The 21st edition of the Rome Film Festival runs from October 13 to October 25 in the Italian capital, featuring a diverse slate of international and Italian cinema. Paolo Genovese’s concept movie “Il Rumore Delle Cose Nuove,” which follows three Milanese couples whose lives intersect after an unexpected event, will open the festival.
Opening Night and Italian Cinema Showcase
Paolo Genovese directs the opening night film “Il Rumore Delle Cose Nuove,” setting the stage for a festival heavily anchored by Italian productions. The 21-year-old event blends local contributions with prominent international titles across its multi-day run in Rome.
International Premieres and Standout Titles
Alexandre Castagnetti directs a contemporary French-language adaptation of the 19th-century classic “The Phantom of the Opera,” starring Deva Cassel, Julien De Saint-Jean, and Romain Duris. Bille August debuts his long-gestating post-Second World War drama “Me, You,” which stars Tim Roth, Sonia Ammar, and Laura Morante.
Additional international entries heading to Italy include Tim Blake Nelson’s prison drama “The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd,” Diego Luna’s migration-focused film “Ashes,” Boots Riley’s anticapitalist satire “I Love Boosters,” and Jesse Eisenberg’s latest directorial effort, “The Debut.”
Honors and Special Tributes
Javier Bardem receives a lifetime achievement award at the festival. The Oscar-winning actor will present a screening of Spanish director Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s “The Beloved” (“El ser querido”), which is featured in the event’s “Best of the Fests” sidebar.
The “Best of the Fests” section also hosts several high-profile international titles:
- French epic “De Gaulle,” directed by Antonin Baudry, following its out-of-competition premiere at Cannes.
- “Elsinore,” directed by Simon Stone, recounting the true story of Scottish “Chariots of Fire” star Ian Charleson playing Hamlet at London’s National Theatre during the early impact of the AIDS epidemic.
- “Ghost Song,” directed by Fatih Akin, which previously opened the San Sebastian Film Festival.
- Peter Farrelly’s sports drama crowdpleaser “I Play Rocky,” chronicling the creation of the 1976 classic.
Meanwhile, actress Susan Sarandon receives recognition from the festival’s independently run “Alice in the City” sidebar, which focuses on youth and children’s cinema. Sarandon attends the festival to promote the international launch of “Silicon Valley” star Zach Woods’ feature directorial debut, “The Accompanist,” in which she stars. She will also accept the event’s Womenlands Excellence Award, which honors international and Italian women for contributions to culture, entertainment, and activism.
British producer Tessa Ross, co-CEO of London-based House Productions—whose credits include “Conclave” and Danny Boyle’s “Ink”—will be presented with the festival’s industry lifetime achievement award.
Worth a look