IFF24 There's Still Tomorrow

The highest grossing film of 2023 in Italy, THERE'S STILL TOMORROW is a vibrant, moving drama starring Paola Cortellesi (LIKE A CAT ON A HIGHWAY) in her directorial debut. Delia (Cortellesi) lives in a working-class community in Rome in the late 1940s – a city divided between the positive thrust of liberation and the miseries of the war that has just ended – with her domineering husband, Ivano (Valerio Mastandrea,PERFECT STRANGERS), their three children, and father-in-law. She rises above the daily challenges of family life; has a best friend with whom to share moments of levity, and dreams for her daughter Marcella to one day have a better life. Delia accepts her fate – the good with the bad – until one day a mysterious letter arrives. Shot in resplendent black and white, in the style of post-World War II Italian neorealist filmmakers, THERE'S STILL TOMORROW is a critically acclaimed, bittersweet and empowering tale tinged with a comedic irony.

IFF24 Conclave

From acclaimed director Edward Berger (ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT) comes all-star dramatic thriller CONCLAVE which follows one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events – selecting a new Pope. Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is tasked with running this covert, centuries-old process after the unexpected death of the beloved Pope. Once the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders have gathered from around the world and are locked together in the Vatican halls, Lawrence finds himself at the centre of a conspiracy and discovers a secret that could shake the very foundation of The Church. Based on Robert Harris' internationally bestselling eponymous novel, with a screenplay by Peter Straughan (TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDER, SPY) and score by composer Volker Bertelmann (ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT), this gripping film set over a few days in Vatican City is brimming with tension and intrigue. Featuring an all-star ensemble cast including Stanley Tucci, Isabella Rossellini, Sergio Castellitto and John Lithgow, CONCLAVE is a lavish and complex tale of ambition, morality and the structures of power.

IFF24 Gloria!

Written and directed by dynamic Italian actress and singer Margherita Vicario, GLORIA! depicts the music-fuelled story of an overlooked maid at a Venetian refuge whose hidden talent helps inspire an uprising. 1800. Teresa (rising star Galatéa Bellugi, THE TASTE OF THINGS) is a gifted young songsmith who endures Cinderella-like status at the Sant’Ignazio Institute - a religious institution for girls. There, residents are musically trained by stern chapel master Perlina (Paolo Rossi). One day, a local craftsman gifts the Institute with a modern and immediately distrusted instrument: a piano. Relegated to the basement, Teresa finds it and begins to explore the keys, unlocking her musical abilities and attracting the attention of the girls upstairs. When news arrives of an imminent visit by the new Pope, the college is thrown into chaos. With Perlina distracted, the girls gather secretly, taking turns on the piano where they begin to compose something new and exciting. Celebrating the lives of Italian women written out of the pages of music history, GLORIA! is a foot-stomping fun ride not to be missed.

IFF24 Marcello Mio

Led by the real-life mother-daughter duo of Catherine Deneuve and Chiara Mastroianni, this new film from acclaimed writer/director Christophe Honoré is a joyous imagining of the lives of a creative family, centring on the legacy of the great Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni. Paris, present day: Actress Chiara (Mastroianni) has grown up under the overpowering shadow of not only her famous mother (Deneuve), but also her long-deceased father Marcello, the iconic star of LA DOLCE VITA, MARRIAGE ITALIAN STYLE and 8½. On a whim, she adopts Marcello's dress and mannerisms. Her incredulous mother and friends (including fellow actors Fabrice Luchini, Melvil Poupaud, Nicole Garcia and Benjamin Biolay, all playing versions of themselves, CALL MY AGENT!-style) believe it's all a bit of fun, but instead find that Chiara is determined not to abandon her new identity, even as a new romance beckons. Deliciously delving into the concept of family lineage and one’s own identity, MARCELLO MIO is a playful comedy that finds Honoré at his most inventive and delectable best.

IFF24 Comandante

The formidable Pierfrancesco Favino delivers a powerhouse performance in gripping maritime thriller COMANDANTE, which opened the 2023 Venice Film Festival. Directed and co-written by Edoardo de Angelis with a tense score co-written by Massive Attack’s Robert Del Naja and based on incredible true events, it follows Salvatore Todaro (Favino) who commands the Italian Royal Navy submarine Cappellini in October 1940. While navigating in the Atlantic Ocean one dark night, the Cappellini comes upon an armed merchant ship sailing with lights out. The ship suddenly opens fire on the submarine and its Italian crew, and a brief but violent battle ensues. Then Todaro makes a selfless decision that contravenes orders and makes history. Soon forced to navigate on the surface of the water, visible to the enemy, the submariners' lives are put at risk in this epic test of courage. Featuring authentically rendered set design, that included the full reconstruction of a real submarine, COMANDANTE delivers a tense and exciting story of wartime humanity on the high seas.

IFF24 Parthenope

The new film from Academy Award-winner Paolo Sorrentino (The Great Beauty, Youth, The New Pope) Parthenope is a visually and aurally stunning, decades-spanning romantic drama about a Neapolitan woman named after the mythical siren who once lent her name to the city of Naples. In 1950, near the Bay of Naples, young Parthenope is born in the Mediterranean Sea, just outside the crumbling castle where she will spend her childhood. As the summers pass, Parthenope (portrayed by breakout star Celeste Dalla Porta) grows into a statuesque and intellectually captivating young woman. She soon learns to navigate the complexities of an emotionally volatile family, the attention of boys, and the expectations of academia, studying under her anthropology professor (Silvio Orlando). An intoxicating reflection on objectification, and the way people see themselves and others, Sorrentino provocatively shifts between the sacred and the profane. With gasp-worthy visuals from award-winning cinematographer Daria D’Antonio (THE HAND OF GOD) and fashion design by Saint Laurent, PARTHENOPE is a spectacular, challenging and immersive experience.

IFF24 A World Apart

A box office hit in Italy, this heartwarming dramatic comedy from Riccardo Milani (LIKE A CAT ON A HIGHWAY 1 & 2) explores small town life and the power of education. After 40 years of teaching in the metropolitan jungle of Rome, primary school teacher Michele Cortese (Antonio Albanese) moves to an idyllic village in the heart of the Abruzzo National Park, to teach at a tiny school with only a handful of students aged seven to ten. He struggles to overcome the challenges of small-town life to entertaining results but finds a friendly face in vice-principal Agnese (Virginia Raffaele) and gradually adapts, thanks to her and their spirited pupils. However, when all seems well, unwelcome news arrives: the school has failed to meet its student enrolment quota for the next year and will be forced to close. So begins a race against time to save the school, whatever it takes. Filmed on location in Abruzzo, A WORLD APART highlights the sense of community spirit, creativity and resilience in small towns.

IFF24 Mia

The gripping and emotionally charged drama, MIA, written and directed by Ivano De Matteo, delves into the complexities of modern parenting and the perils of social media. Mia, a typical fifteen-year-old portrayed by the talented newcomer Greta Gasbarri, enjoys an idyllic life with her loving parents Sergio and Valeria (Edoardo Leo and Milena Mancini). Their days are filled with ordinary family moments—debates over curfews, visits to the local pizzeria, and cheering at volleyball games. However, this tranquility shatters when Marco (Riccardo Mandolini, BABY), a mysterious and intense older boy, enters Mia’s world. Initially charming, Marco’s true colours emerge as he becomes controlling, isolating Mia from her friends and family. When her parents attempt to intervene and distance Mia from his influence, the stakes escalate dramatically. Sergio, Mia’s unwavering father, embarks on a quest for justice, revealing the powerful bond between father and daughter. MIA is a poignant exploration of love and the dark side of modern connections, that audiences will continue to think about long after the curtains close.

IFF24 Trust

Daniele Luchetti’s highly anticipated and star-studded new film - part psychological thriller and part relationship saga – follows a stormy love affair and a web of secrets, set to a moody soundtrack by Thom Yorke of Radiohead. The aging Pietro (Elio Germano) is about to receive a presidential award for his essays on teaching. His former student Teresa (Federica Rosellini), now a distinguished professor herself, is to deliver the commendation speech at the ceremony. However, the two are former lovers who, one night long ago, shared their greatest secrets with each other, and now Pietro fears that his devastating secret may come out. In his latest drama based on Domenico Starnone’s novel of the same name, Daniele Luchetti (THE TIES IFF21) presents a sweeping tale about a relationship in which dangerous liaisons unravel across multiple timelines. All the while, he asks: Can we really trust anyone? Featuring an exceptional all-star cast, Trust is a complex and sophisticated study of human behaviour, loves and fears.

IFF24 Life's a Beach

From the team behind BELLI CIAO (IFF22), comedy duo Pio D'Antini and Amedeo Grieco reunite with director Gennaro Nunziante in fun new comedy LIFE'S A BEACH. Pio is an easily influenced lawyer whose choices were always dictated by his late father. Now the CEO of his father’s company, he lives a comfortable, privileged life in his in-law's castle, surrounded by a vineyard, and is being nominated as town mayor by a group of local businessmen. However, a dramatic change is triggered when parish priest Father Boschin (Claudio Bigagli), requests he hire Amedeo as his driver. A man with a turbulent past, Amedeo bursts into Pio’s life with exuberance and the situation quickly goes awry. While Pio’s family want Amadeo fired, Pio is inspired by Amedeo’s confidence and soon begins to question his entire existence and embark on a new life path with hilarious results. An entertaining journey through an Italy full of surprises, LIFE'S A BEACH is a laugh-out-loud adventure and local box office hit that screened in Italian cinemas for eight weeks.

IFF24 A Dark Story

Directed and co-written by Leonardo d'Agostini (THE CHAMPION IFF19) in his second feature film, A DARK STORY is an enthralling thriller that seamlessly blends elements of film noir, legal drama and investigative mystery. Vito (Giordano De Plano, also in TRUST) and Carla (Laetitia Casta) have been separated for a few years. They loved each other desperately, before jealousy, hate and violence destroyed their love. Now Vito has a new life, Carla has a new partner, and their only bond is their three children Nicola, Rosa and little Mara. One day, after one of the children’s birthday parties, Vito disappears without a trace. His disappearance sets in motion a police investigation, which delves into the past of everyone involved and uncovers many hidden secrets in the search for the truth. But, in these cases, does a single, clear, irrefutable truth really exist? Based on Antonella Lattanzi’s 2017 novel, this story compellingly examines power relations and the blurred lines between right and wrong.

IFF24 An Ode to Naples

From Trudie Styler, actress, producer, and director, this fascinating documentary is a journey into the soul of the city of Naples. The many souls of Naples, from the narrow working-class streets and in middle-class neighbourhoods, are captured beautifully by cinematographer Dante Spinotti. A city of culture, creativity, and chaos, Styler explores the contrasts that make the city unique and the challenges it faces. Using music, the voice of the city, Styler features collaborations with rapper Clementino and the street artist Jorit. Amongst the voices, music and dances of the city, including interviews with author Roberto Saviano, actor Francesco Di Leva, and more, it reveals the story of their lives, and the community spirit prevalent in the city. With a passion for Italy, that extends beyond Tuscany, where she and Sting have a wine-making estate, Styler’s third feature film moves from food to Vesuvius, and works of art to the theatre of daily life to showcase the wonders of this majestic city.

IFF24 Bad Conscience

Directed by Davide Minnella (THE PERFECT DINNER IFF22) this fantastical romantic comedy plays with the idea of following your conscience or fighting against it. In a parallel universe, live people’s precious consciences. They all feel disheartened, demotivated, and unheard, except for Otto (Francesco Scianna). He is the top-ranked conscience, because his human Filippo (Filippo Scicchitano) follows him blindly, guaranteeing him happiness. On the eve of Filippo’s wedding to Luisa (Beatrice Grannò, THE WHITE LOTUS), he suddenly decides to disobey his conscience Otto and follow his heart, because he has fallen in love with another woman. So, Otto is left with no choice but to appear on Earth and attempt to fix the situation! But once he arrives, he discovers that the line between Good and Evil is hard to see and being a human is very complicated, especially when love is involved. A playful and lively story about the divide between passion and reason, BAD CONSCIENCE will make you think about what it means to live your best life.

IFF24 Bread and Tulips

Opening the first Italian Film Festival in the year 2000 and now to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the festival, BREAD AND TULIPS returns to our cinema screens – still an audience favourite. Directed by Silvio Soldini, the story follows Rosalba, a housewife from a small town who feels neglected and unappreciated by her family. During a family vacation, she is accidentally left behind at a highway rest stop and decides to take a spontaneous trip to Venice. There, she begins a new life, working as a waitress and discovering a newfound sense of independence and self-worth. As she navigates this enchanting city, she encounters various colourful characters, including a charming flower seller and a mysterious private detective. Featuring commanding central performances from Licia Maglietta and Bruno Ganz, the film blends romance, comedy, and drama, celebrating themes of self-discovery and personal reinvention. Delivering a picturesque Venetian backdrop and a series of endearing characters the work offers a heartwarming and whimsical exploration of finding one’s place in the world.

IFF24 Caracas

Directed by and starring Marco D’Amore (GOMORRAH) alongside Toni Servillo (THE GREAT BEAUTY) CARACAS is a nocturnal drama and enthralling portrait of Naples. Giordano Fonte (Servillo) is a well-known Neapolitan writer who returns to his hometown after a long absence. He roams through Naples, a city that he no longer recognises and one that simultaneously terrifies and fascinates. But he is not alone, accompanied by old friend Caracas (D’Amore). Caracas is torn between ideology and desire, as he seeks the answers to life’s questions. During their interactions in the shadows of the Neapolitan streets, Caracas’ story of impossible love for Yasmina is shared, as they move through the underbelly of the city, where everyone dreams of seeing a day full of light after the darkness of the night. Based on Ermanno Rea’s novel Napoli Ferrovia, CARACAS blends dreams with reality in a depiction of the multi-faceted city and the two men’s search for peace, redemption and forgiveness.

IFF24 Family Matters

Featuring an all-star cast led by Riccardo Scamarcio (CARAVAGGIO'S SHADOW IFF23), this ensemble drama - deftly directed with comedic touches - explores the relationships in an extended and dysfunctional family who are all gathering for the first time. Marco, Guido, Leo, Luisa, Gaelle, and Mattia each have different mothers and are not all children of the same father, but they share a paternal figure: adventurer and entrepreneur Manfredi Alicante (Gioele Dix). When Manfredi passes away, the six of them, who live across Italy and France, gather for the first time in the family home in Bordeaux, some hoping to become a united family. Forced to reunite, they will need to settle their differences and discuss the management of their patriarch's legacy. However, with tensions heightened by years of distance and misunderstandings, each of them now carries their own history and identity, making it difficult to turn back time. Set over the course of a week filled with jealousies and cultural clashes, FAMILY MATTERS is a bittersweet tale about the peculiarities of a dysfunctional family.

IFF24 Gospel According to Mary

Shot in Sardinia, this ancient and enchanted origins story of biblical couple Mary (Maria) and Joseph (Giuseppe) from Paolo Zucca imagines Mary’s life and dreams as a young woman, before the annunciation. Maria (Benedetta Porcaroli, THE SHADOW OF THE DAY IFF22) is a young girl from Nazareth. As a woman, she is forbidden from doing many things, including learning to read and write. In the synagogue, she listens enthusiastically to the prophets, who demand explanations from God as equals, and she becomes inspired by the Bible stories told by the prophets. She soon gains a streak of defiance, dreaming of freedom, knowledge, adventure and escape. In Giuseppe (Alessandro Gassmann, THE ORDER OF TIME IFF23), a charming and powerful man, she finds a teacher and accomplice. But an unexpected obstacle arises and Maria rebels against God’s plan, which does not coincide with hers. Inspired by the 1979 controversial feminist novel by Barbara Alberti, GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARY is a fascinating tale of love, destiny, duty and rebellion.

IFF24 In the Mirror

Alba Rohrwacher (HAPPY AS LAZZARO, LA CHIMERA) delivers a transformative performance in this immersive, compelling new drama and elegant homage to Monica Vitti from director/co-writer Roberta Torre. Monica (Rohrwacher) is losing her memory, and it is tearing her life apart. But then something unexpected happens and she finds meaning in what is happening to her by immersing herself in the memories of another Monica, one she has always admired: the iconic Italian actress Monica Vitti. She begins to dress like her, imitate her, acting out scenes from her films and identifying with her characters. Monica’s loving husband Edoardo (Filippo Tomo, KIDNAPPED IFF23) sees how important this charade is to her and lets it become part of their daily life, until the line between film and reality starts to blur. Featuring original music by Japanese composer Shigeru Umebayashi (IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE), IN THE MIRROR poignantly explores the power of dreams and memory, celebrating the enchantment of cinema.

IFF24 Maria Montessori

At the turn of the 20th century, Lili d’Alengy (Leïla Bekhti), a famous Parisian courtesan and darling of the Parisian cabaret scene has a shameful secret – a daughter with a disability, Tina, whom she must hide to protect her career. Unwilling and unable to care for Tina, Lili decides to leave Paris for Rome. In Rome, Lili seeks help from Maria Montessori (Jasmine Trinca, SUPERHEROES IFF22, THE GODDESS OF FORTUNE IFF20), a doctor who is developing a revolutionary teaching method for children. But Maria also has a secret – a child born out of wedlock, and soon she will be forced to choose between her career and her child. Together, the two women will help each other to find their place in the world and establish a new vision of education. An illuminating debut feature film from Léa Todorov, MARIA MONTESSORI explores difference, education, feminism, and the beginnings of the Montessori approach, used today in 35,000 Montessori schools across the globe.

IFF24 The Beautiful Summer

Set in 1938 Turin, this lyrical coming-of-age story follows a young working-class woman navigating the throes of burgeoning adulthood amidst a tumultuous backdrop of pre-WWII Italy. Young seamstress Ginia (Yile Yara Vianello, LA CHIMERA IFF23) has recently arrived from the countryside and the future seems to offer endless possibilities. Searching for adventure, Ginia meets the sensual and provocative Amelia (model Deva Cassel in her film debut) and is introduced to the dazzling artistic world. Amelia is not much older than Ginia but is completely different from anyone she has ever met. In the bohemian quarter, Ginia meets a painter and soon begins an electric affair. During her ‘beautiful summer’, Ginia will surrender to her first great love, giving in to her overwhelming feelings, and celebrating the courage to be truly herself. Written and directed by Laura Luchetti (TWIN FLOWER IFF19) and freely inspired by the eponymous 1949 novel by Cesare Pavese, THE BEAUTIFUL SUMMER captures the intricacies of friendship, love and art, in a tender portrait of youth and freedom.

IFF24 The Godfather Part II

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of what is regarded as one the greatest sequels of all time, Francis Ford Coppola’s THE GODFATHER PART II was released to widespread acclaim in 1974. Both a sequel and a prequel to the original film, it continues the saga of the Corleone crime family, focusing on Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) as he consolidates his power and navigates the challenges of running the family business while struggling with moral decay and personal betrayal. Interwoven with Michael's story is a parallel narrative exploring the early life of his father, Vito Corleone (Robert De Niro), tracing his rise from impoverished immigrant to powerful mob boss. The film delves deeply into themes of power, corruption, and the generational impact of crime. Praised for its complex storyline and rich character development, the film won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. These special anniversary screenings will be shown in a lavish 4K restoration, including an intermission, preserving the legacy of one of the greatest works in cinema history. NOTE: THE FILM WILL SCREEN WITH A 10-MINUTE INTERMISSION

IFF24 The Rise of Espresso

Portraying the epic allure around espresso, from its ritual entrenched in Italian culture and in convivial experiences, to its rise as a global phenomenon, THE RISE OF ESPRESSO explores the expansion and evolution of the coffee market through a collection of personal stories. Directed by Enrico Ventrice, this documentary explores the rapid and widespread appreciation for espresso - from Florence to New York, Seattle and Melbourne – and celebrates those who rebuilt their lives from scratch, whilst simultaneously writing a new chapter in history. This documentary is promoted by Accademia del Caffe Espresso, a cultural hub established in 2019 by La Marzocco, the global leader in the production of espresso coffee equipment.

IFF24 The War of the Nonni

Gerri (Vincenzo Salemme, THREE PERFECT DAUGHTERS IFF21) is a caring and attentive grandfather. He lives with his daughter’s family, helping around the house and taking care of his beloved grandchildren. This idyllic family balance is broken when Grandpa Tom (Max Tortora, BAD TALES IFF20, LORO IFF18) returns to Italy after years living abroad, wanting to spend time with his grandchildren. Exuberant and boisterous, Grandpa Tom bursts into their lives and upends their routine. He is ready to break every rule established by Grandpa Gerri to fulfill the children’s wishes and win their love and affection. The clash between Gerri and Tom will give rise to a heated competition, resulting in a series of hilarious challenges between grandparents, with no holds barred, plus plenty of twists and turns. Directed and co-written by Gianluca Ansanelli (FROM NAPLES WITH LOVE IFF17) and set in and around Rome, THE WAR OF THE NONNI is an entertaining comedy for the whole family about two hilarious and very competitive grandparents.

IFF24 Volare

Directed by, co-written and starring acclaimed actress Margherita Buy in her directorial debut, VOLARE is an entertaining ensemble comedy about an actress trying to overcome her fear of flying. This irrational fear grips Annabì (Buy), a talented actress who could aspire to international success, if only she could get on a plane. Her whole life has been affected by her phobia and so has her career, being forced to turn down many roles abroad. Now, her daughter Serena has decided to study in California, so Annabì forces herself to cross the dreaded threshold of Fiumicino airport and take a course, designed specifically for those who are afraid of flying. Taught by a pilot and a specialised psychologist, Annabì joins a group of attendees each with their own baggage, but will she be able to overcome her fear with these unlikely companions? Taking inspiration from Buy’s own fear of flying, VOLARE is a light and fun adventure about those who wish they could take to the skies.

IFF24 We Were Children

Directed and co-written by Marco Martani, WE WERE CHILDREN is a captivating combination of revenge thriller and coming-of-age tale of lost innocence. In a small town on the Calabrian coast, a peaceful thirty-year-old postman (Francesco Russo) is arrested for threatening a policeman with a knife. At the carabinieri station, he is interrogated and despite his initial silence, the policeman senses a deeper issue. During his interrogation, the postman reluctantly opens up, recounting a traumatic event from twenty years ago that involved a group of his childhood friends. Now in their thirties with life experience and emotional struggles, they live scattered across different parts of Italy. However, when one of them decides to return to their hometown the others follow, and they all reunite to confront their past and deal with the haunting events from their childhood. Loosely based on the theatre monologue ZERO by Massimiliano Bruno, who co-wrote the screenplay with Martani, this neo-noir drama about facing the past is imbued with taut tension and features a stellar ensemble cast.