Palace Cinemas has unveiled the diverse lineup for the 2023 ST. ALi Italian Film Festival, an immersive celebration of Italy’s rich culture, language, and stories.
Showcasing contemporary Italian cinema, Adelaide screenings will take place at Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas from 20th September until October 15th and Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas from 17th September until 15th October.
The curtain rises with the Australian Premiere of box office hit ‘The Last night of Amore’ (L’ultima notte di Amore), a gripping Milan-based thriller starring the remarkable Pierfrancesco Favino.
The 2023 Festival Centrepiece and historical drama ‘Kidnapped’ (Rapito) comes direct from the esteemed Cannes Film Festival and is based on a true story of abduction of a young Jewish boy’s mysterious disappearance which triggered a global scandal.
‘La Chimera’ is a captivating tale of lost love in 1980s Tuscany, entwining a British archaeologist in an international network of stolen Italian artefacts.
‘A Brighter Tomorrow’ (Il sol dell’avvenire) adds a comedic touch, exploring the complexities of filmmaking in the era of streaming giants and ‘Burning Hearts” (Ti mangio il cuore), shot in black and white against the backdrop of Puglia, combines crime and revenge.
‘The Eight Mountains’ (Le otto montagne), Cannes Jury Prize 2022 awardee and four-time David di Donatello Awards awardee, embarks on an epic journey of friendship and self-discovery amidst the Italian Alps.
Award-winning ‘Caravaggio’s Shadow’ (L’ombra di Caravaggio), starring Riccardo Scamarcio, is a lush, historical drama which explores the enigmatic life of the Renaissance painter as he faces scrutiny from the Vatican.
Documentary enthusiasts will be treated to ‘The Circle’ (Il cerchio), a five-year glimpse into the lives of Italian primary school pupils, awarded Best Documentary at the 2023 David di Donatello Awards.
‘Magic Naples’ (Napoli magica) follows Marco D’Amore on a captivating journey through the heart of Naples, while ‘The Genius of Gianni Versace Alive’ offers an in-depth tribute to Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace’s creative legacy.
A spotlight on Massimo Troisi’s career complements the festival, courtesy of the Italian Institute of Culture Sydney. Troisi’s legacy unfolds with screenings of his notable works, including ‘I’m starting from Three’ (Ricomincio da tre), ‘Nothing Left to Do But Cry’ (Non ci resta che piangere), and ‘Splendor.’
Thrillers include ‘Like Sheep Among Wolves’ (Come percore in mezzo ai lupi) and ‘Prophets’ (Profeti). For family audiences, ‘The Properties of Metals’ (Le proprietà dei metalli) showcases a young boy’s seemingly supernatural abilities, while ‘Supernova’ (Noi anni luce) leads two young stars on a transformative journey.
A companion piece to the festival retrospective focus on Massimo Troisi is Mario Martone’s ‘Somebody Down There Likes Me’ (Laggiù qualcuno mi ama), which combines film scenes, interviews with Italian cinema stars and critics plus previously unpublished materials to explore the life and career of the cinema great.
Italian box office hit ‘Strangeness’ (La stranezza) explores the inspiration behind one of modern Italian theatre’s revolutionary work, ‘The Order of Time’ (L’ordine del tempo) comes direct from the 2023 Venice Film Festival, ‘The First Day of my Life’ (Il primo giorno della mia vita) features an all-star cast and ‘Delta’ is a compelling drama about a struggle between local fishermen and poachers.
‘Orlando’ stars Michele Placido as an elderly Italian farmer meeting his granddaughter for the first time, ‘My Soul Summer’ is the tale of a seventeen-year-old girl who meets a famous singer and discovers her passion for music, and festival favourite Marco Giallini stars in delightful comedy ‘My Shadow is Your Shadow’ (La mia ombra è tua).
‘The Postman’ (Il Postino) will close the festival on a high note with its blend of humour, romance, and exploration of love and friendship in 1950s Italy.
Click here to view the Adelaide session times.
WHAT: 2023 ST. ALi Italian Film Festival,
WHERE: Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas and Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas.
WHEN: Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas: Wednesday 20th September – Sunday October 15th
Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas: Sunday, 17th September – Sunday 15th October.
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