News

Claudio Cupellini’s My Family lands on Netflix as a six-episode Italian dramedy that treats mortality like an old friend over a late-night espresso. Eduardo Scarpetta embodies Fausto, a man who learns his days are numbered and then spends each precious moment crafting voice-memo farewells for two sons, a protective mother, a wayward brother, and two steadfast confidants.

Each installment bears a character’s name and hops among three eras—Fausto’s whirlwind courtship, the moment his illness is revealed, and the chaotic present—forming what I’ll call a “chronomemorial framework.” This structure keeps us curious (no chance to drift off mid–tearjerker) and deepens our bond with every figure on screen.

Cupellini balances gentle humor—think a lighthearted jibe at Italian formality—with scenes of unvarnished emotion. Warm laughter flickers in crowded family dinners, then subsides into quiet grief when Scarpetta’s voice cracks. That swing between levity...

My Family is a bittersweet Italian drama starring Eduardo Scarpetta (The Law According to Lidia Poet) as Fausto, a terminally ill father who made it his life’s mission during his final days to ensure that his sons were well taken care of after he was gone. The film jumps from one timeline to another (2011 to 2024) over the course of six episodes. In 2011, Fausto fell in love with Sarah, an Englishwoman he crossed paths with in Rome one morning, and he immediately knew that they were destined to be together. He remembered the day with nostalgia and a tinge of regret. His life changed drastically after he met her, both for good and bad.

Spoiler Alert

What led to Fausto and Sarah’s separation?

Something about Sarah immediately made Fausto fall in love with her. He was a charming man, and he managed to convince her to go on a date with him.

Going into My Family on Netflix, I had zero expectations. I have recently fallen into a slump with shows and feel like everything will turn out disappointing; however, I was pleasantly shocked with My Family. The 6-part series tells the story of a man named Fausto and his family dealing with him dying from cancer. Each episode is titled with a character’s name and gives us bits and pieces of Fausto and his family’s lives between the years of him falling in love, getting married, and then eventually getting a cancer diagnosis. His family isn’t just his “family,” it also includes two of his best friends, Maria and Demetris. The dynamic between this big family, specifically after Fausto’s gone, is what makes this show really worth your time. Italian dramedies can often be a bit hit or miss; the stories can be too over the top,...

Pictures: Netflix

Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve been getting regular updates as part of Next on Netflix, an opportunity to see what’s coming to Netflix in 2025 from around the world. One of the countries participating in the live event for journalists was Netflix Italy, which previewed its upcoming slate for 2025 for local journalists. The year has already started strong with Public Disorder (or Acab as it’s known in other regions), but what else is coming up? Here’s a rundown of what we unveiled.

In Italy, Tinny Andreatta, the Vice President of Content, expressed her enthusiasm about 2025, stating, “This year is significant for us in Italy because it marks the 10th anniversary of Netflix’s launch in our country. We will provide our audience with a wider and more diverse selection that spans various genres, innovative formats, and languages. We aim to tell authentic stories...

Netflix dips its toe into the sometimes-murky waters of Italian family dramedy with “My Family” (originally titled “Storia della mia famiglia”), arriving Wednesday, February 19, 2025. The series focuses on Fausto, played by Eduardo Scarpetta, on the—let’s just say eventful—last day of his life. While the premise might sound a tad maudlin, the series aims […]

“My Family,” New Italian Drama Series Coming to Netflix This February...

If you've been a fan of Italian series My Brilliant Friend, you'll definitely want to tune in to the fourth and final season of the show. So when exactly can you start watching? We've got all the details for you so you don't miss an episode!

My Brilliant Friend season 4 premieres tonight, Sept. 9, 2024, at 9 p.m. Et on HBO and Max. That's right. If you'd like to stream the series, then you'll need to wait until later tonight as well since the release time apples to both the television debut and streaming release. One new episode will air/stream on Mondays at that time until the series finale on Nov. 11. Check out the episode release schedule below:

Episode 1, "The Separation" - Sept. 9Episode 2 - Sept. 16Episode 3 - Sept. 23Episode 4 - Sept. 30Episode 5 - Oct. 7Episode 6 - Oct. 14Episode 7 - Oct. 21Episode 8 - Oct. 28Episode 9 - Nov. 4Episode 10 - Nov. 11Episode...

From Naples to Gotham City, let Max pick your end-of-summer destination!

This September, leading up to the release of the highly anticipated HBO Original series “The Penguin,” starring Colin Farrell as Batman’s avian antagonist, Max has also curated a “DC Universe” collection, including the Michael Keaton-led “Batman” films beginning with 1989’s “Batman,” the hit adult-animated series “Harley Quinn,” and the 11-time Emmy-winning “Watchmen,” among many others.

But beyond Gotham, it’s a busy month for HBO and Max, which will premiere the fourth and final season of “My Brilliant Friend,” based on Elena Ferrante’s novels, as well as the two-part Original Documentary “Wise Guy: David Chase and the Sopranos,” an up-close look at the creative process behind the cultural phenomenon and HBO anchor.

Also new to the streamer’s collection this month are several titles from Discovery, Food Network, and more, including Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki...

HBO has released the official trailer and key art for the fourth and final season of the critically acclaimed original drama series My Brilliant Friend, which will debut on Monday, September 9 (9:00-10:00 p.m. Et/Pt). The 10-episode season will be available on HBO and Max. New episodes debut weekly.

Based on Elena Ferrante’s bestselling novels, My Brilliant Friend follows Elena Greco and the most important friend in her life, Raffaella “Lila” Cerullo. After meeting as children in 1950s Naples, their story goes on to cover over 60 years, exploring the mystery of Lila – Elena’s brilliant best friend and, in a way, her worst enemy.

The fourth installment of the saga, “Story of the Lost Child,” delves into the adult lives of Elena and Lila. They find themselves entangled in the turmoil of Italy in the late 1980s, nearing the end of decades of political violence and social unrest.

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, TVLine may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Elena is returning to a nearly unrecognizable Naples in My Brilliant Friend Season 4.

More from TVLineHow to Watch Saturday's NFL Triple-Header OnlineWicked Gets Digital Release Date - Find Out Where and When You Can Stream It OnlineDune: Prophecy Team Unpacks Finale Twists ('Everything Has Changed') - and Valya's 'Exciting' New Destination

HBO released a trailer for the adaptation’s fourth and final season on Thursday, and in it,...

HBO has released the official trailer for the fourth and final season of the critically acclaimed original drama series My Brilliant Friend. It premieres Monday, September at 9 p.m. on HBO and streaming on Max. New episodes will debut every Monday. Watch the trailer above.

Created by Saverio Costanzo, based on Elena Ferrante’s bestselling novels, My Brilliant Friend follows Elena Greco (Alba Rohrwacher) and the most important friend in her life, Raffaella “Lila” Cerullo (Irene Maiorino). After meeting as children in 1950s Naples, their story goes on to cover over 60 years, exploring the mystery of Lila – Elena’s brilliant best friend and, in a way, her worst enemy.

The fourth installment, titled “Story of the Lost Child,” delves into the adult lives of Elena and Lila. They find themselves entangled in the turmoil of Italy in the late 1980s, nearing the end of decades of political violence and social unrest.

HBO has announced that the fourth and final season of its original drama series My Brilliant Friend will debut on Monday, September 9 (9:00-10:00 p.m. Et/Pt). The 10-episode season will be available on HBO and Max. New episodes debut weekly.

Based on the bestselling novels by Elena Ferrante, My Brilliant Friend follows Elena Greco and the most important friend in her life, Raffaella “Lila” Cerullo. After meeting as children in 1950s Naples, their story goes on to cover over 60 years, exploring the mystery of Lila – Elena’s brilliant best friend and, in a way, her worst enemy.

The fourth installment of the saga, titled “Story of the Lost Child,” delves into the adult lives of Elena and Lila. They find themselves entangled in the turmoil of Italy in the late 1980s, nearing the end of decades of political violence and social unrest.

Amid motherhood and career demands,...

Cinecittà and Film at Lincoln Center’s Sophia Loren: La Signora Di Napoli

Edoardo Ponti’s The Life Ahead; Mario Mattoli’s Poverty And Nobility opposite Totò and Enzo Turco; Alessandro Blasetti’s Too Bad She’s Bad with Marcello Mastroianni and Vittorio De Sica; Dino Risi’s The Sign Of Venus (Il Segno Di Venere) with Franca Valeri and Raf Vallone; Vittorio De Sica’s Two Women with Jean-Paul Belmondo and Eleanora Brown, plus De Sica’s 1963 and Marriage Italian Style (Matrimonio All’Italiana) with Mastroianni, and The Voyage (Il Viaggio) with Richard Burton; Stanley Donen’s Arabesque with Gregory Peck; Francesco Rosi’s More Than A Miracle (C’era Una Volta) with Omar Sharif; Charlie Chaplin’s A Countess From Hong Kong with Marlon Brando; Ettore Scola’s A Special Day (Una......

Netflix’s next Italian originals will be pairs of series and feature films from the likes of Stefano Mordini, Alessandro Genovesi and Cristina Comencini.

The projects were unveiled at a See What’s Next event in Rome today, in front of several stars, directors and stars.

Tinny Andreatta, Vice President of Italian Content at Netflix, said the orders showed the streamer remains “committed to our investment in Italy and Italian stories with conviction, continuing our long-term commitment to the country and its creative community.” Netflix opened an Italian office in May last year.

Namely, pics are Cristina Comencini’s Il Treno dei Bambini and Fabbricante di Lacrime from director Alessandro Genovesi. TV shows comprise Storia della mia Famiglia and Adorazione.

Il Treno dei Bambini is based on Viola Ardone’s bestselling novel pf the same name and is billed as as an “epic and poignant film” set in post-war Italy...

Hmmm, now this is a strange bit of film release synergy. Now the big studio-wide release this weekend is Renfield which can be called a horror/comedy hybrid (though it’s also an action thriller satire). The other small studio flick also blends comedy with another very popular genre, crime. To be more specific it’s a crime-family comedy, hence the use of that “reviled” (to some) word. Oh, and there’s a “gender-switch” as a woman takes the seat at the head of the table for the “sit-down”. Hey, if there can be a godfather, then why not a Mafia Mamma?

The story kicks into high gear “across the pond” in the “old country”, Italy, soon after a gun battle that produces lots of casualties for both warring factions. This prompts a long-distance phone call from the Balbano family “advisor” Bianca (Monica Bellucci) to a relative in the States,...

Plot: Follows an insecure American woman who unexpectedly inherits her grandfather’s mafia empire in Italy. Guided by the firm’s trusted consigliere, she hilariously defies everyone’s expectations, including her own, as the new head of the family business.

Review: The glut of movies out there means that viewers must be selective with what they watch, often relying on star power to draw them into a project. On the heels of her lead role in the Prime Video series The Power, Toni Collette lets loose and has some fun in Mafia Mamma. From director Catherine Hardwicke, Mafia Mamma is a comedy that would have been an abysmal failure with a weaker lead actress. Despite the copious references to The Godfather and surprising bloodshed, Mafia Mamma never rises above the cliche screenplay. The only saving grace is Collette, who has great comedic timing and dives into this film with energy...

Mafia Mamma coulda been a contender, a sharp idea to throw an unsuspecting wife, mother and frustrated businesswoman into a new life as the head of an Italian crime family. Instead, though blessed to have the wonderful Toni Collette in the title role, it becomes a pasta with too many ingredients. This is not to say general audiences won’t be pleased, but this is a movie that feels like we have seen it too many times before. You certainly will have a few laughs, admire the Roman scenery and root for Collette’s success, but it is pretty mild when it should have been wickedly smart with this kind of premise. Married to the Mob it is not.

Collette plays Kristin Balbano Jordan, an American in the midst of a life crisis. Her only son Domenick (Tommy Rodger) is going off to college, she catches her deadbeat husband Paul...

You never want bad films to happen to great actors, but every once in a while one of your favorites inevitably turns up in an unfortunate and miscalculated clunker. Sadly, Catherine Hardwicke’s “Mafia Mamma” is that movie for Toni Collette. While she is one of the most fearless and versatile actors working today, Collette looks somewhat lost here as the story’s accidental crime boss on a quest to, well, “Eat Pray F*ck” (as one character in the film so elegantly puts it).

Despite having directed a fiercely diverse slate of genre-spanning blockbusters and indies across TV and the big screen—she’s done everything from “Thirteen,” to “Twilight” and “Miss Bala”— even Hardwicke seems a little bewildered in a script jointly penned by Michael J. Feldman and Debbie Jhoon, based on an original story by Amanda Sthers.

Collette plays Kristin, a sunny and frantic Californian with a college-aged son,...

In her own home, Italian American working mom Kristin Balbano Jordan (Toni Collette) is hardly the boss. When her deadbeat hubby isn’t cheating on her, he calls the shots, and her independent-minded son can’t wait to leave for college. At work, her male colleagues undermine her every idea. What Kristin doesn’t realize is that it’s not her destiny to be a doormat. Far from it. Come to find, she’s next in line to run Italy’s well-connected Balbano clan, and though Kristin couldn’t have imagined she was heir to an organized crime family, taking charge amounts to an offer she can’t refuse.

A fun fish-out-of-water farce with “Godfather” DNA and a clever female-empowerment kick, “Mafia Mamma” makes inspired use of Collette, who’s never better than when playing women we oughtn’t to have underestimated. Here, using stiletto heels to brutally stab a rival clan’s top assassin,...

Mafia Mamma is a new movie by Catherine Hardwicke, director of Thirteen, Lords of Dogtown, the first installment of The Twilight Saga, and the Red Riding Hood adaptation starring Amanda Seyfried. The Mafia Mamma premise was written by Amanda Sthers, a French novelist and filmmaker who previously worked with star Toni Colette on Madame, which she also directed.

This is a rare action comedy from Hardwicke. Her one other time dabbling in a similar genre was in 2015 with the comedy-drama Miss You Already, which also starred the critically acclaimed Toni Colette. Clearly, the pair have a good working relationship if they've reunited for Mafia Mamma. Here's everything else known about the movie's release date, cast, story details, trailer, and more.

Related: The Top Ten Gangster Movies

Mafia Mamma Latest News

The latest information about Mafia Mamma came in another trailer released on March 13, 2023. This is the fifth trailer for the...

Toni Collette finds herself thrust into the thick of a mob war in the new trailer for Mafia Mamma, set to hit theaters on April 14.

The film boasts an extremely/endearingly silly premise: Collette plays a suburban housewife named Kristin who leaves her philandering husband to fly to Italy for the funeral of her estranged grandfather, only to learn that his dying wish was for her to succeed him as the new boss of the Balbano crime family. Obviously, only one thing can ensue from such a setup, and you...

“Under the Tuscan Sun” meets “The Godfather” in the latest comedy from multi-hyphenate Toni Collette.

The “Hereditary” star plays an insecure American who inherits her grandfather’s mafia empire in Italy in “Mafia Mamma,” directed by Catherine Hardwicke. Guided by the firm’s trusted consigliere (Monica Bellucci), Collette hilariously defies everyone’s expectations, including her own, as the new head of the family business.

Giulio Corso, Francesco Mastroianni, Alfonso Perugini, Sophia Nomvete, Eduardo Scarpetta, Tim Daish, and Tommy Rodger also star.

Hardwicke directs from a script by Michael J. Feldman and Debbie Jhoon. Lead star Collette produces along with Christopher Simon and Amanda Sthers.

Hardwicke previously told IndieWire’s Kate Erbland that she strives to emphasize “complex female characters” onscreen.

“I think now, as women, we want to see somebody that takes charge of their life and does the very best they can in their power to escape, fight back,...

You Can’t Go Home Again: Martone’s Latest Asserts the Past is a Dangerous Place

In yet another foray into the teeming possibilities of Naples, Mario Martone directs an adaptation of Ermanno Rea’s Nostalgia, published after the author’s death in 2016. Less than a year after premiering his The King of Laughter (2021), a biography of Neopolitan comedic theater notable Eduardo Scarpetta and his court case which solidified the legality of parodies, Martone is back in the present in this mournful tale of the past catching up with a man who’s been avoiding it for the past four decades.

Initially a gentle exploration of the intoxicating comfort in delving into the carefree days of youth, events take a sinister turn when an inevitable confrontation with the best friend he abandoned gets ugly.…...

There’s a pastoral scene about halfway through Mario Martone’s indulgent portrait of Italian theatrical legend Eduardo Scarpetta which throws everything else into sharp relief. In it, we see one of the playwright’s youngest children, Peppino (Salvatore Battista) running through the farmyard at the place where he is being temporarily fostered, chasing a playful young lamb. Here there are soft green hills, the sun is warm, the buildings are humble but welcoming. Later, Peppino will ask for permission to share his bed with the lamb. he doesn’t want to leave. He doesn’t want to go back to that ugly house in the city.

That ugly house is known as the Scarpetta palace, a lavishly furnished, expansive mansion where the playwright (played by Toni Servillo) lives with his wife and mistresses and some of his numerous offspring. it’s a place where the women and girls are...

While his latest film, Nostalgia, is Italy’s Oscar entry this year, director Mario Martone’s previous feature will finally arrive stateside. The King of Laughter, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival last year and picked up the Best Actor Award for Toni Servillo at Venice and Best Costume Design at Italy’s 2022 David di Donatello Awards, is being released on VOD and on digital platforms by Film Movement on November 25 and we’re pleased to exclusively debut the new trailer.

At the beginning of the 20th century, in Belle Époque Naples, theatres and the cinema were thriving and the great comic actor Eduardo Scarpetta (Servillo) is the box office king. Known in the Neapolitan theater for his cheeky alter egos, Scarpetta’s larger-than-life stage productions were matched only by his eccentric personal life. Composed of wives, partners, lovers, legitimate and illegitimate children, Scarpetta’s home situation resembled one...

Disney+ has greenlit The Lions of Sicily, an Italian series based on Stefania Auci’s The Florios of Siciliy from Paolo Genovese.

The eight-parter tells the story of the Florio family. It follows brothers Paolo and Ignazio, two small spice merchants who have escaped from a Calabria stuck in the past and in search of social redemption. In Sicily they invent a future, turning a small, run-down shop into a flourish business activity that young Vincenzo, with his revolutionary ideas, will transform into an economic empire.

The series stars Michele Riondino, Miriam Leone, Donatella Finocchiaro, Vinicio Marchioni, Eduardo Scarpetta, Paolo Briguglia, Ester Pantano and Adele Cammarata.

The show is the latest to come from Disney+ Italy, which was also behind The Ignorant Angels.

“The Lions of Sicily confirms Disney+’s commitment to create Italian contents that enrich and make the already wide and varied offer of the platform unique,” said Daniel Frigo,...

Disney+ has commenced production on Italian original series “The Lions of Sicily,” a family saga based on Stefania Auci’s bestseller “The Florios of Sicily.”

Principal photography has started in Rome and will take place between there and Sicily. It is directed by Paolo Genovese (“Superheroes”).

Set between 1800 and 1861, the eight-part series follows the Florio family where brothers Paolo and Ignazio are two small spice merchants who have escaped from a Calabria stuck in the past and in search of social redemption. In Sicily they invent a future, turning a small, run-down shop into a flourish business activity that young Vincenzo, with his revolutionary ideas, will transform into an economic empire. However, overwhelming Vincenzo’s life and that of the entire family is the disruptive arrival of Giulia, a strong and intelligent woman who is in contrast with the rigid rules of the society of the time.

The series is...

The Hand Of God won four prizes including best film, best director and best supporting actress.

Paolo Sorrentino’s The Hand Of God won four prizes at the 67th David di Donatello awards, including best film (the first Netflix title to do so), best director and best supporting actress for Teresa Saponangelo.

The Oscar-nominated coming-of-age drama also shared the cinematography prize with Gabriele Mainetti’s Venice competition title Freaks Out, which won six awards in total, including prizes for the producers, production design, hairdressing, make-up and VFX.

The two films both had the highest number of nominations with 16.

The in-person...

The David di Donatello Awards were held in Rome on Tuesday evening, the first time Italy’s equivalent to the Oscar has had a fully in-person ceremony in the pandemic era. Taking top honors was Paolo Sorrentino’s The Hand Of God which scooped Best Film and Director as well as Best Supporting Actress for Teresa Saponangelo and a tie for Best Cinematography. In the latter category, The Hand Of God shared the win with Freaks Out, a fantasy drama that likewise debuted in Venice.

Sorrentino’s autobiographical drama launched on the Lido last September where it won the Grand Jury Prize. A Netflix title, it went on to myriad festival and critics prizes and was also nominated for an Oscar as Best International Feature.

Freaks Out, directed by Gabriele Mainetti, also picked up prizes for Producer, Production Design, Hair and Makeup. Other titles to figure in the David di...

Paolo Sorrentino’s Oscar-nominated autobiographical drama “The Hand of God” took top honors at Italy’s 67th David di Donatello Awards, winning best picture, director, supporting actress and tying for the best cinematography statuette.

Sorrentino’s Naples-set film about the personal tragedy and other vicissitudes that drove him to become a top notch film director had been the frontrunner along with young helmer Gabriele Mainetti’s second feature, the elegant effects-laden historical fantasy “Freaks Out.”

“Freaks Out” won six prizes, including for its producer, Andrea Occhipinti, as well as cinematographer, set design, and effects.

The cinematography prize, which was a tie, was split between “Hand of God” Dp Daria D’Antonio, marking the first time this David goes to a woman, and Michele Attanasio for “Freaks Out.”

The Davids were held as a fully in-person ceremony at Rome’s Cinecittà studios just as the famed facilities undergo a radical renewal being...

As they celebrate being held as a physical event, Italy’s upcoming 67th David di Donatello Awards epitomize the ongoing shift in generations and genres that is underway in Cinema Italiano.

Leading the pack this year are seasoned auteur Paolo Sorrentino’s most personal film “The Hand of God” and young helmer Gabriele Mainetti’s second feature, the elegant effects-laden historical fantasy “Freaks Out,” which is set in 1943 Rome and involves four “freaks” working in a circus when the Eternal City is bombed by Allied Forces. Both pics scored 16 nominations each.

Close behind are Mario Martone’s classic biopic “The King of Laughter,” about popular early 20th-century Neapolitan actor and playwright Eduardo Scarpetta, with 14 noms. Then come Leonardo Di Costanzo’s subtle prison drama “Ariaferma” and “Diabolik,” an adaptation of a comic book about a charming master thief, directed by Marco and Antonio Manetti, both with 11 noms a piece.

“We...

Paolo Sorrentino’s “The Hand of God” and Gabriele Mainetti’s “Freaks Out” lead the pack at the David di Donatello Awards this year with 16 nominations each.

Here’s the complete list of nominees:

Picture

“Ariaferma” (The Inner Cage), Leonardo Di Costanzo

“The Hand of God,” Paolo Sorrentino

“Ennio,” Giuseppe Tornatore

“Freaks Out,” Gabriele Mainetti

“Qui Rido Io” (The King of Laughter), Mario Martone

Director

“Ariaferma” (The Inner Cage), Leonardo Di Costanzo

“The Hand of God,” Paolo Sorrentino

“Ennio,” Giuseppe Tornatore

“Freaks Out,” Gabriele Mainetti

“Qui Rido Io” (The King of Laughter), Mario Martone

Debut Director

“The Bad Poet,” Gianluca Jodice

“Maternal,” Maura Delpero

“Small Body,” Laura Samani

“Re Granchio” (The Legend of King Crab), Alessio Rigo De Righi, Matteo Zoppis

“Una Femmina” (The Code of Silence), Francesco Constabile

Producer

“A Chiara,” Jon Coplon, Paolo Carpignano, Ryan Zacarias, Jonas Carpignano (Stayblack Productions) — Rai Cinema

“Ariaferma” (The Inner Cage), Carlo Cresto...

Above: Qui rido io (The King of Laughter).Ever so slowly, at least in good parts of Europe, life is returning more and more to a semblance of what we once knew as normal—setbacks and snags included, of course.The 2021 Venice Film Festival was a curious example of that on the organizational level: The same security measures as last year plus vaccination or recovery certificates on top; the same ticketing system, but much more attendees. Which ended in a bit of a massive mess as getting access to screenings became an ordeal. The festival probably hoped that if they just offered enough possibilities to watch a film then everything would even out somehow, but that was not the case, for myriads of reasons, some too mathematical to get into here and others too tediously defined by circumstances. These things happen when a team has to deal with dozens and...

The Venice Film Festival is exerting a positive impact on the Italian box office where Mario Martone’s “The King of Laughter” (“Qui Rido Io”) got a boost over the weekend from its Lido launch that landed the Toni Servillo-starrer in the number two spot after Marvel’s “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.”

Italy’s box office results this past weekend saw “King of Laughter,” in which Servillo plays Neapolitan theater luminary Eduardo Scarpetta, score €314,840 from 291 screens via 01 Distribution for a €1,079 per screen average. That’s not bad considering that Italian movie theaters are operating at 50% capacity due to Covid-19 health safety measures and that Martone’s pic didn’t win any Venice prizes.

To put Martone’s “King” post-Venice result into perspective, “Shang-Chi,” in its second Italian frame, pulled €692,791, for a €1,143 per-screen average, and a total €2.7 million ($3.1 million) Italian haul to date via Disney.

The Great Beauty and The Hand Of God star Toni Servillo plays Neopolitan actor and playwright Eduardo Scarpetta in The King Of Laughter (Qui Rido Io), Mario Martone’s latest Venice Film Festival competition premiere. An affectionate, theatrical portrait set in the early 20th century, it culminates in an historic court case, but the build-up is leisurely to a fault.

We first meet Scarpetta when he’s preparing to go on stage. It’s a place where he seems the happiest, if you discount the beds of various female family members. That pretty much sums up the characterization that takes over two hours to repeat. We see that Scarpetta craves the adulation and laughter of the audience, and is having affairs with both his wife’s sister and his wife’s niece. Everyone knows that the resulting children are his, but it’s barely spoken of: he’s known as “Uncle” to the kids.

Italian auteur Mario Martone is a Venice aficionado. He was recently in competition on the Lido in 2018 with “Capri Revolution,” and then again in 2019 with “The Mayor of Rione Sanità,” a contemporary adaptation of the play about organized crime by late Neapolitan playwright Eduardo De Filippo. The Naples native is vying for the Golden Lion this time with “The King of Laughter,” a historical drama about Neapolitan theater luminary Eduardo Scarpetta — played by Toni Servillo (“The Great Beauty”) — who was De Filippo’s father.

In 1904, at the height of his popularity, Scarpetta took a great risk: He staged a parody of “La figlia di Iorio,” a tragedy written by the greatest Italian poet of the day, Gabriele D’Annunzio. After all hell broke loose, Scarpetta ended up being sued for plagiarism by D’Annunzio himself. It was the beginning of the first copyright lawsuit in Italy, and a draining experience for Scarpetta and his family.

The King of Laughter is a feast of a film in which overindulgence seems unavoidable. The languorous biopic by Italian director Mario Martone attempts to cover — with varying degrees of success — the personal and professional life of celebrated Neapolitan playwright Eduardo Scarpetta. It’s a dazzling and technically brilliant feat, the work of an ambitious, experienced and passionate director. But running more than two hours long, it will leave viewers satiated but slightly fatigued and perhaps even a little confused.

Before we begin, a brief introduction to Scarpetta for those unfamiliar: He was born in Naples in 1853 to middle-class ...

The King of Laughter is a feast of a film in which overindulgence seems unavoidable. The languorous biopic by Italian director Mario Martone attempts to cover — with varying degrees of success — the personal and professional life of celebrated Neapolitan playwright Eduardo Scarpetta. It’s a dazzling and technically brilliant feat, the work of an ambitious, experienced and passionate director. But running more than two hours long, it will leave viewers satiated but slightly fatigued and perhaps even a little confused.

Before we begin, a brief introduction to Scarpetta for those unfamiliar: He was born in Naples in 1853 to middle-class ...

“I’ve never liked artists who have more fun offstage than onstage,” says Italian comic star Eduardo Scarpetta (played by Toni Servillo) in “The King of Laughter.” If that was indeed Scarpetta’s belief, he would have thoroughly approved of Mario Martone’s big, brash, garishly frosted celebration cake of a biopic, in which everyone involved seems to be having the very best of times, tumbling onto screen with the breathless energy of a community theater crew given a very generous spotlight. How much fun viewers will be having with them is open to question. Those au fait with the particular chapter of Italian theater history outlined in Martone’s film might join in the eager applause from the local press contingent at Venice. Others may be more bemused by its unrelenting, dialed-to-11 spirit of cinematic carousing.

“The King of Laughter” is Martone’s third film in four years to premiere in competition at Venice,...

Film Movement has acquired U.S. rights to Italian director Mario Martone’s “The King of Laughter” (“Qui Rido Io”) ahead of its world premiere Tuesday in competition at the Venice Film Festival.

The film, being sold internationally by Italy’s True Colours, toplines Toni Servillo (“The Great Beauty”) as popular and prolific early 20th century Neapolitan actor and playwright Eduardo Scarpetta.

In 1904, at the height of his popularity, Scarpetta took a great risk: he staged a parody of “La figlia di Iorio,” a tragedy written by the greatest Italian poet of the day, Gabriele D’Annunzio. After all hell broke loose, Scarpetta ended up being sued for plagiarism by D’Annunzio himself. It was the beginning of the first copyright lawsuit in Italy, and a draining experience for Scarpetta and his family. It was also a challenging time that he overcame with an act worthy of a great thespian.

Film...

True Colours has taken international sales on Italian auteur Mario Martone’s new film “The King of Laughter” (“Qui Rido Io”) starring Toni Servillo (“The Great Beauty”) as popular and prolific early 20th century Neapolitan actor and playwright Eduardo Scarpetta.

Martone’s latest three works “Leopardi,” “Capri Revolution” and “The Mayor of Rione Sanità” all launched from the Venice competition. “King of Laughter,” for which True Colours will be launching sales at the Cannes market, is believed to have been submitted for a berth in the Lido’s upcoming edition in September.

The Rome-based sales company previously handled Martone’s “Sanità,” which also hails from Naples’ rich theatre heritage.

Scarpetta penned more than 50 comic plays including “Poverty and Nobility,” later adapted into a hit movie produced by Dino De Laurentiis starring Sophia Loren and comedy star Totò.

This is a natural role for Servillo –– pictured as Scarpetta in the above...

The first clapperboard has slammed on the Star original romantic drama starring Cristiana Capotondi and Luca Argentero, based upon Ferzan Özpetek’s 2001 hit film. Cristiana Capotondi (recently seen in Attenti al gorilla and Woman’s Name), Eduardo Scarpetta (Capri-Revolution) and Luca Argentero (recently gracing Good Goals and the series Doc – Nelle tue mani) are leading the cast of the much-anticipated Star original series The Ignorant Angels, a work based upon the hit film which established Ferzan Özpetek in the industry in 2001, His Secret Life. Disney+ has released a photo of the first clapperboard for the romantic drama, which is composed of eight 50-minute episodes and is written by Özpetek, Gianni Romoli, Carlotta Corradi and Massimo Bacchini, with production in the hands of R&c Produzioni. The firm headed up by Tilde Corsi and Gianni Romoli has made almost all of Ozpetek’s films, including his most recent work The Goddess of.

The Italian actor-director is on set with his new film about the theatre company helmed by the De Filippo brothers, descendants of the acclaimed, early twentieth century playwright Eduardo Scarpetta. Filming kicked off just a few days ago in Naples (between Piazza del Plebiscito and Teatro San Carlo) on the new film by Sergio Rubini, who is stepping behind the camera once again after previously directing The Great Spirit, released in May 2019. The title, I Fratelli De Filippo (litt. “The De Filippo Brothers”), and the location leave no doubt as to the subject. We’re in the early twentieth century and the three brothers Peppino, Titina and Eduardo are living with their young and beautiful mother Luisa De Filippo. There’s no father in the family, or rather he’s hiding behind the disguise of “uncle” Eduardo Scarpetta, the most famous, most acclaimed and most wealthy actor-playwright of his time.

Co-produced with Spain, the Neapolitan director’s new film focuses on the great actor and playwright Eduardo Scarpetta, father to Eduardo De Filippo. Filming kicked off last week on Qui rido io, Mario Martone’s new work on the king of Neapolitan comedy, the great actor and playwright Eduardo Scarpetta, who will be played by Toni Servillo. Scarpetta, who fathered Titina, Eduardo and Peppino De Filippo (who were born out of an incestuous relationship with his wife Rosa’s niece), dedicated his entire life to the theatre world, producing works which would go on to become timeless classics, such as Miseria e nobiltà, which was transposed to the big screen in the famous film starring Totò in 1954. He achieved extraordinary success during his long career, which spanned the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th, and was a protagonist in the renowned dispute with Gabriele D'Annunzio over Il.

Title: Capri-Revolution Director: Mario Martone Cast: Marianna Fontana, Reinout Scholten van Aschat, Antonio Folletto, Gianluca Di Gennaro, Eduardo Scarpetta, Jenna Thiam, Ludovico Girardello, Lola Klamroth, Maximilian Dirr, Donatella Finocchiaro. The poetic film director, Mario Martone, provides an insight in the boot-shaped land at the beginning of the 20th century, within the bewitching island of Capri. […]

The post 75th Venice Film Festival: Capri-Revolution Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.

The many admirers of Elena Ferrante’s novel “My Brilliant Friend” — the first in her smash series of four books about a pair of Neapolitan women moving through life — likely have two questions about the Italian-language TV adaptation. The first is how faithful it is to the source material, and the second is how well it matches the novel’s effortless ability to move within its protagonist’s mind, tracking subtleties of emotion.

The answers are mainly good news: In the limited series’ first two installments, screened at the Venice Film Festival Sept. 2 before a November bow on HBO, the story closely tracks the movement of the novel. And while achieving the internality of the book is too high an order for this series, its ability to conjure up the world of children confused at the happenings around them is its own achievement. “My Brilliant Friend” is an impressive effort,...