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December packed with major events for Minerva Pictures across festivals and international markets!

4 December 2024

December is packed with events for Minerva Pictures, including festivals, industry events, and national and international markets.

In recent weeks, we attended the Milano Film Network, the Torino Film Lab, and the Torino Film Industry, extraordinary platforms for the development and promotion of independent and auteur cinema, which we approach as producers, distributors, and international sellers.

From December 3 to 5, we will be attending Content London, one of the most important events in the television and digital content landscape. This is a unique opportunity in the international audiovisual sector to present our slate of projects in development to broadcasters and strategic partners and discover new stories to invest in.

At the same time, we will be present at the Asia TV Forum & Market in Singapore (December 3-6), the leading Asian market for entertainment content, with a focus on digital distribution.

On December 5, during the Giornate Professionali di Cinema di Sorrento, FilmClub Distribuzione, Minerva Pictures’ theatrical division, will present its promo reel, offering an exclusive preview of upcoming film releases for the first half of 2025. This is a must-attend event for Italian distributors and cinema exhibitors.

On December 16, we will be in Barcelona as part of the Mostra de Cinema Italià de Barcelona, a festival dedicated to promoting Italian cinema in Spain. This year, we will present The American Backyard, the latest gothic film by Pupi Avati, showcased in the official selection at Venice. It has already garnered international acclaim and will soon hit theaters in Italy.

Stay tuned for more updates!

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“Un Natale a casa Croce”: Pupi Avati’s New Documentary at the Turin Film Festival

11 November 2024

Minerva Pictures is proud to announce that Un Natale a casa Croce, the latest documentary directed by acclaimed filmmaker Pupi Avati, will be showcased out of competition at the Turin Film Festival, now in its 42nd edition under Giulio Base’s direction.

The life of Benedetto Croce, Italian philosopher and senator, unfolds as an epic tale of survival and passion, marked by intense tragedies and rivalries from his youth. The documentary, directed by Avati and produced by Minerva Pictures in collaboration with Cinecittà Luce and Rai Documentari, delves into Croce’s political influence, intellectual brilliance, commitment to freedom, and philosophical vision.

The story begins in 1883 when a devastating earthquake in Ischia claims his parents and sister, leaving Croce to rise from tragedy with unyielding strength. His devotion to philosophy and literature serves as a bastion against loneliness and depression, transforming his pain into resolve. One defining episode of his life, which sheds light on him as a person, was his friendship with Giovanni Gentile, another intellectual of the era. Their relationship began in 1896 but fractured by the late 1920s due to opposing stances on fascism. Although Croce initially sympathized with the regime, he ultimately distanced himself, while Gentile became a fervent supporter.

During WWII, as Italy was torn apart and Florence came under Mussolini’s control, Gentile was assassinated on April 15, 1944, in front of his villa. This news reached Croce, striking him deeply, despite years of silence between the two. The event led him to ponder the absurdity of violence affecting even intellectuals. Amid Italy’s political turmoil, Croce joined the national unity government but faced harsh criticism from Palmiro Togliatti, a Communist Party leader, which created a rift among young antifascists. Through these turbulent times, Croce’s life became intertwined with Italy’s political landscape, embodying the ideological conflicts of his era. The film captures this compelling journey of a man who braved destiny, tragedies, and rivalries, emerging as a beacon of wisdom in a tumultuous period.

With Paolo Spezzaferri, Teresa Cerciello, Chiara Barassi, Roberta Geremicca, Fenicia Rocco, Sabrina Bevilacqua, and featuring Benedetta Craveri.

Join us on Tuesday, November 26, at 9:00 p.m. for the official screening, attended by director Pupi Avati, in a festival setting that continues to celebrate cinematic experimentation and research.

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A busy October for Minerva Pictures at International Festivals and Film Markets!

11 October 2024

October is packed with major events for Minerva Pictures, with significant participation in the top international film festivals and markets.

We begin with the Sitges Film Festival, the world’s leading event for fantasy and genre films, held in Spain from October 5 to 13. Among the Special Screenings is The American Backyard, the latest gothic noir film by Pupi Avati, based on his novel of the same name, featuring Filippo Scotti and Rita Tushingham, which received enthusiastic acclaim as the closing film of the Venice Film Festival. Produced by Minerva Pictures and DueA Film in collaboration with Rai Cinema, L’orto americano will be released in theaters in 2025, distributed by 01 Distribution. In the Brigadoon section, dedicated to underground and cult cinema, Monster on a Plane by Ezra Tsegaye will be presented, a film blending horror and comedy in a chaotic adventure on a flight plagued by terrifying creatures.

This week, we will also be attending the BFI London Film Festival, a prestigious event organized in collaboration with the British Film Institute, which annually celebrates the best in international cinema. This occasion offers our acquisitions and production team the opportunity to meet top talent and explore new creative prospects, including through the new Italy-UK Cinematic Bridge initiative, sponsored by Cinecittà and the DGCA of the MiC.

From October 14 to 18, we will be at the MIA – Mercato Internazionale Audiovisivo in Rome, where on October 16th’s Comin’ Up, we will showcase some of our upcoming releases: Judas’ Gospel by Giulio Base and the documentary Our Magnificent Obsession by Marco Spagnoli, celebrating the extraordinary career of Bernardo Bertolucci and his collaboration with a group of young talents who shaped cinema history. During MIA, we will also be present at the CNA pavilion with our international sales, acquisitions, production, and digital distribution teams.

Our international activities continue with the Marché International du Film Classique in Lyon (October 15-18), where on October 15, at the Rendez-Vous Des Cataloguistes, we will present a showreel featuring our 2024-2025 restoration slate, including The Cannibals (1970) by Liliana Cavani, and two of the last works by Mario Monicelli: Looking for Paradise (1995) and Dirty Linen (1999). We will also be present with our stand at the MIFC Village at the Institut Lumière, with our Sales, Library, and Acquisition teams.

At the Rome Film Festival (October 16-27), Minerva Pictures will present five major titles in competition: Miss Fallaci, the highly anticipated series directed by Luca Ribuoli, Giacomo Martelli, and Alessandra Gonnella, focusing on an unknown period in the life of Oriana Fallaci, played by Miriam Leone; Reading Lolita in Tehran, the new film by Eran Riklis, based on the international bestseller by Azar Nafisi; Ciao bambino, the directorial debut of Edgardo Pistone; and the 4K restorations of two great classics: The Seduction of Mimi (1972) by Lina Wertmüller, featuring Giancarlo Giannini and Mariangela Melato, and Borsalino (1970), a cult French cinema polar by Jacques Deray, starring Alain Delon and Jean-Paul Belmondo.

Once again this year, our Sales, Acquisitions, Digital, and Production teams will be present at MIPCOM in Cannes (October 21-24). Here, we will present the key titles from our TV catalog, including the documentary Gianni Versace – Emperor Of Dreams by Mimmo Calopresti, along with new additions to our library. It will be an essential opportunity to discuss new productions and distributions in the fields of production, digital distribution, and television.

From October 28 to November 1, we will be at TIFFCOM in Tokyo, where we will explore new opportunities for co-production and acquisition in one of the most dynamic Asian markets, while at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (November 8-24), our international sales team will present two titles in competition: Ciao bambino by Edgardo Pistone and Io e il secco by Gianluca Santoni.

Finally, we will close the month with our regular appointment at the American Film Market in Las Vegas (November 5-10), one of the most important film markets in the world, where we will be engaged with our stand dedicated to sales, acquisitions, and production.

Lastly, it is worth noting the excellent festival journey of Pupi Avati’s The American Backyard, which after being presented at Venice 81, has been selected for the Festival do Rio (October 3-13) and the Sitges Film Festival (October 5-13), confirming the international interest in this extraordinary work.

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Minerva Pictures at the Sitges Film Festival 2024!

16 September 2024

Minerva Pictures is pleased to announce the selection of two films at the 2024 Sitges Film Festival, the world’s leading event dedicated to fantasy and genre cinema, held in Spain from October 5 to 13.

The American Backyard, by Pupi Avati, presented among the Special Screenings, is a modern gothic film adapted from the director’s novel. The film blends horror with reflections on the relationship between the past and present. Starring Filippo Scotti and Rita Tushingham, along with a prestigious cast, it was the closing film of the Venice Film Festival. Produced by Minerva Pictures and DueA Film in collaboration with Rai Cinema, L’orto americano will hit Italian theaters in 2025, distributed by 01 Distribution.

Directly from Venice, Cloud by Kiyoshi Kurosawa also makes its way to Sitges. The Japanese master returns to explore the tension between realism and gangster undertones, ending on a lyrical and enveloping note.

In the Brigadoon section, dedicated to cult and underground cinema, comes Monster on a Plane by Ezra Tsegaye, a horror-comedy about a chaotic flight filled with terrifying creatures.

Sitges remains a premier international showcase for genre films, and Minerva Pictures is thrilled to participate with two of its titles this year. #staytuned for more updates!

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Minerva Pictures closes Venice81 with a standing ovation for L’orto americano by Pupi Avati!

8 September 2024

Minerva Pictures concluded the 81st Venice Film Festival with The American Backyard, Pupi Avati’s new gothic film based on his namesake novel. Presented as the closing film, it received a 10-minute standing ovation at the Sala Grande, marking the return of the acclaimed director with an exceptional cast. Alongside leads Filippo Scotti and Rita Tushingham, the film stars Armando De Ceccon, Roberto De Francesco, Chiara Caselli, and Romano Reggiani. This extraordinary performance, combined with Avati’s direction, captivated the audience.

The plot of The American Backyard is set in 1950s America and blends gothic atmospheres, intertwining themes of remorse, memory, and the supernatural, characteristic of Avati’s cinema. With ten films presented at the Lido, Avati confirms his status as the Italian director with the most official selections.

Produced by Minerva Pictures and Duea Film, in collaboration with Rai Cinema, the film will be distributed in Italian cinemas in 2025 by 01 Distribution, generating high expectations among critics and art-house cinema fans.

This work marks the culmination of a rich lineup from Minerva Pictures, which also presented other significant titles such as Cloud by Kiyoshi Kurosawa and the documentary Twst – Things We Said Today by Andrei Ujică, along with the restoration of Lina Wertmüller’s classic Swept Away.

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Minerva Pictures at the 81st Venice International Film Festival!

28 August 2024

Minerva Pictures arrives at the 81st Venice International Film Festival with a rich calendar of events and screenings! This year, we’re bringing four titles to the Lido that reflect our approach to independent cinema in various forms. Additionally, The Film Club returns as the Official Partner of the Settimana Internazionale della Critica (SIC).

The event kicks off on August 30 at 11:55 PM with the world premiere of Cloud, the new film by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, marking the Japanese master’s return to Venice after his Silver Lion win in 2020 for Wife of a Spy, both distributed by Minerva Pictures.
On September 4 at 4:00 PM, we’ll present Twst – Things We Said Today, a new documentary by Andrei Ujică, screened out of competition, which explores the history and cultural impact of The Beatles through the experiences of various fans and musicians.

On September 6 at 2:00 PM, we’ll showcase the 4K restoration of Lina Wertmüller‘s Swept Away (1974), competing in the Venice Classics section. The restoration was carried out by the Cineteca di Bologna Foundation in collaboration with Minerva Pictures.

Closing the festival on September 7 at 9:00 PM is the highly anticipated The American Garden, Pupi Avati’s latest gothic thriller, adapted from his novel of the same name, presented as the closing event of the Venice Film Festival. The cast includes Filippo Scotti, previously awarded for The Hand of God, and the acclaimed British actress Rita Tushingham. A production by Minerva Pictures and Duea Film in collaboration with Rai Cinema.

For the 2024 Venetian Nights, the annual showcase dedicated to Italian cinema within the Venice Film Festival’s Giornate degli Autori, on August 31, we’ll screen High Stakes – A Night in the Ward, a black comedy by Giovanni Dota featuring Carlo Buccirosso and Lino Musella. Minerva Pictures handles its international sales.

Finally, for the third consecutive year, The Film Club will be the Official Partner of the Settimana Internazionale della Critica (SIC). and will present The Film Club Audience Award.

Stay tuned on our social channels for all the updates, curiosities, and behind-the-scenes action directly from the Lido!

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Minerva Pictures at the 81st Venice International Film Festival!

24 July 2024

This year, Minerva Pictures returns to the 81st Venice International Film Festival with three films and confirms The Film Club as the Official Partner of the 39th Settimana Internazionale della Critica!

The American Garden, a new Gothic genre film directed by Pupi Avati and based on his novel of the same name, will be featured as a closing event outside of competition! A production by Minerva Pictures and Duea Film with Rai Cinema. The cast includes Filippo Scotti, winner of the Mastroianni Award at the 2021 Venice Film Festival for Paolo Sorrentino’s The Hand of God, alongside the multi-award-winning British actress Rita Tushingham.

Swept Away (1974), written and directed by Lina Wertmüller, will be presented in competition in a restored 4K version in the Venice Classics section. The restoration was done by the Fondazione Cineteca di Bologna in collaboration with Minerva Pictures.

Cloud, the return to Venice for Kiyoshi Kurosawa following his 2020 Silver Lion for Best Director win for Wife of a Spy. The film will have its world premiere in Venice out of competition. Distributed by Minerva Pictures, which also brought the Japanese master’s previous work to Italy.

Additionally, for the third consecutive year, The Film Club returns to the Lido as the Official Partner of the 39th Settimana Internazionale della Critica and will present the audience award, The Film Club Audience Award, at the end of the event. Join us at the Casa della Critica from August 28 to September 7!

#staytuned for updates, news, curiosities, and behind-the-scenes content directly from the Lido!

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Pupi Avati’s “The American Garden” selected at De Rome à Paris 2024

26 January 2024

The De Rome à Paris festival, now in its 16th edition, returns to the Ville Lumière to celebrate Italian cinema in an intense day of professional encounters. We are delighted to announce that today, on January 26, Minerva Pictures will take center stage by presenting the preview of The American Garden in the Works in Progress section.

This new gothic genre film, adapted from Pupi Avati‘s novel of the same name, is directed by the Maestro himself and is currently in post-production. The cast features Filippo Scotti, who has already won the Marcello Mastroianni Award at the Venice Film Festival for The Hand of God (2021) by Paolo Sorrentino, alongside the award-winning British actress Rita Tushingham.

De Rome à Paris is organized by Cinecittà in collaboration with the General Directorate of Cinema and Audiovisual of the Ministry of Culture, CNC, and Unifrance.

This is an unmissable event that underscores Minerva Pictures’ ongoing commitment to bring high-quality Italian cinema to the international stage. We look forward to welcoming you today at the CNC (Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée) for this extraordinary preview!

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First take for L’orto americano, Pupi Avati’s gothic film

11 December 2023

The filming of L’orto americano is underway, a gothic film based on Pupi Avati‘s novel, who also directs it. The cast includes Filippo Scotti (È stata la mano di Dio), the award-winning British actress Rita Tushingham, Armando De Ceccon (Oltre la bufera), Roberto De Francesco (Il silenzio grande), Chiara Caselli (Lei mi parla ancora), Romano Reggiani (Eravamo bambini), Cesare Cremonini, and Andrea Roncato.

Cesare Bastelli is in charge of cinematography, Biagio Fersini handles the set designs, Beatrice Giannini designs the costumes, and Ivan Zuccon takes care of the editing.

Seven weeks of filming are planned, spanning locations in Rome and its surroundings, Cinecittà Studios, the Delta del Po, and the city of Davenport in Iowa.

L’orto americano is produced by Santo Versace and Gianluca Curti for Minerva Pictures, and Antonio Avati for DUEA Film, in collaboration with Rai Cinema. The film is made with the support of the Emilia-Romagna Film Commission.

Synopsis
Bologna, in the 1940s. A mentally troubled young man with literary aspirations falls desperately in love with a female auxiliary in the American army with just a glance. A year later, circumstances lead him to live in the American Midwest, right next to, but separated by a ominous garden, where the elderly mother of the soldier lives. The woman is desperate for her daughter, who, since the end of the conflict, after writing that she would marry an Italian, has not been heard from. The young man embarks on a tense search for the girl, experiencing a particularly dramatic situation, leading to an entirely unexpected conclusion in Italy.