L'abbuffata

Young filmmakers in a small town in southern Italy seek guidance from a celebrated director, retired and living in their area. Part of his advice for their intended film is to recruit a well-known actor. On a trip to Rome they make a connection that gives an introduction to Gérard Depardieu to be their star, but what would persuade him to fly to Calabria to make a film with amateur would-be directors, and can he survive the experience? Local people fill roles in the film within the film, and in the film itself.

The film's director Mimmo Calopresti called it "a film about cinema in all its forms, about the desire to make cinema despite everything". It's not as enthralling, nor as sentimental, as Cinema Paradiso, but it's rather good fun, not least when the film needs a hasty rewrite. It deserved a wider audience but is little known outside Italy (and not much in Italy).