Six works at the 2024 Italian Film Festival

"'Io Capitano'' - nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2024 Oscars - is one of six films screened for free at this year's Italian Film Festival.

The event, organized by the Embassy of Italy in collaboration with the Asian Film Festival in Rome, will take place from September 23-28, introducing six works produced since 2023, mostly in the drama genre. The projects will be screened daily at 7:30 p.m. at the National Cinema Center. Free tickets will be distributed from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., starting from September 17 at 18 Le Phung Hieu, Hanoi. After the film week in Hanoi, the event will take place in Ho Chi Minh City.

At the opening ceremony on September 16, Mr. Marco della Seta - Italian Ambassador to Vietnam - said that the six films depict multi-dimensional aspects of modern Italian society, addressing politics, economics and many social issues such as immigration and employment conditions.

I am the captain (Io Capitano)

The project directed by Matteo Garrone tells the story of two brothers Seydou (Seydou Sarr) and Moussa (Moustapha Fall) who migrate from their hometown of Dakar, Senegal to Sicily, Italy. Their adventure begins with many ambitions, but these gradually disappear when they face dangers in the desert, the sea and the lies of people.

I am the leader was selected to compete for the Golden Lion at the 80th Venice International Film Festival. This year, the project was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars and Golden Globes.

Cold Rolling Mill (Palazzina Laf)

Trailer ''Palazzina Laf''. Video: bimdistribuzione

The work is based on a famous scandal in the history of Italian industry. ''Palazzina Laf'' is short for "Laminatoio a freddo" (cold rolling mill), a part of the ILVA Taranto steel mill, where "unruly" workers were imprisoned and abused in the 90s.

The film is set in 1997, and tells the story of Cateriano (Michele Riondino), a lazy provincial worker who, hoping to change his life, chooses to become a spy for his bosses. This job forces him to participate in strikes, "informing" on his colleagues, in order to eliminate them. Only when he moves to Palazzina Laf does he realize he has fallen into a psychological hell with no way out.

At the 69th David di Donatello Awards, the project was nominated for Best Original Screenplay, earning Michele Riondino a nomination for Best New Director. The lead actor Michele Riondino won Best Actor and Elio Germano (playing Giancarlo) won Best Supporting Actor. The film's soundtrack La Mia Terra performed by Diodato was honored in the Best Original Song category.

Zamora

The film, directed by Neri Marcorè, is set in Milan in the 1960s. The main character is Walter Visamra (Alberto Paradossi), 30 years old, an accountant for a small factory in Vigevan. One day, the company suddenly closes down, he has to find another job. Walter's new boss - Cavalier Tosetto - is a football fanatic, always forcing him to participate in matches. On the field as well as in the office, Walter is often mocked by his colleague Gusperti, who nicknames him Zamora after the famous Spanish player. Unable to bear the humiliation, he decides to take revenge on Gusperti, which leads to humorous stories about friendship and love.

Summer with Irene (Quell'estate con Irèn)

In the summer of 1997, Clara (Maria Camilla Brandenburg) and Irène (Noée Abita) meet by chance at a hospital summer camp. Shy and introverted Clara is overwhelmed by Irène's radiant energy. Despite their differences, they understand each other perfectly. At the end of the camp, rather than return home, the two decide to run away to an island off the coast of Sicily.

The work by directors Antonio Manetti and Marco Manetti was selected to be screened at the 74th Berlinale Film Festival.

Trailer ''Quell'estate con Irèn''. video: Mr. Movie Italia

Rapito

Rapito is a collaboration between Italy, France and Germany, based on the book IL CASO Mortara (Daniele Scalise).

In the film, Edgardo Mortara was captured by the State of Pope Pius IX in 1858, and raised as a Catholic child. Through the story of the reunion of Momolo (Fausto Russo Alesi) and Marianna (Barbara Ronchi) with their son Edgardo, the work recreates the political and religious conflicts in Europe.

Director Marco Bellocchio's project competes for the Palme d'Or at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. At the 69th David di Donatello Film Festival, the film won five awards, including Best Adapted Screenplay.

Trailer ''Rapito''. Video: 01Distribution

The Dream That Didn't Come True (La Chimera)

The film directed by Alice Rohrwacher was chosen to close this year's Italian film festival. The film takes place in the 1980s, when tomb robberies were rampant. The main character Arthur (Josh O'Connor), a British archaeologist, is also a member of a tomb robber gang. He has a dream of easy wealth. In the adventure between life and death, mountains and cities, the fate of Arthur and the characters is revealed.

The project was selected by Italian critics as one of the best Italian films of last year. The work won the AFCAE Art House Film Award at Cannes 2023, the Special Jury Prize at the Brussels Mediteranean Film Festival 2023, and Best Cinematography and Best Ensemble Performance at the Chicago International Film Festival the same year.