Couldn’t make the Venice Film Festival? The Lavazza Italian Film Festival is the next best thing.
Australian’s have always relished in Italian culture. Whether it’s the quality coffee, mouthwatering pasta or extraordinary cultural destinations, it seems we can’t get enough. Now get ready to add their films to that long list. The Lavazza Italian Film Festival is serving up 30 of Italy’s best films over September and October. Screening in cinemas across the country, everyone will get the chance to experience some Italian cinematic magic and charm.
From comedies to dramas, to classics and romance (it wouldn’t be an Italian film festival without it), the festival has something for every taste. Kick it off with box office hit Perfect Strangers (Perfetti sconosciuti), a film which asks us ‘how well do we really know those closest to us?’. In this plot line, a group of good friends agree to throw their mobile phones and all secrets they hold up for grabs during a dinner party. What they discover is really how little they know about each other.
New ground is made with Australian-Italian feature The Space Between. In this romantic drama, a troubled ex-chef and a spirited young woman meet at a crossroads. Local documentary 88 Days (88 giorni) follows young Italian travellers working in rural Australia on their holiday visas. You’ll even get the chance to join screenwriter Michele Grigoletti and researcher Silvia Pianelli for a panel discussion. You’ll get to touch base with Italian globetrotters and their expeditions to Australia. Where Am I Going? follows Italy’s obsession with landing a comfortable and secure public service job and sticking to it. Begin your night with Limoncello di Capri Cocktails and get ready for a belly of laughs and drinks.
Check out the trailer for opening nights ‘dramedy’ hit, Perfect Strangers. It’s the first of a long list of remarkable Italian films to be played. It’s time to forget all about Hollywood.
Tickets start at $20 for adults. Or if you’d like the full festival experience, multi-film purchase tickets starting at $70 are also available.
Lavazza Italian Film Festival, Sydney.
September 13th-October 9th.
Chauvel Cinema Cnr Oatley Road & Oxford Street, Paddington (9361 5398).
Palace Norton Street 99 Norton Street, Leichhardt (9564 5620).
Palace Verona 17 Oxford Street, Paddington (9360 6099).
For session times, ticket details and other information please visit: http://www.italianfilmfestival.com.au/.