Sorrentino and Minervini at Cannes 2024. All the locations of the Italian films
The films in competition for the Palme d’or at the next Festival de Cannes, 14-25 May, have been announced.
Parthenope by Paolo Sorrentino
One of the most eagerly awaited films is Paolo Sorrentino’s latest work, Parthenope. The cast, in alphabetical order, includes: Dario Aita, Celeste Dalla Porta, Silvia Degrandi, Isabella Ferrari, Lorenzo Gleijeses, Biagio Izzo, Marlon Joubert, Peppe Lanzetta, Nello Mascia, Gary Oldman, Silvio Orlando, Luisa Ranieri, Daniele Rienzo, Stefania Sandrelli and Alfonso Santagata.
The film tells the story of the long life journey of Parthenope, from her birth in 1950 to the present day. An epic female story, brimming with the inexorable passion for freedom, Naples and the unpredictable faces of love, no glaring acts of heroism required. The passing of time offers the full repertoire of human emotions. Always present, in the background, both near and far, is the undefinable city, Naples, that charms and enchants, shouts and laughs and knows just how to wound.
Shot in Naples and Capri, the film is a French-Italian coproduction. Written and directed by Paolo Sorrentino, produced by Lorenzo Mieli (The Apartment Pictures, part of the Fremantle group); Anthony Vaccarello (Saint Laurent), Paolo Sorrentino (Numero 10) and Ardavan Safaee (Pathé).
Grand Tour by Miguel Gomes
Grand Tour by Miguel Gomes, an Italian-French-Portuguese coproduction, was shot in studio in Rome and Lisbon. Produced by Uma Pedra No Sapato, Vivo Film, Shellac Sud, Cinéma Defacto.
Shot in black and white with some colour sequences, the film begins in Burma in 1917. Edward, an administrator in the colonial British civil service, runs away from his fiancée Molly on the day she arrives for their wedding. On his journey, panic gives way to melancholy. Contemplating the emptiness of his existence, Edward wonders what has become of Molly. In the meantime, Molly – determined to get married and strangely amused by her fiancé’s flight - is hot on his heels in an Asian grand Tour.
Marcello mio by Christophe Honoré
Marcello mio by Christophe Honoré is a French-Italian coproduction produced by Les Films Pelléas, BiBi Film, Lucky Red, France 2 Cinéma, Rai Cinema. The cast includes Chiara Mastroianni, Catherine Deneuve, Fabrice Luchini, Nicole Garcia, Melvil Poupaud, Benjamin Biolay, Nicole Garcia.
The story focuses on Chiara Mastroianni who, surrounded by her father’s image on all sides, decides to bring him to life again through her self. She calls herself Marcello, dresses as him and insists on being considered an actor. Everyone around her thinks this is a temporary joke but Chiara is determined to hold on to her new identity… locations included Roma and Formia, Paris and the French Alps.
The Damned by Roberto Minervini
Roberto Minervini’s The Damned, selected for the Un Certain Regard section was produced by Okta Film, Pulpa Film, Michigan Films, Rai Cinema, BeTV, with Jeremiah Knupp, René W. Solomon, Cuyler Ballenger, Noah Carlson, Judah Carlson, Tim Carlson.
The film is set in winter 1862, in the midst of the War of Secession. The United States army sends a detachment of volunteers to survey and occupy unexplored territories in the west. The mission is devastating for the small group of armed men, revealing the real sense of their journey to the frontier. Shot principally in Montana, America, some scenes were also shot at “4 Studios” in Turin.
(Monica Sardelli)