LAVAZZA ITALIAN FILM FESTIVAL 2016
This film festival is bigger and better this year with a program showcasing 30 of Italy’s finest films, of which 27 are Australian premieres and one is a world premiere.
The opening night film is Perfect Strangers, a dramedy which asks, ‘how well do we know the most important people in our lives?’ A group of friends who claim they have no secrets pool their mobile phones and share all incoming calls and text messages. This was an incredible box office hit and a national phenomenon in Italy.
The Space Between, a story about love and tragedy, is the first official Italian/Australian co-production and has its world premiere at the festival.
“This has been a long time dream of mine to bring the two film worlds together. I feel like it’s a natural progression with so many Italians having migrated to Australia and such a mutual love affair between the two countries,” explained director, Ruth Borgobello.
“The themes are centred around love and loss and the collision between the two. Often in life, great transformation comes from very difficult moments and in the case of the film, it is through tragedy that the lead character is able to break through the personal blocks holding him back and transform his life.”
“I hope audiences connect to the journey of the story and reflect on what it means to fall in love and lose someone so important in the same moment,” concluded Borgobello. (MMo)
** Click here to read complete interview with Ruth Borgobello **
HOT PICKS
Sweet Dreams – A touching story which explores how the death of a mother can have such a profound effect on her young son and the adverse effects suffered into adulthood.
Where Am I Going – This is Italy’s biggest box office hit of all time. The comedy centres around the misadventures of a public servant who refuses to accept redundancy.
The Last Will Be The Last – A tragic story which highlights the extreme measures a pregnant lady takes to reclaim her job in a factory.
Sept 13–Oct 9. Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona & Chauvel Cinema. $20-$80 (5 film pass). Tickets & info: www.italianfilmfestival.com.au
