Monica Pellizarri (Italian by name, Australian by culture) is a genuine Venice discovery: it was Venice which first showcased her talents with the Silver Baby Lion-winning short film, Just Desserts, a couple of years ago, and now, her debut feature, Fistful of Flies, is in Corsia di Sorpasso (Fast Lane).
Described by Pellizzari as a comedy drama with a surrealist edge, Fistful of Flies, shot in and around Sydney, is the story of the Italo-Australian Lupi family living in Cider Gully, with its interfering, noisy inhabitants. The film deals with three generations of wilful women struggling for identity in a rural Australian town plagued by flies, in a household dominated by a violent, domineering and philandering father.
Mars, the 16 year old 'yearning to be 22 and free', tries to come to terms with her sexuality, and is the catalyst for the changes around her. Pellizzari points out that the title is translated from the Italian, Un pugno di mosche, a saying which, usually directed at women, means that if you follow your dreams you'll end up with nothing. 'The story comes out of my cultural background as an Italo-Australian,' she says.
Not surprisingly then, the story had been developing for a long time in her mind. She began writing the script six years ago, and took it to producer Julia Overton three years ago. Overton, who chose the project as her feature debut, was 'attracted to the theme of three generations of women, and I liked the fact that it was showing a universal situation - the dysfunctional family, but also the dilemmas that a migrant family has to deal with.'
Andrew L. Urban
Prod co: Long Black Productions
Prod: Julia Overton
Dir/scr: Monica Pellizzari
Ph: Jane Castle
Prod des: Lissa Coote
Music: Felicity Fox
Ed: James Manche
Cast: Dina Panozzo, Tasma Walton, John Lucantonio, Anna Volska, Maria Venuti, Rachael Maza, Giordano Gangl, Cathren Michalak
Running time: 85 mins
International sales: Southern Star
[Home ] [Content ] [The Sponsors ] [The Team ] [Comments ] [Help ]
