Cinema Italia

Event information

Palace Cinemas and the Istituto Italiano di Cultura in Sydney (IIC) are excited to present Cinema Italia 2022: Multi-ethnic Italy: the new Italians, a selection of contemporary Italian movies that gives perspective from Italy’s migrants, experiencing Italy’s culture, both beautiful and flawed, through a foreign lens.

Hosted at Palace Cinemas Norton Street each month, each guest will receive a prosecco on arrival, with a film introduction to precede the screening, followed by a Q&A with a special guest and moderated by Antonella Beconi, convenor for Italian at the Center of Continuing Education, University of Sydney, on behalf of IIC.

Admission Prices:
General Admission $20
Palace Movie Club, IIC Members, Students* $15

Location
Palace Cinemas Norton Street
99 Norton Street, Leichhardt 2040.

Session Details 
Includes a glass of prosecco on arrival. 6.30pm introduction and film, followed by Q&A.

This series was made possible thanks to the collaboration of Istituto Italiano di Cultura in Sydney, Sydney University and Palace Cinemas.

*Student discount includes the following organisations – University of Sydney, UTS, UNSW, Macquarie and Western Sydney University, Center of Continuing Education.

Synopsis

APRIL 27
Alì Blue Eyes [Alì Ha Gli Occhi Azzurri, 2012, 100’]
Q&A with Alice Loda UTS Lecturer in International Studies and Global Societies.
Nader (Nader Sarhan), a 16-year-old Italian-born son of Egyptian Muslim parents, is at the centre of this powerful tale of a young man caught between his peers and his cultural roots. In love with Italian girl Brigitte, he defies family wishes by running away from home. When his hot-headed friend Stefano gets into a fight, Nader stabs a young Romanian in his defence, forcing Nader to flee the scene and go into hiding. Spending his days cold, hungry and afraid he avoids the wounded victim’s family, who are now seeking revenge… FULL SYNOPSIS

MAY 18
Shun Li and the Poet [Lo Sono-Li, 2012, 100’]
Q&A with Yingje Guo Professor of Chinese Studies + Gabriele Abbondanza Lecturer in International Relations, University of Sydney.
In Andrea Segre’s poignant debut feature, Shun Li is a softly-spoken young Chinese immigrant who is moved by her Chinese broker from a clothing factory to a new job as a barmaid in Chioggia, a small fishing community on the Venetian lagoon… FULL SYNOPSIS

JUNE 7
The Landlords [Padroni Di Casa, 2012, 90’]
Q&A with Cristiana Palmieri Research Affiliate, Department of Italian Studies, The University of Sydney – Reporter, FRED Film Radio, London + Antonia Rubino, Associate professor for Italian Studies at Sydney University.
Equal parts drama, comedy and thriller, The Landlords is a riveting film from actor-turneddirector, Edoardo Gabbriellini (I Am Love) with a sensational cast including legendary real-life singer Gianni Morandi making a return to the big screen after 40 years… FULL SYNOPSIS

AUGUST 3
Marina [2013, 118’]
Q&A with Marina Freri executive producer at ABC for RN breakfast  + Thomas Campi, graphic novel author, Macaroni.
A gloriously entertaining biopic that tells the true story of beloved singer, songwriter and accordionist, Rocco Granata, from his early life as an immigrant in Belgium to his emergence as a worldwide musical phenomenon with his 1959 song Marina, one of the biggest international hits of that era… FULL SYNOPSIS

AUGUST 31
Down There: A Criminal Education [La-Bas, 2012, 98’]
Q&A with Daniele Fulvi (seasonal lecturer in Ethics and Philosophy at Western Sydney University) + Ana Tiwary (Director/Producer indiVisual films).
Guido Lombardi’s refreshing look at the problems of immigration in Italy that not only thinks outside the box but is involved in the community it’s spotlighting… FULL SYNOPSIS

OCTOBER 19
The Vice of Hope [Il Vizio Della Speranza, 2018, 96’]
Q&A with Federico Solchi, SBS Audio & Language Content Producer / Broadcaster + Alana Lentin, Professor in Cultural and Social Analysis at Western Sydney University.
Following his acclaimed neo-gothic fairytale Indivisible, director Edoardo De Angelis’ powerful and award-winning drama portrays a woman desperately striving to escape a life of vice and criminality… FULL SYNOPSIS

NOVEMBER 16
Tigers [Le Tigri, 2020, 116’]
Q&A with Federico Solchi Audio & Language Content Producer / Broadcaster + Gianluca Alimeni, Lecture for the Italian Section of Department of Media, Communications, Creative Arts, Languages & Literature. Macquarie University.
An enthralling drama about the considerable cost of excellence in a world where everything, and everyone, has a price tag, Tigers delves into the dark side of professional football in Italy… FULL SYNOPSIS