Athens International Film Festival

"Italian Film Days" at Athens International Film Festival

Italy has arguably been a leading force in European cinema, having introduced major filmmakers and masterpieces we all know and love. After a sudden step back in the early ‘90s, these last few years something seems to be stirring again in the country next door. New filmmakers step forward, festivals and distributors show greater interest in Italian productions, and the Italian cinema again seems ready to conquer the world.

Italy has arguably been a leading force in European cinema, having introduced major filmmakers and masterpieces we all know and love. After a sudden step back in the early ‘90s, these last few years something seems to be stirring again in the country next door. New filmmakers step forward, festivals and distributors show greater interest in Italian productions, and the Italian cinema again seems ready to conquer the world.

We are happy to present some of the best Italian films of the year, worthy representatives of this new movement of change, as part of the section “Italian Film Days” of the 22^nd Athens International Film Festival.

Three years after the dynamite that was “Human Capital”, Paolo Virzì follows two women on their way to freedom in “Like Crazy”. In “L’Attesa”, Pierro Messina captures the experience of mourning and transforms Juliette Binoche into a Mediterranean mother figure. A love affair is born in jail in Claudio Giovannesi’s “Fiore”. Two conjoined twins are asked to make a difficult decision in Edoardo De Angelis’ “Indivisibili”. Roberto Andò mixes mystery and metaphysics in “The Confessions” and in “Suburra” Stefano Sollima tells an exciting story of corruption in a Rome where it never stops raining.

We invite you to discover the new Italian cinema from September 21st to October 2nd at Danaos 1, Ideal and Pallas, and the screenings of the 22^nd Athens International Film Festival.

The section “Italian Film Days” is realized in partnership with Strada Films and is supported by the Embassy of Italy in Athens, the Italian Cultural Institute of Athens and the Luke Cinecittà Institut.

The films

La Pazza Gioia | Like Crazy, by Paolo Virzì

Bathed in the magical Tuscany light and embellished with humour and pathos, “Like Crazy” is a variation on “Thelma and Louise”, in which two women escape from a psychiatric clinic and experience an adventure full of unexpected events. With excellent performances by Valeria Bruni Tedeschi and Micaela Ramazzotti, the new film by the director of “Human Capital” is a delightful road movie, which expertly oscillates between comedy and drama.

Italian Film Days premiere at Pallas, with Valeria Bruni Tedeschi in attendance

The film will be released in Greek cinemas on November 17^th by distributor Strada Films

L’Attesa | The Wait, by Pierro Messina

Anna is surprised by the unexpected visit of her son’s girlfriend and has to carefully conceal a crucial detail, which threatens to drastically alter their situation. Upon this unusual premise, Paolo Sorrentino’s (“The Great Beauty”) right-hand man builds his own promising directorial debut, weaving a complex emotional web, held together by a staggering performance by Juliette Binoche.

Filmmaker in attendance

The film will be released in Greek cinemas by distributor Strada Films.

Fiore, by Claudio Giovannesi

The beautiful and rebellious Daphne is arrested for theft and is led to a juvenile prison, where she meets and falls in love with Josh. Is their love strong enough to take down the surrounding bars and the four walls separating them? Straight from the Director’s Fortnight of the Cannes Film Festival, a tender, rousing film which, although hailing from Italy, could have been made by François Truffaut.

Lead acress Daphne Scoccia in attendance

The film will be released in Greek cinemas by distributor Strada Films.

Suburra, by Stefano Sollima

A gangster named Samurai nurtures an ambition of transforming Rome into a new Las Vegas, but a series of unexpected events turn the area -and the screen- to an embattled zone. Set to a sweeping M83 soundtrack, the director of TV’s “Gomorrah” excels in the modern gangster drama genre with this explosive story of political machinations and organized crime.

The film will be released in Greek cinemas by distributor Strada Films.

Le Confessioni |The Confessions, by Roberto Andò

During a G8 summit, moments before he signs an agreement which will determine the future of the world, the Managing Director of the IMF is found dead in his room. The only person who knows exactly what happened is a mysterious monk. Boasting a dense mystery, plenty of intrigue and a metaphysical touch, “The Confessions” is the new film by the director of “Viva la Libertà”, with a staggering performance by Tony Servillo and wonderful music by Nicola Piovani.

The film will be released in Greek cinemas by distributor Danaos Films.

Indivisibili | Indivisibility by Edoardo De Angelis

On the verge of turning 18, two Napolitan Siamese sisters, who earn a living by performing, are told that they can finally be separated with a surgical operation. The sensitive performances by Angela and Marianna Fontana are at the heart of this deeply touching film, screened at the Venice and Toronto film festivals.