At the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival, seven standout Italian films captivated audiences, blending classic romance with modern humor. The Italian Screens program showcased titles like "FolleMente" and "Il Nibbio," offering viewers a taste of Italy's rich storytelling legacy.
After the screening of "FolleMente," director Paolo Genovese charmed the crowd by joking, "After Perfect Strangers made couples break up, this time I want people to fall in love!" His witty remark set the tone for a lively post-screening discussion, where Italian filmmakers and Chinese cinephiles exchanged thoughts, sparking warm cultural connections. 😊
Roberto Stabile from Italy's Cinema Department emphasized the goal to let audiences in the Chinese mainland experience Italy's cinematic charm. Backed by an annual fund of €2 million, the Italian Screens initiative supports the global distribution of Italian films, offering up to €50,000 per title for overseas releases.
The collaboration is already showing impressive results. Paola Cortellesi's "There's Still Tomorrow" earned 45 million yuan at the box office in China earlier this year, further cementing the cultural bridge between the film industries of the two nations.
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Italian films shine in Shanghai, boosting Sino-Italian cinematic ties
cgtn.com