28/09/2022 - The director-screenwriter’s first fiction feature is a boxing movie with a female twist, set in the world of mixed martial arts

Actress Aurora Giovinazzo and director Massimiliano Zanin on the set of The Cage - Nella gabbia

Shooting has kicked off on The Cage - Nella gabbia [+see also:
trailer
interview: Massimiliano Zanin
film profile], which is the debut fiction feature film by director-screenwriter Massimiliano Zanin (who previously gave us Inferno rosso. Joe D'Amato sulla via dell'eccesso and Istintobrass, all of which were screened in the Venice Film Festival, within the Special Screenings and Classic Venice sections respectively, and who was Tinto Brass’s trusted screenwriter and assistant director for over 15 years).

Produced by Rodeo Drive, Wave Cinema and Fairway Film alongside RAI Cinema, the film is a sports-action movie with a female twist, set in the world of MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) and starring Aurora Giovinazzo in its lead role (the young actress whose career was launched by Freaks Out [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Gabriele Mainetti
film profile] and was later seen in Dog Years [+see also:
film review
film profile], among other works). The cast further includes Valeria Solarino, Brando Pacitto, Alessio Sakara and Desirèe Popper, with appearances also coming courtesy of former Italian boxing champion Patrizio Oliva and Fabrizio Ferracane.

The Cage - Nella gabbia [+see also:
trailer
interview: Massimiliano Zanin
film profile] revolves around Giulia (Giovinazzo), a former rising star of female MMA who left the fighting world behind her after a tragic accident which took place during one of her fights. She now works in a small zoo with her partner Alessandro (Pacitto), but this new life is overshadowed by her determination to climb back into the ring and have a rematch with Beauty Killer (Popper), the athlete who caused her to give up the sport. Her new trainer Serena (Solarino) helps and encourages her to do this, and their close bond also helps Giulia to face up to her fears, freeing her from a cage which she might otherwise never escape.

The Cage - Nella gabbia [+see also:
trailer
interview: Massimiliano Zanin
film profile] looks set to be a boxing movie full of adrenaline and surprises, in which MMA – an increasingly popular sport both nationally and internationally – serves as the guiding thread in the story. It’s an intimate, sensitive and touching tale based upon friendship, love, competition and a need for redemption.

Shooting will continue between Rome and Padua (in the Tiger Experience zoo) until the end of October, for a total period of six weeks.

(Translated from Italian)