Fare Cinema: A taste of Italian films from the heart of Jordan

Get ready for a cinematic feast as the Royal Film Commission (RFC) prepares to host the eagerly anticipated sixth edition of “Fare Cinema: Italian Film Days”' in collaboration with the Italian Embassy in Amman. اضافة اعلان

Starting today to July 5, movie enthusiasts can head to the RFC’s Outdoor Amphitheatre to get immersed in the rich and diverse world of Italian cinema.

The festival will feature three Italian films with English subtitles, promising a delightful experience for all attendees. This cinematic extravaganza showcases some of Italy's finest cinematic achievements, highlighting the creativity and storytelling prowess of Italian filmmakers.

The selected Italian films are: Dry (2022), The Eight Mountains (2022), and Out of Tune (2022).

All three films are set in various parts of Italy, highlighting the country’s diverse background. The films this year focus on the themes of friendship and love. Starting with the first screening, Dry, the film follows two friends who are reunited after many years apart. Meanwhile, The Eight Mountains follows two friends who grow up together in the Italian Alps, and Out of Tune follows a group of men who form a choir and bond over their shared love of music.

Each film offers a unique cinematic experience, taking viewers on journeys of human connection, self-discovery, and profound emotions. Get ready to be enthralled by the magic of Italian storytelling during this remarkable cinematic celebration."


Dry: An apocalyptic dramaMonday at 8m

Dry (Italian: Siccità) is a 2022 Italian drama film directed by Paolo Virzì that premiered at the 79th Venice Film Festival.

Set in a dystopian Rome where a severe drought has plagued the city for three years, the film explores the impact of the water shortage on a diverse group of characters. With overlapping storylines and satirical social commentary, "Dry" offers a dark yet diverting portrayal of a society grappling with environmental, social, and personal crises.

As the drought persists, the lives of various characters intersect, showcasing their self-involvement and indifference towards the underlying environmental crisis.

Among them are Alfredo, an actor obsessed with his online following, and Sembene, an immigrant who becomes a target of media attention.

The film also features a hospital doctor, a prisoner who inadvertently escapes, and Monica Bellucci in a supporting role. Through these characters, "Dry" sheds light on the societal divides and psychopathic tendencies prevalent in a self-centered world.

The movie serves as a metaphorical reflection of a society in decline. The film tackles a range of topical themes, including the environment, social inequality, and people's responses to crises like the drought and the pandemic. The contrasting reactions of the characters, with the young and refugees often being the only ones questioning the situation, highlight the selfishness and apathy prevalent in the larger society. Through its satirical lens, it offers a darkly funny and thought-provoking examination of these pressing issues.

The film's ensemble cast is led by Monica Bellucci as Teresa, a widowed police officer who is investigating a series of mysterious deaths that may be linked to the drought. Other notable performances come from Tommaso Ragno as a young man who sets out to find water for his family, and Silvio Orlando as a corrupt politician who is profiting from the crisis.

Dry is a timely and thought-provoking film that explores the human cost of climate change. The film's visuals are stark and unflinching, and its message is clear: if we do not take action to address climate change, the consequences will be dire.


The Eight Mountains: A journey through life
Tuesday at 8pm

The Eight Mountains is a slow-burning but deeply rewarding film that tells the story of a lifelong friendship between two boys who meet in the Italian Alps. Pietro is the son of a wealthy Turin family, while Bruno is a shepherd's son from a small village. The two boys are drawn to each other by their love for the mountains, spending their childhood exploring the peaks and valleys together.

Directed by Felix van Groeningen and co-written by Charlotte Vandermeersch, The Eight Mountains showcases their exceptional storytelling skills and their ability to elicit raw emotions from the audience. Through nuanced performances and breathtaking cinematography, the film captures the essence of the Italian landscape and the emotional landscapes of its characters.

As they grow older, Pietro and Bruno's lives diverge. Pietro goes to university in Milan, while Bruno stays in the mountains to help his family with their farm. But even though they are apart, their friendship remains strong. They return to the mountains every summer to hike, climb, and ski together.

The film's two lead actors, Luca Marinelli and Alessandro Borghi, give excellent performances. Marinelli brings a sense of vulnerability and emotional depth to his role as Pietro, while Borghi brings a sense of humor and vitality to his role as Bruno.

With its compelling narrative, stunning visuals, and powerful performances, The Eight Mountains is a testament to the enduring power of cinema. It reminds us of the universal human experiences we all share and the profound impact of our relationships with both nature and each other.

In my opinion, it is a must-see drama that will leave a lasting impression on audiences. Its exploration of love, friendship, and self-discovery, combined with its Italian charm, makes it a truly unforgettable cinematic experience.

The film's title refers to the eight highest mountains in the Italian Alps. The mountains are a symbol of the challenges and obstacles that the two friends face throughout their lives.


Out of Tune: Existential drama of redemption and rediscovery
Wednesday 8 pm

Scordato (English title: "Out of Tune") is a 2023 Italian comedy-drama film directed by Rocco Papaleo. The film stars Papaleo,  a washed-up musician who is invited to participate in a music festival in his hometown. He reluctantly agrees, but soon finds himself caught up in a series of misadventures.

The film is a more personal and melancholic, compared to Papaleo’s previous roles, as it explores themes of loss, regret, and redemption. Papaleo's performance is raw and emotional, while the supporting cast is excellent. The film is also visually stunning, with beautiful cinematography of the Italian countryside.

The film revolves around the life of Orlando Bevilacqua, a 60-year-old piano tuner described as a "depressive who is comfortable as such." Orlando is a solitary and tense man, filled with rancor and numbing himself with smoking joints. He leads an inconsistent and unfulfilled life, haunted by his past, which he needs to confront and make peace with.

The story takes a turn when Orlando meets Olga, a physiotherapist played by singer Giorgia in her acting debut. Olga diagnoses Orlando with emotional immaturity and asks him to bring a photo of his younger self to compare his past and present body language. Reluctantly, Orlando returns to his hometown in Basilicata, Italy, to search for an old photo that holds memories of his shattered past.

Throughout the journey, Orlando is accompanied by a mysterious boy, played by Simone Corbisiero, who is revealed to be his younger self from 1982. As the film alternates between desaturated colors of the present and warm tones of the past, flashbacks reveal the nature of Orlando's baggage, including his close relationship with his sister Rosanna, his mother's second marriage, and the tragic consequences of his sister's revolutionary ideology on their family.

Out of Tune, delves into themes of physical and emotional impediments, brotherly love, the Italian South, and armed struggles. It explores the impact of political events on personal lives, set against the backdrop of the sleepy South of Italy. Music, a recurring element in Papaleo's films, plays a salvific role in offering metaphors for rediscovering the right chords and harmonies in life.


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