Maura Delpero’s Venice-Winning Period Drama ‘Vermiglio’ Lands North American Distribution

As a cinephile with a penchant for international cinema and a soft spot for period dramas, I can hardly contain my excitement about the upcoming release of Maura Delpero’s masterpiece, Vermiglio. Having grown up in the Italian Alps myself, the setting of this film resonates deeply with me, evoking memories of the breathtaking landscapes and the simple, yet profound way of life that once thrived there.

As a devoted cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that I’ve learned that Sideshow and Janus Films have secured the North American rights for Maura Delpero’s critically-acclaimed Italian period drama, “Vermiglio”. This captivating film was honored with the Venice Film Festival’s Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize! Can’t wait to witness this masterpiece on our side of the Atlantic.

The movie made its competitive debut in Venice, followed by its North American premiere last night at the Toronto Film Festival. Both Sideshow and Janus have announced plans to screen the film in North American cinemas within the next few months.

As a passionate admirer, I’m excited to share that “Vermiglio” is a captivating sequel to Delpero’s critically acclaimed debut film, “Maternal,” from 2019. Just like last time, she takes on the roles of writer, director, and producer for this compelling new piece. Interestingly, it draws inspiration from her personal family history.

As a gamer, I was truly captivated by Vermiglio, an Italian masterpiece that may be small in scale but delivers an epic storyline. It’s like reliving a vivid memory across four stunningly portrayed seasons during World War II, as observed by Sideshow and Janus Films.

The movie in Italian is titled after a mountain village, nestled amidst the Alps during 1944. In the opening scenes of Vermiglio, the unexpected arrival of Pietro, a soldier seeking refuge, disturbs the harmony within a local teacher’s household. As the final seasons of World War II approach, Pietro and Lucia, the eldest daughter of the teacher, feel an immediate connection, resulting in marriage and an unforeseen destiny. As the world recovers from its turmoil, this family must confront their own challenges.

The image of a largely disappearing rural lifestyle continues to captivate us,” noted the critic from The Hollywood Reporter in their Venice review. Previously, they had pointed out that, much like Delpero showcased with her critically acclaimed film Maternal, she has an exceptional talent for working with actors, particularly those who are young and untrained.

The review additionally commended the movie’s visuals for capturing an awe-inspiring atmosphere within the expansive landscapes, brilliant snowfields, and mysterious woodlands of the Italian Alps.

Vermiglio is jointly produced by Carole Baraton, Pauline Boucheny Pinon, Jacques-Henry Bronckart, and Tatiana Kozar. This production is a collaboration between Cinedora and RAI Cinema, with additional co-production from Charades Production and Versus Production. Furthermore, Anonymous Content has also contributed to the project.

The arrangement for distributing the movie in North America was finalized between Sideshow and Janus Films, along with Nick Shumaker from Anonymous Content and Carole Baraton of Charades, who were acting as representatives for the film creators.

Over just three years, Sideshow, along with Janus Films, has amassed a notable collection of critically acclaimed international films. This year alone, they released Bertrand Bonello’s ‘The Beast’ and Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Venice silver lion winner, ‘Evil Does Not Exist.’ In Toronto, they are showcasing Gints Zilbalodis’ animated Latvian Oscar entry ‘Flow,’ Payal Kapadia’s Cannes Grand Prix winner ‘All We Imagine as Light,’ Alain Guiraudie’s ‘Misericordia,’ and Jia Zhangke’s ‘Caught by the Tides.’ Next month, they will premiere Leos Carax’s Cannes selection ‘It’s Not Me’ at the New York Film Festival.

2024-09-11 16:25

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