One of our most anticipated films of the year? “Italian Studies,” the collaboration between Academy Award-nominated actress Vanessa Kirby “Pieces of A Woman“) and Adam Leon, the indie filmmaker behind the American indie writer/director behind acclaimed films like “Gimmie The Loot” and “Tramps.” And we’re fortunate enough to unveil the exclusive first-look image from the film. “Italian Studies” will make its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 12, 2021.
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Not much has been known about the film until recently, details were held under wraps until the Tribeca announcement, but the film is about a writer who loses her memory. Adrift in NYC, she connects with a group of teenagers – in conversations both real and imagined – and searches for a way home.
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The film stars Kirby and newcomer Simon Brickner, with appearances by Annika Wahlsten, Annabel Hoffman, David Ajala, Maya Hawke, and Fred Hechinger. Nicolas Britell, one of the best composers working today, who did the “Succession” score and often works with Barry Jenkins (“Moonlight” and “Underground Railroad“), wrote the music for this one too. The cinematography is from Brett Jutkiewicz, who shot “Ready Or Not” and “Boogie.” Here’s the official synopsis:
A writer, Alina Reynolds (Vanessa Kirby), loses her memory and finds herself adrift in New York City — with almost no sense of time, place, the season — or her own identity. Alina’s consciousness swings between imagined conversations, fragments of her own short stories — and the bustling city around her. She finds an anchor in a charismatic teenager (Simon Brickner), connecting with him and his free-spirited group of friends —as she makes her way through a disorienting but strangely beautiful cityscape. The story is also full of music — much of it performed and captured live — alongside an evocative score from Nicholas Britell that informs Alina’s journey from start to finish.
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Kirby is just coming off her first Best Actress nomination from the critically-acclaimed “Pieces Of A Woman.” We can’t wait to see what she and Leon have cooked up for this one. Check out the exclusive image below, and hopefully, we’ll see a teaser or trailer around the time of Tribeca in the summer.