Italian Cinema at centre stage in Los Angeles with the 13th edition of Cinema Italian Style, from November 16 to 21. The Opening Night at the Egyptian Theatre hosts the US Premiere of the Italian candidate at this year’s Oscar®, Jonas Carpignano‘s A Ciambra. A highly-anticipated screening for a film that is already a ‘special case’ in Hollywood, not only because Martin Scorsese believes in the talent of the young director to the extent that he executive produced the film, but also because A Ciambra has successfully travelled through festivals all over the world, including Cannes, where it won the Label Europa Cinemas Prize. A young revelation for Italian cinema in the name of a great film history: Cinema Italian Style, produced and organized by Istituto Luce Cinecittà in collaboration with the American Cinematheque, has already pre-opened with a special night dedicated to Michelangelo Antonioni in the tenth anniversary of his death. The event celebrated the memory of the great film master, but also paid homage to his modernity. Waiting for the full retrospective that will be hosted in December at the MoMA in New York, Istituto Luce Cinecittà organized the Los Angeles screenings of restored 4k versions of The Red Desert and Blow Up, that took place at the Chinese Theatre in collaboration with AFI Fest. That was also a celebration of the historical value of Cinecittà in its 80th anniversary.

Following the premiere of A Ciambra, Cinema Italian Style presents a selection of 10 Italian films from the latest season, curated by Laura Delli Colli, Presidented of the Union of the Italian Film Journalists. Among the invited talents, actors Jasmine Trinca, Claudio Santamaria and Raffaella Lebboroni, and directors Manetti Bros, Francesco Bruni, and Andrea De Sica.

THE LINE-UP
The line-up of this year’s Cinema Italian Style – taking place from November 17 to 21 at the AERO Theatre of Santa Monica – shines for its heterogeneity, a variety of works that have already been signalled by international festivals and industry professionals. As Laura Delli Colli points out, “The selection has never been as ecletic as this year. Italian cinema presents something new, and powerfully refreshes its image by showing new stories and genres. It brings to the US an unprecedented look on reality, but also a renewed creativity.” At least three very important films take part in the line up: Gianni Amelio‘s Holding Hands starring the great Renato Carpentieri (Golden Goble and Silver Ribbon recipient 2017); Sergio Castellitto‘s Lucky, awarded in Cannes for its protagonist Jasmine Trinca (who also won the Silver Ribbon for Best Actress); and Francesco Bruni‘s Friends By Chance that, thanks to wonderful performances by Giuliano Montaldo and newcomer Andrea Carpenzano, puts in touch two distant generations with the tone of its script and a style recalling the best Italian-style comedies, able to make you laugh and cry. Silvio Soldini‘s Emma is in the selection too, a delicate love story acclaimed at the latest Venice Film Festival. In addition to these works by established directors, also two debut features: Roberto De Paolis‘ Pure Hearts, which received a standing ovation at this year’s Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, and Andrea De Sica‘s Children of the Night. De Paolis, De Sica, and Carpignano definitely represent a new generation of filmmakers who finally speak a European film language. The selection includes genre films and comedies as well. A instant success in Venice this year, Manetti Bros‘ Love and Bullets mixes musical and the tradition of the Neapolitan ‘sceneggiata’. A sophisticated and intellectual comedy, Francesco Amato‘s Let Yourself Go! stars Toni Servillo, Carla Signoris, and Luca Marinelli; while It’s the Law by comic duo Ficarra & Picone demonstrates that civic stance and light comedic tones can successfully coexist. Last but not least, Jasmine Trinca plays another single mother in the Nick Hornby’s adaptation Slam by Andrea Molaioli.

Besides the 10 feature-length films, Cinema Italian Style presents a selection of short films as well, in collaboration with the Rome Creative Contest Festival. Claudio Santamaria presents his debut work, The Millionairs, based on the graphic novel by Thomas Ott and produced by Gabriele Mainetti’s Goon Films. Other titles include Hleb Papou’s The Legionnaire, and Alessio Laurìa’s and Francesco Lettieri’s Science Pills.

BEYOND CINEMA
Besides the film screenings, a book and an exhibition organized by the Italian Institute of Culture celebrate the special relationship between Italian cinema and cuisine. In the context of the second edition of Extraordinary Italian Taste – Week of Italian Cuisine in the World, Laura Delli Colli presents the English version of Bread, Film and Fantasy – The Taste of Italian Cinema, a book chronicling the relationship of Italian people with their cuisine throughout 50 years of films. The exhibition “Food and Film Stories” produced by Istituto Luce Cinecittà in collaboration with the Institute of Culture, shows archival images from the National Film School.

CREDITS
Cinema Italian Style 2017 is produced by Istituto Luce Cinecittà and American Cinemateque, designed in 2004 by Camilla Cormanni and Gwen Deglise. The event is made possible under the patronage of MiBACT – Cinema Office, in collaboration with General Consulate of Italy in Los Angeles, Italian Trade Agency, and Italian Institute of Culture in Los Angeles. Hospitality partner: Leading Hotels in the World. A special thanks to Tommy Hilfiger.