Film

Fourteen contemporary Italian films took center stage at the 24th annual Open Roads: New Italian Cinema series, hosted by Film at Lincoln Center and Cinecittà from May 29 to June 5. The event featured several North American premieres along with a delegation of filmmakers who introduced their works and engage in discussions. The series kicked off at the Walter Reade Theatre with Francesca Comencini’s “The Time it Takes,” a film that explores her experiences growing up with her father, Luigi Comencini, a prominent director of the commedia all’italiana genre. Following the screening, the film’s star, Fabrizio Gifuni, participated in a …

The 2025 Cannes Festival has concluded, leaving a buzz around the Italian biopic “Fuori,” directed by Mario Martone. The film, which premiered at the festival, delves into a pivotal period in the life of the late Italian writer and actress Goliarda Sapienza. “Fuori” recounts Sapienza’s brief incarceration at Rome’s Rebibbia prison in 1980 for stealing jewelry after falling on hard times. The film speaks to her life following her release from prison, focusing on her friendship with two young women, including Roberta, a habitual criminal and political activist. Through this bond, Sapienza experiences a personal rebirth and resumes writing, which …

In her 2023 documentary “We Are Art Through the Eyes of Annalaura,” Naples-based multimedia artist and filmmaker Annalaura di Luggo embarks on a creative journey to construct an interactive multimedia art installation in the shape of a giant eye. Di Luggo’s project is not just about art; it also tells the stories of four young individuals who have overcome personal challenges. These young people have found a path out of darkness, reclaimed their self-esteem, and discovered new value in life. She explains that the name of the multimedia installation — Occulus-Spei — was inspired by the Latin words “Colloquium,” which …

Directed by the Italian filmmaking duo Massimo D’Anolfi and Martina Parenti, “Bestiaries, Herbaria, Lapidaries” is an encyclopedic documentary that features non-human protagonists, offering reflections on humanity. The film is divided into three segments, each approximately 40 minutes long, focusing on a single subject: animals, plants, and stones. In this tripartite format, each segment pays homage to a specific genre of documentary filmmaking. The first volume, “Bestiaries: Cinema Invents New Cages,” is a found-footage exploration of animals and their representation throughout cinema’s history. The second segment, “Herbaria: The Cure,” is an observational documentary about the world’s oldest botanical garden, founded in …

Chosen as Italy’s Official Selection for the 2025 Academy Awards, Maura Delpero’s “Vermiglio” is a heartfelt story of one family’s experience during the final days of World War II. Awarded the Silver Lion at the 2024 Venice Film Festival, the film is set in the picturesque mountain village of Vermiglio during the final days of World War II. The film follows a large family as they navigate a series of impactful events following the arrival of a reserved Sicilian soldier (Giuseppe De Domenico) who has deserted the army and is seeking refuge in the town. As the soldier forms a …

The Museum of Modern Art in New York, in collaboration with Cinecittà in Rome, hosted a film retrospective in December dedicated to the work of the late, great Marcello Mastroianni and his daughter, actress Chiara Mastroianni. The retrospective, “Marcello and Chiara Mastroianni, A Family Affair,” celebrated the iconic actor’s legacy in the year of the centennial of his birth while highlighting his daughter’s achievements. An accomplished actress with more than 30 years of experience in French and international cinema, Chiara helped curate the lineup and was in attendance to introduce the films, beginning with opening night’s restoration of Luchino Visconti’s …

To mark MoMA’s December retrospective, “Marcello and Chiara Mastroianni, A Family Affair,” we are highlighting contemporary films made by director Christophe Honoré and Chiara Mastroianni. Together, they have given voice to the plight of Generation X through their films, displaying a chemistry not unlike what her father shared with Federico Fellini. Mastroianni shines in the title role of Honoré’s 2010 film “Non ma fille, tu n’iras pas danser” (Making Plans for Léna). Driven by profound unhappiness and inner turmoil, Léna leaves her husband, escaping with her children to the family’s country home. The weekend goes sideways when her husband shows …

In a classic tale of good guys vs. bad guys, “Elf Me” is an enchanting-but-sometimes-creepy tale of one of Santa’s elves, who finds himself trapped in the mountain village of San Nicola al Monte during the week of Christmas, where the town’s two toy sellers are battling it out during the holiday rush. Trip, hilariously played by beloved comedian Lillo Petrolo, has the power to bring toys to life for his boss, Santa Claus. One day, while strolling the misfit warehouse, looking through the toys that were sent back to the North Pole by the children who received them, one …

Alain Delon, the renowned French actor who rose to fame in the 1960s with iconic European films like “Purple Noon” (1960) and “The Leopard “(1963), passed away in August at 88. Known for his striking good looks and rebellious, aloof characters, Delon is considered one of French cinema’s most enigmatic figures. His characters had a lasting impact on international cinema during a career that spanned half a century. Delon was sought after by some of the most prolific Italian auteurs, including Luchino Visconti, Michelangelo Antonioni and Valerio Zurlini. The film that launched his Italian career was undoubtedly Visconti’s 1960 drama …

  The 81st Venice International Film Festival took place on the Lido di Venezia from Aug. 28 to Sept. 7. As always, films from around the world were presented by a diverse lineup of filmmakers. One lesser-known program of the festival, but one very important to young filmmakers, is the Settimana Internazionale della Critica, which showcases both genre and art-house cinema made by emerging directors experimenting with their unique filmmaking styles. An important feature of the program is the presence of short films, both in and out of competition. Having that opportunity opens the door for young Italian filmmakers looking …