Ah, Italy! Land of Vespa scooters, endless espressos, and more cinematic flair than a Marcello Mastroianni wink. This year, the 2024 ST. ALi Italian Film Festival is about to sweep Australia off its feet once again, kicking off with the musical fireworks of GLORIA!, the directorial debut from Italy’s own pop sensation, Margherita Vicario. Think of it as a Negroni—equal parts sweet, strong, and just the right amount of bitterness to leave you wanting more.
Set against a Venetian backdrop, GLORIA! spins the tale of a humble maid who transforms from sweeping floors to stirring revolutions, and trust me, this isn’t your nonna’s idea of a quiet night in. With Vicario herself in attendance at the Sydney and Melbourne opening night galas, you’ll be serenaded straight into la dolce vita.
But don’t put away the prosecco just yet. Festival Ambassador Silvia Colloca—TV host, cookbook author, and all-around Italian cuisine queen—will be dishing up both film intros and recipes, including a sneak peek into her latest literary offering, The Italian Homecook. If anyone can teach us how to feast with our eyes and mouths, it's Silvia.
The festival won’t let you down when it comes to star power. Closing the show is CONCLAVE, a papal thriller that promises more drama than your family’s Christmas dinner. With Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci as Cardinals locked in a high-stakes Vatican battle, you’ll be biting your nails faster than a speedboat chase through Venice.
For those yearning for a touch of romance—and who isn’t?—Paolo Sorrentino’s PARTHENOPE offers a love story that spans decades and oozes Neapolitan charm, with enough visual splendor to make even the most cynical heart skip a beat. And speaking of love, Paola Cortellesi’s directorial debut THERE’S STILL TOMORROW will have you cheering for a woman in post-war Rome who’s more interested in breaking glass ceilings than bread.
Of course, what’s an Italian film festival without a healthy dose of intrigue? TRUST, scored by none other than Radiohead’s Thom Yorke, delves into a love affair so fiery, you’ll need a gelato to cool off. Meanwhile, COMANDANTE, starring the incomparable Pierfrancesco Favino, takes us into the deep waters of the Battle of the Atlantic. Let’s just say, moral dilemmas never looked so good.
This year’s lineup is also sprinkled with anniversary celebrations that feel like a heartfelt letter to Italy’s cinematic past. Binge on BREAD AND TULIPS, the festival’s original 2000 opener, and relive the whimsical tale of Rosalba, a housewife-turned-Venetian adventurer. Or, if you prefer your anniversaries with a dash of danger, immerse yourself in THE GODFATHER PART II—because nothing says “Italian festival” like a Corleone power struggle on the big screen.
And it’s not all drama and high stakes. If you’re in need of a few belly laughs, A WORLD APART and LIFE’S A BEACHwill have you cackling all the way through the charmingly quirky landscapes of small-town Italy. From grandfathers waging war over their grandkids in THE WAR OF THE NONNI to an actress with a phobia of flying in VOLARE, there’s a comedy to suit every taste. Even your toughest critic (we all know one) will be smiling.
For cinephiles who prefer a jolt of caffeine with their culture, there’s THE RISE OF ESPRESSO, a documentary steeped in the evolution of Italy’s greatest contribution to the modern world—coffee. Prepare for beans, baristas, and backstories in this deep dive into your morning ritual.
So, what are you waiting for? Tickets are now on sale. Whether you’re a film buff, an espresso addict, or just someone looking for an excuse to indulge in Italy’s finest, the 2024 ST. ALi Italian Film Festival is the ticket to your perfect Roman holiday—without the airfare.
See you there, and as they say in Italy, “Ci vediamo al cinema!”
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Words by AW.
Photo courtesyt of ST. ALi Italian Film Festival.
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