Spring welcomes to Perth the 2021 ST. ALI Italian Film Festival, a celebration of the Italian film industry. Running from October 20 to November 14, the festival offers a range of films from diverse genres including New Italian Cinema, the Female Lens, family film and more.
We’ve put together a list of the 5 best films at this year’s festival based on recommendation from Festival Director, Elysia Zeccola.
The Ties
Opening this year’s festival is The Ties, a stunning marriage-in-crisis drama from Daniele Luchetti. This film follows the dramatic and emotional story of couple Aldo and Vanda and their typical relationship conflicts. Vanda must learn to hide her suffering from her young children after Aldo admits that he has been unfaithful to her.
Three Floors
This new film by Nanni Moretti is set in Rome’s stylish Prati neighbourhood. The film tells the stories of three different families living in three apartments in the same complex. The first floor features a couple who grows suspicious of their elderly neighbour, whilst the second floor hosts a lonely mother who wrestles with the absence of her working husband. The third floor is home to a retired judge as she looks back on her past, as she and her husband deal with their troubled son. The drama-comedy is based on Eshkol Nevo’s novel “Three Floors Up. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in July of 2021.
Tigers
A unique glimpse into the world of cutthroat elite sport, Tigers” tells the true story of an Inter Milan player recruited from Sweden. The film follows the story of young 16-year-old Martin as he discovers a dark side to professional football after reaching his lifelong dream of joining one of Italy’s best clubs. The film is adapted by screenwriter and director, Ronnie Sandahl from the autobiography of Martin Bengtsson, “In the Shadow of San Siro”. This drama will teach you everything you need to know about the world of professional athletes as Martin questions the dream he once wished for.
SIRLEY
Part of the Female Lens sidebar, SIRELY, from up and coming female director Elisa Amoruso is a semi-autobiographical tale about a young girl struggling to find her place in the world. The film focuses on 13-year-old Nina and her relationship with Sirley a troublesome student from South America. The two form a strong friendship helping them to navigate the pressures of adolescence.
Rome, Open City
Closing the 2021 festival is Rome, Open City. This classic film is presented in stunning 4k restoration and has won a range of awards including “Best Feature Film” at the Cannes Film Festival and “Best Foreign Language Film” from the New York Critics Circle Awards. The drama-thriller follows the authentic story of those who struggled against the Nazi occupation of Rome during the ruins of World War II.
