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Happy as Lazzaro

Modern Masters

Alice Rohrwacher / Feature Narrative / Italy / 2018
In Italian / Arabic, English subtitles
Interests: Drama
Rated: Mature subject matter which may not be suitable for minors. Parental guidance is strongly advised.Individuals under the age of 15 are not admitted into cinemas.

Synopsis

Set in the arcadian hills of Inviolata, a rural village untouched and sheltered from the passage of time, ‘Happy as Lazzaro tells the tale of young farmhand Lazzaro and his unlikely friendship with nobleman Tancredi. Overseen by Tancredi’s mother—the Marquise Alfonsina de Luna, known as the “Queen Of Cigarettes”—the workers of Inviolata are subject to harsh and, unknown to them, illegal working conditions.

Exploitation is the norm, and none more so than in the case of Lazzaro who is often taken advantage of because of his good nature. Perpetually but affectionately teased by the other peasants, Lazzaro is happy to carry out duties that no one else wants to do, such as guarding the chicken coop against wolves.

One day, Tancredi hatches a half-baked plan to fake his own kidnapping, one which the amenable Lazzaro dutifully agrees to, setting in motion a series of events that will change the life of all of the inhabitants of Inviolata.

Rohrwacher’s sweet, kind-hearted comedy belies a poignant social message that brims with an impressive mix of classic Italian cinema pedigree. She beautifully unfurls a parable about social division through a captivating fairytale-esque storyline. ‘Happy as Lazzaro’ is a tale for the ages and one that firmly places Rohrwacher as a filmmaking force for long to come.

About the Director

Born in Tuscany, Alice Rohrwacher graduated from Torino University in Literature and Philosophy. She has worked as an editor and composer for theatre.

Her first experience in filmmaking was in 2006, when directing a part of the Italian documentary ‘Checosamanca’. In 2011, she directed her first feature film ‘Heavenly Body’, which premiered at the Directors' Fortnight during the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.

Her second feature film, ‘The Wonders’, won the Grand Prix at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival. Also in 2014, Rohrwacher was appointed the President of the International Jury for the “Luigi De Laurentiis” Award for a Debut Film at the 71st Venice International Film Festival. Her latest film, ‘Happy as Lazzaro’, was released to critical acclaim and won the Best Screenplay award at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.

Credits

Director

Alice Rohrwacher

Screenwriter

Alice Rohrwacher

Producer

Carlo Cresto-Dina

Editor

Nelly Quettier

Co-Producer

Tiziana Soudani, Alexandra Henochsberg, Grégory Gajos, Arthur Hallereau, Pierre-Francois Peit, Michel Merkt, Michael Weber, Viola Fugen

Cinematographer

Hélène Louvart

Sound

Christophe Giovannoni

Distributor

Moving Turtle

Cast

Adriano Tardiolo - Lazzaro Agnes Graziani - Antonia Alba Rohrwacher - Antonia (grown-up) Luca Chikovani - Tancredi Tommaso Ragno - Tancredi (grown-up) Sergi Lopez - Ultimo Natalino Balasso - Nicola Gala Othero Winter - Stefania (grown-up) David Be

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