Cineforum Italiano: Happy Family

HAPPY FAMILY

Academy award-winning veteran director Gabriele Salvatores (Mediterraneo) delivers a colorful tongue-in-cheek comedy about a writer holed up in his apartment in Milan one hot summer trying to punch out a story while the characters come to life around him offering their input on the direction they think the story should take.

Recently dumped screenwriter Ezio (Fabio De Luigi) is having trouble writing a story about two neurotic families whose paths cross when their teenage children, Filipo and Marta, decide to marry. The family members - Filipo's parents (played by scene-stealer Fabrizio Bentivoglio and the magnificent Margherita Buy) and Marta's parents (the remarkable Diego Abatantuono and Carla Sinoris) – arrange to have dinner to meet for the first time, with hilarious consequences. Ezio soon writes himself into his script, and into a love story, while the characters bother him about having bigger and better roles!

Gorgeously shot, playfully acted and energetically paced, Salvatores tips his hat to the film's origins on stage (co-scripter Alessandro Genovesi helped adapt his own successful play) with opening shots of a stage curtain, preparing the audience for the theatrical interplay to come.

The film is being screened by The Italian Language Meetup Group on August 14, 2011 at Letelier Theater in Georgetown. Tickets are $8.00 with advance purchase or $10.00 at the door. Click here for full details.

Director: Gabriele Salvatores

Italy | 2010 | 92'

Cast: Fabrizio Bentivoglio, Margherita Buy, Valeria Bilello, Fabio De Luigi

IN ITALIAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES.

Cineforum Italiano: Passione - A musical adventure.

John Turturro, 2010, Italy, USA, 35mm, 95 min, English subtitles

The film Passione, directed by John Turturro, debuts on July 1 at West End Cinema in Washington, DC. Advance tickets will be available online and at the box office beginning June 28th. The Washington, DC Italian Language Meetup Group will attend a special screening of the film on July 3rd at 5:00pm. Group members will receive a $2.00 discount on the tickets which are usually $11.00. After the film group members will enjoy a FREE gelato treat thanks to a local gelato company called Dolci Gelati. (Click here to RSVP and read full details).

John Turturro's unconditional commitment to Italy and its culture has developed into a unique film experience. Passione's antique scenery, distinctive sounds and beautiful music take the viewer into the streets of Naples and on a voyage through time and space. The film's strength lays in the diversity of the soundtrack, each song its own universe, each its own poem. Naples becomes the ideal setting for a breathtaking odyssey, where the musicians perform on the streets and take over the city's plazas, ultimately capturing the hearts of its spectators. Turturro brings Naples and its heritage to the big screen in a way that confirms its essential contribution to our civilization.

Sorrento Lingue is offering a special group rate for one or two weeks of Italian language learning vacation at their school which is located not far from Naples and Italy's beautiful Amalfi Coast. Click here to see details of the group discounts or for more information you can send an email to Marco Marino at marco.marino@sorrentolingue.com.

Cineforum Italiano: Benvenuti al sud

Alberto is the manager of a Post Office in a small town in the northwest of Italy. Under pressure from his wife Silvia, he will do anything to get a transfer to Milan - even going so far as to pretend he is disabled to get higher up on the transfer list! But this stunt backfires and as a punishment he is transferred to a small town near Naples, which, for a person from the north, is a real nightmare.

Full of prejudice, Alberto leaves alone to brave what he considers the land of camorra, full of dirty, lazy southerners. But, to his surprise, Alberto will instead find a fascinating place, with friendly colleagues, very hospitable people and a new best friend, the postman Mattia, who he will help to win the heart of the beautiful Maria.

The problem is, however, how does he tell Silvia? Since he has left, not only has their relationship been reborn, but to the eyes of his friends in the north, Alberto has become a real hero...

REMAKE OF THE FRENCH COMEDY SMASHING HIT BIENVENUE CHEZ LES CH'TIS RELEASED IN ITALY WITH THE TITLE GIU AL NORD.

Price: $8.00 (with RSVP) or $10.00 at the door (cash only)

Please see the full event details, including location, on the Meetup website.

Sunday, June 12 at 4pm:
http://www.meetup.com/italiano/events/19083901/

Adriana Trigani Book Signing Tonight!

Adriana Trigani lovers alert: The Italian American author and diva will be at Borders in Baileys Crossroads TONIGHT to promote her latest book release Viola in Reel Life at 7:30 p.m. The event will feature a meet and greet with the best selling author, presentation and book signing. Rumor has it that a sequel to Very Valentine is slated for release in February 2010 and the debut of the Big Stone Gap movie is coming soon. Stay tuned for an exclusive interview with author Adriana Trigani and www.ciaoDC.com in October 2009 available for e-subscribers only.

Book Cover Photo by Timothy Stephensen

Event Information: 5871 Crossroads Center Way, Baileys Crossroads, VA. Book signing at 7:30 p.m.