26/07/2024 - The Slovak director captures a Neapolitan astrologer and her five clients seeking to alter their destinies in an optimistic documentary premiering in Venice's Orizzonti

Renowned Slovak director and producer Peter Kerekes is set to unveil his latest film, Wishing on a Star [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Peter Kerekes
film profile], in the Orizzonti competition at the Venice Film Festival (see the news). Kerekes returns to the competition after winning the Orizzonti Award for Best Screenplay in 2021 for his docudrama 107 Mothers [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Peter Kerekes
film profile], which explored the lives of mothers in prison and was shot in Ukraine. Wishing on a Star shifts the focus to southern Europe, following the life and work of Luciana de Leoni d'Asparedo, a Neapolitan expert in active astrology. The film's screenplay, co-written by Kerekes and Erica Barbiani—the film's producer, for Videomante—explores the consequences of Luciana's belief that the positions of the stars at one’s birth dictate their destiny. Luciana advises her clients to travel to specific locations on their birthdays to align with ideal star constellations, aiming to alter their fates.

Over seven years, Kerekes and his crew documented Luciana’s consultations with her clients, each seeking transformation and fulfilment. The result is a time-lapse comic travelogue documentary. In the film, Luciana focuses on the lives of five clients, each with a unique story and a common burning desire. Giovanni, a 52-year-old funeral home owner, is in search of a partner to share both his life and business. Adriana and Giuliana, nearly identical twins, wish for love and stronger familial bonds. Alessandra, an elegant elderly lady, longs for freedom from her overbearing mother. Valentina, a mother of two, yearns for the affection of her estranged husband. Barbara, abandoned by her musician father, desires paternal love and a fulfilling relationship. Through these personal stories, Wishing on a Star offers a poignant exploration of human aspirations and the lengths to which people will go to change their destinies. Kerekes’ approach blends humour and empathy, offering a nuanced portrayal of his subjects' lives and their quest for happiness under Luciana's astrological guidance. The director likened the film to lasagna, with multiple layers revealing different aspects of the human experience. In addition to exploring the hidden desires of Luciana's clients, the film probes the universal need for belief and hope, the contrasting realities of first-world tourists and third-world locals, and the personal dynamic between Luciana and her daughter as she imparts her knowledge of astrology.

Each of the clients receives a different destination at which to be "reborn." Giovanni is sent to Brazil, the twins to Beirut, Alessandra to Croatia, Valentina to Alaska, and Barbara to Taiwan. Under Luciana’s motto, "Love can be hiding just around the corner," Kerekes follows these extraordinary trajectories. Wishing on a Star touches with tenderness and understanding on the transience and awkwardness of life, highlighting the essential need to seek hope and meaning in existence, even if it means chasing fleeting illusions. Kerekes’ previous award-winning and critically-acclaimed works, such as 107 Mothers, Cooking History, and Velvet Terrorists [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], blend the authenticity of documentary filmmaking with the structured storytelling of drama, creating optimistic documentaries with the potential to appeal to an international audience. His frequent collaborator Martin Kollár lensed the film, while Slovak documentarist Marek Šulík handled the editing. 

Wishing on a Star is produced by Videomante (Italy) and co-produced by Kerekesfilm (Slovakia), Artcam Films (Czech Republic), Mischief Films (Austria), Restart (Croatia), Volos Films (Italy), Radio and Television Slovakia and Ji.hlava/JB Films. The film received support from the Slovak Audiovisual Fund, the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic, the Fondo Audiovisivo Friuli Venezia Giulia, Ji.hlava/JB Films, MiC . DG Cinema, Eurimages, the Czech Film Fund and the Croatian Audiovisual Centre. Filmtopia handles the Slovak theatrical release on 26 September. Czech theatrical distribution is handled by Artcam Films and the premiere is set for 7 November. Croatian distribution is planned for the first half of 2025.