Oh, those crazy I-talians. Theyre stylish, charming, and know their way around some celluloid. Italians have been making damn good movies since La Dolce Vita, but every prospective Federico Fellini had to have his or her big break somewhere. Once, that might have been in some grubby cinematheque in the old country. These days, however, the favored few present their wares half a world away on Lincoln Road in South Beach, followed of course by a lavish afterparty in one of the trendiest nightclubs. Thats how the Italian Film Festival rolls its film credits.
Now in its eighth year, the festival gets going Thursday at 8 p.m. with the opening film, appropriately titled Italians, at Regal Cinemas South Beach and an afterparty starting at 9:45 just down the street at Set (320 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach). The festival runs through Tuesday and includes Genitori e Figli; Il Papà di Giovanna; Io, Loro e Lara; Generazione 1000 Euro; LUomo Nero; Ex; Alza la Testa; Cosa Voglio di Piu, and 18 Anni Dopo.
Oct. 7-12, 8 p.m., 2010