FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: New Italian Cinema Returns for 13th Triumphant Year in San Francisco at Landmark's Embardadero Center Cinema, November 15 - 22 Eight-Day Series Features In-Person Tribute to Marco Risi, Seven New Films from Emerging Italian Filmmakers and the West Coast Premiere of Vincere, Italy’s Most Exported Film of the Year 10/8/2009 The San Francisco Film Society, New Italian Cinema Events of Florence, Italy and the Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco present New Italian Cinema, November 15–22 at Landmark’s Embarcadero Center Cinema. The eight-day festival is dedicated to celebrating the rich cinematic tradition of Italy and bringing to Bay Area audiences the country’s newest directors and films. The mainstay of New Italian Cinema is the competitive section featuring seven films by emerging directors. NIC opens with a three- film tribute to director Marco Risi, one of Italy’s most celebrated filmmakers and closes with Marco Bellocchio’s latest tour de force, Vincere, an operatic take on the true story of Mussolini's first wife and their secret child. “The 2009 New Italian Cinema festival offers yet another provocative, yet often light- hearted, lineup of recent works by up-and-coming directors,” said Film Society programmer Rod Armstrong. “This year’s edition covers issues of local politics, father- son relationships, romantic conundrums and mafia depredations. Our Opening and Closing Night films, including Marco Bellocchio’s latest masterpiece Vincere, offer rich historical and sociological context to life in Italy, from the Mussolini era to events from the more recent past.” The New Italian Cinema Events (NICE) organization in Florence—working with selection committee members Rod Armstrong and journalists Deborah Young and Barbara Corsi—chose the best Italian entries from the year’s major European film festivals to present in the 2009 New Italian Cinema competition. Most filmmakers are expected at the Embarcadero for Q&As with the audiences. The NICE City of Florence Award will be decided by audience ballot and announced at the Closing Night Award presentation following the 5:45 pm screening of Vincere, Sunday, November 22. Sunday, November 15 Opening Night 6:00 pm Fortapàsc West Coast Premiere Director Marco Risi in person Marco Risi (Italy 2008) On September 23, 1985, Neapolitan journalist Giancarlo Siani was murdered for his reporting on the local crime organization known as the Camorra. Risi’s fast-paced, coolly observational drama pays tribute to Siani’s life and reportage by detailing the events leading up to his death. The writer begins to garner notoriety while covering the rise of brash mobster Valentino Gionta (Massimiliano Gallo) and the ensuing war for power he initiates among vying clans. Over time, Siani (Libero de Rienzo) uncovers cops taking bribes and politicians receiving kickbacks, little realizing how his articles make him a target. With an intent focus on the story of one remarkable man, Fortapàsc (which refers to a section of Naples nicknamed “Fort Apache” for its violence) memorably evinces the tragically widespread depredations caused by the Camorra. Written by Marco Risi, Jim Carington, Andrea Purgatori. Photographed by Marco Onorato. With Libero de Rienzo, Valentina Lodovini, Massimiliano Gallo, Michele Riondino, Ernesto Mahieux. 108 min. In Italian with English subtitles. Distributed by Rai Cinema. 8:00 Opening Night Party with complimentary Italian beer, wine and appetizers, One Embarcadero Center, Lobby Level (the former B. Dalton space). 9:00 pm Fortapàsc Monday, November 16 Marco Risi in Retrospect Experience the broad range of Risi’s talent, from gritty drama to female-focused farce. 6:15 pm Three Wives Director Marco Risi in person Marco Risi (Tre mogli, Italy 2001) In Risi’s farcical road-trip movie, three women from different socioeconomic classes chase their respective husbands across Argentina, where the men have fled after they rob an Italian bank. Beginning their quest in Buenos Aires, the three wives are at odds; sleek and wealthy Beatrice (Francesca d’Aloja) is annoyed by the mousy and anxious Bianca (Iaia Forte), while both find the younger Billie (Silke Klein) a bit uncouth. Various amusingly outlandish situations ensue as the bickering trio chase their constantly vanishing hubbies through the vast country. Over time and distance, though, the women eventually form bonds of friendship. Stunningly shot in several Argentinean locales, and delivering a memorable supporting appearance by Spanish telenovela superstar Loles León, Three Wives is an entertaining tale about female empowerment. Written by Marco Risi, Silvia Napolitano. Photographed by Italo Petriccione. With Francesca d’Aloja, Iaia Forte, Silke Klein 105 min. In Italian with English subtitles. Distributed by Rai Cinema. 7:00 pm Meet the Directors: A Conversation Italian Cultural Institute, 425 Washington Street A roundtable conversation with visiting filmmakers Marco Risi, Maria Grazia Cucinotta, Marco Bellocchio and Alessandro Baricco, moderated by Gavriel Moses, associate professor of Italian and Film Studies at UC Berkeley. Free with a reservation by calling 415-788-7142 or emailing [email protected]. 9:00 pm Boys on the Outside Director Marco Risi in person Marco Risi (Ragazzi fuori, Italy 1990) This hard-hitting story of crime and joblessness among Palermo youth follows the lives of several kids leaving a juvenile reformatory and attempting to reenter society. Natale (Francesco Benigno), hoping to land a construction job with his brother, finds himself drawn back into a life of crime among his hoodlum pals. Mario, known as Mary (Alessandro di Sanzo), returns to prostitution because he’s too effeminate to get a job. Claudio (Maurizio Prollo) is hired as a mechanic only to be caught up by a violent event from his past. Featuring stunning performances by several nonprofessional actors who heartbreakingly introduce themselves at the finale, Boys on the Outside is a remarkable film about troubled youth. Written by Marco Risi, Aurelio Grimaldi. Photographed by Franco Fraticelli. With Francesco Benigno, Maurizio Prollo, Alessandro di Sanzo, Roberto Mariano. 110 min. In Italian with English subtitles. Distributed by Cecchi Gori. Tuesday, November 17 City of Florence Award Competition Films 6:00 pm The Sicilian Girl Director Marco Amenta in person Marco Amenta (La siciliana ribelle, Italy 2008) In 1991, 17-year-old Rita Atria visits a tireless anti-Mafia judge to denounce the organization responsible for the murders of her father and brother. Using meticulously recorded information from years of diary-keeping, Rita’s testimony is the linchpin for securing convictions of numerous figures in the Sicilian mob. Rita is a deep and impetuous heroine, motivated by rage and grief, and Veronica d’Agostino’s remarkable performance conveys all of the character’s complexities. In addition to the film’s nuanced characters, cowriter/director Amenta (who addressed the same true story in a 1997 documentary) vividly documents Sicilian village life and its desecration through cycles of crime and retribution. Written by Marco Amenta, Sergio Donati, Gianni Romoli. Photographed by Luca Bigazzi. With Veronica d’Agostino, Gérard Jugnot, Miriana Faja. 110 min. In Italian with English subtitles. Distributed by Roissy Films. Preceded on November 17 only by the short Lorenzo Vacirca (Italy 2009). A man of little means struggles to make a living while nourishing his dream of buying a fancy car. Directed by Nico Bonomolo, 13 min. 9:00 pm Ex North American Premiere Director Fausto Brizzi in person Fausto Brizzi (Italy 2009) Juggling multiple storylines with aplomb, this mostly comic study of the vagaries of romantic entanglement focuses on six different couples and the ups and downs of their relationships. From a divorce attorney going through a brutal break-up with his wife, to a French youngster smitten with his Italian girlfriend, to a handsome cop stalking his former lover, cowriter/director Brizzi presents a wide variety of idiosyncratic characters looking for love. With a grand assembly of noteworthy actors including Alessandro Gassman, Cécile Cassel and Silvio Orlando, this charming film suggests that there is an ex in everyone’s past who can’t—or won’t—be forgotten. Reminiscent of the best British romantic comedies, Brizzi’s film is a valentine delight to couples of all kinds—especially those who are no longer together. Written by Fausto Brizzi, Massimiliano Bruno, Marco Martani. Photographed by Marcello Montarso. With Claudio Bisio, Alessandro Gassman, Cécile Cassel, Nancy Brilli, Cristiana Capotondi. 120 min. In Italian with English subtitles. Distributed by Rai Cinema. Wednesday, November 18 City of Florence Award Competition Films 6:30 pm PA-RA-DA Director Marco Pontecorvo in person Marco Pontecorvo (Italy/France/Romania 2008) In this heartwarming true story, a French street clown named Miloud Oukili (Jalil Lespert) travels to Bucharest in 1992, three years after the overthrow of the Ceausescu dictatorship, to offer some cheer to local orphanages. When he discovers untold quantities of homeless children living in the streets, Miloud teaches the kids his trade so that they can earn money. To gain their trust, he spends time in the sewers where they live, tries to keep them sober and offers them the tools through which they can find self- respect. Touching and politically engaged, and featuring nonprofessional actors in most of the children’s roles, PA-RA-DA shows how through caring human relations an international humanitarian organization is formed. Since its incipience, the PA-RA-DA association has worked in Somalia, Kosovo, Honduras and other parts of the world. Written by Marco Pontecorvo, Roberto Tiraboschi. Photographed by Vincenzo Carpineta. With Jalil Lespert, Evita Ciri, Gabriel Rauta, 100 min. In French and Romanian with English subtitles. Distributed by Beta Cinema. 9:15 pm The House in the Clouds North American Premiere Director Claudio Giovannesi in person Claudio Giovannesi (La casa sulle nuvole, Italy 2009) Two brothers of different temperaments attempt to come to terms with their irresponsible and self-absorbed parents in this intimate family drama.