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Seven films shortlisted for Italy’s Oscar entry

Seven films have been shortlisted to represent Italy at the Oscars next year, including Sorrentino's La grande bellezza, as well as works from lesser known Italian directors. But which one will make the final cut?

Published: 17 September 2013 15:58 CEST

Seven films shortlisted for Italy's Oscar entry

Paolo Sorrentino’s La grande bellezza is among the films shortlisted for Italy's Oscar entry. Screengrab from the trailer for La grande bellezza: YouTube

A total of seven Italian films will be vying for the chance to represent Italy at the Oscars next year in the competition for Best Foreign Language Film.

A commission of Italian industry experts will now start the selection process, with the entry expected to be announced on January 16th next year.

The films, which were all released in Italy between October 1st 2012 and September 30th 2013, range from Palme d’Or nominee Paolo Sorrentino’s La grande bellezza to lesser-known John Real’s Midway tra la vita e la morte (Midway between life and death).

Read more about Paolo Sorrentino and his film La grande bellezza

Other contenders include Valeria Golino’s Miele (Honey), Alessandro Gassman’s Razza bastarda (Bastard race), Antonio Piazza and Fabio Grassadonia’s Salvo, Maria Sole Tognazzi’s Viaggio sola (Lone voyage) and Roberto Andò’s Viva la libertà (Long live liberty).

John Real’s horror picture, which was only released in 29 movie theatres, half of them in Sicily, follows the story of a young couple who spend a spooky weekend in the woods with their friends.

“A very small distribution – it’s true,” Real, whose real name is Giovanni Marzagalli, told La Repubblica in an interview. “But I enjoyed good reviews and enthusiasm from the public.”

Nevertheless, the 24-year-old director hopes that his film, which cost less than €100,000 to make, will have an international appeal.

“It’s been a really long time since we [Italians] have made a film of this kind. I liked the idea of being able to present a new Italy abroad,” the director added.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Italy has won more foreign language Oscars than any other country, with 13 winning films.

The 86th edition of the Oscar ceremony itself will take place on Sunday March 2nd 2014.

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Cinema in France

Photo: Loic Venance/AFP

The cinema group Lost in Frenchlation runs regular screenings of French films in the capital, with English subtitles to help non-native speakers follow the action. The club kicks off every screening with drinks at the cinema’s bar one hour before the movie, so it’s also a fun way to meet people if you’re new to Paris.

These are the events they have coming up in November.

Friday, November 5th

Boîte Noire – What happened on board the Dubai-Paris flight before it crashed in the Alps? In this thriller Matthieu, a young and talented black box analyst played by Pierre Niney (star of Yves Saint-Laurent among other movies) is determined to solve the reason behind this deadly crash, no matter the costs.

The screening will take place at the Club de l’étoile cinema at 8pm. But you can arrive early for drinks at the bar from 7pm.

Tickets are €10 full price, €8 for students and all other concessions, and can be reserved here.

Sunday, November 14th

Tralala – In the mood for music? This new delightful French musical brings you into the life of Tralala (played by Mathieu Amalric), a 48 years old, homeless and worn-out street singer, who one day gets mistaken for someone else. Tralala sees an opportunity to get a better life by taking on a new personality. He now has a brother, nephews, ex-girlfriends, and maybe even a daughter. But where is the lie? Where is the truth? And who is he, deep down?

The night will start with drinks from 6pm followed by the screening at 7pm at the Luminor Hôtel de Ville cinema. There is also a two-hour cinema-themed walk where you’ll be taken on a “musicals movie tour” in the heart of Paris, which begins at 4pm.

Tickets cost €10, or €8 for students and concessions, and can be found here. Tickets for the walking tour cost €20 and must be reserved online here.

Thursday, November 18th

Illusions Perdues – Based on the great novel series by Honoré de Balzac between 1837 and 1843, this historical drama captures the writer Lucien’s life and dilemmas who dreams about a great career of writing and moves to the city to get a job at a newspaper. As a young poet entering the field of journalism, he is constantly challenged by his desire to write dramatic and eye-catching stories for the press. But are they all true?

The evening will kick off with drinks at L’Entrepôt cinema bar at 7pm, followed by the movie screening at 8pm. Tickets are available online here, and cost €8.50 full price; €7 for students and all other concessions.

Sunday, November 21st

Eiffel – Having just finished working on the Statue of Liberty, Gustave Eiffel (played by Romain Duris) is tasked with creating a spectacular monument for the 1889 Universal Exposition in Paris. It’s ultimately his love story with Adrienne Bourgès (Emma Mackey) that will inspire him to come up with the idea for the Eiffel Tower.

After a first screening last month, Lost in Frenchlation is organising a new one at the Luminor Hôtel de Ville cinema, with pre-screening drinks at the cinema bar.

Tickets cost €10, or €8 for students and concessions, and can be found here.

Thursday, November 25th

Les Héroïques – Michel is a former junkie and overgrown child who only dreams of motorbikes and of hanging out with his 17-year-old son Léo and his friends. But at 50 years old, he now has to handle the baby he just had with his ex, and try not to make the same mistakes he has done in the past.

The film will be followed by a Q&A with the director Maxime Roy who will discuss his very first feature.

Tickets cost €10, or €8 for students and concessions, and can be found here.

Full details of Lost in Frenchlation’s events can be found on their website or Facebook page. In France, a health pass is required in order to go to the cinema.

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