Riding a duet, Written and directed by Giovanni Veronesi (King’s knights, Love guide, For love, just for love), 83 will be closedThird Edition of the Venice International Film Festival in an out-of-competition slot.
Riding a duet It will have its world premiere on Saturday, September 12, after the awards ceremony. Venice opens September 2.
“In the middle of the 17th century, there was a man who spoke of God in a way that no one had done before: Friar Leopoldo da Casamacchia,” the film’s synopsis reads. “As the church preaches in Latin, Father Leopoldo tells the Gospel with contagious joy, bringing comfort and hope to those who listen. He speaks of a God who is close to the people and able even to laugh with them. His message spreads from village to village, winning the hearts of thousands of people who begin to follow him everywhere, when the churches become empty of people.”
Naturally, word reaches the Vatican. “The Pope decides to entrust the case to Cardinal Macaulayne, the most authoritative inquisitor of his time,” the summary continues. “What begins as a trial turns into an unexpected confrontation designed to challenge seemingly firmly held convictions. While Leopoldo’s fate seems sealed, the fates of Macaulany and those overcome by doubt, like him, take unexpected directions. Because you can silence a voice but not what that voice has left in others.”
The film stars Pierfrancesco Favino, Silvio Orlando, Alma Nuss, Francesco Ghigi, Maurizio Lombardi, Paolo Rossi, and Carlo Cecchi as Pope Innocent X. The script was written by Giovanni Veronese, Nicola Baldoni, Gianluca Bernardini and Nicola Diorzola in collaboration with Paolo Bortone and Jean-Jacques Longa.
“I have a hard time expressing my emotions well; I have a hard time admitting when I’m feeling overjoyed or happy,” Veronesi said. “However, this time, the invitation to the Venice Film Festival left me both surprised and honoured. I’m happy – I said it.”
Alberto Barbera, Director of the Venice Film Festival, said: “We will end well thanks to Giovanni Veronese and his wonderful crew, to whom we owe the successful mixture of irony and lightness applied to a traditionally serious subject. It is a tone that belongs to the finest traditions of Italian cinema, and one that has been overlooked for a long time.”
Venezia also highlighted the film’s finale, saying: “Set in the mid-17th century and loosely based on true events, the film resonates strongly with the present with a story that focuses on freedom, the power of truth, and the relationship between people and power, with its shadows and contradictions. With his profound humanity, Friar Leopoldo will change the lives of the people he meets.”
Riding a duet It will be released in Italian cinemas on October 29, distributed by PiperFilm. Piperplay handles international sales.
