March 28, 2024 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

Cantonese Dim Sum Master Chef Tony Opens Hollywood Dim Sum at TCL Chinese Theatre

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Experience Exquisite Dim Sum Creations in the Heart of Hollywood 97 years after its founding, the TCL Chinese Theatre will...

Fleurs et Sel Bakery Opens Storefront in West Adams, Welcomes Customers Three Days a Week

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Indulge in Freshly Baked Cookies at the New West Adams Location Fleurs et Sel Bakery, known for its delectable cookies...

Easter Specials Guide: Brunch Spots, Desserts, and More in West Los Angeles

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Discover the Best Easter Eats and Treats in LA for Your Holiday Celebration Easter is almost here, so here are...

(Video) Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE at the Beyond Fest Screening...

Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren Headlines Stand with Israel Luncheon

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Distinguished Statesman Shares Insights on Israel’s Future  In Brentwood, one of Israel’s most distinguished statesmen, Ambassador Michael Oren, a diplomat...

Attorney for Sean “Diddy” Combs Denounces Investigation as “Witch Hunt”

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

Legal Representative Criticizes Probe Amid Federal Sex Trafficking Inquiry An attorney representing Sean “Diddy” Combs criticized the investigation into the...

Historic Union Contract Ratified by Thousands of Hotel Workers At 34 Hotels

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

UNITE HERE Local 11 Negotiates Agreement Ensuring Wage Increases  Hotel workers, who spearheaded the largest hotel strike in modern U.S....

Human Rights Campaign’s Los Angeles Dinner Celebrates LGBTQ+ Advocacy and Unity

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

Notable Figures Gathered to Champion LGBTQ+ Rights and Combat Discrimination By Aneesha Pappy  The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s...

California Bars and Nightclubs Must Offer Drug Testing Devices Starting July 1

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

New Law Mandates License Holders to Provide Drug Testing Kits to Patrons Beginning July 1, establishments with Type 48 licenses...

Opinion: West Los Angeles Needs to Care about Veteran Homelessness

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

By Kelly Kravchuk  Veteran homelessness is a public health concern that impacts my West Los Angeles community. As a USC...

Brentwood Library Schedule of Events For This Week Includes New Initiative

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

Storytime, STAR Reader Sessions, and Kindergarten Prep Activities Scheduled events for this week at the Brentwood Library include Toddler/Preschool Storytime...

Federal Agents Raid Property Linked to Music Mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs In Holmby Hills

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

Authorities Conduct Searches in Los Angeles as Part of Ongoing Sex Trafficking Probe Federal agents from the Department of Homeland...

Biden Signs Government Funding Bill with Ban on Pride Flags at Embassies

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

White House Vows Repeal Amid Controversy Over LGBTQ Provision President Biden signed a huge government funding package on Saturday, which...

City of Los Angeles Pays Nearly Half a Billion in Liability Claims Over Four Years

March 24, 2024

March 24, 2024

LA Controller’s Report Reveals Significant Payouts from General Fund LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia has continued to audit the City...

Infamous Beverly Hills Mansion Where Menéndez Brothers Committed Murders Sells for $17 Million

March 24, 2024

March 24, 2024

Notorious Property Closes Deal Exactly 28 Years After Conviction A mansion in Beverly Hills, California, notorious for being the site...