A Twinning of Filmmaking Countries

Canada and Italian production companies seek partners for future movie co-productions

There may be different timetables to observe and different conceptions of bureaucracy, art, and even morals, considering that the hot scenes included in La vita dei santi ("The Lives of the Saints") sent a shiver along the spine of Catholic would-be censors keeping a watchful eye on Canadian television, especially since those scenes were performed by an icon of Mediterranean sensuality Sabrina Ferilli.
But the moviemaking partnership consolidating - with significant growth - between Canada and Italy seems able to overcome any obstacle. This, at least, would seem to be the case with the five projects presented recently by five major Italian movie producers. The meeting was also attended by Canadian movie producer, Gabriella Martinelli, who recognized the talent of directors such as Cronenberg, and co-produced La vita dei santi, where Sophia Loren also stars.
"This is not the first time that we exchange production experiences with Canada," explained Factory's Silvia Scuccimarra. Her Italian production brought The Harvest to the Toronto International Film Festival and hopes to co-produce a Western movie starring actors Franco Nero, Nastassja Kinski, possibly Kevin Costner, and Angelica Houston. "The film should be directed by a Greek, Dimitri Logotis," continued Scuccimarra. "We are looking for Canadian partners and the script is a masterpiece."
Sergio Pelone, of Filmalbatros, who just produced Marco Bellocchio's controversial Buongiorno, notte ("Goodmorning, night"), the story of the kidnap and murder of Aldo Moro, is also hunting for partners in this country. He gave no details on future projects, but he displayed an indisputable will to get things done: "We already started discussions with some Canadian producers," said Bellone, "and Marco [Bellocchio] is studying new projects."
In general, little was said about this cultural twinning, an endeavour assisted by Toronto's Istituto Italiano di Cultura.
"Discussing in advance of the fruits of a lot of artistic work is very difficult. Almost like examining one's conscience in public," said Maurizio Totti (Colorado Film), producer of Gabriele Salvatores and ambassador of hope for the future of Italian cinema. "The first thing I intend to say to Canadian producers," he declared, "is that things in Italy are changing. Alas, not from the standpoint of red tape, but definitely in regards to art. A new generation of talented writers, producers, and directors is growing, and they can give the public something innovative and efficacious." This, it goes without saying, will mean new business opportunities.
Embarking on a co-production, considering - like all the Italian producers did - also the problem of dealing with two languages, is not the only obstacle to overcome. At least not according to Domenico Procacci, of Fandango, the production company that enabled Gabriele Muccino to turn his moviemaking intuitions into reality. "Finding a partner is not easy," he remarked, "and I'm surveying the Canadian market because I feel that it could offer great opportunities for collaboration. Moreover, the American system does not attract me in the least. I look at the people whom I have to work with."
The same goes for Rino Piccolo (Osna Productions), who would like to enlist Canadian help for making a movie on the Mafia. "This will be," he clarified, "an action movie on the new Italian organized crime." This film is already in the planning stage and could achieve the commercial success that is the lifeline of future productions.
What can Italy offer? Giorgio Gosetti, director of Italia Cinema, replies to this question.
"Italy can reciprocate, and it's no small thing, with its new talents, a new generation of producers, a beautiful country for shooting movies, and the opportunity for a cultural encounter of two nations, so different and yet, paradoxically, so similar."

Publication Date: 2003-09-21
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=3177