06/09/2007

The last Italian competition title to premiere at the Venice Film Festival is Vincenzo Marra’s L’ora di punta [+see also:
trailer
film profile] ("Rush Hour"), a corruption drama set in Rome. The film stars newcomers Michele Lastella and Giulia Bevilacqua and French veteran actress Fanny Ardent.

The film is driven by the obsession of Finance Police officer Filippo (Lastella), from a modest background, to put his hands on at least some of the money that goes through his hands each day. To achieve this aim, he meticulously executes a plan that will help him get higher up through the right connections, with a Rome-based French art dealer (Ardant) a vital part of both his amorous and business ambitions, though he continues to feel something for his ex (Bevilacqua).

The director, back in Venice after the success of his 2004 film Vento di terra [+see also:
trailer
film profile] and the documentaries Paesaggio a sud and L’udienza è aperta, explained that Filippo "is an anti-hero, a contemporary hero. He is a winner who embodies corruption in Italy, a country of unscrupulous businessmen, crime news and real estate speculators".

After the neo-neorealist style of Vento di terra and his documentary work, Marra has chosen a very polished cinematic language for his new film, working with obvious light and dark contrasts and using close-ups to scrutinize the faces of his protagonists for any signs of moral ambivalence or regret (there is none).

The story of the ascent of a ruthless and ambitious young man is a familiar one and because the protagonist has no regrets or even doubts, it is hard to identify with him, making the film a clinical portrait of corruption.

The film will premiere in Italy on Friday through 01 Distribution. It was produced by R&C Produzioni and French Connection in collaboration with Rai Cinema and with the support of the Ministero per i beni e le attività culturali. Sales are handled by Films Distribution.