The Salento International Film Festival (SIFF) is a celebration of films and filmmakers, promotes international independent cinema in
recognition of the fact that movies are the most powerful form of
cultural communication and link between cultures and peoples. Founded in
2004 by Luigi Campanile, the Salento International Film Festival
emerged as a major cultural event and one of the top film festival in
Southern Italy.
The 5-day Hong Kong event, from April 30 through May 4, will
bring a selection of the best films from the Salento International Film
Festival. 7 Films from different countries: 4 Italian/Asian Premieres:
the drama “What is Left” by First Time Director Laszlo Barbo,
about the terrible moments of the huge Earthquake that on the 28th
December 1908 destroyed the city of Reggio Calabria; the bitter comedy
that revolves around a 40-year old man in crisis “Diary of a Respectable Lunatic” by a First Time Director Michele Picchi; a comedy by Luca Miniero who jokes about the differences between north and south in Italy “A Godfather in the Living Room”; the splendid “White Shoe”- a 23 min. short-film directed by Mauro Borrelli Inspired by Salvatore Ferragamo´s
early life. To complete the showcase we have the pleasure to present
two Chinese Asian Premieres and one Spanish Premiere: heart-wrenching,
uplifting and moving the Chinese film “Nai River”, from the First Time Director Bin Luo,
is a two-hour emotional roller coaster that guarantees you will shed a
few tears as you marvel at the cast’s memorable performances and poetic
scenery of China. Nai River is a powerful film that will stay with you
long after you’ve left the theatre. The Door God- a family drama short film by Yulin Liu; the Spanish comedy “Love Struck” by First Time Director Mikel Aguirresarobe will conclude the program.
TICKETSPROGRAM
Wednesday April 30
(Opening film)
19:50 WHAT IS LEFT | QUEL CHE RESTA
by Laszlo Barbo | Italy 2012 | Drama – 99 min. (Asian Premiere)
Loosely based on the novel “ Memories of an unburied” by Michele
Colauti and the “The Barracks” by Fortunato Seminara. “What Is Left”
retraces the terrible moments of the huge Earthquake that on the 28th
December 1908 destroyed the cities of Reggio Calabria and Messina in
only 30 seconds. The movie tells the interviewing stories of the
survivors, forced to live in the shanty towns.
Winner Best Film and Best Soundtrack at the 10th Annual Salento International Film Festival 2013
Thursday May 1st
19:40 DIARY OF A RESPECTABLE LUNATIC | DIARIO DI UN MANIACO PERBENE
by Michele Picchi | Italy 2013 | Comedy 87 min | Asian Premiere)
The 40 year-old Lupo is an ironic painter in the doldrums, who with
his reassuring manners manages to hide his torments to everyone. Kind,
sarcastic and with a sweet nature, Lupo is surrounded by some strange
characters who worsen his situation. Among them there is an art dealer
pretending to be a cursed artist; his ex girlfriend still behaving as if
she is still with him; the girl met on facebook; and the young nun who
he is courting with the excuse of his religious insecurities.
Friday May 2nd
19:40 LOVE STRUCK by Mikel Aguirresarobe | Spain 2012 | Comedy 98 min (Asian Prem.)
Ángel Peláez is very jealous man. Ever since he lost his arm in an
accident and with the arm his job as a waiter in the Ritz Hotel, he
imagines the whole day that Reme, his wife, betrays him with most of the
men she gets in contact with. Winner Best Actor JAVIER VEGA at the 10 Annual Salento International Film Festival 2013
Saturday May 3rd
19:40 A BOSS IN THE LIVING ROOM | UN BOSS IN SALOTTO
by Luca Miniero | Italy 2013 | Comedy 90 min | Asian Premi
Cristina is an energetic woman from Southern Italy, now transplanted to
a small town in the North, where she has at last been able to make a
life for herself and her picture-perfect family, including her husband
Michele and their two over-achieving offspring. One morning, Cristina is
called to police headquarters, where she is stunned to find that her
brother Ciro whom she has not seen nor heard from in fifteen years, is
implicated in the trial of several members of the Neapolitan mafia. To
top it off, Ciro wants to spend his time under house arrest with her!
Although it is against her better judgment, Cristina feels she has no
choice but to accept. From that moment on, all her plans and her
family’s well-ordered routines are at the mercy of Uncle Ciro, who
suddenly invades their lives with his tattoos, gold chains, lazy habits
and thuggish manners. A Godfather in the Living Room is a family comedy
filled with laughs but also offering poignant insight into the criminal
underworld, about life in general and, in particular, about families,
which, however imperfect, often turn out to be our greatest sources for
true human warmth.
Sunday May 4
15:00 WHITE SHOE by Mauro Borrelli | USA 2013 | Fantasy – 22 min. (Asian Premiere)
Inspired by Salvatore Ferragamo ´s early life and the aesthetics
and symbolism of German Expressionist cinema of the 1920s, Mauro
Borrelli has created White Shoe, a 22 minute animated short film where a
true story meets elements of magic and fantasy. Salvatore, a gifted
young cobbler, defies his mean boss, Mastro Tomaia. He follows his dream
by creating a pair of shoes for Biancarosa, the little girl who
conquers his heart.
DOOR GOD by Yulin Liu | China 2013 | Family drama – 23 min. (Asian Premiere)
A 7 year old girl, Lingli, has been waiting two years for her mother
to come home. When her family finally puts up the Door God on Chinese
New Year, her mother finally returns, but brings irreversible change to
Lingli and her family. This is a story about how Lingli loses her
childhood innocence, and how she faces those she loves most and her life
after heartbreak.
16:00 NAI RIVER by Bin Luo | China 2013 | Drama 98 min. (Asian Premiere)
DCP In ancient Chinese tales, the Nai River is where the living
world is divided from that of the dead. All deceased people must cross
it to start another cycle of life. As long as one does not cross it,
there is still hope of rebirth. On the way to school with his mother,
Qiang had a car accident and became an invalid. The abandoned baby Xin
had a serious brain tumor. It was inoperable, so he was abandoned to
die. He was sent to a hospice care center for babies, where he was loved
by kind-hearted people. Ying, a rebellious country girl, left the city
where she worked and returned home. Together with her father and younger
brother Xiaoxia, she began to lead a simple life. Sometimes, the
continuation of life is not contingent on the success of crossing Nai
River, but on whether we live together and stick it out. Winner Best Actress CHEN XIAOXIA at the 10 Annual Salento International Film Festival 2013