus miradas abatidas. La vida, ordinaria o memorable, sabe ser muy larga. El paso del tiempo ofrece un vasto repertorio de emociones.

Gary Oldman took the opportunity to clarify his comments about his acting in the “Harry Potter” franchise during the Cannes press conference for his new film, “Parthenope,” on Wednesday.

When asked about a prior comment in which he disses his performance as Sirius Black as “mediocre,” Oldman said he didn’t mean to “disparage anyone out there who are fans of ‘Harry Potter’ and the films and the character who I think is much beloved.”

“What I meant by that is, as any artist or any actor or painter, you are always hypercritical of your own work,” he continued. “If you’re not, and you’re satisfied with what you’re doing, that would be death to me. If I watched a performance of myself and thought, ‘My God, I’m fantastic in this,’ that would be a sad day.”

He continued, “There was such secrecy that was shrouded around the novels,...

Oscar winner Paolo Sorrentino ascended the red carpet here this evening for his latest Cannes competition entry, Parthenope, which was welcomed by a nine-minute standing ovation.

“This movie is a celebration of the journey of my life,” the humbled filmmaker told the crowd.

“The movie is a celebration of the journey of my life” : Paolo Sorrentino says in a speech after the ‘Parthenope’ premiere at #Cannes2024 pic.twitter.com/Z6PhssUcFL

— Deadline Hollywood (@Deadline) May 21, 2024

The movie follows Parthenope, a woman born in the sea of Naples in 1950 who searches for happiness over the long summers of her youth, falling in love with her home city and its many memorable characters. Sorrentino shot the Italian-French co-production between Naples and Capri.

The pic’s breakout star Celeste Dalla Porta was enthralled by the audience reaction, welling up as they applauded.

The cast also includes Dario Aita, Celeste Dalla Porta, Silvia Degrandi,...

Paolo Sorrentino embraced the stars of his latest film “Parthenope,” including Gary Oldman, Celeste Della Porta and Stefania Sandrelli, as the film received a 9.5-minute standing ovation at Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday night.

Tears streamed down the face of Della Porta, who plays the title character, and Sorrentino looked visibly moved as he addressed the crowd.

“For me, this movie is a celebration of the journey of my life,” he said. “I want to thank [Cannes general delegate] Thierry Fremaux for the beginning of my journey in cinema 20 years ago.”

His film “The Consequences of Love” premiered at Cannes two decades ago, and the Italian auteur has certainly made his mark on the festival since. He won the festival’s jury prize in 2008 for “Il Divo” and the prize of the ecumenical jury in 2011 for “This Must Be the Place.” Sorrentino has now had seven films compete for the prestigious Palme d’Or.

Paolo Sorrentino has done a wide range of films but until his most personal, The Hand of God two years ago (a prize winner in Venice), he had not returned to Naples, the land of his youth, except for the very first feature he made, 2001’s One Man Up. Since then though, he has been to Cannes with his films six times, and his impressive list of movies have included The Consequences of Love, Il Divo, Loro and his Oscar-winning The Great Beauty. There have been more mixed reactions for his starry English-language films like Youth and This Must Be the Place, but Italy seems to drive his creative mojo and may be closest to his heart in the current phase of his filmmaking career when he has found new inspiration by going back to his youth, first in Hand of God which closely reflected his own coming of age in Naples,...

Exclusive: Paolo Sorrentino’s anticipated new movie Parthenope has sold around the world for Pathé here in Cannes where the film is playing in Competition.

We broke news of the A24 domestic deal coming into the festival and now deals have closed this past week in UK (Picture House), Germany (Wildbunch – Alamode), Spain (Bteam), Cis (Pasatiempo Pictures), Latin America (Pasatiempo Pictures), Scandinavia (Triart) and South Korea (Aud).

The in-demand project is also heading to Poland (Monolith), Benelux (Cineart), Baltics (Aone Films), Bulgaria (Cinelibri), Czech Republic & Slovakia (Aero), Ex-Yugoslavia (McF), Portugal (Nos), Romania (Independenta), Hungary (Mozinet), Turkey (Bir Film) and Israel (Lev Cinemas).

Pathé will handle distribution in France and Switzerland. Piper Films will release in Italy. The movie debuts today in Cannes. Negotiations are ongoing in the handful of remaining territories.

Plot details have been kept under wraps but the production says the movie will be an “exploration of the relentless pursuit of freedom,...

Sophomore slump? Not for Saint Laurent Productions.

One year after a high-profile splash with its debut film project — Pedro Almodóvar’s gay cowboy Western Strange Way of Life — the luxury house’s production division returns to the Cannes Film Festival with three starry films in the main competition: Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Perez, David Cronenberg’s The Shrouds and Paolo Sorrentino’s Parthenope.

Saint Laurent creative director Anthony Vaccarello is credited as a producer on the pics, and he and his team delivered cast wardrobes. Emilia Perez stars Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez and Édgar Ramírez in the story of a lawyer who receives an unexpected offer to help a feared cartel boss disappear by becoming the woman he’s always dreamed of being.

The Shrouds stars Vincent Cassel, Diane Kruger, Guy Pearce and Sandrine Holt, and follows a businessman who, after the death of his wife, copes by inventing a...

A24 has acquired domestic North American rights to “Parthenope,” the new film by Academy Award winner director Paolo Sorrentino, which will premiere in official competition at 77th Festival de Cannes, the company announced on Friday morning.

The official logline is as follows: “Parthenope,” born in the sea of Naples in 1950, searches for happiness over the long summers of her youth, falling in love with her home city and its many memorable characters. From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino comes a monumental and deeply romantic story of a lifetime.

The film stars, in alphabetical order, Dario Aita, Celeste Dalla Porta, Silvia Degrandi, Isabella Ferrari, Lorenzo Gleijeses, Biagio Izzo, Marlon Joubert, Peppe Lanzetta, Nello Mascia, Gary Oldman, Silvio Orlando, Luisa Ranieri, Daniele Rienzo, Stefania Sandrelli and Alfonso Santagata.

The film, shot between Naples and Capri, is an Italian-French co-production written and directed by Paolo Sorrentino.

“Parthenope” is a Fremantle film produced by The Apartment Pictures,...

In the first major sale ahead of the Cannes Film Festival, A24 has acquired the North American rights to the competition title “Parthenope” from director Paolo Sorrentino, the distributor announced Friday, May 3.

“Parthenope” is the latest film from the Oscar winner Sorrentino, who will be competing for the Palme d‘Or for the seventh time. A24 describes the film as a “monumental and deeply romantic story of a lifetime.”

The film follows the titular character Parthenope, who is born in the sea of Naples in 1950 and searches for happiness over the long summers of her youth, falling in love with her home city and its many memorable characters. From Sorrentino, who also wrote the script, we expect a lot of lush Italian vistas and colorful, garish interiors.

The film features Gary Oldman and also stars, in alphabetical order, Dario Aita, Celeste Dalla Porta, Silvia Degrandi, Isabella Ferrari, Lorenzo Gleijeses, Biagio Izzo,...

A24 has acquired North American rights to Paolo Sorrentino’s Cannes Competition entry Parthenope.

Pathé handles international sales and will also distribute in France and Switzerland.

Inspired by the Greek myth of the siren who threw herself to her death in the sea after she failed to seduce Ulysses with her voice, Parthenope marks the Italian auteur’s seventh Competition selection after Youth most recently in 2015, and titles like eventual best foreign language Oscar winner The Great Beauty in 2013, and Il Divo in 2008.

The story centres on the titular character, born in the sea of Naples in 1950, who searches for...

Exclusive: A24 has acquired North American rights to Parthenope, the new film from Oscar winning filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino, ahead of its world premiere at the 77th Festival de Cannes.

Parthenope is the seventh Sorrentino movie to play the Croisette following 2004’s The Consequences of Love, 2008’s Il Divo which won the Jury Prize and the Ecumenical Jury Prize, 2011’s This Must Be the Place starring Sean which also won the Ecumenical Jury Prize, 2013’s The Great Beauty and 2015’s Youth. The Great Beauty would go on to win the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar in 2014.

Sorrentino’s previous directorial, The Hand of God, inspired by his youth, received a 2022 Oscar nomination for Best International Film and was released on Netflix stateside.

Pathe is handling foreign sales and is releasing the movie in France and Switzerland.

The movie follows Parthenope, who born in the sea of Naples in 1950, searches for happiness...

Thom Yorke, frontman of Radiohead and The Smile, has composed the original score for Daniele Luchetti’s new film Confidenza.

Confidenza marks Yorke’s second film score, following his contributions to Luca Guadagnino’s 2018 remake of Suspiria. As a preview of his latest effort, Yorke has shared the visual for “Knife Edge” and its B-side, “Prize Giving.” Check out both songs below.

Spanning a total of 12 tracks, Yorke’s score for Confidenza will recorded with the London Contemporary Orchestra alongside a jazz ensemble which included Robert Stillman and Yorke’s bandmate in The Smile, Tom Skinner. It will be released digitally this Friday, April 26th via Xl Recordings, with a physical release following on July 12th.

Confidenza is an adaptation of Domenico Starnone’s 2019 novel of the same name. Starring Elio Germano, Vittoria Puccini, and Isabella Ferrari, the Italian drama centers around an affair between a teacher named Pietro and his former student Teresa.

Thom Yorke, frontman of Radiohead and The Smile, has composed the original score for Daniele Luchetti’s new film Confidenza.

Confidenza marks Yorke’s second film score, following his contributions to Luca Guadagnino’s 2018 remake of Suspiria. As a preview of his latest effort, Yorke has shared the visual for “Knife Edge” and its B-side, “Prize Giving.” Check out both songs below.

Spanning a total of 12 tracks, Yorke’s score for Confidenza will recorded with the London Contemporary Orchestra alongside a jazz ensemble which included Robert Stillman and Yorke’s bandmate in The Smile, Tom Skinner. It will be released digitally this Friday, April 26th via Xl Recordings, with a physical release following on July 12th.

Confidenza is an adaptation of Domenico Starnone’s 2019 novel of the same name. Starring Elio Germano, Vittoria Puccini, and Isabella Ferrari, the Italian drama centers around an affair between a teacher named Pietro and his former student Teresa.

Thom Yorke has announced he composed the score for Italian filmmaker Daniele Luchetti’s new film, Confidenza.

Confidenza, which translates to Trust in English, is adapted from Domenico Starnone’s 2019 novel of the same name. Starring Elio Germano, Vittoria Puccini, and Isabella Ferrari, the movie centers around an affair between a teacher named Pietro and his former student Teresa.

Luchetti is best known for his work on acclaimed films like The Yes Man and The Ties. He also directed Season 3 of the Italian HBO drama My Brilliant Friend. Confidenza is set to premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam later this week, but a theatrical release date has not been revealed. Watch a teaser clip below.

In 2018, Yorke unveiled his first original film score for Luca Guadagnino’s Suspiria remake. One year later, he contributed the song “Daily Battles” to the soundtrack for Edward Norton’s crime drama Motherless Brooklyn.

Thom Yorke has announced he composed the score for Italian filmmaker Daniele Luchetti’s new film, Confidenza.

Confidenza, which translates to Trust in English, is adapted from Domenico Starnone’s 2019 novel of the same name. Starring Elio Germano, Vittoria Puccini, and Isabella Ferrari, the movie centers around an affair between a teacher named Pietro and his former student Teresa.

Luchetti is best known for his work on acclaimed films like The Yes Man and The Ties. He also directed Season 3 of the Italian HBO drama My Brilliant Friend. Confidenza is set to premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam later this week, but a theatrical release date has not been revealed. Watch a teaser clip below.

In 2018, Yorke unveiled his first original film score for Luca Guadagnino’s Suspiria remake. One year later, he contributed the song “Daily Battles” to the soundtrack for Edward Norton’s crime drama Motherless Brooklyn.

First images have been released of Paolo Sorrentino’s new Naples-set movie, which remains as yet untitled. Scroll down for the eye-catching first shots from the production, which are a mix of stills and behind-the-scenes imagery.

As previously announced, the feature revolves around a character called Partenope, who, in Sorrentino’s own words, bears the name of her city but is neither a siren nor the mythical figure connected to the creation of Naples.

The film captures Partenope’s trajectory from her birth in 1950 to the current day, accompanied by a host of other characters, against the backdrop of Sorrentino’s native city of Naples, with its ability to both charm and cause harm.

Cast includes Gary Oldman, Celeste Dalla Porta, Silvia Degrandi, Isabella Ferrari, Lorenzo Gleijeses, Peppe Lanzetta, Silvio Orlando, Luisa Ranieri, Stefania Sandrelli, Alfonso Santagata, Nello Mascia and Biagio Izzo.

The film follows Sorrentino’s deeply-personal, Oscar-nominated 2021 drama...

Gary Oldman has been cast in Paolo Sorrentino's new film.The 65-year-old actor has landed a role in the untitled Italian-language drama that is currently filming in Naples.Details about Oldman's part have not been revealed, but Sorrentino's film is about a woman named Partenope "who bears the name of her city but is neither siren nor myth".In Greek mythology, Parthenope – as she is known in English – is the name of a siren who, after failing to lure Odysseus with her songs, cast herself into the sea and drowned. Her body washed up on a symbolic foundational rock where Naples lies.Sorrentino said: "Her long life embodies the full repertoire of human existence: youth's lightheartedness and its demise, classical beauty and its inexorable permutations, pointless and impossible loves, stale flirtations and dizzying passion, night-time kisses on Capri, flashes of joy and persistent suffering, real and invented fathers, endings and new beginnings.

Gary Oldman has joined the cast of Paolo Sorrentino’s new film that is currently shooting in Naples.

Details about Oldman’s role in the still-untitled Italian-language drama are being kept under wraps.

Sorrentino’s 10th feature is about a woman named Partenope “who bears the name of her city but is neither siren nor myth,” as the auteur – who won an international Oscar in 2013 for “The Great Beauty” –put it in a statement to Variety in June, when the shoot started.

In Greek mythology, Parthenope, as she is known in English, is the name of a siren who having failed to entice Odysseus with her songs, cast herself into the sea and drowned. Her body washed up on a symbolic foundational rock where Naples lies. Neapolitans in Italy are also known as “Parthenopeans.”

“Her long life embodies the full repertoire of human existence: youth’s lightheartedness and its demise,...

As-yet-untitled feature is currently being shot in Italy

Oscar-winning actor Gary Oldman has joined the cast of Paolo Sorrentino’s latest film which is currently shooting in Italy.

The as-yet-untitled film is written and directed by Sorrentino and centres on the life of a woman, Partenope, from her birth in 1950 through to today. It started shooting at the end of June, and is filming between Naples and Capri.

Also joining the cast are Nello Mascia and Biagio Izzo. The previously announced cast is, in alphabetical order, Celeste Dalla Porta, Silvia Degrandi, Isabella Ferrari, Lorenzo Gleijeses, Peppe Lanzetta, Silvio Orlando, Luisa Ranieri,...

Gary Oldman is set to join the next film from Paolo Sorrentino.

Announced in Venice, where Sorrentino is something of a favored son having premiered several features there, the two Oscar winners will team up for the as-yet-untitled project, which is being produced by Lorezeno Miele for The Apartment Pictures, part of Fremantle (The Hollywood Reporter‘s international producer of the year) and behind Sorrentino’s last film, 2021’s Venice-bowing The Hand of God). Other producers include Anthony Vaccarello for Saint Laurent, Sorrentino for Numero 10 and Ardavan Safaee for Pathe.

The feature — Sorrentino’s 10th — takes him to his native Naples again, telling the story of a woman named Partenope “who bears the name of her city but is neither siren nor myth.”

In Greek mythology, Parthenope is a siren who casts herself into the sea after failing to entice Odysseus with her songs, washing up on a rock foundation where Naples lies.

Gary Oldman has been tapped for the cast of Italian director Paolo Sorrentino’s as yet untitled, Naples-set new film.

As previously announced, the feature revolves around a character called Partenope, who, in Sorrentino’s own words, bears the name of her city but is neither a siren nor the mythical figure connected to the creation of Naples.

The film captures Partenope’s trajectory from her birth in 1950 to the current day, accompanied by a host of other characters, against the backdrop of Sorrentino’s native city of Naples, with its ability to both charm and cause harm.

There are no details on Oldman’s role, which follows his recent performances as British intelligence officer Jackson Lamb in Apple TV+’s Slow Horses and a brief appearance as Harry Truman in Oppenheimer.

Further fresh cast additions include Nello Mascia and Biagio Izzo.

Previously announced cast members include Celeste Dalla Porta,...

Untitled film centres on the life of a woman, Partenope, from her birth in 1950 through to today.

Oscar-winning director Paolo Sorrentino is to begin production on his next film at the end of the month.

The as-yet-untitled film is written and directed by Sorrentino and centres on the life of a woman, Partenope, from her birth in 1950 through to today. It will shoot in Italy between Naples and Capri.

The film stars Celeste Dalla Porta, Silvia Degrandi, Isabella Ferrari, Lorenzo Gleijeses, Peppe Lanzetta, Silvio Orlando, Luisa Ranieri, Stefania Sandrelli and Alfonso Santagata, but there is as yet no indication who will play what roles.

Roughly two years after his return to Naples for “The Hand of God,” Paolo Sorrentino is heading back to his hometown for another movie steeped in the lore of his native southern port city.

The still untitled film is about a woman named Partenope “who bears the name of her city but is neither siren nor myth,” the Oscar-winning auteur has revealed to Variety.

In Greek mythology, Parthenope, as she is known in English, is the name of a siren who having failed to entice Odysseus with her songs, cast herself into the sea and drowned. Her body washed up on a symbolic foundational rock where Naples lies. Neapolitans in Italy are also known as “Parthenopeans.”

Shooting on Sorrentino’s new film is set to start “at the end of June” and will take place in Naples and on the island of Capri.

Here is the film’s full director’s statement,...

The Hollywood Reporter Roma, the entertainment media brand’s first European edition, was launched in a majestic mansion in Rome on Thursday night.

The starry party at Palazzo Brancaccio attracted 1,000 buzzy Italian well-wishers that included Cinecittà CEO Nicola Maccanico; local Netflix content exec Tinny Andreatta; Piera Detassis, president of the Italian Academy of Cinema; Alessandro Michele, who recently exited his role as creative director of Gucci; and Italian actress Ornella Muti.

The gilded indoor-outdoor setting in Rome had the feel of a scene out of Federico Fellini’s Italian classic La Dolce Vita. Also walking the red carpet were Suburra star Alessandro Borghi, The White Lotus actress Beatrice Grannò and Isabella Ferrari of The Great Beauty.

Inside, Nekesa Mumbi Moody, The Hollywood Reporter’s editorial director, and Elisabeth Rabishaw, co-publisher and executive vice president of THR, congratulated THR Roma on its debut.

“This is only the beginning,” said Moody, who...

"Someone told me nobody can outsmart history… F&!k history." Netflix has revealed an official trailer for an ambitious action comedy heist film from Italy titled Robbing Mussolini (in English), also known as Rapiniamo il Duce in Italian. At the end of WWII, a ragtag group of resistance fighters team up to steal Mussolini’s treasure from Milan's fascist headquarters. They try to steal back all the legendary treasure belonging to the one known as the "Duce of Fascism" - Benito Mussolini. "An ambitious heist movie, full of action and humor" skipping theaters entirely. It's premiering at the Rome Film Festival which doesn't seem that exciting. The film's cast includes Pietro Castellitto, Matilda De Angelis, Filippo Timi, Tommaso Ragno, Luigi Fedele, Eugenio di Fraia, and Isabella Ferrari. This looks over-the-top cheesy but it might be a fun watch. Who doesn't love a good heist movie? As long as it's a complex heist,...

Photo: 'Under The Amalfi Sun' When sitting at home on any given evening with nothing to do, nowhere to be, and no other shows to binge, one might scour the handful of streaming services to find a film that seems as if it’ll provide a pleasant experience to the viewer. They might find it on HBO Max, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, or any other platform, but eventually, they’ll find it. That film may not necessarily be perfect, it may even have a handful of problems with its characters and writing, but it checks enough boxes to give the viewer a decent and relaxing ninety-plus minutes. Its vibe, tone, and aesthetic are the main appeals of the film as opposed to the structural components such as story and character. ‘Under the Amalfi Sun’ is one of those films. The new Italian Netflix rom com is...

The Locarno Film Festival returns to its original physical format under the guidance of new Artistic Director Giona A. Nazzaro, who worked with the Selection Committees to pick out the titles screening in Locarno from 4 through 14 August. Alongside the welcome return of long-established favorites, there are also new items such as the competitive short films program Corti d’autore in the Pardi di domani section, plus a dedicated program for younger viewers: Locarno Kids: Screenings.

In full compliance with current health and sanitary regulations, Locarno74 will once again be an in-person event, with the return of evenings in Piazza Grande and of screenings in the other twelve theaters around the city. The venue for all meetings and panel discussions with guest personalities accompanying their films will be the Rotonda by la Mobiliare, the new home of the Forum.

The Ticket Shop will be open for ticket purchase from mid-July, whereas...

Abel Ferrara’s contemporary thriller ’Zeros And Ones’ stars Ethan Hawke.

Abel Ferrara’s contemporary thriller Zeros And Ones and Srdjan Dragojević’s dark comedy Heavens Above are among 17 films from 12 countries having their world premiere in the international competition at the 74th Locarno Film Festival (August 4-14) under the new artistic director Giona A. Nazzaro.

Scroll down for full line-up

In his first collaboration with Ferrara, Zeros And Ones sees Ethan Hawke plays an American soldier stationed in Rome who pursues an unknown enemy threatening the entire world after the Vatican gets blown up.

Ahead of shooting in Italy...

Sneak Peek Season 2 of the Italian teen drama series "Baby", based on a true story, following students at an elite high school in Rome who are forced into prostitution, premiering October 18, 2019 on Netflix:

Cast includes Alice Pagani as 'Ludovica', Riccardo Mandolini as 'Damiano Younes, Chabeli Sastre Gonzalez as 'Camilla Govender Rossi', Brando Pacitto as 'Fabio Fedeli', Lorenzo Zurzolo as 'Niccolo Govender Rossi', Galatea Ranzi as 'Elsa', Tommaso Ragno as 'Director Fedeli', Massimo Poggio as 'Arturo Altieri', Mehdì Nebbou as 'Khalid Younes', Giuseppe Maggio as 'Fiore', Mirko Trovato as 'Brando', Federica Lucaferri as 'Virginia', Beatrice Bartoni as 'Vanessa', Marjo Berasategui as 'Camilla's Mom', Isabella Ferrari as 'Simonetta', Claudia Pandolfi as 'Monica' and Paolo Calabresi as 'Saverio'.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Baby" - Season 2...

Valerio Mastandrea on Abel Ferrara: "An American frame by Abel is different from any other one. Because he moves people to feel cinema inside, you know." Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze

At Open Roads: New Italian Cinema in New York, first-time director Valerio Mastandrea of Laughing (Ride), starring Chiara Martegiani, told me how he was influenced by Ettore Scola, Mario Monicelli and Aki Kaurismäki. Valerio talks about getting inside the story with the directors he has acted for, including Silvio Soldini's Garibaldi's Lovers (Il Comandante E La Cicogna) opposite Alba Rohrwacher, Marco Bellocchio's Sweet Dreams (Fai Bei Sogni), and Valeria Golino's Euphoria (Euforia) with Riccardo Scamarcio, Jasmine Trinca and Isabella Ferrari.

Valerio is Nico Naldini, confidant to Pier Paolo Pasolini, played by Willem Dafoe in Abel Ferrara's Pasolini.

Valerio Mastandrea on Abel Ferrara: "The way Abel looked at me who observed - that's the difference that he can...

Laughing (Ride) director Valerio Mastandrea photographs Piranhas director Claudio Giovannesi during the Film at Lincoln Center and Istituto Luce Cinecittà Open Roads: New Italian Cinema Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze

At the centre of Laughing (Ride) is Carolina (Chiara Martegiani), whose husband died in a work-related accident. While everybody else around her is wailing and sobbing, she cannot shed a single tear. Her 12-year-old son Bruno (Arturo Marchetti) even attacks her for this perceived coldness and she herself wonders what could be wrong with her for not going through the emotions and motions of the grieving widow.

Valerio Mastandrea on Chiara Martegiani's Carolina in Laughing (Ride): "It's not her fault that she can't respond to a cultural code that says women have to cry and be desperate." Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze

Valerio Mastandrea had a duel role in the Open Roads: New Italian Cinema programme of films in New York. The director...

Chiara Martegiani with Laughing (Ride) director Valerio Mastandrea on crying: "For me it's a nightmare." Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze

In the Film at Lincoln Center and Istituto Luce Cinecittà Open Roads: New Italian Cinema program of films in New York, Valerio Mastandrea has a duel role. The director/screenwriter of Laughing (Ride) also stars with Riccardo Scamarcio, Jasmine Trinca and Isabella Ferrari in Valeria Golino's Euphoria (Euforia) which had its première in 2018 at the Cannes Film Festival.

Valerio Mastandrea was Nico Naldini, confidant to Pier Paolo Pasolini played by Willem Dafoe in Abel Ferrara's Pasolini, and Andrea Bottini in Roberto Andò's Long Live Freedom (Viva La Libertà) with Toni Servillo and Valeria Bruni Tedeschi. He also starred opposite Alba Rohrwacher in Silvio Soldini's Garibaldi's Lovers (Il Comandante E La Cicogna).

Valerio Mastandrea: "Maybe you've got to reach something and stay in the scene even before crying, just...

The 17th Marrakech International Film Festival (Nov 30 – Dec 08) has set a jury comprising Suspiria star Dakota Johnson, Indian actress Ileana D’Cruz (Barfi!), Lebanese filmmaker and visual artist Joana Hadjithomas (I Want To See), Brit director Lynne Ramsay (We Need To Talk About Kevin), Moroccan director Tala Hadid (House In The Fields), French director Laurent Cantet (The Class), German actor Daniel Brühl (Rush) and Mexican director Michel Franco (April’s Daughter). As previously revealed, director James Gray will serve as jury president.

A total of 80 films will unspool at the festival, with Julian Schnabel’s Van Gogh biopic At Eternity’s Gate among gala screenings and also the festival’s opener. Other galas include Roma, Green Book and Capernaum while special screenings include Wildlife, Her Smell and Birds Of Passage. The official competition, galas and special screenings are listed below.

The festival will also feature tributes to Robert DeNiro, Robin Wright,...

It’s quite an achievement to set back gay representation on Italian screens by about 30 years, but Valeria Golino’s second feature as director manages to accomplish that dubious feat. “Euphoria” is a dolled-up mess of a movie featuring Riccardo Scamarcio as a rich and glamorous “entrepreneur” who takes it on himself to hide his brother’s cancer diagnosis from everyone involved. Don’t bother asking why, because the only possible answer, reinforced at every turn, is that each and every character is intellectually deficient. The real surprise is how Golino, whose directorial debut “Miele” showed such subtle maturity, could think that this mess of a script was worth putting on screen. Slick production values, a name cast and the kind of family-centric disease-of-the-week storyline beloved of matinee audiences will equal good box office at home.

If Golino and her fellow scriptwriters brought in gay author Walter Siti to add an authentically queer vibe,...

Actors Cary Elwes and Jake Busey will join the “Stranger Things” cast in the show’s third season, Netflix announced Wednesday.

Elwes, known for “The Princess Bride,” will play a character named Mayor Kline, while Busey, from “Starship Troopers,” will play Bruce.

Mayor Kline is being described by Netflix promotional materials as “handsome, slick, and sleazy.” “Your classic ’80s politician – more concerned with his own image than with the people of the small town he governs.” The Bruce character played by Busey is “a journalist for the The Hawkins Post, with questionable morals and a sick sense of humor.”

Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos made the new casting announcement at Netflix’s See What’s Next event in Rome, where the streaming giant announced a slew of new productions from Europe and elsewhere around the world.

As previously announced, Maya Hawke will be one of the new leads in “Stranger Things,...

After the overwhelming success of Bulgari’s #SeeMyWish social media campaign which quickly reached its $250,000 goal, Bulgari decided to double its charity donation to $500,000 for Save the Children.

The holiday campaign, which ended on Monday, Dec. 11, was Bulgari’s latest collaboration with the international children’s charity.

First begun on International Children’s Day (November 20), #SeeMyWish is a part of Bulgari’s Wish Upon a Star holiday campaign, celebrating the stars of the Roman night sky and the sparkling genius of Italian jewelry design. Bulgari celebrity ambassadors – such as Lily Aldridge, Bella Hadid, Kris Wu, Shu Qi, Jasmine Sanders, Isabella Ferrari, Jon Kortajarena, Lottie Moss as well as Bulgari friend of the brand, Jolin Tsai and Save the Children China ambassador, Ruby Lin – helped launch the campaign by posting pictures of themselves with eyes closed (making a wish) on various social media channels or reposting Bulgari’s Weibo post, encouraging...

While a Venetian touch (gondolas, art, architecture, margherita pizzas) certainly adds to the charm of the Venice Film Festival experience, for a third year straight, cinephiles can skip the packing their suitcases portion of a trip and bring the Lido into their own screening rooms. Venice Biennale’s Sala Web has reteamed with Festival Scope folks to offer an appetite whetting total of eleven features (8 Orizzonti section & 3 Biennale College – Cinema). Announced yesterday, digital tickets for the Sala Web screenings (4€ each) can be grabbed at www.boxoffice.festivalscope.com – but don’t throw your popcorn into the microwave just yet. The 2014 sampling of world cinema/72nd Venice Film Fest is only available during a period of 5 days beginning at 9 pm (Italian time) on the day of each film’s official presentation.

Among the headliner items we find Kandahar helmer Mohsen Makhmalbaf’s The President tells a story set in a fictional...

The 71st Venice Film Festival announced its lineup this morning, highlighted by films from American directors, including David Gordon Green, Barry Levinson, Peter Bogdanovich, Lisa Cholodenko, Andrew Niccol, and James Franco. As had been previously announced, Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Birdman, starring Michael Keaton and many others, will be the opening film when the festival begins on Aug. 27.

Click below for the entire list of 55 films playing in Venice.

Competition

The Cut, directed by Fatih Akin

Starring Tahar Rahim, Akin Gazi, Simon Abkarian, George Georgiou

A Pigeon Sat On A Branch Reflecting On Existence, directed by Roy Andersson

Starring Holger Andersson,...

The Great Beauty (La Grande Bellezza), Italy’s Submission for the Academy Award Nomination for Best Foreign Language Film

Inspirational and awe-inspiring are the words that come to mind first when I think about the great movie just out of Italy, The Great Beauty (La Grande Bellezza) from acclaimed director Paolo Sorrentino ( Il Divo, The Consequences of Love, This Must be the Place) with a screenplay by Sorrentino and Umberto Contarello.

I could watch this film over and over again and still be inspired by the beauty of Rome and the depth of its flaneur, the hero of this film, journalist Jep Gambardella as played by the incomparable Toni Servillo (Gomorrah, Il Divo). In fact, after interviewing Paolo Sorrentino recently at the Chateau Marmont, I feel compelled to watch it again in order to understand the ending’s reference to what might have been the subject of the original and only book Jeb ever wrote which was perhaps (according to Paolo) “about the love he had for the girl -- and you can see that at the end of the movie”.

During my interview, I tried not to discuss how the film carries echoes of the classic works of Federico Fellini as Sorrentino had already gone on record stating that, “Roma and La Dolce Vita are works that you cannot pretend to ignore when you take on a film like the one I wanted to make. They are two masterpieces and the golden rule is that masterpieces should be watched but not imitated. I tried to stick to that. But it’s also true that masterpieces transform the way we feel and perceive things.”

A dazzling tour through modern day Rome through the eyes of Jep Gambardella gives us feelings for grandeur whose beauty can lead to death, to dangerous adventures leading nowhere and to a certain level of sadness. When his 65th birthday coincides with a shock from the past, Jep finds himself unexpectedly taking stock of his life, turning his cutting wit on himself and his contemporaries, and looking past the extravagant nightclubs, parties, and cafés to find Rome in all its glory: a timeless landscape of absurd, exquisite beauty.

The stripper daughter of his old friend and nightclub owner represents a simpler normality as does his housekeeper. Both are touchstones to a reality he has abandoned since becoming a permanent fixture in Rome’s literary and social circles after the legendary success of his one and only novel. Armed with a roguish charm, he has seduced his way through the city's lavish night life for decades.

As an interviewer for popular press, his curiosity about everything is satisfied and dissatisfied at the same time. He finds his yearning for simplicity is sparked when he rather cynically interviews a saintly nun and more importantly, he finds the seed for his next book in the simple, normal lives of ordinary people and in the fragility of those snobbish, superficial, gossiping “friends” with whom he has spent too much time weaving a uselessly complicated life of nothingness, living in a world which makes no sense.

There are many literary references in the film – Flaubert who wanted to write a book about nothing, Proust whose masterpiece “capitalizes on his own biography”, Celine whose opening line to his novel Journey to the End of the Night is also the film’s opening line.

This quote from Celine is a declaration of intent that I followed in turn in the film. It comes down to saying: there’s reality, but everything is invented too. Invention is necessary in cinema, just to attain the truth.

What is it about the Flaubert references?

Flaubert said he wanted to write a book about nothing. This gave him the right to write about the frivolous, gossip, nothing and it acquired a literary standing. Nothingness becomes life. It takes on a life of its own and life’s nothingness is its beauty.

Jeb is living it among awkward, weak people, even hateful people. This is life and all of it belongs to The Great Beauty. The immediacy of the beauty of Rome is obvious, but the subterranean part – like these horrible people around him, you realize they are are also so vulnerable and fragile and that gives them and him the redeeming grace of beauty. The communist writer is emblematic.

Are you an intellectual?

I don’t like to think that I am. I do read a lot. I read more than I watch movies.

What do you do in your free time?

I hibernate. I hibernate until the next project takes shape in my mind. I watch a lot of football. And I tend to my family. I have two children aged 10 and 16 who keep me very busy.

Do you find that the Italian character is theatrical?

In my hometown (Naples), the people are extraordinarily theatrical. Orson Welles himself, on seeing Neapolitan actor Eduardo de Felipo said that he was the greatest actor in the world.

Whatever you say about it, Italy has an extraordinary pool of actors of every sort. They are all very different, from many different backgrounds, but all with often under-exploited potential, all just waiting to find good characters.

Tony Servillo is also from Naples, like I am. He is an actor I can ask anything of, because he is capable of doing absolutely everything. I can now move forward with him with my eyes closed, not only as far as work goes, but also in terms of our friendship, a friendship which over time becomes more joyful, lighter yet deeper at the same time.

Tony Servillo is quoted as saying about Sorrentino:

We have something in common which we both cultivate, and that’s a taste for mystery. That has something to do with esteem, with a sense of irony and self-mockery, with certain similar sources of melancholy, and certain subjects or themes of reflection. These affinities are renewed each time we meet, as if it were the first time, without there being any need for a closer relationship between one film and the next. We meet and it’s as if we’ve never been apart. And that means there’s a deep friendship between us, and that’s what so great.

Thank you Paolo for this interview. I wish you all the luck in winning not only the Nomination but also the prize of the Academy Award.

I also want to draw the reader’s attention to the fabulous photography of cinematographer Luca Bigazzi and the music of Lele Marchitel, who juxtaposes original music with repertory music of sacred and profane, pop music reflecting the city itself and to the extraordinary pool of actors, Toni Servillo, Carlo Verdone, Sabrina Ferilli, Carlo Buccirosso, Iaia Forte, Pamela Villoresi and Galatea Ranzi, Massimo de Francovich, Roberto Herlitzka and Isabella Ferrari.

Manohla Dargis of the New York Times called this visually spectacular film “an outlandishly entertaining hallucination”, and according to Variety’s Jay Weissberg it’s an “astonishing cinematic feast”.

This rapturous highlight of this year's Cannes Film Festival, where it played in Competition was acquired for U.S. by Janus Films who will release it theatrically in N.Y. on November 15, L.A. on November 22, expanding to other cities on November 29, with a home video release from the Criterion Collection.

“We were swept away by this gorgeous, moving film at Cannes”, said Peter Becker, president of the Criterion Collection and a partner in Janus Films. “Sorrentino is one of the most exciting directors working today, and Toni Servillo gives another majestic, multilayered performance.”

The deal to distribute Sorrentino’s film in the U.S. was struck with international distributor Pathé. “Janus has over the years become a valued partner in the promotion of Pathé’s heritage in the U.S. through its releases of our library titles, and we are, of course, thrilled to once again partner up with this company for the release of this film which represents the finest of Italian cinema today and at the same time pays a respectful homage to its nation’s cinematic past”, said Muriel Sauzay, Evp, International Sales.

For more information on the film visit Here

La Grande Bellezza (The Great Beauty) also screened at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival and was recently award the European Film Academy award for its editing by Cristiano Travaglioli. Since its Cannes debut, it has sold to Australia - Palace Films , Austria - Filmladen , Benelux - Abc - Cinemien , Brazil - Mares Filmes Ltda. , Canada - Mongrel Media, Métropole Films Distribution , Czech Republic - Film Europe, Denmark - Camera Film A/S , Estonia -Must Käsi, France - Canal + , Germany - Dcm , Greece - Feelgood Entertainment, Hong Kong (China) - Edko Films Ltd , Israel - United King Films, Italy - Medusa Distribuzione, Norway - As Fidalgo Film Distribution , Portugal - Lusomundo, Russia - A-One Films , Slovak Republic - Film Europe (Sk) , Switzerland - Pathe Films Ag , United Kingdom - Curzon Film World...

Emerging Pictures recently announced “Cinema Made In Italy,” a major new initiative between Istituto Luce- Cinecittà, the Italian Trade Commission and Emerging Pictures that will pro-vide distribution and marketing support to five major Italian films with the goal of broadening the audience for Italian cinema in the United States. Emerging will oversee the initiative and distribute Gianni Amelio’s L’Intrepido, Marco Bellocchio’s Dormant Beauty, Bernardo Bertolucci’s Me And You and Valeria Golino’s Honey in 2014.

These four recent Italian works will receive marketing and distribution support from a fund created by Istituto Luce- Cinecittà and the Italian Trade Commission. The first film in the series was Paolo Sorrentino’s masterful Academy Award nominated The Great Beauty. Since it was released by Janus Films with support from the Cinema Made In Italy program, it has become one of the most acclaimed foreign language films of the year. It also won the Golden Globe, European Film Award and is nominated for the BAFTA and Film Independent Spirit Award for Best Foreign Film.

All five films will receive a nationwide release. Theaters will be announced shortly. Each of the films will have a full marketing and publicity campaign overseen by Emerging Pictures and supported by Istituto Luce-Cinecittà and the Italian Trade Commission.

Ira Deutchman, Managing Partner of Emerging Pictures, said, “Italian cine- ma has always captured the imagination of American audiences since the hey-day of Fellini, Pasolini, Visconti, De Sica and Rossellini. Our goal is to create a marketing and distribution initiative that will allow new Italian films to regularly enter the marketplace with a presence and to help create an ongoing new audience. We’re thrilled to be working with Istituto Luce-Cinecittà and the Italian Trade Commission to create this truly groundbreaking program.”

“Luce Cinecitta' is proud to test this new way to promote Italian cinema abroad,” said Istituto Luce-Cinecitta’ Chief Executive Officer Roberto Cicut- to. “Thanks to the funds provided by the Ministry of Economic Development and The Italian Trade Commission (Agenzia Ice) in addition to those provid- ed by the Ministry of Culture in partnership with Emerging Pictures, we will be able to give the largest theatrical distribution to recent Italian titles direct- ed by very prestigious auteurs. Italian cinema is well known worldwide for its glorious past and for such great contemporary directors as Bertolucci, Bellocchio, Moretti, Sorrentino, Garrone, Amelio and others. This new platform will give our movies the chance to be seen in a wide array of theaters throughout the U.S., and not just in specialized art houses in a few big cities. The recent outstanding success of Sorrentino's ‘Great Beauty,’ a Janus release, with our support, shows there is great potential here for Italian cinema. We look for- ward to increasing the availability of Italian films to our American friends.”

Dr. Carlo Angelo Bocchi, Trade Commissioner, Italian Trade Commission, said, "We have been working in the past two years with all the institutions mentioned by Roberto with two main goals: to get the Italian movie industry as the most important made-in-Italy tool for the commercial promotion of our country in the U.S., to try to reach the widest possible audience for viewing Italian movies. The support of different public institutions was central to building a project that was from the outset commercial: the movie industry is quintessentially important to promoting wine, food, fashion, design, technology, tourism and Italian style, together with the expression of our cultural values, trends and innovations. Italian cinema provides a single, comprehensive tool for achieving that meaningful goal. With ‘The Great Beauty,’ our first film, Cinema Made in Italy makes its debut in 25 cities, in more than 100 theaters in 15 states. This far-reaching exposure is exactly what we were searching for in our partnership with Emerging Pictures, and we are very happy that this first film in our Italian movie series is already appearing throughout the United States.”

About Emerging Pictures

Emerging Pictures, managed by Barry Rebo and Ira Deutchman, is the pre- mier all-digital Specialty Film and Alternative Content network of theaters in the United States. The company delivers independent films, cultural pro- grams and special events to a network of approximately 400 North American venues encompassing traditional art houses, museums and performing arts centers as well as commercial multiplexes including Allen Theatres, Angelika/ Reading Theatres, Big Cinemas, Bow Tie Cinemas, Marcus Theatres, Carmike Cinemas, Digiplex Destination Cinemas, Harkins Theatres, Laemmle Theaters, Muvico Theaters, Regency Theatres and others. The company also distributes live and captured live performances worldwide of the Bolshoi Ballet and some of the world’s foremost opera houses, including Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, under its Ballet in Cinema and Opera in Cinema brands.

About Istituto Luce-Cinecitta

Istituto Luce - Cinecittà (www.cinecittaluce.it) is the state-owned company whose main shareholder is the Italian Ministry for Culture. Istituto Luce - Cinecittà’s institutional work includes promoting Italian cinema both at home and abroad by means of projects dedicated to the great directors of the past and their classic films, as well contemporary ones. During the main In- ternational Film Festivals Istituto Luce - Cinecittà prepares multifunctional spaces that help to the promotion of our cinematography and it is the refer- ence place for all Italian and foreign operators Istituto Luce - Cinecittà holds one of the most important film and photographic archive both of its own pro- ductions, and private collections and acquisitions from a variety of sources. Istituto Luce - Cinecittà also distributes films made by Italian and European directors and guarantees they are given an adequate release on the national market. The team for the promotion of contemporary cinema continues to col- laborate with all of the major film festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Toronto, Shanghai, Tokyo, Locarno, New York , London, etc, by orga- nizing the national selections, the presence of Italian films and artists in the various festivals, and providing an expository and promotional space within all the major International film markets. We are also involved with the orga- nization of numerous events which take place in countries with strong com- mercial potential such as : The Italian cinema festival in Tokyo, Open Roads – New Italian cinema in New York, Cinema Italian Style in Los Angeles, The Festival of Italian cinema of Barcelona and The Mittelcinemafest. Istituto

Luce - Cinecittà also owns a film library, Cineteca, which contains around 3000 titles of the most significant Italian film productions, subtitled in foreign languages, which serve in promoting Italian culture at major national and in- ternational Institutes around the world. Istituto Luce - Cinecittà is also re- sponsible for editing a daily news magazine on-line: CinecittàNews (news.cinecitta.com) which delivers the latest breaking news on the principal activities involving Italian cinema as well as its developing legislative and in- stitutional aspects.

About The Italian Trade Commission The Ice-Italian Trade Promotion Agency is the government organization which promotes the internationalization of the Italian companies, in line with the strategies of the Ministry for Economic Development. Ice provides in- formation, support and advice to Italian and foreign companies. In addition to its Rome headquarters, Ice operates worldwide from a large network of Trade Promotion Offices linked to Italian embassies and consulates and work- ing closely with local authorities and businesses. Ice provides a wide range of services overseas helping Italian and foreign businesses to connect with each other

About The Films

Dormant Beauty (Bella Addormentata)

Release Date: Tbc Director: Marco Bellocchio Producer: Riccardo Tozzi, Fabio Conversi, Marco Chimenz, Giovanni Sta- bilini

Screenplay: Marco Bellocchio, Veronica Raimo, Stefano Rulli Cast: Toni Servillo, Isabelle Huppert, Alba Rohrwacher Festivals: Venice 2012, Toronto 2012

Three stories, taking place over the course of a few days, involving a con- science-stricken politician, an obsessive mother and two young protestors on different sides, are skillfully interwoven in this gripping, beautifully realized film. Set against the background of the emotional and controversial real-life 2008 euthanasia case of Eluana Englaro, Dormant Beauty is a subtle and complex depiction of recent Italian history.

The Great Beauty

(released by Janus Films) - In Release Director: Paolo Sorrentino (Il Divo) Producer: Nicola Giuliano, Francesca Cima Screenwriter: Paolo Sorrentino, Umberto Contarello Cast: Toni Servillo, Carlo Verdone, Sabrina Ferrili, Carlo Buccirosso, Iaia Forte, Pamela Villoresi, Galatea Ranzi with Massimo de Francovich, Roberto Herlitzka, and with Isabella Ferrari Festivals: Cannes (Competition) 2013, Toronto 2013, AFI 2013, Italy’s Official Entry to the 2014 Academy Awards Awards: 4 European Film Award nominations (Picture, Director, Screenplay, Actor and winner for Best Editing), Best Foreign Film nominee for British In- dependent Film Awards

Journalist Jep Gambardella (the dazzling Toni Servillo, Il Divo and Go- Morrah) has charmed and seduced his way through the lavish nightlife of Rome for decades. Since the legendary success of his one and only novel, he has been a permanent fixture in the city's literary and social circles, but when his sixty-fifth birthday coincides with a shock from the past, Jep finds himself unexpectedly taking stock of his life, turning his cutting wit on himself and his contemporaries, and looking past the extravagant nightclubs, parties, and cafés to find Rome in all its glory: a timeless landscape of absurd, exquisite beauty.

Honey (Miele)

Release Date: March 7, 2014 Director: Valeria Golino Producer: Viola Prestieri, Riccardo Scamarcio, Anne-Dominique Toussaint, Raphael Berdugo Screenplay: Valeria Golino, Valia Santella, Francesca Marciano, from the novel by Angela Del Fabbro with the same title Cast: Jasmine Trinca, Carlo Cecchi, Libero De Rienzo, Vinicio Marchioni, Iaia Forte, Roberto De Francesco, Barbara Ronchi, Claudio Guain, Teresa Acerbis, Valeria Bilello, Massimiliano Iacolucci Festivals: Cannes (Un Certain Regard) 2013, Toronto 2013 Prizes: Winner Special Mention from the Ecumenical Jury, Cannes 2013 Nominated for European Discovery at the European Film Awards 2013

Actress Valeria Golino makes her directing debut with Honey. Irene lives alone on the coastline outside Rome. To her father and her married lover, she’s a student. In reality, she often travels to Mexico where she can legally buy a powerful barbiturate. Working under the name of Miele ("Honey"), her clandestine job is to help terminally-ill people to die with dignity by giving them the drug. One day she supplies a new “client” with a fatal dose, only to find out he’s perfectly healthy but tired of life. Irene is determined not to be responsible for his suicide. From this point on, Irene and Grimaldi are unwill- ingly locked in an intense and moving relationship which will change Irene’s life forever.

L’Intrepido

Release Date - To Be Confirmed Director: Gianni Amelio Producer: Carlo Degli Esposti Screenplay: Gianni Amelio, Davide Lantieri Cast: Antonio Albanese, Sandra Ceccarelli, Livia Rossi, Gabriele Rendina, Alfonso Santagata

Festivals: Venice 2013, Toronto 2013

Set in modern day Milan, this is a Chaplinesque odyssey through the world of work – every type of work, but primarily unskilled manual labor – seen through the eyes of a kind, middle-aged man who takes on every conceivable temporary job in order to be useful and have self respect. This really is a por- trait of the highs and lows of modern life. At its heart is a sympathetic man (Antonio Albanese) who, despite loneliness and personal family problems, es- pecially around his gifted but troubled musician son, remains defiantly opti- mistic even when terrible things happen to him and the people he meets.

Me And You (Io E Te)

Release Date: To Be Confirmed

Director: Bernardo Bertolucci Screenplay: Bernardo Bertolucci, Niccolo Ammaniti, Umberto Contarello Producer: Mario Gianani Cast: Tea Falco, Jacopo Olmo Antinori Festivals: Cannes, Toronto

Lorenzo, a solitary 14-year-old with difficulties relating to his daily life and the world around him, chooses to spend a week hidden in the basement of his house. But Lorenzo’s fragile and rebellious stepsister, Olivia, appears at her brother’s place of refuge and disturbs the quiet.