Cultural Exchanges in January

2、ITALIANA: an Italian film panorama

Initiated by Italy Ministry of foreign affairs and Ministry of Culture, the 2006 year of Italy in China closes its curtains with an Italian film panorama “Italiana”, which was held in Beijing and Shanghai respectively. 30 selected films representing different periods of Italian film from 1950s to the present would come for the panorama.

Most of the 30 movies have won international honors, such as Federico Fellini's classic "La Dolce Vita" ("The Sweet Life"), Nanni Moretti's "La Stanza Del Figlio" ("The Son's Room"), and Pietro Germi's "Serafino."

These 30 films of Italiana take the audience on a fantastic trip to more than 20 places in Italy. By showing people films shot in different parts of Italy, Italiana brings a special Italian flavor to the audience through pictures of bright sunshine, beautiful scenery, stories of comedy, love for life, memories, hard work and close friendship.

World-renowned stars from Italian films such as Roberto Benigni, Maria Grazia Cucinotta, Nanni Moretti, Gabriele Salvatores attend the festival.

Italy produces around 100 films a year and generates about US$1.6 billion in ticket sales, a big sum for a nation with only 55 million people. Its art-house films are widely appreciated worldwide.