Editor

For the ninth year SIFF is presenting its annual celebration of the best of current Italian films. The week-long event runs November 9 through November 16 at SIFF Cinema Uptown, and features sixteen extraordinary features with some of the biggest names in Italian cinema today.

The week kicks off on Thursday with our Opening Night film, At War for Love, a World War II period piece mixing history with outrageous comedy. Think Forrest Gump by way of Mel Brooks—equal parts funny, charming, and irreverent.  Join us after the film for our Opening Night Party at SIFF Centro di Film (aka SIFF Film Center!) for hors d' oeuvres and artisan wine.

Highlights include A Ciambra, directed by Jonas Carpignano (Mediterraneo) and Executive Produced by Martin Scorsese, a coming-of-age drama that's Italy's 2017 Official Oscar® submission; award-winning actress Valeria Golino from Cinema Italian Style 2016, Anna (For Your Love), is back as Emma, in Silvio Soldini's (Come Undone) charming and absorbing romance; the Manetti Bros. latest Love and Bullets, a playful mafia musical where crooks really can croon; classic Italian film lovers will have an opportunity to see Vittorio De Sica's 1952 neorealist masterpiece Umberto D. on the big screen; and The War of the Yokels, a rambunctious mixture of social satire, perilous adventure, and low-key fantasy, that plays like a cross between Lord of the Flies and The Goonies.

In addition, on Sunday, November 12 at 3:00 PM, Chateau Ste. Michelle will present an hour-long wine tasting event, prior to Wife & Husband, a wonderfully funny and romantic take on the body swap comedy. 

We're also proud to announce our guests for this year's festival. Francesco Bruni (Noi 4) will be here to talk about two films we're presenting; Everything You Want (director), about a man who takes a job as a companion for an elderly, Alzheimer’s-stricken poet; and Let Yourself Go (writer), starring the phenomenal Toni Servillo (The Confessions) this film about an uptight psychoanalyst whose life is upended when he becomes involved with a personal trainer, won the 2017 Italian Golden Globe for Best Comedy. 

Lastly, our Closing Night film, Easy, will end the festival on a high note as our last guest, Italian director Andrea Magnani, comes to SIFF to discuss his lightly-paced, deeply observed film about a depressed man trying to transport a coffin from Italy to a village in the Ukraine. The festivities will continue after the film at Il Forniao, where you can indulge in delectable bites and affogato from Gelatiamo!

"Cinema Italian Style gets more exciting every year," says SIFF Festival Programming Manager Stan Shields. "This year’s selected films are a great mix of comedy, documentary, and drama, with messages that are both incredibly timely and universal. We are proud to feature Sergio Castellitto’s Lucky, featuring a stunning, award-winning performance from actress Jasmine Trinca; the return of director Cristina Comencini (Cinema Italian Style 2015, Latin Lover) with her delightful, female-centeric, new sex comedy Something New; Fabio Mollo’s compelling love story There is a Light; and our Closing Night film, Easy with director Andrea Magnani in attendance, followed by a fantastic after-party at the Atrium in Pacific Place (catered by the one and only, Il Fornio). We’ve brought together a great mixture of award winners and big hits with Italian audiences—I'm pleased that Seattle audiences will have a chance to see them."

Bookended by two fabulous parties and with very special guests in attendance, the week promises to be una settimana di film straordinario!

See the Full Lineup Here

For screeners, interview requests, and press passes please contact Leah Anderson.

Tickets:

Individual Tickets: $14 | $9 Members

Festival Pass: $100 | $75 Members (Includes Opening and Closing Night Film & Party)