movie buff week

For the first time in many years that I actually watched so many films in one week. I had been a fanatic international film buff. This week was the Italian Film Festival and also for the first time I watched Italian films with my sister and brother-in-law.

Out of the 4 films I watched I must say only The Last Kiss was good. The most crappy was And If Tomorow. One thing I realised in the whole selection of movies, the title of the film and the storyline don't quite gel. What does the last kiss mean in the movie... I personally feel that the synopsis does not say the true storyline at all. I couldnt find the meaning. Ah well, Ken is not there to discuss the film with me but I truly find good meaning in the film. Lost of self-identities by the bunch of italian blokes.... oh well. Aren't we all a bunch of lost souls in this world trying to find ourselves....

3 Wives - was pretty hilarious.. and that's all I could say about the film....

The Life I Want (La Vita Che Vorrei)

Directed by Giuseppe Piccioni, 2004, 125 minutes, M18: Some Nudity

Laura, in her thirties and with an undefined but aspiring acting background, has been chosen for a leading role in a film, set in the eighteenth century, about unhappy love. During the filming, she meets Stefano, an established and famous actor, there after a film which is failing. Her career is taking off, but her past still makes her insecure. He is jealous of her success. Their relationship gets influenced by their roles and takes the path of the film story. THE LIFE I WANT is a film about sentiment and attraction, insecurity and strength, generosity and egoism, reality and fiction. The strong cast is led by Sandra Ceccarelli of LIGHTS OF MY EYES and PROFESSION OF ARMS fame.

Festivals: Berlinale, Bangkok, Palm Springs, Copenhagen, Edinburgh, Haifa, Moscow, Annecy Cinema Italien.

And If Tomorrow (E Se Domani)

Directed by Giovanni La Parola, 2005, 90 minutes, TBA

An energetic fusion of drama, social commentary, and hilarious comedy. Matteo Cillario, a lawyer, is so obsessed by money that he does not want any children, convinced that they would be too expensive. One day, his best friend, Mimi, locks himself in a bank and threatens the customers with a gun and a handbag full of explosives. Matteo knows that Mimi is the best of the men and decides to tell his story, which goes back to a childhood romance that was never completely forgotten, with Kitty, Mimi's business partner wife.

Cast: Luca Bizzarri, Paolo Kessisoglu, Sabrina Impacciatore.

Awards: Audience Award at the Verona Festival Schermi d'amore (2006); Best Actor, Best Actress and Special Jury Awards at the Annecy Festival (2005).

The Last Kiss (L'ultimo Bacio)

Directed by Gabriele Muccino, 2000, 115 minutes, M18: Intimate Scenes

One of the most successful Italian films in recent years, with eight characters and three different generations, focused on the ups and downs of Carlo, a 30-year-old bored with everyday life, who's going to marry Giulia, his pregnant girlfriend. During his friend Marco's stag night, Carlo meets Francesca, an 18-year-old student, and has a relationship with her. Meanwhile, Guilia's middle-aged mother, Anna, is going through her own crisis, constantly telling her passive husband she's leaving him, but never quite starting an affair. THE LAST KISS showcases the sophisticated, sensitive touch of one of Europe's most celebrated young filmmakers.

Cast: Stefano Accorsi, Giovanna Mezzogiorno, Stefania Sandrelli.

Awards: Stupor Mundi at Trani Film Festival (2003), Audience Award at Sundance Festival Film (2002); David di Donatello Awards (2001) for Best Direction, Best Production and Best Supporting Actress.

Three Wives (Tre Mogli)

Directed by Marco Risi, 2001, 105 minutes, NC16: Course Language

A brilliant comedy focused on three different women who have something in common. One New Year's Day, they are called to the police station to discuss the mysterious disappearance of their husbands, who all worked in the same bank -- which has just been robbed. Bianca, Billie and Beatrice soon discover that their husbands stole millions and have become fugitives. For different reasons and with different agendas, each of them finds herself in Argentina on the trail of an errant spouse. Wonderfully entertaining.

Cast: Francesca d'Aloja, Iaia Forte, Claudio "Greg" Gregori.

Awards: Audience Award at Rencontre du cinema Italien de Bastia (2003); Best Ensemble at Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (2002).