Savour all the glamour, passion, drama and artistry of Italian cinema when the Lavazza Italian Film Festival presented by Palace Cinemas hits Sydney this September.

 The 11^th edition showcases twenty six films handpicked from the Cannes, Berlin, Rome and Venice film festivals. Among the festival highlights are opening night selection LA NOSTRA VITA, which won the Best Actor Award for Elio Germano at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.  Others include The First Beautiful Thing by Paolo Virzi (Her Whole Life Ahead), a runner-up for Best Film at this year’s David Di Donatello Awards (Italy’s own Oscars). Sweeping epic BAARIA (by Giuseppe Tornatore (Cinema Paradiso), chosen to open the 2009 Venice International Film Festival; controversial political documentary DRAQUILA – ITALY TREMBLES from Official Selection in Cannes; and Raoul Bova in the rom-com Sorry if I want to marry you.

 Other highlights include Giuseppe Capotondi’s debut feature THE DOUBLE HOUR; Gabriele Salvatores’ tongue-in-cheek comedy HAPPY FAMILY; Ferzan Ozpetek’s coming-out comedy LOOSE CANNONS; Silvio Soldini’s relationship drama WHAT MORE DO I WANT (with Alba Rohwacher (I Am Love); compelling drama THE MAN WHO WILL COME which won the Best Film Award at the 2010 David Di Donatello Awards; and impressive debut feature TEN WINTERS.

For full program, visit the website www.italianfilmfestival.com.au

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CINEMA PERONI 'BY POPULAR DEMAND' SESSIONS ANNOUNCED!

Palace Cinemas are delighted to announce the following festival favourites selected for this year's Peroni By Popular Demand screenings, giving you the chance to catch these standout films one last time on the big-screen.

NORTON ST, LEICHHARDT

Mon, Oct 11 at 6.30pm LA NOSTRA VITA (MA15+)

Opening Night Selection. An acute snapshot of modern day Italy including Elio Germano (Best Actor, Cannes 2010) & Isabelle Ragonese in an all-star cast. Official Selection, Cannes 2010.  

Tue, Oct 12 at 6.30pm BAARIA (M)

From director of Cinema Paradiso, comes this lush, sweeping epic spanning three generations of a Sicilian family. Giuseppe Tornatore’s romantic saga is a nostalgic love letter to his hometown.

Wed, Oct 13 at 6.30pm THE FIRST BEAUTIFUL THING (M)

An affecting drama about a misanthropic son returning to his hometown to see his dying mother, a trip that triggers nostalgic memories. Best Actor, Actress & Screenplay, Italian Oscars 2010.

VERONA, PADDINGTON

Mon, Oct 11 at 6.30pm BAARIA (M)

From director of Cinema Paradiso, comes this lush, sweeping epic spanning three generations of a Sicilian family. Giuseppe Tornatore’s romantic saga is a nostalgic love letter to his hometown.

Tue, Oct 12 at 6.30pm ME, THEM AND LARA (MA15+)

Italian box-office smash-hit starring writer-director Carlo Verdone (My Best Enemy) as a missionary who, yearning to see his family, returns from Africa, but all is not as he remembered it!