| 2027 ITALIAN FILM SERIES All films are the original Italian version with English subtitles Films begin at 6:45 p.m. at the Norris Center 755 8th Ave. South, Naples, FL (the corner of 8th Avenue South and 8th Street South) A $5 donation is appreciated |
January 11, 2027 Mid-August Lunch (Pranzo di Ferragosto) 2008 Comedy-Drama The story follows Gianni, a middle-aged man living in Rome with his demanding elderly mother. Struggling with debt and a stagnant life, he reluctantly agrees to look after other seniors during the Ferragosto—a major summer holiday when most Italians leave the city. Despite the modest premise, the film quietly explores themes of aging, loneliness, family responsibility, and human connection. Its charm lies in its realism, humor, and the affectionate portrayal of everyday life, turning an ordinary situation into something touching and memorable. |
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| January 25, 2027 Ladri di biciclette (Bicycle Thief) 1948 Neoclassical Drama Tells the story of Antonio, a poor man in postwar Rome who finally secures a job putting up posters, only to have his essential bicycle stolen on his first day. Desperate to keep his livelihood, he spends the day searching the city with his young son Bruno, encountering indifference, false leads, and mounting frustration. As hope fades, Antonio is pushed toward a moral breaking point, revealing the harsh realities of poverty and the deep, emotional bond between father and son. |
February 8, 2027 Arancini di Montalbano (Montalbano's Croquettes) 2002 Action / Crime fiction Commissario Montalbano returns by popular demand. The inspector delays a trip to Paris to enjoy homemade rice croquettes prepared by his housekeeper, Adelina. A wealthy executive and his wife crash off a cliff and a local burglary gets blamed on some Albanians. But what if the crash wasn't an accident and the thief Sicilian? Commissioner Montalbano suspects that things are not so simple. Montalbano visits an ancient Mafia don and learns the secrets that haunted the ill-fated couple. |
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| February 22, 2027 Il Postino (The Postman) 1994 Romantic Drama - Coming of Age Mario, a shy fisherman’s son on a small Italian island, takes a job delivering mail to the exiled Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. Through their growing friendship, Neruda teaches Mario about poetry and metaphor, helping him express his feelings—especially his love for a local woman. As Mario gains confidence and a new sense of purpose, the film gently explores themes of love, self-discovery, and the power of words against the backdrop of political exile. |
March 8, 2027 Viva La Libertà 2013 Comedy Drama - Political Satire A troubled politician suddenly disappears at the height of a political crisis, prompting his aides to secretly replace him with his identical twin brother—a brilliant but eccentric philosopher. As the imposter begins speaking with honesty and passion, he unexpectedly captivates the public and revitalizes the party, blurring the line between authenticity and performance while exploring the nature of leadership, identity, and truth in politics. |
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| March 22, 2027 La ragazza del Lago (The Girl by the Lake) 2007 Crime Drama / Mystery A seasoned detective is investigating the murder of a young woman found near a quiet lakeside town. As he questions residents and uncovers secrets, the case reveals hidden tensions beneath the community’s calm surface. Through shifting perspectives and intertwined stories, the film explores memory, truth, and the complexity of human relationships, gradually piecing together what really happened. |
April 5, 2027 ma che bella sorpresa (what a beautiful surprise) 2015 Romantic Comedy Guido, a dreamy high‑school literature teacher feels his life fall apart when his longtime girlfriend leaves him. With help from his loyal friend Paolo and his quirky parents, Guido tries to move on, and his spirits seem lifted when he meets a dazzling new neighbor who appears to be the perfect woman—but as events unfold, he and those around him must confront whether perfection is real or merely a fantasy. |
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