Returning for another year, Montreal’s Italian Contemporary Film Festival invites attendees to partake in Italian culture through free concerts, shows and outdoor movie screenings all summer long in the heart of Little Italy.
Every Wednesday until Aug. 26, Montrealers can head to Park Dante in the Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie borough at 9 p.m. to catch a screening of a contemporary Italian film with French or English subtitles, free of charge.
The program, which spans a variety of different genres, also includes two Thursday representations, one at the Centre Leonardo Da Vinci on Aug. 13 and one at Parc Saint-Viateur in Outremont on Aug. 20.
For festival director Francesco Esposito, the festival goes beyond a simple meeting between cinephiles; it serves to help Montrealers experience a small taste of Italian culture.
“The reason why we are here is to live an experience. So, when people come at Parc Dante, the idea is to be in an Italian piazza.”
Notable projections include the sports drama Il Maestro (My Tennis Maestro) on Aug. 5 and 20, the comedy U.S. Palmese on Aug. 12 and the latest project by BAFTA-Award winning director Paolo Sorrentino La Grazia (Grace) on Aug. 19.
“We have a lot of people,” said Esposito. “We don’t know all of them. Some of them don’t even know the movie, they just come at Parc Dante because they love the experience, and so that’s why we have a large selection of different movies and different genres of movies.”
With stands serving pasta, ice cream and wine, organizers hope to create a sense of community between attendees of all cultures who gather to celebrate the members of the Italian community in Montreal.
“Montreal is the most European city in North America,” said attendee Joe Iuculano. “And the number of Italians that are here, especially the number of Italians that actually speak the language, you cannot have Montreal without an Italian film festival.”
The festival was meant to kick off with a representation of Paolo Virzì’s Cinque secondi (Five Seconds) on July 1, but the screening was cancelled due to rain. Instead, the first screening took place on July 8, with attendees gathering early to catch a performance by multilingual singer-songwriter Daniela Fiorentino.
“Music or movies, they really gather people together,” said Fiorentino. “People can’t wait for this event to happen every year, so I’m happy to open up and kick off the whole season.”
Fiorentino says performing her music at the festival is a way for her to connect with others and build bonds in Montreal.
“I feel like a little part of the cultural mosaic of this world, this Montreal, this beautiful town, and it’s very meaningful to me because it means creating bridges between cultures.”
With attendees laughing, dancing and eating while waiting for the projection to begin, Deputy Consul General Of Italy In Montreal Fortunato Mangiola says the atmosphere is the best part of the event.
“The most exciting part of the festival is the atmosphere that the organizers create in Little Italy, so not only cinema but real taste of Italy through food, music and culture,” he said.
Festival goers can come to the screenings early to try and catch a good seat, as well and to attend one of the festival’s many free performances. Namely, Cathy Fuoco will perform her latest comedy show “My Italian Family” on July 29, a set she says everyone can connect to.
“All communities, that you’re Greek, Spanish, Italian, French, Canadian, you will find yourself and your family through me. I can assure that,” she said.
Those interested can find the film lineup on the organization’s website as well as updates on last-minute additions or weather-related cancellations on the festival’s Instagram or Facebook pages.
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