It’s film festival season, which, as we articulated yesterday in the rash of first looks, is the time to get the first taste of some of the year’s most anticipated titles. The latest is “L’Immensità” starring Penélope Cruz. Premiering in competition at the 79th Venice International Film Festival is “L’Immensità,” which is from Italian writer/director Emanuele Crialese and translates into “Immensity.” Crialese is known for “Respiro” (2002), “Terraferma” (2011), which premiered at the 68th Venice International Film Festival and directing some episodes of the FX series “Trust” set in Italy.
His latest is seemingly simple: the story of love between Clara and her children, set in Rome in the ’70s. The film stars Cruz, Luana Giuliani, Vincenzo Amato, Patrizio Francioni, Maria Chiara Goretti, Penelope Nieto Conti Alvia Reale, India Santella, Mariangela Granelli, and Valentina Cenni.
The film’s first clip, which you can see below, looks a lot like that simple description above; a family just hanging out, dancing, and getting into a vibe with an Italian pop song (“Rumore” by Raffaella Carra from 1979). But there is a darker vibe to the story that you can see in the synopsis, including a divorce, some gender identity issues, and more that takes the family to its breaking point.
Rome, 1970s: a world suspended between neighborhoods under construction and those still in black and white, and social achievements and family models that are now outdated. Clara and Felice have just moved into a new apartment. Their marriage is over: they no longer love each other but can’t break up. Only their children, on whom Clara pours all her desire for freedom, keep them together. Adriana, her eldest, has just turned 12 and is the most attentive witness to Clara’s moods and the growing tensions between her parents. Adriana rejects her name and identity and wants to convince everyone that she is a boy. Her obstinacy brings the already fragile family balance to breaking point.
The screenplay is by Emanuele Crialese, Francesca Manieri, and Vittorio Moroni. “L’Immensità” is produced by Wildside, a Fremantle Company, Warner Bros. Entertainment Italia, Chapter 2, Pathé, France 3 Cinema, with the participation of Canal+, Ciné+, France Televisions. International distribution is by Pathé.
“L’Immensità” is definitely one to watch at Venice, so check out the first clip below and stay tuned to our complete coverage of the 79th Venice International Film Festival.
