'L’arte della gioia', Valeria Golino’s first series to premiere at Cannes
L'arte della gioia, the first series to be directed by Valeria Golino, will get its worldwide premiere at the 77th Festival de Cannes.
The series is based on the novel by Goliarda Sapienza (10 May 1924 – 30 August 1996) of Catania was long deemed too scandalous to print by Italian publishing houses, but became successful abroad and was eventually published after her death; it tells the story of a young girl in early 1900s Sicily as she discovers her sexuality and an impellent desire for a better life.
The series, produced by Sky and by Viola Prestieri for HT Film, will be released theatrically in Italy in two parts by Vision Distribution: the first on 30 May and the second on 13 June.
The story in the first series directed by Valeria Golino
The six episodes of the series, written by Valeria Golino, Luca Infascelli, Francesca Marciano, Valia Santella and Stefano Sardo, follows the dramatic and adventurous life of Modesta, born into a poor family in an even poorer land, Sicily, on 1 January 1900. Driven by the insatiable desire for knowledge, love and freedom from childhood, she is prepared to do anything she needs to find happiness, without bending to the rules of the patriarchal and oppressive society that seem to be her future. After a tragic accident, she is taken to a convent where, thanks to her intelligence and determination, she becomes the favourite of the Mother Superior. Life then takes her to the villa of Princess Brandiforti where she becomes indispensable, gaining increasing power in the palace.
Her unstoppable quest for emancipation is accompanied by growth in her personal and sexual maturity which takes her to the threshold between lawful and unlawful, striving every day for her right to pleasure and joy.
"I’m thrilled to be back at Cannes with a masterclass and to present the first episode of my latest project in premiere – said director Valeria Golino. – The Festival de Cannes has always supported my directing path and I’m proud that the journey of L’arte della gioia starts here ".
'L'arte della gioia': location and cast
L’arte della gioia was shot principally in Catania and was completed in early 2023.
The protagonists of the story are Tecla Insolia as the very young Modesta, unscrupulous, sensual and courageous; Jasmine Trinca as Leonora, Mother Superior of the convent where Modesta is taken as a child; Guido Caprino is Carmine, who manages the estate of Villa del Carmelo belonging to Leonora's noble, wealthy family, the Brandifortis; Alma Noce is Beatrice, the youngest member of the Brandiforti family whose head, Princess Gaia, is played by Valeria Bruni Tedeschi; Giovanni Bagnasco is Ippolito, Gaia’s son and the only true Brandiforti heir; and Giuseppe Spata as their chauffeur Rocco.
L’arte della gioia was produced with the support of Regione Siciliana - Assessorato del Turismo, Sport e Spettacolo - Sicilia Film Commission and of the Ministry of Culture – Direzione generale Cinema e audiovisivo.