The Palace Cinemas franchise was started by the Zeccola brothers, who arrived in Melbourne in 1957 and opened cinemas for the purpose of screening Italian films to fellow migrants. In the late 1990s, Palace launched the Italian Film Festival as a showcase of the latest movies from the homeland.
This spring, the festival returns to celebrate 25 years of la dolce vita from September 20 until October 17. Opening the festival is Gloria!, which marks the directorial debut of Italian singer, songwriter and actor Margherita Vicario, who also co-wrote the film. Gloria! Follows a maid at a Venetian refuge, whose hidden talent helps inspire an uprising. Vicario will be present at the opening night gala, which is happening at the Astor Theatre.
Bid the festival arrivederci at the closing night Australian premiere screening of Conclave. This all-star papal thriller features Oscar nominees Stanley Tucci and Ralph Fiennes as part of a brilliant ensemble cast, playing Cardinals gathered at the Vatican to elect a new Pope.
In between, enjoy a month-long Italian feast of films including psychological thriller Trust, investigative mystery A Dark Story and ensemble drama Family Matters. Italian comedy lovers will also delight in box office hit A World Apart, small-town story Life’s A Beach and face-your-fears tale Volare.
For fans of the classics, the Italian Film Festival is hosting a special 50th anniversary screening of The Godfather Part II. The beloved film will be shown in lavishly restored 4k, with an intermission to help you get through more than three hours of epic drama.
Sessions will take place across the following inner Melbourne venues: the Astor Theatre, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, the Kino, Pentridge Cinema and Cinema Nova.
Tickets will fly as fast as spaghetti sauce onto a freshly-washed white top, so twirl them round your fork right now and get stuck in! You can get your tickets in cinemas at box offices until sold out or online here.
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