16th New Italian Cinema (11/11-11/18)

This weekend, the 16th New Italian Cinema will kick off with a huge Valeria Golino tribute. Starting with An Evening with Valeria Golino, the acclaimed actress will screen a selection from her new feature-length directorial debut, "Vi Perdono" ("I Forgive You"), as well as her short film "Armandino e il Madre." Following a brief Q&A the event will screen "Kryptonite!" ("La Kryptonite Nella Borsa").

Valeria Golino in "Respiro," to be shown at New Italian Cinema. (Courtesy of SF Film Society)

Three additional Golino films will be shown throughout next week, including the sensual and fiery "Respiro," "Texas," and "A Tale of Love." If you can't make it to Golino's event on Sunday, "Kryptonite!" will screen again on November 13. A sweet coming-of-age tale of Peppino, a young boy living in a hectic 1960s Neapolitan household, Golino stars as his mother who falls into depression when she discovers her husband's infidelity. Chaos ensue as each actor delivers vivid, comedic performances, making this a crowd pleaser.

Ivan Controneo's "Kryptonite!" (SF Film Society)

I also highly recommend "Shun Li and the Poet." A feature debut of Andrea Segre, it's a visually stunning narrative of two lonely immigrants living in a xenophobic fishing town near Venice. The powerful backdrop of the lagoons, sea and winter rain echo their solitary desperation as they attempt to navigate a happier life with each other. Starring Chinese actress Zhao Tao, her role of Shun Li, an immigrant working at the local osteria under shady terms, also won the David di Donatello for Best Actress.

Zhao Tao in "Shun Li and the Poet." (SF Film Society)

New Italian Cinema
November 11–18, 2012
Landmark’s Embarcadero Center Cinema

Get tickets at: www.sffs.org.