July 27, 2025 Your Source for Brentwood News

Cinema Italian Style Returns to the Westside

Bringing the best of contemporary Italian filmmaking to the Santa Monica.

By Sam Catanzaro

Westsiders know that Santa Monica is a great place to dine on Italian food, shop for fine Italian fashion and spot some impressive Italian sports cars. What many may not know, however, is every year Santa Monica becomes the premier location in the country to experience the joys of Italian cinema.

Every November Santa Monica is home to Cinema Italian Style, a five-night film festival that celebrates contemporary Italian cinema and filmmakers. The 2018 Cinema Italian Style is the 14th annual festival and is highlighted by Marcello Fonte (Best Actor, Cannes Film Festival) and Italian actress, turned director, Valeria Golino presenting her recent film “Euphoria.”

Cinema Italian Style ‘17 opening night Gala premiere of “A Ciambra,” featuring: Gisela Marengo, Ron Perlman, Marta Milans (left to right). Photo: Courtesy.

“We are very proud of this year’s diverse lineup of films” said Roberto Cicutto, President and CEO of Luce Cinecittà. “ They represent the wide breadth of stories being told in contemporary cinema in Italy, while remaining rooted in the traditions of the great Italian classics.”

The event kicks off on November 13th at the Egyptian Theatre with a screening of Italy’s submission to the 2019 Academy Awards’ Best Foreign Language Film category, Matteo Garrone’s “Dogman”. The event then heads to Santa Monica November 15-18 at the Aero Theater on Montana Avenue. The Santa Monica screenings will showcase the very best of Italian cinema and with an eclectic range of genres, there is something here for everybody.

“Boys Cry” (2018), directed by twin brothers Damiano and Fabio D’Innocenzo, tells the story of two best friends living on the outskirts of Rome who accidentally run someone over, only to find out the man was a mafia informer. The friends, played by Matteo Olivetti and Andrea Carpenzano, decide to use the incident to impress the local mafia and end up getting more than they bargained for. This film will be screened as the second part of a November 16 double feature beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Another thrilling film, “Naples in Veils” (2018) screened at 7:30 p.m. on November 17th, follows Arianna, a medical examiner who falls for a man at a party only to discover his corpse at the mortuary a few days later. Adriana, played by Giovanna Mezzogiorno, spots the man (Alessandro Borghi) on the subway and a psychological thriller ensues.

The family-centered comedy/drama “There’s No Place Like Home” (2018), from Gabriele Muccino, director of “The Pursuit of Happyness”, will surely be a crowd pleaser.  In this film, which will be screened November 15 at 7:30 p.m., an extended family celebrates the 50th anniversary of grandparents on an island off the Italian coast. A storm, however, traps the three generations for two days and long-simmering family issues begin to surface, and dramedy ensues.

These films, and just a few of the dozens that will be showcased at the Aero, are all examples of a rich and vibrant film industry that exists in Italy. Laurent Boyé, a spokesperson for the Cinema Italian Style, says that while people are aware of classic Italian filmmakers like Federico Fellini and Sergio Leone, many people are not aware of contemporary Italian filmmakers, which is a shame because of the quality their movies.

“When people think about Italian movies they think about Fellini and all the great filmmakers of the neorealist period. They are all great films but they are dated and speak more to a post-World War II Italy, then the Italy of today. Unfortunately, people don’t realize there are a lot of Italian contemporary movies out there that many people may only see on a flight to Italy,” Boyé said.

For a full list of screenings and to purchase tickets visit www.cinemaitalianstyle.com.

Related Posts

LAPD to Conduct DUI Checkpoints Across City This Weekend

July 26, 2025

July 26, 2025

LAPD officials said checkpoint locations are chosen based on areas with high numbers of DUI-related crashes and arrests The Los...

Metro D Line Resumes Today After 70-Day Closure

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The shutdown, which began May 17, enabled Metro to connect the current line to newly built tunnels extending west under...

Sunset Jazz & Pizza Series Returns to The Lobster

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The series blends jazz from a three-piece house band with handcrafted pizzas and $5 Open Brewing beers  The Lobster’s popular...

Measles Case Confirmed in LA, Officials Urge Vaccination

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Investigators are working to identify potential exposures and assess the risk to others Health officials have confirmed a case of...

Premiere of ‘All These Women’ Coming to Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Set in 1913, the play dramatizes the uphill struggle for the right to vote as women across the United States...

Santa Monica City Attorney to Step Down, Take New Public Role in California

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

City Council will discuss hiring a replacement at its July 29 meeting Santa Monica City Attorney Doug Sloan has announced...

Herbie Hancock to Headline Hollywood Bowl in August

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Known for his decades-spanning career, Hancock is one of jazz’s forward-thinking voices Jazz legend Herbie Hancock is set to return...

LAHSA Appoints New Interim CEO Amid System Transitions

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The agency is navigating uncertainty following the county’s decision to create a separate homelessness department and shifting federal policy priorities...

In Your Time of Need, Woodlawn Cemetery is Available

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

By Susan Payne  For over 125 years, Woodlawn Cemetery, Mausoleum & Mortuary, wholly owned and operated by the city of...

Going for the throat

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Coach Bill Schuman expects protégé Golda Zahra to hold back nothing  By Linda Chase World famous competitors hire special coaches...

Suspect Arrested in Fatal Brentwood Whole Foods Stabbing, Area to See Increased Police Presence

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The suspect, initially described as a man in his early 20s wearing dark clothing, fled the scene on foot.  A...

Treasure Chest in Palisades’ Skull Rock Survives Fire: REPORT

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The chest, containing a notebook and trinkets left by visitors, has become a quiet hub of human connection A hidden...

(Video) Seniors Age with Dignity at Wise & Healthy Aging’s Adult Day Center

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

For More Information, Go To Wiseandhealthyaging.org/ Seniors Age with Dignity at Wise & Healthy Aging’s Adult Day Center. For More...

LAPD Pacific Boosters’ West LA Summer Carnival Takes Place This Weekend

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The carnival will feature amusement rides for all ages, arcade-style games, and traditional fair food The LAPD Pacific Area Boosters...

California Reports 13% Drop in Vehicle Thefts in 2024, First Decline Since 2019

July 24, 2025

July 24, 2025

Southern California accounted for 53.21% of thefts, with Los Angeles County alone representing 61.83% of the region’s total California reported...