Ministero dei Beni e delle Attività Culturali e del Turismo (Italy): 4

The romantic drama film, Call Me by Your Name (2017), is directed by Luca Guadagnino. Set in Northern Italy, the Perlmans own a villa outside of Moscazzano where they spend their summers and Hannukah. This year, they’ve invited an American graduate student named Oliver to join them for six weeks and assist Professor Perlman with his work. During his stay, Oliver befriends Elio, the seventeen-year-old son of the Perlmans, and his female friends all swoon over his preppy good looks. Though Oliver casually pursues one of these girls, Chiara, Elio – who is still exploring his own masculinity – ends up ...

Youth (2015) is a comedy-drama film by writer and director Paolo Sorrentino. This marks his second English-language work. The story follows septuagenarian friends Fred Ballinger and Mick Boyle, who are currently vacationing at a luxurious spa in the Swiss Alps called Wiesen. Fred, a retired classical music composer, is approached by a representative for Queen Elizabeth II during their stay. The Queen wishes to grant him a knighthood and invites him to perform his popular composition ‘Simple Song #3’ at Prince Philip’s birthday concert. However, Fred declines the offer, stating that he has no interest ...

A Bigger Splash (2015) is a psychological drama film directed by Luca Guadagnino with a screenplay by David Kajganich, based on a story by Alain Page. Set in an isolated villa on the small Italian island of Pantelleria, the film follows world-famous rock singer Marianne Lane and her filmmaker lover Paul De Smedt as they vacation together. Marianne is recovering from surgery and has lost her voice, communicating through signs and whispers. Meanwhile, Paul is overcoming alcohol addiction and a recent suicide attempt. Despite ...

Pasolini (2014) is an internationally co-produced drama, directed by Abel Ferrara and written by Maurizio Braucci, that delves into the final days of Italian filmmaker Pier Paolo Pasolini. At fifty-three years old, Pasolini lives in the chaotic Rome of the 1970s. He has recently wrapped up filming his controversial piece, Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom, which has sparked outrage among critics and viewers alike. The public’s disapproval towards Pasolini’s homosexuality and his bold approach to showcasing reality only grows stronger. As he prepares to ...