COMEDY is the theme of the 2008 Italian Film Festival which will begin with an invitational opening event on January 17, 2008 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The award-winning 1961 classic Divorzio All'Italiana (Divorce-Italian Style) starring Marcello Mastroianni, will open the film festival.
Released at a time when divorce was illegal in Italy, Divorce Italian Style was an international box office hit which won several international awards, including Oscar awards for Best Writing, Best Story and Best Screenplay-written directly for the Screen and Oscar nominations for Best Actor in a leading role (Marcello Mastroianni) and Best Director (Pietro Germi). The film tells the story of Baron Ferdinando Cefalu, a married Sicilian who falls in love with his cousin and vows to wed her. But with divorce illegal, he must concoct a crime of passion to do away with his wife. A light sentence for such a crime is possible if Ferdinando catches his lady committing adultery. Now, Ferdinando must find a lover for his wife.
The 2008 Italian Film Festival will feature 11 other Italian comedy films throughout the year. These are:
I Soliti Ignoti (Big Deal in Madonna Street, 1958) on February 12; Tre Uomini e Una Gamba (Three Men and A Leg, 1997) on March 11 ; Dillo con Parole Mie (Ginger and Cinnamon, 2003) on April 8; Sedotta e Abbandonata (Seduced and Abandoned, 1964) on May 13; Mimi Metallurgico Ferito Nell'Onore (The Seduction of Mimi, 1972) on June 17; Film d'Amore e d'Anarchia, Ovvero: "Stamattina Alle 10 In Via Dei Fiori Nella Nota Casa Di Tolleranza…" (Love and Anarchy, 1973) on July 8; C'eravamo Tanto Amati (We All Loved Each Other So Much, 1974) on August 12; Io Speriamo Che Me La Cavo (Ciao, Professore!, 1992) on September 9; Cosi e La Vita (Such is Life, 1998) on October 14; Agata e La Tempesta (Agatha and the Storm, 2004) on November 11 and Fatto di Sangue Fra Due Uomini Per Causa di Una Vedova-Si Sospettano Moventi Politici (Blood Feud, 1978) on December 9.
Regular screenings will be held at the CCP Tanghalang Manuel Conde (Dream Theater) at 4:00 P.M. and 7:00 P.M., every second Tuesday of the month.
The 2008 Italian Film Festival is a presentation of the CCP, Italian Embassy-Manila and the Philippine-Italian Association. For more information, please call the CCP Media Arts Division at tel. no. 832-1125 local 1704-05. -- from Raul Asis, CCP Office
