The Italian Contemporary Film Festival (ICFF) celebrates the best in contemporary Italian cinema from around the world. Over the eleven days of the Festival, from June 9-19, these films will show audiences in Toronto, Vaughan, Hamilton, the Niagara Region, Montreal and Québec City a wide range of perspectives connected by Italian culture.
The festival’s lineup includes 70 features, shorts and documentaries, of which 42 are premieres. This year, Italian screen legend Claudia Cardinale, will be conferred ICFF’s Lifetime Achievement Award, whose previous recipients include screen legends such as Al Pacino, Oscar winner Roberto Benigni and multiple award winner Carlo Verdone.
As it’s my custom with other film festivals, I have taken the liberty of curating a list of films that I recommend at ICFF this year.
The Stuff of Dreams (La Stoffa Dei Sogni)
Friday, June 10, 6:45pm
TIFF Bell Lightbox
The film recounts the twists and turns of a modest theatrical troupe castaway off the coast of a remote Mediterranean island together with dangerous members of the Camorra. From this premise develops a comedy full of plot twists, inspired by William Shakespeare’s The Tempest and Eduardo De Filippo’s Neapolitan translation of Shakespeare’s masterpiece, all set amongst the pristine scenery of the island of Asinara.
Me, Myself And Her (Io e Lei)
Friday, June 10, 9:30pm
TIFF Bell Lightbox
Federica and Marina have lived together for five years. A former actress and an architect, they have different personalities and modes of life. They enjoy interacting like any couple. But a series of events destabilizes their relationship. Just when Marina is thinking they are a strong couple, Federica is moved by a series of events which put her into a crisis. She begins to ask herself questions. A little battle in which the winner is the one who knows how to fight for happiness.
They Called Me Jeeg (Lo Chiamavano Jeeg Robot)
Saturday, June 11, 7:15pm
TIFF Bell Lightbox
Enzo Ceccotti, a little suburban thief that lives in the roman district of Tor Bella Monaca, while running from the police, he jumps in the Tiber, coming into contact with some radioactive waste. Somehow he develops ‘superpowers,’ like great strength, endurance, and a healing factor. At first, he uses these powers to commit crimes, until an encounter with the kind and gentle Alessia. She will push him to find a new and better purpose for his life.
The Bookstore (La libreria)
Tuesday, June 14, 9pm
TIFF Bell Lightbox
George D’Amico is a dissatisfied bookstore manager. Customers come to him making absurd requests and this has made him jaded and cynical. One day he meets Bryan, a teenager in love with a classmate (Lisa). Bryan begs George to help him win over Lisa. George reluctantly agrees. He teaches Bryan that literature, poetry and, especially, knowledge of Italian, can help him greatly. For his part, Bryan teaches George how to be more open minded. The two forge a strong friendship, cemented by their humorous take on love and literature.
Ustica
Wednesday, June 15, 9:30pm
TIFF Bell Lightbox
The film follows the events of the disaster of Ustica which took place on June 27th, 1980 – the causes of which have not been established and which remain the source of controversy. On said date, the commercial flight Douglas DC-9 en route from Bologna to Palermo exploded mid-air above the islands of Ustica and Ponza, leaving no survivors. Thirty five years later, Ustica remains one of the most painful mysteries of Italy. There are three causes which have been put forth: Structural failure of the plane, a bomb on board, and a missile.
The ten-day festival will close with the feature film The Correspondence, starring Jeremy Irons, directed by Academy Award Winner Giuseppe Tornatore (Cinema Paradiso, The Best Offer). The film will be screened at the TIFF Bell Lightbox on June 17 at 6:30pm, followed by the ICFF closing gala at 9:30pm at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
With these recommendations, you have a good place to start and experience ICFF. For full details about the festival, list of films, box office information, please visit icff.ca. Ciao!
