Here’s What I’d Like To See Happen In Italian Cinema

riccardo-scamarcio-giampaolo-morelli-gabriella-pession-francesca-inaudi-immagini-dal-film-32-1 — Why didn’t this great Italian rom-com “L’uomo Perfetto” with Riccardo Scamarcio make it to the US?

Since I’m not Italian, not even Italian-American, I’m not sure how much say I have in this. Well, none, actually. I have zero say in this, but when did that ever stop me from talking?

I love Italian movies, and I think the ones out there are getting better and better all the time, but I have a wish list:

1) I’d love to see better romantic comedies. When I say this, I am IN NO WAY suggesting any kind of surrender to the American rom-com; the emotion that Italians put into a love story is just the thing for a good romantic comedy and Americans should take notes. BUT, there are a few things that Italian filmmakers could learn from Americans. They should be making more movies with pretty young people as protagonists. (God knows the country has enough of them), and the tearjerking and sexual tension should be taken up a few notches. You Italians have the tools for this – use them!

This-Must-Be-The-Place_i06 — Let’s give more Italian directors big fat budgets like Sorrentino’s “This Must Be The Place” and see what they can do with them.

2) I’d love to see Americans funding Italian films and more joint country ventures with Italy. Wouldn’t you love to see what directors, usually severely limited, could do with a lot of money? Paolo Sorrentino had a bigger budget (28 million US dollars!) and look what he came up with. This Must Be The Place (due out in American theaters November 2) is amazing, and there’s Oscar buzz around it.

WATCH L’UOMO PERFETTO IN IT’S ENTIRETY!

3) On a daily basis I am urging Americans to try Italian movies, but I’d also love to see more Italians trying Italian movies. When I’m in Italy I am constantly telling Italians about their own movies. I’m told that there’s nothing good to see, but when I ask them if they’ve seen my favorites, they’ve often never heard of them.

4) I’d love to see more thrillers, like La Doppia Ora. How about some more or the scary movies, like the old giallo films?

5) I’d love to see less of Christian De Sica, Massimo Boldi, Francesco Mandelli and Fabrizio Biggio.And when I say less, I mean none.

6) I’d love to see more of the good comedies get US distribution, the ones made by Aldo Giovanni and Giacomo, and the ones by Checco Zalone. I think that Americans would love La Banda dei Babbi Natale and Che Bella Giornata.

7) I wish I understood the distribution process in general. Why am I able to watch my favorite actor, Luigi Lo Cascio’s worst movie, Mare Nero (Time Warner Pay Per View) here in the US and not his best ones, like La Vita Che Vorrei and Mio Cognato. Who decides what makes it here and what doesn’t? I want to meet these people.