Films - Cinema Made in Italy

CINEMA MADE IN ITALY is set to honour the late Monica Vitti at their upcoming festival next month, adding one of her most celebrated films to their programme...

Press Release

L’ECLISSE joins the festival’s line-up to pay tribute to Vitti following her death last week at the age of 90 and to celebrate her enormous influence on Italian cinema. A recipient of Venice Film Festival’s career Golden Lion award, Vitti first found recognition collaborating with renowned Italian director Michelangelo Antonioni in acclaimed films L'AVVENTURA and LA NOTTE, before achieving success in beloved comedies such as DRAMMA DELLA GELOSIA (The Pizza Triangle) and THE GIRL WITH THE PISTOL.

Dedicated to Monica Vitti, L’ECLISSE will receive multiple showings during the 5-day long festival where film fans can enjoy the unique talent of an Italian screen legend. Winner of the Special Jury Prize at 1962’s Cannes Film Festival, Michelangelo Antonioni’s captivating black-and-white classic boasts a mesmerising performance from Vitti in this modern romance masterpiece.

Another new addition to this exciting programme is Pier Paolo Pasolini’s TEOREMA, as CINEMA MADE IN ITALY looks to mark the 100th anniversary of the famed Italian director’s birth. TEOREMA was Pasolini’s sixth film, but his first time working with professional actors, including Terence Stamp, Silvana Mangano and Massimo Girotti. The film won a special award at the Venice Film Festival from the International Catholic Film Office, only for the award to be withdrawn by the Vatican protested due to the sexual content in the film.

News of Pier Paolo Pasolini’s still unsolved murder rocked Italy in 1975, cutting short a life and career that refused to conform to the status quo. A director, poet, writer, actor and political figure, Pasolini is perhaps best known for his 1961 directorial debut ACCATTONE and his wildly popular ‘Trilogy of Life’ film series. A notoriously controversial personality, Pasolini endeavoured to challenge and question norms, an attitude reflected in some of his finest contributions to world cinema.



CINEMA MADE IN ITALY returns to its home at the Ciné Lumière, South Kensington from 3rd – 7th of March. The rich and diverse programme includes Nanni Moretti’s THREE FLOORS that will open the festival, attended by stars Alba Rohrwacher (The Lost Daughter) and Riccardo Scamarcio (John Wick: Chapter 2). Screening the following day is CALIFORNIE attended by co-director Alessandro Cassigoli and FREAKS OUT will be presented by director Gabriele Mainetti later that evening. On Saturday co-director of FUTURA Francesco Munzi will be in attendance as well as Laura Bispuri for her film THE PEACOCK’S PARADISE. Actors Swamy Rotolo and Grecia Rotolo will be travelling to London for their screening of A CHIARA which will be followed by THE TALE OF KING CRAB attended by director Matteo Zoppis. On the last day of the festival Andrea Segre will present his film WELCOME VENICE and finally COMEDIANS will close the festival.

Italian cinema expert, Adrian Wootton OBE, is back at the helm hosting filmmakers to take part in filmmaker Q&A sessions throughout the festival with Co- director of Fright Fest and international film critic Alan Jones hosting on Saturday 5th March.

For the full programme and more information on how to buy tickets, visit the Institut Francais website.

Images & info Cinema Made in Italy Festival