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“The Garden of the Finzi-Continis” Returns to Cinemas: Vittorio De Sica’s Masterpiece Restored in 4K for Holocaust Remembrance Day

27 January 2025

Coming to theaters on January 27, for the first time in a 4K restored version in honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day, Vittorio De Sica’s masterpiece The Garden of the Finzi-Continis returns to the big screen. The film won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival in 1971 and, the following year, the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

Distributed by Filmclub Distribuzione by Minerva Pictures, the film is based on Giorgio Bassani’s novel of the same name and spans the years 1938 to 1943, recounting the story of the Finzi-Continis, a wealthy Jewish family from the upper bourgeoisie of Ferrara. While the film received awards, acclaim, and widespread success, it also drew criticism at the time, including from Bassani himself.

Morando Morandini (Il Messaggero) criticized the portrayal as overly sentimental and historically superficial, whereas Kezich (Corriere della Sera) called it one of the director’s best works in years. As for Giorgio Bassani, the author, who based the novel on parts of his own life and family, collaborated on the dialogues and screenplay. However, disagreements and misunderstandings arose during production, particularly over the explicit portrayal of Micòl and Malnate’s relationship—including a love scene absent in the novel. Bassani reportedly disliked the “compromised” depiction of his beloved Micòl and requested that his name be removed from the film’s credits.

What is the film about? It tells the story of this affluent and refined Jewish family from Ferrara who, in 1938, faces the impact of racial laws that ban Jews from the local tennis club. As a response, the family allows the friends of their two children, Micòl (Dominique Sanda) and Alberto (Helmut Berger), who is secretly gay, to gather at the private tennis court in their villa’s garden. Among the guests are Giorgio (Lino Capolicchio playing Bassani himself), who has long been in love with Micòl, and Giampiero Malnate (Fabio Testi), a communist from Milan.

The film features several iconic scenes, such as Giorgio sneaking into the villa’s garden and discovering Micòl’s secret relationship with Malnate, who spends one last night with her before leaving for Russia. Another powerful moment depicts the Finzi-Continis being taken from their home by fascists and brought to a school building. De Sica masterfully conveys their fate: no torture chambers or decrepit prisons—just the humiliation of finding a seat in a classroom crowded with fellow Jews, their eyes filled with fear for the future.

Finally, the film includes a memorable line delivered by Giorgio’s father (a towering performance by Romolo Valli), a disillusioned former fascist, who tells his son:
“In life, if someone wants to truly understand how things stand in this bizarre world, they must die at least once. And so, it’s better to die young, while there’s still plenty of time to rise up and be reborn. Understanding as an old man is far worse. You don’t have the time to start from scratch. And our generation has made so many missteps along the way.”

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Minerva Pictures brings Italian cinema to Paris: new projects at De Rome à Paris

24 January 2025

The De Rome à Paris festival returns to the Ville Lumière to celebrate Italian cinema with an intense day of professional meetings. We are proud to announce that today, January 24, Minerva Pictures will present in the Works in Progress section Judas’ Gospel, the new film by Giulio Base starring Rupert Everett, Paz Vega, and Abel Ferrara, co-produced by Minerva Pictures, focusing on the existential journey of one of the most enigmatic apostles. Also featured is The Negotiator, the new film by Alessandro Tonda with Claudio Santamaria and Sonia Bergamasco, depicting the 28 days leading up to the tragic events of March 4, 2005, when Nicola Calipari, a high-ranking SISMI official, sacrificed his life to save journalist Giuliana Sgrena from the il Manifesto, who had been kidnapped in Iraq by a terrorist cell.

On this occasion, we will also showcase the trailers for our film lineup available in France, including Ciao bambino by Edgardo Pistone, winner of the Best First Film Award at the 19th Rome Film Fest and the Special Jury Prize for Best Director at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival; The American Backyard by Pupi Avati, which closed the most recent Venice International Film Festival; and And If My Father by Solange Tonnini, where a family story intertwines with the criminal events that shaped Italy during the 1970s and 1980s.

De Rome à Paris is organized by Cinecittà with the DGCA of the Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with CNC (Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée) and Unifrance.
📍 Join us today, January 24, in Paris at the CNC headquarters.

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Ciao Bambino, Edgardo Pistone’s Debut Film, in Theaters from January 23!

20 December 2024

Ciao bambino, Edgardo Pistone‘s debut film, is finally hitting the big screens starting January 23!

Set in a vibrant and contradictory contemporary Naples, the film follows the story of Attilio, a young man faced with a difficult choice: follow his heart or take on the debts left by his father. An auteur neo-noir that deeply and authentically explores the moral dilemmas and responsibilities that mark the transition into adulthood.

Winner of the Best Debut Film Award at the 19th Rome Film Festival and the Special Jury Prize for Best Director at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, Ciao bambino has garnered critical acclaim for its compelling narrative and exceptional direction.

Produced by Bronx Film, Anemone Film, Mosaicon Film, and Minerva Pictures, the film showcases the collaborative effort of some of the industry’s finest production houses.

Mark your calendars: January 23, Ciao bambino will be available in theaters through FilmClub Distribuzione and Minerva Pictures!

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“Ciao Bambino” Triumphs at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival After Success at the 19th Rome Film Fest

25 November 2024

After earning the Best First Film Award at the 19th Rome Film Fest, Ciao Bambino, the debut feature by Edgardo Pistone, also won the prestigious Special Jury Prize in the First Feature Competition section at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.

Set in Naples’ Rione Traiano district, the film tells the story of Attilio, a young man torn between love and loyalty to his father, recently released from prison and hounded by loan sharks. Presented in stark black-and-white, the film offers an intimate, realistic look at family complexities and the burden of paternal legacies, framed within a context of crime and despair.

The work has been praised for its bold narrative and visually striking approach, steering clear of sentimentality and stereotypes. This debut feature confirms Pistone’s artistic maturity. The cast includes Marco Adamo, Anastasia Kaletchuk, Pasquale Esposito, and Salvatore Pelliccia.

Produced by Bronx Film, Anemone Film, Mosaicon Film, and Minerva Pictures, with support from Italy’s Ministry of Culture and the Campania Region Film Commission, the film will soon hit theaters, distributed by FilmClub Distribution and Minerva Pictures.

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“Un Natale a casa Croce”: Pupi Avati’s New Documentary at the Turin Film Festival

11 November 2024

Minerva Pictures is proud to announce that Un Natale a casa Croce, the latest documentary directed by acclaimed filmmaker Pupi Avati, will be showcased out of competition at the Turin Film Festival, now in its 42nd edition under Giulio Base’s direction.

The life of Benedetto Croce, Italian philosopher and senator, unfolds as an epic tale of survival and passion, marked by intense tragedies and rivalries from his youth. The documentary, directed by Avati and produced by Minerva Pictures in collaboration with Cinecittà Luce and Rai Documentari, delves into Croce’s political influence, intellectual brilliance, commitment to freedom, and philosophical vision.

The story begins in 1883 when a devastating earthquake in Ischia claims his parents and sister, leaving Croce to rise from tragedy with unyielding strength. His devotion to philosophy and literature serves as a bastion against loneliness and depression, transforming his pain into resolve. One defining episode of his life, which sheds light on him as a person, was his friendship with Giovanni Gentile, another intellectual of the era. Their relationship began in 1896 but fractured by the late 1920s due to opposing stances on fascism. Although Croce initially sympathized with the regime, he ultimately distanced himself, while Gentile became a fervent supporter.

During WWII, as Italy was torn apart and Florence came under Mussolini’s control, Gentile was assassinated on April 15, 1944, in front of his villa. This news reached Croce, striking him deeply, despite years of silence between the two. The event led him to ponder the absurdity of violence affecting even intellectuals. Amid Italy’s political turmoil, Croce joined the national unity government but faced harsh criticism from Palmiro Togliatti, a Communist Party leader, which created a rift among young antifascists. Through these turbulent times, Croce’s life became intertwined with Italy’s political landscape, embodying the ideological conflicts of his era. The film captures this compelling journey of a man who braved destiny, tragedies, and rivalries, emerging as a beacon of wisdom in a tumultuous period.

With Paolo Spezzaferri, Teresa Cerciello, Chiara Barassi, Roberta Geremicca, Fenicia Rocco, Sabrina Bevilacqua, and featuring Benedetta Craveri.

Join us on Tuesday, November 26, at 9:00 p.m. for the official screening, attended by director Pupi Avati, in a festival setting that continues to celebrate cinematic experimentation and research.

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Minerva Pictures at Rome Film Festival: “Reading Lolita in Teheran” and “Ciao Bambino ” win critics and audiences!

7 November 2024

We are delighted to close the 19th Rome Film Festival with three prestigious awards for two films in which we strongly believed, showcasing our ongoing commitment to high-quality independent cinema and storytelling that leaves a lasting impression.

Leggere Lolita a Teheran directed by Eran Riklis and based on the bestselling novel by Azar Nafisi, received both the FS Audience Award for Best Film and the Jury’s Special Award for Best Cast. Director Eran Riklis and the cast accepted the awards, presented by the Mayor of Rome Roberto Gualtieri and actress Laetitia Casta.

Set in post-revolutionary Iran under Khomeini, the film tells the story of a university professor who defies the regime’s strict restrictions by organizing a clandestine literary circle. Through the reading of banned Western works like “Lolita,” a group of young women, led by a remarkable ensemble cast including Golshifteh Farahani, Zar Amir-Ebrahimi, and Mina Kavani, rediscover the power of words and free expression as they strive for emancipation in a repressive society.

A co-production by Minerva Pictures, Rosamont, Eran Riklis Production, and Topia Communications, in collaboration with Rai Cinema, United King Films, and Westend Film. In theaters from November 21 with FilmClub Distribuzione and Minerva Pictures.

Ciao Bambino the debut film by Edgardo Pistone, won the Award for Best Debut Film. Director Edgardo Pistone accepted the award from director and screenwriter Francesca Comencini.

The film provides an authentic glimpse into contemporary Naples, following Attilio, a young man torn between following his heart and facing the debts left by his father.

Produced by Minerva Pictures, Bronx Film, Anemone Film, and Mosaicon Film, Ciao Bambino will soon be released in theaters by FilmClub Distribuzione and Minerva Pictures.

A heartfelt thank you to all our partners, directors, cast, and crew who made these works possible. Look for them in theaters – they’re not to be missed!

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A busy October for Minerva Pictures at International Festivals and Film Markets!

11 October 2024

October is packed with major events for Minerva Pictures, with significant participation in the top international film festivals and markets.

We begin with the Sitges Film Festival, the world’s leading event for fantasy and genre films, held in Spain from October 5 to 13. Among the Special Screenings is The American Backyard, the latest gothic noir film by Pupi Avati, based on his novel of the same name, featuring Filippo Scotti and Rita Tushingham, which received enthusiastic acclaim as the closing film of the Venice Film Festival. Produced by Minerva Pictures and DueA Film in collaboration with Rai Cinema, L’orto americano will be released in theaters in 2025, distributed by 01 Distribution. In the Brigadoon section, dedicated to underground and cult cinema, Monster on a Plane by Ezra Tsegaye will be presented, a film blending horror and comedy in a chaotic adventure on a flight plagued by terrifying creatures.

This week, we will also be attending the BFI London Film Festival, a prestigious event organized in collaboration with the British Film Institute, which annually celebrates the best in international cinema. This occasion offers our acquisitions and production team the opportunity to meet top talent and explore new creative prospects, including through the new Italy-UK Cinematic Bridge initiative, sponsored by Cinecittà and the DGCA of the MiC.

From October 14 to 18, we will be at the MIA – Mercato Internazionale Audiovisivo in Rome, where on October 16th’s Comin’ Up, we will showcase some of our upcoming releases: Judas’ Gospel by Giulio Base and the documentary Our Magnificent Obsession by Marco Spagnoli, celebrating the extraordinary career of Bernardo Bertolucci and his collaboration with a group of young talents who shaped cinema history. During MIA, we will also be present at the CNA pavilion with our international sales, acquisitions, production, and digital distribution teams.

Our international activities continue with the Marché International du Film Classique in Lyon (October 15-18), where on October 15, at the Rendez-Vous Des Cataloguistes, we will present a showreel featuring our 2024-2025 restoration slate, including The Cannibals (1970) by Liliana Cavani, and two of the last works by Mario Monicelli: Looking for Paradise (1995) and Dirty Linen (1999). We will also be present with our stand at the MIFC Village at the Institut Lumière, with our Sales, Library, and Acquisition teams.

At the Rome Film Festival (October 16-27), Minerva Pictures will present five major titles in competition: Miss Fallaci, the highly anticipated series directed by Luca Ribuoli, Giacomo Martelli, and Alessandra Gonnella, focusing on an unknown period in the life of Oriana Fallaci, played by Miriam Leone; Reading Lolita in Tehran, the new film by Eran Riklis, based on the international bestseller by Azar Nafisi; Ciao bambino, the directorial debut of Edgardo Pistone; and the 4K restorations of two great classics: The Seduction of Mimi (1972) by Lina Wertmüller, featuring Giancarlo Giannini and Mariangela Melato, and Borsalino (1970), a cult French cinema polar by Jacques Deray, starring Alain Delon and Jean-Paul Belmondo.

Once again this year, our Sales, Acquisitions, Digital, and Production teams will be present at MIPCOM in Cannes (October 21-24). Here, we will present the key titles from our TV catalog, including the documentary Gianni Versace – Emperor Of Dreams by Mimmo Calopresti, along with new additions to our library. It will be an essential opportunity to discuss new productions and distributions in the fields of production, digital distribution, and television.

From October 28 to November 1, we will be at TIFFCOM in Tokyo, where we will explore new opportunities for co-production and acquisition in one of the most dynamic Asian markets, while at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (November 8-24), our international sales team will present two titles in competition: Ciao bambino by Edgardo Pistone and Io e il secco by Gianluca Santoni.

Finally, we will close the month with our regular appointment at the American Film Market in Las Vegas (November 5-10), one of the most important film markets in the world, where we will be engaged with our stand dedicated to sales, acquisitions, and production.

Lastly, it is worth noting the excellent festival journey of Pupi Avati’s The American Backyard, which after being presented at Venice 81, has been selected for the Festival do Rio (October 3-13) and the Sitges Film Festival (October 5-13), confirming the international interest in this extraordinary work.

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Minerva Pictures at the 19th Rome Film Festival!

20 September 2024

Minerva Pictures is proud to participate in the 19th Rome Film Fest (October 16–27, 2024) with a lineup that blends new stories and restorations of great classics of Italian cinema.

Among the new titles presented is Miss Fallaci, the highly anticipated series directed by Luca Ribuoli, Giacomo Martelli, and Alessandra Gonnella. The series focuses on an untold chapter of Oriana Fallaci’s life, with a stunning Miriam Leone in the lead role. Set between the 1950s and 60s, the series follows the young Fallaci, torn between Italy’s Dolce Vita and Hollywood’s star system, as she establishes herself as a journalist. Inspired by her books I sette peccati di Hollywood and Penelope alla guerra, this is a production of Paramount Television International Studios and Minerva Pictures in association with Redstring.

In the Progressive Cinema section, Reading Lolita in Tehran by Eran Riklis debuts. Based on the international bestseller by Azar Nafisi, the film tells an intense, authentic story about the power of culture as a tool for personal emancipation, particularly for women, under Iran’s regime. Through the teaching of Western literature, the protagonist creates a space for intellectual resistance against the rising influence of radical Islamic catechism. With a stellar ensemble cast, including Golshifteh Farahani, Zar Amir-Ebrahimi, and Mina Kavani, this co-production of Minerva Pictures, Rosamont, Eran Riklis Production, and Topia Communications will soon hit theaters with FilmClub Distribuzione and Minerva Pictures.

Ciao Bambino, the directorial debut of Edgardo Pistone, tells the story of Attilio, a young Neapolitan caught between his budding love for a young prostitute and the duty to settle his father’s debt after he is released from prison. The film, produced by Minerva Pictures, Bronx Film, Anemone Film, and Mosaicon Film, was created with support from Italy’s Ministry of Culture and the Campania Region Film Commission. Presented in the Freestyle section, it will soon be released by FilmClub Distribuzione and Minerva Pictures.

But it’s not just new films! Minerva is thrilled to present a 4K restoration of Lina Wertmüller’s The Seduction of Mimi (1972), starring Giancarlo Giannini and Mariangela Melato. A cornerstone of Italian comedy, this grotesque and provocative classic was nominated for the Palme d’Or at Cannes and won accolades at the David di Donatello, Nastri d’Argento, and Golden Globe Awards. The restoration was curated by the National Museum of Cinema in collaboration with Minerva Pictures, using negatives from Cinecittà Studios and the Turin Film Archive.

Finally, as we remember Alain Delon, we are excited to present a 4K restoration of Borsalino (1970), directed by Jacques Deray. A cult film in French polar cinema, it brings together two unforgettable icons: Alain Delon and Jean-Paul Belmondo. Set in 1930s Marseille, the film follows two gangsters caught up in power struggles and crime. This restoration was produced by Paramount Pictures.

Join us in Rome for an unforgettable cinematic experience, and we can’t wait to share these stories with you!

#RoFF19

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Minerva Pictures at the Sitges Film Festival 2024!

16 September 2024

Minerva Pictures is pleased to announce the selection of two films at the 2024 Sitges Film Festival, the world’s leading event dedicated to fantasy and genre cinema, held in Spain from October 5 to 13.

The American Backyard, by Pupi Avati, presented among the Special Screenings, is a modern gothic film adapted from the director’s novel. The film blends horror with reflections on the relationship between the past and present. Starring Filippo Scotti and Rita Tushingham, along with a prestigious cast, it was the closing film of the Venice Film Festival. Produced by Minerva Pictures and DueA Film in collaboration with Rai Cinema, L’orto americano will hit Italian theaters in 2025, distributed by 01 Distribution.

Directly from Venice, Cloud by Kiyoshi Kurosawa also makes its way to Sitges. The Japanese master returns to explore the tension between realism and gangster undertones, ending on a lyrical and enveloping note.

In the Brigadoon section, dedicated to cult and underground cinema, comes Monster on a Plane by Ezra Tsegaye, a horror-comedy about a chaotic flight filled with terrifying creatures.

Sitges remains a premier international showcase for genre films, and Minerva Pictures is thrilled to participate with two of its titles this year. #staytuned for more updates!

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Minerva Pictures closes Venice81 with a standing ovation for L’orto americano by Pupi Avati!

8 September 2024

Minerva Pictures concluded the 81st Venice Film Festival with The American Backyard, Pupi Avati’s new gothic film based on his namesake novel. Presented as the closing film, it received a 10-minute standing ovation at the Sala Grande, marking the return of the acclaimed director with an exceptional cast. Alongside leads Filippo Scotti and Rita Tushingham, the film stars Armando De Ceccon, Roberto De Francesco, Chiara Caselli, and Romano Reggiani. This extraordinary performance, combined with Avati’s direction, captivated the audience.

The plot of The American Backyard is set in 1950s America and blends gothic atmospheres, intertwining themes of remorse, memory, and the supernatural, characteristic of Avati’s cinema. With ten films presented at the Lido, Avati confirms his status as the Italian director with the most official selections.

Produced by Minerva Pictures and Duea Film, in collaboration with Rai Cinema, the film will be distributed in Italian cinemas in 2025 by 01 Distribution, generating high expectations among critics and art-house cinema fans.

This work marks the culmination of a rich lineup from Minerva Pictures, which also presented other significant titles such as Cloud by Kiyoshi Kurosawa and the documentary Twst – Things We Said Today by Andrei Ujică, along with the restoration of Lina Wertmüller’s classic Swept Away.

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Filming begins on “La versione di Giuda,” the new film by Giulio Base!

2 August 2024

Filming has officially begun on La versione di Giuda, the new film written and directed by Giulio Base!

Featuring an international cast including Rupert Everett, Paz Vega, John Savage, Darko Peric, Tomasz Kot, and Abel Ferrara, the film is produced by Agnus Dei Production, Minerva Pictures, and Agresywna Banda, in collaboration with Rai Cinema and supported by the Calabria Film Commission.

The shoot, which will last four weeks, is set in various picturesque locations in Calabria, including Curinga, Corigliano-Rossano, Cleto, the Sila National Park, and Cosenza.

The plot follows the life of Judas, born in a brothel and raised amid hardships, suffering, and violence. Over the years, pain hardens him, and he reluctantly becomes the protector of the place where he was born and raised. However, his life changes dramatically when he meets a young man named Jesus, who saves Mary Magdalene, one of his charges, from being stoned. Captivated by such mercy, Judas decides to follow him, leading to his agonizing decision of betrayal.

#staytuned for updates and behind-the-scenes content!

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The 4K restoration of “Slap the Monster on Page One” arrives at Cinema Troisi and the Giornate di Ciné!

1 July 2024

Tonight, don’t miss a crucial event at Cinema Troisi for the premiere of the 4K restoration of Slap the Monster on Page One (1972), a seminal work of Italian political cinema directed by Marco Bellocchio. After the screening, the audience will have the opportunity to engage in a Q&A session with the director himself, moderated by film critic Enrico Magrelli.

The restoration of the film, accomplished by the Cineteca di Bologna in collaboration with Surf Film, Kavac Film, and Minerva Pictures, has already been enthusiastically received in the Cannes Classics section of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and at the Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival in Bologna, reaffirming its status as a timeless classic and its relevance in the contemporary context.

The journey of the restoration continues tomorrow in Riccione during the Giornate di Ciné at the Hot Corn Awards, where Bellocchio and director Andrea Morandi will take the stage to celebrate this significant cinematic conservation project. The event offers a fantastic opportunity to reflect on the importance of film preservation and the transmission of cinematic cultural heritage to new generations.

And there’s more good news! From July 4th, Slap the Monster on Page One will return to cinemas across Italy, distributed by 01 Distribution and Minerva Pictures. Don’t just hear about it!