Tag: Parthenope

Oscar Predictions: La Grazia

Since 2013, three Italian pictures have made the cut for Best International Feature Film at the Oscars. Two of them were directed by Paolo Sorrentino – 2013’s The Great Beauty won and The Hand of God nominated in 2021 was in the contending quintet (the non-Sorrentino hopeful was 2023’s lo capitano). The writer/director hopes to be in the mix again via La Grazia which kicked off the Venice Film Festival today.

Toni Servillo, Anna Ferzetti, and Massimo Venturiello star in the politically charged drama and early reaction is mostly fresh with 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 70 Metacritic. This is Sorrentino’s follow-up to last year’s Parthenope which was considered a misfire by many critics. While La Grazia is faring better, this is certainly no shoo-in for inclusion if Italy chooses it as their selection for IFF. Competition is already strong considering Sentimental Value, It Was Just an Accident, The Secret Agent, No Other Choice, and others that will inevitably materialize. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…

Oscar Predictions: Parthenope

Italian filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino’s filmography has experienced success at the Oscars. In 2013, The Great Beauty took the prize for International Feature Film (then titled Best Foreign Language Film). 2021’s The Hand of God was up for IFF and ultimately fell short to Drive My Car. His latest is Parthenope which has premiered at Cannes.

The Naples set drama stars newcomer Celeste Dalla Porta in the title role alongside Stefenia Sandrelli, Gary Oldman, Silvio Orlando, Luisa Ranieri, and Isabella Ferrari.

Reviews from the Riviera aren’t pretty with many suggesting it’s the auteur’s darkest hour… or rather two hours and change. With a Rotten Tomatoes score of 15%, I doubt Italy will bother to submit this as their contender in the international competition. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…