Rome and Naples according to Scola and Marra

by Vitor Pinto

25/11/2005 - The great expectation among the films opening this week in Spain is, just like everywhere else, Harry Potter's 4th adventure, but when it comes to other European titles, two Italian directors show their own views on two legendary cities.

Karma Films distributes Gente di Roma, Ettore Scola's tribute to the eternal city, nowadays a multicultural place, hosting thousands of new immigrants every year. "Rome is an extraordinary city. The thousands of years of its existence has brought us an unique understanding, which attracts foreign visitors like no other place in the world", says Scola, who made an ensemble piece starring Stefania Sandrelli, Valerio Mastandrea, Sabrina Impacciatore, Fiorenzo Fiorentini and Arnoldo Foa. Shot with a digital camera in 2003, the film was produced by Istituto Luce and Roma Cinematografica. From Rome to the south, Nirvana Films distributes Vento di Terra [trailer], whose story is set in the suburbs of Naples. Vincenzo Marra (read the interview) made a film which seems to evoke the tradition of Italian neo-realism, filming tough social realities and casting non-professional actors.

As for national production, Alta Films distributes the first feature by Julia Solomonoff, Hermanas (Sisters). The film stars Ingrid Rubio and Valeria Bertuccelli as two sisters, separated as teenagers who get together nine years later to face the secrets of their family. The second national title is Álvaro Fernández Armero's documentary Ángel Nieto 12+1 about the Spanish motorcyclist Ángel Nieto, the man who, due to his superstitions, claims to have been a champion not 13 times, but 12+1. Grupo Drive handles distribution.
Finally, there is also space for the romantic comedy Le plus beau jour de ma vie (The most beautiful day of my life) by Julie Lipinski. This French-Belgian co-production starring Hélène de Fougerolles and Jonathan Zaccaï) is distributed by Baditri.