Films
Marina 
True story of beloved singer, songwriter and accordionist, Rocco Granata, from his early life as an immigrant in Belgium to his emergence as a worldwide musical phenomenon with his 1959 song Marina, one of the biggest international hits of that era.1948 Calabria, in southern Italy, poor local worker Toto Granata leaves his wife Ida and two children to work in the Belgian mines, promising to return wealthier. But like countless others, instead of returning after a few years as planned, his family are forced to join him and adjust to a new life as immigrants in a foreign country. It is here Toto’s only son Rocco discovers his sole joys lie in young love and the music that will eventually immortalise him.
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PALACE CINEMA COMO
KINO CINEMAS
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Marriage Italian Style
Filumena, a 17-yearold prostitute, was taken in by the influential businessman Domenico, and made into his mistress. Now, 20 years later, she is fed up with Domenico’s refusal to commit to her, so she undertakes a series of tricks in order to secure his vows and assure a comfortable life for her and her three illegitimate sons.
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KINO CINEMAS
PALACE BRIGHTON BAY
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Darker Than Midnight
Based on the youth of Davide Cordova who, after a rough adolescence in Sicily, achieved fame on the Roman stage as the drag queen Fuxia.
Willowy Davide is an embarrassment to his father Massimo, who torments him for not being manly while his mother is powerless to defend him. Increasing tensions at home force him onto the street where he takes refuge in Catania’s Villa Bellini park where he is befriended by effeminate hustler La Rettore and his band of gay and transgender friends. But one day the past encroaches on the present and Davide has to face the most difficult choice of his tender years…
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????? IonCinema
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KINO CINEMAS
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Incompresa
Young Aria feels unloved. After a dramatic argument, her parents split and she is packed off to Dad’s new place. And so begins her loveless odyssey between two homes, wanted in neither. In particular, her exceptionally superstitious father is upset not only by her beloved black cat, but also when she spills salt, breaks mirrors and brings home birds of illomen. Her luck, or lack thereof, carries into her school and love-life. Ultimately, her actions will lead to an apocalyptic climax that will leave a lasting impression.
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The Wonders
Gelsomina is the designated heir of the strange, secluded kingdom that her father constructed around them to protect his family from “the end of the world”. An extraordinary summer, when the strict rules that hold the family together, are beginning to break: in part due to the arrival of Martin, a German boy on a youth rehabilitation program, and also due to the local community’s participation in a TV competition for big prizes “Village Wonders”, presented by the mysterious Milly Catena.
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Like the Wind
Renowned as a tough, take-no-nonsense director, Miserere’s career trajectory was meteoric in the 1980s with Italy confronted by an escalating campaign of crime and violence against the State. But the murder of her beloved partner Umberto leaves a distraught Armida believing she now has nothing to lose. She volunteers postings to some of the toughest and most dangerous prisons in Italy, determined to fight the evils of organised crime. Respect from her colleagues follows with even the occasional romance. But the personal inner pain never leaves her as Armida continually struggles to come to terms with the loss of Umberto.
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KINO CINEMAS
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Off Road
The transsexual Beatrice, formerly Pino, is a mechanic and ex-rally champion with a passion for 4WD who owns a busy car repair shop in a Roman suburb. She leads a loving family life with Romanian wife Marianna and 16-year old Daniele, Marianna’s son from a previous marriage, who now refers to Beatrice as “Dad”. Completing the family with her own story to tell, is Beatrice’s mother, who, over the years, has come to accept her son’s physical transformation.
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KINO CINEMAS
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Quiet Bliss
A small family-run textile factory is forced to close and three generations of women must now struggle to keep the wolf from the door. They take refuge at the family’s Salento olive grove overlooking the sea, forced to re-establish their lives. Against the backdrop of a radiant southern landscape, the pressure of mounting debts brings them close to breaking point. Against all expectations, they discover that cultivating the soil and selling or bartering their produce provides the chance for a new beginning.
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KINO CINEMAS
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Sacro GRA
Award-winning documentary filmmaker Gianfranco Rosi camps in a minivan for two years on Rome’s giant 70km ring road, to capture the diversity, invisible worlds and possible futures of the residents living on the fringe. The characters he comes across include a paramedic, an impoverished nobleman, an eel fisherman, an actor, a prostitute and an expert in palm trees. Almost all of them are funny in an absurd, gentle way, making this intelligent film a curious triumph in the Italian film panorama.
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PALACE BALWYN
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Scampia’s Gold
Based on the true story of Italy’s enthralling Judo triumph in the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
Scampìa is a modern suburb of Naples full of overcrowded and decaying buildings, where the Camorra reign, hiring local youngsters as lookouts, drug couriers or hitmen. Through teaching Judo, the passionate Enzo offers the young people of Scampìa an alternative to working for the Camorra. Despite relentless dramatic, often violent bids to sabotage Enzo’s efforts, he works with his students to prove success can be achieved with diligence. The proof comes as his son and star pupil, Toni, works his way toward representing Italy in the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
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KINO CINEMAS
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South is Nothing
Grazia is 17 and lives in a small town in the South of Italy helping her father Cristiano at his fish shop which is under threat from the local Mafia. The ‘Ndrangheta’, as they are otherwise known, want him to sell up and move away. In addition, her brother Pietro disappeared years ago, and is presumed dead and her father’s continued refusal to talk about him creates a wall of silence that is destroying their relationship. One night, after a fight, Grazia sees a vision of her brother as she enters into the sea. She becomes convinced he is still alive and at that moment, resolves to search for him.
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The Art of Happiness
Angry Sergio drives a taxi in a constantly grey, rainy Naples. But it wasn’t always this way. A former classical musician, he shared the major stages with his brother, Alfredo. But now Sergio is alienated from his family, and his brother – after a long absence as a Buddhist Monk – has died. Trapped by the city, the rain and the confines of his own taxi, Sergio needs to find a release from his hatred of the world and all who live in it. As the storm rages outside, characters pile in and out of his cab, each with their own tale, memories, hopes, regrets and dreams. With each passenger, Sergio searches the path to a greater understanding – a truth that is more universal that one might think.
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The Fifth Wheel
Ernesto, a humble, honest everyman who moves from job to job as his country’s political and economic situation goes from bad to worse. As a child in 1967, Ernesto’s father began berating his confidence calling him a “useless fifth wheel of the family”. In subsequent years, Ernesto determinedly searches for his calling as humorous experiences frame his life as a kindergarten cook, removalist and politician while his wacky family undergoes radical transformations. All the while, true historical events contextualise the eras, involving references to the likes of Aldo Moro, Socialist politician Bettino Craxi, and Silvio Berlusconi.
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The First Snowfall
African refugee Dani made the perilous journey to Europe in search of a better life. However, his passage was paved with tragedy, leaving him to raise his daughter alone in the new, chilly and alien land of Italy’s Mocheni Valley. Unexpectedly, he finds a surprising connection in Michele, the precocious 11-year-old grandson of his boss who has not been coping well since the recent death of his father. As Dani and Michele work on odd jobs around the valley of the breathtaking Italian Alps, they find solidarity in one another.
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PALACE BALWYN
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KINO CINEMAS
The Human Factor
The shooting of a wealthy, well-connected developer at his home leads Inspector Adriano Monaco and his partner, Inspector Carlo Levi into the seedy, behind-the-scenes underbelly of the Milanese nightclub scene. At the same time Monaco is also facing more personal demons – he and his 16-year-old daughter are both still coming to terms with the death of his wife three years earlier. Neither speak much to the other and both are clearly anesthetized by their grief. The challenge lies with Monaco who is forced to face this mysterious killing case, while raising a daughter clearly desperate for paternal attention.
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PALACE WESTGARTH
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The Medicine Seller
40-year-old sales rep Bruno, suffers unbearable pressure at the hands of his tyrannical boss, which is proven when his broken and stressed coworker commits suicide. However, Bruno presses on, continuing to shamelessly bribe clients into sales. As things at work grow increasingly cutthroat, Bruno experiences another sort of tension at home when his wife, Anna, stops taking her birth control pills against his wishes.
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Those Happy Years
A proud Guido, spends extended periods in his studio sculpting and seducing attractive young models, arousing the jealousy and anger of his devoted wife Serena, who is rapidly tiring of her husband’s transgressions. But Guido’s pride is crushed when his exhibition at an important art show in Milan fails. Immediately following this, Serena rebels against his infidelities, and takes a holiday alone with the children, forcing Guido to confront all the things that had limited his art and his love.
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PALACE BALWYN
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KINO CINEMAS
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Tir
Branko, a former teacher from Bosnia who takes a job driving an articulated truck (Tir) throughout Europe. In spite of the demands of the work including long hours, time spent away from home and makeshift living conditions, a salary three times that of the classroom makes it all worthwhile. Immersing us in the trucker’s experience – the sounds, the landscapes, the waiting, the loneliness – Fasula provides an intimate connection and an evocative sense of life on the road resulting in a solid and engrossing feature.
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PALACE CINEMA COMO
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KINO CINEMAS
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Turin on the Moon
Ugo is a jobless intellectual who rides around on his bike, reading and profusely citing poet/philosopher Giacomo Leopardi, and lounging around the motley suburban house he inherited from his deceased parents. When he’s not brooding alone, he playfully chats up his two housemates: the zookeeper and aspiring writer Dario and the romance-seeking travel agent Maria, whom Ugo is desperately trying to seduce.
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PALACE BALWYN
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KINO CINEMAS
White Like Milk, Red Like Blood
Leo is an average 16 year-old who loves to hang out with friends, play soccer and tinker with his scooter – and like most other teenagers, he hates school. However, the arrival of a new philosophy teacher changes this as he encourages students to follow their dreams. For Leo, this includes classmate Beatrice. A fiery red head, the colour represents passion, love and blood to the tongue-tied adolescent. On the other hand, he is terrified by the colour white: to him, it represents everything that is about loss and deprivation. So when Leo discovers Beatrice has an illness related to the colour white, he must find the courage to dig deep and believe in something greater than himself.
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KINO CINEMAS
A Boss in the Kitchen
Wrongly under arrest for mafia-related crimes , Ciro is forced to serve his sentence in the family home. Ciro’s sister Michele is mortified at his presence and hilarious situations ensue as she does everything possible to mask their association, as he teaches the children bad lessons, brings one-night-stands into the house, and taints the family reputation.
However, things change dramatically when the town gets word that Ciro is allegedly involved with a powerful mafia connection, and they begin to treat the family like royalty.
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PALACE BALWYN
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KINO CINEMAS
A Lonely Hero
Set in modern day Milan and seen through the eyes of kind, middle-aged Antonio Pane as he presents a Chaplinesque odyssey through the world of unskilled manual labour. Despite loneliness and personal family problems, particularly around his troubled musician son, a determined Antonio is a jack-of-all-trades who takes on every conceivable temporary job, a different one every day, while somehow remaining defiantly optimistic, in what is ultimately an uplifting offering in a difficult time.
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PALACE CINEMA COMO
KINO CINEMAS
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Blame it on Freud
Francesco, a psychologist who was left by his wife to raise three daughters alone. Now in their adulthood, the daughters are going through various hurdles in their love lives: Marta has fallen for a thief, Sara has just been dumped by her girlfriend, and 18 year old Emma is in a relationship with Alessandro, a 50-year-old married architect. Each daughter loves Francesco dearly, and despite his protests, they collectively enlist him to counsel them in the ways of men. Meanwhile, Francesco himself is working out how to seduce a mysterious lady with a spaniel who frequents his local café.
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PALACE BRIGHTON BAY
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I Can Quit Whenever I Want
Pietro is a researcher and a genius who has just been laid off. In order to survive, he recruits the best of his colleagues: economists, chemists and anthropologists in order to result in the A-team of drug dealing. Success is immediate, but at what cost?
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I’ll Be Back
Biagio Bianchetti has lived most of his life in the shadow of Ottone di Valerio-at school, in love and now in business. When a joint venture in a business deal leaves Biagio 10 million euros in debt, he decides to take his own life. But in the celestial sorting centre, he is given a second chance – in the guise of someone else. In attempting to seek revenge against Ottone’s success, Biagio’s attitude takes an unexpected turn.
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Out of the Blue
Andrea is successful advertising executive with few concerns and a reputation as a ladies man. But his world is turned upside down when 17 year old Layla walks in claiming to be his daughter. With nowhere to live, she’s here to stay – along with her guitar-wielding grandfather, Enzo. From this point, Andrea is forced to learn new responsibilities, and not just from his new guests. His best friend Paolo, his parents, and even Layla’s new teacher, Lorenza, all have something to say to the unapologetic playboy – and his life will never be the same again.
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Re-Wined
Loosely based on the novel “Vinodentro” by Fabio Marcotto, the story introduces Giovanni Cuttin, a teetotal, loyal husband and bank employee living a plain and simple life. That is, until one day a mysterious “Professor” persuades him to taste a glass Marzemino wine, typical to a small area in the North of Italy, in the province of Trento.
Utterly transformed, this is the starting point of Giovanni’s new life. He becomes involved in a glamorous world of wineries and vineyards and discovers an endless passion leading him to become one of the most important international wine makers.
At the height of his career he meets Margherita, a mysterious, breath-taking, beautiful woman who draws him into an amazing night of passion. The next day Giovanni is arrested: Adele, his wife was murdered and he is the main suspect. The only person able to exculpate him is Margherita, but she has disappeared.
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PALACE WESTGARTH
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Song of Napoli
Paco is a nerdy but gifted and passionate piano player. Unable to get a job in his chosen field, family connections gain him a low ranking position in the police force. However, when the chief discovers his talent for music, Paco is reluctantly enlisted on a dangerous top-priority case to go undercover as Pino Dynamite – a member of Lollo Love’s pop-music band. Lollo Love is scheduled to play at a high-profile wedding and Paco’s mission is to track one of the guests; a dangerous killer of the Camorra known as “O’ Fantasma” or “The Ghost”.
Paco couldn’t have gotten himself into a worse predicament: he will end up risking his life on the front line, while playing music he hates, dressed up like a local hick. But this will ultimately be the turning point in his life…
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Special Event
KINO CINEMAS
Stay Away From Me
Jacopo has a serious problem. He may be a brilliant marriage guidance counsellor, but he can never manage to have a steady relationship for more than two weeks. And for good reason: since he was very young, Jacopo has been cursed and brought bad luck to every woman who has fallen in love with him. Really bad luck. Because of this, he has vowed to stay away from women, for their own good. But the moment he lays eyes on Sara at a friend’s birthday party, he is smitten.
Despite his resistance, the two fall head over heels leading to back-to-back, laugh-out-loud moments of disaster! Sara will quickly learn the consequences of her choice as the limits of her love are put to the test in this smart, stylish and very loveable romantic comedy.
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KINO CINEMAS
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The Mafia Kills Only in Summer
Highlighting the Cosa Nostra pernicious influence over average Sicilians, we follow Everyman Arturo from childhood to maturity, as he deals with life, love, and the mafia. The Palermo of the 1970s and early ’80s is wonderfully captured as a city where denial goes hand-in-hand with stifled tolerance, as a bloody war for Mafia supremacy rages, with regular assassinations of rival mobsters and anti-Mafia crusaders.
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The Taste of You
The mosaic of characters features a new generation of attractive Italian young adults discover love for the first time – some easily, while others struggle for the attention of the opposite sex. Meanwhile, the older counterparts find it difficult to maintain loyalty to their own partners.
Unexpected interactions turn into long-term commitments, but not without a generous dose of drama and temptation. This soapy romcom is injected with the spirit of 80s era beach holidays, and is a playful spin on the concept of love and destiny.
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The Worst Christmas of My Life
Fabio De Luigi is married and expecting a child with Margherita. Paolo is invited to meet her unimpressed family to celebrate Christmas in her father’s boss’ holiday castle. After numerous setbacks on his journey, everyone attempts to welcome him with genuine happiness, until he unintentionally visits the bathroom in the cupboard when the electricity cuts out. A myriad of unfortunate events follow involving a mistaken death, a beloved bird, an uninvited guest and an attempted water-birth.
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KINO CINEMAS
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University: More Than Friends
While attending university, Carlo, an aspiring director, shares a disused medical warehouse on the outskirts of Rome with Alessandro, a wannabe comedian studying medicine, and Faraz an Iranian-student.
Living among boys is easy, each of them with their own mess, unregimented lifestyle, and unique “method of study.” The male universe in which they live, however, is about to be invaded by women. Giorgia is independent and receives little attention from her parents; Francesca is in a doomed relationship with an older professor, while Emma wants to be a famous performer. In this new mixed arrangement house, each character finds their place as they establish a confusing, but fun and tumultuous extended family – a family which none of them has ever truly had.
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KINO CINEMAS
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Zoran, My Nephew the Idiot
A forty something loser, Paolo spends his days in a dead end job and nights drinking vast quantities of local wine. He clearly hasn’t moved on since his marriage fell apart, though he loses few opportunities to take advantage of the good will of his ex’s new hubby, Alfio. News of the death of an aunt across the border brings visions of a juicy inheritance. Instead, all he receives is her ashes, a porcelain dog and his nephew Zoran, a nerdy 16 year-old. Paolo is not happy – until he witnesses Zoran’s talents for darts. Sensing an opportunity to cash in, he hustles a local darts club and makes plans for the World Championships.
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Elementary Loves
Six friends, three love stories, sixth grade, the first kiss, a hockey tournament, and escape to Russia, an imaginary friend that has to fly to the moon, an amulet to be rescued. Elementary loves.
Shot between Italy and Moscow, this film focuses on a group of young amateur athletes members of the same figure skating and hockey club. The club becomes the stage for budding friendships, camaraderie, and first loves. Invited to a friendly tournament in Moscow by their Russian sister club the kids and the adults that supervise them set on an adventure they won’t soon forget. A tender and funny movie that explores the inner world of a group of pre-teens, their aspirations, and their first loves.
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