Italian cinema will be represented at the forthcoming 61st BFI London Film Festival through the showcasing of six films.
This year’s eclectic selection features anticipated new works, original discoveries and films by respected auteurs.
The 40th anniversary revival of Dario Argento’s iconic feature Suspiria (1977) starring Jessica Harper, Stefania Casini and Flavio Bucci, will play in the festival’s Cult section.
Luca Guadagnino returns to the BFI London Film Festival with Call Me by Your Name after 2015’s A Bigger Splash. Starring Armie Hammer Timothée Chalamet and Michael Stuhlberg, Call Me by Your Name makes its UK bow as The Mayor of London’s Gala, in the presence of Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Acclaimed director Gianni Amelio’s newest work, Holding Hands (La tenerezza), will have its European premiere in the Love section. The cast features Elio Germano, Micaela Ramazzotti and Giovanna Mezzogiorno.
The festival’s selection also includes two second features by up and coming filmmakers, both coming-of-age tales set in Italy’s south. A Ciambra is directed by Jonas Carpignano and stars Pio Amato, Koudous Seihon and Damanio Amato. It has just opened in Italian cinemas. Sicilian Ghost Story, directed by Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza, stars new talent Julia Jedlikowska, Gaetano Fernandez and Corrinne Musallari. Both films received their World Premiere in the recent Cannes Film Festival and both will play in the Giving section.
