John Turturro to Make Appearance at Film Forum, 6/22

Film Forum is pleased to present the U.S. theatrical premiere of PASSIONE, directed by and featuring John Turturro. This wild, colorful, sexy ode to the music and people of Naples, was "rapturously received" (Variety) and interrupted by "spontaneous outbreaks of applause" (Sight + Sound Magazine) in Italy, where it played for more than four months (its soundtrack on the charts for five). A brilliant actor in film, theater, and television, Turturro is also the director of three features (including the hilarious, irreverent ROMANCE & CIGARETTES, which premiered in 2007 at Film Forum) and a man whose talents are fueled by an unquenchable zest for life. He describes his new film as "a musical adventure that comes directly out of the people and the volcanic land they inhabit. Conjuring ancient stories and myths that still live - of love, sex, jealousy, and social protest - each song is a small screenplay, an emotional postcard. I tried to see if I could understand in a small way, a little bit of the soul of the city, while at the same time killing clichés about it. There are places you go and once is enough. Then, there's Napoli."

PASSIONE will have a 2-week engagement, June 22 - July 5, at Film Forum, West Houston Street (West of 6th Avenue), with screenings daily at 1:00, 2:50, 4:40, 6:30, 8:20 and 10:10

Turturro will make live appearances at Film Forum on June 22 at 6:30pm, June 23 at 8:20pm, and June 25 at 6:30pm.

"A cinematic love letter to the swinging sounds of the Italian city of Naples." - Leslie Felperin, Variety

"I was blown away by the emotions that were coming out. More than one person left the theater humming." (Rating: A-) - Anne Thompson, Thompson on Hollywood

" A bustling documentary about the rich and varied culture of song in Naples, covering music dating back to the 1200s. But rather than a panel of talking heads, Mr. Turturro has captured a series of colorful performances shot throughout the city, sometimes framed with a bit of storytelling." - Nicholas Rapold, The Wall Street Journal

PASSIONE (2010, 90 mins.) Director: John Turturro. Subject and screenplay: John Turturro and Federico Vacalebre. Based on an idea by Carlo Macchitella. Live sound: Antonio Barba. Editor: Simona Paggi. Costume Designer: Alessandra Gaudioso. Director of Photography: Marco Pontecorvo. Produced by Alessandra Acciai, Carlo Macchitella and Giorgio Magliulo. A coproduction of Skydancers and Squeezed Heart Production.

Featuring: John Turturro, Mina, Spakka-Neapolis 55, Avion Travel, Misia, Pietra Montecorvino, Massimo Ranieri, Lina Sastri, M'barka Ben Taleb, Gennaro Cosmo Parlato, Peppe Barra, Angela Luce, Max Casella, Raiz, James Senese, Fausto Cigliano, Fiorello, Enzo Avitabile and Pino Daniele. Italy/USA. In English and Italian with English subtitles. A Squeezed Heart Release.

Both screenings will be held at Film Forum.

 

 

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos